THURSDAY 10TH May 2018

Dangote Makes List of 75 World’s Most Powerful People Nume Ekeghe Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneur and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has been ranked among 75 most powerful persons on the planet, ahead of the Vice-

President of the United States of America, Mike Pence.

According to Forbe magazine’s latest 2018 ranking of the World’s Most Powerful People, Dangote ranked among world leaders like Xi Jinping, the Chinese President,

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President and Donald Trump, President of the U.S., who were ranked first, second and third respectively.

Dangote was ranked the 66th most powerful person in the world ahead of Mike

Pence, the U.S. vice-president who came in 67th place and Qamar Javed Bajwa, the highly influential Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan who was ranked 68th.

Dangote was the only Nigerian on the list and one of

only two Africans who made the list, with the other being the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was ranked the 45th most powerful person in the world.

Dangote is the only black man who has made the list

apart from former U.S. President Barack Obama in the 2016 ranking released in 2017 and was listed in the 71st place just above the then American presidential Continued on page 8

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Senate Declares IG Enemy of Democracy, Unfit for Public Office… Page 10

NPDP Wing of APC Signals Discontent, Considers Options PDP asks former members to return Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja With the All Progressives Congress (APC) yet to overcome the internal wrangling that characterised most of its ward congresses and its botched governorship primary in Ekiti State, more trouble appears to be looming for the ruling

party, as members of the defunct “New PDP” who defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2013, have written a petition complaining about the alleged maltreatment of its members by the APC-led administration.

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MTN May Struggle to Repatriate $237m Iran Funds Amid US Sanctions Says sanctions will not affect earnings, Nigerian IPO Emma Okonji with agency report MTN Group has admitted that efforts to repatriate $237.15 million (about 200 million euros) from its Iranian unit, MTN Irancell, will become

tougher after U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his country’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, and reinstated economic sanctions Continued on page 8

Again, Herdsmen Kill 9 in Fresh Attack in Taraba… Page 11

WIKE CARTS AWAY ANOTHER AWARD…

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (middle), flanked by the President, International Sports Press Association, Mr. Gianni Merlo (right) and President, International Sports Press Association-Africa, Mr. Mitchell Obi, during the presentation of the Power of Sports Award to the Rivers governor by the International Sports Press Association-Africa in Brussels, Belgium… yesterday

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Amid Growing Criticism, Presidency Says Buhari Never Promised to Shirk Foreign Medical Trips Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency yesterday disowned a viral social media post which quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as condemning former presidents of the country for flying exclusive presidential jets, spending huge sums of money on foreign trips, and promising not to embark on medical trips abroad.

The quote, which has been circulating since the president embarked on a series of medical trips to London last year, resurfaced in recent days following his departure for a four-day medical mission to London on Tuesday.

In April 2016, months before his first medical trip to London, Buhari also condemned the use of Nigerian resources on international medical expenses. “While this administration will not deny anyone of his or

her fundamental human rights, we will certainly not encourage expending Nigerian hard-earned resources on any government official seeking medical care abroad, when such can be handled in Nigeria,� Buhari said, according to a statement from the Health Ministry at the time.

But in reaction to the social media post yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said yesterday that the fake news merchants had commenced another means of perpetrating their trade by misinterpreting and twisting the comments of the president with the aim of discrediting him.

According to him, the quote circulating on the social media, which was alleged to have been lifted from a lecture delivered by the president at Chatham House in London before the 2015 elections, was fake, insisting that the president never made

such a comment.

Describing the quote as “fictive portion of the lecture�, Adesina who said the text of the lecture was available in the public domain for any right thinking mind to verify, added that proponents of the claim had chosen to engage in falsehood to disparage the personality of the president because they have realised that they cannot withstand him in a free and fair poll.

The statement read: “The public is hereby alerted to a new dimension in the orchestrated plot to diminish the stature of President Muhammadu Buhari before millions of Nigerians who love and adore their president. “First, it was a pernicious twisting and misinterpretation of the words of the president by mischievous elements, so that perhaps they can earn him opprobrium and infamy. When

they see that the gambit is not achieving the desired results, they have now gone into utter fabrication of apocryphal statements, which they purvey through the social media. “An example is a fictive portion of the February 2015 lecture by the then Candidate Buhari at Chatham House, London. This is what is circulating now on social media: ‘What is the difference between me and those who elected us to represent them, absolutely nothing. Why should Nigerian president not to (sic) fly with other Nigerian public? Why do I need to embark on a foreign trip as a president with a huge crowd with public funds? Why do I need to go for a medical trip abroad if we cannot make our hospital (sic) functional?

Why do we need to send our children to school abroad if we cannot developed (sic) our university (sic) to compete

with the foreign ones?’ “Fortunately, the Chatham House lecture of 2015 is in the public domain. The full text was published by many Nigerian newspapers, and is still available in their libraries and various websites. The concoction by haters and agents of disunity is not part of the text of the lecture at all. “The morbid minds that created the falsehood simply want to de-market and demean the president, having seen that defeating him in a free and fair electoral contest is a tall order. “Therefore, they desire to instigate the electorate against him by creating statements that never existed, and attributing such to him. “We are, however, glad that millions of Nigerians, young and old, are smart enough to see through the machinations.

The dubious people will not succeed, as President Buhari’s

reputation has been built over time, and sustained for decades. “That is why he is widely acclaimed for integrity, transparency, honour, and accountability, both home and abroad. Negative minds can never erode or corrode this. “Bitter emotions stunt the soul and defile the mind.

Those behind it will find out, eventually, that they are the ones swallowing poison, and expecting another person to die.

They will realise the folly of their actions, to their own grief. “Decent Nigerians are urged to be wary of the fare they consume hook, line and sinker, particularly on social media.

President Buhari is actuated by nothing else than love for motherland. “He is poised to build a country which all Nigerians can proudly call their own.

Noxious minds can still have a change of heart.�

has forced Nigerians of means to seek medical attention abroad.

He also donated a N1.2 billion business school complex to the Bayero University in Kano and is currently constructing a similar one for the University of Ibadan Business School.

The business mogul has continued through his Foundation to disburse N10 billion to vulnerable women across the 774 local governments in the country.

Dangote made a donation

of $2 million to the World Food Programme as part of efforts to help Pakistani nationals devastated by floods in the year 2010.

He was made the chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief which raised in excess of N11.35 billion, of which Dangote himself contributed N2.5 billion, an amount higher than the entire contribution from the 36 state governors in Nigeria.

Among the top ten most powerful people in the world

listed by Forbes include Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor who was ranked 4th, Jeff Bezos, the Founder of Amazon.com in 5th place, the Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis was ranked 6th, Bill Gates comes in 7th, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Saudi prince was in 8th place, Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister was 9th, while Larry Page, the Chief Executive of Google was ranked the 10th most powerful person in the world.

“These sanctions may limit the ability of MTN Group to repatriate cash, both dividends and loans, from MTN Irancell.

We will continue to monitor the situation including the response of the Iranian authorities and the other JCPOA members. “During 2018 MTN Group has repatriated approximately â‚Ź88 million from MTN Irancell including â‚Ź61 million relating to the full 2017 dividend due to MTN as well as a further â‚Ź27 million of historic dividends. The

remaining balance due to MTN is approximately IRR10,000bn (approximately ₏200 million).�

MTN shares fell as much as four per cent yesterday on the JSE, the most in more than a month, on concerns that cash would be stuck in Iran. The shares recovered to trade 2.7 per cent lower at 121.55 rand as of 9.48 a.m. in Johannesburg, according to Bloomberg.

In response to THISDAY’s enquiries, the mobile network operator also allayed concerns

that the reinstated sanctions would affect its reported earnings for the year.

It also said the sanctions would not affect its planned IPOs in Nigeria and Ghana.

MTN had agreed to list its local subsidiary on the Nigerian bourse after a deal was struck with the federal government on the reduction of a $5 billion fine imposed on the company in 2015 after it failed to disconnect 5 million unregistered SIMs on its network.

“virtually no vote� to the APC in the 2015 presidential election.

The letter read: “We the members of the APC who moved over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form the APC before the 2015 general election in Nigeria are desirous of strengthening our party especially now that new party congresses have commenced and the convention and another general election are imminent. Obviously, this cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental issues, which we wish to raise in the letter. “We therefore wish, with due respect, to re-state our expectation then and now that the APC we all laboured to build would be one united, inclusive, cohesive and progressive party devoid of divisions, factions, cleavages and tendencies. “We envisioned a political party promoting equal rights for all Nigerians and ensuring

rapid and even development across the country. Of course, there is no gainsaying that the fact that the lofty ideals enumerated above cannot be attained without ensuring justice for party faithful and citizens. “Kindly indulge us to offer a brief reminder of the history of events that led to the victory of the APC in the 2015 general election and the presidential election in particular. “It is an undeniable historical fact that the movement of the former New PDP block to the APC contributed immensely to the victory of the APC in the election. The former New PDP included five sitting governors of Sokoto, Kano, Kwara, Adamawa and Rivers State and former governors of Kebbi, Gombe, Osun and a former Vice-President of Nigeria, former acting National Chairman of PDP, sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives,

many serving members of the National Assembly and many politicians and PDP elders. It was a watershed moment in

DANGOTE MAKES LIST OF 75 WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE contender, Donald Trump, who was listed at number 72.

Dangote is the Chairman of the Dangote Cement which produces 44 million metric tonnes of cement annually across the African continent and still plans to expand and increase its output by 33 per cent by 2020.

According to the Forbe’s Rich List, Dangote as of March 2018, had an estimated net worth of $14.1 billion and was ranked among the 100 richest persons in the world and the richest in Africa, a

position he has held for almost a decade.

Dangote reached a peak on the rich list in 2014 when he was ranked the 23rd richest person in the world and in 2013 surpassed the Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi by over $2.6 billion to become the world’s richest person of African descent.

Dangote, who is also the President of the Dangote Group of Companies, has often made such lists due to his business concerns

and humanitarian efforts in Nigeria and other parts of the world, especially his efforts through the Aliko Dangote Foundation to rid Nigeria and Africa of polio, malaria and malnutrition.

His efforts in this regard were recognised by the United Nations, which appointed him Malaria Ambassador.

Dangote stepped up his humanitarian activities recently, spending billions of naira to build hospitals and providing critical hospital equipment, the lack of which

MTN MAY STRUGGLE TO REPATRIATE $237M IRAN FUNDS AMID US SANCTIONS on the Islamic republic and companies doing business in the country.

This is just as MTN informed THISDAY via email yesterday that the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran and companies doing business in the country would not impact its reported earnings for 2018, nor will it affect its planned IPOs in Nigeria and Ghana.

Africa’s biggest wireless carrier had more than $1 billion stuck in Iran due to U.S.-led sanctions that ended following a landmark

agreement in 2015.

Since that accord, the Johannesburg-based telecoms company has been steadily withdrawing the funds.

However, there were fears that Trump’s announcement on Tuesday would again limit MTN’s capacity to repatriate loans and dividends from Iran, its second biggest market with 43 million subscribers after Nigeria.

It has operated in the country since 2005.

Addressing the issue yesterday,

MTN said it remained committed to its investment in Irancell and to repatriating the balance of legacy cash in Iran while remaining compliant with appropriate legislation.

According to a statement sent to THISDAY by MTN from Johannesburg, “On 8 May 2018 the U.S. announced its decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement and to re-impose economic sanctions against Iran.

NPDP WING OF APC SIGNALS DISCONTENT, CONSIDERS OPTIONS Although the group denied that the petition was a sign that they were planning to leave the APC, political observers said yesterday that it was a signpost that several of the New PDP members were considering their options, including defecting from the ruling party ahead of the 2019 elections.

Members of the New PDP included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who has gone back to the PDP, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto governor, Aminu Tambuwal who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the defection took place, five sitting governors of Sokoto (Aliyu Wammako), Kano (Rabiu Kwankwaso), Kwara (Abdulfatah Ahmed), Adamawa (Bala James Ngilari) and Rivers States (Rotimi Amaechi) at the time, and former governors of Kebbi (Usman Dakingari), Gombe (Danjuma Goje), Osun States (Olagunsoye

Oyinlola).

Other major defectors included Abubakar Kawu Baraje, many serving members of the National Assembly, several politicians and PDP elders.

The group, which left the PDP during the height of the crisis in the then ruling party to fuse with the APC coalition in 2013, is now accusing the ruling party and its administration of marginalising and maltreating their members, despite their contributions towards bringing the APC to power in the 2015 elections.

Specifically, they are complaining of being treated as outsiders in a party they helped to build and sustain.

The group lamented that while some of their members were denied security cover to visit their constituencies, others were being prosecuted and had been subjected to a witch-hunt by agents of the government.

The New PDP members led by a former national chairman of the PDP faction, Baraje, in the petition submitted yesterday to the APC, also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the leadership of the APC to arrange a meeting with the leader of the party and the party executives to find lasting solution to the issues raised.

In a four-page letter dated April 27, 2018 and signed

by Baraje and Oyinlola and addressed to the national chairman of the APC, they alleged that despite their contributions to the success of the ruling party, their members have been relegated to the background in the scheme of things in the party and in government.

Pointedly referring to Amaechi, the group said the only seat that went to members of the New PDP in the Federal Executive Council was given to a member whose state contributed

Continued on page 10

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN VERITASKAP 0.02 0.37 CCNN 1.15 24.60 AXAMANSARD 0.11 2.46 MUTUALBENEFITS 0.01 0.29 LINKAGEASSUR 0.03 0.87 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN JAPAUL 0.04 0.44 CUTIX 0.16 3.04 UNILEVER 2.60 49.90 CHAMS 0.02 0.40 UPDC 0.11 2.23 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,570.00 Volume: 341.056 million shares Value: N 9.325 billion Deals: 3,790 As at 9/5/18 See details on Page 41

% 5.7 4.9 4.6 3.5 3.5 % 8.3 5.0 4.7 4.7 4.7

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Senate Declares IG Enemy of Democracy, Unfit for Public Office PDP calls for sanctions against Idris Police boss accuses lawmakers of blackmail, says he has no apology Damilola Oyedele and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The standoff between the Senate and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris took a turn for the worse yesterday when the upper legislative chamber declared him “an enemy of democracy� and as someone “who is unfit to hold public office� in Nigeria and abroad.

But the police IG said he owed no one an apology for discharging his duties and accused the senators of blackmailing him into perverting the course of Justice because of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi APC).

The Senate declaration followed his refusal to honour its summons for the third time in two weeks.

The IG was first summoned to appear on April 26 and then May 2, 2018 over the spate of killings across the country and the inhuman treatment meted out to Melaye in the course of his arrest, detention and arraignment by the police.

On both occasions, Idris had sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Mr. Habila Joshack to represent him.

The Senate, however, turned Joshack back and insisted that Idris appeared himself.

Ahead of the Tuesday’s summons for the IG to appear yesterday, the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara had met with President Muhammadu Buhari to report Idris’ penchant for disregarding summons by the legislature.

Saraki on Tuesday then hinted that the IG would appear before the Senate yesterday but he was a no-show again, leading the Senate to declare him an enemy of democracy and unfit for office.

The declaration against Idris was taken at a closed-door session, which the lawmakers retreated into after it was obvious that he had shunned their invitation for the third time.

Saraki, following the closeddoor session which lasted for 50 minutes, read the resolutions taken. “The Senate noted that this has been a gross disrespect to our constituted authority and to also know that his earlier refusal to appear before an investigative committee was overruled by a competent court of jurisdiction just in April this year. “The Senate therefore views this persistent refusal as a great danger to our democracy and hence the Senate resolved to declare the IG as an enemy of democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria. “The leadership of the Senate was also mandated to look into the matter for further necessary action,� Saraki said.

He, however, did not explain what “further necessary action� would entail.

Speaking earlier before they retreated into the closed-door meeting, Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan said the conduct of the IG was unfortunate.

Lawan disclosed that he, alongside the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police, Senator Abu Ibrahim had been unable to reach the IG. “Public officers should do what is in the interest of the public. If any officer feels he cannot do what is in public interest, he does not need to occupy such office,� he said.

Lawan added that the persistent summons to the IG did not make sense anymore, until the Senate takes a definite position on the slight.

Senator Isa Hamman Misau (Bauchi APC) wondered why

Idris Idris was afraid to brief the Senate on the state of security in the country. “If what he is doing is right, then why is he refusing to come, unless he is hiding something or he is incompetent,� Misau said.

He maintained that constitutionally, a senator in his official capacity is higher in hierarchy than the IG. In his contribution, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia PDP) said the conduct of the IG was one that gradually eats away at democracy. “Democracy dies when people abuse governmental power.

What we have seen today of the conduct of the chief law officer of the country, is an abuse of governmental power. “He has no respect for this institution, there is absolutely no way we can dress it up,� he said.

Abaribe said Idris had also disrespected his office in the eyes of the international community. “If the chief law officer does not obey the law, how does he expect miscreants to obey the law? If we do not deal with this abuse of power, all of us would regret it, because nothing would stop someone else from doing the same thing,� Abaribe said.

Senate spokesman, Senator

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi at a briefing yesterday had said Idris was expected to appear, following the meeting Saraki and Dogara had with Buhari. “The word we got from our leadership was that he was given instructions to appear today,�

Abdullahi said.

Reacting to the impertinence of the police IG, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned in its entirety the repeated snub of the Senate by him.

The party charged the Senate to take the next step within their legislative instruments and powers to restore the respect and dignity which the generality of Nigerians and the 1999 Constitution bestow on them.

The party described the action by Idris as an assault to democracy. “PDP notes that this deliberate assault on our democratic process, willful denigration of the National Assembly and recourse to totalitarianism has not been reprimanded by President Muhammadu Buhari, as the chief security officer of the nation,� the party said.

A statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, added: “It is instructive to state that never in our democratic history as a people and a nation, has a service chief or an Inspector General of Police treated the National Assembly with as much dishonor and disdain like the current IG.�

The opposition party noted that in the world all over, the legislature is a bastion of democracy and “our constitution, in recognition of this, provided a special place for our National Assembly as the representatives of the people, to serve as a check on the executive arm�. “We therefore condemn this

offensive on our democracy by IG Idris as well as the deliberate insult being heaped on each of our legislators by appointees of President Buhari. “We invite Nigerians to note that totalitarianism does not begin in a day. It starts from a deliberate disrespect to statutes, laws and institutions that engender democracy and rule of law. “Consequently, the PDP, as a party, urges the President of the Senate and senators to protect the institution of the legislature and our democracy by not limiting their action only to finding Mr. Ibrahim Idris as unfit to hold public office,� PDP said.

But the police boss doubled down yesterday, saying the Police Force he leads does not owe any individual or group any apology in discharging its duties.

He accused the Senate of trying to blackmail him into perverting the course of justice because of Melaye, adding that the lawmakers were attempting to witch-hunt him In a statement by the spokesman of the Police Force, Jimoh Moshood, Idris said he would not to be intimidated.

He asked the public to disregard the statement of the senate and promised to continue to discharge his duties to the best of his ability.

The statement by Moshood said: “In accordance with the extant laws in Nigeria, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as stated in Section 215(1a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and the Police Act and Regulations Section 309(1) can also be carried out as mentioned in sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act and Regulations by a senior officer of the Force

of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police or an Assistant Inspector General of Police who, if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in an official capacity at any official function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria, can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations.�

Moshood, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said Idris had delegated some of his subordinates to represent him before the lawmakers, an option the senators strongly rejected, mandating the IG’s appearance in person rather than through a surrogate.

The statement by Moshood also disclosed that the police IG had informed Saraki in letter on Tuesday that he would not be honouring Senate’s invitation again on yesterday.

Moshood said the IG considered yesterday’s attack on his person by the senators as “deliberate blackmail, witchhunting (sic) with mischievous motives to hand-twist him to pervert the end of justice in a felonious and serious offenses relating to Senator Dino Melaye�.

The IG was quoted to have said: “The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organisation will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality. “The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property and due enforcement of the rule of law, and law and order across the country.�

(f) There has been general lack of consultation, non-recognition and even persecution of former New PDP members and leaders by the party and government.

For example, some of our leaders are denied the security cover necessary to visit their constituencies even though they are elected representatives of the people in a government they sacrificed so much for. (g) Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former New PDP leaders by the government are still an ongoing affairs. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former New PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom. (h) There is inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former New PDP block in the running of the government.

The group further observed that it would not augur well for the APC if a section of it felt like it was being treated as outcasts and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong to with the legitimate expectations to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government. “Arising from the issues outlined above, among others, we request for an urgent meeting with the leader of the party and

the party executive leadership to find lasting solutions to the issues raised so as to prepare the party as a fighting force to deliver more pungently on its manifesto and face the 2019 general election with even greater commitment. “The meeting will also enable us to work out modalities to ensure a level playing field for all in the congresses and convention of the APC. “Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than seven days from the date of the receipt of this letter. “In conclusion, we the members of the former New PDP block of the APC wish to reiterate that this letter is written patriotically with the best of intentions and the good of our party, the APC, and is issued to alert the leadership of the APC and in particular, the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buharl, who only recently indicated his intention to seek a second term as president, of grievances that exist within the party with a view to ensuring justice for all members of the APC family regardless of the blocks they came from prior to the formation of the APC,� the group added.

Speaking with journalists after submitting the letter to the party leadership, Baraje said their aim was to point the way forward for the APC. He dismissed speculations that they were planning to dump the APC, adding that members of the former New PDP had contributed significantly to building the APC and bringing it to power.

Reacting to the complaints and observations made by its former members, the opposition PDP immediately told members of the New PDP to feel free to return.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said: “They should return home, APC had nothing to offer them, and the democratic setting that they left in PDP could never be find in APC. “APC is an amalgam, it is moving without its soul. It has demonstrated in three years that it can only kill our democracy, it cannot give it life. “The democrats who left the Peoples Democratic Party and went to sojourn at the APC should return back to their home. “PDP is going to lead a coalition of every Nigerian who is sick and tired of hunger and starvation and the drift towards totalitariasm and autocracy,� he said.

NPDP WING OF APC SIGNALS DISCONTENT, CONSIDERS OPTIONS Nigeria’s political history. “Most of these leaders not only delivered their states to the APC at the election, some of the governors were also assigned specific responsibility to ensure that other states were also delivered to the APC in the 2015 election. The then governor of Sokoto took charge of Kebbi and the then governor of Kano State took responsibility for Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa States, just to mention a few examples. “There were also unprecedented efforts by many stakeholders such as Senator Bukola Saraki in concert with others, to deliver the entire North-central to the APC. “These efforts, contributions and sacrifice were made in spite of the fact that the presidential ticket was taken by the erstwhile Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) block of the party. “It is a matter for grave concern that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has never publicly acknowledged our efforts in the face of clear evidence that the total number of votes scored by the APC in states where leaders and members of the then New PDP block held sway made the difference. “The stubborn facts are as follows: In Kano State, APC

scored 1,903,999 in 2015, and in Kwara 302,146. In Sokoto State, it scored 671,926, and 374,701 in Adamawa. In Kebbi State, APC had 567,883 votes and 885,988 in Jigawa. It was the same story in Gombe (459,898), Kogi (284,851) and Benue (373,961) votes. “These represented significant additions to the APC victory column. Indeed, the influence, activities, momentum and ripple effect generated by the former New PDP block was significant in the victory of APC in the entire elections in the whole country. “At this stage, we would chronicle a few grievances which if addressed will lead to a harmonious APC where justice, equity, fairness and peace will reign and enable APC avoid rancour, reinvigorate the pace of national development, and face the 2019 general election as one united party.�

They listed their grievances to include: (a) In the constitution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) the New PDP block was generally sidelined as virtually no position was conceded to it.

The only member of FEC that belonged to the former New PDP block comes from a state that contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential election. (b) There has been no

significant patronage and appointments to executive positions in various government agencies such as chief executives and executive directors of government agencies and parastatals, as members of our block of the party continue to helplessly watch as these positions are shared by the erstwhile CPC, ACN, ANPP and even APGA blocks of the party and those who have no party at all. (c) In appointments into boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are however not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and victory of the party. (d) When members of the former New PDP block showed interest in running for the Offices of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, they were subjected to vicious and relentless political opposition as if they were not legitimate members of the APC family. (e) During the party primaries, preparatory to the 2015 general election, most of the promises made to sitting members of the National Assembly, who belonged to the former New PDP in terms of a level playing field were reneged upon or observed more in breach.

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NEWS

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

Ebola: FG Beefs up Surveillance, Screening at Airports Stops federal universities from collecting tuition fees Lifts emergency on Lassa fever Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly meeting in Abuja yesterday with a resolution mandating the Ministry of Health to beef up surveillance and screening of passengers at the country’s land borders and airports with a view to averting the return of Ebola into the country.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said blood samples taken from five patients in DR Congo confirmed that two of the five patients had been infected with Ebola.

According to him, the council resolved to set up Emergency Operation Centre to be chaired by one Babasanya whom he said led the Nigerian efforts in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone against the outbreak of the disease in 2014.

The minister also said not only would the government ensure the screening of passengers coming into the country especially those from DR Congo, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) would also consider sending a team to DR Congo in its quest for capacity building with a view to ensuring effective management of the situation.

He promised that the government would also ensure that the country was well protected from the outbreak.

The minister also said following the content of the report presented to the council by the Ministry of Health on Lassa Fever, the council had resolved to lift the emergency earlier declared on Lassa Fever in the country.

He also said negotiations on the strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Staff Union (JOHESU) would be concluded soon.

“We presented an update on the state of public health in Nigeria at the FEC meeting. We reported on the situation with Lassa Fever and resolved that we are declaring

the emergency phase of Lassa Fever outbreak over. Essentially, that implies that the emergency operating centres would be stood down but that instead of meeting everyday throughout the country, they will now meet once a week.

They will still continue surveillance so that if there are cases anywhere in the country, we can quickly dictate it and treat it appropriately.

“Of course, of great concern to the Federal Exceutive Council is the outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo. As you might be aware, over the last one month, DRC recorded 19 suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever and lost 16 of the cases. But what is also particularly important was that last Monday, blood samples from five patients in the DRC, particularly in a particular district in DRC, in two of the five cases, Ebola was actually confirmed. And, FEC has now directed the Federal Ministry of Health to step up emergency surveillance activities at all land and airport borders, so that we can actually keep Nigerians safe.

“What we will do is to set up an emergency operation centre which will be chaired by Dr. Babasanya, who actually led our efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone and Guinea during the outbreak in 2014. Not only that, we will also be screening incoming passengers, particularly passengers from DRC and neigbouring countries.

We will also ensure we step up all activities screening people coming in so that we will not be caught unawares.

“Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will also consider sending some team to DRC as part of building capacity for managing the outbreak. We want to assure Nigerians that the federal government is concerned about the outbreak and will do everything possible to keep the country safe.

“Negotiations are still on with JOHESU and the Minister of Labour is leading the negotiation as we expect that we will conclude on

Again, Herdsmen Kill 9 in Fresh Attack in Taraba Wole Ayodele in Jalingo Police authorities in Taraba State have confirmed the killing of nine persons by suspected herdsmen at Tutuwa village in Ussa Local Government Area of the state.

Three persons also sustained serious injuries in the attack which occurred in the early hours of yesterday when residents of the community were going for early morning prayers.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, who confirmed the killings to journalists said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the Command, Alhaji Aliyu Tafida, had led other heads of security agencies in the state to the community to assess the security situation in the area.

Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of the local government council, Mr. Rimansikwe Karma, told journalists that the attackers rounded up the village at about 5a.m. and shot sporadically killing anyone in sight.

According to him, “Every Wednesday morning, the community conducts mid week service and most of them were on their way to the church in the morning when the armed militia attack them.

“Nine persons were killed by the attackers while three others sustained life threatening injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Takum General Hospital.

The chairman, who expressed bitterness over the killings which have become recurrent in the local government area, lamented that the assailants were able to escape before the arrival of security men in the area.

The Governor of the state, Darius Ishaku, had recently debunked President Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that herdsmen in Nigeria don’t carry arms but sticks, saying there are overwhelming evidence that the herdsmen carry AK47 rifles which they use in killing people across the country.

all issues very soon,” he stated.

In his briefing, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, said FEC resolved yesterday to investigate the discovery that federal universities collect tuition fees contrary to the laws setting them up.

According to him, the council would ensure that such practice is brought to a close, pointing out that whereas the federal government does not determine tuition fees for state and private universities, the federal universities have no right to impose tuition on students, adding that FEC approved the advent of Skyline University, Kano.

“FEC approved the insurance of provisional licence for the establishment of Skyline University in Kano. The application for the establishment of the Skyline University has been on for the last years and the National University Commission (NUC) after going through the rigorous verification of the claims as to the application, sent a recommendation to the

Ministry of Education, which in turn presented the request to FEC and it was approved.

“While making the approval, FEC noted the following issues: ‘They wanted the NUC through the ministry to provide a status report to FEC on all the country’s universities in terms of their performance, be they private, state or federal. We stressed on quality of staff on various universities.

“And then, FEC discussed the issue of school fees in various universities, and noted that as of law, no federal university should charge tuition fees. We understand some universities now charge fees per course unit and we are going to make sure that we investigate that properly and make it stop. But students can pay other auxiliary fees but not in excess.

“Various university councils and management should be able to fix what fees students should pay that is affordable and acceptable to the students. That is the position.

The federal government does not determine fees for private and

state universities, they only take responsibility for fees paid in the federal universities,” Anwuka stated.

Also briefing, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said FEC approved the purchase of equipment for the completion of control towers in some airports including Maiduguri, Akure, Benin, Illorin, Kaduna and Ibadan at the cost of N1.36billion.

“FEC approved procurement of equipment for the completion of control towers in some airports that included Maiduguri, Akure, Benin, Illorin, Kaduna and Ibadan.

These particular procurement was done in 2011. From 2011, the government stopped funding a particular procurement with all its importance. So, we provided for it in 2017 in order to complete it, and the council has graciously approved to complete those control towers which will enhance communications and security of our airspace. The total value is N1,365, 364, 458.75,” he said.

In the same vein, the Minister of

Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyeama, described President Muhammadu Buhari as the strongest brand in Nigeria today.

“One of the strongest brands that this country has is the president.

By the level of invitation he has been receiving, all the major heads of states want to meet with him. I think this is a recognition of the weight of his persona, his integrity and the leadership qualities. And, this is something we as a country have to be extremely proud of, and we saw that when he went to the United States and the respect Donald Trump has for him.

“He was extremely focused during that visit on Nigeria’s interest. He wanted the US to help him and this country achieve those priority areas - security, corruption and revamping the economy.

The US is on our side on the fight against insecurity, training and sharing of information. We secure the commitment of the US to repatriate large sums of looted money in the country,” he stated.

CELEBRATING WITH A BOSOM FRIEND

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; wife of the celebrant, Adejoke Okeowo; Celebrant, Sir Oluwatunmininu Okeowo; Aare of Lagos, Chief Razaq Okoya, during Okeowo’s birthday thanksgiving service held at Palacio De Okeowo, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos... Tuesday Kunle Ogunfuyi

Police Blame Senate Invasion, Mace Theft on Internal Conspiracy Damilola Oyedele with agency reports The police have said the April 18 invasion of the Senate and theft of the mace by hoodlums was made possible by internal conspiracy between some security agencies and some lawmakers.

The Divisional Police Officer in the National Assembly, Mr. Sulu-Gambari Abdul, said this yesterday in his submission before the joint Senate and House of Representatives committee investigating the invasion.

Abdul said a protest which occurred in front of the National Assembly on the fateful day was actually diversionary.

“On April 16, there was an earlier hint that a group planned to invade the National Assembly and disrupt activities, which called

for a build-up of security with two units of mobile police mobilised to the complex. However, on April 18, at about 11a.m., my attention was drawn to a group protesting at the gate, and while I moved to address the group, I was informed that some people were running away with the mace.

“I signalled all the entry points that nobody drives in or out but three men approached me identifying themselves as security operatives and requested to be allowed to go. The stain of blood on their clothes made me suspicious and I ordered their arrest,” Abdul told the committee.

He added that six persons were arrested in connection to the invasion, and handed over to the Force Headquarters, in addition to an unmarked Prado jeep and a Toyota Hilux which

were impounded by the police.

“It was later that I observed that the protest was a diversionary attention to move me out and that the protesters were same group with those that attacked,’’ Abdul said.

He also told the Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah led committee that there was no communication from the Sergeant-at-Arms to the National Assembly during the invasion by the thugs.

In his submission earlier, the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. Brighton Danwalex. lamented that the legislative security officials do not have adequate security gadgets.

“There is no functional walkie-talkie; we would have alerted all the exit points. The CCTV is not functioning and there is only one operational patrol vehicle and the entrance

into the white house requires biometric doors,’’ he said.

Danwalex also stated that several legislators create problems for security as they always refused to submit to checks.

Senator Shehu Sani however blamed the security officers for some of the lapses, as he noted that they are more concerned with making money, and so allow unauthorised persons into the complex.

“People troop in here by paying money to security. Supposing they were terrorists and had it been that they came in to kill someone, they would have succeeded. How could five thugs succeed if there was no collusion? Sani said.

The Committee Co-Chairman, Hon Betty Apiafi said the security officials were negligent in their duties, as they failed to raise alarm to alert to unusual activity.

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THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

S’West APC Backs NWC on Friday’s Primary for Ekiti Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-west zone have expressed support for the decision of the party’s national leadership to conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Ekiti State.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting yesterday, the leaders said they had decided “that given the extent of planning and logistics involved and the closeness of the deadline for the conduct of primaries by all political parties in

Ekiti State as well as submission of names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it would be better to go by the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to conduct a fresh indirect primary election in the state on May 11, 2018”.

The leaders said they took the decision having been assured by both the National Chairman of the party as well as the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura that the rejuvenated Primary Election Committee would put

new and extra measures in place to ensure a restoration of the integrity of the electoral process aimed at producing a credible candidate with the highest number of votes.

The communique jointly signed by former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, national leader of the party. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders from the zones stated: “In view of this, the

entire leadership of the party from the South-west geo-political region hereby calls on all the delegates in Ekiti State to ensure full and active participation at the primary election on Friday.

“We also encourage delegates to vote according to their conscience and ensure that the process is not monetised in the overall interest of our party, the growth of our

democracy and consistent with our progressive tradition which our people are noted for. The aspirants themselves are enjoined to shun all manners of sharp practices and avoid any resort to violence during the rescheduled primaries.”

The leaders at the meeting held at the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, were Akande, Tinubu, Chief Olusegun Osoba,

Niyi Adebayo and Chief Pius Akinyelure.

Among other issues, the question of how to conduct a free, credible and transparent primary election was discussed at the meeting.

They said the aspirants were agreeable to the intervention and admonition of the leaders that they maintain the peace throughout the process.

We Won’t Support Buhari for Presidency, Says Accord Party Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Working Committee (NWC) of Accord Party (AP) has said it will neither support President Muhammadu Buhari nor any other party’s candidate in the 2019.

The party yesterday commenced what it described as a strategic meeting geared towards ensuring that the party produces the next president of the country, even as the party said it was not considering adopting a presidential candidate in the 2019 elections.

The National Chairman of AP Mohammad Lawal Nalado, who briefed journalists in Abuja before the party’s National Executive Committee (NWC) meeting, said the party now has the required national spread to win the 2019 elections, in addition to the cohesion which he said is now exiting in the NWC of AP. Responding to the rumours that the party is working for the APC, he said the party is an independent party, which does not work for any other political party, promising that AP was not in any form of political alliance and does not intend to form any alliance with any party.

He said the party did not fielded a presidential candidate in 2006, 2011, and 2015 due to its belief that it does not have the geographical spread, promising that the teaming supporters of the party would field candidates at all the elective positions.

Nalado said the party

condemned the killings across the country, calling on the government to rise up to address the killings, noting that security of lives and property of Nigerians is the basic responsibility of the government.

He charged the security agencies to double their efforts to arrest the killings, adding that the killings are not what should be judged from political perspective but condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.

The national chairman said it was unfortunate that the killings have persisted till now few months to the 2019 general election.

Nalado who stated that they have been winning elections in various positions since 2006, said: “We now have the capacity to win the presidential election in 2019 because we have the strength.”

On the spate killings all over the country, which is threatening the conduct of the 2019 elections, the Accord Party chairman said everybody was concern about the level of insecurity in the country.

“It is unfortunate that the killings are taking place and Accord is one of the political parties that is worried. We condemn this act in its totality.

We have a government and it must ensure its primary assignment which is to protect lives and property is adhere to.

“This killings is coming at a critical time. The security agencies must fight this menace so that our lives and property could be safeguarded. We are not happy with the killings,” Nalado added.

Attempted Suicide Attack on Maiduguri Mosque Foiled Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri An attempted suicide attack on a mosque in Borno State has been foiled by vigilant residents.

It was gathered that two female suicide bombers attempted to infiltrate a mosque at the Polo Jiddari area of the town during the early morning prayer.

Confirming the unsuccessful attack, the spokesman of the police in the state, Edet Okon, in a statement said: “Today being 09/05/18 at about 0500 hrs, two female suicide bombers attempted to infiltrate one Alhaji Bunu’s

Mosque.

“They were sighted by worshippers who promptly raised alarm. As a result, the bombers hurriedly detonated the IEDs strapped to their bodies killing themselves only.”

He added that: “A team of EOD and other combat police personnel were promptly deployed to sanitize the scene and render the area safe.”

He added: “The Commissioner of Police, Borno State, Damian Chukwu, advises members of the public to go about their lawful activities without fear and to remain alert at all times.”

WELCOMING TAX EX0ERTS

L-R: Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Babatunde Fowler; Vice President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Gladys Simplice; President, CITN, Cyril Ede; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the 20th annual tax conference, with the theme: ‘Institutionalising Tax-Paying Culture in a Developing Economy’ in Abuja....yesterday..

Kingsley Adeboye

Saraki Urges Northern Leaders to Collaborate with FG against Killings Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on northern leaders to collaborate with the federal government to stop the incessant killings across the country.

Saraki speaking when he received a delegation of the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly (NLSA) yesterday, said security remains essential to national development.

The meeting was held behind closed doors.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Sanni Onogu, the delegation was led by Mr. Tanko Yakassai.

Saraki commended the group

for contributing towards harmony and prosperity in Nigeria.

“By this time, as elders, you ought to be resting, but the patriotism in you brought you out. You said you are political but non-partisan, we are all political and we need to get Nigeria in the right direction.

“Being leaders, this is the time to find lasting solutions. This is not the time for blame. This is the time for us to bring peace and regional dialogue. No society worth its salt will keep quiet in the face of these killings,” Saraki said.

He added that to find a solution to the killings, there is a need to determine what exactly is wrong.

