Tuesday 15th May 2018

Chief Justice: Attack on P’Harcourt Court, Danger to Democracy Rivers Assembly resolves to write UN, others over invasion Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt, Damilola Oyedele and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has condemned the recent attack

by armed hoodlums on a High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, warning that the act, if not checked, could endanger the nation’s democracy.

Onnoghen also called on the public to condemn the act and

preserve the judiciary, which he said remains the last hope of the citizens.

His condemnation came just as the River State House of Assembly resolved to write to the United Nations (UN),

Abe urges president to intervene

the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth of Nations to save the people of the state from the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

The reactions came after the

to have attacked the High Court to stop it from making a pronouncement on a suit filed by another faction of the APC led by Senator Magnus Abe,

attack and closure of the High Court complex last Friday by armed thugs believed to be members of a faction of the Rivers APC while the police looked on.

The thugs were alleged

Continued on page 6

9mobile: Pressure Mounts for Disqualification of Smile Over False Statements/www.thisdaylive.com Tuesday 15 May, 2018 Vol 23. No 8426. Price: N250

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Senate to Obey Court Order on Omo-Agege's Reinstatement… Page 42

With the 2019 Race Wide Open, Where are Buhari’s Opponents?

See story on pages 8 & 9

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FG, Oil Firms Lose 250,000bpd of Crude Oil to Closure of Trans-Forcados Pipeline Ejiofor Alike The federal government and oil firms operating in the western Niger Delta are losing roughly 250,000 barrels of oil per day (b/d) owing to the closure of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline, following a leakage discovered on the facility, THISDAY has learnt.

The Trans-Forcados pipeline is the major trunk line in the Forcados Pipeline System with an export capacity of 400,000b/d and the second largest network in the Niger Delta after the Bonny Oil Pipeline System in the eastern

Niger Delta.

THISDAY gathered that after a leakage was discovered on the pipeline on May 7, the pipeline had to be completely shutdown for repairs to be carried out.

International oil companies (IOCs) and Nigerian independents operating in the western Niger Delta use the pipeline to pump oil to the 400,000b/d Forcados export terminal. “There was a leakage around 8 p.m. on Tuesday last week but the cause of the leakage is yet to be determined. The pipeline has been completely shutdown

for repairs to be carried out,� an official of one of the companies told THISDAY. He added that with the closure of the pipeline, about 15 oil fields producing 220,000-250,000 barrels of crude oil per day had been shut in.

Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited operates the pipeline, along with its oil block – Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc,

Shoreline Natural Resources, Neconde, Elcrest E&P, ND Western and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria are also some of the major producing companies affected by the closure of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline.

Also affected are marginal field operators such as Pillar Oil, Energia, Platform Petroleum, and Midwestern Oil. Before last week’s leak, the Trans-Forcados Pipeline had suffered three sabotage incidents in 2016, beginning with the subsea bombing of the facility by the Niger Delta Avengers in February 2016, followed by a militant attack

in November 2016.

The incidents disrupted operations at the Shell-operated Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) until late May 2017 when repairs to the pipeline were completed, following the intervention of Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited.

But for 15 months prior to March 2017, most of the companies pumping through the pipeline recorded zero production.

However, between March 2017 and April 2018, under a Technical Services Agreement (TSA) between Salvic Petroleum and Heritage Energy, the former rehabilitated

the Trans-Forcados Pipeline and sustained an uptime of over 86 per cent in the 12 months of operations.

THISDAY gathered that until the contract between both firms was abruptly terminated by Heritage last month, Salvic Petroleum had handled the technical support services, security, operation & management (O&M) services, community relations & other stakeholder management, corporate social responsibility activities, and the management of the 87km Trans-Forcados Pipeline.

nPDP Breaks Up as Senator Adamu-led Group Dismisses Ultimatum Links Saraki to aggrieved group Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Members of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have broken apart with a faction loyal to the ruling party and President Muhammadu Buhari distancing themselves from the one-week ultimatum issued by its chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

The opposing group led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, stormed the APC national secretariat in Abuja yesterday to present a letter to the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, urging him to call the bluff of the Baraje-led group whom he accused of fronting for Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Adamu, who briefed reporters after presenting the letter, expressed the support of the group for the Buhari-led administration and accused Saraki of being the brain behind threats by the Baraje faction of the nPDP. The nPDP, in a letter signed

by Baraje and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who last week decamped from the APC, had given the leadership of the ruling party and the president a seven-day ultimatum to address their charges of marginalisation and oppression against its members.

In the four-page letter dated

April 27, 2018, they had alleged that despite their contributions to the success of the APC in the 2015 elections, their members had been relegated to the background in the scheme of things in the party and in government.

The letter said the only seat that went to members of the nPDP in the Federal Executive Council was given to a member whose state contributed virtually no vote to the APC in the 2015 presidential election.

They also enumerated the contributions of the nPDP to the 2015 electoral victory of the APC. But while dismissing the ultimatum issued by the Baraje-led group, Adamu said yesterday that his group, which was part of nPDP that broke away from the main PDP right from the beginning, was never consulted nor carried along before the letter of complaint was tendered.

He said all the allegations raised in the letter submitted by Baraje's group were false.

In the letter submitted by the Adamu-led faction titled, ‘Unfounded and Unjustified Grounds for Confrontation with our Party, the APC, and Government by Some Members of the Defunct nPDP,’ dated May 14, 2018, and addressed to the APC national chairman, the group described Baraje’s letter as “misleading�.

The letter jointly signed by

Adamu (chairman), Chief Theodore Geogewill (deputy chairman) and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin as secretary of the group said Baraje’s letter “was full of contradictions, false assertions, misrepresentations, a distortion of history and facts and in many instances outright lies�. “We as initiators and founding members of the defunct nPDP, therefore, wish to condemn and disassociate ourselves from the letter and apologise for the obvious embarrassment the letter has caused our party and government. “We wish to reaffirm our support and confidence in the party and Mr. President and we do not in any way feel marginalised or maltreated as we are clearly in the league of the biggest beneficiaries of the party. “Mr. Chairman, for the purpose of correcting the misleading contents of the letter and setting the records straight, it is pertinent that we provide some facts on some of the issues raised in the letter,� the group said.

On the issue of marginalisation, as alleged by the Baraje-led group, Adamu’s group said government patronage was not limited to the executive arm only, adding that APC has ensured a balance of power among the legacy parties that formed the coalition. “Government at the federal level is not only the executive branch in

isolation. It includes the legislature as well. The APC government deliberately or not has a balance of power among the various parties and groups that merged to form the APC at the federal level. “While the Muhammadu Buhariled CPC got the presidency, the Bola Tinubu-led ACN got the vicepresidency and the nPDP as we were then eventually got the combination of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, though under somewhat questionable circumstances,� they stressed.

The Adamu group further noted that some of the key offices being held by the nPDP include the Senate President, Speaker of the House, Senator Abdullahi Adamu – Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Adamu Aliero – Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Magatakarda Wamako – Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso – Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Senator Danjuma Goje – Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako – Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Uchendu – Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Aminu Tambuwal – Governor of Sokoto State, Abdullahi Ganduje – Governor of Kano State, Abdulfatah

Ahmed – Governor of Kwara State, Senator Jibrilla Bindow – Governor of Adamawa State, Senator A. Bagudu – Governor of Kebbi State, and Alhaji Kawu Baraje – Board Chairman.

Continuing, the group said: “It is strange that we did not see any qualms when the Senate President and Speaker dispensed about 200 appointments including committee chairmen without asking for nominations from Mr. President, the vice-president, the APC as a party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as party leader, Baba Akande, the pioneer national chairman, and a host of others. Is that not marginalisation? “If we in the nPDP did not view that as marginalisation, then we do not have the moral justification to accuse the president if he appoints his ministers without seeking for our nominees. “The APC has been very gracious to us but we must not over-stretch our luck. We have concentrated on pointing accusing fingers at the president and the party and generally others while we failed to look inwards to address the greed, selfishness, witch hunt, injustice and high-handedness exhibited by some leaders of the defunct nPDP in privileged positions today against our fellow members. “We only remember that the nPDP ever existed when it was time to advance our personal and

often selfish interests. Let us be careful not to become a cancer to any house we seek to join, or gain a specialty in trying to destroy every house we help to build. We must be introspective and change our ways.�

The group led by Adamu said that the party and Buhari should also reach out to its members if they wished to grant audience to the aggrieved Baraje group. “In any event that it decides to grant audience to the group led

by Kawu Baraje, we the Buhari supporters who are now in the majority in the defunct nPDP should be invited to the meeting as well, for it seems the petitioners no longer stand for the ideals of the defunct nPDP nor represent our collective interest and position,� the group said.

The Adamu group, which copied Buhari and Tinubu in the letter, also expressed solidarity for the president and the party for “steering the ship of state in this trying moment and for their maturity in the face of several instances of attempts to intimidate, blackmail, harass and embarrass the government and party by some members of the defunct nPDP members for their selfish interests�. “We remain resolute in our loyalty and support for our party and this government in the effort to deliver service to the Nigerian state and our people,� they stated.

tension in the nation. “The Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria finally advises judicial officers to go about their lawful duties without fear or favour.�

Also reacting to attack on the court premises, the Rivers State House of Assembly resolved to write to the UN, the EU and the Commonwealth to save the people of the state from the hands of the APC-led federal government.

At an emergency session yesterday, presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, the assembly said it had become necessary to write to the institutions for them to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the Rivers people “in the face of the premeditated assault by the APC federal government and her agents�.

The assembly also resolved to write to President Muhammadu Buhari with a view to calling him to take immediate action on what members described as the “evils being perpetrated against the Rivers people by his administration�.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader and

member representing Obio/Akpor State Constituency 1, Mr. Martins Amaehwule, under matters of urgent importance, condemning the attack and closure of the High Court complex on May 11.

C H I E F J U ST I C E : AT TAC K O N P ’ H A R C O U RT C O U RT, DA N G E R TO D E M O C R ACY which sought to stop the APC local government congresses in the state.

Despite the attack on the court premises, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu of the High Court granted an interlocutory injunction stopping the APC from going ahead with the local government congresses, but the faction led by former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, ignored the order of the court and went ahead with the congresses last Saturday.

Speaking on the attack on the High Court yesterday, the CJN, in a statement by his media aide, Awassam Bassey, described the attack as disturbing.

He wondered if such level of violence could be unleashed on the judiciary over intra-party elections, what would happen during the 2019 general election.

The statement read: The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, has been informed of an attack on the Port Harcourt High Court complex on Friday, 11th May, 2018. “According to the reports,

this attack took place as judges, magistrates, staff and lawyers reported for duty at the said Rivers State High Court complex in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. “Judicial and non-judicial staff were denied access to the complex as all the gates had been padlocked and the buildings surrounded by hoodlums. “These hoodlums, who were said to be heavily armed, reportedly inflicted bodily harm to judicial officers and other staff of the judiciary going about their lawful duties and destroyed some properties belonging to the judiciary. “This action was aimed at stopping the court from sitting and delivering a ruling in an intra-party dispute of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in respect of the local government congresses of the party in the state. “This latest act of intimidation of the judiciary and the unwarranted violence against a peaceful institution of an arm of government is quite disturbing. More importantly, such show of shame ought not to be encouraged by right-thinking

members of the Nigerian public. “If the enemies of our peace and democracy succeed or get away with what occurred at the High Court in Port Harcourt, it would be a source of encouragement to them to do same to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whenever any one of them perceives that a judgment may be delivered against any of them or the interests they represent. “The judiciary remains the last hope of man, and our judges and judicial officers are called upon to remain true to their oath of office.

They must remain focused, resolute, and courageous, regardless of the effort at intimidating them. “The Nigerian public is urged to continue to have faith in the judiciary of the nation. Any person with a legitimate complaint against another person, organisation or institution is advised to employ the civilized and legal mode of redress as contained and guaranteed by our Constitution. “Whoever is dissatisfied with the outcome of decisions of our courts of law has the right of appeal as constitutionally guaranteed. The

judiciary will never fail in its duties. “Violence, the type visited on the judiciary of Rivers State, is alien to any civilized society and therefore condemnable. “The Hon. CJN, therefore, strongly condemns this attack on the judiciary and notes with grave concern that this magnitude of violence could be visited on the judiciary during a ward/local government intra-party primary election, and wonders what the situation would be during the forthcoming general election in 2019? “The chief justice, however, commends the security agencies for bringing the chaos under control, thereby allowing the judge to go ahead and deliver the ruling on the matter, but warns that attacks on the judiciary are a disaster that would end democracy in Nigeria as parties would resort to self-help in the absence of the judiciary or confidence in the judiciary as an arbiter. “The CJN also seizes this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the judiciary to the expeditious hearing of all political matters to avoid escalating political

Continued on page 46

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Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍłË&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜ Ëž T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT W I T H TH E 2 019 R ACE WIDE OPEN, WHE R E AR E B U H AR I â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OPPON E N T S?

Buhari

Atiku

Tambuwal

With the 2019 Race Wide Open, Where are Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Opponents?

Election may be decided by consensus opposition candidate In Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Assembly races, opposition may have an edge Ijeoma Nwogwugwu Other than its barrage of press statements and attempts at propaganda calling out the Buhari administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over their missteps, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), since its December convention that threw up a new leadership for the party, has been eerily quiet. With just nine months to go before the 2019 election, no clear picture has emerged as to who the party will field as its presidential candidate. The uncertainty in the camp of the PDP has given President Muhammadu Buhari, the incumbent and presumptive candidate of the APC, a clear edge, enabling him to sprint away from the starting blocks while the PDP looks on in utter helplessness.

The air of uncertainty pervading the PDP stems from obvious reasons: Unlike the APC in 2014 which was almost decided on who would fly the flag of the party in the 2015 presidential election, the PDP has a divided field of candidates, some of whom are still not even in its camp. While the likes of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Sule Lamido, former Jigawa governor, have made their intentions known to vie for the presidential ticket of the PDP, the likes of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, are yet to decide on whether to dump the ruling APC and pitch their tents with the PDP, or to remain with the APC. The indecision, naturally, stems from the horse-trading taking place behind the scenes and what guarantees they can secure from the PDP before taking the giant step of leaving the APC. Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, on the other hand, remains mute on a presidential run as he weighs his options and tests the waters in the hope that he can emerge the â&#x20AC;&#x153;anointed candidateâ&#x20AC;? without as much as lifting a finger. After all, it happened in 2007, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo ignored a large field of PDP presidential hopefuls seeking to succeed him and handpicked the late Umaru Yarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Adua and Goodluck Jonathan as presidential candidate and running mate of the then ruling PDP, respectively.

Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cutting Edge Given Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early start in the 2019 presidential contest, he remains the candidate to beat. His cult-like following among the masses of the core Northern states, particularly in the large population centres of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna,

Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa, remains intact and has grown from the numbers he mustered in the 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections to unprecedented proportions. In particular, the agriculture policies pursued by the administration has seen the emergence of thousands of small-hold famers in the North that have been empowered through the Anchor Borrowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and owe their new found affluence to Buhari. These along with his APC loyalists/governors in the South-west controlled states of Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and to some extent Lagos, make him the favourite in a field of hopefuls yet to secure the ticket of their part(ies).

The incumbency factor is another factor that puts Buhari in good stead to win the presidential contest in 2019. The federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move, in particular, to enforce the anti-money laundering laws among banks and the morbid fear of the anti-graft agencies breathing down their necks will render it more difficult for the opposition to move funds through banking channels to execute its campaign in 2019. By starving the opposition of funds, this will give Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team the advantage it needs to deploy the war chest that it already has at its disposal to sway the electorate, especially in the swing North-central states where the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity has waned.

Add to this the penchant by Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men to use the apparatus of state to muscle the opposition through scare tactics, propaganda and even outright harassment. Examples abound of the attempts to cut Saraki to size by harassing him and his foot soldiers such as Ike Ekweremadu, Dino Melaye, Isah Misau and Peter Nwaoboshi, among others in the Senate, while looking the other way when the likes of Ovie Omo-Agege mastermind the of theft the mace. Judges in the judiciary have also been brow beaten by the administration into giving ex parte rulings and making judicial pronouncements on cases meant to emasculate the opposition, while the security and anti-graft agencies have been turned into the rabid henchmen of the government who have their sights set squarely on elements in the PDP, but ignore the misdemeanour allegations against members of the APC. Should former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State also emerge as the national chairman of the APC, this could bolster the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chances at the polls next year. Unlike the mild-mannered Chief John OdigieOyegun, Oshiomhole will prove to be a veritable tool in the 2019 campaign season as a mobiliser, enforcer and attack dog against the opposition PDP. It is no wonder

Buhari has whole-heartedly thrown his weight behind Oshiomhole as the next chairman of the APC. The snag is that Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergence may not go down well with some vested interests in the APC who may see Oshiomhole as a spoiler in their 2023 ambitions.

A divided opposition would also make the path to 2019 much easier for Buhari in the months ahead. As it stands, a major contender has not emerged in the PDP as the candidate likely to take on the president next year. Besides, should the likes of Saraki, Kwankwaso and Tambuwal elect to pitch their tents with other parties other than the PDP, this would make it more difficult to split the votes in large population centres like Lagos and Kano where the electorate may decide to stick with the devil they know than the one that they hardly know.

The Achillesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Heel Notwithstanding Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strengths, he still has several weaknesses that could lead to his undoing. Even the APC has admitted that the 2019 elections will be no smooth sail and if care is not taken, the party could see power snatched from its grasp next year. For one, the electorate is unimpressed with his handling of the economy since he assumed office three years ago. Unemployment under the president has reached new records and poverty, despite the so-called Social Investment Programme of the administration, has remained widespread. Indeed, even the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loyalists in the North have been known to complain that life has been more harrowing under Buhari than it was under his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan.

His inability to effectively contain the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east and killer herdsmen in the Middle Belt has also seen him lose the support of the swing states in the North-central region. Buhari, in 2015, was finally able to get the North-central zone to vote for him, but with the wave of killings in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi and Plateau States, and his seeming nonchalance to the bloodletting, there is a very high likelihood that a majority of the voters in these states will pitch their tents with the opposition. What is worse is the new breed of widows, orphans and displaced persons who have lost their homes and farmsteads to herders that place a higher premium on their livestock than on human lives.

The killings in the Middle Belt have not just set Buhari Continued on page 7

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PAGE NINE W I T H TH E 2 019 R ACE WIDE OPEN, WHE R E AR E B U H AR I â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OPPON E N T S?

Dankwambo

against the electorate in the region but also against General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), once a key loyalist and financial benefactor who had backed Buhari as far back as 2003. Danjuma, a Jukun leader from Taraba State, has in recent times made his displeasure known over the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mishandling of the killings in his state and others in the region, and has gone as far as calling on residents to resort to self-defence in the face of alleged collusion by the Nigerian Army with the herdsmen. Danjuma will be joining other ex-Nigerian Army generals including Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida, who have not hidden their frustration with Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style of governance. Indeed, Obasanjo has been very vocal about his opposition to the president contesting the elections in the 2019 and is using his Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), which recently coalesced with what appears to be an offshoot of the PDP â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to pick a consensus presidential candidate that can defeat Buhari.

But it is not just the retired military brass that is disappointed in one of their own, the Northern intelligentsia and elite have also not hidden their displeasure with Buhari. The Northern elite, for several years, never took to Buhari and refused to back him in 2003, 2007 and 2011. In their estimation, he was too rigid and limited in terms of capacity and exposure. It took till 2015 before they looked his way and supported him against Jonathan so that power could shift to the North. But today, many among the Northern elite, including some of its emirs, are embarrassed by the clannishness, nepotism and absence of capacity displayed by Buhari, to the extent that some are wondering if he is the best the North can put forward to represent the region.

The South-south and the South-east are two regions that remain unapologetically opposed to Buhari. Their opposition was reinforced by the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remark early in the administration that those who only gave him 5 per cent of the votes in 2015 should not expect more than those that gave him 97 per cent (his error) of the votes.

Their fear that they would be marginalised was made stark when he proscribed and reined in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but failed to do likewise with the killer herdsmen in the Middle Belt. Key appointments in the Armed Forces and other security services is another area where Buhari has not hidden his penchant for favouring one section of the country over the other.

The yet untold story of the recruitment scandal involving 10,000 policemen into the Nigeria Police Force over a year ago remains mind-boggling. During the recruitment exercise, the Police Service Commission (PSC) was ordered from above to jettison the law and guidelines for recruitment into the Force by ensuring each state of the federation got an equal number of recruits. Instead, the PSC was ordered to undertake its recruitment exercise on a local government basis, meaning that states with more LGs got more new police recruits than states like say Bayelsa with only eight

Saraki

Kwankwaso

WHAT TO WATCH THE HEALTH FACTOR: President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health will be keenly watched in the months ahead. He has just returned from the United Kingdom where he saw his doctors signalling his readiness for the 2019 presidential election. The electorate will look out for any signs of frail health in deciding who emerges president in 2019.

THE OSHIOMHOLE FACTOR: The apparent emergence of the former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole as the next Chairman of APC must be seen as a deft political move by the president. Tried and tested, Oshiomhole is one man who can reverse the dwindling fortunes of the APC. DIVIDED APC: If the ward and local government congresses held by the APC are signs of things to come in the state congresses as well as the national convention of the party, APC might ďŹ nd itself heading into the 2019 elections as a divided house. This may not bode so well for Buhari who will need the support of the grassroots to retain his hold on the State House.

INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN POWERS: So far the jury is still out as to if Buhari still has the support of countries like the United States, United Kingdom and France.

The three countries notably withdrew their support for Jonathan in 2015 and stood with Buhari. However, their ambassadors in the country have been quietly making the rounds and meeting with inďŹ&#x201A;uential Nigerians in recent weeks on who their countries should support in 2019. In addition to waiting for the PDP ďŹ&#x201A;ag bearer to emerge, they are already sending diplomatic dispatches to their home countries. A pointer was the warning by U.S. President Donald Trump for Buhari to end the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. If the Nigerian president fails to heed the warning, it will only be a matter of time before the U.S. bares its fangs and makes its preference known to its Western allies, notwithstanding the $500 million paid for the procurement of American ďŹ ghter aircraft. For them, a stable Nigeria in the West African sub-region and the protection of their interests in the Niger Delta is more important than all the patronage in the world. local government areas. Buhari is not unaware that there has been no love lost between the electorate in the South-south and South-east and himself and may have decided not to waste too much resources during the campaign season in both regions. This makes them easy pickings for the opposition PDP.

The South-west, more than any other zone in the country, was the zone that catapulted Buhari to power in 2015. The zone remains critical to him remaining in office beyond 2019, hence his courtship of Tinubu and its governors whom he believes would help him in his quest to hold on to power. But if the governors and the leadership in the South-west were to listen attentively to the electorate in the zone, they would acknowledge that it will not be easy for Buhari to replicate the winning formula in 2015 in a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time. The zone is pro-restructuring of the Nigerian state, an agenda the president has vehemently opposed. The zone, with its political sophistication, is also unimpressed with the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stewardship and is particularly disappointed in his handling of the herdsmen-farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crisis, which has been felt in states like Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti.

Added to the swing Middle Belt states, the South-west, South-east and South-south zones are the Nigerian youth and the business elite. Let there be no mistake, young Nigerians want to see the back of Buhari for the simple reason that he is deemed too old and not representative of the kind of leadership that should be leading Nigeria into the 21st century. Compared to his colleagues on the African continent, Nigerians often wonder why the country ends up with visionless leaders that can barely string two sentences together, let alone engage in contemporary global issues that are driving the rest of the world. While the rest of the world is moving on to digitally driven infrastructure, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and new breakthroughs in the fields of science and medical research, the Nigerian president regales foreigners with fallacies of rice importation falling by 90 per cent. He needs to go and look at the website of the Thai Rice Exportersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association which clearly shows that whilst rice exports to Nigeria have fallen in two years, they have risen exponentially in neighbouring Benin Republic. Who does he think is eating that rice going to Benin? References are often made about his cringe-worthy gaffes when unscripted and his shortcomings on issues pertaining to the economy.

On the social media, horrid jokes abound on Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gaffes and missteps. Should the youths and the business community, which has been harassed by his goons in the anti-graft agencies mobilise against him, the president may be forced to return to Daura, his hometown, earlier than anticipated.

In the final analysis, as the odds stack up against Buhari, there is a major likelihood that Danjuma, Obasanjo and others who working with the opposition to present a consensus candidate, might align with some members of the National Assembly where the opposition to the president continues to wax stronger by the day. The combination of both forces, along with other factors working against Buhari, could just be the winning formula for a major upset, come 2019. r &EJUPS T /PUF 5IF FMFDUPSBM NBQT PO UIF GSPOU QBHF XJMM DIBOHF BGUFS UIF QPMJUJDBM QBSUJFT IPME UIFJS QSFTJEFOUJBM QSJNBSJFT

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

COMMENT

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

DEMYSTIFYING NATION-BUILDING Afeez Odunoye argues the need for everyone to be involved in the task of nation-building

R

ecently, I attended the May edition of The Platform, a significant forum for robust engagements on governance and national discourse adorning two caps as a political observer and patriotic Nigerian. The May 1, 2018 edition featured contributions from the forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s convener, Pastor Poju Oyemade, Vice -President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, presidential hopefuls, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu and Fela Durotoye, consumer rights activist, Sola Salako Ajulo and management guru, Leke Alder.

Senior Pastor, Harvest Place, Femi Adebayo, businessman Donatus Okonkwo and leadership consultant, Dr. Charles Omole equally contributed to the discourse as speakers. Messages on the lips of each speaker were quite clear- influencing citizens to become more concerned about governance and democracy in Nigeria. This formed the crux of the biannual discourse that has consistently deepened national consciousness in the last 11 years. Pastor Oyemade and the Covenant Christian Centre team deserve accolades for maintaining this tradition.

At a 2012 workshop on European national identities, political scientist, Francis Fukuyuma raised valid thoughts which Nigeria can work on extensively. Fukuyama opined that â&#x20AC;&#x153;national identity must be forged from withinâ&#x20AC;?.

Fukuyamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s submissions at the workshop underscored Nigeria as an entity where â&#x20AC;&#x153;little effort has been expended on nation-building, with resulting dysfunction and inter-group violenceâ&#x20AC;?. Six years after, the nation is entangled in the web of slips affecting the establishment of structures required for nation-building. This brings the question, why Nigeria is not working, into the frame of this narrative.

Beyond criticising current political administration and structures, the most essential activity to engage in will be to decipher why nationbuilding is herculean on the face of it. Blessed with a reservoir of human and natural resources to fetch from, Nigeria is an entity lost on the path to making democracy work. I hope nation-building will not continue to elude us.

There are significant deficits begging for remedial approaches to building viable political and economic institutions. Existing structures of political formations are somewhat weak to drive citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; involvement in governance, politics and development. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising that citizens opt for aloofness to issues of national importance. But, this â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wetin concern meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attitude will not take us far. Neither will it address the challenges confronting nation-building, a step to modernity.

From the economic point of view, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re grappling with inequality, unequal distribution of wealth, high-handedness of capitalists and impracticable economic plans. More worrisome is the enabling of economic exploitation by corrupt representatives and government officials in the corridors of power and our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public service.

The fragility of development agencies and institutions is yet, another hindering factor. What do you make of the inefficiencies of our policing system which Dr. Charles Omole describes as a set up meant to fail.

This is evident in the letdowns of the Nigeria Police Force to address internal security challenges as entrenched in Section 214 (b) (c) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), Sections 4 and 23 of the Police Act. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a matter for another day.

Fellow countrymen, we cause colossal damage to our nationhood by distancing ourselves from the task of nation-building. The activity, in

EXISTING STRUCTURES OF POLITICAL FORMATIONS ARE SOMEWHAT WEAK TO DRIVE CITIZENSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNANCE, POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENT. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOT SURPRISING THAT CITIZENS OPT FOR ALOOFNESS TO ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. BUT, THIS â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;WETIN CONCERN MEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ATTITUDE WILL NOT TAKE US FAR

itself is continuous. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just build halfway and stop. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to keep building. Civic engagement is a prerequisite to surmounting the hurdles of building a new Nigeria. Conversations around our historical antecedents are capable of curing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;our siddon look ailmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Ridding apathy to issues of national interest starts from dressing ourselves in the fabrics of patriotism. Naija na your country, Naija na my country too. Political integration and participation should be considered with all seriousness by you and by me.

By the way, have you registered as a voter? Do you have your PVC? The apathy of registered voters to claim over seven million Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) is a twist to unlocking our national consciousness.

To appreciate involvement in democratic processes, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consider this fictional conversation between Uncle Tabia and Dozie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dozie, your mum told me youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 18 now. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, Uncle Tabia.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boy, you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be termed one of our national problems.

Would you?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, Sir.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good. Then, you need to get registered as a voter and obtain your PVC. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re qualified.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll definitely do so, Thanks for the insights, Sir.â&#x20AC;?

At this point, let me infuse the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider reviewing the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise nationwide. I hope we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stylishly disenfranchise people of voting ages with the current arrangement.

INEC should consider extending the registration to weekends and some hours on public holidays. Many eligible citizens donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the luxury of time to register during weekdays as captured in the details of the exercise.

As some sort of patriotic duties, we should be collectively involved in the building of viable political and development institutions. In an era where opposition politics is not as effective as it should be, certainly keeping elected representatives on their toes is a must. There is no better time to contribute to democratic processes and enhance solid political structures than now.

Representatives and public office holders should be constantly reminded of the ultimate power that lies with the electorate. We will do them great good by reminding them that they are managing affairs on our behalf.

Perhaps, submissions from learned scholar and diplomat, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari on the challenges of nations building made in 2008 can be dubbed evergreen. Prof. Gambari notes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;nation-building is always a work-in-progress; a dynamic process in constant need of nurturing and reinvention is still very much relevantâ&#x20AC;?. Even as we long for a better Nigeria, we should underscore the importance of consistency as demonstrated by Prof. Gambari. A new Nigeria will not happen overnight. Neither, will it happen by happenstance or come to fruition by voodoo.

Carving a better future for Nigeria from the carcass of years gone by is a function of what Fela Durotoye describes as a future that is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;right inside usâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Nation-building is my task; nation-building is your task. We owe it to fatherland and posterity.

OKOWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TRIUMPHANT OUTING

The Delta State Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handling of the Ekiti governorship primary has further boosted his democratic profile, writes Jesutega Onokpasa

I

pity those after Delta State Governor, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job. Their rather conceited boast in their baseless ability to render him a one-term governor aside, Okowa on his part, seems ever capable of making them look rather puny with neither bluster nor even noise from his end. While he delivers projects that directly impact on the generality of Deltans, they prance about trying to market their unmarketable platform to an electorate fearful of hunger, dreadful of killer herdsmen and spiteful of an All Progressives Congress (APC) that promised them change only to deliver an increasingly polarised country, indeed one increasingly framed in sorrow, tears and blood. Yet as if their woes were not already more than enough, Okowa has been catapulted to the very zenith of the opposition in Nigeria as the quintessential democrat who can be relied on to deliver what their party seems miserably incapable of.

Interestingly, even a mere working knowledge of Okowaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s background would actually reveal why his exploits, while doubtlessly impressive, are not really surprising at all. The medical doctor was a local government chairman, commissioner, secretary to the state government, and senator before becoming governor and should easily know what democracy and good governance is properly all about. Yet, for me, more crucial is the fact that in the build up to the 2015 polls, he emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vide what is undoubtedly the most hard fought and rigorously democratic governorship primaries in the entire history of Delta State. What is more, and

as every true politician in Delta willing to say the truth would readily admit, Okowa emerged PDP candidate with the odds stacked more against than for him, and that is putting it very delicately! With his spanking achievement at the last PDP Convention in Abuja and now, his superlative performance with the Ekiti primary, Okowa is effortlessly claiming fans across Delta and beyond while his detractors continue to shout themselves hoarse before an irritated audience of hungry, terrified and brutalised citizens their lying party has serially failed since 2015!

It should be quite tempting to dismiss the authenticity of the reformation of the PDP. After all, is this not Nigeria where hardly anything ever changes to the extent that across the length and breadth of the land, the clarion call is for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;change to be changedâ&#x20AC;?? Yet, the taste of the pudding is in the eating and with the PDP incrementally succeeding in besting the APC with its superior internal democratic credentials, it will become ever more difficult to fault the actuality of the formerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reform more so as the APC keeps draping its internal processes in the entire gamut of what was wrong with the PDP that justified its call for change in the first place! My projection is that as the inevitable unravelling of the APC unfolds in the months, if not weeks, ahead, it will become ever more concretely impressed on the electorate that it was essentially a scam all along and that the entirety of its pretentions to being an alternative to the PDP was just a shamefully underhanded subterfuge for the conning of an unsuspecting electorate. Indeed, going forward, Nigerians will increasingly buy into the

position that the APC is essentially the very worst of the PDP and that a reformed and rebranded PDP is by far a better alternative to an APC that has all but completely decomposed into precisely what the PDP has just reformed and rebranded from.

Professor Kolapo Olusolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergence as PDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag bearer in Ekiti is especially welcome given that while being Governor Ayodele Fayoseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred successor, he has become candidate vide an impeccable process which further confers added legitimacy, boost and momentum to his candidature. Gentleman Olusola is a humble yet confident, Christian minister, ever proud to confess his spiritual persuasion. With his background as a consummate intellectual and current Deputy Governor, Ekiti should be in safe hands going forward. Nevertheless, even though Olusola is undoubtedly the candidate to beat, all hands must be on deck to deliver him as governor come July especially with the vultures circling in, determined with maniacal greed and frenzied desperation to appropriate Ekiti at all costs.

On his part, Governor Fayose, who never hid his support for his deputy, must be feeling especially vindicated that the first leg of his desire has been fulfilled through a process his detractors would be pitiably hard put to fault. Being a man of faith, himself, Fayose must be seeing the faithful hands of God in these momentous developments, and to be fair to him, rightly so. Rather than seek to manipulate the process through intimidation and sundry untoward devices as his imperious counterpart in Imo has been trying to do in what is fast becoming typical APC fashion, Fayose submitted himself and

his candidate to fair play with sterling results for the rebranded image of the PDP. Where Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fayose of Ekiti and Nyesom Wike of Rivers, continue to deliver for their constituents while also deepening democracy in their roles as fiery prophets of the opposition, Governor Okowa on his part would be the subtle and sublime theologian, delivering quality work for his state and his nation as the gentle Sunday school teacher tending the delicate vineyard of our fledgling democracy. And, that is as it should be for if the opposition was furnished with only fiery leaders without the compliment of soft-spoken performers, tacticians and strategists, it would be handicapped, as it would also be, vice-versa.

The APC may be building up a neo-Gobbelian propaganda team of garrulous vituperators but on the battlefield of the 2019 polls, it is hard to see how the likes of Oshiomole, Keyamo, Adesina, Garba and Lai, for all their verve, will not end up capitulating before habitual election winners like Okowa, Fayose, Wike and Secondus, with the reassuring compliment of the Fani-Kayodes and Ologbodiyans of the fearless and credible Nigerian opposition. At the end of the day, nothing is decidedly more difficult than successfully defending the indefensible and defending its abysmal record is a miracle not even the spin masters of the APC will be able to perform this time around. There is hope for Nigeria: the PDP has not only rebranded but actually reformed and nothing proves that more refreshingly than Governor Okowaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ekiti masterstroke.

Onokpasa, a lawyer, wrote from Warri

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDITORIAL THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF EL-ZAKZAKY The detention of the Shiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ite leader is wrong and unlawful

T

he continued detention of Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, the leader of Shiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) by the federal government in deďŹ ance of court order constitutes grave threat to the country. El-Zakzaky was arrested and detained on December 14, 2015 following a violent clash by his group and the Nigerian Army during the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s procession in Zaria, Kaduna State.

During the clash, 347 followers of el-Zakzaky including one of his wives, Zeenat and his son, Aliy, were killed by the troop. Earlier in July, 2015, the troop had killed four of his sons.

Notwithstanding these killings, the federal government has continued to exhibit a penchant for lawlessness on the matter. It is instructive to note that on THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT December 2, 2016, MUST BE MINDFUL OF THE Justice Gabriel SECURITY IMPLICATIONS Kolawole of the OF EL-ZAKZAKY DYING IN Federal High ILLEGAL INCARCERATION Court in Abuja had ordered the release of el-Zakzaky and his wife, pointing out that their perpetual detention was not only a violation of the law but also portended huge danger for the country. He warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the applicant dies in custody...it could result in many needless deaths.â&#x20AC;?

Against this backdrop, the judge ordered their release within 45 days. He equally ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to pay a ďŹ ne of N25 million each to el-Zakzaky and his wife. But the same federal government that is prosecuting many alleged looters and wanting culprits to be punished in accordance to the law, has since opted to ignore this court order and thus prompting the same court on January 20, 2017, to hold that the trio of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Director-General of the DSS, Lawal

Letters to the Editor

Daura, would be guilty of contempt of court and be liable to imprisonment if they continued to disregard its order of December 2, 2016.

However, almost one and half years after, el-Zakzaky and his wife are still being held even in the face of local and international cries against it. For instance, the Amnesty international has not minced words in highlighting the danger of the government action. Makmid Kamara, Interim Director of Amnesty International (AI) Nigeria, had on January 16, 2017, lamented that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the government deliberately disregards the orders of its own courts, it will demonstrate a ďŹ&#x201A;agrant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and dangerous â&#x20AC;&#x201C; contempt for the rule of law.â&#x20AC;?

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TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

STEMMING TIDE OF VANDALISM IN THE FCT

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andalism, pillage and sometimes, plain sabotage of public assets and critical infrastructure, after insurgency and corruption, are the next major issues that pose serious threats to the well-being of Nigerians in general and the FCT in particular. Not only do they constitute a debilitating blight on our national wealth, they are a major setback to national development efforts. FCT residents can tell you this because we feel the sharp edge of this national trauma. No sooner had the current FCT Administration headed by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello commenced the completion of ongoing major critical infrastructure projects that would have greatest impact on the greatest number of FCT residents than it was confronted with the activities of fifth-columnists in the forms of bandits and hoodlums bent on sabotaging the huge investments that the administration was making.

