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Pension Assets Hit N7.8tn, FG to Clear Outstanding Obligations Ebere Nwoji The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has put the net asset value of the contributory pension scheme (CPS) at N7.779 trillion as of February 28, just as it said that N54 billion released by

the federal government last year would boost efforts aimed at clearing outstanding pension liabilities, especially the accrued rights of retiring government employees for 2017 and 2018.

The acting Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Aisha Dahir-

Umar, who disclosed this at a workshop organised by the commission for journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the commission had in the past one year recorded a significant increase both in assets and the number of registered contributors.

Dahir-Umar, who was represented by the commission’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mohammed Sani, said in terms of assets growth within the period, the commission recorded an additional N270 billion in net assets from N7.52 trillion

in December 2017 to N7.779 trillion by the end of February.

According to her, the number of pension contributors under the scheme also increased by 390,000 from 7.50 million in March 2017 to 7.89 million contributors as of December 2017 and 7.90

million last February.

She attributed the growth in both assets and number of contributors to new contributions received by the various Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Continued on page 10

Dogara Asks Police to Ensure Melaye’s Safety, Senator Remanded Till June… Page 50 Friday 4 May, 2018 Vol 23. No 8415. Price: N250

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A high-level delegation from the French President, Emmanuel Macron, visited BUA Group on Wednesday to discuss areas of mutual economic, business and socio-cultural cooperation.

The delegation, which was led by the Advisor to the President of France, Ms. Marie Audouard (front row, second left) and the French Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Denys Gauer (front row, left), were received by the Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (front row, second right), in Victoria Island, Lagos

FBN, Stanbic, StanChart, Zenith Appointed Settlement Banks for Naira/RMB Currency Swap Deal valid for three years, renewable Obinna Chima First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and Zenith Bank Plc have been appointed the settlement banks for the $2.5 billion bilateral currency swap agreed between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) which was announced yesterday.

A reliable CBN source privy to the deal, said with the appointment of the four

banks as the settlement banks for currency swap between China and Nigeria, they will be responsible for settling the trade transactions between importers and exporters from both countries, likely to take off just before next month.

The CBN yesterday announced that it had sealed the deal on the $2.5 billion (RMB 16 billion) currency swap with the Chinese central bank last Friday in Beijing, Continued on page 8

Herdsmen Kill 15 in Fresh Attack in Adamawa... Page 12

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele (left) and the People's Bank of China (PBoC) Governor, Dr. Yi Gang, when they signed the $2.5 billion currency swap agreement in Beijing, China… recently

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US: We’ll Ensure Free, Credible Elections in 2019 Chiemelie Ezeobi The United States Consul General, Mr. John Bray has pledged his government’s commitment to ensuring free, credible, peaceful and decent elections in Nigeria, come 2019.

The consul general made the remarks during the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Public Affairs Unit of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos yesterday.

Present at the gathering was the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Eniola Bello, among other journalists from different media houses.

Themed, ‘Media and the Transparency of the 2019 Elections,’ speakers and panelists at the event spoke extensively on the safety of journalists, transparency of the media, and electoral disputes pertaining to the forthcoming elections.

While the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu spoke on media transparency, a professor of political science and former Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Femi Mimiko spoke on media and electoral disputes.

Also, the Zonal Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command, CSP Dolapo Badmus spoke on the safety of the media while the panel comprising the aforementioned and the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Ms. Funke Egbemode and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, dealt on

the elections generally.

In his speech, Bray said: “The United States values the freedom of the press as a key component of democratic governance. “I have been in Nigeria for nearly six years. I have been Consul General since 2015 and as CG, I have visited each of the 17 states in southern Nigeria, almost all of them on multiple locations. “I have spoken with hundreds, perhaps thousands of Nigerians about democracy, elections, and the history of Nigeria. “These conversations have confirmed my belief that Nigeria has a vibrant democracy. “Democratic societies are not infallible but they are accountable, and the exchange of ideas is the foundation for accountable governance. “Peaceful and credible elections are essential to Nigeria’s continued economic, political, and social development so I am interested in your discussions today on media and the transparency of the 2019 election. “Nigeria plays a vital role on the world stage and as the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria’s stability is crucial to the security and economic prosperity of the rest of the continent. “Nigeria’s future is full of promise and opportunity. The U.S. government is dedicated to supporting Nigerians in ensuring that the 2019 elections will be transparent, credible, and peaceful.�

On the role of journalists in the electioneering process he said: “Before I joined the

Department of State I was a reporter. “Based on my experience, I know that as reporters and editors each of you has an important role to play in the electoral process. “You will foster active debate, provide investigative reporting, and serve as a forum to express different points of view. “When people don’t have the facts, they make them up and that creates unstable

environments, rife with rumors, gossip and lies. “And you as journalists, make sure this doesn’t happen by providing information, researching, conducting interviews, and then educating the electorate. “The people of Nigeria rely on your unbiased and accurate coverage of the campaign season and the elections. That is why your role is so important. “As the 2019 election draws

near, the U.S. mission supports your efforts to provide objective and balanced reporting to the Nigerian people.�

In addition to this, he said the U.S. has worked with Nigeria to strengthen democratic institutions for decades and will continue to do so.

He said that the US Public Affairs team in Lagos led by Darcy Zotter was putting together an election reporting training programme for 100

political reporters and editors. “The training will be held in four cities across southern Nigeria, and will be co-facilitated by Voice of America’s Director of International Media Training and a renowned Nigerian journalism professor. “This support is designed to help the media further appreciate their huge responsibility of reporting accurately on elections and electoral processes,� he stated.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje; Chairman, GTBank, Mrs. Osaretin Afusat Demuren; and the Chef Patron, La Petite Masion Restaurants, Mr. Raphael Duntoye, at the Master Class held by Duntoye during the GTBank Food and Drink Fair in Oniru, Lagos this week kunle ogunfuyi

Gowon Asks N’Assembly Not to Impeach Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has called on the National Assembly to stop the impeachment process against President Muhammadu Buhari over his $496 million for the purchase of 12 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States Government, without the approval of the legislature.

He warned that the impeachment of the president over an issue that could be resolved within the democratic process would

not augur well for the nation’s fledgling democracy.

Gowon said this when he received members of the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders’ Assembly (NLSA) at the Gowon Centre in Abuja yesterday.

He was of the view that disagreements between the various arms of government remain vital components of a democracy, noting that such disagreements could be handled differently without necessarily taking the impeachment option.

According to him, “It may be too early in the

day to start impeaching the president in Nigeria, otherwise, there is no president that will not get impeached because of these interest groups.�

On the coterie of numerous socio-cultural/political groups representing the interest of Northern Nigeria, Gowon also called on the different groups to come together to project a common front, adding that too many groups could send the wrong signal to other parts of the country. “We need to come together as a people. The

Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders’ Forum and the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders’ Assembly should come together, or we would end up polarising the North.�

Chairman of the group and former presidential adviser, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai said that the group was committed to sustainable peace and the harmonious co-existence of all ethnic nationalities in the country.

He said that members of the group were free to belong to any political party of their choice, adding that

the NLSA had constituted six sub-committees on national unity, security and restructuring, among others.

He said that it would soon hold a Northern political summit to deliberate on the democratic future of the nation.

Yakassai said that the group was not constituted to search for a consensus presidential candidate from the North, contrary to some media reports, stressing that NLSA’s primary motivation was the promotion of unity and the well being of Nigerians through the

evolution of a national blueprint to address the challenges of the nation.

Members of the NLSA delegation during visit included the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’aba, ex- Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Joseph Waku, erstwhile Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mohammed Abba Gana, and a former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Maryam Inna Ciroma, among others.

FBN, STANBIC, STANCHART, ZENITH APPOINTED SETTLEMENT BANKS FOR NAIRA/RMB CURRENCY SWAP China.

CBN spokesman, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, led CBN officials while PBoC Governor, Dr. Yi Gang, led the Chinese team at the official signing ceremony.

He said the deal was sealed on Friday after over two years of painstaking negotiations by both central banks.

According to the CBN, the transaction, which was valued at Renminbi (RMB) 16 billion, was aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses, thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies.

Providing more clarity on

the deal, a CBN source said just as negotiations on the currency swap were being wrapped up, the central bank appointed FirstBank, Stanbic IBTC, StanChart and Zenith Bank to serve as the settlement banks for businesses and importers from both countries.

She said the reason the four financial institutions were chosen was because StanChart and Stanbic already have operational offices in China, while Zenith and FirstBank have representative offices in Beijing.

However, whereas StanChart and Stanbic can start operations immediately as settlement banks, Zenith and FirstBank will be required to upgrade their

representative offices to full operations in China. “While SCB already has a presence in China through its Standard Chartered Bank (China) Limited, Stanbic has been trading in the country through its affiliate, the Investment and Commercial Bank China (ICBC). “However, FBN and Zenith Bank were also appointed because they already have representative offices in China. “So, while SCB and Stanbic can start immediately, it would take FBN and Zenith Bank some time to join the settlement arrangement because they would have to convert their representative offices to operational offices. “This whole swap agreement would kick off

likely before June because we have to operationalise the settlement arrangement with the relevant institutions,� she added.

The settlement banks are expected to handle the trade obligations that would enable an importer in Nigeria, after filling the required documentation, to easily exchange the naira for the Renminbi (RMB) instead of resorting to third currencies such as the U.S. dollar, while the reverse will be the case for importers in China that trade with Nigerian businesses.

She explained further that the currency swap by the two central bank governors was partly facilitated by the improving economic environment in Nigeria.

“As you know, negotiations have been on-going for two years, so yes to some extent, the improvement in foreign reserves and government revenues, drop in the inflation rate, and the uptick in economic activities, played a role in getting the swap with the PCoB. “But this was not the only reason factored into the negotiations, as there were other bilateral reasons which I am not at liberty to disclose,� she said.

When asked about the impact on the country’s external reserves, the source pointed out that China is Nigeria’s largest trading partner, accounting for about Continued on page 10

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Cambridge Analytica to File for Bankruptcy After Misuse of Facebook Data Cambridge Analytica, the British-based firm accused of meddling in the Nigerian general election in 2015, announced on Wednesday that it would cease most operations and file for bankruptcy.

The embattled political consulting firm will be closing shop amid growing legal and political scrutiny of its business practices and work for Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016 and its involvement in the Nigerian and Kenyan presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2017 respectively, among others.

The decision was made less than two months after Cambridge Analytica and Facebook became embroiled in a data-harvesting scandal that compromised the personal information of up to 87 million people, according to the New York Times.

Revelations about the misuse of data, published in March by The New York Times and The Observer of London, plunged Facebook

into crisis and prompted regulators and British and United States lawmakers to open investigations into Cambridge Analytica activities.

In a statement posted to its website, Cambridge Analytica said the controversy had driven away virtually all of the company’s customers, forcing it to file for bankruptcy in both the U.S. and Britain.

The elections division of Cambridge’s British affiliate, SCL Group, will also shut down, the company said.

But the company’s announcement left several questions unanswered, including who would retain the company’s intellectual property — the so-called psychographic voter profiles built in part with data from Facebook — and whether Cambridge Analytica’s data-mining business would return under new auspices. “Over the past several months, Cambridge Analytica has been the subject of numerous unfounded

Zuckerberg accusations and, despite the company’s efforts to correct the record, has been vilified for activities that are not only legal, but also widely accepted as a standard component of online advertising in both

the political and commercial arenas,� the company’s statement said.

Cambridge Analytica also said the results of an independent investigation it had commissioned, which it released on Wednesday,

contradicted assertions made by former employees and contractors about its acquisition of Facebook data. The report played down the role of a contractor turned whistle-blower, Christopher Wylie, who helped the company acquire Facebook data, calling it “very modest�.

The company, bankrolled

by Robert Mercer, a wealthy Republican donor who invested at least $15 million, offered tools that it claimed could identify the personalities of American voters and influence their behavior. Those modeling techniques underpinned Cambridge Analytica’s work for the Trump campaign and for other candidates in 2014 and 2016.

But Cambridge Analytica came under scrutiny over the past year, first for its purported methods of profiling voters and then over allegations that it improperly harvested private data from Facebook users.

Last year, the company

was drawn into the special counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The company was also forced to suspend its chief executive, Alexander Nix, after a British television channel released an undercover video. In it, Mr. Nix suggested that the company had used seduction and bribery to entrap politicians and influence foreign elections.

Facebook has since announced changes to its policies for collecting and handling users' data. Its chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, testified last month before Congress, where he faced criticism for failing to protect users’ data.

The controversy dealt a major blow to Cambridge Analytica’s ambitions of expanding its commercial business in the U.S., while also bringing unwanted attention to the American government contracts sought by SCL Group, an intelligence contractor.

FBN, STANBIC, STANCHART, ZENITH APPOINTED SETTLEMENT BANKS FOR NAIRA/RMB CURRENCY SWAP 35 per cent of trade.

However, the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS) Fourth Quarter (Q4) 2017 Foreign Trade Statistics put China’s trade with Nigeria at 22 per cent, making it a major trading partner. The total value of trade in Q4 2017 was put at N465.13 billion.

According to the CBN source, the currency swap will play a role in reserves management as pressure from Nigerian importers seeking to source dollars will now dissipate. “Of course, this will help in terms of management of our reserves. What this means is that pressure on Nigerian importers seeking to source dollars to import goods from China will completely dissipate,� she explained.

Reinforcing the position, the statement from Okorafor yesterday said among other benefits, the agreement is expected to provide naira liquidity to Chinese businesses and provide RMB liquidity to Nigerian businesses respectively, thereby improving the speed, convenience and volume of transactions between the two countries. “It will also assist both countries in their foreign exchange reserves management, enhance financial stability and promote

broader economic cooperation between the two countries. “With the operationalisation of this agreement, it will be easier for most Nigerian manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cottage industries in manufacturing and export businesses to import raw materials, spare parts and simple machinery to undertake their businesses by taking advantage of available RMB liquidity from Nigerian banks without being exposed to the difficulties of seeking other scarce foreign currencies. “The deal, which is purely an exchange of currencies, will also make it easier for Chinese manufacturers seeking to buy raw materials from Nigeria to obtain enough naira from banks in China to pay for their imports from Nigeria. “Indeed, the deal will protect Nigerian business people from the harsh effects of third currency fluctuations. “With this, Nigeria becomes the third African country to have such an agreement in place with the PBoC. “Both the Nigerian and Chinese officials expressed delight at the conclusion and signing of the agreement and expressed the hope that it would boost mutually beneficial business transactions between Nigeria

and the Peoples Republic of China,� the statement said.

The PBoC also said on its website that its governor, Yi Gang met with Emefiele during the recent IMF/ World Bank Group spring meetings held in Washington D.C., where they exchanged views on bilateral financial cooperation, as well as other related issues. “On April 27, 2018, with the approval of the State Council, the People’s Bank of China signed a bilateral local currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria in Beijing for the purpose of facilitating bilateral trade and direct investment and safeguarding financial market stability in both countries. “The agreement is valid for three years and can be extended upon mutual consent,� the Chinese central bank added.

Commenting yesterday on the currency swap agreed to by both countries, the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, said the deal would positively impact trade and investments between Nigeria and China. “It will impact on trade positively between Nigeria and China, because it would make the payment system

easier. However, it can only last if the exchange rate remains stable. This is because if there are issues with the exchange rate, it may affect it,� he added.

To the Senior Economist at Exotix Capital in London, Christopher Dielmann, the currency swap line should be viewed very positively. “The CBN has done an excellent job over the past year in attracting dollar inflows as well as stabilising the naira’s valuation on a REER (real effective exchange rate basis) basis through the introduction of the Investors’ and Exporters’ Window. “It is for this reason that the recently opened swap line might not be as beneficial for Nigerian importers of Chinese goods as it could have been, perhaps two years ago, as it has already become much easier to access RMB (through dollar purchases) but it does show an on-going commitment by both central banks to promote bilateral trade, something that will be very welcomed by firms in both countries,� he explained in response to THISDAY’s e-mail.

But the chief executive of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane held the view that the timing of the agreement “a few days after

President Muhammadu Buhari left the United States where he held dicussions with President Doand Trump on trade, raises some questions�. “Maybe it is to reassure the Chinese that the fact that we had gone to the U.S. doesn’t mean we have forgotten our relationship with China,� he added.

In 2016, when negotiations on the currency swap commenced, Emefiele had expressed optimism that the agreement would strengthen the naira and help reduce the strong demand for the U.S. dollar in the country.

The CBN said it planned to diversify its forex reserves away from the dollar by switching a stockpile into yuan. It had converted up to a tenth of its reserves into yuan about seven years ago.

Emefiele had explained that Nigeria was not the only country that had agreed to a currency swap with China, as several other countries – developed and emerging markets – with growing trade volumes with China had entered into similar currency swaps with the Asian country.

The countries are the United Kingdom, Belarus, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, Armenia, Surinam, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Thailand, Kazakhstan, South Korea,

Canada, Qatar, Russia, the European Union, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, New Zealand, Argentina, Switzerland, Iceland, Albania, Hungary, Brazil, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates, totalling over RMB3.137 trillion. “The agreement on the currency swap with China will definitely benefit Nigeria because the essence of the mandate is to ensure that Nigeria is designated as the trading hub with China in the West African sub-region for people who want the Renminbi as a currency denomination, Emefiele had said at the time.

When reminded that trade between Nigeria and China was skewed heavily in favour of China, he said: “On the reverse, we are working to encourage the export of raw materials to China in order to reduce the trade imbalance. “And we aim to become competitive by improving on infrastructure especially in the area of electricity and ensuring that credit is made available to manufacturers at concessionary rates.�

Two years down the line, Nigeria is still struggling to upgrade its infrastructure and make loans available to businesses at lower interest rates.

Following the huge losses incurred during the stock market crash in 2008-9, PFAs in the country became risk averse, preferring instead to invest the bulk of retirement savings in government securities.

Under the multi-fund structure, retirement savings will be deployed in a scheme comprising four baskets of investible funds, according to the age bracket of the pension contributor.

Under the scheme, young

savers will be tagged under fund one, the middle-aged savers, tagged fund two, elderly savers, tagged fund three, and the retired saver tagged fund four.

With this, the PFAs will be able to deploy contributions depending on the age of the contributors such that young savers’ funds could be invest in assets classes more aggressively, relative to other fund types, and will target riskier assets with potentially higher returns.

PENSION ASSETS HIT N7.8TN, FG TO CLEAR OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS the interest/coupon rates from fixed income securities and net realised/unrealised gains on equities and mutual/fund investments.

She spoke on efforts being made by the commission to ensure further growth saying: “The commission is intensifying efforts at ensuring the provision of the necessary infrastructure for the launch of the micropension scheme, in line with its strategic objective of expanding coverage of

the CPS to the underserved sectors. “This is a major kernel of the strategy for expanding coverage of the contributory pension scheme,� she stated.

She assured her audience that the guidelines for the micro pension scheme were being finalised, preparatory to the commencement of the scheme.

Also speaking on the multi-fund structure recently introduced by the commission,

Head of the Investment Supervision Department of the commission, Ibrahim Kangiwa, said after the regulations on investment of pension fund assets were amended and released to pension fund operators on April 18, 2017, the new regulations took immediate effect, except the implementation of multi-fund structure for RSA funds.

According to him, this was delayed to allow adequate

public sensitization on the issue.

He highlighted the objectives of the multi-fund structure as enabling better matching of pension assets and liabilities, and the diversification of pension funds portfolios as minimum limit assets for aggregate investment in variable income securities.

The multi-fund structure is aimed at encouraging PFAs to take on more risks in their investment activities.

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

28 Killed in Herdsmen, Cattle Rustlers’ Attacks in Adamawa, Zamfara Army arrests armed herders in Benue Mohammed Aminu in Gusau, Daji Sani in Yola and Paul Obi in Abuja Barely 48 hours after a twin bomb blast rocked a mosque in Mubi town, resulting in the deaths of over 60 people, 15 persons have been reportedly

killed by armed herdsmen in four villages in Numan and Lamurde Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

This came as at least 13 persons were reportedly killed in clashes between suspected cattle rustlers and a vigilante group in Fankashi village of

Buhari Returns to Nigeria from US PDP demands explanation for president’s ‘technical stopover’ Omololu Ogunmade inAbuja President Muhammadu Buhari last night returned to Abuja six days after he left the country for the United States, where he held bilateral talks with President Donald Trump.

The president, who left the country on Saturday night and arrived Washington D.C. on Sunday, touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 11 p.m. last night.

He had left Washington on Wednesday but did not fly directly to Nigeria. Instead, he had a stopover in London en route Nigeria, during which refuelling and the necessary checks were carried out on the small aircraft he had used for the trip.

Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, who had earlier explained that the president had a “technical stopover’”in London, said that his arrival in Nigeria was delayed because the president did not fly in the larger presidential presidential jet, Eagle One, because it had gone for repairs.

According to him, Buhari used a smaller aircraft which he said could only cover 12 hours and 40 minutes.

He pointed out that the stopover was necessary to ensure that the aircraft was not overstretched with a direct flight, even though the distance from Washington DC to Abuja is 12 hours.

Against this backdrop, Shehu said the journey had to be broken into two with a stopover in London to create room for the necessary checks on the plane before proceeding to Nigeria.

“The big jet is under repairs. It has been taken for major repairs.

So the president is using a small plane and there is a limit to the distance the small plane can cover.

“So the technical stopover I talked about is that the journey from the U.S. to Abuja is broken into two. The technical stopover is that the plane stops at a point, refuels, undergoes some checks and then proceeds on the journey.

“This is very normal. There is nothing unusual about it. In any case, they are already on their way back home.

“It is a routine thing. The plane can do Abuja-Washington, that’s about 12 hours and the maximum the plane can fly is 12 hours, 40minutes. But you don’t need to push it to the edge,” Shehu said.

However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the presidency to end their official

secrecy and come out clear on the reasons for President Buhari’s alleged ‘technical stopover’ in London.

The party noted that President Buhari left the US 48 hours ago and embarked on an unofficial visit to United Kingdom for undisclosed reasons without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said: “President Buhari had on Tuesday left the US where he had an embarrassing and fruitless outing and instead of returning to the country, detoured to the UK for another private visit without regard to full disclosure of the requirements of our constitution and laws.

“Indeed, Nigerians are worried about the signal being sent out by this penchant for secret itinerary, particularly, given the poor reputation and governance transparency issues confronting our country in the Buhari administration.

“The presidency must understand that President Buhari is not a private citizen, and as long as his upkeep and itinerary is sourced from our hard-earned resources, there must be full disclosure, as citizens deserve to know the purpose of the visit and the cost to our nation.

“This is especially as Buhari’s foreign trips, which come at great costs, have not brought any gains to our country. Instead, the president has continued to de-market our country in the international arena.

The just concluded Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, where he cast aspersion at our enterprising youths and failed to return with any dividend, readily comes to mind.”

Furthermore, PDP noted that “Buhari’s admission at the Voice of America (VOA) that he was unable to reach any agreement with President Donald Trump on any matter of interest to Nigeria during his US visit and that he has no future development agenda to validate his 2019 re-election bid, confirm our position that the Buhari administration has nothing to offer Nigerians.”

PDP said the President Buhari’s handlers should adequately prepare him before international outings as well as ensure full disclosure on all his visits outside the country since he embodies the image and integrity of Nigeria until May 29, 2019.

Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Reports from the affected areas in Adamawa State indicated that the herdsmen in huge numbers stormed the villages in Hilux trucks and killed about 15 people and burnt down the four villages of Bolki, Bang, Zumoso and Gon. According to eyewitnesses, the herdsmen were reported to have arrived the communities on Wednesday, killing and burning down property worth millions of naira.

A source said the herdsmen could not be stopped by military personnel who arrived in two Hilux trucks but were forced to retreat on sighting the huge number of attackers.

The source added that two Nigerian Air Force fighter jets flew over the town during the attacks but refused to engage the herdsmen.

The death toll from the attack was expected to rise as locals said the herdsmen pursued villagers who tried to escape through the river and bodies were yet to be recovered from the river.

Locals lamented that despite all efforts at peace through a series of meetings between the herdsmen and the farmers in the communities on the need for the two warring groups to sheath their swords, it seems the herdsmen are reneging on the deal.

They said they were tired of the same story where they had agreed to a truce, only for the herdsmen to “attack from nowhere and embark on a killing spree.”

Adamawa is faced with the onslaught of the Boko Haram insurgency in its Northern senatorial zone and the gruesome killings by herdsmen in the Southern senatorial zone which have worsened the hardship and suffering of citizens in the state.

Attempts to speak to the spokesman of the state police command proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

In Zamfara State, Fankashi village was said to have been attacked by the bandits, resulting in the fight with the vigilante group in the area, who were armed with locally-made guns.

THISDAY gathered that the

vigilante group and rustlers were said to have been involved in a gun battle from Tuesday till Wednesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara Command, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday.

He said no fewer than 13 people lost their lives in the gun battle.

Shehu further stated that the bodies had been recovered by police officers deployed to the village.

“Our men recovered 13 dead bodies from the criminal gang and members of the vigilante group from the village after the fight,” Shehu said.

Shehu added that reinforcements were later sent to the area to ensure safety of the villagers.

Rural communities in Zamfara have been under siege for several years from cattle rustlers and kidnapping gangs, who have raided herding communities, killing, looting and burning homes.

To defend themselves, villages formed vigilante groups, but they too were accused of extra-judicial killings and provoking a bloody cycle of retaliatory attacks.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army yesterday said it arrested

a herdsman in Guma Local Government Area of Benue with ammunition.

The arrest came amid continuous killing of indigenes of Guma Local Government Area by herdsmen.

Seven Tiv indigenes were killed this week after two Catholic priests, 17 worshippers and 34 persons were killed by herdsmen in the local government.

Speaking on the arrest, Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.

Gen. Texas Chukwu, explained that “troops of 72 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Operation MESA while on patrol to Adagu village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State arrested one militia herdsman, Idi Gemu.

“Items recovered include, one AK 47 rifle with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”

Chukwu added that “efforts are on to arrest other members of the group who fled the area following the superior fire power of the troops.

“Members of the public are once again reminded to report any suspicious activities to the security agents,” he stated.

A NEW HEAD AT NERC

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, shortly after the inauguration of Momoh in Abuja....yesterday

Senate C’ttee Fails to Submit Report on Buhari’s $496m Expenditure Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate Committee on Judiciary yesterday failed to submit its legal advise on whether President Muhammadu Buhari violated the constitution by paying $496 million to the United States Government for the purchase of 12 Super Tucano aircraft without approval from the National Assembly.

The report, which was supposed to be ready in one week from yesterday was neither laid nor listed on the order paper.

The Senate yesterday had

mandated the committee to provide legal advice on the president’s action and directed that the report be submitted in one week.

This had followed calls for impeachment of the president by some senators who argued that the expenditure which was made in hope of an anticipatory approval was in violation of the constitution.

Some of the senators, however, argued that the president’s action was borne out of necessity of the security situation in the country and was therefore not a violation of the constitution.

While Senators Matthew Uroghide (Edo PDP) and Samuel Anyanwu (Imo PDP) had maintained that Buhari violated Section 80 of the constitution by spending public funds without appropriation, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said the president acted in line with Section 83, bordering on contingency expenditure.

As the debate heated up, Na’allah advised that the matter be referred the committee for legal advice.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, in his ruling, had backed Na’Allah’s position.

“If we all agree, I will put it to vote and refer the matter to the judiciary committee and give them a short period of time, that

by Wednesday next week, they submit it,” he ruled.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Chairman of the Committee, Senator David Umaru, on why the report was not submitted, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to a text message sent to him.

The spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, at a press briefing last Wednesday had however said the report was not ready.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í˛Ëœ 2018

COMMENT

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

WHINE NOT, NIGERIANYOUTH

Monday Philips Ekpe argues that the youths are in a position to chart a bright future for themselves

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am not about to lambast President Muhammadu Buhari for the impression he created the other day at an international forum abroad that young Nigerians are lazy. He has so far received more condemnation than commendation after that controversial episode – putting it mildly. For me, it was a missed opening for the father of the nation to market the country, especially its largely creative, dynamic and predominant youth population. Instead of dwelling on that, I have chosen to remind youths that there exist enough reasons to be enthusiastic about their capacity for positive impact, undeniable productivity and pragmatic regional and national leadership.

Much is being said about persons in their 30s and 40s assuming the highest political positions in their various countries - France’s Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s Justin Trudeau, for instance.

Even here at home, past military heads of state like General Yakubu Gowon, General Olusegun Obasanjo and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari became leaders within that age bracket.

While Gowon presided over Nigeria’s bitterest and only civil war to date, Obasanjo midwifed the Second Republic in the late 1970s. On a continent filled with cases of soldiers’ grip on power, ordering his colleagues back to their barracks and surrendering the political space to politicians were no small achievements. Not to talk of the high risk Buhari and his fellow coup plotters took to “salvage� Nigeria and “�arrest� its slide into socio-economic destruction. Those were critical moments in the country’s history.

Interestingly, the young men at the time were in charge and their dates of birth were never an issue.

Neither should the ability of the present Nigerian youth to rise to the occasion be in question now, despite the prevailing harsh realities. Survival in the country today cannot be taken for granted.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to meet the basic needs of life, even more daunting to actualise sublime goals. The environment here is filled with brick walls. Scarce chances for personal development are further contested for by tens of millions of people. Young people are now told stories of how wonderful amenities used to be on campuses; how hot meals were served in cozy cafeterias; how corporate organisations lined up to snatch graduands; how new cars were given to fresh graduates as employment incentives; how those who studied in America, Europe and elsewhere longed to return home to pick up juicy jobs; and how brilliance and hard work were handsomely rewarded.

At best, nostalgia can provide metaphysical satisfaction. In the same vein, endless lamentations about a lost paradise or squandered opportunities can elicit more disillusionment, despair and desperation. Ultimately, these two attitudes, if not checked, can produce a tribe of cynics and losers. Luckily, a vast majority of the youths of Nigeria want to and deserve to win, to be enlisted and abide in the growing clan of the world’s artistically or scientifically mobile young population. Against intimidating odds, some of them are already making their marks on both local and

ENDLESS LAMENTATIONS ABOUT A LOST PARADISE OR SQUANDERED OPPORTUNITIES CAN ELICIT MORE DISILLUSIONMENT, DESPAIR AND DESPERATION

international scenes. They are among the most accomplished professionals even in advanced countries. The will to survive and thrive has pushed many of them beyond entrenched limits.

Considering the hardship they have had to endure here, it is not surprising that young Nigerians break academic and other intellectual records across the planet.

Slothfulness is, therefore, not an integral part of the DNA of the Nigerian youth. Surely, the nation has boys and girls and young adults who are sluggish. But, of course, indolence has no country of origin. The human race, no matter the colour, religion or language, is characterised by a distribution (though uneven) of idle minds. Nigerians are no exceptions.

Getting stuck to a grouse with the president over his perceived misdeeds would be equally unfortunate. Such anger should be channelled towards positive ends. The major challenge before Nigeria now is to rise up from its self-inflicted slumber and become the real giant that it is, not only in Africa but around the world. This would require the kind of drive that is available to the youthful. Campaigns are on to allow or encourage the young to become more active politically while telling the elderly to take the back seat as statesmen and stateswomen. But can our youths walk away from the shadows of the fathers who have been bogged down by ethnic and religious sentiments?

I recall the golden era of student unionism, with one example here. In 1986, a female student – Fatima, I think – was shot dead at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, by the police. The first university that reacted was the far-away University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The fire of solidarity spread across the country in virtually all the tertiary centres of learning. The protests brought the nation to a standstill in just about 72 hours and the government was forced to shut down the institutions. That was under the military. Religion, ethnicity and sectional affiliations were not strong enough to stop them from acting as one in pursuit of justice. National unity was at work. They mobilised their energies to catch the attention of the mighty. They did all that without the benefit of handsets and the social media.

Already, the internet dominates the thought processes of many young people. That’s in vogue. One wonders if anything can be done to intervene now. If only they can use this technology more productively, their own lives and our societies will make genuine progress. With that, the youths are better equipped to bring about change. They are placed in a position to chart a future they can be proud of. The extravagant time and passion spent on programmes like BBNaija can be a test-run for their involvement in the general election next year. They can decide to seize the soul of Nigeria for good, from the forces that have so far ensured that this blessed nation does not rise above mediocrity.

DIVIDENDS: BRIGHTENING UP DEMOCRACY

As we prepare for another poll, Nigerians must open their eyes and judge by tangible results, writes Idowu Omisore

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f the success of democracy is judged by the loads of dividends enjoyed by the electorate, then Nigeria is still far from success in its practice of democracy. Considering happenings in our polity, one is forced to ask a question: who actually enjoys the dividends of democracy? The elected or the electorate? The answer to this question is obvious, even to the oblivious. One would have thought that the bright flames of democracy would shine its light into the dark underdeveloped grassroots, but that is not the case across the nation. That is why Mr. Bill Gates had the nerve to school our leaders on what real development is all about: human capital development with a primary focus on health and education. Nigeria has “36 sub-democracies�, of which the strongest, in my estimation, is Lagos. I cannot speak for everybody but I can speak of my own experience.

Yours truly grew up in Ojokoro, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government in Lagos. Having lived for three decades there, I can say that Governor Akinwunmi Oladapo Ambode has reset my mindset about the complexity of providing road infrastructure. This writer used to think that fixing bad roads and building bridges were a big deal. I, for one, did not know that flyovers, roads and drainages could be constructed in such a very short time. The delivery of Jubilee Bridge and connecting roads at Abule Egba, in my area, blew my mind. It was heartwarming to learn from Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, that the first phase of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule Egba was now at 55 per cent completion stage, and that government was working towards delivering it between September and October. What is more, construc-

tion is on, on inner streets around my axis and this is happening across the entire state. If this is not bringing dividends down to the grassroots, I don’t know what it is.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has not just performed above average; he has consistently demonstrated that he wants to change the face of Lagos. At the moment, development in Lagos is at a dizzying pace. Ambode comes across as a leader with a burning desire to make a colossal difference, though he has focused heavily on road infrastructure – a smart decision. People like to see tangibles. With visible road projects, it is very easy to score cheap points with the electorate. This is not say that Ambode has not recorded milestone achievements in other sectors.

This writer does not wish to repeat the long list of his laudable landmarks or the litany of reasons advanced by his teeming second-term endorsers but one accomplishment that is right in the face of everyone is the delightsome improvements in transport infrastructure. His consistency in this direction is noteworthy considering the positive multiplier effect on the standard of living of the people and commerce, generally speaking. What baffles me about Ambode is his unrelenting posture. There is a school of thought that incumbents perform during their first term and then relax when they are given a second term.

