NPC Puts Nigerian Population at 198m, Seventh Largest in the World The National Population Commission (NPC) has put Nigeria’s current population at 198 million people with urban population growing at an average annual growth rate of about 6.5 per cent. Chairman of NPC, Mr. Eze
Duruiheoma, stated this in New York while delivering Nigeria’s statement on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration at the 51st Session of the Commission on Population and Development.
Duruiheoma said: “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million. “The recent World Population Prospects report predicts that by 2050, Nigeria
will become the third most populated country in the world. “Over the last 50 years, the Nigeria’s urban population has grown at an average annual growth rate of more than 6.5 per cent without
commensurate increase in social amenities and infrastructure. “It grew substantially from 17.3 per cent in 1967 to 49.4 per cent of the country’s total population in 2017. In addition, the 2014 World Urbanisation
Prospects report, predicts that by 2050, most Nigerians – 70 per cent – will be residing in cities. “The 2010 human mobility survey report revealed that Continued on page 6
Crude Oil Hits $72, Highest in Three Years over Middle East Tensions‌ Page 6 Thursday 12 April, 2018 Vol 23. No 8393. Price: N250
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Buhari: I Declared My Re-election Bid Before Travelling Because Speculation was Rife Says negotiations ongoing for Leah Sharibu’s release Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja After failing to give tangible reasons why he wants to be re-elected for a second term in office, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in London explained that he chose the forum of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday
to declare his intention before departing for the United Kingdom because speculation was rife over whether he would run or not. According to the president’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari also informed the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace, Justin Welby in London Continued on page 6
PDP Alleges FG Onslaught Against Opposition Leaders, Presidential Hopefuls Cries out over plot to frame Wike, Fayose, Ekweremadu Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress-led federal government of an orchestrated plot to intimidate and persecute opposition leaders and those that harbour presidential ambitions. The main opposition party said apart from designating a
special presidential committee to witch-haunt its members, the APC-led federal government has allegedly perfected a plan to frame the governors of Ekiti and Rivers States, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike, respectively, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Continued on page 6
No Electronic Voting in 2019, Says INEC... Page 8
HIS GRACE COMES VISITING... President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace, Justin Welby, when the archbishop visited the president in London yesterday and presented him a copy of his book, ‘Reimagining Britain - Foundations for Hope’
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Crude Oil Hits $72, Highest in Three Years over Middle East Tensions
Ejiofor Alike with agency report
The price of crude oil yesterday rose to $72 per barrel, its highest in more than three years, after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles over Riyadh, worsening tensions in the Middle East. Also comments by the U.S. president, Donald Trump, who yesterday warned Russia that missiles “will be coming,” in Syria after a suspected chemical attack, also affected the global oil market. Reuters reported that the fallout from new U.S. sanctions on Moscow have rattled investors
and fears of military action were stoked after one of Russia’s ambassadors reiterated it would shoot down any U.S. missiles fired at Syria. Trump, who has criticised Russia for standing by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, shot back in a message on Twitter early yesterday. “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’,” he wrote in the post. “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
he added. With the markets reacting, oil prices rose to their highest in more than three years after Trump’s latest comments. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 2.43 per cent to $67.10 per barrel while Brent closed at $72.50, up 2.06 per cent on the day. Crude oil prices began to climb on Trump’s warning over Syria, then rallied further on a report that Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces intercepted a missile over the capital Riyadh. The prices last Friday suffered their worst weekly decline in
two months after they followed plummeting equity markets amid growing fears of a trade war between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies. But on Monday, oil tracked global stock prices higher on signs over the weekend that the Trump administration might be softening its stance in the trade spat with China. However, remarks from China’s foreign ministry and a tweet from Trump have suggested that the dispute could easily heat up again. Oil prices on Tuesday hit over $70 as the trade war between the U.S. and China appeared to ease.
The price had on January 25, 2018 hit $71, its highest since December 2014. After falling from an all-time high of $147 per barrel in July 2008, Brent crude price had hit a peak of $115 per barrel in June 2014 before excess inventory in the oil market forced the price down to $27 per barrel in February 2016. WTI also reached a peak of $105 per barrel in June 2014 before the sharp drop in oil prices. However, a production cuts pact between the OPEC, Russia and other producers has given strong tailwind to oil prices. OPEC’s main objective for
the cuts is to eliminate a global surplus in oil stocks and rebalance the market. OPEC, together with Russia and a group of other producers, last November extended the output cuts to cover all of 2018. The current deal, under which OPEC and non-OPEC producers are cutting supply by about 1.8 million barrels per day, expires in March 2018. OPEC is cutting output by even more than it promised and the restraint is reducing oil stocks globally, a trend most visible in the U.S., the world’s largest and most transparent oil market.
BUHARI: I DECLARED MY RE-ELECTION BID BEFORE TRAVELLING BECAUSE SPECULATION WAS RIFE when the latter visited him, that he will be re-contesting the 2019 presidential election because Nigerians appreciate what his government is doing. Adesina said the president told the archbishop that his administration would focus on issues such as security, agriculture and anti-corruption, stating that he was seeking to be re-elected because most Nigerians appreciate what his government was doing. “I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not. So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on like security, agriculture, the economy,
anti-corruption, and many others. “We needed to concentrate on them and politics should not be a distraction. The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting,” he was quoted as saying. The statement said the president recounted some successes of his administration to his guest, with whom Adesina added he had built a deep friendship in recent times and was quite particular about the strides made in agriculture. “We have cut the importation of rice by about 90 per cent, saving billions of dollars in the process. People who rushed into petrol money have now gone
back to agriculture. “Even professionals have gone back to the land. Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon. I am so pleased,” the president was further quoted. On the war against the insurgency, Adesina said his principal stressed the need for continuous education for the people, “so that they can be free of religious manipulation,” noting that no true religion advocates the hurting or killing of the innocent. He said Buhari, while responding to his guest’s comment on clashes between herdsmen and farmers in different parts of the country, said the problem preceded his administration.
“The problem is even older than us. It has always been there, but now made worse by the influx of armed gunmen from the Sahel region into different parts of the West African sub-region. “These gunmen were trained and armed by Muammar Gadaffi of Libya. When he was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms. We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram. “Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks and maybe a cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions,” he explained to Welby.
He also said Buhari lamented that “irresponsible politics” had been brought into the farmersherders’ crisis, but assured the archbishop that enduring solutions would be found and justice served for all concerned. On Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl from Dapchi still being held by Boko Haram terrorists because she refused to renounce her Christian faith, the statement quoted the president as saying: “We are managing the matter quietly. Making noise would not help. “We are collecting as much intelligence as possible, working with the Red Cross and other international organisations. “There are too many fraudulent
people around who claim they can do this and that. “We won’t deal with them. That was how we got the Dapchi girls back, and the Chibok girls.” It added that Welby said it was always a delight to see Buhari, whom he said he had tremendous respect for, adding: “You have my best wishes on your recent decision. I read your declaration speech. “We are neutral as a church, but we will pray for you. Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country. We will be praying for you.” It also said Welby presented Buhari with a copy of his recent book, “Reimagining Britain Foundations for Hope.”
PDP ALLEGES FG ONSLAUGHT AGAINST OPPOSITION LEADERS, PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS Addressing reporters yesterday on what it termed “matters of urgent national importance”, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “Our dear nation is now passing through her darkest hour. Our constitutional democracy is under severe attack from agents of fascism who are on the prowl. “As we speak, Nigeria as a nation is being pushed to the brink and the personal freedom of citizens under our Constitution is no longer guaranteed. “Today, in our country, there is an orchestrated plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to use the state apparatus of power to coerce, emasculate and effectively decapitate the opposition and other dissenting voices, foist a one-party state and push a self-succession bid for President Muhammadu Buhari, seeing that their chances of winning the presidential election get slimmer by the day. “Currently, the APC has fully commenced a major onslaught on leaders and key voices in the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly our state governors, opposition leaders in the National Assembly as well as our presidential hopefuls. “You are already aware
of the numerous exposed plots by the APC and its federal government to frame and humiliate the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as well as PDP governors, particularly Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Ayo Fayose. “This is in addition to advanced plots by the federal government to clampdown on key leaders of the party and begin to drop in public places, alleged confessional statements made under duress in a desperate attempt to achieve a pre-determined end of validating the bandying of corruption allegations against members of the PDP. “We have also been made aware of a special presidential committee set up by the APC federal government to persecute our leaders. Already, no fewer than 28 cases have been filed based on trumped up charges. “Also, we are privy to a series of clandestine meetings between agents of the APC and some compromised judicial officers to get convictions at all cost. “In the same vein, we are in the know of a plot to embarrass credible individuals, particularly in the PDP, known or perceived to be interested in contesting the 2019 presidential election, having realised that their party, the APC, is finally stuck with
a very unpopular and rejected presidential candidate, who can no longer command the support of Nigerians.” Continuing, Ologbondiyan said the PDP was bringing to the attention of the international community that in APC’s desperate attempt to win the 2019 elections, the APC-led federal government was stopping at nothing, including “resort to undemocratic proclivities”. “The world is already aware of the unrelenting Gestapo style of persecution, arrests, detention and trial of opposition members as well as perceived opponents of the government, including innocent business concerns, under the guise of the war against corruption.” He maintained that it was not opposed to the fight against corruption, which he noted was started by past PDP administrations through the establishment of credible anti-corruption institutions. “We, however, demand that prosecutions must be done in a credible, transparent, legitimate and constitutional manner. We will not allow the persecution of our members under the guise of the fight against corruption. “This is in addition to a dangerous plot to arrest and detain members of the civil society, opinion leaders, the media and other professionals
on trumped up charges of alleged politicisation of security issues in the country, using compromised security and judicial officers. “In light of the above, the repositioned and rebranded PDP, under the new leadership, rallied by the Nigerian people, wants to state unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms that it will not in any way fold its arms and accept any attempt by the APC and the federal government to attack or undermine any of our leaders or members, or supporters at any level of political engagement. “Let it be known to all that this is a repositioned PDP that cannot be cowed and that we are more than able, willing and overtly ready to use all means practical and available within the ambit of the law and the principles of democracy to stiffly resist and stop the APC and the federal government in this evil scheme,” he warned. The party spokesman further warned that the PDP would no longer allow anybody to tarnish any of its elected and appointed officials, particularly the party’s state governors and leaders in the National Assembly and members of its working committees at the national, zonal, state and even at the grassroots levels and would do all within the ambit of the law to protect them.
“We know that our governors, especially Governor Wike and Governor Fayose have been marked because of their principled position against the obvious incompetence, corruption and undemocratic credentials of the Buhari administration, for which Nigerians have been subjected to the worst form of suffering in the last three years. “The PDP is proud of all our governors, particularly on their achievements in the delivery of democracy dividends to the people and will not allow anybody to distract them. “We want to therefore state that if this trend does not stop, we will not hesitate to call on our members and supporters in their millions in the collective effort to protect our democracy, using legitimate means provided by the laws of our land. “It is obvious to all that the failed and rejected APC and its federal government are mortally afraid of the repositioned PDP that has become the new platform upon which Nigerians are now rallying to rescue our sinking ship of state from the APC in the 2019 general election. “This nation belongs to all of us, we are equal stakeholders and it lies in the hands of the electorate to decide who holds any elective office at any level and not the dictatorship of the
NPC PUTS NIGERIAN POPULATION AT 198M, SEVENTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD 23 per cent of the sampled population were of more females than males.” In terms of demographics, he noted that the class of the population mostly engaged in urbanisation and migration were young people, adolescent girls and boys, women of child bearing age and the working age population. He said existing urbanisation trends, coupled with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in cities, pose critical challenges to securing sustainability in
Nigerian urban centres, including efforts to make them smart and responsive to the human influx. “The Displacement Tracking Matrix Round XXI of January 2018 identified an estimated 1.7 million IDPs in over 321,580 households across six states of North-east Nigeria with 40 per cent residing in camp-like settings in urban areas plus 1.4 million returnees. “The number of IDPs represented a 4.5 per cent increase compared to the 1,702,680 identified in Round
XX (Dec. 2017).” Duruiheoma said like in other developing countries, Nigerian cities host wide spread poverty, under-employment and unemployment at an average of 18.4 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics 2017 report. The NPC boss bemoaned the insecurity in the country and inadequate and inequitable healthcare services for adolescents and women of childbearing age. “Nigeria continues to commit to solving the challenges of
insurgents in the North-east, which has induced a high number of IDPs. “We acknowledge that women, children and particularly the girl-child are often the most vulnerable in these displacements, and in this regard, we remain focused on the wellbeing of these vulnerable parts of our population. “We are committed to providing adequate healthcare services, reducing maternal mortality, rebuilding safe schools and empowering our women,
ensuring no one is left behind in terms of achieving sustainable development,” he added. Duruiheoma acknowledged that these challenges have adversely impacted on the quality of life and standards of living of the urban populace. According to him, Nigeria stays committed to the twin goals of the Habitat Agenda – adequate shelter for all and the development of sustainable human settlements in an urbanising world. t $VMMFE GSPN /"/
government of the day. “We therefore directly caution the Buhari administration to desist from this attempt at foisting a siege mentality on the political class and citizenry as if we are under a military regime. “In the same vein, we urge the judiciary and all the security agencies to protect their independence and resist all attempts by the APC to set them against the provisions of the law and the will of the people. “Finally, while we invite the international community to note the ugly trend in our dear nation under the APC, we charge all Nigerians not to despair but to continue to focus on their collective rallying on the platform of the PDP to achieve our collective quest to end the APC misrule and return the nation to the path of democracy, national cohesion, adherence to the rule of law and prosperity, come 2019,” he stated.
TOP GAINERS LEARNAFRICA UNITYBANK DOUBLE11 JAPAUL HONEYWELL TOP LOSERS C & I LEASING REDSTAR BETAGLASS
NGN NGN 0.10 1.16 0.08 1.00 13.50 192.00 0.04 0.57 0.12 2.56 NGN NGN 0.14 1.35 0.30 5.70 3.75 71.95 REGENCYALLIANCE 0.01 0.27 UNITEDCAP 0.11 3.29 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,385.00 Volume: 367.215 million shares Value: N5.328 billion Deals: 4,462 As at yesterday 11/04/18 See details on Page 41
% 9.4 8.7 7.5 7.5 4.9 % 9.4 5.0 4.9 3.5 3.2
T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018
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THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY
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News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081
FG Approves N47bn for Reconstruction of Aba-Port Harcourt, Lagos-Ota Roads, Others Okays N13bn for Warri port dredging, establishment of Army University Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday in Abuja approved contracts for three road projects at the total rate of N47 billion including the redesign and reconstruction of Aba-Port Harcourt road. Briefing journalists at the end of seven-hour Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the contract for Aba-Port Harcourt road portion of the Enugu - Port Harcourt road would cost N6.3 billion. He also said FEC approved N22 billion for the reconstruction of 81-kilometre Lagos-OtaAbeokuta Expressway and another N19.392 billion for the repair of 44.625-kilometre Baban-Lamba-Sharam road in Plateau State. “The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing got approval for three memoranda. One was for Baban LambaSharam road in Plateau State for the construction of 44.625 kilometres road for N19.392 billion. The second was for Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road - 81 kilometers. That road was first awarded in 2000 and it has since been left uncompleted because there was no budgetary provisions for it. “This administration, in trying to move these contractors to site, started the revision of the rate. So, the revised rates were brought to council today (yesterday) and a revision of N22 billion was approved for the 81 kilometers road, bringing the total contract price to N56.701 billion. “The third approval was for section four of the Enugu - Port Harcourt road, the part between Abia and Port Harcourt, particularly in Port Harcourt that has been problematic and has failed severally. We have a
contractor there but we need to change the design because of the storm water drainage needs and the high water tables there so that the road does not fail. So, that requires a revision of the scope of work to include retaining side lanes and drainage facilities in the sum of N6.309 billion,” he said. Also briefing, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, announced that the council also approved N13 billion for the dredging and refurbishment of navigational facilities of Warri seaport in Delta State. The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authorities (NPA), Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, who led senior officials of the organisation to FEC meeting to defend the project, also told journalists that the dredging of escravos channel of the seaport would improve the effectiveness of Warri port and equally expand the utilisation of eastern seaports. She also said the plan by NPA towards the dredging of Calabar port had got to an advanced stage, disclosing that previous contracts were terminated for violating relevant procurement processes. While the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said FEC also approved the establishment of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State, with courses of study to be spelt out and accredited by the National Universities’ Commission (NUC), his counterpart in the Ministry of Interior, Abdurahman Danbazzau, stated that FEC also approved the upgrading of infrastructure at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, at the cost of N234 million. In the same vein, Water Resources Minister, Suleiman Adamu, said regressing urban water supply was hampering Nigeria’s attainment of millennium development
No ElectronicVoting in 2019, Says INEC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not introduce electronic voting for the 2019 general election. Speaking at a press conference to mark the end of the threeday international conference on the use of technology for the conduct of elections in Africa, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said it would only deploy technology for purposes of collating and transmitting election results during 2019 poll. “Let me say categorically that the commission will not be deploying technology for electronic voting in the 2019 elections, but we will deploy the technology for collation and transmission of election result from polling units to INEC result collation base,” he said.
Yakubu, who was flanked by officials of election management bodies from Namibia and Belguim, further said one of the outcomes of the conference was a decision by the electoral umpires to work towards eliminating cases of meddlesomeness and interferences due to the deployment of technology during elections. In the communiqué issued by the conference, the electoral bodies within the West and southern African sub-regions agreed to work closely in addressing some of identified challenges facing the smooth conduct of elections. These challenges include poor infrastructure, high cost of elections, resource limitations and the legal issues surrounding deployment of technologies for election. The conference also explored the possibility of enlisting the support of private sector entities in funding election expenditure.
goals (MDGs), resulting in FEC approval of the declaration
of emergency in water and sanitation sector as well as
increased funding for the sector, following an action plan
submitted for consideration by the ministry.
FORGING TRADE TIES…
L-R: European Union Trade Advisor, Fillipo Amato; CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo; the new Head of Delegation, European Union in Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, during a visit by the EU delegation to Awolowo in Abuja… yesterday
Suspected Herdsmen Kill 14 in Benue, Nasarawa Communities Ortom describes attackers as terrorists George Okoh in Makurdi and Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia Fourteen persons were yesterday killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue and Nasarawa State. In Benue State, the killing occurred when the armed Fulani militia invaded Gbeji town in Ukum Local Government Area killing six residents and burning several houses. According to a resident, Mr. Uhimbe Gbeji, the Fulani militia came and took the villagers unaware at around 6p.m. and opened fire on them. He said when the people started recovering from the initial shock and were putting up resistance, the militias hurriedly left with a number of casualties and several property damaged Another member of the community and former Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Sylvester Atachin, put the figure of those killed at six. According to him, those whose body had been recovered so far included Mtserkyaa lgbugh, Kananfa Amarfu, Tyavyar Akau,Orfega Hiikyaa, Kanyitor Uor and a passer-by aged around 75 whose identity is yet to be ascertained. He disclosed that two trucks of riot policemen have arrived in the town and are patrolling the area and it’s environ. Similarly, in Guma Local Government Area, herdsmen also attack and killed three persons in Urmenger. The victims were ambushed by the
herdsmen while returning from their arms. The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has confirmed the killings in Ukum and Guma but he however said four bodies had so far been recovered. He said the attacks were carried out by suspected herdsmen. Reacting to the attacks in the state, Ortom described Fulani militia as an extension of the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram. He said the manner in which the armed men invade communities of the state and slaughter innocent people was not different from the mindless acts of Boko Haram in the North-eastern part of the country. “They come with sophisticated weapons and kill people, machete them and chase them away,” he narrated. The governor said it was equally disturbing in the pattern of attacks by the armed militia is their trademark of occupying communities after killing and sacking the inhabitants. “In some cases, they do not have the herds. They just come with their weapons, kill and chase the people out and take over the land and that is the worrisome part of it,” the Ortom stressed. He condemned the recent attacks by the armed men on Gwer West Local Government Area of the state which left many people dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed. The governor said the trend of attacks on Benue State was beyond mere grazing of livestock, arguing that if the invaders were only interested in grazing, the massive destruction of lives and property would not have been
their priority. He emphasised the need for greater security presence in parts of the state known to be flashpoints in order to avoid further loss of lives and worsening humanitarian crisis with over 170,000 internally displaced persons in various camps across the state. Ortom also called on the people in the state to protect and defend themselves against the brutal killings by the herdsmen. In Nasarawa State, four persons were reported killed in one of the attacks when suspected herdsmen invaded Kadarko town in Keana Local Government Area of the state, leaving unspecified number of persons with various degrees of injuries from gunshots during the attack. An eyewitness account said market activities were forced to close down abruptly yesterday afternoon following sporadic shooting by the gunmen as people scampered for safety. The attack came barely four months when armed gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Kadarko at midnight, killing nine persons and injuring scores. The eyewitness said the gunmen had attacked the Kadarko town at noon of yesterday and shot sporadically where they cut off a young man’s hand, simply identified as Inyogun, and hurriedly fled before the arrival of security operatives stationed in the area. He stated that the security operatives had engaged the attackers in a gun duel where heavy gun shots were heard at the outskirt of Kadarko
town where the attackers were traced by security the operatives after the incident was reported. According to the eyewitness, “At the last count, no fewer than four persons, including an aged women, have lost their lives in the midday attack carried out by the suspected AK 47-wielding Fulani marauders who also set some houses on fire, but were however repelled by security operatives when they were trying to gain entrance into the market square.” Similarly, one person was reportedly killed while two others were seriously injured at Tse Underah village in Kenje district of Awe Local Government Area of the state, when suspected armed Fulani gunmen attacked the area at about 9:30 p.m last Monday. A former councilor in the council area, Hon, Kureve, told THISDAY on a telephone conversation that the attackers invaded the village at about 9:30p.m. when most of the villagers had gone to bed. He said apart from the one person that was killed, two others escaped with severe gunshots and were being treated at a hospital in Awe town. Consequently, the former councillor called on the state government to prevail on security agents to end the killings. When contacted for comment, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Idirisu Kennedy, THISDAY on telephone that he was busy in a meeting and would get back to him in two hours’ time as at the time of filling this report.
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NEWS
Buhari Approves Extension of VAIDS to June 30 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the amnesty period given to tax evaders under Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) from the March 31 to June 30, 2018. The extension, according to the president’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, was as a result of appeals by professional bodies and individual taxpayers. The statement, which warned that no further extension would be approved beyond June 30, added that the president also approved the extension because the Ministry of Finance was convinced that the overall objective of the scheme was to ensure that increased compliance is attained and additional revenue accrues to government coffers. It added that a fresh executive order would be issued to give the extension legal force. “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP ratio, not just in Africa, but in the world. “Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself. “Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed
a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop,” the president was quoted as saying. The statement also said the president urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join the government in its rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularise their tax status”. It noted that the right thing might not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of”. It also said the president further urged the tax authorities to use the extension to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularise their tax status. “VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the federal government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment. “The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just 6 per cent of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them. “President Buhari had last year launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is first in the series
Danish National Remanded over Death of Nigerian Wife, Daughter A 53-year-old Peter Nielsen, who allegedly killed his wife, Zainab, and her three-year-old daughter, Petra, was yesterday remanded in Ikoyi Prisons on the orders of a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The Magistrate, Mrs K.B. Ayeye, who gave the ruling, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Nielsen, a Danish citizen, is being tried on a two-count charge bordering on murder. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. But the prosecutor, Effiong Asuquo, according the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), told the court that the accused
committed the offences on April 5 at his residence at Block 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi. He alleged that the accused killed his wife, Zainab, 37, and her daughter, Petra, in the house. “The accused who was always at loggerheads with his wife had hit her head on the wall several times leading to her death; he also proceeded to poison his daughter. “He had dragged their lifeless bodies under the gas to create the impression that they suffocated to death as a result of a gas leakage,” he said. The offences contravened Sections 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribes death sentence for offenders.
Court Discharges Two Boko Haram Suspects for Lack of Diligent Prosecution Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday discharged two persons, Ibrahim Ahmed and Sani Argungu, arraigned over alleged ties with Boko Haram for lack of diligent prosecution. Justice Nyako, in setting the defendants free, noted that Ahmed had been in detention since 2013 while Argungu had been in detention since 2012 but the prosecution was yet to call its witnesses. “Th defendants have been in custody with no trial because the prosecution cannot bring its
witnesses to court, so I discharge the defendants and the suit is hereby struck out,” she said. Justice Nyako, however, said when the prosecution was able to get its witnesses to attend court, the defendants could be re-arraigned. The judge added that the defendants although discharged, would be monitored, warning them not to associate with any person of questionable character. Ibrahim who said in his statement that he was a security guard at the Government House in Sokoto State, was alleged to have been responsible for giving passage to Boko Haram members.
of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable and predictable funding for all tiers of
government. “Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services
are funded to improve the lives of the people. “Taxes redistribute wealth from those who have more
to those who have less, and VAIDS is one of the windows to achieve this,” the statement added.
CABINET MEMBERS
L–R: Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, at this week’s Federal Exectutive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja ....yesterday .Godwin Omoigui.
Group Gives OhanaezeYouth Leader Ultimatum to Apologise to Nwodo Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Amalgamated Igbo Youth Assembly, the umbrella body of all Igbo youth groups, has given a seven-day ultimatum to the President of the Youth Wing of Ohanaeze, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, to tender an unreserved apology to the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Nnia Nwodo, as well as the Igbo race for publicly calling for the suspension of the leader of
the apex Igbo socio-cultural body. The youths said Isiguzoro has by his action grossly defiled the custom, tradition and spiritualism of Igbo land. This came on the heels of the purported suspension of the President General by the Youth Wing of of the socio-cultural organisation for allegedly romancing with a presidential aspirant from the North-east zone of the country. The Amalgamated Igbo Youth
Assembly, at a press conference addressed yesterday by its officials from the seven states that made up Ohanaeze, led by Franklyn Edede, said the current leadership of Ohanaeze is the most “acceptable, unparrelled and unequalled since the beginning of the organisation.” The group also stated that the Ohanaeze Youth president has been ostracised from the group for portraying the Igbo youths in bad light as people who disrespect their elders.
The group noted that the purported suspension of Nwodo was an attempt “to distract our articulated, responsive and peopleoriented President General, Nwodo, from his well felt vocality in defence of the entire Igbo race.” The Igbo Youth Assembly warned those patronising Isiguzoro to desist from doing so henceforth, noting that his tenure as president has already elapsed.
Nigeria, US Armies Co-host African Land Forces Summit in Abuja Paul Obi in Abuja Following the increasing spate of terrorism in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Army and the United States Army are to co-host African Land Forces Summit in Abuja. The summit is coming on the heels of recent concern over US government partnership with the Republic of Ghana on a military base in the West African country. The summit, with the theme ‘Unity is Strength: Combatting Africa’s Security Challenges’ slated for next week according to officials is geared towards providing African military leaders the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships, develop capacity and new ways of tackling security challenges on the continent and further facilitate advanced military cooperation. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, stated this in Abuja as a prelude to the conference. Buratai represented by the
Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu, explained that the summit begins on Monday 16 and ends on Thursday 19 April, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. He added that the conference was part of the constant training activities and updating of personnel of the army in line with their constitutional roles to aid civil authority in combating terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, cultism, civil unrest, ethno religious crisis as well as other security challenges. According to him, the summit would provide the Nigerian Army, the opportunity to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might to the largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent. “The event is sponsored by the USARAF while the Nigerian Army chiefs and chiefs of other nations from Europe and the Americas including the USA will be in attendance. “Participants will be drawn
from all African armies, western partners as well as representatives from the three services, the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Service (DSS).” Ahmadu explained that “the forum would afford countries the avenue to share experiences on global terrorism and forge common approach to combating transnational threats and crimes such as small arms proliferation and terrorism. “The summit is the single largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent. It would also afford them the opportunity to interact with the aim of strengthening existing relationships and developing new ones. “The Summit is a land mark event which the Nigerian Army will be co-hosting with US Army Africa (USARAF). It will provide the NA the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might to the largest gathering of African senior military leaders on the continent. “This is in addition to providing
a platform for countries to share experiences on global terrorism and other security challenges such as transnational threats and crimes.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy yesterday said efforts are in top gear to expand its operations by building more barracks for effective security of the maritime territory. Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ete Ibas stated this in Abuja while inaugurating a housing project in Kubwa area of Abuja constructed by the Nigerian Navy. Ibas argued that if the developmental agenda of the Nigerian Navy is to be attained, efforts must be made to provide adequate welfare for Navy personnel. He said the Nigerian Navy is only able to cater for 6,000 of its personnel which represent less than 30 per cent of its force, adding that the challenges of accomodation would continue to worsen if nothing is done about it.
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Why Lassa Fever is Endemic, Difficult to Curtail First quarter of this year, deadliest ever Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The deadly Lassa Fever outbreak may continue to threaten the lives of Nigerians and health workers for a long time to come, findings have revealed. According to the health authorities and experts, Lassa fever is difficult to curtail because it is endemic to the Nigerian environment. In the first quarter of 2018 alone, the disease has caused over 100 deaths with about 2000 suspected cases reported from 20 states. Speaking to THISDAY on the issue, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, acknowledged that while the disease reached its highest peak in the first quarter of this year, the authorities have been able to reduce the prevalence as at April 08, 2018. “We have had the largest outbreak of Lassa Fever in Nigeria’s history in the first quater of this year,” Chikwe acknowledged. He said: “Unlike Ebola, there is no magic bullet for Lassa fever,” adding “It is endemic in our environment and as long as there is rat, we will always have cases of Lassa.” Chikwe clarified the difference between Ebola and Lassa fever, noting that once the Ebola chain of infection is broken, you can effectively stop the spread but Lassa has multiple channels or chain of infections. To this end, the NCDC boss declared that “Lassa has come to stay for now” but promised that the vaccine is being developed. He further assured that the fever though endemic and difficult to stop, “is not a death sentence, unlike Ebola,” adding that there is effective treament for lassa and chances of survival very high, especially if detected early. He listed the three key areas NCDC has been researching on in order to understand the reason for the increased outbreak and widespread of the disease
across the country including: changes in the nature of the virus, environmental interactions between the rats and human population, as well as improved surveillance mechanism. But he maintained that the disease has largely been contained from its peaks in last week February to first week of March with only eight new reported confirmed cases on April 2 to 8, 2018. Report obtained by THISDAY from NCDC indicated that the eight new confirmed cases were recorded from five States - Edo (three), Ondo (two), Ebonyi (one), Plateau (one), and Taraba (one) with three new deaths in confirmed cases from Ondo (one), Ebonyi (one) Taraba (one) and a backlog of an old death in a confirmed case from Kogi State. According to the report, as at the April 2018, a total of 1,781 suspected cases have been reported from 20 states. Of these, 408 were confirmed positive, nine are probable, 1,351 are negative (not a case) and 13 are awaiting laboratory results (pending). The report noted that since the onset of the 2018 outbreak, there have been 101 deaths in confirmed cases, nine in probable cases with case fatality ratio in confirmed cases at 24.8 per cent. Rest of the report noted that “20 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 57 Local Government Areas (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Plateau, Lagos, Taraba, Delta, Osun, Rivers, FCT, Gombe, Ekiti, Kaduna and Abia). Nine states have exited the active phase of the outbreak while 11 States remain active. “In the reporting week 14, one new healthcare worker was affected in Ebonyi state with one death. 27 health care workers have been affected since the onset of the outbreak in seven states –Ebonyi (16), Nasarawa (1), Kogi (two), Benue (one), Ondo (three), Edo (three) and Abia (one) with six deaths in Ebonyi (four), Kogi (one) and Abia (one).”
Gunmen Kill Syrian Businessman, Abduct Son in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Unidentified suspected kidnappers have killed a Syrian businessman, Ahmed Abu Areeda, and kidnapped his 14-year-old son, Muhammad, in Kano State. The incident occurred on Tuesday when the deceased accompanied by his two children, went to the state office of the Nigerian Red Cross Society along Hospital Road to pick his car. Some witnesses said the gunmen were about eight in number. “He closed his shop around 8p.m., so he went to pick his car at the Red Cross office complex where he used to park. Unfortunately, the gunmen who parked outside the office in a green Peugeot car with tinted glass, were apparently waiting for him. Some of them followed the deceased into the compound while others remained outside.
“Those that followed the Syrian man inside the Red Cross office attacked and shot him in the head and took away one of his sons, Muhammad.” However, another witness who was emotional, said the deceased’s second child ran to his shop and informed him that some gunmen had killed his father, saying: “When I went to the scene, I met him dead. They shot him through his ear.” The state police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majia, confirmed the incident, saying: “It was a case of suspected kidnappers who came to kidnap a boy and in the process they killed his father.” Majia added that no arrest has made been in connection with the incident and that the whereabouts of the abducted boy was still unknown. The police spokesman also said the police had commenced investigation into the case.
It further revealed that “81 per cent of all confirmed cases are from Edo (42 per cent) Ondo (23 per cent) and Ebonyi (16 per cent) states. 15 cases are currently being managed in treatment centres across six states -Edo (four), Ebonyi (five), Ondo (four), Plateau (one), and Osun (one). A total of 4480 contacts have been identified from 20 states. Of these 658 (14.8 per cent) are currently being followed up, 3815 (85 per cent) have completed 21 days follow up while 7(0.2per cent) were lost follow up. “74 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 28 (38per cent) have tested positive from five states (Edo13, Ondo-eight, Ebonyi-three, Kogi -three and Bauchi-one)
National RRT team (NCDC staff and NFELTP residents) batch D continues response in Abia State support. National Lassa fever multi-partner multi-agency Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues.” Also speaking on the issue, Chairman, Medical Advisory committee and Consultant Family Physician University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, blamed lack of government funding of facilities and enforcement of environmental laws for the increased outbreak. Baamlong who lamented the high infection rate of the health practitioners, noted that the necessary health equipment such as hand gloves as well as
treatment centres are either lacking or few. Against this backdrop, he harped on the need for enforcement of laws on waste disposal, environmental sanitation, food storage, processing and enabling environment for health personnel. He also called for increased budgetary allocation to health in the areas of training, research and service delivery. The health expert demanded for provision of more centers of excellence for the treatment and diagnosis of Lassa Fever. According to him, every geopolitical zone of the country should have at least one. Speaking further, Baamlong called for increased sensitisation
activities especially to the grassroots on the different aspects of the disease. On the hospital/health personnel, Baamlong spoke on the “need for all hospitals to have isolation wards to manage suspected or confirmed cases; Health workers to always ensure they adhere to the principle of universal precautions while attending to patients like use of hand gloves, masks, goggles etc. “Provision of consumables as listed above by various hospital management; prompt referral of suspected cases to increase survival rates.” He stressed on the need to also collaborate with international organisations in the area of research for vaccine production and drug development.
THIS IS A TOKEN FROM US
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left), receiving souvenirs from the Chairperson of the Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians, Hon. Elizabeth Uyinmwen Ativie, during a courtesy visit in Abuja .....yesterday.