FCT residents also woke up each day to witness incidents of pillage of major components of public infrastructure such as railway lines and cables, bridge railings, manhole covers and communication cables, to mention but a few. These vandals dug deep into the ground to unearth armoured cables and sometimes bore holes into water pipelines to irrigate their farms.

Much as the FCT Administration plodded on and never leaned on these acts of sabotage as an excuse to abdicate

hat this government has scant regard for the rule of law is not only exempliďŹ ed by the continued detention of el-Zakzaky, but in the long incarceration of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who is being tried for alleged diversion of $2.1billion meant for armsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; purchase since 2015. The government is not only disobedient to Nigerian courts, it has also wilfully ignored the orders of the Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which had on October 4, 2016, declared the arrest and detention of Dasuki unlawful and arbitrary. The court also declared his re-arrest after an initial release in 2015 as mockery of democracy. But despite these rulings, the government has remained recalcitrant.

However, given that el-Zakzakyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued detention has given rise to repeated protests in Abuja in recent weeks, the federal government must be mindful of the security implications of such a man dying in illegal incarceration.

Since the buck stops on his desk, President Muhammadu Buhari must be told that we are in a democracy and the ďŹ&#x201A;agrant disregard to court orders that has become the hallmark of his administration is dangerous for the health of our society.

its responsibility to improve lives of FCT residents, there is however the understanding that money that could have been spent on expanding the infrastructure networks and providing new utilities were being sunk into replacing vandalised, damaged and stolen assets or components.

Today, the completion of some major arterial roads and bridges, replacement of streetlights and public utilities have imbued fresh air into the city and are bringing about dramatic improvements in the economic and cultural lives of residents. But it could have been a lot better if the administration didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to confront some of these needless setbacks. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all doom and gloom, however, as there are indications that vandals are really having a rollercoaster ride in the FCT, going by some of the commendable measures that have been introduced by the FCTA to preserve and protect critical public infrastructure.

Some of these measures include the beefing up of security and surveillance around public infrastructure as well as the vibrant FCT call-centre operation which has dedicated lines to special surveillance squads around these facilities.

Mention must also be made of the jingles on radio and television stations alerting members of the public to the existence of this group of people and appealing to them to report all suspicions movements around public assets and utilities to the security agencies.

Danladi Akilu, Gudu District, Abuja

LIKE CODEINE, LIKE TERRORISM

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o, Nigeria could muster the will to fix a vexing issue if it sets its mind to it. This is really strange in the light of observed disturbing ineptitude with regard to the killings of Christians across the Middle Belt region.

It is interesting to see how the Senate rushed through a motion put forward by a senator from Kano State concerning the need to urgently ban the importation and production of codeine-based cough syrups; the enthusiasm for this ban has even been taken too far with the earlier closure of Emzor Pharmaceutical Company not minding that this unnecessary action has potential negative consequences for more job losses. After all, the protagonists of this ban would argue that it is a way to get at the Igbo tribesmen for trading in codeinebased cough syrups that has become popular amongst Arewa youngsters and a few old-timers. Now, when the concern is about Igbo traders profiting from Arewa dereliction of priorities (after all codeine

abuse is a matter of personal choice because as far as I can tell no sane Benue man or woman who has tasted the cool full lather taste of lager would consider codeine cough syrup something worth ingesting as a social cocktail). Over here at Minna the story is that enforcement for underground codeine dealings is so strict that erstwhile known dealers are prepared to forgo that extra cash slush for a little peace of mind. Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this state of affair seems rather discriminatory because the Senate has not acted with such alacrity with respect to compelling the President to halt the killings in Benue and other neighbouring states. There is nothing that straightens a faltering president faster than a threat of impeachment over incompetence in handling a case of national security whence foreign â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gaddafi-trained mercenariesâ&#x20AC;? would run amok in its hinterland and evoke comparisons with the Amalekites.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

17

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

POLITICS

APC Ward Congresses Leave S’East on the Edge The APC ward congresses held last weekend have further deepened the crisis rocking the party in the south-east, writes Christopher Isiguzo Except urgent effort is made to resolve the disputes arising from these congresses, the party’s fortune may take a turn for the worse at the next general election

T

he All Progressives Congress’ ward congresses across the country may have come and gone, but the exercise has clearly unmasked the deeprooted acrimony existing within the party especially in the south-east.

Though leaders and stakeholders of the party have continued to play down the obvious crisis rocking the party, the outcome of the congresses exposed in greater measure the battle within.

The leaders were sharply divided along individual interests. A pointer to what would happen manifested few days to the congress when some party leaders held a zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu and passed a vote of confidence on members of the National Working Committee led by the embattled National chairman, Chief John Oyegun as well as the party’s chairmen in the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. Though, the vote of confidence did not come easily as several party leaders clearly expressed their opposition, the outcome of the meeting sent direct signal to anti-Oyegun forces that removing him will be a hard nut to crack.

Despite the controversy that trailed the confidence vote, the pro-Oyegun group further took effective control of the party as they installed their loyalists at the ward level leaving other party leaders literally gasping for breath.

From Abia to Enugu to Anambra, Imo and Ebonyi, the story was the same; hijack of materials, parallel congresses and violence. But in all, it was crystal clear that Oyegun’s men did not leave anything to chance.

In Enugu, the ward congress went on smoothly with Oyegun’s men having the upper hand.

Some of these are the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, National Vice Chairman, South East, Emma Eneukwu, member of the Congress Planning Committee, Chief Baywood Ibe, State Chairman, Ben Nwoye, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, former governor, Senator Jim Nwobodo, among others.

However, the other group said to be loyal to former governor Adams Oshiomhole did not also give up as they hurriedly organised a parallel congress where they elected ward officials. Those in this camp in Enugu include, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeamah, Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former Secretary to Enugu State Government, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, among others.

While dismissing the entire exercise as totally flawed in view of the alleged exclusion of a significant part of party faithfuls in the state, the minister told newsmen that some persons for their selfish interest executed their plot without regards to the provisions of the party constitution.

He said that nomination forms were not made available to a good number of contestants, adding that there was a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise many.

“Our problem is that we were excluded from the process. I spoke to all the party leaders that this is what is happening. I do not want to accuse people in front of the media but I am just telling you what the situation was and what I did to contain it. When I noticed the flawed process and an attempt to disenfranchise many stakeholders, I immediately called a meeting as the leader of the party in the state.

“There were a lot of complaints that forms were not made available to all the intending contestants and this was a major problem. So when I called this meeting there was a large turnout and this point about lack of inclusion in the process was made by so many people. The understanding was that these forms had been given to only one or two people to distribute.

“There was a lot of agitation and I had a real fear that this election will be marred by violence. So I was very keen to avoid that at all costs,” he said.

Onyeama said that members of the party present at the meeting then decided to set up a monitoring mechanism in order not to disenfranchise a significant part of the party followership.

“I personally went to a number of wards to ensure there was a transparent process. So

APC Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso

we carried out those elections and they were peaceful and transparent,” he said, adding however that the committee sent from the party headquarters to monitor the congresses never contacted any of the eminent members of the party in the state.

“None of us met with that committee. So we were totally excluded from the process. But we thank God that at the end of the day we managed to ensure that there was peace and we went ahead to have our election processes.

I do not know whether the other people had theirs. We collated the results and will submit those results. I called all the major national party personalities and advised them that to avoid violence that the process should be cancelled and redone because it was flawed” he said.

Onyeama, however, said that since there was no formal announcement on the cancellation of the process, “ we decided as to contain the situation to go ahead and conduct the election.

“The processes were totally flawed. We were forced to carry out those congresses under those circumstances merely to avoid violence and our own congress was transparent,” Onyeama said.

But, the party chairman in the state, Dr Ben Nwoye accused the minister of been ignorant of the process of organising a congress, and therefore dismissed claims that there was parallel congress in the state.

“From reports available to us, Enugu organised the most peaceful congress in the country and anybody claiming that there was a parallel congress is engaging in wishful thinking.

The minister should stop instigating crisis in the state that made him. We worked for the president; the minister did not even vote for the president, he’s there at the pleasure of the president but we will not allow him to create problems for us, “ he said.

The story was largely the same in Anambra state where a group loyal to Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and Chief George Muoghalu had a field day dictating the pace. The group reportedly shut the door against the group controlled by the party’s

governorship candidate in last year’s election in the state, Dr Tony Nwoye.

A last minute attempt to possibly harmonise the process ended in a fiasco as Nwoye’s group vowed not to accept moves by Ngige and his team to hijack the entire exercise.

Nwoye reportedly told Ngige that he was usurping the functions of the congress committee by stating that ward congreses held on Saturday when they did not. “We have failed as a party because we do not have any position in Anambra, but It will not work for people to put this party in their pocket so that they can write election results in their houses. I will not let Ngige take the function of the panel.

We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress, and they just came here today (Sunday), whereas you are trying to tell us that elections have been held yesterday. How can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when there is a committee.

“As at 7pm on Saturday, people were being denied the forms because thy want to contest for positions, and what that means is that the forms have been given out to those they like.

We will not let that happen.”

In Ebonyi state, the crisis rocking the party deepened further following accusations and counter-accusations that trailed the ward congress.

The two factions held parallel ward congresses in all the 171 electoral wards across the state with the two factional chairmen Hon. Ben Nwaobasi and Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze holding sway One faction was loyal to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and governorship while the other was loyal to the party’s candidate in 2015 general election, Senator Julius Ucha.

Nwachukwu faction has the support of Onu while the Nwaobasi faction enjoys the support of Ucha.

While Nwaobasi faction reportedly conducted its congresses in all the wards, the Nwachukwu faction was at the factional party secretariat along Abalaiki/Afikpo road waiting for the

distribution of congress materials.

Nwaobasi however alleged that the sevenman committee led by Mr Ajayi Nicholas was hijacked by the group loyal to Onu. In Abia State, the exercise was inconclusive on Saturday as the two groups refused to cave in. While the state chairman, Donatus Nwamkpa with the backing of notable party leaders including former governor Orji Kalu, Dr Uche Ogah, Senator Chris Adighije and Stanley Ohajuruka, former Speaker of the House of Assembly among others united to take full control of party structure, the other group with Mr. Emma Ndukwe as chairman with the backing of Chief Ikechi Emenike offered stiff resistance.

This culminated in a truce meeting where it was resolved that the two groups must unite for the ward congress to hold.

The exercise eventually held on Sunday but not without the expected disagreements.

In Imo State, the only state under the control of the party in the South-east, the story is entirely different as some party leaders left nothing to imagination as to their determination to wrestle party structures from Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The move may not be unconnected with the governor’s endorsement of his son in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu to take over from him in 2019.

That decision has somewhat united known political opponents ahead of next year’s general election.

Among those who have come together to fight the governor include Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Ben Uwajimogu, party’s National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, Chief Jude Ejiogu and Prince Eze Madumere, the Deputy Governor.

Perhaps, the ward congress may have given an idea as to what to expect in the weeks ahead in the state as an attempt by the anti-Okorocha’s group said to be working for Oyegun to effectively cripple the governor met stiff resistance and this made it impossible for the congress to take place if reports from the governor’s camp is anything to go by.

The governor reportedly went out full blast to checkmate the well packaged onslaught put together by his political enemies. But, the other group still claims to have held the congresses and would not accept anything less.

A statement by Media Adviser to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa quoted PrMadumere as commending party members for successfully taking part in the congress despite efforts by agents of the state government to frustrate the exercise.

But, the governor ‘s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo said the governor had ordered the immediate arraignment of Mr. Ini Okori, who was supposed to supervise the congress but instead allegedly absconded on the orders of Izunaso. In a statement, Onwuemeodo accused Okori of sabotaging the exercise in the state and as such must be made to face the full weight of the law. The summary from the statement was that the congress did not take place in the state.

Except urgent effort is made to resolve the disputes arising from these congresses, the party’s fortune may take a turn for the worse at the next general election.

But for now, it does appear that Oyegun’s men are firmly in control of affairs.

18

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Deportation Gone Sour Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the ordeal of some Nigerians including children, who were illegally brought back by a Gabonese passenger vessel alongside deportees from other African countries

The merchant vessel arrested by the Nigerian Navy on Lagos waters

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hen Mrs. Esther Ike's husband bought valid tickets to board his wife and four kids on a Gabonese passenger/cargo vessel, MV CHIMBA EXPRESS, he had no inkling the fate that would befall them. Instead of being treated like paying passengers, they were lumped up with deportees from different countries, whom the vessel was chartered to illegally dump in Nigeria.

So, for six long days, Ike and her four children were subjected to the worse treatment ever imagined onboard the vessel.

Unlike when they left Nigeria to seek for greener pastures in Gabon, they returned with bitter tales.

Meanwhile, the returnees have decried the ill treatment that was meted out to them by the government of Gabon throughout their stay in the West African country.

Among the returnees were 40 Nigerian women and 10 children, who said they actually bought their valid ticket at Libreville, Gabon, with the intention of coming back home to visit their families and friends only to be lumped up with criminals who were being deported to their different countries for offense ranging from falsification of documents to robbery and drug trafficking.

Narrating her ordeal, Esther Ike, who lamented being subjected to harsh treatment through the six days journey said, "I travelled to Gabon in 2008 to join my husband along with my eldest daughter, Chisom. We reside in Libreville and my husband is a businessman.

"He owns a shop in Libreville and deals in foot wears. I had my three other children

in Gabon. The reason why my husband decided that we should come back home was that there is no good English school in Gabon.

"Aside, the ones available do not write WAEC. Aside, the Gabonese immigration is not friendly with foreigners, particularly

Among the returnees were 40 Nigerian women and 10 children, who said they actually bought their valid ticket at Libreville, Gabon, with the intention of coming back home to visit their families and friends only to be lumped up with criminals who were being deported to their different countries for offense ranging from falsiďŹ cation of documents to robbery and drug trafďŹ cking

Commodore Eyo, Commander NNS BEECROFT

when it has to do with a Nigerian. I have seen cases where they would corner a foreign national, beat him up and dump him or her inside their cell, which can be described as a rat hole, before sending them back to their country in the most dehumanising nature.

"This and other reasons were why we decided to relocate back to Nigeria. My

husband bought us valid ticket to travel back to Nigeria. Each ticket cost 180,000 CEFA, about N100,000 and my husband bought three tickets. We were told that the ship will take us to Calabar from where we will join bus to my home town in Imo State, only for me to realise later that we were going to be dumped along some deportees without food nor water."

Like Ike, like Joseph Emakpo, who hails from Warri, Delta State. Having lived in Gabon for 16 years, he decided to come back home because of the unfriendly conditions meted out to them by the Gabonese security agencies.

He alleged that the security agents, particularly the Gabonese Immigration officers see Nigerians as hustlers who came to snatch the little business opportunities open to them.

He said: "I lost all I earned the 16 years I stayed in Libreville. I am a stylist and I owned a flourishing salon. Most high profile persons in town of Libreville come to my salon to make their hair. I lost it in one day when the Gabonese immigration came to raid my shop under the guise that they were looking for something they carted away with my properties and threw me behind bars for days.

"When they could not find anything to hold me down with they set me free. When I came back my shop was gone with all my belongings. Yet not worried, I started off again by working as a stylist in a shop owned by a Gabonese. I decided to come back home when I suddenly discovered that the place holds no future for me.

"I got the greatest shock of my life, when after buying my ticket when I discovered

19

• T H I S D AY TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

FEATURES

Some of the returnees and deportees lumped together

that the Gabonese immigration had forced the ship crew that the only reason they would allow them go was force them to carry about 18 deportees. You can imagine a situation where children would be kept alongside criminals."

Tales of woe of deportees While admitting that they were actually deported from Gabon, some of the deportees however rejected the criminal tag labeled them. According to them, most of them were arrested because their documents had expired and not because of any crime, like the Gabonese authorities would want people to believe. One of the deportees, 29-year-old Adehun Sunday said he was arrested because his document had expired.

Sunday, who said he hails from Igbokoda in Ondo State, said his document expired in 2013 and that since then he had been trying to renew his document without any success.

He said: "The Nigerian Embassy in Gabon do not help matters also. They extort money from you any time you go to the embassy for renewal of international passport. I have lost everything I have worked for since I travelled to Gabon about 10 years ago. I will miss my children and my wife. They are not even aware that I have been deported."

Another deportee, Andrew Sunday, who said he hails from Abia State, said he travelled to Gabon about 17 years ago, adding that he was not a criminal but a welder.

He said: "I am a welder and not a criminal like the Gabonese Government would like to portray me. My international passport expired in January this year. I was arrested and kept behind bars for days before they finally decided to deport me."

The intricacies The attempted dumping of deportees from other African countries in Nigeria by the Gabonese vessels certainly boggled the mind of security operatives.

The 406 deportees onboard MV CHIMBA EXPRESS, were drawn from Mali, Niger,

Benin, Nigeria and Togo.

Although 18 were actually Nigerian deportees, the others, who were deported from different countries, were accused of offenses ranging from falsification of documents to robbery and drug trafficking.

The intricacies of the mind boggling action by these Gabonese vessel was that the arrangement was to depart Gabon laden with cargo, regular and deportee passengers of Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger and Malian nationalities, and arrive Benin Republic to disembark both regular and deportee passengers from Benin, Togo, Mali and Niger, thereafter proceed to Calabar to disembark Nigerian deportees, regular passengers and their cargoes.

They however did not do this, rather, they brought all of them to Lagos bar and attempted to dump them there.

The Navy's intervention When the vessel was intercepted, those onboard were already hungry as they had no food and water onboard. It took the intervention of the navy, who supplied provisions, foodstuffs, drinks and water to restore their already flagging spirits.

The relevant agencies, Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, Immigration, Customs and DSS will be working together to unravel the motives behind the whole affair as well as deal with other associated issues

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Okon Eyo, whose men intercepted the said vessel on Lagos waters, revealed that it departed Libreville, Gabon, on April 20, 2018.

He said, “MV CHIMBA EXPRESS is a cargo and passenger vessel that regularly traverses parts of West and Central Africa through countries such as Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Sao Tome and Principe among others.

“The vessel departed Gabon laden with cargo, regular and deportee passengers of Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger and Malian nationalities.

“The vessel was scheduled to arrive Benin to disembark both regular and deportee passengers from Benin, Togo, Mali and Niger, thereafter proceed to Calabar to disembark Nigerian deportees, regular passengers and their cargoes.

“However, in a twist of the event, the vessel arrived Lagos bar on April 25. The vessel had about 406 persons on-board from Togo, Benin, Niger, Mali and Nigeria. The total number of Nigerians on-board and whether or not the vessel did berth in Benin is yet to be confirmed, but will be determined shortly and among the Nigerians are 18 deported returnees."

Eyo said the charterer of the vessel identified as Mubashiu Lawal from Republic of Benin and some other agents, claimed that they had made contact with port control to get permission to come in, but nothing to that effect was seen by the navy.

He added, “This was yet to be granted as at the time of their arrest and it was also gathered that the international passports of the passengers were with the agents who claimed to be processing them.

“It was also obvious that there was no formal contact at governmental levels for the delivery of the deportees or returnees.

However, there is unconfirmed report that the Nigerian Embassy in Libreville was aware of the deportation."

The commander said efforts were made to determine the history-trail of the vessel, using the Regional Maritime Awareness

Capability (RMAC) which showed that it does not operate an active Automatic Identification System (AIS).

“Additionally, the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) obtained from the ships documents indicates that the vessel has no MMSI. However, when searched with the International Maritime Organisation number, the vessel’s identity was displayed as RAMADAN IV and classified as a passenger vessel registered in HONDURAS with a tonnage of about 677. This information about the class of the vessel and tonnage matched that of CHIMBA EXPRESS." Eyo who said that apart from the issue of unauthorised entry, which was the subject of investigation, the vessel was also in breach of absence of AIS. “MV CHIMBA EXPRESS’s gross tonnage is about 677 tonnes. The international law mandates vessel of more than 350 tonnages to install AIS on-board which shows it was operating in violation of the law.

MV CHIMBA EXPRESS visual identity was also found to be mismatched with its registered name which was identified as RAMADAN IV. “The ship document also shows that the ship was flagged at Cameroon as against the electronic documentation of registration in HONDURAS which is contrary to the provision of the International Maritime Act,” he said.

Eyo said it would be plausible to conclude that the vessel’s agenda was to dump the passengers in Nigeria, adding that it would have followed the original passage plan.

He also said that relevant agencies were working together to unravel and deal with the issues.

“To this end, the relevant agencies, Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, Immigration, Customs and DSS will be working together to unravel the motives behind the whole affair as well as deal with other associated issues."

Eyo further aded that sufficient armed men were deployed onboard, not to shoot them (passengers), but to ensure their security and the ship itself, till investigation was over.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; MAY 15, 2018

30

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Group Moves to Acquire Stake in Cellulant Obinna Chima The Rise Fund, a global impact investing fund managed by growth equity platform TPG Growth, yesterday announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire a stake in Cellulant, one of the leading digital payments provider that reaches 40 million people across 11 African countries.

The Rise Fund is investing alongside Endeavor Catalyst and Satya Capital.

The deal was described as the largest of its kind dedicated solely to Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fintech and payments space, competitively positioning Cellulant in a fast-growing sector where it already enjoys an early mover advantage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Across Africa, expanding easy-to-use and low cost mobile banking offers immense potential for impact, and Cellulant is at the leading edge of that work,â&#x20AC;? the CEO and co-founder of The Rise Fund, Bill McGlashan said.

McGlashan added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to invest in African entrepreneurs like Ken and

Bolaji to help them grow their businesses and expand their impact on society. Cellulant is a perfect partner for The Rise Fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first investment in Africa.â&#x20AC;?

Cellulantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital payments platform delivers connected, flexible payment options for consumers and businesses, and works with financial institutions, governments and mobile network operators to increase transparency and expand their reach in Africa.

Building on a business model that first debuted in Kenya and Nigeria in 2004, the company has since expanded its services across 11 African markets, including: Zambia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Liberia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cellulant occupies a unique position in the fintech ecosystem in Africa, with the potential to offer increased access, savings, and income to tens of millions of users across the continent,â&#x20AC;? the Managing Partner for TPG in Africa,Yemi Lalude explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As more and more smartphones come online across

Africa, Cellulant makes it easy for customers to increase their incomes.â&#x20AC;?

A statement explained that Cellulant offers the opportunity to create transformational growth for African economies by expanding financial inclusion on a continent where nearly two-thirds of the population do not have a bank account.

This includes easy-to-access digital payment solutions, interoperable financial services, and mobile banking solutions that can help the unbanked open accounts, cut fees, and save for the future, as well as helping farmers and small and medium sized business owners expand their reach through improved financial services.

More than 94 per cent of Cellulantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customer base was previously unbanked before they signed up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this new capital and as part of our scaling up strategy, we are leveraging on the growing mobile penetration trend in Africa to broaden our reach and extend our payments ecosystem across the continent.

Sigma Pensions Appoints Chairman, New Board Members Nume Ekeghe The Board of Sigma Pensions has announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Collier as the new Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

This followed the retirement of the previous Chairman, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, who held this position since 2005.

Collierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment came at a time the organisation was implementing its strategic business objective for 2020, which heralds a firm outlook for business growth and transformation.

Collier has been a nonexecutive Board member of the company for over two years, and his appointment as Chairman, according to the firm, provides continuity in its newly restructured board as it seeks to build and take advantage of new and developing opportunities.

Collier is an experienced nonexecutive Director, entrepreneur and business leader with a track record in both developing

and building winning financial services companies.

He has a rare mix of business, strategic, sales and marketing, people and financial management skills.

As a non-executive Director, he serves on the boards of both publicly quoted and privately held financial services companies in India, South Africa, Nigeria, Indonesia and up until recently, Brazil.

Welcoming him to the board, the Managing Director, Dave Uduanu said Sigma Pensions was privileged to have such a highly skilled professional with extensive business and leadership experience as Collier to chair the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board.

He added that Collierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth of experience would be invaluable to the company as it works towards achieving its strategic objectives.

In response, Collier said he was honoured to have been appointed to chair the board of Sigma Pensions, adding that he was quite impressed with the performance of the management team at Sigma Pensions

and was looking forward to a successful implementation of the corporate strategy.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am looking forward to working with the Board and Management of Sigma Pensions in my capacity as Chairman and I am quite confident that we will work collectively as a team to achieve our goals for 2020 and beyond.â&#x20AC;?

The board also welcomed Mr. Obafunmilayo Agusto and Mr. Afolabi Afolayan who joined as an Independent non-executive Director and Executive Director, Operations respectively.

Agusto has a deep understanding of the Nigerian Financial System, the Capital Markets and the major domestic Investment Asset Classes.

He worked in Audit and Business Advisory at Arthur Anderson, now KPMG and currently is Managing Director of IBFCAlliance Limited.

Also, Afolayan was CEO of Securities Africa Financial Limited and Executive Director /Chief Investment Officer of a Life Insurance Company.

Group Supports Lagos Entrepreneurs Martins IďŹ jeh As part of efforts to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs in Lagos State and legal practitioners, the Do It Yourself Law (DIYLaw) has provided free legal consultations to traders in Alade Market in Ikeja.

The group said the gesture was part of its sensitisation exercise to Nigerian entrepreneurs on how to do their business registrations, contract enforcements, debt recovery and even how to access lawyers, all by themselves.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Market Circuit, a corporate social responsibility of DIYLaw, a co-Founder of the organisation, Odunoluwa

Longe, listed challenges faced by entrepreneurs to include legal issues, adding that majority of them do not know they need lawyers to help tackle such challenges.

In addition, he pointed out that the entrepreneurs could settle many legal issues even in the comfort of their homes without going out in search of lawyers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why we have come to Alade Market to talk to them, hear their legal challenges, and in turn provide best advices on how best to tackle them,â&#x20AC;? she added.

She said some business operators hold the notion that lawyers are too expensive and inaccessible,

saying that the interface with the entrepreneurs put to rest such myths.

Longe also explained that DIYLaw has a web platform where Nigerians can settle many legal issues without meeting lawyers to facilitate them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, from our website, you can print out contract agreements, and so on. These contracts are done in a way that they are fair to all parties involved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have directory of lawyers on the platform where Nigerians can access lawyers for their legal services,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Other co founders of DIYLaw are Bola Olonisakin and Funkola Odeleye.

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&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

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&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT FRIDAY MAY 11, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $74.42 a barrel on Friday, compared with $74.46 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

31

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

MARKET NEWS

NSE Sheds N125bn on Continuing Bearish Trading Goddy Egene The equities market capitalisation went down

by N124.9 billion yesterday as bearish trading continued on the Nigerian bourse. The market had shed 0.48 per cent last week due to profit taking in bellwether stocks.

While it was expected that trading might resume on positive on bargain hunting, the bears remained in control.

Consequently, market capitalisation fell by N124.9 billion to close at N14.7 trillion, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.84 per cent to close lower at 40,677.61. However, activity level was mixed as volume of shares traded grew 2.0 per cent to 218.8 million shares while value of shares traded dipped by 47.3 per cent to N2.2 billion.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

In all, 32 stocks lost value while only 11 stocks appreciated. C & I Leasing Plc led the laggards with 9.3 per cent trailed by First Aluminium Nigeria Plc with 8.8 per cent. Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc shed 7.5 per cent, just as Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Oando Plc, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc and Diamond Bank Plc depreciated by 5.0 per cent, 4.9 per cent, 4.8 per cent

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

and 4.7 per cent respectively.

Diamond Bank Plc last Friday recorded a loss of N9.011 billion for the year 2017 financial year while its PAT for first quarter in 2018 fell by 82 per cent to N784 million, from N5.049 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

On the positive side, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc led the price gainers with 4.9 per

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

cent, followed by Sterling Bank Plc with 3.8 per cent.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc chalked up 3.5 per cent, while FCMB Group Plc and Cutix Plc went up by 3.5 per cent, and 3,2 per cent in that order.

Analysts at SCM Capital Limited said: In the interim, we see a mixed sentiment albeit with a bearish bias.

However, we maintain that the current valuation

O F

provides attractive entry opportunity.â&#x20AC;?

On a sectoral basis, four sectors closed lower while only the NSE Oil & Gas Index flat. The NSE Insurance Index led laggards, down 1.7 per cent, trailed by the NSE Consumer Goods Index with 1.6 per cent. The NSE Banking Index and NSE Industrial Goods Index shed 0.4 per cent and 0.2 per cent in that order.

0 9 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

20

IMAGES

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

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

NTIC scholarsship awardees 2018, 15th edition of its National Maathematics Competition in Abuja...recently

Consumer Connections Manager, Ms. Jumoke Okikiolu; Marketing Manager, Hero Lager Mr. Obumneke Okoli; Marketing Director, Mr. Arne Rust, all of International Breweries, PIc; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Afred Achebe; and Business Unit President, International Breweries Plc, Annabelle Degroot; during the knighting of a new Red Crown Cork and the title “Mmanya Ejiri Mara” on Hero Lager Beer, at the King’s Courtyard, Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha...recently

Controller ,Lagos ,Oluwole Akinyosoye [third from left ] launching a safety manual for LPG operations as part of NIPCO Plc safety week celebrations flanked from left by DGM HR/ADMIN ,NIPCO ,John Okpeku .Managing Director ,NIPCO ,Sanjay Teotia and AD Operations, DPR Lagos Zone ,Tambuwal Zarumi at the launching in Lagos...recently

L-R; President of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Nick Parker; and President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria [ICAN], Alhaji Isma’ila M.Zakari, during the signing of MoU between the two lnstitutes in Lagos...recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Managing Partner, Zenera Consulting, Mr. Meka Olowola; Deputy Director, Programme, New Nigeria Foundation, Layide Adesanya; Chief Excutive Officer,Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd, Mr. Ladi Bada; Executive Director, CSR -in- Action/Convener, Sustainability in the Exractive Industries (SITEI), Bekene Masade; and Chairman, Solid Mineral Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Otunba Babatunde Alatise, at the media presentation on 7th SITEI conference in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R:Group Managing Director/ CEO, GDL Asset Management, Mr. Kolawole Ayeye; Group Compliance/ Risk Management, Mr. Peter Shodipo;Group Head, Asset Management, Mr. Henry Ogbuaku; and Group Head, Treasury, Ofonama Joshua, at the media briefing on the unveiling of GdL growth, development and strategy in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R; Treasurer, Photojournalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN), Lagos Branch, Olasupo Kola; Chairman, PJAN, Demola Akinlabi; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Qasim Akinreti; CEO, Modion Communications, Odion Aleobua and Head of Commercial Retail, Leadway Assurance, Tunji Amokade, during the presentation of personal accident insurance cover by Modion Communications in partnership with Leadway Assurance for 100 PJAN members at Modion Communications Office in Maryland, Lagos ...recently.

21

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 2.83 3.33

A P R I L

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

4 ,

S & P INDEX

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

2.83 4.67 5.17

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

2 0 1 8 EXCHANGE RATE

360.96 -0.29% 0.10% 4.32% 9.56%

N305.20/1US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes ExxonMobil Invests N13bn in A’Ibom ExxonMobil affiliate, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/ Mobil Producing Nigeria Joint Venture, has announced plans to invest up to N13 billion ($43 million) in three community health, economic empowerment and education projects in Akwa Ibom State in the next 18 months.

These investments amount to one of the largest community investments by any company in Nigeria.

The three projects include a technical skills centre in Ikot Akata, a trauma centre at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and an engineering complex at the University of Uyo. “These investments will provide long-term health, education and economic benefits to many in our communities,” said chairman and managing director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. Paul McGrath.

“We continue to work closely with the government of the Akwa Ibom State as part of our commitment to communities where we operate and helping to improve quality of life,” he added.

CSR-in-Action Hosts SITEI 2018

NIGERIA DREAM BEYOND OIL

L-R: MD, Bank of Industry, Mr. Kayode Pitan; Men’s Coordinator, RCCG Region 19, Pastor Amos Emovon; Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, PIC Region 19, Pastor Brown Oyitso and ED & Co-founder, Sahara Group, Mr. Tony Cole at the RMF Region 19 Men’s Conference on the Nigeria Dream Beyond Oil, held in Lagos …recently

DBN Gets CBN’s Approval, Partners W’Bank on Credit Guarantees FG, NSIA, AfDB EIB now Bank’s owners Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended its regulatory approval to the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to enable the development finance institution (DFI) put in place a risk-sharing module that would define its transactions with partner financial institutions.

DBN’s Managing Director/ CEO, Mr. Anthony Okpanachi, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja, weekend, said that the Bank’s management is already synergising with the World Bank for consultants to put the structures in place.

ECONOMY According to him, although the wholesale development bank is yet to implement its risk-sharing model, the CBN had already given the regulatory approval.

It is also now confirmed that with the new equity shareholders—the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which recently invested $50 million and $20 million respectively, the DBN is now owned by the Federal Government, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and EIB.

Okpanachi stated that AfDB and EIB had effectively funded the investment, adding that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had approved the basis of allotment of shares.

“As we speak, effectively they have funded the investment in the Development Bank of Nigeria. So, they are now shareholders in the Development Bank of Nigeria.

The $50 million from African Development and $20 million European Investment Bank are already in the system. Now, the Bank is owned by the Federal Government, NSIA, African Development Bank and

European Investment Bank.”

Giving further insight into the risk-sharing module, Okpanachi disclosed that a risk-sharing arm would be established as a subsidiary of DBN, stressing that the Bank’s management is already working with the World Bank for consultants to put the structures in place.

He said: “We have not started that, though we have gotten the regulatory approval to set it up. It’s going to be a subsidiary of the Development Bank of Nigeria and we have started working with the World Bank Continued on page 22

Absence of Policy Framework Threatens Extractive Industries Sector Ejiofor Alike The Chairman of Mining and Solid Minerals Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Alatise has raised the alarm that the absence of effective policy in Nigeria’s mining sector and the obsolete Mining Act of 1964, which governs explosives, are threatening operations in the extractive industries sector.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos at the weekend, Alatise also said the absence of effective template for community engagement had the potential to fuel

ENERGY crisis as different communities make frivolous demands.

He argued that states are discouraging legal miners as a result of lack of proper framework for mining.

“Now, Lagos State government banned legal sand miners from operating. Why - because of environmental issues, which are very important. You can’t take away that. But if you have a situation where legal miners are being banned, what do you say to the illegal miners that are working but do not even

go to Abuja for documents? So, what am I trying to say? We want to get rid of the illegal miners but we are making it hard for the legal miners – basically opening the door for the proliferation of explosives because the moment you don’t have a proper framework for mining and illegal mining is thriving and you are making it hard for legal miners to go through the processes of going to Abuja, digging up documents, paying all sorts of crazy money to get their license only for the state government to stop you,” he explained.

Alatise acknowledged the need for states to generate revenues but added that there should be clear rules of engagement.

“The states have their own agenda. Fair enough, we want the states to generate revenues but there has to be clear rules of engagement. A state cannot be an operator and also a regulator,” he added.

In the international scene, Alatise added that the wars ravaging parts of Africa were partly caused by conflicts asContinued on page 22

Foremost sustainability consulting and advocacy outfit, CSR-in-Action Advocacy, in partnership with the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMPR), Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), have announced the 7th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference and Exhibition.

Discussions at SITEI 2018 themed ‘Managing Conflict and Security in the Extractive Industries’ will revolve around creating awareness about the causes, impact and management of conflict in Nigeria’s extractive sector so as to maximise the potential inherent in the sector. Discussions are also meant to inspire the government to develop and implement strong legal and regulatory frameworks for conflict and security management in the oil and gas and mining sector.

The two-day event, which will hold in Abuja on May 21 and 22, is structured to focus on various aspects of the extractive industries. Day One will focus on the Oil and Gas sector.

Amongst several activities, there will be an open dialogue with Minister for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and panel sessions on re-assessing the 12-point agenda to end militancy in the Niger Delta, and panel discussions including one on ‘Pathways for natural resource management and conflict prevention – people, environment and infrastructure’.

Trump Cancels Plutonium Power Project The Trump administration plans to kill a project it says would have cost tens of billions of dollars to convert plutonium from Cold War-era nuclear bombs and burn it to generate electricity, according to a document it sent to Congress last week.

The Department of Energy submitted a document on May 10 to Senate and House of Representative committees saying that the Mixed Oxide (MOX) project at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina would cost about $48 billion more than $7.6 billion already spent on it. The United States has never built a MOX plant.

Instead of completing MOX, the administration, like the Obama administration before it, wants to blend the 34 tonnes of deadly plutonium - enough to make about 8,000 nuclear weapons - with an inert substance and bury it underground in a New Mexico’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Burying the plutonium would cost about $19.9 billion, according to the document, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

“So, if they ask you what change means to tanker drivers, please tell them that it means the return of contractors to access roads to petroleum depots”

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola

22

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY , APRIL 15, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

DBN GETS CBN’S APPROVAL, PARTNERS W’BANK ON CREDIT GUARANTEES

Power Sector Records N163.9bn Loss in First 131days of 2018

to get the consultants to put the structure in place. It is our projection that towards the end of the year or early next year, the credit guaranty should come on board.”

Okpanachi, who also spoke on DBN’s efforts to de-risk the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) and providing capacity to primary financial institutions (PFIs), said these were ongoing, adding that a section known as ‘project implementation unit’ is already in the Ministry of Finance.

“That is also ongoing. If you recall that we have a unit with the ministry called the project implementation unit, the idea is to have different units handling the capacitybuilding issues so that we are not distracted from the core mandate of lending and they have sent out RFPs (request for proposals) expression of interest for consultants to come in and the process is on-going,” stated.

He revealed that besides the three microfinance banks, including Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc, LAPO Microfinance Bank limited, and NPF Microfinance Bank Plc , which were engaged in November last year as pilot PFIs partnering the DBN for on-lending to MSMEs, some commercial banks are also already working with the DBN.

A data of the power sector’s operations obtained from the Advisory Power Team in the Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has shown that the power sector lost N163.944 billion in the first 131 days of 2018- January 1 to May 11.

This is coming as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said it would not take the current rainy season as an excuse from operators in Nigeria’s power sector for any case of electricity accidents in the country, stating that it would not hesitate to penalise any of them whose operations result to such accidents. According to the data, the estimated amount lost to insufficient gas supply, distribution, transmission and water reserves in the first 131 days of 2018 is N163, 944,000,000.

The report showed that the country’s power sector has continued to record massive losses in its operations owing to various operational constraints which include inadequate gas supplies, poor distribution and transmission facilities, as well as water reserves management.

