FRIDAY 29TH JUNE 2018

W’Bank Approves $2.1bn Project Support Loan for Nigeria CBN warns lowering interest rate may be counter-productive Obinna Chima in Lagos and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The World Bank yesterday announced its approval of $2.1 billion as project support

loan for Nigeria.

The concessionary loan is to support the funding of seven projects in key sectors of the country.

The cheering news coincided

with a warning by the Director, Monetary Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Moses Tule, that a reduction in the benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at this time would

throw up a cocktail of fiscal challenges in the economy and create more inflationary pressure.

But the World Bank in a statement listed the seven

projects its loan would support to include nutrition, access to electricity, states’ fiscal transparency, polio eradication, women’s economic empowerment, public finance

and national statistics and reducing vulnerability to soil erosion.

The statement quoted World Continued on page 8

Nine Dead, 54 Vehicles Burnt as Petrol Tanker Explodes on Lagos Bridge… Page 10 Friday 29 June, 2018 Vol 23. No 8471. Price: N250

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NNPC Has Questions to Answer over Remittances to FAAC, Says NEC Backs FAAC’s rejection of May transfer Corporation blames governors for stalemate DPR indicates gas flare in Nigeria now down to 9% Omololu Ogunmade and Chineme Okafor in Abuja The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday in Abuja threw its weight behind the Federation Account Allocation Committee’s (FAAC) decision to reject the remittance by the Nigeria National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) into the Federation Account in May. The Wednesday meeting of the committee had ended in a stalemate as the NNPC failed to show up after failing to respond to the request of the committee to be more forthcoming with Continued on page 8

Governors to Meet Security Chiefs over Herdsmen Attacks Presidency carpets PDP on Plateau massacre

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Governors of the 36 states of the federation have resolved to engage the nation's security chiefs in a decisive talk to find solution to the spate of killings and destructions by criminal gangs masquerading

as herdsmen.

In order to address the worrisome escalation in fuel subsidy deductions from the Federation Account, the governors said they have resolved to implement petrol supply and distribution monitoring system in each Continued on page 10

Swiss Envoy: We Have Returned All Abacha Loot... Page 12

STRATEGISING FOR BETTER ECONOMY...

L-R: Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; and Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE EIGHT NNPC HAS QUESTIONS TO ANSWER OVER REMITTANCES TO FAAC, SAYS NEC its operational accounts and remittances.

The corporation, in a statement yesterday, had also defended itself over alleged shadowy accounting, contending that the obstinacy of the nation’s 36 state governors was responsible for the prevailing stalemate.

But briefing journalists in the State House yesterday at the end of the monthly NEC meeting, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said NNPC's remittance fell below expectation and was consequently rejected

by FAAC. Adeosun who said she had sought the understanding of governors over FAAC’s inability to share the monthly collectible revenues among the three tiers of government as a result of under-remittance by the corporation, added that she had also briefed both the president and vice-president on the development.

According to her, based on the current price of crude oil, the expected amount into the federation account can easily be calculated and known, pointing out, however, that what NNPC presented to FAAC fell short of expected figure, and hence, the need to hold the corporation accountable.

The minister explained that further probe of the matter was still ongoing and expressed hopes that the investigation would yield expected result in no time so that FAAC meeting could be convened within a short while.

Adeosun said, "Based on oil price, oil quantity you can pretty much calculate what you are expecting to see in the federation account and if the figure is less, then the right question that any stakeholder must ask is, why?

So, we have been going back and forth with NNPC to try and understand these figures before we can accept them.

"Remember that the FAAC figures have to be formally accepted by the Federation

Account Allocation Committee and we were simply not comfortable with the quantum of some of the deductions made and, therefore, we could not approve those figures. So, even as we speak, there is an interface going on between the Commissioners' Forum, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, CBN and NNPC but we hope to be able to convene FAAC within next few days."

Adeosun, who said further discussions with the NNPC on the matter would continue until the expected figures meant to be remitted are arrived at, argued that the current relatively high crude oil prices in the international market presents an opportunity to save money in the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

According to her, failure to get expected remittances from the NNPC, would undermine such plans to exploit the opportunity of the current high oil prices to save a reasonable amount of money in ECA, adding that $80.6 million accrued into ECA in May. "I gave an account that I give every month on the balances in our Federation Account Excess Crude Account and the Stabilisation Account. Those are my routine updates. “Items to note on the excess crude account is that in May we had an additional credit of $80.6 million that accrued into the excess crude account.

"Also, in my capacity as Chairman of FAAC, l briefed governors on the deadlock that we have got currently in the federation account and explained what happened. And there was quite an extensive debate on what to do.

"For the purpose of this briefing, we operate NNPC as a business. We have invested public capital in that business and we have expectations of return and when that return falls lower than our expectations, then the owners of this business,

which in this case is the federal government and states need to act.

"So, that was what caused the deadlock yesterday and we really felt the figures the NNPC was proposing for FAAC were unacceptable.

We felt that some of the costs couldn’t be justified and so, we have decided that rather than approve the accounts, we will go back and do further work.

"So, further negotiations and interactions is going on with NNPC as we speak. However, we did brief both Mr. President and Mr. Vice President on the deadlock and asked for their support and their forbearance in this because the consequence of this is that, salaries might well be delayed in many states as a result of this.

"But we feel that in order to get the accurate figures that we need, we have asked for forbearance and the governors and the federal government are all in agreement that we need to get to the bottom of those figures.

"In particular, now that the oil price is now $76 per barrel in the spot market which means that bonny light is about $78, we want to be aggressively putting money away into the excess crude account. So, we are very conscious that this period, this window of relatively high oil price might not last and we will like to be able to save.�

On the balances in other accounts of the federation in the month of June, Adeosun put the balance in ECA at $1,916,742,289.60, N18,892,864,216.65 in Stabilisation Account and N133,715,427,387.37 in Natural Resources Account.

In his own briefing, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the council received the annual reports and accounts of National Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) for the year ended 2016 and an update on 2017 activities.

According to him, the

agency reported the profit of about N26.28 billion ($88 million) in 2016 with the total profit of about $1.25 billion on management for most part of the year, while it received an extra $250 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Okowa also said the agency reported that the returns on assets within the period were up to 6.6 per cent in dollar terms, adding that the NSIA has now shifted its focus to infrastructure and direct local investment in the country.

He said, "The 2017 activities of the NSIA also include the implementation of Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) in 2017. They commenced the construction of free health projects in Lagos, Kano and Umuahia, Abia State. They continued with the work, the funding of the work on the Second Niger Bridge in which they had been involved in the past.

"They also did invest and own 13 per cent of Bridge Academy Ltd, a network of schools that delivers high quality affordable primary education to lower income earners and it is hoped that they will do that too in other states of the federation.�

In his own briefing, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said he presented to the council the strategy plan of the ministry to revamp education at all levels in the country.

Adamu said the council observed that the standard of basic education at the state level has fallen drastically and consequently constituted a committee comprising the governors of Kano, Osun, Delta, Anambra, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and the Minister of Education.

According to him, the committee was mandated to look into what needs to be urgently done in the education sector at the state level and report its findings back to the council.

NNPC Blames Governors for Stalemate

credit has been approved for the project designed to directly impact 324,000 women beneficiaries through investments in comprehensive skills training, the leverage of financial and technical resources, and support to policy dialogue on women’s economic empowerment, the bank added.

Meanwhile, the Director, Monetary Policy, CBN, Mr. Moses Tule, has warned that a reduction in the benchmark MPR at this time would throw up a cocktail of fiscal challenges in the economy and create more inflationary pressure.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, on the side lines of the maiden colloquium of Prof.

Uche Uwaleke, the nation’s first professor of capital market, Tule argued that reducing MPR at this time, which has since July 2016 remained at 14 per cent would trigger adverse consequences, including the demand for increased wages.

He said, “When you reduce MPR, of course, the way the fundamentals are today, you are going to have the impact of that in other ways; which means the demand is going to be higher on the government to increase wages because inflation will erode the living wage. There will be demand on the government, and every other person in the private sector will demand for wage increase. “That’s the choice. We have to choose between having to improve infrastructure and interest rate will come down overtime and the whole economy will benefit or reduce interest rate now and then

worsen inflation.�

He debunked insinuations that there was no convergence between monetary and fiscal policies, noting that the fiscal and monetary authorities had come up with measures that helped to put the economy on a growth trajectory.

Tule cited CBN’s ability to put in place foreign exchange measures, which culminated in the steady accretion into the foreign reserves such that the reserves now stand at about $48 billion.

He argued that had the CBN not built up the reserves, the necessary buffers provided in the past few weeks to temper the pressure occasioned by the normalisation of interest rate in the United States of America would not have been there.

The CBN chief also commended fiscal measures put in place by the government, including the decision to look towards offshore borrowing in order not to crowd out the private sector.

Earlier in a panel discussion on ‘Fiscal and Monetary Policies for Deepening the Capital Market in Nigeria,’ Tule had pointed out that stabilising the economy was desirable to attract investment in the capital market, adding that the CBN had been able to build external reserves.

He called on the federal government to come up with fiscal measures to deepen the capital market.

In his remarks, the chairman of the colloquium and a former Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Suleiman Ndanusa, and other panel of discussants

Meanwhile, the NNPC has alleged that governors of the 36 states of the federation were making requests on it to transfer an extra N40 billion for them to share in the FAAC despite its remittance of N147 billion to the FAAC in June for sharing by the three tiers of government, adding that the extra request by the governors was against the terms of the agreement it had with them on the matter.

According to a statement from the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the corporation, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, NNPC said it reached an agreement with the governors that it would make a monthly remittance of N112 billion to FAAC subject to sufficient funds from sales of domestic crude oil allocation for the corresponding month after meeting cash call obligations on joint venture operations, as well as deductions of petrol-cost under recovery and pipeline maintenance.

Ughamadu, however, noted that for the June remittance, the NNPC was able to surpass the terms of agreement with the governors, and paid the monthly funds over by N35 billion.

He explained that the corporation’s decision to make the excess payment above the agreed sum was based on the postures of the governors, adding that the extra N35 billion was sourced from the sum meant for settling its joint venture cash call obligations.

He stated that the corporation regretted the governors’ additional request of N40 billion, saying it was unfortunate, given the fact that NNPC was set to exit the cash call phenomenon, Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that the total volume of gas flared in Nigeria’s gas fields has reduced to nine per

cent from 12 per cent it said it was before now.

DPR’s Director, Mr. Mordecai Ladan, said this in a separate statement by Ughamadu. Ladan, reportedly said this on the side lines of the ongoing 27th World Gas Conference (WGC) taking place in Washington, United States.

He observed that now gas flare-out across the industry had reduced drastically from 12 per cent to nine per cent, adding that as a regulator, the DPR would soon announce new ways of doing business in its areas of purview.

He also stressed that gas domestication was topmost on the agenda of the DPR, noting that: “We are trying to make sure that companies come up with projects that will utilise the gas, and in turn, reduce gas flaring in the process.�

Similarly in the statement, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the country’s oil industry was creating an enabling environment to enable investors contribute to the development of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources.

While Kachikwu, stated that Nigeria could take advantage of the ideas and lessons obtainable from other countries to dismantle all obstacles, which he said had over the years slowed down her gas-to-power aspirations and industrialisation, Baru, said the NNPC was driving up a number of initiatives to develop the industry. “We are keen on using some of the new projects like the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project to open up not only the gas corridor but also ensure that power plants that are built can inject stability into the national grid,� Baru explained.

He also said the NNPC would ensure that all the contracts it has entered into in this regards would be respected.

W’BANK APPROVES $2.1BN PROJECT SUPPORT LOAN FOR NIGERIA Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Rachid Benmessaoud, to have explained that the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) identified human capital investment, restoring growth, and building a competitive economy as key pillars.

The global bank recently extended its Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Nigeria to June 30, 2019. During the period 2018 and 2019, its support is expected to focus on revenue diversification and mobilisation, addressing the binding constraints for attracting private financing, and improving social services delivery for building the human capital needed for inclusive economic growth, in alignment with the ERGP. The approved programme of support in 2018 comprised transparency projects.

According to Benmessaoud, the vision for a healthy, educated, productive and resilient population must be complemented by credible governance to attract private sector participation and ensure sustainable growth.

He said the approved projects support the implementation of government’s growth plan for the economy, adding that strengthened fiscal transparency would help build trust in government, enhance the monitoring of fiscal risks and facilitate accountability in public resource management.

The project would be financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $750 million.

Also, the Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project would improve the credibility of public finance and national statistics in the country, while fiscal governance is a key foundation for all other public-sector reforms.

Furthermore, it stated that the project would help increase revenue and capital expenditure, strengthen fiscal accountability, including expenditure effectiveness and also improve the quality of statistical information contributing to evidence-based policy making.

The project would be financed through an IDA credit of $125 million.

Similarly, the World Bank pointed out that the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project was designed to promote innovative, integrated approaches based on international best practices and community participation to tackle land degradation and major gully erosion formations in participating states. “The project will support Nigeria in building its climate resilience and meeting her National Determined Contributions, apart from scaling up the issuance of Green Bonds to leverage more financing for sustainable development. This additional financing is an IDA credit of $400 million,� it added.

Also, for the power sector, the Nigeria Electrification Project would leverage private sector investments in solar mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems to provide electricity to 2.5 million people and 70,000 micro, small and medium enterprises.

The project would also provide publicly-funded reliable electricity to seven universities and two teaching hospitals.

It stated, “Besides, the project would support the development of a sustainable framework for expanding electricity access in Nigeria over the long term, with $350 million financed through an IDA credit made available for it. “Next, is the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria Project, which will benefit over 8.7 million people, mostly pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls and children below five years old. “As the first dedicated large investment in Nigeria on nutrition-specific interventions and outcomes, the project will contribute to reducing chronic malnutrition, maternal and child mortality rates, improved school completion and performance, and consequently, enhanced labour force productivity and economic growth in Nigeria. “The financing for this project consists of an IDA credit of $225 million and a Global Financing Facility grant of another $7 million. The Nigeria Polio Eradication Support Project is expected to help improve immunisation coverage with oral vaccines to the national target of 85 per cent in 18 months. “Improving routine immunisation coverage, which is critical to improving child health and reducing infant mortality, will attract additional financing with an IDA credit of $150 million.�

For the Nigeria for Women Project, about $100 million finance through an IDA

argued that the overall growth of the country depends on the financial market.

They called for a good governance structure to inspire confidence in both local and international investors.

In his speech, the celebrant, Prof. Uwaleke, called for the diversification of the capital market to ensure that various sectors of the economy are players in the market.

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NEWS

Nine Dead, 54 Vehicles Burnt as Petrol Tanker Explodes on Lagos Bridge Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Chiemelie Ezeobi Eight years after a massive tanker explosion at the Otedola Bridge area of Ojodu-Berger in Lagos, which claimed 15 lives, a similar explosion at the same area yesterday killed no fewer than nine persons and burnt 54 vehicles, including a tricycle.

The accident attracted the immediate attention of President Muhammadu Buhari last night, expressing shock and asking the victims to take heart.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, also had soothing words for the victims yesterday, saying everything would be done to ameliorate their pains.

According to his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the president, in reaction to the early reports reaching him concerning the incident last night, said he was very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, tens of vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire.

Shehu said the president expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Lagos State on this tragedy, quoting him as saying, "sadly, this seems to be one of the greatest tragedies we have seen in recent times."

The statement also said the president urged the emergency services and law enforcement officials to do their best to limit the losses and damage from the incident, saying the priority now should be to save those who may still be in danger.

The August 2010 tanker explosion that claimed 15 persons, including an infant, had also inflicted 18 others with varying degree of injuries and 20 cars burnt beyond repairs.

At the scene of yesterday explosion, pandemonium was the order of the day after the tanker, which was fully laden with petrol, exploded and engulfed virtually all the vehicles around it as well as some of their occupants.

While nine bodies were recovered as at press time, several others with various degrees of injury were also rescued and taken to the Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.

Some of the injured persons, who experienced third degree burns, were given first aid treatment before they were rushed to the accident centre in the state.

It was further gathered that the casualty figure was high because of the huge vehicular traffic on the bridge before the explosion occurred.

According to an eyewitness account, the tanker fell while manoeuvring the bridge, thus spilling its content on the road.

Although some motorists who were near the fallen tanker succeeded in fleeing before the explosion occurred, some others were not fortunate.

A witness, Samson Ojo, told THISDAY, "I was driving inwards Lagos from Berger and was approaching the Otedola Bridge when the explosion occurred.

He said, "My first emotion was sheer panic as the entire area shook as ball of flame erupted into the sky somewhere down the road. Like other motorists, I parked and came out to observe what happened.

"When some of us bravely made our way down, we saw people fleeing from their cars as the fire was escalating. The screaming of those in pain is not something I will forget in a hurry.

"We tried to do the little we could do to help put out the flames but nothing worked until the fire service trucks came and started dousing the flames from one vehicle to another."

Another eyewitness, Kehinde Osamor, said the casualty figure was less because people abandoned their vehicles and escaped the inferno.

He said: "We were all trying to navigate the bridge when this same tanker driver tried to climb it. We don't know what happened but he suddenly started rolling back.

"Our immediate thought was to ensure he didn't roll over any of us and surprisingly, the tanker fell sideways and its content started spilling on the road.

"Some of us immediately left our cars and ran. Some people stayed put. The next thing we heard was an explosion and some vehicles caught fire. It was a race of the fittest."

Once the news filtered into town, emergency agencies,

Some of the charred remains of the vehicles at the scene of the tanker explosion at the Otedola Bridge in Lagos... yesterday sunday adigun including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), Lagos Fire Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other secondary responders immediately arrived at the scene.

While the emergency responders set out to rescue as many as they could, they literally picked up some of the dead bodies of the deceased persons, who had attempted to flee, on the ground.

According to the emergency workers, one of the major challenges they had was the issue of crowd control, “as the teeming crowd made rescue work extremely difficult.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of the emergency workers said, "So instead of carrying out rescue operations and saving lives, we were forced to try to disperse the crowd first.

"Although some of them genuinely wanted to help, others were more concerned about taking pictures, while there were

yet those who came to scavenge among the dead.

"It took the combined effort of the police from the division and the RRS to get a semblance of sanity before we swung into proper rescue work."

The accident made traffic to spill over from the bridge down to the Third Mainland Bridge; Oshodi expressway and even major parts of Ikeja and Airport Road.

When contacted, the RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, confirmed the incident, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker had difficulty in driving up the bridge.

Although he declined to give statistics on the casualty figure, he said several persons were injured and others dead.

Also, the General Manager of LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu, said the tanker was exiting Lagos when the driver lost control and fell on the bridge.

According to him, "The content spilled and it exploded. All the vehicles behind it caught fire and exacerbated the explosion.

"We got the distress call

at our command centre and quickly deployed to the scene.

In collaboration with other emergency workers, we succeeded in rescuing four injured persons.

"While two out of the four were critically injured, the other two who were also injured received first aid treatment from LASAMBUS before they were rushed to the Accident and Emergency Centre along that axis to stabilise them."

While the injured were given first aid treatment before they were rushed to the hospital, the bodies of the deceased persons were taken to the morgue.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives and property in the explosion.

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, described the incident as a sad development, saying that the incident was most unfortunate and regrettable. “On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we extend our deepest commiseration to

the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief. “As a government, we would not relent in putting measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents,�

Bamigbetan said.

The commissioner said that Governor Ambode has directed all relevant agencies to move into the area to normalise the apprehension that had taken over the area and to also ensure that those in need are adequately taken care of.

The governor assured that clearing of the highway of damaged vehicles to establish normal traffic flow would continue throughout the night until the objective is achieved.

He called for the co-operation of all citizens with the officials of the agencies to restore the situation to normalcy.

He also urged motorists to continue to adhere to the safety standard and the state traffic laws so as to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents.

of over 100 persons in Plateau State, saying more deaths were recorded when the party was in government for 16 years.

The president's spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, criticised the party's decision to declare seven days of national mourning and fly its flag in all its secretariats across the country at half mast, saying PDP's reaction to the massacre amounted to dancing on the graves of the dead.

Adesina, who went down memory lane to exhume various violent incidents across the country during the administrations of PDP from 1999 to 2007, said it was nauseating that the party which never declared any national mourning during any of those incidents is now lowering its flag after the Plateau killings, which he described as sad and unfortunate.

The president's mouth-piece, who said the PDP's flag is not just lowered but had rather been lowered since 2015 when it was kicked out of power, added that Nigeria would not be hoodwinked by what he described as PDP's cheap antics.

Accusing the PDP of hypocrisy, he listed violent attacks on communities by government security agencies to include, “November 20, 1999 Odi, in Bayelsa State, which was invaded on orders of a PDP President.

About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning; between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning; in 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears. “Between September 7 and 12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half-mast.�

Adesina said his statement was not meant to claim that many more people were killed during the administrations of the PDP than the case during this administration, saying rather the "intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for a while,"

GOVERNORS TO MEET SECURITY CHIEFS OVER HERDSMEN ATTACKS state.

The governors who met Wednesday night under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also resolved to send a delegation to Plateau State to show solidarity with the people and to commiserate with victims of last weekend's murderous attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the villagers residing in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.

In a communique issued at the end of its meeting that lasted for several hours, the Forum strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau State and the spate of insecurity in the country.

While commiserating with the government and people of Plateau and other states, including victims who were caught in transit travelling to and from neighbouring states, the governors unanimously demanded for prosecution of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The state chief executives also resolved to find a quick and common solution to the security crises.

The communique signed by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, read, "Forum noted with delight and thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for their quick response and visit to Plateau State to show empathy to the people of the state. Members equally commended Governor Simon Lalong for the way he handled the very sad situation.

"Governors resolved to hold a one-day meeting with the security chiefs to come up with a holistic solution to the country’s security situation."

As part of the deliberations at the forum's monthly meeting, the NGF looked into the worrisome issue of ascertaining the actual volume of petrol being consumed in the country.

The governors were briefed on energy security and crossborder leakages by officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

The forum also took on the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who was represented by the Chief Executive, Downstream, NNPC, Henry Ikem Obi, on the effects of subsidy withdrawals on remittances to the Federation Account.

At the meeting, Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan, was represented by Team Lead, Terminal Operation, DPR, Idris Abdulraham.

In the communique, the governors pledged to continue to engage with the federal government, the leadership of NNPC, DPR, the NCS, and other security agencies to curb hoarding, diversion, smuggling and illegal hike in ex-depot or retail pump price to safeguard Nigeria’s energy security.

They also reiterated their resolve to implement the petrol supply and distribution monitoring system in each state.

While speaking to journalists after their meeting, Yari emphasised that the forum

was not after the subsidy but was concerned about unrealistic figures on the volume of petrol being dished out by the NNPC. The forum also received presentation from the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, on broadband deployment in Nigeria.

The governors acknowledged the importance of broadband deployment for both economic development and revenue generation, and pledged to work closely with the Commission and infrastructure companies to remove impediments to broadband deployment, including unifying right of way charges and addressing multiple regulation and multiple taxation.

Presidency Carpets PDP over Plateau Massacre The presidency yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of shedding crocodile tears over last weekend's killing

Continued on page 60

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COMMENT

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

ENHANCING ALBINOS’QUALITY OF LIFE The government is making some right decision on albinos, writes Monday Philips Ekpe

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ometimes, good news gets swept under the rug if it does not directly concern the generality of the populace. The recent approval by the federal government through the National Council on Health to decentralise free skin cancer treatment for persons with albinism in Nigeria, for instance. Equally cheering is the even spread of the high-calibre administering centres. Teaching hospitals in Zaria, Maiduguri, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, as well as National Hospital, Abuja are now set to aid prevention and treatment of the diseases often associated with this disturbing genetic state. One can imagine the relief this decision will bring to the patients, most of whom are financially and socially disadvantaged anyway, especially if implemented.

Albinos synthesise Vitamin D about five times faster than dark-skinned people. The vitamin is produced when ultraviolet-B light penetrates the skin. The absence of or very low pigmentation means easy access for light which can then cause havoc. Clearly, Nigeria’s super-abundant sunlight has not been a blessing to the personal health of albinos here.

It is difficult to carry out any enquiry on albinism without empathising with sufferers and also wondering how human beings often jump into thinking or acting wrongly about people or things they know little or nothing about. Prejudices have led to discrimination, poor perception and ill-handling down the ages, with various consequences. Someone enters the world with missing or reduced melanin (the pigment that gives colour to eyes, skin and hair) and the person stands a risk of being viewed as sub-human by others. Sadly, albinos in most societies around the world live under this burden. They are even endangered in some cases. In Tanzania – the country with the largest population of albinos in Africa – and elsewhere, they are believed to be products of the infidelity of their mothers, especially involving White men. Worse still, they are seen as ghosts of former colonists. This oddity gets bizarre. In parts of southern Africa, people with albinism are labelled as cursed who possess magical powers and are, therefore, good for sacrifices. Such victims end up being dismembered and sold to witch doctors. The same twisted reasoning has had albino girls and women marked for rape with the belief that HIV/AIDS is cured that way. Even though Nigeria does seem to have such nasty tales, albinos here also go through other forms of abuses and deprivations.

But how is the congenital condition supposed to be their fault? Luckily, interests have continued to be generated by local and international advocacy, ugly incidents that come with this peculiar state of humanity and also numerous intellectual probes. Way back in 1975, A.N. Okoro carried out an investigation that took into account the existential experiences of 1000 Nigerians living with albinism. The work titled, “Albinism in Nigeria: A Clinical and Social Study,� scrutinised the different manifestations of the

HOW IS THE CONGENITAL CONDITION SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR FAULT? LUCKILY, INTERESTS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE GENERATED BY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY, UGLY INCIDENTS THAT COME WITH THIS PECULIAR STATE OF HUMANITY AND ALSO NUMEROUS INTELLECTUAL PROBES

disorder namely, ocular (affecting eyes only), cutaneous (skin only) and oculocutaneous (eyes, skin, hair). The abstract captures the dilemma of albinos and likely remedies thus: “The much higher incidence among the more settled communities in the south, compared with the more nomadic communities in the north, may be related to greater inbreeding tendencies in the south. The sun and society are hostile to the albinos.

Under the tropical sunshine, their melanin-deficient skin develops wrinkles, lentigines, actinic keratoses and epitheliomata from which they may die in early adult life or in middle age. Myopia and other ocular defects retard the progress of many albinos in school and they eventually drop out to seek disastrous menial outdoor occupations. Registering albinos early in life, assuring their families that albino defects are confined to the skin and eyes, advising on protective clothing and sunscreening agents, correcting myopia, assisting with indoor occupations, and early treatment of actinic keratoses and skin cancer should help many albinos to attain social acceptance and a ripe old age.� Hopefully.

Public enlightenment and mounting pressure on appropriate authorities on this humanitarian issue cannot be too much.

Reverend Jake Epelle, founder, CEO of the Abuja-based The Albino Foundation and Executive Director of Regional Forum Albinism Africa, a 29-member-nation organisation with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, is among the world’s most vocal advocates of albino rights. He poured out his heart in a media chat the other day about what has become his life’s overriding passion: “ With God on my side, little education and less than an average income and no hands-on experience in the social sector, I launched the foundation whose vision is ‘a society with equal opportunities for persons with albinism.’ With help from close family members and friends who are sympathetic to my plight, I stepped out to achieve the foundation’s mission. “I took a hard swipe at the untold challenges of people living with albinism—in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general—and summed them up into five thematic areas: Negative social issues linked to discrimination, stigmatisation and stereotypes; lack of adequate healthcare for skin cancer and visual impairment; lack of qualitative education and reasonable accommodation of the needs of people with albinism; need for economic empowerment by providing entrepreneurial and skill-set development; and formulation of policies and parliamentary bills sponsorship to promote and protect the rights of people with albinism.

Looking back, after years of hard work, commitment and determination to see attitudinal change within society, focused policy drive and mainstreaming of albinism into various government programmes and projects, I can beat my chest and say that the present and future generations of people with albinism will never be the same again.�

DANCING ON OUR GRAVES Tola Adeniyi worries about the unchecked and senseless killings across the nation

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am greatly incensed by the reckless insensitivity of Nigerian politicians. I really do not know what to make of the numbness of Nigerian political leaders especially the so-called All Progressives Congress party. Volumes of innocent blood have been shed since November 1999 when the Obasanjo’s Peoples Democratic Party government ordered the massacre of over 2500 innocent citizens and the whole town of Odi was reduced to rubbles.

There was relentless onslaught on Plateau communities by the pampered Fulani terrorist militia men masquerading as herdsmen during the administrations of both Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan. All these aforementioned killings pale into insignificance when compared with the brutal, brutish, and horrifying ethnic cleansing agenda of Buhari’s pseudo-military government masquerading as civilian administration.

And the huge difference between the killings under Obasanjo and those under Buhari is that Obasanjo owned up to the killings as government ordered. Olusegun Obasanjo was man enough to tell Nigerians that his government ordered the sacking of Odi and the slaughter of the citizens there. In the case of Buhari, it is his antecedents, his body language and the reckless pronouncements of his top level appointees in the security sector that gave us a pointer to where the murderous activities originated from and who in fact or whose agenda the Fulani terrorist militia are executing. And of course respected General T.Y. Danjuma gave us a clue that there was complicity by the military.

How on earth could a president be smiling and merrymaking at a lavish wedding ceremony a few kilometres away from Benue State where and when hundreds of slaughtered men, women and children were being committed to earth in mass burial? How could a president ever tell a community under pogrom to accommodate their murderers?

When a bus accident claimed the lives of 19 people in Saskatchewan, Canada, the prime minister flew straight to the spot to commiserate with the families of the victims. A similar incident where a deranged individual rammed his truck into pedestrians and killed 13 people in Toronto the prime minister and

his entire cabinet and the provincial premier and the mayor were all at the spot to lay flowers and march in solidarity with the people of the city.

Not in Nigeria! As hundreds were being massacred in Plateau State, Buhari and his APC travellers were dancing at Eagle Square in the guise of holding a rubber-stamp convention!

What kind of country are we in? What kind of leadership do we have? Which kind of people are in charge of our security and safety? And what exactly do the herdsmen want? Why should any government place more value on cows than human beings? Why should any government be financing a PRIVATE business of some powerful individuals at the expense of peace and security of a whole country? I reproduce here the graphic lamentation of a legislator from one of the 15 recently brutalised communities in Plateau State; a clear case of ethnic cleansing: Over 200 Killed In Attacks By Herdsmen On Plateau Communities claimed Mr Peter Gyendeng in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday and reproduced byTheEagle Online on June 24, 2018.

The Chairman of the Public Accounts and Petitions Committee of the Plateau State House of Assembly representing Barkin Ladi, Peter Gyendeng, on Sunday said over 200 persons were killed in the attack on 11 communities in Plateau State between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Gyendeng said this in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.

He described the attack on the communities as “a declaration of war� on his constituency.

Communities attacked included Xland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk in Gashish District.

Other areas affected by the attack included Rakok, Kok and Razat in Ropp District.

Gyendeng told The PUNCH: “As a matter of fact, the casualty rate is in hundreds; it is more than 100. “In one place, it is above 51; in another, over 32 and yet in another area, it is same. “For now, based on what we have on ground and the corpses that we have been receiving, it is probably over 200 casualties. “Altogether, about 11 villages were attacked and

our people are there now trying to ascertain the number of deaths. “The casualty rate is above 200 and counting (of the corpses) is still going on. “This is war, it is a declaration of war on my people. “War has been declared on Barkin Ladi LGA completely. “There are mercenaries that have been hired to come and kill people in Barkin Ladi LGA. “The killing started around 11pm last (Saturday) night till this (Sunday) morning. “And the killing still continues.�

Another report by ViewPointNigeria says, and I quote: Villagers fleeing ‘The Militia’ in Plateau ... casualties now approaching 200 as military say the invaders have ‘superior fire.’ ‘Despair as death toll of Barkin Ladi killings reaches 106 At 12:00 noon this afternoon (Sunday 24th June 2018), the death toll from the Gashish district killings had reached 106.