Aide: Ekweremadu Fighting Impunity, Sinister Agenda, Not for Fictitious Properties The Special Adviser on Media to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, has thrown more light on the legal contention between the Senator and the Special Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, explaining that it was not primarily about ownership of properties, most of which he said, were fictitious. He said the senator was instead challenging impunity, smear campaign, and an unfolding sinister agenda informed by the politics of 2019 elections. Anichukwu said it was against natural justice for lawyers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), extraction to constitute themselves into a panel to try members of the opposition, relying on Decree 3 of 1984, now known as the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, 2004. He noted that not only was the law already overtaken by the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004, but that the panel was also not gazetted in any publication in the Federal Government of Nigeria gazette or inaugurated by the president. “So, considering the senator’s ordeals since his re-emergence
as the Deputy Senate President in 2015, and with 2019 election fast-approaching, no one needs any soothsayer to know that the federal government is up to something more sinister and diabolical of which the asset forfeiture lawsuit is a launchpad. He explained: “As earlier clarified by the senator, the list contains so many fictitious and repeated properties generated by the dismissed Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, who, in his capacity as the Chief Judge of the state in 2016, colluded with his lawyer, Mr. Tagbo Ike, and some politicians, to steal and doctor his will. They then churned out petitions to many government agencies. “Should proper investigation devoid of bias and witch-hunt not require that Ekweremadu be invited to respond to the petition, assuming the panel had the constitutional powers to dabble into matters relating to assets declaration? “But the panel instead approached the court by way of motion ex-parte, which would allow it obtain an interim forfeiture order against the senator, without hearing
him, just to achieve a maximum smear effect. “The fact that the petition was authored by a former chief judge, who was sacked by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for corruption and gross abuse of office and is currently facing corruption trial at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt and High Court of Enugu State, was more reason his petition should have been treated with wariness. “Also, the fact that the Chairman of the panel, Okoi Ofem ObonoObla, signed, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the very letter referenced HAGF/ENUGU/2000/I and dated February 4, 2016 directing the Inspector General of Police to investigate Umezulike and the Director of Litigation over alleged forgery of a court judgment and order in Suit No. E/170/76 dated the June 25, 1985, is the more reason the panel should have been circumspect.” Anichukwu said simple verifiable matters were rather totally ignored, citing the Congress Estate, which he said, did not exist anywhere in Nigeria as well as the Kyami Layout plot, Abuja, which he said Ekweremadu neither accepted
nor paid for as required by government’s offer letter in 2008. He also explained that a thorough look at Ekweremadu’s assets declaration form, which the panel obtained from the Code of Conduct Bureau, could have shown that the House on Evans Enwerem Street, Apo Legislators Quarters, was declared with the plot number by which it was originally known and monetised to the senator. “Besides, it is on record, as recently reported by some national dailies, that the AGF had in a letter dated November 1, 2017 and signed by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, withdrawn notices of investigation, which ObonoObla sent to some judges of the Federal High Court, requesting them to fill assets declaration forms all over in clear overreach of his purported powers. “So, Ekweremadu’s case is treated differently because the main purpose of the suit, which is another overreach by the panel, is to intimidate, smear, and embarrass Ekweremadu to give the impression that he illegally acquired and hid properties from the government, which is clearly not the case,” Anichukwu concluded.
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THEME: THE JOURNEY TO UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN NIGERIA As Nigeria sets into motion its UHC aspirations with the launching of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund of the National Health Act under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in the second edition of its Healthcare Policy Dialogue Series, THISDAY, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), will be hosting the Director-General of the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to a high-level experience sharing event. The DG will be accompanied to the event by the entire senior leadership of the WHO including the African regional director who is the first woman to hold the position. He will use the occasion to launch the logo and beneficiary identification card for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the National Health Act.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
CHIEF HOST
Prof Isaac Adewole
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director General, World Health Organisation, WHO
Min. of Health, Fed. Republic of Nigeria
KEY PARTICIPANTS
Zainab Ahmed Min. (State) Bud. & Nat.Planning
Abubakar Suleiman, Incoming MD, Sterling Bank
Toyin Saraki Wife of Senate President
Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti Regional Director WHO Afro
Paulin Basinga Bill & Melinda Gates Foudn.
Amine Mati, Snr. Rep & Missn. Chief IMF Nig.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State, Health
Mohammed Malick Fall Representative Unicef
Sen. Lanre Tejuoso Chairman, Sen. Cmtt., Health
Zouera Youssoufou CEO Dangote Foundation
Rachid Benmassoud Country Dir. World Bank Nigeria
Diene Kieta Representative UNFPA
SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF DELTA STATE WHO WOULD BE THERE? This high level policy dialogue will bring together policy makers including members of the Federal Executive Council, parliamentarians, development partners including bi- and multi-lateral institutions, entire senior leadership of the World Health Organisation, practitioners, civil society organisations, private sector leaders, media, think tanks, academia, institutions involved in financing and delivering healthcare – Banks, HMOs, MFIs & Insurance companies. All are invited to jointly shape and articulate the journey on sustainable Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
H.E Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Executive Governor of Delta State
For enquiries please email: hello@thisdaylive.com For participation, please call any of the following: Lagos: Ayo Arowolo Tel: 09067059433; Ronke Macaulay: 09065827737 Abuja: Iyobosa Uwugiaren Tel: 08033143902
Date: Thurs. 12 April, 2018
FMOH
Venue : Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja
Time: 10:00 am
DELTA STATE
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Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
SEMBENE MEETS WINNIE MADIKIZELA IN AFTER-AFRICA Winnie and Sembene fought for the downtrodden, writes Okello Oculi
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frica’s world-renowned firm director, Sembene Ousmane of Senegal, must have welcomed Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with open arms and a deep puff of his tobacco pipe when she arrived with an exuberant scream into AfterAfrica. She loved him as the film-maker who celebrated the sensuous swagger of the Wolof woman as his camera consumed her from the back in the film ‘’The MONEY ORDER’’. He had contempt for ‘’been-to-Paris’’ educated women who peck the earth in imitating walks of European women as a mark of being ‘’civilised’’. She herself had made wearing a headtie as a mark of African womanhood following ancient Egypt’s Black African Pharaohs who used headties as tools for tapping blessings and powers from the Gods in the heavens. On April 6, 2018, Black women in South Africa adorned black dresses and colourful headties in proud celebration of ‘’Mama Winnie’’. In ‘’The MONEY ORDER’’, a young educated nephew robs his illiterate uncle of money sent by a son who lives in France. He uses his knowledge of the postal system to claim the money and then defraud his uncle. It is indicative of Senegal’s new rulers violating sacred values of filial obligation in Wolof society by robbing their uneducated countrymen with the barbarism of an alien individualism and hedonism. Dr Brigalia Bam, a former schoolmate of Winnie remembers her as very soft spoken and luxuriously generous with sharing her little pocket money with any other girl who was in need. Sisterhood was a cardinal value for her. At a rally in Georgia near Bloemfontein, Julius Malema told the crowd that the violent apartheid regime hated Winnie intensely and subjected her to relentless brutalities and humiliation because she was ever intervening to help victims of racism, poverty, illness and police violence. In the slums (or ‘’shanties’’) and rural communities they called her ‘’MAMA OF THE NATION’’ because she was always there to help them. A leader of the 1976 school boycott by pupils opposed to the policy of being taught in ‘’Afrikaans”” - the language of the Boers – recalls that in the terror of police bullets killing and wounding the children, the only voice they heard was that of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela shouting at the White policemen to stop killing her children. No male voice was heard. As the Financial Times newspaper is quoted to have said, Winnie was hit with all the raw brutalities unleashed by the racist regime while Mandela sat more comfortably in prison on Robben Island. Sembene Ousmane also produced ‘’XHALA’’ – a film which ended with beggars and invalids off the streets of Dakar spitting all-over the naked body of a top Senegalese official whose greed had blocked the economic growth of the country and intensified their impoverishment. “Xhala’’ is the Wolof
IN THE SLUMS (OR ’SHANTIES’) AND RURAL COMMUNITIES THEY CALLED HER ’MAMA OF THE NATION’ BECAUSE SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP THEM
word for an impotent man who cannot sexually consummate marriage with a new bride. As a film-maker who learnt his craft in communist Poland, Sembene was disgusted by rulers and businessmen of newly independent African countries who do not exhibit the bold creativity and inventiveness that produced the industrial revolution in Europe. Instead they call themselves ‘’captains of industry’’ when in fact they are mere local sales agents for Euro-American and Asian industrialists and bankers. They are also impotent. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela rebuked those leaders of the African National Congress - including her husband Nelson Mandela – who abandoned the bold policy of getting land back from white farmers ‘’without compensation’’ and take economic income to the millions of landless Africans festering in shanties. The ’xhala-ridden’ ANC leaders opted for the policy of ‘’Black Economic Empowerment’’ – a code for ANC elites getting shares of white-owned local and foreign companies. They became millionaires and billionaires without spending entrepreneurial sweat of the white god-fathers; and ignoring the poor. As a mark of their abandoning the route to ensuring employment for the millions of poor and newly educated youths, the black business elite moved residence away from the masses of the people to live in white residential areas. As those who adored her kept telling reporters of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Winnie never moved out of living in Soweto because she loved to be close to poor people so that she would represent their raw and authentic interests. In his film ‘’EMITTAI’’, Sembene mocked the role of ‘’patriarchy’’ in Wolof society by depicting the cowardice of men even at the risk of bringing mass starvation to their families. During Europe’s First War (1914-18), French colonial authorities decided to expropriate cereal harvests from Senegal for feeding troops on the war front. In anticipation of this genocidal policy, women secretly hid cereal harvests in swamps. However, under intimidation by French officials the men squealed on the women – much to the heartless glee of French officials. Malema accused ANC leaders of preferring Jacob Zuma as Vice-President to Thabo Mbeki at the 1997 party conference for fear of Winnie becoming the next president of the country. President F.W. De Klerk wrote in his autobiography about his shock at limited demands made by Mandela’s team towards the transfer of power to the black majority. His team must have feared facing Winnie as ANC’s negotiator. Thabo Mbeki’s little contact with the township and rural people, could have made him resent her fearless hatred of white power, and her popularity. May Sembene and Winnie make and inspire ‘’FILMS AFRICANA’’.
HOW HEALTHY ARE NIGERIANS? Government should invest more in human capital, argues Idowu Omisore
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he poignant speech recently made by Bill Gates, the Co-Chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, opened the floodgates of discussions about pertinent issues bordering on the need for the government to truly invest in Nigerians. Health was the foremost issue that he dwelled on, reeling out statistics that could bring tears to the eyes of any right-thinking person. Gates’ great concern for the health and human capital development of the world’s most populous black nation comes to mind as the world marks World Health Day. This year’s celebration is more significant because it coincides with the World Health Organisation’s 70th anniversary. This is a momentous opportunity for every nation to take a critical look at the challenges in their health sector and address them with the seriousness it deserves. Universal Health Coverage is the theme for this year. According to Bill Gates, “in upper middleincome countries, the average life expectancy is 75 years. In lower middle-income countries, it’s 68. In low-income countries, it’s 62. In Nigeria, it is lower still: just 53 years. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth, with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world, ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished.” One becomes more apprehensive when one considers this statistics, our rising population figures and the wide-ranging definition of human health given by the WHO: “a state of
complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” A reflection on these pops up a question: how healthy is the world’s most populous black nation? In getting an honest answer to this question, it’s perhaps wise to first listen to a foreigner who has invested about $1.6 billion in our dear country before paying attention to the government official or political office holder whose goal is probably to make the government look good. This piece is not to criticise the government but to encourage those in the corridors of power to do more, to make them see reasons why the health sector deserves to be a priority on its agenda. Health, they say, is wealth. Healthy people will be highly productive and that means a healthy economy. This is in tandem with Mr. Gates’ line of thought – “The most important choice you can make is to maximise your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive. If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities—the “human capital” we are talking about today— then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity…What do I mean by investing in your people? I mean prioritising health and education…” Doctors will stop going on strike and there would be no need to travel overseas for medical treatments when the health sector is adequately funded. How many Nigerians can even afford to travel abroad for medical care? It was in the news lately that pregnant women in Ondo protested because ante natal
fees were increased. In an oil-rich country like Nigeria, I do not see why pregnant women, infants and the elderly cannot receive free medical treatments. What really do we refer to as dividends of democracy? Who are the people enjoying these dividends? The elected or the electorate? When the people at the grassroots cannot access free healthcare, in what way are they enjoying dividends? One is bound to ask these questions. The day I saw a report that showed that Nigerian senators are the highest paid in the world, I shuddered in unbelief. Are the so-called dividends flowing down to the masses or flowing into the pockets of the elites? How many state governments have a standard health scheme for their employees and their families? Few months from now, we will roll out drums, wear white and green stuffs and have a huge cake baked to celebrate our 59th independence anniversary. After about six decades of being a free nation, we are still struggling with something as basic as primary healthcare. Speaking of this, Mr. Gates recalled that “in 1978, Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, who later became the Nigerian minister of health, helped establish primary health care as the global standard. We now know that a strong primary care system takes care of 90 per cent of people’s health needs. Tragically, 40 years after Dr. Ransome-Kuti helped other countries set a course for the future, the Nigerian primary health care system is broken. The evidence for this can be found in the epidemic of chronic malnutrition, or stunting. As the name suggests, chronic malnutrition is not a disease children
catch. It is a condition that develops over time because they are deprived of a diverse diet and the services a strong primary health care system provides.” Highlighting six features of a functioning primary health system, he mentioned “adequate funding, good facilities located in the right places, skilled and dedicated health workers, ample stocks of essential equipment and medicines, patients who know about the system and want to use it, and a mechanism for collecting the data needed to improve quality.” Our population should be an asset to us but it is more of a liability because we have not been able to harness it to our advantage. Natural resources do not come near human resources when placed on the scale of significance. This was echoed by Bill Gates when he advised that Nigerian leaders shift focus from physical capital to human capital. Basics such as food, shelter, health and education ought to be given a greater attention. Once these top priority needs are taken care of, productivity will increase and poverty will start thinning out. The government, NGOs, the media, religious bodies, the private sector, communities, families and indeed all of us must play our part to build a healthier Nigeria. Aside from engaging in charitable projects, becoming a philanthropist, we can sensitise people on how to lead healthy lifestyles. If a husband and a wife can pool resources together to invest in people across the world, then every one of us can make a difference in our own little ways.
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EDITORIAL ROAD MAP FOR THE TRANSPORT SECTOR The National Transport Commission Bill is timely
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esigned to ďŹ x many of the problems that have for decades impacted negatively on the Nigerian maritime industry, the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill has ďŹ nally been passed by the National Assembly, awaiting presidential assent. When signed into law, all the staff, assets and liabilities of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) will be transferred to the new federal agency to help promote private sector participation in the sector, enhance effective and competitive market, enforce compliance with the law by all stakeholders, prevent monopoly in the market and generally ensure efďŹ ciency of operations. In the bill, one of the reasons why the NSC should transmute to NTC is the fact that the council had earlier been appointed to perform the economic regulatory function at the port in order to entrench economic efďŹ ciency in the industry, pending the enactment of a law by the National Assembly. That explains why, by the provision of the new law, the NTC mandate is similar to the role designed for A LAW THAT PROVIDES NSC by the original FOR AN EFFICIENT law that established it. ECONOMIC REGULATION Section 6 (1) (b), (c) and OF THE TRANSPORT (h) provides for some SECTOR WHILE of its core functions PROTECTING THE RIGHTS to include powers to AND INTERESTS OF protect the interest SERVICE OPERATORS IS A of users of transport WELCOME DEVELOPMENT services by ensuring that prices are fair and reasonable while having regard to the level of competition in, and efďŹ ciency of, the regulated transport industry. By the powers vested in the NTC when it becomes operational, it will examine and resolve complaints, objections and disputes between government agencies in the regulated transport industry – concessionaires, licensed operators, users, shippers and consumers. It will also develop and monitor performance standards and indices relating to the quality of transport services and facilities provided to users. NTC by the provisions of the
Letters to the Editor
law setting it up is also expected to advise the federal government through the minister on matters relating to the structure of freight rates, availability and adequacy of shipping space, frequency of sailing, terms of shipment, class and quality of vessels, port charges and facilities.
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T H I S DAY EDITOR DEPUTY EDITORS ˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL
T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE,
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eanwhile, the NTC will reserve the power to implement the economic regulatory policies of the federal government on transport while having regard to the level of competition in, and efďŹ ciency of, operations. The commission will examine and resolve complaints, objections and disputes referred to it between government agencies in the regulated transport industry and concessionaires, licensed operators, shippers and consumers or any other person involved, using such dispute-resolution methods as the commission may determine from time to time, including mediation and arbitration. The commission also has powers to ensure that regulatory decision making with regard to the relevant health, safety, environmental and social legislation and best practices applicable to the regulated transport industry; register all transport service providers and determine the fees for such registration; set guidelines and general policies on tariffs charged and monitor compliance by public and private transport service operators and suppliers of prescribed goods and services just as it is expected to develop, enforce and monitor performance standards and indices relating to quality transport services and facilities provided to user’s shippers and consumers in Nigeria having regard to best international performance indicators. On the whole, the National Assembly deserves commendation for doing a detailed and exploratory job that will help the Buhari administration to actualise its Economic Recovery Growth Plan [ERGP]. The recommendation that the NSC should transmute to NTC also makes sense rather than the call for the creation of a new agency. A law that provides for an efďŹ cient economic regulation of the transport sector while protecting the rights and interests of service operators in marine, rail and road transport in Nigeria is not only timely, it is a welcome development.
TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.
IMPLICATIONS OF BUHARI’S SECOND TERM DECLARATION
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nother historic event occurred in Abuja on Monday, April 9, 2018, when the President Muhammadu Buhari declared at the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) his intention to run for a second term in the 2019 Presidential poll. The wide jubilation that followed this episode across the country was a measure of confidence the Nigerian populace has in the president. It has also sounded a warning to those who are hell-bent in causing harm to Nigeria. I could not hold my emotion as I immediately posted the news to the many WhatsApp groups I belong to and received within few hours over a thousand responses. I will relate some of these responses from friends across the country later. Due to official workload, I could not read them during office hours but I must confess that it took me over two hours at home to go through the messages many of which were from whom I do not personally know. The choice of this topic was quite difficult for me, especially considering the situation Nigeria finds itself. It is clear that there is unabated advocacy between the Nigerian people and a Nigerian powerful political group. So, I was in a fix to choose from the words “complications, juxtapositions or lamentations� of Buhari’s declaration. Whichever of the words that fits the article is apt, so long the end is justifiable. The declaration has complicated issues for some people. It has been juxtaposed with great events happening around. And it is serious lamentation for others. Generally, the implications of the declaration have far-reaching effects and results under our present
circumstances. Though having long been awaited by compatriots, it is coming at a time when some disgruntled prominent citizens have decided to mislead citizens from the good path to development which Nigeria is currently toeing and disabuse the minds of patriots against the pilot of this new dawn democracy in Nigeria. Of prominence against the reelection bid of the president are Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who sought, against constitutionality, for a third term but was frustrated out, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who stepped aside from military rule with glaring hope of coming back to power under democracy, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma whose tenure as Minister of Defence witnessed unprecedented massacre of armless citizens and some others who are being relieved by the current government of some assets and property belonging to Nigeria. Now that the die is cast, we must pray harder for Mr. President, for Nigeria and for the will of God and the masses to prevail. Those threatening brine and stone will be put to shame because the general elections will come and pass and Nigeria will remain intact, stronger and united. After all, the pastors of doom who wished Mr. President death before 2019 have started falling. Immediately after the declaration, I posted “President Muhammadu Buhari has officially declared interest to run for second term today Monday, April 9, 2018. It is very good news for Nigerians. May God Almighty make it come true. Join the winning train!� This was the simple message that generated traffic in my WhatsApp hubs, with majority replying to my prayers with ameen, repeated more
than once by my respondents. Unlike the former presidents who preferred rented crowds for their declarations, President Buhari did it in a small hall before people he need not pay because they are patriots and progressives. The president, in his wisdom, was sure that members of his party needed to have the honour of having the great news first. That is why when people were speculating that things had fallen apart between Buhari and APC because of appointments, I was confident that all fences will be mended in due course, mostly at the right time that will please every party member. And here the time has come. The humble leader has made the executives even happier because, as the leader of the party, he pleaded for waiver for any outgoing exco member who may wish to recontest for any position in the party’s forthcoming congresses at all levels. But the aspirant must follow the constitution by resigning the current position one month before the congress. Again, unlike other past presidents who would have preferred to announce such sensitive national statement in worship places, Buhari, who is accused by unrepentant religious bigots, did it in an open place where all cultural and religious interests are represented, at a closed-door meeting of the APC . And lastly, unlike other former President who used to keep Nigerians waiting with claims, through paid broadcasts and media decorations, of consulting God, President Buhari did his consultations silently without bordering the Nigerian citizens. Muhammad Ajah, Abuja
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
POLITICS
Group Politics Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com 07054786260 SMS ONLY
PERSONALITY INTERVIEW
Tarkighir: Benue People Have Lost Faith in FG The farming season is here. But many farmers in Benue State are unable to return to their farms because of herdsmen attacks. Mr Dickson Tarkighir representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, one of the affected communities, says the situation in Benue remains dangerous as security operatives are unable to stop the killings. He spoke with Damilola Oyedele who presents the excerpts: What is the situation in Benue State with regards to the killings? It is getting worse. As at January 1, 2018 when herdsmen attacked Benue state, most of them had left the state before the attack, because they had ordered their members out. This is because they were coming to attack us, and did not want their members behind enemy lines. We had information that they were coming to attack, so our governor wrote to the then Acting President and the Inspector General of Police, the Director of State Security Services, and other security agencies about the threat, which we did not know the timeline. After the president came back from his medical trip, the governor went to see him again with the same thing, the same report that we had. Meanwhile the Miyetti Allah were threatening that until the law in Benue is repealed, they were not going to obey the law and that they were going to cause a lot of havoc in the state. They carried out that threat on January 1st ,on new year where 76 people were killed and since then the killings have continued. The federal government deployed security men, for Exercise Cat Race, which they have announced is ending. Since that announcement, the herdsmen have started coming back. Few days ago, they killed over 14 people in Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West and Logo local government. Would it be correct to say that the intervention of the federal government has not yielded fruits? My people have lost faith in the federal government’s willingness to protect them, because even as the Exercise Cat Race was going on, the killings and the burning continued. They were killing policemen and even military personnel. We think that there is collusion between the government and the herdsmen on what is happening, because as I speak, now almost everybody in Guma local government which is my own local government, is a refugee. The land is desolate, it is empty as there is nobody there. The farming season is coming and people have no access to their farmlands, which means that beside creating poverty, there is going to be hunger in Benue come next season. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General T.Y. Danjuma and the Emir of Birnin Bwari, Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari recently called on Nigerians to defend themselves. Would you add your voice to that call if you believe the government is not willing to protect the people of Benue? I do not think the statements by General T.Y. Danjuma and the Emir of Birnin Bwari are new. The laws provide for self defence in the first instance. It is in our statutes, that if your life is threatened by anybody, you should be able to defend yourself. We are not a lawless society in Benue state, which is why we are calling on the government to defend our people. If the federal government leaves the security of people into their hands, Somalia would be a small story. We do not want anarchy in our land which is why we have always followed the law, we have always appealed to the government to defend us. We are now appealing to the international community to come to our aid. We have over 190,000 men, women and children in IDP camps, and there is no food, there is nothing. The state government’s resources are overstretched, as regards the provision of medical needs, foods, clothing and infrastructures for camps. So far, we have about eight camps and the responsibility of taking care of these people is that of the state government.
destroyed by herdsmen, was in our villages, same day he came to Benue. It is either he didn’t know that the committee was taking assessment of the damages done in Benue state, in order to rebuild or not, or he decided that he was just not going to have anything to do with the people of Benue state. And when he stood up either somebody didn’t tell him that the committee was in place, but he set up the committee in the first place, and he said he was going to promise us nothing. When he spoke about herdsmen, he told us to go and live peacefully with our neighbours that are herdsmen; these are people who are killing us. How do you live with somebody whose only aim and objective is to kill you? The 2019 general elections are close. It is now safe to assume that the people of Benue may not vote for President Buhari, if he decides to re-contest in 2019? I wouldn’t speak for the people of Benue, but the president came to Benue when he was campaigning in 2015 and made a lot of promises to us. Politics is about interest and people vote for government for a variety of reasons. You vote for government to provide basic amenities, protect lives and properties and all that. We have got none of that. We have not got the amenities, our lives are not protected and all that, so you be the judge.
Lai Mohammed
What NEMA provided for us since January has been 150 bags of rice for a whole population of about 190,000 people in the IDP camps. The state’s resources are overstretched. We are appealing to international organizations, men of goodwill to come to the aid of Benue people. Our people are starving to death in their own land, and the irony is that we are farmers. What is the role of the state government in security, when considering that the IGP accused Governor Samuel Ortom of arming militia in the state? The state government does not command even the civil defence. Even though governors are called chief security officers of their states, they do not have the right to direct the police to do anything. This is why the governors are always falling back on the federal government to provide security, just like the case in Zamfara state. Let me respond to the IGP’s allegation about militia in Benue state. There is no militia in Benue state. If we have militia, we will be defending ourselves right now, trust me, the situation is pathetic, it is very terrible. The IGP made that pronouncement without even going to Benue state. He had come to Benue and of course he stayed for one day and deployed to Nasarawa state. While in Benue, he said that the situation in Benue was a communal clash. Of course, we know that is not true; communal clash between us and who? That is our land, these people come in the night, kill people, burn properties and go back to Nasarawa state. Nasarawa state, unfortunately is serving as a safe haven for Fulani herdsmen to stage an attack against the people of Benue state. It is very unfortunate. The government is handicapped, we have no one to protect us. But the Governor of Nasarawa has denied the allegation that the state was providing safe haven for these attackers… (cuts in) But a few days after that denial, the man who was the mastermind of the January attack was arrested in Tunga, the same town that the governor said killer herdsmen were not in. It was the security agents, the police
themselves that arrested the man in Tunga, the same town that the governor said was not housing Fulani herdsmen. As a member of the ruling APC party which is in power in Benue, how would you rate this government, considering that insecurity remains a big issue in your state and several parts of Nigeria? Ironically the people of Benue state voted overwhelmingly for this government but I can say there is no single federal presence in the state. About a month ago, the president visited Benue state and the people came out en masse and welcomed him. They lauded him as someone who they believed in, which is why they voted him in the first place. They believed that he is just, and that he will provide good leadership for us. All we wanted was for the president to direct the security agencies to ensure the implementation of the law, which was enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly, and which met every legal requirement of law making. We also wanted him to ensure that communities that were destroyed by herdsmen were rebuilt, just like what is happening in the North East. The governor mentioned the roads from Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu, Makurdi-Gboko- Katsina Alla-Wukari, and Gboko-Uhiu-Senke-Ogoja which have totally failed. When the president stood up to respond to these demands, he surprisingly said he was promising nothing, until he returns for campaigns in 2019. Now everybody was shocked, the reason being that we voted for him in 2015 in the first instance, which is why he is in power in the first place, and he said he has nothing to promise us. He has done nothing for Benue and when he came after all of us were being killed, he said he cannot promise us anything. So people were asking, “we voted for you in 2015, you have done nothing for us and you are here because of this crisis and now you are saying you are not going to make any promise.” Incidentally a committee set up by the president himself, chaired by the vice president for the rebuilding of communities that were
Would you, as a person, vote the President come 2019 if he re-contest? The president has time. I am a member of the party, APC and I have a responsibility to vote the candidate of my party. However the president still has the opportunity to redeem his image in Benue state. There are reports that with the happenings in the state, the governor and members of the National Assembly from Benue, are considering leaving the APC, and are being wooed by the Peoples Democratic Party. Is this true? It was rumoured and it still remains a rumour. As a governor, a senator, a member of the House of Representatives, of the ruling party, why would you leave the party? Of course ,people are wooing us, but we have no reason so far to leave. There is no party now, that is better than the APC in Nigeria. We might be having challenges in the leadership, but we think and hope that it will get better. So as it is right now, we are not planning to go anywhere, we are going to remain here and build from within. What are your plans for 2019? My people gave me a mandate of four years. It has been three years now and I can say that I have done very well for them. They are going to assess my performance, which I think is fair. So when the time comes, I will go back to them and ask them if it is possible for them to renew my mandate. I was the first member to sponsor a bill on ranching and that was my first bill at the National Assembly. Before I came to the National Assembly, I had promised my people that I would sponsor the bill on ranching, as it is done in other countries. We have been victims of herdsmen attack long before now, but in developed countries, animal husbandry is practiced to co-exist with farming. I had travelled to Brazil and Bulgaria where they have huge ranches, and beef export is big business. I travelled to these countries and I came in back and sponsored the bill on ranching. Incidentally my state government picked that
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
POLITICS
Ali: FG Sabotaging Rule of Law with Looters’ List A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali says government is trivialising the war against corruption by releasing the names of individuals going through corruption trials. He spoke with Hammed Shittu in Ilorin, Kwara State What is your reaction to former President Olusegun Obasanjo speaking out against President Muhammadu Buhari? I’m not an Obasanjo’s fan but I think all patriots must commend him. He could have just sat in his comfort zone as former president, enjoying all the things of being a former president and he would be in the good book of everybody. Don’t compare our own with America. People would say we have not seen former American presidents making comments. That is not even true. Obama and Clinton have been speaking about Trump. When you have an abnormal situation, there must be some reactions. For me, I’m not saying Obasanjo is right or wrong, but for having the conviction. Because we need people who can call attention to things that are not going right. Wole Soyinka says “The Man died who keeps silent in the face of tyranny”. So, for me, you may agree with him (Obasanjo), you may disagree with him. We need at least people who have been there before to call attention to.. I don’t care about his motive, and like I said before, the things he said, are they true at all or no true. And I can bet you, if it had not been Obasanjo who said those things, it would take one million of Yusuf Ali to say those things and to be noticed at all. We need such interventions, and of course the other side would also say their own. The man said certain things that were of common knowledge to the people, there were others he said that were from his vantage position as a former president. It is like when people talk to me about economy. They say Nigeria is out of recession. Nigeria is out of recession in the books of Central Bank of Nigeria. But to an average Nigerian like me and you, the recession is still living with us. Every Nigerian who lives by his sweat knows there are hard times up till now economically and financially. You may disagree with Obasanjo’s style but all the things he said, are there truths in any of it, and then is it not good for somebody, who is so highly placed to draw our attention to things and dismiss it. We should also remember that he was one of the people who supported this administration to come into place against all odds. And like I said, to dismiss what he had said with a wave of the hand, Nigeria will be undoing itself. Recently, General Theophilus Danjuma asked Nigerian to defend themselves against killer herdsmen terrorising parts of the country. What is your take on this? My first reaction is that we would be unserious as a people if we dismiss what he said. And it would be more worrisome if government dismisses it with a wave of the hand. You have to know Danjuma’s antecedents, right from the day when he was a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army. Anybody who has followed the history of Nigeria; the first coup, the counter coup, will know that Danjuma is a veteran, and then he rose to become the Chief of Army Staff in our country; he didn’t stop at that, he became the Minister of Defence in 1999. So, it would be very unserious for anybody to dismiss.. because what he said essentially is an indictment against the Nigerian Army, of which at a time he was their Chief and Minister of Defence, superintending all the arms of the Armed Forces. We cannot take him not to know what he is talking about. And the level of information he has, ordinary people don’t have that kind of information. Then the propriety. The issue is that why could you have said such a thing and so on. There are for and against. For me, truth is sacred. It doesn’t matter, who says what. Substance of what has been said should be the issue. He is saying Nigerian Army has become partisan in the way they are handling these issues. So, we should address the issues, and that is the problem of our country. Usually, we leave the substance and chase the shadow. I think we should not take his words as “ranting of Mr
that produced (Donald) Trump. In spite of the fact that Trump is the President for more than a year, they would use their system, because they have strong institutions. They appointed independent counsel , who has been doing his own work, indicting people, in fact, some people have been convicted. If it were to be in this country, most of us would start to query that the man is now the president, what are they still looking for. But in their (US) own system, it is very important because of the integrity of the system. Our system here has no integrity. So, there is nothing to defend. It is, everything goes. For me, I believe quite honestly that we should show seriousness and those who are in positions of authority have greater responsibilities to show seriousness.
Yusuf Ali, SAN
nobody”. Danjuma is something in this country; rightly or wrongly. We must take his words seriously. Let’s employ self introspection.This attitude of dismissing everything, Transparency International has said that we have gone lower in corruption index, we dismissed it. Amnesty International made allegation against Armed Forces, we dismissed it. Anything that does not cheer with our perception, we feel there is no substance. I think that is not the correct way of moving forward in a country. The federal government has released the names of alleged looters of public treasury. Many of them are individuals facing trial. What is your reaction? Our country is an interesting country; we trivialise serious issues, and it is quite unfortunate that in spite of all the constitutional safeguards and the principles of rule of law, we are still behaving this way in 21st Century. The law is settled and sacrosanct above board that once parties submit a case to a court of law, parties hold themselves; you don’t resort to self help. What I have just seen from all these unfortunate scenarios is that we have allowed politics and grandstanding to override a very solemn issue. Those individuals who are undergoing trials, it is only the court that can pronounce them guilty; it is beyond any of the parties. When I said this thing is being trivialised, the other side too came up with names of others, who belong to the ruling party, who are also in court, being tried for various offences. So, it shouldn’t be encouraged. Government should not do such a thing no matter what propelled you. You can only call anybody a criminal or a looter or an economic saboteur if he has undergone normal trial in a court of law; he has been so pronounced by a court of law. The people in government named people in opposition who are undergoing trials as looters; the people in opposition came out with people who are also part of the ruling party who are also undergoing trial as looters. We are trivialising very serious matter unfortunately. That is my view. With the release of the list now, don’t you think those listed therein may not have confidence in the judiciary if they are eventually found guilty?