Even the proponents of this school of thought will agree that there is something refreshingly different about this human dynamo – a governor who acts and gets things done.

As our democracy matures, it is important that we become critically-minded and courageous enough to point to the areas where our leaders are missing it. One striking feature of democracy is its penchant for popularity. The candidate

with the highest number of votes in an election is perceived as the most popular, and therefore, the winner. The polls go to the popular, not to the perfect candidate. It therefore means that the winner is not without imperfections. These imperfections, as insignificant as they might seem, can impact negatively on the electorate.

This is where constructive criticism is needed.

Our leaders are neither saints nor angels; they are far from being perfect. Most of the time, they are surrounded by sycophants who will never tell them the truth even when they are not performing. When elections are around the corner, we see our incumbents portrayed as being the best thing that has ever happened to us. Flattery fills the atmosphere with a mission to becloud the reality. As we prepare to go to the polls, we must open our eyes and judge by tangible results. Any democracy that does not represent the interests and increase the standard of living of the electorate has lost its essence. Taking a cue from Mr. Gates’ sagacious perspectives, the government should create touchable dividends that will make education plus health accessible and affordable to citizens. Until democracy delivers goodies to the grassroots, it is a façade.

By goodies, I am not referring to what is now called “stomach infrastructure� – the freebies that politicians dole out from time to time to their constituents. What is needed is not just stomach infrastructure; we need sustainable dividends in critical sectors such as health, education, power and transport, to mention a few.

It was on a Thursday afternoon, November 19, 1863 during the American Civil War. The Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was to be dedicated. The crowds had gathered. The atmosphere was intense. Then

the moment came! Abraham Lincoln stepped onto the platform; he was going to make the one of the most celebrated speeches in American history. After he lionised the sacrifices of the soldiers who lost their lives, he went on to advocate that the “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.�

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States of America (USA), probably gave the most applicable meaning of democracy describing it as the government of the people, by the people, for the people. Democracy originated from two Greek words “demos� and “kratos� meaning “people� and “rule� respectively. Essentially, democracy is about the administration of the people themselves. Over the years, democracy gained momentum and spread across the globe. But times have changed.

In an essay titled “What’s gone wrong with democracy� published in The Economist, the writer noted that “Democracy is going through a difficult time. Where autocrats have been driven out of office, their opponents have mostly failed to create viable democratic regimes. Even in established democracies, flaws in the system have become worryingly visible and disillusion with politics is rife. Yet just a few years ago democracy looked as though it would dominate the world.� This writer cannot agree more because the living conditions in most democracies, especially in Africa, are not encouraging.

Democracy seems to have lost its shine; it needs to be brightened up with the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights and more importantly, dividends that uplift the standard of living of the people. idgreatness1210@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

EDITORIAL THE LOCKDOWN ON IFE CAMPUS

The Obafemi Awolowo University should be opened immediately while both parties are resolving the issues at stake

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n a dramatic decision that bodes ill for tertiary education in Nigeria, the Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) on Wednesday sealed the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, over some unremitted taxes and levies. After shutting the institution’s senate chamber and the administrative building, the main entrance gate to the campus was also sealed because the university reportedly owes the state government a total of N1.8 billion under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

Ordinarily, members of staff of a university should pay PAYE and other personal income taxes that apply in the state. But the university itself as a federal institution is exempt from corporate taxes and land use taxes as the land on which the university is located is federally granted. So, on a purely technical ground, there may not be anything wrong in the action of the Osun State authorities even though the penalty for default in personal income tax payment is not to disrupt the business of the defaulting employer. There are clear legal avenues for seeking redress in matters of tax default, tax avoidance, underpayment, etc.

Moreover, in the THE UNSIGHTLY CHAINS instant case at Ife, we OF THE TAX MAN OF do not have enough OSUN STATE BLOCKING evidence that the THE ENTRANCE OF state government has THE UNIVERSITY IS A exhausted the avenues SYMBOLIC DESECRATION of negotiation and OF THE SANCTITY TO THAT discussion which ought HALLOWED PLACE OF to include an agreeLEARNING AND CULTURE ment on a mutually convenient payment plan. It is not enough either for the university administration to insist that the tax debt was inherited from previous administrations. Obligations duly entered into especially on tax matters should include an assumed undertaking by the university administration to deduct taxes from staff emoluments at source for onward remittance to the relevant state government internal revenue. Serial default in this regard by successive university administrations smacks of financial recklessness and administrative

Letters to the Editor

irresponsibility.

Nonetheless, there is an overarching historical context that ought to have guided the Osun State government in the handling of the Ife tax matter. In the history of higher education in Nigeria, Ife along with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka stand out as embodiments of the vision of our founding fathers for a more enlightened and modern federal republic. These universities embody vision as mission as it were.

I T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEPH USHIGIALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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 NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

n the case of Ife in particular, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo after whom the university has been befittingly re-named built the institution as an exceptional centre of excellence for a new national elite. He posited Ife to challenge and transcend the colonial heritage of the much older University of Ibadan. That then explains why the architecture, landscape and curriculum of the university at inception reflected this renaissance outlook. Therefore, the unsightly chains of the tax man of Osun State blocking the entrance of the university is a symbolic desecration of the sanctity to that hallowed place of learning and culture. It should never have been allowed to happen by both the Osun State government and the university administration.

Besides, at a period when our campuses are hardly ever open because of incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) aside other disruptions, adding a new window is rather dangerous. Very soon, local governments and states across the country will follow this same model of sealing up campuses at the slightest excuse. That cannot be the way to go if we are to develop our society.

We therefore insist that the chains of shame at the gate of Ife campus must quickly be removed while sensible dialogue and administrative reason on both sides should prevail to resolve the issues involved. On a scale of reason, chaining the gates of a university campus is more barbaric than the administrative oversight of those who have failed to remit personal income taxes of university workers as and when due.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific 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.

WANTON KILLING OF BENUE PEOPLE UNACCEPTABLE

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t is sad that when other communities in Nigeria are brazing up to the challenges of development, Benue people are burying scores of their own. It would appear that the intractable challenge of daily slaughtering of Benue sons and daughters has defied all permutations from Agatu to Guma to Logo to Buruku to Kwande to Vandeikya, et al.

It has been one story of woe and wanton destruction of lives and property. It is the norm world over that the protection of lives and property is the primary aim of government. For close to a decade now, Benue people have been murdered in their numbers and both government and the citizenry are still at a loss as to who these marauding hoodlums are, what their motives are and the cause(s) of their mindless killing of Benue people. The worrisome dimension of the recent heartless daily killings has made it imperative that government should take urgent steps to initiate policies and set up appropriate machineries to address this mayhem that has been unleashed on Benue people.

Government must as a matter of urgency, set out to unravel the nature of the killings and the people who are involved. The characterisation of every killing as the aftermath of the herdsmen-farmer clash and the discordant voices of government and government officials are becoming most worrisome and Benue people are paying very dearly for government’s ineptitude.

Instead of displaying helplessness, government should commit to “never again” by initiating policies and programmes that will proffer solutions to the perennial problem of the Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes and their attendant loss of lives. Government immediately should set up a comprehensive special committee made of critical stakeholders, the herdsmen, farmers, security agencies and government officials to oversee and superintend over the relationship between the herdsmen and farmers.

The mandate of this committee is to engender a convivial environment for dialogue to continue to be held for all components of Benue State. Clashes must always be promptly investigated and concrete actions taken by government to unravel all matters connected therewith.

Secondly, the implementation of the anti-open grazing law must be revisited to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along. The bloodbath in Benue State is most unacceptable and must stop.

The anti-open grazing law is comprehensive but has farreaching implications for all and therefore, must be handled with care. It is imperative that all herdsmen in Benue State must be registered to put paid to the allegation of foreign herdsmen involvement. Government’s special committee must constantly engage farmers and herdsmen every step of the way. Herdsmen, farmers and their leaders must be involved in policy initiatives and implementation.

More fundamentally, government must open access to

social amenities such as education, hospital et al. These way herdsmen will feel a sense of belonging and will always resist the temptation of engaging in confrontation. Again, appointment of governors’ aides to include representatives of farmers and herdsmen to maintain a bridge between the people and the government is a critical palliative to solving the problem of incessant clashes and loss of lives. For a more comprehensive and permanent solution, government special committee must include traditional rulers.

Government must assume responsibility for the protection of lives and property of Benue people. Asking the people to adopt the medieval practice of fighting 21st century AK47 wielding herdsmen with stones and sticks is not an option.

Government must know that the lives of every Benue person matter. Accepting that this is a national problem, the recent daily massacres of Benue people is unique and must be resolved by an indigenous Benue solution applying Benue wisdom.

We can no longer wish away the fact of the reality that we must accept to live together as one. Even then, we must urgently assemble all retired Benue armed forces personnel to offer solutions on how to contain the situation. At this time, all hands must be on deck. Now that government has demonstrated helplessness, all citizens of Benue must stand up to defend our existence.

Patrick Abba Moro, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party is the immediate past Minister of Interior

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

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

POLITICS Conspiracy against Metuh

The refusal by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court to grant a former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, permission to travel abroad for medical treatment while others facing similar trials are granted the opportunity, is a major cause for concern, Davidson Iriekpen writes

D

espite obtaining a medical report from a United Kingdom-based hospital, the application of a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, to travel abroad for treatment was rejected last week by the trial judge, Justice Okong Abang, of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Metuh is facing trial for an alleged diversion of N400 million he received from the office of the former National Security Adviser. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in January 2016 arraigned him and his company, Destra Investments Limited, on a seven-count charge of money laundering after it alleged that they used the money for funding PDP’s campaign activities Metuh was consistently attending his trial until he started having health challenges. Last February, he asked for permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. The court refused to grant the request and adjourned proceedings till March. At the continuation of the hearing, however, when the PDP chieftain’s condition was not improving, his lawyers again made another request. Again, his request was turned down.

After appearing in court on a stretcher in March, the defence counsel appeared with a medical report from a foreign hospital. According to them, the former spokesman of the PDP is suffering from spinal cord injuries and requires urgent medical attention. The lead lawyers, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, requested a prolonged adjournment to allow for proper recuperation.

Delivering his ruling penultimate Thursday, the judge, recalled his earlier decisions refusing a similar application. He ruled that the former PDP spokesman misled the court by claiming ill-health and employing efforts to delay the trial. The judge questioned his failure to appeal the previous decisions and ruled that his court lacks jurisdiction to upturn its earlier decision. He also warned the defence team against bringing any medical report from any Nigerian hospital.

Those following the proceedings wondered what was special about going abroad for medical treatment that the judge would refuse to give permission. They also wondered how the judge arrived at the claim that the defendant misled the court when he did not call for independent medical examination or approve the oral applications of his lawyers on three occasions for the EFCC medical personnel to examine his condition?

Records at the disposal of THISDAY revealed that several persons standing trial for alleged embezzlement, misappropriation and money laundering offences, much bigger in proportions than Metuh’s had at different times been granted permission to travel abroad making analysts to wonder why Metuh’s case is different.

For instance, former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, standing trial for offences bordering on N29 billion fraud, was granted permission to travel for medical treatment.

Similarly, former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, accused of N3billion fraud and related offences was granted leave to travel on February 28, 2018. Also on February 28, 2017, Mohammed Umar, a former air force officer, accused of laundering $1,030,000 (over N500million) was granted leave to travel for medical treatment.

On June 1, 2017, the court granted Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia permission to travel for medical treatment that has to do with high

Metuh

blood pressure, hypertension. So was her co-accused.

Ex-Minister, Jumoke Akinjide’s standing trial for N650million money laundering charge was granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. On December 05, 2017, court granted the former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman leave to travel abroad for medical treatment.

She is standing trial for N4.9billion fraud. On February 15, 2016, court granted ex- Governor Aliyu Akwe-Doma of Nasarawa State who is standing trial for N2billion, leave to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Also, the court had granted ex-Balyesa State Governor, Timipreye Sylva leave to travel abroad for medical treatment. He was facing trial on N19.2billion fraud. Until he was acquitted recently of a 2billion fraud, the court had granted former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oransaye permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. On July 18, 2016, the court granted ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Considering the above, analysts could not understand why Justice Abang would not give Metuh the same opportunity other accused persons were afforded.

They also consider the judge’s denial of Metuh’s application to travel abroad to be following a pattern already established in

Several persons standing trial for alleged embezzlement, misappropriation and money laundering offences, much bigger in proportions than Metuh’s had at different times been granted permission to travel abroad

the trial of Metuh. They made reference to when his lawyer, Ikpeazu, in December 2016 filed a subpoena requesting him to summon former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to testify in court as a defence witness. Metuh in his statement, had claimed that Dasuki gave him the N400million on the orders of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

But the judge in his ruling refused, saying that because Dasuki had engaged in unlawful activity, he did not need to be subpoenaed as his evidence was immaterial in the case.

It took intervention of the Court of Appeal for the former NSA to appear before the judge.

Delivering the lead judgment upon appeal, Justice Peter Ige of the Court of Appeal, held that the refusal by Justice Abang to sign the subpoena and his subsequent refusal to grant the application requesting the signing of the subpoena was a violation of Metuh’s right to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the constitution. The court also ruled that with Dasuki’s name featuring prominently in the counts preferred against Metuh, the ex-NSA was an essential witness in the case.

The court added that it was not within the power of the judge “under the guise of exercising discretion” to determine whether or not Dasuki’s testimony would serve useful purpose to the defendant. Citing Section 175 (1) and (2) of the Evidence Act, It held that all competent witnesses were compellable witnesses. Explaining who was a competent witness, the appellate court held that all persons such as a person with knowledge about the case at hand “shall be considered to be competent witnesses” except on conditions of “unsound mind” and prevented by “mental infirmity. A witness must be competent before he can be a compellable witness,” Justice Ige ruled.

The justice of the Court of Appeal also explained that “all persons are competent to be a witness in all proceedings whether civil or criminal,” except when the concerned person enjoys “constitutional immunity” as provided under Section 308 of the Constitution.

The masterstroke in the judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Mustapha who held “Counts 1, 2,3,4 and 7 of the charge

against Metuh are alleging that he received N400,000 from the former NSA with the knowledge that the funds formed part of an unlawful of act.

He hedl: “No, if that were so, one cannot but wonder how the appellant could possibly explain or discharge the burden placed on him, especially as it is those facts that the trial court found the existence of prima facie evidence.

“Subject to the exception sections 175(1) and (2), all persons are competent witnesses for the purpose of testimony in proceedings, whether civil or criminal. Persons who cannot be compelled on the other hand are those legally disqualified, e.g by reason of immunity on account of the office they hold i.e the president, governors and their deputies. Even they cannot be said to be incompetent as witnesses, they only are simply not compellable as no writ can legally be issued on them. Against this background, Dasuki is clearly a competent and compellable witness.

“It stands to logic and common sense that an accused person is entitled to call any witness of his choice in his defence, and in calling such witness, it is perfectly within the right of such an accused person to approach the court to issue subpoena to secure the attendance of such a witness.

“It is very important at this juncture to emphasise that section 241(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act is meant to empower an accused person take advantage of section 36(6)(1)(b) and (d) of the constitution, for that reason, any attempt to deny an accused person such an opportunity is akin to the proverbial saying of tying his hands behind him and expecting him to ward off assailants. It is simply wrong for the trial court to even suggest that the witness sought to be subpoenaed (Dasuki) is not compellable. Doing so is a clear denial of the appellant’s right as enshrined in section 36 of the Constitution.”

The question many analysts are asking is why is Metuh being prosecuted? Metuh was never a public officer. He did not misappropriate or embezzle funds. He did not steal either. He was the spokesman of the PDP, an errand boy.

He was given money to run some errands for his party. His employers have not lodged any complaints with the police.

He told the world how he got the N400million paid into his account. As a spokesman of the party in power then, he met President Goodluck Jonathan who directed the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to give him some money to run his office.

The EFCC, however, insists that the money given to Metuh was stolen from the public purse. But it couldn’t conceivably have been in Metuh’s contemplation that the boss stole from the public to fund his elections. Jonathan got many billions during his presidential campaigns fundraising.

Was he expected to have asked his boss about the source of the money before running the errand. Many have suggested that if Metuh had returned the money he would have received instant salvation. But others have since countered the argument, wondering how he could have returned money that had been spent on for what it was meant for. They further wonder why EFCC cannot bring his boss to explain why he gave the former PDP spokesman stolen money?

When Dasuki was compelled to appear in court, he told the world that he acted on presidential directive which from the recent judgment of Justice Binta Nyako in the case of Mohammed Bello Adoke vs Attorney General of the Federation, he is not liable for.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

18

POLITICS

A Murky Governorship Race As the Ogun State governorship race remains shrouded in uncertainty, Femi Ogbonnikan attempts to navigate through the murky waters of politics in the state

C

learly, strong indications have finally emerged that the people of Ogun East Senatorial District made up of the old Ijebu Province are not leaving any stone unturned in their bid to clinch the coming 2019 Ogun State governorship seat.

Thus, the declaration “Ijebu for 2019 governor” mantra by the Senator representing the district at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu, during his “thank you” tour of all the nine local governments making Ogun East last month.

The determination of members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress from Ogun East to make sure they produce the next governor has further threatened the chance of the Ogun West, the district favoured by the State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Initially, the Gbenga Daniel-led faction of the PDP took the first plunge when its state chairman, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele, made it abundantly clear that his group has zoned the governorship ticket to Ogun East. He went on to say that a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikenne/Remo North/Sagamu Federal Constituency, Hon Ladi Adebutu, had been chosen as governorship candidate. Soon afterwards, the Ogun East APC joined the fray and picked the current Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Bimbo Ashiru, as its consensus candidate.

Just as the drum beat intensifies, it should be clearer to the people of Ogun West that the governorship ticket is not going to be served alacarte.

Earlier, the erstwhile Acting Chief of Staff to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Dr Gbolade Oshinowo (chairman, Ijebu Agenda), in an interview with THISDAY had sounded a note of warning to the governor, Ibikunle Amosun, asking him to reconsider his position that he would support only aspirant from Ogun West or risk losing to the opposition PDP candidate.

“What I am saying is that, Ogun East is already a stronghold of the PDP. Most of us in APC are in a battle ground situation here.

And now, to alienate the Ijebus further by zoning the governorship out of their area, by not allowing them to participate makes the position of the leaders of APC in Ogun East very difficult, virtually untenable”, he noted.

Echoing the same sentiment, Kashamu, a strong force to reckon with, in the political equation of Ogun State, declared that his party, PDP, under the state chairmanship of Mr Bayo Samuel Adedayo, has zoned the 2019 Ogun State governorship ticket to Ogun East and therefore sought the support and cooperation of the people of the district to come together and forge a common front, preparatory to the general election.

He said: “Our party, PDP, has zoned the coming 2019 Ogun State Governorship ticket to Ijebuland (ie, Ogun East). So, it has become the turn of Ijebu zone to produce the next governor of the state.

“If you go to Ogun Central and you marvel at the level of transformation that has berthed in Abeokuta. Who among you don’t like what Amosun is doing in Abeokuta? Gov Amosun has transformed Ogun Central to Paris. As a result, we want an Ijebu man to get to the number one position of Ogun state, come May 29, 2019, so that Ijebuland too will witness rapid development and become transformed, like Ogun Central.

“Regardless of the political lineage the Ogun East candidate comes from, whether APC or SDP or Labour or PDP, we, the people of Ogun East should be ready to rally round behind him so that one of us (ie, an Ijebu man) can get to the number one seat of the state.

Aspirants for elections into the state’s house of assembly in the coming 2019 general elections were presented at the event where

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun

Kashamu spoke. They included Sylvester Niyi Abiodun, Segun Kaka, Oluyemi Adesegun and Sunday Sobowale.

Already Kashamu’s posters adorned all the streets in major towns in his senatorial district.

Also, Ogundele, who is the Ogun State PDP Chairman of the group loyal to Daniel, in a recent interview with THISDAY said his party could no longer afford to trade off its votes this time around in the coming governorship race, like it did during the 2011 and 2015 general elections when it supported a candidate from Ogun East.

“This time around we want to support a candidate that can win enblock votes for our party and that is why the leadership of our party in the state has decided to zone the governorship ticket to Ogun East where we can win enblock votes, while other votes

This time around we want to support a candidate that can win enblock votes for our party and that is why the leadership of our party in the state has decided to zone the governorship ticket to Ogun East

cast from Ogun West will just be added to what we have got already. So, our decision not to support an Ogun West governorship candidate this time around is as a result of disunity among the Yewa/Awori people.

They are not united. We don’t want a repeat of the two previous past elections we had both in 2011 and 2015 in Ogun state when we threw our weight behind an Ogun West candidate and he didn’t win.”

He said that the Ijebus should not be made to suffer for the decision of the Egbas of the Ogun Central to deny the people of the Ogun West the opportunity to be governor.

He said: “Okay, let us examine the facts.

Four divisions, three have had it. On the fourth occasion, where the fourth would have had it, what happened? The Ijebus were not the main beneficiaries of the deprivation of the Yewas, And when we examined the minutes, the details of what happened, how did the two Yewa candidates emerge in 2011? Did it tally? Did it bear scrutiny?

If you look at it closely, you could draw your inferences”.

Meanwhile, the governor who is on the last lap of his administration in office and shopping for a successor from Ogun West axis, seems to be at a crossroads over his earlier hasty public proclamation to hand over the governorship baton to Ogun West.

Unconfirmed reports have it that the governor plans to dump all aspirants from Ogun West extraction that have so far signified their interest in the governorship contest for his Canadian-based friend, Mrs Titi Odunfa-Adeoye, an Ilaro-born woman,

from Yewa South Local Government Area, to succeed him in office.

To perfect his strategy and curry the support of prominent sons and daughters of Ogun West to lend their weight for his preferred successor, it was gathered, Amosun has begun moves to woo supporters of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (aka Yayi) a front line aspirant for the goernorship seat.

The governor has reportedly approached Chief Olusegun Osoba, a former governor and a leader of the party in the state, to persuade him to support his Canadian-based choice for the state governorship race.

A couple of weeks ago, shortly after the recently concluded Ogun State 2018 Investors’ Forum between March 20 and 21, 2018, it was further learnt that the governor had taken Odunfa-Adeoye, the Founder and CEO, Sankore Investment, who was one of the discussants at the forum, to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for his support and blessing.

Following the objection raised against a female successor by the leadership of the APC, a development confirmed by the governor himself at a world press conference to herald the Ogun State 2018 African Drum Festival on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Abeokuta, the governor retorted; “if you say you don’t want a woman as your next governor then, I will give you a wizkid”.

After failing to get the leadership of APC to support his prefer candidate, the governor is said to be considering one Olalekan Olude, a native of Imasai, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State to succeed him. Olude who will turn 35 years in September is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Jobberman, a company he co-founded. The firm, Jobberman which is the biggest job site in Sub-saharan Africa, currently delivers services across consulting, testing, advertising and outsourcing. He is based in Lagos.

But political pundits and watchers have begun to express pessimism in the governor’s insistence to shop for his successor from Ogun West, a development they described as a mistake.

Many think that it was not a wise decision for the governor to box himself into a corner by insisting that only the people of Ogun West are eligible to produce the next governor for the state. They want him to shift his earlier stance and settle for a strong aspirant that enjoys the support of all the leaders and elders of the party in the state and other stakeholders who will emerge through on a level-playing ground.

While reflecting on the governor’s earlier decision to place a blanket ban on governorship aspirants from Ogun East in the coming 2019 general elections, Oshinowo, counselled the governor to rescind his position on that and allow aspirants from Ogun East to also join the governorship race.

He said: “What we are talking about is politics. Politics has to do with core values of the people. The 1999 Constitution is terribly flawed and that is why everybody is up in hands now, saying it has to be amended. It has to be restructured. Now, a constitution is an arrangement by people that would guide them. It is not written in stone. It is something, that is a work-in-progress, and that is why we have constitutional amendments. What I am saying is that, at least, we, the Ijebus, have been in existence before Nigeria. We have been in existence before any of the constitutions.

“Secondly, when I looked at the history of Ogun State and the evolution of the power dynamics in Ogun State, I found out, on a vantage position, that we have been very active participants since 1976, when the state was created. And the burden of history is staring all of us in the face. Ogun State is a creation of modern governance apparatus.”

It is not too late for a rethink.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Ͳ, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 7.17 % 8.08 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

5% 8.75 % 9.50%

A P R I L S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

2 7 , 2 0 1 8 ͹Ͳ;˛Ͳ͹ Ϲ 0.07% ͯ˛ͲͯϹ

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

ͳ˛Ͳͳ Ϲ ͳ˛Ͳͳ Ϲ

EXCHANGE RATE N305.65/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Virony Appoints Brand Ambassador

DEEPENING RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

L-R: Head of Training, IRM, Sanjay Himatsingani; CEO, RMCIR, Robert Mbonu; CEO, IRM, Ian Livesey; and CEO Conrad Clark, Joachim Adenusi, during the signing of partnership agreement between RMCIR and IRM on risk management training in Nigeria‌ recently

$1.2bn Worth of Textile Materials Smuggled into Nigeria Annually Eromosele Abiodun Despite the depreciation of the value of the naira and the anti-smuggling operation by the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), checks by THISDAY have revealed an influx of imported ready-to-wear garments taking the value of smuggled apparel to a whopping $1.2 billion annually.

Stakeholders have blamed Nigeria’s porous land borders for the menace while manufacturers insist government failure to tackle the problem was responsible.

Also, there are concerns around the recent signing of the pact forming the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kigali.

Stakeholders within Nigeria’s textile, apparel and footwear

ECONOMY industry opine that if the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) signs this agreement, it would have an adverse effect as it could accelerate the importation of cheaper imported textiles and garments.

However, analysts at FBN Quest have noted that the textile, apparel and footwear sub-sector remains the second largest contributor to Nigeria’s manufacturing (after food, beverage and tobacco). “The sub-sector posted total output of N383bn ($1.3 billion) in Q4 2017 or 23.3 per cent of manufacturing gross domestic (GDP). The segment grew by 1.6 per cent year-on-year (y/y) in the fourth quarter of2017, compared with 1.1 per cent recorded in

the corresponding period of the previous year. Given Nigeria’s huge appetite for fashion and related industries, the segment is still performing well below its full potential. “Industry sources suggest that the country’s annual import bill for textiles and ready-to-wear apparel is $4 billion. Meanwhile, trade statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) tell a different story, with imports of textile and clothing items of N37 billion ($121 million) in the fourth quarter, “said FBN Quest.

On what the federal government should do to stop the menace, the analysts stated: “We understand that the FGN has kicked off the creation of special economic zones (SEZs), starting with a zone for garment manufacturing. On a macro level, this should attract invest-

ment within the sector, boost output and assist with easing pressure on the job market.�

However, the NCS have blamed ignorance on the part of residents of border communities across the country for increasing smuggling of arms and contrabands.

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mohammed Uba stated this in a chat with THISDAY He said that residents see smuggling as legitimate business and this remains one of the major challenges faced by the Unit in its efforts to curtail illegal border trades and other forms of smuggling.

He said the lack of knowledge Continued on page 20

Mbonu: RMCIR, UK Institute Partnership Will Deepen Risk Management Knowledge in Nigeria Chika Amanze-Nwachuku The partnership between Risk Management Consulting Limited (RMCIR) and UK Institute of Risk Management (IRM) will deepen knowledge in risk management practice in Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer, RMCIR, Mr. Robert Mbonu, has said.

The two firms recently sealed agreement to deliver risk master class training in Nigeria.

Speaking with THISDAY, shortly after the agreement signing, Mbonu said the aim was to strengthen the practice of risk management in Nigeria.

According to him, 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.

The partnership, he further

ECONOMY stated, “is to deliver risk management training to Nigerians at an affordable cost.�

Mbonu noted that knowledge had pushed the frontiers of development across the world of mankind, pointing out that risk management knowledge and skills remained vital to navigating 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, he noted that risk management as a profession had grown in significance due

to the focus on the management of uncertainty in the attainment of business objectives, pointing out that uncertainty had forced companies to look at risk management to plan, control and execute business processes.

Mbonu said: “As the likelihood and consequences of catastrophic events have become higher, there are much more discussions 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 further 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 awareness 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.�

Mbonu also stated that partnership will help to ensure the success and performance of both small and large organisations, adding that the skill-set would be vital for the public sector in the delivery of services and projects through better project Continued on page 20

Virony Nigeria Limited has appointed ace Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Brand Ambassador, in its bid to further deepen its market presence and share. The company, which produces building materials, sanitary wares, daily necessities and household supplies, has indicated that using the Nollywood actress as the face of its products was based on her personality, values and inuence among young mothers.

President, Virony Nigeria Limited, Vicky Cao, while presenting Mercy Johnson-Okorie to the press, in Lagos recently said the decision was a testimony to the fact that Mercy Johnson-Okojie is an exciting personality who embodies the strength of the African Woman. ‘’Also, being a celebrity, she said “Mercy Johnson-Okorie is a home-maker who recognizes the importance of the wellbeing of the family. Her ambassadorial role will see her become the face of Virony Diapers and Detergent for the next two years,�

Describing the union as a great match between Virony and Mercy Johnson-Okorie, she said there are lots of good things in common, such as good reputation, special care to the society, respect every single works and products, positive inuence in public and so on.

Busicon Holds Maiden App Challenge

In order to support and identify talents in the creation of apps solution that can address individual, organisational and societal challenges, Busicon Nigeria Limited, an enterprise content management solution service provider, has called for entry to the maiden Busicon App Challenge.

The competition is open to male and female app developers between the ages of 18 and 35 years, who could either be in school or out of school and already working.

The competition is open to all apps developers that could develop apps that will address challenges in any sector of the economy.

Speaking at the media conference to announce online entry competition, the Director Technical Services, Busicon Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ayo Akanbi said the competition remained an initiative of Busicon Group Limited, which is meant to encourage youth participation in information and communications technology (ICT) and designed to enhance tech innovation.

The overall winner of the competition will go home with N 1 million while all contestants will have opportunity to meet with investors and mentors that may want to commercialise any of the apps. “Beyond the prize money, participants will enjoy exposure to both local and international companies that are ready to either partner or fund tech startups in Nigeria� Akanbi said.

Speaking about the modalities of the contest, Director Sales and Marketing, Busicon Nigeria Limited, Damilola Akanbi said the contest would last for two weeks, “the first two weeks will be for entry submission, while contestants will spend the remaining four weeks to develop their ideas.�

Arik Begins Flights to Bauchi

Arik Air has announced its flight operations to Bauchi with the launch of flight services to the City from May 9, 2018.

The airline said it would be operating three weekly flights from Abuja to Bauchi with connections to and from Lagos on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu said the inauguration of flight operations to Bauchi was borne out of the importance attached to Bauchi State as the ‘Pearl of Tourism’ in Nigeria and underscores the airline’s commitment to the growth of tourism in the country. “Arik Air has always been at the forefront of the development of aviation and tourism in Nigeria. We are committed to the opening up of the country to commerce and industry through air connectivity. Our plan is to connect all viable airports in Nigeria so as to expand the frontiers of commerce and grow the economy�, Captain Roy stated. The airline said Bauchi is its 20th domestic destination.

“To ensure that flights are safe, the standards and the recommended practices in line with our regulations must be maintained�, Director General� the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Captain Muhtar Usman

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BUSINESSWORLD $1.2BN WORTH OF TEXTILE MATERIALS SMUGGLED INTO NIGERIA ANNUALLY is the reason why people see customs officials as enemies and sometimes attack them while they are carrying out their legitimate duties.

He however vowed that this will not deter the unit from performing its statutory responsibility of curbing smuggling.

While making reference to section 147 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Uba said the law empowers Customs to search any warehouse where there is reasonable suspicion that prohibited goods are kept there.

He called on the media to support the Service in the fight against smuggling by educating and enlightening the public on the dangers of smuggling. “It is because of ignorance people living in the border communities feel and believes MBONU: RMCIR, UK INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP WILL DEEPEN RISK MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE IN NIGERIA 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. “This involves broadening the team’s awareness about uncertainty and risk, integrating risk awareness into strategic decision making, and adopting strategic resiliency thinking. “Seen as a career and performance enhancer, attendees will be given certificates of attendance issued by the IRM. The training will also qualify candidates for IRM professional qualifications, including free affiliate membership of the IRM and access to the institute’s on-line resources, and become part of a global community of thousands of risk professionals,�

Mbonu stressed.

NEWS

Global Cloud Adoption in Healthcare Rose 34% in 2017, Says Dell Technologies Emma Okonji in Las Vegas, US Cloud adoption in healthcare delivery and digital enterprise business transformation is increasing by the day according to recent research report released by Dell Technologies at the just concluded Dell Technologies World 2018 in Las Vegas, US. According to the enterprise survey report, the adoption of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) in the healthcare sector rose from 23 per cent at the end of 2015 to 34 per cent at the end of 2017, indicating that public cloud is emerging as part of the Information Technology (IT) mix for organisations in the healthcare industry.

Analysing the report, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management and Strategy at Virtustream, the cloud management arm of Dell Technologies, Mr. Peter Cutts, said: “Many healthcare organisations are searching for IT delivery models that improve system flexibility and agility, while simultaneously seeking cost containment measures. Consequently, many healthcare organisations have adopted cloud-first strategies for new technology initiatives.�

According to Cutts, Virtustream has responded to this challenge with the Virtustream Healthcare

Cloud, which allows healthcare organisations to leverage the efficiencies and scale of the public cloud in a secure and compliant cloud platform that is purpose-built to address their specific needs. Virtustream Healthcare Cloud is fully compliant with both HIPAA and

HITECH and delivers rigorous, end-to-end security to protect patient health information, he added.

In his keynote address, the Vice Chairman, Products and Operations at Dell Technologies, Mr. Jeff Clarke, explained how modern technology is

changing the global workforce and workspace. He said more people and organisations are looking for new ways to drive their businesses and that Dell Technologies would continue to innovate to provide customers with the best of technology solutions that would enhance

their business. According to Clarke, the adoption rate of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence in business is on the increase and estimated that by 2020, 20 per cent of businesses will adopt VR and AI technologies to further drive their businesses.

