THURSDAY 3RD AUGUST 2018

CBN to Develop Risk-based Cyber Security Framework for Banks Partners US Fed Reserve, South Africa Central Bank, JP Morgan Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is developing a riskbased cyber security framework for deposit money banks

(DMBs) and payment service in partnership with stakeholders in the financial industry.

Statistics put the cost of cyber-crime globally at $700 billion annually, a figure

projected to rise to about $2 trillion by 2019, due to the rapid digitisation of consumer lives and company records.

In the case of Nigeria, about N198 billion is said to

be lost to ever-increasing cases of cyber crimes per annum usually perpetrated through the financial system.

The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS),

CBN, Mrs. Aishat Ahmad, who spoke in Abuja, Tuesday at the 2018 CBN-JP Morgan Chase Cyber Security Conference, said the CBN was committed to strengthening the regulatory

and supervisory framework for cyber risk and encouraging realistic vulnerability testing and contingency planning for Continued on page 12

17,000 Persons Missing in Nigeria Due to Conflicts, Says Red Cross… Page 10 Friday 3 August, 2018 Vol 23. No 8508. Price: N250

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Security Chiefs Meet with Buhari, Demand for Military Equipment Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Service chiefs led by the Minister of Defence, BrigGen Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd.), yesterday in the State House, Abuja met with President Muhammadu Buhari and demanded for a new set of military equipment to combat insecurity.

The demand was part of the presentation made on behalf of the military by Dan-Ali to the Security Council meeting.

Ali, it was learnt, told the council that provision of

the equipment had become compelling if the battle against insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the country must be contained.

A statement by Dan-Ali's spokesman, Col. Tukur Gusau, containing the demand was made available to journalists after the meeting.

"Finally, the Minister requested for provision of more equipment for the armed forces in order to sustain the tempo in the fight Continued on page 10

APC Senators Plan to Invade National Assembly, Remove Saraki, Alleges PDP Presidency: Insinuation ridiculous Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that All Progressives Congress senators plan to forcefully reconvene the Senate and remove the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy,

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, saying President Muhammadu Buhari’s vacation to the UK is a ploy to avoid blame for the impending invasion.

But the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has warned that the PDP would forcefully repel any attempt to Continued on page 10

Notore’s Listing Boosts NSE Market Capitalisation by N101bn … Page 43

THE GRAND ENTRY… L-R: Group Chief Financial Officer, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, Mr. Femi Agbaje; CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chairman, Notore, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.); Group Managing Director/CEO, Notore, Mr. Onajite Okolo; and Director, Notore, Mr. Mike Osime, during Notore’s listing on the NSE in Lagos… yesterday

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FG Seeks World Bank’s Assistance on Power Sector Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The federal government has solicited the assistance of the World Bank to tackle the current challenges confronting the country’s power sector.

The sector is afflicted by serious liquidity challenges with the distribution companies locked in a serious confrontation with the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

As part of efforts to resolve the multifaceted problems in the sector, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday called for the intervention of the World Bank.

Adeosun, who spoke at a

meeting in Abuja with the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa, Mr. Hafez Ghanem, acknowledged the bank’s interventions in Nigeria in areas such as education, health and water, and conveyed the federal government’s appreciation to the visiting World Bank chief.

However, she added that the bank’s intervention in the power sector was critical at the moment.

“A lot of things have changed in the Nigerian economy in the last 10 years and we hope to accelerate the growth and the interaction with the World Bank. How do we do that? How do we leverage

on the technical capacity and global reach and wealth of experience to ensure we not only preserve the growth, which is quite slow at the moment but to accelerate the growth so that we don’t have boom and burst circles?.

“We need continued growth. We commend the World Bank for the projects, particularly at the sub- national government level with the fiscal transparency and accountability project that the World Bank is helping us with, and of course, there are projects in education, health and water that the World Bank is doing which we are excited about,” she said.

Adeosun told the World Bank’s vice president that,” one area where we are hoping to make a lot of progress is the power sector reform programne, which is an extremely important programme for us as far as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is concerned because it is really going to accelerate growth and all the things that we need to do to get the power sector reform programme off the ground.

“For us , it is our number one priority at the moment.

How do we sort out the challenges in power sector value chain and leverage on the World Bank, its relationship

and its wealth of experience in getting us to move the sector forward,” she said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Ghanem said Nigeria’s position on Africa continent was not lost to the bank.

“I am happy to be here. I took over as vice president for Africa a long time ago. Before that, I was VP Middle East.

I really wanted to come to Nigeria as quickly as possible.

The reason is that my family and I spent three wonderful years in this country and I wanted to come back and see my old friends.

“The other reason is profession. World Bank objective

in Africa is to help countries to grow in the 21st century. If we talk about growth in Africa, Nigeria is the largest country in Africa. Africa cannot grow unless Nigeria grows. “For us in the World Bank, Nigeria is a very important country. I want to come and listen to you; how we can support Nigeria, how we can help Nigeria so that Nigeria can grow faster and achieve her development objectives,” he said.

Ghanem was World Bank Country Director to Nigeria 10 years ago during which he oversaw Nigeria’s Office for three years before he was transfer to the Middle East as vice president

consolidating on the victory already recorded.

It also said Dan-Ali disclosed that Operation Delta Safe had been sustained in Niger Delta, resulting in the reduction of illegal and criminal activities.

It added: "There was a review of Operation Safe Haven leading to appointment of a new Commander in the North-central.

"The minister also reiterated the need for the deployment of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in all areas

liberated by the military in the North-east in order to consolidate on the gains of military operations as well as to enable the military push forward in its clearance operations.

"In the South-South Honourable Minister of Defence informed the council that Operation Delta Safe has sustained its operations against illegal activities in the Niger Delta region with resultant reduction in illegal oil bunkering, militancy and pipeline vandalism.”

SECURITY CHIEFS MEET WITH BUHARI, DEMAND FOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT against insurgency and other security challenges across the country," the statement said.

According to the statement, Dan-Ali told the meeting that the collaboration between the armed forces and other security agencies was yielding fruitful results.

It also said operation Sharan Daji had been extended to Niger border in order to forestall the repeat of killings in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State.

The statement also said Dan-Ali reported

that security forces had been directed to intensify patrol along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

"He reminded the council that the armed forces of Nigeria in collaboration with other security agencies are doing a lot to address the turbulent security situation in the country "In order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis, Operation Sharan Daji has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger

boarder.

"The operation has recently been reinforced witlh more troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services and is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognisance Wing of 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force.

"The joint operation has successfully arrested some suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition.

Similarly, in other to checkmate the

criminal activities along Abuja-Kaduna highway, security agencies have been directed to increase patrols along the axis to address cases of attacks and kidnappings," it added.

The statement also said the minister told the security council that there had been a review of Operation Safe Haven in the North-central region.

According to the statement, the minister highlighted the need to deploy security forces to all areas liberated by the military with a view to

APC SENATORS PLAN TO INVADE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, REMOVE SARAKI, ALLEGES PDP remove Saraki and Ekweremadu, contending that he was sure that Nigerians were not ready to accept “prison yard democracy.”

“The party is aware of plots already perfected in a meeting, on Wednesday night, between the presidency and some compromised All Progressives Congress (APC) senators, who are now in the minority, to forcefully reconvene the Senate with protection from security agencies, with a view to impeach Saraki and Ekweremadu,” the main opposition party stated yesterday in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

“The PDP knows that the desperation to illegally take control of the National Assembly is part of the design to undermine our democratic institutions and completely foist a dictatorial regime on our nation,” it said.

The party said the planned invasion is also a bid to cover the atrocious and humongous corruption of the Buhari administration, which the National Assembly is set to expose.

It added that it had been reliably informed about how APC senators, especially members of the Buhari Parliamentary Support Group (BPSG), had been provided with huge sums of money, “illegally lifted from repatriated funds,” to carry out this nefarious act under the guise of urgent need to approve funds for the 2019 general election.

PDP stated, “It is clear that President Buhari and the APC are hugely terrified and distressed by the gale of defections from their fold and have resorted to underhand methods, threats and intimidation, irrespective of the damage being inflicted on the polity.

“Having been demeaned by the widespread condemnation of the recent siege on the residences of the Senate president and deputy Senate president, in addition to the invasion of the

Benue State House of Assembly in a failed attempt to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom and forcefully take over the state, President Buhari is now jetting out of the country so as to appear innocent and oblivious of the political terrors about to be unleashed on the National Assembly.”

While exposing the alleged planned plot by APC, the PDP said the same leader who, in 2014, applauded the defection of PDP members, including then leaders of the National Assembly, into his APC, describing the movement, then, as “good for democracy,” is today hounding and harassing citizens for daring to defect from the failed party.

According to the party, “Besides, Nigerians will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of plots by President Buhari to enmesh the 2019 general election in controversy by asking for virement of funds already approved in the 2018 budget for development projects instead of sending a fresh supplementary budget for the election.

“If the presidency means well for Nigeria, it should have sent a supplementary budget and duly write the leadership of the National Assembly instead of plotting to forcefully take over the federal legislature and push our nation into serious constitutional crisis.”

Despite the alleged planned alibi, the PDP said Buhari must be held responsible for any abuse of power, disregard for rule of law and assault on democratic institutions, even in his absence from the country.

The party reminded the president and the APC that it now controls the majority in the Senate and would defend democracy with all instruments available in the constitution and parliamentary rulebooks.

Saraki, Tambuwal, Others Attend PDP NEC Meeting Meanwhile, Saraki and

top former members of the APC, including former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, governors of Sokoto and Benue States, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and Dr. Samuel Ortom, were at yesterday's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP. The NEC meeting, which had the trappings of victory celebrations, saw all the gladiators, especially the new defectors in happy mood exchanging banters with each other.

Apart from the trio, the meeting hall was filled to its brim by the key figures in the PDP, including governors, lawmakers and some of the presidential aspirants.

One of the highlights of the NEC meeting was the symbolic recognition to be accorded Saraki as the leader of the opposition party being the highest ranking political office holder under the present dispensation.

Saraki will replace his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who had the position until the latest defection that saw Saraki and other top APC members move over to the PDP. The arrival of Saraki was heralded by loud ovation as he was led into the venue of the meeting by PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and other top leaders of the party.

Tambuwal: We’ll Match Force with Force At the NEC meeting, Tambuwal warned that any abuse of due process and rule of law would be met with stiff resistance by the opposition.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting in Abuja, Tambuwal said any attempt to abuse due process in the effort to unseat principal officers of the National Assembly would be stoutly resisted.

Tambuwal said that patriotic Nigerians must rally together to retrieve power from the present

leadership.

He said,"Only three days ago I did say that Nigerians will not accept prison yard democracy, especially whereby people will be framed up on the simple account of disagreement on political leanings, is simply unacceptable. And we cannot allow our country to drift further.

It is not about anybody, it is not about any interest, this is about the country.

"When I hear that some people were trying to break into the chambers of the Senate to steal the mace and install a pseudo Senate president, I wondered whether they actually know the rules of our democratic engagement; it is not a Gestapo, we are in a democracy and the constitution of this country is very clear that members of the Senate and House of Representatives can choose from among themselves their own president of the Senate and Speaker.”

While speaking on the outcome of the NEC meeting, Ologbondiyan said NEC resolved to adopt the new modalities for nomination of candidates for elections, to accommodate the changes brought about by the recent law on the" not too young to run."

He said that the NEC has also approved timetable for party primaries, details of which will be made public soon.

Speaking on the nature of amendments to the modalities for primaries, he said the party tried to fine-tune it to include the age reduction as contained in the new law.

Saraki had arrived the meeting about 2.50p.m. to tumultuous crowd that besieged the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.

In a short speech, Saraki said yesterday's event was a historic one not only to the PDP but to Nigeria.

He pleaded with members of the party to accept the returning former members and other new entrants with open hands so as

to boost the chances of winning the 2019 presidential election.

Saraki said, "I am happy to be back to PDP. Today is historic not only to the party but to Nigeria, which is in dire need of rescue at this moment."

"Please receive us from the bottom of your hearts. Everybody is important in this journey we are embarking on. No sacrifice is too small for the tussle we have to face.

"I offer myself to provide good leadership but that is only if we are united. Let's all work together to make the sacrifices."

In his speech, Secondus asked the APC administration to stop assaulting the National Assembly and other democratic institutions.

"Today is the beginning of the great journey to freedom, the great journey to free our people and rescue this country from the damage done to it by the APC in the last three years,” he said.

Secondus expressed regret that agencies of government established to protect the people have been deployed to assault institutions of democracy by the federal government, mentioning, incidences involving security agencies in Ekiti, Benue States and the homes of the Senate president and his deputy.

He said that the country was sliding dangerously under the watch of APC federal government and rather than confront the challenges they continue to feign ignorance of the situation as he predicted that they will remain aloof until PDP takes over Aso Villa.

He led the NEC to observe a minute silence for souls of innocent Nigerians killed across the country and said that rather than defend the country, security agents have been deployed to harass and intimidate opponents and those with dissenting voices.

Embattled Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, also expressed happiness that he was back to the PDP fold.

An emotional Ortom said, "In my journey I had too many travails and pains. I became poorer and all that I took away with me.

“I am happy I came to meet the party intact. I am happy that our leaders Senator Iyochia Ayu, David Mark, Gabriel Suswam are still there. We can go to sleep as we go to 2019 with almost these leaders with me."

BoT chairman, Senator Walid Jibril, said the coming back of former PDP members is a blessing to the party, adding that all the returning members will enjoy equal recognition as other members of the party.

Many leaders of the PDP, including governors, lawmakers and state chairmen attended the NEC meeting.

Ekweremadu was, however, said to be recuperating from the travails at the EFCC detention.

Continued on page 12

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NGN NGN 0.20 2.25 0.15 1.70 0.03 0.36 0.06 0,78 0.02 0.28 NGN 0.04 0.36 1.55 27.15 0.25 5.60 REGENCY 0.01 0.23 UNIVINSURE 0.02 0.23 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 1,500.00 Volume: 320.452 million shares Value: NN3.532 billion Deals: 3,290 As at yesterday 02/08/18 See details on Page 43

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NEWS

17,000 Persons Missing in Nigeria Due to Conflicts, Says Red Cross Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that the fate and whereabouts of about 17,000 persons remain a mystery in Nigeria as a result of conflicts.

In its latest facts and figures on contributions in Nigeria, it said it was working in conjunction with its Nigeria subsidiary, the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) to clarify the fate and whereabouts of about 17,000 missing persons in Nigeria, including over 7,100 missing children.

The ICRC said, “Many people have lost contact with family members when fleeing armed conflict and other situations of violence. Some families have been missing loved ones for years and, at the same time, cycles of displacement create new losses of family contact every day.

“The ICRC works with the NRCS and other Red Cross societies in the Lake Chad region to locate missing family members, restore contact, and when possible, reunite children with their parents or caretaker.

To build a sustainable longterm response, the ICRC is supporting the Nigerian authorities to establish a humanitarian mechanism to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing persons.

“In addition, it is also supporting a working group of key forensic stakeholders tasked with advocacy and policy reform to improve

management of the dead in Nigeria as their proper identification may provide families of the missing persons with information or closure.”

It said between January and June, 2018, over 1,960 fresh tracing requests were opened by persons looking for relatives with the Red Cross.

“Almost 300 Red Cross messages containing family news were exchanged between separated family members; Over 770 free phone calls were made available by the Red Cross to persons searching for missing family members.”

The ICRC added that almost 490,000 persons in the Northeast and North-central regions received food rations, out of which 288,000 persons received improved seeds to enhance their farm yields.

“Over 180,000 persons in the North-east, Northcentral and the southern regions were assisted with cash or commodity voucher donations to help them cover their multipurpose household needs, including helping them to resume food production and livelihood activities.”

It said it provided over 67,000 persons in the North-central region, including refugees in the southern region with essential household items such as clothes, hygiene products, cooking utensils and mosquito nets; and assisted more than 310,000 displaced, returnees and host communities in the north-east region with improved quality seeds, irrigation machinery, and tools to assist with their farming

activities.

According to the ICRC, “More than 1,400 people, including NRCS members, community members, military/ police personnel, religious groups and weapon bearers, were trained in first aid and emergency preparedness

capacity; and over 4,000 people were provided with mental health and psychosocial support. More than 30 NRCS and community volunteers were trained and supported by the ICRC to provide basic mental health and psychosocial support.”

It added that: “Almost 200 sensitisation sessions were conducted with a total of 1,575 community members and 22 health staff to raise awareness on issues related to mental and psychosocial health as a result of armed conflict and violence. Over

3,070 surgical procedures were performed by two ICRC surgical teams; almost 1,200 people, mainly in the North-east, were able to access medical services due to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of primary health care centres.”

LET'S WORK TOGETHER… National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus (left), and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Wadata Plaza headquarters of the party in Abuja ...yesterday

APC SENATORS PLAN TO INVADE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, REMOVE SARAKI, ALLEGES PDP Insinuation over Buhari's Vacation Ridiculous However, the presidency described the PDP allegation that President Buhari was proceeding on vacation in pursuit of illegal and unconstitutional acts as ridiculous.

Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, described the allegation as a hollow narrative only meant to draw public sympathy.

According to him, Buhari's decision to hand over power voluntarily to his deputy, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, was a feat the PDP never attained in its 16 years of ruling.

Shehu who also described Osinbajo as an accomplished

lawyer, said it was inconceivable that the team of Buhari and Osinbajo would stoop so low to imitate the PDP. He said whereas the government was not intolerant of opposition, the administration rejected PDP's habit of crying foul when it is needless and attempt to distract the president whom he said was cleaning the augean stable.

He said: "Claims by the failing PDP that President Buhari had taken a 10-day leave in order to leave the stage for illegal and unconstitutional actions by the administration are both ridiculous and a hollow narrative to garner cheap sympathy.

"That the president, himself a sworn democrat had handed

power to his deputy without compulsion is itself exemplary and innovative, something that the PDP failed to produce in their sixteen years of monumental mismanagement and sadistic plunder.

"For the benefit of the doubters, Osinbajo, the vice president who acts in the absence of the President is a lawyer of the highest rank and a social rights crusader who had received local and international acclaim before he took the present office. It is inconceivable that this is the team to copy the bad manners cast in stone in the PDP. "We welcome objective criticism and take them seriously and humbly, but

Nigerians must by now be tired of a party, the stock in trade of which is to cry wolf where there is none, ostensibly to spread negativity and distract the President’s attention from the cleansing operations he has been mandated to carry out."

While reeling out what he described as Buhari's reforms in the country, Shehu accused the PDP of mere obsession to capture power.

Telling the party to keep quiet if it has no value to add, Shehu alleged that one thing that is haunting the PDP is the fear that its dirty records would further be reopened.

"The president is carrying out difficult reforms for the future growth of the country,

such as the implementation of the ease of doing business, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the whistleblower process, and hundreds of others, including the massive investment in rail, roads and power.

"If such reforms had happened in 16 years of the PDP, it would have made things much better for the country.

"Instead, they seem to be fixated with a desperate quest for power, nothing but power for its own sake because they have nothing to offer. They draw a sadistic pleasure when things appear to be going wrongly, yet they offer nothing by way of remedy or solutions.

"The whole country is fighting corruption and the

ordinary citizen is happy about all that is happening.

"The economic parameters have changed for the better, a clear indication that the administration’s political and economic strategies are working but the opposition is not interested.

"If the PDP doesn’t have anything that would help our farmers, women, the common man and the youth, they should just keep quiet.

"In the end, one thing Nigerians should take away from the cacophonous falsehoods from the PDP and the tenants back in their tent is that they all fear one thing, that their old records will be reopened," the statement added.

national summit.

She thanked JP Morgan Chase for their commitment and willingness to share their experiences.

The Director, Information Technology Department CBN, Mr. John Ayo, said while he had no actual figures on financial losses associated with cyber crimes, Nigerians faced a huge risk that we face.

He said, "Also looking at the demographics of Nigeria, we have a youth population that is information technology-savvy.

You need to ensure that you have the right resilient system to ensure that any attack can be detected quickly and you respond appropriately. But in terms of the numbers, I don't have any authoritative figures."

On measures put in place by the bank to check cyber crimes, he said, "Internally,

in the CBN, what we have done is to look at this problem holistically and figure out the best steps to take.

"We have spoken to the Reserve Bank in the United States of America Federal Reserve as well as the South Africa central bank to learn from their experiences, and understand what they are doing.

"Most importantly, there is a cyber security capability model that tells you where you are and what the gaps are. So, we try to benchmark ourselves with the best in cyber security.

"So, all the gaps we have are the ones we are addressing. Our plan is that by the end of 2018, we would have substantially addressed those gaps. We are building capability internally so that we are not only able to detect when something goes wrong.”

CBN TO DEVELOP RISK-BASED CYBER SECURITY FRAMEWORK FOR BANKS regulated institutions.