It may not but I don’t want to speculate. They all know what they are doing, unfortunately in one way or the other, they are sabotaging the rule of law. I don’t think it is right. There is nothing that could justify that. You don’t try to sabotage the rule of law, especially when these matters are court. I believe quite honestly that issue of corruption should not be trivialised. Don’t you think Nigerian judiciary is being put under pressure? That was what I said at the beginning, that people are not respecting the rule of law. These matters are in courts, people must respect the courts. It is the same set of people, who will turn round to attack the judiciary. The judiciary has become the whipping boy of people in power and their collaborators at one point or the other. Now, the danger in what we are doing is courts of law don’t decide cases based on rumours or allegations. Those cases must be proved and judgements are given in accordance with the law and the facts. But when highly placed people do the kind of things that they are doing, then you jeopardise the rule of law; you also jeopardise the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. You will still come back to blame the judiciary for your own actions. To a large extent, you are very correct. But I can assure you with the training of judges, they will not be moved by these rantings. A judge has been trained in a way to maintain his impartiality and his focus. But my worry is the average Nigerian. That is why some of us are opposed to media trial, because the average Nigeria only hear one side of an issue. They don’t have the patience nor the gift to listen to the other side. If those who make allegation cannot sustain it in court, the general belief in the society is that judiciary is doing something to free somebody whereas, the person ab initio ought not to have been labelled or branded as a criminal. In view of this, what is the way forward? The way forward is for all of us to demonstrate seriousness in all issues. What is going about naming of alleged looters has shown that we are not serious. Look at what is happening in US about alleged Russian Interference in the election
The Chief Justice of Nigeria recently set up a committee to monitor corruption cases. What is your assessment of the committee? The committee has no role to play, politicians are doing their own thing. Luckily, the committee is made up of judges and seasoned lawyers. My own understanding of their work is to ensure that there is adherence to the rule of law in everything that happens to all these trials. And I’m sure at the end of the day, the positions some of us took earlier will be vindicated that most corruption cases are lost due to two major reasons. Lack of proper investigation and weak prosecution. The judiciary is the last leg in the administration of justice. Once you don’t get your investigation right, and I give the example, people say in Nigeria (James) Ibori was discharged by the court whereas in the UK, immediately he was convicted. Yes, it is simple. In the UK or America, nobody would take you to court except you have a raw solid case. Nobody acts on sentiment in those places. Here, most cases are rushed to court based on sentiment and because people who are supposed to be investigators in the agencies want to make a point to show that we are working whereas it is more than that. In those places, they would confront you. Over there forensic investigation is conducted and by the time they confront you with facts, you will breakdown. But here, people are first of all arrested, hounded and then you start to look for evidence. You just talked about strong system over there. Here, the Presidency and the National Assembly are at loggerheads over the retention of acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. Where do you think we are missing the point? Everything boils down to our attitude. I have spoken about the continued stay in office of Magu. I have no problem with him as a person. But if we are talking of building an institution and I have made this analogy several times before. The constitution says these categories of officers must be screened by the Senate and confirmed. If you appoint somebody in acting capacity, and his name has not gone to the Senate, there is no problem about that. That can be accommodated within the spirit of the constitution. But immediately you submit the name of the person to the Senate, for whatever reason, either tenable or untenable, the Senate says no. In defence of the constitution, I don’t believe it would be right to say the person must continue. And I give simple example, if the President submits the name of somebody for ministerial appointment and the Senate rejects the name, can you appoint him as an acting minister? That is the simple logic. So, in order for us to defend the institution, if only for that, I think the matter should have been handled in a different way. For me, it is as if we are saying there is only one individual in Nigeria, who has the credentials to help us battle the hydra-headed monster of corruption. I don’t think so. I think there are a lot of good men in this country, many of them very silent individuals.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY
FEATURES
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
Connecting Lagos Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, recently inaugurated the Lagos-Ogun boundary network of 21 roads in Alimosho Local Government Area. Sunday Ehigiator who covered the event, reports
The newly inaugurated Aiyetoro Road as part of the 21 Lagos-Ogun boundary network roads in Alimosho Local Government by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode…recently
R
esidents of Alimosho Local Government Area have never enjoyed the dividend of democracy as much as they enjoy now since time immemorial. Though they live in the biggest federal constituency in Nigeria; their status was never commensurate with the level of infrastructural development as seen in the local government till the intervention of the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The roads, which connect Lagos with Ogun State from Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, were fitted with walkways, drainage system, laybys, service ducts, lane marking and street lights, among others. The project which also included two bridges at Ikola Road and Aiyetoro boundary area in the local government was contracted to Visible Construction Limited; kicked off in March 2017 and was inaugurated exactly 13 months after by Ambode. The newly constructed 21 roads which include Ikola Road; with a bridge (7.2km), Aiyetoro Road; with a bridge (1.28km), dualisation of Ray Power Road (2.7km), Amikanle Road (3.34km), Oko Filling Road (1.660km), Ogunseye Road (1.870km), Osenatu Ilo Road (0.7km), Aina Aladi Road (1.109km), Oluwasanya Road (0.6km), Igbehinadun Road (0.4km), Community Road (0.8km), Isoto Road (0.7km), Palace Road (0.7km), Timothy Afolabi (0.745km), Peak Thomas Bright Crescent (0.490km), Baale Street (0.710km), Joe Ikebudu (0.460km), Bishop Oderinde (0.270km), Alhaji Ganiyu Salami (0.520km), Kadiri Adebambo Street (0.533km), and Church Street (0.710km), has its length kilometres totaled at 27.433km, and its inauguration attended by Lagos State First Lady, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, state deputy governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Member, House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, The All Progressives Congress Leader, and House Leader of Nigeria's 8th House of Representatives, amongst others.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya said “I am delighted to welcome His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State and other distinguished guests to this auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the Lagos – Ogun State boundary network of 21 roads in Alimosho LG. Today, all over the world being Easter Monday is celebrated as a day that gives hope and joy to all people. And so today, here we are opening up this area for an improved quality of life and boosting trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State. Just across this bridge is Ogun State. This is in furtherance of South-west integration mantra that His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is so passionate about and proactively addressing. This particular location of Aiyetoro Bridge
It is the taxes that you have contributed that we have used to improve on this particular economy. That is my message; that we should make every part of Lagos, economically viable and also livable so that all the people in this area can have the same kind of life that others are enjoying in the other axis of Lagos
has only a single carriageway. This has now been dualised spanning 1.28km with 40-metre bridge and improvement carried out on the existing single carriageway with a bridge. This bridge would complement the dualisation of Aiyetoro Road and also provide relief to the existing inadequate bridge. This is the first location of the four-legged inauguration of 21 roads we are doing today. We present to you the network of roads to help ease the burden of plying bad roads. The community must rise up to protect this important public asset by ensuring that it is put to good use and not turned to a market or car park for vehicles and trucks. On this note, I welcome you once again to this momentous occasion of the inauguration of this strategic network of roads by Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; the governor of Lagos State.” Delivering a goodwill message during the occasion, Comrade Abiodun Coker, Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja Community Development Committee, said “I feel honoured and privileged to address this August gathering. As a community leader, we began a political revolution to transform our community. Together, we continued to fight to create a government which represents us all, and not just the one per cent; a government based on the principle of social infrastructural and environmental justice. We as a community in Ayobo Ipaja LCDA decided to gather here today to welcome and support, and show appreciation to our amiable God-given governor of our time Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. I am proud of the community comparing how we were then, and seeing the achievement with the good outcome today here in Ayobo Ipaja LCDA. “The Executive Governor had embarked on various projects within our LCDA, these include the construction of the major road. Ipaja-Ayobo, Baruwa inward, Pako-2 Story, Megida Olayemi Road and the ongoing Bale Kaka Road. And now the inauguration of a bridge to link our neighbouring communities in Ogun State which will lead to an improved
socio-economic life of residents. “However, we passionately appeal to Your Excellency to save our soul on the following difficulties that we are facing at the present time. We highly appreciate Your Excellency for the completion of the first phase of the above roads which is about 1.2km and was inaugurated February 2017. We are now looking up to your kind-heartedness on the second phase of the road which will lead to Ijon, a boundary community with Ogun State. Apart from the enhancement of the economy, security and quality of lives of the people in this area, it will also reduce travel time between Ijon and CMS to only about 20 minutes instead of the present timing of nearly 90 minutes apart from incessant damages to vehicles and incessant visits and harassment by people of the underworld. We appeal to you Sir, to please save us from the extortionists who continue to construct commercial Bailey Bridge that threatens the lives and security of our people; these people are only interested in their own commercial profits and do not care about the lives and commercial benefits of the people or government. “To our able working governor, the resident of Victoria Garden City (VGC) is not superior to those in Ayobo Ipaja. This has been the watchword of our governor that everyone needs to feel the impact of government accordingly. Once again, accept our gratitude and appreciation.” Ambode, who inaugurated the projects amidst celebration by elated residents in four different locations, in his keynote speech said, the delivery of the infrastructure was part of the continuous bid to transform the Alimosho federal constituency and build the new economy around the axis. In his words: “Firstly, when I see the crowd across on my right, and I see the crowd to my left, I am assured once again, that Alimosho; the largest federal constituency in the country remains the most populated constituency in Lagos State. So, I am just going to say few words. Because what we are
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˾ T H I S D AY THURSDAY˜ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
FEATURES
Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); deputy governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule (2nd left); Senator Gbenga Ashafa (1st left); wife of the governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd right); Senator Olamilekan Adeola (2nd right); member, House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke (1st right), during the inauguration of the newly built AIT/Amikanle Road as part of the 21 Lagos-Ogun boundary network roads in Alimosho Local Government
doing here today, is so historic and of great importance, that we must send the message rightly, so that people can understand why we are celebrating on Easter Monday, the change in the lives of our people which the resurrection of Christ is supposed to symbolise. First, we’ll salute all our political leaders. Firstly, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for having that great vision; he started this vision of making this particular federal constituency a place of pride. So, he started it with the LASU-Iba Road. So that when you move from Badagry and enter into the LASU-Iba Road, up till Igando and Egbe and coming towards this way, you will have easy transportation and no traffic delay, and he did it up to Egbe, while the present governor of State of Osun was the Commissioner of Works. So, we must remember where this whole thing started. And then, we took it, my predecessor took it; Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, up to Ipaja, all in the bid to build a new economy in this particular axis. So, we have taken it from Ipaja to Ayobo, to Command Secondary School, and then today; within the context of the bridge that we did in Aberu last year, to link Abesan with Aberu, we are inaugurating a total distance of 27.4km’s of road with two bridges. So, what is the significance of what we are doing today? I will give you the equivalent distance of what we are doing today, which we completed in the course of just one year. When you start from Ojodu Berger to Kingsway Road which is now Alfred Rewane Road; that is 27.4km that is the same equivalent of what we are doing today. When you start from 7up in Alausa, up to the first round-about, along the Lekki/Ekpe Expressway, its 27.4km that’s what we are inaugurating today. So, you need to understand what this is all about. Now, it’s an alternative route. We don’t need to congest ourselves on the road in the Abeokuta Expressway, where you will come from Gateway Hotel and you will start driving through Ijoko, Ipaja and all that. You can take this alternative now and go all the way to Ipaja, up to Badagry. Without having anything to do with that axis, that is what we are doing today. So, understand what this is all about. It is not done by Akinwunmi Ambode’s money; I didn’t put a kobo there apart from my own taxes. It is the taxes that you have contributed that we have used to improve on this particular economy. That is
my message; that we should make every part of Lagos, economically viable and also livable so that all the people in this area can have the same kind of life that others are enjoying in the other axis of Lagos. So the idea is to open-up all our suburban communities, reduce traffic congestion and then create a better life for those who pledge and voted for us. So Alimosho has been hundred per cent loyal ever since Asiwaju’s time. So, ever since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s time, hence we refer to this area as Tinubu’s country, you have never faltered and you have never failed. So in return, it’s just good that we give you what people refer to as dividend of democracy. That is what we are doing here, so that we can connect you to the rest of Lagos. Now, just the same thing that we are doing here, we are also saying that we can connect Epe to Ijebu Ode just the same way we have connected Itele community in Ogun State here, so that we can have economic integration with the neighbouring states. We are not saying Itele is in Ogun State, but it is imperative that we do the road so the commerce is improved upon. That is the whole essence of trying to do Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road also. The whole essence of doing Ikorodu, Imota, Ita-Oke, Ijebu-Ode Road, the whole idea of economic integration must be put in place by some people, and I have decided to do that. So the same thing that we are trying to do between Mile 2, Badagry and Seme, so that every other network in Lagos can have improved economy. So, we don’t all rush to the centre, and then allow new family owners, new homeowners, to build up in
It’s just good that we give you what people refer to as dividend of democracy. That is what we are doing here, so that we can connect you to the rest of Lagos
other places. So here, we are doing 21 roads today, two bridges, 27.4 km and in addition to what you have said, I believe strongly that we need to dredge the Ilo River. So, we are going to move forward and I have also listened to what you have said. As part of the continuation of the improvement of this economy here, we would do the Adekoya Road, Makinde Road, Suberu-Oje Road, and then the old Otta Road. Then Ishefun, Ijan we will do it so that we connect it with the sea. So in other words, with boat ride between here and Marina and you will be there in 20 minutes.” Responding to request for more infrastructural projects in Alimosho, the governor said as part of the continuation of the development of the axis, the state government will dredge Ilo River, rehabilitate Adekoya Road, Makinde Road, Subaru Oje Road, Old Ota Road and Ishefun-Ijan Road which will be connected to a Jetty through which people can take a boat ride to connect Lagos Marina in 20 minutes. He also said that a modern Bus Terminal and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor would soon be constructed in the axis. “We would do more. Based on the budget for 2018, there are more infrastructure that we have to put in this community. You deserve a bus terminal, you also deserve BRT and you would get it. We deserve more commerce and we want to do an economic integration of all the South-western states and the nearest to us is Ogun State and that’s why we are expanding the road network to enter into the boundary of Ogun State. “We will do it between Epe and Ijebu Ode also to enter into the Ijebu-Ode Ore Express Road. That is what economic integration is, that is how to expand commerce, that’s how to create jobs for our people and by these projects, people in this community will benefit from the jobs and also benefit from the commerce and that is what inclusive governance is all about,” Ambode said. Furthermore, Ambode urged residents of the state to go out to register and collect their Permanent Voters Cards to be able to exercise their franchise come next political dispensation. Speaking with THISDAY, a resident of the local government Mr. Adenuga Akinosho said in the excitement that “I am very grateful to God that I am a witness of this event. This road that you are looking at has been
a nightmare to residents of this environment for over 50 years. I was born here, so I know what I am saying. A lot of people have packed away from this place; in fact, there are countless, all because of this road, because so many bad things happen on this road, due to its bad state. Robbery, gang raping, cult clash and even initiations, killings, sometimes, you wake up in the morning and you meet dead bodies on the road. Before now, once it is 6 p.m. it is very dangerous to take these roads. But since the intervention of Ambode, it has all become history, we can now close our eyes and walk this road at any time without fear or panic,” he said. Another resident of the area, a trader from Aiyetoro Mrs. Peace Sylvester said, “I am so excited. This road has been so bad that it even affects our businesses. Because of the road we are restricted to taking other better but longer routes to Lagos to buy market, and after buying it, we take the same road back, and this makes the prices we place on goods more expensive than you would get it outside here. Hence, there is low patronage. And also, once it is 5 p.m. we are already closing our shops to go home because the road is very dangerous and people are scared to pass it. But since the governor finished constructing the road, everything has changed. We now have easy access travelling to buy goods, and we can now close shop any time of the day. May God bless him.” The relief, smiles and joy expressed on the faces of the dwellers in Alimosho Local Government could evidently be felt in the way they all came out in their thousands to welcome the governor, the colourful parade by different political and pressure groups in the local government and words of appreciation for the governor during the inauguration. They did not only pray for the governor and the state, but likewise invited top Fuji-music artistes such as Abass Akande Obesere, Saidi Osupa, and Malaica to entertain the governor at the occasion. The governor, on the other hand, brought with him, to entertain the people; his music aide Olamide Adedeji a.k.a Olamide Badoo, who thrilled the audience with his presence and some of his popular and recent hit songs. The occasion officially ended after the governor’s unveiling of the projects creditengravings, and customary cutting of ribbon tied across the entrance of one of the bridges.
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IMAGES
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L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode; and his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting, in Abuja..recently OYO STATE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Public Relations Consultant, Mr Aramide Tola Noibi and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai at the Kaduna State Investment Summit after the commissioning of the Mahindra Tractors Assembly Plants in Kaduna...recently
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (left) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Information and Culture to FCT Minister in Abuja...recently
R-L: Managing Director, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Kayode Akinkugbe; Associate Executive Director, FMDQ, Tumi Sekoni; Director General, Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha and Managing Director/ CEO Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola at the FMDQ Listing ceremony for the FGN Sovereign Sukuk in Lagos... recently
L-R; Chief Commercial Officer, IO Furniture, Akinloye Adebisi,; Managing Director, PWANPlus Business Concerns Ltd, Julius Oyedemi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, IO Furniture, Muni Shonibare; Executive Director, IO Furniture, Olufunmi Shobo; Director, Heirs and Regents, Olawunmi Olashore, and , Head of Management Services, IO Furniture, Folu Oshodi during a Partnership Meeting organised by IO Furniture in Lagos...recently
L-R: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; Special Adviser to the Governor on Oversees Affairs, Prof. Demola Abbass; and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrasaq Balogun during the Lagos State Security summit 2018 held at Eko Hotel, Lagos recently SUNDAY ADIGUN
L-R: Managing Director, Profek Power and Energy Ltd, Mr. Jide Obe; Member of Council, Renewable Energy of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Anita Okumbido; Project Manager, Solar Energy, Bank of Industry, Austine Gwuche;Mrs. Joana Maduka, and Chairman, Power Sector Group of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI), Mr. Effiom Edet, during the Renewable Energy Forum organised by the Power Sector Group of the LCCI in Lagos... recently
L-R; Registrar/CE, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso and Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko at the Mandatory Continuing Professional Education ((MCPE) 2018) programme, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State...recently
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L-R: Vice President, TECNO Mobile, Andy Yan; Chief Marketing OďŹƒcer TECNO Mobile, Philex Meng; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and General Manager, TECNO Nigeria, Chidi Okonkwo, at the global spring launch of new TECNO devices in Lagos... recently
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Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍśËœ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ë› Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËŞĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă• ÓËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÒÙå ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂžĂœĂ&#x;ÞÒ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ë› Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ&#x;ĂžĂ’Ëœ ÍŻËœÍ˛Í˛Í˛ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÍŻÍŽÍľ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› ÓÞÒ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÍłÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ă– Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙĂ?Ă•Ă’Ă™Ă–Ă—Ëœ ĂĄĂ?ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŁ ÍŻÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă— Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞËÞĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ó̋ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÒËÞ ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă‹Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă— ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă”Ă“ Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?ÞËÓÖ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ëœ Ă?ÙÖĂ? Ă&#x;ĂšÄ€ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÙÖãÞĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă•Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞĀ ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœËœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ÚÒãĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă— Ëž Ëœ Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă–Ă’Ă“Ëœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x; Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă’ Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÒË Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?Ă–Ă’Ă“ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ë›
Experts Boycott Varsity over ‘Killer Robot’
ISPON Raises Concern over Dearth of Human Resource Devt in Nigeria Emma Okonji Having missed out in the first, second and third industrial revolutions as a country, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has strongly advised Nigerians to rise up to the challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution, otherwise known as Industry 4.0. In order to achieve the full benefit of the fourth industrial revolution that is currently sweeping across the globe, ISPON said Nigeria must ensure the training of sufficient human resource personnel and take full advantage of the utilisation of local content
ECONOMY in line with the Executive Orders 003 and 005 of the federal government on local content development. The President of ISPON, Olorogun James Emadoye, who gave the advice during the ISPON 2018 President Dinner in Lagos, said there had been so much neglect on local content development, especially in local software and hardware development as well as indigenous human resource growth in the country. He attributed the ugly development to the love for foreign products by Nigerians, at the detriment of locally
developed products, which he said, negates the importance of the Executive Orders 003 and 005 that seek to support local content development across the country. According to him, officials at all levels of government seem to believe that foreign products and foreign personnel are always better than the local ones. “There was no plan on ground to gradually give a chance to local producers and contractors to improve on their skills. This has continued over several decades, but the recently signed Executive Orders by President Muhammadu Buhari, will finally begin to
give local software industry and practitioners a chance to improve their skills and products, with minimal stifling competition from foreign firms,� Emadoye said. “There should be equitable conditions if the foreign giants want to work with us. We are ready to work with them to develop our content. We can best create and write our programs, we can best apply standard databases and development tools, but our content must belong to us,� Emadoye posited. The Director-General, National Information TechContinued on page 24
Group Cautions against Planned Release of GM Beans, Cotton Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
ECONOMY
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has raised the alarm that the proposed release of Genetically Modified (GM) cowpea (beans) and BT Cotton products would expose Nigerians to toxicology, allergy, immune dysfunction and genetic disorders. HOMEF noted that while Nigerians face uncertainties over food security due to incessant herders-farmers clashes, another threat dawning on the nation without much notice is the proposed release of GM products on Nigerians.
The Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey raised the alarm in a statement issued on Tuesday. Bassey was reacting to the statement credited to the Country Coordinator, Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), and Assistant Director, National Biotechnology Development Agency ( NABDA), Dr. Rose Gidado, that “before the end of 2018, Bt Cowpea and Bt Cotton as biotechnology products in Nigeria would be in market.� According to HOMEF, there is no guarantee about the en-
vironmental and health safety of the beans and cotton to be released by the end of 2018. Bassey said: “ There are serious challenges GMOs pose in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune dysfunction and genetic disorders which make it very important that Nigeria adopts the precautionary principle-which warns that strict measures should be applied where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage and lack of full scientific certainty. “The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari just inaugurated a Food Security Council underscores the centrality of
food security to the country. However, without food safety there cannot be food security.� He also faulted the claim by Gidado that the pesticide tolerant cowpea would allow for a reduced use of pesticide; stressing that, “it is well known that pests have developed resistance to the Bt toxins and this resistance leads to an increased use of toxic chemicals which increases the damage to the environment.� Also, the Chairperson of African Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA), Barr. Mariann Continued on page 24
Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?ÙÞÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă‹ ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă?Ë› Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ͳ͎ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ͹͎ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ë›
Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ËŤĂ‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă?ÞÒËÖ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?ËŹË› Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?Ùʾ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ?Ë› ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă‹ ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă’Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĘŠĂœĂ— Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÖÓʾÖĂ? ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă‹ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă“Ę°Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?Ă™ĘľËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă– ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?Ùʾ Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă“Ę°Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ë›
AI Telekom Plans â‚Ź1bn Acquisition ÍŻ Ă?Ă–Ă?ÕÙ× Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ëœ Ă–Ă?Ă”Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ™ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ÕÓÞÞã Ă™Ă? ͛ͯ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÙÖÎ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÖĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ÍŻ Ă?Ă–Ă?ÕÙ× Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă™Ă Ă“Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ëœ ÖÙà Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂŒĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? ÒÙ×Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Þ˛ Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÒÙÖÎĂ? Ă‹ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?ÞËÕĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù× Ă“Ă?Ă’ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ë› Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ÓâĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂœËŞĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ú˪Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? ÞÓÚ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ? ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;ĂšËœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Í° äĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂœĚ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë›
“The Telecoms Amended Order failed to ďŹ x the taxable rate resulting in the imposition of arbitrary levies and charges at the state government levelsâ€?
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbnenga Adebayo
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ISPON RAISES CONCERN OVER DEARTH OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVT IN NIGERIA nology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, represented by one of the directors at NITDA, highlighted the importance of local content development and capacity building for Nigeria. According to him, “It has been estimated that Nigeria will spend about N120 billion by the year 2020 on importation of foreign technologies, since about 80 per cent of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hardware and software are imported into the country.� The influx of foreign technologies into Nigeria has made our country a dumping ground for substandard technologies and this has to stop, Pantami said.
GROUP CAUTIONS AGAINST PLANNED RELEASE OF GM BEANS, COTTON Orovwuje said Bt crops and other GM foods would not help Nigeria’s economy as the supporters of the technology made Nigerians to believe. She noted; “rather, there will be forced dependence on corporate bodies for seeds. Farmers will have no right to reuse their seeds and agricultural production will be left in the hands of large scale industrial investors.� Orovwuje stated that the way to improve economic situation for farmers is to invest in organic agriculture, provide farmers with extension services, needed infrastructure, good roads and access to land and loans, adding that support for farmers should include investment in research and exploration of agroecology approach to the problems of pests and diseases. HOMEF also criticised the recent statement by the Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, at a media conference in Abuja, saying, it showed clearly how flawed the country’s biosafety regulatory system is.
Group Business Editor
Ă’Ă“Ă•Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă¤Ă?Ě‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă•Ă&#x;
Tek Experts, Microsoft Move to Boost ICT Skills in Nigeria Stories by Emma Okonji The Technology landscape in Nigeria is set to witness a major shift as Tek Experts and Microsoft join forces to establish a customer service and support (CSS) centre in Lagos. Tek Experts made its debut in Nigeria, having successfully established similar centres in other global locations. The collaboration, which has led to the employment of 300 Nigerian youths, will also enhance the training of technology startups in the country. Tek Experts is committed to supporting talented individuals around the world and providing them with long and rewarding careers with partners such as Microsoft Nigeria. Tek Experts will be offering high class technical services to all Microsoft customers in Nigeria, in form of outsourcing. Speaking on the collaboration, the Founder of Tek Experts, Yaniv Natan, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Microsoft in developing talent that will improve the technology landscape in Nigeria and leverage the skills and expertise of Nigerians to provide great levels of service to customers as we have done in other locations around the world. We are committed to investing in the region and the people, and to raising the profile of Nigeria as an exceptional location for technical talent. “This is the first phase in what we want to be a
long and fruitful future in Nigeria. We are investing in state of the art offices, in providing best-in-class training programmes and in developing the infrastructure that will provide exceptional services to our clients and exceptional careers for our employees.� Corporate Vice President, Customer Service and Support, Microsoft, Aileen Allkins, said: “We are committed to investing in the talented workforce Nigeria has to offer through our partnership with Tek
Experts and I expect that this relationship will continue to grow and provide additional career opportunities for the local market. By expanding our global support model to Nigeria through Tek Experts, we are able to enhance the support we offer Microsoft’s customers across multiple time zones in EMEA and the east coast of the US.� Also speaking on the collaboration, the Country General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Akin Banuso stated: “We are
excited that Nigeria will be the first country in Africa to host a global operation for Microsoft through our strategic partnership with Tek Experts. This is a unique opportunity for Nigeria’s youth to realise their potential and pursue a world class technical career locally. This is in line with our mission of empowering every individual and organisation on the planet to achieve more�. With an unemployment rate in double digits in Nigeria, the centre comes at a good
time, as it will not only impact positively on technical skills development in Nigeria, it will also prove to be the first of many opportunities to bring technical jobs, with career growth, to the continent of Africa. Tek Experts plans to employ hundreds of young people in its operation in Nigeria, who will become ambassadors for bespoke IT services, offering technology solutions to individual and organisational challenges.
A NEW BEGINNING FOR TEK EXPERTS
L-R: Chief Human Resource OďŹƒcer, Tek Experts, Ms. Carol McCarthy; Founder, Tek Experts, Mr. Yaniv Natan and Country General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Akin Banuso, at the formal opening of Tek Experts OďŹƒce in Lagos...recently
Anxiety Heightens in Nigeria over EU’s GDPR Law The May 25, 2018 deadline for the commencement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law for European (EU) countries has continued to raise anxiety among businesses in Nigeria and beyond. There are fears that the law will affect businesses in Nigeria, especially businesses that have international partnerships with foreign countries, which directly or indirectly have business affiliations with EU countries. Their fear stemmed from the global compliance with the law because of the heavy penalty that will come with the breach of the law when it takes effect from May 25, 2018. Some Nigerians are of the
opinion that most businesses outside EU, including Nigeria might be grounded by the time the law takes effect. The GDPR law which was drafted April 2016, had two years of grace period for EU countries, and will take full effect including its penalties from May 25 this year. Although the law seeks to protect personal identifiable data for big and small organisations, it however comes with heavy penalty for breach, and Nigerian businesses with international affiliations are not prepared for the implementation yet, a situation that is creating panic among business owners in Nigeria and beyond. The law which is meant to
change the face of global businesses, will certainty disrupt the operational modules of organisations that will be compelled to hire Data Processing Officers (DPOs) to manage data processing in organisations. It is estimated that over 75,000 DPOs will be employed globally to effect the necessary organisational changes that will come with EU’s GDPR law. Microsoft had earlier in the week, raised awareness among Nigerian businesses about the law, but an Information security consultant and Chief Executive Officer, Petrovice Resources, Adesanya Ahmed, reasons that Article 3 of EU defines territorial scope. According to him, “The
article states that organisations must comply with GDPR if they offer goods or services to EU citizens, even without payment, or monitoring the behaviour of EU citizens. “The starting point should be to determine whether the organisation process personal data of EU citizens, either as a controller or processor of data, or whether a part of your organisation operate within the EU borders. “If answer to one of the questions is yes, then it does not matter were your business headquarters are located. As long you are in the place were member state law applies by virtue of public international law, you need to comply with GDPR,� he added.
He noted that complying with GDPR protects Nigerian organisations from not being sanction in global trade. For Instance, EU adopted a global best practice like: PCI DSS for risk management and also for cloud computing environments while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Nigeria, adopted COBIT 5 of ISACA as a regulatory framework. “When adopting these regulations, it is advantageous for an enterprise to have a solid governance function in place, to help with implementation and execution. And if the organisation lacks that structure, GDPR compliance is a good reason to begin creating that structure in your enterprise.�
ing Manager, Cars45, Carol Ofem said: “In view of this partnership, Cars45 continues to distinguish itself as an innovative player and it positively motivates us to do more. We are determined to maintain our stance as the best which we obviously are, and we are not resting on our oars anytime soon. With this, we have become Nigeria’s first company to partner with an independent energy organisation.� General Manager, Rensource, Anu Adasolun said: “This
partnership further affirms the growing consensus that renewable-based distributed energy is the future of Nigeria’s power industry.� Rensource has been at the forefront of rural electrification in Nigeria through renewable energy sources. The energy startup has also been an integral part of Nigerian government’s Energising Economies Initiative, which aims to provide efficient, clean and sustainable power to strategic economic clusters in Nigeria.
Cars45, Rensource Partner on Renewable Energy
AgriBusiness/Industry Editor
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In line with federal government’s plan to facilitate renewable energy system that will boost the power sector and promote its smart city initiative across the country, Nigeria’s pioneer used-car buying service, Cars45, has signed a business deal with Rensource, a renewable energy firm renewable energy sources. The deal will see Rensource deploying renewable power solution infrastructure to over 100 Cars45 inspection centres across Nigeria.
The signing of the agreement has already seen implementation of the first phase of the deal which saw the supply of power infrastructure to 30 centres in Lagos. The implementation of the second phase is set to commence soon. Speaking on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer of Cars45, Etop Ikpe, said: “While Cars45 looks to partner with outstanding and innovative agencies, we are also building on our foundation; a legacy
that will soon overwhelm the automobile market. “This partnership with Rensource is guaranteed to create a lasting landmark in Nigeria, talk about working without the fear of being cut short soon by electricity companies. This confident thought and feeling has been extended across 30 of our inspection centres all over Lagos with Rensource deploying solution infrastructure to power our inspection tools.� Also speaking at the event, Consumer/Sales Market-
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TECNO May Consider Assembly Plant in Nigeria Stories by Emma Okonji Having established smartphone assembling plant in Ethiopia, serving the African markets for TECNO brand, the mobile phone manufacturer may consider establishing a second plant in Nigeria. The idea to establish smartphone assembling plant in Nigeria is coming on the heels of the call from Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who saw the huge opportunity for TECNO and for the Nigerian government, if TECNO situates smartphone assembling plant in Nigeria. Shittu had at the launch of the latest smartphone duo – the CAMON X and CAMON X Pro in Nigeria by TECNO, called on the mobile phone company to consider establishing smartphone assembling plant in Nigeria. Shittu, who congratulated TECNO for its accomplishments in Africa, appealed to the company to set up a production line in Nigeria just as they have done in Ethiopia in other to serve not only her almost 200 million population but also
the West Africa sub-region and consequently create jobs for her teeming youths. “I want to appeal to TECNO Mobile that we are ready to partner you. We will assist you in every possible way to encourage you,� Shittu said. The General Manager of TECNO Mobile, Stephen Ha, reemphasised the brand’s willingness to look into setting up local production lines in Nigeria, but highlighted a couple of bottlenecks in the process. TECNO decided to choose Nigeria to launch its revolutionary smartphones across its African operations because of the large size of the Nigerian market that has continued to raise the sales of TECNO brand of smartphones. .The new CAMON duo are the latest smartphones in the CAMON family and they both debut revolutionary camera advancements and design. Speaking at the launch, the Vice President, TECNO, Andy Yan, discussed the progressive thinking behind the brand’s innovative products. “At TECNO, we do not
adopt a one-size-fits-all approach in developing our products. We take insights from our consumers’ habits, preferences and needs to develop the next groundbreaking product that fits perfectly into their lifestyle and consequently displace the competition,� Yan said. The latest CAMON duo are posed to become the best camera smartphones for 2018 and this no doubt is evident in their revolutionary design and outlandish specifications. The CAMON X Pro debuts 24MP + 16MP front and rear cameras with an increased image definition of 30 per cent over that of the CAMON CX to ensure that images are clearer and sharper. Also, it dons a 6-inch FHD screen with 2.5D corning third glass, industry leading 18:9 full view screen, 64GB ROM, 4GB RAM and superfast face recognition technology. With a dual ISP image processor, the device can process actions a lot faster as both processors work synchronously together compared to the previous generations of the CAMON.
Vodacom Business Set to Enhance Internet Connectivity in Nigeria Vodacom Business Nigeria and Intelsat S.A. have announced an agreement to expand its enterprise broadband connectivity in Nigeria. This is in order to further provide improved satellite services to its local enterprise customers. The strategic agreement was signed at the Satellite 2018 event which took place in Washington D.C, United States of America recently. The agreement now makes Vodacom Business Nigeria the first telecommunications provider in Nigeria to lease capacity on the Intelsat 35e Satellite. As satellite coverage increases globally, enterprises businesses are no longer limited to operating from just one location because of the high speed broadband requirements for their business operation. Through this agreement with Intelsat S.A, which is the operator of the World’s first Globalised Network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, Vodacom Business Nigeria will
deploy the Intelsat EPICNG satellite services, which is a next generation of satellite technology; to its enterprise customers to enable them to operate from anywhere they want throughout Nigeria. Intelsat’s Regional Vice President, Africa Sales, Brian Jakins, said: “Intelsat EpicNG enables higher data rate applications and smaller terminals that give enterprises the avenue to expand into new regions and take advantage of business opportunities regardless of where they occur.� He further noted that with the improved performance delivered by Intelsat EpicNG, Vodacom Business Nigeria’s customers will utilize the satellite services on Intelsat 35e to deliver fast, high quality and resilient broadband connectivity to the banking, oil and gas, and enterprise sectors across West Africa for an improved quality of service. Speaking on behalf of Vodacom, Managing Director
for Vodacom Business Nigeria, Lanre Kolade, said: “With plans in top gear to deploy the Intelsat EPICNG satellite services, this will enable Vodacom Business Nigeria to deliver an efficient, quick, reliable, secure broadband solution with a low monthly recurring cost within the shortest time to our Enterprise customers.� Kolade said the agreement would further allow Vodacom to connect businesses located in places where there is no access to terrestrial and mobile networks, therefore bringing them closer to their employees, customers as well as other businesses, to help empower them to remain operational and profitable. “As a leading provider of corporate connectivity and telecommunications solutions, Vodacom always strives to stay up-to-date with the technological needs and requirements of the changing environment hence the reason for this agreement,� Kolade said.
