FRIDAY 20TH JULY 2018

Power Supply Remains Low at 3,838MW as Fashola, Discos Bicker Chineme Okafor in Abuja As the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) continue to trade blame over poor service delivery, the total volume of electricity available

for distribution to the country has remained at a low level of 3,838 megawatts (MW), THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY gathered yesterday from the webpage of the Advisory Power Team in the office of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo that the volume

of power available to the Discos was 3,838MW, while about 2,990MW could not be generated or constrained on account of inadequate gas supply, poor distribution facilities, limitations from the transmission network and water management constraints.

The generation figures indicated that between July 12 and 18, when blame game between Fashola and the Discos became intensified, the country had 3,888MW; 3,802MW; 3,659MW; 3,759MW; 3520MW; 3600MW; and 3,838MW. According to the date,

the power sector failed to generate 3,764MW; 3,763MW; 3,974MW; 3,766MW; 3,509MW; 3,632MW and 2,990MW respectively within the seven-day period.

The total amount of money the sector lost on account of this was also put at N12.171 billion.

The website said, “On July 16 2018, average power sent out was 3,520MWh/hour (down by 238.88MWh/h from the previous day). 1,392MW was not generated due to unavailability of gas. 34.2MW was not generated due to Continued on page 8

Trouble for National Carrier as House Mulls Probe of Concession Deal‌ Page 8 Friday 20 July, 2018 Vol 23. No 8492. Price: N250

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Senate in Rowdy Session over Fresh Presidential Appointments‌ Page 16

Don’t Defect, Buhari Urges Saraki You can't go back to PDP, Oshiomhole tells Ortom Benue gov accuses Akume of fuelling crisis Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, James Emejo in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday made deft moves to avert an impending exodus of its bigwigs to the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The peace initiative,

THISDAY gathered, was being spearheaded by President Muhammadu Buhari, who yesterday met with Senate President Bukola Saraki, believed to be the arrowhead of the impending mass movement, and appealed to him to stay back in the party.

Continued on page 8

Secondus: PDP Considering Participation in 2019 Election Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Following irregularities it observed during the governorship election held last Saturday in Ekiti State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that it was considering whether to participate in the 2019 general election.

The party’s candidate, Prof.

Kolapo Olusola, was defeated by the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

But the PDP rejected

the results of the election, calling its outcome a day light robbery.

Receiving a Joint International Election Observation Mission fielded by two main American international civil agencies, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) yesterday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said the Ekiti Continued on page 10

Lagos Seeks Buhari’s Intervention LET THERE BE PEACE ‌ to End Apapa Gridlock‌ Page 10 L-R: Senate President Bukola Saraki, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during Saraki’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja‌ yesterday

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Trouble for National Carrier as House Mulls Probe of Concession Deal Investigates licensing rounds for marginal oilfields James Emejo in Abuja There are indications that the House of Representatives is determined to investigate the concession agreement on the new National Carrier, Nigeria Air. The indication emerged after a motion on the subject surfaced on the agenda of the green chamber yesterday, as item number five.

This is coming as the House also passed a motion mandating its ad-hoc committee investigating the huge debts owed by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to indigenous contractors, to extend its investigative functions to marginal oilfields licence acquisitions.

The committee will also evaluate the financial proceeds from successful bids and remittance and non-remittance of revenues by the licensed operators into the Federation Account.

The motion to probe the National Carrier, sponsored

by Hon. Dennis Agbo had demanded the setting up of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the process of concession of the national carrier and ensure the selection of a credible core investor with a view to avoiding any failure, losses or embarrassment to the country.

Agbo had taken into cognisance, the recent attempt to revive the national carrier by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who had obtained a conditional Certificate of Compliance, along with the Outline Business Case (OBC) from the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

He expressed worry that as a result of alleged questionable manner the process was carried out, the arrangement might fail again and bring the

country avoidable losses and embarrassment.

He said while ICRC, in the conditional certificate, stated that the process should be at zero investment and management interference by the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Transport had already indicated an initial requirement of $8.8 million and another $300 million for purchase of aircraft

by December 2018.

According to him, these funds were not in the 2018 budget.

He added that the federal government had equally gone ahead to organise a road-show scheduled for yesterday in London.

The motion further raised concern that the ministry had proceeded with the process in such a curious, hastened and in complete disregard of the pre-conditions in the OBC by ICRC, which is charged with

ensuring integrity and favourable outcome of any concession of national assets.

However, the motion was stepped down and deferred to a future date because Agbo was not in the chamber when it was mentioned for consideration

by House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

governor publicly appealed to Ortom not to return to the PDP. THISDAY gathered that Saraki’s meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday was set up by APC governors, including Alhaji Aminu Masari, (Katsina State), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and Senator Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi State) who after initial discussions with the Senate president at his Abuja residence on Wednesday night, prevailed on the president to meet with him and persuade him not to

defect from the party.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, too, THISDAY learnt, spent much of Monday at Saraki’s house trying to straighten things out.

Oshiomhole’s effort, was said to have been followed up in Ilorin on Wednesday by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Niyi Adebayo, who led a delegation on a fence mending mission.

Masari, Amosun and Bagudu were said to have advised Buhari to meet with Saraki and the Speaker of the House of

House to Investigate Marginal Fields Licensing Rounds Meanwhile, the House yesterday passed a motion mandating its ad-hoc committee investigating the huge debts owed by the IOCs to the indigenous contractors to extend its investigative functions to the processes of marginal oilfields’ licence acquisition.

The committee is also expected to evaluate the financial proceeds from the successful bids,

remittance and non-remittance of revenues by the marginal fields’ operators into the Federation Accounts.

The lawmakers will also query the strategic alliance agreements between IOCs, investors and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in the operations of the oilfields.

The resolution of the lower chamber followed a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance by Hon. Diri Douye (PDP, Bayelsa) on the urgent need to launch investigation into the oil and gas fields from 2001 to 2017.

He expressed concern that more than a decade after award of the first marginal fields' Oil Mining Leases (OMLs), the combined production volume of the marginal field operators (MFOs) are yet to make any

significant impact in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and currently accounting for less than four per cent of the country's crude oil output, according to the NNPC. He further noted that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had in 2014 indicated that the marginal oil field licences awarded to the indigenous companies in 2003, but were yet to be developed by their owners would be revoked in March 2015.

He said one year after, the DPR was yet to carry out the planned revocation of the licences.

Among other things, Douye said the precarious situation had resulted in huge revenue losses to the Federation Accounts from the lease holders' royalties, taxes and other financial proceeds accruable from the operations of the marginal oil fields.

Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to persuade them to reconsider their decision to move out of the APC as this could adversely affect the fortune of the party in 2019.

The president, THISDAY learnt, agreed with the governors and met with Saraki yesterday even as he is expected to meet with Dogara around the weekend.

Although there was no statement after the presidential fence-mending, it was learnt that there was no concrete resolution as both leaders left the meeting with all options left open.

Meanwhile, Oshiomhole vowed yesterday that the party would not allow Ortom to defect to the PDP. He said the national leadership of APC would do anything possible to ensure that peace returned to the Benue State chapter and that Ortom remained in the party.

Oshiomhole who spoke to journalists at the party's national secretariat in Abuja after meeting with Ortom, described the governor as a man of honour that could afford to eat his vomit.

He said, "In Benue, we are going for a Win-Win solution. Governor Ortom is not going anywhere, he is a very prominent member of our party, we appreciate his leadership in Benue and we will do everything possible to help those who have issues to have those issues resolved.

"People like Ortom who have honour cannot leave PDP just three and a half years ago with his eyes open and then later there are some tensions in his master bedroom and is thinking of returning to deceiving people. That cannot be an option.

"He is a man of honour and he knows that one should look for one step if you want to take the second step to concentrate the first step, that’s the way to go.”

He said the problem between the governor and his erstwhile godfather, Senator George Akume, would be resolved.

However, Ortom told journalists that the issues were yet to be resolved.

He accused Akume of trying to push him out of the APC. He said, “I was given red card by Senator Akume, who is the leader of the captives in Benue State and I took it as I was serious enough to make myself available.

"But the leadership of the party told me that the decision of the party leadership at the national level is superior to any individual and I think that is good enough.

"We have spoken to him, he has spoken to me, stakeholders are going to be spoken to and that is where I belong. We have not concluded the matter, it is an ongoing process because I have always stood for peace and I always want peace to prevail."

operations of the country’s electricity sector, than it had helped it.

They argued that no amount of government’s order would stop the sector from imminent collapse.

The power distributors also accused the government of being economical with the truth on its claims of improvement in power generation in the country.

According to them, generation capacity as at January 2015 was at 6,421MW and not 4,000MW as often claimed by the government.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN WEMABANK 0.06 0.68 OANDO 0.45 5.20 LINKAGEASSURE 0.06 0.79 NIGERINSURE 0.02 0.27 DANGSUGAR 1.20 19.50 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN WEMABANK 0.06 0.68 OANDO 0.45 5.20 LINKAGEASSURE 0.06 0.79 NIGERINSURE 0.02 0.27 DANGSUGAR 1.20 19.50 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,442.30 Volume: 296.591 million shares Value: N4.862 billion Deals: 3,684 As at 19/7/18 See details on Page 43

D O N’T D EFECT, BUHAR I URGES SA R AKI Saraki and other aggrieved top members of the APC, massed in the reformed All Progressives Congress (rAPC), including Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) had met with the leaders of the PDP on Wednesday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State to consider the absorption of the rAPC. THISDAY had reported yesterday that although the PDP leaders, including Governor Nyesom Wike and the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche

Secondus, had gone to Ilorin ostensibly to commiserate with Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, a rAPC chieftain, over the death of his mother, a meeting to discuss their possible crossover to the PDP actually held.

Buhari’s meeting with Saraki, the outcome of which was not made public, held simultaneously with another, between Ortom, who had indicated on Tuesday that he had technically left the APC, and the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.

The former Edo State

ELDERS’ FORUM… L-R: Northern Elders Forum’s Prof. Ango Abdullahi; President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; South-south leader, Chief Edwin Clark; and Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, during a summit of elders of Nigeria in Abuja… Wednesday

P O WER S UPPLY REMAIN S LOW AT 3 ,83 8M W AS FASH OL A, D I SC OS B I C K ER unavailability of transmission infrastructure, while 1,763.2MW was not generated due to high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure. 320MW was recorded as losses due to water management.

“The power sector lost an estimated N1,685,000,000 on July 16, 2018 due to insufficient gas supply, distribution infrastructure and transmission infrastructure.”

It added, “On July 15, 2018, average power sent out was 3,759MWh/hour (up by 99.99MWh/h from

the previous day). 1,996.6MW was not generated due to unavailability of gas. 33MW was not generated due to unavailability of transmission infrastructure, while 1,416.5MW was not generated due to high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure. 320MW was recorded as losses due to water management.

The date also showed that the power sector lost an estimated N1,808,000,000 on July 15, 2018 due to insufficient gas supply, distribution infrastructure and transmission

infrastructure.

Fashola and the Discos have recently been at each other’s throats, with the minister asking the Discos to boost their service levels or quit the sector.

The minister had also said among other things, that the Discos did not have exclusive distribution licences in their various networks, which implied that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) could further break their networks into new distribution franchises, especially in areas yet to be

adequately served.

He had also tasked the NERC to step up its regulation of the sector and discipline any of the Discos that fails in its responsibilities as regards metering and network improvements.

But the Discos promptly took a swipe at the federal government for asking them to either upgrade their efficiency levels in the market or quit the stage.

They equally faulted the government’s order to the NERC, claiming it has largely created more confusion in the

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Lagos Seeks Buhari’s Intervention to End Apapa Gridlock Sets up joint operation to restore order in Apapa Asks FG to defer closure of Third Mainland Bridge Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government yesterday lamented the intractable traffic congestion, which had crippled commercial activities in Apapa and other parts of the state and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to save the situation.

The state government also set up a joint operation involving security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector to remove all trucks and tankers parked along the OshodiApapa expressway with immediate effect.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, in a statement in Lagos, said the state government, at a meeting with stakeholders, blamed the renewed congestion on the recalcitrance of owners and drivers of articulated vehicles to fully comply with the subsisting directive that restricts their movement within the state.

He also attributed the worsened traffic congestion to the ongoing industrial action by a section of workers at the Apapa ports, which had slowed down the pace of goods clearance, as well as the slow pace of repair works on the roads leading to the ports, most of which are federal roads.

He lamented that the federal government had not done enough to enforce order in Apapa and its environs, a situation the state government said culminated in the return of traffic congestion that paralysed the entire areas.

He said, “If the power of the state is inadequate to force these powerful merchants to obey the law, shall we also say that the federal government with all the forces at its command is unable to protect residents of Lagos against this common threat?”

He noted that while the president had assured the state that the federal government would tackle Apapa’s gridlock decisively, the latest hardship made the much needed intervention extremely imperative.

Bamigbetan, therefore, asked the federal government “to reschedule the proposed closure dates for the Third Mainland Bridge to a later date to avoid compounding the traffic congestion in Apapa.”

He explained that Ikorodu road and adjoining roads would not be adequate to cope if Third Mainland Bridge was shut for repairs at a time that Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and others leading in and out of the ports

NEWS Senate in Rowdy Session over

Fresh Presidential Appointments Forover30minutesyesterday, theSenateplenarywasheldamid rowdinessoverallegationsof lopsidednessintheappointments intofederalboardsmadeagainst PresidentBuhari…

Page 16

EDITORIAL Of Governors And State Police

Amid a growing endorsement of decentralising policing in Nige- ria so that each of the 36 states can establish its own, there are concerns that in a situation where many of them cannot pay salaries…

Page 15

POLITICS Saved from Political Vultures

With his recent acquittal from allegations of false asset declaration by the Supreme Court, Senate President Bukola Saraki has proven his better understanding of the nation’s politics than his political foes.

Page 17

WEEKENDFILE BidemiOlaoba:

h IDreamofSharingtheStage with Don Moen Someday Energetic,playful,humble,funny, andfrank.Heisarmedwithastrong g vocalprowesscapableofgetting theaudienceontheirfeetforhourss non-stop.BidemiOlaobaneeds nointroductionwithinNigeria’s contemporarygospelcircle.

Page 27

Buhari

were experiencing an unusual, albeit, temporary traffic snarl.

Bamigbetan said, “It is indeed pathetic that private firms seeking to make profit from legitimate commerce will continue to subject the citizens of Lagos State to horrendous pains in spite of the provision of holding bays for their trucks and tankers until it is their turn to pick goods at the ports.”

At a meeting with maritime stakeholders yesterday, held at the state police command, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, explained the decision to set up the operation, which according to him, became imperative because of the need to restore sanity and prevent complete breakdown of law and order in Apapa.

The meeting was attended by the leaders of Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Transport Operators

(NATO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), among others.

After the meeting, the stakeholders unanimously resolved to set up a joint operation tagged: ‘Operation Restore Sanity on Lagos Roads,’ which would comprise 1,000 police officers, 500 LASTMA officials, 100 civil defence corps, 120 officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and 250 personnel of the Nigerian armed forces.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Edgal acknowledged that the Apapa traffic congestion gave rise to the sorry state of federal roads and bridges that linked the ports due to what he ascribed to ports operational problems, activities of tank farms and shipping lines.

He said all stakeholders agreed that the operation should commence with immediate effect, while the NPA and other relevant agencies would work to fashion out permanent solution to the issues within the ports which gave rise to the gridlock.

S E C O ND US: PDP CON SIDERIN G PART IC I PAT I ON I N 20 1 9 EL ECT I ON election left much to desired, claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies colluded to rob the PDP of victory.

“We are still contemplating on whether we will participate in the 2019 elections or not,” he said, noting, “We are yet to take a decision on this.”

According to him, “We are not sure that the security agencies and INEC would be impartial and transparent. In the Ekiti elections, there were instances our party agents’ tags were removed and given to the APC agents. There were clear cases of manipulation, ballot snatching and harassment of our party agents.”

He added, "If nothing is done to stamp out and restore the confidence of

Two-Minute Briefing

ordinary Nigerians and other political parties, then it may be difficult to accept the result of 2019 general election, no matter what the outcome may be unless it is transparent, free and fair and it is a recipe for crises."

Secondus said that what happened in Ekiti State was not just electoral fraud but robbery in connivance with INEC and security agencies.

He said that there were clear indications that the APC was scheming to engineer more crisis in the land to enable them manipulate the electoral process in their favour in connivance with security agencies.

"For us as an opposition party we have lost confidence in INEC and security agencies," he said.

The National Organising Secretary

of the party, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), who also briefed the visiting international agencies on the Ekiti election, said the election was fraught with electoral fraud, including intimidation and ballot snatching.

He said the manipulation of figures were so glaring that it produced conflicting figures of the results and INEC had to pull it down from its website.

Mrs. Pauline Beckamp, leader of the delegation said the team came to hear from PDP on the challenges and opportunities on the upcoming election and most importantly what challenges the party encountered, so the team could take it up with INEC.

BUSINESS More Nigerians Seeking Greener

Pastures Abroad Thereareindicationsthatover500, 000Nigerianshaveemigratedfrom thecountrysince2016.

Page 19

CITYSTRINGS Unending Legal Battle

RebeccaEjifomawritesonthe seeminglyunendinglegalbattle betweenAsconOilandMobilOil overthesaleofafamilylandalong theOshodi-GbagadaExpressway inLagos.

Page 40

INTERNATIONAL A Controversial Jewish Nationstate Law that Diminishes Israel Israelhasenactedadivisivelaw thatprioritisesJewishvaluesover democraticprinciples,nddiminishes itsimagebeforecivilisedhumanity.

Page 46

SPORTS Ighalo Crowned Chinese Club’s

All-time Top Scorer OdionJudeIghalo,hasputaside hisdisappointingperformancefor NigeriaattheWorldCupinRussia emergingtheall-timeleadingscorer forChangchunYataiafterhenetted againstChongqingyesterday.

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THEME: FUNDING HEALTHCARE FOR ALL: WHY STATES MATTER The THISDAY editorial board is happy to announce the third edition of its high-level health policy dialogue. The two previous editions have focused on the chronic underfunding of the health sector as a major cause of poor health outcomes. The efforts have been part of the successful advocacy towards the appropriation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in the 2018 budget by the National Assembly. The editorial board however believes that state governments, responsible for most of the service delivery, are held accountable for their performance and will use this policy dialogue to honor high performing states as well as those states with potential to spring surprises.

SUB-THEME: EMERGENCY MEDICINE: NEED FOR ACTION SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR

Professor Yemi Osinbajo

CHIEF HOST

GUEST SPEAKER

GUEST APPEARANCE

Prof Isaac Adewole

Benjamin Loevinsohn Chief, Health, Nutrition and Pop. World Bank Nigeria.

Dr. Ola Orekunrin Founder, The Flying Doctors, Nigeria

Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

SPEAKERS

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso Abdulwahab Ahmad, Min. of State, Health Chair. Sen. Cmtt., Health Snr Health Adv., NGF

HONOUR’S ROLL

Prof. B.B Shehu VC, FUBK

DELTA STATE

ZAMFARA STATE

LAGOS STATE

ADAMAWA STATE

H.E Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa

H.E Yari Abubakar

H.E Akin. Ambode

H.E Jibrilla Binddow

CROSS RIVER STATE

KANO STATE

ANAMBRA STATE

FCT

H.E Ben Ayade

H.E Umar Ganduje

H.E Willie Obiano

Mohammed Bello

Prof. Aliko Ahmed Chatham House, U.K

WHO WOULD BE THERE?

Mohammed M. Fall Representative Unicef

Paulin Basinga B&M Gates Foundn.

Dr. Ibrahim Kana Prog. Manager SOML

DR. Yemi Johnson, Cardiologist, U.S.A

Trina Haque World Bank Group

This high level policy dialogue will have in attendance State Governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, state Commissioners of health, SPHCDAs, development partners, high level dignitaries from the public and private sector, stakeholders and members of the general public.

For enquiries please email: hello@thisdaylive.com For participation, please call any of the following: Lagos: Ayo Arowolo Tel: 09067059433; Ronke Macaulay: 09065827737 Abuja: Iyobosa Uwugiaren Tel: 08033143902

Date: Fri. 27 July, 2018

Venue : Musa Yar’Adua Conference Center, Abuja

FMOH

Time: 10:00 am

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COMMENT

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

PARADOX OF PLENTY AND PENURY (2)

It will pay the country better if the returned Abacha loot is invested in worthy projects, argues Monday Philips Ekpe

O

ne does not have to be very educated in economic matters to know the import of Nigeria being declared the land with the world’s largest poor population by the respected Brookings Institution. Ordinarily, that classification should send government at various levels after their thinking caps. They should now be preoccupied with strategies on how to lead other relevant stakeholders to wage war against the scourge that easily brings humanity to its knees.

The rest of the planet is watching to see how Nigerians would deal with this shameful circumstance. Other Africans wait eagerly to find out the methods the Big Brother would adopt to subdue the major ill that has defined the continent for too long. If it succeeds that could signal not only the beginning of a healthy, enviable dispensation, but also the substantial redemption of our racial pride.

However and sadly, I am at this point not too optimistic about our move in the proper direction. It is either the authorities are too overwhelmed or their sense of perception of the severity of this condition is too impaired to be bothered about any meaningful battles against the widespread lack that threatens our very social fabric. The plan by the federal government to distribute the recovered General Sani Abacha loot to the so-called extremely poor households is a standing testimony to our deficient capacity to frontally confront this monstrous national problem. As expected, arguments are on about the correctness of Abuja in spending the money without the consent of the state and local governments. We even have enough reasons to fear that few individuals could seize the moment, swallow the largess on behalf of the target beneficiaries, and become millionaires or multi- millionaires overnight.

But the morality, legality and politics of the decision, for me, are not the real issues.

I am worried that we keep portraying ourselves as people who deliberately do not learn from history. The repatriated money is seen as windfall that does not require prudence.

Flashback 1974. The Civil War had ended four years earlier.

Oil revenue was super-abundant. The government of General Yakubu Gowon accepted the report of the Jerome Oputa Udoji Panel on Public Service Organisation, Management and Remuneration. In January 1975, it started implementing the salary increase aspect of that submission, something that became popularly known as “Udoji Award”. Gowon later explained that his administration felt civil servants deserved to be rewarded for their sacrifices during that most trying period in the nation’s history. That time recorded Gowon’s infamous boast that Nigeria had no problem with cash, only how to spend it. Nigeria’s economic historians point to that era as when the country chose the culture of consumption above investment as a national pastime.

Over four decades after, we now also have “free” money.

And, worse still, yet another chance to demonstrate a bout of short-sightedness. In a country with daunting standard of living issues, how sensible is it to share $322 million among some 300,000 families in 19 states and hope that justice, equity

WITH THE ABACHA MONIES, MEGA PROJECTS SHOULD BE SITED AROUND THE COUNTRY TO GENERATE EMPLOYMENT. NOTHING SOLVES INDIGENCE LIKE GOOD JOBS. THIS TRUISM HAS GONE UNCHALLENGED FOR GENERATIONS

and good economic sense have been served? If the government has run out of ideas or steam, it should ask for help.

What makes this situation even more disturbing is that there are existing layers of relevant bureaucracies whose responsibility it is to tackle poverty. And in case they have lost their credibility or competency, there are individuals and organisations that have spent years minding the affairs of the poor and seeking lasting solutions to their peculiar challenges.

Such should be engaged, if the goal is optimum utilisation of this rare capital geared towards lifting the populace out of penury. For instance, with the Abacha monies, mega projects should be sited around the country to generate employment.

Nothing solves indigence like good jobs. This truism has gone unchallenged for generations.

We now have an opportunity to stop the poverty of the mind that has been the main cause of the nation’s socioeconomic woes. It is not rude to compare the perennially poor with someone drowning. It requires a special skill to rescue him. Dr. Dennis Labayen was in charge of the field operations of Outreach International in Asia and Africa for decades. Since 1973, he has worked with teams to change the status of impoverished communities. His counsel: “Create an organised group within the community to help many people rather than working with a few individuals. Rather than working with individual persons, it is more effective to facilitate collective and organised actions to help strengthen and empower people in poverty through an organisation.

This means that it is not enough to provide assistance to individually affected persons alone but through a collective organisation each individual is developed and steps are taken to address their problems and other problems in the future.

“The people affected need to identify the issues. It is more effective when issues and problems are identified by the people. They then begin to gain self-confidence and acquire capabilities in working together on simple issues and problems. This means that their initial efforts and experience can be used towards addressing more complex problems and issues. It is in identifying and acting on their initial simple issues or problems that the affected people gain their self-confidence and capability to identify other issues or problems which need to be addressed. Though externally, well thought introduced projects can help fight poverty, without the people’s active involvement and linking these projects with their own situation, identified issues and problems, such projects will most likely not be sustained.”

Collaborative efforts with reputable, tested bodies are clearly needed to kick destitution out. Many of them are in Nigeria, fortunately. The process may be complex and longtermed but the end results could have transforming effects.

The government should consider poverty alleviation beyond monetary gains for recipients. One collateral consequence of neediness is the loss of self-worth, the feeling of incapacitation and hopelessness. Let’s go for something holistic to bring succour to our traumatised citizenry.

BACK TO THE FUTURE Ofem Uket writes that there is clamour for effective representation in Cross River

A

head of the 2019 National Assembly elections in Cross River, development unions, youths and women alliances have started serious talks and consultations to unseat some of the present tenants, particularly that of the central senatorial zone presently occupied by Owan Eno of the All Progressives Congress.

Cross River is dominated by the PDP and has overwhelming majority in the state and national parliaments. All the 18 local government areas in the state are carried along by the party’s programmes and activities as manifested in the ongoing industrialisation and economic diversification from oil to nonoil revenue by the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

Chris Agara who is the preferred candidate of the people has been very supportive of the party’s activities, having disbursed some funds in aid of party activities at various intervals. He had as well donated handsome amount of money to each of the 18 local governments in the state to mobilise constituents to secure voters’ card.

Many aspirants to the senate seat in the central on the platform of the PDP may have consistently made appearances and representation in successive republics, but there is a new reform administration in the area drumming support for new political gladiators who have consistently been involved

in community development projects and the award of scholarship to over 200 university and secondary school students.

Comments from political heads and community leaders point to the fact that old politicians in the area have not only failed in providing needed leadership, but have abused their offices by the misuse of public resources earmarked for the development of infrastructure under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), constituency projects and geo-political zones projects.

Thus, regrettably, social services in the area are virtually absent: no rural roads, no hospitals, water, inadequate primary and secondary class room blocks, no improved agricultural seedlings for farmers and absence of rural electrification; this form of deprivation has been considered by constituents as gross abuse of the democratic norms.

But most tasking for those who want to displace the incumbent in the zone is the presence of top APC political big wigs like the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani; Chairman of Board, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba, Presidential aide on public prosecution Obono Obla; Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ibas and Senator John Owan Eno, senate committee chairman on finance, among others.

This political posture of the opposition is not only worrisome but scaring if the PDP

fields a candidate that has less capacity in terms of popularity and effective involvement in developing rural communities and involved in projects that have direct bearing on the people.

The PDP has to set aside sentiments and bias of any form if the party has to win elections in the senatorial zone, looking at the performance indices of political leaders of the zone in the past at the National Assembly, where funds meant for development is pocketed by representatives to satisfy personal desires.

Political analysts from the zone said people are rooting for Agara, who is described as politically sensitive and has the capacity and personality to crush APC stiff opposition in the zone, given his track records of involvement in community and rural development as a private business man and major player in the oil and gas industry.

Analysts are resolute that Agara with dual citizenship of Obubra and Ikom local governments in the state has secured the confidence of his people to obtain block votes while the remaining four local governments in the state have joined forces with their counterparts in desiring the representation of Agara in order to attract the needed political and social services to the zone.

According to community leaders of Izzi in Ebonyi State and leaders of coastal communities in Cross River, Okum and

Adun in Obubra, Agara has played a leading role in the return of peace to the affected communities after a protracted clash and conflicts bothering on land disputes in the area. He was said to have made major intervention in the stranded students of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) of Cross River extraction, while political records have shown clearly that the only mode of vehicular movement of the state PDP is provided by him to facilitate party activities.

The party ticket is a major concern in the light of defeating major opposition like the APC, something the PDP may not be able to accomplish if the candidate is weak and not credible.

Some of the contenders within the party are Hon. Bassey Ewa, Patrick Etta, Wilfred Usani, Dodeye Arikpo ,all from Yakur local government area, while Chris Agada hails from Ikom, Obubra.

Political watchers in the zone are with the opinion that the PDP, being the ruling party in the state, has what it takes to win the senate elections, if considerations are made based on merit and the popular choice of the people.

They have also declared against any form of imposition, saying that in time past all representatives in the zone were imposed on the people, which according to them, must not be allowed to prevail in the 2019 elections.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

EDITORIAL OF GOVERNORS AND STATE POLICE The time for state police has come

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mid a growing endorsement of decentralising policing in Nigeria so that each of the 36 states can establish its own, there are concerns that in a situation where many of them cannot pay salaries, to put guns in the hands of policemen whose emoluments are not guaranteed will be dangerous and counter-productive. There are also fears that the governors could turn the police in their states into private armies for fighting political opponents.

However, following support for the idea by the National Assembly, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed the support of the federal government for state police which he described as “very important because there is no federation of our size that does not have state police. You need community policing to be able to be more effective.”

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has long championed the call for state police. The forum identified the increasing need for state police as a strategy WHILE WE ARE AWARE for combating the rising insecurity in OF ITS POTENTIAL PITFALLS, WE BELIEVE the country. But in many ways, the call THAT THE MERITS OF is also an expression HAVING STATE POLICE of concern and FAR OUTWEIGH ITS indeed a vote of no confidence in the DEMERITS present structure and management of the Nigeria Police Force.

The police have, especially in recent times, failed in its duty of maintaining law and order, internal security, intelligence gathering and in checking the increasing wave of crime in the country. The entire police force is so overwhelmed to the extent that a huge slice of the military asset has to be deployed to perform police duty with serious implications on professionalism on the military, not to mention the effects of its exposure on civil–military relations.

The argument of the governors has always been

Letters to the Editor

that each of the federating units (which the 36 states represent) should have control over their own security apparatus even when there will still be a federal police that will respond to federal issues. And the governors have very compelling reasons to ask for the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force as presently constituted. They, as the chief security officers of their states, more or less, bear the huge responsibilities for the upkeep and maintenance of the police in form of logistics, allowances and other forms of assistance. But they have no control or power over these police commands, whose men take orders from Abuja.

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 TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

IN PRAISE OF JOSEPH SHAZIN

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f achievements in office and delivery of democracy dividends are still the criteria for seeking higher positions, then Hon. Joseph Shazin deserves to go to the House of Representatives in 2019 to represent Abuja South federal constituency. Abuja South federal constituency comprises of Kwali, Kuje, Abaji and Gwagwalada area councils.

Shazin has used his position as the chairman of the Kwali Area council to transform the area and made significant impact on the lives of the residents. To realise this he embarked on several people-oriented projects in the area council, and today Kwali has become a shining example of how a local government can perform in the interest of majority of the people.

For example, the Shazin administration has made regular payment of salaries a priority while several life-changing projects are on-going across the length and breadth of the area council.

The administration has made interventions in the education sector with the rehabilitation and equipment of schools. Similarly, the road infrastructure in the area is being upgraded and bridges are also under construction.

On the health sector, the Kwali area council has ensured that the various children immunisation

he late Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a former top police officer and former Director General of the National Security Organisation once put his weight behind the idea of state police which he said would improve the management of internal security and the maintenance of law and order. Also, retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police and now the Oba of Lagos , Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, said the solution to the pervasive insecurity in the country lies in state police. He argued that such men and officers would have local knowledge of the environment and would be more effective in dealing with local crimes, protecting law and order and in intelligence gathering.

The argument could not have been better marshalled considering the current national security realities. But we will also add that the current institutional arrangement with the police leaves much room for corruption because the federal and the state governments often claim to expend so much money on the force, claims which are difficult to establish or verify. While we are aware of its potential pitfalls, we believe that the merits of having state police far outweigh its demerits and the constitution should be amended to reflect that reality.

We align ourselves with the strong view that the country is overdue for the establishment of state police.

programmes are diligently executed as a way of guaranteeing quality healthcare for the residents of the area council. In this regard, the council has also embarked on regular immunization against polio which continued to pose a major challenge in the Northern part of the country. His focus on primary healthcare as a panacea for the enjoyment of good health is yielding expected results in the area council. As a way of maintaining peace and security in the area council, the chairman regularly empowers the local chiefs, community leaders and security agencies. He also encourages collaborative efforts among the various security outfits, as well as citizen-government cooperation.

Realising the benefits of food security in a community, the Shazin administration has continued to render support to the farmers and this has led to a boost in the agricultural sector. The area council also facilitates the provision of soft loans to the farmers in the area.

In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and alleviate poverty, the area council recently commenced the recruitment of junior staff. This policy has resonated well with the people of the council as their wards are being given job opportunities.

Chukwudi Enekwechi, Abuja

KINGSLEY MOGHALU AS THE MASTERMIND

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rofessor Kingsley Moghalu, one of Nigeria’s finest minds is at it again and as usual, he is so apt this time. The thing about this mastermind is his capacity to identify the crux of the matter, as well as proffer applicable practical solutions. But the challenge is that we really do not pay attention to the right counsel. Please read “Now is the time” on the back page of Business Day’s Opinion. He and other like minds have been spearheading the way forward for us as a nation for so long. We can no longer afford to ignore their recommendations any more. There are far better approaches to governance than bloodshed, terrorism, mass murder, insecurity of lives and property, poverty, cultural and religious discrimination, half-baked education, corruption, etc.

Our heroes past laid down their lives for this nation.

Will their labour be in vain?

Just as enjoyed by other countries, good governance is our fundamental right as a nation. Nigeria has all it takes to take its rightful place in the world.

We are tired of being disrespected by neighbours both far and near. We are tired of being labelled corrupt. We are tired of being labelled lazy. Nigerians, both young and old deserve a good history and future and now is the time.

The fabrics of our society have never been so fractured by its very own. We once had strong

values, qualities and a life envied by many. What went wrong? How did we descend so low to be trampled upon even by the dogs we once fed? How come those whom we preferred to feed on our best tables rather than hand down our crumbs now turn around -to mock us openly for years? How did Nigeria become an object of mockery among nations?

Is this how the story will remain? Is there no way out? We are all responsible for allowing a drop of oil soil our land. It is that oil that has now tainted and permeated every aspects of our society. We need not agree to tear our precious garment into pieces, no.

We need not settle for less and a life of uncertainty in our own land. We need not agree that our youths are desperate, lazy, hardened criminals, drug peddlers, asylum seekers, etc., as observed by the world. We have all it takes to change this story and now is the time. Gone are the days of our “siddon look” attitude. It’s a new dawn, a new era which beckons on all Nigerians both home and abroad to arise, lend their hands, voice and action so that we can unanimously rebuild our nation’s fallen walls again.

In our diversity lies our strength which is what must unite us. Nigeria has lots of highly cerebral, visionary and transformational individuals both home and abroad who can midwife our hopes into fruition, if we are audacious enough. Now is the time.

Nkeiruka Abanna,abanayar@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ejiofor Alike Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Senate in Rowdy Session over Fresh Presidential Appointments Deji Elumoye Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Olawale Ajimotokan Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; For over 30 minutes yesterday, the Senate plenary was held amid rowdiness over allegations of lopsidedness in the appointments into federal boards made against President Muhammadu Buhari by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and three other senators from the South-east zone.

It all began when the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the commencement of the plenary, read a letter from President Buhari, asking the Senate to confirm the nomination of a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tunde Lemo, and seven others as Chairman and Executive Directors of the Board of the Federal Road Management Agency (FERMA).

President Buhari in the letter nominated Nurudeen Rafindadi as Managing Director and five others Oladapo Kolawole, Mujaidu Dako, Loretta Aniagolu, Shehu Abdullahi, Babangana Aji and Buba Abdullahi as Executive Directors.

Saraki had barely finished reading the letter when Ekweremadu raised a Point of Order to complain about the recent nominations and appointments by the executive, saying they did not reflect the federal character and national unity.

According to him, Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution says the composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character

and the need to promote national loyalty He said the constitutional provision â&#x20AC;&#x153;is to ensure that there shall be no predominance of a few states or a few ethnic groups or other factional divisions in government or any of its agencies.â&#x20AC;?

Ekweremadu added that he was seriously concerned about how government has been directing its appointments.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any problem with any part of Nigeria but I have problem with the way the government is directing its appointment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the last two or three weeks, we have had cause to either discuss this FERMA that has been announced today or the NDIC or AMCON or FCSC. The heads of all these federal parastatals have come from one particular part of the country.â&#x20AC;?

Ekweremadu added for emphasis that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is completely unfair; we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit in this Senate and allow that to go; so, I believe we need to send it back to the federal government to ensure that every part of Nigeria is represented.â&#x20AC;?

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, while responding to Ekweremaduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allegations, said the executive usually did its home work before presenting any nominee before the Senate.

He said what was said by Ekweremadu did not reflect the true picture of the federal appointments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you go through the larger picture, that issue is not supposed to be raised in the first place. I am not from the South-west; let me be blunt, the issue raised is

Buhari, Masari Mourn as Former IG, Coomassie is Dead Omololu Ogunmade Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Francis Sardauna Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State have expressed sadness over the death of a former Inspector General of Police (IG) and Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie.

The younger brother of the deceased Dahiru Commassie, who confirmed the new yesterday in Katsina, said the former IG died yesterday evening at the age of 76 years.

THISDAY gathered that Coomassie, who held the traditional title of SardaunanKatsina, was rushed to the Orthopedic Hospital in Katsina around 11a.m. yesterday morning for an undisclosed ailment but regained his consciousness after an hour and gave up around 5p.m.