Thirty one corpses were recovered from Gindin Akwati (i.e, ex-lands), 34 from Gana-Ropp, eight from Shonong and the balance (33) from small villages (e..g, Razat, Ruku, Nghar, Tanabu, Tisan, Kakuruk etc) in the vicinity.

And at the time of filing this report, it was again reported that herdsmen had gone, re-grouped and were emanated from the Kurra axis, advancing towards Barkin Ladi main town. Sporadic gunshots and the sounds of rapid automatic weapons could be heard in the distance, as residents scampered for safety. The onslaught and killings which started late on Friday has now been sustained for over 60 hours (2.5 days) non-stop. Operatives of the STF and other security apparatus appear overpowered and unable to forestall the killings.

ViewPointNigeria’s investigations revealed that all churches in the entire Gashish axis were empty on Sunday morning -as worshippers stayed away for fear of being attacked.

We have a major problem in our hands now. The STF are trying to destroy evidence of the killings.

One Col. Bello who is the STF PRO along other

military personnel have gone to Nyer village in Barakin Ladi where over 80 people were killed yesterday as well as other villages where people were killed forcing them to bury the corpses as the only condition for them to get assistance by way of medical treatment to those with injuries. Kindly let the STF commander know this as well as other security heads.

As things stand it is difficult to understand how any sane person can canvass for Buhari’s continuation in office as President of Nigeria. General Buhari has demonstrated the greatest disdain and disrespect for the feelings of Nigerians by the way he has conducted himself and the big office Nigerians entrusted to his care since May 29, 2015. Buhari’s vision of Nigeria begins and ends in Daura and this explains his unprecedented nepotism and parochialism. He has also proved to Nigerians that the reason he ran for the highest office four times before Bola Ahmed Tinubu donated the presidency to him was to make himself the third imperialist after Usman Dan Fodiyo and the revered Ahmadu Bello.

Right from the time he humiliated Dr Alex Ekwueme, rubbished Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s unassailable reputation, invited deaths to Bisi Onabanjo, Professor Ambrose Alli and disgraced Pa Ajasin, Lateef Jakande, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the duo of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabo while pampering Shehu Shagari, Buhari has shown that he did not belong to all but belonged to his ethnic group.

With the unchecked harvests of deaths heaped on Nigeria and Nigerians, Buhari has left no one in doubt that he does not deserve to remain in office beyond May 29, 2019.

Nigerians would be relieved to see the back of a man who in his years in office left a catalogue of horrors and teeth gnashing while single-mindedly turning blind eye to the horrific massacres and butchering of Nigerians and promoting ethnic cleansing, undisguised expansionism, arrogant imperialism and imperviousness to reason.

And he would be remembered by the sheer number of widows and orphans his regime created.

Adeniyi is a former Managing Director of Daily Times

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

EDITORIAL DEATH BY ELECTROCUTION Negligent power distribution companies should be severely sanctioned

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nnouncing its readiness in Abuja to host a global power safety summit in October this year, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) disclosed that it has recorded a total of 101 fatalities since inception in 2013.

“On a minute by minute basis, man is exposed to one form of risk or the other but the least that can be done to reduce it is to talk about it, practice it and share knowledge”, said Managing Director, Mr Ernest Mupwaya. He added that most of the fatalities occurred due to lack of knowledge, complacency, carelessness and by compromising safety standards.

Against the background that a six- year-old child who went for a funfair with his parents was electrocuted at the Murtala WE IMPLORE THE Amusement Park in MANAGEMENT OF Minna on Sallah day, THE POWER SECTOR we must commend Mupwaya for bringing TO COME UP WITH to limelight an issue STRINGENT POLICIES hardly ever discussed TO DEAL WITH THIS even when it has NEGLIGENCE THAT HAS claimed the lives of SENT THOUSANDS OF hundreds of Nigerians.

NIGERIANS TO THEIR From employees of power distribution UNTIMELY GRAVES companies to ordinary consumers and innocent passers-by, the rate at which many Nigerians are being electrocuted has become very alarming. Raising alarm earlier in the year, the Network for Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria (NECAN) said no fewer than 366 Nigerians lost their lives in 2017 as a result of negligence and defective systems in the distribution arm of the industry.

According to NECAN National Secretary, Uket Abonga, statistics of the 2017 fatalities revealed that 86.8 per cent of the victims were electricity consumers while the remaining 13.2 per cent were officials of the electricity companies. “The investigations carried out by NECAN reveal that many of the accidents that occurred

in the preceding year in the sector can be attributed to man-made factors, which include inadequate knowledge, information and ignorance on the part the consumers and operators, system protection equipment failures, in some cases total absence of protection devices, poor and aging transmission network lines, aging distribution networks which used to be replaced, poor response to complaints of faulty facilities and lines by staff of the transmission and distribution companies,” said Abonga.

T 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

hat the number of casualties from electrocution is high is an understatement. Yet most of them result from a lackadaisical attitude of the electricity company workers, who most often ignore early warnings and appeals from residents about faulty wires in their neighbourhoods. In several places across the country today, there are many old and broken down wooden and concrete electricity poles, some with naked wires dangling overhead. It only takes a serious rainfall or heavy wind to blow off some of the poles. In such a situation, inhabitants of the affected areas or even passers-by live in constant fear of instant death. What compounds the problem is that from available records, the time lag between when a fault is reported and it is fixed goes up to one month. There are also times when there would be no response from the authorities thus leaving residents with no other choice but self-help with all the attendant risks.

What the foregoing says very clearly is that we place little or no premium on human lives in Nigeria and if we are to develop, that culture has to change. We therefore implore the management of the power sector in our country to come up with stringent policies to deal with this negligence that has sent thousands of Nigerians to untimely graves. The authorities in the power sector must also develop the habit of quick response to complaints about fallen electricity poles and exposed live wires.

To attain the vision of zero fatality incidents in the power sector, as envisaged by AEDC, it is important for the electricity power authorities to come up with a sustainable solution to remedy the problem.

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STOP THE KILLINGS OF CHRISTIANS

SECURITY AGENCIES AND THE KILLER HERDSMEN

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he Fulani herdsmen, ranked by the Global Terrorism Index as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world, has, without a doubt, constituted the biggest threat to the lives and property of Nigerians across the country over the past couple of years. While the worst of Boko Haram, for instance, has been restricted to the North-East region of the country, the herdsmen have enjoyed a license to kill virtually everywhere, from the South-East region to the South-West region and from the Middle Belt to the Niger Delta.

Again, while the menace of the fundamentalists has been on a steady decrease, that of the killer herdsmen has been on the upswing. According to a 2017 report from the Global Terrorism Index, the marauding nomads accounted for over 2,500 deaths in Nigeria between 2012 and 2016. This year alone, over 300 deaths have been attributed to them, including 73 in Benue State on New Year’s Day and 86 in last Sunday’s massacre at the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the neighbouring Plateau State.

What is even more worrisome than the increased frequency, magnitude and audacity of their attacks is the reactionary, rather than proactive, approach that the sanctimonious Buhari-led executive arm of the federal government seems to have adopted in handling the crisis. It also evokes curiosity that the

numerous security agencies that litter the country and feed fat on our taxes and national treasury never seem to get wind of these attacks before they happen. You only hear them talk when the crime has already been committed, urging the populace to “remain calm” and “avoid taking laws into their hands.”

Does it mean that these killer herdsmen are equipped with some sort of metaphysical powers that enable them to waltz in in the dead of the night, perpetrate their dastardly acts, often over several hours, and retreat to their dens whilst entirely evading the attention of the security agencies?

Perhaps, the Nigerian military, police force and the civil defence should consider setting up metaphysical departments to combat this evolving security challenge.

President Buhari’s feigned helplessness and powerlessness in tackling this issue once and for all is no longer a tolerable excuse. At the height of the agitation for the secession of the South-East and the restoration of the Republic of Biafra, he unleashed an Operation Python Dance on the entire region, grinding all economic and social activities therein, especially in Abia State, to a halt, in a bid to fish out, cower and subdue the agitators.

Chinedu George Nnawetanma, chinnawetanma@ gmail.com

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f 100-plus Christians get killed in one Sunday in Plateau State, then verily the time comes when, if that Christian kill-ratio is sustained, no Christian would be left in Nigeria anymore.

It looks certain every passing day that certain parties have determined to maintain that kill-ratio, and even up the ante from time to time.

Basically, the life of every single Christian in Nigerian is under threat. What is happening in Nigeria now reminds me very much of the worldview espoused

by Adolf Hitler at the end of the second chapter of his book, “Mein Kampf (My Battle).” For that sort of worldview to come into fruition there must be some strong central commanding political-military-media apparatus that encourages this pogrom of a people termed “inferior or pest” (here in Nigeria we simply substitute “unbeliever or kuffar” for “inferior or pest”). Simply, to have armed Fulani gangs invade Christian villages in Plateau State and kill with impunity, the Arewa media and Miyetti Allah only need to emphasise in their outlets that five Fulani cattlemen and tens of herd of cattle went missing along the Berom axis of Plateau State just as two or three more went missing the week before. Of course, it is clear for all to see that no such event ever occurred but that this powerful apparatus was just seeking excuses to shed blood. Such clear fake-news

presentation had its awful precedent in the trigger of Boko Haram; anyone who would remember should recall that a prominent newspaper in the North unnecessarily emphasised, as if in sympathy, that Muhammadu Yusuf, the Boko Haram founder, did not die in a cross-fire shooting engagement with the police but was executed extra-judicio. In fact, that was a sympathy news headline for a man who had seized a Christian pastor and slaughtered him in public because his religion gives him the injunction to “smite the unbelievers by their necks until they fall down before ye the believers.” The leadership does not care about the Christian tribes-people getting killed in Plateau State and elsewhere. Marauding armed Fulani gangs kill with glee and gusto and the “learned” operatives of the federal government seek for excuses to throw Plateau State freeborn like Joshua Dariye into jail. President Donald Trump of the US implored President Buhari to stop the killing of Christians in Nigeria but Buhari seemed to have ignored that counsel and chose to seek “spiritual handshake and blessing” from a caliph (the King of Morocco) who is recognised as a living descendant of the person Buhari revers most in his heart.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

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

POLITICS

TRENDING NEWS

An Unyielding Obstacle More than anything else, the persistent killing of innocent persons in parts of the country, may be the most serious impediment to the possible re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, writes Nseobong Okon-Ekong

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s reactions continue to trail the killing of over 100 persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen in several villages in Plateau State, the latest response from President Muhammadu Buhari indicating a willingness to reorganise the security apparatus in Nigeria brings a glimmer of hope for a fresh initiative to tackle widespread unjustifiable insecurity in the country.

A hint that the nation’s security machinery could be thoroughly overhauled emerged from a closed-door meeting President Muhammadu Buhari had with Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

Buhari had long been criticised from different quarters by opinion leaders who felt the security chiefs were not doing enough to stem the tide of killings across the country.

A few, like the former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma alleged outright collusion between security agencies and the suspected killers. The army has since investigated Danjuma’s indictment and absolved its personnel of any wrongdoing.

Buhari was elected on the premise that he had a solution to the myriad of security issues facing the nation. Those who gave him benefit of the doubt on this significant problem, probably considered his military background, thinking he would not only have a good understanding of what to do, but would command the respect and confidence of officers and men in the security services.

Three years after he assumed power, however, the security concern around the country has apparently increased manifold, reaching worrisome proportions, in many instances that has prompted calls for declaration of state of emergency in the troubled parts of the federation. Though some appreciable gain was recorded in repelling the menace of insurgents in the North-east of the country, such achievements have since been eroded by the frequency of fatalities recorded by attacks from suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The deduction made by many is that the President was treating the killer Fulani herders with kid gloves. Professor Wole Soyinka ranks high among persons in this school of thought.

Buhari’s body language has not done much to discountenance this suspicion. His often repeated mantra for peaceful co-existence between host communities and the drifting Fulani herders has been interpreted as a subtle encouragement to the dastardly acts of the suspected herders; just because they are his kinsmen. For instance, neither the President nor any of his aides attended the mass burial of victims of alleged killer Fulani herders earlier in the year. This was considered to be most insensitive and was roundly condemned by many right thinking people.

Buhari’s on the spot assessment of the recent killings in Plateau state demonstrate a change in attitude, although he was criticised for visiting Cross River State before making a detour to Plateau on the same day. This was a clear departure from his antecedent of shutting his ears and eyes to such occurrence.

Having learnt from the public outcry which followed the perceived insensitivity of federal government officials to killings by suspected Fulani herders, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo joined mourners at the funeral of two Catholic priests and 17 other worshippers who were killed in Gwer local government area of Benue State last April. Osinbajo condemned the attack and assured residents that the perpetrators will not go unpunished. The two priests, Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha,

President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief od Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas and and Nigeria Air Force Chief, Siddque Abubakar

Benue Governor Samuel Ortom consoling the bereaved

were killed during a mass along with 17 worshippers when the attackers invaded St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ukpor-Mbalom in Ayar-Mbalom community. They were buried at the Ave Maria Prayer Pilgrimage Ground, on the Ayati hilltop in Gwer.

Much of the negative publicity that have trailed the Buhari administration are tied to its handling of the issue of insecurity, particularly the wanton killing of innocent people in the Middlebelt by suspected Fulani herdsmen

Condemnation for these killings often assumed a religious character, particularly when Catholic faithful in seven states took to the streets protesting the continued killings of innocent people by herdsmen. The Catholics trooped to the streets in Edo, Oyo, Benue, Lagos, Kaduna, Adamawa and Kwara. The peaceful protests coincided with the burial of the 17 church members and the two priests killed during a mass in Benue. On a different occasion, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) took to the streets to protest the killing of their members by herdsmen.

Critics compare the decisive manner with which the Buhari administration deals with agitators for a sovereign state of Biafra in the South-east, particularly proscribing pro-Biafra groups, arrest, prosecution and detention of their members to the slap-on-the-wrist action against suspected killer herders. So far, the security agencies have not questioned the likes of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State who openly claimed that he paid monetary compensation and other forms of appeasement to aggrieved Fulani groups neither has the leadership of the ethnic herders association that claimed responsibility for violent attacks on villages in the Middle-belt been investigated.

Much of the negative publicity that have trailed the Buhari administration are tied to its handling of the issue of insecurity, particularly the wanton killing of innocent people in the Middle-belt by suspected Fulani herdsmen. As news of more killings of innocent people by herdsmen in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas in Benue State were reported at the beginning of the year, Buhari ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to move immediately to Benue State to restore law and order. Idris announced with fanfare that he was moving to Benue with additional five units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) making a total of 10 units of PMF deployed in the state in addition to other Police formations on the ground in the state before the crisis. There would also be the complement of more units of the Police Special Forces, Counter Terrorism Units, and Conventional Policemen.

There was unrelenting aerial surveillance by Police helicopters, while the Police Mobile Force personnel, Police Special Forces and conventional Police personnel, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) and Special Police Joint Intelligence and Investigation

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

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POLITICS teams would be everywhere in Benue State.

The President was thoroughly embarrassed when he learnt three months later that his order had not been complied with.

On the question of the suspected killer herders, the Presidency has been singing discordant tunes. At different times, the killings have been attributed to invaders from Libya. At another time, accusing fingers were pointed at herders from neighbouring countries. Lately, the Presidency put the blame for the killings on its political opponents that are trying to blight its scorecard with such humiliation. The uproar on this statement credited to Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina had hardly died when the latest incident of killings were recorded again in Plateau State.

Expressing regret over the reported killings of innocent people in Plateau, Buhari vowed that his administration would not rest until the murderers and sponsors are brought to justice.

He described the incident as “very painful and regrettable.’’ He, therefore, condoled with communities and families of those affected by the dastardly act. His message read: “The grievous loss of lives and property arising from the killing in Plateau today is painful and regrettable. My deepest condolences to the affected communities, we will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice.’’ The Police Command in Plateau confirmed the killing of 86 people in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state. ASP Terna Tyopev, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed that, “Fifty houses, two cars and 15 motorcycles were completely burnt down.”

The orgy of killings in Plateau may not be unconnected with the moves to overhaul the security apparatus of the country. Briefing State House correspondents after the talks with Buhari, Dogara said the President was coming up with a new security plan. Condemning the Plateau killings, the Speaker expressed hope that the impending change would end the reign of violence in the country. According to him, “If you go to the northeast, you can see the level of devastation caused by Boko Haram. Everything resembling progress, from schools to hospitals to government institutions, everything has been pulled down. And we don’t want a replication of this all over the country.”

Similarly, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo had expressed the Federal Government’s concern over several atrocities leveled against operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and vowed to end the menace soon.

Osinbanjo stated that the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised about SARS operations was reflected in President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive for an immediate review and restructuring of the unit. According to the Vice President, “Many people are complaining about the atrocities of SARS, people are saying there should be no more SARS. SARS as you know is anti-robbery squad but several members of the squad have gone rogue and are doing things that are contrary to the very reasons for which they were set up. “But it is not enough to just say, ‘end SARS’. You know it is an anti-robbery squad. What we need to end is to deal with the atrocities of SARS, we want to end everything that is wrong that they are doing. The President has already ordered a review of the formation of SARS so that very soon we would be able to have SARS that will be responsible.”

The disclosure by Dogara comes against the background of last year’s extension of tenure of the service chiefs by President Buhari. Many who expected Buhari to name new service chiefs were disappointed by the development since their constitutionally recognised tenure had variously expired. A statement by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said, Buhari having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North-east coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff

A Fulani herdsman

A devasted village in Plateau

Graveside for mass burial in Benue State

and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff. “This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.

Unfolding events, however, appear to have defeated the purpose for which extension of tenure was granted the service chiefs.

Not too long ago, the service chiefs had sought and obtained the understanding of the National Assembly for a Special Fund, outside appropriation, to enable them tackle the security challenges in Nigeria.

The security problems in the country have become compounded by complex inter-agency skirmishes. One of the notorious frictions between security operatives under the Buhari

administration was the prevention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting a former Director General of the agency in Abuja.

The EFCC had stormed the residence of a former DSS, Ekpenyong Ita situated at 46, Mamman Nasir, Asokoro, Abuja to effect an arrest and investigate allegations on offences bordering on diversion of public funds among others but was prevented from doing so. Also, efforts to arrest a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ayo Oke by EFCC was blocked leading to hours of faceoff with DSS operatives. Oke was sacked by President Buhari following the discovery of over N43 billion by the EFCC at the Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Even as many look forward to a change in security apparatus in the country, they are not convinced that such changes will be profound enough to bring about drastic

consequences on the perpetrators of the killings, which may in turn end the killing spree. In a country that is not officially at war, the Nigerian military is fully stretched to its limit, fighting insurgents and separatists in different parts of the country. The soldiers are reportedly war weary, operating under difficult conditions in which their officers expose them to serious harm and sometimes death by misappropriating huge sums of monies meant for procurement of weapons to prosecute the war.

In the Middle-belt states like Taraba, Benue and Plateau states, the indigenes have told their governors in unequivocal terms that they cannot hope to return for a second term on a party platform that has President Muhammadu Buhari as its arrow head. As far as the people of the Middle-belt are concerned the Buhari administration has looked the other way while its people are being killed in their thousands by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

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BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078, 08091152219

Í° Í° Ëœ Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ Íś MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 2.83 % 3.58 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

2.50% 9% 9.38%

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

354.49 % -0.71% -0.98%

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

2.46% 7.59%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.80/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Air Peace Emerges Best Airline

PROMOTING E-BANKING

R-L: Head, Retail Banking Business Directorate, Diamond Bank, Robert Giles; Deputy Managing Director Artee Group, Prakash Keswani;MD/ CEO, UP (Unified Payments), Agada Apochi; Executive Director, Personal Banking Division Access Bank/Alternate Chair, UP Board, Victor Etuokwu, and Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Alternate Director, UP Board, Chuks Nweke, during the launch of the UP Hourly Settlement Service, in Lagos‌recently

NIS Sustains Battle against Illegal Immigrants Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has revealed that it has been engaging in series of battles with some Nigerians who try to facilitate the entry of some foreigners that did not meet visa conditions to be in the country.

A top official of the agency, in a chat with THISDAY, alleged that before the current administration there used to be illicit acts of Nigerians who enhanced the entry of foreigners, mostly those from Asian countries without appropriate entry requirements.

The official said such incidents have been addressed by the

AVIATION current leadership of the NIS, saying the agency now ensures that anyone coming into Nigeria must obtain Nigerian visa or must have met all the conditions to obtain visa on arrival.

He expressed surprise at what he described as unpatriotic act whereby a Nigerian would use his position to facilitate the entry of foreigners into the country and described it as a very serious crime.

The official noted that most people allowed to enter the country, under such fraudulent arrangement, may be criminals,

running away from the country and willing to come and commit all kinds of crime in Nigeria.

THISDAY investigations revealed that some foreigners that had been arrested for engaging in illicit businesses in Nigeria arrived the country without visa, but this appears to have reduced in the last three years, because Immigration tightened movement at the major airports in the country.

An official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) who confirmed the development said that these days when the foreigners without visa are intercepted at the airport, they are forced to leave the country immediately

with the same aircraft that brought them into Nigeria.

The Immigration officials excoriated the Nigerians in high positions who use their status to push for foreigners to come to Nigeria without required documentation and visa, noting that such acts are extremely unpatriotic and deserved the highest punitive measures when such people are caught.

He said some of the foreigners who are helped to come into Nigeria may not have special training or acquire special skills but were allowed to come to the country and take up the Continued on page 20

Government Agencies, Customs Agents Trade Blame over Delays at Ports Eromosele Abiodun Following declaration by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo that some government agencies were frustrating the federal government’s Ease of Doing Business policy, licenced customs agents and government agencies operating at the ports are trading blames over delays in cargo clearance at the ports.

During an unscheduled visit to the Ports Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Port in Lagos, by officials of the Customs Headquarters Public Relations Unit, the agents blamed government agencies of perpetuating illegality.

The visit caught the port users and terminal operators unaware ahead of their agreed 11am joint examination time.

A staff of Interlog Agencies Limited, Adekunle Oladejo told journalists and the visiting team that customs officers were always on ground for

MARITIME examination while the agents have to wait.

Oladejo’s consignment, which consists of liquid chemicals were already positioned for examination by 11:00 a.m while no other government agency aside customs was ready.

On his part, Owolabi Abiodun of Royal Crown Shipping Company blamed persistent rain for delays in examination of perishable chemicals in bags. He added that customs officers were always ready for examination.

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ali Ocheni, who arrived at about 11:40a.m, to examination venue, admitted his lateness and blamed it on another assignment he attended to.

Ocheni, a Superintendent of Narcotics also blamed agents for causing delays by not

being ready for examination citing bad roads and terminal operator slowness as excuses.

He disclosed that he has been in the ports environments for three years and that customs have always invited NDLEA for joint examination Also, Comptroller Florence Dixon, who just assumed duty as the Customs Area Controller of the command, reiterated customs commitment to trade facilitation, revenue collection without compromising national security.

Dixon said: “I will work to bring everyone together to comply with government directive on ease of doing business. I believe in punctuality and acting promptly. No time wasting and I believe time is money. Customs has been long in trade facilitation.�

Dixon, who was Controller of Edo Delta Command swapped position with Francis Adetoye.

At the busiest terminal, B1

in Tincan port, agencies of government and licenced customs agents also affirmed that other factors were responsible for delays.

An Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer with the NAFDAC, Dr. Anzaku Peters commended the NCS and disclosed that NAFDAC has keyed into NICIS 2 Also speaking, a representative of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Lukman Abayomi, alleged that delays were being caused sometimes by server and banks network.

A staff of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Jibrin Madu called for early cargo examination period.

Public Relations Officer of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Stanley Chidozie Ejiogu, blamed the Continued on page 20

Air Peace has announced that it won this year’s Balafon Award for “Best Airline of the Year in West Africa 2018.â€? The airline was presented with the award at the opening session of the fourth Accra Weizo in Accra, Ghana recently. Air Peace launched its ďŹ rst regional service to Accra on February 16, 2017. It added Freetown (Sierra Leone), Banjul (The Gambia) and Dakar (Senegal) to its regional route network a year after on February 19, 2018. Organiser of the fourth Accra Weizo and Publisher of ATQ News, Mr. Ikechi Uko, said Air Peace emerged winner of the Balafon Award because of the eďŹƒciency it had brought to bear on its regional operations. The Balafon Awards was instituted by ATQ News in 2009, to recognise individuals and organisations which had distinguished themselves in aviation, travel and tourism in West Africa. “This award recognises your airline as the Best Airline of the Year in West Africa 2018 for your outstanding activities in sustaining functional and eďŹƒcient operations with expansions in West Africa, thereby adding value to the aviation and travel industry as your airlines continues to thrive in becoming a dominant face across West Africa. “With growing routes in several countries in West Africa, Air Peace airlines is playing a signiďŹ cant role in not only driving the aviation, travel and tourism agenda of your organisation and country and catalysing the growth of tourism in the sub region, but also helping forge ties between countries in West Africa and Africa with a view to enhancing regional tourism.â€?

Med-View, Arik, Others Partner LAAC

As the 22nd annual seminar and gala night of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) draws nearer, more airlines, agencies and organisations have given support to the association in order to ensure a successful outing. So far, no fewer than seven airlines, both local and international have supported the league in dierent forms and some of the domestic operators include MedView, Arik Air, Air Peace and Dana Air while on the foreign carriers include, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and Rwandair.

Others are gearing to make commitment to the seminar, which will have attracted high level industry speakers from both within and in the Diaspora. The Chairman and Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole in an interaction with LAAC in Lagos, said members of the league have been able to put the government on its toes through objective and analytical writings while the policies of the government for the industry are reviewed by reporters on the beat. Bankole noted that reporters on the beat had over the years contributed to the development of the industry, promising that the airline would continue to partner with the league in all its programmes. According to him, the relationship between the airlines and journalists covering the sector has always been symbiotic over the years. On his part, Mr. Chris Iwarah, the spokesman for Air Peace, lauded the committee and members of the league for the initiative. Iwarah explained that the selection of its Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema as the Chairman of the day further showed the seriousness attached to the seminar by the league.

Lagos Shines at ‘Accra Weizo’

The new push to position Lagos as the tourism hub of West Africa and the entertainment capital of Africa was put on display in Ghana recently. Lagos State mounted an exhibition along with 20 other ďŹ rms at the two-tourism fair, known as Accra Weizo.The event which took place in Accra, was well attended travel event supported by the GhanaTourism Authority. Lagos was represented by Mr. Babatunde Anann and Mrs. Adanma Oni both Directors at the Ministry ofTourism Lagos. The Lagos Tourism Video was played on the screen for most parts of the ďŹ rst day of the expo during breaks. The second day of the event was dedicated to Tourism as both Lagos and Ghana Tourism Authority used the day to showcase their Tourism Assets.

Earlier, the Carnival Calabar Dancers and the Ghanaian Carnival queens performed at the event. Anann in his presentation said the changes the new administration has wrought in Lagos. Oni invited them to visit Lagos and to participate in the One Lagos Festival in December. Lagos becomes the second Nigerian state to Market its tourism abroad after Cross River State and its Carnival Calabar.

“ Aero maintenance facility is growing. We are getting customers in Nigeria and from other countries in West Africa�

CEO of Aero Contractors

Captain Ado Sanusi

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BUSINESSWORLD NIS SUSTAINS BATTLE AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS jobs that would have been done by Nigerians.

The Immigration officials said Nigerians and other Africans were treated shabbily and contemptuously by some countries; that some of them after meeting their visa requirements are still turned back on arrival to the countries of their destinations.

He, therefore, wondered why Nigerians should allow foreigners to illicitly come into the country without meeting their visa requirements.

The Immigration officials said NIS does a lot of jobs beyond stamping in and out travellers and documentation, disclosing that the Service profiles everybody that travels and keeps track of them outside Nigeria. “We are the only organisation that tracks information about Nigerians overseas, so we have details of everybody, including keeping records of crimes committed. Sometimes we share this information with other security agencies in Nigeria,� the official said.

On visa fee and charges, the Immigration official said the Service abides by the principle of reciprocity in carrying out immigration policies, guided by the Ministry of Interior.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, CUSTOMS AGENTS TRADE BLAME OVER DELAYS AT PORTS terminal operator for late positioning of containers Ejiogu said: “Tin can Island Container Terminal (TICT) usually drops containers by 12.00 noon. A manager with TICT, Abdulrahman Jimoh Abdulwahab, said his company positions containers based on agents’ request.�

He blamed agents for not perfecting their documentation with customs before booking for positioning of their containers, thereby making it impossible for prompt examination.

Deputy Comptroller in charge of B1 terminal, Adamu Sanusi, told THISDAY that as a strategy for quick clearance of goods from the terminal, 14 Assistant Comptrollers were assigned to oversee 14 teams for fast and efficient service delivery.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

NEWS

NCS: 70% of Transactions at Ports Not Compliant with Trade Rules Eromosele Abiodun The Customs Area Comptroller of Tin-Can Customs Command, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Musa Baba Abdullahi, has disclosed that only 30 per cent of transactions at the ports comply with the requirements for trade.

Abdullahi, who made this known during a courtesy visit by members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), stressed that compliance to trade rules was germane for trade facilitation to exist. According to him, if importers or exporters are compliant with trade rules, then “we won’t have issues at the ports.� “ But when we have traders or importers who are not compliant, and want to enjoy the benefits of trade facilitation, it is not possible. “Most of the systems we operate are risk management based. They are systems that are supposed to run on their own, but because people are not compliant, it becomes practically impossible to have this systems run on their own. “For example, the law provides that certain consignments should be scanned while certain types of consignment should be subjected to physical examination. “Now if an importers consignment falls under physical examination, should we just push

it for scanning because we want to facilitate trade? Its not possible.�

Trade facilitation, Abdullahi added, was hinged on three legs: Procedural, Infrastructure and Logistics. “We have tried to perfect the procedural aspect of trade facilitation. In terms of infrastructure, some of these things are beyond Customs. For example, what

has Customs got to do with lightening of the ports at nights? “We do 24hours operations at the ports, but when infrastructures that are supposed to be in place are not there, and then there is nothing Customs can do about trade facilitation. “It is not that we don’t have compliant traders or importers. We have the blue chip companies, the manufactur-

ers and others. If we are to compile compliant traders at the ports, maybe we will have 30 per cent out of a hundred that are compliant, “he said.

Abdullahi added: “We really need to let traders and importers know that there are rewards for compliance. The rewards for compliance is that trade is faster. “This complaint companies

are placed on the Fast Track examination process, where cargoes are taken to their warehouse for physical examination. “However, we have anticipated that some companies enjoying the Fast Track examination could be tempted to abuse it, and that is why we don’t hesitate to remove such companies from the Fast Track when they err.�

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Managing Director, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board (TBSMB), Bayero Ja’ afaru; Chairman, Adenekan Gbadebo; DirectorGeneral, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex A. Okoh, Secretary, TBSMB, Olutoyin Bolaji and BPE’s Director of Development Institutions and Natural Resources, Chigbo Anichebe, when the Board of TBSMB paid a courtesy visit to the BPE in Abuja‌recently

Absence of SON at Ports Endangering Nigerians, Stakeholders Warn Eromosele Abiodun Some stakeholders in the maritime industry have thrown their weights behind recent calls by the Senate Committee on Industries that Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should return to the ports, saying their absence was endangering the lives of Nigerians and the economy.

