Wednesday 2nd May 2018

Chairmen, CEOs of Union, Skye, Diamond, Others Risk Sanctions, Removal Unity, Heritage, Keystone, Providus, Suntrust also fail to publish results April 30 Obinna Chima The recent Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) announcement that the chairmen and chief executives

of any licensed bank who fail to publish their financial statements will face sanction or be removed has put eight banks at risk.

Findings by THISDAY

yesterday showed that the chairmen and CEOs of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Suntrust

Bank and Providus Bank risk immediate sanctions or even removal if their accounts remain unpublished for up to 12 months.

The eight banks have failed

than four months after the end of each financial year, with Skye Bank, in breach of the Act by 28 months.

to meet the April 30 deadline provided by the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) requiring banks to publish their audited financial accounts not later

Continued on page 8

Finally, FG Bans Production of Cough Syrups Containing Codeine…

Pa g e 9

Wednesday 2 May, 2018 Vol 23. No 8413. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Osinbajo: Presidency, Security Council Restructuring Nigeria’s Security Architecture State of insecurity worrisome, threat to nation's existence, says NLC FG, Labour set August deadline for new minimum wage Senator Iroegbu and James Emejo in Abuja The Federal Government has

in response to repeated calls by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), organised labour unions and other

concerned Nigerians over the rising state of insecurity in the country, embarked on the restructuring of the nation's

security architecture.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Vice President, Prof.

Yemi

Osinbajo, on the occasion of the 2018 National May Day Celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja organised by

the two main Federations of Trade Unions - the Nigeria Continued on page 8

60 Worshippers Killed in Twin Bomb Attacks in Mubi Buhari orders recruitment of 6,000 policemen nationwide Says lazy youths controversy, media creation

Daji Sani in Yola with agency report No fewer than 60 worshippers were killed and 68 others injured as twinbomb explosions which bore the unmistaken signature of the Boko Haram terror sect on Tuesday rocked a mosque in Mubi, Adamawa State, North-east of Nigeria while the worshippers were holding the Zuhr (afternoon) prayer.

Continued on page 8

SOLIDARITY FOREVER… L-R: President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige, during this year's May Day celebration in Abuja… yesterday

2

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

3

4

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

5

6

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

7

8

WEDNESDAY, Í°Ëœ ͺ͸͚͜ Ëž T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT O S I NB AJO: PRE SIDENCY, SECU R IT Y COU N C I L R EST R U CT U R I N G N I GE R I A' S SEC U R I TY A RC H I TE CTURE Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

The President made this known in a special interview session with Voice of America, Hausa service, in Washington,

United States on Tuesday morning.

Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, said that this is aimed at tackling the deaths and destruction being visited on Nigerians across the country by killer herdsmen and other criminal elements.

He, however, called for collective efforts and sense of unity anchored on citizens support for government towards

sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.

He said: "You are all quite aware that insecurity has remained a big challenge for us all. We are determined to face this challenge and secure the country more than ever before.

To this end, Mr President and the security council have been engaging in rigorous stock taking with a view to restructuring our security architecture to meet

for anyone to go into a church to kill priests and worshippers?

We recognize that while the protection of lives and property is a primary responsibility of government; it is also incumbent on the citizens to share in this responsibility, as security is a collective responsibility."

"Our country is great because of the talents of our people, from every tribe, tongue, and religion.

Our diversities are our strength.

We must reject every attempt to divide us, our focus must be on developing our economy, providing opportunities in industry, manufacturing, technology for our young people. To borrow from Dike Chukwumerije a young Nigerian poet‌we must build bridges, not walls."

On the welfare of the workers,

When contacted, an official of the bank said its results had been submitted to the central bank and its approval was being awaited.

Unity Bank also notified the NSE that its results would be delayed, but did not specify a date when the bank’s results would be made public.

Union Bank, according to market watchers, was expected to announce its results on the NSE and publish its accounts on Monday, however, the bank missed the deadline.

Officials of Heritage, SunTrust and Providus, on the other hand, informed THISDAY that their audited results were ready but awaiting the approval of

the CBN. According to sources conversant with the issues, CBN examiners usually delay accounts of banks if there are questions and clarifications to be made.

There was no response from Keystone Bank when it was contacted on the issue.

The central bank had in its Monetary, Credit, Foreign Trade and Exchange Policy Guidelines for Fiscal Years 2018/2019 released at the weekend, said banks were required, subject to the written approval of the CBN, to publish, not later than four months after the end of each financial year, their audited financial statements (statement of financial position and statement of comprehensive

income) in a national daily newspaper printed and circulated in Nigeria.

The CBN, in the guidelines, said it would hold the board chairman and CEO of any defaulting bank directly responsible for any breach.

It added that appropriate sanctions would also be imposed on the defaulting banks which could include barring the chief executive or his/her nominee from participation at the Bankers’ Committee and disclosing the reason for such suspension; suspension of the foreign exchange dealership licence of the bank; and its name sent to the NSE (in the case of a public quoted company).

a nearby market.

On November 21, 2017, at least 50 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque during early morning prayers in the Unguwar Shuwa area of Mubi.

In October 2012, at least 40 people were killed in an attack on students housing in Mubi that was widely blamed on Boko Haram.

In June 2014, at least 40 football supporters, including women and children, died in a bomb attack after a match in the Kabang area of the town.

Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, had in February said creation of state police would help in addressing spate of insecurity in the country.

Yari, who is also the Zamfara State Governor, said this at the end of a two-day summit organised by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Review of Current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said: “Today we have reiterated the position of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. “And the position of the security summit we held in August, that there is a need for the state police; we can say it is the only answer.�

However, President Buhari maintained that the creation of state police would not augur well for the finances of the states, adding that some of them were finding it difficult to meet their financial obligations to workers and other state needs. “We must carefully look at the position of the nation’s constitution on the issue of state police before we take final decision on the matter if the constitution allows state police so be it. “But don’t forget that many times the Federal Government gave out what we referred to as bail out to state governments for payment of workers’ salaries.

How many states can pay salary promptly? and you want to add more financial burden to the states. “It is not proper to employ a person, train him on how to handle weapons and then refuse to pay him – you can imagine what would happen in such situation,’’ he said.

good harvests in the last two farming seasons the situation would have been deteriorated. “These youths even if they travel out of the North for greener pasture they hardly make it economically because what they earn as income cannot afford them to meet their basic needs or return home. “All these explanations I made, they refused to highlight them in their report and you know the media in Nigeria in most cases only do what they like. “For instance the nation’s achievements in the agricultural sector where millions of Nigerians benefitted financially were left unreported by the media. “Even when the Minister of Information and Culture wanted to reply that abusive letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, I had wanted Lai not to reply the letter but I said I should allow him to highlight the achievements of our administration.’’ President Buhari also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation that Christians were being killed by herdsmen.

He said that clashes between farmers and herdsmen had been in existence for the past years, saying that Nigerian herdsmen were not in the habit of carrying dangerous weapons while moving their animals around the country.

On what he does during his leisure time, President Buhari said he hardly listened to music but rather always obeyed his doctors’ advice on the need to eat and have enough rest.

Lazy Youths Controversy, Media Creation

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN FORTEOIL 4.00 43.30 HONEYWELL 0.16 2.83 NESTLE 71.10 1,493.60 CUSTODIAN 0.25 5.34 LEARNAFRICA 0.06 1.37 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN FIDSON 0.58 5.46 CHAMPBREW 0.12 2.28 JBERGER 1.35 25.65 UNITYBANK 0.06 1.15 CONOIL 1.65 31.80 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś 1,493.60 Volume: 246.578 million shares Value: N3.221 billion Deals: 4,918 As at 30/4/18

the challenges of the mindless killings in some parts of the country including marauding herdsmen, cattle rustlers and bandits.

"It is our duty to secure the rights of farmers, and all citizens and to ensure that herders also can rear cattle in well-resourced ranches. But there are also criminals who want to stoke religious and ethnic crisis. What is the explanation

Continued on page 9

C HAIRMEN, C EOS OF UNION , SKYE, DI AM ON D , OT H ER S R I SK SAN CT I ON S, R EM OVA L The last time Skye Bank, a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), made public its audited accounts was in 2016 for the year ending 2015.

But it is uncertain if the CBN will wield the big stick on Skye Bank’s chairman, Muhammad K. Ahmad, and managing director, Tokunbo Abiru, given the insolvency issues that forced the central bank to sack the previous board of directors of Skye Bank in 2016, replacing it with the current turnaround board.

Last July, Skye Bank announced that the CBN had extended its guarantee to the bank for another year.

A top official of Skye Bank

told THISDAY yesterday that the central bank was still considering the bank’s recapitalisation proposal. “Ours is a special case. The delay is not deliberate. The CBN is aware of our situation and has been very supportive and the market knows, that is why we are not being punished,� she explained.

Investigations by THISDAY also showed that Union Bank, Diamond Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank, Providus Bank and SunTrust Bank were yet to publish their full-year 2017 audited financial statements.

For Union, Diamond and Unity Banks, not only have they failed to comply with BOFIA

requiring banks to publish their audited accounts within the first four months of the year, they also missed the same deadline stipulated by the NSE for quoted companies with December ending financial years.

Diamond and Unity Banks, nonetheless, had notified the NSE that their results would be delayed.

Diamond Bank had, in its notification to the NSE, assured the public that its 2017 full year audited financial statements would be “made available on or before April 30, 2018�.

As of Monday, April 30, Diamond Bank had not met the deadline.

60 WORS H IPPER S KILLED IN T WIN BO M B AT TAC KS I N M U B I Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

The President dropped the hint in a special interview session with Voice of America, Hausa service, in Washington, United States on Tuesday morning, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to the accounts of two local residents who attended funerals of the victims as reported by the AFP, the deaths toll is likely to rise as more bodies could be recovered from the twin bomb blast scene.

One of them, Muhammad Hamidu confirmed that: “I took part in the burial of 68 people. More bodies were being brought by families of the victims.� Another, Abdullahi Labaran, said:

“We left 73 freshly dug graves where each victim was buried.�

Although the police spokesperson in the state, Othman Abubakar, a superintendent of police, gave an initial figure of 24 persons who died in the first blast which occurred at about 1:00 p.m; another eyewitness who claimed to be at the scene of the rescue operations said 31 bodies were counted.

Rescue worker Sani Kakale said: “In my presence, 42 dead bodies were taken to the hospital and 68 injured.�

A source at Mubi General Hospital told AFP they had “so far� received 37 bodies and dozens of the injured, many of them critically.

Although neither an individual nor group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram, the jihadist group whose quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria has left at least 20,000 dead since 2009. “While people were evacuating the victims of the first blast, another explosion occurred,�

Abubakar told PREMIUM TIMES. ‘’As I am talking to you now, 24 persons are confirmed dead.

The scene has been cordoned-off by the Anti-bomb squad and other security personnel,’’ Mr Abubakar said.

Eyewitnesses had earlier reported that ‘’many lives were lost and several persons injured.’’ The explosion was allegedly

triggered by a teenage boy wearing a suicide vest.

Garba Habu, a local resident, said he counted over eight corpses at the scene. ‘’A boy of about 18-19 -years wearing a suicide vest was said to have entered the mosque along with other worshippers.

Immediately after the prayers, he detonated the bomb,� he said.

Another resident, Isa Danladi, said he was about to leave his house near the mosque when he heard the blast “Many people died on the spot and several others were taken to hospital with severe injuries,� he said. “The mosque’s roof was blown off. The prayer was mid-way when the bomber detonated the explosives. This is obviously the work of Boko Haram,� he said.

Haruna Hamman Furo, head of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, described the blast as “devastating�, saying there were “high casualties�. ‘’It was a twin-blast and the detail is sketchy but we are in touch with our partners of Red Cross and others that are helping now. “For now dead bodies are being evacuated and those injured have been taken to hospitals. Right now we are on our way to Mubi,’’ he said.

The insurgents briefly overran Mubi in late 2014 as they rampaged across North-east Nigeria, seizing towns and villages in a quest to establish an Islamic state.

The insurgents changed the town’s name to Madinatul Islam, or “City of Islam�, during their brief occupation period.

But it has been peaceful since the Nigerian military and civilian militias ousted them and recovered the town, which is a commercial hub and host of the Adamawa State University.

In recent months, Boko Haram’s activities had been concentrated in the far north of the state around Madagali, near the boundary with Borno State.

There have been repeated suicide bombings in the area, which lies close to the Sambisa Forest in Borno where the militants had a base.

Boko Haram fighters are also said to be hiding in the Mandara mountains in the east of Adamawa State and on the border with Cameroon.

The Adamawa state head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Imam Ambani Garki also confirmed the incident but said the

agency has deployed personnel to ascertain the situation as the agency could not confirm the number of deaths.

He said, it has been for a long time such an incident has occurred and NEMA is making effort to respond quickly to the situation.

Mubi has been repeatedly targeted in attacks blamed on Boko Haram since it was briefly overrun by the militants in late 2014.

Nigeria’s government and military have long maintained that the Islamic State group affiliate is a spent force and on the verge of defeat.

But there has been no let-up in attacks in the northeast, particularly in Borno state, adjacent to Adamawa, which has been the epicentre of the violence.

Last Thursday, at least four people were killed when suicide bombers and fighters attempted to storm the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, raising fresh questions about security.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been in the United States this week and met his US counterpart Donald Trump, who pledged more support in the fight against Boko Haram.

Nigeria has bought a dozen A-29 Super Tucano light fighter aircraft in a $496-million (413-million-euro) deal. Trump indicated a further order for attack helicopters was also in the pipeline. “These new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians,� Trump told a joint news conference with Buhari in Washington on Monday.

In Mubi, local volunteer Habu Saleh, who was involved in the rescue effort, described the situation as “chaos all over the place�. “We have evacuated dozens of dead and injured people to the hospital and the rescue operation is still ongoing,� he said.

Health workers from the hospital mobilised to attend to the victims, despite being on strike over pay and conditions.

Mubi resident Abdullahi Labaran said the first bomber mingled with worshippers who had gathered for prayers at the mosque at the edge of the market.

He detonated his explosives “five minutes before the prayer started�, he added.

The second bomber blew himself up among the crowds of worshippers, traders and shoppers who fled the mosque towards the butchery section of

Buhari Orders Recruitment of 6,000 Policemen Nationwide President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

The President made this known in a special interview session with Voice of America, Hausa service, in Washington, United States on Tuesday morning.

President Buhari, who is in the U.S. on the invitation of the American President Donald Trump, revealed that additional security measures were being put in place to check cases of insecurity in Nigeria. “We will put in place more measures to check insecurity in the country including increasing the number of policemen and train them. “I have approved the recruitment of 6,000 policemen by the police authorities and I directed that those recruited must come from all the 774 local government areas of the federation. “Even if it means recruiting one person each from the 774 they should do that instead of going to motor parks, railway stations or market for the recruitment exercise. “I gave (Police authorities) them this directive,’’ he said.

The president, who expressed reservation on the call for the establishment of state police as being advocated by state governors, said Nigerians must abide by constitutional provision in regard to the matter.

It would be recalled that the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’

On his purported comment on youth while in London, President Buhari dismissed the report, saying that the media only preferred to interpret and report what they like instead of concentrating on developmental journalism.

He said: “You know Nigeria’s population is now between 180 and 190 million and 60 per cent of this population is youth that is 30 years down ward. “You know in the North most youths are uneducated or school dropouts. If not because we had

% 10.1 5.9 4.9 4.9 4.5 % 9.6 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.9

9

˾ WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

PAGE NINE

Finally, FG Bans Production of Cough Syrups Containing Codeine Saraki: Prevalence of drug abuse is looming catastrophe Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Following the high incidence of drug abuse in the country, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) Tuesday directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban, with immediate effect, further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

The federal government’s ban is coming at a time the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has warned that the widespread nature of drug abuse among young Nigerians, is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made this known in his office in Abuja on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

He said that the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of codeine usage has been subjected to in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.

In its stead, the minister said codeine-containing cough syrups should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeinecontaining cough syrups in the country, while he has also banned

the sales of Codeine-containing cough syrup without prescription across the country.

He noted that NAFDAC had an emergency meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN) to inform them that there is an embargo on all new applications for registration of codeine-containing cough syrups as well as applications for renewal has been abolished.

The PCN has been directed to continue enforcement activities at pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors' shops and outlets throughout the country.

NAFDAC was also directed to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.

The minister stated that the FMOH shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.

‘Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase

pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse,’ Adewole stated.

Already, NAFDAC has developed IEC materials that will be used in an already planned national campaign against drug abuse, an awareness programme that includes Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. This will soon be flagged off in Kano and Lagos.

As a way of discouraging youths to shun the drugs, the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health shall partner with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), football celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.

‘The FMOH shall ensure that Drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of healthcare delivery system in the country,’ Adewole stated.

He stated that civil society organisations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitization, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Recalled that in view of the serious public health concerns

drugs abuse poses to Nigerians, a working group which comprised of experts from various ministries, agencies of government (including regulatory agencies), Development Partners and Associations was constituted in January and tagged Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group (CCRWG).

The CCRWG was formally inaugurated on January 23, 2018, with clear terms of reference of developing key recommendations and strategies to address the menace of codeine, tramadol and other related substances in Nigeria.

The CCRWG submitted its interim report on April 12, 2018, and recommended short-, medium- and long-term measures for implementation in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, yesterday.

Finally, Adewole restated the commitment of the federal government to ensure the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) by January 01, 2019 and closure of all open drug markets penultimate the implementation date of the NDDG that is, December 31, 2018. It is a public knowledge that easy access to codeine, tramadol and other substances of abuse is promoted by the chaotic drug distribution system In the same vein, the President

of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has warned that the widespread nature of drug abuse among young Nigerians, is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

Saraki in a statement issued Tuesday commended the documentary titled 'Sweet, Sweet Codeine' by BBC Africa: Africa Eye, which detailed the prevalence of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria.

In the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sanni Onogu, Saraki said such documentaries are real-life attestations on the need for Nigeria to take its drug abuse problem more seriously.

He recalled that the scourge informed the recent stakeholder roundtable on drug abuse, convened by the Senate in Kano State.

“Even though I have been working on this issue for a few months now, watching the BBC documentary was another eye-opener. Nigerians can now see that if care is not taken, we could be sitting on a catastrophe. We cannot all just fold our arms and expect this issue to fix itself. This is everybody's problem," Saraki said.

“As things stand, following the Roundtable on Drug Abuse that held in Kano in December 2017, we have already developed a draft Legislative framework for

the control of narcotics and psychotropic substances and the provision of mental health and substance use services in Nigeria," he added.

The Senate President also disclosed that the Drug Control Bill set to be introduced at the National Assembly, will strengthen the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies, eradicate the illicit production and trafficking of controlled substances.

“While the Mental Health Bill will ensure the availability of mental health and substance abuse services in every state, as well as guarantee the enforcement of minimum standards of care for people with mental health disorders," Saraki added.

He also stated that Nigeria cannot expect to tackle mental health issues with just one psychiatrist for 1.6 million citizens.

"This legislative framework that we are preparing recognizes the low number of mental health practitioners in the country, and works to rectify that problem by ensuring that quality mental health and substance abuse services are available for this underserved segment of the population," Saraki said.

O S I NB AJO : PRE SIDENCY, SECU R IT Y COU N C I L R E ST R U CT U R I N G N I GER I A' S SE C U R I TY A RC H I TE CTURE Osinbajo noted that while the government recognised that payment of salaries and pensions is essential; they are also conscious of the fact that the increasing cost of living and the recognition to ensure a fair and decent living wage has rendered the Minimum Wage Instrument obsolete.

Accordingly, he said, President Buhari inaugurated, on November 27, 2017, a Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee to renegotiate the National Minimum Wage for our workers.

The Vice President reminded that the subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He continued: "Although there are arguments regarding fixing minimum wage in a federation such as ours, it is the responsibility of government to establish the necessary social protection floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.

"The argument for a national minimum wage, therefore, cannot be faulted because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and as such should be anchored on the principles of social justice, equity, and fairness.

We believe that those who can pay above the social protection floor are free to do so, as many have been doing in many states and sectors of the economy."

Speaking further, Osinbajo assured that Buhari's administration has no intention of presiding over the dismantling of the gains organized labour secured for its members almost four decades ago.

He, however, expressed hope

"that the Tripartite Committee comprising government, labour, and the private sector will expedite its assignment to enable the Federal Government to present an Executive Bill on a new National Minimum Wage to the National Assembly for passage into law, as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Federal Government and the state governments will continue to work together to improve the conditions of workers across the country".

NLC Decries State of insecurity Also speaking, the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, while speaking on the theme for this year's May Day Celebration"Role of the Labour Movement in National Development: Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win", also agreed with the Vice President on the need to tackle the crippling state of insecurity and also speed up the harmonisation of the new minimum wage.

On the national security threats, Wabba lamented that the nation is immersed in a renewed outbreak of blood-letting and violence, adding that "the initial successes recorded against the Boko Haram insurgency, which earned this government international accolades and respect, have come under serious challenge".

He feared that with the military overstretched in addition to mounting and mutating security challenges, the country may be on the verge of collapse.

He said: "The North-east region has witnessed renewed cases of Boko Haram attacks.

The abduction of Dapchi girls, more or less, a replay of the Chibok tragedy reinforces the view of how badly things have

deteriorated. We urge the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ensure the successful release of the remaining Dapchi girl being held reportedly on the account of her faith, and indeed, all the Chibok girls yet to be released.

"Also worrisome is the escalating phenomenon of 'killer herdsmen', pastoralists-farmers clashes, cattle rustling and all sorts of extrajudicial killings. The frequency, repulsive nature and national spread of these orgies of bloodletting present themselves as the greatest threat to our wellbeing and unity as a people and as a nation. With the military deployed in 27 of our states, it is very clear that the country is drifting to a precipice."

Labour sets August deadline for new minimum wage On the upward review of the national minimum wage, Wabba said that it must reflect the current economic realities as it will help raise the levels of productivity and enhance the purchasing power of workers.

According to him, their "current demand of N66, 500 as the national minimum wage will only manage to meet the basic needs of the average Nigerian worker if inflation is kept at a single digit".

"We have also proposed that the Minimum Wage Act should be amended to guarantee review every five years. This was the recommendation of the 2011 Belgore led Tripartite Committee.

We have also proposed that the minimum wage law should apply to all workers and not restricted only to establishments with 50 workers and above. We have also demanded that there should be a minimum pension for our

retired workers and senior citizens who currently in some cases are receiving N2, 000 as a monthly pension," he said.

Inflation, Unemployment Rates Still High, Says NLC Wabba also decried the high rate of inflation and unemployment in the country despite the claim that the country is out of the economic recession.

He stressed that the "doubledigit inflation rates continue to erode the living standards of Nigerians".

In the same vein, the President of the TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, bemoaned the current economic situation and state of the Nigerian workers.

Kaigama said that the country's unemployment rate rose to 18.8 percent in third quarter of 2017 from 13.9 percent recorded in the same period in 2016, making it the highest jobless rate since 2009.

This, he said, confirms that many businesses have shut down between the last quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 due to government's policies and other factors.

"Our economy is still prostrate.

There is a dearth of infrastructure; insecurity is rife, weak naira, less investment in human capital development, the economy largely undiversified, monumental frauds and mismanagement. How long can we go on," he asked.

As a way forward, TUC President called for the speed up of the work by the tripartite committee on the national minimum wage by sticking to a deadline of August 2018.

"It is our hope that given the high expectation of Nigerian workers, the committee will complete its work by August

2018 as planned so that by the last quarter of this year, the hardpressed workers will have a new lease of life," he said.

The May Day Celebration was also attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige; former Governor of Edo State and ex-NLC President, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; Sen. Victor Umeh who represented the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Sen. Shehu Sani among others.

Ekweremadu, Dogara Assure on Minimum Wage The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has, once again, backed the workers’ demand for an upward review of the monthly National Minimum Wage.

Ekweremadu stated this in his goodwill message to the Nigerian workers on the occasion of the International Workers' Day, 2018.

He said: “I salute the Nigerian workers for their immense sacrifice, labour, resilience, and patriotism, which have kept Nigeria going.

They have also not relented even in the face of untold challenges and hardship.

"However, we must take the necessary steps to lighten their burdens, especially in the face of excruciating economic realities and in line with the anti-corruption crusade.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara yesterday re-echoed the determination of the lower chamber to provide a better life for workers by passing a bill for an upward review of minimum wage, which is yet to be forwarded to the National

Assembly by the executive.

He said, he is not unmindful of the struggles and hardship endured by Nigerian workers in their daily lives, which is why parliament is committed to putting more resources in their hands.

The Speaker, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Hassan Turaki to mark the 2018 Workers’ day celebration, further expressed optimism that the Federal government Committee on Minimum Wage which is currently conducting public hearings across the six geo-political zones in the country will soon conclude its assignment and a new national minimum wage bill will be transmitted to the parliament by the president.

He said:“On behalf of the entire members of the House of Representatives, I want to use this occasion to, once again, underscore the importance of workers to the growth and prosperity of our dear nation, Nigeria.

“We see the struggles you go through to survive on wages that can barely last through the first week of the month. We see your dedication to doing your bit in ensuring that Nigeria continues to run effectively in spite of unfavourable conditions."

He said:"We commend your courage, your commitment to service and nation building and urge you to continue supporting government policies and agenda.

"I assure you, on this occasion, that the National Assembly will give expeditious passage to the Minimum Wage Bill whenever it is transmitted by the executive and any other initiative that will promote the welfare of the Nigerian worker. We will support it wholeheartedly."

10

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

2019: PDP Moves to Initiate Fresh Coalition Talks Party sets up 22-member committee PDP, INEC differ on party leadership in Ogun Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja As part of the strategies to reclaim the presidency in 2019, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a 22-member committee to mobilise for a new coalition that will unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election A reliable party source told THISDAY yesterday evening that the 22-member committee known as the Contact and Integration Committee headed by the former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, will be reaching out to all political stakeholders, including top members of the APC who are interested in seeing that the present crop of leadership of the country are swept out of office to enthrone good governance.

He said the committee would be inaugurated by the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, later this week “We are going to form a broad-based coalition that will interface in all aspects and forge a common front to edge out the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 presidential election.

“The committee will be reaching out to all political stakeholders that are dissatisfied with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and are prepared to have an interface with the PDP with the hope of forming a coalition that would edge, out this government through the instrumentality of the ballot

box,” said the source.

The National Working Committee of the PDP has set up the Committee on Contact and Integration.

Members of the PDP Contact and Mobilisation Committee include, Imoke (Chairman), Senator Ibrahim Tsauri (Secretary), Governors Ayo Fayose, Darius Ishaku as members.

Other members also include, Senator Joshua Lidani, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Senator Ibrahim Kazaure, Chief Austin Umahi, Mrs Erelu Obada, Hajia Inna Ciroma and Ambassador Kema Chikwe.

Others are Hon. Emmanuel Enoidem, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Dr. Mohammed Haliru Bello, Chief Tom Ikimi, Senator Ben Obi, Dr Babangida Aliyu, Gabriel Suswam, Senator Abdul Ningi, Hon. Ajibola Muraino, Alhaji Ibrahim Hamza and Moses Clopas Zuwegho.

According to the party source, the new committee would lead the way in the effort to galvanise democratic forces to oust the APC and would engage in all forms of legitimate talks to form a coalition ahead of the 2019 general elections.

THISDAY gathered that the committee’s terms of reference goes as far as negotiating on issues relating to power sharing and distribution of offices among the coalition parties and groups after the election must have been won.

It was learnt that the new PDP national leadership has taken its time to draw guidelines and rules

of engagement in order to avoid the experience of the APC which failed to managed the varying interest groups after its victory in 2015.

This will be second time the opposition will set up a committee of this nature, the first one that was headed by one of its founding members, Prof. Jerry Gana was established by the National Caretaker Committee in the wake of the long drawn leadership tussle in 2016.

At that time, the Jerry Ganaled committee met with various political associations and interest groups some which canvassed for alliance and outright merger.

But the leadership of the party turned down offers for merger which would lead to changing of the party’s name, preferring instead that other parties gets subsumed under the PDP structure.

However, THISDAY gathered that under the new push for a coalition, the PDP contact and mobilisation committee has been mandated to negotiated with all interest groups and to also consider request for alliance

and merger.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the party has rejected the move by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Mr. Adebayo Dayo as the state chairman of the party.

The commission had recently written to the party recognising Mr. Adebayo Dayo as the state chairman of the party.

Before now, the commission and the national leadership of the PDP had recognised Mr. Sikirulai Ogundele as the state chairman of the party, a development that resulted in several litigations, culminating in a recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

But the commission in a letter dated April 12, 2018 and signed by its Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu said that it was now recognising Dayo.

Ogakwu said the commission took the decision “in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 delivered on February 9, 2018 which has notified the national chairman of the PDP of its compliance with

the said judgment.”

However, Secondus and party’s National Secretary, Senator Umaru Tsauri, in their letter to the commission, said the leadership crisis had been resolved.

In the letter, dated April 20, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, claimed that the Supreme Court had settled the matter in its landmark judgment in PDP VS. Sheriff case on July 2, 2017.

They quoted the apex court as saying that “it is unfortunate this internal party crisis within the appellant, has staggered a lot of its anticipated progress.

In any case, it is my hope that this imbroglio within the appellant will serve as appellate court.

Secondus and Tsauri therefore asked the commission to withdraw its recognition of the Dayo-led executive.

The letter added: “It will therefore amount to an inexplicable vote face and unfortunate summersault if INEC were to withdraw the recognition of the approved officials of our party in Ogun

State, especially the State Executive Committee led by Sikirulai Ogundele.

“This will certainly throw the party back into avoidable conflict.

We believe, this cannot be your intention or wish for our party.”

Dayo has however sent another letter to Secondus, in which he wondered whether the party chairman was sitting as an appellate court to the decided case.

His letter to Secondus, dated April 2, was titled; ‘The imperative to the rule of law on Ogun State Executive Committee.”

The letter read in part, “From all the foregoing, I am honestly amazed and shocked that you lent yourself to write INEC against its lawfully taken position to give recognition to my executive, out of your flagrant disobedience of subsisting court judgments of which you were corporately (as PDP) a party to the suit.

Dayo told Secondus that it is the exclusive responsibility of INEC to ensure that party’s constitutional “provisions and Nigerian laws are adhered to in the emergence of these party leaders.

No Fire Incident at Our Head Office, Says CBN Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last night clarified that reports that its head office building was on fire were false.

The CBN in a statement explained that passersby who saw a pall of exhaust from the generator house far away from the building mistook the exhaust for fire smoke.

It added: “The CBN maintains a total security system that triggers

safety alarms in the presence of smoke and so all fire engines and personnel received the alert only to discover that it was an unusual pall of exhaust.

“The affected generator has been rested and normal work has been uninterrupted while the engineers are working to rectify the issues with the generator.

“We hereby assure the public that there has been no fire at our building.”

Sokoto Offers Special Prayer for Late Imam Imam Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto The Sokoto State Government yesterday offered special prayers for the repose of the soul of Imam Imam, who was the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs.

The prayer session was led by the Sarkin Malaman Sokoto, Sheikh Buhari Sirdawa and prominent clerics in the state.

The prayer session was attended

by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu and Secretary to the State Government, Prof.

Bashir Garba.

Others were the state Grand Khadi Alhaji Sa’idu Abdulkadir, members of the state House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, special advisers and Islamic scholars across the state,

among others.

The clerics prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Late Imam died at the age 41 on April 27, at Nizamiye Turkish Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has condoled the government and people of Sokoto State over the death of Imam Imam.

In a statement signed by the Acting Secretary of the union, Bello Suleiman, made available to THISDAY in Sokoto, described the deceased as a dedicated journalist whose relationship with working journalists was cordial.

The statement prayed God to forgive the sins of the deceased and grant him paradise.

PRESIDENTIAL AUDIENCE

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; CEO, Oando Plc, Mr. WaleTinubu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun after a meeting with Chief Executives of United States0 Companies at the Blair House, Washington, DC, US....yesterday

Police Set to Forcibly Move Melaye to Lokoja With Helicopter Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Nigeria Police have perfected plans to move the embattled senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye, to Lokoja to face trial for an alleged illegal firearms possession and arming of political thugs.

THISDAY reliably gathered yesterday that Melaye might be flown to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, today (Wednesday) in a police helicopter after same attempt to transport the embattled lawmaker by road to Lokoja last Tuesday failed.

Melaye, who is currently admitted at the National

Hospital Abuja after sustaining injuries while resisting his forced movement to Lokoja by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), last Saturday overcame his recalled process as the people of his senatorial district refused to recall him.

He is the first Nigerian lawmaker to survive a recall move, which was apparently instigated and heavily financed by the Kogi State Government.

Reliable sources close to The State Police Command disclosed to THISDAY that the plan to take the senator to Lokoja for the second time would take

place today (Wednesday) and the means had changed from land to air transport for “security reasons.”

It was gathered that the latest move by the police is contrary to medical advice from the authorities of the National Hospital in Abuja, a similar scenario that played out last Tuesday night at Zankli Hospital where Melaye was initially hospitalised, a development which led to the arrest of a medical doctor and Melaye’s younger brother.

According to Sources at the hospital, Melaye was

not medically fit to be taken away to any location for now.

