Tuesday 19th June 2018

Kachikwu Directs NNPC, Shell to Start $10bn Bonga South West Project Today Nigeria’s crude oil, second highest valued in 2017 OPEC reference basket Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to commence the tendering process for the execution of the $10 billion Bonga South West/ Aparo (BSWA) deepwater

project today, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. This is coming as Nigeria’s Bonny light crude oil blend maintained an average spot price of $54.55 per barrels in 2017 to become the second

most valued crude oil blend in the oil price reference basket of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), according to the cartel’s 2018 Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB).

Kachikwu’s directive followed the April 17, 2018 meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and a delegation from Royal Dutch Shell Plc., led by the Chief Executive Officer, Bern Van

Beurden, in London, where a decision was reached that the oil giant and the NNPC would begin the implementation of projects that have been on the Continued on page 6

ISIS Sneaking Extremists from Syria into Nigeria, Report Warns… Page 6 Tuesday 19 June, 2018 Vol 23. No 8461. Price: N250

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National Convention: APC Governors to Take Charge, Meet Tomorrow No unity list, insists party 42 positions for contest, 20 returned unopposed Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Ahead of the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding on Saturday, the governors on the platform of the party are billed to meet tomorrow evening in Abuja to decide on a consensus list of aspirants for its National Working Committee (NWC) positions up for grabs. The party, however, insisted yesterday that there would be no unity list, saying the playing field would be level

for all the aspirants. A member of Publicity Sub-committee of the National Convention Organising Committee, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, told reporters in Abuja that there would be no unity list as was being speculated, confirming, however, that the governors would meet tomorrow. Dabiri, who spoke after a brief meeting between the governors and the subcommittee at the convention Continued on page 6

FG Orders Land Border Shut to Protect Local Rice Production Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja In a move to protect local production, the federal government has directed the closure of the nation’s land border over incessant smuggling of foreign rice into Nigeria. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, told participants at a youth leadership clinic, organised by the Guardians of the Nations International (GOTNI) in Abuja, yesterday

that the decision to shut the border was to consolidate on the gains by government, which had reduced rice importation from South East Asia by more than 95 per cent in the past two years, and had seen the number of local rice farmers grow from five million to 30 million. Although, Ogbeh did not specifically mention the border areas to be closed, his reference to the western frontiers of the Continued on page 8

SUCCOUR FOR THE DISTRESSED... L-R: Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima; a widow and internally displaced person receiving letter of award from Chairman and Founder Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the inauguration of Dangote Estate & School for Widows and Orphans, built by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, at Dalori Konduga LGA of Borno State… yesterday

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ISIS Sneaking Extremists from Syria into Nigeria, Report Warns Leaders of Islamic State (IS) are sneaking battle-hardened extremists from Syria into Nigeria, UK Sun reported yesterday, saying some of the fighters are reportedly sent to the Middle East for training in a “chilling exchange programme.� Moslem fundamentalists massed in the Boko Haram sect had held Nigeria by the jugular since 2009, maiming and killing thousands of people in the North-east of the country in particular. The involvement of the IS in the local terror sect had

always been suspected and following a split in 2016, a faction of the group led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, pledged its allegiance to IS, taking up the name ISIS West Africa. Although the tabloid said the insurgents were trained for possible attacks in Britain, it quoted sources as saying the strong links between Nigeria and the UK will make it easier for IS to send its killers to Britain. THISDAY efforts to get reaction from the Defence Headquarters yesterday

were futile as the phones of defence and army spokesperson, Brig-Gen John Agim and Brig-Gen Texas Chukwu did not connect. But the report was emphatic that, “It is feared IS will exploit regular flights between Lagos and London to export more evil to the UK.� It quoted one Group Captain, Isaac Subi, of the Nigerian Air Force, who has been fighting terrorism, said IS has an exchange programme of fighters. “They come and train their

fighters here and some of our insurgents too are granted access to their training in Yemen and Syria, acquiring those skills and they come back and teach others,� he said. “They have their exchange programme of fighters. Their poisonous attack has already ended in horror attacks on British streets.� Subi added that the lack of secure borders across Africa also makes it easy to spread the bloodshed. “There are hundreds of fighters. It’s a virus that

spreads across our borders. Their action leaves trails of blood and tears and sorrow,� he added. UK Sun said at least 150 British troops are conducting counter-terror training with Nigerian forces in an attempt to stem the bloody tide, and stop IS taking hold in the region. Britain’s Defence Adviser in Abuja, Charles Calder, said ISIS could be a threat to the UK mainland if unchecked. “In time, unchecked, it could present a threat to both UK interests and conceivably

the UK mainland,� Calder said. “Sending small, handpicked teams out to military training hubs across the country was the best way to prevent Nigeria from collapsing. “Brits has so far trained 35,000 military personnel in Nigeria and commanders say they are now performing better on the frontline. “The UK has teams training Nigeria’s air force, army, naval special forces and the equivalent of the SAS.�

their endorsement are former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu; his Osun State counterpart, Bisi Akande; Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), and Special Adviser to the President (Political) Hon. S.A. Samani. Meanwhile, Okorocha who is heading the Screening Appeal Committee said 19 aspirants who were dropped by the screening committee were to appear before his committee as well as others who had petitions against them. A party source said, "As it is now, the National Organising Secretary, Senator Izunaso, has seven petitions against him from his home state, Imo. Some of these petitions were said

to have been sponsored by the agents of the Imo State Governor, Okorocha, as part of the bid to stop Izunaso from seeking re-election." The governor had earlier accused the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Izunaso of being behind the plot to deny his favoured candidates victory during the congresses in the state. When contacted by THISDAY on telephone yesterday, Izunaso confirmed that there was a petition against him alleging misappropriation of party funds but said he was able to defend himself before the committee and to prove the accusers wrong. "Yes, the issue was part of the petitions against me, which I was able to clear during my appearance before the Screening Appeal committee on Monday," he said.

NATIONAL CONVENTION: APC GOVERNORS TO TAKE CHARGE, MEET TOMORROW secretariat, said there was room for affirmation and consensus. "There is no unity list but there is room for affirmation and consensus, no unity list you can say is APC list. Anywhere you see any such list, it is fake," she said, adding that 20 positions had been returned unopposed while 42 posts are being contested. THISDAY gathered that the screening committee headed by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, had completed its assignment and would submit its report today to the convention committee. The planned meeting by governors is coming just as information emerged yesterday that some other members of the outgoing NWC are facing allegations ranging from financial misappropriation to violation of party's rules.

In addition, there were petitions challenging the propriety of allowing them to recontest for their offices without resigning their positions. Among the members of the NWC seeking re-election are the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu; National Vice Chairmen, Hilard Etta (South-south), Emma Eneukwu (Southeast); National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, and National Auditor, George Muoghalu. A top party source who confirmed Wednesday's meeting of the APC governors said the meeting would be hosted by the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Okorocha, at Imo State Government Lodge, Asokoro in Abuja. It was learnt that the

ruling party had reached an understanding that the governors would be given the chance to propose nominees that were zoned to their states. However, in order to take care of the wider interests of the party and to ensure that those aspirants from non-APC states were given a fair chance, the governors had accepted to hold an enlarged meeting with the national leadership of the party to agree on what would be APC’s version of "unity list." According to another party source, the essence of the unity list was to minimise possible conflict at the convention. But another source raised concerns over looming crisis in the party due to the desire of most of the governors to get even with their perceived political adversaries.

"These governors have resolved to make sure that those NWC members that have fallen apart with them did not get re-elected at the convention and they are going to use their influence on the unity list as a weapon to edge out the unwanted elements," he said. THISDAY gathered that the governor's meeting became necessary following the discovery that some members of the party were working on different agenda, which might lead to either walk-out by the aggrieved members or total parallel National Convention. Those pushing for the unity list are doing it to route for the chairmanship candidature of former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole. Among those that had visited his campaign headquarters to express

KACHIKWU DIRECTS NNPC, SHELL TO START $10BN BONGA SOUTH WEST PROJECT TODAY drawing board for several years. The London meeting, which was facilitated by Kachikwu, also had in attendance the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru. The meeting was said to have presented an opportunity to open investment talks on up to $15 billion to be invested by Shell in Nigeria. Estimated to cost about $10 billion, the Bonga South West/Aparo project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is being executed by SNEPCo under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangement with the NNPC. First oil from the project, which is expected to add 225,000 barrels per day of crude oil to Nigeria’s daily production, is expected in 2021 or 2022. Other key projects that have also suffered delays in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry include: the 120,000bpd Shell and Eni’s Zabazaba/Etan project in the disputed Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245, ExxonMobil’s 140,000bpd Bosi project, ExxonMobil’s 110,000bpd Uge project and Chevron’s 100,000bpd Nsiko deepwater project. The delays in the execution

of these projects, which are estimated to cost about $23 billion, are largely caused by the lack of clarity of terms as a result of the non-passage of the 18-year-old Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and inadequate funding. However, following the meeting between the president and the Shell executives, Kachikwu directed the NNPC to conclude all the processes leading to the execution of the Bonga South West project latest by yesterday, June 18. In a letter obtained exclusively by THISDAY with reference number HMS/MPR/027/Vol.1/096, dated May 9, 2018 and addressed to Baru, the petroleum minister stated that his directive was in furtherance to the meeting held between the president and the Shell executives in London. “Please recall the meeting held between His Excellency, Mr. President and Royal Dutch Shell on April 17, 2018 in London, on important matters, including the Bonga South West project. In furtherance to the meeting, NNPC is required to urgently conclude all processes leading to the execution of the Bonga South West project by June 18, 2018,�

Kachikwu said in the letter. Following Kachikwu’s directives, the NNPC, through its investment arm, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), has also approved the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents prepared by SNEPCo for the six packages in the project. Granting the approval through a letter dated June 6, 2018 with reference number NAP/GGM/02.13 and signed on behalf of the NNPC by the Group General Manager (GGM) in charge of NAPIMS, Mr. Roland Ewubare, the corporation also informed SNEPCo, “All necessary updates to ITT documents through the tendering stage will require NAPIMS’ approval.� Buhari and the Shell executives were said to have discussed the Bonga offshore oil field development and the expansion of liquefied natural gas projects. Shell had confirmed the meeting, saying, “Both projects are subject to a future final investment decision and we continue to work with our partners and the government towards that in each case.� The BSWA project includes the construction of a new Floating Production, Storage

and Offloading (FPSO) facility with an expected peak production of 225,000 barrels of oil per day. THISDAY gathered that the BSWA field straddles Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 118, 132 and 140. However, the bulk of BSWA resources are located in OML 118 but it also extends into OMLs 132 and 140, operated by Chevron, where it is called Aparo. SNEPCo is the operator of the BSWA project in line with the agreement between the NNPC, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd., Total E&P Nigeria Ltd., Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf Ltd., Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Ltd., Sasol Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. and Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd. In another development, Nigeria’s Bonny light crude oil blend maintained an average spot price of $54.55 per barrels in 2017 to become the second most valued crude oil blend in the oil price reference basket of OPEC, according to the cartel’s 2018 Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB). Obtained by THISDAY yesterday in Abuja, the 53rd edition of the OPEC’s ASB provided key statistical data

for all of OPEC’s 14 member countries, Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Venezuela. According to the data, only the UAE’s Murban blend traded higher than the Bonny Light at $54.82 per barrel within OPEC’s reference basket. It also explained that within other corresponding crude oil spot prices, Bonny Light maintained a good posture in 2017, trading below Malaysia’s Miri and Tapis blends, which were sold at $56.93 and $56.29 per barrel respectively, with Mexico’s Isthmus blend trading at $54.60/b; and Norway’s Oseberg blend at $55.04/b. OPEC explained the ASB has been a product of numerous months of hard and labour-intensive work involving analysts, researchers and statisticians, both at its secretariat and that of its 14-member countries. Based on its reference basket and corresponding spot prices, OPEC’s ASB noted that Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude oil sold at an average price of $111.36 per

barrel in 2013; $100.85 in 2014; $52.95 in 2015; $44.02 in 2016; and $54.55 in 2017. It said on oil production that between 2013 and 2017, Nigeria produced 1.753 million barrels per day (mbd); 1.807mbd; 1.748mbd; 1.427mbd; and 1.535mbd respectively, noting that an average of 1.535mbd of oil was produced in 2017 as against 2.048mbd and 2.053mbd it produced in 2010 and 2000 respectively. It added that Nigeria’s closest rival in Africa, Angola, which once overtook her during the heydays of militancy in the oil-bearing Niger Delta region, produced an average of 1.632mbd. The OPEC’s report, however, indicated that Nigeria did not significantly increase her crude oil reserves within these periods. OPEC said the country’s oil reserves stood at 37.071 billion barrels (bbls) in 2013; 37.448bbls in 2014; 37.062bbls in 2015; 37.453bbls in 2016; and 37.453bbls in 2017 It said the number of active oil rigs in Nigeria were 59 in 2013; 46 in 2014; 29 in 2015; 9 in 2016 and 13 in 2017, while the number of producing wells in 2013 were 1,951; in 2014 - 2,010; in 2015 – 1,947; in 2016 - 1,668; and 1,777 in 2017.

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Dangote Foundation Inaugurates N2bn Village for IDPs in Maiduguri Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Barley two weeks after donating 150 cars to the Nigeria Police, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, in yet another philanthropic gesture, yesterday launched the Dangote Village built for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Dangote Village in Maiduguri is a self-sufficient set of 200 housing units worth N2billion, with facilities including, school, hospital and irrigation as well as poultry farms, among others, to enable the occupants eke living. The foundation also gave each of the beneficiaries N100,000 to start a new life. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said about N7billion had been donated to support displaced persons affected by the Boko Haram crisis in the North-east. Aside the N100,000 to start a new life, Dangote also pledged that the Foundation would take care of teachers' emolument for five years as well share in the burden of the ongoing educational revolution launched by the governor. Dangote commended the governor, saying he had been able to run the state efficiently and pay salaries despite the security challenges. A visibly elated Governor Kashim Shettima, said the intervention was unprecedented and gargantuan by a single company, describing the Aliko Dangote Foundation as the fourth arm of government in the state. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony yesterday, Shettima, reminded his audience that the Dangote Group was the single largest employer of labour outside government in Nigeria. “In every clime and in every dispensation, there are three layers of governments: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. I dare to add that the fourth layer in Borno State is the Aliko Dangote Foundation,� the governor said, adding, “For the past seven years the Foundation has been consistent and hearkening to the yearnings and aspirations of people of the state.� He said the Dangote Village provided by the Foundation, though very massive, is a ‘tip of the iceberg’ compared to what it had done to support humanitarian relief in the troubled region. “When Aliko Dangote came in 2016, he quickly pledged N2billion. We requested that half of the money should be used to supplying building materials and lo and behold within the span of two weeks all the materials were ready,� he added. He thanked the Foundation and all other donors, saying Borno State was

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Denies going to US soon Tells Fayemi PDP has been to prepare for deserted, can’t defeat win, says ex-gov Victor Ogunje with agency in Ado Ekiti ernor He was received report

Consultative Visits FormerVice President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will today resume his visit to states controlled by the PDP... Page 10

by several dignitaries, on arrival Trade, Industry and Former Vice including the former Ogun Investment, Okechukw State presidential aspirantPresident and and Williams Jefferson, Director-General Governor those also u Elelamah, are among on the platform a serving US federal lawmaker said to have been of the Peoples of the Atiku Nigerian presidency Presidential at that invited. “There is no (PDP), Alhaji Democratic Party Otunba Campaign Organisation in 2019, such invitation arrested, prosecuted and time, was frequently travels , to the former Atiku Abubakar, Gbenga Daniel; to the United later became president, will today resume vice president,� to jail for his involvemesentenced Arab Emirates gubernatorial PDP his spokespers aspirant in Adamawa his visit to and some Western President Muhamma including nt in the fraud, states controlled on, State, Ahmed du Buhari whom he said by the PDP, Premium Times Paul Ibe, told bribery,which was largely about countries. continuation in Special AdviserUmar Fintiri; former was banned yesterday. influence-p He recently acknowled of his nationwide 15 years. for Ibe added: “We to the Vice President contract inflation. eddling and he has consultation on Legal and Constitution with leaders difficulties visitingged that of such invitation are not aware Buhari has denied stakeholders Despite claims and Prof Maxwell al Matters, and we do not this claim, of the party, towards that the former but said he should not the US, saying Atiku know how Gidado (SAN), the actualisation should go and be blamed for the dilemma. and his name they managed to put vice president was involved of his presidential Alhaji Abdullahi Sugar, his name. clear in the scandal, according ambition. on their a Kanobased entreprene The presidentia to a US Senate The US Embassy The report that list.� ur. l aspirant said The visit will take he applied for the former vice investigative committee The welcome in Abuja refused to president him the US visa report, to party Bayelsa Nigerian would and Rivers States the occasions, also comment on in the South-south Atiku’s eldest son, included for the event be visiting the US maintain politician continues but was denied on past controversy for the geopolitical zone, to He has each time. scheduled several years. Adamu; between his innocence. rejected where he will Alhaji Abdullahi Tsalah Meanwhile, June 24 and 26 to hold be a guest of The the former his failure to insinuations that president from some has seen several US Senate report Governors Henry Adamawa State, former vice enter people has the Seriake Dickson and draw called on the US could House of other exhibits State governorsh Ekiti the possible visa conclusions that successful and Nyesom Representatives member, that led to the damage his political ambition, Ezenwo Wike, ip candidate Gbenga restrictions saying the Nigerian Oduwaiye; PDP conviction of respectively. Jefferson, Woman leader against him have been placed who was Atiku’s Constitution All Progressives Congress of the As the July from Cross (APC) , political associate, does not require that a Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Atiku was named relaxed. are election in Ekiti 14 governorship Egbara; River State, Hon Blessing citizen largely be able to enter must to be prepared seen in a contract the US to be eligible for defeat . could not travel as the reason he for elective vice president State, the former United Dr. Lloyd Ekwu from scandal involving Nigerian to that country. Atiku said the and office. candidate of has called on the Saint States Nollywood artist, American officials in the The PDP presidentia Moreover, Atiku mid-2000s. the ready to accept APC should be l aspirant, who is a strong Congress (APC),All Progressives youth Obi, political associates, said defeat groups and contender for Nigerian leaders have been some of the 2015 concessionin the spirit Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to be denied entry into the The former vice personal aides. of defeat prepared US in the past president took While the former for defeat . time to and shake hands vice president Cont’d on page would meet with the long queue frontiersmen 41 of the him of admirers who received PDP and hold at the airport, consultative meetings including airport in Bayelsa State officials two-day visit in the course of his coming’ and said ‘Thank you for today individually to he is expected and tomorrow, everyone. Other projects executed to inauguration visited PDP states scheduled to be by administration by the Wike-led include: the former vice president Wednesday, in Rivers State on Gombe Delta, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, June 20 and June and Taraba. Atiku had 21. This commenced in January 2018, followed will immediately be a series of visits by states under to all 36 states a whirlwind tour of the PDP, with a leadership of the Territory and the Federal Capital visit to Ekiti (FCT) which Thereafter, he State. town hall meetings will feature was in Rivers and interactive in March; Akwa State Ibom and Cross sessions. River States However, Atiku in has Governors Wike, May, as guest of media reports that he debunked and Ben Ayade Udom Emmanuel the United would States later this be in the commencem respectively, before month. Reports at the ent of the Ramadan fast. the former vice weekend said president would Atiku yesterday returned from speak at a trade and investment a month-long gathering in Washington visit and the United to Saudi Arabia this D.C. later month. (UAE), where Arab Emirates The Ramadan fast he observed the believedorganisers of the event was and participated to have in the lesser as number one listed Atiku’s name hajj. among The private jet dozens of personalities they said the former vice which conveyed invited to the event. had been with registration president, citizen, Governors number T7-AAA, Nyesom touched down of Rivers Wike L-R: at the private wing Former Governor the Nnamdi Azikiwe of Dankwam State and Ibrahim of Ondo State, Ndigbo, Chief bo of Gombe Internationa Airport, Abuja, at about 2.30p.m.l Deputy Senate President,State, Lagos ChapterNnia Nwodo and ChairmanDr. Olusegun Mimiko; Afenifere of the occasion, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekweremadu, Ike chieftain, and Minister held at the National Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe Chief Ayo Adebanjo; of President Theatre,La (rtd.),

INAUGURATION

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EDITORIAL The Not Too Young to Run Law

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For obvious reasons, President Mu- hammadu Buhari’s assent to the ‘NotTooYoung to Run’ bill was greeted with so much celebration by several young Nigerians who feel that the absence of a legitimate law to back their participation was the reason they have not excelled in politics. I Page 15

THE NOT T

OOYOUNG

TO RUN LAW

There is addition al need for financia l regulation on

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or obvious reasons, hammadu Buhari’s President Muassent to the Too Young to ‘Not with so much Run’ bill was greeted celebration by young Nigerian several s who feel absence of a legitimate lawthat the their participa to back tion was the while the new have not excelled in politics.reason they law will add means of getting to the available However, to participation around potential human legal cal space, the of young people in Nigeria’sbarriers whether it willquestion nonetheless remains politimake as any to tions, given difference to the prevailin their aspirag environment. Passed by the National Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 Assembly in 2017 to alter law aims to of relax some of the constitution, the new sions against the young people tough and biased proviAnd following participating in politics. process that the conclusion of the amendm has ent no fewer than seen to the passage of the law by qualiďŹ cation 24-state Houses of Assembl for presiden t has been reducedy, the age from TO TRULY ENTHR to 35 years while 40 that A SYSTEM WHEREONE of governor has reduced from been THE YOUNG CAN 30. Similarly 35 to A LEVEL-PLAYIN HAVE , the for the member age FIELD, THERE G ship of the state House IS AN URGENT NEED of Assembly has FOR A been FINANCIAL REGULATION reduced from 30 to ON POLITIC 25.

AL EXPENDITURE WOULD SUPPOS THAT IDEALS OF THISRT THE NEW LAW

Indeed, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Nigeria having a law that takes into account the fact that we are population. a nation of young This is despite between the ages of 15 andthe fact that young people the world’s populatio 25 constitut e a ďŹ fth of n. And since young citizens majority of these face challeng es that are hardly reect-

Letters to the Editor

political expend itures

ed in the everyday levels in Nigeria, conversation of governm the thinking ent their destiny is that they shouldat all into take ofďŹ ces. So, this their own hands by seeking is However, the a move in the right direction elective real reason young . fared well in people have politics, especiall not not necessar ily the absence y in our country, is absence of capacity, of a law mostly ďŹ nancial but rather the determine who . The factors that in Nigeria are wins a party nominat ion been a mixturebeyond the issue of age. and election They have ism. These are of money and the factor runs for politicalmen who sponsor and of godfatherdetermine who eventual winnersposts basically to regulate how the beneďŹ cial returns manage such ofďŹ ces and make to them.

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ncidentally, statistics national parliame reveal that eligibility for nt starts at 25 in a third of years old or all older than two per countries in the world while less cent of member around are in s of the parliame nt the exclusion their 20s. What that suggests of young people is that is not only a Nigerian challengfrom government may be rooted e even when truly enthrone in socio-economic factors. ours a level-playing a system where the young But to ďŹ eld, there is can ďŹ nancial regulatio an urgent need have n for on a political expendit would support the ideals of ures that this new law. It is notewor thy that we that some young have also seen from 1999 people who cal positions were elected have ofďŹ ces to further not fared well in their into politidoes not necessarbuttress the point that respective youthfulness ily mean says clearly is that while performance. What that many of our who eye political young citizens ofďŹ ces must law is now on know that if they are to their side, there is so muchwhile the realise their work ahead ambitions. In all, while it is good that president, governor the age for becomin or lawmake g the challeng e of the moment r has been reduced, tional, it is about in Nigeria of all ages can how to create a society is not generaprosper and where people thrive.

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EDITOR DEPUTY EDITORBOLAJI ADEBIYI DAVIDSON MANAGING IRIEKPEN DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DIRECTOR KAYODE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL KOMOLAFE BOARD OLUSEGUN EDITOR NATION’S ADENIYI CAPITAL IYOBOSA MANAGING UWUGIAREN EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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Letters in response to speciďŹ c readers may TO OUR READERS send such letters publications in THISDAY opinions on topical along with their should be brief local, national (150-200 words) 1000 words). and internatiocontact details to They should and straight be sent to opinion@nal issues providedopinion@thisdaylive.com. to the point. Interested We thisdaylive.com they are well-writt en and shouldalso welcome comment along with the s and also not be longer email address than (950and phone numbers of the writer.

AS THE NATIO

t is a time-honou red saying that their leader the interest does ‘subjects take lectual abilities, not lie in the leader’s in physical and but, lies rather intelin life’. in what he can add to their Standing as lot a telling proof heartening to the nation’s political celebration that recently above assertion is the resonated across wavelength taken by the following some our President Muhamma human-faced development actions analyst’s described du Buhari’s led governmen The signing as right step t; a of in the right president grantingthe not-too-young-to-run direction bill i fi

POLITICS Can Fouad Oki Change the Dynamics

N CELEBRA TES

of the nation and tackle other the country multifaceted as a challenges tional leadership’way of consolidating his newfound bedevilling . ‘’transformaIndeed, it’s of a growing practice is inverted concern that the federal system line of argument pyramided and asymmetri we cally structured, January 1, 2018 that Mr. President had a earlier admitted remarked that national broadcast where during his ‘no human he, among l t th

ongoing, it will also necessitate the nations a peep into which them, and how had faced our current the global stage to spot situation, how successful they For instance, they tackled had been. (SDPI) recently ‘The Sustainable Developme signed a Memorand nt Policy Institut with Paki t

POLITICS

of Lagos Politics? Within the politics of Lagos state, the guardians of orthodoxy are not given to a capricious change of mind. So, when Mr. Fouad Oki, a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, in an W unprecedented challenge of the status quo... Page 16

T H I S D AY

• TUESDAY

, JUNE 19, 2018 Group Politic s Editor NSEOB ONG OKON Email nseob -EKONG ong.okoneko ng@thisdayli ve.com 0811449532 4 SMS ONLY

DISCOU Can Fouad Ok RSE i Change the Dynamics of Former direct or-general of Lagos successive the estab

Politics?

lishment. Segu Lagos gover norsh n James scruti nises his dissen ip campaigns, Mr. Foua d Oki rebels ting views. against

Fouad Oki

ithin the politics of Lagos Bola Tinubu state, the Today, guardians of asunder Oki’s opposition activities orthodoxy are the assignmen have put to a capricious not given President Muhammadu t given to Tinubu by where one man ostensibly mind. So, when change of various factions within Buhari to reconcile the by imposing whosoever determined everything Oki, a leader Mr. Fouad Tinubu can he wished on positioning and the people. the APC nationwid All Progressiv of the ruling in the party only post a Although, he es Congress e. of such and intricacies the world of political serious front cliques, if he in an unprecede (APC) was a beneficiary activity in intrigues to settles nted challenge in the state, monsters and . He knows that it can quo, forced Since he revved the squabble in his other to right a perceivedthe past, Oki is attemptin of the be a change, it home. wrong that the engine can be very vampires. He also knows about became a big status opposition in The former has been goingg of intra-party for too long. To him, rewarding. Continuin Lagos, that it the dynamics he said that has changed distracted. Several Tinubu’s committee governorship Director General of deal. g his treatise, of politics in Lagos State. politics can has been should all the of campaigns part thriller; be part horror 2003 had surprising the committee months after the inaugurati He said that in the be a level playing there , it has not achieved and on unlike ly stood up state since Incidentall permanent but more importantly, the continued field for everyone the past when to challenge y, the dizzying and anything. it has a you must know close to the APC Reconcilia commencement of work charming. the party by over lordship, dominanc Born almost powers that Asiwaju Bola by the or be tion Committe e of the party’s Surulere boy. 60 years ago in Lagos, be to be noticed. former governor Apparently, Armed Tinubu, state primaries, e coincided with While Okiis a of the state have since moved most of his contempor by the recent Oki’s ambition was authority in which resulted and the obviousa further acrimonies also signing into the aries . A few weeks in Young to make Surulere out of Surulere, Oki convention of was exceptiona affairs of the party. His law of the Notfired to to Run the continues national the party, the bill life personality l. Because of Tinubu’s largeraction to calm frayed committee is For someone his home. Without doubt, by President Buhari. Too battling and his strangleho Oki than The emerging nerves in different important job who has held the strategical in the state, troubled states. frontier of Lagos State. has expanded the political ld on of director-ge no possibility is campaigns the best of political For emphasis, he neral of governorsh ly the opposition one ever challenged him.politics the convention that the outcome in embodies Lagos, will agrees Tinubu Even a situation ip engineering. of he has further tear it is strange never sought Lagos State the carries on as not What’s more, that is his personal if opposition which will be to the party apart, he has also only mentored young he could havean elective position, even he has This was the political property. benefit of the politicians, , especially made though any position the Peoples desires as a Party (PDP), who was the situation until the coming It was at a youtha few of them. he wants if Democratic reward a party that leader of the he of so Oki for hard work political organised by is in need of as well. In a returned Tinubu, That is the question campaign team and loyalty. salvation country the GLEEHD leadership forum that his successor, that is today by those who Fashola and Foundatio Babatunde Raji dreamers, the political populated by ambitious the theme:Nigeria’s being asked incumbent governor Emerging Political n with field is most decision not know him following Forum – 2019 with frustratio Ambode to offi often t Akin his r only t Le d El ti d

FEATURES Budding Entrepreneurs Dangote open for investors as it was more peaceful than Lagos and Abuja. Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Professor Baba Umara, said 95 per cent of the beneficiaries were widows whose husbands had been killed by the Boko Haram terrorists. Umara, who is also the chairman of the distribution committee for the new Dangote Village, said the criterion for allocating a flat to the beneficiaries was a widow and with no fewer than five children. While commending Dangote, he said the reconstruction effort was now on and that the infrastructural deficit was still huge. He said the European Union, United Nations and World Bank had estimated that the infrastructural deficit caused by the insurgency in Borno State alone was around $6.9billion and expressed optimism that with the kind of support from the likes of Aliko Dangote Foundation, the state would bounce back to normal before 2020. In her remarks, the Chairperson of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Bawa Kolo, expressed her agency’s appreciation to the Foundation on behalf of the

rice, they eat white rice, they use their ports to try and damage our economy. “I am telling you now because in a few days, you will hear the border has been shut, we are going to shut it to protect you, us and protect our economy. You will start seeing all sorts of negative things on the internet. Let me tell you why we need to shut the border, I grow rice, I was the first Nigerian to mill rice free of stones, if you plant rice in certain parcels of land, some poisonous materials gets into the rice. “There are three kinds of water in their natural state; there is fresh water from the river, salt water from the sea, blackish water. If you go to the Delta in many countries, in South East Asia where they grow the rice, if

Kennedy Iyeh is a dark lanky lad; a graduate of Microbiology from the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State. He thinks and dreams business, and has a great business idea and vision.With his sight set on tapping into the huge opportunities in the country's agricultural space... K Page 18

FEATURES

TUESDAY, JUNE 19,

2018 • T H I

S D AY

Group Featur es Editor: Chiem Email chiem elie Ezeobi elie.ezeobi@ thisdaylive.c om

Budding En trepreneurs

Bolstered by the Next Titan , an entrepren Plc, business eurial reality ideas of four TV show spon young entre Peter Uzoh preneurs have sored by Heri o translated into tage Bank productive outfi ts, writes

(IDPs). She commended the Foundation and assured the people that only deserving persons would benefit from the village facilities. Ten beneficiaries were selected for symbolic presentation of certificates of occupancy. Speaking, Managing Director/CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Foundation would not rest on its oars to support the victims of insurgency. She said the Foundation had earlier during Ramadan, distributed food items, including rice, sugar, salt, spaghetti, semolina, wheat meal, maize and millet to the IDPs. She said the philanthropic exercise was meant to complement the effort of both state and federal governments. One of the beneficiaries, Hajara Ibrahim 26, a widow, commended Dangote, adding that since her husband, Sani Abubakar, was killed a year ago by the Boko Haram terrorists, it had been very difficult to cater for the needs of her three children and six orphans. Another beneficiary, Yagana Adamu 39, a widow, said the new village provided by Dangote would help her and her seven children to start life again.

FG ORDERS LAND BORDER SHUT TO PROTECT LOCAL RICE PRODUCTION country in the West African region, clearly indicated he might be referring to the Republic of Benin. The minister bemoaned the attitude of the neighbouring country, which he said was adversely affecting Nigeria's economy in spite of the strong ties between both countries, adding that the border would be shut in a matter of days. Ogbeh said the federal government would not fold its arms and watch as the upscale in rice cultivation in Kebbi, Kano, Anambra, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Kogi through the CBN's Anchor Borrower Programme is allowed to be sabotaged by smuggling. He said, “Smuggling is our problem. As we speak, a neighbour of ours is importing more rice than China is importing. They do not eat parboiled

Two-Minute BrieďŹ ng

you plant rice in the same place like four to six years continuously, the quantum of arsenic begins to increase and arsenic causes cancer and that is what they are dumping for us. “Some people say they prefer Thai rice because they are very sophisticated, welcome to poison. We just have to handwork you to prosperity otherwise, this country will not grow. My wish for you is to have a better time than we had.� GOTNI is a non-profit youth organisation with a passion to nurture young people under the age of 40 into leadership position. The President of GOTNI, Dr, Linus Okorie, said the leadership clinic was organised to expose young people to practical leadership principle for life success.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Parkes; Co-founder /CEO, Sahara Summit Group; Mr. Kyari Energy Group, Bukar; CEO, Primera African Mr. Tonye Cole; Securities and Executive Limited, Mrs Producer, Next Lilian Olubi; Titan, Mr. Next

ennedy Iyeh Mide Kunle-Akin Titan Season four Winner, laja, at the a graduate of is a dark lanky lad; Next Titan Mr. Kennedy “The Ford Ranger Season four the Godfrey Microbiology from logistics, grand ďŹ nale/priz Iyeh; Chairman/CEO, has aided very CPMS, Africa, e presentatio especially Enugu State.Okoye University, every much in Mr. Chris n ceremony “We acquired He thinks week. It has shuttling Lagos to Ogun in Lagos... dreams business, and in getting five acres also and clients and been helpful to me to acquire up to 20 acres of land and hope With his sightgreat business idea and has a it has boosted accessing acquired Marvis Marshal by 2019. We vision. my status. Again, contacts as season. the seeds needed have and Idio opportunities set on tapping into for the three of the won the season one, We’re the car has the huge also been helping in in the country's two space, Iyeh competiti company branding he said. borehole for currently setting up andfarming The mentorshi agricultur came up with irrigation of drilling got p, training andon respectively. ,â€? (herbs and a brand, Blue al Iyeh has complete With this the farm.â€? during inspiration they spices). Leaf documen method of farming His plan is to use d full registratio provide jobs boost, he has been Titan house,their 10-week stay in tation of to about the Next able to n and from top his for the productio to produce raw organic relocation materials to Lagos with company and its four permanent and nine people including captains of industry, business experts and well-thought-out n of cooking flavours five contract plans to provide really armed farm site in staff, and be real business titans. Ogun. “Before them to –a job to health hazards. means of helping the year runs more people in future. they have been lifted With these resources to reduce But how , up to 20 people out we dreamers to from achievers. They the position of working in should have from idea come could Iyeh’s brilliant The the group of the factory.â€? have been lifted young to fruition business job seekers to fund and mentorsh without empowered entrepreneur was thus adding job providers not only by the fu significant ip and i h the needed platf b h d l

BUSINESS NEITI Moves to Enthrone

, UNE 19, 2018

Transparency in Extractive Sectors All Nigerians would be able to know more about how the country’s oil, gas and solid minerals sectors operate without the usual practice of keeping away key information about the sectors’ earnings and remittances to the government from them anymore... Page 21

BUSINESSW MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

SPORTS Iceland Game Will be Different, Expect

A S

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

ORLD A T

4.13 8.25 8.50

J U N E

21 Group Busines s Email: obinna.c Editor Obinna Chima hima@thisdayli ve.com 08024557078, 08091152219

1 5 ,

S & P INDEX

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

2 0 1 8 EXCHANGE RATE N305.95/1US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

357.18 - 0.20% -0.23% 3.23% 8.41%

Vandals of BEDC

Efforts by Cables Jailed Benin Electricity (BEDC) to curb the menace Distribution Company have again of vandalism Plc received on its network Abdullahi Abubakar a boost with to two years the sentencing of one Ondo Chief of imprisonm Magistrate court. The convict, ent by an along with two others -Abdullah Mohammed Umoru i Nahalla and court for vandalisin - were arraigned before the magistrate substation Awoyayag an XLPE cable last October The Chief Magistrate community, Oke-Oka at 33/415 in Ondo town. , Damilola Sekoni, to two years sentenced Abubakar arraignment, imprisonment with effect other suspectswhich was October 30, from first date of 2017, who pleaded judgment. not guilty werewhile the two The case has still awaiting further hearing. been adjourned till June 22nd for

MAX.NG Transfo

WE ARE OPEN

FOR BUSINESS

L- R: CEO, Rand Bank Nigeria/ReMerchant Bank Stockbrok Nigeria and the gional Head West Africa, ers, Abiola Adekoya; CEO, Nigerian Stock oďŹƒcial launch Michael of RMBN Stockbrok Larbie; during the Exchange, ers in Lagos...rec closing gong ceremony Oscar Onyema; and, CEO, to mark the 5th Rand ently anniversary of Merchant the bank in

NEITI Mov es Extractive Sect to Enthrone Transparency ors in Chineme Okafor in Abuja All Nigerians ECONO MY Adio, said during to know morewould be able information the launch about how about the operations of the platform NEITI’s decision the country’s of Nigeria’s to set Adio further in Abuja. extractive sectors. solid minerals oil, gas and explained: “The platform, Adio stated:up the It explained second takeaway that through without the sectors operate platform, is that it is an extractive sector remains“The the effort usual practice to ensure just the not keeping away of able to the citizens would be key informatio finally own the owners of the that the actual national most critical sector of about the sectors’ n extractive natural resources life, but the and I mean Nigerians earnings and sector, contribute reasonably collective property of remittances debates about all Nigerians to board, across the to not its . from them the government and “It doesn’t then push for governance not just just a few Nigerians, governme belong to anymore, the Nigeria Extractive some its managethe ment nt, it doesn’t for Nigerians are Nigerian but to a the Industries good of the belong Transparency few Nigerians the real owners. entire Initiative (NEITI) country and not , it doesn’t “So, it is a restorative belong to some has declared. “This value-adda few. exercise Nigerians, so to say, NEITI said we have presented ed product Nigerians it is about restoring it is the collective property and this would Nigerians. And, of all made possible as the rightful today aligns be with our owners only Nigerians not open governanthrough its new bound resolve to push the of their resources have the right t k i f “Y

MAX.NG, a rms Two-wh logistics and eeled restated its commitment transport firm in Lagos Taxis reduce unemploy State, has to provide ment in Nigeria. motoring business Co-founder to of the company, statement recently Chinedu Azodoh, that the company with Bajaj to entered into said in a achieve its partnership objective of two-wheeled transforming taxis. “The reception Africa’s three thousand has been massive, we are doing do predomin rides a day within Lagos alone. close to to the Island antly is transport people What we from the Mainland the initiative and vice versa, so because to use Lagos usage, we partner State requireme we have taken nt of motorcycl quality, stronger, with companies e like Bajaj to safer 200cc make high move freely on the highway,�or 220 cc motorcycles that can he said.