Smile Offers Customers Free Data, Free Device Swap Smile Nigeria has introduced another attractive value adding service, designed to delight its teaming subscribers. This broadband company is offering its customers free 1GB data daily for 365 days on a minimum of 500MB daily usage from their paid bundle. Aptly dubbed “Get 1GB FREE Daily for 365Days� the service is specifically designed for customers that have not used their Smile device in the last 90days. The service ensures that those who use a minimum of 500MB in a day from their paid bundle will get 1GB free data for use
the next day. The ubiquitous nature of the offer extends to the fact that data can be used for voice, internet, video streaming and SMS. Another attraction of the offer is that data utilisation is anytime of the day. The offer avails the customer of free 1GB data that is valid for 1 day. In a similar development, Smile has given its customers an opportunity to have their faulty devices replaced at no additional cost to them. A statement from the company indicated that effective Monday 3rd April, 2018 customers can swap their faulty Smile devices
for free. An innovative and multiple award-winning broadband company, Smile launched West Africa’s first true 4G LTE network in Ibadan in 2013 thereby revolutionising the way people access the internet. The company has, repeatedly, been applauded for bringing superFast, reliable mobile broadband service to Nigeria for Nigerians. It has also received plaudits for innovative services and customer-centric products. One of such is the recent win of Telecoms Leadership Prize 2018.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI
Raising Capital from Your Current Job Raising working capital is probably the biggest obstacle many entrepreneurs face in starting a business. Working capital as we all know is the amount of liquid assets especially in cash or accessible as cash to run and grow your business. Start-up capital (which serves as working capital) should cover business expenses for at least one year or until the business can generate enough revenue to sustain itself. Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?neur at heart but the major challenge facing them is that their current 9-to-5 job salary is Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÙ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞËÖÕ more of it been enough to raise capital for their dream business. It is probably tougher to be an entrepreneur at the start than work a 9-to-5 job. Keeping your current job will provide you with a steady source of income while you continue to work on your business. Ă™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ Ę¨ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ?ĂžËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ always use your current salary as your startup capital for your dream business if only you know where to look for it.
Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹ school teacher that knows how to sew or a ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ăœ ÞÒËÞ ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ě‹ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăœ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă? recharge card and the list goes on. Every Nigerian worker has the mind to compliment their salary with one form of business or the other. Ă’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•ing about raising capital is to determine a rough estimate of how much of a working capital that will be needed to start the business. Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă?ÞÓ×ËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ should include the amount needed to pay Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙÑÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă Ă“ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ all other expenses that need to be covered until your business revenues will cover and exceed all expenses. Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă˜torship in the area of business you are interĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂŽĚ‹Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ capital into a business you have little or no Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ to get some training and mentorship from people who are already succeeding in that business. We will be discussing on some areas to look at when raising capital for your business. WAYS TO RAISE A CAPITAL FROM YOUR CURRENT JOB: Start With Your Savings: Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ ÞÙ ÖÙÙÕ Ă‹Ăž when trying to raise capital for your business especially for anyone who is presently in a paid employment. If you are employed; you certainly earn an income from the salaries. Saving a reasonable part of any money you receive is a good start to raising the capital you need for your dream business. Ă?ËŞĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ marĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ÑÙËÖ Ă™Ă?
funding your business idea. Deposit apart of your salary every month into the account and leave it to grow with interest. Family and Friends: Raising capital from friends and family members is another area you can raise capital for your business.
Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? the next best source of capital for your business. One advantage of raising capital through friends and family is that they already like and care about you and want you to succeed. Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜vestors to take interest in your big ideas will ĂŒĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă™ take advantage of this source of funding for your business Get Advance Funding from Customers: Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ning a business with zero capital. Customers with an urgent need for a product or service are often willing to pay part or full price for the product in advance. Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ăž ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; with the capital you need to produce the ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă“Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨ĂžË› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă?ÞÒÙÎ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? best for business that do not require any Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă&#x;Ú˛ Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ ÙʊĂ?Ă? Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŁ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă‹ business from scratch using advance funding from customer. Find a Partner Who’s Got the Cash: Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă? in your dream and has the cash to help bring that dream to reality and partner with him or her. Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÓ×Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ Ă“Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ăž ÞËÕĂ?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă‹ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ power to build an amazing product but you still need a partner who has money that you need to make the product and sell it to the market. Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ëœ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? table and can share ownership of the busiĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Þ˪Ă? Ă‹ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ě‹ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ë› Sell of Some Personal Asset:
Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‘Ă‹ĂŽĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœËœ Ă™Ăœ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? also another area where you can raise capital for your business. Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? that can yield the required funds to start your dream; currently the items are not in use and ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă– and raise the needed capital. Capital is available to everyone if only you Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÖÙÙÕ˛ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž ÞÒËÞ ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă— business today; just dare to believe in yourself and start.
Olodu keonyedi – is a trained engineer and by passion and personal development a public/motivational speaker, a business coach and human capacity developer, he has a B.Eng degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, he is a member of Nigeria Society of Engineer and a COREN registered Engineer. Email: olodukeonyedi@gmail.com Tel: 08037489704, www.instagram.com/sir_keon. www.facebook.com/olodu keonyedi_mentorship
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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś
How Nigeria Can Build Successful Organisations that Endure To gain insights on how to develop innovative, commercially valuable and sustainable competitive edge, TEXEM invites you to join world-renowned Professor Pawan Budhwar Editor in Chief of British Academy of Management and Professor of Work Psychology at Aston Business School on May 2nd & 3rd 2018 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The theme of the programme is “Building Successful Organisations that Endure: Aligning Purpose, Process, Performance, and People.’ According to a research carried out by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in the U.S.A., the evidence-based study revealed that 56% of new companies fail within just four years of establishment-The failure rate even for established brands in Nigeria is worse. Thus, it is vital for top executives to consistently develop strategic leadership skillsets to position their organisation for success. Due to the propensity for Nigerian organisations to fail as a result of the harsh contextual realities inherent in Africa’s largest economy, leaders need actionable and practical toolkits that would assist them to drive effectiveness, efficiency, innovation and lasting legacies. In a move to ensure businesses in Nigeria excel in these hard times and beyond, TEXEM UK Limited has developed an executive development programme titled “Building Successful Organisation that Endures: Aligning Purpose, Process, Performance and People�- a unique opportunity that executives cannot afford to miss. This programme with assured return of investment offers actionable insights that could be applied in today’s complex, fast-paced, competitive environment, and equips leaders with the requisite skill set on how to drive firm resilience as well as organisational agility to achieve sustainable
By training over four thousand government ministers, CEOs, Chairs of Boards, Vice Chancellors, Directors and Aspiring executives in the UK and Africa in the past nine years, TEXEM, UK, has a proven track record of helping organisations to develop and improve their human capital to achieve a competitive edge and sustainable performance. These Executive Minds (TEXEM UK) offers customised and open executive training programmes where world-renowned faculties from topclass institutions such as Harvard, London Business School, MIT and others share decades of stimulating business success
Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of UBA Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu (left) and Chair, TEXEM, Uk, Dr. Alim Abubakre, at Rothschild Bank, New Court, St Swithin’s Ln, London ‌ recently success at the micro and macro level. To gain insights on how to develop innovative, commercially valuable and sustainable competitive edge, TEXEM invites you to join world-renowned Professor Pawan Budhwar Editor in Chief of British Academy of Management and Professor of Work Psychology at Aston Business School on May 2nd & 3rd 2018 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The theme is: ‘Building Successful Organisations that Endure: Aligning Purpose, Process, Performance, and People’. Cost: ÂŁ1500 (N750, 000 payment accepted in Naira). Testimonials Commenting on the TEXEM’S progrmmes in Nigeria, Chief Financial Officer) A.G Leventis, Michailidis Michail said: “Learning, training is a life process. So to choose the right facilitator is a very significant point for us, the executives and TEXEM seems to have the right connection and variety for extraction to provide us valuable programmes, thank you very much. “My perspective about the programme: I think it has been very interactive and I think it is also timely considering the current economic recession and the challenges that organisations are facing presently. I think the cost and the programme is timely. And one thing I also like about the programme is that it is very interactive. We are having executives bring their experiences into the case study and then we are looking at how we could take benefits from that and apply into our organisation. And in terms of interaction, I think it’s an opportunity of bringing different executives from different organisations together to be able to look at ways in which you could be able to manage the current economic recession especially managing people because people are our major assets. And for me, I think the programme has been able to fulfil the aspiration and objective I personally set out to be able to gain from the programme. So overall, I think the programme is worth itâ€?. For the Group Supply Chain Director, A.G Leventis, Sunday Asade, “This course has been very insightful. We had a session of communication that made us start looking at the different aspects from which we can
communicate back to the organisations and also taking into perspective different types of environment, different styles of communication. So I found it indeed very valuable�. Director, Corporate Affairs, UNILEVER, Nigeria and Ghana, Soromidayo George said: “Really, it is from my own perspective, highly enlightened. When you look at the ideas and the concepts that we have actually been taken through, it gives you a very good step to what you can actually apply especially in these difficult times in Nigeria. He added: “Also, when you look at the quality of the faculty, and the level of the participants, the kind of knowledge that you obtain from the ideas and concept that comes out of the programme is very good. And i actually look forward to applying those concepts to my work and to be able to be a better person in my career. This is my first time of attending a TEXEM programme, but I have always sent my colleagues to this programme, and they always come back with a very good quality response in terms of what they have been able to get out of the programme. So there are still so many programmes that i believe my company, my colleagues can also benefit from. I look forward to sending, nominating people to attend these programmes in future�. Human Resource Director, Airtel, Gbemiga Owolabi commented: “Talking about my perspective on the training, I think it’s something that every executive should be part of. The topic is particularly insightful, and it has been a great session. The prof from MIT has been very upfront in disserting communication strategies that every leader in an organisation needs to be aware of. ‘Communication’ they say ‘sharing of meaning’. And if you are not able to share meaning with your subordinates or the subordinates are unable to share meaning with you and talk, then there’s bound to be a breakdown of structure and a breakdown of work eventually. So I have personally been refreshed by various strategies and methods by which one can communicate better in the organisation�. On his part, Managing Director, Gas Stock Limited, Emmanuel Okene said: “This is the first I am attending TEXEM programme and in fact I found it very insightful, very useful, very educative. In fact i have realised that I
have missed a lot by not attending earlier programmes. You know when you are selling a good product if your clients come back repeatedly. And to me, what I have seen and imbibed, I will still come back for future programmes of TEXEM. I am the first person to attend from my company and I can say that it is really an avenue for human capital development that my company should not miss out on. So overall, I will say that it has been a worthwhile effort�. About TEXEM, UK By training over four thousand government ministers, CEOs, Chairs of Boards, Vice Chancellors, Directors and Aspiring executives in the UK and Africa in the past nine years, TEXEM, UK, has a proven track record of helping organisations to develop and improve their human capital to achieve a competitive edge and sustainable performance. These Executive Minds (TEXEM UK) offers customised and open executive training programmes where world-renowned faculties from top-class institutions such as Harvard, London Business School, MIT and others share decades of stimulating business success. Some of TEXEM’s unique selling points Ability to offer tailored, relevant and contextrich executive education programmes. Great value for money for quality and tailored programmes. Network of key stakeholders in Europe and North America that we have worked with in the past, which we could deploy towards delivery of executive development programmes. Impressive track record on customer satisfaction with 60% of our delegates being repeat customers. Understanding of the challenges that organisations face and committed, distinguished advisory board, which have a passion for the growth of Africa. For more information, please visit https:// texem.co.uk/programmes/building-successfulorganizations-that-endure-aligning-purposeprocess-performance-and-people-2-days.html Or please visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9238pf6gB8c&feature=youtu.be
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Satellite Connectivity as Broadband Enabler Nigeria is making efforts to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration by the end of the year. But experts opine that investment in satellite connectivity will enable faster broadband penetration, writes Emma Okonji Since 2013, Nigeria had the foresight to deepen broadband penetration and provide ubiquitous internet access that will further boost eCommerce business, which is an emerging market in Nigeria. The foresight, no doubt, informed the decision of the federal government to develop a five-year broadband plan for the country (2013-2018), designed to boost broadband penetration from 10 per cent to 30 per cent by 2018. Although experts had lauded the vision and foresight of the federal government to deepen broadband penetration in the country, they have also faulted the implementation process, which they said lacked the right investment plan to fast-track broadband penetration in the country. While some experts believed that government must invest in broadband infrastructure for last-mile delivery of broadband services, others are of the view that government must invest in satellite connectivity that will enhance faster broadband penetration across the country. The General Manager, MDXI Data Centre, Mr. Gbenga Adegbiji, who spoke with THISDAY on the importance of investment in satellite
Adegbiji
“Experts are of the strong view that satellite communication systems could help bridge the digital divide and complement ďŹ bre broadband delivery because with the installation of a small dish, they are able to provide services to remote areas, connecting even government agencies, including Oil and Gas companies across the country. In partnership with Avanti, MainOne plans to install Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) access terminals in Oil and Gas companies, schools, communities and government agencies and offer support to remote onshore, offshore and deep offshore locations where connectivity services and power availability remain a challengeâ€?
connectivity to further deepen broadband penetration in the country, highlighted the recent partnership between MDXi and Avanti on satellite connectivity and the essence of such partnership as broadband enabler for Nigeria. Bridging broadband connectivity gap Despite a fairly articulate broadband policy, Nigeria has not been able to attain initial targets of 30 per cent fixed broadband penetration, occasioned by poor broadband infrastructure and lack of the right investment plan. As Africa’s biggest economy, experts have warned that Nigeria stands the risk of being left behind on the global technology map if it does not emulate global best practices and ensure broadband infrastructure deployment to major cities and rural areas in the country and as quickly as possible too. While broadband infrastructure companies remain focused on delivering services and infrastructure to deepen broadband penetration and support critical business and social needs across the region, policy limitations continue to make infrastructure gap a reality. MDXi and Avanti partnership Giving insight to the recent MDXi and Avanti partnership deal as broadband enabler, Adegbiji said MDXI Data Centre partnered Avanti Communications to host and manage their in-country Gateway Earth Station (GES) at the MDXi Lekki data centre. This partnership has already delivered the build out of Avanti’s first GES in West Africa, hosted at our satellite antenna farm in Lagos and will attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of up to $20 million into Nigeria. Ahead of the launch of Avanti’s HYLAS 4 Ka-band satellite, MDXI had provided a home for their GES with intention to cover all of Nigeria. The gateway in MDXI will ensure data from the HYLAS 4 Ka-band satellite is delivered efficiently in-country and interconnected with other networks already connected at MDXi Data Centre. Giving further details about the partnership, he said the MDXi parent company, MainOne, is committed to broadband proliferation across West Africa and continues to push towards keeping the region at the forefront of satellite and broadband technology development. “This partnership is to foster the develop-
CTO, Avanti Communications, Dave Bestwick ment of relevant broadband products to serve the needs of millions of consumers across Nigeria that are currently without internet capacity. Now, we have the opportunity to make accelerated broadband expansion possible via fixed broadband and satellite, to overcome last-mile gaps experienced in fibre infrastructure and enable the attainment of 30 per cent broadband penetration target identified in the National Broadband Plan,� Adegbiji said. MDXI support for HYLAS 4 satellite As the region’s premier carrier neutral data centre, MDXI will provide mission-critical data centre services to Avanti as well as extensive interconnections with other operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content and payment providers, Over the Top Technologies (OTTs) and the Nigerian Internet Exchange. MDXI’s data centre campus hosts one of the largest Teleport Antenna farms in the whole of West Africa with gateways to four major international satellite networks – EMC, Nigcomsat, Speedcast (Harris Caprock) and now Avanti. This provides Avanti with premium teleport facilities for its West African coverage. MDXI is also well positioned to serve Avanti as the region’s most connected carrier neutral Tier III data centre, interconnecting not only the region’s major network providers but also enabling smaller ISPs. According to Adegbiji, MDXi currently has direct connections to all mobile network operators in-country and 22 network providers with services across the country. It is also connected to four top submarine cables including WACS, ACE, Glo1 and of course, the MainOne cable. Connecting Govt, Oil and Gas companies with satellite Experts are of the strong view that satellite communication systems could help bridge the digital divide and complement fibre broadband delivery because with the installation of a small dish, they are able to provide services to remote areas, connecting even government agencies, including oil and gas companies across the country. “In partnership with Avanti, MainOne plans to install Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) access terminals in oil and gas companies, schools, communities and government agencies
and offer support to remote onshore, offshore and deep offshore locations where connectivity services and power availability remain a challenge. We hope to impact and foster better eGovernment, eLearning, eCommerce, eHealth and eBanking services in urban and rural areas across Nigeria,� Adegbiji said. Achieving broadband connectivity Nigeria, no doubt, needs rapid deployment of connectivity and satellite broadband communications that will complement fixed infrastructure and create a level playing ground to achieve meaningful social development, irrespective of location or distance. The partnership between Avanti, MainOne and MDXI will ensure that satellite communications complements broadband fiber infrastructure build outs and provides a converaged solution to tackle the country’s internet access challenges. Experts believe that access to internet connectivity can only be resolved by collaborative solutions and shared services which have come to stay as the world converges into one large digital economy. Shared infrastructure and competencies will create efficiencies in both services cost and operations and enhance competition and the competitiveness of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector as a whole. How MDXi will make the difference According to Adegbiji, “In line with the vision of our parent company MainOne, we are committed to faster broadband penetration in West Africa as a means of bridging the digital divide and launching the West African region into the next digital economy. “This is why MDXi invested about N13 billion in building our data centre in Lekki. We are currently investing an additional N2.5bn to expand to second phase (Wing B) of the project. We also have upcoming data centres in Sagamu, planned for 2019, as well as in Accra and Cote D’Ivoire.� “The MainOne group has a role to play in Africa’s technology narrative and believe this is a significant industrial opportunity that will keep the continent at the forefront of data centre and broadband technology development in order to bridge the digital gap,� Adegbiji said.
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Okeremi: Digital Hackers are Drawn to Financial Data Managing Director/CEO, Arit of Africa, an indigenous technology company, Ronke Okeremi, spoke with journalists on the importance of cybersecurity and ways technology can help businesses to increase sales and revenue. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: information security in organisation. We witnessed the recent ransomware attacks and how it disabled business activities of most organisations. In business, time is money. You can imagine the cost in naira if any of the banks is shut down for a period of 30 minutes due to ransomware attack.
Cyber attacks have been on the increase. What form of data are most attractive to digital hackers? Financial data is most attractive and hence financial institutions are more likely to be attacked. Recently, identity theft has been very rampant and as such, organisations that house or store identity data should therefore be at alert. Federal government’s initiative to harmonise all identity data that were previously in silos via the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) harmonisation project is commendable. Global espionage has also been very rampant. That is why it is been said that World War 3 will most likely be a cyber war.
In the global economy, what do you think is the importance of enterprise security for any organisation to reach its goals? Recently, there are reports of cases of several hacking scandals and security breaches that aim to smear top brands, exploit financial gains of the victims. We live in a fast-paced global-economy that relies on huge data transported across the internet. It is important for businesses to safeguard sensitive information, services and products. This further protects their internal and third-party customers from theft, email-borne viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, malware and phishing attacks.
Governments globally play big role in internet security, how would you evaluate federal government’s input in this regard? The federal government’s input through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been commendable. The efforts and responses of the director general of NITDA during the recent Wannacry global ransomware attack was quite commendable. We have also met the NITDA team led by the director general at global information technology (IT) events such as GITEX in Dubai where the focus is on information security and core infrastructure as an enabler
“Financial data is most attractive and hence ďŹ nancial institutions are more likely to be attacked. Recently, identity theft has been very rampant and as such, organisations that house or store identity data should therefore be at alert. Federal government’s initiative to harmonise all identity data that were previously in silos via the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) harmonisation project is commendable. Global espionage has also been very rampant. That is why it is been said that World War 3 will most likely be a cyber warâ€?
With several vulnerabilities and sophisticated threats, how can organisations prevent cyber attacks? Organisations should be aware that threats are real and that they can be attacked at some point in time. Proactive measures should therefore be put in place before, during and after an attack. Organisations should always consider that if the United States (US) can be hacked, in spite of its global technology fame, then which country is safe? Nobody or country is safe and the question is when and how will the attacks come. Businesses should carry out frequent and proactive vulnerability assessment on their infrastructure in order to determine threat areas. There are solutions that offer early warning threat signals which aims to provide alerts on incoming threats, shutdown and remediate for prevention. These come at a cost to implement but would however prevent organisations to a large extent from cyber attacks.
Okeremi for global business. The federal government however can and is advised to do more. This will enable Nigerian businesses to compete on the same level playing field with their global counterparts. Core infrastructure is inevitable in business process today. Why is this so? Information technology core infrastructure is a critical component of the IT portfolio. IT core infrastructure can be leveraged upon to achieve positive effect on business performance in a number of ways. This includes but not limited to optimisation of processes and hence increase sales and revenue, provide timely and accurate information to facilitate better decision making, automation of processes that will enable businesses to reduce costs and lastly provide a technology platform to enable other systems to be produced. Information technology is now an enabler for most businesses and no longer an obstacle. Businesses now leverage on technology to increase sales and revenue. Core infrastructure is at the heart of every serious business entity
How can business owners identify quality enterprise security products? There are several industry analyst reports that can be assessed. Also business owners should ensure they engage properly through their IT teams and ask very important questions such as “the vendor should provide successful case studies that have been done locally in Nigeria, local support structure, among others. How important are security issues to organisations in Nigeria? Information security is crucial to all organisations to protect their information and conduct their business. Information security is defined as the protection of information and the system as well as hardware that use, store and transmit that information. Therefore, information security performs four important functions for an organisation, which is to protect the organisation’s ability to function, enable the safe operation of applications implemented on the organisation’s IT systems, protect the data that organisations collect and use, and to safeguard the technology assets in use in the organisation. There are also challenges and risk involved in implementing
How can businesses in Nigeria leverage on the advantages of core infrastructure? Core infrastructure includes major technologies, which range from security services, data centre development, management of IT operations and network, among others. Critically, assessing the above listed technologies, they are built to create flexibility in business environment and provide a platform where the majority of business initiatives that drive agility and innovation are built upon. Implementing core infrastructure also helps to connect business applications with customers, partners, and employees. Without appropriate technology that drives operations and access to these applications, businesses cannot function effectively and business strategies will fail to yield desired results. It is for this reason that we advise customers to ensure that their sensitive data, as well as financial data, are protected with the right technology solutions. What is the impact of ransomware attacks on businesses, and what have been the responses of business owners in preventing the attacks? As a technology company we have always advised our customers to look at prevention of cyberattacks from three different ways. The first is to invest in people to ensure that workers are fully educated to manage crisis from such attacks; the second is to invest in processes, and ensure that sustainable processes are in place to address malware and ransomware attacks, and the third one is to invest in technology that will prevent such attacks.
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Large Michaels to Address Customers’ Needs with Experience Stores Stories by Emma Okonji The Managing Director, Large Michaels Limited, Mr. Michael Ezeamama has expressed the company’s determination to deliver greater value to its customers and proactively address their needs, using modern technology to drive its experience stores. Speaking at the official opening of its experience store in Lagos, Ezeamama said the company accepted
the inevitable challenge to re-invent having known that the world of technology is rapidly changing, and hence it has taken the bold step to lead in the introduction of an experience centre in computing and printing for the local industry. According to him, the idea is not just to ask for a product, but also to experience it, see it, feel it, touch it and know what it is capable of, before making the crucial decision
to purchase it. “While retaining the essential qualities of integrity and passionate commitment to our partners and business allies, we have become more aware of the dynamics and strategic dimensions of providing value in a 21st Century business environment,� Ezeamama said. He added that the vision of Large Michaels is a journey driven by the desire to serve the customer better. He said: “We are constantly
aware of the fact that in order to do this, we need to understand the customer; the world in which the customer lives and the need it creates. The official launch is a very significant in this journey as it clearly marks our stride towards providing a higher level of coordination in order to provide excellent service delivery and customer satisfaction.� He added that the company would be expecting nothing less than seven powerful outlets in
Nigeria and so many others outside Nigeria in the next five years, based on its development programme. He emphasised that the stronghold of the company is along the lines of its consciously designed 3G technology, which are centered around good quality, good pricing and good services, adding that this will push the company into rendering good customer-based services. The District Head, Western,
Central Africa and Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Afe, said Large Michaels has been partnering with HP over five years, describing the years of partnership as being that of consistency, integrity and great partnership. She added that HP believes in the aspiration of Large Michaels, hence the partnership has been so strong which translates to effective service delivery.
Weco, Cisco Advocate Seamless B2B Digitisation, First Visa’s Everywhere Initiative Launched in subSahara Africa Connectivity In today’s world, businesses are looking for new and smart ways to connect people, processes, data and things with advanced intelligence, security and network, through Business to Business (B2B) digitisation. This was the focus of a workshop organised by Weco Systems International in collaboration with Cisco Systems in Lagos recently. Tagged: “Deliver Outstanding Business Outcome With Cisco Meraki and Core Refresh�, the training workshop had heads of Information Technology (IT) and other IT experts from financial institutions, telecommunications, oil and gas and other service providers in attendance.
Speaking at the workshop, Solution Architect, Network and Security, Weco Systems Limited, Ethelbert Ezeaputa, disclosed that ‘Meraki’, also known as ‘a network that simply works’ is a complete solution for wireless, security, switching and routing infrastructure, Wide Area Network (WAN) acceleration and Mobile Device Management (MDM) for clients that are moving their applications and services to the cloud. Ezeaputa added; “The Cisco Meraki can manage devices across multiple sites from a single dashboard, monitor and control users, applications, and devices in real time, scale from small sites to million-user deployments,
no controller hardware or management software to install and maintain complete, high-performance feature set and support is included.� The workshop also explored how organisations could accelerate innovation, through the adoption of the Intuitive Network –Cisco Core refresh. According to the Senior Support and Deployment Engineer, Weco Systems, Hussein Adeiye, “Cisco’s intent based network is delivered by “Digital Network Architecture.� The DNA is an open, extensible software driven architecture for digital business bringing together virtualisation, automation, analytics, cloud and programmability.
Visa has announced the launch of its Visa’s Everywhere Initiative, a global innovation programme that tasks start-ups to solve commerce challenges of tomorrow and further enhance their own product propositions and provide visionary solutions for Visa’s vast network of partners. The initiative, which was launched in the sub Sahara Africa region, is expected to spread round the countries with the region as fast as possible, Nigeria inclusive. Entrants in the first-ever sub-Sahara Visa’s Everywhere Initiative will have the opportunity to compete for a chance to win up to $50,000, access to Visa’s products and
services, expert mentorship and support from Visa and exposure to key Visa partners and clients. Regional President in charge of CEMEA for Visa, Andrew Torre, who made the disclosure recently, said: “In a highly dynamic industry, Visa’s Everywhere Initiative allows people to explore a host of ideas that solve business challenges, influence Visa product roadmaps, support our customers, and shape our culture of innovation.� “With just 17 per cent of people in Africa having access to formal financial services, almost a third of funding raised by African startups in 2017 was in the Fintech sector. Venture funding for
African startups jumped by 51 per cent to $195 million in 2017. Senior Director�, Digital Solutions, Visa sub-Sahara Africa, Geraldine Mitchley, said; “With over a hundred million dollars invested over the past ten years alone, the region’s Fintech industry is on the brink of a transformative breakthrough, and we believe the time is ripe to bring together its brightest minds and work on the next big idea in payments technology. With a clear goal of enabling cashless economies and financial inclusion, Visa is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and driving innovation in its payments landscape.
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Banking Made Simple Raheem Akingbolu appraises the heights the banking industry has attained as a result of various applications operators have deployed to boost mobile banking Many things have changed in today’s banking operations. Like a journey, the industry had since moved from analogue to digital. To say technology and ICT have demystified most of the bottleneck associated with the olden days banking is like stating the obvious. This has given birth to development of different applications to make life easy for the banking public. For instance, leading banks in Nigeria now have efficient mobile banking app, through which customers can send and receive money on-the-go. There is also the Automated Teller Machine, (ATM) that has helped banks to reduce crowd in the banking hall as well as making it possible for customers to withdraw outside banking hours. However, eliminating the need to go to a brick-and-mortar bank to deposit checks may be the biggest benefit of mobile banking. It saves the time and hassle of having an employee travel to a local branch, making them more productive. For large enterprises where deposits are often distributed, such as companies with multiple offices or subsidiaries, mobile banking is now helping such companies to centralize processes. Today, Mobile banking apps are improving speed and convenience for enterprises when it comes to paying bills and filling invoices. Even when on-the-go, financial professionals can ensure that accounts payable are always fulfilled. Mobile banking in Nigeria Since the beginning of this Mobile Banking regime, players in the bank industry have identified it as a major platform for positioning. Again, bank customers now rate banks based on the effectiveness of their mobile banking applications. As a value added service offered by banks to enable customers conveniently and securely conduct their banking transactions on their mobile phones, mobile banking, has become the most popular product a bank can use to woo the youths and young professionals who want to transact on the go. After all, it gladdens the heart of anybody that subscribe to mobile banking to be able to transfer funds and check his or her account balance and statement without having to visit your bank. United Bank for Africa At the unveiling of UBA’s mobile banking app last year, the bank’s Head of Digital Banking, Dr. Adeyinka Adedeji, had described it as being interactive, user friendly and easy to access. The mobile app which comes with the biometric log-in feature for secure and personalized access is now being downloaded on Apple and Google Play App Stores. According to Nairametrics, a leading financial resource company based in Nigeria, UBA’s app is one of a kind; a very innovative, well-rounded application for its users. The company went on to state that the app doesn’t only care for online demands, the application is somewhat useful offline as well, specifically with providing short codes and answering basic questions on the application’s uses Another area that has since been played up in the app is the ease at which customers can purchase airtime on the platform. Unlike other apps where you have to copy the phone number, the UBA app grants users access to their contact list from inside the app. First Bank As a pacesetter brand with eyes on the future, first bank laid the foundation for its mobile banking in 2015 with the launch of FirstMobile. However, between then and now, the app has since been reviewed and updated to meets the lifestyle of its customers. The mobile banking app which is easy to use is another secure platform that allows customers to execute banking transactions and access lifestyle news content on the go from their mobile phones. The latest features that were incorporated into the app are; The Card-in-Control functionality, the Quick Response (QR) Code, the Transaction receipt and Save beneficiary functions. Among other things, the fact that it is easy to set up, its soft and inviting hues, are given the apps an edge in the market. Navigation is as simple
as it gets with minimal clicks required to carry out common transactions like transferring funds or recharging airtime. Above all, the decision of the bank to make the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for logging in to be different from that for transactions is a major innovation meant to improve the safety of using the app. GTBank Because of the bond between the GTB brand and the youth market, Guarantee Trust Bank, knew early enough that the platform would be another winning card. It worked. Riding on its 737 app, GTB has a total of 4 mobile apps. The previous three are GTBank (for mobile banking), GTWorld (for lifestyle) and GTCube (For Mobile Point of Sale for merchants). As a youth centric brand, the bank has since leveraged many platforms, including sponsorship of a music video to projects the app and further assure its patrons that; “The simple life is just one touch away� The relationship between the brand and the youth market is reflected on their app; as much as you can use the app to pay for bills, there is the addition of opportunities to indulge in social activities like paying for cinema tickets and the likes, which is a major plus for millennials. Ecobank The years 2017 was like the season of upgrading and review of mobile application for many banks. Though Ecobank joined the bandwagon, it was towards the end of the year after major operators had explored the platform. Considering the bank’s status as a Pan African brand, many observers have expected it to launch earlier than it did. However, its lateness is like blessing in disguise as the management of the bank must have taken time to study the market and learn from the hitches experienced by banks that first introduced similar applications. The most important feature of this app is its ability to synchronise itself with phone’s data. With ease, Ecobank app is able to access customer’s contact list, short messaging features and other information that may be considered sensitive. It appears the application may, through customer’s phone dialing features, make direct phone calls to customer care. As an instant and convenient way of banking
via the mobile phone, the upgraded version of Ecobank Mobile App, is said to have attracted 3 million new customers in just 6 months, taking the total number of users to date to 4 million Ecobank app builds on the core functionality that saw the original version applauded as a game changer for African banking by using digital technology to combat many of the financial inclusion barriers faced by those on the continent. This includes the dearth of rural branches, affordability of products, high transaction costs and minimum opening balance requirements Because of the business structure of the Ecobank brand, its app is the first unified app delivered by any institution for use in 33 countries and it uniquely leverages the power of digital to deliver real convenience to customers. Among other benefits, the App opens up opportunities for customers by allowing them to shop, transact and do business without cash. At scale, this will be transformational for Africa. Through its purchasing power and Ecobank’s partnerships with Visa and Mastercard, the Ecobank Mobile App will be an accepted means of payment. Again, considering its removal of barriers to entry and affordable price points, it is believed that the Ecobank Mobile App will empower the consumer to be on the move In a way, the bank has thus fulfilled its promise of creating relevant solutions for consumers. “With the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank customers can make and receive instant payments across 33 African countries. They can also pay in store with their mobile phones. This is genuine convenience delivered to Ecobank customers and consumers, generally,� the bank had stated in a statement. Besides, by using Ecobank Masterpass QR technology and the fact that is accessible through opening of an Ecobank XpressAccount, which takes less than 5 minutes, the bank has demystified mobile banking. Because Nigeria is a leading hub for entrepreneurship and technology for Ecobank, the bank has chosen Lagos to launch the Ecobank Mobile App. Access Bank Like other banks, Access Bank refreshed its mobile banking app with a set of new and exciting features last year. These additional features allow customers perform multiple
functions including quick airtime top-up and funds transfer without signing on to the app. Customers can also initiate self-block and unblock cards on all channels; make domiciliary account transfers; reset forgotten PIN and make cardless withdrawals from any ATM. Undoubtedly, the app eliminates a whole lot of unnecessary questions and on a very good day, transactions are very fast. The most innovative aspect of this app would be the transaction receipts which are usually produced at the end of every transaction. Of course, the live chat opportunity is also a plus for the bank. Zenith Bank Two years ago, Zenith Bank Plc. launched a new mobile banking solution to make banking simpler and interesting. Through the bank’s *966# Eazybanking solution, which was launched to complement the effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to build a cashless economy and enhance financial inclusion, Zenith followed up with the introduction of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking solution that would enable people to perform financial transactions on all known mobile phones (Feature, Smartlite or Smart), without having to go on the net or download a mobile app. One major attribute of the bank’s app is the simplicity of its interface. Many customers of Zenith bank believe that the app is easy to use and straight to the point. Challenges As beautiful as the various applications appear to be, they also come with their challenges. While some of these challenges are self -made, there are some challenges that can be traced to poor internet connection in the country. According to Nairametrics, a leading financial resource company based in Nigeria one of the discouraging feature of some of the apps is the presence of distractive adverts on the apps. The company has also identified complexity and inability to log into the updated version of some of the banks’ apps. Meanwhile, for some banks, there are general concerns relate to registration process, which many users claim is long, tedious and in many cases, simply does not work. Besides, banks that target the youth and young professionals are also discovered to have crossed 1 million download mark, faster than others.