The embattled senator had earlier cried out that some people want to assassinate him for the crime he did not commit.

However, the case is billed for hearing in Abuja as directed by the acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati.

Meanwhile, all effort to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer of Kogi State Police Command, Mr. William Ayah, to comment on the issue proved abortive as his phone line could not be reached by THISDAY.

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

Osinbajo: Three Persons Stole $3bn Under Jonathan Moghalu, Durotoye ask Nigerians to participate in electoral process

Segun James and Shola Oyeyipo Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday allegedly revealed that three persons stole $3billion under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Osinbajo, who spoke at The Platform, a programme organised by the Covenant Christian Centre with the theme: ‘Get Involved,’ said: “Grand corruption remains the most enduring threat to our economy. Just to give an example, $3 billion was stolen from what was called Strategic Allowance Contract sometimes in 2013. Three Nigerians were responsible.

“Today, $3billion is N1trillion.

Our entire budget, and budgets are estimates not actual cash, is N7trillion. So, three people made away with N1trillion and our entire budget is N7trillion.You cannot wonder why the economy will not struggle?

“When oil in our country was selling at $100 – $113 a barrel, the government as at then spent N15 billion on transportation, and agriculture got N14 billion. All these ministries mentioned got N139 billion. Today, the oil prices is between $60 and $70, Power, Works and Housing can get N450 billion, transport got N80 billion, agriculture got N65 billion and the total is N560 billion.

“How come we can do more with less income? How come we are able to invest in infrastructure?

How come we can do the Lagos – Kano standard gauge railway, the Manbila hydro, the Second Niger Bridge with 60 per cent less income? The truth is, if you can control corruption, you can do more with less.”

He advised that irrespective of tribe and tongue, Nigerians had

better come together to collectively work for the development of the country, noting that “our destiny as Nigerians, no matter the tribe or religion, is tied together. What affects one, affects all. Nations are built by the contributions of many.”

He said all Nigerians have a role to play in building the country.

Osinbajo said nation building in its classical sense refers to formal and informal processes by which political leadership attempts to build a national identity, a national ethos especially in ethnically and religiously diverse society.

He spoke on the theme: ‘Get Involved’ at the event which was put together by the Covenant Christian Centre.

According to him, while government’s role is in casting the vision and creating the environment for nationhood, the real building of nations is done and best seen through the accomplishment of many outside the political leadership.

“Men and women in business, agriculture, education, entertainment and arts who by just doing their business diligently or serving faithfully or making sacrifices contribute to building the economy and social systems that ultimately build the nation,” he said.

He then went on to share the stories of young Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in their careers including music, fashion, writing and creation of start ups that are helping to transform the society.

The vice president noted that all those who distinguished themselves in what they do did not wait for government, adding that they excelled despite the challenging environment in which they found themselves.

Looters’ List: Dokpesi Demands N5bn Compensation from FG The founder of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has filed separate charges against the federal government for including his name on a list of alleged looters of its treasury.

In a suit dated April 30 and filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Dokpesi is asking the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, as well as his counterpart in the justice ministry, Abubakar Malami, to pay N5 billion as damages for alleged defamation of his character.

Dokpesi, according to Premium Times, is also demanding a refund of N50 million which he described as the cost of instituting the charges.

In a similar motion, Dokpesi asked the court to issue an order enforcing his fundamental rights, allegedly abused by the defendants.

Following the publication of the list of alleged looters of government’s treasury, where Dokpesi was accused of embezzling N2.1 billion, his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, wrote a pre-litigation letter seeking a

retraction of the publication and threatening a law suit if his demands were not heeded.

The list released in two batches by the federal government contained a number of politicallyexposed persons accused of embezzling public funds. Most of those in both lists were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although Dokpesi is facing trial for alleged diversion of N2.1 billion, the Daar Communications Chairman has denied any involvement in the crime.

In the defamation suit, Dokpesi cited quotes from a press briefing organised by the information ministry wherein a reference was made to his ongoing trial, stressing that the briefing was solely intended to discredit his personality.

He accused the defendants in the suit of causing him trauma and loss of trust among well-meaning Nigerians.

Dokpesi also asked the court to stop the defendants from further publishing anything relating to the alleged defamatory remarks mentioned in the suit.

Osinbajo therefore encouraged other Nigerians to emulate these pioneers, adding that by so doing, they would be helping to build the country.

Throughout his speech, which lasted for about 45 minutes, the vice president paid tributes to young Nigerians home and abroad who continued to distinguish themselves in their profession.

To the delight of the audience, Osinbajo quoted from Chimamanda Adiche’s novel, ‘Half of Yellow Sun’ to illustrate his point on the ability of Nigerians to be creative and innovative.

Osinbajo said a creative generation would breed a successful generation.

While encouraging Nigerians to continue to be creative, he reminded them that poverty

does not discriminate against men, women or tribe.

He said: “When the drum sounds, let everyone answer, because we are all in this together.

Our differences will not stop us all from falling together.”

However, the VP noted that unmitigated corruption of the past remains the major problem confronting Nigeria.

Osinbajo said though the current administration is reversing the situation, the Nigerian economy has received fatal blows from corrupt persons in recent past.

Earlier, a former DeputyGovernor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, had called on Nigerians to be actively involved in the process of nation building for them to have a better country.

Moghalu, who is musing the ambition of taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari, said the current problems facing the country would find quick answers if citizens contributed their quota to the country development.

He conceded that Nigerians were justified to complain about a number of issues based on disappointments by leaders resulting in dashed hopes, but added that, “complaining and managing” would not solve any problem until Nigerians get involved in the process of choosing the leaders they desired.

The former CBN chief added that the real power lied with the people and urged Nigerians to use the power to bring about change.

“There is no power greater than the power of the people. The power

to change belongs to the people.

We can get the kind of nation we desire if we use our power,” he said.

In his speech, a leadership expert and another presidential hopeful, Fela Durotoye, noted that the country had suffered rot in all sectors consistently for about 50 years.

While blaming the lack of development in the country on poor leadership and followership as well as erosion of the country ‘s values, he was optimistic that the situation could be changed for the better if Nigerians made the decision to make the change happen.

Durotoye said rather than continue to blame the past generations for the parlous state of affairs, the current generation of Nigerians could brave the odds and bring solutions.

PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION

L-R: Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr. Okechukwu Enalamah; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at a bilateral meeting alongside President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington DC, USA. STATE HOUSE

Envoy Targets $1tn Nigeria-South Africa Trade Volume Obinna Chima The Consul-General of the South Africa High Commission, Mr. Darkey Africa, has disclosed plans to aggressively ramp up the trade volume between Nigeria and South Africa to $1 trillion.

Darkey said this while speaking in a chat with THISDAY during the South Africa’s National Day celebration/Mandela at 100.

The celebration which took place in Lagos was sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMBN) According to him, the volume of trade between both countries stood at $60 billion as of 2016.

“The commitment that the Department of Internal Relations has been mandated is that they should increase the trade volume to at least $1 trillion.

“It is possible. We have seen a lot of interactions between business people here in Nigeria and we want

to see more.

“You know, when people invest, it takes a little bit of time, and we hope that we are able to see the figures increase,” the envoy explained.

He highlighted move by both countries to relax visa requirements so as to allow business men from both countries travel easily from one country to another, as some of the measures being put in place to improve trade volume between the two leading countries in the continent.

“We want to deal with the challenges around visa issues.

We also want to ensure that we engage with governments and other stakeholders.

“We are working very hard with the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce to try and build the volume of trade.

“We had seen some decline in the volume of trade between South

Africa and Nigeria, and we are working with all the stakeholders to ensure we improve that,” he said.

According to Africa, the event was to celebrate 24 years of freedom in Africa, as well as the centenary of Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.

“We are remembering those who fought for our freedom and we are urging everyone to try and emulate these leaders and be like them.

“Today, we are starting the 100 years anniversary of these two leaders and there are events lined up to celebrate them till the end of the year,” he explained.

In his remark at the event, the Chief Executive of RMBN, Mr. Michael Larbie, said his financial institution would continue to support activities that would bring about increased trade volume between both countries by leveraging on South Africa’s skill set and marrying them with Nigeria’s.

According to him, the existence of RMB Nigeria could be attributed in part to Nelson Mandela and his determination to create an environment for South African companies to participate in the global economy, while also inviting international companies to invest in South Africa.

“We are incredibly proud of our Nigerian business and the positive role we continue to play in supporting Nigeria’s economy.

Along the same lines of change and development experienced

by South Africa, post 1994, we believe Nigeria is experiencing a new period of growth.

“A period of growth and development. We are confident that the economy will recover and blossom after our debilitating recession and we expect that by 2020, we will once again see a growth rate of around seven per cent,” he added.

12

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

13

14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

COMMENT

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

THE BUHARI MUST GO PROTESTS (1)

Sonnie Ekwowusi writes that many are protesting the administration’s inability to protect lives and property “A city in travail, God our Lord, and from her loins sprang twin murder and Black hate. Red was the midnight; clang, crack and cry of death and fury ďŹ lled the air and trembled underneath the stars when church spires pointed silently to Thee. And all this was to sate the greed of greedy men who hide behind the veil of vengeance! Bend us Thine ear, O lord!â€?

A Litany of Atlanta, 1906

B

end your ear to the ground and you will hear the cry of death and fury renting the air; the sobbing of women and children; the persistent protests of Nigerians from all walks of life over the spate of murder of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen. “Hear us, O! Lord! Take this yoke away from us.

Listen to your children mad with the madness of a mobbed and mocked and murdered people. We raise our shackled hand and charge Thee amid the tears of our murdered heroes, save us. Hearken to the assistance of your children drowning in the rivers of blood flowing down the city streets and alleyways. Sit no longer blind, Lord. Lord, let not our cries sink in silence in the midnight. God, thou are the undoer of evil deeds. ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’, saith the Lord of Host!�

This is the cry of death. It is also the liberation song. Visibly angered by the pathological murder of innocent Nigerians by the murderous Fulani herdsmen especially the recent murder of two Catholic priests and dozens of church worshipers in Benue State, Nigerians in the pulpits, bedrooms, beer parlours, newspaper editorials, stadia, market places and on various social media platforms are protesting and urging President Muhammadu Buhari to quit so that a competent, visionary, incorruptible, detribalised and charismatic leader will assume the mantle of leadership and lead Nigeria to the ultimate destiny willed for her by the Almighty, the creator of the universe.

On their own part, the members of National Assembly are protesting and calling for the impeachment of President Buhari for withdrawing and spending a gargantuan $496million in the purchase Super Tucano Embracer fighter jets without the approval of the National Assembly as enshrined in our constitution. President Buhari claims that he purchased 12 Tucano Fighter Jet for $469 million. If findings reveal that a Tucano fighter jet cost between $12 million to $14 million, how can President Buhari claim that he purchased 12 fighter Jets for a whopping $496 million? the people ask. Earlier last week the House of Representatives summoned President Buhari to appear before it over the Fulani herdsmen killings. Will Mr. President heed the invitation or will he simply ignore the House of Representatives? Under the aegis of One Voice Nigeria (#iStandwithNigeria) thousands of Nigerians including Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe and Charlie Boy Oputa were spotted last week around the National Arts Threatre, Iganmu, Lagos protesting against President Buhari and demanding that he must go. Two weeks ago, Nigerians in London trooped out en masse to stage a protest demanding that President Buhari must go. Some of the placards being brandished by the London protesters read thus, “The Dullard of Daura, Almajiri Jubrin Buhari must go�, “We’ve had enough of him�; “He is yet to return our $26bn NNPC money�, “Only a person whose brain contains 37% alcohol will vote Buhari in 2019�. It is no longer news that Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and T.Y. Danjuma have been going about protesting that President Buhari is not a fit and proper person to be the President of Nigeria. T.Y Danjuma is particularly annoyed with Buhari over the

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS ARE COMING OUT TO PROTEST AGAINST ANY NIGERIAN LEADER

killing of his kinsmen by the Fulani herdsmen. The Anglican Church in Nigeria also wants Buhari to go. Archbishop, Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has warned Nigerians not to re-elect President Buhari in 2019. Even Aisha Buhari, President Buhari’s wife, has joined the anti-Buhari protesters. Aisha has been tweeting and saying that her husband is not for a second term. Meanwhile, many Nigerians on Facebook and on WhatsApp social platforms are protesting and demanding that President Buhari must go because he has failed as a president.

Another group of protesters are the catholic bishops of Nigeria under the aegis of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

Seething with anger over the killing of two Catholics priests and dozens of church worshippers in Benue State, the CBCN staged a protest last week asking President Buhari to quit power as President of Nigeria because he has plunged the nation into chaos and because he cannot protect the lives and property of the citizens. Displaying placards that read, “Life is a precious gift from God�, “Male and Female He created them�, the bishops, who were fully dressed in their bishopric attire, took to the street in protest that Buhari must go.

This is the first time the Catholic bishops are coming out to protest against any Nigerian leader. In the same vein, the leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have directed all churches in Nigeria to hold peaceful protests against President Buhari following the attack on the Catholic Church in Benue State in which two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners were killed.

This is not the first time Catholic Church priests have been abducted or killed by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen. You will recall that in April 2016 the Parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ukana, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State Rev. Fr. Celestine Aniako was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen who later demanded N10 million ransom. Earlier in March of the same year the same Fulani herdsmen had murdered two Reverend Sisters and burnt about 17 houses in Abbi, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. In the same April 2016, Fulani herdsmen kidnapped Vicar-General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese Rev. Fr. John Adeyi along Odoba Otukpa-Okwungaga road, Otukpo, Benue State. Sadly enough, two months later his decomposed body was found even after his kidnappers had collected N1.5 million ransom. In August 2016, some Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed a Catholic seminarian and others at Enugu Atakwu community, in Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State. The herdsmen had reportedly mowed down many others before killing the seminarian.

In the first week of September 2016, another Catholic seminarian and two others who were travelling to Onitsha in a bus were kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen at Egede near the 9th Mile Corner, Enugu. After the abduction, the herdsmen took them to a nearby bush where they had kept other captives. In the same 2016 along the Nkpologwu-Nimbo Expressway, Enugu State, some Fulani herdsmen dashed out from a nearby bush and blocked the vehicle carrying three Catholic priests.

Time was 7 p.m. At first, the priests thought that it was a dream but by the time reality dawned on them the kidnappers has commanded them to surrender their bodies to them. While two of the priests managed to escape with some gunshot wounds (one of the priests was badly shot in the head) by the kidnappers, the third priest called Fr. Emmanuel Dim, a Vincentian priest who is in fact the Rector of Fr. Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha did not manage to escape. Consequently, the Fulani herdsmen caught up with him, kidnapped him and took him away.

UI’S EMPIRICAL VALIDATION OF POST-UTME SCREENING Oludayo Tade argues the need to invest more in education

R

ecently, the Senate of the University of Ibadan approved the withdrawal of 408 students from the University owing to poor academic performance and failure to meet the minimum requirements to stay on in the 70-year-old premier university. Known for her insistence on quality, the University of Ibadan continues to demonstrate quality assurance in ensuring that there is adequate gate-keeping to ensure that only sound minds are admitted so that the same quality shall be released to the society after their training. While it is sad to see such massive withdrawal among their cohort, it is important to note that three-quarter of the withdrawn students were those admitted during the 2015/2016 academic session. This was the same year that the government of Muhammadu Buhari banned the conduct of post-UTME screening by universities not based on sound empirical evidence but in the name of extorting money from the already sapped parents. The result of that ill-informed ban is the expulsion of 408 students admitted under the banner of ‘no screening’ but admitted based on high JAMB scores! Imagine a candidate who scored 290 in JAMB failing to meet minimum requirements to stay in the university? This is indeed a sad tale and waste of resources but it is expected in a nation where parents negotiate soft landing and search for special centres for their wards. This is a country where WAEC questions and solutions have become negotiable and commodified in cyberspace.

Post UTME screening has proven to be a credible admission criterion in UI over the years with empirical data to back it up. The Vice-Chancellor,

Professor Idowu Olayinka had stated that “our decision at the university to have another level of test after JAMB examination was borne out of our experience over the years on the quality of students admitted to the university. When UI was admitting solely on JAMB scores, unimaginable discrepancies were observed in the JAMB scores of candidates and their performance in their first year. We found candidates with high JAMB scores of over 250 being asked to withdraw from the university at the end of the first year on account of very poor performance. Since the 2002/2003 session when the percentage withdrawal hit an all-time high of 12%, the percentage has been dropping, to as low as 1.9% recorded in the 2014/2015 session. The quality has also reflected in the class of students at the end of the first year. The percentage of students that were in the second class honours (upper division) category and above increased from 17.9% in the 2003/2004 session to 41.1% in the 2014/2015 session.

The experience at the University of Ibadan is typical of the situation in institutions where post-UTME tests were conducted. What we have now in the university system are students who are qualified to be in universities and who have the intelligence to withstand the rigours of academic work.� That 408 are being expelled from UI further lent credence to the credibility of “UI Model of Screening�. Possibly, the more qualified would have passed the test and gained admission rather than those with high JAMB scores having edge against those with low JAMB. A study conducted by some academic on this has been published in the Ibadan Journal of Social Sciences. In other words, policies ought to be driven by research

not on political considerations or sentiments.

How does this model work? In the 2017/2018 admission, 53, 513 candidates made UI their first choice while 2,659 applied through Direct Entry mode. However, out of these, only 26, 769 candidates scored 200 and above and were invited for the Post-UTME screening. In my view, pegging scores at 200 and above is one of the measures UI take to ensure that those who have the material are eventually admitted. From the post UTME score of these 26,769, only 9,268 scored 50% and above (5,397 in science-based courses and 3,871 in arts and humanities-related courses). I am informed that UI does not consider candidates who score anything below 50% in Post-UTME. These 9, 268 are then subjected to the admission criteria stipulated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which is selecting among these ‘finalists’ based on merit, catchment area, and educationally less developed states (ELDS). Thus, only 3,783 made the final admission list. But the number of those to be admitted can be increased if we have a responsive leadership that will pay greater attention to education by voting about 20% and not the paltry 7% of the total budget that is currently allocated to education by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

With the apparent irresponsibility of the Nigeria ruling class in investing rightly in public education coupled with the socio-economic dungeon into which many families in Nigeria have been plunged into, there has been a growing pressure on public funded education as Nigeria public-funded varsities have become “many are called but very few are chosen.� The geometric progression

in population of Nigerian youths yearning for university education yearly is not less than 1.5million. The 2016 available data on JAMB website indicated that a total of 1,099, 124 applicants battled to enter Federal Universities out of which University of Ilorin alone had 103, 238 and UI had 59, 176 while UNILAG had 60, 659. Applicants for state varsities were 434, 959, private varsities 9,656, polytechnics (17,854), colleges of education (17,673) while innovative enterprise institutes had 31 applicants. The foregoing shows the flow direction of applicants influenced mostly by affordability and then, quality and because of limited space, entering public varsities have become the battle of the fittest. While parents manage to send their wards to private nursery and primary schools, about 90% of them cannot foot-the-bill of private varsity fees hence the recourse to publicly-funded varsities now operating under excruciating conditions. For instance, if money is made available to UI, it can employ more staff, improve infrastructure including the dilapidated hostels. But how do I tell a Minister of Education who promised to declare emergency in education in April but seems not to know we are in the fifth month (May) that UI needs a special funding and attention?. With adequate funding no fees will be charged for Post-UTME screening.

Let those abusing the youths of being idle fund education so as to increase access and get them engaged. As evidenced from the UI model of post-UTME, education policies must be based on empirical data.

Dr Tade, a sociologist, sent in this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.com

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDITORIAL NIGHTMARE IN LAGOS, PORT HARCOURT‌1 The environment has become so polluted that death lurks in the nation’s air, contaminated land and unhygienic water

T

he quality of the environment in Nigeria is declining so fast that it is gradually losing its capacity to effectively support life. Of grave concern is that in recent times, there has been a total absence of any keen desire by the government, at all levels, to clean the environment for Nigerians to enjoy healthy lives. Indeed, in many cities across the country, environmental pollution has become a major public health issue. That may account for why there is an increase in cases of terminal ailments like cancer, hypertension/stroke and needless deaths that can be traced only to environmental pollution.

As things stand, the environmental protection blueprint and laws that were painstakingly formulated by various experts or adopted from international treaties and conventions are not being enforced despite the National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) BECAUSE AIR DOES NOT that was established HAVE BOUNDARIES, NO by an Act of 2007 and REGION IN THE COUNTRY with 33 Regulations IS SPARED FROM THE under section 34 of DEADLY POISONS OF the act. This law, THE DANGEROUS GASES which is in section 20 of the 1999 ConstituRELEASED EITHER AT tion, repealed the OLUSOSUN IN LAGOS OR Federal EnvironmenIN PORT HARCOURT OR tal Protection Act ANYWHERE ELSE 1988.

While Nigeria has all the requisite laws to govern the nation’s environment, it is regrettable that NESREA, which has a statutory role to protect the nation’s environment by enforcing all environmental laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards, has become a lame duck, because it is ill-equipped and poorly funded. Government ofďŹ cials adopt revenue generation approach to the environment, issuing permits to shield industries to break environmental laws, imposing ďŹ nes on individuals and companies; but they make no attempt to use the ďŹ nancial gains to clean-up the environment. In fact, they most often encourage corporate bodies to out environmental laws just to be able to collect the ďŹ nes such infractions

Letters to the Editor

normally attract.

The government’s lack of interest in environment has led to the nation’s cities and towns being hit by untold degradation, both natural and human-induced. Only recently, there was ďŹ re outbreak at the popular Olusosun dumpsite at the Ojota end of Lagos. Poisonous smoke from the burning dumpsite blew across the city and dumped soot on residents and on their belongings. “I am concerned as a leader, resident and a father in the state that heaps of refuse are gradually returning to Lagos.

When driving around Lagos, I have seen a build-up of refuse,� said former Governor Bola Tinubu last week while addressing members of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria.

A

T H I S DAY EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITORS

˜

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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 ˜

˜

˜ ˜

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS ˜ DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

˜ CONTROLLERS

˜

˜

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION

TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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.

FEMINISM AND CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE`S AUDACITY

T

he world is familiar with author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nigerians are too.

Proudly so. Women are, too.

After all, she is one of their own. Sexists are too and with every word she utters in repudiation of the historic discrimination women have suffered in various forms since the beginning of time, in different places all over the world, this latter group is pushed into pricks and needles.

Led by Daddy Freeze and a host of social media soldiers, they have predictably lashed out, in some instances even renouncing their love for the stirringly gifted author of Purple Habiscus, Half Of A Yellow Sun and Americanah. Not that Adichie will be overly bothered.As a proud defender of the right every author has to offend others, one only needs to read her Half Of A Yellow Sun to see how strongly she takes on issues. If that makes her un-woman, she is happy at the transformation.

lso, for more than a year now, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been battling with pollution in form of pervading soot. Environmentalists believe the soot comes from the many gas aring sites in and around the city. On account of the leaded fuel and substandard diesel used in motor vehicles and electricity generating sets, the nation’s towns and cities now have large concentration of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates. Apart from causing great harm to people who breathe them, these gases also react with environmental gases to create other toxic gases.

The danger is that no community is spared and nobody from any social strata is exempted from the harmful effects of these pollutants. Interestingly, because air does not have boundaries, no region in the country is spared from the deadly poisons of the dangerous gases released either at Olusosun in Lagos or in Port Harcourt or anywhere else.

Medical experts have determined that when people breathe dangerous chemicals, such as benzene or vinyl chloride in the air, they could have cancer, birth defects, long-term injury to the lungs, as well as brain and nerve damage. Breathing contaminated air can also make eyes and nose burn and cause respiratory problems, especially for people with asthma. In recent years, scientists have shown that air pollution from cars, factories and power plants is a major cause of asthma attacks.

To be concluded tomorrow

In a world that is patriarchal, speaking up for women who are the majority ironically makes one a minority. The backlash is always swift and bitter. Yet, it is a painful truth that from birth, women are placed in circumstances where men dictate their lives like the tunes from a tightly strung guitar. The men are not just taught that they should dominate from birth, the women are taught subservience from birth. If as a woman, you refuse to learn subservience, you suffocatingly become an outlier. Families, schools and religious affiliations are especially responsible for promoting this dominion on the one hand, and subservience on the other hand.

Adichie has become a voice crying in the wilderness for issues that affect women. She should be commended and supported. She is also smart enough to expect bitter backlash. The paradox of feminism is that it is a minority campaign for the majority.

Kene Obiezu, Abuja

URHOGHIDE AND THE EDO AIRPORT INVASION

A

lot has been written and said about the Benin Airport incident of Friday, April 27, 2018, involving Senator Mathew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Most of the commentaries have been largely partisan, despite the true account of the event that took place at the airport as presented by the Edo State Government.

I will at this juncture ask the difficult questions which many commentators have refused or failed to ask: Why did Senator Mathew Urhoghide commission thugs and militants in his party, the PDP, to receive him at the airport? Or put differently, what were Edo PDP thugs doing at the Benin Airport? What was the grand occasion? Was that the first time that Senator Mathew Urhoghide would be arriving Benin City through the airport?

What more would have happened at the airport if Urhoghide’s plot was not aborted by the Edo State Commissioner of police and his men, who showed up at the airport? Only Senator Urhoghide can answer these and other questions.

For those who believe in speaking truth to power, the self-evident truth is that Senator

Urhoghide’s plot to stage-manage a heroic welcome and cause mayhem at an airport facility, set the stage for all the events that transpired at the airport.

Clearly, we need not labour too much to deduce that Senator Urhoghide was intent on causing commotion in the state after his outing on the floor of the Senate where he moved a motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He evidently had commissioned some thugs well ahead of his visit to Benin, to come to the airport.

Senator Urhoghide must stop playing the ostrich!

The nation’s security agencies need to invite Senator Mathew Urhoghide to shed more light on what happened. Let us not forget that the Edo State governor arrived Benin City through the same airport while the ‘drama’ was unfolding, and his arrival actually doused the fire that Senator Urhoghide had lit.

The PDP’s feeble attempt to drag the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, into Senator Urhoghide’s misfortune is ludicrous. It is on record that the governor has demonstrated his disdain for thuggery in politics. He has since his assumption of duty, as the governor of the state, sanitised Edo political space with his several reform programmes.

Chris Azebamwan, Publicity Secretary, Edo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress

16

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

17

18

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, 2 MAY 2018

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Uduaghan: Trusting in His Experience and Connections Experience and an array of political associates stand Emmanuel Uduaghan out among those jostling for the Delta South Senatorial District, writes Sylvester Idowu

W

hen you are in the business of politics, there will always be people that get it and people that don’t.

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Udughan knows this, that is why he is throwing his hat into the ring, once again, but this time to contest the senatorial ticket for the Delta South Senatorial District which is made up of three ethnic nationalities of Isoko, Ijaw and the Itsekiri.

The district is the most ethnically diverse in the state and it is the area that produces 90 percent of the oil production in the state.

While the central district is reserved just for the Urhobo, the north is for the Igbo speaking Anioma people.

It is this that makes representing the Delta South interesting. So when Uduaghan decided to throw his hat into the ring to contest for the senatorial seat, that was the signal that full politicking has begun in the state.No doubt, Uduaghan was a beloved governor of the state who ensured that developmental projects were evenly spread among the various tribe and political lines in the state.

This must have been the reason why immediately the former governor announced his intention to contest the senate seat, his action threw the spanner on the ambition of the incumbent, James Manager, the man who has been representing the district since 2003 and still planning to go for a fifth term.

Counting on his experience as the chief executive of the state, he has the conviction that he is in a better position to represent the people of Delta South in the Senate. The former governor believes that securing the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and winning the election will give him the opportunity to continue to contribute to the development of the state through legislation and working in concert with his fellow members to attract infrastructural development to the oil rich state.

At an interactive section with journalists in Warri, Delta State recently, Uduaghan said that his experience as governor placed him in a position to know most of the needs of his people.

“It will be easier for me to talk to them oneon-one whether I am a Senator or not. I will get an appointment for us to meet and talk… So what I’m saying in essence is that if you have the capacity it will be easier to get things to your place because it is easier for you to lobby and it is easier to attract development to your area. And I think I have that capacity to lobby and not just to pass whatever bill I’m presenting but to attract development to my constituency.

“Legislation is about lobbying and being a legislator you must have the ability to lobby.

And lobby is easier when you know who you are talking to. People in the National Assembly, many of them are my former colleagues whether in the executive arm or the National Assembly.

Many of them are my friends and they are people we have played politics with for a long time.

“It is easier for me, for instance, to take up my phone and call (former Lagos State governor, Mr. Raji) Fashola for one road project somewhere in Isoko than any other person in the race to do that or call (former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi that I want this port here than any other person to do that”, he said.

Another advantage that the former governor believes might work for him is his vast knowledge of intricacies and dynamics of national politics having been involved in national politics as governor of Delta State.

He underscores the importance of the advantage he has over his co-contestants when he said: “One other thing that I think is critical is that there are a lot of national issues that are raised in the National Assembly. They are national but they affect all the regions of this country and if

Uduaghan

you don’t understand the politics and depth of this country you might just stay there and not be able to contribute and see the benefit of that particular issue raised to where you come from.

“Sometime you see people who have been in the National Assembly for four to eight years and you ask what has this man actually done? He was chairman of this, chairman of that but what has he actually done? There are deep things in this country that people don’t understand unless you are part of it. Of course you know I belong to a governor’s forum for eight years. There are things that are discussed in the governors forum that we will never tell you (press) because we don’t allow journalists to be part of the meeting but at the end, we do a press briefing on things that are of public consumption’, he said.

Uduaghan maintained that holding committee chairmanship post, or any powerful committee position doesn’t make one a good Senator noting that only those who know how to network and

Uduaghan believes that finding lasting peace in the Niger Delta requires enacting laws to protect the environment, oil facilities and host communities in the region; as well as to prosecute offenders

possibly do lobbying with contacts built over the years that could attract projects to their people can be described as real senators.

He stated that what stood him in good stead in the state was what he did as a governor during the dark days of the Niger Delta militancy, as well as quelling communal crisis in Delta state. He disclosed that he personally engaged stakeholders, the key actors, traditional rulers and other key people in negotiating for peace in the state and the region. As a former governor, who had garnered much experience in governance, he insisted that he was in a better position to represent the people of Delta South in the Senate come 2019 than anyone else, adding that only those who understood the intricacies and complexity of Nigeria could make good legislators and be able to attract development to their area.

“My experience as a governor for eight years has broadened my knowledge of this country. I have knowledge of the intricacies of this country and this country is very complex. I refused to talk about what happened (snatching of mace in upper chambers) and I think it is deeper than what people are seeing… So we need to get somebody there who understands the issues so that when the issues are raised you will not just look at it from the surface but also ensure that your area is not short changed. So those are the things I think qualify me to go into the Senate race”, he said.

What can be a stumbling block to his aspiration is the ethnic composition of the constituency.

He is vying to represent a constituency which is composed of the Ijaw, Isoko and the Itsekiri.

But Uduaghan said his aspiration to represent the people of Delta South Senatorial District was not ethnic based but anchored on his capacity.

The former governor however, admitted that following the dynamics and the political equation of the three ethnic groups in the district, it is the turn of Itsekiri nation to take a shot at the

Senate seat.

He said: “It is the turn of the Itsekiri nation to produce the next senator representing the district in 2019. I have decided to run but I have not declared yet. The reason I have decided to run for senate is because I have the capacity, knowledge, experience and contacts to do the needful in the Senate.

“This is not anchored on the fact that I am an Itsekiri; as I would be representing not just the Itsekiri nation but the Ijaw and Isoko nations.

Having contested election in 25 local government areas, I believe contesting elections in 8 local councils would not be stressful.”

He however, promised to offer quality legislation that would favour not only his Delta South Senatorial District people but the entire Delta State if given the mandate to be in the Senate in 2019.

Uduaghan believes that finding lasting peace in the Niger Delta requires enacting some laws to protect the environment, oil facilities and host communities in the region; as well as to prosecute offenders, pointing out, “Without these laws, it would be difficult to achieve peace in the region. Though not everyone would be happy with these laws, in the long run, everyone in the country would benefit because there would be peace in the Niger Delta leading to an increase in oil production.”

Uduaghan, who became the governor after Chief James Ibori under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that the party had become a family in Delta State that would be difficult to beat in any election.

The former governor whose administration left an indelible mark in many areas in the state, is likely to square up against the incumbent senator representing the district, Senator James Manager, who has been in the upper chambers of the National Assembly for the past 15 years and a Delta State House of Assembly lawmaker, Mr. Michael Diden, aka Ejele in the PDP’s primary.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, 2 MAY 2018

ONTHEWATCH

PERSPECTIVE

Could Dankwambo Be the Redeemer?

The Peoples Democratic Party has narrowed down its search for presidential candidate to Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo and a few others, writes Ikechi Emenyonu

T

he meeting was so guarded it could have passed for the conclave of the cardinals in search of a Pope.

Governors, serving and old, former ministers, elders of the party, professionals, respected public analysts as well as intellectuals and sundry public-spirited individuals who had been carefully selected across all divides, drove themselves to the meeting venue and left their security details in another venue. The session was intense and furious. In an attempt by different wings of the Nigerian elite to find who can lead the country to the future, this kind of nocturnal gathering was expected.