ReadyBargains

Unveils SReadyBargains online business Online Platfor platform to m has launched allow Nigerians shops online, who love shopping an online online visit their choice make purchases and get them delivered locations. “Our goal is to to meet the needs looking for good bargains,� of different classes Don Okhuofu of people the Chairman , ReadyBar “Customers said during the launch of the platform gains, using our platform different UK recently. have access and US stores off cart coupon using a single to shop from cart and every customer.available to the first basket checked a $10 “The products out by are delivered country at to our customers their door steps of collection across the choices,� Okhuofu points of their said.

CIIN Gets e-Libra

The o t

ry

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMEN T T H I S D AY

• TUESDAY , JUNE 19, 2018

Poor Land Use Costs Count Says UN Rep ries 9% Equ ort ivalent of GD As humanity commemora tes the World P, promo

te public aware Day to Comb ness of intern at Desertificati among global ational efforts comm to combat desert on (WDCD), observed every (UNCCD) throug unities that have been ification, Niger year warned by the h land degra ia and other Africa on 17 June to United Nation dation. Benn n count ett Oghifo report s Convention to Combat Deser ries are s tification

The United Nations Convention to Combat Nations General (UNCCD) warnsDesertification 1994. Assembly in Many countries, that the global economy will groups and individual s celebrate and USD23 trillion lose a whopping observe by 2050 through WDCD by organizing land degradatio a variety of outreach To take urgent n, a review by. and awareness raisingactivities action now assertive action halt these alarming and events. “To further the profiles now. Moreover, trends would cost USD4.6 illustrate impact of WDCD,increase the equivalent the fraction of the trillion – only a Secretariat the UNCCD monetary value of land degradatio invites Country The outcomespredicted losses. ties Parto the Conventio n and of the review impact on have been assembled the internationits Nation’s organizati n, United community, al into comprehensive and ons, civil while providing society strong incentives Degradation easy-to-use Land tional organizations, internafor cooperation Neutrality (LDN) and non-gover among countries, Country Profiles, nmental organizations adds. A broader â€? Mendoza and other stakeare already availableof which 21 holders picture of to draw attention the economic online. The LDN Country costs of failing land to to act decisively that average Profiles reveal publicissues and educate the Participant at an inception and restore about effective Africa, held available land workshop on 21 countries losses for these of achieving in Konya, Turkey‌ National Target methods resources will are equivalen emerge Setting LDN on 17 recently 9 per cent of as additional t to said the to Achieve June,â€? Land Degradatio GDP. This figure country UN agency. profiles are The LDN Country is even higher n Neutrality “Healthy released. land is the in Profiles of aim to help The United primary asset planet’s worst for some of the supports the guide policy livelihoods aroundthat sions on land tion to CombatNations Convendeci- Goals.Sustainable Development such as the affected countries, globe Desertification setting process, the The profiles use management. Central African – from food Republic, where formulating (UNCCD) is an internation to Target are the total losses decent incomes. Today,jobs and the analytical based largely on dation 15.3, on Land Degra- targets and associated agreement on al are estimated work undertaken measures we face good land stewNeutrality, a crisis of unseen at ardship. encourages to avoid, reduce and per cent. Asia a staggering 40 1.5 countries to proportions: by the Center for Developm reverse munities It helps people, comland degradatio billion halt and Africa n. the highest bear the world’s people – mainly in Research of the Universityent dation in order land degra- the costs, Central African For example, wealth, and countries create to ensure the of quantity USD84 billion estimated at countries most impoverished Bonn, the Economic grow economies Republic, committed to of productiv s of Land and 65 billion Degradation and – are trapped restore more has secure enough food, per year respective Initiative and remains stable. The e land 1 million degrading than and on the Internatio clean water hectares of degraded agricultural energy by “The WDCD ly. nal Food Policy now also recognised target is land – equal land. Research users an enablingensuring land is a unique This reality is fuelling to 15 percent as vital moment to for acceleratin Institute. poverty, particular extreme of its for remind g other SDGs, territory – which Globally, 169 sustainable environment that land degradatio everyone such ly in areas land managecountries are such as: Goal 1 (No potential losses will limit its ment. as the Sahel n neutrality poverty), Through (LDN) is achievable and Goal 2 (Zero and South affected by land degradatio Asia, where hunger), Goal burden nationwid economic the Conventio partnerships, and/or extreme and n through weather problem e. n’s 197 erratic countriesdrought. Of these, 116 5 (Promote gender “The LDN solving, events are equality), Country Profiles up robust systems parties set strong due community Goal 6 (Clean provide to involvement to the impacts on the rise achieving are committed to manage drought policy-makers water and co-operation sanitation), and change,â€? promptly and Land Degradati of climate easily accessible with Goal 8 at all levels. Neutrality effecsaid Juan on work Day was declared and scientifi- tively. Good land stewardsh The and economic (Decent cally sound Carlos UNCCD (LDN) under by the United Mendoza, Managing Director based the ip growth), information the UNCCD can help estimate that science on sound policy and of ProgrammLDN Target-Setting and Goal 13 (Climate Global Mechanism action). The 21 countries helps integrate the value . countries e that supports whose profiles of their investmen have been in reaching target ts in land accelerate achieveme and nt the Sustainabl 15.3 also engagedreleased today are restoration and make informed e Developm of choices in the LDN Propertymart, target they on the economic returns Goals, builds resilience ent can expect a property to development from taking climate change and being delivered prevents company, biodiversity at an amazingly embarked has affordable loss. on tion is hinged price. development an aggressive Fasuwon things, the first on three critical at explained Estate on the of its Fairmont the once by those is the provision that of needed company Sangotedo axis Lekki and is one-off paymentwho prefer the be infrastructure of its Housing was beginning offering affordable serviced, will such as roads, walk-way option, there Revolution land for sale is opportuni have the s, from paved wide recreationa Lekki ty for with a flexible facilities and roads, corridor, payment structure. security in order l installment spreadpayment in walkways play-areas, large land is being sold at fast-pace developm because of have twelve million eight to five-year a serene and recreation across a to the Managing According axis. hundred naira facilities period with “Given the ent on that with space living community Director of just six constant with a guarantee al (excluding ancillary Propertymart, place of the hundred and and Lekki corridor of with opportunit charges) “The second splendor. electricity. as the fastest the project Mr. Deji Fasuwon growing naira (N640,000)forty thousand is While comparing of premium is the availability payment which y of installment corridor young and designed for the Africa, Beyond the initial deposit.â€? mont land and housing the Fairstarts with N640 upwardly mobil Propertym in West to the av issue of a Lekki off 000 whil wh a d f tb t

Propertyma rt Promotes

INTERNATIONAL Hardline Ally Fires Migrant Ultimatum at Merkel as Trump Wades in Hardliners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc on Monday gave her a two-week ultimatum to tighten asylum rules or risk pitching Germany into a political crisis that would also rattle Europe... Page 40

REPO 4.83 5.33

Quick Takes

PROPERTY Poor Land Use Costs Countries 9% Equivalent of GDP, Says UN Report The United Nations Conven- tion to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) warns that the global economy will lose a whopping USD23 trillion by 2050 through land degradation, a review by. Page 29

R A T E S

Flexible Buy at Fairmont Estate

INTERNATIO NAL

TUESDAY JUNE

19, 2018 Ëž T

H I S D AY

Hardline All y as Trump Wa Fires Migrant Ultimatu m at Merke des in Trump: US will l not be ‘migrant email:foreigndesk

@thisdaylive.com

camp’

Hardliners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservativ e bloc on ultimatum to tighten Monday gave her a two-week rules or risk pitching asylum also rattle Europe, as US Germany into a political crisis that would Donald Trump pouredPresident his Bavarian CSU party fuel on the fire, Agence that country France-Presse she is ultimately in reported. since 2015. charge of government Wading into policies. A defiant Interior The sharp the crisis, to negotiate immigrat Trump tweeted: Minister Horst Seehofer escalation legislation. ion tensions between “The people of warned that of would give Merkel and Germany are turning he her long-time “The United An Iraqi paramilitar Merkel against their leadership States Bavarian to find a European a fortnight came y force key to the battle as migration be a migrant camp,� will not with EU nations allies is rocking border deal to curb against the he said as he opened the already Islamic and with Syria, killing 22 fighters new arrivals by State group once Berlin tenuous a meeting of a June 28-29 again at loggerhea on Monday wounding 12,� coalition. National Space accused Hashed the ds over the US-led coalition the Iran-backed EU summit, failing immigration, Council “We don’t which he said. of killing vowed to order the White than 20 of its want what Italy’s refusal triggered by happenin House. “And at border The fighters in an more is this month air raid killed bodies of three Iraqi fighters to turn back migrants. police allow a in eastern Syria, it to in Europe g with immigration will not be refugee-h rescue in the raid were olding But Merkel facility to happen with France-Presse. according to Agence Monday 630 migrants ship carrying returned on it won’t be.� immediat us!� In a related to rejected the to their hometown ely Popular The bombing development, Seehofer has dock. misgivin gs raid hit Al-Hari, burial, said AFP’s correspondes for would be threat, saying there been one of Reuters reported over a town controlled the fiercest “no automatis nt in no European Trump as saying President have the migrant influx critics of Merkel’s m� if liberal by regional the southern Iraqi city of militias fighting given populist on Monday Nasiriyah. deals were found, stance, that in under the Syria’s and warning United States anti-imm which over and complex seven-year war igration Seehofer and one million asylum would not alongside President Bashar al-Assad’s seekers as be a “migrant camp,� a boost across forces have been admitted into he Both Syrian forces. the for not blamed Democrats European nations, several authorities including coming to Italy and Austria Iraqi forces pointed and the table parties are now where far-right the US-led coalition, the finger at sharing power. which denied it was involved in Sunday night’s attack. The raid slammed controlled position into a regimein the border town and left dead, accordingat least 52 fighters to a Britain-base monitor. d Among them Iraq’s powerful were fighters from military alliance,Hashed al-Shaabi some of whom have crossed into Syria to against IS. fight “US planes fired two guided missiles at a fixed position Hashed al-Shaabi of units on the

Iraqi Force Says US Strike Killed Fighters in East Syria

BBC Global Questions Records Debate in Lagos Next month, the BBC’s Global Questions, highly respected, internationally renowned, current affairs programme to raise important travels to Lagos questions around how African youths are mobilising to raise political awareness. Recording in on July 4, the the Nigerian city presented by discussion will be Zeinab Badawi will f d

TUESDAYSPO RTS WORLD C UP 2018‌

Good Result, Says Ekong Super Eagles central midfielder, WilliamTroost Ekong, believes Nigeria’s clash with Iceland on Friday will be a different game from the 2-0 defeat the team suffered in the opening game to Croatia. Page 46

Ëœ ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž

T H I S D AY

Group Sports Editor Duro Email duro.ik hazuagbe@th Ikhazuagbe isdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY JUNE 14 TO JULY 15

Iceland Game Will be Differen Expect Good Re sult, Says Ekont, g

Argentina and of make EaglesIceland has sort the friendly it they are able future bright the opening with Argentina in to take their game with Croatia. crew that the Croatians chances . “I think the problem discovered Shehu had “The result with the team Abdullahi in our favour. has worked Eagleslast Saturday was not that and Bryan Idowu as the game before We saw that was played really badly. It links in the back four, weak tactics that failed changes playing Croatia. ought to have So like I said, all we need gave the star-studded Rohr. He take away the been made to to do now Croatian bombardment midfield the room to dictate suffered by Eagles it and focusis work hard at the play. defence. on getting the The rule in coaching “If I was in result,� stressed charge is that whose partnershithe defender strengthwhen you know the team, all I should haveof the done was to bring in p with Leon of your opponent Balogun has Super Eagles Tyronne Ebuehi you play , earned them moniker ‘Oyinbo the frustrate the system that will for Shehu and (Elderson William Troostcentral midfielder, said with the defeat, Nigerian footballWall’ amongst coach them,� observed the Echiejile for the floundering) Nigeria’s clashEkong, believes will have Nigeria game to THISDAY fans. no other option A Nigerian yesterday Idowu. Again, It appears Mikel on Friday will with Iceland play morning here but to stressedagainst Argentina,� coach who is above the to pick maximum in based in is game from the be a different against the Eagles star law and cannot “Are there St Petersburg. be substitute the Icelanders points wrestled down who Phillips, the UK, Tope John cows some team suffered 2-0 defeat the d even when but is . Juventus in the team that sacred was ineffective “It is going to he in the opening be a different man, Mario Mandzuki front Petersburg for the here in St be substituted game to Croatia. cannot and his slow type of game Mundial c for the THISDAY even when the game was creating problems from what penalty that earned Croatia The Bursaspor yesterday that told team is playing we played second goal defender the would have Eagles should against badly? We the middle. I think John in the Turkish in would have brought Ogu league said in We hope to pick Croatia. Despite the Kaliningrad. or get a drawwon the game result, have been able to get here points maximum defeat, Ekong life to a atleast a draw if only Coach going into said against the department of the match that Croatians if Rohr our last playedthat the one-all draw Gernot Rohr had repeated and had done the allow Iwobi and Ogheneka out by favourites switching to the Etebo to rove ro 3-5-2 he right thing,� stressed Phillips. adopted in the freely in front He said that second half of of both obvious to when it became (Wilfred defensive midfielders the coaching Ndidi and Ogu),� UK based coach the stressed.

Go on Exile if Beat Nigeria, You Fail to Maradona Warns Argentin a Coach

Argentina Maradona Legend Diego corners his country’s has warned no shortinto the air. We had Sampaoli, not Coach, Jorge recalled. game,� Maradona from the World to return home Last the Albeceleste Cup in Russia if away year, Argentina threw loses to Nigeria a 2-0 and fails to qualify to Nigeria in lead to lose 4-2 an internatio D to the knock from Group friendly nal in Russia. The Maradona out stage. perennial group against Super who played clash stage customers are to Eagles at Nigeria’s in their debut at the Mundial game on June last Group D 26 here in Saint USA told Argentine in 1994 in Petersburg . Television Telesur’s ‘De Argentina took show that thela mano del Diez’ through the lead Sergio played in the way his country the opening game 19th minuteAguero in Group D against of Saturday Iceland leaves as a cigar-puffing Maradona much to be looked on from desired. the stands of “If he carries the Spartak Stadium. Sampaoli can’t on like this, But minnows come back to Argentina. at their first everIceland, playing finals, leveled “There is four ahead becauseserious trouble Alfredminutes later through Finnbogason. Nigeria have experience, Messi, to counter-atthey know how in World whose performances Cups are know how to tack and they only blot on an otharguably the score � str th A d

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Atiku Returns from Hajj, Resumes Consultative Visits Denies going to US soon Tells Fayemi to prepare for defeat PDP has been deserted, can’t win, says ex-governor Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti with agency report Former Vice President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will today resume his visit to states controlled by the PDP, in continuation of his nationwide consultation with leaders and stakeholders of the party, towards the actualisation of his presidential ambition. The visit will take him to Bayelsa and Rivers States in the South-south geopolitical zone, where he will be a guest of Governors Henry Seriake Dickson and Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, respectively. As the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State, the former vice president has called on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to be prepared for defeat . While the former vice president would meet frontiersmen of the PDP and hold consultative meetings in Bayelsa State in the course of his two-day visit today and tomorrow, he is expected to inauguration projects executed by the Wike-led administration in Rivers State on Wednesday, June 20 and June 21. Atiku had in January 2018, commenced a series of visits to states under the leadership of the PDP, with a visit to Ekiti State. Thereafter, he was in Rivers State in March; Akwa Ibom and Cross River States in May, as guest of Governors Wike, Udom Emmanuel and Ben Ayade respectively, before the commencement of the Ramadan fast. Atiku yesterday returned from a month-long visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he observed the Ramadan fast and participated in the lesser hajj. The private jet which conveyed the former vice president, citizen, with registration number T7-AAA, touched down at the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2.30p.m.

He was received on arrival by several dignitaries, including the former Ogun State Governor and Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Adamawa State, Ahmed Umar Fintiri; former Special Adviser to the Vice President on Legal and Constitutional Matters, Prof Maxwell Gidado (SAN), and Alhaji Abdullahi Sugar, a Kanobased entrepreneur. The welcome party also included Atiku’s eldest son, Adamu; Alhaji Abdullahi Tsalah from Adamawa State, former House of Representatives member, Gbenga Oduwaiye; PDP Woman leader from Cross River State, Hon Blessing Egbara; Dr. Lloyd Ekwu from United States Nollywood artist, Saint Obi, political associates, youth groups and personal aides. The former vice president took time to shake hands with the long queue of admirers who received him at the airport, including airport officials and said ‘Thank you for coming’ individually to everyone. Other PDP states scheduled to be visited by the former vice president include: Delta, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Gombe and Taraba. This will immediately be followed by a whirlwind tour of all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which will feature town hall meetings and interactive sessions. However, Atiku has debunked media reports that he would be in the United States later this month. Reports at the weekend said the former vice president would speak at a trade and investment gathering in Washington D.C. later this month. The organisers of the event was believed to have listed Atiku’s name as number one among dozens of personalities they said had been invited to the event. Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and Minister of

Saraki , Eight Other Senators Begin Three-day Visit to Russian Parliament Today Deji Elumoye Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, will today (Tuesday) lead a Senate delegation on a three-day parliamentary visit to Russia, which is aimed at deepening legislative best practices and further strengthening the relationship between both countries. During the visit, Saraki is expected to address the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (Senate of Russia) and hold meetings with its Chairperson of the Federation Council, Ms. Valentina Matviyenko; Chairman of the State Duma, Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Mikhail

Bogdanov, to exchange views on issues of Nigerian-Russian cooperation. The Senators will also hold side meetings with corresponding committees of the Federation Council of Russia. The Nigerian legislators on the delegation include Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Chief Whip of the Senate, Olusola Adeyeye; Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Monsurat Sunmonu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Duro Faseyi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Youth, Obinna Ogba, and the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ibrahim A. Danbaba. The delegation is expected back in the country on June 22, 2018.

Trade, Industry and Investment, Okechukwu Elelamah, are among those also said to have been invited. “There is no such invitation to the former vice president,” his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, told Premium Times yesterday. Ibe added: “We are not aware of such invitation and we do not know how they managed to put his name on their list.” The report that the former vice president would be visiting the US for the event scheduled to hold between June 24 and 26 has seen some people draw conclusions that the possible visa restrictions placed against him have been relaxed. Atiku was named in a contract scandal involving Nigerian and American officials in the mid-2000s.

Williams Jefferson, a serving US federal lawmaker at that time, was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to jail for his involvement in the fraud, which was largely about bribery, influence-peddling and contract inflation. Despite claims that the former vice president was involved in the scandal, according to a US Senate investigative committee report, the Nigerian politician continues to maintain his innocence. The US Senate report and several other exhibits that led to the successful conviction of Jefferson, who was Atiku’s political associate, are largely seen as the reason he could not travel to that country. The PDP presidential aspirant, who is a strong contender for

Nigerian presidency in 2019, frequently travels to the United Arab Emirates and some Western countries. He recently acknowledged that he has difficulties visiting the US, but said he should not be blamed for the dilemma. The presidential aspirant said he applied for the US visa on past occasions, but was denied each time. He has rejected insinuations that his failure to enter the US could damage his political ambition, saying the Nigerian Constitution does not require that a citizen must be able to enter the US to be eligible for elective office. Moreover, Atiku said some Nigerian leaders have been denied entry into the US in the past and

later became president, including President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said was banned for 15 years. Buhari has denied this claim, saying Atiku should go and clear his name. The US Embassy in Abuja refused to comment on the controversy for several years. Meanwhile, the former vice president has called on the Ekiti State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to be prepared for defeat . Atiku said the APC should be ready to accept defeat in the spirit of the 2015 concession of defeat

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INAUGURATION

L-R: Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Chairman of the occasion, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.), at the inauguration of the new executives of the Lagos Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, held at the National Theatre, Lagos... recently

Gunmen Kill Three Soldiers, Four Civilians in Bayelsa, Plateau Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Gunmen suspected to be pirates have killed three soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) in a gun duel at Letugbene, Ekeremor, Bayelsa State, it was learnt yesterday. The killings came as four persons were also feared killed in two separate attacks in Plateau State last Saturday and Sunday by unknown gunmen. It was gathered that one of the gunmen was also killed in a surprised attack on the Tunu Flow Station belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Letugbene. The hoodlums operating in four speedboats reportedly tried to invade the flow station on Sunday at about 6a.m. But the soldiers guarding the oil platform engaged them in a gun duel and succeeded in warding off the attack, although three of them were killed and few others

injured in the attack. Though authorities of the JTF failed to comment on the attack, a security source confirmed that four persons, including three military personnel, were killed in the incident. “The soldiers were deployed to guard the SPDC flow station in the area. They engaged the youths in a shootout while trying to stop an invasion of the flow station,” he said. Meanwhile, four people were feared killed in two separate attacks in Plateau State last Saturday and Sunday by unknown gunmen. On Saturday, in a village of Arangai, Mangu Local Government Area, a meat seller, Baba Likita, was killed alongside two other men from Ampang West of the same Mangu council area. Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) on security in the state, Major Adam Umar, also confirmed another incident in Fan district of Barkin Ladi

Local Government Area where one person at Ktachudu village was ambushed and slaughtered by 9p.m. last Sunday. Umar said on hearing the distress call, the personnel of OPSH who were on routine patrol, quickly mobilised to the scene, but the unknown attackers had left the scene of the incident before they got there. He said the troops were working hand in hand with the police to get to the root of the matter as they were intensifying investigation to unravel the mystery behind the killing. On the killings in Mangu, Umar said the personnel there had not contacted him, adding that he was going to make contacts so that he could confirm the story, adding that the network that was fluctuating was compounding the issue. He, however, said the troops in conjunction with other security agencies were on top of the situation, adding that all

the attacks always took place in isolated locations especially in the bush where help was not easily available. In a related development, last Sunday night at Bauchi Road and Nasarawa Gwom both in Jos North Local Government Area, there was a serious tension as a result of activities of a deadly group known as Sarasuka which had an encounter with another equally deadly group which led to the destruction of property while some members of the groups were injured. Umar, who also confirmed the operations of the groups, said the groups wanted to disrupt the hard-earned peace the people had been enjoying in the state, especially during the Sallah celebration. He said his men got prompt information and quickly mobilised to the scene and succeeded in arresting some of the members, including the gang leader, while investigation is ongoing.

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AfCFTA: Presidential C’ttee Meets Today on Nigeria’s Membership Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The presidential committee mandated to widen consultation on the framework on Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will meet today and submit its recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

THISDAY exclusively gathered last night that the committee, to be presided over by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, will meet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The members will reflect on the diverse positions of major stakeholders from the series

Abiola’s Daughter Denies Attacking Critics of Buhari Martins Ifijeh The Founder, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, and the daughter of Chief MKO Abiola, Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello, has denied attacking critics of President Muhammadu Buhari, led administration. She said the articles circulating on social media titled: ‘Hafsat, Abiola-Castelo, response to critics’ and ‘Hafsat Abiola Goes Ballistic’ which were attributed to her were false, as she did not author any of them. Stating this in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Abiola-Costello said she would continue to express her deepest appreciation to President Buhari for the validation of June 12 and the conferment of Nigeria’s highest honour on her father, adding that the conferment of the second highest honour on his running

mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, and the people’s defender, Gani Fawehinmi were in order. “I also see how the shift in the allocation of resources by this administration is better for the diversification of our economy and for economic development. However, it is not my way to attack anyone who is opposed to the current administration. I respect the right that each individual has to form his or her political opinion. “My prayer is that we do what is best for our country in the coming elections. May we have the wisdom to discern the sincere from the insincere; the committed from the unreliable; the doer from those who may say what we want to hear but lack the courage to act in our collective interest,” she said. She therefore thanked those who brought the false statement to her attention.

of consultations undertaken in the six geo-political zones by the Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN). Some of the members of the committee instituted on March 27, include Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar. Other top government officers on the committee include the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Adeyemi Dipeolu; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Yewande Sadiku; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS),

Mr. Babatunde Fowler; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo; Director General of NOTN, Chiedu Osakwe; the Senior Special Assistant, Public Sector, Francis Anatogu; Customs Comptroller General, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the General Manager Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Edward Kabir. It is expected that the committee’s recommendations will pave the way for federal government to ratify the AfCFTA pact before the next African Union summit in Nouakchott, Mauritania, next month. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, scorned the framework of agreement seeking to create

the biggest continental free trade agreement in the world at the AU Heads of State and Government extraordinary meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 21. About 44 African countries ratified the Kigali agreement to establish a free trade bloc within 18 months. The last ditch withdrawal followed the groundswell of opposition to the creation of a single market by trade union groups and Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) over fear of job losses from trade liberalisation. MAN was also concerned about enforcement of rules of origin and market access. The AfCFTA that will liberalise services and remove tariffs on 90

percent of goods is expected to create a trade bloc of 1.2 billion people with a combined gross domestic product GDP of more than $2 trillion. During the extensive nationwide meetings, NOTN consulted with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), the Nigeria Poultry Association, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines andAgriculture (NACCIMA); Piggery Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Trade Experts Forum (NTEF) and National Economic Summit Group (NESG) among others.

Uduaghan Debunks Rumour of His Withdrawal from Senatorial Race Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has dismissed rumours that he had decided to renounce his intention to represent Delta South in the Senate in 2019. He said the false story was the handiwork of faceless mischief makers as the issue of stepping down for anybody had not come up anywhere. The clarification by the former Delta State governor is coming at a time a body known as the Coalition of Bomadi Local Government Area elders and youth bodies publicly declared its support for Uduaghan’s aspiration to contest the Delta South senatorial seat currently occupied by Senator James Manager. Uduaghan was emphatic that he was still very much in the race and engaged in extensive consultation with stakeholders particularly in Delta South senatorial district. The aspirant cleared the air at his residence in Warri yesterday while playing host to the Coalition of Bomadi Elders led by Rev. Gbenekuru England, and youths drawn from different youth associations in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state. The group, which comprises community elders in Bomadi area disclosed that the visit was partly to hear from the horse’s mouth regarding the rumour that he had stepped down again for Manager, just as the ex-governor said he had to do in 2015 in the interest of peace and ethnic harmony in the senatorial district and the state in general. Uduaghan said: “I have not

stepped down for anybody, and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone. In fact, I have put my hands on the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we would be in Abuja in 2019.” He recalled the circumstances of his decision not to contest for the senatorial ticket in 2015, stressing that it was a personal sacrifice he made in the overall interest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Delta State at the time. “It was for the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta State that made me withdraw from the 2015 senatorial race at the last minute. The stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition, otherwise, I have all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now. “I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me. Uduaghan’s visitors, apparently excited by his statement, broke into spontaneous dance and singing in Ijaw language, hailing Uduahan as “the best candidate from the zone for the senate in 2019. All the leaders of the group who spoke were unanimously in support for Uduaghan which they said was a wise decision to make, saying Delta South was ready for “a new beginning and Uduaghan is the new beginning.”

FARMING

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade; Mr. Luan Marais of Sender 360, South Africa, and Director, Aardway Chansbury Farming, South Africa, Mr. Dale Van Den, during a soil test by a team of South African farmers, for the cultivation of yellow maize for Cross River State Feedmill at Ochong, Obubra...recently

Unemployment Crisis Looms in Nigeria, Analysts Warn Obinna Chima Analysts have warned against an impending unemployment crisis in Nigeria. The Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, who gave the warning in a presentation at the Lagos Business School’s executive breakfast meeting for June yesterday warned of a “a looming unemployment crisis in Nigeria.” According to Rewane, the FDC think-tank estimated that fourth quarter unemployment figures would spike to 21.5 per cent. About 4.07 million Nigerians were unemployed between January and September last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed. The bureau, in the report had stated that the number of Nigerians that became unemployed rose from 11.92 million in the first quarter of last year to 13.58 million and 15.99 million in the second and third quarters of 2017 respectively. But Rewane revealed that the NBS shelved the release of the fourth quarter 2017 unemployment

data earlier scheduled for June 5. The report estimated a population growth of 3.2 per cent for the country. Also, a former Executive Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Kola Ayeye, pointed out that population growth in Nigeria presently above three per cent and a substantial number of the country’s population living below poverty line, should be of concern to policy makers in the country. Nigeria recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 1.95 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, down by -0.16 per cent from the 2.11 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017. “The kind of growth rate we should be celebrating should be close to two digits. So, that should give you an indication of how far we are from where we ought to be. “Where per capita income in less than $2,500 and where a substantial part of the population is still living below poverty line and the population growth rate is more than three per cent,”

Ayeye, who is presently the Group Managing Director of Growth and Development Limited (GDL), said. Continuing, the FDC report showed that the federation account allocation shared by the three tiers of government reached a four-year high of N701 billion in May. It also showed that a new exchange rate of N325/$1 has been adopted for the conversion of oil proceeds Meanwhile, the FDC in its latest monthly economic bulletin pointed out that any shock to crude oil price or production might hurt the Nigerian economy. “In Nigeria’s case, the primary reason for the improvement in the balance of trade was higher oil prices and production. “Thus, it follows that any shock to price or production would have a significant impact on fiscal revenue and foreign exchange. “Oil prices are expected to stay strong in the short-term supported by geo-political tensions and supply concerns. This will keep exports firm in the second and third quarters,” it explained.

Nigeria’s exports for the full year 2018 were projected at $61.3 billion, a 33.84 per cent increase from the 2017 levels. On the flip side, it noted that higher oil prices would mean increased landing costs of refined petroleum products. This will push up Nigeria’s import bill. Additionally, it stated that the increased availability of forex would continue to support import demand in the country. “The effect of these will, however, be partially dampened by the expected decline in the global prices of agricultural imports such as sugar. “Imports are expected to be a total of $45.2 billion in 2018, 38.22 per cent higher than 2017,” it added. Nigeria’s total exports rose by 20.02 per cent to N4.69 trillion ($15.37 billion) in first quarter 2018. “Higher trade surplus is positive for exchange rate, terms of trade and current account balance. “Increased inflow is also the reason for the 19.2 per cent accretion in the external reserves recorded in the first quarter, giving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) more room to support the currency,” it added.

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COMMENT

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

SOUTH AFRICA FROM A DISTANCE Okello Oculi writes that South Africa is still struggling to attain the best

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he season of liberation struggles knew South Africa through the stunning beauty of Winnie Mandela: the woman who remained resolutely loyal to her marriage to a man in prison. The leadership of the African National Congress used the power of her photographs to capture minds around the world in a way that Mandela’s photos could never equal. The country’s invasion of minds with radio broadcasts to newly independent Africa grew in strength as military coups and countercoups increased. South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) became a valuable source of news about political unrest, corruption, civil wars and repression of opposition groups which official media across the continent habitually hid. Lack of television news broadcasts and documentaries by the Soviet Union and communist China denied the rest of Africa awareness of the raw brutality of Apartheid, while racist governments also strenuously blocked access to positive images of Africans administering post-colonial freedom politics. It took my flying over Johannesburg on a journey to Maputo, in 2005, to visualise the enormous creativity invested in designing its richer spaces. Likewise, white South Africans confess that if they had known the vast potential market in Africa, racist minority dictatorship would have ended earlier. Mr Leloka, my Sotho secondary school teacher, was probably so afraid of official ears in colonial Uganda that the only glimpse we got of South Africa was yellow grains of gold he had smuggled in a leather belt from a gold mine. Dr Kumalo, our sociology teacher at Makerere College of the University of East Africa introduced us to Alan Paton’s novel ‘’AFRICA: CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY’’ without providing contents in the stomach of racist elephant in his country. South Africa remained a distant invisible space. Aluta Continue! Julius Malema has told party members that ‘’South Africa is a direction’’, not the name of a nation. He insisted on ‘’Azania’’, while admitting that those who refer to immigrants from other African countries as ‘’Makwerekwere’’ (strangers) forget that their ancestors had arrived from lands north of Transvaal and beyond Namibia. ‘’Azania’’ is a melting-pot of travellers from an older season of migration towards the Cape of Good Hope. Brutal ‘’xenophobic’ attacks had also been against ethnic groups from other Provinces of South Africa; not only Mozambicans, Zambians, Zimbabwean, Nigerians, Congolese and Somalis, seen as ‘’aliens’’. Building a nation remains an open agenda. The Liberation Committee of the Organisation of African Unity based in Tanzania failed to adequately consider how South Africa would dredge out deep and toxic sediments of violence and humiliation that ‘’crimes against humanity’’ had accumulated for over 300 years. Franz Fanon did warn that brutalised people regain their sense of human dignity by inflicting violence against their op-

SOUTH AFRICANS ARE ALSO SHARING WITH OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES DEMANDS FOR A ‘SECOND INDEPENDENCE’ FOLLOWING FAILURES BY THEIR LEADERS TO BRING INCREASED WELFARE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE, WHILE PEOPLE WITNESS LEADERS ACCUMULATING WEALTH FOR THEMSELVES

pressors. Mandela’s ‘’rainbow nation’’ bottled-up degradation and transferred it to the pandemic of self-destructive drug addiction; violence against children and women; rapes, violent robberies, and bizarre crimes like raping infants, etc. Bottled rage remains as time bombs available for explosion by ‘’sleeping policemen’’ among former racist operatives. South Africans are also sharing with other African countries demands for a ‘’Second Independence’’ following failures by their leaders to bring increased welfare to the majority of the people, while people witness leaders accumulating wealth for themselves. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, a United Nations report blamed 85 multinational corporations for supplying cocaine and AK-47 guns to unemployed youths to assist them in looting the country’s resources; while paying a pittance to these militias. In South Africa, armed robberies currently include hauling away huge cash amounts by shooting bullion vans. This epidemic first appeared in 2010 and 2011. South African blacks are also sharing that ‘’dividend of democracy’’ known as obesity (or African Democracy) for politicians. This health time-bomb seems to be exploding in South Africa. In the United States, processed foods contain chemicals which cause various physiological disorders: including hyper-activity in children; addiction; cancer and obesity. Food processors in South Africa have probably not kept aloof from criminal additives to foods in supermarkets. Pot- bellies on trade union leaders look odd. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that ‘’Land is about dignity; land is also about security’’. He promised to grab land from white individuals and corporation ‘’without compensation’’. Failure to equitably redistribute land from European immigrants has entrenched violence into the politics of Algeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Cote d’Ivoire. Except in Algeria, former owners poison politics by seducing politicians to abandon redistribution of land to desperate landless masses. In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe earned notoriety with interested global media by returning land to the landless. President Cyril Ramaphosa has that red line ahead of him. Jacob Zuma, a veteran of struggle from the age of 16 and heading the smuggling fighters for Nkomto We Sizwe, was hounded out as president on allegations of corruption. His supporters point at Zuma’s free university education and plans for ‘’economic transformation’’ as his offences. They are urging Ramaphosa to confront vast lands, mines and wealth owned by Oppenheimer and British parliamentarians as historic crimes of corruption. A court war drama against Zuma promises to fatally wound the ANC. One curative tonic that Ramaphosa should import from Ahmadu Bello University, and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Abuja, is their tool for training youths as presidents of African countries. South Africa’s youths would acquire knowledge about, and empathy with, African countries.

OCHEREOME NNANNA’S GAFFE Nnanna’s blunder should be forgiven, writes Ikeogu Oke

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o one, I think, would disagree that Ochereome Nnanna’s reference to Yorubas as “sophisticated morons� was inappropriate and deserves the criticism it has drawn, and that it calls for the “unreserved apology� he has tendered. I would call it an unfortunate oxymoron with no intention of punning. Yet, some people think he shouldn’t apologise. To justify their objection, they cite precedents of “hate speech� against the Igbo like the one by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, for which “he never apologised�. Such people strike me as ethnic hardliners. I wish they could wear what must be Ochereome’s uncomfortable shoes at the moment and know where it pinches before objecting to his apology. And since Ochereome did not say he acted in retaliation for the Oba’s obviously objectionable threat to throw Igbos living in his domain into the Lagos lagoon if they voted against his preferred candidate in an election, I think such objectors are wrong to link his apology to the Oba having not tendered an apology. For those who think we must reciprocate every such incendiary utterance, I think we also have the option of acting in accordance with Michelle Obama’s slogan, “If they go lower, we go higher,� without seeming cowardly or too idealistic, while realising that the endless cycle of an-eye-for-an-eye and a-tooth-for-a-tooth vengeance is turning our people into blind and toothless ogres. The result is that they can no longer see let alone walk the path to progress; and most positive plans they make end in failure because, thanks to their almost toothless gums, they lack the necessary bite. As champions of ethnic bigotry, many of us have become victims of incapacitation by our mutually corroding hatred for one another. When I first read of Ochereome’s gaffe, I recalled

our first meeting several years ago, in the company of a mutual acquaintance. I had gone to the Vanguard on a job hunt and the acquaintance who then wrote a column for the newspaper introduced us in what turned out to be an ad-hoc bibulous evening filled with warm banter. I briefly met Gbenga Adefaye, then the editor of Vanguard, the same day, for the first and only time so far. Since then I have never needed to see him to be reminded that his eyes look so nicely different from any others I have seen on a man’s face. As for Ochereome, he struck me as a highly cultured public intellectual, a passionate and resourceful journalist, and a genuine patriot. I did not see him as someone capable of exhibiting the “ethnic hatred� some have deduced from his “sophisticated morons� gaffe. And I must add that those who linked Vanguard with his remark were wrong since he did not make it in his capacity as its employee, even though Vanguard was right to issue a disclaimer to the remark in a world where personal prejudice, as the remark suggests, can influence official decisions. I also recalled my other encounter with Ochereome on social media in the heat of the IPOB campaigns which I opposed, and which included a call by the pro-Biafran group led by Nnamdi Kanu for Igbos across Nigeria to return to Igbo land even without a road map for their survival if they were to comply with the bizarre order. Added to this were open threats of violence, death and exile against those who disagreed with the group, which I saw as a mark of radioactive intolerance, a genuine cause for worry for anyone who like me believes in the right to healthy dissent. So while I recognised the genuineness of some of IPOB’s grouse, I was opposed to its methods, particularly its intemperate, if violent, language, and refused overtures from some of its members to draft me into its army of vitriol. I also wondered why its

chieftains and their children would rather not stand in the frontline of rallies they practically egged on others, mainly ignorant youths, to lead from the front, resulting in their coming to fatal harm sometimes. I thought they or their children should be in the forefront of such rallies if they truly believed in the “struggle� and asked some of them why they would rather not be and got no response. Besides, some of those fuelling the campaign lived abroad, safe from the expected conflagration they called for in their home country in the name of a quest for “liberation� apparently tainted by a mix of self-interest and tribal politics. I disagreed with Ochereome on the propriety of IPOB’s methods and the worthiness of some of its objectives. I believe his “sophisticated morons� gaffe erupted from the residue of ethnic bigotry inspired by the IPOB campaigns, and that such bigotry is alien to his nature. And looking at how things have evolved since our disagreement, in the light of the complexity of human experience, I am not surprised that an IPOB dragon can spit humility, faced with the prospect of suffering serious personal loss and being plunged into a precarious life. This sentiment stands out from Ochereome’s apology: “I have enjoyed mutually beneficial relationships with people of Yoruba ethnic stock as with a cross-section of other Nigerians, both high and low.� To me, it signifies his continued belief in Nigeria despite its many challenges. And coupled with his refusal to resign his exalted and well-deserved post in a Nigerian institution located outside his native Igbo land, and perhaps return to Igbo land as the IPOB leaders directed all Igbos living and working outside Igbo land to do, it repudiates that misguided directive and underscores its impracticability. It may also be because other Nigerians including Igbos have enjoyed “mutually beneficial relations� with their compatriots as he has done that that they would rather keep the country united while working to improve it.