LUCKY WINNER

L-R: Divisional Head, Corporate & Specialised Banking, Heritage Bank, Ose Ben-Willie; Winner of BBNaija Season-3, Miracle Igbokwe; Managing Director, Multichoice Nigeria, John Ugbe and Head of Product Management, Payporte, Adenike Bankole, during the presentation of prizes to the winner of BBNaija Season 3 Double Wahala, which was sponsored by Heritage Bank, held in Lagos... recently

SON Arraigns Couple for Manufacturing Substandard Roofing Sheet David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has arraigned a businessman, Mr. Emeka Nwankwo and his wife Mrs. Adaobi Nwankwo before a Federal High Court sitting in Awka for allegedly manufacturing substandard aluminum roofing sheet.

SON accused Nwankwo who is the Managing Director of Great Meckon investment of manufacturing and selling the product, which did not comply with the Nigerian Industrial Standards to the public.

Nwankwo and his wife are manufacturers of Great Meckon roofing sheets and are based at the International Building Material Market, Ogidi in Anambra.

The charges against the accused read that they engaged in the manufacturing of aluminum

roofing sheet and did sell or deliver the said product for public consumption to the public without complying with the Nigerian Industrial Standards, thereby committing offence punishable under section 26(2)(i) of the SON Act 2015.

The court was also told that the couple were manufacturing aluminum roofing sheet which fall below requisite and expected quality, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 1(18) (ii) of the miscellaneous offences Act, CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Counsel to SON, Mr. J.A Olofindare, said staff of the organisation took samples of the product for laboratory testing and listed five witnesses that would testify against them.

P.I Chukwudebelu counsel to the accused prayed the court to grant the couple bail.

Chukwudebelu said they

were willing to stand trial and promised to produce them whenever the case would be heard.

The prosecution did not object to the application for bail.

In his ruling, Justice N.I Oweibo granted the couple bail in the sum of N1million and a surety of not less than grade level 8 in the civil service in a like sum.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to May 24 for hearing.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has embarked on a nationwide mop up of substandard lubricants in a move seen as crucial in safeguarding the lives of unsuspecting consumers as well as boosting Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

Speaking in Lagos during an enforcement exercise to raid different markets and warehouses in Lagos in search of adulterated and uncertified

lubricants, Director General, SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma, underscored the critical role of lubricating products in the nation’s quest towards rapid industrialisation and stressed that adulterated lubricants should be got rid of.

The director general, who was represented by the agency’s Director, Inspection and Compliance, Mr. Bede Obayi said fake and counterfeited lubricants pose a threat to the nation’s manufacturing industry.

He said lubricants are important to all vehicles, industrial machines of various types, hydraulic systems, electric transformers and other things. “It is obvious that most of our daily activities depend directly or indirectly on use of lubricants and it is therefore, the massive evacuation of substandard lubricants cannot be over flogged,� he said.

He explained that the agency

had been reinvigorated courtesy of its new SON Act 2015 to remove all non-complying products from the nation’s market “You can see the volumes of lubricants we have seized and they are all engine oil not been certified by SON and once they sell these products that have not been certified they will end up knocking the engines of motor vehicles and other equipment.

Any time you use this kind of substandard lubricants, your engine is at risk and also the environment. Today, we have started the evacuation of this non-blended engine oil that is in circulation so that Nigerians will get value for their hard-earned money.

This is just the starting off of the operation to remove non-complying lubricant oils from circulation. SON is out to make Nigeria safe for everybody,� he said.

Group Business Editor

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‘Tough Targets from Regulators Will Drive Sustainable Investment in New Economy’ Eromosele Abiodun Managing Director of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi has said the United Nations International Maritime Organisation strategy to reduce the total annual Green House Gas, GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50 per cent by 2050 could energise the private investors and operators in the maritime sector to immediately begin investing in new sustainable business models.

Jadesimi stated this prior to the meeting of Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Third High-Level United Nations Assembly, 2018, in Washington, DC. The high-level assembly occurred as part of the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings and focuses on the opportunities, benefits, and concerns related to carbon pricing.

Carbon pricing can be a way in which international shipping can advance its newly adopted strategy on decarbonisation.

It is on this background that the Global Maritime Forum is represented at the High-Level Assembly by the members of the board, which include: Dr. Amy Jadesimi, of LADOL, and Oivind Lorentzen III, Managing Director and Director and Vice Chairman of Northern Navigation LLC and SEACOR Holdings, Tom Boardley, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Corporate and External Affairs at Lloyd’s Register, a Strategic Partner to the Global Maritime Forum.

Jadesimi, who doubles as Global Maritime Forum’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director and CEO of LADOL, said: “Member states of the United Nations International Maritime Organisation adopted an initial strategy to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50 per cent by 2050. “This target could energise the private investors and operators in the maritime sector to immediately begin investing in new sustainable

business models, assets (from ship yards and ships to ports) and financial solutions including carbon pricing. I therefore urge policy makers to continue setting bold targets and laying out a clear path to zero emissions.�

The Global Maritime Forum is an international not-forprofit foundation dedicated to unleashing the potential of the global maritime industry.

It is committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing.

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Kuru : AMCON Willing to Hand over Arik, Aero to Original Owners Chinedu Eze The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) said that it is willing to hand over Arik Air and Aero Contractors to their original owners if they offset their indebtedness to the Corporation.

AMCON said that it was with reluctance that it took over the companies in the transport sector because it lacked the core competence to manage them but have to rescue them from going under and also to recover the debts owed it by these organisations.

Managing Director of AMCON, Mr. Ahmed Kuru stated this in Lagos recently and remarked that the Corporation’s role in these airlines was like a rescue mission as it never intended to manage them longer than necessary.

“AMCON’s intervention through the instrumentality of Receiver Management was first to stabilise the operations of the airlines, put them in a position to generate positive cash flow, then resolve their debt situation through either the owners paying the debts or the sale of the companies/ underlining assets. “Specifically, our intervention in Arik and Aero were intended to be value adding and nondestructive. It is noteworthy that the Corporation has adopted a similar approach to the revitalisation of Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), which today is back to operation and assembling vehicles for the road transport sector,� he said.

Kuru said that at the point of intervening in Arik, the company was witnessing high spate of flight cancellations of up to 40

per cent, on-time performance (OTP) and the promptness of schedule flights had fallen to as low as 15 per cent, adding that the staff, including pilots were owed salaries, in some cases for up to six months.

However, what might have contributed to poor performance of the airline then was the protracted scarcity of aviation fuel that paralysed the aviation industry at that period and the recession, which upped the value of dollars to N500 per dollar, which made it almost impossible for airlines to purchase spares and pay for overseas maintenance of their aircraft, as they sell tickets in the local currency but pay in dollars for checks, training and spares.

On Aero Contractors, Kuru said that AMCON succeeded in ensuring that the airline remained a going concern.

AIR WATCH NCAA’s Dilemma over Private Jet Owners

Ghana Aviation Minister to Speak at Accra Weizo 2018 Chinedu Eze The Minister of Aviation for Ghana Cecilia Abena Dapaah would open the 4th Accra Weizo, an African travel market event on June 22, 2018 with a Paper titled ‘Harnessing the Opportunities in Aviation value chain in West Africa.’ Accra Weizo is a travel event now in its 4th edition, aimed at creating a seamless travel environment, which brings together travel professionals in West Africa.

According to the organiser, Ikechi Uko, the first day of the

event would be the seminar on Aviation and the Second day would be dedicated to ‘Travel, Tourism and the Internet’ session to grow Travel Business and destination. “It will be taking place at ada Ekesi Hall at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra Ghana on June 22 and 23, 2018. The topics to be discussed on the first session of the event which is dedicated solely to Aviation in West Africa include: “Interlining in West Africa, a possibility or a Mirage?�, Integrating West African Airport System�, “Standardising Aviation Laws in

West Africa for Regional Growth� and “Why West African Airlines Fail,� Uko said.

Confirmed panellists for that session are the Managing Director of Nigeria’s oldest Airline Aero owners of the major MRO in the region, Capt Ado Sanusi, the Vice Chairman SAHCOL a leading Nigerian Owned Aviation handling and Logistics company, Chike Ogeah, the CEO of Ghana based Smile Aviation and former CEO of Nigerian based Associated Airlines, Alex Nwuba and Richard Kyereh from Africa World Airlines the leading Airline in Ghana.

Imo Govt Commends Dana for Owerri–Abuja Flights The Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has commended Dana Air for introducing Owerri Abuja –Owerri flights.

Okorocha praised the airline after its inaugural flight from the Sam Mbakwe International Airport Owerri to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser, Ikenna Eme, said the commencement of Owerri to Abuja flight by Dana, has brought needed succour to the good people of Imo state who have had to pay more for less on the route. “Today we have witnessed development and expansion.

We are happy that Dana Air is living up to expectations.

The flight was smooth and on-time and this is what we have been asking for on this route. Our people have been paying too much for less on this route and we thank Dana Air for this development,� the governor said. “It is the desire of our visionary Governor, His Excellency, Rochas Okorocha, to make Imo state a hub in the south east and our partnership with Dana Air has increased traffic to our state, because of their convenient fares, quality service and most of all, our people are time-conscious and Dana Air is a time-conscious airline,� he added.

Also speaking on the introduction of flights from Owerri to Abuja, the Accountable Manager

of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuo said it has provided a smart alternative for the good people of Imo state and contributing positively to the economy and development of Imo state, adding that it had always been the airline’s desire “and the crux of our existing partnership with the Imo state government; and we are committed to linking Owerri to other parts of Nigeria, as the commercial nerve centre of the south east.�

Meanwhile, Dana Air has been unveiled as the official airline of the homecoming reception organised by the Imo state government, for the 2018 winner of the Big Brother Naija Reality show, Mr. Miracle Igbokwe, who is from the state and coincidentally, a pilot.

Ethiopian Airlines Wins Award Ethiopian Airlines has won the 2018 ‘Africa’s Outstanding Food Services by a Carrier’ Award as voted by PAX International readers at a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg, Germany in April 2018.

Ethiopian Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, “It is very gratifying to receive this prestigious award, which is based on the vote of the traveling public. We are highly honoured that the traveling public has

recognised our continuous effort to avail the best possible products and services. As part of our Vision 2025, we have built the largest and most modern catering facility in the continent at our main hub in Addis Ababa with a daily production capacity of 100,000 meals. “This has enabled us to significantly upgrade the capacity, the quality and the variety of our meal production.

Our modern catering facility

produces a variety of cuisines that can meet the need of our esteemed customers ranging from our national Ethiopian dishes to Chinese, Indian and Italian culinary delights. It also caters for specific dietary needs with vegan, Halal and Kosher meals. Going forward, we will further diversify our meal offering with more choices and culinary delights from across Africa and other parts of the world.�

Although Nigeria exited recession last year, its effects are now taking a huge toll on the aviation sub-sector. THISDAY investigations showed that many private jet owners, since late 2015, have been finding it very difficult to maintain their financial obligations on their private jets in order to keep the aircraft in the air.

Financial commitments such as parking charges, fueling, remuneration for cabin crew, funding cabin crew training and aircraft maintenance have become a huge drain to private jet owners. THISDAY gathered that during the economic recession, most of the owners of private jets succumbed to the temptation of migrating their aircraft to charter services.

Operating charter service means that the private jet owner gives out his aircraft for charter services in order to earn revenue.

From such earnings, he will be able to pay his crew, maintain the aircraft, pay for obligatory charges and possibly earn a profit.

But according to the 2006 Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, operating a charter service has a different procedure. The owner of the aircraft must attach it to an operator that has Air Operator Certificate (AOC); he must pay five per cent charges to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from his earnings and five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT).

THISDAY learnt that many private jet owners have migrated to charter services but are not paying these monies. It was also gathered that some of them have not attached their aircraft to operators with AOC; yet, the NCAA has not started wielding the big stick because it is unable to identify those aircraft that are used for charter services. This is because neither the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) that gives start up to flights before they take off, nor NCAA could identify passengers who are being airlifted for charter and those who could be friends and relations of the owner of the aircraft.

Head of a company with AOC that provides service to charter aircraft told THISDAY on Tuesday that commercial aircraft, which are aircraft that operate charter, are usually subjected to rigorous checks by NCAA, but private jets are maintained at the whims of the owner. “When you place your aircraft for commercial service (charter), government will make sure the aircraft is maintained and that pilots are trained as required by NCAA regulations. So NCAA protects the public by ensuring that the aircraft that they may need their service are safe. “For revenue, if you fly commercial you

give five per cent charge to NCAA and another five per cent for VAT but private jet owners do not pay these charges and taxes,� the source said.

The operator noted also that besides these aircraft not paying the taxes and charges, Nigeria may not be gaining much from the operation of these airplanes because most of them have foreign registration which by law makes it obligatory that pilots from the country of registration of the aircraft are the ones to fly them. They are also attached to maintenance facilities at the country of registration of the aircraft.

So what this means is that, the private jet operators do not make any financial commitment to the aviation industry. They pay foreign crew, maintain their aircraft overseas and only par for parking and sundry services.

At the same time they still indulge in illegal practice of using their aircraft for charter services for which they earn revenues from.

The Director General of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman told THISDAY that most of the aircraft were acquired with companies names so the authority does not know the names of the owners of the aircraft. He explained that what makes it difficult to know the number of private jet in Nigeria is because people sell, they buy and some of them might be grounded.

On the predilection of private jet owners to register their aircraft overseas, the NCAA boss said that the regulatory authority has been trying to discourage foreign registration of private jets. “We have been trying to discourage foreign registration of aircraft that operate in the country. When an aircraft is registered in Nigeria it will need a Nigeria licensed pilot holders. He doesn’t have to be a Nigeria if he has licenses issued by the civil aviation authority. But when you have an aircraft that is registered outside Nigeria then the regulations guiding who flies that particular aircraft or who maintains that aircraft rest with the country where the aircraft is registered. “Of course, if the aircraft is going to be here, we also have to ensure that it is operating safely within our own system. NCAA and the Ministry of Interior are working to ensure that the jobs that are meant for Nigerians go to Nigerians. That is why we are working very hard to ensure that whatever belongs to us gets to us as Nigerians,� Muhtar said.

For NCAA to make the private owners to comply with its directives, it must employ stringent measures to bend the owners who are largely the highly placed in the Nigerian society.

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Gittens: Nigeria Does Not Need a National Carrier The Director General of Airport Council International, World, Angela Gittens, who spoke to Chinedu Eze at the ACI Africa Conference in Lagos, reasons that Nigeria does not need a national carrier because it has all the criteria to create a competitive and more efficient airline industry. Excerpts: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General is circumspect about airport concession in Africa. He once said IATA is not fully in support of the concession because African governments tend to give it to the highest bidder not necessarily the organisation that can effectively manage and provide facilitation without prioritising what it is taking out of it. I don’t know whether ACI shares that view?

Well, ACI doesn’t have a position on concessions in general; that is the government decision. It is up to the government to decide how to manage and designate airports, but I do know that with the growth in traffic, there is the need for airport infrastructure to accommodate that growth. This is because if you don’t accommodate that growth you will strangle your economy. And so many countries, particularly in Africa have a lot of other priorities. You have schools, hospitals, roads and these things are also important and one area where you can get private capital is in airports. And so they look to getting private capital for their airports so they can both get investment and infrastructure and also get professional management without the kind of political micromanagement that often comes when government runs the entity. That is just the nature of the beat and so they are trying to accomplish both things to get investment as well as to get management without having to be encumbered on a day to day basis by political interference.

What is your evaluation of what has happened already in terms of the few airports that have been concessioned in Africa?

There really haven’t been that many and I am not sure, the one I can think of is Abidjan and if you look at their record, they do very well in that area. The airport service is quality, so their customers think that they are doing a good job. They are in the airport carbon accreditation programme, so they are being internally or environmentally responsible. So it sounds to me that this is very successful.

Not that there are many others but the few there have seem to me as successful.

Can you recommend the South African system where government cedes the power of airport management to a body while it is still government owned?

We call that corporatisation and that can work in other places. North America, for example has that system in many of its airports. It works as long as the government truly allows it to be independent. It is the decision that the government makes or fails to make and so you do have sometimes a cyclical swing where for a while it is independent and it runs as a true business, as a true service to the traveling public and the community. But then you have these swings where the government interferes and it tends not to go well.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council President was talking about expanding, modernising airport facilities to meet passenger surge in the near future in Africa, what effort do you think ACI is making to enhance this possibility in conjunction with the government?

Well, for example this conference right here where we are talking about the need for business transformation in African airports is part of such effort. No matter who operates the airport, whether it is the public sector or private sector operating the airport; they must be run as commercial enterprises. Yes, they are a service to the community, to the country and the consumer-the traveling public. But they need to be commercial enterprises and they need to try to maximise their non-aeronautical revenue.

Gittens

It is what you get from discretionary activities, from passengers or other users. Aeronautical is what you get from airlines and with the competition among airports many airports find that they can’t charge the full cost of providing the service to the airlines because the airlines will insist on getting discount or incentives or they go to the government and say you need

I think that is why Africa’s air transporta- tion industry has not grown as much as it has in other regions because of the lack of liberalisation. If everyone holds back then you can’t get around in the continent and that is what has happened. It is starting to open up a little bit but if you look, we have conference in Africa all the time, so how do people get to a conference in Africa from Africa? They have to go to Europe or to the Middle East; that is crazy

to lower the charges or not raise the charges.

But the charges are based on the cost, so if you don’t charge the full cost where is the money going to come from? You still have the cost, if you build a terminal or a runway you have to pay for that. And whether you have enough traffic or not you still have to pay for it. You could lower your charges but you still have to pay for what you have built. And you can build facilities for an airline business model and then the airline changes this business model or goes to another airport where it can make more money. You still have to pay for everything that you supplied. So it is important for airports to diversify their revenue sources because things happen that the airport has no control over.

Non-aeronautical is still underdeveloped in Africa, is there anyway ACI can make government understand that if you burden the aeronautical charges it will draw fewer airlines and fewer passengers to the airport?

Well, I will look at it the other way round; I will say it is best to increase non-aeronautical revenue so you have more diversification in case something goes wrong. Because you can’t always depend on aeronautical revenue because the airlines can change their mind and you don’t have complete control over how much you could charge. In any case, it is only cost recovery so the best you can do is cost recovery, whereas with non-aeronautical revenue you can make a profit.

Do you think the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) which has

recently been ratiďŹ ed and endorsed by 23 countries in Africa will succeed in liberalising Africa’s skies, as many countries in the region are trying to protect their own airspace?

I think that is one of the problems Africa has. I think that is why Africa’s air transportation industry has not grown as much as it has in other regions because of the lack of liberalisation. If everyone holds back then you can’t get around in the continent and that is what has happened. It is starting to open up a little bit but if you look, we have conference in Africa all the time, so how do people get to a conference in Africa from Africa? They have to go to Europe or to the Middle East; that is crazy. You have some major centres in Africa that could provide more service to more cities.

As I said, it is starting to happen; I think that has been a huge problem, everyone trying to protect their own national carrier.

We saw this in other countries or regions, we have seen it in Europe, North America, we have seen it in Asia Pacific, as they liberalise then they get better connectivity. Now it is difficult because the first thing that happens is that your national carrier gets into trouble because typically the national carrier is very inefficient because of the government subsidy and so it is more subject to governmental types of economics and not the market, they haven’t been exposed to the market. So when they do suddenly get exposed to the market sometimes they fail. And that is very difficult for a political leader to accept the failure of its national carrier.

There is loss of identity for the country but in the long run, they are better off because they get more connectivity because you get other airlines coming in to try to compete with this CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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INTELS’ Unwavering Commitment to Nigeria Eromosele Abiodun posits that the payment of $42.6 million by INTELS to the federal government’s coffers shows that the company’s commitment to Nigeria is resolute In 2006, the federal government awarded INTELS Nigeria Limited concession to operate Terminal A (Federal Ocean Terminal) and Terminal B (Federal Lighter Terminal) at the Onne Port Complex, which houses the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. It also operates terminals in Warri, Calabar and Apapa ports. Before the concession policy that has turned the maritime industry around, INTELS has over the years invested substantially in Nigeria with the aim of making the country the leading player in the global maritime space.

Established in 1982 at the Onne Port Complex, INTELS, the oil and gas logistics services giant has become a major participant in the development of the Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFZ) located in the area. It operates the Onne, Warri and Calabar Oil and Gas Free Zones strategically located in the heart of the Niger Delta to offer the best platform for the provision of logistics solutions to the oil and gas industry.

The company has created an integrated logistics solution that offers a complete array of facilities and services for oil and gas industry operators in the sub-Saharan West African region.

The company provides agency services, cargo services, port management and support services to its clients and also manages its clients’ operations in the areas of pipe racks, stacking areas, ware-housing, enclosed areas, jetties, offices, water tanks, fuel storages, generators, compressors, and other services.

Despite its efforts, its disagreement with regulators late last year over payments of revenue in to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) led to many insinuations.

Payment into TSA All that is history now as the company has complied with the decision of the federal government that all revenue must be pay into the TSA. In February this year, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced the payment of $42.6 million (N13.2 billion) by INTELS into the TSA. The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman disclosed this while addressing members of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee probing into the matter, saying that the company, after receiving termination notice from the agency, wrote to apologise for not complying with TSA and the new sharing formula.

She said as a result, INTELS has paid the sum $28.1million into the agency’s TSA account with a notice of additional $14.5million said to have been paid, but yet to be confirmed by the NPA. “The implementation of TSA by the federal government compelled the authority to remit revenue generated directly into government coffers while NPA in turn pays agency fees of 28 percent of whatever was generated to INTELS,� she said.

She said, according to NPA’s calculation of $4 million per month as government’s share, based on the previous agreement, what accrued to NPA would be $48 million. Bala-Usman said NPA had two layers of relationship with INTELS namely management agency where it collects revenues on behalf of NPA and keeps 28 percent and port infrastructure development on the basis of which INTELS constructed and manages the Onne Port in Rivers State.

Integrated Logistics Vision That is not all, INTELS drives its integrated logistics vision in cooperation with the respective government authorities, national oil companies, major oil producing companies and related services companies. With additional support from African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) and African Institute of Petroleum(AIP), a common philosophy has evolved for managing oil and gas activities on a regional basis.

Also, INTELS has created over 20,000 direct and 200,000 indirect employment opportunities together with substantial transfer of technology

with a strict adherence to Nigerian content policy.

With over 30 years of experience in ports management and terminal logistics support services in shore bases across Nigeria, INTELS has become famous for applying the “One Stop Shop� solution under its oil services centre concept.

The company has invested several billions of dollars in port development and is committed to working with relevant agencies of the federal government to derive full benefits of oil and gas logistics services in the country.

Stakeholders told THISDAY that INTELS had been a trusted partner to major oil and gas producing companies in Nigeria and a monumental logistic partner to NPA in the development of ports infrastructure and service in Nigeria. “In over 30 years, we have added substantial value to the Nigerian oil and gas service industry and the operators have found our services strategic to their operations. In the maritime sector, INTELS’ operation as a port infrastructure developer and maritime service provider reinvigorated and brought the needed momentum and life to Nigerian ports and the maritime industry with improved capacity to serve the nation. These efforts by INTELS have in turn boosted earnings and contributions by these sectors to the Nigerian economy while generating much-needed employment for Nigerians. “To achieve our vision of providing an integrated, efficient, reliable and cost-effective logistics solution to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, we introduced an innovative one-stop-shop oil service centre concept designed to meet the growing specialized needs of oil producing companies in one location to provide an integrated, efficient, reliable and cost effective logistics solution to operators in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. This innovative concept has enhanced service delivery and turnaround time for oil and gas industry projects and thus endeared INTELS to its partners,� said a stakeholder.

INTELS’s Competitive Edge Regulators attest to the fact that the company has what it takes to lead the charge for Nigeria’s quest for a vibrant maritime sector.

For instance, Bala-Usman, said that INTELS Nigeria Limited has competitive advantage over other terminal operators in the handling of oil and gas logistics in the country.

Speaking in Lagos on Television Continental (TVC) Business Prgramme, Bala-Usman said INTELS was already a well-established terminal operator having been in the business for more than 30 years.

According to her, “I don’t think they (INTELS) should shy away from competing with other terminals. They should welcome the fact that having really established that

business, they should be able to compete and get all the cargo to themselves, and, indeed, if you have been operating and doing this service for years and now someone else is coming, you should have a favorable edge.�

The NPA boss had expressed similar sentiment for INTELS in October 2016 during her maiden visit to the expansive port facility and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

Shortly after being conducted round the multimillion dollars facility, Bala-Usman said she was impressed by the high quality, “efficient and effective� facilities and services provided by INTELS. She described the facility as “very tidy� and the infrastructure as being “deployed efficiently and effectively.�

Dakuku Commends INTELS Also the Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside lauded INTELS Nigeria Limited for its investments and for full compliance with provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and the Nigerian Local Content Law. He also commended the oil and gas logistics giant for having faith in Nigeria, stating that despite the challenging operating environment and some policy inconsistencies, the company had continued to invest in the country. “It takes faith to have this kind of investment. You believe you can invest in Nigeria, grow with Nigeria, prosper with Nigeria, face challenges with Nigeria, and you have done that for 30 years and still counting.

You deserve nothing but commendation,�

Dakuku said.

He said that the achievements recorded

by INTELS in three decades showed that there were lots of possibilities where there is will and vision.

He noted that the transformation that had taken place in Onne Port and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone over the years “is a source of encouragement for most of us who are playing one role or the other in government.�

According to Peterside, “It means if we create the right environment, we will have so many other INTELS flourishing within our territory and will create employment for our people, create limitless wealth for our people.�

He said it was the responsibility of government to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and thereby create jobs for the citizens. “I am particularly happy that INTELS is complying with the ISPS Code. When we talk about oil and gas industry, safety is paramount to us. In all its dimensions, if you flourish in the industry at the risk of lives, it is not worth it. “Ours is safety administration. And safety is our number one priority. Whether you are

in core shipping or shipping related functions, our emphasis is to make you workplace safety as your number one priority. If it will cost lives, it is not worth doing. The ISPS code as you know, is an international rule. It is not just a Nigerian rule. “Before now we were assessed by the US Coast Guard, as being 13 per cent compliant.

But because of the cooperation we enjoy from INTELS and other terminal operators, at the last rating, the US Coast Guard rated us above 80 percent compliance. In addition to being compliant to the ISPS code, I am also impressed from the reports I have read about your compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Act. I believe that is the way for sustainable businesses to go. “It is not enough that we make profit for our shareholders, that is not enough to make our firms sustainable; what can make our firms sustainable is collaboration with our communities. Without that collaboration, you will not have the requisite social license to operate. You could just operate for a season, but when our interest is intertwined with that of the community, we can run sustainable business because we will of course have the social license to operate,� he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Whatever happens to INTELS today happens to Onne community.

Their existence will be threatened and when INTELS flourishes, the Onne Community will flourish and by extension Nigeria. And so I am happy that you are compliant with the Local Content Act.�

He said the present administration in the country believed in the rule of law, consistency and the sanctity of the contractual relationships or agreements, “and so whatever relationships or agreements that you have with us will be respected and that I can confirm to you and so I have absolutely no doubt that if all grey areas are looked at, eventually we will all be on the same page and you continue to do business.�

BeneďŹ ts of Oil and Gas Free Zone In a chat with newsmen, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Bird declared that the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone offered enormous advantages and incentives to foreign companies to invest in Nigeria.

Speaking in Onne on the sidelines of the “Oil And Gas Free Zones Stakeholders Forum� organised by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Bird said the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone creates the environment necessary to support Nigeria’s economic and industrial development.

The stakeholders’ forum was declared open by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar.

According to Bird, INTELS, along with the government of Nigeria, developed the zone to provide an oil service centre for onshore and offshore operations while providing the West African and greater sub-Saharan oil and gas industry easy access and duty-free distribution facilities.

The INTELS CCO enumerated some of the benefits of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, which houses 170 companies, to include 100 per cent repatriation of capital investment, full remittance of profits and dividends, zero Customs tariffs on exports and non-requirement of import or export licenses.

He also said that all goods manufactured in the Free Zone could be sold in the Nigerian market. “The Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone helps Nigeria maximise its natural resources to attract foreign investments and create employment, enhance the welfare of the people, aid technology transfer and the overall economic development of the country,� he said.

He said the success of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone had led to the creation of similar zones in Warri and Lagos.

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GITTENS: NIGERIA DOES NOT NEED A NATIONAL CARRIER airline that is subsidised.

When this is done true market forces can start and if you have a decent market, your market is really determined by other things not your airline, your market is determined by the magnetics of your destination, the economy of your country, the percent of the middle class that you have in your country that can travel, whether you have a strong Diaspora, because visiting friends and relatives is very strong reason for travel. So there are all kinds of magnetics within your country and that is what you have to look at. You have to look pass your national carrier and if you have strong magnetics, frankly you don’t need a national carrier. Now if you don’t have strong magnetics then maybe you do need a national carrier, maybe no one else will serve the country then you have to work on getting those magnetics.

In Nigeria you don’t need that, I mean it has a huge population, a big middle class, very strong economy, you have all kinds of magnetics, you have the Diaspora, all the things I was just talking about, Nigeria has so you don’t need a national carrier. Or if you do have a national carrier you don’t need to subsidise it, allow the competition. Don’t try to protect it, let it survive or fail in the market. Because if it is subjected to market forces then it will work on its management, it will work on its core structure, it may do quite well. A lot of national carriers do quite well.

IATA has been carrying campaign in Africa for some time about connectivity, they put ďŹ gures of what Africa will gain if there is intra African trade and if there is high connectivity and they see African government as seeing aviation as elitist. I don’t know how far ACI is collaborating with ICAO, IATA, to drum the importance of air travel to the various governments in Africa?

Well, we work with ICAO and other industry organisations on the economic benefits on analysing it, and reporting on the economic benefits of aviation. We work with ICAO. ICAO came out with a document right at the end of last year on the economic benefits of aviation. We are also in an association called the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), which also produces a report on the economic benefits on aviation.

So ICAO did in 2017, ATAG did in 2016 and we will do it again in 2018. So we keep up to date and we publish that, strictly with the help of ICAO, we make sure all governments have it so that they can understand what air transportation does for them and how connectivity helps their economy.

One of the retards in African airport development is training, having the right personnel, the managing director of the

to be secured but it also has to be doable, so people have to be actually get to the airport and get on airplane and so if you make that too difficult you are also stifling the economy just as much as if you had the actual incident.

So the industry and government really need to work hand in hand to make sure it is secure, safe and make sure that the passengers and the airplanes and the cars can get through.

Gittens

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was talking about collaboration with ACI to develop skills, how far has this gone?

Yes, we have an extensive training programme.

We have several airports in Africa that are training centres so that their own staff can stay home and get trained but they can also accommodate staff from other airports in other countries.

We also have what we call Airport Excellence Programme and safety and Airport Excellence Programme (APEX) and security and the two major airports in Nigeria have already had APEX and safety reviews and they have gone to become certified. The likes of Lagos and Abuja airports have become certified and we are about to do two more, Port Harcourt and Kano. And we are going to be doing APEX and security as well. They are also joining the Airport Service Quality (ASQ), programme which tests their customers’ perceptions of the service, the satisfaction of the services that they are getting and that really is going to help improve the airports because when the customers speak, you understand what the customer cares about and what the customer thinks of the service you are providing. Then that helps you determine the priorities on what you need to do to change.

So between training, improvement on safety, improvement on security and improvement in customer service, it is going to go a long way to improving Nigerian airports.

Talking about security and with the threat of terrorism, how do you evaluate security and safety in African airports?

Well, we have an airport excellence and security programme and when an airport asks us, we assemble our team of experts from around the world and we come in and we look at best practices from ACI best practice. We look at compliance with ICAO Annex 17 to see how they are doing. Security is different from safety in that with safety the risk, the threat sits there till you come along and do something about it. Security is always changing, because there are bad guys always looking for new ways to disrupt things. So as soon as you close one avenue they look for another avenue.

So it is never over, you always have to keep using intelligence, which is why it is very important for government to talk to each other and for government to share information with the industry. They don’t always have to say exactly what the threat is or how they know about it but they do need to say what has to be protected against. Let the industry which is actually providing the services help them mitigate that threat. If this is not done you are not going to have an industry. Your industry has to be safe and has

How do you see aviation as a tool for development in Africa? Do you think governments recognise the importance of aviation in the continent?

Some do; some don’t. I think you can see which government sees it as important and which government doesn’t. The fastest growing economies in Africa tend to be those where the governments understand the importance of aviation. So they can get their goods to the market, so that they can protect their population because you need air transportation whether it is health or intellectual like technology all of that is facilitated with aviation. In much of Africa, there is going to be leap frogging. In the Western world you had roads, and then car and then aviation. Africa is going to leap frog on some of that because it is developing when aviation is here.

So it can use aviation in the way other parts of the world used roads at first. It is like using mobile phones instead of trying to put in lined infrastructure. You don’t need it because now you have the mobile phone, so you just bypass that whole generation. And it is the same thing with aviation, so I think that aviation is growing because this is a big, big continent, you have big countries and the world is global now so you have to connect not only within Africa but you have to connect outside of Africa and you can only do that with aviation.

Do you think the Nigerian government is supporting airport improvement in Nigeria and what would you expect, looking at the potential that we have; our population?

What would you expect when you come to our airports, especially the major airports that we have?

I think what the government is doing, looking to corporatise, privatise; to get the investment in its airport sector is telling us that they do see aviation as important. I think FAAN does a very good job of managing the airport sector and trying to get the improvement, the staff improvement as well as the infrastructure, the training; the management, getting certified, those are very important steps. And if they move ahead with the use of the corporatisation for the privatisation that will bring in more investment, that will bring a faster way in getting professional management and get the training going.

INTELS Provides Computers, ICT Training to Less Privileged Children

NCS Seme Command Vows to Tackle Smuggling

Eromosele Abiodun

Eromosele Abiodun

Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited, has again reached out to the less privileged children in the society.

The beneficiaries are the children of the Compassion Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who have received 12 fully operational computer systems with access to broadband internet.

The children of the centre are also currently undergoing training on information communication technology (ICT) courtesy of INTELS Nigeria Limited to prepare them for a well-rounded future.

The centre, which has received series of support from INTELS in more than three decades, was established and managed by the Religious Sisters of Charity. It was set up as a home to support, educate and rehabilitate physically challenged children in the society.

“We have successfully started the ICT training at the Compassion Centre. The management of the home have been expressing their heart-felt gratitude to INTELS. They are full of thanks for this social service rendered by our company and have promised to ensure that all their pupils take full advantage of this unique opportunity,� said ICT Training Specialist at INTELS Training Academy, Ngozi Kingsley-Opara.