For Nigeria, at least, the good news is that there is a serious search by the elite for a credible alternative to what many would consider the best turned the worst for Nigeria, one that has dashed hopes and smashed beliefs to smithereens.

For the opposition, members of which actually convened this conclave, it is even much more.

This is the time to retool for Nigera’s progress.

The meeting was to find a way of sending this message to Nigerians: the party that took Nigerians for granted is now ready to redeem itself and give the nation a purposeful leadership.

And the conclusion was that the kind of presidential candidate presented by the PDP for the next election would make or mar the party.

Now, the PDP, has not come out with a presidential candidate Nigerians across all divides can relate to or identify with but the search may have been narrowed down to a few persons.

Atiku Abubakar, the perennial and perpetually mobile candidate, who is well acknowledged as being well prepared as former vice president and an ideas man, is on the stumps.

Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State is on the discussion table.

Of course, there are others, currently in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who are being speculated on account of their political origins, as likely PDP candidates.

But at the meeting in Asokoro District of Abuja last week, the name that dominated all discussions was Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, current governor of Gombe State. And as the world moves towards knowledge-driven and astute leadership, in the matter of Nigeria’s future leadership, Ibrahim Dankwambo’s name and life journey so far gave that meeting some serious food for thought.

Is he the breath of fresh air Nigeria needs now?

In addition to his intimidating credentials as a professional, a technocrat, a financial expert and a political leader with a wide reach across Nigeria, he is young, at 56, and has the kind of world view the nation needs now.

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, was born on 4th April 1962 at Herwagana Ward in Gombe City, Gombe State. He attended Central Primary School Gombe and Government Secondary School Billiri in Gombe State. He proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting second class (honours) upper Division, being the second best result obtained by any individual in the then Bauchi State. He further enrolled for Masters of Science Degree in Economics at the University of Lagos. Dankwambo was not satisfied with academic pursuit, he decided to study Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science at the Delta State University Abraka, Delta State. He finally capped it up with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Phd) from Igbinedeon University, Okada.

Professionally, Dankwambo has proven to be exemplar. He has passed through the qualifying examinations of seven professional bodies and consequently was awarded membership of those professional Institutions.

He passed the examinations of the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and qualified as a chartered accountant only a year after his graduation from the university.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (FCIT), a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo

(FNIM) and a fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES).

Dankwambo has had various international exposures by attending training programmes, which further moulded him as a refined and seasoned accountant, economist and an administrator.

He started his career at the firm, Coopers and Lybrand International, (Chartered Accountants), now PriceWaterHouseCoopers where he worked from 1985 to 1988.

He later joined the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1988 and was there until 1999. The then governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu spotted the unique qualities in Dankwambo and appointed him the Accountant-General of Gombe State. He held this position until 20th April 2005 when the then Accountant General of the Federation Mr J.K Naiyeju was retiring. Again the unique qualities of Dankwambo became obvious to all, having served at various committees at the Federation Account and President Olusegun Obasanjo, who noticed his brilliance as well as efficiency appointed him the Accountant-General of the Federation, the position he held until he was elected the governor of Gombe State.

Dankwambo has chaired and served in committees as well as served as board member of some government parastatals at various times.

He was the president/chairman of the Forum of Accountants-General and Auditors-General in West Africa (FAAGWA), and had earlier served as the Protem Secretary of the same organization,

The party that took Nigerians for granted is now ready to redeem itself and give the nation a purposeful leadership

He was the co-chairman, Standardization of Federal, State and Local Government Accounts in Nigeria, a body formed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee to harmonies the accounting and reporting of financial statements by the three tiers of government.

On assumption of office as the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, he became the chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee of the Federation Account Allocation Committee, a committee saddled with the responsibility of determining how the national revenues are shared amongst the three tiers of governments.

Dankwambo was also the Chairman of the Audit Committee of ECOWAS, a board member of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a board member of the Debt Management Office. On the international scene, he was a board member, Royal Swaziland Sugar Company, Southern Africa and member of the board of Extractive Industries Transparency International. He also sat on the board of many successful companies across a wide spectrum of the nation’s or world economy.

Dankwambo’s reign as the Accountant-General of the Federation brought about very laudable unique and revolutionary reforms to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation which includes the following; He ensured the construction and completion of the Treasury House which was just awarded when he took office.

He brought up to date the financial statements of the federal government, which were in arrears.

The revolution in the public sector towards a cashless economy began with Dankwambo, bringing about the implementation of the e-payment system, which was then was an innovation in the financial services of the government. The use of cheques got eliminated in the government transactions at the federal level. Contractors, staff and service providers started getting their accounts credited automatically through the mechanism of e-payment.

The Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is yet another giant stride achieved by Dankwambo as salaries of staff all over the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) started being paid centrally, using an automated system.

Nigerians applaud Treasury Single Account today

but they need to know the real hero behind it.

Dankwambo, as Accountant-General of Nigeria was the one who ensured that he completed the institution of Treasury Single Account which is simply an account or set of linked accounts through which government transacts its financial operations in such a way that its financial position can be determined easily for the facilitation and timely reconciliation of cash balances.

In his quest to evolve a very robust Financial Management System of the federal government, he worked tirelessly to install a financial management system called the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS). This is an ICT integrated system, which computerizes the Public Financial Management processes from budget preparation, execution, accounting and reporting.

On assumption of office as the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, centralization of capital accounts was a challenge to Dankwambo. This centralization had caused delays in implementing projects at the federal level. Dankwambo ensured that this centralization was removed, thereby enabling Ministries, Departments and Agencies to process and make payments for contracts awarded after obtaining due certification for the projects.

Other reforms he embarked upon included the New Chart of Accounts, the Accounting Transactions Recording and Reporting System (ATRRS), which removed the stress of having to prepare and carry hard copies of accounts by Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for Consolidation.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) gap analysis was one effort by Dankwambo to upgrade the preparation and reporting of Nigeria’s financial statements up to international standards.

He also embarked on the upgrading of the Federal Treasury Academy to university standard for the training of Public Sector Accountants and affiliating it to a highly recognized public sector professional body in the United Kingdom, (the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) United Kingdom).

On assumption of office, one of the responsibilities he was saddled with was the payment of severance benefits to members of staff of some erstwhile government parastatals and companies that were either privatized or were in the process of being privatized. Some of these included Nigeria Airways, Nigerian Telecommunications Company (NITEL), Nigeria Ports Authority and many others. The office under his leadership also undertook successfully the payment of severance benefits to all right-sized employees of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as payment of pensions nationwide.

As governor of Gombe State, Dankwambo has distinguished himself in education, the provision of infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, environmental degradation control and economic empowerment. He has since developed Gombe into one of the best states in Nigeria measured by material and human capital indices.

An uncommon visionary, he is also the governor who conceived of a marshal plan for the development of the North-east and organised the Northeast Economic Summit (2013) to bring the plan into a regional development blueprint acceptable to all stakeholders, which is to bring about economic growth and permanently check the security challenges in the North-East sub-region.

A committed and principled politician, he is the one and only PDP second-term governor in the north, who successfully stood against the so-called “Buhari Storm.”

A man with a world view in a country where the narrow view reigns, Dankwambo is manifestly detribalised. He enjoys the confidence of leaders and people across all divides.

So, it is not surprising that the PDP, a party still in search of an identity beyod the one carved over 16 years of misrule is looking in the direction of this breath of fresh air.

No doubt, very few technocrats are better educated and qualified than Ibrahim Dankwanbo.

Could Dankwanbo be the redeemer?

20

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Improving Lives in Sokoto The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria recently donated drugs and bags of cement to 74 villages in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State, in a bid to improve the wellbeing of people in the host communities, writes Mohammed Aminu

T

he management of the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) in the last few years has devoted much efforts and resources in enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of its host communities. This is hinged on the belief that organisations and the communities in which they do business are in a symbiotic relationship. And that is why CCNN has taken Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a core of its existence in its quest to be the among the best organisations in the area of CSR. This commitment has in no small measure impacted positively on the host communities and the society at large.

The Sokoto State Government has a major role to play in fixing infrastructure and tackling the myriads of problems in every community, however, private organisations and business enterprises can also partner government in solving these problems. There is no doubt that residents of Wamakko Local Government Area have continued to benefit from the cement company over the years, particularly in various interventions in the health and education sector.

In fact, many communities that hitherto lacked potable water had been provided with boreholes which have gone a long way in tackling water borne diseases. Similarly, many primary health centres had been provided with hospital equipment and drugs to cater for women and children especially those that cannot afford to purchase drugs when afflicted with sickness.

Moreover, many children of the lessprivileged who could not afford to pay their tuition, are now being sponsored to undergo various degree programmes at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

This is in addition to the provision of allowances to the students to enable them concentrate on their studies. Thus, CCCN's huge investment and intervention in the host communities have yielded tangible benefits and in line with its mission to make the world a better place.

Speaking during the donation of drugs worth N5.5 million to six communities in Wamakko Local Government Area of the state, the Corporate Affairs Manager of the Company, Alhaji Sada Suleiman, said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and contribution to the health management of its host communities.

He stated that the assorted drugs which included anti-malarial, anti-biotics, analgesic, and laboratory consumables were meant for the benefit of children and pregnant women in the six communities. The manager said the benefiting communities included Wajeke, Kalambaina, Bakin Kusu, Arkilla, Mobile Police Barracks and Sabon Garin Alu.

CCNN officials presenting 2,040 Bags of cement to host communities in Sokoto...recently

CCNN officials presenting drugs to six communities in Wamakko LGA, Sokoto

As a corporate organisation, we deemed it necessary to give back to the society by improving the health of our women and children. What we are doing here is to further complement government efforts in the health sector

He maintained that one of the priorities of CCNN was to complement the efforts of Sokoto State Government in providing adequate and functional services for the benefit of the people. "As a corporate organisation, we deemed it necessary to give back to the society by improving the health of our women and children. What we are doing here is to further complement government efforts in the health sector, "he said.

The CCNN boss urged the management of the benefitting communities to utilise the drugs for the purpose intended. He announced that the company was planning to extend the gesture to more communities in future.

On the 2040 bags of cement donated to 68 villages worth N7 million, Suleiman said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and assistance

to development associations to carry out community projects in their communities.

He explained that the donation was meant to enable the communities conduct repairs on mosques, cemetery, wells, Islamic schools, among others. He stated that each of the benefiting 68 communities was given 30 bags of cement. "We decided to assist development associations to carry out community projects because the company will not be able to reach all the communities to do these projects," he stressed.

In a remark, the Chairman of Wamakko Local Government Area, Alhaji Bello Buba, stated that the gesture was in line with the efforts of Governor Aminu Tambuwal in improving healthcare in the state. He commended the company for the gesture and called on the benefiting communities to make judicious use of the drugs.

The Special Adviser to the Governor

on Corporate Social Responsibility, Alhaji Abdulrahman Faruk Sayudi, described the gesture as a good step in the right direction aimed at improving the health of women and children in the host communities. He appealed to other companies operating in the state to emulate CCNN by giving back to the society.

Also speaking, the District Head of Kalambaina, Alhaji Abubakar Amadu, commended the company for providing scholarship and educational materials to students in the host communities. Amadu emphasised that the drugs donated to the host communities would go a long way in impacting positively on the health of women and children in the area. He reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional leaders in the host communities to continue to support the company in order to achieve the set objectives.

21

Ëž T H I S D AY WEDNESDAYËœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

PERSPECTIVE

NEMA Scandal: Analysing the Divergent Media Coverage Gidado Yushau Shuaib writes on the divergent media reports on the financial scandal rocking the National Emergency Management Agency

R

ecent media reports indicate the growing uproar over financial scandals rocking the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which led to the suspension of some directors by the current Director General of the agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.

As a reporter of an emerging news platform (News Digest) who follows and tracks stories of events as they unfold, I observe the divergent media coverage of the saga from two different perspectives, especially as being reported by the traditional (print) and online media.

With interest in investigative reporting, I am aware of the importance of primary and secondary sources for credible information. I therefore, rely on two major news distribution agencies in Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a government owned organisation and PRNigeria, an independent Press Release platform for mostly security outfits.

However, in analysing the media coverage of NEMA, I have noticed to my amazement that the news reports from traditional media seem to defend the positions of the Director General of the agency, while the online media are more concerned about addressing the plights of the staff, including those suspended.

For instance, when the staff of NEMA embarked on the nationwide strike last year, most of the online media, reported the protest from the perspectives of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) of NEMA Unit.

On the other hand, the traditional print media reported the efforts of the embattled NEMA boss, Mustapha Maihaja to sanitise the agency with his appeal to the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to amend the act establishing the Agency.

With different reports on the protest, it is evident that the online media platforms provide timely, speedy, sometimes not fully edited reports on the saga, especially from the public hearing at the National Assembly.

I realise too that the mainstream or the traditional media, delay their reports and sometimes provide different perspectives from the initial online reports. I also observe that journalists, especially in the print media, tend to engage in more in-depth research before publications in the limited spaces.

A further scrutiny indicates that two major media seem to be the arrowheads in reporting the NEMA scandal from different, if not opposing perspectives. The Nation Newspaper has a pattern in promoting the activities of the current management of NEMA under Maihaja, while PRNigeria Online News Release platform provides contrary views which protect the interest of the staff of the agency. For instance, it was the Nation that broke the news on the investigation of NEMA staff with a story captioned "EFCC indicts ex-NEMA DG, six directors for N2.5b ‘fraud’" and followed with another report the following day that "Alleged N2.5b fraud: NEMA board suspends six directors."

After the report, the House of Representatives Committee on Disaster Management called for a continuation of a public hearing on abuse of trust by the DG NEMA which was widely covered with PRNigeria syndicating and publishing a story titled: ‘How NEMA Boss, Maihaja Blows N1.6bn Flood Victims Fund on Fake Firms... House Panel Summons Suspended Directors’.

On the second day of the public hearing, after the testimonies by the suspended directors, the Nation Newspaper merely reported that ‘NEMA has complied with Procurement Act, says DG’ while PRNigeria published two reports titled: ‘House of Rep Orders

Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu

Recall of Suspended NEMA Directors’ and another ‘House Uncovers Another N3.1bn

The varying viewpoints between various media phenomenon is always in existence but one needs to consider the integrity of the platform in believing its content. Online news platforms are becoming more domineering in the dispensation of news reporting as observers’ countdown to a no distant future when 95 per cent of the world's population will prefer reading news online

Contract Scandal in NEMA, Maihaja Pays N400mn Demmurage on Chinese Rice’.

Surprisingly, a day later the Nation published another exclusive report with a title: ‘Alleged N2.5bn fraud: EFCC invites 13 more top officers of NEMA’, while PRNigeria deliberately twisted the story with an appropriate attribution to the Nation with an alarming headline: ‘NEMA DG Maihaja Disobeys National Assembly...

Sends Fresh list of staff to EFCC’.

The following day again, the Nation published two news stories: ‘Group uncovers attempt by indicted directors to scuttle EFCC investigation on NEMA’ and ‘Osinbajo, House at war over N2.5b fraud’.

The PRNigeria on the same day published an exclusive report citing an official letter from office of the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and captioned the story: ‘N5bn NEMA Fraud: Petition Trails NEMA DG Maihaja on Monumental Corruption’.

While the Nation reported the response of House Committee at a press briefing with an harmless but seeming ambiguous headline: ‘We Won’t Abandon NEMA N23bn Fraud Probe- Rep’, PRNigeria was blunt and categorical with its screaming headline: ‘Maihaja Must Account for N22bn NEMA Allocation in One Year– Reps’.

At the hearing on April 19th, the Nation published a report with a title: ‘Suspension of NEMA directors, others in order, says HOS’. The PRNigeria on the same day titled its report: ‘Lawmakers insist on reinstatement of NEMA officials’.

At the last public hearing on April 24, 2018, the Nation reported that: ‘N2.4b rice

donated by Chinese govt intact, says NEMA DG’, while PRNigeria published an exclusive report with a scandalous headline titled: ‘SCANDAL: How NEMA DG, Maihaja paid N400mn Demurrage for N414mn Chinese donated rice (Picture of Evidence)’.

The varying viewpoints between various media phenomenon is always in existence but one needs to consider the integrity of the platform in believing its content.

Online news platforms are becoming more domineering in the dispensation of news reporting as observers’ countdown to a no distant future when 95 per cent of the world's population will prefer reading news online.

It is necessary to state from the outset that, the traditional media observes a lot of process of authentication, verification and editorial approval before publication, Online media is speedy and timely with on the spot news delivery. While print media is reader friendly, the online media is viewer friendly.

While I am learning on the field of news reporting and investigative journalism, I discover that the two main masquerades behind the divergent storylines on NEMA are divided by their professional calling: a journalist and a Public Relations Person.

They merely provide editorial contents from their strong perspectives.

Shuaib, a Masters Graduate of Media Campaigning and Social Change University of Westminster London Email: giddyshuaib@gmail.com

22

IMAGES

L-R; Company secretary, C&I Leasing Plc, Mbanugo Udenze; Chairman, Chukwuemeka Okolo; and , Managing Director, Andrew Otike-Odibi, at the 27th annual general meeting of C&I Leasing Plc in Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Father of the late Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Chief Matthew Adeyemo; a sympathiser; Mother of the deceased, Mrs. Dorcas Adeyemo; Wife of the state governor, Chief Florence Ajimobi; and Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during the condolence visit by the State Executive Council and Assembly members to Lanlate, over the death of the Oyo State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo..recently

L-R; External Communication Coordinator, Abule-Egba\Ikeja Business Units, Ikeja Electric , Ijeoma Ezeolisah; Mr. Tayo Adesokan of Adiyan Community; Commercial Manager, Abule-Egba Business Units, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Oyewole Oyeleye and Chairman, Community Development Committee, Adiyan, Pastor Moses Adeleke, during the distribution of mosquito nets by Abule-Egba Business Units, to the residents of Isale Odo, Adiyan in Ogun State to mark World Malaria Day....recently.

KOLAWOLE ALLI.

L-R;; MD,STA Mobile, Mr. Biodun Jagun; Winner Naija4Russia Promo Trip to FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mr. Gideon Akuma; and Metro FM, Lagos, Mr. Murphy Ijemba at the prize presentation of the Naija4Russia Promo in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

L-R; Marketing Manager, Castle Lite Africa, Ms. Ramona Kayembe; Host, Castle Lite Unlocks Concert, Do2un; Musician and Performer, Ycee, and Marketing Manager, Consumer Connections, AB InBev, West Africa, Ms. Jumoke Okikiolu at the Castle Lite Unlocks Concert in, LagosĂ–recently

District Secretary, District 130C of Serra International, Serran Barth Ndulue decorating the newly inducted Serran Patrick Ucheagwu, during the District 130C convention, at St. DominicĂ­s Catholic Church, Yaba,.. recently

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. NaďŹ u Aigoro; Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; and Marketing Manager, RB West Africa, Mrs Omotola Bamigbaye Elatuyi during the 2018 Mortein World Malaria press brieďŹ ng in Abeokuta, Ogun State..recently YOMI AKINYELE

L-R; Vice President, Sales and Market Development for Africa,SES, MR. Clint Brown;Regional Senior Sales Director, for Africa, MX 1, Mr. lris Bat-Adam; Senior Marketing Coordinator, Oyoenisai Andrew-Essien;Senior Market & Business Analyst at SES, Mr. Ricardo Topham; Sales Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Joy Emenike and Vice President, Marketing at SES, Mr Paul Freeman at the SES Satellite Monitor ďŹ ndings for the Nigerian market in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

A P R I L

REPO CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

Ͱ˛͜͹ ͹˛ͲͰ

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

2 7 ,

2 0 1 8

S & P INDEX ͹˛;ͳ ; ;˛Ͱͳ

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

EXCHANGE RATE ͹ʹͯ˛ͳͲ ͎˛͎ͲϹ Ͳ˛Ͳ͡Ϲ ͹˛͜ʹϹ ͡˛;͹Ϲ

͹͎ͳ˛ʹͳ˚ͯ

Quick Takes Firm Partners Open Banking Nigeria

RUNWAY JAZZ EVENT

L-R: A former Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson; Chairman, FirstBank, Ibukun Awosika; a former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan; MD, Eventful Limited, Yewande Zaccheaus; and Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank, Gbenga Shobo, at the Runway Jazz Event held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos ‌recently

Domestic Investors Lead as Nigerian Bourse Attracts N879bn in First Quarter Goddy Egene Domestic investors dominated transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2018 as they traded N497.15 billion, compared with the N381.82 billion traded by foreign investors.

Domestic investors, therefore, accounted for 56.56 per cent, while foreign investors were responsible for 43.44 per cent.

In all, the Nigerian bourse attracted N878.97 billion in Q1 of 2018, showing a jump of 93 per cent from N454.48 billion in

ECONOMY Q1 of 2017. A monthly analysis of the transactions showed that investors staked N394.44 billion in January, N212.05 billion in February and N272.48 billion in March.

However, total domestic transactions increased by 8.88 per cent from N128.83 billion in February to N140.27 billion in March 2018, while foreign transactions increased more significantly by 58.87 per cent from N83.22 billion to N132.21 billion within the same period.

A further analysis of the

total domestic transactions indicated that domestic institutional investors remained the dominant players. In the three months under review, the domestic institutional investors traded N288.91 billion, while retail investors accounted for N208.24 billion. The domestic institutional investors staked N121.56 billion in January, N76.08 billion in February and N91.27 billion in March.

On the other hand, domestic retail investors traded N106.49 billion in January, N52.75 billion in February and N49 billion in March.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investment ( FPI) transactions report showed that foreign investors invested more in equities than they took. The report showed positive net foreign inflows of N30.9 billion compared with a negative net foreign investment position of N86.36 billion in the first quarter of last year.

The report obtained at the weekend indicated that foreign inflows and outflows rose to N206.35 billion and N175.47 billion in first quarter, indiContinued on page 24

Report: Nigeria Will Find it Extremely Difficult to Industrialise with Poor Power Supply Obinna Chima With power supply in the country at less than 300-kilowatt hour (kWh) per capita, Nigeria and some other frontier markets (FMs) will find it extremely difficult to industrialise, analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap) have stated.

The research and financial advisory firm stated this in its latest report titled; ‘Frontier and emerging markets macro outlook- Electric power to the people,’ that was obtained on Monday. According to the report, among the FMs, only Kenya has the literacy rate needed to industrialise.

The report was however optimistic that new measures being introduced in Nigeria this year will make a positivedifference

ECONOMY in terms of power supply and Nigeria’s output can double by 2020-2025. “It therefore can sustain four to five per cent growth, but seven to eight per cent sustainable growth is probably a post-2025 step change, coinciding with adult literacy topping 70 per cent,� the report added. It, however, noted that rising oil prices can of course lift growth in Nigeria to the high single-digits level for a few years, even without a big increase in electricity. “Nigeria has neither the electricity, nor the adult literacy rate, required to industrialise – but localised success is possible in Lagos (which has the literacy

and is expanding the electricity). “Our basic premise in writing this piece is that you cannot industrialise (i.e have a manufacturing sector that is sustainably above 20% of GDP) without a decent amount of electricity. “We looked at 5,249 data points, where we had manufacturing as a percentage of GDP, in 125 countries, over 1960-2015, and compared this with electricity consumption per capita data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and EIA. “We assumed there would be no cases of high manufacturing in countries with very little electricity (eg less than 300 kWh per capita). “We also expected that manufacturing would peak in countries with ‘middle

income’ levels of electricity, and that rich countries with the most electricity would have left manufacturing behind, but still be intensive users of electricity,� the report stated.

Furthermore, findings showed that since 1960, no country with electricity consumption less than 50 kWh/ per capita, has ever had a manufacturing sector of 22.5 per cent of GDP or more.

According to the report, there were few cases of manufacturing above 20 per cent of GDP in countries with less than 300 kWh/per capita and none of these were sustainable. “Of the 1,193 data points, half are already achieved by countries with less electricity Continued on page 24

Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ÞÙ Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ— ÞÒËÞ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ě‹Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂšËœ Ă‹ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ?ÔÓ ÖÙåĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?à ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚËĂ?Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘

Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ËŤ Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽĚ‹Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ËŹ ÖÙåĂ? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽË› Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ™ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁË›

Marriott Hotels Debut in W’Africa Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž ÙÞĂ?Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ÓÚËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžË› ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă?ÚÓÞËÖÓÞã Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? ÒÙÞĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÙÚÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? ÙÞÙÕË

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂœĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž ÙÞĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂĄ ÕÓÖÙ×Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ÓÞã Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ë› ËŤ Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž ÙÞĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ÓÚËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ÙÖÓÙ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă“ĂŽĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă–Ă?â ĂŁĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă•Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂžĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹ ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă?ÓÞã ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‘ĂŁË› Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ åÓÞÒ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂž ÙÞĂ?Ă– ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹ĂŽĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÓÞã˪Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă™Ă?ÚÓÞËÖÓÞã Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?ÞÒĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă• ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?˛ˏ

ICRC to Strengthen PPP Network Ă’Ă? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ě‹ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă“Ă‘Ă™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“Ă— Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă?Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă— Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ě™ Ă™ Ěš Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÞåÙ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ě‹Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽË› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ëœ Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ“ äĂ&#x;ĂĄĂ‹Ă’Ëœ ÚËÓÎ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ?Ă?ĂŁ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË›

The United States is working to expand trade and commercial ties with African nations, including Nigeria, to create jobs and wealth in all of our countries.

US President, Donald Trump

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

DOMESTIC INVESTORS LEAD AS NIGERIAN BOURSE ATTRACTS N879BN IN FIRST QUARTER cating a positive net foreign investment position of N30.9 billion. Total foreign inflow and outflow of N62.35 billion and N148.71 billion were recorded in comparable period of 2017, which left the country with net FPI deficit of N86.36 billion.

These two key indicatorsinflow and outflow- are used to measure foreign investors’ participation in the equities market as a barometer for the economy. FPI outflow includes sales transactions or liquidation of equity portfolio investments through the stock market while inflow includes purchase transactions in the market.

The report is regarded as a credible gauge of FPI as it coordinates data from nearly all active investment bankers and stockbrokers.

Monthly analysis showed a positive trend in net foreign investment inflow in the first quarter of the year. Foreign inflow amounted to N91.75 billion in January as against outflow of N74.64 billion.

Foreign inflow and outflow stood at N44.89 billion and N38.33 billion in February while foreign inflow and outflow recovered hit N69.71 billion and N62.50 billion in March.

REPORT: NIGERIA WILL FIND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO INDUSTRIALISE WITH POOR POWER SUPPLY consumption per capita than 2,000 kWh. “The biggest increase in data points is when countries are in the 500-1,000 kWh range (19% of all of them), followed by 1,000-1,500 kWh (13%) and then 300-500 kWh (11%). “Just four per cent are achieved by countries with less than 300 kWh,�it explained.

Furthermore, the report showed thatNigeria’s credit growth was also deeply negative in real terms, which it stated, reflected an economy still shrinking in per capita terms and where government borrowing may be crowding out the private sector

Group Business Editor

Ă’Ă“Ă•Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă¤Ă?Ě‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă•Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Capital Market Editor

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? (Labour) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? (Energy) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Nation’s Capital) ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ (Money Mkt) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (Cap Mkt)

RMCIRPartnersUKInstitutetoBoostRiskManagement in Nigeria Obinna Chima As part of efforts to strengthen the practice of risk management in the country, the Managing Partner, Risk Management Consulting Limited (RMCIR), Mr. Robert Mbonu has disclosed that his firm recently went into partnership with the UK Institute of Risk Management.

The partnership is to deliver risk management training to Nigerians at an affordable cost.

The partnership, according to him, would empower risk management professional in the country as well as deepen knowledge in risk management practice in the country.

Mbonu, stressed that knowledge had pushed the frontiers of development across the world of mankind, saying that risk management knowledge and skills’ remained vital to navigate the world of complex uncertainties that can affect business objectives and projects. “Risk management is one of the most important things we ought to do, but it’s also somewhat the most overlooked. “RMCIR as local partners with the IRM brings this training to develop the capacity of Nigerians in this vital field.

Through this training, firms will discover how to embrace opportunities and uncover threats,� he said.

Furthermore, Mbonu, in a statement explained that with the structured Enterprise Risk Management Methodology, firms would be enlightened on how to adopt effective risk processes to support better decision-making through good understanding of risks and their likely impact.

According to him, risk

management as a profession had grown in significance due to the focus on the management of uncertainty in the attainment of business objectives.

He explained that uncertainty had forced companies to look at risk management to plan, control and execute business processes.

Mbonu added: “Also, as the likelihood and consequences of catastrophic events has become higher, there is much more discussion on how to anticipate and even prevent them. “Risk management has now become the competitiveness

differentiator. “Expressed another way, risk management is all about anticipating, controlling and mitigating assignable and common cause variation, process instability, out of control processes and inability to meet requirements, which result in nonconforming products, uncertainty and chaotic business conditions.�

He added: “Regulatory requirements and commercial awareness of the need to be risk-resilient means more organisations have to strengthening their own risk expertise. “In a bid to deepen aware-

ness and capacity in risk management locally, the IRM has granted accreditation to RMCIR to deliver the Fundamentals of Risk Management (FoRM) course in Nigeria. “We are very pleased to obtain this accreditation for the benefit of local practitioners.

This move will improve the capacity and deepen the maturity of risk management knowledge and expertise here in Nigeria.�

This, according to him, would help to ensure the success and performance of both small and large organisations, saying that the skill-set would be vital for the public sector

in the delivery of services and projects through better project management. “Whether you need to obtain a competitive edge, or are about to launch a new initiative or product or embark on a major engineering/ construction programme, the skills and tools we impact in our training will be invaluable in achieving your strategic purpose. “Executive teams must revise their approach to strategic decision making, augmenting traditional cost and value considerations with risk and resiliency considerations.

UNVEILING NAIJA QUICK FIX

L-R: Representative, Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. D.A. Fisher; Mrs. Helen Adeshina of Lagos State of Commerce, Trade and Cooperatives; Lubricant Marketing Manager, OVH Energy Marketing Ltd, Mr. Tokunboh Olukunle; and Managing Director, Global Sight Services Ltd, Mr. Dayo Bello, during the launch of the Naija Quick Fix Platform for Artisans at NECA House, Lagos...recently

Dell Closed 81 Investments Deals on Siemens Donates N12m Educational Facilities to Edo Startups in Six Years Emma Okonji in Las Vegas, US Dell Technologies, which provides the essential infrastructure for organisations to build digital future, transform Information Technology (IT) and protect information, on Monday, disclosed that since 2012, Dell Technologies Capital, the company’s venture arm, made 81 investments focused on early-stage startups that span a broad range of technology areas across the world, including Africa. In Nigeria, efforts have been made by government agencies and private sector organisations to promote young startups with brilliant ideas that could address societal needs.

The disclosure on investments deal was made during the opening ceremony of the Dell Technologies World 2018 in Las Vega, US. Dell Technologies Chairman and CEO, Michael Dell, who kicked off the industry premier event, which was attended by over 14,000 visitors, said the Dell Technologies businesses would continue to play a

fundamental role in helping organisations envision and realise their digital future. “In the past year, a third of new investments focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) and the remaining investments focused on security, next-gen infrastructure and other technology areas strategic to the Dell Technologies family of companies,� Dell said. “When the first calendar quarter 2018 industry market share numbers are final, we expect to increase our worldwide PC market share for the 21st consecutive quarter, and gain share in servers and storage.

We have exciting announcements planned across our portfolio at this year’s event that are driving this leadership and our customers’ digital transformation, ultimately resulting in better business outcomes,� he added.

According to him, “Dell Technologies World is our opportunity to share our vision of technology as the driver of human progress in every corner of the world.

“We will showcase ways, big and small, our customers are using technology to change the world for the better, whether through a reimagined process or a reimagined industry. We talk often about technology solving our greatest challenges, and we’re making more progress more quickly than ever before.�

Dell’s IPOs had a collective market valuation exceeding $11 billion, highlighting the team’s ability to identify early investment opportunities and to help build successful startups.

The Dell Technologies Capital portfolio includes several startups currently experiencing growth rates of more than 100 per cent and several exceeding $50 million in revenue.

President of Dell Technologies Capital, Scott Darling, said: “Since coming out of stealth at Dell EMC World last year, we’ve had a very busy, and very successful, year. We are delighted with our continued strong performance and the market reception to the Docusign, MongoDB and Zscaler IPOs.

Schools Ejiofor Alike

A development partner in the Azura-Edo independent power project, Siemens Nigeria Limited, has donated educational aids to three community primary schools in the Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.

The beneficiaries of the intervention, comprising desks, chairs and a toilet facility, include Owegie Primary School in Orior-Osemwende community.

Others are Igbinakenzua Primary School and Oba Erediauwa Primary School in Ihovbor and Idunmwowina Nurho-Nisen communities, respectively.

The General Site Manager of Siemens/Azura-Edo IPP, Mr. Timo Brand, said that the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the host communities. “I feel very proud; my personal achievement is to donate these equipment to the community schools hosting us for the project. I am happy

that we have done this. If I had the chance to do more, I would do so,� Brand added.