“On May 11, 2018, average power sent out was 3,798MWh/hour (up by 522.32MWh/h from the previous day). 2,107MW was not generated due to unavailability of gas, 40MW was not generated due to unavailability of transmission infrastructure, while 1,084MW was not generated due to high frequency

ABSENCE OF POLICY FRAMEWORK THREATENS EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES SECTOR

sociated with solid minerals.

Alatise noted that what saved Nigeria from similar war was the country’s focus on oil and gas, otherwise Nigeria would have been plunged into crisis if it had focused on the mining sector.

According to him, the problems in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have to be resolved before the country opens up the mining sector.

He said a lot of things had gone wrong with the mining sector, citing the obsolete Act governing explosives, which was enacted in 1964.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

Chineme Okafor in Abuja

resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure. The power sector lost an estimated N1, 551,000,000 (One Billion Five Hundred and Fifty One Million Naira) on May 11, 2018 due to insufficient gas supply, distribution infrastructure and transmission infrastructure,” said the report.

In a related development, NERC in a statement from its head of public affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi, in Abuja, explained that in line with

its mandate to ensure that electricity is produced and consumed in strict observance of the electricity industry’s health and safety standards, it has noted the impact of rainstorms on electricity installations especially with the onset of the rainy season and would want operators to live up to their responsibilities in this regards. It stated that the seasonal natural disruptions occasioned by the rainy season has further imposed on the

industry operators additional responsibilities to operate in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of their licence and health and safety standards in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

According to it: “Electricity generation, transmission and distribution companies are by this statement reminded of their responsibilities to be on the alert and clear faults along their lines and installations as when and when due as claim of natural

disaster will not serve as tenable defence to avert sanctions in instances of accidents.

NERC advised consumers of electricity to report damaged and vandalism of electric installation at the nearest service or business units of their electricity distribution companies to avert loss of lives and property.

The agency noted that it was committed to ensure that quality electricity is supplied across the country in safe and reliable processes.

STRATEGISING ON BANKING

L-R: Secretary General, ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Oguntuyi; Chief Risk Officer, Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Dimiri Dike; Vice Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Banking Commission, Dr. Omolara Akanji; Chairman, ICC, Nigeria Banking Commission, Dr. Raymond Ihyembe and Head, International Services, Nneka Oshobi, during the Banking Techniques and Practice meeting, hosted by Heritage Bank Plc at its office, in Lagos… recently

CIBN Seeks Speedy Passage of FSS 2020 Bills Obinna Chima The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has called on the Senate to urgently pass the Financial System Strategy (FSS 2020) Bills into law in order to promote financial inclusion and strengthen electronic payment system in the country.

The CIBN President/ Chairman of Council, Prof.

Segun Ajibola, was quoted in a statement on Monday to have made the demand during a recent visit by the institute to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The CIBN boss explained that the quick passage of Nigeria International Financial Centre Bill, Financial Consumer Protection Bill, and the Electronic Transactions Bill are critical to the implementation of FSS 2020.

He commended the level of work done by the Senate, including the passage of the collateral securities into law, passage of 15 other major economic bills passed to law, the review of about 50 existing extant laws and exemplary leadership skills shown by the Senate President.

He thanked Saraki for his exemplary leadership in getting the eight Assembly to pass legislations, which he said had positively impacted on the financial sector.

This, Ajibola said, had in no small measure enhanced the recovery and resilience of Nigeria’s economy.

He also praised the legisla-

tion establishing the Collateral Registry.

He also disclosed that the CIBN will be approaching the NASS to amend its extant law, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria Act No. 5 of 2007, in order to further strengthen its capacity to deliver on its statutory mandate.

He said the Body of Bank’s Chief Executive Officers, a committee of the Governing Council of the CIBN on March 27, 2018 unveiled the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, deposit money banks, licensed mobile money operators and super agents.

The institute, he added, had also worked closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in carrying out a national survey on the possible adoption of cryptocurrency (particularly Bitcoin) as a legal medium of exchange in the country.

The CIBN plays a prominent role as the Chair of the Global Banking Education Standards Board (GBEStB) and a member of the Education Standards Committee. The GBEStB is a voluntary, industry-led initiative which aims to develop clear, internationally agreed standards for the education of Professional Bankers.

Also speaking at the event, Director-General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha, informed the Senate President that she had presented a letter addressed to the Senate President on the Bills.

She explained that in December 2017, the CBN along with other financial sector regulatory institutions held a Strategy Review after 10 years of implementation of FSS2020 initiatives and transformation

plans.

The review realised that there were critical legislation that would have created an optimal legislative environment for implementation of the initiatives and transformation plans.

In his response, Saraki said the Senate under his leadership had passed several bills geared towards strengthening the financial sector for the overall growth of the economy.

‘Off-grid Solar Solutions Critical to Survival of Nigeria’s Power Sector’ Ejiofor Alike Stakeholders who gathered in Lagos at the recent inauguration of the off-grid solar power solutions for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) by Tellco Europe Nigeria, have identified off-grid solar power as the panacea to Nigeria’s energy deficits.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of TellCo Europe Nigeria and former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wale Omole argued that Nigeria can solve her energy crisis through renewable energy.

“Renewable energy is an inextricable growing pathway of the future supply mix now disparagingly needed for Nigeria, without which future sustainable economic growth and development will be a mirage,” he said.

“It is sad to note that, significant amount of the economy is continually powered largely by small-scale generators (10–15 Gigawatts) and more than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population

have limited or no access to the grid. Most citizens of this country, power their businesses and homes, depending on fossil fuel at a frightening cost of nearly $14 billion or N5 trillion yearly, with added negative public health and other socio-economic hazards!” he added.

Omole noted that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had acknowledged the need for the development of robust off-grid alternatives to complement the grid network.

“Tellco Europe Nigeria is unveiling our strategic roadmap for up-scaling the powering of MSMEs – the engine room of economic transformative growth and development, beyond the 30 per cent scenario, through our well-tested off-grid solutions that are programmed to unlock a never yet seen scale of massive powering of this sector in a most efficient, affordable (pocket friendly) and sustainable manner,” Omole added.

In his address, the Managing Director of Tellco Europe Nigeria, Dr Victor Fodeke said

with about 100 million Nigerians and 80 per cent of schools in darkness, there was the need for an efficient alternative source of energy, which he said Tellco Europe Nigeria provides.

He said the technology would help eliminate global warming and improve Nigerians’ health.

“Where power is lacking, development takes the back stage. With Tellco Europe and Tellco Europe Nigeria, Nigeria is telling the world that Africa is ending energy poverty,” he said. He said solar powered energy systems were not being well used in Nigeria because of the poor quality of available products.

“We are blazing the trail with the right technology that is affordable and pocket-friendly.

You’re going to see the lighting up of Africa, which will no longer be referred to as the dark continent,” he said.

Also speaking, the Cofounder of Tellco Switzerland, Dr. Omar Fischer said the solar power units were affordable, and were designed to empower the local communities.

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

23

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Tackling Insecurity in the Niger Delta Shell’s payment of $4.32 billion to the Nigerian government in 2017, despite the closure of the 400,000 barrels per day capacity Forcados Oil Terminal, has clearly demonstrated the potentially huge earnings in Nigeria’s oil sector if security challenges are fully addressed, Ejiofor Alike reports Insecurity of crude oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta has remained a major risk peculiar to Nigeria’s operating environment, which has continued to drive the costs of oil and gas projects in the country above the global benchmark.

With persisting incidents of criminality, kidnapping, onshore and offshore piracy, as well as vandalism of oil and gas assets, Nigeria has become a high-risk environment where individual operators are forced to provide their own security with its attendant cost premium, which falls outside the companies’ direct sphere of influence.

Other cost drivers such as overregulation, bureaucracy and absence of infrastructure have compounded the problem of insecurity to drive the costs of oil and gas projects in Nigeria above global average.

According to a study by the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), insecurity in the Niger Delta created a Nigeria-specific cost premium for the petroleum sector, with operating costs and projects costs significantly higher than in other countries by as much as 100 per cent.

In the OPTS report titled: “Nigeria Cost Premium and Drivers: Petroleum Sector,” the producers had stated that they spent five times more on security than their global peers, with a large chunk of expenditure on security services such as escort vessels, convoys and guards.

The report added that the companies also rely on costly transportation options for personnel and goods, such as helicopter transport and aviation as a result of the insecurity of Nigeria’s waterways, resulting in a cost premium of between 15 per cent and 65 per cent for operating costs, and 35 per cent and 100 per cent for costs of projects.

“Operational costs are impacted by incessant militant attacks and sabotage, illegal bunkering, piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery. In June 2016, production dropped to its lowest level in 20 years following a series of attacks on petroleum producing assets, including the Forcados pipeline, Escravos 24-inch gas pipeline, and Qua Iboe export line,” said the report.

The report added that security incidents fuels unforeseen costs and losses such as unplanned expenditure for emergency repairs arising from attacks and vandalism, as well as deferral of production and loss of income for the government and the operators as a result of disruption of operations.

On average, the report said about 400,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day was deferred in 2016 as a result of security challenges.

However, with the efforts pioneered by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, there has not been any major attack on crude oil pipelines by the Niger Delta militants since November 2016 when the Niger Delta Avengers last bombed the Forcados pipeline.

But the security environment in the oil and gas-producing region has remained volatile with day-to-day crude theft continuing unabated.

In its 2018 briefing notes, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) also identified insecurity in parts of the Niger Delta as a major challenge, stressing that the security situation remains volatile in the region.

Despite the absence of major attack since 2016, Shell still recorded a loss of about 9,000 barrels of oil a day in 2017 to crude oil theft, which is more than the approximate 6,000 barrels per day in 2016 but less than 25,000 bpd in 2015. The number of sabotage-related spills in 2017 also increased to 62 compared to 48 in 2016 but less than 94 in 2015.

According to the oil major, the increase in 2017 can in part be explained by the militantinduced shutdown of the Forcados export terminal in 2016, which reduced opportunities for third party interference.

Indeed after three sabotage incidents in 2016,

Soldiers destroying illegal refinery beginning with the subsea bombing of the Trans-Foracdos Pipeline by the Niger Delta Avengers in February, 2016, the operations at the SPDC’s Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) was disrupted until late May 2017 when repairs to the export pipeline were completed.

Apart from the attack on the Forcados pipeline, the facilities operated by both indigenous and international oil and gas companies were also vandalised by attacks and other illegal activities such as crude oil theft.

This led to lower oil and gas production in 2016 particularly for oil producers and a loss of revenue for the federal government and disruptions to gas supply to power electricity for industry, businesses and public-sector services.

Huge revenues in oil and gas sector Apart from the shutdown of Forcados export terminal, sabotage-related oil spill incidents in SPDC’s facilities also rose to 62, from 48

In June 2016, production dropped to its lowest level in 20 years following a series of attacks on petroleum producing assets, including the Forcados pipeline, Escravos 24-inch gas pipeline, and Qua Iboe export line

recorded in 2016, according to Shell’s Sustainability Report 2017 However, the volume of crude oil spilled fell to 1,400 tonnes, from 3,900 tonnes in 2016 Also, Shell’s operational spills in Nigeria rose by one to nine in 2017, but the volume of oil spilled fell to 100 tonnes from 300 tonnes in 2016, according to the report.

The report further revealed that theft and sabotage account for 90 per cent of the oil spills in the Niger Delta.

But despite these gloomy pictures of insecurity in the Niger Delta, the Royal Dutch Shell Plc paid $4.32 billion to the Nigerian Government in 2017, representing an increase of 19 per cent from the $3.64 billion the oil giant paid in 2016.

The Shell’s Sustainability Report 2017 showed that the $4.32 billion paid to Nigeria was the highest paid by the oil giant to any government in the 29 countries covered by the report.

Shell said the report includes payments to governments made by Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings. The company however, added that payments made by entities over which Shell has joint control are excluded from this report.

The report also excludes payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to -liquids activities. The multinational oil firm said in the report that out of the $4.32 billion paid in 2017, $3.197 billion was paid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for production entitlement.

The payments include production entitlements, which are the host government’s share of production in the reporting period derived from projects operated by Shell.

Production entitlements also include the government’s share as a sovereign entity or through its participation as an equity or interest holder in projects within its sovereign jurisdiction (home country).

The payments also include taxes paid by Shell on its income, profits or production, which include resource severance tax, and petroleum resource rent tax, including those settled by a government on behalf of Shell under a tax-paid concession.

The report also showed that crude oil theft from pipelines of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) increased by 50 per cent, to roughly 9,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2017

from 6,000 bpd in 2016.

The report further added that SPDC also “made $10 million available” in 2017 to help set up the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), a government-led body to clean up contaminated sites Despite the enormous security challenges, the oil giant to pay $4.32 billion to the Nigerian Government in 2017, which represents 19 per cent increase from the $3.64 billion paid in 2016.

Apart from the Forcados attacks that impacted Shell’s production, other oil giants also suffered production and revenue losses as Chevron’s Escravos 24-inch gas pipeline, and ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe export line were also heavily impacted.

The payment of $4.32 billion by Shell in the face of insecurity of assets and manpower were clear indications that the country would have earned much higher from the international oil companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian independent producers if the security challenges had been tackled.

Targeting zero oil theft To boost crude oil production and revenues accruing to the Nigerian government, the various tiers of government, host communities and the operating companies should collaboratively tackle insecurity to achieve zero oil theft. Although, the 9,000 barrels per day lost to theft by Shell in 2017 was an improvement to the 25,000 bpd lost in 2015, the loss of production to theft by producing companies is largely peculiar to the Nigerian operating environment.

Indeed, the federal government and the companies have made a lot of efforts to curb destructive attacks on oil and gas assets, as well as personnel but crude oil theft has continued unabated.

To the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, the companies will only experience a relief when crude oil theft is reduced to zero.

“In terms of volume, it is correct to say that it has come down but 9,000 bpd is still too much. So, we have to keep the pressure on until we get to a stage where all the oil remains in the pipeline until it gets to the terminals,” he said.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

15.05.2018

SENATE HAS POWER TO SUMMON THE IG

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

2/DASHBOARD

15.05.2018

Proliferation of Issues for Determination: Whether Court can Reframe Issues PAGE 4

71 Years After, Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors Unveils New Logo PAGE 5

Catholic Lawyers Urged to Discharge their Professional Obligations PAGE 5

NBA Honours Agomoh, Veteran Prison Activist PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘The persistent refusal is a great danger to our democracy. Therefore, the Senate resolved to declare the Inspector General of Police as an enemy of democracy, and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria.’

– Dr Bukola Saraki, Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria

‘While I wish the President well and a quick recovery, as a nation, these medical trips by the President and the rich, exposes our country to ridicule....I can even go further to say, it is discriminatory and illegal, for anybody to use public funds to treat himself, while the majority of Nigerians are dying in public hospitals that are not maintained.’

– Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Activist

‘The judgement has taught everybody their responsibilities. They cannot exceed their duties. They cannot discipline a Legislator for more than 14 days, and they must follow due process....The implication is that, the Senator goes back to the Senate with immediate effect. The suspension has been lifted....”

– Charles Onyere, Legal Practitioner and Counsel to Senator Ovie Omo- Agege

DOA Dialogues with Stakeholders on Telecoms, Media and Technology Law PAGE 6

‘Every Lawyer Must be Focused and Willing to Learn’ PAGE 6

The Failure of the Justice Delivery Process in Nigeria PAGE 7

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

/3

The Retiree’s Pains

T

Pa Olowojero wo Sundays ago, I cried myself to sleep, and when I woke up the next morning, I felt absolutely depressed. Before I went to bed the night before, I had watched a news clip on Channels TV, which featured 70 year Kamarudeen Olowojero, a Retiree of Federal Ministry of Works, here in Lagos, who had worked there as a Gardener for 30 years or so. According to the news report, he was compulsorily retired with some others in 2007. Pa Olowojero claimed that while on the job, some particles fell into his eyes and he became partially blind; due to lack of funds, he was unable to get adequate medical care, which eventually resulted in him losing his sight completely. He has no wife or children, and his family has deserted him because the ‘wahala’ is too much. He lives in squalor, in the most deplorable conditions, and is also afflicted with Tuberculosis. He was never paid his gratuity by the Federal Government, nor has he been paid his pension. He has now resorted to begging on the streets.

This is the plight of many Pensioners; some of which, were also carrying placards to protest non-payment of their entitlements in the same news clip.

Main Reasons for My Depression: Untold Hardship While Pa Olowojero was narrating his ordeal, he burst into tears, and so did I! He stated unequivocally, that he was really suffering.

The reasons for my depression are two-fold.

First, the pitiable, terrible condition that Pa Olowojero and many Pensioners like him find themselves, after serving this nation in one capacity or the other. They have been deserted by their extended families, and in some cases, by their spouses and children, and so they are lonely and living in abject poverty, old and weak with no one to care for them. I am sure that, given the opportunity, many of them would choose the “Death with Dignity” option, instead of continuing to exist in such undignified, humiliating, painful and miserable conditions. What a shame!

Crime Against Humanity The second reason for my depression is, what kind of successive Governments have we had (present company included) in this country? What kind of people are they? The issue of Pensioners not being paid their due, is not a new one. I remember that there was a Military Pay office that was situated on Ruxton Road, Ikoyi. In the 1990’s, Military Pensioners would camp outside on the road for days, in make shift tents, come rain or shine, trying to collect their Pensions. While Members of the National Assembly and some Government Institutions are living the life of the rich and famous on their exorbitant salaries, and those like Maina accused of stealing billions of Pensioners funds, are reinstated in their jobs, instead of being prosecuted to the

fullest extent of the law, the old and helpless are deprived of their meagre entitlements, and left to go through horrendous suffering.

It is a crime against humanity, committed

by Government!

Aside from being a crime against humanity, it is a strong fuel for corruption. Many civil servants do not want to suffer the same fate as people like Pa Olowojero in their old age, and since they know it is more than likely that this will be their fate, if they have to depend on gratuities etc on retirement, what with Government never paying timeously and always owing pensions, they take the bull by the horn, and resort to corrupt and fraudulent means, to secure themselves for their old age.

Constitutional Provisions While Section 173 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) makes provisions for the payment of gratuities and pensions for public servants (Section 173(2) specifically provides inter alia, that such payments shall not be withheld), Section 34(1) of the Constitution provides that “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly – (a) no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, because without payment of their entitlement, this is what many Nigerian Pensioners are being subjected to, degrading and inhuman treatment, like Pa Olowojero who has resorted to being a beggar in his old age and condition, since they have no means of livelihood.

Section 17(3)(f) of the Constitution also makes it a directive and objective for the State to protect children and the aged against “any exploitation whatsoever, and against moral and material neglect”. I further submit that, the Nigerian State is subjecting her Pensioners to material neglect, by failing to meet its financial obligations to them.

I will not go as far as comparing us with places like the UK, where the Government provides decent Old People’s Homes and so on, to care for the aged. While I was in Boarding School in England, most of us registered as Volunteers, to visit the Old People’s Home every weekend, to change their beddings, tidy up, and give them their afternoon tea. Each person was assigned to a couple of rooms. I remember that while you were changing the beddings, the old person would sit in the chair and chat with you while you completed your task. That also gave them the opportunity to chat and enjoy the company of younger ones. In essence, what I am saying is that, Government should at least, pay Pensioners their dues, what they have worked for in their youth, to enable them live some form of a decent life in their old age.

Statute By virtue of the Section 1(1) of the Pensions Act, Laws of the Federation 1990, people like Pa Olowojero are entitled to gratuities

and pensions, on retirement. For someone like him who worked for 30 years and retired in 2007, the First Schedule to the Pensions Act, computes his entitlements at 250% of his salary as final pay, and 60% of his final pay as pension. Also, the injury to his eyes while on the job, entitles him to between 10% to 30% of his final pay at the date he sustained the injury, depending on the degree of incapacitation.

It seems that Pa Olowojero, who was compulsorily retired in 2007, 3 years after the commencement of the Pensions Reform Act 2004 (PRA), is exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme, because of the date of his retirement (Section 8(1) of the PRA). The PRA mandates percentage contributions of 7.5% each of the employee’s salary by both the Employer and Employee in the Public Service (Sections 9(1)(a)(i) & (ii) PRA).

For people like Pa Olowojero who are exempt from the new scheme, they are to receive their gratuities and pensions, in accordance with the pay-as-you-go pension scheme of the Public Service, which in his case is listed in the First Schedule to the PRA, as what is provided in the First Schedule to the Old Pensions Act. Condolence Visit Last Wednesday, while paying a condolence visit, an elderly man who is a Pensioner, also came to pay his condolences.

He is definitely in his 80’s. We got into a conversation, and he informed us that, he had served in the Federal Government for 17 years. He complained that it is always hell to collect his Pension. He narrated how the last time they had gone to collect their Pensions, a 95 year old Pensioner collapsed at the Pay Office, due to the stress. The Pensioners had to use their little means, to buy him soft drinks etc, to revive him. The Pensioner said that, I must mention the fact that, Government needs to provide more conducive conditions, in which the elderly can collect their pensions, because collecting your pension does not mean you should die in the process. To buttress his point, the elderly man, also referred me to the news report of one Mr Gabriel Olofinlua, who suffered depression and stroke, due to non-payment of his pension for well over 10 years.

Hypocrisy It is rather sickening and unfair, when Government uses double standards. While Government treats the President, who is the age group of these Pensioners like an egg, justifying his regular trips abroad on the Presidential Jet, prolonged stays there on several occasions, probably paid for with Government funds, other Pensioners who like the President, have also served Nigeria in one capacity or the other, are neglected and left to starve, rot, and die. Knowing what inconvenience the President has gone through, though in ‘comfort’, because of his

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

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

“WHILE GOVERNMENT TREATS THE PRESIDENT, WHO IS THE AGE GROUP OF THESE PENSIONERS, LIKE AN EGG, JUSTIFYING HIS REGULAR TRIPS ABROAD ON THE PRESIDENTIAL JET, PROLONGED STAYS THERE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PROBABLY PAID FOR WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDS, OTHER PENSIONERS WHO LIKE THE PRESIDENT, HAVE ALSO SERVED NIGERIA IN ONE CAPACITY OR THE OTHER, ARE NEGLECTED AND LEFT TO STARVE, ROT, AND DIE”

ailment, one would imagine that he and his Administration would show the Pensioners some compassion. These Pensioners are not asking for handouts, they just want to be paid what is their right, their due, the nonpayment of which constitutes a breach of Government’s constitutional and contractual obligations to them.

Blind Pa Kamarudeen Olowojero

Pa Olowojero living in Utter Squalor

Remembrance I am appealing to the Government, whether State (provided for by Section 210 of the Constitution), or Federal, as a matter of urgency, to stop treating Pensioners in such a shoddy manner. Ko boju mu (It is shameful). Gbogbo wa la lagba ni le ke (We all have elderly relatives at home).

My late father, High Chief Omowale Kuye, OFR, an Economist and a Lawyer, would have been 90 years old on Friday (I pray that Allah, in His infinite mercy, has granted him Aljanah Firdaus). He too, would always have a good moan, whenever his pension had not been paid. Sometimes, I would get a call from him saying “Kepi Kepi (as he fondly called me), I’m not happy. Mi o ti gba pension mi” (I have not received my pension).

4/LAW REPORT

15.05.2018

Proliferation of Issues for Determination: Whether Court can Reframe Issues

T Facts

he Appellant and another, were tried for offence of criminal conspiracy and offences under Sections 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 (MLPA 2004) and Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (MLPA 2011). The Charges related to the acceptance of cash payments from the Lagos State House of Assembly, without going through financial institutions, which under the MLPA, are criminal offences. At trial, Counsel for the Appellant filed an application, praying the Court to hold that the Appellant had no case to answer. On 26 September, 2014, the learned trial Judge, ruled that the Respondent failed to present a prima facie case, warranting the Appellant being called upon to enter upon his defence and discharged the Appellant. The Respondent thereafter, lodged its appeal against the No-case Ruling.

The Appellant (Respondent) at the lower Court, settled its Brief of Argument, wherein a notice of Preliminary Objection was raised on the incompetence of Grounds 1-4 of the appeal. The Court of Appeal agreed with the objection; thus, the appeal was sustained on Grounds 5-14. The Court of Appeal further noted that, Issues 4 and 5 formulated by the Respondent herein, were formulated from Ground 6.

Observing the proliferation of the issues, the Court reframed Issue 5 from grounds 12, 13 & 14 of the Grounds of Appeal, and excised Ground 6. In embarking on this ‘blue pencil surgery’ of Issue 5, the Court opined that the objection to the Issue leaned so much on technicality, than paying attention to doing substantial justice, which it had so done by removing Ground 6 from Issue 5.

The Appellant thereby, appealed to the Supreme Court, making an issue of the exercise of the Court of Appeal in reframing Issue 5 before it.

Issues for Determination The Issues considered by the Court were: 1. Whether the Court of Appeal, was right in holding that proliferation of Issues from the Grounds of Appeal, was more of a technical than a fundamental rule.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal, was right in holding that the Respondent had made out a prima facie case, to warrant the Appellant to enter a defence to the Charge.

Arguments On the first Issue, Counsel for the Appellant argued that, the Appellate Courts frown at Proliferation of Issues, and that the error is a fundamental one which affects the competence of the Issue. For the Respondent however, it was posited that the lower Court rightly adjudged the objection to the competence of the Issue as being technical, and that the exercise by the Court in removing Ground 6 from the Issue 5 formulated by the Respondent, is sustainable in law.

Regarding the second Issue, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that, the conclusion that the Respondent made a prima facie case to warrant the Appellant to be called upon to enter his defence to the Charge was erroneous, it being premised on the belief that the offence for which the Appellant was charged, is a strict liability offence, and that it has the power to review the findings of the trial Court even when there is no appeal thereon. On the other hand, Counsel for the Respondent argued that, an Appellate Court has the power to interfere with the evaluation of evidence by the trial Court, in appropriate cases.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

By Order 18 Rule 3(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011, an Appellant is enjoined to file his Brief of Argument which shall contain the issues arising in the appeal, as well as Amended or Additional Grounds of Appeal. The Rule does not provide for sanctions, for Proliferation of Issues from one Ground of Appeal. Indeed, Courts possess the inherent power to modify or reframe an Issue for Determination, so long it does not lead to injustice to any party, or if it is in the interest of justice. AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL BANK LTD. v INTEGRATED DIMENSIONAL SYSTEM LTD. & ORS (2012) LPELR 9710 (SC).

The Appellant did not seek to overturn the appeal in its entirety, but addressed the academic postulations rather than any real practical issues in the appeal. Issue No. 3 of the Appellant, was formulated from an obiter dictum of the lower Court. Their Lordships held, based on CPL DESMOND ONUJU v THE STATE (2013) LPELR 20803, that the Courts, in their discretion exercised in the interest of justice, when parties Proliferate Issues from valid Grounds of Appeal, still reframe issues and determine the appeal on such reframed issues. It is not a Rule, that the Court had to inevitably accept the issues framed by

Hon. Ejembi Eko, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday the 12th Day of January, 2018 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Musa Dattijo Muhammad Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs Chima Centus Nweze Ejembi Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC.148/2017 Between Hon. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji .........Appellant And Federal Republic of Nigeria......Respondent (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Ejembi Eko, JSC) the Appellant as immutable. However, in certain cases, the Court may reframe the issues formulated themselves from the Grounds of Appeal, where issues formulated by either the Appellant or Respondent do not reflect the complaint in the grounds of appeal. OKUNRINBOYE EXPORT CO. LTD. & ORS v SKYE BANK PLC (2009) 6 NWLR (PT.435) 518.

By the provisions of Order 6 Rule 2(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011, an appeal at the lower court shall be by way of rehearing. Also, Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act, 2004, empowers the lower Court to have full jurisdiction over the whole proceedings, as if the proceedings were instituted

“THE RULE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR SANCTIONS, FOR PROLIFERATION OF ISSUES FROM ONE GROUND OF APPEAL. INDEED, COURTS POSSESS THE INHERENT POWER TO MODIFY OR REFRAME AN ISSUE FOR DETERMINATION, SO LONG IT DOES NOT LEAD TO INJUSTICE TO ANY PARTY, OR IF IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE”

before it as a Court of first instance, and may rehear the case in whole or part. The Court observed that, the appeal at the lower Court was determined by the Issue one raised by the Respondent, on whether or not the trial Court was right to uphold the No Case Submission, wherein the then Respondent had relied on the case of IBEZIAKO v COMM. OF POLICE (1963) ALL NLR 61 AT 68 - 69. The Court reasoned that, based on the above authority, there was no way the lower Court, in considering the appeal, could have decided on upholding the No-Case Submission, without considering the facts on which the application was predicated.

Since the issue was: whether the trial Court, on the evidence before it, properly or improperly upheld the no-case submission, it behoves the lower Court, to re-evaluate the evidence before coming to its own conclusion that the trial Court was wrong in holding that, on the evidence available, the Respondent had by the evidence preferred at the trial established a prima facie case, warranting it to call upon the Appellant to enter his defence.

On when can a prima facie case be said to have been made by the Prosecution, the court listed the elements which the prosecution must prove for the offence under section 1 of either the MLPA, 2004 or MLPA, 2011, that is: (1) the Defendant is a natural person, not a corporation and (II) the defendant, an individual, made or accepted cash payment in excess of N500,000.00 in the charge under section 1 MLPA, 2004, or, in respect of the charge under section 1 MLPA, 2011, the amount is N5,000,000.00.

In this case, the prosecution led evidence through PW1 and PW2 and some documents, to establish the allegations brought against the Appellant. PW1 testified that his investigation team recovered cash registers from the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the analysis of the documents revealed that various amounts in excess of the prescribed statutory threshold were collected by the 2nd Defendant, P.A. to the Appellant, on his behalf. PW1 further testified that, both the Appellant and the 2nd Defendant, after being confronted with the discovery, also confirmed receiving cash payments in excess of the threshold. The extra- judicial statements of Appellant and various other documents, were tendered to establish the prima facie case that the Appellant had a case to answer, and the Appellant did not prove that the evidence of the Prosecution was badly discredited during their cross-examination, to the extent that no Tribunal could act on them.

The court observed that from the facts disclosed by the evidence of PW1, PW2, and the documentary evidence vis-à-vis the Charges, a prima facie case had been disclosed by the Prosecution, to warrant the Appellant being called to offer his defence.

It was added that, at the stage of No-Case Submission, the Court is not called upon to express opinion on the evidence before it. All that the Court is expected to do, is to determine whether there exists legally admissible evidence, linking the Accused person with the commission of the alleged offence (s), and if the No- Case Submission is on the basis of some discredited evidence, such evidence must be on the face of the printed record.

On the argument that the act complained of, was legitimate in the function of the official capacity of the office of the Speaker of Lagos State, the Court stated that such argument was not meant for a No-Case Submission, and it was similar to the argument in KALU v FRN (2012) LPELR 9284 CA, which was rejected to be premature as a defence at the stage of No-Case Submission.

Furthermore, the Court stated that the purpose for either the payment or receipt of cash in excess of the prescribed threshold, was not a mens rea defence under the MLPA 2004 or MLPA, 2011. Rather, the duty of the Judge, is to discover the intention of the Legislature and bring it out, and not to go outside the language of the Statute, and where words used are clear and unambiguous, they must be given their ordinary meaning, so as to avoid reading into the provisions, meaning not intended by the lawmakers.

Finally, the Court found no substance in the appeal, and accordingly dismissed same. Thus, the judgement of the Court of Appeal and the Order remitting the case to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to any Judge other than Buba J for hearing de novo, was re-affirmed.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Oludele Adegboyega Adeogun, Esq. for the Appellant E.E. Iheanacho, Esq. for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

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L-R: Chief Phillip Asiodu, Senior Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, Managing Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Lady Elizabeth Idigbe, Special Guest of Honour, Prince Abimbola Olashore, Partners, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Ebelechukwu Enedah, Nnamdi Oragwu and former Registrar, APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi unveling the New Punuka Logo

Participants at the Seminar

71 Years After, Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors Unveils New Logo Akinwale Akintunde Seventy-one years after the law firm, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors was founded, a new logo was last week unveiled for the law firm.

The new logo was unveiled at the 2018 edition of the PUNUKA Annual Lecture, held at the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre, Lagos.

The Lecture was held last Friday, May 11, under the Chairmanship of the former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.

The Punuka Lecture, is a programme aimed at bringing together key industry players and stakeholders on topical issues bordering on the economy, global best practice, good governance, nation-building, amongst others.

The theme of this year's Lecture was "Building Sustainable Business in the Film,

Television, and Music Sectors: Challenges for the Industry and Government", which was ably delivered by Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, immediate past Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

In his welcome address, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, the Firm's Senior Partner, said the decision to educate the public on this year’s topic, was borne out of the need to create awareness about the Nigerian economy and its versatility.

He said the country has other avenues of generating income, apart from oil-exports, especially at this crucial time in the country when oil prices are falling, resulting in an economic recession.

According to the Senior Advocate, statistics have shown that the creative industry, particularly film and music, as far back as 2014, contributed immensely to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic

Product (GDP).

“Particularly, in the third quarter of 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics reported in its Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report, that the creative industries experienced a growth of 12.81% from 1.86%, contributing N54bn to the country’s GDP. “We are in an era in Nigeria, where more attention needs to be given to the creative industry, to maximise its potential. In maximising the potential of the creative industry, we have to provide the key players in the industry with clear policies and roles.

The current system is lacking in some areas, as it contains unclear policies, outdated laws, improper regulation and lack of governmental or substantial private sector investment.

“Consequently, there is need to focus on creating

policies for these sectors, that prioritise growth and encourage sustainability, in order to engineer that transition from a creative industry to the development of a thriving creative economy”, Idigbe stated.

The Lecture had as Special Guest, Mr. Abimbola Olashore, while Mr. Obodochina Asika, Chairman, Dragon Africa and Dr. Ese Stephen Owie were Guest Speakers.

The Panel of Discussants, who did justice to the topic, by giving in-depth, the diferrent variables involved in building a sustainable business in the film, television and music sectors and the role, and challenges of the government and other key players in the industry, included Michael Dale Williams, Don Omope, Chinedu Angus Chukwuji, Angela Anukam and Isioma Idigbe.

NBA Honours Agomoh, Veteran Prison Activist Jude Igbanoi The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA, has bestowed an award on veteran Prison Reform Activist and Founder/Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Dr. Uju Agomoh.

The award was conferred on her, at the recent Criminal Justice Summit hosted by the NBA Criminal Justice Reform Committee (NBA-CJRC) in Asaba, Delta State, “for outstanding contribution to criminal justice reforms in Nigeria”.

Agomoh is a long-standing and widely respected Prison Advocate, whose work in prison reform advocacy, remains unmatched. She was, until recently, the Project Coordinator of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) “Support to Justice Sector in Nigeria”, a project funded by the European Union under the 10th European Union Development Fund. She was also the Lead Consultant for the design of the “Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Project” under the 11th European Union Development Fund.

Agomoh is the Team Leader of the Prisons Reform Programme – Nigeria, as well as the Lead Consultant/National Coordinator

of the Nigeria Police Human Rights Training Programme, being implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force with the support of the Swiss Embassy and GIZ. She is also the President of International Corrections and Prisons Association, Africa Chapter (ICPA-Africa) and Executive Committee Member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT),representing Sub-Saharan Africa (2012-2016).

The veteran Prison Advocate, was a Council Member of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC) and the NHRC “Special Rapporteur on Police, Prisons and Centres of Detention of Nigeria (2001 2008).” A Member of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (2006 2009) and the Presidential Committee on Prison Decongestion (1999 – 2001, 2013 - 2014), Agomoh was until 2013, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

A highly cerebral advocate, Dr. Agomoh holds several university degrees including a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Sociology (Deviant Behaviour)

respectively, and a Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) degree in Criminology, from the University of Cambridge.

Agomoh capped her quest for the Golden Fleece, with a doctoral degree in Criminology/Prisons Studies. She also received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London, prior to enrolling at the Nigerian Law School.

She has been admitted to the Nigerian Bar. She also received a post-graduate diploma in Theology.

A Chevening Scholar and Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, Agomoh was the Edwin Megargee Distinguished Lecturer, where in 2014 she delivered the 50th anniversary lecture of the International Community Corrections Association (ICCA), Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Agomoh has executed over 72 projects on security, justice, development, corrections, rehabilitation/reintegration and related issues in many African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Gambia, Benin Republic and Mali. She has a long history of engagement with both the African

Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA).

The veteran Prison Activist, has conducted over 1000 prison/ monitoring visits covering about 110 prisons in 32 countries. She has authored/co-authored 37 books, including seven training manuals and directed four audio-visual documentaries on death penalty, treatment of mentally ill prisoners, torture, and prison conditions in Nigeria. She is a recipient of several other awards, including the President’s Award of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).

Dr. Uju Agomoh

Catholic Lawyers Urged to Discharge their Professional Obligations Jude Igbanoi The Professional Development Seminar and Colloquium of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), held in Lagos last week.

The Seminar had the theme: ‘Exploring Emerging Areas of Law Practice’, while the Colloquium had the theme: ‘The Nigeria its People Desire, Deserve and Demand: Citizens and Government’s Collective Task of Building a Sustainable, Responsive and Accountable New Nigeria’.

Professor Emeritus of international Law, Akin Oyebode, spoke on ‘A People’s Constitution as an Instrument of Growth and Development in a New Nigeria’, and said that, until it gets to a point where citizens begin to interrogate the law, the country would not make progress. He urged Lawyers, to do more in holding the Government accountable, adding that, there was the need for a review of the Constitution, to make it truly people oriented. Oyebode regretted that corruption was “very much” part of legal practice, indicating that it was a reason why he chose not to practice.

“You have to sacrifice your principles, in order to get the job done. Some clients want Lawyers, who can see the Judge. The jury is still out, on the role of Lawyers in fighting corruption”, he said.

He warned that, Nigeria was sitting on keg of gunpowder, by not addressing the issues that cause crises and lead to insecurity.

“We’ve lost our sense of values, and we’re no longer shockable”, he said.

A Political Economist and Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, said Nigeria’s biggest challenge, is that the Government’s legitimacy level was low.

He said Government finds it difficult to implement policies, because the people do not believe they are in their interest.