“I am happy that you are here and we will speak truth about the

problems and to conduct ourselves on how to encourage dialogue and ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Yakassai dispelled rumours that the group is out to get a consensus candidate for the North. Rather, it is interested in cooperating with Nigerians who share it vision and mission, he explained.

He added that the group is out to formulate and device methods of preventing and resolving conflicts with the goal of creating and sustaining peaceful coexistence, arrest the drift in the North, restore individual and group confidence, create functional regional unity, among others.

Yakassai highlighted plans by

the group to convene a political summit to address problems of armed robbery, kidnapping and herdsmen-farmers’ clashes and to find a way to resolve them.

Members of the delegation included a former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Defence, Haliru Ballo Mohammed, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, former FCT ministers, Bala Mohammed and Abba Gana, former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Dr. Umar Ardo, Hajia Zainab Maina, Dr. Mamman Shata and Senator Joseph Waku, among others.

House Probes Alleged Mismanagement of Safe Schools Initiative Funds James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution to probe an alleged mismanagement of the Save Schools Initiative (SSI) Funds in the North-east zone.

It mandated the Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives on the North-east zone to investigate the extent of the funds collected, its management, custodian(s), and whether or not the funds have been

applied for the purpose for which they were collected and report to the House within eight weeks for further legislative action.

It followed a motion moved by Hon. Shuaibu Abdulrahman on the need for investigations.

He said a global intervention fund named Save Schools Initiative (SSI), under the leadership of the Gordon Brown, the former British Prime Minister, was launched four years ago in the wake of horrific abduction of students of the

Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State.

He noted that an undisclosed amount of funds were collected for the purpose of enhancing physical security around vulnerable schools against further abduction of students in boarding secondary schools in the North-east zone.

He, however, regretted that there is no evidence that such schools in the North-east zone are now secure and protected by trained security personnel or fortified with

CCTV cameras, high perimeter fence, heavy duty electricity generators, etc., as provided for in the original concept of the Save Schools Initiative.

The lawmaker also expressed concern that the absence of security infrastructure in the North-east zone schools has recently led to another incident of abduction of students of the Government Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, which brought about embarrassment and attendant trauma on the Nigerian nation.

THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

13

NEWSEXTRA

2018 Budget to Be Passed May 16, Says Senate Shehu Sani appeals for confirmation of CBN board Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate has said the report of the N8.612 trillion appropriation bill will be considered and passed next week May 16, 2018, six months after it was laid

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, while speaking during a press briefing yesterday, said the Committee on Appropriation was working to ensure the budget is laid next Tuesday.

“It was supposed to be laid this week, but they are putting finishing touches.

They are being careful so as not to make mistakes.

The report would be laid Tuesday and by Wednesday, we will approve it.

“The good next thing is that it is the harmonised version (that would be laid).

So whatever is laid in the Senate would be laid in the

House of Representatives, and it would be considered and passed same time,” Abdullahi said.

Also, Senator Shehu Sani has appealed to the upper legislative chamber to make a concession from its resolution to suspend all confirmation processes, and confirm the members of the governing board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Raising a point of personal explanation at the plenary yesterday, Sani said the apex bank is currently limited in its ability to fully play its roles of managing the economy, due to the lack of a board.

“The CBN is the most important economic fulcrum of our economy. I can recall that we collectively took a position in suspending the screening of nominees, but I appeal that we look at the issue of the CBN critically in the sense that we can appreciate the fact that they have made some progress

in terms of stabilising the economy, the naira and the appreciation of our foreign reserve,” he said.

Sani argued that the work of the Senate would be easier if the CBN has a board which would perform institutional oversight and ensure the apex bank is run transparently.

“I appeal that the Senate should look into the need to screen and approve the board of this bank in the interest of our economy, so that we can have a proper documentation and knowledge of what is going on within the bank. Our point has been made and it is now the time to hold the executive to account with a board for which we can be able to work together with,” he added.

Presiding, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the appeal would be looked into.

“We have taken note of your comments and we will look into it,” Saraki said.

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COMMENT

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

IRRIGATING AGRICULTURE WITH BLOOD AND TEARS It is an abominable road, writes Okello Oculi

T

he distance between the Yobe to Akwa Ibom belt of states, in Nigeria, and Honduras, in South America, is geographically huge but historically only 6000 years away. Scholars have found identity of genes between black people of Honduras and people seized and deported as slaves from that sector of hinterland of the Atlantic Ocean. African deportees across the Caribbean, North and South America repeatedly fled into mountainous locations and fought and defeated efforts to recapture them.

In Honduras and Brazil, the media has reported land speculators bribing military units to help them grab back lands officially recognised in peace treaties as belonging to these sectors of the African Diaspora. It is not clear what help the African Diaspora bureau of the African Union has lent these groups. Al Jazeera TV has taken the lead in broadcasting documentaries about these evil events. Leaders of resistance to this land grabbing have been assassinated.

The Presidency in Nigeria has reported a link between the 2011 convulsions in Libya and the flow of sophisticated arms into Nigeria.

This linkage had earlier been noted when armed Tuaregs fled from Libya with weapons which were far superior to those used by Mali’s army and decimated its units. It took intervention by French troops to stop rampaging Tuaregs from capturing the country’s capital, Bamako. By the time they were defeated they had maimed, slaughtered and whipped local Muslim groups and destroyed historic buildings and special library documents.

Wikileaks may yet release diplomatic correspondences between multinational companies in New York, London, Paris, Copenhagen, Rome and Sao Paolo, Tokyo over plans for grabbing lands all across the ECOWAS region for agricultural production when plans were being discussed for the murder of Muammar Gadaffi on the street - and massive bombardments of his armed forces. The map of Africa may have exposed a tantalising flow of land from the Mediterranean coast of Libya all the way to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike South America, there is no range of mountains that block the roll. There are also historical records of trade across the Sahara Desert.

It can be assumed that agribusiness multinational companies like United Fruit, Pillsbury, Monsanto in the United States; Brazilian companies that surged to invest in Africa after President Lula visited Africa, and those in the European Union displayed on office boards large maps of Africa with red, blue and yellow dots indicating sites for potential land grabs. There were precedents of Brazilian firms obtaining land in Ghana, Mali and Namibia; a Japanese company growing soya beans jointly with Mozambique’s government; a Saudi Arabian grabbing land in Ethiopia and Kuwait planting alfalfa grass in Sudan for feeding

IN FOLKLORE, AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN ECOWAS STATES WERE DEFENDED BY AK-16 GUNS WIELDED BY MOSQUITOES

livestock. It is a crowded arena across which to trace the source of the bloodshed in Libya, and more recently, in Benue State.

Foreign immigrants grabbing land in Africa started on the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in the 17th Century long before France planted its nationals on Algerian soil after 1830; and Italy killed and chased Libyans from fertile lands. Germans inflicted genocide against Namibians while British veterans of the First and Second World Wars slaughtered peoples farming fertile volcanic soils on the slopes of Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon. The African National Congress was formed in 1912 to protest the pandemic of European immigrants seizing the most fertile and lands and driving local landowners to rocky non-fertile land.

In Algeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, wars of liberation were lit and their flames fanned by determination to get back lands seized. As Franz Fanon -who fought together with Algerian after defecting from the French medical army unit - Africans and Arabs won back their self-respect by waging these wars.

The depths of cruelties in these wars were unbelievable. John Nottingham told me in his office in Nairobi that one Irish commander who was suffering from inferiority complex lined up Kikuyu war prisoners –during Mau-Mau – and have each bash the head of the one before him. During the ‘’Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s’’ hearings in South Africa, a white gang-member confessed sessions in which they hacked young black men and burnt their corpses. Steve Biko’s head was bashed inside a detention shell. A young British immigrant recalled going out to either shoot or hang Kikuyu males as part of weekend hunting picnics.

In folklore, agricultural lands in ECOWAS states were defended by AK-16 guns wielded by mosquitoes. Heavy deaths of white colonisers were reduced following the discovery of Penicillin found in the bark of a tree known to indigenous people in Peru. The numbers were far lower than those of Africans and Arabs who perished from malnutrition and famine as a result of losing self-sufficiency in food following loss of fertile lands for crops, livestock and wild life.

President Trump has ordered Nigeria to buy maize, soybeans, and meat from American farmers. His remedy for food shortage is similar to that of food produced by foreign and local companies on Nigerian soil but exported to consumers in Europe, South Korea, Japan or Argentina. Newly landless Nigerians who previously grew their own food, or bought cheap local food, will be left to starve. Liberation war shall await the country’s future. Cyril Ramaphosa’s and Robert Mugabe’s policies of ‘’Expropriation Without Compensation’’ shall be consulted. It is not a road to take.

THE NIGERIA-CHINA CURRENCY SWAP Charles Onunaiju argues that the swap will deepen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries

T

he 16 billion Chinese Renminbi (RMB) or the equivalent of US$2.5 billion currency swap deal, sealed between the Nigeria’s Central Bank and the People’s Bank of China late last month, represents a considerable leap in the quality of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and China. Although, a natural and objective corollary to deepening trade and other economic cooperation between the two countries, it actually consolidates and give practical effect to the strategic partnership of the two countries whose essence is to create and maintain a framework of bilateral consultative mechanism to incrementally nudge the relations to top quality comprehensive engagement.

China in 2005, declared Nigeria a strategic partner, a premium status of topnotch cooperation with Beijing, which Nigeria shares with only two other Africa countries.

The currency swap deal for all its expedient value in economic terms of bolstering and enhancing trade and other commercial exchanges actually adds to the strategic and comprehensive framework of deepening cooperation between the two sides.

Despite early scepticism about the currency deal, when it was announced little more than two years ago, the two central banks of Nigeria and China went into painstaking and rigorous negotiations, which culminated in the signed deal.

According to the details of the deal, the transaction would provide considerable local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists, including other businesses, helping to ameliorate the challenges in sourcing for third currencies.

The deal would provide sufficient naira liquidity to Chinese businesses through Chinese banks and do the same for Nigerian businesses to access the Renminbi through local banks in Nigeria. The effects of this measure would consist in improving the speed, volume and convenience at which business transactions would be carried on by the

two countries. Additionally, gains for the two countries would include greater efficiency in the management of their respective foreign reserves, enhanced financial stability and fresh vigour in broader economic cooperation.

According to a statement, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “with the operationalisation of this agreement, it will be easier for most Nigerian manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprise (SMEs) and cottage industries in manufacturing and export business 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 currency.�

Despite the conveniences and ease with which transactions would flow between the two sides and notwithstanding the fact that the U.S dollar still feature as the intermediary rate of conversion, the sheer symbolic implications of the grand gesture of conducting transactions in their own respective national currencies give real and practical effects to state to state relations conducted on the basis of equality and mutual respect to the sovereign status of each other, in addition to realising the age-long struggle to achieve South/South functional cooperation.

As the only third African country to consummate the deal on currency swap with China, Nigeria should sustain the momentum and deepen engagements in other areas of mutual interests.

Following the long bargain and a quick down payment, Nigeria would soon acquire 12 U.S made Tucano fighter jets that would be deployed to enhance the war against the extremist Boko Haram insurgency. However, precision strikes from such advanced fighter aircraft could kill hundreds, if not thousands of insurgents but would hardly defeat their ideology whose appeal would remain strong and attractive to most jobless youths, socially alienated from mainstream

economic life of the country. It is no gainsaying that sustainable economic development and social inclusion which creates jobs, facilitate entrepreneurship and enhance opportunities have the highest propensity to undermine the appeal of extremism, cut off the pool of its prospective adherents and recruits and expose the ideology for its bankruptcy and emptiness.

Thankfully, China engage Africa in the decisive framework of creating the enabling and sustainable economic development that would give practical effect to social inclusion and stable order. As a paradigm to engage the global community to the aspirations of a shared common future and destiny for all humanity, China has initiated the “Silk Road Economic Belt� and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road,� otherwise called the “Belt and Road� International Cooperation.

With more than hundred countries already signed on to the Belt and Road international cooperation it would drive massive overland, maritime, rail and digital infrastructure across and within countries with industrial clusters dotting routes that would be delivering jobs and connecting peoples within a framework of international best practice of extensive and broad consultations, joint contributions and mutual sharing of benefits.

Nigeria, already engaged in cooperation with China on a broad range of areas including investments and infrastructure constructions can clearly leverage the “Belt and Road,� as an international public goods whose essential characteristic is inclusiveness and openness to address her most existential national challenge of infrastructure financing and industrialisation.

As a compliment to existing international financial institutions, China has helped to launch the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, (AIIB) whose enormous liquidity of over US$100 billion would go to finance infrastructure projects in Asia and other developing countries.

Kenya and Papua New Guinea are the latest countries to join the AIIB, bringing its membership to 86, including many western industrialised countries like U.K, Germany, Netherlands, etc.

Nigeria can play active role in the emerging framework of a new international economic and financial architecture through accessing and participating in the activities of the AIIB. With the success of the completion of the currency swap deal, Nigerian and China are open to deepen cooperation in the field of finance especially in the context of President Buhari wise counsel that the Chinese business community should not see “Nigeria’s as a consumer market alone but as an investment destination where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally�, that would bring to fruition the energetic effort of the current Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian to realise Nigeria’s industrial capacity through ‘’Made in Nigeria with China’’.

In 2016, following earlier announcement by Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the IMF, China’s Renminbi became a world reserve currency along-side the dollar, euro, pound sterling and yen, paving way for the broader use of the Chinese currency in trade and finance, ensuring China’s standing as a major global economic power. According to a recent report by the Bank of International settlements, the Chinese currency is already one of the top-10 most traded international currencies.

Given that according to CBN recent report, “business and trade relations between Nigeria and China have grown astronomically in the last decade with bilateral trade volumes rising from US$2.8 billion in 2005 to US$14.9 billion in 2015,� the prospect for further growth is huge as large swath of areas remain untapped to bring Nigeria-China cooperation to its real potential.

Onunaiju is director, Centre for China Studies, Utako, Abuja

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

EDITORIAL THAW IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA? An agreement between the US and China holds greater lever for peace in the Peninsula

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fter 65 years under the psychology of conflict, antagonism and nuclear brinkmanship, the world sighed in some relief as President Moon Jae-in of South Korea shook hands and embraced Kim Jong-un of North Korea at a recent special summit at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). What was especially pleasing is the open declaration by both leaders of an intention to set in motion the diplomatic processes to formally end the Korean War which has remained in animated suspension for the better part of the last half century.

This of course was not the first time that leaders of both countries would stage an elaborate diplomatic drama to catch global attention and mostly lessen international pressure on North Korea especially. It happened in 2000 and 2007 with elaborate summits that came to naught.

But the recent summit featured hitherto unthinkable optics, soothing words and symbolic gestures of amity and kinship between leaders of the two states with the same people, a common language and culture but split into irreconcilable ideologiTHE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE cal differences by the DENUCLEARISATION logic of world history.

WOULD BE TO To give universal stamp INCREMENTALLY USE to an agreement to end SOUTH KOREA TO REthe war, a permanent INVITE NORTH KOREA agreement than the BACK INTO THE FOLD Korean Armistice of OF RESPONSIBLE 1953 that suspended NATIONS WITH THE the conflict will have BENEFITS OF TRADE to be endorsed and AND HUMANITARIAN witnessed by all parties ASSISTANCE to the original dispute under UN supervision.

However, the Korea summit was historic in many ways. It came against the background of loud sabre rattling between the United States and North Korea over the latter’s nuclear war games, apocalyptic rehearsals and bellicose rhetoric. President Donald Trump had, quite undiplomatically, took on the hermit kingdom of North Korea with its young and brash authoritarian leader. A

Letters to the Editor

barrage of sanctions by the US and its allies coupled with trade related pressure on China may have helped to escort Kim to rediscover the value of his Korean kinship south of the DMZ.

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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

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WHAT’S IN ASO ROCK?

THE ITAKPE - AJAOKUTA - WARRI RAILWAY PROJECT

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has never hidden his intention to see that his government gets it right in the area of modernised railway system in the country. In all the railway lines and stations earmarked for construction, provisions have been adequately made to ensure that a modernised railway system adopted by the Federal Ministry of Transport is adequately provided with power systems along the railway lines and other railway stations.

However, as a stakeholder and keen follower of trends within the railway industry it appears some vested interests within the Ministry of Transport are bent on frustrating the resolve of the president to see that key components within the framework of power construction and provision of relevant facilities along some rail lines are not achieved.

One clear case according to my checks is the obvious underhand of some power blocks within the Ministry of Transport to shortchange the federal government in getting the best provision of relevant facilities along the Itakpe - Ajaokuta - Warri railway stations buildings. This is because the federal government’s mandate on the Procurement Act and Process is about to be rubbished by this ‘powerful’ interests in the Ministry of Transport. Are we going to experience a repeat of the cancellation of last year (2016/2017) process

he reaffirmation of the kinship ties between the two Koreas may not be a development that Trump worked to achieve. If the development leads to Korean reunification, it will radically redraw the map of US influence in South East Asia by making the basing of American troops and placing deterrence hardware in South Korea unnecessary in the long term. The fruits would go to a more secure and largely undeterred China. For the US and the rest of the world the ultimate value of peace in the Korean Peninsula would be the pursuit of ultimate denuclearisation of the Peninsula.

However, denuclearisation as an ultimate strategic goal may not happen immediately but at least an arms limitation talk may begin. The possession of nuclear capability has for long been part of the identity and survival kit of North Korea. To expect that Kim will be in a hurry to shed that cultural identity would be naive considering that regime survival is a fundamental principle of North Korean state policy.

The best way to achieve denuclearisation would be to incrementally use South Korea to re-invite North Korea back into the fold of responsible nations with the benefits of trade and humanitarian assistance. This objective is also in the national interest of South Korea which ought to see the materially deprived North Korean population as a potential market next door.

Yet North Korea has spent too much time out in the wild cultivating the bad habits of a rogue state. It needs to understand that only states whose behaviour does not cause others discomfort can enjoy the full benefits of community in an international sense. Perhaps the fullest potential of the possibilities in the Korea situation should await the much anticipated meeting between President Trump and his North Korean counterpart. Ironically, an agreement between the US and China holds greater lever for peace in the Peninsula than the symbolic gestures between the two Koreas.

where due to a faulty procurement process this very LOT 1A was cancelled? It is already in public domain that some contractors who bided for this LOT 1A along the Itakpe - Ajaokuta - Warri railway station buildings that commenced January 2018 as published in the Tenders Journal of August 21 - Sunday September 3, 2017 in line with Federal Ministry of Transport’s call for submission of Tender by contractors are being kept in the dark for ulterior motives.

But given the stance of this administration on forthrightness, Nigerians are waiting for the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), to see the outcome of the procurement process of the above-mentioned project because vicious hawks within the ministry have concluded plans to frustrate the completion of the procurement process.

One then wonders how realistic the August 2018 date set for the completion/ commissioning of the Itakpe - Ajaokuta - Warri railway projects will be achieved given the new twist that the other components are near completion with the exception of the power components. A visit to these sites indicate that the railway line, railway station buildings are almost completed but as sensitive as the power components, the process of awarding the contract is yet to be completed.

Kadiri Usman, Lokoja

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brahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) spent eight years as head of state at Aso Rock. He pledged at different times in his regime to return power to “the people”. But he never did. Somehow, he always found a way to dribble himself out of the maze of his own mendacity. I remember during his regime, there were rumours that some forces of turpitude were egging him on in his despotic drive. These people were also said to ensure a daily sufficient supply of marabouts to the presidential villa - for spiritual bunkering. That IBB annulled the June 1993 presidential election was said to be because of this shadow clique.

IBB was eventually forced out of power by citizens whom he had had a maradona run on in the field of tyranny. Then came Sani Abacha, who claimed he wanted to restore order in the country, after which he would give way for a democratic government. Abacha drank from the hypnotic chalice of Aso Rock and became Nigeria’s most brutal dictator. It was also rumoured at the time that he was being puppeteered by the sycophantic voices in his court. Abacha wanted to be life-president, but God had another plan for him.

Olusegun Obasanjo, out of prison, became president in 1999. He spent good eight years in power, but he suddenly thought that he was the only president Nigeria deserved; that he was the

best thing to happen to the country since jollof rice.

He wanted a third term, and he was making frantic effort to have the constitution amended for this immoral reason. But he failed. There were “reports” that the abominable third-term idea was sold to Obasanjo by some persons who felt their overnightlavish existence would be threatened if he left power.

But Nigerians won. Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s case is a classic example of the power of native prebendal forces. Yar’Adua, a good man, was dying; even died, but these forces will not let go of the crown, not because they loved the deceased but out of sheer self-preservation - their gluttonous existence would be threatened by his exit from power.

President Muhammadu Buhari is not in the best of health. It is normal for anyone of his age. I believe, Buhari may not necessarily be hungry for a second term in office, but the “vested interests” will want him to remain there even if he is just a mannequin.

It is an integrity test for Buhari if he runs for reelection conscious of his ill-health. Perhaps, “integrity and politician” are antithetical.

I have learnt one lesson over the years; I hope Nigerians learn it too. Any politician who says “I will spend only one term in office” is a congenital liar. Aso Rock is the coven of interests where presidents go to live and die.

Fredrick Nwabufo, federicknwabufo@yahoo.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Ardo: Why the North Will Not Vote for Buhari in 2019 Dr Umar Ardo was a former governorship aspirant in Adamawa State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but chose to work for the election of Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. Today, he accuses the president of creating bitterness among his ardent supporters in the north. He spoke with Segun James. Excerpts: Now that President. Muhammadu Buhari has formally declared to re-contest next year. What is your take on that?

Well, first I’ll say it is within the president’s constitutional right to contest again. But it’s also within the rights of Nigerians to either elect or reject him. And in my reading of the national politics, I cannot see the president being reelected for two reasons. First, he has not made any appreciable impact in improving the standard of living of Nigerians; if anything, things have actually deteriorated. Second, it is apparent the president cannot effectively utilize power for the benefit of society. In addition, he has breached the trust of those who helped him come to power and created bitterness amongst his ardent supporters mainly in the North. Such conducts are against the basic tenets of interpersonal/ political relationship. And, speaking as a Fulani man, such actions fall against Fulbe code of conduct, Pulaku. In Fulfulde we call it “Soide Pulaku”. Besides, talking about Fulanis, there has never been a time when the Fulanis ever faced existential challenges they face today.

They’ve practically become endangered species on account of misplaced government policies.

Things cannot just continue like that. So where will his votes come from? The country has long gone past the president.

How does your organization, the Northern Leaders Stakeholders. Assembly (NLSA) view the declaration of the president to re-contest?

As far as the NLSA is concerned the declaration of Buhari is a non-issue. We neither have animosity against him nor sympathy for him.

What NLSA is interested in is a leadership that will help attain for the North our vision, mission and objectives as articulated in our mission statement. If Buhari can attain that for the North then NLSA as a body can support him, even though he’s above 70 and has poor health record. But if he cannot then NLSA will continue its search for a civilian IBB. What do you mean by civilian IBB? What I mean is that when Buhari’s military regime was drifting and plunging the country into chaos and human rights abuses, IBB came in within the military to rescue the country.

Not that IBB was perfect, but at least he saved the country from the human right abuses of the Buhari regime. And now as a democracy the country is drifting under Buhari again, we need someone who would democratically defeat him at the polls and rescue the country. That person would be our civilian IBB; rescuer of the country from this government’s pillage.

The president’s former colleagues in the army, OBJ, IBB and TY Danjuma advised him against contesting again. What is your opinion on this?

I believe those who advised him not to run are being kind to him and are lovers of this country because they know he has lost the support of majority of Nigerians and if he re-contests; and if he wants to use incumbency to force himself back to office, he will only plunge the country into unfathomable crises that will not be in the interest of anyone. But since he discountenanced their advice we will meet at the polls.

Should Nigerians pay attention to the criticisms of the president’s style of leadership?

For me personally, it appears Buhari lacks the fundamentals of leadership qualities to continue leading this country. One of such is empathy; and Buhari has no empathy. He never puts

Ardo

himself in the position of the other person.

He has already rubbed silver at the back of his glass; he ceases seeing anybody else but himself. I have my own personal experience with him, but I’ll not bring that one yet. For now I’ll narrate what I read in a book written by a former justice of the Supreme Court. It was during Shehu Shagari’s presidency that Army Council recommended Buhari for promotion and posting as a General Officer Commanding (GOC) in the Nigerian Army. But the Minister of Defence then changed that recommendation and sent someone else’s name to President Shagari for approval. Somehow Buhari got to know of this change and so he ran to his friend, Dr. Mahmud Tukur, from Adamawa State, and together they approached the Supreme Court Justice who was a very close friend of President Shagari and begged him to intervene with the president. The justice gave them a listening ear, and assured them that he’d take the matter up with the president and asked them to come back same time the next day.

For me personally, it appears Buhari lacks the fundamentals of leadership qualities to continue leading this country

True to his word, the justice went and put the issue before the president. Shagari confirmed to his friend that what Buhari and Dr. Tukur told him was indeed true, but he (the president) had already overruled the Defence Minister, reversed his recommendation and approved Buhari’s promotion and posting as GOC. So the president told his justice friend to go back and tell Buhari that his promotion and posting have been approved and he should wait the announcement shortly. The justice went back with the good news.

The next day, at the appointed time, Buhari and Tukur returned to see the justice and he told them what the president had done and asked them to await the formal announcement. And in a matter of a day or two the announcement was made. Now, this is the one side of the story; the other side is like this: On 31 December, 1983 President Shagari was overthrown in a military coup and Maj. General Buhari became the new Head of State.

Former President Shagari was arrested and put under detention. Now Shagari had an elder brother, Alhaji Bello Magajin Shagari, who was at the time of the coup seriously sick and was lying at the State House Sick Bay. When Buhari took over, the new government removed Alhaji Bello from his sick bed and took him back to Sokoto and to Shagari village. Sadly, Bello Magajin died the next day. The justice friend of the deposed president rushed to Shagari village for the condolence. After all the rites were concluded, the justice was delegated by the family to go to Lagos and beg the new regime to allow him see the condition of the detained former president and inform him of the demise of his brother. Banking on the divine doctrine of one good turn deserves another, the

justice left for Lagos and headed straight to Dr. Mahmud Tukur’s place, who was then Buhari’s Minister for Commerce. He told the minister of his mission and requested him to intervene with the Head of State. The minister went and saw Buhari and returned, and the answer was negative - Buhari disapproved the request. The justice then begged Umaru Shinkafi who went and saw Buhari and made the request for the justice to be allowed to see Shagari and inform him of the death of his brother. Shinkafi saw the Head of State and put forth the request but it was again denied. The long and short story of it is that he never saw Shagari till Buhari was overthrown. It was Babangida who allowed him to see Shagari and in fact allowed him daily visits till Shagari was finally released.

There was also the case of the wealthy American lady, Mahmet Ben Chembi, who brought in her $17 million from the US to invest in plumbing in the building of Abuja, but was framed of defrauding the Nigerian State and taken to Buhari’s Military Tribunal and jailed for 95 years without a shred of evidence adduced against her by the government. On top of it, she was fined N500 million. It was Babangida that set up a Judicial Review Panel that reviewed the case and released her from jail.

There was also the case of a wealthy Nigerian woman resident in Saudi Arabia who returned to the country and was arrested on arrival at Kano airport, taken to tribunal and jailed 10 years for being in possession of N600. She had a 5-year old daughter who was sent to jail along with her.

Having read these, and many, many more of such, I came to the inevitable conclusion that a person like that cannot ever make a good leader.

It is natural therefore for reasonable people to oppose such a leadership and look out for an alternative. This is exactly what is going on in Nigeria today. In fact, such frivolous and unfounded accusations inundating Buhari’s past leadership has brought to serious question the current accusations against members of the past regime. No one should blame me if I question the truthfulness of the current exercise. After all, it is only after leaving office that the truth of one’s tenure is revealed. For as far as I am concerned, the current so-called looters list is nothing more than names of the likes of Ben Chembi. If the man can do it then why can’t he do it now? No wonder, with the absence of kangaroo military tribunals in the current democratic setup, the government is unable to successfully prosecute and convict any of the so-called looters three years after coming to power beyond the pages of newspapers. Yes, I know those former leaders have their blames, but the Buhari leadership has the most blame.

We in the PDP committed some mistakes and we recognized those mistakes and apologized. But Buhari committed worse atrocities as a military Head of State and so he owes the people of this country and even the international community apologies. But if he refused to apologize then I wish him good luck. At least Nigerians have seen PDP is humble enough to apologize. The world will wait to see if Buhari will be humble enough to do so too or remain defiant to truth.

With the PDP zoning the presidency to the North and with Buhari’s declaration, it seems certain the North will produce the next president.

Has NLSA pinned down a suitable presidential candidate?

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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POLITICS

Idagbo: We Won’t Allow APC Take over C’River Legor Idagbo, the member representing Obudu/Obaniku/Bekwara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, says the Peoplefis Democratic Party remains the party to beat in Cross Rivers State. He spoke with Paul Obi who presents the excerpts: How would you appraise your performance at the House of Representatives so far?

We have tried our best to satisfy the yearning and the needs of our people. Because one thing with representation is to be effective in it, which is to reflect what your people want. You cannot be an effective representative without carrying your people along. I have been fortunate to have served as secretary of council, chairman of council, chairman of chairmen in Cross River State, that is ALGON, Commissioner for Works and then now at the national level, the House of Representatives. Once we were elected into office, one of the first things we did was to embark on a tour of the 30 wards in my federal constituency, relating with the people, thanking them for giving us this mandate and asking them what their needs were. And thankfully we have been able to implement a lot of the needs and yearning of our people in the federal constituency; from projects to motions, calling on the federal government for action. To even some bills that we have sponsored on the floor which directly reflect what our people want and have direct bearings on the lives of our people.

How have you been able to intervene in terms of constituency projects and providing dividends of democracy to your constituents?

As I speak to you of the 30 wards in my federal constituency; I can authoritatively say that over 80% of these wards have one or two federal projects that we were able to facilitate; ranging from mini water schemes to solar powered boreholes, to classroom blocks, to road infrastructure, skills acquisition centres and the rest of them. We have been able to influence some of these to the various wards of our federal constituency and we still have a few months to go in office. We have not yet passed the 2018 budget into law. In the 2018 budget I am sure that the wards that have not benefited yet will be captured in the 2018 budget.

The National Assembly is engaging in so many battles particularly with the executive; you have the withdrawal from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to contend with, with these battles, will the National Assembly be able to carry out effective legislative business?

I wouldn’t want to call it battles. There are three arms of government: executive, legislature and judiciary. Each has its own role to play.

We are playing our own role as legislature; we must provide those checks and balances for the executive. We cannot sit down and allow the executive carry on as if it is a dictatorship.

Whatever the constitution says should be followed to the letter; if the constitution says the President cannot withdraw money without the

On the ground actually I don’t see that. I can talk intelligently for my federal constituency; I don’t see any significant presence of APC in my federal constituency. And I think that come 2019, PDP will hold sway in Cross Rivers State.

Idagbo

approval of the National Assembly; all we are asking is that due process should be followed, that the President should come to the National Assembly and ask for that approval. Again we are saying the Presidency should not interfere in the running of the National Assembly. Trying to interfere with what happens in the National Assembly is what we criticise. Recently, the

The APC has not performed well as far as Nigerians are concerned. Nigerians were better off under the PDP before 2015

Mace was taken out of the Senate and some people say the security operatives were involved.

These are the things we want to avoid, that’s why we are trying to put the executive on their toes. I don’t call it battles, I think that we are doing what Nigerians elected us to do, to ensure that the executive does the right thing.

They follow due process and that Nigerians get value from this administration.

Back home, your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been sliding to oblivion, on the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be taking over, what are you doing to prevent APC from taking over Cross River State?

No I don’t lose sleep at all, I don’t think that the APC is taking over any part of Cross River. There are two types of politics; there is politics on the ground with the grassroot people and there is also media politics, social media, print media and the rest of them. So much of what you called APC growing in Cross River is basically on print and on social media.

There are also insinuations that since 2015, the PDP government in the state has not performed to the satisfaction of the people.

What is your take?

I don’t think so. I would rather say the APC in the country has not performed well as far as Nigerians are concerned and that Nigerians were better off under the PDP before 2015 and now Nigerians have seen for themselves what is happening. They have seen the pains and hardships they are going through. And think that in 2019 Nigerians will be able to come together and take the right decision and give PDP a second chance. I don’t think that PDP has failed; you cannot say they are not doing well in Cross River State. We will come together in 2019, we will work hand in hand with the leadership and take the right decisions for the party, we will look forward and we will be stronger to win elections in 2019 both at the state and national level.

In your Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwara Federal Constituency; about two or three candidates have emerged precisely from Obudu Local Government Area who are interested in your job.

In a democracy, anybody can come out to aspire for any position, but our people are a lot wiser and more intelligent than that; our people know the right thing and when the time comes I am sure the right thing would be done. PDP is a party that believes in zoning; all positions ought to be zoned; if the governor is from another local government it is not proper to take the position of the House of Representative to that same local government or any position in National Assembly to the same local government that the governor comes from. So when the chips are down, I am sure the proper thing would be done. It is a democracy; people can always aspire, the fact that you aspire does not mean your aspiration will come to anything substantial.

There are reports that the Cross River State’s National Assembly Caucus members are not on the same boat with the governor on so many issues, how factual are such reports?

There are times we have cause to meet and address some salient issues that concern us, our state and cur well being here in Abuja and the National Assembly. And so far so good, we have been able to resolve all of those issues.

So I can clearly say we are on the same boat.

ARDO: WHY THE NORTH WILL NOT VOTE FOR BUHARI IN 2019 NLSA is still searching. As I said, we are searching for a democratic IBB who we will elect to come and maintain whatever that’s good and reverse all that is bad, including the myriad of injustices, of the current Buhari leadership.

But we’re still to settle on any one person yet.

What kind of candidate are you people looking at?

NLSA will go for whoever meets our expectations, be he/she young or old, but not above 70 years and of good health. But my position is that in searching for the right candidate, Nigerians must incentivize talent while building a merit-based society. We therefore must consider everyone on his or her merit looking out for talent, character and commitment wherever they may be within our society. We must recognize and reward all men and women of excellence.

You are a PDP member. With the party in disarray sort of, do you see the PDP making any impact in the 2019 presidential election?

PDP is not in any disarray. We’re solid and will wrestle power from the APC. I assure you that PDP has its joker and we will pull it out

at the right time. Buhari is not a threat to us.

All PDP needs to do is to mobilize Nigerians of good standing to come together in sincerity to rescue the country under the platform of the PDP, the most feasible opposition party with the best chance to defeat the incumbent Buhari-led APC regime. Any splinter group that hopes to dismantle the PDP structure, supersede its name and logo and come up with a new political movement capable of winning national elections in the next 10 months, it’s going to be performing almost a miracle. The best way is for everyone to bury their hatchets and forge under a pan PDP platform and wrestle state power from APC. I am sure PDP men can built this necessary political understanding; the party has already set the base. Anything to the contrary is an obstruction.

What is your take on Obasanjo’s Coalition so far and it’s romance with the SDP? Obasanjo’s coalition and factions of the SDP and APC will collapse into PDP. Just wait for the Congress of APC. They’ll break into three with one faction coming into PDP, one will remain with Buhari and the other will remain

independent. That will be the end of APC and the party will suffer a crushing defeat.

Sir, what is your opinion on the president’s comment on Nigerian youths at the Commonwealth Summit?

This is what I heard the president say on the youth: “..... 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.” Now, if you take ‘a lot’ from a whole, what will be left is ‘a few’.

That means, according to the president, only a few of Nigeria’s youths have been to school.

The president may very well be correct on this; and that is a non-offensive fact, though as a longtime leader in the country is self-indicting.

Where the president is wrong and offensive is when he added that “.... 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”.

What this means is that, according to the president, majority (a lot) of Nigerian youths are simply sitting down idle, expecting their

oil-producing country to cater for their needs.

This is where the president got it wrong and a proof that he does not even understand the issues confronting this country. Nigerian youths are daily struggling to make ends meet in a country dominated by venal old political and military elites, to which the president is a central figure, who since independence cornered the Nigerian state and its resources to themselves and members of their families. Yet, the fact that the president will have the heart to make such a callous statement against the youth has shown how insensitive he is to the plight of the Nigerian youths.

Secondly, not only the president’s comment was insensitive and offensive but the venue of the comment made it even worse. I can understand if the president was sitting in the Villa with our youths and saying this to them directly; but to go behind their back to a foreign land before the second largest international body, next only to the United Nations, and make such a degrading comment against the youths is inconceivable. I think the president needs to apologize to the Nigerian youths and to us their parents.

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THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Ugwuanyi’sModelforEndingHerders’Attacks With the devastating attacks on farmers by herdsmen across the country, it has become increasingly imperative for states to explore the model initiated by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to curb the attacks, writes Ejiofor Alike

Ugwuanyi (middle)...wept when he visited Ukpabi, Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State where over 20 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen in 2016

A

recent declaration by the Anambra State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Sadiq Gidado, that the establishment of cattle colonies in the South-east was not necessary because of the harmonious relationship existing between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the area was a validation of the efficacy of the model developed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to stem the conflicts between the farmers and herdsmen, which has been replicated in Anambra State.

Speaking to journalists in Awka, Anambra State, Gidado, who is a member of the Cattle Menace Control Committee, had singled out Ugwuanyi and his Anambra State counterpart, Governor Willie Obiano for special commendation for being proactive to sustain the peace in the zone.

“In the South-east, the proposed cattle colonies cannot work; you cannot just take somebody’s land and give to another person to conduct his own business; it is not right.

Here in the zone, it is virtually impossible to operate cattle colonies, as there is harmonious relationship existing between the herdsmen and the farmers,” Gidado reportedly said.

“We thank the governors of the Southeast states, especially the Anambra and Enugu state governors, who constituted these committees that are coordinating our activities. The regulation is that you only graze where there are no farms. If you destroy farmlands intentionally or unintentionally, you must be punished for what you have done and be made to

not allow anyone to destroy the peaceful co-existence between the Fulani herdsmen and the indigenes.

pay for what you have destroyed. And if the people in the communities kill a Fulani man or his cow, you pay damages accordingly; we have a good structure that enables the effective management of our

Though Enugu State had witnessed two herdsmen attacks since the setting up of the security committees, it is also on record that the security committees’ quick resolution of several potential crisis prevented Enugu State from joining the league of Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau states, where the herdsmen’s attacks have claimed hundreds of lives

Ugwuanyi...protecting lives and property in Enugu State

members,” Gidado added.