A leading freight forwarder and founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Boniface Aniebonam advocated for SON’s return, saying all agencies of government relevant to import and export can operate in the ports together without hindering the free flow of legitimate trade.

Also, an importer and licenced customs agent, Chief Edwin Chike, also viewed attempts at stopping SON from operating inside the port under any guise as a violation of the law establishing the organisation.

Chike who referred to the SON enabling Act said, any executive order or instruction as to which agency should operate inside the ports should take extant laws into consideration. He said. He said lives of unsuspecting users and consumers of foreign products were being endangered by fake and substandard products either imported or smuggled into the country as many of such products have discovered to be deficient in the SON Conformity Assess-

ment Programme (SONCAP) requirement According to him, “Section 29 (3) of SON Act states that the Organisation may order the destruction of goods detained under subsection (1) of this section if the following conditions are satisfied-(a) testing indicates that the goods did not meet the relevant Nigeria Industrial standard; and (b) it is reasonably necessary to destroy the goods because the goods are in a dangerous state or injurious to the health of human beings, animals or plants;(c) in an order under subsection (2) of this section, the Organisation may require the owner of the goods to pay the costs

of the destruction of the goods including the costs of transporting and storing the goods, before destruction. “Section 30 (1) states thus ( 1) For the purpose of carrying out the function of the Organisation under the Act, the Director General , other officer or employee of the Organisation or any other person authorised by him in writing (a) may stop and search any vehicle which he reasonably believes may contain any article or product or material or goods that is in contravention of this Act; (b) shall have a right of access at reasonable times to any premises including all Nigerian ports, airports and land borders where industrial or commercial undertakings

is being carried on, and may use reasonable force if need be, to gain entry. Any other from the executive asking that the organisation stay away from the ports is a flagrant violation of the law, “he said On his part, a Lagos based legal practitioner, Enumah Nduka, advised that any order seeking that SON vacates the ports without approaching the National Assembly be reversed.

He added that it may be necessary to expunge or amend the sections of the SON Act which empowers it to be in the port. He described the order as an illegality, no matter who issued it and therefore should be reversed in the interest of the economy and citizens safety

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

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

PenCom Assures Prospective Retirees of Better Service Delivery Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Correspondents

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

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

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has assured that all 2019 eligible prospective retirees across the country would be captured ahead of disbursement of their pensions and gratuity.

The Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Peter Aghaowa, gave the assurance in Benin City, capital of Edo State, while speaking with journalists at the com-

mencement of verification and enrolment of federal government employees for retirement for 2019.

He said the exercise “is for the prospective retirees to avail themselves at the venue to be captured in the ongoing verification exercise to avoid omission in any form. “ Aghaowa said the exercise was scheduled to hold between June 25 and July 4, simultaneously across the 15 centres nationwide.

He said the commission had earlier requested the affected prospective retirees from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to come with all originals and photocopies of their documents for the verification and confirmation of enrollment into the system.

The PenCom head, corporate communications added: “For a smooth and seamless exercise, we have also requested all Pension

Desk Officer of each MDA to make themselves available at the various designated centers to authenticate the documents and endorsed the retirement bond form of each potential retirees.�

Meanwhile, some of would-be Senior Citizens, have expressed confidence in PenCom’s management ability, in spite of recent controversy over alleged embezzled pension fund.

An employee with National Museum, Mr Sunny Eboh, said “nonetheless the recent

hiccup, I know our savings are safer with the commission.�

Eboh, said that in no distance time, the commission would overcome its current challenges.

Also speaking, Mr Ibrahim Abodu, also of the national museum said in spite of the alleged pension fraud, PenCom has continued to build confidence in retirees, adding that the commission had he capacity to manage the retirees’ funds.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Cameroon National Carrier Resumes Lagos-Doula Flight Chinedu Eze Cameroon Airlines Corporation (Camair-Co) has resumed flight to Lagos from Doula, after a long layoff.

During the inaugural flight, which took place recently in Lagos, the Consul General of Cameroon in Lagos, Dr Ekorong Dong, said it was dream come true for the airline and for Cameroon, as it opened its lucrative Lagos route.

Dong said Camair-Co flight to Lagos would strengthen the relationship between the two sister nations and boost commerce, business and cultural partnerships. “I am happy that we have witnessed together a new landmark in the field of Nigeria and Cameroon cooperation. I strongly believe that the re-opening of Camair-Co in Nigeria will boost the trade, the commercial, the

socio-cultural relationship between Cameroon and our second country, Nigeria. We strongly believe so. “Allow me to tell you the truth. When the Managing Director of Camair-Co asked me to announce during our national day, on May 20, 2018; that the resuming of Camair-Co was scheduled for June 23, 2018, I was doubtful, but we have realised that goal. Today we are witnessing it together,� the Consul General said.

The pilot in command of the flight, Captain Constant Bihina Kono, said coming back to Nigeria was nostalgic, noting that the objective of the airline was to ensure that its customers are satisfied and promised that Camair-Co would operate safe, on-time flights to Nigeria.

He also said that Nigeria has advanced airspace compared to some other African countries, saying he was excited to have

flown to Nigeria. “Coming back to Nigeria is nostalgic and we hope to come to stay this time.

We have not been flying into radar for a long time.

Nigeria is so advanced when it comes to aviation that flying in the Nigeria airspace is like you are flying in Europe. “So, we are happy to be back to Nigeria and besides the weather, our flight was safe and flying to Nigeria to the happiness of our passengers is the best source of satisfaction for me,� the pilot said, According to APG Nigeria General Manager, Camair-Co GSA, Chike Ohiagu said: “The airline is here to stay. We are determined to make sure the airline seats are full and profitable.�

Camair-Co is scheduled to operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with a Boeing B737 between Douala and Lagos.

AIR WATCH Lifeline for Airlines

Onyema

AMCON Divesting Interest in Aero, Says Sanusi The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi has confirmed that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is divesting its interest in the airline.

Sanusi, made this known in Accra, Ghana, at the just concluded Accra Weizo Balafon award. The Aero CEO said investors had started indicating interest in the airline. “The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria has a plan to divest their shares in Aero Contractors and I think they have been doing that with more investors and that is what they want and that will be done very soon,� Sanusi said.

On the planned national carrier, Sanusi said it was the desire of every country to have a national carrier because it buoys the nation’s aviation industry but warned that Nigeria should learn from what happened to the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) so that the same mistakes would not be made in the new one. “You know every country

in the world will like to have a national carrier, so I support the national carrier for all the countries that are looking for national airline. But what I want to say is that it should be done with caution. “Yes, we want to have a national carrier, we want to establish a formidable carrier that will serve our people and the tourism industry, but we must learn from our past mistakes. So, establishing a national carrier will bring more jobs to Aero because definitely they are not establishing a national maintenance facility.

So we will definitely have an opportunity as an MRO to serve the national carrier,� Sanusi said.

On the recent complaint by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), which alleged that the regulatory authority, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), may not guarantee equal opportunity for the planned national carrier and other airlines, Sanusi, said the apprehension of the airlines

may not be misplaced but noted that NCAA had already allayed such fears. “In every industry where you have a regulator and the industry is well regulated, you need to have a fair level ground, a fair environment, so I believe what Air Operators of Nigeria is just asking is that the national carrier that is coming should be allowed to compete favourably with them, and I think that is fair and I don’t think the government is going to unduly give the national carrier some advantage. “I think it will allow the national carrier to grow as a business, the moment you don’t allow it to grow as a business, then it might not be sustainable and that is the truth and that is why Ethiopian Airlines is sustainable because they allowed it to grow as a sustainable business.

And if you allow a business to grow as a sustainable business, you must allow it to compete with its peers so that it can now get immunisation of competition,� the Aero CEO said.

Air Peace Decorates First Female Captain Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace on Monday decorated its first female pilot, Sinmisola Ajibola as captain.

Sinmisola, who joined Air Peace in February 2017, as a Senior First Officer (SFO), made history as the airline’s first female captain.

She is from a family of pilots - father and four brothers, three of whom are with Air Peace.

Presenting the new captain to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema for

decoration, the Chief Pilot, Captain Victor Egonu said he predicted Sinmisola’s elevation on the first flight she did with him.

Decorating Sinmisola with her captain epaulettes at Air Peace Corporate Headquarters in Lagos in company with the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, Director of Flight Operations, Capt.

Wellington Eyimina and Chief Pilot, Capt. Victor Egonu, Onyema said he was proud of her achievement.

He urged the new captain to sustain her outstanding performance in and out of the cockpit.

He praised the airline’s pilots and their other Nigerian colleagues for displaying excellence in the cockpit as well as standing tall among their counterparts across the globe.

Onyema said that Air Peace caused a revolution in the nation’s aviation industry in the area of pilots’ benefits.

For several years, Nigerian airlines expressed dissatisfaction over the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) and complained that it ate deeply into their operations.

Also, the airlines lamented that they pay too many taxes and charges which continued to eat into their profits.

Nigerian airlines have average of 10 years lifespan as after that, they either go under or they start grappling to survive.

What pained the airlines more was that it is only the air travel in the whole gamut of transport system that pay VAT; others are exempted.

Operators pointed out that what kills airlines includes the charges and taxes, the cost of maintenance of aircraft overseas and cost of insurance. The airlines see the payment of VAT as burrowing a deep hole in their finances because it is a deduction of five per cent of ticket sales, which is a huge amount when put together. This is in addition to another five per cent of ticket sales which is paid to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which it shares with other four agencies.

But in addition to this payment of VAT, there are other charges levelled at the airlines, including that of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), which takes a percentage of the five percent collected by NCAA but still charges airlines for aeronautical and en-route services. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria also level on airlines passenger service charge (PSC) of N1000 per passenger.

But the agencies always argued that some of these charges are built in the tickets, but the airlines insist that these charges increase the cost of ticket and without them the cost of air fares would be less and more people would travel by air.

Certainly, it was a tortuous journey for airlines in the clamour to exempt them from the payment of VAT. Since the Muhammadu Buhari administration started, the airlines have made efforts to convince the federal government to exempt airlines from the payment of VAT. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema narrated the efforts the airlines made to make sure that this administration listened to their plight, which past administrations did not do. “The Airline Operators of Nigeria took this matter to the then acting President, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and he called for a meeting and we met with him and gave him details of our grouses. And he called for an enlarged meeting of all the agencies and the Ministry of Aviation and the

airline operators. We held a second meeting where we presented our issues. Osinbajo set up a committee to look at these issues,�

Onyema said.

He noted that he along with other domestic airline operators did not give up. There was a time the airlines met with the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler and noted that the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, showed uncommon commitment to see that airlines were exempted from the payment of VAT. That was why when the exemption of VAT was announced recently, Onyema commended the federal government and noted that it came after many years of clamour and after many regimes were served same request; yet, they did not do anything about it until “when the Muhammadu Buhari administration listened to the yearnings of the airlines and hearkened to their cry.� “I am very happy about the action taken by the federal government. It shows that this government is a listening government and it also shows that President Buhari wants Nigerian companies to survive. I am sure that everybody in the aviation industry will be jubilating now,� Onyema said.

He noted that the money saved from the exemption would be used by airlines to maintain their fleet, acquire more aircraft and also create jobs, adding that payment of VAT eroded the revenue of airlines and might have contributed to the collapse of many of them in the past.

Onyema remarked that it is gladdening when the business community makes a case and government listens, observing that what the current federal government is doing gives entrepreneurs the motivation to invest in the country. “The exemption of VAT payment for airlines will save thousands of jobs. Aviation is capital intensive with very meagre return on investment, but it creates jobs. Airlines will recoup money for the proper maintenance of their fleet. “Increase their capacity and acquisition of more aircraft. President Buhari loves indigenous companies. Every year Nigerian airlines pay several billions of naira as VAT. Nobody listens to airlines all these years until now. But this is a listening President. My colleagues and I are highly encouraged by this decision,� Onyema said.

Onyema also commended the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Sirika for his tireless efforts to ensure that the desire of the airlines was realised and noted that as an aviator, the Minister knew what the airlines are going through.

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Hope Rising for Aviation Sector The review of the first half of 2018 indicates a beckoning hope for the aviation industry in Nigeria as government policies, African Union, regional financial institutions gear up to grow air transport in the continent, writes Chinedu Eze The aviation industry showed greater prospects in the first half of 2018, than in the previous years, with African Development Bank and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) coming out clearly to support aviation.

There are also recent policies by the federal government that have given fillip to hope and high expectation that the industry will turn out better this year.

The Ease of Doing Business, which was introduced at the airports last year, has culminated in better passenger facilitation, while the cashless policy introduced this year has also enhanced transparency in business transactions at the airport and potential boost of revenues for the aviation agencies.

The waiver on Value Added Tax (VAT) given to domestic airlines recently, analysts pointed out would ensure that they have more operating funds at their behest and such would be deployed to meet critical needs. These are key issues that will reshape the aviation industry in the second half of 2018 and beyond.

the opportunity to acquire new aircraft with staggered payments, which cannot be compared to the current system where Nigerian airlines would raise and go and buy old aircraft.

Speaking during the partnership earlier this year in Lagos, the Global Head, Client Relations, Afreximbank, Rene Awambeng, said the Bank entered into a strategic partnership with the Russian Export Centre, which is the export bank of the Russian Federation to promote aviation in Africa, so that it can meet one of its strategic goals.

VAT Recently the federal government issued an Executive Order for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from all forms of transportation, but before now it is only domestic airlines among different modes of transportation that pay VAT. The airlines said this would increase passenger movement in the domestic routes and would boost the financial contribution of the sector to the GDP, increase revenue for the aviation agencies and enhance aircraft acquisition.

VAT is the deduction of 5 per cent from the passenger’s airfare remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS. The CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi said that the waiver would bring down air fares and make more people to travel by air and increase airline’s profit margin.

Sanusi said that one of the major reasons why airlines fail in Nigeria is lack of financial liquidity, noting that the charges and taxes squeeze airlines to the extent that they generate revenue without profits, so with the waiver, Nigerian airlines would save the 5 per cent fund, which is huge amount of money when put together.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo said the waiver would reduce the financial burden on the airlines, which would improve their operations, make more funds available for aircraft maintenance, leasing and also enhance spare parts acquisition, noting that these are inevitable expenses, which airlines squeeze out funds to attend to after the payment of taxes and charges.

SAATM Many African airlines were elated when the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) was introduced. It is a flagship project under the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU) that seeks to liberalise and unify the African skies. It was launched during the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU on 28 January 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

SAATM is the offspring of Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD), which aims to liberalise the African air transport market. The conception is that African registered airlines could operate seamlessly from one country to another without immigration hindrances, so flights could connect, for example, from Port Harcourt to Lagos, Lagos to Accra and Accra to Freetown, operated by an airline registered in Nigeria or even Cameroon.

However, looking at the bigger picture of SAATM, it has the capability of giving African airlines the opportunity to expand their profitably and boost passenger movement across the continent. It would also boost trade among Africans, which would enable revenues generated by the African market to circulate in Africa; instead of taking them overseas to Asia, Europe and other markets.

But in the short run, Nigerian airlines did not feel that Nigerian government did well to endorse SAATM because they said other African countries would not be enthusiastic about opening their markets in the spirit of SAATM; rather, they would close their markets to their own airlines while they erode the Nigerian market, the biggest market in West and Central Africa.

While commenting on the initiative, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said: “No country gives blanket approval for whatever treaty they signed, no country does that. So SAATM does not favour Nigerian airlines as it stands today. “Have the authorities bothered to find out the landing charges these other countries in Africa give to Nigerian airlines that are coming into their countries? “Look at Abidjan (Cote de Ivoire); have they bothered to find out what their countries do for them in terms of charges? They are not paying the same charges as we do. In Ghana, AWA (African World Airlines) is not paying the same charges in their country as we do. So, they can afford to crash their fares. We cannot afford to do so because when we get into their country they over charge us. “Why have we not started operation to Abidjan?

Because they gave us something out of this world. They charged us $6000, to $7000 per landing. How many people are you carrying to justify paying such exorbitant charges? But when they come to Nigeria they pay peanuts. So why won’t they run out the Nigerian airlines?

However, members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) wrote to Present Muhammadu

Sirika

Buhari and expressed opposition to SAATM, saying that it would impinge on the operations of domestic carriers, at least in the short term.

But the International Air Transport Association (IATA) commended African Union for endorsing the policy, saying that it would boost passenger movement in the continent, open more flight routes and enlarge the African air transport market. “Enhanced connectivity will stimulate demand, improve the competitiveness of the African airline industry, and make air travel more accessible. In turn, this will enable higher volumes of trade, expanded tourism and growing commerce between African nations and with the rest of the world,� IATA said.

The Ease of Doing Business, which was introduced at the airports last year, has culminated in better passenger facilitation, while the cashless policy introduced this year has also enhanced transparency in business transactions at the airport and potential boost of revenues for the aviation agencies

Afrexim Bank and ADB Nevertheless, the African Development Bank (AfDB) expressed its preparedness to support the growth of air transport in Nigeria and in Africa and had launched a new framework to support the revitalisation of the continent’s aviation sector.

AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the Bank and its partners would also unveil initiatives to help to de-risk financing for aircraft acquisition and upgrading of airports.

They also look to support expansion of regional navigational and air safety and deregulation of the aviation industry to boost competitiveness and efficiency. “We must make regional aviation markets competitive and drive down costs, raise efficiencies and improve connectivity and convenience,�

Adesina had said With financial support to airlines to acquire or lease aircraft, the bank would go a long way to boosting airlines’ fleet, which would enable them to open more routes and airlift more passengers.

The major challenge Nigerian and African airlines face is the difficulties accessing credit facility from local and international financiers.

Also, respite may have come to Nigerian carriers as Afreximbank has shown commitment to supporting the local operators to acquire new aircraft.

The regional bank said it would re-fleet Nigerian airlines in partnership with the Russian Export Centre to provide brand new aircraft for operations in Nigeria and others in Africa.

Airlines said that would be a great relief to them as they would not pay the high interest rate of 26 percent to acquire aircraft. THISDAY learnt that some airlines have made firm commitment with Afreximbank and airlines are looking at the offer from the bank which would give them

Aero MRO Nigeria’s oldest carrier, Aero Contractors in February this year unveiled a Boeing B737-500 it successfully conducted C-check on, thus ushering the airline into the club of airlines that have the capability to conduct major maintenance checks on aircraft.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said this would save Nigerian airlines about N90 billion annually, which is the amount of money airlines spend on aircraft maintenance overseas as the airline would now offer maintenance services to domestic operators up to C-check.

Aero now offers maintenance services on Boeing B737 classics, which is the major aircraft type operated by many Nigerian airlines.

The maintenance facility was approved recently by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and given certification to the airline as Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) for C-Check on the B737 Classic. Also, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had given Aero certification which empowered the airline to maintain aircraft registered in Ghana.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said the approval represents a major milestone in their turn-around efforts.

Since the AMO certification, many Nigerian airlines have been taking their aircraft to Aero facilities instead of ferrying them overseas at huge costs. Aero has also expressed the willingness to stagger payment for the cost of maintenance for the local carriers.

With all these incentives from government, African Union and financial institutions, it is hoped that air transport would be given a new lease of life in 2018 and beyond.

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Ensuring Seafarers’ Welfare EromoseleAbiodunwritesthatthecommitmentbyNigerianMaritimeAdministration and Safety Agency to ensure the safety, welfare and training of seafarers in the country is commendable Shipping is an industry that contributes over 90 per cent to the world economy. There are about 51,400 merchant ships operating all over the world, transferring goods between places, keeping the economy running. Whether it is oil from the Gulf or iPhones in containers being delivered from one part of the world to another, everything is running round the clock, with precision and diligence.

Who are the people responsible for this non-stop action? While the shipbrokers and the charterers and the owners take care of the financial aspects backing the viability of the trade, the seafarers are the ones executing it in real life aspect. The trade is only so good when the product is delivered safe and on time to the receiver, and seafarers ensure that Sundays or public holidays notwithstanding.

Seafarers do not understand the concept, rather cannot be allowed to understand the concept of Sundays because someone, somewhere, is in need of a product that must be delivered clean and on time.

Also, nations are fuelled by gas and to make it clearer, the shortage of oil supply because of a stalled ship can cause chaos.

The job of seafarers involve years of rigorous training in mastering the aspects of navigation, cargo work and ship operations and the everyday precise application of it.

It is a known fact that more than 90 per cent of the world trade is carried by ships and these ships are manned and operated by seafarers. Hence, it can be safely said that 90 per cent of mankind’s needs are being served by directly or indirectly by seafarers.

Experts believe that with the recent advancements in technology wherein ships are gradually moving towards being unmanned, this could be deemed as a threat to the seafaring profession.

While it might affect the profession in some way, leading practitioners are optimistic that the years of theoretical knowledge, practical applications, and experience at sea can never be replaced by a machine or a controller sitting cozy in an air conditioned office a few kilometres from home.

The sea and winds, they argued, do not always follow the predicted patterns adding that the human angle to shipping will always be invaluable.

They added that the expertise gained over the years trumps any new challenges to the profession making the seafarer is indispensable.

The Nigerian situation However, as critical as seafarers are to the nation, the practitioners are often treated shabbily by ship owners who are mostly the employers of seafarers. There is a gradually shit, however, as concerned stakeholders makes moves to ensure adequate welfare of seafarer Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure sanity in the relationship between ship owners and seafarers, the federal government has threatened to sanction ship owners who default in the implementation of the contributory pension scheme for seafarers.

Speaking at the 2018 Day of the Seafarers celebration with the theme: “Seafarers’ wellbeing,� held in Warri, Delta State, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside urged the employers of seafarers to ensure that they implement the contributory pension scheme for their workers, threatening to report erring employers to the Pension Commission for appropriate sanctions.

Peterside said: “The National Joint industrial Council (NJlC) has concluded negotiations on the conditions of service of Nigerian Seafarers, including the minimum wages payable to all categories of seafarers. It is expected that the agreement will be signed by all parties on the 28th of June, 20l8. In this regard, l wish to assure you that the agency will go the whole length in ensuring that the collective bargaining agreement CBA is implemented as agreed. “The ‘Day of The Seafarer,’ which is celebrated all over the world on the 25th

Dakuku (middle), NIMASA oďŹƒcials and Seafarers Trained by NIMASA

of June every year, started eight years ago following the resolution adopted by the 2010 diplomatic conference in Manila, Philippines to adopt the STCW Convention. This year’s theme is Seafarers’ “wellbeing� with particular focus on their mental health.�

Peterside added: “It is believed that by addressing the issue of seafarers wellbeing and particularly their mental health, all other issues affecting their mental conditions such as stress and depression could effectively be tackled through the adoption of effective strategies in this regard.�

He called on all employers to ensure the promotion of lLO’s decent work Agenda which aims at promoting the workers mental health and wellbeing. “There is no doubt that Nigerians Seafarers are faced with a lot of challenges that are work related and bordering on depression arising from lack of job opportunities and long hours of work without commensurate pay. In most cases the seafarers work under strenuous conditions which they are subjected to by their employers. As an agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of all maritime labour employers and their employees, we remain committed to making Nigeria a hub of maritime activities by ensuring that our waters are safe for navigation and the ships operating on our waters maintain a high safety standard,� he said.

Peterside noted that the Nigerian seafarers ranks among the best in the world and can favourably compete with their foreign counterparts.

It is believed that by addressing the issue of seafarers wellbeing and particularly their mental health, all other issues affecting their mental conditions such as stress and depression could effectively be tackled through the adoption of effective strategies in this regard

Accordingly, the NIMASA boss this is why the agency in the past few years embarked on the training and retraining of Nigerian Seafarers and Cadets in specialised maritime courses both locally and internationally, which is aimed at enhancing their competences and employability.

Speaking further, Peterside, who reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a better living condition for the seafarers in line with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda gave the assurance that the agency will continue to make issues concerning the seafarers a priority.

He also highlighted the importance of the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 which he said Nigerian ratified in 2013, stating that it made adequate provisions for seafarers’ welfare which if fully implemented will also guarantee their wellbeing. “As the competent authority for the implementation of all IMO and ILO conventions, NIMASA has diligently commenced the implementation of the convention in Nigeria from the time it entered into force in 2014 till date, through the conduct of port and flag inspections on board vessels operating in our waters,�the NIMASA boss said.

Decent Work Agenda While acknowledging the fact that the Nigerian seafarers are faced with lots of challenges that are work related, Peterside used the opportunity to urge all employers to ensure the promotion of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, which aims at promoting the workers mental health and wellbeing.

He also stated that as part of the agency’s commitment to training and retraining of the seafarers to enhance professionalism in the sector, the Agency has so far trained over 2000 cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). This is in addition to those who have already undergone their mandatory sea time training, 500 have been earmarked for sea time training in 2018 fiscal year, while another 500 will undergo the training in 2019.

Peterside added that 150 fresh cadets will benefit from the programme under the NSDP which will commence in the next academic session. “On the other hand, the agency in May this year facilitated the training of 370 Nigerian seafarers in relevant courses leading to certifications on Standards of Training Certifications (STCW), Oil Tanker Familiarization, Security Awareness (ISPS) Code, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) and Dynamic Positioning,�

he said.

Also, he hinted that another 560 dockworkers benefitted from the training programme on occupational safety and health which was developed in line with the ILO’s code of practice OSH. “All these are geared toward realizing a robust maritime sector in line with international regulations,� Peterside said.

Economic Importance In his keynote address, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa stated that the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian economy depends largely on the maritime sector as over 90 per cent of the world trade are transported through the sea.

Okowa also commended NIMASA for its efforts and determination to ensure that Nigeria is reckoned with in the international maritime domain.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Kingsley Otuaro further applauded the initiative of the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), which is the first specialised in Africa and expressed the readiness of the State to partner the agency in actualising the vision behind the establishment of the institution. “As a state, we are prepared to support and partner NIMASA and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the underlying motive of establishing the maritime university is achieved. We are also certain that the university, undoubtedly, will be a source of training more seafarers and adding more commercial value to the Nigerian economy� the governor said.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, expressed his support for improved well being of seafarers, noting that the role of seafarers cannot be underrated, considering their contributions to global seaborne trade.

At the event, President General of the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), represented by the Secretary General, Felix Akingboye; the Chairman, Ports Consultative Council, Chief Kunle Folarin; President of the Seamen and Water Transport Branch of the Maritime Workers’ Union, Francis Bunu and other stakeholders, who hailed NIMASA for its efforts in ensuring that the welfare of the seafarers is taken into proper consideration.

The Day of the seafarers is a day celebrated all over the world on the 25th of June yearly, following the resolution adopted by the 2010 diplomatic conference in Manila, Philippines to adopt the STCW Convention.

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Edo State Reforms and Growing World Bank Support Peter Uzoho writes on the support of the World Bank towards the reform-oriented governance in Edo State Development experts predicate a robust and sustainable relationship with the World Bank and its development partners on a regime of strict adherence to rules and terms guiding the execution of developmental projects, transparency, accountability and a preference for projects that can pull the largest number of people out of poverty, as against frivolous political projects.

For many states and even countries, adhering to these World Bank terms is a tall order, as project impact must be measured, contract terms such as cost, cycle and funding are set in stone while the financial books are open for transparency.

What Edo is doing right?

According to findings, Edo State has prudently applied its receipts, portfolios as well as technical support from the Bank, which account in part, for the erosion control projects, road projects, sanitation, water, agricultural and policy reforms in institutions spread across the state, designed to engender inclusive growth.

Specifically, the Bretton Woods institution is impressed with the number of people that have been moved out of poverty, projects’ impact on the environment, reduction in child and maternal mortality figures, gender mainstreaming amongst other considerations, underlying the World Bank’s partnership with various states and countries.

According to the bank’s Governance Global Practice, countries and states are encouraged “to build strong institutions and prosper by creating an environment that facilitates private sector growth, reduces poverty, delivers valuable services and earns the confidence of their citizens - a relationship of trust that is created when people can participate in government decision-making and know their voices are heard.�

Attesting to these development paradigms as basis for the vigorous relationship between the Bank and the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, World Bank Senior Director, Governance Global Practice, Debbie Wentzel, told Obaseki, when she led the Bank’s delegation on a business visit to Edo State recently, that the Bank was willing to consolidate its relationship with Edo State in improving her governance structures for better results.

Wentzel, was accompanied on the visit

by Practice Manager, Hisham Waly; Lead Project Specialist, Chief Bayo Awosemusi; Senior Public Sector Specialist, Ikechukwu Nweje; Senior Operations Officer, John Paul Ngebeh; and Procurement Specialist, Sunday Osoba. “We are hoping to work with the state to support her in improving governance structures. We want to see how the World Bank can support the state to get better results. We will be looking at building the state’s transparency, economic recovery; revenue collection and creating an enabling environment where private sector can thrive better,� she said at the visit.

Edo-Azura Power Project Before Wentzel’s visit, Country Director of World Bank, Nigeria and Co-ordinating Director for Regional Integration Programme in West Africa, Rachid Benmessaoud, led the bank’s delegation on a visit to the governor at the Government House, Edo State.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Country Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nigeria Office, Eme Essien; Programme Leader, Muna Salih Meky; Programme Leader, Kofi Nouve; Lead Procurement Specialist, Bayo Awosemusi; Senior Private Sector Specialist, Feyi Boroffice; Senior Agriculture Economist, Adetunji A. Oredipe; and Senior Operations Officer, John Paul Ngebeh, amongst others.

According to Benmessaoud: “Obaseki has established a flagship effort that has

L-R: Obaseki and Wetzel at a meeting in Benin‌recently

resulted in the Edo- Azura Power Plant where he brought the World Bank Group together and we are ready to replicate the model and build more Azura projects in Nigeria and West Africa.�

He explained that the strong partnership between Edo State Government and the World Bank is highly cherished by his institution, and commended the insistence of the Obaseki administration on transparency and accountability. “I want to assure the governor that the World Bank will help in addressing the human capital needs by pulling her resources together to support the Edo State government,� he pledged.

Visit of the Eleven World Bank Executives Benmassoud’s visit follows the visit of 11 Executive Directors of the Bretton Woods institution, who were in the state for on-the-spot assessment of the banksponsored developmental projects in the state, recently.

We are hoping to work with the state to support her in improving governance structures. We want to see how the World Bank can support the state to get better results. We will be looking at building the state’s transparency, economic recovery; revenue collection and creating an enabling environment where private sector can thrive better

The May visit of the bank’s eleven wise men and women to Edo State, according to those keeping steps with the activities of the bank, shows its unprecedented interest in the Edo economy.

The 11 Executive Directors – considered to be an interestingly large delegation – took time to assess the performance of the state on key development indicators, and reviewed activities to determine the feasibility of extending more support to some of the programmes funded by the bank in the state.

In the World Bank delegation were the Executive Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria and South Africa), Burkina Faso (representing Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), United Kingdom and Indonesia.

Sustaine d friendship Tracing the relationship between him (from his days as the head of the planning team under former governor Adams Oshiomhole) Governor Obaseki said: “We have gone through a learning curve with the World Bank, a journey which started over nine years ago and we want to drive this down to the local government councils so that every individual in the state will feel the impact of our government at all levels.�

He explained that at the state level, several reforms of key institutions have changed work culture for better outcomes, and added: “Our institutions are working at the state level and we want to work at strengthening the local councils.�

The governor said that his administration also plans to work with the World Bank in strengthening governance-support structures for optimal performance and deepen the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the state.

He maintained that what the state needs from the World Bank now is ‘More Knowledge and less Cash’ so that the state will optimise her resources for the benefit of all. Obaseki noted that the several visits of the World Bank officials lend credence

to his administration’s “commitment to bringing development to our people in the state, with the support of our partners,� and assured that Edo State under his watch places high premium on the sanctity and the integrity of partnerships, contracts as well as an open and transparent process. “Development partners like the World Bank, operate in an environment where stakeholders abide by rules governing the partnerships, and in which input, output and outcomes are measured from time to time. The World Bank will not take you seriously if all you do is to award ‘political contracts,� he added.