On his part, the Project Manager (Onshore), Mr. Okechukwu Nwabuzor, explained that the educational equipment, worth about N12 million, were donated after wide consultations with the schools.

According to Nwabuzor, the gesture was also part of the firm’s policy to grow the educational capabilities of host communities. “We actually did a needsbased assessment. We went to the three schools and each school told us exactly what it needed. In one of the schools, the children (pupils) were sitting on the ground; they did not have the needed infrastructure,� he added. “So, what we did was to check the number of pupils and the availability and we arrived at 70 chairs that could accommodate 140 pupils, seven whiteboards and accessories that could last for the next one year.

25

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ 2 Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD

EQUITIES WATCH

Unilever Reaps Benefits of Equity Financing Goddy Egene writes that Unilever Nigeria has started to enjoy the positive impact of last year’s rights issue as its cost of funds reduced significantly in the first quarter ended March 31, 2018

O

ne of the major challenges manufacturing companies operating in Nigeria face is high cost of doing business.

Apart from spending huge sums to provide their own energy, they also run high expenses to sell and distribute products due to the poor road network.

Manufacturing companies equally contend with high cost of finance to remain afloat following high interest charges paid on borrowings. Although one the reasons for companies to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is to have access to equity funding, which is considered cheaper than debt capital, especially, bank borrowings.

Considering the high interest rates in the country, which has led to huge cost of finance, some companies decided to activate their equity funding apparatus last year. Many of them raised funds from existing shareholders in the capital market to reduce the cost of finance and deleverage their balance sheets.

One of such companies that raised funds last year via a rights issue is Unilever Nigeria Plc. The company successfully raised the sum of N58.851 billion from existing shareholders through the issuance of 1.962 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo per share at N30 per share.

The Managing Director/CEO of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh had then called on shareholders and capital market stakeholders to support the offer, saying it will position the company to deliver better value going forward.

According to him, through this rights issue, the company would be able to reinforce its financial flexibility to support its growth initiative, while giving shareholders an opportunity to consolidate their shareholding position. “The rights issue is part of Unilever Nigeria’s long term strategic intent to strengthen the company’s capital base by deleveraging its balance sheet, support its working capital needs and position the company to exploit value accretive opportunities,� Nsarkoh said.

He explained that the net proceeds would help the company repay outstanding foreign currency denominated liabilities, purchase additional raw materials required for Unilever’s products and to meet other working capital requirements in order to build long term value for all stakeholders.

Going by the first quarter (Q1) results of Unilever Nigeria ended March 31, 2018, the positive impact of that wise decision to inject equity into the company’s operations has started to reflect. Cost of finance fell significantly by 93 per cent from N572.652 million in Q1 of 2017 to N39 million in Q1 2018. Market analysts said if the low level of finance cost was maintained throughout the year, Unilever Nigeria Plc would post another impressive results at the end of the year.

2017 Financial Results Unilever Nigeria recorded revenue of N90.771 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, up from N69.777 billion in 2016. Selling expenses rose from N3.151 billion to N3.993 billion, while marketing and administrative expenses rose from N11.464 billion in 2016 to N11.982 billion in 2017.Finance cost stood at N3.410 billion, up from N2.721 billion. The company ended the year with profit after tax (PAT) of N11.2017 billion, showing a jump of 172 per cent from N4.106 billion in 2016. Profit after tax also grew by 142 per cent to N7.45 billion, from N3.072 billion in 2016. Based on the results, board of directors recommended a dividend of 50 kobo per share.

2018 First Quarter Results The company has sustained the impressive results for 2017, recording improved performance for the Q1 of 2018. It posted revenue of N25.817 billion in 2018, up from N 22.172 billion in the corresponding period of 2017. Gross profit stood at N7.141 billion, compared with N6.293 billion in 2017. Selling and distribution expenses increased from N947

Unilever-Nigeria-factory-line

million to N1.154 billion, while marketing and administrative expenses fell from N2.59 billion to N2.459 billion in 2018.

Profit before tax (PBT) rose from N2.180 billion to N3.923 billion, while PAT improved from N1.603 billion to N2.899 billion. An analysis of the finance cost showed that Unilever only

“For the last three quarters, gross margins were above 30 per cent. We attribute this to the improved macro environment and more particularly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s intervention in the foreign exchange (fx) market through the NAFEX window.

Management also said that Unilever was working on attaining 100 per cent sourcing of its packaging materials locally by 2019 and has begun engaging local farmers to reduce importation.�

paid N39.15 million as interest on third party loans, compared with N347 million paid the corresponding period of 2017. The company did pay anything on intra-company as against N225 million paid in 2017.

Analysts’ Assessment According to analysts at FBN Quest, while sales grew by 16 per cent, PBT and PAT grew faster by 80-81 per cent. They said although gross margin contracted by -72bps to 27.7%, that was not enough to offset the sales growth and a positive swing on the net interest line to N396 million from a net finance charge of N575 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, leading to the stronger bottom line. “We attribute the net finance income to the influx of cash from the successful N63 billion rights issue of last year,�FBN Quest said.

They explained that compared with their estimates, Q1 sales, PBT and PAT were ahead by six per cent, three per cent and four per cent respectively.

FBN Quest said: “For the last three quarters, gross margins were above 30 per cent. We attribute this to the improved macro environment and more particularly, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s intervention in the foreign exchange (fx) market through the NAFEX window. Management also said that Unilever was working on attaining 100 per cent sourcing of its packaging materials locally by 2019 and has begun engaging local farmers to reduce importation. As such, the 27.7 per cent figure reported this quarter surprised negatively because we expected that the company would still be enjoying benefits from the aforementioned, particularly the former.

On an annualised basis, Q1 sales and PBT are on track to meeting consensus’ FY 2018 estimates of N101bn and N15bn respectively. We expect the market’s reaction to these numbers to be neutral to slightly positive.�

In their own assessment, analysts at Cordros Capital said revenue came in better-thanexpected, operating expense was well-contained, and finance cost was significantly lower, courtesy

of the borrowings repaid last year.

The Q1 revenue growth of 16 per cent was ahead of the 10 per cent we estimated, but in line with consensus. There were price increases up until Q2-17, the impact of which we believe is somewhat reflected in the latest revenue.

We should also reiterate the impact of volume on revenue, reflecting the: campaigns and promotional activities that took place during the quarter(for Knorr Chicken seasoning and Close-Up toothpaste; increased activities of distributors following the slack in Q4-17, and introduction of new products, notably Sunlight bar soap and 70g and 25g Sunlight detergents.

We raise 2018E revenue growth estimate to 13 per cent (previously 7.5%), based on the stronger-than-expected Q1 growth and impact of the five increase in the price of Lipton tea implemented this month.

Although Cordros Capital said given the stability of both selling prices and the naira exchange rate during the period, production costs, and consequently gross margin may have been pressured by the rising price of petroleum products (which form key inputs in Unilever’s production process). “Notwithstanding the low outturn, we retain our gross margin estimate of 32 per cent for 2018E. Gross margin in Q1-17 (28 per cent) was the lowest in all quarters of last year, before the improvement seen in the subsequent quarters,� they said.

According to the analysts, Unilever’s balance is healthier as total borrowings reduced to N457 million, from N674 million as at end-December 2017, with gross debt-to-equity now at 0.6 per cent , vs. 191 per cent a year ago. “Cash remained strong at N47.5 billion, delivering interest income of N494 million (89 per cent via bank deposits) that far exceeded the N130 million we estimated for the quarter,� they said.

In their valuation of the stock, Cordros Capital said they maintained their Sell recommendation but increase target price to N32.78 (previously N30.47) “even as we slightly revise our estimates.�

26

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ ͰͮͯͶ

FG Builds Centre to Check Influx of Substandard Tyres in Nigeria Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Director General National Automotive Design and Development Council( NADDC) Mr. Jelani Aliyu on Tuesday in Kano has revealed that the council is building three Test Centres in Nigeria to ensure that vehicles, materials and components produced, imported and used in the country meet minimum acceptable global standard levels.

Aliyu made this known to newsmen on Tuesday in Kano during a conference organised

by the council that all tyres brought into and locally manufactured in Nigeria will have to be certified at this centres.

He also said the certification will help in eliminating substandard and counterfeit products, which has led to loss of many lives on the Nigerian roads.

Jelani who decried the high number of fake and substandard tyres imported into the country, put the figure at 20 million per year. This, he said is detrimental to the economy and future of the

country.

“It simply means that, all that manpower, and all those jobs that are needed to produce that many tyres are lost to other nations.

“Despite our huge unemployment rate, instead of creating jobs in Nigeria, we are fueling jobs outside Nigeria. And so thousands of our youth that could otherwise be engaged in producing those tyres are now wasting their lives away in markets, motor parks and hawking on the streets”, he stressed.

…Targets Leap in Agric Output, Raids Fake Seeds Markets Nationwide Ademola Babalola in Ibadan The federal government is intensifying gains so far recorded in the agricultural sector as it targets greater outputs in the annual turnover of farm produce in the country.

To this end, the government has commenced raiding of fake seeds markets across the country, in an unprecedented manner targeted at making farmers to reap bountifully thus making farming more attractive to unemployed Nigerian youths.

The Director General of National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) Philip Olusegun Ojo who led the

team to some markets in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital said the council began the operation from the North West Geo Political zone and now in the South West zone to ensure that farmers are getting quality seeds for planting.

Ojo, who was represented by the Director Seeds Inspectorate, Mr. Adebayo Agboola said Nigeria loses over N2billion to fake seeds annually and the federal government has decided to bring the perpetrators to book.

According to him, the council had confiscated fake seeds worth N1.5million in the last two months, adding the fake seeds are injurious to

the farmers and their workers.

The areas visited by the team were: Iyana church, Monatan, Mokola, Ogunpa, Iwo-road, Moniya, all in Ibadan, the state capital.

Agboola said the team was expected to tour the Oyo state and other southwest states until the people behind the illegal business realise its implications.

“The chemicals they are using to preserve the seeds are injurious to farmers and their labourers who are working in the farm.

It affects total annual production of our farm produce. That is the reason the Federal Government is always frowning at fake seeds in circulation.”

Business Leader to Converge at Africa Shared Value Summit Business leaders from across Africa are slated to attend the second annual Africa Shared Value Summit this year which would take place on 24-25 May 2018 at The Maslow conference centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A statement made available recently stated that the summit would bring together business thought leaders, executives and change makers, including keynote speaker and co-author of the ground-breaking Harvard Business Review article that first outlined the Shared Value strategy, Mark Kramer, to share insights from their business’ Shared Value journey.

The speaker line-up of thought leaders and Shared Value trailblazers will be speaking to the theme Meeting the Challenge, showing how the Shared Value business model can help businesses to step up

and contribute to achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs. On the purpose of the meeting, the organisers stated: “The business world is changing, and those who do not stay ahead of the curve are sure to be left behind. It is no longer sufficient to take a profit-first business approach: not only is it not sustainable for the long term, but consumers at all levels are now demanding that the business world develop a conscience. Government regulations are slowly following suit, outlining development criteria to begin this critical shift but is this enough.

“The Shared Value business model is the key to unlocking the business growth and profit in addressing social issues. By identifying challenges that intersect with the business’ purpose and then integrating

solutions into the business’ operations at every level of the value chain, doing good becomes part and parcel of doing good business. In essence, Shared Value reconnects the business agenda and the social agenda, intertwining profit and progress.”

“Corporate social responsibility has become entrenched in our public mind set. Business, having played a role in creating some of the challenges faced by society and the environment today, is now expected to lead the charge in facing and solving them. The instinctive response is often external policies – good works that rely on allocated resources, often as ephemeral as the feel-good PR they generate.

This has its place, of course, but in order to make a real change, business must rewrite its strategic DNA,” the statement added.

NET Announces Nomination for Awards The Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), has announced the nominees for its second annual NET Honours People’s Choice Awards.

According to a statement issued by the organisers, winners were chosen last year based on the data gathered on the NETng website and social media accounts from the previous year.

The nominees for the 2017

edition were listed using data from the year under review.

It is the way by which NET recognises the top performers in the entertainment industry using the data found in our report of trends and searches, using website and social media analytics.

In the new list, Davido, Wizkid, Tekno, Mr. Eazi and Olamide are nominated in the ‘Most Popular Male Musician’

category while Tiwa Savage will face stiff competition from Yemi Alade, Simi and Chidinma for ‘Most Popular Female Musician’.

Another keenly contested category is ‘Most Popular Couple’. These years’ nominees are power couples 2Baba and Annie Idibia, Banky W and Adesua Etomi, Peter and Lola Omotayo Okoye as well Funke Akindele and JJC.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

The Ugly Side of Franchising

ÑÙ ÞÙ ËÝÞã ÜÓÏÎ ÒÓÍÕÏØ ̙ ̚ ÏàÏÜã áÏÏÕ ÞÙ Ìßã ÙØÏ ÝØËÍÕ ÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÙÞÒÏÜ ËØÎ

ÒËàÏ ÌÏÏØ ÎÙÓØÑ ÝÙ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÚËÝÞ ͓͑ ãÏËÜݲ ØÙÞÒÏÜ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞ àÓÝÓÞ ÛßÓÞÏ ÐÜÏÛßÏØÞÖã ÓÝ ÒÏ ÖËÍÏ˛ ÙÞÒ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞÝ ÒËàÏ ÜÏ×ËÓØÏÎ ÍÙØÝÓÝÞÏØÞ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÞËÝÞÏ ËØÎ ÛßËÖÓÞã ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÐÙÙÎ ÓÜÜÏÝÚÏÍÞÓàÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÌÜËØÍÒ ãÙß ÑÙ ÓØÞÙ˛ ÒÏ ÖËÍÏ ÒËÝ ËÖÝÙ ÚÏÜÐÏÍÞÏÎ ÞÒÏ ËÜÞ ˩ÙÐ ÝÞËØÎËÜÎÓÝËÞÓÙØ ÓØ ËÖÖ ÙÐ ÓÞÝ ÌÜËØÍÒÏÝ˞ ÎÏÖÓÍÓÙßÝ ÐÙÙΘ ÍÖÏËØ ÏØàÓÜÙØ×ÏØÞ ËØÎ ÛßÓÍÕ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ˛ ÒÓÝ ÍÙØÝÓÝÞÏØÍã ×ËÎÏ ×Ï ÚÙØÎÏÜ ÜÏÍÏØÞÖ㘠ÏÝÚÏÍÓËÖÖã áÒÏØ ÍÙ×ÚËÜÏÎ ÞÙ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÐËÝÞ ÐÙÙÎ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞݲ ÒÏ ÛßÏÝÞÓÙØÝ ÒËàÏ ËÝÕÏÎ ×ãÝÏÖÐ ÜÏÑËÜÎÓØÑ ÞÒÏÝÏ ÞáÙ ÙÜÑËØÓÝËÞÓÙØݘ Óݘ ˫áÒËÞ ÒËÝ ×ËÎÏ ÞÒÏ× ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ËÖÖ ÞÒÏÝÏ ãÏËÜÝˣ Ý ÓÞ ÞÒÏ ×ÏØß ÞÒÏã ÝÏÜàϘ ÞÒÏ ÝÞËʩØј ÞÒÏÓÜ ÖÙÍËÞÓÙؘ ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ˜ ÏÞͲ

ÕÏÏÚ ËÝÕÓØÑ ×ãÝÏÖÐ ÞÒÏÝÏ ÛßÏÝÞÓÙØݘ ËØÎ ÙØÏ ÞÒÓØÑ ÞÒËÞ ÕÏÏÚÝ ÍÙ×ÓØÑ ÌËÍÕ ÞÙ ×Ϙ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÐËÍÞ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã ÒËàÏ ØÙÞ ÎÓÖßÞÏÎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ Ìã ÑÙÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞÏ˛ ËØã ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞÝ ÞÒËÞ áÏØÞ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞÏ ÓØ ÓÑÏÜÓË ËÜÏ ÏÓÞÒÏÜ Ë ÝÒËÎÙá ÙÐ ÞÒÏ×ÝÏÖàÏÝ ÙÜ ËÜÏ ÍÙ×ÚÖÏÞÏÖã ÙßÞ ÙÐ ÌßÝÓØÏÝݲ ÜÏ×Ï×ÌÏÜ ÙØÏ àÏÜã ÚÙÚßÖËÜ ÐËÝÞ ÐÙÙÎ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞ ÞÒËÞ ÏàÏÜã ÍÒÓÖÎ ÍÜËàÏÎ ÞÙ ÑÙ ÓØÞÙ ËØãÞÓ×Ï ÞÒÏã áÏÜÏ ÎÜÓàÏØ ÚËÝÞ ÓÞ˛ Ø ÞÒÏÓÜ ÒÏã ÎËãÝ ÞÒÏ ÐÙÙÎ áËÝ ÜÏËÖÖã ØÓÍϘ ÞÒÏ ÏØàÓÜÙØ×ÏØÞ ÚÜÓÝÞÓØϘ áÓÞÒ Ë ÝÏÍÞÓÙØ ÎÏÎÓÍËÞÏÎ ÐÙÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÞÙ ÚÖËã˛ ËÜÏØÞÝ ÚÖËØØÏÎ ÌÓÜÞÒÎËã ÚËÜÞÓÏÝ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ËÞ ÓÞÝ àËÜÓÙßÝ ÖÙÍËÞÓÙØݲ ÒÏؘ ÞÒÏã áÏØÞ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞϘ ËØÎ ÌÏÑËØ ÞÙ ÖÙÙÕ ÖÓÕÏ Ë ÝÒËÎÙá ÙÐ ÞÒÏ×ÝÏÖàÏݲ Ø ÝÚÓÞÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÐËÍÞ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã áÏÜÏ ÙáØÏÎ Ìã Ë ÌÓÑ ÍÙØÑÖÙ×ÏÜËÞϘ ÞÒÏ ÛßËÖÓÞã ËØÎ ÝÞËØÎËÜÎ ÍÙßÖÎ ØÙÞ ÌÏ ×ËÓØÞËÓØÏβ ÙÎË㘠ÝÞÓÖÖ ÝÏÏ Ë ÐÏá ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÙßÞÖÏÞݘ ÌßÞ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ØÙÞÒÓØÑ ÖÓÕÏ áÒËÞ ÞÒÏã áÏÜÏ ËØÎ ÝÞÙÙÎ ÐÙÜ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÚËÝÞ˛ ÒÏ ÝË×Ï ÐËÞÏ ÌÏÐÏÖÖ Ë ÐË×ÓÖã̋ÙáØÏÎ ÐËÝÞ ÐÙÙÎ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞ˛ ÒÏÓÜ ÐÙÍßÝ áËÝ ÙØ ÚÜÙàÓÎÓØÑ ÝÙ×ÏÞÒÓØÑ ÐÙÜ ÏàÏÜãÌÙÎ㘠áÒÓÍÒ áËÝ ÏâÞÜÏ×ÏÖã ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏã ÝÞËÜÞÏβ Ð ÜÏÍÙÖÖÏÍÞ ÍÙÜÜÏÍÞÖ㘠ÞÒÏã ËÖÝÙ ÓØÞÜÙÎßÍÏÎ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÍßÓÝÓØÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÐËÝÞ ÐÙÙÎ ÍÙØÍÏÚÞ˛ ÙáÏàÏܘ ÝÓØÍÏ ÞÒÏã áÏØÞ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞϘ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌÜËØÎ ËØÎ ÛßËÖÓÞã ÒËàÏ ÌÏÏØ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÎÙáØáËÜÎ ÞÜÏØβ Ù˜ ÞÒÏ ÛßÏÝÞÓÙØ ÓÝ áÒËÞ ÒËÚÚÏØÏÎˣ Òã ÎÓÎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌÜËØÎÝ ÏÜÙÎÏ ÝÙ ÌËÎÖã ËʰÏÜ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÓØј ÎÏÝÚÓÞÏ ÞÒÏ ÐËÍÞ ÞÒËÞ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÓØÑ ÓÝ ÝËÓÎ ÞÙ ÌÏ ÙØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖÎ˪Ý ×ÙÝÞ ÚÙáÏÜÐßÖ ÑÜÙáÞÒ ÏØÑÓØÏ˛ ÒÏ ÞáÙ ÜÏÝÞËßÜËØÞÝ

×ÏØÞÓÙØÏÎ ÏËÜÖÓÏÜ ÞÒËÞ ÎÓÎ ØÙÞ ÑÙ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞϘ ÒËàÏ ÜÏÞËÓØÏÎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌÜËØÎ ̎ ÞÒÏÓÜ ×ÙÝÞ àËÖßËÌÖÏ ËÝÝÏÞ˜ ÞÒÏ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÞáÙ ÒËàÏ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞËÜØÓÝÒÏβ ËØã ËÍÍÙßØÞËØÞÝ àÓÏá Ë ÍÙ×ÚËØã˪Ý ÌÜËØÎ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ÌËÖËØÍÏ ÝÒÏÏÞ ÜÏÚÙÝÓÞÙÜã ÙÐ Ë ÍÙ×ÚËØã˪Ý ˫ÑÙÙÎáÓÖÖˬ˛ ÖËáãÏÜ ÐÙÜ ÙÍË̋ ÙÖË ÙØÍÏ ÝËÓΘ ÞÒËÞ ÓИ ÏàÏÜã ÚÓÏÍÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÍÙ×ÚËØã˪Ý ÞËØÑÓÌÖÏ ËÝÝÏÞݘ ÏàÏÜã ÌßÓÖÎÓØј ÏàÏÜã ÎÏÖÓàÏÜã àÏÒÓÍÖϘ ËØÎ ËÖÖ ÙÐ ÓÞÝ ÍËÝÒ ÓØ ÒËØÎ áÏÜÏ ÞÙ ÌßÜØ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÑÜÙßØÎ ÙàÏÜØÓÑÒÞ˜ ÓÞ ÍÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ÜÏÌßÓÖÞ ËØÎ ÜÏʨØËØÍÏÎ ÚßÜÏÖã ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÝÞÜÏØÑÞÒ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ËÝÝÏÞ àËÖßÏ ÜÏÚÜÏÝÏØÞÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÍÙÕÏ ÌÜËØβ ÒÓÝ ÑÓàÏÝ Ë ÑÙÙÎ ÏâË×ÚÖÏ ÙÐ ÒÙá ÝÞÜÙØÑÖã ãÙß ÝÒÙßÖÎ ×ËÓØÞËÓØ ãÙßÜ ÌÜËØΘ ÏÝÚÏÍÓËÖÖã ÓØ Ë ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÝÓÞßËÞÓÙØ˛ ØÎÜÏá ˛ ËʮÏã ÝËÓν ˫ ÝÞÜÙØÑ ÌÜËØÎ ÓÝ ÚËÜÞÓÍßÖËÜÖã Ó×ÚÙÜÞËØÞ ÓØ Ë ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏÎ ØÏÞáÙÜÕ ÙÐ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÓÞ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÝÓØÑßÖËÜ Ýã×ÌÙÖ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ÍÙ××ÙØ ÓÎÏØÞÓÞã ßÝÏÎ ÞÙ ÓÎÏØÞÓÐã ÓØÎÏÚÏØÎÏØÞÖã ÙáØÏÎ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏÝ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÚßÌÖÓ͘ ËÝ ÙØÏ ÙÜÑËØÓäËÞÓÙØ˛ ÒÏ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÝ ËØÎ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏÝ ÙʥÏÜÏÎ Ìã ÐÜËØ-

ÍÒÓÝÏÏÝ ËÜÏ ËÖÖ ÜÏÚÜÏÝÏØÞÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÌÜËØβ ÓàÏØ ÓÞÝ Ó×ÚÙÜÞËØÍÏ ÓØ ËØã ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ØÏÞáÙÜÕ˜ ÑÜÏËÞ ÏʥÙÜÞ ÑÙÏÝ ÓØÞÙ ÚÜÙ×ÙÞÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÌÜËØΘ ËØÎ ÙÐ ÍÙßÜÝÏ ÚÜÙÞÏÍÞÓØÑ ÓÞ˛ ÓÝÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ×ËØËÑÏÜÝ ÕØÙá ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌÜËØÎ ÓÝ ËÝ ÐÜËÑÓÖÏ ËÝ ËØã ÚÏÜÝÙØ˪Ý ÜÏÚßÞËÞÓÙØ˛ Þ ÍËØ ÌÏ ÓÜÜÏÞÜÓÏàËÌÖã ÓØÔßÜÏÎ Ìã ÌËÎ ÎÏÍÓÝÓÙØݘ ÌËÎ ÌÏÒËàÓÙܘ ÝßÖÖÓÏÎ ËØÎ ÎÏàËÖßÏβˬ

Ø àÓÏá ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ËÌÙàϘ ×ã ÓØÐÙÜ×ËÖ ÍÙØÍÖßÝÓÙØ ÙÐ áÒã ËØÎ ÒÏ ÖËÍÏ ÒËàÏ ÌÏÏØ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÓÝ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÞÒÏã ÎÓÎ ØÙÞ ÑÙ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÜÙßÞÏ ÓØ ËÎÎÓÞÓÙØ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÝÞÜÙØÑ ÜÏÝÙßÜÍÏݘ ÚÜÙÍÏÝÝÏÝ ËØÎ ÚÜÙʨÞ ÐÙÜ×ßÖË ÞÒÏã ÒËàÏ ÏØÞÜÏØÍÒÏÎ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝÏݲ ßÞ˜ áÏ ÒËàÏ ÝÏÏØ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏݘ ×ËãÌÏ ØÙÞ ãÏÞ ÐÙÜ ÙßÜ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÌÜËØÎݲ ÒÏ ÕÏã ÛßÏÝÞÓÙØ ËÑËÓؘ ÓÝ áÒËÞ ×ËÎÏ ÞÒÏÝÏ ËÜÜËØÑÏ×ÏØÞÝ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ˝ ˾Business synergy˛ ÒÏØ ãÙß Ìßã Ë ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝϘ ãÙß Ìßã ÓØÞÙ Ë ÝÓ×ÓÖËÜ ÑÙËÖ˜ ×ÓÝÝÓÙØ áÒÏÜÏ ÝßÌÝÞËØÞÓËÖ ÜÏÝÏËÜÍÒ ËØÎ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ ÒËÝ ÌÏÏØ ÎÙ ÎÙØÏ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÝ ËØÎ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏÝ ËÝ áÏÖÖ ËÝ ËÎàÓÝÏ ÙØ ÒÙá ÞÙ ÓØÞÜÙÎßÍÏ ËØÎ ×ËÓØÞËÓØ ÞÒÏ ØÏá ÚÜÙÎßÍÞ ËØÎ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ×ËÜÕÏÞ ÚÖËÍÏ˛ ˾Training˛ ßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÙÜÝ ÚÜÙàÓÎÏ ÏâÍÏÖÖÏØÞ ÞÜËÓØÓØÑ áÓÞÒ ÚÖÏØÞã ÙÐ ÜÏÝÙßÜÍÏÝ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÒÏËÎ ÙʩÍÏ ÞÙ ÏØÝßÜÏ ÝÞËØÎËÜÎÓäËÞÓÙØ ËØÎ ÛßËÖÓÞã ÓÝ ËÍÒÓÏàÏÎ ËÖÖ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ï˛ ˾Advertising and promotion of the business˛ ÌÓÖÓÞã ÞÙ ÞËÕÏ ËÎàËØÞËÑÏ ÙÐ àÙÖß×Ï ÎÓÝÍÙßØÞÝ ËØÎ ÚÓÑÑã ÌËÍÕ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÙÜÝ ×ËÜÕÏÞÓØÑ ËØÎ ËÎàÏÜÞÓÝÓØÑ ÌßÎÑÏÞ ËÝ ÞÒÏÝÏ ÍÙÝÞÝ ÍËØ ÌÏ Ë ÒßÑÏ ÎÜËÓØ ÐÙÜ ØÏá ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝÏݲ ÒÏ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏÏÝ ÐËÓÖÏÎ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÐÙÖÖÙáÓØÑ ÜÏËÝÙØݘ Ë×ÙØÑÝÞ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ˝ ˾Uniformity/Standardization ̎ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÙÜÝ ËÍÒÓÏàÏ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÞÒÏ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ ÙÐ ÍÙØÐÙÜ×ÓÞã ̎ ÐÜÙ× ×ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÝÞãÖÏ ÞÙ ÙÜÎÏÜÓØÑ ÝßÚÚÖÓÏݲ ËØã ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÍÙ×ÚËØÓÏÝ ʨØÎ ÓÞ ÎÓʩÍßÖÞ ÞÙ ËÎÒÏÜÏ ÞÙ ÜßÖÏÝ ÙÜ ÐßØÍÞÓÙØ ÓØ Ë ÝÞÜßÍÞßÜÏÎ ËØÎ ÍÙ×ÚÖÓËØÞ ÏØàÓÜÙØ×ÏØÞ˜ ÞÒÏã ÓØàËÜÓËÌÖã ÝÞËÜÞ ÍßʵÓØÑ ÍÙÜØÏÜÝ ËØÎ ÖÏʵÓØÑ ÝÞËØÎËÜÎÝ ËÑÜÏÏÎ ËØÎ ÚÜËÍÞÓÍÏÎ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÌÏÑÓØØÓØÑ ÞÙ ÝÖÓÚ˛ ˾ False expectations ̎ ËØã ÏØÞÜÏÚÜÏØÏßÜÝ áÏØÞ ÓØÞÙ Ë ÚÙÚßÖËÜ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ËÜÜËØÑÏ×ÏØÞÝ ÞÒÓØÕÓØÑ ÞÒÏã áÙßÖÎ ËÍÒÓÏàÏ ÓØÝÞËØÞ ÝßÍÍÏÝݲ ÜËØÍÒÓÝÓØÑ ÓÝ ÔßÝÞ ÖÓÕÏ ËØã ÙÞÒÏÜ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ̎ ãÙß ×ßÝÞ áÙÜÕ ÒËÜÎ ËØÎ ÚßÞ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÝáÏËÞ ÞÙ ËÍÒÓÏàÏ Ë ×ÏËÝßÜÏ ÙÐ ÝßÍÍÏÝݘ áÒÓÍÒ ÓÝ áÒã ×ËØã ÐËÓÖ˛ ˾ Cost ̎ ÜËØÍÒÓÝÏÏÝ ËÜÏ ÜÏÛßÓÜÏÎ ÞÙ ÚËã ËØ ßÚ̋ÐÜÙØÞ ÐÏÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÙÜ ÓØ ÙÜÎÏÜ ÞÙ ßÝÏ ÞÒÏ ØË×Ï ËØÎ ÝÞËÜÞ ÞÒÏ ÌßÝÓØÏÝݲ ÒÏÝÏ ÐÏÏÝ ÍËØ ÌÏ ÜËÞÒÏÜ ÏâÚÏØÝÓàÏ áÓÞÒ Ë ÜÏÛßÓÜÏ×ÏØÞ ÞÙ ÚËã ËÎÎÓÞÓÙØËÖ ÖËÜÑÏ Ýß×Ý ËÝ ÙØÑÙÓØÑ ÐÏÏݲ ËØã ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏÏÝ ÏØÎ ßÚ ØÙÞ ÌÏÓØÑ ËÌÖÏ ÞÙ ×ËÓØÞËÓØ ÞÒÏÝÏ ÚËã×ÏØÞݲ ÏÐÙÜÏ ãÙß ÎÏÍÓÎÏ ÞÙ ÏØÞÏÜ ÓØÞÙ Ë ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ËÜÜËØÑÏ×ÏØÞ ËÝ Ë ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÙܘ ÞÒÓØÕ ËÌÙßÞ ãÙßÜ ÌÜËØÎ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ÏÛßÓÞã ËØÎ ÝáÏËÞ ãÙß ÒËàÏ ÚßÞ ÓØ ÞÙ ÌßÓÖÎ ÓÞ˛ ÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏϘ ÓÞ ÓÝ ØÙÞ Ý×ÙÙÞÒ ÝËÓÖÓØÑ˞ ãÙß ×ßÝÞ áÙÜÕ ÙØ ×ËÓØÞËÓØÓØÑ ËØÎ ßÚÑÜËÎÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÌÜËØÎ ËÝ áÏÖÖ ËÝ ÏØÝßÜÏ ãÙß ËÎÒÏÜÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ËÑÜÏÏ×ÏØÞÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÐÜËØÍÒÓÝÏ ÙÞÒÏÜáÓÝÏ ÌÙÞÒ ÚËÜÞÓÏÝ ÏØÎ ßÚ ÓØ Ë ÖÙÝÝ̋ÖÙÝÝ ÝÓÞßËÞÓÙØ˛

– Marie-Therese Phido is Sales & Market Strategist and Business Coach Email: mphido@elevato.com.ng tweeter handle @osat2012 TeL: 08090158156 (text only)

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

27

Okafor: SMEs Need Govt Support to Survive The Managing Director/CEO of Cosmas Group, Mr. Cosmas Okafor spoke to journalists on the experiences and lessons learnt navigating Nigeria’s capital-intensive manufacturing sector. Chinazor Megbolu brings the excerpts: – Low-Density Polyethylene and High-Density Polyethylene – out of the four raw materials we need for production. Others must still be imported.