The corpse of the former boss chief was said to have been brought to his residence from the hospital where he died.

Information from family members, however, indicated that Coomassieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral rites would be performed today after Jumaat prayers at his mosque in GRA, a stone throw from his residence.

The deceased was survived with one wife, six children and many grandchildren.

Masari lamented that the death of the former IG was a loss to Nigeria.

He said the former IG was one of the last standing patriots who served the nation with distinction.

President Buhari on his part, commiserated with the family members, the government and people of Katsina State the demise of the former IG whom he described as his classmate.

The president, according Malam Garba Shehu, said he received the news of the death of the Chairman of ACF with shock and deep sense of loss. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria will never forget the excellent leadership the late Coomassie gave to the Nigeria PPolice Force for the many years he served as IG,â&#x20AC;? the president said

predominance but if we can have a larger picture, I am sure we will see a balanced spread of appointments.â&#x20AC;?

Senators Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) and Obinnna Ogba (Ebonyi Central) all joined Ekweremadu to complain about the recent presidential nominations and

wanted the Senate to take immediate action to reverse the appointments The rowdy session continued and it took the Senate president some time to restore order to the chambers.

He promised that the observation of Ekweremadu and other senators had been noted and was

referred to the Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs headed by Senator Tijani Kaura (Zamfara North) which is expected to report back to Senate next Tuesday.

The Senate had in the last one week acknowledged no fewer than four letters for confirmation of Chairmen and

Members of Boards of federal parastatals from President Buhari.

They include that of Federal Civil Service Commission with Dr. Bello Ingawa as Chairman and 12 Commissioners; 23 Nominees as Commissioners for National Population

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on Pg 53

CONGRATULATIONS

Ekiti State Governor-elect and former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, presenting his Certificate of Return to All Progressives Congress National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu...yesterday

Buhari Considers Increase of Health Sector Budget Allocation, Implementation of Yayale Ahmed Report Omololu Ogunmade Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said the federal government was considering an upward review of the budgetary allocation to the health sector in order to improve the quality and access to medical facilities across the country. The president has also assured Nigerians that the White Paper from the Ahmed Yayale-led panel report on Inter-professional Harmony in the Healthcare Sector was already being considered by the federal government to ensure more organised and harmonised working relationships among medical practitioners.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari, who

received the new executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the State House, added that the review of the budgetary allocation would reflect the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priority of ensuring that Nigerians get better healthcare, especially in specialised areas. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We place quality healthcare on our priority list, and we are already marching on with the Primary Health Care services and some state governors have bought into it. We are committed to universal health care,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he quoted the president as saying.

According to the statement, the president assured the leaders of the NMA that the White Paper from the Ahmed Yayale-led panel report on Inter-professional Harmony in the Healthcare Sector was already being considered by the government to ensure more organised and harmonised

working relationships among medical practitioners.

He also said Buhari urged the medical practitioners to always consider their profession as  â&#x20AC;&#x153;divine callâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; especially in taking decisions that directly impact on the lives of Nigerians, adding that other means of negotiation for better working conditions should be explored instead of strikes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The medical profession is regarded as a divine call because of the strategic role you play in the lives of human beings,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he was further quoted.

The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman added that the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ohanire, observed that a newly-released basic health care provision would further focus on improving service delivery to Nigerians through the Primary Health Care. The statement added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

President of the NMA, Dr Francis Adedayo, commended President Buhari for including members of the NMA in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and signing of the Medical Residency Training Act into law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adedayo urged the federal government to improve the budgetary allocation to the health sector as required by the Abuja Declaration which sets a benchmark of 15 per cent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He said the speedy processing of the Ahmed Yayale report on harmony among practitioners in the medical sector will go a long way in enhancing service delivery and better working relationships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NMA president said the association had already reached out to the National Emergency Management Agency for stronger partnership in providing care for victims of disasters.â&#x20AC;?

Osun APC Primary Election Holds Today as Panel Promises Transparent Exercise Yinka Kolawole Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122; The governorship primary election of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold today as the panel set up by the national headquarters of the party has pledged to

conduct an acceptable primary election for the people of the state.

The Chairman of the five-man panel, Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State stated this last night at the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secretariat in Oshogbo, the state capital.

Yari who was represented

by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from Deltal State noted that with the terms of reference from the party, credible primary would be conducted He stressed  that all the aspirants are qualified for the primary election as

the registered members of the party would be physically identified with full accreditation during the screening.

However all the 17 aspirants who were in attendance, said the register of members had not been given to them.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

17

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

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Saved from Political Vultures With his recent acquittal from allegations of false asset declaration by the Supreme Court, Senate President Bukola Saraki has proven his better understanding of the nation’s politics than his political foes. Iyobosa Uwugiaren writes

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hat if Dr. Bukola Sararki had resigned as President of the Senate, as canvassed by many of his critics/ political enemies, over allegations of false asset declaration, draped around his neck for 1018 days?

Those familiar with the political huggermugger, allegedly scripted by the agents of the presidency, said that was the goal of the criminal charges against Saraki: to prosecute him and convict him in the court of public opinion, and force him to step down from his plum seat.

Since 1999, that has been the narrative anytime the power-that-be wants to nail the leadership of the apex legislative arm of government.

National Assembly monitors likened the story to a vulture, a patient bird that usually feeds on the hard work of others or at most allows the predators to implement the most problematic part of the task and even placate themselves on the booty; and assured of the listlessness of the carcass, the vulture then slopes on it to finish the job. Indeed, many said that was the lot of succeeding senate presidents, since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

The stubborn survivors, who proved by hook or by crook impossible to be devoured by the ever-willing political vultures among fellow senators and others who were hovering around the presidency, are Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani. Others -- former Senate presidents: Evans Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and Adolphus Wabara - were put out of action by fellow senators to make the presidency’s plot for impeachment a sheer primness.

Described by many of his political associates and followers as an ‘’astute politician’’, Saraki has now joined the league of the ‘’Big Boys’’, until recently only made up of Anyim and Nnamani, who refused to be consumed by the ever willing political vultures among fellow senators and the presidency.

That may be why Saraki’s recent victory at the apex court gladdens the hearts of many respected people, including one of the alleged conspirators against him, President Muhammadu Buhari, whom some suspected plotted to nail him, politically.

Reacting to the recent acquittal of the Senate President from allegations of false asset declaration by the Supreme Court, Buhari said that Saraki persevered, went through tortuous judicial process and was vindicated in the end.

By this development, the president also observed that the country’s judicial system was working despite the many challenges it faces, warning that no one should be allowed to undermine or break it.

Buhari, in a statement by one of his spokesmen, Malam Garba Shehu, said he had witnessed situations, where people attempted to destroy the judiciary in their desperate bid to escape justice.

He added that Saraki’s pursuit of his case from the lowest to the apex court should be a precedent for others to emulate, even as he recalled how he went through the same judicial process three times after he lost presidential elections.

“I have seen many instances, where individuals and groups seek the destruction of the judicial institution in the foolish thinking of saving their skin, instead of going through the painstaking process of establishing their innocence’’ he stated.

Bukola Saraki

“In the case of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, I have seen him take the tortuous path of using the judicial process.

He persevered, and in the end, the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, says he is not guilty as charged.

“This is what I have done in the three elections in which I was cheated out, before God made it possible for me to come here the fourth time I ran for the office.”

The president however added that the Senate President’s journey from the lowest to the highest court of the land should serve as an important example for other Nigerians to emulate.

Saraki was dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on September 18, 2015, few months after he emerged Senate President, against the permutation and expectation of the president’s agents and few leaders of APC. With the trial going through the CCT, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the apex court recently discharged and acquitted him of the alleged charges.

The apex court in a judgment delivered by Justice Centus Chima Nweze, had set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the decision of CCT, which had earlier upheld the ‘’no case submission’’ of Saraki’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Hailing the Supreme Court judgment, he expressed confidence in the judicial process and the ability of the Judiciary to do justice to all manners of men and

in all circumstances.

“At the end of a tortuous journey of 1018 Days, counting from September 22, 2015, when the case began at the Tribunal, I am happy that I have been vindicated. The Supreme Court has affirmed that there is no evidence of false declaration of assets’’, he emotionally stated. ‘’The court also observed that certain agents took over the responsibility of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in this trial, and one can infer that this was done towards a pre-determined end.

“This outcome has gladdened my heart and further strengthened my belief in this country and as well as my faith in the Almighty Allah, who is the righter of all wrongs. God has vindicated me today before the judgement of man, and I am most thankful and humbled at His grace and infinite mercies.’’

Saraki said he had always believed in the infallibility of the nation’s Judiciary, secure in the knowledge that the courts – the last refuge of the oppressed would never condemn the innocent, adding that the outcome was also a vindication of his belief in the rule of law.

He further stated, “As I said in my first appearance at the CCT, this is a politically motivated case. The case was trumped up in the first instance because of my emergence as the President of the Senate, against the wishes of certain forces. Ordinarily, I doubt anyone would be interested in the asset

declaration form I filled over 15 years ago.”

Apparently referring to the power-that-be at presidency, the Senate President wondered why instead of working together in the interest of the nation and seeking to do better for the people, using legal instruments to mount baseless accusations against one another. ‘’Instead of exhibiting the need for unity and working day and night for that purpose, we are stoking the fire of division and rancour.

I maintain that, above all else, my CCT trial has been a flagrant vilification of my person, and shows that some people are after their personal interests rather than the national interest’’, he stated “As a result of the war of attrition, various arms of government have wasted resources needlessly. It has been three wasted years across board in this country. Three years that would have been devoted to tackling issues affecting Nigerians, including: economic recovery, insecurity, youth unemployment and strengthening national institutions, were wasted on malicious prosecution. ‘’People were ready to trade-off three years that would have been devoted to fostering cooperation, unity and economic progress for their selfish ends. It is my hope that those who are behind my persecution will see the handwriting on the wall and leave me to do the work for which I was elected, so I can continue to give my all to this great country of ours.’’

As many have rightly observed, Saraki stated that it was plain to see with vindictiveness, to target perceived political opponents, adding that he believes in the need to fight corruption, but he will never be party to the selective application of the law or the rhetoric of an insincere anti-corruption fight.

On his deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu said that the Supreme Court judgment that discharged and acquitted Saraki of all false assets declaration charges as a victory for the legislature and democracy.

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara said that the judgment of the Supreme Court in favour of Saraki “has once again reinforced our confidence and belief in the nation’s judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”

“As democrats, this has again reaffirmed the independence of the judiciary as protected by our constitution under the doctrine of separation of powers and principles of checks and balances’’, he added. ‘’No doubt, the Supreme Court’s judgment will help in no small way in strengthening the independence of the legislature as the first organ of government under our constitutional democracy and presidential system of government.”

Saraki’s home state was not left out in celebration, as residents, who marched through various routes in Ilorin, dancing and singing, saluted the Supreme Court ruling.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hailed Saraki’s victory, saying “the position of the judiciary further affirms the fact that indeed, the judiciary is the last hope not only for the common man, but for all men, and the real bastion of equity and good governance in any society”.

While the sad narrative of using state agents and institutions by the executive arm of government continues to dominate political discourse, Saraki has just proven his better understanding of the nation’s politics than his political foes.

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

PERSPECTIVE

Why Revolutionary Change Remains an Illusion

By Ignatius Muotoh

After a most critical but thorough study of the Nigerian situation and her readiness for a positive change, one can sadly claim that there are simply no signs for a peaceful or a violent change now or in the future. Illusions have been conceptualised by many for an imminent Nigerian revolution such as the ‘Arab Spring’ in the very foreseeable future possibly at par with those of Libya, Tunisia or Egypt.

However, I am from a different school of thought with a contrary opinion on such issues, even when it’s said that the word ‘change’ is a constant factor. This may be true in normal situations, but things are not normal in the Nigerian context. In the first instance, there’s neither a Spring in our weather nor the Arab stock in our ethnic equation.

A change is the substitution of one thing for another. It is a transformation from one state of affairs into another. It converts into something different. At times, it may be through a voluntary action of a group, or through a unified and often violent actions of the same group. I am of the opinion that none of such can happen in a complex and extremely unique country like Nigeria.

The derivation of this phenomena are based on a well established fact, which clearly states that revolutionary actions only occur where patrotic spirit thrives.

The overthrow or repudiation of a system thorough the replacement of an established

President Buhari

government by the people governed is crucial to this change. Patrotism is a devotional love. It acts as a support and defence of one’s country. It is a national loyalty and such indices are clearly a mirage in the Nigerian enterprise. Factors precipitous to this situation are numerous and often very unique to the Nigerian concept. Amongst these complexities are: Ethnic Values Tribalism is a strong loyalty to one’s own

tribe. Most times it is an inflexible and blind loyalty to ones tribe, and quite often, leads to injury on other groups outside ones own. The adherence by the various tribes to their values and the refusal of each tribal group to accept or support issues that impact positively on all, acts as the bane to unity and development of the nation.

It denies and voids any cataclysm for a deserved change. In the Nigerian scenario, there is an absence of national value, which in every situation, is a pre-requisite condition and a necessary ingredient for achieving some sort of cohesion amongst the populace.

In addition, there’s also the absence of a nationally accepted standard of measurement of value. Hence, what may be an anathema to one group, may be viewed acceptable by the other group.

In some cases such anathema may be socially acceptable by a group, as long as that group is protected and benefits from such act. Hence criminal actions by public officers and politicians are adjudged in relation to such officers ethnic affiliation. And decisions are based not on rationality but often skewed by tribal influences.

This also explains why public servants who through the abuse of their positions, commit criminal acts or loot the nation’s treasury, may be loathed by other ethnic groups, while at the same time, honoured by their kind.

concerning the cause, nature and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies. It usually involves devotional and ritual observances.

It often contains a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Constitutionally, Nigeria is a secular state, but this secularity is open to questions. For logic sake, If she is really a secular state as acclaimed by her constitution, why the urge and the agitation by some states for the Sharia? Why would a cartoon scripted in a far away country of Sweden, and considered blasphemous by the Islamic faithful, lead to bloodshed in an unrelated country, Nigeria.

That’s the extent of the complexity of religious intolerance, which is totally unique to Nigeria.

This unique complexity in religious affairs, is to borrow the words of the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ‘a puzzle found in an enigma and wrapped in a cocktail of mystery’.

This unique puzzle, has continuously denied the Nigerian nation the desired growth and advancement in all fields of development.

When taking a critical view on religion in the Nigeria, one can rightly adduce that there exists a near 50/50 population ratio to the Islamic and Christian faithful.

Religion ‘The a la carte’ of cataclysm.

Religion transcends into a set of beliefs

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Ignatius Muotoh, wrote from Langley Berkshire United Kingdom

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong

AUTOGRAPH

Tinubu as a Study in Improbable Situations Despite being boxed in many times, Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that Senator Bola Tinubu may have emerged as a political deity in Yorubaland

L

ike many things relating to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there is always a fog of ambiguousness that posits the unlikely, but not the impossible. At the flag-off of Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s campaign for the office of Governor of Ekiti State, Tinubu arrived very early at the venue in Ado Ekiti. As he sat on the podium observing things around him, he was chewing gum furiously. If the urgent eating activity was to mask the smell of cigarette, which he occasionally smokes in public or to keep calm from the anxiety of waiting for arrival of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, we may never know. The scenario was likely to reinstate a sharp argument between those who can swear by all the divinities they know that Tinubu smokes everything and those willing to stake their last Naira that he can’t stand foul air.

Such is the befuddling nature of the man who has become a deity in Lagos.

His very claim to Lagos birthright engenders a lot of rage and storm from those who call themselves the real Lagosians. This issue is the reason for frequent fight, because some are ready to take any doubting Thomas to Tinubu’s original homestead in Osun State.

There lies the error in their reasoning.

When a man transforms into an idol, he assumes a universal presence. It no longer matters where a temple is raised for his worship, whether on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi-Lagos or Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, the important thing is that his disciples swoon under the spell of mass hypnotism.

To his teeming followers, the former Governor of Lagos State is a benevolent

deity. It is easy to understand why they flock to him in large numbers. The Yorubas say that if a god can’t change their circumstance for good, at least, they should be left they way they were.

One of the fables woven around Tinubu is that no one can have an encounter with him and return wretched. The story making the rounds is that if you are in the presence of this money-spewing god, but return empty-handed, you can never be prosperous again! Such is the perceived powers of Tinubu.

As a living god in Yoruba cosmology, an interrogation of Tinubu’s wealth may only throw up a cloudy picture.

Having obtained a degree in Accounting (though he was an outstanding scholar, he is not a chartered accountant), he became an employee in America. Upon his return to Nigeria, he also took up paid employment. He won an election into the Nigerian Senate in 1992 and from there began his ascendancy into the realm of the gods. Many believe he has replaced or displaced another Yoruba political deity, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for being able to champion a merger that installed a government at the centre. But the older generation who saw Awolowo argue that while Tinubu may reign in the kingdom of men, Awolowo went all the way to the heavenlies to raise his two fingers in the moon. They dare Tinubu to appear in the moon like Awolowo!

Tinubu may be depicted as the Yoruba god of wealth redistribution. Though he is seriously despised by elites, he created a new class of Lagosians whose wealth have been acquired within their own generation, rather than by familial inheritance. In some sense, he fits the legend of Robin Hood, who is said to have robbed from the rich and given to the poor. But it is arguable whether

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tinubu is a champion of the common people, fighting against injustice. He assumed this suspect stature in the aftermath of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election assumedly won by Chief Moshood Abiola.

Tinubu belonged to Abiola’s Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was in the vanguard of efforts to actualise Abiola’s mandate. He became a popular folk figure in the fight against the military dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha. To escape Abacha’s dragnet, he fled into exile, only returning to the country after Abacha died. Instead of going back to the Senate when democratic governance was restored, he contested and won as Governor of Lagos State, remaining in office for two tenures, between 1999 and 2007.

The transparency of the Tinubu administration in Lagos has not been conclusively proven and continues to be debated. There are numerous references to huge estates and corporate organisations allegedly owned by him.

At least, what may be possible is that he uses aliases or proxies to run the kind of humongous business credited to him. Sometimes, the estimation of his wealth goes into the incredulous. That is the situation when he is said to own over 70 per cent of Lagos! While this is debatable, because Tinubu is such a smart alec that none of these estates or companies can be traced to his name at the Corporate Affairs Commission, what is not in doubt is that he has an over riding influence in governance of Lagos.

He gives credence to the widely held notion that in Nigeria you can go to bed poor and wake up the next day into dizzying wealth. No one will ask questions, rather the dubious capital becomes a reference for accomplishment.

There have been attempts to break his strangle hold on Lagos. Tinubu had weathered epic crises, sometimes entirely not of his own making. From former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s delay of statutory allocation to the state, to corruption charges by the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former loyalists like former Governor of Lagos and Federal Minister Babatunde Fashola and former Lagos Commissioner Muiz Banire who became turncoats.

Even leaders from other states in the South-west who are envious of his expanding authority attempt to halt his advancement. Fighting Tinubu is like hoping to win a battle against an immortal. Each time he survived disdainful scheming by recruiting new supporters and increasing the revolving bounty. Tinubu has a record of lavishing his advocates with sumptuous cash and appointments, thereby strengthening and extending his political empire, bigger than any other single politician

of note in the country.

Tinubu has been boxed in a few times, forcing him to backtrack and expose his foibles as a human god: When his wife Senator Remi Tinubu was attacked by the flippant Senator Dino Melaye and when his son Jide passed on. The APC stalwart also made a tough decision when he authorised his private aircraft to be used to fly former Gambian President Yayah Jammeh out of Banjul into exile in Equitorial Guinea.

To those who know Tinubu best, the acceptance of the traditional title of Jagaban of Borgu in Niger State was a sign that he was prepared to extend his political tentacle into northern Nigeria.

Niger State is the home of two past Nigerian leaders, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar. The emerging potential theory posits that Jagaban, which has become Tinubu’s popular moniker was intended to soften the heart of the northern powers that be. Of course, while Jagaban has inspired a hit song by pop artiste Ycee, that is entertaining and fun to listen and dance to, in all likelihood it’s just a coincidence, given that Tinubu, like Senate President Olusola Saraki, has been accused of institutionalising banditry in Lagos, simply because he fraternises with the leadership of the Jaguda gang called agbero or National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Drawing a parallel between existing Yoruba gods and an honest appraisal of the Tinubu persona, he replicates Esu, the deity who lurks around; the necessary evil. In Yorubaland, a part of the food offered to any god as sacrifice must be separated and dedicated to Esu. This mirrors Tinubu’s role in contemporary Nigerian politics. He is the indispensable part of the jigsaw puzzle that must fit.

19

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŽ, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Í° Í° Ë&#x153; 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* ĚŠ

Quick Takes SAA Partners RadissoBlu

2018 EXHIBITION

L-R: Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Mr. Chikezie Nwosu and Vice Chairman, Mr. Debo Fagbami, during a media briefing on SPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forthcoming Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos...recently Photo: Abiodun Ajala

More Nigerians Seeking Greener Pastures Abroad Chinedu Eze

There are indications that over 500, 000 Nigerians have emigrated from the country since 2016.

This was disclosed by a source at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), who stated that the number could be higher because many Nigerians who travelled as visitors have stayed back and the NIS documents still captured them as visitors.

The major reason adduced to the high movement of Nigerians out of the country was economic hardship.

A senior Immigration official told THISDAY that most hit is the private sector where

AVIATION bankers, telecom and other professionals are trooping out of the country. The official said despite the economic crunch, many parents are sending their children to schools overseas, as a way of taking them out of the perceived difficulties in the country.

Informed source also disclosed that even highly placed officials in government agencies are resigning and travelling out of the country.

Some women who travelled to deliver babies stay back and seek for asylum, THISDAY

learnt.

THISDAY also learnt that the number of Nigerians seeking for passports has multiplied, which was partly responsible for the scarcity of passport booklets witnessed by the country recently.

When THISDAY visited the passport office of the Nigerian Immigration Service Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, thousands of applicants crowded the place.

On daily basis the Ikoyi office alone, issues the highest number of passports of about 800, while Festac and Ikeja combined, issue 1000 passports daily.

Ordinarily the demand used to exceed supply by about 25

NANTA Condemns Fake Travel Agents

per cent, but since last year the excess demand has multiplied to over 100 per cent, the source told THISDAY. In the same vein, Abuja issues about 500 passports daily, while Kano, Asaba, Ogun and Ibadan which also ranks top in mobility of passports issues about 500 passports altogether.

Other states in Nigeria issue about 2,000 passports daily. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During economic hardship people tend to emigrate and run away from their country and when the economy improves people return. In the 1980s it happened to Ghana and many Ghanaians were in Nigeria Continued on page 20

Customs Threaten Severe Punishment over Four Missing Containers Eromosele Abiodun This may not be the best times for the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as the service has launched an investigation into the whereabout of four containers that were on transfer from Apapa Port to the Inland Container Depots (ICD) in Kano and Kaduna.

Sources close to the Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Lagos, Assistant Controller General ACG Aminu Dahiru, who is in charge of the investigation, told THISDAY that the NCS would descend heavily on any importer, customs brokerage agent or officer of the service that has any connection with the missing containers.

The source told THISDAY specifically that a total of six containers left the Apapa Port recently on transfer to Kano, four of which were yet to arrive the designated terminal in Kano.

MARITIME According to the source, checks by the NCS showed that nobody cleared four out of the six containers, while only two were accounted for at the terminal. This was an indication that four of the six containers are missing or have been diverted, under what he described as controversial circumstances.

The source, who did not want his name in print, also disclosed that the zone was trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding some containers that left the Tin Can Island Port, also in Apapa, Lagos, which were later found in a private warehouse instead of the terminal the containers were designated for.

It was further gathered that some containers also got missing about six years ago, precisely in 2012, when the ACG was

a Deputy Comptroller serving at the Tin Can Island Customs Command, a development the ACG has described as one, too many.

He warned that in the face of deliberate diversion of containers on transfer, the service would have no other option than to introduce a system whereby the bond paid on containers on transfer by the consignee would be the exact value of the container, as some corrupt people were alleged to be taking the magnanimity of the service for granted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have been several issues on the transfer of containers to terminals in Kano and Kaduna, among several others and in several cases; agents are seen as major culprits in these matters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recently six containers left Apapa Port for a terminal in Kano. On our checks, we discovered that nobody exited the four containers that had already

SouthAfricanAirways(SAA)hasgoneintoapartnershiparrangement withRadissonBluAnchorageHotel,Lagos,topromotedomestictourism and encourage travellers to experience Lagos and Nigeria in general.

WhileSAAfromSouthAfricaandbeyondwillflyintravellers,RadissonBlu AnchoragehotelLagoswouldprovideaccommodationandexposethem to Lagos experience that aims to unlock the leisure tourism potential of the city.

According to SAA National Sales Manager, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, this waspartof20thanniversaryofSouthAfricanAirwaysserviceinNigeria.

Theairlineconsidersitimperativetocontributetothetourismdevelopment of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited to contribute our own quota in promoting Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestictourismthroughthispartnershipwithRadissonBlu,areputable hospitality brand not only in Nigeria but globally,â&#x20AC;? Kemi stated.

RadissonBluAnchorageHotelLagosDirectorofSales,WellingtonMpofu, saidthepartnershipwithSAAwouldaffordthehotelthemuch-needed platform to overturn the notion that Nigeria is only meant for business tourismbyshowcasingthenumerousleisureofferingsofLagosandbeyond.

Nigeria travel and trade are being galvanised to be the drivers of the SAA and RadissonBlu partnership. The airline said the partnership will puttogetherenticingdomestictravelpackagessupportedbySAAand RadissonBlu for travellers to enjoy unimaginable experiences.

Inthesamevein,SouthAfricanAirwayshavesupportedtheInstituteof DirectorsNigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;stourismandhospitalityforumthroughsponsorship of the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s foremost event geared towards promoting tourism development in Nigeria.

left. When we also contacted the terminal, we discovered that only two arrived to my greatest surprise,â&#x20AC;? the source said.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were also movements of containers from the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, the said containers did not arrive the terminal they were designated for rather, we traced them to a private warehouse.

Definitely we cannot continue like this, I can assure you because this is lawlessness and no society thrive on lawlessness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We may be compelled to reintroduce payment on loss of cargo on transfer. For some time now, bond is never close to the value of the consignment and we may likely begin a review of this bond issue, which I believe has become very important and imperative, especially at this time.â&#x20AC;?

While warning that agents should be careful with what Continued on page 20

TheNationalAssociationofNigeriaTravelAgents(NANTA)President, Mr.BankoleBernard,hascalledonthefederalgovernmenttomakepublic the names of travel agents behind the plight of stranded Nigerians in Russia after the world cup.

Bernard who had sworn to rid the sub-sector of fraudsters, recently launched an identity card to fully identify licenced practitioners.

Henotedsuchexposureandpublicdisclosureofâ&#x20AC;&#x153;thesefly-by-nighttravel agents will go a long way to deter the growth of fraudulent operators and will assist security agencies and NANTA to fish out the black legs.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;WhathappenedtoinnocentNigeriansportfansinRussiaisjustatipof the iceberg as against the presence of real enemies within our system whomweintendtoflushoutandsendthemoutofbusinessandtoEFCC forprosecutionâ&#x20AC;?henoted,addingâ&#x20AC;&#x153;ouridentifycardisoneoftheproactive measures to unmask these hoodlums giving us bad names within and outside our country that is why NANTA visited the presidency to seek support to our action plans to sanitise the sector.â&#x20AC;?

Bernard,howevercommendedPresidentMuhammaduBuhariforhelping to evacuate the stranded Nigerians back home, a gesture which would rekindletheloveofNigeriaintheheartofeveryNigerian.NANTAPresident alsoappreciatedLagosStategovernmentforalsoshowingconcernto theplightofthosestrandedinRussia,manywhomthegovernorprovided return tickets and welfare.

IFAD Gets New Associate Vice President

GuoqiWuhasjoinedtheInternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopment (IFAD) as the Associate Vice-President of the Corporate Services Department. In his new role, Wu will provide strategies that support IFADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals and organizational leadership with regards to human resources,administrativeservices,safetyandsecurity,andinformation technology resources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ItisanexcitingtimetobejoiningIFADastheorganizationexpandsand decentralisesitsoperationstoreachandbetterservemoreruralpeople with its programmes and projects,â&#x20AC;?Wu said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am looking forward to leading the corporate services function and creating an even greater focus on attracting, developing, and retaining top-class talents.â&#x20AC;?

IFAD is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Seventy-ďŹ ve per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poorest people - 1.4 billion women, children and men - live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihoods.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We used to be a dominant player, through Nigeria Airways, but sadly not anymoreâ&#x20AC;?

Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika at the unveiling of new national carrier name at Farnborough

20

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

BUSINESSWORLD MORE NIGERIANS SEEKING GREENER PASTURES ABROAD seeking all kinds of menial jobs. Now many of them have gone back to their country,â&#x20AC;? the official said.

THISDAY also learnt that many Nigerians who are seeking for asylum and receiving positive response, especially people from Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Zamfara, and other states where high rate of violent killings had been recorded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These countries are more abreast of events in Nigeria than us Nigerians so they know what people are going through and they know the states that are under attacks. So when Nigerians from these states request asylum they grant them. The most humanitarian is Canada. If you come from these states under six months they do permanent resident documents of you,â&#x20AC;? the official told THISDAY. Speaking on behalf of the NIS, an official who wished to remain anonymous told THISDAY that part of the reasons why passport offices are crowded was because there are backlog of applicants that have completed the process to obtain their passports.

CUSTOMS THREATEN SEVERE PUNISHMENT OVER FOUR MISSING CONTAINERS they do with their licences, he however noted that there have been cases where the licences of some agents were blocked for crimes they did not commit, which made him direct that the affected licences be unblocked, warning that the service will not fail to wield the big stick where it has been established that a licence was used in compromising trade processes.

He said the customs leadership had at various time urged importers and their agents to keep their records and processes neat and straight, hinting that the service would re-invigorate its post-clearance audit unit, while warning that the long arm of the law must catch up with those who subverted the system whether now or in the future.

NEWS

Report: Low Quality Healthcare Increasing Cost Burden Poor quality health services are holding back progress on improving health in countries at all income levels, according to a new joint report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Bank Group.

According to the report, presently, inaccurate diagnosis, medication errors, inappropriate or unnecessary treatment, inadequate or unsafe clinical facilities or practices, or providers who lack adequate training and expertise prevail in all countries.

The situation is worst in low and middle-income countries where 10 percent of hospitalised patients can expect to acquire an infection during their stay, as compared to seven percent in high income countries.

This is despite hospital acquired infections being easily avoided through better hygiene, improved infection control practices and appropriate use of antimicrobials. At the same time, one in ten patients is harmed during medical treatment in high income countries.

These were just some of the highlights from the report titled, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Delivering Quality Health Services â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a Global Imperative for Universal Health Coverage.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The report also highlighted that sickness associated with poor quality health care imposes additional expenditure on families and health systems.

There has been some progress in improving quality, for example in survival rates for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Even so, the broader economic and social costs of poor quality care, including long-term disability, impairment and lost productivity, are estimated to

amount to trillions of dollars each year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good health is the foundation of a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human capital, and no country can afford lowquality or unsafe healthcare,â&#x20AC;?

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Low-quality care disproportionately impacts the poor, which is not only morally reprehensible, it is economically unsustainable for families and entire countries.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;At WHO we are committed to ensuring that people every-

where can obtain health services when and where they need them,â&#x20AC;?

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are equally committed to ensuring that those services are good quality. Quite honestly, there can be no universal health coverage without quality care.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without quality health services, universal health coverage will remain an empty promise,â&#x20AC;? said OECD Secretary-General Ă ngel GurrĂ­a. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The economic and social benefits are clear and we need

to see a much stronger focus on investing in and improving quality to create trust in health services and give everyone access to high-quality, people-centred health services.â&#x20AC;?

Other key findings in the report painted a picture of quality issues in healthcare around the world.

Part of it stated that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;health care workers in seven low- and middle-income African countries were only able to make accurate diagnoses one third to three quarters of the time, and clinical

guidelines for common conditions were followed less than 45 percent of the time on average. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research in eight high-mortality countries in the Caribbean and Africa found that effective, quality maternal and child health services are far less prevalent than suggested by just looking at access to services. For example, just 28 percent of antenatal care, 26 percent of family planning services and 21 percent of sick-child care across these countries qualified as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;effective.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

L-R: Brand Manager, Shoprite Nigeria, Kunle Abiola; Route Leader, Visionscape, Adedayo Matanmi; Executive Director, Shoprite, Adeola Kahgo; Founder, Kids Beach Garden, Lekki, Doyinsola Ogunye; CSR Lead, Visionscape, Chiweta Uyaih; Store Manager Shoprite Circle Mall, Fatai Oshungboye and Public Relation Officer, Barnabas Ebided, at a clean-up exercise organised by Shoprite in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

NEPC Bemoans Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poor Intra-African Trade Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, has noted that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to intra-African trade and imports remains very poor, compared to its size of economy.

Awolowo disclosed this during the intra-African regional trade session in Abuja.

He stated that a thorough look at Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s productsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; demand from around the world showed that Nigeria was suitably positioned to replace supplies from other regions of the world on some key products.

But he noted that the 2017 statistic from the international

trade centre showed that the country only accounted for one per cent in value of African imports from the world, of which 80 per cent was petroleum.

He emphasised that while this was disappointing, it demonstrated opportunities and also validates the case for improved intra African trade engagements.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking at Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export potential, while regions in Europe, Asia and North America present the greatest potential markets, African sub-regions feature among the top 10 markets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We found that four of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high demand products are among Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11 priority

products identified to diversify our export base under our Zero Oil Plan. These export potential products signify investment opportunities along value chains for each sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the landmark partnerships are loan agreements signed between the Dangote Group for $650 million and the Bank of Industry (BoI) for $750million. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must commend the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive and passion for expanding and promoting trade in Africa, particularly its recognition of the importance of galvanising African countries towards an achievable future of transforming Africa through dynamic trade relations.â&#x20AC;?

Awolowo added that the IATF would serve as a platform for advancing Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade agenda.

He also expressed confident that the session would generate sufficient interests and mobilise Nigerian companies to not only participate at the IATF, but to do so in a really significant manner.

He, however, urged stakeholders to aim at making Nigerian products the products of choice for African markets and the first step is to engage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the next few months, we will be engaging broadly with relevant government partners and the organised private sector to ensure that Nigeria showcases its best and maximises the IATF 2018

platform for enhanced trade relations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were deliberate in our selection of participants for this engagement session. We have with us the organised private sector with representation from finance, insurance, commerce and manufacturing from across sectors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have relevant government MDAs, states representatives who are all key to stakeholders in our export promotion drive,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The NEPC boss expressed belief in the existing potential where Nigeria have comparative advantage and aims to get competitive and increase productive capabilities.

35,000 Participants, Exhibitors for Abuja Investment Expo Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Cap Mkt) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Reporters

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The third edition of the 2018 Abuja Investment Expo will host over 35,000 participants and 120 exhibitors.

The aim of the event is to attract investment into Nigeria, to boost business activities and accelerate economic development with special interest in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The 3-day expo which will be hosted by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, from July 24, is organised by Abuja Shelter Aid Organisation(SAO) in partnership with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Land Development: A Catalyst

For Economic Advancementâ&#x20AC;?

Briefing journalists, the Vice Chairman ACCI, Johnson Anene, explained that the expo was intended to further the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiative on poverty alleviation and job creation by focusing on how it can attract investment into the country.

Anene, who is also the Chairman of the organising Committee, said the expo was borne out of the need to further explore opportunities of earning income for the nation in the non oil sector giving the ever dwindling oil prices in the oil market â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ministers of Works, Power and Housing; Industry , Trade and Investment, are expected to address the event,

with about 3,500 expected participants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government agencies and private sector Organisations that will be participating will help to bring to the attention of the participants the enormous business opportunities that abound in this country and in the FCT,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He added that the 2018 theme focuses on land because every economic activity directly or indirectly has a bearing on land.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot detach any form of business activity from land, so land is key to any economic activity. If we can make access to land easier and more accessible to business people for economic activities, it will affect every other thing.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to also address the issue of difficulty in getting land and registering land titles, we also have serious deficiency in the housing stock for the Nigerian populace.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The expo will also seek to address the burning issue of mortgage financing and provision if funding for construction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The programme will feature exhibitions, we are expecting about 120 exhibitors, there will be business seminars, business to business meetings, talk shows. The idea is to exchange ideas for those that are looking for partners, those looking for agents to represent them, those looking for new market for their products and also those aspiring to explore new

business opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;? he said.

The Vice Chairman further explained that the exhibition was going to cut across major sectors of construction, quality affordable housing delivery, solid minerals exploration, environmental protection and major areas of investment.

He noted that previous editions in 2016 and 2017 recorded huge success and expressed confidence that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will be more successful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will impact very positively on the participants and on the Nation. Attendance is open to all I want to encourage everybody to participate and take benefits of the opportunity the programme will provide,â&#x20AC;? he stressed.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Airbus Forecasts $4.6tn Global Market for Commercial Aircraft Chinedu Eze Airbus’ new Global Services Forecast has predicted $4.6 trillion worldwide market for commercial aircraft services from 2018 to 2037.

Major aircraft manufacturing company said the new analysis was based on a three-way market segmentation, respectively focusing on the aircraft, the airline operation, and the passenger experience.

According to Airbus, aircraft-focused lifecycle services represent the largest segment of growth and include maintenance, spares pool access, tooling, technical training and system upgrades – which are needed to keep the airlines aircraft flying.

“This market represents a cumulative value of $2.2 trillion over the 20-year period – from $76 billion in 2018 to more than $160 billion per annum by 2037.

These services are provided throughout the lifecycle from design to dismantling. In this category, aircraft manufacturers provide customers with

core services which come with the aircraft, including assigned field reps and call centres for AOGs (aircraft on ground) for example.