She said while INTELS had been consistent in supporting the children home over the years, the latest donation of computers and free ICT training was a sure way of preparing the less privileged children for a brighter future.

She said in addition to the computers and the ICT training, INTELS had also provided internet services at the Centre because “the internet today has undoubtedly become a huge part of our lives and we cannot afford to leave these precious children

behind.�

Kingsley-Opara. said the children stand to benefit tremendously from the new computer centre and the knowledge of ICT in the course of their studies because the world of computers is packed full of useful information and new knowledge.

ICT, she said, is important in a child’s educational pursuit because studies have shown that it enables children gain knowledge faster and attain learning independence.

She said: “Students all over the world now use computers and the internet as source of education. These days, there are several online programs and learning packages available to students to aid their study and learn more about their world right in the comfort of their homes. Our desire is to bring online libraries and other global learning resources at the disposal of the children.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command has stated that its operational dynamics had in recent times become a nightmare to smugglers who are always devising new strategies to beat the operatives of the command.

This, it stated, was evident in the recent seizures made despite the effort put in by the smugglers in reconstructing their means of conveyance for concealment and easy passage.

The commands helmsman, comptroller Mohammed Aliyu said in a statement that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear as the operational strategies of the once hostile responses from the dare devil smugglers in the command.

He said: “We are now intelligent driven. Suffice to say that the current intelligent driven operation of the command is not only in line with the operational ethics of the service, but also in line with the international best practices. It is therefore worthy of note that confrontation with the smugglers which hitherto used to be between officers and smugglers is a thing of the past. There are numerous seizures (frozen poultry products, imported rice and textile materials) made from smugglers despite their antics to gain passage.

The seizures have a duty paid value (DPV) of N12.72 billion.�

Commenting on the intelligent driven seizures, the Customs Area Controller disclosed that the command will continue to operate using the best strategies to

suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.

He stressed that the command shall continue the harvest of seizures from non-compliant stakeholders and smugglers who have refused to heed the clarion call of been patriotic in their trade transactions along the corridor.

He commended the operational officers and enjoined them to be ethical and professional in the discharge of their statutory functions.

The CAC restated his position that the command shall continue to sanitise the SEME international border and remain a nightmare to smugglers in line with the service statutory mandate of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of legitimate trade and protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.

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Ngoka: How to Make Tourism Viable In this interview with Ugo Aliogo, the Vice-President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, South-east zone, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka, discusses the challenges facing the tourism sector and how to move the sector forward. Excerpts: Successful tourism development is predicated on sustained attention to clearly mapped out tourism development objectives and integration of these objectives into the national economic planning for the country; involvement and control by local communities where tourism initiatives are sited; regional cooperation and integration of common policies by state governments and government facilitation of tourism entrepreneurship through tax reduction and subsidies for tourism startups

May we meet you My name is Ngozi Ngoka, Vice President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) South-East, Zone with oversight functions for Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, South East Nigeria What is the focus of this trip and what is the key for you?

Our focus is primarily to walk journalists and tour operators through the amazing historical and cultural sites in South east, using well researched sample itineraries that will appeal to both local and international tourists, with the hope that the exposure will drive tourism traffic to the zone and help generate income for the communities, where these tourism sites are located, plus ultimately boost the businesses of our federating members.

Our federating members have businesses that cover the whole spectra of the tourism chain from transportation, accommodation/ feeding to site seeing/entertainment. In other words: how to get to the South east and how to move around; where to stay; what/ where to eat and what to do, while you are in South east, Nigeria. It is our hope that our invited guests will help tell our story and highlight where government and private investors can come in and help provide standard access roads and other infrastructure around the sites we have identified.

What are other tourism activities lined for the year?

Late this year, in the last quarter precisely, we have concluded plans to stage the first Food and Fashion Fare fair where attendees would have the opportunity to sample food and fashion from the South east. The three day event will also include trainings for the exhibitors on presentation and packaging. We will have lawyers come talk to them about business start-ups and intellectual property and bankers and insurance companies will be there to market loan and insurance.

FTAN South East will also showcase the tourism investment opportunities we have identified and collated during panel discussions with the governments of the five states of the region as well as with potential investors that will participate in the panel discussions. We will use the fair to emphasise our tourism selling points, properly package them for local and international markets; and increase/improve on the customer experience of visitors to the zone. We also hope to introduce discussions about drawing up a tourism development master plan for the region. Due to its geographical configuration, common culture, the fact the we currently have three airports servicing the region and the relatively short distance between the major cities and tourism sites scattered all over the region, it is imperative that the five states of the region harness their strategic tourism development plans. I make this case in my discussions with the various state governments.

4. You have studied tourism development and have been a key player in the sector since 1999. Can you explain in detail the South East tourism sector especially the performance of the sector in this region and how the potentials of the sector can be harnessed to yield growth?

South East Nigeria is a tourism haven for so many reasons. The area is naturally endowed with many historical and cultural sites, local and renowned Artists, enterprising and hospitable people, good delicacies and of course everyone knows that the transportation business was made and perfected by the people of the region.

Also, the fact that the zone has common cultural practices for tourists to contend with makes tour planning and guiding easy

Ngoka

and the experience stress free. So if I were to assign themes for tourism development for the zone, I would say; rural tourism; community-based tourism; ecotourism; food tourism; fashion tourism; shopping tourism; arts and cultural tourism (including music) and of course, historical tourism. This is the current, unharnessed and unplanned tourism scenario in the region, a situation that worries me greatly as I go around because what happens with lack of planning is that some initiatives are not able to withstand the periodic (sometimes daily) changes that occur in unplanned business operating environment.

Now think of what would happen if the state governments began to make optimal use of these already existing environmental resources in their general economic planning and include tourism development with direct and strategic focus on improved road networks, standardization of accommodation options, maintenance of existing tourism sites, institutional framework and proper

South East Nigeria is a tourism haven for so many reasons. The area is naturally endowed with many historical and cultural sites, local and renowned Artists, enterprising and hospitable people, good delicacies and of course everyone knows that the transportation business was made and perfected by the people of the region

legislation that would attract and protect investors in the tourism sector. These are the key areas that the government should pay attention to for tourism to thrive.

Where have we not gotten it right in terms of developing our tourism potential in Nigeria especially when you consider countries such as United Arab Emirates (Dubai), US, South Africa, and others who are making huge returns on investment from tourism and what is needed to be done in improving sectorial performance?

I think that generally, our country has failed to embrace the idea of Tourism as an alternative tool for economic development.

Therefore, the private sector, through FTAN is taking the bull by the horn with the hope that we can positively influence the tourism discourse by showcasing how it can be used as a tool for poverty alleviation and strategic development of rural communities for economic empowerment.

What policies and framework are needed to be put in place in building a national tourism framework which would help us ďŹ nd our footing?

Successful tourism development is predicated on sustained attention to clearly mapped out tourism development objectives and integration of these objectives into the national economic planning for the country; involvement and control by local communities where tourism initiatives are sited; regional co-operation and integration of common policies by state governments and government facilitation of tourism entrepreneurship through tax reduction and subsidies for tourism startups.

How can the tourism potential of the South-east be shaped to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the region?

I believe that the entire advocacy that FTAN is currently engaged in is a bold step towards achieving this objective. Investors

usually research online so we have started working on our website: www.visitsoutheastnigeria.org. When the site is ready, visitors will be able to upload Downloadable eBooks and journals about South East Tourism and Investor Follow Up Systems. We want to know who is browsing for information about our region so we can target them in our social media marketing campaigns. We are regularly uploading videos, photos and Podcasts to attract and educate potential investors about tourism in South East Nigeria. We also publish on portals like YouTube, Vimeo and ITunes and run promotions on social networks like Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Digg, Delicious, Pinterest and Instagram. We have included a “South East Tourism Investment Opportunity seminar� in the programme for the Food and fashion Fair coming up later in the year and we also plan to launch a book about South East Tourism written by Mr. JohnPaul Ezeani. We will keep advocating at seminars and speaking engagements with business associations and embassies.

What is the awareness level of the tourism potentials in the South-East and how prepared are the people especially the state to support and develop it?

It could be better, but we’re working really hard to improve on the current situation.

You are passionate about the tourism potentials in the South-east and you are committed to using the media to give it the needed publicity. Why are you committed to championing this cause?

It is just my way of giving back to the society. I believe strongly that the only way to effect change in the tourism sector is to actively get involved. If we all sit down and remain elegiac about our situation, nothing will get done. Our efforts will surely influence change in the sector for the better.

What is the level of support you have received from the state governments in the South-east in your drive to promote tourism?

So far, we have received a lot of support from our member associations and some individuals and we are currently working on getting the state governments to key into the programmes we are planning for October, 2018 and beyond.

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Anudu: Internet is Not a Luxury, But Growth Enabler Managing Director/CEO of Swift Networks, Mr. Charles Anudu, spoke with journalists on the introduction of Red Cheetah, which allows consumers’ access to free Wi-Fi at designated hotspots in Lagos. Jonathan Eze presents the excerpts: Can you tell us more about the Red Cheetah service and how it works?

Red Cheetah is arguably the most ambitious free Wi-Fi service to ever emerge out of the shores of Nigeria. That is because Red Cheetah offers so much more than what the existing, regular free Wi-Fi service providers’ offer, especially in terms of capacity, speed and user experience.

Our objective is to make fast, reliable and secure broadband access available to Nigerians at no cost while creating measurable value for brands that support the platform. For us, this service not only complements the revolutionary democratisation of information in our fastpaced, digital economy, it also empowers individuals to connect, explore the world and play participatory roles in global democracies and economies.

We understand that internet access is no longer the exclusive preserve of the rich. Even the United Nations now sees denial of access to the internet as a breach of human rights. We are confident that it is only when a society is thoroughly empowered with access to the right information and opportunities that true economic development and social inclusion can happen. We want to drive that revolution by putting our customers first.

Users are required to download the Red Cheetah app on Google Play Store and go through a one-time registration process to enjoy this free access in our hotspot channel locations across Lagos.

The app version gives superior customer experience.

How will this initiative help to achieve the 30% broadband penetration ambition of the federal government under the National Broadband Plan?

Red Cheetah is a timely intervention in a country where broadband penetration still hovers at around 21%. We felt we needed to turn up the dial since Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy rests firmly on the quality of broadband access available to the citizens. We have been able to evolve a technology and business model that helps drive internet penetration to the various segments of the Nigerian society.

We started from Lagos. So far, our hotspot locations are expanding by the day and we encourage more businesses to take advantage of this offering to delight their customers with free broadband Wi-Fi. We believe that by the time we reach our 10,000 locations target, we would have succeeded in plugging in a substantial percentage of Lagosians to the Red Cheetah service. That is massive vision in terms of user base.

We also have aggressive plans to extend the offering to other major cities in the country and boost the democratisation of information and opportunities to Nigerians. We are confident that by offering free Wi-Fi service to Nigerians, we would have succeeded in helping to scale up Nigeria’s broadband growth as encapsulated in Nigeria’s 5-year broadband plan.

What is the prospect of this initiative, vis-a-vis the poor infrastructure level of the country?

The problem of poor infrastructure in Nigeria is not peculiar to the technology industry alone, it is a common fly that perches on almost every Nigerian sector from manufacturing to aviation, tourism, etc. But it must be noted that the slow pace we have witnessed in the licensing of infrastructure companies to build fibre infrastructure has derailed progress envisioned by those who drafted the Nigerian broadband plan.

Despite these challenges, we see the immense opportunities offered by the platform. Recall that the strategic thrust of

of the fourth industrial revolution and to play effectively in that revolution, we must begin to see internet no longer as a luxury, but a Growth Enabler that should be available to every citizen.

Anudu

the Red Cheetah service revolves around its free model which in turn translates to value for the users and of course, the brands that support the service through advertising revenue. So, we believe the initiative is very sustainable considering that the future of revenue generation for start-ups hinges on the “freemium� economy model - the same model used by the likes of Facebook, Google, YouTube, etc. You get someone else to pay for someone’s usage of a critical service.

What motivated your company to introduce this product?

Our purpose as a company is to connect Nigerians to the digital society and economy and to ensure that nobody is left behind because those excluded will suffer severe disadvantages. So it is part of our social responsibility to ensure that as many people as possible are availed of the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.

The instinct of most people nowadays is to look for a free wifi service once they get into any public or enclosed space. This is true for those who can and those who cannot pay, from our studies. Red Cheetah exists to meet this need.

The problem of poor infrastructure in Nigeria is not peculiar to the technology industry alone, it is a common y that perches on almost every Nigerian sector - from manufacturing to aviation, tourism, etc.

But it must be noted that the slow pace we have witnessed in the licensing of infrastructure companies to build ďŹ bre infrastructure has derailed progress envisioned by those who drafted the Nigerian broadband plan

As a free Internet platform, consumers will likely be skeptical about its security, how is the security and speed guaranteed?

We have addressed from the outset any possible skepticism, especially as regards users’ privacy and security while using the service. That is why Red Cheetah was painstakingly developed in such a way that the app establishes a unique and secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to the internet for each distinct device on the platform. We value the security of our users and that is one of the reasons why we spent over two years building and fine-tuning what we believe will be most effective and secure internet service for Nigerians.

For speed, Red Cheetah is powered by one of Nigeria’s leading broadband service providers that have differentiated itself on speed, SWIFT Networks. So, we are going to replicate the same speed for which SWIFT has been known over the years. Millenials, who form the chunk of our target users, are particular not only about the quality of service delivery; they are also interested in the speed and overall experience. Consequently, we have tailored the service in such a way that it offers a remarkable experience every time. We have a robust customer services unit to ensure fast and timely resolution of any issue the users might encounter in the course of using the service.

How do you think this product will deepen internet usage which will lead to more economic activities and contribute to economic growth?

Even though internet users rose marginally to 98.3million in December 2017, the bulk of what these Nigerians have is access to narrowband internet that limits the digital experience. Where broadband exists, it is unaffordable. We want to change that narrative for good. So, Red Cheetah is a strategic intervention to shore up the numbers, empower about many more Nigerians with access to opportunities and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

Remember that every time a developing nation achieves a 10% rise in broadband penetration, it triggers a corresponding 1.3% increase in the nation’s GDP. We recognise that Internet access is the heart and soul

What could be responsible for high cost of internet service in Nigeria and what kind of government policies are expected to change the situation?

Contrarily, the cost of internet service in Nigeria is one of the lowest anywhere in the world, notwithstanding the cost structure here. In fact, a lot of the prices in the market are below the cost of providing them. For the native broadband service providers like SWIFT, the cost of generating 1 Gigabyte of data is about N650 but our selling price is far below this. The same is true for the other service providers.

There are many reasons for the high cost of providing internet service in Nigeria among which are shortage of electric power, security, exchange and interest rate costs.

Power is a major cost driver for the operators because the entire telecom industry virtually runs on diesel generators. Accordingly, with any devaluation, the price of diesel jumps higher and the operators take the hit since their revenue is in Naira. Recall that a significant quantity of the diesel at the base stations is stolen.

Not counting the cost of maintaining and replacing these many generators that keep the networks running.

Secondly, since the equipment is not made in Nigeria, they are imported at unfavorable exchange rates. So each time there is devaluation, the operators also take a major hit.

Additionally, the operators borrow funds to build and run their networks at unimaginable interest rates. There is no way you can run such a capital intensive business at the current interest rates that challenge most of the operators’ balance sheets.

Then the problem of vandalism is there to contend with. Every fibre you lay is likely to be cut by contractors undertaking public works or malicious and mischievous people who wantonly steal or destroy telecoms infrastructure.

The problem of multiple taxes is also a nightmare that most operators live with.

I cannot tell you today that I know fully all the taxes that our industry is subject to and varies from place to place. Up till now, a matter as simple as the right-of-way to lay fibre and other critical infrastructure to drive up authentic broadband services is not harmonised. Each state has its own rate and operators are constantly being harassed by all manners of revenue agents that invent all sorts of levies in the name of internally generated revenue.

Some states like Lagos and Kaduna have however been good exceptions.

To lower internet cost for Nigerians, we need good synergy between the government and the private sector to build and protect the critical infrastructure required for telecoms services. We need telecoms infrastructure to be declared a critical national infrastructure that should enjoy government protection like petroleum pipelines and electricity power lines.

We also need an intervention fund at a single digit interest rate to enable operators refinance their high cost short term debts to accelerate network expansion.

The right-of-way harmonisation is an issue that is long overdue and the state governors need to attend to it urgently because the availability of broadband is bound to bring more economic and social development to their states. It could also be a key decision driver for some investors and can stimulate entirely new services and industries in some unlikely places to create jobs and integrate the state to the emerging digital world.

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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PROJECTING THE POSITIVES OF BLACK WOMEN

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018

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30/COVER

04.05.2018

Projecting the Positives of Black Women A Nigerian-born Briton, Ibijoke Maxwell is the founder of Passionate Empowered Professional Network, a platform that brings together black career women living and working in the UK and from around the world. She recently visited Nigeria, during which she spoke with Mary Ekah on the inspiration behind the birth of the Jo Maxwell Show and her future plans get that much.

Tell us about the Jo Maxwell Show, which is currently making waves in England?

The Jo Maxwell TV talk show gives a platform to African women for their voices to be heard, and their unique cultural experiences can be shared with the world. It was launched first on YouTube and online in 2017 with the first season covering a range of universal topics that speak to the overall female black experience – as African women living in Africa or abroad. The inspiration behind the birth of the Jo Maxwell Show is as a result of the consistent lack of representation of black women on mainstream British screens, as I have experienced over the years during my stay in the UK. Beyond the talk show what else do you do?

I would like to say that I am more than a talk show host. I am also the Founder of Passionate Empowered Professional (PEP) Network, a platform created for black women living and working in the UK. PEP is a platform that brings together black career women living and working all over the UK and from around the world. Even those women that are not working but are black women living in diaspora are part of the network. We come together and network every two months and get to meet new people. We have existed for years. I am passionate about seeing women succeed in all their endeavours - personal lives, careers, businesses, relationships, marriages and families. My passion is clearly reflected talk in my TV show, which gives women opportunity to showcase these successes and challenge prejudiced belief systems about the African female cultural experience. So the PEP platform does a similar thing that I am doing with the TV show but on the offline mood.

That means PEP has been going on before the Jo Maxwell talk show. I do have other nine women that help to push the vision because I am doing wholes lots of stuff at the same time. I am a wife, a mother of three children and I also work as an Information Technology Consultant in the UK financial sector. So I am into financial services. That means I do also have a 5 to 9 job. I also broadcast. I Co-host of bestof2podcast on iTunes and Soundcloud, also geared towards black communities in the UK. I am a very busy woman but I am still able to do all other things.

Are there particular experiences that propelled you into these?

Yes, growing up as a child in a polygamous home, I was always listening to the conversations of the big aunties and big uncles. I eavesdropped on their conversations and for me I was being empowered because I had the opportunity to listen to wise words and good advice from them. But I know that is not common because a lot of us grew up without having who to tell us what to do and we had to figure it all out ourselves. And growing up, I kind of love to talk and I empower women around me. I can’t live without that. I am very feminist. I kind of like empowering the other women. I thought that if I am doing this naturally, why not channel it into something bigger where other women can benefit from. Why don’t I use my voice in a much more positive way? Why don’t I bring all these women together so that other women can benefit from just the normal conversation that we have. It is a combination of a lot of things but really, I wanted to give back to my generation and the generations to come and the only way I can do that without feeling any crunch is by using my voice and hopefully I’m able to empower women with the platform I have created.

What did you study at school?

I studied Accounting and Finance. I attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) briefly before relocating to the UK at age 17 to further my education at the University of Greenwich, UK. Growing up as a child, I wanted to be very successful and in my mind then the only way I could achieve that was being an accountant.

So I decided to study Accounting and Finance. I started working after graduating but I didn’t feel fulfilled. So I switched to Information Technology, thinking that I would get a solution there. I still kind of felt there was a vacuum there – it was as if something wasn’t complete in me up until last year when I realised what actually my calling was, which is to impact on the other woman out there and that was how I started the Jo Maxwell TV Show. So it wasn’t something that I had to think about for a very long time.

I was already used to holding meetings with a number of women but the media was just something I started last year.

I have been holding meetings with a number of women for over two years in my own small space where we talk about real issue where everybody table their issues but I kind of felt we were the only ones benefiting from the discussions, so I said I could take this to another level so that someone else could benefit from this. I felt that if I create a platform that allows us to talk about so many things, even if it just one extra person that benefit from it, I am good. That was when the Jo Maxwell TV talk show came up. So everything started in 2017, it wasn’t anything that I planned. I just spoke to my husband about it and then it started.

How long have you been married?

I have been married for 10 years with three beautiful kids.

Now that you have so much passion for the big screen, do you intend going into the movie industry anytime soon?

No! I won’t say I have a passion for the big screen I was just happy doing it online and then people started telling me that the contents were really good and we needed a way to push them out here for more people to benefit from.

Maxwell

Your talk show, you said came up as a result of the lack of representation of black women on the mainstream British screen. What would you say is responsible for that?

It is in the UK too and not just in the African countries - I think there have been a lot of stereotypes for a long time. I think as a black person, most of the times, the things that people often hear about us are the bad things. The media like to showcase the bad side of the black woman because bad news sells easily and I think back then in the UK, it’s been a struggle for the black woman or black person to actually climb ladder. We even have issue of a woman, whether you are black or white, getting to top positions, how much more if you were a black woman. I had that issue as a woman and then as a black woman in the UK. So I think this is occasioned by a society dominated by men. And as women, we are not confident enough to step out and say, hey, I am successful! We were raised to be seen and not heard, so we still have that mind set as women. Of course, we are doing so well in our own space but we are not confident enough to go out there and take over. So there wouldn’t be anything about us and unfortunately, the only thing that they see and hear about us is the not-so-good stories. The bad news sells.

But really, the bad news is like 20 per cent, we have about 80 per cent of good news. So I felt that, if you are not going to showcase us, I will start something and that is what I have done.

Black women are not represented on the screens definitely. I rarely saw black women on the UK TV screens who reflected the positive success stories that I was surrounded by within my network.

And like I said, because I am very passionate about empowering the other woman, I developed a passion for the media while struggling to find images of black women on British screens. So my passion to see women succeed in all their endeavours - personal lives, careers, businesses, relationships, marriages and families is clearly reflected in my show. I may have the confidence that the other woman does not have but that doesn’t mean I am better than the other woman.

As a woman, I feel we should be celebrated for so many things we do. The women that I respect the most are the moms because I feel they are the most hardworking women and that is the job that goes most unrecognised – they don’t get paid for it. I feel that as a woman we get undervalued a lot, we get side-tracked and everything is the man first. So as a woman I feel we ought to be celebrated and recognised for our achievements but clearly we haven’t

Are you still going to transmit the show from the UK? At the moment, we are transmitting from the UK but I would be doing some recordings in Nigeria by summer and that basically will be showcasing some interesting people based in Nigeria and it would be real life issues.

You do a lot of things as a wife and mother, how do you cope?

It is not easy but I must say that I do have a very supporting husband, a man that believes in me and allows me to do whatever I want to do and that is what a lot of women do not have. Also, I do have a live-in nanny as well and they all do give me the support that I need.

What has been the challenge in achieving your goals?

The only challenge I am facing right now is finance because right now the project is selffounded. I pay for the production and every other thing myself. When I started, I didn’t see it as a big thing but I think it’s now getting to that point where we need supports and we hope that at some point in future we would start getting sponsorships. Apart from that, I just think that nothing comes easy in life, so every other challenge is lesson for me to learn to find a way to get better for the next step.

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Facelift for the Physically Challenged Network for the Advancement of People with Disabilities in collaboration with office of the First Lady of Edo State, gave scholarship and grants to 48 pupils and students with visible disabilities. Adibe Emenyonu who covered the event, reports

A cross section of the physically challenged at the event

Mr. Bamigbade Owade, (left),a visibly impaired teacher, receiving award of recognition as the NAPVID Teacher of The Year from the chairman, Edo State Post Primary Education Board, Hon. Gabriel Oibor (right)

Physical disabilities according to medical experts develop in two forms- Congenital (burn naturally) and Acquired (in the course of life).

For Marvelous Ojezua, hers blindness was acquired. According to her, she was in JSS3 when she lost her sight. Consequent upon that she had to stay at home for 13 years before someone introduced her to a non-governmental organisation, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID).

In 2013, the network enrolled her in Idia College, Benin City where she completed her secondary school after undergoing rehabilitation on how to read in braille and typing. Today, she is back to school taking her West African School Certificate (WASC) examination.

Ambrose Aifuwa, a visually impaired Law student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, had similar experience though his was congenital.

He stayed at home for many years before he was enrolled in Ihuogue Secondary School, a special school for the physically challenged where he learnt the braille.

These two were among the 48 persons who received scholarship and grants from NAPVID. In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, wife of the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said there was need to locate people with special needs and give them a helping hand.

Mrs. Obaseki who was represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Maryan Shaibu, said she was delighted to to be part of the event.

According to her, "life does not end because one is physically challenged but to keep moving because there is hope of a better future."

Also speaking as the occasion, the President, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities, organisers of the event, Mr. Melody Omosah, said the essence of the scholarship and grants is a way of reaching out to persons with disabilities, as well prove a point that there is ability in every disability.

He said when the NAPVID was founded six

Miss Marvelous Ojezua, one of the physicallt challenged rendering a talk show on integrity at the event

years ago, it was also aimed at advocating for people with disabilities and at the same time empower them through education and skills.

Omosah, who is also visibly impaired but now a lawyer, noted that the foundation with an initial take-off grant of N5 million on the 2nd of December, 2011, began disbursing funds to pupils and students with disabilities.

According to him, "Being physically challenged is not the only criteria to qualify for NAPVID scholarship and grants. We also look out for the academic capacity of the child.

"Ninety-three applications were received.

After screening, 48 were successful that will be financed."

While thanking the immediate past governor

Ololade Shade Blessing , receiving her scholarship grant from wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu who represented the governor's wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, at the event

Some of the beneďŹ ciaries at the event waiting to receive their grants

of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the take off grant, Governor Godwin Obaseki for donating a permanent building for the foundation which has been on a rented apartment, patrons and trustees of the foundation for all their assistance, he also appealed to well-meaning individuals in the society to contribute to the foundation Highlights of the event were the presentation of the scholarships and grants to deserving recipients.

There was also special recognition to a "special teacher", Mr. Bamigbade Owade, also visibly impaired who went home with a cash gift.

It is not only those with visible disabilities that got grants. The same gesture was also extended to those having hearing problems as well as the paraplegic.

Ololade Shade Blessing, an under graduate of College of Education, Oyo State, one of the beneficiaries had this to say: "the foundation has been responsible for my education since I was small. I am ever grateful to them for giving me this rare opportunity to get educated.�

Also donated were braille books to schools for the blind and other teaching aid like hearing devices for who have hearing challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Marvelous Ojezua thanked the organisers for the gesture accorded her and others to in spite of their conditions, they were able to get formal education like other members of the society who are not in the same condition with them.

She promised that they will make judicious use of the grants given them.

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04.05.2018

The Strive for Peace

Critical Rescue for May 12

Ayodeji Ake Over 70 bishops of the Methodist Church across Nigeria gathered in Lagos to deliberate on peace in the nation during the 36th Methodist Council of Bishop themed ‘Strive for peace and holiness, without which no person can see the Lord’, held in Lagos recently.

The event featured a number of bishops who shepherd Methodist Churches across the country joined force in teachings, equipping and encouraging mission and service in the church and helping set directions to fulfil God’s mission in the world.

The Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Emeka Kanu Uche, noted that the Council envisioned have cross-pollination of ideas on how to manage dioceses thereby impacting positively on the life of the church and the nation at large while also prayerfully deliberating on other ecclesial, national and international developments with a view to advising those in authority on the proper way to go about governance so as to ensure social harmony, political instability and peaceful policy.

While urging Lagosians to work assiduously and diligently towards promotion of peace and harmony within the state¸ he called on members of the church to fulfil their civic responsibilities by ensuring that they pay taxes and rates and to participate actively in politics. He advised all citizens who have attained the age of 18 to go for the collection of their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and jointly put a credible government in place for the betterment of all.

L-R: Lay President, Trinity Church Council, Sir Ademola Ogunbiyi, Secretary of Conference, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale, Special Adviser to Governor of Lagos State on Religious Affairs, Rev. Kolawole Verralls, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel KanuUche, Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Luke Odubanjo, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, Bishop of the Trinity Church Council, Rt. Rev. Oladapo Babalola and Lay President, Archdiocese of Lagos, Sir Benjamin Oshadiya at the event

The Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Luke Odubanjo, said the conference would not only focus in spiritual growth of the bishops but also serve as an avenue to join forces in prayer to put an end to ugly events in Nigeria. “In recognition of our duties and responsibilities to this country and her leadership at all levels and our commitment to the citizenry, we wish to reiterate that as church, we are unapologetically committed to the restoration of moral and social values, good governance, democratic principles and well thought-through, effective and efficient socio-economic policies, reforms

and interventions capable of turning around our collective fortunes as a church,” he said.

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in his welcome address said, “It’s our firm belief that your gathering in our dear state will evoke divine blessings on us. We therefore look forward to your prayers which we believe will not go unanswered.” Charging the bishops on religious roles towards the forthcoming elections, Ambode said the church should not relent on ministering to its congregation against immoralities that may result to crisis during the elections.

Three Crowns Inspires Nigerian Mothers to Imbibe Fitness Lifestyle As Nigeria’s urban population grows and the middle class expands, there has been a rise in the level of health consciousness among Nigerians who are becoming more interested in nutrition and fitness leading to substantial growth in the health and wellness market in the country over the last decade. A number of top Nigerian brands have tapped into this growing demand for better nutrition to develop programme and initiatives that help consumers satisfy their desire for healthy living.

One of the prominent movers in this new direction is Three Crowns Milk, Nigeria leading low cholesterol dairy brand. In the last two years, Three Crowns Milk has positioned itself as a health-conscious brand; supporting this with campaigns and initiatives that not just persuade people to purchase the brand but also adopt healthy lifestyles. One of such exciting health-focused campaigns is the Three Crowns 30 Day Fitness Challenge which rounded off recently.

The #TC30DaysFitnessChallenge was designed to encourage Nigerian consumers, especially mothers, to create fun ways to live a healthy lifestyle by cultivating healthy habits into every moment irrespective of what they do and what they take.

While the event lasted, consumers were encouraged to workout with whatever materials they had like buckets, kegs or do simple routines that do not require expertise supervision to accomplish.

Interested participants were encouraged to

L-R: Nutrition Manager Friesland CampinaWamco, Mr Owolabi Adedotun, Junior Brand Manager, Three Crowns, Mr Jesufemi Ololade; 2017 Three Crowns Milk Mum of the year, Mrs Oluwakemi Longe; Senior Brand Manager, Three Crowns Milk, Mrs Omolara Banjoko and Fitness Instructor, Mr Seyi Olusore during the event

share their routines and meal plan for 30 days on Three Crowns Instagram platform to participate in the challenge. Consistent participants were promised a rewarded for their commitment.

It was a campaign that ignited a carnival of fitness activities across the country as thousands of fitness enthusiasts sent in short video clips in a bid to claim the goodies on offer. But evidently, the biggest motivation for most of the participants was not the reward on offer, but the desire to challenge oneself to attain a healthier and more beautiful body, which of course aligns with Three Crowns overall objective for the project.

Speaking about the event Senior Brand Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mrs. Omolara Banjoko, stated that as Nigeria’s leading low cholesterol milk brand from the stables of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Three Crowns Milk is a brand that cares for the health and well-being of its consumers, especially mothers, who are the strength of the family. “Three Crowns Milk has since recognised that mothers are the foundation of any family and as such they need to stay fit and healthy,” she said. “This is why we strongly believe in supporting mothers to provide the care needed for the development of the home,” she added.

CTB Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Book Ayodeji Ake One of the oldest Christian societies, Cathedral Torch Bearers (CTB) has demonstrated its commitment to the development of Christianity at all level with the launch of a book ‘Let Your Life Shine’ and also to commemorate its 75th anniversary. The President, Dr. Oyeyemi Adegbite said at the book launch and fund raising event recently held in Lagos, that the 75-year-old society has for long devoted it strength for church and humanity project to exalt Christianity as a religion and to lay goods examples to the youths to emulate. He said the book launch was one of the activities lined up to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Cathedral Touch Bearers, the foremost male society in the Cathedral Church of Christ. “We are using

this occasion not only to continue with anniversary but also to raise funds for the completion of our ongoing flagship church development project. It’s the first time that we are publishing a book. It’s a collection of papers presented in our lecture for over 30 years and we have chapters in the book written by dignitaries. The book is interesting because it touches both biblical and contemporary issues. It’s a book for everybody,” he noted. He further said the book has been developed to inform, educate and entertain, adding, “The book is for everyone regardless of any denomination, it’s for Christians generally.”

He also noted that, although, over the years the society has been faced with challenges but with honcho effort of member, the society overcame challenges which have resulted to an elaborate anniversary and

developmental projects. “We thank God that the founding father of the society laid a solid foundation. We are trying to build an organisation we can pass on to other generation. We want to recruit the young people to take part in the developmental process,” he said.

Oyeyemi lamented that Nigeria has been facing serious economic issues which according to him has caused inflation and a burden to Nigerians. He urged Christians to pray for a better Nigeria. He said: “The way things are going on Nigeria today, for those of us who are in our 70s, we are not happy. This is not the Nigeria we use to know 40 years ago. It was a better country and now we are facing a serious economy challenge and that’s why we want Christians to join hands and pray to see better days.”

All is set for the Breach Repairers’ annual national parental conference, ‘Critical Rescue’, billed for May 12 at Guiding Light Assembly, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The conference, which would have speakers like Dr. (Mrs.) Nkem Okoro, Mr. Victor Diali, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkiru Ifekwem, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, among others, according to Critical Rescue Coordinator,Chuks its coordinator, Pastor Nduka Chuks Nduka, is an annual event geared towards berthing a total Nigerian child and a reformed society with a generation of Nigerian youths that are purpose driven, socially responsible, having integrity with resolve to bring about a positive change.

Nduka who frowned at the decline in societal values, which it traced to the breach in parenting, stressed that challenges in parenting the 21st century child appealed to stakeholders to collaborate in dealing with emerging dysfunctional character trends amongst the Nigerian youths. “Substance abuse, same sex relationships and other forms of addiction amongst our children are being reported across board. Now, the question is, are we losing the fight to raise godly seeds? It is painful to note that defined boundaries by parents are being challenged by the 21st century youth, with values placed on family identities being ignored", he said.