Also addressing members of the MACBAN, South-east zone during a meeting held recently in Enugu, Gidado advised members of the association to be watchful and quickly report strange faces around them to concerned authorities, just as he urged the public to remain vigilant and

Ugwuanyi’s model Apparently worried by the challenges posed by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen, who were destroying farmlands, raping women and killing farmers across the country, Ugwuanyi sought and secured the support of the state executive council, which approved the constitution of security and peace committee in the state to ensure lasting peace and harmony among various communities and herdsmen in the state.

The all inclusive state security committee was headed by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, retired Brigadier-General Fred Eze. At the state level, the members of the committee, which was inaugurated in September 6, 2016, are leaders of Fulani/ Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state, representatives of the State House of Assembly; security agents, including the State Commissioner of Police; and representatives of farmers and butchers association, among others.

The governor had also approved the constitution of the security committee in each of the 17 local government areas and wards, headed by the Executive Chairman of each local government, with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), head of DSS, traditional rulers, Fulani leaders and other relevant stakeholders as members.

The terms of reference include ensuring that grazing and rearing of cattle at night are banned in Enugu State and ensuring that carrying or possession of firearms or any form of ammunition by farmers

21

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FEATURES

Armed Fulani herdsmen

and herdsmen in the state are sanctioned, according to the law.

The committee was also mandated to enforce the ban on movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state.

Other terms of reference are ensuring the payment of compensation by any herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops and by communities, whose indigenes kill herdsmen’s cattle.

After the inauguration of the committee at the state level, Eze ensured that similar committees were created in all the 17 local government areas of the state as approved by the governor.

Eze had also used the opportunity to direct traditional rulers to identify all the Fulani herdsmen living in their areas and ensure that they were registered with the Fulani leaders in the state.

Sustained peace Though Enugu State had witnessed two herdsmen attacks since the setting up of the security committees, it is also on record that the security committees’ quick resolution of several potential crisis prevented Enugu State from joining the league of Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau states, where the herdsmen’s attacks have claimed hundreds of lives.

It is a common knowledge that the August 25, 2016 attack by the Fulani herdsmen in Ndiagu, Attakwu, Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West LGA, which claimed the lives of Mrs. Amuche Agbo and Seminarian Lazarus Nwafor, and the April 25, 2016 attack on Ukpabi-Nimbo in Uzo Uwani LGA, which claimed nine lives, were avoidable incidents that occurred after security agents ignored Governor Ugwuanyi’s report on imminent attacks.

Before the Uzo Uwani attacks, Ugwuanyi had held a meeting with security agents where he hinted them on the imminent attacks. “In the meeting, we received assurances from the Commissioner of Police that the Area Commander of SARS was on ground in Nimbo, and that the Anti-Terrorism Unit was at Nimbo.

That he was in contact with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and reported suspected herdsmen grouping at Odolu in Kogi State preparing for an attack on Nimbo and Abbi communities.

That Police Mobile Force and conventional

police were already drafted to Nimbo and Abbi communities. He claimed he was in touch with the Area Commander, Idah, ACP Ikegwuonwu, who had linked him with the Area Commander, Nsukka, ACP Monday Kuryas. Both men, according to the CP, reported that there were no traces of suspected herdsmen in Nsukka or Idah. He also ordered the Area Commander, Nsukka, to redeploy to Nimbo,� Ugwuanyi had explained Unfortunately, the herdsmen struck as a result of the lapses on the part of the security agencies, despite Ugwuanyi’s efforts to forestall the crisis and his unalloyed support to the security agencies.

But despite these setbacks, the security committee set up by the governor has ensured that Enugu State enjoys peace, which would have eluded the state, given its proximity to Benue State, the hotbed of the Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes.

Several security threats The recent bomb blast at the country home of the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodoh in Igbo Etiti LGA was another failed attempt by yet to be identified persons, to derail peace in Enugu State.

Also, by destroying farmlands in Udenu, Isi-Uzo, Igbo-Eze North, Nkanu-West, UzoUwani and many other local government areas, the Fulani herdsmen had attempted

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, recently expressed delight at Ugwuanyi’s efforts in supporting the Nigerian Police towards improving security in the state

several times to shatter the peace in the state but Ugwuanyi has sustained the peace.

For instance, the timely interventions of Eze and Uguwanyi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Louis Amoke had prevented bloodbath in several communities in Udenu LGA, which shares boundaries with Ogbadigbo and Okpokwu LGAs of Benue State.

Also the Chairman of Udenu LGA, Hon. Frank Ugwu had also leveraged on his vast experience as a former member of the House of Representatives to provide a responsible leadership that has accommodated the various contending interest in the local government and this largely accounted for his recent re-election.

Apart from the endorsement of his peace efforts by MACABAN, Ugwuanyi’s efforts to ensure peace and security have also received other commendations from both within and outside the state.

Speaking recently when a delegation of the national leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu, the president of the body, Alhaji Shehu Usman Ladan, had applauded Ugwuanyi for ensuring peace and security in the state as well as regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.

Ladan, whose association held the first session of its 2018 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme in Enugu, had noted that the governor empowered the security operatives by “procuring a good number of vehicles for them to operate� adding that “money was made available to reactivate the activities of vigilante groups in all the communities.�

Also, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, recently expressed delight at Ugwuanyi’s efforts in supporting the Nigerian Police towards improving security in the state.

Idris, who spoke through the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-east, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, had described Enugu as “a very peaceful and friendly state� not only to the police but also to all law-abiding citizens. “Your Excellency, from your pedigree and from what I have been reading about you, we are impressed.

We are equally optimistic that you will continue to support the state police command and by extension, the police high

command,� Idris reportedly said.

Speaking recently at the Udi LGA Council headquarters home of former Governor Sullivan Chime during an empowerment scheme organised by the member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu also described Ugwuanyi as a peace-loving governor, who should be supported by all stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

He pointed out that Enugu State had not had it so good, stressing that from 1999 till 2015 every administration that came had always started crisis a year to the general election. “Since 1999 till this regime, we always had factions, the Abuja camp and Enugu camp of politicians but Ugwuanyi is a peaceloving governor and this has changed,�

Ekweremadu added.

A former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo had also lauded Ugwuanyi, whom he described as a visionary and “wonderful� leader whose style of politics is sincere, inclusive and result-oriented.

Speaking at the colourful flag-off ceremony of the construction work on the all-important Ogonogoeji-Ndiagu-Akpugo rural road from Atavu Bailey Bridge to Afor Onovo in Nkanu, the former IG of Police commended Ugwuanyi for his commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability, peace, justice and fair play.

According to Onovo, the governor’s good works and his commitment to peace have earned Enugu State the enviable status of “the safest state in the country�.

The governor had also acknowledged the role of peace in the development of the state, attributing the giant development strides recorded so far by his administration to the peace and security in the state.

Ugwuanyi, who spoke at the civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Nsukka Local Government Area, which also witnessed the inauguration of “Gburugburu Movement� in the council area, noted that Enugu is known for peace, and is adjudged one of the safest in the country. “I will continue to lead and render selfless service to you and the entire people of Enugu State with the fear of God,�

Ugwuanyi said.

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R; A Non-Executive Director, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Olutola Mobolurin; another Non-Executive Director, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Peter Obaseki; Group Chief Executive, Mr. Ladi Balogun and Chairman, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi, during the 5th Annual General Meeting of FCMB Group Plc in Lagos...recently

L-R President, Ogun State Chambers of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Mrs Adesola Adebutu, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Special Adviser on Agriculture, Mr Akinola Lawson and Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Commerce and Industry, Engr Jonathan Onajobi during the closing ceremony of the 9th Gateway Trade Fair 2018 held in Abeokuta... recently

L – R; Executive Director, Regulation, NSE, Tinuade Awe, presenting a replica of the closing gong to Managing Director/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc, Hassan Usman during the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the NSE in Lagos...recently

L-R: Group Hr Director, Joyce Coker; Mr And Mrs Ekwegh; Parents Of Zoe Ekwegh; Winner, Cussons Baby Of The Year 2018 And Managing Director Pz Cussons, Alex Goma At The Pz Cussons Baby Moments Season 5 Grand Finale In Lagos...Recentlly

L-R: Secretary, Appeal Committee, Ward and Local Govt. Congress, Barr. Victoria Chukwueni, Member of the Committee, Hon. Ajoh Linus, Chairman of the Committee, Diggol Muhammad and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed during courtesy visit to the Governor by the committee at Government House, Ilorin… recently

L-R; Director General, South East Governors Forum, Prof Simon Ortuanya; Zonal Head,First Bank, John Okoye; Inaugural Lecturer, Prof Osita Ogbu; Founder,Nigeria and Entrepreneurship:Summit & Honors(NESH), Emeka Ugwu-Oju and former Governor,CBN., Prof Chukwuma Soludo at the 133rd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State...recently

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CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS AT NAIJASECCON

L-R: Member, Organising Committee, NaijaSecCon’18, Nurudeen Odeshina; Representative of the University of Southampton and sponsors of NaijaSecCon’18, Melissa Gibson; Lead Convener, Rotimi Akinyele; member of the organising committee, Debora Okwuzi and Representative of Esentry, Funmipe OloďŹ nade, at the 2018 NaijaSecCon’18 held in Lagos...recently

Stakeholders Task FG on Nigeria’s Digital Readiness Stories by Emma Okonji Information and Communications Technology (ICT) stakeholders under the aegis of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have urged the federal government to invest in ICT infrastructure and boost broadband penetration in order to make the country ready for the digital transformation that is sweepingredients across the entire globe.

This is coming on the heels of the recent World Bank Summit report, which stated that Nigeria and some other African countries are not digitally ready for the next digital transformation.

President of ATCON, Mr. Olusola Teniola, while reacting

ECONOMY to the report, told THISDAY that the statement was correct because illiteracy rate and the level of unemployment among Nigerian youths are on the increase, which he said was a pointer that technology innovation among the youths is at its lowest ebb because the country lacks the right technology infrastructure that will propel the innate ability of the youths to innovate. “Developed countries of the world are using ICT solutions and applications to address every societal challenge but that is not the case with Nigeria because the government is yet to invest well in ICT infrastructure that will ignite innovation and creativity that

could enhance development of apps that will address the challenges of unemployment in the country,� Teniola said.

World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim had said that Nigeria and other economies in Africa were not showing enough commitment to compete in a digital world.

Kim who blamed the situation on lack of will power of political leaders in the African continent, said political leaders in the continent were not prepared to compete in the world of digital technology. “We are extremely concerned that many African countries are not prepared to compete in what is increasingly becoming a digitalised economy,� Kim said.

Teniola who blamed the

federal government for the poor state of broadband infrastructure in the country, said: “We need broadband infrastructure in place to address all of these challenges facing us as a nation. We need ubiquitous and fast internet access across the country.

People should have internet access at affordable rate to do so many businesses online.

We need enabling environment to achieve it and ease of doing business is one of them. “Government should not just meet the broadband target, but must ensure it surpasses it to enable every Nigerian have access to broadband internet, which Continued on page 24

Dell Technologies Moves to Attain 100% Transparency in Supply Chain Business for Plastic, Carbon Waste Dell Technologies has said it is set to attain 100 per cent transparency in the supply chain business of recycling marine plastic waste and carbon emission waste from vehicles.

Vice President, Sustainable Supply Chain at Dell Technologies, Jennifer Allison, who made the disclosure at the recently concluded Dell Technologies World 2018 conference in Las Vegas, said: “Our goal is to attain 100 per cent transparency in supply chain business for marine plastic waste and carbon emission waste by 2020.�

ICT According to her, Dell Technologies would achieve the goal through its partnership deal with companies that will collaborate with it through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to connect more customers and provide them with best of humanitarian services.

She revealed that over five trillion metric tons of plastic waste have been dumped into the ocean over the years and that 12.8 metric tons of plastic enter the ocean on a

yearly basis, a situation, she said was already contaminating the ocean waters and killing sea animals regularly.

Our plan is to remove up to 8 metric tons of plastic waste from the ocean waters every year and we employ other organisations to join us in this task, so as to save the ocean waters from further pollution and its sea animals from further death, Allison said.

Vice President, Global Operations at Dell, Piyush Bhargava, said the future of supply chain business would change from

linear to circular, through Dell Technologies’ efforts in working closely with its supply chain partners.

He said consumer waste and electronic waste are on the increase globally and that if the situation was not addressed, there would be a time when humanity will no longer find space to dump consumer waste.

He said Dell Technologies had since 2008, been involved in recycling plastic waste and using them for the production Continued on page 24

Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ă“ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂžĂŽËœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ě‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?ÓÞÓĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă’ĂŁĂ‘Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? åÙÙÎĂ?Ă˜ ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂšËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ă“ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ— Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙÚ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ë›

Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă Ă“ Ë› Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ˍÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?à ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? ÞÙ Ă”Ă?ʾÓĂ?Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÙÖÎ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă? åÙÙÎĂ?Ă˜ ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ?ËŹË› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ëœ ˍÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ åÙÙÎĂ?Ă˜ ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’ĂŁĂ‘Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă–Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ËŹËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Íą ÞÙ Íł ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹Ă– ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? åÙÙÎĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ–Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă•Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÚÓĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁË› ÙÞ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ĂžĂ’Ă‹ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ËŤĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÚÖËĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÚËÖÖĂ?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë›

Press Attack Worries Paradigm Initiative Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă— Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÚËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? ËʾËĂ?Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă— Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ÞÓ×Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ËʾËĂ?Ă•Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă— Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ëœ ÙÚĂ? Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă? ËʾËĂ?Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ę°Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă–Ă?ÑÓÞÓ×ËÞĂ? Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ?˛ˏ ËŤ Ă’Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă•Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ¤Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ÙʊĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ“ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚËã×ËĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ ÚÖËãĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă™ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă“Ăž ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă’ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ™Ă˜ËœËŹ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË› Twitter Users to Update Passwords ĂĄĂ“ĘľĂ?ĂœËŞĂ? ͹͹͎ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?âÚÙĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ë› Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĘľĂ?ĂœË› Ă’Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ËŤĂ’Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ËŹ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ“ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽË› Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“ĘľĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÚÙÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ËŤĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ËŹË› Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÖÙÑ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂŽË›

Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă‘Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă?ÞËÕĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ÞÙÖĂ?Ă˜ Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“Ăž Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ? ËŤĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŹË›

“Government can develop the ICT sector through the creation of a special fund to assist start-up businesses as well as grow existing developers�

President, Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Adeshola Aderounmu

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

STAKEHOLDERS TASK FG ON NIGERIA’S DIGITAL READINESS

Electricity Consumers Decry Poor Services in Edo State

is the centre of focus that technology advancement revolves round. Government must create the enabling environment that will allow the private investors to bring in the funds that will drive broadband development.

If these are achieved, there will be lots of employment opportunities for our youths.�

The fact that we have large users of connected mobile devices, and making use of digital apps does not make us digitally ready as a nation.

If the connected devices and the mobile apps do not create productivity and allow Nigerians to make money, it then means that we are yet to make full use of ICT to drive the Nigerian economy.

A lot of GDP contribution in developing nations is digital in nature and Nigeria must toe the line, Teniola said. He insisted that government needs to encourage digital transaction that would boost financial inclusion on mobile money payments, adding that one of the ways to address it is to make make the ongoing cashless economy initiative to be telcos led instead of bank led.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

DELL TECHNOLOGIES MOVES TO ATTAIN 100% TRANSPARENCY IN SUPPLY CHAIN BUSINESS FOR PLASTIC, CARBON WASTE of consumer notebooks.

According to him, the technology company is currently carrying out a research on the possibility of extracting carbon waste from vehicles and converting it into turner for computer printing of documents. He said the move would help remove carbon emission from he roads, homes and industries, where carbon emission is high and causing health risk to humans.

From e-waste, Dell Technologies has been able to produce beautiful gold jewelry and computer casings, Bhargava said.

It was a tensed atmosphere filled with heated arguments on Tuesday, in Benin City, capital of Edo state between electricity consumers and the service provider, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) following complaints by consumers over what they described as shoddy treatment by the power company.

Most of the complaints bordered on estimated billings, collection of fund for meters not yet supplied and epileptic power supply. They lamented that despite the fact that they do not get light for several months, BEDC staff still bill them and extort money from them for replacement of faulty electricity components such as transformers and cables.

The aggrieved electricity consumers made the assertion at a town hall meeting organised by the Consumers Protection Council (CPC) to have an interface between electricity consumers and electricity providers.

Expressing their displeasure on how they have been maltreated by BEDC officials, a customer Monday Edo, from Utesi community, lkpoba-0kha, local government Area of the state, complained that since four years, the community has no light even when meters were given to them after they paid #36,000 to BEDC staff.

For Gaberial 0mokaro, he claimed that he paid #27,000 but could not have access to a meter, while Marcellinus

Ekinwnide said he still receives bills despite that he has no light for the past seven months.

Delivering his opening remarks earlier, the Director General, Consumer Protection Council, Babatunde lrukere, said electricity is an essential public utility that is meant to affect the lives of the people.

He posited that “there is no excuse from electricity providers not to give light to the consumers because of the usefulness of electricity in our everyday living�. Irukere asserted that the electricity providers should recognise the plight of consumers and

fashion out ways to ensure steady supply. He said the inability of government at all levels to provide electricity to the public prompted the shift to private sector to do so. The CPC boss noted that available facts at his disposal showed that a lot of communities not just in Edo State have been in total darkness for almost three years because of lack of transformers.

He said: “It is the consumers’ right to complain. And the obligation is for the service provider to go home and digest the complaints for better efficiency.

“However, the customer should also understand that the entire power value chain of generation, transmission and distribution. The people (consumers) must understand all these. That the discos are not the ones who generate or transmit. They are merely the ones who deal directly with the consumers/customers. “When you deal directly with people, the job is quite difficult that dealing with other things not human. But there is no excuse for the customer to be treated poorly. Even at that, it does not matter how many sub-stations and transformers

you have, if people are not served, it is useless “.

Responding to the complaints made by the consumers, BEDC Executive Director, Commercial, Mr. Abu Ejoor, said the essence of the town hall meeting was to see how to provide solutions to the complaints raised by the electricity consumers.

While assuring that all their complaints would be channelled to the appropriate authority, Ejoor’s said very soon there will be a massive house to house of installation of meters after the firm must have carried out a pilot survey to ascertain the location they will start from.

PROMOTING FINANCE SUMMIT

L-R: Assistant Director, LIRS, Igho Orienru, presenting the Most Innovative E-banking Platform of the Year Award to the Head of Cards, Fidelity Bank Plc, Patrick Ikpelue, and Head E-Product Sales, Fidelity Bank Plc, Jane Dulen–Ekeke, at the 2018 Finance Mobile Entertainment Summit and Awards, held in Lagos...recently

Zinox Expands Assembly Plant, Set to Deploy Robotics, ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence Stories by Emma Okonji Zinox Technologies Ltd, a foremost technology giant with operations across sub-Saharan Africa, plans to expand its hardware assembly and production plant capacity with the acquisition of a 129,166.925square feet warehouse.

The company is also considering the deployment of robotics in handling the certification processes in the new assembly plant, which will be located in Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos.

The plan to deploy robotics is in line with the digital transformation that is currently

using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive work automation.

Through the new facility, Zinox said it will assemble the products and devices of other multinational Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), which it has recently signed agreements with in a bid to domesticate technology and generate employment opportunities for many unemployed but skilled Nigerians.

The move, which will significantly boost Zinox’s assembling capacity, is also in line with the company’s Future Visions mandate which is targeted at anticipating the future of technology and

creating products for the savvy consumers in areas such as Internet of Things (IOTs), Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, among others A Nigerian-based OEM that has endured the peculiar pains and challenges that have stifled many businesses in the nation’s technology sector, Zinox has enjoyed a measure of confidence and patronage from several blue-chip companies and multinationals such as Shell, Chevron, Total among others, for whom it has supplied high-end personal computers (PCs), laptops,workstations, desktop units, monitors and

other accessories, the company said in a statement Head of Corporate Communications at Zinox, Gideon Ayogu, disclosed that the new assembly plant would help the company expand its capacity to meet the changing demands of a dynamic market and employ more Nigerians. “As Nigeria’s IT identity, we have not lost focus of the fact that no country can claim to be independent until it achieves technology independence. We have gained trust with global tech giants such as Microsoft Corp, Intel Inc. and many others. All we need is the support of the government

and people of Nigeria. “The acquisition of the new facility and expansion of Zinox’s assembly/production line is a critical step in the right direction as it will go a long way to boost our internal capacity and effortless delivery of large-scale rollout projects, all of which require meeting very tight deadlines.

We have worked with several big institutions in the recent past such as Shell, Chevron, NCC, INEC, among other government agencies, for whom we have implemented the rollout of major computer hardware and accessories,�

Ayogu said.

Banks Urged to Integrate Risk Management Systems to Stay Competitive Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

Financial institutions in Nigeria have been advised to modernise and integrate their risk management systems in order to stay relevant in a rapidly changing market. Chief Financial Officers and Chief Risk Officers of banks were also urged to deploy Information Technology (IT) Automation and Risk Management Analytics to address increasing financial risks.

The advice was given at the SAS Risk and Finance Analytics Roadshow, which held in Lagos on Tuesday this week.

Speaking at the SAS Roadshow, Senior Business Solutions Manager, Pre-Sales Risk Practice, SAS, Charles Nyamuzinga, advised banks

to adopt advanced analytics solutions that are multi-tenancy in terms of risk management use cases and cover the entire risk management process, from data management, risk analytics and reporting, to meeting governance and controls requirements.

According to him, banks in Nigeria and Africa were faced with additional challenges, including risk analytics skills shortages, data management issues and integrating their risk management and finance processes across the enterprise.

He however said the banks have started considering technology as a way of eliminating these challenges and have access to

new streams of data that are also helping to advance the financial inclusion mandate.

SAS as a technology partner for banking institutions has always played a proactive role in fostering innovation and transformation of processes and systems, from regulatory compliance to strategic decisions support, from digitisation to risk assessment in real-time. SAS said it has analytics solutions that would allow banks to adapt more quickly to regulatory changes and minimising costs.

As with banks all over the world, banks in Africa should already be compliant with the new IFRS 9 accounting standard, which changes the way they

calculate expected credit losses, Nyamuzinga said.

He called on banks in Nigeria to start thinking about the new ‘Basel IV framework, which impacts on how banks calculate their risk weighted assets and the amount of capital they need to offset those risks.

Another source of regulatory pressure banks are grappling, with are the requirements, questions and challenges related to conducting stress tests, as the regulators become more stringent on stress testing processes, he said, adding that if either of these calculations, which are based on risk models, are incorrect, banks will not only have to worry about non-

compliance penalties but also the capital shortfalls, reputation impact and negative impact on earnings performance.

To address it, Nyamuzinga said banks should use disparate and fragmented systems for data management, model building and implementation and reporting.

According to hm, the biggest causes of incorrect modelling are data management and quality issues and skills shortages. “Banks have to obtain and analyse enormous amounts of detailed data and must comply with IFRS 9, and look at millions of customers with hundreds of data points,� Nyamuzinga added.

25

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Corporate Nigeria Partners Brandzone on #LightUpNigeria Energy Conference First Bank, Techno Oil, Falcon Corporation, Rain Oil and Eterna Plc are among firms are partnering the Brandzone Consulting LLC on the forthcoming #LightUpNigeria Energy Conference. The 2018 energy conference, with the theme, ‘Repositioning the Energy Sector for Growth’, would hold on May 15th, 2018 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

As Nigeria’s premier energy conference, the #LightUpNigeriaConference is a sector transformation platform that leverages its extensive network of experienced and accomplished industry leaders, well researched insights and panel based approach to bring knowledge filled sessions to participants.

A lot of changes have occurred in the global energy sector in the past decade, therefore this energy conference shall explore optimising natural resources to drive energy efficiency and sufficiency for national growth and development.

According to a statement, the conference shall also investigate the future of clean energy, energy digitisation, and the development of world class energy infrastructure locally. It would explore the role of innovation and branding in building strong Nigerian energy brands of the future.

The annual Brand Innovation Conference in its 5th year is organised

by Brandzone Consulting LLC, a world class, globally affiliated organisation reputed for building and managing some of the best of Nigerian brands across diverse sectors including Oil and Gas, Banking, Automobile, Hospitality and Technology.

Dignitaries and special guests expected at the conference include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who shall deliver the conference Keynote address, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Odein Ajumogobia, SAN and Chairman Lafarge, Africa, Bolaji Balogun.

Executive Director and Co-Founder, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole doubles as the Conference Chairperson and the Conference Advisory Board Chairman.

Other Speakers confirmed for the conference include the Managing Director First Exploration and Production Company, Demola Adeyemi-Bero; Managing Director CEO, Rainoil Nigeria Limited, Gabriel Ogbechie; Vice Chairperson, Techno Oil Limited, Nkechi Obi; Founder and CEO, Falcon Corporation, Prof.

Joe Ezigbo; President Nigeria Gas Association and Founder/ CEO, Frontier Oil Limited, Dada Thomas and other chief executive officers of highly reputable energy, oil and gas companies in Nigeria and the international operating companies (IOC) The #LightUpNigeriaConference is designed to draw thought leaders and experts across the various sub-sectors to share insights and knowledge on industry growth topics, timely and relevant issues that would help to unlock opportunities for growth in the energy sector.

The Conference is structured to run in a broad format that would highlight well researched insight on the global developments in the entire energy sector value chain from Power (Generation/ Distribution), Exploration & Production, Downstream Oil distribution and logistics, Gas and Renewable Energy.

The presentations would dissect emerging sector opportunities, issues and challenges inhibiting growth, global innovation that can catalyse growth, operational gaps, and opportunities for growth both for the energy operations and the national economic growth.

Speaking on the conference, Chizor Malize, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of, Brandzone and Convener of the #LightUpNigeriaConference noted: “The Nigerian Energy sector has a pivotal role to play in illuminating the nation. Energy is critical to powering corporations, businesses, infrastructural projects and homes.

The sector remains indispensable and critical to Nigeria’s economic value chain. The sector also plays a major regional role as one of the biggest energy players in the continent. It becomes imperative that the Nigerian

energy sector is strategically propelled to become a key and recognised influencer of the global energy industry.�

On the profile of conference attendees, Malize said: “The #LightUpNigeriaConference participants are drawn from C-Level individuals representative of the broad energy sector such as Power (Generation and Transmission), Oil and Gas, Petroleum Distribution, Renewable energy etc. The conference shall gather industry thought leaders, government policy makers, economic experts, investors, regulators and experts from the sector.

She added: “With the emerging growth opportunities within the energy sector, comes the need to increasingly grow local capacity, develop skills and drive scale. The conference shall explore the opportunities in leveraging sound systems/ framework, innovation and first-rate branding to build strong Nigerian energy brands of the future that can stand at par with global energy corporations� she remarked.

On her part, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani-Mumuney commented: “First Banks partnership with Brandzone on this year’s #LightUpNigeria Energy Conference is in line with the Banks sustainable human and development initiatives.

The energy conference focuses on innovatively creating energy availability is very timely as it reinforces the need to continuously stimulate economic growth and national development.

As we know, energy plays a crucial role in the progress, and development, as well as poverty eradication and security of any nation.

Uninterrupted energy supply is a vital need for economic and national growth.

Future economic growth depends largely on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly.

First Bank is proud to be a part of any narrative that drives the overall growth and development of Nigeria.�

Platform to Showcase Education Brands Organisations developing innovative products and services for the Education sector are billed to showcase their new ideas at the Total school support seminar/ Exhibition (TOSSE). The platform was said to be one of Africa’s biggest Education shows.

TOSSE is an annual exhibition that provides an ideal Marketing platform for Technology Firms, School resources producers, Uniform Manufacturers, Furniture Makers, Laboratory equipment producers, among others to meet with key stakeholders

in the Education sector.

According to the organiser and Chief Executive of Edumark, Yinka Ogunde the 10th Edition of TOSSE, which is expected to host over 100 Exhibitors from Nigeria, UK, Finland, Togo and Ghana, will also host school owners, Administrators and Teachers from more than 24 states of the Federation.

This edition according to Ogunde is coming at a time when there is a focus on the need to develop human capital in the country and the program would be providing series of free seminars for

Education professionals to upgrade their skills.

She gave some of the speakers expected at the event to include; seasoned educators such as the Executive Director of Corona Schools, Mrs. Adedoyin Adesina, CEO Addlo Montessori, Ayopeju Falekulo, Education Consultant, Funmi Tella and Executive Director John Maxwell Team, Bisi Soji-Oyawoye.

Ogunde added that there would also be a parenting forum whereby schools and parents would discuss on areas of mutual interest.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI

Wealth Creation through Savings The foundation of wealth creation is savings. Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ ÚËÓÎ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂ? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?ËŁ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ë›

Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂ? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă˜Ă™ Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂœĂ‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÚÞ Ă“Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ˛ Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ ÓÞ˛ Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÑÙËÖĂ? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?Ëž ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ÑÙËÖ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Í” ÞÙ Í— Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžË› Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëž Ă“Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĘľĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë›

Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÙ×ËÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ËÖÖÙå ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂžĂ–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă–ĂŁË› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ó×ÚÖã Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă• ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžË›

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Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÙ̋ ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă™ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ăž ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžË› Ă™ ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ËÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÙ×ËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžË›

Invest in your education: Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?ÒÓÚ˚ Ă?ÙËĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ë› Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Óâ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? ÞÙ ÞåÙ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ÓÖÓÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?ÎÙ× Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂœË› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ë› ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙÎËã åÓÞÒ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁË›

Aggressive saving: Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Í’Í‘ĎŻ Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁË› Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă“Ăž ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă™ĂĄĚ‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ě™ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĚš

Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ăž Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ě™Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĚš ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ™ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ÞÓĂ? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă? ÓÞ˛ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Í“Í‘ ÞÙ ͔͑ Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă?Þ˛

Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÚÖËĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÞËÕĂ? Í—Í‘ ÞÙ Í˜Í–ĎŻ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Í–Í‘ĎŻ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ù×ÚÖÓ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĚ‹ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă”Ă™ĂŒË›

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

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

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Achieving Digital Transformation through Emerging Technologies The Dell Technologies World 2018 which held in Las Vegas recently, opened up discussions on digital transformation and how global economies could ride on the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to boost development, writes Emma Okonji Technology is evolving and is fast developing economies and turning them into smart cities.

Bu conversations around digital transformation at the Dell Technologies World 2018, which held in Las Vegas in the United States of America last week, revealed that Internet of Things(IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will drive development faster and help global economies, especially developing economies from emerging markets like Africa to achieve digital transformation.

Such transformation will boost the African economy and help its citizens to become innovative, while using technology to boost businesses and create job opportunities.

About digital transformation Digital transformation is about technology innovation and the use of technology to transform the way businesses operate and making businesses much more efficient and profitable. It transforms economics of scale to drive smart cities, while taking real time decision. Dell Technologies is of the view that technologies are converging to offer better solutions for business agility, and has advised global communities, especially Africans to embrace AI, ML and IoT to achieve digital transformation since these new technology trends are fast driving convergence in the technology space. At the Dell Technologies World 2018 conference, Dell Technologies harped on the need for economies to consider generating big data that would support them in catching up with the rapid technology growth that convergence is bringing. Dell Technologies is of the view that economies and organisations must invest in AI, IoT and ML to benefit from the digital transformation.

Achieving digital transformation At the conference, the Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, Michael Dell called on African counties and the entire global communities to embrace digital transformation through the use of digital technology to drive business growth and economic sustainability.

According to him, developed economies of the world have embraced technology to further drive their businesses and every nation must see it as a necessity to grow its economy through the digital transformation that is currently sweeping across the world. “Digital transformation has enhanced businesses, and every business is looking for ways to deploy the best of technology solutions in every aspect of their operations to drive growth, increase new business partners, relationships as well as products and services.

Technology is now top on the agenda for businesses globally because technology strategy is about business strategy, and every business must embrace it, �Dell said.

Giving details about the strategies of Dell Technologies to further drive digital transformation, Dell said his company would continue to innovate each day to enhance customer’s business. “Today’s success stories are different from the success stories of the past because technology has become the game changer. We need to use data, AI, ML, IoT in a way that will enhance speed of business. Technology transformation is the way to go and data is the fuel that will drive global technology transformation. Data can become the most valuable asset, even more valuable than software applications,�

Dell said.

Chief Marketing Officer, Dell Technologies, Allison Dew said human and machine partnerships through AI, IoT and ML were creating lots of potential life-changing businesses for organisations. She said Dell would continue to use the human and machine partnership solutions to solve lots of business challenges

Dell across globe.

According to her, a recent research survey conducted by Dell showed that 42 per cent of the global population did not know whether they can cope with digital transformation, 51 per cent still struggling to keep up with the digital technology space, while 93 per cent faced with the barriers of digital transformation.

She, however, insisted that digital transformation must drive IT transformation, workplace transformation and security transformation in any organisation. She added that AI, IoT and ML would improve the human condition, increase Return on Investment (RoI) and assist businesses to scale beyond human capacity.

IoT, AI, ML as game changer IoT, AI and ML have drastically changed the dynamics between work and work place.

With IoT, people can work from anywhere and make real impact. A lot of businesses are done online and 82 per cent of people who use technology to drive businesses said technology had greatly improved their job, while 44 per cent said technology had given them the opportunity to do more.

By 2020, it is estimated that a great number of the world population would adopt AI, IoT and ML for digital transformation, and it is expected that more of the transformation would be on data security.

According to the Executive Vice President, VMware, an arm of Dell Technologies, Ray O’Farrell, all the seven arms of Dell Technologies are focusing on how to leverage IoT to drive business and improve customers’ efficiency, while working with the broader ecosystem to meet customers’ needs in the era of digital transformation. Dell Technologies, according to him, is using IoT as a platform to drive internet connectivity and access, in a way that devices and people would be connected with the internet to do great exploit, insisting that IoT is not a product, but a very important part of the digital transformation.

According to him, technology has evolved over time from mechanisation and steam power, mass production, computer and automation, to cyber physical, where data is driving the physical world, using IoT analytics to bring the physical world to the era of digital transformation. He said the transformation

Dew was ongoing and IoT would support creativity, jobs creation and digital transformation.

The Chief Technical Officer at Dell EMC, John Rosse, who spoke about AI, said it would drive digital transformation and that the world needed ML to do smarter things. He said 51 per cent of technology consumers were already using voice assistants from machine learning to drive businesses.

O’Farrell emphasised on key factors of AI and how it would enable technology user experience, drive processes in business and create AI infrastructure such as home electronics and transportation. He said robots using AI, would drive smart industry, smart cities and smart homes.

Telcos’ role in digital transformation Positioning telecoms (Telcos) operators as key factor for achieving digital transformation, the Dell Technologies World 2018 conference, challenged telecoms operating companies in different regions of the world to vigorously drive digital transformation, using their widespread networks. Telcos should drive digital transformation and deploy 5G technology to achieve flexibility and speed of connectivity, while using data and public cloud. The conference also called for consolidation between telecoms service providers and the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in order to increase the speed of internet connectivity and access to increase volume of successful businesses.

Telcos must take broadband capacity to the hinterlands and create ubiquitous broadband access that will boost internet connectivity, the conference participants further advised.

Broadband as an enabler Ubiquitous broadband penetration has been identified as an enabler in achieving digital transformation across nations, but Nigeria is still battling with achieving ubiquitous broadband penetration and access for all Nigerians.

Technology experts, who spoke at Dell Technology World 2018, identified broadband as key to achieving digital transformation.

According to them, ubiquitous broadband access and connectivity is the key to national development. Broadband access will drive development at the speed of light. It will

boost eCommerce business; it will open up online businesses of several kinds and create global job opportunities.

In spite of the advantages of broadband in nation building and development, Nigeria is yet to attain 30 per cent broadband penetration across the country.

But conscious of the importance of broadband in technology advancement, the federal government in 2012, inaugurated the presidential committee for a national broadband strategy and roadmap. The committee, which was co-chaired by the former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, and supported by 15 core technology experts drawn from the ICT sector, was mandated to come up with a five-year workable and realistic National Broadband Plan (2013-2018) for the country.

The National Broadband Plan had a vision to connect communities with high speed internet and broadband access that will facilitate faster socio-economic advancement of Nigeria and its people.

Although the broadband plan had a target of achieving 30 per cent broadband penetration across the country by December 2018, the lack of proper implementation appears to make the target unachievable.

Citing lack of broadband infrastructure to deploy broadband capacities from the shores of the country to the hinterlands where demand for broadband is high, coupled with the inability of licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) to roll out broadband infrastructure across the country, based on right of way issues among other challenges, industry stakeholders in Nigeria have called on the federal government to identity the actual causes of weak broadband penetration, which is currently put at 22 per cent penetration. Although the country has only eight per cent penetration left to meet the 30 per cent broadband penetration target as contained in the National Broadband policy, they are, however, skeptical about Nigeria, achieving the 30 per cent target, which they insisted, would open up a lot of opportunities for digital transformation in Nigeria, if achieved.

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Coker: Data Centre Operations Will Enhance Growth The managing director of Rack Centre, Mr. Ayotunde Coker, spoke with Emma Okonji on the importance of data centre operations to business growth and economic development. Excerpts: the challenge of managing the data centre off their operational schedule.

Rack Centre is often referred to as a co-location and modular operator in the data centre operation sector. What is the difference between the two terminologies and how is Rack Centre service delivery connected to both terminologies?

There are no differentiating factors between co-location and modular operation. The co-location centre is a shared services facility where people co-locate or bring together their information technology (IT) infrastructure facilities to be hosted on a single platform and managed by the operator of the centre. It has a strong security and standard of operation. Modular technology operation, on the other hand, is a special system of operation within a co-location centre, which allows the centre operator to deliver data components inside the co-location centre in stages. Modular operation is about expansion, based on demand as well as speed of operation in a co-location data environment.

Rack Centre got certification on constructed facilities. What is it all about and what value has it added to customers’ business?

For data centre operations, we have the Uptime Institute, which is the global authority on data centre quality certifications. So in April last year, Rack Centre achieved a Constructed Facility Certification from the Uptime Institute. It was a rigorous certification process because every aspect of the data business was inspected and the organisation has to meet up with the requirement of 100 per cent pass rate before certification is approved. We are proud to have achieved that certification as a first carrier neutral co-location facility in the whole of Africa, to be Constructed Facility certified by the Uptime Institute. The fact is that Rack Centre is not a carrier, but we can attract carriers to host data in Rack Centre.

For example we have over 25 carriers directly connected to our data centre and we also have all the undersea cables from the Atlantic coasts directly connected to Rack Centre. So Rack Centre is the only data centre operator that is carrier neutral, that has the certification that makes us the most connected Tier III Certified Data Facility in Africa.