Ahmad, who represented the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the conference, which dwelt on "building cyber resilience," stated that in partnership with stakeholders "in the financial industry we are developing a Risk Based Cyber Security Framework for deposit money banks and payment service providers and internally, we have relied on instruments of automation, artificial."

According to her, new conveniences of modern technology have ushered in complex security challenges and cybercrime.

"These range from identity and intellectual property theft, phishing, email spamming, virus dissemination, to sophisticated hacking and theft by digital crime syndicates.

"These developments have led to a significant rise in the global cost of cybercrime," Ahmad said.

A recent study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), she added, estimated global annual losses from cyber-attacks at close to nine per cent of banks' net income or around $100 billion.

"And in a severe scenario, where the frequency of attacks are twice as high as currently experienced and with greater contagion, losses could be as high as $350 billion," the CBN deputy governor said.

She noted that there was no gain saying the fact that automation and technological innovations over the past decade had impacted almost every facet of human endeavour.

Technology, she added,

had transformed the learning, communication, service delivery as well as the way financial transactions are conducted.

"Also, continuing innovations such as robotics, artificial intelligence and block chains have potential for further disruption," she observed Stressing that new conveniences of modern technology had ushered in complex security challenges and cybercrime, she noted that these range from identity and intellectual property theft, phishing, email spamming, virus dissemination, to sophisticated hacking and theft by digital crime syndicates.

"These developments have led to a significant rise in the global cost of cybercrime.

McAfee and the Center for Strategic and International studies estimate this at over

$600 billion in 2017, more than 20 per cent higher than in 2014.

"While a variety of organisations are exposed to cybercrime, the financial sector is particularly vulnerable given its crucial role of financial intermediation in a highly connected global financial system," the CBN chief said.

The increasing cost, velocity and diversity of cyber-attacks, she explained, have helped to elevate conversations about building robust defense systems to the forefront.

Ahmad recalled that early this year, the World Economic Forum proposed the creation of the Global Centre for Cyber security in Geneva as a platform for global players to collaborate on cyber risks, whilst the Department of Homeland Security at the end of July just concluded a cyber-security

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COMMENT

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

ARISE, UNIVERSITIES OF NIGERIA!

Nigerian universities could do better than their current showing, writes Monday Philips Ekpe

I

am not about to defend the integrity of the Webometric ranking of universities carried out periodically to ascertain the capacity of the institutions that represent the highest level of learning while delivering quality education around the world. The reactions that greet the efforts and results range from casual dismissal to jubilation, anger, distrust, cynicism, pride and a sense of loss or defeat. In practical terms, however, the exercise is similar to FIFA ranking. At some point, one is at a loss in trying to figure out the criteria used in arriving at certain conclusions.

You have to keep resisting the temptation to accuse bodies like FIFA and Webometrics of bias. Even more difficult to accept could be your own possibility of being sentimental in assessing the outcomes of what is supposed to be empirical enquiry.

The bottom-line is that it does not feel good to have what one is associated with marked down in the eye of the world.

It becomes more painful when the organisation conducting the rating enjoys national, regional or global recognition and credibility. Everyone wants to be respected and regarded highly, at the end.

The July 2018 university ratings have, as usual, placed our entire university system in a shameful bracket. University of Ibadan, the nation’s oldest, at 70 years old, is the first in Nigeria and 905th on earth, followed by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (second in Nigeria, 2,287th in the world); Covenant University, Ota (third in Nigeria, 2,824th in the world); University of Nigeria Nsukka (fourth in Nigeria, 3,050th in the world); and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (fifth in Nigeria, 3,545th in the world). University of Port Harcourt and Federal University of Technology, Owerri, came sixth and seventh respectively. University of Lagos took the eighth position in Nigeria and 5,025th in the world. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta came ninth and 10th in Nigeria, in that order. The fact that no state government-owned institution is among the top 10 slots is a sad commentary on its own. And that two relatively young private universities, namely Babalola and Covenant, have pushed aside older, public ones also demonstrates the presence of largely latent non-governmental initiatives and capabilities in the country.

There is no doubting the fact that we could do better than our current showing. Nothing validates this stance better than the more enviable profiles of some other African countries.

While it would not be fair to compare the standard of our tertiary education with that of advanced nations, we should at least be seen to be performing favourably in comparison with continental competitors. In a globalised world, it also does not make sense to ignore perception or image matters.

By their very nature, universities are platforms for exchange of ideas from across the globe. They must, therefore, possess the infrastructure required for the sourcing and transmission of

FOR THEM TO REMAIN RELEVANT, COMMENSURATE MODERN APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN PLACE. THIS DRAWS A LINE BETWEEN MEDIOCRITY AND EXCELLENCE, BETWEEN UNDER-ACHIEVEMENT AND BRILLIANT INTELLECTUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

knowledge. And for them to remain relevant, commensurate modern applications must be in place. This draws a line between mediocrity and excellence, between underachievement and brilliant intellectual accomplishments.

The ideal relationship between the ivory towers and the societies within which they operate was put into perspective

by Dr. Jesus Granados in his article titled, “The Challenges of Higher Education in the 20th Century” published in Global University Network for Innovation. According to the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain, scholar, “The diverse and heterogeneous society of the new millennium is characterised by a series of internal crises in the welfare state: the social crisis, the environmental crisis and unsustainable practices, the crisis of states, the threat posed by globalisation, and finally, the crisis of democracy. The consequences of these crises include the exacerbation of social and economic inequality; the emergence of a global form of planetary management with new decision-making centres that have undermined the decision-making power of individuals and states; and citizens’ loss of confidence in the democratic system due to the perception that political decisions are distant and difficult to influence.

“When new forms of knowledge and symbolisation qualitatively impregnate all basic aspects of a society, or when a society’s structures and processes for reproducing itself are so penetrated by knowledge-dependent operations that information creation operations, symbolic analysis and expert systems are more important than other factors of production, then we’re talking about the knowledge society… The major challenge facing a knowledge society is the generation of collective intelligence: society’s intelligence as a whole is more important than just having a society composed of multiple individual intelligences. In a sense, education must lead to empowerment: through education, individuals should acquire the capacity to make decisions and act effectively in accordance with those decisions, and this in turn entails the ability to influence the rules of play through any of the available options. Thus, education consists in developing not only personal but also social qualities; it is the development of social conscience: awareness of how society works, knowledge of how it is structured, and a sense of the personal agency which allow action.”

University education is that serious. But just leaving desires at the level of wishes can only lead to greater frustration, resentment and disillusionment. The quest for enhanced amenities and operational conditions must not be left to relevant trade unions alone. There should be a consistent, nationwide campaign to force the reality on the government and other stakeholders. After all, these universities produce the professionals who should safeguard our individual and collective wellbeing, now and tomorrow.

ALMOST OUT OF TIME Buhari’s administration is not people or job friendly, argues Oni Oviri

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n estimated 11 million jobs have been lost in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership, leading to the World Poverty Clock, a website that monitors real-time progress against poverty globally, revealing that Nigeria has overtaken India as the world’s headquarters for “extreme poverty”.

Just four years ago, Nigeria was celebrating becoming the largest economy in Africa under the former President Goodluck Jonathan. But a series of political crises since President Buhari was elected in 2015, not least the long medical absence in London and poor performance on economic policy, the Nigerian economy has nosedived.

This has had a damaging effect on investor confidence, indeed enthusiasm, to maintain a presence in Nigeria. British manufacturer PZ Cussons, the maker of Imperial Leather and Carex, whose largest and most diverse single market is Nigeria, recently reported that their annual profits will be lower than expected, with Nigeria becoming a “thorn in its side”.

In March 2018, the company issued a profit warning, blaming its poor showing for the last financial year on Nigeria’s economic downturn.

According to Trading Economics, a worldwide reference site for economic data and financial markets and the World Bank Bi-annual Economic Update, the rate of unemployment

in Nigeria increased steadily throughout 2017, whilst unemployment statistics for Quarter one in 2018 was announced to be hovering at 14.2%. To put this into perspective, Quarter one unemployment rates in the U.K reported at 4.1%, the U.S.A at 3.9% and China 3.95%; in comparison, Nigeria’s unemployment rate is staggeringly high.

The administration is attempting to challenge unemployment levels, with its key mechanism being the unsustainable N-Power scheme, set up by the government in 2016. An unprecedented initiative to undertake mass recruitment of young graduates, reports this month suggest immense challenges with the first recruits, whose two- year tenure ends this year, not being kept on so as to make way for the second batch of recruits, thus deploying the young people back into the labour market.

Many pundits, such as Bismarck Rewane, a financial expert, who last month reiterated his warnings on the geometric rise of unemployment and underemployment in the case of the N-Power scheme, predicted that unemployment rates could rise to 21.5% by Quarter four this year. His warnings so far have been rebuked by Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and culture, as being incorrect.

Further rebuke of incorrectness was also proffered at Bill Gates during his visit to Nigeria, from Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai, when Gates offered advice that the Nigerian

administration’s economic blueprint does not meet the needs of Nigerians.

PZ Cussons Chairperson, Caroline Silver, commented recently that, “Macro-conditions in Nigeria have resulted in a sharp decline in Africa profits for the year and hence, a disappointing result for the group as a whole.”

And she has plenty of corroboration from other organisations operating in Nigeria. In July, consumer goods giant, Procter and Gamble (P&G), announced that it was closing a $300 million Nigerian plant that it had built for much the same reasons as Caroline Silver has given.

According to P&G, the economic policies of the current Nigerian administration made it impossible for it to continue to operate their plant in Agbara in a profitable manner.

According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, 227 manufacturing firms have closed down in Nigeria during Mr. Buhari’s first year alone.

Earlier this year, British hospitality group, InterContinental Hotels Group Plc, the world’s third largest hotel chain, announced that it was withdrawing from Nigeria after five years of operating in Lagos. In 2017, Abu Dhabi-based telecommunications giant Etisalat, left Nigeria due to the Central Bank’s tightening of capital controls leading to a shortage of dollars.

Investors continue to flee Nigeria and capital investment levels remain low, with little possibility

of market growth with the elections due to hold in 2019. Lai Mohammed, earlier this year, claimed that it is not the “responsibility of the government to create jobs alone, but that of well- meaning individuals, governmental organisations and corporate bodies”, not at all referring to the central bank’s direction of restricting dollars in the market.

With a little over six months before Nigeria goes to the polls next year, if the mood of the country is anything to go by, President Buhari would do well to change tact to achieve his party’s manifesto promises. Chatham House recently published a report on the countdown to next year’s elections, referring to the countdown as being Buhari’s last ‘hurrah’, citing support for the president waning considerably based on opinion polls.

With less than engaged and interest lacking from international partners, namely the UK, EU and the USA, coupled with a multitude of defections of senior ministers from Buhari’s administration, rising unemployment, rising crime and international creditors unwilling to lend to an administration whose sole mantra is to fight corruption but seemingly not win, international experts are already analysing that a key factor in determining whether the president and his party will win a second term will depend on the president’s performance in his last six months plus engagement from said international partners in endorsing the administration in next year’s election.

His next steps remain to be seen. In the meantime I hear he is off on holiday...

Oviri is a UK Conservative Party Councillor

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018

EDITORIAL THE NFF LEADERSHIP IMBROGLIO At last, common sense has prevailed

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hile the manner in which the Sports Minister, Mr Solomon Dalung, went about seeking equity with unclean hands cannot in anyway promote accountability or transparency in soccer administration, it is heartwarming that the federal government has finally stepped in on the side of common sense. But both Dalung and the Attorney General and Justice Minister, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, must be condemned for trying to use a contrived court order to install an interloper as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President and in the process put our country to ridicule.

For two weeks, there were two ‘presidents’ at the NFF after Mr Chris Giwa forcefully took over the NFF secretariat, holding court with his ‘board members’ while Mr Amaju Pinnick was away in Russia for the World Cup. Instructively, a government that is notorious for disobeying valid court orders quickly obeyed one it contrived to achieve a predetermined outcome. But sanity eventually prevailed when, apparently at the instance THE CRISIS HAS of President MuhamBEEN ALLOWED TO madu Buhari, security FESTER DUE TO THE men invaded the NFF SUBTERFUGE AND OPEN to eject Giwa and his SUPPORT FOR THE fellow travellers. But the GIWA FACTION BY BOTH whole farcical drama THE CURRENT SPORTS should never have been allowed in the first MINISTER AND HIS place.

PREDECESSOR

through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) based in Switzerland.

It is instructive that Giwa lost at CAS and was banned from all football activities when he referred the matter for arbitration. Besides, FIFA actually annulled the election held on 26th August 2014 at Chida Hotel, Abuja which Giwa claimed he won. According to FIFA, the meeting was a non-elective congress to discuss the electoral template. It also said many of the delegates that assembled in Abuja were not the real football stakeholders as the real delegates were hounded on the eve of the election by security agents. And the credibility of the entire process was questioned given there was no FIFA observer around to supervise the exercise.

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

Since FIFA has always recognised Pinnick as the validly elected president of NFF, the action of Dalung aided by Malami was considered an act of interference by the federal government and a gross violation of the international football statutes to which Nigeria is a signatory. Associate members of FIFA cannot refer football matters to ordinary courts. Such matter can only be resolved via internal mechanism or in the worst case,

Letters to the Editor

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

he then FIFA Secretary General, Mr. Jérôme Valcke, had disowned “the persons who claim to have been elected during the so-called elective general assembly,” adding: “as a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the above mentioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday 1 September 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions, which may include the suspension of the NFF.” In part, the crisis has been allowed to fester due to the subterfuge and open support for the Giwa faction by both the current sports minister and his predecessor. But now that the matter has been resolved on the side of common sense, we hope that they will allow peace to reign. There are many issues the NFF has to deal with though the most urgent is the allegation of bribery against Super Eagles coach, Mr Salisu Yusuf. Yusuf was captured on camera receiving cash from journalists posing as football agents for two players seeking to be selected for a major tournament.

Meanwhile, the sports minister must not allow any shenanigan to cripple the conduct of the forthcoming NFF election scheduled for September. It is expected that he should be sufficiently contrite to seek genuine means of extricating Nigerian football from the damaging course he was bent on taking it.

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.

HOS, NAN AND SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS

S

alaries and allowances of federal civil servants, including monthly subventions, are statutory payments and charges of the federal government, carefully carried out by relevant agencies with no interference from any quarter.

However, according to the Daily Trust of Thursday 23rd July, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was alleged to have blamed the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation for a reduction in its monthly subvention and the gross underfunding of the agency. This is an unfortunate transferred aggression as the HOS is not trusted with the responsibility of revenue sharing.

The chairman, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, NAN chapter, Suleiman Haruna had earlier accused the federal government of a reduction of its monthly subvention from N100 million to N12 million.

He stated that all the NAN offices across the country are grossly underfunded, a situation, according to him which has negative impact on the organisation, considering its role in the media industry. He said the staff has appealed to the federal government and management of the agency to look into staff welfare, better remuneration and improved conditions of service commensurate with the level of enormous work put in by the staff of the agency.

The chapter chairman declared that the situation in NAN is so dire that the morale of staff is low, which has affected the staff performance and level of productivity over the years, especially with the current inflation rates. Yetunde Bada, NUJ Chairman, NAN branch, also pointed out that the shortfall in payment of

promotion arrears of 2014, 2015 and 2016 that the federal government magnanimously released to civil servants is filled with stories in NAN “as it was computed wrongly,” adding that “the step differences that were to be paid staff were also wrongly computed.”

Taking a closer look at the allegations against the HOS, it appears the staff of NAN wrongfully directed their grievances. The Office of the Head of Service does not function as a revenue agency of government trusted with the duty to pay salaries and allowances.

There are schedules for various agencies as spelt out and outlined by the provisions of the act that establishes such Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Again, the federal government at all times attempts to address labour disputes as they occur especially on remuneration and work condition of civil servants, these processes are ongoing, while negotiations between workers and government is continuous.

NAN is a corporate media outfit of the federal government trusted with the responsibility to adequately inform the public through accurate processed information, so it will be wrong to accuse some agencies of wrong doings when the records prove otherwise.

There are rules of engaging government on workers remunerations, of which NAN is familiar with. Rather than resort to media hype, dialogue and amicable resolutions are methods of putting across requests of this nature.

The HOS is concerned with a total overhaul of the entire governing process of the public service through its reform agenda which is expected to give impetus to growth and development of the public sector and its functionality.

Statistics available to us show that the federal work force is less than 400, 000 Nigerians in a country with a population of about 200 million people, so its high time government gives emphasis to develop capacity of citizens not employed in the mainstream of the civil service. The facts are that government should focus more in creating job opportunities for other Nigerians, rather than placing premium on few citizens who have been privileged to secure federal government employment, not because they are more knowledgeable or most competent, but for obvious reasons of whom they know around the circles of governance.

It will be patriotic, if issues and agitations of better working conditions of civil servants are addressed without any form of confrontation, knowing very well that there are millions of Nigerians seeking for civil service employment, but to no avail.

However, the ongoing efforts by government to reform the civil service must ensure private sector participation, because it has been observed that the worker’s verification exercise that is currently being held by the head of service does not have effective participation from the private sector.

Therefore, government should take deliberate steps to partner the private sector and other Nigerians skilful in many ways to create inclusive governance that is aimed at addressing the challenges of the people as a whole.

There has been undue emphasis placed on public sector in a country where the rate of unemployment is alarming. So it will not be out of place to focus more on inclusiveness as contained in the strategy document of the 2017-2020 implementation reform process.

Ofem Uket, Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018

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PERSPECTIVE

How Saraki’s Defection Can Change the Political Order Femi Salako

I

nternational news agency, Reuters, in its report on the defection of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to the PDP described the move as“a new blow to President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of an election next year.”

There seems to be no better way to put that than the apt description by Reuters. Saraki’s return to the PDP is a masterstroke that may have altered any already established permutation and order the ruling APC would have hoped to bank upon to win next year’s election for President Buhari.

Many have dismissed the defection as inconsequential and having little impact on the President’s re-election bid, banking on Buhari’s perceived popularity in the northern part of the country where he is believed to command a large support base of followers.

Some members of the ruling party will always publicly fantasise with the two million Kano votes as well as other states in the region. Taunting the opposition with the said large followership the President commands in the north. For them the north remains in the President’s pocket.

What they have, however, refused to acknowledge is that Buhari polled the said millions of votes in the north in his first three attempts to become President, but failed in all three attempts. Why? That is the question they honestly failed to ask and answer. Aside that, the popularity is drastically dwindling daily, many who believed in the man Buhari before 2015 have had to change their perception of him with the reality on

Saraki

ground. He’s not what they thought he would be.

Buhari’s failure to win in the first three attempts was simply because he had always polled regional votes in the North-East and some parts of North-West.

The merger of opposition parties in 2014, across other geo-political zones, the ACN from the Southwest,

AUTOGRAPH

CPC (Buhari’s party) from the North, ANPP and a fraction of APGA from some part of the Southeast and defections of a bloc from the PDP which moved the north-central and a chunk of the north which were under the firm control of the PDP to the APC, helped Buhari to win in his fourth attempt, otherwise it would have been business as usual for him.

With the recent return of the PDP bloc in the APC to the PDP which saw the north-central going back to the palm of PDP and the major deciders (former Governors Shakarau and Rabiu Kwankwanso) of the much celebrated Kano which gave Buhari millions of votes in 2015, going to the PDP, any honest observer within the APC would know that truly what is on the mountain is more than just a fire, it’s a furnace ready to consume and destroy.

The South-East and South-South remain unrepentant in their preference for the PDP, and the President’s new found friends from the zones are not likely to make any progress in swaying votes for the President’s re-election. The only state the APC presently controls in the South-East is currently embroiled in leadership crisis, with a faction fighting Governor Rochas Okorocha for the party structure, the crisis took a new turn with the impeachment of the Deputy Governor on Monday and subsequent court order stopping the inauguration of a new Deputy. Cases bothering on the Imo state APC congress are still pending on court.

The APC is presently divided in the south-west which seems to be the battle ground for the APC and PDP. Unlike in 2015 when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was calling the shot, the party is presently divided in the

West with some governors and other top appointees of the President from the zone rising to challenge the dominance and clout of the party’s national leader, this is no doubt causing a big crack in the party and will also deal a terrible blow on the party’s chances in the South West as all aggrieved and warring parties fail to sheath their sword going into 2019.

People in the North-central who voted massively for Buhari in 2015 are presently in a state of melancholy as a result of herdsmen consistent attacks and government’s inability to tame the monster which has claimed thousands of lives in 2018 alone. The only hope the party could bank on in that zone to reclaim the zone was the Senate President who has dumped the party. The signal in the zone is clearer than it was in 2015. It’s a no go area for the APC. In the words of Doyin Okupe, any vote lost by APC and Buhari in the north (it’s perceived stronghold) can never be recovered anywhere else, because of the firm grip the opposition is having on other regions.