“The largest market by value is maintenance, increasingly characterised by outsourcing and “paid-bythe-hour” (PBH) contracts.

Moreover, as technology and new materials develop, such as composite repairs, Airbus sees a strong trend for further outsourcing.

PBH contracts allow airlines to secure and predict their maintenance costs, allowing airlines to focus on their core business of flying.

Airbus also sees airlines increase their outsourcing of inventory management – towards pooling, instead of investing in their own stocks,” the company said.

Besides aircraft acquisition, Airbus said the next largest category encompasses flight operations services, such as pilot training and flight-planning solutions, which would account for a $1.5 trillion cumulative spend over 20 years.

“Fleets are expected to more than double to 48,000

aircraft over this period, such that Airbus estimates a need for 540,000 new pilots in the next 20 years. This trend will require ‘smarter’ ways of training using new digital technologies.

“The third component of the global services market centres on the passenger experience which will account for an estimated $0.9 trillion cumulative value over the 20-year period.

“This encompasses the services needed to optimise the flight experience, including cabin upgrades, cabin crew training, in-flight-entertainment, connectivity and booking.

“This segment is expected to more than double in the next 20 years and grow from $27 billon to almost $70 billion.

“A notable trend is that seamless connectivity will undergo exponential growth, as more and more passengers manage their travel using a smart device, providing them all the information in real-time about the airport, connecting flights, bag collection details etc,” Aribus also said.

European Traffic Control Delays Loom over Summer Air Travel The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the governments and air navigation service providers of Europe to address the region’s airspace bottlenecks, as new data revealed that delays so far this year have more than doubled compared to 2017.

“We are in the summer season in Europe. Travelers want to get to their holidays on time. And too many will be disappointed because of air traffic delays. We should be making progress, but delays are double those of last year.

“There is no quick fix for this year. But the needed solutions are well-known.

With the correct investment and planning by governments and ANSPs we can, and must, make next year better,” IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said.

According to IATA, data from Eurocontrol shows that in the first half of 2018, Air Traffic Management (ATM) delays more than doubled to 47,000 minutes per day, 133 per cent more than in the same period last year.

The international body said most of these delays were caused by staffing and capacity shortages as well as other causes such as weather delays and disruptive events such as strikes.

It noted that the average delay for flights delayed by air traffic control limitations reached 20 minutes in July, with the longest delay reaching 337 minutes.

IATA remarked that as airlines add flights to new destinations and expand their offer to meet the expectations of travelers, air traffic in Europe is on the rise, creating greater demands on the continent’s

airspace.

“Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) manage each State’s airspace and charge over flight fees for the services they provide.

As flight numbers have increased, so has their revenue.

Eurocontrol calculates that European ANSPs have made an average 9.6 per cent EBIT in recent years.

“Unfortunately, key ANSPs in Europe have not made needed investments in their businesses, preferring instead to make super-normal profits.

The largest service providers have either under-invested in staff or use outdated employment practices which don’t deploy staff when and where they’re most needed, resulting in unnecessary delays for passengers. Many European ANSPs have also failed to make planned technology investments intended to increase capacity.

Arik, Police Pledge Improved Collaboration to Boost Aviation Security The management of Arik Air has pledged to enhance its cooperation with the Nigerian Police in a bid to further boost security at the nation’s airports.

The airline said information sharing was necessary to curb criminal acts in the sector, stressing that without the collaboration of all security agencies, it would be difficult for the government to achieve security of lives and equipment in the industry.

The Senior Vice President Operations, Arik Air, Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi stated this when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Airport Police Command, Mr Danjuma Ibrahim

paid the airline a courtesy visit at its headquarters at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Adekunbi who represented the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline, Capt.

Roy Ilegbodu said the airline had always taken security as a top-notch since its establishment and pledged to continue with the tradition.

He assured the AIG that the airline would continue to cooperate with the airport command and would not hesitate to share security information when the need arises.

Earlier, AIG Ibrahim lauded the management of the airline for its continuous collaboration with the

command. He noted that the report he received when he assumed office indicated that the airline had over the years supported the command and appealed to the management to continue with the collaboration.

Ibrahim also recalled that the Airport Command was previously headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and later to Commissioner of Police before the current improvement to Assistant Inspector General of Police.

He explained that his primary responsibility at the airport was to improve on the existing security network, a task he promised to fulfil.

AIR WATCH Easing Traffic at Abuja Airport

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the rail terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The purpose of the rail station is to bring in travellers from various parts of the city to the airport to connect to their local and international flights. It will also move passengers from the airport to the city.

Government officials who spoke during the inauguration said Abuja is growing into a modern city with multiple transport system, which would ease traffic and also bring down the cost of movement in the capital territory.

With the inauguration of the train station, it is expected that the terminal linked to the train station would go on stream soon.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, said the terminal would start operation by October this year.

The FAAN boss said to make the terminal operational as planned, the major work to be done would be to connect the new terminal to the old one in order to have seamless passenger movement; although the new terminal is designated for travellers on international destinations.

“We are pressing the contractor to finish everything in August so that by October we can start operation in the building. So, we are working together, both the contractor, FAAN and all those involved in the project to ensure we meet our target,” he added.

Speaking about the link of the train station to the airport, the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika said, “The impact is that it would make movement easy. Movement will be seamless. It means that you will come in from the light rail and straight into the aircraft and vice-versa.

“It also makes transportation more efficient. Everything about air transport is efficiency and this connection to the light rail will significantly impact on that.

“It will also enable people to connect to their homes and their work places in shorter time than before and also reduce the pressure on our roads. It will also ease the traffic congestion on these arteries that lead to the airport. Abuja will be a classical example of multi-modal integration of transportation, which makes things better.”

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who attended the inauguration expressed happiness at the completion of the train station and said that it was the actualisation of the plan he set out

as the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He commended the founding fathers of the Abuja city for including the rail infrastructure in the transport system of the city.

“I am happy it has been completed today; the first phase. I pray that the federal government would have the resources to complete more phases to make Abuja a great city to realise the dream of the founding fathers. I congratulate the Minister and his team for his relentless work they have been doing.

“I have never stopped expressing my gratitude to the government and the people of China for the support it is giving to Nigeria and other African countries in the development of their infrastructure.

“China is a good friend of Africa, Nigeria and we hope they will continue to support and finance this project and other infrastructure projects in Nigeria and Africa.”

El-Rufai noted that the facility was one of the things the country needs to be put it in a solid foundation to create jobs under the present administration and for the future.

“The impact of the project is multifarious, including the creation of job opportunities. Each train station is an economic cluster of opportunities.

“At the train stations you find hotels, you find shopping malls and other businesses, you find residential facilities.

Land values are going to go up. “This is a huge, huge thing. We saw this in the Abuja master plan in 1978 and we started this project and I am happy,” he said.

The Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello said that rail network was part of the transport infrastructure of the Abuja master plan.

“The Abuja master plan envisages rail network that has been planned in six phases (lots). Already we have commissioned phase 1. We already have Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for phase 2 and now our intention is to encourage international investors to come and partner with us to be able to do the other two lots,” Bello said.

According to him, Nigerians should be grateful to the founders of Abuja who conceptualized the city and made a plan that “we are still implementing 40 years down the road.”

“The whole idea is that Abuja should be our own. It is a city of unity and all of us should have passion, not only the government but also the citizens. The city is what we should all be proud of and guard jealously,” he added.

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Rising Hope over National Carrier Many Nigerians have become nostalgic about the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to launch another national airline, but there are still doubts over the future, funding, and profitability of the planned airline, Chinedu Eze writes The logo and name of the planned national carrier, which is billed to start operation in December this year, was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show on Wednesday.

This was a major step towards the realisation of the airline, which if successful, would make Nigeria a key player in the air transport sector in Africa.

Government has also shown firm commitment to the new airline, which actualisation is considered as a major programme of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the aviation industry.

The contribution of national carrier to the development of aviation in any country is invaluable because it becomes the fulcrum for aviation training, establishment of maintenance facility, catering, ground handling, aircraft leasing and creation of jobs.

Industry observers indicate that if the defunct Nigeria Airways was not liquidated in 2003, the country would have recorded significant progress in the air transport sector.

They posited that today, over 90 per cent of Nigeria travellers to international destinations are airlifted by foreign carriers.

They also noted that about 500 pilots who are today unemployed in Nigeria would have secured jobs with the national carrier or completed their type-rating with the airline. Today, Nigeria lacks young pilots, engineers and other technical personnel because a national carrier, which serves as catalyst for manpower development is absent.

Private Sector When the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika hinted that one of the key achievements for the Buhari administration in the aviation industry would be the establishment of a national carrier, he emphasised that it would be private sector driven.

But today, as the process to have a national carrier has advanced, there is no indication that it would be established on private equity. Rather, government is committing huge funds towards the project.

Recently the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) issued Outline Business Case Compliance Certificate for the actualisation of the national carrier project.

In the outline, the ICRC said it had reviewed the Project Structure Report PRS/Outline Business Case (OBC) submitted by the Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) for the Establishment of a National Carrier via a Joint Venture(JV) PPP arrangement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Based upon the assessment and review of the PSR/OBC, market study and all other information available, this certificate confirms that the submission is in substantial compliance with the ICRC Act, 2005 and the National Policy on Public Private Partnership. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This certificate is granted on the condition that the federal government demonstrates her commitment to the leverage of the national carrier through the provision of an upfront grant/ Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to fund aircraft acquisition/ start-up capital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The FGN also agrees to zero contribution to airline management decisions and zero management control by the government. Any attempt to impose government control over the management of the airline invalidates this certificate and the entire process,â&#x20AC;? ICRC warned.

ICRC said the validity of the certificate was stated to be 12 months, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In view of the fact that the mitigating conditions for the project may change over time, this certificate is valid for 12 months from the date indicated below.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This certificate is therefore issued to enable the Ministry to commence an international open competitive bidding process to procure a world-class strategic investor to manage, operate, maintain and invest in the national carrier.â&#x20AC;?

But Sirika recently admitted that the initial cost for the project was $8.8 million and this was in

addition to N1.7 billion paid to consultants.

Funding Also, Sirika confirmed that the proposed airline would gulp $8.8 million as preliminary cost and $300 million as take-off cost and that the project would be executed through PPP. But so far, there is no indication that the private sector would inject funds in the airline.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, told THISDAY recently that it was not likely that private investors would fund the project until after it has taken off.

He explained that the investors would want to know what they are putting their money into. So, the airline must be viable before such commitment.

But Sirika has so far been mum about any interested party willing to invest or has invested money in the airline.

THISDAY learnt that so far, the committee on national carrier, led by the Minister has held meeting with aircraft manufacturers, Standard Chartered Bank, Qatar Airway and Ethiopia Airlines.

The meetings with aircraft manufacturers was for aircraft orders or acquisition, that of the bank was for funding, while the meetings with Ethiopia Airlines and Qatar were for securing core investor or technical partner for the planned airline.

Technical Processes Nevertheless, industry stakeholders have maintained that while they look forward to a successful national carrier for the nation, they are still in the dark about how government would realise the airline.

They argued that there was no clear picture on how the government wish to start the company, what the share capital would be and the definition of its ownership, since Sirika said it would be private sector driven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we do not understand is how the national carrier can be realised in less than six months to the deadline when government said it would establish the airline,â&#x20AC;? an operator who pleaded to remain anonymous said.

Also, a senior official in one of the airlines who said a national carrier would provide the pivot for the development of aviation in Nigeria, however pointed out that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the federal

government is establishing the airline, it has to be backed by an Act establishing it, which means we must go back to the National Assembly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I doubt that this could be realised in the next six months because it will take time and you must have to repeal the Act that established the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) before you enact a new Act for the national airline.â&#x20AC;?

Transparency Many industry stakeholders who spoke to THISDAY, argued that the process of establishing the national carrier has not been transparent, saying there was nothing on ground to show that the airline was about to take off.

So far, there is no physical office for the airline that would take off in December, there is no recruitment of personnel and other structures needed for the take-off of the airline are not available, they said.

Another insider told THISDAY that it was not appropriate for government to unveil the logo and name of the new national carrier in Britain without informing the stakeholders or to get Nigerians involved in the plan to establish the airline. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not appropriate to unveil the airline overseas without keeping those at home abreast of what is happening. He ought to have told stakeholders before heading to London. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Soon we shall arrive at a T junction that any move we will make will determine the success or failure of the airline. There is so much that is opaque about the airline. This is where others had reached before and because of the secretary surrounding the plan, it failed,â&#x20AC;? a source told THISDAY. While feelers also indicate that the minister has started looking out for those to recruit for the airline, some stakeholders are of the view that if the private sector would be involved and if the airline would have technical partner or core investor as stipulated, it would not be the duty of the minister to appoint personnel for the new airline. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the job that should be done by the core investor or technical partner, but government should provide guidance by saying, for example, that all the second line managers must be Nigerians because these would be the people that would take over subsequently. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know what happened to Virgin Nigeria Airways and what happened to the airline that was to be floated by the past administration. It

was secrecy that killed it,â&#x20AC;? the source said.

Aircraft Leasing When the minister unveiled the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan in the aviation industry in 2016, he had said that in addition to establishing a national carrier, the government would also establish a leasing company and a maintenance facility.

He had explained that a leasing company would supply the new airline aircraft while maintenance would be carried out at the maintenance facility in Nigeria.

This he had noted would help Nigeria conserve foreign exchange as aircraft maintenance gulps airlinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resources because major maintenance is carried out overseas.

Owing to this, industry observers are of the view that there are no indication that the leasing company was about to be established.

In addition, they argued also that is also no plan to set up maintenance facility, the establishment of a national carrier is like setting the cart before the horse.

Sirika had earlier said that one of the factors that led to the failure of Nigeria Airways was the inability of the airline to maintain its aircraft locally.

That, by the time the airline went under, the engines of its aircraft were located at maintenance hangars in three continents.

Procedures Industry stakeholders are also of the view that before the airline would start operation it must establish its own manual, and this takes at least three months to realise because by law the airline has to submit operational and organisational manual, which comes in sequences and this must go through the processes.

The President of Aviation Round Table (ART) and a seasoned aviator, Gbenga Olowo said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Nigeria must have a national airline again, then we must get it right. This is my point. The ICRC is obviously insisting on private sector control and management, because it was government inefficiency that killed off the old Nigeria Airways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The airline became a gravy train for the big men in high places. They used the planes for their private purposes...â&#x20AC;?

Perhaps some of these procedures could be skipped for the establishment of the national carrier but if they are skipped it would not be said that due process was followed in its establishment.

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Bala-Usman: Two Years in the Saddle Since her appointment as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman has introduced initiatives that are transforming the maritime sector, writes Eromosele Abiodun On July 12 2016, THISDAY had exclusively reported that in a bid to inject a fresh pair of hands to run the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, had submitted Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to President Muhammadu Buhari to take over as the new Managing Director of NPA. Five days after, this came to reality as President Buhari appointed Bala-Usman the MD of the NPA. With the appointment, Bala-Usman, then 40, she became the first female chief executive of the NPA. She took over from Habib Abdullahi, who was reinstated by Buhari in August 2015, after he had been shown the exit by former President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2015.

As expected, the news of her appointment rattled the maritime sector as many feared the radical change the co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) will bring to the industry.

Some critics had argued that she did not have the experience to run such a huge agency, having only worked at the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) before being appointed chief of staff to the Kaduna State governor.

Some critics were also not convinced that Bala-Usman possessed the required skill and experience to pilot the affairs of such extensive and multifaceted organisation.

However, all of such doubts may have now been put to rest as some have argued that the NPA boss has, in her two years in office, achieved what took her predecessors many years to achieve.

Top industry players in the maritime sector believe she has performed well, stressing that the maritime sector would never be the same again given the reform embarked upon by Bala-Usman.

That is not all, Nigerian ports said to be one of the most expensive in the world has frustrated stakeholders and businesses over the years. But that is now being addressed.

Implementing Executive Orders

In line with the executive order issued by acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Bala-Usman has taken steps to make doing business easier and cheaper across the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seaports.

She said under her leadership, NPA would review the tariffs charged by terminal operators in order to reduce the cost of doing business at the ports. The NPA, she revealed, was working on a review of the concession agreements entered with terminal operators about 11 years ago, to align the agreements with global best practices.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our port concessions have been a success story. We need to acknowledge that the landlord model that has been in place over the last 11 years has been successful. But we are working to review the concession agreements, as we have said. There are various sections of the agreements that are not being adhered to. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are various areas of obligations that both parties have not adhered to. To the extent that the Nigerian Ports Authority has critical obligations within the concession agreements that we need to abide by.â&#x20AC;?

She added that the concessionaires also have critical obligations, which in certain instances they have not complied with.

Bala-Usman

NPA became the first MDA to open its budget to the public with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with BudgIT Open Budget System Platform and Implementation of a Public Data Dissemination programme.

She also saw through the introduction of new licencing regime to ensure transparency and due process, review of concession agreement to ensure seamless collaboration for a sustained development of the maritime industry and the development of SOP and establishing of a dedicated terminal to handle export aimed at diversifying the economy and improving earnings.

She has also established dedicated terminals, which include: Ikorodu Lighter terminal for Lagos; Shoreline logistics terminal for Calabar port; BUA Ports and Terminal (warehouse measuring 2.896sqm and Port and Terminal operators Limited (Warehouse A measuring 2.760sqm for Rivers Port.

She also signed MoU with Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH) for the reconstruction of the port access road. The project cost is put at N4.34 billion. The NPA will contribute the sum of N1.829 billion.

Early in 2017, she collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to introduce the much awaited Single Window Platform aimed at simplifying and harmonising formalities, procedures and the related exchange of information & documents

Major Achievements

On assumption of office, one of her major achievements was the inauguration of the Command & Control, Communication and Intelligence Centre (CCCIC) for NPA. Today, the platform serves as surveillance of all activities and as an information network center for security agencies in the Port.

Another achievement under her management was the launch of the provisional, final billing and customer portal module of revenue invoice management system, aimed at improving service offering, partner relationship, create efficient payment method, maximise revenue and eradicate loss associated with fraud and revenue leakage.

Others are the acquisition and inauguration of four new tug boats namely MT Daura, MT Ubima, MT Uromi and MT Majiya, in order to further improve operational efficiency, establish and entrenched a level playing field for all operators at the ports, industry by removing all bottlenecks that hinder healthy competition in the industry. An example is the de-classification of ports terminals which removed the categorisation of some ports as strictly oil and gas.

To ensure transparency and accountability the

Our port concessions have been a success story.

We need to acknowledge that the landlord model that has been in place over the last 11 years has been successful. But we are working to review the concession agreements, as we have said. There are various sections of the agreements that are not being adhered to

between the various partakers in a supply chain.

She has also restored investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in the ports, notably with the China Harbour Engineering Company taking up the balance of NPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity in the Lekki deep seaports project ,the DP World signing a partnership agreement with Josepdam Port Services and the Tanger Med of Morocco indicating willingness to develop a green field terminal logistic base.

Others achievements include: realignment of the authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organisational structure to reduce cost and efficiency of business processes; introduction of merit driven performance management system to improve employee and organisational productivity; transformation of the authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manpower development practices to improve the skill, knowledge and capacity of employee and published the tariff regime of the authority on the website for the whole world to see in line with the vision of transparency and accountability.

Stakeholders have also commended her for the establishment and inauguration of the Safety Information & Operations centre at Apapa for the prompt dissemination of information to port users as part of the efforts to improve port efficiency.

In an effort to improve ship traffic at the eastern ports (Delta, Calabar and Port Harcourt), the authority deployed Tug boats, pilot cutters and initiated dredging works of the channels â&#x20AC;&#x201C;The successful berthing of FPSO Egina project is an attestation to the constant infrastructural and operational preparedness of the NPA to serve clients efficiently now and in the foreseeable future.

Constant engagement of stakeholders by her management on quarterly basis has resulted in industrial harmony.

The NPA management under her leadership has also ensured the completion of processes leading to the award of contract for the dredging of Warri-Escravos at the cost of N13 billion, successful concession of terminal B old Warri Port, commencement of the construction of the Lekki deep sea port and secured the approval N9.7 billion for the purchase of additional two tug boats for the authority to further improve safe navigation and operational efficiency at the ports.

Anti Corruption Fight

One of the key mandates given to the NPA boss was to rid the agency of corruption and restore sanity. She has been doing so.

In the area, Bala-Usman disclosed that some of its technical partners in its joint venture companies sanctioned in a Swiss Court for bribing NPA officials to defraud the federal government would be investigated and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She said NPA had asked for guidance from

the Attorney General of the Federation on its continued relationship with the entities in view of their sanctioning in the Swiss Court for corruption.

Swiss prosecutors had named four former Nigerian government officials in a multinational bribe scandal relating to contract awards at NPA. The former Nigerian government officials were indicted alongside Dredging International, one of the technical partners that was sentenced to a fine of one million Swiss Francs and directed to refund 36 million Swiss Francs in illegal profits for allegedly making the illicit payments to the Nigerian officials. Dredging International Services is one of the technical partners of Bonny Channel Management Limited (BCML) that runs the Bonny Channel Company (BCC) with the NPA in a joint-venture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; public-private partnership. â&#x20AC;&#x153; We had a situation where one of our technical partners in our joint venture companies was sanctioned in a Switzerland court for being said to have bribed officials of the NPA over a period.

We have obtained the Swiss court sanctioning and forwarded same to the EFCC for further investigation on the persons and the entities that were said to have benefited from the graft. We have also forwarded the Swiss court documents to the AGF office for them to guide us on our continued relation with this entity in view of the sanctioning that it has gotten from the Swiss court for corrupt practices with NPA officials,â&#x20AC;? she said.

On the measures put in place to fight corruption at the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ports, she said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For every corrupt practice that we identify we forward to the EFCC to investigate and determine what prosecution process they will embark upon. When we identify a legal concern whereby there is a lack of clarity on the role of government or there is a seeming disadvantage that has been provided to the Nigerian people, we have forwarded to the Antony General to provide legal guidance on how we can exit some of these relationships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of the corruption practices that we have identified within the port operation are attributable to certain contractual obligations the NPA has entered with entities whereby the federal government is short-changed. We are working at reviewing such agreements and we are working on terminating some of the agreements. We have reached out to the relevant agencies and communicated our position on this.â&#x20AC;?

Ports Infrastructure

For regular visitors to the ports across the country, it is no longer news that decaying ports infrastructure has become worrisome. However, the NPA under Bala-Usman has also embarked on efforts to boost revenue generation through the provision of infrastructure and technologically up-to-date equipment at the ports.

Part of her plan is to reposition the ports industry to play its key role as the gateway to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

She said the federal government was making efforts to reposition the ports in line with global trends. Growth in trade volumes, she said, was a strong factor in the need for port investment to boost efficiency, build robust, responsive and competitive port economy in tune with global best practices.

She said development and upgrading existing port infrastructure as well as improvement in performance had become imperative.

In countries like North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, she said, growing container market has led to incremental upgrade of the existing port infrastructure with container handling automation already put in place to handle large carriers with up to 18,000 TEU. To achieve this, the NPA has partnered the Port of Miami, United States, to boost export and trade facilitation programme of the federal government.

Bringing Back Railway

In addition, the NPA has taken steps to ensure that goods are moved in and out of the ports through the railway line that stopped operating several years ago.

To achieve this, the agency has partnered with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to improve rail facilities from the Lagos ports to the hinterlands.

During her tour of terminals in the Apapa Port, she told THISDAY that the effort would necessarily improve the trade chain as the railway can be used to move large quantities of consignments real time.

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

FG Urged to Be Committed to Maritime Sector Growth Stories by Eromosele Abidun Stakeholders in the maritime industry have urged the federal government to be more committed to the growth of the sector.

According to them, lack of foresight was one of the factors hindering the growth of the sector.

The stakeholders who spoke at a youth sensitisation program tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go to Sea Campaign,â&#x20AC;? organised by Young Ship Nigeria, said the federal government myopic thinking had affected the growth of the industry.

A member of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), and Chief Executive Officer, Vow Ventures, Olaitan Williams, said the level of youth exposure to the maritime sector was limited, due to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limited knowledge of the potentials of the maritime industry.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;While some visionary leaders are creating young minds in the maritime industry, Nigeria is yet to awake from its sleep. The

country is busy with mundane classroom ethics when the world is moving in the entrepreneur direction. You will discover that the Philippines, Japan and China introduce their citizen to shipping at a very young age and that is why they are dominating the industry today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is limited exposure of our young ones to shipping due to non-inclusion of maritime courses in the educational curriculum. Many of our seafarers are yet to have sea time training due to lack of vessels when the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) is there which the government should disbursed to aid training of our seafarers.

How then can we compete with the world?â&#x20AC;?

She said there was need for more participation of industry regulators including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council to enhance the potential of the industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stakeholders must be involved by harnessing the vast potential in the maritime industry. We must demystify the

idea that only the developed economies should play a role in the global maritime industry, local players must be encouraged to invest in the future of the industry by partnering institutions promoting the industry,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Maritime lawyer and Chairman, Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, Oritsematosan Edodo-

Emore, urged the government to do more for the young ones who desire to have a career in the industry.

While speaking on the importance of starting young, she urged the young scholars present at the event to identity their purpose and work towards it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Identify the sector where

your talents can be used in the maritime industry, and start working towards it today. You must have a passion to learn, have a mentor that will mentor you and teach you some of the things you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand in the maritime industry,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Earlier in his opening address, the National Chairman, Young Ship Nigeria, Usman

Shuiab, described the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime sector as an incubator for economic revolution and sustainability on the continent.

He said the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go to Sea Campaign 2018â&#x20AC;? with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Sea and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is to specifically target secondary school students who are yet to take binding decision on their career path.

Clearing Agents, Operators Spoil for War Over N4bn COURTESY VISIT R-L: Port Division Manager, China Harbours Engineering Company Limited, Eduardo Du; Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services, Demurrage Charges Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Prof. Idris Abubakar; Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman; Deputy General Manager, China Export Customs brokers are on a collision course with terminal operators and shipping companies over the N4 billion demurrage accrued from the recently shelved strike by truck drivers, THISDAY findings has revealed.

For six days that truck drivers shunned lifting of cargoes at the ports, over N4 billion accrued as demurrage and storage charges which must be cleared by importers.

Investigations revealed that N668 million demurrage was incurred daily for the duration of the strike which translated to N4 billion.

This has therefore resulted to a running battle between clearing agents, importers on one hand and the service providers on the other.

While the clearing agents are calling for waivers over the strike period, the terminal operators have remained indifferent.

According to a manager in one of the container terminals in Lagos, the terminal operators will collect the demurrage accrued during the period under review.

Vice President, Western Zone of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Ibrahim Tanko, appealed to the shipping companies and terminal operators, on behalf of other freight forwarders, to grant them waivers on accrued demurrage.

He declared that the industrial action was not the making of the customs brokers, hence the need for the service providers to grant demurrage waivers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is it our fault that the con-

tainers are incurring storage and demurrage? It is not the fault of the importers but the fault of the importers representative. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clearing agents are representative of importers and not terminal operators nor shipping companies. Why are we bearing the cost of someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget we are in business looking for profit. That is why we are here, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a manager in one of the terminal operators declared.

He disclosed that rather than the agents forcing the waiver down the throats of operators, the government should engage them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t government call terminal operators, shipping companies to a meeting and give concession to cargo owners and we tell them that since we are also going to pay our lease fees like we use to pay every time, they should give us concession so that we can give others concession. If government is not giving us concession, why are we giving other people concession?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If people are saying truckers went on strike because of the roads, they incur demurrage and all that, it is government that is supposed to be discussing with us because if not, everyone can go on strike and they will ask us to give them waivers we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that,â&#x20AC;? he said sternly.

Reacting to the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Joe Sanni, has asked clearing agents not to pay the demurrage accrued to terminal operators and shipping companies during the strike period.

& Credit Insurance Corporation, Zhou Shangzhi; Client Manager, China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, Huang Xiao Fei; Managing Director, China Harbours Engineering Co. (Nigeria) Limited, Zhang Wenfeng and CFO Lekki Port, Sandeep Parasramka, during a courtesy visit to NPA in Lagos...recently

Customs Intercepts Export Bound N48m Unprocessed Wood in Apapa The comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Strike Force has once again intercepted unprocessed woods worth over N48million in Apapa.

The came barely a week after the strike force intercepted about 3420 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.

Speaking to newsmen, the Zonal Commander, Zone A of the strike force, Salisu AsabaBullah said the unprocessed woods were on the way to be exported out of the country.

Asaba-Bullah who disclosed that the unprocessed woods fell under export prohibition list said the consignment have been seized and are presently under detention.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;At about

1130 hrs of Tuesday, 3rd July 2018. A team of Headquarter: Strike Force led by ASCl Olaniyan, J. O and others intercepted 4 x 20 Containers with numbers: TRHU 361154-8, MRSU 017398-0, TRHU 336524-9 AND BSlU 299069-8 conveyed on lveco trucks with Reg. Nos LSD 507XS; JJJ 558XV; AGL 530 XA and one unmarked lveco truck respectively along Apapa Axis, suspected to be carrying uncustom goods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Trucks were brought to Federal Operation Unit, Ikeja Government Warehouse where physical examination was conducted on the said containers and it revealed unprocessed wood. A seizure entry was made since unprocessed wood fall under export prohibition list.â&#x20AC;?

The Forestry Department

had in 2016 said the maximum allowable dimensions of unprocessed woods for exports are length 30mm-350mm, width 50mm-360mm and thickness 25mm-345mm.

Also, exporters of unprocessed woods must have all the required permits including, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) certificate for exports, strict compliance with the provisions of the extant guidelines for non-oil exports, completion of Nigeria Exports Proceeds form and that of the customs service ,opening of letter of credit for buyers and repatriation of foreign exchange proceeds arising from the approval into the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domiciliary account in Nigeria, and all the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate

required for the establishment of any company.

The permit to all semiprocessed and processed wood exporters, procedures, guidelines and documentation for export of semi-processed and processed wood exporters from Nigeria also includes letters of request from prospective buyers, evidence of permits from the state where the wood will be sourced, pre-visit to the factory site by relevant officers from the Federal Department of Forestry among others.

The critical aspect of the new requirements for wood exports is that, the exporter must own a saw mill where these woods are processed to the required sizes for exports. This will add value and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

NPA Boss Seeks Collaboration for Inter-modalism The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman has said a lot still needs to be done â&#x20AC;&#x153;particularly in synergising efforts and fine-tuning grey areasâ&#x20AC;? in order to ensure continuous improvement in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inter modal freight transport and logistics value chain.â&#x20AC;?

The NPA boss stated this while presenting a paper titled,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inter Model Freight Transport: Key to unfolding the potential of Nigerian Seaports for Speedy Economic Recovery and growth,â&#x20AC;? at the national conference on fast tracking port reforms organised by The Nation Newspaper in Abuja.

She assured that the authority would continue to remain focused and determined to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve optimum efficiency and productiv-

ity in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ports, Bala-Usman said the organisation had put in place several interventions and collaboration with various stakeholders on the critical role of inter -model transport to unlock the potentials of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ports.

Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NPA, Mohammed Bello KoKo, she enumerated some

notable benefits associated with Inter Modal Freight Transport, especially in the areas of seamless transport as essential to shippers.

She pointed out that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An economically efficient and environmentally sound inter modal transport, provides the basis for Nigeria to compete in the global economy and also will move people and goods in an efficient manner.â&#x20AC;?

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BUSINESSWORLD

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTION

Investing into Tissue Paper Producing Plant for Daily Cash In Nigeria some of the ways to adopt to increase the Gross National Product (GDP) is to develop Agriculture, establish more small and medium scale industries and diversifying to other mineral resources.

One of the most viable and profitable small scale industries to invest into is production of toilet tissues (toilet rolls, serviettes and facial tissue) Most Nigerians consume toilet roll. Its demand is influenced by population explosion, rapid urbanization and social awareness. It is generally used for cleaning and sanitary purposes in households, restaurants, hotels, canteens, social gatherings, parties, maternity homes, clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, churches, night clubs, shops, fast food centres and offices.

Research findings indicate that Nigeria alone now needs over 950 million tons of tissue papers per annum. While our total local production output is still less than 150 million tonnes, the supply gap offers a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria investors.

Nigerian investors can now go into this lucrative business using locally made machines. Though there are imported machines as well, our local investors do not need to waste their scarce foreign exchange for the importation. The writer will assist you in procuring and installing quality machines that stand the test of time at moderate and affordable prices.

The attractiveness of this project is that both the raw materials and equipment are locally available and the technology involved is very easy to understand and master. The essential equipment is: (1) Core making machine (2) Rewinding System (3) Band Saw cutter (4) Embossing Unit (5) Perforating Unit Thesemachine components are portable, simple to operate and durable.

The machines will be procured from highly experienced local producers of such machines. The writer will supply the machines at the sum of N3.5Million.

However, the imported machines (as

ers and oil workers who may want to have additional stream of income and as di-investment. You can also establish this project for unemployed young graduates in your family and community to manage and become fully employed and also generate income for all the stakeholders.

This project can be established by anybody. Those that are already into Toilet roll production can comfortably integrate these products into their existing plant.

A three-bedroom flat garage or warehouse may serve, as accommodation while staff strength of eight is required for effective production, marketing and administration. Bigger or smaller plants are also available at competitive prices.

For details on preparation of comprehensive & bankable feasibility studies/ report, sourcing & installation of quality & durable machines; Recruitment & Training, Sourcing of Investment funds, Estimated Cost Implications (N’000) Preliminary Expenses indicated below) can go as high as N10million.

The locally made machines being introduced here is rugged, reliable and high performing with a capacity of one to 2tons per day. Operating on a single shift for a minimum of 250 days per annum, a total of 500 MT of tissue paper will be procured and processed into quality tissue products (toilet rolls & serviettes).

Raw materials include jumbo reels, and glue. Packaging materials include printed wrapping paper and nylon bags.

All these are 100 per cent available locally.

The total sales revenue is N437.5million from which we deducted our total inputs of N315. 5million thus realizing a gross profit before tax of N122.5million in the first year.

Many Nigerians have burnt their fingers while sourcing local machinery from some inexperienced and dishonest fabricators

Nigeria Plans Country Pavilion at Intra-African Trade Fair Nigeria is now the second country to announce plans to take a country pavilion at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) being organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo from 11 to 17 December.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who made the announcement during an engagement session on the IATF co-organised by Afreximbank and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), said that Nigeria would participate effectively in the trade fair and would use it as an opportunity to showcase its trade and investment opportunities.

In June, South Africa had announced that it would take a country pavilion.

“We believe that the Trade Fair will provide an opportunity for Nigeria to engage with other countries and investors who are interested in partnering with Nigeria to support the “Zero Oil Policy” to reposition the Nigerian economy,” Osinbajo, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Rahman Adeola Ipaye said.

He urged Nigerian companies and states to book space

at the trade fair in order to showcase their unique goods and services, asking them to spread word about the trade fair to their networks so as to ensure that Nigeria was properly represented.

Also speaking, a statement quoted the Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to have said that there was need to reinforce the collective belief that African economic liberation could only be realised by and within the African continent.

Represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Ibrahim Hassan, Abubakar, who is also Chairman National Committee on Export Promotion of the National Economic Council, said Nigeria was committed to leveraging on the opportunities to be created by the trade fair to expand its continental trade.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, said the aim of the IATF was to close the gap on access to trade and market information in Africa, adding that the trade fair would create a sustainable platform for connecting buyers and sellers across Africa.

who produce machines with very low efficiency. Many investors have been deceived. They also tell big lies about the efficiency, performance, capacity and life span of these machines. To guard against this industrial fraud, prospective investors can contact this writer for free investment advisory services. The issue of availability of raw materials should not disturb anybody because we have so many options to handle it.

On the whole, a toilet roll project can be done on a very good small-scale. It can also grow to a medium or large scale within few years if it is well managed.

It can launch a small investor into the world of multi-millionaire within two to three years of operation. Anybody can invest into the business- those people that have been working for so long but have not thought of retirement date (which will eventually come); politicians, retired workers, state & local governments, bank-

500 Machinery &Equipment (depending on the type of machines) 3,500 Working (Variable) 5,500 Accommodation (Rented) (variable) 3, 500 Utilities 3,500 Contingencies 1,250 Total 17,750 For further enquiries, please contact the writer Uba Godwin Global Trust Consulting, 56, Ishaga Road (1st floor),Surulere, Lagos Tel- 08034494437, 08023664368, E-mail: ubagodwin@yahoo.com

IEI-Anchor Pension Managers Grows Assets to N80bn

Promasidor MD Counsels Students on Career Choice

Ebere Nwoji

The Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson, has urged secondary school students to seek professional counsel before making career decisions in order to enhance their capacity to contribute to the future development of the society.

Einarsson made the call in Lagos while reviewing the success of Promasidor Harness Your Dream (PHYD), a career guidance workshop organised and sponsored by the company.

The workshop, which was launched in Lagos last year, has also been held in Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The chief executive, who described the programme as a catch-them-young initiative, said career guidance was essential for students at junior secondary school (JSS) class 3, just before they make decisions about the subjects of their career choices.

“PHYD is designed for JSS3 students. At that level, they have nothing to lose.

They are at the threshold of making choices. What the career guidance does to participants is encouraging them to review

IEI-Anchor Pension Managers, said pension assets currently under its management has grown to over N80 billion.

The Managing Director/ CEO, IEI-Anchor Pensions, Mr. Glory Etaduovie, who stated this during a media parley recently said the company has made tremendous progress in its efforts to penetrate the pension industry in the last three years.

He said the company’s customer service delivery had persuaded both individual and company customers to trust in its capacity to manage their pension fund.

According to him, the company’s Asset Under Management (AUM) increased from N47 billion in 2015, to over N75 billion at the end of 2017, while aiming to achieve over N100 billion AUM by 2019.