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Adeyipo: Data Gathering is Key for Measuring Growth Vice President, Sales & Marketing, CWG, a leading provider of ICT solutions services, Mr. Adewale Adeyipo, spoke with Raheem Akingbolu on the importance of ICT to SME growth in Nigeria and the need for government to be proactive in the area of regulation. Excerpts: How will you assess the Nigerian business environment? I would relate this question with two things as regards our own business and the environment in general. Business on its own can’t function without the environment. Nigerian business environment has been coloured with a lot of fear and uncertainty and that has led to many business collapse. One major challenge is infrastructure, which has remained a problem for decades, especially in the areas of power and good road networks. Another is government policies. As much as they are there to guide and protect, sometimes some policies could be too strict for small businesses to grow. In some cases, large companies are also suffering, when policies are not well articulated. We have other factors that may affect businesses, for instance, culture and social considerations can be major things to deal with. Above all, I think it would be a better environment if the social infrastructures are in place. Can you please explain how a well - structured Information Technology sector will impact on businesses in the country? I think that would take us back to the government regulations. To start with, let’s look at growth. When you can’t control something and it has to take its full shape. The ICT sector is contributing about 9 percent of the Nigerian GDP today and that’s regardless of the challenges we have. The question then is; what will happen if the ICT is given free will to establish its potentials? Don’t forget we have number on our part; 180 million Nigerians is not a joke. That’s why multinationals will always want to come into the country. If the industry is well regulated with appropriate check and balances in place, the business environment will be more opened and this will boost the economy. How will you assess the Nigerian competitive brands and marketing landscape over the years? The intelligence required now for major brands to operate in Nigeria is high. That’s because of the knowledge of an average consumer today. Data gathering has become key and before you go into any service now, a lot of analysis is required. Customer behaviours need to be assessed. Brands now compete from the bottom of the pyramid and the very innovative ones come out with innovative solutions. The rate of the social media intake in the country has ensured that an average consumer is knowledgeable about whatever he or she wants to do. While talking to him, he’s checking up the facts. What are the challenges facing the sector where you operate and what are the measures in place to curb these challenges? The sector has challenges the same way it cut across all sectors. There’s a decline in profit and you find traditional companies looking for new ways to do business. Of course, the new way is to leverage on ICT. Everybody is looking for how well to leverage on technology to increase profit. You find the technology companies getting busier, deploying non regular services to organisations in order for them to increase their operations. That’s why you have some banks doing billions on e-platform. I must admit we are not immune to the economic environment; the only advantage is creativity and providing services to other players. Share with us your core value and operational philosophy that drives the operation of CWG. One thing you can’t take away is the long term experience. Being around for over 25 years is not something that can be dismissed just like that. More importantly is the can-do spirit we’ve imbibed in the culture of the company. This is in line with the aspiration of the founding
but to absorb it as much as possible and be able to have as much solutions as possible out there that will prevent us from such loss. Our current state and numbers are there to show that we have made the right decision.
Adeyipo fathers of the organisation. Another thing is that customer service is also very important. That’s why you find a CEO of CWG at the customer site for support issues. We consider the customer to be king not in the literary way of saying it but in the actual sense of it. The culture and principles have become part of our fabric. One thing I think has kept us is that spirit of can do and getting it done. In spite of the dwindling state of the Nigerian economy and the purchasing power dropped drastically, how do you intend to deploy creativity to further boast Return on Investment (ROI) for CWG? We evolve in everything we do, that is the secret. If you look around, you will find many organisations we started together that are no longer in existence. Meanwhile, what we have found out in those still existing is that they are fixed to the same ideology. We have worked smoothly for over 25 years with over 120 customers and we are still counting. We are in the business of deploying technology for customer growth and things are working well for our clients. We have been able to prove that technology is a means to an end. What we have taken our time to understand is what exactly is the customer looking for? With that, we have been able to increase our creativity level and throw in something new to the market. That has helped us to sustain till now. We are going through transition right now, developing new product to cover some gaps that have been discovered in the ICT space. How will you assess competition in this market and share with us your unique selling proposition? Our unique selling point is that we’ve stopped the ‘what’ question and gone to the ‘why’ question. When you get to the business of why do customers want it, it allows you to innovate. You become very strategic with the customer. Your transaction with them is no longer a buyer and seller transaction. There is a clear blueprint on where a customer is going and you are part of that blueprint. That means as they are
growing, you are growing. It’s like paradigm shift from us as an organisation. That can only happen when you’ve seen the future and how do you see the future? Of course, that can only be achieved from the learning of the past. In the area of growth projection, where do you position CWG in the next 5years? In the next five years, our clients should expect very interesting things that you too can testify to, based on this interview. First, through the products we have taken to the market, we expect a lot to have happened positively between now and the next five years. I would take it again from the why question. I think today we have different IPs of our own, based on market survey and trends. Today, we deploy ATM to banks in what we call ATM as a service, where we are asking banks why they are involving in business of ATM. You focus on your core operation while we focus on the IT operation. We have deployed a platform for SMEs. What we have done is to build a solution that suits different sectors of the economy. We have deployed something for SMES for their book keeping, reporting, accounting stock taking, to understand their businesses. Available statistics have shown that we have over 50 million SMEs; that means 50 million people are employed. So, if you empower the SMEs to employ one more staff, automatically you’ve created more 50 million jobs. You can’t be playing in such dimension and not be relevant for a very long time. Going back to the question of how we have positioned ourselves for five years and beyond, is to know what we can take to the market that could make us relevant for a long time. How do you maximize the position you fill to take the brand to the next level in 2018? We started planning for the year before 2018. If you check our numbers as a public company in 2015, we made a major loss due to the fluctuation in the Dollar to Naira exchange rate. The effect of that is still evident in the organisation today. What we have done since that time is to restructure ourselves in such a way not to be immune from the economic reality in Nigeria,
Manpower is highly imperative to the growth of every organisation, how do you embrace training as one of the key factor to solidify your team? Training has been one of the basic fundamentals on which we build this organisation. By virtue of what we do, we don’t have a choice. We have over 400 outsource enterprise resource and consultants that we have deployed in different multinationals in Nigeria. When you get outsource, you expect them to know more than you do. They can only sustain in that knowledge base by we training these individuals. The fact of the matter is that there is no way you can stay relevant as a software developer without you going for training to keep abreast of what is happening. If you take ATM as example, we cover 36 states in Nigeria, supporting over 10 banks on their core banking applications. There is no way you can sustain this momentum if you don’t have the training facilities. That tells you why we have a training academy. In 2011, we started CWG training academy where we bring in fresh graduates, put them through rigorous training for three months both theory and practical. After the three months programme, we deploy them to different customer sites. The best hands from this academy; we keep them to ourselves. These are some of the things we are doing to sustain the momentum. Adulteration is one of the major setback in this market, are there measures in place to guide against counterfeiting? It’s something that needs to be dealt with on a larger scale. I think the players in the FMCG sector are lucky because the adulteration in the sector might not be up to what we experience here, because we deal more with idea. So how do you own an idea? What patent right do you have on an idea. How can it be controlled? I think more government regulations can play huge roles in this regard. I know we have patent laws in Nigeria, but how are they enforcing these laws? Look at copy rights, trade marks; how well can government do necessary regulations to be sure an average man on the street is fully protected to his intellectual property. One cannot forget in hurry the case of NAFDAC in those days and how the leadership of the agency tackled adulteration. I think one of the greatest adulterations we suffered was then in drugs. When full enforcement and task force came to play, we saw the reduction. To me, similar thing needs to be done especially in IT which we consider as a basic growth area for this economy. Looking back at your career trajectory, was it IT from beginning and how was the journey like? I started my career in a finance house 14 years ago; a micro credit finance house working with government and private entities on schemes and mechanism on how to give loans to micro finance banks and small organisations. It was a very intensive engagement that launched my career into business development. From there I proceeded into IT. I am a BSc holder in Political Science from University of Ilorin but later went into development of IT where I worked for some years before joining Computer Warehouse. I’ve been with CWG for nine years and worked with different segment of the organisation; from sales to business development and to the group’s pan African initiative drive.
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Olowofela: Like Brazil, Nigeria Must Create High Impact-oriented Devt Programmes Although Brazil and Nigeria share historical and cultural ties, the former outstrips the latter in industrial development and poverty reduction strategies. President, Nigeria Community in Parana State, Brazil, Mr. Afolabi Vincent Olowofela, shares his views with Abimbola Akosile on useful development lessons for Nigeria from the South American nation. Excerpts:
H
Agriculture in Brazil has been a source of feeding its growing population, generating employment, earning foreign exchange, providing raw materials for industries and engendering sustainable development with significant poverty reduction. Farmers in Nigeria need rural transformation, redistribution, poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development, with several agricultural associations to solicit from their governments to make the agricultural sector the engine of growth and to develop the agricultural potential for rapid industrial and economic development, with introduction of agricultural machines at a cheaper rate for macro-faming.
ow long have you been in Brazil and what made you decide to stay in Parana, the sixth largest state in the country? My name is Olowofela Afolabi Vincent, a native of Igbara-Odo Ekiti in Ekiti State in Nigeria and President, Nigeria Community in Parana State, Brazil. I have been living in Brazil since 2012. Without a doubt, Brazilians are the most cheerful and friendly people in the world. They are communicative and welcoming as well. I decided to stay in Parana because of its incredible diversity of nature and ethnicity, beautiful weather and modern agriculture. Everywhere you go there are spectacular new perspectives. Parana is the sixth largest state in Brazil and the regional differences in Paranaense are quite pronounced. There is much more than carnival, football and agriculture, which make the Brazilian people unique. There appears to be a large Nigerian community in Parana, in which areas of the Brazilian economy are you and others of the Nigerian community actively involved? Nigerians in Parana are many and we primarily focus on study and business with the expectation that many of us already possess strong understanding and some are lecturers in the University and managers who combine business with art. Our involvement includes roles in academics, sales, marketing, culture and art, and information analysis which have culminated in our personal self-employed business management for many years. However, we have significantly improved Nigeria culture and art in Brazil, and widened the range of values in the field of international inter-relations. As the President of the Nigeria Community in Parana State, how do you work with other State Communities and the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil to make sure Nigerians are gainfully employed and not crime-oriented or disruptive in a faraway country? As I was elected the president, I contacted the Embassy and the Presidents of Nigeria Community in other states to provide milestones in our brotherhood that will allow us to become successful, innovative and professional. Also, I seek to raise a conference of all the Nigeria Communities to improve the social well-being of all Nigerians in Brazil, to bring about socio-economic change with entrepreneurial attitudes to enable Nigerians become self-reliant, productive, responsible and contributing members of the community through active participation and involvement.
Olowofela And I have been trying to help provide the skills and knowledge to the under-privileged Nigerians so that they can recognise and use the resources around them for their holistic empowerment. Brazil has become a manufacturing giant and a net exporter of various products on the global stage although it was a contemporary to Nigeria in the 70s. To you, what lessons can Nigeria learn to also move up the growth and development ladder? In 1985, there was a return of civilian government in Brazil since 1964 and Jose Sarney de Araujo Costa was inaugurated as the first civilian president. Costa had to confront enormous problems such as debt, inflation, recession, unemployment, poverty and injustice. Fortunately he had and shared a vision for rapid economic expansion via agricultural production, new economic policies and anti-inflation programme. Also, Brazil`s old elites campaigned for economic growth, modernisation and eliminating government corruption and inefficiency, which resulted in a lot of developmental values. Nigeria can be great with reforms to increase modern agriculture, mining operations and public investment that will provide good electricity and infrastructure to facilitate the growth of urban communities and increase industrialisation.
The poverty reduction model in Brazil which was employed under former President Ignacio Lula Da Silva is a worldwide best practice. How can Nigeria learn from this development experience to help alleviate poverty back home? Former President Ignacio Lula Da Silva was a leader dedicated to eradicating poverty and building a more inclusive Brazil by improving the standard of living in Brazil and creating innovative entrepreneurs. He invested capital in Brazilians, providing the flexibility and security to grow agriculture and reach as many poor farmers as possible. He empowered them with tools, agriculture loans, network and technical assistance as long-term solutions to poverty, and re-defined agriculture priorities by providing the citizens with fastest agriculture machines and new technologies. He had a vision based on dignity, where every Brazilian has the same opportunity to create “The house, my life” programme, with family allowances support system to unlock their full potential. Nigerian leaders should also create impact-oriented programs that will help us develop as a nation. Brazil is also famous for its agriculture practices....what are the best lessons for farmers in Nigeria to address both local demand and meet export quotas and requirements?
Although Brazil’s population is larger than Nigeria’s 186 million population size, it is managing its population through urbanization initiatives...how can Nigeria tap from this to help check rural-urban drift and even migration to Europe and other foreign countries? Urbanisation and openness to regional, national and international trade serve several important roles in attracting tourism and checking migration and rural-urban drift. The current Mayor of Curitiba, Rafael Valdomiro Greca de Macedo made Curitiba’s urbanisation attractive as a destination for investment capital, which rests on its development of infrastructure, resource availability, productivity, and the business value chain. Nigeria delegations from Lagos and Plateau state visited Curitiba in 2017 for urbanisation partnership, but efforts should be made to create a more business-friendly environment, with national and international free trade agreements typically initiated by market-progressive governments as reasonable mechanisms for inducing economic activity and growth. Also, the urbanisation process in the country should be diffused, through a more internalised urban network, wherein an unprecedented expansion of many medium urban nuclei with important influence areas can begin. Brazilians are generally regarded as fun-loving but their country is largely industrialised...to you, how can Nigerians combine the same qualities to ensure better development in the home country? In Brazil, natural resources are used to industrialise because natural resources play a key part to spur development and pull the country’s economy toward a competitive spot in the global marketplace. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
RANDOM THOTS Returnee President It was the worst-kept secret on the socio-political circuit. And although the timing took many - especially intended aspirants - by surprise, many Nigerians including this reporter were not shocked when President Muhammadu Buhari declared his intention to seek a second term in office to rule over the world’s most populous black nation. PMB, 75 years old, unveiled his intention at a closed-door meeting of members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) held Monday at its national secretariat in Abuja. To him, his decision was a response to the clamour from ‘citizens’ for him to return for another four years in office. Back in 2015, this reporter almost came to blows with two of his colleagues both in Lagos and Abuja while insisting that positive change has finally come to Nigeria and that a sitting president of a ruling party can be removed from power by popular vote during the general elections, which eventually
happened. However, that die-hard support has wilted in the face of persistent poverty and worsening standards of living for the average citizen. Even though the president is widely respected as a man of sterling integrity and principle, many of those who voted him into power in 2015, from feelers, are not ready to repeat the same come 2019, unless there is an obvious change in his leadership style backed by positive results in the livelihoods of longsuffering citizens.
While his desire to return to power is his constitutional right under the law, PMB now faces an uphill task to convince the same citizens to return him for a second term next year, as long as the elections remain free and fair. Nigerians are weary and now more wary of empty campaign promises and feeble attempts to deliver dividends of democracy…warning sign -Abimbola Akosile
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Corruption must end in Nigeria!
Can Looting Ever End in Nigeria? Some analysts believe that brazen looting of public funds can never cease in Nigeria, simply because it is the rich and highly-connected individuals who are involved are too powerful to be stopped. However China and Saudi Arabia have capital punishment for looting and near-zero occurrences. In your view, can looting ever cease in Nigeria like in China and how can that happen? Abimbola Akosile * Personally I regard looting as anathema to progress. If things remain the way they are, looting will continue. Nigeria looting is done systematically; the only solution is the China approach that stipulates death sentence and that should include all forms of corruption. - Mr. Mark Ushie, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja * Yes, it (looting) can stop if the same law as in China is applied here. - Pastor Babatunde Akinsanya, Lagos State * It cannot, because existing institutions are not strengthened to perform their stipulated laws to pave way for social justice and accountability. Elective position is seen as an opportunity to acquire wealth, and our practice of democracy encourages loot. Let citizens change their mentality and amend the constitution for a single tenure of four years. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja * If the values of integrity, hard work and prudence by which Nigerian were known are restored among the elite, looting would be highly reduced. And if we make the right laws and commit to ‘no sacred cow’ policy, it would become a thing of the past in no time. - Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * Completely ending looting might be difficult to achieve but reducing it to the barest minimum is achievable. We simply have to remove the ‘lucrative aura’ surrounding public offices and re-invent our institutions by making them stronger like South Korea, China, Brazil etc. - Mr. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R Resources, Apo, Abuja * Looting never ends anywhere. But it can be minimised with laws and impartial judicial system. In addition, there should be good governance to ensure that basic infrastructure and financial systems are in place to facilitate healthcare, housing and education. Parents and society should also teach children that corruption does not begin and end with looting. - Mr. Anonymous, Lagos State * Looting can end in Nigeria...but sincerely I don’t know how. I just know that leaders should set examples first. We have seen nations which were baptized in looting before, but now it
THE FEEDBACK Looting can end:
7
No, it cannot end:
7
Others:
6
Radical tip:
Execute looters!
Total no of respondents:
20
Male:
17
Female:
3
Highest location:
Lagos (8)
has reduced to the barest minimum. I believe it’s possible. - Mr. Adewumi Temitope Michael, CEO Sarmic Farms, Kwara State * How can looting end when Senators/Reps members earn millions and other looters remain untouched within the present government? Workers and pensioners’ entitlement till date have not been fully paid. Sterner punishment or revolution is the remedy to looting. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Yes, looting of our collective patrimony can be eradicated or at least minimised if all proven cases of corruption end in severe jail terms. We must also change our reward system where those who diligently serve their fatherland are assured of comfortable life in retirement. - Mr. Paul Jideofor, Dept. of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja * No. Looting like cyclic robbery is unfortunately revered in Nigeria today. Brazen looting of public funds can never cease as it involves the untouchable elitists. Unlike China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea etc most laws are willfully disobeyed in Nigeria while justice is selective or evaded outright. We must prosecute offenders now. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Looting will never end in Nigeria because many people see government as their personal inheritance. But if we see Nigeria as belonging to all, and our laws are respected and implemented without any bias, looting will surely end in Nigeria. Let’s do as China does firing squad straight for anyone caught looting! This must be done for success to occur.
- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * If we can fight corruption in Nigeria at the same rate in which we fought Ebola virus back then - despite party difference - our development will have no limit. - Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * Yes, looting can stop in Nigeria when a visionary and caring leader emerges. It takes just one man with a powerful vision of a new Nigeria that is corruption free. A leader who talks less, walk the talk and puts the people first will eradicate corruption from our dear country in a jiffy. Nigeria. God bless Nigeria. - Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja * With names mentioned for corruption intake in governance, corruption will soon be a thing of the past. But we must continue to mention the names of those looting the treasury dry whenever they serve their fatherland. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * No, brazen looting of scarce public funds cannot cease in Nigeria, as greedy citizens, who are often implicated remain too powerful to be prosecuted. In China, Saudi Arabia, etc where laws are obeyed they have capital punishment for looting and near-zero occurrences. Nigerian office holders compromise the law easily and our laws are not implemented due to selfish interest. It’s time to fully sanitise the judiciary. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Looting will one day stop in Nigeria. Fighting corruption depends on the institutions; leaders have little or nothing to do in fighting corruption. Once the law takes its due course, looting will be reduced or stopped completely. Secondly, the western world must stop the loot from entering their countries, even though they are benefiting from the stolen funds. Mr. Egbuna Nduanya, Political Scientist, Enugu State * Yes, looting can end in Nigeria but it requires local and international concerted efforts. Functional institutions and mechanism to check impunities associated with looting in the country should be enacted and enforced. The people must be conscious of their responsibilities, and expose corruption; while foreign countries of destination must stop the flow into their system and sanction culprits in the looting spree.
- Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chair, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Lagos * Not even the death penalty can stop looting in Nigeria because it probably won’t be enforced. We have enough laws and institutions to curb corruption in Nigeria but enforcement, lack of diligent prosecution and a corrupt judiciary always lets us down. Therefore, the most effective way is to prevent the crime before it happens. TSA has done far more to reduce the access looters have to public funds than our criminal justice system and judiciary ever could. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Looting can never cease in Nigeria because it is now part of our DNA and corruption has infused every part of our psyche and daily life. But with the Chinese method of swift execution, looting can be reduced to a bearable level. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Yes, it sure can; if only we can all agree it’s not in anyone’s best interest. When any looter knows that he will not be celebrated but heavily punished by the law, we’re then nearing the end of looting. - Mr. Oluwapelumi Oyeniyi, Osogbo, Osun State
Next Week: Has Politics Sidelined Devt in Nigeria? ÓÞÒ ÚÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Í“Í‘Í’Íš Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËŞĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ— Ă“Ă˜ ÙʊĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ÞÒËÞ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÑÙÙÎ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙÖÎ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÚÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă– Í’Í“ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă– Í’Í—Ěš ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo. com, greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă– Í’Íš
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BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT
Climate change; fallout of a downpour on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos
ETOP UKUTT
WHO Calls on Africa, Nigeria to Fulfil SDGs Pledge on UHC Tips Nigeria to achieve UHC by 2030
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on all African leaders, especially the Nigerian government to meet up with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pledges on Universal Health Coverage. The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, made the call in a statement in a speech delivered by the country representative to Nigeria, Dr. Wondi Alemu. The statement was in celebration of the World Health Day (marked April 7) with the theme: ‘Universal Health Coverage (UHC): everyone, everywhere’, which aims to reinforce the need for access to health care services for all citizens. It also marks the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 which called for health for all by the year 2000. According to Moeti, African
governments had in 2015 SDGs pledged and committed to concrete actions of responsive health systems through UHC in their respective countries. To this end, he said WHO in the African region is committed to supporting Member States to achieve universal health coverage and the attainment of the SDGs. He noted that UHC helps in assuring access to health care services, irrespective of the status or position in the society. He said: “We have developed a framework of actions to assist countries in selecting their own path towards achieving both UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have also developed a flagship programme geared towards providing integrated and holistic support to countries through implementation support, a regional learning programme for UHC. “UHC means ensuring that everyone, no matter where
they live or who they are, can access essential quality health services without facing financial hardship. It is a powerful equaliser that ensures Health for All, enhances health security, reduces poverty and promotes gender equality.” The WHO Regional Director further stated that effective leadership and high-level political commitment are critical to achieving UHC. “Adequate and sustained investment in health is necessary for ensuring equitable access to health services. We are calling on countries to strive and improve health governance and information systems to ensure better regulation, planning and accountability to the communities and partners,” he added. Moeti further noted that several countries in the region, including Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and Uganda, have demonstrated that removing user fees systemati-
cally increases utilisation rates of health services. He stressed that Rwanda’s health insurance scheme expanded access to quality health services for poor people from 7% in 2003 to 91% in 2010. To this end, he urged member States to also address the persistent challenge of inadequate health workforce, citing that Ethiopia exemplifies how investment in health workers, and specifically community health workers, contributes to improved delivery of essential health services. Moeti further stressed on the need to reduce the occurrence of noncommunicable diseases, address new threats such as SARS, H5N1, and tackle epidemics like Ebola and cholera. He also urged the African leaders to address the challenge of anti-microbial resistance and substandard and falsified medicines. The WHO Regional Director
however disclosed that since August 2016, the region has not reported a case of wild Polio virus; compared to 2012 when Africa accounted for 50 per cent of Polio cases globally. He also noted that “access to treatment and essential services has improved. For the first time, more than half of all people living with HIV in Africa (14 million) have access to life-saving HIV treatment. “Between 2010 and 2016, new cases of malaria dropped by 20 per cent and there were 37 per cent fewer deaths due to malaria. Moreover, in 2016, the risk of developing pneumonia and meningitis reduced for nearly two thirds of children on the continent because they were vaccinated; compared to only 3 per cent in 2010.” Also speaking, WHO’s Health Economist, Dr. Francis Ukwuje, noted that the Federal Ministry of Health has identified the primary health care centres as
the unit to provide universal health coverage to Nigerians and the vehicle through which it can be achieved is the basic health care provision fund. To this end, Ukwuje said WHO are providing basic health care services to poor people in the community, and we are pioneering the project in three states including Abia, Niger, and Osun state. He further hinted that for the programme to be fully implemented, the state health insurance scheme will be established so there won’t be need for payment before accessing health services. “The federal government is working with partners to ensure the success of the programme”, he added. WHO has also tipped Nigeria to achieve the Universal Health Coverage by 2030 if it can sustain the ongoing efforts the revitalisation of the primary health care centres across the country.
Obaseki’s Institutional Reforms Deepening Devt, CSOs Advocate Nature-based Solutions to Address Fast-tracking Economic Growth, Says SSG Environmental Degradation in Bauchi The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., has said Governor Godwin Obaseki’s development-focused transformation in the state is driven by institutional reforms. Ogie said this when he hosted delegates from the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, who were on a study tour to the state, at the Government House, in Benin City. He said the Obaseki-led administration would continue its institutional reforms to ensure the restoration of cultural values, economic growth and prosperity for Edo people. “The focus of the administration from the onset has been to create an enabling environment for economic
growth by restoring law and order, which is known to be a major catalyst for development. There is little government can do if there is no law and order,” he said. Speaking on the theme of the study group: ‘Cultural values and contemporary governance: challenges of ethnic nationalism and youth disillusionment’, he said, the erosion of institutions and morals, which were hallmarks of the military regime, account for human trafficking and other social vices. Ogie added that the report of the study group would be of immense value to the state, as it will serve as pointers to areas where government needs to tweak its reforms to sustain results recorded in maintaining law and order.
He stressed that the smoothworking relationship between the state government and the traditional institutions has led to enormous progress in changing behaviours, curbing social vices and setting the state up for industrialisation. According to him, the Oba of Benin has shown tremendous support for the state government and its policy reforms, which recently culminated in the placing of curses on human traffickers, a watershed in the campaign to curb the ugly trend of illegal migration and human trafficking in the state. Leader of the delegation, Mrs. Angela Olaseni, said Edo State was chosen for the tour because it is reputed for undiluted culture, which is in tandem with the theme of the course.
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has advocated the adoption of ‘nature-based solutions’ to address the current environmental degradation which has been identified as the major factor responsible for farmers/herders clashes across the country. To this end, the CSOs advised Bauchi state government to embark on construction of water reservoirs, reactivation of malfunctioned mini earth dams and adoption of rain harvesting as part of measures re-green the devastated land mass. These formed part of the decisions forwarded by the Network of Civil Society Organisation on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (NEWSAN) to the Bauchi state government as part of activities
marking the end of a week-long programme of the World Water Day held in Bauchi recently. The spokesman of the NEWSAN, Mr. Abu John, who led an advocacy team to the Ministry of Environment, expressed regret that deforestation activities continue unabated as people cut down available trees without making any effort to replace them. He said, “Water is vital for man and animal survival and government should therefore embark on aggressive afforestation programme as well as enforce available laws to protect the environment considering the fact that water level is getting lower due to activities of man.” John also advised the government to support irrigation system of farming to create jobs
for the unemployed and to promote public, private partnership in the provision of water for the rural communities to stem rural-urban migration. In her remark, Bauchi state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Rifkatu Samson Danna said government would opt for provision of local wells in place of modern boreholes, following the increasing number of malfunctioned boreholes spread across the state. She hailed some Bauchi-based NGOs including the Development Exchange Centre (DEC) for promoting environmental protection services, assuring that government would partner the CSOs to achieve the goal of raising awareness on the importance of preserving nature for the good of man and animals.
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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“ThereareseriouschallengesGMOsposeintheareasoftoxicology,allergyandimmunedysfunctionandgenetic disorderswhichmakeitveryimportantthatNigeriaadoptstheprecautionaryprinciple-whichwarnsthatstrict measuresshouldbeappliedwheretherearethreatsofseriousdamageandlackoffullscientificcertainty. PresidentMuhammaduBuharijustinauguratedaFoodSecurityCouncilwhichunderscoresthecentralityoffood securitytothecountry.However,withoutfoodsafetytherecannotbefoodsecurity” - DIRECTOR OF HEALTH OF MOTHER EARTH FOUNDATION (HOMEF), MR. NNIMMO BASSEY, SPEAKING IN ABUJA
CFTA: Lessons for Africa before Crucifying Nigeria’s President By Ken Ukaoha
FG Urges Concrete Partnerships for Sustainable Devt Abimbola Akosile As the global community continues to intensify efforts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has urged all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to ensure that the SDGs take centre-stage in development planning and execution. The Presidential Aide made the demand, while speaking on a topic: ‘Forging Smart Partnerships with Multi-Stakeholders for the SDGs: the Nigerian Experience’ at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Tunisia, recently. “In view of the fact that multi-stakeholder partnership is the key driver of the SDGs implementation, I call on stakeholders to embrace smart partnerships to accelerate progress on the SDGs,” a statement issued by the media assistant to the SSAP-SDGs, Desmond Utomwen quoted the SDGs boss as saying. Princess Orelope-Adefulire further said as part of the commitment of the Nigerian government, the country has taken concrete steps to promote partnerships for economic development, for political engagements as well as for scientific and technological innovations. These include activities such as joint ventures, research corporations, joint R&D, technology research agreements (such as technology sharing, cross-licensing and mutual second-sourcing). She added that other areas of partnerships included domestic and international direct investment, customersupplier relations and R&D contracts, among other things. “The SDGs Office has also taken proactive steps by collaborating with key stakeholders locally, such as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to map out existing SDGs related data, followed by the aggregation of 126 SDGs indicators cutting across the 17 Goals and 169 targets.” According to her, these indicators are
SSAP-SDGs, Princess Orelope-Adefulire and other panelists at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Tunisia...recently being incorporated into the SDGs Results Framework being developed by this Office which will be useful for benchmarking progress going forward. These SDGs indicators are the backbone for tracking and monitoring progress on the SDGs at the national and sub-national levels. Orelope-Adefulire however demanded that in order to fast-track implementation of the SDGs, MDAs’ policies, plans, programmes and activities must be guided by these indicators as they would be used to measure the impact of the interventions, make policy decisions and align strategies with internationally yet locally relevant priorities. The presidential aide further noted that the SDGs Office in Nigeria has undertaken a number of steps to entrench the principle of partnerships in her efforts to accelerate the attainment of the SDGs. These include establishment of Multi-
Stakeholder engagement mechanisms such as the Private Sector Advisory Group (Nigeria was the first to establish this advisory group), Donors’ Partnership Forum on SDGs, Civil Society Strategy Group on SDGs, and Mobilisation of influencers such as SDGs Ambassadors and SDGs Champions for SDGs advocacy. The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs has also engaged in strong partnership with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to ensure the SDGs is embedded in the National Development plan and the short Term plan (2020), National Economic Recovery Growth Plan (NERGP) for which the President recently launched the NERGP Focus Labs. There is also the Inter-Ministerial Compact Group, established to enhance cooperation and synergy between the Office of SSAPSDGs and Nigeria Ministries, Departments and Agencies, she stated.
Nigeria did not sign on to the framework arising from the negotiations of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which held in Kigali - Rwanda precisely on March 21, 2018. There have been several blames, lamentations and castigations (some constructive though) that have resonated the entire media space till this date even casting aspersions on the Nigeria’s leader - President Muhammadu Buhari, for declining to sign the dotted lines. There have also been deplorable barrage of blames on some trade and private sector practitioners, albeit some indirectly, for convincingly advising the President into the decision of withholding his signature. As the dust around Nigeria and the CFTA gradually begins to settle down, it is perhaps needful to appropriately reflect and contextualise the needless stigmatisation on the country, the President and indeed Nigerians for the well thought out decision on the CFTA. For the records, no right thinking Nigerian, nay, African would advise against the well-thought out arrangement called AfCFTA, which is even long overdue especially with recourse to the thrust behind the establishment of the African Union (and right from when it was the Organisation of African Union (OAU). In the first place, if African countries have for long been enmeshed with trade agreements under different bilateral and multilateral arrangements and configurations, what makes it strange having an intra-African trade Agreement that increases trade and wealth redistribution among Africans? In terms of objectives, the CFTA is well-couched and framed within the ultimate targets of delivering on the three pronged pillars of wealth creation, sustainable development and poverty reduction. The foregoing intendment is gorgeously dressed with the attractive provisions of Article 3 of the Framework Agreement establishing the AfCFTA which seeks to create a single African market for Goods, Services and Movement of Persons with a view to deepening economic integration of the continent.