Some of the bank-sponsored projects such as erosion control projects under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), covering road projects; agriculture (FADAMMA); water, sanitation, and other forms of assistance, which the governor said have accelerated development in a number of rural communities in the state.

Edo as model for other states Speaking at a lunch for the World Bank officials in Government House, Benin City, World Bank Executive Director for Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-groups, Ms Bongi Kunene, said that with the successes recorded in executing major infrastructural and social development projects in Edo State, the state has become a model for development financing at the sub-national level in developing countries.

Kunene disclosed that the Bretton Woods institution was impressed with the level of work done through its various projects as well as the partnership that birthed the Edo-Azura Power Project.

Noting that Edo State was among the two sub-national governments that accessed its budget support instruments, she stressed that the World Bank was willing to “partner the state on future projects, as long as the projects are in line with the Bank’s focus.�

On the Edo-Azura Power Project, she said, “The project is transformational. It gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions.�

Showcasing the achievements of his administration in agriculture to his guests, Obaseki said that one of his goals is to replace crude oil with oil palm, as aggressive effort is being made to make Edo State the oil palm hub in the country and beyond.

He highlighted some of the challenges faced by his government, including illegal migration and human trafficking, explaining that 60 per cent of returnees to Nigeria are from Edo State.

According to him, “Trafficking is high because the people are very aspirational and are prepared to take the risk of embarking on the dangerous journey. If they can turn such zeal to learning a skill and contribute their quota to development, the nation will be a better place for us all�.

Obaseki further said that in the state alone, about 3,300 people have returned home after a painful experience in Libya and elsewhere and added that his administration has been reintegrating them into the society through a bouquet of initiatives including creating jobs, mentoring, technical and vocational education; skill development programme, amongst others.

Edo State is clearly not the highest recipient of crude oil revenue in the Niger Delta states and is behind Lagos and Kano states in internally generated revenue figures.

The World Bank’s interest in the development of the state which has heightened in recent times, is a reflection of the state’s commitment to inclusive governance, ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity through the reform of critical public institutions that will support private sector growth.

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

NEWS| P30

COLLAGE | P36

MISKER TEKA: WHY I’M FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN

THISLIFE | P37

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29.06.2018

Misker Teka: Why I’m focused On Mental Health Campaign All the way from Ethiopia, 22-year-old Misker Kassahun Teka, who is currently studying medicine at an Ethiopian university, recently emerged African Beauty Queen 2018 at a beauty pageant in Nigeria.

Teka, in this interview with Ayodeji Ake, reveals how she would showcase the African culture through fashion and why her project is focused on driving international mental health campaign. Excerpts: Is this your first time in Nigeria?

No, I have been here before. I was here for another pageant last year. Being a beauty queen is one of my dreams. I have been modeling before now and have been to three international pageants and this is my first win.

How did you get to know about this pageantry since you don’t live in Nigeria?

I have Nigerian friends so I heard it through them.

So how did you feel when you were announced winner?

It felt really nice.

Were you confident that you were going to win?

I knew I had a good chance but I was not sure. Before coming to the pageant I was very confident and when I came and saw all the girls looking gorgeous and experienced, so I was scared a bit. All Africans are really pretty.

What has changed about you since you emerged Miss Africa Beauty Queen?

A lot of people want to learn about my hobbies and people expect me to do charity and do good to the community.

Are there expectations from your family over there since you emerged?

Not really, actually my parents want me to focus more on my studies so they are not really involved in my pageantry and modeling career so I can’t pretty say.

Teka with her prize car

What challenges have you encountered?

I have had experiences like that but I think as an Ethiopian the problem is that our fashion industry is not very developed, we don’t have a system for beauty queens, so for me the hardship I faced was getting sponsors, getting recognized as a beauty queen in my own country so, yes, there are lots of challenges. Besides, my school is very stressful and I am trying to do both.

can attend and hear about it and I also plan to do a media campaign. October is actually mental illness month; I am hoping that I would show my projects using the media. I will like to have rehabilitee centers in my country where people can come and get free treatment and recover from mental illnesses, I also want to become a successful business woman because I want to show women that you can be both beautiful and also be a good entrepreneur, you can be a leader and just want to have that personality that women can look at me and say I want to be like her.

So how do you juggle being a beauty queen and student at the same time?

I always try to use my time properly, besides that, my school is very supportive in everything I do because they want to promote women that have both beauty and brains so my school supports me a lot and I always set my priorities straight.

Have you been getting some kind of special treatment in your school since you emerged Miss Africa beauty queen?

I can’t say special but they are always asking me about the pageantry lifestyle and they are always fascinated about what I do besides school like photo shoots and stuffs.

Of course you been to a number of beauty pageant; what differentiates this from others?

What I like about this pageant is the fact that it wants to have women empowered and become role models to others and the way they treat you is very respectful, they also give you the platform to do what you’ve always imagined yourself doing like community works.

Were you not scared that the organisers might not deliver their promises?

No. From the day I met them when I arrived Nigeria I saw the way they were working and their system of operation, so I had no doubt.

I really like the whole organisation from the first time I came.

What projects will you be working on as a beauty queen?

I have lots of projects in mind, one of them is to work on mental health issues which is a really neglected issue in Africa. So, I will like to do more, do media campaigns. People need to know that there is a problem because mental health is just like another kind of illness although I already launched my project in my country a week ago. I also hope to do that in other African countries. I also want to work on women empowerment; I feel like women need to be given more opportunities, as well as be more exposed and celebrated more.

How do you plan to take this project to other African countries?

I want to work with other queens for example

How is your partner coping with your new status?

I am actually single because I have a very busy schedule, there is school, there is modeling so I don’t really have time.

Have Nigerian guys walked up to you since you came: what do you like about them?

I like the fact that they are outspoken, they appreciate what you have maybe for your looks or your brains, they appreciate you and I like that.

Teka

we have people from Ghana, Gambia, Zambia, so what I plan to do is share the ideas with them so they can take it to their countries and work on it because I am a student I can’t really be in those countries.

Why mental health and how do you intend to drive it?

Why I am focused on mental health is because I have always been fascinated about human mind. Since I was a child I have been always read about how minds work so growing up I discovered we lack a lot in that area especially in my country. I see people with depression, people are committing suicide, people not being treated like humans so I think what I saw made me to work on mental illness. There are things I plan to do and one of the activities is

to print a pocket size magazines of the common mental illness in my country like major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, autism, mental illnesses and others. So I will like to take these common diseases in a very simple way and just distribute to everyone especially to universities and high schools so that at least these people can go and share with their parents. People don’t even consider depression as an illness, so I want people to know the signs and symptoms of at least the common diseases. I am trying to do a documentary showing how people can deal with mental illness and how psychiatrist can handles it and how we can spot mental illness.

One thing about mental illness is that you can’t really know you have it until someone sees you and notices the sign. I also plan to hold panel discussion and public lectures so that everyone

So would you pick a Nigerian guy over an Ethiopian guy?

I can’t really say because I haven’t spent a lot of time with a Nigerian guy so I can’t really compare them.

What’s your favorite Nigerian delicacy?

I like Jollof Rice.

You must have listened to some Nigerian music, who are your favorite Nigerian artistes?

I love Nigerian music. I like Tiwa Savage a lot, Kiss Daniel, and Davido.

You must have learnt some Nigerian Languages?

No I haven’t. I actually have had hard time understanding the pidgin language

29/XTRA

29.06.2018

Navy Marks World Hydrography Day For effective surveillance of the nation’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy recently marked the World Hydrography Day, just as it said the service is constructing an offshore vessel for its hydrographic department to survey and chart the inland waters.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEtte Ibas, made the disclosure at the 2018 World Hydrograph Day Celebration held at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ibas, who represented by Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sylvanus Abbah, said that on the hydrographic platform acquisition, the navy had completed the construction of two survey launches locally at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited.

“The navy has also awarded contract to a French Ship Yard for the construction of an offshore survey vessel.

“The navy has and is still training a number of its personnel in various field of hydrograph at various International Hydrographic Office (IHO) accredited institutions around the world’’, he said.

Ibas also said that there were efforts to accredit the Nigerian Navy Hydrograph School(NNHS) so as to meet local capacity building needs of stakeholders in the country.

He added that the navy was in talks with some tertiary institutions and relevant stakeholders in the country for commencement of relevant hydrographic courses.

“These efforts are intended to deliver total hydrographic package to mariners in the next few years in order to facilitate safety in navigation and improved marine activities in Nigeria’’, he said.

Ibas said it was in the light of this, that the theme: Bathymetry- The Foundation for Sustainable Seas, Oceans and Waterways was considered apt.

“This is due to indispensability of bathymetric data to successful maritime activities.

L-R: Hydrographer of the navy, Commodore Emeka Okafor; Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Naval Training Command, Rear Admirals Slyvanus Abbah and Obi Ofodile, respectively, at the World Hydrography Day in Lagos

“There is today, quite a growing concern for the future of the marine environment, especially as it relates to its protection and safeguarding of its biodiversity purpose of exploiting its rich natural resources for the benefit of mankind.

“These concerns can only be assuaged with the availability of accurate and up to date bathymetric data,” he said. Ibas, however, said that the navy had taken giant steps in providing improved service delivery to mariners operating in Nigerian waters in the last one year. “These steps include the fulfillment of phase 1 of the IHO Capacity Building Strategy, which has to do with the ability to disseminate Maritime Safety information to mariners.

“Also the navy has recently revamped its Cartographic Unit for charts production, which has so far led to the training of one cartographer, with the second about to commence training in the USA next month.

“Work on the production of National charts series for Nigeria has commenced and shortly, mariners would be able to access nautical charts covering parts of Nigerian waters from the Nigerian Navy Hydrograph Office,” he said.

The Hydrographer of the navy, Commodore Emeka Okafor, while speaking with journalists said that the survey office needed more empowerment to carry out more surveys.

“More survey brings more activities and economy

which will have impact on everybody in the nation. “The survey equipment are not cheap so by the time you buy one, you will need the next and without the next, you will not be able to maximise the use of the one you bought.

He said less than 10 per cent of the Nigerian waters that has been charted, adding that empowerment of the survey office was key.

“So the major challenge is financing and the navy is really trying. Many people have been trained and one after the other, the navy is addressing these issues,” he said.

The event was attended by top military brass, both serving and retired with other maritime stakeholders.

Smile360 Wins Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards 2018 For four consecutive years, the leading dental and orthodontic clinic, Smile360, has bagged the award for the ‘Best Dental Service Provider of the Year’ at the 2018 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) held on June 22 in Lagos. The award was received by Smile360 Clinical Director Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho who was accompanied by some of her team members.

Spreading the news of the win and expressing her zeal, Traore-Shumbusho took to social media where she wrote: “On behalf of the Smile360 team, I, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho, would like to use this medium to thank our lovers and supporters for helping us bring the NHEA 2018 'Dental Service Provider of the Year' award home! I can't aptly express the fulfilment my heart abounds right now, but I just want you all to know we profoundly appreciate this. This marks our fourth consecutive win, and it says a lot about our efforts and contributions to dentistry in the country.”

Well-wishers have responded with congratulatory messages; with many patients asserting to the commendable works of the clinic – one wrote; “Congratulations Dr. Amy! You have taken dental care to another level. Appreciate your service and the excellent staff you have! I am still rocking my braces with style.”

The Clinical Director followed up with a heartwarming speech which was posted on her page; briefly narrating the inception of Smile360 and appreciating supporters and lovers of the clinic as well as the NHEA committee for recognizing their unyielding efforts and contribution to dentistry in the country. The award would mark Smile360’s fourth consecutive win at the

L-r: President, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Faduyile Francis presenting an award to Medical Director, Smile 360 Dental Specialist, Dr. Amy Shumbusho at the event

Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards; starting with the first win in 2015 then 2016, 2017 and 2018; all in the ‘Best Dental Service Provider of the Year Category’.

The clinic offers an array of world-class treatment, using surfeit of cutting edge equipment – some of them include; Invisalign, endontic treatment, Digital Smile Design, cosmetic dentistry, implants,

Hollywood smile, among others. Traore-Shumbusho has stated the clinic’s foremost goal umpteen times, describing it as an unwavering effort to change the way dentition is perceived in Nigeria and Africa at large. Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards NHEA is designed to celebrate and recognize the best individuals and organisations that have contributed in a remarkable manner

to the improvement of the Nigerian healthcare sector. It also recognises the rapid growth of the healthcare sector, and the capacity of individuals to influence and set new performance standards in Nigeria and beyond. Smile360 Dental Specialists has been in the forefront in advocacy and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery in Nigeria by making quality Services available.

Military Retires 320 Personnel from Active Service The Nigerian Armed Forces Ressetlement Centre(NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, weekend, retired 320 military personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

The personnel were retired after they had completed their six- month training on different skills that would enable them ease into an effective post service life .

The retirees, comprising 262 from the army, 44 from the navy and 14 from the air force were sent off at a passing-out ceremony held at the center.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, who urged them to continue to contribute their

quota towards surmounting threats to lives and property within their domiciled area.

He said, “You will have to prove in your relationships that you have passed through a highly disciplined system such as the military.

“I believe you are all capable of succeeding and positively influencing whatever environment you find yourselves after now.

"I have no doubt that the training you have passed through at the centre would expose you to several entrepreneurial and management skills that would help mitigate the envisaged pitfalls as well as living a stress free life in retirement.

“Let me use this opportunity to intimate you that the Defence Headquarters recently organised

a workshop with the aim of harmonising all armed forces veterans associations.

“Thus a Veteran Association of Nigeria has been proposed and modalities for it’s establishment are ongoing.

“Also, a change in name and mandate of NAFRC is being considered to better reflect the current role of the Centre in capacity development of our retiring officers, soldiers, ratings and airmen."

The CDS also said that the Defence Headquarters was making efforts towards reviewing the mandate of the centre, noting that the needs of the mordern day retirement go beyond mere vocational training.

Earlier, the NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice

Marshall Austin Jekenu, during his welcome address, urged the retired personnel to make good use of the skills acquired.

He also urged the retired personnel to be obedient to constituted authority while contributing to the progress of their community and positively contribute to boost national economy in whatever business they engage in.

He said, “The centre graduates two courses annually and it is on record that we have trained over 41, 000 ex-servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces since its inception.

“We have enjoyed tremendous support from the National Assembly, Ministry of Defence, CDS and service chiefs."

30/ NEWS

29.06.2018

Cleric Enumerates Principles for Successful Life The Primate of the African Church, Most Revd Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, has enumerated some principles for a successful life, without which, success and prosperity may remain an illusion.

He said these during the installation ceremony of Engineer Babatunde Adewale Odufuwa, as the Lay President of the African Church and swearing in of other new officers held at the church's Bethel Cathedral in Lagos.

According to him, unless we go by these principles, which he said are God’s ways, success and prosperity will be a mirage.

“Where the principles are not followed, lack, poverty and miserable life will be the order of the day”, he said.

These principles, he said includes seeking m first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; being faithful stewards; working in unity and having a mission that drives us.

He therefore cautioned the newly installed officers to seek God first and embrace stewardship as it is the only way of assuring success in their ministerial operations.

Addressing the congregation on the topic, “Gods Way of Achieving Enduring Success and Prosperity”, Udofia admonished the newly elected officers, saying, “As Lay President and the officers of the church, if we must succeed, we must make heaven as the end and righteousness as the means.

"Then money and blessings will come and even non-members will bless the church. If

China's Xizi Elevator Enters Nigerian Market

As part of efforts to encourage foreign investment into the country, encourage competition and as well strengthen the user services of elevator, escalator and related components in Nigeria and other West African territory, Eliel Jerahmeal Nigeria Limited, specialised in marketing, distribution, sales and services of elevator and escalator equipment in the country has collaborated with China's leading elevator company, Xizi Elevator, first class manufacturers of elevator and escalator equipment to promote industry user and at L-r: Wife of the Lay President, The African Church, Mrs. Ibidunni Adebimpe Odufuwa; her husband, Mr. Babatunde Odufuwa; wife of the Primate, The African Church, Mrs. Ene Udofia; and her husband, Most Revd. Emmanuel Udofia at affordable rate. Eliel Jerahmeal also obtained exclusive rights from Xizi company. the event It has been discovered that Xizi brand of we do not follow the principles, even if the "It is required of stewards to be found faithful, Elevator is number one energy saving and its members are blessed, they will not see the Godly and transparent in whatever they do. It component elevator in China has been competing need to give. is not enough to serve in an office, you must favourably anywhere in the world. These Xizi "Without the power of God to get wealth, be ready to do the needful and we must get brand of elevators and escalators have lived the test of time and no wonder it became the money will be flying away. When we do it it done in God’s way.” right, all the things we are struggling for, shall While speaking, the newly installed lay number one national brand in China 1996 and be added unto us.” president, called for members of the church the first elevator export to Vienam. The company The cleric who further encouraged the officers to wake up to the dreams and aspirations of provides products and services for top 9 elevator to be faithful stewards of God noted, “We are the founding fathers of the church by taking brands in the world - OTIS United Technologies, all administrators of what belongs to God. As part in spreading the word of God, noting that KONE, Schindler, Hyundai Elevator, Yungtay, stewards, the diocese does not belong to us, this can only be possible in an environment Hitachi, Toshiba, Marohn Thyssenkrupp and we are only managing it for God and we must where there is unity. “Little is accomplished Giant Kone. Its quality service delivery globally has earned the company several awards locally give account of our stewardship. when there is divided loyalty”, he said. and internationally.

Chairman, Elief Jerameal Nigeria Limited, Ayo Adefemi said Xizi elevators serve world-class standards and Nigeria as a developing country and other African countries would benefit from its services. changed the broadcaster- audience relationship. that you embrace technology for the future.”

According to Adefemi, the partnership is an Digital technology has increased the means to In an interview with THISDAY, the founder of World Pulse, Jensine Larsen who expressed authorisation to bring this equipment into the information access.”

With the advent of technology, Okechukwu who delight about the meeting with the women, said Nigerian market for distribution, sales installation was represented by the Assistant General Secretary, it was about creating a social network of women and services at affordable rate compared to the SSASCGOC, Mr. Chris Unakpo, affirmed that for a global community and sharing resources ones on ground already. He added that the cost is considerable and affordable considering the information is no longer limited to the radio, about issues to speed up the needed change. television or newspaper but on the go with As a young shy girl growing up in the United economic recession the country is still recovering social media, adding, “ you indeed have access States of America, she recalled having a dream from. “The company after investigation discovered to information anytime, all time and anywhere, to impact women around the world saying that that Eliel Jerameal is strong in Nigeria on the all you need is your internet based terminals this what led to the establishment of World aspect and so the president of Xizi signed a letter of authorisation for our company to market Pulse 15 years ago. such as laptops, IPads, android and tabs.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President “I started World pulse because I had a dream this equipment to West Africa including Benin on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), as a young girl but my parents didn’t put me Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana”, he Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, said the power in school on time in the US. I had a dream to noted. “Xizi elevator goes for residential, hotel, of technology in changing the future cannot impact women around the world so I became office building, hospital, industry, shopping mall be overemphasised as people get empowered a journalist going around and saw that men, and others. We are bringing the same quality through it, adding, “We can’t overemphasize women and children were dying from oil as obtained in other part of the world into the contamination and families were being killed Nigerian market at really affordable prices. Xizi how technology will shape the future.

"I think the earlier the better for everybody no in ethnic cleansing and everywhere I went, the Elevator Co. Limited has exceptional technology matter your diversity or category, it is important women kept asking me to be their messenger. that is unique and preferred globally.

SSASCGOC, Five T’s Host World Pulse Founder

Funmi Ogundare

The Senior Staff Association of Stationary Corporations and government Owner Companies (SSASCGOC) Voice of Nigeria (VON) branch in collaboration with Tosin Turns Trash to Treasure (five T’s), recently hosted the founder of World Pulse, Jensine Larsen to enable her meet face to face with the women in various countries and hear their stories and how their reports have been creating impact on women .

Speaking at the 2018 midyear get together with theme , ‘Harnessing the Power of Digital Technology’ the Director-General, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu expressed delight about the power of technology which has brought about immediacy in the flow of information and saves time.

According to him, “the power of digital technology is fuelling an information revolution that is sweeping away the limitations of analogue technology. Because digital technology is networkable -mostly connected to the internet, it has

Ambode Frowns at Domestic Violence, Urge Women on Healthy Living Ayodeji Ake Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, has frowned on the prevailing menace of domestic violence , just as she urged women in the state to pay due attention to their health.

Charging them to speak out against social vices like domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy, she said such vices are unacceptable in civilised climes.

Ambode gave this charge at a women’s forum organised by her, at the Police College, GRA, Ikeja, to address issues of women’s health and recurring social vices in the society.

While noting that good health was a prerequisite for every other thing, including good attention to children and family, business and even political activities, stressing that without good health, she said nothing meaningful can be achieved without it.

According to her, health is wealth because good health is the gate way to everything. She noted that to have good health, people need to take care of their body, mind and soul.

She said, "It is when we have good health that we can run around for business, take care of our homes, our children or engage in political activities. When we have sound health, we can better attend to all issues and concerns."

The governor’s wife who condemned the high rate of prevalence of social nuisance in the society, told the women to boldly voice out their discontent against domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.

She described the attitude as barbaric and unacceptable in civilized climes, charging women to seek to know their rights under the law, to shun silence and be vocal voices for their own cause.

Wife of Lagos State governor / convener, Lagos Women Forum, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd left); Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); SSA to President on SDG., Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire (L); and HOS, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye (r), with placards during the event

Ambode said: "Importantly too, we would be examining the rights of women under the law, in the face of persistent social problems. When we know our rights, we can speak and act better, to protect ourselves if and when those circumstances arise."

She reminded the women of their natural role as mothers and coordinators of the family unit, which according to her impose on them the salient responsibility of bringing up their children in the most decent way for a decent and moral society. The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said the forum provided a platform where women could engage in sustainable discourse, to increase their knowledge and enhance their awareness, on health and well-being as participants.

Adebule said it was unfortunate that 23 years after countries signed pledges in 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, women still face many health-cum-social problems,

saying that there was need for recommitment to address them. She urged Lagos women to embrace sustainable advocacy and take conscious action on matters concerning their health and how they were treated by the society at large.

"We should no longer be stereotyped into silence but become vocal advocates for improved health delivery system and social justice for women in Lagos State and the country. "As critical stakeholders, our role must be focused on investing and increasing access of more girls and women to good health, quality education; ensuring that laws that respect and ensure the rights of women are enforced and help create gender-posture media messages that support women and girls in distress," she said.

Adebule, however, appealed to all women to join hands with the government in the battle against dogmas inimical to healthy

lifestyle, social malaise of domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.

Speaking on the topic: "Be the Voice against Child Abuse and Teenage Pregnancy, "Mrs Modupeola Adebambo of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, submitted that children who were sexually abused, tend to be sexually active thus exposing them to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and alcoholic addiction, among others.

She appealed to parents not to abuse their children in whatever form, adding that parents should teach their children sex education to make them aware of the danger inherent in sexual abuse.

The programme was broken in two sessions, with the first session dedicated to general health screening, cancer screening and distribution of 500 free eye glasses while the second session was devoted to health talks and topics on issues of social vices.

31/ENTREPRENEUR

29.06.2018

'I Write to be a Voice to the Voiceless’ Oluwatosin Olajumoke Arodudu is a woman of many parts; a lawyer, a trained arbitrator, author and publisher. She is also an identity coach coupled with being a woman and children advocate. Arodudu, who is the Chief Executive Officer/Creative Director of Hadar Creations, a publishing company in Lagos, in this chat with Peter Uzoho, talks about her journey into writing, her published books, publishing firm, and legal career, amongst other issues. Excerpts back and waved at my family and at that moment I was captured by our photographer. I was taller than everyone on the line. I am a tall woman and I also wore a heel because I like wearing heels on my big day, so literarily I felt on top of the world (chuckling). And while we got inside and were called to the front to be formally called to the Nigeria Bar, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kutigi who had sat for a while, shaking hands as a result of the number of people, stood up when it got to my turn to shake my hands.

I think my height on that day contributed to it (chuckling). So literarily speaking, I felt on top of the world. The Law profession is indeed prestigious and I had envisaged myself as a lawyer whose name was going to be heard all over the world.

However, destiny and purpose has taken me to a different path and I have no regret at all.

Can you briefly tell us about your academic progression?

I went to Omolere Nursery and Primary School Akure Ondo state. Then, I proceeded for my secondary school education at the St Frances Academy Igoba Estate, Akure, though it was in Ijapo Estate while I was there and while I graduated.

Afterwards I went to Igbinedion University to study Law. I proceeded after some years to study for my MBA at the University of Cardiff Institute due to the inability to get a job in Nigeria. Years later, I got my second masters (LLM) at the Humboldt University, Berlin.

When were you called to the bar?

I was called to the Nigerian bar in 2008 What informed setting up your publishing company, Hadar Creations?

Hadar Creations is a publishing company created to make publishing easier for writers who want to see their works published but have no means or wherewithal to achieve this. We are also a Publishing therapist created to help people break out of every form of limitations that the culture of silence has boxed them in. We are created to make the journey devoid of frustration. Many people have so much of ideas, experiences and wisdom to share with the world but the culture of silence keeps them in a perpetual state of fear and doubt.

They are full and they carry their fullness allround for fear of judgment and condemnation.

We are equally into identity coach, we help people discover who they are, accept who they are, unlock their potentials and unearth their treasures.

We have an inner team for women on through social media and my blog. In Hebrew language Hadar means Glory.

How did you find yourself into the literary world?

I was inspired to start writing as a result of joblessness. I had searched for jobs for years and finally this particular job looked like it was coming through. However I was also turned down by an organisation and this really hit me hard. I passed the interview and I had begun to mentally plan my resumption to work, only for me to get an email that I was not the right person for the job.

I sobbed for two days, thereafter I start blogging, despite many doubts. That was how my journey of writing, advocacy, blogging and eventually becoming a published author and a full-fledged publisher began.

How many books have you authored so far?

I have authored and self-published three books in print, and four eBooks. My first book: “Motherhood and The Society” was published on amazon on the 25th of March 2017, the second book: “From the Perspective of The Child.” and third book were published on the 9th of December 2017. I also have three eBooks that were published on the Hadar Creations publishing platform this year.

The books in print are available on Amazon and on our own online publishing platform www. hadarcreations.com.

Which of your books do you like most?

All the three books are impactful. However, I love sharing about one of them more and that is ‘From the Perspective of The Child.’ This book is my personal experience as a child from a dysfunctional family. My parents separated while I was just two and as a result, my growing up was traumatic and full of a lot of emotional pains. It was mostly a life of war, negativity and so much toxicity. That book was an outlet for me to break the bondage the culture of silence has kept me for long.

When you set out to write, what do you try to achieve?

I write from the bottom of my soul with the intention of being the voice of the voiceless. I don't just write to gain fans or audience. I write to put a voice to the unspoken thoughts of many people. I dislike every form of discrimination, segregation, and inequality. As an introvert, I understand the pains many people carry in their hearts without

Arodudu

finding an outlet to let it out. In Hadar Creations, we created our own genre; it is called the Hadar genre. This means that writing in order to liberate people and make them discover and walk in their own glory.

Who are the target audience of your creative works?

My creative works are targeted mostly to Africans at home and in Diaspora. However, I believe my books will touch and spark up something in everyone who loves reading across the world no matter their race or colour. My aim is to speak to the heart and soul of everyone reading my books.

Can you share your experience with us when you were writing your first book?

It was really tough I must confess. I started writing my first book when my second child was just a week old. I got the inclination to be an author after I had her, so I knew it was going to be a new year of writing a book. I didn't even know I was going to write three powerful books in one year. While writing my first book it was really tough. I had a toddler and a baby to deal with.

However, I had made up my mind that I was going to write that book, and rather than suffer another post-natal depression like I did when I had my first child, I diverted all that energy into writing my first book. I was supposed to write just that and publish it by March 31, then write the second one and publish by November. However, after publishing the first book, I had no urge to write the second book. I became so worried and I made a decision that I was going to write the third book. It was a goal after a goal for me. The third book: “Life on The Street of Readlooks” is a work of fiction. It is about life on Facebook and cyber bullying. It is a book I’m very passionate about.

I was able to write these three books in one year and I paid with my sleep. I was stressed out but I felt fulfilled achieving this feat in a year. It could only be God, self-discipline and determination.

How would you assess the cost of publishing books now compared to the past?

Book publishing today is very affordable and within reach. Unlike before when authors have to pay through their nose or face a long wait before eventually getting selected for publishing. Now there are a lot of platforms where authors can just upload their books once they have done their due diligence and they would get published and be paid royalty on each book being sold. This is also what Hadar Creations does in order to make life easier for authors.

As an author, publisher and graphic designer

all in one person, how do you combine these functions? Did you have any formal training in these areas?

I had no formal training at all. The funniest part is that all these three things I do now were things that used to scare me. My first book didn't have a great design, I was so afraid of using so many functions in Microsoft word for fear of destroying the whole work. I am self-taught and I keep improving on myself daily. The applications I use all have tutorials, so I watch some while I learn some on the go.

If there is any app that can help me, I find a way to learn its usage, and if affordable I buy them to further boost the quality of our work in Hadar Creations.

Book publishing like every other industry has its peculiar challenges.

What are these challenges?

One of the challenges faced is finding an editor for an upcoming author. We have an in-house editor in Hadar Creations to fast track our publication process at a pocket friendly rate. I usually tell my authors that it is good to give your work to an editor. It gives the whole book a facelift and gives it a new lease of life altogether. The flow of words change totally and anyone who reads from anywhere in the world would understand it perfectly.

Did you practice law before venturing into writing?

Yes, I did my attachment in the court and in a chamber while I was in the Law school. I also worked very briefly at a law firm after I was called to the bar before I travelled out of Nigeria for my first Masters. But before then, what I did most was company registration due to the inability to get a job that was fulfilling.

Growing up, did you ever dream of becoming a lawyer?

I think I studied law due to my natural gravitation towards English. English felt like my natural habitat and knowing it was instinctive.

And the belief then was that if you loved English as a subject, and did well at it, it was expected you considered studying Law before considering other courses. So I think I just went with the flow.

Lawyers are addressed as learned people, and the profession itself is perceived by many as more prestigious than others. Does this make you feel above the world?

Yes, I felt above the world when I got called to the Bar. As a matter of fact, in my picture during my call to Bar, while we were filing in I looked

You are married with two kids, how did you meet your husband. Whatkind of man is he to you and the kids?

My husband is the son of my principal in the secondary school. Though, he didn't attend the same secondary school with me. He just came around for lessons on few occasions. We only said hello and had mutual friendship. However, we reunited on Facebook in 2011 sometimes in January and that was the beginning of a beautiful hing to happen. My husband is a loving, caring and devoted husband. He is not just a husband to me he is my father, my brother, my friend, my partner, all rolled into one. On the many things I have achieved so far, after God he is the one standing and pushing me forward and I feel so blessed having such a man as my husband. He is a loving dad who loves and adores his kids.

He does not joke with them at all – they are like playmates and I smile whenever I see them playing together. I and the kids are so blessed to have him What is your hobby?

My hobby is reading and watching movies not that I have enough forthat anymore though.

How do you relax?

I love travelling on holiday in order to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of life.

I have not gotten a rhythm as regards this but this is my desired mode of relaxation.

What kind of book do you love reading?

I love reading motivational books. Once it is motivational and inspiring I would love to get my hand on it.

What and who is your favourite book and author, respectively?