Between January and March 2018, he said, a total number of 2,414 benefits were processed and paid amounting to N192 million.

Etaduovie, said IEI-Anchor Pension Managers, had developed a model that will sustain the PFA in years to come.

He said When the pension transfer window finally opens, the company intends to add about 30 per cent more contributors and pension assets, to its existing account insisting that IEI-Anchor Pensions is well positioned for that and other initiatives that can grow the company for the better.

On the Pension MultiFund structure which commenced earlier in the month, Etaduovie,said, his company has raised awareness among its clients to better inform them on the benefits of this scheme.

He said the company equally has presence in most states of the federation, and was gradually penetrating the pension market, despite being one of the third-tier operators licensed by PenCom. On the company’s investment pattern, Etaduovie, said the pension guideline plays a key role on how his PFA invests its fund, adding that there is no room for unnecessary investment adventure, He also noted that the market presents good opportunities and initiatives - a good blend of bonds, Treasury Bills, Money market and other safe investments.

Raheem Akingbolu

their decisions based on their natural capacities and talents,” he explained.

Einarsson disclosed that PHYD was inspired by the company’s desire to continually support the economic development of the company, insisting that the older generations could not afford to the leave the all-important career choice to students alone. He urged professionals to take active interest in helping students through career selection.

He noted: “If we are truly interested in the future of our children, if we sincerely want them to succeed and we are committed to growing the economy, we must guide students at crucial stages of their education to make the right choices.”

Justifying Promasidor’s interest in career development, he noted: “By the nature of our products, we are children and family-oriented. We have always identified with catch-them-young initiative. We want to let them know that they should be liable to the society and themselves.

This is the reason youths are central to our corporate social responsibilities, which cover education, empowerment and sports.”

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PERSPECTIVE

Lessons from Togo: Making Gains in Fight against Illicit Trade Akeem Ogunlade

News had filtered from across the border that our neighbors, the Togolese Government had on June 29, 2018, demonstrated to its population and the world, its commitment to fight against illicit trade across all sectors. This news came as part of celebrations marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the government had organised a massive destruction ceremony of all products previously seized by the various agencies involved in the fight against illicit trade and circulation of illicit products.

The exercise which was conducted under the theme, “For A Balanced Approach, Let Us Together Support Preventive Actions for A Safe and Drug-resilient Youthful Population”, saw the destruction of important quantities of cocaine, cannabis, tramadol or other fake medications, illicit cigarettes, fake alcoholic products amongst others.

Sadly, illicit trade in tobacco accounts for an estimated 600 billion cigarettes per year worldwide. These illicit cigarettes have either been smuggled, counterfeited or evaded duties. The illegality thrives on the fact that cigarettes are among the most commonly traded products on the black market due to high profit margins, relative ease of production and movement, weak regulations and low detection rates and penalties.

A historical analysis of proactive measures by the Togolese government to combat illicit trade in tobacco showed that they had signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on May 12, 2004 and this was later ratified on November 15, 2005. With the realisation that illicit trade in tobacco was an even greater problem given the security, economic and health consequences that had arisen as a result of its growth, the government took a giant step to adopt a directive to specifically regulate the transit of tobacco products through Togo in March 2016.

Interestingly, Article 2 of this directive is very clear on the fact that any cigarette products declared as being in transit must imperatively carry the health warning clauses and other packaging and labelling requirements of the country declared as country of destination. On February 1, 2018 the FCTC Convention Secretariat announced Togo as the 35th Party to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

At the June 29 event to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, over twelve containers of illicit cigarettes (over 120 million sticks) were destroyed during this exercise organized

by Togolese authorities. This included brands like YES, Bon International, Gold Seal, Force 10, Red, Legend etc. NGOs and the private sector have in the past raised concerns regarding the growth of

illicit trade in tobacco products and have continually called on firm actions to be taken in order to discourage people from gaining interest in this illegal activity.

The important seizures recorded during routine port controls and product inspections was an indication that the transit space has been increasingly used by smugglers to continue to feed illicit products into the sub-region.

In effect, tobacco smugglers have found new ways of expanding their illegal activities and now focus on a trend called “cheap or illicit whites,” which is raising new challenges for governments across the sub-region. These cigarettes may be legally produced but are then smuggled and traded illegally.

As part of the general trend, products are manufactured in free trade zones like the United Arab Emirates for instance, very minimal or no taxes are paid on them and they are shipped into West Africa and declared as transit.

These products which do not meet the cigarette standards in the countries declared as either transit or destination eventually never get to the “masked” destination as they are later warehoused in remote locations and sold out illegally to the population.

The good news is that the Togolese government found a very smart and innovative way to tackle the issue.

Other countries like Benin, Niger and

Babington-Ashaye Foresees Bright Prospects for Insurance Sector The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has assured players in the Nigerian capital market that the nation’s insurance industry has the potential to deliver value to the investment community.

President of the institute, Mrs Funmi Babington Ashaye, who stated this during the official visit of the Council of the CIIN to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where she also performed the closing gong ceremony on the floor of the Exchange in Lagos, said the industry fundamentals today are sound and favourable.

The visit, which was part of activities to mark completion of her tenure as the president of the CIIN, offered her the opportunity to appreciate capital market operators for their immense contributions

towards the recapitalisation exercise of the insurance industry between 2005 and 2007.

“With the recapitalisation exercise, the solvency and capacity of insurance companies to underwrite large risks and meet obligations arising from claims, have improved tremendously.

“More importantly, more foreign insurance companies have been attracted to the Nigerian insurance space due to the resultant improvement in regulations and business environment,” she added.

Babington-Ashaye, further stated that as the economy consolidates on its growth trajectory, the insurance industry would hopefully enjoy an unprecedented boom due to the various initiatives of the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) which

includes release of guideline on micro-insurance to deepen insurance penetration and to achieve financial inclusion target for the sector, implementation of compulsory insurance and adoption of new risk-based regulatory regime.

She however commended the leadership of the NSE, stating that existing and potential investors are rest assured that their investments are in safe hands.

She urged all listed entities to faithfully comply with market regulations and reporting practices, in the best interest of all stakeholders.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema,delegation said the insurance industry occupies an important position on the NSE.

Burkina Faso have also adopted similar measures to tackle illicit trade in tobacco products.

As such, whilst leveraging on the transit directive mentioned earlier, port activities in Togo revealed that these products which were destroyed, had been declared as transit for neighboring countries like Ghana, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, but did not in any way meet the cigarette standards prescribed by the authorities in these countries. It has been observed that these products generally do not reach the declared destinations as they are later dumped in markets and across land borders at very cheap prices.

It should be noted that because they are declared as transit, the required taxes are not paid on them and thus significant revenue due to be paid to Government is lost. They are later sold out at very affordable prices thereby increasing youth access to cigarette consumption. Funds derived from this illegal activity are sometimes used to fund organised crime and/or finance other criminal activities like terrorism.

The Togolese government’s initiative to adopt and implement a tobacco transit directive and the results that have come since this was done, is a glaring confirmation that West Africa is an area chosen by tobacco smugglers to carry out their organised crime. As such, it is time for all countries in the sub-region to implement

similar measures in a bid to stamp out illicit trade in tobacco products which in turn will reduce the increased access to tobacco products occasioned by these “cheap whites”.

Major legal players in the tobacco industry in West Africa such as British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International (PMI) and Imperial Tobacco Group (ITG), have all welcomed the regulatory direction taken by the Togolese government.

For the industry, they believe that an ECOWAS directive to regulate tobacco transit was the ideal way to go as far as fighting illicit trade is concerned.

With the 40TH ratification of the WHO Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products which now makes it international law, following the ratification of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 27 June 2018, it is hoped that more stringent actions will be taken to fight this phenomenon.

For Nigeria, Togo and our other West African neighbors have provided a robust and working mechanism against illicit trade that we must adopt without delay.

As one of the countries most hit by insurgency, we must take up the challenge and stamp out illicit trade if we are to support the economic growth of the nation.

Ogunlade is of the Centre for Promotion of Enterprise and Business Best Practices

Shoprite Undertakes Corporate Social Responsibility Celebrities, environmentalists and thought leaders recently collaborated with Shoprite at a clean-up event aimed at enforcing environmental sanitation.

Billed as ‘Africa’s Biggest Cleanup,’ the event saw over 6000 volunteers across the continent clean their communities in more than 500 different events.

According to a statement, 45 of the events were held across selected locations in Nigeria.

The first of these events took place this recently in collaboration with Wecyclers, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Visionscape, Kids Beach Garden, Sustainable Africa Waste Initiative, Pick That Trash, NGO’s and a host

of individuals.

The General Manager of LAWMA, Segun Adeniji, expressed delight at the success of the event.

He said, “We are so delighted to have been a part of this project, the turnout was amazing and the waste from all locations run into tons for recycling.

“We hope that other organisations will take a leaf from this huge effort by Shoprite to keep our environment safer in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce the impact of climate change on the environment.”

Speaking at the event, the founder of Kids Beach Garden, Doyinsola Ogunye, emphasised the fact that, “Shoprite

is a market leader and has shown that leadership once again with its commitment to not just sponsor such initiative but also get its staff members to commit to community service.” She noted that for her the highlight was the fact that Shoprite went the extra mile to invite children from Ajegunle to teach them about recycling waste and protecting the environment while providing the children with an opportunity to have fun at the beach.

Water sachets popularly known as pure water, PET bottles, fast food containers, along with crisp, sweet and lolly wrappers, were the third highest find with almost 56 items per 100 metres.

WEEKLY PULLOUT

WEEKEND Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi... Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

NEWS| P30

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

I DREAM OF SHARING THE STAGE WITH DON MOEN SOMEDAY

28/COVER

20.07.2018

Bidemi Olaoba: I Dream of Sharing the Stage with Don Moen Someday The fear of not making eternity scares me I discovered I was sold on music at 14 The wedding bells will ring soon.

Energetic, playful, humble, funny, and frank. He is armed with a strong vocal prowess capable of getting the audience on their feet for hours non-stop. Bidemi Olaoba needs no introduction within Nigeria’s contemporary gospel circle. He speaks with Adedayo Adejobi on how he nurtured his dream, the challenges, and inspiration behind his songs. Olaoba also talks about when the wedding bells would ring. Excerpts...

When did you discover you were sold on the idea of becoming a gospel singer?

I discovered God's call on my life at age 14.

I remember I was still in secondary school at that time.

Have you always wanted to do music?

I’ve been a lover of music yes. Although I went to the Institute of Technology, Yaba to, study Civil Engineering. I don’t see myself using that degree. Since I have realised and developed my interest in music, my motto has always been “Praising God is my lifetime commitment”. I don’t intend to break that motto for anything as long as God gives me the grace in Jesus name.

How did your interest in music begin?

Well, I never knew I could sing really. I remember when I was much younger and pushed to the children’s choir. I would just open my mouth and sing the choruses we were taught then. But when I was opportune to take lead, many people would applaud me, telling me of how well I did and how they experienced the move of God. From there, I realised that I’ve developed an interest in singing and much more. It’s a calling, a ministry that God has gifted me with.

Who were/are your mentors in the music ministry?

My mentors are Nathaniel Bassey, Mama Bola and My Pastor Seun Folarin of Siloam Apostolic Ministries.

Tell us about your little beginnings.

How did you nurture your dream?

I nurtured my dream by using my gift as a singer for the service in my local church back then.

What challenges have you faced so far as a recording artist?

The greatest challenge any young music minister can face is a broken face, and that has been my challenge. But God has helped me so far to keep my eye solely on him.

Do you hope to be signed to any record label soon?

I plan to drop my debut album By October 2018 by the Grace of God. I am not under any record label at the moment and I am not in a hurry either.

What kind of atmosphere or mood inspires you to write your songs?

I write songs when I sense the grace upon me to do so per time.

What inspires your songs?

The Holy Spirit gives me inspiration. This could come when in my quiet place or sometimes when I’m worshipping.

What is it like being a single gospel artiste and how do you manage advances from female fans?

Been a single artiste hasn’t been easy. But God will perfect that area soon.

Does that suggest that the wedding bell is ringing anytime soon?

Yes, the wedding bell will ring soon.

When you are on stage ministering, who do you see yourself reaching out to?

I have been anointed by God to heal the broken hearted, people who have lost hope.

I try to inspire young adults to focus on The

Olaoba

Word because that's the only way we can have a personal relationship with Jesus and most importantly bring people to Jesus.

What do you fear most?

I’m most afraid of, God forbid, not making heaven. Aside that, nothing else scares me.

How would you describe your style of music and what kind of people does it appeal to?

My genre of music is Highlife, but I like the coinage Fuji Blues because it has both fast and slow tempo paced. It appeals to the old and young.

Who would you most like to meet – dead or alive?

Barrack Obama.

Has popularity affected your lifestyle in anyway? And how do you keep it real?

Well, I can’t and I don’t live a fake life. Being a celebrity hasn’t changed me. I am who I am and as real as I was before attaining the celebrity status.

Where do you want to be in the next few years?

In a few years from now, I see a beautiful family for myself and greater exploits for Jesus.

I would also want to own a music school to inspire the younger generation who still wants to do gospel music. Gospel music is not boring it depends on how you see it. In the next few years, I want to be a coach, mentor and a cheerleader to many.

Which gospel artists do you dream of sharing the stage with someday?

Don Moen. He is a great carrier of God’s anointing!

What would you not travel without?

I won’t travel without my diary and Bible.

If one artist was to perform at your party, who would get the call?

Mama Tope Alabi.

Who is the most famous person you have met?

The most famous personality I have met is Pastor E.A Adeboye.

criticisms?

I understand that we go from glory to glory and faith to faith. I really don't see their criticism as, "Oh, they're against us."

Having worked in the music industry, what's the biggest lesson you've learned?

The biggest lesson that I learned is that I have to control or manage my life because the career can consume me. I don't want the career to consume my life. My ministry has to understand that I will have a family, and I want my family to understand that I have a ministry. So, trying to manage that will be the biggest challenge I see.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Quiet, quick thinker and humorous.

As a gospel artist and a road musician, what are some of the challenges that you face day-to-day from being in various church settings? Do you find it difficult to get fed spiritually?

On the road, you have to make the time or you will get strained. Every week – every Monday – we have rehearsal. Before rehearsal, we get our time to refresh, to get more back into ourselves. I keep in touch with my home church, Siloam fellowship and I have a good line with my pastor. We have our time of refreshing at least once a while.

Every new generation of contemporary gospel music inevitably suffers some form of backlash from traditional listening audiences.

What do you say to those conventional

What does the future hold for Bidemi Olaoba?

The future can only be better. I have hope because Christ in me the hope of glory.

In your opinion, what’s the best song ever recorded?

An inspirational song titled ‘You raise me up’, written by Brendan Graham, and originally composed by Irish-Norwegian duo Secret Garden.

29/XTRA

20.07.2018

Adeboye Inaugurates Remodelled Dominion Sanctuary Mary Nnah General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has inaugurated the remodelled headquarters parish building of the First Born Family, Dominion Sanctuary, Region 19, an ultra-modern edifice situated along ACME Road, Ogba, Lagos. The project, which took approximately 10 months to complete, started in September last year and was officially completed in July 2018. It is a two-storey building that comprises offices for national officers, elders, ministers’ rooms, prayer foyer, vestry, pastors in charge of the parish and the region, expanded gallery, a bookshop, etc.

The remodelled office block is also an addition to the existing structure which already houses floor for youth, children church, toddler classes, play rooms, and multi-purpose hall.

The dedication ceremony, which had the theme, “Dream-Like Miracles”, witnessed a large turnout of worshippers from far and near.

Adeboye who prayed for dream-like miracles

Pastor Adeboye being decorated with Chaplain General emblem

to the parishioners, quoted copiously from the scripture where God showered unmerited blessings that looked like dream on people.

“Miracles are in categories of wonders, signs, greatness, superior, special and dream-like which

also is in category of physical, material, social and spiritual. Some miracles happen that you will still think you are dreaming,” he noted.

His wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye , who also prayed with the parishioners for more

blessings and breakthroughs, congratulated the Ikeja family and elders for their exemplary work especially in nurturing the church to greatness. Also, in recognition of their contribution towards the growth of Christianity in Nigeria and their role in respect of Christian social responsibility endeavour of the RCCG, Pastor Adeboye and wife were decorated with Chaplain General and Patroness General of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria respectively.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by Head Of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye felicitated with the parish on the dedication of the sanctuary.

He said, "The dedication should be a reminder for all to rededicate to service and continue to pray for peace and unity of the country."

Pastor-In-Charge of Region 19 who doubles as Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Missions, Brown Oyitso expressed appreciation to Pastor Adeboye, 12 people that God used to restart the parish many years ago, past leaders who toiled in prayer, fasting and laborious work to build the family and many others who have contributed to the success of the parish.

Yaba Deanery Canvasses for Moral Upbringing in Families Sunday Ehigiator The Family and Human Life Unit of the Yaba Deanery recently held a conference for families tagged, “The Human Family Of Tomorrow, What Image Are We Shaping Of It Today?” According to the unit, there is need for families to imbibe the right morals and doctrine in their children’s upbringing, through strong catholic foundation, amongst others.

The symposium held at St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Lagos, saw an assembly of Christian counsellors, marriage facilitators, Catechists, members of faith formation and capacity building societies.

Presentations were done by well-seasoned speakers like Dr. (Mrs.) Franca Attoh and Prof. Ndukaeze Nwabueze , both from the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, on thought provoking papers like, “the human family of tomorrow, what image are we shaping today?” and “our family of tomorrow, what are children and youths saying to us?” respectively.

From the question and answer segments,

L-R: Coordinator, Yaba Deanry Family and Human Life Unit, Lagos Archdiocese, Dr. Michael Adelabu; Guest Speaker, Dr. Franca Attah, and Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Emeiwo Biakolo at the first edition of the conference in Lagos recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

the syndicate groups discussion session in which reports were presented by groups, all in attendance came to an agreement that family was the bedrock of every society.

According to the joint communiqué issued at the end of the symposium, the importance of the family unit cannot be understated because without it, there will be no society.

They likewise agreed that, strong catholic family foundation is essential in the world today, in that, families must induct their members into genuine faith, doctrine, moral principles and core values of the church and transmit same to future generation.

Furthermore, it was concluded that, faith formation and evangelisation of Christ faithful’s should start from the domestic church because the family has an evangelism and missionary responsibility. The communiqué also emphasised that parents owe their kids love and affection so that they can be free to tell their parents everything.

Speaking also on unplanned pregnancy in the family, they lamented that it is on increase these days due to lack of early exposure of children to sex education.

To this end, parents were advised not to shy away from educating their youngsters on the hazards of indulging in immoral acts or pre-marital sex.

Lastly, parents were admonished to at all times, pray together as family, read the scriptures and teach the children how to pray for themselves and others.

Winners Emerge in Bounce News Loyalty Promo Bounce News has announced the grand prize winners of the maiden edition of its “Bounce Awoof Promo”, a consumer loyalty promotion which was held earlier in the year to reward loyal users of the Bounce News App. In the electronic draws held in Lagos recently, Jacob Ovey and Kayode Oyeyemi emerged as the grand prize winners of an all-expense paid trip to Dubai and London respectively.

To cap it all, each winner will also be allowed to go with any person of their choice, all expenses paid by Bounce News.

The draw was witnessed by the representatives of the National Lotteries Regulatory Commission, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Lagos State Lotteries Board.

Speaking on the loyalty promotions, Goodluck Ikporo, General Manager, Bounce News, said the promo was their way of thanking and appreciating the support of its loyal consumers who have reposed trust in them within the short period of their existence.

He said with over 1.3 million downloads so far, Bounce News had undoubtedly become the foremost news app in Nigeria.

Ikporo stated, “We have lots of giveaway gifts for our users as a way of telling them that we love them and appreciate their support for a brand new online news platform that only just launched in Nigeria last year.

“Apart from the grand prizes of all expense paid trips for two persons to Dubai and London

respectively, we are also rewarding other 1,200 lucky winners of the draws with various gifts from among the thousands of entries we received.

"The gift items include 100 brand new android smart phones, data bundles worth over 1000 each, over 100 movie tickets to watch any movie of their choice in any part of Nigeria and Airtime recharge cards.”

Ikporo explained further that the two grand prize winners were selected through the draw from the pool of entries for the promo.

Commenting on the live promo draws, Susie Onwuka, Head, Lagos Office of the Consumer Protection Council, while congratulating the winners said the electronic draws have made promotions more transparent and believable among Nigerians,

adding that no one was in doubt about the process leading to the emergence of the winners.

Also commenting on the Bounce News promo draws, Joy Okuna, an Assistant Director from the National Lotteries Regulatory Commission, said Nigerians are beginning to trust promotions since the emergence of the electronic draw system, noting that it is a vindication of the many years of advocacy of the commission for transparent and fair processes of determining winners of lottery promotions in Nigeria.

Bounce news was launched in March 2017 and covers diverse news interests and sectors. They have since won numerous awards including the 24.com Award for Investigative Journalism for the exclusive story on migration from Benin to Europe as well

Foundation Initiates Poverty Eradication Scheme Ayodeji Ake Founder of Black Fragrance Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Akapo, says the foundation has put together a scheme to help in the eradication of poverty in Africa. Speaking during the official launch of the programme in Lagos, Akapo said, "Change doesn’t just emerge, it is ignited by someone and Black fragrance has taken it upon itself to make a change happen in the country."

He noted that its vision is to contribute significantly to global effort to end poverty in Africa and to secure a brighter future for

children through access to quality and inclusive education.

According to UNESCO, Nigeria has 15 million children between ages five – 15 who are out of school. He noted that this is an alarming figure and Black Fragrance Foundation is rising up to the challenge.

While speaking on Black Fragrance interventions he highlighted several measures that have been designed to achieve their goal.

Akapo said, "Lack of quality education and poverty are a time bomb and we want to contribute significantly towards abating these

challenges in Nigeria though not through the usual aids and hand-outs approach, but through a social entrepreneurship model.

"We run as a social enterprise that seeks to foster sustainable development in Nigeria through entrepreneurial and social innovations that improve access to education, strengthen the creative economy, and develop enterprise.

"We will create goods and services in the creative industries and plough back a huge chunk of our profits into empowering the underserved in our society."

He explained further why this is such a big

necessity in Nigeria. “Basic Primary Education is provided largely by the government; however, many government funded schools in Nigeria have practically collapsed over the years because of poor funding, leaving children from poor homes with no option than to receive their education in such poor facilities or roam the streets.”

He made reference to a country like Rwanda where private schools are shutting down because government schools got empowered and revamped, adding that on the flipside, it was a thing of pride in Nigeria to send their kids to private schools.

Terra Kulture Organises Competition for Young Artists Rebecca Ejifoma Come July 27, the Kulture Mydrim Gallery Art Auction (TKMG) will hold the ninth edition of its competition where two artists will show their works at the Lagos Art Auction at Terra Kulture Gallery in Victoria Island.

The auction, which will exhibit a carefully curated collection of some of West Africa’s most

notable artists, will splatter other works on the walls of the gallery at the cocktail preview on Friday 20 July.

Accordingly, the Curator, Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Ugonna Ibe-Ejiogu, said: “We have an even stronger collection of works; a number of them have already been reserved."

He expressed that for the first time, as part of the programme, they were giving two emerging

artists the opportunity to showcase their works and benefit from expert critique by notable artists and seasoned collectors.

"The selected works would not be up for sale at the auction, it would certainly be invaluable exposure for the finalists. We hope it becomes a catalyst for their career growth."

Bent on celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage through the visual arts by focusing on the selec-

tion and sale of exquisite pieces at their annual art auction, the auction will display works of the five semi-finalists on the Terra Kulture Art Gallery Instagram page.

Meanwhile, artists who wish to compete are invited to follow the details below: Follow @ terrakultureartgallery & @mydrim_gallery on Instagram; Post a clear picture of your artwork on your Instagram page.

30/ NEWS

20.07.2018

Osinbajo’s Wife Recounts Fun Memories at Corona’s 60th Anniversary Azusa Poised to Enact Revival in Mary Nnah As the Corona School, Apapa Alumni rolled Nigeria out the drums to celebrate the alma mater's 60th anniversary recently in Lagos, one of the highpoints of the event was the narration of the fun memories of her school days by wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, who graduated from the school in 1978.

“School was fun! Some of us started out as reluctant lovers. This is peculiar to those who were leaving home for the first time and had the first shock of their early years as they to put up with many faces on the first day of school,” she said.

Osinbajo who delivered her address through Skype said the school had inculcated sound values during her formative years, a value that has continually helped in defining who she is today.

Delivering the keynote address at the dinner party, Deputy Managing Director of First Bank, Gbenga Sobo, an alumnus of the school pointed out that although times and culture had changed over the years, the school has not changed from its mission. He said Corona School, Apapa, remained committed to the ideal of inculcating the right principles and mind-set into its pupils right from their tender age in order to prepare them for the future ahead.

“We are all beneficiaries of the sound teaching inculcated in us by our teachers in Corona.

We are happy and thankful to God that this school has produced eminent personalities in our society and beyond,” he said

Mary Nnah

L-r: Mrs Vivian Mbagwu; Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu, Chairman, Planning Committee; Mrs Adeyoyin Adesina, Chief Executive Officer, Corona Schools’ Trust Council; Mr Jimmy Agbaje and Mrs Onanuga Adenikeat the event

Another alumnus, Jimi Agbaje, a politician and community pharmacist, in his goodwill message said the school since inception, has been a melting pot of difference races.

Agbaje, who graduated from the school in 1967, recalled having students from as far as Italy, India, Bangladesh, Germany, Australia, Sri Lanka and many other countries whose first contact with English was in Corona Apapa.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Bukola Gbadamosi, told journalists that the journey which began in Corona Nursery School, at about age three, has truly come full circle and has left indelible marks on her.

Gbadamosi, who graduated from the school

in 1977, said pupils of the school are paragons of lasting friendship.

“Despite the many years that have passed since we graduated from Corona, despite the many different lives we have settled into in countries and continents around the world, we have managed to preserve the purity of friendships we first made as innocent boys and girls running around on the field and corridors."

Current head of the school, Grace Omoh Egbekuse, expressed joy for being part of the school’s 60thanniversary, reiterating her commitment to making the environment more amiable for the growth and motivation of the students.

Tecno, Dangote, Glo, Others Make 2018 Top Africa ’ Most Admired Brands Mary Nnah Brand Africa, in collaboration with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), compiled the top-100 best brands in Africa in their 6th annual Brand Africa 100 feature – with Africa’s best brands: Nike, Samsung, Dangote, TECNO making the top 10.

Interestingly, the ranking which was based on a survey conducted in over 23 African countries, representing Africa’s economic regions which used consumers aged 18 and above, had Nigeria dominating the list of African brands by 11 per cent followed by South Africa and Kenya accounting for four per cent each.

A look at the top 10 most admired brands shows that the electronics and computers category has the highest number of entries with Samsung, Apple and the highest jumper of them, TECNO leading the pack.

According to Jesse Oguntimehin, PR and Strategic Partnership Manager for Tecno Nigeria, "Truth be told, we interact with brands every day of our lives. Everywhere we go, it’s hard not to notice the ads and billboards around us, each subconsciously guiding us on who we are, what to do, what to wear and what

to consume.

"Brands go beyond logos, and billboards or names, it extends to the strong communication that captures and aligns with consumer's values

and embodies their emotions by best reflecting their lifestyles.

"Taking a glimpse into Africa’s most admired brands for example, TECNO mobile is a brand that has overtime experienced tremendous growth in the smartphone market.

"In the past decade that the Chinese brand has been operating in Africa, it has strategically positioned itself in the market and minds of the consumers, first by proving to be a brand that delivers premium and quality specs at a budget-friendly price and then moving on to take its place as a major contender in the market.

"The reason behind TECNO mobile’s continued success in the African market is its ability to understand the consumers’ needs and also pioneer new technologies whilst offering newer and innovative mobile solutions to consumers.

"TECNO’s immense success may also be credited to its partnerships with other global brands such as Google, Facebook, Qualcomm, Twitter, Instagram, Sony, Dolby, MediaTek and telecommunication operators like MTN, Safaricom, Airtel, 9mobile and most recently the English Premier League 2017/2018 Champions, Manchester City Football Club.

Lagos CAN Holds Prayer to Avert More Bloodsheds Mary Nnah To avert further bloodshed around the nation, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos branch, recently held an interdenominational prayer and fasting session. Various stakeholders in Christendom gathered at the Hoarse Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos to pray against every evil orchestration against Nigeria.

Addressing newsmen after the prayer, the secretary of CAN Lagos, Baba Aladura Elder Isreal Akinadewo, who represented the chairman of Lagos CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said the prayer was basically meant to end the unabated killings by herdsmen in various parts of the country, which have left several innocent Nigerians dead and others bereaved and homeless.

Bamgbola said, “There is no human being on the surface of earth that would be happy with what is happening in Nigeria presently; even the non-Christians can’t say they are happy.

“The people that are killing people in this country are not human beings. You cannot see a man created in in image of God taking another human’s life.

"So we are not happy at all at the situation of killings in the nation right now. We witness

L-r: Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Sola Ore; Secretary CAN, Lagos, Baba Aladura Israel Akinadewo and Director of Strategy and Planning, CAN Lagos, Bishop Theophilus Ajose

the mass burial of innocent people every now and then; we are saying that the killings should stop.”

He called on Christians to forget about denominations and come together to fight this common cause.

“There has to be continuous prayers against killings in Nigeria because we can’t be happy

seeing innocent blood shed. So the truth of the matter is there would be prayers after prayers until God opens the ears of our leaders to do the needful.

“The issue is that Nigerians are dying not as a result of natural death but because of human beings killing human being. So we can’t rest on our oars,” he added.

As the Revival Assembly holds the 16th edition of its annual Azusa Conference, the church says it is expected to bring unprecedented revival to the nation. Speaking during a press briefing to announce the event, scheduled for July 23 to 29 at the Revival Cathedral located at plot 1-7 Revival Close off Akilo Road, Ikeja Lagos, the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Anselm Madubuko said this year’s conference was envisioned to birth revival across the nation as well extend to other nations of the world.

Madubuko said, “We are digging the well of revival with Azusa 16 because we trust the Lord that what this country needs more than anything is a revival.

"The church needs to come alive if we are going to affect our nation, so we are looking at something that is natural and global more than anything else.

“We believe God for a divine visitation.

Everything we do, we think about the nation.

We are concerned about Nigeria and I believe that one of the ways of solving the problems of this nation is for the church to get it right – more than healings and deliverance stuff; those ones are the by-products of God’s visitations.

"But we are looking at something that would affect people and at the end of the day affect the entire nation. So it is a very important moment and we just know that God is about to do something in this country, nobody knows where it is going to start but it could be from Azusa 16.”

The year’s edition, which is indeed a camp meeting as hostels have been made available within the church premises to accommodate as many that have a yearning for God and those who seek spiritual and physical healing, is unique as it coincides with 60th birthday anniversary of the Apostle Madubuko, which would come up on July 25, three days into the Azusa programme.

Billed to minister at the conference is Madubuko and wife, Emmy. Other ministers are Rev Sam Tukura, Lady Appostle Helen Ukpabio, Rev. Eastwood Anaba from Ghana, Rev C.N.N Nwanebu and Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo while pilgrims from Europe, America and Africa are also expected to be at the epochal gathering.

The seven-day event will have morning, afternoon and evening session with a concert to wrap up on Sunday July 29 by 3pm.

Group Gives Voice to Abusive Children Ayodeji Ake Nigerian-based NGO, Project Alert Violence Against Women, has kicked off a campaign to raise awareness on the effects of domestic violence on young children. Tagged “Break the Cycle”, the campaign which aims to advocate for zero tolerance for domestic violence, especially as its harmful effects rubs off on children, is releasing a series of poignant videos which takes a deeper look into the realities of children from domestic violent homes in Nigeria.

While there are statistics on women facing domestic violence, an often overlooked issue is the effect of domestic violence on the children that are first hand witnesses of the abuse.

She said, “Domestic violence has a huge impact on children who live in such toxic environments. "The environment is tense, unpredictable and often dominated by the fear of what would happen to themselves, their mother and siblings.

"Children who live in such homes suffer physical, psychological and emotional trauma,” the Executive Director, Project Alert Violence Against Women, Josephine Effah Chukwuma explained in a statement.

“Children in domestic violence situations are also used and manipulated by the abusive parent against the other. They may be caught in the middle of an assault either by accident or intentionally by the abuser.

"They could be injured if being held by the mother at the time the abuser strikes.

They can also be directly targeted by the abuser, where he cannot reach their mother.

"They can look fine on the outside, but inside, they are in deep pain.”

Project Alert is a non-governmental women's rights organisation set up in January 1999 to promote and protect the rights of women and young girls.

31/ENTREPRENEUR

20.07.2018

Omeke: I Was Raised To Be an Artist Chidimma Cornelius Omeke, popularly known in the art world as OCS Chidimma, is a young and fast rising artist in the creative industry. In this interview with Sunday Ehigiator, Omeke speaks on the success of his first solo exhibition in Abuja, his love for art, and how he ventured into the craft of moviemaking

Omeke

Who is OCS Chidimma?

OCS Chidimma is a hands-on Nigerian Artist.

In a world of dire and numerous needs and hustling, I tell the day to day stories of the seemingly neglected people through life and living. My art works basically are of charcoal on cloth and its combination with other colours.

I am the C.E.O of PICOC Touch Nig. Ltd, a.k.a Picocartz. I am likewise a Metal Artist and Jeweller.

How was your upbringing?

I was raised in a Christian home and taught the importance of hard work and patience from early stage of my life. I am the first child of a family of 4 children; three boys and a girl. My dad is an artist too and my mum is a guardian and counselling practitioner and also a principal. My mum is the one on the cool side; very loving and caring while my dad was very strict. In fact, the fear of my dad’s roar when you mess up was the beginning of wisdom.

How about your educational background?

I started my nursery and primary education in Santa Maria Nursery/Primary School in Nsukka, Enugu State but the rest of my primary education was in Model Primary School Nsukka Enugu State in 2003. My secondary school was at St. John-Cross Seminary Nsukka, Enugu State between 2003 and 2009. I left the seminary in 2010.

I became a fine art teacher for one year in Royal Crown Academy Nsukka, Enugu State where I wrote another WAEC just so I can have fine-Art in my O’ level result, which was a prerequisite to study Fine and Applied Arts in the University of Benin. By 2011, I gained admission into the University of Benin where I majored in Metal Design afterwards. Due to my academic excellence and how sound I was, I was the first metal design student to be given I.T students to mentor during their internship. I finally graduated in 2015 as one of the best graduating students with a GPA of 4.04/5.

I saw in your archives a portrait of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, tell me about it?

I served in Kogi State, particularly, at the Council for Art and Culture in Lokoja. I did

Omeke's artwork

a portrait of him and after I presented the portrait to him, he made me an art instructor in the council where I mentored staff, I.T students and visitor.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Aside holding a BA in Fine and Applied art (Metal Design major) from UniBen, recently, I successfully executed my first ever solo exhibition which I entitled “Of The Eyes, Mind and Body”.

Although, my works has severally being exhibited and auctioned in several art exhibitions, but this was my first solo exhibition; comprising of only my works. It had in attendance different dignitaries from various walks of life, including the 2017/2018 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Miss Ugochi Ihezue. I was particularly elevated by her speech and recommendations at the event when she said “OCS Chidimma as an artist is very expressional. He showcases little things that would be easily ignored and turns them into masterpieces. I had the time of my life in his exhibition.” And really, that is me in summary.

Also, I received a Creative Art Award from the National Association of Fine Arta Students upon my graduation at the 2015 Diner and Award Night, and I participated in the 2017 Life in My City Art Festival and was among the 25 finalists. This was another amazing height for me. And as I said earlier, I have as well participated in lots of group arts exhibitions, which include the 'Resurgence of Expression' organised by National Gallery of Art Enugu, 2018 Coal City Art Exhibition titled The African Child. The list is endless.

Also being an art instructor at the Council for Arts and Culture in Lokoja, Kogi State for a year, was a great one for me.

Finally, the fact that my works have been collected by very many prominent personalities including the Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello; Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Kogi State Chief of Staff, David Edward Onaja, some ministers and commissioners as well etc. is also a great one for me. And I am grateful to God for everything.

What inspires you?

My inspiration comes from nature, beauty, pure cultural values and the grace in human beings as a specie. I am moved towards telling the stories of the unheard or unspoken with my craft. Giving voice to the voiceless through my impressions, and bringing out the beauty of the neglected aspects of nature through my skills. I mirror the world as filled with so much beauty that needs to be portrayed for better appreciation through art.

Also, art has been in my family. My Dad is an artist and I was raised from childhood to become one. So I already knew where I was headed at a very young age. That alone was enough push for me. The interest has always being art; it would be art and can't stop being art.

Art, designs and jewelleries are basically my passion. It is what makes me special and I think I will be a passing phase without it.

It’s basically my life and all I live for.

Tell me about this your work entitled “Gaze”?

History has always repeated itself and my city is no exception. Socialisation; being a means of transferring knowledge from the older to the younger generation, has been from pre-historical times. Gaze shows two kids playing and unknowingly displaying the traits of their parents seen in the boy holding a 'Dry Gin' bottle and the girl drinking Malt.

Meanwhile, they both are gazing at something that's neither making them happy nor sad.

The intensity of the gaze was used to show how children quickly learn to imitate from the old, thus younger generation learning from the older generations at a time before the dawn of a new era.

How about this one you entitled “Solace”?

It took eight months to study these women in Ogurute, Enugu Ezike in Igbo-eze north LGA, Enugu State. It's one of the largest villages in Africa. They are known for their pride and strength in their rich culture. Their women are by conventions of the land, strongly placed under masculine supremacy. It’s part of their beliefs that their women run mad if they cheat

on their husbands and also suffer a horrible fate if they spend their husband's money without consent. These women hence form groups to find solace in each other. They are together as strong women that understand each other.