Barrister Ukaoha Ukaoha, a foremost Trade lawyer; expert in negotiations and advocacy; member of ECOWAS Task Force on Trade, and the President of NANTS, writes from Abuja NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRI L 12, 2018
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email: charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
Addressing Tobacco Related Deaths With 17,500 deaths recorded each year in Nigeria on account of smoking-related diseases, and the prevalence rising at four per cent yearly, Kasim Sumaina writes on the need for effective implementation of control measures in the country
T
hough, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has inaugurated the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC), the issue of poor regulation, lack of enforcement of provisions of the Nigerian Tobacco Control Act (NTC), inadequate funding of National Tobacco Control Committee, poor regulation, lack of enforcement of provisions of the NTC Act, insufficient coordination and collaboration between government ministries, departments, agencies and strong tobacco industry interference at all levels have been deduced to be hindrances to effective tobacco control in Nigeria. A recent survey reveals that tobacco-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa which accounts for 25 per cent of all deaths was proportionate to the deaths caused by HIV/AIDS (12 per cent) and malaria (13 per cent) combined according to a 2012 survey. Globally, countries are putting in stringent measures to control tobacco and tobacco companies are responding innovatively. Nigeria became party to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in January 18, 2006. Over nine years later, the Nigerian Tobacco Control Act was passed at the House of Representatives and Senate on April 23, 2015 and May 12, 2015, respectively. Yet, more than 175, 000 deaths are recorded each year on account of smoking-related diseases in Nigeria; this translates to about 207 men and 130 women weekly (Tobacco Atlas, 2015). In addition to the serious health consequences, tobacco usage also has significant economic cost estimated at US$591 million. Nigerian tobacco market is dominated by local production which accounts for 12.2 billion cigarette sticks out of 18.4 billion sticks consumed in Nigeria in 2015 (NCS, 2017). Communique issued at the end of a one-day Policy Dialogue on the Economics on Tobacco Control in Nigeria, held in Abuja by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), with support from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the University of Cape Town (UCT)’s Economics of Tobacco Control Project, estimates the impact of changes in the excise tax structure and level on cigarette consumption, government revenue, smoking prevalence, net-of-tax revenue, and excise tax burden. The Executive Director, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, stated that, while tobacco control had been gaining traction in the policy circle, there was still very little evidence to support advocacy efforts. He explained that tobacco remained the single greatest preventable cause of death worldwide with 17,500 deaths recorded each year in Nigeria on account of smoking-related diseases. He argued that while there is a perception of relatively low smoking prevalence in Nigeria, prevalence is rising at four per cent yearly necessitating the need for the effective implementation of tobacco control measures. Chukwuka added that tobacco taxation had proven to be the most effective tobacco measure and that CSEA’s study on the Economics of Tobacco Control which is the first of such study in Nigeria was aimed at strengthening advocacy efforts for tobacco control. According to him, “Specifically the objectives of the event was to: Review the dangers of tobacco products as well as the success and challenges of tobacco control; Illustrate the potential impact of a tobacco excise tax on public health and government revenue in Nigeria using a simulation model; Provide policy guidance for effective tobacco control taxation in Nigeria.” Similarly, Research Associate, CSEA, Mr. Joseph Ishaku, noted that, an average pack of cigarette costs approximately N183.50 in 2017 (CSEA Survey, 2017). According to him, “In Nigeria, there is no
Smokers are liable to die young
specific tax regime on tobacco products, but a general excise tax on domestically produced items which currently stands at 20 per cent ad valorem on Unit cost of production (UCA). UCA is reported to be around N60 per pack of cigarette (NCS, 2017). “Thus, excise burden amounts to 6.49 per cent, whereas, the WHO recommended an excise tax burden of 75 per cent on tobacco products. Imported cigarettes are excluded from excise tax; an imported tax levy of 40 per cent of all CIF in addition to other levies such as ETLS, CISS, import duty and surcharge.” He explained that, there is a need to implement an effective tobacco control programme to curb the epidemic of rising smoking prevalence rates and their impacts on public health.”Tobacco taxation has proven to be the best tobacco control measure as it can reduce smoking prevalence and generate revenue which can be earmarked to fund some other tobacco control measures. Tobacco taxation can prevent millions of smokingattributable deaths throughout the country, reduce the number of young people initiating smoking, and contribute to the achievement of national public health objectives. “Tobacco taxation can also create the fiscal space needed to finance the country’s economic development and public health programmes. The Nigeria excise tax is below the WHO recommended benchmark.” He said, “CSEA modeled four different changes to the Nigerian tobacco tax structure and level under 12 different scenarios of economic/income growth (slow, medium and high growth) and industry price response to an increase in excise taxes (either a full pass-through, or under-shift or over-shift of the tax onto the retail price). “The policy interventions are as follows: Policy Intervention 1 (PI.1): Keep 20 per cent ad valorem tax, which includes N20 specific tax, and increase import levy to 50 per cent of Cost of Production (CIF) per pack. Policy Intervention 2 (PI.2): Change to specific tax system, set the excise tax burden to N30 per pack, and increase import levy to 50 per cent of CIF per pack. Policy Intervention 3 (PI.3): Change to specific tax system, set the excise tax burden to N60 per pack, and increase import levy to 50 per cent of CIF per pack. Policy Intervention 4 (PI.4): Change to specific tax system, set the excise tax burden to the equivalent of 75 per cent of current retail price, and increase import levy to 50 per cent of CIF per pack, as recommended by the WHO.” He added that, the effects of the proposed
policy changes are;”On Cigarette Consumption and Smoking Prevalence: Cigarette consumption and smoking prevalence decrease in all twelve scenarios of possible economic/income growth and industry price changes under PI.3 and PI.4 – which impose higher tax levels and specific tax systems relative to PI.1 and P1.2. Thus, changes in tax policy need to be significant to have the desired effect on smoking prevalence under all scenarios considered. “On Government Revenue: Under all policy interventions and in all scenarios considered, government excise tax revenues from cigarette sales increase significantly. Excise tax revenues are most significant under specific tax system (as in PI.3 and PI.4) relative to ad valorem tax system. “On Net-of-Tax Revenue: Under all policy interventions, the best response to maximise not revenue for the tobacco industry is to increase industry price. On Excise Tax Burden: Under all policy interventions and in all scenarios considered, the excise tax burden to the consumer will at least double. In terms of setting policy target and monitoring impact, tracking excise tax burden is the most useful indicator relative to the excise tax rate. The excise tax burden shows the impact of policy interventions after the industry response, whereas simply focusing on the excise tax rate will mask the pass-through effect on retail prices.” Sub-Regional Coordinator, West Africa, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Hilda Ochefu, during her presentation on ‘Background on Tobacco Control in Nigeria: Successes and Challenges’, revealed that 5.6 per cent of Nigerians totaling six million people use tobacco products while about one-third of adults are regularly exposed to second-hand smoking (SHS) which is responsible for about 600, 000 premature deaths per year globally. Of all the deaths attributable to SHS, 31 per cent occur among children and 64 per cent occur among women. She outlined stroke, lung cancer, asthma, induction and exacerbation, low birth-weight, pre-term delivery as some of the attendant consequences of exposure to SHS. She added that foreign tobacco companies were migrating into the African continent because of poorly implemented Tobacco control laws. She reiterated that “Research was critical for policy action” and lauded the CSEA team for putting the policy dialogue together. On the implementation of the tobacco control act in the past, there had been an improvement in
the last three years. “Tobacco control advocates were quite optimistic in the government and the incumbent Federal Minister of Health is totally committed to tobacco control. “Although what tobacco control advocates and governments would love a completely ban on the tobacco products, tobacco is a legal product and there had been a call on a total ban on tobacco products in some policy circles, but the legality of the products made it impossible. The only viable and available option was to enforce effective tobacco control measures,” Ochefu said. Advocacy and Awareness on the Dangers of Tobacco Smoking Contributor, Babatunde Oladapo (WATAX) stated that the level of awareness and publicity on the dangers on tobacco smoking was paltry when compared to awareness on communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS. “According to statistics, HIV/AIDS is responsible for 12 per cent of deaths in subSaharan Africa, while tobacco-related diseases are responsible for 25 per cent of deaths.” He recalled that the advocacy and awareness of HIV/AIDS was taken even to the grassroots level. Adding that, the social media has the ability to reach millions of people and suggested that social media be incorporated into advocacy and awareness campaigns on tobacco smoking. He further suggested that advocacy organisations think towards the establishment of Tobacco Awareness Clubs in secondary schools. Also, he opined that the lack of coordination and synergy between CSO’s was an area available for exploitation by tobacco companies. He therefore called for a more cordial relationship between CSO’s, “so there is no discordance” in advocacy. Babatunde added that, the ECOWAS was heavily vested in tobacco control advocacy under the ECOWAS Fiscal Transition Programme with an aim to harmonise tariff across borders. He reiterated that Nigeria was a choice market for foreign tobacco companies because of its favourable tobacco tax policies. He called for a closer collaboration between the different agencies responsible for policy making and policy implementation. “One of the inevitable backlashes of an increase in excise tax burden was the loss of jobs of tobacco farmers and sellers. He suggested that a provision of alternate crops for the farmers by the government would effectively mitigate the effect of job losses.
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NEWS State House Clinic Trains 200 South Africa Spends 16 Times More on Healthcare than Nigeria IDPs Kids on Oral Hygiene pockets, while 70.3 per cent 2008 and the highest in 2000, of Washington, Joseph DieleMartins Ifijeh man, recommended comparing of Nigerians pay from their at 15 times. Techniques Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In attempt to help reduce mouth-related diseases amongst the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the State House Clinic, Abuja, has trained 200 IDPs children below the ages of 16 years on the need to brush their mouth and keep it clean regularly. The one-day sensitisation event held at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Durumi, Abuja, stated the Head of Department, Dental Maxilofacial, State House Clinic, Dr. Nathan Ikimi, is to commemorate the World Oral Health Day. According to him, “We are here to celebrate the World Oral Health Day at the internally displaced persons camp (IDPs) which have the theme: ‘Think Mouth, Think Health’. We are here to educate the children on how to brush and how to take care of their teeth. We also came with some gift items including toothpastes, brushes. The Consultant/Family Dentistry, explained that the State House Medical Team decided to visit the IDP’s camp amongst other places because, “the children here, are displaced children and we found out that, they are in need of care, they are needy children and so, we believe that, while there are other children that are in need of medical care equally, our focus in State House Medical Clinic is children.”
He said: “The Dental Department, we are particularly interested in children and nursing mothers and mothers generally. Because, when you educate the mother, you educate the family, So that the family is taking care of. “The oral health, the mouth as the theme reflects, is the mirror of the whole body, the mirror of the health, so, if the mouth is okay, the health will be okay because, there are a lot of illnesses that have been found to be related to the mouth.” Ikimi, further disclosed that, “a lot of heart diseases, pancreas cancer, lung diseases, they all related to the mouth. If you take care of the mouth, there is likelihood that you will reduce those infections for instance, take of diabetes, studies have been carried out even in Abuja here at Garki Hospital, we found out that diabetic patients responds better when their teeth is okay. “And when their tooth is not okay, they lose more teeth which is an end result of diabetics periodontal disease and is the sixth common disease affecting diabetics patients. “So, in order for them not to lose teeth, we have to take care of their oral hygiene so, we are starting from childhood, from the children now, teaching them how to take care of their oral hygiene. We are looking at children below 16, and our focus at State House Medical Clinic is children.”
69 Million Nigerians Lack Access to Safe Water, Says UNICEF Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated that 69 million Nigerians do not have access to safe water and 19 million have to walk long distances to get the commodity. This was revealed by the chief of Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, UNICEF Nigeria, Zaid Jurji, in collaboration with the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2016/17, which also indicated that about 40 per cent of households do not have access to clean water sources. Jurji who stated this in Jos, the Plateau State capital during a two-day media dialogue, said improving water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices in Nigeria, calls for a strong commitment from all partners – the government, the civil society, the private sector and communities. He said: “For Nigeria to achieve the global goal of providing access to safe water for every citizen by 2030, it needs to make water, together with sanitation and hygiene, a national priority. This goal is closely linked with three key results for the country – good health, environment sustainability and economic prosperity. ”Access to safe drinking water
remains a challenge to majority of Nigerians, especially those living in the rural areas. The recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, indicates that about 40 per cent of households and about 69 million people, do not have access to clean water sources. “In the rural areas, 19 million people walk long distances to collect unsafe water from lakes, streams and rivers. “Children without access to safe water are more likely to die in infancy and throughout childhood from water-borne diseases. Diarrhoea remains the leading cause of death among children under five years of age in Nigeria. “Waterborne diseases also contribute to stunting. A stunted child is shorter than he or she could have been and will never be able to reach her or his full cognitive potential. Lack of safe water and sanitation also makes children vulnerable to other threats beyond health. Many children in rural areas spend hours daily collecting water, missing out on the opportunity to go to school,” he added. UNICEF, in collaboration with the federal, state and local governments, has provided safe water during the past five years to over eight million Nigerians living in rural areas.
A report published last week by a fact checking website, africacheck.org, has shown that South African Government’s health expenditure per capita is 16 times more than what obtains in Nigeria, while current health expenditure (government and private) is five times more in the country than Nigeria, when 2015 figures are considered for both countries. It also showed that out of pocket expenditure is nine times lower in South Africa than Nigeria. That is 7.7 per cent of South Africans pay for healthcare from their
pockets. (This estimates to 126 million Nigerians). The fact checking organisation, which relied on the Global Health Expenditure Database of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make its analysis, said in 2015, the Nigerian Government and its private sector spent per person $97 per year, while that of South Africa was $471, which is about five times more. This difference represents a steady fall from 2010 and 2011 when it was seven times more. Before that, the lowest difference was five times in
“When adjusted for the cost of living, Nigeria’s per capita spend on healthcare was Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)$215 in 2015, while South Africa’s was PPP$1,086 – also five times more,” the fact checking website noted. PPP is an indicator used to bridge international differences in the cost of living. The World Bank-coordinated International Comparison Programme calculates purchasing power parities for 177 countries. A Global health professor at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University
health expenditure per person converted to a common currency. He said this should be so because South Africa and Nigeria use different currencies, hence the need to adjust them to a common currency, noting that US$ or PPP is appropriate for the analysis. “Where Nigeria really falls short is in government funding of healthcare. When public funds for healthcare in 2015 are considered, South Africa spent approximately 16 times more per person than Nigeria. This is the case of both US dollar and PPP.),” the report said.
L-R: Illustrator, The Dorcas Cancer Foundation (TDCF), Dr Chike Opara; Program Coordinator, TDCF, Dr Zubair Abdulahi; Head of Department, Radiotherapy, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. A. O. Popoola; Executive Director, TDCF, Dr. Adedayo Joseph; Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. David Oke; Director, Hospital Administration & Human Resources, Mrs. Olatokunbo Adio; Head, Nursing Services, Mrs. Adebola Aina; Operations Officer, TDCF, Korede Akindele; and Administrative Officer, TDCF, Cynthia Iwu, during the visit of TDCF to LASUTH management recently
NGO Harps on Promotion of Dorcas Foundation, Lagos Workplace Health, Wellness in State Partner to Reduce Nigeria Childhood Cancer Senator Iroegbu in Abuja A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Healthmeetings. org, has called for the promotion of wellness and healthy working environment in Nigeria. The Convener, Employee Health Conference 2018, Dr. Henri Onyemachi, in a statement noted that a simple initiative such as regular health checkups and installation of ergonomically correct furnishings by an organisation can significantly improve employee health. Onyemachi who is also the CEO, Redbridge Healthcare Group, noted that employees have days when they don’t really want to be at work, but it’s in every employer’s best interest to try and create a productive, motivating and engaging work environment. “It astonishes how employee disease burdens impact corporate profitability and the conference focuses on highlighting this causal relationship with the aim of realigning the employer’s mindset to view workplace health and wellness expenditures as investments that impact positively on the
balance sheets,” he said. He noted that Healthmeetings. org is the strategic business unit of Redbridge Healthcare Group responsible for developing, planning, organising world class conferences, events, and exhibitions while providing a platform for key players in the healthcare industry to converge and interact across Africa to bring African healthcare to the world. He stated: “We are driven by the need to create innovative, locally adapted and people-focused platforms and initiatives that would positively impact the overall experience of healthcare in Nigeria and across Africa through knowledge sharing, networking, value creation and collaboration. “Healthmeetings.org had her maiden conference and exhibition in November 2017 in Abuja - Nigeria with the theme ‘Health Creates Wealth: A new paradigm to corporate performance’.” According to Onyemachi, this year’s edition will focus will be on ‘The Documentation and Use of Data to promote Workplace Health and Wellness’.
Martins Ifijeh The Dorcas Cancer Foundation (TDCF) as part of its effort to reduce childhood cancer in Lagos State has partnered with the state government to achieve this. Stating this during a courtesy call on the state Ministry of Health recently, the Executive Director, TDCF, Dr. Adedayo Joseph, said the collaboration would ensure that children with cancer in the state survive it. “Our vision as an organisation is to make sure every child with cancer survives, and that is what we are working towards. We are partnering with private individuals, organisations, and the government. The idea is so that we can achieve that goal. “We want a situation where there is a health system that works in such a way that there is early detection, accurate diagnosis, and availability of treatment for persons with cancer in the country,” she said. The philanthropist said she was glad that the state government has pledged its support for the work done by the non-governmental organisation, and for children with cancer in the state. “Like
I always say, the government can’t do everything. What they can do is to create an enabling environment for everybody to work together for the common good of the people.” On his part, the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Erinosho Ashimiu Eniola, said the ministry is proud of the what the foundation has done and their achievements so far, adding that the state government was ready to work with them for the benefits of Lagosians. He said the key to successful treatment of cancer is early diagnosis, adding that the state government has been involved in awareness creation on prevention and need for regular checkups. “Our message is for people to present early, because if they do, it will be easier to treat. Another area we have been championing is for people to be diagnosed correctly.” On what to do to prevent or reduce the risk of cancer, he said healthy dietary habits should be embraced. “People should be encouraged to watch what they eat. People should be involved in physical exercise, as it has been shown to help wade
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRI L 12, 2018
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HEALTH
As Sokoto Moves to Commence Contributory Healthcare Scheme Following the passage of the Contributory Healthcare Management Scheme Bill into law by the Sokoto State House of Assembly, the stage is now set for the commencement of health insurance in the state, writes Mohammed Aminu Healthcare finance in Nigeria is characterised by dominance of out-of-pocket payments and lack of prepayment mechanism such as tax and health insurance. Households without health insurance coverage face a risk of incurring large medical care expenditures should they fall ill. Every second in Nigeria, three people are pushed into poverty because they have to pay out- of-pocket for healthcare. This catastrophic funding exceeds 10 per cent of total household income. Health insurance is a means of attaining universal coverage which ensures coverage for all people including the poor. It also offers a form of protection where an individual can safeguard himself against all unpredictable and predictable healthcare needs. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established under Act 35 of 1999 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The scheme is aimed at providing easy access to healthcare for all Nigerians at an affordable cost through various prepayment systems. However, due to some socio-cultural and economic factors, state governments realised that NHIS does not adequately cover some major areas of healthcare services in their respective states and therefore, started their own respective schemes. Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, in his determination to ensure universal access to quality healthcare by all residents established the Sokoto State Contributory Health Care Management Agency(SOCHEMA) in 2016. SOCHEMA was set up to provide for the indigent, the poor and vulnerable in the state in order to ensure that they benefit from the health scheme. Sokoto has an estimated population of 5.3 million people with about 4.5 million that need to be provided for by the government and other innovative sources in order to achieve universal coverage. The state government in keeping with the NHIS recommendations would provide subsidy and coverage to the vulnerable and those who cannot contribute especially the indigent, elderly, children under five and pregnant women. Thus, in order to ensure the take off of the scheme in the state, the Sokoto Contributory Healthcare Management Scheme bill was passed into law by the Sokoto State House of Assembly on February 2018 to ensure universal health
Ali
coverage which guarantees availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services to all residents of the state. Based on the foregoing, the Sokoto State Contributory Health Care Management Agency swung into action by organising a workshop for traditional and religious leaders in the state to have their buy-in and opinion ahead of the commencement of the scheme. Similarly, a seminar was organised for journalists and media practitioners on components of the health contributory scheme in order to effectively communicate the benefits to the public. Speaking at a media and communication healthcare financing training for journalists in Sokoto recently, the Special Adviser to the Governor on State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (SOCHEMA), Alhaji
Muhammad Ali Inname, said arrangements had been concluded for the take-off of the healthcare contributory scheme in the state. He said the bill establishing the state contributory healthcare scheme had been passed into law by the Sokoto House of Assembly and only waiting for assent by Governor Aminu Tambuwal. He posited that the Agency had already accredited 21 General Hospitals and 65 primary health centres across the 23 local government areas ahead of the commencement of the scheme. Inname said this was in addition to the recruitment of more staff, training of agency’s staff especially experience sharing with the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS) as well as the deployment of information and communication technology infrastructure for enrollment and efficient management of the scheme.
“We have already embarked on massive enlightenment campaigns in the state. We will soon meet with the State Ministry of Health to start deduction and after that we will commence enrollment and registration. So, the programme will be launched in July 2018 by Governor Aminu Tambuwal,” he said. He stated that the workshop was aimed at deepening the understanding of journalists on the basis of health financing and to improve their knowledge in order to effectively communicate the benefits of the health contributory scheme to the public. Inname emphasised that the contributory health scheme is mandatory for all residents of Sokoto. According to him, the scheme will not cover all diseases but only certain ailments that are prevalent in Sokoto State. “Diseases that are terminal in nature like cancer are not fully covered in this scheme. The patients will have to make part of the payment of the medical bills. Thus, initially, we will not cover all diseases. “The state government is making efforts to ensure that poor people do not die again because they don’t have money to pay medical bills. So, the mission is to provide access to health services to people without suffering financial hardship irrespective of socio-economic status,” Inname added. In a remark, the Chief of Party, Health Finance and Governance, Dr. Gafar Alawode, described health insurance as a vehicle for achieving universal health coverage. He said it was a form of pooling of funds to achieve the intended purpose of improved access, financial protection and equity. The Chief of Party, who was represented by Mr. Somto Mbelu, maintained that with health insurance, citizens are protected from becoming poor, having to borrow or sell their property because of severe illness. Also speaking, Mr. Mainasara Bello of Health Finance and Governance, said healthcare financing is the collection of revenue to pay for the operations of the health system and ensure access to quality healthcare regardless of ability to pay. “Those that cannot pay will have support from the State Zakkat Fund and Consolidated Revenue in the state. It is important to raise enough revenue to have a good health system that delivers quality services to all,” he added.
Expert, Entertainer Advocate for Group Expresses Desire to Address Prevention against Cervical Cancer Male Sexual Abuse Martins Ifijeh As part of efforts to reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer in Nigeria, a Staff Nurse in the United Kingdom, Kehinde Omoru and a Veteran Actress, Gloria Anozie-Young have called on women, especially those between the ages of 12 to 44 years to get Human Pappiloma Virus vaccines or pap smear screening. They said the high incidence rate of the cancer type among Nigerian women is becoming worrisome. Speaking at the Midwestern Oil and Gas office in Lagos, as part of plans to raise awareness on cervical cancer, Mrs. Omoru said many Nigerian women were suffering from the scourge because they are not vaccinated against it or do not engage in regular screening, adding that with early diagnosis, the cancer cells can be tackled from the
bud and stopped. “Nigeria has the second largest population of ladies age 15 to 44 years with cervical cancer. There are also women who are already grooming cervical cancer, but are not yet aware. Even young girls are already coming down with the virus. So every woman should be encouraged to get the vaccines, especially those from ages 12 upwards. “A proven way to prevent cervical cancer is to go for screening to find pre-cancer cells before they turn into invasive cancer. Once the Human Pappiloma Virus test detects it, cervical cancer can be stopped before it starts.” She said the virus responsible is the HPV virus, adding that about 40 of 100 hpvs are sexually transmitted. “From touching alone, HPVs can be passed on. Lesbians can transmit HPVs among
themselves,” she said. On her part, Mrs AnozieYoung, who is a former practicing journalist said her passion for women’s health spurred her into partnering with Mrs Omoru in creating awareness about the deadly disease. “We need to keep educating the young ones on need to prevent the scourge early enough. Some of us have passed the age where we can go get the vaccine, but young ladies should take the chance now.” She noted that what was particularly worrisome to her was that girls of 15 or 20 years now come down with cervical cancer, even though the virus causing the disease could stay in the body for up to a decade. “So you can imagine when these little girls caught the virus. That is why a girl even as small as 12 years should get vaccinated against it.
Ugo Aliogo A group known as Boys Under Protection (BOYUP) has expressed desire to put measures in place in order to tackle the issue of male sexual abuse by partnering with organisations, experts, and psychologists to discover male survivor of the menace. Speaking at the 2018 BoyUP Stakeholders’ Conference with the theme: ‘Boys Sexual Abuse: Balancing the Conversation’ organised in Lagos, a Fellow of Civil Liberties (CIFI) for BOYUP, Olaoluwa Abagun, said as a result of their desire to have a holistic conversation on the issue, they have brought together key stakeholders. She also stated that the conference was aimed at seeing how stakeholders can contribute to the conversation by suggesting new ideas on how to tackle the issue and
take the conversation to the larger society. Abagun noted that they decided to come up with this project because they have noticed that the issue of sexual abuse is more prevalent in girls than boys, adding that the United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has stated that one in every 10 boys are abuse sexually. Participants at the conference suggested that at the level of spirituality, there is need for good orientation especially on
sexual abuse, adding that religious leaders have a major role to play, “Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) should be good role models as brand ambassadors so that children are not confused.” Abagun added: “We decided to come up with this project because we noticed that the issue of sexual abuse is more prevalent in girls than boys. In fact, UNICEF said one in every 10 boys are abused sexually. We felt we can shed light on this issue which many people are overlooking. Through this event we are making people understand that boys can be sexually abused. This project came up as a result of our one year fellowship with the Carrington Youth Fellowship initiative. Presently, we are being funded by the U.S. Embassy. But going forward, this is a pet project for all of us.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRI L 12, 2018
HEALTH NEWS WHO Commends Toyin Saraki’s Odebunmi: How I Recovered from Stroke, Paralysis Efforts on Maternal Health Appoints her special adviser IAG Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the Wife of the Senate President and Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, for her advocacy and projects geared towards improved maternal and child health in Nigeria. To this end, the global body has appointed Mrs. Saraki the Special Adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) Regional Office for Africa. This was disclosed by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mathshidiso Moeti, when she led a high level courtesy visit to Mrs. Saraki in Abuja. Moeti said the appointment is in recognition of the commendable works Saraki has done in the area of maternal health as well as efforts towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. She also stressed that their visit is part of a strategic plan for health development within the African region. She said: “We know that we have many health needs and challenges in the African region, especially Nigeria. We also know that one of the key areas we didnt make much progress in the MDGs is the issue of maternal health. “So I was very much pleased when I heard about your passion and your work in
this area especially with the Midwives. I think your initiatives and energy in this regard is commendable.” Speaking further, the WHO Regional Director said that no Nigeria deserves to die due to lack of finance to enjoy basic health needs. According to her, it would be unfair to deny people the basic healthcare needs and called for effective action towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and community health insurance scheme. To this end, she noted that Mrs. Saraki’s “experience in the community health insurance will help in WHO’s efforts for UHC financing” “I am absolutely determined that my team in Nigerian will work with you both within the continent and outside. I am so thankful that you are on ground doing something,” she said. Moeti said “the overall objective of the visit is to discuss the terms of partnership for implementing health strategies within Africa, and sharing, learning and advisory for improvement and scale-up of existing programs”. Responding, Mrs. Saraki accepted the appointment and expressed excitement on the opportunity the platform will provide her to meet with people of likeminds across Africa towards improved healthcare and maternal health.
65 Cataract Patients Get Free Surgeries in Nasarawa Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Director of the Aminu Musa Abdulsalam Foundation, Ms. Aisha Yusuf Mamman, has revealed that 80 per cent of blindness is preventable with the right source to information, even as the foundation performed 65 free surgeries at the Mararaba Medical Centre, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. She said cataract was the leading cause of impairment and can be treated within 20 minutes, adding that the foundation spends N11,000 on each patient as against N30,000 - N40,000 as well as N250,000 at the National Eye Centre and other private hospitals respectively. She said eye-related complications have continued to increase because people do not go to hospitals early enough when symptoms arise and unfortunately, when complications get to some level, it becomes more difficult to treat. She said “80 per cent of blindness is preventable and cataract is the leading cause. What we do is to take our facilities to the door step of rural communities and provide them with our services because a lot of people in the rural communities lack access to adequate healthcare. “Some people do not come in early and unfortunately, if it’s there for too long, there is nothing much that we can do for them. And in the case of
children, we cannot perform surgery for them in an outreach. So we refer them to National Eye Centre and when they go in, the foundation sponsors the surgery. “For surgery, it is done in bulk and it cost us about N11,000 for a patient, while if you go the National Eye Centre, it costs about N30,000 - N40,000 and in other private hospitals, it can go for as high as N250,000.” A beneficiary, Bashir Shehu from Sokoto State, whom at the time of being prepared for surgery said he hadn’t paid a kobo, said he got to know of the foundation through a neighbour whose relation was a beneficiary, and added that he was willing to sell all his possessions in order to see. He said: “When it started, I continued to have serious headache and before I knew what was happening, over a period of time, I became blind in the left eye. I am happy about this gesture from the foundation which is treating me for free. I was willing to sell all my possessions including my father’s land just to see again because I am the only one who knows what and how I am feeling.” The foundation which has so far done over 1,500 surgeries is also into education, women empowerment and waterrelated issues. It holds a 26 days annual programme in Kaduna State.
Comfort Ogbonna in Abuja Prof. Akinyele Odebunmi, a Psychotherapy lecturer at Baze University, who is also a Consultant to the United Nations on drug demand reduction and human behaviour, said his total recovering from a stroke he had while teaching at the university was only made possible by God and the routine exercise he subjected himself to at the rehabilitation centre in California, (U.SA). The former University of Benin lecturer, made the disclosure at the launch of two books he wrote with titles: ‘Understanding Behavioural Problems’ and ‘Drug Abuse’, to mark his 75th birthday.
He averred that the books is a wake-up call to parents whose children are already involved in the abuse of drugs and alcohol and also addicted adults struggling with drug addiction.On how he survived the attack of stroke, he said: “At the California hospital, the doctors wanted to put metals on my body because of the after effect of the stroke but I asked for exercise which was the alternative. “It was obvious that stress took my blood pressure up. This happened while I was teaching at Baze University here some six months ago. I was teaching when I fell flat and was rushed to the hospital in California USA.
“I always tell people that the reason why I don’t take drugs is because I’m already hyper, taking it can result to death so I’m always scared from day one because I grew up as a very hyperactive child.” According to him, God, regular exercise and good diet saved him from the attack of stroke, stressing, when few months back I had a stroke I was paralysed on my right hand and leg and six months after I began to learn how to walk.“I thank God that He gave me everything back. I was even trying to learn to use the left hand to write since I couldn’t use the right hand to write but the left just decides not to work.
“And to add to that about two weeks ago, I was seated in front of a car as usual and was trying to correct a careless driver on the road when he brushed my hand with his car. “For the last two weeks, I could not move this hand even to put food on my mouth and it was only two days ago that I started putting food in my mouth.” On the books, he said: “I wrote these books because I have been in practice for a long time and have been working with drug addicts, and helping them and therefore I came to the conclusion that I need to let people be aware of the problems and ways of helping them which is contained in the books.
L-R: General Manager, Marketing & Customer Care, SKG Pharma, Mrs. Pat Iloba; Staff, SKG Pharma, Dr. Okey Akpa; Managing Director, New Health Pharmacy, Abuja, Pastor Ignatus Onah; and Marketing Manager, SKG Pharma, Victoria Okon, at the Trade Partners’ Conference in Lagos recently
US Firm Introduces Smartcurrency to Boost Healthcare System in Nigeria Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja As part of its effort to make healthcare system more affordable and accessible, a United States Firm, CoinMD has introduced smart currency to boost the healthcare system in Nigeria. The universal healthcare marketplace was launched in November last year in United States, and has now been launched in Nigeria with the company targeting 100,000 users and 5,000 businesses in one year. The CEO and Founder, Tom McMurrain while addressing a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja said that goal of CoinMD is to make healthcare accessible and affordable to anybody that wants to live a healthier, wealthier and happier lifestyle. He revealed that the company has launched a Jumia like website that only has healthcare products on it and people apply CoinMD crptocurrency to all the activities, stressing that the company is also rewarding people living a healthy life style. According to him, “if I work a hundred thousand steps I can earn a cryptocurrency. If I burn a thousand calories I can earn a cryptocurrency; if I had an eight hours night sleep, I will have a cryptocurrency for a good night
sleep. What we are trying to do in CoinMD is to use it as a reward mechanism where we can reward people for living a healthy lifestyle. You can also earn coin by referring propel to our company as well.” McMurrain emphasised that CoinMD being a universal healthcare marketplace that is about traditional medicine, natural medicine, health clubs, massage and yoga, health and medical tourism, vertinary services, among others. He stated: “It’s really about been able to afford healthier lifestyle products which are typically more expensive. I would say we are more into integrated medical services. We are more into preventive medicine, we like people to live a healthier lifestyle so that they dont have to go to the doctor all the time.” To kick start the company’s activities in Nigeria therefore, he said CoinMD has met with the first company that signed on to its healthcare mmarkeplace platform on Monday in Abuja. “We just launched here, we are just getting started. But we have numbers that are coming in to our organisation by their thousands. They will refer their preferred healthcare providers. So, if you come on as one of our
members and you want to get access to our cryptocurrency, we also going to ask you what healthcare provider do you like, would you invite them
to our platform and they can list their business for free, in fact we will give them $40 in CoinMD for listing their business,” McMurrain noted.
SKG Introduces Lumal Dispersible Malaria Tablets for Infants. SKG Pharma Limited, makers of a wide range of pharmaceutical products recently unveiled its latest product: Lumal Dispersible Malaria Tablets. Known for taking ergonomic measures in quality drugs production, SKG Pharma has specifically formulated the drug to address the treatment needs of children within the age group of 0-5. Lumal is pleasant tasting disperses easily in small amount of water and has the accurate dosage of 20/120ml. Marketing Manager, SKG Pharma Limited, Victoria Okon while presenting the new product said: ‘For a while there has been a dearth in acquiring and administering the accurate malaria drug for infants in this part of
the world. Malaria tablets are forcefully given to kids because of the unpleasantness of its taste. This has the most unsatisfactory result as most times, the dosage is not right and children will naturally spill it out of their mouths. With Lumal dispersible malaria tablets, administration will be easier, resulting to effective treatment of the malaria fever in kids’. Managing Director of SKG Pharma Limited, Dr Okey Akpa urged Nigerians patronise qualitydrugs made in Nigeria as they are as effective and in some cases more potent than foreign drugs. He said buying products/drugs made in Nigeria is one way to create job opportunities and improve the wellbeing of the economy.
T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ APRIL 12, 2018
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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE
FIRS Recovers N29bn via Withholding Tax,VAT in Five Months ČŠ Š›Â?Â—ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą ČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂ?Š¥ȹÂ?ÂŽÂ?Šž•Â?ÂŽÂ›ÂœČą Nume Ekeghe The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are to deepen their collaboration to track both individuals and organisations who refuse to pay the right taxes. Already, the FIRS-EFCC partnership has led to the recovery of the sum N29 billion withholding tax from banks and other financial institutions in the country between November 2017 and March 2018, a statement disclosed yesterday. The partnership is expected to beam its searchlights on defaulting taxpayers, who also refused to rely on the federal government’s tax amnesty programme: Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to offset their tax liabilities. The statement disclosed that at a meeting at the EFCC
headquarters in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Tunde Fowler said Nigeria, just like other countries across the world, was looking inwards to raise the economic base and would not tolerate tax defaulters. The FIRS Executive Chairman was at the FCC headquarters on a courtesy visit. Fowler said: “There are some issues of non-remittance of withholding tax, Value Added Tax and Personal Income Tax. The EFCC has shown support before. When tax defaulters are invited to your office (EFCC), we see result. “I don’t know how you do it, but we see result. Recently, two banks came forward to comply on their own. I think that they must have heard words. We want joint assistance with the EFCC, especially now that VAIDS is over, to make sure that all tax defaulters get the lawful treatment.
“I want to let every taxable person in Nigeria know that we are ready to deploy all powers within our disposal to ensure that every tax defaulter is punished according to the law.� On his part, the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said the EFCC was ready to do more to bring culprits to book. Magu said: “People are in a hurry to collect taxes but are reluctant to remit them. It is very distressing. We may put a team together to ensure that whatever taxes collected by anybody is remitted and on time. “I also want to congratulate you (FIRS) because of the change in the narrative. There is no doubt that there is a real improvement in our tax system. We will collaborate. We had done this in the past when we had a joint training in Kaduna. We will make sure that we do anything you ask us to do as far as it is lawful.�
Fowler
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Afreximbank Signs $100m Agreement with Indonesia Eximbank The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Indonesia Eximbank yesterday in Bali, Indonesia, entered into an agreement to commit up to $100 million to support businesses and trade activities between Indonesia and African countries. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Indonesia-Africa Forum is expected to support African imports from Indonesia and African exports to Indonesia in order to stimulate increased trade flows between Africa and Indonesia and spur economic growth and development. The Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Banking, Amr Kamel, signed the agreement on behalf of Afreximbank, while the Chair-
man and Executive Director of Indonesia Eximbank, Sinthya Roesly, signed on behalf of her institution. According to a statement, under the terms of the agreement, Afreximbank would work with Indonesia Eximbank in supporting import of capital equipment and services from Indonesia by African private sector entities through an overseas financing arrangement, with Indonesia Eximbank providing direct financing to African buyers of Indonesian goods and services on the back of a guarantee provided by Afreximbank. Indonesia Eximbank will also provide financing support to Indonesian buyers of African goods, with Afreximbank
acting as the Bank of the African exporters. In addition, Indonesia Eximbank will support short-term trade transactions emanating from African buyers of Indonesian products, including through provision of confirmation lines to the African Banks on the back of a trade confirmation guarantee facility provided by Afreximbank. Kamel said the agreement could make an important contribution to the “economic development of our respective regions by leveraging the capabilities of our respective institutions to promote and finance trade between Indonesia and Africa, thereby enhancing South-South trade.�
CBN, NCC Sign MoU to Enhance Payment System Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed amemorandum of understanding on ways to enhance the country’s payment system. A statement from the NCC also disclosed that the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele lauded the Commission for its regulatory efforts in protecting the consumers and the service providers. It stated that Emefiele made the commendation when the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC led a delegation of the Commission’s top executives on a courtesy call where the MoU was signed. It pointed out that both regulators emphasised the importance of telecoms to the growth of the Nigerian economy. The statement noted that the MoU took serious cognisance of very crucial areas of collaboration between both regulatory bodies with respect to financial inclusion strategy, already being driven
by the CBN. It added that the strategy also provides responsibilities for both organisations towards the achievement of government’s aim of rapidly growing the payment system. “I am very delighted because with this signing, we are now very sure and certain that we will improve the level of financial inclusion from the level it is today, which is about 48 per cent�, the statement quoted NCC’s boss, Professor Umar Danbatta as saying. He added: “We will set a target for ourselves that by 2020 which is in three years or below that the level of financial inclusion should increase to 80 per cent. “I can assure that this signing will provide framework for licensing of payment service provider.� He also spoke on the Commission’s review of the existing framework for the regulation of mobile payments in Nigeria, within the membership of a Committee comprising of the CBN, NCC, NDIC and the NIBSS. According to the EVC the
MoU between the two organisations would ensure digital transformation process in the country and boost all other sectors of the economy. He added: “The NCC is committed to this transformation process which we are daily thinking of what to do to ensure we reach the desired destination by making sure our people participate in the digital economy in a way and manner that they will be empowered to leverage on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to conduct their daily businesses. He said that the organisations can bring this experience to bear in other sector of Nigeria economy like education, transportation and other key service sectors including the delivery of good governance to the citizens of the country.� Furthermore, he stated that the Commission is looking forward to signing the revised strategy of the Anti-money Laundering (AML) aimed at preventing, detecting and control of money laundering and financial terrorism.