Perhaps we all need to experience similar clashes of that IPOB directive with reality in ways that can directly and fundamentally hurt us to realise its absurdity and the wrongness of having expected others to comply with it? That said, there is an acceptable place for insult in human communication. I once read a book entitled The Book of Insults and found it so entertaining that I was saddened by the owner’s refusal to resell it to me. It contained all manner of insults exchanged by such great historical figures as Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi. However, the ethic of insult is that it must be deployed intentionally with the understanding of the target that it was deliberate, and so the one who insults the other would not need to express regret for his or her action. That Ochereome has apologised for his gaffe, signifying his regret and recognising the “uncommon understanding� the Yorubas he directly offended and their “generosity of heart� to forgive him, indicates that he did not mean what he said as an insult. I agree with his description of it as “an off-hand remark�. In all, I cannot see why he should not be forgiven and given a second chance not only by the Yorubas but everyone else in a country where we have collectively and serially forgiven various governments and leaders for aborting our hope for good governance, and repeatedly tolerated military coups or gone to the polls to reaffirm that hope and give them another chance. Imagine us insisting on not forgiving one of us for making an off-hand remark about one of our ethnic groups while still putting up with those responsible for the annulment of something as momentous as the June 12 election! Oke, winner of the 2017 Nigeria Prize for Literature, wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

EDITORIAL THE NOT TOOYOUNG TO RUN LAW There is additional need for financial regulation on political expenditures

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or obvious reasons, President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill was greeted with so much celebration by several young Nigerians who feel that the absence of a legitimate law to back their participation was the reason they have not excelled in politics. However, while the new law will add to the available legal means of getting around potential human barriers to participation of young people in Nigeria’s political space, the question nonetheless remains as to whether it will make any difference to their aspirations, given the prevailing environment. Passed by the National Assembly in 2017 to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the constitution, the new law aims to relax some of the tough and biased provisions against young people participating in politics. And following the conclusion of the amendment process that has seen to the passage of the law by no fewer than 24-state Houses of Assembly, the age qualification for president has been reduced from 40 to 35 years while that of governor has been TO TRULY ENTHRONE reduced from 35 to A SYSTEM WHERE THE YOUNG CAN HAVE 30. Similarly, the age for the membership A LEVEL-PLAYING of the state House of FIELD, THERE IS AN Assembly has been URGENT NEED FOR A reduced from 30 to FINANCIAL REGULATION 25. Indeed, there is ON POLITICAL absolutely nothing EXPENDITURES THAT wrong with Nigeria WOULD SUPPORT THE having a law that IDEALS OF THIS NEW takes into account LAW the fact that we are a nation of young population. This is despite the fact that young people between the ages of 15 and 25 constitute a fifth of the world’s population. And since majority of these young citizens face challenges that are hardly reflect-

ed in the everyday conversation of government at all levels in Nigeria, the thinking is that they should take their destiny into their own hands by seeking elective offices. So, this is a move in the right direction. However, the real reason young people have not fared well in politics, especially in our country, is not necessarily the absence of a law but rather the absence of capacity, mostly financial. The factors that determine who wins a party nomination and election in Nigeria are beyond the issue of age. They have been a mixture of money and the factor of godfatherism. These are men who sponsor and determine who runs for political posts basically to regulate how the eventual winners manage such offices and make beneficial returns to them.

I T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

ncidentally, statistics reveal that eligibility for national parliament starts at 25 years old or older in a third of all countries in the world while less than two per cent of members of the parliament around are in their 20s. What that suggests is that the exclusion of young people from government is not only a Nigerian challenge even when ours may be rooted in socio-economic factors. But to truly enthrone a system where the young can have a level-playing field, there is an urgent need for a financial regulation on political expenditures that would support the ideals of this new law. It is noteworthy that we have also seen from 1999 that some young people who were elected into political positions have not fared well in their respective offices to further buttress the point that youthfulness does not necessarily mean performance. What that says clearly is that while many of our young citizens who eye political offices must know that while the law is now on their side, there is so much work ahead if they are to realise their ambitions. In all, while it is good that the age for becoming president, governor or lawmaker has been reduced, the challenge of the moment in Nigeria is not generational, it is about how to create a society where people of all ages can prosper and thrive.

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AS THE NATION CELEBRATES

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t is a time-honoured saying that the interest ‘subjects take in their leader does not lie in the leader’s physical and intellectual abilities, but, lies rather in what he can add to their lot in life’. Standing as a telling proof to the above assertion is the heartening celebration that recently resonated across our nation’s political wavelength following some human-faced actions taken by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government; a development analyst’s described as right step in the right direction. The signing of the not-too-young-to-run bill into law by the president granting financial autonomy to state Houses of Assembly, the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, and the posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the greatest honour in the land, to Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election was rightly done. In response to the above development, the vast majority of Nigerians had as pre-empted, became sympathetic and supportive of the present administration while affirming President Buhari as no prisoner of any theory, but, a leader guided by reasoning, reality, and equipped with the power to probe ideas before implementation. Having scaled over this hurdle created by the June 12 debacle, and as part of the effort to completely calm tribal nerves, it will be appreciably gratifying in my view, if the president could urgently yield to the call by Nigerians for the review/possible restructuring

of the nation and tackle other multifaceted challenges bedevilling the country as a way of consolidating his newfound ‘’transformational leadership’. Indeed, it’s of a growing concern that the federal system we practice is inverted pyramided and asymmetrically structured, a line of argument that Mr. President had earlier admitted during his January 1, 2018 national broadcast where he, among other things, remarked that ‘no human law or edifice is perfect. That whatever structure we develop must periodically be perfected according to the changing circumstances and the country’s socio-economic developments. As an incentive, therefore, now that Mr. President has kickstarted national renaissance/healing of national wounds, perfecting this imperfect structure via restructuring of the nation to reflect a true federal system has become not just inevitable but desirable. To further simplify the process, what the proponents of restructuring are saying is that the over bloating of the exclusive list with about 68 items is antithetical to the doctrine of true federalism as majority of the items are trivial for the federal government to handle and should serve the greater good of the people if left in the hands of both the state and the local governments. It becomes even more inspiring knowing that the template for solving these problems is readily available: the report of the 2014 National Conference. The holistic implementation of that report is germane to the survival of the nation. Again while this celebration of ‘transformational leadership’ is

ongoing, it will also necessitate a peep into the global stage to spot the nations which had faced our current situation, how they tackled them, and how successful they had been. For instance, ‘The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) in Islamabad to conduct joint research on issues related to terrorism and extremism for informed policy decision making, to create public awareness, and build a counter-narrative in the country’. Looking at commentaries, it’s glaring that this time is auspicious for our nation to adapt, adjust, and possibly implement the above useful lesson in our ceaseless effort to find a lasting solution to insecurity/terrorism challenge on our shores. We shall like other nations to collectively defeat insecurity/ terrorism using informed decisions based on research. Still, on the celebration of this new found people-purposed leadership, there is again the need for the president to remember that education is an indispensable means by which a nation can wholesomely achieve a hyper-modern development. It will therefore be rewarding if Mr. President should put in the same political strategy of the past weeks to subsidising education, train and retrain our teachers, and find an enduring solution to the perennial underfunding challenge of the sector which stakeholders believe is majorly occasioned by non-compliance to the United Nations’ budgetary recommendation on education. Jerome-Mario Utomi, jeromeutomi@yahoo.com

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

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POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

DISCOURSE

Can Fouad Oki Change the Dynamics of Lagos Politics? Former director-general of successive Lagos governorship campaigns, Mr. Fouad Oki rebels against the establishment. Segun James scrutinises his dissenting views.

Fouad Oki

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ithin the politics of Lagos state, the guardians of orthodoxy are not given to a capricious change of mind. So, when Mr. Fouad Oki, a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, in an unprecedented challenge of the status quo, forced a change, it became a big deal. The former Director General of all the governorship campaigns in the state since 2003 had surprisingly stood up to challenge the continued over lordship, dominance of the party by Asiwaju Bola Armed Tinubu, a former governor of the state and the obvious authority in the affairs of the party. His action was exceptional. Because of Tinubu’s larger than life personality and his stranglehold on politics in the state, no one ever challenged him. Even the opposition agrees Tinubu carries on as if Lagos State is his personal political property. This was the situation until the coming of Oki who was the leader of the campaign team that returned Tinubu, his successor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to office at various times during elections in the state. But how and when did things fall apart between Tinubu and Oki who is leading the opposition to challenge the APC national leader in his home political turf? Oki, a man who believes in loyalty to his party and leader is not new to political battles. He was suspended in 2013 when the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) merged with other political parties to form the APC. The battle at that time was similar to his current confrontation. He had insisted then that hard work must be rewarded. But when the 2015 election came and the election campaign of Akinwunmi Ambode was floundering. It became imperative that only a political engineer with the talents and abilities of Oki could do the magic. He was quickly recalled and the campaigns handed over to him. It is to his credit that the APC won the election with just about 150,000 votes. Until recently, Oki lived a quiet political life. He came only when his services were on demand. People around him say that believes that politics is not all about going for elections. To him, there are other aspects to politicking.

Bola Tinubu

Today, Oki’s opposition activities have put asunder the assignment given to Tinubu by President Muhammadu Buhari to reconcile the various factions within the APC nationwide. Tinubu can only post a serious front to other cliques, if he settles the squabble in his home. Since he revved the engine of intra-party opposition in Lagos, Tinubu’s committee has been distracted. Several months after the inauguration of the committee, it has not achieved anything. Incidentally, the commencement of work by the APC Reconciliation Committee coincided with the party’s state primaries, which resulted in further acrimonies. A few weeks to the national convention of the party, the committee is battling to calm frayed nerves in different troubled states. The emerging possibility is that the outcome of the convention will further tear the party apart, a situation which will be to the benefit of the opposition, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that is in need of salvation as well. In a country populated by ambitious dreamers, the political field is most often strewn with frustration and dashed hopes. This is the hard reality of many young and ambitious men who ventured into the Nigerian political minefield without a godfather, a mentor or brother to walk them through the inner workings of politics in the country. This situation is not different in Lagos State

How and when did things fall apart between Tinubu and Oki who is leading the opposition to challenge the APC national leader in his home political turf?

where one man ostensibly determined everything by imposing whosoever he wished on the party and the people. Although, he was a beneficiary of such activity in the past, Oki is attempting to right a perceived wrong that has been going for too long. To him, the dynamics of politics has changed in Lagos State. He said that there should be a level playing field for everyone unlike the past when you must know or be close to the powers that be to be noticed. Apparently, Oki’s ambition was also fired by the recent signing into law of the Not Too Young to Run bill by President Buhari. Without doubt, Oki has expanded the political frontier of Lagos State. For emphasis, he embodies the best of political engineering. What’s more, he has not only mentored young politicians, he has also made a few of them. It was at a youth political leadership forum organised by the GLEEHD Foundation with the theme:Nigeria’s Emerging Political Leaders Forum – 2019 Election and Youth Participation in Political Leadership in Nigeria: Prospect and Strategies for Young Leaders that he exposed the rebel in him. To a lot of people, it sounded like an easy question for any half-competent politician to answer: What are the chances of the youths on the political tuff if septuagenarians are still contesting for political positions? Oki told the youths that contrary to their feelings, money was not the first priority in seeking elective position but having ideas, aims and goals and a strategy to achieve them. According to him, they must make themselves relevant by participating actively in the activities in their party of choice. “Don’t expect power on a platter of gold,”he told them. He said nobody was going to hand over power to them simply because they are young. He counselled that any of them who has something to offer must be ready to throw themselves into the ring to be seen and be heard. According to him, politics was not about elective position. He pointed at other areas that an active youth in politics can be useful. “If you have something to offer, you must be rebellious. Let people see you as someone with something to offer. Not everyone can stand for election, so you must understand your capacity, ability and where you belong in the scheme of things.” Oki understands the essence of

positioning in the world of political intrigues and intricacies. He knows that it can be about monsters and vampires. He also knows that it can be very rewarding. Continuing his treatise, he said that politics can be part horror and part thriller; but more importantly, it has a permanent dizzying and charming. Born almost 60 years ago in Lagos, Okiis a Surulere boy. While most of his contemporaries have since moved out of Surulere, Oki continues to make Surulere his home. For someone who has held the strategically important job of director-general of governorship campaigns in Lagos, it is strange that he has never sought an elective position, even though he could have any position he wants if he so desires as a reward for hard work and loyalty. That is the question that is today being asked by those who know him following his recent decision not only to confront the national leader but by putting himself up for election as state chairman of the APC, a position he rejected in the past. The highest elective position he has ever held is as vice chairman of the Lagos Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He would not even be the chairman of the set let alone compete for any position at the national level. At the splinter Lagos state APC congress he that was held at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, the number of people that participated were so much that the national leadership of the party could not afford to dismiss him as another rabble-rouser. Although Oki would not admit it, it is believed that he has the support and backing of some prominent leaders of the party in the state including former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola. So far, only the National Legal Adviser of the APC, Dr. Muiz Banire, who had made his grievance against the political establishment of Lagos APC has come out to state that he has sympathy for Oki. Political analysts are harping on the theory that the only solution to the crisis and the menace of Oki is for Tinubu to personally call for reconciliation and harmonise the party executive list in the state, as the party heads towards its national congress and the general election.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

POLITICS

Litmus Test for Ogun West Femi Ogbonnikan examines the strengths and weaknesses of frontrunners for the office of governor of Ogun State in the 2019 election

Bimbo Ashiru

Kashamu Buruji

Rotimi Paseda

Solomon Adeola

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n the coming governorship election in Ogun State, all eyes are on Ogun West senatorial district to grab the coveted office. Since the creation of the state in February 1976, Ogun West has never taken a shot at the governorship seat. However, recent political development are tilted towards ensuring a balance in the power equation among the three senatorial districts; Ogun Central, Ogun West and Ogun East. Deafening as the agitation is, Ogun West district, made up of Yewa/Awori people and five local governments (Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia and Ado-Odo/Ota), is now relishing on the strength of the resolve and commitment of the incumbent governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, who at various public functions pledged to cede power to a successor of Ogun West extraction. Following the pronouncement, in Ogun West district alone, no fewer than nine (Rt. Hon Suraj Adekunbi, Temitope Kuyebi, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Kola Lawal, Tolu Odebiyi and Adeleke Tella) governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (aka GNI) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have signified interest in the number one seat of the state. The recent emergence of the much-touted ‘wizkid’, Olakunle Olude, who is rumoured as the incumbent governor’s preferred successor has continued to cause ripples and also, sent jitters down the spine of the nine strong contenders that earlier indicated interest in the plum job. While the elders and leaders of Ogun West senatorial district under different aegis have constituted a screening committee to produce a consensus governorship candidate, the governor who is the leader of the party in the state is hell-bent to, against the popular demand of the elders for inclusion in the decision-making, handpick his successor. But it does not seem as if the other senatorial districts are giving up without a hard fight. For instance, Ogun East has expressed open resentment for an arrangement that will handover the APC governorship ticket to Ogun West wholesale. Under the banner of ‘Ijebu Agenda’, it has resolved to defy every obstacle along its path to produce the next governor and gone ahead to pick Chief Bimbo Ashiru, the current Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, as its consensus governorship candidate. Despite polarisation within the leadership of the PDP into two groups, two candidates-Hon Oladipupo Adebutu and Sen. Buruji Kashamuhave emerged as governorship aspirants from Ogun East. The PDP leadership has identified

Kola Lawal Mobolorunduro

Suraj Adekunbi

disunity as the major reason against ceding the governorship ticket to Ogun West. All the contestants possess strong credentials that could propel or qualify them to win the governorship seat of the state. However, experience, fame, pedigree, acceptance, clout, fund, personality, zoning arrangement (if any) and close working relationship with the incumbent governor may be some of the deciding factors to determine the chances of the aspirants. Olalekan Olude Olude hails from Imasai in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He is the Group Chief Operating Officer of Jobberman, a company he co-founded. The company delivers services across consulting, testing, advertising and outsourcing. Though he is yet to make public his interest in the governorship contest, strong indications have emerged that the young Olude who will turn 35 in September is the person being touted as ‘wizkid’ that Governor Amosun often makes a veiled reference to. He is touted as the most favoured to succeed him in office. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (aka GNI) Isiaka is an illustrious son of Imeko in ImekoAfon Local Government Area of the state. The 55 year-old 1986 first class graduate of Accounting status from the then, University of Ife (now, Obafemi Awolowo University), was a two-time Ogun State governorship candidate of both the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in 2011 and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. Isiaka, a multi-disciplinarian in different management fields is staging a comeback, the third time, on the platform of the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC). His defection to the new platform was a fall-out of several litigations within the PDP state leadership. He is reputed to be one of the most brilliant and experienced aspirants from Ogun West with a stronghold in virtually the enitre Yewa/Aworiland. But the only snag which many political analysts fear that may threaten his chances is said to be his inability to muster strong financiers and political god-fathers. Temitope Stephen Kuyebi Kuyebi, 43, and a native of Imasai in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, is a mechanical engineer who is into the oil and gas downstream sector. He was the first consensus candidate that was unanimously presented by Ogun West

Oladipupo Adedibu

Olalekan Olude

Temitope Stephen Kuyebi

Tolu Odebiyi

political leaders to represent them in the build-up to the 2011 governorship election until he was prevailed upon to step down for Sen. Ibikunle Amosun. Kuyebi has been involved in active politics, predating the emergence of the AD metamorphosing to AC, ACN and APC. Of the 11 governorship aspirants at that time, he remains the only one that has not left the party and has been consistently supporting the governor and the leadership of the party in the state. It could be recalled that the governor has resolved and has continually restated his commitment to hand over the baton to a ‘wizkid’ from Ogun West and Kuyebi possesses the qualities that perfectly fit into the description of the word, ‘wizkid’. He is courageous, young, agile, loyal, intelligent and generous. He started his grassroots mobilisation with the establishment of Temitope Kuyebi Foundation. Though wealthy, his Achilles’ heel is his perceived inability to curry the support of financiers. Kola Lawal Mobolorunduro (aka KLM) Born 55 years ago, Lawal hails from Eyo Quarters, in Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. His foray into the partisan-politics began with his philanthropic antecedents which brought him up for recognition, this underscores his grassroots connection and relevance. KLM, as he is fondly called, has had a 20-year stint with ExxonMobil Producing Unlimited where he rose to the executive cadre. He is a tested and an experienced politician, having once entered the governorship race in 2011 on the platform of the PDP. KLM is considered to be a strong contender for the highest political office in the state, but he may not have the financial muscle to prosecute his gubernatorial bid. Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (aka Yayi) He is a political heavy weight whose gubernatorial ambition has ensured that he is not on the same page with the incumbent governor. Though both men belong to the ruling party, APC, Sen. Adeola, fondly called Yayi, is the current legislator representing Lagos West district in the Senate. He is said to be considering using the newly resuscitated Social Democratic Party (SDP) to actualize his ambition. However, controversies trail his original family in Pahayi Compound, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area. But political

analysts have warned of dire consequences of under-rating the Yewa-born politician who is reputed to be enjoying the full support of the governors of Lagos, Oyo and Osun States. He is credited with the ability to spring a surprise and coast home to victory. Tolu Odebiyi He is the current Chief of Staff (COS) to the Ogun State Government. Born 55 years ago to the family of late Sen. Jonathan Odebiyi, a political icon and one of the political war-horses of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he is also pulling his weight to succeed the incumbent governor in office. The Iboro Yewa North Local Government-born aspirant is not expected to go far with his ambition, as relies heavily on his late father’s achievements and feels he could ride it to actualize his ambition. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi Adekunbi is the current speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly. He hails from Aiyetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state. The APC governorship aspirant is not a pushover in the contest for the plum job. His tenure, as a two-term (the longest serving speaker), is said to have received a major boost with the unalloyed support of the Governor. But it is feared that Adekunbi might end up being a pawn, for making himself a willing tool of approval for every bill that passes through the legislative arm. Bimbo Ashiru Ashiru is the current Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. The 54-year-old aspirant who is the Ogun East APC consensus governorship candidate is a native of Ijebu Ode. He is reputed to be one of the trusted and reliable kitchen cabinet members of the Amosun-led administration. As the commissioner in-charge of a sensitive ministry, he has brought an unprecedented turn-around, which has helped to shore up the IGR base of the state from the hitherto paltry sum of N730 million inherited in 2011 to N7 billion. He is the most favoured aspirant from Ogun East and he is said to be enjoying the full support of the influential and prominent indigenes of Ijebuland, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and other traditional rulers from Ijebu Remo axis. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

Budding Entrepreneurs Bolstered by the Next Titan, an entrepreneurial reality TV show sponsored by Heritage Bank Plc, business ideas of four young entrepreneurs have translated into productive outfits, writes Peter Uzoho

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Mr. Kyari Bukar; CEO, Primera African Securities Limited, Mrs Lilian Olubi; Next Titan Season four Winner, Mr. Kennedy Iyeh; Chairman/CEO, CPMS, Africa, Mr. Chris Parkes; Co-founder/CEO, Sahara Energy Group, Mr. Tonye Cole; and Executive Producer, Next Titan, Mr. Mide Kunle-Akinlaja, at the Next Titan Season four grand finale/prize presentation ceremony in Lagos...

K

ennedy Iyeh is a dark lanky lad; a graduate of Microbiology from the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State. He thinks and dreams business, and has a great business idea and vision. With his sight set on tapping into the huge opportunities in the country's agricultural space, Iyeh came up with a brand, Blue Leaf (herbs and spices). His plan is to use organic method of farming to produce raw materials for the production of cooking flavours – a well-thought-out means of helping to reduce health hazards. But how could Iyeh’s brilliant business idea come to fruition without the needed fund and mentorship, and without the right platform to market his idea? He was faced with confusion, discouragement, and the quit option. Fortunately, the Next Titan presented itself to him. The Next Titan, an entrepreneurial reality TV show provided an opportunity for this enterprising young lad to realise his dream. He participated at the Season Four of the show alongside thousands of his peers who also have amazing business ideas and skills, and emerged the winner. Iyeh went home with the star prize of N5 million courtesy of the chief sponsor, Heritage Bank, and a brand new Ford Ranger from Ford Motors. With this win, he has seen his business idea move from paper to factory. “It’s always very challenging venturing into a business without fund. I’ve been growing my interest in agriculture and its research while in Enugu hoping for an opportunity. So the N5 million I won at the Next Titan competition has helped me a lot in securing lands, getting premium seeds, and going a long way to establish an organic farm,” a relieved and excited Iyeh told THISDAY.

“The Ford Ranger has aided very much in logistics, especially shuttling Lagos to Ogun every week. It has also been helpful to me in getting clients and accessing contacts as it has boosted my status. Again, the car has also been helping in company branding,” he said. Iyeh has completed full registration and documentation of his company and its relocation to Lagos with farm site in Ogun.

It’s always very challenging venturing into a business without fund. I’ve been growing my interest in agriculture and its research while in Enugu hoping for an opportunity. So the N5 million I won at the Next Titan competition has helped me a lot in securing lands, getting premium seeds, and going a long way to establish an organic farm

“We acquired five acres of land and hope to acquire up to 20 acres by 2019. We have acquired the seeds needed for the farming season. We’re currently setting up and drilling borehole for irrigation of the farm.” With this boost, he has been able to provide jobs to about nine people including four permanent and five contract staff, and plans to provide job to more people in future. “Before the year runs out we should have up to 20 people working in the factory.” The young entrepreneur was not only empowered by the fund and the car, but by the quality mentorship and training he got from judges and top business executives during the course of the show. “The experience was mind blowing I must say. You get to experience a whole side to business and entrepreneurship. We were groomed to not know impossibility in business and I feel it is one key thing young entrepreneurs should learn. We spent 10 weeks in the house having to deliver different tasks, as each week came with its own task. We learnt the importance of team work, team structure, strategy, planning, business branding, marketing, and advertising,” Iyeh explained. He appreciated the organisers and sponsors for investing their time and resources on the valuable programme, and also thanked the Judges for their awesome mentorship and teachings. However, Iyeh is just the latest beneficiary of the show as there are three young entrepreneurs who had participated in the first three seasons, emerged winners, won same prizes and are equally doing very well in their respective entrepreneurial ventures with the aid of the resources and trainings from the show. Iroghama Ogbeifun, Davies Okeowo, and

Marvis Marshal Idio won the season one, two and three of the competition respectively. The mentorship, training and inspiration they got during their 10-week stay in the Next Titan house, from top business experts and captains of industry, really armed them to be real business titans. With these resources, they have been lifted from the position of dreamers to achievers. They have been lifted from the group of job seekers to job providers, thus adding significant value to the Nigerian economy. Ogbeifun, an enterprising young woman was crawling and wobbling in her business, and enveloped by confusion due to lack of fund and requisite mentorship before she took part in the maiden edition of Next Titan in 2013 and emerged winner. Today, she is living her dreams as she boasts of owning and running a very stable and fast growing hair care product manufacturing company, Hairven Limited, located in Lagos and Port Harcourt. The N5 million she won has enabled her to scale up her business. Hairven is currently the only synthetic hair care product manufacturing company in Nigeria located in Lagos, and is being marketed by Jumia. Ogbeifun has established in Lagos, ‘Reiki Spar’, one of the finest Spas in Lagos, and has opened a branch in Port Harcourt as well. The company is also working on a new range of hair care products and is billed for launch in the first quarter of 2019. In total, Hairven Limited has given jobs to over 35 people, both graduates and non-graduates. “It was a time in my life when I needed structure, guidance, and direction, and I got that at the Next Titan,” Ogbeifun told THISDAY. “It helped structure my abilities as an

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FEATURES entrepreneur. It helped structure my business, put me in touch with mentors who today played a very pivotal role in my business,” she recounted. “Once I left the Next Titan house with the money that I won, there was a bill sitting on my table which was about N4.9 million. So that N5 million immediately went into that. The inflow from that winning really added significantly to the growth of my business. It helped me to finish up manufacturing, brought in products and launched my brand officially in Lagos. And this happened within a space of six months,” the entrepreneur explained. She commended the organisers and sponsors of the show saying, “it takes a visionary to back a visionary. I want to say a very big thank you to Heritage Bank for funding this noble initiative. They are really doing a transformational work on the lives of many young Nigerians. I’ll like to encourage them to continue to be part of the success stories of young Nigerian entrepreneurs by supporting the Next Titan,” she added. Also, the dream of Davies Okeowo is already coming through. He is the founder/ Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Hills, a business consulting firm located in Lagos, which provides business development services and support to Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), through the use of modern technology. The N5 million and car he won at the Next Titan season two in 2015 has been instrumental to the growth of his business. Today, Okeowo has started justifying the huge investment on him by providing jobs to many people. He is currently training upcoming entrepreneurs in many areas of accounting, software, business development, and business strategies. His company has helped over 30 MSMEs to put proper structures in their businesses. “The Next Titan is an experience I will never forget because it was really instrumental in my journey as an entrepreneur,” he said. “The show itself has afforded me not only the resources but a platform to learn and grow to become a better entrepreneur,” he added. With such unusual benevolence, Okeowo sees it as an obligation to return gratitude to the deserved. “I give thanks to Heritage Bank, to Coscharis Ford Motors, to Sifax Group, and to all other sponsors for investing in me and others. Their decision to invest in the show, to support the show such as the Next Titan, is truly a remarkable one,” he noted. On her part, Marvis Marshal Idio who won the season three of the competition in 2016 has become a sensational young entrepreneur making waves in the country. The resources she won have facilitated operations in her brand, Jacmarvis Limited, a company involved in interior design and furniture manufacturing, using trash as raw material. Idio who believes in turning waste to wealth is now realising her dream after her encounter with the Next Titan. Her win at the show has made great difference in her business, moving it from a one man business to a company that has over 15 employees today. She has been able to acquire machineries needed for her business operation, and is now producing exquisite furniture in large quantities to meet growing demand. “Before I was using the manual process

Season two winner, Davies Okeowo

Next Titan Season one winner, Iroghama Ogbeifun

Season three winner, Marvis Marshal Idio

Titan Season four winner, Kennedy Iyeh

Some of the past winners

It was a time in my life when I needed structure, guidance, and direction, and I got that at the Next Titan. It helped structure my abilities as an entrepreneur. It helped structure my business, put me in touch with mentors who today played a very pivotal role in my business

and crude method to achieve result and I couldn’t do much. But now I have what I need to do my business,” she said. Last year, Idio had her first exhibition in Port Harcourt which was well-attended by interior decorators and users of such products from within and outside the country. Since the exhibition, her patronage has increased significantly. In her gratitude, Idio said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Heritage Bank for believing in the man and the group of people who came up with the vision of the Next Titan. It’s actually commendable what they have done. I would commend the organisers of the Next Titan show. “It’s a show that’s helping young Nigerians. It’s giving hope back to people. It’s really a source of inspiration to many Nigerian youths. I would also commend the judges and the other sponsors because it’s one thing to have an idea and it’s another thing to have someone who would buy into that idea.” Apart from these four winners, other entrepreneurs who participated in one

edition of the show or another recounted their wonderful experience. “I’m now a better entrepreneur,” Ronald Ajiboye, CEO of Auto Drone Center Limited,” told THISDAY. “I got the needed inspiration, mentorship and training from top business executives who were our judges at the Next Titan house. The show has taught me to be more focused, resilient and more businessminded each day I set out for my business.” For Akinola Toluwalope, Founder of Tsignature Bespoke Clothing Company, a high class fashion designing outfit, the show has opened her eyes to many opportunities in the world of entrepreneurship. “It was indeed an awesome experience. It really opened my eyes to see opportunities available for young entrepreneurs. Also, meeting face to face with the judges and, having them share their experiences with us really inspired me a lot. Above all, the trainings and mentorship offered to us, especially on business management, can never be forgotten,” Akinola said. Birthed in 2013 by a Nigerian entrepreneur,

Mide Kunle-Akinlaja, who is passionate about inspiring young Nigerians, the Next Titan project is aimed at helping the Nigerian youths to actualise their dreams of becoming future entrepreneurs and employers of labour. With Kunle-Akinlaja as the producer of the annual programme, Heritage Bank has been the chief sponsor, investing huge amount of money every year to ensure that entrepreneurs are raised through the platform. As one of its CSR projects, Coscharis Ford Motors has been partnering with the organisers of the programme in the donation of brand new Ford car to the winner of every season. Sifax Group and other corporate institutions have been supporting the initiative in different ways. Judges of the show are carefully selected captains of industry, among whom are: Mr. Kyari Bukar, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Mr. Tonye Cole, Co-founder/ CEO, Sahara Energy Group; Mr. Chris Parkes, Chairman/CEO, CPMS, Africa; and Mrs. Lilian Olubi, CEO, Primera African Securities Limited.

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Quick Takes Vandals of BEDC Cables Jailed Efforts by Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) to curb the menace of vandalism on its network have again received a boost with the sentencing of one Abdullahi Abubakar to two years of imprisonment by an Ondo Chief Magistrate court. The convict, along with two others -Abdullahi Nahalla and Mohammed Umoru - were arraigned before the magistrate court for vandalising an XLPE cable last October at 33/415 substation Awoyaya community, Oke-Oka in Ondo town. The Chief Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, sentenced Abubakar to two years imprisonment with effect from first date of arraignment, which was October 30, 2017, while the two other suspects who pleaded not guilty were still awaiting judgment. The case has been adjourned till June 22nd for further hearing.

MAX.NG Transforms Two-wheeled Taxis

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

L- R: CEO, Rand Merchant Bank Stockbrokers, Abiola Adekoya; CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; and, CEO, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria/Regional Head West Africa, Michael Larbie; during the closing gong ceremony to mark the 5th anniversary of the bank in Nigeria and the official launch of RMBN Stockbrokers in Lagos...recently

NEITI Moves to Enthrone Transparency in Extractive Sectors Chineme Okafor in Abuja All Nigerians would be able to know more about how the country’s oil, gas and solid minerals sectors operate without the usual practice of keeping away key information about the sectors’ earnings and remittances to the government from them anymore, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has declared. NEITI said this would be made possible through its new open governance framework – the NEITI dashboard, an online platform containing simplified

ECONOMY information about the operations of Nigeria’s extractive sectors. It explained that through the platform, the citizens would be able to finally own the extractive sector, contribute reasonably to debates about its governance and then push for its management for the good of the entire country and not a few. “This value-added product we have presented today aligns with our resolve to push the boundaries and expand the frontiers of openness and accountability,” the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mr. Waziri

Adio, said during the launch of the platform in Abuja. Adio further explained: “The second takeaway is that it is an effort to ensure that the actual owners of the natural resources and I mean Nigerians across the board, not just a few Nigerians, not just some Nigerian but Nigerians are the real owners. “So, it is a restorative exercise so to say, it is about restoring Nigerians as the rightful owners of their resources. “You may be wondering what I mean by this, but the fact is that you cannot truly own what you don’t know.” Providing reasons to back

NEITI’s decision to set up the platform, Adio stated: “The extractive sector remains not just the most critical sector of national life, but the collective property of all Nigerians. “It doesn’t belong to the government, it doesn’t belong to a few Nigerians, it doesn’t belong to some Nigerians, and it is the collective property of all Nigerians. And, Nigerians not only have the right to know but to truly own it by knowing it. “As you all know, this is a very technical field and the technical nature of the field Continued on page 22

Prepaid Meters: NERC Grants ‘No Objection’ Approval to Mojec International Ejiofor Alike The federal government’s efforts to supply prepaid meters to electricity consumers have received a boost as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted ‘No Objection’ approval to Mojec International Limited, a leading indigenous prepaid meter manufacturing company, as an approved asset provider under the new Meter Asset Provider (MAP) policy. This development was contained in a letter from NERC to the company, dated June 7,

ENERGY 2018 and with reference number: NERC/LLC/LU/2018/NC/342. The letter, which was signed by the NERC’s Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, noted that the approval was granted after the agency conducted its due diligence in line with the new policy and regulations of the Meter Asset Provider Scheme. The letter reads: “The Commission has conducted a due diligence on the supporting documents to your applica-

tion for a ‘No Objection’ in accordance with Section 8 of the Meter Assets Provider Regulations Act 2018.” “The initial due diligence did not reveal any adverse findings with the document submitted in support of your application for a ‘No objection’ and Mojec International is hereby granted a ‘No Objection’ to participate in the procurement process for MAPS in accordance with Section 8(4) of the Meter Assets Provider Regulations 2018,” the letter added. Commenting on NERC’S certification, the Managing

Director, Mojec International Limited, Ms. Chantelle Abdul commended the regulatory agency for the confidence reposed in the company as one of the companies to drive the MAP Scheme. Abdul stated that “the company being a proudly Nigerian manufacturer of world class standard meters, remains committed to the Nigerian vision and ever determined to deliver top quality products and services to its customers across the country.” Continued on page 22

MAX.NG, a logistics and transport firm in Lagos State, has restated its commitment to provide motoring business to reduce unemployment in Nigeria. Co-founder of the company, Chinedu Azodoh, said in a statement recently that the company entered into partnership with Bajaj to achieve its objective of transforming Africa’s two-wheeled taxis. “The reception has been massive, we are doing close to three thousand rides a day within Lagos alone. What we do predominantly is transport people from the Mainland to the Island and vice versa, so because we have taken the initiative to use Lagos State requirement of motorcycle usage, we partner with companies like Bajaj to make high quality, stronger, safer 200cc or 220 cc motorcycles that can move freely on the highway,” he said.

ReadyBargains Unveils Online Platform SReadyBargains online business has launched an online platform to allow Nigerians who love shopping online visit shops online, make purchases and get them delivered to their choice locations. “Our goal is to meet the needs of different classes of people looking for good bargains,” the Chairman, ReadyBargains, Don Okhuofu said during the launch of the platform recently. “Customers using our platform have access to shop from different UK and US stores using a single cart and a $10 off cart coupon available to the first basket checked out by every customer. “The products are delivered to our customers across the country at their door steps of collection points of their choices,” Okhuofu said.

CIIN Gets e-Library The outgoing President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Funmi Babington-Ashaye, has set up an electronic -library for the institute. Ashaye, who will soon bow out as 48th president of the institute, said the donation was part of her achievements in office among other innovations her regime brought to the institute which stands as the educational arm of the insurance industry. The library, sitting on the third floor of the institute’s head office on Lagos Street in Ebute-Meta, is equipped with facilities, comparable to what can be found in the library of other insurance institutes abroad. Babington-Ashaye, who was speaking during the unveiling of the e-library said: “The coming on board of the library was a fulfillment of my vision to provide a conducive study center in the secretariat, where members can come in to do research, and deepen their knowledge.

The government sits on the boards of all the Discos and some Gencos. Government’s role as a participant, facilitator and enabler must be clarified and aligned for results to ensue.

GMD, Sahara Power Group Mr. Kola Adesina

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NEITI MOVES TO ENTHRONE TRANSPARENCY IN EXTRACTIVE SECTORS

German Firms Generate $1bn Annual Turnover, Employ 10,000 Nigerians

also imposes and reinforces exclusion because it is very technical, it is only those who know about it that can be part of the conversation, it is only those who know about it that can come to the table and make a reasonable argument.” He added: “Our goal with this product, is to foster inclusion and ownership by constantly demystifying this sector. “It also accords with our work, for EITI to achieve its purpose of reducing poverty, promoting development and reversing resource curse, there is need for robust public engagement and debate. “It is not enough for us to say we have published reports, and they have been republished that the change we want to come will come. The change will come when we intimately engage ourselves and debates about the best way to use the resources.”

The Head, Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (DGIC), Dr. Marc Lucassen has said German companies operating in Nigeria currently generate an annual turnover of $1 billion He also disclosed that efforts were being made to ensure that more German investors come into Nigeria to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the country. Lucassen, said the companies, which provide direct employment to about 10,000 Nigerians and operate in all sectors of the economy, are here to stay. The delegate of DGIC stated this at a press conference to announce the seventh edition of the German-Nigerian Business Forum (GNBF) scheduled to hold from June 20 to 21, 2018 in Lagos. “The Germany business community is here in Nigeria to slowly grow and we are here to stay. We will not go because of economic crises. We are here for the good times and bad times. “We are covering all sectors, from finance, infrastructure, energy, automobile, to information technology. So the Germany firms are in all sectors and our target is to scale up this presence and in order to do this, our job as bilateral organisation is to provide the platform of activities for Germany investors to come here, look at the place, get a feel of the environment and start to invest,” he said. However, Lucassen noted

PREPAID METERS: NERC GRANTS ‘NO OBJECTION’ APPROVAL TO MOJEC INTERNATIONAL

“MOJEC not only remains a major stakeholder in the Metering arm of the Nigerian power sector but intends to continue to serve Nigerians and the electricity distribution companies by participating in the MAP program & ensuring that all Nigerians reserve the much desired meters,” she added. NERC approved the applications of some private firms and consortia that applied to become meter providers in its new meter regulatory framework, the MAP scheme. The approved firms had all been issued certificates of ‘No Objection’ by NERC to participate in meter procurement process which is expected to help the 11 electricity distribution companies bridge the wide metering gaps in their networks as well as end the regime of estimated electricity bills, better known as ‘crazy bills.’.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

Goddy Egene

that for more foreign investors to invest in Nigeria, domestic investors must show the way by investing in the country. “Foreign investors will come if they see that Nigerian investors are investing as well. Although there are already German firms in Nigeria, what we also are interested in is to partner Nigerian investors and to co-finance Nigerian investors because this will tell German investors that

Nigerian believe in their own economy,” he said. Speaking on the business forum, Lucassen said the theme is: “Leveraging Partnership for Economic Growth,” explaining that it would extensively highlight the importance and implementation of partnership at different levels and sectors for both Nigeria and Germany. “Over the years, there have been initiatives to establish a collaborative and mutually

beneficial bi-lateral relationship across broad-ranging sectors including diplomacy, security as well as trade and investment. “The GNBF, which holds alternately in Germany and Nigerian-Germany Business Association and Afrika-Verein der Deutschen Wirtschaft back in 2007,” he said. According to him, the twoday event would focus on key sectors such as agribusiness

and food processing; energy with a special focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency; infrastructure and access to finance; digitisation and start-ups; technical vocational education and training. Lucassen also disclosed that the event would feature panel discussions by different experts and stakeholders on the opportunities, challenges and latest developments in those fields.