What was your motivation behind diversifying into manufacturing business?

We started as a freight forwarder in 1994 and at a point we felt the need to diversify. At this crossroads in my career, I turned to God. He showed me this polythene manufacturing business in a dream. I wanted to start a business that can be passed on to my children, an enduring legacy, and this vision struck me as a step in the right direction. So, I shared my vision with a banker friend who introduced me to an Indian customer with more knowledge of this business line. His contact eventually suggested we travel to India to acquire more knowledge of the business. After we returned from India, we were confident of our understanding of the systems and processes involved and started this manufacturing business.

What are the products you deal in?

We manufacture a range of polyethylene bags, be they shopping bags, packing bags or pure-water bags. We also provide printing services for bags, for instance, for big retailers like Shoprite.

We manufacture their bags and then print the required logos, images and text on them. Our products are widely accepted in the market.

We started on a good note, especially in terms of quality, because we invited some expatriates from India and learnt from their entrenched experience in this manufacturing business line.

Having created a good, first impression, we continue to deliver quality products because of our firm belief that quality is the hallmark of a successful business. Our customers tested us, were satisfied with us, and have stayed with us.

What were the initial challenges you faced?

There’s no business line you enter where you will not encounter some challenges. Every business, especially in a competitive market like Nigeria, is bound to attract challenges. For instance, access to finance is always a key obstacle for a small business. Like I said, I started with what funds I had, but soon discovered that the manufacturing sector is capital intensive and this realisation made us look for a loan.

Apart from the difficulty of finding a lender for a capital-intensive manufacturing start-up, I faced other challenges as well. For instance, when I first came to Lagos, I faced the challenge of settling down in a new city. I saw a fatal accident where a lady was hit by a car. The second day when I passed through that road, I still saw the dead body. Nobody cares about the dead. Again, on the third day, the corpse was still there. I then asked myself whether this indifferent attitude, even in the face of death, stood for how things were here. So, I started getting discouraged about the business until I remembered my vision and the clarity of purpose in the vision made me stay. Another thing that could have put me off was an encounter I had three months after starting the business. One man just passed by my signboard, stopped and strolled back, and came into my office. I thought that he was a customer but he told me he had something to sell at a giveaway price, an auction of sorts. Closer interaction revealed it was the same business that we started three months ago. So, my team and I went to Otta, Ogun State, to inspect the business, and could see it was indeed the one that I had set up.

I asked myself: Is it how my new business will fare, where a few months later, I will be looking for buyers? So, that experience, again, wasn’t encouraging but I persevered and here I am with a success story to tell.

How did you find the strength to overcome these challenges?

When I was on the verge of getting discouraged by these challenges, I remembered how Isaac fared. When he started the work God told him to, he did not do so on a good note, but God had willed it. That was how he prospered, no matter the challenge. The Bible says each time Isaac dug a well, the Philistines closed it.

He had to dig a well seven times, before the Philistines let him continue with his chosen task. So, I put all these things behind me and

What are your expectations in terms of support to meet business challenges?

We urge the government to repair the road because it costs us dearly, both in terms of higher cost of doing business on the one hand, and low patronage on the other. Secondly, we would request the government to consider a reduction in interest rates for bank loans, especially from commercial banks. By the time you pay for the loan at 30-31 per cent, no profit is left for the business. That is one of the reasons I am happy dealing with GroFin, because their interest rates are lower. Also, coming to electricity, we need steady power supply. We cannot depend on a generator all the time. Also, for a small-scale industry, we are left feeling the pinch of high corporate tax rates. So, we would urge the government to reduce tax incidence for small scale businesses, if not sanction an outright tax holiday, to help grow the industry.

The reason we expect the government to intervene is that small businesses like ours help to alleviate the problem of unemployment.

Presently, we employ about 75 workers and are well on our way to reach a staff strength of 80 workers. Our workers in turn support many livelihoods.

Okafor

persevered. For the future, I know that challenges will surely arise, but by the grace of God I will certainly overcome them.

At what stage did you come across a willing financier?

Just like I said, to begin with, I found courage to face the challenges in the knowledge that the vision came from God. Three months into the business, we suffered a major setback. There was a windstorm that damaged the building considerably. In fact, it was razed to the ground.

So, I started to look for money in the form of loan to help me start again. And that was how I met GroFin, the pioneering SME financier, with a local office in Lagos. And, like I said, the business is capital intensive – you need large sums of money to buy raw materials, machineries and access maintenance services.

GroFin is a God-send because when they give you a loan, they follow it up with a tremendous boost to the business. They give you advice and regularly visit you to see how you are faring, and fine-tune their advice to new developments.

They encouraged me a lot in doing my business better. When I first received the loan, the impact was very profound. In fact, I see them as a source of succour to the small-scale sector in Nigeria. When we started, the interest rates from commercial banks were going through the roof. Somebody introduced me to them and from then on, the process of getting the loan was very easy. The moment you furnish them with the requested information, they will proceed with their checks, give you the loan and follow it up to make sure you use the loan for the stated purpose.

Other than GroFin, how is the Nigerian landscape for SME finance?

Unfortunately, the Nigerian landscape for SME finance is otherwise very bleak. The government has not been able to assist much with entrepreneurial ventures, especially in the capital-intensive manufacturing industry where external finance is most needed. There are not many avenues or channels for the Central Bank of Nigeria to give us soft loans, at low interest rates. When you go to bank, you will not hear interest rates going less than 30 per cent, or even 31 per cent, at times. So, how do you survive as a small business owner?

But in some other countries, like China, for instance, the government has the capacity to extend concessional loans at seven per cent

, or at most 10 per cent, to stimulate small enterprises. Compounding the issue of limited access to finance in Nigeria is the erratic supply of electricity.

Speaking of electricity, what are the infrastructural challenges you face? Also, are there any other challenges that your business is subject to?

In Agbara, Ogun State, where our factory is located, you hardly get regular power supply.

We run our operations on a generator which uses a huge volume of diesel. You can imagine the amount we spend on diesel these days given that a litre sells for N210. When we started it was less than a third, at N65 per litre.

Secondly, the Agbara road is riddled with pot-holes. Our customers must literally pass through hell to reach us. At times, when you call your customer, your customer will ask you to deliver your goods to their area or services point. That will lead to your adding haulage or spending on distribution vehicles which means additional cost that you could ordinarily have spent on raw materials, were the road any good.

Moreover, our foreign exchange rate is not stable and that has added to our cost of doing business, especially in the import of machines and their maintenance. We can just hope and pray that our foreign exchange becomes stable so that we are able to project our requirements and costs ahead. Last year, there was a time we bought raw materials at a very high rate, at about N510 to USD1, and after about two months, the market rate came down drastically.

We met with a great loss because our cost price and selling price were almost the same. Since then, we have been managing the situation. But clients are not as readily available as before because of the bad economy.

Finally, lack of domestic availability of raw materials is another challenge for manufacturers like us, as we have no choice but to import raw materials. We import virtually all the raw materials and we pay five per cent duty over and above the high purchase prices in dollar rates. Some of the raw materials are produced here in Nigeria at Eleme Petrochemicals, Rivers State, but at times they shut down. Two years ago, they halted production for almost six months at a stretch.

At times, they do produce the raw materials we need but are not able to do so in the required quantities to meet the overwhelming demand. Again, we might get only one or two

What advice would you like to give other SME owners?

My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to have focus. Let them have the zeal that will drive them to achieve their vision. As I told you earlier, I had no successful precedent from the polythene manufacturing space when I went into business. Put zeal and passion into your vision and eventually you will succeed. You also need patience and self-motivation, because, as we say in Nigeria, ‘when the cloud is full, rain must surely fall’. Keep in mind that there is nothing so small that it cannot be made big, and there is nothing that is so big that it cannot be made bigger. Progress is the way of life.

Look at us, for instance. We started on a small scale and without encouragement from God and support from GroFin, we wouldn’t have diversified into this successful business line. We started with a low margin of returns because we had only one machine. Even the first expatriate that we invited into Nigeria to assist with setting up the business was left eying my start-up, with just that one machine. Next, when we went to buy the raw materials, we thought only one raw material was needed, but it turned out there were five. To top it all, when they added the total, I didn’t have the money to pay for all the five raw materials.

So, the expert helping me set up the business was discouraged and asked me why I started it at all. I laughed and told him it was God that led me into the business and that he would see me through. And this is the fifth year of operations, and surely God is at work. We have grown from one machine to many machines and our turnover is running into billions of Naira, but it cannot be denied that we started small.

Any final words?

What will make our business sustainable is a much-needed reduction in the cost of doing business. We spend a lot on diesel to power our generator because of erratic power supply. Lack of adequate and uninterrupted power supply is a major setback. Also, we need better road infrastructure, given that the current network of roads is very bad. Again, if the government can reduce interest rates on borrowed funds or, if possible, create a special SME fund that provides loans at concessional rates, it will help SMEs like us to truly spread our wings.

Finally, we need strong partnerships with many more finance and support companies such as GroFin for SMEs to grow at capacity. If these things are taken care of, we can produce at a lower cost, increase capacity and create more employment for the economy.

28

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

McAllister: Govt Should Review Implementation of New Excise Policy Chris McAllister is the Managing Director, British American Tobacco Nigeria and West Africa. He spoke to journalists on the company’s commitment to the Nigerian economy and issues affecting the tobacco industry. Goddy Egene presents the excerpts: different countries.

We are now investing in new machinery and recruit more skilled labourers to meet the growing demand.

We are excited to be playing our part in the development and diversification of the Nigerian economy though industrialisation and exports.

The current government has made a good start on economic reform with its published industrial strategy, commitment to infrastructure and pro-business ‘ease of doing business’ strategy. I would just urge the administration to be bolder, faster and more ambitious in its leadership of the development agenda.

Your company, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), has been able to weather the storm in your over 100 years of doing business in Nigeria. What makes you resilient and continue to invest in the country?

Yes, that is right. We are a longstanding company that is ‘Proudly Nigerian’. We are deeply committed to the country. We recognise that there will be both good times and bad times. But over the long term, with the right government policies, the potential of Nigeria is enormous.

The World Bank forecasts that by 2050, Nigeria will be the 3rd most populous country in the World. It is already the largest economy in Africa. From the turn of the millennium to 2014, annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth was close to 10 per cent (and we expect a return to these levels over the medium term).

Nigeria is a vibrant, entrepreneurial country with a rapidly expanding middle class. It is this combination of potential and real tangible signs of development that gives BAT Nigeria the confidence to continue to invest in our state-of-the art factory in Ibadan and our recently commissioned West African headquarters in Lagos.

What are your views on the present signs of economic recovery?

The current signs of economic recovery are very encouraging. The stability of the exchange rate and the return of consumer purchasing power is leading to a strong recovery in our

McAllister

domestic Nigerian business. Simultaneously our export business is going from strength to strength. We are now the second largest non-oil exporter in Nigeria exporting to 14

ERGP to Lift Nigeria’s Economy, Says RMBN Boss The Managing Director of Rand Merchant Bank (RMBN), Mr. Michael Larbie has expressed optimism that the implementation of the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) will help stimulate economic activities in the country.

The ERGP, a medium-term plan for 2017 – 2020, was developed to restore economic growth while leveraging the ingenuity and resilience of the Nigerian people – the nation’s most priceless assets.

Larbie, who spoke in an interview, highlighted the contribution of his bank towards ensuring that the ERGP realises its objectives. He stressed the need to drive sustained and inclusive growth in the economy. “There is an urgent need to drive a structural economic transformation with an emphasis on improving both public and private sector efficiency,� he added.

The ERGP aims at increasing national productivity and achieving sustainable diversification of production, significantly grow the economy and achieve maximum welfare for the citizens beginning with food and energy security.

The ERGP focuses on three strategic objectives: restoring growth, investing in our people, and building a competitive economy.

Commenting on the contribution of his bank toward Nigeria’s economic growth, he

said: “RMBN provided trade and working capital facility to Olam Nigeria (Flour Business) and Wacot Limited (Cotton Ginning). Also, RMBN assisted in the creation of a local Agric giant through advising BUA on the sale of it wheat milling, pasta and flour manufacturing assets which supports the ERGP aimed at reducing food imports and becoming a net exporter of major agricultural products. “Also, in addition, RMBN supported Nigeria’s ERGP by providing Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited with $50 million and N6 billion facilities to grow the fertilizer business to increase agriculture output, reduce reliance on fertiliser import, and become an exporter of agriculture products. “We acted as a financial adviser to GB Foods in the acquisition of a local fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business which plans to backward integrate creating employment and reducing importation of tomato paste thereby conserving foreign exchange. “RMBN also provided GZI with N17 billion loan as part of a syndicate to fund the first of its kind production of aluminium beverage cans thereby supporting the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan aimed at increasing the Research and Development, technology and innovation to generate the competitive edge needed to penetrate the global economy,� he added.

What are your views on the government’s recent increase on excise duties in your sector?

The excise hike, which comes into force in June, is undoubtedly painful for the industry and for consumers alike. Notwithstanding, we recognize the need for the government to urgently invest in physical infrastructure in the interests of broader social development.

Consequently, we stand ready to play our role as part of a wider initiative to extend and deepen the tax base.

However, we would urge the government to periodically review the implementation of its new excise policy to evaluate whether it is achieving the anticipated revenue targets and that the legal industry is not being substantially undermined by illicit traders.

It is worth reflecting that prior to BAT’s investment in a new local factory in 2003, Nigeria

Moody’s: Technology Shaping Future of Banking Digital innovation in financial services is placing a premium on efficiency and opening up competition that will continue to drive disruption across banking business segments, including payments, lending, capital markets and wealth management, Moody’s Investors Service stated in a new report.

According to the report obtained Monday, banks that consistently assert digital leadership, would thrive and prosper, while laggard banks that lack the vision or resources to develop competitive digital strategies would be disrupted.

It noted that aging legacy financial platforms had created opportunities for new nimble entrants to capture a portion of banks’ profits by offering more customer-focused, responsive and efficient channels.

Furthermore, Moody’s noted that bank of the future would cater to high and rapidly evolving customer expectations by harnessing key enabling technologies, leveraging increasingly mature and dependable digital distribution channels, and applying these tools across multiple businesses and product segments. “Customers will gravitate to providers that best meet their demands for convenience, personalisation and affordability, with privacy and data security a growing competitive differentiator.

“Amid the shifts in technology and consumer demand, competition will stiffen among banks, big technology companies and small fintechs. “In the face of these threats, successful incumbent banks will be those that, either on their own or in collaboration with others, pursue aggressive digital transformation to become more efficient and responsive to evolving customer demands,� Moody’s analyst and co-author of the report, Fadi Abdel Massih said. Continuing, he added: “Disintermediation of the customer relationship would be a threat to this business model if it ends up reducing banks’ pricing power by transforming them into providers of a ‘back-office’ balance sheet for customer-facing apps/ businesses.�

Also, the report noted that digitisation would offer efficiency enhancement opportunities for incumbent banks through the optimisation of branch networks, data collection, analysis and reporting process but not without high initial investment. “To date, regulatory requirements have been a moat protecting incumbents. The traditional, more regulated banking model -- reliant on cheap, sticky deposits -- retains a significant advantage for incumbents over nonbank platforms.

was flooded by non-duty paid, unregulated cigarettes to the tune of more than 80% of the market.

As a consequence, the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC), the forerunner of BATN, was driven into effective bankruptcy. More recently, Sierra Leone imposed a large increase in excise and in less than two years, illegal traders have returned to dominate the market.

The country has suffered a sharp drop in excise revenue and is failing to achieve its stated public health objectives.

We will continue to advocate that there should be collaboration and consultation between all relevant stakeholders for tax policies to be balanced and reasonable, reducing the potential for unintended consequences on both the economy and wider government objectives.

Recent trend shows that there is a growth in the use of e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative. As a market leader, what is BATN doing about it?

Most organisations are constantly exploring new offerings for consumers and BATN is no exception. We are fully aware of the health risks from smoking and are actively investing in products which have the potential to reduce harm. One notable example is the emerging technology of e-cigarettes which produce vaporised nicotine without the harmful side effects from tobacco smoke. We will be launching our world leading range of e-cigarettes in Nigeria in the near future.

FBNInsurance Donates Dialysis/ Ultrasound Machine to Gbagada General Hospital FBNInsurance recently donated a dialysis and ultrasound scan machine to the Renal Dialysis centre and Maternity ward respectively of Gbagada General Hospital Lagos.

The company said the donation, was done in line with its Corporate Responsibility and sustainability initiatives and recorded as the second of its kind to the hospital from the company.

Speaking on the importance of human life at the official commissioning held in the premises of the Lagos hospital, the Chairperson, FBNInsurance, Mrs. Adenrele Kehinde, spoke on the validity of human life, reiterating that every human deserves to lead a good life. “We believe every human life is important and that every man deserves a better shot at life, no matter their health challenges. We hope, therefore, that this new machine will complement the initial one donated and that more people will have another shot at life, thanks to FBNInsurance,� she said.

Adenrele, at a separate presentation, announced the donation of an ultrasound scan machine to the maternity ward of the hospital, courtesy of the combined personal efforts of the members of the Board of FBNInsurance.

Speaking on the wellbeing

of pregnant women, Adenrele said: “As much as we try to ensure every human being enjoys the very best of health, we should also not forget the mothers who deliver these lives.

The wellbeing of pregnant women should be a priority for all of us, this is why the members of the Board of FBNInsurance made personal commitments to the donation of this ultrasound scan machine for the good of mankind and the betterment of humanity.�

In his remarks, the Medical Director, Gbagada General Hospital, Dr. Lateef Lawal, thanked FBNInsurance for their continuous benevolence and commitment to the hospital. He informed the gathering that the first dialysis machine, donated

by FBNInsurance during the company’s 5th anniversary celebrations in 2015, had addressed the medical needs of 1,717 patients from November 2015 to December 2017.

Since inception, FBNInsurance has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the Nigerian consumer. The company has initiated and supported various humanitarian activities including a cervical/breast cancer awareness campaign, various back-to-school projects, scholarships and various community development projects nationwide.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

29

Airbus Foundation Brings Youth Devt Programme to Africa Chinedu Eze In line with its youth development programme in Africa launched in July 2017, the Airbus Foundation and its partners, The Little Engineer and STEM METS Resources have rolled out a series of Airbus Little Engineer workshops in Nigeria and trained more than 1,000 school students across the country.

The goal of the programme

is to encourage students to understand and embrace technology and ignite a passion that could grow into an exciting career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

To celebrate this milestone, the partners invited distinguished guests to attend the Airbus Little Engineer A380 workshop organised for 30 students at the Methodist Girls’ High School in Lagos.

The four-hour A380 workshop saw students aged between 13-15 years focusing on identifying various aircraft parts and enhancing understanding of both the manufacturing and assembling processes of the world’s largest passenger aircraft. The students also got an opportunity to build an A380 scale model from scratch – from initial programing to understanding full take-off functionality of the aircraft.

Rwand Air Begins Abuja / Kigali Flight Service Rwanda’s national carrier, Rwand Air at the weekend flagged off its Abuja/ Kigali flights, ready to provide service to passengers from Nigeria’s political capital and giving them the opportunity to connect to its global route network.

The airline is also operating its daily Lagos /Kigali flights, so it now flies to two destinations in Nigeria.

The four weekly service according to its Country Manager, Ms. Ibiyemi Odusi would now provide opportunity for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other players in the public and private sector to connect flight from Abuja directly to other routes on the airline’s network.

Speaking at the inaugural flight in Abuja, Odusi said

the new flight service was positioned to allow Nigerians have more travel options from the nation’s political capital to destinations flown by Rwand Air. Odusi said that Nigerian passengers would benefit from the route network flown by Rwand Air from Abuja.

She said with right product pricing , scheduling planning and other unique selling points at the disposal of Rwand Air, it intends to grow traffic on the route to about 80 per cent load factor in the next six months.

Odusi said since Rwand Air started operations to Nigeria, it has continued to consolidate from its hub in Kigali to Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Accra, London, Brussels and other

routes on its network.

She said the Abuja / Kigali four weekly flights would open vista of opportunity for passengers who want to connect to many parts of the world by leveraging on the carrier’s on time performance.

She also thanked the Minister of States for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other top government officials for making the day’s inaugural flight a success.

Also speaking, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi said the extension of flight service between Abuja and Kigali would boost trade relations between the two countries.

Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation, Andrea Debbane said: “Having already trained more than 1,000 students in such a short time is a remarkable achievement and I would like to thank STEM METS Resources for their dedication and efforts.

Investments in education and training are essential in building an educated and skilled workforce. The goal of the Airbus youth development

program is to support the countries’ efforts in creating a sustainable pipeline of talent for Africa.�

Founder of STEM METS Resources, Jadesola Adedeji, said: “We are very proud of our partnership with the Airbus Foundation, the Airbus Little Engineer program is such a unique learning opportunity.

These popular workshops are designed to channel students’ potential, encouraging them to

use science, technology, and mathematics in an exciting and engaging, team work approach. It is also a great pride an achievement for me as a Nigerian. We want nothing more than for children in Nigeria to have access to innovative and alternative means of learning using and also creating an environment where STEM education will be embraced and enhanced in our society.

Dangote Foundation Carves Out Special Identity for Differentiation Raheem Akingbolu Rwanda’s national carrier, Rwand Air at the weekend flagged off its Abuja/ Kigali flights, ready to provide service to passengers from Nigeria’s political capital and giving them the opportunity to connect to its global route network.

The airline is also operating its daily Lagos /Kigali flights, so it now flies to two destinations in Nigeria.

The four weekly service according to its Country Manager, Ms. Ibiyemi Odusi would now provide opportunity for government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other players in the public and private sector to connect flight from Abuja directly to other routes on the airline’s network.

Speaking at the inaugural flight in Abuja, Odusi said the new flight service was positioned to allow Nigerians have more travel options from the nation’s political capital to destinations flown by Rwand Air. Odusi said that Nigerian passengers would benefit from the route network flown by Rwand Air from Abuja.

She said with right product pricing , scheduling planning and other unique selling points at the disposal of Rwand Air, it intends to grow traffic on the route to about 80 per cent load factor in the next six months.

Odusi said since Rwand Air started operations to Nigeria, it has continued to consolidate from its hub in Kigali to Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Accra, London,

Brussels and other routes on its network. She said the Abuja / Kigali four weekly flights would open vista of opportunity for passengers who want to connect to many parts of the world by leveraging on the carrier’s on time performance.

She also thanked the Minister of States for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other top government officials for making the day’s inaugural flight a success.

Also speaking, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi said the extension of flight service between Abuja and Kigali would boost trade relations between the two countries.

30

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í° Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

NIA: Five Million Vehicles Have Genuine Insurance Certificates Stories by Ebere Nwoji The Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) , has said that about five million vehicles in Nigeria now have genuine insurance certificates as captured on the Nigeria Insurance Industry Database (NIID) .

This is an improvement on the reports in 2016 that about four million out of the existing 16 million vehicles plying Nigerian roads have genuine insurance certificates while 12 million vehicles in the country parade fake motor insurance certificates. The NIA has the mandate to ensure that all motor and marine insurance certificates in the hands of Nigerians are purchased from genuine insurance firms.

The NIA Chairman, Eddie Efekoha, who disclosed this at a recent press briefing in Lagos, also expressed satisfaction at a relief from what he

described as heavy tax burden given to insurance firms by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The NIA Chairman noted that the NIID has really impacted positively on the operations of insurance companies.

Efekoha, stated that though the number of vehicles captured falls below expectations going by the number of vehicles in the country, the industry will sustain the drive to capture all vehicles plying Nigerian roads.

He said the association is forging ahead in the implementation of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, adding that discussions between the Association and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), for deployment of the USSD have progressed significantly and an interagency publicity committee

has been put together between NIA and NIBSS with a view to publicising the project to engender public support and acceptability.

According to him, when fully operational, the USSD code is expected to close the gap encountered in the operation of the NIID as the code will not require internet

connectivity for verification of motor insurance certificates across the country.

On tax issue in the industry, the NIA chairman noted that one of the most interesting developments in the industry was the recent halt on the activities of tax agents whom he said have been invading insurance firms, in furtherance

of the enforcement of section 16 of company Income Tax CITA 2007 as amended. “We are delighted to report that through our strategic engagement initiatives and with the understanding reached, members are now relieved from the heavy tax burden imposed on our member-insurance companies by the law.

“We appreciate the management of FIRS particularly its chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler, for giving us the opportunity to make our presentation and canvass our position on the law. “We assure them of our continued support in the process of amending the law to bring it in line with global best practice�, Efekoha stated.

AXA Mansard Launches ‘MyAXA Mobile’ Application for Efficient Service Delivery AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, a member of the AXA Group, has launched a revolutionary application in the Nigerian non-banking financial services industry tagged MyAXA mobile app.

According to the company, the application, is designed to bring real value to the life experiences of its users by providing a more convenient way to purchase and manage their AXA Mansard product plans MyAXA app is a unique improvement from other apps as subscribers can carry out transactions, buy products and book hospital appointments whenever they want.

Speaking on the workings of the application, AXA Mansard Chief Digital Officer, Bayo Adesanya, said the application, is designed for iPhone and Android devices and is available for free download on the App Store for IOS users and Play Store for Android users respectively.

According to him, mobile

technology, has changed the daily routine of millions of Nigerians by significantly influencing how they receive information. “The population of mobile phone users in the country keeps growing so organisations are increasingly leveraging on this trend by creating platforms where consumers manage their product plans on the go.

Adesanya also noted that “MyAXA app, enables subscribers to perform various activities which include purchase of insurance packages; real time claims initiation and tracking; locating hospitals and ordering prescription refills.

He said other possibilities on the app include making contribution to funds; liquidating investments as well as checking balances on Retirement Savings Accounts. “The app is secure, all payment information is strictly confidential and global security standards have been employed to protect users’ information� he added.

CHI Reports 108% Growth in Profit Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI Plc) has reported 108 percent growth in its profit for the financial year ended 31st December, 2017.

In its results, submitted and approved by both the National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), and the Nigeria Stock Exchange, (NSE) the company posted a profit after tax of N 406,205,406 when compared with the N 194,987,845 of the 2016 financial year.

Also, profit before tax grew by 74 percent from N368,133,129 in 2016 to N641,052,022 in 2017.

Further details of the results made available to shareholders of the company show appreciable progress in investment

activities of the company.

According to the result, income from the activities, grew from N472.3 million to N796.2 million in 2017. While total Assets of the company rose by 27 percent from N7.44 billion of 2016 to N9.49 billion.

Premium Written was N5.680 billion, while a Net Underwriting Income of N4,053,742,495 was recorded.

Managing Director of the company, Eddie Efekoha, said the company will continue to fulfil its obligations to customers through prompt claims settlement disclosing that gross amount paid out in this regard during the year under review was N3.354 billion.

AT CONSUMERS’ DOOR STEP

L-R: After sales manager, Robert Bosch Power Tools Nigeria, Edwin Eromokhodion; Country Sales Director, Frank Diermann; Managing Director, Amicable Concerns Limited, Uche Okpala; Area sales manager, Robert Bosch Power Tools Nigeria, Seyifunmi Ojomu and Key User Manager, Olalekan Oyebode, at the inauguration of Bosch Experience Center in Lagos...recently

Guinea Insurance Grows Shareholders’ Fund by 16% to N3.4bn in 2017 Guinea Insurance Plc grew its shareholders’ fund by 16 per cent to N3.4 billion in 2017 compared with the N2.9 billion recorded in 2016.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications department of the firm, Ufot Hanson, said Gross Premium Written rose seven per cent from N906.7 million in 2016 to N967.1 in 2017.

According to him, Net Premium Income of the company also grew by 15 per cent from N649.5 million in 2016 to N747.1 in 2017.

Underwriting profit grew from N453.4 million in 2016 to N501.1 in 2017 representing a growth rate of 11 per cent.

Claims paid by Guinea Insurance on various classes of insurance decreased by 47 per cent from N304.9 million in 2016 to N161.5 million in 2017. He attributed this to operational efficiency of the company in terms of people, processes, technology and communications.

He observed that the period under review was characterised by the shooting match of the Monetary Policy Committee which held interest rate at a record high of 14 per cent while the Central Bank kept the monetary

policy rate unchanged since July 2016 with the aim of balancing the need to fight inflation and also stabilising the naira in order to support an economy emerging from its worst slump in 25 years.

He said in spite of these, the Guinea Insurance Income recorded a marginal decline of three per cent from N215.5 in 2016 to N208.3 in 2017.

The company however made a remarkable performance as it achieved 35 percent increase in its Profit Before Tax from N176.3 million in 2016 to N237.8 million in 2017.

Similarly, its profit after tax increased by 518 per cent from N40.6 million in 2016 to N251.0 million in 2017.

According to Ufot, Solvency Margin of the company, grew by 13 per cent from N3.0 billion in 2016 to N3.4 billion in 2017, just as its Shareholders’ Fund recorded 16 percent increase from N2.9 billion in 2016 to N3.4 billion in 2017.

The company’s management in a statement, pledge to return the company on the path of profitability reaffirming its commitment to continuously deliver values that will positively affect the lives of its stakeholders and leverage best practices.

Linkage Assurance CEO among Top 25 Capital Market Performers in 2017 Managing Director/CEO, Linkage Assurance Plc, Dr. Pius Apere, has been listed among Top 25 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) who delivered the most value to stakeholders, and contributed to the impressive performance recorded by the Nigerian capital market in 2017.

Last year, listed stocks gained N4.36 trillion in market capitalisation, a development that made the Nigerian capital market one of the best in the world.

The 25 CEOs who were celebrated during the Business Day Top 25 CEO Awards held in Lagos accounted for over 60 percent of the success recorded on the NSE. That means they added some N2.6 trillion to market value in 2017.

Dr. Pius Apere-led new Management of Linkage Assurance Plc with the support of the Board recorded significant achievements in 2017 leading to being awarded as one of the Top 25 CEOs. On the performance of the company in 2017, In the 2017 financial year, Apere, the Company, recorded gross premium income (GPI) of N4.102 billion as against N4. 032 billion in 2016, and was able to beat negative market sentiments that affected the company before the new management came in early 2017. “From 2017 the Company share price has rose

above 90 kobo and we were in a position to carry out half year 2017 Accounts audit exercise successfully within two months to pay interim dividend, having wiped out the negative retained earnings which existed for over 10 years. The Company is also in a position to pay final dividend from 2017 audited Accounts which awaits NAICOM’s approval.�, Linkage Assurance, had an improved investment performance and profitability in 2017 despite the challenges in the market environment leading to better investment returns to shareholders in terms of payment of dividend and increased shareholders fund.

The Company also in 2017 brought in a new marketing strategy that focused on client/ insured, with the ultimate aim of deepening the company’s marketing outreach which will enable growth of gross premium income, which is expected will manifest from 2018 “We have developed our IT infrastructure in 2017 to put the company in competitive position in line with our peers.

To improve our operational efficiency, we have deployed the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to our 13 branches in 2017 to ensure seamless operational link and/or fully integrated with Head office.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

31

32

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDUCATION WAEC: Curbing the Menace of Exam Malpractices Following the arrest of some suspects last weekend by the police for retailing leaked WASSCE May/June, 2018 examination question papers on websites and WhatsApp, the West African Examinations Council has threatened to penalise those found culpable, including cancelling the entire results of the candidates. The development has generated reactions from parents who are calling for a regulatory body to monitor such sites to curb examination malpractices. Funmi Ogundare reports Examination malpractices seem to have been taken to another dimension in the country as people now devise various means of cheating to either pass or make ends meet. A worst case scenario is when those who are supposed to be protecting the integrity of and supervising the on-going May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) are the ones leaking the question papers to interested candidates for a fee to pass.

However, the question papers found their way into the hands of unscrupulous people who in turn send prepared answers to the internet for interested candidates for a fee. For instance, there are several sites such as naijaclass.com, examcrown.com, exponet.com, examsort.com, gurus.com, among others, where students have to send recharge cards of N400 to have access to questions and answers of the exams they are writing and with a subscription of N800, the answers are sent directly to their mobile phones, With N400, they have to go online to get the answers.

These sites always have all exam papers and solutions too, probably a day or two before the exams.

The recent arrest of four suspects by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Ondo, Edo and Osun States for retailing leaked WASSCE May/June, 2018 examination question papers on websites and WhatsApp platforms readily comes to mind.

The suspects, Samuel Kayode, 28-year-old from Ondo State; Adebayo Ifeoluwa, 17, from Osun State; Alayande Ahmed and Festus Elusode, 20, from Edo State were all arrested in their respective states. Kayode, a part-time teacher in two secondary schools based in Ilesa, disclosed that he also taught Physics and Mathematics in a private tutorial class where he assisted candidates with questions and already prepared answers.