The political order and permutation has changed, it is hoped that the opposition, PDP would take this great advantage of the return of the Senate President, governors, lawmakers and other allies yet to announce their defection from the APC to its fold, to make the needed change in 2019 presidential election. The people yearn for a more vibrant opposition, and it is believed that this new alliance will birth such and enthrone a more credible leadership to the relief the people from the present hardship.

Salako, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Skating on Thin Ice Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that though stories about Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki gets a bit more complicated every day, his abilities at containing these challenges have made his character all the more riveting

A

t the time of this article, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s Wikipedia page still listed him as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was four clear days after Saraki renounced membership of the party and returned to his erstwhile political group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It appears the record keepers at the information storage organisation can’t keep pace with Saraki’s political flight. As things stand, there may be a lot of real and cooked-up anxieties around the Senate President, which can lead to some head-spinning moments, but he cannot afford to make a mistake.

Nobody wants to guess what is on Saraki’s mind.

On the outside, he appears cool and ready to take whatever is thrown at him, so far as he is dictating the pace of the game.

There has probably not been enough time to reflect on a few issues, albeit, he has responded well to tribulations assailing him on all sides, complex as some of them are. His abilities at containing these challenges have made his character all the more riveting. Every day, the story gets a bit more complicated. It is forgery of National Assembly Order one moment; at another, he is made to stand in the dock for anticipatory declaration of assets, he is still being quizzed for being an alleged accomplice in a case of robbery and lately (even after he had left the party), he was queried for anti-party activities. Having pursued his case with the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) all the way to the Supreme Court to clear his name, he walks free without encumbrance. For the worthy, the corrupt or the dreadful, Saraki seems to be on everybody’s lips today!

Since he outwitted the leadership of the APC to emerge Senate President, Saraki has become the most engaging politician of this era. Many party stalwarts never really pardoned him for not waiting patiently until a piece of the cake was cut and handed to him, but rushing to grab a choice portion of the lump. Having rallied an impressive number of federal legislators behind him and being confident in an arrogant way, Saraki would not apologise and agree to be treated like a recalcitrant son by the elders. For the most part that Saraki was in the APC (after he became Senate President), the situation has been akin to the proverbial bird

perched on a rope, of course, both the rope and the bird remain unsteady, until something gives. By flying away from the rope earlier this week, some kind of calm was expected to return to the rope. Not quite.

This bird did not embark on a solo flight, it took with it many of the washings that were hung on the rope, in its sudden departure, which caused the rope to vibrate endlessly.

Many had thought that the removal of Saraki would be speedy and precise. Not a few believed he would not go the distance as Nigeria’s Number One Senator.You might be wondering why he kept waxing stronger, even when the odds were seemingly stacked against him. Scheme after scheme that were set up to drown him failed as Saraki survived them all.

This has been an extremely complicated situation, and most times his opponents have been very combative, not sparing any missile they think could harm him.

By sheer providence, every new fissure in the APC seemed to work in Saraki’s favour, giving him greater advantage when he deploys his intellect. For some reason, Saraki and his traducers have not been able to reach either a compromise or work under agreed terms. This infuriates many bigwigs in the APC. But the realpolitik of the situation is that they wanted to tarnish him in such a way that he would be crippled politically. Always thinking ahead, Saraki was prepared for the unexpected.

Saraki still has loyalists even within the Presidency and the law enforcement agents; reason he gets a tip-off and makes good his escape every time they are coming for him. In Nigeria, it does not take too much thinking to realise that his generousity is paying off.

Like his father, the late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the Senate President is famed for his kindness. This compassionate disposition is the essential character with which he retained the loyalty of Kwarans. There could be no greater demonstration of his commanding influence like the fact that almost all the elected officials at all strata of government quit the APC and followed him to the PDP. Not willing to be caught up or slowed down by the domestic ties that could limit or stifle his ambition to play on the national stage, he fought one of the most controversial battles of his life by taking on his father. He risked everything by going into that clash; and it may be said that till today it left some scars that have refused to heal, particularly in his immediate family, where his sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki

deliberately heads in another direction, every time the Senate President shows up. The bad feelings run so deep in some quarters that some believe that Saraki did not only end his father’s political career, they also insinuate that the damage to the old man’s ego led to depression and his eventual death. Though it may be argued that Saraki behaved in an unconventional way by going against his father’s wish to have Senator Gbemisola succeed him as Governor of Kwara State after he had served two full tenures between 2003 and 2011, by that action, he won the heart of many Kwarans who thought (perhaps wrongly) that he was helping to break a strong chain of that family’s dominance in the state.

His father could not understand the disobedience since the Senate President had benefited from this family supremacy in Kwara. After all, he installed him (against Mohammed Lawal, who had served one term and desired a second term) as governor and his sister a senator in the same year. It was normal for Saraki to determine who gets what in Kwara State. It was a most injurious blow to have his son look him in the face and speak otherwise.

With what was left of his supporters which had been seriously depleted by the Senate President, he left to seek shelter under another political umbrella. Senator Gbemisola contested the 2011 governorship election with the backing of her father but lost to the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who was supported

by Senator Bukola Saraki. Before that, no candidate supported by Saraki (the father) had ever lost an election in Kwara.

Senator Bukola had obeyed his father until then, even agreeing to become a medical doctor like the old man, perhaps to satisfy him because he never really practiced medicine. Instead, he went into financial services, working in the family bank, Societe Generale Bank, which went burst with customers funds trapped, casting, arguably the darkest blight on his public service, which continues to haunt him till today.

The succession drama in the Saraki political dynasty is the source of a long-standing rift in the family, with Senator Gbemisola and his brother, Laolu publicly disassociating themselves from the Senate President, but he does not lose sleep over tantrums that they are throwing all over the place, insinuating that their older brother is not the successor to his father’s political throne. However, the larger Kwara publics think otherwise. Recently, he was decorated

with one of the most revered titles as the Wazirin of Ilorin-a title previously held by his late father.

Perhaps, President Muhammadu Buhari did not consider this bit of information about Saraki before making a foe of him. Saraki is no respecter of persons or age. If he could put an abrupt end to his father’s political career, he would not pay much attention to an unsure retired general. Not even an appeal to primordial sentiment of their common Fulani ancestry and religious ties that bind both Saraki and Buhari could be strong enough to persuade the Senate President from tacit opposition to some of the policies of the President, which went against the grain of the constitution. Buhari is not the only one who has to worry about the rising profile of Saraki. It would seem that politics is filled with darkness and full of terrors. Should Saraki be a reason for concern to former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar? Saraki is increasingly leveraging on his previous chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors Forum and senate presidency to build bridges across political divides. Even the most altruistic-seeming gesture is often underpinned by something political, except, things that were long-settled and outside his control like his marriage to a woman from a prominent Lagos family and the fact his mother is a Christian from Owo in Ondo State.

Saraki was accused of declaring the EFCC Chairman not fit for office because he was asked to explain his role in some corruption allegations.

Those who seek to defame claim he used the same carrot and stick approach to attempt to shut up the Works, Housing and Power Minister and the DG of Nigeria Customs who had issues to grind with him. Without concrete evidence, they said Saraki has become richer than Kwara State.

They said many prominent Nigerian politicians maintain armed gangs with which they checkmate opponents and that was how Boko Haram started in Borno State; that it was possible to link the Offa robbery suspects to Saraki though he might not have specifically sent them to steal. He was also said to have suspended his colleagues who challenged him.

It is almost certain that Saraki will seek the PDP presidential ticket. When that time comes, the rivalry will be stiff. There is no doubt that opponents will return to the gutter to hurl more slime at him.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ AUGUST 3, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Ͱ ͵ ˜ Ͱ ͮ ͯ Ͷ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 15.67 % 15 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

9% 11.38 % 11.78%

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

353.45 % -0.03% -0.21%

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

-0.21% 7.28%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.851US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes Women Laud Dana Air

BANKING PROPOSITION LAUNCH

L-R: Chairman, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Femi Otedola; Chairman, Integrated Oil & Gas, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho and Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, during the launch of the personal and business banking proposition by FCMB Bank (UK) Limited in Lagos…recently

Bala-Usman: Cargo Throughput Not Responsible for Apapa Traffic Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has denied insinuations that high cargo throughput is responsible for the endemic traffic gridlock on the access roads to the Apapa ports in Lagos.

Bala-Usman, who spoke to journalists in Lagos recently, stressed the need to deploy intermodal transportation as solution to the Apapa traffic crisis.

She explained that aside from the dilapidated and parlous state of the roads, the country has also not improved infrastructure in the port area in the past ten years.

With the current state of the roads, she said priority must

MARITIME be given to every process that would lead to an improvement in access roads into the ports.

According to her, “At the peak of cargo reception in 2014 Cargo throughput was put at 84,951,927 MT, we did not have the type of congestion that we had in 2017 when we only did 71, 776, 545MT. This is to show you that the volume of cargo is not the reason why we have this situation.

“There is also the very important need of deploying intermodal means of transportation around the ports. There is no way you can move 90 per cent of cargo coming into the country by road and expect

the required level of efficiency.

“This is because more than the attendant traffic congestion, you will also see that the roads cannot be durable because of the heavy tonnage of the trucks.

“The only sustainable way for effective cargo evacuation is therefore the use of roads, rails and water to move cargo into the hinterland, and we are doing our best to facilitate the efforts of companies who are interested in moving cargo through barges.

“One of these is Connect Rail, which operates between Tin Can and Ikorodu. We are also working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to see more effective use of rail in the movement of cargo with hope that the concessioning of railways which the Ministry

of Transport is working on will bring a more permanent solution,” Bala Usman said.

In the interim, however, she noted that shipping companies must comply with the utlilisation of holding bays even as the authority and the Lagos State government are currently working towards ensuring that a sufficient number of trailer parks are licensed as a way of taking articulated vehicles off the roads.

She added that the NPA, which recently sanctioned four shipping companies, would continue to monitor the situation and apply the necessary sanctions needed to make all companies comply.

She explained that the federal Continued on page 20

Azman Air Seeks FG’s Intervention over $22m Fine Chinedu Eze Azman Air Services Limited has approached the Attorney General of the Federal to intervene and stop the lessor, Triple Seven MSN 27251 Limited and Triple Seven (CIS) Limited, from seizing any of its aircraft over contract breach in which court ordered the airline to pay $2 million to lessors.

The companies had sued the Nigerian airline over breach of contract, which the high court of justice, business and property courts of England and Wales commercial court ruled that Azman Air Services Limited pay $22 million.

The companies which are owners of two Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft (MSN 27251 and MSN 27252) sued Azman for defaulting on lease agreement.

Azman had signed an agreement to lease the aircraft in 2016 for five years to transport passengers from West Africa to

AVIATION Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

According to court papers, Azman received confirmation from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that it was approved to participate in the airlift of passengers for the 2016 pilgrimage on May 11, 2016.

“However, this was not the only approval which was required in order to participate in the 2016 Hajj airlift; the approval of the Saudi authorities was also required,” the court papers read.

“On June 15, 2016, NAHCON sent a letter to Azman informing it that the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) had excluded Azman from participation in the 2016 Hajj airlift because it had not met Saudi economic, security and safety requirements.

“However, Azman did not

receive this letter until some hours after it had signed the lease agreements on 20th June 2016. Azman sought to persuade GACA to change its mind and to approve Azman to participate in the airlift for the 2016 pilgrimage, but these attempts were not successful,” the court papers said.

According to the Cape Town Convention Protocol, which Nigeria is a signatory, the lessors have the right to seek compensation for breach of agreement.

THISDAY learnt that Azman Air, was seeking the intervention of the federal government so that the lessors would not seize any of its aircraft when being ferried overseas for maintenance because with the court ruling, any aircraft owned by the airline could be seized anywhere in the world.

Azman, in the document, reminded the government that if the airline goes under, about

1000 personnel employed by the Kano based company could lose their jobs.

When THISDAY called the CEO of the airline, Muhammed Hadi Abdula Munat, he said declined to comment on the issue.

NCAA source however said that the airline has appealed against the judgment in order to nullify the $2 million penalty for contract breach.

According to the court papers, on July 6-7 2016, Azman informed the claimants that it was not in a position to take delivery of the aircraft, because it was no longer able to participate in the 2016 Hajj airlift, which was the major reason or one of the major reasons for Azman’s entry into the lease agreements.

In response, on July 8, 2016, the claimants called on Azman to take delivery of the aircraft. On 12th July 2016, Azman said was Continued on page 20

Prospective women aspirants in the forthcoming general elections in the country have commended Dana Air for its commitment to affirmative action.The women said this during a summit in Abuja organised by Women Radio FM 91.7, Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) and Women in Politics Forum (WPF).

They commended the airline for not only contributing to the success of the summit, but for showing commitment to the aspirations of women in the coming general elections in 2019.

The Summit with the theme, ‘WorkingTogether for 2019,’assembled women politicians who have expressed interest to contest various elective offices in next year’s general elections and also aimed at enabling women to work together and strategise to win more elective positions in 2019.Speaking at the summit, the CEO of Women Radio FM, MrsToun Okewale- Sonaiya said, “One critical point on the agenda was to bring women together with diverse experiences to further advance their participation in political processes and governance.

“This is the first of its kind having female aspirants from all six geo-political zones of Nigeria gather under one roof to focus on several paramount issues, including resource mobilisation for campaigns, campaign team management, media visibility for women seeking elective positions among other issues and myself and the other women aspirants appreciate Dana Air for their support and commitment to this project.’’

Also speaking on the partnership, the Accountable Manager/ Chief Operating officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, said women have certain skills, capabilities and talents which needed to be explored in governance and that Dana Air was committed to the Beijing Declaration of 1995, which advocates for more women in politics and decision-making.”

MH370 Mystery Remains Unresolved

Malaysia recently released its report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in March 2014, with no definitive conclusion reached about what happened to the Boeing 777.

MH370 was on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people - 227 passengers and 12 crew - on board when it deviated from its planned route about 40 minutes after take-off, and shortly after a handover from Malaysian AirTraffic Control to Vietnam ATC. The 777’s transponder signal stopped working about that time, but a review of radar and satellite communications indicated that the aircraft flew back across the Malaysian Peninsula and on to the southern Indian Ocean where it disappeared.

The report stated the change in flight path “likely resulted from manual inputs,” but without access to the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders “the investigation was unable to identify any plausible aircraft or systems failure mode that would lead to the observed systems deactivation, diversion from the filed flight plan route and the subsequent flight path taken by the aircraft.

Amni to Drill Tano South Nigerian oil and gas company, Amni International has decided to drill on its deep-water Central Tano block off coast of Ghana Amni, in a statement said it will drill the deep-water central Tano, regardless of whether or not it secures a farm-in partner.

The company said it aims to drill a probe to a target depth of 4400 metres in the fourth quarter of this year on the SouthTano prospect.

“Four proven horizons of Upper and Lower Campanian, Turonian and Albian age can be tested by one well, “said a flyer from Envoi, which is marketing the asset The company said that 3D seismic data indicated multiple stacked Cretaceous potential would be penetrated, testing potential in-place resources of 2.27 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

“An Upper Campanian target is estimated to have a mean in-place resource of 750 million boe, with 250 million boe thought to lie in a Lower Campanian play, 323 million boe in a Turonian zone and 937 million boe in an Albian play.

“The 279 square kilometres Central Tano block is sandwiched between the prolific Jubilee oilfield to the east and the TweneboaEnyenra-Ntomme asset, to the west — both operated by Tullow Oil.

“ The only sustainable way for effective cargo evacuation is the use of roads, rails and water to move cargo into the hinterland, And we doing our best to facilitate the efforts of companies who are interested in moving cargo through barge” MD, Nigerian Ports Authority

Hadiza Bala-Usman

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BUSINESSWORLD BALA-USMAN: CARGO THROUGHPUT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR APAPA TRAFFIC government was working assiduously towards ensuring that traffic increases in the eastern ports comprising Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

While stating that the nature of the maritime industry was to allow cargo owners determine the port of call, she said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently gave approval for the contract to dredge the Warri/Escravos Channel which would increase the draught of Warri, while proposals for the dredging of Calabar was also being discussed. “We have been speaking with shipping companies to deploy flat bottom vessels that require lower draught levels pending the completion of the dredging efforts.

AZMAN AIR SEEKS FG’S INTERVENTION OVER $22M FINE not in a position to accept the aircraft and numbers provided on the company’s website were also not reachable.

However, spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, explained to THISDAY that Azman never used the aircraft because it did not get the needed approval to operate hajj but it had negated the agreement with the lessors and on that the court ordered that it pay $22 million for breach of agreement.

Nigerian airlines have become notorious for breaching leasing agreement contracts and this has tarnished the image of the country in international aviation circles. In fact, some lessors have already blacklisted Nigerians airlines and cannot lease aircraft to them.

THISDAY learnt that some leasing companies like Air Cab have foreclosed leasing aircraft and engine to Nigerian airlines due to its experience with Nigerian airlines and recently it had severed leasing agreement with a Nigerian carrier, as another Nigerian airline seized its aircraft and used court decisions to frustrate it from taking back its equipment.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Senior Correspondent

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NEWS

IMF: Intra-African Trade, Remittances Rising Obinna Chima Contrary to widely held belief that intra-African trade has remained abysmally low, a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has shown that countries in sub-Saharan Africa are more closely tied than ever.

This was attributed to the rising trade among countries in the continent as well as remittances—the money people send home when working in another country.

The new study by the multilateral institution showed that closer ties expose countries to each other’s good and bad fortunes.

It noted that booming large economies spur partners’ growth by demanding more of their goods, saying that because people working in a booming economy will send home more remittances. “Downturns in one country impact another by the same means. So, tighter economic ties also raise challenges. We find trade to be the strongest conduit when it comes to the impact on growth. Trade and remittances drive closer ties. “Integration between the economies of sub-Saharan Africa has increased most substantially through trade. In 1980, regional exports were equal to only six per cent of total exports, but by 2016 they had risen to 20 per cent. “This makes the extent of regional integration in sub-Saharan Africa as high as in any other emerging and developing region in the world. This is the result of the region’s higher growth

relative to the world, the reduction of tariffs, and stronger institutions and economic policy, relative to the past, throughout the continent. “The bulk of this trade, however, occurs within rather than between subregions—smaller groups of geographically close countries within sub-Saharan Africa. For example, the five countries that make up the Southern African Customs Union -Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and

Swaziland - account for 50 percent of total sub-Saharan African trade,� it stated.

According to the report, integration within the region has also increased, due mainly, to wages sent home by workers living in another country.

In 2015, these amounted to about US$11.5 billion. “Total remittances to subSaharan Africa have been broadly stable in percent of GDP over the last ten years, but their composition has changed. “By 2015, intra-regional remittance flows accounted for

one third of total remittances.

As with trade, intra-regional remittance flows are large by global standards, about 0.6 percent of GDP, and greater than those in emerging and developing Asia, Europe, and the Americas, which are all less than 0.3 percent of GDP. “Developments in financial technology—notably mobile banking—continuously reduce the cost of sending remittances.

Even though remittance costs are less affected by distance than trade costs, remittance flows mostly take place within the

sub-region. “Cameroon in Central Africa, CĂ´te d’Ivoire and Ghana in the West, South Africa in the South and, to some extent, Kenya in the East are large sources of remittances for the continent,â€? it added.

Continuing, the report stated, “We find trade to be the strongest conduit when it comes to the impact on growth.

We estimate that a one per cent increase in the weighted growth rate of intra-regional partners is associated with an increase of 0.11 in domestic growth.

REBRANDING

L-R: Chairman, Carnation Registrars Limited, Mr Sulaimon Adedokun; National Coordinator Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Sunny Nwosu; Managing Director, FirstRegistrars, Mr Bayo Olugbemi; Managing Director, Carnation Registrars Limited, Mr Oluwadare Akingbola; Principal Partner, Charles Mekwunye and Dr Charles Mekwunye, during the rebranding of the former Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited to Carnation Registrars Limited in Lagos‌recently Abiodun Ajala

‘Quick Passage of Factoring Bill Crucial’ The quick passage of the bill on factoring in Nigeria has been described as a crucial step in facilitating the ease of doing business and procuring the trust of investors in the country.

Speaking during the public hearing on the Factoring Bill, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Banking and Currency Committee, Jones Onyereri, said the introduction of factoring in the financial sector would serve as

complementary financing to conventional financing and would largely target micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “This will facilitate the provision of cash flows to MSMES, especially those that have quality receivables and may not be in the position to obtain adequate conventional bank finance due to high interest rate, collateral or credit profile constraints,� Onyereri was quoted to have said in a

statement.