“No Government can be effective, without a certain

level of legitimacy”, he said.

He said a Government’s legitimacy, is shaped by perceptions of fairness, competence and care for the people. Utomi said that most Governments do not know how to make themselves legitimate, which he said remained a challenge.

On how Nigeria can rise again, Utomi said it required a shared national vision, strategy and values.

He called for strong participation and representation, through ideas and values anchored by political parties that meticulously recruit, socialise and develop their members.

NACL National President Senator Mike Ajaegbo, while reacting to Prof Oyebode’s views, said the Constitution was still the law, despite its imperfections. He said what Nigeria needed most, is a “moral re-armament”, adding that organised religion should begin to push its people into politics, especially those who can do the job when elected. Ajaegbo noted that political parties no longer focus on implementing their manifestoes, adding that the All Progressives Congress members, instead, quarrel among themselves.

“I don’t know the President’s economic policy,” he said, adding that the organised religion must act.

Speaking on "The Youth as Agents in Restructuring of Nigeria", a Professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Charles Ukeje, noted that the youth were sadly still outside or on the fringes of the ongoing discourse on the future of the country.

He urged the youth, to get more actively involved in politics.

“Nigerian youths, can no longer afford to distance or completely distance themselves from the political space; whether they are demanding accountability or seeking representational offices.

“For as long as they distance themselves from politics at every level, for so long will the concerns, yearnings and aspirations CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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DOA Dialogues with Stakeholders on Telecoms, Media and Technology Law Jude Igbanoi The Law Firm of Duale, Ovia and Alex-Adedipe, last Wednesday, held its Inaugural Business Law Series, when it brought together players in the telecommunication, digital media and technologya breakfast dialogue at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

It was a convergence of industry players, Telecoms Lawyers and Investors, and the theme was ‘Investment In Nigeria’s Telecommunication and Technology Market’.

The firm’s Managing Partner, Adeniyi Duale, in his opening remarks said “The inaugural edition of the DOA- Breakfast Session, is being organised to bring together like-minded and spirited individuals, to discuss contemporary legal, regulatory and commercial issues across the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) sector of the Nigerian economy, as well as proffer viable solutions to challenges we face, and propel opportunities to persons interested in being the backbone of Africa’s TMT industry.

“Today’s edition of our breakfast session, focuses on Investments in Nigeria’s TMT Market and exits, and addresses burning issues in Financial Technology (FinTech) development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. ‘For the FinTech session, we are focused on enhancing the growth, incubation and regulatory modules of digital payment solutions in Nigeria, to properly harness the sector’s entrepreneurship potentials and understanding the opportunities that lie within.

“With this inaugural edition of the DOA Business Breakfast Series, we seek to stimulate discussions and resolutions, that can generate possible roadmaps for an industry that is itself disruptive, and can assist the Government’s Growth and Recovery Plan.”

L-R: Leke Alex Adedipe, Partner, DOA, Lloyd Onanighon, Head TMT, Stanbic, Ijeoma Obatoyinbo, MD, FBN Quest Funds, Eghosa Omoigui (Echo VC), Idris Saliu, Co-Founder, Vanso, Mrs. David West (Director, Lagos Business School), Soibi Ovia, Partner, DOA, Niyi Duale, Managing Partner, DOA

It can be recalled that, recently, DOA emerged as the Telecommunication, Media and Technology Team of the year at the 2017 ESQ Legal Awards, as well as also winning the Infrastructure team of the Year, at the same Award.

“The Nigerian economy, is currently propelled by one product which is crude oil, and the Country is currently in dire need of more investment and proper guidance, which is a challenge to most businesses, entrepreneurs and investors.

“We must collectively address the inhibiting factors to attracting investment into Telecommunications, FinTech, E-commerce, and all other sectors of the economy that can help Nigeria realise its full potential, and not just continually depend on oil as the mainstay of our Economy.”

Chairman of the event, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, in his Keynote Speech, told participants that in 2001 when GSM came to Nigeria, investors took great risks which today have paid up greatly. He

cited the example of MTN, which he said today is Nigeria’s biggest tax payer outside of the oil majors.

Oyebode said that huge opportunities still exist in the telecoms industry, especially for Lawyers, although the sector is overregulated.

He challenged industry stakeholders, to be prepared for the digital revolution that is about to take place in Nigeria, and why Nigerian Lawyers must ensure that they don’t miss out on those huge opportunities.

Legal Personality of the Week Oreka Adegboruwa

‘Every Lawyer Must be Focused and Willing to Learn’ we were able to get the court to order that both parents share holidays. It was a joyful day.

I am Oreka Adegboruwa. I was called to the Bar in January, 2001. I attended the University of Lagos. I used to work at M. Bassey & Associates; I now work with Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa & Co. Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?

My greatest challenge, was how to stand up in court and address the court. It took some time for me to gain confidence, because I was shy. But I was soon able to overcome that with regular appearances in court, and watching how other Lawyers conducted their cases in court. Another challenge was being able to joggle raising children, Ministry, and the demands of my job. It wasn’t easy at all, combining my work with young children, and being a Pastor’s wife. Thankfully, in those early days, I was able to get a reliable creche which was around the Church, so I would drop the children there in the morning, go to work, pick them in the evening, and go to Church on service days. Thank God, my boss was very understanding. She didn’t make me do cases outside Lagos. So, I was able to cope by the grace of God. What was your worst day as a Lawyer?

The worst day I can recall, was when I was still quite new to the profession, and I was sent to a Magistrate Court to handle a criminal case. I cannot recall what the matter came up for, but suddenly, a man got up to say he was withdrawing as surety. I was lost. The Magistrate asked for my reaction, but I did not know what to say, and so, our client lost his bail and

Oreka Adegboruwa

was remanded in custody. I received a good tongue lashing that day.

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?

I recall a divorce matter, where our client had not been allowed to see her son for about eight years. The father had taken him away from her when he was one and a half years old, and she had not set eyes on him after that. On that particular day, the boy was brought to court, and the Judge asked him if he could point out his mother in the crowd. He answered in the negative. It was so sad. So I prayed the court to grant her access, and that day,

Who has been most influential in your life?

My greatest influence is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, because I am a child of God. On the legal side, my former boss, Chief Mary Bassey, was a great influence on me. She really did a lot to encourage me to practice law, because at that time, I did not really want to practice. I learnt so much from her. I remember the first letter I wrote when I joined her firm. She told me straightaway, that it did not emanate from a Lawyer. Though she did not like incompetence, she was patient with me, and little by little, I started to learn. She is a wonderful coach. At a point, she suggested I go to the Bench, but I am not cut out for that. My husband is also a big influence. Both of them are hardcore litigation Lawyers. They just love advocacy!

I would have veered off practice by now, if not for them. My husband would say “how can a Lawyer not practice?” My children have also influenced me, in the sense that I feel a need to fire up their interest in the profession of law, so that they can follow in their father’s footsteps Why did you become a Lawyer?

I became a Lawyer, because I was not good at mathematics. I actually just filled it on my JAMB form, without knowing what it entailed. My parents did not choose for me, but they were happy when I got admitted to study Law. It was a good show off point. When I got into University of Lagos, I started hearing a lot about the nobility of the profession, and how

prestigious it is, so I just adapted myself to it. There was this air of superiority, that Law students exhibited, so I also liked the prestige it conferred.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in Law? Anyone who wants a career in law, must be focused and willing to learn. These days people are more concerned about money, but it is better to gain as much experience as possible, and then you can venture on your own. Some people think they don’t need tutelage, so they leave the Law School, and venture straight into practice on their own. This is not good enough, because they make a lot of mistakes which could have been avoided. As far as I am concerned, even those who want to work in the corporate world, should have a short stint in legal practice, before venturing into anything else, because from my experience, no matter how old you are at the Bar, you are like a new wig, the day you appear in court to conduct a matter, if you did not acquire practice experience previously. Money will surely come, if you are good at what you do.

If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?

I would have studied Mass Communication. I admired newscasters as a child, and I wanted to be one, but here I am.

Though now, I think I would rather be an Event Planner.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

By the grace of God, handing over my role in the firm to my first daughter, so that I can pursue other interests.

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The Failure of the Justice Delivery Process in Nigeria In this article, Babajide Ogundipe gives an account of his recent experience, where a matter in which he was appearing at the Court of Appeal, was unceremoniously adjourned to April, 2019 for hearing, because the Court did not sit. He laments that it is this kind of frustration, that drove him and many others into Arbitration; and sadly, 25 years later, not much seems to have changed

I

Kigali, Rwanda attended an Arbitration Conference in Kigali, Rwanda last week, the title of which was “The RoleofArbitrationPractitionersintheDevelopmentofArbitrationinAfrica”. Oneofthe sessions at the Conference, involved a dialogue with some of the continent’s more senior Arbitrators, amongst whom was Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN, who is a source of pride to Nigerian Arbitration Practitioners, as she blazes a trail as a leading International Arbitrator. She was asked, amongst other questions, what led her into Arbitration, and her answer was, like many of us of that generation who have moved into Arbitration, frustration at the inefficiencies of litigation in Nigeria.

Why Arbitration?

My frustrations with the courts, led me to seek qualification as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 1993, at which time I was fourteen years post-call. My litigation practice was, for the most part, in Lagos and I had become frustrated and disillusioned with appearing in the courts, as a result of the ineffectiveness of the courts at that time. Adjournments were obtained for the asking, and frequently, even where they were not sought. Cause lists were unrealistically long, in the sense that even with the best will in the world, no Judge could deal with all the cases on a list in a day – there were just too many of them. I felt that I should take my interest in dispute resolution, and use it in an area of practice which I hoped would provide more professional satisfaction.

My Experience Twenty-five years later, it appears that instead of there being an improvement in the situation with courts in Lagos, things are worse. Today, May 9, 2018, I was prepared to make my first appearance in a court in 2018. For a number of years now, my appearances in court have been rare. There are numerous reasons for this reluctance on my part to attend court, not least of which is what I consider to be the inefficiencies of a litigation system, that continues to be mired in an early 20th century morass. In an age where advances in technology, make possible things that were the stuff dreams were made of, just a few years ago, the litigation system in Nigeria, and therefore, the justice delivery process, continues to fail Nigerians.

I was scheduled to attend the Court of Appeal, to resist an appeal, in which a judgement had been delivered in favour of my clients in 2016, in a case that I had been citing as an example of how the Fast Track procedure introduced in the High Court of Lagos State, was proving to be a success.

Theprocedurerequirescasesassignedtothefasttrack,tobeconclud edwithinnine months from the commencement of the action.

We had instituted an action at the Lagos High Court in July 2015, and judgement was delivered in November 2016, after a trial that received the testimonies of a total of five witnesses. Whilst this did not meet the nine month target stipulated by the rules, it still represents a significant improvement on the time it usually takes to complete cases in Lagos. Admittedly this, incredible, sixteen month completion period, owed a great deal to the counsel to the Defendant, who behaved admirably throughout the trial, and to the diligence of the trial judge. Not all are like her. Dissatisfied with the judgement delivered against it, the Defendant, a major listed company, appealed to the Court of Appeal, and sought to stay both the judgement issued against it, as well as the award of costs. The appeal was listed for hearing, approximately eighteen months after being filed.

The progress of this action appears, therefore, to have been uncharacteristically rapid.

The clients are non-Nigerians, who have made a significant investment in the country, and have become, over more than a decade, good personal friends. That was the primary reason I conducted the trial personally, and why I prepared to attend court for the appeal. As my colleagues in the office are well aware, I am a rare sight in the office at any time before 11.00 am, so I can only imagine their shock when they saw me in the office, dressed for court, at 08.10 am! At 08.38, however, I received a call from one of my colleagues who had gone to the Court of Appeal ahead of me. The Court of Appeal would not be sitting, and the appeal had

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen

Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN

been adjourned to April 19, 2019. None of this surprised me, and the irritation I felt about this development was mild – years of suffering this type of thing has numbed me to it. What irritated me the most, however, was the fact that someone probably knew, before today, that the court would not be sitting. As my wife asked when I told her (she was also shocked to see me getting ready to go to work so early in the morning!), “why can’t they tell you the day before!” My response was that, “they don’t care about us”, to which she replied, “it shouldn’t be like this”.

briefs have been reduced for interlocutory appeals, and the length of briefs has been curtailed by amendments to rules of court. In Lagos, there are two panels sitting in the Court of Appeal, and there appears to be a determination to address the problem of the delays and the back log of cases there. All these efforts, however, seem to barely scratch the problem.

This is one reason why the initiative of the present Chief Judge of Lagos State, to address the back log of cases in the High Court of Lagos State, deserves commendation and the support of the profession. In January, the Chief Judge initiated a programme to eliminate the immense back log of cases in the State’s High Courts. A team of volunteer Lawyers, commenced a review of all pending cases before the High Court of Lagos State, aged five (5) years and above. The team has reviewed almost a thousand cases since then, and has made recommendations for the disposal of a number of them through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) mechanisms. A stakeholder forum is scheduled to take place on May 15, and volunteer neutrals (mediators and arbitrators), are being sought to engineer the resolution of the disputes which have been recommended for disposal through the use of ADR mechanisms. This initiative of the Chief Judge, needs the support of the profession and colleagues are urged to attend the forum, which starts at 10.00 am on May 15, at the foyer of the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square.

This initiative, however, does not seek to, and indeed, is not capable of, resolving all the ills that are present in our justice delivery system. Not least amongst the ills, is judicial corruption and other malpractices highlighted by the recent conviction and imprisonment of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Most people in the profession know that, the acts for which that particular counsel was convicted are not isolated events. At least two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, are presently on trial for similar offences, and others, who have been reported by the media to have done similar things, are yet to be charged. The whole situation reminds me of stories I used to hear about the late Justice J. I. C. Taylor, the first head of the Lagos State judiciary – his title at the time was Chief Justice of Lagos. It was inconceivable, that Justice Taylor would have received payments from any Lawyer, for anything. It was said that, if a Lawyer who had a case pending before Justice Taylor ever went to his house, even on a social visit, Justice Taylor would threaten the Lawyer with a shot gun, and to have him or her arrested. Regrettably, it seems that the likes of Justice J. I. C. Taylor (and there were many like him), are no longer being appointed to the Bench. I was always taught that, a judicial officer ought never to accept cash gifts from anyone, and should be extremely wary in accepting gifts of any kind from anybody – especially Lawyers.

Babajide O. Ogundipe, Partner, Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe & Belgore, Lagos

It Should Not be like this She is, of course, quite right. It should not be like this.

However, that is the way things are, and havebeenforaverylongtime. Thesedays,courtfilingscontainbothtelephon enumbersand email addresses of counsel. However, as a colleague once asked me, how many times have you received a communication from a court, to advice that a scheduled case will not be proceeding ontheassigneddate?

Otherthanoccasionalcommunicationsfromsomecourtsin Lagos,no prior notification is received. I once asked a Registrar in a court about this, and the answer was that he saw no reason why he should use his money to call or send text messages to counsel, when the court would not be sitting. After all, he was not the reason the court was not sitting. It is difficult to fault his reasoning, given the climate in which he works.

Solutions?

I must confess that, I am not able to proffer any solutions for a situation that even the Justices of the various courts in Nigeria, probably consider to be an outrage – if they too are not numbed by it. All manner of solutions have been proffered and tried. Oral presentation of arguments in courts, have now become a rarity – almost everything is in writing. Timelines for the delivery of

“IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE, THAT JUSTICE TAYLOR WOULD HAVE RECEIVED PAYMENTS FROM ANY LAWYER, FOR ANYTHING. IT WAS SAID THAT, IF A LAWYER WHO HAD A CASE PENDING BEFORE JUSTICE TAYLOR EVER WENT TO HIS HOUSE, EVEN ON A SOCIAL VISIT, JUSTICE TAYLOR WOULD THREATEN THE LAWYER WITH A SHOT GUN, AND TO HAVE HIM OR HER ARRESTED”

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Senate Has Power to Summon the IG Perhaps, the greatest concern of Nigerians today, is the parlous insecurity that the nation is currently facing. No one can remember in the annals of Nigeria’s checkered history, when the lives of Nigerians have been so insecure, in peace time. The Senate President, last week, gave a damning report, and reeled out statistics of Nigerians whose lives have been cut short and decimated across the Country, on account of the activities of marauding herdsmen, cultists and ritualists. In performance of its constitutional duties, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, summoned the Inspector-General of Police (IG), to give an appraisal of the security situation in the country, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the Federation.

In what may be described as disdain, disrespect, and disobedience to the constitutional powers of the Senate, the IG, has continued to defy the powers of the Red Chamber, by failing to honour the Senate’s invitation. The Police have responded in his defence, claiming that being an official matter, the IG need not appear in person, and can mandate someone else to appear before the Senate in his stead. Chief Sebastine Hon, SAN and Abubakar Sani, examine the legal and constitutional issues, involved in this matter

Can the Senate Summon the IG?

National Assembly Has Power to Summon the Inspector-General of Police

S

o much controversy has been generated, over the power of the Senate to summon the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, to appear before it. Without the slightest hesitation or equivocation, I submit that, the National Assembly (NASS), is imbued with that power; and any person exercising statutory functions, who shuns or spurns any invitation or summons lawfully issued by the NASS, is prima facie guilty of contempt of the Legislature, except if he enjoys immunity from prosecution.

The invitation issued by the Senate, has the backing of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. It also has the backing of settled case law, both locally internationally. I shall now, brevi manu, examine all the relevant legal and constitutional positions.

Constitutional Provisions Section 88(1)(b)(i) of the Constitution, has imbued the NASS with power to “direct or cause to be directed an investigation” into: “(b) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for(i) executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.”

Also, Section 88(2)(a) and (b) of the Constitution permits this investigation, if it is targeted at enabling the National Assembly to: (a) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence, and to correct any defects in existing laws; and (b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropri-

ated to it.

The phrases “conduct of any person, authority, Ministry or government department,” in this case, refers to the conduct of the office and department of the Police, headed by and personified in the IG. Legislative wisdom was completed in the framing of the remaining part of section 88(1)(b)(i), when the lawmakers enacted that the “conduct” of any such “person, authority, Ministry or government department” is permissible if he/it is “charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for” executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.

There is no single doubt that, the IG is, under the provisions of the Police Act, 2004, charged with the responsibility of executing or administering laws made by the NASS. It was in that regard, that his officers attempted to arrest Senator Dino Melaye and take him to Lokoja, Kogi State. Also, using the very words of the Constitution, if the Senate has issues with the “conduct” of officers of the police department who handled the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye, it has every constitutional right to “direct or cause to be directed an investigation” into such “conduct.”

I shall later in this piece address on the motives, if any, read into the invitation by the Senate to the IG. Constitutional reinforcement of the above view, can be found in section 88(2)(a) and (b), where the oversight powers of the NASS, are expressly limited to the purpose of enabling it to make laws within its legislative competence; and to the purpose of enabling it, inter alia, to expose “incompetence.” Clearly, by Item 45 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, the NASS has exclusive legislative powers over “Police and other government security services established by law.” If there is, therefore, an apparent case of ‘incompetence’ in the arrest of Senator Melaye

I

Introduction t is no longer news that the Senate and the InspectorGeneral of Police (I G), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, are currently at daggers-drawn over the insistence of the former, that the latter appears personally before it in connection with two issues: (i) to defend the seeming inhumane treatment being meted out to one of theirs, Senator Dino Melaye, on his recent arrest and arraignment before two courts, in the FCT, and Kogi State; and (ii) the state of insecurity and spate of killings in certain parts of the country, such as Taraba, Adamawa, Nassarawa and Benue States.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki

or of policing the flashpoints in Nigeria – as is prima facie evidently shown, the Senate has every right to summon any officer of the Police department, ala the IG, to explain to its satisfaction, the public stench oozing from the inglorious outing of the Police. There is nothing personal or tendentious here: the Senate is merely scrupulously performing its constitutional functions. The Senate should be commended, rather than serenaded for taking this step.

Nigerian Case Law We will now look at case law.

In the celebrated case of SENATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY v MOMOH (1982) 2 FNLR 307, the Court of Appeal held, inter alia, that the 1979 constitutional equivalent of section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, enabled either House of the National Assembly, to exercise the powers named therein only with respect to “any matter or thing” it had power to make laws ‘and the conduct of any person, authority, ministry, or government

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris

department.’ In other words, that the Section did not generally authorise the NASS, to invite members of the

public over statements made by them. Consequently, that the power to expose corruption or inefficiency, was limited to government departments and functionaries. This decision was cited with approval, by the Court of Appeal in EL RUFAI v HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (2003) FWLR (Pt. 173) 162. Without any doubt, Mr. Ibrahim Idris Kpotum is the Inspector-General of Police, and not a member of the public.

Also, in ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF ABIA STATE v ATTORNEYGENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 338) 604 at 674, Lord Justice Tobi, JSC, defined “oversight functions” of the National Assembly to include “watchful supervision;” and that those powers are exercised by the Legislature “to conduct investigations, control and surveillance... and control and supervision of government general business.” He concluded, however, that if exercised by the National Assembly, such powers must be limited

“IF THERE IS, THEREFORE, AN APPARENT CASE OF ‘INCOMPETENCE’ IN THE ARREST OF SENATOR MELAYE OR OF POLICING THE FLASHPOINTS IN NIGERIA – AS IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENTLY SHOWN, THE SENATE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO SUMMON ANY OFFICER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALA THE IG, TO EXPLAIN TO ITS SATISFACTION, THE PUBLIC STENCH OOZING FROM THE INGLORIOUS OUTING OF THE POLICE” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Background On the three occasions - April 25, May 2, and May 9, 2018 - when the Senate summoned the IG to appear before it as aforesaid, the IG failed to show up, and instead, dispatched a subordinate, the Deputy- Inspector General-In-Charge of Operations (DIG), to represent him on the second of those occasions. The Senate rejected the DIG’s delegation, and insisted on the personal appearance of his superior.

This was countered by the Police, who have argued that, on official matters, the IG can delegate his duties, and does not have to appear before the Senate personally, as, according to them, the DIG in question – like all DIGs - was properly seised of all the issues and was legally competent, under the Police Act, to deputise for his boss, the IG. The Senate, on the other hand, insists that by virtue of the powers vested in them by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), they can summon the IG, and he must respond in person.

How did we come to this sorry impasse? Seldom has a routine invitation to a public official by the Legislature at any level – State or Federal –, generated such controversy and a public show of political brinkmanship, by the dramatis personae. It has degenerated to the extent that the leadership of the National Assembly, i.e., the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, were constrained to take their case to President Muhammed Buhari; the latter, apparently graciously braved

his latest round of medical challenges, to hear out the duo. There is no word about his reaction. Beyond, perhaps, the usual, now almost predictable palliatives of “please go and work harmoniously with the IG” - this is neither mischievous nor uncharitable.

So, which of them Is Correct?

It depends on whether the purpose of the summons, can be accommodated within the four corners of Sections 88 & 89 of the 1999 Constitution. Its prescriptions are both substantive and procedural, as follows: 88. “(1) Subject to the provisions of this constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into (a) Any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and (b) The conduct of affairs of any person, authority Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for – (i) Executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly, and (ii) Disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.

(2) The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to(a) Make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and (b) Expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.”

89. “(1) For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitution and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to(a) Procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter; (b) Require such evidence to be given on oath; (c) Summon any person in Nigeria to

“....IS THE SUMMONS A SMOKESCREEN OR PRETEXT FOR HARANGUING THE IG, GIVEN THE ON-GOING FACE-OFF BETWEEN HIM (OR THE POLICE GENERALLY), AND SENATOR DINO MELAYE?”

give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions; and (d) Issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refusal or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

(2) A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may required”.

The Process Shorn of all legalese, these provisions are clear enough. Starting with the former, it can be seen that, such a summons ought to be in connection CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10/COVER

15.05.2018

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS POWER TO SUMMON THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

to its lawmaking powers.

In this case, therefore, the summons extended to the IG, was and remains constitutional, since as shown above, Item 45 of Part 1 of the 2nd Schedule to the Constitution has vested the NASS with lawmaking powers over “Police and other government security services established by law.” The IG was wrong to have ignored the summons or to have delegated a junior officer, since the buck stops at his table. I wonder if Mr. Idris will delegate a junior officer, if it is the President that invites him!

Foreign Decisions A peep into foreign decisions, in countries practicing presidential constitutionalism, will also agree with the above position. In the celebrated US case of WATKINS v UNITED STATES, 354 US 178, 187 (1957) – a decision the Nigerian Court of Appeal adopted in Momoh’s case, supra – the US Supreme Court described the extent of the investigative or oversight functions of Congress as encompassing: [I]nquiries concerning the administration of existing laws, as well as proposed to possibly needed statutes.

It includes, surveys of defects in our social, economic or political system, for the purpose of enabling the Congress to remedy them. It comprehends probes into departments of the Federal Government, to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste.

The phrase “surveys of defects in our social, economic or political system” in the above dictum, is wide enough to include the IGP Idris Kpotum saga.

In similar fashion, it was held in MCGRAIN v DAUGHERTY, 273 US 135 (1927), that investigation by the Senate as to whether the Justice Department of the US Federal Government was performing or neglecting its duty, was constitutionally proper, because this rightly fell under congressional oversight functions. Arguments that the resolution of Congress did not specifically state that the investigation was in aid of legislation, hence was invalid, were rejected. The US Supreme Court concluded that, a legislative purpose is always to be presumed once the subject-matter falls within the legislative jurisdiction of Congress;

Senator Dino Melaye on a stretcher in court

because, the “only legitimate object the Senate could have in ordering the investigation, was to aid it in legislating.”

In the Dino Melaye saga, arguments in particular, are tailored toward alleged bias or egotism on the part of the Senate. In constitutional jurisprudence, such arguments are puerile and pale into thin air.

This is because, the presumption that valid congressional investigation has no ulterior motives apart from aiding Congress to enact or improve upon existing legislation, is always upheld. Thus, in both TENNEY v BRANDHOVE, 341 US 367, 377-378 (1951) and BARENBLATT v UNITED STATES, 360 US 109 (1959) at 132-133, the US Supreme Court validated congressional investigations, and threw out arguments that individual members of Congress had personal and political interests to serve. The Court reasoned that in all circumstances, in so far as Congress has legislative powers over

CAN THE SENATE SUMMON THE IG? with an investigation being conducted by the Senate into either a matter within it's legislative competence or the conduct of any person or agency of government responsible for either administering laws made by the N/ Assembly or disbursing funds appropriated by the Assembly. In terms of procedure, such an investigation will only be valid, if it is authorised by a resolution published in either the Assembly's Journal or the Official Gazette of the FG. It is obvious that, these powers are not at large. This fact is driven home

by Section 88(2) which provides that they are to be exercised exclusively for enabling the Senate (or the House

the subject-matter, the presumption that it is investigating for lawmaking purpose only should always be upheld. See, also, TOWNSEND v UNITED STATES, 95 F 2d 352, 361 (D.C. Cir. 1938).

In the present case, Mr. Idris’s invitation, which includes an inquest into the vicious killings going in the Benue Trough and other parts of Nigeria, cannot be unconstitutional for any reason, both constitutional and commonsensical.

From the above, therefore, the invitation issued by the Senate to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, was and remains, valid and constitutional. His refusal to honour it, amounted to and still amounts to, a gross breach of the Constitution; and the Senate ought not to have merely declared him person non grata, but to have issued a warrant for his arrest and citation for contempt, pursuant to Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Declaring him persona

“THE IG WAS WRONG TO HAVE IGNORED THE SUMMONS, OR TO HAVE DELEGATED A JUNIOR OFFICER, SINCE THE BUCK STOPS AT HIS TABLE. I WONDER IF MR. IDRIS WILL DELEGATE A JUNIOR OFFICER, IF IT IS THE PRESIDENT THAT INVITES HIM!”

but is a government official by virtue of his position as the head of the nation’s Police Force. Accordingly, he is within the investigative (and therefore, invitational remit) of the Senate.

The court however, insisted that "the purpose of the investigation, its composition, and terms of reference, should be clear from the proceedings of the House which authorises it, and be seen to be within the four corners of the constitutional power." For good measure, the court added that, "It is not enough that the matter for investigation be within the legislative competence of the House. A proper and lawful investigation must have been constituted". In this particular case, the question is not only if the procedural requirements of Section 88 (1) of the Constitution (publication in the Gazette/ Journal) were complied with, but whether the purpose of the summons to the IG, was an investigation by the Senate into the conduct of the IG as an official of government who is charged with executing/administering laws enacted by the N/Assembly (presumably the Police Act).

case, but is that the reality, or is the Summons a smokescreen or pretext for haranguing the IG, given the on-going face-off between him (or the Police generally), and Senator Dino Melaye? Is the Senate’s invite to the IG, motivated more by a desire to solidarise with a colleague in distress at the hands of the IG-led Police, than any genuine, altruistic, legislative investigation within the contemplation of the Constitution?

The jury is out, but if public perception (not helped by the Senate's own antecedents) is anything to go by, the Senate would have a hard time convincing a neutral observer, that the former is the case.

non grata is, with respect, too mild.

Chief Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, FCIArb, Author, Constitutional Lawyer

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

of Reps) to make laws within their legislative competence or for exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution/administration of such laws or in the disbursement of funds appropriated by them.

The Court of Appeal interpreted identical provisions in the 1979 Constitution in SENATE v TONY MOMOH (1983) 4 NCLR Vol. 4 pg.

264, where it held that those provisions "do not constitute the National Assembly into a universal 'ombudsman' inviting and scrutinising the conduct of every member of the public", even if its purpose is constitutionally recognised. The IG is obviously not an ordinary member of the public,

“IS THE SENATE’S INVITE TO THE IG, MOTIVATED MORE BY A DESIRE TO SOLIDARISE WITH A COLLEAGUE IN DISTRESS AT THE HANDS OF THE IG-LED POLICE, THAN ANY GENUINE, ALTRUISTIC, LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION WITHIN THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION?”

Questions This might seem to be a plausible justification for the invite in this

Conclusion Coming on the heels on the recent invasion of the self-same Senate by political thugs, who made off with its Mace in the full glare of Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike, the current face-off between the Senate and the IG, this is one controversy too many. National interest, political maturity and statesmanship, ought to be the rule in terms of legislative best practices, rather than the exception, as is presently seemingly the case.

Abubakar Sani, Legal Practitioner, Abuja

15.05.2018

/11

A Sad Day in the History of the Nigerian Judiciary Another Assault on Rivers State Judiciary

Broken Doors and Windows at the Court Entrance

Again, the Rivers State Judiciary, was subjected to another ugly onslaught, by reactionary elements who desecrated the hallowed temple of justice.

Gestapo style armed men, laid siege on the ultramodern complex of the Rivers State Judiciary last Friday, leaving sorrow, tears and blood. Like a bad dream, thugs allegedly loyal to a former Governor, attacked the Rivers State High Court, shooting sporadically, destroying properties and vandalising vehicles.

Their dastardly action was allegedly carried out with the tacit support and cover of operatives of Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) numbering over 50. The gates of the High Court Complex was blocked, as the hoodlums vandalised vehicles, breaking into offices and Magistrates’ Chambers, and intimidating Judicial Staff.

Spent Bullets on the Court Premises

Shattered Windscreen of the Staff Bus

His Worship, Andrew Jaja, a Chief Magistrate and other Staff of the Rivers State Judiciary, were allegedly manhandled, while attempting to gain entrance to the High Court complex.

The Chief Magistrate’s official car, a Black Honda Accord, was vandalised beyond repair, and he was physically attacked, robbed and his vehicle looted of its contents. While this was going on, SARs operatives continued to shoot directly into the crowd, and a few people sustained gun shot injuries. The brigandage allegedly led by a notorious cultist, was in a bid to stop proceedings in the suit filed by Senator Magnus Abe. The Magistrates’ Courts Complex was broken into, the records office completely destroyed, files looted for no reason whatsoever, and strewn all over the streets. The staff canteen was burgled, and sales receipts stolen. The safe in Accounts

L-R: Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, E.C.Aguma, SAN, Governor Nyesom Wike inspecting the Carnage at the Rivers State Judiciary

office was destroyed, and monies therein stolen.

The grouse of the aggrieved political opponents, was that the Senator was planning to use the High Court, to stop the Rivers APC Local Government Congresses.

By a curious twist, youths numbering over 100, summoned the courage to defy the thugs and SARS operatives, who kept shooting and forcefully opened the gates.

Shortly after, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, described the infamous act as coup against Rivers State.Wike said it was an attempt by the Police and the All Progressive Congress, to overthrow the Rivers State Government.

The Governor, who personally visited the scene of the mayhem to inspect the extent of the destruction, in the company of the State Attorney-General, Chinwe Aguma, SAN and the Rivers State Chief Judge, alleged that it was the Police and supporters of the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who were to be blamed for the destruction.

The political thugs specifically targeted and damaged several courtrooms, ransacked the court library, destroyed vehicles and looted shops, while hundreds of expended bullets littered the High Court Complex.

The Governor said it was unfortunate that the Nigeria Police connived with leaders of the APC to close the courts, and stop it from dispensing justice to Rivers people. He said, “This is very unfortunate. Do not trivialise this invasion, by saying it is just an attack by the APC on the Judiciary. This is a complete

Destroyed Court Room

coup by the Nigeria Police and the APC, to overthrow the Rivers State Government.

“We have said it before, and we have been vindicated by this callous joint invasion of the Rivers State Judiciary.”

Wike said that the Rivers State Police Commissioner, decided to copy the Inspector General of Police in the exhibition of recklessness and lawlessness, against an arm of Government carrying out its lawful duty.

“We cannot continue to rely on the Police to defend us. We must all stand up to defend democracy. What has happened, is a sign of what APC and Police have planned.

“APC Federal Government, is not prepared for election. Therefore, they want to truncate the nation’s democracy. They are fomenting trouble, to create an avenue for the military to take over.

“The APC Federal Government sponsored Senator Omo- Agege at the Federal High Court.

Nobody invaded the court. This action by the Police and APC, is not acceptable”, Wike said.

“We must defend ourselves, and the nation’s democracy. We cannot continue to rely on the Police. Remember, it was the police that kidnapped a sitting Governor.

“Nigerians have rejected the APC, and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Since they are unpopular, they want to truncate the nation’s democracy”, Governor Wike said.

The Governor praised the courage of Rivers State youths, whom he said rose in defence of democracy, by mobilising to open the courts, despite the shootings by the Nigeria Police.

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15.05.2018

Data, the New Bacteria: How Safe are You? In this article, James M. Derby discusses‘Data’, which has been described by some, as the “New oil of the Internet”; the pros and cons of its use, in this modern world. He laments that, Nigeria has no legislation regulating the use of Data, nor does Africa as a continent, have a unified approach to the use of Personal Data, unlike the European Union

A

t the mention of the word Bacteria, most people get jittery; the word sends chills down their spines, it raises immediately a feeling that all is not well. According to Wikipedia “there are approximately 39 trillion bacterial cells in the human microbiota”. Several species of bacteria cause infectious diseases, including cholera, syphilis, anthrax, and leprosy, however, not all bacteria is bad. In fact, some bacteria are necessary for us to live, eat, work and feel healthy.

Helpful bacteria make good use of themselves in foods, in our garbage can, and in our digestive system. However, before I get you bored about science and microorganisms as it relates to bacteria, let me assure you this article is not about bacteria, rather, it is about something that impacts our day to day living, it is about the new world we live in, about our future, the next generation; this article is about Data.

Definition of Data The logical question therefore, is, what is data? Some have termed it as "the new oil of the Internet and the new currency of the digital world”; others call it the “new diamond”. In Nigeria, there is no specific legislation on data protection, consequently, no statutory definition for the word data.

Nigeria, and indeed, Africa’s biggest trade partners, are still in Europe and America, despite the progress made with trade relations with Asia.

The European Union (EU) countries, have had data protection legislation since 1995. In England, we currently have the Data Protection Act 1998. From 25 May, 2018, all EU Member States (including the UK post Brexit), will have one Regulation on data protection known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR has taken into consideration, the impact of technology in this digitally disruptive age of the internet and electronic commerce (e- commerce) involving the cross-border flow of personal data, a high premium has been placed on personal data, and its ability to either promote or hinder international trade.

Article 4 of the GDPR, defines personal data as “any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person”.

Some Benefits of Data Just like some bacteria, data has is benefits to mankind. All over the world, we now spend much of our lives online, and our online activities from shopping to socialising, entertainment to information searching and gathering, to doing business across the globe without moving “an inch” have created an unprecedented number of data points.

Disadvantages of Data Again, like bacteria these data points, often come with risks.

Data when wrongly used or breached, can reveal our intimate details, can reveal financial information about us and put us in financial risks, When governments opt to use our data for surveillance purposes, even when claimed to be for the public good or overriding public interest, such data points can be used against us, our families, our employers and employees.

Multinationals meanwhile, can use our data in unethical or illegal ways, with impacts ranging from the relatively benign (such as unwanted adverts), to the very harmful (such as denying us loans).

We now live in a world where, our lives or data do not belong to us anymore. Cambridge Analytica, the data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump’s election team and the winning Brexit campaign, harvested millions of Facebook profiles of US voters, in one of the tech giant’s biggest ever data breaches, and used them to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.

There is a clear indication that, the datafication of our personal information will continue to be fostered by powerful companies, resulting in a data imbalance between the data haves (government and large corporations), and have nots.

Furthermore, the very asymmetry of power around who controls personal data, is fostering practices such as data commodification, identity theft, surveillance, and profiling, which are putting the lives of individuals at risk.

In the EU, the GDPR will give people better privacy protections, and force companies including Facebook and Google, to make sweeping changes to the way they collect data and consent from users – with huge fines for those who don’t comply. Notably, the current fine regime from the EU regulators for serious breaches of personal data which stands at a maximum of £500,000.00, will under GDPR, increase to a maximum of £17,000,000.00 or €20,000,000.00 or 4% of annual turnover.

Nigerian Scenario In Nigeria, collection or “processing” of personal data will continue on a large scale, mainly by Government regulated institutions or organisations providing services.

Government “processes” data through institutions such as Immigration services, passport offices, tax details.