The value of the certification to our customers is that the customers feel rest assured that the centre where their data is stored has the highest security to protect their data, since we have been certified by the Uptime Institute. It gives customers the confidence about the safety of their data and business.

At Rack Centre, there are different layers of security. Why does Rack Centre need to spend so much resources keeping all the various levels of security?

We have high regard for security because part of the agreement we had with customers is to ensure high level security of their data. Now all the security checks you talked about is such that one validates the other. We have administrative security that validates who a visitor to the data centre is and we also have the physical security that secures the data itself. We have biometric for every stage of the physical security. We have 10 minimum level of physical security.

Can you share some of your investments plan in Rack Centre operation?

We have invested billions of naira in Rack Centre to date, since we went live in October 2013 and we have operated 99 per cent of downtime control. Our operation has helped us to double our investment some time ago. The huge investment in our data centre operation is significant to getting the certification from Uptime Institute.

Since 2013 you have been able to maintain a reasonable number of customers who believe in your services. What is the strategy behind this?

The strategy in retaining our customers and also signing on new customers is built around

So tell us what makes Rack Centre unique and different from other data centre operators in the country?

First of all we are highly certified in terms of quality and security and we are the most scalable data centre in the whole of West Africa. From Rack Centre, organisations hosting their data with us can connect the entire world from our location. So any bank that has its data hosted at Rack Centre can connect all its branches around the whole of West Africa because our facilities are highly and widely connected. These are some of the things that make us unique at Rack Centre. The other aspect of it is that we are carrier neutral and we will continue to attract the cloud services from all the key players. We host the Nigerian Stock Exchange and a host of others and we are connected to the Nigeria Internet Xchange Point (iXPN).

Most data centre operators are clustered around Lagos, yet we have lots of data businesses outside Lagos. What is Rack Centre doing to build more data centres outside Lagos?

Rack Centre can connect to all locations outside Lagos. For instance, a bank with branches across the country can host its data in our Lagos location, from where it can connect to all its bank branches. However, we know that with the large population size of Nigeria, we can add more proximity to customers by strategically locating data centre at specific places.

Coker innovation. For us at Rack Centre, excellence and team work are key values. We see every challenge as opportunity to deliver better services to our customers. We generate our own power and we are working closely with the Ikeja Electric to bring in very highly sophisticated and dedicated power to Rack Centre. The innovation we bring in addresses a lot of our challenges as a data centre operator.

“Data centre operators in the country do have such capacity to host data locally, if all organisations, including the banks decide to host their data locally in the country. As for Rack Centre, we have enough rack space and capacity to host more data, and our modular data centre operation allows us to upscale, in line with the demand from customers�

Apart from generating our own power, we are also engineering gas technology and by the end of 2019, we will have our facilities to be Tier IV compliant, based on the innovation we are bringing.

Last year, CBN mandated all banks to host their data locally. Do you think data centre operators in Nigeria, including Rack Centre, have the capacity to host huge volume of data in Nigeria?

Yes, data centre operators in the country do have such capacity to host data locally, if all organisations, including the banks decide to host their data locally in the country. As for Rack Centre, we have enough rack space and capacity to host more data, and our modular data centre operation allows us to upscale, in line with the demand from customers. Currently we have 255 rack space capacity and we are doubling that capacity by the end of this year.

We have the demand from our customers for extra capacity and we are working on that currently. We did some analysis few years ago and discovered that the latent addressable capacity for Nigeria is about 49,000KW, but that capacity is being unlocked. We can meet the capacity required by the banks.

Companies are trying to cut operational cost and should they decide to host their data themselves, how will that affect their business growth?

This question you raised is like someone who has the need for a car and decides to build a car for himself or herself instead of buying from the car dealers, just to save some money.

When people or organisations want to build and manage their own data, it sounds good but they can only achieve a minimum level of efficiency and quality standard. Data centre design and management requires high technical skills and it is capital intensive. So it is more cost effective for organisations to release their data and allow experts like Rack Centre to manage their data. While the company is talking about customers satisfaction and profitability, we take

Nigeria is currently at 22 per cent broadband penetration with a target to attain 30 per cent by the end of 2018. How can Rack Centre and other data centre operators help to drive broadband penetration in the country?

Apart from increasing broadband infrastructure, there are some fundamental things that could help drive broadband penetration in the country.

There are different ways to boost broadband penetration, and one of them is through fibre and others could be through 4G LTE technology. However, our role at Rack Centre is to deliver that core reliable infrastructure and we can build that capacity at Rack Centre. We, as data centre operators, play host to the operators that provide broadband infrastructure, so we are a fundamental part of the ecosystem that addresses broadband penetration in the country.

Government is the highest spender in any sector of the economy, including the data centre sector. What in your view can government do to promote data centre operation in the country?

We have government data and it is the prerogative of government to decide how it can host its own data. But Rack Centre can host government data in its cloud environment and this will boost businesses. But in the micro environment, government has to increase the ease of doing business and create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Rack Centre has the capacity to export Information Technology services to other parts of the country and outside the country but we need the enabling micro environment to do it well.

Cloud computing is key to data centre operation, but Rack Centre has gone a step beyond that to introduce cloud-on-ground services. Of what benefit is cloud-on-ground to businesses, and what are the benefits of data centre to businesses?

The cloud-on-ground introduced by Rack Centre is still very much there and doing great for our customers. It is about innovation and diversification and attracting international players to come to Nigeria to invest. So Cloud-on-ground is about hosting the data locally, using the cloud technology.

The benefits of data centre to businesses are numerous, ranging from national security to business growth, stability and efficiency.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Global Cost Effect of Cybercrime to Hit $6tn by 2021 Stories by Emma Okonji Experts at the recently concluded second edition of NaijaSecCon cybersecurity conference in Lagos, have projected that the devastating cost effect of cybercrime would reach $6 trillion by 2021, unless adequate measures were taken.

Their projection was based on the increase in the cost effect of cybercrime from $3 trillion recorded in 2015. It is estimated that about 60 per cent of Nigerian companies suffered some forms of cyberattack during the year 2017, many of which were underreported for reasons ranging from lack of knowledge of such happenings, apathy, fear of losing customers, and job insecurity, among others.

The one-day conference had over 200 attendees that witnessed the ethical hacking competition with 60 participants comprising of ten teams of six members each.

Speakers were unanimous in their views that lack of education on technical aspects of information security could hurt the economy in the

nearest future.

Participants at the conference were exposed to discussions around malware analyses, cryptocurrency mining, USB forensics, digital forensics capabilities, programming and different topics around security.

Founder of Inspaya, Muzudeen Kusimo, said there was a level of education required from those that would be making cybersecurity policies in Nigeria. According to him, “This is necessary so that the policies they are making are right and effective. It is good to make policies but if they do not meet the realities on the ground, then the policies become ineffective. For you to apply these policies effectively, it means you have the right context and that is education.

So there is a huge gap in terms of awareness.”

“We have been having significant conversations with stakeholders both in Nigeria and the Diaspora about the needs to alter the curriculum to reflect the current realities in the cyberspace. And some of the ways to do that is to work with the universities

and educationists in making sure that we introduce some of these courses. In the long run, this is going to form the core of the knowledge for cybersecurity.”

“The goal is that after you finish the regular two or four years programme from the higher institutions, students will have some level of awareness that would take them to the next level. From there,

they get actively involved in cybersecurity activities.”

Coming from the United States to be part of NaijaSecCon 2018 conference, Charles Nwatu, said he discovered there were lots of talents to be harnessed in Nigeria to assist the government and corporate organisations wall off cyber traitors.

Nwatu said: “There is a lot of talent; I have seen the skills

set developed. There is an issue of how to capture that talent and refine it. Structure, maturity and development, all those components are part of the experience. As we continue to have more students come into the program to gain more experience doing the actual work within businesses and companies. Then the maturity changes over time.

“The talent is there. We

need more education and refining these talents to understand the rules of engagement when it comes to cybersecurity practices. We want to ensure that we operate effectively in the cybersecurity space and not to put anyone in jeopardy.”

He further called for the right policies to be put in place to assist the industry grow better.

Minister, Zinox Chairman to Honour 2018 NiOMA Award The Minister for Communications, Adebayo Shittu, and Africa’s Serial Digital Entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh, will headline the 2018 Nigerian Online Merit Award (NiOMA), the organisers have said.

The event is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja on Friday next week.

“We are glad to announce that Honourable Minister for Communications, Adebayo Shittu, and Zinox Group Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, have graciously accepted to headline the 2018 NiOMA. While the Minister will serve as the special guest of honour, ICT guru Leo Stan Ekeh will be the guest speaker. Both will also be among those to be honoured on the night,” NiOMA Organising Committee Chairman, Mr. Lanre Alabi, said in a statement.

He said Ekeh would speak on the theme, “Leveraging the Internet Revolution to Leapfrog Nigeria’s Development”.

Alabi also disclosed that former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, would chair the event.

The occasion, according to Alabi, “will be used to X-ray topical ICT issues facing the nation. It will be a grand one as it will attract senior executives, top government functionaries, industry leaders, market analysts, professional groups and diverse economy sectoral leaders, among others.”

A brainchild of Nigeria’s leading daily online newspaper, News Express Nigeria, NiOMA is designed to celebrate outstanding individuals and corporates driving the Nigerian online revolution.

Huawei Assures Customers of Quality Service Delivery The Director, Huawei Nigeria Enterprise Channel Department, Mr. Ken Zhao has restated the company’s resolve to always deliver quality solutions to its customers, through its partners in the Nigerian market.

Zhao, who made the disclosure at the joint partner summit organised by Technology Distribution (TD) and Huawei in Lagos, with the title: ‘Leading New ICT, The Road To Digital Transformation’, reeled out the various solutions offered by the company. He said the company signed with only TD Solutions in 2013 but has now added two distributors, one value added partner, and five hundred plus tier II partners as a result of its total commitment to delivering effective and efficient workable solutions, consequent upon the feedback received from customers. He said the onus lies

on the company to reward its customers with juicy incentives so as to promote the partnership. “Our company’s belief rests on open, collaborative and win-win policy and as a result there is need to keep rewarding our partners in order to safeguard their interest.

“There is marketing incentive called Deal Registration Reward Programme and it is valid from April 1 to September 30; Demo Incentive Programme which is valid from April 1 to September 30, and so many others that are slated for customers,” he said.

In addition to the incentives, Zhao said there was existence of Huawei Partner University, Openlab Practice, Online Courses, and Capabilities Development Roadmap, designed to help partners develop talent and improve their capabilities.

CONGRATULATIONS

Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe and Mrs. Tokunbo Ajala-Ekundayo both newly decorated Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), 2018 annual general meeting of the institute at Umuahia, Abia State... recently

Nigeria to Woo New Investors at ITU Telecom World 2018 Riding on the crest of the successes the country recorded in the South Korea-hosted International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017, Nigeria’s planning committee for the 2018 edition of ITU Telecom World holding in Durban, South Africa in September this year, has been inaugurated.

The focus of the planning committee, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is to woo new investors that would invest in the country’s broadband plan.

The theme of ITU Telecom World 2018 is “Innovation for smarter Digital Development”.

Announcing the inauguration, the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo said this year’s participation would focus on attracting new investors to the much sought broadband segment of the sector. These investors will deepen Nigeria’s quest for pervasive broadband whose penetration level currently stands at 22 per cent.

Expectedly, the Nigerian delegation will be led by Communications Minister, Chief Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu; the Chairman of NCC Board, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; Nigeria’s Chief Telecoms Regulator and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; industry stakeholders, telecoms operators; and Ministries, Departments

and Agencies (MDAs), among other players.

In 2017, NCC won the ‘Most Valuable Partner’ for its commitment and participation at ITU Telecom World events over the years, while Nigeria got a certification of appreciation for the ITU Telecom World 2017 national and thematic pavilion as well as loyal participation and supporters of the yearly ITU Telecom World events over the years.

Nigeria also won government award for being the government with the most innovative Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) included as part of the nation’s pavilion.

No fewer than five SMEs/ innovators made the final ITU global list for SMEs/innovators awards. Three of them made the honours list.

ITU Telecom World 2018 is an election year of the annual event. Nigeria will be contesting for two positions: the ITU Administrative Council and the Director, in charge of the Bureau for Telecommunications Development (BDT) which Mr. Williams Ijeh is contesting for.

In April, Danbatta presented Nigeria’s position at a dinner for ITU Secretary General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, officials of the global regulatory bodies, ministers, regulators and global dignitaries in Geneva Switzerland.

Danbatta told the high profile audience that Nigeria remained one of the highest

financial contributors to ITU in the African region and is a major player in ITU Telecom

World activities for many years and therefore solicits for support towards its aspirations.

Fidelity Bank Emerges Most Innovative E-banking Platform Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has emerged TECH TV Most Innovative E-Banking platform of the year at the 2018 Finance Mobile Entertainment Summit and Awards, which held in Lagos recently.

The report by the Intelligence unit of TECH TV headed by ace broadcast journalist, Don Pedro Aganbi indicated that Fidelity Bank, undoubtedly, is rapidly emerging a leader in the online and electronic banking space.

The bank continues to make significant investment in digital technology and infrastructure, which is a clear demonstration of its understanding of how the emerging digital technology operatesc and is indeed improving the ease and efficiency of providing banking services to meet the needs of its esteemed customers.

Fidelity Bank Plc is equally in the vanguard of educating customers and empowering them to take advantage of the easy to use electronic banking products and services Fidelity Bank. The recent ‘Go Digital’ campaign aptly demonstrates this commitment. Today, with

its new and vastly improved user-friendly online banking platform and the personalized self-service feedback system on its flagship Instant Banking Service, *770#, Fidelity Bank is championing digital banking in Nigeria.

The prestigious Most Innovative E-Banking Platform of the Year award was presented to Fidelity Bank by Assistant Director, LIRS Igho Orienru and was received by Head Cards Fidelity Bank Plc, Patrick Ikpelue and, Head E-Product Sales Fidelity Bank Plc, Jane Dulen-Ekeke.

The Tech TV Finance Mobile Entertainment Summit and Awards is designed to celebrate and honour individuals and organizations, who are at the forefront of promoting financial inclusion, mobile/technology adoption and usage in Nigeria.

The 2018 Finance Mobile Entertainment Summit examined avenues for collaborations, partnerships and integration within the Nigerian mobile/ online market particularly in consulting, technology, talent management, mobile/online payments solutions and funding.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ADVERTISING

As LASAA, OAAN Move to Resolve Rift The rivalry between the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency and Outdoor Advertising Practitioners will soon become a thing of the past as the two organisations move to resolve lingering issues, Raheem Akingbolu reports The management of the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), made another bold step recently to deepen the relationship between the state and the outdoor practitioners operating in the commercial city under the aegis of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN. The move was the decision of the agency to host stakeholders in the industry with the aim of resolving issues in the industry as it relates to rates and vacant board discount policy, among others.

To say the relationship between the two bodies has been frosty in recent time is like stating the obvious. Though they are expected to be partners in progress, some carried over issues, which could be traced to the early years of the agency have not made them best of friends. Hence, it has been relationship built on suspicion and mistrust.

The current Managing Director of LASAA, Mr. Mobolaji Sanusi, must have seen it coming on his assumption of office three years ago.

To bridge the gap between stakeholders and the agency, he met members of the Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria (OAAN) on Friday, October 15, 2015. At the meeting, relevant issues were discussed towards ensuring harmonious relationship between both parties. He also reeled out his plans to breathe a fresh air into the agency.

As part of the moves to make the agency more interactive, Sanusi and his team increased LASAA’s social media engagement. This explains why the Agency has consistently engaged the public on its various social media platforms, especially facebook and twitter. In a way, this and other customer relation approaches have improved the agency’s customer service delivery and enhances professionalism.

The 15-man committee and Task ahead When the stakeholders met recently, it was not just talk but action. To show the world that they were ready to resolve their differences this time, they both agree to setting up of a 15-member committee to resolve knotty areas in the industry and chat a new way forward.

Issues to be addressed by the committee include media buyers, agency rate review, vacant board discount policy; 12.5 percent in the harmonised law, health and safety concerns, structural stability, among others.

The meeting held at the head office of LASAA in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and had major outdoor advertising practitioners in the state present. The constituted committee had seven members from OAAN and eight members from LASAA. Addressing the meeting, Managing Director, LASAA, Sanusi said that in the agency’s effort to improve the relationship between it and outdoor advertising practitioners, it visited some organisations with a view to understanding their challenges and the various problems in the outdoor advertising industry.

He said the meeting was the outcome of the various visits, as LASAA had collated some of the concerns of the outdoor advertising practitioners.

“In our efforts to ensure sanity in the industry, it is important to find lasting solutions to some of the issues that have bedeviled the industry,” he said, adding that the meeting should be an opportunity to strengthen “our relations so that in the end, it is going to be a win-win for all of us.”

One of the critical issues discussed at the meeting was media buyers. The outdoor advertising practitioners decried a situation whereby major brands, such Glo, Nigeria Breweries, among others, frequently owed the practitioners after their advertising campaigns have been displayed.

Challenges according to OAAN members President, OAAN, Tunde Adedoyin, lamented that the inability of the advertisers to pay members what was due to them had been a major reason why they had not been able

Adedoyin to pay LASAA what was due to the agency.

Adedoyin appealed to LASAA to intervene in the matter, which had been so frequent, saying that as long as the advertisers, especially major brands, refused to pay the practitioners, it would be difficult for them to meet up with their commitment to LASAA. Mrs. Ify Onukwuba of the Nigerian Advertising Service Limited also lamented that the advertisers did not always pay the outdoor practitioners as at when due, saying that was the reason many practitioners were owing LASAA. “It will be good for LASAA to hold meeting with these brands so that they can pay us on time and for us to meet our obligations to LASAA,” she said.

Another practitioner, Mr. Kayode Situ of the Optimum Exposures collaborated his colleague’s view that major brands, such as Glo and other’s delay in paying for their exposures had been a clog in the wheel of progress in the industry.

“LASAA can put a stop to this. LASAA should sanction the media buyers for refusing to pay on time,” he said, saying that the agency could stop the practitioners from exposing the adverts of these brands to serve as deterrent to others.

Responding, LASAA MD, Sanusi said if the agency must assist the practitioners on the issue of media buyers, it must do it within the ambit of the law as LASAA only act as regulator of the industry structure.

“If we are going to come in, there must be a Memorandum of Understanding. If you want the regulators to come in, that is a private arrangement. We can make this industry a working one, we are ready to partner with you,” he said.

The LASAA MD also wanted OAAN to sanction its members who were both practitioners and media buyers at the same time, adding that OAAN should be more open with the agency if it must assist

Sanusi Expectation Since the day the committee was inaugurated, not a few observers have commended the move, in the hope that it would create a symbiotic relationship for both the regulator and the practitioners.

Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, Dr. Jide Johnson, said the recent development will make both parties winners. ‘’Considering the controversy that has continue to overwhelm LASAA since inception and the cat and mouse relationship between the agency and LASAA, if this new move resolve the crisis, then Sanusi and his team would write their names in gold. It is going to be a win win situation for both parties as practitioners will be sure of conducive atmosphere for business while LASAA will also be able to regulate with ease and generate revenue accordingly,” he said.

Under the new regime With the assumption of office of the current Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, a thoroughbred public administrator and accountant, many innovations were infused to the system. Sources close to the governor revealed to THISDAY that Ambode confided in some of his closest allies on the need to get tested hands and disciplined individuals to head strategic agencies of government to improve on the state’s internal revenue generation.

That was how the name of the current MD of the agency, Mr. Mobolaji Sanusi, a lawyer and journalist, came up and he was appointed about three years ago. Years after, Sanusi and his team have not only consolidated on what was met on ground, they have raised the bar on all fronts.

Few days ago, this reporter went to the agency on a fact finding mission and discovered that a lot of steps had been taken to prune down the excessive spending of the agency.

This, according to sources was necessitated by the need to cut cost and respond to current economic crisis bedeviling the nation. As a result of this the new Managing Director, promptly reduced the departments in the Agency from seventeen to seven, with just three units. And as a leader, who wanted to lead by example, Sanusi was said to have jolted many staff when he began to get to office before 8am every day. For those, who were used to walking in around 9am or 10am, the early resumption of the CEO sent a message of change. He followed this up by creating a day for sanitation exercise.

With this approach, the new MD succeeded in improving on staff ethics, attitude and approach to work. It also rubs on positively on the improvement of staff appearance, outlook and dress code. The sanitation day, which commenced towards the tail end of last year, has also impacted well on the operation of the agency considering the fact that it has helped in the identification of poster and banner black spot. It has also helped to develop zero tolerance for indiscriminate pasting of posters. For effectiveness, all staff allocated official vehicles were assigned work areas within their local government of residence; to identify areas of visual blight with respect to signage.

Among other reformative approaches, the Agency’s internal processes have been improved while a seamless business processes have been put in place to bring about improved service delivery, revenue generation and debt recovery. For easy accessibility, the agency’s branch offices have been realigned.

Internally, Sanusi and his team are said to have invigorated the procurement office.

In a country where sustainability is always a challenge, pundits believe that if the current leadership of the agency can maintain the track, the activities of LASAA can be a major boost to the Ambode’s administration in Lagos State.

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Are XLR8 and MTN Parting Ways?

Raheem Akingbolu reports that MTN and XLR8 may have severed their relationship News filtering in from the PR consulting industry indicates that MTN and XLR8 may have parted ways. XLR8 is the highly respected upscale PR consultancy founded by MTN’s pioneer head of public relations, the self-effacing and debonair Calixthus Okoruwa and was until recently responsible for the corporate aspect of the MTN brief. XLR8 also consults for a very extensive crop of multinational brands across different sectors that range from technology and telecommunications to banking and financial services, food and beverage and fast moving consumer goods. It also consults for a number of key public sector clients. Only last year, it was awarded the “best corporate PR personality of the year� by the council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR under the leadership of Dr. Rotimi Oladele.

THISDAY can exclusively report that both firms decided to severe their relationship a few weeks ago. The communications division of MTN has had quite a few changes of guard over the last few years. It had been overseen by Wale Goodluck for many years until Goodluck resigned his appointment in the wake of the $5.2b regulatory fine which MTN incurred in 2015. Thereafter, Amina Oyagbola took over,

Okoruwa’

Speculative reports indicate that XLR8 may have met an MTN much different from that which it left barely three years ago. While the change of personnel may be a possible reason, the changes may also have been fallout of the record fine which was slammed on MTN by the NCC a few years ago and which it is still paying. The company recorded its first financial loss on the back of this fine about two years ago, but has since returned to profitability.

MD, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman

combining oversight of communications with that of human resources. But Oyagbola formally resigned from the firm not too long ago. Oyeronke Oyetunde of the Legal Division was also said to have overseen the division but only in an acting capacity. The division is currently headed

by Tobe Okigbo who was recently hired by MTN. Okigbo, it is learnt, was formerly at Smile Communications.

At the beginning XLR8 first won the MTN account sometime around 2006/2007 and managed the account alongside Marketing Mix till 2015 when both firms were relieved of the business. At that point, the business was handed over to a set of different firms, Brooks & Blakes and DKK an advertising agency. By late last year, MTN was in search of another set of PR firms. According to sources, this was in line with the re-alignment of the brand as Omnicom is now responsible for all of MTN’s marketing communications. At the end of the pitch, XLR8 emerged successful alongside BlackHouse Media and both firms were saddled with the task of managing the account and reportedly took over the business in January.

Culture Shock?

Speculative reports indicate that XLR8 may have met an MTN much different from that which it left barely three years ago. While the change of personnel may be a possible reason, the changes may also have been fallout of the record fine which was slammed on MTN by the NCC a few years ago and which it is still

paying. The company recorded its first financial loss on the back of this fine about two years ago, but has since returned to profitability.

Both parties refused to entertain any questions from this reporter, assuring that a formal press statement would be issued shortly.

But a staff of MTN, who spoke with THISDAY in confidence, simply stated that the marriage turned sour because the parties involved couldn’t agree on mutual template. ‘’As far as I’m concerned, both parties couldn’t just agree on principle. XLR8 sure came in with robust experience and deep knowledge about the MTN brand, perhaps because of the background of its founder, who has worked on the brand both within and outside for over a decade. Within, we also have a communications department that can boast of the best brains and ideas. But like the biblical new king who knew not Joseph, the leadership of the company’s communications division, couldn’t just operate on the same page with XLR8, hence the need for both parties to mutually agree on separation,� the source added.

Multiple Pitches, Multiple agencies With the departure of XLR8, MTN is likely to conduct yet another pitch to pick its replacement.

Earlier this year, it conducted a pitch to select a PR firm to manage communications relating to its forthcoming public listing. Africa Practice was hired. This was a follow-up to the pitch held last year to select XLR8 and BHM and the one held in 2015 to select Brooks & Blakes and DKK. A new pitch is however, not likely to suffer any shortage of interest or participants

as the MTN business is heavily sought after in the PR industry despite what is emerging as a high turnover of PR firms in the company.

So far, it would appear that MTN now holds the record in the telecoms industry for having engaged the highest number of PR firms in the country. It has worked with C&F Porter Novelli which was its maiden agency, Marketing Mix, XLR8, Brooks & Blakes, Black House Media and Africa Practice at different times.

It has also worked with DKK which though an advertising agency was saddled with PR responsibilities.

Is this the end of the on-off relationship between XLR8 and MTN? XLR8 interestingly has had a protracted relationship with MTN over the years. Aside the fact that its founder was once an employee of the firm, XLR8 consulted for more than eight straight years for MTN. After it lost the PR consulting account in 2015, it again won the content management business for MTN and was responsible for developing publications for the company. By 2018 it was again re-hired to carry out public relations for the firm. The question on the lips of industry practitioners now is whether this development is the final curtain in the on-off relationship between MTN and XLR8. Time will definitely tell.

Meanwhile this reporter has it on good authority that several PR firms are already putting finishing touches to their corporate profiles in the expectation that a pitch to select XLR8’s replacement will happen soon.

Experts Push for Professionalism to Check Fake News Raheem Akingbolu Eminent professionals in public relations, academics and the media have called for increased adherence to journalism ethics, improved skills in investigative journalism and retraining among media practitioners in order to tackle the growing menace of fake news.

Speaking at the 2018 edition of the Annual Gold Medal Lecture of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) in Lagos, the experts lamented that the growing trend of fake news has become hurtful to communication, particularly public relations, which is anchored

on message believability.

A panel of discussants and the audience derived their admonition from the paper on “Communicating Effectively in the Era of Fake News, Alternative Facts and Post-Truth,� by the Guest Lecturer and pioneer Dean of the School of Media and Communications, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo.

The PRCAN Gold Medal Lecture was chaired by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, with the Publisher of Businessday Newspapers, Frank Aigbogun

as the moderator. In the discussion panel were former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George; Nigeria Editor of Africa Check, David Ajikobi; and the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Dotun Oladipo. “With the growing increase of online and social media platforms acceptance, fake news has increased as everybody with a phone can be a reporter, editor and publisher all at the same time without the burden of social responsibility, standards or ethics,� Biakolo lamented. This, he explained, had led to different versions of the truth.

“What the trained journalist considers the truth might be his own truth as a journalist, while the bearer of the fake news who is not trained might consider his own version of the truth as the real truth while he considers the trained journalist’s own version as the alternative truth. It’s about perspective and power dynamics,� he stressed.

He cautioned that alternative facts and post-truth should be curbed because of the huge adverse impact they have on the credibility and believability of a medium as well as the journalist that authors such news story.

Biakolo also postulated that,

“from the point of view of social construction, any principle of subvention that leads an investigator to choose certain facts during an investigation is preconditioned by society and interest because facts are socially and culturally constructed. You should realise that the media operates as a social system within the wider social system.�

He observed that in the era when news was solely disseminated through institutional outlets such as print, television and radio, the media channels were guided by responsibility of accuracy and ethics.

The Guest Lecturer pointed out that trends had changed from the days when well-trained

journalists were the only gatekeepers of news, with news content and practitioners going through strict processes and training which involved highstandards before publication. “Today anybody can be in the purview of their room and disseminate alternative facts, multiple truths, post-truth or fake news without recourse to any standards or regulations,� he further said.

In his intervention, the NIPR President shared his experience with fake news. According to Sirajo, he was astonished by the report of a small fire incident in Kaduna which was exaggerated by carriers of fake news on one of the social media platforms.

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Lomas: Agencies Should Put Purpose in Driving Their Communication The President, DDB Middle East and Africa, Mr. Glen Lomas was in Nigeria recently and spoke with journalists on the various challenges facing the creative industry and trends that will define businesses in the sector. Raheem Akingbolu presents the excerpts: The global business environment is going through changes globally, how does this affect advertising as a business and as a practice?

Rather than answering the question the way you put it, let me start by stating that one of the things that I try to do when I go around is to emphasise the need to stop concentrating on what’s changing and proffer concentration to what’s not changing.

Fundamentally, the factors that drive motivation have not changed. If you listen to any song being produced over the last 50 years, 95% of them are about love and relationships.

The things that motivate us (fear, love) don’t change. Things that change include how we potentially communicate with one another about issues. There is great stuff happening in this regard. Phones and digital technologies have influenced interactions with our clients.

Now, we relate with them on a personal level.

This is quite fantastic because we have always said that the best way of communicating is personal interactions.

Broadcast media is still incredibly important in my mind. All of the things that people keep saying, TV is dead or print media is dead is actually not totally true. It’s still as important as it was back then. It’s easy to get so much data about somebody to project what I want you know about the person. My brand can be whatever I want it to be. There is danger in that. That personalization of the brand stops the brand from having its own identity and the identity of that brand starts to become your identity. That’s a big worry.

I still think broadcast media is important as it ever was in terms of saying this is who I am and take me as I am. I will give you a typical example; a media company came to me recently to talk to me about an app that equipped them with the colour preference of customers. Whenever you book a car online, you could take that information and put it across various products to influence buying choices. I told them it was just absurd. My favourite colour might be green for a car but I may not want a green kitchen. I may not like a green shirt and I don’t want my whole life to be green. That’s the mentality we’ve got to be careful about.

We’ve had a lot of changes. However, let’s be clear that humans have not changed that much over the years. We have to maintain our interactions with the consumer and leverage on communicating with them persuasively.

Three years ago, you observed certain things about the Nigerian economy and advertising agencies. What are the changes you’ve noticed three years after?

The biggest change I have seen is that Nigeria is no longer different to anywhere else in the world. The challenges you are facing here are the same challenges being encountered elsewhere. The most worrying of the challenges is how to attract really bright, creative people into the advertising industry.

The need to inspire loyalty towards brands is still very relevant. When we started off at DDB, we were quite keen on doing great jobs with a great company. It’s sort of motivating to work with a company that challenges and allow you to succeed. That is in short supply now. The most disturbing part is not only that those companies no longer exist; the desire to succeed doesn’t exist anymore. Of course, success means a lot to different people.

As an industry and as an agency, attracting great talents into this industry is quite difficult.

It’s very difficult to motivate people the way we have been used to in doing a great job and aspiring to be better.

In some of your interviews, you have shared your views about dearth of talents in the

the rules of television advertising to online advertising. It is not going to work because it is a very different experience. The market is centred on a couple of diverse engagements.

We are giving considerable attention to understanding different medium and accompanying specifications. It is not about reinventing the media. It is all about working out the rules for specific medium. As an agency, we’re disciplined about this.

Should there be domestication of global campaigns in line with local marketing?

Personally, I prefer creating individual advertising messages for individual markets and groups. Advertising ought to be as relevant and resilient as possible. When working with a client that has the same brand in about 200 countries, there is always a pressure on them to reduce costs. For instance, Unilever creates multiple adverts for Lipton tea to ensure consistency. The key to success in local marketing is to come up with an idea of the role brands play and its relevance to people’s lives. I love creating different works for different markets. That is when it becomes more touching.

Sometimes, clients save money on campaign budgets by using one commercial to talk to many markets. Do you think this is viable?

Potentially, sometimes it does work. We just have to make a research and know what works better in different markets. The methods of recording success have got a lot of interpretations. What you consider as success may be quite different from what I consider as success.

Lomas creative industry. How will that define the advertising industry and other industries?

Talent defines our industry. To be very frank with you, I think we have to remind people of the power vested in creative talents. We have to remind people that advertising isn’t just a service industry. People perceive advertising as being an unvalued part of the economic chain. It is a vital part.

Most people fail to realise that every single business depends on sales. Our successes revolve on the ability to project ourselves. Also, the more creative you can be in terms of how you position others and yourself, the more likely you will become an effective force.

The main thing is to stop the industry itself of being belittled by its necessities and its roles and remind everybody that growth in whatever form, from the economy to individual lives is incredibly important. Persuasive communication is the vehicle that will drive that growth.

Agencies keep hinging advertising campaigns on sales without empowering the community.

Do you think advertising agencies should shift from making sales to empowering communities with campaigns?

Agencies should maintain their focus on enhancing sales. Some of the people coming to agencies don’t really understand that advertising performs a very important function in driving the economy.

Our role here in DDB Lagos and DDB Worldwide which I am proud to represent is that we need to grow clients’ businesses.

If we don’t do that and shift concentration to awards and not really understanding why we do awards, we will wander miles off the right track. I think people need to understand why awards are important and how they drive great creativity. In turn, they need to understand that creativity drives great effectiveness and growth.

People need to understand the advertising chain as not just about creating pretty pictures and covering things in. We need to be out there doing stuffs, engaging people and promoting sales in the right way.

The digital era is influencing creative messages these days. Clients rely on agencies to create messages for digital marketing. But, it appears some of these messages don’t resonate in terms of impact on brands. How do we create messages that will make digital marketing work?

Mismatch of data can create so many troubles in this regard. This brings our previous conversation into the picture. That I like a green car doesn’t mean I will desire a green kitchen.

Data is an amazing thing, but we need to be equipped with the interpretation and management of data. If you don’t have real experts in terms of understanding human behaviour, your data won’t have a module to which you can apply it. Data is very important but an observation of how humans behave is the key to unlocking that data. If we don’t do the first bit which is seen in some ways as old-fashioned, the second bit wouldn’t work. We will be served with messages that feel irrelevant to us. It will only make sense to an algorithm but it won’t make sense when that algorithm is applied to a real human being with the emotions involved.

Data can allow you to be a lazy marketing professional or it can allow you to be a really defined and precise marketing professional. It all depends on the person handling the data and how the person applies it.

Putting the DDB heritage in perspective from creating messages to winning awards, how are you applying digital tools and technologies to the future?

We have a heritage in storytelling and also a media that allows you to bring back stories to life with informal commercials. There are rules which are applied to give the consumers what they really want to hear in a story. The skills of interrupted print advertising being forgotten due to the emergence of broadcast media are becoming incredibly important in the society today in terms of how you are trying to track somebody.

People feel digital media is like a TV but appears a bit smaller; therefore you can apply

How does your group rate the contribution(s) of DDB Lagos to the entire network?

Nigeria is one of the engines of Africa. Many of our clients see Nigeria as important. We need someone in the market that absolutely understands creativity, drives the brands to the communities they really have to target and build a relationship of trust. We have a good relationship with DDB Lagos which is quite beneficial to the network.

Beyond trainings and referrals, what are the other benefits affiliated agencies gain from the network?

We don’t tell people to partner with us because of the business and profits. But we offer them the ability to tackle results, ability to learn, opportunity to travel and the opportunity to use previous experiences in other markets that are similar to foster productivity.

In Nigeria, MTN battled some challenges for two years now but it is right back in charge. There are times you will need to use experience from other markets to manage a brand. We promote this in the network. That is where a call from the network can help.

Unilever put purpose as a front line of driving their communication. Member agencies get to learn about relevant developments from different parts of the world to shape their operations.

It is important to be a part of the family.

The network is always there; you can reach out for help when you need it. When we have issues in terms of not cracking something, we can get help from somewhere else. We offer multiple benefits beyond monetary benefits.

What is your take about the subject of influence as a message to Nigeria?

As an agency, a leader & network, you need to understand that influence comes from empathy and identifying people’s needs.

To achieve a particular goal, you have got to align everybody’s needs regardless of individual needs in an agency or community. This is where influence is much needed and required.

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RCCG: Empowering People, Promoting Skills In a bid to ensure better life and improved livelihoods for both Christians and non-Christians alike in Nigeria, the Redeemed Christian Church of God empowered several citizens during the recent Easter Let’s Go a Fishing programme, which took place at the Overflowing Mega Zone, Fagba, Lagos. Abimbola Akosile captures the event

I

t is easier to give a fish to a hungry person to assuage his or her hunger temporarily. But when such a person is given the right equipment to catch fishes personally, that connotes a lasting positive empowerment process.

That may well have been the focus of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Overflowing Mega Zone, Fagba, Lagos State, during the Easter Let’s Go a Fishing and Empowerment Programme, where both the worshippers and non-worshippers, in a life-changing experience, benefited from the caring heart of the church.

At the empowerment programme with the theme ‘Skill Up Entrepreneurship Scheme Season Two’ an initiative of the Assistant Pastor in Charge of the Province (APICP) Administration, LP 14, Pastor Paul Adewunmi, various forms of equipment worth several thousands of naira were distributed freely to worshippers and non-worshippers alike.

The church had earlier also embarked on a medical outreach where over 1,000 participants benefitted from medical intervention for different ailments, all free of charge.

Skills Empowerment According to Pastor Adewunmi, the empowerment programme was borne out of the passion to spread the love of Christ and add value to the quality of living of Nigerians; Christians or non-Christian. The clergyman, together with his wife, developed a lifelong project known as Skill-Up entrepreneur.

The project, Adewunmi said, was geared towards developing the skills of participants for the period of three months (two months of intensive training and one month of industrial training).

After the successful completion of the first season which graduated about 100 students, the academy decided to launch the second season and the second season graduates were empowered during the last Let’s Go a Fishing Programme where over 20 outstanding students were empowered with tools that would aid their vocational skills.

The graduates emerged from various departments including Fashion Design, Desktop Publishing, Bead-making, Makeup and Gele Artistry, Catering, Photography and Film making, Website Design and Music.

The project was managed by DatapowerAfrica, a human capacity development organisation which is ITT endorsed and the trainees were trained by Lifeguard Leaders and Vocation School, a standard and highly equipped training centre.

Beneficiaries at the event included Oluwaji Oseni, who went home with photography equipment; Joshua Adeboye who got a Photo printer; Esther Adesola who was given a make-up tool-kit; and Modupe Eniojukan, who was empowered with computer printers etc.

L-R: National Overseer, RCCG, Pastor Obayemi; PICP, LP 14, Pastor Olusegun Osunsan; Pastor Paul Alonge; and APICP Admin, LP 14, Pastor Adewunmi during the Let’s Go a Fishing and Empowerment Programme organised by Overflowing Mega Zone, at Fagba, Lagos...recently Noble Cause The National Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, who graced the LP14 event, showered praises on the convener (Adewunmi) and his team for the empowerment programme.