Also, the Managing Director of the Intra-African Trade Initiative at the African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank), Kanayo Awani, highlighted the importance of factoring in unlocking the economic potential of SMEs, noting that it could play a key role by supporting the SMEs, promoting open accounts, which is beneficial to SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness, and providing an alternative source of trade

access to finance She said Afreximbank was committed to supporting the appropriate legal and regulatory environment as a key strategic initiative for the promotion and development of factoring, noting that, under its strategy, the Bank was required to work on improving the legal environment in order to bring about harmonised standards and transparency within the factoring industry in Africa, and providing for legal en-

forcement arrangements.

The public hearing, which was organised in collaboration with Afreximbank, also attracted the participation of representatives of the House of Representatives Banking and Currency Committee, NEXIM, FCI, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Debt Management Office, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial System Strategy 2020, and several other stakeholders.

Firm Offers to Redefine Lagos Luxury Living with 700 New Apartments Chineme Okafor in Abuja Real estate firm, Blue Water Lagos, has disclosed plan to redefine luxury apartment services in Lagos with up to 700 new apartments to be built in the Lekki phase one area of the state.

It said in a statement sent to THISDAY on Wednesday in Abuja, that the new project was part of its plan to provide affordable contemporary luxury apartments in one of Lagos’s most prime location.

Signed by its management, the statement noted the 700 new apartments would have

top-notch amenities comprising leisure; entertainment; and recreational facilities.

This, it added would promote social interaction and encourage passive recreation. “The project will be delivered by a strategic partnership between two of Nigeria’s foremost real estate groups - African Capital Alliance and the Elalan Group. “With around 700 cosmopolitan residences poised within Blue Water’s artfully imagined lifestyle concept, residents are directly connected to the most dynamic

real estate development in Lagos’s history,� the statement explained It further noted: “Blue Water is the perfect blend of contemporary apartments and luxury retail outlets situated within networks of transportation connections providing easy access to Victoria Island, Oniru, Ikoyi District, and Banana Island amongst a few. “The project consists of five towers situated on more than three hectares, with unrivalled views of the Atlantic coast offering clients 1, 2 and 3 bedroom

apartments for sale and investment off-plan.�

The firm explained that the scheme was master planned and designed by leading architectural consultancy and recipient of numerous design awards, Ngonyama Okpanum & Associates, adding that the development will boast incredible landscaped tropical gardens; barbecue grills and picnic areas; basketball court; tennis courts; children’s play area and luxurious resident pools.

Quoting the Managing Director of Elalan Group, Andre Geday, the statement

added, “To live at Blue Water is to see Lagos in a new light - to discover the vibrant heart of a city quite unlike any other. “Blue Water is soon to become the gathering place for global citizens, from local insiders to the most seasoned world travelers.

We’re creating a new, urban autonomy that will change not only how Lagos looks, but how the world looks at Lagos.�

It equally stated that the project was ready to receive clients and introduce them to its offerings.

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NEWS

AIR WATCH

NAMA Installs Modern Navigational Aids at Lagos, Abuja Airports Stories by Chinedu Eze To overcome the challenges of adverse weather, including harmattan haze, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has started the installation of Category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the nation’s busiest airport in Lagos and Abuja.

CAT 3 ILS can guide airplanes on instrument flight to take off and land at the lowest visibility.

With the navigational aids, harmattan haze would not obstruct flights in these airports during the peak Yuletide seasons like in the previous years.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt Fola Akinkuotu, who disclosed this at the Airport Business Summit

and Expo (ABSE) in Abuja, recently, said it was aimed at tackling the problem encountered by pilots during the harmattan season when trying to land.

Akinkuotu, said the installation of Doppler VOR (voice omnidirectional radio range) and distance measuring equipment were ongoing in 14 airports to replace the old ones.

According to the NAMA boss, multi-lateration system has been deployed to the Niger Delta region to take care of low-flying aircraft like helicopters in the area.

The agency said it had also installed back up radio in Kano and Lagos, remarking that vigorous trainings for air traffic controllers and engineers were being carried

out in order to be abreast with current developments in airspace technology.

Akinkuotu, revealed that NAMA had taken steps to ensure seamless flight operations in the country’s airspace stressing that there has been significant improvement in air safety in Nigeria’s airspace.

He however noted that unmanned area remote vehicle remained a great challenge to air safety across the globe.

To continue to achieve a safe airspace, Akinkuotu urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide adequate lighting facilities at the airports while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) must not relent in its oversight functions.

FAAN Assures on Efficient Passenger Facilitation at MMIA The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it has rehabilitated all its malfunctioned x-ray machines, and installed new ones at the E and D Wings of the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The agency said with these improvements, there has been enhanced passenger facilitation as the security screening of passengers now take shorter time.

FAAN said it has over the years been carrying out due maintenance on all its equipment located at various airports under its management in the country.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of the agency, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said that FAAN had never cannibalised any of its equipment to use the parts to repair another, stressing that there are enough spare parts

for its equipment nationwide.

She also explained that the agency’s engineers carry out regular and periodic maintenance of its entire facilities, assuring that FAAN would continue to create enabling environments for travellers and other users of its facilities.

“Those x-ray machines break down not because of non-availability of spare parts. Machines do breakdown and human beings, too. The machines work daily for 24 hours. They just had technical glitches during the week and before the end of the day, one of the machines was fixed and it started working. And over the weekend, all the three machines were back in perfect working conditions,” Yakubu noted that facilities at the terminal have improved in the past six months as FAAN continues to improve

in customer satisfaction, which passengers attest to.

“FAAN management has refurbished the toilets and improved on the lightings at the terminal; what is left now is the tiling. There have been a lot of changes in the past six months. The general ambience at the airport has improved and lots of things have been remodelled at the terminal. The signage has been worked upon. This has led to seamless passenger facilitation.

She also debunked the claim in some quarters that FAAN’s charges were one of the most expensive in the world, declaring that its charges were in consonance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommendations

SAA Urges Nigerian Youths to Take Up Career in Aviation South African Airways (SAA) has urged students in the secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria to see the aviation sector as an area where they could build their career.

The Regional Manager, SAA, Mr. Ohis Ehimiaghe, made this call, noting that opportunities abound in the sector, so students can start early enough to prepare themselves in choosing a career in the sector.

“So, you can be anything you chose to be in this industry as well, why everybody is looking at other industries and sectors, this is an untapped industry, this is an industry that has great potential for every one of you, so am encouraging you to key into it, tap into it and make the best of it”.

Ehimiaghe, was speaking at the grand finale of the secnd South African Airways Essay Competition in conjunction with Travel and Business News

in Lagos, and noted that the aviation industry was not only complex but also very interesting, adding that all those who have participated in writing and emerged as finalists to defend their write-ups have been exposed to the industry called aviation.

“Part of your history is that there is something called aviation.

The sector is a huge industry and very complex industry and extremely interesting industry.

“You want to be a medical doctor in the future, we have medical doctors working in the aviation sector, you want to be engineers? who do you think makes those aircraft, they are engineers.

‘You want to work in the travel and tourism industry?

The potential is there, so what we are saying in essence is that this little essay that you have written have exposed you to the fact that there is an industry called aviation which is wide and

huge, the opportunities in aviation industry is humongous”.

National Sales Manager, SAA, Mrs. Kemi Leke-Bamtefe said, South African Airways was proud to be associated with the Travel and Business news as the chief sponsor of the essay on a yearly basis because the airline believes in youth empowerment and development as this is what drives them as an airline.

Miss Sharon Onuebuka of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) School emerged the winner of essay competition.

Onuebuka, was named the winner after defeating nine other contestants in a quiz competition with her essay: ‘Youths participation in Nigeria Democracy,’ and was rewarded with the sum of N150,000 while she would also have the opportunity to travel to South Africa with the airline on business class with one of her parents.

The National Carrier Question

Nick-Fadugba

Industry experts at a forum in Lagos, recently reviewed the the national carrier, Nigeria Air, which was unveiled by the federal government about a fortnight ago.

The experts spoke at the event organised by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).

Despite the unveiling of the national carrier, the plan to establish a national airline still has continued to be a subject of debate.

Despite explanations from the federal government, the doubt about the credibility of the transaction still lingers.

Many in the aviation industry believe that with the government now having stakes in Arik Air and Aero Contractors, through the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), the two airlines should have formed the fulcrum for a national carrier.

But the management of AMCON has made it clear that the agency has no connection with the national carrier project.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika had also said that the two airlines have their objectives and manuals which are different from what government wants to establish as a national carrier.

Commenting on the planned national carrier, Nigerian international aviation consultant, the Chairman of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and the CEO of African Aviation Services, Nick Fadugba said there are many questions that need to be answered in terms of the management and the funding of the national carrier.

“So I believe the government now needs to brief the Nigerian people on the national carrier. Rather than doing it abroad (the unveiling at Farnborough) we need to come home and explain to the whole nation what the concept is. More importantly I am interested in how do the national carrier would interface with all the other airlines in Nigeria.

Because remember that the government is the de facto owner of two other airlines: Arik and Aero.

“So this is the first time I have seen one government own three airlines. So the government needs to coordinate its airlines strategy in terms of moving forward,” he said.

Fadugba, who is also the former Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), noted that Nigerian airlines need to cooperate and partner with themselves to maximise opportunities and drive down cost of operation.

“Nigerian is blessed with the biggest domestic aviation market on the Africa continent, bigger than South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopian and many other countries. And

yet we have not been able to harness this market for our own benefit.

“The beneficiaries are foreign airlines; our airlines need to work together. If you have five aircraft, 10 aircraft, it is nothing in the world of aviation. We need a critical mass. If you look at Ethiopia, they have 100 aircraft; that is one airline, and yet we have 10 airlines here with maybe five aircraft each.

“We need to work together otherwise the economics of the business are not in favour of the operators. They need to come together to scale up to get a critical mass. They can work together in training, maintenance, in spare pooling, aircraft acquisitions.

“There are many areas African airlines and Nigerian airlines in particular can work together. So we need more cooperation in Nigeria among our airline,” Fadugba said.

He noted that for the planned national carrier to be successful and for other domestic airlines in Nigeria to operate profitably, Nigeria should have major aircraft maintenance facility locally and it should be able to build a hub.

Fadugba, said maintenance hub was critical for a country to have a hub, saying as long as Nigeria does not have it, with cost of aviation fuel relatively very high; a national carrier would find it difficult to survive in the country.

He also said that Nigeria needs modern airports with modern facilities in order to effectively attract passengers and also dominate the West Coast.

“We have a choice in Nigeria between Abuja and Lagos but the economic hub is definitely Lagos because that is where the economic activity is, which generates air traffic. So what we need to do is to completely, radically improve the infrastructure at Murtala Muhammed Airport.

“It is a great airport but it is not coping with the current challenges of growth. There are many things which are wrong with the airport right now in terms of infrastructure, if I had my way I would build a completely new one, but maybe we can’t afford it.

“Therefore, when we talk about restructuring, we have spent a lot of money over the past five or 10 years on restructuring airports and I can’t really see meaningful, tangible benefits. There have been improvements but not in a meaningful way and if Nigeria is to move forward, if we are to build an effective hub, to improve connectivity, then we need to radically improve the infrastructure on our airports in Nigeria,” Fadugba said.

Despite the hoopla about the national carrier, Nigerians are yet to see an airline beyond logo, livery and name.

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Harnessing Potential in Africa’s Oceans The effort by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to champion the effective use of the African ocean and seas for diversification will lead to continent’s economic emancipation, writes Eromosele Abiodun

The attention given to the responsible use of the oceans in Africa to contribute to economic growth has continued to rise.

Experts believe the opportunities around Africa’s blue economies are enormous with significant potential to create jobs and improve livelihoods.

Africa’s vast coastline hosts a maritime industry estimated at $1 trillion per year and this is only scratching the surface.

Africa has 38 coastal states and a number of island states like Cape Verde, Sao TomĂŠ and Principe, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros. Collectively African coastal and island states encompass vast ocean territories of an estimated 13 million square kilometre (km2).

The Seychelles, for example, has 1.3 million km2 of ocean territory that remains largely underdeveloped. Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa (approximately 3 000 km) and claims ocean territory stretching about 120 km off shore.

But what are often missing in debates are issues of governance and security.

Five themes are particularly important to ensure both: safety and security; rule of law and transparency; respect for human rights; sustainable economic opportunity and human development.

Experts believe many African countries are failing to ensure safe and secure conditions for those working and living off the oceans.

Tracts of the sea off East, West and North Africa are often labelled lawless.

Illegal fishing, sea piracy and armed robbery, drug and human smuggling have assumed staggering proportions. Capping this is the rise in illegal migration.

For this to change, experts said diverse actors need to start cooperating across national boundaries to secure and use ocean territories.

It has become common knowledge that individual states can do little on their own.

The solution of cooperation is simple but difficult to sell to a critical mass of African governments that are often suspicious of collective agendas.

Failure to ensure that ocean territories

are secure promotes ungoverned spaces which criminals exploit. At worst, neglected maritime spaces benefit insurgents and terrorists as is obvious in Libya, Somalia and Nigeria.

Africa has had to contend with three volatile oceanic regions where criminality makes it impossible for countries to realise the potential of their oceans. These are the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and the waters of the Mediterranean to the north of Libya.

A common denominator in the three hubs is that countries on these coasts have failed to make the areas safe. This has opened the door to criminal actors. A recent Greenpeace report found that the West African region loses about $2 billion to illegal fishing.

Integrated Maritime Strategy “Most African countries are keenly aware of both the ocean’s potential as well as the threats to this potential. “A number of initiatives point to this.

These include: the African Union’s 2012 Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 which recognises and encourages the importance of African countries paying greater attention to their maritime interests and the recently agreed LomÊ Charter – a continental effort to encourage and coordinate efforts by African states to attend to maritime security, safety and development,� the report stated.

Others the report said are, “the YaoundĂŠ Code of Conduct for West Africa which maps out an inter-regional set of responsibility zones to oversee and facilitate responses to growing criminality in the Gulf of Guinea and an increase in the presence of international naval capabilities off the Horn of Africa to stem the piracy tide off Somalia. “This was complemented by the Djibouti Code of Conduct that enabled East African intervention to counter piracy threats. The code has been extended to include other maritime crimes. “At national level the Seychelles’ government has set the tone with its explicit focus on the importance of the blue economy.

A National Blue Economy Roadmap aims to advance economic diversification, unlock investments and address food security. “Although the approach taken by the Seychelles seems obvious given its dependence on the surrounding oceans, the connection is just as important for Africa’s other 38 coastal states.�

South Africa, the report pointed out, runs a host of maritime initiatives to tap into the blue economy. “The country recently adopted a policy – called Operation Phakisa aimed at four priority areas: marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture and marine protection services,� it stated.

Despite all these initiatives a great deal still needs to be done. The most important are around governance and security.

Unfortunately, well networked actors threatening the security of African waters are growing at an alarming rate.

Maritime security experts believe African countries can address this by, in the first instance, ensuring that their national laws are aligned with the United Nation’s treaty aimed at ocean safety.

Secondly, the experts added that African countries need to start working together, saying, “It’s clear that single countries can do very little on their own. They need to sign up to multilateral initiatives. A growing network of collective maritime security is key to harnessing the Blue Economy.�

NIMASA Takes the Lead For Nigeria not to be left out of the growing effort to make effective use of the ocean and seas resource, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has since last year put plans in place to work with stakeholders in the maritime sector to make the blue economy Nigeria’s economic mainstay.

Last week in Lagos, NIMASA in conjunction with the African Union(AU) brought together stakeholders in the maritime sector to mark the African Day of the Seas and Oceans, tagged: “Partnership Key to a Sustainable Blue World.�

At the forum, stakeholders brainstormed

on how Nigeria and other African countries can confront the challenges and ensure that the blue economy becomes the new frontier.

Instituted by the African Union in 2015, the forum drew attention to the strategic importance of proper management of marine resources for the development of the African continent in a sustainable manner.

In his address, the Director General of the NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, stated that partnership was a crucial element to the effective utilisation of Africa’s maritime resources.

The NIMASA boss noted that the need for countries in the African continent to collaborate has become imperative to realise a common goal, geared towards the actualisation of the Blue Economy.

Passion for Africa’s Partnership According to Peterside, “Our passion for Africa’s partnership inspires our leadership role in the Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA) to continue to innovate with ideas to pull African Maritime Administrations (MARAD) together for sustainable realisation of the objectives of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 towards a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa where there will be equal opportunity to participate towards economic growth.�

Speaking further, Peterside noted that the world was concerned about the sustainable use of the seas and oceans as it is endowed with enormous resources, hence the need for Africa to utilise the opportunities embedded in it.

While using the opportunity to call for more collaboration among stakeholders in realising a robust maritime sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, he assured that NIMASA will continue to engage and educate the public on the sustainable use of the seas and oceans.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Starz Marine and Engineering Services Limited, Greg Ogbeifun, who was the chairman of the event said the world was beginning to go back to the original Continued on page 23

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HARNESSING POTENTIAL IN AFRICA’S OCEANS creation God blessed mankind with, which is the seas and the oceans.

He noted that Nigeria was at a vantage position with a good geographical location with about 900 km coastline, hence the need to work harmoniously to realise the blueprint of the AIMS 2050 with the overall goal of actualising the concept of the Blue Economy in Africa for continental economic growth.

Also speaking at the event was Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, a lawyer, who delivered the lead paper titled: “National Maritime Strategy and the National Maritime Transport Policy Framework: How Far is the Road Yet?� concluded by saying; “For Nigeria to develop a robust and sustainable maritime sector, there is the need to prepare an all-inclusive framework and strategy based on the development strategies of the African Union in line with the AIMS 2050, Agenda 2063, Lome Charter and the African Maritime Transport Charter.�

Also, in his paper titled: “Developing our

Blue Economy as a Critical National Economic Objective: The Partnership Model,� Dr. Chris Asoluka, stated that the only way to fully optimize the opportunities embedded in the African seas and oceans is to work collaboratively as a continent, “so that we can compete favourably with our counterparts in other continents.

He also reiterated the fact that Nigeria’s “maritime domain remains a fertile ground waiting to be fully utilised for economic growth and development.�

On his part, an environmental expert, Prof.

Babajide Alo, noted that beyond the annual celebration of the event, partnership strategies to ensure sustainable implementation of the resolutions must be considered so that in the long run all set goals are achieved for the benefit of the entire African continent.

The NIMASA Board Chairman, Major General Jonathan India Garba (rtd.) and the Director General, Nigerian Chambers of Shipping (NCS),

Mrs. Obiageli Obi, unanimously agreed that it was important to realise that the world was getting more and more dependent on resources from the seas and oceans, noting that it is the engine for economic growth.

They also urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to work together for the benefit of the actualisation of the Blue Economy in Africa.

The highpoint of the event was the setting up a partnership committee on implementation of sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria to be chaired by Major General, Jonathan India Garba (rtd) and the Secretary is Dr. Mrs. Felicia Mogo, the deputy director, in charge Marine Environment Management of NIMASA. Other members of the committee are: Dr. Chris Asoluka, Captain Sunday Umoren.

The committee while being inaugurated

by Mr. Mike Igbokwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was charged to come

up a framework for the actualisation of the blue economy initiative in Nigeria amongst other responsibilities, all geared towards the realization of a robust and virile maritime sector in Nigeria.

African heads of states and governments had at the 22nd ordinary session recently adopted the 2050 AIM Strategy and Plan of Action, including a roadmap for the incremental implementation of the strategy in line with International Maritime Law. The strategy included a framework for action on, inter alia: fisheries and aquaculture; environmental and biodiversity monitoring; marine tourism; Disaster Risk Management (DRM); handling and shipment of hazardous materials and dangerous goods; maritime governance; flag state and port state control; and illegal activities, including money laundering, piracy, maritime terrorism and human trafficking and smuggling by sea.

Accidents: NIWA to Ban Rickety Speed Boats on Waterways Eromosele Abiodun The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to ban operators of rickety speed boats over series of accidents on Lagos waterways.

The General Manager, Lagos Area Office of NIWA, Muazu Sambo, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting with boat users -United Waterways Passengers Association (UWPA) and boat operators under the aegis of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (NATBOWAT) in Lagos.

He said the agency had put plans in place to ensure that the life of Nigerians patronising the boat operators are not put at risk because of the nefarious activities of some operators. “Five people died in a boat accident in Lagos last week Wednesday evening.

The incident happened at about 5.57 pm when the boat capsized mid-sea en route Ikorodu from Lagos Island. “It was also gathered that an unclaimed corpse is still lying at the morgue because the identity of the corpse remained unknown. This is not good enough and we will do what is possible to check what the operators are doing and fish out the bad eggs, “he said.

He said the federal government had concluded arrangements to convert two major jetties in Lagos, Ido and Marina to river ports to facilitate the movement of cargo from Apapa ports to other part of the country.

Also, he said the Onitsha river port in Anambra State and Baro river port in Niger State would be inaugurated before the end of 2018.