Regulated institutions such as Banks and the Corporate Affairs Commission, “process” data inter alia, through Bank Verification Number (BVN) and personal information provided towards registration of companies. Corporations such as phone companies, airlines and educational institutions, “process” data when customers register for services and their data such as personal information, biometrics and passport details are collected, before services can be offered to them. The list for collection of personal data is limitless – the issue therefore, arises, just like bacteria, what are the benefits and risks of data collection? Are we, as a nation, leveraging on the benefits and advantages of data collection? do we, as a nation, protect personal information? what rights are available to data owners? Are they compatible with international rights? Finally, are we, as data owners, safe, whilst our data are being collected by all and sundry.

Africa Unlike the EU, Africa as a continent, has no unified approach to personal data protection across the continent;17 African countries, currently have comprehensive personal

“THE BAD BACTERIA OR BAD DATA, IS THE RISK WE ALL FACE, WHEN OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS COLLECTED, WITH OR WITHOUT OUR INFORMED CONSENT. IN A COUNTRY LIKE NIGERIA, WHERE THERE IS NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION REGULATING DATA PROTECTION, IT BECOMES A “DATA JUNGLE” WHERE “DATA GERMS AND BACTERIA”, HIBERNATE WITHOUT ANY HINDRANCE OR DISTURBANCE, AND DATA PREDATORS PATIENTLY WAIT TO STRIKE”

data protection legislations in place, and others have no legislation or constitutional protection. The African Union (AU), adopted the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Data Protection (AU Convention) in June, 2014. However, the AU Convention has not currently taken effect as it has, to date, not been ratified by the required 15 out of the 54 AU member jurisdictions; only Senegal ratified it on 3rd August, 2016.

The major benefits of data processing includes easy access to services, national security, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, access to global investment opportunities, mechanism for protecting privacy, particularly in a digital age, especially some non-negotiable rights. Of particular interest, is the potential for global business opportunities, which processing of data presents to Nigeria. For example, in England, organisations including private, public and voluntary sectors, now explore the opportunities to enter into various legal arrangements with companies in India, for processing of data of UK citizens, as a result of availability of technological know-how and reasonable costs. These business models are supported by legal arrangements, and protected through adequate safeguards such as “model clauses” and “Binding Corporate Rules” (BCRs).

The bad bacteria or bad data, is the risk we all face, when our personal information is collected, with or without our informed consent. In a country like Nigeria, where there is no specific legislation regulating data protection, it becomes a “data jungle” where “data germs and bacteria” hibernate without any hindrance or disturbance, and data predators patiently wait to strike. According to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), as at February 2018, there were 237,621,583 (mobile GSM) connected lines in Nigeria; this invariably means the GSM telephone service providers, have the personal data including biometrics of the total number of subscribers. One wonders what are, (if any), the data security arrangements for the safety of these data? Should we expect in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria in 2019, a company like Cambridge Analytica to access, hack, manipulate on behalf of any of the political parties in Nigeria, our data with the mobile phone companies towards their success at the polls. As at February 2017, 51.72million Nigerians had enrolled for the BVN; what (if any), are the safety measures available for these data?.

Conclusion When will Nigeria have a data protection legislation, to provide adequate security for data of it’s over 180million citizens? At the least, Nigeria can start with ratification of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Data Protection, and encourage other African countries to also ratify it. Organisations and multinationals in Nigeria, should proactively embed in their corporate policies, a robust data protection regime, as done by international organisations such as the World Bank, UN and IMF, and protect the privacy rights of its employees. The EU through the GDPR, is taking further steps to protect the privacy of its citizens and offer more rights and transparency. How, and when, is Nigeria and indeed, Africa, going to protect the data of its citizens, so they can be “safe”?

James Modupe Derby, Solicitor of England and Wales, CEO Paramountglobal Consulting Ltd (UK)

15.05.2018

THE LIGHTER SIDE/13

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief JUDE IGBANOI jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com Dear Counsel, I would like to share my plight with you, as advised by a friend.

Before I joined the company I now work with, I registered a limited liability company. I invested my clients’ money with the three financial outfits, which I later found out were ‘Wonder Banks’.

I also invested some funds in an oil and gas company.

My plight is that, those funds running up to N5 million, are now trapped in these institutions which have been clamped down by Government.

I now face difficult times with my creditors. I have been threatened to pay from whatever source, even if I go and steal.

Secondly, I gave a friend N280, 000, to buy shares in a private placement. Some of the money, belongs to my friends. The person I gave the money did not buy the shares, and I now face distrust from my creditors. Because of the economic melt down, my friend is facing too many troubles with other investors. He has closed down his office. I can no longer get him on the phone. Some have even hinted that it could be MMM. Please, tell me how to go about all these.

Tunde (SOS), Lagos.

Dear Tunde, It is quite pathetic, that you allowed yourself to become a victim of Wonder Banks. About two or three years ago, when I started hearing again the activities of those dubious financial outfits, I had cause to warn those I knew, who sought my advice before they placed funds in such outfits. It soon turned out that, all the much-hyped benefits were a fluke. If you did not tell your investors at the time you were collecting money from them, that you were going to place their money in a Wonder Bank, then you are liable to pay them back their money. I am sure that you had a clear arrangement with them, as to what the money was to be used for, or how it was supposed to be invested.

Let me reiterate that, any financial outfit that is not registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria and regulated by the relevant regulatory agency, is illegal. Whether it is a loan-shark, money lending outfit, or any such unscrupulous business concern, it is illegal and criminal, as far as it is unregistered and unlicensed to carry out such financial services.

A cold winter night Lorenzo Dow, an Evangelist of the last century, was on a preaching tour, when he came to a small town one cold winter's night.

He entered the local general store, to get some warmth, and saw the town's Lawyers gathered around the pot-bellied stove, discussing the town's business. Not one offered to allow Dow into the circle.

Dow told the men who he was, and that he had recently had a vision where he had been given a tour of Hell, much like the traveller in Dante's Inferno.

When one of the Lawyers asked him what he had seen, he replied, "Very much what I see here: All of the Lawyers, gathered in the hottest place Legal Quotes & Quips When there are too many Policemen, there can be no liberty; When there are too many Soldiers, there can be no peace; When there are too many Lawyers, there can be no justice.”

-- Lin Yutang “Litigation is a machine which you go into as a pig, and come out as a sausage.”

-- Ambrose Bierce "A country man between two Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats.”

-- Benjamin Franklin “Lawyers have been known to wrest from reluctant juries triumphant verdicts of acquittal for their clients, even when those clients, as often happens, were clearly and unmistakably innocent.”

-- Oscar Wilde “In the Halls of Justice, the only justice is in the halls.”

-- Lenny Bruce “I was never ruined but twice -- once when I lost a lawsuit, and once when I gained one.”

-- Voltaire

Witness Tells Court How Businessman Who Cloned SON Logo was Caught Akinwale Akintunde A prosecution witness, Aladewusi Oluwadare, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos, how 147 cartons of NSNOWS Gas Refrigerants with cloned Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) logos, were allegedly found in the possession of the Managing Director of Agastorm Ltd, Nonso Udoye.

Oluwadare, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told Justice Saliu Saidu, that a SON patrol team discovered the products in Agastorm’s warehouse at Ebute-Meta, Lagos.

Udoye, of 36, Ayara Street, Surulere, Lagos, is standing trial on a 15-count charge of forgery and counterfeiting, following his arraignment by the SON on February 25.

The Defendant has been on remand, following his inability to perfect his bail terms.

At the court proceedings last week, Oluwadare, who was led in evidence by SON’s counsel, Amaka Allen-Ngbale, told the court that he was part of a five-man team that investigated the case, following a petition by SON Director-General to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

CATHOLIC LAWYERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 of young people, be met with contempt and forlorn hope,” Ukeje said.

Dominican University Vice Chancellor, Prof Anthony Akinwale, who spoke on "Pseudo Religion and Ethnicity: A Bane to Accountability and Transparent Leadership in Nigeria", noted that sometimes, religion and ethnicity are abused.

“Religious and ethnic sentiments are whipped up to win votes, to grab power, and to remain in power. But, on closer examination, the intention is not to be at the service of men and women of my religious or ethnic communities, the intention is to use them to service my ego and my addiction to power.

“That explains why, the fact that a member of my

ethnic or religious community is in power, does not translate into improved standard of living for members of my ethnic or religious communities.

"Rather, it translates into his or her living an affluent life while members of the ethnic or religious community of the power holding man or woman live in penury.

“A public servant who abuses his or her office, acting in ways that are inimical to the common good, evokes the sympathy of his or her ethnic or religious community, by simply claiming that he or she is being sanctioned just for being the son or daughter of the ethnic or religious community.

“It was stated in the petition that, on December 7, 2017, during a patrol by a SON patrol unit, they intercepted a warehouse at No. 137, Bornu Street, Ebute-Metta, belonging to the Defendant. On inspection of the goods inside the warehouse, they discovered cartons of NSNOWS Gas Refrigerants and Cylinders with unauthorised SON seals. So they locked up the warehouse”, the witness said.

According to the witness, following his arrest, Udoye took the police investigative team to another warehouse, where another product, Chap Gas Refrigerant Cylinder, was discovered.

The witness testified that, SON told the police team that it did not authorise the use of its seal on the products.

According to the charge, Udoye allegedly “made an impression of a production registration counterfeit seal, knowing the seal to be counterfeit, of the SON on 147 cartons of NSNOWS Gas Refrigerants of 12 cylinders each stored at the warehouse.

The court also heard that he imported “1441 cartons of Regfrigerant Gas that did not comply with any industrial standard”, among others.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 465, 467, 467(4)(v) and 468 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004 and Sections 26(2)(b) and 26(2)(b)(iii) of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Act, 2015.

Following a brief cross-examination by Defence Counsel, Emmanuel Okoroafor, Justice Saidu adjourned the matter to May 18, for continuation of trial.

14/IMAGES

15.05.2018

Last Friday, May 11, 2018, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, held their Annual Lecture themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building Sustainable Business in the Film, Television, and Music Sectors: Challenges for the Industry and Governmentâ&#x20AC;? at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Here are some of the Personalities that were in attendance... photos: Kolawole Alli

Senior Parner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN

Senator Ben Bruce

L-R: Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, Managing Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Lady Elizabeth Idigbe, Senator Ben Bruce, Guest Speaker, Mr. Obodoechina Asika and Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Miss Isioma Idigbe

L-R: Chief Sonny Kuku, Professor Oni Idigbe and Chief Phillip Asiodu

Ngozi Augusta Chibututu (left) and Chief Sena Anthony

Mr. Nnamdi Uwaezuoke (left) and M.D, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello

Mr. P.O. Jimoh Lasisi, SAN (left) and Mr. Tunde Busari, SAN

L-R: Chief Don Ezeh, KSM, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN and Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju

Dr. Eugene Juwah and his wife, Priscilla

Representative of former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, Mr. Omoruyi Edoiiawerie (left) and Special Guest of Honour, Prince Abimbola Olashore

Dr. Austin Izagbo (left) and Mr. Henry Onyemem

15.05.2018

IMAGES/15

L-R: Alhaji Garba Bello KankaroďŹ , Lady Elizabeth Idigbe, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN, Chief Phillip Asiodu and Prince Abimbola Olashore

Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors Partners and Special Guests cutting the Lecture Cake

Treasurer, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICC), Mrs. Dorothy Ufot, SAN and Secretary General, ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi

Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN (left) and Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN

L-R: Panelists, Chinedu A. Chukwuji, Isioma A. Idigbe, Angela Anukam and Michael D.Williams

Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, SAN (left) and Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN

L-R:Company Secretary, Royal Exchange, Sheila Ezeuko, CEO, Debics Consulting, Mr. Chike Mokwunye and Lead Partner, Associated Attorneys, Mr. Eze Okorocha

L-R: Mrs. Nonye Ofuogbu, Company Secretary\Legal Adviser, FAAN, Dr. CliďŹ&#x20AC;ord Omozeghian and Chief James Odubanjo

Mr. Ige Asemudara (left) and Mr. Tochukwu Onyinka

Mr. Tunde Falasinu (left) and Mr. Segun Sebanjo

Mr. Rotimi Fashogbon (left) and Mr. Segun Jegede

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15.05.2018

24

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Mopping Up Sub-standard LPG Cylinders The Standards Organisation of Nigeria recently intercepted and mopped up sub-standard LPG cylinders in circulation. Jonathan Eze writes on the dangers of such products and the necessary precautions that can guarantee safety Certain specific properties of compressed gases make them highly useful in various activities.

These gases, however, can be dangerous if they are not handled in an appropriate manner.

Many of the odourless and colourless gases are highly toxic and flammable and this calls for utmost care while handling them.

LPG may leak as a gas or a liquid. If the liquid leaks, it will quickly evaporate and form a relatively large cloud of gas which will drop to the ground, as it is heavier than air. LPG vapours can run for long distances along the ground and can collect in drains or basements.

When the gas meets a source of ignition it can burn or explode. Cylinders can explode if involved in a fire. LPG can also cause cold burns to the skin and it can act as an asphyxiant at high concentrations.

Recognising this danger and its attendant effects, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), carried out a public destruction exercise of over 749 substandard LPG cylinders in Katsina, Capital of Katsina State.

This comes even as the agency warned dealers of fake and substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the country to desist from doing so. In fact, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, described the illicit trade as life endangering, stressing that it poses great danger to lives and property in Nigeria.

The SON boss said the withdrawal of the cylinders from circulation during mop up exercises in Kaduna and Kano States, was in line with the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 which gives the organisation the powers to seize suspected substandard products for a period of 90 days in the first instance, for quality verification without recourse to judicial intervention.

Represented by the Regional Coordinator, North West-Zone, Mr. Dauda Yakubu, the DG disclosed that the cylinders have been subjected to laboratory tests and analysis to confirm the conformity, stressing that they failed critical safety parameters on construction, performance and marking.

“Many have expired, while some supposedly new ones were badly welded, thus posing great danger to lives and property,” he said.

On why the substandard cylinders were brought to Katsina for destruction, he noted that there was a mutual agreement with the owners of the Dana Steel Rolling Mill facilities to assist in that respect and recycle them for other uses to avoid environmental pollution.

The Regional Coordinator admonished those dealing in the LPG Gas Cylinders and accessories to abide strictly by the safety requirements in the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS), given the potential danger that the substandard cylinders could pose to lives and property.

He stated that SON would give benefit of the doubt to the manufacturer, warning that they would face the full weight of the Law if found to continue in the unpatriotic act.

Yakubu then extended SON’s appreciation to the Dana Steel management for making their facility available for the destruction exercise and called on other stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in the bid to improve lives through standards and quality assurance.

The destruction exercise was witnessed by the SON State Coordinators from Katsina, Kano and Kaduna along with representatives of security agencies, the management team of Dana Steel Rolling Mill and representatives of media houses.

It will be recalled that the agency recently, intensified its efforts to remove uncertified LPG cylinders that find their way into the country through unapproved routes, noting that LPG cylinders not approved by the standards body are considered unsafe for both domestic and industrial use.

The SON Chief Executive explained that the move became necessary due to information gathered and its surveillance report revealing that some LPG cylinders could have been smuggled through illegal routes destroying lives and property while assuring the citizenry of the agency’s renewed vigour to stamp out the preponderance of fake and substandard

inaugurated by SON to work out modalities for a scheme to re-qualify LPG cylinders in the country.

The scheme, according the SON Chief Executive, would involve the withdrawal of substandard cylinders from circulation and ensure the production, importation, sale and use of only duly certified LPG cylinders in Nigeria.

Safety Precautions Pressure receptacle: This is a generic term covering a number of types of pressure receptacle: tube, pressure drum, cryogenic receptacle, bundle of cylinders as well as cylinders themselves, plus the valve(s) fitted directly to the receptacle.

However for the purpose of this guidance, the term “gas cylinder” shall be taken to mean all these various types of pressure receptacle.

Gas cylinders used in adverse or extreme conditions, such as for breathing apparatus, may require special precautions, although the advice is valid for all uses of gas cylinders.

As an employer or self-employed person, you have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe work equipment. Designers, inspectors, manufacturers, suppliers, users and owners also have duties.

Employers have a further duty to consult any safety or employee representatives on health and safety matters. Where none are appointed, employers should consult the workforce directly.

Aboloma goods in the country.

According to the SON boss, the standards body would stop at nothing in order to ensure the lives and property of Nigerians are safe, saying that SON under new SON Act 2015 would allow only authorised dealers are allowed to import cylinders.

Indeed, stakeholders have appealed to operators in the LPG sector to get proper certifications for storage tanks, warning that agency would invoke

Recognising this danger and its attendant effects, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), carried out a public destruction exercise of over 749 substandard LPG cylinders in Katsina, Capital of Katsina State

the provisions of the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 on any operator found to have circumvented the mandatory requirement of certifying LPG storage vessels.

Aboloma, disclosed that in a bid to address fire outbreaks caused by substandard gas cylinders, the agency acquired mobile testing equipment for the inspection, testing and certification of LPG storage tanks, pressure vessels and pipelines while urging operators in the LPG sector to voluntarily subscribe to the SON certification of their vessels in the overall interest of the nation’s economy and the safety of lives.

He added that due certification of LPG storage vessels, proper maintenance and handling of cylinders, safe and ethical practices are necessary steps to avoid explosions and gas accidents.

While challenging SON officials to ensure that only certified LPG vessels and storage tanks are in operation across the country within the shortest possible time, adding that the certification of LPG storage vessels by authorized and competent bodies is an international practice and a mandatory requirement to assure the integrity, effectiveness and suitability of the vessels to store liquefied petroleum gas without failure.

He also disclosed that LPG vessels in Nigeria are certified to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code, Division 1, Section VIII: 2015 by SON. The certification, he stated is one of the requirements of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for the issuance of operating license to LPG Plant Operators. Brand new vessels are certified for five years, after which revalidation is carried out every three years, he said.

The SON DG also explained that another set of 32 engineers were trained in Lagos to ensure that the strategically located mobile testing equipment in Lagos (for the South West Zone), Enugu (for the South-east and South-south Zones) and Abuja for the Northern Zone can be put to effective use across the country.

He admitted that a joint committee of stakeholders in the LPG Sector was recently

Use of Gas Cylinders Gas cylinders are a convenient way to transport and store gases under pressure. These gases are used for many different purposes including: chemical processes; soldering, welding and flame cutting; breathing (e.g. diving, emergency rescue); medical and laboratory uses; dispensing beverages; fuel for vehicles (e.g. fork-lift trucks); extinguishing fires; heating and cooking; water treatment.

The main hazards are: impact from the blast of a gas cylinder explosion or rapid release of compressed gas; impact from parts of gas cylinders or valves that fail, or any flying debris; contact with the released gas or fluid (such as chlorine); fire resulting from the escape of flammable gases or fluids (such as liquefied petroleum gas); impact from falling cylinders and manual handling injuries.

The main causes of accidents are: inadequate training and supervision; poor installation; poor examination and maintenance; faulty equipment and/or design (e.g. badly fitted valves and regulators); poor handling; poor storage; inadequately ventilated working conditions; incorrect filling procedures; hidden damage.

How to Reduce the Risks All gas cylinders must be designed and manufactured to an approved standard to withstand everyday use and to prevent danger.

They must be initially inspected before they are put into service to ensure they conform to the approved standard and be periodically examined at appropriate intervals to ensure that they remain safe while in service. To reduce the risks of failure you need to know, and act on, the following precautions.

Training Anyone who examines, refurbishes, fills or uses a gas cylinder should be suitably trained and have the necessary skills to carry out their job safely. They should understand the risks associated with the gas cylinder and its contents.

In particular, new employees should receive training and be supervised closely; users should be able to carry out an external visual inspection of the gas cylinder, and any attachments (e.g. valves, flashback arresters, an regulators), to determine whether they are damaged. Visible indicators may include dents, bulges, evidence of fire damage (scorch marks) and severe grinding marks etc.; valves should only be removed by trained personnel using procedures which ensure that either the cylinder does not contain any pressure or that the valve is captured during the removal process.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Setting Up Soyamilk, Yoghurt Plant Uba Godwin highlights the benefits of establishing a Soyamilk, Yoghurt producing plant The Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) is presently disbursing the sum of N26billion intervention fund for Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The scheme called the Agriculture and Small & Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGMSMEIS) was pooled together by Banks and is set to provide funding for small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria.

Prospective investors into Agriculture, such as cassava can benefit from the scheme.

The object of this profile is to briefly review the process technology, raw materials, machinery and Equipment, the production capacity and financial implication of establishing milk (soymilk) and yoghurt production to make profitable investment.

Milk is extracted from soybeans, the leguminous plant that can grow in all parts of Nigeria, but which currently grows in large quantities in the middle belt of the country viz; Niger, Benue, Plateau, Kwara States. Soymilk is a beverage that can be taken plain, sweetened, flavoured, dairy like, powdered or condensed or pasteurized at much lower price than cow milk. Soymilk has a taste and texture that is almost distinguishable from, has higher protein content and lower cholesterol than cow’s milk.

It offers a safe alternative for children who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow’s milk and is well suited for making yoghurt and ice cream, cheese and serves as an exceptionally good base for commercial soft serve products.

In Nigeria, the use of soy bean products especially soymilk is relatively new but with the pioneering efforts of some companies that produce different soybean based products is becoming popular and more acceptable in recent years. Already large scale production and commercial marketing of soy milk as nutrition drink in Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, USA etc, has emerged coupled with improvements in soymilk flavour and technologies developed by such companies as Expansao Comercio International Ltd. The soymilk has appeal to the tastes of diverse cultures.

Yoghurt processing plant Most of milk packaging companies in Nigeria have adopted soymilk technologies.

With the increasing awareness of the nutritional value of soymilk, ease of preparation and availability of the raw materials, the market is assured.

It is everyone’s delicacy who has tasted it especially school children, workers, oil and young. As an alternative to cow’s milk, it is cheaper in price and the consumption is very high in dry seasons when people take it like other forms of flavoured milk soymilk in the market is flavoured in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and even banana.

It is also used in making yoghurt, ice cream, cheese, soy mayonnaise, soy shakes, soy whipped cream etc.

From direct consumption it can be sold to the downstream industrialists or these sub industries can be incorporated by an interested investor to have an integrated industry.

The advisable economic minimum equipment are a very good laboratory, washing equip-

ment, grinding machines, centrifugal filters, pasteurization unit, cooling system, storage tanks, automatic packer for plastic bags or automatic bottle filling machines etc (for milk in bags and bottles).

For yoghurt a yoghurt processor is required, with dosing system. For creamy cheese, a cream cheese processor, dosing system and cooling chambers are required.

For details on the procurement and installation of the required machines, prospective investors should contact the writer.

The raw materials needed to produce soymilk are good quality soy beans, water, sugar, flavouring agents (vanilla, coffee, honey, banana, strawberry, orange malt, egg, chocolate etc.), stabilizers, colouring agents, packaging material, caustic soda, and sodium hypochlorite.

Most of these are locally available at any of the Nigerian markets.

The production processes are simple and would be demonstrated to prospective investors in a well packaged comprehensive and bankable

feasibility studies report.

The plant has the capacity of producing 1 tonne per day. It can produce 250 metric tons of concentrated soymilk in a year working for average of 250 days. The cost of the set of machines with an equipment production capacities are available and will be given to prospective investors on request.

The prospective investor would have the right to decide on the level to go into.

From investment analysis, an estimated sum of N50.0million to set up a medium scale plant using imported machines.

From analysis also, the profit figure of N25.9million would be made within one year of operation representing profit on turnover of 59.47%. Profit on investment for the first five years of operation recorded 76.63%. More profit would be made if the prospective investor optimizes his or her product mix.

The writer can assist any prospective investor in successful going into this venture. The full scale and bankable feasibility study is needed to implement the project.

Before embarking on the actual project implementation, up to date Performa invoices should be obtained from at least three different manufacturers of the required machinery and equipment to enable the prospective investors do a realistic comparative study of the manufacturers’ competence, their product costs and technology.

The writer would assist prospective investors in conducting and preparing a comprehensive and bankable feasibility studies and report.

Financial Implications Preliminary Expenses N550, 000 Fixed Assets Investments N25, 815,820 Variable Operational cost N15, 945.340 Fixed Operational Expenses N7, 500,000 Total N49, 811,160 For further enquiries, please contact the writer Uba Godwin Global Trust Consulting, 56 Ishaga Road (1st floor), Surulere, Lagos Tel: 08023664368, 08034494437 E-mail: ubagodwin@yahoo.com

Dozie, Okoli, Ernest Ebi to Unveil ABC Transport Founder’s Book Wednesday Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Paschal Dozie, Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Ernest Ebi, Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Limited, Stella Okoli, are among topnotch captains of industry expected to grace the

book launch of founder of ABC Transport Plc, Frank Nneji.

The event, which comes up tomorrow, May 16 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, will attract the crème la crème in the

society, particularly those from the Nigerian business environment.

The book: ‘Who Says You Can’t – Timeless Lessons and Experiences in Business’ written by Nneji himself will be

unveiled by Stella Okoli while one of the founders of Arthur Anderson and Chairman, Editorial Advisory Board of BusinessDay, Dick Kramer will serve as the Chairman of the event.

According to Nneji, Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, who wrote the Forward of the book will also grace the occasion.

Nneji, a frontline governorship aspirant in Imo State

for the 2019 election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) recently marked his 25 years of nurturing successful private businesses that have competed locally and internationally.

FG Urges Private Sectors Operators to Emulate WACOT Rewards Agro Dealers, Unveils New Dangote’s Support for economy Packaging for Vinash Health Minister, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole has commended Dangote Group, for its unparallel and enormous intervention in the Health sector and urged other private sectors to take a cue from the firm.

Specifically, the minister, in a recent chat with a team from Dangote News, an in house journal of Dangote Group, lauded the support and partnership with the Aliko Dangote Foundation, even as he sought further collaboration with the conglomerate in the areas of malnutrition and malaria eradication.

President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has been advocating that the private sector operators in Nigeria commit one percent of their profit annually to funding health care services.

The minister said the partnership with the Dangote Group is crucial in view of the inadequate

funding in the healthcare sector, adding that Aliko Dangote has enormous influence in the sector and his involvement in the general economic well being of the nation is unquantifiable.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has been championing the eradication of Polio Virus and malaria in Nigeria as well as providing micro grants to vulnerable women in all the local governments of the federation to boost the economy at the grassroots.

Adewole said: “My message to the President of Dangote Foundation is to sincerely appreciate his unparalleled support to the health sector and to urge him to champion the drive to secure private sector funding for the health sector.

Generations of Nigerian children yet unborn will ever be grateful to him and the Foundation.”

He added: “It is worthy of note that as I mentioned earlier,

Dangote Foundation and BMGF have contributed immensely to the reduction of inaccessible population in Borno State by one third within a period of six months through funding of the two key programme innovations to reach trapped populations know as Reaching Every Settlement (RES) and Reaching Inaccessible Children (RIC).

“The duo are very influential in the public health sector in Nigeria as the President of Dangote Foundation and the Co-chair of BMGF have direct access to the highest level of political leadership. The duo in February 2009 successfully mobilized the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to sign a commitment to support polio eradication with funds and oversight. That commitment, popularly known as ‘Abuja Commitment’ was revalidated in January 2016.”

As part of its commitment to engaging and adding value to its stakeholders, WACOT Ltd, a member of The TGI Group, held its first Dealers Meet in four locations across the country, where about 100 of its dealers were rewarded for their patronage.

The last of the four-part meetings was held in Central Hotel Kano. The first three which were held in Ibadan, Abuja and Gombe in the preceding weeks, was a gathering of the company’s Agro-Inputs dealers, who stated that the quality and performance of WACOT’s products in the market is the major reason why they deal with WACOT. The rewards for the dealers in various categories ranged from motorcycles, television sets, and refrigerators to a brand new car for the grand prize. In Gombe, due to a tie

in the performance, two grand prizes were given out.

Speaking at the meeting in Kano, Mr. Sadiq Kassim, GM Corporate Affairs, TGI Group (parent company of WACOT) said: “We pride ourselves in being able to engage our stakeholders at every level, and our dealers are not left out of this. While the rewards are a way of us giving back to them and encouraging them, the joy for us is being able to sit in a room with them to hear directly from them how our products are doing in the market, and ways in which they want us to improve”.

The company also used the opportunity to introduce the revamped packaging of all its products which now have a more pronounced outlook for easier brand recognition, and unveil the redesigned VINASH, the company’s flagship agro-

chemical which is a household name among Nigerian farmers.

Commenting at the launch, the MD of WACOT, Mr. Ujwal Senapati, reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering only quality inputs saying “our goal is to make the packages more user-friendly, tamper-proof and easy to identify, especially in a market where counterfeiting is rife. More importantly, our strategy is to brand and promote the products in such a way that it makes sales easier for our dealers.”

“We are also using this opportunity to recognise our sales team in our branches across the nation. Without them, none of these would have been possible. Our people are our biggest assets and we will continue to appreciate their efforts in every way we can” added Mr. Senapati.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Lifestyle Demands: Beverly & Sam Properties Celebrates 15 Years of Providing Luxury Homes Beverly & Sam Properties, a respected and trusted name in the real estate sector, is showcasing a choice selection of luxury properties for sale as part of her 15 years anniversary celebration events in Lagos. Bennett Oghifo reports

B

everly & Sam Properties, a respected and trusted name in the real estate sector, is showcasing a choice selection of luxury properties for sale as part of her 15 years anniversary celebration events in Lagos.

Beverly & Sam Properties has over the last 15 years proudly offered unique investment properties to a vast number of individual and corporate clients, from around the world that are looking for high-end residential and commercial developments in prime locations in Lagos, Abuja and Dubai (UAE).

Lilian Agbakoba, the Managing Director of Beverly & Sam Properties is a respected player in the real estate market, local and international.

Lilian is married to Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN,OON and she is lawyer with over 37 years’ experience in Corporate Legal Practice. She is a Real Estate Consultant and an IFMA certified Facilities Manager, working with a team of highly motivated Estate Surveyors and administrative staff in the company’s Lagos and Abuja offices. She started her real estate career while working with the Michelin Group in Nigeria for 22 years, during which one of her responsibilities as Group Legal Manager/ Company Secretary included acquiring prime residential properties

for the company’s Directors and Senior Expatriate staff in all their operational bases in Lagos, Benin City and Port Harcourt.

The exclusive hot list of luxury developments for sale in Beverly & Sam’s portfolio in Lagos include: the Eko Pearl, Eko Black Pearl, Eko Champagne Pearl Towers at Eko Atlantic City, designed by the internationally renowned real estate developer Elias Saad Leading Associates (ESLA), a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group; The Guilanio Medici Terraces at Banana Island by Sujimoto Construction; The Oceanna Caerulean, Oceanna Indigo, Oceanna Azure, Oceanna Aqua, 4 Towers of iconic waterfront community, designed

by HOK Architects. Developed

by Grenadine Homes, it offers a hotel apartment, residential apartments and retail and recreational luxury lifestyle, and it is located at Oniru waterfront.

Also by Grenadine Homes is Shonny Park Place at Ikeja; and Beverley & Sam has in the market several modern smart homes at Ikoyi and Victoria Island, promoted by reputable private developers.

At the FCT Abuja the property listings for sale include the prestigious World Trade Center by First Intercontinental Properties limited; The Grenadines Resort at Katampe; The PurpleStone Mall and PurpleStone Modern Market

The Oceanna, one of the sturdy properties on Beverly & Sam’s portfolio

at Apo. Beverly & Sam Properties works closely with Damac Group, a Dubai based reputable international real estate developer, marketing their developments in Nigeria.

Damac Group, which has a wide range of projects, is listed on Dubai Stock Exchange, and it is a financially strong company with best brand associations.

The 2018 report of the company lists a record of 19,900 units of hospitality portfolio of hotel rooms, serviced hotel apartments and serviced villas completed and delivered, and 44,000 units under development at various stages at prime locations.

Damac Group has a wide range of luxury developments

for sale in its property portfolio, including apartments in iconic skyscrapers, prestigiously branded hotel apartments and green residential villas set in large breathtaking communities inspired by nature. These developments are on offer to discerning Nigerians who desire to invest on apartments with stable and high returns and those who desire a villa for a second/holiday home.

Located at the central Business Bay and the high profile Dubai Marina are several amazing iconic towers with luxurious apartments for sale. On the listings are Aykon City Towers, Damac Majestine, Damac Heights, Reva Residences, Damac Towers by Paramount. The Akoya Oxygen

luxury villas are set in a large community in Dubai’s first tropical rain forest occupying several acres of ground with recreational and sport facilities, schools, restaurants, hotels, the Damac Trump Golf Club and the breathe taking Dubailand.

According to reports by Reidinn, Khaleejtimes.com and propertyfinder.com the amenities in all Damac developments are far superior to those of its competitors and the sale prices are at par and, in some cases better.

To the question “Why Buy Dubai?”, the chief executive officer said, “Beverly & Sam Properties assures prospective investors that it is a wise decision based on available statistics.” According to IMF Forecast 2018, Dubai has the advantage of a stable economy with 3.6% growth at par with global economy of 3.6% growth rate. It has a high rental yield of 5.5% and a historical return of investment (ROI) of 12%, political stability, affordable property prices and rental rates, no taxation on residential properties, easy repatriation of rental income, no inheritance tax, 5% vat on commercial properties, one of the safest places in the world with low crime rate, no natural calamities and harmonious living conditions.

Dubai is the 4th visited place in the world, a financial capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a major hub for

trade, leisure and medical tourism.

Reports by Reidinn and Zoopla on High Rentals and Sustainable Capital Appreciation from January 2007 to February 2017, ranked Dubai with three other major cities New York, Singapore and London real estate returns. According to their report, Singapore ranks first with 96% rental increase and 30% capital appreciation; Dubai ranks second at 74% rental increase and 47% capital appreciation; in third place is London with 45% rental increase and 30% capital appreciation and in fourth place is New York with 40% rental increase and 23% capital appreciation. Moreover most of the Damac developments under construction are selling off plan with easy and good payment plans ranging from four to 16 instalments. The interiors of the luxury serviced apartments are designed by famous international brands like Versace, Fendi Casa and Paramount Studios.

According to Lilian Agbakoba, “Beverly & Sam Properties acknowledges that our success so far is by the grace of God Almighty and the support of past and existing clients to whom we extend our sentiments of gratitude and appreciation. To our new clients, we offer assurances of our commitment to provide a unique client experience.”

ment is not paying adequate attention to the sector.

“I urge the government to start paying attention to the leasing industry. Already we have the laws put in place that guide all that we do. So, now, more than ever, we need the government to partner us.”

Meanwhile, other awardees included Cardinal Olubumi Okojie who clinched the award for Religious Tolerance; President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prize for African Development; Late Etienne Tshisekedi for Good Governance Advocacy; and Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu

for Integrity in Public Service.

Hon. Uche Nwosu, Imo State Chief of Staff, clinched the prize for Integrity in Leadership; Ambassador Solomon Okowa got the prize for Mentorship and Youth Development; Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo for Integrity in Real Estate Business. Clay Neff clinched the Business Leadership award; while Pirotti Projects won that of Integrity in Business; and Dr. Nabhit Kapur won the prize for Peace. Precision Technologies Consultants Limited, clinched that for Integrity in Business.

Engr. (Dr.) Emmanuel Audu-

First Choice MD Bags Integrity Award in Leasing Business Chiemelie Ezeobi Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Choice Leasing Limited, Chief Michael Diji, has bagged the Integrity in Leasing Business, an award by the 2018 African Integrity Prize, a brain child of the foremost regional African Child Foundation, held in Lagos, recently.

While receiving his award, Diji called on governments at all levels to pay attention to the leasing sector as a panacea for unemployment.

According to the organisers,

Diji was awarded alongside others for having done the most or the best work for fraternity between communities, maintaining integrity in field of endeavour and promotion of peace in a collaborative effort.

They were commended for serving as an exemplary role model to young people in Africa, taking an effective and vigorous leadership role in the community, making significant contributions in their specific fields of endeavor and displaying exceptional character.

By this honour, the laureate, Diji would be listed into the

United Nations Volunteers for Peace in Africa (UNVPA) and rated under this category among African Union (AU) members.

While commending the organisers, Diji said it was a fulfilling experience for him and his company with the honour which cements his 10 years in leasing business.

He said, “It’s a fulfilling experience because at First Choice, we are customer-centered as we believe in satisfying our teeming customers and our efforts are paying off.

“We got incorporated in October 2010 and for our

individual or corporate clients we offer car rental services, trainings, recruitment, all forms of financial consulting services, equipment leasing services, LPO Finance, Fleet Management, financial consultancy services and Delinquent Facility Management Services.”

The former banker, who has leveraged on his many years of experience, skill and expertise in the banking sector, said he brought it to bear in the leasing company.

He said, “Leasing is a profitable sector that can curb unemployment but the govern-

Lagos Bricklayers Association to Upgrade IFMA Nigeria Chapter to Celebrate 2018 World FM Day with Technical Students Members’ Skills Adoption of new building techniques has been identified as the panacea for inadequacies in the building workmanship.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new executive members of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Kunle Awobodu, a professional builder and the chairman of the event stressed the importance of

skills upgrading in the trade of brick or block laying and rendering.

He said when coaches of bricks or blocks are not perfectly laid, it would result in higher consumption of mortar. “Corrective measures during rendering that required excessive filling with mortar in order to achieve a flat and smooth wall surface would eventually create cracks in

the wall surface.”

Awobodu, who is the First Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and former President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), advised the bricklayers to abide by the appropriate construction procedure from the beginning in their aspect of work on site rather than make bypass that could lead to shoddy job.

Fadekemi Ajakaiye As part of the strategy for capacity development and the need to inspire the next generation of Facility Managers, the International Facility Management Association, Nigeria Chapter will be celebrating the 2018 World Facility Management Day with the students of the Government Technical College, Agidingbi,

Ikeja, Lagos, tomorrow. The theme for the celebration is, “Enabling Positive Experiences: Inspiring the Technical Students for a better tomorrow.” This was revealed during an interview with President of the Association, Engr. Pius Iwundu, FMP. The President stated that, the World FM Day has become a veritable platform that promotes the importance of facility manag-

ers in the overall growth and preservation of infrastructure and assets in built environment.

According to him, “This year’s celebration is geared towards developing the next generation of facility managers who will move the profession to higher heights in Nigeria. There is a need to raise committed professionals who will advance the course of the profession.