Obayemi described the empowerment gesture at Zonal level as the first of its kind in the Region 2 Let’s Go a Fishing Outreach. He admonished the organisers to keep the flag flying.

In a brief chat with journalists, Adewunmi said “the Mission’s vision is that we should empower people, feed them also and then plant churches. We felt we needed to pursue the vision of our General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. “We did the Let’s Go a Fishing and we empowered 120 people on skills acquisition and at the end we empowered some of them with solid tools to work, such as oven for baking and gas for some. “Those who trained in beauty were empowered with full make-up kit; those who graduated with desktop were given computers; those into music were given piano and guitar; those from fashion designing were given sewing machines, while those who are cake bakers were given oven and mixer. “We also gave those who are into internet modem. This is not the first time the church would be embarking on such humanitarian gesture. In May 2016, the church empowered

over 30 persons and this year is season 2 and we pray and hope that next year will be better�, he added. According to the pastor, “I believe in mixing spirituality with business because the Bible says faith without work is dead. Even Jesus Christ preached and worked and Proverb 22: 29 says that a man who is diligent in his work will stand before Kings and not mere men. “Jesus Himself had business according to Act chapter 6. Whom shall we choose to appoint over this business? He also taught us to do our business and make business. If you don’t have business you cannot make business. Jesus wants us to make profit in the Kingdom�, he added.

Commenting on his church’s expansion project, Adewunmi said. “We opened up or expanded because it is a zonal headquarters, and since the church debuted four years ago it has already planted six parishes with the seventh one in the pipeline.�

Crucial Funding Speaking on how he gets funding for the projects, Adewunmi replied, “I also contribute to this and some of my friends in the mission have been supportive. Also, the members of Hours of Solution, a Wednesday prayer that we do weekly, have been supportive. They saw that we are faithful to that mission, which has

continued to touch lives and they support us with their resources. We are rest assured that we are developing renowned entrepreneurs that would take the world by storm.�

Adewunmi used the opportunity to admonish all graduating entrepreneurs that “whatever your hand findeth to do, do with all your heart.� He also expressed his gratitude to Pastor Adeboye, “who has given us the opportunity to reach out and be a blessing to the world.�

Grateful Beneficiaries Expressing their gratitude, the beneficiaries in unison thanked the organisers for such a life-changing programme. “God will continue to enlarge his coast and his anointing shall never run dry�, they prayed for Adewunmi and his team of organisers.

A lot of energy and commitment have been brought into the empowerment project by the team members who are professionals in their various fields of expertise with national and international professional certifications.

THISDAY gathered that all the training resources were provided by Pastor Adewunmi.

None of the students were required to pay for any of the materials as all the materials were catered for. The training processes were 100 per cent practical with each student having relevant machines and tools to themselves throughout the training programme.

RANDOM THOTS Golden Legacy As is often said, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But, power, when deployed positively, is capable of provoking desired change for the collective good. Many African leaders have been credited with leaving lasting legacies while they held sway in the corridors of power.

Among others were Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso; Julius Nyerere of Tanzania; Anwar El Sadat of Egypt; Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and currently Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Now, the President of Nigeria, a man known for his principle and personal stance against corruption, and who has severally stated that he feels the pain Nigerians are going through and has assured citizens of a better life, has a golden opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the present populace and generations yet unborn.

The chance to do so has been presented to him on a platter, in the form of the harmonised Petroleum Industry

Governance Bill, which was recently passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to PMB for urgent assent so that the murky oil sector can be transformed into a clear, transparent cash cow which will generate revenue for the commonwealth and not the pockets of a few privileged few.

According to analysts, the PIGB, when passed into law after assent, will regulate the opaque operations in the extractive industry, and minimise the widespread corruption in the sector

through tighter controls and institutional checks and balances.

The ball is now in Baba’s court to build and leave a golden legacy that will be remembered in the history of this country. It will be great to find out at last how many barrels of oil are actually produced on a daily basis, and how many barrels are diverted by oil bunkerers and privileged pilferers. That is worth knowing...isn’t it?

-Abimbola Akosile

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Ëš

Living in an atmosphere of insecurity

NAIJAGISTS.COM

Can Insecurity Scenario Derail Nigeria’s Devt?

Although the menace of Boko Haram insurgency has reduced, the current spate of daily killings across several states has increased insecurity in the country, which may affect investors’ confidence.

To you, can the current insecurity scenario derail Nigeria’s development process or is the government up to the task of checking the negative trend?

Abimbola Akosile * The insecurity lapse is something that needs to be urgently addressed by the three tiers of government, before talking about developmental projects.

- Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * Nigeria’s development pace is slower because of insecurity problems. Most foreign countries are not interested in investing at the problematic states, despite the potential and human resources in those areas. Governments must re-double their efforts through partnership with foreign countries, identifying the causative agents through adaptive research, revisiting reports which proffer solutions and using religious and traditional leaders to root for peace and development.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja * Insecurity has derailed development in Nigeria. Funds that could be better used to address critical sectors such as health, education, electricity, and roads etc are diverted to procure arms, instead of infrastructural projects for the well-being of Nigerians. Care should be taken to prevent corruption.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Yes, the current insecurity scenario in our dear country can derail Nigeria’s development process if not arrested quickly. Insecurity undoubtedly creates instability and as such impedes rapid progress and accelerated development which the people desire. We therefore need peace and tranquility to thrive and not the present insecurity in our dear fatherland. God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja * Despite the resources government has been spending on security situation in the country, yet it is not finding solution to the ugly trend which threatens our nascent democracy. All hands must be on deck to find solution to insecurity before things get out of hand over the killings.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * No, it won’t. The menace of Boko Haram has drastically reduced with only pockets of soft targets here and there. To stem this ugly tide, government has deployed armed forces to check

THE FEEDBACK Yes, it can:

9

No, it cannot:

1

Others:

6

Radical tip:

Bush war!

Total no of respondents:

16

Male:

13

Female:

3

Highest location:

Abuja (6)

all the troubled spots, modern combat aircrafts are being procured from Russia, America etc to further check insurgency and guarantee all investors of their safety. The president is meeting world leaders to help knock out insurgency with remarkable responses. Government is fully on top of the situation.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * That the present insecurity scenario will derail our national development is stating the obvious, but I am most worried about the recent frightening trend where bandits invade sacred places of worship and massacre innocent citizens without being challenged. If this ugly trend is not urgently addressed, it may be the road to Somali for Nigerians.

- Mr. Paul Jideofor, Department of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja * Insecurity scenario is already derailing Nigeria’s development as no foreign country wants to cite any business in the North-east or in Benue State. Our security organs are not helping matters as they are said to be aiding insecurity. Government needs to seriously deal with the issue of insecurity not by daily blaming the opposition but by dealing decisively with those involved. Citizens are not free to move around; how will that not derail development?

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna State * Obviously yes, insecurity of lives and property negatively impacts our advancement. The government’s words and body language are a huge contrast.

- Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State

* Yes, insecurity is obviously derailing Nigeria’s development process. Peace is an essential ingredient required for social and economic development. Investors are right to be scared stiff in an insecure milieu like ours. We owe the little developments we’ve seen thus far to times of peace, and future development will require that the security of lives and properties be guaranteed too.

- Mr. Oluwapelumi Oyeniyi, Osogbo, Osun State * The insecurity situation has already derailed Nigeria’s development more than corruption.

For development to come, this insecurity must be tackled with sincerity because what is happening today especially bank robbery, herdsmen killing, militant attack on oil facilities, youth taking drugs especially codeine cough syrup, and one-chance robbery, no reasonable person will come to invest in Nigeria. Government should handle this monster with sincerity.

- Mr. Mark Ushie, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja * Insecurity is surely a major threat and is fully capable of derailing Nigeria’s development process. The worst part is that the federal government appears to be clueless in checking the ugly trend. How does one describe a situation where a Nigerian cannot move anywhere across the country to ply his or her trade because of fear of attack? If care is not taken, Nigeria may go the way of Somalia.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * If not handled properly, the unrelenting attacks and annexation of villages by mercenaries could trigger ethnic cleansing against innocent neighbours, which in turn could lead to retaliatory ethnic cleansing elsewhere. Some of the security measures we put in place are excessive and can scare away investors and tourists. Sometimes you wonder why there are so many checkpoints on our roads instead of the bush where the mercenaries have their bases and carry out their attacks from. These marauders don’t use cars or roads to access the villages they attack, they use the bush so why are there so many security personnel manning checkpoints where only the innocent pass?

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Do the powers that be in this country accept that we have security hiccups? I dare say they don’t; PMB keeps shying from being decisive.

However, the challenges may result in stagnation but no derailment will occur. South Africa, between Mandela’s exit from prison and 1994,

experienced violence that sorely tested the nation but it survived. This country will thrive in spite of these issues.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja * Insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere.

You cannot be talking about development where there is insecurity. Look at what happened in the North-east during Boko Haram, the herdsmen attacks in the North-central and the incidence of kidnapping in the South, you will see the damages done to those areas. Where there is peace is where development will be. Insecurity is really threatening the foundation of this country.

- Mr. Nduanya Egbuna, Public Analyst, Enugu State * Without doubt, the high rate of insecurity in the country is derailing Nigeria’s progress already.

The insincerity of the APC-led administration to holistically tackle the menace means that the current government cannot tackle it. This government has given us enough reason from onset why they would fail, and they have no solution to the problem.

- Mr. Akinwale A. Adeniyi, Abuja

Next Week: Will Restructuring Help Curb Insecurity? Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ĘĽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă—Ă“ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞËÞĂ? ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ“Ă Ă?ËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă‹ĂŁ Í’Í‘ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă‹ĂŁ Í’Í•Ěš ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo. com, greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă‹ĂŁ ͒͘

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Local furniture factory and useful byproducts

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

UN Forum to Coordinate Efforts to Address Global Water Shortages

WaterAid Nigeria backs FG declaration of state of emergency in WASH sector

Abimbola Akosile With extreme weather costing hundreds of billions a year and fears that by 2050, one in four people will be living in a country affected by severe water shortages, a global conference has been convened by the United Nations meteorological agency to manage the precious resource more sustainably.

The problem has been further complicated by a lack of comprehensive water supply data and monitoring systems which is making it harder to respond to the growing crisis, a UN release noted. “We cannot manage what we do not measure,� said the President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Commission for Hydrology, Mr. Harry Lins. “And yet the systems and data collection which underpin these vital services to society are under real pressure,� he added, underscoring that informed decision-making must be based on comprehensive facts and figures.

The HydroConference, which took place in

Geneva, Switzerland from 7-9 May, brought together water stakeholders including decision makers, meteorological and hydrological services; the private and academic sector; non-governmental organisations, and UN entities – around the same table to coordinate efforts as well as leverage individual knowledge and collective expertise to maximum effect.

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said it was important for all actors to cope with the scale of the challenges that lie ahead, citing the two extremes of droughts and floods. “Effective flood and drought policies can be implemented only with data and models for assessing the frequency and magnitude of extreme events,� he said, adding that the same also holds for other goals related to water and its efficient use; including those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) explicitly calls for sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Water is also a key component for other Goals including those on

eliminating extreme poverty (SDG 1); as well as Goal 2, to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, as well as Goal 13 on mitigating climate change.

Meanwhile, WaterAid Nigeria has commended the Federal Government for its bold step in declaring a state of emergency for water, sanitation and hygiene, following strong calls by the former and other members of the WASH sector demanding action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis in the country.

WaterAid, an international charity dedicated to changing lives by improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene for the poorest and most marginalised communities, advocated a state of emergency to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goal of access to water and sanitation for everyone, everywhere by 2030 would be achieved.

According to a release issued by WaterAid Nigeria’s Communications & Media Manager, Oluseyi Abdulmalik, “although Nigeria is oil-rich and has sub-Saharan Africa’s largest income, it has nonetheless struggled to deliver clean water

and sanitation to its people. The country has made solid progress in reaching people with water: seven in ten people now have clean water to drink. “But a gap between poor and rich persists, as only 30 per cent of the poorest people have access to clean water, compared to 89 per cent of the richest. And with fewer than three in ten people having a decent toilet, the country has a big task ahead to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal targets for water and sanitation access. “On World Water Day 2018, WaterAid Nigeria urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the water and sanitation sector.

WaterAid Nigeria also called on the federal government to set up a presidential taskforce empowered to lead, coordinate and deliver on providing water and sanitation for all Nigerians�, the release added.

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

Bauchi Signs Agreement for Distribution of 500 Defence Ministry Constructs Borehole, Presents Tractors to Farmers Relief Materials to Abuja IDPs Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi In an effort to reduce unemployment, rural-urban drift and diversify the economy through boosting agriculture, Bauchi state government has signed an agreement for the supply of 500 units of tractors for distribution to farmers through public-private-partnership.

While signing the agreement recently, Governor Mohammed Abubakar said the epochmaking event for the supply of the 500 tractors was meant to equip agriculture and widen the opportunities for employment youth in Bauchi state.

The governor said the tractors are to be distributed to registered farmers and farmers’ cooperatives on loan to be repaid over a period of three years.

Abubakar further explained that the agreement with Hakar Engineering Limited, tagged “subsidised agricultural tractorisation ownership programme,� involves the supply of 500, 75-horse-power tractors, fully equipped with plough, ridges, harrow and trailers are to be sold to farmers.

The governor said the supply of the tractors was the first time Bauchi state government is making such massive efforts to promote agricultural mechanisation, in line with the APC manifesto and the campaign promises they made.

He observed that Nigeria, especially its northern part, must make concerted efforts to engage its unemployed youth through agriculture, noting that his administration has embarked on the mechanisation of the

sector to attract other people to the sector. “This administration pilots the transformation of agriculture from subsistence level that 80 per cent of our farmers are known for decades to real business that will create thousands of jobs and boost our economy,� Abubakar said.

According to him, “That Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the world by the year 2050 is a reason for us to pause and think. The north is also projected to have most of the nation’s population and there are no jobs to engage that population influx. We must therefore take full advantage of the comparative advantage our conducive environment offers for the cultivation of most crops in commercial quantity.

Paul Obi in Abuja As part of its intervention programmes, the Ministry of Defence has constructed a borehole and a toilet for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kara Majiji, in the outskirt of Abuja metropolis.

The ministry also presented relief materials the IDPs, which include food items, building materials among other items.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, explained that with the increasing cases of conflicts around the country, there was need to bring succour to IDPs. The minister who was represented at the event by Rear Admiral Stanford Enoch stressed that the construction of a borehole, a VIP toilet and the distribution of relief

materials was carried out with the intention to ensure IDPs are not left in the state of complete neglect. He added that the federal government through the Ministry of Defence will continue to assist the IDPs by reducing the burden of hardship and ensuring that they return to their homes some day.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Nuratu Batagarawa, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Huda Metteden, tasked the IDPs to properly maintain the facilities and ensure that they last long.

Speaking, Director of Health Services in the ministry, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade stated that “insurgent activities of Boko Haram sect in Nigeria over the past six years have forced more than a million people to flee

their homes. This has resulted in unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the North Eastern part of the country. “The Health Service Department of the ministry carries out medical outreach programmes from time to time to vulnerable communities. We visited Kara Majiji, to compound the issues; there is not a single health facility for this community. “It is in view of the enormous burden of health challenges faced by members of the IDPs camp, the department is conducting an integrated medical outreach with the commissioning of a borehole and ventilated improved toilets,� she said.

Akinlade listed other activities carried out to include fumigation of surroundings, free ultrasound test, laboratory test and counselling.

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It would be a win-win for all stakeholders, when the president assents to the Governance component of the PIB, which is currently before him. A petroleum bill that will be a win for Nigeria on the revenue side, investment side and jobs creation; and it is also a win for those who are investing in Nigeria. It is a very competitive world out there and we must make Nigeria competitive.The only way we can do that is through engagement�

- SENATE PRESIDENT BUKOLA SARAKI SPEAKING IN ABUJA

Beltij Inaugurates Boreholes, Donates Educational Materials to Osun Community

Borehole, a ready source of water DREAMSTIME.COM Sunday Okobi and Ugo Aliogo

Climate Change: Nigeria’s Productivity Could Decrease by 30% by 2050, Says Report Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Nigeria’s economic productivity could decrease by up to 11 per cent by 2020 and up to 30 per cent by 2050 as a result of climate change, a new report has revealed.

The report said while government is pursuing a vision of economic transformation and commercialisation with agriculture at the centre, small-scale farmers are not the focus of investment.

It stated that funding levels of agriculture and climate change adaptation are significantly lower than promised; stressing that money is skewed toward larger scale project and research.

This was disclosed in Abuja at a recent one-day media-CSOs roundtable to unveil the West Africa Network for Peace-building Nigeria (WANEP) research on the ‘Impact of Investment in Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation on Small Scale Farming in Nigeria’.

WANEP, in its October 2017 report conducted in Kebbi and Adamawa States in collaboration with Oxfam Nigeria, noted that the climate change has brought additional uncertainty and risk to Nigeria’s largely small-scale food system.

It stated that the expanding desert belt along deforestation have reduced the amount of land available for farming, adding that decline in rainfall at a rate of 3 to 4 per cent per decade has negatively impacted crop yields.

The report noted that “A shortening of the rainy season means a fewer opportunities for planting, and the lack of storage facilities have resulted in post-harvest losses to up to 40 per cent. “Climate change could decrease Nigeria’s economic productivity by up to 11 per cent by 2020, and up to 30 per cent by 2050.

Agricultural productivity is projected to decline by 10 to 25 per cent by 2080, and by 50 per cent in some northern regions. “A similar picture emerges in Kebbi and Adamawa States, where about half of farmers spoke of declining harvest, cultivated area

Ravaging eects of climate change and production yields due to climate variability and extreme weather events. Farmers are losing livestock, crops and vegetables are wished away in flooding and fish do not survive in warmer temperatures. Drought and windstorms are also causing produce losses, such as potatoes. These signify a loss of livelihood for these farmers.�

The report also stressed that running a small-scale farm in Nigeria was an uphill battle against many constraints, such as costly farm input; lack of information; limited access to technology; credits; markets and land tenure problems.

It pointed out that there was a clear disconnect between policy intention and the services that farmers are actually receiving. “Specific to coping with the impacts of climate change, about 69 per cent of farmers surveyed had not received support, some of the support received was non-governmental and more male than female farmers had benefitted “Interventions that could transform the

ICEED lives of farmers are being passed over in favour of large infrastructure projects and research initiatives. Half of agricultural funding goes toward capital projects and a significant proportion of this goes to around 40 training and research institutions,� the report said.

It therefore recommended that government should redirect investments to align south the needs of smallholder farmers, especially women farmers who face additional constraints in accessing agricultural inputs and extension services.

It also recommended that farmers need support to ameliorate the high cost of fertilisers, machinery, water pumps and other resource.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Oxfam in Nigeria representative, Abdulaziz Musa said the purpose of the meeting was to ensure NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

As part of plans to affirm its commitment to the development of communities across the country, Beltij Limited, a gold mining company, has inaugurated three water projects as well as donated writing materials in Igun Ijesa community, Osun State.

The boreholes, which are now sources of potable water in the area, hitherto a big challenge to the rural village, are equipped with four water points each, to save the beneficiaries from the pains of fetching water from a well dug in the village.

Speaking during the presentation recently, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tijani Usman, said the company’s commitment is to continuously provide innovative solutions that support the people and their communities to do more by staying healthy at all times.

He also stated that the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in developing countries should form part of the business strategic plans of relevant organisations, adding that host communities’ expectation and awareness now influence the operation of multinational and local companies.

According to him, “There has been a growing demand for companies to offer community development initiatives to the communities within which they are carrying out their operations, Beltij Limited has executed three broad platforms: Education, Health and Environment.

Community sanitation is very important because of the need to preserve the environment for the present and future generations. “We have realised that if we focus on providing education, contribute to the health of the people, but fail to preserve the planet, the gains would be lost in the long run� he added.

Usman explained that as a major awareness about the fragility and volatility of the natural environment is growing, global concerns about the planet’s sustainability and continuity is placed on stake.

He added that it has been known that ever since a company is doing business, it can possibly harm the environment through its day to day work activities, adding that organisations must assume responsibility and consider minimising their footprint on the natural environment.

According to him, “We are excited to demonstrate good corporate social responsibility by promoting sustainable and healthy communities through this initiative.

This is indeed a day of celebration for both the company and the community because we are building effective partnerships.�

Also speaking, the Oba Onigun of Ijesa, Chief Sunday Ajilore, commended the company for coming to their aid by providing clean water resources for the community.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Addressing Maternal and Child Deaths Every day, Nigeria loses 2,300 children below the age of five and 145 women of childbearing age, making the country the second worst place on earth to conceive, give birth or raise a child.

Martins Ifijeh writes that underneath the statistics lies the pain of thousands of families In the expanded room sits the head of the home with his three young children, who are probably within the ages of two and seven.

His mien depicts hollow and emptiness. He hasn’t gone to farm in two weeks, not because he is contented with the plenty tubers of yam already in his barn or has harvested all his produce from the farm, but he is sad and disheartened and does not have the strength to carry on. The love of his life has left him to cater for their little children all by himself at a youthful age of 31.

Azeez Ayae is one of the newest widowers in Iyegbe community, a small village in Ifeku Island in Edo State. The wife had died during labour after undergoing an excruciating pain for several hours without succour coming her way.

She could not get the needed healthcare to enable her deliver her baby. She was denied of one of her foremost fundamental human rights – right to life and right to healthcare, which are embedded in chapter two and four of Nigeria’s constitution. She died from the mystery of not understanding why she has to suffer from something that is 100 per cent preventable.

“I didn’t realise she would go into labour that day, so I went to farm as usual, but few hours later, a small boy in this community was sent to call me, that my wife has been in pain. I rushed back and I met her wailing uncontrollably. That was the third hour since she had been in labour. I sorted to get a nurse from the village that sometimes assist people with health emergencies like this, but I learnt she went to town and may not be coming back anytime soon.

“We had to put my wife in a wheelbarrow and started transporting her to the closest health facility which is two villages from here.

She couldn’t wait much longer as we were almost an hour into the journey. She died on the way,” Ayae said.

The case of Philip, who married his wife three months ago, is not any different. She was seven months pregnant when they legalised their union in Abeokuta, Ogun State, but that union was cut short because she was trying to bring forth a new life.

“I watched life leaving my wife just few hours after she had delivered our son. In one minute she was discussing with everyone, the next minute she started bleeding profusely.

The doctors started running helter scepter, but within two hours, my wife was gone.

“I couldn’t understand why they didn’t realise my wife was going to bleed, or why they couldn’t stop the bleeding,” said a tearful Philip, whose narration obviously brought back the pain he was going through haven to live in his two bedroom apartment in Egbeda, Lagos, without his wife.

Holding his one month old son in his arms, one could see grief and sorrow written all over him. The cottons and other designs in Philip’s cozy small sitting room were chosen by his wife. She had eyes for colours. She was a make-up artist with a flair for interior decoration. “There are so many things I will miss about my wife. I wake up every day feeling a deep hole in my life. I am empty,” he added.

They were going to have three kids, two boys and a girl, if their family planning discussions were to go by. But the plans of a forever-after-life is gone; no thanks to Nigeria’s healthcare system where it is never a guarantee that a pregnant woman will come out of a labour room alive, or whether she was going to end up leaving the hospital with a living child.

For other families, they either lose the newborn, or lose both the mother and the child.

When Funke and her husband, Segun welcomed their third child at a Lagos hospital, they looked forward to the big day when he will be named in an elaborate ceremony, as

Maternal and child deaths are preventable

it is often done in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. But little did they know that the expectation will be cut short.

Segun had kept to his chest four different names which he intends to announce on the big day, as names for the child. But on the sixth day, the little baby began to run temperature, and his breathing was belaboured. By the time they rushed him to the hospital, he was dead.

His little boy died of pneumonia and jaundice, which are 100 per cent preventable diseases. This threw the family into mourning.

It took the couples several months before they

They were going to have three kids, two boys and a girl, if their family planning discussions were to go by. But the plans of a forever-afterlife is gone; no thanks to Nigeria’s healthcare system where it is never a guarantee that a pregnant woman will come out of a labour room alive, or whether she was going to end up leaving the hospital with a living child

could shrug of the pain that came with it.

The disheartened experience by these three families is what several hundreds of Nigerian families go through every day.

According to a 2015 report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day and a high percentage of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, including Nigeria.

And even more specific representation is provided by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), which reports that “Every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 children under five and 145 women of childbearing age. This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world.”

However, due to the fundamental role a mother plays in the life of a child, Nigeria’s current statistics of very high deaths per year during childbirth is indicative of inherent lapses in the critical aspects of the healthcare delivery system of the country.

A recent UNICEF’s report states that for every 10 minutes, one woman dies on account of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria, while every hour, at least 95 children of under five years lose their lives in Nigeria from preventable health issues.

These worrying statistics reveal the extent of damage that is being done and dims any hope of a possible solution if urgent steps are not taken. It also shows that financial and geographical access to care and good quality healthcare delivery service is becoming scarcer by the day.

No wonder a representative of the United Nations Population Trust Fund (UNFPA), Ms Rati Ndhlovu, once likened the deaths experienced daily from pregnancy-related complications to Boeing 747 plane crash every day, adding that because the women were poor and disadvantaged, their deaths were often ignored.

“Yet, these numbers of deaths don’t just happen once in a while like plane crashes. They happen every blessed day, which ordinarily

should make the country scale up interventions to achieving the targets of reducing maternal and child mortality rates,” she explained.

According to a public health physician, Dr. Samuel Orji these deaths can be curbed if deliberate priorities from the government at all levels and other stakeholders are given to making sure women and children in both rural and urban areas have access to skilled healthcare.

He said the emphasis the government is placing on secondary and tertiary institutions in the country would most likely not translate into saving the millions of lives of Nigerian women and children who ordinarily should need the basic primary healthcare for them to live healthy with increased lifespan.

“If our government really wants to curb this issue which unfortunately is very common among rural dwellers, there should be functioning primary healthcare centres close to the people with skilled healthcare providers so that one of the major barriers –which is lack of access to healthcare, will be broken.

“Every pregnant woman should be duly registered for ante natal and close observation should be made to monitor their health all through the process, even till after child birth.

Until all these are done, not just in cities, but in every village, community, hard-to-reach areas in the country,” he said.

Also for a Gynaecologist, Dr. Kester Osazuwa, despite government’s insistence that the healthcare system has improved drastically, these questions are difficult to answer in the affirmative especially for people not living in privileged areas like the cities or towns.

“Honestly, in many villages in the country, healthcare facilities are luxuries. Only TBAs and quacks, or maybe persons who feel there is need to take up the job the government fails to provide, and then decided to start doing deliveries for women who need them.

“So, for government to tackle this, healthcare must be taken to the people. People must be able to access treatment anywhere they are, be it the remotest village in the country or in big cities,” he added.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

NEWS

‘MalariaReducesGDP of Nigeria By 30% Annually’ Ayodeji Ake Coalitions of non-governmental organisations, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) and Westfield Development Initiative, have said the burden of malaria parasite has consequently reduced the Nigerian work force and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by around 20 per cent to 30 per cent annually.

At a massive screening and distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets at Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State recently to commemorate the World Malaria Day, the coalition noted that many Nigerians have been arrested by malaria unaware and unable to access health services due to lack of fund.

The Executive Director, YEDI, Mr. Oje Ivagba, noted that the initiative have been committed to preaching the gospel of malaria prevention in rural communities annually to reduce its menace.

He said: “The goal of this programme is to provide healthcare access to residents of this community and to create awareness about malaria prevention and treatment.

We have doctors, pharmacists and other health workers around to carry out this exercise and other public health issues the residents are facing. We have over 10 doctors and about 45 pharmacists here who will be assisting them.

“Malaria kills and there is a need for all hands on deck to take preventive measures. We

also understand that most of the community members do not know how to use the net.

We will fill the gap by demonstrating how they can make use of them appropriately,” Ivagba added.

While distributing free drugs, he said, over a thousand

members of the community have been gifted with LLITNs. A member of Westfield Development Initiative (WDI), Mr. Gboyega Fatimileyin said the initiative has been playing a significant role in battling malaria at the grass root level to deliver Nigerians from

dying.

According to him, “No doubt, with the help of NGOs like us and government, we are beating down malaria. We realised that in less-privileged areas, malaria is endemic and many of them do not have the ability to prevent it. That is why

we are preaching preventive measurement. Malaria has no border, so we need to fight till the end.”

Present at the event was Miss Nigeria 2017, Peace Ehiguese who expressed joy for being part of the exercise to give succour to Nigerians on malaria.

Lagos Upgrades 61 PHCs, Procures N2b Equipment for Hospitals Martins Ifijeh The Lagos State Government, within the last one year has upgraded, renovated and constructed at least 61 primary health centres, while equipment worth N2 billion have been procured for health facilities across the state, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. JIde Idris has said.

He said the procurement, which include radiologic, laboratory, dental, monitoring and hospital furniture, was part of the state’s drive to provide health workers with the tools needed to dispense their duties adequately.

Stating this at the 3rd Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Ministerial Press Briefing in Lagos recently, Jide said the focus of the administration was to continue the upgrading and/ or renovation of health facilities at all levels of care, completion of ongoing projects, execution of new ones where necessary, as well as putting preventive maintenance on ground. ”For Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), renovation and extension of the old Ayinke House is at an advanced stage of completion.

The project is slated for commissioning in June this year.

Phased installation of the Closed Circuit Television Cameras with a monitoring room to enhance security of lives and properties in the hospital in about 36 strategic areas is being done.

LASUTH/LASUCOM Gate Road has been commissioned which will serve as a link from Lagos State Airport Road to the hospital.

“The upgrading of the LASUTH Diabetic Clinic and Main Medical Laboratory Services Departments was completed last December. Other renovated buildings in the hospital include Admin Block, Surgical Emergency, kitchen, laundry section, chest clinic, engineering workshop, main laboratory, tailoring, among others.”

He said the administration has also done massive upgrade and renovation of infrastructure in secondary healthcare facilities, adding that this has helped in

decongesting tertiary facilities from attending to patients that could be appropriately managed at lower levels of care.

He listed some of the ministry’s achievements to include renovation of staff quarters in Epe General Hospital and General Hospital, Lagos; rehabilitation of Onikan Health Centre; and the renovation of Prince Ebeano Mother and Child Unit, General Hospital Akodo, Ibeju Lekki under a corporate social responsibility arrangement.

“Her Excellency, the wife of the governor and COWLSO, donated an Intensive Care Unit to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and donations of four Oto-read equipment for screening early neonatal hearing defects in four general hospitals (Ikorodu, Ifako – Ijaiye, Gbagada and Badagry).

“We also completed the renovation of Randle General Hospital Surulere, Accident and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, Agbowa General Hospital and Ijede Health Centre. We procured 30 fully automated external defibrillators for Lagos State Ambulance Services, and the completion of construction and equipping of School of Nursing Hostel, Igando.

On human resources, the commissioner said training and professional development of staff was accorded the priority it deserves, as health workers are equipped with updated information and skills to enrich qualitative health service delivery at all service points.

He said LASUTH in conjunction with Rotary International and Alliance for Smile, USA successfully carried out surgeries for six patients with Cleft Lip Palate Deformity (Operation Smile), adding that LASUTH’s indigenous cardiac surgery team successfully performed its first open-heart surgery on a 32-year-old patient.

“Fourth LASUTH Cochlear Implant Surgery was carried out on two deaf patients without foreign doctors’ support. The fourth kidney transplant was carried out in LASUTH in 2017,” he added.

L-R: Manager, Events / Corporate Social Investment, Stanbic IBTC, Ame Okwudi; Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Nominees Ltd, Babatunde Majiyagbe; Head of Section, School Support Services, Lagos Mainland, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Olaniran Joseph; and Executive Director, Slum2School Africa, Otto Orondaam; with pupils of Adekunle Anglican School, Makoko, during donation of mosquito nets to the school by Stanbic IBTC in commemoration of the World Malaria Day in Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT

Total Partners Oil Companies, Codeine Syrup Ban: Distributes 1,000 Mosquito Nets Pharmaceutical Company in Ibadan Suspends Staff Rebecca Ejiforma Towards eradication of malaria in Oyo State, Total Nigeria has partnered with five oil companies in the distribution of 1,000 insecticide-treated nets to residents with free test to over 500 in communities in the state.

The partner companies are: the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), SAPETRO, CNOOC and PETROBAS. This was to meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the launch of its 2018 Malaria Elimination Programme themed, ‘Defeat Malaria’. The Executive General Manager, CSR, Total, Mr. Vincent Nnamdi, said Total was intervening because, “We are part of a corporate citizen and we believe we should be part of solving a world problem, malaria, being one of them. So, we are distributing 1,000 nets.”

On how Oninyanrin Primary Healthcare Centre was selected, Nnamdi said that they had facilitators, who checked the prevalence of malaria, adding that this was one area that was spotted with very high rate.

“Although the cases of malaria have reduced by 43 per cent in the state, as shown, it doesn’t remove the fact that it is still high

around Ibadan; hence, over 500 people will be tested.

Also, there are provisions for further treatment for people who tested positive,” he said.

He said Total’s drive was in line with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2014-2020, adding that it outlines the key technical and supporting strategies in the ongoing fight against malaria for this period of time.

“And Total in Nigeria continues to identify initiatives with the Roll-Back-Malaria Partnership with governments at all levels to fight malaria.

“Over the years, Total has carried out annual Malaria Elimination Awareness Campaigns on WMDs in several states such as Lagos, Enugu, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In addition to these initiatives, Total and its partners have embarked on institutional capacity development programmes to help in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria among the vulnerable groups – women and children.”

Total disclosed its partnership with the Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe state governments in the construction, furnishing and equipping of four Maternal and Child Referral Centres (MCRCs).

And it will be replicated in all the geo-political zones of Nigeria.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A leading pharmaceutical company alleged to be one of the outfits mentioned in the BBC documentary video on codeine production and distribution, Bioraj Pharmaceutical Limited, Ilorin, at the weekend, disclosed that, the store man of the company that was shown in the video has been suspended from the company with immediate effect.

Already, the federal government has also banned the production and distribution of codeine products in the country with immediate effect.

The Managing Director, Bioraj Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Rahamon Bioku, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, said the company had commenced a thorough investigation on the development and the ongoing investigation would reveal level of culpability of the staff.

Bioku, who said that the store man would be eventually sacked if found guilty, added that the staff does not have any control on sales and distribution of any of its NAFDAC approved 58 products. The MD also said that the sales representative showed in the BBC documentary video had been suspended from the company since May 2016, adding that he was finally disengaged in August same year. “Even when he was here with us, he was

not allowed to handle cough syrup with codeine. Watching through the video clips, I saw in him a desperate marketer wanting to make big money from people he thought were big businessmen.

“Any representations made by the former sales representative and the store man shown in the video are not in line with the thinking, policy, ethical rules and regulations of Bioraj pharmaceutical limited,” he said.

He said that the company had placed embargo on sales of Biolin cough syrup with codeine pending outcome of its investigation, adding that it would comply with federal government directive to ban further issuance of permits for importation of codeine phosphate as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparation to tame abuse of such drug products in the country. Bioku, who said that the company had not sold codeine-containing preparation (cough) to unauthorised person or premises, added that its distributors and wholesalers were duly registered with Pharmacist Council of Nigeria.

“Biolin with codeine is not only registered, we comply with all rules and regulations guiding its importation, production and distribution. And none of our sales representatives has authority to take order or supply Biolin cough syrup with codeine to customers,” he said.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

38

HEALTH

How Nigeria’s Start-Stop Immunisation Battle is Winning War to Eradicate Polio in Africa The 50 million doses of polio vaccine stored in laboratory refrigerators all over Nigeria had a big weekend planned for them. If things had gone as intended, on Saturday morning, May 5, all of the little vials would have been trucked, flown, biked, walked around all 36 states of the nation – to be delivered to every single one of the 49,882,036 known Nigerian children under five years old.

But, as things developed, an outbreak of circulating virus in one region of the country upended those plans for routine immunisation, replacing them for now with a crisis response in the affected area.

The 50 million doses will instead remain on ice until sometime late in June.

That is the start-stop way polio surveillance and immunisation works—indeed, is supposed to work. And that’s what has allowed Nigeria to go a full 20 months without a single case of paralytic polio.

If the country can make it to three years, plus a few extra months as an epidemiological cushion, it will be certified polio-free, which will also mean that the entire continent of Africa is clear of the disease.

That will leave Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only nations on Earth where polio is endemic.

“Certification will be an achievement,” says Dr. Tunji Funsho, a former cardiologist who is now the chair of Rotary International’s Polio-Plus Committee in Nigeria. ”But we’re not in a hurry for that.

We’re in a hurry to make sure no child is paralysed.”

Dr. Funsho would have been one of the ranking officials overseeing this weekend’s planned National Immunisation Day (NID), which actually would have spanned four days. NIDs are held twice a year in Nigeria, always from Saturday to Wednesday, to help ensure that field workers have two days to visit families when children are home from school.

In addition to the semi-annual NIDs, a sub-NID covering nearly 23 million children is held annually in 13 northern

A child being immunised against polio

states, which are considered high-risk areas.

The current NID was suspended when routine surveillance of sewage detected traces of live poliovirus in the northern states of Jigawa, Sokoto and Gombe, meaning somewhere in those states at least a few children were carrying the virus — perhaps asymptomatically. It had already passed through their bodies and into the environment. Bauchi State, which lies between Jigawa and Gombe, was also likely contaminated.

“When the geneticists sequenced the virus from Jigawa and Gombe they found they were identical,” says Dr. Mohammed Soghair, UNICEF’s polio field coordinator in Nigeria. “Somebody travelled from one state and

shed the virus in the other, and that means it could have been shed in Bauchi too.”

In response, vaccine teams scrambled to the affected states to administer 2.4 million vaccine doses, hoping to cauterise the epidemiological wound before any cases of actual paralysis could turn up. Only when that situation is stabilised will the NID get underway.

In some ways, the weekend’s developments in Nigeria capture the devilishly tricky business of polio eradication overall. There are two types of vaccine used to prevent the disease: the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the injected polio vaccine (IPV). OPV is easier and less expensive to administer and so that’s the kind that is used in mass-scale

10 Nigerians Die from Cancer Every Hour, Says Expert Ayodeji Ake At least 10 Nigerians die from cancer every hour in Nigeria, while at least 80,000 cases are diagnosed in the country every year, experts have said.

They said not less than 240 Nigerians die from the disease daily even though it is a preventable disease.