He listed the three other river ports as Lokoja in Kogi State, Makurdi in Benue State and Uguta in Imo State which are between 75 and 85 percent completed.

Specifically, he stated that the Baro River Port, Niger State, had been completed and was ready to start operations.

He said the Baro and

Lokoja ports would be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari before the end of this year.

According to him, NIWA had supplied the cargohandling equipment which was being installed at Baro port. “President Buhari will inaugurate Baro and Lokoja ports before the end of 2018. There is provision in the 2018 budget for the construction of roads that will link Baro port to Lokoja and Abuja Express Way. “We have engaged another contractor to fast-track the construction of Lokoja port and also working toward completion of Oguta port in Imo,�Ibrahim said.

He also said the concession of Onitsha Port had been completed and the concessionaires would soon start operation. “Finally, the concessioning of Onitsha Port has been completed, we opened the financial bids on July 3, 2018 and we will pick the most competent concessionaire.

Any moment from now, the concessionaire will take over Onitsha port,� said the NIWA boss.

He explained there was need for NIWA to continue to engage in continuous maintenance of all the channels under its jurisdiction.

According to him, the authority has been calling on international organisations to partner with it.

Ibrahim said NIWA’s Bill which had been before the National Assembly for the past 10 years had passed second reading. “This would help the organisation to be independent like other sister government agencies. The bill would increase the capacity of the authority and also create room for Public Private Partnership (PPP) and provide numerous jobs for unemployed Nigerians,� he said.

The NIWA boss said the agency had included the dredging of River Benue to complement the River Niger in its 2019 master plan.

CAREER WOMEN

L-R: Head, Brand Management, Meristem Securities Limited, Mrs. Omosolape Akinpelu; Group Managing Director, Mr Wole Abegunde; Best Graduating Student, Economics, Covenant University Ota, Miss Alabi Fopefoluwa; CEO/Registrar, Meristem Registrars & Probate Services Limited, Mrs. Mubo Olasoko and Wealth Advisor, Meristem Wealth Management Limited, Mrs. Mojisola Olorunfemi, at the presentation of annual award to the best graduating student in economics by Meristem Securities in Lagos ‌recently Abiodun Ajala

Peterside Charges Stakeholders to Support Regulators for Industry Growth Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stated that creating additional agencies in the maritime sector would only overburden the sector.

Peterside, who stated this at the 2018 Half Year Maritime Forecast Review held in Lagos, said what needed to be done was to strengthen the existing ones for optimum service delivery.

He added that there are already complaints by ship owners that it was only in Nigeria that you have too many agencies interfacing directly with vessels calling at the nation’s ports.

According to him, “I

have been receiving a lot of complains by ship owners that different government agencies board their vessels to request for documents which many a times result in duplication of duties a n d i n c re a s e t h e d e l a y i n t u r n a ro u n d t i m e o f vessels. “So it means if we create new agencies we are simply going to overburden the sector which is e njo ying a ne w level o f p ro g re s s i o n u n d e r P re s i d e n t M u h a m m a d u Buhari.�

The NIMASA boss pointed out that in order to av o id dup lic atio n of duties and support the Ease of Doing Business agenda of the federal g o v e r n m e n t , the agency

has a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Armed forces as well as collaborations with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Police and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He further said the current maritime regulatory agencies under the Ministry of Transportation have enough mandates to ensure safety and security in the sector, adding that the Nigerian Navy could not be allowed to board merchant vessels for regulatory activities according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations, Merchant Shipping Act and other regulatory instruments that are in line with global best practices. “There is no way the

Nigerian Navy can act as a regulator in the sector and we have been working together especially in line with the MoU that exists between us to ensure security in the sector which is in line with what the IMO stipulates and so we should not be thinking about creating more regulatory agencies or the Navy taking the job of other regulatory agencies. The best thing to do is to strengthen these agencies to be able to perform optimally,� he said.

He charged stakeholders to support the Industry’s growth stating that things are changing at an incredible pace and that there is the need to support the current maritime agencies to dynamically position the sector for optimal benefits.

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Taking Advantage of Africa’s Huge Air Travel Market Presently, the cost of travelling from Lagos to Dakar is as high as the cost of travelling

from Lagos to Dubai. This is because the growing market has the poorest air connectivity in the world. Chinedu Eze writes that with increased air connectivity, the region could turn out to be a huge market that will economically up the ante for Africans

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has projected that the number of airline passengers in Africa will more than double in about 20 years time, based on a growth rate of about 5.6 per cent.

IATA said the rate would raise the African number to about 200-million passengers per annum, exceeding that of the global annual compound growth rate, which it estimated at 3.6 per cent.

Also, the Director of SUMMA Airports, the Turkish company that completed the building and presently managing the new Dakar Airport in Senegal, Yildirim Ören, in a recent interview in Accra, Ghana, said Africa’s aviation sector growth would exceed global average in the near future.

Incidentally, West Africa is where the huge market lies in the continent because the sub-region has the fastest growing countries in the continent.

This explains why major carriers in the continent like Ethiopia Airlines, South Africa Airways, Air Maroc, Kenya Airways are battling to raise their market share.

But West Africa is the home of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. It is not only that Nigeria is the most populous country in the continent, but it has citizens who like to travel and in creating consumer market in the country, Nigerians travel all over the world to import goods to meet the ever growing taste of Nigerians.

Yamoussoukro Decision/SAATM In 1988 African Ministers responsible for civil aviation accepted the liberalisation of African airspace. This was later ratified in 1991 by many countries in the continent without full implementation. But Yamoussoukro Deceleration has been succeeded by the Single Africa Air Travel Market (SAATM), which earlier this year was ratified by the African Union in Addis Ababa. SAATM opens the region’s airspace that an airline from the continent can operate from one country to another in the region without immigration hindrances.

Although ideal, many countries in the continent are still protecting their markets, fearing that it would be eroded by more established airlines.

Ironically, some of these countries open their airspace for international carriers from Middle East and Europe.

One of the restraining factors to the full realisation of the benefits of the full open sky for Africa is lack of uniform charges, which made the liberalisation of open sky in Europe the most successful in the world.

Uniform Charges for ECOWAS Countries At the Routes Africa Conference 2018 in Accra, it was considered that ECOWAS countries would work towards having uniform charges. This would fully open the huge market in the West Coast and boost connectivity and bring down the fares.

Instead of travelling to Dubai and other Asian countries and Europe, Africans will grow their own market and patronise themselves.

Oren of SUMMA Airports, which is now building several airports in Africa, said, “The aviation sector in Africa is booming and has very good light for the future and we are very much excited about this.� “We are also excited to commit these investments in African countries because we believe in the growth of the sector. We will do our best to support the aviation sector in Africa and we will continue in this business,�

SUMMA operates the Dakar Airport in Senegal while also constructing the Niamey Airport in Niger and Khartoum Airport in Sudan, all under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) contracts of between 25 and 30 years operating periods.

Oren also noted, “But I believe intra-Africa traffic is the more key factor of this because intercontinental traffic will not support it. It is needed but intra-Africa traffic is very important.

For this, the infrastructure should be very strong and also the airline companies should be very strong.�

Single African Sky for Nigerian Airlines Nigeria being the most populous in Africa would have benefitted more from the open sky if it has strong, competing airlines.

Analysing air traffic movement in West and Central Africa, most passengers come from Nigeria and moving to other countries in the sub-region to do business.

Tourism is also growing in the continent, so Nigerians are also travelling to Kenya, South Africa, even Ethiopia and Egypt for tourism.

So, if ECOWAS can agree on uniform charges for airlines it would make SAATM a reality and really speed the realisation of the gains of open sky for the continent.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema acknowledged that Nigerian airlines would benefit if there would be uniform charges and equal opportunities given to airlines in the region. “It is not as if the Nigerian airlines do not support the single African transport market, we support it but there has to be a level of reciprocity, it shouldn’t be one sided. Nigeria shouldn’t open its doors unrestricted in the name of open skies while those other countries are not allowing us easy gateway into their country,�

Onyema said.

Travel expert, Ikechi Uko, also said Nigeria has 50 per cent of operational aircraft in the West Coast, adding that it would be to the advantage of Nigerian airlines to standardise the charges and fees, which will enable airlines in the country fly the sub-region like domestic service.

Uko, also noted that what was seriously discussed at the recent Accra Weizo was how African airlines can interline, which if done would benefit Nigerian airlines.

He disclosed that the Ghanaian aviation authorities, Accra Weizo, organisers and IATA were working on interline in the West Coast. “IATA is working on a template on interline in the West Coast. It would be a local clearing house like the Billings and Settlement Plan (BSP). “We found out that the major problem among the airlines in Nigeria is the problem of trust,

but some airlines are already interlining. Arik is interlining with Aero; Medview is interlining with Dana Air and Asky is interlining with Air Cote d�Ivoire,� Uko who is the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market and Accra Weizo said.

Competing for West Africa Ethiopia Airlines, South Africa Airways, Kenya Airways and others want to have a large chunk of West Africa market.

This explains why Ethiopia Airlines set up operations in Togo; South Africa Airways has been operating from Accra to the US in the last two years.

In addition, South Africa Airways, which is now partnering with Ghana’s Africa World Airlines (AWA) has already got approval from Ghanaian authorities to fly from Accra to London. Ethiopia which is also partnering with Air Cote d’Ivoire is flying to Newark, the US from Abidjan.

Talking about competing for the West Africa air travel market, an official of South Africa Airways told THISDAY, “We don’t have any fear with the operations of Ethiopia Airlines in West Africa. We don’t believe that our deal with the Ghanaian authorities will be cancelled. We have strong goodwill with them. “There is no reason why the agreement will be cancelled. We are in partnership with Africa World Airlines (AWA). This makes the agreement much more concrete. “We are already testing our Interline Electronics Ticket (IET) with them so if it goes through it means that AWA can issue tickets on South Africa Airways. This means that AWA can be feeding and de-feeding us so we are pretty strong in Accra.�

The official believes that Nigeria really is the target market in West Africa with its huge population and willing travellers. “The target market is Nigeria, but Nigerian aviation policy has not changed. Nigeria will not give you intercontinental fifth freedom.

That is what made it easy for South Africa Airways to work with Ghana. “Let’s look at it this way. We have intercontinental fifth freedom from Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, but we don’t have from Nigeria.

It doesn’t matter. Rightfully so; this is because in Nigeria we have carriers that fly intercontinental

directly. “We have got London direct, we have got US direct; so, it does not make sense for the Nigerian government to give intercontinental fifth freedom but fifth freedom with Africa is available to anybody. That’s why you see the likes of Air Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda Air, Air Namibia and others flying in Nigeria.�

He said SAATM would certainly boost air travel in Africa, especially in West and Central Africa, noting that despite the ratification by some countries for the single African air travel market, they are still protective of their market. “Nobody has been able to get fifth freedom from Angola or from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We just need to open up in the long run,� he said.

National carrier Industry experts agree that with efficient and successful national carrier, Nigeria can get back to dominating the West and Central African travel market.

A South Africa Airways official, who spoke to THISDAY, however noted that if the Nigerian government gives same support it would give its national carrier to its flag carriers.

They would do the same thing the national carrier would do, which is taking over the market of the sub-regions. “If it is correctly, rightfully done it should have a chunk of the market. People tend to prefer to fly their own carrier. That is fantastic and that is why it is designated national carrier. “Otherwise, there won’t be any need designating it as national carrier; because we already have flag carriers. “The nationals of Nigeria want it to succeed; they will not want it to fail, most naturally patronise it and, of course, they also enjoy some privileges and benefits here and there. “So definitely, if properly run, properly managed and properly set up, everybody would want it to succeed. “But over the years international carriers have been operating into Nigeria. We must not just depend on the national carrier but allow other airlines the opportunity to also operate. We cannot be punished because a company cannot be properly managed,� the official who is a Nigerian said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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OBA FRANCIS ALAO: IT’S TIME FOR WOMEN TO TAKE UP REINS OF LEADERSHIP

FILE

28/COVER

03.08.2018

Oba Francis Alao: It’s Time for Women to take up Reins of Leadership Many will wonder why a first class king of the Yoruba race will canvass for women to take up reins of leadership, especially when it appears to contradict African culture and tradition. In an encounter with Mary Nnah at the launch of the book, “Queen Moremi Ajasoro” by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, recently in Osun State, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, a first class king in Oyo State, who got installed only a year ago, explains why he feels so. Excerpts You were chairman of occasion at the launch of the book, “Queen Moremi Ajasoro”, by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi recently at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. What are your impressions about the book?

We all know the history of Queen Moremi and what she stood for. It is no longer news. But what she actually stood for is what the book is propagating and that is what we want people to replicate and reflect in their daily lives in governance, family, organisations, corporate and social lives. Moremi stood for peace, justice, liberty, submission, love and selfless service. She was a woman who made a vow and got the vow fulfilled. If our leaders have these attributes, we would have a better society that is well organised and well-structured and we can then co-exist peacefully while our nation develops.

The book was dedicated to the wife of the Ogun State governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun.

Does she really possess these attributes?

She is a fantastic woman and these are well deserved attributes for her. She is a very lovely and humble. She is the kind of woman that does things without looking back. She is for justice. These are the attributes that we need to rectify our social and economic lives today. She took the project of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro as her personal project. And this I will say is a clarion call to women to begin to take the mantle of leaderships and governance in this country.

In fact we should have 45 per cent women in governance. Women are more compassionate, for example, if you look at the lifestyle of Mrs. Amosun, you wouldn’t know she is the first lady of a state, she is so free with everybody and so unpretentious. She believes that it is only God that gives power and it is only God that can take power. If we begin to have people like this in position of authority, definitely this country will go to a higher place.

My personal belief is that we men have failed in our duties. There is no state in the whole federation where you have less than 95 per cent of men in governance and yet by the end of the day, the administration fails.

So why don’t we allow more opportunities for women and see if they wouldn’t perform better. Queen Moremi was a woman and she did even better than what a man could do.

So we need women like that in power, just like Mrs. Amosun who is a replica of what Queen Moremi stood for.

You just said men have failed, even in governance. That means you subscribe to a female president?

Yes, I do absolutely and would vote for one, if any. This is a message to Nigeria and the world at large, I subscribe to female president.

If you look at what is going in Nigeria today, you would know that we are in shamble. Things are not well structured. We need to restructure things in the country. We need to restructure our political class. Do we even have political class in Nigeria? The political class as far as I am concern is classless. And when you look at the Nigerian economy too, you realise that we do not have an average economy class, it is either you are poor or you are extremely reach.

So when you look at the present situation that we are in this nation, you realise that we need the likes of Mrs. Amosun – women that even when you are in power, you humble and submit yourself to the will of the people while you offer selfless service to the people. That is the kind of women we want in power.

Alao

In Nigeria, we still dwell on a male dominated mind-set. Do you think having a female president can work in Nigeria?

Yes it can and that is why we are propagating it.

We need to leave behind our primordial lifestyle.

We are no longer in the Dark Age. We are in the modern age. Primordial lifestyle has made us to remain backward and when we begin to do away with primordial life and begin to imbibe the modern lifestyle that is when we would easily allow women who can take position of authority to come into power. By nature, women are very compassionate compared to men, and that is why we feel that it is time for women to take hold of leadership in Nigeria. And with this kind of Queen Moremi Ajasoro initiative, if we begin to propagate it to our communities and the world at large, we would get there.

Really, I have not seen any political party that has supported a woman for presidency, although we have some states that have women as their deputy governors but that is not enough. If we begin to have between 45-50 per cent of women in government that would be more like it.

As a traditional ruler, are there plans to sensitise the masses on this?

Yes, of course. As a traditional ruler and a first class king in Oyo State and also the Vice Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, my demand has been that we should begin to see things from a different direction.

In my domain, I talk to my chiefs regularly that they should give women a chance. We have used many platforms in the past but they never worked, so let’s come up with another model, which is to give our women a chance to rule.

Women are honourable in nature; you cannot see women involved in thuggery but you would we men fighting one another even in the national assemble like thugs at a public garage.

Let’s treat women with fairness. We must make sure there is gender equality, so that we can propagate justice and equity, freedom, love, peace and bring Nigeria together and live peacefully. And people should avoid all these hate speeches, which are getting so rampant.

The social media has been abused for this purpose. Government also has failed in their own duty to regulate. They must come up with policies that will regulate some of these things.

Again, I have a head that is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, he is the chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and he has wonderful leadership skills. The last time we spoke, he revealed that he has so many things on his mind. He is trying to transform the traditional leadership system in synergy with the state government. So I think bringing women to the forefront is part of what is in the pipeline and the almighty God will help him. I cannot talk without referring to him because he is the one steering the ship, we are just his followers

and we would key into whatever he says is right because he is a leader to be reckoned with.

Culturally, when it comes to selection, women are always side-lined and this has prevented women from making headway even when they are willing. What do you think should be done to give women that voice?

The world is not static. What was applicable in our culture about 20 years ago is not what it is today. It is a gradual process; the world is changing geographically, scientifically, socially and economically, so definitely, as we are propagating that more women should allowed to come into leadership, gradually people will begin to key into it. If you look at some parts of the world where about 65 to 75 per cent of women are allowed into power, you would find out that there is peace, stability and development in such countries. In Nigeria, we have tried all sorts of systems to come up with good governance but we have failed. So if the men have failed, please let allow the women to come out. Nigerians should support the women. If we have a lot of women in governance the corruption in the country would not be as much as it is now because before a woman takes a naira, she would think twice. It doesn’t women are saints but they are motherly, very caring and compassionate. So let’s give the women a chance. Not that all the men are bad, we have men who are doing very well but again, when you look at the ratio, men’s performances are very poor; by statistics, there is no comparison with what the women can do.

How do you see the ‘not too young to run campaign’?

I’m 120 per cent in support of the not too young to run campaign. We have young men out there who are very vibrant, yet the political class has been recycling the same set of people over and over again in last 30 years. Why not put these old hands aside and let the youths come in. We need a younger set of people and not the old set of people again - people in the age bracket of 30 and early 50s, so that we have people that are sharp mentally and otherwise.

Some of these old hands are tired mentally. You see, to be a leader in Nigeria, you must be very creative, innovative and proactive. At the same time, our youth also must be very cultured. We need people who are disciplined and have the fear of God to rule this country.

What is your dream for 2019, as preparations for another major transition in the political arena is in top gear?

I see 2019 election as a revolution between the masses and the elites. The kind of revolution I mean is mental and psychological revolution.

And I can see it coming. I pray God to give us the grace to co-exist and unite. The mind set of

people are changing, what was applicable 10 years ago in Nigeria political system is not what is applicable today. It may not even involve political parties again but would involve personalities.

The revolution I am talking about will cut across cultural, religious and ethnic barriers. By then, if you are a woman and you come out with integrity and a good track record, people will vote for you irrespective of the political party you belong and that is the kind of politics we want in Nigeria. We are all one Nigeria and if we begin to look at things in that angle, honestly, that is when we can begin to brag that we are moving to an advanced stage in the country.

But you see, we need to put aside the sentiment of religion, ethnicity and division and look for someone credible that would drive us to the promise land. That is my dream for Nigeria.

What is it like being a king?

I have been on the throne for just a year now.

July 15 made it exactly one year of my being on the throne. I have been a very good businessman prior to being a king and since I came in, I have been trying to build a fantastic palace on about eight hectares of land, which one segment is almost completed now and I have about eight segments to do. Again I have been working with all my community heads to see how we can woo investors because my domain in Ogbomosho has the best cashew producing zone, not just in the whole of Nigeria but in the whole world. So I now look at it that those cashews are wasting with no processing factory available in the domain. And these are things that an turn the community to an economy hub. So I have been interacting with the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi. He is very proactive and he is making some effects to ensure something is done. So I have been working in synergy with both my local and state government in order to turn my place to an economic hub.

What was your upbringing like and did you ever envisage becoming a king while growing up?

In fact it so funny, my father, Emos Okunlola Alao, was a pastor at the Christ Apostolic Church for over 50 years and I was a chorister in the church for about 18 years. And when I was called upon by my family members to come and be a king, that my family was eligible. I said okay. I then called my wife who happens to be a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God and we prayed about it and God took over the whole thing.

So to me, just like a pastor has a calling, kingship is a calling to serve my people. But the calling of a king is a lifetime task to serve his people. And God has been helping me since I came on the throne.

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03.08.2018

Nigerian Teacher Wins US Space Academy Scholarship Mary Nnah A Chemistry teacher from The Regent College, Abuja, Jamiu Aliyu, has won the space academy award in the United States, after writing essays for six consecutive years.

Aliyu was the only Nigerian and one of two Africans among 119 educators across the globe to win the 2018 Honeywell Educators at Space Academy scholarship in United States Space and Rocket Centre Huntsville Alabama.

He won the scholarship to represent Nigeria after writing applications for six years.