Ibanga Becomes USANigeria Trade Council Advisory Board Member The USA-Nigeria Trade Council, United States of America (USA) has announced the appointment of Mrs. Affiong Israel Ibanga as a member of its Advisory Board.

She is expected to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts Ibanga to improve the trade traffic between the USA and Nigeria.

Ibanga, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping (FCIS) is the Vice-Chairperson of AML Bonded Terminal (Advanced Motors and Logistics Limited), a leading freight forwarder, export/import services, shipping agency and bonded terminal operator. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of AML Farms and Industries Limited. She holds a Master’s degree in Transport Management with Specialisation in Logistics (MTM), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics (PGD), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. She is also a graduate of Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Georgia, USA.

‘Alexandra’ for May 4 After a successful premiere in Atlanta, “Alexandra”, a movie that explores the themes of sexual abuse, human trafficking and redemption hits the Nigerian cinemas from today, May 4. Set in Nigeria and the United States, the thriller ‘Alexandra’ the story of a couple Alexandra (Freda Steffl) and Kevin (Robert Alexandra producer, Freda Steffl Hays) who meet online, after they fall in love, Alexandra relocates to the US to marry the love of her life. What follows is a nightmarish tale of domestic violence, passion and murder. “Alexandra has been a labour of love for me,” said the producer, Freda Steffl. “We set out to produce a story we would be proud to show across this world and I am very grateful to the cast and crew of ‘Alexandra’ for the amazing movie we have made.”

Hollywood star, Vivica Fox, is ecstatic about her role in Alexandra “I am excited to play Detective Walker in the Nollywood movie ‘Alexandra’, check it out, you do not want to miss it,” she said. Directed by Robert O Peters, ‘Alexandra’ which in April 2018 was the recipient of SLAAM Awards Best Foreign Movie of the year in the USA, stars

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04.05.2018

FERTILITY WITH DR. KEMI AILOJE

Tel : +2348033083580, Email:info@lifelinkfertility.com, Website: lifelinkfertility.com

AGE RELATED INFERTILITY (ARI) (Part 1) Scientific evidence shows that in women, fertility peaks in mid 20s and starts a steep decline in mid 30s despite this so many people still postpone starting a family. Some modern women want to focus on education, build their career, and of course some want stable financial base, or the “right man” may not be coming, so the need to wait for ‘’the perfect partner’’. Whatever the reasons for delaying parenthood are, it is however unfortunate that the natural clock doesn’t stop ticking hence the human body keeps aging inevitably. It is a fact that in today’s society, inability to conceive due to age is becoming much more common because women are waiting until their 30’s and 40’s to have children. Although many women are healthier in later life and taking better care of themselves, this does not stop the natural age-related decline in fertility.

Recent reports from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) have shown that more women are delaying childbearing at the present time than previously. This trend is expected to cause a corresponding rise in the mean age at which women first present with infertility and this brings us to the discussion for this week: Age Related Infertility as it affects both males and females.

What is age related infertility: This is the decline in fertility that comes with age, seen in both men and women. It is a known fact that age related Infertility affects both sexes, its effect is however seen much earlier in women than in men. Women 30 years and above have reduced quantity and quality of eggs in their ovaries while male fertility starts to decline after 40 years when sperm quality begins to decrease. All these automatically increase the risk for chromosomal abnormalities like having too many or too few chromosomes (aneuploidy) which might result in conditions such as, implantation failure, Down syndrome and even higher chances of miscarriages. Older women are

also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility making pregnancy and delivery of a live birth more difficult.

The facts: women, age and fertility Women in their 20s have a 20-25 per cent chance of achieving pregnancy during their ovulation period. This drops to 15-20 per cent for women between the ages of 31 years and 35 years and to less than 10 per cent for women ages 35 years and older. By 40 years women typically only have a five per cent

and by 45-49 years a one per cent chance of becoming pregnant without fertility treatment per month.

Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, unlike men who typically make new sperm throughout their life. Each month many eggs begin to develop, only one or two reaches maturation and eventually ovulates (releases), the others undergo a process called atresia (degeneration).

This process occurs in intrauterine life (before birth), before puberty, and during a woman’s reproductive years, even while pregnant or on oral contraceptive.

This progressive loss of eggs over a lifespan results in low egg numbers (quantity) that result in lower pregnancy rate beginning usually in the 40s. There is also a corresponding loss in the quality of the eggs over time. As eggs age, they become less able to fertilise or even implant normally and are more likely to result in a pregnancy that miscarries.

In addition, for a variety of reasons the process is accelerated in some women whose egg quantity and quality is low at a much younger age e.g. those diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).

Although the average age of menopause

(no remaining egg) is about 51 years. The decrease in the ability to conceive due to low egg quality and quantity occurs long before, usually beginning in the 30s and becoming more pronounced in the early 40s. Women in their late 40s rarely have a spontaneous pregnancy and if so, one in three will miscarry.

It is due to this sense of urgency that women 35 years and above should consider visiting fertility experts for evaluation and have their fertility profiling done as soon as they suspect difficulty becoming pregnant.

If a woman’s egg quality or egg number is lower than expected for her age, there may be a discoverable treatable cause.

Are there other factors that can decrease ovarian function in women apart from age such as Endometriosis, severe pelvic adhesion, previous chemotherapy or radiation, history of smoking, ovarian surgery or removal of a portion or all of an ovary or both, genetics (Turners syndrome) etc.

However, decreased ovarian function can also occur in women without these predisposing factors. The cause of an early loss of eggs in some women is sometimes not clear, but it is thought to be due to genetic factors with or without a family history of early menopause.

The rule of 3’s- if a healthy woman irrespective of age, has conceived and made it up the first trimester, her odds of the pregnancy resulting in a live birth are almost the same regardless of age. The chances of having a good outcome and a healthy baby are very high. Of course, all routine testing are still recommended during prenatal care.

It is worthy of note that the process of egg loss happens at a predictable and steady rate even if a woman takes good care of her health and looks young physically.Both egg quantity and quality determines a woman’s ability to conceive and both are influenced by age and it is important to note that pregnancy is often possible with the right combination of treatment by fertility specialists.

Women Lawyers Desperate to End Sexual Violence against Child Jonathan Eze Violence against children is a pervasive problem in Nigeria, with six out of every 10 children suffering one or more forms of physical, sexual or emotional violence before they get to the age of 18.

In order to eradicate the menace, women lawyers in Bayelsa under the auspices of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, has pledged to stand against any form of domestic violence against women and children in the society.

Speaking during a special meeting with the Managing Solicitor of TRIAX Solicitors, Moses Oruaze Dickson who also doubles as the founder, Goldcoast Developmental Foundation, a non-profit that provides support for the low income women and children, the Chairperson of FIDA, Yenagoa branch, Dise Sheila said the visit by the women lawyers was to discuss a possible partnership and legal support with TRIAX Solicitors and Goldcoast Developmental Foundation to ensure the curbing of sexual molestation of children especially the girl-child in the Niger-Delta region.

Sheila said that even though there are laws in the country to protect the rights and wellbeing of women and children from all forms of violence and abuse, many of the affected persons are not aware of their rights or do not have the resources to pursue it.

And the few, who have the understanding of these rights, Sheila disclosed are scared of

L-R Assistant PRO, FIDA Bayelsa, Excel Bright_ Managing Solicitor - TRIAX Solicitors, Moses Oruaze Dickson and Chairperson, FIDA Bayelsa, Barr Dise Sheila

stigmatisation and threats from the perpetrators and the society in general.

According to Sheila, "it is for this reason that we seek partnership with a law firm with

a track record for fighting for the vulnerable especially women and children.”

In his response, Dickson expressed his deep concern on the increasing cases of abuse against

the female child and how the culture of silence is encouraging more perpetrators.

“It is even sad when the victims are from impoverished homes and cannot afford the legal fees to fight their assaulters.

“We will do everything within our capacity to provide legal assistance to these victims,” he said. Dickson stated that Goldcoast Developmental Foundation will serve as a mediator in championing this project by working with the police to speed up investigation, having sustainable partnership with certified hospitals to speed up medical examinations of victims/survivors of such violence in addition to prevailing on the state Chief Judge to set up a system that will speed up trials of such cases.

He added that the foundation will start a fundraising to get a home that will serve as a rehabilitation home for survivors to live in and start a new life especially for the girls.

"We will also work with FIDA through our law firm to provide pro bono legal services for victims of sex assault” he said. Dickson, however, stated that it is the responsibility of everyone in the society to stand up against perpetrators of sexual violence and encouraged women and children to speak out anytime they are under any form of violence and domestic abuse."

Present at the event included the O/C gender unit of the Bayelsa Police Command whose office is directly in charge of gender violence cases.

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G-Worldwide Entertainment Welcomes New Artistes Mary Ekah G-Worldwide Entertainment, the premier African music company, has announced the addition of two new artistes, Ajura and Easy Jay, to its list of artistes. Speaking on the new development, the G-Worldwide Head of Artiste Management, Louiza Williams said: "We are thrilled to welcome Ajura and Easy Jay to the G-Worldwide family. They have all it takes to develop and become superstars in the African music scene, and will be game-changers in dominating and bringing African music to the world. We are extremely excited to have them as a part of the team and are eager for the journey ahead."

Both artistes signed to G-Worldwide Entertainment in year 2018, have different visions for their careers. Ajura has a diverse set of musical influences, including luminaries such as Asa, D'banj, Wande Coal, Sugarboy,

G-Worldwide Artiste, Easy Jay

Burna Boy, Kiss Daniel, Beyonce, Akon, Chris Brown, and R. Kelly. Easy Jay, on the other, names Fela Kuti, 2face Idibia, Usher and Chris Brown amongst others as his key influences.

He operates across genres, blending elements from Alt-R&B, Highlife and Afro Pop. Born Daniel Alaba Ojamomi in Ondo State, Nigeria, Ajura who took a very unconventional

route to making music, began as a dancer. He is the last child of a family of eight. Tragedy struck early when he lost his father at age three but forged ahead.

His early education was in Kabe College, Ilogbo, where he picked up dancing as an art of expression. Lack of funding limited his chances of becoming a professional footballer.

After discovering his love for music, he delved into music production, dedicating his time and scarce resources to creating art. He was later able to start earning from his craft and providing for his family. Ajura, possessing a large heart, would later finance projects for his talented friends, paying for studio sessions and equipment. But his mother insisted on getting him more education, which he did. In 2013, Daniel got admitted to Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, where he honed his craft, amassing fans via releasing and performing music. He graduated in 2016.

COSON Holds Stakeholders’ Forum in Kano Mary Ekah Several top personalities gathered in the North-Western states of Nigeria recenytly as Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s wave making copyright collective management organisation for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria successfully held its Select Stakeholders’ Forum for copyright owners and users in Kano.

The stakeholders’ forum was preceded by a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, His Excellency Muhammad Sanusi II at his palace.

Receiving the COSON delegation led by the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji; the Emir, H.E Muhammad Sanusi II welcomed the COSON team to the ancient and historic city of Kano, in Kano State.

The Emir expressed his admiration for the COSON Chairman, Chief Okoroji for continually spearheading the drive for the respect of intellectual property in Nigeria and ensuring that creative minds reap from their creative works through royalty collection which COSON has paid to right owners since inception. The Emir also noted that the visit to Kano simply showed that COSON is an organisation for all

irrespective of location, religion or sentiment. The delegation then proceeded to the extraordinary event which witnessed a historic gathering of Northern artistes, songwriters, composers, music publishers, performers, record companies, broadcast stations, hotels, night clubs, restaurants, transport companies and Disc Jockey’s from Katsina and Kaduna. The forum which lasted over five hours, afforded music users and music stakeholders the opportunity to understand the concept of copyright, and the importance of the respect for intellectual property in the new knowledge driven economy.

Speaking after the forum, COSON Chairman, Okoroji said, “The Kano State Select Stakeholders’ Forum provided us an opportunity to interact with the people on whose behalf we work. COSON continues to take giant strides across the nation and across the world. One of the key reasons for the rapid growth of COSON and the significant stability that this great organisation enjoys is that COSON is stakeholder driven.”

Speaking also on the stakeholders’ forum, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “In the last seven years, COSON has continued to redefine the music copyright

COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji exchanging pleasantries with the Emir of Kano, His Excellency Muhammad Sanusi II during COSON’s visit to the Emir

licensing landscape in Nigeria as it continues to push for better education of music users to ensure better copyright remuneration for music copyright owners, and the Kano stakeholders

forum was an avenue for us to achieve this.

We are committed at ensuring that Nigerians begin to understand the importance of the respect for intellectual property.’’

LG Electronics Provides Free Laundry Service to Community Ayodeji Ake As a way of giving back to the society, LG Electronics recently inaugurated a free laundry service for the people of Ogba, Ikeja, and its environs who are facing the difficulty of water and power to efficiently carry out their washing chores at free cost.

The event which held at the LG showroom in Ogba tagged 'Life’s Good with LG Wash', was said it's part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme for the year.

The free laundry offered by LG Electronics was also said would help people overcome

laundry issues at free of cost as well as create convenience, comfort and availing them more time to handle other valuable activities.

The Executive Vice President, LG Electronics, Mr. Choong Hak Lee, in his opening remarks, said “as a global company, LG Electronics wants to use its capabilities to help local communities all over the world solving some of their regional issues. In this regard, I hope that ‘Life’s Good with LG Wash’ will help make your lives more convenient and comfortable. I hope that the opening of ‘Life’s Good with LG Wash’

will bring more spare time and comforts to residents here. LG Electronics will continue to support communities even in the future.

"However, the feat which seems to be the first of its kind in the country by any brand in the country will create a real difference in improving society and helping address social issues in Ogba and its environs.

The facility contains several LG Washing machines, LG Dryers, LG Air Conditioning units, uninterrupted power supply, constant supply of water among others to ensure the facility operates seamlessly."

According to Lee, the laundry service has

been designed to serve over 50 people per day and it will operate on a daily basis from morning till evening in order to ameliorate the living conditions as well as support the daily washing requirement of people in the area.

Also commenting at the occasion, Managing Director Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, said: “this is what is truly call giving back to the society, because the real beneficiaries of this project are the masses, I believe they will take advantage of this initiative from LG Electronics to make life better for them..”

LIFANIMA Opens Entries for 2018 Edition Oluwafunke Lasisi The Management of USP brand has announced plan to hold the second edition of the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) on June 7, 2018, at Freedom Park, Lagos. The plan was as a result of animation industry which has begun to blossom in Nigeria and across Africa where many young animators highly talented but without a common platform

to sell their skills.

According to the CEO of USP Brand Communication and Producer of Turtle Taido, Muyiwa Kayode, said the platform would provide opportunities for animators to interact with other stakeholders for optimum value creation and rapid growth of the animation industry. He explained that the “objectives of the LIFANIMA are to promote the rapid development of the animation industry in

Nigeria and across Africa; improve the movie industry through increased inclusion of animation content; provide a platform for the promotion of local animators; development of quality animation and expose animators to the latest technologies in the industry hardware and software.”

“It will feature screening of selected works, award presentations, networking and entertainment,” he added.

The Two-day event will attract animators from local and foreign, film makers, investors, financial institutions, advertising agencies, musical video producers, media practitioners, digital marketing professionals, government agencies, Information Technology companies/ manufacturers and the general public. LIFANIMA submission forms are available at USP Brand Management in Ikoyi and can be requested for via mails@uspbrands.com.

When Online Ministry Lifted Special Kids in Lagos Raheem Akingbolu For the special kids at the Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care Home, Yaba, Lagos, this year’s Easter celebration was memorable. These children and men and women of strength who were looking after them, had looked forward to witness series of activities as the celebration unfolded. But beyond their preparation, a United

State of America-based online preacher, Evangelist Princess Belemzy of Princess Belemzy Ministry, an online Christian assembly, breezed in as promised with her team and pitched her tent with the kids while the celebration lasted.

The Pastor thus used the occasion to send a powerful message to Nigerians who are living in affluence to ponder a little and think of the underprivileged. This was demonstrated by

the way Belemzy and her team used words of God and songs of praise to celebrate with the children. At this point, the entire hall became electrified as members of the team hugged and mixed freely with the kids. The occasion was remarkable because not very often do lessprivileged children have smiles on their faces.

Usually, the days roll by with little or nothing to cheer about. And for many of them, there

is no difference between special occasions like festive periods and an ordinary day. It is usually all gloom and dry. Based in Houston, Texas, United States, Belemzy who was in Nigeria for a church programme during Easter, did not let the opportunity pass by without touching lives, when she led some of her members to the orphanage for a special time out with the special kids.

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04.05.2018

If You've Ever Wondered Why Africa is So Rich yet So Poor, Watch this Film Solomon Elusoji Onyeka Nwelue's Agwaetiti Obiuto is a spectacular and vivid investigation into why Africa - the black man, really - appears to be reeling from a cursed narrative. The story of Africa, of course, is not what Nwelue intended to tell. The film is about a small town in Southern Nigeria, Oguta. But like all great art, the story extrapolates; like a chameleon, it fits into the very dynamic and varied narratives that are the history of black societies across the known universe.

Although the African continent is blessed with gold, diamonds, oil, coltan, bauxite, uranium, iron ore and other valuable resources, most of its inhabitants have long numbered among the world’s poorest. Some economists have described this as the Resource Curse.

But, depending on who you ask, the reasons for the odd phenomenon are many.

Onyeka-Nwelue

In Agwaetiti Obiuto, Nwelue does not offer an objective reason based on scientific

rigour. He is only telling a story, but even the telling, the plot, is haphazard in many ways, with spliced scenes and a narrator that interrupts and offers unsolicited monologues.

The genius here, however, is that this sort of randomness, sometimes awkward, gives substance to the confusion that runs through the minds of anyone who has ever sat down, pen and paper in hand, to tell the story of Africa. This is the kind of film that lingers in the mind, because there are gaps that it leaves, gaps that must be filled.

Chinua Achebe, that iconic writer who, once, revolutionised the spirit of African literature, is famous for underlining that the problem of Africa, the real, contemporary problem, is the lack of honest leadership. Agwaetiti Obiuto reminds us of Achebe's diagnosis. Oguta, a land blessed with natural resources, is held hostage by a wily, corrupt few who pillage its wealth, transforming its people into a

league of whiners: chronic complainers who successfully analyse their problems but are unable to do anything about it. In Agwaetiti Obiuto, they finally do something about it.

The same cannot be said, substantively, of Africa's current reality. In this sense, Nwelue, in Agwaetiti Obiuto, offers hope, redemption.

If you have ever wondered why Africa is so rich, yet so poor, you have to see Agwaetiti Obiuto. The story is a kind of truth, simple and honest, that takes you on a trip to the Zoo of African Monsters. Corruption, the double headed beast, will roar at you. Insecurity, with its venomous fangs, will snarl and scare.

There are more. But the tragedy is that if you live in Africa, you don't have to visit the Zoo. You already live there.

Agwaetiti Obiuto is Nwelue's first feature film. On May 5, it will premiere at Harvard Film Archive, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.

Fallen Heroes: Uranta, Birmah, Odumakin, Others Inaugurate #WeCare Movement in Lagos Jonathan Ezei A non-governmental organisation, “#WeCare Movement” (WCM) was recently inaugurated in Lagos, to help support families of Nigeria's fallen heroes.

The NGO which was inaugurated at the Sheraton Hotels in Lagos had Nigerians from all walks of life in attendance including a former Minister of Education, Alhaji Dauda Birmah; one-time Miss Nigeria, Ms. Binta Sukai; Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo; Businessman Flutist, Mr. Tee Mac Itseli; premier Gender activist, Ms. Ene Ede; and Mr. Peter Esele, former President of the Trade Unions Congress of Nigeria (TUC), among others.

In his opening remarks, Convener of the #WeCare Movement, Mr. Tony Uranta, lamented that value of security officers in the country was often underestimated by the citizenry.

“The security forces including the police, military, para-military and intelligent agencies sacrifice a lot for the citizenry. If we do not take care of these men and women and their families who risk their lives every day, then our security may not be guaranteed.

“We are all at risk of the security architecture falling apart. We must show them that we care for them and theirs if harm should befall them.

“This is why some like-minded Nigerians decided that it is overdue to create a foundation or movement to care for them,” Uranta said.

He said that the WeCare Movement intends to create advocacy, insurance etc. for better conditions of service for the living service men.

“We have also seen situations where families of service men who fall in the line of duty are evicted from their barracks two or three months after the deaths of these fallen heroes.

“This movement in addition to providing succour to the widows and orphans of such fallen heroes will also create life insurance policies for them,” he said.

In her speech, the Executive Director of the Movement, Dr. Joe-Okei Odumakin, said the #WeCare Movement is a non-political and non- partisan one.

Odumakin said the WCM was a humanitarian

L-R: Akogun Kola Onadipe, former Minister of Education and Chairman of the occassion, Alhaji Dauda Birmah, Executive Director, #Wecaremovement, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, Convener, Tony Uranta and Mr. Abdulmajeed Hassan, at the inaugural meeting of the #Wecaremovement aimed at catering for fallen heroes and their families held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos…recently

services movement that has to do with networking and partnership aimed at honouring and providing for living security officers and their dependents. “#WeCare Movement, as the name connotes, will cover all those who put their life in danger for Nigeria including policemen, customs, immigration, military and intelligence units among others.

“These are the people that put their lives on the line for all of us. The #WeCare Movement will be the lubricant to gain their commitment,” she said.

She said the movement would partner with credible individuals and bodies, locally and globally, to make the dream realizable,” she added.

Making his input, Senator Ogunbanjo said the movement should include care for nurses and doctors and the road safety Corp Marshalls.

He posited that the society must show some level of compassion to families of fallen heroes to make them more passionate about sacrificing for the country.

Comrade Esele in his submission said that such a movement that would encourage the nation’s security officers was long overdue.

He said Nigeria can achieve better security through them if better conditions of service were set for them.

Ace broadcaster and wife of the Convener, Baarong Tony Uranta, urged the gathering to

aggressively sensitise the public and to use every medium available like the media, music, drama and others to create consciousness about the movement.

She also underscored the need for a database to check and monitor the families of the fallen heroes and their surviving family members in order to cater for them.

The Chairman of the event, and ex-minister for Education, charged Nigerians on humanitarianism, saying, “When we care, we are redeeming ourselves. We must not turn our backs or block our consciences. This initiative will eventually grow far beyond this original limited goal to encompass vistas beyond our imagination today!

Bayelsa Commissioner Gets Report on Reform of State Media Outfit Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The on-going civil service reforms, particularly as it affects the state owned media outfits, are envisioned to promote professionalism and ensure effective service delivery, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has said.

Iworiso-Markson stated this while receiving the report of the Bayelsa State Media Corporation Committee in his office at the Information House, Ovom, Yenagoa.

He explained that the state government was desirous of evolving a media corporation that could withstand the changing trends in the media industry and dictate the pace for others.

The commissioner insisted that the reforms in the media industry are therefore expedient

in order to have value for money and enhance quality output.

The governor’s aide said government would no longer tolerate a situation where state-owned media houses, with more qualified employees could not meet the challenges of on-the-spot reportage like less endowed media outfits.

He expressed the hope that the committee recommendations cover critical issues such as governance system and staffing in order to guarantee that the new media corporation is in line with the Public Service Reforms and modern trends in the industry.

He commended the committee for the timely submission of its report, assuring that government would look at the recommendations with a view to implementing them.

He also expressed the hope that members of

the committee would make themselves available for future service when called upon.

Presenting copies of the Bayelsa State Media Corporation Committee’s recommendations to the Commissioner, the Chairman of the Committee, Rex Bribena Ekpi, said the committee report is practical and implementable.

Ekpi explained that the report also included draft legislation which would lead to the amalgamation of the existing media houses and the establishment of the Bayelsa State Media Corporation.

Iworiso-Markson had inaugurated the Bayelsa Media Corporation Committee five weeks ago, which he said was in furtherance of Governor Seriake Dickson’s directives for the amalgamation of the state-owned media outfits into one single entity for effective management and enhanced productivity.

Iworiso-Markson

36/COLLAGE

04.05.2018

L-R; State Vice Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Fuad Oki; Coordinator, Lagos East Youths for Good Governance, Mr. Lawal Mutiu; and member of the organization, Mr. Jaiyesimi Azzez, at a Press Conference to endorse governor Akinwumi Ambode for the second term and Senator Gbenga Ashafa for the third Term in office held in Ikorodu, Lagos...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Deputy President Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Comrade Emmanuel CjAJA; Deputy National President ATSSSAN, Comrade Sarah Rimdans; National Prseident, ATSSSAN, Comrade Ahmadu Ilitrus; Ex-officio ATSSSAN, Comrade Andrew Inalegwu and First General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Olukayode Orungbemi, during the workers' day celebration at Airport, Lagos...recently .KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R; Director, Operations, Rack Centre Ltd, Mr. Ezekiel Egboye; Director, Business Development , Frederick Udoka; Head, Marketing/Communication, Ejieke Ezeaatiugwu; Finance Director, Nozipho Sibanda; Managing Director, Ayotunde Coker; and Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Micheal Olawale- Cole, at the LCCI 2018 award ceremony as Rack Centre Ltd bagged local content in ICT award in Lagos...recently PHOTO; ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Divisional Head, Corporate & Specialized Banking, Heritage Bank, Ose Ben Wille; Winner of BBNaija Season 3, Miracle Igbokwe; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe and Head of Product Management, Payporte, Adenike Bankole during the presentation of prizes to the winner of BBNaija Season 3 Double Wahala held at MultiChoice Nigeria head office, Victoria Island, Lagos...recently

L-R: Area Head of Brands, British American Tobacco (BAT), West Africa, Okechukwu Aguoru; Area Head, Corporate Affairs, BAT West Africa, Abimbola Okoya; Senior HR Business Partner, Commercial, BAT West Africa, Oshiomha Irumhekha; Managing Director, BAT West Africa, Chris McAllister; and the Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Soboma Ajumogobia during the presentation of the ‘Non-oil Export Award’ to BATN at the 2018 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards in Lagos...recently

President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Chief Olabintan Famutimi(left) and Associate Professor, Lagos Business School, Dr. Adedoyin Salami, at a breakfast meeting hosted by NACC in Laagos...recently

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu; Wife of Oyo State Governor, Chief Florence Ajimobi; and Mrs. Abosede Adeyemo, widow of the late Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo, during a service of songs in his honour at Oke Ado Baptist Church, Ibadan... on Wednesday. Photo: Governor's Office

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04.05.2018

SGI Improving Power Supply In a country as Nigeria where more than 55 per cent of its people live without access to electricity, and spends over $14 billion annually on access to basic energy, Smarter Grid International provides the nation with innovative and affordable off-grid technologies.

Sunday Ehigiator writes

SGI in the off-grid communities_ been promoting its products, with the aim to deliver sustainable, affordable and efficient solar electricity

SGI officers displaying the new technology in rural communities

SGI improving power supply

The SGI experts

According to the World Bank off-grid solar market trend report 2016, “Over 1.2 billion people are living without electricity globally. More than 645 million of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa. More than 80 per cent of primary schools in Africa have no electricity. Population without grid access lives in rural areas where it is not economically prudent for grid, and without access to the grid, they spend about $27 billion annually on lighting with fossil fuel powered stopgap.

Most people connected to the grid also suffer from epileptic power supply.”

The International Energy Agency (IEA) also reports that the unavailability of the grid connection is much higher in Nigeria in comparison to other sub-Saharan African countries. While the off-grid population in sub-Saharan Africa spends over $27 billion on lighting with stopgap technology such as; kerosene lamp, oil lamp, candle light, generator, you can’t take away the disadvantages of these stopgap technologies possess. They include but not limited to; damages to the environment, health of people, risk of accidental fuel ingestion, risk of fire and loose of lives. And in addition, these technologies are far more expensive than solar powered electrical appliances.

Notably, several initiatives have been introduced by the federal government to revamp the power sector in Nigeria, including but not limited to; privatisation of the major assets, construction of more power plants and the introduction of the rural electrification initiatives.

However, the power output remains epileptic and the hope of extending the grid to rural areas remain bleak, as government often claims it is not economically prudent for them to extend the grid to the rural areas.

According to the World Bank report, the DOE (Department of Energy) and Bloomberg energy reports, they posited that distributing energy resource is the only reasonable means of increasing access to basic energy needs in sub-Saharan Africa - hence the Barack Obama Power For Africa: “beyond the grid initiative”.

In line with the above has Smarter Grid International (SGI), in the off-grid communities; been promoting its products, with the aim to deliver sustainable, affordable and efficient solar electricity that will light up homes, small businesses, schools, hospitals and community centres at night.

With goals of fast-tracking the delivery of electricity to off-grid communities in Nigeria, and improving the quality, consistency and affordability of power supply for Nigerians, by shifting reliance to clean, solar energy; it is the SGI’s vision to via these goals, bring about better health, education and productive outcomes for the people. SGI believes that, replacing kerosene or burning firewood reduces health risks and improves the confidence and comfort of families and entire communities. And gaining access to clean and affordable energy saves consumers’ money, reduces exposures to toxic materials released when burning kerosene. And also believes that, universal access to reliable, affordable, low-carbon electricity is the key to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. Hence, solar power is the sustainable solution.

Solar solutions are now firmly cost-competitive with stop-gap technologies, however relatively large upfront cost remains a barrier for potential customers without disposable cash. Most companies develop and market products via a service model; “Pay as you go systems”. And this remains the prevailing model for scalability in the solar industry. Two types of pay as you go models which both entail remote monitoring and activation technology; are gaining traction in the off grid electricity market. They are “Rent to Own Model” and “Energy as a Service”. Under the rent to own model, customers are required to make small upfront deposit, and pay off outstanding balance over time (24-36 months) depending on the customer’s package of choice and agreement. Most solar systems are equipped with “Pay As You Go” activation technology and remote monitoring. While the energy as a

service model, allows end users pay an ongoing usage fee to the energy company in exchange for prepaid days or weeks of usage without the option of ultimately owning the solar device.

This model has the advantage of removing cost of the financing and technology risk from end customers as compared to a rent-to-own model (average customer pays between 6-25$ a month).

The electricity needs of the Nigerian market have evolved beyond Pico lights. These lights cannot address larger consumption needs primarily due to low generation and storage capacity. It only serves as a backup for the frequent black-outs.

Larger systems may only enable back-up lighting for an entire home or security lighting, but output is relatively low, and has a large scale of unmet demand for businesses, clinics and schools.

In a communiqué made available to THISDAY, SGI stated that its value proposition includes; distribution of high quality solar home systems, productive work hours, increased safety for families, flexible payment plan, financial innovation, hybrid consumer financing and payments, Lithium iron phosphate battery technology, machine to machine connectivity, remote monitoring, three years warranty, personalised service, and customer acquisition and retention services. With its collaborating with leading international suppliers and partners to provide technologically superior products and payment mechanisms for end users, SGI’s primary product is an innovative, low-cost, Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) solar home system, verified by Lighting Global Standards, and manufactured by a specialist off-grid product developer and long-term associate of the World Bank/IFC.Its solar systems allow off-grid households in rural and semi-urban areas, as well as on-grid households with intermittent power supply, to access affordable, reliable and clean energy. The systems are integrated with a range of energy-efficient appliances such as multi phone chargers for businesses, lights, fans, radio and 42 and 32 inch televisions, and can also be used by small businesses, shops, offices and

community facilities such as health clinics and schools. Students can power laptops and study during the evening hours through the use of its world-class renewable energy technology, which also helps support efforts in the educational sector as well.

Most fascinating of all is the SGI product purchase and repayment model. It is very flexible at such that, customers are registered on SGI proprietary software after paying a onetime commitment fee and the first month subscription fee.

Afterwards, customers receive their solar home systems along with full installation provided by SGI technicians. On how it works after installation; the solar panel converts sunlight into electricity that is stored in the battery unit of the system, from where customers can then access electricity as stored in the battery unit stationed in their homes. Interestingly, customers could make an outright payment or subsequent monthly fees, on an amazing 24 months payment plan. This keeps the system fully functional and in-credit.

In that, customers would receive activation codes via SMS each time monthly fee is paid at the bank or using any of SGI’s payment options.

But for rent to own customers, the device is unlocked and owned by the customer when full payment has been made over the course of the subscription plan.

Since SGI began operations in 2014/2015, SGI has experienced fast growth and an exponential increase in customer uptake of its services. In less than two years, SGI has created a presence in five major states, and has engaged in several collaborative pilot projects with farmers and rural communities. SGI is improving power supply, generating employment, and enhancing the living standard of the citizens through consistent and reliable power supply. It is constantly empowering rural dwellers with reliable electric power supply, which they have been achieving partially through the use of solar home systems and other distributed electricity generation and distribution assets.

38/XTRA

04.05.2018

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS!

adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0811 675 9785

Chasing Elumelu: On the Road with Bighearted Billionaire

Elumelu...engaging young entrepreneurs

In contrast to what everyone will do, on his twitter page, Africa’s front row businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has his portrait looking over boundless water.

The billionaire’s masterfully calibrated image in a slick suit on a lofty perch was photographed somewhere in Lagos business district. It mirrors one thing: his boundless beneficence.

For decades, Elumelu has rolled up his sleeves to turn the sod in Africa. Starting from his native country, Nigeria, he built big businesses in an aggressive way, creating employments and bolstering government revenue in multiple countries. Tall, tactical, affable and energetic, it is clear that Elumelu was born to be chairman of chief executive officers.

With his hands in many big businesses and as a poster boy for the banking sector in Africa, it can be explained why Elumelu is a darling of the press. Skim through the dailies and it's hard to avoid Tony Elumelu every day.

In fact, Elumelu’s blistering schedule means no two days are the same.

For this 55-year-old billionaire entrepreneur and stylish banker, who turned an unprosperous, single-country bank into a pan-African institution with more than seven million customers in about 20 African countries, demanding schedule means late bedtime, something in the region of 2a.m.

In short, before Elumelu led the acquisition of the United Bank for Africa 13 years ago, he has established his name as a super CEO with busy engagements.

And despite his busy life, he also carves out enough time to read like others in his ilk.

Widely admired people like President Barack Obama, Phil Knight, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Oprah Oprah Winfrey in various interviews say they set aside at least an hour a day to read (or five hours a week) just like a Elumelu does to keep up with torrent of information.

Mr. Elumelu’s reading habit has been essential to his thinking process as a businessman. It has served him well.

In a post on his facebook page, the gifted businessman wrote, “voracious reading is the solution to making a difference. Knowledge increases confidence and confidence is a key attribute for excellence."