29

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Lagos Intensifies Campaign against Plastic Pollution Bennett Oghifo Lagos State Government has urged Lagosians to be proactive in the fight to end plastic pollution in order to protect and preserve the planet earth.

In a statement issued to mark the 2018 World Earth Day, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti urged Lagosians to be protective of the earth as it is a blessing to mankind.

“The Earth is a blessing to mankind because it is our source of water, food, medicine, and shelter”, he stressed.

Durosinmi-Etti explained that the World Earth Day, celebrated on every April 22, was a day set aside to appreciate and demonstrate support for environmental protection. He said it had been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues such as climate change, marine pollution, global warming, and wildlife crime amongst others.

The Commissioner, who said the earth was a magnificent space with incredibly complex and vibrant ecosystem, where living organisms interact with each other and their environment to create ideal conditions for living, urged Lagosians to protect the biodiversity of Lagos State and embrace acts that lead to the conservation of the environment. He said that the 2018 edition of the world Earth Day with the theme “End Plastic Pollution” was dedicated to spreading awareness about dangers of plastic pollution, adding that it was time to

recognise the need to end its use through persistent advocacy.

“Plastic pollution is poisoning our waters and lands, injuring marine lives and affecting our overall health,” he said.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to appeal to Lagosians to support household and community recycling with the reuse of plastic related materials to reduce the effect of plastic pollution in the environment.

Meanwhile, to commemorate the 2018 World Environment Day on June 5, the Lagos State Government has initiated an Environmental Award tagged ‘’Lagos Green Award’’ to recognise and honour individual, groups and organisations that have contributed to the environment.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinnmi-Etti explained that the award, which would be in nine different categories, was one of deliberate policies of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration to stimulate the appreciation of the environment among Lagosians.

“Our environment will be safer if we all embrace the opportunity to get involved in protecting the environment which is the superstructure on which our civilization rests,” he stressed.

He said that members of the public could nominate deserving Individuals, group or organisations whose action have directly improved the environmental resilience of Lagos State in any of the nine areas, namely Environmental Management, Best Environment Practices, Oil Spill Management, Health, Safety & Environmental

JJT, Badagry, Other Parks Boost Recreation, Tourism The Lagos State Government has said that Parks and Gardens in the State have lived up to expectation as they have become tourists and recreation havens, adding that the recently established Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, otherwise known as JJT Park, the Rafiu Jafojo Park and the Badagry Park have continued to attract visitors from within and outside the Country.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti during his Ministry’s Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa on Wednesday to commemorate the third year in office of the Akinwunmi Ambode Administration in Lagos State.

He said that the Akinwunmi Ambode Administration had progressively altered the landscape of the State through aggressive greening, tree planting, beautification, landscaping and establishment of parks and gardens.

His words: “to enhance environmental sustainability and meet health and recreational needs of the citizenry, the State Government in the last one year commissioned three world-class parks in

different parts of the State.

These parks are the Johnson Jakande Tinubu(JJT) Park, located in Alausa, Ikeja, Rafiu Jafojo Park in Shasha, Alimosho and Badagry Recreational Park.”

“Together with other existing parks, the JJT Park, Rafiu Jafojo Park and Badagry Recreational Park soon became vital to the tourism matrix of the State as Lagos State scaled up as both local and international tourists destination with an upsurge of park users by one hundred and twenty-four percent”, he stressed.

He said that the State Government’s greening policy was consistent with its aim of aiding climate change mitigation efforts and reclaiming the glory of Lagos environment, which was renowned for its serene landscapes as well as parks and gardens, adding that government, in conformity with this goal had encouraged the establishment of Parks and Gardens Units in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State to promote the ideals of greening and stimulate the development of recreational parks at the grassroots.

Performance, Waste Prevention and Recycling, Solid Waste Treatment & disposal, Emissions control Technologies, Natural

Resources Conservation, Innovation and Sustainable Solution.

He emphasised that the conferment of the awards

will follow a competitive process as participating units would be assessed against different sets of environmental performance criteria, adding

that nominations or entries for the award must clearly identify an environment initiative and how it had impacted on the State.

R-L: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan; His Counterparts in the Works and Infrastructure Ministry, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olujimi Hotonu and Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Work & Infrastructure, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, during the ministry’s annual ministerial briefing to mark the 3rd year in Office of the present Administration in Lagos State, at Alausa Lagos... recently KOLA OLASUPO

Governments Meet in Bonn on Development Banks Present Study on Climate Change Agreement Technology’s Impact on Jobs Governments are meeting for the next round of UN climate change negotiations from 30 April to 10 May to further develop the guidelines for implementing the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement. This will allow the Agreement to become operational. The guidelines, or operating manual, are needed to unlock practical actions to realize the full potential of the Agreement. The final decisions are to be taken at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Poland at the end of this year.

Finalizing the Paris Agreement guidelines is also necessary to assess whether the world is on track to achieve the Agreement’s goals: to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2°C, while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. “To reach success at COP24, it is essential that nations begin working towards draft negotiating texts at the May meeting. This will provide a solid foundation for work in the second half of 2018 and help them to deliver a strong result,” said Ms. Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change. At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) held last November under the leadership of Fiji, nations agreed to accelerate and complete their work to put in place the guidelines – officially termed the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) – at COP24 in Katowice, Poland in December.

The Talanoa Dialogue Another important objective of the May session is holding the ‘Talanoa Dialogue’. This dialogue will facilitate the engagement of countries and a range of stakeholders in a vital international conversation around ambition now and in

the future.

The Fiji-led Talanoa Dialogue is facilitated by the UN Climate Change secretariat and will benefit from the presence of high-level officials from Fiji, including the Prime Minister, who is the President of COP23.

The consultative dialogue will check progress, reaffirm the goals of the Paris Agreement and aim to find solutions to how countries can increase their ambition now and in the next round of their national climate action plans, officially termed ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’. As per tradition in the Pacific region, the goal of a ‘talanoa’ is to share stories and to find solutions for the common good. Similarly, in the context of the international climate change process, the Talanoa Dialogue will invite participants to share stories to find solutions for the global common good.

“2017 witnessed many extreme weather events and disasters that caused suffering for millions of people around the world. The consequences of climate change impacts are already being felt, particularly by the most vulnerable communities,” said UN Climate Chief Ms. Espinosa.

“The Talanoa Dialogue is a key opportunity for all stakeholders to come together and share stories on how we can significantly step up climate action to prevent even greater human suffering in the future. I encourage widespread participation in the Dialogue,” she stated.

This first phase of the Fiji-led Dialogue will write history when countries and non-Party stakeholders including cities, businesses, investors and regions engage in interactive story-telling around current and future ambition for the first time on 6 May.

The Future of Work: Regional Perspectives discusses the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on labour markets across the globe.

Rapid technological progress provides a golden opportunity for emerging and developing economies to grow faster and attain higher levels of prosperity.

However, some disruptive technologies could displace human labour, widen income inequality and contribute to greater informality in the workforce.

Tapping new technologies in a way that maximizes benefits, mitigates adverse effects and shares benefits among all citizens will require public-private cooperation and smart public policy.

That is one of the main conclusions of a new study, The Future of Work: Regional Perspectives, released Thursday, April 19 by four regional multilateral development institutions: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The study explores the potential impact of technology in global labour markets and identifies concrete actions countries can take to prepare for the changing nature of jobs and leverage the benefits of emerging technologies.

The Future of Work: Regional Perspectives analyzes the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics in what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Potential challenges include increased inequality and the elimination of jobs, as well as

the high degree of uncertainty brought about by technological change and automation.

The greatest opportunities come from gains in economic growth that can result from increased productivity, efficiency, and lower operating costs.

The study includes chapters focusing on how new technological developments already are affecting labour markets in each region.

In Africa, the study notes that some transformation policies that show good promise in Africa are agriculture-driven transformation, local content and local participation, modernizing the services sector, export-oriented manufacturing, and enhancing infrastructure.

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies – including information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and robotics – will play an increasingly important role in Africa’s economic transformation in these areas.

Africa is already the world’s second-largest mobile phone market, and the pool of mostly young, successful entrepreneurs using these technologies is growing.

Yet while Africa will surely face the disruptions – for better or worse – associated with 4IR, the region currently is ill-prepared to take advantage of the unique opportunities that will come with those challenges.

Across the region, employers identify inadequately skilled workers as a major constraint to their businesses. Job creation and growth strategies need to be revisited so that they can address the opportunities and challenges presented by 4IR. Africa especially needs to address the problem of youth unemployment.

Ë&#x153; ͚ͽË&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜ Ëž T H I S D AY

32

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

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

Tuesday, May 15, 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 1,714.59

-0.89%

11.1%

71.5%

21.1%

7.7%

7.9x

1.0x

4.7%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

44.30

0.1%

21.0%

8.7%

9.2%

32.6%

5.2%

7.2x

2.5x

6.1%

10.6% 13.9%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

28.75

-0.5%

13.1%

12.1%

10.9%

26.3%

3.6%

4.8x

1.2x

9.4%

20.8%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

122.00

-2.0%

7.3%

-9.6%

-9.7%

17.4%

8.3%

30.6x

5.2x

3.4%

3.3%

1,530.00

-3.2%

7.1%

-1.7%

-1.7%

73.3%

18.9%

35.7x

22.7x

2.8%

2.8%

243.50

-0.6%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

5.9%

5.9%

5.9%

22.7%

12.0%

21.0x

4.9x

4.3%

4.8%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

12.00

-2.0%

6.8%

36.4%

36.5%

6.7%

0.8%

8.6x

0.6x

2.1%

11.6%

7

Access Bank PLC

11.20

-0.4%

4.3%

7.2%

5.7%

12.7%

1.5%

5.5x

0.7x

5.8%

18.1%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

11.70

0.0%

4.5%

13.6%

12.4%

15.9%

1.9%

5.2x

0.8x

7.3%

19.3%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

20.70

-1.7%

3.6%

21.8%

27.2%

-14.6%

-1.3%

6.8x

0.8x

2.9%

14.6%

750.00

0.0%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

3.3%

19.8%

19.8%

22.3%

13.2%

3.8x

0.8x

2.4%

26.1%

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

49.00

0.0%

3.1%

18.1%

19.8%

28.9%

3.8%

9.3x

2.7x

1.0%

10.8%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

49.90

0.0%

2.8%

21.7%

24.1%

19.2%

8.0%

26.7x

3.6x

1.0%

3.7%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

104.00

0.0%

2.3%

10.6%

10.6%

15.4%

6.1%

19.8x

2.7x

0.6%

5.1%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

41.10

0.0%

1.4%

-8.4%

-8.4%

-36.8%

-7.7%

2.3x

3.6%

-15.0%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.40

-0.4%

1.1%

-2.4%

-7.0%

10.4%

1.4%

1.9x

0.4x

4.6%

53.0%

16

Oando PLC

7.75

-4.9%

1.5%

29.4%

29.4%

10.3%

1.5%

9.6x

0.5x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

18.55

0.3%

1.0%

-7.3%

-8.9%

45.1%

20.0%

5.5x

2.1x

13.5%

18.1%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

85.50

-5.0%

1.2%

26.3%

26.3%

39.7%

29.4%

8.5x

2.9x

3.5%

11.7%

19

International Brew eries PLC

51.80

0.0%

0.7%

-5.0%

-5.8%

24.6%

7.4%

54.2x

12.3x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

34.85

-0.1%

0.7%

20.2%

20.2%

13.1%

3.0%

7.3x

0.8x

2.6%

13.7%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

10.2%

10.4%

1.8%

1.60

-2.4%

0.6%

9.6%

8.1%

11.2%

2.5%

9.8x

1.0x

1.2%

-1.8%

0.5%

-1.2%

-1.2%

1.5%

0.6%

27.2x

0.7x

3.9%

15.3%

-5.8%

-0.7%

-3.5%

25.0%

5.3%

10.7x

2.5x

7.7%

9.3%

66.5%

5.1%

0.8%

5.0x

0.3x

3.8%

20.0%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

16.70

23

Diamond Bank PLC

1.81

-4.7%

0.6%

20.7%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

221.80

0.0%

0.5%

-3.5%

25

FCMB Group Plc

2.63

3.5%

0.8%

26

11 PLC

0.2x

188.00

0.0%

0.4%

-3.4%

-3.4%

30.8%

11.0%

6.7x

2.5x

-0.1%

0.4%

-8.1%

-4.9%

17.6%

1.6%

21.6x

3.4x

0.0%

0.4%

9.0%

6.1%

10.7%

5.0%

21.3x

2.2x

27

Forte Oil PLC

39.95

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.45

3.7% -40.2%

14.8% 4.6% 2.3%

4.7%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

13.10

0.0%

0.3%

-16.4%

-16.0%

2.0%

0.8%

61.2x

2.1x

1.2%

1.6%

30

Presco PLC

75.60

0.0%

0.4%

10.4%

10.4%

39.7%

28.0%

3.1x

1.0x

2.6%

31.9%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.50

0.0%

0.3%

10.8%

6.7%

54.6%

19.5%

9.7x

4.7x

7.3%

10.3%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

10.00

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

0.0%

0.8x

7.2%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.75

0.0%

0.3%

-13.5%

-10.1%

5.3%

1.1%

9.7x

0.7x

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

1.63

3.8%

0.3%

50.9%

44.2%

9.0%

0.9%

4.9x

0.5x

1.2%

20.5%

0.0%

26.9%

10.3%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

11.50

0.2%

-5.3%

-5.3%

61.6%

15.8%

3.7x

1.6x

1.7%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

23.50

0.0%

0.2%

8.7%

8.7%

61.2%

23.6%

37.1x

1.8x

32.0%

2.7%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

38.90

0.0%

0.2%

14.4%

9.0%

66.2%

30.2%

18.2x

12.1x

5.3%

5.5%

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 i n 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 %

C A VER T ON

2.74

5.0%

UB A

60.4

0.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.63

3.8%

FCM B

17.5

3.5%

M B EN EF IT

0.29

3.6%

SOVR EN IN S

12.4

0.0%

FCM B

2.63

3.5%

FB NH

11.9

-2.0%

10.5

-0.4%

T ic k er

C UT IX

3.15

3.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

F ID SON

5.49

2.0%

A IIC O

9.3

0.0%

H ON YF LOUR

2.70

1.9%

T R A N SC OR P

8.7

-2.4%

NP FM CRFB K

1.78

1.1%

VER IT A SKA P

8.0

0.0%

ET ER N A

7.00

1.0%

WEM A B A N K

7.3

-4.7%

D A N GSUGA R

18.55

0.3%

R ED ST A R EX

6.4

0.0%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

C ILEA SIN G

1.55

-9.4%

UB A

706.6

0.0%

F IR ST A LUM

0.41

-8.9%

N EST LE

168.9

-3.2% -0.5%

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

J A P A ULOIL

0.37

-7.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

159.4

OKOM UOIL

85.50

-5.0%

GUA R A N T Y

152.8

0.1%

OA N D O

7.75

-4.9%

FB NH

143.1

-2.0%

M A N SA R D

2.34

-4.9%

NB

141.2

-2.0%

1.81

-4.7%

D A N GC EM

106.8

-0.6%

D IA M ON D B N K WEM A B A N K

0.81

-4.7%

OKOM UOIL

58.8

-5.0%

C H A M P ION

2.08

-4.6%

F LOUR M ILL

51.6

-0.1%

SKYEB A N K

0.90

-4.3%

UA C N

49.8

-1.8%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

33

˾ TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Unilever Nigeria Assures Investors of Improved Returns Goddy Egene Shareholders of Unilever Nigeria Plc have commended the company on the 2017 financial performance and declaration of N2.87 billion dividend, just as the company said it was determined to ensure sustained and steady growth in its operations to achieve improved returns on investments.

Unilever Nigeria had recorded a revenue of N90.771 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, up from N69.777 billion

in 2016. The company posted a 123 per cent improvement in operating profit from N5.81 billion to N12.95 billion. Profit After Tax (PAT) jumped by 143 per cent to N7.54 billion in 2017 compared to N3.07 billion in 2016.

Based on the results, the board of directors recommended a dividend of 50 kobo per share, which approved by the shareholders at the 93rd annual general meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

Addressing the shareholders,

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

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria Plc, His Royal Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, said the company had demonstrated business resilience, stressing the performance showed commitment to grant shareholders returns on their investments.

“The company’s performance for the year ended 31 December, 2017 shows impressive growth and resilience. We have remained focused on our short and long term growth ambitions with strong emphasis on operational

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 11-May-2018, unless otherwise stated.

intensity, cost efficiencies, growing market share across key categories as well as reinvesting in our iconic brands,” Achebe said.

According to him, as the economy continues to improve, Unilever Nigeria was determined to ensure sustained and steady growth in its operations to achieve improved returns on investments.

“As a company, we will continue to appreciate the resilience and unwavering commitment of all our stakeholders, shareholders,

dynamic employees, loyal consumers, dedicated suppliers and other business partners for their unflinching support through these times. We look forward to a better 2018 for our brands and our great company which you are all an important part of.”

On his part the Executive Vice President of Unilever Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh, said: “In line with our priority, Unilever Nigeria remains committed to driving returns on investment to shareholders. We also remain resolute on our commitment

to continuously invest in our business to secure a sustainable future for our stakeholders.”

Yaw added that Unilever Nigeria is a company that cares about humanity and values the environment.

“Through our business practices, we continually demonstrate deep commitment to delivering products that meet the needs and aspirations of our consumers and align with the global goals of making our planet safe, beautiful and sustainable,” he said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 194.37 195.62 9.50% Nigeria International Debt Fund 245.37 246.64 6.33% 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 6.12% ACAP Income Funds 0.66 0.66 8.86% 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 13.45% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 159.59 160.71 5.21% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.64% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.30% Paramount Equity Fund 12.16 12.47 9.66% Women's Investment Fund 103.58 106.23 2.93% 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 13.48% 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 13.28% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.17 8.78% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.14 7.57% 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 1,149.22 1,149.92 0.10% FBN Heritage Fund 151.70 153.03 8.82% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.81% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $112.05 $112.54 -0.78% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $112.17 $112.65 -0.58% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 184.85 187.66 14.65% 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 1.43 1.45 9.09% Legacy Debt Fund 3.02 3.02 4.86% 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 13.40% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 103.05 103.90 3.01% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.91% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.22 2.25 5.33% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.67% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.32 120.73 4.63%

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 1.19 1.21 3.94% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,065.64 1,065.64 5.71% 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 130.00 132.47 1.01% 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 5.84% 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 2,429.72 2,450.68 8.34% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 183.87 183.87 4.21% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.10 1.11 9.41% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 234.04 234.11 6.28% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 188.90 190.91 5.44% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.19% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,478.28 10,620.03 8.36% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 2.75% 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 1.01% United Capital Bond Fund 1.65 1.65 5.12% United Capital Equity Fund 0.98 1.00 7.37% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.79% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.80 105.80 2.82% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.15 4.93% 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 13.51 13.71 7.72% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.06 14.23 6.64% Zenith Income Fund 20.10 20.10 6.24% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.21%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 135.24 51.22

N/A 2.10% 0.77%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.80 161.67 120.33

12.90 165.06 122.53

5.57% 13.17% 10.12%

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

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͳË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

35

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͳË&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

37

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

UTILIZATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 11TH OF MAY 2018 S/N

CUSTOMERS

1

REUBEN OTOAKHIA

AMOUNT (US$) 4,229.21

2

OYEDELE, KUNLE GBOLAGADE

3

BAMIKOLE MICHAEL

PURPOSE

RATE

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

DATE

S/N

CUSTOMERS

7-May-18

64

SANI MOHAMMED

AMOUNT (US$) 4,000.00

PURPOSE

RATE

PTA

359.00

DATE

S/N

CUSTOMERS

8-May-18

127

IJEOMA V OKPARA

DATE 10-May-18

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

65

IRIAYE FORTUNE OHIORENUAN

500.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

128

MARCEL O IHEMEBIRI

8,391.67

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

359.00

7-May-18

66

TAIWO TAJUDEEN ADEDEJI

5,000.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

129

ROBERT E OKOJI

2,402.75

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

130

GODS TIME INTL COMPANY

5,500.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

607.03

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

131

GODS TIME INTL COMPANY

5,600.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

ABIONA USIKALU

5,518.40

LIVING EXPENSIVE

359.00

7-May-18

67

KANABE AIMIE GLORIA

5,932.28

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

68

ORUMOR THEOPHILUS O.

6

KEBBI STATE SCHORLARSHIP BOARD

3,101.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

69

KUBI H MOMOH

6,847.11

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

132

ABUBAKAR BATULU SADIQ

7

JENNIFER S TUFANO

2,722.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

70

CHRISTOPHER O CHRISTOPHER

2,658.29

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

133

HEREKIAH KOLAWOLE

STANLEY N OBIA

RATE 359.00

SCHOOL FEES

OKARO ARINZE JUSTIN

OLUGBENGA F ADIGUN

PURPOSE PTA

4,027.06

4

8

689.60

11,839.56

5

9

AMOUNT (US$)

930.00 1,811.68

750.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

8,982.18

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

LIVING EXPENSIVE

359.00

7-May-18

71

NGOZIKA M CHIJIOKE

14,726.62

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

134

TIMOTHY A AKINNAGBE

3,432.80

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

72

NKEIRUKA J MAYOR-EZE

5,509.60

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

135

ANASTASIA N ENETE

4,150.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

10-May-18

10

GODSTIME PETROLEUM NIG LTD

5,943.00

ACCOMODATION

359.00

7-May-18

73

GBADEBO D CAPT

1,780.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

136

CBN

194,582.49

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

10-May-18

11

IJEZIE HUMPHERY OKAFOR

1,400.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

74

MARIE-GISELE A LAWSON

4,529.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

137

CBN

317,073.26

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

10-May-18

134,567.87

10-May-18

12

OJI AZIKIWE GEORGE

6,190.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

7-May-18

75

AMOO-ONIDUNDU OLA ABRAHAM

13

OKWUCHUKWU BENNETH ALISON

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

76

AMAH CONSTANCE HYACINTH

10,292.14

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

138

CBN

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

3,500.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

139

PLASTIMAT LTD

58,000.00

POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER

361.00

10-May-18

140

KAM INDUSTRIES NIG LTD

76,270.00

ROLLING MIL INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

306.20

10-May-18

14

ADIMULA FOLASHADE ADENIKE

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

77

FATIMA F BELLO

6,000.52

15

ORESEGUN IFEOLU YINKA WUNMI

3,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

78

HANNO IND LTD

66,135.00

16

EBEKUE SUNDAY CHINEMELU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

79

CROWN FLOUR MILL LTD

17

GANIAT O AROWOJOBE

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

80

PLASTIMAT LTD

129,935.00 39,206.79

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

8-May-18

HAANO BRAND SAFETY MATCHES

361.00

8-May-18

141

Cardstel Solutions

138,000.00

MACHINERY FOR ANIMAL FEED

310.25

8-May-18

142

Cardstel Solutions

89,647.50

POLYPROPYLENE HOMOPOLYMER

361.00

8-May-18

143

NIGERIA PIPES LIMITED

36,629.12

144

EGWU VICTORY UDOCHUKWU

CARD

360.00

10-May-18

SMART CARD

360.00

10-May-18

CALCIUM CARBONATE SNOWCAL

361.00

10-May-18

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

18

UBAH UMENWA GABRIEL

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

81

AMTRONIC INVESTMENTS LTD

22,542.41

STOCK GOODS SMALL BLENDER JAR

305.65

8-May-18

19

OYENIYI AFUSAT OLANIKE

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

82

AMTRONIC INVESTMENTS LTD

43,874.73

SMALL SIZE HOT PLATES MATERIAL

305.65

8-May-18

145

KOLAWOLE MARY ADEBISI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

83

ADEDUWON ROBERT OLUSIJI

1,000.00

BTA

359.00

9-May-18

146

LEPE ADEBANJO ADETOKUNBO

4,965.84

BTA

359.00

11-May-18

4,000.00

20

ADEKOYA EMMANUEL ADELEKE

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

21

ALIOKE IKECHUKWUKA I

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

84

ADEDIGBA ADEWALE CHARLES

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

147

JOHN I ANETOR

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

22

OLADIPO LUKMAN YUSUF

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

85

OGOLO CHINYERE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

148

AGBOOLA MUSTAFA IYIOLA

3,862.32

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

600.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

23

AMZAT ADEBISI ABEKE

3,500.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

86

ODUARAN THOMAS AGOMAKON

24

OGUNNEYE OLADIMEJI MOSHOOD

2,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

87

KALU JOHN

25

ANTHONIO KIKELOMO MARGARET

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

88

OGBONNA AZUBUIKE EMMANUEL

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

26

NDIFE NDUBUISI CHUKWUEMEKA

1,100.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

89

ANYANELE JOSIAH AMARA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

27

ODIMABO DABA CONSTANCE

500.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

90

AWODUNMILA OLUWATOBI E

2,650.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

28

OMERE ARITESHOMA HELEN

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

91

AGULONU OJINUME ELIZABETH

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

29

NEMINEBOR EKERARE JAMES

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

92

JOHNSON A. NDUAMAKA

4,005.54

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

149

CHIBUKO NJIDEKA EDITH

2,100.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

150

FAGBAMIYE ADESOLA DOTUN

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

151

NKECHI SAVAGE

1,784.90

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

152

ONAH ESTHER OBIAGELI

2,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

153

EFOBI CHUKWUDI UGWU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

154

ABDULSALAM IBRAHIM

2,500.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

155

ASIEGBU ANGELA NKEM

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

156

EKO OLAJUMOKE LUTIFAT

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

157

ASUERIMEN FORTUNE

2,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

158

CHIMA EZE

900.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

159

OBINEWU O HENRY

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

500.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

30

ADENIYI OLANIRAN SAMSON

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

93

OKUROUNMU MAGRET SUNBO

PTA

359.00

9-May-18

31

AKPOBARO DIAMOND

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

94

OWETE O UCHE

8,620.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

32

OLAJOLO ABIMBOLA OLUBUNMI

2,500.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

95

ONYIA, CHUKWUEBUKA LOUIS

8,705.15

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

33

EZE NNAEMEKA JUDE

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

96

ENAHOLO UDEGBE

1,700.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

34

OJIAKO IKECHUKWU DARLINGTON

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

97

STELLA ANUKAM

8,288.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

35

AGWUENU IGNATUS OZOH

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

98

ANTHONIA I DUNKWU

1,487.50

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

160

ODESANYA ADEDOLAPO

36

TUBI OMOBOLANLE OYINDAMOLA

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

99

DIMKPA, BEN CHIKWENDU

1,799.30

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

161

JULIA ANGBIANHEMBA UGBAH

37

AMIADAMHEN FLORA OMOYEME

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

100

NGOZI A BABASANYA-CRAIG

2,747.78

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

162

VERA AWENEGIEME

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18 11-May-18

275.84

38

UGWUEGBU GREGORY NWALOZIE

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

101

SALAMI MOSUN FUNMILAYO

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

9-May-18

163

UZOR MARTIN OBIAJULU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

39

SYLVESTER JOY ELUEMUNOR

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

102

CBN

314,831.09

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

164

AGBOOLA CATHERINE SHADE

2,758.77

PTA

359.00

11-May-18

40

EKAGBO SALLY ONYOWO OMOHA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

103

CBN

7,784.25

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

165

MBANASO AUGUSTUS UGWUNNA

2,800.00

PTA

359.00

11-May-18 11-May-18

12,847.28

41

OKORO KINGSLEY NWANNENNAYA

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

104

CBN

356,374.49

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

166

EFOBI RITA IFEYINWA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

42

MGBODILE VINTUS ANENECHUKWU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

105

CBN

196,186.13

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

167

FEYISAYO C OGOJI

6,079.77

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

43

AKINTUNDE OLUKUNLE TAIWO

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

106

CBN

270,513.89

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

168

NNENNA C ANI

11,066.96

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

44

OBUKOWHO GABRIEL ELVIS

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

107

CBN

346,268.70

11-May-18

45

OBASANJO OLUSHOLA NABEL

4,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

108

KAM INDUSTRIES NIG LTD

7,218.38

46

DURUIHEME ALOYSIUS NDUBUEZE

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

7-May-18

109

KAM INDUSTRIES NIG LTD

16,511.62

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

9-May-18

169

IHENACHO GAUL

4,000.00

LIVING EXPENSIVE

359.00

COLD ROLLING STEEL MILL

306.20

9-May-18

170

TOLULOPE C FASEYI

3,450.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

MACHINERY FOR COLD ROLL STEEL

306.20

9-May-18

171

S.C OKONKWO NIG LTD

10,881.06

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

172

THEOPHILUS E GLORY

2,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

173

OLAOYE, R. OLAYIWOLA

1,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

174

ES-EL 40 LIMITED

3,896.81

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

175

OLUWADAMILOLA S OSHO

401.26

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

176

ES-EL 40 LIMITED

5,207.24

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

177

NGOZIKA M CHIJIOKE

3,809.99

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

178

NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY

13,794.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

179

ABIOLA OLAKUNLE OLASUPO

LIVING EXPENSIVE

359.00

11-May-18

180

SAVE COST MGT SERVICES

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

11-May-18

181

CBN

231,678.32

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

11-May-18

182

CBN

184,033.70

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

11-May-18

183

GMT

500,000.00

PART PRINCIPAL ON CM073075

361.50

11-May-18

184

ULTIMATE PARTS & MACHINERIES

AUTOMOTIVE SPARE PARTS

361.50

11-May-18

47

SANYA-OLATUNDE BUKOLA WUNMI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

110

IATA

10,948,900.89

REMITTANCE OF TICKET SALES

360.50

9-May-18

48

OLATUNDE OLADOKUN

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

111

IATA

1,353,718.13

REMITTANCE OF TICKET SALES

360.50

9-May-18

49

OJONG-ALASIA MANYO MARY

4,000.00

PTA

360.00

7-May-18

112

AKEREDOLU KOLAWOLE PELUMI

4,000.00

BTA

359.00

10-May-18

50

OHWOFA OKEROGHEME MARGARET

4,000.00

PTA

360.00

7-May-18

113

UKIM COMFORT INI

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

51

JOY NGOZI IBEH

965.72

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

114

IJEOMA V OKPARA

500.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

52

POPOOLA S BABATUNDE

2,732.99

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

115

EUNICE CASSANDRA EUNICE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

53

EMEKA OKOYE

54

ONAFEKO LYDIA BANDELE

966.21

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

116

GEORGE E. BASSEY

1,500.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

3,865.95

PTA

359.00

7-May-18

117

EHORO JOE ALEX

2,000.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

55

CBN

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

7-May-18

118

ODEYALE FOLUSO GRACE

3,100.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

56

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA

1,250.00

SERVICE MAINTENANCE

360.00

7-May-18

119

AKOGUN OMOBOLANLE RISIKAT

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

57

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA

11,907.76

CONNECTIVITY MESSAGING SOLUTION

360.00

7-May-18

120

EMELUWA KINGSLEY CHINEDU

3,200.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

313,968.74

58

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA

54,622.40

PAYMENT FOR SWIFT SHARES

360.00

7-May-18

121

IWUOHA MARCEL AJUIWE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

59

GLOBAL ORGANICS LTD

30,450.00

AZOLE 25 SUSPENS

361.00

7-May-18

122

FAGBENRO LINDA OGECHUKWU

3,700.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

60

AIRTEL NETWORKS LIMITED

64K 2G/3G NATIV SIM

361.00

7-May-18

123

IBUCHUKWU A. ZERENJO EKEKIEL

5,000.00

BTA

359.00

10-May-18

197,500.00

61

OLADAPO OLUWAROTIMI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

124

BALOGUN ADEWALE SAUBANA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

62

ONEKUTU SIMON MUSA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

125

OGEDI CHARLES

2,411.80

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

63

OMOTAYO IDOWU B OMOTOSHO

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

8-May-18

126

CHUKWUMA ELIZABETH OGO

961.10

PTA

359.00

10-May-18

2,318.42 11,348.90

10,000.00

SOURCES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 11TH MAY 2018 S/N

SOURCE

AMOUNT (US$)

RATE DATE

S/N

SOURCE

1

AUTONOMOUS

229,300.00

360.00 7-May-18

63

AUTONOMOUS

118.03

314.00 8-May-18

125

AUTONOMOUS

584.08

314.00 9-May-18

2

CBN

2,000,000.00

357.00 7-May-18

64

AUTONOMOUS

1,289.60

314.00 8-May-18

126

AUTONOMOUS

3,120.00

314.00 9-May-18

3

CBN

3,000,000.00

357.00 7-May-18

65

AUTONOMOUS

96.00

314.00 8-May-18

127

AUTONOMOUS

250.00

314.00 9-May-18

4

AUTONOMOUS

473.92

314.00 7-May-18

66

AUTONOMOUS

1,200.00

314.00 8-May-18

128

AUTONOMOUS

204.21

314.00 9-May-18

5

AUTONOMOUS

685.00

314.00 7-May-18

67

AUTONOMOUS

390.98

314.00 8-May-18

129

AUTONOMOUS

900.00

314.00 9-May-18

6

AUTONOMOUS

280.00

314.00 7-May-18

68

AUTONOMOUS

260.66

314.00 8-May-18

130

INTERBANK

100,000.00

305.90 9-May-18

7

AUTONOMOUS

87.00

314.00 7-May-18

69

AUTONOMOUS

592.40

314.00 8-May-18

131

AUTONOMOUS

751.00

314.00 9-May-18

8

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

314.00 7-May-18

70

AUTONOMOUS

710.88

314.00 8-May-18

132

IMTO

4,144.02

355.00 9-May-18

9

AUTONOMOUS

186.57

314.00 7-May-18

71

AUTONOMOUS

343.59

314.00 8-May-18

133

IMTO

162.54

355.00 9-May-18

10

AUTONOMOUS

212.00

314.00 7-May-18

72

AUTONOMOUS

655.00

314.00 8-May-18

134

IMTO

5,043.32

355.00 9-May-18

11

AUTONOMOUS

438.38

314.00 7-May-18

73

AUTONOMOUS

336.00

314.00 8-May-18

135

IMTO

415,630.77

355.00 9-May-18

12

AUTONOMOUS

310.46

314.00 7-May-18

74

AUTONOMOUS

387.78

314.00 8-May-18

136

IMTO

10,216.46

355.00 9-May-18

13

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

314.00 7-May-18

75

AUTONOMOUS

285.60

314.00 8-May-18

137

IMTO

456,648.28

355.00 9-May-18

14

AUTONOMOUS

71.00

314.00 7-May-18

76

AUTONOMOUS

4,200.00

314.00 8-May-18

138

AUTONOMOUS

99,990.00

359.50 10-May-18

15

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

314.00 7-May-18

77

AUTONOMOUS

9,000.00

304.70 8-May-18

139

AUTONOMOUS

210,681.49

361.50 10-May-18

16

AUTONOMOUS

850.00

314.00 7-May-18

78

AUTONOMOUS

269.11

314.00 8-May-18

140

AUTONOMOUS

294.78

314.00 10-May-18

17

AUTONOMOUS

570.08

314.00 7-May-18

79

AUTONOMOUS

327.29

314.00 8-May-18

141

AUTONOMOUS

190.87

314.00 10-May-18

18

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

314.00 7-May-18

80

AUTONOMOUS

1,202.57

314.00 8-May-18

142

IMTO

4,017.75

354.76 10-May-18

19

AUTONOMOUS

1,482.06

314.00 7-May-18

81

AUTONOMOUS

357.36

314.00 8-May-18

143

IMTO

1,783.99

354.77 10-May-18

20

AUTONOMOUS

1,030.00

314.00 7-May-18

82

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

314.00 8-May-18

144

IMTO

418,746.59

355.00 10-May-18

21

AUTONOMOUS

1,344.00

314.00 7-May-18

83

AUTONOMOUS

183.64

314.00 8-May-18

145

IMTO

177,639.83

355.00 10-May-18

22

AUTONOMOUS

118.48

314.00 7-May-18

84

AUTONOMOUS

70.00

314.00 8-May-18

146

INTERBANK

100,000.00

305.90 10-May-18

23

AUTONOMOUS

1,777.20

314.00 7-May-18

85

INTERBANK

20,000.00

305.90 8-May-18

147

IMTO

2,887.50

355.00 10-May-18

24

IMTO

4,541.77

355.00 7-May-18

86

AUTONOMOUS

67,982.00

359.50 9-May-18

148

IMTO

256,555.82

355.00 10-May-18

25

IMTO

414,083.22

355.00 7-May-18

87

AUTONOMOUS

1,200,000.00

359.00 9-May-18

149

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

359.00 11-May-18

26

AUTONOMOUS

7,679.00

359.50 8-May-18

88

AUTONOMOUS

7,000,000.00

359.50 9-May-18

150

AUTONOMOUS

295,900.00

360.00 11-May-18

27

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

359.00 8-May-18

89

AUTONOMOUS

681.50

314.00 9-May-18

151

AUTONOMOUS

440,000.00

360.00 11-May-18

28

AUTONOMOUS

300,000.00

359.50 8-May-18

90

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

314.00 9-May-18

152

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

314.00 11-May-18

29

AUTONOMOUS

295.82

314.00 8-May-18

91

AUTONOMOUS

37.00

314.00 9-May-18

153

AUTONOMOUS

570.77

314.00 11-May-18

30

AUTONOMOUS

373.85

314.00 8-May-18

92

AUTONOMOUS

10,954.00

314.00 9-May-18

154

AUTONOMOUS

109.00

314.00 11-May-18

31

AUTONOMOUS

350.00

314.00 8-May-18

93

AUTONOMOUS

535.00

314.00 9-May-18

155

AUTONOMOUS

250.00

314.00 11-May-18

32

AUTONOMOUS

825.00

314.00 8-May-18

94

AUTONOMOUS

650.00

314.00 9-May-18

156

AUTONOMOUS

43.59

314.00 11-May-18

33

AUTONOMOUS

355.44

314.00 8-May-18

95

AUTONOMOUS

459.85

314.00 9-May-18

157

AUTONOMOUS

267.50

314.00 11-May-18

34

AUTONOMOUS

1,184.80

314.00 8-May-18

96

AUTONOMOUS

3,833.00

314.00 9-May-18

158

AUTONOMOUS

498.92

314.00 11-May-18

35

AUTONOMOUS

1,140.62

314.00 8-May-18

97

AUTONOMOUS

3,857.00

314.00 9-May-18

159

AUTONOMOUS

547.22

314.00 11-May-18

36

AUTONOMOUS

235.00

314.00 8-May-18

98

AUTONOMOUS

219.37

314.00 9-May-18

160

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

314.00 11-May-18

37

AUTONOMOUS

49.84

314.00 8-May-18

99

AUTONOMOUS

530.00

314.00 9-May-18

161

AUTONOMOUS

320.00

314.00 11-May-18

38

AUTONOMOUS

240.00

314.00 8-May-18

100

AUTONOMOUS

437.09

314.00 9-May-18

162

AUTONOMOUS

295.13

314.00 11-May-18

39

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

314.00 8-May-18

101

AUTONOMOUS

235.82

314.00 9-May-18

163

AUTONOMOUS

75.00

314.00 11-May-18

40

AUTONOMOUS

728.86

314.00 8-May-18

102

AUTONOMOUS

1,030.00

314.00 9-May-18

164

AUTONOMOUS

165.73

314.00 11-May-18

41

AUTONOMOUS

40.84

314.00 8-May-18

103

IMTO

4,807.16

354.92 9-May-18

165

AUTONOMOUS

468.16

314.00 11-May-18

42

AUTONOMOUS

65.00

314.00 8-May-18

104

IMTO

2,744.80

354.82 9-May-18

166

AUTONOMOUS

2,074.00

314.00 11-May-18

43

AUTONOMOUS

489.77

314.00 8-May-18

105

IMTO

3,639.15

354.77 9-May-18

167

AUTONOMOUS

867.00

314.00 11-May-18

44

AUTONOMOUS

193.00

314.00 8-May-18

106

IMTO

470,358.82

355.00 9-May-18

168

AUTONOMOUS

590.25

314.00 11-May-18

45

AUTONOMOUS

4,460.00

314.00 8-May-18

107

IMTO

258,836.70

355.00 9-May-18

169

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

314.00 11-May-18

46

AUTONOMOUS

11,791.08

314.00 8-May-18

108

IMTO

357,046.03

355.00 9-May-18

170

IMTO

2,595.55

354.83 11-May-18

47

AUTONOMOUS

16,258.00

314.00 8-May-18

109

AUTONOMOUS

1,980.00

314.00 9-May-18

171

IMTO

242,782.71

355.00 11-May-18

48

AUTONOMOUS

906.37

314.00 8-May-18

110

AUTONOMOUS

577.76

314.00 9-May-18

172

AUTONOMOUS

388.66

314.00 11-May-18

49

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

314.00 8-May-18

111

AUTONOMOUS

10.00

314.00 9-May-18

173

AUTONOMOUS

23,125.00

314.00 11-May-18

50

AUTONOMOUS

200.29

314.00 8-May-18

112

AUTONOMOUS

176.87

314.00 9-May-18

174

AUTONOMOUS

3,982.00

314.00 11-May-18

51

AUTONOMOUS

137.50

314.00 8-May-18

113

AUTONOMOUS

294.78

314.00 9-May-18

175

AUTONOMOUS

312.00

314.00 11-May-18

52

AUTONOMOUS

79.94

314.00 8-May-18

114

AUTONOMOUS

188.93

314.00 9-May-18

176

AUTONOMOUS

59.03

314.00 11-May-18

53

AUTONOMOUS

120.00

314.00 8-May-18

115

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

314.00 9-May-18

177

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

314.00 11-May-18

54

AUTONOMOUS

2,962.00

314.00 8-May-18

116

AUTONOMOUS

63.00

314.00 9-May-18

178

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

314.00 11-May-18

55

AUTONOMOUS

4,871.85

314.00 8-May-18

117

AUTONOMOUS

380.00

314.00 9-May-18

179

AUTONOMOUS

321.86

314.00 11-May-18

56

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

314.00 8-May-18

118

AUTONOMOUS

300.00

314.00 9-May-18

180

AUTONOMOUS

693.65

314.00 11-May-18

57

AUTONOMOUS

925.01

314.00 8-May-18

119

AUTONOMOUS

85.00

314.00 9-May-18

181

AUTONOMOUS

171.17

314.00 11-May-18

58

AUTONOMOUS

94.82

314.00 8-May-18

120

AUTONOMOUS

115.00

314.00 9-May-18

182

IMTO

3,674.44

355.00 11-May-18

59

AUTONOMOUS

197.86

314.00 8-May-18

121

AUTONOMOUS

251.28

314.00 9-May-18

183

IMTO

305,229.99

355.00 11-May-18

60

AUTONOMOUS

1,457.30

314.00 8-May-18

122

AUTONOMOUS

75.00

314.00 9-May-18

61

AUTONOMOUS

2.80

306.30 8-May-18

123

AUTONOMOUS

119.09

314.00 9-May-18

62

AUTONOMOUS

247.62

314.00 8-May-18

124

AUTONOMOUS

300.00

314.00 9-May-18

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TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Dozens Killed as US Opens Jerusalem Embassy, Worldwide Criticisms Trail Move At least 43 Palestinians have been killed and 2,200 wounded

by Israeli troops, BBC reported Palestinian ofďŹ cials as saying, on the deadliest day of violence since the 2014 Gaza war. This was as both allies and foes of the United States voiced their criticisms of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opening of its embassy in the disputed city of Jerusalem, saying the move would fan Middle East tensions.