In 2017, the fifth year of his application, the assessors had written back a letter to Aliyu expressing regret for their inability to offer him a place in the HESA programme for that year and placed him on their waiting list.

Speaking on that experience, he said, “I waited but nothing happened. I did not get discouraged. If there is any lesson in this, it is never to give up your goals although you may need to change your strategies.

"If your goals are big enough, they must scare you. If it is going to be, then it is up to you. I found my place in space.”

But in 2018, Aliyu’s story changed as he was selected for this year’s programme.

Advising other teachers aspiring to participate in such a programme, he said, “Can you imagine what learning will be in your classroom teaching your students how to make alien toothpaste?

Fun, I guess?

"Can you imagine what school will be to your students if there is opportunity for them to test their own hypothesis?

"Can you imagine if our students are given opportunity to make mistakes by going through

Aliyu

an Engineering Design Process of Building-TestingImproving phenomenon?

“Can you imagine a classroom where students

"Please imagine a classroom where students forget their differences, leverage on the strengths of each other, celebrate togetherness, see opportunities in their diversity and working for a mission where everyone realises his or her own destiny.

“Okay, stop the imagination now; these are my realities in the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy programme. I became a student and enjoyed what learning means.”

“Perhaps you are ready for this adventure, start your transformation right now in your classroom and start preparing for your own scholarship. " It does not matter what subject you teach, you can turn your classroom into a learning space for the future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians among them.

A great teacher inspires."

“I think it is time to tell our own stories of how we have failed in several ways to our own students. Let them know that I failed six times applying for a scholarship that gave birth to this article”, he added.Having garnered valuable experience in the course of the programme in the Space Academy in the United States Space and Rocket Centre, Huntsville, Alabama, Aliyu said he is prepared to give back to humanity.

He said, “I have two missions in the next 365 days as a way of 'giving back' and appreciating God for this opportunity.

"One, is to enrich 5000 teachers with the innovative learning techniques through hands-on training and two, is to establish STEM Mission for upper primary and secondary school students.

“This offer is open to schools counting from the day of this publication. All teachers in school can find their place in space? They are not limited can have the training together and can contact by race, religion, location, and any other self- me through my mail: aliyujamiu2017@gmail.com.” limiting factors.

Osasu Igbinedion, Ohimai Amaize to Host ‘The Weekend’ on AIT Africa Independent Television (AIT) is set to unveil ‘The Weekend’ a brand new mega TV show anchored by two astute presenters, Osasu Igbinedion and Ohimai Godwin Amaize.

A contemporary breakfast show, ‘The Weekend’ is focused on analysing entertainment, lifestyle, and political topics. The show will air every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 10am.

“We are very excited about this new brand. We have taken our time to put this together and we are very confident that it will revolutionise breakfast television in Nigeria.

"The show is the next best thing Nigerians have been waiting for as far as weekend television programming is concerned”,

the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi Jnr said in a statement.

Show host and producer of ‘The Weekend’, Igbinedion said; “I am excited for the launch of The Weekend - coming to your screens very soon! It’s going to be epic.”

“This is a brand new opportunity to do something fresh and radically different.

I’m looking forward to this show. I can’t wait”, said co-host Amaize who is making his debut in broadcasting.

‘The Weekend’ premiered on AIT on Saturday July 21, 2018 at 8am. Interested viewers can follow the show online at @ WeekendShowNG on the various social media platforms and visit its website www. weekendshowng.com.

Amaize and Igbinedion

Renowned Public Health Doctor Goes Home Mary Nnah Friday, July 27, 2018, will remain indelible in the minds of the wife and children of Dr. Gabisiu Ayodele Williams, a day that the renowned doctor passed to the great beyond.

Williams, whose memory will be cherished forever by his family members for the great legacy he left behind, died peacefully in the afternoon of Friday 27 after a short illness.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Dr (Mrs) Abisola Williams; his children, Olatoun Williams, Mopelola Bailey and her husband Michael Bailey, Olajide Williams and his wife Bukola Williams, Tunde Williams and his wife Lola Williams, and six grandchildren, Lolade Williams, Damilare Williams-Shires, Tobi Williams, Jonny Bailey, Jimisola Bailey, and Lami Williams.

Late Williams had on September 11, 2017, briefly and memorably attended the occasion of his 80th birthday celebrations, during which, the Gabi Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation (GWAF) was inaugurated by his family in his honour at the Metropolitan Club, Lagos.

This clear and great thinker, a man well-known for his excellent memory and physical health was unexpectedly afflicted with a tragic illness.

In 2008, at Columbia University Medical Centre, Dr Gabi Williams was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative condition of the brain which leads to gradual loss of memory, loss of thinking skills and gradual loss of movement.

Final rites for late Williams will commence on Wednesday, August 8, with Service of Songs starting from 5pm at Air Force Officers Mess,

federation persisting up to today.

Boys’ High School, Lagos.

At the federal level, Williams established the At both schools, he was known as cheerful, and for being good at maths and sport – table Environmental and Operational Health Division at the Ministry of Health, Yaba, joining forces tennis being his preference.

He later proceeded to England to take his A futuristically with environmental activists across levels in one year at Sir John Carrs in London the globe to ensure the health of industry workand went on to study medicine at St. Mary’s ers against pollution and the effects of rapid Hospital Medical School, London where he was urbanisation.

At the same time as he was at the City Council, known and admired for his warm sociability he also enjoyed popularity as a radio doctor and his infectious laughter.

He was recognised as having strong academic (public health information), and as a writer, capabilities and graduated in 1963. He earned a contributing a regular health column to the post-graduate public health degree at the Johns Daily Times.

He is the author of the highly successful Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public health information book for lay persons Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. Williams held a number of important public “House Doctor” (Health and Medical appointments, including, among others, Medical Problems Explained) and “The Health Officer of Health, Lagos; Chief Health Officer, of the Executive” (Executives’ Health Lagos City Council; Director, Disease Control Problems Explained).

During his tenure as Federal Director and International Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, a representative of Nigeria on the of Disease Control, he introduced the Williams Executive Boards of WHO and UNICEF, Chair- innovative and popular health of the man of UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO Special executive programme, which eventually Programme of Research and Training on Tropical gave birth, decades later, to his bestselling Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

On Thursday August 9, there will be Christian Diseases, and Chairman of the Medical and Dental book, “The Health of the Executive”.

The annual programme, which held for Wake Keep at 5pm at Anglican Church of Resur- Council of Nigeria.

He also taught public health at the Universities almost seven years, saw leading lights of rection, 1004 Flats, Victoria lsland, Lagos.

The funeral service will hold on Friday August of Lagos and Ibadan and was a Fellow of the Nigeria’s industrial, public service and 10, at Pavallion Parish of RCCG, Jide Oki Street, Economic Development Institute of the World intellectual establishment convening at a Victoria Island while the reception for guests will Bank. He retired voluntarily from the public retreat held at ASCON, Badagry.

The retreat comprised five days of health hold immediately after interment at Air Force service in October 1993.

His legacies are many: at the City Council as check-ups and health counselling, as well Officers Mess, Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island.

Williams, was born in Lagos on September M.O.H, Williams spearheaded the war against as sports and games. He was an active 11, 1937 to Oseni Williams and Alhaja Wusamot cholera that was decimating lives in Lagos, by member of the Metropolitan Club where means of two major initiatives that were adopted he enjoyed the famous ‘Tuesday Lunch’ Shobayo.

He was educated first at Ansarudeen Primary first as Public Health policies in Lagos State and Ikoyi Club 1938 where he enjoyed a good School, Alakoro, Lagos and later at Methodist and then throughout the states of the Nigerian game of golf.

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03.08.2018

Anietie Isong wins McKitterick Prize Iwonume Ekeghe Nigerian-British writer, Anietie Isong has been named winner of the 2018 McKItterick Prize for his debut novel, Radio Sunrise.

He received the prize from broadcaster and actor, Stephen Fry at the Authors' Awards ceremony in London, on July 19.

The ceremony, which took place at the Royal Institute of British Architects, saw over 400 guests from across the publishing industry come together, as the winners of other prizes administered by Society of Authors were revealed.

Prize Judge, Aamer Hussein, short story writer and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature said: "It’s a particular pleasure to discover the original, intriguing voice of Anietie Isong.

"In his brief, deftly-told Radio Sunrise, the author depicts his often hapless protagonist’s sexual mishaps and political travails on a journey to his hometown with a unique blend

Isong

of humour and poignance - An intriguing and accomplished new novelist."

Isong, who is the brother of Emem Isong, the award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, says he is excited to be named winner of the prize.

“I wrote Radio Sunrise to help draw attention to a myriad of issues in Nigeria, and I am thrilled that this resonated with the judges,” he said.

The McKitterick Prize, administered by the Society of Authors, honours the first novel by a writer aged over 40.

Isong, the first Nigerian to win the prize since it was established in 1990, joins an illustrious line of previous award winners including Helen Dunmore, Petina Gappah and Mark Haddon.

Apart from receiving the prize money, Isong has been invited to speak at the Marlborough Literature Festival in the UK, in September.

Isong has worked as a journalist, speechwriter and communications manager in Nigeria and the UK. He holds a PhD in New Media and Writing.

Foundation Empowers Youths with Skills Mary Nnah Hundreds of youth were recently empowered when OVL Foundation organised a skills acquisition programme in commemoration of the 2018 World Youth Skills Day. This initiative tagged, “Skill Acquisition: A tool for maximising potential”, was targeted at empowering young people in rural and semiurban areas with skills, that would empower them to lead economically productive lives and attain their highest potentials.

Held at the OVL Foundation office in Victoria Island, Lagos, the training exposed the participants to professional skills in the field of photography and make-up artistry.

During the training, professionals shared knowledge, experiences and skills in specialised vocations.

The training also provided youths with hands-on, one-on-one experiences on how to build their skills in the professions and how to develop self-sustaining businesses from these skills.

The Executive Director, OVL Foundation, Mr. Victor Laniyan, revealed that according to the United Nations, young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and continuously exposed to lower quality of jobs, greater labour market inequalities, and longer and more insecure school-to-work transitions, adding that education and training were key determinants of success in the labour market.

Identifying the need for building capacity and developing the skills of the youths in society as a tool for alleviating poverty and driving economic independence, the OVL Foundation, through this initiative has empowered and built

capacity of youths with skills and knowledge that would take them to greater heights.

Laniyan added that the foundation will keep on working with trainers and community stakeholders to take the training to every local government in Lagos State.

He also called on the private sector and individuals to support the foundation in building a sustainable framework for empowering young people across the nation to be financially independent.

OVL Foundation is a pan-African non-profit organisation established in 2014 and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as an organisation to empower women, young people and children in Africa to lead economically productive lives and break free from the shackles of poverty, stagnation and retrogression.

Ize Offers Free Training on Trauma, Vocational Skills

Olawale Ajimotokan

Abuja based special home for children with special needs, IzeTherapy and Vocational Centre, has provided free counselling on trauma management and vocational skills to individuals afflicted with trauma. The centre, located in Gwarimpa in the nation's capital, was conceived early this year by Aishat Ize Jatau, for children suffering from Down-Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Visual impairment, Autism, Mental and Psychological break down, Dyslexia and physical challenges, among others. After organising free screening and therapy for children afflicted with autism to mark the World Autism Day, the centre recently held another free training for adults on trauma management and vocational skills.

The centre's administrator, Mrs Mildred

Abimbola, said it decided to organise trauma management programme to rehabilitate adults with social problems so that they can learn to manage some of their traumatic times and see other ways to handle stress.

She said that many adults suffer from trauma through abusive marriages and death of a partner.

According to Abimbola, the centre assisted via vocational training to mitigate the effect of trauma by getting social professionals to impart knowledge to the victims of trauma.

"People lose in business and they become traumatic, children fail in exams and they become traumatic and people lose their loved ones and become traumatic. The programme is actually very important because it encompasses what people will actually see as help," Abimbola said.

The vocational training covered tailoring, slippers making and leather work.

The founder of the centre, Jatau said the programme was developed to help the victims overcome the effect of trauma and be able to stand on their own.

Speaking on trauma management, a social worker, Francis Onyekwe Nnadozie said people can overcome trauma by telling their own stories and seeking help from professionals like social workers, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and medical doctors.

He warned of the danger of culture of silence from post traumatic disorder, saying people should speak out and seek help if they notice someone around them behaving in an unusual manner.

NGO Creates Platform for Artisans Rebecca Ejifoma A non-governmental organisation, Community Life Project, has begun its 2019 campaign for artisans across the country to air their views on possible challenges facing the 2019 general elections.

This platform, which is mainly for grassroots Nigerians, aims to bring artisans together and solve the problems commonly faced during campaigns and elections.

The organisation revealed this at the town

hall meeting and roundtable held at Isolo Lagos State.

The Programme Manager, Francis Onahor, said the campaign meeting was part of sensitisation.

He said, "What we did was to start the campaign. Politicians are not sleeping. Right now, governance is going at a slow pace because they are all thinking about the 2019 election rather than the people”.

Addressing the participants - CDAs, faith-based organisation, NATA, NACHA,

traders, barbers and stylists among several others – Onahor told them that power belonged to the people.

He said, “Our message is 2019 election, the power belongs to the people not to politicians.”

"As a platform for social movement of grassroots’, citizens are working to enthrone democratic accountability and inclusive development."

The project manager described the meeting as important for the people to air their opinions in the electoral process for 2019.

African Entrepreneurs Merit Award for August 17 Unity Bank, Bloomberg Properties and Construction, Westfield Energy Resources Limited, F.madik Links Limited, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, NOVARE Property Developers, VIP Express Tourism Ltd, Ivy Specialist Hospital, Letshego Microfinance Bank are among the companies that will be honoured at the 2018 African Entrepreneurs Merit Award.

Others to also be honoured are VIP Express Tourism Ltd, Ivy Specialist Hospital and the House of Representatives member representing

Ihiala federal constituency, Hon Emeka Anohu, who will be honoured with the Award for Peace and Community Building.

The prestigious African Entrepreneurs Merit Award, which will take place on August 17 in Abuja, will have Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as special guest of honour.The African Entrepreneurs Merit Award is a platform that recognizes african entrepreneurs and corporate institutions that have distinguished themselves in their contributions to the growth and Development of MSMEs

in Africa.

The organisation has grown to earn significant recognition from both public and private sector institutions as the voice of African enterprise and professional excellence in Africa.

The organisation has a reach of well over three million strong African owned enterprises cutting across 15 country with the largest population of young entrepreneurs in Africa making African Entrepreneurs Foundation a driving force in the development of African enterprise.

Scout Association to Provide Training for 500 IDPs in Benue State From George Okoh In Makurdi The Scout Association of Nigeria has promised to create scout groups in all the Internally Displaced People's (IDP) camps in Benue State in order to assist the deplorable conditions of victims of recent herdsmen attack on Benue communities.

The group led by its Chief Scout, Very Reverend Fr. Mathias Opara, chief commissioner, national officers and state commissioners across the country, recently in Makurdi while on a sympathy visit to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, disclosed that 500 youths in the camps will be recruited and taught scouting skills of adventure, traffic control, internal security, first aid, camp cooking and handicrafts.

According to the chief scout, "Irked by the plight of children and youths, which was caused by the herdsmen attacks, the association, a prochildren/young people association were at the IDP camps.

"We went there to donate relief materials and create scout groups in all the IDP camps so as to introduce the children into scouting skills of adventure, traffic control, internal security, first aid, camp cooking and handicrafts.

"So far, about 500 children have been recruited and training has since commenced as well.

He said the Scouts of Nigeria intends to kit all IDPs, who are now scouts with modern scouting uniforms and kits free of charge.

In her remark, Barrister Aisha Wakil, prominent for her role in the negotiations for the safe return of the Chibok and Dapchi girls between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram insurgents, expressed her shock at the high level of humanitarian crisis in the state.

She promised that she would with other notable Nigerians see to the end of the protracted killings of the people of Benue. The scouts at the occasion invested the Benue State Council President, who is the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Adam Unum and Governor Ortom as state patrons while the wife of the Governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom, as state patroness. It also commended the Benue State Governor for the choice of toeing the path of peace, rather than returning violence for violence in the crises between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

Unaku Upenda Debuts in Nigeria Ugo Aliogo and Kingsley Okoh The Chief Executive Officer, Unaku Upenda, He Fang Fang, an Africa fashion brand has expressed desire to unite Africa designers’ designs, Africa boutiques and China productive clothing capacity.

Speaking recently at an exhibition in Lagos, Fang said they target middle and high class customers and actively respond to the national One Belt and One Road Initiatives.

She also noted that they aim at widening the cooperation channel of clothing fashion between China and the continent, adding that Unaku is committed to creating Africa’s fast-fashion women brand. Fang explained that their major platforms are the Africa designers’ website and the mall website selling the designs from the designers’ web, stating that the designers’ website is aimed at stimulating the creativity of designers, “to cooperate with them by supplying China production chain and shifting good clothing production to the continent.”

She further stated that Unaku would make Africa designers’ clothes and promote these designs in Africa’s market, so the designers can get shares of the commission of these designs’ sales figure, stating that all the benefiting system is visible from the designers’ web. She added that African designers and their two platforms would lay a solid foundation to make African fashion a worldwide phenomenon, stating that it is the win-win cooperation between China and Africa. According to her, “The aim to establish this project in Nigeria is to create employment. This project will cooperate with local people in the aspect of marketing, designing, wholesale and fashion show organisation. It will promote industrialacademic-research cooperation.

“This project will enter local fashion schools or economic colleges for designing lectures, clothing machine introduction and marketing strategy so as to encourage intellectuals to practice what they have learnt to the development of local economy.

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03.08.2018 with Adedayo Adejobi ... your weekend appetiser

How Charles O’tudor’s Adstrat Collapsed Adstrat boss, Charles O'tudor, is a fighter and a man of many firsts. He believes in his instincts and dares to take the plunge to push back the frontiers of business. Early in his career, the holder of 10 degrees went into an alliance to form an advertising agency. The alliance never worked and so O'tudor moved on to set up his own firm, Adstrat.

He hit the ground running with Adstrat, a breath of fresh air in the advertising industry.

His entry was different and a defining moment!

The interesting thing Charles O'tudor did as a young advertising agent was to run a four- page advert on driving his own brand image. As a first in the industry, he took up four pages colour adverts in Guardian, THISDAY and two prominent industry magazines, namely Brands and Products and Brand Visit.

As a young advertising agent, he didn’t have the necessary financial war chest. He borrowed the funds from his bank to make an inroad and a statement. When one looks at such an investment, no advertising agency in Nigeria has ever, before and after, done a thing like that.

At that material time, he made a statement, became the go-to brand angel and bride of the advertising industry. As he pulled this stunt, he invested in media and publicity by getting front pages interviews with journalists.

He became popular and held in high esteem.

It looked like an unlikely thing to do at the time, but shortly after, bank consolidations started and all the banks were looking for agencies to launch their Initial Public Offer.

Otudor

Having put his best foot forward and positioned his agency, Adstrat, the new bride, cashed in.

There is no gainsaying that O’tudor is a smart and resourceful person. He is also a man about town. He sure has his ways of warming himself to you if he needs you to do anything for him. He could carry money whether hard earned or otherwise, just to wine and dine with the nouveau rich. Again, all these worked for him phenomenally, as he did several Initial Public Offers for banks and made a lot of money.

The height of his career trajectory was when he came up with his Brand Oxygenation mantra, which means absolutely nothing! For those who knew him, his looks and feel for pitches

Adamu Garba’s Audacity of Belief Not born with the silver spoon, and despite life’s travails, a seemingly austere future, and daunting challenges, Adamu Garba made the best of life through his modest achievements.

The 36-year-old presidential aspirant is also Chief Executive Officer and Founder of IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited, a leading cloud computing company with headquarters in Lagos.

His decision to throw his hat into the ring, no doubt, gives hope to the younger generation.

The accomplished Information Technology and well medalled cloud computing expert is seeking nomination under the All Progressives Congress (APC). It’s fair to call his action “Audacity of belief”.

At 26, precisely 10 years ago, he earned his stripes as an emperor, controlling fortunes, legitimately milling money while asleep and driving competition to the back bench. He’s been through life’s rubbles.

But today, he is by all standards comfortable and accomplished in his own right. Away from his entrepreneurial pursuits, he is pushing the envelope further into the political space, on the heels of his burning interest for the people, thus eyeing the nation’s top job to become Nigeria’s next president in 2019.

The young man has an excellent manifesto that

Garba

can transform the lives of ordinary Nigerians, improve trade, healthcare and education, and define the soul of the true Nigerian identity.