My favourite author is TD Jakes. And my present favourite book is hisbook ‘INSTINCT’.

What moment in your life would you say is most remarkable?

I have a lot of remarkable moments in my life, so many. However, the most remarkable moment in my life that has given birth to every other remarkable moment in my life today was when I reunited with my husband, he proposed and I said yes.

That is the most remarkable moment in my life.

What is your advice to upcoming authors and publishers especially in Nigeria?

My advice to upcoming authors is to discover themselves and not hold anything back while writing.

You need to write from your soul and also dare to be different. Don't make money your priority at first, money would definitely come once your work is unique and speaks to the heart of those you hope to attract with it. Don't be discouraged if people don't accept your work at first. As a matter of fact that should even encourage you to write more impactful books. Connect to your instinct and unleash it in your writings. Don't write to attract pity if you are writing your story. Write your story with grit and guts. At Hadar, we don't let anyone discourage you, a lot of people will try to shut you up sometimes when writings hit them in a raw spot and the writer might face a lot of harsh criticisms as a result of this. Press on anyway and turn those criticisms to your advantage.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018

33

34/FEMALE CORNER

29.06.2018

Why I Ventured Into Politics Professor Oluremi Comfort Sonaiya is a Nigerian politician, educationist and writer. She was the only female presidential candidate in the 2015 general election under the platform of the KOWA and has since then had positive influences in the political space. In this exclusive interview with Sunday Ehigiator, she shares more light on why she ventured into politics How Was Your Upbringing?

I had a wonderful childhood. I grew up in a beautiful campus called St Luke College in Ibadan. My father was a teacher in that college.

So we lived on the campus. It was a teacher training college and there was also primary school joining it, which was, were I attended. So it was a wonderful experience. Both of my parents were disciplinarians. My mother especially, may be my father tended to spoil me a little bit because I was the only girl born after four boys. So my mother had to make sure that my father doesn’t spoil her only daughter. But anyway; my father died when I was Ten years old. So that was when we left St Luke’s college. So it was a wonderful time. There were lot of children in the house because my mother ran a boarding school for primary school children who were going to school from our house. I guess their parents heard that both of my parents being teachers, it would be a great advantage to their children to bring them to our house. And the good old day’s kind of disciplinarians they were; they don’t take any nonsense from anybody. They did their work conscientiously, they worked hard; they did not see why any child should not be trained to appreciate the value of work. So all of us were given our duties which we had to perform before going to school, and things like that. I remember, one of the types of disciplines we had also was that my father making sure that we learn portions of scriptures every Sunday. He would give you just a few verses to learn, you will memorize and then you would recite to him, before you are free to go and eat your Sunday rice. I am sure it helped to stimulate the intellect, brought me closer to God and made me very conversant with the bible scriptures in my mind.

What was your drive towards achieving academic excellence and how have you contributed to the society?

I don’t have this sense of; I have contributed much to the society and things like that. You know, my own thinking was that I must try to do whatever job that I found in my hands and do it faithfully and diligently. That was the pattern I was brought up by my parents and teachers.

And I assumed it as the way to do your job. We were expected to be diligent, do whatever you have to do to the best of your ability. Weather it was sweeping of floor. I attended a boarding school, in those days when you we were asked to sweep the floor at home or in school, it would be inspected. So your work has to pass the test of inspection. That means you learn to work well because, you do not want to be sent back to repeat the work. So those things had their way of affecting our personality and psychology now that we have grown. There is a way and standard that work should be done, so you must go ahead and ensure you do your work according to that standard.

How is life as a wife and then a professor and how you do you advocate for the push for women to attain career advancement?

Really, I wasn’t pushing for women per say, I just knew I had to be diligent to climb the ladder.

Hard work pays. You cannot be working hard and find yourself at the bottom of the ladder, it’s not possible. So once I decided I would be in the academics, I knew I had to be the best that I could be in that area. I cannot emphasize that enough; the training I had at my upbringing.

You gave your best to everything you are doing.

Whether you are washing plate; you know, my mother supervised everything, she inspected your work. If you wash a pot, it has to be clean. The plates mustn’t be slippery. They thought us to work hard and well. And in going to school too, thank God for the ability he gave me because it is not everybody who works hard, who becomes a professor. So it was by God’s grace. I didn’t make myself to be a guru in academics but for the help of God. How were you able to juggle your career and motherhood?

I am not sure how many parents can actually beat their chest to say they have brought up their children successfully, it’s actually about what the

say, “You know what? You inspired us”. And I really feel happy about that. Several young people too. Some of them running at different levels; whether the presidency, senate and house of representatives etc.; they have also told me I inspired them. I am very grateful for having had that opportunity.

Sonaiya

public see. I thank God for the help he gave us (my husband and I). There were challenges. There were things that you have being through that the public does not see. The times of struggling, your ups and downs, the public might not see all of that. But there is no doubt that God has been good and faithful. We thank Him for that.

Talking about striking a balance, in my own mind, what I have always desired is to have a God rich life not to be all academics, life is supposed to be lived fully in its different phases. You are mother, you are wife, you are teacher, you are choir member in your church, you are bible study teach; I am saying all the things that I am. You are friends to several people, you are daughter to somebody. I see all of those different roles as opportunities for God to enrich our lives. And when we play them well, I think that is what amounts to a good life. For me, I am one who loves to travel, I like to cook and bake. I think that with good management of time and focus, one can really succeed in having a truly enriching kind of life. Knowing what your priorities are and the best thing to do at different times. As the bible says, to everything there is a time and season. So if one focuses on what is important at a particular time, she would be able to have an enriched life.

Why did you venture into politics amidst other options?

Actually, I retired to go into politics. I still had fifteen more years to spend in the university as at 2010 when I retired. I had always being interest in social issues; justice, equity, clean and sane environment. I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit especially given my areas of study; foreign languages, so I have travelled to those countries where those languages are spoken. Every time I travel and come back, I am very disturbed. I am like, why do these other countries work better, why are they cleaner than my own, etc. And yet, I knew that I was from a rich country, I knew that we have resources in this country. So, obviously we were not using our resources well. So, I would.

Come back and write articles, get it published in the newspaper and so on. And so I was working in the University, the same University I had attended as an undergraduate; Obafemi Awolowo University, then University of Ife. I have being there as a student from 1972 to 1977. And here was I back then teaching and it was like things from the mid 80’s to late 80’s, things just started going down. And it used to bother me that the students that I was teaching could not have the same standard of education that I had in this same country. I thought that things were supposed to be getting better but the otherwise was the case.

And that bothered me. We would be telling our students stories of how wonderful things were, how we ate jollof rice and chicken and Ice cream on Sunday afternoons for 25 kobo in those days.

I mean, nobody was expecting that things would still remain that cheap and so on but, it shouldn’t be this worse. And whenever I travel over and over

to the institutions that I have visited in Europe, in the United States, I would see that they are improving, but I come back home and I see that things are getting worse. So finally, it got to a head. At least in my own mind; maybe around 2007 or 2008, it just hit me, that it is the politicians who determine the quality of our lives. That thing hits me strongly. You know, our resources are in their hands and it’s whatever they do with it that we either suffer from or enjoy. I can’t build my roads to travel on or my school to attend; only government owns that type of resources from the people. So I just got so concerned about it.

I told my husband and said “I think we have being wrong to leave our affairs on the hands of people who care only about themselves and not us or the people in general”. And for a long time, he said, “ha! Politics is a dirty game, it’s dangerous and all, decent people don’t go into politics”. I said, “We are paying severely for it and I am convinced that decent people need to go into politics, good people need to go into politics, please I would like to go into it”. And my husband said why not, I would support you. That was how I decided that I would write my letter of resignation at Obafemi Awolowo University. And in fact it came at a time when those in the academics just started earning decent salaries, because for long tome our salaries were really poor. So people thought “are you crazy, this is just a time that you have started to smile a little bit and you want to resign”. But I really was convinced that l, that was the right step for me to take and that was how I joined politics.

What is the significance of your outing to contest for president in 2015 under KOWA Party?

Concerning my participation in that election, we were so limited in terms of resources and so on. But I really want to thank God for the impact that the very little resources we had was able to make. I never seized to be amazed. A number of people met me afterwards and say, you know; we are really inspired. And I am very grateful for that opportunity. Maybe that was one of the reasons that I was meant to run in that elections anyway. Because between then and now, a lot of people, not just women but also young people have said “wow, so this politics is not just limited to only these sets of political class that we all recognize and always give it to them like it is their entitlements.” And all of a sudden, it was like somebody just coming out from a University’s Lecture room to say “No! I too have a responsibility, I too can contest”. In my own mind, I did not see how they were more entitled to contest than I was. And I think that, that is one of my takeaways from my last elections.

How it has really energized and inspired several other people. This is our country too; nobody has more of a right than anyone. Once you are a Nigerian, we are all equal. In fact, three of the female politicians who are running for Presidency in next year’s elections have contacted me to

Do you consider women as a major consideration in today's politics ?

I often say that, I did not go into the 2015 elections screaming “I was a woman, it’s our turn” or something like that. I was just a citizen who was fed up with the way in which our country was being misgoverned. And I felt that I have the responsibility to do whatever I could to contribute in turning us to the right and proper direction. However, since I got involved, I have come to realize that it is important for women to participate in the running of our public affairs. I have had many opportunities come to me because of my participation in those elections, and I have now seen more and more. I have had to read a lot more, I have being in many more places, people have spoken, and there is evidence that societies stands to gain when they have women also represented at the decision making table. You cannot relegate half of your population to the.

Background and think that you would advance, it won’t work. And the countries of the world that are having their women participate in running their affairs are finding greater stability, prospering more, and the fact is that women have concerns that they too would bring. Men and women don’t necessarily see the world through the same lenses.

Women are more concerned about social issues, infrastructures, how our schools and hospitals would be better equipped. Because, when children fall sick, they are the ones who takes children to the hospital and mostly the ones who takes children to school. So, their concerns are some worth different and it is good for nations to have those concerns also represented when they are taking decisions. We are not just saying put any woman there because she is a woman, we saying, put competent women there. And Nigeria has a lot of competent women. We have women who are making impacts. In different areas of their endeavours; in business, commerce and industry, IT, entertainment and it’s not enough in politics.

We have to ask them what is keeping them out of politics. We must address those issues because we are short changing ourselves by keeping our women out of politics.

What is your stand on feminism?

Let me quickly say, I don’t describe myself as a feminist. I don’t like to put myself in a preconstructed straight jacket and say this is what I am. I am passionate about issues of justice, I defend the rights of all women to dignity, to self-respect, to earning a fair pay for a same amount of work that they do, because those are issues of justice. Some of the practices that we have are so terrible. Widowhood practices for instance, practices of early marriages where we marry out girls of age ten to a man of 60 years, old enough to be her grandfathers and things like that. So I am passionate about those issues, but I don’t really like to put myself in any straight jacket.

I am a human being, a passionate Nigerian, a passionate African who will love to see us get rid of a lot of these practices that really do not show us in good light, that relegates certain members of our society.

Do you think Nigerians are ready for a female president come 2019?

Nobody really knows what any country is ready for, let alone our own; until it happens.

Even all of us thought and hoped America is ready for a female President, but then it didn’t happen. It might not be necessarily because she is a woman and that’s why it didn’t happen, but it just happens that it did not happen. So I don’t think there is a good and viable way to measure whether Nigerians are ready. Many people have met me and said, I think it is the right time for a woman to come to power and I would support you with everything you need, but there are those who thinks otherwise and says no, we are not ready for that.

35/LIVING

29.06.2018

FERTILITY WITH DR. KEMI AILOJE

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

ENDOMETRIOSIS AND INFERTILITY (PART 1) r r r

In the last edition, we considered Lifestyle and its impact on our fertility. This week we would be looking at the medical condition called “Endometriosis�

For the girl child puberty sets in from 10-14 years and is characterized by the monthly menstrual cycle. For some women the menstrual cycle seems to be a night mare because it is marked by excruciating pain. Some female who experience this pain have a positive family history, which means that their mother may have experienced similar pain at some point of her reproductive years.

While most times the cause of this pain may go undetected, infertility may be the reason for further investigation in the future where endometriosis, a major cause of excruciating pain around one’s menstruation period is now diagnosed.

What is Endometriosis?

It is a condition in which the endometrium (the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the womb) grows outside of it. The reproductive organs most affected are the ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissues around the uterus and ovaries, however in rear cases it might also occur in other part of the body.

Incidence of Endometriosis Globally it was estimated in 2015 that endometriosis affects about 10.8 million women. Another source also states that about 6-10% of women are affected. Endometriosis is most common with women in their thirties and forties; however it can begin in girls as early as 8years. Exact numbers of women suffering from Endometriosis in Nigeria have not been compiled.

Degree of Endometriosis Endometriosis may be mild, moderate or severe.

Women with Mild to Moderate Endometriosis, have more difficulty in getting pregnant than those without. There are inflamed regions that

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What are the causes / Risk factor for Endometriosis?

vary in color from red to blue to black, due to the monthly accumulation of blood from the excess womb tissue. In Severe Endometriosis, fibrous adhesions on various inner portions of the abdomen are seen and depending on the severity the condition can be visualized using ultrasound and better diagnosis are made by carrying out a laparoscopy (a procedure where a thin camera called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision near the navel). These inflamed regions and adhesions can block the fallopian tube or the ends of the tube thereby blocking the exit of the egg ready for fertilization by a single sperm and this may cause infertility. Along with the physical pains associated with endometriosis, there is also social and psychological turmoil which increases the social isolation and depression faced.

What organs can be affected by Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs usually at internal organs

surrounding the womb such as the ovaries, fallopian tube but can be seen at the bladder, vagina, and old surgical scars in the abdominal region. The endometrial implants vary in color from clear to red, brown to black due to the monthly accumulation of menstrual blood.

The implants can bleed during menstruation, increasing the pains felt. Pain is more intense around the menstruation and during the early days of the flow. Endometriosis can be mistaken for appendicitis in its acute intensity, midline stomach pain, or even pains during urination or stooling.

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The cause of endometriosis is poorly understood, but it is believed that there is an outward movement of the cells/tissues lining the inside of the womb to other part of the body. One of the theories that try to explain endometriosis is the retrograde menstruation which simply says that endometriosis may occur due to backflow of menses through the fallopian tube to other part of the abdomen. Endometrial tissues may also migrate during Caesarean Section to other parts like the cervix, vagina, and ovary.

Risk factors include having a family history of the condition, in which case it may be genetic.

Genetics can play a key role as daughters and sisters of Endometriosis sufferers are at a 6 fold risk of developing endometriosis too.

Other factors include: r .PTU XPNFO XIP IBWF OPU ZFU IBE DIJMESFO (nulliparous) r 1SPMPOHFE FYQPTVSF UP FTUSPHFO F H MBUF commencement of menopause r &BSMZ TUBSU PG NFOTUSVBUJPO NFOBSDIF

r 0CTUSVDUJPO PG NFOTUSVBM PVUĂĄPX FYBNQMFT are women with Mullerian anomalies The areas affected by endometriosis, bleed each month and eventually results in inflammation and scarring. The growth due to endometriosis is not cancerous. Pain that is felt is believed to be caused locally by increased prostaglandins due to the extra tissue of the womb. The ovary may become extremely tender becoming cystic and even rupture with dramatic and urgent emergency surgical needs. Laparoscopic investigation can reveal the extent of the disorder.

OPINION

Honouring Marcel Ofomata In Idoma Kingdom

By Law Mefor Six years ago, the Och’Idoma, Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa and the Idoma kingdom rolled out the drums to honour Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of Nigeria (as he then was) and to confer on him the title of Ogomola Idoma.

Before Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was so honoured by the Idoma people, only one other had had a similar recognition who was not Idoma.

After a lull, there will be one more non-Idoma to be so honoured with this title, making them perhaps only 3 in the long remembered Idoma history.

Who the cap fits this time after the painstaking search is Dr. Marcel Ofomata, an extraordinary visionary leader, entrepreneur, industrialist, mentor and philanthropist.

Since the Ogoloma title is rarely conferred on non-Idomas, the title going to Dr. Ofomata, an Igbo from Anambra State, this time around, has key reasons behind it. Such provided the reason for doing this treatise. I have known Dr. Marcel Ofomata for over a decade. Though no small player in many sectors of the economy, he does not ring much bell as a headline-grabbing personality. He is a quietly achieving person, who prefers paying attention more to performance and problem-solving to touch lives.

As an entrepreneur and industrialist, Ofomata’s business concerns sprawl around the country and beyond, and employ hundreds of Nigerians and expatriates. But this is not even his main forte.

What makes him unique and sought after, more than anything else, perhaps, is the composition of his workforce and locations of his business concerns. His companies are located in about 30 states, Benue of course inclusive, spanning the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria, including areas where economic viability is not so obvious. And in each of the branches in the country, the workforce is a beautiful blend of Nigerians, thus giving each of them an outlook of a mini Nigeria.

Driven by service and corporate social respon-

Ofomata

sibility, Ofomata believes business should be a tool of national development and integration.

Consequently, he is establishing himself firmly as an inimitable bridge builder and integrator, which has endeared him to the Idoma people and the rest of the country, where he has been similarly honoured. Out of dozens of such signature and epochal recognitions, those of Akwa Ibom State and Anambra State stand out: Dr. Ofomata holds the title of Obong Uforo of Ibesikpo Asutan of Akwa Ibom, and Onwa Isuofia bestowed on him by the Igwe of Isuofia and his Traditional Rulers' Council, Anambra State.

The philanthropist per excellence and relatively young self-actualizer has received over 100 prominent awards of excellence, honour, and recognition within and outside Nigeria. This ranges from the International Peace Medal from United Nations, May 2015, United States Commercial Department,

Beirut at Lebanon, Mumbai at India as well as from respectable organizations and ministries in Nigeria ranging from the Nigerian Youth Service Corps, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Nigeria Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Television Authority.

Others, but not limited to, are: Nigeria Police Force, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, Association of Federal Civil Service Staff Union of Nigeria, Rotary Club International, Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Fouani Group: producers of LG products, Bajaj International, Aguata Legislative Council, Anambra State, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Catholic Youths Organization, Churches, NGOs, amongst others.

This rare humanist sees human capital as the most critical in national development and integration. He therefore pays uncommon attention to human capital development. A huge chunk of his philanthropy goes into scholarships with funding running into millions of naira annually.

Ofomata sees education as bedrock of personal and national development, fully aligning with Baron Henry Peter Brougham who said that an educated people cannot be enslaved. He is also a firm believer in the affirmation: to destroy a nation, all that is needed is to simply destroy its educational system. No wonder he once called for declaration of a state of emergency in education in Nigeria in order to rejig and reposition the pivotal sector. This burden he feels also led him to found Marcel Ofomata Foundation, which covers scholarship, mentorship and entrepreneurship schemes for members of the society.

Scores of students are currently benefiting from the University Scholarship of the foundation. He is also empowering the indigents with revolving seed loans, especially to women. His foundation also offers free medical treatments in diverse areas of health challenges for communities in South East Nigeria, in partnership with Imabridge Africa, United States of America since 2014. The Foundation equally funds pageantries and football tournaments to keep the youths meaningfully engaged and developing.

He is himself a thoroughbred: a Harvard trained Entrepreneur and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, United States of America, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston, Abia State University, Uturu where he bagged his first and second Masters degrees in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Studies as well as Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting respectively. He also is a holder of an Honorary Doctorate degree from Muskegon University, Indianapolis, USA. This business maharishi has attended many local, National and International Advanced Training, conferences and symposiums to keep up to speed with contemporary skills and competencies needed to handle the emerging complexities in entrepreneurship and corporate politics and governance. As at today, Dr. Ofomata is overseeing the activities and offering strategic entrepreneurial direction to Africa’s leading Asset Financing Company: AMAECOM Global Limited as the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer and presides over Board of Directors with seven business regions and twenty-eight operational branches in Nigeria as well as offshore branches at the Republic of China, Ghana and Cameroon where beneficiaries enjoy the popular Amaecom ‘Buy now, Pay later Scheme’.

The Amaecom Chief Executive is also the Chancellor of Mitchell and Michelle Business School, Nigeria: the first innovative, practical and hands-on-desk business school in Nigeria that trains and mentors businesses/businessmen, budding entrepreneurs and leaders.

Dr. Ofomata is currently the President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Abuja Chapter.

He is a member of many strategic, professional, certified and philanthropic organizations in some of which he plays leading roles. t.FGPS B 'PSFOTJD 4PDJBM 1TZDIPMPHJTU BOE "VUIPS XSJUFT GSPN "CVKB

36/COLLAGE

29.06.2018

L-R: Editor, Guardian Newspapers, Mr Abraham Ogbodo; Senior Vice President, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Ltd, Mr Victor Okoronkwo receiving Guardian Oil and Gas Company of the Year award from Chairman, Editorial Board, Guardian Newspapers, Prof. Wale Omole, at the the Guardian Oil & Gas Roundtable and Awards 2018 held in Lagos ... recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Aacle International (UK), Elder Tewo Oke; Winner, Taiwo Oluga Essay Quiz Competition/ Student of Victory College, Ode Omu, Miss. Mary Oyetunde; and Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Culture & Tourism, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, during the prize presentation to the winners of the competition sponsored by Aacle International, in Osogbo, Osun State...recently

L-R; Mr. Eugene Agha of Daily Trust; Crime World Magazine Publisher, Prince Albert Uba; Mrs. Agha and baby, Nduka; Mr. Odita Sunday of The Guardian and Mr. Christopher Oji of The Sun Newspaper, during the Agha's baby dedication in Lagos...recently

L-R: Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo; Principal Consultant, Edumark Consult, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde; Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ms Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury and Head, One Education, Sterling Bank Plc, Mrs. Ibironke Akinmade, during the 10th Year Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition in Lagos…yesterday..... sunday adigun

L-R: Chairman of the ocassion, Bode Emmanuel; Chief Mrs Leila Fowler,the Author of Mornings with Mama, Mrs. Olufunke Fowler-Amba; and Execcutive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, at the launch of a book Mornings with Mama, by Olufunke Fowler-Amba, held in Lagos etop ukutt

L-R: Executive Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Mr. Sarbeswar Sahoo; Chief Financial Officer, Mr Oluwadare Emmanuel;Non-Executive Director, Mr.Sidharth Pradhan; Managibg Director, Dr.Balla Swamy; Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji; Chairman,Mr. Hassan Usman; Dr. Doyin Salami; Assitant General Manager, Audit / Internal Control, ;Mrs. .Eunice Aina; and , Mr. Muftau Oyegunle, cutting the cake to commemorate the official opening of the new corporate head office in Lagos recently.

L-R; Country Manager, Helen Keller International, Philomena Orji; Director Corporate / Government Affairs, Mr. Bala Yesufu; Head, School Support Services, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority [LGEA], Mrs. Omowunmi Akinola-Arikawe; and Head , Health Unit LGEA, Ikeja, Mrs. Modupe M. Adaramola, during the ground breaking ceremony of the Cadbury Nigeria Healthy Lifestyle Programme in Ikeja, Lagos recently kolawole alli

L-R; Managing Director/ CEO ENYO Retail and Supply Ltd, Yomi Awobokun and Managing Director/ CEO SEPLAT Petroleum Plc, Austin Avuru, at the 10th anniversary celebration of Rand Merchant Bank in Lagos recently

37/THISLIFE

29.06.2018

Uwakwe Abugu: Life Writes a Lousy Script

By Laurence Ani Even at the best of times, mortality has never been a subject that sits easily in conversations let alone in circumstances where it involves a loved one hobbled by an ailment with potentially life-threatening outcome. In such situations, even discussions about commonplace issues tend to be a torturous experience for families and friends. This is especially so if it is a protracted ailment as was the case with Mr. Uwakwe Abugu, the late chief press secretary to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

The weeks preceding his passing on had understandably put a huge emotional strain on his family and friends, but it is testament to his strength of character that he spoke about the sad turn of events without a hint of self-pity and bore his ailment with an unusual grace and candour, neither for once losing his humanity nor ever becoming grumpy. It was particularly telling that he did not lose his sense of humor even as the ailment to which he would later succumb at an Indian hospital gnawed at him. Indeed, his appetite for work was never dulled even on his sickbed from where he penned his last backpage column, 'From My Observatory', in the monthly journal of the Government House Press Unit, Lion Building Watch.

He was appointed chief press secretary on June 15, 2015, a crowning feat for one who lost his father as an infant and had to toil at the farm to survive as a result, along with siblings and his mother of whom he often spoke in glowing terms. That experience no doubt imbued him with a sound work ethic and some gritty resoluteness that he in turn sought to inculcate in those with whom he worked; an attempt which sometimes tended to be misconstrued as standoffish attitude. But he was a good man, one whose goodness you could actually speak about without tongue-in-cheek. And beneath that seemingly stern exterior lay a very simple heart suffused with empathy.

A major test of character could be discerned in the way individuals behave away from the scrutiny of public glare with limited possibility for applause or censure. For Abugu, there was no different conduct codes for his public and private life. His life was like a large canvas and he always strived to live by the rectitude he demanded in others. And if any proof of this was needed, it is evident in the emerging testimonies of his numerous charitable deeds since he passed on, from those to whom he had long been a silent benefactor and to those in whose lives he had played a fatherly role. It is equally instructive he remained discreet about these gestures.

That is because Abugu deeply eschewed pomp and never sought validation for his actions; he simply acted according to his convictions which, happily, was shaped by an acute sense of justice most likely forged through years of holding a mirror to the society as a journalist, a profession he eagerly embraced after a stint in the Enugu State civil service. His near three-decade career in journalism took him through media organizations like Minaj Broadcast International, Vanguard, Daily Independent, Compass and New Telegraph where he was the South-East bureau chief before

Late Abugu

his appointment. His brilliance and painstaking attention to detail reflected in his works, points that have been affirmed by many ex-colleagues (including this writer who had worked with him at New Telegraph) and which must have hugely impressed the Enugu State governor in appointing him as his spokesperson.

Contemplating the death of Abugu brings to mind lines from Lord Alfred Tennyson's In Memoriam, a requiem he wrote in 1833 while grieving over the loss of his friend, Arthur Henry Hallam: "That loss is common would not make/ My own less bitter, rather more:/ ... I hold it true, whate'er befall;/ I feel it, when I sorrow most;/ 'Tis better to have loved and lost/ Than never to have loved at all."

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, counseled John Donne. But the world would be told nonetheless this bell tolls for a great man, that its plaintive notes do not simply mourn your departure, but is a homage to friendship as much as it is a clarion call for a return to the virtues of simplicity and sincerity

which you easily embodied without pretensions.

Loud has been the outpouring of emotion since news of your death broke across Enugu and beyond, drawing massive condolence messages and visits, with the Nigerian Union of Journalists' Enugu State branch declaring one week of mourning. However, there is yet amid all that a numbing silence, which is what one feels, ironically, when the grief is overwhelming.

In that quiet contemplation, I'm reminded of what a great friend you were and in hindsight ponder if you wouldn't still be here had some things been done differently.

Each time such grim moments descend as it sure will today (Friday, June 29) that your remains are interred, I draw strength from how stoic you had been despite the many dire prognosis as well as the discipline and love you instilled in your family whose strong bonds are evident and, of course, find solace in Tennyson's

words from his elegiac poem cited earlier: "When I contemplate all alone/ The life that had been thine below,/ And fix my thoughts on all the glow/ To which thy crescent would have grown;/ I see thee sitting crown'd with good,/ A central warmth diffusing bliss."

We prayed for a redemptive end to your ordeal, hoping you'll be back at your desk hunched over your computer - or stomping the Lion Building's Press Unit hallway in that characteristic manner that only you could and throwing your occasional banters. But, alas, as the playwright Humphrey Bogart once noted: "Life writes a lousy script". Rest in peace, dear friend, colleague, devout Catholic, wonderful family man and brother. Here's one bell whose tolling will never cease. t"OJ GPSNFSMZ FEJUPS PG 5IJT%BZ 5IF 4BUVSEBZ /FXTQBQFS BOE MBUFS 4BUVSEBZ 5FMFHSBQI JT B TFOJPS DPNNVOJDBUJPOT BJEF UP UIF HPWFSOPS PG &OVHV 4UBUF

Emily Nwosu: Heaven Gained an Angel

By CSP Ken Nwosu In prosperity, our friends know us, in adversity, we know our friends�

John Churton Collins British Literary Critic (March 1848 - September 1908).

Heaven gained an angel when my dear mother, Mrs. Emily Ada Nwosu, (nee Onumaegbu), Justice of Peace (JP), exited this earthly plane on Sunday, May 13, 2018.

She was 71 years old.

Born on April 24, 1947 to the Onumaegbu family, mama was a teacher of great repute with specialty in early child education. She taught and mentored many generations in an illustrious career that spanned over 35 years; yours truly inclusive.

She was a devout Christian, consummate community leader and great mobiliser of women, men and resources for worthy

causes and won virtually all available award, honour and recognition those vocations have on offer. She was a great influence and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

To honour her in advancement of her peaceful eternal rest, her funeral has been slated for Saturday, July 28, 2018 at St John’s Church (Anglican Communion) Itaja na Amuzu Parish, Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA, Abia State by 11am.

She is sorely missed by her three sons; Engr.

Temple Tochukwu Nwosu (MNSE, COREN), SP Kenneth Nwosu, DSP Uchenna Kingsley Nwosu and daughter; Mrs. Clarine Chibunna Nwosu-Ugbaja and 10 grandkids and a host of other relatives. t4JS ,FO /XPTV ,4$ B $IJFG 4VQFSJOUFOEFOU PG 1PMJDF XSJUFT JO GSPN "CVKB

Late Nwosu

38/INTERVIEW

29.06.2018

‘We Did Our best to Make Impact on Our Communities’ As Lion Samuel Ayobola, District Governor, International Association of Lions Clubs, District 404B2, Nigeria, winds up his tenure in few days, he says his administration has been very remarkable. He spoke about his achievement in this interview with Ayodeji Ake In one year of your tenure, what impact have you had on people?

Last year, we had our free medical mission in Ilorin from September 27 to 30, 2017; we screened about 3000 people for diabetes, sight and dental. We distributed about 1,600 free eye glasses. We sponsored twenty cataract surgery and twenty other surgeries. And there were about 350 that participated in dental care. Some had their mouth washed, while some had their teeth extracted. I don’t have the exact figure of people we have affected. For instance, in Mangoro, Agege, Lagos state, we did a borehole project and I wouldn’t know the number of people drinking from it. We did another in Ogbomosho in Oyo state, so I wouldn’t know how many people. What I can tell you is that many people have benefitted from us in one way or the other within this one year.

Apart from what Lions Club have done so far, what other things do you think the club should embark on?

Globally, Lions Club has a uniform programme. We apply whatever we do to our locality. The way things are done in America is not how we do it in Nigeria and other country. But nevertheless, the club has uniform agendas. We have five basic areas of concentration, that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything outside this.

The agendas approved for all lions clubs include sight reservation, because a blind person may end up in poverty, so we use sight reservation to fight poverty, particularly preventable blindness. The second agenda is relieving hunger. For the immediate needs, we identified some public schools where we give them food items to solve their immediate needs. We also encourage skill acquisition so that their primary needs will be taken care of. The third is diabetes awareness and control. Many people are living with diabetes and they are not aware and diabetes is not what worries immediately. So what we do is carrying diabetes screening to know the status of people. For those who have, we advise them on what to do, and for who are tested negative, we also advise them on the lifestyle to be emulated. The fourth one is environmental protection. We encourage people to plant trees; apart from that we preach the gospel of healthy environment.

The last one is paediatric cancer. Those are the standard programmes recognised globally but like I said, outside these, we can look into our localities and also do meaningful things.

Lions clubs no doubt have been supportive to the people with different life changing projects. How have you been able to carry out these operations successfully?