Amid his busy engagements that reveal a

pretty jam-packed daily life, Elumelu’s act of charity and entrepreneurial skills transfer are the ones that are dominating debates in Africa in recent times.

So it's not surprising that when he toured some African countries on a recent week, presidents came out to hail him.

In Kenya, where Elumelu dazzled his audience with his Africapitalism idea, Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, lavished him with praise for his benevolence and business acts in Africa. “It is great to see Africans coming out forcibly to build the continent through initiatives such as this one,” Kenyatta said.

“Our continent is endowed with massive resources; we do not have to always rely on support from elsewhere.”

In Kenyatta’s view, by lifting budding entrepreneurs with cash and counseling, Elumelu is doing a good job for Africa’s growth.

The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, adored Elumelu for his candor, class and commitment to Africa. "Giving a grant, none refundable loan to the young people means the affordability of capital. This reduces risks of acquiring loan money from banks at an alarming interest rate up to 24 per cent in some banking institutions. These children are very brilliant, hardworking and successful.

Thank you for the financial support extended to the Ugandan youths," he said.

With his athletic body, closely shorn head and right gait, Elumelu gives the image of a coach in appearance. But that will define him in the business world, where as a business coach he takes care of each and every situation.

Most recently, Elumelu’s alternative response to a bad situation helped raised the morale of young people in his home country Nigeria.

The billionaire banker and economist told a massive gathering of policymakers at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group in Washington, DC not to see youths in Africa as lazy and laidback.

“In my interactions with young Africans, I have seen people who are determined, energetic, hungry to succeed and make a difference and are extremely intelligent, but the environment makes it difficult for them to succeed,” Elumelu said.

But days before he shared his valuable knowledge of African youths based on his firsthand interactions with them across the

continent, Nigerian youths were labeled lazy at an international meeting in London, United Kingdom, by the country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari.

To Mr. Elumelu, “governments need to understand that if we prioritise the young ones and make the operating environment conducive, they would be able to optimise the required intellects, they would do well and we would be able to solve some of the problems in the continent.”

And when he cuts in on digital economy, Elumelu was direct. “You can’t talk about digital economy in Africa without fixing critical infrastructure,” he said. “Digital connectivity is a major issue in Africa and you can’t fix it if you don’t have reliable access to electricity. So, if we want to truly address the issue of the digital economy in Africa, these challenges have to be fixed.”

Elumelu’s different view is based on his everyday knowledge of booming activities of young entrepreneurs to turn Africa into a sea of innovation. His direct involvement with budding entrepreneurs through his charity, the Tony Elumelu Foundation makes him an authority. So far, his 10-year, $100 million TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is changing the mood from lamentation to celebration for young people with start-up ideas across Africa.

For instance, Ndubuisi Eze from Nigeria and Edmond Nonie from Sierra Leone, who separately manufactured drones to help farmers in rural areas for mapping construction sites which can be monitored remotely from anywhere in the world are beneficiaries of TEF. After realising the drones he was importing from China was not meeting the needs of the African farmers his company was serving, Eze, a 2016 Tony Elumelu entrepreneur decided to become a manufacturer.

“We realised that there were a few features that we needed that were not in the drones.

So we started developing and designing…

At some point we had to make that brave decision to manufacture our own drones,” he said.

Indeed, oceans of anguish abound in Africa, where in place of hope the political leadership in most countries offer hellish landscape that makes it hard for young people to thrive with their ideas, but Elumelu continues to tell the youths to persevere and follow their passion to see their dreams come through

despite the huge challenges they face.

He often encourages students to focus on the long-term vision as opposed to dwelling on short-term challenges.

“Think big, but beyond that, act on the ideas and think long-term. The journey would not be smooth but perseverance is key. Success is good for your village, your community, your country and your continent,” he told hundreds of young entrepreneurs at the University of Nairobi during his recent tour.

Robin Chaibva, a young entrepreneur based in Zimbabwe wrote about the influence of Elumelu’s work in her own country. “He has given me hope for Africa despite the feeling that Zimbabwe is not in an economically viable state. Instead of asking of my government to give jobs, I realised that I can build a network of enterprises to provide employment to Zimbabweans while lifting communities Thanks for investing your wisdom and experience with us.”

Arthur Ting Muyepa in Malawi wrote: “It has given me a new perspective of what it means to be an African entrepreneur. I honestly believe that Africapitalism is the key to development.”

Grace Olugbodi, a Nigerian wrote: “TOE Way Values are complete, deep, and as sharp as a razor. The information in there is genius and I will be following it to take my business to the next level. I recommend that anyone reading this who wants to take their business to the next level should too.”

In Rwanda, Yvette Ishimwe of Clean Water Delivery startup told the New Times, described as the country’s leading daily that skill that early entrepreneurs would need to build their business is a preoccupation of TEF. “Tony Elumelu gave us unique skills that every early entrepreneur would need to build their business idea. This is what is exceptional from many other initiatives. Of course the money is not small as it helps you expand the idea or the business,” she said.

On Tuesday, when shareholders responded to Transcorp’s (one of the mega companies under Elumelu’s leadership) exceptional feat in Nigeria, it was a moment to cherish for Elumelu. “Our corporate ambition is nothing less than the transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, which in turn is the critical enabler of Nigeria’s broader economic transformation,” he said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

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CITYSTRINGS

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

L-R: Group Chief Financial Officer, Honeywell Group and Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Sikiru Rufai; Chairman, BoT, UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti; Managing Partner, Sahel Agric-business Managers Ltd and guest speaker, Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli; and Chairman, Lagos Chapter, UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Taiwo Ayanboade, during the 18th Luncheon/Public Lecture organised by Obafemi Awolowo Muslim Graduates Association in Lagos...recently

Averting a Food Crisis Worried by the looming food crisis due to low agricultural activities and the lack of proactive policies, stakeholders at a forum harped on the need to revive the agro sector, writes Peter Uzoho While presenting Nigeria’s statement on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration, at the 51st Session on Commission on Population and Development, in New York, recently, the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Eze Duruiheoma, put Nigeria’s population at 198 million people.

According to him, urban population was growing at an average annual growth rate of about 6.5 per cent.

“Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million,” Duruiheoma said.

However, this population figure, as good as it sounds going by the huge market it provides for businesses, also comes with a threat. How can a people of this magnitude feed and survive when local food production activity is continuously on the decline?

Before the discovery of crude oil in 1956, agriculture was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Characterised by the dominance of exports and commercial activities, agriculture contributed about 65 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and represented almost 70 per cent of total exports.

This was because everyone was engaged in one agric activity or the other and the peasant farmers who dominated the sector produced enough to feed the entire population. The youths were passionately engaged in farming leading

to low unemployment rate and minimal social vices and civil unrest.

In the hey days of the agric sector, raw materials such as cocoa, rubber, palm oil, groundnut, timber, among others, were exported in large quantities to industrialised nations, thus making Nigeria a major exporter of these products.

However, things changed when crude oil came on board. The glorious coming of oil, its exploration and subsequent boom led to the sudden neglect of the agricultural sector as it became the chief income generator of the country. The government shifted its attention to pedrol-dollar and, this naturally, led to mass exodus of people from agricultural activities.

But as experience has shown that only the oil sector cannot sustain the nation, stakeholders

at different fora are calling for the revival of the agric sector to enable the country produce enough food to feed its teeming population, provide jobs for the youth and generate more revenue into the coffers of the state.

The 18th annual public lecture and luncheon of the Lagos Chapter of the Obafemi Awolowo Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), held recently provided a platform where over 200 participants made a strong case on giving the sector its pride of place.

Held at the Grand Ball Room of the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution: Opportunities and Options for Muslim Professionals’, speakers comprising major owners of big agribusiness ventures, said Nigeria has a lot to gain if appropriate policy tools were deployed to revive

Now is the time to discuss methods to promote increased food production, poverty alleviation, food insecurity, empowerment of small scale farmers and the need for holistic agricultural research encompassing various stakeholders in the government and non-governmental sectors of the agricultural value chain

the entire value chain of the sector.

In his welcome address, Chairman, Lagos Chapter of UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Taiwo Ayanboade, stated that food is one of the basic requirements for human being to survive, stressing that the population of the country estimated at 198 million makes investment in food production an inviting prospect.

According to him, reduction in food production, food insecurity, increase in food prices, and youth unemployment have characterised the poor present day status of the Nigerian economy.

“These problems have been associated with an increase in population without a corresponding increase in agricultural productivity and favourable policies,” he said.

“Now is the time to discuss methods to promote increased food production, poverty alleviation, food insecurity, empowerment of small scale farmers and the need for holistic agricultural research encompassing various stakeholders in the government and non-governmental sectors of the agricultural value chain,” Ayanboade said.

He described agriculture as the “major and most certain path to economic growth and sustainability, adding that the current state of the sector is “only a shadow of what it used to be.”

He said the guest speaker and the panelists were carefully selected based on their experience and knowledge, adding: “I eagerly look

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

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CITYSTRINGS

L-R: Group CEO, Balls Bridge Limited, Mr. Abdulganiy Olaitan Akano; MD/CE0, Starlink Global & ldeal Ltd, Alhaji Murthada Adeniji; Head, SME Funds, Bank of Industry, Mr. Michael Oye; Managing Partner, Sahel Agricbusiness Managers, Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli and Moderator, Mr. Wole Famurewa, during the panel session at the event.

forward to learning from them and from others present.”

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and Group Chief Financial Officer, Honeywell Group, Alhaji Sikiru Rufai, said agriculture was an important sector that required paying greater attention to, stressing that a nation has failed if it cannot feed its population.

“Agriculture is an area that the whole country has realised that it’s not only for food sufficiency but also to save the country from spending hard-earned foreign exchange in importation of food and also in generating employment for our people,” Rufai said.

“So agriculture is a very important sector for cover. If you look at the Nigerian demography and you realise by implication, you see a lot of the people are in agriculture but the kind of agriculture that we do has become outdated. There is a need for us to talk about the modern ways of agriculture in order that we can achieve higher yield and generate higher revenue as a nation and increase the fortune of the country, “he noted.

Rufai however, described the invasion of farmlands and destruction of crops by herdsmen and their cattle as a national challenge and discouragement to those wishing to go into agriculture.

“I’m sure the government will find a way to address this in order that people will be encouraged to go back to farming. It’s a challenge for the government and I’m sure it will be tackled so that it will not inhibit people from farming.”

He described the theme of the lecture as apt and timely, urging participants to contribute meaningfully towards finding ways to resuscitate the agricultural sector for overall national development.

The Guest Speaker and Managing Partner, Sahel Agri-Business Managers Limited, Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli, stressed that Nigeria’s large and growing population makes it imperative for more attention to be given to the agricultural sector.

He said population growth is the main driver for the demand for consumer goods, food, and services, noting that concerted effort is required to address issues militating against the growth of agribusiness in the country.

According to him, there has been a gradual increase in agribusiness investment in Nigeria over the past 10 years, with over $133 billion in foreign investment between 2007 and 2016.

However, Nwuneli noted that even with the increase in investment, over $5 billion was still needed to provide required financing for farmers and agribusiness.

He said: “I think there are a number of

A cross section of participants at the event

issues that are important to help the raw sector.

One is looking at irrigation in particular so that farmers can be able to do more cycles.

There are a number of irrigation projects in the country that should be revitalised.

“For example, in my home state of Anambra, there is irrigation the government has done 30 years ago that the pumpings of some of such are not working. The amount of money required to fix it is not a large amount. So that needs to be addressed so farmers can be able to do two to three cycles in rice production

I think there are a number of issues that are important to help the raw sector. One is looking at irrigation in particular so that farmers can be able to do more cycles. There are a number of irrigation projects in the country that should be revitalised

in a year.

“Power is also important for the sector.

So we need improved power for the growth of the sector. The other one is looking at how government can support fertilisation, and support the clearing of lands to enable farmers have more land for farming. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest cost is around clearing. Clearing is roughly N150, 000 per hectare. How many farmers can afford that?

Farmlands can be cleared for farmers by the government to open lands that they can then use.”

He further said: “Insurance is also another big one. There need to be more insurance products targeted at agriculture because if there is a flood or some disaster, farmers almost lose everything. And so, we need some products that allow them to stand that trauma when it occurs. Some works need to be done around insurance for the agricultural sector. That work is really gathering data that an insurance commissioner uses to create insurance products for the farmers.”

Nwuneli who later joined in the panel discussion, identified policy as a very key factor to the growth of the sector and urged government to give more attention to it.

He advised aspiring agribusiness people to start small, do proper research and understand the business well before venturing into it.

Contributing, Head, Small and Medium

Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Mr. Michael Oye, said BOI had done a lot towards agricultural development in the country, pointing that huge opportunities exist in the sector but without raw materials.

According to Oye, land was available but there were no mechanised services for easier and faster agricultural production activities.

Lending his voice, Managing Director, Starlink Global and Ideal Limited, Alhaji Murthada Adeniji, stated that the only way to grow the sector was to attach trading to agribusiness, saying the business had a lot of opportunities.

However, with the rate at which the country is growing in population, Adeniji has his fear about what will happen that will worsen the state of the agric sector.

“My fear is that in the next 30 years, more houses will be built on places where we are supposed to plant crops. So if you have money go and start buying lands now to avoid being a victim of this,” he said.

Adeniji who deals on cocoa, encouraged the youths to go into the sub-sector, saying it does not require huge amount of money to start. He said Nigeria is so blessed that every part of the country can produce something.

He frowned at the Land Use Act of the federal government, describing it as one of the problems of the agricultural sector, and suggested that land should be made available for people to farm.

T H I S D AY Ëž , MAY4, 2018

42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

MTN Nigeria Records Increase in Revenue, Subscriber Base in Q1 Emma Okonji with agency report MTN Nigeria Communications Limited has announced its quarterly results for the period ended 31 March 2018, with an increase in its revenue and subscriber number.

According to the results, MTN Nigeria subscribers increased by 4.3 per cent quarter-onquarter to 54.5 million, with constant currency service revenue increase by 14.4 per cent and data revenue increase by 73.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY). Commenting on the results, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdi Moolman said: “MTN Nigeria delivered a strong performance for the first quarter of 2018, supported

by growth in data revenue and increased scale. “We also maintained positive momentum in growing our subscriber base and maintaining our network leadership position.�

MTN Nigeria continued with the positive momentum of 2017, increasing service revenue by 14.4 per cent YoY, supported by a 73.2 per cent increase in data revenue and 15.2 per cent growth in voice revenue.

In the first quarter of 2018, its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) margin expanded to 41.8 per cent, due to its control on expenses and a stable naira, Moolman said.

MTN Nigeria reported net additions in the quarter of 2.3

million following on from the 2.0 million net additions in Q4 2017, which was supported by the increase in the SIM registration footprint.

During the period under review, the business rolled out 298 3G and 174 4G sites with the 4G rollout remaining centred on the top 10 cities across the country. However, the full financial results for MTN Nigeria is expected to be released on 7th May, 2018.

Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria financial report for the year ended December 31, 2017, showed progress on many fronts, an indication that the business has bounced back to profitability after its challenges with the telecoms industry regulator.

Ecobank Unveils Unified Digital Payment Solution A multi-featured digital payment solution, Ecobank Pay, is now available from Ecobank Nigeria, the bank has disclosed.

According to a statement from the bank, the payment solution was built as a core part of its digital financial services ecosystem approach and was expected to deliver unified and instant self-service across a range of interconnected payment solutions. “It can be used by all businesses from small informal micro merchants to large corporates as well as governments, allowing them to offer easy and convenient payment options to their customers in-

store or online. “Ecobank Pay includes a rebrand of the Ecobank Scan+Pay QR offering, which allows customers to pay in-store via the Ecobank mobile app. Merchants can now also speedily sign-up for their QR merchant code via the Masterpass QR for Merchant functionality on Facebook Messenger,� it explained.

Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Charles Kie said: “Ecobank is committed to simplifying doing business for the people it serves, and Ecobank Pay is a payment solution channel that will

make payments easier, faster, convenient and more secure. “As an enhanced payment platform, it will make business cash flow easier to manage and will help to grow sales as it accepts payment from any mobile phone user at anytime and anywhere, whilst improving both convenience and the client experience. “It has no initial transaction charges and is a cost-effective alternative to POS terminals as payments are directly authenticated, pushed and approved by the customers buying the goods or services, therefore limiting the risk of chargebacks or disputes.�

StandardCharteredLaunchesNewBrandCampaign Standard Chartered said it has launched a global campaign that takes its ‘Here for good’ brand promise and poses a new tougher challenge: ‘Good enough will never change the world’.

According to the bank, the new campaign retains the original brand promise but sharpens “our focus on how banks can help tackle some of the problems that stand in the way of global prosperity and commerce.�

A statement from the bank further explained that :�Behind the ‘Good enough will never change the world’ campaign is an eighteen-month deep-dive into the values underpinning Standard Chartered and ‘Here

for good’.

It stated that the project included hundreds of client interviews and collected inputs and values of our 85,000 staff. “The campaign showcases a series of inspirational short films featuring people who accomplished extraordinary things because they wouldn’t settle for ‘good enough’. “Directed by award-winning film-maker Asif Kapadia, the launch video stars Jamaican sprinter and Olympic champion Usain Bolt,� it added.

Follow-up videos are expected to tell stories of how companies and clients overcame obstacles to deliver stronger performance or make a difference in emerging markets across Africa, Asia

and the Middle East. “What is really exciting about the next chapter in ‘Here for good’ is that it’s deeply rooted in the Bank’s clients, employees and history,� the bank’s Global Head, Brand and Marketing, Emma Sheller said.

He added: “It’s also about being in tune with what’s happening in the world. We set the bar high with ‘Here for good’. Now we are setting it higher with ‘Good enough will never change the world’.�

The campaign recently kicked off in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. It would roll out in 2018 in phases in across the rest of the bank’s footprint including Nigeria.

NestlĂŠ Trains Ogun Health Workers Femi Ogbonnikan

Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÙÕĂ&#x;ÞË NestlĂŠ has trained no fewer than 35 Ogun State Health workers on nutrition as part of the efforts to impact positively on the Nigerian economy.

At a two-day nutrition academy organised by the Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA), in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Health held in Abeokuta, the NNIA Regional Manager in-charge of Central and West Africa, Mrs Chioma EmmaNwachukwu, who spoke on the theme: “Nurturing a healthy generation of children� disclosed that the event was put

together in line with the set vision to curb children from dying young. She said the nutrition academy which was expected to train 500 health workers in both 22 West and Central African (11 Anglophone and 10 Francophone) countries chose Ogun State to train 35 health workers that would retrain others on the importance of nutrition on children and family units.

In her remarks, the Head, Paediatric department, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IdiAba, Abeokuta, Dr Morufat Ogundeyi, noted that nutrition plays important roles in the health development and growth of a child.

According to her, malnutrition does not only affect a child but the entire family unit. “If a child is malnourished it would affect the entire family unit. Malnutrition causes cognitive impairment which affects the way of thinking and reasoning of a child. It will affect his or her education and will fall into the category of the unemployed in the society that are burdens. “Thus, economically, a malnourished child will affect his or her contributions to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) which is an instrument to determine the growth and development of a country�, said Ogundeyi.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě™

Ěš

AUGUST 2017 Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ÍŻĚš

9,890,813.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42 26,821,446.81

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ăž Ù×Ă?Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă?Þ̚

4,824,226.22

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Þ˛ Ě™ Ă?Þ̚ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,834,536.74

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? Ă?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ Ěš

-3,010,310.52

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

-14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜

1,868,735.07

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Month

AUGUST 2017

Inter-Bank Call Rate

22.63

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.35

Savings Deposit Rate

4.08

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.86

3 Months Deposit Rate

10.14

6 Months Deposit Rate

11.51

12 Months Deposit Rate

11.40

Prime Lending rate

17.69

Maximum Lending Rate

31.20 Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, MAY 2, 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $70.47 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $70.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY4, 2018

43

MARKET NEWS

NASCON Allied Industries’Shareholders Endorse N3.9bn Dividend Payout Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

of the company in Lagos.

Some of the shareholders, who spoke at the meeting, commended the company’s performance and appreciated the board and management who they said worked tirelessly to ensure a higher profitability and payment of dividend.

For instance, Chairman of Trust Shareholders Association

Shareholders of NASCON Allied Industries, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, yesterday approved the N3.97 billion dividend recommended for the year ended December 2017. The dividend, which translates to 150 kobo per share, was approved at the annual general meeting (AGM)

of Nigeria, Alhaji Muktar Muktar said that recording a total revenue increase of 48 per cent in the year under review was a great feat given that many companies recorded losses as the domestic economy gradually recovers from recession.

He stated that NASCON adopted global best practices in maintaining strategic re-

serves which showed that the management cared about the future growth and expansion of the company.

In her address, Chairperson of the company, Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni said the 150 kobo dividend represented a significant improved from 2016 when 70 kobo was paid, totally N1.85 billion. According to her, through intense focus

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

and operational discipline, the company delivered unprecedented returns in its salt segment and also increased sales posted in the highly competitive seasoning market.

Ayeni said the revenue increased from N18.2 billion in 2016 to N27 billion in 2017.

Profit before tax jumped by over 100 per cent from N3.5 billion in 2016 to N7 billion,

while profit after tax rose 121 per cent from N2.4 billion in 2016 to N5.3 billion.

She explained that they leveraged on their core competencies, operated flexible pricing of their products, expanded their fleet operations focused on reducing fleet turn-around time, while deploying compelling brand communications to grow value.

A S AT 0 3 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 8

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1 2 3

BANKING ACCESS BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

11.30

-0.44

149

57,037,932

S/N

401,843.20

11.75

0.43

198

79,908,140

31

868,113.05

27.65

0.18

298

17,657,438

32

645 154,603,510

33

PRICE

%CHANGE

BANKING S/N 4 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 5 6 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS OIL AND GAS S/N 7 EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 8 9 10 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 11 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 12 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 13 14 15 16 17 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N 18 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 19 20 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 21

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 448,691.16

22 23 24 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 25 AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N 26 27 28 29 30

VOLUME

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

12.50

1.63

390

12,363,379

390

12,363,379

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

4,178,332.42

245.20

-1.09

364,283.99

42.00

-

VOLUME

34 35 36 37

VOLUME

38 FOOD PRODUCTS

82

544,037

S/N

41 123 123

1,189,572 1,733,609 1,733,609

TRADES

39 40 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

450,160.09

765.00

-

40

87,734

41

87,734

42 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

40

40 87,734 1,198 168,788,232

S/N

S/N 43

CROP PRODUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

440.00

0.20

-

0

0

74,929.63

78.55

1.35

52

1,413,866

70,500.00

70.50

0.71

8 60

1,342,375 2,756,241

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,400.00

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.26

-

0 0

0 0

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.80

-

27

676,342

PRICE

%CHANGE

27

676,342

87

3,432,583

TRADES

VOLUME

1,456.01

0.55

-

4

100,543

206.25 2,111.93

0.53 3.25

-3.64 -

2 0

120,000 0

69,508.06

1.71

1.79

88

5,715,386

51,863.34

18.00

4.96

55 149 149

415,512 6,351,441 6,351,441

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING S/N 55 56 57 58 59 60

TRADES

VOLUME

4.79

-

0 0

0 0

63

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

64

28.05 6.60

-

23 0

57,072 0

65

23

57,072

66

62

MARKET CAP(Nm) 37,026.00 165.00

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

67

6,392.05

2.46

-

9

310,330

68

9

310,330

TRADES

VOLUME

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC BEVERAGES--BREWERS/ DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

%CHANGE

100.00

-

0

0

11,300.89

45.20

-

1

100

69 70 71 72

26,682.70

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,574.98 MARKET CAP(Nm) 18,947.38

10.00

-

0

0

1

100

33

367,502

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.33

-

1 1

2,389 2,389

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.42

-

4

14,200

242.22

0.89

-

0

0

225,609.43

103.00

-

42

360,805

408,303.44

47.50

-8.30

36

7,305,284

1,017,205.94

127.20

-1.40

141

1,255,847

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES

8,936,136

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

57,250.00

11.45

-4.98

295

7,655,636

228,000.00

19.00

-5.00

98

5,242,864

145,563.48

35.50

2.90

139

4,636,892

21,252.93

2.68

-1.83

36

1,055,653

1,489.00

0.40

-

0

0

1,220.67

6.85

-

0

0

54,313.49

20.50

1.23

33

325,174

3,676.41

13.45

-

0 601

0 18,916,219

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

24,698.36

13.15

-

51

241,489

1,260,402.71

1,590.10

1.28

32

235,152

83

476,641 VOLUME

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

1,680.31

22.10

-

0

0

3,439.82

3.30

1.85

13 13

576,413 576,413

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

89,335.73

22.50

-

25

136,762

301,612.78

52.50

-4.37

31

253,412

56

390,174

977

29,297,972

BANKING

%CHANGE

PRICE

FOOD PRODUCTS-DIVERSIFIED CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC.

PRICE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,000.00

FOOD PRODUCTS DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC.

S/N

INFRASTRUCTURE/ HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

223

45

61

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N

TRADES

1,035 166,966,889 BUILDING MATERIALS

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

MARKET CAP(Nm) 326,886.08

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC VERITAS KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 48,173.61

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.08

0.97

80

3,251,634

381,670.67

20.80

3.48

47

321,291

72,726.74

2.51

-1.57

133

4,396,447

1,330,289.30

45.20

0.56

194

4,177,189

22,098.19 11,659.45 47,792.09 195,109.04 13,442.74 35,102.76

0.75 0.84 1.66 6.70 1.15 0.91

7.14 -1.18 1.84 3.08 9.52 -1.09

35 74 45 34 22 38 702

4,378,568 10,686,635 1,677,480 574,331 1,520,663 3,974,648 34,958,886

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,528.70

0.22

-

0

0

4,920.45

0.71

-4.05

37

3,605,011

24,675.00

2.35

-

4

25,959

2,240.00

0.32

-3.03

9

191,500

16,492.66

1.59

4.61

11

218,724

5,155.33

0.35

-

1

1,000

4,060.00

0.29

-

1

10

2,411.47

0.53

-

0

0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

2,456.00

0.40

-

0

0

590.68

0.46

-

0

0

2,709.67

0.37

2.70

21

2,013,081

3,351.14

0.78

-

2

18,100

6,800.00

0.85

-

1

500

2,000.00

0.25

4.17

15

563,800

14,785.41

2.80

1.79

39

2,658,930

2,244.45

0.29

-

4

13,355

1,794.18

0.47

-4.08

4

250,274

1,800.56

0.27

-

2

1,500

1,834.98

0.22

4.55

19

10,477,900

5,422.63

0.42

-

0

0

4,483.72

0.48

-

2

13,100

516.46

0.20

-

1

500

8,000.00

0.50

-

0

0

4,298.67

0.31

3.33

2

201,000

6,825.20

0.51

-3.77

44

2,219,909

219

22,474,153

˾ FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

44

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report: dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŐĂŝŶƐ ϭďƉ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϭďƉ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭϳϯϴ͘ϵϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ƵŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ Ăƚ ϭϮ͘ϳй͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;нϬ͘ϲйͿ͕ E ^d> ;нϭ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƟŶŐ ĨŽƌ ϯϱ͘ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

WƌŽĮƚ dĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ ,Ăůƚ WŽƐŝƟǀĞ ZƵŶ͙ E^ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϰϴďƉƐ dŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ Ă ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ ʹ E' D ;Ͳϭ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳϭ͘ϰйͿ Ͳ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ϰϴďƉƐ ůŽǁĞƌ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϰϭ͕ϭϬϳ͘ϴϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϳ͘ϱй͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ůŽƐƚ Eϳϭ͘ϴďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĨĞůů ƚŽ Eϭϰ͘ϵƚŶ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϭϲ͘Ϭй ƚŽ ϯϮϬ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ǁĂƐ ĚŽǁŶ ϯϬ͘ϵй ƚŽ Eϰ͘ϴďŶ͘ dŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ h ;ϳϵ͘ϵŵͿ͕ ^^ ;ϱϳ͘ϬŵͿ ĂŶĚ dZ E d ;ϮϬ͘ϯŵͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ ǁĞƌĞ h ;Eϵϯϱ͘ϮŵͿ͕ ^^ ;Eϲϰϰ͘ϰŵͿ ĂŶĚ E/d, ;Eϰϴϴ͘ϯŵͿ͘ DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ Ϯ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞŶ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ǁĞƌĞ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ d/ ;нϯ͘ϱйͿ͕ 'h Z Edz ;нϬ͘ϲйͿ͕ h E ;нϯ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ KEd/^hZ ;нϰ͘ϲйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϭ͘ϱй͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůŽīƐ ŝŶ /Ed Z Z t ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳϭ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ hE/> s Z ;Ͳϰ͘ϰйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϴй ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĞdžŝƚĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ K E K ;Ͳϰ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ &KZd ;Ͳϰ͘ϵйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E' D ;Ͳϭ͘ϭйͿ͘ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘Ϭdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϱdž ĂƐ Ϯϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ Ϯϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ hE/dz ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ͕ EE ;нϳ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ : / ;нϳ͘ϭйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ǁĞƌĞ /Ed Z Z t ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ E'^h' Z ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ E'&>KhZ ;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ͘ ĞƐƉŝƚĞ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞŶ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞĞŬ ĨŽƌ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ͘

ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŝŶ &ŽĐƵƐ͗ hŶŝŽŶ ĂŶŬ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ WůĐ ;h EͿ hŶŝŽŶ ĂŶŬ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ WůĐ ;͞hŶŝŽŶ͟ Žƌ ͞ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬ͟Ϳ ďĞŐĂŶ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ ϭϵϭϳ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĐĞŶƚůLJ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞĚ ŝƚƐ ϭϬϬƚŚ ĂŶŶŝǀĞƌƐĂƌLJ ǁŚŝůĞ ĂĚŽƉƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƐůŽŐĂŶ ŽĨ ͞zŽƵƌ ^ŝŵƉůĞƌ ĂŶĚ ^ŵĂƌƚĞƌ ĂŶŬ͘͟ KŶ ƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ŝƚƐ ϭϬϬƚŚ ĂŶŶŝǀĞƌƐĂƌLJ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬ͛Ɛ ŵĂŝŶ ĨŽĐƵƐ ǁĂƐ ƚŽ ͞ ĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ͕ /ŵƉĂĐƚ ĂŶĚ >ĞĂĚ͟ ǁŚŝůĞ ĞdžƉĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŝƚƐ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚ ƉŽƌƞŽůŝŽ͘ dŚĞ 'ƌŽƵƉ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƚƐ ŽĨ hŶŝŽŶ ĂŶŬ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ WůĐ ĂŶĚ hŶŝŽŶ ĂŶŬ h< WůĐ ĂŌĞƌ ĞŵďĂƌŬŝŶŐ ŽŶ Ă ƐĂůĞ ŽĨ ŝƚƐ ƐƵďƐŝĚŝĂƌŝĞƐ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϰ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŽŶ ĐŽƌĞ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ͘ /Ŷ ϮϬϭϲ͕ ƐŚĂƌĞŚŽůĚĞƌƐ ŽĨ hŶŝŽŶ ďĂŶŬ ĂƵƚŚŽƌŝnjĞĚ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ƵƉ ƚŽ EϱϬ͘ϬďŶ ǀŝĂ Ă ƌŝŐŚƚƐ ŝƐƐƵĞ͘ hŶŝŽŶ ŝƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ƌĂƚĞĚ ͞ ͟ ďLJ &ŝƚĐŚ ƌĂƟŶŐƐ͘

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

0.01% 0.6%

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

12.7%

73.9%

21.2%

7.7%

8.0x

1.0x

4.7%

11.8%

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

45.20

21.1%

10.9%

11.5%

32.6%

5.2%

7.3x

2.5x

6.0%

13.6%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

27.65

0.2%

12.5%

7.8%

6.6%

26.3%

3.6%

4.6x

1.2x

9.8%

21.6%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

127.20

-1.4%

7.5%

-5.7%

-5.8%

17.4%

8.3%

31.9x

5.4x

3.2%

3.1%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,590.10

1.3%

7.3%

2.2%

2.2%

73.3%

18.9%

37.1x

23.6x

2.7%

2.7%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

245.20

-1.1%

5.9%

6.6%

6.6%

22.7%

12.0%

21.2x

4.9x

4.3%

4.7%

1.6%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

12.50

7.0%

42.0%

42.2%

6.7%

0.8%

9.0x

0.7x

2.0%

11.1%

7

Access Bank PLC

11.30

0.0%

4.3%

8.1%

6.6%

12.7%

1.5%

5.6x

0.7x

5.8%

18.0%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

11.75

0.4%

4.4%

14.1%

12.9%

15.9%

1.9%

5.2x

0.8x

7.2%

19.3%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

20.80

3.5%

3.6%

22.4%

27.8%

-14.6%

-1.3%

6.9x

0.8x

2.9%

14.5%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

765.00

0.0%

3.3%

22.2%

22.2%

22.3%

13.2%

3.9x

0.8x

2.4%

25.5%

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

52.50

-4.4%

2.9%

28.0%

30.6%

19.2%

8.0%

28.1x

3.8x

1.0%

3.6%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

103.00

0.0%

2.2%

9.6%

9.6%

15.4%

6.1%

19.6x

2.6x

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%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.51