According to him, after working as a tutorial teacher for seven years, he got a part-time employment in two private schools in Ilesa, Osun State, where he also helped students preparing for WASSCE with leaked questions and prepared answers. He said he did it to make a living. “I got a part-time teaching job when I couldn’t secure a government teaching job after graduating for NCE and couldn’t settle for the little salary I was being paid by my employers, so I decided to help myself with what I have been doing as a tutorial teacher by assisting lazy students to source for WASSCE examination questions and answers via some online platforms that deal in the illegal business. “After registering candidates in their various centres, I liaise with some anonymous people who we call ‘web masters’. The web masters have insiders in various examination boards in the country with leaked question papers and buy such from them,� he explained. “There are many websites operated by the web masters, where leaked WASSCE questions and prepared answers are sold to subscribing candidates. Some of these websites include; www.examloaded.com, www.guruscamp.com, www.ceebook.net, www.solutionclass.com and www.expotab.com. They also hawk NECO, GCE and JAMB examination papers with answers.�

Kayode added that the contact person on web master named ‘Dan’, who doesn’t pick calls but

Students in an examination hall only deals on text messages and WhatsApp messages usually sells answers via WhatsApp or issues a quick login password that can be issued on the website and immediately redirect the user to the page where the already prepared answers are. “I then retail the answers I have bought from Mr. Dan to candidate customers who I coordinate carefully on a WhatsApp platform named ‘WAEC VIP’ where candidates wait patiently to receive the answers to the questions after sending to me N400 recharge cards of any network. I demand for N400 recharge card from candidates for general subject while I charge N800 for Mathematics and English Language.�

In his confession, Ifeoluwa, a 200 level Accounting student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) said he sold leaked WASSCE examination questions and answers to a group on WhatsApp called ‘MCC’ where candidates paid a recharge card of N400 to get questions and answers. “Sometime this year, just before the on-going WASSCE examination, I belong to a sports betting WhatsApp group where we forecast for games.

One of the members sent a broadcast about how to get WASSCE questions and left a WhatsApp link which I joined before thinking of creating my own ‘MCC’ after a thoughtful assumption of how profitable the venture looks.�

The other suspect, Elusode, who failed school certificate examination before becoming an apprentice at a welding and metal fabrication shop, also chose the retailing of leaked WASSCE question and answer as a side hustle.

He said he got to know about the deal on a website where he downloaded songs before a pop asking ‘if you want to receive exam result click here’ which he did and dully registered to start the retailing of the answers among candidates in the area.

On his part, Ahmad said “I got to know about WASSCE questions and answers racketeering on a website after dropping out of secondary school at SS2 due to lack of funds, but I promised to assist my friends who were preparing to sit for WASSCE at all cost. “I contacted an admin on a WhatsApp group

where answers were being sold to candidates who registered with him after sending N400 recharge card to him. The subscribers receive questions and answers few hours before their examination.�

The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command also arrested a pastor, who allegedly operated a fake WAEC centre and deceived many unsuspecting candidates who registered with him and sat for non-existing examinations in the centre after collecting various amount of money from them. Pastor Adeniyi Joshua of El-Supreme Church was arrested following a complaint lodged to the police on April 25.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Edgal Imohimi, who confirmed the arrest, during a press briefing and parade of suspected criminals at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja, said the arrest was made following a complaint by a senior staff of WAEC Office, Ogba that there exist a fake WAEC centre at El-Supreme Private School located at 3 Oseni Adekogbe Street, Igbogbo Ikorodu. “Operatives of the command attached to Area ‘G’ Ogba were mobilised to the above address where one Pastor Adeniyi Joshua of El-Supreme Church was arrested.�

He said the police recovered from him WAEC question papers and answer sheets suspected to be forged.

The police boss disclosed that after registering the candidates, the suspect will set the questions by himself, make the candidates to sit for the examinations in his fake centre, collect the answer sheets and question papers and dump them somewhere in one of his offices.

Edgal advised parents to monitor their wards’ preparation for examination instead of allowing them to engage in examination malpractices.

The suspects have been transferred to the State CID for further investigations.

Some parents that have been following the development expressed displeasure about it, saying that there should be a regulatory body to monitor such sites within the ministry of communication.

Mr. Charles Opera said, “you will be surprised to hear names of prominent people behind those sites. Truth be told, there is no smoke without

fire; there is no denying the fact that staff of the various examination boards are involved.

We live in a compromised environment.�

He added: “The crazy part is that these websites are not hidden. I checked a few of them out and they make no bones of advertising their horrendous trade. Customers even give testimonies and recommendations.�

Mrs. Ronke Oladeji said: “In this country of ours, hardship has necessitated a lot of crime, people cheating online is not greed, it is pure crime to enrich themselves. The criminals knew the system is bad, they carved a market for themselves by harnessing those age bracket, ‘bingo’ they are making money.�

The Head, Public Affairs of WAEC, Mr. Damianus Ojijiogu told THISDAY that from its investigations, supervisors take pictures of the questions with their phone cameras and send them out while the examination is going on. “Our monitoring and investigations of the on-going examination have established the fact that certain school principals, invigilators, supervisors and candidates who had succeeded in smuggling mobile phones and other electronic devices into the examination hall, snap the question papers after the examination must have commenced and forward to their criminal collaborators who in turn provide solutions to the questions and send to their subscribers via rogue websites, SMS, WhatsApp and other social media. “In addition, in several cases during our monitoring and investigations, it was discovered that question papers of previous examinations were photo shopped by this despicable elements to scam gullible candidates who patronise their rogue websites and WhatsApp platforms.�

He said as soon as the council is done with its internal investigations, it will report the erring supervisors to their various ministries of education and ANCOPSS; and blacklist them. “The affected schools will suffer various sanctions ranging from de-recognition to having their recognitions withdrawn out rightly. The candidates will not be left out, as some will have their subject results or entire results cancelled; some will be barred from writing the WASSCE,� he said.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

33

EDUCATION

Uwakwe: Repositioning NECO for Efficient Service Delivery Barely 20 years after its establishment, the National Examinations Council has become a household name in the area of examination assessment. Uchechukwu Nnaike highlights the efforts of the current Registrar, Professor Charles Uwakwe to transform the council into a world-class examination assessment body, as well as his achievements and challenges since he assumed office When the National Examinations Council (NECO) was established in 1999 and conducted its first Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2000, many stakeholders in the education sector were sceptical about the sustainability of council and the credibility of its examination. The pioneer candidates were not sure if NECO result would be accepted by their chosen higher institutions. Some higher institutions in the country were said to have rejected the results initially.

The council was however undaunted in its determination to evolve into a world-class examination body and is currently the only home-grown public examination body in Nigeria responsible for conducting the SSCE, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for junior secondary schools, as well as the National Common Entrance examinations into federal government colleges.

The council has continued on its path to greatness under the current Registrar, Professor Charles Uwakwe with some of the policies and programmes he initiated to transform the council.

It is on record that his first task on assumption of duties was the initiation of “NECO Ethos�, geared towards enhancing staff orientation, attitude to work and service delivery. The ethos is hinged on: professionalism, service delivery, punctuality/timeliness, client satisfaction, precise and accurate information, good attitude, integrity, commitment, zero tolerance for impunity, and excellence.

The 10-point ethos was a reflection of Uwakwe’s determination to start on a solid footing and charting a direction for himself and the staff of the council. The goal was to bring NECO to global standard and best practises in line with global trends in educational assessment.

The registrar, an erudite scholar with over 28 years of university teaching, research and consulting experience in counselling, educational and health psychology, is said to have personally applied himself to ensuring that the driving principles of his 10-point NECO Ethos are vigorously adhered to. “He not only preaches the ethos, but is guided by them. He believes they are the bedrock of building a team of dedicated and committed staff who share a common vision for the examination body. This obviously is in line with his belief and determination to provide a valid and reliable assessment platform for students’ performance and also keeping in view the need to assure stakeholders in education to continue to see examination as a reliable means of restructuring and national development.�

Based on his conviction that the success of any organisation depends to a large extent on the commitment of the staff, Uwakwe demonstrated his commitment to staff welfare and development by undertaking a timely and transparent conduct of two promotion exercises which were devoid of the rancour and bitterness usually associated with such exercises. He also introduced equity and fairness in the posting of staff to out of station assignments.

He ensured that all staff entitlements are regularly and timely paid. He had promised on resumption of office that the only way to maintain staff integrity and that of the council when they are out on official assignment was to ensure that all entitlements were promptly computed and paid.

According to the council, “this promise has been kept in full. Prompt payment of allowances to examiners and other ad-hoc staff engaged

Uwakwe by the council has also witnessed a boost.

This has largely invigorated staff motivation and dedication to assigned duties. “Professor Uwakwe has left no one in doubt as someone who takes responsive action when needed. This he demonstrated with the prompt appointment of a director of Human Resource Management Department, a position that has been vacant for over a year before he assumed office, and caused several bickering and hiccups in the council. “Equally under his watch, three new departments and a directorate were created with the appointment of directors to oversee them for greater staff mobility and service delivery.

The departments are Psychometrics, General Services, ICT and the Directorate of Special Duties in the Office of the Registrar.�

It added: “It is worthy of note that under the able leadership of Uwakwe, the council has witnessed the provision of befitting accommodation for staff across the country.

Specifically, staff accommodation has been provided in the FCT, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Enugu, Bauchi, Kano and Lagos States.�

Achievements Perhaps the greatest achievement of NECO is that it has provided hope for thousands of

candidates who have been able to keep their matriculation dates because of the timely release of results. “Consequently, many Nigerians now have the opportunity to contribute to the development of their nation and the feeling of wellbeing that results from this sense of realisation is difficult to quantify in concrete terms.�

The council also emphasised that by its activities, it has allowed for a reduction in the number of potential sources of instability in the community, especially by youths who ordinarily would not have been able to feel a sense of satisfaction and progress in their lives. “Furthermore, whatever contribution these vibrant segment of our population are able to bring back in the form of economic activity is a potential generator of wealth for the nation.

Consequently, the dividends of NECO stretch well beyond the horizon of testing, measurement or evaluation. They touch thousands of Nigerian lives and do so for the better. “The coming of Uwakwe to NECO has brought visible changes to the examination body. The erudite scholar and astute administrator has proven to stakeholders that his past record of achievements are no fluke. His track record of achievements is self-evident in the successes he has recorded across board in

the management of the examination council since his assumption of office.�

Other achievements of the current NECO registrar since he assumed office on August 1, 2016 are: Successful conduct of all NECO examinations (NCEE, BECE, SSCE I and SSCE EXT) from August 2016 to date; early release of all examination results as exemplified by the 2017 Nov/Dec SSCE results which was released on the 38th day after the examination.

This enabled the candidates to use the results for the 2017/2018 admission exercises into tertiary institutions.

The council has also printed and distributed all outstanding SSCE and BECE certificates up to 2014; combating and reducing examination malpractices to the barest minimum in all its examinations is another key achievement of NECO; the council has also successfully conducted sensitisation workshops on offlineonline examination registration procedure for relevant stakeholders in all the 36 states and the FCT on January 23 and 24, 2017; as well as ensured seamless migration from strictly online registration procedure to offline-online procedure in January 2017.

The council also successfully conducted the 2016, 2017and 2018 trial testing of test items using senior secondary school students selected from the six geo-political zones; successful conduct of 2016, 2017and 2018 accreditation and re-accreditation of schools for SSCE and BEC; timely and transparent conduct of 2016, 2017and 2018 staff promotion examinations devoid of rancour; introduction of equity and fairness in the posting of staff for out of station assignments; as well as prompt payment of honorarium to examiners, supervisors, external monitors and other ad-hoc staff.

Furthermore, Uwakwe’s administration ensured successful participation and presentation of two memoranda at the 2016 Joint Consultative Council on Education (JCCE) Reference Committees meeting which held in Awka, Anambra State from February 27 to March 2, 2017; as well as successful linkage of the national headquarters complex of the council in Minna to National Power Grid by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in June, 2017 after seven years of sole reliance on generators.

The council also sponsored in-house training workshop on the use of some Item Response Theory (IRT software in partnership with the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan in August 2017; sponsored some staff to attend national and international conferences on educational assessment; gradual but steady improvement in remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) since 2016 to date, among other achievements.

Challenges In spite of the achievements, the council is being confronted by a number of challenges such as poor public understanding of the difference between the functions and operations of NECO and other examination bodies; inadequate capital allocation; delay in release of appropriated funds; non-settlement of debts/delay in settlement of debts by some state governments.

Other challenges are lack of integrated ICT platform and communication system linking state/zonal offices to the headquarters; inadequate standard warehouses nationwide; inadequate manpower in some subject areas; inadequate office accommodation for most state offices; obsolete ICT equipment; and inadequate operational vehicles for distribution of examination materials nationwide.

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDUCATION

World Book Day: NGO, Author Accuse Reuters, ITN of Copyright Infringement Uchechukwu Nnaike In commemoration of this year’s World Book and Copyright Day with the theme ‘Securing Our Intellectual Property’ the Youth Orientation for Development (YOD), a UNESCO NGO, has thrown its weight behind an artist and author, Mr. Arthur Judah, who is seeking justice over copyright infringement

by Reuters News Agency and the ITN. The organisation is also calling on the government and the relevant agency saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the copyright law in Nigeria to do more by ensuring that all intellectual thieves are adequately punished according to the law and those whose works have been copied be adequately compensated.

According to the President of YOD, Ambassador Emmanuel Ejiogu, the event was to create awareness on the need to protect the works and rights of many writers and other

creative artistes. “The attention on this day over the years has been limited to books and reading, but we have decided to turn our attention to the issue of copyright and intellectual property as this is an important issue of concern for writers and other creative artists in Nigeria.�

Narrating his experience, Judah, who was unjustly incarcerated for 16 years and spent nine years on death row, said he had to resort to painting to document life in prison. “On the Gallows’, ‘Sorrows, Tears and Blood’, Shadows in the Dark’‌ so have I titled some of my past arts exhibitions and presentations showcasing drawings that I painstakingly with my sweat and blood did during the 16 calendar years I spent in unjust incarceration. “My ‘On the Gallows’ works ‘so fondly called’ became part of my life and majorly voice in speaking out against the death penalty since 2000 that I left

prison. Some of the drawings date back to 1987.�

He stressed that he owns copyrights to his works and never put a price tag to any of the drawings, as they are solely reserved for campaigns and never meant to be sold, electronically, hard copy and otherwise.

Judah said he started documenting his exhibitions and speaking engagements in 2006, but in 2007 he surprisingly discovered that his unfinished master tape video was missing in his studio. “I couldn’t at the time find explanation for my missing video until seven years after that I stumbled on the missing video broken into clips

by Reuters News Agency and selling on ITN website.

Neither Reuters nor ITN had contacted me before distorting and commercialising my work.

The damage done was huge.�

He regretted that the action of Reuters and ITN militated against the reasons why ‘On the Gallows’ campaign was in

the first place given birth to. “In reaction, I directed my lawyer to write Reuters and ITN which he did. In response it was ITN that wrote back first claiming not to be responsible for the theft of my work, but that it was only working for Reuters as archive keeper, it however dropped my work from its website and shifted blame to Reuters. The letter from ITN did not at all address the issue of compensation demand made by my lawyer neither of how my stolen work would be returned to me.�

According to his lawyer, Mr. Chiji Lebechi, the matter is currently in court, as his client is not satisfied with the response by Reuters which claimed that the owner had authorised the agency to publish and sell his work without getting anything in return.

He said Judah is determined to pursue the case until he is paid compensation for the damage.

L-R: The Associate Dean, College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Sacramento, USA, Dr. Robin Carter; the awardee, Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Director, Centre for African Peace and Conflict Resolution, California State University, Prof. Ernest Uwazie, during the presentation of the 2018 Peace and Humanitarian Award by the institute to Ali at a gala night ceremony held at the Ball Room of the university‌ recently

UBEC to Audit Public, Private Basic Education Institutions Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is set to conduct a comprehensive audit of all public and private basic education institutions in the country to obtain a reliable data of both the personnel and students.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Mr. Hammid Bobboyi, who disclosed this while briefing journalists ahead of the forthcoming National Personnel Audit exercise, said the audit would be carried out in conjunction with state and local governments and will entail personnel audit of teaching and non-teaching staff of all basic education institutions in Nigeria.

He added that the exercise will enable the commission to obtain comprehensive and reliable data of children of school age enrolled in basic education schools and those in primary

and junior secondary schools. “We successfully carried out a personnel audit of public basic education institutions in Nigeria in 2006 and the last one was done in 2010. The reports of these audits are already in public domain.�

He said the audit was meant to be carried out every three years in reference to the UBEC Act, 2004 section 9f and (l), so as to establish a basic education data bank and conduct research on basic education in Nigeria.

Bobboyi hinted that the exercise is coming at a time when the government is making each state to have its own strategic plan. “We need to have a strategic plan that will guide basic education in each state. About 34 states have submitted their reports, we have three outstanding states. When the whole report is submitted, we would be able to roll out activities that are well detailed

for each state.�

He stressed that if the foundation of basic education is not strong enough, “we cannot develop the kind of human resource that is needed to build the society. The audit exercise will enable us to identify the needs of each school and also develop proper policies that will boost the education sector.

We will look at areas that are underdeveloped and look for means of bridging the gap.�

While speaking on the number of out of school children in Nigeria, he said the commission may not be able to give the exact number of the students, as the number keeps fluctuating from time to time. “We discovered that in the north-eastern part of the country, most of the children are now going back to school and this is indeed a great development for the country.�

Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Personnel Audit

Programme, Rev. Edwin Jerome said the commission will raise the standard of public education with the exercise, adding that it wants to ensure that quality education is maintained in public schools at all times.

While speaking on the level of preparedness for the audit, he said the high level monitoring team will be led by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu. “Other members of the team will include UBEC governing board and management, senate and house committee on basic education and committee on SDGs. External monitors will be involved in monitoring the field activities in states, as well as stakeholders in the education sector and international development partners.�

The audit will be undertaken in two phases; the first phase will be conducted in all states of the three geopolitical zones in the southern part of the country from April 29 to May 26, 2018.

Tame the Cain in You! Jealousy is definitely there in your school; within and amongst your staff members; but, you must master it.

Jealousy is human and cuts across all professions and trades. Jealousy is as old as Cain and Abel. It is just as virulent now as it was then. Jealousy caused Cain to resent Abel, his own brother so much that he killed him. Jealousy is older; Lucifer fell by its poison! You and I must master our jealousies and divert its energies to personal developments. Indeed jealousy can be good when positively channelled.

Step back a little and reflect on that overly friendly and generous teacher in your school who generously spreads gists that should really be classified information. Yes you’ve got that other confrontational teacher who’s very skilled at ‘fixing’ new or timid teachers. You absolutely have that teacher who knows the mind of the principal. She/he boasts of being ‘five and six’ with management taking ‘news’ to and fro. On the other hand, you do have that ‘innocent’ quieter teacher who’s adept at effortlessly suggesting ideas that fan the embers of prejudices, discontent and rancour.

Like everywhere else, school jealousies can generate subtle: rumouring, discontentment, resentments, cliques and cliquish nesses, verbal and psychological abuses, segregations and unhappiness.

The following reasons explain why teachers may get jealous of each other: Personal financial challenges or financial uncertainties within the establishment.

Structural changes within the academic team.

Departmental reorganisation or reassignment(s).

Lack of opportunities for promotion or trainings.

Lack of professional progression.

Salaried reassignment of another member of staff.

An anticipated or deserved promotion went to another teacher. Another teacher is more affluent, trendy or seemingly problem-free.

Another teacher is more creative.

The constant adoption of another/other teachers’ ideas.

Clear favoritism shown to another teacher(s).

Being unrecognised or under-praised.

Inability to accept change.

A low self-image and self-esteem.

Simply having a hateful, controlling, myopic and or confrontational personality.

The employer/establishment is not staff-orientated.

The existence of ‘toxic’ team members particularly if they have management roles.

A management that feeds into ‘Chinese whispers’.

Having a very little or no knowledge of the school’s ethos.

Not cuing into the aspirations of the employing school.

Having little or no hope of personal advancement.

The above list has certainly not exhausted the reasons for dissatisfaction within the school. What is important is that you identify the cause for your misgivings and quench it. I shall share ways to do this next.

Omoru writes from the UK

UniversityofBirminghamDubaiPlans Recruitment Exercise in Nigeria Students in Nigeria will have the opportunity of discovering the benefits of studying at the University of Birmingham Dubai, as it plans to organise recruitment exercise in-country.

The first global top 100 and elite Russell Group university to establish a campus in Dubai, Birmingham will open its doors to students in September, offering degrees taught, examined and accredited to the same recognised high standards as those delivered on its UK campus.

The Dubai Information Session will hold on May 1 at the Continental Hotel, Lagos, and at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja on May 3 According to the Provost, Professor Glyn Watson, “we aim to offer the highest quality academic experience to stretch

and challenge our students in Dubai, whilst encouraging bold, independent thinking to ensure that our graduates are equipped to stand out in a competitive, global employment market. “I hope that many gifted and talented Nigerian students will come to our events and find out how they could benefit from a University of Birmingham education. “In choosing to study with us, they will be taught by outstanding academics; experts in their fields who are shaping policy, influencing society and changing lives around the globe. They will join one of the world’s top 100 universities, which counts 11 Nobel Prize winners among its former staff and students.�

36

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDUCATION

Ade-Ojo Offers N5m Capital for Graduand’s Business Proposal James Sowole in Akure The Proprietor of Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo has given a start-up capital of N5 million to one of the graduates of the institution, Abisola Animasaun.

The institution produced 105 graduates at its second convocation ceremony, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole

Soyinka and the Prof Emeritus, Ayo Banjo of the University of Ibadan.

Ade-Ojo, who presented the cheque to Animasaun, said the prize was given under the Go Higher Business Empowerment Award initiative to mark his 80 birthday, which coincides with his university’s second convocation.

He explained that Animasaun, a graduate of Mass Communication won the award with her business proposal that

surpassed those of 30 other applicants. The awardee’s proposal was for the establishment of a company, Gas-Urgently, said to be the first mobile cooking gas filling station in the country. “Animasaun is a clear demonstration of the role of the university in training the mind. Here is a graduate of Mass Communication, who applied her knowledge to fill a gap in the society. Her company, called Gas-Urgently will be the first mobile cooking gas

filling station in the country,�

Ade-Ojo said.

He added that one of the dreams for the university is to train and develop the minds of its students, which is already being pursued vigorously with the kind of knowledge being inculcated in the students. “The university throws up various courses; the real essence of these courses is to develop competencies, including critical and creative thinking, analytical capabilities and the ability to

think out of the box.

These are all transferable skills, which will enable our students to be tomorrow’s competent leaders.�

He said some of the richest men in the world today are men who were able to innovate by applying their knowledge to fill the existing gap in the market of goods and services, adding that the university is training the students to be able to apply their dreams regardless of the type of degree they take out of the institution.

He therefore admonished the 105 graduands to think out of the box on what they can do, saying that entrepreneurship is the real thing now.

“For instance, as you are leaving here today, do not go home and sit down waiting for that job that is not existing now if it barbing, go to the barber beside your house, learn how to barb, you will be a better barber with the education you have.�

Apart from various prizes presented to exceptional graduands, the university offered automatic employment to all 16 graduates that made first class.

Also, a member of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Funke Osibodu offered automatic employment to all the first class and second class upper division graduates in Accounting and Computer Science.

ASUU Tasks FG on 16m Unemployed Nigerian Graduates Ademola Babalola in Ibadan

L-R: Mr. Michael Arokodare, his wife, Bola, and the National President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA), Sir Ben Okoronkwo, during the presentation of the Diamond Award to Arokodare at the National Executive Council meeting of the association in Lagos‌ recently

Tech-U VC, Others Appointed Committee Members of Oyo Cancer Control Plan Following the launch of the five-year State Cancer Control Plan, the Oyo State Government recently inaugurated a steering committee which has been saddled with the responsibility of implementing the plan.

The membership of the committee, headed by the wife of the Governor and founder of the Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, consists of people that are potent forces in their fields and in the country.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of The Technical University,

Ibadan, Professor Ayobami Salami; Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge; Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela; the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun; and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan were named as members of the steering committee.

Others are the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin;

Mrs. Sururat Oyero, former Public Relations Officer of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Dr. Oluyemisi Iyiola, Professor Olaitan Soyannwo and Professor Modupe Onadeko.

While commending his wife who is the initiator of the programme, Governor Abiola Ajimobi confirmed that his administration has “taken a pre-emptive review of the structure of the healthcare system with the requisite intent of meeting the health needs of the people of Oyo

State.�

He added that an extensive restructuring of the sector, involving the three tiers of service provision in the state is on-going.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said her foundation has been at the forefront of the fight against cancer in the state in the last five years. “My first response to tackling cancer was to make cancer control activities a cardinal part of the vision of Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation, an NGO which I founded in 2012.�

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on the plight of 16 million unemployed Nigerian graduates and about 12 million out of school children to safeguard their future and protect them from being tagged youth sitting down and awaiting freebies.

The Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of the union, Dr. Deji Omole, who stated this in Ibadan said it became imperative for the minister to be reminded that the future of the children of the masses must not be used to play politics with the declaration and wondered why in the last week of April, the plan to declare emergency in the sector had not been perfected.

ASUU said it was sad for a government that fails to improve access to education for millions of youth yearning for education to state that the youths are sitting down and waiting for freebies. “What has the government done to salvage the condition of 12 million out of school children in Nigeria? What has the government done to ensure employment for over 16 million unemployed Nigerians?

What plan does the government have for graduates who go through the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

every year but frustrated by lack of job and hostile environment to even start a small and medium scale business? If the government fails to attend to the needs of the youths today, they will become nightmares for Nigeria in the future.�

ASUU recalled that the minister had raised the hopes of declaring emergency in the sector this month apparently to proffer solutions to the low quality of education being offered Nigerian children.

Omole wondered the methodology to be used in upgrading quantity to quality education following the paltry seven per cent of the national budget allocated to education by the Buhari administration.

The ASUU boss who lashed out at the Buhari-led administration for not investing in the future of Nigeria through education but invests in propaganda, noted that most of those in government enjoyed free education, health and other social services when they were younger in Nigeria.

Despite enjoying the best in their youth days, Omole regretted that the kind of education being given to Nigerian children are below universal standards, and called on Buhari to ensure that the kind of education Nigerian children are exposed to is of global standard and at par with what his children had abroad.

Securing the Future of Nigerian Youths Glory Owete Without doubt, youths are the foundation of positive and negative picture of any society. Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation. Through their creative talents and labour power, a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio-political attainment.

In all societies of the world, virile youth is the bedrock on which national integration and development is predicated.

The youths are the backbone and the building blocks of

any nation. It is a fact that the stronger the youth, the more developed a nation is.

The role of the youth in the nation-building process cannot be overemphasised as countries that develop and utilise their youths in the right direction seem to be more developed.

The energy and brightness of the minds of youths act as torch-bearer for a nation.

There is a confirmed connection between the prosperity of a nation and its youth development system.

It is in the reality of this that many nations have made concerted efforts in galvanizing integrated approach in putting in place youth development

structures that have a very high propensity to be a catalyst for their national growth. Is our present administration doing the same? No. On the contrary, the countries which fail to realise the importance of the youth lag behind in every aspects of life. It is a known fact that youths possess a transformative force.

We are creative, resourceful and enthusiast agents of change. Therefore, the need for youth to be listened to and productively engaged cannot be over-emphasized in every context. Youths can determine whether this era moves towards a great peril and more positive change. Let

us support the young people of our world so that they can grow into adults and a true platform for more powerful leaders of coming generations.

Unfortunately, Nigerian youths are not given the needed platform to freely express themselves. Though they have always been touted as ‘future leaders’ since God knows when, our nation clearly needs a spiritual or physical veil remover for us to act the saying ‘the future is now’ for us to stop saying the potential leaders of tomorrow are too young to lead alongside other flimsy excuses.

Around the world, there is a growing recognition of the

need to strengthen policies and investments involving young people. We need a properly marshalled policy aimed at harnessing the innate and budding potential of the youths of Nigeria. In Nigeria, the youths almost do not have a voice in the scheme of things. Rather we were criticised by our own President, Muhammadu Buhari through his comment that Nigerian youths are lazy Buhari, during a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster, London said many Nigerian youths are uneducated, not ready to work and dependent on revenue from oil to survive.

The question is what has he

done presently in his government to empower the youths of Nigeria? The unemployment, lack of opportunities, faulty educational system, repressive political system, dwindling economic fortunes, among others, are mostly responsible for the suppression of the voice of the youths in our dear nation Nigeria.

However, it must be emphasised that the Nigerian youths need to be more focussed, creative and disciplined if they are to actually become real agents of change in the country.

Owete is a student of the University of Maiduguri

36

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CITYSTRINGS

Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă?˛ËÔĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

Edo’s Killer Herdsmen Following the incessant killings of their kit and kin including the latest murder of a clergyman by suspected herdsmen, two communities took their protest to Edo Government House.

Adibe Emenyonu who monitored the protest chronicles how the killings took place

P

ius Eremosele is a clergyman. He is a pastor of one of the branches of Church of God Mission (CGM) located at Odighi, one of communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Being an agrarian community, Eremosele aged 61, also engages in agriculture as he owned large hectares of cassava farm including a plantain plantation.

Due to the size of his farm, he employed extra hands that helped him in land preparation, cultivation, weed control as well as harvesting his produce during maturity.

The man of God has been engaged in this routine vocation apart from his pastoral work for many years until April 8th this year when he and two of his workers went to farm and didn't return home. His two workers only managed to return three days after their departure.

This development threw the entire community into panic. A search party was immediately constituted after the matter was reported to the Enogie (Community Head). The villagers were about going into the bush when his wife's phone rang.

Expectantly she picked the call after seeing that it was her husband's number that was calling her.

Unfortunately, it wasn't her husband that responded, but someone who identified himself as leader of a group of herders in the area. The person instructed her to arrange a ransom of N4 million else her husband will be killed.

Before they could arrange for the ransom, Pastor Eromosele was reportedly shot behind close range before his attackers used machete to cut through his skull and all parts of his body. His decomposing body was found after three days by the search party comprising hunters, vigilance group and the police.

But for the shoes and clothes he wore before going to farm on that fateful day, his relations wouldn't have recognised him.

Narrating the ugly incident, one of workers who narrowly escaped the killer herdsmen, Kingsley Emmanuel, said two herdsmen stopped them at the farm with guns. He said the herdsmen showed them a man in a photograph as being the person that sent them to kill Pastor Eromosele, adding that the herdsmen had already collected the sum of N31,500 that was with him (Pastor) after asking the late Pastor to call his wife for the ransom payment.According to him, "After they beat us with sticks and guns, my boss called his wife around 5p.m. and told her what happened. They said she should bring N4 million but later reduced

The information we heard was that as my son was driving home with his Okada, the herdsmen and their cattle blocked the road and they waited for them to leave the road.

Immediately they passed, some of their people in the bush opened ďŹ re on my son and his friends and they died at the spot

One of the victims of herdsmen attack

it to N2 million.

"They took us to another place and tied my boss down. My boss was begging them but they refused. My brother Akpan was cut on the hand but he managed to escape.

"The next day, they said they want to kill us since my boss wife did not bring money. After my boss begged them, he told his wife to keep the money and used it for his burial. "They used cutlass to cut my hand and shoulder but my boss told me to run so I ran but was very weak so I slept in the bush."

This is not the first time the community and their neighbours of Odiguetue are experiencing the menace of this cattle raiders. On March 17th five persons including an undergraduate were murdered in cold blood by the herders while several others were hospitalised.

The undergraduate was a first year student of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, named Collins Ojierakhi. He was killed alongside his friend and another at Ugboha, Esan South East LGA, while the other two other victims met their untimely death in the same Odighi and Odiguete communities with 12 persons said to be on danger list following the attack by herdsmen.

The incident at Ugboha, THISDAY was told, occurred Friday night of the same day at about 7:30p.m. when the deceased (Collins) and his friends were on their way back to the village from Uromi.

Father of the deceased, Mr. Festus Ojierakhi, while narrating the incident said: "I was actually in the house eating at about 8p.m. and I started asking about my son who was not there. I was told he went to Uromi with his friends on a motorcycle.

"It was around 9p.m. that the mother of

started shouting, crying my sson´s my on o n´s ´s ffriend rien ri ien nd sta sst tar arte ted sh ted hou uti tin ng g, cry cr ry yiing that herdsmen herr son. th tha hat at h eerrds dsme sme men have have ha ve killed kil ille led he led h son. I rushed so rru ush us heed out house my ou o ut o off the the he h ou o use se aand nd n d I ask aasked ske sk ked ed aabout bo b ou utt m y own was died too with o ow wn sson. on. I w as ttold as old ol ld h hee d ieed tto oo wi w ith ith th his hiiss ffriend. fr fri rie ien nd d.

"We "We immediately "W iim mmedi mm edi diat ately detailed at ate deeta d tailed ed boys bo oy ys and and ran an ran ra the place.

When wee g got were to o tth he p he llaace ce. W Wh hen w go ot th tthere heerre we we w ere police ttold to ld tthat ld haat th h tthe he p po oli licee had ha ad d come com com me tto o take ttaake aak ke the tth he Ubiaja was ccorpses corp co orp rpssees tto oU biiaj b aja mortuary. mo m orrttua uarry y. I w wa as told as tol to old ld my my two others friend sson on an aand nd tw wo o th th heer ers rs iincluding nccllu n ud diing ng tthe he ffri he riend ri died.