There is a popular saying that health is wealth. There is no way someone will be sick and still go to work to generate income and that’s we use sight reservation to win against poverty. Mostly, we do this these by creating awareness. We don’t only concentrate on health alone but other important sector. But everything revolves around health because only a healthy person that can perform. And healthy living is achieved when prevention is taken serious. Like when there is access to clean water, then the chance to preventing from diseases increases.

What legacy will you be remembered for ?

Firstly, we organised sickle cell awareness programme which is very different.

We have discovered people choose partner without considering their blood group. If one is AS and marry someone SS, then there are chances of acquiring SS child and at the end of the day, they will start battling financial stress because almost every time the child will be sick and they will need to foot hospital bills. So we try and educate people through our programmed on this.

We did a project in a boarding house where

Ayobola

organisation has organised any kind of health outreach that we have held so far. All these things we have done are unbeaten legacies that can’t be forgotten years to come.

Ayobola

we discovered both male and female were sleeping in the same hostel, which is not right. So we intervene by building another hostel to ensure they have separate hostels.

Like I have mentioned earlier, we have areas

of concentration for the club that’s accepted globally. But when we discover some areas in our locality that need intervention we wade-in. talking about legacy, these are core legacies. For the first time, I don’t think any

What would you say to people out there about Lions Club?

Well, what I want to add is that people see Lions Club to be an organidation for the wealthy, but I disagree. We meet at any open place in day and not at night for people to see clearly that what we are doing is open and no attachment. Some of us are Christians, while some are Muslims. If the club was meant for the rich people, then we should be having people like Dangote and the rest.

One thing that is certain is, you must have a means of livelihood but doesn’t mean you have to be a millionaire or a billionaire to join the club. If you have a N1000 and ready to give N50 from it, then that’s the spirit – he willingness to help people. I also want to encourage members of the public to come join the club. The more hands we have, the less the burden. In Nigeria today, we have roughly seven thousand members, so we need more hands so that we can have more resources to do great.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018

39

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Banking Industry Fraud Hits N5.571bn in Three Years Nume Ekeghe The Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) has put the value of electronic banking fraud cases over the last three years at N5.571 billion.

This is just as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Banking and Payment System, Mr. Dipo Fatokun said more efforts were being made to ensure safety of customers’ funds. Fatokun, who is also the chairman of the forum, said this at the unveiling of the 2017 NeFF Annual Report in Lagos yesterday. According to him, the steering committee of the forum would be instituting an industry customer protection plan targeted at reducing the volume of fraud in the system.

Fatokun added: “It is sad to note that there has been a little increase in electronic fraud especially in recent times. It has therefore become necessary to review and strengthen the existing rules and enact new regulations to steer the problem.” Data released by NeFF showed that while the value of fraud perpetrated across counter has been on the decline over the last three years, fraud through transactions done via ATMs and mobile banking have been on the increase.

Across the counter data, however, showed that the value of fraud committed stood at N732.85 million in 2015, and then dropped to N511.072 million and N259.022 million in 2016 and 2017.

However, fraud via ATM channels rose from N355.89 million in 2015, to N464.514 million in 2016, and increased further to N497.643 million in 2017. Likewise, mobile payment fraud rose to N347.645 million in 2017, having dropped slightly from N248.144 million in 2015 to N235.17 million in 2016.

Fatokun noted that the increasing level of fraud on mobile was mainly from USSD transactions. He said: “Many of you present would agree on the need for a framework on for USSD as a channel for electronic payment transaction and that was why the CBN early this year issued a framework to that effect because we noticed that USSD channel was primarily responsible for the upspring in electronic fraud in recent times.

“That framework should have been implanted from the first day of this month but we shifted the implementation date to October 1st because certain requirement on that framework could not be put in place so it is better done completely.”

Speaking further, he said: “We remained committed as a forum in ensuring that the Nigerian payment system is not only easy to use but also reliable and trust worthy.”

“Speaking on this line, members of the forum would agree with me that the role of financial technology fondly called fintech cannot be ignored. Their innovations have facilitated the expansion of electronic payments and helped

in providing financial services to the underserved or previously unreached groups. It has the need for guidance and respective supervision. Yes there is the need for them to be guided and effectively supervised as it has become more imperative now more than before.”

On her part, the Executive Director, Operations of the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mrs Crystabel Onyejekwe noted that the increasing level of fraud was not peculiar to the country.

Meanwhile, the CBN in a circular posted on its website stated that bank directors will henceforth be responsible for the protection and security of customers’ data against efraudsters.n In a circular released titled: “Risk-based Cyber-security Framework for Deposit Money Banks,” signed by K.O Balogun for CBN Director of Banking Supervision, the central bank said provision of oversight and leadership and resources to ensure that cyber-security governance becomes an integral part of corporate governance, rests with the Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors through its committees will now have overall responsibility for the DMB/PSP’s cyber-security programme. It will provide leadership and direction for effective conduct of the processes. The Board will ensure that cyber-security governance is integrated into the organisational structure and relevant processes,” it said.

11 Plc Rewards Loyal Customers Sunday Okobi Customers of 11 Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc), from the South-west region who participated in the ongoing ‘Mobil Peel and Win promo and raffle draws for Mobil Super 1000 four litre range of lubricants’, had a field day recently as they carted away various gift items in the first draw held in Ibadan, the Oyo tate capital.

The raffle draw witnessed by senior officials of the company and the Ibadan Zone of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), saw over 50 customers going home with gift items ranging from engineering tools, gas cookers, generating sets, motorcycle, Tricycle, popular called Keke NAPEP, as well as cash prices.

The event, which was the first series of the promo and

raffle draw, was designed to reward customers.

In his welcome address, the Manager, Lubricant Sales and Marketing of 11 Plc, Steve Ezendiokwere, said the promo was part of the company’s efforts to appreciate its loyal customers as well as an opportunity to interface with them.

He promised that the company would not only continue to engage in marketing promotions of this nature, but assured them that the draws of the promo would be held in all the six geopolitical zone of the country.

He added: “The Mobil ‘Peel and Win’ promotion was conceived as our little way of rewarding those end-users with enduring faith in the Mobil brand; such end-users who have truly demonstrated their loyalty to the brand despite the lure of some cheap and

Issues bothering on enabling roles of insurance sector in achieving financial inclusion in the country will form the main thrust of the 2018 National Insurance Conference to be organised by the Insurance Industry Consultative Council(IICC).

The conference scheduled for July 8 to 10 in Abuja, has the theme: “Insurance Industry and financial inclusion.”According to the chairman, organising committee of the conference, Femi Hassan, this year’s

edition, was being organised to further underscore the commitment of the insurance industry to continually upscale the knowledge of insurance operators, other professionals in the financial services sector as well as other stakeholders, about contemporary dynamics in the economic development of the country.

He said the conference, would also highlight the enabling roles of the insurance industry in achieving financial inclusion and by so doing, accelerate its contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Product “The fact that access to financial services is concentrated in urban areas has limited the people from the rural areas from contributing maximally to growth and development of the nation’s economy.

“It is therefore instructive to state that the theme of this year’s conference: Insurance Industry and Financial Inclusion is quite apt, in view of the policy direction of government towards including all segments of the society within the financial safety net”, he stated.

(MILLION NAIRA) 2018

Month

MARCH

Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

low quality lubricants in our market.

“These categories of endusers include the car owners, motorcycle and tricycle owners/riders, generator operators/ owners and most importantly auto-repairers and mechanics who constitute the membership of Nigeria Automobile and Technicians Association (NATA).”

Speaking on the implications of the promo in the phase of recent developments in the company, he said the move was a clear testimony that things are beginning to change for better.

“This development is coming following the recent management restructuring that gave birth to a more business inclined, refocused and reenergised organisation, by name 11Plc; formerly known as, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc,” he said.

Insurance Experts to Discuss Financial Inclusion Ebere Nwoji

L-R: Customer Service Manager of 11 Plc, Mr. Lanre Ibrahim; Distributor Business Manager, Mr. Seun Oke; Head of Lubes Sales and Marketing, Mr. Steve Ezendiokwere; Tricycle Winner, Alhaja Abiola Philips; Managing Director/ CEO of 11 Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji; and Head of Public and Government Affairs, Mr. Amaju Ayomike, during the promo for Mobil Super 1000 4litre lubricant raffle draws held in Ibadan… recently

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

5,433,209.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

MARCH 15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 27, JUNE , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $74.31 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $72.69 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

41

MARKET NEWS

All-share Index Slides Further as Negative Sentiments Persist Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

cent. The bearish performance stemmed from depreciation suffered by bellwether counters such as Dangote Cement Plc and some banking stocks as negative sentiments persisted.

According to analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, “the mood in the market was largely downbeat, despite the modest gains recorded on counters in the consumer goods sector. Profit taking

The negative mood at the stock market continued yesterday with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) shedding 0.61 per cent to close at 37,733.44. Similarly, market capitalisation shed N88.5 billion to close lower at 13.7 trillion.This has brought the year-to-date decline to 1.3 per

on Dangote Cement Plc and bellwether stocks in the banking sector dragged the day’s results.”

In all, 21 stocks depreciated while 17 appreciated. Equity Assurance Plc recorded the highest loss, shedding 4.5 per cent. Wema Bank Plc trailed with 4.1 per cent. Diamond Bank Plc, Prestige Assurance Plc and Transcorp Plc went down by 3.5 per cent apiece.

were led by Honeywell Flours Mills Plc with 9.5 per cent, trailed by Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc with 9.3 per cent.

Lafarge Africa Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc chalked up 5.0 per cent apiece.

Other top gainers were: Regency Alliance Assurance Plc (4.1 per cent); Niger Insurance Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc (4.0 per cent each); Linkage Assurance Plc(3.9 per cent)

Other top price losers include: University Press Plc(3.0 per cent); Royal Exchange Plc (2.9 per cent); LASACO Assurance Plc, Okomu Oil Palm Plc (2.7 per cent each). Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc (2.6 per cent) and Dangote Flour Mills Plc (2.4 per cent); Dangote Cement Plc (2.1 per cent).

However, the 17 stocks that escaped from the bears

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

and Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (3.7 per cent).

But in terms of sectoral performance, three indicators closed higher, one depreciated, while one closed flat. The NSE Industrial Goods Index led with 1.4 per cent, followed by the NSE Consumer Goods Index that appreciated by 0.5 per cent, while the NSE Insurance Index appreciated by 0.2 per cent.

A S AT 2 6 / 0 6 / 2 0 1 8

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1 2 3

BANKING ACCESS BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 299,404.51

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10.35

1.97

108

3,226,537

359,093.92

10.50

-0.94

198

10,349,972

800,610.59

25.50

-1.73

356

20,228,778

662

33,805,287

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10.85

1.40

269 269 931

24,390,022 24,390,022 58,195,309

BANKING S/N 4 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 5 6 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS OIL AND GAS S/N 7

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 389,463.93

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 3,919,316.70 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. 338,697.37

BUILDING MATERIALS

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

230.00 39.05

2.49

31 75 106 106

915,186 1,715,388 2,630,574 2,630,574

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

383,077.41

651.00

0.03

71

581,686

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 8 9 10 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 11 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 12 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 13 14 15 16 17 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N 18 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 19 20 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 21

71 71 1,108

CROP PRODUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

22 23 24 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 25 AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N 26 27 28 29 30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS

VOLUME

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

440.00

0.20

-

0

0

89,858.32 75,000.00

94.20 75.00

2.04

41 24 65

81,190 414,269 495,459

FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.26

-

0 0

0 0

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,370.00

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.79

-

2

10,050 10,050

67

505,509

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,297.17

0.49

-

0

0

221.82 2,111.93

0.57 3.25

-

2 0

100,000 0

55,687.75

1.37

-4.86

155

26,710,591

40,338.15

14.00

-

58 215 215

1,910,635 28,721,226 28,721,226

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

INFRASTRUCTURE/ HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

2

MARKET CAP(Nm)

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

PRICE

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.79

-

0 0

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

36,300.00

27.50

-

14

40,430

165.00

6.60

-

0

0

14

40,430

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

5,222.78

2.01

%CHANGE -

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N

TRADES

581,686 581,686 61,407,569

TRADES 22

VOLUME 428,967

22

428,967

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,900.00

95.00

-

1

10

11,300.89

45.20

-

0

0

26,682.70

10.00

-

0

0

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,431.80

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/ DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 15,032.63

1

10

37

469,407

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.30

-

0 0

0 0

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.92

-4.00

5

242.22

0.89

-

0

10,000,500 0

212,467.13

97.00

-

37

37,915

355,009.10

41.30

-6.14

27

2,135,056

883,657.68

110.50

0.45

93

575,990

162

12,749,461

S/N 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 FOOD PRODUCTS

FOOD PRODUCTS DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME 350,161

52,500.00

10.50

1.45

55

228,000.00

19.00

-

60

522,435

127,316.79

31.05

-

54

573,502

17,763.64

2.24

4.67

172

9,556,702

1,489.00

0.40

-

0

0

1,167.21

6.55

-

1

100

60,274.72

22.75

-

28

144,580

3,676.41

13.45

-

1 371

728 11,148,208

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

13.00 1,500.00

0.67

28 45 73

189,391 177,194 366,585

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD PRODUCTSMARKET S/N -DIVERSIFIED CAP(Nm) 39 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 24,416.63 40 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,188,984.38 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED HOUSEHOLD DUMARKET S/N RABLES CAP(Nm) NIGERIAN ENAMEL41 1,680.31 WARE PLC. 42 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 3,283.47 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES PERSONAL/HOUSEMARKET S/N HOLD PRODUCTS CAP(Nm) P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA 43 79,211.02 PLC. 44 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 292,995.28 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKET S/N BANKING CAP(Nm) 45 DIAMOND BANK PLC 33,582.56 ECOBANK TRANSNATION46 366,991.02 AL INCORPORATED 47 FIDELITY BANK PLC 67,511.28 GUARANTY TRUST BANK 48 1,206,678.35 PLC. 49 JAIZ BANK PLC 19,741.05 50 SKYE BANK PLC 9,716.21 51 STERLING BANK PLC. 39,730.78 52 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 171,812.44 53 UNITY BANK PLC 10,403.51 54 WEMA BANK PLC. 28,159.36 BANKING INSURANCE CARRIERS, MARKET S/N BROKERS AND SERVICES CAP(Nm) AFRICAN ALLIANCE IN55 4,117.00 SURANCE COMPANY PLC 56 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 4,227.42 AXAMANSARD INSUR57 29,400.00 ANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALL58 2,030.00 MARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSUR59 15,144.21 ANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSUR60 5,155.33 ANCE COMPANY PLC. 61 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 3,220.00 GOLDLINK INSURANCE 62 2,411.47 PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSUR63 1,913.74 ANCE PLC 64 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 2,333.20 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY 65 INSURANCE COMPANY 539.32 PLC 66 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 2,709.67 LAW UNION AND ROCK 67 3,694.84 INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE 68 6,400.00 PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS 69 2,960.00 ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO 70 17,636.88 (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE 71 2,012.26 CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE 72 2,290.45 CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE 73 INSURANCE COMPANY 1,667.19 PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST 74 2,585.66 INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE 75 5,422.63 INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST AS76 4,483.72 SURANCE PLC UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLD77 516.46 INGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSUR78 8,000.00 ANCE COMPANY PLC VERITAS KAPITAL AS79 4,160.00 SURANCE PLC 80 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 6,691.37 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES MARKET S/N MICRO-FINANCE BANKS CAP(Nm) FORTIS MICROFINANCE 81 11,799.67 BANK PLC 82

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

4,115.95

22.10

-

0

0

3.15

-

12 12

54,219 54,219

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

19.95

-

7

39,077

51.00

-

24

56,413

31

95,490

649

24,413,963

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.45

-2.03

98

6,607,254

20.00

-

58

3,487,767

2.33

4.95

286

61,917,641

41.00

-0.12

290

10,644,615

0.67 0.70 1.38 5.90 0.89 0.73

4.69 -1.41 -1.43 0.85 1.14 2.74

34 54 16 41 11 33 921

1,959,709 3,067,370 4,875,370 281,546,942 516,815 2,872,309 377,495,792

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.20

-

1

80,000

0.61

-1.64

24

1,575,500

2.80

-

8

175,474

0.29

-

2

1,666

1.46

2.10

4

200,000

0.35

-

1

2,000

0.23

-

6

130,796

0.53

-

0

0

0.50

-

0

0

0.38

-

3

300

0.42

-

1

597 1,426,398

0.37

2.78

7

0.86

-

3

48,193

0.80

-3.61

22

5,684,126

0.37

2.78

8

257,050

3.34

9.87

28

3,754,543

0.26

4.00

2

350,833

0.60

-4.76

6

476,000

0.25

-3.85

13

815,400

0.31

3.23

19

1,048,404

0.42

-

0

0

0.48

-

2

5,200

0.20

-

1

1,000

0.50

-

0

0

0.30

-3.23

7

260,741

0.50

-

PRICE

%CHANGE

26

2,472,095

194

18,766,316

TRADES

VOLUME

2.58

-

0

0

1.80

-

26

626,757

42

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˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Sugar Refinery Board Confirms Sule as Group Managing Director Goddy Egene The Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc has confirmed Abdullahi Sule as the substantive group managing director/chief executive officer(GMD/CEO) of the company.

The Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser of DSR Mrs. Chioma Madubuko was quoted in a statement to have said that the confirmation was approved by the board at the company’s pre- 12th annual general meeting(AGM)

board meeting held on the 21st of June, 2018 in Lagos.

The confirmation is seen by market operators as a positive development that would further spur Sule to improve on the company’s performance.

Sule has over 30 years experience in the oil & gas sector, steel production, machine shop operations and the sugar industry, both in Nigeria and the United States of America. He holds a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Industrial

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

Technology from Indiana State University, United States. He was the Director for Business Development for Africa at Osyka Corporation, in Houston Texas, the MD/ CEO of African Petroleum (AP) Plc, and Sadiq Petroleum Nigeria Limited.

He was the Country Manager for Nigeria at Tetra Technologies Inc, Houston, Texas, before he joined DSR in 2007 as Managing Director, and later the Country Director of Fairport Process Equipment UK. Prior to his re-joining DSR

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 27Jun-2018, unless otherwise stated.

as the MD/CEO in December 2011, a position he held until his appointment as the Deputy Group Managing Director of DSR in November 2013, and Ag. GMD in year 2015.

Sule is the Chairman of the Nigeria Sugar Industry Monitoring Group (SIMOG), and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

DSR is a leader in the sugar refining sector of the Nigerian food and beverage industry. With a very large

refining facility at Apapa is the major supplier of refined sugar to consumers and industrial markets in Nigeria, and strategically positioned to serve the regional markets through exports of its finished products.

The company had an impressive performance in 2017, posting a jump of 176 per cent in profit after tax to N39.78 billion from N14.4 billion in 2016. Based on the results the board raised its dividend payment by 192 per cent to N21 billion from N7.2

billion in 2016. The dividend is 175 kobo per share, up from 60 kobo per share in 2016.

According to Sule, DSR had invested N121 billion on equipment, land acquisition, compensation to land owners, consultancy and related services in its backward integration.

He said the company would continue to pursue its target to achieve 1.08 metric tonnes of refined sugar annually in six years and eventually 1.5 million metric tonnes in 10 years.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 184.66 186.36 4.18% Nigeria International Debt Fund 245.90 247.66 6.66% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.84 0.85 1.64% ACAP Income Funds 0.64 0.64 6.81% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.25% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.21 19.79 5.16% ARM Discovery Fund 407.45 419.73 4.73% ARM Ethical Fund 29.32 30.20 7.31% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.10% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 148.92 149.96 -1.83% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.61% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.84% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.18% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.14 1.17 8.75% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.16 8.91% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,164.56 1,165.31 7.73% FBN Heritage Fund 147.29 148.55 5.61% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.74% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $112.21 $112.54 1.57% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $112.22 $112.55 1.60% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 176.25 178.93 9.64% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.38 1.40 5.59% Legacy Debt Fund 3.07 3.07 6.40% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.83% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.19 2.68% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.17% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.53 120.87 4.78%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.22 4.17% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,076.69 1,076.69 6.75% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.35 1.37 13.05% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.80 11.85 6.82% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.83% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.19 134.31 2.56% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.60 1.60 7.55% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,388.88 2,408.99 6.51% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 185.85 185.85 5.33% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.05 1.06 4.46% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 239.45 239.51 8.73% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 184.71 186.70 3.11% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.17% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,821.84 9,955.51 1.57% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 3.59% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 13.12 13.31 4.63% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.80 13.96 4.53% Zenith Income Fund 20.42 20.42 7.89% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.57%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 136.22 103.70 51.30

1.01% 2.84%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.36 150.90 111.66

12.46 154.04 113.69

1.96% 5.63% 2.18%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund Union Homes REIT

0.92%

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.75 8.93 17.77 19.79 145.10

4.79 9.01 17.87 19.99 147.10

0.19% -6.62% 1.48% 0.59% 6.04%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ͱ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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OPEN LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL

A CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION TO STOP ONGOING ETHNIC CLEANSING AND GENOCIDE IN NIGERIA the Armed Forces to protect you, you will die. I ask all of you to be on alert and defend your country, defend your state." He made the above comments in the face of unnecessary killings which according to him is akin to an act of ethnic cleansing being perpetuated against the people of Taraba State, specifically, and Nigeria at large. He further insisted that the military is complicit in the killings.

The Secretary/General of the United Nations H.E. AntĂłnio Guterres Thru: UN's Abuja Office Diplomatic Drive Central Business Area Area 1, Garki Abuja.

Sir, It has become imperative for me to once again bring to your attention the continuous mass murder of innocent Nigerians by Fulani Herdsmen without required mitigation from the present administration in the country. The tension between Fulani herdsmen and farming communities has existed for many years. However, there has been a dramatic upswing in recent time with increasing brutal attacks and gruesome killings on a daily basis. The impunity and brutality with which the assailants operate, without regard to law and sanctity of life, is both shocking and appalling. It is however surprising to note that the government of the day which was elected in an unprecedented public approval in 2015, has not deemed it necessary to summon the political will and courage to forge a lasting solution to the violence. The nation's security is on a free float while Nigerians are being killed in their native communities where they have dwelled for ages.

You are no doubt aware that Fulani herdsmen have been acknowledged by the global community as the fourth deadliest Terror Group in the world. 'Fulani militants' as they have come to be known are daily visiting deaths on innocent farmers who dare challenge them after their farms have been ravaged by cattle. For the singular reason that they want their cattle to graze on other people's farmland, they kill and maim natives. Therefore, lives and property are perpetually endangered across the country as I write.

Curiously however, the government of the day has refused to declare the group as a terrorist organization, as a way of bringing permanent closure to their bloodletting activities. Another worrisome dimension to this orgy of violence is the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently defended them as a group that merely carry sticks and machetes. However, to the contrary, eyewitnesses report that the Fulani militants are usually armed with sophisticated weapons and often attack their victims when they are most vulnerable, such as midnights, during church services and burial ceremonies. They have consistently visited and brutally killed predominantly Christian natives in the North Central Region including some parts of the South and North of the country.

Notable Nigerians have spoken against the killings while the Federal Government has remained silent in the face of increasing loss of human lives. Elder statesmen like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma have decried the deteriorating security situation in the country in recent time. However, their admonition for the Executive to step up action to curb the killings has largely fell on deaf ears. As you may be aware, Obasanjo and Danjuma are men of high integrity and requisite knowledge, especially as it relates to security matters, having spent years in the army and risen to the peak of their military careers. Gen. T.Y Danjuma was quoted as saying that: "You must rise to protect yourself from these people; if you depend on

Besides, in a bid to prompt the government to take action to stop the herders' murderous activities, a human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), had filed a case of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Fulani herdsmen and the continued massacre of innocent people and farmers in Jukun, Taraba State, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court. This has not yielded the desired result which is to stop the killings.

Let me state categorically that majority of Nigerians have no knowledge of any effort presently being made by this government to stop these wanton killings and large scale destruction of property by the Fulani militants, aside emergency deployment of military and police personnel to affected areas long after the militants have completed their murderous assignments. The knee-jerk approach being presently adopted by the government in reaction to increasing loss of valuable lives has given credence to notions that the security lapses leading to massive deaths in the country is as a result of executive fraud and corruption in high places. For example, so much has been budgeted for security in the last three years without concomitant results in adequate protection and safety for citizens.

From all indications, it is apparent that the government of the day is sympathetic to the cause of the Fulani herdsmen. The fundamental purpose of government is the protection of lives and property. That has been jettisoned by the present administration. The lives of citizens are no longer of value to President Buhari and his men, just as there appears to have been total collapse of governance in Nigeria in the last three years.

I dare say that the United Nations cannot stand aloof and watch human lives being wasted on such gargantuan scale as being witnessed daily in Nigeria, due largely to the failure of government to rise to the occasion, stem the tide and do the needful to safeguard the lives of its own people. I therefore, call on the United Nations and the G7 countries such as the United States of America, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom to come to Nigeria's aid before it is too late. We as Nigerians have lost confidence in our security outfits, especially the military as they have shown complicity in the killings going on in Nigeria. Questions begging for answer, are: Why have they not been able to prevent the attacks, make arrest and prosecute the killers? These attacks are being carried out for hours and no single suspect has been prosecuted? I therefore call on the United Nations and other world powers to make their own private findings as to what is going on in Nigeria as it relates to security matters. As it is, if we don't get intervention in good time, there may not be Nigeria in the nearest future.

God bless Nigeria.

Yours sincerely,

Comrade Timi Frank timifrank40@gmail.com 07033555555

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˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

When an Illiterate Man Was Asked to Read -1 Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

W

hen Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation, he did not know how to read or write. 23 years later, having fulfilled his prophethood mission, he died without knowing how to read or write.

To make things more intriguing, his greatest miracle was a book, the Holy Qur’an, which challenged the whole of humankind to produce at any point of time and in any geographical context a single surah (chapter) the like thereof, if they were in doubt about the authenticity of the Qur’an; he made knowledge seeking incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female, and produced a reading community that always prided itself on the intellectual and cultural legacies it created; he sowed the seeds of a civilization that changed the course of human history forever, the hallmarks of which were always knowledge, science and wisdom.

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira’ through the angel Jibril (Gabriel), he was asked to read (iqra’). However, since he was an ordinary person, who could not judge things and events except by conventional earthly standards, he was astounded, replying both with fear and astonishment: “I am not literate (I cannot read)”.

He was asked two more times to read, but after each time he answered that he was not literate and so, couldn’t read. After that, the angel conveyed the intended first revelation: “Read in the name of your Lord Who created; created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous Who taught by the pen; taught man that which he knew not” (al-‘Alaq, 1-5).

In the above incident, there was an encounter between -- or a convergence of -- two types of reading. The first type was a conventional one that stood for a process of decoding symbols so as to construct or derive meaning, which was represented by Muhammad (pbuh) who was yet to be appointed the prophet.

The second type of reading was put forth, and was represented, by the angel Jibril. It was a new heavenly reading paradigm, which was hitherto unknown. It was a divine gift from the Creator to His creation.

On account of this, it is understandable why both the Prophet (pbuh) and Jibril persisted in their respective ways. To the Prophet (pbuh), it was strange to be asked to read, for he was unread. Thus, he could not say anything except that he was illiterate.

But to Jibril, such by no means was a bizarre act, for he was laying down a ground-breaking vision of reading that transcended everything man had previously known. That Jibril asked the Prophet (pbuh) three times to read, before giving him the first revelation, every time seizing the Prophet (pbuh) and pressing him so hard that he could hardly bear it, could connote waking him completely up from the worldliness of his being, thought and experience, and preparing him fully for the import and weight of the words that were to follow – and of the prophethood mission in general.

The new reading paradigm was summed up in the given revelation.

The Prophet (pbuh) was asked first and foremost to read and recite the Qur’an which was revealed directly upon his heart (al-Shu’ara’, 194). He thus always felt as though the Qur’an had been engraved on his heart. His reading and reciting of the Qur’an was coming from the heart and was targeting people’s hearts as well before anything else. Such was happening effortlessly and naturally. No even slightest reading mistakes, hesitation, stuttering, messing up, or failing to remember was ever recorded about the Prophet (pbuh), irrespective of the oscillating general circumstances and the psychological as well as physical conditions of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Qur’an is a book of signs (ayat), guidance, clear proofs and criterion, the ultimate objective of which is to be applied in everyday life.

However, life with its multitiered realities is also made replete with signs (ayat), guidance and clear proofs, which are as manifest in the slightest and most modest as in the grandest and most sophisticated.

Hence, implementing and living the Qur’an signify an amalgamation of its ayat, guidance and clear proofs with the same, entailed in the life phenomena, in order that the purpose and objective of existence are achieved. Reading the Qur’an, it follows, means also reading and

exploring life as a locus of the implementation of the former. It likewise denotes reading life’s infinite portents and signs (ayat), serving as an indispensable supplement to the proper reading, comprehending and applying of the signs (ayat) and messages of the Qur’an.

No reading of the Qur’an is complete without reading life, and no reading of life is appropriate without reading the Qur’an, because the Qur’an is meant for life, and life, in turn, is steered and sustained by the Qur’an. The only solution for man, therefore, is the combination of two readings. The solution is about quality, rather than quantity. It is about devising most effective methods and most productive outcomes for real life and its gripping challenges, rather than excessive rhetoric, idealism and abstract theorizing. It is perhaps no coincidence that iqra’ as an imperative is derived from the verb qara’, which means not only to read, but also to combine, integrate and bring things together.

This spirit is implied in Almighty Allah’s words that reading should be done only in the name of “your Lord Who created; created man from a clinging substance”. This means that reading should be done solely for the divine -- not personal or any other – goals, and for the realization of a higher order of things and their meanings, for such is the implication of the concepts of lordship (rububiyyah) and servitude (‘ubudiyyah) that stand at the core of the Islamic message.

Similarly, it means that Allah’s creation is to be read as much and as fervently as His revelation, as both are His and have originated from Him. Their objectives are identical: to reveal and disseminate the truth at all planes of the life phenomenon. Thus, the “read” injunction and Allah’s attribute as the Creator are communicated together.

This is further accentuated by the subsequent words that Allah is “the most Generous Who taught by the pen; taught man that which he knew not”. Granting man the Qur’an as a revealed book, as well as an ontological “qur’an” or the “book” of creation (al-qur’an al-takwini) is a sign of Almighty Allah being most Kind and Generous to man in his capacity as Allah’s vicegerent on earth. Allah further granted man every means and opportunity to succeed in his projected task. Failure is not an option and can never be justified.

The new reading paradigm brought by the angel Jibril in the cave Hira’ was about the reading of revelation (the Qur’an), life with all its dimensions, and the self. It was as comprehensive and holistic as the Prophet’s mission itself. The new reading was at once physical, cerebral and spiritual, corresponding to the character of its aim: man and life, as well as the heavens and the earth. A person, it goes without saying, may be illiterate, but a good, insightful and knowledgeable reader. In the same vein, a person may be educated and literate, but ignorant and unwise. True knowledge is identified with light and guidance. It is a guarantee of success and happiness in both worlds. Hence, though illiterate, the Prophet (pbuh) was the most knowledgeable, most enlightened and wisest man that ever lived.

Towards Reviving the Iqra’ Concept No wonder this awareness led to the creation of a powerful Islamic civilization whose most conspicuous characteristics revolved around the notions of knowledge, education, wisdom and science. It was a civilization of learning (reading), which was caused and sustained by learning and learned (reading) generations. Such was an engine of Muslim civilizational growth and cultural enrichment through centuries. It was only when such a spirit was lost that Islamic civilization started declining, and the Muslim community started losing ground to other nations and their less adequate patterns of civilizational progress.