The move seen as a clear US backing of Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rule over the city, whose eastern part Palestinians lay claim to, was hailed by the US President Donald Trump in a video message.

BBC reported him as telling the dedication ceremony that it had been a â&#x20AC;&#x153;long time comingâ&#x20AC;?, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Israel is a sovereign nation with the right to determine its own capital but for many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious.â&#x20AC;?

But chief US ally Britain, according to Agence FrancePresse, reiterated its stated objection to the move, while the Iranian speaker of parliament said it showed that US President Donald Trump is

â&#x20AC;&#x153;feeblemindedâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;incapable of evaluating the long-term consequences of his actionsâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Such actions will increase tensions and insecurity in the world,â&#x20AC;? Ali Larijani said, adding that they would not go â&#x20AC;&#x153;unansweredâ&#x20AC;?.

The ceremony in Jerusalem, where Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner ofďŹ ciated, came after Israeli troops put down protests over the move by Palestinians at the Gaza border with Israel, killing dozens of civilians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a ďŹ nal status agreement,â&#x20AC;? a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The British embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it.â&#x20AC;?

Under the 1993 Oslo peace accords shepherded by then US president Bill Clinton, the status of Jerusalem, including whether East Jerusalem will be the capital of a Palestinian state, was to be agreed in future negotiations.

France also spoke out

against the US move, saying along with many other critics that it violated â&#x20AC;&#x153;unambiguousâ&#x20AC;? international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a visit to London, slammed what he called a â&#x20AC;&#x153;very, very unfortunateâ&#x20AC;?move, saying that it had stripped Washington of its role as mediator in the Middle East peace process.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objection to the move, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ďŹ rmly believe that it is inappropriate to unilaterally revise the decisions of the international community in this way.â&#x20AC;?

Lavrov, speaking in Moscow after meeting the Russian defence minister and the pairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egyptian counterparts, recalled that Russia â&#x20AC;&#x153;has several times offered a platformâ&#x20AC;? for talks on the status of Jerusalem.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI wrote in a letter to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas that he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;monitoring with concernâ&#x20AC;? the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, the MAP news agency reported.

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APC: REPOSITIONING OUR PARTY FOR A UNITED NIGERIA DECLARATION SPEECH BY ADAMS ALIYU OSHIOMHOLE, CON, mni, TO CONTEST THE POSITION OF NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) ON THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 AT TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL, ABUJA PROTOCOLS

democracy within the party. For me, I am clear that a political party is a structured, voluntary association and not an amorphous informal mob governed by the mood of its leaders. Therefore, APC must at all levels be seen to operate by its rules which is the party Constitution and other laws of the Federation, as they relate to the formation and administration of political parties. Indeed, the Constitution of the party is the basis of the contract between the party members. Thus a credible membership register is a pre-condition for sustainable internal party democracy.

1. It is with great pleasure and a sense of commitment that I welcome you to this declaration ceremony. I am here today to formally indicate my interest to contest for the position of National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the National Convention slated for June 2018.

2. As you all may recall, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 31, 2013. It was a product of historic coming together of major opposition parties which successfully defeated the then ruling Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2015 general elections with the overwhelming support of Nigerian citizens.

3. As the manifesto of the party clearly states, the mission of the APC is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to construct a progressive state anchored on social democracy, where the welfare and security of the citizenry are paramount.â&#x20AC;? There is no doubt in my mind that the overwhelming support given to our party in 2015 leading to the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR is a reflection of the desire of Nigerians to embrace change.

4. Let me seize this opportunity to say one thing on leadership, as my remark on the state of the nation. It is, indeed, unprecedented in our political history that there should be a leader in Nigeria about whom, even his passionate critics will agree, no matter how reluctantly, that in President Muhammadu Buhari, we have a President and Commanderin-Chief of Armed Forces, who is not a thief. That for me and without equivocation is very significant. That is why, there is a precise definition of where we are going; there is a focus, and Nigerians are beginning to realize that what has been missing all along is leadership. Now, a focused and motivated driver is right on the wheel. We will, therefore, keep challenging the others to this contest of the moral high ground, which is indispensable to governance and development anywhere in the world.

5. As I present myself for the position of the National Chairman of our great party, it is pertinent to reflect on what constitutes the APC. The APC is a progressive party which represents the collective will of all the members of the party in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). I hope that if and when elected as National Chairman of the party, we will reposition and re-organise the party based on its philosophy of social democracy which means people-oriented, membership driven and mass-based political organization. To be able to translate these into concrete action that is visible and verifiable. Under our leadership, we will naturally have to do a couple of things differently, in the day to day management of the party, while interfacing with all those elected on the platform of the party at all levels.

7. For me, it is fundamental to be able to have a membership driven party grounded at the grassroots. Accordingly, it is crucial that we must ensure that we have an authentic and verifiable membership register that can be checked and verified by members and even non-members of the party. It is, therefore, an irreducible minimum obligation on the part of the party to have a credible membership register that cannot be altered at the whims and caprices of anyone, including the leadership of the party.

8. Incidentally, the idea of a credible, verifiable membership register was one of the key commitments of the founding leaders of the party.

Indeed, the interim leadership of the party under Chief Bisi Akande working in concert with other leaders tried their best to establish APC Data Centre. Unfortunately, the Data Centre was raided and destroyed by the State Security Services on the orders of the PDP administration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on November 22, 2014.

9. The challenge right now is not to lament the clear abuse of power that led to the destruction of the Data Centre, but to commit the incoming leadership to rebuild the Data Centre and put it to practical use in the shortest possible time. With a credible membership register and given the state of information technology, a functional database is an indispensable tool that will help eliminate abuse and corruption in the conduct of intra-party election from unit to ward to local government to state and national levels. It will also create a credible platform for conducting direct primaries which will afford every member of the party to participate in the party primaries at all levels rather than the current situation of indirect, delegate election which is susceptible to manipulation, abuse and corruption by desperate aspirants at all levels.

10. While we will sustain membership recruitment, we will ensure that members of the party are given a robust sense of ownership and control. This would enable the party to adopt a policy of bottom-up, as opposed to a top-down approach to party administration process.

The beauty of this is that members of our party will own the party and will be ready to work to ensure the success of the party at all levels and at all times.

11.

We will strive as much as humanly possible to promote internal

12. As governing party, founded on the values of social democracy, we must be seen to play politics of inclusion which encourages debates, contestations, and consensus on policy choices. Under our leadership, we will give effect to article 25 of the APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Constitution which provides that National Convention of the party shall be held once in two years; National Executive Committee (NEC) every quarter and National Working Committee (NWC) once every month. Also, we should be able to organise annual platforms to review not only the activities of the party but even of governments elected on the platform of the party at all levels.

13. Similarly, other organs of the party including those at the zonal and state levels will be encouraged to meet as stipulated by the Constitution. In this way, there will be a bottom-up approach to internal democracy within the party from unit to ward to local government to state to zonal and national levels. These meetings will be dedicated to issues of party management, mobilisation and policy debates. Once the National Working Committee leads by example, it will have not only constitutional powers but the moral authority to compel all other organs of the party to toe the line. Conversely, when the head is right, and the direction is clear, every other person will behave responsibly and appropriately.

14.

We will endeavour to ensure that the party conventions beyond elections also seek to discuss development, governance and policy issues. Also, we will organise activities at regular intervals across the six geopolitical zones where issues and challenges facing the polity, economy, and society will be discussed by party leadership and elected and appointed officials, and members.

15. The overall objective will be to create platforms for setting national development agenda that will focus on the issues that affect the people of Nigeria on the front burner. In my view, the absence of such credible and organized platforms to interrogate and debate matters of national importance has created a void for ethnic champions, religious bigots and other elements with different motives, and idle individuals to promote hare speeches and even in some cases beat the drums of disunity. The party should, therefore, serve as a veritable platform to keep both the executive and the legislative arms of government to remain faithful and focused on delivering the deliverables for the good of the people and the welfare of the country.

16. It is common for people, particularly the party leaders to evoke the concept of party supremacy when dealing with party matters. For me, party supremacy flows from the implementation of decisions democratically debated and consensus reached by the appropriate and relevant organs of the party 17. To talk of party supremacy presupposes that decisions are taken on the basis of healthy contestations and debates. For us, party supremacy comes from decisions of the party made by the relevant party organs.

The decisions of the party have to emerge from the debate by party organs at various levels, and the conclusions reached will constitute the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position on any matter which will then be binding on all the members of the party including those elected as executive and legislative arms of government. It must be emphasised at this point, that the opinion of the party chairman or any leader of the party, does not constitute the party position. A party position must as a necessity be the outcome of debates, disagreements, and consensus when unanimity is impossible. It is when party decisions are the result of debates, contestations and final agreement or consensus that the principle of party supremacy becomes potent and operational.

18. It should be appreciated that a genuinely democratic political party such as the APC founded on the principles of social democracy and inclusiveness, is by definition prone to contestations. For us, a measure of progress is how free members are to contest issues as it relates to the party or government. Hence, internal disagreement is not necessarily dysfunctional. What is important is that while encouraging healthy debate, the party must demonstrate the competence to objectively and constructively resolve or manage any conflict or disagreement within the ranks of the party.

19. To promote party supremacy and party unity on a sustainable basis, the party must ensure discipline within its ranks and evoke sanctions where appropriate. For us, rules and policies are useful to the extent that they are enforced. To sustain party unity, there must be party discipline. Once a party position is taken, anyone who goes against the party position will be subjected to party discipline in line with the party Constitution following due process. Without sanction for

misconduct and commendation for proper conduct, there cannot be party discipline.

20.

We will reposition the party for a united Nigeria. Internally, we will build the capacity of both leaders and members; improve administration, organisation and financial management and ensure proper management of the party. Our partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Constitution has already provided for the funding of the party. Article 22 provides that the party shall be funded by subscription, fees, and levies of members; proceeds from investments; donations, etc. We will vigorously pursue all of these avenues. Externally, we will interface with different groups including religious groups, labour unions, civil society organisations, youth groups, women groups and persons living with disabilities.

21. Furthermore, we will consciously promote and service the concept of separation of powers under the presidential system of government between the three arms of government (executive, legislature, and judiciary). But as we know, the judiciary does not come under the ambit of the party because they are not subject to election. That leaves us with the challenge of ensuring the separation of powers between legislature and executive at all levels. The party will in all its actions and words respect the principle of separation of powers.

22. The party under my leadership when elected will have the courage to continually remind the two arms that they are separate but not autonomous arms of government because if you are entirely independent, you will not complement each other. It is important to point out that the two arms of government, namely: the executive and legislature are not independent of the party or themselves because they are expected to complement each other to ensure that the policies of the executive and deliberations of the legislature agree with the manifesto of the party. This will require robust engagement with the executive and legislature on policy issues necessitating the need for functional and effective party caucus in the legislature.

23. Whenever there is an apparent conflict between the parliament and executive, the party must take proactive steps to mend fences so that the two arms will work harmoniously even as both must respect the principles of separation of powers.

24.

To sustain harmonious interaction between the executive and the parliament, the party must have seasoned parliamentarians including non-serving Senators and Representatives to monitor the National Assembly on a daily basis and advice the party leadership on engagement with the National Assembly. The party under my leadership will recognise that the parliament is unique, diverse and faced with a lot of challenges. The party will, therefore, ensure coherence in all dispositions and decisions of parliament. The party will proactively settle any rift between executive and legislature without compromising the principle of separation of powers.

25. Finally, we shall put in place mechanism for conflict management.

We know that in human interactions, there are bound to be conflicts arising from differences in opinion and perspectives. The responsibility of the party will be to engage in consensus building and conflict management. In particular, we will intervene in the lingering crises between Governors and members of the National Assembly in their respective states as a result of poor communication, conflict of interest, or just being victims of rumour mongering. When I am given the privilege to lead the party by being elected at the National Convention, we will proactively engage all the parties involved in such conflicts with a view to helping them to find common ground on the basis of justice, equity and fairness, and without bias.

26. I am confident that Nigerians are ready to progress and our party is prepared to mend where we have made mistakes, and reenergise and confront the problems that face our country, bearing in mind that the entire black world looks unto us. We have what it takes to provide the leadership that Africa will be proud of and be a reference point.

27. I would also like to assure members of our great party, the APC, and indeed, all Nigerians that with a new leadership of APC and a fully determined President behind us, we are ever ready to engage with whoever would be the players and their coaches wishing to contest against us on various party platforms, as we approach the 2019 General election.

28. My dear party members, my commitment when elected is to provide leadership that will be firm, fair, just, transparent, faithful, and loyal to the members of the party. In other words, I belong to all members and leaders of the party without bias. I am asking God to give me the wisdom, courage and will to be firm and just in all I shall do in the overall interest of the party and all Nigerians who have invested overwhelmingly in us in the 2015 elections. I believe that with the zeal to work with the executive and legislative arms of government, we will engender renewed public confidence and support for our party and government at all levels.

29. Thank you for your attention and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 15, 2018

41

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

42

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Davidson Iriekpen Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

10 Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Attack Two Communities in Kogi

Two persons die as Shiite, police clash in Abuja Buratai gives army three weeks to clear Birnin-Gwari of bandits

Olawale Ajimotokan Ë&#x153; Senator Iroegbu Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Yekini Jimoh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;

has condemned the attack.  Reacting yesterday, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am surprised that the attack came barely a week after we had Some suspected Fulani herdsmen a peace and security meeting at early hours of yesterday attacked the Eluluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palace to forestall this two communities in Kogi west, kind of unfortunate occurrence.â&#x20AC;? killing 10 persons.  In a prompt on-the-spot THISDAY reliably gathered assessment of the damage, the that the herdsmen invaded two administrator in company of Tivs settlement, one in Ilai, the Alhaji Taofik Isah, Administrator outskirts of Mopamuro, and the Ijumu Local Government Area other in Ido-Gbede of Ijumu and ALGON Chairman, said: Local Government Area of Kogi â&#x20AC;&#x153;We shall work with the security State at about 4a.m. yesterday. agencies to see that we rejig A source close to the two security architecture to ensure local government areas told that people and properties are THISDAY that the herdsmen, safe.â&#x20AC;? numbering over 50, invaded David said he had contacted the two communities, heavily relevant government agencies armed with AK47 rifles. immediately as he assured They equally damaged goods the people of the readiness worth several millions of naira of government to see that the and also stole some foodstuffs menace become a thing of the from both communities during past.  the attacks.  However, the Police Public Some of the victims in a Relations Officer of the state phone chat with THISDAY police command, Mr. William said they were surprised that Ayah, when contacted on the the Fulani herdsmen attacked attack, said the command was them. yet to receive any report from According to the victims, the two communities, adding the herdsmen invaded the that he was not aware of the communities at about 4a.m., and incident. immediately they arrived, in Meanwhile, the  Federal the area, they started shooting Secretariat in Abuja was sporadically which made people yesterday locked down after to run for their lives. another protest march by  They disclosed further the members of the Islamic that 10 persons were killed Movement of Nigeria (IMN) during the attack on the two otherwise known as the Shiite communities, stressing that Movement yesterday turned the Fulani herdsmen were violent. fully armed with dangerous In the ensuing commotion weapons such as AK47 riflrs, which began about 1p.m., cutlasses, axes among others.  two protesters were feared Meanwhile, the Administrator dead after they were struck of Mopamuro Local Government by police bullets.

Area, Hon Moses Sunday David, The clashes forced civil

servants and other people at the scene to beat a retreat into several offices and the large car park at the Eagles Square.

The members of the Shiite sect, drawn from many parts of the country, are asking the government to release their spiritual leader, Ibrahim ElZakzaky, who has been held since December 2015.

Initially, the procession was peaceful with the policemen

Deal Re-adjourned to June

Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;

Ejiofor Alike ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?

The Senate last night said it would not stop the senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from resuming today.

It said having been briefed by its lawyers on last Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying its suspension of Omo-Agege, it had resolved not to stop the senator into the chamber.

Last Thursday, a Federal High Court in Abuja had nullified the senatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension by the Senate.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, the upper legislative chamber said as an institution that obeys the law and court orders, it had decided that it would comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court and do nothing to stop Omo-Agege from resuming in his office and at plenary from today, pending the determination of the application for stay of execution.

The statement read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

in tow.

The group, chorusing anti-government songs, marched from Shehu Shagari road through Head of Service Complex, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, down to Ahmadu Bello Way. But in a sudden fit of spark, it turned violent, with the protesters and security operatives in open confrontation.

The Shiite sect lobbed rocks

and damaged many police vehicles, while the latter responded with bust of tear gas shots.

The two fatal incidents occurred along Shehu Shagari road and Ahmadu Bello Way, very close to the Ministry of Health building.

The police subsequently reinforced and gained the upper hand after using hot water to disperse the rioters.

Boulders and exhausted shells of tear gas cannisters littered the roads adjoining the Eagles Square.

Though the scope of the riot was a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play in comparison to one that happened on April 16, it nevertheless aroused a cause for concern.

Policemen and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on Pg 44

STATE VISIT

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar; Kano State Governor, Abudullahi Ganduje; and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika,during a two-day official visit to Jigawa State to inaugurate projects....yesterday

Senate to Obey Court Order on Omo-Agegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shell, Eni Trial on Malabu Oil Reinstatement

The trial of top executives from oil majors, Eni and Shell, over alleged corruption in Nigeria, which kicked off yesterday with a brief procedural hearing has been re-adjourned till next month.

At the next hearing, set for June 20, the Milan court said it would assess requests from third parties, including a series of international non-profit organisations, to join the case.

Reuters reported that at yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearing, a lawyer representing the Nigerian Government, Domenico Cartoni Schittar, said he was stepping down from his role.

In his comments in a signed document seen by Reuters, Cartoni Schittar said he had given up on a mandate, which he said had become â&#x20AC;&#x153;awkwardâ&#x20AC;?.

The long-running graft case revolves around the 2011 purchase by Eni and Shell of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OPL-245 offshore oilfield for about $1.3 billion.

Milan prosecutors allege bribes were paid to win the license to explore an oil block that holds an estimated nine billion barrels of oil but which has never entered into production.

Global Witness, a campaign group that has conducted its own investigations, has described the case as one of the biggest corruption scandals in the history of the oil industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, and former Shell Foundation Chairman, Malcolm Brinded, are standing trial along with 11 other defendants and the two companies.

All the accused have denied any wrongdoing.

The former Shell executives involved in the case have claimed that a procedural error was made when the original ruling to send the case to court was taken and have applied to Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supreme Court to void it.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to judge that appeal on June 12.

Senate leadership has been briefed by our lawyers on last Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment of the Federal High Court, inAbuja, on whether the Senate has the legal authority to suspend a member for certain misconduct or not. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have equally filed an appeal against the judgment of the court and a motion for stay of execution of the judgment at the Court of Appeal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an institution that obeys the law and court orders, the Senate has decided that it will comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court and do nothing to stop Omo-Agege from resuming in his office and at plenary from May 15, 2018, pending the determination of the application for stay of execution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Senate has been advised that since the motion for stay of execution of the judgment shall be heard and possibly determined on May 16, 2018, we shall therefore respect the subsisting High Court judgment and await the appellate courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision on the pending motion.â&#x20AC;?

Omo-Agege had yesterday

said he would attend the Senate sitting today in line with the court order quashing his suspension.

The embattled senator who spoke to journalists when he accompanied the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State congress committee, to submit his report, said nobody has the right to obstruct his entry into the upper legislative chamber.

Omo-Agege said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The enrollment of the court order is being served on the Senate as we speak and I believe that it has been served on the Senate.

Thereafter, I reserve the right to resume whenever I deem fit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect any resistance because that will have its own consequences. This is a court order and you must understand the basis of the court judgment.

The court gave that judgment because it felt that they were contemptuous.â&#x20AC;?

Omo-Agege who said he was wrongfully suspended by the upper legislative chamber, defended his position, saying the Senate leadership â&#x20AC;&#x153;must come to equity with clean hands.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My matter was in court, and not withstanding, they proceeded to purportedly suspend me. It was on that basis that the court exercised its disciplinary power to reverse the suspension and not necessarily on the merit of my case. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, I understand that they have gone to court to ask for a stay of that judgment.

For those of you who are familiar with the law, that is an equitable relief. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. â&#x20AC;&#x153; You cannot be in contempt of the court and at the same time ask the court to grant you an equitable relief of stay. In any case, it is a declaratory judgment which is not stayable in law, and the judge said with immediate effect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need any other action to take my seat. So, to answer your question, I will show up any time I deem fit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no reason why I should not show up tomorrow (today). More likely, I will be in the Senate tomorrow (today),â&#x20AC;? he said.

43

TUESDAY, MAY 15 2018˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

2019: Atiku Promises to Run Lean Government Bassey Inyang in Calabar Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that if elected president of Nigeria in 2019, he will run a lean government, a policy he said would be part of the restructuring of the country.

Atiku stated this yesterday in Cross River State Government House, Calabar when he paid a courtesy call on the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, as part of his ongoing nationwide consultations.

Atiku who was accompanied during the visit by many of his supporters including the former Governors of Ogun and Imo States, Gbenga Daniel and Chief Achike Udenwa, respectively, said if given the opportunity to serve, he would restructure the country, and ensure that what belongs to the people gets to them.

The presidential hopeful, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the people of the state to give him the support to become Nigeria’s president in 2019.

“If you give me your support, you can expect more than what you have given me….

“I can assure you that because of your impact in my life, you will continue to receive my priority in the sense that you will always have federal support to ensure that you continue to achieve whatever you want to achieve in this state,” Atiku said.

The presidential aspirant commended the governor for being broad-minded in his approach to governance, which he said has ensured peace and tranquility in this state.

“Your inclusiveness of governance has led to a number of achievements which are not only known in Cross River State but the whole country.

“There are very few states that are actually very regular and prompt in payment of salaries like this state.

Honestly, we tend to praise and commend Cross River State for paying as at when due. This achievement has resonated all over the country and you are seen as an example of good governance,” Atiku said.

He noted that in spite of the lean resources of the state, the governor, through application of intellect, is rapidly industrialising the state, thus creating thousands of jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

He listed industries built by the Ayade-led administration to include the Cross River Garment Factory, the Calendar Pharmaceutical company, the rice seeds and seedlings centre, the banana plantation, rice mill, and cocoa processing plant in Ikom.

While describing the governor’s decision to build a superhighway and a deep seaport as remarkable, he assured him of the federal government’s support in ensuring the state achieves

Oando Shareholders Want Management to Resolve Dispute with Ansbury A group of Oando shareholders have called on the company’s management to resolve its dispute with Ansbury Investments Incorporated.

In a statement released yesterday, the shareholders,who referred to themselves as Concerned Oando Shareholders, said the prolonged war and bickering is not in the best interest of the shareholders or the company.

In September 2017, Ansbury petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over alleged corporate governance abuse by the management of Oando Plc. Ansbury’s petition led to the suspension of Oando on both the NSE and the JSE. SEC also ordered a forensic audit of the oil firm.

Ansbury, according, The Cable, has 56 per cent equity stake in Oando Plc. “These days, Oando is always in the news for the wrong reasons. The negative exposure the company has experienced for almost one year running has a telling effect not just on the shares, but the entire fortune of the company,” Atobatele Musibau, spokesman of the group, said.

“The earlier this matter is

resolved the better for the company and its shareholders.

Whether the management of Oando likes it or not, this unending war of attrition has impacted and will continue to impact the company negatively.

Advising that the best option for both parties is dialogue, Musibau said the recovery in oil prices is a sign that the company can improve under the right atmosphere.

“One must state that Oando has not recorded any meaningful capital gains, nor has it paid dividends to investors in more than four years. We are therefore the grass that suffers as these two elephants slug it out.

“We, therefore, call on the management of Oando not to miss out on the golden opportunity provided by the turnaround of the oil industry to improve on the fortunes of shareholders.

“We want to see better returns, capital appreciation of our shares and payment of dividends in the not too distant future. This can only happen, however, if the management resolves all pending rifts to enable it to concentrate on running the company.”

its dreams.

“I am not living here but we get news of all these because if you goggle Cross River State and Ben Ayade, you will see all these. This is technology and it is digital.

Your achievement like the rice seedling centre, which is undergoing a test run now, is a major development in the agriculture sector and will employ a large number of unemployed youths. You are indeed a talk-and-do

governor,” he said.

In his remarks, Ayade said the state is rich in both mineral and hydrocarbons but lamented a situation where the mineral resources cannot be explored without the approval of the federal government.

He, therefore, expressed happiness that restructuring is part of Atiku’s agenda, stating that “we will like to see a federal government that will respond to our yearnings and create that platform that will

allow us exploit our wealth and create a new hope for our people.”

Ayade who disclosed that the state has found huge oil deposits in its offshore locations without licences to exploit them, questioned:, “To what extent would the federal government continue to hold and sequester everything that belong to the country to herself?”

On Atiku’s presidential ambition, Ayade said: “As

an aspirant of the PDP and somebody who has been a vice president, I believe that the experiential calculus shows clearly that you are capable, competent and qualified to aspire for the position of president.”

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a book entitled:, ‘Restructuring as a pathway to unity and development in Nigeria,’ to the governor by Atiku.

ECONOMIC TEAM

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udo Udoma and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during an expanded meeting of the Economic Management Team at the State House, Abuja....yesterday

Buhari: We’ve Achieved More than PDP President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa State, said his administration was delivering on its promises with clear-cut targets, prudent management of resources and a deliberate policy to plug wastage and pilfering of government resources.

Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, during a two-day visit, President Buhari said the odds of initial dwindling oil prices did not

discourage the government from setting targets for lofty developmental projects and achieving more in three years than the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s misrule.

The president said the growing support the administration currently enjoys can be attributed to the understanding of Nigerians of the unpleasant realities it inherited, and the efforts to reposition the economy in

spite of “what the opposition keeps sponsoring in the press.”

He directed the Minister of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, to work with the Jigawa State Government to alleviate the challenge of water scarcity in the state capital, following a complaint by the Emir of Dutse.

On arrival in Jigawa State, the president began his engagements at Auyo, near Hadejia, where he inaugurated the expansion of an irrigation

scheme and paid a visit to the Emir of Hadejia, Adamu Maje.

The president, who was received by a tumultuous crowd, thanked the Emir of Hadejia and his people for always supporting him, even when he was an opposition candidate.

He said his visit to Hadejia was more of homecoming, promising to give more attention to the needs of the people in the Emirate.

Kano Assembly Shut over Plan to Impeach Speaker Adjourns sitting till June Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State House of Assembly was yesterday sealed up by the police following moves to impeach the Speaker, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, by some of its members.

However, sources close to the assembly confided in THISDAY that as at last night, 21 lawmakers had duly supported of the impeachment.

It was further confirmed that already, the principal officers of the assembly had been impeached, having gathered 21 signatories for their impeachment.

“The principal officers have already been impeached with the signatures of 21 lawmakers we have gathered. All what we

need now is only six members to meet the requirement of 2/3 to impeach the speaker without delay.”

On why the lawmakers resolved to impeach the leaders of the assembly, the source said: “The reasons are many but the major one is incompetence. The speaker has virtually localised the assembly.

“We cannot sit until after 2p.m. and even at that, things are not moving as expected. We cannot just continue like that because we are representing our constituencies.”

Reacting to the impeachment move, the speaker of the House of Assembly, Ata, noted that as Muslim, who believe in destiny, he will accept his

impeachment in good faith.

Ata, who spoke to newsmen said, the attempt by some members of the house to impeach him has nothing to do with competence as alleged.

He said: “In anything, there is a starting and ending point.

If Allah has designed it that my time is up, nobody will extend it by a second. And if it is not time, nobody can remove me from office, that is my belief.

“My happiness is that I didn’t not steal anybody’s money. So if today, they remove me from office, I will leave, but nobody will accuse me of stealing.

I have a constituency that I am representing.”

The speaker also adjourned plenary to end of June 2018, stating that the adjournment is to allow members prepare for the month of Ramadan and Idil-Fitr.

He enjoined the members and the public to make good use of the holy month in praying for forgiveness and progress of the state and Nigeria at large.

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Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Tenure Extension of Oyegun-Led APC Executive Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday dismissed the suit challenging the tenure elongation of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba who dismissed the suit in two separate judgments on the matter, held that the suits had become hypothetical and academic, as the APC had reversed the decision to extend the tenures of the NWC. Dimgba said: “Having read and carefully examined all the attachments to the suit, I hold that there was an attempt to extend the tenure of members of the party’s NWC due to expire on June 30, 2018, for another one year.”

Dimgba held that the resolution of the NEC of the party, in its meeting held on February 27, 2018, was a case of party organ trying to extend its tenure, which he noted was different from the case of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where it was the National Convention of the party that set up the caretaker committee.

He said if the attempt to extend the tenure of the Oyegun-led executive committee had matured, it would have amounted to a violation of the constitution of the party and that of the country.

The judge recalled that the party had commenced congresses to elect its officials at wards and local government levels and had also slated June to hold its national convention to elect officials of the party at the national level.

A member of the party in Imo State, Okere Uzochukwu had, in his suit, marked, FHC/ ABJ/CS/219/2018 and filed on March 2, 2018, challenged the moves to extend the tenure of the John Odigie-Oyegun led executive of the party.

The second suit, challenging the decision to extend the tenure of the Oyegun-led NWC of the APC was filed by some aggrieved members of the party, led by Ademorin Aliu Kioye.

The plaintiffs had, on March 15, 2018 secured an ex-parte order directing the defendants to show cause why members of the NWC of the APC should not be barred from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Respondents in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, National Chairman of APC, Oyegun, and the National Organising Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso.

Ahmed Raji (SAN), representing the plaintiff, had informed the court that the matter borders around Section 223 of the constitution which fixes the tenure of elected officials of political parties to a maximum of four years.

He said one of the questions the court should answer is whether the provision of Section 223 of the constitution, as regards tenure of political parties’ officials is mandatory.

He argued further that the NEC’s decision to unilaterally extend the tenure of the NWC was contrary to Section 223 of the constitution and urged the court to avoid any interpretation that would render it useless.

Raji also dismissed claim by the defendants that the issue is

1 0 K I L L E D AS S U S P E CT E D H E R D S M E N AT TAC K T W O C O M M U N I T I E S I N KO G I Defence Corps attached to the Federal Secretariat complex were vigilant, so that the riot would not descent into arson and destruction of public assets.

Also, the road leading to the Presidential Villa was blocked until the tension was doused around 2p.m.

Meaanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday charged troops to end the wanton killings and destruction of property in the axis within three weeks.

Speaking when he flaggedoff the 2 Battalion Forward Operation Base (FOB) at the Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State, he directed the troops to go after the bandits and wipe them out.

The army chief said: “We are no longer going to adopt the defensive approach, it must be offensive. Since the battle has been brought to you, you must take it back and crush them wherever they are.

“The killings must stop, the wanton destructions of properties must stop, not only within Kaduna state but across the country.

“In the next two, three weeks, there must be a very

resounding results that will bring these criminals to their kneels finally.

“They are not coming from the moon, or coming from outer space, they are within this territory. I don’t know why you cannot go to where they are and get them fished out.

“Am happy with the initiative of the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and all the commanders for the new approach and I want to see a decisive result at the end of this operation.”

Buratai sais the commanders have briefed him of their challenges and promised that the authorities have already started addressing some of these challenges.

“We must respond decisively and commanders must be personally held responsible for any lapse, they must decide and take appropriate action, and anything outside that, they must be held responsible,” he said.

The COAS said the next deployment must commence immediately, adding that other areas of logistic support and their welfare would be provided for them.

a domestic affairs of the APC and one that does not require the intervention of the court.

According to him, if the NEC of the party can singlehandedly extend the tenure of party officials, it will pose a bad precedent for democracy in the country and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs in the originating summons.

Responding, the first defendant, INEC, said it remains neutral in the suit but would abide by whatever decision reached by the court.

According to Joseph Daudu (SAN), counsel to the 2nd

defendant, the plaintiffs’ suit was based on speculation as the NEC of the APC did not breach the party’s constitution nor Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution.

He added that the party itself is making efforts to resolve the issue.

“If there is a breach of the party’s constitution then the court can be invited. Politicians should be allowed to do their job in as much as it is legal and within the ambit of the law,” he said.

In urging the court to dismiss the suit, Daudu said the plaintiffs did not provide any instrument

showing that before the end of the tenure of the NWC, there is an extension.

Similarly, Akin Olujimi (SAN), counsel to the APC Chairman, Oyegun, while aligning himself with the submission of the 2nd defendant, urged the court not to engage in speculation.

“What they are asking the court is to engage in speculation. Instead of the resolution they came with newspaper reports which cannot prove anything,” he submitted.

Olujimi further submitted that there is no cause of action for the suit and urged the court

to dismiss it.

In the same vein, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), counsel to the 4th defendant who completely adopted the submission of both Daudu and Olujimi told the court that his client was not supposed to be part of the suit.

He said the issue involving the 4th defendant is whether he can contest election and still come back as a member of the executive committee.

Onoja argued that article 31 of the party’s constitution allows a member of the executive to contest election without resigning from office.