They said the other person d di ied d. T Th heey y ssai aaiid tth he ot he o the her p pe ers rson that that haat died h died ed person. is aan is n Ig IIgbo gb bo op erson. er "The wee he heard was "The "T he iinformation nffo n form orrmati o tion on w h eaarrrd dw as th tthat hat aass was driving home with Okada, my m y sson on w on as d as rriiv viing in ng gh om o me wi w itth hh his is O is Oka kad ka daa, herdsmen blocked tthe th he h erd rdsm smen en aand nd n d ttheir heeir h ir ccattle aatttl tle bl tle blo occke o ked the th he Pastor Pius Eremosele...killed by herdsmen

road and they waited for them to leave the road. Immediately they passed, some of their people in the bush opened fire on my son and his friends and they died at the spot.�

On the other hand, the killing at Odiguete and Odighi communities in Ovia North East, as learnt, happened early morning Saturday, when the herdsmen invaded the community, shooting sporadically and in the process killed two persons.

It was gathered that the community and the herdsmen have been having a running battle in the area for sometime now.

Against this backdrop, elders, women and youths in the communities stormed the State House of Assembly, the palace of Oba of Benin, HRM Oba Ewuare lamenting that their lives were in danger as the herdsmen have made their children orphans, widows and widowers and now threaten to revisit them with more deadly attacks for daring to report the excesses of herdsmen to the

police.

Led by Osaro Ademoyo, they alleged that millions of naira worth of farm produce and houses have been lost to the menacing activities of the cattle herders.

Ademoyo said, “We came here in respect of what is happening in our community

by Fulani herdsmen. We in Odighi and Odiguete communities, which are neighbours; they have raped our wives and killed our farmers; taken over our land and their cattle eat our crops. Even our river has been polluted and they destroyed our huts and set them on fire."

They protesters noted that, “They (herdsmen) are flinging riffles. If you see two of them rearing cattle, they will have AK-47.

I learnt one AK-47 sells for about N4m.

If two people rearing about 40 cows can handle AK-47 for about N8 million, meaning there is government behind them.�

He said: “The latest one is that they came and let their cows into our farms where they ate up the crops and set the farms on fire. They reported to the state police commissioner and he invited us and they questioned us that they killed some herdsmen in the bush. “We told them (police) we are not aware whether people died there or not and that the people that farm there (in the forest reserve area) are farmers as well but they are not from our communities, they came from somewhere else. The police commissioner asked us to sign an undertaking which eight of us did that we would cooperate with the Hausa/Fulani and no longer make trouble with them.�

The latest protest carried out by the two communities THISDAY investigation revealed was not because a pastor was

37

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CITYSTRINGS

We have set up a special taskforce made up of the Army, Police, State Security Service, hunters and vigilante groups to comb the bushes and dislodge squatter camps of killer herdsmen and to ensure no grazing takes place in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs

Members of Odighi and Odiguete communities at Edo Government House carrying placards protesting against herdsmen killings

One of the burnt plantain plantations by herdsmen

killed. It is because previous protests and alarm raised by the people were ignored by those who should have acted to avoid further bloodshed.

However, seeing that the authorities have demonstrated lukewarm attitude towards the killings, the people decided to stage another protest. This time, they took the casket bearing the remains of the dead pastor and deposited same at the gate of Government House, Benin City.

Armed with placards of various inscriptions such as, ‘We Want Justice for Our Father’, ‘Fulani Herdsmen That Are Killing Us Must Be Fished Out’, ‘We Need Protection and Justice’, the villagers chanted that government must fish out the killer herdsmen, alleging that rather than arresting the killers, the police since the past three or four days have been coming to their communities to arrest about 22 of their

people at night.

"We no longer sleep at night; they bring soldiers; that is why we decided to cry out to the State House of Assembly, the Oba's Palace and the media.

"We have lost more than four persons with others maimed. We got uncountable gunshot injuries even so many machines and farms were burnt. What the Fulani herdsmen are even telling us now that we should not farm again. We are afraid to go to the farm now. Our sources of livelihood have been destroyed,� said Peter Omozusi, one of the community elders.

According to him, “Odighi and Odiguete communities, we have common boundary; we build houses together. We farm in the same land. Where we farm today as I am talking to you we are in March, we are supposed to be planting now. They (Fulani herdsmen) are now disturbing us not to

enter our farms again.�

He said, “Since this problem of Fulani herdsmen came, we are not a different people. Some years ago same thing happened. We wrote petitions to the House of Assembly. They wrote us back that the Fulani herdsmen should remove their cows from our communities. But they are not yielding to them. We don’t know who is to execute the law. We are just in the middle of the stream, we are drowning."

Apparently sensing the futility of continuously keeping quiet and expecting the danger to go on its own, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in a volte face, last week summoned up courage by placing a 90-day ban on grazing in the communities and ordered that the forest in the affected communities be combed to fish out those behind the killings.

The governor said the ban became necessary to stop further killings as the duty of his administration is to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

"We have set up a special taskforce made up of the Army, Police, State Security Service, hunters and vigilante groups to comb the bushes and dislodge squatter camps of killer herdsmen and to ensure no grazing takes place in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs," adding that within two weeks, the taskforce will go round the affected communities to get information that will help dislodge the criminals who pose as herdsmen in the forest.

Obaseki who noted that before now Fulani herdsmen were known for carrying sticks around to control their cattle, he lamented that today some of them have become criminals.

He said there is need to separate herdsmen from cattle rustlers who steal cattle, invade farms, rape and kill people, and assured that efforts are being made to identify the real herdsmen in the state.

Obaseki said his administration is set to scale up agricultural activities in Odighi community which was once known as the food basket of the state, and pledged to fix the water system in the area and re-construct the old roads in the community to open up the area for development.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, said the herdsmen have been directed to leave the communities within a specified period of time, adding that their failure to leave within the time given to them will now attract combing the forest to fish them out forcefully.

He said even when they go and decide to come back, they (herdsmen) would be properly profiled so that their identity will be known to everybody, people in the communities where they reside, the local government, state and relevant security agencies.

"I’m sure if this is done, there won't be any more killings. The order has been give and we are waiting for them to leave within the stipulated time given to them. Failure to do so, we will then comb the forest to get them out.

"Even at that, those who leave and want to come back to the place will be properly profiled and their identity known. It is because nobody knows them that they are committing havoc. I’m sure if their identity is known, they won't do what they are doing because they will be conscious of the fact that people now know who they are," Kokumo stated.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

39

WEDNESDAY, Ͱ˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ ˾ T H I S D AY

40

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report: EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂŶŬƐ hŶĚĞƌǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ

sĞƌƐƵƐ

WĞĞƌƐ͙

ŽŵƉĞůůŝŶŐ

ĐĂƐĞ

ŽĨ

ŽŶƐŝĚĞƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ŝŵƉƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂŶŬƐ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ ĂŵŝĚ ƚŽƵŐŚ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͕ ǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƐƵŐŐĞƐƚ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂŶŬƐ ĂƌĞ ƵŶĚĞƌǀĂůƵĞĚ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ^^ ƉĞĞƌƐ͘ ǀĞƌĂŐĞ Wͬ ĂŶĚ Wͬ s ĨŽƌ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ďĂŶŬƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƐƚĂŶĚƐ Ăƚ ϴ͘ϯdž ĂŶĚ ϭ͘Ϭdž ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ďĞůŽǁ ^^ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞƐ ŽĨ ϭϯ͘ϯdž ĂŶĚ Ϯ͘Ϯdž ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂŶŬƐ ĂƌĞ ƵŶĚĞƌǀĂůƵĞĚ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ĂŶŬƐ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ Z/ ^ ĐůĂƐƐŝĮĐĂƟŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ Wͬ ĂŶĚ Wͬ s ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞƐ ŽĨ ϭϰ͘ϲdž ĂŶĚ ϭ͘ϵdž͘ KƵƌ ŚLJƉŽƚŚĞƐŝƐ ŽĨ ƵŶĚĞƌǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ƌĞŝŶĨŽƌĐĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ĨĂǀŽƵƌĂďůĞ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ďĂŶŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĞĞƌƐ ŝŶ ƚĞƌŵƐ ŽĨ ZK ͘ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂŶŬƐ ƐƟůů ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶĐĞ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞŐĂƌĚƐ ƚŽ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ;ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ďLJ dŝĞƌͲϭ ĂŶŬƐͿ ĂŶĚ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ ĂŵƉůĞ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĚŝǀŝĚĞŶĚ ŐĂŝŶƐ͘ dŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ Ă ƐƚĞůůĂƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ͛Ɛ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ĨƌŽŵ ƌĞĐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳ ĂŌĞƌ ĮǀĞ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ƋƵĂƌƚĞƌƐ ŽĨ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ;Yϭ͗ϮϬϭϲ ʹ Yϭ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ /Ŷ ϮϬϭϳ͕ ŐƌŽƐƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞĚ ϭϴ͘ϯй͕ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ďŽůƐƚĞƌĞĚ ďLJ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁĂƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ͕ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŽŶ ŽƉƟŵŝƐŝŶŐ ĐŽƐƚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ǁĂƐ ƌĞŇĞĐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ZK Ăƚ ϭϱ͘ϰй ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ ƚŚŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ƐƟůů ŶŽƟĐĞĂďůĞ ĚƌĂŐƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƌŝƐŬ ŶƵŵďĞƌƐ ŽĐĐĂƐŝŽŶĞĚ ďLJ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ŚŝŐŚ EW> ƌĂƟŽ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁĂƐ Ăƚ ϯ͘Ϭй ĂƐ Ăƚ &z͗ϮϬϭϳ͘ EŽŶĞƚŚĞůĞƐƐ͕ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ĐĂƵƟŽƵƐůLJ ŽƉƟŵŝƐƟĐ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϴ ĂŶĚ ďĞLJŽŶĚ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĐĞŶƚ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂĐƌŽĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐůŽǁ ďƵƚ ƐƚĞĂĚLJ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ŵŽŵĞŶƚƵŵ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŚĂƐ ďĞŐƵŶ ƚŽ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽŶ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ŽĨ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͘ tĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ďĂŶŬƐ ǁŝůů ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ƌĞƐƚƌĂŝŶĞĚ ŝŶ ůŽĂŶ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϴ ĚĞƐƉŝƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƟŶŐ LJŝĞůĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŵĂLJ ŶŽƚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂŐŐƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ ĚĞƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ĨƵŶĚƐ ƚŽ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ ƐĞĐƵƌŝƟĞƐ͘ ůƐŽ͕ ŐƌĂĚƵĂů ŵŽĚĞƌĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ EW> ƌĂƟŽƐ ĂƌĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ͕ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ ǁŝƚŚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ǁƌŝƚĞͲďĂĐŬƐ ŝŶ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ŬĞĚ ŝŵƉĂŝƌŵĞŶƚ ĐŚĂƌŐĞƐ͘ ůů ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂů ĨĂĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ĐŽƵƉůĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞĚ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝŶ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ĨŽƌĞŝŐŶ ƉŽƌƞŽůŝŽ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŝŶ ůŝŐŚƚ ŽĨ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ͕ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽƉ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĨŽƌ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ ƌŽƵŶĚ ŽĨ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ƌƵŶ͘ KƵƌ ƚŽƉ ƉŝĐŬƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƐŬĞǁĞĚ ƚŽǁĂƌĚƐ ƚŚĞ dŝĞƌͲϭ ďĂŶŬƐ͕ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ 'h Z Edz͕ E/d, ĂŶĚ h ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ LJĞĂƌƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ŽƵƚůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬƐ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϴ͘

EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ^ƚŽĐŬƐ ĂƌĞ &ĂŝƌůLJ WƌŝĐĞĚ ŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ŽĨ Wͬ ŵƵůƟƉůĞƐ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ŐŽŽĚƐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ƉĞĞƌƐ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ĨƌŝĐĂ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚƐ͕ ƐŚŽǁƐ ƚŚĂƚ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ŐŽŽĚƐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂƌĞ ĨĂŝƌůLJ ƉƌŝĐĞĚ ĂŵŽŶŐ ĨƌŝĐĂŶ ƉĞĞƌƐ ďƵƚ ĞŶũŽLJ ƉƌĞŵŝƵŵ ƉƌŝĐŝŶŐ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ Z/ ^͘ ǀĞƌĂŐĞ Wͬ ĨŽƌ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ƐƚĂŶĚƐ Ăƚ Ϯϳ͘ϯdž͕ ĂďŽǀĞ Z/ ^ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŽĨ Ϯϱ͘ϯdž͘ tĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞŵŝƵŵ ƉƌŝĐŝŶŐ ĞŶũŽLJĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŝƐ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƟĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶĐĞ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ĚĞƐƉŝƚĞ ƚŽƵŐŚĞƌ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͘ &ƵƌƚŚĞƌŵŽƌĞ͕ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ &y ůŝƋƵŝĚŝƚLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͕ ŽƵƚůŽŽŬ ŽŶ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ƌĞŵĂŝŶƐ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ͘ tĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ǁŝůů ďĞ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ŝŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ŵĂĐƌŽĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ͘ ĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ ' W ĨŽƌĞĐĂƐƚ ŽĨ Ϯ͘ϲй ĨŽƌ ϮϬϭϴ ;Ϯ͘ϭй ďLJ /D&Ϳ͕ ĂŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϴй ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ͕ ĐŽƵƉůĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ŝŶŇĂƟŽŶ ƌĂƚĞ ĨŽƌĞĐĂƐƚ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞ ƚŽ ϭϬ͘ϳй ďLJ LJĞĂƌĞŶĚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŬŶŽĐŬͲŽŶ ĞīĞĐƚ ŽŶ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐŝŶŐ ƉŽǁĞƌ ŽĨ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌƐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁŝůů ůĞĂĚ ƚŽ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ƐƉĞŶĚŝŶŐ͘ &ƵƌƚŚĞƌŵŽƌĞ͕ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ &y ůŝƋƵŝĚŝƚLJ ǁŝůů ůĞĂĚ ƚŽ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ĐŽƐƚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďŽůƐƚĞƌ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŵĂƌŐŝŶƐ͘

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

0.19% 1.5%

(RC 603 315)

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

12.8%

74.0%

22.5%

7.8%

8.2x

1.0x

4.7%

11.6%

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

21.0%

10.4%

11.0%

32.6%

5.2%

7.3x

2.5x

6.0%

13.7%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

27.45

0.2%

12.4%

7.1%

5.9%

26.3%

3.6%

4.6x

1.2x

9.8%

21.8%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

129.90

-0.1%

7.7%

-3.7%

-3.8%

17.4%

8.3%

32.6x

5.5x

3.2%

3.1%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,599.00

-1.0%

7.3%

2.8%

2.8%

89.0%

21.3%

37.6x

28.2x

2.7%

2.7%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

246.00

0.4%

5.9%

7.0%

7.0%

22.7%

12.0%

21.3x

4.9x

4.3%

4.7%

0.4%

7.0%

42.0%

42.2%

6.7%

0.8%

9.1x

0.7x

2.0%

11.0%

4.3%

7.2%

5.7%

13.0%

1.6%

5.5x

0.6x

5.8%

18.1% 19.6%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

12.50

7

Access Bank PLC

11.20

-1.3%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

11.55

-0.4%

4.4%

12.1%

11.0%

15.9%

1.9%

5.1x

0.8x

7.4%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

20.10

0.0%

3.5%

18.2%

23.5%

-14.6%

-1.3%

6.7x

0.7x

3.0%

14.9%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

765.00

0.0%

3.3%

22.2%

22.2%

19.4%

11.1%

3.9x

0.8x

2.4%

25.4%

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

49.50

0.0%

3.1%

19.3%

21.0%

28.9%

3.8%

9.4x

2.7x

1.0%

10.7%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

54.90

0.0%

3.0%

33.9%

36.5%

19.2%

8.0%

29.4x

4.0x

0.9%

3.4%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

103.00

0.0%

2.2%

9.6%

9.6%

14.6%

5.6%

19.6x

2.7x

0.6%

5.1%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

42.00

0.0%

1.4%

-6.4%

-6.4%

-36.8%

-7.7%

2.3x

3.6%

-14.7%

5.5%

44.9%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.55

1.2%

1.2%

3.7%

-1.2%

8.0%

1.1%

2.2x

0.4x

16

Oando PLC

9.15

0.0%

1.8%

52.8%

52.8%

40.7%

4.2%

12.1x

0.9x

-4.2%

1.0%

2.5%

0.7%

43.2%

19.8%

8.0x

3.1x

12.2%

12.5%

0.5%

1.1%

14.5%

14.5%

39.7%

29.4%

7.7x

2.6x

3.9%

12.9%

8.3%

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

20.50

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

77.50

19

International Brew eries PLC

51.80

0.0%

0.7%

-5.0%

-5.8%

24.6%

7.4%

54.2x

12.3x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

34.50

-2.0%

0.7%

19.0%

19.0%

13.1%

3.0%

7.2x

0.8x

2.7%

13.9%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.70

0.0%

0.6%

16.4%

14.9%

11.2%

2.5%

10.4x

1.1x

1.2%

9.6%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

17.20

0.0%

0.5%

1.8%

1.8%

2.2%

0.8%

23.3x

0.6x

3.8%

4.3%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

2.02

0.0%

0.6%

34.7%

28.7%

2.5%

0.3%

8.1x

0.2x

24

Total Nigeria PLC

222.20

-0.2%

0.5%

-3.4%

-3.4%

31.0%

6.5%

10.7x

2.7x

7.6%

9.3%

25

FCMB Group Plc

2.47

0.0%

0.7%

56.3%

5.1%

0.8%

4.7x

0.3x

4.0%

21.3%

4.6%

11.6%

1.8%

12.3%

26

11 PLC

174.80

0.2%

0.4%

-10.2%

-10.2%

30.8%

11.0%

8.6x

2.3x

27

Forte Oil PLC

45.20

0.0%

0.4%

4.0%

7.6%

17.6%

1.6%

24.4x

3.8x

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.50

0.0%

0.4%

9.2%

6.4%

10.7%

5.0%

21.3x

2.2x

2.2%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

13.80

0.0%

0.3%

-11.9%

-11.5%

2.0%

0.8%

64.5x

2.2x

1.2%

1.6%

30

Presco PLC

69.30

0.0%

0.3%

1.2%

1.2%

39.7%

28.0%

2.7x

0.9x

2.9%

36.7%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.25

0.0%

0.3%

9.5%

5.4%

54.6%

19.5%

10.0x

4.7x

7.4%

10.0%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

10.00

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

0.0%

0.8x

7.2%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.25

0.0%

0.2%

-19.9%

-16.8%

5.6%

28.05

4.3%

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

17.3%

1.8%

7.8x

1.2x

3.6%

12.9%

1.61

1.9%

0.3%

49.1%

42.5%

9.0%

0.9%

4.8x

0.5x

1.2%

20.7%

1.2%

8.0x

4.1%

0.4x

4.7%

12.5%

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

35

Sterling Bank PLC

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

13.30

-5.0%

0.2%

9.5%

9.5%

61.6%

15.8%

4.3x

1.9x

1.5%

23.2%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

24.00

0.0%

0.2%

11.1%

11.1%

61.2%

23.6%

37.9x

1.8x

31.3%

2.6%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

38.75

0.0%

0.2%

14.0%

8.5%

66.2%

30.2%

18.1x

12.1x

5.3%

5.5%

39

Beta Glass PLC

79.25

5.0%

0.2%

54.5%

54.5%

18.4%

11.9%

11.2x

1.9x

1.4%

9.0%

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

7.45

0.0%

0.1%

3.3%

3.3%

5.3%

2.9%

19.5x

1.0x

1.7%

5.1%

T o p 10 G a in e r s T ic k er

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

C ILEA SIN G

1.52

9.4%

H M A R KIN S

0.34

6.3%

B ET A GLA S

79.25

CCNN

20.45

VIT A F OA M

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

67.4

0.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

14.9

-1.6%

5.0%

FB NH

14.7

1.6%

4.9%

J A P A ULOIL

12.9

3.8%

10.3

-0.8%

3.24

4.5%

FCM B

28.05

4.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

9.1

0.2%

SKYEB A N K

0.84

3.7%

UB A

8.2

-0.4%

VER IT A SKA P

0.29

3.6%

SOVR EN IN S

7.6

-4.3%

A IIC O

0.72

2.9%

A C C ESS

7.2

0.0%

C ON T IN SUR E

1.56

2.6%

SKYEB A N K

6.5

5.2%

J B ER GER

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

D A N GF LOUR

13.30

-5.0%

UB A

781.1

-0.4%

ET ER N A

6.27

-5.0%

GUA R A N T Y

680.1

1.5%

0.22

-4.3%

FB NH

670.3

0.4%

20.50

-4.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

648.5

0.2%

J A P A ULOIL

0.48

-4.0%

NB

555.1

-0.1%

WA P IC

0.55

-3.5%

N EST LE

452.9

-1.0%

NA HCO

3.88

-3.0%

F LOUR M ILL

280.7

-2.0%

139.8

0.4%

SOVR EN IN S D A N GSUGA R

N EM

Afrinvest Securities Lim-

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

45.00

F LOUR M ILL

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,740.21

LA SA C O

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

0.36

-2.7%

D A N GC EM

34.50

-2.0%

OA N D O

114.1

0.0%

2.80

-1.8%

D A N GSUGA R

81.1

-4.2%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

41

42

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

43

44

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

45

46

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

47

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Trump Calls Leak of Mueller’s Questions ‘Disgraceful’ US President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday over the apparent leak of a list of questions special counsel Robert Mueller is seeking to ask him in the federal investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia and the president’s possible obstruction of the probe, according to Yahoo News.

“So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were ‘leaked’ to the media,” Trump tweeted. “No questions on Collusion. Oh, I see … you have a made up, phony crime, Collusion, that never existed, and an investigation begun with illegally leaked classified information. Nice!”

The president added: “It would seem very hard to obstruct justice for a crime that never happened!

Witch Hunt!”

According to federal law, someone can obstruct an investigation of a potential crime even if that inquiry ultimately finds no crime was committed. In other words, someone only has to interfere with a federal investigation to be guilty of obstructing justice.

On Monday night, the New York Times published a report including more than 40 questions that Mueller would like to ask Trump. The Times said it obtained the questions, which were given to the president’s lawyers, from a person outside of Trump’s legal team.

Mueller, who has reportedly been seeking an interview with Trump for months, appears to want

to know about a broad array of issues, including Trump’s thinking surrounding the firings of national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James Comey.

The questions also address Trump’s attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, as well as the president’s knowledge of his campaign’s interactions with figures tied to the Kremlin. In particular, the special counsel is interested in the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower — arranged by Donald Trump Jr. — with a Russian lawyer who offered “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

“When did you become aware of the Trump Tower meeting?”

Mueller reportedly wants to ask Trump, according to the Times.

French Riot Police Use Tear Gas Against Anarchists in May Day Rally French riot police used water cannon and teargas on Tuesday against hundreds of hooded protesters after they smashed shop windows and hurled petrol bombs at the start of an annual May Day rally in Paris, according to Reuters.

Police had warned on Monday of possible clashes with far-left anarchist groups, known as Black Blocs, after a call on social media

to make Tuesday a “Revolutionary Day”.

Authorities said some 1,200 hooded and masked protesters dressed in black had turned up on the sidelines of the annual planned demonstration by labour unions.

More than 200 anarchists were arrested, the head of Paris’ police department, Michel Delpuech, told a news conference.

The protesters smashed the windows of businesses, including a Renault garage and McDonalds restaurant near the Austerlitz station in eastern Paris. They also ransacked shops, torched cars and scrawled anti-capitalist graffiti on walls.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb condemned the violence and said everything was being done to arrest the culprits.

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

48

WORKERS’ DAY...

WORKERS’ DAY...

CSOs, Falana Seek Implementation of Extant Welfare Laws for Workers Our Correspondent As Nigeria yesterday joined the rest of the world to mark the Workers’ Day, civil society organisations CSOs) and a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, have called on the labour unions to take advantage of this year’s May Day celebration to adopt concrete measures that will compel the various tiers of government to implement all extant welfare laws and policies In his May Day message to workers, Falana described these welfare laws and policies as the products of the collective struggle of the labour movement and other progressive forces in the country.

The rights activist identified some of the welfare laws to include the National Minimum Wage Act, National Health Act, National Health insurance Act, National Housing Act, Federal Morgage Act, Pension Reforms Act, Compulsory, Free and Universal Basic Education Act, Nigerian Education Bank Act and People’s Bank Act. He noted that the demand for a new minimum wage by Nigerian workers was long overdue as a result of the depreciating quality of life caused by the gross mismanagement of the Nigerian economy by the ruling class with the connivance of imperialism.

According to him, the deliberate policy of successive governments to breach the provisions of the aforesaid welfare laws has compounded the crisis of youth unemployment and mass poverty in the country.

Wike: Labour Has Failed Nigerians

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that labour has failed Nigerians by refusing to act in the face of unbridled killings of defenceless Nigerians across the country.

The governor said it is uncharitable for labour to be only concerned about salary increment when their kith and kin are mauled to the death on a daily basis. In an address during the 2018 Workers’ Day in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “Labour is only after the increment of wages and emoluments without showing concern for the mass killings going on across different states of the federation.

“Labour is quiet in the face of deaths. Of what benefit will increment of salaries be when all your children, friends and relatives are killed in the face of this national insecurity? It is incumbent on labour to rise up in defence of Nigerians by demanding for immediate cessation of killings.”

Sokoto Assures Workers of Improved Welfare

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve the welfare of civil servants in the state.

Tambuwal gave the assurance at the 2018 Workers’ Day held at the Giginya Memorial Stadium in Sokoto.

He said the state government had accorded priority to the enhancement of the welfare of the civil servants in the state. According to him, this include training and retraining of civil servants, prompt payment of salaries as well as the settlement of accumulated gratuities and pension to the tune of over N5 billion.

Others were sale of government quarters to civil servants and recruitment of 2,000 teachers under the State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), among others.

Nasarawa NLC Decries Deterioration in Pension Administration

The Nasarawa State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decried the deterioration in the administration of pension in the state.

The state Chairman of the council, Abdullahi Adeka, stated this yesterday during this year workers’ day celebration in Lafia.

The state NLC chairman further lamented cases where workers left service and waited for a year for their pension to be processed.

Consequently, Adeka called on the state government to among other things, pay 100 per cent monthly pension to all pensioners, sustain the monthly payment of gratuities to pensioners as pronounced by the state Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in January 2018.

According to him, “Government should reconsider the issue of ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy and direct the payment of 100 percent monthly salary to local government workers.

However, Governor Al-Makura said in his determination to provide succour to the state’s pensioners, government released the sum of N300 million last year for the payment of gratuity to state government retirees with emphasis on the sick, widows, widowers, the physically challenged, the aged and other disadvantaged groups in the society.

Amosun Commends Ogun Workers, Assures Them of Improved Welfare

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has commended as well as assured the state workers of his administration plan to improve their welfare packages.

In his address delivered at the workers’ day celebration in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday, Amosun pledged that his administration would never take the workers for granted, rather,

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle) , flanked by the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe (left), and state Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Maurice Eze, during the 2018 May Day cerebration in Enugu....yesterday it would continue to attend to their welfare.

“Let me reiterate that our administration will neither take you for granted nor refuse to continue to attend to your welfare. Let me assure you that your promotion, dues as well as other benefits have always engaged our attention.”

Edo to Recruit, Promote, Provide Social Housing for Workers Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has rolled out bumper package for workers, job seekers and pensioners in the state which includes recruitment of new hands, approval of outstanding promotions and provision of social housing for workers in the state.

The governor also said outstanding issues with pension arrears payment are being addressed as he has approved the release of N1.5billion from the Paris Fund Refund to liquidate the outstanding local government pension arrears.

Speaking to workers on the commemoration of the 2018 Workers’ Day at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin-city, the governor said the workers have been supportive and instrumental to the successes recorded in the state.

Okowa Says Workers are Assets to Policy, Project Implementation As 2018 Workers’ Day was celebrated all over the world yesterday, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has praised workers in the state as valuable assets in any policy, programme and project implementation.

Okowa, amid applause from cheering workers, reeled out his administration achievements in meeting with his electoral promises to workers at the celebration which took place in Asaba.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised the event which featured march past by members of their unions.

According to the governor, “This administration is constantly aware of the sacrifices of workers and their contributions to the development of our dear state and country; our workers remain unarguably very important assets in any policy, programme and project implementation, and that is why the present administration has sought and will continue to seek the hands of labour so that together, we can attain the enviable heights of progress in our beloved state.”

Bauchi Gov Urges Workers to Embrace Dialogue in Resolving Disputes As the world celebrates the 2018 International Workers’ Day, Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has urged workers in the state to adopt the modern concept of unionism where dialogue is emphasised as against industrial action in resolving industrial disputes.

The governor, who made this appeal in an address during the celebration of workers’ day yesterday, appreciated the state chapter of the organised labour for maintaining good rapport with the state government.

Abubakar therefore appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and workers to ensure that the rapport and cooperation continued in the interest of the state, while his administration strives to serve the people in the face of paucity of resources.

Ghost Workers Still Exist in Niger, Says Gov

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Bello, yesterday declared that “ghost workers still exist in the civil service” despite the series of staff verifications carried out by the administration.

Bello alleged that it had recently been discovered that some workers “are receiving salaries and allowances of between three and five staff monthly.”

The governor made the revelation when he addressed workers at the 123 field as part of activities marking this year’s May Day. The governor, however, did not say if some workers had been arrested or the amount the government had lost to the ghost workers.

Bello therefore warned that anyone caught in the act would not only be dismissed but would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the NLC, Ndako Idris, lamented the poor condition under which workers are working in the state, and called for improvement.

Despite Bomb Scare, Kogi NLC Holds Celebration

The organised labour in Kogi State yesterday dispelled bomb scare rumours to mark this year May Day celebration at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

Last Monday, operatives of the Bomb Dispose Unit of the Nigeria Police was drafted to comb the stadium in Lokoja when it was alleged that bomb was planted within the stadium before the event.

However, yesterday the venue was combed again by the bomb unit of the police to make sure the area was safe before workers in the state stormed the venue for this year May Day celebration.

Meanwhile, the state organised labour has called on the state government to execute a serious auditing of salary payment in the last two years to unravel the causes of non-payment of monthly salaries despite the bailout and Paris Club refund enjoyed by the state.

Addressing members of the union yesterday at the stadium in Lokoja, the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Onuh Edoka, lamented that despite the release of N1.9 trillion by the federal government and shared by the states government to settle issues of salaries, many workers especially in Kogi State have not gotten their salaries till date.

Enugu Workers Seek Revitalisation of Moribund Companies

Workers in Enugu State yesterday joined their colleagues all over the country to celebrate this year’s May Day, even as they tasked the state government to revamp key industries, companies and corporations in the state in order to create more job opportunities to the teeming youths.

This was contained in the addresses to mark the celebration by the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Virginus Nwobodo, and Chairman of the state Trade Union Congress (TUC), Chukwuma Igbokwe.

They also made case for the “payment of pensions and gratuities/ harmonisation of arrears of salaries, implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the state; absorption of the remaining workers in the government parastatals into the requisite ministries, and ensure they receive their salaries alongside other state workers.”

While commending the state Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his friendly disposition to the labour matters, they however urged him to award contracts to labour friendly firms especially in the area of construction of road and buildings.

49

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORKERS’ DAY...

WORKERS’ DAY...

Labour Accuses AMCON of Starving Aero, Arik of Funds Labour unions in the aviation industry have alleged that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has not invested the funds needed to revamp Aero Contractors and Arik Air, which the corporation took over their management when they were going under.

AMCON said it took over the airlines to resuscitate them and recover the huge debts the companies owed banks and other creditors, which the government agency absorbed in other to save the domestic carriers.

President of Air Transport Senior Staff Services of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Ahmadu Illitrus disclosed this yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos during a rally organised for workers in the sector to mark the Workers Day. However, Illitrus lamented that since the takeover of Aero, the current management in Aero led by AMCON intentionally starved the airline of funds.

But spokesman of AMCON, Jude Nwuzor, reacted to the allegation and said the corporation has injected over N50 billion to the two airlines, saying that by the time it took over Arik most of the aircraft in the fleet of the airline were grounded, while others were on maintenance checks.

He said AMCON had to rehabilitate the aircraft and put them into operations, adding that AMCON has been injecting funds into Aero Contractors and disclosed that the money needed to develop and upgrade the maintenance facility of the airline was provided by the government agency.

NLC Backs Bayelsa Civil Service Reforms

Workers in Bayelsa State yesterday declared their support for the ongoing civil/public service reforms embarked upon by the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

The workers, who gathered at the Peace Park under different labour unions and affiliations to celebrate 2018 May Day, said they were enthused by the current effort to clean up the service, but noted that it must be carried out with a lot of care.

Marching in solidarity to salute the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), who represented Dickson, the leadership of workers in the state admitted that “the reforms are intended to reposition the public service for better productivity.”

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. John Ndiomu, while reading the joint position of the labour unions, said the workers believed in building institutions that would sustain the policies of government for future generations.

I’ll Pay Minimum Wage When Implemented by FG, Says Umahi Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, yesterday promised that the state government would adopt the proposed national minimum wage to workers in his state when fully implemented by the federal government.