Today in the age of globalization, as Muslims grow more and more desperate in their quest to restore their cultural and civilizational identity and respect from others, they should know that the only way forward is the revivification of the universal concept of iqra’ (read!), as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Hira’ Cave, and everything such concept entails. That endeavour would bring an end to many alien, inept and outright useless alternatives Muslims have adopted in recent times in order to fill the void left by their gradual abandoning of the original iqra’ scheme.

To Be Continued

FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757

In Brief ‘Make or Break’ Migration Talks Ahead of Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels, focused on how to deal with the issue of undocumented migrants – mainly Africans – who continue to risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged European leaders to work together on finding solutions. Merkel told Germany’s parliament the issue could be a defining moment for the EU. She called the migration talks a “make or break” for the union. The EU members will also discuss, among others, security, transAtlantic trade and their troubled ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, economic sanctions on Russia, the bloc’s next long-term budget from 2021, the euro zone reform, and Brexit. Merkel is under pressure to come up with a deal to prevent new arrivals of the irregular migrants.

Germany’s Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, from her Bavarian coalition partner, the CSU, has given her until weekend. Otherwise he said he will start turning away migrants from the border in his home state.

14,000 New U.S. Citizens U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it will celebrate the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the country’s birthday, by welcoming more than 14,000 new citizens in nearly 175 naturalisation ceremonies between June 28 and July 10.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, last year. Photo credit: Associated Press

Trump, Putin: A Long-anticipated Summit amid New Cold War There is little hope that the impending meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents would reduce the tendency towards a precarious new cold war. Vincent Obia writes

U

nited States President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin are due to meet on July 16 in Helsinki, Finland, in a long-awaited first summit expected to help reduce rising belligerence between the two world powers.

“The two leaders will discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Thursday regarding the summit that has been on the minds and lips of many since Trump’s election in 2016.

A Kremlin foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Wednesday that the TrumpPutin meeting will include a private conversation between the presidents and a joint news conference. The Russian state news agency, Tass, quoted Ushakov as saying the two presidents may adopt a joint statement “that could outline further steps on both sides in terms of improving bilateral relations, terms for joint actions in the international arena, and terms for ensuring international stability and security.”

Anticipation The planned Trump-Putin meeting followed negotiations in Russia this week by the U.S. president’s national security adviser, John Bolton. Tass said indications towards the summit first emerged following a phone conversation between the

two presidents on March 20. It said the summit was then discussed through “closed channels”.

There is considerable enthusiasm and anticipation on both sides that the July summit fixed on the same day Russia will be hosting the finals of the World Cup would help to smoothen the many rough edges in relations between Russia and America.

From allegations of Russian meddling in the last U.S. presidential election to the protracted proxy wars in Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, and other parts of the Middle East and Baltic region, the U.S. and Russia have adopted a mutually belligerent stance that is pushing the world to a new cold war era experts say may be more dangerous than the one humanity survived between 1946 and 1989.

While he received Bolton in Moscow, Putin was reported as saying he did not want to escalate tensions with the U.S. and he was willing to discuss how to “restore full-fledged relations based on equality and mutual respect.”

Bolton said he wanted to discuss “how to improve Russia-U.S. relations and find areas where we can agree and make progress together.”

The week before Bolton’s Russia trip, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told MSNBC that his country was “trying to find places where we have overlapping interests [with Russia], but protecting American interests where we do not.”

Uncertainty There is no doubt that the Russians and Americans acknowledge the benefits of a cosy relationship between their countries. Across the world, too, there is no question that the biggest issue for most people in the Trump-Putin summit is global peace and security.

But given Trump’s track record, it is difficult to say how successful the forthcoming meeting would be in terms of achieving the anticipated goals.

Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in Singapore earlier this month, in a historic summit both men celebrated as a victory. At the summit, Trump ordered the suspension of U.S. military exercises with South Korea, in a surprise concession that addresses an issue that has been a priority for North Korea for decades. The U.S. president also said he got a commitment from the North Korean leader to destroy a missile engine testing site, ending the tests that have been a major provocation to the U.S. All these were barely six months after public exchanges of bitter outbursts by the two leaders threatened to escalate tensions in the Korean Peninsula to a full blown war.

On his way back to the US after the summit, Trump tweeted “great progress” had been made towards denuclearisation, adding, “Anyone can make war, but only the most courageous can make peace!”

But in September last year, following about six missile tests by North Korea, Trump had announced his intention

to substantially increase the amount of military hardware in the region by selling advanced weapons to Japan and South Korea.

“I am allowing Japan and South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States,” Trump said on Twitter.

It is hard to confirm if Trump has withdrawn such bellicose posture in the face of the new relationship with Kim. The recent escalation of trade tensions with China after he visited that country in November last year and celebrated crucial agreements and talks with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, is another indication of the limited capacity of such meetings to bring about change.

The situation even seems dicier with Russia, which feels increasingly besieged in the face of aggressive extension of America’s territorial influence close to the Russian borders.

Though planned for a venue famed for its Cold War diplomacy, the on-going diplomatic process for a TrumpPutin summit in Helsinki may end up with just the symbolism and ceremony that have been associated such meetings in recent times.

“If the North Korea summit is any indication, anything Trump and Putin discuss will be portrayed as a personal triumph for Trump at establishing the personal relationship with Putin he’s always wanted,” a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, Richard Kauzlarich, was quoted as saying.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as LOKO SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOLAHONTEYIN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MBACHU ANGELA ONYINYECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMAECHI ANGELA ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OSHIYEMI TOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as OSIYEMI OLUWATOBI ADEDEJI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly Known and addressed as MISS ENEBELI NGOZI SANDRA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SIDI GODWIN NGOZI SANDRA. All former documents remains valid. The general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOME ERUMENA AZERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONOME ERUMENA AGANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as h D ͳK KE' OGUNSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as DZ^ h D ͳK KE' 'KZ KE ͳ ZKtE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JACOB UDO DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MONDAY JACOB. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JACOB GLORY EKPO, now wish to be known and addressed as EFFIONG GLORY EKPO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly Known and addressed as GODWILL ALEYAH, now wish to be known and addressed as SIDI GODWIN DRESSMAN. All former documents remains valid. The general public take note.

I, formerly Known and addressed as MISS OKERE PATRICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODIONYEMMA PATRICIA. All former documents remains valid general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOME ERUMENA AZERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONOME ERUMENA AGANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ZAKKA GRACE BONET, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ZAKKA GRACE BULUS. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ILIRUWO FELIX EMUOWO, now wish to be known and addressed as IHIRIRUWON EMUOWO FELIX. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIMAEZE CHIMEZIE SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIMAEZE MARIO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank, Nigerian /ŵŵŝŐƌĂƟŽŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OWERE IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OJETE IFEOMA HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALOZIE PATIENCE CHIJIOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as / h ' hͳ , h <t h D < PATIENCE CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADAMS K. ALIU, now wish to be known and addressed as KWASHIEGAH ADAMS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

57

NEWS

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

‘Jollof Bond’ for Nigeria’s Infrastructure Financing Coming Soon, Says Mayor of London Dangote targets London Stock Exchange listing after 2019 elections Obinna Chima The Mayor of London, Alderman Charles Bowman, yesterday disclosed plans to launch what he termed the ‘Jollof Bond’ to support the financing of Nigeria’s wide infrastructure deficit.

He noted the need to finance Nigeria’s infrastructure using nairadenominated financial instruments.

The Mayor of London said this in a keynote address he delivered at a forum organised by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in Lagos.

“Similar instrument has already been used successfully in India and China. And will eliminate foreign exchange risk for Nigerian issuers – from the government down to SMEs and provide even greater access to capital for this,” he explained.

According to him, part of his mission to Nigeria,was to among

other things, provide assurance that the City of London will remain the pre-eminent global financial centre well into the future; advance the strong ties that exist between the UK and Nigeria; harness the relationship to improve bilateral trade, investment and businessto-business opportunities; and engage, discuss and promote his Mayoral programme – The Business of Trust – which aims to create a lasting legacy of better business, trusted by society.

Bowman said: “The relationship between Nigeria and the UK is strong. Our bilateral trade is strong, currently standing at around £3.4 billion per annum. And it is set to become even stronger – forecast to reach £7 billion by 2030.

“This is a great foundation on which to build future success, but in my view, we can do much more.

As I have travelled in Abuja and Lagos these past few days, it has become abundantly clear that

Nigeria – already Africa’s largest and most populous country – is at an important point.

“With the rapidly rising population and the current economic growth rates, the IMF has forecast declining GDP per capital for the foreseeable future.

To convert the democratic reality from challenge to opportunity, the country needs to sustain some three to four million jobs each year and, to achieve that, economic growth must rise from the current two per cent to at least six to seven per cent.

“This is possible. But to ensure the opportunity is harnessed, the economic engine needs to shift up a gear or two. I have heard during my three days in Nigeria that in

order to achieve this, four things need to happen.

“Creating investable infrastructure assets, improving access to capital, promoting financial inclusion, and developing an enabling and compliance-based business environment,” he added.

Earlier, the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, disclosed that the planned listing of some of his companies on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) would take place after Nigeria’s 2019 elections.

“I have just explained to the Mayor that we have decided now to list our business on the LSE and that would definitely come early next year.

“Obviously, you know, we have an election early next year, so people would want to wait to see the outcome of the election,” he explained.

According to the Africa’s richest man, the Dangote Group has quite a lot of businesses around the Commonwealth nations and most especially within the African continent.

He, however, told his audience at the meeting, who were mostly CWEIC strategic partners, that although business has been challenging at the same time, Nigeria has enormous business opportunities.

“If you are really looking for business opportunities, the best place to look at is actually here

in Nigeria. We have an office in London now for about 28 years and we hope we would be there for many more years.

“But what we are doing more, especially in the UK, is future investments with the family office.

“Our family office means that our main investments would be controlled by that office, which we would open within our London office, as a stepping stone for our investments.

“We have invested heavily in Africa, but going forward, we need to invest outside Africa, so that we can de-risk the wealth of the family. This would really help to strengthen the relationship between the UK and Nigeria,” he said.

INEC Concludes Planning of 2019 Elections, Says Yakubu Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has met with heads of security agencies, logistics experts, transport unions and other stakeholders to guarantee smooth deployment of elections materials and personnel in 2019 general election.

The electoral body organised the “Conference on Logistics for the 2019 General Elections’’ in conjunction with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and supported by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), aimed at enhancing timely delivery of materials and personnel to polling units.

Declaring the conference open, the INEC boss said that Nigerians would expect polling units to be opened at 8.00a.m on election days – February 16, 2019, and March 2, 2019, saying if INEC doesn’t open the polling units at 8.00a.m, it means it has not started well.

Explaining how INEC can open polling units at 8.00a.m, he said it requires biggest and big time logistics operations.

According to him, “We have been required to deliver personnel and electoral materials at 119, 973 locations nationwide, and they must all open simultaneously. Electoral logistics is key to the successful opening of polling units at the time we have promised Nigerians we are going to do so.

“If we open all the polling units or a substantial majority by 8.00a.m., we have achieved a considerable part of our responsibility in election management; other things will fall in place.’’

He added that if there are hiccups, people from different sections will complain, adding that some polling units were hard to reach and would require use of boats.

Prof. Yakubu noted that the 2019 Elections remained 232 days, saying that the exercise would be

a huge undertaking with several obstacles, some preventable and others unexpected.

The chairman said that the exercise would require careful planning, adding that deployment and retrieval of personnel and materials for elections would call for huge logistics, explaining that any flop in logistics will be termed as an attempt to disenfranchise the citizens, hence, the need to plan adequately with logistics operators and security agencies.

He added, “Logistics is basically public service. Some citizens may understand if we don’t open polling units at 8.00a.m., others will see it as incompetence of the electoral commission. The work is sensitive; so, we are determined as the election management body to ensure that polling units open at 8.00a.m as promised.

“To be able to do so, we need contributions, support, suggestions and inputs of those who have been handling these as a matter of their respective constitutional duties.”

He said that the conference was marking the last stage of planning for the elections before moving to the implementation, saying that ‘’the management of the electoral process is not left for the commission; it is a Nigerian project, it is not an INEC project.’’

“We thought we should mobilise all our national assets from the security agencies, officials of the commission, private sector, transport unions to put our heads together so that we can better deliver this service to the nation in 2019.’’

In his keynote address, Mr David Le Notre, Project Director, ECES said that election is a time-bound event, which requires precision and exactitude in the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, saying for a vast geographical country like Nigeria with pockets of difficult terrains, the importance of putting in place efficient and effective logistics for deployment of personnel and election materials to service about 1,558 constituencies cannot be over- emphasised.

HIV/AIDS CONTROL

R-L: Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; DG, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu; President Muhammadu Buhari; Chairman, NACA Board Dame, Patience Tallen; and CD, UNAIDS, Dr Erasmus Morah at the Launch of Nigeria HIV/ AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey at the Conference Center of the Presidenrial Villa, Abuja ...yesterday Godwin Omoigui .

Buhari Leaves Nigeria for Mauritania Tomorrow Signs medical residency bill Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow leave Nigeria for Nouakchott, Mauritania, to participate at the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) taking place on July 1 and 2.

This is coming as the President yesterday in Abuja signed the Medical Residency Training Bill 2018 into law.

THISDAY learnt that the president, who will leave Abuja this morning for his Daura country home in Katsina State, will from there proceed to Nouakchott tomorrow to join other heads of government at the summit which had begun since June 25.

With the theme: “winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation” at the summit is scheduled to end on July 2, when the president is expected

to return to the country.

Buhari will at the summit, deliver an address on the theme of the summit, “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”

While AU Chairman and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, will present a report on AU institutional reforms, the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou will make a presentation on the Continental Free Trade Area.

(AfCFTA).

In the same vein, Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, will deliver a paper on the Western Sahara question and Africa’s position on Africa, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union relations after 2020.

Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to attend the summit, where leaders are expected to formally put in place the AfCFTA signed on March 21, 2018 in Kigali.

Other components of the summit include the Ordinary Session of

the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and 33rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council.

It will be rounded off with the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU taking place on Monday and Tuesday.

Mauritania is hosting the AU summit for the first time since the birth of the union.

The AU which has reportedly witnessed several major reforms, including the imposition of a 0.2-percent tax on the import tariffs to finance itself, replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 2002 in Durban, South Africa, in accordance with the Sirte Declaration of September 9, 1999.

At the 28th Annual AU Summit held on January 30 to 31 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Morocco rejoined the continental body, 33 years after it quit in protest of the admission of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has signed the Medical Residency

Training Bill 2018 into law and also assented to Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HEPPADC) Act 2018.

According to his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, the Medical Residency Training Act was enacted to regulate medical residency training programme designed for the training of medical practitioners and dental surgeons.

According to him, the Act was enacted to encourage holders of Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery (MBBS) to proceed for their master’s degrees immediately after their National Youth Service (NYSC) scheme provided they have insurance.

According to Enang, the Act is expected to enhance the quality of medical service and encourage medical tourism to Nigeria.

He also said the HEPPADC Act will reduce the derivation payable to National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from 30 per cent to 10 per cent.

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FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

UN: How Boko Haram, Military Killed, Maimed Hundreds of Children 1,813 Nigerians killed since January, says Amnesty International Martins Ifijeh About 881 children were either killed or maimed by the Boko Haram terror group and Nigerian security forces in 2017, the United Nations (UN) has said.

This is coming as Amnesty International (AI), yesterday revealed that at least 1,813 persons have been murdered in attacks across 17 states since January 2018, more than double of those killed in 2017.

Of this number reported by the UN, the unfortunate bombing of an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian military caused the death or maiming of 235 children, the UN added.

Apart from the 235 killed or maimed in the Rann bombing, the military also killed or maimed 26 children suspected to be carrying improvised explosive devices in 2017.

These were parts of the annual report of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict.

The report covered Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, the Philippines, Syria and Yemen.

The content of the report was presented by Virginia Gamba, the UN’s Expert on Children and Armed Conflict, and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Rann victims were part of the more than 10,000 children killed or maimed in conflicts in 2017, in the named countries; while more than 8,000 youngsters were recruited or used as combatants.

Gamba, according to Premium Times, said 66 parties to the conflict were listed in 2018 – three more than in the 2016 report – with nine government forces and 57 armed groups named.

“Among the most significant violations registered in 2017 were killing and maiming, recruitment and use and attacks on schools and hospitals, all of which registered a rise in comparison to the previous year,” Gamba said.

The UN envoy said the reduction might be attributed to the loss of territory by Boko

Haram, the displacement of civilians from areas controlled by the group and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTP) action plan, signed in 2017.

According to her, the UN verified 881 children out of which 570 were killed and 311 maimed in Nigeria, attributing 620 of the casualties to Boko Haram and 261 to Nigerian security forces.

With regard to the security forces, 235 casualties were caused by the unfortunate aerial bombardments on Rann in 2017, while 26 casualties were suspected to be carrying improvised explosive devices.

While explaining details of its latest report, Gamba said Boko Haram was to blame for the almost half of the 881 children killed in violence in the North-east.

“Almost half of all casualties – 411 – resulted from suicide attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram (including the use of children as carriers of person-borne improvised explosive devices).

“A worrying trend is the continued use of children by Boko Haram as carriers of person-borne improvised explosive devices, with 146 cases documented in Nigeria,” he said.

In a related development, Amnesty International, yesterday revealed that at least 1,813 persons has been murdered in attacks across 17 states since January 2018, more than double of those killed in 2017.

The group said the failure of federal government to hold murderers to account is encouraging them and fueling rising insecurity across the country.

Also, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to step up investigations and hold killers of over 100 persons in Plateau State accountable.

In a statement signed by its Media Officer, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International stated that the killings were caused by the farmers-herders conflict, communal clashes, Boko Haram attacks and

Afenifere, Northern Elders to Collaborate Shola Oyeyipo Leaders from the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria have agreed to form an all encompassing Nigeria Elders’ Forum (NEF) to accommodate all other geopolitical regions in the country.

Making this known yesterday after a closed-door meeting between him and other South-west leaders held at the Lekki home of Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Convener, NEF, Prof. Ango Abdulahi said the motive is for elders to come together to put the country on the right path.

Before the development, Afenifere, which is the umbrella body of Yoruba; Ohaneze Ndigbo, NEF, South-south and Middle Belt Elders’ Forums operated separately.

Anglo said the decision “Is a right step in the right direction,” as It will give room for understanding,” adding that “the next step is to

see the leader of Afenifere, Chief Rueben Fashoranti and the leadership of Ohaneze Indigbo.”

The prominent Northern leader, who said he had met with South-south leader, Chief Edwin Clark, hinted that he is prepared to meet with every other leader needed to actualise the mission of the collaboration.

Speaking on the initiative, Afenifere chieftain, Adebanjo, who agreed with Abdulahi on his mission, said: “It is necessary for elders to find ways to work together in order to get Nigeria on the right path and to end the present condition in Nigeria.”

Also in attendance in the meeting that lasted over two hours, were Prof. Banji Akintoye, Dr. Amos Akingba, Mr. Yinka Odumakin and the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima.

banditry.

“We are gravely concerned about the rising spate of killings across the country, especially the communal clashes between farmers and herders and attacks by bandits across at least 17 states,” the statement quoted the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai

Ojigho, as saying.”

Amnesty International said it was currently investigating the rising insecurity that has resulted in the increase in killings across Nigeria.

It said its investigations showed “worrying details of how frequently the security forces failed to protect villagers.”

AI further stated that in all the

cases it investigated, the attackers, usually arrived in their hundreds, spend hours killing people and setting houses on fire and then disappeared without a trace.

The group also expressed concern about the impact of the killings on farming, “especially with the affected villages and farmlands deserted because people fear going

back to their homes.

“We are at the peak of farming season, and communities affected by this wave of violence are largely agrarian. But because of fear of attacks they have either been displaced or unable to cultivate their farms, therefore their major source of food and income threatened by the attacks,” Ojigho said.

PROMOTING EDUCATION

L-R: Pro-Chancellor, UNILAG and the owner of the auditorium, Dr. Wale Babalakin; Ghana’s Minister of Education; Nigeria’s Minister of Education; Adamu Adamu; and Osun State Governor, Raul Aregbesola, at the JAMB Summit inside the 4,000-capacity ultra-modern Bola Babalakin Auditorium in Gbogan, Osun State....recently

For Rule of Law to Thrive, Shun Corrupt Practices, CJN Tells SANs Martins Ifijeh in Lagos The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Water Onnoghen, has called on Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to shun, corrupt practices and provide honest services to clients if the rule of law must thrive in the country.

He said the actions of some members of the Inner Bar had recently been called into question, noting that integrity is crucial to the judiciary and public confidence in the judicial sector.

Stating this while delivering a keynote address at the maiden edition of the annual lecture of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) in Lagos yesterday, he said: “The public has confidence not only in the courts but in the members of the bar who are the bridge between the courts and the public. ‘’The success of judicial reforms depends not only on how we

collectively identify and deliberate on fundamental issues affecting the justice sector, but on how we can ensure the pragmatic implementation of such reforms to the later.”

Justice Onnoghen, who spoke on ‘How members of the Inner Bar can support the dispensation of justice and justice sector reforms,’ noted that BOSAN must ensure strict observance to ethical standards, integrity and the rule of law, which he said are the underlying principles of justice and bedrock of democracy.

“The reform of the justice sector is indispensable to the rule of law as it is through the instrumentality of reform that the yearnings of the public can be met. We must therefore realise that whatever reform to be embarked upon must start from our mindset and attitude, without which the effort remains an exercise in futility,” he said.

Justice Onnoghen told the senior lawyers that despite the numerous

challenges they face, they must strive hard to exhibit and promote high standards conducts at all times and discharge their duties with competence and decorum both in couth and in their private lives.

He also advised that because of the position of trust they occupy in the society, they must to face up to their responsiblities which carry attributes such as propriety, integrity, honesty, impartiality, diligence and objectivities.

The CJN further called on the SANs to come together and address challenges encountered and to incorporate their various contributions towards the justice sector reforms.

“We are not unmindful of the numerous challenges you face.

However, the judiciary still looks up to you because of the position of trust you occupy.

“You must face up to your responsiblities which carry attributes such as propriety, integrity,

honesty, impartiality, diligence and objectivities. We must strive hard to exhibit and promote high standards of these conducts at all times and to discharge our duties with competence and decorum both in couth and in our private lives.”

On his part, the Chairman of BOSAN Continuing Legal Education Sub-committee, Prof.

Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), said the affairs of Nigeria needs the input of senior lawyers who are well versed and grounded in the nuances of the law, adding that the law, which is the backbone and fulcrum of developed societies, must be guarded.

“This lecture is an initiative of BOSAN supported by key industry players, and it aims at delivering valuable insights on the practice of law through the eyes of SANs. It is an effort on the part of BOSAN to enhance the knowledge of members of the inner Bar and other legal practitioners,” he said.

Eminent Nigerians Mourn Khadijah, Late Widow of Kashim Ibrahim Eminent Nigerians have continued to pay tributes to Lady Khadijah Kashim Ibrahim, widow of First Republic Governor of Northern Nigeria, the late Sir Kashim Ibrahim.

She died at the age of 89 in Kaduna and has since been buried.

Early callers at her home include Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice

Mohammed Uwais; former Head of Federal Civil Service, Alhaji Adamu Fika; Emir of Nguru,Alhaji Mustapha Ibn Kyari; Senator Sanusi Daggash and Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq, among others.

The late Khadijah was born to the Libyan Ahmed Metedden family of Borno and was among the first northern women to receive western education.

In 1957, she was knighted along

with her husband, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, by Queen Elizabeth II. Achampion of girl-child education, Lady Khadijah spent the latter part of her life encouraging educated girls to go into marriage and build a strong and cohesive family life in line with religion and culture.

She is survived by widow of late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, Hajiya Fati Magaji Inuwa; Mohammed Kashim; younger sister, Hajiya Inna

Dasuki; younger brother,Ambassador Lameen Metedden.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadijah Bukar Abba Ibrahim; as well as founder of Regent Schools (primary, secondary, college) Abuja, Amsa AbdulRazaq, and her husband, Mallam Isiaka AbdulRazaq, who is the Group Executive Director (GED) in charge of Finance at NNPC.

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Swiss Envoy: We Have Returned All Abacha Loot FG perfects processes to utilise $321 million refund Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Eric Mayoraz, yesterday stated that with the repatriation to Nigeria of over $1 billion hoarded by the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in Switzerland, there was no more Abacha loot left in his country.

He made the revelation at a ceremony hosted by the mission to examine asset recovery efforts between Nigeria and Switzerland, using the ‘Abacha loot’ as a focus.

Mayoraz revealed that Switzerland had earlier returned $752 million, which the late military dictator and family hid away in Swiss banks to Nigeria and recently repatriated another $321 million, which is being domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He stated that with new legislations already put in place in his country, it would be impossible to steal Nigeria’s money and take

it to any part of Switzerland.

According to the ambassador, “As a way out of what led to Abacha loot, we have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance treaty with Nigeria and it is meant to enable us to track and expose those who want to bring in illicit wealth and prosecute them in accordance with the laws in place.

“It is to be made clear that the new laws in Switzerland do not allow for any stolen wealth to be kept in any place in the country.’’

On his part, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, confirmed receipt of the last tranche of $321 million of the Abacha loot from the Swiss Government, stating that it had been domiciled with the CBN for the purpose of using it to empower the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria.

Represented by the Special Assistant to the President on

Justice Reforms, Mrs. Juliet Ibebaku-Nwagwu, the minister explained that Nigeria and the World Bank agreed to use the Abacha loot to fund the National Cash Transfer Scheme so that it could benefit the entire country since the money belongs to the whole country.

He said that necessary processes as stipulated by the World Bank and other organisations as conditions for drawing down the Abacha loot from Switzerland were being strictly implemented to ensure transparency

and accountability in the use of the fund.

While admitting that the process of drawing down the money from the Swiss Government was not smooth, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari had insisted that all the processes stipulated must be adhered to and a central agency put in place to recover the money and put mechanism in place for managing the funds.

The Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, who was

represented by Linda Ekeator, Manager Legal, National Social Investments Office, said that the cash transfer scheme had been created in no fewer than 19 states of the federation and that more states would soon join the scheme.

She added that over 270,000 households had been captured under the scheme while the transfer of the $321 Abacha loot to beneficiaries of the programme would start in July.

A member of Civil Society

groups, working with the Swiss and Nigerian governments to monitor the return and use of the Abacha loot, and Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, said that civil society groups would ensure that the looted funds were properly accounted for, promptly returned to Nigeria and effectively managed and utilised for the overall best interest of Nigerians who are the victims of corruption.

Install Our Monarch, Community’s Indigenes in UK Urge Amosun Prominent indigenes of Igbesa, a community in Ado-Odo Otta Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, have renewed their plea with the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to expedite action on the installation of the Oba-elect of the town, Prince Abdulazeez Oluwatoyin Akinde, to bring down rising tension among the people of the area.

The indigenes said in a statement that Akinde was issued a certificate of selection by the Ado-Odo Otta Local Council in March last year in which the council declared him the new Oloja Ekun-elect (Oba-elect) of Igbesa, following his selection by the community’s kingmakers.

But the community’s indigenes in the Diaspora said they were concerned that more than a year after the Oba-elect was named, many intrigues had been introduced, which made the state government to foot-drag in performing its obligation of giving a staff of office to the new monarch.

In the joint statement by the Awori Descendants Union, United Kingdom and the Ireland, and Igbesa District Community Development Association, UK, the indigenes urged Governor Amosun to follow due process and install the Oba-elect, as a way of respecting popular will, due process and dousing the rising tension in the community.

“While we know that our amiable governor is busy with so many state schedules, we would

urge him to act fast and perform the installation of our new Oloja Ekun-elect, as a way of respecting popular will, due process and dousing rising tension; as peaceful coexistence in Igbesa is gradually being affected by the activities of those who want to capitalise on the delay in installation, to subvert popular will,” the statement said.

In the statement by Akin Akanji Ajo, General Secretary; Sheik Olusola Dauda, Imam and Spiritual Father, and Jeyeola Odunlami Odunsi, Public Relations Officer (PRO), the indigenes in the diaspora noted, “We are all living witnesses of what happened in neighbouring Ado-Odo community where they witnessed many years of bloodshed and disquiet over a similar delay in the installation of an Oba for the community”.

“Igbesa people of the Awori descendants are peace-loving Nigerians and are very industrious and as such, would not want any violence in our community, arising from chieftaincy dispute.

“Since Prince Akinde had been nominated by the community’s kingmakers, after all traditional screening and rites, and was subsequently issued a certificate of selection as Oba-elect by the local council, we believe nothing should stand in his way again from ascending the throne of his forebears,” the indigenes added.

Igbesa has been without a monarch since the last Oloja Ekun, Oba Samuel Banuso, joined his ancestors in 2015.

HAPPY WEDLOCK

R-L: National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), South-west, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, his wife, Erelu Angela Adebayo; newlywedded, Mr. and Mrs. Oladele Morenike Olasupo; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, during the church wedding of Adebayo’s daughter at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos...yesterday Taiwo Okanlawon

IPOB Members Bombed Ohanaeze Leader’s House, Police Allege Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Two months after the country home of the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo was bombed, the police in Enugu yesterday paraded two persons suspected to have participated in the attack.

The police also paraded nine other suspects for alleged involvement in other criminal activities.

Parading the suspects at the state police headquarters, the Police Commissioner, Danmallam Mohammed, disclosed that the bomb attack on Nwodo’s house on April 29, 2018, was carried out by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He said the two suspects one Ekene Okechukwu who hails from Ubahu Ekwusigo Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State and Alagba Gabriel from Mgbo in Ohaukwu Council Area

of Ebonyi Sate, were arrested through intelligence information in connection with the bomb attack. They were said to have sent threat messages to the Nwodo’s mobile phone after the attack.

Danmallam said Ekene was arrested on June 6, at New Haven axis of Enugu, while Alagba was arrested on June 14, at Okokomaiko, Lagos.

The police commissioner also paraded a Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP)

Collins Ugwu, a serving Prison officer at the Headquarters of Nigerian Prison Service, Abuja, alongside with his gang members - one Ifeanyi Ozor and Osetu Smart for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery and stealing.

The Commissioner stated that DSP Ugwu was the leader of the gang that specialises on monitoring bank customers that make withdrawals and trail them to a point where they smartly force the door or smash the windscreen and steal the money.

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FG, MAN Ponder List of Goods for AfCFTA Tariff Concession Schedule Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has initiated a process with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) requesting for inputs for the draft list of tariff lines that would eventually be validated as a Draft Schedule for Tariff Concessions for trade in goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Nigerian Government refusal to endorse the AfCFTA draft agreement in March prompted the federal government to set up a presidential committee to hold consultations with key stakeholders.

The committee held consultative sectoral and industrial consultation in all the six geo-political zones with stakeholders, including 27 groups between March 15 and June 14, 2018, to address concerns on the effect the removal of 90 percent tariffs will have on the country’s economy.

A technical committee working with the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) is expected to submit to its recommendations to the federal government.

But a statement issued by NOTN headed by Chiedu Osakwe yesterday said negotiations office held two dedicated meetings with MAN on March 15 and April 27 respectively, and had requested for further inputs on May 11 by forwarding non-draft offer to the manufacturing association.

NOTN also said it circulated the same non-draft offer to the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on June 6 and June 26 respectively.

The Technical Working Group on Goods, chaired by NOTN, started the process of reviewing the non-draft offer on goods with the participation of MAN. This process is envisaged to continue for the next one month to be finalised, following a final review with the Tariff Technical Committee (TTC), with competent jurisdiction for Nigerian tariffs.