-1.6%

1.1%

2.0%

-2.7%

8.0%

1.1%

2.1x

0.4x

4.4%

48.1%

16

Oando PLC

8.70

-4.9%

1.7%

45.2%

45.2%

9.4%

1.4%

10.8x

0.6x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

19.00

-5.0%

1.0%

-5.0%

-6.7%

43.2%

19.8%

7.4x

2.9x

13.2%

13.5%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

78.55

1.4%

1.1%

16.0%

16.0%

39.7%

29.4%

7.8x

2.7x

3.8%

12.8%

19

International Brew eries PLC

47.50

-8.3%

0.6%

-12.8%

-13.6%

24.6%

7.4%

49.7x

11.3x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

35.50

2.9%

0.7%

22.4%

22.4%

13.1%

3.0%

7.4x

0.9x

2.6%

13.5%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

9.6%

9.3%

2.0%

1.71

1.8%

0.6%

17.1%

15.5%

11.2%

2.5%

10.5x

1.1x

1.2%

5.0%

0.5%

6.5%

6.5%

2.2%

0.8%

29.1x

0.7x

3.6%

32.5%

2.5%

0.3%

8.4x

0.2x

-3.4%

25.0%

5.3%

10.7x

2.5x

7.7%

9.3%

59.5%

5.1%

0.8%

4.8x

0.3x

4.0%

20.9%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

18.00

23

Diamond Bank PLC

2.08

1.0%

0.6%

38.7%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

222.20

0.0%

0.5%

-3.4%

25

FCMB Group Plc

2.52

-2.3%

0.7%

26

11 PLC

189.80

-0.9%

0.4%

-2.5%

-2.5%

30.8%

11.0%

6.8x

2.5x

-4.9%

0.4%

-1.1%

2.4%

17.6%

1.6%

23.2x

3.6x

3.4% 11.9%

14.7%

27

Forte Oil PLC

43.00

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.50

0.0%

0.4%

9.2%

6.4%

10.7%

5.0%

21.3x

2.2x

2.3%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

13.15

0.0%

0.3%

-16.1%

-15.7%

2.0%

0.8%

61.4x

2.1x

1.2%

1.6%

30

Presco PLC

70.50

0.7%

0.3%

2.9%

2.9%

39.7%

28.0%

2.8x

0.9x

2.8%

36.0%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.50

1.2%

0.3%

10.8%

6.7%

54.6%

19.5%

9.7x

4.7x

7.3%

10.3%

10.00

0.0%

0.8x

7.2%

4.3% 4.7%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

0.3%

0.0%

0.0%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.70

3.1%

0.3%

-14.1%

-10.8%

5.6%

1.2%

8.6x

0.4x

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

28.05

0.0%

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

17.3%

1.8%

7.8x

1.2x

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.66

1.8%

0.3%

53.7%

46.9%

9.0%

0.9%

5.0x

0.5x

1.2%

20.1%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

11.45

-5.0%

0.2%

-5.8%

-5.8%

61.6%

15.8%

3.7x

1.6x

1.7%

27.0%

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

0.0%

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

1.8%

5.1%

T o p 10 G a ine r s

KŶ Ă ƋƵĂƌƚĞƌ ŽŶ ƋƵĂƌƚĞƌ ďĂƐŝƐ͕ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳ ƐƚĂŶĚĂůŽŶĞ ƐŚŽǁĞĚ ĂŶ ĞƋƵĂůůLJ ǁĞĂŬ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘ 'ƌŽƐƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ĨĞůů ϭϵ͘ϰй YͲŽͲY ƚŽ EϮϬ͘ϯďŶ ;ĨƌŽŵ EϮϱ͘ϱďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͕ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďLJ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƐ ŝŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ;ĚŽǁŶ Ϯ͘ϲй ƚŽ EϯϬ͘ϮďŶ ĨƌŽŵ Eϯϭ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ ĂŶĚ ŶŽŶͲ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ;ĚŽǁŶ ϯϳ͘ϯй ƚŽ Eϱ͘ϮďŶ ĨƌŽŵ Eϴ͘ϯďŶ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ ůƐŽ͕ W d ĂŶĚ W d ĨĞůů Ϯϳ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ϯϭ͘ϵй ƚŽ Eϯ͘ϱďŶ ĂŶĚ Eϯ͘ϮďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ĞƐƉŝƚĞ ŝƚƐ ƵŶĚĞƌǁŚĞůŵŝŶŐ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬ ƚŽ ƚĂŬĞ ƐƚĞƉƐ ƚŽ ƌĞĚƵĐĞ ĐŽƐƚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŽŶ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ Ɛƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĨŽƌ &z͗ϮϬϭϳ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͛Ɛ ĐŽŵŵŝƚŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ Ɛƚ ŝƚƐ ƌĞƚĂŝů ƐĞŐŵĞŶƚ ďLJ ůĞǀĞƌĂŐŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ ƚŽ ĚƌŝǀĞ ƉƌŽĮƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ͕ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ďĂŶŬ͘

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,738.91

/Ŷ ŝƚƐ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞĚ ĞĂƌůŝĞƌ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ƌĂƚŚĞƌ ƵŶĚĞƌǁŚĞůŵŝŶŐ͘ 'ƌŽƐƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϱ͘ϲй zͲŽͲz ƚŽ EϭϬϵ͘ϱďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ͕ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ďLJ Ă ϮϮ͘ϰй zͲŽͲz ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ŝŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ;ĨƌŽŵ EϳϮ͘ϯďŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ ƚŽ Eϴϴ͘ϱďŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ ŽŶƚƌĂƌLJ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͕ ŶŽŶͲŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ƵŶĚĞƌƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞĚ͕ ĨĂůůŝŶŐ ϲ͘ϯй ƚŽ EϮϭ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ;ĨƌŽŵ EϮϮ͘ϱďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲͿ͘ dŚĞ 'ƌŽǁƚŚ ŝŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ǁĂƐ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ Ă Ϯϲ͘ϯй ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ ůŽĂŶƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĂŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ŝŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĨƌŽŵ dƌĞĂƐƵƌLJ ŝůůƐ ;ƵƉ ϮϬ͘Ϭй zͲŽͲz ƚŽ EϮϭ͘ϵďŶͿ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬ͛Ɛ ŶŽŶͲŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ǁĂƐ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ŝŶ KƚŚĞƌ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ Ă ϵϴ͘Ϯй ĚŝƉ ŝŶ ĞͲ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĨĞůů ϲϭ͘ϱй ƚŽ EϬ͘ϳďŶ ĂƐ ĂƌĚ &y ŐĂŝŶ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ Eϭ͘ϰďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ ƚŽ EϮϱ͘Ϭŵ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŚĂŶĚ͕ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĞdžƉĞŶƐĞƐ ŐƌĞǁ ϭϬ͘ϭй zͲŽͲ z ƚŽ Eϰϵ͘ϬďŶ ĨƌŽŵ Eϰϰ͘ϲďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ W d ĂŶĚ W d ĨĞůů Ϯ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ϰ͘ϲй ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϬďŶ ĂŶĚ EϭϮ͘ϰďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315)

Friday, May 4, 2018

T ic k er UN IT YB N K CCNN

11.7% 3.5%

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 %

1.15

9.5%

UB A

79.9

0.4%

22.00

7.6%

A C C ESS

57.0

0.0%

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

J A IZ B A N K

0.75

7.1%

ET R A N Z A C T

20.3

-4.2%

C UT IX

2.95

5.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

17.7

0.2%

UA C N

18.00

5.0%

FB NH

12.4

1.6%

1.59

4.6%

SKYEB A N K

10.7

-1.2%

10.5

0.0%

7.7

-5.0%

C ON T IN SUR E M B EN EF IT

12.9%

0.25

4.2%

SOVR EN IN S

20.80

3.5%

D A N GF LOUR

VER IT A SKA P

0.31

3.3%

IN T B R EW

7.3

-8.3%

UB N

6.70

3.1%

FCM B

6.9

-2.3%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

IN T B R EW

47.50

-8.3%

UB A

935.2

0.4%

D A N GSUGA R

19.00

-5.0%

A C C ESS

644.4

0.0%

D A N GF LOUR

11.45

-5.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

488.3

0.2%

ET ER N A

5.96

-4.9%

N EST LE

374.3

1.3%

OA N D O

8.70

-4.9%

IN T B R EW

347.0

-8.3%

ET I

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

FO

43.00

-4.9%

ST A N B IC

249.8

0.0%

UN ILEVER

52.50

-4.4%

GUA R A N T Y

188.1

0.6%

CHA M S

0.44

-4.3%

F LOUR M ILL

164.2

2.9%

ET R A N Z A C T

4.55

-4.2%

NB

160.8

-1.4%

J A P A ULOIL

0.46

-4.2%

FB NH

154.3

1.6%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

45

˾ FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Breweries Optimistic Despite Fall in Q1 Profit Goddy Egene The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc has expressed optimism that the company has a clear strategy to deliver a good return on investment for its shareholders.

The Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, NB Plc gave the assurance in a statement that accompanied the company’s audited results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March

31, 2018.

Although the company recorded a decline in revenue and profit after tax (PAT), it said: “The Board remains confident that the company has a clear strategy to deliver a good return on investment for its shareholders.”

NB Plc’s revenue dipped by nine from N91.3 billion in 2017 to N83.0 billion in 2018. Profit before tax (PBT) also reduced by 12.6 per cent from N17.4 billion in

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

2017 to N15.2 billion while PAT fell by 11.8 per cent from N11.4 billion to N10.2 billion in 2018.

“While there are some signs of improvement in the macroeconomic conditions, these are yet to be reflected in consumer spending,” it explained.

NB Plc had ended 2017 financial year with a revenue of N334.6 billion, up 6.6 per cent from N313.7 billion posted in 2016, while gross profit fell marginally to

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 02May-2018, unless otherwise stated.

N133.5 billion, from N135.5 billion in 2016.

Other income jumped by 266 per cent to N2.2 billion from N600 million, while net finance cost fell by 21 per cent from N13.2 billion to N10.5 billion.

Consequently, PBT rose from N39.7 billion to N46.6 billion, just as PAT improved to N33 billion, compared to N28.4 billion in 2016.

The directors have recommended a total dividend of N33 billion,

that translate to N4.13 per share. The recommended dividend was inclusive of interim dividend of N8 billion, which is N1.00 per share earlier paid by the company in November 2017.

The Chairman of NB Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu, recently explained that the 100 per cent dividend payout was a reflection of its strong balance sheet and overall health of the company.

He maintained that the operating environment in

2017 was very challenging especially from an input cost, foreign exchange and purchasing power perspectives.

A shareholder of the company, Theophilus Adegboye had commended the company for improving the fortunes of shareholders by proposing a 100 per cent dividend payout at a time many quoted companies were unable to pay dividend to their shareholders.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 193.91 195.07 9.22% Nigeria International Debt Fund 244.98 246.18 6.15% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.00% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 160.56 161.69 5.85% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.75% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.91% Paramount Equity Fund 12.16 12.47 9.66% Women's Investment Fund 103.95 106.61 3.30% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.11% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Heritage Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.41 1.44 8.04% Legacy Debt Fund 3.01 3.01 4.55% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,210.87 3,244.94 7.56% Coral Income Fund 2,591.23 2,591.23 5.90% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.84% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.21 2.24 4.82% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.62% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.22 120.64 4.55%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.18 1.20 3.12% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,051.95 1,051.95 4.43% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.36 11.89% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.67 11.73 5.74% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.39% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.10 134.66 2.66% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.56 1.56 5.24% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,405.81 2,426.62 7.28% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 184.91 184.91 4.79% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.09 1.10 8.42% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 233.24 233.32 5.92% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 187.87 189.87 4.87% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.78% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,379.86 10,523.27 7.35% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 2.61% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.35 1.36 0.76% United Capital Bond Fund 1.65 1.65 5.63% United Capital Equity Fund 0.98 1.00 7.47% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.02% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.56 105.56 2.59% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 4.79% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 13.45 13.66 7.26% Zenith Ethical Fund 20.02 20.02 49.90% Zenith Income Fund 13.96 14.13 -25.41% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.93%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

10.00 134.83

-11.35% 1.79%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.71 162.92 120.82

12.81 166.34 123.03

4.83% 14.05% 10.57%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

T H I S D AY ˾ ͲË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018

47

48

T H I S D AY ˾ ͲË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

49

WEDNESDAY MAY 2, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Iran Threatens to Quit Nuclear Deal if US Walks Away UN urges Trump not to walk away Iran warned Thursday it will quit a landmark nuclear deal if President Donald Trump pulls the United States out of the accord, while also criticising European states over “concessions” to the Americans, according to an Agence France-Presse report.

Trump has threatened to abandon the agreement when it comes up for renewal on May 12, demanding his country’s European allies “fix the terrible flaws” or he will re-impose sanctions.

The nuclear deal was struck in 2015 between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, then led

by Barack Obama.

Under the pact, sanctions were lifted in return for a commitment not to pursue a nuclear bomb,

but Iran says it is not reaping the rewards despite complying with the deal.

“If the United States withdraws from the nuclear deal, then we will not stay in it,” Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by the state television website.

As Iran’s all-powerful leader, Khamenei has the final word on all policy matters, foreign and domestic, including on the nuclear deal.

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also issued a warning to the United States on Thursday in an English-language video posted on YouTube.

“If the US continues to violate the agreement, or if it withdraws

Trump Says Campaign Funds Were Not Used to Pay Adultfilm Star U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday money from his presidential campaign was not used to pay off adult-film star Stormy Daniels, publicly acknowledging the payment for the first time and denying any sexual encounter with her years ago, Reuters reported.

In a series of early posts on Twitter, Trump said he had reimbursed his lawyer Michael Cohen the $130,000 that Cohen paid Daniels in 2016 as part of a contract for her silence over I, formerly known and addressed as ADERIBIGBE ADERONKE MUSILI, now wish to be known and addressed as GBADEGESIN ADERONKE MUSILI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKINRINOLA KEHINDE now wish OLASUNKANMI. to be known and addressed AKINRINOLA TAIWO as OLATUNBOSUN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

an alleged one-night stand with Trump in 2006.

“Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll (sic) in this transaction,” Trump wrote.

His comments come after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who joined Trump’s legal team last month, said on Wednesday Trump had repaid Cohen the hush money that was given to Daniels.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as KALU EDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as WINNIEFRED TITI URIMLEBEFI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBI NNENNA MABEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BENAFA OBI MABEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed ADEWOYE ADESHOLA as ADENIKE. now wish to be known and addressed as AMUSA ADESHOLA ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABIKA AMARACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABIKA AMARACHI JUDITH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHARITY AMAKA EZENWENYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS CHARITY NDIDIAMAKA EZENWENYI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKWECHIME NGOZI ONWUEGBUZIA AGATHA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSHUNKOYA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS PATIENCE SYLVANUS NTEYEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PRECIOUS OFON NWANYANWU. All former documents remain valid. Father Fintan Secondary School, Magnus Medical Centre, The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AGUKWE JENNIFER, now wish to be known and addressed as AGUKWE CHIDINMA LUCQUEENET. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANDE SAMBO, now wish to be known and addressed as ANDE SAMBO SOMTEBA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUBIYI WURAOLA OLUWAFISAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OPA-AJE WURAOLA OLUWAFISAYO. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

altogether, we will exercise our right to respond in a manner of our choosing,” said Zarif.

“The US has consistently violated the agreement, especially by bullying others from doing business with Iran,” he said.

Zarif also criticised European nations.

“In the last year or so, we’ve been told that President Trump is unhappy with the deal, and it now appears that the response from some Europeans has been to offer the United States more concessions, from our pocket,” said Iran’s top diplomat.

Also speaking on the nuclear

deal, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged President Trump not to walk away from the international deal designed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Guterres said there was a real risk of war if the 2015 agreement was

not preserved.

Mr Guterres told the BBC that the Iran agreement was an “important diplomatic victory” and should be maintained.

“We should not scrap it unless we have a good alternative,” he said, adding: “We face dangerous times.”

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Dogara Asks Police to Ensure Melaye’s Safety, Senator Remanded Till June Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja and James Emejo in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has asked the police to prioritise the health and safety of Sen. Dino Melaye before prosecution.

Dogara made the call at the plenary yesterday in Abuja after Hon. Sunday Karimi (Kogi PDP) drew the attention of the House to the embattled senator’s plight.

The senator is facing a sevencount charge of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms in Kogi State.

He was arraigned yesterday at a Senior Magistrate’s Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, but was refused bail by the court, which ordered that he remanded in police custody till June 11.

Karimi said in the process of arresting and transporting Melaye from Abuja to Lokoja by the police, the lawmaker was involved in an accident and was hospitalised.

He said that he counted no fewer than 36 policemen guarding the hospital where Melaye was receiving treatment, adding that the senator was yet to fully recover, but was being tried while still on stretcher.

According to him, Melaye was being persecuted for his political beliefs, warning that was “happening to him could happen to any of us”.

“I appeal to the House to look at the issue and make sure due process is followed,” Karimi said.

Presiding, the speaker said while he felt that anyone who had committed any offence must face the law, he noted that had not seen any country where anybody had been arraigned in court on a stretcher.

“I have not seen in any country where someone is arraigned in court on stretchers when he or she is not fit to plead guilty or not guilty.

“If anything happens to him (Melaye), the responsibility will be on the security agency,” he said.

He called on the police to ensure the safety of Melaye’s health and life, adding that it would be most unfortunate if something happened

to him.

Meanwhile, the Senior Magistrate’s Court 11 sitting in Lokoja, yesterday ordered that the embattled Kogi senator and two others be remanded in police custody till June 11.

Melaye was arraigned before the court alongside two other suspects – Kabiru Saidu, aka Osama, and Nuhu Salisu, aka Small – who had indicted him for gun running.

The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District was moved from Abuja to Lokoja at about 7 a.m. yesterday and was taken to the office of the Special Anti Robbery Squared (SARS) in Lokoja.

Melaye, who was brought to the court in an mbulance with over 50 policemen at about 9.15 a.m. was on stretcher and covered with a blanket.

On his arrival, heavily armed policemen took positions within and around the court premises and prevented people including journalists from entering the court, apart from the lawyers representing Melaye and the prosecution.

When the charge sheet was read, the prosecution counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), while citing the relevant laws, said the allegations levelled against the accused persons were too weighty and not ordinarily bailable.

He therefore prayed the court to remand Melaye in prison custody while the two accused persons who implicated Melaye, be remanded in police custody.

However, counsel to Melaye, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) objected to the prayer of the prosecution and swiftly moved for Melaye’s bail citing Section 97(2) of the Penal Code and Section 56 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He also presented two medical reports from the National Hospital where Melaye had been admitted after his alleged attempt to escape from police custody last week.

Ozekhome said the medical reports showed that Melaye was bedridden owing to a spinal chord injury he had sustained, arguing that he could not jump bail.

Ozekhome further contended that that as a vocal Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Melaye

Moghalu: Under My Presidency,There Will Be No More Killings Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia A 2019 presidential hopeful, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said under his watch as president of Nigeria, killings across the country will end.

Moghalu stated this yesterday in Lafia during a town hall meeting he organised for the people of Nasarawa State as part of his presidential ambition’s consultative tour across the country.

According to him, “under my presidency, I will end herdsmen attacks because my number one loyalty is for the masses. Herdsmen are running over the country as if we don’t have security.”

The presidential hopeful, who is a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), lamented that there was a president in the country but citizens are being slaughtered while the president continued to make excuses.

“It is time to stop such excuses.

We need a leader that will protect the lives and property of the people.

Boko Haram cannot kidnap girls and bring them back still you said you are a president. It is time for a new and radical leadership in Nigeria,” he maintained.

On his plan to tackle insecurity headlong, the presidential hopeful said he would appoint an impeccable person with good track record as his National Security Adviser (NSA).

His words: “Every part of Nigeria will be represented in my security team base on the virtue of capability of such individual found in such a place. We will go to all parts of the country to find the best hands that will not be restricted to my tribe people.”

He continued that Nigeria at this 21st century needed a leader that understood that he is a Nigerian, but not Igbo, Yoruba or Tiv. He concluded by lamenting also that, “in the last three years, nine million people lost their jobs under the present administration in the country which is unacceptable.”

cannot have jumped bail.

The defendant’s counsel also pleaded with the trial judge to consider the bail application, saying that his client had in police custody since April 24 and was released on bail on Wednesday by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court only to be rearrested by the police.

He held that his client should be

prosecuted, not persecuted.

However, Izinyon swiftly objected to the bail application, saying Melaye had earlier escaped from lawful police custody and that for the counsel to say he was a vocal senator “means he is influential and can move and unmoved anything”.

As the argument ensued, there

was some mild drama when Melaye who was on the stretcher suddenly woke up and looked around the courtroom.

Some minutes later, the doctor who led other medical team to the court rushed to him and supplied him with an inhaler.

The trial magistrate, Suleiman Abdullah, while giving his ruling,

said the court had listened carefully to the submissions of both counsel and concluded that the case was not bailable.

He therefore ordered that all the three accused persons be remanded in police custody while Melaye should be allowed access to his medication, and adjourned the case till June 11 for mention.

INHUMAN TREATMENT

Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, being brought to court on a stretcher in Lokoja yesterday Yekini Jimoh

Osinbajo: Jonathan WastedYears of Oil Boom to Turn Around Health Sector Saraki says budget to be ready in few days Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has once again blamed past leaders especially, former President Goodluck Jonathan for the rot in the health sector despite the huge resources within its coffers.

Osinbajo stated this yesterday in Abuja while representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the 58th annual delegates meeting and scientific conference of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

He was of the opinion that Jonathan administration squandered the opportunity provided by the oil boom of 2010 to 2015 to improve the fortunes of Nigeria’s health system.

According to the vice president, their predecessor failed to seize the moment and invest in the health sector when the global price of crude oil was over $100 barrels per day.

Apart from Jonathan and the past leaders, Osinbajo also stressed that the insurgency in the North-east which started within the same period further brought the health sector to its knees with the attendant impact on the level of immunisation and availability of medical personnel He stated: “It is no longer news that we inherited a troubled health care sector and the sector has been troubled for a long time.

As one of the manifestations of the severely low spending on infrastructure generally and in

health care in particular, I think that what we have seen through the years is a scandalously low level of funding for public health care in Nigeria.

“The level of public sector investment in health care in our recent past has in no way reflected our earnings, the high oil earnings, especially in the period between 2010 and 2015.

That was when we earned the highest from oil prices.

“Add to this, a devastating insurgency in the North-east, which succeeded in bringing an already tottering health system in that part of the country to its knees, with the attendant impact on immunisation levels and the availability of medical personnel.

There were some issues that consumed a substantial part of our attention, and these issues were among them: the problems with the healthcare sector, poor funding and of course, the North-east and the threat of the spread of some diseases, some of those diseases that had been under control on account of the fact that it had been extremely difficult to reach some parts of the North-east until a couple of years ago.”

Osinbajo who spoke on the theme: “Quality Healthcare: An Indicator of Good Governance”, appealed to the striking health workers to return to work noting that while investments in public health care must be improved, it is unlikely that it would be sufficient.

He informed the health workers

and other stakeholders that paying for health care from budgets would not be able to improve the health sector unless other concerned parties and donor agencies augment the government’s efforts.

“As I close,” he said, “Let me use this opportunity to express my deep concern about the negative impact of strikes in our public health service.”

He continued: “While the agitations for better conditions of service by healthcare professionals are, and will continue to be necessary and legitimate expressions, we also wish that medical personnel should take on some responsibility for showing greater understanding in your dealings with the government, as we jointly work towards resolving the several problems and tensions in the health sector.

Many of these problems predate many of us in so many ways; it predates your administration and predates our administration. But they are problems that must be solved seated round a table trying to resolve them. Where the resolution results in the several loss of lives of Nigerians, then we must take a second look on how to approach it.

“On our part we will continue to listen to you, and to discuss solutions that are agreeable to all stakeholders. We have constituted an inter-ministerial committee to examine all previous reports, documents, policy instruments and laws, including the Yayale Ahmed Committee report, with

the goal of engendering cordial working relationships among all health personnel, and between all of you and the federal government.”

Also speaking, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stressed the need to shift focus to the primary health care centres and not the secondary and tertiary institutions.

Saraki however, promised that the National Health Act would be fully implemented even as he revealed that the budget would be ready in a few days.

“I am confident that the Appropriation bill that will come out in the next few days will have one per cent coverage for primary healthcare. This is key in addressing the health sector.

“So, we hope that once the bill is signed into law, you will have the one per cent and that is our commitment,” he added.

Earlier , the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, promised that the government was working hard to curb medical tourism that has seen huge capital flight from the country.

Adewole noted that the government is determined to improve the overall health care system in Nigeria.

This, he said, was what informed the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund otherwise known as ‘Huwe’, and the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement programme.

According to him, ‘Huwe’ is a $90m project that allows Nigeria to build its capacity for faster detection of infectious disease outbreaks.

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Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Condemn IG’s Disregard for N’Assembly Summons Canvass respect for constitution Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Leaders from the Southern and Middle Belt parts of the country under the aegis of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum have condemned the blatant and

continuous disregard of the National Assembly by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

The leaders, speaking at a meeting yesterday with the leadership of the Senate, said the IG’s decision not to honour

Again, House Sets Tuesday for Budget’s Passage James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday announced next Tuesday for the passage of the 2018 Appropriation Act, having failed to honour the April date earlier projected.

Its spokesman, Hon. Abdulrasaq Namdas, told journalists that the House Appropriation Committee would lay the report on Tuesday, adding that the lower House would attempt to pass the bill same day.

He said: “We are working hard to meet the deadline. Everything relating to the budget will be concluded next week.”

The Speaker of the House, Hon.

Yakubu Dogara, had on March 21 announced that the budget would be passed in the lower chamber on April 24, raising hopes that the lingering controversy over its passage by the parliament would finally be brought to an end after months of rivalry between the executive and the legislature over the issue.

However, just few days to the projected passage, Namdas hinted that the budget was likely to be passed by month end.

Eventually, the House reneged on its promises to pass the 2018 Appropriation Bill and has now targeted next week for a definite action of the document.

summons by the upper legislative chamber, was part of the disregard for the legislature by the executive arm of government.

The meeting had in attendance Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Leader of the pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, Afenifere chieftains, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Mr. Yinka Odumakin and former Governor of Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Other members of the regional groups at the meeting were Obong Victor Attah, Senator Stella Omu, Prof.

Banjo Akintoye, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Prof. Ihechukwuma Maduke, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) and Mr. Alfred Mulade.

Speaking on behalf of the group at the opening session, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, also condemned the recent invasion of the senate chambers by hoodlums.

“We have watched the helplessness of the National Assembly, where members of the executive even refuse your invitations to come and make explanations contrary to provisions of the constitution,” Nwodo said.

He blamed the disregard for the legislative arm of government, on the overconcentration of powers in the federal government.

“There is an all-time lack of confidence in the institutions of government, especially the institutions that are responsible for law and order, Nwodo said.

He lamented that Nigeria is

experiencing waves of killings, which may only be matched by the number of casualties recorded during the civil way.

“In one year we have recorded more than 1,000 killings. What is surprising is that these killings are not matched with equal reaction by the security forces in our country,” Nwodo said.

The current mode of governance has therefore failed, Nwodo said, and urged that the devolution of powers clause which was rejected in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, should be revisited.

He added that the 1999 constitution is not right for a country constituted by people of diverse culture, diverse religion, diverse political persuasions like Nigeria.

“We believe that many of the problems that we have in

our country emanate from the constitution of our country. We know that the National Assembly has had debate on devolution of powers and we know, Mr. President, that you did promise the nation that you will have a revisit to this issue,” Saraki, in his response, reiterated the commitment of the legislative arm of government to the growth of democracy and national economy.

He harped on the need to defend the parliament, as the main institution to strengthen democracy. He also told the delegation that the National Assembly is already working to reconsider the clauses that were rejected during the ongoing constitution amendment process, including the devolution of powers.

These would however come up after the passage of the 2018 budget, Saraki added.

US Grant: Buhari Should Explain $500 Shortfall, Says SDP Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to come clean on the true amount of grant extended to Nigeria by the United States Government.

Following differences in the figure quoted by both President Buhari and his host, President Donald Trump, during their meeting in the White House, SDP said it had become necessary to demand clarifications on the exact amount.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Marian Dick Tolofari, SDP chided the president for failing to disclose to Nigerians the actual figure for the yearly grant from US financial assistance to Nigeria.

President Buhari who is the prophet of anti-corruption should account for the undisclosed $500 million. President Trump understood the fact the president’s speech was restricted and doctored on prepared speech.

While President Buhari was being commended over the

anti-graft campaign, Nigeria is still yet to secure any conviction on any corruption case pending in our court, we see the development as grand standing, it said.

The party faulted President Buhari for being silent about the pressing needs of Nigerian living in the US which included the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA). Fifty per cent of the beneficiaries of DACA programme are Nigerians SDP spokesperson also accused President Buhari of making a numerical error while talking about the Dapchi abducted children during the meeting with President Trump.

SDP quoted Buhari having said that out, the 106 that were kidnapped, the federal government got 100 back, four died, and that one is still held in captivity.

“The president did not tell Nigerians the truth, girls that died are five not four. It’s preposterous to note that Chief Security Officer of Nigeria does not know the figure of the dead girls,” it said.

Wike Wishes APC Peaceful Congress, Warns Hotels Against Illegal Use of Premises Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Ahead of the congress of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State this weekend, the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, has wished members of the party a successful and peaceful congress.

He, however, warned hoteliers against allowing their premises to be used by the party for illegal purposes or to breach the peace in the state.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Electronic Media,

Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike appealed to all APC members in the state to be law-abiding and maintain the peace in the state.

He advised all hoteliers in the state not to allow their hotels to be used to foment trouble as was the case during the party’s last congress, “when Novotel was negatively used by some persons, leading to the misconception across the country that Rivers State was in crisis.”

The governor called on all APC members in the state to work towards a peaceful and successful congress, devoid of rancour.

FREE ZONE CONFAB

Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zone Agency (OGFZA), Okon Umana (left) at World free zones conference in Dubai.....yesterday

Oba of Lagos Cautions Muslims Clerics against Materialism, Donates N25m to Newly Inaugurated Ikoyi-Dolphin Mosque Ugo Aliogo and Esther Ehoche The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on Lagos Muslim Clerics to reduce their pursuit for money, describing it as an unhealthy religious practice and urged them to focus their attention towards propagating the tenets of Islam to faithful.

Akiolu who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the Inauguration of the state of the art Ikoyi- Dolphin Community Central Mosque, called on the Chief Imam of the Mosque to set up Arab and Islamic schools in the Mosque for the teaching of the Islamic faith amongst faithful.

The Oba who donated N25 million to support the maintenance of the Mosque, appealed for more supports from everyone in order to ensure that the maintenance of the Mosque remains a priority.

Earlier in his remarks, the

Chairman of the mosque project committee, Mr. Remi Babalola, said the motive behind the construction of the mosque is to create a more convenient place for the people to worship, stating that the old mosque could not contain the large number of worshippers that visited.

He also stated that the newly inaugurated Mosque has a sitting capacity of 520 for male and 200 for female worshippers, which makes a total of 720 seats, excluding those seating outside the Mosque.

Babalola who commended the Chairman of Dangote Groups of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for purchasing the land for the Mosque in 1995, said the construction work was paid for by Fola Adeola and Tunde Folawiyo.

He added: “The motive behind the construction of the mosque is to create a more convenient place for the people to worship. But beyond that is to find a rallying point whether for adult or children.

There are offices, and meeting rooms. What is important for me is that there is sincerity of purpose from people to donate when they see genuinely what the money is used for. The cost of building the Mosque was N515 million.

“The fund raising of the mosque endowment fund is all about setting aside funds that would be used for the maintenance of the mosque and having finance to deal with

an emergency situation without seeking for funds at that particular point of need. This endowment fund would be used for the maintenance of the generators in the mosque, payment of the cleaners, treatment of borehole water, payment to firefighting crew, taking care of the Imam in the mosque, and the horticulturist.

The endowment funds will also be used to take care of the poor..”

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PDP Accuses INEC of Accrediting 4,000 APC Observers for Ekiti, Osun Elections Demands explanation for Buhari’s ‘technical stopover’ Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered over 4,000 All Progressives Congress (APC) agents as observers for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections.

The party said the admission

by INEC of existence of underage voters in its voter’s register has vindicated the position of the PDP and clearly showed that “we have

not been crying wolf where there was none.”

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP asked the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, to explain to Nigerians why his commission secretly registered over 4,000 APC agents as observers.

“INEC should explain why it registered observers without the knowledge of other stakeholders, particularly the major political parties contesting in the elections.

Ezekwesili Launches ‘Red Card’ against Bad Governance Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has attributed the prevailing problems of insecurity in the country to bad governance, adding that it must not be allowed to continue if the nation is to move forward.

Ezekwesili, who stated this yesterday during the launch of Red Card Movement for Northcentral in Jos, Plateau State, tasked Nigerians across all creeds, tribes and religions to brace up and resist bad governance which according to her, breeds all forms of ills in the society.

She said Nigerians should be able to resist bad governance by giving those behind such a Red Card as another election is fast approaching, assuring that “this is possible because the office of the citizens is more important than any political office since power is derived from the office of the citizen.”

She added: “Citizens have the right to elect who will govern them to avoid dismal performance; we need to re-assess and revalidate ourselves to know

what we are not doing right. The time has come for us to question the quality and integrity of the candidates the political parties are giving to us to elect.

“Citizens are saying, by this Red Card, enough is enough of bad governance. The offices of the citizens are more important and viable to effect a change, so we must be able to exercise the power embedded in the office to do away with bad governance.

“There is no reason poverty and insecurity should pervade our land; all these are signs of bad governance which we must use our citizen office to correct.

There is no reason why life should have no value. We are saying people should be able to determine who govern them. So in the coming election, we are going to determine the quality of leaders from the top to the lowest level.”

She said the time has come for people to know that they have enormous powers, because it is through them that power of the president is derived including that of the Senate President, Speaker among others.

Lagos CommendsVisionscape for Progress on Epe Landfill Construction Martins Ifijeh The Lagos State Government has given Visionscape kudos for achieving remarkable progress in the construction of Epe Landfill with the completion of the weighbridge and other facilities.

The construction, when completed, would be the first engineered sanitary landfill in Nigeria.

Stating this at a ministerial press briefing in Lagos State yesterday, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti, who presented reports on the state’s activities on environmental reforms, said government was committed to providing adequate infrastructure to support environmental management of the over 22 million residents of the state.

According to him, “the progress report includes the recruitment of over 13,000 Community Sanitation Workers till date to clean the inner streets, mechanised street sweeping to be managed by three private companies- Avatar, Wastecare, and Corporate Solutions, the completion of 48 mini-waterworks across the

State including the implementation of innovative technology for water management, drainage maintenance remains with the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, among others.”

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV yesterday, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions CEO, John Irvine, gave a succinct update on the ongoing project and described the process of excavating the waste on the 88-hectare dumpsite as progressive.

“We had to dig deeper than expected to excavate previous waste material and set up a strong foundation. We have built the weighbridge and the control tower. The next phase is the remediation work.”

He said the Epe EcoPark would feature a material recovery facility, an anaerobic digestion plant, a waste to energy plant among other features.

“We also have plans to incorporate existing landfill miners (also known as scavengers) into the waste management value chain by including them in the recycling and recovery activities in the Eco Park.”

“It is clear that the sneaky activities of the commission and the APC are all aimed at institutionalising their planned rigging of the governorship elections, but we want to assure Nigerians that such will be firmly resisted at all levels of the electoral process.