RECOGNITION

L-R: Director of Operations, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr.Abdulhamid Umar; Mr. Adekunle Yusuf, Modupe Adeoyo and Oluwanifesimi Odedina, all of Digital Banking Unit, Sterling Bank Plc, receiving the 2018 Digital PayExpo awards in Lagos… recently

PNG Achieves One Million Man-hours LTI-free Operation Ejiofor Alike PNG Gas Limited, a subsidiary of Gas Train Limited, has stated that it has achieved operational safety of one million man-hours without lost-time incident (LTI) at its Egbaoma Gas Processing Plant located at Ebedei, Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State. Lost Time Incident or Injury (LTI) is a measure of injury or incident that occurs on a job that is capable of preventing a worker from performing or continuing with his or her task resulting in downtime in the operation. It is an oil and gas industry benchmark that evaluates adherence to safety and environmental requirements during operations. According to a statement by the company, the operational safety milestone it achieved in January 2018, was a demonstration of its conformity with oil and gas industry best practices. This achievement, the management said, was made possible through the joint efforts and hard work of the entire workforce. Speaking on the achievement, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Bolaji Ogundare, said the achievement was a reflection of how best the company had excelled.

“It shows the degree of excellence in our strategy, organisational leadership, process systems and health, safety and environment (HSE) culture, despite the business challenges in today’s economy,” he said, just as he enjoined the management to maintain the record. Also speaking, the promoter of Gas Train and a Director in PNG Gas Limited, Mr. Charles Osezua, stated that the safety landmark was achieved by God’s grace and the well thought out process the company was built on. He commended the effort of the management of PNG for their adherence to the industry procedure and practice that ensured the investors’ vision was kept alive. Osezua, who is also the Chairman of Owel-Linkso Group said: “We are excited to have partnered with African Capital Alliance (ACA) and look forward to achieving the objectives of Gas Train.” Furthermore, he reiterated that ACA was still ready to support future Gas Train project development initiatives for the greater development of the country. Recalling his past project experience on the Greater Lagos Natural Gas Distribution Pipeline Project, Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline phase II project,

amongst others, he said his team wouldn’t have done less considering the calibre of personnel that were seconded to the project from Owel-Linkso Group. In his remark, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Gabriel

Ilenreh, stated that the total man-hours that culminated in achieving the one million zero LTI operation was the overall man-hours for carrying out the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and transiting into

operational phase of Egbaoma Gas Processing Plant. He said PNG was enthusiastic to leave its footprints in the energy space. He also expressed gratitude to the company’s shareholders for their unwavering support.

FG, John Deere Sign MoU to Supply 10,000 Tractors Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has given a boost to mechanised farming in the country by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanisation and Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) and John Deere, to supply 10,000 tractors to rural farmers across the country. The MoU to engage John Deere was signed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh; the Director General of NAMEL, Dr Hammed Adekunle; and the Managing Director, SubSaharan Africa of John Deere, Jason Brantley. Through the agreement, John Deere would set up assembling plants for tractors in the country. The tractors would be delivered through 2,500 Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHE). Ogbeh, underscored the

need by farmers to improve relationship with John Deere to boost agriculture in the country and tackle the repeated failures in the past to address challenges of mechanised farming. “If you want to know how difficult it is to own and operate a tractor, try and buy one. Tractors Owners and Hiring Facility Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN) achieved a feat by increasing the number of tractors from five to almost 600m. “We have invented something because I do not see any country in Africa that wants to grow its agriculture that can avoid adopting the method have perfected in the last four years,” Ogbeh said He appealed to John Deere which has been involved in mechanised farming in Africa since 1878, to take advantage of federal government plan to revive the steel industry in the country by setting up assembling and fabrication plants.

Brantley noted that John Deere would in line with the MoU deploy world class mechanised equipment to the farmers with support from the AEHE . “Plans are afoot to as quickly as possible begin to assemble all the tractors and implements by Nigerians in line with our agreement. We will also offer local currency financing under 10 per cent which is almost unheard of. “The reliability and support is built into the machines so that they run – tractors don’t run or feed anybody, they have to run and it takes a significant investment we prepared to make that a reality. “Every of these tractors will have hello tractor telematics solutions to enable efficient management, operation and maintenance. We have plans to train the operators and technicians. That’s what we are bringing to the table,” Brantley said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Fresh Tussle over Right to Sell Electricity in Ariaria Market The dispute over who owns the right to distribute electricity in Ariaria market did not start today, but the federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission may have introduced a new twist in the fight, reports Chineme Okafor. Shortly after the federal government concluded its privatisation of successor distribution networks created from the unbundling of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), and handed over the Enugu electricity distribution company (Disco) to its preferred bidder – Interstate Electrics, a court case challenging its action over two business units of the network – Ariaria and Aba, emerged. Basically, the legal action instituted by Geometrics Aba Power Limited, contested the government’s handover of the two business units to Interstate, despite a reported existing pact between it and the government, in which it was agreed that Geometrics would build a 188 megawatts (MW) capacity gas turbine power plant at the Osisioma area of Abia state, and distributes its output exclusively to Ariaria and Aba business units for a specified period – about 25 years. The project was scheduled to come in two phases, with the first phase been a 141MW plant and the next, a 47MW plant. The 141MW has reportedly been completed by Geometric with a 27 kilometres gas pipeline connected to the plant from Owaza near Imo River, and more than 100 kilometres of 33kV and 11kV electricity lines. Accordingly, the agreement signed between the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the Nigerian authorities and Geometrics in 2005 or thereabout, specified that the arrangement upon which Geometrics sourced for and obtained funds for its construction of the power plant would remain enforceable or operational despite the government’s planned privatisation program. It chiefly carved out Ariaria and Aba business units of the Enugu Disco from the its entire coverage areas which included all the five eastern states of the country, and handed them over to Geometrics to invest in distribution infrastructure and supply electricity to consumers under it, perhaps at a tariff agreed with the country’s power sector regulator – the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Based on this, Geometrics from a 2013 visit to its power plant in Osisioma, and the distribution areas by THISDAY, reportedly invested in the upgrade and replacement of some distribution facilities in the two business areas. Its chairman and former power minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji, told THISDAY then that Aba had just only three distribution sub-stations that belonged to the PHCN when Geometrics began its revamp of the networks, and that these could not sustain adequate power distribution within the area. Nnaji, explained then that the firm began to build four new 2X15MVA substations in the area to bring the total number to seven, in addition to a 60MVA substation built at the power station. He also stated that a load audit was conducted by Geometrics to discover that over time, the exclusive networks would be needing 156MW of electricity at peak demand levels. He also stated that tariff to be charged by the independent power plant will not be different from whatever the country’s regulator approved for other on-grid power plant, adding that the investment economics of the plant had factored in the need to maintain such tariff framework. But somehow, the government sidestepped the 2005 agreement and included both areas in the network it handed over to Interstate, thus necessitating Geometrics’ legal action against it. A long legal contest ensued So, for years – between 2013 and 2016, both Geometrics and Interstate engaged in a court case that sought to determine who owned the right to distribute electricity in the areas. Their legal warfare continued with the NERC failing to find a solution. The regulatory commission though initiated some regulatory mediatory steps, and at a time attempted to conduct a public hearing on the issue, perhaps with the intention of democrati-

Fashola cally deciding the best solution to the quagmire apparently created by the government when it at first failed to adhere to or amend the exclusive distribution service agreements it reportedly signed with Geometrics. However, after the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, which snubbed the reported agreement with Geometrics handed over power to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the legal action still unresolved, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made a fresh drive to end the issue and invited both parties to settle out of court. Arguing on the strength of Nigerians needing the power that Geometrics would generate from its plant in Osisioma, had Osinbajo, requested that both parties fashion out a win-win solution to the issue. He also asked them to sign a fresh pact within which they will cooperate and make the most of their investments. A spanner in the works But before the two parties completed or even begun implementing their negotiation, the government through its Rural Electrification Agency (REA) opted to build a 9.5MW embedded power plant to generate and distribute electricity to the Ariaria Market, despite the existing contention. Through its Energising Economies Programme (EEP), the REA decided to build power systems that would power major markets in the country, basically to ensure they remain productive. It chose to start with Sabon Gari Market in Kano; Ariaria in Abia; Somolu Printing Community and Sura Shopping Complex, both in Lagos. For Ariaria, which Geometrics and Enugu Disco still contested who owned the right to distribute electricity to, the government further made its situation difficult when the NERC issued new generation and distribution licences to Ariaria Independent Energy Distribution Network Limited (AIEDN). AIEDN, according to Enugu Disco, is registered as a private firm with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and reportedly represented the interests of REA and other private financiers in a special purpose vehicle (SPV) format. Despite the NERC’s claim of public interest as the reasons for its decision to give new operational licenses on the disputed distribution cluster area, Enugu Disco and Geometrics have said it was unfair and wrong to have done that. The Disco told THISDAY that NERC’s issuance of licences to AIEDN was despite an

existing court order against the construction of the power plant. The Head of Communications at Enugu Disco, Mr. Emeka Eze, indicated NERC was unfair in its management of the situation, adding that such unfair regulatory practice was a threat to investment in the power sector. “The truth of the matter is that the area is our franchise area, and the construction that is being carried out, we had petitioned the NERC and we also got an injunction for them to stop work. NERC was a party to this, NERC was duly served. We are surprised, and at the same time disappointed at the development,” Eze said. He explained that: “The matter is already in court and we will rely on the court to do the right thing. The regulator we ran to to do the right thing ignored us and went ahead to do this.” “It is strange that NERC had to issue this license despite the pendency of a suit by EEDC on which it (NERC) was made a party and duly served,” he added. Eze, said before the NERC’s re-award of the license, the Discos had initiated a negotiation with the REA on the premise that the government still maintained 40 per cent shares in its business, but discovered from its search at the CAC that AIEDN was a private enterprise with convoluted shareholdings comprising of several companies and shareholders. “In fact, what had been assumed was a government initiative by REA metamorphosed into a purely private sector business detailing the names of a chain of companies and shareholders. Furthermore, EEDC is not aware of any transparent procurement process by REA that assigned the project, which was ostensibly conceptualised and funded by the government, to private developers,” Eze, stated. Similarly, a reliable source in Geometrics who preferred not to be mentioned, told THISDAY that a meeting of all parties was called up by NERC when the development first came up and they complained alongside Enugu Disco, but REA reportedly failed to show up at the meeting. The source further explained that the NERC therefore promised to reconvene the meeting with the assurance that REA will be part of it. That meeting, he noted didn’t take place before the NERC went ahead to issue the fresh licenses. He expressed regrets that the regulatory commission could take such position on a matter that has remained disputed for years

now and thus needed a fine closure. NERC’s 2012 regulation called to question Following from this, Enugu Disco has maintained its rights to distribute electricity to Ariaria has been violated by the new licensee. It also noted that by its license to AIEDN, NERC had sidestepped its 2012 regulation on independent electricity distribution network. The 2012 regulations provided the standard rules for the issuance of distribution licenses to qualified operators and licensees to engage in electricity distribution, independent of the distribution system operated by Discos. NERC in that regulation stated that an independent distributor may be an isolated off-grid rural Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN); isolated off-grid urban IEDN; or embedded IEDN. It further stated that it would grant a license to an IEDN it is satisfied that there is no existing distribution system within the geographical area to be served by the proposed independent distribution system and the infrastructure of an existing distribution licensee is unable to meet the demand of customers in the area. The commission also said in the 2012 document that an IEDN must undertake in writing that the facility of the existing distribution licensee will not be used in its operations; ensure that there are no parallel overhead lines to the existing facility; ensure the safety of equipment, workers and the public; as well as ensure that its minimum distribution capacity shall be 5000kW. However, Eze said Enugu Disco had made investments in Ariaria’s distribution networks, thus accusing NERC of being unfair to it. “AIEDN Limited encroached and trespassed on EEDC’s distribution licensed coverage area by illegally constructing distribution lines without a license nor the authorisation of EEDC. “This act is in clear contravention of the regulatory provision that no company can set up a distribution network within a franchise area of a distribution company where there is already an existing and active distribution facility in the area.” “Furthermore, there are various conditions to be fulfilled for an intending applicant under the NERC Independent Electricity Distribution Network Regulations, 2012 and the NERC Regulations for Mini-Grids, 2016. These conditions however do not appear to have been fulfilled by the applicants,” he added.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Strengthening Surveillance at Seaports Jonathan Eze examines issues surrounding the suspension of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control from the country’s seaports some years back In 2011, in an attempt to decongest the seaports and facilitate the clearance of goods, the Federal Government of Nigeria reduced the number of agencies at the seaports and sent away National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) among other agencies to carry out their statutory responsibilities outside the seaports. The two agencies and others have since operated outside the seaports and only participate in examination of cargo on “invitation”. In trying to fulfil their mandates, some of the agencies have since resorted to apprehending containers on the highways with its attendant dangers to the personnel involved, security agencies supporting them and other road users. This is especially so, in cases where the suspected cargo/truck drivers are unwilling to submit to being checked or trying to escape. The agencies operating outside the seaports also comb warehouses and markets with not much success as the substandard products syndicates are known to operate efficient distribution networks that spread their deadly consignments across various markets nationwide, once they exit the seaports and other entry points successfully. What has happened since then in terms of influx of substandard products into Nigeria is better not imagined. The continuous influx of substandard products into Nigeria has made mess of the country’s industrialisation efforts, with the associated challenges of infrastructure faced by local manufacturers. Successive governments in Nigeria have expressed concern about inflow of foreign direct investment, local investment and remarkable increase in utilisation of installed capacity by local manufacturers as a way of tackling provision of gainful employment. They have also taken deliberate and elaborate steps to attract the much-needed investments into the country. All such steps that have been taken are rubbished by the continuous and unfettered inflow of substandard and life endangering products into Nigeria. The challenge of Nigeria’s porous land borders are well known to all and sundry, yet the bulk of imported products (albeit, substandard and life endangering products) come into the country through the seaports. The seaports thus remain the most strategic points of arresting or apprehending the bulk of suspected imported substandard products into Nigeria. The approved HS Codes for verification of imported products delineates responsibilities among the government agencies for quality verification and apprehension of contraband goods. Therein lays the dilemma of the the country between efforts at facilitating trade and prevention of dumping of substandard and life endangering products on the country and its people. Every agency of government has their responsibilities defined under the acts of parliament that set them up. The responsible authorities for trade facilitation and goods clearance should allow each perform their statutory functions without hindrances. The recent publication by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) on the agencies allowed to operate at the ports and the furore it has generated is needless and negative to efforts at attracting foreign investments. Prospective investors will be most concerned about the security of the proposed investment which cannot be guaranteed by the unfettered inflow of substandard, counterfeited and life endangering products. The Nigeria Customs Service and NAFDAC for example cannot perform the functions of SON in products verification and neither can SON and NAFDAC perform those of the Customs and vice versa. The best interest of the country and its people should underline decisions on trade

Lagos Seaport, Apapa facilitation and the clearance of goods at the nation’s entry points. A committed, effective and transparent deployment of ICT is the solution to the challenges of trade facilitation and goods clearance at the entry points. In the meantime, responsible and lawfully designated agencies should be allowed to operate at the seaports and other entry points in accordance with their respective mandates. Procedures for clearance of goods by all the agencies should be harmonised and synchronised using modern ICT infrastructure and facilities. These are the only ways to show commitment to the government’s efforts at attracting foreign and local direct investment, improving capacity utilisation of Nigerian manufacturers, providing continuous job opportunities and preventing the country from dumping of substandard products and choking of the Nigerian economy out of steady growth. Affirming this stance and conviction, the Senate Committee on Industry has also declared that the absence of SON at the nation’s sea ports has not been in accordance with global best practices. According to the law makers, the directive ordering SON out of the port was a complete violation of the Act establishing the standards body, stressing that the law specifies SON to be at the points of entry to monitor goods coming into the shores of the country. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator. Sam Egwu, at an oversight function to SON offices and laboratories in Lagos last week said: “Their absence at the ports accounts for the influx of substandard goods into the country. The agency that has the duty to check against the influx of these goods is not allowed to operate at the ports. We feel this is an aberration. It is not right, it is also against the law and we are going to take it up. I am sure the appropriate authority of the highest level might not be aware of this. SON is vital to safeguard the country from these substandard goods. Take for example tyres

today, we have so many fake tyres plying the Nigerian roads and this is one of the reasons why we have so many accidents on our roads because these products enter our markets without proper monitoring.” He, however, scored the agency high for the judicious use of its 2017 budgetary allocation, stating that the commendation was a call to duty for SON not to relent on its efforts in its quest to sanitise the Nigerian markets. “We have seen other laboratories in China, Kenya, Tanzania. I think what we are seeing here is something we are proud of. The laboratories we have seen being installed here are commendable. We are commending you, but you still have a lot to do and must not rest on your oars. So far we are satisfied with what we have seen. We are going to come again to see the progress from what you have achieved today. Also, a member of the committee, Senator Jibrin Barau, said the Senate would do everything to encourage SON due to its vital role in safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, saying that the impact of SON would also be vital for the growth of the nation’s local industries. “Undue advantages give fake products edge over quality products and it is a very serious matter where only a body like SON can help to address. I think they are doing well. I am happy that they are getting facilities to make them operational and more effective in the country,” he said. Barau added: “It is really surprising to see that SON is absent at the ports in view of the functions they undertake in the laws establishing the agency. It is clear that their absence is against international best practices and no country allows it borders to be open to all sorts of goods without checking them. I think this is a big aberration. We will continue to put pressure so that you will not relent on your effort to keep Nigeria safe.” Earlier, the Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, said SON had made steady progress over the years under the leadership of the

Senate Committee. “We have never had it so good under any committee in the history of SON, not only did you bequeath a befitting SON Act, we have also been able to discharge most of our core mandates. I am also proud to tell the world that the issue of possession and co-ownership of the building where our operational office in Lekki is situated has been resolved in favour of SON due to your able leadership, “he said. “We remain grateful for what you have done for us in terms of funding, we want to also seek your counsel to help us to discharge our core mandate of standardisation and quality assurance. I pray this will be the first of many more visits to SON,” he added. The Senate Committee members taken to SON’s one-stop office in Apapa and its multi-billion laboratory complex in Ogba which is expected to have about 38 laboratories dedicated for testing life endangering items and food. “We are ready to take up the challenges that come with standardisation and quality assurance. We have capacity for infinite possibilities, our laboratories are state-of-the-art, our personnel are world class and competitive with other global standards bodies. We still need your continuous guidance and support for us to stand out among other regulatory agencies,” he assured. “We were ordered out of the ports because of some obvious reasons and it will also interest you to know that some of the reasons no longer exist and government in their wisdom has started returning some agencies to the ports. We are ready to go back at any time whenever we are called upon. We still have faith in the government, we are still committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, but we will do better if we are better repositioned because we have capacity to take on any responsibility that has to do with safeguarding the Nigerian populace through quality assurance,” the SON helmsman maintained.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Poor Land Use Costs Countries 9% Equivalent of GDP, Says UN Report As humanity commemorates the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), observed every year on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification, Nigeria and other African countries are among global communities that have been warned by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) through land degradation. Bennett Oghifo reports The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) warns that the global economy will lose a whopping USD23 trillion by 2050 through land degradation, a review by. To take urgent action now and halt these alarming trends would cost USD4.6 trillion – only a fraction of the predicted losses. The outcomes of the review have been assembled into comprehensive and easy-to-use Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Country Profiles, of which 21 are already available online. The LDN Country Profiles reveal that average losses for these 21 countries are equivalent to 9 per cent of GDP. This figure is even higher for some of the planet’s worst affected countries, such as the Central African Republic, where the total losses are estimated at a staggering 40 per cent. Asia and Africa bear the highest costs, estimated at USD84 billion and 65 billion per year respectively. “The WDCD is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality (LDN) is achievable through problem solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels. The Day was declared by the United

Nations General Assembly in 1994. Many countries, groups and individuals celebrate and observe WDCD by organizing a variety of outreach activities and awareness raising events. “To further increase the impact of WDCD, the UNCCD Secretariat invites Country Parties to the Convention, United Nation’s organizations, civil society organizations, international and non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to draw attention to land issues and educate the public about effective methods of achieving LDN on 17 June,” said the UN agency. “Healthy land is the primary asset that supports livelihoods around the globe – from food to jobs and decent incomes. Today, we face a crisis of unseen proportions: 1.5 billion people – mainly in the world’s most impoverished countries – are trapped on degrading agricultural land. This reality is fuelling extreme poverty, particularly in areas such as the Sahel and South Asia, where extreme and erratic weather events are on the rise due to the impacts of climate change,” said Juan Carlos Mendoza, Managing Director of the UNCCD Global Mechanism.

setting process, formulating targets and associated measures to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation. For example, the Central African Republic, has committed to restore more than 1 million hectares of degraded land – equal to 15 percent of its territory – which will limit its potential losses and economic burden nationwide. “The LDN Country Profiles provide policy-makers with easily accessible and scientifically sound information that can help estimate the value of their investments in land restoration and make informed choices on the economic returns they can expect from taking

assertive action now. Moreover, the profiles illustrate the equivalent monetary value of land degradation and its impact on the international community, while providing strong incentives for cooperation among countries,” Mendoza adds. A broader picture of the economic costs of failing to act decisively and restore available land resources will emerge as additional country profiles are released. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities and countries create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food, clean water and energy by ensuring land users an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 parties set up robust systems to manage drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss.

be serviced, will have wide paved roads, play-areas, large walkways and recreational facilities with a guarantee of constant electricity. While comparing the Fairmont Lekki offer to similar developed and serviced plots, a survey of housing estate prices in the Lekki area revealed that a similar serviced plot of land of the same standard around the Lekki-Ajah area goes for as high as twenty million naira while a plot of Fairmont

land is being sold at twelve million eight hundred naira (excluding ancillary charges) with opportunity of installment payment which starts with N640 000 while others are doing one-off payments which are not suitable to the cash-flow of salary earners who desire a share in the thriving prospect of the Lekki corridor. Above this, the price is currently being driven by a promo and will revert to 16.8 million naira at the end of the promo.

Participant at an inception workshop on National Target Setting to Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality in Africa, held in Konya, Turkey… recently

The LDN Country Profiles aim to help guide policy decisions on land use management. The profiles are based largely on the analytical work undertaken by the Center for Development Research of the University of Bonn, the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative and the International Food Policy Research Institute. Globally, 169 countries are affected by land degradation and/or drought. Of these, 116 countries are committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) under the UNCCD LDN Target-Setting Programme that supports countries in reaching target 15.3

of the Sustainable Development Goals. Target 15.3, on Land Degradation Neutrality, encourages countries to halt land degradation in order to ensure the quantity of productive land remains stable. The target is now also recognised as vital for accelerating other SDGs, such as: Goal 1 (No poverty), Goal 2 (Zero hunger), Goal 5 (Promote gender equality), Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth), and Goal 13 (Climate action). The 21 countries whose profiles have been released today are also engaged in the LDN target

Propertymart Promotes Flexible Buy at Fairmont Estate Propertymart, a property development company, has embarked on an aggressive development of its Fairmont Estate on the Sangotedo axis of Lekki and is offering affordable land for sale with a flexible payment structure. According to the Managing Director of Propertymart, Mr. Deji Fasuwon the project is designed for the young and upwardly mobile, who are looking for good and affordable value in the Lekki corridor, but do not have bulk sum to deposit for land, “or pay cut-throat prices or be left at the mercy of land-grabbers via the antics of traditional land owners – the Omo-onile.” The company, he said would achieve this through a social enterprise strategy, launched recently, which it aptly calls the “Housing Revolution,” designed to intensify the strategy with the Fairmont land sale. On the company’s Housing Revolution, Fasuwon said the need to encourage more persons to acquire their own properties at an affordable price under a flexible arrangement, a key-thrust of the Housing Revolution which the company is championing, is the reason for the Fairmont land sale deal. He stated that with this deal, subscribers will be able to save over N4 million and pay over a five year period for premium land asset which is

being delivered at an amazingly affordable price. Fasuwon explained that the company was beginning its Housing Revolution from the Lekki corridor, because of fast-pace development on that axis. “Given the place of the Lekki corridor as the fastest growing corridor in West Africa, Propertymart believes that to create a business corridor where everyone is welcome, there is need to critically look at affordable and decent housing on the corridor, Propertymart’s entry into the Lekki corridor is to catalyst the creation of inclusive development for all strata of persons that would take advantage of the economic boom being expected in the axis due to the various infrastructural projects ongoing there. “We want to avail affordable and accessible housing to accommodate the volume of influx expected in this vicinity in the next couple of years given the envisaged business and economic infrastructure on the corridor. We are banking on our know-how in the area of the provision of affordable and comfortable housing as evident in the past work we have done on similar estates scattered across Nigeria.” Fasuwon, while unveiling the direction of the company’s Housing Revolution said, “The thrust of our Housing Revolu-

tion is hinged on three critical things, the first is the provision of needed infrastructure such as roads, walk-ways, recreational facilities and security in order to have a serene living community with space and splendor. “The second is the availability of premium land and housing to the average middle-class Nigerian hence the convenient payment option with five-year tenor. The third critical consideration is affordability – through creating unique products which are not priced out of the reach of working class Nigerians.” According to him, there are several benefits in investing in the Lekki corridor. “If you look at the Lekki corridor which is dubbed the new Lagos because of the Free Trade Zone, Sea Port, the Airport, the Dangote Refinery and other big-ticket projects coming there and the fact that everything on the Mainland and Island is moving there now, it is just wise that people should take advantage of the Fairmont land sale promo.” He further stated that with the ongoing Fairmont land-sale in Lekki, Propertymart is steadily reversing the country’s housing deficit, especially in an area most Nigerians believed is out of their reach.” On the benefits of the Fairmont Lekki offer, Fasuwon said, “Though payment can be made

at once by those who prefer the one-off payment option, there is opportunity for payment in installment spread across a five-year period with just six hundred and forty thousand naira (N640,000) initial deposit.” Beyond the issue of access and affordability, the company is also pushing safety, security and style as advantages of the Fairmont Lekki offer given the fact that the land is being offered not only at an unbeatably price, the estate, which will

NCF Celebrates WED with Arts Exhibition Bennett Oghifo In commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED) 2018, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) organised an inter-school arts exhibition and hosted key stakeholders in the plastic industries for a session of deliberation. The event, which took place at Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos recently, was sponsored by Exxon Mobil and supported by IHS Towers, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nigerian Bottling Company Plc and Nestle Water Nigeria, a ccording to a statement by NCF’s Director General, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano. The activities were organised to enable students to

showcase their creative abilities in turning plastics waste into arts and crafts while learning about ways the government and other stakeholders are helping to reduce its production and adverse effect on the people. WED is an environmental awareness programme aimed at promoting environmental education, ingenuity, teamwork and general environmental friendliness among children and youths. The theme for this year Beat Plastic Pollution, urges all to adopt more than a single use of plastics. NCF has over the years used WED to grow environmental literacy among the youths and the students. Avenue is usually created for the participants to

individually or collectively develop solutions to current environmental challenges. The arts exhibition is an idea about up-cycling (converting waste plastics to arts and craft) rather than recycling. NCF encouraged stakeholders involved in the production and consumption of plastics, as well as the policy makers to jointly explore sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, to urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastics polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health. Plastic pollution involves the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Adesina: Africa Contributes Only 2-3% of GHG, but Suffers More impacts of Climate Change Bennett Oghifo President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi A. Adesina has stated that “Africa contributes no more than 2-3% of greenhouse gas emissions, but suffers disproportionately from the negative impacts of climate change. All across Africa, you see today the high frequency of droughts. Africa has been shortchanged by the climate financing architecture. Therefore, we need instruments that will help mitigate climate risks.” Adesina stated this as he and the Bank’s Board of Governors held a high-level session on “Climate and Disaster Risk Financing” focusing on the Role of the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi) in Busan, Korea, recently. The high-level session, part of the 53rd African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Busan, Korea, provided a platform for African Ministers of Finance,

the Economy and Planning, who form its Board of Governors, to extend ongoing discussions between the Bank and regional member countries on the importance of disaster risk financing solutions in building resilience and protecting development gains. Pledging Bank support for ARC operations, he encouraged others to follow suit. “It must not be only about the African Development Bank,” he said. “We want more stakeholders to join and more partnerships to make sure that the financing mechanism is there.” “The future of Africa depends on the actions we take today. And we have to have a sense of urgency. If we pump in the alliance and partnerships needed, countries will be able to insure themselves of risks.” Reiterating the challenges of climate change in Africa, especially the continent’s vulnerability to droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and outbreak and epidemics, ARC Chairperson Ngozi OkonjoIweala stated that ARC is

about African countries taking charge of their own issues and finding ways to finance their response efforts and broader resilience and development. “We cannot remain a continent that is reliant on the generosity of the broader development community.” She highlighted the critical role the ADRiFi will play in promoting disaster risk financing on the continent and how countries can access both capacity building and premium financing as part of their long-term resilience building efforts. The Bank and ARC formalized their partnership

In March 2017 to strengthen their technical collaboration towards enhancing the risk management infrastructure and policy across Africa while supporting countries in building resilience against climate shocks. Following requests from regional member countries for premium financing support, the Bank proposed the ADRiFi program, which will run from 2018-2022, as a comprehensive, sustainable solution for risk transfer within the broader context of disaster risk management. ADRiFi aligns with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy

by enhancing resilience and response to climate shocks in regional member countries by improving the management of natural disaster risk and adaptation to climate change. The Bank’s Board of Governors shared a common resolve and readiness to galvanize efforts and resources to help regional member countries improve their capacity to plan, prepare, and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters so as to safeguard food security for Africa’s vulnerable populations. The livelihoods of more than 70% of Africans depend on

farming. A critical component of the High 5 Agenda of the African Development Bank is “Feed Africa” and hinges on unlocking the potential of agriculture. Most agricultural activity in Africa is rain-fed, making it susceptible to the vagaries of climate change and natural disasters. ARC deploys innovative mechanisms and customized financial tools to help member countries reduce the risk of loss and damage caused by extreme weather events and natural disasters in a timely, cost-effective, objective and transparent manner.

COAS Tells Army Housing to Put on Hold Apple Island Development Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Brutai has asked the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) to put on hold its proposed Apple Island development. The NAPL planned to build its Apple Island development on a piece of land reclaimed from the Lagoon on the south side of Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos. The COAS’ intervention followed altercations between NAPL and the residents as-

sociation of Banana Island who believe the proposed development would disturb the serenity of their precious island. Real estate practitioners claim that land values in Banana Island is artificial and overpriced, saying there was really nothing of real value to support it. Land here is as high as N370 million for 100,000sqms. Parts of it get flooded from storm-water.

R-L: President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi A. Adesina; and former Minister of Finance, Nigeria, and African Risk Capacity Chairperson, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the programme in Korea… recently

Housing Deficit: Financial Rainy Season: Lagos Inspects Group Advocates Land Banking Dumpsite Facilities Initiative Chiemelie Ezeobi

Edo 1,800 Housing Project for All Income Groups, Says EDPA Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA) Ms Isoken Omo has said that the 1,800 Housing units being constructed through a joint-venture partnership would be available to all irrespective of income. Omo said the new estate will be a community of the low income earner, medium income earner and the high income earner. Speaking in a chat with journalists in Benin City, Omo explained that the state government is also working in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on how its employees would key into the National Housing Fund Scheme. The EDPA boss noted that other payment options apart from contributing to the NHF schemes would be explored to enable many persons owned houses in the new estate. She explained that the new

restructured EDPA is privatesector driven, adding that 200 units of the houses would be ready for their owners to move in by next year. According to her, “By this time next year, we will be having 200 houses ready for use. It will be a phase programme. For every phase delivered, there will be infrastructure available. We don’t want to have 1800 houses that are not completed. This is the first of different project we will do. “It is a joint venture partnership. We are contributing land, all the planning, the enabling environment and we are helping in the marketing. Private sector is bringing their fund and technical knowhow to deliver. “We cannot depend on government to fund housing. We cannot do anything. We are government owned but private sector driven. We provide the enabling environment for private sector to come in and develop. That way whether government changes hands, it does not affect the development.”

A group, Aimart Realtors, has recommended land banking, a real estate investment scheme, as a way out of the increasing housing deficit in the country. Aimart Realtors, which made the recommendation at a seminar in Lagos, recently, said, “Land banking involves buying large blocks of undeveloped land with a view to selling the land at a profit when it has been approved for development.” One of the speakers, Mrs. Sarah Ene Unobe, discussed man’s basic need for shelter, stating that the importance of human right for shelter was that all persons have the right to be sheltered. She said, “People need to invest in land banking. They should invest in the future and not wait on the government to secure that right of shelter for them. “The right to shelter is key and that is where land banking comes in. People need to invest in the kind of homes they want.” Adetolu Adetoye, the Chief Executive Officer of Asapha Limited, noted that financial freedom becomes a mirage when there is no financial education. He said, “Financial freedom is built over time and not overnight. In this case, Nigerians

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

should get the right financial knowledge and information when it comes to land banking.” Also speaking, Tade Esan, popularly known as Tade Cash, harped on the economic advantage owning a property offers a typical Nigerian. In an interview afterwards, the Chief Executive Officer of Aimart, Iluyomade Bukola, said the essence of the programme was to educate Nigerians on the new form of money. He said, “It is no gainsaying that the new form of money is in tying down cash on something with real value, in this case land, which is indestructible. “If you must know, 70 per cent of the land in Nigeria is not titled, so such people cannot device wealth out of it. We are sitting on gold but we do not know. “We want people to see the advantages of owning a properly documented land without hassles.” On Aimart spreading its wings to other parts of the country, especially to the South-East and South-South, he said it would be done shortly. “It’s something we are planning. Already, we have properties in Oyo, Ogun, of course Lagos too, but we are planning on expanding to other regions.”

In preparation for the coming rains, the Lagos State Government has embarked on an inspection of dumpsite facilities across the state with a view to ensuring that operators comply with standards. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti stated this while leading a team from the Ministry to the dump sites on Tuesday. Durosinmi-Etti said that government has directed that additional platforms should be created at the dump sites, while operators of dump sites and Transfer Loading Stations have been asked to urgently apply deodorizer to douse odours emanating from waste. He expressed confidence that a Cleaner and healthier Lagos was achievable if all hands were on deck through the cooperation of all stakeholders. At Solous 3 and Ewu-Elepe dumpsites, where he inspected the ongoing road rehabilitation to ease the traffic and enhance the turn-around time of compactors, he urged the operators to expedite the construction of the exit road for free movement of compactors in and out of the dumpsites. At these dump sites and Agege Transfer Loading

Station compactors were seen dumping and moving in and out without hitch. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has warned Lagosians to be wary of the activities of individuals who impersonate and parade themselves as officials of the Ministry of the Environment in order to extort residents. The Commissioner for the Environment gave this warning on Tuesday while parading Mr. Etim Okon who was apprehended while going about impersonating officers of the Ministry in the Ago Palace area of the State. The impostor was caught while extorting money from residents in the Parkview Estate in Ago Palace through the joint effort of the enforcement unit of the Ministry and members of the community. The commissioner urged residents to be wary of these individuals who usually deceive the people using fake identity cards, stressing that such people do not represent the government of Lagos State. Durosinmi-Etti hinted that the Lagos State officials are usually in groups when on official duty and they are always accompanied by security agents such as the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Hardline Ally Fires Migrant Ultimatum at Merkel as Trump Wades in Trump: US will not be ‘migrant camp’ Hardliners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc on Monday gave her a two-week

ultimatum to tighten asylum rules or risk pitching Germany into a political crisis that would

Iraqi Force Says US Strike Killed Fighters in East Syria An Iraqi paramilitary force key to the battle against the Islamic State group on Monday accused the US-led coalition of killing more than 20 of its fighters in an air raid in eastern Syria, according to Agence France-Presse. The bombing raid hit Al-Hari, a town controlled by regional militias fighting in Syria’s complex seven-year war alongside President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Both Syrian authorities and Iraqi forces pointed the finger at the US-led coalition, which denied it was involved in Sunday night’s attack. The raid slammed into a regimecontrolled position in the border town and left at least 52 fighters dead, according to a Britain-based monitor. Among them were fighters from Iraq’s powerful Hashed al-Shaabi military alliance, some of whom have crossed into Syria to fight against IS. “US planes fired two guided missiles at a fixed position of Hashed al-Shaabi units on the

BBC Global Questions Records Debate in Lagos Next month, Global Questions, the BBC’s highly respected, internationally renowned, current affairs programme travels to Lagos to raise important questions around how African youths are mobilising to raise political awareness. Recording in the Nigerian city on July 4, the discussion will be presented by Zeinab Badawi and will feature a panel of opinion formers who will face a live audience with important questions about how youth are shaping the future of their continent. Bringing together high-profile Africans from the worlds of politics, civil society and culture, the English-speaking panel will include Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State; Samson Itodo, Executive Director Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement; Ayisa Osori, lawyer and author; Obiageli Ezekwesili, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, and Ebuka ObiUchendu, one of Nigeria’s most recognised TV personalities. The BBC is inviting members of the public to attend the recording of Global Questions in Lagos on Wednesday, July 4. Global Questions will be giving ordinary citizens in Africa the opportunity to question experts about what the future holds for young people in their society – from how they’ll make their mark politically, economically and culturally to what kinds of social change they want to bring.

border with Syria, killing 22 fighters and wounding 12,” the Iran-backed Hashed said. The bodies of three Iraqi fighters killed in the raid were returned on Monday to their hometowns for burial, said AFP’s correspondent in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

also rattle Europe, as US President Donald Trump poured fuel on the fire, Agence France-Presse reported. A defiant Interior Minister Horst Seehofer warned that he would give Merkel a fortnight to find a European deal to curb new arrivals by a June 28-29 EU summit, failing which he vowed to order border police to turn back migrants. But Merkel immediately rejected the threat, saying there would be “no automatism” if no European deals were found, and warning Seehofer and

his Bavarian CSU party that she is ultimately in charge of government policies. The sharp escalation of tensions between Merkel and her long-time Bavarian allies came with EU nations once again at loggerheads over immigration, triggered by Italy’s refusal this month to allow a rescue ship carrying 630 migrants to dock. Seehofer has been one of the fiercest critics of Merkel’s liberal stance, under which over one million asylum seekers have been admitted into the

country since 2015. Wading into the crisis, Trump tweeted: “The people of Germany are turning against their leadership as migration is rocking the already tenuous Berlin coalition. “We don’t want what is happening with immigration in Europe to happen with us!” In a related development, Reuters reported President Trump as saying on Monday that the United States would not be a “migrant camp,” as he blamed Democrats for not coming to the table

to negotiate immigration legislation. “The United States will not be a migrant camp,” he said as he opened a meeting of the National Space Council at the White House. “And it will not be refugee-holding facility - it won’t be.” Popular misgivings over the migrant influx have given populist and anti-immigration forces a boost across several European nations, including Italy and Austria where far-right parties are now sharing power.