They make periodic money contributions to support each other and use table and other musical instruments to express pure joy in any occasion that affects any of them. Their solace in the beautiful moments they create with each other makes them formidable. The type of strength that takes civilisation to a new dawn of gender equality.

What are the channels through which you expose your works to the world?

Aside group exhibitions, I post all my works on my instagram page @picocartz, my facebook page; Picoc Arts and Designs and my website,www.picoc.com.ng.

How do you cool off?

I basically enjoy music. Anything artistic, I simply love it. I love swimming, especially under hot weather. I love hanging out with friends and catching up over a bottle of wine.

I love traveling. I love adventures and all. I love to enjoy life at its fullest. It’s the essence of my inspiration.

Looking at your physique, are you currently in any relationship? And how have you been able to manage distractions from female admirers?

No! I am currently not in any relationship.

And truly, I get a lot of admirations and attention from the opposite sex, but I have been disciplined enough to stay focused. I don’t let flatteries get to me, even though I appreciate the love. And I define the purpose of every friendship well before entertaining it. I think that, and my upbringing has been able to keep me going.

What is your advice to upcoming artists?

Stay focused, follow through with your dreams, believe in your abilities. Discover yourself and develop yourself. Only then will the sky be your limit.

32 / ERAVE

20.07.2018 with ADEDAYO ADEJOBI... 08030991024 email:adedayoadejobi@yahoo.com

Honour for Tony Elumelu This is, no doubt, an auspicious time to be in the good books of Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation. Why is that so? On the heels of the bank’s highest levels of service, innovation and expertise to their customers, the United Bank for Africa clinched the coveted title as Africa’s best bank in the digital category at the prestigious Euromoney awards in London.

UBA beat other nominees taking away the prize for best institution in Digital banking across Africa, an affirmation of its recent investment in cutting edge technology, one of which gave birth to Leo, the chat banker that has disrupted banking across 15African countries. The Euromoney prize which covers more than 20 global product categories, best-in-class

awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world, recognising institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets in which they operate, it further lends credence to UBA’s dominance in the digital banking space.

Aside the awards, another double accomplishment is Mark Zuckerberg, CEO Facebook, and President Emmanuel Macron of France’s recent endorsement both of which centred around highlighting the distinguishing value of UBA’s leading digital opportunities.

One can conveniently take a bet that following the recognition, Tony and his team will again, push the envelope, thus spurring the brand to do more in meeting the needs of its customers with unrivalled services despite fierce competition.

AkinTofowomo’s ‘I CanWalk’Video MakingWaves Foremost bandleader, Akiin Shuga is out with an inspirational hit single titled, “I Can Walk”.

The song released was produced/ co-written by music maestro, Cobhams.

According to Akiin, who is also the leader of the popular Shuga Band, the track is a song of hope dedicated to polio survivors and everyone who has been scarred, marred or shaken in the travails of life. Akiin, who suffered polio at the age of five, rose above his disability to found Nigeria’s leading band.

Known to be a source of inspiration, Akiin who is also a National Rotary Polio Ambassador embodies the saying, “there is ability in every disability”, and with

his new song, he hopes to bring hope to as many lives as he can touch.

“I Can Walk” by Akiin Shuga gives the strength that is required at that challenging time.

The song which was Produced and Co- written by the legendary Cobhams Asuquo, was launched and performed in Nigeria at the unveiling of Akiin Tofowomo as the Rotary National Polio Ambassador.

He also performed last week in Canada, and the United States of America simultaneously receiving ground-breaking awards.

It is worthy of note that proceeds generated from this song would go towards the total eradication of polio.

Davido and Infinix, a Strategic Misadventure When Infinix Mobile signed on Nigerian music artiste as its new brand Ambassador, it was a news item when the announcement came, but the preying eyes of discerning minds couldn’t help but notice and voice the signs of a rather strategic misfit, faulty alliance and Public Relations disaster. The sudden alliance shows signs of a faulty counsel, strategic misadventure and possible disaster waiting to happen.

The “Omo Baba Olowo” crooner no doubt plies his trade on the A-list category of the entertainment industry. From chart topping singles, awards, ground-breaking records deals, worldwide tours to global recognition, three glittering awards from the HipTv’s Headies Award. These include Best Pop single for “if”; Song of the year –“If” while he also won the “Artiste of the year”. These are no mean feats to say the obvious. No doubt, his pedigree in his chosen career makes an association with him, so tempting many brand owners cannot resist.

On the flip side, the artiste is a recognized profligate, using some of the best rich men’s toys and ornaments available like high end phones, cars, and diamonds to mention but a few. Early in the year, after his 30billion concert, the Star Artiste bought a Bentley Bentayga 2018 worth N94million, telling fans on his

Toke Makinwa’s Wishful Thinking If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. In a live Instagram Video, the controversial On Air Personality, Toke Makinwa took to social media with a wishful thinking of how what it would feel like having a man. She hints that she would be an amazing wife and mother only if the right people can see this.

Going on with a rather strange spiritual inclination, she expressed new found spiritual side through these words, “whoever I marry, you gonna be proud of this baby girl, you’ll bless God daily for the warrior he’s blessed you with. A cornerstone, her spirit is undefeated, her soul is gold. My kids will call me blessed.”

For eligible guys who fit Toke’s requirements and are ready to subject themselves to her whims and caprice, it’s time to make the passes, as they just might be lucky. After all dreams come true

on social media handles “We do only 2018” He also recently, coughed out a whopping N45million to acquire a Porsche for his girlfriend, Chioma. All these and more indicate that new Infinix Brand Ambassador’s brand personae, is top notch that associates with the best in class brands. It wouldn’t need rocket science to discern if Infinix falls into this category.

In marketing parlance, what you don’t use or consume, you can’t sell. Does Davido sleep, wake and eat the Infinix brand? Does the Infinix brand profile fit the Davido personae?, an absolute “No” resonates. Perhaps, it’s an aspiration taken too far by the Infinix team.

For Davido, the endorsement fee may be good, the funds may however go into fuelling the Ambassador’s large appetite top range brands and paying for competitive brands such as i-phones, X range in particular which currently stands at the peak of the pack, Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Huawei P20 Pro which is described as a legitimate premium alternative to the iPhone X to mention but a few.

Aside his unrestrained flamboyance, the star has had excesses that almost cost him his career. This baggage as a game of boomerang and may come to haunt the brand.

Bolanle Okusanya Feyita's Quiet and Glittering 40th Birthday Birthdays are no doubt for celebrating. No wonder Bolanle hasn’t allowed the marvellous milestone pass her without having some fun with a rather quiet but glittering celebration. The young, talented, ambitious, principled, honest, sassy and warm Nigerian-born and British trained internationally-acclaimed marketing communications specialist, makeup expert, educator and beauty editor and Mortician, Bolanle Okusanya -Feyita, who doubles as the first child of the late Mr Tunji Okusanya Senior (MIC), funeral home boss, has in the last three years lived to flying the family flag valiantly, especially in the funeral business. Today, she’s fast becoming the go-to mortician. Losing her father, along younger brother and four other staff in the ill-fated Associated Airline plane crash no doubt marked a watershed in her life, as that singular incident propelled her into leaving London to continue and improve upon her late Father’s legacy. For over the years, she worked directly on many projects for her dad at MIC and was responsible for all international business and relationship management. So when she set out, as a way of doing something new and fresh by way of setting up a second line funeral agency LTJ funeral, and most importantly immortalise her Later Father and brother Junior, it was no surprise.

With a positive influence from her father, the Grandmaster, her creative verve and an outside-the box world view, she is fast changing the tides in Nigeria’s funeral industry. In the grave, her father must be proud of his warm and generous daughter’s achievements in this short span.

Ode to an Oratorical Beast, Olawale Obadeyi The power of the spoken word is undeniable. At all the great crises and hinges in history, we find great speeches which swayed outcomes, motivated citizens to fight injustice, throw off tyranny, and lay down their life for a worthy cause. Words have drawn meaning out of tragedy, comforted those who mourn, and memorialised events with the dignity and solemnity they deserved. Words can move people to risk life and limb, shed tears, laugh out loud, recommit to virtue, change their life, or feel patriotic. By weaving and spinning words into great tapestries of art, the Late wordsmith, Advertising man, self-published poet, critic and columnist, and compere. The savagery with which he wielded a hatchet earned him fans outside the literary circuit. During his lifetime wielded an almost god-like oratorical power.

His death no doubt came as a rude shock to the writer and many whom still shared a drink or two and banters with him a day before he passed on. Waking up to Facebook’s rude announcement of his death was indeed a great shock!

Nigeria’s creative industry would miss a great deal, Wally Jay, the purveyor of language, his joint love for his craft, the stage, violent and wicked imagination and technically insightful writing, and the sacred and intimate spark and attention he paid to language.

33/ XTRA

20.07.2018

COSON Boss Gets International Lifetime Fellowship Award Mary Nnah The ultra-modern Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) complex in Ikeja was recently filled to capacity as friends, family and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the organisation’s chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji.

Okoroji was honoured by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources, Management and Politics of the People’s Republic of Ghana.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the institute, Dr Richards Ikpada-Kpoku, said, “We are here on this auspicious state visit on behalf of the advisory board and governing council to confer and honour one of Nigeria’s transformational leaders, a first class corporate technocrat of international repute and a most patriotic nation builder, Chief Tony Okoroji, with a prestigious Lifetime Senior Fellowship Recognition Award following his impressive and enviable track record as a legendary, greatly accomplished public service personality and resourceful statesman who has made tremendous contributions towards national development for the progress, peace and unity of One Nigeria and the African continent.”

Ikpada-Kpoku explained that the institute, having carried out five years intensive research on Okoroji’s personality, was proud of his uprightness, unassailable statesmanship, vast managerial acumen, and sterling initiatives on intellectual property, which has revolutionised COSON to meet global standards.

Receiving the award, Okoroji expressed gratitude to everyone present at the arena and to the fellows of the institute for the honour, stating that he is truly humbled to be honoured.

Okoroji was also inducted into the institute’s 2018 Fellowship Hall of Fame.

This year alone, Okorji has been honoured by several organisations for his contribution to the industry.

In May, he was honoured by the Lagos State University (LASU) with a special award presented to him by LASU Vice Chancellor,

Okoroji receiving an award during the event

Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun.

Okoroji, who was in February last year presented with the “Pillar of Entertainment in Nigeria” award by Nigeria’s City People magazine, was bestowed with the prestigious “Africa’s Patriotic Personality Award” by the League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa) – an umbrella body of

democratic Students Unions from different countries in Africa. He was also earlier in the year honoured by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

In April, 2018, the COSON Chairman bagged an Award of Excellence for his outstanding leadership in the Entertainment Industry from the Edo State Chapter of the

Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) which award was presented by the state PMAN Chairman, Comrade Willy Eghe Nova. Almost from every direction, the COSON’s boss’ unassailable contributions and achievements of several years of unbroken service to national and international development is receiving great accolades.

Ali Baba’s Wife Clocks 50, Launches Foundation Adedayo Adejobi Mary Akpobome, comedian Ali Baba’s wife, celebrated her 50 birthday last week Tuesday, with the launch of the Purple Girl Foundation at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Present at the superlative event were her family, close friends and well-wishers from the entertainment and corporate divide of the entire country. Ali Baba who married his wife in 2006 after being together with her for long, above all acknowledged her as his Queen. He wrote: “Happy birthday

to my MTO. You turn a year older today and I pray that God will make all your desires come to fruition. Please when you are less busy later today drop by @mummymary_ and wish her a happy birthday for me.

She has been a friend, a lover, an adviser, a mother of my kids, a prayer warrior, a financial consultant, jokes screener, jokes supplier, family glue, babe, marketer, my PR manager, Personal Assistant, my wife and the real Olori. Happy birthday Ochuko.”ria to send their kids to private schools.

Rasaki Music to Groom Young Music Talents Ugo Aliogo Chief Executive Officer of Rasaki Music Group, Damilola Afolabi, popularly known as LAX, has expressed the desire of his newly founded record label to groom young, up and coming music talents across the country. Afolabi, who disclosed this recently in a chat with THISDAY at his Lekki, Lagos office, noted that the record label was founded to assist young talents, explain that it is a one-stop studio that has a 360-deal for recording and live band performance.

He also stated that the record label would assist

artiste check their legal papers if they want to sign to another record label, adding that they would also ensure that the legal papers are updated so that they don’t have challenges in the future.

Afolabi further explained that they are trying to make the music industry better, structure wise, noting that presently, individuals are making financial gains through digital sales such as I-Tunes, portify, and others digital platforms.

The CEO noted that in picking music talents, they focus on individuals with exceptional abilities whose voice sounds different from others, adding that uniqueness is key for them; hence, they spread

their searchlight beyond Lagos State.

He added: “We pick individuals that sound different and unique. This is the criteria for selection of talents. There are talents in other states that we can get through to them through social media, therefore if I find talents in other states I don’t mind signing as well.

"Presently, I have an artiste I am working on.

He is the first person we will unleash, after that we will start looking for other talents.

"We search for these talents in any way; it can be through social media or someone giving me a compact disc (CD).

“They can also connect to me through my email rasakimusic@gmail.com. Since we are still young and growing, I will love to go the street and do talent hunt shows for up and coming youngsters to come and showcase their talents, but for now I will work with what I have.

"I want to assist other record labels to know how to do it better because most times, it is just about signing an artiste and ensuring that the artiste comes to prominence. "But there are other things you can do to support the artiste such as branding.

We sign an artiste we believe in, groom such talent and the individual the needed support required.”

Pentagon Hotel & Suites Berth in Port Harcourt As part of efforts to provide unique, serene and affordable hospitality for low, average and high income earners in Port Harcourt, Pentagon Hotel & Suites has arrived in the Rivers State capital. The multi-million-naira facility is located at Owipa along NTA-Choba Uniport Road, Choba, in Port Harcourt, and it will be inaugurated on July 28.

The 18-room hotel is individually decorated and tastefully furnished to actualise the sole aim of providing comfort and relaxation to guests, which is the sole priority of the management.

Designed to provide a whole new depth of satisfaction to its guests, the hotel with its soothing ambience is set to provide comfort and make customers feel right at home during

their stay.

The hotel was furnished with sufficient facilities like bar and lounge, 24-hour room service, air conditioning, high speed wireless internet access in all areas, smoking and non-smoking areas, flat-screen LCD TV, on demand music and film channels, telephone and importantly maximum security.

Prominent business men and women in the oil and gas industry, top government officials of the state and beyond, prominent personalities in the entertainment industry and among others are slated to be present at the unveiling.

Residents of Port Harcourt and its environs are also expected to come and witness the thrills of the epoch event.

34/FEMALE CORNER

20.07.2018

Bimbo Oloyede: After 40 Years, I Can't Quit Broadcasting One of Nigeria’s most celebrated journalists, Bimbo Oloyede, has been a leading newscaster at Channels Television for decades. Before joining Channels, Oloyede was a pillar on the Nigerian Television Authority Network News for many years. In this interview with Mary Nnah, Oloyede, who recently launched a couple of books intended to assist professionals and students in spoken English, recalled her early days as a journalist and why she veered into writing books How did you get the inspiration to go into broadcasting?

I was first employed as an Assistant Producer at Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). In my younger years, I did quite a bit of acting.

I had elocution lessons but I never thought of broadcasting as a career. What interested me more in terms of performing was acting, not broadcasting. It was when I joined the NTA that I had the opportunity of becoming a newscaster and here we are.

Now that he has passed on, what do you miss about him?

I miss a lot of things about him. He was a good company and he had a wonderful sense of humour. He gave me good advice; he encouraged and supported different things I did.

What was the most memorable time you shared together?

There were many memorable moments. We were together for 40 years. We had different interests as far as the TV was concerned. He was crazy about sports. He watched sports a lot of the time and also some programmes. I’m not so crazy about sports. I like certain sports but I can’t watch it with the same passion he watched it.

Where was your turning point as a newscaster?

I spent a short time at NTA when I first joined the organisation. When I began as a newscaster I was Bimbo Roberts. When I got married I became Bimbo Oloyede. I read news for four years. I was in NTA for five years but I was in news department for four years. I later had a break for about 20 years before I came back to the organisation to anchor news. If you want to talk about turning point, I could say the turning point really came when I was invited by Mr. John Momoh, the chief executive of Channels Television to come and read news on a part time basis for Channels. At the time that invitation came, I was training people and there were few questions that they asked me then that I could not answer because I was no longer active in the field. For instance, when I was in the NTA, we were not using the teleprompter. But by the time I was invited by Channels to audition, all the stations had started to use teleprompter. So, when I got the invitation, I wasn’t sure if I could still do well, because I didn’t know how to use the teleprompter. I was called to come for audition, which I went and John Momoh said it doesn’t look as if I had forgotten all about news and the newsroom. However, I believe that when I returned to active news, anchoring could be said to be a turning point in my broadcasting career.

You eventually retired from active broadcasting, a terrain you were very much known for. Why was that?

I retired from anchoring the news on Channels TV at the end of 2015. I felt the younger anchors should take over but that does not mean I am no longer involved with broadcasting. I still train broadcasters and other individuals and groups and I also have one or two ideas for new TV programmes which I would like to present or produce. Really once you are a broadcaster you can be actively involved in so many ways.

We usually say.....once a broadcaster, always a broadcaster.

What exactly do you do now?

So what I do basically at the moment is training.

I also write. So, I’m also marketing my books. The fact that I have just launched two books spurred me on to write more. In actual fact, that’s what I’m doing now. I also mentor young people and I am interested in seeing more women taking an active part in politics. Of course I intend to keep writing.

What inspired you to write books?

I was inspired to write the first book which is, ‘Strictly Speaking: Pronunciation Made Easy’ by the people that I have trained over a period of time. They often ask me that when they leave the confines of the classroom for three or six months down the line, how would they remember the sounds. I thought in the first instance that I should capture the sounds and record them so that they can listen, playback and remind themselves in future what those sounds are. I developed a whole lot of different exercises based on the vowels and consonants to enable them learn, practice and retain the sounds of English.

My new books are called Strictly Speaking...

Pronunciation Made Easy and Strictly Speaking...

An Oral Guide for Schools and Colleges. I wrote the first one to satisfy the general need to improve the standard of spoken English in Nigeria and

What is the secret of your beautiful looks?

Well, I walk. I don’t joke with my exercise.

Before, I used to jog but in the last three years, I changed from jogging to walking. I walk a lot early in the morning. I drink a lot of water; I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I eat a lot of cucumber and I’m at peace with myself. I’m at peace with my God. Usually, I make myself content with what I have, that does not mean that I don’t want more things. I’m just at peace with myself.

Bimbo Oloyede

particularly for broadcasters, teachers, other professional communicators and students. The second one is specifically for secondary school students and has more technical information to assist them pass Oral English at WAEC level. It has been approved by the Lagos State Ministry of Education, for use by secondary schools in the state. Both have audio CDs to help readers listen, practice and retain the sounds of English.

The message in the books basically is that people should make efforts to improve on their spoken English and I have tried as much as possible to make it easy for them through the books. I have simplified the process so that the people could understand what all the sounds of English are, based on the consonants and vowels. The aim of writing the books is to ensure that people make an improvement on their spoken English, and also become more self-confident to enable them stand out when they are communicating in English Language.

Who else can read your books?

The two books have different targets or audience. The first book is targeted at adults.

If you are a professional, broadcaster, professional communicator or perhaps you represent your company or you are an information officer, receptionist, if you are a teacher, lawyer, anybody really that needs to communicate with the public, however big or small. They need to ensure that whatever they say is understood immediately. That is the audience for the first book. The second book is targeted at secondary school students. It is called: Strictly Speaking, an Oral Guide for Schools and Colleges. It has added information that enables them to pass oral English at WAEC level. There’s technical information that is included in the second book that is not in the first and there are extended exercises also in the second book that are not

in the first book.

Which of your parents had the greatest influence on you while you were growing up?

I think I was influenced more by my mother; it was my mum who took me to meet some of the executives at NTA. She knew one or two of them and introduced me to them. Happily, I was employed. Actually, I went to radio first, I did an audition at radio but I failed because I could not pronounce Nigerian names so they couldn’t employ me. I was then taken to the NTA and I was employed to work behind the camera but eventually, I found myself in front of it.

How come you couldn’t pronounce Nigerian names?

I wasn’t brought up here. I did not speak any Nigerian language and I wasn’t used to the sound of the languages spoken in Nigeria.

You still have that foreign accent...

Yes, I suppose so. I have been a professional broadcaster for over 40 years. It’s not something that I can just let go of.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the United Kingdom but I came back to Nigeria to work.

Why did you come back, because at that time a lot of people were yearning to live in the UK? I thought it was time for me to come home.

I had spent quite a long time there. And I felt that I needed to bond with my roots. I felt that I would feel more at home by coming back home.

Was it when you came back to Nigeria that you met your husband?

Yes.

Many young people adore newscasters because of the glamour. What does it take to be a good newscaster?

It's hard work. You could say it’s glamorous from the point of view that you go to places and people recognise you. That perhaps is the only glamorous part of it. But it is hard work. You have to be on top of your game all the time.

You have to be current, you have to consistently read and keep on practicing your pronunciation because it’s very easy to slip within an environment. There are tones that they must improve on their performance before they are allowed back on air. That happened in some stations but I think quite a lot of stations people are left to come on air irrespective of whether they have attained the required standard.

How do you spend your day?

Believe it or not, I like watching TV. What are your favourite programmes?

There are varieties of programmes that I like. I like watching some of the series. I enjoy suspense, I enjoy detective films, drama and when I can, I read. You need to keep your mind active to know what’s happening all around you. You need to keep learning, read new materials all the time and learn different things, especially when you are in a situation where you are interacting with people who also want to learn from you.

I have learnt a lot from the school of life.

What would you consider as your most favourite fashion accessory?

First of all, I don’t consider myself to be fashionable. Fashion accessory? Hmmm, it’s difficult to say. I will probably spend more money on bags and shoes than anything else. If I have a certain amount of money now and I was told to go shopping, I’m sure I will spend more on bags and shoes than I would on clothing.

It’s difficult for me to answer that question, maybe my daughter could tell you. Really, I don’t consider myself to be that fashionable.

What I can say is that I think I have a good sense of colour combination. I think I know how to combine colours well. And I know how to mix and match well. Maybe that’s what gives the impression that I’m fashionable. Dressing for the news as I have done over the years, entails one to be conservative, I have more suits than anything else and I know how to mix and match the jackets and skirts. I don’t see myself as being fashionable.

35/LIVING

20.07.2018

FERTILITY WITH DR. KEMI AILOJE

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

RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS (PART 2) desired and anticipated, the loss is met with shades of helplessness and desperation. If other members of the family become involved, due to the emergent nature, and hospitalization of the mother to be, (in late pregnancy loss) the family as a nuclear unit is challenged.

Emotional turmoil is increased as preparations are closer to the anticipated birth of the baby boy or girl. There are other cultural issues for example in the African setting especially the in-laws, may start doubting the suitability of the wife as a deliverer of a future heir to the family business, and as a possible mother.

Immunologic Causes High levels of Immunoglobin blood levels, that is IgG and IgM can lead to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. These are responsible mainly for early pregnancy losses, before ten weeks ofpregnancy. This may be due decreased maternal tolerance the foetus.

Ovarian Factor This is also referred to luteal phase defect and is seen in women with insufficient production of progesterone to maintain the early pregnancy.

Infections A number of maternal infections can lead to a single pregnancyloss including toxoplasmosis listeriosis, and certain viral infections (rubella,Herpes simplex, measles, cytomegalo virus, coxsackie virus), malaria, syphilis and brucellosis can also cause recurrent miscarriage. Chronic endometritis which is the bacteria infection of the womb has been found to be prevalent in some women with recurrent miscarriage.

Risky Lifestyle Behaviour Maternal alcoholism (consuming large quantities of alcohol, over three drinks per week, during pregnancy) have beenconfirmed by case reports studies to be a cause of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. The quantity of alcohol consumed is directly proportional to the incidence of repeated pregnancy loss.

Cigarette smoking with its strong nicotine component also introduces the developing baby to its poisons and causesreduction of blood supply to the womb and placenta.

Causes Of Late Miscarriages Include: Trauma – falls or domestic abuse Cervix or womb physical abnormalities Chemical or drugs toxic to the developing baby Unexplained Causes

There is also a large percentage (25%) of totally unexplained pregnancy losses.

Fortunately, fertility can be regained in many cases with good antibiotic cover and proper management by a specialist.

Emotional Aspects of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss If a pregnancy loss happens within a matrimonial relationship, where children are

Management of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss As Recurrent Pregnancy Loss is a complication of pregnancy, close monitoring of your pregnancy by your specialist is important.

The treatment of either early or late miscarriage differs. It is crucial that a thorough check up is done to help pinpoint the exact nature of the recurrent loss and best line of management. Laboratory Investigations and a transvaginal ultrasound scan of the reproductive organs are essential for assessment of an abnormal medical condition. Blood tests todiagnose/ confirm diabetes, thyroid function test, blood clot formations (thrombophilia) test, pre implementation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and chromosomal testing are some of therequired options in management.

As understood, a human begins life when a single egg is fertilized by single sperm and develops in the womb and is nourished through a connection of blood vessels, the placenta,although unable to live independently at that point.. If fertilization takes place out of the fallopian tube, it becomes an ectopic or out of place pregnancy and hence an urgent surgical emergency with incapacitating abdominal pains and bleeding from the womb. Immediate bed rest, with hospitalization and possible surgery is the standard of care. If unable to prevent the

miscarriage, cleaning of the womb by a D&C (dilatation and curettage) and placenta removal may be the next line of management. Close monitoring by the obstetric team is vital for the best outcome.

Symptoms of Late Pregnancy loss include Pink to brown discharge along with severe abdominal cramping, prior to the miscarriage.

Contractions of the womb can also be present.

N/B: It is critical that you seek specialized medical care when you experience any of the symptoms above.

Conclusions: The incidence of recurrent Pregnancy loss is quite common. The risk of a repeat miscarriage or abortion increases by 10% with each pregnancy loss.

Anatomic, endocrine, immunologic and infectious agents and risky lifestyle behaviors can lead to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a traumatic experience for any couple. There are intense physical and emotional pains which must be gently handled by specialists.

Corrections of the underlying medical disorder or abnormal condition will give the best chance of success for the next pregnancy.

Cases of unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss seemto benefit from hormone supplementation with progesterone to prevent Luteal Phase Defect.

Management of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss is individualized by the cause and tailored to each case. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has proven a valuable technology in bypassing many of the obstacles that natural conception presents.

You as the patient need to certify that your fertility specialist has your best interest at heart with access to the most modern medical technology, equipment and counselling services in order to proffer the best line of management.

OPINION

CSP Ken Nwosu

MY JEWEL OF INESTIMABLE VALUE @ 40

Many years ago as a growing child, I had a checklist of who my future wife would be. I fantasized about name, profession and complexion. I dreamt of a friend, lover and mother.

I happened to share the thoughts with a fellow teenager who was then my best friend.

He didn’t waste time to tell me that it wasn’t possible. I didn’t believe him even as I was not sure if I believed myself. Years down the line, here are my, having the best time of my life on account of marriage to a woman, Lady Juliet Onyekachi Nwosu, LSC, who I never dreamt of knowing as at the time I was teenage-fantasizing!

Honey, you came into my life and re-packaged me and made me dream of touching the sky. I always marvel at your dexterity in handling multiple assignments. Your multi tasking skill is extraterrestrial. You remind me of the virtues foretold by wisdom of the ancients.

You have hospitality as a second nature, little wonder you have made our modest home a transit camp as in the mould of Young Men Christian Association and

CSP Nwosu and wife, the celebrant

Young Women Christain Association (YMCA/YWCA) of yore. You devote your time to caregiving and reserve time to attend to issues of life. One can argue that your training as a nurse,

passion to tend, nurture and recreate all things that come in contact with you.

Nothing comes to you and remains the same; notably for the better. I can go on and on. I lack words to convey the kids and my humble self’s appreciation for all your love, care and devotion that have seen us bond into a strong unit in spite of my frequent trips and tours in and around the world.

You have kept the home front intact to the amazement of not just me but other close watchers. I have but my love to offer. I offer same wholeheartedly without reserving any for anyone else. This milestone tickles me for so many reasons. Let me save them for our quiet time. The sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo May have had you and his irrepressible wife, Mama H.I.D in mind when he coined the timeless phrase that is the title of this write up; JEWEL OF INESTIMABLE VALUE! Happy birthday, Lady Juliet Onyekachi Nwosu, LSC, my love for all seasons! as you clock midwife and medical anesthetist may 40 on Sunday, July 22. have prepared you for the roles you are playing, but I differ because it goes Sir Ken Nwosu, KSC Chief Superintendent of Police, writes further than that. from Abuja.

Like Florence Nightingale, you have the

36/COLLAGE

R-L: Special Guest, Princess Abiodun Folasade Omotade, presenting award to over all best student, Joseph Olaoluwa and Mrs. Folashade Joseph, during the joint valedictory service prize giving ceremony of Chrisland Schools in Lagos...recently

20.07.2018

L-R: National Chairman Independent Democrats, Hon Edozie Madu and President union for Democracy and Social Progress of DRC, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, when he visited the National Headquaters of Independent Democrats in Abuja...recently

L-R: Mr. Gbenga Olateru; son of the celebrant, Ayomide Osineye; celebrant, Mr. Olumide Osineye, his wife, Mrs. Folake Osineye; Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau, Mr. Akin Olateru; and Mr. Adeniji Oni, during the birthday celebration of Olumide in Lagos... recently

L-R: General Manager, Azuri Technologies (West Africa), Vera Nwanze; Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Wale Oluwo; Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, Lumos Nigeria, Houssam Azem, and Managing Partner, Alliance Law Firm, Uche Val Obi, at the BusinessDay Future of Energy Series 2018 in Lagos ...recently.

L-R: Regional Retail Head, Lagos and South-west of First City Monument Bank, Funmilola Paseda; Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, Gbemisola Akinpelu; Zonal Head, Lagos Island, FCMB, Mr. Emmanuel Comla; Zonal Head, Victoria Island, Mrs. Omowunmi Kalejaiye and Zonal Head, Ikeja 2, Mrs. Adejumoke Arije with some of the new recruits into the Nigeria Police during the donation of tables and chairs to the college by the Bank, under the it's C SR in Lagos... recently

L-R: Group Managing Director, SO&U, Udeme Ufot MFR; Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Chioma Ogbonna, her husband Roosevelt Ogbonna; Chief Operating OďŹ&#x192;cer, Soulcomms, Mojisola Saka, and Managing Director, Maximedia Global Limited, Femi Adefowokan, at the Access Bank Fifth Chucker Polo Tournament held at Guards Polo Club Egham, Surrey United Kingdom...recently

37/THISLIFE

20.07.2018

Peter Obi: A Lesson in Perseverance Valentine Obienyem Yesterday, Thursday July 19, 2018, Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State turned 57. Besides Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, whom I did series on his birthdays, he is the only other person I have rashly laid upon myself the task of writing on in commemoration of his birthdays.

He is one of the few in Nigeria whose lives a keen observer can look at and proclaim how good they are. From Ojukwu to Obi, it is justified because the two great Igbo sons are coins of the same mould and mint, however different in age. This is especially evident in their understanding of service to the people as revolving around two foci: selflessness and integrity. Both are geniuses in their own rights and by Nigerian standards.

It is notorious that geniuses accord with one another as harmoniously as dynamite with fire, even when some little tigers being fed with milk tried to put a wedge between them. Ojukwu in his wisdom recognised those little tigers and often advised Obi to watch them to know when they grow teeth.

If people like Obi are subpoenaed before the judgement-seat of reason for follies of life we shall sue for the return of our money. If, on the contrary, we consult them for the lessons of life, they shall offer us more than we shall bargain for. In the past, I tried to look at Obi from the prisms of hard work, governance, integrity, astuteness, single-mindedness and stubborn adherence to principles. Today, I include his odd quirks.

We shall see some of those things he did while growing up. O yes, we can say of him having in mind the famous Terence paragraph in Self Tormentor: “Homo Sum, humani nihil a me aliennumputo” (I am human, and nothing human is alien to me). Obi is human and nothing human is alien to him.

He was born in the commercial city of Onitsha, where he obtained his primary and secondary education; except for an interlude at Father Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri, where his uncle served as Principal. His precocity manifested in the area of business. Looking at the trajectory of his life, one can submit that he was born naturally with the business vigour of the Obi's running in his veins.

He was first and foremost a businessman, before other features –diplomacy, parsimony, conciliation and governance – took turns dominating his busy life.

He often tells us how his teacher at Kellogg influenced his entry into politics. Anyone who has not heard the tale will most probably think that from his Uncle, Hon. Nwabo-Alor, he derived by a kind of avuncular heredity an inclination towards radical politics. Radical not in terms of hot volcano erupting now and then, but in being driven by an independent spirit that has seen him in trouble a lot of times by insisting that the right thing must be done in spite all odds.

Obi is a thoroughbred Igbo son. Early in his life, he showed signs of what the future has in stock for his life. Barely out of diapers as a pupil of Santa Maria Primary School, Onitsha, he engaged in varied trading. First, was wholesale purchase of kerosene and retailing same in bottles.

His loving mother saw the unusual business inclination and early experience with money as likely to have undue negative influence on his growth and development.

Like all fond parents, his mother – known during her time as a matron of dignity and wisdom who sedulously trained her children after the husband bowed early to the supreme arbitrament of death – was not comfortable with his early exposure to the science of making money. She tried to stop him, but gifted in native intelligence and all known principles of persuasion, Peter Obi convinced his mother to allow him. But one of the ironies of his life is that despite early exposure, money does not have any charm for him.

From marketing of kerosene in primary school, Peter Obi moved on to the sale of eggs from Olikeze and Onwuka Farms in Agbor and Awka respectively, while he was a student of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha. Thenceforth he ventured into fashion. Apart from academics, his past-time, as with successful entrepreneurs, was watching and gauging people’s reactions to trending fashion as copied from the attires of famous singers and sportsmen.

This was how as a secondary school boy, he designed foreign shoes like the one his excitable friend, Mr. Benji Uba called “three layers”, and “flanner” and went to Enugu for the mass production. Students and young traders fell over one another buying the products. He did the same for “bongo” trousers that was in vague at that time. When you hear that he had taxis running for him as a secondary school boy, do

the treasury ferociously from all political raids.

He reduced his own staff strength, lowered taxes, introduced agricultural reforms, and encouraged industrial enterprise. Soon his probity, economics, and efficiency brought a surplus to the treasury to the tune of over N75 billion – which he handed over to his successor in office – the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. What was most perplexing is that he achieved this after being acclaimed the Best Governor in terms of infrastructural development and no indebtedness to workers, pensioners, contractors or creditors. Well-meaning Nigerians love him today for so bold a violation of precedence – bequests of debt.

Obi

not be surprised. His is a living story as opposed to fairy tales of those who claimed they started making money from their mothers’ wombs.

As a student in CKC, he was already travelling to London with older friends and importing goods in containers.

As an undergraduate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Peter Obi was a big-time importer of five and more containers of various wares in one order. Among his several customers, the well-known Awusaku of Onitsha at the time marketed tiles from him. He also ventured into property. It was during that period that he built the houses rented by the then Savannah Bank in Omor and Nsukka. Indeed, the present Sultan of Sokoto was his tenant as a young military officer serving in Nsukka area.

As a young man, Peter Obi was fully human and enjoyed his life to the fullest. Seeing him today, you would not even know that he was the best club and party dancer among his many friends and contemporaries. He also indulged in tangents to the curve of love. From what we hear from those close to him, we may presume that where there is still so much smoke there was once a flame. Take a sampler: Once he was driving his friends, including a girlfriend, in his newly-acquired Peugeot 505 car. They got to a place and met some people who passed from admiring the vehicle to pricing it. Because Peter Obi had a business he wanted to explore, but did not have enough money to do so, he offered to sell the vehicle to the people and there and then. His scandalized friends, including the young lady, had to continue their trip in public transport. Two days later, Peter Obi was off to London and as soon as he concluded the new venture, he bought a brand new BMW! There are many interesting stories about him and each is parked with lessons of life. At the wedding of one of his cousins in Enugu, many people saw him waiting for public transport to the reception. Most of them stopped to give him a lift, which he declined. In fact, a girlfriend to one of his friends remarked that they should leave the man (Obi) who appeared to be enjoying his poverty. When they later talked about the event and it was revealed that the three most-graded vehicles used for the wedding were owned by Peter Obi, the young woman sought Obi’s hotel room ostensibly to apologize to him but actually to woo his friendship.

Peter Obi lived a normal life that characterises all stages of human development. One of the interesting things about him is that he did not remain becalmed in any of the stages. That is not say his life is devoid of follies; after all, as Cicero said: “There is nothing so absurd, but that it may be found in the book of philosophies”.

He once angrily retrieved what he bought for his girlfriend on discovering her liaisons with other men.

Obi’s transition to one of Nigeria’s most successful politicians in terms of performance was not by accident. He is a perfectionist who puts in 100 per cent efforts in whatever he chooses to do, even if it does not yield the maximum result. His friend, Benji Uba tells a story of sometime in the 1980s, when he and Obi stayed in the house of Ike Nwabunike: “Each time we travelled to London, Ike would always give us money to run errands for him and ask us to keep the change. In 1987, Peter bought his own house. When Ike heard it, he was so amazed that he dropped the plate of food from his hands. Ike was rightly perplexed that the young man he accommodated was able to buy a house in London without a mortgage!

Ike was very happy and thereafter used Peter as an example for others. In the same year, Peter started investing in London and Nigerian stock markets unaffected by the bedlam of politics”.