“We therefore demand the immediate cancellation of the registration of observers for the Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections, and demand the conduct of a fresh registration that involves all stakeholders if indeed they want Nigerians to have faith in their processes,” it said.

PDP said Yakubu must understand that Nigerians are taking note of the erosion of the

independence and public confidence in INEC under his watch and are not ready to accept any process or results that do not reflect the democratic will of the people in any election at any level across the country.

On the issue of under-aged voters, the party said it was opposed to INEC unilaterally undertaking to clean up the election register without involving all stakeholders which include political parties in the process.

According to the statement, “We reject moves by the indicted commission to unilaterally clean up the discredited register and eliminate the minors without involving all stakeholders including political parties in the process.”

PDP said the reason was “because it has already been made aware that INEC, under Yakubu, was instructed by the presidency and the APC to retain the underage voters, particularly in Katsina, Kano and other porous states where they plot to use them to rig election for President Muhammadu Buhari.

“That INEC has been compromised by the APC clearly demonstrated in their earlier spirited denials of existence of underage voters in the register.

“Nigerians are aware that INEC only admitted the illegality following preponderance of incontestable documentary evidences exposed by the PDP. “Furthermore, we are already aware of other illegalities being

perpetrated in INEC by the APC to manipulate the electoral process not only for the 2019 general election but also the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti States.

“We are aware that a blood relation of President Buhari, who has been made in charge of very sensitive department in INEC, has been perfecting all manner of rigging plans, including the exposed plans to create illegal 30,000 polling units in porous areas to be used to allocate votes for President Buhari.

“We are also aware of underhand registration of APC agents as election observers as well as the manipulation of voters’ and constituency data to favour the APC.”

CONSULTATIVE MEETING

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; and Senator Godswill Akpabio, during a courtesy visit of the former vice President,to the Government House in Uyo....

Wednesday.

House Probes Alleged Fraud, Mismanagement in NIMASA, NPA James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion mandating its Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration to investigate alleged fictitious contract awards and gross mismanagement of billions of naira by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, Hon. Ibrahim Baba and Hon. Chris Agibe on the need to get to the root of the matter.

The lawmakers had expressed concern over the current administration’s anti-corruption posturing and recent developments in NIMASA as it relates to the award of questionable contracts, fraudulent forex transactions and other unwholesome and corrupt practices.

They alleged that there had been several allegations of questionable, inflated and fictitious contracts awarded by the agency, particularly

for non- operational speed boats, security surveillance known as ‘Deep Blue Water Contract’, revenue leakages and the award of contracts to cronies of the Director-General and other top management staff of the agency, and suspicious forex transactions.

Specifically, Kwewum said there are accusations of under remittances of debts owed the country by Shipping firms, with the consent and connivance of NIMASA. He said the agency is alleged to have entered into a very dubious contract with a firm called ‘XPO Marine Limited’ for the lease of six speed boats, each at the rate of $173,930.00 monthly, without a “Need Assessment” for such facility being carried out by the relevant departments of the agency.

According to him: “The said XPO Marine Limited had earlier been indicted for defrauding the Agency to the tune of $80,000 in revenue; Further aware that the security surveillance contract called ‘Deep Blue Water Contract’ is suspected to be a conduit by the management of the agency

to pilfer funds; a security contract tagged ‘National Integrated Surveillance and Waterways Protection’ was awarded to an Israeli firm, HSLI Systems and Technologies Limited at the cost of $195,300,000, despite an existing facility, which is a simple internet subscription via Lloyds Intelligence Platform for such operations.

Similarly, the House, also mandated its Committees on Ports, Harbours and Waterways and, Public Procurement to investigate alleged award of contract for the dredging of Warri Seaport and Escravos Channel by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The resolution was consequent upon a motion moved by Hon. Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) on the need to unravel the allegations.

He noted that given the strategic and economic importance of water transport and maritime trade to Nigeria’s economy, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the sum of N 10 billion for the dredging of Warri Seaport

and Escravos Channel.

While commending the federal government efforts to invest in the dredging of Warri Seaport and the Escravos Channels, he expressed believe that if the projects are successfully implemented as planned, it will revive and reenergise economic activities of the Niger Delta Region and the entire South-South geopolitical zone.

The lawmaker, however, expressed concern that the NPA took advantage of the FEC approval to award a contract worth N 10 billion for the dredging of the Warri Seaport and Escravos Channel without any prior budgetary provision or appropriation.

He said it was particularly worrisome that the contract was awarded to a company whose reputation and professional competence is smeared internationally, having suffered several criminal indictments and convictions in many countries adding that there are attempts by some faceless persons to blackmail individuals and organisation raising alarm over the alleged illegality in the award of the contract.

FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Darkness Hits Lagos as Fire Guts TCN’s Alagbon Transmission Sub-station Ejiofor Alike Many parts of Lagos will experience darkness as a 66MVA 132/33kV

power transformer at the Alagbon Transmission Sub-station in Ikoyi exploded and caught fire in the early hours of yesterday.

PSC Commences Recruitment of 6,000 Police Personnel Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Niger top states with highest applicants Paul Obi in Abuja The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday said it would next week commence the recruitment of 6,000 personnel into the Nigerian Police Force.

The move came following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the police to recruit additional 6,000 personnel.

Buhari had during his trip to the United States held bilateral talks with US President, Donald Trump, where he revealed that he had directed that 6,000 additional Police personnel be recruited to beef up security and stem the incessant cases of herdsmen killings in the country.

According to PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, “The recruitment of 6,000 Nigerians into the Nigeria Police Force as Constables will commence on May 7 in the 36 states Police Command headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The exercise will start with screening of the applicants’ physical attributes and their credentials.”

Ani explained that “already, invitations have been sent to the

applicants who are expected to report at the screening venues on days indicated in their invitations.

“A total of 133, 324 applicants are expected to be screened during the exercise.”

Kaduna State has the highest number of applicants with a total of 6,962, while Lagos State has the least with a total of 1,013. Katsina State with a total of 6,676 has the second highest applicants followed

by Benue and Niger State with 6,474 and 6,409 respectively.

Accordingly, “Bayelsa has the second least of applicants, 1,097, followed by Anambra State which has 1,117 and Ebonyi State with 1, 303.

“The PSC has deployed its staff to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT with the Chairman of the commission, Sir Mike Okiro, as the National Coordinator.”

Also, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the commission, Mr. Musa Istifanus, warned that “the commission will sanction any staff found to be compromising this national assignment.

“All staff must resist all forms of undue influences as their activities would be closely monitored.”

Journalists under Threat in Nigeria, Says Reporters without Borders Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The global journalism watchdog organisation, Reporters without Borders, has declared that journalism practice is under intense threat in Nigeria.

In the report by body, which recently released its 2018 World Press Freedom Index, Nigeria was ranked 119 out of 180 countries surveyed, while the country was scored 122 in 2017.

The index, which, however, ranked Turkey 157 and described the country as the world’s biggest prison for journalists.

The global body said of Nigeria: “In Nigeria, it is difficult to cover stories involving politics, terrorism, and financial embezzlement by the powerful. Journalists are often threatened, subjected to physical violence, or denied access to information by government officials, police, and sometimes the public itself.

“The all-powerful regional governors are often the media’s most determined persecutors and act with complete impunity. Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria nonetheless has more than 100 independent media outlets. Online freedom was recently curbed a cyber-crime law that penalizes bloggers in an arbitrary manner.”

In classifying Turkey as the world’s biggest prison for journalists, Reporters without Borders said the country was ranked 157 of the 180 surveyed.

The report observed that Turkey

has experienced 58 point-decrease over the past 13 years in its index and is lagging behind Rwanda, Belarus, the Democratic Republic of Congo and North Korea, which took the rear in the index.

A statement released by the organisation in the Norwegian capital of Oslo during the launch of the index said the state of emergency in Turkey has allowed the authorities to eliminate dozens of media outlets with the stroke of a pen, reducing pluralism to a handful of low-circulated and targeted publications.

According to Reporters Without Borders, “Turkey is again the world’s biggest prison for professional journalists, with members of the press spending more than a year in prison before trial and long jail sentences becoming the new norm—in some cases, journalists are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of a pardon.”

The index showed that many African countries are doing better than Nigeria in the global index as the report showed that Ghana with 18.41 percent standing at 23 position, Namibia at 26, South Africa at 28, Senegal at 50 and Niger Republic at 63.

The world top 10 positions is occupied by Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Jamaica, Belgium and New Zealand.

North Korea breasts the rear tape at 180 and it is closely followed

by Erithrea, 179, Syria, 177 and China 176.

The facility, which belongs to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is located in the franchise area of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The cause of the fire was unknown but THISDAY gathered that as the fire fighters battled to put out the inferno, residents of Ikoyi could see smoke fumes wafting into the air.

It was also learnt that the incident has plunged the whole of Lagos Island down to parts of Epe into darkness.

However, the spokesman of Eko Disco, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, has described the fire incident as a “minor one”, adding that his company and TCN were working to restore power to the affected areas “in a matter of few days”.

THISDAY gathered that the TCN had recently installed one 66MVA 132/33kV power transformer in the injection sub-station to increase the bulk load wheeling capacity of the station to 312MVA on 132kV voltage level.

Despite this recent upgrade, the sub-station still recorded a breakdown of some of its facilities last month, plunging Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Parkview Estate, Obalende, Idumagbo and other adjoining areas into darkness.

In a statement issued yesterday, Idemudia confirmed that a 66MVA power transformer belonging to TCN caught fire in the early hours of Thursday at the Alagbon 132/33kv transmission injection sub-station.

He added that the fire was quickly put out through the combined effort of firemen from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Union Bank, Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Fire Service.

He further disclosed that the fire incident would result in power interruption in parts of Ikoyi, Moloney, Keffi and other parts of central Lagos.

The EKEDC spokesman assured the company’s customers in the affected areas that there was no cause for alarm as measures had already been put in place to sustain power supply to affected areas through back-feeding from alternative power sources.

He said efforts were already

ongoing by a combined team of engineers and technicians from both EKEDC and TCN to ensure that the Alagbon transmission injection sub-station was fully back in circuit within the shortest possible time.

Residents of some parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Park View Estate, Obalende, Idumagbo and other adjoining areas, had experienced prolonged power outage last month as a result of the breakdown of some facilities at the injection substation, which is a major source of bulk power supply to EKEDC from TCN. The fault at the sub-station had put EKEDC’s distribution injection sub-stations in Adetokunbo Ademola Way, Berkeley, Anifowose, Fowler and Idumagbo totally out of circuit.

INFLUENCE TO INSPIRE TO TEAM

L-R: Project Planner, Mrs. Lara Ejizu; Programme Coordinator, Mr. Emmanue Dania; and President/Principal, Influence to Inspire, Mrs. Jane Ivhurie, during a press conference on John Maxwell’s Influence to Inspire in Lagos...recently MUBO PETERS

Benue Assembly Grills Ortom over Killings in State George Okoh in Makurdi The Benue State House of Assembly yesterday grilled the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, for several hours on the endless killings of residents of the state by suspected herdsmen The assembly had last Wednesday summoned the governor to appear before it to brief the members how he has handled the killings in the state.

The governor, who appeared before the assembly with his aides, stated that the federal government has deployed more security men in the state.

According to him, a combined team of security agents have been deployed to contain herdsmen

attacks on communities in the state.

Ortom explained that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, was already in the state touring flashpoints, including Logo, Guma and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas with a view to flushing out the marauders.

The governor told the assembly that additional joint forces coordinated by the defence headquarters were in the state to address the security challenges.

He explained that the anti-open grazing law which was enacted in the state was as a result of the demand of the people of the state, adding that both the state government house and the assembly were occupied severally

by protesters to have the ranching legislation passed.

The governor said following the passage of the ranching law and his assent, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore threatened him to resist the law, stressing that reports of such threats were presented to the presidency and security agencies but no action was taken until the attacks started on the January 1, 2018.

Ortom, however expressed optimism that with the present steps taken by the federal government, peace would soon return to the state.

While speaking on the recent arrest of the leader of Livestock Guards, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku,

the governor said he had allowed security agencies to do their investigation and come out with their findings.

He stated however that he inherited Tershaku as leader of the defunct Civilian Joint Taskforce for Benue and Nasarawa States, saying when Livestock Guards was formed, he decided to make Tershaku leader over it on account of his experience in security matters.

Ortom enjoined members of the assembly to talk to their constituents on the need to co-exist peacefully, saying it was uncalled for to have internal wrangling when the state is facing external aggression.

SESSPN Calls for Development Plan in States South-East South-South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has said it is on a mission to help stimulate social-economic development for indigenes in the 11 states.

The group, which announced this after a business and professional roundtable meeting in Lagos, stressed the need for development plan that would among other things identify key areas of collaboration among the states as well as areas of comparative advantage.

The members made up of

professionals from all spheres of the economy took turns to express disappointment on the level of development in the region.

They however, submitted that the regions’ growth sustainability would depend on civic integration that would be driven by professionals that would help create the discourse for the various state governments for new governance, economic order.

President of the association, Denzil Kentabe, noted that the level of development in the area

is not complimentary of the regions contribution to the economy of Nigeria.

“As a group, we are particular about development and we are ready to identify opportunities for improvement in the two regions, to move the zones to another higher level.

“Members are made up of people who had success stories; people who are competent in all sectors of the economy; so it is all about regional integration that will be driven by

competent personalities,” he noted.

In his remarks, Okey Nwuke Chairman organising committee, dismissed insinuations that the group is not politically motivated.

“We are interested in politics but as an advisory, we will serve as a watchdog for constructive engage with governments at all level that will help drive national and regional dialogue that will shape policy and economic development on the development of our region,” Nwuke noted.

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FRIDAY MAY 4, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Finally, Momoh Sworn-in as NERC Chairman, Pledges Scientific Review of Electricity Tariffs US donates $124,000 distribution equipment to Abuja Disco Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday got a substantive executive chairman for its board of commissioners, as Prof. James Momoh was sworn in after more than two years of the electricity regulatory agency operating without a chairman.

Momoh, who was in April cleared by the Senate for the position after he was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, however told journalists after the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, swore him into office in Abuja, that the commission under his watch would undertake a scientific review of tariff used in the country’s grid electricity market.

He explained that electricity tariff calculations are not done by guesswork and that the commission would be looking to collate relevant data, review and understand them, and then make decisions from its findings.

Considering that the country’s electricity sector has continued to experience huge challenges which include several of its statutory tariff reviews that have not been implemented, Momoh, noted that he would be assuming his role at the NERC with some good knowledge, wisdom and experience that could help resolve these challenges.

“I brought with me, the knowledge, experience that I have, wisdom about power engineering

and of course, ability to work in teams, and to address quick wins – what can we do with respect to what we heard about estimated metering, how do we make sure that we get enough data so that customers are also convinced to pay for the power they use based on what we provide,” said Momoh.

He further explained: “At the same time, we will bring to the industry what are the best practices to ensure that we have quality supply and reliable power.

What we bring to the sector is also ensuring that there is innovation in the industry because if we remain the same and remain static, and not solve real problems, we will just be doing fire-brigade., the Gencos will tell you there is a blackout without knowing why. We are going to ask the questions – for me, I know why because I know the mathematics and economics behind it.

“If we are able to teach people to know things go wrong, perhaps we will learn from our mistakes.

We will look back and use lessons learnt yesterday to solve tomorrow’s problems. We must begin to anticipate problems so that we can provide solutions.”

Asked what his approach would be on the lingering tariff challenge, he said: “It is not a challenge that you cannot solve, it happened, you learnt something about it last week, so you don’t have to re-learn the same lesson today. We should be able to ask questions to avoid the problem.

“We have something called data science in the new thinking of the world where we have the idea of you collecting data, you learn from the information and you predict the future. If we don’t do that, we will be wasting our time because you know it will rain tomorrow and you get your umbrella and don’t wait until it rains to get one.

“We have no choice, we have to look at what computes a tariff, tariff is not a guess work, there is a calculation you do to get there, so that is an idea,” he added.

Fashola, in his remarks stated that Momoh’s inauguration signalled a completion of one of the demands of the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) which the government plans to use to revive the sector.

He noted that the government would continue to support the progress of the sector with good policies.

Meanwhile, the United States, through its Power Africa initiative has donated electricity distribution equipment worth $124,000 to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to help alleviate some of its operational challenges within its network areas.

The equipment THISDAY learnt include a bucket truck for maintenance and repairs of electricity lines worth $57,000; meter testing equipment valued at $50,000; and $17,000 worth of spare part to support the operations of the bucket truck.

House Investigates CBN’s Claims on Nigeria’s Economic Indicators CRFFN in the spotlight James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion mandating its Committees on Banking & Currency, Capital Market & Institutions, and Financial Crimes to carry out a comprehensive investigation on alleged contradictory figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other international organisations about the country’s economic indicators and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The resolve followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Tajudeen (PDP, Kogi) on the allegations.

He said there had been consistent disparity about the state of Nigeria’s economy indicators between the CBN, local and international financial organisations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to him, the apex bank and other financial organisations had been churning out contradictory figures about the financial status of the country, which is not only disturbing but confusing.

The lawmaker noted that as part of its measures to regulate the financial standing of the country, the CBN came up with the open

market operations, geared towards controlling liquidity adding that from reports by the CBN, it has mopped up, through Treasury Bills Insurance, about N5.683 trillion as excess liquidity between January 2 and April 12, 2008.

He, however, expressed concerned that the CBN allegedly spent N372.9 billion as cost of managing the excess liquidity in circulation between January 2 and April 12, 2008, at a time when many financial experts warned about the dire consequences of the policy on the economy.

Tajudeen, also expressed worry that the CBN went ahead with the policy at a time when it claimed that Commercial Banks were having liquidity challenges, thus raising many questions about the genuineness and rationale for the policy.

According to him: “The CBN which claimed that there was excess liquidity in the economy allegedly gave Commercial Banks the opportunity to access the institution’s window to survive” adding that “the alleged CBN’s approach of claiming to mop up excess liquidity and at the same time borrowing Commercial Banks monies to stay afloat may have collateral damage on the country’s economy.”

He said it was alarming “that with this policy, the CBN may be unwittingly collaborating with Commercial Banks to deplete the country’s finances, helping Commercial Banks to make free money without little or no investment, making the real sector have difficulties accessing loans from Commercial Banks, scare away credible investors, contributing to the “slow-and-cold” activities in the stock market as well as limiting the growth of the nation’s economy.”

In the same vein, the lower chamber further mandated its Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways to investigate alleged financial and administrative infractions by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and report back in three weeks for further legislative action.

It followed a motion moved by Hon. Prestige Ossy on the need to investigate the allegations.

He noted that,” the sum of N3, 942,709,857 billion was approved for both Capital and Recurrent Expenditures for CRFFN in the Appropriation Act 2017, a breakdown of this sum shows that the sum of N3,650,000,000 Billion was for Capital Expenditure, while the sum of N292,709,857 was for Recurrent Expenditure.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018

55

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018

Beware of Iceland,Yobo Warns Eagles Says Nigeria may be lucky in the fourth time clash with Argentina Duro Ikhazuagbe Former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo, has cautioned the senior national team to beware of Iceland ahead of their World Cup Group D battle in Russia.

The former Everton central defender who was capped 101 times representing the three-time African champions said yesterday in Lagos that instead of Eagles thinking of what to make of Argentina and their talismanic Lionel Messi, Iceland remains the ‘surprise package’ of the group.

“I played against Argentina in three World Cups. Now, Nigeria is meeting them for the fourth time. May be this is the time for Nigeria to record her first victory over the Albeceleste. If we don’t concede an early goal against Argentina, we should be able to get a draw least.

“Croatia, Iceland, anything can happen. Croatia we know but Iceland is the surprise package of Group D,” observed the former Nigerian captain.

Yobo disagreed with Nigerian football fans that are fretting over Super Eagles backline and the goal keeping aspect of the Russia-bound team.

“I disagree with those worrying about Super Eagles

defence. What is important is experience. Yes, we may not have experienced senior players in that area but we have talented, fearless young players who can hold their own against any team. I really don’t think the defence is as bad as is being portrayed,” emphasized Yobo who retired from the senior national team after Nigeria’s second round defeat to France at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Speaking from the experience he garnered playing in three World Cups starting from the Korea/Japan 2002, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 for Eagles, Yobo wants the players to take every game at a time.

“It should be one game at a time. You don’t go to the World Cup and be dreaming of playing in the final when you are not done with what you have right before you first at the group stage.

“Win your first game and prepare for the next one without thinking of the third.

It should be one at a time. I don’t think it is good to loose the first game and begin to panic.

“If Super Eagles can win the first game, the confidence and quality will build and Nigerians will see character in the team as the competition progresses.

On calls for the return of

former Eagles goalkeeper and Captain Vincent Enyeama to the team, Yobo urged Nigerians to respect Enyeama’s decision to end his national team career.

“I think it is good that we respect Vincent Enyeama’s decision not to continue playing for the national team.

His experience is there but if he has decided not to comeback, good to respect his position,” he noted.

Yobo said he was pained by the absence of ailing Carl Ikeme who got knocked off the Nigerian squad to Russia 2018 by Leukemia.

BOA LAWYERS’ LEAGUE

DREAM SLAYER...

Tarfa, Agbakoba, Falana, Banwo & Ighodalo in Search of Final Tickets

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

The ongoing 2018 BOA Lawyers Football Tournament has thrown up four, almost equally matched teams for the semi finals clashes slated for Sunday, April 6, 2018 at the AstroTurf 2000 in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Two past champions, Olisa Agbakoba Legal and defending champions Falana & Falana are hoping to repeat history while two other nearly teams, Banwo & Ighodalo and Rickey Tarfa want to get their names into the roll call of winners of the prized trophy meant for legal practitioners.

Agbakoba who was last year’s finalist has the hurdle of surmounting the challenge posed by ambitious Rickey Tarfa. In the other semi final, defending champion Falana will need to dig deep from experience in the battle with Banwo & Ighodalo.

To get to the semifinals, Rickey Tarfa defeated SOOB/ NICCOM 1-0, which is the same score-line Olisa Agbakoba had in its victory over ALP/ SPA. Falana & Falana on the other hand had to rely on the element of luck in penalty shoot out to overcome BA Law/ Probitas 3-2 after regulation time deadlocked goalless. The fourth semi finalist, Banwo & Ighodalo defeated ADVOCAAT by a lone goal scored by Koye

Kekere-Ekun.

20 teams, divided into four groups of five each, began the race to the title from the preliminary stage of the five-week competition, which featured eight matches every week.

After the home and away knockout stage, eight teams qualified automatically for the quarterfinals from which the four semifinalists emerged.

The matches are holding at the AstroTurf2000 every Sunday and according to the organisers, as was the case in the earlier rounds, “in the event of a draw, penalties will be deployed as decider. In the shoot out, each team will be entitled to three penalties.”

“Teams are advised that a strict observation of kick off times is in force.”

The Lawyers League is held in memory of the late lawyer, Bankole Olumide Aluko, a founding partner in the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode, who passed on 15 years ago.

Q’FINAL RESULTS Rickey Tarfa 1-0 SOOB/NICCOM ADVOCAAT 0-1 Banwo & Ighodalo Olisa Agbakoba 1-0 ALS/SPA 1 Falana 3-2 BA Law/Probitas

S’FINAL Rickey Tarfa v Olisa Agbakoba Banwo & Ighodalo v Falana

“I really feel bad because of the ailment that has sidelined Carl from going to the World Cup. He really did well in the number of matches he was in charge for Nigeria. He was exceptional.”

He however stressed that Ikeme’s absence has created

opportunity for another star to emerge in the senior national team.

“It is another chance, another opportunity for another star to emerge. Don’t forget that was how I got my chance to break into the senior national team,” Yobo recalled.

Diego Costa’s lone goal on the stroke of half-time put paid to Arsene Wenger’s hopes of ending his Arsenal reign with a trophy as Atletico Madrid defeated the London Gunners 2-1 aggregate at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid to move into the final of the Europa League …last night

‘England Versus Nigeria, More Than Just a Game’ British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has insisted that the high-profile international friendly between the Super Eagles and England’s Three Lions was more than just a game as the European team was looking forward to the June 2 date with enthusiasm.

“Let me assure you that England is taking this match very serious. It is more than just a game; it is a big preparatory game towards the FIFA World Cup”observed the high commissioner when Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) top officials paid his

a courtesy visit in Abuja yesterday.

He recalled the historical ties between both countries.

“More than that, the historical ties between our two countries are there to be considered, so it will also serve to strengthen and enhance relations and good collaboration between our countries,” said Arkwright.

Earlier, NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick who was accompanied on the visit by 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko informed Arkwright that the Nigerian High Commission

in the United Kingdom was also involved in efforts to ensure the match is a huge success, coming less than two weeks before the opening match of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

“We appreciate the excellent cordial relations between our two countries and that is one of the reasons this is more than just a match. It is coming up only two weeks before Nigeria’s first match at the FIFA World Cup, and 16 days before England’s first match in Russia.

“Ours two countries have

so much in common. We believe this match will go a long way in strengthening England-Nigeria relations in several areas,” stressed the NFF chief.

Also present at the meeting was Louise Edwards, who is Second Secretary, Political of the British High Commission in Nigeria.

The Super Eagles and the Three Lions will lock horns at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 2nd June, in what will be the Eagles’ penultimate friendly match before flying to the World Cup finals in Russia.

MultiChoice Promises Bumper Coverage of World Cup 2018 Slashes DStv, GOtv Decoder Prices MultiChoice Nigeria has promised football fans in the country the best offerings on SuperSport, exclusively on DStv and GOtv. The company also announced that all 64 games of the FIFA World Cup in Russia will be available live in HD to DStv and GOtv viewers, with viewers getting the best of expert commentary and analyses.

It equally announced decoder price slashes, with the DStv HD decoder, which includes

a dish kit plus one-month subscription on the Compact bouquet available at N8,500, a 14% reduction from the previous price of N9,900.

Also, the GOtv decoder, which comes with the antenna and one-month subscription on GOtv Max will be available for only N5,900.

The announcements were made in Lagos yesterday at the launch of “Connect with Greatness”, the company’s World Cup campaign.

Speaking at the event, General Manager, Marketing and Sales for MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, said: “The FIFA World Cup is football’s biggest event, featuring the best players and national teams all fighting for one ultimate prize.

We are proud to say that we have been broadcasting the football tournaments since 2006 and this edition won’t be any different as we will be showing all 64 matches of the World Cup LIVE and in

HD on DStv and GOtv. “Nigerians can enjoy all the games from the comfort of their homes and on the go with up to five mobile devices via the DStv Now app. We will also be providing exclusive live coverage from Russia with expert analyses from the biggest football professionals among other benefits. All you have to do to get in on the excitement is purchase a DStv HD decoder for as low as N8, 500 and a GOtv decoder for N5,900.”

Friday, May 4, 2018

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Buhari to State Governors

“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” – President Muhammadu Buhari justifying his aversion to agitation for the establishment of state police promoted by state governors and proponents of restructuring the country.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Know Your President A

ccording to the United States Energy Information Administration, the below stated are the US landing price per barrel of crude oil imports from Nigeria-from 1999 to 2013.

Not exactly, on account of the constraint of space and in order not to belabor the issue, I took the highest monthly price as the price per barrel indicator for each year. Information was not provided for 2014 and 2015.

1999 (USD27), 2000 (USD29), 2001 (USD29), 2002 (USD31), 2003 (USD36) 2004 (USD52) 2005 (USD67), 2006 (USD77), 2007 (USD98), 2008 (143), 2009 (USD79), 2010 (USD95), 2011 (USD126), 2012 (USD130), 2013 (USD121). Contrast this information with what President Mohammadu Buhari told the Voice of America radio (earlier in the week) “In those 16 years of PDP rule, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) every day, every week, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37-38 and hung around $40-$50..I went to the Central Bank of Nigeria, – the governor of CBN is here – and asked him, how far? And he said nothing was left apart from debts. I said, but this is what the country made? And he said: Yes. He knew, and I asked him, where is the money? All gone,” he said.

“Nigerians know that there were no roads or rail lines, there was no power, despite the billions of dollars spent. Only God will judge this thing,” What does this say of President Buhari?

First it tells us that the President is in the unpresidential habit of playing fast and loose with facts and figures. It is either he is ignorant and he couldn’t be bothered with the discipline of establishing the facts before committing himself publicly or he knows but decided nonetheless to bend the facts to suit his wishful narrative of his predecessors. A sticking exasperation I have with this government is incompetence in almost all aspects of its conduct, good or bad, little or big, including, for that matter, the incompetence in fabricating lies.

I will ignore the illogical and incredible demonization of his predecessors but should the President of Nigeria, who was a former oil minister, not know that ascertaining the price of oil per barrel-as far back as you intend is just a click away on the internet board? And then he was calling God to witness-witness to what?

The lie that ‘Nigeria was getting 2.1million barrels at 100 dollars per barrel, every day, every week since 1999’? How can a President whose government has just been adjudged a ‘massively corrupt’ administration by the US annual country reports, call God to witness?

How can any Nigerian leader who is complicit, by commission or contrived omission, in the relentless massacre of a religious segment of the Nigerian populace dare call on God to witness? Witness to human capacity for evil and wickedness? Witness to unbridled clannishness and nepotism? Witness to the Biblical truism that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan”?

At the same VOA parley, we were treated to further dose of the trademark incompetence “You know in the North most youths are uneducated

Buhari

or school dropouts. If not because we had 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”. This is the President controverting or qualifying his earlier reported comment on the Nigerian youth (and corroborated by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina). Pray where is the logical connection between this postulation on Northern Nigerian youths and his earlier denigration of Nigerian youths? And if it makes so much difference why didn’t Adesina include it in his corroboration of what was widely reported-other than the quibbling over the difference between ‘all’ and ‘a lot’.

The exception to the rule of the President’s incompetence is the we versus them demagoguery. At the commencement of his

No good leader goes around the world to highlight and exaggerate the shortcomings of his own people, just as no good father makes a habit of gossiping with his neighbors on the unique capacity of his children for evil and waywardness

campaign for reelection in 2019 in Kano, Buhari characteristically set the tone for more of the same profitable trademark divisiveness-(as succinctly captured by Farooq Kperogi) “Even as President with a national mandate, Buhari can’t resist the unhelpful, needlessly divisive “we-northerners-versus-they-southerners” rhetoric. In this December 2017 video, Buhari thanked Kano people for coming out en masse to welcome him and said “saboda yan kudu su san har yanzu inada gata.” Rough translation: “... so that Southerners can see how famous I still am.”

From Kano he proceeded to Bauchi and pitched his polarizing dog-whistle campaign by inciting his Bauchi stronghold against the Yoruba ‘constituency’-employing Lai Mohammed and Obasanjo as the fall guys.

“Tonight, I want to remind you people of what Lai Mohammed did when a letter was written on our failure as an administration, Lai Mohammed was agitated about replying but I said no. I said no for two reasons: one, he is much younger than the person who wrote the letter and myself; two, he is from the same constituency as the person who wrote the letter”.

We await the next Northern/Muslim voting bloc solidarity baiting in Dutse, Jigawa state.

If you believe all these are mere coincidences then you had better stop reading this column.

LIMITS OF OPPORTUNISM Under the pressure of seeking re-election, another dimension of the character of the Mohammadu Buhari presidency has crystallized. And this is the continuous demonstration of the affinity for a relationship of colonial paternalism in the engagement of President Buhari with our former colonial master, UK, and the United States, US. And it was all at the instance of our President.

Two years ago at an official function in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron said “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain… Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world,” Asked if Nigeria was “fantastically corrupt,” Mr. Buhari responded: “Yes…And I am not going to demand any apology from anybody.”

Almost two years later, at a Commonwealth forum panel discussion on the theme of expanding the frontiers of trade relations among member countries, in London, Buhari literarily put his foot in his mouth and unload on Nigerians “We have a very young population; our population is estimated conservatively to be 180 million. More than 60 per cent of the population is below the age of 30. A lot of them have not been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria has been an oil producing country, therefore they should sit and do nothing and get housing, healthcare and education free”.

These two instances are as bad as they come and a sad commentary on the capability and preparedness of General Buhari to hold the office of the President of Nigeria in the 21st century.

And it specifically speaks to his leadership poverty in grappling with the subject matters of foreign affairs and the economy. “Buhari is not a very hot person on the economy and foreign affairs” cryptically observes one of his

mentors, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in what must pass as one of the remarkable understatements of contemporary Nigeria.

No good leader goes around the world to highlight and exaggerate the shortcomings of his own people, just as no good father makes a habit of gossiping with his neighbors on the unique capacity of his children for evil and waywardness. So far, the incumbency of Buhari has conformed to the governing neocolonial culture of discredited factions of the African ruling elite who characteristically rush to the capitals of the Western powers to seek legitimacy and conspiratorial silence on their ruinous governance records and subversive desire to cling to power through means, fair and foul.

From the days of the colonial African factotum otherwise known as warrant chiefs and native authority who pride themselves the biblical chosen ones and delegated standard bearers of white supremacy to the tendency of contemporary African leaders to pander and kowtow to the neo colonial abasement of fellow Africans, not much has changed.

Yet none of the Buhari obsequious forays have been as striking as the denigration of President Barack Obama in a most cynical and mercenary ploy to curry favor with President Donald Trump. Said the Nigerian Presidency, hours to the meeting with Trump: “It is important that cooperation between the two countries have manifestly increased under the Trump’s presidency. If you recall sometime back, the President had reason to openly complain that we are not receiving as much as we thought we deserve in terms of support and cooperation especially in our fight against terrorism back then during the Obama period. And it will seem that quite dramatically and interestingly, a lot of the obstacles are being removed under the Trump’s presidency and doors are being opened and we are receiving far more support than most people had expected” Yet when the history of the 2015 Presidential election in Nigeria is written, it is beyond doubt that the barely disguised partisanship of the Obama Presidency will feature as one of the critical decisive factors. From the role of David Axelrod to the vigilante hectoring of Secretary of state John Kerry and the international see no evil hypocrisy of looking the other way from the shenanigans that went on in the stronghold of Buhari in places like kano, it was Sai Buhari all the way. As the counting progressed and the hints of a Buhari victory were coming into bold relief, the American and British governments took to stampeding their desired outcome into a fait accompli.

“So far, we have seen no evidence of systemic manipulation of the process. But there are disturbing indications that the collation process -- where the votes are finally counted -- may be subject to deliberate political interference,” a joint statement said. “The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission (INEC), or its chairman, Professor attahiru Jega or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people,” warns another.

But that was then and this is now.

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