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ICPC Secures 13 Convictions in Six Months, Laments Stagnating Judicial Process Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday revealed that it had successfully secured 13 convictions between January and June 2018, while also losing few cases in the process. The acting Chairman of ICPC, Musa Abubakar, disclosed this in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists at the opening event of a four-day anti-corruption conference organised by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU -ECOSOCC), with the theme: ‘Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation’. He noted that the recent convictions of two former governors are a very important message sent by the present administration that it is serious about fighting against corruption. Abubakar however lamented that the judicial system in the country is so stagnating that it takes a very long time for convictions to happen. He noted: “The public should expect continued fight against corruption. We are also prosecuting quite a number of people, and we will also strengthen our preventive mandate, which is where we really put our efforts. At the moment, we have a number of cases of federal agencies being prosecuted by us. Last week, we arraigned one before the court here in Abuja and we are also arraigning another very soon.

We also have a former governor prosecuted jointly between us and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “This year, we have prosecuted quite a number of cases, and I assure you that this year alone, we have gotten about 13 convictions and lost a very few.” The ICPC boss decried a number of challenges militating against the speedy dispensation of cases particularly corruption cases. According to him, “One of these challenges actually is procuring and securing our witnesses. Witnesses are very important in the successful prosecution of cases, and without witnesses, there is no way one can achieve what you want. Often times, our prosecutors find it difficult to ensure that witnesses testify before the court because sometimes they go to court and discover that the witness has actually fled; perhaps that witness must have been incentivised by the person being prosecuted.” To this end, Abubakar stressed that the agency was pushing hard to ensure that the Witness Protection Bill, currently before the National Assembly, is passed and assented to by the president. “In some cases where somebody is threatened, he may be relocated to another place; given pseudo names and identity covered so that you won’t know he is the person that testified against somebody. So, these

100,000 Children not Immunised against Polio in North-east, Says Adewole The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has stated that over 100,000 children in the Northeast are yet to be immunised against polio despite considerable progress made by the federal government in addressing the issue in the region. Stating this during the annual meeting of African Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC), in Abuja yesterday, he said even though there have been immunisation setbacks in the region due to Boko Haram insurgency, Africa has made considerable progress in eradicating polio. He said in 2012, African region reported 128 wild poliovirus (WPV) cases, which accounted for more than half of the global burden, but that by 2013, only about 76 cases were reported. “In 2014, only about 17 cases where recorded. 2015 recorded zero case. “Nonetheless, in 2016, after almost two years, four cases were confirmed from areas that were under Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State in Nigeria and the outbreak was successfully contained. “Nigeria remains on the list of polio endemic countries because some areas in the Northeast remain inaccessible to the polio programme.” In 2016, Nigeria was on the verge of being certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) before new cases were reported in areas prone to Boko Haram activities. The last case of polio was reported in Monguno Local

Government Area of Borno State, thereby hampering WHO from declaring the country polio-free. Adewole noted that the federal government, following the discovery of new cases two years ago, declared a state of emergency and held a sub-regional emergency meeting of all governments in the Lake Chad Basin. “A close collaboration with the military and civilian Joint Task Force in Borno has facilitated increased accessibility to immunisation programme. “An estimated 71 per cent of settlements in Borno have been accessed for vaccination at least once,” he added. On his part, a virologist, Oyewale Tomori, said Nigeria cannot boast of eradicating polio until the high risk region in the Northeast and borders were effectively covered with polio immunisation, adding that government need to do more. “Access to most of the children is still a major problem. Though the government is collaborating with the other governments of countries in the region, the challenge of insecurity and lack of resources on their part has been stalling progress. “I cannot say when we will be certified polio free and there should be no rush to declare. Until we reach a zero case unit, we cannot relent,” he said. The Chairperson, ARCC, Rose Leke, said to successfully eradicate polio from the region, there was need to raise routine polio immunisation across board.

are some of the things we expect to have and it requires resources. Once we have that bill in place, certainly things will change, and at our level, we have a proposal to the president in respect of this pending of the passage of the bill,”

he noted. Earlier, the Nigerian Representative/ Chairperson, Committee on Social Affairs and Health at Cluster Committee to the 2nd Permanent General Assembly of the AU-ECOSOCC,

Tunji Asaolu, said the workshop on anti-corruption was organised to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his counterparts across Africa to achieve the objective of riding the continent of corruption. He lamented that corruption had

gone deep in Africa with numerous challenges, stressing that “we cannot keep corruption and at the same time, yearn for development. For us to achieve Agenda 2063 of the Union, corruption must be first dealt with.”

GRAND ENDORSEMENT

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd during the thanksgiving mass and endorsement rally for his re-election in 2019 by his kinsmen from Orba Udulekenyi, Udenu Local Government Area...recently

15 Die, 65 Others Hospitalised as Cholera Outbreak Hits Bida Laleye Dipo in Minna An unconfirmed source yesterday evening stated that 15 people died and 65 others were hospitalised as a result of cholera outbreak in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State. However, the local government area in an official statement confirmed 10 deaths and 60 hospitalised. Residents of the ancient town also claimed that the community had been thrown into panic and fear as a result of the outbreak. The residents blamed the outbreak consumption of unhygienic water because the town had been without pipe borne water “ for some time”. Some of the victims were admitted at either the Federal Medical Centre or the

Abdulmalik Ndayako general hospitals in the town. An official letter from the Bida LGA signed by the Council Secretary y Suleiman Sheshi for the chairman dated June 18, 2018 and addressed to the State Commissioner for Health, which also confirmed the outbreak said “the Council had no capacity to contain the outbreak”. The letter, a copy of which was made available to our Correspondent expressed regrets that as at the time of the outbreak (Sunday) “only one medical Doctor was on call at the hospital due to manpower shortage”. “The general hospital is lacking medical consumables and adequate facilities to cater for the present “emergent” health challenge. Over ten (10) infected with the disease have

been confirmed dead.” The letter continues: “the present situation at hand cannot be handled by the Bida LGA alone, part of the reason why this letter is written is to request for superior intervention from the state government. Prompt action from your part will, without any doubt, save a lot of lives presently at critical points of survival”, the letter concluded. Meanwhile, the Council had in a separate letter titled “announcement” advised the people of the LGA to maintain the “highest hygiene in order to avoid the spread of the outbreak”. Thee Council warned against drinking of unhygienic water which was capable of spreading the disease in addition to telling residents “to be careful on the consumption of fruits

already sliced for re-sale by grocers, and herbal concoction prepared under poor hygienic conditions. “Person or persons suspected to have contacted cholera should be rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment without delays”, the statement said, adding that “on no account should home treatment be used as an option”. “This second statement also signed bythecouncilsecretarySuleimanSheshi warned that: “whoever handles or has any form of contact with cholera patient should properly wash their hands with soap and detergents. Where these are not available, ashes should be used to wash the hands thoroughly.” All efforts to get the confirmation of the incident from the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Jibrin, was abortive as at 6:20p.m. yesterday.

ATIKU RETURNS FROM HAJJ, RESUMES CONSULTATIVE VISITS by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Atiku , who was in Ekiti with members of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council yesterday expressed satisfaction with the level of the preparedness of his party for the upcoming election. PDP bigwigs who paid visit to Ekiti State were the Deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President , David Mark, former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe; former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel , among others. “We are satisfied that the PDP

is prepared for this election. We hope that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will accept the outcome of the election. They should be democratic for the first time. We have seen how democratic they are, but for the first time in 2015 we have opposition party taking over from the ruling party, we expect them to do the same,” said the former vice president. Governor Ayodele Fayose said the PDP leaders were in Ekiti State because they know that the party would win the election. “Everyone is on the same page with us. The only thing the APC is holding on to is to rig the election.

We have told INEC that this is a pointer to the 2019 election. They should save their image. The country is bigger than all of us. Let me tell them, if rigging has been tried elsewhere it won’t work here. The people will defend this election. We are aware of plans to bring thugs here to disrupt the election, the people will stand up to them,” Fayose said. “The PDP leadership are in the state today to strengthen our hands and assure us of their support. I want to say that this election is about the people for the people and it must be so. Ekiti election is not only about Nigeria, the whole world is watching,” he

added But speaking in Ijero Local Government Area of the state , where many PDP members renounced their membership, Fayemi said the PDP had become a desolate party that would not win any election in the state. Fayemi in company of his deputy, Bisi Egbeyemi, and party chiefs, including party Chairman Jide Awe received defectors in Aramoko, Erio, Ido-Ile, Okemesi, Ikoro, Ijero, Ijurin, Iloro, among others, urging voters to reject continuity agenda of Fayose to perpetuate poverty among Ekiti people.

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Rivers APC Breaks into Factions Ahead of National Convention Wike swears-in newly-elected council chairmen Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Ahead of the national convention of the All Progressives Congress

(APC), the Rivers State chapter of the party has broken into factions as the immediate past Deputy Chairman of the party, Prince Peter Odike, has declared himself the

Oyinlola, Mimiko Woo Ladoja as Oyo PDP Crisis Deepens Ademola Babalola in Ibadan The residence of a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, was a beehive of activities yesterday as two former Governors of Osun and Ondo States, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Olusegun Mimiko respectively, paid him separate visits as the crisis in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unsettled permutations in Ladoja’s camp ahead of 2019 elections. While Oyinlola, an arrowhead of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was with Ladoja as early as 9a.m., Mimiko, now a Labour Party (LP) member, came midway into their meeting and was asked to stay in one of the chalets pending the completion of discussions between Ladoja and Oyinlola. At the parley Ladoja held with his visitors were three gubernatorial aspirants; Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Dr. Nureni Adeniran. Others in the two meetings were the former state Chairman of Accord Party (AP), Alhaji Bashiru Lawal;

a former Attorney General in the state, Bayo Lawal, and PDP chieftains like Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, Bimbo Adepoju among others. Last week, the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja harmonised Oyo State PDP executives against the interest of Ladoja’s camp, and the former reacted with a seven-day ultimatum within which the party should reverse the decision or they should leave the state PDP. The ultimatum elapsed today. The leaders were not forthcoming when journalists sought to know what transpired as both Oyinlola and Mimiko said they were on private visits to their brother, Ladoja. Their host equally rebuffed journalists. However, a source privy to the meetings confirmed that the former governors, having been aware of the crisis in PDP, came to woo Ladoja to either ADC or LP. The meetings were not unconnected with the permutation of the major opposition parties in the Southwest ahead of the 2019 general election, another source said.

acting Chairman of the party in the state, insisting that the election of Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree had been voided by the Court. Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday swore in the 23 local government council chairmen elected in last Saturday’s elections conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). But in a swift reaction, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chris Finebone, who was also part of the old executive, said the party is one under the chairmanship of Flag-Amachree and leadership of the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. Odike made the declaration yesterday at Freedom House in Port Harcourt while addressing journalists in company of some former members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC. He said as a result of the court order that declared null and void the last congresses of the party, the Dr. Davies Ikanya-led executive remains the only authentic leadership

of the party in the state. He said: “In no uncertain words, the court declared as null and void the purported ward, local government and state congresses which produced Flag-Amachree and his group. “With the voiding of the Flag-Amachree midnight congress, our SWC which they sought to succeed is still in place and intact. “Since the court has decided that no congresses have been held with the voiding of the so-called congresses, the Ikanya led-executive will continue with its work of running the party. “The chairman, Ikanya, is in London for his eyes medical examination and treatment. I communicated with him on this development over the weekend. I wish him speedy recovery. “By the party constitution, the deputy chairman acts pending his resumption. Other members of the working committee that I have met agreed that we should not allow Rivers State APC to die; not even by suicide.

“Consequently, I announce to you this morning that I, Prince Peter Odike, the Deputy Chairman of the party in Rivers State, pending the return and resumption of duty by the chairman, is the acting Chairman of the state APC.” In his reaction, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Finebone, said the party is one under the chairmanship of Flag-Amachree and leadership of the Minister of Transportation, Amaechi. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, Finebone said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State chapter of the APC is one under the able chairmanship of FlagAmachree and leadership of Minister of Transportation. That is settled reality. Inaugurating the chairmen at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Wike charged them to prioritise payment of salaries, promotion of security and environmental sanitation. He said: “Now that you have emerged through a credible process, you must prioritise payment of

salaries. This is key as no excuses will be tolerated. “Council money is for salaries, development of the areas and security. You should endeavour to leave legacies of development across the state. Make a difference through the development of your local government areas.” He advised the chairmen to work closely with security agencies in their local government areas. “You must create avenues of cooperation with all the security agencies. That will help you create the right environment for development to take place in your areas,” he said. The governor charged the council chairmen of Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema to develop the right platforms to ensure that their communities are safe. He challenged the council chairmen of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Oyigbo Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government Area to take serious steps to ensure they clean specific areas of their councils.

Female Medical Doctor Dies over Unpaid Salaries in Kogi Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja It was a sad day for staff of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja as the Head of Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Chukwudibe Rosemary, suddenly died while another Dr. Idris Nuhu and three nurses slumped due to alleged exhaustion and over work. Also, a ward attendant equally slumped and currently on admission with the three nurses. Yesterday, THISDAY reliably gathered that they have not been paid since February this year by Kogi State Government following traffic payment adopted by the government. The deceased female doctor, who was admitted last Sunday evening for heart related issues, suddenly developed complications around 2 a.m. yesterday as her colleagues battled her for over five hours but lost her in the early hours of yesterday. On hearing the news of the passing of Rosemary, another, Dr. Idris Nuhu and three nurses also slumped simultaneously and currently on admission at the Maternity ward of the hospital. According one of the staff of the hospital, her death was not unconnected to financial problem as the deceased was heard lamenting that her name has been omitted in the March salaries payment schedule as she languish in penury for her drugs which are difficult

to purchase due to nonpayment of salaries When THISDAY visited the hospital yesterday, it could not ascertain the names of the nurses as they have been heavily sedated and under close watch of team of medical doctors. Meanwhile, the Secretary, Association of Residence Doctors, Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Moses Adaudi, who confirmed the incident, said the death of the doctor was as a result of lack of Intensive Care Unit at the hospital where she could have been treated when she developed complications. “There was no (oxygen) spanner to place her on oxygen even when she was to undergo some tests…there was money to carry out the test,” he alleged. He called on the state government to make the welfare of civil servants a top priority. Nurses, who spoke with THISDAY on condition of anonymity, said Dr. Rosemary was a well-loved, thorough bred professional whose death had created a very big vacuum difficult to be filled. Our source said all the three nurses have been on duty since last Saturday morning and have been exhausted due to workloads which had increased in the last two months as a result of the strike of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).

PROJECT INAUGURATION

L-R: Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon . Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang;; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara, and Senator George Sekibo, during the commissioning of 24 three-bedroom flats for civil servants by Jang in Port Harcourt... yesterday

Ekweremadu: Nigeria in Darkest Hour of Political History James Sowole in Akure Citing constant persecution of opposition leaders, smear campaign and threat, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday said this is the darkest hour in the political history of Nigeria. The deputy senate president made the remark during an interview with journalists at the Akure Airport, Ondo State on the way to Ado-Ekiti along with other party leaders. Ekwemadu along with other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including former Senate President, David Mark, were on their way to campaign for the party’s candidate for the July 14 Governorship Election,

Prof Olusola Eleka. “The leaders including all of us are facing persecutions, smear campaign and threat. I want to tell you that this is our darkest hour in our country as they say; the darkest part of the night is when it is almost dawn. The senator, who appealed to the party leaders and members to be patient, assured that the tough time would soon be over. “We are almost at the day light. Let everybody exercise patience. We want to appeal to everybody that we are democratic and we are going to win in democratic form. “We eschew bitterness; we eschew any kind of violence so that our winning will be in PDP

way which is peaceful. “So, the success of PDP next year will start in Ekiti, by July we are going to ensure we win in Ekiti. “We are going to thank the South-west because they are leading to this success, after that of Ekiti is Osun State and after Osun by 2019, we will be winning all the way”, Ekwemadu said. He said the defection of former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko from PDP to Labour Party (LP), could be as a result of threat from high quarters. However, the senator said the former governor could have stayed back in the PDP and help salvage the country but left out of threat. “We understand that one of our leaders, who we gave an opportunity to be a Minister of

the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we gave opportunity to be the governor of this state and made him chairman of PDP governor’s forum, today out of threat he left us. “Those who are unfaithful will never last long. I want to assure you that. Like a smoke he has left us and now we can see clearly. “We can see those who are gentlemen and those we can depend on to salvage our country. I want to assure those of you that stayed that you will never regret your staying back in the party”, Ekwemadu said. Also speaking, the PDP Chairman for Ondo State, Clement Faboyede, said the party would win without the effort of Mimiko as the party is formidable to win next year general election.

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Bauchi Gov Seeks Assistance as Fire Razes 700 Shops, Windstorm Destroys Communities Buhari condoles with victims Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, has commiserated with the people Azare town over the fire incidence that razed over 700 shops in Azare market on Sunday, destroying yet-to-be quantified goods. The governor who arrived Azare yesterday to assess the level of damage caused by the inferno, announced government’s readiness to provide immediate relief materials to the victims. Going round the devastated market in company of the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Farouk, Abubakar who lamented that lack of access roads was responsible for the inability of fire-fighting vehicles to put down the inferno, said government would ensure that the market is modernised when reconstructing it. The governor had earlier on Sunday commiserated with the people of Bauchi State over the deaths and destructions as a result of heavy downpour and windstorm. The windstorm, which on Saturday evening cost the state many lives and hundreds of houses, schools and property worth millions of naira in many parts of the state. In a broadcast to the state after personally carrying out an on the spot assessment of the communities affected by the windstorm in company of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, Abubakar said: “As true believers, we should take the incident as an act of God and at the same time pray to Almighty Allah to give us the courage to bear the losses incurred.”

“The state had witnessed a heavy downpour which came along with heavy windstorm that caused serious destructions to homes, schools, farmlands, market places in many parts of the state, all of which came just after our fervent prayers to the Almighty Allah for rains,” he added. He called on traditional, religious and community leaders in the state to join government in enlightening people on environmental protection techniques, particularly “The urgent need to stop cutting down trees, rather we should imbibe the culture of planting and protecting trees.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari last night offered his condolences to the government and people of the state, following the windstorm disasters, on the heels of which the market in Azare was razed by a mysterious fire. In a message to the government and people of the state, through the Governor Abubakar, President Buhari said the government and people of Nigeria stand with the people of the state as they struggle to manage the fallout of the double tragedy. President Buhari extends deepest sympathies to the victims and families of devastating windstorm and the fire incidents. The president says that the “Nigerians stand in solidarity with their fellow countrymen in this difficult time as they face the devastation with courage and fortitude. “As a fellow human being, I understand your pains and

Envoy: 1,500 Nigerians are in Italian Prisons The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefanou Pontesilli, has said at least 1500 Nigerians are serving jail terms for various offences in Italy. Pontesilli made the disclosure in an interview with reporters in Abuja. “In Italy we have about 1,500 Nigerians in jail for various offences. It is a big number,” he said. “We sometimes send them back to Nigeria once they finished their terms because they have not behaved well.” According to TheCable, he, however, denied reports that Italy sometimes send Nigerian migrants from Italy to Libya. “Never, we never sent anyone not even one single person to Libya. Some Nigerians are stuck in Libya because they were never able to cross over to Italy, but all those who went to Italy no one, not even one was ever sent back,” he said. “All Nigerians who have reached Italy and are behaving well have no problem. Not one of them not even one has heard of being sent back to Libya. “Thank God the government

is doing a lot to repatriate them through chattered flights. Thanks for the help from the European Union and the International Organisation for Migrations that are slowly repatriating them back to Nigeria.” The envoy said that the relationship between Italy and Nigeria remained stronger. He said Italy had also done a lot in trying to help Nigeria maintain security and stability. “This to Italy is very important, the stability and the security of Nigeria is our foremost consideration,” he said. “We think that without a stable secure country there cannot be development. So that’s why we stand strongly behind President Muhammadu Buhari trying to establish a strong, safe and stable Nigeria. “This to us is the number one priority of the country, we are doing all we can to support this.” The envoy disclosed that the Italian government had been involved in training many Nigerian officials from the military, police and immigration.

inconveniences as you struggle to pick up the pieces and rebuild your lost houses, schools, markets

and places of worship. This is not something you bargained and we are powerless against the fury of

nature,” the president stressed “On behalf of myself and my administration, my heart goes out

to the victims of this disaster and I pray to God to replenish their losses,” Buhari added.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS

L-R: General Manager, Projects, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Toyin Olagunju; SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; Vice President, Shell Nigeria and Gabon, Peter Costello; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Ed Ubong; and SPDC Deputy Managing Director, Simon Roddy, at the 2018 SPDC JV Contractor CEO Safety Leadership Conference Gala Night held in Lagos... recently

Alleged Certificate Forgery: OGFZA, Manager Settle Out of Court Alex Enumah in Abuja The Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) and its suspended Abuja Liaison Office Manager, Funmilayo David Omosule, have at last agreed for an out-of-court settlement in resolving the legal battle instituted against the authority since 2011. Both OGFZA and Omosule had been locked in fierce legal battle at the National Industrial Court (NIC) to resolve the legality or otherwise of Omosule’s suspension, following his petition against some management staff of the OGFZA on alleged corruption. The agency had via a letter dated April 18, 2011, suspended Omosule as the manager of the Abuja liaison office, on the grounds that he refused to comply with its letter dated December 3, 2010, which had directed him to present before the OGFZA board, the originals of his educational certificates/credentials for verification. Omosule, however, refuted the claim of the authority, stating rather that he made available and forwarded to the defendant,

Certified True Copies (CTCs) of his educational certificates /credentials, including GCE ‘O Level certificates and degree certificates, claiming that “the originals were misplaced in untraceable circumstances as at 2010 when the report to submit originals was made”. The claimant added that the CTCs of his certificates submitted to the defendant were certified by the issuing institutions, including the West African Examination Council and the University of Ado-Ekiti, then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti. However, at the last court proceedings on May 26, the parties, through their counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), and Joseph Tobi, for the defendant and claimant, respectively, eventually agreed to resolve the seven-year legal battle out of the court. This prompted the trial judge, Justice Anuwe, to adjourn to July 10 for parties to report to the court, the terms of settlement agreed upon, which the court will adopt as its final judgment in the matter. Before coming to the Industrial court in 2016, the claimant had in 2011 approached the Abuja

Division of the Federal High Court to demand his fundamental rights to fair hearing. He also in 2012 wrote the AGF, ICPC and the Police to investigate the alleged criminal acts of the OGFZA officials involved in the matter. He disclosed that both the AGF and the ICPC in their various letters directed the OGFZA to withdraw the suspension and pay him all his entitlement, adding that nothing was done till date. Omosule, who in his statement of claim urged the court to declare his suspension as wrongful, oppressive, unjustifiable and therefore null and void, had in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on July 23, 2015, alleged that he was punished because of his stand against corruption. According to him, “In 2011, as Manager, Abuja Liaison Office of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority Onne, Rivers State, I raised eyebrow that instead of management buying a brand new generator for the Abuja liaison office, the old one was refurbished and supplied as brand new, which was one of the numerous criminal transactions

carried out with N100 million to furnish Abuja and Lagos offices of the authority. “The above earned me an unlawful suspension from office without pay since 2011 to date with an unintelligent and fictitious claim that I forged Degree and NYSC Certificates,” he said. The claimant in the letter, however, urged the president to institute a probe into the matter and prosecute those liable of the alleged criminal act in line with his administration’s stand against corruption. Omosule, in the suit urged the court to set aside the purported letter of suspension and order his immediate reinstatement to his employment. Besides, he applied for a mandatory order of the court directing the defendant to pay him all his outstanding salaries and allowances due to him since April 2011, up till the time of his reinstatement and another mandatory order placing him on grade Level 17 and the position of his mates who were managers like him in April 2011 are currently occupying in the employment of the defendant.

Oil Prices Fall on Expectation Russia, Saudi Arabia will Raise Output Oil prices fell further yesterday, pulled down by an expectation that producer club the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies will increase supplies. Reuters reported that Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were

at $73.05 per barrel, down 39 cents, or 0.5 per cent, from their last close. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $64.24 a barrel, down 82 cents, or 1.3 per cent, from their last settlement. The drops came after crude futures fell around three per cent on Friday, hurt by

concerns about rising output and a U.S.-China trade row. OPEC, which is de-facto led by Saudi Arabia, and some allies, including Russia have been withholding output with since the start of 2017. Producers will meet in Vienna on June 22 to decide forward production policy.

Also looming over markets was a threat by China to slap a duty on US oil imports in response to announcements by Washington of new import sanctions on China, in what many analysts say could be a serious trade stand-off between the world’s biggest two economies.

TUESDAY JUNE 19, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Buhari to Sign Budget Tomorrow Indications have emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to sign the N9.1 trillion 2018 budget of the federal government tomorrow. To this end, the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for tomorrow might also not hold due to the budget signing. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, at the end of FEC meeting last week informed journalists that President Buhari

would sign the 2018 budget this week. The presidency had received the appropriation bill from the National Assembly on May 25 after it was signed by the lawmakers. President Buhari presented a budget proposal of N8.612 trillion to the lawmakers earlier in 2017 with hopes that the bill would be passed in December of that year, but it took six months for that to happen with the lawmakers accusing ministries, departments, and agencies of

frustrating the passage by failing to submit the breakdowns of their budget proposals. The National Assembly, however, increased the proposal by N508billion bringing it to N9.12 trillion from the original estimate of N8.6 trillion. During the budget presentation, the president had noted that the Appropriation Bill will consolidate on the achievements of the previous budget and that 2018 is expected to be a year of better outcomes.

2019: Marafa Joins Zamfara Governorship Race Deji Elumoye in Abuja Chairman of Senate Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources, Senator Kabir Marafa, has hinted of his desire to contest for the governorship seat of Zamfara State in 2019. Marafa, who represents Zamfara Central senatorial district in the Senate, made his intention to vie for the governorship race public when the newly elected executive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state paid him a Sallah visit at his Yandoton-daji residence in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state. The lawmaker in a statement in Abuja yesterday further said

he would soon officially declare his intention to contest for the governorship race at an occasion to be held in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, and is expected to be witnessed by all political stakeholders in the state. He told the party executives that following the numerous calls across the 14 local government areas of the state, he has decided to join the governorship race. Marafa, promised to, if elected, fight corruption, injustice and provide the much needed leadership to stimulate the growth and development of the state. While commending the state Governor, Abdul Aziz Yari, for

admitting his failure to provide the needed leadership to tackle the security challenges facing the state, he said he would use all the resources at his disposal to combat banditry in the state, if elected. According to him, “If we provide security, our people will return to their homes and farmlands to do what they know best-farming. If given the needed support, we in the state can feed the country with the enormous resources Allah has blessed us with.” Marafa also pledged to review the state legal system to make it conform to the true teachings of Islam for the benefit of all.

Katsina to Provide School, Hospital to Zamfara IDPs Francis Sardauna in Katsina Apparently worried by the hardship bedeviling the 3,500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Zamfara State who are taking refuge in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, has vowed to provide relief materials, school and hospital to them in no distant time. The IDPs, who fled their abodes in Zamfara State due to what they described as “unflinching attacks” are in dear need of shelters, clothes, food and portable drinking water, among other needs. Governor Masari gave this

assurance when he paid an unscheduled visit to the displaced persons’ camp in Dansabau village of Kankara Local Government Area of the state. He noted that his government would not relent in providing succour to people that scampered for safety in other parts of the country to take refuge in Katsina, saying the assistance would be within the limited resources of the state government. According to him, “We are ready as a government to assist anyone from any country or state that wants to seek refuge in Katsina. We are also ready to assist the IDPs from

Zamfara State and we’ll make effort to do so in any way we can till they go back to their respective communities. The governor, however, urged security agencies to as a matter of urgency put mechanism in motion in order to restore peace in the affected communities to pave way for the IDPs to return home. He further disclosed that the ongoingroadconstructionfromthestate is to link with some of the troubled communities in Zamfara, stating that the project if completed would reduce the security challenges being faced in the area.

Strides Group Acquires Mortgaged Assets of Rivers Vegetable Oil Strides Group, owners of Strides Energy and Maritime Limited (SEML), has acquired the mortgaged assets of the Rivers Vegetable Oil Company Limited (RIVOC). The multi billion naira deal was signed in Lagos by UBA Capital Trustees on behalf of a consortium of four banks consisting of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith and Diamond bank. Chairman of Strides Group, Mr. Moritz Abazie, said the deal will save 500 direct jobs and return more than 5,000 indirect jobs to Nigerians. He said with the sales agreement signed, the Fast Moving Consumer Foods (FMCG) manufacturing plant, would commence production in two months’ time. Abazie described the plant as one of the leading fast moving consumer goods manufacturing facilities in the country, saying the deal would support government’s effort at growing the sector in view of demand for locally manufactured goods. He explained that the acquisition was part of the company’s growth trajectory

and designed to support federal government’s vision of diversifying the Nigerian economy and creating jobs. “We are leveraging our capital strength, talents and good reputation, to take advantage of identified opportunities in the food and other fast moving consumer goods, manufacturing and distribution sectors,” said Abazie. “In accordance with this diversification goal, we have acquired the entire production assets of Rivers Vegetable Oil Company Limited in a multi-billion naira transaction, as a fast route to actualizing our market entry strategy,” he explained. He further explained that RIVOC was the third largest vegetable oil processing company in Nigeria and the single largest producer of crude palm kernel oil and palm kernel extractions until its fortunes suddenly dwindled in 2013. But he assured that Strides Group would surpass previous feats of the company. “RIVOC provided hundreds of direct and thousands of indirect employment to Nigerians and had become a very formidable corporate entity, with visible and

significant contributions to the industrial and economic growth of the country,” said Abazie. But the fortunes of the company went down in 2013, due to divestment by its major foreign investors fearing economic downturn in Nigeria, which eventually commenced in 2014. This downturn led to loss of over 500 direct and thousands of indirect jobs, this is in addition to the loss of revenue accruing to the government at both the federal and state level”. He hinted that intervention of Strides Group would restore the lost jobs and create new ones through its expansion programmes, while revenue to the government would be boosted by increased tax contributions arising from expansions and higher capacity utilisation. Chief Executive Officer of the United Capital Trustees; the trustee of the Consortium, Mrs. Tokunbo Ajayi, expressed delight that an indigenous firm acquired assets of the former State-owned enterprise. “We are happy an indigenous company like Strides Group took over the plant, we look forward towards a speedy conclusion of the transactions and the speedy revival of the business complex,” she said.

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PPC to Sue INEC for Disqualifying Ekiti Governorship Candidate It was a self-inflicted injury, electoral body replies Victor Ogunje inAdoEkiti Providence People’s Congress (PPC), has threatened legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly disqualifying and expunging the name of its governorship candidate, Pastor Stephen Obasola from the list of those that will participate in the July 14 election in Ekiti State. But in a swift reaction, INEC Public Relations Officer in the state, Taiwo Gbadegesin stated that the electoral body should not be blamed in the whole scenario, describing the situation as a self-inflicted injury. Obasola, according to the party, emerged through a primary supervised by INEC at the party’s secretariat located at Okesa area in Ado Ekiti. The party alleged that its flagbearer was technically disqualified from the race without reason. The PPC’s National Chairman, Mr. Benson Adetona, who addressed journalists yesterday, said the party on May 14 forwarded the name of the candidate when it submitted forms CF01 and CF02 to INEC in Abuja, in compliance with the commission’s guidelines, He wondered why the party would have to be punished unjustifiably, even when it submitted the candidate’s name a day earlier than the May 15 stipulated by

INEC. Adetona accused a certain officer in the office of the INEC’s National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu of playing pranks on the party, by rejecting the forms earlier listed on flimsy excuses that they were not attached with forms EC4, EC5 and EC6 , which he claimed were irrelevant in this case. The party boss said when it was obvious that INEC was not ready to correct the anomaly that the PPC National body resorted to petition, which they addressed to Yakubu on May 18, saying no reply was given up to now by the commission. “The fact that the name of our candidate was listed by INEC as one of the 40 contenders that were acknowledged from Ekiti office of INEC showed that our primary was free, fair and credible, because our party operates like a family. There is no division. When we took forms CF01 and CF02 to the INEC Electoral Party Monitoring Department in Abuja, the officer detailed for the collection said they have to be attached with forms EC 4 and EC 5. But we told him the submission lapsed on May 15. He convinced us that we should not mind , that we can come on May 17 or 18 , because of our peculiar situation. We we got there on May 17 only for the same staff to reject our form. We were referred to heads of Legal

Department and Electoral Party Monitoring , but nothing was done,” he said. “We viewed this action as a serious infringement on our fundamental rights to have a candidate in Ekiti election. And

this was a setback to our electoral system. Election can only be deemed to be free and fair when INEC is fair to all parties. As things stand now, we have no option than to seek legal redress in court to ensure that

our candidate participate in this election”, he said. However, INEC’s spokesman in the state has described the situation as a self-inflicted injury. “Submission of candidates is done by the party, so PPC executive

should be blamed for submitting the name of candidate late. I want to believe that INEC as an arbiter can’t disqualify candidate without justifiable reason. PPC must look inward to settle its problems”, he said.

New Buses Coming into Lagos in Batches It was an iconic sight to behold as new buses adorned some of the recently constructed Bus Terminals in Lagos for the take off of the Bus Reform Initiative of the state government designed to bequeath a world class transportation system and enhance connectivity across the state. Apart from adding to the aesthetics of the state with the impressive blue and white colour, the new environmentallyfriendly high capacity buses, which are now arriving the state in batches, were also equipped with modern facilities to bring about comfort and seamless travelling experience along the dedicated routes. Under the Bus Reform Initiative, 5,000 new buses are expected to be added to the public transport system, while other components of the scheme such as modern bus terminals, bus depots, bus stops and segregated laybys are already springing up in strategic locations across the state.This is aside

the Intelligent Transport System mechanism of the initiative which will aid Lagosians to plan their journeys. Also, arrangement is also being firmed up as part of the short-term plan for the buses to be assembled in Lagos, which would in turn create jobs for the people, and as well serve to properly maintain the buses. Giving rationale behind the initiative, the state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said the new buses and terminals were conceived to redefine public transportation in the state with the view to make the state globally competitive. “Like we have said, we are doing bus terminals to actually improve on the management of transportation in the city. Some people would have noticed that we are beginning to receive some of our new buses. We have actually ordered 820 buses and we believe that by end of September, the 820 buses should be in Lagos.

“The intention is not to drive away Danfo buses (Commercial Buses). Buses in Lagos right now are never enough. Government is intending to inject 5,000 but we do not intend to operate them and so whoever is going to operate the buses would recruit drivers and personnel to work on those buses,” he said. “So, if somebody upgrades from Danfo to bus, that is more job for

our people. We, as government, are not the ones to drive the buses but what we are doing is to create avenue for people to get employed and to also create greater aesthetics for the city,” Ambode explained. According to him, if Lagos must attract investors and tourists, there has to be globally compliant mode of transportation which he said necessitated the need for reforms in the sector.

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weekly pull-out

19.06.2018

JUNE 12: NIGERIA’S POLITICAL WATERSHED The Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR

2/DASHBOARD

19.06.2018

Doctrine of Last Seen: Effect on Presumption of Innocence of Accused Person page 4

Plateau CJ Tasks NBA on Unity of the Bar, Welfare of Young Lawyers page 5

Lagos Gets New Federal Commissioner for Public Complaints Commission page 5

Quotables ‘The Fulani Herdsmen crisis, has always been there... It had not been highlighted, as it has been highlighted now. In respect of Boko Haram....they were controlling more than 14 Local Governments at one time, hoisting their flag, taking complete control of those Local Governments.There’s not one single territory now, that is being occupied by the Boko Haram.’ – Festus Keyamo, SAN, Director, Strategic Communications, President Buhari’s Campaign Organisation ‘I see a bunch of Politicians, who are not taking the business of governance seriously, and they think that they are engaged in theatrics.’ – Jiti Ogunye, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

Solicitor-General Lauds Nomination of State Counsel for U.S Department Leadership Programme page 5

Revisit the Adoption of Electronic Voting for 2019 Polls, Olanipekun, Others, Urge NASS page 6

‘Rome was not Built in a Day’ columnist ADERINSOLA FAGBURE Aderinsola Fagbure is a keen writer having written her first article which was published by the junior section of a national daily, at the age of five. She is a graduate of Igbinedion University Okada and has just completed a Master’s degree in Corporate Law at the University College London. Her column, “In black and white” discusses the need for innovation on the Nigerian legal scene particularly in the fields of Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance and Energy Law.

page 6

M.M.A. Akanbi: Exit of an Incorruptible Judge page 14

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

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Stopping Police Torture of Crime Suspects

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he Cambridge Dictionary defines torture as “the act of causing great physical or mental pain in order to persuade someone to do something or to give information, or to be cruel to a person or animal”. In 1991, when I was doing my Court Attachment at Ikeja High Court, I observed that in most of the armed robbery cases that were before the court, the accused persons always claimed that their confessional statements were obtained under duress, by means of the Police torturing and subjecting them to inhumane treatment. Whether true or false, it was almost a standard defence. Invariably, there would be a trial within the trial, to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against the Police and how the confessional statements were obtained, before the trial could proceed.

Mr X On one of those occasions in court, I got talking with Mr X, one of the accused persons in a robbery case. I guess the trial Judge was not impressed with X’s ‘duress’ allegation/ defence, because the court ruled against him, the trial proceeded and he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. X and his cohorts, had snatched a car from a motorist, though they had not harmed the victim physically. X kept in touch with me, writing me letters from Prison. He told me that it was a normal occurrence, for the Police to torture suspects into confessing. A Tool to Make Suspects Implicate Political Opponents? Over 25 years later, we find that the Police are still using the same torture tactics, to conclude their investigations and interrogations. If you saw the video clips making the rounds on the internet, allegedly of the callous, heartless, and evil Offa armed robbers in action (who deserve whatever harsh judgement comes their way, for their gruesome killing over 30 innocent people in cold blood), you will see how agile they were, running around the place, shooting and throwing teargas canisters all over the place. After a few days spent in Police custody, during their public parade, I observed that at least two of them were now limping, one even with a bandage wrapped around his injured right foot! What could have happened? Could they have sustained those injuries, possibly in a bid to escape apprehension by the Police? Or could it be that, they sustained the injuries, when they were tortured into making statements to implicate those that are perceived to be political opponents of certain ‘powers that be’ and the like, to settle scores, by attempting to rope them into their criminal activities? I also read in the media, that the leaders of the Offa robbery gang, were not paraded in public with their other gang members, and have not been seen by

Offa Armed Robbers

anybody except the Police? Why? Are they being hidden from the public for special reasons? For example, to hide them from public glare, until injuries inflicted on them during ‘interrogation’ are healed and no longer visible? Some months ago, I read in one of the dailies, that one Isa Garba, was arrested first by the Military, before being transferred to the Police, in connection with the murder of one Lawal Madugu early this year. In his confessional statement, Garba who apparently implicated Senator Shehu Sani, later recanted and resiled from his earlier statement, claiming that some soldiers had forced him to implicate the Distinguished Senator! What did he mean by ‘force’? Torture?