Umahi, while addressing workers during the 2018 May Day celebration at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, noted that his administration had kept his campaign promises of which workers welfare topped the lists, stressing that he has remained religiously committed to implementing positive workers’ policies that have improved their welfare.

He disclosed that outstanding pensions and gratuities owed workers since the creation of the state would be paid on or before May 15, 2018, while directing all ministries to work out the new promotion entitlements and to ensure that it is reflected in the salaries of the newly prompted workers on or before May 15, 2018.

Kwara NLC Bemoans Nonimplementation of Workers’ Demands

Thousands of workers in Kwara State yesterday converged on the Ilorin Metropolitan square to mark this year workers’ day celebration.

Addressing the teeming workers, the state Chairman of the NLC, Yekeen Agunbiade, bemoaned the perceived attitude of the state government towards the demands of the state workforce in the last one year. According to him, “In this same venue last year, we presented quite a number of issues/demands, but since then, none of them has been attended to up till now.”

He listed the demands to include Zenith Bank shares; outstanding gratuity of retired local government workers and primary school teachers since 2008 and payment of outstanding 50 percent CONHESS to health workers in the state which has lingered more than enough as well as shortage of staff in the state owned health institutions.

Gombe: APC Governorship Aspirant Decries Poor Workers’ Welfare

An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Gombe State, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Muazu, has commended the resilience of workers in the state despite “harsh and deceptive economic policies of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.

Habu stated in a goodwill message to the workers which was

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, acknowledging cheers from workers during celebration of the 2018 workers’ day in Calabar...yesterday. made available to journalists in Gombe that no country or state can develop without the contributions of workers.

According to him, “It is impossible for any state or country to attain meaningful development without the active contributions of the workers. I personally consider them critical in the actualisation of any set goals.”

Anambra: Low Turn out Greets Celebration

The May Day celebration in Anambra State yesterday witnessed a poor attendance, which almost marred the celebration.

The event which was celebrated in a low key, also witnessed the absence of the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, therefore contributing to dampening the spirits of workers in the state. The Chairman of the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jerry Nnubia, in his welcome address, decried Obiano’s failure to address the 14 points labour issues which the union tabled before him at the 2017 workers’ day celebration. The congress also lamented that the state government in July 2017 inaugurated a committee which was headed by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, to look into labour issues without including any of its members.

Aregbesola Appreciates Workers’ Support, Urges them to Support His Successor

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday appreciated workers in the state for their steadfastness and support in his bid to transform the state to a greater height. He, however, urged them to support his successor in order to have a smooth and successful administration in the state.

Aregbesola appreciated the workers while delivering his speech during the workers’ day celebration at the Osogbo township stadium, Osogbo. The governor said this year’s May Day was special to him as it would be the last by his administration, and so, used the occasion to specially thanked workers in the state for their support, steadfastness and sacrifice which he said had led to the success of his administration.

Aregbesola said without workers, there would not be government, and so thanked the workers for the support they had given to his administration, calling on them to accord the same cooperation and support to his successor.

Ganduje Supports Minimum Benue Labour Laments Killings Wage Increment, Pays Pensioners of Its Members by Unknown Gratuity Gunmen The Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday threw his weight behind the current agitation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the increment of the minimum wage, describing it as legitimate. Ganduje, who spoke during the May Day celebration held at Sani Abacha Stadium with its theme: ‘Labour movement in national development: dare to struggle, dare to win’, said already, his administration had submitted a memo to the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage constituted by the presidency supporting the salary increase of Nigerian workers.

“Mindful of the persistent agitation by the organised labour/NLC for the review of the current national minimum wage of N18, 000, which we indeed believe is legitimate, arising from our deep concern for workers’ welfare, and cognisance of the inconvenient truth that the existing workers earnings, especially, those at the lower segment is no longer realistic,” the governor stated.

NLC,TUC Adopt Ayade for 2019

The organised labour in Cross River State yesterday resoundingly endorsed the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, for a second term in office. The workers’ endorsement was made known by the state Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), John Ushie, during his address to mark the 2018 May Day celebration at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

This came on the heels of the payment of May 2018 salaries to workers on the eve of this year’s workers’ day celebration by the state government. Since the inception of the current administration, workers have always received their salaries in advance.

Ushie told the gathering that the decision of the organised labour to endorse the governor has to do with his very impressive performance in office since assuming the reins of leadership in the state.

The Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to protect the lives of its members following the spate of attack by suspected herdsmen in the state.

The call was made as a result of several of its members that were killed in the last one year.

Speaking at the May Day rally held in Makurdi, the state capital, the Chairman of the state council of the NLC, Godwin Anya, said this year’s celebration in the state was marked in mourning following the ongoing carnage in the state. Anya said: “This year’s celebration has been turned into mourning over the spate of killings of our people by herdsmen which has continued unabated.

“When we wake up on a daily basis, the breaking news that dots the media platforms is the killings of innocent citizens, burning of houses and property by the marauding Fulani militias in Guma, Logo, Okpokwu, Gwer-East, Gwer West, Makurdi and other parts of the state.”

Ondo Workers Protest Govt Position on Leave Bonus

Workers in the service of the Ondo State Government yesterday protested strongly against the state government position on the payment of 2017 ‘Leave bonus’. The state Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), had during the 2018 May Day celebration said the state government would pay the bonus when money is available.

This declaration by the governor was, however, misinterpreted by workers that the government would not pay the money, considering the leave bonus is a privilege. The celebration which took off on a friendly note at the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Arcade, Alagbaka Akure, turned otherwise when the governor delivered his speech.

The leadership of the labour unions, comprising the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had delivered their speeches after workers had participated in a match past with the governor at salute.

50

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Trump Won’t Visit Nigeria Till after 2019 Elections, Says FG Tokunbo Adedoja in Washington, DC and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja United States President, Donald Trump, won’t visit Nigeria until after the 2019 polls, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geofrey Onyeama, said in Washington DC, United States yesterday.

Onyeama who made this disclosure while answering questions from journalists on the aftermath of Buhari’s visit to the US alongside his counterparts in the Ministry of Justice, and Industry, Trade and Investment, said visits at presidential levels is not usually a simple affair.

According to him, it usually takes at least one year to plan for a presidential visit adding that with the proximity to elections in Nigeria as well as Trump’s busy schedule, the possibility of Trump’s visit will be late next year.

“Regarding the invitation, well if the programmes of the two presidents are very very intensive, it usually takes anything up to a year to prepare for invitation at that kind of level before they actually

take place. Of course in Nigeria, you know we have elections coming up and a very very busy schedule as that of President Trump, maybe sometime next year, we could envisage something like that,” he said, In his own briefing, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, said the federal government had signed investment agreement with General Electric of the US on railway concessions which he said would be executed in two phases.

He also said the president met with other prospective investors such as John Deere on the possibility of assembling tractors in Nigeria adding that Boeing will offer some support to the aviation sector while other companies such as Procter & Gamble and Chevron have also been engaged on possible investments in Nigeria.

“First, on Friday, the government signed investment agreement with General Electric on the railway concessions. The agreement is going to be in two phases. The first phase is to get the job rolling that will involve over $40 million

investment that will get some of the existing rail tracks working, with the right coaches and carriages to get some of the cargoes and passengers going. And then there is the big one which is the $2 billion investment to revamp our existing rail and making sure its use for cargo and transport. That is the narrow gauge and the existing rails we have in addition to all the new ones we have. So that is just one investment from one company.

“Some of the companies Mr. President met with were John Deere, that is looking to assemble and supply tractors in Nigeria. At its full expression, it is expected to exceed 10,000 tractors. Initially, it’s going to be in hundreds but there is no question that it fits this model of trying to invest in Nigeria, train people, employ people and help the agriculture value chain in terms

of its mechanization, automation and all the good things that come from a company like John Deere.

“Other companies like Cotava, that are basically into agricultural business which is being turned into a multi-million dollar business, another company called Continental Grains, Bongi; There is Flour Mills, who are all looking to make serious investments in Nigeria. Our own companies were there as well, including the Dangote Group.

“Everyone of these companies are committed to making a serious investment in Nigeria that runs into hundreds of millions of dollars and in aggregate will become billions of dollars just like the GE one. For instance, Boeing is very interested in supporting the aviation sector, the plan to roll out something that will increase the availability of flights from Nigeria.

“Procter & Gamble is looking to

expand its investment in Nigeria.

Chevron, as you know, is the oil company. It also commended Nigeria on how they have succeeded in sorting out the historical problem with cash calls and so on. So, in terms of investment and commitment, there is every reason to be positive. It is certainly in the billions of dollars.

We need to sharpen our pencils and take it on,” he said.

On exactly what President Trump meant by agricultural produce coming to Nigeria, Enelamah said: “What is to take away is that there is a lot of scope for collaboration between Nigeria and the US. Our view is that the major scope is that the fact that you have these agricultural businesses whether they are in equipment like John Deere or they are in crops and seeds and enhancement like Coteva and Bongi or Continental grains, that can help improve production in

Nigeria.

“So, most of them will certainly function there. Clearly, when it comes to trade between the two countries, there will always be scope for trade. But right now, when you include oil, it will mean Nigeria exporting more to the US but when you remove oil, the US is actually exporting more to Nigeria. I think the important thing is that the balance of trade should grow on both sides and it should be win-win. And that is exactly what will happen based on what we will see today.”

Also briefing, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, said plans were being made for the AGFs of both countries to draw up plans for the repatriation of $500 million stolen funds from the US to Nigeria as agreed by both Trump and Buhari on Monday.

Crisis Brewing in Kaduna APC Ahead of Congresses John Shiklam in Kaduna Crisis is brewing in the Kaduna State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s congresses scheduled to commence on Saturday.

Signs of an impending chaos emerged yesterday when the faction of the party, loyal to the state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleged that one of its factional leaders, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, representing Kaduna North senatorial district, was plotting to undermine the congresses.

At a news conference in Kaduna, acting Secretary of the party, Yahaya Baba Pate, alleged that Hunkuyi was assembling mercenaries and thugs to undermine the party.

He further declared that Hunkuyi cannot participate in the congresses of the APC due to alleged suspension of his membership.

“Consequently, the leadership of the party will hold suspended Hunkuyi responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the course of our congresses,” he said.

He maintained that “line with the provisions of the APC’s constitution, the party membership of the senator was suspended on February 17, 2018, for offences related to factionalising the party and anti-party activities.”

“Hunkuyi cannot directly or indirectly participate in the activities of the APC or convene any gathering in the name of the party, contrary to what he is presently doing,” he said.

Pate said: “Intelligence at our disposal suggests that he and his expelled associates are planning to destabilise the congresses across the state.

“There are reports that thugs and mercenaries are being assembled for this purpose.

“Thus, they have nothing at stake, and are merely engaging in impersonation to try to undermine a party that has rightly removed them from its ranks.

“The Kaduna State APC has alerted security agencies to kindly take measures that will guarantee security and ensure the protection of life and property of our members and officials from our national leadership, that will conduct the said congresses across the state.

“For the umpteenth time, we are warning, suspended Hunkuyi and his co-travelers to desist from interfering in our activities.

“We will hold Hunkuyi and his associates responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the course of our congresses.”

He also denied allegations by the Hunkuyi group that the state government was responsible for the attack on them by armed thugs who invaded the venue of their meeting in Kaduna on Sunday, unleashing mayhem on them.

However, a member of the Hunkuyi group, MajorYahaya Shinko (rtd), dismissed the allegations, saying they are baseless.

He said Hunkuyi remains a faithful member of theAPC, maintaining that Pate by parading himself as acting secretary was committing an illegality as the tenure of all elected officials had expired.

Shinko said those who had resorted to cheap blackmail against the senator were scared that they would not be allowed to manipulate the process during the congresses.

“They are trying to blackmail the senator because he has been going round to sensitise people on the election.

“The people claiming they have suspended others from the party are not ready to tell to anybody about the guidelines of the forthcoming congresses.

“What they are trying to do is to go to the room and write the names of people they want to give the positions to in the name of consensus or affirmation.

“They were disappointed by our moves, we have told the people that it is their party and they have right to contest at the congresses.

LABOUR-FRIENDLY STATE

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Trade Union Congress (TUC), Francis Ogunremi; Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson; and Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, during the 2018 workers’ day celebration, at Agege Stadium, Lagos.....yesterday Kola Olasupo

IPI: Corruption Reporting Leading Cause of Journalists’ Killings Obinna Chima The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, journalists and media executives, has counted and recorded journalists deliberately targeted because of their profession and those who lost their lives while on assignment since 1997.

According to IPI’s ‘Death Watch’project, as many as 1,801 journalists had died in the line of duty since 1997.

The bloodiest year of the past two decades was 2012, when 133 journalists lost their lives. A year later, 121 were killed.

An analysis of the data of the last 12 months indicated that the pace of investigation into most cases of targeted killings has been slow and only a few suspects had been arrested or charged for these murders.

The report made available to THISDAY yesterday, showed that prominent among the killings were those of Kuciak in Slovakia; Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in a car bomb explosion in Malta

in October 2017; Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead in September outside her home in India; and Javier Valdez Cárdenas, a Mexican investigative journalist gunned down last May. It pointed out that while the killings in Europe had attracted global condemnation and growing demands for the arrest of those responsible, there are dozens of cases around the world that have escaped international attention.

“Latin America has emerged as one of the largest killing fields, where journalists covering drug trafficking and political corruption are particularly vulnerable.

“With 12 journalists killed in as many months, Mexico has become the deadliest place in the world to work in the media.

“While journalists frequently lay down their lives attempting to bring facts to light and exposing nefarious practices, there are many others who die in the line of duty trying to report on armed conflicts – a majority of such deaths have recently occurred in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Last month,

two journalists covering a protest in Gaza were killed by Israeli snipers,” the report stated.

According to IPI Executive Director, Barbara Trionfi, the killing of a journalist remains the most “brutal and effective way of silencing the news.”

In a statement released on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2018, Trionfi added: “People have a right to know what is happening around them and journalists – whether covering corruption or reporting from conflict zones – shed light on that information.

“The Death Watch tally over the past year represents a staggering loss not only for the victims’ family, friends, and colleagues, but also for democracy itself.”

IPI, which has been working for the protection and safety of journalists since 1950, has consistently urged governments to uphold democratic values by improving the safety of journalists.

“Unless governments take firm action and demonstrate that there will be no impunity, journalists will

continue to be targets of threats, torture and assassination,” Trionfi said, underscoring the need for increased protection for journalists.

A chronology of the killings showed that on February 22 this year, police found the bodies of Ján Kuciak, a reporter with the news website Aktuality.sk, and his girlfriend at his home in Slovakia. Kuciak had been investigating corruption in government; his reporting exposing links between an Italian crime mafia and some members of the Slovak government was published after his death.

The killing had led to the resignation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Also, it showed that in the past year, 87 journalists, including six women, were killed around the world. Of these, as many as 46 were killed in targeted attacks, in most cases because they were investigating and exposing corruption.

Similarly, in the first four months of 2018 alone, 32 journalists, including a female journalist in El Salvador, were killed, making it an average of almost eight deaths a month.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

51

52

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018

53

54

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

55

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018

Eagles Ranked Outsiders, Spain Tipped to Win Duro Ikhazuagbe Respected European sports research group, CIES Football Observatory, has ruled out the Super Eagles from amongst teams capable of winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 starting in Russia on June 14.

In the research group’s weekly post number 225 released yesterday, it ranked the three-time African champions 22nd out of the 32 teams that qualified for the Mundial.

It also ranked Spain as the favourite for the title to be decided

on Sunday July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Interestingly, CIES tipped Sadio Mane’s Senegal as the most likely African country to spring any surprise along with Morocco. It ranked Nigeria in the third place among the African representatives.

Mohammed Salah’s Egypt is the least ranked outsiders among the African nations behind Tunisia.

In the assessment of Nigeria’s Group D opponents in Russia, Argentina and Croatia were ranked seventh and eighth respectively in the table of the

32 teams with Iceland coming in as 23rd best behind Nigeria.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, however remained unfazed by the low rating of the Super Eagles.

He told THISDAY last night that he remains unshaken in his faith in Gernot Rohr’s men.

“Again, people ask why do I say that Nigeria can win the World Cup? If you have a child, what do you wish for the child? You wish him to be the best and nothing else.

“And if you have a younger brother, what do you pray for

him to achieve? To be better than you, I believe Eagles can win the World Cup in Russia,” stressed the NFF chief.

The research group’s study takes cognizance of the number of matches and players used in the 2018 World Cup qualification stage.

CIES Football Observatory is a research group within the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), an independent study centre located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The CIES Football Observatory specialises in the statistical analysis of football.

The body was created in 2005

by Dr. Raffaele Poli and Dr. Loïc Ravenel.

Meanwhile, the NFF has welcomed the decision of FIFA to advance US$2 million to each of the five African teams that qualified for Russia 2018.

It said the money will help the countries players’ ‘focus solely on football on the pitch’ in Russia.

African countries have always been involved in bonus row at the Mundial. Super Eagles beef with the NFF was blamed for the loss to France in the second round of last edition in Brazil

four years ago.

But NFF Spokesman, Ademola Olajire, believes the availability of this money will help in their quest to avert a bonus row in Russia.

“We’ve had problems in the past and the NFF has already worked out a payment mode for the team, but this money will help put everything into shape.

“It will definitely help our players to focus solely on football on the pitch in Russia and not deal with the distraction of when the bonus will arrive,” concludes the NFF spokesman.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid Hold Bayern to Reach Third Successive Final Holders Real Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League final for a third year in a row after taking advantage of Bayern Munich’s carelessness in attack and defence to draw 2-2 in their semi-final second leg last night, winning 4-3 on aggregate.

Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich put them in front in the third minute but Karim Benzema levelled with a free header in the 11th and a goalkeeping howler from Bayern’s Sven Ulreich allowed Benzema to tap in Madrid’s second at the start of the second half.

James Rodriguez, on loan from Madrid, hit a deserved equaliser for Bayern in the 63rd to set up a gripping finale but despite waves of pressure

from the visitors, the Spaniards clung on, becoming the first team since Juventus in 1998 to reach the final for three years in succession.

They will meet either Liverpool or AS Roma in the final in Kiev on May 26, where they will be bidding to become the first side since Bayern in 1976 to win the competition three years in a row.

Meanwhile, AS Roma Coach Eusebio Di Francesco has said that his team must aim for a “miracle” against Liverpool with the Italian club trailing 5-2 ahead of tonight’s Champions League semifinal second leg.

Roma came back from a 4-1 deficit in their quarter-final against Barcelona by winning the return leg in the Italian capital 3-0.

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema galloping away in celebration of his second goal…last night

VAR to Be Used for England, Europa: Iwobi Confident of Return for Atletico Clash Nigeria Friendly Arsenal midfielder, Alex Iwobi, during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at “We will have to wait and see are also doubtful for the trip to has played down injury fears and Manchester United in the Premier but I believe I will be okay and Madrid after picking up injuries President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick, has announced that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be used during next month’s high profile pre-World Cup friendly against England at Wembley.

England will take on Nigeria on June 2 in a warm-up game ahead of the World Cup in Russia.

“VAR will be used for our

friendly against England,” disclosed Pinnick.

“The world is moving technologically and football should not be left behind.”

Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has also backed VAR, saying it will make refereeing fairer.

VAR will be used for the first time at the World Cup after it was used at last year’s FIFA Confederation Cup.

Salah Adds FWA Footballer of the Year Award to Growing Honour List Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) to complete the double of English soccer’s major individual awards.

Salah was chosen as Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) after an outstanding season in which he has scored 43 goals in all competitions.

The 25-year-old is the first African player to win the FWA award which began in 1948.

Salah narrowly beat Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in a ballot of over 400 FWA members, with the winning margin less than 20 votes. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was placed third.

“What a race it has been between two players who, in a relatively short time, have reached genuine world class.

But Mo Salah is the worthiest of winners. He is also the first African to receive the award and we congratulate him on a magnificent season,” FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay said.

Salah has helped Liverpool, who are third in the Premier League, into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 10 years.

The Merseyside club face AS Roma in the second leg in the Italian capital on Wednesday and lead 5-2 from the opening game at Anfield in which Salah scored twice and set up two other goals.

Salah will head to the World Cup in Russia in June to play for Egypt who have been drawn with the hosts, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A. Other players to receive votes from FWA members were Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Nick Pope (Burnley), David Silva (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) and Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

The inaugural FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year Award was won by Chelsea and England forward, Fran Kirby, who was also crowned PFA Women’s Player of the Year last month.

is hopeful he can regain full fitness for tomorrow’s Europa League semi-final second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The 21-year-old Nigeria international played 90 minutes

League on Sunday but Wenger said after the match Iwobi was struggling with a hamstring injury.

“I believe it is very good. I am still being assessed but to me it is good and I will be okay,” Iwobi told Sky Sports yesterday.

fit (for Atletico).”

Iwobi has made six appearances in the competition, three of them as substitute.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina (rib) and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (knee)

at Old Trafford.

The north London club need a win at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to reach the final after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last week.

A F R I C A N AT H L E T I C C H A M P I O N S H I P

Okowa Orders Construction of Roads around Stephen Keshi Stadium Ahead of the 2018 edition of African Senior Athletic Championship, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has ordered that roads around the Stephen Keshi Stadium, venue of the competition be tarred.

The governor who inspected the stadium shortly after attending this year’s May Day celebration yesterday expressed confidence that no stone would be left unturned for a successful sporting event that will attract people from

all over Africa to Asaba.

According to Okowa, “a lot of work have been done; the main bowl is taking shape; construction work is at advanced stage at the swimming pool section, the gallery and l believe that in three weeks’ time, that is, before May 29th, the stadium will be ready for the African Athletic Championship.”

“We are aware of the numerous benefits derivable from hosting such international events, from tourism, business

and opportunity for our athletes to be exposed. So, we are ready to host the world,” the governor said.

He disclosed further; “to ensure hitch-free movement during the competition, I have directed that the streets around the stadium be constructed, this is in addition to the construction of the driveway that we are inspecting presently.”

Okowa continued, “you are aware that work has reached

advanced stage at the runway of the Asaba International Airport which will be very busy during the tournament, we are happy and our people are ready for the event.”

The Site Engineer at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Lewis Masowa, who conducted the governor and his team round the facility explained that the facility was unique because it has nine lanes and FIFA approved football pitch with natural grass.

Pamodzi: We Are Ready to Make History in Okpekpe Again Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of the prestigious Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have assured stakeholders in athletics of staging another world-class event next weekend in Okpekpe near Auchi, Edo State.

The Director of Organisation for the race, Zack Amodu, said yesterday that all logistics, both technical and administrative are in place for a bigger and better Okpekpe race this year.

“We are set to go. We have concluded all arrangements for a hitch-free and successful race on Saturday May 12. We have the elite athletes list compiled

and visas will be secured at the point of entry when they come in next week,” said Amodu who also revealed arrangements for the live telecast of the race have also been concluded.

“Last weekend SuperSport, our official media partner were in Okpekpe to do a preproduction planning and set up required for a live telecast of the event. We have also made arrangement to accommodate as many as 400 Nigerian elite athletes that will participate in the race. This is unprecedented in the organisation of road races in Nigeria,” Amodu added.

He also disclosed that

arrangements for a seamless doping control have also been concluded.

“We have the doping control station built in Okpekpe. It has a waiting room, a working room and toilets for both men and women since the race is mixed gender. We also have the sample collection equipment vis the collection vessels for collecting urine/blood from the athletes as well as sealable and tamper-evident bottles and lids for securing the samples.

“We also have key officials that will ensure a smooth and incident-free organisation of the race in place.

“We have the start and finish managers whose jobs will be to set up the start and the finish area including the mobile toilets, changing facilities, baggage handling, refreshments, crowd control barriers and the timing system among other things.

“Of course, we have announced that Dr Akin Amao will be in charge of the anti doping unit. We have the starter, time-keepers, recorders and the race referee secured as well as technical officials that will handle the race entries and issue race numbers and instructions,” he concluded.

TR

Wednesday May 2, 2018

UT H

& RE A SO

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Iorapuu to Police

“The police seem to know nothing of the attacks which have been going on in other villages within Benue State since the Anti-Open Grazing Law came into effect last year.” – Director of Communications of the Diocese in Makurdi, Benue State Fr. Moses Iorapuu accusing the police of turning a blind eye to the incessant killings by suspected Fulani herders in Tiv communities.

FEMIFALANA GUEST COLUMNIST

Voting Rights of the Nigerian Diaspora

“N

o taxation without representation” was the battle cry of America’s war of independence from colonial rule. Correspondingly, “no remittance without representation” would be a fitting slogan for the on-going battle to enfranchise Nigerian citizens in the diaspora. Indeed, as studies have demonstrated, the Nigerian economy would grind to a screeching halt if the slogan were to be carried to its logical conclusion.

In fact, studies across West Africa (Migration and Remittances – Recent Development and Outlook, World Bank, 2017) have confirmed that countries such as Egypt, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria hugely benefit from remittances from their citizens in the diaspora. Nigeria, in particular, has seen a steady increase in remittance in the last year, which rose to $22billion. It is an African record, and the fifth largest of such remittance in the world according to the World Bank.

Indeed, some scholars (such as the Hong-Kong based Ghanaian academic, Adams Bodomo and others) have done a comparative study between such remittances and the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), and found that in certain cases remittances are far higher than ODA. This has called to question the continued relevance of ODA whose quantum and social impact in Africa is nothing to write home about. Although the country has spent a fortune on the education of Nigerians prior to emigrating abroad, it is sad to note that a number of countries in the West and Middle East are benefiting from their services due to unemployment at home.

However, having regard to the number of Nigerians living in the diaspora – certainly in the millions, The Economist dubs them Nigeria’s “secret weapon”, it is beyond question that they be given the opportunity to take part in the country’s electoral process by exercising their voting rights wherever they are located.

Interestingly, Honourable Abike Dabiri, a former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, made an unsuccessful attempt to include the Diaspora voting rights in the 2010 Electoral Act. She had introduced a bill for the recognition of the voting rights of Nigerians living abroad. Much as she tried, the bill could not pass through the first reading as the members of the House of Representatives rejected it on the ground that the project was too expensive and essentially unripe for Nigeria. In rejecting the bill, the House failed to take cognizance of the fact that the issue of voting right is not a privilege but a right that must be protected and be guaranteed by law.

Ordinary citizen should be able to cast a simple ballot from wherever they may live too.

It is submitted that by the combined effect of section 14 (2) (c), 7, 77, 130 of the Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria who has attained the age of 18 years and residing in Nigeria at the time of the registration of voters for elections is entitled to vote or be voted for in local government, legislative and presidential elections. See also section 12

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. In Honourable Oluwafolajimi Akeem Bello & Ors. v. Independent National Electoral Commission & Anor. the plaintiffs who are Nigerian citizens living in the United States and Canada were desirous to vote in elections held in Nigeria without having to travel home. In the action filed at the Federal High Court at Abuja they sought a declaration that they were entitled to participate in the government of Nigeria by voting for candidates of their choice in exercise of their democratic rights. They also prayed for an order directing the defendants to set up registration centers and polling stations in all the high commissions and embassies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his considered judgment, the presiding judge, Adamu Bello J. (as he then was) upheld the democratic right of the plaintiffs to take part in elections conducted in Nigeria. On the urgent need for Nigeria to join other nations that have adopted the external voting system the learned trial judge held “Let me hasten to say that I should not be understood to mean that it is not desirable for Nigeria to join other nations that adopt the external voting. I believe strongly that the plaintiffs have made a good case and the time is ripe for Nigeria to give its citizens living abroad the opportunity to register and vote from abroad in any election in Nigeria without having to travel to Nigeria for that purpose.”

Upon coming to the conclusion that the plaintiffs had made a case for external voting the learned trial judge held that “The plaintiffs are not under any obligation to sponsor a Bill to the National Assembly to enact the enabling legislation to realize their goal, however, the 1st defendant can approach the National Assembly by sponsoring such a Bill for the sake of Nigerians in diaspora and in doing so, it can borrow a leaf from the countries that have already adopted the external voting.”

Be that as it may, there cannot be a better opportunity for revisiting this issue than now when the National Assembly has embarked on yet another review of the 1999 Constitution.

It is, therefore, submitted that Nigerians living abroad who satisfy the constitutional prerequisites are not precluded from being voted for in any election conducted in Nigeria

In recognition of the right of all Nigerian citizens to vote in national elections the right of prison inmates including convicts was upheld by the federal high court in the case of Victor Emenuwe & 4 Ors v.

Independent National Electoral Commission (2014, unreported) In that case the applicants who were serving their jail terms at the Oko Prison in Edo state sought to enforce their right to vote during the 2015 general election. In granting the relief sought by the applicants the Federal High Court (per Liman J.) upheld the right of the applicants to vote in elections in line with sections 14(1), (2)(a)(b), 17(2)(a), 24(b)(c), 25, 72(2) and 49 of the Constitution and articles 13(1) and 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It was the view of the learned trial judge that “The defendants do not have the constitutional right to deny the Claimants their voting right. Being an inmate is not an offence that impedes their registration and voting right under Section 24 of the Electoral Act and that the exclusion of inmates in election conducted in Nigeria is illegal and ultra vires. ”Although the judge refused the request of the applicants to order the respondents to create voting centers in the prison yards he directed the defendant to make arrangement for all prisoners to vote in the polling centers that are close to the prisons where they are detained.

Thus, while Nigerians living abroad may be voted for in absentia they are debarred from voting in local elections on the ground that they did not reside in Nigeria at the time of registration of voters.

However, if they registered as voters in Nigeria before travelling out of the country to live in other countries it is submitted that they are entitled to vote in all elections conducted in Nigeria. To that extent, the Independent National Electoral Commission is duty bound to make provisions for them to vote in local elections. In view of Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which has recognised the human right of every citizen to participate freely in the government of their country either directly or through freely chosen representatives it is submitted that citizens living abroad are entitled to vote and be voted for in local elections.

In view of the enormous contributions of Nigerians living abroad to the socioeconomic development of the country the time has come to amend the Constitution to recognise and protect their right to participate in all local elections conducted in the country. Since Nigerians living abroad are entitled to be voted for if they meet the requirements of the law the demand to participate in local elections by diaspora citizens should be limited to the amendment of Section 72 of the Constitution to provide for registration and voting in all the embassies and high commissions of Nigeria. This is not an unreasonable demand in view of the fact that not fewer than 28 countries in Africa have made provisions for their citizens living abroad to vote in local elections. In Ghana, for instance, the Human Rights Court recently ordered the Electoral Commission to “take all necessary steps to enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in the forthcoming 2020 elections”.

Former President John Kofi Agyekum

Kufuor (2001-2009) had pushed through the Representative of the People Amendment Act, 2006, twelve years ago, recognising the diaspora vote, but it has simply not been implemented.

Elsewhere, in Zimbabwe, in the case of Bukaibemyu v ZEC Chairman and Ors, cc-12-17 (2017) ZELJ 03, also on the diaspora voting, it was originally laid before the country’s Supreme Court, which had upheld a decision of the lower court against the diaspora voting in 2012. It was heard again by the Constitutional Court in 2017. It was brought by a Zimbabwe citizen living in South Africa, who argued that the requirement that a voter must reside in the constituency in which he plans to vote violates his right as a Zimbabwean citizen residing abroad.

The case of Richter v The Minister for Home Affairs and Ors (2009) ZACC, where the South African Constitutional Court had held: “Right to vote imposes an obligation on the State to take positive steps to ensure that it can be exercised…. to require registered voters who are living outside the country to return to the country to vote imposes an unreasonable obligation on them” was cited as a persuasive authority. The Zimbabwe Constitutional Court, however, rejected this argument, while upholding the restriction imposed on the diaspora vote.

The main distinguishing factor in both of these cases appears to be that in the opinion of the Court, the electoral commission in Zimbabwe had not denied the applicant the right to vote, but only that it prescribed the manner in which the vote was to be exercised. With respect to the justices of the court, the burden of travelling from one’s country of residence, which could be thousands of miles in some cases, could operate to mean an effective denial of the right to vote. That is precisely what the whole debate is about. Nonetheless, looking at things from the point of view of the electoral commission in Zimbabwe, there is a direct vote for constituency members of parliament in Zimbabwe, unlike in South Africa, where the vote is cast for the party, which later allocates seats to candidates.

There is no direct connection between a voter and the candidate as it is in the case of Zimbabwe. The extra requirement to reside in the constituency, it is thought, is to maintain a structural link between the voter and the elected, including the necessity to ‘know’ the candidate in order to make an informed judgment on his suitability as a representative of the people. It is an understandable reasoning, even if it remains unconvincing. It needs to be said, though, that this requirement should not apply in the case of a Presidential vote, because the whole country operates as one constituency for the purpose of the election.

In conclusion, addressing Nigerians living in Ghana in March this year, at the symposium organized by the Ghanaian Parliament to mark 25 years of democracy in the country, the Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, admonished the Nigerian community there to step up their pressure for the diaspora vote, as this would serve to strengthen the hands of legislators who are disposed to the idea back home. On that note of consensus from a significant establishment voice, it is a question of when, not if, Nigerians in the diaspora will have a vote. We hope it is sooner rather than later.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja.

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com