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 ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS ATTUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018
The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $66.96 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $65.09 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna
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MARKET NEWS
NSE: Trading on Oando Shares Resumes Today Ȋ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Goddy Egene Less than 24 hours after it reversed an earlier decision to lift the six months technical suspension placed on the shares of Oando Plc, the Exchange has said trading on the oil firm’s shares will resume today without any impediment in price movement consistent with the NSE’s market structure This is just as shareholder
groups under the aegis of the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN), Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria (TSAN) and the Oando Shareholders Solidarity Group (OSSG) have accused the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of frustrating the forensic audit of the oil firm. The shareholders vowed to “resist the lifting of the ban on
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the shares of the embattled oil firm on the through the back door”, pointing out that the current leadership of the SEC failed to take any proactive step to resolve the Oando crisis. In a statement last night, the NSE said by a letter dated 9 April 2018 from the SEC, the Exchange was directed to lift the technical suspension placed on the trading of Oando’s shares.
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The statement read: “In compliance with the Commission’s directive, the Exchange by a letter dated 10 April 2018, informed the Commission that it will lift the technical suspension placed on the shares of Oando effective 11 April 2018. This action was duly effected and trading commenced without any impediment to price movement in the morning of 11 April 2018.
T R A D E D MAIN BOARD
A S
Subsequent to the lifting of the technical suspension, on 11 April 2018, The NSE received another communication from SEC to maintain the status quo prior to the Commission’s letter of 9 April 2018, (the technical suspension of trading in Oando’s shares.) “In order to ensure compliance with the Commission’s further communication notwithstanding the fact that the exchange’s systems
O F
cannot implement a technical suspension intraday, the exchange suspended trading in Oando’s shares. The exchange regrets any inconvenience that may have arisen due to the foregoing. In the overall interest of investors in Nigeria’s capital markets, and following consultation with the Commission please be advised that trading will start tomorrow (today), 12 April 2018.
1 1 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS
MARKET PRICE
QUANTITY TRADED
VALUE TRADED ( N)
˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
42
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43
˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
MARKET NEWS
DMO Lists FGN Sukuk Bond on FMDQ, Nigerian Stock Exchange Goddy Egene The Debt Management Office (DMO) has listed the first the N100 billion Federal Roads Sukuk due 2024 on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Sukuk are bonds structured to generate returns to ethical investors without infringing on the Islamic law which forbids interest payments. It represents an ownership interest in the asset to be financed rather than
a debt obligation. The 7-year, Federal Government Ijarah Sukuk has a rental rate of 16.47 per cent. Speaking on the development, Director-General of the DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha, said: “The purpose of the Sukuk is to integrate ethical investors into the domestic securities market, establish benchmark for pricing of Sukuk by other domestic issuers and offer investors the opportunity to earn returns while contributing to the infrastructure development
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
of the country. The proceeds are being deployed for the construction and rehabilitation of twenty-five key economic roads projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The listing of the sovereign Sukuk will provide investors with the much needed transparent and efficient platform for price determination and liquidity.” Senior Vice President, Economic Development Division, FMDQ, Mr. Emmanuel Etaderhi congratulated the issuer and co-sponsors to the
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 10Apr-2018, unless otherwise stated.
issue, stating that the issuance will further deepen the domestic DCM and increase the range of investible debt securities in the markets, invariably contributing to the development of the nation. According to him, listing the Sukuk on FMDQ would rightly position the nation to continue to maximise its potential via the Nigerian DCM. He reiterated the OTC Exchange’s commitment to continue to support the initiatives of the DMO towards
the development of a highly liquid, deep and well-developed DCM in Nigeria. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr.Oscar Onyema said:”This listing lends credence to our commitment to championing and advocating for the growth of our debt capital market. It is a further affirmation of our unique platform to help both the Federal Government and businesses access capital. With a diversified investor base, our market offers issuers and their
products access to capital and visibility, while delivering a transparent and liquid market to investors.” He stressed that listing has strong implications for emerging and frontier markets which continually seek to unlock dormant pools of capital needed for economic growth and development, particularly as these economies have larger infrastructural deficits and relatively stronger demographics in favour of Islamic Finance, than developed markets.”
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 188.62 189.58 6.12% Nigeria International Debt Fund 244.00 244.99 5.49% 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 3.57% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 8.12% 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 14.70% 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 158.32 159.43 4.37% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.55% 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 12.60 11.49% 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 14.45% 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 14.75% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 7.33% 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 1,203.60 1,204.83 4.86% FBN Heritage Fund 147.05 148.35 5.48% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.15% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.75 115.30 1.63% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.77 115.32 1.75% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 178.81 181.57 11.12% 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 1.38 1.41 5.94% Legacy Debt Fund 2.99 2.99 3.76% 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 3,141.29 3,173.47 5.22% Coral Income Fund 2,569.58 2,569.58 5.02% 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 13.49% 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 14.28% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.16 2.18 2.40% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.35% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 118.39 118.79 2.95%
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 2.35% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,071.41 1,071.41 3.62% 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 15.99 16.14 13.47% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.68% 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 1.34 10.39% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.54 11.59 4.53% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.02% 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 2,337.22 2,357.60 4.22% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 181.53 181.53 2.88% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.06 1.08 5.94% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 231.06 231.15 4.93% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 190.35 192.49 6.29% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.43% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,028.82 10,165.49 3.71% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.08 1.08 2.17% 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 13.33 13.53 6.29% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.05 14.22 6.10% Zenith Income Fund 19.84 19.84 4.87% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.60%
REITS NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
10.00 134.56
-11.35% 1.59%
Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
12.32 156.23 115.32
12.42 159.58 117.47
1.63% 9.39% 5.55%
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
4.99 9.61 18.65 20.96 155.37
5.03 9.69 18.75 21.16 157.37
5.35% 0.40% 4.99% 6.53% 4.54%
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.
T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018
45
Happy Birthday To Our Amiable Chairman MR OBINNA IYIEGBU (OKPATAOZUORA 1 OF OBA)
Thanks for putting smile on our faces!!! We celebrate you today and always as our super role model. FROM US ALL @
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INTERNATIONAL
email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com
Defiant Trump Warns Missiles ‘Will Be Coming’ over Syria Attack US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that “missiles will be coming” in response to an alleged chemical atrocity in Syria, as Russia scrambled to deflect blame from its ally Bashar al-Assad, AFP reported. With renewed US military action seemingly imminent -- and as Trump threatened that the US missiles would be “nice and new and ‘smart!’” -- both Washington and Moscow raised the rhetorical stakes. Trump’s warlike tweet apparently came in response to a warning from Russia’s ambassador to Beirut, who took to a television network run by the armed group Hezbollah to warn that any US missiles would be shot down “as well as the sources they were fired from.” If the US action follows the pattern of a previous punitive strike on Syria ordered by Trump last year it will begin with a salvo of cruise missiles fired from US warships in the Mediterranean. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the Pentagon is ready to
provide options for a Syria strike in response to a suspected chemical attack, but noted the US and its allies are still gathering information. Meanwhile, Moscow said the formerly rebel-held district of Eastern Ghouta -- including Douma, the target of Saturday’s alleged chemical attack -- had been “totally stabilised” and would soon be patrolled by Russian military police. But the Russian army continued to deny their side’s latest victory came after Assad launched a chemical attack on the last rebelheld pocket of the enclave, instead accusing the White Helmets civil defence organisation of staging the massacre. But, while his lieutenants continued to up the ante with threats and allegations, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin adopted a more statesmanlike tone, in remarks to new ambassadors presenting their credentials at the Kremlin. “The state of the world cannot but provoke concern,” he said. “The situation in the world is
becoming more and more chaotic but all the same we hope that common sense will finally prevail and international relations will take a constructive path.” Trump’s tweets were more belligerent -- he told Russia “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” -- and he admitted that US relations with Russia have plunged to a historic low. But he notably also said there was “no reason for this,” reiterated his hope for talks with Putin to halt a new arms race, and blamed his domestic political opponents for poisoning ties. Assad’s Damascus regime, which has long accused Washington of supporting its armed opponents in the country’s bloody seven-year-old civil war, hit back. “We are not surprised by such a reckless escalation from a regime like the United States which has fostered and continues to foster terrorism in Syria,” a foreign ministry official said, according to state news agency SANA.
Algeria Military Plane Crash: 257 Dead near Algiers An Algerian military plane has crashed near the capital killing 257 people on board, BBC reported officials as saying. The aircraft came down just after taking off from Boufarik military airport, west of Algiers. An inquiry is under way into the cause of the crash - Algeria’s worstever air disaster. The government has declared three days of national mourning. Most of the dead are army personnel and their families, the defence ministry says. Ten crew
members also died. Passengers from Western Sahara, a disputed territory annexed by Morocco after Spain withdrew in 1975, were among the fatalities. The Polisario Front, which is seeking independence for the territory and is backed by Algeria, says 30 Western Saharans, including women and children, died. A senior member of Algeria’s ruling FLN party said those killed included 26 Polisario members. The plane, an Ilyushin Il-76,
was travelling to Bechar and Tindouf in the south-west of the country. The Tindouf region, which borders Western Sahara, is home to refugee camps and serves as a base for the Polisario Front. Wednesday’s plane crash is the deadliest in the world since July 2014, when all 298 people on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 died when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine. It is also the second-deadliest plane crash since 2003.
Falana Urges ECOWAS Members to Reject Morocco Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reject the request by Morocco to join the body. He added: “The ECOWAS should not be deceived and misled to admit Morocco as a member state of the West African body.” Falana said this yesterday in a paper titled: ‘Deploying the ECOWAS legal architecture for addressing impunity in West African sub region,’ he presented at the multi-stakeholders consultative meeting on Strengthening the ECOWAS Court of Justice and enhancing access to justice in the West African sub region. Falana stated: “Despite the so called Morocco’s strong ties with ECOWAS member states, trade between them remains low as it is less than USD1 billion a year. This is insignificant as West Africa has a GDP of $345 billion. Even then, the volume of trade is expected to reduce as some of the trade agreements between Morocco and ECOWAS member states are illegal to the extent that they relate to the mineral resources in
Western Sahara.” According to him, “Both the European Court of Human and a High Court in South Africa have ruled that Morocco lacks the legal capacity to mine the mineral resources in the territory of Western Sahara.” The paper read in part: “Having been frustrated in its bid to recolonise the ECOWAS sub-region, the European Union decided to encourage Morocco to apply to join the ECOWAS. It is my humble view that if Morocco is admitted to ECOWAS the European Union would have achieved its objective as it has signed an Association Agreement with Morocco which is similar to the EU-ECOWAS Partnership Agreement in every material particular. “In other words, if the request is granted, Morocco will take advantage of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of people and goods to serve as a gateway for EU goods entering into West Africa and thereby destroy the infantile industries in the sub region. “The principal aim of the ECOWAS is the promotion of economic development and
regional integration leading to the establishment of an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability, foster relations among Member States and contribute to the progress and development of the African Continent. Although the ECOWAS is 43 years old it has failed to establish a viable economic union and raise the living standards of community citizens. “Indeed, regional integration has been frustrated by economic policies imposed on the member states by an unjust international economic order. In spite of the ruination of the economy of the member states through the imposition of the StructuralAdjustment Programme by imperialism the ECOWAS is under pressure by the European Union to sign the so-called EU/ECOWAS partnership agreement. “Through the cancellation of tariffs the neo-colonial economic agenda is designed to allow the industrialised members of the European Union to flood the region with manufacture goods and thereby destroy the infantile industries in the member states of ECOWAS.”
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Court Fixes May 14 to Hear First Bank’s Objection to Ogoni Chiefs’ Suit Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed May 14, 2018, to hear the preliminary objection filed by First Bank of Nigeria Limited challenging the contempt proceedings brought against the bank and its Chairman, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, by 10 indigenes of Ogoni community in Rivers State. The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, fixed the date after listening to counsel to Ogoni community, Mr. R. A. Lawal-Rabana (SAN), and counsel to the bank, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). When the case came up yesterday, Lawal-Rabana expressed surprise that the second and third respondents, First Bank and Awosika (contemnors), were absent in court despite their knowledge
that the case would come up before the court. He stated that their absence was contrary to the application before the court. Lawal-Rabana said: “I have observed that the 2nd and 3rd contemnors are not in court. By the nature of this application and proceedings, they are bound to be in court because they were summoned to be in court to show cause why they will not be charged for contempt. “It is therefore unless that the second and third contemnors are not in court. As it is now, no proceedings can be conducted. Though, I do know that the second and third contemnors are highly placed people, there is no immunity for them. “It is our prayer that the
Appeal Court Affirms Fayose’s Faction as Authentic PDP in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State yesterday affirmed the election of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s protégé, Gboyega Oguntuase-led executive as the authentic leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The court quashed the earlier judgment given by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, which confirmed Chief Williams Ajayi-led faction as the validly elected State Working Committee of the party. Factional crisis hit the party following the state congress of March 9, 2017, as two parallel executives emerged from the congress with both Oguntuase and Ajayi laying claim to the chairmanship seat. The court had last year declared Ajayi, a loyalist of the senator representing Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, the validly elected chairman at the party’s state congress conducted on March 9, 2018. Sequel to that, Oguntuase had approached the court, calling on the appellate court to set aside the earlier judgment. Oguntuase, through his lawyer, Obafemi Adewale, averred that the court acted ultra vires by pokenosing into internal affairs of the party, contrary to Supreme Court that every party can regulates itself. Delivering his judgment, the three-man appeal justices, led by Justice Ahmed Belgore, agreed with the position canvassed by the appellant, saying the PDP has the power to regulate itself. Belgore said the lower court didn’t take into cognisance the Supreme Court judgment which had earlier described the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee to superintended over the party for over a year as a legal and legitimate body. “The Supreme Court ruled that the national convention remains the topmost legal body that can regulate the party and said the need to constitute a caretaker committee was agreed at a convention and that makes whatever they do at this state level legal. “The lower court didn’t even take into cognisance the issue of jurisdiction raised by the
defendants(PDP and Oguntuase) that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first instance, rather than considered this, the judge went ahead and delivered his judgment. “The issue of preliminary objection raised by these defendants on the strength of jurisdiction and the power of party to regulate itself without interference, was valid. “We hereby set aside the judgment of the lower court in this regard,” the court stated. On the issue raised about which faction is constitutionally empowered to produce the party candidate for the July 14 governorship poll, the court said: “That is the internal mechanism of a party, no court can meddle in that,” Justice Belogore added. Responding, counsel to the appellant, Adewale said: “We have never had factions in PDP Ekiti State, PDP here has always been one. “The judgment at the appeal court has reaffirmed that there is only one PDP executives in Ekiti and that is headed by Oguntuase. “The court has set out clearly that the process that produced them is legal and the people who are challenging the executives have no platform in law. “All the document that the Williams Ajayi group brought were all not signed or authenticated. And the court has said that it would not give credence to such papers because, they are all mere pieces of paper not authentic documents. “The court has reaffirmed the position of the Supreme Court that the court has no business with matters that have to do with internal affairs of the party. The court cannot choose leaders or candidates for our party. “We have to appreciate our judiciary for standing on the path of consistency and for also appreciating the urgency in determining this matter. The Appeal was argued on Monday and judgment delivered today. It is not a judgment you would say they just write something. “All our citizens that are participating in politics should learn from this judgment that parties are supreme in their internal affairs,” he said.
contemnors should be in court before proceedings can commence.” Responding, Olanipekun, counsel to all the respondents/ applicants, told the court that his clients’ motion dated March 18, and filed March 20, 2018, to challenge the proceedings, asking the court to set-aside or dismiss the entire proceedings. He said: “Our motion dated March 18 and filed March 20, 2018, take precedence in this matter. “We are challenging the noncompliance with the rule of the court, and conditions precedent and jurisdiction of the court. It is therefore necessary to call on the court before taking any further steps. “My learned friend said contempt is quasi criminal, even in criminal proceedings where an accused is challenging the jurisdiction of the court, he does not need to appear until when the application is taken and
determined.” Olanipekun supported his submissions with Bafarawa vs State 2014, LPELR, 22322, Court of Appeal decision, Fawehinmi vs AG, Lagos, 1989, 3 NWLR Part 112, page 707, and INEC vs Oguebegor, July 12, 20 17. But Lawal-Rabana told the court that there was a distinction between the proceedings and criminal trial. He said the contemnors are in contempt proceedings, which is different to where their plea would be taken. Lawal-Rabana also told the court that he had responded to the preliminary objection filed by the respondents/applicants. He urged the court to take the respondents’ preliminary objection alongside other applications, and that the court can make decision on them at once. Delivering a bench ruling on the submissions of both parties on
the non-appearance of the alleged contemnors, Justice Buba ruled that since the respondents have filed a preliminary objection to the applicants’ suit, especially an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction, the order for the presence of alleged contemnors would not be necessary until their application is taking and decided. Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter till May 14 for hearing of respondents’ preliminary objection and other applications in the matter. The contempt proceedings emanated due to the refusal of First Bank to the N17billion it guaranteed to pay on behalf of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited. In the substantive suit, 10 indigenes of Ejama community in Ogoniland had sued Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Netherlands; Royal Dutch Shell Plc, United Kingdom and
SPDC over alleged oil spills that occurred when Shell operated in the community at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. After listening to the submissions of the parties in the suit, Justice Buba in his judgment in 2010, awarded N17 billion to the representatives of the Ogoni people. The court equally granted the Ogoni chiefs 25 per cent interest charge on the principal sum of about N17 billion. SPDC then appealed against the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the appeal. As a condition for granting the stay of execution, the court required Shell’s banker, First Bank, to provide a guarantee of the judgment sum. This condition was complied with, but Shell’s appeal failed at the Court of Appeal on technical grounds, ostensibly because it filed its processes out of time and without regularising them.
PRE-AGM MEETING
L-R; Supply Chain Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Mr. Hendrik Wymenga; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Uaboy Agbebaku; Managing Director /CEO, Mr. Jodi Borrut Bel; Finance Director, Mr. Mark Rutten; and the Companys Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, at the Nigerian Breweries Plc.2018 pre-AGM, in Lagos....yesterday Sunday Adigun
Reveal Beneficiaries of N1.4tn Fuel Subsidy, BudgIT Tells FG, NNPC Obinna Chima BudgIT, a civic organisation, has stressed that it will be in the interest of members of the public for the federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to disclose detailed information of the amount the government had spent on fuel subsidies. The group, in a statement that was signed by its Communications Lead, Abiola Afolabi yesterday, pointed out that information such as the beneficiaries, the pricing template for arriving at the subsidy rates and the volume of petroleum products utilised be made open. The organisation expressed dismay at what it described as the lack of accountability and transparency by the federal government and the NNPC on the amount spent on subsidy in 2016, 2017 as well as the first quarter of 2018.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, recently disclosed that a total of N1.4 trillion was being spent annually by the NNPC as the subsidy for fuel. This amount, according to BudgIT is significantly more than what Nigeria intends to spend on Education in the proposed 2018 Budget (N605.8 billion). “There is a growing deficit in trust due to lack of due process in the NNPC; in March 2018, the corporation announced it spends N774 million daily, roughly N23.99 billion monthly as subsidy on 50 million litres of PMS consumed across the country. “The public knows very little information on the beneficiaries of the subsidy payments and control process instituted to prevent theft of these funds,” the statement added. BudgIT noted that the subsidy payments had been a contentious issue for the last 30 years. Analysts have continued to call for its
cancellation due to the lack of accountability and transparency in the administration of the funds. Also, there are arguments that the subsidy regime constituted double taxation o n the populace who pay the actual market price for PMS due to lack of adequate monitoring by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Furthermore, the statement quoted the Lead Partner, BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde, to have said: “Evidence shows that amount spent on subsidising PMS is always riddled with corruption. “We noted this is 2011 prior to the elections and we are worried this opacity is preceding the 2019 elections again. We are worried at the use of public resources without legislative appropriation or requisite transparency . “BudgIT understands that NNPC in recent times has initiated a couple of actions in trying to meet up with the global of standards of transparency and accountability
including actions like publishing its monthly report on its financial and operational activities. “Notwithstanding this, the lack of information on the subsidy regime, including the amount paid and the beneficiaries are locked away from public scrutiny.” Therefore, BudgIT urged the federal government, NNPC, DPR, National Assembly, the National Economic Council (NEC) and state governments to release details on the breakdown of the amount spent on subsidy, the beneficiaries, the pricing template for arriving at the subsidy rates and the volume of petroleum products utilised. “For increased efficiency of the NNPC, there is an urgent need to plug the loophole created by the subsidy regime in the oil sector; we call on all Nigerians to demand appropriate systems to ensure that oil revenue is judiciously managed and utilised for the good of the people,” it added.
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NEMA DG Absolves Agency of Alleged Breach of Contractual Process Says disaster interventions hampered by paucity of funds James Emejo in Abuja Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers on him to admit guilt on alleged violation of public
procurement processes by his agency, the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, yesterday refused to give
WHO Commends NCDC Efforts on Disease Control Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has commended the efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in controlling outbreaks of diseases in the country. Ghebreyesus stated this yesterday at NCDC Headquarters in Abuja on his first official visit to Nigeria with a delegation that included the six Regional Directors from across the world, three Deputy-Director Generals and WHO Nigeria Country Representative. He reiterated the commitment of the organisation to support the work of NCDC, while recognising the importance of effective primary healthcare systems in supporting health security. He noted that “Universal Health Coverage and health security are two sides of the same coin.” In the same vein, the Regional Director of WHO African Region, Dr. Matsishido Moeti, applauded the work of the agency, highlighting that NCDC serves as a model agency for other African countries.
Moeti said NCDC model should be adopted in other regions in the world. During the visit, NCDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, highlighted the contribution of WHO and thanked the organisation for support to the agency’s activities including outbreaks, preparedness and response. Ihekweazu further emphasised the strong partnership, which has been key to strengthening national health security. He listed some of the activities carried out in collaboration with WHO to include the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the country’s International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity, response to outbreaks of Monkeypox, yellow fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis and Lassa fever. In addition, he said the support from WHO has been key to the development of Nigeria’s National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) action plan, and processes for operational research. The visit ended with a tour of the new NCDC Incident Coordination Centre.
in, insisting, “I’ve not violated the Procurement Act.” Maihaja said suspicious contracts were awarded in the agency before his assumption of duty, adding that he inherited some rots in the agency and he was doing his best to correct it. He also refuted suggestions that he might have misled President Muhammadu Buhari, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Nigerians in general by making emergency procurement of relief materials without approval from the president. The NEMA boss had appeared at the continuation of the investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness on an alleged
violation of public trust in the agency as well as breach of due process in the award of contracts. The committee, presided over by its Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ali Isa (APC, Gombe), further accused Maihaja of awarding contracts to some companies which do not have tax and pension clearances which are among others, key prerequisites for any organisation to benefit from government. It said most of the companies engaged by the relief agency were not qualified. Lawmakers further sought explanation over delays in NEMA intervention in disaster affected areas even when funds had been released on time to that affect. In one instance, the committee noted that although monies were
received to deliver relief materials to communities, the agency responded after six months. The lawmakers are also seeking to know how the N1.6 billion Intervention fund received by NEMA in July was applied to the 16 affected states. But, responding to the numerous charges, the NEMA boss denied all accusation, maintaining that, “We’ve not violated any law.” He said the agency duly wrote to BPP which never faulted the steps it took during the contractual processes- adding that certificate of no objections were even issued to the relief agency by BPP. He urged the committee to try to understand the peculiar conditions which the agency operate in- especially when asked
to adhere to due process during emergency interventions. Nevertheless, he said NEMA had always follow through due process in all its engagements. Maihaja also said the recent decision by international partners to scale down interventions especially in the North-east, had further limited its capacity to respond to disasters given the resulting funding challenges. He said the committee should appreciate the efforts he had made to sanitise the procurement unit of the agency since he assumed office April 2017. Meanwhile, as the hearing continues today, the committee has ordered suspended personnel of NEMA as well as other persons who played key roles in the agency’s procurement system to appear before it.
Fayose Withdraws Murder Case Against Ekiti APC Chair, Others Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has consented to the appeal by well meaning Nigerians to withdraw an alleged murder case against the state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Jide Awe and others of the party. To this end, an Ekiti High Court in Ijero yesterday struck out the case against Awe and others standing trial on the murder of one Ayo Jeje and Mrs Julianah Adewumi at Erinjiyan in Ekiti West Local Government. In 2013, Jeje and Mrs Adewumi were defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when some suspected loyalists of Awe invaded the venue and shot them. Awe, his aide, and other members of the APC have been on trial for the alleged murder. Mrs Adewunmi was the mother of Mr. Segun Adewunmi, current Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State. Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kolapo Kolade, at the High court 7, Ado Ekiti, before Justice Bamidele Omotosho, filed an application for the withdrawal of the case against Awe yesterday. He said the state was withdrawing the case in order to promote peace and brotherliness among the people of Erinjiyan Ekiti, which is the community where both the complainant and the defendants in the matter
hailed from. He also said Fayose consented to the withdrawal of the case in spite of political differences because of his belief in posterity, peace and welfare of the people of the community which was said to have been divided over the court case. Justice Omotosho, while granting the nod for the AG’s application, said the court supported the development because it was to promote peace. Speaking with journalists on the development, Kolade said: “What happened in court today is far beyond politics, the governor in his usual characteristic manner of promoting peace and brotherliness in all communities in Ekiti and across party lines has intervened. “In this matter, so many good people across Nigeria, even the defendants in this matter, have appealed to his excellency to intervene, particularly in Erijinran, more so as the defendants and complainant are of same family, the complainants have told us that the matter should be withdrawn. This development equally supports the cause of justice. One of the cardinal principles of justice is promotion of peace. “The major beneficiary is Chief Awe, the APC chairman in Ekiti State. The complainant is the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
LET THE SCREENING BEGIN
Chairman Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo (middle) receiving 89 entries from the Acting Manager, Community Relations at Nigeria LNG, Godson Dienye, for the 2018 edition of the prize yesterday in Lagos....yesterday. With them is Board member, Professor Jerry Agada.
N’Assembly Holds Valedictory Session for Late Bukar, Jubrin Damilola Oyedele and James Emejo in Abuja The Senate and House of Representatives separately, yesterday held valedictory sessions for Senator Mustapha Bukar and Hon. Bukar Umar Jubrin, both of who passed away recently. Bukar, who represented Katsina North senatorial district, and was Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, died on April 4, 2018, after a brief illness. Jubrin, 58, died on March 30, 2018. He was the Deputy Majority Leader in the House, representing Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency. He was also a former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly. In the Senate, lawmakers took turns to pay glowing tributes to Bukar, with many of them describing him as a gentleman who truly loved Nigeria. Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said Bukar was a bridge builder who related
with everybody without recourse to religious or political affiliations. According to him, “This is one death too many, and it’s painful! We have lost Isiaka Adeleke (Osun APC) and Ali Wakili (Bauchi APC). Let us pray to God, as Christians and Muslims, that we should not see death again in this chamber.” Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano APC) recalled that late Bukar contributed immensely to the successes of the Committee on National Planning as a member. Kwankwaso, who chairs the committee, said Bukar was barely ever absent from any of the meetings or oversight visits. “Even though he was a water engineer, he contributed as though he was a graduate of London School of Economics,” he said. Senator Yusuf Yusuf recounted his last meeting with the late senator just few days before the incident. “I was in his office having discussions with him. I observed
that he was ill and I told him to go and rest. But he said he had a committee meeting to attend,” he said. At the valedictory session presided over by Senate President Bukola Saraki, the lawmakers held a minute silence in honour of their departed colleague. They also resolved to revisit the idea of creating a National Assembly museum and archives to immortalise deceased lawmakers. Likewise, in the House, members took their turns to pay their respect to the deceased. Hon. Mohammad Monguno (Borno APC) said Jubrin championed the interest of his people, describing him as a fine grassroots politician. He said he served humanity “very well,” and was a team player who carried his colleagues along. Hon. Saheed Fijabi (Oyo APC) said Jubrin should be celebrated for contributing to the advancement of humanity, adding that “he’s like
a father to me and I used to walk up to him for advice.” However, he added that his death called for sober reflection among lawmakers. Also, paying tribute, Hon. Chike Okafor (Anambra PDP) described the late lawmaker as a leader per excellence who will be missed. He said Jubrin would continue to be a unifying force among members even in death. “Death is inevitable and we all must leave someday. His death calls for sober reflection,” he said. Hon. Nicholas Ossai (Delta PDP) said the House had lost one of its finest lawmakers, describing him as a political ally and a great adviser. Also, Hon. Hassan Saleh (Benue APC) lamented that five valedictory sessions had been observed in the House since 2015, adding that the deceased was a good man. “Let’s put everything to prayer as there’s nothing God can’t do,” he said.
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Kaduna Engages 17,000 Community Leaders to Tackle Insecurity Newly recruited teachers robbed at Birnin Gwari John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has engaged the services of 17,000 village heads in the state to assist in tackling security challenges facing the state.
This came as 15 teachers recruited by the state government and posted to Dogon Dawa village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area were robbed on their to resume work in the village. The state is one of the states
IRDA Funds: My Life in Danger, Activist Lori-Ogbebor Cries Out Sunday Okobi For fighting for the development of Itsekiri people in Delta State over the alleged mismanagement of Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC) fund, rights activist and businesswoman, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, yesterday raised the alarm that her life was in serious danger. Lori-Ogbebor, who also called on well-meaning Nigerians to be at alert over her safety, said should anything happen to her, those who want the accounts unfrozen should be held responsible. She also called on Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, to take note of the development, which she alleged was as a result of her crusade for accountability in the management of community development funds. While briefing journalists yesterday at a press conference in Lagos, the Lagos-based hotelier said: “There is a plan to attack me because of my stand on IRDC funds. Those who have joined in the fight against the mismanagement of Itsekiri funds are also being targeted. “I got privileged information that people are being mobilised for the mission. I want the world to know about this sinister plan. I have been serving Itsekiri people for 30 years and I have given my all to the Itsekiri nation. I have never asked for anything from the people. I just want the best for my people.” Lori-Ogbebor further alleged that “those embezzling our funds want to carry on with their nefarious and ungodly activities which would not help my people. I have served my people well. It is sad to see
the wealth of my people being plundered by a few individuals. It is sad that the place I grew up is now a forest because funds meant for development of the area are being embezzled. “I learned that a few people have mobilised youths to attack me because of the court order on the accounts being used to siphon our money. There are people who believe that Itsekiri development funds belong to them and think they can do anything to ensure that they continue to get free money. “I want to use this medium also to inform the Governor of Delta State, Okowa, that my back is now a bull’s eye for attack. I will also write a petition to the IG to inform him about the plot against me. Should anything happen to me or anyone associated with this fight for accountability, those people who want the accounts unfrozen should be held responsible. “I am very passionate about my Itsekiri nation and can’t support anything that will bring misery to our people. My people are treated as slaves and refugees. Seeing people suffer is something that breaks my heart.” Lori-Ogbebor had instituted a suit before the state high court in Warri against some Itsekiri leaders and Chevron over alleged diversion of funds donated by Chevron and other donors for the development of Itsekiri communities. Also, an Abuja High Court had directed the Nigeria Police Force to freeze seven accounts operated by IRDC which contained N2.1 billion. The accounts were frozen after which the state high court sitting in Warri granted a similar order.
Group to Organise Education Convention Meadow Hall Foundation is set to host their second edition of the Education Convention themed: ‘Addressing The Quality Question in The Education Sector: Quality Education is key to national development; the impact of quality education on students’ performance and nation building is far reaching.’ According to a statement issued to THISDAY by the organisers, it noted that the convention the convention would take place April, 21 from 8a.m to 4p.m at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The statement further stated that the convention provides an opportunity for all educational stakeholders to gain fresh perspectives on pertinent educational issues from their interactions with teachers and educational experts.
The statement explained that the foundation is committed to ensuring the improvement in the quality education in the country, noting that some of the topics to be discussed include: ‘Making Learning Authentic for the Nigerian Child; ‘Personal Effectiveness, the Key to Unlocking your Highest Potential, Driving Quality Recruitment, Schools of the Future, Guiding your Child’s Academic Career Path, Raising Godly Children in the 21st Century, ‘An Enduring Structure: Sustaining your brand and ‘Who Owns the Curriculum’. The statement added that the facilitators and panelists include Mr. Fela Durotoye; Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Mrs. Kehinde Nwani, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, Prof. Anthonia Maduekwe, and others.
facing increasing security challenges occasioned by murderous activities of herdsmen and kidnappers. The village heads have also been directed to mobilise their subjects to fully participate in the immunisation campaigns against child killer diseases. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof. Kabir Mato, noted that the strategic position of village heads makes them invaluable in providing prompt information on security issues. According to him, the village heads constitute a veritable front line of security information that can assist efforts to provide early warning and thwart threats to peace in communities. He added further that as community leaders, the village heads are important partners in the campaign against child killer diseases. “Their unique location makes village and Ward heads such valuable partners in increasing immunisation coverage and improving record keeping at the grassroots.