CONSULTATIVE VISIT

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State and Director General, Atiku Abubarkar Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Daniel; Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, during Atiku’s courtesy visit to the governor in Calabar.... yesterday

FG Mulls N72bn Investment in Discos to Improve Electricity Supply Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government will invest about N72 billion to improve distribution infrastructure in the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed.

Fashola said the investment would be part of the government’s 40 per cent shareholding in the Discos. He noted that while the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the investment plan, adverts calling for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for transformers and other distribution equipment to come up with their proposals have gone out and the government was waiting for responses.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Louis Edozien, when he commissioned a 132/33kV transmission substation with a 40MVA transformer that was built by the Transmission Company of Nigeria in Mayo Belwa area of

Adamawa State on Sunday evening, the minister charged the 11 Discos to invest more in their networks to complement the grid expansion efforts of the TCN and the government’s N72 billion commitment to their networks.

He further confirmed this yesterday while presiding over the May 2018 edition of the monthly power sectors’ operators meeting in Yola, capital of Adamawa State.

“I can also report that we are making progress on the federal government’s planned intervention in the distribution value chain to help deliver the 2,000MW that is constrained by distribution equipment.

“The advertisements for quotation by original equipment manufacturers for transformers, breakers, and associated equipment compiled by the Discos have been published, and we await responses,” said Fashola.

The government had within the privatisation exercise retained 40 per cent stake in the Discos. The planned financial intervention would be the first ever direct funding to the

Discos by the government since the exercise was completed in 2013.

Also, it had provided a N701.9 billion Payment Assurance Guarantee (PAG) to support the Generation Companies (Gencos) through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), just as the CBN disbursed a loan facility worth N213 billion under its Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Fund (NEMSF) to all operators in the power sector including the Discos.

During the commissioning the TCN facility, Fashola said with the new 40MVA Mayo Belwa substation, over seven towns in Adamawa, including Mayo Belwa, Numan, Jada and Lamorde will witness improved electricity delivery.

He added that ministry complemented efforts of the TCN by installing distribution transformers in the franchise area.

“With this development, TCN has not only improved the quality of power in this area but it has also increased

the wheeling capacity of TCN which was last simulated in December 2017 to be above 7,000 megawatts,” he said.

According to him, TCN has acquired vast lands to upgrade the new substation to a 330/132/33KV substation and its 132/33KV Jalingo substation to evacuate more power to states in the North-east.

He said while the procurement has advanced, the 330/132/33KV Yola substation will be upgraded by 350MVA capacity as a 150MVA, and two units of 100MVA transformers will be installed along with other equipment.

To further upgrade power supply in the North-east, the minister explained that the government has resolved get past the hurdles of completing the 40 megawatts (MW) Dadin Kowa hydropower plant in Gombe State.

He noted that the transmission line for the plant would be completed by the TCN which will also install Static Var Compensator (SVC) in Gombe to improve the quality of power in the region.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

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Nigeria, Africa Lose over $50bn Annually to Corruption Soyinka, Gowon knock African leaders for demeaning office Mbeki, Commonwealth Sec-Gen call for concerted effort Senator Iroegbu ÓØ ÌßÔË Nigeria and other African countries have been estimated to be losing over $50 billion annually as a result of corruption, money laundering and other criminal activities.

The Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, stated this yesterday in Abuja at the eighth Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of AntiCorruption Agencies in Africa (ACA).

Osinbajo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion, said much had been lost and still being lost in Nigeria and the African continent as a result of corruption.

He stressed that while the public sector has been the major focus of anti-corruption drive, the private sector is one of the main enabler and equally enmeshed in all manner of corrupt practices.

According to him, the public-

private sector collaboration is one of the most complex web of corruption to deal with.

“Developing countries loses over $1 trillion annually due to corporate theft. Africa loses more than $50 billion annually to corruption and most of these come from the extractive industry,” he said.

Speaking further, Osinbajo called for more transparency among commonwealth countries with regards to warehousing the proceeds from corruption by ensuring that ill-gotten wealth does not find a “safe haven”.

“African countries must come together to keep the issue of assets recovery on the front burner and embrace information sharing in the fight against corruption,” he said.

He also disclosed that the additional $300 million of Abacha loot that would be released by Switzerland would be channelled to social programmes like the conditional cash transfer scheme and

N-Power initiative.

The vice president further called for cooperation from the G-7 as well as commonwealth countries to follow suit in opening a global register for individuals behind the Panama Papers shell companies.

In the same vein, the Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, described corruption as a ravenous storm and Tsunami trying to tear the foundation of most developing countries.

Scotland said: “Over the next four days, we will be seeking to meet the challenge of another, equally ferocious, ravenous storm, although it takes a different form – that of corruption which robs our children of the funds needed to fund schools which meets their talents and their parents aspirations.

She also noted that corruption robs the children “the food they

need to grow strong to meet development and educational milestones which they crave and need to prosper in order to meet the challenges of this exciting millennium with its complexities and technological explosion which is striving to keep pace with the growth and expectation of a more demanding and ecologically more ravenous era to deliver the sustainable solutions with which to regenerate our world – this common earth which we jointly inhabit; and provide the housing, infrastructure, energy, and fair systems which will see them clear their tender years into a prosperous and safe future, to a more bountiful and generous old age.”

To this end, she challenged the heads of anti-corruption agencies to seek innovative ways to meet this challenge, saying: “You are leading the fight against this Tsunami. You are the

early warning mechanisms, the rapid responders, mobilisers, you put in place necessary, critical measures that enable us to build back better.”

Also speaking, the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, decried the fact that the involvement of African leaders in corrupt practices is demeaning to the offices of the Head of States and Government.

Gowon remarked that there was nothing like corruption during his time that was why he was penniless after his overthrow while at an Organisation of African Union (OAU) meeting where he had to be rescued by his erstwhile staff who contributed their estacodes for his upkeep.

He said he feel pained when all African leaders are painted with same brush as “corrupt” Also speaking, Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who described the late General Sani

Abacha as a terrorists recounted his efforts at retrieving as at that time, the sum of $1 million he was alleged to have donated to an unnamed head of state.

According to Soyinka: “We’ve been bled dry in this nation by corrupt leadership, and you must help us recover the loots still flying out there.”

To this, the former South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, demanded: “Our anticorruption agencies must be at the centre of the efforts to ensure that we retain within our continent the resources we need for our development, which are exported through corrupt practices.”

Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, commended both Buhari and Osinbajo as champions of anti-corruption who have given the agency free reign to exercise their powers.

APC Disowns Parallel Congresses Al-Makura submits report on Ekiti primary Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the holding of parallel congresses in some states, describing any such exercise not sanctioned by it as illegal and of no effect.

While reacting to reports of parallel congresses in a couple of states during its last Saturday’s local government congresses, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Bolaji Abdulahi, said the party only recognised congresses conducted by committees it charged with such responsibility.

There were reports of disputes in the APC’s ward and local government congresses held last two weeks which resulted in parallel congress.

Abdulahi in a statement issued yesterday said: “The party’s position is that there is no such thing as parallel congress.

“The only congress recognised by the party is that conducted in accordance with the party constitution, which was organised by the congress committee charged by the party to organise such congress.

“We therefore regard any so-called parallel congresses as exercise in futility and attempt to cause confusion in the party.

“We wish to reiterate that any party member who has any genuine grievances regarding the congresses should channel such through the Appeals Committee in their respective states.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the APC Ekiti State Governorship Primary Committee, Governor Tanko Al-Makura, yesterday submitted the report of his committee to the leadership of the party in Abuja.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, the governor attributed the success of last Saturday’s primary to the maturity exhibited by aspirants, delegates and party members.

He explained that the exercise was successful because of the cooperation, passion and commitment of party members, delegates and the aspirants.

“More than any other thing else, is the conduct of the delegates at the primary; they were very mature and orderly,” he said.

The governor noted that in spite of the rains, the delegates carried themselves in a very mature way and even embraced themselves after the results were announced.

He said the party’s leadership should use the platform of solidarity exhibited at the primary to ensure coercion among its member in the state especially.

Al-Makura however, blamed the disrupted May 5 primary on the activities of hoodlums whom he said took advantage of security lapses then to cause crisis.

He commended members of his committee for being up and doing, and also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity to serve.

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, while responding, praised the aspirants for their spirit of sportsmanship, adding that the disrupted primary, gave the party an opportunity to organise a perfect one.

According to him, the committee members, aspirants and the delegates at the primary deserve a gold medal.

EMINENT PERSONS

L-R: Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), at the eighth Commonwealth Conference for Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa (ACA) in Abuja....yesterday

OPEC Raises Oil Demand Forecast Amid Global Growth Uncertainty Ejiofor Alike áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has raised its forecast for global oil demand growth this year, but added that sanctions, tariffs, and the United States withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal are strong indications of rising uncertainty over the global economic growth momentum.

In its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) released yesterday, the cartel raised its forecast for global oil demand as it now expects the world to consume 98.85 million barrels per day, up 1.65 million barrels a day from last year.

The group also raised its

forecast for oil supplies from non-members as US production continues to surge, warning that the global economic growth outlook has become uncertain, in part due to US trade policy and sanctions on Russia and Iran.

Crude oil prices steadied below three and a half years high yesterday as resistance emerged in Europe and Asia to United States sanctions against major crude exporter Iran.

Brent crude traded at $77.32 per barrel, while the US light crude rose slightly to $70.80 per barrel.

Both oil futures contracts hit their highest since November 2014 last week at $78 and $71.89 a barrel respectively as markets anticipated a sharp fall in Iranian

crude supply once US sanctions bite later this year.

Reuters reported that it is unclear how hard US sanctions will hit Iran’s oil industry but a lot will depend on how other major oil consumers respond to Washington’s action against Tehran, which will take effect in November.

But China, France, Russia, Britain, Germany and Iran all remain in the nuclear accord that placed controls on Iran’s nuclear programme and led to a relaxation of economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business there.

The 14-member OPEC pointed to strong growth in developed and emerging economies in the first quarter.

OPEC has also predicted that US drillers outside its group will pump 59.62 million barrels per day this year, or 1.72 million barrels a day more than last year.

According to the group, United States drillers will account for about 89 per cent of that growth, with Canada, Brazil, the UK and Kazakhstan also pumping more.

With the US drillers producing a record 10.7 million barrels a day, according to preliminary weekly data from the Energy Information Administration, the United States is approaching world’s top producer Russia, which pumps about 11 million barrels daily.

46

Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍłË&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Desist from Commenting on Social Media, CJN Tells Judges Gboyega Akinsanmi The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday admonished judges to refrain from commenting on matters of public interest on the social media and uploading

their personal photographs on any social window.

If perhaps any judge serving in the state and federal judiciaries had by default uploaded personal information online, Onnoghen directed him or her to remove such information

ExxonMobil to Invest N13bn in Projects in Akwa Ibom Sunday Okobi ExxonMobil affiliate, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Mobil Producing Nigeria Joint Venture, has announced plans to invest N13 billion ($43 million) in three community health, economic empowerment and education projects in Akwa Ibom State in the next 18 months.

These investments, according to the oil giant, amount to one of the largest community investments by any company in Nigeria.

The three projects, ExxonMobil stated, include a technical skills centre in Ikot Akata; a trauma centre at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and an engineering complex at the University of Uyo. The Chairman and Managing Director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Paul McGrath, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;These investments will provide long-term health, education and economic benefits to many in our communities. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We continue to work closely with the Akwa Ibom State government as part of our commitment to communities where we operate and help to improve quality of life.â&#x20AC;?

The statement also noted that at a ceremony held at Ikot Akata in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the Group General

Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), represented by Hilary Akpan, said the choice of the projects came after effective community engagement and consultation for viable impact.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who did the official ground-breaking ceremony and inspected models of the proposed community assistance projects, expressed his administrations readiness to provide all necessary support and an enabling environment for successful completion of the projects.

ExxonMobil stated that the technical skills centre would consist of a three-block training complex for critical skills required in oil and gas careers, such as pipeline fabrication, welding, electrical works, chemical lab works, civil works and engineering design. The centre is expected to train more than one hundred students annually, it stated.

The trauma centre, accordingly, which is to be housed in a twofloor medical complex, will help reduce mortality rates in major medical emergencies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The centre will include a resuscitation and burns room; a theatre suite; helipad; ambulance bay and triage area; high dependency and radiology units; mini labs; wards; pharmacy; administrative offices; library; and doctor, call and seminar rooms.

immediately and desist from such practice henceforth.

He gave the directive at the first biannual lecture of the Lagos State Judiciary held at the City Hall, Lagos Island yesterday, noting that the design of the blogging sites made it important for judges not to descend into such arena.

The lecture, which was the first of its series, was attended by the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, among others.

Onnoghen, who was represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour at the lecture, spoke on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Judicial Standards, Integrity, Respect and Public Perception: A Comparative Analysis from Independence in 1960 to the Present Millennium.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Specifically, Onnoghen directed judges to refrain from commenting on the matters of public interest through social media blogging sites, especially Twitter, Facebook and Instagram among others.

For those who are on the social media, he directed them to remove their personal information online, and as well desist from uploading pictures of their holiday and personal activities on social media.

However, according to him, judges desirous of discussing public matters on the social media can only do so without revealing their identity. The interactive design of the internet blogging sites made it important for judges not to descend into such arena.

Onnoghen called for the study of law in the University to be made a second degree in view of the declining standards of education in the country.

He recommended that legal

practitioners who wanted to be appointed into the bench, in addition to 10 years post call requirement, should also be mandated to have post graduate diploma in law.

Also at the lecture, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said it was important for them to always be above board and uphold ethical standards in view of their strategic role in the country.

Represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Economic Crimes, Mr. Biodun Aikomo, Osinbajo said judges â&#x20AC;&#x153;must be beyond reproach. They must be above board. They must abide by ethics and standards of the profession and dispense justice without rightly.â&#x20AC;?

Explaining the rationales behind major reforms his administration had implemented in both judiciary and security sectors, Ambode said the reforms were targeted at creating

a sound pedestal for residents to be productive and in turn boost the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ambode said the major reforms in the sectors were already contributing to the growth of the economy, assuring that no effort would be spared in ensuring the success of the various initiatives.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very proud of the judicial sector reforms going on in the state. We are very proud of the work being done by the Chief Judge and the combination of the efforts being carried out by the Attorney General and Chief Judge is something we need to support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is now very obvious that some major reforms are going on in the judicial sector and we are very proud as the executive arm of government to support the judicial sector reforms which we are also complementing with our security sector reforms.â&#x20AC;?

LEGAL EVENT

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke; and state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, during the state Judiciary first Bi-Annual lecture in Lagos....yesterday

C H I E F J U ST I C E : AT TAC K O N P â&#x20AC;&#x2122; H A R C O U RT C O U RT, DA N G E R TO D E M O C R ACY The motion was seconded by the member representing Bonny State Constituency, Mr. Abiye Pepple.

Sixteen members voted in favour of the motion, while three voted against and another three members abstained from voting.

Moving the motion, Amaewhule drew the attention of members of the House to the incident when both uniformed and non-uniformed armed men attacked the High Court complex in a commando-style with sporadic gunshots, shutdown the complex by locking the entrance gates, destroyed government and private property and molested judicial officers, lawyers and litigants.

The Leader of the House, who stated that the cause of the crisis was the impending ruling on a matter between two disputing factions of the APC, noted with sadness that no arrest had been made even when sponsored hoodlums were seen attacking people and destroying vehicles and infrastructure at the High Court complex in the presence of the APC-controlled Federal AntiRobbery Squad (FSARS).

He observed that the safety of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, could no longer be guaranteed as the federal government whose responsibility it is to control the police, has now delegated the power of control of the Rivers State Police Command and particularly FSARS to the leader of the Rivers APC. In his contribution, Minority Leader, Mr. Benibo Anabrabra, regretted that members of his political party desecrated the temple of justice.

Deputy Speaker, Mr. Marshall Uwom, said it was expedient to defend the rule of law and democracy in the state.

The member, representing Ahoada East Constituency 2, Mr. Ehie Edison, while condemning the invasion, said acts of that nature must be met with sanctions, while the member representing Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Mr. Emeni George, who described as sacrilegious, the desecration of the state temple of justice, urged the president to sack the Inspector General of Police for incompetence.

Majority Whip, Mr. Evans Bipi, said the attack on the state High Court complex was geared towards the 2019 elections and urged the House to also write to all embassies in Nigeria.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker said the position of the House was to save the state from the illegal acts of the APC-led federal government.

He said the attack on the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man, was a sad narrative for the state and her corporate existence.

The House of Assembly later moved to the state High Court where they inspected the damage done to the complex.

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara, conducted the lawmakers round the complex.

Also weighing in on the crisis, Senator Magnus Abe whose faction had gone to court to stop the local government congresses in Rivers State, yesterday called on Buhari and other leaders of the APC to quickly intervene in the crises rocking the

party in the state.

Abe, representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, pointedly accused Amaechi of deliberately causing confusion in the party by displaying raw power, which he said was dividing the party.

Briefing Senate correspondents in Abuja, Abe said the recent ward congresses allegedly organised by the Amaechi faction of the party in the state, were in flagrant disregard of a court injunction, which had ordered their stoppage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;APC has reached a point where it must take a decision either to live up to the core values of our leader, President Mohammadu Buhari and do the right thing or abandon our values and destroy our soul in order to please one man,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Speaking further, Abe recalled that a South-south caucus meeting was held in Amaechiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Abuja home before the ward congresses were scheduled to begin, where it was agreed that certain steps should be taken by the leaders in the states to build confidence in the process â&#x20AC;&#x153;The meeting was to include all

tendencies in the party and for the modalities for the congresses to be discussed and agreed upon. It was also directed that the congress committee from Abuja should equally meet with all stakeholders on arrival and be briefed on the arrangements and agreements already reached in the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;None of this was done in Rivers State. Rather, a faction of the party led by the minister proceeded with the exercise in total disdain of the rights and privileges of other members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Party members who paid money to the party were blatantly disenfranchised. All protests and appeals fell on deaf ears after the purported failed exercise,â&#x20AC;? Abe said.

He further revealed that another South-south caucus meeting was called this time at the home of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and it was agreed that the rules were not followed in Rivers State and the exercise in state was not acceptable.

The senator said the internal conflict resolution processes within

the party were compromised at the altar of â&#x20AC;&#x153;individual powerâ&#x20AC;?.

He further accused the Amaechi faction of mobilising force to shutdown the judiciary complex, to prevent the court from giving a ruling, an action which failed.

Despite being served the order of the court, he said the APC publicity secretary in Rivers State went on air to give legal reasons why the party would not obey the order of the court, Abe stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This cannot be APC, this party cannot trade its soul to massage the ego of any individual. An order of the court is an order of the court.

There must be a limit to which we can descend in obeisance to power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I respectfully call on our president not to surrender our nation to men without a conscience, this party must distance itself from the show of shame that is currently going on in Rivers State,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Abe also dispelled speculations that he was working with the state governor, Wike, to cause a crisis in the APC and destabilise the state chapter of the party.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

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TUESDAYSPORTS

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Mikel, Moses, Musa, Lokosa Make Super Eagles 30-man World Cup Squad Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, yesterday listed John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa and 27 others in his provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup 2018 finals scheduled to kick off in barely 30 days from today.

FC Crotone striker, Simeon Nwankwo, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leading scorer, Junior Lokosa, Plateau United’ safe hands, Dele Ajiboye, as well as Stephen Eze, were some of the surprise inclusions in the list released on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Twitter handle on Monday afternoon.

Nwankwo has been in superb form for his Italian Serie A club, scoring seven goals this term while Kano Pillars’ Lokosa leads the NPFL goal chart with 18 goals in the domestic topflight.

Rohr’s list also includes Spain-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders William Troost Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Joel Obi and John Ogu. Regular forwards like Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi also made the cut.

Chelsea wingback, Moses, was Nigeria’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with three goals, while Captain Mikel Obi, Iwobi, Simon and Iheanacho weighed in with two goals each.

NFF’s Spokesman, Ademola Olajire, confirmed yesterday that all invited players have been told to report at the Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo

on Monday, May 21.

Uyo, as home ground, was the conquering terrain for the Super Eagles during the qualifying series.

LIST OF INVITED EAGLES GOALKEEPERS: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United) DEFENDERS: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium); Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria) MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (UD Las Palmas, Spain); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey) FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Nwankwo Simeon (Crotone FC, Italy); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars).

Okpekpe Race Organisers Hail Edo Govt, Sponsors Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of last Saturday’s sixth IAAF silver label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race in Okpekpe near Auchi has commended Edo State government, sponsors and friends of the race who provided some financial support as well as other logistics towards the success of historic race.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pamodzi, Mike Itemuagbor, said Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the good people of the state, especially the indigenes of the host community, Okpekpe deserve praises for their contribution towards the success of the race in spite of the windy and torrential rain.

“I want to thank the governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki who once again demonstrated his government support for the race with his physical presence and that of his deputy, Comrade Phillip Shaibu as well as the presence of immediate past Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

“It shows how highly they rate the race which has brought unquantifiable recognition to the state in particular and Nigeria in general,” observed Itemuagbor as he also thanked corporate Nigerians who came in as sponsors and friends of the race.

“We are grateful for the support Ecobank Nigeria has given us since we became a bronze label race in 2015.

In fact, this year the bank increased its financial support as its mobile app became the

official Bank Service Platform for the race.

“Two of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Access Bank and Development Bank also threw their financial weight behind the race as Friends of the race. We say thank you.’’

Itemuagbor also hailed award-winning STACO Insurance Plc who served as the official insurer of the only IAAF silver label road race in Nigeria nay West Africa.

“We also recognise the tremendous support we got from Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc. This showed how important and big the race is.

‘We are particularly grateful to the men and women who worked as officials and volunteers and defied the heavy downpour to ensure the race was a success. We say a big thank you,” concludes the Pamodzi chief executive.

Kenya’s Alex Kibet won the men’s race in 29:46 to become the fourth Kenyan winner of the race. His compatriots Simon Cheprot, the winner in Okpekpe in 2016, finished a distant second in 30:29 while Timothy Rono was third in 30:39.

For the women version, Ethiopia’s Dera Dida ran 33:01, the second fastest winning time in the history of the race to be crowned champion.

Kenya’s Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei was second in 33:33, one minute and 36 seconds shy of the PB she set earlier this year while her fellow Kenyan Diana Kipyokei Chemtai was third in 34:24.

Super Eagles players celebrating picking Africa’s first ticket to the World Cup 2018 finals in Russia… last October

Nigeria Bids to Host 2022 Youth Games Nigeria has officially made a proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2022 Youth Olympic Games in Abuja.

At a video presentation held in Abuja on Sunday, the Nigerian delegation comprising the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, the Permanent Secretary Adesola Olusade, the Nigeria Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel, officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Federal Capital Territory, Dalung assured the visiting members of the IOC that Abuja will be ready to host the games if Nigeria gets the nod.

In his remarks, the minister commended the IOC for considering an African host for the event.

“I want to commend the IOC for developing a mechanism

for Africa to be taken along through the changes introduced in the organisation of the Youth Olympics. I want to assure you that the capacity of the country to deliver is not in doubt. We will ensure that we package a brand of the Youth Games which after 2022, will set an agenda for the IOC to emulate.

“Abuja is ready to host because we have hosted international competitions in the past. Moreover, the IOC has emphasised that countries seeking to host the games should not build new structures but improve on their existing ones or make use of temporary facilities which will be dismantled after the games. We have the organisational capacity, the experience and the technical know-how to host.

“Abuja as a city has most of the requirements as enumerated to us

Nwagua, Olusesi, Nwani and Nwachukwu Listed for Match-day 20 VAT Wonder Goal Kano Pillars’ Nyima Nwagua, Tope Olusesi of Rangers International, Ikechukwu Nwani of Nasarawa United and Chidi Nwachukwu of Go Round FC have been nominated for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match-day 20 VAT Wonder Goal award.

Nwachukwu is making the list for the second time following his nomination alongside eventual winner of Match-day 18 VAT Wonder Goal, Sikiru Olatunbosun of MFM FC. Nwachukwu got listed this time for his spectacular strike in his club’s 2-1 defeat to FC IfeanyiUbah. It was a goal from outside the 18-yard box where he was gifted a pass, controlled with his right before unleashing a volley which left the goalkeeper stunned.

Kano Pillars were trailing 1-0 in Owerri to troubled Heartland FC but Nwagua scored to deny the hosts another chance to win all three points. Nwagua with just one movement displaced

three Heartland defenders to set up a left footed shot that beat an already badly positioned goalkeeper to equalize for the visitors.

For Nwani, his goal was a demonstration of gusto and calmness all at once. In a near counter attack that had El-Kanemi players around the center circle, Nwani received a defense splitting pass from Nojeem Olokukon, slipped the ball in between the legs of the center back and had a horde of El-Kanemi defenders chasing him from the center line close to the edge of the box where he picked his spot to place the ball beyond on-rushing goalkeeper Olusesi in Jos ensured that Enugu Rangers went away with a point. In a wave of counter offensive after Wikki Tourists lost the ball in Rangers half, left wing back, Isaac Loute located Olusesi who made a perfect control inside the box and under pressure by an opponent, kept his cool to smash a left footed volley straight up the roof of the post.

by the IOC in a video presentation.

“We hope that at the end of the day, Nigeria will be chosen to host the 2022 Games for Africa,” Dalung said.

Earlier, the IOC members led

by Associate Director for the Youth Olympic Games, Antoine Goetschy, stated in their video presentation that the process of securing the bid to host the games will cost nothing to enable weaker

countries with the potentials to host the event.

“We are here to see what you have to propose and to show you an overview of what we want in a host city.

The objective of our visit is for the proposing host nation to understand the strategic alignment and stakeholders engagement and the potential operational footprint”.

Rivers Sporting Community Endorses Wike for a Second Term Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Thousands of sportsmen, women and their supporters yesterday marched to The Government House in Port Harcourt where they unanimously endorsed Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for a second term.

This is as the governor urged the sporting community to defend their votes in 2019.

The sportsmen and women said their endorsement of Wike was premised on the governor’s revival of sports in the state and beyond.

The sporting community marched from Isaac Boro Park through the streets of the Old GRA to the Government House, Port Harcourt in a carnival-like atmosphere as they celebrated the achievements of the governor.

Mr Franklin Owhor moved a motion endorsing Wike for the 2019 re-election, stating that the sporting community would support the governor to emerge victorious.

Prince Kali Obi seconded the motion for Wike’s second term as Rivers State governor. He said all members of the community were wholeheartedly in support of the decision.

President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Honour Sirawoo, said Wike emerged as the Power of Sports Award winner because of his outstanding credentials.

He said the award received the widest international media coverage, because the international sporting

press appreciates the investments of the governor in the sports sector.

He said Wike needs to continue for greater development of the state.

Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Christopher Green, described Wike as the Pillar of Sports in Africa .

Green said: “Governor Wike has brought national and international recognition to Rivers people. We are proud to be Rivers people because of the performance of the Rivers State Governor.”

Goodwill messages came from female athletes led by Matilda Otuene and Leader of Rivers Sporting Community, Sir Allwell Egorugu.

Responding, Governor Nyesom Wike said it was obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC)led Federal Government was not interested in conducting elections, hence all Nigerians must be vigilant.

“The sign is there that they want to rig the elections. They want to simply write results. What happened last Friday when they invaded the State High Court is an eye-opener,” he said.

While thanking the Rivers Sporting Community for their endorsement, Wike announced that five Rivers Angels players, five Rivers United Players and three Go-round Football Club players would be sponsored to the World Cup in Russia.

He also disclosed that CAF President, Ahmad, would be in the state on May 28 to flag off the construction of the Real Madrid Football Academy in the state.

Tuesday May 15, 2018

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MISSILE Frank to APC

“Apart from being sidelined, our people are also the most harassed within the party, from the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye, to myself and many others.” – Deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank accusing the ruling party of sidelining members of the defunct breakaway New Peoples Democratic Party (NPDP) who fused with other parties to form the APC.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

2019 and the Politics of Campaign Finance

E

ach Governor was reportedly asked by the ruling APC party to bring N250 million ahead of the party’s National Convention. When the public protested, recently, the party disclaimed the news even if it added that it was the responsibility of members to pay outstanding dues. The APC needs N6 billion for its pre-election Convention. In the just concluded Ekiti Governorship primaries, an APC Gubernatorial aspirant who claimed he spent N100 million, got just 11 votes! I wonder how much the eventual winner spent. This story and similar ones, underscore the politics of campaign finance, the threat it poses to electoral integrity and outcomes, the enforceability of electoral laws, and the freedom of the people to choose.

Elections cost money, however. The political party has to set up a party secretariat in virtually every ward, state, and at the national level, pay staff, promote its brand and its agenda, organize meetings, pay sitting allowances, support candidates, run media advertisements, arrange receptions and entertainment, pay for logistics, buy vehicles, pay for air travels and road transportation, the organization of rallies and campaigns, reserve some tidy sum for lobbying at all levels including the lobbying of the media and other groups in civil society. Win or lose eventually, every political party be it in Africa, Europe, America, or Asia knows that money drives the game of politics. This is no rocket science, no matter how unfortunate the implications may be. It is nonetheless for this reason that political parties write into their constitutions, means of raising funds. These include membership subscriptions, payment for expression of interest in elective positions, donations, fund raising activities, and support from friends and the corporate sector.

As it is with the political parties, so it is with the candidates who seek elective offices on the platform of political parties. Their chances are also determined by the amount of money that they are able to raise and spend. In Nigeria, our experience has been that political office holders take loans, borrow money from Godfathers which has to be repaid with interest and at a cost, sell their property if they have any, solicit for money from friends and corporate organisations who are also at best, investors looking for latter-day return on investment.

In Oyo state, Lamidi Adedibu fell out with Governor Rasheed Ladoja because he insisted on a share of the Governor’s security vote. In Anambra state, Governor Chris Ngige ran into troubled waters because he refused to share privileges with the man that allegedly put him in power.

This commercialization of the political process is a universal dilemma and part of the crisis of what seems to be the perceived end of liberal democracy. If money makes all the difference, and politicians have to acquire and repay monetary IOUs, then where does that leave the big, liberal, ideas about choice, sovereignty and the power of the majority? Where really, are the people in the entire democratic equation? Before the election, on election-day and even after, the electorate at least in Africa, expect to be paid in cash and kind.

The people are encouraged to embrace democracy with cash, they are induced to vote in the same manner and their loyalty is maintained only when it is procured. Countries where democracy still seems to be putative or uncertain are the worst hit and many of them are in Africa. But it must be carefully noted that politicians also spend money elsewhere: in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, Spain, Germany, Italy and so on…. campaign finance has been a problem, to be specific, corrupt campaign financing, poses a threat to the globalization of the democratic enterprise.

The liberal democratic project is based on the assumption that the electorate are granted the freedom to choose, determine the future of their

President Muhammadu Buhari country and their individual/collective future as well. When they make mistakes, they bear the consequences, but a few years later, four, or five, under the constitution, they may also be allowed the opportunity to correct their mistakes and hope for the best within the framework of representational democracy. But a drawback to all that, I argue, has been money, described elsewhere as the root of evil. The connection between evil and money has been a principal bane of democracy, turning democracy, that same vehicle that is supposed to bring good tidings into a vehicle of mixed blessings – the good and the ugly.

In cognizance of this, many countries have written into their electoral frameworks, rules and procedures on campaign finance: to rescue democracy from money bags, the influence of money, also, to prevent the undue use of money, and to preserve the people’s sovereignty. In real terms, these rules which exist in virtually every jurisdiction, include laws and regulations which forbid the unauthorized use of state resources for political purposes, contributions from dubious sources, violation of campaign funding limits as prescribed by enabling laws, the use of money to influence voters and election outcomes, nondisclosure of campaign spending, abuse of media, broadcasting and political advertising rules, and rules on declaration of assets, academic qualifications, health and other disclosures and internal party guidelines and rules.

Accordingly, Sections 222 – 229 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) provides rules and regulations on the operations of political parties, with Sections 225 and 226 thereof affirming the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the country’s electoral body to monitor, inquire into and assess campaign finances, and a party’s source of and management of funds.

Section 228 expressly provides sanctions with regard to party finance and campaign finance, and provides the National Assembly statutory powers in this regard. The best that the National Assembly of Nigeria has done in this regard, however, has been the enactment and review of Electoral Acts to guide the conduct of elections in Nigeria (notably the Acts of 2002, 2006 and 2010).

The extant 2010 Electoral Act, as amended, caps spending limits as follows: Presidential election – N1 billion, Governorship- N200 million, Senatorial – N40 million, House of Representatives candidate – N20 million, and House of Assembly – N10 million.

Section 92 (3) of this enabling law also requires every political party to submit, six months after every election, an audited revenue and expenditure report of the party, failing which penalties are stipulated. But this has never happened. The

first key argument of this commentary, therefore, after the legal, cultural and socio-political, context described above, is that corrupt campaign finance is a big problem in Nigerian politics, and that money poses the biggest threat to our democracy.

Upon his assumption of office in Nigeria in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari recognizing this fact decided that he would focus on the abuse of campaign financing and tackle electoral corruption.

The way he has gone about it and the conduct of his own political party, the All Progressives Congress should be a useful global study in how not to tackle the challenge of campaign finance. And it is like this: campaign finance scrutiny and the audit of the electoral process requires a non-partisan, and objective process, but in Buhari’s case, the process began with a determination to discredit and malign the preceding administration based on the assumption that this would automatically make the successor look good. It is a strategy that has failed.

The biggest focus of the Buhari administration has been simply this: to prove to Nigerians that the preceding Jonathan administration used public funds to finance the 2015 general elections, and that the public funds involved were meant for the prosecution of the war against the Boko Haram: Nigeria’s biggest security challenge. We have been fed with details of thieving officials, money given to prayer-warriors of different denominations, the media, the civil society, traditional rulers, politicians and other stakeholders, but here is the take-away: the Buhari war against corruption has been utterly selective and selfish. His government is just as terribly guilty.

The 2015 general election is in retrospect, a test case for Nigerian democracy. The truth is that the dominant political parties – the PDP and the APC – both violated the laws on campaign finance, before and after the fact. I am not aware for example that either of the political parties complied with the aforementioned Section 92(3), or Section 92(6) of the Electoral Act 2010, (as amended), or that even INEC itself bothered to take up the matter. In every election since 1999, contribution and spending limits have been exceeded and the relevant laws have been observed in the breach by political parties and politicians at all levels. In 2015, the Jonathan campaign at a fund raising dinner breached the fund raising limit, for example by collecting more than N20 billion! The APC would later claim it spent just a little above N1 billion in the 2015 Presidential election, but this has not yet been investigated, and I don’t think anybody believes it. Some of the state Governors who later became big men in the Buhari Government have been accused of making untidy donations to the Presidential campaign without any investigation.

Businessmen, who associate with any government in power, hedging their bets, protecting dubious advantages, have also been known to donate money to politicians as protection fees.

This lack of equity and transparency, is principally the reason the Buhari government’s effort to address the challenge of corrupt campaign financing is considered hypocritical, one-sided, fake and dishonest. Most of the Jonathan men and women who are today in the dock are there for campaign finance reasons – Sambo Dasuki and his team – they are accused of using state security funds to organize political campaigns, Olisah Metuh – he is accused of taking state money to help Jonathan’s re-election, part of which he allegedly diverted, Femi Fani-Kayode and Nenadi Usman are accused of using state funds to run political campaigns, but not even one person from the APC wing has been similarly charged, or accused, and yet the same APC also gave money to politicians, journalists, persons in civil society, including spiritualists and thugs, and there

are self-styled Godfathers in that party who have been quarreling over the redemption of the IOUs they incurred.

This essay is not about the APC, however. It is about corrupt campaign financing and the bona fides of the current Nigerian government in that respect and it is something the incumbent President should begin to worry about. Whoever comes to equity so the law says, must do so with clean hands. In Nigeria, the ruling APC party and its principal, Muhammadu Buhari may have been trying to claim a moral high ground in the last three years particularly in relation to matters of integrity and governance but they seem to belong more to the valley. Nothing makes this more obvious than the APC ward congresses and Local government elections held last week in which there were accusations of vote buying, harassment, violence, parallel congresses, anti-party activities, and corrupt practices. Defeated opponents have complained about “too much money” deployed by persons with government connections, and the abuse of state resources to impose outcomes. There is also widespread anxiety about the emerging crisis within the APC - the implosion within, the crisis of leadership and the apparent advertisement of sheer incompetence.

The APC is the coalition, the special purpose vehicle that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power. It is turning out to be his nemesis.

In the recent APC congresses and elections, the APC discredited its own President and repudiated everything that he claims to stand for, including the integrity of campaign finance. This is my point and I consider that to be very sad. President Buhari discredited President Jonathan on the grounds that his aides, either authorized or unauthorized, deployed state funds hoping to bring him back to power. I hope President Buhari is aware that his own aides were all over the country in the last week trying to grab positions using both state resources and power. In Rivers Sate, to cite just one notorious example, feuding APC chieftains sacked the High Court in Port Harcourt and destroyed public property. Judges and lawyers had to flee.

The Federal Government has not yet issued any statement condemning this assault on the judiciary.

That is unacceptable.

I write this piece in the expectation that President Buhari will be made to be aware (since he is said not to be aware of many things) that his own men are destroying the very foundation of his government. He needs to wake up and act. A few months to the 2003 elections, President Olusegun Obasanjo asked all members of his cabinet who were interested in political positions to step aside.

Six months to the 2015 elections, President Goodluck Jonathan did the same to ensure a level playing field. President Buhari owes us a duty to do the very best to prevent the abuse of positions for political gain: a limited proposition perhaps, but he needs to be seen to be honest about his own campaign finance proposition. He should deal with the situation by repositioning enforcement mechanisms. The nation will gain a lot from a further reform of the campaign financing process, to give room for the election of more competent and qualified persons for the betterment of the nation.

President Muhammadu Buhari also needs to make a choice between being a joke or a hero. It is up to him. He may in fact choose to concede heroism to either Goodluck Jonathan or Olusegun Obasanjo who right now looks like Nigeria’s qualified version of Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohammed.

Whatever happens, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can make all the difference by choosing to be independent and effective in the discharge of its monitoring and sanction powers as contained in the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

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