Nurturing the ambition since 2003, and knowing full well that Nigerians are predominantly youths, about 65 per cent of the population being under 35, he is quite optimistic that his dream of becoming the next president is near.

and presentation changed. The new mantra saw him wearing dreadlocks and the black costume. It became a sin not to wear black in Adstrat. He then packaged and positioned himself for what seemed to him a bigger business by relocating to Government Reserved Area in Ikeja. Again, those things worked for him on the road to success.

But why Adstrat collapsed remains a big surprise to many. The entire Adstrat castle was supposedly built on a veiled and soft intellectual layout which was bound to crack. He might not have an 'intellectual' but was building an intellectual brand and because the layer wasn’t safe, he made the wrong decisions.

One of the many wrong moves is being called a brand angel who had the opportunity to make good money and a lasting legacy in the nation’s commercial nerve- centre, but instead, he relocated his entire practise to Cross Rivers State because he was making money from politicians who, unbeknown to him, trade in deceit.

With his change of territory, his identity changed as he had to cut his dreadlocks. Most devastating was the business in Lagos which suffered a huge setback.

For the reason that his mantra was lacked thorough intellectual precepts, all he did was just for the show. And this unfortunately, typifies how Nigerians can be intellectually drowned in façade and emptiness.

After business in cross River began to dry up, he began to struggle. The brand angel, who lived a nouveau rich lifestyle and wasn’t

Mudi: A Designer with the Masters Stroke Since tastes are not comparable, it is very hard to decide who the best in Nigeria’s fashion world is. But taking a cursory look at the rather small space of designers true to type and calling in the luxury fold, one name resonates speedily, Mudi – one of Nigeria’s most iconic and successful names in fashion.

For him, luxury must be comfortable; otherwise, it is not luxury. He’s one interesting and creative African designer with Nigerian roots who has conquered hearts, pockets and his place in the fashion world. No wonder he’s the darling of the celebrity world. He has endorsements from top names like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ali Baba, Okey Bakkasi, Ramsey Nouah, Kolo Toure, Yussou Ndou of Senegal, Salif Keita of Mali, and KKD of Ghana in the long list of those who have endorsed the company’s collection of clothes.

Mudi’s sensual, bold style continually challenges stereotypical masculinity, ignoring traditional gender roles by embracing the freedom of sexuality. His style is known to challenge standard views of fashion. Although he wasn’t born in an aristocratic family, his life has mirrored the popular saying, “there is dignity in labour” and “not forgetting the days of little beginnings”.

Little wonder Mudiaga’s is a testament to hard work, dignity of labour and street sense.

Thumbs up For PMC Boss, Derin Oke-Ismail Call her the woman of steel, beauty, brain and brawn and you wouldn’t be wrong. In a territory where men have charted and failed, Derin Oke, Principal and Managing Director, Peach Manufacturing Company, a leading office furniture and lifestyle company, has for over 26 years thrived and made a huge success of her enterprise.

Peach is a frontline office and home furniture and interior decoration showcase on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island. For the woman who successfully ran this company for about 20 years, creativity permeates her business and professional practice.

Little wonder she believes “anything is possible”. Her works brings forth insights into workplace. Her firm has become synonymous with eclecticism, refinement and a distinctly opulent style, with projects for prestigious clients ranging from luxury offices, private residences and hotels. Drawing from a variety of cultural influences she developed since childhood, she initiated the brand in the early 1990s, building her work around the intermingling of cultures,

and the quest for the exceptional.

Oke is no doubt helping Nigerians create the future of the contemporary office environment and new ways of working, and most crucially, the key components to generating employee satisfaction in the workplace.

Mudi

From his humble days at Adebakin in Ikosi Ketu as a dressmaker’s assistant to his world class factory, showroom and Headquarters in Anthony village, Lagos, his works emphasise structure and purity of form.

Known to many as the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship, Mudi uses the most ingenious fabrics and rigorous tailoring techniques to painstakingly construct and envelope the manly form with flourish of couture. Intuition is a strong masculine quality and Mudi has applied that instinct to his career. For this reason and more, he directs his devotion and talent for fantasy and theatrics to create true design spectacles with unexpected mixes of colours and patterns.

Wole Oni’s Ground Breaking Yamaha Endorsement Deal

Oni Oke-Ismail

investing an anything, became an alleged notorious debtor and lost many businesses. It is worthy of note, again that most advertising executives whose businesses have collapsed, had followed a similar path of extravagance.

For every Charles O’tudoor, there is a brand genie. His failure is indeed matchless.

He belongs to a group of founders of large private advertising companies that showed great promise but were ultimately wrecked by poor decisions, legal problems, and a seeming lack of innovation.

Perhaps, the greatest hallmark of founders who ruin their companies is that they appear to look out mostly for themselves rather than the interests of the company and its shareholders. For starters, they accept excessive compensation.

A more complex measurement of this set of founders' performance is their lack of vision to transform their companies as the markets in which they operate change. One would have thought that the Adstrat boss would drive some comparable revolution and show the foresight to others who are still in business today did. The most often damaging problem with founders is that they cannot be pushed out, especially when they own the controlling interest in their company.

Whatever happened to Charles O’tudor, the advertising industry misses the razzmatazz, great pitches, brand posturing, big grammar, and those defining moments he brought to the game of integrated marketing communications in Nigeria.

Like the biblical David the Psalmist, whose skill took to sit with kings, Wole Oni’ is one of Nigeria finest cosmopolitan pianists and celebrated music producers behind chart-topping hits. He is also the recipient of the first of its kind Yamaha Music endorsement in Nigeria, Africa. This is, indeed, reward for hard work and desire for more work. He is surely a proud recipient of

this coveted juicy deal.

It is worthy of note that the successful, humble, and trendy multi-award winning pianist, Irewole Oni, has played the piano for the Queen of England and presidents of nations.

He has to his credit over 40 award plaques and trophies in about 20 years of producing over 8,000 songs, radio and television jingles across the globe songs and counting.

What makes the endorsement more enthralling is the fact that at a time Africa’s most populous president seems to have written off the youths and young adults, a nation blessed with energetic, hardworking, enterprising minds, the shocker and global recognition came, thus serving as an attestation to the country’s young and great minds trailblazing across the globe.

Handsome and suave, Oni is 2018 Nigerian Pianist of the year by Yamaha. This recent accolade falls into a decorated career spanning almost 20 years. As far back as he can remember, Oni was always banging on a piano in the living room of his childhood home, and reading sheet music.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018

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34/FEMALE CORNER

03.08.2018

Honour for the Lady Mechanic For daring to go into an occupation typically associated with men, the National Association of Polytechnic Students recently bestowed a leadership award on Sandra Aguebor, popularly known as First Lady Mechanic, in recognition of her mentorship and empowerment of young girls. Adibe Emenyonu reports What influences a woman to go into a vocation generally thought to be the exclusive preserve of men still remains a mystery for many. But for Sandra Aguebor, a lady mechanic, it is the passion to do something different that drove her to enrol as an apprentice mechanic in 1987.

According to Aguebor, as a young school leaver from St. Maria Goretti Girls Grammar School, Benin City, the day she saw a big motor engine being dismantled, and saw engine oil dripping from it, was the day she fell in love with the vocation and told her father who supported that dream. Upon completion of her apprenticeship, she decided to set up a mechanic workshop and began to rub shoulders with her male counterparts.

She did not just stop at that. She later established the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI), where young girls are trained in motor repairs.

Accolade At present, more than 200 girls have been trained through the LMI, a move that has earned her accolades both locally and internationally. The latest is an award by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) in recognition of her contribution towards national development and for empowering young girls to be self-sustaining. The award ceremony was witnessed by representatives of the leadership associations of NAPS from Zamafara, Benue, Bornu, Niger, Imo and Lagos states.

Presenting the award, NAPS President, Comrade, Mohammed Emoji, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Comrade Oluwasegun Taiwo, explained that the award was bestowed on Aguebor because of her professionalism in empowering women in Nigeria.

Emoji said, “We are here today just because we believe where there is light, darkness disappears. We believe that merit must triumph over mediocrity; we are happy to identify with you and by that we are identifying with performance.

NAPS is the second largest students union body in Nigeria with over 21 million studying across the country and abroad."

He said, “At NAPS, we promote leadership, unity and development at all level of our institutions.

We are here to present our NAPS icon award for leadership to you which serves as an impetus to encourage individuals or institutions who have contributed to development of the nation. This award is for leaders who have served as an example to others.”

Giving further reasons for the award, the student union leader added, “Your confirmation took into consideration high level of professionalism.

Before now, women didn’t have time for this but you have changed the narrative. You did not lobby for this award; it was purely based on your contributions. We are here to celebrate with you on all your achievements."

Empowering Women Responding, the entrepreneur who was honoured at her workshop in Benin City, was full of appreciation for the honour and promised to continue to empower more girls in the country.

She said the recognition came to her as a surprise, adding that she doesn't consider a selfless service to be a source of self-aggrandisement.

Aguebor said, “This is a great surprise to me and my trainees. When we got your letter, I asked myself, what is the award for? If it is for the job I’m doing, my selfless contribution has been a part of me. It is part of what I have been doing for 35 years now as a mechanic and the running of LMI for I5 years.

“I have been empowering women to be skilful and competent women who do not need certificate to look for jobs, but rather depend on their skills by increasing the bottom line of companies immediately they are employed.

"The Lady Mechanic Initiative has given birth to a whole lot of graduates who automatically fall to the Association of Female Mechanics of Nigeria.

“Today, I welcome the NAPS members for honouring me; for remembering the woman called Sandra Aguebor, the first lady mechanic in Nigeria.

I never knew anybody will appreciate me this way. Thank you for taking out time from Niger,

The First Lady Mechanic flanked by members of NAPS during the award

Sandra Aguebor with her trainee mechanics displaying the award by NAPS

Borno, Benue, Imo, Lagos, Zamfara and Kogi states to leave your busy schedules to present this award. I really appreciate you."

The lady mechanic assured NAPS that the award will propel her to do more, adding that if in the past she was accelerating at 50 km per hour, she will increase her velocity to 100km per hour for optimal result.

Her words, "I want to assure NAPS that this award you have given me will propel me to do more. Henceforth, if I was accelerating at 500 I should be accelerating now at one million. It shows to me that students appreciate what I am doing.

Governor Obaseki's Drive Aguebor also commended the women that work with her and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.

She said, “I also want to use this opportunity to tell you that where we are today was made possible by the effort of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

He knows that women have a lot of potentials and realised that there is need to exhibit such potentials and that is why he gave the maintenance of vehicles to women, so that women of Edo State and outside will know that it is not all about prostitution.

"This has also helped to change the negative narrative about our girls in Europe. Today, women

traffickers are now mechanics and they are doing well.

“I also want you to know that it is not all governors in Nigeria that can entrust their vehicles to women; he took the risk because he has seen that I have been doing a lot. It is not only Sandra but the women you see behind me, we have been able to give them hope, majority of them are from Edo State.

"Obaseki has given us the platform to mentor more women, to give hope back to those who have lost hope, to bring back those who think abroad is the only way you can make it. We have shown that it is possible to make it in Nigeria.

“This award will propel me to do more. We have received presidents and world leaders.

My dream is that by 2030 we would have graduated over 10,000 mechanics in auto-electric work and other fields which will now fall back to develop our economy.

"By then they will have genuine reasons to travel to Japan and other countries of the world to work and not for social vices and also project the good name of Nigeria.

“The girls who receive training are paid N10, 000 monthly, in addition to free safety boots and uniform, we are doing this to encourage them with stipends because a lot of them come from home where they don’t really have support."

Trainees Some of the trainees at the event expressed their satisfaction with the initiator, whom they described as a true mentor and a role model.

Joyce Jimoh, a 24-year-old graduate of Business Administration from the National Open University, said her choice of being a mechanic, a male dominated job, was because of the passion she has for it. She said at first, "my friends were disappointed but my family is proud of me and they supported me".

For Omoke Osaose, an 18-year-old Libyan returnee, “I chose to learn mechanic job because I don’t like hair dressing like other girls. I came back from Libyan in February 2017 when I was deported. I made up my mind to be a mechanic because I know from here I can provide for my family."

On her part, Faithful Ubochi, 17, said it had always been her desire to do something unique, something that people don’t think is good for ladies.

Ubochi said, "I don’t want to learn tailoring, makeup and all that because there are a lot people in it. I have seen people who have made success out of being a mechanic, so that is why I am in it. I have been here close to a year. Now, I can do some things on my own. Sandra is a builder and has affected my life positively. This kind of skill acquisition today is the way to go."

35/LIVING

03.08.2018

FERTILITY WITH DR. KEMI AILOJE

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

DIABETES AND INFERTILITY (PART 2) This week our focus will be on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Diabetes can be present before or after the start of pregnancy. If after the start of pregnancy, it is termed, gestational diabetes and there are high accumulations of sugar in the blood (over 150 mg/dl).

Gestational Diabetes tends to resolve (disappear) after delivery of the baby. It occurs in 2-3% of all pregnant women. The exact cause of Gestational Diabetes is not known. Science believes that the hormones that interfere with the normal processing of sugar, insulin, are increased during pregnancy.

The levels of these hormones tend to increase in the later part of pregnancy allowing the sugar to accumulate in the blood with Diabetes as the end result. With Gestational Diabetes, the blood sugar is elevated and the developing baby is at high risk for certain problems, such as increase in growth hormone and a large overweight baby (macrosomia), weighing over nine pounds, is the result. With the large size, surgical removal or Caesarean section would be necessary, with special care concerning the lung maturity of the baby.

The close monitoring with your Reproductive Endocrinologist and Obstetrician will permit the birth of a healthy baby with the motheralive.

Management of Gestational Diabetes r*O PSEFS UP MPXFS CMPPE TVHBS QSPQFSMZ ZPVS medical team will recommend a diet tailored to meet your diet needs; this will include lots of vegetables for fibre and fruits for vitamins. A certain amount of exercise, walking, swimming is essential to keep your blood sugar under control r "TTFTTNFOU XJUI MBCPSBUPSZ UFDIOPMPHZ HbA1C testing of the amount of blood sugar that is measured in percentages should stay under 6.5%.The results are stable for a few months. r " GPFUBM FDIPDBSEJPHSBN TQFDJBM VMUSBTPVOE of the baby’s developing heart) will ensure that his/her growth patterns are normal. r $MPTF NPOJUPSJOH PG UIF FZFT BOE LJEOFZT to avoid complications, such as proliferative retinopathy or kidney infections. r 1FSJPEJD VMUSBTPVOET PG UIF EFWFMPQJOH CBCZ

For your precious baby fed by the umbilical cord and the placenta (blood vessels that supply the nutrition from the mother through the blood) with this extra rich amount of sugar will cause your baby to produce more insulin. Your baby can grow too big with the resulting difficulty in exiting normally from the vagina at birth. A surgical delivery or caesarean section will need to be performed. Another serious complication is early labour (preterm delivery) with difficult breathing(RespiratoryDistressSyndrome).

As you can see, it is vital to understand how your baby is affected by your own health. If your blood sugar is high (over 150mg/dl) the babycan develop Diabetes too! He/she may have Type 1 Diabetes, where the cells of the pancreas don’t produce any insulin. The result will be a baby that needs insulin injections to survive and process any food.

will safeguard against undetected overly large new bones.

RISK FACTORS FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETES: r.PN T BHF PWFS r 'BNJMZ IFBMUI IJTUPSZ $MPTF GBNJMZ NFNCFST such as a parent or sibling or having slightly raised blood sugar r 1FSTPOBM IJTUPSZ PG %JBCFUFT )BWJOH B TMJHIUMZ raised blood sugar (prediabetes). r3BDJBM CBDLHSPVOE 4UVEJFT TIPX UIBU #MBDLT Hispanics and Asians have higher rates than Whites. r 1SFWJPVT #*( CBCZ PWFS OJOF QPVOET r 1SFWJPVT VOFYQMBJOFE 'PFUBM EFBUI r 1SFWJPVT (FTUBUJPOBM %JBCFUFT r 0CFTJUZ #PEZ .BTT *OEFY #.* PWFS LH N r 3FDVSSFOU 1SFHOBODZ -PTT PG pregnancies lead to miscarriage even before the pregnancy test.

Prevention and General Management of Diabetes: While there is no known prevention for type 1 DM, below are the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of type 2 DM which accounts for 85-90% of all cases of Diabetes.

COMPLICATIONS OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES: For the Mother, you can be faced with high blood pressure and preeclampsia (a feared complication of pregnancy) with alterations in blood proteins and high blood pressure.

The best management for this condition is the immediate delivery of the baby. Seizures (convulsion) can occur, if left untreated. It would then be called eclampsia, a true medical emergency with need for urgent intensive care support and care. Gestational Diabetes increases the chances that the blood pressure will increase, leading to decisions of saving either the mother or the baby’s life. Once you have Gestational Diabetes, you can become at risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes. Management, with life long, lifestyle choices of healthy eating and exercise can reduce your risk.

Prevention! The Best Policy r &BU B IFBMUIZ EJFU GVMM PG GSVJUT WFHFUBCMFT and lean protein, high fibre, high vitamins. r&YFSDJTF SFHVMBSMZ BOE NBJOUBJO IJHI MFWFM of activity r $MPTF NPOJUPSJOH PG ZPVS CMPPE TVHBS VTJOH the glucometer if you have a positive family history and had been tested to have high blood sugar level. r 5BLF QSFTDSJCFE NFEJDBUJPOT r"WPJE UPCBDDP TNPLJOH r 0ODF ZPV EFDJEF UP CFDPNF QSFHOBOU WJTJU your doctor for antenatal screening. It will give a good picture of your health. r -PTF XFJHIU CFGPSF QSFHOBODZ r %VSJOH QSFHOBODZ ZPV OFFE UP OPVSJTI UIF developing baby, best not to try to lose weight,take prescribed medications/insulin injections.

INTERVIEW I WAS GOD’S INSTRUMENT IN FACILITATING AUCHI YOUTHS INTO THE CIVIL SERVICE – AZIZ GARUBA Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba is a walking encyclopedia. At 80, his sharp intellect and ability to recall events in a fresh manner is a marvel to behold. Having retired as a super permanent secretary and erstwhile Nigeria's ambassador to Canada in those hey days, Garuba still had some energy and verve left in him to partake in active politics in between 1996-1999.

Recently, friends and associates rolled out the drum to herald his 80th birthday in a grand style in Abuja. In this interview, Ambassador Garuba reflects on the past while barring his mind on some salient national issues. Excerpts.

Congrats sir. It's really awesome that you attained the ripe age of 80. Looking back, how does it feel at 80?

How do I feel at 80? I don't usually grant interviews, but at 80, I have many reasons to thank God. I am most grateful to God for sparing my life to get to this age and state. I am grateful to God for blessing me with wonderful family and friends that love me dearly and particularly for my wife Sibi, who is God's special gift to me. I thank God for the gift of my salvation through Christ Jesus, my Lord and for keeping me in stable health and strength. I thank God for the opportunities and favours I have enjoyed in life and continue to enjoy by his mercy and grace. I also thank him for the opportunities He granted me to serve our nation and humanity. I can't list all that I am thankful to God for.

Obviously, you have been fortunate in the sense that at 80 you enjoy stable health, a happy home and kids who are doing fantastic things in various ďŹ elds unlike your peers.

What has been your staying power?

God made all these things possible. He has been my anchor and sustainer and brought me in contact with destiny helpers along the

see today in the handling of public funds and properties could only be imagined. I served at a time when oil prices and out put were lower than the levels we enjoy today. Most of the infrastructural developments were initiated to a large extent by the administrations under which I served. It will not be fair to say that the administrations under which I served plunged the nation into the current quagmire considering that its been over 20 years.

my wife, Sibi for their unflinching support and for providing the logistics that made it possible to serve in that regard. I am glad that my children and my nephew, Zakawanu are towing that line too. This is my legacy.

Do you still mingle with other PDP members in your domain?

At 80? I am retired from all works and relate with people from every political inclination or affiliation within and outside my domain.

How would you compare and contrast your experience as an ambassador with other roles you have been opportuned to play in life?

I started out as a diplomat and ended my public service career as a diplomat. In between, I served as a technocrat. there is no basis for comparison.

Each aspect of my public service had its peculiarities and challenges. I wouldn't say that one was better than the other. I, however, thank God that my last posting gave my children the opportunities to achieve their God ordained destinies.

way. Considering my humble background and beginnings from illiterate parents, there was no way I could have achieved all that I accomplished without the grace and providence of God and personal hard-work.

As a founding member of the party and also a gubernatorial aspirant in 1999, do you see the recent alliance of like minds an opportunity for the PDP to stage a comeback?

Do you think that at 80, I should be discussing party politics? I am a father to all irrespective of their political party affiliations. What is most important to me is that anyone in a position of public trust should discharge that function with credibility and for the benefit of the people he is meant to serve.

You served as permanent secretary during a military regime, precisely under General Gowon. Most people are of the view that the administration you served failed to build on the abundant oil windfall of that period thereby plunging Nigeria into her current quagmire. How would you react to such postulations?