Obi’s venture into politics was with the same spirit of perseverance. How many Nigerians would undergo what he experienced in politics and remain visible with his work largely speaking for him? He has stayed tranquil, friendly, sociable, self-critical and occasionally favouring his “enemies”. He is a man of his words and never offends a rival, never disappoints a patron, except those that are inordinate in their expectations.

As the Governor he found Anambra State buffeted by forces of under-development and self-inflicted curse. The State’s finances were in chaos; most of its revenue was lost in transit; and lawlessness was the order of the day. Rape and rapine of public and private assets reigned.

Obi fought the battle of his life and eventually became the Governor of the State in 2006. His every act and every word were designed to carry out his single-minded purpose – to restore Anambra to greatness. He, therefore, started auspiciously by making himself a terror to all incompetence and malfeasance and guarded

Obi’s basic principles in life have not changed.

The other day, 6th of July, 2018, he requested that I buy some bananas for him in Awka. I called to inform him that I did not see good bananas in Awka and could not go to Agulu because of time constraint. He spent the next 30 minutes lecturing me on why I should not have thought about going to Agulu because of bananas: “What is the cost implication? How can somebody think of going to Agulu to buy bananas for somebody in Awka? That’s sheer wastefulness. Was the banana recommended by a doctor, for it is only on medical condition should such course be approved, otherwise it would be sheer madness”, Obi argued.

Today, after many years of leaving public office, sedulous researchers have continued to rate him high as a careful administrator and a far-sighted diplomat. Under him, Anambra politics leaped to heights, but suddenly resumed limping after he left office, characterized by generous delusion and a brand of propaganda falling over us like the lava of Vesuvius. In the midst of increasing taxes, their pockets are bulging with riches from the poor. Rather than the aides helping him out, they continue showering the leadership with the flattery they know he loves to sip, some say gulp.

As for mistakes in office, Obi made ample varieties of them in underestimating the wicked capacity of men. Because he meant well for the State, he spent a lot of time working on a transition that would be of benefit to the people. Only God knows why he ended up supporting the one that is painfully antipodal to him in temper and ideas. Rather than look up to his ideas and build on them, his and his successor and his group are serenading him in mockery. He was accused of demanding money which he never did. They denied the money he saved and paid all manner of characters to pour obloquy on him. Those he raised from dust to become something in life now talk and act to him disrespectfully. All this has compelled him to turn around and examine himselfand have a better understanding of man by understanding himself first and foremost.

“Gnothiseauton” (Know thyself), said Socrates.

It is one of the wonders in the political history of Nigeria that Obi did not become morose by the intensity of indignities he has suffered, but has boldly moved on; only considering the betrayals of friends and those he has helped as little wavelet in a ceaseless surf.

Today, Obi’s pre-occupation is support for schools. He has turned himself into a wandering sophist giving lectures here and there to queasy audiences. During his lectures, he reduces to common understanding terms like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Per Capita, among others, such that his speeches now serve as the very sauce and flavour by which heavy dishes of economic terms are made digestible for even the unlettered. But, the irony of it is that those simple, analytic speeches he always delivers have contributed much to the intellectual stimulation of the times.

Today, as he turns 58, we look at his life comprehensively and dare to say that in its systolic and diastolic movements over time, history will be kind to him. His politics reminds us that to get the best from governance, Nigeria must devise a method of barring incompetence and knavery from public office – this is the key-stone of the arch of Obi’s political thoughts. He also believes in some aspect of Chinese politics, of not allowing people to hold high offices till they have filled lower offices well.

He shall remain a lesson in perseverance.

Many, including the little tiger and his patron may derive joy in castigating him, but time shall come when history would probably retort as in what, in the fables of Antisthenes, the lions said to the hares when, in the council of beasts, the latter began haranguing and claiming equality for all: “Where are your claws?”

History shall one day judge Nigerian politicians according to their deeds and people like Obi will occupy the temple of honour for persevering in doing good in spite all odds.

–Obienyem wrote from Lagos

38/PERSPECTIVE

20.07.2018

Progress for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Serah Makka-Ugbabe It began with a thought. How can we empower 100 million Nigerians to transform their familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health? The 2014 National Health Act (NHA) held some clues. The Act created the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund to provide a basic minimum standard of health care through primary healthcare centers but two years after its passage had yet to be fully implemented.

In 2016, we joined forces with four partner organisations to launch the MakeNaijaStronger campaign to put pressure on the government to implement the key provisions of the NHA, particularly the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. This June we celebrated a massive success when President Buhari signed the 2018 budget with N55.1 billion representing 1% of Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), i.e., Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue, for basic healthcare provision fund. This is a big win and is a credit to the civil society organizations, National Assembly leaders, thousands of Nigerians who raised their voices and celebrities who wielded their power and their passion to raise public awareness and lobby the government.

Why all that work? Well, primary healthcare centers are the nerve centers for any strong health system. They carry 70% of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease burden, especially in the rural areas.

Yet only 20% percent of these facilities have qualified staff or essential equipment and drugs. Furthermore, out-of-pocket expenditure represents 71.7% of individual health spending.

So it is no surprise Nigeria has some of the worst health outcomes. It is amongst the worst places in the world to be a child, infant or mother. One in eight of all children who die in the world under the age five are Nigerian, and the deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represent a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under five. In 2016, life expectancy at birth was 55 years, only six countries in the world ranked lower.

The new funding can unlock investment in basic health services, expand and upgrade primary health facilities, develop health human capital especially at the primary health care level, provide essential drugs and begin the process of providing universal coverage. However, any fundraising campaign must also be accompanied by a call for more accountability and transparency in the use of the funds.

Implementing legislation is important but ultimately, increasing funds for health and spending that money transparently and effectively is the real solution.

During this two-year journey, we learned a few things about running a successful campaigns. We found five aspects to be useful for policy-change campaigning: public mobilisation, partnerships, pop culture and media, politics, and policy.

urging him to implement the basic health provision fund. The Financial Times published the letter during the Commonwealth Head of Government Meetings in London this year. r ,OPX UIF DPME IBSE GBDUT 5P CFUter understand the finer details of the budget ONE worked with BudgIT, a Nigerian CSO, to develop two policy briefs about the 2016 and 2017 health sector budget. This was shared with policy makers, decision makers and the public. Community leaders were also involved in publicizing the policy briefs.

When they understood the implications of not implementing the act for their community, it heightened their commitment to fight for this win-win policy implementation. r 'JOE BEWPDBUFT XJUIJO HPWFSONFOU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they exist: On any given policy issue organizations advocate for, there are most likely policy makers and decision makers that agree with your position and who could be key allies. Find them and collaborate with them. For the National Health Act implementation, the band of CSOs did an effective job of making a case to the National Assembly.

We held over 100 meetings, visited several Primary Health Care centers, and convened community groups such as the market women associations, youth-led organisations focused on social issues, and traders associations, to make their views known to policy makers. But without the support of the Chairmen of Health Committee and Primary health Care Committee of Senate and House of Representative as well as the leadership of the 8th Senate and House, Nigerians could not Makka-Ugbabe have achieved this important victory.

The #MakeNaijaStronger campaign r 1VCMJD NPCJMJTBUJPO NBUUFST 8IFO their voices to reinforce and sustain was successful for many reasons but the public have the facts, they act: The the message. All together over 60 Civil mainly because the voice of many most important part of any campaign is Society Organizations (CSOs) signed Nigerians created pressure and their public awareness and participation. The an open letter to President Buhari, to voices were heard. As a result, millions voice of Nigerians gives weight to any demand the implementation of the of Nigerians will have access to insurissue. Therefore, breaking down techni- Basic Health Care Provisional fund. ance, and primary healthcare centers cal language in the way that captures r 1PQ DVMUVSF BOE NFEJB XJEFO will be better equipped to deliver better the public imagination is crucial. For awareness from a few to the many. ONE health outcomes. the MakeNaijaStronger campaign, pop mobilized over 10 artists, musicians, But the fight is not over. ONE along culture provided an opportunity to actors and radio/TV personalities to with other CSOs will launch a followbreakdown an economic message and bring attention to the issue. The video the-money health campaign around the implications of the basic health care narrated by our ONE Ambassador Waje, provision fund. Over 200,000 Nigerians the Nigerian singer, about Mr. Udebu accountability. Again this will require signed petition cards demanding better who lost his wife due to the broken partnership with other organisations healthcare for Nigerians and asking health system got over 100,000 views on like Connected Development, Tracka, policy makers to act. youtube. Local media is invaluable to Health Sector Reform Coalition, developr 1BSUOFSTIJQ JT JNQFSBUJWF .BOZ getting out the message and explaining ment partners, etc. Until every naira hands make light work: Although the the â&#x20AC;&#x153;so whatâ&#x20AC;? about basic healthcare is spent to provide health services for MakeNaijaStronger campaign was provision. Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor state of health children, infants and women, this wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t referred to differently by different affects everyone so it was easy for be counted as a win. Social accountorganization it had a unifying goal: to the media to understand and explain ability is the next frontier for deepening implement the Basic Healthcare Provi- the issue. We wrote opinion pieces transparency and accountability. Relying sion Fund and provide better, healthcare and encouraged our CSO partners to on the eyes and ears of Nigerians is services to Nigerians. This aim was do the same. We also took out ads in the most effective way to ensure that pushed by organisations such as the newspapers, which policy makers read, Nigeria overcomes her damming health Health Sector Reform Coalition, the to highlight the state of healthcare in statistics and we all see a return on Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, Nigeria, and linked some solutions to investments in health.

Mamaye, and development partners the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. The â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Serah Makka-Ugbabe is the Counsuch as DFID, the Bill and Melinda Fund offered hope, so we challenged try Director at ONE, an international Gates Foundation, and the Dangote the government to make it happen. The Foundation. Coalitions such as the international media was also helpful. campaigning and advocacy organization National Assembly Primary Healthcare We worked with influencers in the working to end extreme poverty and Revitalisation Support Group also added UK who wrote to President Buhari preventable disease

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JULY 20, 2018

39

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

CITYSTRINGS

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Unending Legal Battle

Rebecca Ejifoma writes on the seemingly unending legal battle between Ascon Oil and Mobil Oil over the sale of a family land along the Oshodi-Gbagada Expressway in Lagos

The land in contention between Mobil and Ascon Oil

F

rom time immemorial, there have been contentions over land matters.

While most are settled out of court, others are left for the courts of law to adjudicate. For indigenous oil companies, Ascon Oil Company Limited, and Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, the bone of contention is a piece of land situated along the Oshodi-Gbagada Expressway in Lagos.

For years, the battle has raged, and it seems an end is not yet in sight as they wrangle continues over a family land that was reportedly sold to Ascon Oil after it was leased to Mobil, which used it as a fuel and service station.

Indeed, the property had been the subject of a number of litigations for the past 18 years, prompting Ascon oil to recently cry out to the appropriate authorities to help them retrieve the property from Mobil.

Inception It was gathered that a Deed of Conveyance dated September 3, 1966 between Titular Head and Chief Oloto of Lagos, Chief Emmanuel Jaiyesinmi Ogundimu and Madam Shifawu Ashabi Abudullah asserted that Madam Shifawu A. Abudullah and others acquired ownership of the large portion of land at Gbagada Village, Shomolu, now along Oshodi-Bariga Express Road, Gbagada. The deed was registered as No. 55 at Page 55 in Volume 9391b of the Registry kept at the Lagos State Land Registry, Lagos State.

On August 25, 1975, a deed between Madam Shifawu Ashabi Abudullah and others and Chief Dr. Samuel Sunday Ogunyade stated that the property had been acquired by Chief Ogunyade and registered as No. 77 on Page 77 in Volume 1516 of the Registry kept at the Lagos State Land Registry.

Mobil's Involvement In 1980, it was learnt that Mobil took a 20-year developmental lease of the land from its owner, Chief Ogunyade and developed the filling station. By the time the lease expired in 2000, the owner of the land, Chief Ogunyade, had filed an application in court against Mobil

in suit number LD/2360/2000. Ogunyade accused the oil giants, among others, of leasing a part of the land to UAC for the location of a Mr. Biggs outlet in the premises without the consent of the owner.

The matter was eventually settled, and a further 10-year extension on the lease was agreed upon by both parties. The new lease was from 2000 and it was to terminate on August 31, 2010, it was gathered.

“It was without an option of renewal,” Nwakaudu Okechukwu Provins, ASCON’s Assistant Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser said.

He added, “Mobil and the administrators of late Chief Sunday Ogunyade were unable to agree on terms for a renewal of the lease of Mobil over the property, and Mobil was accordingly informed. It is important to note that Mobil had no right of first refusal to

Their representative was constantly absent during the proceedings, and Mobil was also not prepared to make any concession

either lease or buy the property. And the administrators of late Chief Sunday Ogunyade’s estate could not agree on a new lease with Mobil and Mobil was accordingly informed.”

Mobil has, however, disagreed with such assertions. The company insists that its lease on the property would not expire until 2020.

The company’s secretary and lawyer, Mr. Danladi Ochekpe maintained that the matter was still a subject of litigation in court. He noted that Ascon Oil was party to the suit, arguing that Ascon could always appeal if the firm was not comfortable with the judgement of the court.

He said based on a High Court judgement in 2012, which was yet to be appealed by Ascon, Mobil’s lease on the land would elapse in 2020, not 2010.

The company’s spokesman, Amaju Ayomike, also noted that there had been certain intervening events that played out, and which had since led to some other claims against Ascon oil.

“They allowed us to stay there for seven to eight years and last year, they invaded the station. They committed a criminal trespass.

The station has not been in operation for almost seven months now. It has remained sealed. They have deprived us of doing business in the place since December 2017.

If let’s say we don’t do any business there till December, do you now say that by 2020, we should just leave the place? So who takes care of the one-year difference? It depends on circumstances, as they are lots of on-going litigations,” Ayomike said.

Ascon’s stance But Ascon accused Mobil officials of frustrating all efforts made to take over the premises of the contentious land. Ascon officials insist that the place had been legally acquired by Ascon since 2010 and that all documents to the property are in the possession of the firm.

THISDAY further gathered that towards the end of 2010, the administrators of late Chief Sunday Ogunyade entered into a 10-year lease

agreement over the property with Ascon Oil. Officials of Ascon noted that shortly after, the property was sold to the firm by the administrators and the title transferred to Ascon. In their words, the ownership of the land was subsequently transferred to Ascon.

They claim that the title to the land has, since 2010, been legally transferred to Ascon.

But that was not the end of the matter. It was learnt that Mobil was not satisfied with the bid to sell the land to Ascon. The firm subsequently dragged the administrators of the estate of Chief Ogunyade to the Lagos High Court and prayed the court to prevent the administrators from leasing or selling the property to Ascon. The suit was however dismissed by Justice Akapo Lawal for the failure of Mobil to sue the administrators of the deceased’s estate in their personal names.

Unending Battle It has since been an unending legal rigmarole.

Mr. Samson Ogunyade and other administrators of late Chief Sunday Ogunyade’s estate also instituted a suit before Justice M.A. Dada at the Lagos State High Court, lgbosere, seeking to recover possession of the property from Mobil for the new owners - Ascon Oil. Mobil also filed a counter claim to stop the administrators of Ogunyade’s estate from leasing or selling the property to Ascon.

On October 5, 2012, Justice Dada dismissed Mobil’s application. Ascon Oil thereafter sued Mobil to recover possession of the property in suit number LD/13/13. Mobil also filed another suit (LD/2025/12) against Ascon Oil and Samson Ogunyade, Taiwo Ogunyade, Remilekun Ogunyade and Olalekan Ogunyade, the administrators of late Chief Ogunyade’s estate. In the suit, Mobil lawyers held that by virtue of the judgement of Justice M. A. Dada, the company was still entitled to a ten-year lease over the property. They said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit by Ascon. Ascon also filed a preliminary objection against the suit by Mobil.

On December 13, 2013, Justice Ipaye, while ruling on the preliminary objections, upheld the

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

CITYSTRINGS

Ascon Oil filling station

preliminary objection of Ascon against the suit

by Mobil and dismissed Mobil’s preliminary objection. The judge also dismissed Mobil’s suit. He then directed that the suit by Ascon be transferred to the Lagos State Multi-Door Court House – Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for possible settlement.

Although the arbitration was concluded on June 23, 2014, no tangible success was achieved, as both parties could not come to an agreement.

“Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc frustrated the arbitration process. Their representative was constantly absent during the proceedings, and Mobil was also not prepared to make any concession. Instead, they boasted that they would remain on the property forever. The records of the proceedings will confirm this,” Nwakaudu Okechukwu Provins asserted.

The matter between Ascon and Mobil was re-assigned to Justice Lawal of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, for trial. But Ascon informed that when the matter came for trial in July, 2015, Mobil was apparently not ready for the trial. The company, it was gathered, chose to appeal the ruling of Justice Ipaye which had dismissed the case two years earlier.

Ascon officials said Mobil also proposed an out-of-court settlement, but regretted that Mobil’s representative never made any significant contributions towards the settlement of the case. They also said the appeal filed

by Mobil at the Court of Appeal in Lagos (CA/L/485B/2015) was dismissed, adding that the appeal court also ordered accelerated hearing before Justice Lawal of Ascon’s Suit against Mobil.

The Ascon officials said Mobil’s lawyers have been delaying proceedings before Justice Lawal by constantly filing applications and asking for adjournments. They said it was obvious that Mobil was determined to frustrate Ascon from taking possession of a property that was validly acquired.

It was learnt that Mobil has since sold majority of its downstream operation, including the operation of the contentious petrol filling station in Gbagada, Lagos, to Nipco Plc. The company has also changed its name to 11 Plc, it was gathered. Ascon said the offers of N350 million and N750 million made to Ascon by Mobil to enable Mobil purchase the property were unacceptable and ridiculous.

“It is important to state that Mobil has been in possession of this property since 2010 (after their lease expired and Ascon outright bought the property till date) without paying any rent to Ascon. “They have been collecting rent from Mr. Biggs (UAC) and have been making huge profit,” Ascon officials alleged.

They also said that representatives of Ascon had been going to the filling station to enable everyone know that they were the rightful owners of the property.

They allowed us to stay there for seven to eight years and last year, they invaded the station.They committed a criminal trespass.The station has not been in operation for almost seven months now

“Recently some men came to our office and told our Group Managing Director that Mobil wants to sell the petrol filling station to them and enquired to know our interest in the property. We were greatly alarmed by this information and this is part of Mobil’s design to permanently dispossess us of our property. Due to these reasons, we have been constrained to peacefully go to the filling station to show our presence. Mobil didn’t object to our presence on the property, because they know we are the owners of the petrol filling station,” Ascon said.

Meanwhile, a principal member and one of the family administrators, Taiwo Ogunyade, admitted that Mobil was once the family’s tenant but asserted that the company’s tenancy expired in 2010. He said it was after the expiration that the administrators transferred the ownership of the property to Ascon Oil, adding that after perfecting every title document, ownership was transferred to Ascon.

“As we speak now, the property rightfully belongs to Ascon Oil. I stand with Ascon on this issue and Mobil should just hands off.

We have no business with Mobil. Ascon is and remains the new owner of the place.

We have signed every document that legally transferred ownership to Ascon Oil and Mobil has no business on that property.

Petitions On July 2, Ascon sent a petition to the inspector General of Police, accusing some police officers of frustrating its efforts to take ownership of the property. They specifically accused men of the Police Anti Pipeline Vandalism/ illegal Bunkering Unit, led by one Mr. Andrew Vekummonjah, of acts of bias and intimidation.

In the petition, Ascon Managing Director, Mrs. Grace Ndidi Enenmoh, a lawyer, said Mobil had earlier petitioned the state Commissioner

of Police, stating that the latter discovered that the property was rightfully owned by Ascon.

She said the firm later petitioned the IG who mandated the Anti-Pipeline Vandalism/ illegal Bunkering Unit to investigate the case. She accused the police unit of teaming up with Mobil to intimidate the Ascon and its officials.

“Mr. Andrew has been very unfriendly in all his conducts. He has on several occasions made comments which clearly showed that he was influenced by Mobil in the course of his investigation,” she said She recalled that the Lagos High Court already directed all parties to stay away from the property pending the final determination of the case pending in court. She accused the police of supporting Mobil’s possession of her company’s property, saying the policemen also arraigned Ascon’s Assistant Company Secretary, Mr. Nwakaudu Okechukwu Provins.

She noted that Provins was neither a director nor a shareholder in the company and had never visited the property, saying the conduct of the police officers was “very unprofessional and condemnable.”

She urged the IG to refer the case to the police commissioner in Lagos even as she wanted the case against Provins withdrawn.

Ascon had, on June 27, dispatched a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, claiming that Mobil’s continuous operations at the filling station was in contempt of court and constituted an economic crime.

“Mobil and the policemen that aided them are in contempt of court, and the action of Mobil is frustrating, provocative, likely going to cause breach of peace and endanger lives in this property and other surrounding properties in the event of a fight over possession of the property between both companies. We implore you to ensure that Mobil, now 11 Plc and its officials vacate the property, pending the final judgement of the court,” the petition said.

42

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FRC Reduces ‘Cooling Off’ Period for Executives Nume Ekeghe The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has reduced the ‘cooling off’ period for executives in regulatory entities, public and private companies from 10 years, to three years, when transiting from a board role to another.

The Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, FRC, Mr. Daniel Asapokhai, disclosed this at the last session of its public hearing/ sensitisation on the ‘Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance,’ held in Lagos yesterday.

Asapokhai explained, “On tenure and cooling off periods for directors, giving the prescriptive nature of the 2016 code, there were provisions around tenure in office and cooling off periods that

were required for certain board positions and from migrating from one to the other.

“We have dropped a lot of the hard coding on matters such as tenure. However, a maximum nine years tenure for independent directors on the board.

“For cooling off period for executives of regulatory agencies looking to join the board of previously supervised entities, the 2016 code specified the cooling off period of 10 years for executives and management staff of supervisory bodies before they can join board of previously supervised entities.

“The new code has reduced that cooling off period to three years. However, it increases to five years if the board role would also be an independent director role.”

Continuing, he said, “There is also the change in the cooling off period required before a transition from the role of managing director to board chairman, which has been reduced from 10 years to three years.”

According to the FRC boss, countries with institutions that are well regulated and have high level of transparency demonstrate better economic performance and greater financial stability and are better able to withstand shocks during periods of financial instability.

“There is need for a national code and the existence of a national code does not mean the sectorial codes are no longer relevant. But we just need a national framework where everything can co-exist,” he said.

Ecobank Nigeria Appoints Akinwuntan MD Designate The Board of Directors of Ecobank Nigeria Limited yesterday announced the appointment of Patrick Akinwuntan as the Managing Director (MD) designate of the bank. This followed the recent resignation of the MD of the bank, Charles Kie. A statement from the bank said that the appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Prior to the appointment, Akinwuntan was the Group Executive, Consumer Banking responsible for leading the consumer banking business across Ecobank’s global network of 40 countries, 36 of which are in Africa. He has over 20 years of senior and executive management experience and has held several strategic posi-

tions for the Ecobank Group in Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.

He had previously been a Group Executive Director on the Board of ETI and earlier, Executive Director in Ecobank Nigeria. Akinwuntan, started his career with Ecobank in 1996 as Head of Commercial Bank and Regional Head in Ecobank Nigeria and since then he has held various senior and executive positions in Nigeria and within the Ecobank Group, including Executive Director, Retail Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Group Chief Finance Officer, ETI, Group Executive Director, Operations & Technology, amongst others.

Prior to joining Ecobank, he was a General Manager, Springfountain Management Consul-

tants, Lagos from 1993 – 1996; Deputy Manager – Corporate Finance, Credit and Marketing, Manufacturers Merchant Bank Plc, Lagos from 1991 – 1993, and was a Supervisor in Ernst & Young International (Chartered Accountants), Lagos from 1987 – 1991. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), he also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. “In line with our leadership and business continuity procedures, the outgoing Managing Director, Charles Kie, will continue to manage Ecobank Nigeria throughout the transition period and ensure a smooth handover to Mr Akinwuntan,” the statement explained.

Bank Chief Seeks Increased Collaboration on Technology Funmi Ogundare The Executive Director(ED), Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Temitope Fasoranti, yesterday decried the way technological innovation had greatly changed the way the banking sector carry out its financial services, saying it may lead to a possible loss of jobs.

The ED, however, called for collaboration between public and private sectors as well as tertiary institutions to adapt and leverage available technologies.

He said this in a paper titled, “Technological Disruption and Tertiary Education: Redefining Learning for the Future,” he

presented as a guest lecturer at the 13th convocation lecture of the Covenant University, Ota, held in Ogun State. This, according to him, would to enhance capacity and provide services that will have great impact on enhanced productivity.

He said one of the challenges of technological innovation was the concomitant disruptions in the activities of the sector which will lead to people being sent to the labour market through its substitute for human labour.

“As advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning rev up, there is high possibility that the need for

human interface in the learning process, including testing and grading will reduce,” he explained. He affirmed that a number of technologies had been deployed to make delivery of banking services possible with or without access to a physical bank branch.

Fasoranti said: “The story of human progress was possible because of technological innovation, adding that the concept of technological innovation embraces products, services and solutions that seek to address challenges of everyday life in new, hitherto unimaginable ways.

Safetrust Refunds Investment in Safetowers Safetrust Mortgage Bank Limited said it has given financial support to Macbosh Properties Limited to fully refund the investment made

by Mr. Kunle Ogunmefun on its Safetowers project.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications of Safetrust Mortgage Bank Limited, Mr. Maurice Ibie.

Ibie disclosed that Macbosh Properties Limited had entered into a commercial transaction with Ogunmefun on Safetowers

located along the Lekki – Epe Expressway.

He said the statement became necessary in the light of conflicting reports making the rounds in some sections of the media.

According to Ibie, “Safetowers consists of three high-rise blocks of flats, and pent house duplexes. Ogunmefun indicated interest in the project and subscribed to a block which has 16 units of three bedroom apartments and two units of five bedroom

Penthouse duplexes.

“The estimated construction and delivery time was for a period of 24 months at a total price of N710,000,000” He reiterated that Ogunmefun had previously bought some units in a previous development “Safecourt Apartments” financed by Safetrust Mortgage Bank, which was more than twice the size of Safetowers in monetary terms.

The project was developed successfully and delivered accordingly.

L-R: Group Managing Director, SO&U, Udeme Ufot; Mrs. Chioma Ogbonna; Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Chief Operating Officer, Soulcomms, Mojisola Saka and Managing Director, Maximedia Global Limited, Femi Adefowokan, at the Access Bank Fifth Chucker Polo Tournament held at Guards Polo Club, Surrey, United Kingdom…recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(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)

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, 18, JULY , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fifteen crudes stood at $69.98 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $70.38 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), Djeno (Congo), 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

43

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Stock Exchange to List FGN N10.69bn Green Bond Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

bonds certified sovereign green bond, the first African nation to issue a sovereign green bond and the fourth nation in the world to issue after Poland, France and Fiji. Green bonds are fixed income, liquid financial instruments used to raise funds dedicated to climate mitigation, adaptation and other environment-friendly projects. This provides investors

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will today list the FGN N10.69 billion Green Bond on the Exchange, as part of efforts to make Nigeria one of the favoured investment destinations in Africa.

Nigeria became the first the first nation to issue a climate

with an attractive investment proposition and an opportunity to support environmentally and socially sound projects.

Market analysts had said considering that Nigeria derives more than 90 per cent of its export income from crude oil, the push for green bonds to support initiatives aimed at moderating climate change by investing in solar plants,

hydro power and agriculture is particularly noteworthy.

Former Minister of Environment and now Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed had last year commended NSE for conceptualising the idea of the green bond.

“The NSE sowed the seeds, they talked to me about sustainability principles and

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

what business could do. We thought ‘hey what about green bonds’ – Nigeria was looking for an instrument that worked with its ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’ and its national strategy to bring jobs and green infrastructure investment. Green Bonds provides a new product with new credentials that investors could buy into, which has gone

through a vigorous process to ensure transparency, accountability in use of funds and is environmental friendly,” she said. According to market operators, sovereign green bond represents a new stage in the development of the Nigerian capital markets and opens the way for further corporate issuance and international investment.

A S AT 1 7 / 0 7 / 2 0 1 8

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES

S/N 1 2 3 BANKING S/N 4 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 5 6 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS OIL AND GAS S/N 7 EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 8 9 10 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 11 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 12 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 13 14 15 16 17 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N 18 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 19 20 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 21 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N 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

BANKING ACCESS BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

BUILDING MATERIALS DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC.

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

9.95

-1.49

200

19,496,081

0.00

9.85

-1.01

178

5,949,738

0.00

23.80

-0.63

293

15,424,268

31

671

40,870,087

32

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00 0.00

PRICE 10.25

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

33

237

8,314,893

34

237

8,314,893

908

49,184,980

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

-1.44

35 36

PRICE 230.00 34.50

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

0.00

650.00

1.32 -8.00

52 59 111 111

476,379 1,061,801 1,538,180 1,538,180

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

-

12

16,513

12

16,513

12 1,031

16,513 50,739,673

37 38 FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 39 40 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 41 42 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N

CROP PRODUCTION FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC. LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC. INFRASTRUCTURE/ HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

43 PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

0.20

-

1

11,550

0.00

85.00

-7.61

18

1,836,444

0.00

73.50

-

15 34

35,097 1,883,091

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

4.26

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00 MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

PRICE 0.74

0 0

0 0

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

-1.33

21

950,636

21

950,636

55

2,833,727

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING

0.46

-

0

0

0.00 0.00

0.58 3.25

-

0 7

0 647

0.00

1.27

0.79

202

20,707,144

55

0.00

14.00

-

54 263 263

1,329,157 22,036,948 22,036,948

56

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

59

4.79

-

0 0

60

VOLUME

61

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

57 58

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

0.00

24.30

-10.00

0.00

6.60

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

S/N

0 0

%CHANGE TRADES 56

821,821

62 63

0

0

56

821,821

64

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

65

1.91

-

4

5,488

66

4

5,488

67

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

95.00

-

0

0

0.00

45.20

-

0

0

70

0.00

9.00

-

0

0

71 72

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

69

0

0

60

827,309

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

0.23

-

8 8

5,804 5,804

75

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

76 77

73

2.05

-

10

93,004

0.00

0.89

-

1

3,000

0.00

97.00

-

41

207,571

0.00

68

37.50

-7.41

12

70,355

74

78 79

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

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.

0.00 MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

108.50

PRICE

-1.36

120

3,082,303

184

3,456,233

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

9.30

-4.12

71

845,909

0.00

17.95

2.57

55

1,056,303

0.00

30.00

0.33

78

1,198,045

0.00

1.94

-1.02

55

2,293,247

0.00

0.36

-

0

0

0.00

6.55

-

1

5,040

0.00

20.00

-1.23

40

1,608,677

0.00

13.45

-

0

0

300

7,007,221

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

11.15

-

57

211,517

0.00 1,527.00

-

44 101

41,576 253,093

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

FOOD PRODUCTS-DIVERSIFIED CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

15.40

-9.94

61

0.00

51.85

-

49

680,108

110

1,554,854

719

12,556,117

BANKING DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC. UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC VERITAS KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

0.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 0.00

PRICE

PRICE 22.10

-

0

0

3.25

-

16 16

278,912 278,912

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

1.29

-2.27

0.00

20.60

0.00

1.96

0.00

874,746

VOLUME

81

6,974,949

-0.72

49

1,916,259

-5.31

100

3,664,337

39.20

-1.13

227

11,024,380

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.64 0.62 1.44 5.70 0.94 0.68

6.25 -3.23 0.70 -2.08 7.94

14 43 60 32 18 37 661

547,789 4,498,232 4,902,300 74,191 1,104,030 976,619 35,683,086

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE TRADES

VOLUME

0.00

0.20

-

0

0

0.00

0.65

-4.41

23

2,379,836

0.00

2.55

-

5

52,363

0.00

0.28

-9.68

9

368,928

0.00

1.50

3.45

14

591,808

0.00

0.29

-

0

0

0.00

0.53

-

0

0

0.00

0.50

-

0

0

0.00

0.38

-

2

22,495

0.00

0.42

-

1

466

0.00

0.35

-2.78

25

2,055,422

0.00

0.94

-

4

86,178

0.00

0.67

-4.29

14

1,248,260

0.00

0.36

5.88

9

208,800

0.00

3.00

-

27

2,455,915

0.00

0.26

-

3

54,942

0.00

0.50

-

4

33,198

0.00

0.24

-4.17

9

1,136,923

0.00

0.27

8.00

51

13,304,654

0.00

0.42

-

0

0

0.00

0.48

-

0

0

0.00

0.22

-

4

11,224

0.00

0.20

-

0

0

0.00

0.50

-

0

0

0.00

0.30

-

0

0

44

˜ ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ ˾ T H I S D AY

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

d,/^ z &Z/Es ^d ϰϬ > ^ d, E^ ^/ Θ E^ ϯϬ /E y dŚĞ dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ ŽǀĞƌ Ă LJĞĂƌ ĂŐŽ ;:ƵŶĞ ϱƚŚ ϮϬϭϳͿ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƟŶŐ ŽĨ ϰϬ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵƚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ^ƚŽĐŬ džĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ ƐĞůĞĐƚĞĚ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ůŝƋƵŝĚŝƚLJ͕ ƚƌĂĚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ;ŇŽĂƚͿ ĂŶĚ ƐŝnjĞ ;ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶͿ͘ ŽůůĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϵϰ͘Ϭй ŽĨ ƚŽƚĂů ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĂƉƉƌŽdžŝŵĂƚĞůLJ ϰϮ͘Ϭй ŽĨ ƚƌĂĚĂďůĞ ŇŽĂƚ͘ Ɛ Ăƚ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ ϭϵƚŚ ŽĨ :ƵůLJ ϮϬϭϴ͕ ƚŚĞ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ʹϬ͘ϵϮй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϴϰ͘ϲϮ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ƚŽ ʹϯ͘ϴй͘ dŚĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ƐƵƌƉĂƐƐĞƐ ƚŚĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ E^ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ĂŶĚ ƚŚĂƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ E^ ϯϬ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĂƌĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ŽĨ Ͳϲ͘ϭй ĂŶĚ ʹϰ͘ϲй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ǁĂƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůŽī ŝŶ E/d, ;Ͳϰ͘ϮйͿ͕ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳ Ϯ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ E ^d> ;Ͳϱ͘ϱйͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ Ϯϳ͘Ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ ĞĂƌŝƐŚ WƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ WĞƌƐŝƐƚƐ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ &ŽƵƌƚŚ ŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ^ĞƐƐŝŽŶ͙ E^ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϴй

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ŽŌĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϳdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϵdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞĐĞĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϮϬ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯϳ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ t D ;нϵ͘ϳйͿ͕ K E K ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ >/E< ^^hZ ;нϴ͘ϮйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E d ;Ͳ ϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ >/s ^dK < ;Ͳϵ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ d Ed >/ Z ;Ͳϴ͘ϳйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ZĞůĂƟǀĞ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚ /ŶĚĞdž ;Z^/Ϳ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ĨĞůů ƚŽ Ϯϳ͘ϱ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ďĞůŽǁ ƚŚĞ ŽǀĞƌƐŽůĚ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ͘ dŚƵƐ͕ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ĐĂƵƟŽƵƐůLJ ŽƉƟŵŝƐƟĐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐƐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ Ă ƌĞďŽƵŶĚ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͕ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ,ϭ͗ϮϬϭϴ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƌĞƐƵůƚƐ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Current Price

Ticker

1

Price Previous Current Price Change Price Weightin Change Index to Change g YTD Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,484.62