The Founder, Pastor Eskoe Mfon Foundation (PEMF), Pastor Bimpe Eskor Mfom, while speaking at the foundation’s cancer screening in conjunction with Mass Medical Mission (MMM), to commemorate 11 years anniversary of late Pastor Eskor Mfon who died

of cancer, said cancer care in Nigeria was still very poor, leading to increased deaths.

She said the foundation saw the need to battle cancer because it is a preventable disease.

“People die of cancer every hour and it has been discovered that it is as a result of lack of early detection.

“I started this foundation in 2009 because my husband when he was alive involved in a lot of works. He is a strong believer in Nigerian youths.

He loved creative art, music art and drama, which is why the foundation was floated to continue what he was doing.

On the other hand, we are

trying to bring together his works and sermons to make available to the public. He also had a vision of giving to the poor. And so far, we have been receiving support from the Redeem Christian Church of God, from the Osinula Family, which we have been using to carry out exercises to also support Nigerians.”

Speaking on the importance of early detection of cancer, General Secretary, MMM, Dr. Abia Nzelu, said the tendency of escaping death caused by cancer was high if regular screening can be conducted for early detection and swift treatment.

immunisations. The problem is, OPV uses a live, weakened form of the poliovirus to confer immunity, and on extremely rare occasions, that virus can mutate and actually cause the disease.

The IPV, which is preferred in the developed world for routine childhood immunisations, uses a killed virus.

The viral samples found in the affected northern states were this vaccine-derived form of the virus—specifically Type two.

Originally, there were three types of wild poliovirus. Types two and three have been vaccinated into extinction; Type one remains at large.

The vaccines used in NIDs include protection against both one and three—since three was wiped out only recently.

Vaccinations against Type two were discontinued in 2016, which made it vexing that it was that type that turned up in the northern-state sewage.

“The vaccines might simply have been discarded when they were no longer needed,” says Dr. Funsho. “Even when a vial looks empty, there can be some traces of virus left.”

To prevent this kind of careless contamination, doctors and other caregivers are cautioned to dispose of vaccine leftovers much more carefully.

Vials that are returned to labs can be handled and destroyed like any other medical waste.

In villages, empty vials are given something akin to the nuclear waste treatment, boiled and then buried five meters, or about 15 feet, underground.

The burial site is then covered

with a slab of concrete. In Bauchi State, used vials are taken to the local Ashaka Cement Factory and incinerated in an industrial oven.

It says something about Nigeria that so many of its institutions—political, medical, industrial, to say nothing of the volunteer community—are engaged in the eradication campaign.

But it says something about the particular cruelty polio too—a disease that steals the happy, kinetic activity that is supposed to define childhood—that it inspires such immovable human resolve.

The virus has no mind.

Humans have both minds and hearts. The contest, in the end, isn’t even close.

Culled from Time Magazine

International Bodies toAddress Fertility in Nigeria Rebecca Ejifoma The International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) in collaboration with the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) is set to hold the first ever fertility management workshop in the continent to improve professionalism in the field of fertility management in Nigeria.

The workshop, slated from May 17 to 19 at Radisson Blue, Victoria Island, Lagos, will serve as an avenue for practitioners in the field and those who are interested in Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) to improve their knowledge and capacity. The President of AFRH, Dr. Faye

Iketubosin, said the demand for infertility treatment had always been there but that technology around ART has always made the cost to be on the high side.

He said the numbers of ART clinics in the country have increased to about 70 over the years from a low count of about 25. “This means that more doctors are picking interest but most of the professionals in the field obtain training abroad at a very high cost.”

According to him, the food chain obtainable in recent times which are exposed to diverse fertilisers and other products have caused low sperm count in men globally.

He added: “It is, therefore,

necessary to boost resources in the fertility management area so that ART techniques like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) among others can give chances to affected couples to have children of their own.

“World Health Organisation (WHO) has revised what constituted a normal sperm count from 20 million sperm per male to 15 million now.”

Iketubosin cited a 50/50 chance of infertility between men and women with the most common cause among women to be tuber blockage, which he said was mostly caused by infections.

39

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 10 , 2018

HEALTH

How Hand Washing Hygiene Can Prevent Deaths, Diseases Joshua Obasanya Every day, we constantly interact with microbes in food, water, air and even in our bodies. Microbes are living organisms we can’t see with the naked eyes and they may or may not cause disease.

Germs are microbes that can cause disease. According to a research conducted by KRC, on average, individuals come into contact with 300 surfaces every 30 minutes, exposing us to 840,000 germs. Hands that touch these surfaces often spread these germs.

In healthcare settings, patients have the right to expect that those who provide their care meet appropriate standards of hygiene and follow the correct procedures to minimise the risk of acquiring infections from the place they have gone for care. The institution of standard infection and control (IPC) practices can prevent infection in hospitals and clinics. This includes a range of measures that reduce the risk of transmission of infection from known and unknown sources. Some Standard IPC measures include: hand hygiene, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), safe use and disposal of needles, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, aseptic techniques, environmental cleaning, linen management, waste management, etc.

We have to go back to the basics in Nigeria and ensure that our hospitals and healthcare workers are safe for patients. The primary responsibility of healthcare workers is to first “do no harm”. It cannot be overemphasised therefore, that effective infection prevention and control (IPC) is the cornerstone for the delivery of safe, effective, highquality healthcare. Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way of preventing infections.

Preventing healthcareassociated infections avoids unnecessary harm and at times even death, saves money, and reduces the spread of antimicrobial resistant infections. Poor hand hygiene on the other hand leads to the transmission of germs

including of those that may be resistant to antibiotics.

So, what can we learn from the history of how hand hygiene has led to a reduction in infections?

In the late 1800s, carrying out autopsies became more common as a means to understand the human body and medical practice. A Hungarian doctor, Ignaz Semmelweis observed that many women in the maternity wards were dying from Puerperal fever (fever apparently caused by uterine infection following childbirth). However, he noticed a difference in death rates between two wards, where one ward had five times more deaths than the other. Semmelweis noticed that healthcare workers in the ward with more deaths from puerperal fever were

more likely to have performed autopsies. So, by linking the unclean hands following autopsies to the spread of illness, he introduced hand washing to his medical team before they were allowed to examine women in labour.

The number of deaths from Puerperal fever reduced dramatically.

This occurred 150 years ago and yet hand hygiene still remains a major challenge today. The KRC report also stated that only one out of three persons washes their hands before eating food, after sneezing, coughing or after blowing their nose.

About seven per cent of women and 15 per cent of men do not wash their hands at all after using the bathroom.

Even in hospitals, healthcare workers tend to wash their

hands more if there is visible body fluid but consider contact with the patients’ surroundings (e.g. beds, IV bottles) less “risky”. The importance of hand hygiene has not been more highlighted than during the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, where 11 of 20 cases were healthcare workers and 90 per cent were infected by direct contact with index case, body fluids or patient’s environment.

In Nigeria, according to the World Bank, communicable diseases account for 67 per cent of all deaths and major causes of infections include respiratory infections, meningitis and diarrheal diseases.

Washing one’s hands with soap and water could reduce deaths due to diarrheal diseases (e.g cholera) by half, the risk of respiratory

infections by 16 per cent and prevent up to a million deaths annually.

Even when hand washing is performed, one in three persons don’t use soap and only five per cent of people wash their hands correctly.

Individuals often wash only the palms and do not dry the hands afterwards.

While it is important that we commemorate such a life-saving strategy with a Global Awareness Day, to see meaningful gains from hand hygiene promotion,several components are required to sustain the momentum in the community and health facility.

System change is a component proposed by the World Health Organisation. It is important that the necessary equipment for hand hygiene is put in place in order to

improve practice. This means that healthcare facilities need to have the necessary basic infrastructure in place to allow healthcare workers practice hand hygiene, and hand hygiene should be a quality indicator for infection control.Policy makers need to make infection prevention and hand hygiene a national policy priority by improving water access in Nigerian communities, alongside other measures.

Another important component is education on the need for hand hygiene. For healthcare workers, there are five moments for performing hand hygiene (Figure 1): before and after touching a patient, before a clean procedure, after exposure to body fluid, after touching a patient and after touching patients’ surroundings.

Proper hand washing as demonstrated in Figure 2 below should last at least 30 seconds, and all surfaces of the hand including nail beds should be washed. Community members need to wash their hands before food preparation, eating food and after visiting the toilet.

Monitoring knowledge, perception and practice of hand hygiene is vital to measuring changes in behaviour and effectiveness of such interventions.

UNICEF has supported several countries in conducting hand hygiene surveys, focusing on availability of infrastructure.

Lastly, constant reminders are critical since they serve as stimuli for the practice of hand hygiene and this is why WHO set aside today, May 5th, as World Hand Hygiene day. As the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) marks Hand Hygiene Day, we would like to remind healthcare workers that washing your hands doesn’t only protect you and your patients, but it also protects your loved ones and the community from diseases.

Want to save someone today?

Observe the five Moments of Hygiene and teach someone how to do so properly today.

Obasanya is the Head, Prevention and Programmes Coordination Department, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The Executive Director also noted that aside the research and annual asthma conference programme, the foundation recorded milestones in other

programmes, with considerable progress in other areas including education and training, advocacy, networking and partnerships.

ACUF Calls for Stakeholders Commitment against Asthma Martins Ifijeh The Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF) has called on the government, Civil Society Organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to support Asthma management in Nigeria.

The foundation noted that given the asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality rate in Nigeria, all hands must be on desk to tackle environmental factors that trigger asthma and also provide necessary support in terms of infrastructure, human resources capacity and other tools required for asthma management.

The Executive Director, Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF), Chiwuike Uba (CPA, FCNA), hailed giant

steps taken by the foundation in the alleviation of conditions for persons living with asthma in Nigeria.

The not-for-profit, nonpartisan, non-governmental and charitable organisation established in 2016 in memory of his late wife, Mrs. Amaka Chiwuike-Uba, has been geared towards improving the quality of lives of people; especially those with asthma and other respiratory diseases.

In order to effectively and strategically carry out the programmes, projects and activities of the foundation, the ACUF established three centres of excellence: the Centre for Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Conditions (CAARC); the Centre for Innovation, Youth, Rural and Sustainable Development

(CIYRSD), and the Centre for Leadership and Global Education (CeLGE).

In a review of the ACUF’s achievements for the year 2017, Uba recalled the foundation’s first conference which led to the production of the first-ever documentary on Asthma in Nigeria, titled, ‘Together We Shall Beat Asthma’.

He noted that the annual asthma conference and series of research had impacted significantly on the country in many ways. According to him, they had led to an increased awareness on asthma prevalence, causes and management, with over 90 per cent impact on the knowledge of asthma among the conference participants.

He said the competency to manage asthma was impacted

positively by over 90 per cent among the conference participants as a result of the information shared during the conference.

Nolan Urgently Needs N3.5m for Hole-in the-Heart Surgery 10 months old Nolan Bassey urgently needs at least N3.5 million for a hole-in-the-heart surgery, if he must live beyond the next two months.

Nolan, who was diagnosed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in March, according to doctors, may not live beyond his first year birthday if no corrective surgery is done on his heart.

“LUTH referred us to Tristate

Heart Centre in Babcock University, where we were then asked to provide N3.5 million for the surgery. But my husband does not have a job presently,” says Nolan’s mother, Rita Bassey.

She said she once approached Kano Heart Foundation, but was told they have over 1,000 children on the waiting list with the same heart condition.

“This surgery needs to be

done before he clocks one year.

He is already 10 months old.

I am calling on kindhearted Nigerians to come to our aid.

He is my third child and I do not want to lose him,” she added.

Nolan’s mother can be contacted on 08032319535. Please send donations to 0771644386, Access Bank, Umet-Bassey Nolan.

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ MAY 10, 2018

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NIMC Targets 70m Identity Numbers to Boost Financial Inclusion Nume Ekeghe åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž As part of efforts to boost financial inclusion in the country, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has disclosed plan to issue identity numbers to 70 million Nigerians by the end of next year.

The country which currently holds centralised data for less than 15 per cent of its almost 200 million population, would integrate various identity-capturing and verification systems run by other government departments, banks and mobile-phone companies, the Director General of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, was quoted to have told Bloomberg in an interview. “We currently have silos of

identity with several agencies.

The NIMC will play the role of the harmonizer and coordinator of the back-end database, while allowing all the other agencies to have touch points and areas of interaction with the citizens,�

Aziz said.

Concerned that large segments of its population remained outside of the banking and payments system, the federal government had formed a partnership with Mastercard Inc. to issue identity cards embedded with their payment chips in 2015. There are plans to expand the collaboration by including other payments companies, with the ultimate target of covering all citizens, he said.

In addition to the facilitation

of payments, the identity numbers and the accompanying cards will be used for tax and health insurance administration, voter verification and help keep track of population changes, Aziz said.

Lagos-based Interswitch Limited, which issues Verve debit and credit cards, is at an advanced stage of linking its payments with the national identity database, while United Bank for Africa Plc is working on a pilot, according to Aziz. Citizens will be able to make their choice of payment companies during enrolment.

Nigeria is still a long way from covering most of the population and is concentrating on integrating existing data, Aziz said.

KPMG Nigeria Unveils Initiative to Improve Child Literacy Nume Ekeghe International professional services company, KPMG has kick-started its KPMG’s Family for Literacy (KFFL) programme in Nigeria, in its bid to combat child illiteracy in the country.

The move, it said, is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

KFFL is the firm’s flagship Citizenship programme with a mission to eradicate childhood illiteracy by putting new books into the hands of children in need and developing the next generation of young leaders through reading also transited into a reading session with KPMG top management staffs.

Speaking at the maiden

outreach in St Jude’s Nursery and Primary School Oyingbo, the Global Head of Citizenship, KPMG International, Lord Michael Hastings stressed the importance of reading and its benefit as well as presented the school reading materials.

The team also extended this outreach to St Mary Primary School yesterday.

Hastings said: “The books we are going to give today are yours; they are our gifts to you. We want you to keep, read them over and over again with your friends and family so you can keep your mind rich.� “The reason we are here is because KPMG launched this literacy programme in the United States of America

and now we have spread it to Mexico, China, Kenya, Uganda Tanzania and we have also spread it to South Africa, India, Europe and here we are now in Nigeria which we are launching in Nigeria today.�

On his part, the National Senior Partner, KPMG in Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Elebutu said: “This school is the first school in Nigeria where we are going to launch the KPMG family for literacy programme. “We would be giving the school today some science, maths, image books and also we would have some volunteers from KPMG who would read to you as well.�

Fidelity Bank Doles Out N10m Star Prize to Promo Winner Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË It was excitement galore as customers, management and staff of Fidelity Bank Plc converged in Abuja yesterday to witness the presentation of N10 million to the star prize winner as well as other prize winners at the ‘Fidelity Get Alert in Millions Promo Reloaded’ The N10 million star prize winner, a businessman from Aba, Abia State, Mr. Ekenechukwu Bathelomew Nnalue, was the cynosure of all eyes and could not conceal his excitement as he received an alert transferring his win on the spot.

Other lucky winners at 6th and final presentation of awards of the promo, which

commenced last October, were Mrs. Clara Okafor, a customer with Gwagwalada, Abuja branch of the bank who won N1 million, and a police officer, Mrs. Jennifer Nnanna from Abia state who won N2 million.

Speaking after receiving an alert to confirm the N10 million win, Nnalue disclosed that his winning account was only opened last year, and described the bank as a promise keeper.

He noted that the bank lives by its sell off point of keeping to its words, describing it as the “best bank in Nigeria.� “I’ am highly elated, and I am short of exact words to express my happiness. I can testify to the genuineness of

Fidelity Bank promo as one of the beneficiaries. It’s real and I will implore and advise whoever that has no account with the bank to open one without delay. Existing customers should sustain their savings,� he admonished.

In his remarks, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Mohammed Balarabe admonished the bank’s existing and new customers to cultivate savings culture. According to him, “The way to go is to cultivate savings culture especially with the current pattern the economy has assumed.�

He noted that it was necessary for people to save for the rainy day, adding that “the rainy day, certainly will come.

GIABA Appoints New Director General Mr. Kimelabalou Aba of the Togolese Republic has resumed office as the Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

He took over from Col. Adama Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire who led GIABA from February 3, 2014 to February 28, 2018.

A statement from the antimoney launder body described Aba as a Magistrate. He obtained an M.Phil. in 1999, Option Magistracy, from the National School

of Administration (ENA) LomÊTogo. Previously, he completed his primary and secondary studies leading to an Advanced Level School Certificate in Philosophy obtained at the Chaminade College in Kara, Togo, which led him to higher education. He opted for the Faculty of Law at the University of Benin in LomÊ, Togo, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Private Law obtained in 1994 and a Master’s degree in Business Law a year later.

Aba also holds a Post-

graduate Professional Diploma in Fundamental Rights from the University of Nantes (France) in 2002 and obtained a Professional Masters Degree in African Cyber Law from the Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, Senegal.

Professionally, Aba has a wealth of diversified professional experiences. He served as a Judge at the African Court of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2013 and 2014.

Buhari

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS ATTUESDAY MAY 8, 2018

-The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $72.12 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $72.45 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

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

MARKET NEWS

Sterling Bank CEO Assures Stakeholders of Better Performance Goddy Egene The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubaker Suleiman has assured the investing public and stock market community of the bank’s determination to ensure continued growth across key financial indices.

Suleiman stated this at the bank’s Facts Behind the Figures session at the NSE in Lagos.

Sterling Bank Plc recorded a

profit after tax(PAT) of N8.5 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2017 as against N5.2 billion in 2016, showing an increase of 65 per cent. in profitability. Gross earnings increased by 19.8% to N133.5 billion in 2017 compared to N111.4 billion in 2016.

Speaking at the event, Suleiman said that the bank’s 2017-2021 mid-term strategy is to grow market share of deposits to five per cent, diversify its

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

retail funding base, record nonperforming loans below its peer group average as well as return on average equity (ROAE) above peer group average.

He further added that Sterling Bank is looking to achieve diversified income streams with top quartile position in all its operating areas, double digit revenue growth on yearly basis and reduce cost of funds to less than five per cent.

On its long-term strategy,

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the CEO disclosed that bank intended to become a globally competitive financial services franchise by financial and nonfinancial measures, adding that it would continue to operate a fully sustainable business model with institutionalised processes that would outlive the stewardship of current owners and managers.

He also reiterated the bank’s commitment to its primary role of financial intermedia-

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

tion through intervention in sectors that will create jobs, improve living standard and bring about economic growth for the country.

Abubakar Suleiman identified the priority sectors as health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.

Speaking on the bank’s strategic initiatives, Executive Director, Operations and Services, Yemi Odubiyi, said the

O F

bank would manage risk, balance sheet and capital to deliver superior returns to shareholders; create a learning organisation to optimise productivity as well as operations and technology to drive better control, manage costs, complexity and risk.

He said all these would enable the bank to deliver excellent customer service and drive efficiency and sales through robust digital and payments capability.

0 9 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

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Ëœ ͚͸˜ ͺ͸͚͜ Ëž T H I S D AY

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Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

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Thursday, May 10, 2018

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

Current Price

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,725.02

-0.45%

11.8%

72.5%

20.7%

7.4%

8.0x

1.0x

4.7%

11.8%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

45.00

-1.4%

21.2%

10.4%

11.0%

32.6%

5.2%

7.3x

2.5x

6.0%

13.7%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

27.50

0.4%

12.5%

7.3%

6.1%

26.3%

3.6%

4.6x

1.2x

9.8%

21.7%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

125.20

-1.4%

7.5%

-7.2%

-7.3%

17.4%

8.3%

31.4x

5.3x

3.3%

3.2%

1,570.00

0.2%

7.3%

0.9%

0.9%

73.3%

18.9%

36.6x

23.3x

2.7%

2.7%

248.00

0.4%

6.0%

7.8%

7.8%

22.7%

12.0%

21.4x

5.0x

4.3%

4.7%

1.7%

6.8%

37.5%

37.7%

6.7%

0.8%

8.7x

0.7x

2.1%

11.5%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

5

Dangote Cement PLC

6

FBN Holdings Plc

12.10

7

Access Bank PLC

11.25

-0.4%

4.3%

7.7%

6.1%

12.7%

1.5%

5.5x

0.7x

5.8%

18.1%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

11.70

-0.4%

4.5%

13.6%

12.4%

15.9%

1.9%

5.2x

0.8x

7.3%

19.3%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

14.3%

21.00

0.7%

3.6%

23.5%

29.1%

-14.6%

-1.3%

7.0x

0.8x

2.9%

750.00

0.0%

3.3%

19.8%

19.8%

22.3%

13.2%

3.9x

0.8x

2.5%

25.9%

49.00

0.0%

3.1%

18.1%

19.8%

28.9%

3.8%

9.3x

2.7x

1.0%

10.8%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

49.90

-5.0%

2.8%

21.7%

24.1%

19.2%

8.0%

26.7x

3.6x

1.0%

3.7%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

104.00

0.5%

2.3%

10.6%

10.6%

15.4%

6.1%

19.8x

2.7x

0.6%

5.1%

42.00

0.0%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

1.4%

-6.4%

-6.4%

-36.8%

-7.7%

2.3x

3.6%

-14.7%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.48

0.4%

1.1%

0.8%

-3.9%

10.4%

1.4%

1.9x

0.4x

4.4%

51.3%

16

Oando PLC

8.55

-1.7%

1.7%

42.7%

42.7%

10.3%

1.5%

10.6x

0.6x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

18.65

-2.4%

1.0%

-6.8%

-8.4%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

81.00

0.0%

1.2%

19.7%

19.7%

39.7%

29.4%

19

International Brew eries PLC

51.80

0.0%

0.7%

-5.0%

-5.8%

24.6%

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

35.15

0.1%

0.7%

21.2%

21.2%

13.1%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.66

-0.6%

0.6%

13.7%

12.2%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

17.40

-3.3%

0.5%

3.0%

3.0%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

2.00

-2.0%

0.6%

33.3%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

222.20

0.0%

0.5%

-3.4%

2.55

0.8%

0.7%

188.00

0.0%

9.4%

2.1x

13.4%

8.1x

2.8x

3.7%

12.4%

7.4%

54.2x

12.3x

3.0%

7.3x

0.9x

2.6%

13.6%

11.2%

2.5%

10.2x

1.0x

1.2%

9.8%

1.5%

0.6%

28.3x

0.7x

3.7%

27.4%

2.5%

0.3%

8.1x

0.2x

-3.4%

25.0%

5.3%

10.7x

2.5x

7.7%

9.3%

61.4%

5.1%

0.8%

4.9x

0.3x

3.9%

20.6%

1.8%

25

FCMB Group Plc

26

11 PLC

0.4%

-3.4%

-3.4%

30.8%

11.0%

6.7x

2.5x

14.8%

27

Forte Oil PLC

40.85

0.0%

0.4%

-6.0%

-2.7%

17.6%

1.6%

22.0x

3.4x

4.5%

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.45

-0.2%

0.4%

9.0%

6.1%

10.7%

5.0%

21.3x

2.2x

2.2%

4.7%

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

72.00

0.0%

0.4%

5.1%

5.1%

39.7%

28.0%

3.0x

0.9x

2.8%

33.5%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

21.00

2.4%

0.3%

13.5%

9.3%

54.6%

19.5%

9.9x

4.8x

7.1%

10.1%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

10.00

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

0.0%

0.8x

7.2%

0.0%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.70

0.3%

-14.1%

-10.8%

5.6%

1.2%

8.6x

0.4x

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

29.00

0.0%

0.3%

3.6%

3.6%

17.3%

1.8%

8.0x

1.3x

3.4%

12.4%

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.60

-0.6%

0.3%

48.1%

41.6%

9.0%

0.9%

4.8x

0.4x

1.2%

20.9%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

11.50

0.0%

0.2%

-5.3%

-5.3%

61.6%

15.8%

3.7x

1.6x

1.7%

26.9%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

23.50

-2.1%

0.2%

8.7%

8.7%

61.2%

23.6%

37.1x

1.8x

31.9%

2.7%

-4.3%

11.7%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

37.10

0.2%

9.1%

3.9%

66.2%

30.2%

17.3x

11.6x

5.3%

5.8%

39

Beta Glass PLC

83.20

0.0%

0.2%

62.2%

62.2%

18.4%

11.9%

11.7x

2.0x

1.3%

8.5%

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 in e r s T ic k er

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

0.37

5.7%

GUA R A N T Y

162.8

-1.4%

24.60

4.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

29.5

0.4%

M A N SA R D

2.46

4.7%

FB NH

25.9

1.7%

M B EN EF IT

0.29

3.6%

UB A

15.5

-0.4%

VER IT A SKA P CCNN

T ic k er

LIN KA SSUR E

0.87

3.6%

Z EN IT H B A N K

13.8

0.4%

N A SC ON

21.00

2.4%

T R A N SC OR P

9.9

-0.6%

A F R IP R UD

4.30

2.4%

A C C ESS

8.5

-0.4%

SKYEB A N K

0.94

2.2%

D IA M ON D B N K

7.9

-2.0%

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WA P IC

0.55

1.9%

SKYEB A N K

7.5

2.2%

FB NH

12.10

1.7%

ET I

6.5

0.7%

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T o p 10 L o s e r s

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

3.5% 12.4%

T ic k er

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

Value

P ric e C hg %

7399.8

-1.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

378.5

0.4%

-5.0%

FB NH

310.9

1.7%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

J A P A ULOIL

0.44

-8.3%

GUA R A N T Y

C UT IX

3.04

-5.0%

49.90

UN ILEVER CHA M S

0.40

-4.8%

N EST LE

205.4

0.2%

UA C -P R OP

2.23

-4.7%

UB A

180.9

-0.4%

C H A M P ION

2.25

-4.7%

ET I

135.9

0.7%

SOVR EN IN S

0.21

-4.5%

A C C ESS

96.1

-0.4%

IN T EN EGIN S

0.44

-4.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

72.7

0.4%

CA P

37.10

-4.3%

GUIN N ESS

63.1

0.5%

F IR ST A LUM

0.45

-4.3%

NB

61.9

-1.4%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

43

˾ THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Oloketuyi: Wema Bank Now in its Growth Phase Goddy Egene Wema Bank Plc is now in its growth phase, the managing director/chief executive officer of the bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi said yesterday.

Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank in Lagos, Oloketuyi commended the shareholders for their understanding over the years and for seeing the bank through the first two restructuring phases.

“I would like to appreciate

our esteemed shareholders for their patience and the trust reposed in us. We are now in the final stage of our threepronged strategy: stabilise the bank (2009 -2012), reposition the bank (2013-2017) and grow the bank (2017 and beyond),” he said.

He told the shareholders that capital re-organisation scheme of the bank had been concluded.

“With all relevant regulatory approvals in place and duly passed and reflected in the

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 financial year accounts, the conclusion of the exercise would now lead to an efficient balance sheet, as ploughed back profit can be capitalised to grow the business while positioning the bank for dividend payment in the near term,” he explained.

He said the bank approached the money market in November 2017 to raise N25 billion in two Series under a commercial paper programme; Series 1 N10 billion 182-day tenor and Series 2: N15 billion-

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 08-May-2018, unless otherwise stated.

270-day tenor.

“Given the relative decline in interest rates and possible growth within the economy, the bank will be re-opening the second series of its N50 billion debt issuance programme. This should commence from the second quarter of the year,” Oloketuyi said.

Oloketuyi said the bank, which launched ALAT, first fully digital bank, grew its gross earnings by 20.07 per cent to N65.27 billion and profit after tax of N2.26 billion

in 2017.

According to the CEO, the growth was supported by the launch of ALAT enhancing Wema Bank’s already existing alternate platforms which recorded a combined growth rate of 205.67 per cent in transactions executed and with an estimated 30,000 accounts opened monthly.

“We have made necessary steps to consolidate on the growth achieved in the new financial year,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief

Finance Officer of Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku noted that earnings from non-interest income remained strong, growing by 24.4 per cent from N9.80 billion in 2016 to N12.19 billion in 2017, surpassing its 2017 guidance of a 19 per cent growth rate.

He said bank closed with a Profit before Tax (PBT) of N3.01 billion, despite reporting an increase in impairment charges which rose from N0.42 billion in 2016 to N2.18 billion in 2017.

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 193.93 195.15 9.25% Nigeria International Debt Fund 245.24 246.49 6.27% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.87 0.88 5.89% ACAP Income Funds 0.66 0.66 8.79% 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 13.70% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.35 20.96 11.38% ARM Discovery Fund 422.58 435.32 8.61% ARM Ethical Fund 28.85 29.72 5.60% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.62% 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 160.53 161.66 5.83% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.62% 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 12.80% Paramount Equity Fund 12.16 12.47 9.66% Women's Investment Fund 103.66 106.31 3.01% 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 13.77% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.15% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 8.29% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.14 7.26% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,153.03 1,153.73 0.43% FBN Heritage Fund 151.65 152.99 8.78% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.65% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $112.07 $112.58 -0.76% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $112.19 $112.70 -0.55% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 183.68 186.44 13.96% 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 3.02 3.02 4.75% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.70% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 102.86 103.69 2.81% 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 N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A

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 1.21 3.35% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,064.65 1,064.65 5.62% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 130.51 133.00 1.41% 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 1.57 1.57 5.71% 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 2,412.79 2,433.62 7.59% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 185.14 185.14 4.92% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.09 1.10 8.42% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 233.75 233.82 6.15% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 188.54 190.54 5.24% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.31% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,401.90 10,542.30 7.57% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 2.72% 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 1.18% United Capital Bond Fund 1.66 1.66 5.92% United Capital Equity Fund 0.98 1.00 7.17% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.79% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.62 105.62 2.65% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 4.70% 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 13.49 13.70 7.54% Zenith Ethical Fund 20.07 20.07 50.22% Zenith Income Fund 14.07 14.24 -24.94% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.01%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 135.12 51.22

N/A 2.01%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.68 161.97 120.60

12.78 165.37 122.80

4.59% 13.38% 10.37%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

5.22 9.88 19.12 20.87 147.99

5.26 9.96 19.22 21.07 149.99

10.08% 3.23% 7.64% 6.07% -0.39%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͮË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

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THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

North Korea Frees Three US Detainees Ahead of Trump Summit Trump promises to receive the freed detainees US troops in South Korea not ‘on the table’ in initial North Korea talks North Korea has freed three American detainees, President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday, hailing a diplomatic victory ahead of a planned summit with Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang granted the three men “amnesty,” AFP reported a US official as saying, and they are now on their way back to the United States with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Trump said he would greet the men when they return with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been in Pyongyang to arrange the planned talks, according to BBC. Two of the men, agricultural expert Kim Hak-song and former professor Tony Kim were arrested in 2017, while Kim Dong-chul,

a South Korea-born American businessman and pastor in his 60s, was sentenced to 10 years’ hard labor in 2016.

“I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health,” Trump tweeted.

The White House said all three men were able to walk unassisted onto a US Air Force plane that carried them and the secretary of state out of North Korea.

A second plane, with more robust medical equipment, waited for them at Yokota Air Force Base, just outside Tokyo.

“All indications are their health is as good as could be given they

been through,” said Pompeo.

The family of Tony Kim voiced their gratitude to “all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home” -- and specifically thanking Trump for “engaging directly with North Korea.”

“Mostly, we thank God for Tony’s safe return,” the family said in a statement. “We ask that you continue to pray for the people of

North Korea and for the release of all who are still being held.”

Trump meanwhile described the release as “a gesture of good will” and said he would be on hand when Pompeo’s three “guests” land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Thursday.

Trump acolytes declared the release an unbridled political victory, evidence, Vice President Mike Pence

said, that “strong leadership and our America First policies are paying dividends.”

The men’s release appears to pave the way for a muchanticipated summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim, scheduled to take place within weeks.

Meanwhile, the US troop presence in South Korea would not be part of initial negotiations

with North Korea, Reuters reported US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis as saying on Wednesday, ahead of expected talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “That’s not something that would be on the table in the initial negotiation,” Mattis told a Senate hearing, describing the 28,500 US military forces on the peninsula as a “stabilising presence.”

Iran-aligned Houthis inYemen Fire Missiles at Saudi Capital Yemen’s Houthis fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia’s capital on Wednesday - an attack Reuters reported Saudi authorities as saing they intercepted in the skies over Riyadh.

The assault took place a day after Saudi Arabia’s top Western ally the United States pulled out of a deal with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme and could signal an uptick in tensions between Riyadh and regional rival Tehran.

The Houthis said the missiles were launched at economic targets in Riyadh, the group’s al-Masirah TV reported. At least four blasts were heard in the city centre, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The Houthis have fired a series of missiles into the kingdom in recent months, part of a three-year-old conflict in Yemen widely seen as a proxy battle between Saudi Arabia

and Iran.

Syrian Observatory: Israeli Raid in Syria Killed Iranians The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Wednesday an Israeli attack on Iranian military facilities south of Damascus had killed at least 15 people, including eight Iranians, according to Reuters.

The reports of an Israeli attack in Kisweh late on Tuesday emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the Iranian nuclear deal.

The UK-based Observatory said the missile strikes hit depots and rocket launchers, killing 15 individuals including eight Iranians.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

A commander in the regional alliance fighting alongside Damascus said that Israel had hit a Syrian army base without causing casualties.

Gina Haspel Hearing: 9/11 ‘Mastermind’Asks to Share Information The self-proclaimed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks has asked for permission to share information about Gina Haspel, nominee for CIA director, at her confirmation hearing, BBC reported on Wednesday.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is held at Guantanamo Bay, has asked a judge if he can share six paragraphs of information, the New York Times says.

Mr Mohammed was tortured by the CIA following his capture in 2003.

Ms Haspel is facing a grilling from senators at the hearing.

Her nomination has faced opposition due to her role at a secret CIA prison in Thailand where detainees were waterboarded in 2002.

Ms Haspel told the Senate intelligence committee that under her leadership the agency would

not restart a secret detention and interrogation programme under which suspects were tortured.

She told committee members that, in retrospect, “it is clear... that CIA was not prepared to conduct a detention and interrogation programme”.

“Having served in that tumultuous time, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation, that under my leadership the CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation programme,” she added.

Ms Haspel declined to confirm whether she had overseen waterboarding sessions. She told the committee she supported the CIA’s decision to destroy videotapes of the interrogations, saying it was to protect the identities of agents.

The hearing was briefly interrupted by a protester who was escorted out by police.

Left to right Kim Hak-song, Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim

REUTERS AFP

France Thalys Train Attack Gunman Was ‘Unable to Kill’ Ayoub El-Khazzani has already admitted his role in a 2015 attack plot aimed at targeting Americans on a train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris, according to BBC. Now he has claimed he was too much of a “psychological

wreck” to kill anyone, according to an account he gave to a judge that has been seen by French media.

The story of how the gunman was tackled by passengers as the train sped through northern France has already been made

into a Clint Eastwood film.

Two passengers on board were wounded.

But the 21 August 2015 attack, three months before the Paris attacks in which 130 people died, could have been far worse.

Mr El-Khazzani, now 28,

was carrying an array of weapons when he opened fire on the train near the town of Oignies. He was overpowered by several people, including three American friends who later appeared in the film The 15:17 to Paris.

Trump Says Iran Will Negotiate or ‘Something Will Happen’ US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday, after his announcement of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and imposing new sanctions, that Iran would either negotiate or “something will happen”, Reuters reported.

It was not immediately clear what actions he was suggesting would take place.

But chastising Trump over his decision, Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei, speaking before school teachers, told Trump: “You cannot do a damn thing!” and described Trump’s speech as having “over 10 lies,” without elaborating on them. He also said Trump’s remarks threatened both Iran’s people and its theocratic government.

The exhortation from Khamenei, who has final say on all state

matters, follows a pattern of Iranian leaders declaring their nation’s ability to resist foreign pressure or interference.

Earlier Wednesday, the lawmakers, including a Shiite cleric, held the flaming flag alight as their colleagues joined their chants.

They also burned a piece of paper representing the nuclear deal and stomped on the papers’ ashes.

While US flag-burning is common in Iran and harsh criticism of America has been a staple of Iranian parliamentary politics for years, it was the first time political observers could remember anything being burned inside the parliament itself.

The government backlash reflected broad public anger in Iran over Trump’s decision, which threatens to destroy the landmark

agreement. While Iranian officials, including the parliament speaker, say they hope Europe will work with them to preserve the deal, many are pessimistic.

Meanwhile, the Agence France-Presse reported other signatories to the 2015 as vowing on Wednesday to uphold a landmark deal, raising fears of a fresh confrontation with Tehran.

Trump’s decision to ditch the accord and reimpose sanctions on the Islamic republic risks overturning years of painstaking diplomacy, worsening instability in the Middle East and threatens foreign companies’ business in Iran worth billions of dollars.

The 2015 agreement imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme in return for the

lifting of most US and international sanctions.

However, the deal came with time limits and did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme or its regional policies in Syria and elsewhere. Trump has repeatedly pointed to those omissions in referring to the accord as the “worst deal ever.” Proponents of the deal have said those time limits were meant to encourage more discussion with Iran in the future that could eventually address other concerns.

Many Iranians are worried about what Trump’s decision could mean for their country.

The Iranian rial is already trading on the black market at 66,000 to the dollar, despite a government-set rate of 42,000 rials. Many say they have not seen any benefits from the nuclear deal.

THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Renewed Investor Confidence Raises Foreign Portfolio Investments in Nigeria to $16bn Moody’s: Higher oil prices to moderate banks’ foreign currency risks Obinna Chima The value of foreign investors’ holdings of Nigeria’s local debt instruments rose significantly to $16 billion as of the end of March, signposting the renewed investor confidence in the country.

The International Monetary Fund’s Mission Chief to Nigeria, Mr. Amine Mati, who disclosed this while making a presentation at the Moody’s Investors Service Fourth Annual West Africa Summit titled: ‘Nigeria’s Recovery: Slow and Sturdy,’ that took place in Lagos yesterday, put the value of foreign investors’ holdings in domestic debt instruments in Nigeria previously at about $4 billion.

In addition, he said Nigeria’s equities market has also seen increased interest by foreign investors.

“The number of investors that keep coming to my office (to make enquiries about investing in Nigeria) keeps rising.

“Last year, foreign holdings of local debt was about $4 billion, as at the end of March this year, foreign holdings of local debt was $16 billion, which shows a lot of interest in the country,” he explained.

Mati added: “The good news is that Nigeria is out of recession.

Another good news is the stability in the foreign exchange market.

February 2017 was the peak when we had the exchange rate at N520 to a dollar, the official rate at N305 to a dollar and we had different windows.”