Red Herring Now all of a sudden, rather conveniently, after the Inspector General of Police (IG) failed to honour two invitations to appear before the Senate, we have the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, being accused of having links to the Offa armed robbery (according to a Channels News Report of 4/6/18). With the public outcry against the ridiculous allegation, the Police stepped it down, to the armed robbers only being their political thugs! A libellous and defamatory smear campaign, if you ask me, to demonise and vilify Dr Saraki, and deflect the public and even the Senate’s attention, from the fact that, to date, the IG has not honoured the Senate’s invitations to appear before it, to explain why he has failed to protect the lives and property of many Nigerian citizens, like those of the people of Benue State! (and explain about the Dino Melaye saga). The Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, who suddenly vanished, when people called for his sack, after he committed a serious ‘faux pas’ by making insensitive disparaging remarks about the Governor of Benue State in a Channels television interview (Sunrise Daily), calling him a ‘drowning man’, suddenly resurfaced a few months later, making his debut after a hiatus, by sensationally parading the Offa armed robbers to the public, thinking that people have forgotten his indecorous comments! I haven’t. Are Nigerians, really going to fall for their diversionary tactics? The Anti-Torture Act 2017 Despite Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution), which specifically prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and the new Anti-Torture Act 2017 (ATA), the Police may still be somewhat unperturbed about Torturing. It is indeed, sad, that every movie one watches on Africa Magic, which involves

crime, the Police, and interrogation of suspects, the Nigerian Police are always portrayed as using means of torture and intimidation, to extract confessions. In most of the movies, suspects are beaten up mercilessly, given electric shocks, hot iron burns etc, during interrogation. Are these movies an outright falsehood, exaggeration, or an accurate depiction of what actually occurs in reality? I believe that, by logical deduction, and with the recent need to enact the ATA (there is no smoke without fire!), one can safely say that, the truth lies somewhere between exaggeration and accurate depiction. Some have argued that, there were no specific laws in Nigeria, against torture before the ATA, except for the Constitution which they say is not explicit. However, Nigeria signed (1998) and ratified (2001), the 1984 United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), which aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruelty throughout the world. Nigeria has also ratified OPCAT, which is the Optional Protocol to UNCAT. The issue was that, torture had not actually been criminalised in Nigeria. It was seen as, at best, a civil wrong, unless it resulted in death. The development is that, Section 8 of the ATA, provides that anyone who is guilty of committing torture, shall be liable on conviction to 25 years imprisonment. If the victim dies in the course of the torture or as a result of it, the Torturer shall be charged for murder. Criminal proceedings, do not stop the victim, from instituting civil proceedings for damages and compensation, for any torture inflicted. Section 7 of the ATA makes the person directly inflicting the torture or the person present during the torture (aiding and abetting), liable as the principal. Similarly, a superior officer who instructs his juniors to torture, is liable for the offence of torture as a principal. The definition of Torture in Article 1 of UNCAT is similar to its definition in Section 2 of the ATA - which states that (1) torture is deemed committed when an act by which pain and suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person to – (a) obtain information or confession from him or a third person; (b) punish him for an act he or a third person has committed or suspected of having committed; or (c) intimidate or coerce him or third person for any reason based on discrimination of any kind.’ Further, it proposes that Torture does not include pain or suffering in compliance with lawful sanctions. Some of the examples of the acts that amount to Torture in the ATA, apart from violence and physical abuse, I found rather sickening. For example, “....forcible feeding with spoiled food, animal or human

Onikepo Braithwaite

The Advocate onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com

“A libellous and defamatory smear campaign, if you ask me, to demonise and vilify Dr Saraki, and deflect the public and even the Senate’s attention, from the fact that, to date, the IG has not honoured the Senate’s invitations to appear before it, to explain why he has failed to protect

excreta or other food not normally eaten”, “the submersion of head in water or water polluted with excrement, urine, vomit or blood”. Torture can also be mental, for instance, making a suspect undergo extremely long periods of interrogation, and sleep deprivation. These are also recognised as torture, in the ATA. Torture is not only the preserve of the Nigeria Police Force. The Military and other law enforcement agencies, also stand accused of this practice. In 2016, for example, one Desmond Nunugwo died after being in EFCC custody for just 6 hours. He was apparently hale and hearty, at the time of his arrest. What was done to him, while he was in EFCC custody? How Effective will the Anti-Torture Act be? But how can the Nigeria Police (and indeed, other law enforcement agencies), be made to desist from this age long practice of torturing? How can the ATA be enforced? By having the National Human Rights Commission, carry out regular inspections of cells, prisons and all detention facilities in Nigeria, to ascertain that inmates are not being tortured. In addition to this, for Nigeria, who has ratified OPCAT, to also agree to international inspections of places of detention by the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT). The reports and recommendations of the SPT, are confidential and cannot be published, without the consent of the State party. These measures, will at least, be a step in the right direction. Congratulations to Barbara D. Underwood, the first female Attorney-General of New York.

4/LAW REPORT

19.06.2018

Doctrine of Last Seen: Effect on Presumption of Innocence of Accused Person

A Facts

certain Mr. R.A. Adisa, who was a Lecturer at the College of Education, Okene, travelled to Lagos to purchase a car. PW.2 accompanied him to the Car Lot, and he bought the car in his presence. Owing to his inability to drive the car from Lagos to Okene, he engaged the services of the Appellant to drive the car, against protests from PW2. The Appellant and Mr. Adisa embarked on the journey to Okene from Lagos, but that was the last time Mr. Adisa was seen alive. He neither got to Okene, nor went back to Lagos. The Appellant however, returned to Lagos with the car. He took the car to the house of PW1 (his father) to park it and ask for his blessings, claiming that he had bought the car. PW1 who was quite suspicious of the Appellant, refused to offer his blessings, and ordered the Appellant to take the car away. The Appellant thereby, took the car to the house of PW3 and parked it there on the pretext that, his Uncle overseas, who sent him money to buy the car, wanted to sell it urgently to raise cash. Based on this information, PW3 assisted the Appellant to sell the car. After some days, the relatives of Mr. Adisa became anxious, and decided to trace his movements which led to the arrest of the Appellant. The Appellant confessed to killing Mr. Adisa singlehandedly, and took the Investigators, including PW5, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to the scene of the crime along Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, and showed them where he murdered and buried the deceased. The Appellant was consequently, charged for the murder of the deceased, before the High Court of Lagos State. During arraignment, the Appellant pleaded not guilty. The Respondent’s case was presented by five witnesses, whilst the Appellant testified in his own defence. The learned trial Judge found the Appellant guilty as charged, based on the evidence before the Court, and sentenced him to death by hanging. His appeal against the judgement, was found to be unmeritorious. The Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court, imploring the Court to set aside the concurrent finding of the lower Courts. Issue for Determination The issue adopted for determination of the appeal was: Whether, considering the state of evidence on record before the Court of Appeal, the judgement of the lower Court should be affirmed by the Supreme Court. Arguments For the Appellant, it was argued that since the Appellant was charged with the offence of murder, the Prosecution had a duty to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt. He argued that the conviction was based solely on the application of Section 164(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011, and that the trial Court ignored submissions made in favour of the Appellant, in breach of his right to fair hearing. Counsel submitted further that, Exhibits P1 - P4, the extra-judicial statements to the Police, were inadmissible and ought to be expunged; and further contended that, the court did not rely on the testimonies of PW1 – PW5 and the contents of Exhibit P4, in arriving at the conclusion that the deceased person died. Counsel for the Respondent, on his part, referred to the records of Court and pointed out that, the Appellant by his confession, stated that he murdered the deceased as per Exhibit P4. In addition, that the Court relied on circumstantial evidence, to come to the conclusion that the ingredients of the offence were established by the Respondent, which showed that the Appellant caused the death of the deceased. This is more so, as the Appellant was the last person seen with the deceased. He contended that, the argument on breach of fair hearing was irrelevant, as the Court did not rely solely on the seven year rule, to establish the death of the deceased. Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the issue, the Supreme Court reiterated the trite principle of law, that a free and voluntary confession of guilt, whether judicial or extra-judicial, if it is direct and positive and properly established, is sufficient proof of guilt, and is enough to sustain a conviction so long as the court is satisfied with the truth thereof. The court relied on, OKEGBU v THE STATE (1984) 8 SC 65; KIM v THE STATE (1992) 4 SCNJ 81. By Exhibits P1 – P4, the Appellant admitted committing the offence as charged. The Appellant did not challenge the voluntariness of the statements, but argued that ASP Michael Oluelu, PW5, through whom the document was tendered, was not the recorder of the statements, but the head of the team that investigated the Appellant. The insistence by the Appellant that, reliance on the Exhibits by the Courts below was fatal to their findings, does not have a basis in law. Their Lordships observed that, the lower Courts made

Hon. Chima Centus Nweze, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 23rd Day of March 2018 Before Their Lordships Olukayode Ariwoola Musa Dattijo Muhammad Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Chima Centus Nweze Ejembi Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC.288/2014 Between Kehinde Olude .........Appellant And The State ......Respondent (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Chima Centus Nweze, JSC) concurrent findings on the unchallenged testimonies of the PW1 - PW5, and added that where evidence of a witness is uncontradicted or unchallenged, the Supreme Court would relate it to the applicable law. STATE v OKA (1975) 9-11 SC 17, AGBEGHON v STATE (2000) 7 NWLR (PT. 666) 686. More so, the Supreme Court does not lightly interfere with the concurrent findings of lower Courts, unless such findings were

“The last seen doctrine as applied in homicide cases, is said to create a rebuttable presumption to the effect that, the person last seen with a deceased person, bears full responsibility for his or her death....The doctrine has been held to be, an exception to the watertight constitutional provision that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty”

shown to be perverse or not the result of a proper exercise of discretion. Therefore, Counsel for the Appellant has the duty to demonstrate the perversity of those concurrent findings, and having failed to do so in the instant case, there was no basis for the Court to interfere with them. SOKWO v KPONGBO (2008) ALL FWLR (PT. 410) 680, 695-696 H-A. The trial Court after evaluating Exhibit P4 alongside other testimonies of PW1 (the father of the Appellant) and PW3 (the friend), was convinced from the testimonies, that the Appellant had the opportunity to commit the alleged offence and therefore, gave evidential value to Exhibit P4, as a direct confession of the Appellant. Further, the deceased was last seen alive with the Appellant; thereby presupposing that it was the Appellant who could explain what happened to him. Having failed to explain what happened to the deceased, the trial Court was right in invoking the last seen doctrine against the Appellant. ILIYASU v STATE (2015) LPELR – 24403 (SC) 44-46; E-F. The last seen doctrine as applied in homicide cases, is said to create a rebuttable presumption to the effect that, the person last seen with a deceased person, bears full responsibility for his or her death. Therefore, where an accused person was the last person seen in the company of the deceased person, he has a duty to give an explanation relating to how the latter met his or her death, and in the absence of such an explanation, a trial Court, and even an appellate Court, will be justified in drawing the inference that the accused person killed the deceased person. IGABELE v STATE (2006) 6 NWLR (PT. 975) 100. The doctrine has been held to be, an exception to the watertight constitutional provision that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. MADU v STATE (2012) LPELR -7867 (SC) 51-52; (2012) 15 NWLR (PT.1324) 405. Relating the above holding to the instant case, aside the failure of the Appellant to explain the whereabouts of the deceased, he admitted in his confessional statement, that he killed the deceased in cold blood and robbed him of his Honda aloon car. The fact that he resiled from his statement in Court, did not affect its admissibility. On the legal effect of the Appellant resiling from Exhibit P4, the Court agreed with the position of law as detailed by the trial Court that, having resiled from his statement, the law is that the Exhibit will be considered and evaluated alongside other available evidence in reaching a decision, notwithstanding that the Appellant has resiled therefrom in his testimony in open Court. EGBOHONOME v STATE (1993) 7 NWLR (PT. 306) 383. Regarding the issue of fair hearing raised by the Appellant, the Court relied on ADEBAYO v A-G OGUN STATE (2008) LPELR-80SC 23-24, where the Supreme Court held that, the fair hearing provision in the Constitution is the machinery for justice; not a spare part to propel or invigorate the case of the user. The court particularly noted that, fair hearing is a formidable and fundamental Constitutional provision, available to a party who is really denied fair hearing because he was not heard or that he was not properly heard in the case; it is available to a party just for the asking. Also, the Appellant relied on the provision of Section 50 of the Evidence Act, 2011 to disrobe Exhibit P4 of any probative value, but the Court noted that the provision did not avail the Appellant. The Court relied on its earlier decision in IKPO & ANOR v THE STATE (1995) 9 NWLR (PT. 421) 540, where it was held that Section 34(3) (now Section 50 Evidence Act, 2011), simply makes provision to the effect that the absence of a Public Servant required to give evidence in a judicial proceedings, is sufficiently accounted for by the production of a Gazette, or telegram or letter purporting to emanate from his head of department sufficiently explaining his absence to the satisfaction of the Court. On that note, the Supreme Court disagreed that the provision of the Section could avail the Appellant, as it was the evidence that PW5 was the head of the investigating team, and had read the statement, as well as supervised the recording. He further testified in Court that, Corporal Ewemade could not attend the Court session, due to his dismissal from the Police Force. It follows that provisions of the Section, could not avail the Appellant. Based on the foregoing, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal for being unmeritorious. The conviction of and sentence on the Appellant by the lower Courts, were affirmed. Appeal Dismissed. Representation: Emmanuel Umoren for the Appellant R.A.O. Adegoke for the Respondent. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

19.06.2018 NEWS/5

BLAST FROM THE PAST

FIDAU PRAYERS L-R: Chief Layi Babatunde, SAN, Kwara State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice S.D. Kawu, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC, representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, at the Fidau Prayers for late Hon. Justice M. M. A. Akanbi , former President of Court of Appeal and Pioneer Chairman, ICPC

Senior Staff of the Federal Legal Department on steps of the Law Courts Building, Lagos 1959 "The senior staff members were arranged in order of rank, with the highest-ranking persons in the first row. First Row, L-R: E.I.G. Unsworth, C.M.G., Queen's counsel, Attorney-General of the Federation; and Godfrey Amachree, Solicitor General and Second in command of the Department. Second Row, L-R: John PakenhamWalsh and Tajudeen Bankole Oki, legal draftsmen. Third row, L-R: Basil Walker, Cecil Miller, Duro Adebiyi, Arthur Wheeler, Billie Kazeem, Adeitan Adediran, Senior Crown Counsels and Assistant legal draftmen. Fourth row, L-R: Diekola Ogundere, George Osakwe, Oladipo Williams, Mrs. Abimbola Omololu, Paul Bamela Engo, Fenibo Peters, Crown Counsels.” This photograph was taken, when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life Magazine, and travelled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959

Plateau CJ Tasks NBA on Unity of the Bar, Welfare of Young Lawyers Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice Yakubu Dakwak, has tasked the new Executives of the Jos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure that the Bar is united, and also that the welfare of young Lawyers, is given a priority. Justice Dakwak gave the charge yesterday, when he swore-in the newly elected Executives of the NBA, Jos Branch, noting that a people united will always surmount their challenges, to achieve their goals. While commending the immediate past Executives, Dakwak said, “During their tenure, the Bar was very active, they added value to

the Branch, and upheld the ethics of the profession”. In an interview with journalists, the immediate past Chairman of the Branch, Chief Ralph Monye, said his tenure witnessed the digitalisation of the Bar, and also improved welfare for Lawyers, adding that, he was proud that his administration witnessed a very united Bar. Monye however, noted that, his most challenging moment as the Chairman, was when Judges were being harassed and assaulted across the country, by men of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS). He added that, though no Judge was indicted in Plateau State,

he was always on the road for one meeting or the other. He thanked members for conducting themselves peacefully, during the election that produced the new executives. Also addressing journalists, the new Chairman, Chief Boniface Ngyo, said he was committed to building a Bar Centre in Jos before the end of his tenure, lamenting that the Jos NBA being one of the most vibrant branches, shouldn’t be without a Bar Centre. Ngyo also emphasised on ensuring the security of the Lawyers’ jobs, warning that no more shall unauthorised persons engage in doing the Lawyers jobs.

He said the welfare of Lawyers will be taken seriously, adding that, he was going to liaise with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to seek for affordable medical treatment for sick members. He vowed that, young Lawyers would not be left stranded to wander about the streets, without proper integration. “I will be discussing with older colleagues, to ensure that these ones just leaving the Law School are brought close and integrated; a situation where Lawyers on NYSC will be stranded and be looking for traders to just sign their monthly Clearance to enable them get their monthly allowances, must stop”.

Lagos Gets New Federal Commissioner for Public Complaints Commission • Promises to Reposition the Commission to Serve Public Better Akinwale Akintunde The Lagos State Office of the Public Complaint Commission (PCC), now has a new Federal Commissioner, Hon. Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf. Ayo-Yusuf, who replaced the former Commissioner, Mr. Funso Olukoga, having served two terms, has now fully resumed duty. His resumption followed the last week inauguration of the Chief Commissioner, Hon. Chile Igbawua Zasha and 37 other Federal Commissioners representing the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in Abuja. The PCC, is an organ of the Government, set up to redress complaints lodged by aggrieved citizens or residents in Nigeria, against administrative injustice. Better known as the Ombudsman, the PCC is one of the few agencies, supervised by

the National Assembly directly by law. The new Commissioner, AyoYusuf, promised to reposition the Commission to serve public better. “My primary mission, is for everybody to know personally that this Commission does exist, and that I as the new Commissioner, I have come to help the average man, the masses, to fight for justice, and we are going to do this with speed, solving people’s problems faster than before. That’s what I want to guarantee. “Thank God, the world has moved on to social media. We intend to use a lot of social network, to get across to the people, so that they can understand that we actually exist, and we are broader than Police Complaints Commission and some other Commissions around. We, apart from the injustices that we fight against in Ministries, Parastatals, States, Companies, we also fight for the citizens individually as well, especially where we feel the

issues have not been addressed properly. In the coming weeks, we are going to move out. “We are under the National Assembly (NASS) and so, any enforcement we cannot do, we will go back there, and get the power for proper enforcement from there, because that’s where the power comes from, in order to get such agreements implemented according to the their terms and as agreed. “My predecessor, Funsho Olukoga, did a lot, and I intend to continue where he stopped, even though there was paucity of funds. We have approached the Chief Commissioner and the House, and they have decided to fund us more. So, we are going to do more than Olukoga did, and do better. “I intend to get assistance from several institutions as well, including the Governor of the State, to make our job easier. We can pay courtesy visits to them, and get some assistance

from them, that would assist us to carry out our duties. We need logistics to move out to the grassroots, because we know that not everybody is on social media. We need assistance to be able to reach out to the grassroots, to talk to them one on one, to make them realise that the Commission is actually for them, and not for the big man. I intend to arrange staff seminars, to train and keep retraining them, and let them know what the public is expecting from them. “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is the traditional way of resolving disputes. We depend so much on that, but we lack enforcement. That is why, we are different from law courts. That is the difference, between the Public Complaints Commission and the law courts. It has been a limitation for this office, unless something is done about the Bill before the National Assembly”, he said.

LEGAL UPDATE MAAN’S 9TH PRACTICAL MARITIME DISPUTE RESOLUTION SEMINAR, JUNE 27TH & 28TH, 2018 The Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria’s 9th Practical Maritime Dispute Resolution Seminar, will take place on the 27th & 28th of June, 2018 at the Hon. Justice Taslim Elias QC Hearing Room, Lagos Court of Arbitration Building, Lekki, Lagos. The Seminar is designed to provide participants with deep insight, regarding practical issues in the Maritime Industry and Maritime Dispute Resolution. Topics this year, range from discussions on issues in Terminal Operations in Nigeria, which will be discussed from the Legal, Operators and Regulators’ perspective, to discussions on the finality of Arbitration in Nigeria, whether a myth or reality; to be presented by leading Practitioners in the Maritime Industry and Arbitration/ADR. Considerable time on the second day, will be devoted to an interactive moot and mock process. We welcome participation from Practitioners in the Maritime Industry, Legal Advisers, Lawyers and all other persons involved in Arbitration/ADR, or interested in gaining knowledge in the field. ••• LAW SCHOOL’S “GOLDEN SET” OF 1978 CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY The Nigerian Law School’s “Golden Set” of 1978, will be celebrating its 40th Year Anniversary Reunion on July 21st, 2018 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja. Members are requested to register on or before June 30th, 2018 by email:ngochiana@gmail.com or text to 0803313500. Planning Committee Chairman is Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria’s 2018 Maiden Annual Lecture The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, as part of its programme of continuing legal education and pursuit of excellence by its members, (and by extension, the members of the Outer Bar), is hosting its maiden Annual Lecture on Thursday, June 28, 2018 under the Chairmanship of the distinguished Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, GCON, with Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Oluyemi Osinbajo, GCON, SAN, delivering the key note address. According to the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria Subcommittee on Continuing Legal Education, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, the theme of this year’s Annual Lecture is “The Evolving Role of Senior Advocates in the Administration of Justice and Nation Building’”, and is scheduled

to hold on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. This year’s Annual Lecture is intended to foster discussions among members of the Bench and Bar, on how Senior Advocates of Nigeria can maximise their privileged position and wealth of knowledge, as a tool in the administration of justice in today’s ever changing and evolving modern society. The session will be chaired by Professor Fidelis Oditah, QC, SAN, as the guest speaker, and will have various panelists which include Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, JSC (rtd), Hon. Justice Amina Augie JSC, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN and Mr. A.B Mahmoud, SAN. As the theme reads, the Lecture will discuss the role and expectations of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, in the Administration of Justice and Nation building. As

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19.06.2018

Revisit the Adoption of Electronic Voting for 2019 Polls, Olanipekun, Others, Urge NASS Akinwale Akintunde A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has urged the National Assembly to revisit the adoption of electronic voting for 2019 General Elections. Olanipekun said this last Wednesday, in his Keynote Address at the 2018 Annual Lecture of the Ikeja Branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC). He said the combination of card readers and electronic voting, would result in a credible electoral process. A former General Secretary of NBA, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, and NBA Vice President, Monday Ubani, also shared Olanipekun’s views. The lecture had the theme "The Role of Judiciary, Media in the 2019 Election”. The Senior Advocate suggested that, electronic voting, would be an improvement on the card reader system introduced by the Professor Attahiru Jega led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2015. “Even with the deployment of the card reader in 2015, a lot of electoral malpractices were still identified. The least that Nigerians expect from INEC for the 2019 General Elections, is the deployment and use of an electronic device, which would ensure substantial rig-proof elections. “The combination of the use and activation of the card reader and electronic device, will assure

and reassure Nigerians that INEC is indeed, and in fact, prepared for a free and fair election. INEC should not enter any caveat, or give any alibi for not being able to deploy the electronic device, which is now in use almost worldwide”, he said. Speaking on the role of the Media, Olanipekun said though Nigerian laws had provided sufficiently for press freedom, there was a need for journalists to be adequately remunerated. "The Nigerian press had been imbued with sufficient of freedom under our Constitution, and as such, there is no need to amend the Constitution to specifically provide for the independence of the press. "For us to make any tangible progress in our quest for democratic stability, the Nigerian press has to be free from censorship by either the Government, its operatives, or proprietors of media outfits. "For a journalist or pressman who is not gainfully employed, or who is under what economists call 'disguised unemployment', who receives peanuts or nothing for his services to his employers, cannot make any meaningful contribution to the either the 2019 General Elections, or the evolution of democracy. "A hungry man, cannot be a happy man, instead, he is bound to be an angry personality”, he said. Olanipekun said there is a need for Nigerians to appreciate the vital role of the press in every sphere of the nation, and commended the profound editorial opinions published in various print media.

Olanipekun hailed the role of the Judiciary, in ensuring the sustainability of the country's democracy. "President Goodluck Jonathan honourably and commendably conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari, after the 2015 Presidential election. "Nigerians have lost sight of the fact that, the Presidential election of Saturday, March 28, 2015, was only held because of the judicial intervention of Kolawole J., of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division”, he said. On her part, Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke, charged journalists to ensure fair and unbiased coverage, in order not to heat up the polity. Oke, who was the Chief Host at the event, and was represented by Hon. Justice Josephine Oyefeso, noted that the media acts as a watchdog, with a duty to provide unbiased, fair and informative coverage of the 2019 elections. "Responsible reporting of events must be the guiding principle of the media, apart from the electronic and print media, social media has also gained tremendous ground in this country. "In the last election, it played a vital role, as a watchdog in the process of electioneering. "Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Instagram, will continue to play a dominant role in communicating with the members of the public and monitoring elections and results. "The need for responsible reporting to avoid

Solicitor-General Lauds Nomination of State Counsel for U.S Department Leadership Programme Akinwale Akintunde The Lagos State Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami, has congratulated a Chief State Counsel, Mrs Yetunde Abosede Ajayi, on her nomination as a Participant at the US Department of State organised International Visitor Leadership Programme, scheduled to hold from July 30 to August 17, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Odunlami, in a statement, expressed the appreciation of the Ministry, for the gesture of the United States Consulate General, in recognising and rewarding the exemplary performance and

productivity of a Law Officer in the Ministry. “Lagos State Ministry of Justice, arguably the largest law office in Nigeria, has a robust pool of legal experts and very efficient and pragmatic team of Law Officers, among which, Mrs. Ajayi, who through dint of hard work and unusual commitment to duty, has continued to promote the ideals and a culture of excellence, for which the Ministry is known for.” “The exemplary work ethics of the nominated Counsel, is not only in consonance with the letters of our Mission Statement, but also a testimony of the prevailing conducive work environment in the Ministry, promoted by the Lagos State

Government, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem.” Mrs Ajayi, a Chief State Counsel, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000, and joined the Ministry as a State Counsel in 2004. In the almost two decades of her employment, she has served in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Public Defender, where she headed the Training Committee that successfully organised in 2016, the first International Training for Staff of the OPD, in collaboration with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Boulder, Colorado, and Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB).

fake news, cannot be overemphasised; we must take the good, and jettison the bad. "Judiciary Correspondents covering the various election petition proceedings that will be set up, must report proceedings in an unbiased, fair and upright manner. "When a case is under judgement, the media must ensure that it does not interfere with the fair trial obligation of the court. "Accuracy must be our watchword, and you must ensure that you do not compromise ongoing court proceedings, bearing in mind that there are at least two sides to a story. "We should not forget that lack of professionalism and objectivity, may plunge the nation into crisis, we should never forget the events in Rwanda in 1994 and Kenya in 2007”, the Chief Judge said. The Attorney- General of Lagos State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in his speech, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, is committed to ensuring swift and fair administration of justice. Kazeem who was represented by Mr. Idowu Akinwunmi, his Senior Special Adviser (SSA), urged the press to be unbiased in their reportage of national issues. "Equally, the populace depend largely on professional reporting journalism, and I must commend the members of this Association for attaining the required level of this societal obligation. "As stakeholders here seated, it is therefore, our collective responsibility as a society, to continue to uphold fair, independent and accountable institutions to carry out their work in a responsible manner. "The theme of this lecture is relevant, as we draw closer to the election. "Though today’s topic focuses on the Judiciary and Media, individually and within our respective institutions, we all have a role to play in the coming elections”, he said. In his welcome address, Mr. Akinwale Akintunde, the Chairman of NAJUC, represented by his Vice, Mr. Gbenga Adewoye said the theme of the lecture was very apt, because of the importance of elections in the country. "You will all agree with me that as the 2019 General Elections draw near, and the widespread social media campaign for citizens to get their Permanent Voters Card intensifies, a number of people have a few questions on their lips. "One of such questions is, can we ever get it right in this country? "The answer is yes, but it can only happen when we all, particularly the Media and the Judiciary, play our roles effectively”, he said.

Legal Personality of the Week Emmanuel Oche Ochai

‘Rome was not Built in a Day’ My name is Emmanuel Oche Ochai. I had my primary school at the National Veterinary Research Institute Staff Nursery/Primary School, Vom, Plateau State. I then attended the Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, Plateau State. Then Benue State University, Makurdi, where I studied Law. I then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, where I obtained my B.L, and was subsequently called to Nigerian Bar on the 13th November, 2007. I am presently pursuing my Masters at the University of Lagos, Akoka and also practice in Lagos as a Partner in the law firm of B. Aguegbodo & Co. Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges? Yes, I have had challenges as a Lawyer, one of which is the perception of the public towards Lawyers who take criminal defence cases in Nigeria. Because of the media trial of some of these criminal cases, the Defendants are already pronounced guilty in the court of public opinion, not minding the fact that by virtue of our Constitution, these Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, as a Lawyer, if you take one of those cases, the public does not see you as a professional doing his job, the public does not realise that these persons may be innocent, but rather, you are seen in most cases, as an accessory to the offence. Secondly, our courts in Nigeria are congested, and the spillover effect is having cases last for so long in courts, with incessant adjournments. We need more courts and more Judges, and

Emmanuel Oche Ochai

Lawyers have to also advice and encourage their clients, to consider Alternative Dispute Resolution like Mediation and Arbitration, which in most cases, is faster than litigation. What was your worst day as a Lawyer? My worst day as a Lawyer was years back, when I newly started practice. I was arguing an application and I relied heavily on a law. Unknown to me, the law had been repealed. The court drew my attention, to the fact that the law had been repealed. People in court, were all laughing at me. It was really embarrassing.

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer? I have a lot of fond memories in this profession, like the first case I handled from beginning to the end, and judgement was delivered in my favour. But, one that will always stand out for me, happened in my second year in practice. I appeared before the High Court in Lagos, and the matter was for hearing. The counsel on the other side, was a very experienced and senior Lawyer. I was appearing in the case, for the first time that day. The other counsel noticed my inexperience and naivety, so he decided to take full advantage of the situation. The Judge noticed what was going on, and stylishly hinted to me to take an adjournment so I can be better prepared, which I did. The experience really gave me confidence and faith in the system, and the icing on the cake was that, judgement was delivered in my favour in that case. Who has been most influential in your life? My late Mother, has been the most influential person in my life. The reason is that, her life experiences taught me never to give up, no matter how hard the challenge may seem. She became an orphan at a tender age, grew up with different relatives who never really cared for her. She became a widow at an early age, left with six boys to train and care for, which she did excellently. So anytime the journey gets tough, I remember her life and sacrifices, and I keep pushing. Why did you become a Lawyer?

Growing up, as a child, I watched a lot of movies and was privileged to read a lot of novels as well. Whenever I came across a character in those books and movies who was a Lawyer, I really admired those characters, especially the ones I saw in those movies. All I wanted, was to be like those Lawyers that I watched and read about. I guess that was a major factor, in my decision to be a Lawyer. What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in Law? Law is a great profession, which puts one in a position of great privilege. And to whom much is given, much is also expected. The beginning may seem rough and tough, but they should always remember that, ‘Rome was not built in a day’. Therefore, to get to the very top of the profession, requires a lot of sacrifice, hard work, dedication and patience. Success in the profession, does not come over night. However, when the right indices are in place, success is guaranteed. It doesn’t matter if there are millions of Lawyers out there, the sky is wide enough to contain both the eagle and the pigeon. If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen? If I had not become a Lawyer, I would probably have been a Pilot. Where do you see yourself in ten years? In ten years’ time, I see myself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, managing and piloting the affairs of one of the top five Law Firms in Nigeria.

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Outside of October 1, 1960, the day that Nigeria gained her independence from Britain and becam Nigeria’s political evolution. While October 1 has retained its pride of place in Nigeria’s history, Jun conveniently found a way to play down its significance, from military despots to benevolent civilian l paid to the blinkering of over 24 years, which has not only led to a proclamation of June 12 as Nigeria In this special edition, the panel of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Daniel Hassan Bwala, Mo June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, and the posthumous conferment of the rank of the Grand Comm Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on foremost Human Rights Activist, the Late Chief

Buhari’s June 12 Posthumous Awards: Legal and Political Imperatives Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN

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Introduction une 12, was a watershed in Nigeria’s political wilderness. It was the day that, Nigerians had been yearning for. Nationhood found their voice. They unanimously voted for Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, as President and Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Male and female. Christians and Muslims, Agnostics and Atheists, Politicians and non-Politicians. From North, South, East and West, Abiola won. Even in the Military and Police Barracks. He even defeated his opponent, Bashir Othman Tofa, in his Albassa Gyadi-Gyadi ward in Kano State. But, IBB’s military junta, aided by political, military, civilian and judiciary collaborators (remember the mid night judgement of late Justice Ita Ikpeme?), annulled the freest, fairest, and most respected elections ever held in Nigeria to date. It was most mindless, unconscionable and atrocious. The will of the Nigerian people which ignored the fact that Abiola and Kingibe ran on a Moslem-moslem ticket, was outrageously annulled. The national turmoil, blood-letting, demonstrations, resistance, etc, that followed, were unprecedented. I was one of those fully involved on a daily basis, in the trenches, on the streets, at Yaba/Tejuosho bus stop, Ikeja, Mushin, Igando, Iyana- Ipaja, Ojota arenas and Ikorodu road. I suffered detentions and indignities. We were led by fearless and courageous Gani Fawehinmi. NADECO was unrelenting. Many Nigerians were killed; many maimed and jailed; yet many exiled. Some of us stayed back and fought on, like the Trojans. Never mind the perverse and highly compromised list of the few people (politically partisan), that were invited to Aso Villa, to mark the last June 12 awards. Most of the unsung heroes were deliberately left out. But, thank God, Joe Igbokwe’s epic chronicle of a book, “Heroes of Democracy”, written nearly 20 years ago, captured us all. Like late M.K.O. Abiola would say, ‘you cannot cover the sun with your palm’. From CLO (which I co-founded), to UDD (which I solely founded), to JACON, I fought for June 12. So, for over 2 decades, I clamoured for revalidation of June 12 (not May 29), as Nigeria’s true democracy day. I knew the time would therefore, come. When

the gestation period is over for a pregnant woman, she must surely deliver. It does not matter how – whether through normal delivery or caesarian section. June 12 was all along, like the pregnant woman. She was bound to be delivered. I took the battle for the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy day, to the National Conference of 2014, made up of about 392 great Nigerians, drawn from all spheres and strata of the Nigerian nation. 2014 National Conference: My Submissions The following is a rehash of the events at pages 185 and 186 of my latest book, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”: “JUNE 12 - MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE JUNE 12 DEBATE AT THE 2014 NATIONAL CONFERENCE”. On Thursday, the 12th of June, 2014, Hon Orok Duke, had moved a motion at the plenary session, for acknowledgment of the heroic struggles of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, that culminated in his murder. Delegates one after another, commented on the importance of June 12. In my contribution, I informed plenary that without June 12, there would not have been May 29. I argued that June 12 was more important and momentous in the history of Nigeria, and deserves full blown recognition. It was my argument that Chief M.K.O. Abiola, in his patriotic sense of redemptive messianism, paid the ultimate, supreme price, by sacrificing himself for democracy. For this, he is Nigeria’s true hero of democracy, and nothing must be done to diminish his importance. I further argued that, under successive brutal military regimes, I was a victim, suffering about eleven detentions. Some of us were killed, some maimed, many detained, imprisoned, while some others were forcefully exiled. It is therefore, surprising to see some delegates not desiring to give June 12, its rightful place in history. Indeed, I urged the Chairman to declare one minute of silence for Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and all the faithful departed who were killed during June 12, 1993, crises, whether they be from the North, South, East or West. I urged that June 12 is not just important, but constitutes the watershed of Nigeria’s democracy, and that it should not be trivialised. “Some people paid the supreme price for us to enjoy the democracy that some politicians are messing up today, I concluded”. The Conference Chairman, ordered a minute silence for all the victims of June 12, as suggested

Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR

by me. Buhari’s Declaration of June 12 is Historic I therefore, thank President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 Nigeria’s Democracy Day, and honouring Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and my late mentor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, SAM, with the highest and second highest honours in Nigeria. To me, it is not the right argument that PMB did it for political reasons. Yes, he may very well have done it to shore up his battered political image, and fast dwindling democratic credentials. But, the inescapable fact is that, he has done the right thing, for which history will remember him. This is the more reason, I believe the argument should now proceed, why he should retire quietly to his Daura home, having done one great thing, for which he will be remembered. When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote his scathing letter to PMB early this year, I applauded the letter for the import of its correct contents,

even though I am not a fan of OBJ. I argued then that, we should listen to the message and not look at the messenger. In the same vein here, we should look at the historical significance of PMB’s political masterstroke, on the June 12 brouhaha; and

“....we should look at the historical significance of PMB’s political masterstroke, on the June 12 brouhaha; and not him as a perso or the ulterior motives for whic he did it. I applaud him, for this singular act, that breathed fres exhilarating oxygen, into his lack lustre performance”

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me a sovereign nation, June 12, 1993, is undoubtedly the most significant and remarkable date in une 12 suffered a most miserable and unfortunate fate. Every successive administration since 1993, leaders. President Buhari’s unprecedented deft political move on Wednesday June 6, 2018, finally put a’s Democracy Day, but bestowed on the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the highest honour in the nation. onday Onyekachi Ubani, Michael Dedon and Jide Ojo, discuss the significance of declaring mander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and the Grand f Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, SAM

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June 12 as Democracy Day: Implications for the Polity Daniel Hassan Bwala “June 12, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will, in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military government, does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.” –President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

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t is no longer news that the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has announced his recognition of the election of the then Social Democratic Party’s Presidential flag-bearer, Chief M.K.O. Abiola; whose presumed election is still reputed undoubtedly to be the fairest and freest, since the nation’s independence. The President also announced his intention to confer the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, GCFR, on the late Chief Abiola and the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, on his then VicePresidential running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, and late Human Rights Activist and Lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN. The nest of the legal community, has, as would be expected, been since stirred with several interpretations, insinuations, etc. not him as a person, or the ulterior motives for which he did it. I applaud him, for this singular act that breathed fresh exhilarating oxygen into his lack lustre performance. Was the Conferment of Posthumous National Honours on Late Abiola and Gani Legally Grounded? Buckets of ink have so far been poured, and tons of lachrymal effusion exerted, on whether Buhari could legally confer posthumous awards on late iconic Abiola and Gani. My answer is a loud “yes”. The opponents of the award readily cite Section 3 of the Honours Warrant, subsidiary legislation of the National Honours Act. It provides: “3. Mode of appointment to Orders, etc. (1) The President shall by notice in the Federal Gazette signify his intention of appointing a person to a particular rank of an Order (2) Subject to the next following paragraph