-0.92%

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

38.00

2.7%

20.8%

22.95

-4.2%

12.1%

-10.5%

105.60

-2.2%

7.3%

-21.7%

1,442.30

-5.5%

7.8%

-7.3%

-7.3%

73.3%

230.00

0.0%

6.5%

0.0%

0.0%

-4.9%

5.7%

0.0%

0.1%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

5

Dangote Cement PLC

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

-3.8%

48.5%

19.3%

7.0%

7.0x

0.8x

5.8%

11.6%

-6.7%

-6.3%

32.6%

5.2%

6.2x

2.1x

7.1%

16.2%

-11.5%

26.3%

3.6%

26.0%

-21.8%

17.4%

3.8x

1.0x

11.8%

26.5x

4.5x

3.9%

3.8%

18.9%

33.7x

21.4x

2.9%

3.0%

22.7%

12.0%

19.9x

4.6x

4.6%

5.0%

6.7%

0.8%

6.3x

0.5x

2.7%

15.8%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

8.80

7

Access Bank PLC

10.10

0.5%

4.5%

-3.3%

-4.7%

12.7%

1.5%

5.0x

0.6x

6.4%

20.1%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.70

-2.0%

4.3%

-5.8%

-6.8%

15.9%

1.9%

4.3x

0.7x

8.7%

23.3%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

20.70

0.5%

4.2%

21.8%

27.2%

12.9%

1.0%

6.8x

0.9x

650.00

0.0%

3.3%

3.8%

3.8%

22.3%

13.2%

3.3x

0.7x

2.8%

30.1%

47.60

0.2%

3.5%

14.7%

16.4%

30.8%

4.1%

9.0x

2.5x

1.1%

11.1%

0.0%

3.6%

14.7%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

51.85

3.3%

26.5%

28.9%

19.2%

8.0%

27.7x

3.8x

1.0%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

97.00

0.0%

2.5%

3.2%

3.2%

15.4%

6.1%

18.5x

2.5x

0.7%

5.4%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

34.00

0.0%

1.3%

-24.3%

-24.3%

-36.8%

-7.7%

1.9x

4.4%

-18.1%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.97

-1.5%

1.0%

-19.9%

-23.6%

10.4%

1.4%

1.5x

0.3x

5.6%

16

Oando PLC

5.20

9.5%

1.2%

-13.2%

-13.2%

10.3%

1.5%

6.5x

0.4x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

19.50

6.6%

1.2%

-2.5%

-4.2%

45.0%

20.0%

5.8x

2.2x

13.7%

17.2%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

83.00

0.0%

1.4%

22.6%

22.6%

39.7%

29.4%

8.3x

2.8x

3.6%

12.1%

19

International Brew eries PLC

39.20

-3.3%

0.6%

-28.1%

-28.7%

24.6%

7.4%

41.0x

9.3x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

30.00

0.0%

0.7%

3.4%

3.4%

10.4%

2.8%

6.6x

0.8x

3.3%

15.2%

0.5%

-20.5%

-21.6%

12.9%

2.8%

6.0x

0.7x

1.7%

16.7%

21.6x

0.6x

4.9%

dŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ƚŽĚĂLJ ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϴй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ 21 ϯϲ͕ϰϳϬ͘Ϭϱ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ůŽƐƐ ǁŽƌƐĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϰ͘ϲй Ͳ >ŽǁĞƐƚ 22 ƐŝŶĐĞ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϭϳ Ͳ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚƐ ƉĞƌƐŝƐƚ ŝŶƚŽ 23 ƚŚĞ ĨŽƵƌƚŚ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ͘ 24 ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ůŽƐƚ EϭϬϬ͘ϴďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ 25 ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϮƚŶ͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ 26 ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝƐ ƚƌĂĐĞĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ůĂƌŐĞ ĐĂƉƐ Ͳ 27 28 E ^d> ;Ͳϱ͘ϲйͿ͕ E/d, ;Ͳϰ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Ͳ 29 Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ 30 ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϲϯ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ ϭϵϲ͘ϰй ƚŽ Ϯϵϲ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϰ͘ϵďŶ 31 ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ 32 'h Z Edz ;ϳϴ͘ϰŵͿ͕ D s/ t /Z ;ϱϬ͘ϬŵͿ ĂŶĚ E/d, 33 ;Ϯϲ͘ϱŵͿ ǁŚŝůĞ 'h Z Edz ;EϮ͘ϵďŶͿ͕ E/d, ;EϲϬϵ͘ϬŵͿ ĂŶĚ 34 E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;EϯϬϱ͘ϰŵͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ 35 ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ 36 37 DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ŶŽƌƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͘ dŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĞŵĞƌŐĞĚ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌ͕ ŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ ϭ͘Ϯй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďƵLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ K E K ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ d ZE ;нϲ͘ϮйͿ͘ ƋƵĂůůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂƉŝĞĐĞ͕ ĂƐ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;нϮ͘ϳйͿ͕ t D ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ͕ d/ ;нϬ͘ϱйͿ͕ >/E< ^^hZ ;нϴ͘ϮйͿ͕ t W/ ;нϰ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ E/' Z/E^ ;нϴ͘ϬйͿ͘ tŚŝůƐƚ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϯ͘ϱй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳϱ͘ϲйͿ͕ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ /Ed Z t ;Ͳϯ͘ϯйͿ͘

Friday, July 20, 2018

64.6% 15.5%

2.4%

1.16

-6.5%

UAC of Nigeria PLC

13.25

-5.4%

0.5%

-21.6%

-21.6%

1.5%

0.6%

Diamond Bank PLC

1.29

3.2%

0.5%

-14.0%

-17.8%

-5.8%

-0.7%

-13.0%

-13.0%

25.0%

5.3%

9.7x

2.3x

8.6%

26.6%

5.8%

0.9%

3.8x

0.2x

5.0%

26.2%

4.4%

15.5%

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

0.1x

4.6% -56.7%

200.00

0.0%

0.5%

2.00

-4.8%

0.7%

180.00

0.0%

0.5%

-7.5%

-7.5%

38.8%

15.7%

6.5x

2.2x

Forte Oil PLC

27.00

0.0%

0.3%

-37.9%

-35.7%

17.6%

1.6%

14.6x

2.3x

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

16.80

-0.6%

0.3%

-18.4%

-20.6%

10.7%

5.0%

15.9x

1.6x

3.0%

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.50

-8.7%

0.3%

-33.0%

-32.7%

2.0%

0.8%

49.1x

1.7x

1.5%

2.0%

Presco PLC

73.50

0.0%

0.4%

7.3%

7.3%

35.8%

24.8%

3.1x

0.9x

2.8%

32.8%

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.25

1.3%

0.4%

9.5%

5.4%

52.3%

19.7%

9.6x

4.3x

7.4%

10.5%

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

9.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.0%

-10.0%

0.8x

8.4%

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

5.80

-1.7%

0.3%

-25.6%

-22.8%

5.3%

1.1%

8.3x

0.6x

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

24.30

3.4%

0.3%

-13.2%

-13.2%

17.3%

1.8%

6.7x

1.1x

Sterling Bank PLC

1.36

-6.2%

0.3%

25.9%

20.4%

10.7%

1.0%

4.1x

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

9.50

2.2%

0.2%

-21.8%

-21.8%

Total Nigeria PLC FCMB Group Plc 11 PLC

10.3%

6.9% 6.3%

12.0% 4.1%

14.9% 24.5%

0.4x

1.5%

1.2x

2.1%

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

15.25

-8.7%

0.2%

-29.4%

-29.4%

4.4%

2.8%

24.1x

1.0x

49.2%

4.2%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

34.50

0.0%

0.2%

1.5%

-3.4%

66.2%

30.2%

16.1x

10.8x

5.9%

6.2%

39

Beta Glass PLC

81.00

0.0%

0.2%

57.9%

57.9%

17.7%

11.5%

9.8x

1.6x

1.3%

10.2%

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

7.45

0.0%

0.1%

3.3%

3.3%

5.3%

2.9%

19.5x

1.0x

1.8%

5.1%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

T o p 10

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

0.68

9.7%

T ra de s

T ic k er

WEM A B A N K OA N D O

5.20

by V o lum e

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

78.4

4.0%

M ED VIEWA IR

50.0

-2.8%

9.5%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.79

8.2%

N IGER IN S

0.27

8.0%

D A N GSUGA R

19.50

6.6%

ET ER N A

6.90

6.2%

A F R IP R UD

4.20

WA P IC

Z EN IT H B A N K

26.5

-4.2%

T R A N SC OR P

24.4

-6.5%

FB NH

1 9.2

-4.9%

A C C ESS

6.7

0.5%

5.0%

UC A P

5.8

1 .3%

0.44

4.8%

OA N D O

5.5

9.5%

GUA R A N T Y

38.00

4.0%

SKYEB A N K

5.5

3.2%

H M A R KIN S

0.27

3.8%

M ULT IVER SE

5.5

0.0%

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

T o p 10

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

4.10

-9.9%

T ic k er

ET R A N Z A C T

GUA R A N T Y

LIVEST OC K

0.68

-9.3%

T A N T A LIZ ER

0.21

-8.7%

UN IT YB N K

0.87

-7.4%

UN ION D A C

0.25

-7.4%

C A P OIL

0.25

SOVR EN IN S

T ra de s

by V a lue

Value

P ric e C hg %

2977.3

4.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

609.0

-4.2%

NB

305.4

-2.2%

FB NH

1 71 .9

-4.9%

M ED VIEWA IR

1 02.2

-2.8%

-7.4%

D A N GSUGA R

1 02.1

6.6%

0.27

-6.9%

A C C ESS

67.7

0.5%

T R A N SC OR P

1.16

-6.5%

F LOUR M ILL

53.5

0.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.36

-6.2%

N EST LE

50.1

-5.5%

10.80

-6.1%

WA P C O

48.5

0.0%

C A D B UR Y

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Eronmosele Aziba | eaziba@afrinvest.com

45

˾ FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

MARKET NEWS

United Capital Posts N4bn Gross Earnings, N2bn Profit in Six Months Goddy Egene United Capital Plc, a pan-African investment banking group listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday announced its results for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2018. The results are for a period when average yield in the fixed income market moderated to 13.4 per cent in July 2018, thereby lowering yields for most financial services outfits. Also, the equities market closed flattish as the euphoria which greeted the beginning of the year fizzled out in the later

part as investors took flight to safety.

However, an analysis of the performance of United Capital Plc showed improved performance. Gross earnings was N3.881 billion in H1 2018, up from N3.876 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

Net operating income stood at N3.1 billion compared with N3.3 billion.

The company adopted cost reduction strategies that saw personnel expenses fall from N636 million to N633 million, while other operating expenses

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

reduced from N809 million to N726 million in 2018.

Consequently, profit before tax improved from N3.378 billion to N3.394 billion, while profit after tax increased from N1.997 billion to N2.010 billion in 2018.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, Mr. Peter Ashade said the company would continue to pursue a clear and consisted strategy, which will always deliver a strong performance for shareholders.

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 18-July-2018, unless otherwise stated.

“And we remain positive about our future opportunities within the Nigerian and African market notwithstanding the challenging macro-economic environment,” he declared.

Ashade took over the running of United Capital July 2018, following the exit of Mrs. Olutoyin Sanni after 12 years in the group.

Until this appointment, Ashade was the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Prudential Plc, a pure play registrar company.

“Ashade’s appointment

is an exciting milestone for United Capital Plc. He is a transformative leader with a sterling record of industry leadership, and a deserved reputation for innovation and meticulous execution with customers as the unwavering focal point. He possesses an instinctive understanding of the distinct ethos of United Capital and its performance culture. He has the resolute support of the board of directors at United Capital to cement the heritage of his illustrious predecessors and accelerate the pursuit

of our pan-African goals, superior stakeholder value, and client collaborative intensity,’ Chairman, United Capital Plc, Chika Mordi had said.

Ashade had said he was honoured to accept this new appointment , saying United Capital Plc had been at the forefront of product innovation and the development of the capital markets in Africa.

“I look forward to embarking on this new journey and working with the company’s leadership and its many committed employees,” he said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 182.46 182.59 2.50% Nigeria International Debt Fund 245.40 245.52 6.10% 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 0.83 0.84 1.39% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 3.89% 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 12.61% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.58% Paramount Equity Fund 11.92 12.22 7.48% Women's Investment Fund 104.11 106.78 3.46% 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 12.50% 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 12.22% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.16 1.19 11.09% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.17 9.69% 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 1,170.96 1,171.67 8.29% FBN Heritage Fund 145.04 146.15 3.91% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.17% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 113.20 113.68 2.71% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 113.01 113.49 2.64% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 166.76 169.09 4.08% 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 1.33 1.35 2.10% Legacy Debt Fund 3.09 3.09 7.06% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,114.34 3,145.35 4.30% Coral Income Fund 2,659.63 2,659.63 8.67% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.49% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 102.56 103.89 2.76% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 4.04% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,060.08 1,060.08 5.19% 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 12.94 13.05 -1.16% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.03% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 130.07 132.12 0.90% 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 1.61 1.61 8.37% 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 2,350.49 2,369.87 4.79% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.21 187.21 6.10% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.02 1.04 1.98% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 241.05 241.10 9.46% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 179.63 181.68 0.31% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.17% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,566.89 9,696.30 -1.07% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 4.00% 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 12.76 12.96 2.52% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.55 13.70 2.61% Zenith Income Fund 20.56 20.56 8.62% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.95%

REITS Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41

1.01%

136.66

3.17%

51.39

1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.93 142.85 107.37

12.13 145.80 109.34

-1.14% -0.02% -1.74%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.47 8.85 17.17 18.59 144.92

4.51 8.93 17.27 18.79 146.92

-5.63% -7.49% -1.92% -5.48% 5.92%

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.

˜ ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ ˾ T H I S D AY

46

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757

A Controversial Jewish Nation- In Brief state Law that Diminishes Israel

Trump Rejects Putin’s Bid to Interrogate Americans

Israel has enacted a divisive law that prioritises Jewish values over democratic principles, and diminishes its image before civilised humanity. Vincent Obia writes

W

ith 62 lawmakers voting in favour and 55 opposing, the Israeli Knesset passed early Thursday a controversial bill that officially defines Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people, asserting, “The realisation of the right to national selfdetermination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people.”

The passage provoked fears that the law will lead to deliberate discrimination against Israel’s Palestinian citizens.

The nation-state law is fought with contentious clauses.

It states that the “whole and united Jerusalem” is the capital of Israel and that Hebrew is the country’s official language. It also provides, “The state sees the development of Jewish settlement as a national value and will act to encourage and promote its establishment and consolidation.”

The law says Hebrew will be the official language of the state, and reduces the status of Arabic from an “official” to a “special” language. Another clause instructs judges to look for precedents from Jewish legal rulings in instances where Israeli law offers no guidance.

The nation-state law was passed after a long and stormy debate that began Wednesday afternoon.

The law has been widely criticised as a further step by the Israeli government to undermine the two-state solution to the agelong conflict with the Palestinians, which the international has backed.

There was multi-national opposition to the bill from both Arab and Jewish lawmakers.

The sponsor of the bill, MK Avi Dichter, said during debates that took place prior to voting on it, “Unlike the disinformation and fake news that were tossed around (regarding the bill), this basic law doesn’t hurt the culture of minorities living in Israel, doesn’t hurt their sabbaticals and holidays and certainly doesn’t hurt the Arabic language, which remains a mother tongue for 1.5 million of Israel’s citizens.”

Many in Israel disagree.

But the new law excites Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had stated repeatedly that the passage of such a law was one of his top priorities. Netanyahu wanted to get the bill passed before the Knesset broke for its summer recess. He achieved the law, but at the expense of democratic norms required for harmonious coexistence in his multi-racial and multi-religious country.

“Israel is a Jewish and democratic state, and for the sake of creating a balance and resisting those who challenge, I am determined to advance my version of the nation-state

law,” Netanyahu said in 2014, as various factions clashed over different versions of the bill that was conceived in 2013. “Over the years, a distinct imbalance has been created between the Jewish element and the democratic one.

There is an imbalance between individual rights and national rights in Israel.”

Israel has always seen itself as a Jewish state. But for the past five years, right wing politicians have pushed for legislation that would make that fact undisputable and strengthen their ability to incorporate the country’s Jewish national and religious character into governance.

Human rights groups and left wing political figures have criticised the law as antidemocratic, saying it legitimises giving Jews and the Jewish religion preferential treatment and denying equal rights to the country’s non-Jewish population. The law is also decried as preparing the legal ground for a one-state solution and the annexation of the West Bank.

Besides Arabs and other nonJews, there are fears that the law could also lead to discrimination against groups within the Jewish population.

Adalah Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel said in a statement, “The nation-state law is a colonial law with features of apartheid, which is prohibited by international law because it contradicts the international treaty that bans apartheid crimes.

It creates various avenues for segregation in land and housing and incentives based on the principle of ‘advancing Jewish settlement’ both in civil life and in obtaining citizenship based on the law of return and in language and in cultural rights in the name of self-definition.”

Among groups that protested against the law was Peace Now activists, who waved a black flag in the Knesset balcony during the debate. A lawmaker and chairman of Joint List, Ayman Odeh, also raised a black flag against the legislation during the debate. Odeh said, “As (the 1956 massacre) in Kafr Qassem was a blatantly illegal order, with a black flag over it, so is a black flag hoisted over this evil law.” He said in a statement that Israel had “declared it does not want us here” and “passed a law of Jewish supremacy and told us that we will always be second-class citizens.”

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had on July 10 expressed concern that the nation-state law could harm Jews around the world.

Rivlin said in a letter to a Knesset committee on the bill, “Take a look at Israeli society and ask: in the name of the Zionist vision, are we willing to support discrimination and exclusion of men and women based on their ethnic origin?”

In a letter to the chairman of the special committee promoting the

nation-state bill, also on July 10, Knesset Legal Adviser Eyal Yinon said the bill in its current version “deviates significantly from the delicate balances required” in the Israeli society.

Observers say in addition to damaging Israel’s democratic image, the nation-state law may have negative implications for agreements and treaties to which Israel is a signatory, as well as international law. Warning about the international ramifications of the law, Israel’s Deputy Attorney General Ran Nizri told a meeting of the Knesset, “We wear another hat. We are doing our job in closed rooms where we speak to the relevant political officials and there, more is said about the international implications.”

Netanyahu does not seem to consider the implications of the new law. He said soon after the bill was passed into law, “This is a defining moment – long live the State of Israel.”

Netanyahu added, “One hundred and twenty two years after Herzl made his vision known, with this law we determined the founding principle of our existence. Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people, and respects the rights of all of its citizens.”

Critics say Netanyahu is just trying to drum up support before the next Knesset election, due by November next year. But the nation-state law surely has implications beyond Israel’s domestic politics; it rubbishes Israel’s democratic claims.

President Trump would not allow Russia to interrogate a former U.S. ambassador and other Americans wanted for questioning by Moscow, the White House said on Thursday. The announcement marks another change in direction by the Trump administration.

On Wednesday, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the White House was considering the proposal raised by Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing fire from Democrats and Republicans.

British American Parliamentary Group to Meet US Lawmakers

On July 23, six British Members of Parliament (MPs) will arrive in Washington, D.C. to participate in the British American Parliamentary Group (BAPG) exchange programme, the State Department said on Thursday. The MPs will meet with Republican and Democratic members of Congress before traveling to their counterpart U.S. Representatives’ home districts. The BAPG exchange has been bringing U.S. and UK leaders together since 1977 under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme. This year, participating MPs, representing the Conservative Party and Labour Party, include Mr. Jack Brereton, Mr. David Duguid, Mr. Darren Jones, Mr. Damien Moore, Ms. Stephanie Peacock, and Mr. Matthew Western.

CHANGE OF NAME

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS BLESSING CHIMENEM ORLUNDA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING CHIMENEM OLUOHA. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as DR (MISS) OLUFOLAKE OLUBUSAYO OGUNBANWO now wish to be known and addressed as DR (MRS) OLUFOLAKE OLUBUSAYO MOGBOLU. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ADEBISI YETUNDE ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBISI ADEOLA IYABO. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU BABATUNDE AYINLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU BABATUNDE IBRAHIM. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ABILOGUNL GIFT OKEOGHENE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKPAGBA GIFT OKEOGHENE. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as UMORU SAMATU, now wish to be known and addressed as UMORU SAMATU SALIU. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS JESSICA IFESOCHUKWU OMENI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JESSICA IFESOCHUKWU VARIESHE. All documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS BENITA ELAKECHE ONOJA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BENITA DAVID EKPO. All documents remain valid.

Nigeria Custom Service and the general public to take note.

47

˾ FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Intention of Hajj Ayub A. Hamid/IslamiCity

T

he significance of Hajj as a pillar of Islam is quite evident from the reward this act of worship brings to its performer. As has been reported from the Messenger of Allah(pbuh), the person performing the Hajj is forgiven and purified as if he/she is a newborn baby. Although its importance and formalities are generally known and talked about, its essence, spirit, and impact on a performer’s behavior and personality are not generally understood or remembered.

The point we should ponder over is why Allah and His Messenger granted Hajj so much importance. What is the most significant aspect of this worship? Is it performance of certain rites and rituals, the special dress worn, and visitation of certain places that make it the most rewarding act of worship? Or, like other acts or worship in Islam, is it the changes that Hajj makes in the performer’s personality, attitude, and outlook that are the essence of Hajj?

The other point to reflect upon is what is so special about the Hajj that it is expected to produce some significant changes in the personality, attitude, and outlook of a person? Is there anything magical in the rites and rituals of the Hajj that produces the changes, or is it the constant conscious effort on the part of the performer to inculcate in himself/ herself the spirit of those rites and rituals which brings about the desired changes? The reality is that unless a person performs every step of the Hajj immersed in and imbued with the spirit that each action represents, he/she will not fully realize the promised benefits of Hajj.

This process of consciously soaking in the spirit of Hajj starts with the intention. As soon as you make an intention to perform Hajj, you should start reflecting on the lifestyle of Ibrahim, Isma’il, and Hajar. Allah has presented them as a model Muslim family. Hajj is, in fact, an intensive training in full, holistic, wholehearted, willing, and enthusiastic obedience and submission to Allah.

This training is provided by making the believer simulate acts of love, dedication, and obedience performed by Ibrahim and his family. Hajj, in reality, is walking in the footsteps of that family, simulating the extraordinary acts of devotion they performed for the love of Allah. This provides a Muslim proper perspective as to how devoted and submissive to Allah a Muslim should be. So as soon as you decide to perform Hajj, you should start reviewing your lifestyle vis-a-vis the life style of Ibrahim and his family and see if you submit to Allah without reservation or hesitation as they did. Are you willing to sacrifice your most precious and cherished possessions, habits, preferences, and desires for the sake of Allah as Ibrahim did?

Can you obey Allah without asking questions or without understanding why Allah wants us to do certain things? Can you jump into dangers and difficulties willingly and enthusiastically for the sake of Islam as Ibrahim did? Is pleasure of Allah and supremacy of Islam the most important goals in your life? Do the commands of Allah, the needs of the Ummah, and the call of Islam take precedence in your life over all your interests, needs, and aspirations? If the answer to any of these questions is not a resounding yes, you should start identifying where you need improvement and how you are going to get there.

When you start for Hajj from your home, think of it as the beginning of a transformation process and not just a trip to sacred places. Start with a sincere repentance with a firm intention to change yourself to the desired level of commitment to Islam. Form specific mental images about how your attitude, personality, and outlook will be changing from your current state towards the Ibrahimic style and level as you proceed from home towards Al-Haram (Makkah). As you move through various stages in your journey, see your paradigm shifting with each step. When you remove your clothes and take a shower to put ihram on, visualize ridding yourself of all the old habits and behavior patterns that are not the best from the Islamic point of view and cleansing yourself from intentions and attitudes that are un-Islamic in nature and practice. When you put your ihram on, think of a new birth and a new beginning, start of a new life more like that of Ibrahim and Isma’il.

While performing each rite of Hajj, keep in your mind the spirit of the rite and the act of Ibrahim that it simulates and feel the transformation of your attitude and personality accordingly. For example, when you arrive in Makkah and cool your eyes with the sight of the Holy Ka’bah and pray to Allah to increase its status and its sanctity, remember the purpose for which it was built. Remind yourself of how it was going to be the center of the Islamic movement to bring the whole of humanity to the worship of Allah.

Dedicate yourself to that cause as Ibrahim and his family did.

When performing Tawaf (circumambulation), feel the passionate, ardent love of Allah making you go round in humility in front of His greatness, also thinking at the same time that all your life in this world will be Allah-centered, revolving around Him, His love and His pleasure. When running between Safa and Marwah, see yourself running and striving throughout your life for the religion of Allah to establish it as the supreme, dominant way of life, while hoping that Allah accepts your efforts and rewards you with the success of the Islamic mission in this world and with His pleasure in the Hereafter, while at the same time being concerned that you may not be doing enough to achieve your goals or to earn Allah’s pleasure and mercy.

Standing in Arafat, you should feel the majestic presence of Allah in Whose audience you are standing as a humble slave. Preserve that feeling of Allah’s presence in your consciousness throughout your remaining life. Your sacrifice should indicate your readiness, willingness, and enthusiasm to sacrifice your most cherished possessions for the sake of Allah. And throwing pebbles (rami) at Jamarat (satan’s pillar of temptation) should signify that whatever little means you have, you are going to devote all you have in opposing and rejecting all the un-Islamic theories and sins and secular lifestyle that the devils of the world try to preach among Muslims or impose on them.

It is this kind of Hajj that makes you pure and sin-free as if you are a newborn baby. If Hajj is not performed with that kind of spirit, its intended benefits will not be realized. An example from our predecessors will illustrate this point.

A person who had just come back from Hajj came to visit Al-Junaid Al-Baghdaadi. After Junaid asked him where he was coming from, the following dialogue occurred between them: Hajji: I have just come back from Hajj to the House of Allah.

Al-Junaid: Have you been to Hajj?

Hajji: Yes, I have just performed it.

Al-Junaid: When you proceeded from your home with the intention of Hajj, did you repent from all your sins?

Hajji: I did not think about it.

Al-Junaid: In that case, you did not even depart for Hajj. What about your journey, rest breaks, and stopovers? When covering distances, did you move mentally and spiritually closer to Allah, and at stopovers, did you feel dwelling in His remembrance?

Hajji: It did not occur to me.

Al-Junaid: You have not, then, really traveled to the House of Allah. How about putting on the ihram and replacing your usual clothes? When doing that act, did you abandon your undesirable habits and attitudes that had been part of your daily routines?

Hajji: It did not cross my mind.

Al-Junaid: Alas! You did not even put on ihram.

But did you experience the presence of Allah while you were standing in ‘Arafat?

Hajji: What do you mean?

Al-Junaid: When you were praying to Allah in ‘Arafat, did you feel as if He was right in front of you and you are watching Him? Hajji: No, that was not how I felt.

Al-Junaid: That means you did not even reach ‘Arafat. I hope you left your worldly desires and aspirations in Muzdalifah.

Hajji: I did not think about it.

Al-Junaid: So, you have not even been to Muzdalifah. How was your Tawaf? Did you feel overwhelmed by an ardent attraction towards the perfect majesty of Allah Most High during Tawaf?

Hajji: I do not think so.

Al-Junaid: It is, then, as if you have not even performed Tawaf. Perhaps you understood the spirit, wisdom, and objective of running between Mounts Safa and Marwah.

Hajji: Not really.

Al-Junaid: In other words, you have not performed Sa’i (running between Safa and Marwah). Tell me about your sacrificial rites. While slaughtering the animal, did you sacrifice for the love of Allah Most High your own lusts and desires?

Hajji: That did not come to my mind.

Al-Junaid: In that case, you have not even offered sacrifice. What about throwing stones at the pillars? When performing that ritual, did you cast away your bad company, evil friends, and dirty plans?

Hajji: This did not happen either.

Al-Junaid: Unfortunately, you have not performed Rami (stoning rites) either. You must go back next year and re-perform the Hajj with the sentiments, spirit, and attitude mentioned above so that it can be a simulation of Ibrahim’s experiences, described by the Qur’an as one who [who fulfilled his engagements]

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Malami: Why FG Can’t Release Dasuki Ozekhome pleads for ex-NSA’s release

Martins Ifijeh with agency report The federal government has given reasons why it believes that the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), should not be granted bail.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said Dasuki’s personal right should be violated for the larger public good.

He accused Dasuki of being responsible for more than 100,000 deaths.

His comments came after a Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted Dasuki bail, the latest of such orders.

The former NSA was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) in December 2015, accused of illegal possession of firearms.

He was also accused of diverting $2.1 billion while he served as the NSA. Dasuki is facing separate trials for the alleged offences.

Since his arrest in 2015, the former NSA has been granted bail multiple times by different courts.

The latest bail was approved on July 2.

But the federal government has refused to release him.

Following the government’s failure to obey the various court orders, Dasuki’s lawyers asked the court to prevent the continuation of their client’s case on the grounds that the government agencies prosecuting Dasuki had refused to obey legitimate orders of court.

A new interview by Malami with the Voice of America, Hausa Service, has shed light on the

government’s thinking.

In the interview conducted on July 13 and obtained by Premium Times, Malami claimed that the allegations against Dasuki were a matter of public interest, overriding an individual’s rights.

“What I want you to know is that issues concerning law and order under Muhammadu Buhari are sacrosanct and obeying court order is compulsory,” he said.

“However you should also know that there is a general consensus world over that where the dispute is only between individuals, then you can consider the issue based on the instant situation. But if the dispute is about an issue that affects an entire country, then you have to remember that government is about the people and not for only an individual.

“So, you have to look at it from this perspective. If the issue about an individual coincides with that, which affects the people of a country and you are now saying the government did not obey a court order that infringes on a single person’s rights. Remember ,we are talking about a person who was instrumental to the deaths of over 100,000 people.

Are you saying that the rights of one person are more important than that of 100,000 who lost their lives?

“Reports have shown that there was a massive mismanagement of funds meant for military hardware, which the military could not access and that led to the death of many, embezzlement of the fund and because of that many people have lost their lives. Obeying the court is not the issue per say. Are we going

to take the issue of an individual more important than that of the people? The government’s main responsibility is for and about the people. The essence of governance is to better the lives of its people. So you have to weigh it based on that; the rights of an individual or the rights of the people,” Malami explained.

Malami however, said the government might decide to appeal the court order if it feels

compelled to do so.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release Dasuki following the bail granted him by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He said for the records, the latest bail order was the sixth President Buhari has refused to obey because he runs a government given to unparalleled impunity and

executive lawlessness.

Ozekhome, who stated this in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, said four previous different judges of Federal High Courts and FCT High Courts had, at one time or the other, granted Dasuki bail, but that President Buhari’s government refused to release him.

“Instead, it sat as an appellate court over the courts, inspite of the doctrine of separation of

powers enshrined in sections 4 (Legislature), 5 (Executive) and 6 (Judiciary), of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

“We are having the dangerous situation where this government picks and chooses, which orders to obey or disobey - an anarchical situation. The same government has so far refused to obey several orders for the release of the Shittes leader, El-Zakzaki. This is clearly against constitutionalism and the rule of law,” he added.

WE ARE GRATEFUL, YOUR EXCELLENCY

R -L: President Muhammmadu Buhari recievng gift from Mrs. Chinwe Ibiolu, while Chief Laz Ekwueme; Prof. O.Ekwueme and wife of the former Vice President, the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme , Mrs Beatrice Ekwueme look on, during the courtesy visit of the representatives of the family of former vice president, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja …yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

It Will Be Irresponsible of Me Not to Probe Fayose, Says Fayemi EFCC Urged to Probe £3m Allegedly Spent by FG to Secure Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said it would be irresponsible of him to return to power and fail to probe the administration of the incumbent Governor Ayo Fayose.

Fayemi who made this vow while answering questions from journalists at the State House after paying a courtesy visit on President Muhammadu Buhari, said probing Fayose would be in the interest of good governance.

Fayemi, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of last Saturday’s election in Ekiti State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His threat to probe Fayose is however, an irony of sort as he was known to have ignored several invitations from the panel of inquiry constituted by Fayose, which probed his administration.

He was eventually found guilty of financial misconduct by the panel.

Following his indictment, a White Paper banning him from holding office in the state throughout his life time was issued.

The court has since quashed the recommendation of the panel of inquiry on the ground that Fayemi was not given a fair hearing.

But Fayemi, while threatening to probe Fayose and his deputy yesterday, said he would examine the expenditure of the outgoing government in the last four years.

“Well, l think we need to remove this election from personalities. This was an election that we fought on issues and it will be irresponsible on my part to come here and say that we will not examine what transpired in the last four years in the government.

“What was received in Ekiti State and the expenditures in that period? Why were we not able to pay salaries in the state? These issues should be examined in the interest of good governance.

It is not about probing Fayose; probing Eleka. It is about not repeating the mistakes of the past and giving our people good government and how to do so will also involve looking at what transpired in the last four years,” he said.

He also said he would be returning to power four years after he lost to Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put together a government that would look into the record of the state, its assets and liabilities.

He also said he would expect the outgoing government to cooperate with him in the transition process, adding that the incoming government would engage professionals to ensure the delivery of good governance to Ekiti people.

Release of Chibok, Dapchi Girls Davidson Iriekpen A civil society organisation, Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations that part of over £3million allegedly paid by the federal government to secure the release of some of the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok and Dapchi towns in Borno and Yobe States respectively, had been traced to two bank accounts in another country.

Making the call at a press briefing in Lagos, the Chairman of CACOBAG, Alhaji Toyin Raheem, said information available to

his group showed that foreign investigators had been probing alleged diversion of millions of euros by a local security chief as part of the payments to secure the release of some of the abducted girls.

The foreign intelligence, it was learnt, raised the red flag on how suspected proceeds from the over £3million ransom funds were stashed at Lamda Privat Bank in the Swiss-German principality, Liechtenstein, through some accomplices.

The local suspect, a Nigerian with Niger Republic dual nationality, was said to have worked with others, including a Swiss with Brazilian dual nationality, another Nigerian/

British citizen, a Briton and an Israeli with German dual nationality.

Consequently, Israeli police was the first to launch an investigation and subsequently arrested one of its citizens and others for allegedly corrupting foreign government officials, in which the Nigerian security chief’s name featured prominently.

The anti-graft NGO said foreign probe reports had established the true owner of the -GmbH bank account no.

32570021 with Lamda Privat Bank, Liechtenstein, under the pseudonym Auwalu Kallamu as the sole signatory.

Auwalu and Kallamu are said to be the Arabic synonyms of

Nigerian names.

“CACOBAG is determined to see that the investigation on this matter is not stalled by any means whatsoever. We have trust that EFCC will do the needful and save us from the ridicule brought upon the country by the unscrupulous security chief, the fake Auwalu Kalamu. This is by exposing him and punishing him according to our law. Only this will prove to the world our seriousness in the fight against corruption. However, let us warn, that any attempt to sweep this matter under the carpet will be resisted by the mass of our people, and CACOBAG will take all legitimate means to compel EFCC to do its work.

Defection: APC House Caucus Holds Emergency Meeting James Emejo in Abuja Following widespread speculations of possible mass defection by some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) Caucus in the House of Representatives to the Reformed APC, the leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of the group to reassure members.

Sources had hinted on a likely mass defection yesterday but which was reportedly shifted

till next week Gbajabiamila was reluctant to disclose the agenda of the meeting, which commenced at about 3.30 p.m and ended at about 5.19 p.m.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who had presided over yesterday’s plenary session and announced the meeting himself, did not attend, neither did his Deputy, Hon. Yussuff Lassun, who was in Osun State to pursue his gubernatorial ambition.

Also, APC members from Oyo, Benue and Kwara States were

visibly absent.

When confronted with the purported threat of a mass defection by members, the House Leader, looking seemingly unruffled, said: “ I don’t dwell on rumours, I dwell on reality.

Let that reality come first. There is no fire on the mountain, not at all.”

However, it was gathered that the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the caucus formed one of the cardinal objectives of the meeting. But the consensus was deferred till after they would have met the president on the matter.

Gbajabiamila, at yesterday’s plenary gave pointers to the fact that there was no longer strong cordial working relationship between him and the Speaker, when he appeared to subtly protest the fact that even though he had been away from the chamber for about 10 days, he never received a call from Dogara and key members of the green chamber on his whereabouts.

He said nobody seemed to know anybody in view of the latest political developments-a veiled reference to the defection moves.

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Two Policemen Allegedly Killed as Melaye Escapes Assassination Attempt Muslim clerics invoke curses against arsonists Gunmen assassinate director in Kogi Yekini Jimoh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Two policemen reportedly lost their lives yesterday during an alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Senator, representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye.

The Senator, however, escaped the assassination attempt as gunmen suspected to be policemen and soldiers allegedly opened fire on his bullet-proof jeep.

The two policeman were said to have been mistakenly killed during the sporadic shooting.

Meanwhile, Melaye has thanked God for sparing his life once again.

In his twitter handle, Melaye said about 20 bullets were shot at his vehicle by the attackers who were suspected to be soldiers and the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

His words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank God for sparing my life once again.

Over 20 bullets holes on my Jeep.

Combination of the police; SARS and the military; God, I thank

I Received N5,000 for Facilitating Each Suicide Bomb Attack, Says Boko Haram Suspect Prosecute 22 Boko Haram members, HRW urges FG Michael Olugbode, Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Abubakar Kori who facilitated the suicide bombing activities of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boko-Haramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; insurgents, said he was paid not less than N5,000 for each suicide bomb attack carried out by the insurgents in Maiduguri.

This is coming as International watchdog, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has called on the federal government to ensure that the 22 Boko Haram suspects arrested by the police for their involvement in the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok be prosecuted by competent courts.

But the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday said the remnants of the terrorists could now be handpicked and must never be allowed to reorganise and attack military formations.

Kori, 25, is among the 22 people arrested by the police in Borno and Yobe States for their alleged involvement in suicide bombing activities carried out by the insurgents.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he received N5,000 as payment for facilitating the execution of each suicide bomb attack in Maiduguri and its environs.

Kori, who was a security guard at a fuel dispensing station in Dalori area of Maiduguri, said he participated

in several suicide bomb attacks in recent months in the metropolis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My role is to keep the Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) for onward delivery to another person who will carry out the attack. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On different occasions, two of my acquaintances gave a parcel to keep for somebody, who will come and take it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I normally kept the parcel at my duty post; the appointed person would come and picked it; after successful delivery, they paid me N5,000,â&#x20AC;? he said In a statement yesterday by the Nigerian researcher at HRW, Anietie Ewang, described the arrests as a positive step toward ensuring justice after the well-deserved national and international criticism of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late response in trying to rescue the Chibok girls and find those responsible for abducting them.

It urged the government to as soon as possible, prosecute the suspects in fair trials by competent courts.

But speaking yesterday in Bama during a visit on military installations in the town, where he elevated the 21 Army Armoured Brigade Bama to a Special Brigade, Buratai said the remnants of Boko Haram could now be handpicked and must never be allowed to reorganise and attack military formations.

Bello Approves Owoniyi as Obaro of Kabba The Kabba Development Union (KDU) has hailed the appointment of Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi as the new Obaro of Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In a statement by its PresidentGeneral, Mr. Emmanuel Ajibero, the union commended Governor Yahaya Bello for â&#x20AC;&#x153;concluding all necessary processes culminating in the appointment of the new Obaro. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We congratulate the Obaroelect/Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council. We wish

him a happy and successful tenure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the entire Owe community, we say congratulations. About two years after the demise of our former Obaro, we now have a father. To God be all the glory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We assure Governor Bello of our continued support, as we also urge him to continue in this good work with our comunity for the progress and development of Okunland in particular and the state in general,â&#x20AC;? the statement said.

youâ&#x20AC;?.

The Senator arrived Kogi State on Wednesday to inaugurate over 145 constituency projects.

This is coming as Muslim clerics in the state yesterday invoked curses on those who burnt down Melayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constituency projects in Lokoja Also, unknown gunmen on Tuesday killed a director at the Federal Polytechnic Idah in Kogi State, Mr. Solomon Ayegba Sani.