He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for introducing the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I & E) foreign exchange window in April last, which he said also contributed to the increased investor confidence in the country and the accretion recorded by the country’s forex reserves currently at a four-year high of about $48 billion.

Nevertheless, he reiterated the position of the IMF that Nigeria was exposed to oil price volatility as well as its high debt level.

Furthermore, Mati expressed concern about the slim Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 0.8 per cent recorded by the country in 2017. He pointed out that save for the oil and gas as well as the agric sectors, other sectors had not picked.

He stressed the need to enhance non-oil revenue mobilisation in the country, that in Nigeria, Debt-toGDP ratio is not an issue, but the high level of debt service.

Meanwhile, Moody’s Investors Service in a report published yesterday stated that the outlook

for the Nigerian banking system remains stable as banks’ foreign currency liquidity risks moderate due to rising oil prices and a more liberal forex policy.

It rating agency stated this in a report titled: “Banking System Outlook -Nigeria; Liquidity risks have eased but earnings pressure and loan quality risks remain.”

It stated that despite the stabilisation in banks’ foreign currency funding and liquidity profiles, Moody’s expects bank earnings to come under pressure.

It projected that capital metrics would also decline marginally over the 12 to 18 month outlook period.

Additionally, asset quality was estimated to remain weak, adding that a further deterioration in loan performance would be marginal as operating conditions slowly improve.

“Operating conditions for the Nigeria’s banks will continue to gradually improve over the next 12 to 18 months, but remain challenging,” Vice President and Senior Credit Officer, at Moody’s, Akin Majekodunmi said.

He added: “Nigeria’s growth prospects remain vulnerable to global oil prices, as crude oil will remain the country largest export commodity and its main generator of foreign currency for the foreseeable future.”

Moody’s anticipated a recovery in Nigeria’s real GDP growth over the next two years, up from 0.8 per cent last year. This, is expected to boost lending to around 10 per cent after a 15.4 per cent contraction in 2017.

“Nigerian banks’ profitability will nevertheless decline on account of lower yields on government securities, as well as a likely reduction in income from derivatives. However, these pressures will be partially offset by a recovery in loan growth and transaction income from the expansion of digital platforms.

“Meanwhile, nonperforming loans and associated provisions in the banking system will increase marginally in a delayed response to sluggish economic growth experienced last year, and Moody’s expects them to range between 15.5 per cent and 18 per cent of gross loans over the outlook period,” it added.

However, in a separate report titled: “Oil-driven recovery supports modest improvements in credit profiles; fiscal pressure persists,” also released yesterday, noted that persistent and growing fiscal deficits were largely responsible for Nigerian states

Lagos Vision Zero Conference Kicks off June 26 Activities are in top gear towards a successful hosting of the Lagos Vision Zero Conference scheduled to hold from June 26 to 27t at the Landmark Center, Victoria Island.

Part of the activities include several meetings being held by the Planning Committee while Sub Committees are being set up by the Lagos State Safety Commission towards a successful hosting of the significant event.

It is expected to be the biggest

safety and health conference in Nigeria with technical presentations from safety experts from all over the world.

The Vision Zero Conference with the theme: ‘A Mind-set Change towards Zero Harm’, is a fallout of the health and safety congress held in Singapore in September 2017 which aims to bring about zero accidents, injuries, diseases, and death at the workplace.

carrying a substantial debt burden.

According to the report, Nigerian states receive approximately half of their revenue from the federal government, which in turn is heavily dependent on oil and gas revenue. “Because own-source revenue remains relatively weak, we expect state governments to remain dependent on federal government transfers.

“The extra oil revenue generated by higher oil prices and production will mainly be used by states and local governments to repay some of the existing stock of arrears accumulated over the last few years.

“Capital spending, which accounts for almost half of the regions’ total spending, is likely

to remain constrained. And we expect healthcare-related spending pressures to offset lower capital spending at the regional level, which will keep regional governments’ deficits and debt levels elevated,”it stated.

Moody’s also anticipated that corporates would expand capital spending on the back of improving access to US dollars as well as the recent $2.5 billion currency swap agreement between Nigeria and China.

According to the firm, many Nigerian corporates using Chinese equipment and inputs would benefit from this dedicated currency window when it comes to meeting their capital expenditure needs.

“We expect Dangote Cement

Plc to expand its activities given returning demand for cement in Nigeria and increasing demand in neighbouring West African countries and easier access to US dollars required for expansionary capital equipment.

“Dangote Cement uses Chinese trucks and other Chinese equipment in its operations. Based on 2017 trend lines, but also factoring in the increase in US dollar linked capital expenditure in naira terms, we expect that the fast-moving consumer goods firms will likely continue to expand to increase capacity or consolidate recent years of expansion.

“This sector includes corporates such as Dangote Flour Mills Plc (unrated), Dangote Sugar Plc (unrated) and Nestle Nigeria Plc

(unrated). Similarly, given the high average realized oil price and the prospect of increased investment in exploration and production (E&P), we expect that the indigenous independent E&P companies, such as Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (B2 stable), will look to expand their activity.

“Such companies are likely to grow both organically and through acquisitions. Despite the improved outlook for the overall sector, challenges remain.

“We expect an eventual drop in demand for the US dollar after 2020, as more refined oil-related products are sourced domestically, which may lead to the eventual unification of the different foreign exchange windows at the central bank,” the report added.

PROJECT INSPECTION

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (middle), flanked by the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (left), Ibrahim Magu; and Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon. Kayode Oladele, at the new EFCC Headquarters in Abuja when the Speaker inspected the project.....yesterday.

Osinbajo: Most States Can’t Survive Without Federal Allocation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has declared that most states of the federation cannot survive without monthly allocations from the Federation Account.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the 20th annual tax conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Osinbajo said prior to the discovery of oil, many regions in the country generated adequate revenue through taxes from agricultural produce to the extent that they still contributed money to run the government at the centre.

He said, “Today, the states in the whole Western region, apart from Lagos do not even earn enough in taxes to pay salaries let alone do any major project.

“Without federal allocation, most states cannot survive.

Lagos State alone takes as much Internally generated IGR as 31 states combined. This tells you how little the other states generate in IGR.” Lamenting the low level of tax

payment among Nigerians, he regretted that at six per cent, Nigeria has one of the lowest tax-to- GDP ratio in the world.

According to him, as at May 2017, only 14 million of the country’s 70 million economicallyactive citizens paid taxes to the government.

Osinbajo noted that through deliberate strategies to ensure voluntary tax compliance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had been able to raise the population of taxpayers from 14 million in May last year to 19 million currently.

Out of the total taxpayers in the country, the VP added that only 943 of them paid self assessment taxes of N10 million and above, adding that of the 943 taxpayers who paid N10 million and above, 941 of them reside in Lagos while the remaining two are resident in Ogun State.

Osinbajo noted that when people pay their taxes, they tend to hold government more accountable on how the country’s resources are

being managed.

He argued that the mismanagement of funds thrived in the past because oil revenue was readily available thereby reducing the need for people to pay taxes.

The current administration, Osinbajo added, had put in place measures to check the mismanagement of government resources, noting that through the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), about N4 billion monthly bank charges are being saved by the government.

In addition, he said the audit of government payroll through the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit had saved the government over N200 billion personal costs.

According him, the amount would have been paid to ghost workers if the government had not sanitised its payroll.

“When people pay taxes, they are more inclined to hold government accountable and they tend to be less passive in governance,” he added.

The CITN conference which is the single largest gathering of tax

practitioners in the country has as its theme: “Institutionalising tax paying culture in a developing economy’.

In his speech at the event. which was declared open by Osibanjo, the CITN President, Dr. Cyril Ikemefuna, said the conference was vital in view of the efforts of the government to boost tax revenue.

He said during the conference, tax practitioners would review the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), transfer pricing, and arbitrary tax incentives as a disincentive in a tax system, among others.

He stated: “The heartbeat of any economy is its deft use of taxation for promoting economic growth and development.

“Through taxation, government ensures that resources are channeled towards important and critical activities in the society. “Thus the imposition of taxes is essential to economic and social development in any given economy.”

48

THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Health Workers Declare Indefinite Strike Nationwide Say we can’t stop Buhari from seeking medical treatment abroad Paul Obi in Abuja The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) yesterday declared a nationwide indefinite strike to press home their demands for improved working conditions and adjustment of salary structure.

The nationwide strike declared by the umbrella body of health workers in the country came days after President Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria to seek medical attention in the United Kingdom.

The departure of President Buhari in the middle of a warning strike by health workers had drawn anger and condemnation from Nigerians over the federal government’s inability to fix the country’s worsening healthcare system.

Observers had also questioned the credibility and honesty of the president given his 2014 elections

campaign promise to stem out medical tourism, which reports indicate cost Nigeria about $1 billion annually.

The indefinite strike also came after talks and negotiations with the federal government finally collapsed yesterday.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on the strike, JOHESU President, Biobelemoye Josiah, explained that the strike was prompted by government’s blatant refusal to implement the agreement it reached with the union on September 30, 2017, on adjustment of salary structure.

He said: “JOHESU had been on a nationwide strike to press home our demand since April 18, 2018, at the Tertiary Health Institutions levels, especially, the upward adjustment of CONHESS Salary Structure.

“This strike was earlier limited

House Urges FG to Suspend Planned Sale of Stake in NLNG

to the Tertiary Health Institutions, thinking that Government shall be honourable to implement the signed the memorandum of Terms of Settlement of September 30, 2017.

“On the issue of CONHESS adjustment, which we regard as the flagship of our demands, government in 2014 granted CONMESS adjustment to medical doctors and immediately two months arrears while other months were spread.”

Josiah, who was accompanied

by JOHESU secretary, Ekpebor Florence; Dr Godswill Okara among other JOHESU officials, added that “CONHESS review is the upward adjustment of the CONHESS Salary table in-line with the same principles used in adjusting the CONMESS table for medical doctors who work with us in the health team.

“Our own demand for the adjustment of CONHESS that affects over 95 per cent of the health workforce nationwide has been

frustrated, and part of the reason for this is that the Minister of Health as well as the Minister of State for Health are all medical doctors, while the Minister of Labour and Employment, who should be a neutral umpire in trade disputes is equally a medical doctor.

“They, therefore, feel unconcerned on matters of welfare of other healthcare providers. This is quite unfortunate.

“However, after three rounds of meetings held on, April 26, 2018, May 2, 2018, and May 7, 2018, respectively, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment to find a way forward, but alas, the Federal Ministry of Health is bent on thwarting all efforts at reaching an amicable settlement of the issues of our demands, especially the upward adjustment of CONHESS Salary Structure, despite the superior argument of National salaries, incomes and Wages Commission

to the effect that basic salaries are always the same apart from the 1991 distortion which was later corrected by a federal government policy with the Harmonised Salary Structure of 1988 while relativity is based on the entry point of doctors and other health professionals.

“We wish to bring to your attention, the preferential treatment given to medical doctors has remained the major albatross to peaceful coexistence of health practitioners in the health industry in Nigeria,” Josiah said.

He further stated that “government has not shown any seriousness to meet our demands and the existence of fifth columnists in and out of government who are bent on escalation to prolong the strike for their selfish interest of privatisation of government hospitals, and buy these government legacies for themselves has not helped the matter.”

On President Buhari’s perennial medical trips abroad, Josiah stated that JOHESU cannot stop the president from travelling abroad for medical attention, as the union is not empowered to do so.

The union also stressed that unless corruption in the Federal Ministry of Health is stopped, the health sector in the country would know no peace.

They observed that rampant and naked display of corruption in the health ministry was the bane of the nation’s health care system They accused the Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, of worsening the crisis in the health sector.

Efforts by THISDAY to speak with officials at the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, including the minister, Adewole, were not fruitful, as they did not respond to calls and text messages put across to them.

Probes alleged extortion of international inbound passengers by customs James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion urging the federal government to suspend the proposed sale of its stake in the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).

It further resolved to investigate the veracity of the allegation that government actually planned to sell off the asset and mandated its Committee on Gas Resources to ensure compliance.

The resolution was consequent upon a motion moved by Hon. Randolph Oruene Brown on the urgent need to stop the sale of the NLNG. He noted a recent proposal by the federal government to sell the multi-billion dollar NLNG to raise funds to reflate the Nigerian economy.

Brown said the proposal was as a result of the recommendation of a ministerial retreat in 2016 for an ambitious fiscal stimulus plan involving the generation and injection of massive foreign capital, estimated at between $10 billion and $15 billion (about N 4.72 trillion) into the economy to help the recession recovery process.

According to him, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, had stated that one of the ways to fund the plan would be through the sale of some national assets and the proceeds reinvested in the economy to raise the needed capital for infrastructural development.

The lawmaker noted that the NLNG is one of the most successful ventures that the country has embarked upon when it started from train one through to the sixth train and now the seventh train in the offing.

However, he expressed worry that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Nigerian Labour union, among other organisations, had seriously frowned at this move and warned the federal government against the proposed sale of national assets, especially the NLNG. The lawemaker argued that resuscitating the Nigerian economy

from recession was the actual reason for the proposed sale of the NLNG even though there are other options the government may adopt to resuscitate the economy.

He added that, “Government has the option of borrowing on long term against the dividends in the NLNG, convert its Joint Venture Holdings in some multinational oil corporations into incorporated Joint Venture Companies, encourage wealthy Nigerians who can afford to buy and therefore rooting for the sale of national assets, to invest in the economy, or to set up their own LNG projects, considering the huge reserves of natural gas in the country.

Brown further contended that the Nigerian workers will be at the receiving end if the sale is allowed to go unchallenged.

According to him: “It is not in any conventional economic reality for any nation to resort to selling off its assets during challenging times, as this exhibits leadership laxity and policy myopia.”

No further debate was allowed on the issue since it’s investigativeand in order not to pre-empt the outcome.

Also, yesterday, the lower chamber passed a motion seeking to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the outcry from international inbound travellers to Nigeria on allegations of arbitrary charges, extortions, bribery, corruption and abuse of office against Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The proposed committee will also interface with the management of the customs to review its operational manual with respect to treatment and valuation of personal and household effects of international Inbound travellers to the country.

The committee is mandated to report back to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Obinna Chidoka (PDP, Anambra) over the issue.

He said the allegations called for the need for investigation, in order to restore the confidence of the Nigerian taxpayers.

CAVERTON TEAM

L-R: Managing Director, Caverton Helicopters, Capt. Josiah Choms; Guest of Honour, Mrs. Yoyin Makanjuola; Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Titi Adigun; and Chairman, Mr. Remi Makanjuola, during ninth Annual General Meeting of Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc in Lagos..

Tuesday DAN UKANA

Ekiti 2018: I’m Ready for Any Challenge, Says PDP Candidate Our rebranding paying off, says party Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the July 14 Ekiti State governorship election, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, has expressed his readiness to take on challenges from other contestants in the election.

Olusola, who spoke yesterday in Abuja after receiving his certificate of return from the party’s leadership as its candidate for the election, said PDP would continue to rule in Ekiti State after the expiration of the tenure of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

“I want to assure our national leaders that Ekiti State is for PDP. All the other parties are just shouting.

Let them bring money, let them bring violence, Ekiti people will resist them.

“We are no more interested in accommodating unnecessary interlopers, people want to take us through another round of economic slavery. We are no more ready for that.

“I am ready to take up this

challenge as the incoming governor of Ekiti State on the platform of the PDP,” he promised.

Olusola praised the conduct of the primary, and said the party has eliminated impunity and imposition of candidates.

“We are a party where integrity, fairness and transparency hold and are the order of the day. A party where there is order and leadership is respected. This is a pattern of the leadership we have at the national level,” he added.

The PDP governorship candidate also took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC), and said there is a big difference between the PDP and the party.

“In our party, we don’t kick ballot boxes. In our party, we don’t snatch ballot boxes and we don’t engage in violence. In our party, we don’t have any cause to cancel any election. We don’t have any reason to postpone or suspend any election.

Even when elections are scheduled for a particular date, some people

in other parties will still fix it for another day because they can’t get their act in order,” he stated.

PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Yemi Akinwonmi, while presenting the certificate to the party’s governorship candidate on behalf of the national chairman, described the primary that produced Olusola are most credible and transparent which as not challenged.

“There was no problem in which the loser accepted the outcome and the winner accepted victory,” he stated. The occasion also witnessed the submission of the report of the conduct of the primary to the PDP national leadership by the secretary of the commission, Dr. Barka Sani, who stood in for the Chairman, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the PDP has commended its members in state, the critical stakeholders, particularly, Fayose, the aspirants as well as the delegates, for the

conduct of a peaceful, free, fair and credible PDP governorship primary last Tuesday.

The party said the unprecedented orderliness and spirit of sportsmanship that pervaded the exercise is a clear testimony of the engrained values of fairness and strict adherence to internal democracy in the rebranded, repositioned and retooled PDP. Under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP has thrown impunity, imposition and interferences in electoral process, into the dustbin of history.

The Osun and Ekiti electoral thresholds will guide our electioneering processes at all levels, particularly, our presidential primary.

In the same vein, Secondus said the successful conduct of hitch free and transparent gubernatorial primaries in Ekiti State on Tuesday is a consequence of the party rebranding and repositioning project that has proved to be on course.

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FG, Oil Companies Sign Agreement to Shorten Contracting Cycle Ejiofor Alike The federal government through the Nigerian Content Development and

Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and oil companies operating in Nigeria under the aegis of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), have signed

Magu: How We Built New EFCC Hqtrs for N24bn Says war against corruption tough but winnable Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Chairman of the Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said the N24 billion used to build the agency’s new headquarters costs five times below the real property value.

Magu stated this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists during the tour of the massive building in Abuja.

He said the EFCC headquarters, which would be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari next Tuesday, was built with a bargain price of N24 billion instead of the N100 billion estimated valuation.

The anti-corruption agency further dispelled the suggestion that the sum of N24 billion was too much for the value of the property.

Magu explained that they were able to build the skyscraper and other surrounding buildings constructed by Julius Berger at what he considered a conservative rate by direct supervision and handing over the money to the developers without involvement of the middlemen.

He said: “Are you saying that N24 billion is too much for this edifice? Then you must be joking.

Do you know what we have here, just because we procure most of the equipment? If you go and ask any other valuer, they will charge you more than N100 billion.

“Go and see the transformers and the clinic alone, other persons could have used more than N24 billion. We gave the whole money directly to the developers and they worked. We warned them that as long as we gave them all the money, they would work.

There is no cheating in this at all.

“I am telling you that before

you get a property like this, people would ask you for five times the price we used. If you like, you can go round the whole country, but you cannot get a property of this magnitude for N24 billion.”

Speaking further, Magu said even though the fight against corruption is getting tougher, the commission is not in anyway deterred.

According to him, “Corruption is fighting back every minute and every hour,” but with the relocation to a more befitting office, the EFCC will be adopting a winning formula in its anticorruption drive.

“We have relocated, so we are going to change strategy. We will fight it to the extent that you will be satisfied that we have fought enough.”

The agency boss said despite the difficulties, the agency is already winning the war against corruption, citing the awareness campaign as one of the major successes.

“But let it sink that we are fighting corruption and we are not going to be shy or apologetic about it. This is because corruption is a disaster as it is in this country. This country is ours and whether they like it or not, we will win this fight. We are already it because we have been able to create awareness that corruption is wrong. I don’t think if there is anybody in the country who doesn’t believe that corruption is wrong,” he said.

On the abandoned properties, Magu said the EFCC is working with some stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to track all the uncompleted structures across the country.

Ihedioha: Successful Governorship Primary in Ekiti Affirms Reformed PDP Amby Uneze inOwerri Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has described the successful conduct of the Ekiti State governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as seamless, affirming the solidity and readiness of the “reformed party’, to liberate Nigerians from the failed All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2019.

Ihedioha, while extolling the party members and delegates in Ekiti State, stated: “I congratulate the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, on his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for the July 14 governorship election, urging him to be magnanimous in victory.

He noted that “the peaceful, free, fair and transparent conduct of the

exercise has become the hallmark of the rebranded PDP.” The former speaker commended the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, the leadership of the party, the electoral committee led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and expressed special gratitude to the runner-up, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former National Publicity Secretary, for his patriotism and rare spirit of sportsmanship in accepting the outcome of the election.

While charging the party to ensure genuine reconciliation ahead of the general election, he advised the APC to wake up to the realities and demands of democracy and emulate the rich democratic credentials of the PDP to save democracy and Nigerians from further ridicule.

a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to reduce the long contracting cycle, which had hindered investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Under the SLA signed in Lagos yesterday, the 28-member OPTS companies will comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, by submitting to the NCDMB, documents like their quarterly job forecasts, Nigerian Content plans, bidders Lists, Nigerian Content evaluation criteria, Nigerian Content technical bids and other relevant information in relation to industry contracting and procurement cycles.

On its part, the NCDMB committed to respond to specific timelines and should it fail to

meet the set deadlines, the oil companies can proceed with their tendering processes after duly informing the agency.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, signed on behalf of the agency, while the Managing Director of ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr. Paul McGrath, signed on behalf of the OPTS in the event witnessed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr. Massimo Insulla; Managing Director of Chevron, Mr. Jeff Ewing and the Managing Director of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Terraz.

The SLA with the OPTS is sequel to the one entered

between the board and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in May 2017, which was the first between a regulator and another entity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the event, Wabote explained that the SLA with the OPTS was in furtherance of the Board’s efforts to meet the target set by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, for the industry contracting cycle to be shortened to six months.

He noted that through the efforts of the NCDMB, the cycle had been reduced significantly to 14 months from 24-36 months.

Wabote stressed that operations of the oil and gas industry were time sensitive, adding that a

shortened contracting cycle would cut the cost of projects considerably.

He noted that the SLA signed with the NLNG had improved the turn-around time of approvals between the two establishments, informing that the Board was working to sign a similar agreement with the Indigenous Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG).

In his response, the Managing Director of ExxonMobil thanked the Executive Secretary for the wonderful initiatives he had introduced since assuming office a year and half ago.

He stated that the OPTS members contributed to the development of the SLA, adding that they would ensure compliance.

CORPORATE EXECUTIVES

L-R: EY Lead Analyst, Global Banking-Capital Markets, Mr. Karl Meekings; Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Urum Eke; EY Nigeria Country Leader, Mr. Henry Egbiki; and Managing Director, FCMB , Mr. Adam Nuru, at the EY Global Banking Outlook launch and breakfast session in Lagos....yesterday Etop Ukutt

House Directs CBN to Transmit Audited Accounts to N’Assembly C’ttee summons Emefiele over AuGF’s queries James Emejo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to comply with the provisions of Section 50(1) of the CBN Act and ensure that it transmits to the National Assembly a copy of its annual accounts certified by the auditor.

It further settled to transmit its resolution to the Senate for concurrence as well as mandated its Committees on Banking and Currency and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with the resolution.

The House position followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) on the need for the CBN to comply with its Establishment Act. He noted: “That S.50(1) of the CBN Act provides that ‘the bank shall, within two months after the

close of each financial year, transmit to the National Assembly and the president a copy of its annual accounts certified by the auditor’.”

He expressed regrets that the apex bank had not been complying with the above provisions, thereby rendering the law nugatory and of no effect.

Chinda also noted with concern the need for the CBN to comply with the relevant sections of its Establishment Act, 2004 as its continued failure to comply has greatly undermined the image, reputation and effectiveness of the bank and as well undermine the oversight function of the National Assembly.

He added that the apparent breach of the CBN Act which constitutes an illegality should not be allowed to stand.

“Unless this illegality or anomaly by the CBN is immediately and urgently addressed, the whole

essence of the said section of the Act would be defeated and rendered useless and nugatory,” the lawmaker added.

Hon. Albert Adeogun (PDP, Osun) said the CBN annual accounts would assist parliament in determining how the CBN makes and spends public funds.

He said it was not sufficient for the apex bank to only publish its accounts on its website but also important to have a copy submitted to the National Assembly for proper legislative oversight.

Also, separately, Chinda, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, further summoned the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to appear unfailingly before the committee on May 28, following two previous invitations which he had failed to honour.

He said the CBN had nine

pending queries by the AuditorGeneral for the Federation (AuGF) which needed to be cleared.

As a standing rule in the committee, all chief accounting officers must appear to answer to all queries.

After strong condemnation by committee members over the nonappearance of the CBN as well as failure to write the lawmakers to give its reasons for being absence, Chinda ruled that the bank had been invited on April 29 and May 9 but received no response from the invitee.

He said it had become worrisome as the CBN has nine pending queries bordering on its transactions for the period of 2010 to 2015.

He regretted that the continued delay of the apex bank’s appearance has the potential to slow down the planned laying of its report to the House.

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Buhari, Atiku Mourn Rabiu, Describe Him as Epitome of Scholarship, Entrepreneurship Kano government declares Friday work-free day to honour businessman Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday described the death of Kano State Islamic scholar and billionaire businessman, Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, as a colossal loss not only to the field of learning, but also the business sector.

Buhari, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said: “No tribute can do justice to the amazing virtues of Isyaku Rabiu in view of his vast contributions to scholarship, industrial investments and development in the country.”

He also quoted the president as saying, “the late Rabiu had the remarkable qualities of combining scholarship and vast business investments that created job opportunities for hundreds of people.”

He added: “The deceased had attained success through honest labour and resourcefulness which helped him achieve fame in life, and such virtues are not common in the context of today’s realities where many resort to some other means to gain success.”

The statement also said Buhari urged the children of the deceased to build on the remarkable legacy of their father, adding that the best honour they could do for him is to live by his good examples.

It also said the president condoled the family, the government and the people of Kano State over this great loss and prayed “to Allah to bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.”

On his part, Atiku said the death of Rabiu has robbed Northern Nigeria and indeed the nation of one of its greatest and most enterprising investors who rose to prominence by sheer dint of hard work.

The former vice president said Rabiu was one of Northern Nigeria’s earliest and successful investors who created jobs for others to earn a living.

According to him “Rabiu’s successes and entrepreneurial spirit had motivated many younger Northern investors like myself who feel that, once you are resourceful, you can achieve success in every endeavour of life.”

Atiku explained: “Rabiu didn’t attain success by mere luck, but used personal initiative to achieve his life’s goals.”

The Waziri Adamawa added that success “is not for the timid

or those who are afraid to take risks to achieve prosperity.”

He explained that Rabiu was not only remarkable as a successful industrialist, but he was also a great Islamic scholar who was widely respected.

These enviable virtues, he said, had made Rabiu to stand tall like a colossus. He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased for his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Al-Jannah.

Meanwhile, the late renowned businessman, will be buried on Friday.

Family sources confided in THISDAY that the remains of the renowned Islamic scholar billionaires would be flown to Nigeria today. Another impeccable sources hinted

that the funeral prayer is to be conducted at the Emir of Kano’s palace, immediately after juma’at prayers. High profile personalities within and outside the country are expected to grace the funeral.

Rabiu died on Tuesday at the age of 90 in a London hospital after a protracted illness. He left behind wives, many children and grandchildren.

Among his children are: Abdussamad Isyaku Rabi’u, the Chief Executive Officer of the BUA International Company.

The eldest daughter, Hajiya Amina Isyaku Rabiu, described the death of her father as a colossal loss to the family, state and the nation.

Amina, who was devastated by the death, said the

billionaire businessman was irreplaceable in service to Islamic religion in the country.

She prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Jannatul Firdausi, and accord the family and entire people of the country the fortitude to bear the loss.

Another daughter of the deceased, Hajiya Sadiya Isyaku Rabiu, who was crying profusely, said she had never been so grief in her life.

Describing her love for the deceased as unprecedented, she stated that she hardly spent a day without calling him on phone to hear his voice.

Despite being shocked, Hajiya Sadiya went spiritual,

saying: “I believe death is inevitable.

I believe we will all follow our father. I pray to Allah to forgive him and give him an eternal bliss. “ Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has declared Friday a work-free day in honour of Rabi’u.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, yesterday he revealed that the holiday was declared to enable Muslims in the state attend the funeral prayer for the deceased.

According to him, the funeral prayer would take place at the Sheikh Isyaku Rabi’u Juma’at Mosque, Goron Dutse, in Kano metropolis.

The statement confirmed that the remains of the deceased would arrive Kano today from London.

FG Re-arraigns Dokpesi on Amended Charges Alex Enumah in Abuja The federal government yesterday re-arraigned the former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended seven-count criminal charge.

Dokpesi who was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is being accused of procurement fraud and breach of public trust.

Dopkesi who pleaded not guilty to the charges, had earlier been arraigned on a six count charge bordering on allegations of money laundering to the tune of N2.1billion.

He was accused of collecting the said amount, being diversion of funds for the procurement of arms to fight Boko Haram, from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

In the amended charge dated May 9, 2018 and signed by the Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Chile Okoroma, Dokpesi was alleged to have, between January 22, 2015 and March 18, 2015 directly took control of an aggregate sum of N2,120,000,000, paid into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) In count five of the charge, Dokpesi was accused to have, between October 2014 and March 2015 conducted procurement fraud by fraudulently receiving N2.1bn into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding

Company for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The alleged offence, EFCC said is contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act. Following his plea of not guilty, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, called on the 13th prosecution witness, one Ayobami Oluwarinu, an architect to give his testimony.

According to the witness, his two companies, Archisynthesis and Wood Country Investment Limited were paid a total sum of N68.190m for the designed, construction and renovation works done for DAAR Communication Plc and Chief Dokpesi in Abuja, Edo and some states in the federation.

He said the money was paid into the bank accounts of his two companies, specifically for design and construction works.

He listed the Abuja studio located in Kpaduma Hills, Asokoro, Benin studio, Dokpesi residence in his home town, Agenebode as some of the projects he worked on.

Under cross-examination by counsel to Dokpesi, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness who said he wrote a statement at the EFCC office in Abuja on Monday in respect of his transaction with Dokpesi added that, there was no contract agreement in his transaction with Dokpesi as they were all done in trust.

At the end of cross-examination of the witness, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned the matter till May 28, 2018 for continuation of trial.

FACTS & FIGURES PRESENTATION

L-R: Acting Head, Listing Business Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tony Ibeziako; Executive Director, Regulation, NSE, Tinuade Awe; Managing Director/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc, Hassan Usman; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Jaiz Bank Plc, Rukayat O. Salaudeen; and Executive Director, Jaiz Bank, Mahe Abubakar Mahmud, during the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the NSE... yesterday DAN UKANA

Fayemi Congratulates Olusola on His Emergence as Ekiti PDP Flagbearer Denies walking out on Tinubu, Akande Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Minister of Mines and Steel Development and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Olusola Eleka, on his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s flag bearer for the July 14, governorship election in the state.

Eleka on Tuesday emerged winner of the PDP governorship primary held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Fayemi, a former governor of the state, said the emergence of Eleka in an orderly and peaceful primary is a welcome development.

He, however, said the APC would give the PDP flag bearer a good fight for the Oke Ayoba Government House come July 14, adding, however, that the APC still remains the preferred choice

for the generality of Ekiti people.

The minister, according to a statement by his Media Office, said he is confident that whoever emerges as APC flag bearer in the party’s rescheduled primary on Friday, would be more acceptable to the Ekiti electorate.

Contrary to rumours and online posts that he worked out of a meeting convened by the South-west leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mediate in Ekiti State governorship imbroglio, Fayemi denied the allegation, describing it as a calculated attempt to smear his image.

Fayemi was said to have allegedly exhibited the action during a trouble-shooting meeting convened by the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande to douse the crisis rocking

the party over its Saturday’s botch governorship primary.

At the meeting held at the Lagos House in Abuja, Fayemi and other 32 other aspirants, including Mr. Segun Oni, were in attendance.

In a statement by his media aide, Yinka Oyebode, yesterday, Fayemi said: “Contrary to misleading media reports and social media posts purporting that he walked out of the meeting, he only left the venue, like other attendees, at the end of the meeting.”

The minister said there was no basis for him to storm out of the meeting which was called by the leaders to proffer way forward for the party, in the face of the rescheduled Ekiti governorship primary.

The minister however, said he could not make the second part of the meeting when it reconvened later in the evening, having earlier

taken permission from the leaders to attend another meeting.

“It is thus worrisome and highly embarrassing reading reports of purported ‘walk out’ on our leaders when nothing like that actually took place.

“We implore well-meaning members of the society and members of our great party to disregard the misleading reports,” the statement added.

Fayemi and other aspirants have polarised the contestants’ camp into two, with the minister accusing others of ganging up to stop him from contesting.

Fighting back, the other camp led by former Governor Segun Oni accused Fayemi of displaying desperation by using his connections to compromise the Governor Tanko Al-Makura-led governorship primary committee and that it should be disbanded.

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Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Renovation Nears 60% Completion Olawale Ajimotokan in Lagos The two construction companies handling the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have declared that work on the road was inching close to the 60 per cent mark.

Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and Julius Berger made this disclosure yesterday when the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, toured the site during his nationwide tour of federal government’s infrastructural projects.

The cost of rehabilitating the 132

Jang’s Lawyers Challenge His Continuous Detention by EFCC Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The senator representing Plateau North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Jonah David Jang, has challenged his continuous detention for over 72 hours in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) “without charging him to court as illegal, unconstitutional, arbitrary and a gross violation of his personal liberty, guaranteed and protected by the constitution.

His team of lawyers has therefore obtained an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the anti-graft agent to immediately and unconditionally release the senator from custody “having detained him for a period exceeding one day.”

Addressing journalists in Jos yesterday, David Peter Dusu, a member of the legal team, said Jang had also obtained an order directing the EFCC to pay the sum of N500 million and to offer the senator a public apology over his detention, “and the order has been served on the anti-graft agent.”

Also, raising the alarm on the senator’s continuous incarceration, his media consultant, Mr. Clinton Garuba. said: “Our worry is that beyond the charges, we are beginning to see some lawlessness, and political intimidation.

“We therefore call on wellmeaning Nigerians to mount

political pressure on the anti-graft agent to do the needful, especially as the Senator will need to be given access to his medication and good food.”

Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also raised the alarm over Jang’s continuous detention, describing it as a ploy by the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) to clamp down on the opposition.

Also addressing journalists in Jos, the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Damishi Sango, said: “While the appropriate agencies of government are at liberty to do their statutory and constitutional mandates, due diligence, respect for due process and the rule of law must be followed.

“That a sitting senator and an elder statesman who is in the custody of the EFCC has been denied bail for more than 48 hours in detention is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for under the constitution of the federal republic.”

While appealing to the people of the state for calm, Sango called on the authorities of the EFCC to “as a matter of urgency grant the senator a bail. We are mindful of his health condition and the fact that he has been denied access to family and medication.”

Bad Acts No Longer Happen at the NNPC, Baru Claims Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday stated that corrupt acts and other acts of malfeasance no longer happen in all its operations, adding that today, it is the most transparent public organisation in Nigeria.

Its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said this at a stakeholders’ workshop on validation organised by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

Complaining that Nigerians still have a bad perception of the corporation, Baru, who was represented by the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, explained that efforts were currently on to disabuse the mindset of Nigerians that wrong things are happening in the corporation.

He said things had taken a turn for the better in the corporation, especially since the last two years.

According to him: “We have never had it good in this country since the last two years, in terms of transparency of our transactions,

validation of our activities; the unfettered, unobstructed participation of the secretary to the government, who has never asked us to do anything different.

“Today, we need to get people out of the mindset that something wrong is happening in the NNPC. Nothing wrong is happening. We have passed that stage. We are now probably one of the most transparent companies in this country.

He further stated: “We have seen a number of governments, worked with a number of them; but probably in the two years, we have not had the opportunity to put our cards on the table as we did in the last two years.

“That makes it easy for us to align with the EITI’s objectives and opportunities that are there to do even greater things for our country. Most particularly, I’m sure our colleagues in the NGOs would recognise today, that things are just different and together all of us will make our country greater and I believe this is the core objective of the EITI. I am assuring the EITI board and all stakeholders that things are different.”

kilometres long road is N230billion and the reconstruction is divided into two sections 1 and 2 to reduce the duration of job.

RCC which is handling Section 2 from Sagamu to Ibadan said 58.27 percent of the rehabilitation had been done, while Julius Berger, which is supervising Section 1 from Sagamu to Lagos, with the length of 48 kilometre, disclosed that only 53 per cent of the of job, entailing the laying of asphalt and construction of drainages had been done.

While briefing the minister, Naor Narkisi of RCC, said that the firm was extending two bridges at kilometres 71 and 74 at Fidiwo and Four Square. He said the bridges will be finished

by the end this month.

According to him, the total length of asphalt laid was 28.3 kilometre for Ibadan bound track, while heading towards Lagos was 29.7 kilometres. The total road length awarded to the company is 84 kilometres.

He said 23,347. 86 tonnes of bitumen had been used while the quantity of cement used was 18,730.14 tonnes.

The steel reinforcement was 770.21. The contract sum is N96.3 billion and initial contract duration is for four years (48 months). It was awarded to RCC on June 13, 2013 and the initial completion date was July 3 2017.

In addition, the company would install pedestrian bridges,

street lights and under passes in some parts of the road.

Mohammed wants the job to be completed before the end of the year to reduce accidents and the many hours lost by travellers on the road.

“Both Sections 1 and 2 will be substantially completed before the end of the year. Every improvement made on the road, makes traffic to become more pleasant and enjoyable. Security is also enhanced while the economy grows,” Mohammed said.

The contract for Section 1 is N134 billion.

The Divisional Manager, West and Lagos, Loesser Wolfgang, said Julius Berger had already rehabilitated 53 per cent of the

road.

Wolfgang said there would be a large interchange at the Redeemed Church to tackle the huge traffic created by large number of people who gather every week to worship.

He added that the road was given an additional layer of 15 centimetre of top asphalt coating while the asphalt admixture was modified to prevent the road from corroding.

He said the road is designed to be durable for 20 years from the effect of rotting.

“What you see when heavy trucks move on a lot on roads is that they the develop rots and this is a special asphalt mixture, the first time in Nigeria. We are using it in both sections,” he said.

LATEST MILLIONAIRES

Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe (middle), flanked by prize winners in the bank’s ‘Get Alert in Millions Promo Reloaded’, Jennifer Nnanna (left); Clara Okafor (second left); Bartholomew Nnalue (second right); and Chukwuemeka Aniugbo, at the final prize presentation in Abuja....yesterday

Oshiomhole to Declare Bid Today for APC Chairmanship Post Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has said he will today formally declare his ambition to run for the national chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former governor is likely favoured to replace the outgoing Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, after he received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.

With this, Oshiomhole is expected to slug it out with Odigie-Oyegun, a fellow Edo State indigene, if he intends to actually run for the chairmanship position.

Already, the APC had last Saturday commenced its ward congresses while the local government congresses is scheduled for May 12, 2018, just as the state congresses will hold on May 19, 2018, and the national convention scheduled for June 2018.