The federal government has also said the Rules of Origin on the AfCFTA protocol on trade in goods is a work in progress- over

GOVERNORS TO MEET SECURITY CHIEFS OVER HERDSMEN ATTACKS adding, “this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.”

He added that “a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create.”

Show Respect for the Dead, PDP Tells Buhari But the PDP described the statement credited to the presidency as a justification for its failure to stem the tide of killings and bloodletting in the country, particularly in the Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Taraba and other troubled states.

The party said it was reprehensible that the presidency in its usual arrogance and insensitivity to the mood of the nation chose to condemn it for declaring a seven-day mourning and flying its flags at half-mast in honour of the dead and solidarity with the bereaved.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said it was disturbing that even in death, the Buhari presidency still wanted to deny the victims of callous murder the honour of being mourned.

It said, “We are particularly appalled that instead of joining Nigerians in mourning the dead and seeking ways to stem the escalation of the bloodletting under its watch, the Buhari presidency is engaged in morbid reference to past killings as if the lives of Nigerians have no value under President Buhari’s watch.

“The PDP, as a party, will continue to identify with Nigerians at this troubled time irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations and will therefore not allow itself to be dragged into a needless mire with the Buhari presidency, which has shown by its statement, that it has no iota of regard for the lives of Nigerians.

“PDP urges the Buhari presidency to confront the challenge of fulfilling the basic responsibility of governance by providing security to the lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of their creed, tribe and political affiliations.

“Finally, the PDP assures Nigerians that we will not be deterred in speaking out against the killings and the failure of the Buhari administration to take con crete steps to stem this ugly tide.”

a 24-month period.

It said safeguard measures were also negotiated on ‘Trade Remedies

to the Protocol on Trade in Goods’.

These trade remedies encompassed Preferential Safeguard

Measures; Anti-Dumping; and, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

The annex will come into force with the coming into force of the AfCFTA.

GOOD TO SEE YOU

Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Sylvanus Nsofor (left), and Managing Director, Zenith Carex Intl. Limited, Mr. Olamilekan Adelana, at a Business-2-Business matchmaking meeting organised by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, held at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Washington DC, USA ...recently

Heritage Africa, Institute, UniAbuja Sign MoU on Programme Exchange Heritage Africa-China Research Institute, Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, China and the University of Abuja, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to exchange programmes on culture.

The Director, Heritage AfricaChina Research Institute, Mr. Moses Ayom, said the MoU would allow the institutions involved to collaborate in areas of interest that would benefit the three institutions.

Ayom, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said the MoU would allow the three institutions exchange programs in the next five years.

He said: “In order to encourage closer academic ties, after cordial consultations and negotiations between the Directors of the three parties, the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, University of Abuja and Heritage AfricaChina Research Institute, intend to establish programs of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest and benefit to the three institutions.

“The three parties shall actively

cooperate and pursue academic research in areas of interest and benefits to the various institutions.”

The Director, Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, Liu Hongwu expressed joy towards pioneering the programmes.

He said that the programmes would provide necessary preliminary platforms for development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“The purpose of coming to Nigeria for the conference is to develop a programme whereby scholars and experts from both countries can brainstorm ideas to promote peace and development in the country.

“There is a huge gap in the language difference between our two countries. This hinders both parties from being able to work together.

“This partnership will help to close that gap and allow for scholarly networking and interaction.”

He hammered on the importance

for Chinese and African scholars to share ideas and gain in-depth knowledge about one another’s cultural differences to foster peace

and economic growth.

He said that one of the key factors missing in most African countries is industrialisation.

Ezemonye is Igbinedion University New VC The Governing Council of Igbinedion University Okada, BeninCity in Edo State, has announced the appointment of Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, as its new Vice-Chancellor.

Ezemonye, a Professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics in the Department ofAnimal and Environmental Biology, was also a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) with over 30 years’ experience in research and teaching.

He is a visiting professor to Lancaster University, UK, a pioneer federal director of the National Centre for Energy and Environment of the Energy Commission of Nigeria; National President of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), a

distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Environmental Society (FNES), Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (FSESN), and Advisor, West African Society of Toxicology (WASOT), among others.

Ezemonye has established university research linkages in Africa, Asia, Canada, United Kingdom and USA and currently one of the Nigerian representatives on World Energy Council (WEC), UK study team on Energy Resources and Policy Assessment.

6 5 M Q U E ST I O N S F O R B A R U But as figures now show, it is even paying more now than the last government. And to rub salt into the wound, everything is done in secrecy. The methodology of payment is as opaque as the $25 billion contracts awarded

by Baru without the approval of the Board of the NNPC, or the benefit of transparency or due process. As for that scandal, the Senate pretended that it would probe how Baru came to award those contracts but quickly backed off after the probe committee chairman was invited to the Presidential Villa for a meeting with the president.

Baru also invited “members of the National Assembly” who were supposed to probe him to a “special dinner” at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. The dinner was interpreted by concerned Nigerians as a bribe to derail

the investigation. Well, if you ask me now, I would say, it worked because nothing has been heard about the investigation since then.

Now, let’s go back to the earlier referenced submission by Yari as it cannot be overemphasised.

It contains important information that was shockingly lost on many Nigerians. It should have outraged our collective anger against those who think we are fools. But it did not. Not even a whimper of protest from our so-called anti-corruption crusaders and self-appointed custodians of public morality. Let me repeat it here for those who tell us that this government is not corrupt. This was how he said it: “Many of our international partners are saying that even if we are feeding Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Niger, we cannot consume more than 35 million litres per day. So, we are wondering where the 60 million litres is coming from.”

Every sensible Nigerian should be asking this government where the 60-65 million litres Baru now claims as the new daily consumption is coming from. By Baru’s preposterous claim, we are losing about the same volume which Kachikwu insinuated in 2015 was rigged. How can that be? Is Baru telling us that the smuggling of petrol spiked to such unprecedented levels as to double the national daily consumption?

And is it not curious that this is happening at the same time the NNPC reintroduced the payment of subsidies? Interestingly, the NNPC accounts for more than 90 per cent of petrol imports consumed in the country.

Now, wait a moment, is Baru telling Nigerians that, the borders are more porous under this saintly, tough-talking government? Why is this purported rise in smuggling happening so close to the general election? Why is the government

raising its hands in surrender to the problem instead of tackling it head-on? There is this suspicion in some quarters that elements in the government are using this “massive spike” in consumption to amass slush funds for the 2019 elections, and that they are merely using the smuggling narrative to fool Nigerians. You see, Nigerians must hold Baru to account. If we keep quiet, this guy would get away with murder.

Now, can someone compare what was spent annually on subsidy payments under the “very corrupt” government of President Goodluck Jonathan, and what we are spending today on the same subsidy? The federal government recently stated that its annual expenditure on fuel subsidies had risen to over N1.4 trillion and rising. So what did the last government do wrong on this particular score?

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Ë&#x153; ͺΠË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

WORLD CUP 2018â&#x20AC;Ś

JUNE 14 TO JULY 15

Ezenwa Bags World Cup â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gloryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with Messiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jersey Kunle Adewale reporting from St. Petersburg, Courtesy StarTimes Super Eagles of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thirdchoice goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa who did not taste action in the three matches Nigeria played before elimination, all the same may have fulfilled part of his life time ambition. A sweat drained jersey of Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi to his sports library, if at all he has any.

According to English tabloid,

The Mail, moments after the match at Saint Petersburg on Tuesday night in Russia with all the Super Eagles players yet to come to terms with the elimination of the team with less than five minutes to full time, Ezenwa was able to shroud off the disappointment to seek for the legendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soaked shirt as a souvenir!

The paper stated that; â&#x20AC;&#x153;while there were no minutes for him to savour, Ezenwa did gain one valuable souvenir from his short time in Russia - Lionel

Messiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match shirt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the full-time whistle there was a complete contrast of emotions. As the Argentina stars celebrated wildly on the pitch the Nigeria players laid still on the floor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once the celebrations and commiserations were over, Ezenwa made his move, collaring Messi in the tunnel to ask for his shirt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 29-year-old, who has 24 caps to his name and plays his football for Enyimba International back in Nigeria,

appeared to have been the only player to ask Messi for his jersey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having not played, Ezenwa had nothing to offer in return but Messi was more than happy to oblige and handed his shirt over,â&#x20AC;? it reported yesterday.

The Argentina superstar scored a stunning goal against Nigeria to break the deadlock - and open his account for the tournament - before Marcos Rojo bagged a late winner to book their spot in the last-16 of the World Cup.

In the pre-tournament interview with Thisdaysports in March this year, the third choice goalkeeper did not hid his admiration for the talented goal poacher during the last World Cup trophy tour in Lagos.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a career achievement to be face to face with one of the legend of the game on world stage and If I were to be between the sticks in the final group match against Argentina, I want to assure our teeming fans that I

have the antinode to stop Messi in dead ball situations and to some extent other contending goal keepers can stop him as well,â&#x20AC;? he affirmed.

Super Eagles came within minutes of reaching the knockout phase after Victor Moses had cancelled out Messiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strike from the penalty spot but fell just short after Rojoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clinical finish in the box.

Argentina face a difficult challenge against tournament favourites France in the last-16 tomorrow at the Kazan Arena.

Colombian hopes had again been pinned on the shoulders of Rodriguez, who had spearheaded their run to the last quarterfinals four years ago.

Those hopes looked forlorn, however, within minutes of kickoff at the Samara Arena as the forward was hit with one heavy challenge, which clearly took its toll, and he was withdrawn after half an hour having spent much of the intervening period ambling around the pitch.

His exit did little, however,

to revive the sluggish South Americans, who had been second best in almost every department.

Chances throughout the game were thin on the ground, with Colombia striker Radamel Falcao heading off target in the 25th minute and again in the second half, while substitute Luis Muriel had an effort blocked.

Yet Mina ensured Colombia were not made to pay when he headed home in the 74th minute.

Last African Standing, Senegal, Bows Out of Russia 2018

Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last hope at the 2018 World Cup here in Russia, Senegal, yesterday failed to qualify for the knock out phase after 0-1 defeat by South American representative, Colombia, at the Samara Arena. Colombia finished as Group H winners on six points with Japan the runner up.

Other African representatives including, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco had earlier all exited the tournament at this early stage.

The loss capped Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor outing at Russia 2018, It was the first time since 1982 edition in Spain that no African team qualified from the group stage.

Interestingly, only Senegal (2002), Cameroon (1990), and

Ghana (2010) have managed to progress up to the quarter-final phase of the global football showpiece held every four years.

But on Thursday night, the Teranga Lions whom tied on four points with Japan were edged out via the Fair Play rule for breaking of ties.

While the Blue Samurai have four caution cards, the Senegalese were booked six times at the group stage.

Senegal had only needed a point in their final Group H game to reach the next round.

FC Barcelona player, Yerry Mina, scored his second goal of Russia 2018 to see Colombia through to the Last 16.

In the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other match, Poland edged Japan 1-0 yet the Blue Samurai were lucky becoming the first team in

history to advance to the World Cup knockout stage on the fair play rule.

The game was played evenly throughout, with few significant goal-scoring chances of note. The decisive moment came when Los Cafeterosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; towering centre-back Mina leapt high above his markers to head in the winning goal in the second half.

It was a crushing blow to the Senegalese who had been the better side for most of the game and had a penalty award overturned in the first half after a VAR review.

They had looked set to take the lead in the 17th minute when Liverpool forward Sadio Mane went down in the area under a challenge from Davinson Sanchez and referee Milorad Mazic pointed

to the spot.

The VAR system has not been universally acclaimed at this tournament, but television replays appeared to show Sanchez get his heel on the ball, before clattering into Mane, and after reviewing his original decision, Mazic agreed.

Colombia had got off to a poor start and suffered a blow early on when playmaker and talisman James Rodriguez was forced off injured.

After his display in their last match against Poland,

International Breweries Boosts Lagos World Cup Viewing Centres

Super Eagles third-choice goal keeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, pictured collecting Lionel Messiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jersey on the way to the dressing room after the 1-2 defeat by Argentina on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg

Rohr Marks 65th Birthday in Russia The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday congratulated Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, who clocked 65 years yesterday.

The gaffer born on June 28 1953 in Mannheim Germany was hosted to a reception by staff of Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team base hotel

in Essentuki yesterday.

The birthday is coming a day after his wards left the World Cup for their respective bases in Europe after Nigeria lost to Argentina in St Petersburg.

The former OGC Nice of France coach was appointed to lead Eagles in November

2016 and steered the team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with a game to spare.

Rohrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract was extended by the NFF till 2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy birthday to @ NGSuperEagles Coach Gernot Rohr. The staff at the Essentuki Team Base Camp offered him a

cake and bouquet of flowers to celebrate his day,â&#x20AC;? the Nigerian Football Federation tweeted, with a picture of a celebrating Rohr surrounded by staff of the base camp.

Rohr has been in charge of the Super Eagles for 20 games, winning nine, losing six and drawing five.

International Breweries Plc has joined Lagos State Government to bring live football matches of the ongoing Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals to Lagos fans.

International Breweries is sponsoring all the Viewing centers established by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Lagos State Sports Commission.

These viewing centers, which were adequately secured and insured are located at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island; Abesan playground, Alimosho; Naval Yard Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey Youth Centre, Mushin and Epe Recreation Centre. He also maded approval for additional two viewing centres at Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu and Badagry Grammar School, Badagry.

During a meeting with the management team of the Sports Commission led by the Director General, Babatunde BankAnthony at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Wednesday, Mr. Arne Rust, Marketing Director, International Breweries, Nigeria and Ghana, makers of Trophy Lager Beer and Budweiser, said

that â&#x20AC;&#x153;our dream in Africa is to bring people together for a better world and I think that is what Lagos State Sports Commission is doing with these World Cup Viewing centers where people from different backgrounds will come together to watch live matches of the World Cup and equally have fun and enjoy themselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At International Breweries, we play high premium on the welfare of the communities where we operate and we are always out to identify with coexistence of the people to make them happy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea of the World Cup Viewing centers fit in very well with our dream for the people. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad to say that the enthusiasm among Nigeria at these centres is electrifying as people have a lot of fun.

And as a growing company with our brands, Trophy, Hero and Budweiser, we are equally making the people to enjoy themselves.â&#x20AC;?

He said fans that come to the Viewing Centres will have the opportunity to go home with a lot of imported souvenirs of their products.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

63

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018…

England to Face Colombia after Loss to Belgium England will face Colombia in the World Cup last 16 after a defeat by Belgium meant they finished second in Group H. Adnan Januzaj scored the winner with a brilliantly curled effort in the second half, with both sides fielding much-changed XIs from their previous games.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek miscued a free header for England and Marcus Rashford had a shot tipped wide by Belgium

goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Belgium finished top and will face Japan in the knockout stage.

Red Devils boss Roberto Martinez had said before the game “the priority was not to win” but his team carved out the better chances.

Youri Tielemans tested Jordan Pickford with a dipping drive from long range and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi had a close-range

effort cleared off the line by Gary Cahill.

Manchester United forward Rashford, one of the players to come on for England, missed a number of good chances, striking a free-kick over and curling wide in the second period.

England play Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday in Moscow, while Belgium face Japan in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

SECOND ROUND FIXTURES Saturday June 30th France Vs Argentina 3pm Uruguay Vs Portugal 7pm Sunday July 1st Spain Vs Russia 3pm Croatia Vs Denmark 7pm Monday July2nd Brazil Vs Mexico 3pm Belgium Vs Japan 7pm Tuesday July 3rd Sweden Vs Switzerland 3pm Colombia Vs England 7pm

Russian President, Vladimir Putin (centre), flanked by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and football legends including Iker Casillas, Lothar Matthäus, Ronaldo, Carles Puyol, Russian legends, Alexey Smertin, Dmitry Bulykin and youths from a local team at the Red Square in Moscow...yesterday FIFA

Football on Red Square with Legends, Infantino, Putin Young Russian footballers taking part in an exhibition match at Moscow’s Football Park on Red Square Thursday had the chance to show-off their skills in front of FIFA Legends as well as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Iker Casillas, Lothar Matthäus, Ronaldo and Carles Puyol starred for the FIFA Legends and they were joined by Russian legends Alexey Smertin and Dmitry Bulykin. The local youth were selected from FC Totem whose players are alumni of the Children’s Home No. 1 in the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk. The club was founded by LOC CEO, Aleksey Sorokin, who was

also in attendance along with LOC Chairman, Arkady Dvorkovich.

The two Presidents kicked off the match, having earlier taken a tour of the Football Park, which features a number of highlights including the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy on

display in the pavilion.

“This is the heart of Russia and for these months it is the heart of the world and the world of football,” said the FIFA President.

“The whole world is watching and seeing Russia and what a fantastic party and celebration we’re

having here. It has been an unbelievable celebration, with great matches and perfect organisation in a hospitable country. You walk around the cities and you can see men, women, boys and girls with shirts from different countries celebrating together. That’s football.”

The match was officiated by professional Russian referee Mikhail Vilkov.

Russia 2018 Mascot Zabivaka was on hand to help entertain the 200 or so spectators.

The players had the chance to take photos with the high-profile guests while also trying to shoot past the fastest goalie in the world - Robokeeper!

Matic: We’ve Put Serbia Back on the Football Map Serbia is heading home after the group phase of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, but they leave with their heads held high after producing moments of attacking quality and their patented fighting spirit.

“This is one of those moments when we don’t feel disappointment – we feel pride that we represented our country, that we gave our maximum,” said Nemanja Matic, one of Serbia’s leaders on and off the pitch. “We can all look at each other straight in the eyes and agree that we gave it our all.

“It was definitely not perfect, but we have put Serbia back on the football map with our presence and our performances.”

Serbian fans had dared to dream of a victory over Brazil that would have sent them into the Round of 16, but despite a courageous display in which they appeared to have their opponents rattled on occasions, the five-time world champions

controlled the majority of the match and won 2-0.

“This is the kind of defeat that isn’t painful,” said Matic.

“We are sad, of course, to be going out, but I hope that, while we might not have made the nation happy, we haven’t disappointed them.

“We fought for 90 minutes for one another against such a strong team, who know exactly what they need to do in every moment, and that has world-class players. The world is talking about Serbia in football terms again, and what we have to do is focus on what’s ahead.”

What looks to be ahead is a bright future for Serbia, who, despite having a number of experienced defenders in their ranks – including Aleksandar Kolarov (32), Dusko Tosic (33), Branislav Ivanovic and Antonio Rukavina (both 34) – had the fifth-youngest squad of the World Cup.

Imeh Out, Babalola, Adegoke Hit Semis of CBN Tennis One of the top seeds at the reach the crucial stage of the ongoing 40th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship,Joseph Imeh failed in his bid to win the competition following the failure to go past another touch player, Spain based Sylvester Emmanuel in one of the quarter final matches decided yesterday.

Imeh was beaten in two straight set of 6-2, 6-2. In some of the other matches decided last night, Clifford Enosoregbe outclassed Emmanuel Paul 6-1, 6-4 to book his semi-final ticket just as tournament number eight seed, Uche Oparaoji who was one game down in his quarter-final match against Albert Bikom before bouncing back to win the game 2-1 3-6, 7-6 7-5.

The defending champion and tournament and number two seed, Abdulmumuni Babalola

competition with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over hard fighting Michael Michael.

This afternoon, Sylvester Emmanuel will take on Clifford Enosoregbe in the first semifinals while Babalola battles Uche Oparaoji in the second semi-finals.

In the women section, the defending champion, Sarah Adegoke who had a 6-2, 6-2 quarter-final win over Rose Abu will be up against Patience Oneamhoin in the today’s first semi-final while Christy Agugbom and Blessing Samuel will play in the other semi final match.

The week-long championship which had over N11.3 million as prize money had over 300 players from all states of the federation in attendance and it will end tomorrow at the Abuja National Stadium.

DURO’S RUSSIAN NOTES… NFF ELECTIONS RELOADED I did promise during the week to speak about events off the field here in Russia. The delay in coming was partly because the topic was overtaken by Nigeria’s defeat in the hands of perennial conquerors-Argentina.

The inability of Super Eagles to survive ‘ordinary last five minutes’ in the clash with the Albiceleste in St Petersburg Stadium, expectedly, created so much fury and vibes here and elsewhere. And so, my promise of ‘blasting’ extra curricular activities around the Nigerian camp, had to be put on hold. But now that the coast is clear, here is the gist.

Over the years, Nigerians are known around the world to be big spenders in taking good care of themselves. Those with deep pockets don’t make pretence when it comes to pampering.

But the trip to Russia this summer, appears, a different ball game.

Some of the NPFL club administrators and FA chairmen who were part of the stakeholders in town for the Mundial, could not reenact the usual boisterous atmosphere associated with this group of Nigerians. Reason was that there was no free money to throw around. Was it because of the exchange rates back home or the inability of the NFF to do the usual ‘Father Christmas Summer Bazaar’ every four years? Now, daggers are out, with these stakeholders, waiting for the NFF elections to hold in Katsina in September. What happens between now and in the next three months when the congress will take place will decide whether Amaju Melvin Pinnick will end the jinx of no NFF president doing a second term in office. The World Cup year which is also

an elective congress one, apart from being a distraction for the Super Eagles, has become the place where battle for the coveted office usually start in the host country of the Mundial.

Russia has not proved otherwise in this sad commentary on the administration of football in Nigeria.

BODY NO BI WOOD AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA Body no bi wood is a popular jingo in the country. It is a term used mostly on the street in reference to promiscuous activities of men (or women?) on short trips outside their homes. Lascivious men have been on raunchy escapades around town here despite initial warnings to Russian women not to get pregnant for foreigners.

A Nigerian who has been resident in St

Petersburg for a couple of years has been smiling to the bank counting the cool cash he is making pimping for some of the randy visitors from Naija here for the Mundial.

One middle age Nigerian was heard haggling price with the guy in one of the hotels most stakeholders of the Nigerian football congress were quartered. The guy stuck to his $200 (about N72,000) asking price for the two hour service to be provided by these young ladies from parts of eastern Europe. Those who could not afford to satisfy their lustful quests at that price, make do with going to strip clubs for a fee of 500 Russian roubles (about N3,000).

One Nigerian topflight club secretary was often seen enjoying his drinks in the midst of these girls in one of the strip clubs not far from Corinthians Hotel where Eagles stayed for the clash with Argentina in St Petersburg.

Friday, June 29, 2018

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Price: N250

MISSILE PDP to APC Governors

“It is unimaginable that while Nigerians are suffering untold economic hardship, including unpaid salaries, governor elected on the platform of the APC diverted N150 million each, amounting to a humongous N3.6billion to fund their wasteful national conventional in Abuja” – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence probe into allegation that the 24 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) diverted N150 million each, amounting to N3.6billion from their state coffers to fund the party’s national convention.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

65m Questions for Baru

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked up a storm about transparency and accountability during the electioneering and immediately President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated. Indeed, the government tagged nearly everyone who had held office in the last administration corrupt. It was the selling narrative and I must confess, it was appealing and convenient to the charge. With a believing public (or should I say a gullible public), it was easily a home run. It’s been three years since this government took over the reins of power, yet corruption has become even more pervasive despite all the noise of purportedly fighting the hydra-head monster, at least going by the Transparency International and US Country reports released recently.

While this government pretends that things have improved on all fronts, the evidence points to the contrary. I can clearly see that those who are basking in the sunshine of recovering looted funds and naming and shaming the looters will be called to account after this government leaves power. Too much sleaze is going on now not to warrant any inquisition. We may have to contend with the APC loot in the not-too-distant future just as we are contending with PDP’s today. I can see this clearly going by the level of impunity and the large-scale mismanagement of public resources going on today. All those who are hounding people into prison would themselves be escorted to jail in cold metal cuffs. Even those parading the landscape as political godfathers may end up as guests of federal penitentiaries.

Only recently, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of subsidy malfeasance and rejected the corporation’s outlandish claim of 60-65 million litres national daily consumption of petrol. The NNPC had blamed the “porous” borders for the humongous volume it claimed was being smuggled out of the country.

Interestingly, Yari made the accusation after a meeting of the NGF with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House. Osinbajo you would recall has been all over town talking about corruption and the looting of the national treasury by the last government.

I don’t know if Yari complained to him about his observation. If not, I suspect he must have seen Yari’s statement in the media. If he didn’t, then, I am drawing his attention to it. A man like him who professes to be fighting corruption cannot ignore the gravity of Yari’s complaint.

Billions of dollars is being stolen daily right under Buhari/Osinbajo’s noses.

If they were genuine about their crusade of sanitising the system, or reforming it to avoid a repeat of what they condemned in the previous government, then they would have given attention to this even more, than what happened under Jonathan. I can assure Osinbajo that he would not have peaceful sleep until the EFCC probes this massive loss of public revenue. We cannot close our eyes to the massive looting going on now disguised as smuggling.

This government promised us reforms, especially in the NNPC and embarked on what has turned out to be a whitewash. Yari’s recent expose of the massive discrepancies in NNPC’s claim has further reinforced our belief that the more this government shouts about change, the more things stay the same, or even get

Baru worse. According to Yari, “When there was no cost recovery, the NNPC clearly gave us the number of 33 and 35 million litres per day as the consumption of Nigeria. But now, with the new regime of cost recovery, NNPC is claiming a daily consumption of 60 and 65 million litres per day, which we rejected and said no. So many of our international partners are saying that even if we are feeding Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Niger, we cannot consume more than 35 million litres per day. So, we are wondering where the 60 million litres is coming from. We are trying to sort that one out, that one is not yet resolved.”

Therefrom, please try to compute what is being stolen on a daily basis under Baru in the name of smuggling. The figures are staggering.

I recall that in 2015, the then Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu at a media parley with some senior journalists at George Hotel, Ikoyi disputed the 35 million litres daily consumption inherited from the last government, saying that their investigation found the daily consumption figure was far less. He urged the gathering to query where the excess was going to and who the beneficiaries were. Three years after, the 30-35 million figures Kachikwu disputed (he put the realistic national consumption figure at 23-25 million litres at the time) have suddenly jumped to 60-65 million daily under his successor Dr. Maikanti Baru.

How can that be?

Let us look at it more closely to understand the scale of what is going on: Under Jonathan, Nigeria’s daily consumption was said to be in the region of 30-35 million litres, Nigeria’s economy was among the three fastest-growing economies in the world, third to be precise.

The economy grew at an impressive rate of about 7.5 per cent per annum. In contrast, the Nigerian economy grew at 1.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. The question we should all ask Baru is how come Nigeria’s daily consumption has jumped to 60-65 million litres when the purchasing power of the average Nigerian is at an all-time low, due to the prevailing economic situation? Does this make sense?

What are the factors driving such an extraordinary increase in consumption in an economy that only recently emerged from recession? Well, Baru blamed it all on smuggling. How strange, when Buhari only recently commended the comptroller general of customs, Hameed Ali, for doing a fantastic job of reducing the incidence of smuggling through the borders? Please note that the government did not credit the staggering increase on widespread “economic prosperity” as a

result of its economic policies. Instead, it is blamed on smuggling. Is it not curious that despite the humongous volume of petrol that is purportedly smuggled out of the country daily, no one has been arrested by the customs or DSS? If no one has been arrested, is it not safe to say that there is widespread complicity going all the way to the very top? At least this was the logic given by Adams Oshiomhole in his heyday as a labour leader.

Let me further state here that the sizes of the economies of our neighbouring countries make it abundantly improbable for them to absorb such huge volumes of smuggled fuel.

Even more preposterous and vexatious is that their purchasing power and their combined populations of just a little over 100 million make the argument more unlikely. How come these countries, besides their individual official fuel imports arrangements, are still able to absorb 30-35 million litres of fuel smuggled from Nigeria everyday?

Baru’s justification for such staggering volume losses – that the petrol price differentials between Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the West African region makes it attractive for smugglers to use the frontier filling stations to siphon petroleum products across the borders – is therefore hollow, pathetic, pitiful and fails spectacularly to make logical economic sense,

because those filing stations have always been there. The implication of that massive increase in “smuggling” through our land borders is that Nigeria is losing hundreds of millions of dollars daily.

In March, Baru, told a bewildered nation that he had spent an alarming $5.8 billion importing petrol in just two months. Baru’s out-of-control spending binge is frightening. Going by that figure, Baru would spend about $34.8 billion per annum on fuel imports. Is that not crazy?

Which nation can survive this way? Yet, Baru is accountable to no one.

Particularly instructive, going by Yari’s statement, is that this massive increase in daily consumption started when the NNPC reintroduced the payment of subsidies under the new banner name called “under-recoveries”. The name change from subsidy to under-recovery was actually designed to hide the fact that the APC-led government, which was the arrowhead of the vociferous attacks that trailed subsidy payments under the last government, has itself been caught in the same mess. So, the use of the phrase “under-recovery” or whatever is simply meant to fool the public that it is not in the subsidy racket!

Continued on page 60

Nigeria’s Dark Age

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igerians again, woke up last Sunday to the despicable killing of over 200 people in Plateau State. The latest killing spree was a throw back to my consistent warnings that President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaction on herdsmen killings poses a clear and continuing danger to Nigeria, but some people don’t want to listen. Tinubu and co. are riding on a train in joyous rhythm with Buhari all for selfish reasons. In the fullness of time, they would regret their betrayal of Nigeria. They are blind to the carnage going on in the country.

Please make no mistake, the menace of killer herdsmen in the country is largely fuelled by Buhari’s reluctance or refusal to act decisively against the marauding killers. His heart and soul supports the activities of herdsmen. He initially denied that the killings were being carried out

by Fulani herdsmen; instead, he alleged that the killings were done by marauders from Mali that cross our porous borders to perpetuate the heinous crimes and disappear.

He later changed the story blaming the atrocities on militias trained by the late Muammar Gaddafi of Libya; his top officials have been doing the same. Warning state governments to suspend anti-open grazing laws for peace to return. The president’s reaction to the killing of over 200 people in Plateau State leaves no one in doubt that Buhari is living in an alternate universe.

While he blamed politicians for taking advantage of the killings, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, North Central Zone, Danladi Ciroma admitted that Fulani herdsmen or cattle rearers carried out the killings as revenge for the stealing or killing of 300 cows. By this admission, it was clear without a shadow of a doubt that the attacks on Plateau villages were premeditated, organised killings by a set of people protected and pampered by the government.

To make matters worse, Adams Oshiomhole, the

freshly-minted chairman of the All Progressives Congress showed that he was in a hurry to do battle with those opposed to Buhari’s second term quest. Recently, he has gone back to his trademark khakis to go on the offensive. He wanted to prove that he was the right man for the job Buhari just gave him and was desperate to please Mr. President. Fresh from being sworn in, he delved headlong into politics by making false statements about the $16 billion allegedly spent on the power sector by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the state of the economy, in the hope that he could push back against Buhari’s most formidable opponent. He asked Buhari to order Obasanjo to return the $16 billion to the federal government.

Again, his claim that the country has made progress under Buhari flies in the face of the facts on the ground as corroborated by the Washington-based Brookings Institution - that Nigeria has overtaken India as the country with the largest number of extreme poor as of 2018.

So which progress is Oshiomhole talking about?

People are being killed like flies everyday by above-the-law herdsmen, families have turned to begging to survive, Nigeria now has one of the largest refugee crisis in the world during peace time. Which progress is Oshiomhole referring to?

One would have thought that Oshiomhole would postpone politics for just one second in honour of the victims of the Plateau massacre.

Nearly 200 people were massacred by Fulani herdsmen with Miyetti Allah telling the whole world that it was a reprisal for the theft of their cows. Oshiomhole was not outraged by such callous vandalism of human lives. He was not outraged by what clearly was a crime against humanity. But why should he? He is now the chairman of a party that places a higher premium on the lives of cows than the lives of humans.

May God help us through this dark age.

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