The deceased was allegedly shot dead at about 10 p.m at his residence in Idah LGA of the state.

THISDAY reliably gathered that Melaye was on his way to Isanlu in Iyagba East Local Government Area to inaugurate some projects when some gunmen prevented him from entering the town.

According to sources, the Senator who left his country home at Ayetoro-gbede, met a road block with heavy truck, shortly before Isanlu as the

uniformed men equally set up bonfires with tyres, blocking anyone moving into the town.

The Senator, sensing danger, made a u-turn back to Ayetorogbede with his entourage.

However, on arriving his country home, some of the armed men allegedly attacked his convoy, and opened fire on his bullet-proof Mecedez Benz Jeep as people ran for their dear lives.

It was equally gathered that the armed men, numbering over 30, invaded his house shooting, and scaring people away as the people of the community had to desert the town to avoid the wrath of the rampaging gunmen.

Before the arrival of the Senator to the state on Wednesday, some thugs had threatened to kill him if he stepped his foot in the state.

However, some of his projects located in Lokoja LGA, which were to be inaugurated by the Senator, were razed down by some thugs on Wednesday

morning.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Kogi State Police Command, Mr. William Ayah, when contacted

by THISDAY on the matter, said his office was not aware of the incident.

In a related development, Muslim clerics in the state yesterday invoked curses on those who burnt down Melayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constituency projects in Lokoja.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole, has also condemned in strong terms, the burning of the schools by some political thugs in the state.

The prayer by the Muslim clerics, which was said across all the mosques in Lokoja during â&#x20AC;&#x153;Isha-iâ&#x20AC;?, the last prayer of the day was in reaction to the burning and destruction of some of the constituency projects meant to be inaugurated by Melaye.

During the prayer in one of the mosques in Sarki-Numa in

Lokoja, the clerics prayed that God should expose those behind the burning of the schools.

In another development, Mr. Solomon Ayegba Sani of the Federal Polytechnic Idah has been killed by unknown gunmen.

THISDAY gathered that the victim was gunned down in his residence by some unidentified gunmen.

The late director has just been promoted to the position of Director of Works by the Federal Polytechnic.

Efforts to speak with the officials of the Federal Polytechnic proved abortive as they could not be reached on their telephone lines.

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. William Aya h c o n firmed the incident, saying Sani was assassinated by unknown gunmen.

SIGNED AND DELIVERED

L-R: Executive Director and Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Kobby Bentsi-Enchill; Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Bola Onadele Koko; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Joseph Makoju; and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Yinka Sanni, at the signing ceremony, of N150 billion commercial paper in Lagos ...yesterday

2019: APC Plans to Rig out Seven Governors, Says Ishaku The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has raised the alarm that the federal government, which is controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) has marked seven governors to be rigged out in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

In the same vein, a former vice president and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his preparedness to team up with other patriotic elements in the country to prevent APC from rigging the 2019 general election.

Addressing stakeholders and PDP supporters at the

Government House, Jalingo, the state capital, while playing host to Atiku who was in the state as part of his nationwide consultation with PDP stakeholders ahead of the 2019 elections, Ishaku alleged that the APC had concluded plans to take over the states forcefully using security forces and other agencies.  Ishaku further revealed that the 2019 general election would be marred by â&#x20AC;&#x153;clinical and scientific rigging,â&#x20AC;? especially general inconsistency, and therefore, called on Nigerians to be prepared to defend democracy. The governor, whose remark was received with thunderous

ovation, however, declared that the plan, which he described as evil, would fail, saying the will of God shall surely prevail. He however, stated that there is the need for the PDP to regain power at the centre in order to salvage the country from the mess it has been plunged into by the APC government.

The governor, who did not name the seven governors, commended Atiku for his bold step and courage to return back to PDP just as he assured him that the people of Taraba State are willing to be part of history to make changes that would end to the cry of Nigerians over the killings of their kinsmen.

But fielding questions from

journalists shortly after meeting with stakeholders in the state, Atiku said Nigerians would do everything possible to resist any attempt to rig the forthcoming elections.

The former vice president noted that Nigerians are completely tired of the present government and are in a hurry to give it the red card with their votes in 2019.

He revealed that if given the mandate to rule the country, he would decentralise the security architecture, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Decentralisation of the security architecture of the country was very necessary to the unity of this country.â&#x20AC;?

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Sultan, Oni, CAN Canvass for New Societal Order Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad Abubakar; Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Olaesupo Ayokunle, have urged Nigerians to support leadership that would ensure that justice and fair play prevailed in the country.

The leaders spoke yesterday in Abuja at the National Stakeholders Summit on 2019 Election Integrity and official unveiling of the let the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Votes Count, Rig No Voteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign organised by the Youths off The Street Initiative in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council The Sultan said leaders in the country must ensure that justice stands as the strongest tower if we wanted to have a God-fearing society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot claim to be God-fearing when, as a leader, there is no justice in whatever you do. As Othman Dan Fodio

said, a country can endure with unbelief, but country cannot endure with injustice and that is why as leaders, we must but see justice first as the strongest pillar,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Sultan urged Nigerians to insist that government leaders abide by the constitution and the rule of law, lamenting the incessant killing of innocent people in the country.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As Christians and Muslims, we know the sacredness of life.

We cannot go about killing innocent people and claiming to be doing so in the name of religion. This is not right and must be condemned and must be removed from our communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of us must rise up against those people and let them know that this is not our religion. We have done this over time. There is too much blood shedding in Nigeria, the blood of innocent people who does not even know what is happening or what is governance,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;This is happening across the

country and if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop this and recognise the sacredness of human life, we cannot see peace, we cannot have peace and development in any place.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Sultan further urged Nigerians to wake up and come together, saying religion does not allow them to kill people, but preach peaceful coexistence, loving your neighbour as yourself. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, when people spread a different notion about what Islam or Christianity said about loving your neighbour by killing

him or abusing him every day and calling him all manner of names, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Sultan said both Christians and Muslims must come together to fight the common problems of thuggery, violence, terrorism, and shedding innocent blood, among others.

On his part, the Oni of Ife said the common thing that binds the people together is the country, Nigeria, regardless of religion and ethnic origin.

The Ife Monarch added:, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What they want to do is

sustain themselves and they need basic things to do that.

Are we going to fold our hands and keep talking? The problem is our problem. Election is coming and we are talking about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;one man, one voteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. We can do all the talks for forever, but what are we doing?. We all know that oxygen is life and the oxygen of Nigerian politics is money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way the votes of Nigerians will count individually, the welfare must also count.

We are going into the next political dispensation; let us talk

to ourselves. Thieves, Armed robbers, terrorists are not faceless people. They live in our midst and we can fish them out if we are serious enough.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Also speaking, the CAN president, called for impartiality on the part of the security agents as a means to guaranteeing fairness in elections. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the reports that we have heard and seen from the state elections that we have been watching, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think there will be an election that will be free and fair in 2019,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Six European Countries Deport 29 Nigerians The governments of six European countries yesterday deported 29 Nigerians for committing various offences.

The spokesperson for the Lagos Airport Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joseph Alabi, confirmed the development to journalists in Lagos. Alabi said the  Nigerians were deported from Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Lithuania.

He said they arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMlA) Lagos at about 7.35a.m aboard  a chartered Titan Airways aircraft with Registration Number: G-POWD. Alabi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This morning, we received 29 Nigerians who were brought back from Europe.

They were all males. â&#x20AC;&#x153; He disclosed that 28 of the deportees were alleged to have committed immigration-related offences, Â while one of them was allegedly involved in a police case.

Alabi said the deportees were received by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) , the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the police.

The deportees were also received by officials of  the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The deportees were profiled

by Immigration authorities and were allowed to depart to their various destinations.

Obasanjo: Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roles Beyond â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Other Roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Shola Oyeyipo Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said rather than limit women to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;other room,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; there should be a deliberate effort to maximise their potential to make meaningful progress in African counties.

Obasanjo, who made the call yesterday during the 2018 edition of the Women Empowerment Launch organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Smart Economics: Empowering Women in a Changing World,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said women have greater roles in the national politics than to be relegated to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;other room.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Emphasising that until women play greater roles in politics, they would continue to be shortchanged,. Â The former president lamented that out of the 360 seats available in the House of Representatives, only 15 were occupied by women.

According to Obasanjo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For any country, it will be

unfortunate if 50 per cent; in our own case, 52 per cent, of our population are not given what they need to make meaningful contributions to the economic and social lives of the country. Then, that country will not make the progress that it should make. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the beginning is education, acquisition of skills, empowerment and giving women their rightful place in the board room; not just in the other room,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Noting that Rwanda and South Africa have 64 and 41 per cent women representations in their respective National Assemblies, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here we have 36 states but we have not gotten a woman who has been governorâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The one that got voted, the men made sure she was removed.

I agree that the education of a girl child is important, but we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get there until our women take their place in politics, because we live in a male chauvinism world. They are your father, brother, husband and cousins.

We must have them to do what they should do.

NEC MEETING

L â&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: Acountant General of the Federation , Alhaji Ahmed Idris; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; and Financial Officer, NNPC , Isiaka Abdulrazak, at the July National Economic Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa , Abuja â&#x20AC;Śyesterday

Deregulation Panacea to Fuel Crisis, Says Ex-MOMAN Scribe Jonathan Eze A former Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, has said the full deregulation of the downstream sector would be the only solution to the recurring challenges militating against the sector.

He added that the over $2 billion oil subsidy claims owed oil marketers has forced

many of them to shut down their operations and urged the government to settle their claims before the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) takes over their remaining businesses.

Olawore said this in Lagos at the send-forth dinner held on his behalf by MOMAN. He said the difficulties in recovering their money from the government was why many oil marketers had left the country,

citing Forte Oilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent notice to divest from some of its investments, following Mobil, Chevron, and Texacoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sale of their holdings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Subsidy is not free money as some erroneously believed as those who came in to profit have left, leaving the space for real players who believed in what they are doing and despite reconciliation and various meetings called to know when the debt will be paid, nothing is forthcoming from

the governments sideâ&#x20AC;?, he said. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deregulation of the oil industry with strong regulators will allow for participation of real investors in the sector. Since the time of General Ibrahim Babangida, we have been clamouring for deregulation and it is sad that Ghana that came here to study how Petroleum Products Pricing Agency (PPPRA) work has gone back to their country, set up their own agency for product pricing and have deregulated, so whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our excuse?â&#x20AC;?

SENATE IN ROWDY SESSION OVER FRESH PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Commission ; AMCON Board with Banire as Chairman and five other members and NDIC Board with Chief Olabode Mustapha as Chairman and five other members.

The Senate also during the period confirmed the nomination of former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith and five others as Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Meanwhile, President Buhari has approved the appointment of three Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of three agencies under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

The agencies are National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), Kaduna, National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Jos and Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geosciences, (NIMG), Jos.

A statement issued yesterday by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Olusegun A. Adekunle, listed the appointees as Umar Albarka Hassan, DG, NSRMEA; Prof Suleiman Bolaji Hassan, Director-General/ CEO NIMG

and Prof. Linus Okon Asuquo, Director-General/ CEO NIMG. The statement said their appointment is for an initial period of four years, with effect from July 12, 2018.

It said the president enjoined the new appointees to use their expertise and varied experiences to reposition and

reinvigorate the agencies.

Buhari also charged them to discharge their duties with utmost rectitude and sensitivity to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to enhancing mining and steel sector as a major driver of the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

Atanda Shoboyede Passes on at 84 The Shoboyede family of AgboIle Monde in Itoko, Abeokuta, Mafoluku, Lagos, and abroad, with a heavy heart but with total submission to the will of almighty Allah, announces the death of their dear father, grandfather, husband and uncle, Alhaji Rafiu Atanda Shoboyede.

According to a statement issued by Akeem Soboyede, on behalf of the family, the

late Shoboyede died on July 15, 2018, at age 84.

The deceased, who was the patriarch of the Shoboyede family before his passing, was born on May 19, 1934 into the family of the late Pa Sanusi Shoboyede; his mother was the late Mrs. Mobolaji Ayinke Shoboyede, who was a businesswoman and civic leader based in Itoko, Abeokuta, the Ogun State

capital. After completing his apprenticeship training, he worked with many companies, including the Alfred & Alberto Construction Company, before establishing real estate business, organised under the auspices of his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Irede Rent Officeâ&#x20AC;? organisation.

The deceased is survived by many children and grandchildren.

54

˜ ͺ͸˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS Ighalo Crowned Chinese Club’s All-time Top Scorer

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles forward, Odion Jude Ighalo, has put aside his disappointing performance for Nigeria at the World Cup in Russia emerging the all-time leading scorer for Changchun Yatai after he netted against Chongqing early yesterday.

He now has 23 goals to overtake the previous record of 22 goals set by Marcelo Moreno at the club.

Ighalo was roundly criticized for his inability to convert begging chances to goals for Super Eagles in Nigeria’s last Group D crucial game against Argentina at the St Petersburg Stadium.

After Victor Moses cancelled out Lionel Messi’s early lead, Ighalo lost a clear chance to bury the game with a sitter but wasted the opportunity before Marcos Rojo snatched the winning goal that sent the South American nation through to the Last 16.

But on returning to his club in the Chinese Super League, the former Watford marksman put that Russia 2018 debacle behind him to focus on helping his club earn respect in the league.

Ighalo’s goal came 19 minutes into the clash when he superbly volleyed a half clearance with his left foot to draw his side level, but his celebration was almost cut short as the referee had to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to be sure the Nigerian was not offside.

The Eagles striker has been an instant hit in China since joining in January 2017, scoring 15 in his debut season and has already scored eight in just 12 league outings this term.

Only last April, Ighalo had

Ighalo equaled Moreno’s record, when he scored twice to down then leaders Shanghai SIPG. It was a feat that earned him the Player of the Month in China.

Ighalo scored 39 goals in 100 appearances for the Hornets including 20 as Watford secured promotion to the Premier League in 2014/15, and 17 during the club’s first campaign back in the top-flight two seasons ago.

Also yesterday, another player with Nigerian extraction, Dominic Uzoukwu was on target for Beijing BG in their 2-1 home loss to Dalian Transcendence in the Chinese League One. Uzoukwu’s close-range goal in the fifth minute off an assist from Wang Jianwen took his tally for the season to six goals from 13 matches.

The 23-year-old BrazilianNigerian has been on the score-sheet against five different teams in the league following his move to Beijing BG in the January transfer window.

Though the São Paulo-born attacker has close ties to Brazil, he has stated that he will not turn down the chance to represent the Super Eagles if approached by the Nigeria

A F R I CA U - 2 0 Q UA L I F I E R

Flying Eagles Get Aremu Boost ahead Clash with Mauritania Norwegian club, IK Start has granted the request of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to release former Super Eagles B star, Afeez Olalekan Aremu, to feature for the Under-20 boys, Flying Eagles in Saturday’s Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania in Lagos.

The defensive midfielder turned up at the Flying Eagles’ Pearlwort Hotel camp in Ikeja yesterday and decided to train with the squad.

The technical crew was impressed with his game and being eligible, he was asked if he could feature on Saturday.

But he said his Norwegian club would have to grant permission for him to play as he is on holiday in Nigeria.

Team Administrator, Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim, immediately commenced the process and within the hour, the Kristiansand-based club granted the permission with a caveat that the player must fly back to Norway on Sunday, 22nd July.

Aremu played for the Eagles B in the qualifiers for the 2018 African Nations Championship and at the WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana in September 2017, but travelled to Norway before the CHAN finals in Morocco.

The Flying Eagles have been training at the Agege Stadium since returning from Nouakchott where they were forced to a

1-1 draw in the first leg of this final qualifying fixture.

Coach Paul Aigbogun, alongside assistants Abdu Maikaba, Hassan Abdallah and Suleiman Shuaibu drilled the players on Monday morning, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and on Thursday morning, with the final training session scheduled for this evening.

The Mauritania Under-20 squad has been together, onand-off basis, for the past four years and play a quick, passing game though they mostly falter in the final third – a deficiency that Aigbogun’s wards have also been striving hard to overcome.

Emphasis at training these past few days has been on putting away opportunities, and goalkeepers Detan Ogundare, Akpan Udoh and Robert Cole have also been drilled on thwarting the opposition even on one-on-one situations.

Saturday’s cracker kicks off at 4pm, with the seven-time African champions guaranteed a spot in the finals in Niger Republic early next year if they avoid defeat or a high-score draw.

Nigeria has been champions of Africa at Under-20 level in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

The Mauritanian delegation flew into Lagos on Wednesday morning and will have the official training at the Agege Stadium by 4pm today.

Manchester United has been ranked as the second most valuable sporting team in the world

Man Utd Named Second Most Valuable Sports Team in the World Manchester United has been named as the second most valuable sports team on the planet, according to Forbes.

The English Premier League club is worth an incredible £3.16billion according to the magazine, coming in ahead of rivals such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

United failed to lift a single trophy last season, finishing a distant 19 points behind neighbours City in the league, but the top brass at the club can be content in the knowledge that their brand is still thriving.

The Red Devils who won

the 2017 Europa League are ahead of both La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in the list, who are third and fourth and valued at £3.13bn and £3.11bn respectively.

Bayern Munich is the only other football team outside the Premier League to make the list, sitting 12th and valued at £2.35bn.

City is 30th (£1.89bn), while Arsenal (£1.71bn) is worth more than London rivals Chelsea (£1.58bn), with the pair ranked at 39th and 46th on the list.

“There has never been a better time to own a top-notch pro sports franchise,” said Kurt

Badenhausen, a senior editor at Forbes.

“Blockbuster TV contracts and owner-friendly collective bargaining agreements are fueling record sale prices across major sports leagues.”

There were a whopping 29 NFL teams on the list, including top of tree Dallas Cowboys, who are worth a jaw-dropping £3.67bn.

US sports dominated the list, with eight NBA teams also included, and six MLB franchises.

In a sign of the difficult times facing motor racing, not one Formula One team featured in the Top 50.

TOP 10 FORBES LIST 1. Dallas Cowboys £3,67bn (NFL) 2. Man Utd £3.16bn (football) 3. Real Madrid £3.14bn (football) 4. Barcelona £3.11bn (football) 5. New York Yankees £3.07bn (MLB) 6. New England Patriots £2.84bn (NFL) 7. New York Knicks £2.76bn (NBA) 8. Los Angeles Lakers £2.53bn (NBA) 8. New York Giants, £2.53bn (NFL) 10. Golden State £2.38bn (NBA) 30. Man City £1.89bn (football) 39. Arsenal £1.71bn (football) 46. Chelsea £1.58bn (football)

A F R I CA N YO U T H GA M E S

Future Eagles Defeat Morocco 3-2 in Opening Match Nigeria’s Under-15 Future Eagles opened their African title defence on winning note yesterday as they came from two goals down to defeat Morocco 3-2 in their African Youth Games opening match in Algier.

A brace from Divine Nwachukwu and Chidera

Ejiofor’s strike ensured Danladi Nasidi’s lads subdued their North African opponents in the Group A encounter.

After the game against Morocco yesterday, the Nigerian U-15 will take on Djibouti on Saturday and Libya on Monday.

Nigeria did not participate

in the football event of the first African Youth Games in Rabat but won four out of five matches, drawing the other to emerge winners of the football gold at the second edition in Gaborone, Botswana four years ago.

In judo, Nigeria picked silver

medal in the -100kg category of the Youth Games as Madu Daniel defeated an Algerian judoka to pick the precious silverware.

Team Nigeria also got to the podium in weightlifting as Ajayi James won three silver medals in the 56kg category.

Akinwunmi, Adepoju for Cowbell Football Summer Camp Opening The Cowbell Football Academy run by Godwin Dudu-Orumen will take off on Monday, July 23 for the 2018 Summer season.

The specialist football programme for youngsters between ages 4 and 18 is billed to kick off with superb funfair at the Mainbowl of the National Stadium in Lagos.

Dudu-Orumen, known for his versatility in football management over the decades said on Thursday that everything needed to make this year’s event successful has been done.

He said, “This our little way of helping to properly develop the game of football in Nigeria.

We always take these young ones beyond the pitch as they’re also given life lessons.

“We have experts lined up to take them in various fields of this beautiful game. For instance, Dr Amao will speak on sports medicine. And there are other motivational speakers on sports law and the media.

“The idea is to prepare them in every way so that they understand to have real expectations and not mere hearsay far beyond reality. At the end of it all we are producing players who understand the road they are taking mentally and physically. “

Monday’s opening ceremony has the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, as the Chairman while the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh is the Special Guest of Honour.

There are other notable members of the Nigeria sports family expected to attend.

Former Super Eagles stars Mutiu Adepoju, Yisa Sofoluwe, Franklin Howard and Gbenga Okunowo are all part of the huge event.

The opening ceremony will start at 10am at the Main bowl of the National Stadium (opposite

the Medical Centre).

The trainee players who work with about 23 certified coaches will be involved in different activities between Monday and August 11 when the 2018 event rounds off. There are goalkeeping programmes, group and individual events.

The Cowbell Football Academy is run in different centres across the county.

The National Stadium hosts the senior players while the juniors train at Jalupon Estate also in Surulere, Lagos. There are also the Lekki Country Estate, Badagry, Benin City amongst others.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018

55

FRIDAYSPORTS RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP

7.7m FansVisited FIFA Fan Fest

A Fan Fest atmosphere during the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia Following the exhilarating final of the 2018 World Cup that saw France take the title after a 4-2 defeat of Croatia, FIFA has confirmed that the Russian edition of the FIFA Fan Fest welcomed 7.7 million visitors. This compares to 5.2 million fans at the 2014 edition in Brazil.

Every match-day, tens of thousands of Russian and international football fans opted for the FIFA Fan Fest locations as their venues of choice. They watched a total of 917 hours of live football and enjoyed an exciting music and cultural entertainment programme featuring 646 bands playing 323 hours of live music, all free of charge.

“The close collaboration between FIFA, the LOC, the Host Cities and our Commercial Affiliates made this project possible,” said FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Philippe Le Floc’h. “The FIFA Fan Fests offered a free, safe and highly entertaining space to the 7.7 million local and international fans that came to watch matches in those spectacular locations.

“The work has already started to make the FIFA Fan Fest experience even more entertaining in the future and we are looking forward to welcoming fans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,” he added.

The highest day’s attendance was on June 25, the day Uruguay played host country Russia,

Zamalek, Five Other Clubs Fined, Face Ban from Registering New Players The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has taken a series of decisions in application of the new framework on debtor clubs with Egyptian top team, Zamalek Sporting Club, one of the six teams sanctioned yesterday.

Zamalek was sanctioned with a fine of CHF 25,000 and given a final deadline of 60 days to pay the outstanding amounts owed to players or face ban from registering new players.

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Code now in operation, Zamalek will face an automatic deduction of six points and the automatic imposition of a transfer ban

for two entire and consecutive registration periods if it fails to meet the final deadline.

The other five clubs on the list include; Al Arabi Sports Club and Al Kharaitiyat both in Qatar, Al Jazira SC of the United Arab Emirates, Mersin dman Yurdu Spor Kulübü of Turkey and Russian club, FC Kuban.

All clubs concerned were found guilty of failing to comply with previous decisions of a FIFA body or a subsequent CAS appeal decision ordering them to pay significant overdue amounts of money to players.

1960Bet Gets New Mngt, Investors In a bold move to reposition the brand, foremost sports betting company, 1960Bet, has constituted a new management board, appointed a new Chief Operating Officer as well as attracted new investors on board. The new board was unveiled recently in Lagos.

Mr Federico Caboni who is coming on board with vast experience in the business is the new Chief Operating Officer According to the new Chief Operating Officer, Federico Caboni: “We are aware of the competition in the sports betting business, but we are ready for the task ahead hence our decision to rebrand. We

have a new management and new investors who are ready to lead the company to reclaim it’s top place in the sport’s betting business. We assure all our esteemed customers of prompt payment of all winnings always.”

Caboni further affirmed: “ We are investing heavily in the business to ensure that our prompters get value for their money. We are restoring the customers confidence in sports betting which has great potentials to create jobs and also empower people. Our mission and vision is to empower at least ten thousand agents in the next few months across the country.

when 499,000 fans attended 11 venues. The Host City of Moscow achieved the best attendance with a staggering number of 1,887,200

visitors. For the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, top venue Rio de Janeiro had 937,330 visitors in total.

The FIFA Fan Fest has been

part of the Official Programme of the FIFA World Cup since the 2006 edition in Germany. It featured again at the 2010 and

2014 editions in South Africa and Brazil, and has definitely been one of the highlights for fans in Russia.

Spain’s Football Can Evolve, Says Luis Enrique Luis Enrique has been officially unveiled as La Roja’s new coach at an event organised by the Spanish Football Federation in which the coach explained the fundamentals of the project he is delighted to be undertaking.

“I’m very excited about this challenge and the possibility of ratcheting the team up a notch.

I’ll be giving it everything I have,” the 48-year-old told the attending media. “I’m ready and really eager to win the competitions that await us.

All I can say is, ‘Let’s go win them!’”

The President of the Federation, Luis Rubiales, explained that, after the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui and the resignation of his replacement Fernando Hierro after the team’s exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, they bet everything on Luis Enrique.

“He is the only coach with whom we got in touch. It’s been very straightforward because of his commitment and passion, and we’ll be doing everything we can to make him feel comfortable,” he said.

For his part, the federation’s new Technical Director, Jose Francisco Molina, described Enrique as a “modern coach with a great work methodology”.

“Let there be no doubt: we’re going to continue with the same style.”

The coach stated categorically that there would be no radical changes to the team’s playing style, insisting that the style founded and defined by (former Spain coach) Luis Aragones was what they should continue with.

That said, the new coach was clear that there would be changes.

“The team can evolve. A player

must be given weapons. The team has been a standard bearer, with everyone studying what we do…

We’ll continue to play a possession game but with subtle variations to improve things.

“Tactically, there are a lot of things we can improve.” One of the objectives, as the coach himself explained, is to improve effectiveness in front of goal – a shortcoming the team has had in recent years, as was evident in Russia.

“Converting chances is the most difficult aspect. We have a lot of work to do with the players in this respect. We’ll come up against opponents who respect us and who will defend en masse. That’s where our work will come in – enabling our players to recognise those instances and overcome them.”

Just as he did when coaching at

club level, Luis Enrique will have a psychologist, Joaquin Valdes, as part of his staff.

“The psychologist is an option we give to the players.

We privately seek to help them as much as possible to improve their performance,” he revealed.

ENRIQUE’S FACTFILE

PLAYING CAREER *Enrique played for Spain 66 times *He took part in three FIFA World Cups: (USA ’94, France ’98 and Korea/ Japan 2002) COACHING HONOURS *1 UEFA Champions League *1 FIFA Club World Cup *2 Spanish League titles *3 Copa del Rey titles *1 UEFA Super Cup *1 Spanish Super Cup (All with Barcelona)

Olympian Stabbed to Death Kazakhstan’s Olympic medalwinning figure skater Denis Ten has been stabbed to death at the age of 25.

News agency Kazinform reported Ten - who won bronze at Sochi 2014 - was stabbed in the thigh in Almaty on Thursday after two men tried to steal his car mirrors.

Ten, twice a World Championship medallist, was rushed to hospital but died three hours later of his injuries.

“Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore,” said a government spokesman.

American figure skater Adam Rippon wrote on Twitter: “He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people.

“Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion. Your time with us was way too short.”

February’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was Ten’s third Games, having made his Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010.

He finished 27th at the Games in South Korea.

“His outstanding achievements

glorified our country and helped popularize sport among youth.

Denis was not only a prominent athlete, whose talent was recognized and revered in many countries of the world, but also

a man of marked individuality, a true patriot,” the president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

“Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of

our sport, our pride,” said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.

“This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss.”

2018 KONAMII CHARITY SOCCER LOADING…

L-R: Change Africa Foundation’s Head of Human Resources,Tofola Fabamwo; Representative Sterling Bank, Oyindamola Odewuyi; Change Africa Foundation’sVP, Media & Publicity, Gbenga Sanusi; President & Founder, Olamide Olabisi; VP, Intellectual Property and Partnerships, Posi Lawore, Head of Logistics, Babatunde Awodiji and Head of Brand Management, Meristem Securities, Omosolape Akinpelu at the press conference announcing the kick off of KONAMII AFRICA (Lagos Edition) Inter-orphanage homes/annual charity soccer fiesta at theWheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos… yesterday

Friday, July 20, 2018

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Obasanjo to Buhari “The obvious indication is that the government is seemingly confused and has got to the end of its tether and the nation is being left divisively and perilously to drift.” – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo again attacking the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, for not addressing the killings and poverty in the country.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Tinubu’s Breathtaking Hypocrisy

W

hen last February President Muhammadu Buhari saddled the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, with the task of reconciling all aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the country, I scoffed at the idea and stated then that it was a futile exercise.

The reasons were not far-fetched: Buhari by his actions had no genuine desire at reconciling the party members; with Tinubu as the chief aggrieved member, leading such efforts was a misnomer because he needed to be reconciled with some of the party members. I predicted that by the end of his brief, the party would be more divided than before.

Barely two weeks after Tinubu’s peace committee was inaugurated, crisis rocking the Kaduna State chapter of the APC, took a turn for the worse after a building located in the heart of Kaduna city, belonging to a leader of one of the two factions, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, was demolished by the state government. Tinubu’s committee said nothing publicly about such intolerant behaviour on the part of the state governor. That it happened after Tinubu’s supposed reconciliation committee was set up showed the disregard party members had for it.

Nearly six months after he embarked on that mission impossible, not much has been heard of the progress he has made with the reconciliation exercise. What is clear to all watchers of political developments in the country is that Tinubu has failed in his given task. In the last few weeks, a lot has happened that has further aggravated tensions, exacerbated divisions, and created more aggrieved members than the pre-Tinubu committee.

Twenty state chapters of the party have various cases at the courts – a fallout of the ward, local and state congresses that were held recently. With more infighting, the APC is facing a far more uncertain future by the day despite controlling the levers of power, going by the activities of the splinter group, the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) and the looming mass defections from the party. This does not include the attempt by the APC to conduct fresh congresses in Imo State to ensure that the party structures in the state remain under the control of Governor Rochas Okorocha. Nor does it take into consideration the attempt by Tinubu to compel Minister Rotimi Amaechi to relinquish his post as campaign director general of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, effectively creating more divisions in the ruling party.

It appears no one even remembers Tinubu’s committee or when they do, it may well be as a memoriam to its last act in search of an illusory peace. I doubt whether Tinubu himself still pretends to be reconciling anybody.

The man who gave Tinubu the job may have even forgotten about it or may be chuckling in his corner knowing it was never going to succeed. At least no one would blame him for not trying to bring the party together. He can now point the finger at Tinubu and say he failed in the assignment he (Buhari) gave him. As the various interests groups position to tear the APC apart, it is obvious the centre can no longer hold. Come to think of it, Tinubu’s opening act on his reconciliation mission was to launch a savage attack on the then chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun. In a letter dripping with entitlement, arrogance of power, laced with malice but cleverly disguised as a fight to entrench

Tinubu democracy, he accused Oyegun of sabotaging his “presidential assignment”. It was hardly the right way to begin a reconciliation exercise.

Now, one is tempted to ask Tinubu what he has achieved beyond the fruitless travels, photo opportunity and the false sense of relevance after he was brought back from the cold.

Since then, he has been eager to impress his master, making grandiose speeches of their heroic exploits. Tinubu has been talking too much lately, criticising opposition figures in what appears to be a total denial of reality.

He has been waxing lyrical and pontificating about his party’s uncommon success and commitment to Buhari’s re-election bid. In his most recent statement published June 25, he strangely, accused “elements of the PDP” of frustrating and hindering the implementation of his party’s progressive agenda. “I must mention something of high concern; our progressive agenda has been hampered because elements of the PDP remain embedded in many agencies and ministries so crucial to daily governance.

They have been fifth columnists, undermining our policies at every turn. While impeding reform, they also plot the comeback of their reactionary brethren to power. This is something we should no longer abide. Our party teams with competent, reform-minded people who would perform admirably in these positions.

It is time we swept out the PDP remnants and put in position, people who actually care about the citizens,” he stated.

Tinubu continued his assault on our sensibilities and reality: “They wanted to see the end of us and our pursuit of good governance for Nigeria.

You should not forget, as I shall never forget, the strong efforts they made to stop us in the courts.

There were 12 cases brought trying to stop us from merging, from registering the new party, then attempting to bar our candidate from the election. With their schemes foiled, those who tried to destroy us must bear witness to the destruction of their edifice of corrupt governance and their dreams of unjust domination of our nation. While they planned a lifetime of greedy enrichment by looting the people’s resources and the public treasury for 60 years, we moved to reform the economy to bring development and aid to the poor.”

A lifetime of greedy enrichment by looting the people’s resources? That line particularly struck me. Does Tinubu’s suffocating stranglehold on Lagos mean anything to anyone reading? I

really don’t know why people condemn things in others, they are manifestly guilty of. I have called the attention of behavioural scientists to explain why people behave like this. They are yet to get back to me.

It appeared nobody told Tinubu that his APC-led government is a lawless one that does not respect court orders and employs every tactic to constrain the political space which had been liberalised by the immediate-past administration.

Tinubu says the courts refused to be used to bar Buhari. The irony here must be emphasised for all to see: the orders of the very same court that cleared the way for Tinubu’s candidate, Buhari to contest the 2015 election are now being treated with utmost contempt once they are deemed unfavourable to the interests of the powers that be by the same Buhari now as president.

The court system and other institutions of the state are also brazenly being manipulated and abused to achieve regime’s selfish objectives, chief of which is stay in power beyond 2019.

The EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu now wears Buhari’s re-election lapel on his chest as open demonstration of partisanship - jarringly similar to what happened during Abacha’s transmutation plan in 1998. Does Tinubu even reflect on all these? We have never had it so bad. Imagine for a moment that it was under the last regime, these transgressions were taking place with Tinubu in the opposition.

By the way, which agenda was he talking about? An agenda that does not include the restructuring of the country and the enthronement of true fiscal federalism? He used to be a chief advocate of fiscal federalism and restructuring when he was in the opposition.

Today, as a high-profile member of the ruling party, Tinubu is no longer enthusiastic about restructuring, instead he has retreated from it.

How can he be enthusiastic about it, when his party is now in control at the federal level?

When he was the governor of Lagos State, he defiled the federal government by creating local governments all in pursuit of his belief that it was not the business of the federal government to create local government areas.

What has happened to this man who cut his political teeth by championing the restructuring of the country? Now, which reform was Tinubu talking about? Can anyone articulate that agenda or reform to me? Because the only agenda I have seen so far is the wanton killing of Nigerians by herdsmen with the complicity of the Buhari government and the APC, with the latter maintaining a disturbing silence on the issue.

While Tinubu condemned the last government over Boko Haram attacks as an opposition figure, he is silent on the activities of Fulani herdsmen.

He is blind to the atrocities being perpetrated

by Fulani herdsmen who are forcefully seizing farmlands and burning down communities or occupying them. He has never condemned the brazen audacity of Miyetti Allah which has consistently defended the indefensible killing of human beings as revenge for the killing of cows. It is a shame that he sees nothing wrong with the ongoing genocide. As a matter of fact, he is doing everything he can to distract the public from focusing on the failure of the government to stop the killings.

The truth here is that Tinubu is helping to normalise the atrocities and crimes against humanity by his silence. We must not allow him to succeed in his posturing this time. We

must call him out now before it is too late. This man is determined to continue the false narrative of change. He is deceiving Nigerians that this government is better than the previous one and that there is no looting going on. This is a lie and we must challenge it. At every turn, he praises Buhari to the heavens; a Commanderin-Chief who has told the whole world that he can only pray for the killings to stop and will put more pressure on the security agencies to stop the killings. Do these people really think we are dummies or what? Tinubu continues to tell us Buhari is doing a good job and should continue on the part of doing good. Well, there is a saying in the land of my fathers that “any man who claims to have caught a frog by its tail is being economical with the truth”. Any man with conscience and respect for truth would tell you the president is not doing a good job by failing to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians.

On looting and corruption, Tinubu should ask Maikanti Baru, chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), how the consumption of petrol jumped from 30-35 million litres to 60-65 million litres a day in less than a year. If he claims this is a transparent government, then he should ask Baru and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Buhari, how contracts worth $25 billion were awarded without due process and the approval of the board.

As Tinubu continues to negotiate the facts, Nigeria is in the worst shape ever. In three years of the APC government, the country has been declared the poverty capital of the world. This came on the heels of another report declaring it as one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth (169th) with the fourth-worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. Bill Gates told this government the grim truth not long ago and they were not happy.

In the latest annual ranking of the safest and least safe countries by Gallup, Nigeria placed 116th out of 142 countries, with violence-ridden Libya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, CAR, Niger ranked safer than Nigeria under Buhari’s APC government.

With all these, Tinubu still claimed that we are “making steady, sustainable progress”. He was not worried by these grim statistics. Maybe his APC agenda is not to right the situation but to win the election for Buhari in 2019.

In the good old days, it was easy to situate Tinubu and where he stood on burning national issues. Not anymore! The man has evolved and his views have morphed into a caricature of what he used to represent. Buhari’s “parochial” views on restructuring and federalism are antithetical to what defined Tinubu in the past. Tinubu, on other hand, has maintained a deafening silence on the issue of restructuring.

He now wears a dark veil and pretends the current structure serves the country well. The once-upon-a-time champion of the Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that was supposed to restructure Nigeria is now a willing accomplice to all efforts that undermine it. He has become an object of mockery and humour among many reform-minded Nigerians. Perhaps, he has assimilated Buhari’s stand, or how else would one rationalise his silence?

One final thing: when APC leaves power someday, will Tinubu ever latch onto restructuring and fiscal federalism again? It is not impossible that he will revert to it as a way to reinvent himself, but we must not allow him get away with it. This man’s hypocrisy is simply breathtaking.

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