Some of the dignitaries

expected at the event scheduled to hold in Abuja today include governors on the APC platform, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; APC and National Assembly members among others.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to journalists on the issue in Benin City, the state capital, shortly before he departed for Abuja, said he was joining the chairmanship race with a view

to contribute his quota to the growth of the party.

He said: “It is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians tomorrow (today). I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, having served as President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and governor of Edo State, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party, to the next level.”

Stop Your Grandstanding, Ex-lawmaker Tells Shittu Ademola Babalola in Ibadan A frontline politician and former two-term member of the House of Representatives from Saki West federal constituency in Oyo State, Hon. Kareem Abisodun Tajudeen, has advised the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, to return to his home base in Saki to start off his political campaign for the 2019 general election and stop his confrontation with the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Kareem, while reacting to the

latest skirmish between the state governor and the minister, said it was an unnecessary step by Shittu to begin his campaign for any election away from his home base and think he could make any headway, advising him to make his impacts felt in his local community first before looking for a state wide acceptability.

The minister at the weekend had accused the governor of high-handedness in the way he was conducting the affairs of the ruling party in the state, saying the governor was afraid

of his emergence as his successor so as not to expose his dealings in office.

The former lawmaker noted that with about three years in the saddle as a federal minister, members of Saki community where Shittu hails from are yet to feel any impact of his high office.

Kareem added that for the minister to dream of leading the state, members of his immediate constituency must be in the forefront of his campaign, wondering what the minister can point to as his

achievements to warrant the people to want to stake their lives for his ambition.

He said as a political leader among others in Saki, “the governor has done so well that the people cannot sacrifice him for a self-serving rabble rouser who has not touched the lives of the people positively with the power and position he presently occupied.”

Kareem lauded Ajimobi’s efforts in sustaining peace across the state and the quality leadership he is providing in the state.

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CAN Protests Killings of Christians in Nasarawa Methodist Church tasks FG to expedite action to end attacks Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia, Ugo Aliogo and Esther Ehoche inLagos The Nasarawa State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Lafia, the state capital, against the killings of Christians in some parts of Nigeria.

The protest came as the Archbishop of Methodist Church, Rev. Luke Odubanjo, condemned the spate of killings in Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States and other parts of the country, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite action in curbing the killings.

The protesting Christians, who wore black garments, carried with them placards with inscriptions as ‘Stop Killings of Christians Now’, ‘StopKillings of Rev. Fathers’, ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Enough of Herdsmen Attack’, as they chanted songs of mourning over killings of the Christians in northern part of the country.

They also condemned the plans by some Nigerian leaders

to allegedly islamise Nigeria.

Addressing the protesters at the St. Williams Catholic Cathedral of the Diocese of Lafia, the state CAN Chairman, Bishop Joseph Masin, said the lives of Christians are more than 2019 ambition and cattle.

According to him, “We gathered here to protest and show to the whole world that Christians are being killed in Nigeria. Christians are being targeted and killed in Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and other states because of their faith.

“Recently, Tiv people were pursued from their ancestral home with their properties burnt down, and many of them were killed while thousands were rendered homeless.

Masin, also lamented that “In Benue State two priest were killed in a church among many other worshippers. If one may ask, does a church look like a grazing land?

“In Nasarawa State, many churches have been burnt down, including the church at Apaa, and Agwatashi Pendon. The perpetrators had a field day and no one has been arrested. Why does the government

seem to be religiously biased?”

The state CAN chairman therefore called on the government to rise up to its task to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizens.

Meanwhile, Odubanjo while speaking at the opening of the 56th Synod of the Lagos Diocese of the church, urged the federal government to stand up and defend the helpless citizens who are being kidnapped in schools in Dapchi, Yobe State, and those being killed in Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa, Plateau and Kogi States.

The cleric appealed to the government to ensure the release of the Dapchi School girl, Leah Sharibu, from Boko Haram captivity in order to allow the girl continue her education and fulfill her dreams.

Odubanjo further commended the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for his administration’s effort in improving the standard of living in the area of commerce, infrastructure, emolument and religious harmony.

He explained that the administration’s drive in the tackling unemployment through a

N25 billion investment; provision of trucks and van for the police to combat crime in the state is a clear indication that the administration remains committed to good leadership and economic prosperity in the state.

The clergyman stated that the church remains committed in supporting the state government in its desire to its refuse collection initiative, calling on Christians to ensure that they register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and cast their votes with a view to electing

leaders of their choice.

According to him, “We thank God for sustaining our country through 2017 in spite of the economic downturn and instability in the country by our politicians.

Our leaders should stand up and defend the helpless citizens that are being kidnapped in their schools in Dapchi, Yobe State, and those being killed in Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa, Plateau, and Kogi States. The federal government should also ensure the release of Leah Sharibu to allow her fulfill the plan of God in her life.”

Governorship Aspirant Berates Bauchi APC Appeal Committee Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A governorship aspirant in Bauchi State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Captain Bala Jibrin, has alleged that the Appeal Committee sent by the party’s national headquarters to receive complaints on the outcome of the recent wards congresses in the state has gone into hiding.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the NUJ Press Centre, Bauchi, Jibrin said the committee which was deployed to the state since Monday, had allegedly refused to avail themselves to party stalwarts and their whereabouts were yet to be known in the state.

“The committee has been compromised by the government of Bauchi State. They are doing the bidding of the state governor.

There was no justice and fairness in the congresses held. We have cases where policemen were used to scare away people on Saturday by shooting in the air in some local governments,” he alleged.

The governorship hopeful appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari who is the number one leader of the party to intervene in the matter in order to avoid internal crises capable of stabilising it ahead of 2019.

“APC is our party, nobody should push us out. Rule of law and internal democracy should thrive in the party.”

Jibrin also berated the present administration in the state led by Governor Mohammed Abubakar for its alleged poor performance, decrying that no tangible projects was executed by the government in the last three years.

Rotary International President’s Representative, Selene Arrives Nigeria Mary Ekah In preparation for the threeday conference of the Rotary International taking place in Abeokuta from May 10 to 13, the Rotary International President’s Representative, Mary Beth Growney Selene, arrived Lagos yesterday evening, bringing with her the best wishes from the President of the Rotary International, Ian H.S. Riseley, to Nigerians.

Selene, who was warmly received by the District Governor for Rotary International District 9110, Adewale Ogunbadejo, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, said her visit to Nigeria was part of the activities celebrating rotary year for this year.

She said Rotary club has been confident in supporting Nigeria to eradicate polio, noting that Nigeria is a year and four months away from being declared polio free country, thereby leading the world in the fight against polio.

She added that Rotary club would continue to give Nigeria

the support it need both financially and morally. Selene who is visiting Nigeria for the first time, described it as a country full of wonderful and beautiful people.

She said the contribution of Nigerians to Rotary has been so immense, adding, “The need is so great in Nigeria and we also have many beneficiaries here too.”

Her expectations while in Nigeria, she said, is to have a good time and also to meet as many Rotarians as she can.

District Governor for Rotary International District 9110, Ogunbadejo, said Selene’s visit was symbolic.

“Every Rotary year, we have a visitor because the Rotary International President usually sends a representative to be with us and today we have a very wonderful person around with us,” he said.

Ogunbadejo further that Selene would educate Nigerians more about polio during her stay in Nigeria, as well as inspire Nigerians to do more for Rotary.

GOOD HOSTS

L-R: Assistant Governor ,Rotary District 9110, Ramesh Biswal; Incoming District Governor, Kola Sodipo; Representative of the President, Rotary International, Mary Beth Crowney Selene; District Governor, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo; and First Lady of the District, Funmi Ogunbadejo, during the arrival of Selence to Nigeria at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos ....yesterday Etop Ukutt

RIFAN to Collaborate with C’River Govt on Rice Cultivation The leadership of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has said it would collaborate and utilise the newly installed rice seed multiplication facility in Calabar to boost rice production in the country.

The association also commended the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, for what it described as his giant step to boost rice cultivation and production in the country.

According to the association, the effort of Ayade would make the country self-sufficient in rice in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In their separate remarks, shortly after being conducted round the rice seedling plant and other supporting facilities at the Ayade Industrial Park by the governor in Calabar, the leadership of the farmers association expressed amazement that the state had procured and installed such modern machines to enhance seedling production.

The body therefore called on other states to key into the initiative for food security.

The National Vice President of the association, Mr. Segun Atto, who led the delegation to the seedling plant said: “What we have seen so far is very incredible because this is the first time I am seeing this type of thing in the whole country.”

According to him, “We are so impressed with what we are seeing here today. When we were invited to come and witness what is going

to happen here, we never envisaged seeing this kind of facilities but in my short comment, I want them to keep it up, for other state to emulate.”

On how the group intends to partner the state government, Atto stated: “In terms of partnership with the state, we have a lot of areas to benefit from each other.

The first benefit is that whatever seed they are producing here, we are ready to partner them and we will off take some of them for our own multiplication so that it can be circulated around the country.

“We will also like to ensure that whatever they produce, they should make it agro-ecological production so that each section of the country will know which type of rice they will cultivate in future,” he added.

The vice president further hinted: “We are also going to tell others that this is what we have seen here in Cross River State and we want it to go on like that because if we have this type of thing like two or three in other state, I think Nigeria with 198 million population will survive the hunger situation including Africa.”

On his part, the Vice President North-west, Muhammed, who hinted that about 60 per cent of rice consumed in the country is currently being produced by them, stated: “With what I am seeing here and if this industry is sustained, the benefits will be great not only for Cross River State but Nigeria at large.”

While urging the federal government to take a cue and replicate such centers across the country, Muhammed stated: “I don’t want Cross River State to see this as their own, it’s a national thing because hunger has no boundary and with this multiplication with quality seeds, you must have a very high yield and when you have a high yield, you have enough to feed yourselves, the country and enough to export.”

Commenting on the vitaminised rice which the plant will be rolling out soon, Mohammed noted: “What we have here in Cross River is good because it has the right nutrient content and it is disease resistance which is far higher than what we currently have in the market. All we need to do is multiply and produce as much as possible across the country.”

He further added: “With what we have here, I am confident that even if there is hunger anywhere in the world, there won’t be hunger in Nigeria.”

National Secretary on milling and processing, RIFAN, Alhaji Idris Isa, who was overwhelmed by the sophistication of the facility, pointed out that “From what I am seeing in Cross River, I am relocating from Katsina to set up my farm here in Calabar because all I need to support my rice farming is right her at the door step and we are happy that this is actually real and is happening here in Nigeria.”

“I will advise other states to

copyright what Cross River is doing because it will definite boost the rice value chain initiative of the Federal Government and make the country food sufficient as envisioned by Mr. President.”

Also speaking, the National Secretary of RIFAN, Mr. Livinus Ngwuanu, maintained that the state was moving in the right direction, as according to him, what Ayade has put in place is in line with what is in operation in advanced countries where there is sustainable and enhanced rice production.

“Most of these countries with high population density are the greatest producers of rice and these are the methods they used in achieving that.

“I was surprised to see such modern equipment in Calabar fully installed and waiting to be used for seed production which is basic in rice cultivation all over the world.

“It is a good foundation because once you get a sound seed, you will be sure of high yield which in turn will bring about high revenue in a mechanised form. It makes farming attractive and interesting to the young ones who will love to mount these machines that are fully air conditioned.

“I sincerely commend Ayade for this vision because this is what we need in Nigeria and when we go back to Abuja, we shall tell others about the good news and we will surely visit here again.”

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

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ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AHEAD WORLD CUP 2018

NFF in Talks with Mikel, Moses over Image Rights Duro Ikhazuagbe Two senior players of the Super Eagles, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses have been unsettled by the World Cup 2018 partnership the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) entered into with soft drink giant, Coca-Cola.

Both players have individual sponsorship deals with rival Pepsi-Cola.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that agents representing the two influential members of the Super Eagles wrote to the NFF recently, complaining of brand infringement on their clients as a result of the Coca-Cola deal with the Glass House.

They said the use of the image of their clients on branding by Coca-Cola may lead to the players running into infringement problems with the rival Pepsi and thereby risk losing the contracts.

The complaints were similar to the same issues raised by rave of the English Premier League, Mohamed Salah with the Egyptian FA when his image was used to brand the aircraft used by the Pharaohs. The Egyptian FA have a sponsorship deal with a telcom firm different from the individual deal Salah has with a rival telco.

However, a top source at the NFF said yesterday that the matter raised by representatives of both Mikel and Moses was being looked into with the hope that it will not affect the relationships the various parties have with their sponsors.

“Yes, we (the NFF officials) have been contacted by the agents of Mikel and Moses on the Coca-Cola deal.

“They have stated that their clients have deals with another soft drink company. But it’s nothing for Nigerians to get worried over as the matter is being sorted out.

“We have made the initial response and all sides are talking and I believe it won’t cause us any distractions,” stressed the NFF official who refused to be named

in print last night.

Further checks by THISDAY revealed yesterday that Mikel’s agent appears to understand the matter better and willing to concede so long as his client is not to be made to endorse the rival soft drink brand as part of his duty as captain of the Super Eagles.

“No, It won’t get to that. We

understand the position of the players and their individual image rights. Players are allowed to have personal endorsements on their choice of boots and gloves in the case of goalkeepers but other area such as kits, equipment and accommodation are taken as group right with clubs or the federations,” stressed the NFF

Mikel

Moses

Iheanacho Leads Leicester City to 3-1 Win over Arsenal Kelechi Iheanacho opened scoring for Leicester City to beat Arsenal 3-1 in the Premier League last night at King Power Stadium.

The 21-year-old striker fired Leicester City in front after 14 minutes to justify his starting place.

It was his second goal in the Premier League this season for ‘The Foxes’.

Iheanacho opened the goal feast, before Jamie Vardy and Rihad Mahrez struck in the second-half to ensure Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser earlier in the period counts for nothing.

Last season, Iheanacho netted four goals in 20 appearances in the league. They are ninth on the table with 47 points from 37 matches.

Compatriot and Super Eagles teammate Alex Iwobi started the game for Arsenal and lasted for 84 minutes.

Screening, Accreditation Begin for 2018 Okpekpe Race Final registration of athletes for Saturday’s sixth IAAF silver label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race begins today in Auchi in Edo State.

The registration, according to the race’s Director of Organisation, Zack Amodu, entails screening and accreditation of all athletes who have completed the registration format on any of the platforms provided by the organisers.

“The accreditation of athletes and officials will commence on Thursday (today) at the Yak Hotel Auchi and it will end midday on Friday. All registered athletes will be screened and accredited for the historic race which will be live on television from seven in the morning with the actual race scheduled to start at 8am.”

official conversant with players’ image rights at both club and country levels.

It is generally believed that one of the reasons that Adidas refused to renew its contract with Super Eagles was because of the manner a former coach of the team was fond of spotting rival NIKE products even at competitions.

According to Amodu, the athletes will be provided with their bib numbers as a sign of accreditation for the race and the registration and accreditation point is Yak Hotel which is located along Auchi-Benin Road in Auchi.

Amodu also disclosed that all the invited foreign elite athletes will jet in today and they include 2016 winners Simon Cheprot of Kenya and Pauline Nwajiku who won the men and women’s race respectively in 2016.

“We are also expecting Diana Kipyogei of Kenya who won the Adana Half Marathon in Turkey in January and the Guadalajara Half Marathon in February. Early last month she placed 3rd in the Istanbul Half Marathon, running a new

1:07:55 personal best.

“We also expect Ethiopia’s Jima Bekele Reta to arrive Lagos this afternoon. Reta holds the unofficial second fastest time over the distance in history.”

Also set to jet in is Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei of Kenya, the fastest woman over the women’s 10km so far this year.

“We are expecting a very explosive race and a new course record for both the men and women race as we have a very quality elite field,” said Amodu.

Meanwhile all eyes are now focused on the Okpekpe race as the 46th IAAF label road race to be held this year following the staging of the IAAF Gold Label Volkswagen Prague Marathon in Praha, Czech Republic last Sunday.

Ikeme, Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Others Nominated for Nigeria Pitch Awards Ailing Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme was nominated along with fellow senior national teammates like Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun and Wilfred Ndidi for the 2017/2018 Nigeria Pitch Awards scheduled to hold in June in Lagos.

Also nominated for the prestigious Pitch Award is Super Falcons star forward, Asisat Oshoala.

At the unveiling of nominees for the fifth edition of the awards in Lagos yesterday, organisers, Match Makers Consult, and its auditors, SIAO Partners explained the transparent process that led to the selection of the players for honour.

Other players also nominated in various categories include; Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Shehu

Abdullahi, Odion Ighalo, Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars), Stephen Odey and Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo).

In all, three nominees are listed in each of the 18 categories of the awards. Among the categories are King of The Pitch which has Mikel, Ndidi and Moses as contenders while Oshoala, Ajibade and Charity Reuben of Ibom Angels are in the running for the Queen of the Pitch award.

For the Goalkeeper of the Year award, the trio of Ikeme, Ezenwa and Dele Ajiboye will slug it out while Balogun, Troost-Ekong and Abdullahi do battle for the Defender of the Year.

Mikel, Ndidi and Moses are in the midfield category while for the Striker of the Year will be between Ighalo, Okpotu and Moses.

For the Most Valuable Player (Men) in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Ezenwa, Okpotu and Odey will go head-tohead while Ajibade, Reuben and Amarachi Okonkwo of Nasarawa Amazons are in contention for the Nigeria Women Football League top prize.

Other categories include Coach of the Year, Club/Team of the Year, Referee of the Year, and State With The Grassroots Programme.

Also, there is the category for Football Friendly Governor of The Year, Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigerian Football, Corporate Sponsor of the Year, Football Journalist of the Year (Print), Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) and Football Journalist of the Year (TV).

Wike Bags ‘Power of Sports’ Award from AIPS in Belgium Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The International Sporting Press (AIPS) yesterday in Brussels, Belgium, honoured Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, with the ‘Power of Sports’ award.

Wike was nominated for the award by the International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS-Africa) headed by veteran Nigerian sports journalist Mitchell Obi. Witnessed by sports personalities and journalists from across the globe, the award to Wike was for his

remarkable fidelity in raising the bar of sports matters and using sports as a catalyst for development.

The event took place at Le Plaza, Brussels and was performed by the President, AIPS, Mr Gianni Merlo and Obi. Sports journalists from 108 countries witnessed the event.

Presenting the award to the Rivers State governor Obi, said Wike was being recognised for the use of sports as a tool to effectively engage the youth population in the continent.

He urged Wike to sustain

his commitment to sports development as more youths would be empowered in the state.

In his acceptance speech, Wike, dedicated the award to God, his immediate family and the people of his state who have supported his efforts at creating a new Rivers State.

Wike noted that the award by the AIPS would spur him into greater commitment to the service of Rivers State and humanity.

Also yesterday, Wike presented a lecture titled: “Peace

and Progress through Sports in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria” wherein he canvassed that sport has functions beyond its simplest form as a game to encompass a cost effective means for addressing a broad range of socio-economic challenges that impact on peace and human progress.

He said: “ Arguably, there is no social activity that can match the role sport plays in breaking down barriers, bringing people together across nations, promoting understanding, positively engaging the energy

of youths and in mobilising support for social causes.

“Therefore, even at the simplest level, sport not only improves the mental and physical health of participants; it also helps to inculcate such timeless values as honesty, hard work, obedience, respect, team work, discipline, and leadership in the youths.

“And as you know, these are all useful values for creating peaceful and progressive societies as well as for achieving national peace and basic development goals, including poverty reduction”.

He said states in the Niger Delta

region recognise the special power of sports for promoting peace and development in the region.

The governor noted that in addition to sports policies, Niger Delta states all have ministries or departments exclusively responsible for sports development.

He said: “As a result of these efforts at sports development, our country’s national sports teams are always dominated by sports men and women from the region, who are competing with the rest of the world and bringing laurels to Nigeria.

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AFA Sports: Changing the Face of African Sports Duro Ikhazuagbe When a group of young men assembled in the USA to develop basketball concept for the continent of Africa they had a lot on their minds. They wanted an African league with the base in Nigeria that would be highly professional and profitable to the players, teams and with their sights set quality facilities development.

Their bet was on the fact that a high net income league would save African players from the agony of loitering in the USA after college or hanging around just any team in Europe and Asia in the name of playing professional basketball. What was not really on the table was becoming sports merchandise manufacturers that would cater for types of African sports. It is the kit merchandising that has taken up the energy of this team led by Ugo Udezue.

That was how the AFA Sports concept was born and they are gradually sweeping through the continent with this unique item.

The simple brand name AFA Sports means â&#x20AC;&#x153;Africa for Africaâ&#x20AC;? and they say it represents a concept that highlights Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports development and national pride. They started with the simple desire to meet up with the huge kit demands of the Continental Basketball League and its ancillary set up but then the Nigerian national basketball team Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigers had a major kitting challenge going into the AfroBasket 2017 competition and this had a turnaround effect on AFA and their expanding foothold on the continent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth is that the major world brands are not interested in developing anything on the continent. AFA represents African sports and pride, it was established to showcase the pride and interest of the continent and this forms the core of the brand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The AFA brand was created to give the Nigerian and the African sports industry the attention and quality it deserves. And we are doing this by creating a range of products that have been adapted to the climate, kinetics and colours that are unique to African social context,â&#x20AC;? says Udezue, the Chief Executive Officer of the expanding African brand. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;The big names we all know of today are not interested in the lower teams or any team going down the ranking. Africa has to fight its own cause. We have hardly received any kit or equipment from Europe or America basically developed solely for the need of the continent and this is part of what we want to change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can we fully quantify how the landscape is changing with the arrival AFA? Within this short time a lot of jobs have been created both at the upscale and lower levels.

And this is part of what AFA is all about. We want to empower a lot of people; hugely as many as we can. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can boldly say that in the last two years AFA Sports have steadily been designing concepts that are unique to Africa; and unique in every

sense of the word. We have also been creating a whole new market and industry that was non-existent before we came on board in terms of being huge or small scaled. The energy AFA has put this untapped market, has helped in the creation of jobs and opportunities for Africa and also major investments in the media and content development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot is happening in the marketing line especially.

And there are others who have developed their own products along the line or have re-engineered and improved upon their earlier and original concepts working along with AFA. So the whole deal is to help us and chat a more developmental and financial rewarding system for African sports.â&#x20AC;?

In 2017 AFA Sports launched Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Active footwear designed and engineered in Nigeria to underline their beliefs.

And as inscribed on its soles, the active wear shoes were designed to showcase the pride of Africa.

The name â&#x20AC;&#x153;LIV (54)â&#x20AC;? represents the 54 countries on the African continent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;LIV (54) is tailored and customized to the African physiology, kinetics and environment. It is lightweight and has the perfect combination of grip, comfort, durability and bounce,â&#x20AC;? AFA brand expert told THISDAY. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The features of AFA Sports premier active wear shoes include Contoured Traction Grip (CTG) technology with advanced arch support and rubber outsole borrowed from the multi movement patterns of the Sahara Desert. It also has a micro mesh knit that gives the shoes comfort and breathability in warm climates. It is also fitted with multi gel areas for force deflections.â&#x20AC;?

But the rating doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end there.

The AFA Sports 54â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is classic. It can be worn to make a fashion statement or to elevate the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball game. And it has been widely tested and accepted.

Apart from delivering the continentally-customised designs of the AFA brand, it is also the goal of the big African brand to establish sports programmes and encourage sports development in these countries. Extra attention is on the table for the countries adjudged neglected and marginalized due to lack of investment from the developed areas.

The CBL tournament is one of such designed to change the African sporting landscape. In the closed season clubs from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Gabon featured. The clubs were made up of players from various African countries and across the world.

A high number of the players were Africans in the Diaspora and African-Americans. In the barely two seasons that the league has held, fans of the game of basketball on the continent agree on a fact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that level of the competition is by above the various domestic leagues of the participating countries.

Experts of the game in Nigeria,

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Daniel Ochefu

Udezue for instance, are very optimistic that over time the CBL system will rub off positively on the Nigeria Premier League and effectively help raise the standard. Only very few of the best from the domestic leagues are able to meet the requirement for the CBL. The packaging and ambience of the CBL is unrivalled on the continent.

Udezue added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we have quality leagues on the continent in terms of the games on the court and what the players take home, then less of these young players will run abroad ill prepared. When we say these things, we speak from experience because some of us landed in America unprepared for what we saw. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of the system out there are basically designed for everyone on the court to enhance the system and help the economic system.

Most times the Africans barely get the best opportunity and can hardly get integrated into the system as soon as they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play anymore. At CBL we want to change all that. We want to keep quality talents here, make them earn good money and give them the opportunity to play in

front of their parents, families and friends. It is also very important that these players are playing with the kits and equipment that were designed and engineered here.

This is the kind of opportunity many of these young canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get in America.â&#x20AC;?

It is hoped that by the next tip off, more basketball teams would have joined the system.

More clubs are expected from Nigeria, Togo, Senegal, Mali and Central African Republic to get aboard.

Indeed the combination of AFA and CBL is changing the way the Nigerian basketball is being viewed by the ever sceptical society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; scepticism developed over the years because the quality of services available hitherto. The games and the clothing have attracted the old, young and upwardly mobile in the society. It is now so easy for those in the ever growing Nigerian film industry and music icons in Nigeria and across a larger part of Africa to identify with the game of basketball based on what is seen on the court; the ambience around the entire

competition and of course the various clothing designs put out

by AFA that easily meet the taste of these socialites.

Until the start up of CBL, the little contacts across the borders were basically limited to the teams themselves travelling to play club competitions with little or no travelling fans accompanying.

CBL has changed all that. Now we have fans travelling across the borders purely to watch this level of competition never witnessed on the continent of Africa in the past. It is believed that a lot more travelling across the continent would be seen as soon as the CBL gets into the next stage. From the high number of passengers made up of players, officials, the media and fans that move around with the games, the pan-African airlines will top the list of beneficiaries of the AFA-CBL ventures. Most of the journeys made so far have seen the league doing chartered flights or taking up 75 per cent of the seats available. The next group on the list of beneficiaries is the hospitality sector. Since 2015 when the league tipped off, hotels and catering services in Nigeria, Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire and Cameroon have enjoyed the boom. The expansion of the franchise to more African countries will naturally produce more number of spectators, travellers and investors and ultimately a plus for the tourism industry.

Apart from the level of competition in the leagues, the entertainment value and the ambience has made the Continental Basketball League games quite attractive to celebrities.

The Nigerian domestic run by the Nigeria Basketball Federation is watched free-of-charge all over the country except in a centre

like Kano but the spectators are usually a handful. Comparatively, the CBL charges fees, considered exorbitant by some people, but still the halls are practically filled up before any games. The only reason why spectators would abandon a free game for an â&#x20AC;&#x153;expensive oneâ&#x20AC;? given the economic realities on ground is because of the value for money factor. People are desirous to get quality entertaining sports like the American NBA and the only platform closest to that in the whole of Africa is the CBL. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardly an end to the drum beats of war in Nigeria, Africa and truly across the globe but CBL has not only continually encouraged shared love in Nigeria but has seen the growth of friendship amongst the African countries with the cross border plays. The league has also encouraged the exchange of players using their draft system.

There are so many other projects. In 2017 the Nigeria Volleyball Federation came into the AFA expanding network as the national team was handled by the organisation. There are similar plans for neighbouring Republic of Beninâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national team. AFA Sports is already working with the Liberian Basketball Federation to help revive their league and teams. Hockey and others are already lined up. There are also great plans to develop quality playing arenas in Nigeria and other places. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project is not for us; it is for Africa. And those that will benefit more are not the players on the court now but the younger players who will join when the system is far in the auto pilot and cruising form,â&#x20AC;? Udezue who sits in the organisational headquarters in Lagos assures Africa.

Russia Assures World Cup 2018 Fans of Safety Ayade Uplifts Rovers FC, Pelican Stars, Russian authorities have given played each other in Marseille with Russian authorities was their â&#x20AC;&#x153;assuranceâ&#x20AC;? fans will be at Euro 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;strongâ&#x20AC;?, Ms Baldwin said.

Fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club with Buses, Improved Funding safe from violence at the World Trouble was also reported Conservative MP Priti Patel Cup finals next month.

Officials have a â&#x20AC;&#x153;blacklistâ&#x20AC;? of known hooligans and have banned anyone responsible for trouble at Euro 2016 from attending, the Foreign Affairs Committee heard.

Foreign Office Minister Harriett Baldwin was responding to concerns of other MPs. About 10,000 England fans are expected to travel to Russia in June.

There were violent clashes when Russian fans charged England supporters in the stadium when the two countries

in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s streets between England, Russia and France fans.

Ms Baldwin told the committee that Russia was â&#x20AC;&#x153;responsibleâ&#x20AC;? for running a safe World Cup in June and had given its â&#x20AC;&#x153;assurancesâ&#x20AC;? to FIFA and the UK government.

She said the threat of hooliganism had been a focus of two years of planning ahead of the event.

The deployment of police officers who will be based in the country during the tournament was â&#x20AC;&#x153;at least as large as any other countryâ&#x20AC;? and co-operation

questioned the minister about whether she was concerned there would be a repeat of the violence against England fans in Marseille.

Ms Baldwin said it had been a â&#x20AC;&#x153;specific focusâ&#x20AC;? of authorities and she welcomed the banning of hooligans.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think this is an area where the police cooperation has been extensive but clearly as with any football event this is a risk that does need to be closely worked on and the risk of violence needs to be mitigated.â&#x20AC;?

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade yesterday donated two coaster buses to both the Rovers Football Club of Calabar and Pelican Stars to boost their performances in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football space.

The governor announced the largess when the teams led by the Chairman of Rovers Football Club, Mr Maurice Inok stormed the Government House to endorse him for a second term in office. Speaking during the visit, Inok enumerated Ayadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements in his three years

in office adding that Cross River is blessed to have Ayade as governor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to thank the governor for bankrolling the payment of salaries of players of Rovers and Pelican Stars and for the prompt payment of monthly impress to the teams. â&#x20AC;&#x153; There has never been a time we called on you for assistance and we get turned down, you have always stood by us and for this we are grateful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have followed your administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success over the years and I must say we

are highly impressed. From having the highest number of youths in your government in the country, to building world class factories in the state, all of these can only be achieved by a visionary leader like you.â&#x20AC;?

Mr Inok used the opportunity to enumerate some of the challenges facing the teams and prayed the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistance in tackling these issues. Responding, Governor Ayade expressed satisfaction with the performance of the teams despite the challenges they face.Â

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

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MISSILE Shehu Sani to APC Leadership “The Ward congress was meant to show internal democracy. It ended up revealing internal tyranny and chaos; presided over by people with the face of (Abraham) Lincoln but the heart of (Benito) Mussolini. Their tongue is change, their heart is unchanged.” – Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, berating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the manner in which last weekend Ward Congresses were conducted in many states of the federation.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Dino Melaye and Democracy in Nigeria

I

n September 2004, the then Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Joshua Dariye was arrested in London by officers of the Metropolitan Police on allegations bordering on money laundering. But before he could be arraigned in court, he jumped bail. The moment Dariye arrived Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, working in concert with then Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, moved in to get the governor impeached. The idea was to strip Dariye of his constitutional immunity so he could be tried for corruption. But they met a brick wall in the then Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Simon Bako Lalong, who is now governor of the state.

For his refusal to play ball, some do-gooders conjured thousands of signatures from the Shendam state constituency that Lalong was representing in a bid to have him recalled.

After a controversial verification exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a referendum expected to seal Lalong’s political fate was slated for 28th August 2005. But the people of his constituency were equally determined.

At the end of the exercise, Lalong secured 30,873 ‘No’ votes as against 10,988 ‘Yes’ votes. With 74 per cent of the total votes cast in his favour, Lalong won the battle to retain his seat. Eventually, Dariye was impeached on 13th November 2006 by five of the 24 assembly members who sat at 6.00am and were immediately escorted to Abuja after the hatchet job. His deputy, the late Michael Botmang, was immediately sworn-in as Governor.

The foregoing background is important so that we can properly situate the politics and drama that have always followed attempts to recall a lawmaker in Nigeria and the fact that after more than 20 attempts and hundreds of millions of Naira wasted, not a single one has been successfully recalled to date.

That background is also important before I deal with the substantive issue of the failed attempt to recall the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye who is now on ‘medical detention’ at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The whole drama started on 21st June last year when INEC received a petition from representatives of the three federal constituencies that make up the Kogi West Senatorial District: Hon. John D. Anjorin for Yagba; Chief (Hon.) Olowo Cornelius for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu and Mallam Yusuf Adamu for Lokoja/Koto. These petitioners, who came with ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags containing signatures of the constituents they said want Melaye recalled, gave their joint address as c/o Emmanuel Ayo Aledare, 60 Obaro Way, Yagba, Kogi State.

Meanwhile, under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the processes (verification, referendum and by-election) must be concluded within 90 days. But the moment INEC issued the timetable for the recall, Melaye dragged the commission to court, seeking an order to stop the process.

Incidentally, this happened to be a familiar

Melaye game. Several recall exercises in the past were also challenged in court with cases that lasted the 90-day period provided for by the constitution. Examples include the aborted attempts to recall Senators Jubril Aminu and Arthur Nzeribe in 2005 and 2006 respectively among several others.

Melaye’s tactic therefore was to drag the case beyond the 90-day period in the hope that the process would collapse for what lawyers call ‘effluxion of time’. That hope might have been raised when Justice John Tsoho of the federal high court, Abuja granted an injunction restraining INEC from proceeding with the process pending the determination of the case and shortly thereafter, the judiciary proceeded on its annual holiday. In celebrating that injunction on the floor of the Senate at the time, some of Melaye’s colleagues sensationally described the recall process as “dead on arrival”.

However, following a petition by INEC, the case was later assigned to Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the same federal high court, Abuja who ordered the commission to proceed with the recall, arguing that the 90-day period had paused from the day the case was filed in court thereby giving a new life to the case. Dissatisfied, Melaye proceeded to the appeal court where he was again told that the 90-day time limit does not include the period of litigation. The other leg of Melaye’s argument that the signatures were fictitious and that they included dead persons were similarly dismissed as premature.

Interestingly, the judgement of the court is similar to that given in the case of Hon. George Okoye, a former member representing Njikoka 2 federal constituency of Anambra State who sought for redress on similar grounds. The court dismissed the case based on the logic that Okoye should have no fear at all since dead petitioners on the register would not be around at the polling units on referendum day to vote against him. What that also suggests is that INEC cannot willfully decide to ignore the signatures submitted

by constituents, however dubious they may seem. The only way the commission can authenticate the genuineness or otherwise of the signatures is by conducting a transparent verification process.

Following that Court of Appeal judgement, INEC re-issued the timetable for the recall.

Again, dissatisfied, Melaye approached the Supreme Court but the apex court refused to restrain the commission which then proceeded with the first step. At the end of the exercise, only 5.34 percent of the signatures were verified. With that, all the attempts to recall Senator Melaye collapsed.

But we must commend the judiciary which has interpreted the law on the side of the people with the recent judgements that the 90-day time limit prescribed by the constitution does not include the period of litigation.

From now, no lawmaker can use the court to frustrate any recall process. They will have to look for other ways and means.

However, what is also very clear from the Melaye case is that the system has been rigged against the people because our elected representatives have tinkered with the law to make the process of their recall practically impossible. In plenary on 4th July last year, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu explained how new provisions that were not in the original 1999 Constitution were added by the National Assembly, of course with the concurrence of the state assemblies: “In 2010, this parliament amended the constitution regarding section 69. It states that the number of those who are supposed to have requested his (Melaye) recall are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi, while Melaye and his lawyers and each person would verify their signature. When they are done with that, they go back to section 68 which states that the president of the senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member.

They would also present evidence satisfactory to the house. So, they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing.

Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So, why are we wasting our time? Let us move on and allow them to waste their time.”

From the attempted recall of my brother, Farouk Adamu Aliyu, a former member of the House of Representatives for Birnin Kudu/ Buji constituency in Jigawa, which ended in a failed referendum after the signatures had been ‘verified’, to the dramatic case of the late Umar Buba Jibril, representing Lokoja/ Kogi-Koton Karfe whose constituents filed a counter-petition protesting the inclusion of their names on grounds that their signatures were forged, no recall process has been successful since the return to democracy in 1999. Now, it is doubtful if any ever will, given the stringent provisions that were added to the constitution in 2010.

Another important issue that the Melaye case has thrown up is the expensive nature of our democracy. INEC said last week that it spent more than a hundred million Naira on the failed process but what the commission did not say is that if that process

had succeeded, it would have spent more than double that amount on a referendum that would include all the registered voters and if that also succeeded, INEC would have to cough out another like sum to conduct a by-election to replace Melaye. So, it invariably takes about three times the cost of electing a lawmaker to have them replaced!

No case typifies this sort of madness as succinctly as that of the former Yobe State First Lady and current Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Khadija Abba Ibrahim.

By the time she was nominated for a cabinet position by President Muhammadu Buhari late in 2005, she was already a member of the House of Representatives for Damatura/ Gujba/Gulani/Tarmuwa federal constituency.

A by-election was conducted by INEC to replace her. Then it turned out that the winner of the by-election was also a member of the state House of Assembly. That meant INEC had to conduct another by-election to replace the man who won a by-election!

That accounts for why the commission has conducted about 200 by-elections in the past three years to replace either a dead lawmaker or those who lost at the tribunal or have taken appointments within the executive branch. These, we must bear in mind, are stand-alone elections with all its implications.

Finally, let me come to the most substantive of all the issues in the Melaye recall fiasco.

The framers of the 1999 Constitution exercised tremendous wisdom in providing for the verification of the signatures submitted to INEC. In Nigeria, any political contractor or mischief maker can concoct signatures of any number of persons and present same to be true even under oath. These may include unwilling persons, induced signatories, fake signatures and even dead constituents. That, many wager, is exactly what has happened in the Melaye recall process. That only five percent of the signatures would be verified as genuine is an indication that something untoward happened and what you expect now is for the security agencies to move in by arresting those who instigated the process with signatures that have been confirmed to be fraudulent! But that is not going to happen.

Right from the beginning of the whole exercise, Melaye had said, and not without foundation, that it was orchestrated by the Kogi State Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello. He has also alleged forgery and financial inducements from the same source. Unfortunately, the police, which ordinarily should be interested in upholding the law, have been more interested in acting, in the words of Speaker Yakubu Dogara, “like a clan of tribesmen, a sort of upgraded barbarians” than as independent arbiter.

Dogara, who visited Melaye at the National Hospital on Tuesday along with his deputy, Yusuf Lasun and former Speaker, Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, decried a situation where the rights of citizens would be trampled upon by the police whose primary duty is to offer protection to those in distress…

NOTE: The piece is concluded online at thisdaylive.com

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