“They can mobilise communities to participate in immunisation and to register births and deaths. “In addition, they constitute a veritable front line of security information that can assist efforts to provide early warning, thwart threats and enhance peace and harmony in our communities,” the commissioner said. Mato disclosed that the state government would pay a monthly allowance of N10,000 to the village and ward heads. He said the allowance is just a token of appreciation for the complimenting role of the village heads to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors. “This move also marks a major landmark in the restructuring of this traditional institution in the state to perform defined roles and deploy its relevance in modern governance “ he added. According to the commissioner, since 2015, “considerable steps have been taken to expand immunisation coverage across the state to give more children what they need to avoid vaccines preventable diseases.” He said the government, with the support of its partners is
steadily institutionalising routine immunisation as a widespread, accessible and primary framework for immunisation. “The success of these health protection initiatives for our children at the grassroots depends in the active involvement of village and ward heads. “These layers of traditional ruler ship know the residents of their communities, including infants and other vulnerable persons,” said. Meanwhile, 15 teachers recruited by the state government and posted to Dogon Dawa village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state were robbed on their to resume work in the village. Last year, the state government sacked over 21,000 teachers, said to have failed competency test and subsequently recruited new ones who are currently being posted to various primary schools in the state. The teachers numbering about 24 were said to have left Kaduna together on Tuesday morning and had reported to the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) office in Birnin Gwari, headquarters of the local government for documentation.
According to one of the teachers, Moses Joseph, after reporting at the SUBEB office those of them posted to the villages made to proceed to Dogon Dawa village and had procured three Volkswagen Golf cars, with some of them sitting in the boot to make the journey. However, according to him, 10 minutes into the journey, they ran into the bandits at a road block. He said they were forced out of their vehicles and dispossessed of all valuable items including money and mobile phones. “They collected all our handsets, our books and they even went away with the original credentials of one of us. “They asked us who we were and we told them we are teachers posted to Dogon Dawa and one of them said ‘yaran El-Rufai ne’ (El-Rufai’s children)” According to him, the bandits separated the women from the men and were about to abduct the women but one of them prevailed on the others to leave them. “So it was God that helped us otherwise some of us would have been abducted as well,” Joseph added.
PANELISTS
L-R: Deputy Director Environmental Assessment, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Kevin A. Ihebinike; Panel Chairman and Waste Management Expert, Mr. K.B Odusanya; Operations Director, Seplat Petroleum, Mr. Effiong Okon; Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Seplat Petroleum, Mr. Ganiyu Bolaji; and Panel Member/Socio-Economic Expert, Prof. Dicta Ogisi, at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Panel Review Session of Seplat Petroleum’s proposed field development activities in Sapele (OML 41) in Asaba, Delta State...recently.
Don’t Obstruct Lottery Operations in Lagos, Ogun, Court Restrains Police, DSS, EFCC Akinwale Akintunde Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained Lagos and Ogun State governments from disrupting the business of lottery companies for allegedly operating without the states’ licences. The judge gave the order following a suit filed by Western Lotto Nigeria Ltd and Wesco Pools & Lottery Ltd, praying the court to determine whether in view of subsisting and binding judgments of the Federal High Court, the defendants can close down their businesses for not obtaining licenses from the states despite having been granted nationwide permits/
licences by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. The court held that it would be illegal to shut down lottery businesses on the basis that they have not obtained additional licences having been earlier licenced by the federal government. Specifically, Justice Idris restrained the Inspector General of Police, Lagos and Ogun State Commissioners of Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting lottery operators or sealing up their offices on the basis that they have no state licences. The respondents are the Lagos and Ogun states Attorneys-General;
the Lagos State Lottery Board, the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, IG, Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun, the EFCC and the DSS. In his judgment, Justice Idris dismissed the defendants’ objections and granted the two prayers in the plaintiffs’ originating summons. “I declare that the defendants or any combination of them may not take any steps whatsoever whether by closure, arrests, detentions, sealing off, or howsoever designed, to disrupt, close down or otherwise impede the lottery business of the plaintiffs. “Having been granted national permits, the defendants cannot close down such businesses for reason that the plaintiffs have
not obtained additional license to operate their lottery business.” Justice Idris granted an order restraining the defendants or their agents from disrupting the plaintiffs’ business in any manner having been given national licenses pursuant to the National Lottery Act of 2005. According to the plaintiffs, a tussle over supremacy between the states and the NLRC was resolved by two earlier judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja. “Both decisions were arrived at on the basis that the National Lottery Act had covered the field and the states’ legislation on the same subject must give way,” the plaintiffs stated in their supporting affidavit.
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THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY
CRIME&PUNISHMENT Police Uncover Illegal Malt, Alcohol Distillery in Lagos, Arrest Five Chiemelie Ezeobi The Lagos State Police Command yesterday uncovered an illegal distillery where fake malt drinks, alcoholic stout drinks and ethanol are produced in large quantities at Igba Afa, Igbogbo Bayeku area of Ikorodu. At the illegal factory were barrels of malt, ethanol and stout produced in unhygienic conditions and bottled as the real deal to be sold to unsuspecting consumers. Although five suspects have been arrested, the police said they are on the look out for other members of the syndicate. The Lagos State Commissioner of
Police, Edgal Imohimi, who stormed the factory with armed personnel, attributed the success of the raid to effective community policing. He said this is another success story and an indication that community policing community partnership is working. “This happened as a result of confidence that the local government and residents of the area have in the police. “Right here we have an illegal distillery where stout, malt, ethanol are being produced in very unhygienic conditions. Already, the suspects behind this have been arrested. “The important lesson here is
that we must be vigilant. Recently, you will recall that during my last press briefing I paraded an elderly man who was selling all sorts of fake drinks in Mushin. “I have called on Lagosians to be vigilant and to pass any information promptly to their local police to ensure we identify places like this and destroy them. “Most people that drink these things that are produced in unhygienic conditions are not healthy because they are not NAFDAC certified.
“Also, those producing it are not qualified to do so. Thus, they are generally giving out poison for Lagosians to drink. “What is most worrisome is that they are bottling and canning it as if they are produced by reputable companies that deal on the product. I call for additional vigilance. “We are going to take samples of each of the various fake drinks being concocted here. We are going to give samples to NAFDAC and DNA lab at Lagos Island for analysis.
“Also, this place as I speak to you is sealed, there will be no further activities here. “Note that the suspects will be investigated further because we discovered from preliminary investigation that these brews are not being bottled here. “Trucks come in here and load and take the brews to another location where they are canned and bottled. We want to extend our investigation and discover those areas so that we ensure that in the entire process we round them all up.
“We have five suspects being interrogated. Meanwhile, note that community policing and community partnership is based on trust and confidence. “People won’t talk until they believe you take the share fact. We are getting information from every nooks and crannies of the state.” Imohimi urged Lagosians to be vigilant, adding that this falls on his code of ‘know your neighbour and the activity going going on in your neighbourhood.
Armed Robbers Chop off Woman’s Hand in Calabar Bassey Inyang in Calabar Suspected armed robbers numbering about four on Tuesday night in Calabar, Cross River State, chopped off the hand of a young woman with machetes and robbed her of a cell-phone. According to eye witness account, the incident occurred at about 8.00 pm when the robbers who were operating from houseto-house, suddenly moved into the street to continue their nefarious activities. It was reported that as the robbers attacked passers-by of their cash, and valuables, especially cell phones they came across the ill-fated woman, and made to snatch her cell phone. An eyewitness who said they were watching the encounter between the woman, whose identity could not be immediately established and the armed robbers, disclosed that the woman’s hand was cut with a machete when she struggled with the men of the underworld. An eyewitness who gave his name as Mr. Akpan Umoh, said: “The incident happened at about 8pm. We saw when one of them drew out his cutlass and severed
the woman’s left hand, which made her to become weak. She merely wanted to wriggle herself away from the bad boys who were stabbing innocent people and collecting their phones and money.” Umoh explained that after attacking the woman, and dispossessed her of her cell phone, the robbers moved down the streets, shot into the air severally, and escaped. It was gathered that after the robbers fled, some people rushed to the woman and offered her help by using head scarves to tie the almost severed hands, before rushing her to the hospital. The state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa Mohammed, said due to the activities of some criminal elements in the society, the police command is paying special attention to the Calabar South, which is notorious for such crimes. “Last month, across the state, we arrested 85 cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers who will soon face trial. We have a special team deployed to the notorious Calabar South, and I assure that we will return confidence to the people living there,” the commissioner said.
Court Sentences three to Five Years Imprisonment for Stealing N500,000 Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City An Egor Magistrate Court in Benin-city, Edo State, yesterday sentenced three persons to prisons over an alleged stealing and threat. Those convicted, Victory Moses, 21; Victor Igho, 19, and Evans Ashebinoma, 24, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment. Magistrate Igho Braimoh sentenced the three on two-count charge read before them. They were alleged to have committed the offence on December 19, 2017, at the Egor Magistrate area of Benin-city. In the first count charge, the three were accused of demanding property with menace, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 48 vol. II of the Bendel
State law as applicable to Edo State. Count two alleged that the accused had intent to steal the sum of N500, 000 from one Itohan Ero with threats of injury and death if the money was not paid. According to the charge, the offence is contrary to section 456 of the criminal code cap 48 Vol. II laws of the old Bendel State and applicable to Edo State. The three accused pleaded guilty to the two-count charge and were subsequently convicted. The magistrate sentenced each of the three accused persons to five years of imprisonment each in respect of count one. They were however sentenced with hard labour to three years’ imprisonment each in respect of count two. According to the magistrate, the sentences are to run concurrently.
FAKE BREWERY
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Oluwole Edgal, examining the illegal brewery at Ikorodu..in Lagos...yesterday
Senator Petitions IG over Kidnap, Assassination Threat Bassey Inyang in Calabar Former senator representing the Southern senatorial district of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IG), alleging that there is a plan to employ the services of kidnappers, and militants to kidnap him or get him eliminated over political matters. In the petition, Otu alleged that information at his disposal has it that some Niger Delta militants, and assassins from Nasarawa State, were those contacted to execute the deadly plot against him. To this end, Otu who was in the senate from 2011 to 2015 is asking the IG to investigate the allegation, and ensure that he is given the necessary protection so as not to be harmed or killed by those allegedly planning to eliminate him over politics. The petition sent through Otu’s
counsel, Chief Utum Eteng, dated, March 30, 2018 was titled: ‘Threats to the Life of Senator Prince Bassey E. Otu from Militants and Kidnappers from the Niger Delta and Paid Assassins from Nasarawa State.’ “We write to you as solicitors to Senator Bassey E. Otu, a former senator representing the people of the southern senatorial district of the Cross River State in the seventh senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011-2015). “We are writing the petition to you on his behalf to promptly raise an alarm with a view to investigate and intervene in the circumstances leading to the narrative below. “Sir, though our client suspects no one particular person, he has ears to the ground and has strong suspicion, where such wicked plans may be coming from. “In the circumstance, our client may wish to appeal to you to
employ the privileged of your office to investigate and possibly protect him from any form of harm. “We also pray you heed our plea and in time too as a stitch in time saves nine,” the petition read. The petition stated further that on March 23, this year, after attending a business meeting in Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Otu was accosted by a young man who allegedly gave him the information about the plot. “He then informed our client of an on-going plan to kidnap and keep for as long as the sponsors who promised to pay N40 million for the assignment may wish. Before now the man sounded a caveat that Julius Ceaser was murdered in the capital because he refused to listen to the warning of a Roman citizen about an impending plan against him, dismissing him
as commoner. “He also reminded our client of a similar plan against him in 2010 which was hatched in Rivers State but aborted by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, who reported the incident to the Cross River State Police, consequent upon which some elements were invited by the police in Calabar. This aspect of his narrative is real. Our client was then informed that some political elements from his senatorial district are worried about his renewed interest in the senate, and have therefore contacted a group of militants in the Niger Delta to kidnap him with a view to keeping him for as long as possible even when a ransom is paid. If this fails , the alternative plan, our client was told, a group of hired assassins has been contacted in Nasarawa State to kidnap and do away with him for a fee of N5 million,” the petition stated.
Cultists Nabbed While Robbing to Bail Arrested Leader Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City In a bid to release their leader from Police custody over cult activities, three suspected cultists have been arrested at Urhonigbe village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State while robbing to raise money to secure his bail. Leader of the cult group
identified as Emmanuel Osazuwa was said to have been arrested after he fought with some persons over a Nokia phone. It was at the station that the police identified Osazuwa as a leader of the Eiye cult group, and it was also learnt that after making several futile attempts to secure his release, his younger
brother, Odion, and two of his cult members, Stephen Ikpomwosa and Collins Osatohanmwen, opted to rob with a view to using the proceed to release him. They were alleged to have used the guns belonging to the cult group to rob some girls of three phones and the sum of N350 before they were arrested. Speaking at the police
headquarters during a parade of criminals and kidnappers, Emmanuel said he didn’t asked his cult members to go and rob to bail him. According to him, “I was arrested for fighting. We fought because of phones and police got us arrested. I didn’t send anybody to go and rob for me. I have never robbed in my life.
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
THURSDAYSPORTS
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 … C O M M O N W E A LT H G A M E S …
Idamadudu, Igbinosun Fail to Reach 200m Final, Montsho Wins 400m Gold In the women’s 200m event of the Commonwealth Games that Blessing OkagbareIghoteguonor won the gold at the last edition in Glasgow, Scotland four years ago, no Nigerian sprinter made it to
the final scheduled to hold today in Gold Coast, Australia. Both Janet Idamadudu (23.69 secs) and Isoken Igbinosun (24.03) who raced in two of the three semi finals yesterday finished seventh respectively.
Yinka Ajayi capped a dismal outing for Team Nigeria in the track and field event of the Day Seven of Gold Coast 2018 with a mind bugling eighth place finish in the women’s 400m.
She clocked a poor 52.26 secs at the Carrara Stadium Track in the event won by Amantle Montsho (50.15) of Botswana. Jamaica’s Anastasia Le-roy won silver with a time of 50.57 while her compatriot,
Stephanie McPherson, was third (50.93) to settle for the bronze. Meanwhile, dropped to the 10th position on the overall medals’ table of with no addition to the four gold and
four silver harvested from the previous days outings. The other African country in the Top 10 standing, South Africa moved up to fourth position with 10 gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals.
Eight Cameroonian Athletes Disappear in Australia Eight Cameroonian athletes have absconded from their accommodation at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. According to BBC Sport, the Cameroon team officials confirmed this through their press attache Simon Molombe viewing it as “desertion” and that the missing athletes had been reported to Australian police. The missing athletes made up of three weightlifters and five boxers were last seen at different times on Monday and Tuesday, revealed Molombe to BBC officials. Cameroon said the group had valid Australian visas until May 15. The missing athletes are weightlifters Olivier Matam Matam, Arcangeline Fouodji
Sonkbou and Petit Minkoumba, and boxers include, Christian Ndzie Tsoye, Simplice Fotsala, Arsene Fokou, Ulrich Yombo and Christelle Ndiang. Molombe expressed sadness following the disappearance of the eight athletes. “The authorities are very disappointed with the deserters – some did not even compete. “The pious hope is that they come back to the village and travel home with the others.” Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said it would monitor the situation but athletes had “the right to travel freely” on their visas. Also, the Australian Federal Police has been notified of the development, according to Kate Jones, a Queensland State government minister
‘NLO’s Visit to IDP Camp Will Produce More Football Stars’ Femi Solaja The Executive Secretary of Benue State Internal Displaced People (IDP) Emmanuel Antswen, has commended the officials of National League One (NLO) who visited the camp last week to donate sporting equipment to the displaced citizens. He said the visit from the sports family will motivate some of the youths in the camp to start a new life and their future can be a success story like that of Chelsea FC star, Victor Moses and Nura Mohammed. Moses was said to have been a victim of displaced citizens some years ago during the outbreak of religious riot in Southern Kaduna and his potentials in the round leather game exiled him to United Kingdom and today he is a first team player of the both the Super Eagles and FC Chelsea in the English Premiership. Another football star, Nura Mohammed, is also an internally displaced citizen. He was a victim of Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. He took to plying his skills in football on the streets of Maiduguri before being spotted. He grew up as an orphan in the city having lost both parents before he was six years old. Football was the only succour for him. He enjoyed playing the game with some of his childhood
friends. Mr. Antswen urged other public agencies and philanthropists to emulate the unique gesture shown by NLO. “We are more impressed with their visit because aside educational reliefs that we have received in abundant, sports is another way for most of the displaced youths to begin a new life with the cases of Victor Moses and Nura Mohammed as classical examples. “This is a good way for them to starting a new life and you people have shown us that we can use sports to enable them rediscovered their potentials and of all those who had visited and commiserate with us, I think NLO stands unique,” he remarked. The NLO delegation was led by its Chairman, Mohammed Alkali, Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Kawu, and the Chief Operating Officer of the league body, Olushola Ogunnowo The items were received at the state’s Emergency Agency warehouse, The state agency headed by Special Assistant to Benue State government on Emergency, Emmanuel Antswen, took the delivery of the items. In his response, the NLO chairman, said this is the only little way NLO can contribute to the development of these youths in IDP camps, this will encourage them to pick up their life and believe that all is not lost.
Cristiano Ronaldo shows of his well-sculptored body after scoring the penalty that sent Real Madrid into the semi final of the UEFA Champions League…last night
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Ronaldo Sends Real Madrid into S’final Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury-time penalty put holders Real Madrid through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after holding off a stunning Juventus 3-0 comeback to tie the game at three-all. Ronaldo’s coolly-taken 97th-minute penalty into the top corner came after Medhi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez in the box.
Juventus Goalkeeper and Captain, Gianluigi Buffon, in his last Champions League appearance, was sent off by English referee Michael Oliver after awarding the spot-kick, for foul and abusive language. Real, Champions League winners in three of the past four seasons, came into the second leg leading 3-0, helped by Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle
kick. But the Serie A leaders got off to a dream start when Mario Mandzukic headed in from Sami Khedira’s cross after just two minutes and Mandzukic got a second before half-time. Blaise Matuidi pounced to capitalise on Keylor Navas’ fumble to level the tie on aggregate, before the dramatic ending last night.
RESULTS R’Madrid 1-3 Juventus (Real through agg 4-3)
Bayern 0-0 Sevilla (Bayern through agg 2-1)
EUROPA CSKA Vs Arsenal Marseille Vs Leipzig Salzburg Vs Lazio Sporting Vs Atletico
NPFL: Kwara Utd Holds Enyimba in Rescheduled Clash Hosts Kwara United fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Enyimba in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash in Ilorin yesterday evening. Enyimba thus climbed to seventh on the table with 22 points after 14 games, while Kwara United remain rooted at the bottom on 16 points from 15 matches.
Enyimba went in front after eight minutes from the penalty spot after Ernest Governor was upended inside the goal area. Ikechukwu Ibenegbu put away the penalty. However, Kwara United restored parity on 51 minutes through leading scorer Stephen Alfred with an assist by Michael Ohanu. Enyimba had to replace Super
Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the 67th minute after he was injured. Meanwhile, Enyimba goalkeeper Ezenwa has moved to allay fears surrounding the injury which forced him off during Wednesday’s NPFL draw against Kwara United. The Nigeria international landed somewhat heavily in claiming a high ball, and was
substituted midway through the second half in his second appearance for the People’s Elephant this season. He, however, is extremely confident of a swift return to action. “It was just a minor injury. I have to thank God, it was not a serious blow. Ezenwa is coming back (to training) in just about two or three days,” he told the club’s website last night.
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THURS ˜ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͯͶ ˾ T H I S D AY
THURSDAYSPORTS
Gritty Bayern Sees of Sevilla to Book S’final Ticket Bayern Munich ground out a 0-0 draw to see off Sevilla’s spirited challenge and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win. The newly crowned German champions, who won their past two home games 6-0, needed defensive grit to match their usual attacking flair at a sold-out Allianz Arena. Sevilla defender Joaquin Correa, who was sent off in stoppage time, hit the bar with a header and midfielder Pablo Sarabia, who scored in the first leg, wasted a glorious first-half chance. But Bayern top-scorer Robert Lewandowski had a header pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper David Soria and a brilliant block from Sevilla’s Jesus Navas denied Franck Ribery. It was the first time in 22 home Champions League
matches that Bayern had failed to score. Sevilla defender Gabriel Mercado, replacing injured centre-back Simon Kjaer, was lucky to stay on the pitch after bringing down Lewandowski when he split the visiting defence in the second minute. But Vincenzo Montella’s side recovered to control the first half, even if they were ultimately frustrated, none more so than Correa, who slid in wildly on Javi Martinez to earn a red card. Bayern winger Arjen Robben had warned his team-mates against complacency in this game after winning the first leg 2-1 in Spain. But it was less a case of Bayern’s over-confidence and more Sevilla’s self-belief and command of the ball which kept this compelling encounter in the balance for so long. Sevilla are seventh in La
Liga but have been a surprise package in the Champions League, and they surprised everyone by having more possession than their illustrious hosts in the first half - 54% to 46%. Sarabia, who missed a good chance before scoring
in the first leg, wasted another opportunity and Bayern leftback Rafinha slid in to prevent the midfielder shooting again. Bayern, who worked Soria sporadically in the first half, stepped it up after the break as Lewandowski headed into the side netting at the far post
and Robben threatened. But the hosts lacked their usual sparkle and Lewandowski - bloodied from a clash of heads - was substituted in the 77th minute after drawing a rare blank in front of goal. Boss Jupp Heynckes had
to settle for the consolation of Bayern’s 100th clean sheet at home in European competitions. Montella’s side won many admirers, even if they came up short of delivering another quarter-final upset after Roma stunned Barcelona on Tuesday.
Okpekpe Organisers Begin 30-Day Countdown to Race Today marks 30 days to go until the start of the sixth edition of the IAAF Silver Label Okpekpe international 10km road race which holds on Saturday May 12,2018 in Okpekpe, Etsako East local government area of Edo State. According to Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of the event, this year’s race, the first ever IAAF silver label road race to be organised in West Africa will be technology-driven. Although there will be an increase in numbers between the preliminary entries and final participants, the race is on target to become the largest since the first edition in 2013. “Our mission remains the same and this is to ensure we get more Nigerians involved in road running so that we can restore that tradition that we had in the past when Abbas Mohammed ran a world class 2 hours,16 minutes in the full marathon,’ said Spokesman for the race, Dare Esan. Esan is confident the
organisation of the race will be the best ever witnessed in the history of road races in Nigeria. “The fact that it is now a silver label race has made it compulsory that we move a notch up to meet the requirements for organising a race that the IAAF has designated as one of the leading road races around the world,” Esan added. Registration is still open for interested participants and will close on Saturday, May 5, a clear one week before the race. “This will help in terms of preparing a start-list of athletes confirmed for the race as well as prepare a result sheet that will aid journalists send instant reports back to their various organisations. What we have noticed in road races in Nigeria is the absence of start-list for a race and this is hampered by the fact that in some races registration is done even on the eve of the race.”
International Marathons Live on Kwesé Free Sports The 24-hour local sports TV station, Kwesé Free Sports UHF 32, will air three major international marathons in the month of April. The Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday played host to thousands of runners from home and abroad. Kwesé Free Sports UHF 32 will also broadcast the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious road racing events, The Boston Marathon which comes up on Monday 16 April. The athletic spectacle takes a winding route through the city, encompassing 26 miles of Boston’s streets and providing many opportunities to see the action. The marathon has become a symbol of the Boston community, and of endurance and team spirit. Kick-off time is 2pm local time. The annual marathon race over the classic distance of 42.195km in Hamburg, Germany will also air on
Kwesé Free Sports UHF 32 on 29 April 2018. This road racing event has been described as Germany’s biggest spring marathon and has been on since 1986. “To watch these international road racing events, viewers simply need to tune their television sets to UHF 32 on analogue television in Lagos. This means that they do not need a satellite TV decoder to watch the marathons”. Kwesé Free Sports UHF 32 had in February broadcast the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. The channel is also the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Viewers of this free premium sports channel will be able to watch 32 live matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Kwesé Free Sports UHF 32 a part of the largest and only pan-African Free-to-Air (FTA) network available in more than 24 countries in Africa.
Juventus Goalkeeper and Captain, Gianluca Buffon (left), walking off the pitch after he was red-carded in the UEFA Champions League clash between the Italian leaders and Real Madrid in Santiago Bernabeu… last night
Guardiola, Liverpool Charged by UEFA Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been charged with improper conduct and being sent off during Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Liverpool. European governing body UEFA has also charged Liverpool after fireworks were set off and objects thrown inside Etihad Stadium. Guardiola was sent to the stands after confronting referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz
on the pitch at half-time during the quarter-final second-leg 2-1 defeat. The case will be heard on May 31. The improper conduct charge against Guardiola is for communicating with the bench during the second half. Article 69 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations states that any manager or coach who is sent off may not communicate “directly
or indirectly with the team’s players and/or technical staff during the match”. Guardiola went on to the pitch to challenge Lahoz after Leroy Sane had a goal disallowed for offside, despite replays showing Liverpool midfielder James Milner got the final touch through to the City winger. Liverpool were already facing four UEFA charges over the setting off of fireworks, throwing of
objects, acts of damage and crowd disturbances after City’s team bus was attacked at Anfield prior to the first-leg on April 5. That case will also be heard on May 31. Having won the first-leg 3-0, Jurgen Klopp’s side completed a 5-1 aggregate win to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. The semi-final draw is on Friday at 12:00 noon in Nyon, Switzerland.
EUROPA: Ahmed Musa Resolves Rift with CSKA Coach, May Start against Arsenal Ahmed Musa has resolved a rift with CSKA Moscow Coach Viktor Goncharenko and could be available for selection in today’s crucial tie against Arsenal in the Europa League quarter-final return leg match at the VEB Arena. The 25-year-old Leicester City loanee was involved in an altercation with his coach in the weekend’s domestic league trip to Dinamo Moscow.
Goncharenko revealed Wednesday during his pre-match press conference ahead the Arsenal visit that all issues concerning the row have been laid to rest during a showdown talk with the player on Tuesday. “Absolutely (the row) will not affect (his possible selection for the Arsenal match)”, Goncharenko said. “Football is, first of all,
emotions. If they are removed, it will be a robot competition. “We talked with Musa yesterday (Tuesday), there are no questions left. When choosing the starting lineup, emotions will not be affected. “If he is ready to play tomorrow, he will come out. I will not remove him from my team because of my ambitions.” He also ruled out sanctions
for the Nigeria winger. “Then I should (as well) be fined, because the fight was mutual (smiling),” he said. “I repeat: in the team this happens. Sometimes you have to say something to each other and move on. “There are no grievances and fines, we just finished and left it there. “Musa is preparing for the match against Arsenal”.
T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2018
55
Who would applaud him Who sets the stage applauding others When the lights fade With flickers left to ignite The passion from the Thespian’s muse?
TORTUGARDE PROFESSOR
AKINWUMI
ISHOLA Kako Farioro Sayles In Davy Jones Locker Pyrates sayle again...Pyrates sayle again... We shall sayle on earth, we shall sayle in heaven, Pyrates sayle again
OBSEQUIES THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 2018 Float from Mapo Hall to Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan Time: 2.00pm Christian Wake Venue: Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan. Time: 4.00pm FRIDAY, 13 APRIL 2018 Lying-In-State Venue: Ishola’s residence, 16, Bolajoko Estate, General Gas, Ibadan, Oyo State Time: 8.00am-9.00am
FUNERAL SERVICE Venue: Methodist cathedral, Agodi Gate, Ibadan Time: 10.00am INTERNMENT & OUTING SERVICE Venue: Methodist church Labode Ikereku Circuit Time: 1.00pm Reception follows immediately at international Conference Centre, U.I., Ibadan Colour code: A touch of Blue
Signed: Arthur Boje Esq. Pyrates Cap’n
Thursday, April 12, 2018
TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Price: N250
MISSILE Rita Lori to Police “There is a plan to attack me because of my stand on IRDC funds. Those embezzling our funds want to carry on with their terrible activities. It is sad to see the wealth of my people being plundered by a few individuals� – Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, raising alarm that some persons plan to attack her because of the court-ordered freezing of Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC) accounts she instigated.
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OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
Buhari, 2019 and the Persuaders W
ith Chief Orji Uzor Kalu—whose corruption charges have been given one of those famous All Progressives Congress (APC) deodorant treatments—gallivanting all over the country on a presidential campaign of which he is not a candidate and the Kano State Governor, Umaru Ganduje threatening legal action should the incumbent decide not to run at about the same time that some so-called Arewa Pastors were genuflecting before President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, it was no surprise that he reportedly announced at the APC meeting on Monday that he would seek re-election next year. I say reportedly because I was not at the meeting and the only evidence we have that Buhari indeed declared his bid were the statements by his spokesmen; first by Mallam Garba Shehu that “the president said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019� and the second, by Mr Femi Adesina, that other contenders should simply ‘run away’ because his principal would be seeking re-election. Taken together, what we can infer is that President Buhari wants to continue in office, not necessarily because of any sense of mission but rather in response to the ‘clamour’ by some Nigerians. That should tell the Olusegun Obasanjos and the Ibrahim Babangidas of this world that where Aso Rock is concerned, they are not Nigerian enough for their own ‘clamour’ to count! Borrowing from the script written by the late General Sani Abacha, those aspiring to lead Nigeria no longer do so as a result of any conviction; it always has to be in deference to some dubious ‘clamour’. But what makes Buhari’s case somewhat pathetic is that he has admitted several times in recent years that he would spend only one term in office because of his advanced age. In an interview published in Daily Trust on 6th February 2011, shortly before the presidential election of that year which he contested on the platform of the defunct Congress for all Progressives Change (CPC), Buhari not only promised that it would be his last attempt, he was emphatic that if elected, he would spend only one term because “I am not getting younger. If I succeed and do one term, I will be 73 years old (by 2015).� Of course, we know he changed his mind in 2012 to declare that he would run again, with the commencement of the negotiation towards the merger of opposition parties to form the APC, but a similar pledge of one term was made on his behalf. In October 2014, the National Publicity Secretary of his defunct CPC, Mr Rotimi Fashakin, disclosed that Buhari would serve only one term of four years if elected President in 2015. This was what Fashakin said at the time: “General Muhammadu Buhari would do a term of four years (and) then hand power over to somebody younger. You can take that to the bank. He is going to be the stabilizing factor in Nigeria. Nigeria needs a strong
Buhari
leader like Buhari, who is in the mould of Mandela, who stabilized South Africa. That is what Buhari is going to do and four years are enough for him to do that. After stabilizing the nation, he will hand over to somebody younger, whom he would have groomed. This is why we are asking Nigerians to give Buhari a chance. He has the capacity, temperament and courage to rescue and stabilize this country. Just four years of Buhari, Nigeria will not remain the same.� Three weeks after assuming office, on 16th June 2015 to be specific, President Buhari told a cross-section of Nigerians living in South Africa on the sideline of the African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg: “How I wish I became the head of state when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do�. While President Buhari may have changed his mind, to which he is entitled, his handlers must begin to look for reasons other than “the clamour� from Nigerians for his aspiration. Clamour will not sell, especially for an incumbent who, quite naturally, should run on his record. While some people are merely using the president to achieve their own political goals, there are others who want to retain their privileges, like the smart alecs now deploying professional colleagues to re-loot Abacha loot to the tune of billions of Naira! Interestingly, there is a division in the polity between regime adherents who insist President Buhari has done very well and therefore deserves a second term and a broad section of Nigerians who argue that his best is not good enough. We can classify this latter group into two sub-groups. The first comprises the supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan who have refused to move on from the defeat of their principal at the 2015 election. The second sub-group comprises those who
supported Buhari’s aspiration in 2015 but are now disappointed by his tardiness in decision making, brazen clannishness, proclivity for placing personal loyalty above merit and competence in critical appointments and his selective approach to the war against corruption. The difference between the two groups is that while the first never wanted Buhari to succeed so they could justify their opposition or hatred (whichever it is) and would never vote for him anyway, members of the second group may be forced to resign themselves to a second term of Buhari, albeit by default, even if they choose not to vote. That is because ‘Go and get your PVC’ may not be enough to satisfy this group; they would most likely want to see what is being sold to them before buying otherwise they would just not vote. And in such a situation, only the incumbent will profit. That is the challenge of the moment. Ten months to the election, realistic political pundits can still not see where Buhari’s challenger is coming from. I am aware there are many aspirants in the field, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as well as Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Alhaji Sule Lamido and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State. Also in the race is my friend, Omoyele Sowore and others like Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Mr Fela Dutotoye and Mrs Monica Ambrose, all of them eminently qualified to run the country. But I have covered politics long enough to understand the nuances that dictate presidential elections in Nigeria. In the present circumstance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the most formidable alternative platform. That the party has not put its act together nor are there clear indications as to how its flag-bearer would emerge and who such a person would be, is what the Buhari handlers are banking on as their joker. Let us be clear here: It would take a serious opposition coalition built around a strong political party structure to defeat an incumbent president. As I explained last year, following the publication of my book, ‘Against The Run of Play: How an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria’, my research (at the Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs, Harvard University where I spent the 2010/2011 session) revealed that competitive presidential elections held in sub-Saharan Africa in the preceding two decades resulted only in 4 percent defeat and 96 percent victory for the incumbents. When I applied the same principle to the rest of the world, I discovered that incumbents were defeated at the polls only 7 percent of the time, winning 93 percent of the time. Having eliminated several variables, I eventually located divided opposition as the main factor why the odds usually favour the incumbent in most elections. Those interested can still read my paper but if the opposition is really serious about dislodging Buhari next year, the time to start is yesterday.
For sure, there is a tragic flaw in character for a man who promised a term yet now wants two. But there is nothing illegal about the aspiration, even though there is a serious moral dilemma here. While the president can change his mind, like we all do, the manner in which Buhari’s promises are easily excused takes so much away from the much-touted integrity that brought him to office. He promised to publicly declare his assets. He never did and when the public demanded an answer, his aides went legalistic. All the promises contained in the documents released on his behalf by the APC before the election were also dismissed the moment he came to office. And now the pledge, made at different times, to spend only one term has been reduced to a ‘misquote’ by presidential handlers. To the extent that democratic choices are often made on ambiguities and that incumbents do not have to be popular to secure electoral victory, I can understand why Buhari’s supporters seem so confident that their man would win next year. Besides, a second term is usually an opportunity for the incumbent to make amends for the mistakes of first term while consolidating on the gains made, though what the Nigerian presidential handlers choose to ignore is that age is no longer on Buhari’s side just as his health status remains suspect. So, if I were really very close to the president, I would be more concerned about his legacy and place in history than encouraging him to simply mark time in office. Sadly, history is replete with leaders who allow themselves to be deceived by the flattery of time servers. For instance, on 21st September 1995, the late Philippines President, Mrs. Corazon Aquino, spoke some candid words to her then successor, Mr Fidel Ramos, who had begun moves to amend the constitution with the clear agenda being to remove the clause on term limit. Aquino, who went from being a widow to president on the strength of a peoples’ revolution, could see the danger and she warned President Ramos, who had at the time done so much for his country, not to squander his legacy on the altar of inordinate ambition. Although the circumstances are not quite similar since President Buhari reserves the right to seek a second term for which he will not be breaking any law, we can draw an interesting parallel between those who egged on Ramos in Philippines at the time and the power prostitutes in Nigeria who are always available for the use of any and every incumbent. And that is where the admonition by Mrs Aquino to President Ramos becomes instructive: “Power intoxicates; too much power is addictive. There will always be power drug dealers who will feed your habit as president. They will say ‘nobody can take your place’, when what they mean is that they do not want to give up their own places.� Enough said, at least for now!
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