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The Position of the Law The National Honours Act, 1964 empowers the President of the Federal Republic to confer honours, decorations and dignities in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. May I be quick to state that, these are honours and do not confer political power or authority. It is not in doubt that GCFR is inherent in the office of the President, as GCON is inherent in the office of the Vice-President. Rather than conferred or given, it is inherent in the office, upon occupation by an individual. These honours or orders, are akin to the British Order of Honours, in form and structure. It can be conferred on anyone, including the GCFR. That the honours were conferred on the duo of Chief MKO Abiola and Amb. Kingibe, does not make them, legally speaking, former President and Vice-President,

respectively. It is a matter of Nigerian practice and custom, to give GCFR to former Presidents. There are constitutionally prescribed prerequisites for becoming a President or Vice-President, none of which includes reception of national honours. Contrary to popular notions, the national honour of GCFR is not the exclusive preserve of Presidents of Nigeria, because the Act clearly stipulates in Section 2 the eligibility for conferment, and does not limit it to any particular kind of persons or occupants of any offices; same thing with the others such as the GCON, OFR, etc. It however, states just a criterion, that a person needs to be a Nigerian to qualify for conferment of the honours. It goes too, without saying that, these honours are given in special recognition of heroic acts, efforts and services. Further to the above, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, GCFR, was reported to be a recipient of the honour of GCFR from President Shehu Shagari. He was not a former President In fact, he contested for the nation’s highest office three times, and was the first premier of the then Western Region, but not a former President. Furthermore, it has been argued in various quarters that, the honour cannot be conferred in absentia or on the dead. I however, beg to differ, both legally and morally speaking. The proponents of this argument quote Section 3(2) where it is states that the President shall confer the honour at an investiture on the recipient when “..... receives from the President in person”. Interestingly, a careful look at the entire Section 3 puts this argument to rest. It provides in section 3(3): “... If in the case of any person it appears to the President expedient to dispense with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this article, he may direct that that person shall be appointed to the rank in question in such a manner as may be specified in the direction.” So, Section 3 paragraph (2) begins by stating that subsection two paragraph two is subject to subsection two paragraph three, which gives the President the unfettered discretion to dispense with the requirement of physical presence. I do not agree with those in the legal community, who vehemently contend that it cannot and should not, be conferred on the dead. If a Nigerian deserving of such honour dies in the

“.....the President who has lost the favour of some former Heads of State and some Military Generals, ...... has by this singular act, dealt a heavy blow, and stirred the long quiet that has followed the annulment of the June 12 election by Babangida. It brought up the General, to public odium and ridicule again”

process of his execution of heroic deeds, does the fact of death rob him or strip him/her of the possibility of recognition? I think not, and neither is that in tandem with natural justice, equity and good conscience. The President was right, to have conferred the honour on them, albeit posthumously. Agitation for Chief Abiola to be Declared President: Matters Arising What I would not advice in the present scenario, is the Presidency acting on the agitation for a declaration of Chief MKO Abiola, as a former President of Nigeria. That would require a declaration of the results by INEC, because the annulment happened on June 12, 1993 before the results could be announced. A gamut of legal issues would arise, if he be so declared, ranging from benefits to the appropriate legal status of his running mate, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, who is still alive. Are we prepared to “serve justice” to that extent? Again, I don’t think so. The President also announced in his letter, that the hitherto May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, would henceforth be June 12 in honour of the late Chief Abiola. Suffice to say that, if the declaration of June 12 as the new Democracy Day is for the purpose of hand-over of power as against May 29, Continued on page 11

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Buhari’s June 12 Posthumous Awards: Legal and Political Imperatives Continued from page 9 of this article , a person shall be appointed to a particular rank of an Order when he receives from the President in person, at an investiture held for the purpose(a) the insignia appropriate for that rank; and (b) an instrument under the hand of the President and the public seal of the Federation declaring him to be appointed to that rank.” To these opponents, the phrase, “in person” in section 3 (2), simply means that for a person to be qualified to receive the award, he must be physically present to receive it. It cannot, therefore, be conferred in absentia, they argue. Respected jurist, Hon Justice Belgore, Chief Justice of Nigeria (2006 – 2007), and Chairman of the National Honours Committee, erroneously falls into this category. I respectfully, disagree with them. An honour is an honour. It can be conferred on a living person. When such opportunity does not avail him, he can be honoured posthumously. Streets are still being named, and statues being built after Martin Luther King Jnr, Murtala Muhammed, Nelson Mandela, Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, etc., many, many years after their demise. This is posthumous. This logic against posthumous awards, defies cases of persons, who though alive, are bedridden, or too incapacitated for them to appear physically to receive the awards. Should they by reason of this alone, be denied of their due reward? I think not. Happily, the above argument, has been torpedoed by the clear provisions of Section 3(3) of the same Act, which provides: “if in the case of any person it appears to the President expedient to dispense with the requirements of paragraph 2 of this section, he may direct that that person shall be appointed to the rank in question in such a manner as may be specified in the directions”. “In such a manner as may be specified in the direction’’, has given the President wide discretionary powers, amplitude and plenitude, to confer awards on all persons, as he shall deem fit, whether such persons be present, or absent, alive or dead. In any event, in statutory interpretation, courts lean to that which would not create absurdity. Thus, in NNPC v ZARIA & ANOR (2014) LPELR-22362 (CA), it was held that: “The law recognises that where reliance on literal interpretation of wordings will lead to absurdity, a court is permitted to depart from that principle of interpretation’’ Per Abiriu, JCA (P.68, Paras. B-C). Also, in ORAEGBUNAM v CHUKWUKA & ORS (2019) LPELR-4796 (CA), it was held that: “It is the general principles of rules of interpretation, that where words are clear and unequivocal, they should be given their natural, ordinary or grammatical meaning. My view is that, there is a rider to that, in that, if giving the words in the statutes their natural or grammatical meaning will lead to absurdity or injustice, resort could be made to internal aid within the statutes or external aid outside it, in order to resolve the ambiguity, to avoid doing injustice. See MOBIL OIL NIG. v R.B.R (1997) 3 SC 53: ORJI v FRN (2007) 13NWLR (PT 1050) 55. I am fortified in this view, by the remarks of Onu, JSC in OJUKWU v OBASANJO (2004) 40 WRN : Where the learned jurist had this to say at page 106: ‘’thus where literal interpretation of word or words will result in an ambiguity or injustice, it will be the duty of the court to consider the enactment as a whole, with a view to ascertain whether the language of the enactment is capable of any other fair interpretation, or whether it may not be desirable to put a secondary meaning on such a language, or even to adopt a construction which is not quite strictly grammatical’’ See also PDP v NEC (1999) 11 NWLR (PT 626)200 At 242’’ Per Sanusi, JCA (P.39, paras. A-E). Consequently, I humbly submit that, the more plausible interpretation to be given to Section 3 of the Honours Warrant, is that PMB can confer honours posthumously on Abiola and Gani. Would Abiola and Gani Have Accepted these Awards? The argument of political pundits and critical

General Ibrahim Babangida who annulled the June 1993 election which Chief Abiola won, and General Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the 6 other Nigerian Presidents, who failed to recognise June 12 and honour Chief Abiola, even though he was the direct beneficiary of June 12

voices, should now turn to whether these honours, though well- deserved by Abiola and Gani, would have been accepted by them, giving the prevailing atmosphere of morbid fear, executive rascality, recession of human rights, rule of law and civil liberties of the Nigerian citizens. The answer is a categorical “no”. Though well intended, even if for political reasons by PMB, I am convinced that MKO and Gani would have out rightly rejected the national honours, if they were alive. I will give my reasons anon. But, I must confess that, nothing good comes at a bad time, and nothing bad comes at a good time. So, the timing, to me, is immaterial. But, both Abiola and Gani, if they were alive, would have said “no, thank you sir”, to PMB. On 14th December, 2008, barely 9 months before his death, Chief Gani had outrightly rejected the national honour of OFR (Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), bestowed on him by the then President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In rejecting the honour and giving his reasons, Gani said, inter alia: “Today I am seventy years and 8 months old. I am struck down by lung cancer, for which I have been receiving medical treatment outside my country because my country Nigeria has one of the poorest medical services in the world, but one of the richest countries in the world in terms of revenue”. Question: has anything changed? Answer: “No”. Even PMB has himself has been receiving medical treatment in London, outside Nigeria. Deprecating the poor socio- economic and political situation in the country, Gani was emphatic that: “whether now or in the life beyond, how can I wake up in the morning and look at the insignia of honour bestowed on me, under a government that persecutes...Nuhu Ribadu?” (Whom he believed did a great job on the anti-corruption fight). Does this Government not persecute political opponents, opposition and critical voices? Answer: yes. This Government is intolerant of opposition, and plurality of voices or opinions. Gani had continued: “A government that covertly and overtly encourages corruption, has no honour in its arsenal of power to dispense honour. Consequently, I reject the dishonour of OFR termed “honour” given to me by the Federal Government... I wish to reiterate that, in all ramifications of human existence, the masses have found themselves in the doldrums of pain occasioned by gross misgovernance of the country... the decadent socio-economic situation does not engender the well-being of ordinary people, and there is no hope in sight. In view of the foregoing, I reject the award of OFR”. The question is whether anything has changed for the better since 15th December, 2008, when Gani, in rejecting the Yar’Adua National honour, listed 8 critical areas the then Government had failed. I am afraid, nothing has changed. The situation has, rather, got worse. The areas Gani had listed included “the abolition of poverty from the face of the country, the unqualified need to preserve, defend and protect the fundamental human rights; the governance of our country through democratic process; the subjection of

“....who killed Abiola? How and why did Abacha die? Who killed Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, ...? Who killed Bagauda Kaltho? Who killed Alfred Rewane? Why were Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Shola Omatsola, Alex Ibru, Mrs Sulia Adedeji, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Dr Bisoye Tejuosho, et al, killed? Who killed Bola Ige? Who annulled the election? Why was it annulled?”

everybody and everything to and under the Rule of law; the right of the people to free and qualitative education at all levels; the right of the people to free and qualitative health services and facilities; the strengthening of our economy through sound development of infrastructures and corruption” (holistic and all- embracing fighting of same, without discrimination). Gani had ended his rejection of the national honour, with a “clarion call on the suffering masses” to “unite and fight for your legitimate right to the abolition of poverty. Why should you continue to suffer while your leaders and their families continue to enjoy the best at your expense?”. Thus, Gani would have rejected the honour of GCON. But even then, I thank PMB for doing the right thing, just like Yar’Adua had done. As regards the undoubted martyr of democracy, Chief MKO Abiola, who paid the supreme price in his quest for genuine redemptive Messianism, he would also have rejected the GCFR given him, except certain things were first done. In his June 11, 1993 reclamation speech, popularly called the “Epetedo Proclamation”, Abiola had declared, most fiercely, inter alia: “I hereby, invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President. “My Government of National Unity, is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as of now. People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa, and we, in Nigeria, must not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same, as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country. “The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority, are the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of Police action. But, do not let us fear arrest. In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever. “So, let it be with Nigeria. Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason trials to halt the march of history? People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land”. Recall that Abiola had, whilst in government captivity, rejected his bail, which was burdened with unacceptable conditionalities. If Abiola were alive, he would have demanded that, before he accepted the GCFR honour (reserved only for Presidents and Heads of State), the presidential elections in which he clearly emerged the winner in the freest, fairest, and most credible elections ever held in Nigeria, should first be declared by the present INEC which succeeded Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s National Electoral Commission (NEC), which had conducted the election. He would have insisted that he be first formally pronounced “President, Commander-In- Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria”, before accepting same. He would insist that his campaign slogan of “farewell to poverty”, be first accomplished, and the masses raised from doldrums and their state of nadir. Abiola, in his witty wisecracks, would have wondered why he should applaud PMB for the award, by merely giving him a button for his shirt, that the military of which PMB formed a part, had snatched from him. He

would have argued that the Nigerian peoples’ head, should not be shaved in their absence, through his unilateral acceptance of the awards, when the mandate they freely gave to him had not been formally validated and pronounced. To me, the argument of what reasons actuated PMB in declaring June 12 our democracy day, and giving posthumous awards to Abiola and Gani, do not arise at all. If anything, the very acts themselves, form the very prong and catalyst to hold PMB strictly accountable to the ideas, philosophy, and democratic credentials and convictions that drove these two great sons of Nigeria, nay, Africa, which his Government lacks in tons. These include socio-economic justice, egalitarianism, respect for human rights, observance of the rule of law and due process, treatment of all Nigerians equally, wholesome and non-selective fight of corruption, good, transparent and accountable governance, respect for the will of the people through a fair, just, credible and respectable electoral process, etc. This Government, is glaringly short of these glittering credentials. Buhari’s To-do List In endorsing and applauding PMB for this historic feat, let me add that, he must now quickly move to carry out the necessary legal, constitutional and legislative requirements to bring this to fruition. For now, the pronouncement remains in the realm of executive fiat. PMB should also go ahead, with the necessary political will, to immediately restructure the lopsided Nigerian Federation, remove the glaring nepotistic, tribalistic and cronyistic imbalances, and enthrone true, fiscal federalism. He should also ensure that, the June 1993 presidential election results, are officially declared and Abiola formally pronounced the winner, and therefore, President of Nigeria. His name, undoubtedly, will be inscribed in gold in Nigeria, whether or not he goes ahead to contest the 2019 presidential election. To me, he should not bother to contest, even though it is his constitutional right to do so. He should play the Nelson Mandela card. God bless Nigeria. The Need For Truth And Reconciliation Committee Perhaps, what the June 12 imbroglio has thrown up, is the urgent need, aside from immediate restructuring, for a Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Many questions are left unanswered: who killed Abiola? How and why did Abacha die? Who killed Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, the flaming Amazon who died in the June 12 struggle? Who killed Bagauda Kaltho? Who killed Alfred Rewane? Why were Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Shola Omatsola, Alex Ibru, Mrs Sulia Adedeji, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Dr Bisoye Tejuosho, et al, killed? Who killed Bola Ige? Who annulled the election? Why was it annulled? Why were the Igbos massacred during the 3 year pogrom of a civil war? Why were the three Rs of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, never achieved? What has happened to our oil wealth since its first discovery at Oloibiri in 1956? Why is Nigeria burdened with exceptionally bad leadership, and a shamelessly docile followership that is too scared to hold the leadership accountable and responsible to it? Oputa Panel’s Report and the various reports of national Conferences held in the last 3 decades, will be very useful here also. We need answers to the whys, wheres, hows, whichs, whats, etc., of Nigeria’s stunted growth. Nigeria, we hail thee. Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, SAM, OFR, FCIArb., Ph.D, LL.D, Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

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June 12 Democracy Day: Buhari’s Political Masterstroke Monday Onyekachi Ubani

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Political Master Stroke he decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare June 12 as Democracy Day, and the conferment of the highest honour in the land posthumously on the late Chief MKO Abiola, was a political masterstroke and a good decision well taken. This wise and well thought out decision, has been widely applauded by men and women of goodwill in Nigeria. Indeed, this decision has healed some big wounds, and cured some political diseases that have plagued this nation for over 24 years. At last, justice was done, and the Federal Government of Nigeria acknowledged injustice and wrong done to Nigerians in general, and to the Abiola Family, in particular. What a way to redress an injustice and to ease tension, in a nation that is battling with economic and political issues, including insecurity and mass disenchantment in the land? Despite this good gesture which was widely applauded by Nigerians of all divide, there are few who are still arguing about the legality of both the Democracy Day and the award. For the award, some of the opinion is that, it cannot be conferred on a dead person who they argue has lost his or her citizenship by virtue of death, while others argue that posthumous awards are reserved only for those in the Military. Issues My humble view about these issues are as follows: as long as the National Honours Act does not expressly exclude the award of GCFR on a dead person, then it may be wrong to criticise this good gesture made by President Buhari, which deserves an accolade and not criticism, as it were.

L-R: Babagana Kingibe, GCON, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, SAN, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Kola Abiola, eldest son of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, wife of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi

Secondly a dead person, does not cease to be a Nigerian because he or she is dead, as citizenship is not derived on whether one is living or dead, but as defined by the Constitution, which incidentally, is elaborate and without any ambiguity on this. One other issue that is eliciting debate, which I consider healthy, is whether handover date of this Government will

be extended to June 12th, 2019 instead of May 29th, 2019. My intervention on this, is that this present Government will carry out their handover properly as prescribed in the Constitution on the 29th of May, 2019, there won't be any extension for a day. However, the subsequent Governments after May 29th, 2019 will be sworn in on 12th June, 2023. What that means

June 12 as Democracy Day: Implications for the Polity Continued from page 9 then a constitutional vacuum would have been created, that would require to be filled. This is because the tenure of the present government elapses by May 29, and not later. So, if June 12 declaration is for the purpose of hand-over of power, then the relevant laws including the Electoral Act, Public Holiday Act and the Constitution, would have to be amended to accommodate this. Nevertheless, from the foregoing, it would be absurd for the Presidency to contemplate or attempt to shift the date of hand over from May 29 to June 12, because of the declaration. This is because May 29 has constitutional legality, but June 12 does not. June 12 is an attempt at restorative justice, and the best of which, is the conferment of the national honours by the Federal Government. It does not include a making of the presumed winners of June 12, legal winners, hence the Federal Government must, of necessity stop short of extending the hand-over date. That would be illegal. It is incontrovertible that, it lies within the executive powers of the President, to make such declaration as to public holidays when the Public Holiday Act is accordingly amended. The key concern or disparity between the two, is the fact that one election was truncated, and another saw a successful democratic transition into office. Although this act has been viewed as an attack and a heavy but indirect blow to the former

President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on whose head and honour hangs May 29; it is a commendable act, since Nigeria’s Democracy Day will no longer be a day to just remember peaceful and successful democratic transition, but rather, a day to celebrate and commemorate the importance of the democratic credentials of that election; the values of free and fair franchise, safe and violence-free elections, which will further reawaken the consciousness of present and future generations of Nigerians to yearn for elections free of violence, malpractices and its related vices. Political Master Stroke Viewing from the political standpoint, a lot of analysis have trailed the recent decision of the President. While this is seen in some quarters as a desperate political move by the Presidency, and by extension the All Progressive Congress (APC) to win the hearts and votes of the West in the upcoming elections, I for one, see it as an effective utilisation of the double-edged sword principle; a masterstroke, and a commendably effective political strategy. This is strategic, in the sense that, the President who has lost the favour of some former Heads of State and some Military Generals, such as General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, as regards his re-election bid, has by this singular act, dealt a heavy blow, and

stirred the long quiet that has followed the annulment of the June 12 election by Babangida. It brought up the General, to public odium and ridicule again. The regrettable deed that was buried for 18 years, was exhumed suddenly. And by the same masterstroke, the President took off the crown and honour of May 29 from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s head, and rather, placed it on Chief MKO’s head. This, in fact, is an effective utilisation of basic principles of power. Without verbal slurs, invectives, polemics or letters, the President by what is viewed as a heroic act, dealt a heavy casualty to his political opponents. The President won a war, without shooting a bullet. Conclusion In conclusion, the West and the families of the honourees, have done the right thing by accepting the honours on behalf of their heroes. For the West, this would be too tempting to refuse. After all, they still have the Vice-Presidency in hand, and the hope of the Presidency in 2023. So, to be greeted with these offers, inclusive of the honour done to the late human rights activist and legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the West would be foolhardy not to accept the irresistible offers. Daniel Hassan Bwala, Esq. LLM (UK), MCIArB (UK), Legal Practitioner, Notary Public and Barrister, Lincoln’s Inn, London

“.... as long as the National Honours Act does not expressly exclude the award of GCFR on a dead person, then it may be wrong to criticise this good gesture made by President Buhari, which deserves an accolade and not criticism....” is that, before that time, the various laws and the Constitution would have been amended appropriately, to accommodate these changes as announced by the President. Advice My advice is that, we should bury our political differences and appreciate a good gesture from our leaders, when they perform to general expectation. The present act of President Buhari on June 12 and MKO Abiola, deserves appreciation and commendation, and not condemnation. It is IMMATERIAL if the motive is said to be POLITICAL, after all, it was political when former President Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election of June 12, 1993 that was adjudged the fairest, freest and the most credible in the history of Nigeria. Lastly, it is important that we point out to Mr President, that Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the Chairman of the electoral body that conducted that historic election, deserves an award, and I believe that, the President will correct this glaring omission very soon. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Legal Practitioner, 2nd Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association

12/COVER

19.06.2018

No! National Awards Cannot be Awarded Posthumously Michael Dedon

expressed in the maxim action ‘personalis moriturcum persona’, presupposes a cause of action arising when both the plaintiff and the defendant are alive, and will regard the cause of action as ceased, upon the death of either the plaintiff or the defendant. See KAREEM v WEMA BANK LTD (1991) 2 NWLR (Pt.174) 485; AKUNMOJU v MOSADOLORUN (1991) 9 NWLR (Pt. 214) 236 (CA) and HODGE v MARSH (1936) A.E.R 484.” It was also held in NIGERIAN NURSES ASSOCIATIO v A.G FEDERATION (1981) 11 - 12 SC 1 that the term 'person' connotes existence of life in an entity, be it natural or artificial. Furthermore, in NZOM v JUNADU [1987] 1 NWLR (PT. 51) 533 at 539, the Supreme Court, per Oputa, JSC (of blessed memory) held that "dead men are no longer legal persons in the eye of the law, as they have laid down their legal personalities with them at death. Being destitute of rights or interest, they can neither sue nor be sued. It follows therefore, that persons in the legal sense include “natural persons or human beings”, and also “artificial persons” such as corporate and incorporate bodies, imbued with life. A lifeless body or corporate entity, is not a legal person in law. Ipso facto, there can be no doubt therefore, that the President may validly bestow national honours on “natural persons or human beings, and on artificial persons (corporations), but the President cannot bestow national honours on dead persons, who are not legal persons in law.

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here have been varied reactions to the recent posthumous national award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola (the assumed winner of the 1993 Presidential Election), and a posthumous national award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN (the renowned and respected Human Rights Activist Lawyer) by President Buhari. The raging controversy, is as regards the legality of the awards, precisely on the issue of whether the awards can be bestowed on deceased persons. As a preliminary point, I personally feel the awardees are most deserving and worthy recipients, even if the awards were politically motivated. Per Justice Belgore, Former CJN Justice Belgore, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) between 2006 – 2007, opined that honouring Abiola with GCFR, was illegal. He stated that no national award could be awarded posthumously, let alone the GCFR – the highest honour in the land. “It is for people living,” Belgore was reported to have said. “The only thing they could do is to name a place after him, but national honours award, no.” Femi Falana, SAN’s Response In reaction to Belgore’s assertion, a prominent Nigerian Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, observed that the former CJN did not refer to any Section of the National Honours Act or any other law, that has been violated by President Buhari. He argued that, the National Honours Act, has not prohibited or restricted the powers of the President to confer national honours on deserving Nigerian citizens, whether such a person is dead or alive. “No doubt, paragraph (2) of the Honours Warrant made pursuant to the National Honours Act, provides that ‘a person shall be appointed to a particular rank of an Order when he receives from the President in person, at an investiture held for the purpose...’ “But paragraph (3), thereof, has given the President the unqualified discretion ‘to dispense with the requirement of paragraph (2) in such manner as may be specified in the direction,” the Senior Advocate said. He stressed that, since the national awards conferred on Chief Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi cannot be received by them in person, the President may permit their family members to receive same on their behalf. Rejoinder In this rejoinder, I intend to join issues with the learned SAN, on whether or not the awards of the GCFR on Chief Abiola and the GCON on Chief Fawehinmi, were legal in the circumstances in which they were made. To properly situate the subject-matter of this discourse, it will be necessary to give a précis of the relevant provisions of the relevant law on the subject. The enabling legislation is the Honours Warrant, subsidiary legislation of the National Honours Act and the applicable provisions are as follows: “3. Mode of appointment to Orders, etc. (1) The President shall by notice in the Federal Gazette signify his intention of appointing a person to a particular rank of an Order. (2) Subject to the next following paragraph of this article, a person shall be appointed to a particular rank of an Order when he receives from the President in person, at an investiture held for the purpose(a) the insignia appropriate for that rank; and (b) an instrument under the hand of the President and the public seal of the Federation declaring him to be appointed to that rank. (3) If in the case of any person it appears to the President expedient to dispense with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this article, he may direct that that person shall be appointed to the rank in question in such a manner as may be specified in the direction.” Falana's position is predicated on paragraphs (3) above, where it is provided that the requirement of paragraph (2) above may be dispensed with, if it is expedient to the President. The easiest way of dealing with this issue, will be to first address the issue of who is a 'person' under the law, since the enactment is replete with that word. The enactment says the President shall by notice in the Federal Gazette, signify his intention of appointing a 'person' to a particular rank of an order. Flowing from the above, the gravamen of this discourse, will lie in determining whether a dead person, still has the right to be continued to be addressed as a ‘person’, or whether this right is foreclosed by reason of death. In other words, if we are agreed, and there is no divergent opinion on the unassailable fact the award is to be bestowed on a ‘person’, then the next inevitable question will be whether or not Chief

Chief Gani Fawehinmi, GCON, SAN, SAM

Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi fall within the legal definition of ‘persons’ in law. The Interpretation Act, CAP 123 LFN 2004 defines a person as follows: "Person" includes anybody of persons corporate or unincorporate." Furthermore, Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition, pg. 791, defines 'person' as follows: "In general usage, a human being (i.e. natural person), though by statute term may include labour organisations, partnerships, associations, corporations, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, or receivers." Case Law To add further fillip to the definition of persons, the following case law authorities are apposite on the point: The Supreme Court in IBRAHIM v JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE, KADUNA STATE (1998) 14 NWLR (Pt. 584) 1 at 36 (1998) 12 SCNJ 255, espoused thus: “The definition of the word "person" in the legal sense under the Nigerian law, is not limited to natural persons or human beings only. It clearly admits and includes artificial persons, corporation, sole company or any body of persons corporate or incorporate.” In the case of UDEOGARANYA v ADEYI (2010) LPELR4415(CA), the Court of Appeal also defined a person as follows: “It is beyond dispute that the word "person" when used in legal practice, such as in a legislation or statute connotes both a "natural person", that is to say, a "human being" and an "artificial person" such as corporation sole or public bodies corporate or incorporate”. It is respectfully submitted that, ‘person’ referred to above is not just anybody, but a legal person. There is no doubt that, it is legal persons being referred to in acts and statutes. The question that naturally follows, will be whether a dead person, is a legal person in law. It is settled under our laws that a dead person ceases to be a legal person or to have legal personality. The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in CHIEF JOHN EHIMIGBAI OMOKHAFE v CHIEF JOHN ILAVBA OJE IBOYI ESEKHOMO (1993) LPELR – 2649 (SC) held thus: “Generally, a dead person is no longer in the eyes of the law, a person, but in the eyes of the law, he is a person who ceased to have legal personality from the date of his death, and as such, can neither sue nor be sued personally or in a representative capacity. The personality of a human being, is extinguished by his death. The common law principle

“..... it is my candid opinion that, the awards bestowed on Chief Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi, SAN respectively, though well deserved, are illegal”

Characteristics of a Living Person The emphasis of the law is on a living person, and not just any person per se. To proceed further, we may need to highlight the distinguishing characteristics of a living person, as against a dead person. The difference between the two concepts boils down to "existence". Here's what really exists: 1. An arrangement of matter with various traits, such as a metabolism, the ability to process information, etc. 2. An arrangement of matter that once had those traits, but now doesn't. You can choose to label either, both, or none, with the word "person," but your choice alters nothing about what actually exists. If you call the second thing a person, it will be an arrangement of matter that once had those traits, but now doesn't. If you don't call it a person, it will still be an arrangement of matter that once had those traits, but now doesn't. In a nutshell, a person is a being that has certain capacities or attributes, such as reason, morality, consciousness or selfconsciousness, and being a part of a culturally established form of social relations such as kinship, ownership of property, or legal responsibility. A dead person is a person who once had those attributes, but now doesn’t. On their demise, both Chief Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi, SAN lost the characteristics of natural persons or human beings. In a nutshell, the duo became former 'persons' and to stretch it a little further, became former 'Nigerians' (apologies to Senator Dino Melaye). They can only be referred to, in past and not present tense. If the highest Court in the land has affirmed positively that a dead person is no longer a person in the eyes of the law, then to have conferred the respective national honours on both Chief Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi, SAN as has been done in this instance, is in clear breach of the National Honours Act. In the interpretation of Statutes, the cardinal rule is that, where the provision of a statute is clear and unambiguous, the duty of the court is to simply interprete the clear provision, by giving the plain wordings their ordinary interpretation without more. However, where confronted with an ambiguous statutory provision, the basic task before a Judge, is to ascertain the intention of the Legislature. In ascertaining the intention of the draftsman of the National Honours Act, it is clear that, it was never intended that the award is to be conferred on a deceased Nigerian. Paragraph (3) of the Warrant to the National Honours Act referenced by Mr. Falana, SAN, is only applicable if the honouree is unavoidably absent, and not that he/she is dead. If the intention was to confer the honour posthumously, the Act would have expressly stated so. This is so because, in the same piece of legislation, a provision was made for posthumous awards for dead servicemen. If the legislation pertaining to the Armed forces makes specific provision for posthumous award, while the preceding provision for award on deserving persons makes no such provision, one would have thought that those advocating so vociferously for posthumous award, would have asked themselves one simple question: “why would one provision be silent on the issue of a posthumous award, whilst another provision in the same piece of legislation is specific on the point"? Premised on the foregoing, it is my candid opinion that the awards bestowed on Chief Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi, SAN respectively, though well deserved, are illegal. The National Assembly may need to amend the law to accommodate posthumous awards, like the instant one. The Federal Government, may also do well to rename historical or national monuments, after these deserving former personalities. Michael Dedon, Legal Practitioner, Managing Associate, Giwa-Osagie & Co., Lagos.

19.06.2018 COVER/13

Burden of June 12, 1993 Polls on Nigeria’s Future Elections Jide Ojo

system, which as an election expert, I will not subscribe to. This is because, it makes the voters prone to molestation, harassment, and violence, as there is no secrecy of ballot. On that day, SDP, the party under which MKO Abiola contested the presidential election, took a big gamble by fielding a Muslim Presidential candidate and a Muslim Vice Presidential candidate. Surprisingly, it paid off for the party, as the voters shunned primordial ethno-religious sentiments, and voted across Nigeria for the SDP candidate. According to the Polling Unit collated results by the Polling Officials and SDP party agents, MKO won a pan-Nigeria mandate, even defeating the NRC candidate, Alhaji Bashir Tofa in his home state of Kano. The election was adjudged as the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election in Nigeria’s democratic history. Two institutions played ignominious role, in the truncation of the June 12 election. They are the Judiciary and the Military. While some Judges gave dubious court injunctions stopping the conduct of the election, the military junta headed by Babangida annulled the election. This led to nationwide protests, which eventually forced the military to leave governance six years after – in 1999. Hundreds of lives including that of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, were lost in the sustained protests against the military over the annulment. Though the military eventually returned power to civilian on May 29, 1999, part of the positive fall out of the struggle for the validation of June 12, was the growth in the number of non-governmental organisations working in the area of Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance.

“We recognise that, an error has been committed. We will no longer tolerate, such perversion of justice. This honour, is for the grievous injustice done to the country. It is meant to assist at healing the wounds, and building national reconciliation of the 25 years of wounds caused by the annulment. I earnestly urge Nigerians, to accept it in good faith, and bury the past of June 12.” - President Muhammadu Buhari while honouring Chief MKO Abiola with posthumous national honour of GCFR on June 12, 2018.

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ike a bolt from the blue, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 pleasantly surprised the pro- democracy movement, when he issued a press statement changing Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, starting from 2019. He did not stop at that, he also tacitly recognised the un-inaugurated Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s presidency, by conferring the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential poll, which was annulled by the Military junta led by Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on June 23, 1993. Also honoured with second highest national award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) is Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, as well as the fiery human rights legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, of blessed memory. The award ceremony, was held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. At the colourful event which had in attendance political office holders from the aborted Third Republic, pro-democracy activists such as Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, SAN, Ms. Ayo Obe, family members of late MKO Abiola, those of late Gani Fawehinmi, as well as serving political officers in this Fourth Republic, the President tendered apologies to the family of late Abiola, as well as victims of the June 12 struggle. A minute silence was also observed in honour of Abiola, Gani and other martyrs of June 12 struggle. Recurring Questions Since that news broke, I have had the privilege of discussing it on several news channels. These are Arise TV, Kiss 99.9 FM, Nigerian Television Authority, Radio Nigeria, Independent Television, Invicta 98.9 FM, Silverbird Television, The Sun newspaper and Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State. I have not only discussed it in English language, but also in Pidgin and Yoruba languages. The questions I was repeatedly asked, were the implication of this decision on Nigeria’s democracy, whether it was politically motivated, and how that decision will rub off on future elections in Nigeria. I was an undergraduate student of University of Lagos in 1993, and though I cannot remember voting in that election, I was deeply involved in the struggle to validate the election, as University students particularly in South West Nigeria, joined the Labour Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations, to demonstrate for the reversal of the annulment of the election. I am not unaware of the controversies that have greeted the PMB recognition of June 12 as our deserved Democracy Day, as well as the posthumous recognition of Abiola and Gani, more so, as legal opinion has earlier been offered that only the living can be bestowed with those national honours, when similar advocacy was made for late Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who sacrificed her life for Nigeria in the fight against Ebola Virus some years ago. There was also the issue of legality of change in date for Democracy Day which has for 19

Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR

“Two institutions played an ignominious role, in the truncation of the June 12 election. They are the Judiciary, and the Military” years been held on May 29. Legal opinions differ on this matter, and I’ve read and listened to many of them. However, news report on June 13, 2018 said the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has clarified that the Public Holidays Act will soon be amended to accommodate the declaration of June 12 as public holiday. He was quoted as saying: “So, when the Act has been fully amended, the declaration of the President will come into effect. It is a declaration of intention, a declaration of desire, and that will eventually be given effect with the act of amendment of the existing law”. This ordinarily should lay to rest the lingering controversies about propriety or otherwise, of the President’s action of moving Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12. However, I have a feeling that someone somewhere will go to court to seek interpretations of the National Honours Act and Honours Warrant, as well as Public Holidays Act, as it affects this step taken by PMB. As far as I’m concerned, that will be salutary to our jurisprudence and help deepen our democracy. Politicians and Exploitation of Opportunities to get Votes As some analysts have rightly observed, May 29 may remain hand over date, until a possible constitutional amendment is done to move it to June 12. As to whether the move by the President to validate and venerate June 12, 1993 Presidential election, is politically motivated, it will seem so. Given that the 2019 General Election is due in about nine months’ time, it is a masterstroke by President Buhari to do something heartwarming for South West Nigeria. There is no crime in

this. Politicians are known, to explore and exploit opportunities, to give them edge at the polls. It would be recalled that, former President, Goodluck Jonathan had in 2012, attempted to honour Aare MKO Abiola by renaming University of Lagos after the astute politician and business mogul. This was resisted, for two major reasons. First, the Yoruba race preferred a national monument outside of the South West geo-political zone, be named after Abiola. This was deserving, considering his immense contribution to sports, commerce and industry, as well as philanthropy all over the country. Secondly, neither the Council nor Senate of University of Lagos, was consulted before that decision was made. June 12 Election: A Poll like no Other Let me recap few things about June 12, 1993 presidential election. That was a poll like no other. It was an election, contested only by two political parties. That was an era when the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, proclaimed two political parties into existence. They were National Republican Convention and the Social Democratic Party. These two parties were fully funded by the then military regime, because they didn’t want them to be hijacked by moneybags. In fact, Government built all their party offices in all the Local Government Areas, States and the Federal Capital Territory. That election was also conducted, using a unique voting system named, Option A4. This is an open balloting system, where the electorate queue behind the candidates or their posters, at the Polling Units. Some people are calling for the reintroduction of this voting

Demands I joined all well-meaning Nigerians, to task the Federal Government to officially release the results of the June 12, 1999 presidential election, officially recognise MKO Abiola as the winner, pay all his entitlements and name a national monument in his honour. I suggest the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. I also recommend that the Three Arm Zone in Abuja, should be renamed June 12 Zone. In addition, I want all the leaders of the struggle for the validation of the June 12 election, living or dead, including Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who was the chairman of National Electoral Commission, to be given national honours. In truth, without the June 12 struggle, we may not have had this Fourth Republic. Also, it will be most appropriate, to have a curriculum developed on the June 12, 1993 elections and its values of tolerance, electoral integrity, and unity in diversity. This should be thought in our Primary and Secondary Schools, as part of Civics, History or Government. The greatest burden that the June 12, 1993 election has placed on Nigeria’s future elections, is the need to have better polls than that. At present, Nigeria’s elections face challenges of lack of internal party democracy, electoral violence, vote trading, hate speech, and logistical nightmares. At the Media and Civil Society Organisation roundtable organised by the Transition Monitoring Group in Lagos on Monday, June 11, 2018, these were some of the things we tried to find lasting solutions to. The keynote Speaker was the legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana. As I noted in my published interview with The Sun newspaper on Sunday, June 10, 2018; beyond the recognition and national honour, the spirit of June 12 demands that, we do everything to ensure that going forward, our elections are of international standards - free, fair and credible. That should start from the forthcoming July 14 Governorship poll in Ekiti State, and September 22 Governorship election in Osun State, before we talk of 2019 general elections. That is when we will know that the All Progressives Congress, and indeed, President Buhari did not do this out of hypocrisy or mischief, but out of belief in the spirit of June 12. Jide Ojo, Executive Director of OJA Development, Abuja

14/TRIBUTE

19.06.2018

M.M.A. Akanbi: Exit of an Incorruptible Judge Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, pays tribute to Honourable Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, CFR, the 3rd President of the Court of Appeal, and Pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who passed on on June 3rd, 2018, during the Holy Month of Ramadan. He left an impeccable legacy, of incorruptibility. May Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus

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n June 3rd, 2018 when the death of Hon. Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, the 3rd President of the Court of Appeal and the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was announced to the world, almost everyone, particularly those in the Legal Profession were taken by surprise. The demise of this great jurist notwithstanding, the consensus among the people, is that Justice Akanbi was an incorruptible jurist. This was not surprising, as Justice Mustapha Akanbi was said to have once said publicly, that he never in his life took bribe to pervert the cause of justice, and challenged anyone with a contrary view, to come out to face him. The uprightness of this late jurist, must have earned him the position as the pioneer Chairman of the ICPC under the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo. There is a big lesson that must be learnt from this, by those presently on the Bench and those aspiring to go to there. There is no doubt that, Justice Mustapha Akanbi has joined the rank of those jurists that have been certified and declared to be honest and incorruptible, both in life and in death, by those who have the credentials to do so. Justice Akanbi: A Man of Integrity Going down memory lane, in 1973 when Hon. Justice J.I.C. Taylor died on the Bench while serving as the Chief Justice of Lagos State, the then of Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon paying tribute to the late jurist said:“In an age when corruption, intrigues, backbiting and the love of office and power are fast becoming a virtue, Mr. Justice Taylor stood out from the crowd, with a detachment that has brought immense dignity to the High office of a Judge”. The tribute paid to the late Justice Akanbi by President Muhammadu Buhari, rang a bell of similarity when he said: “Being respected by the people for your honesty and patriotism, is the best legacy a man can leave behind. In a country where corruption is perceived as fashionable, Akanbi stood out as a remarkable man who put personal integrity and selflessness, before the desire for money outside his legitimate income. Great men like Akanbi, didn’t believe in joining evil because it was popular or supported by the majority.” The history of Legal Profession in Nigeria, will not forget the likes of Justices Eso, Oputa and Bello (former CJN), among those great jurists who lived above board, while serving their fatherland on the Judicial Bench. The question now is that: what do we want to be remembered for, when we eventually give up the ghost?

Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi, CFR

The Beginning Who was Hon. Justice Muhammed Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi? The late jurist, was a Nigerian but born in Ghana (known then as Gold Coast), to the family of Alhaji Mohammed Bello Oniyo and Hajia Nanah Aisat Akanbi Oniyo on 11th September, 1932.He attended African College Primary School and later Accra Royal Senior Primary between 1939 to 1949, for his primary education. Between 1950 and 1953, he attended Odorgonno Secondary School, Accra for his Senior Cambridge Certificate. He later returned to Nigeria and attended Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1960 and thereafter, proceeded to England with other students from the then Northern Region, where he was later called to the English Bar along with Hon. Justice M.L. Uwais, the 9th Chief Justice of Nigeria, late Hon. Justice Shehu Usman Mohammed, who was one time Chief Judge of Kaduna State, and later Justice of the Supreme Court, late Hon. Justice Umaru Maidama, Justice of the Court of Appeal, late Hon. Justice Anthony Aina Ekundayo, Judge of Kwara State High Court, and late Hon. Justice Adamu Minjibir of the High Court of Kano State. Pressure to Read Law The eventual entrance of Justice Akanbi into the legal profession, was like a man who later fell in love with the profession he earlier had no interest in. His father, who was a regular visitor to the court in Lagos to watch proceedings, developed much interest in the way things were being done, where the Bench was being presided over by the white men. Having being so fascinated with this, the old man wanted his son to study Law, which the son always dismissed with a wave of hand. According to the Justice Akanbi himself during his life time: “I stumbled onto Law. I didn’t want to read Law, because I had a very conservative view of Law. As a Muslim, I didn’t think it was worthwhile reading Law. I also did not want to read Medicine, because I don’t like to slaughter anything, even a fowl. I had wanted to read any of the Social Sciences, after which I could go to the University to lecture. But, my father wanted me to read Law, because he stayed in Lagos, during the time of the late Rotimi Williams’ father, who was a Lawyer and the father of the late Fani-Kayode, who was also a Lawyer. He used to go court to listen to cases. He said whenever they came to court, one white – man would come, knock the door, and they would all stand up and bow. So he wanted me to read Law, yet for many years, I resisted the pressure”. Justice Akanbi’s Legal Career When the young Akanbi later joined the Northern Civil Service, and subsequently went for a course where he came on top of the class,

he was frankly advised and persuaded by two elder men, Pa Olajide and Pa George, that he should go and read Law. With the Scholarship Award from the then Northern Region Government, the young Akanbi never looked back as he later went to School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and Gibson Weldon College of Law where he graduated 1962 and was later admitted to Middle Temple in 1963. In 1964, he joined the Northern Nigeria Ministry of Justice as Pupil counsel, from where in rose to the position of a Senior Counsel 1968. He left the Ministry in 1969, to establish his private law firm, then known as Akanbi Ibrahim & Co., where he was till 1974 when he was elevated to the Bench, as a Judge of Federal Revenue Court which later metamorphosed to the present day Federal High Court. On the establishment of the Court of Appeal, he was among the Judges that were elevated to that court where he eventually in 1992, became the 3rd President of the Court of Appeal and the first Justice from that particular court to preside over the Court of Appeal. His two predecessors in that office, late Hon. Justice Dan Ibekwe and Hon. Justice Mamman Nasir, were brought one after the other from the Supreme Court to the head the court, when it was established. He voluntarily retired as the President of the Court of Appeal in 1999. The learned jurist made his impact felt, while adjudicating on the Bench, where he had immortalised himself through various judgements he delivered and are reported in our Law Reports. In the case of PHILIP EGBOKA v THE STATE (1986) C.A. 7 Part II, Pg. 55, where he presided at the Jos Division of the Court of Appeal and sat then with U. Abdullahi and W.R.T. Macaulay, JJCA, his Lordship in his contribution on the duty of counsel to the resolution of appeals without delay, particularly where the stay of proceeding in the lower court had been granted, His Lordship said: “I think, that is a very important and fundamental issue. And so, I too, like my learned brother Macaulay, J.C.A., will accommodate the applicant and order that the proceedings in the High Court be stayed, pending the determination of the appeal lodged in the matter. I however, hope that the applicant’s counsel will do all that is necessary to have the record of proceedings transmitted to this court, and ensure speedy hearing of the appeal. Indeed, it is the interest of all parties, that the issues be resolved without undue delay”. Accolades The services of the late jurist, particularly to the nation, were not without recognitions and awards, too numerous to mention. He was conferred with the Commander of Order of Federal Republic (CFR). A great jurist from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where I once wrote about elsewhere that: “If one says Kwara State is the pride of Legal Profession in Nigeria, factually one will not be exaggerating, because

“The demise of this great jurist notwithstanding, the consensus among the people, was that Justice Akanbi was an incorruptible jurist. This was not surprising, as Justice Mustapha Akanbi was said to have once said publicly, that he never in his life took bribe to pervert the cause of justice”

it was the State that produced the first Nigerian Lawyer from the whole of the Northern Nigeria in the person of Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Folorusho Abdulrazaq, SAN. The State has also produced two Presidents of the Court of Appeal, in persons of Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi and Hon. Justice Ayo lsa Salami. It produced Hon. Justice Mahmud Babatunde Belgore, now of blessed memory, who was the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Hon. Justice Timothy Oyeyipo, a former Chief Judge of Kwara State, was the longest serving Chief Judge in the Federation, having served in that capacity for over two decades. The 10th Chief Justice of Nigeria in person of Hon. Justice Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore is also from Ilorin. It is also worth knowing that, the incumbent Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, was serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, when he resigned to mount the royal throne”. No wonder that the Kwara State Government awarded Hon. Justice Akanbi, during his life time, the State’s Award for Outstanding Performance against Corruption. The fact that this great and upright jurist departed this world during the Holy Month of Ramadan, is a clear indication that Justice Mustapha Akanbi has already been accepted by his creator. While we pray Almighty Allah to accept him, bless his soul, and put him among His righteous servants in the Al-JannahFirdaus, we also pray Allah to give the Legal Profession in Nigeria and his immediate family, the fortitude to bear the great loss.Adieu Hon. Justice Mustapha Akanbi! Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, Legal Practitioner, former Publicity Secretary, NBA Lagos Branch

19.06.2018 /15

IN BLACK AND WHITE Aderinsola Fagbure

afagbure@yahoo.com

Loan Agreement: Did You Actually Reach An Agreement?

I

Equity: A Cheaper form of Finance belong to the school of thought that, equity is a cheaper form of finance than debt. This might be because of Polonius’ advice which goes, “neither a borrower nor a lender be”. I am therefore, of the view that small businesses should be careful when taking loans, or better, should not take loans in their first few years of operation, where feasible. This piece is not intended to argue for or against debt capital, but seeks to help entrepreneurs make informed decisions when borrowing. On debt finance, I find the words of Geoffrey Fuller in his book “Corporate Borrowing Law and Practice” instructive. The author states that “in the case of companies, borrowing, whether by loans from banks or by the issue of debt securities, is an essential feature of responsible financial management: too little and the company does not have as much money available for capital investment and working capital as it ought; too much, and the interest burden will cause financial problems”. Caution in Taking Loans Loans are a form of debt finance, but not all types of debts constitute loans. It is not uncommon to find a business owner being offered a loan facility by an account officer or relationship manager, who having perused the bank statements, sees that the company records a high turnover. In the event that you are approached with an offer for a loan, you may want to think about the timing, and your ability to repay. This is because, the banker-customer relationship is usually smooth, until a default is recorded. This statement brings to mind the image of a middle aged bank customer, who was raining invectives at the bank representatives and their Counsel, after judgement was given against him. The judgement of the court, was to the effect that the bank had a right to exercise the power of sale over the debtor’s mortgaged property. Incidentally, the property in question, was the house in which the man and his family resided. As sorry as the situation was, the law had to take its course. It cannot be over- emphasised that, the obligation to repay is an essential characteristic of a loan.

I once met an entrepreneur, who was of the view that borrowing was a sign of business success. He said that the most successful businessmen in the world, were exposed to their banks. This may be true to a large extent, but it must be mentioned that businesses differ in their financial needs, turnover and asset structure. I dare say that the word, ‘gearing’ was coined, bearing in mind the various commercial considerations to be taken by a business when raising finance. A responsible business is expected to maintain an efficient gearing ratio. This is the ratio of medium–term debt and long-term debt (debt with over one year’s maturity); to shareholders’ funds. Avoid Desperation In the event that a business is ripe for a loan, the representative of the company interacting with the bank on its behalf, must not be unduly desperate for finance. It is advisable that, a consultant is contacted to review the terms and conditions of the loan documentation, to avoid a situation whereby the debtor practically sells his life and that of his organisation. For better understanding, a loan contract or agreement, is a legally binding agreement between the lender and the borrower, which outlines the loan process and the conditions for grant of the facility. These documents which must comply with general and industry specific regulations, set out the duties and obligations of the parties, and seeks to protect them in the event of default. It is most regrettable that, loan agreements and offer letters, are more often than not, skewed towards the interest of the financial institutions, to the detriment of businesses, and the economy, in the long run. It is equally unfortunate that, desperation for capital, whether debt or equity, renders many entrepreneurs handicapped in negotiation. A business owner should not limit his negotiation skills to marketing products or services, because managing a successful business requires the promoter to negotiate with clients, creditors, suppliers and other business partners. Understanding the loan agreement provisions, will help you identify your responsibilities and possibly the levels of risks you assume, by ac-

“It is most regrettable that, loan agreements and offer letters, are more often than not, skewed towards the interest of the financial institutions, to the detriment of businesses, and the economy, in the long run” cepting the commercial loan terms offered. It is one thing to read the loan agreement, and another to understand it. Many are not aware that, some terms are considered standard and which the lender is unlikely to negotiate, while others are unique to the particular lender or transaction. Things to Look Out For For instance, when requesting a long term loan,

Three New Judges Appointed in Kogi Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, has appointed three new Judges of the High Court of Kogi State. The new Judges are Justice Alhassan Saidu, Justice Ruth Alolo Alfa and Justice Zubayr Saliu. Justice Ajanah, while swearing-in the new Judges, counselled them that the qualities which sustain judicial legitimacy consist of courage, integrity, good character, independence of mind, dedication to duty, honesty, sound judgement, deep learning, creativity and fidelity. "As I charge our new Judges on these indispensable tools essential to enable them discharge their responsibilities with utmost good faith, as worthy judicial officers, I make a strong appeal to the public, Lawyers and other colleagues, community leaders, associates, friends, family and well wishers, to stay away from our Judges, and leave them to do their work with peace and righteousness. "Persons in litigation, get good Lawyers to present your case in Court for you. If you have legitimately played your part, and you have reason to believe that the Judge is making unholy demands on you, do not hesitate or spare them, ensure that you report him or her to the appropriate quarters”, he warned. He noted that, whenever a judicial officer compromises these tests, legitimacy is lost, personal respect is eroded, societal norms are hampered, and spiritually, the Judge is practically doomed.

"Basically, all judicial officers at all levels, must administer law. That requires both the capacity and the dedication, to make impartial findings of fact, and to consciously apply the law. "The basic requirements of integrity and impartiality are fundamental, and do not vary. These are the conditions upon which, society has given the Judge the authority to make decisions that bind parties, and punish offenders. "The performance of these judicial functions, is particularly manifest in the day to day application of laws and of the settled legal principles. Many of these laws give Judges discretion, both in the strict sense of ability, to choose between alternatives, and in the broader sense, of making judgement. "However, such discretion and judgements, must be exercised judicially. There is ample scope for all

judicial officers to apply their value, knowledge, and understanding, without compromise of integrity or impartiality. "Nevertheless, there are real limits which confine the scope. It is those limits, that sustain public acceptance of judicial authority, and provide what can be described as "judicial legitimacy”, he said. According to the Chief Judge, sometime in 2010, seven judicial officers of the superior court of record of Kogi State, were in this like manner sworn into office, stressing that like a steady stream, two different appointments were subsequently made into the superior courts in the State, in 2012 and 2014 respectively. "We thank the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen and the National Judicial Council, for giving

the borrower should be mindful of the lender’s rate of interest. The interest fluctuation clause, might have been couched in a manner that authorises the lender to review the interest rate without the approval of the borrower. Further, the borrower must be sure to understand what the lender defines as ‘default’. It could mean failure to pay back the loan, or when the borrower is charged for an offence in court. Attention should also be given to ‘cross-defaults’, when a default under an agreement triggers a default in another agreement; as well as provisions stating that non-payment of interest or capital automatically triggers a default. A borrower should ensure that, the funds are utilised for the intended purpose, to make it easier for him to repay the loan before the due date. A facility granted for the purpose of importation of raw materials, should not be diverted to buying state of the art cars for the Founding Chief Executive and his family. It is not unheard of, that certain clauses are inserted to restrict the borrower from carrying out some activities during the duration of the loan agreement. notwithstanding, the borrower must ensure that he does not lose his flexibility in engaging in business, without breaching such undertakings. Maintaining a specific positive cash flow level or debt-to-cash-flow ratio, may also be a required condition. Covenants that mandate operating activity, reporting and disclosure and preservation of debt priority, should be understood, because when violated, even inadvertently, the borrower may be required to undertake a specified series of actions, to maintain the banking relationship. If you negotiated or were assured of any specific terms or conditions, you should confirm that those agreed terms or conditions are captured in the agreement, before signing. Generally, representations and warranties are included in loan agreements, to verify that the borrower is legally capable of entering into a financial contract. However, the borrower must ensure that the representations and warranties, only apply for the period when monies are owed to the lender, and not beyond that. Refinancing and amendments, should be carried out by mutual agreement. It is a red flag item to find an amendment clause, couched in such a way that gives the lender the authority to amend some clauses in the loan agreement, without the consent of the borrower. Conclusion Receiving a loan agreement after sourcing for debt finance from various sources, may seem like a great relief. It is however, at this moment, that a commercial borrower should slow down, and conduct a detailed review of the relevant documents. The legal terms are as important as the figures. A business owner who finds it hard to interprete these terms, is advised to hire consultants for this purpose. I am of the view that, a thorough understanding of the implications of taking a loan, altruism on the part of both parties, and a careful review of the relevant agreement, would reduce instances of dispute. Where such disputes arise, however, it is the duty of the courts at all levels, to exhibit a balanced approach to resolving same.

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria’s 2018 Maiden Annual Lecture Continued from page 5 provided for in the Legal Practitioners Act, the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred on persons who have, by excellence and experience, distinguished themselves in the legal profession. Senior Advocates of Nigeria, upon attainment of this rank, assume a higher role in fostering the rule of law, administration of justice and nation building. Like flowing water, Nations are in a continuous state of evolution, driven by many factors, including technology. The laws of these nations guide and

mould it. For the laws to serve their purpose and meet with extant realities, there is the need for the continuous development of legal advocates, as a class of professionals directly responsible for developing strong institutions and nation building. It can therefore, be seen that, the traditional role of Lawyers as representatives of their clients’ interests, has evolved into a higher level of responsibility, of being ministers in the temple of justice and stakeholders in the development of the nation. The Annual Lecture, an initiative of the Body of

Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and supported by key industry players, aims at delivering valuable insights on the evolving leadership role of the Senior Advocate, in the practice of law and the development of the Society. Participants will leave the lecture, better informed on the roles and expectations of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, in the administration of justice and nation building. BOSAN Sub-Committee on Continuing Legal Education

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY JUNE 19, 2018

Ëœ ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T H I S D AY

46

TUESDAYSPORTS WORLD CUP 2018‌

G S E Duro Ikhazuagbe E duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

JUNE 14 TO JULY 15

Iceland Game Will be Different, Expect Good Result, Says Ekong

Super Eagles central midfielder, William Troost Ekong, believes Nigeria’s clash with Iceland on Friday will be a different game from the 2-0 defeat the team suffered in the opening game to Croatia. The Bursaspor defender in the Turkish league said here

said with the defeat, Nigeria will have no other option but to play to pick maximum points against the Icelanders. “It is going to be a different type of game from what we played against Croatia. We hope to pick maximum points going into our last

game against Argentina,� stressed the Eagles star who wrestled down Juventus front man, Mario Mandzukic for the penalty that earned Croatia the second goal in Kaliningrad. Despite the defeat, Ekong said that the one-all draw played out by favourites

Argentina and Iceland has sort of make Eagles future bright it they are able to take their chances . “The result has worked in our favour. We saw that game before playing Croatia. So like I said, all we need to do now is work hard at it and focus on getting the result,� stressed the defender whose partnership with Leon Balogun has earned them the moniker ‘Oyinbo Wall’ amongst Nigerian football fans. A Nigerian coach who is based in the UK, Tope John Phillips, but is here in St Petersburg for the Mundial told THISDAY yesterday that Eagles would have won the game or get a draw if only Coach Gernot Rohr had repeated switching to the 3-5-2 he adopted in the second half of

the friendly with Argentina in the opening game with Croatia. “I think the problem with the team last Saturday was not that Eagles played really badly. It was tactics that failed Rohr. He gave the star-studded Croatian midfield the room to dictate the play. The rule in coaching is that when you know the strength of your opponent, you play the system that will frustrate them,� observed the coach to THISDAY yesterday morning here in St Petersburg. “Are there some sacred cows in the team that cannot be substituted even when the team is playing badly? We should have been able to get a result, atleast a draw against the Croatians if Rohr had done the right thing,� stressed Phillips. He said that when it became obvious to the coaching

crew that the Croatians had discovered Shehu Abdullahi and Bryan Idowu as the weak links in the back four, changes ought to have been made to take away the bombardment suffered by Eagles defence. “If I was in charge of the team, all I should have done was to bring in Tyronne Ebuehi for Shehu and (Elderson) Echiejile for the floundering Idowu. Again, It appears Mikel is above the law and cannot be substituted even when he was ineffective and his slow game was creating problems in the middle. I think John Ogu would have brought life to that department of the match and allow Iwobi and Oghenekaro Etebo to rove freely in front of both defensive midfielders (Wilfred Ndidi and Ogu),� the UK based coach stressed.

Go on Exile if You Fail to Beat Nigeria, Maradona Warns Argentina Coach Argentina Legend Diego Maradona has warned his country’s Coach, Jorge Sampaoli, not to return home from the World Cup in Russia if the Albeceleste loses to Nigeria and fails to qualify from Group D to the knock out stage. Maradona who played against Super Eagles at Nigeria’s debut at the Mundial in 1994 in USA told Argentine Television Telesur’s ‘De la mano del Diez’ show that the way his country played in the opening game of Group D against Iceland leaves much to be desired. “If he carries on like this, Sampaoli can’t come back to Argentina. “There is serious trouble ahead because Nigeria have experience, they know how to counter-attack and they know how to score,� stressed the Argentine football legend who watched his country squandered the lead to share points with Iceland last Saturday. Maradona went on to blast Sampaoli for his poor tactics against Iceland. “His (Sampaoli) game-plan was a disgrace. Even though the Iceland players average 1.90m in height, we played all our

Maradona

corners into the air. We had no short game,� Maradona recalled. Last year, Argentina threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to Nigeria in an international friendly in Russia. The perennial group stage customers are to clash in their last Group D game on June 26 here in Saint Petersburg. Argentina took the lead through Sergio Aguero in the 19th minute Saturday as a cigar-puffing Maradona looked on from the stands of the Spartak Stadium. But minnows Iceland, playing at their first ever finals, leveled four minutes later through Alfred Finnbogason. Messi, whose performances in World Cups are arguably the only blot on an other-worldly career, spurned a chance to take the lead when his 63rd-minute spot kick was saved by Hannes Halldorsson. But Maradona avoided criticising his heir apparent and instead pointed the finger at Sampaoli. “I don’t blame the players. I could blame the lack of work rate. But I can’t blame the players, much less Messi, who gave it all he had,� he said.

Super Eagles players during the traditional warm up before the 0-2 loss to Croatia in the opening group match last Saturday abiodun ajala

Pinnick: Eagles Have the Ability to Progress President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has declared that notwithstanding the 2-0 loss to Croatia in their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Super Eagles have the wherewithal to lift themselves up and still reach the knockout rounds of the competition. Croatia made good from set-pieces in Kaliningrad on Saturday, winning 2-0 to top Group D ahead of Argentina and Iceland, who finished 1-1 and have one point each. “We expected to win against Croatia but it did not happen and the whole team, as well as the Federation, have put that behind us and looking ahead with hope to the next two matches. “I have spoken with the

Coach and the players and they have confidence that the job can be done. They feel bad to have lost the first match and are determined to go out there and do what they have to do against Iceland on Friday,� Pinnick said on Monday morning. Pinnick stated further than in football, a lot is possible if the heart is there to go out and conquer. “Losing your first match of a major competition is not an automatic exit ticket. Spain lost their first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and still went ahead to win the tournament. “We have a young team that can achieve so much with the right attitude and invention, and we must now reach deep down for those qualities when

we play Iceland in Volgograd.� Argentina and Iceland, who have one point each, are ahead of Nigeria as well as table-toppers Croatia, but victory against Iceland would earn the Eagles three points and second place in Group D, if Croatia emerge unscathed against Argentina in Nizhni Novgorod on Thursday. The NFF President and Member of the CAF Executive Committee also appealed to Nigerians back home to continue to support the young team with kind words and prayers. “The Federal Government through the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports (Barrister Solomon Dalung), who is here in Russia supporting the team and giving them words

of encouragement, has appealed to Nigerians to keep supporting the team. The NFF is also appealing to them to continue to encourage the team with kind words and prayers. “At this tournament, world champions West Germany have lost their first match; Argentina has been held to a draw; 2010 World Cup winners Spain have been held to a draw and; Brazil could not defeat Switzerland. France even struggled before defeating Australia with a late goal. So much is still possible.� The Super Eagles returned to their team base camp in Essentuki on Sunday, and have commenced training for Friday’s encounter at the 45,000-capacity Volgograd Arena.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2018

TUESDAYSPORTS

W O R L D C U P 2 0 1 8 … JUNE 14 TO JULY 15

WORLD CUP 2018…

It’s Lewandowski Versus Mane Hero Lager Beer Charges National Team as Senegal Takes on Poland At their first ever FIFA World Cup in 2002, Senegal defeated defending champions France in their opening match and went on to make the quarter-finals, before going down to a golden goal against Turkey. That team wrote footballing history for the country, and the new generation – featuring Liverpool’s Sadio Mane – will be looking to add another chapter as they confront Poland in today. The captain 16 years ago – Aliou Cisse – has also gone on to become the coach. The Lions of Teranga will be eager to show their claws against a Poland team that was

desperately unlucky to go out in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2016 on penalties. Adam Nawałka’s charges are back at the World Cup after a 12-year absence and all eyes will be on Robert Lewandowski, who scored no fewer than 16 goals in the qualifying phase plus another three in two warm-up matches ahead of Russia 2018. His face appears on stamps back in his homeland, and he will be looking to shine on his World Cup debut in Moscow’s Spartak Stadium this afternoon. Poland has always made it

through the group stages of the World Cup when they get at least a point in their opening match (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986), but when they have lost their opener, they have gone no further (2002, 2006). No surprises then that the coach and the players are underlining the importance of this match against Senegal. With Lewandowski (and his 55 international goals) in the team, there is plenty of hope that Nawałka’s men will get to play more than three matches in Russia.

The Teranga Lions on the other hand have history on their side. Sixteen years after their first and only appearance to date, the Lions of Teranga are back on the World Cup stage after finishing their qualifying group ahead of South Africa, Cape Verde Islands and Burkina Faso. Coach Cisse has put together a team with physical presence in the shape of Mame Diouf, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cheikhou Kouyate, and technical prowess with the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Keita Balde, as well as being strong down the flanks.

Croatia Axes Kalinic from World Cup Squad Croatia Coach Zlatko Dalic has sent striker Nikola Kalinic home from the World Cup in disgrace. The Vatreni won their opening match on Saturday night, defeating Nigeria 2-0. Kalinic, the AC Milan striker who once upon a time represented Blackburn Rovers, was a substitute during the encounter. It was the fourth successive international fixture where he had been left on the bench. But asked to come on in the 85th minute, Kalinic complained of a back problem and refused to enter the fray - something which didn’t convince his manager.

GROUP A

Team Russia Uruguay Egypt Saudi

GROUP B

England’s match-winner Harry Kane is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his side’s dramatic winner against Tunisia

Wounded Pharaohs Confront Ambitious Hosts Russians Russia and Egypt could not arrive in Saint Petersburg with more disparate emotions following their opening games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. The hosts dealt with the pressure of the curtain-raiser in staggering style beating Saudi Arabia 5-0 while Egypt saw their long-awaited return to the Mundial start off with last-gasp, gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Uruguay. Even the most passionate of Russia fans would have scoffed at serious predictions of a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, but that victory, punctuated by a couple of fine Denis Cheryshev goals, has transformed expectations. Three points could even be enough to seal a Round of 16 spot.

As part of its World Cup campaign, International Breweries, part of the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, (AB InBev) has unveiled the biggest message of support to Nigeria’s National Team as they represent the country in the World Cup in Russia. The message “BE FEARLESS” was created using 2,000 people and unveiled at the King’s Courtyard, Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha, Anambra State, on June 16, 2018. In his remarks at the event, Arne Rust, Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc., said that Hero lager exists to inspire, equip and showcase the true potential of every Nigerian. He opined that during the qualifiers for the World Cup, a lot of Nigerians did not believe that the Nigerian Team would qualify, butat the end, they did qualify for the competition with a match left to play. “We want the Nigerian Team to know that they have our support and we hope for the very best from the team. The crop of players that made up the USA ‘94 squad is believed to have laid the foundation of our current players, thanks to their tenacity, passion and

Egypt, on the other hand, has no time to waste. Thankfully for them, Mohamed Salah looks set to return from injury. As well as the obvious attacking threat he will provide, having been a dominating presence in England this season, the return of his talismanic stature with the Pharaohs will no doubt lift their spirits after the late goal conceded against Uruguay. Russia is over the moon after the magnificent and quite unexpected goal shower in the opening game. But the players have not rested on their laurels. Everyone in the Russian camp has put the result against Saudi Arabia behind them and Egypt is a totally different story. With or without Mohamed

Salah on the pitch, the hosts are determined to fight hard and get another victory to put at least one foot in the next round, if not two. The defeat of the Pharaohs by Uruguay on the other hand has sort of imposed a clear state of mind on the Egyptian team: beating Russia is the only option. As Hector Cuper prepares

for the match with Salah’s expected return alongside some brilliant performances in their final training session before leaving for Saint Petersburg, he certainly will have a selection headache on his hands. After the hosts’ opening result, and with home support, the pressure will be on the Pharaohs, but they can overcome it.

Team Iran Portugal Spain Morocco

GROUP C

Team France Denmark Aust Peru

GROUP D

Team Croatia Argentina Iceland Nigeria

GROUP E

Team Serbia Brazil S’land C’Rica

GROUP F

Team Mexico Korea Rep Sweden Germany

GROUP G

Team Belgium England Tunisia Panama

courage. Nigeria has never lacked the Heroes or the hope that we can and will one day win the World Cup. Go make us proud,” he said. In April 1994, Nigeria was ranked 5th in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings, the highest FIFA ranking position ever achieved by an African national football team. The National team has qualified for six of the last seven FIFA World Cup tournaments since their first appearance at the 1994 mundial in the United States. Our National team is also the only African team to qualify for both the 2014 and 2018 editions. Nigeria has won the Africa Cup of Nations thrice, with ourlast title in 2013, after defeating Burkina Faso in the final. On his part, Marketing Manager, Hero lager, International Breweries Plc., Nigeria, Obumneke Okoli, saidNigerians are clearly super excited to have qualified for the World Cup and holding the lamp for many African countries that failed to qualify. “Hero Lager has thrown its weight behind the current squad to surpass the mark of their predecessors.”

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DURO’S RUSSIAN NOTES… NAIRA DEBIT CARD MESS All around the world, Nigerians have the reputation of paying cash for most of their transactions. The introduction of debit/credit cards by most Nigerian banks has hardly changed that attitude of carrying cash around. Although the fear of losing such funds to thieves has sort of reduced that attitude. Here at the World Cup in Russsia those who are stuck to the old habit of cash in the pockets and not on the cards, are smiling, enjoying all that the Russians are offering. At the MacDonald’s, just ten minutes walk from the hotels where most of us are resident in Pribaltiyskaya area of St Petersburg, some Nigerians who wanted

to spend from their Naira debit cards got the shock of their lives. After picking food and groceries, the attendant teller asked for money, they claimed not to have the Russian Rubles. One brought out his debit cards from two of the old generation banks with horse and elephants as logos. The POS declined. Several attempts yielded no result. With those on the queue becoming inpatient, yours sincerely tapped the shoulder of the guy with the cards and told him Naira cards no longer work outside the country with the new CBN policies. Of course, they dropped the groceries but had to borrow Russian Rubles to pay for the food. They were lucky got bailed out otherwise would have been hard way to learn…

NAIJA FOODS Trust our compatriots when it comes to making fast money. With most Nigerian visitors here trying to cope with the arrays of Russian dishes on offer here, some smart ones resident here are making a kill from selling our local delicacies. One guy from south of the Niger, is offering Nigerian foods for what is clearly exorbitant price of over 600 Rubles (about N6,200) per serving of a plate of Semovita and beef or chicken egusi soup. Those who desperately desire The stuff are going for them while those who can manage are eating the Russian meals. Don’t ask me what I am eating….

AFRICAN SOLIDARITY After Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria lost their first matches of the ongoing World Cup here in Russia, most Africans here appear to be their brother’s keepers, sharing emotions together. Everywhere you turn, you hear some folks asking you if you are from Africa. “ We are from Egypt, Sad Mohamed Salah is not our team that lost to Urugauay. Sad, Nigeria and Morocco also lost. Don’t worry, we can get better in subsequent matches” observed an Egyptian who identified himself simply as Abdel. He is here with his beautiful wife and son. The kid has an Egyptian flag with Salah’s image engraved on half of the coat of arms.

Tuesday June 19, 2018

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MISSILE Afenifere to DHQ “If Nigerians allow those who are in power now to come back in 2019, they will lose so many years. All they are doing is to change the narratives and to tell lies” – Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, reacting angrily to claims by Acting Director of Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig Gen. John Agim, that politicians were using thugs as herdsmen to cause attacks on communities across the country.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Super Eagles and Marcus the Pig at the World Cup

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here has been nothing in recent memory like the build up to Nigeria’s first match at the on-going 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Football is Nigeria’s greatest unifier: when it is football, our compatriots drop all ethnic, religious and ideological differences and profess the missing faith and ideology of one Nigeria. They have expressed similar solidarity over whose jollof is sweeter in the competition between Ghanaian jollof, Senegalese jollof and Nigerian jollof - the way Nigerians defend our national cuisine, you would think we are a nation of gourmets, but nothing compares to the magic of football and its connection with nationalism. When it comes to football, Nigeria is the home of passion, zeal and boundary-less excitement. This is intriguing so to speak in the same nation where politics is combustible and a comment about another person’s faith or religion, or ethnicity or a mere disagreement between a Hausa-Fulani and a Yoruba at Mile 12 market, or between a pastoralist and a farmer in the Middle Belt could result in bloodbath, even at a footballviewing centre. The only explanation we have for this is that Nigeria is a complex country, full of paradoxes, and clearly, only Nigerians understand their country. Nonetheless, the disappointing performance of the Super Eagles in their first match at the on-going 2018 World Cup tournament has nothing to do with paradox or complexity, it was a display of sheer absent-mindedness. In the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria was the darling of the entire world. The news was that we had the best set of jerseys and kits in the world. Despite the shoulder-rubbing aspiration of Egypt, Croatia and one other country like that, the Nigerian jerseys designed by Nike became the aso ebi of the World Cup – a nice combination of colour, mood, shade and tint. The jerseys sold out a few minutes after being made available on the Nike website. Before you knew it, everybody that is somebody or simply pro-Nigerian started wearing the jersey, across the world. If the World Cup were to be won by the beauty of the garment, Nigerians would have seized the trophy even before the tournament began. There was even a quarrel over the attires: there must be like four different types, but the one eventually designed by a local tailor made as much wave as the Nike ones and one guy went on twitter to protest that there was a Nigerian conspiracy against the Warri guy who designed the local aso ebi. At that point, the ethnic element came in, but Nigerians didn’t dwell on that. They quickly recognized @gt_stitches and asked the Super Eagles to show the world what they have. Beautiful Nollywood girls and professional local slay queens pushed their frontal and back-end assets in our faces proclaiming UpNigeria. Some even exposed nice, succulent, tempting flesh, to reassure the Super Eagles that the women of Nigeria were behind them. Some celebrities joined the craze, including a few pot-bellied, and white-hair-in-the-nose actors wearing the Super Eagles jersey. The international media spotted the story - BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera etc and adopted the Super Eagles as the best-dressed team in the World Cup and we all went wa-ah–oh. They even

Rohr interviewed Russians watching our Nigerian football fans, dancing round the streets of Russia, singing, jolloficating, and energetically pounding the streets. “The Nigerians just won’t stop singing and dancing”! The excitement was so much that even the President of Brazil endorsed Nigeria as a key team at the World Cup. The Irish, not having a team at the World Cup, ignored England and said they were supporting Nigeria. It was clear to me, doing a structuralist and semiotic reading of this that Nigeria is a country in desperate need of good news. I didn’t attempt a Marxist reading- the Russians themselves having killed Karl Marx after his death. The World Cup is not about the struggle of the masses, or equity or justice. It is war, even if at the end of the day the gifted are separated from the waka-pass and a dictatorship of the former is established. Every qualifying team joins the war to defend its country, its brand, national ego and corporate brand. Very sad. Very bad. So frustrating, therefore: The Super Eagles messed us up on Saturday, June 16. Many Nigerians were disappointed with their performance. It was Nigeria’s 6th World Cup appearance. The boys may have worn the most fashionable clothes, but they failed to realize that the World Cup is not a Dolce and Gabana show where Wizkid and Naomi Campell can exchange boy and woman banters or that the garment does not make the Monk. Every World Cup match is a macho game, a game of thrones, with too much at stake – personal brands, national brands, and the ego and emotions of nations. Our team lacked energy, drive and creativity. Alex Iwobi, the leading light from the qualifiers was anonymous on the left wing. Victor Moses was the man every Nigerian thought would make some difference. The fella was busy showboating all over the pitch on Saturday, falling up and down like a yoyo, kicking the ball like a headless chicken. Ighalo was left isolated with no secondary support. Troost-Ekong certainly does not know that the World Cup field is not a night-club. He should be told to stop holding and embracing the opponent in the penalty yard. A football match is not a ballet where people cling to each other and do the pirouette. Mikel Obi should try and help his country. Cristiano Ronaldo had a big tax evasion matter on his head, but he still stood up for his country. Diego Costa: he proved himself for Spain.

Lionel Messi may have lost the penalty: I blame the coach – never ask Messi to take the penalty, he would mess it up- but he worked hard for Argentina. With an own goal and a silly penalty giveaway in the match against Croatia, we have all now become a nation of football coaches. Young Nigerians who claim to understand football, even if their only claim to that is the Aba-made Super Eagles jersey they bought in Lagos Traffic, or at Yaba bend-down market, are now telling Gernot Rohr what combination he must adopt in subsequent matches. Many amateur coaches have recommended the 4-4-2 combination but I think Nigeria probably stands a chance of doing better in this World Cup if all the arm-chair coaches on social media can be blocked and all the fine girls with corruption-laden body parts can be banned from sending Direct Messages to the Super Eagles. Also, the boys must not visit Mikel Obi’s in-laws until the end of the tournament. They must stay away from Russian hospitality and Vodka. Nigeria as a country needs to concentrate on the task at hand. Switzerland was able to hold Brazil down to a 1-1 draw because they focused on the job. The same was the case in the Portugal-Spain match. Marcus, the pig had predicted that Spain would beat Portugal. But that didn’t happen. In the dying minutes, Ronaldo made it a hat-rick and cancelled Diego Costa’s brace. We need people like that in the Super Eagles. Portugal obviously did not rely on the pig. It is indeed a crying shame that Nigerians are relying on fashion and animals for their World Cup 2018 fortune. Just before our first match against Croatia on Saturday, we were told that the Football Association Chairman in Russia had issued a statement forbidding Super Eagles fans from bringing live chickens to the stadiums. Apparently the Super Eagles Fans’ Club Association had asked for permission to bring live chickens to the match venues- chickens are said to be symbols of the Fans’ association. I don’t know whether or not the Russians were being polite, but they said No. I have tried to put myself in their shoes. Having heard all those stories about snakes that steal millions of money in Nigeria, who in his right senses in the world today, will allow Nigerians to bring a live chicken to a competitive football match? What if any of the chickens, the sprightly, springy ones broke loose, jumped onto the field of play and caused some havoc in the course of a peregrination across the stadium? There is also the additional threat of bird flu, being spread inadvertently through contact or air-borne pollination. But may be it was not even the chickens that posed the greatest danger, it was probably Marcus the pig- the prophesying-animal that reportedly told the whole world that the Super Eagles would make it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Nigerians generally, including the Super Eagles are very superstitious. But we all need to be told that the World Cup is not about chickens and pigs. Some Nigerians were so dependent on the pig’s prediction that when they were disappointed at the end, they slaughtered and barbecued Marcus – representations of it - literally, and figuratively, on social media for its treachery. May they be

reminded that the same pig probably predicted that Spain will beat Portugal in their first encounter. But Portugal had Ronaldo who proved to be brighter than the pig and in the dying minutes, he changed the game. And that takes us to where we are going: the Super Eagles must stop relying on predictions, or pigs or chickens and play football. The on-going World Cup tournament is already springing surprises and living up to the hype. Mexico trashed Germany the defending Champions. Switzerland held Brazil with their individually and collectively talented squad to a draw. Portugal and Spain played as if they were at war. Iceland, a first-time participant at the World Cup, put up a great showing, 1-1, against Argentina, a team mentioned as one of the favourites to win the tournament. This particular match recorded specular saves by the Iceland goalkeeper, including a Lionel Messi penalty kick. Magical moments like this indicate determination and the desire to win. Hannes Halldorsson, Iceland’s goalkeeper, is a film-maker away from football- he would never have guessed he would produce a film-like performance at the World Cup and also be named Man of the Match. On Friday, June 22, the Super Eagles will again be on the field - against Iceland. If there is ever a must-win match to keep a nation’s hope alive, that must be it. The Super Eagles must not play like pigs or chickens. We expect them to play like champions. Just before the World Cup began, Javier Mascherano, an Argentine player commented on how the great thing about Nigeria is that we are a disorganized team, and that our disorganization disorganizes other teams. Masherano was proven right in our match against Croatia. That is disheartening. As a country that has football ingrained into its identity, we expect a lot more even if, to be honest, there is an obvious lack of high-end talent representing the national team. Many of our own who can make a difference are, sadly and unfortunately, representing other national teams at this World Cup. Manuel Obafemi Akanji, born to a Nigerian father, has just helped Switzerland to secure a draw against Brazil. Dele Alli, another Nigerian is in the English national team. So I ask: are we expecting too much from the Super Eagles? Are we putting too much pressure on them to perform? I don’t think so. Romelu Lukaku, a star of the Belgian team and Manchester United, is from a family that had no access to Cable TV. His family was poor. He is now making a second-time appearance in the World Cup finals. He has scored 2 goals in this World Cup to help secure a 3-0 victory for Belgium over Panama. Gabriel Jesus of Brazil used to paint streets; today he is one of the leading stars for Brazil at the World Cup. What Nigerians want from the Super Eagles at this World Cup is good performance, a display of ability and seriousness, and a successful defence of the Nigerian brand. Developing football? Whatever happens at the end of the day in Russia, we have to learn to develop Nigeria’s football sector and the entire sports sector – the management, the leadership recruitment, the diversification and strategic intensification - to demonstrate to the world that we are a serious-minded nation. Super Eagles - a severely depressed nation in search of good news waits on you.

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