I served as permanent secretary under military administrations at a time when there was probity in the system with fiscal controls that were strictly adhered to and when the kind of impetus we

In Auchi where you occupy the exalted post of Mogaji of Auchi kingdom, your kinsmen hold you in very high esteem essentially because it was during your glorious tenure that a lot of them got recruited into the federal civil service. Today, many of them form the bulk of Edo North elites. How did you manage to accomplish this feat?

I was only an instrument in the hands of God for such a time. If you have a heart to serve, God will always open doors of opportunities for you to do so. I credit Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and

Garuba

Is your traditional title of Mogaji hereditary or simply an honour?

It is a hereditary title from my grandfather.

Hopefully I will pass it on to one of my sons.

Any more role for you in the political sphere?

Hahaha! At 80? You decide.

Generally, how would you rate the Buhari administration against the backdrop of worsening economic situation, unending herdsmen killings and others?

Each administration in Nigeria faced peculiar issues and challenges. The essence of a strong leader is to be able to handle crises that arise in a manner that minimises the effect on the citizens.

Every nation goes through cycles of prosperity and leanness. The job of a good leader is to know how to effectively handle both cycles with proper fiscal controls for the good of the people and to avoid unnecessary shocks that may trigger a recession in the economy.

36/COLLAGE

03.08.2018

Femi Solaja of Thisday Newspaper Limited(2nd right) and family, proudly celebrate with Oluwakemi (middle), who successfully completed her programme in Architecture at Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State... recently.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo; his son , Olusegun (Jnr) and wife, Adebola, during their son's graduation at Warwick University UK....recently

L-R; Head of Vaccines, GSK Pharmaceuticals Nigeria, Abass Sanni; Deputy Director Disease Control, (Hepatitis control programme officer) Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abosede Wellington; Medical Director, Dr. Laja Odunuga and Group Product Manager Vaccines,Mayowa Oyeyipo both of GSK during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day in Lagos...recently

Group CFO, Toalram Group, Rotarian Dinesh Rathi (left)presenting a bouquet to the newly installed 2018-19 President of Rotary Club of Lagos Island, District 9110 Nigeria, Rotarian Raj Kumar Gulati during his installation ceremony in Lagos....recently

Celebrant, Rear Admiral Peter Ebhaleme (rtd) and wife, Elder Dorothy Ebhaleme cutting the 70th birthday cake of Ebhaleme in Abuja....recently Julius atoi/thisday images

L-R: Co-founder/ Board Member Teach For Nigeria, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo; Executive Director, Greensprings School,Mrs. Lai Koiki;and Partner, Verod Capital/ Director Greensprings School, Eric Idiahi, during a courtesy visit to the school by Teach For Nigeria executives in Lagos.... recently

37/THISLIFE

03.08.2018

The Coming of Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar Francis Sardauna writes that the recent confirmation of Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar by the National Judicial Council as substantive Chief Judge of Katsina State, will ensure speedy dispensation of justice and clear numerous awaiting trial cases in the state Obviously, the problem with administration of criminal justice in Nigeria is not the absence of laws or institutions, but the will of actors within and outside criminal justice institutions to put aside their personal or group interests and apply the law. This largely, is the main reason for the low level of conviction of high profile corruption defendants in Nigeria hence there is the need for periodic reforms to ensure that the laws and institutions keep up with the times.

The pervading low integrity of the judiciary, which is only an aspect of the justice system has suffered greatly due to the alleged despicable acts of some members of the bench who most times collude with the bar to weaken the law thereby allowing corruption to grow on fertile ground.

However, in Katsina state the situation is quite different since the swearing in of Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar as the substantive Chief Judge of the State. This is because of the role he is playing in rejuvenating the judicial system in the state. His appointment, according to legal practitioners was made in the right direction and was based strictly on merit as it is through a competitive process, and he emerged victorious.

Justice Abubakar is a detribalised person, who does not place too much emphasis on segregation based on religion or tribe. That clearly shows how detribalised he is in spite of coming from a core Muslim home. Never in his dealings with people has he placed emphasis on one’s religion or tribe as he believes in the saying that one’s religion is between him and his God. In fact, the dawn of a new era is in place with the appointment of this energetic fellow to steer the ship of the judicial system in the state at this period. It is imperative to stress the very fundamental fact, the new chief judge should as a matter of principle rejuvenate and reinvigorate the system in order to achieve the desired objectives of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

There is no doubt that with Justice Abubakar as the Chief Judge of the state, there is glimmer of hope that things are going to be done according to the dictates of the laid down rules and regulations within the purview of the structures of the judicial system.

No wonder, at the swearing in ceremony at Government House, Governor Aminu Bello Masari described him as an erudite jurist whose experience and practice of the legal profession has been a reproach, stressing that he has over the years established an enviable reputation as a man of conscience who is fair, just and firm while discharging his responsibilities.

The governor assured that he would continue to pray for the chief judge to enable him to discharge his responsibility in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said, "Your job is the most difficult one, difficult in the sense that you are the last hope for the people of Katsina state. People who know you will come before you soliciting for assistance, so in that circumstances one should pray to Allah to guide you in dealing with such cases".

Governor Masari urged the appointee to work towards strengthening the course of justice and ensuring quick dispensation of justice in the state.

Corroborating the governor's view, the Commissioner for Justice and Anthony General of the state, Ahamed El-mansur said, “He is a decent man, intellectually mobile and administratively sagacious. Therefore, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, made the right choice by appointing Justice Abubakar as the Chief Judge of Katsina State."

Justice Abubakar believes that an effective criminal justice system is central to the maintenance of the rule of law and socio-economic development.

Abubakar

He said, “As we all know, the institutions of criminal justice have functioned at sub-optimal levels. Delays have become prevalent. Our prisons have become congested. Generally, the system has become ineffective in responding to rising criminality and the rapidly evolving nature of new forms of criminal activities.

“To avert further loss of confidence of the ordinary people it the criminal justice institutions, reforms became both urgent and imperative. To stave-off further decline and loss of confidence, there was an urgent need to develop strategic responses to these challenges.

“We needed to correct the dysfunctional institutional matrix of criminal justice administration and reform its substantive and procedural laws.”

According to him, correctional agencies have become obsolete and need to be upgraded and strengthened, while there was the need for proper engagement and advocacy on institutional responsibilities as imposed by the law.

Decrying the problem of prison congestion, Justice Abubakar pledged that a quarterly visit to prison facilities in the state would commence with a view to addressing the challenges associated with prison congestion.

The chief judge, who at different forum lamented over what he described as high rate of crime in Nigeria, said, “Global influence, population explosion and mis-governance are the major factors for crime prevalence in Nigeria.

“In my early days as a magistrate you hardly hear a case of rape but now the prevalence of rape is extremely high. Most of these cases are child related cases. When you talk of prevalence of capital offenses, drug abuse is the number one factor.

“Eight out of 10 heinous crimes are committed under the influence of drugs. So, it is fight that everybody must involve to avert the rate of crimes and criminality in Nigeria.”

The chief judge called on the police, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Prison Service and the bench to liaise and pursue speedy trial of

cases in the interest of serving justice.

Debunking insinuations making the round that his appointment will be answerable to Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the chief judge explained, “The appointment of a judicial officer is done with thorough checks and balances.

“The appointment of a chief judge is a constitutional issue. When a vacancy exists for the position of a chief judge, the constitution first said the most senior officer automatically takes over.

“When that is done, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will recommend to the governor that the incumbent has retired or is about to retired the next in seniority is Mr. A who is suitable to hold that position pending his confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the state House of Assembly.

“The next process is, while in acting capacity, two most senior judges are recommended to the NJC who will screen and scrutinize the candidates and if qualified they will go for interview. When that is done the council will send the name of the qualified judge for onwards confirmation by the state Assembly. If the House confirmed then the governor appoints finally.”

On speedy dispensation of justice in the state, the chief judge stated, “When you look at issues being identified as being key to the administration of justice, first, justice must not just be done; it must be seen to be done.

“To ensure it is done, any case brought to court must be determined expeditiously.

When justice is delayed, some rights could be trampled upon. Every person that is accused should know his or her rights early enough, so that the interest and benefits that ought to come from that case is not lost . So, speedy dispensation of justice is key to every other aspect of reform.

“To achieve this therefore, the CJN should ensure that judges live above board. Also, it should be noted that corruption is not limited to the judges, a lot of people are involved in judicial corruption, from filing of processes

to serving it, people are involved. So, to have a fair dispensation of justice, every person involved in the judicial system needs to be cleaned up.”

Meanwhile, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar was born on 21st November, 1958 in Funtua local government area of the state, where he attended Aya Primary school Funtua between 1965 to 1972 before he commenced his secondary education initially at GSS Zaria and later GSS Funtua where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1977.

Because of his passion for education, Justice Abubakar joined Bayero University College Kano for a stop-gap IJMB programme to secure admission to read law in the state same institution where he graduated with LLB (Hons.) in 1981. He immediately proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Lagos in 1982 for the Bar finals.

Justice Abubakar was called to the Nigerian Bar and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate.

He did his one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Port Harcourt and Kaduna states which he completed in 1983.

The state chief judge, began his legal career with Kaduna state Ministry of Justice as Pupil State Counsel in 1981, and moved to the then Kaduna state College of Legal Studies, Katsina as a Lecturer. He joined the services of Kaduna state Judiciary as Magistrate II and rose to become a Chief Magistrate in 1987.

His dedication to duty and hard work earned him a rise to become the Chief Registrar and Sherrif of Katsina state Judiciary, overseeing the activities of the state judiciary between 1988 and 1994.

Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar was appointed and sworn in as a Judge of the state High Court of Justice in November 1994.

While on March 13th, 2018, he was appointed Acting Chief Judge of Katsina state by Governor Aminu Bello Masari. A position he occupied before his recent confirmation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as substantive chief judge of Katsina state.

Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar has contributed significantly in the public service and participated widely in various community development projects, notable among them are chairman Rent Tribunal, member Constituent Assembly, chairman Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Conduct of Local Government Election Tribunal in Katsina state, Chairman, Failed Banks Tribunal, Abuja Zone, member Technical Committee on the Implementation of Shari'a in Katsina state, Commissioner with Katsina state Shari'a Commission, Chairman Danja Civil Disturbances Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Chairman Governing Council Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal and General studies, Daura.

He also served as the Chairman, Katsina Metropolis Civil Disturbances Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Chairman, Taraba state Governorship Election Tribunal, 2015. He is a patron and trustee to many Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) within and outside the state.

Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar attended several national and international seminars, workshops and conferences and has written and presented over thirty professional papers on various issues at different fora. Abubakar, is a also a winner of National Productivity Merit Award in 1998, a Fellow of International Dispute Resolution Institute, among other notable awards.

However, it is important for the new chief judge to assiduously work for the good of the state through the initiation of ways to reposition the judicial system in Katsina state that would complement the efforts of the state government in ensuring a crime free state.

All hands must be on deck to rally round the present administration of Governor Aminu Bello Masari, extending the hand of friendship to Justice Abubakar, to offer solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the judiciary in the state.

38/INTERVIEW

03.08.2018

Ashade: I See Opportunities in Every Challenge Peter Ashade, the new Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, in this interview with Sunday Ehigiator, talks about his career and growth, and suggests solutions to banking sector challenges. Excerpts: Can you let us in on your background?

I am Peter Oladele Ashade, the Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, an integrated financial services group currently operating in these business areas: investment banking, asset management, trustee services and secures brokerage services. I hold a Bachelors’ degree in Banking and Finance, an MBA in Marketing and an MSc in Finance. I am also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School’s Chief Executive Program. I am a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Bankers; The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and The Institute of Capital Market Registrars. Also, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Directors. I am currently the first Vice Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Lagos State Branch, where I also serve as the vice chairman of the Membership Development and Services Committee and a member of the Grants and Funds Committee.

I am a trustee of the Investors Protection Fund of the Nigerian Stock Exchange; the treasurer of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars.

I’m also a member of various capital market reform committees of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

What was the journey like to where you are now?

I started my career in the capital market 29 years ago at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc – Registrar, the capital market unit of the bank. Since then, I have been involved in various capital market offers and other key capital market activities at different levels. I have worked with various operators on different capital market transactions and projects. Before now, I was the MD/CEO at Africa Prudential Plc, a leading share registration and investor services firm where I spent 12 years of my career. During the period, the company experienced significant growth and transformation in its operations. We pioneered the disruption in the registrar’s business landscape in Nigeria by midwifing and the launch of several innovative products. Personally, I see opportunities in every challenge or threat; where others are complaining about the challenges, I find opportunities in those challenges. This mind-set aided the significant strides in my previous roles and I intend to replicate it at United Capital as well.

How would you describe yourself?

Self-motivating. I am a self-starter, a go-getter.

Once I set my mind to do something, I ensure that I do it and I do it well. I thrive so much on self-determination. I believe that our limiting factor is not external, but internal; our biggest competition is self and once you are able to conquer the limiting factors that lie in you, the opportunities are endless. These theories have proven true throughout the course of my career.

From early on in my career, my determination always stood me out and opened the doors for career progression at different points in time.

How would you describe your lifestyle outside of work?

Outside of work, I like listening to contemporary music, traveling, meeting people and watching sports. I also engage in some social support challenges.

United Capital has soared in recent times with a lot of accolades. With your recent appointment, what will be your strategy to keep the flag flying? How do you intend to build your own legacy there?

I must start by thanking my predecessor who did a lot of work which brought the group to where it is today as one of the market leaders in the Nigerian financial services landscape.

Going forward, we are not going to rest on these laurels; we will work on continuous improvement of products and processes structure. We will innovatively change the narrative of financial services in Africa. We will pursue with clarity our pan-African strategy; we are currently in Nigeria but building a critical mass that will enable us operate in other African countries.

Furthermore, we shall strongly support the initiatives to improve the depth of the capital market in Nigeria and thereafter in Africa by engaging in product development as a means of broadening investment opportunities in our market. We shall equally focus on consistent increase in the wealth for our teeming shareholders while also ensuring that we keep a healthy

Ashade

relationship with other stakeholders. In driving all these, we shall keep in mind our three core values of excellence, enterprise and execution.

We shall also place premium on our people.

Our people are one of our key assets. Bearing this in mind, we will ensure that our people are motivated, exposed and trained as required to deliver the expected value.

do more in terms of defending the Naira, we believe the current reserve level would provide succour to any potential volatility that may arise.

At $47bn, the CBN can conveniently cover 12 months of Nigeria’s import. This projects a stable outlook for the second half of 2018, given that the continuous improvement in external balances will support sustained stability of the exchange rate.

What are some of the factors that would drive solution to banking and the broader financial services sector challenges in the second half of the year?

The key challenges facing the banking sector currently include the weaker macroeconomic environment, high level of non-performing loans, asset quality concerns, pressure on capital adequacy ratios and elevated risk outlook which continue to drag credit growth. Clearly, the performance of the banks reflects what is happening to the overall economy. While gradual recovery in the macro space is supporting performance so far, pre-election activities which are expected to dominate H2-2018 is a concern for loan growth, hence, resolving the challenges confronted by the banks is rooted in restoring the economy to the pre-2014 era of solid growth. For the financial services sector, specifically on increasing investor confidence, the concerns are broadly linked to political uncertainties, absence of reforms to drive market activities and the dominance of foreign portfolio investors in our market. For instance, low capital market depth reflects the poor disposition towards the market and this is evident in the absence of operators in the key sectors of the Nigerian economy such as upstream Oil and Gas, retail trade and wholesale, power, telecoms, and agriculture in the market. On the other hand, weak local participation rate, high transaction cost and socio-political/economic concerns also constrain demand for Nigerian equities, lowering market capitalization. To resolve this, we must stabilise the economy, drive reforms in critical sectors and boost investor education.

What is your take on the multiple exchange rate system?

The Central Bank if Nigeria was able to resolve the protracted crisis in the foreign exchange market by opting for a multiple window solution. The other option proposed by the market was an outright devaluation or a more market-friendly flexible exchange rate regime. Clearly, the gains recorded in the currency market over the last 12 to 15 months are a testimonial to the success of the CBN’s strategy. For instance, as at June 2018, the total transaction at the I&E segment topped $32.6bn since it was introduced in April 2017. Similarly, foreign exchange rates across market segments have converged around N360/$ compared to pre-April 2017.

Nigeria’s external reserve is on the increase.

What is the implication for the economy?

Nigeria’s external reserves added a whopping $9.1bn in the first half of the year to close at $47.8bn – its highest level since 2013. This dramatic rise in gross external reserves was driven by a number of factors including Eurobonds worth $5.0bn that was issued between Nov-17 and Feb-18; oil export proceeds driven by stability in domestic production; higher oil prices which rose to $79.4/b as at the end of H1-18, and Net capital flow which surged over the last 12 months, thanks to the introduction of the I&E FX window. Although events in the political space ahead of the 2019 general election and the external environment (in light of the policy normalisation in the US) may push the CBN to

With the drop in foreign investment inflow due to some policy issues, and the high inflation rate, how can the private sector thrive? Is there still hope for the private sector under this situation?

Actually, a lot has changed in the macroeconomic space over the last 12 months. Although FDI flows have remained lean, the adoption of the I&E FX window has triggered a massive inflow of FPI funds, at least up until May 2018. And the economy has also witnessed significant improvement in terms of headline inflation, currently at 11.4 per cent compared to the number quoted in your question. However, for the private sector to thrive, the government still needs to create that enabling environment. The Vice president’s office is doing a lot in terms of ease of doing business (PEBEC) but more is still required.

Overall, what the economy really needs now are bold reforms (in the power, infrastructure, oil and gas, healthcare sectors, among others) to spur mid-to-high single digit growth and boost national productivity.

What policy changes would you advise the authorities to make for stable recovery and sustainable growth?

Current concerns for Nigeria in our view are long-term structural challenges – not much of policy issues, but implementation issues. The business environment remains tough, continued focus on politics seems to be dissuading the implementation of meaningful structural reforms. For instance, the Oil and Gas sector remains at the mercy of badly needed policy reforms that could boost more investments into the sector. The delayed

passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is the ever-present risk creating uncertainty to the long-term investment in the sector. The PIB was broken down into four separate units governing regulation (PIGB), administration (PIAB), fiscal terms (PIFB) and a host community bill (PHCB).

The idea is that a clearer breakdown of the bill will enable at least certain parts of it to progress through the House of Representatives, Senate and President, unimpeded. As we speak, only the PIGB has reached the president's desk. These bills have the capacity to add momentum to new investments given the potential improvements to fiscal terms, and clarity around local content costs that could be addressed. The downstream oil and gas sector remains crippled by policy inertia as the regulatory bodies are resistant towards deregulating the pump price of fuel.

As such, fuel prices in Nigeria do not reflect the landing cost. On the agricultural sector, while policy directives such as the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS); Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI); CBN’s Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and the Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP), have aided the sectors’ growth in the space, there are issues yet to be addressed. For instance, storage, distribution and processing is hampered by poor transportation network, access to finance, poor local processing facilities and low investment in technology. In addition, the recent crisis between herders and farmers is a major downside risk which is already weakening the agric sector GDP as at Q1-18 while pushing food inflation northwards. The onslaught of the Boko Haram insurgents remains a concern in the northeast with economic activities in the region still considerably low.

Other areas include heath care, education and the issue of brain drain, which is negative for manpower development. We need to invest in education, technology, healthcare and correct the decadence in our social system.

With crude oil prices soaring in recent times, how best can the proceeds be managed? Do you support the idea of Excess Crude Account?

The ECA is still in use, hence, proceeds from excess crude will continue to be remitted in the ECA. However, Nigeria can learn from economies such as the UAE, where proceeds from oil were deployed into investment in tourism, real estate and so on. Oil revenues should be integrated and managed with a view of mitigating the overall impact of oil market volatility on the broader economy. Nigeria is rich in agriculture, human capital, mineral resources and immensely blessed with historical and cultural features that can boost tourism. Accordingly, Nigeria can focus on deploying the excess from oil into investments in these sectors.

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PenCom, Pensioners and Improved Living Standards

Buhari

Ifeanyi Omokwe A few years ago, anyone about to retire, especially from the public sector had loads of reasons to be apprehensive.

Gratuities were not paid at the right time and there was no reliable pension plan to fall back on. And to compound the problem, no federal government agency was always available to prepare the potential retirees adequately for life in retirement.

But things are looking bright now, and the negative narrative is fast becoming a century old history following years of consistent reform of pension administration and regulation. Pension contribution has now become a norm in public and private service through the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Nigerians have also become more educated about contributory pension fund as a cushion for life in retirement.

The National Pension Commission has transformed the pension fund industry into one of the strongest sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The roller coastal drive gathered further momentum with the coming of the Acting Director-General, Aisha Dahir-Umar. Since coming on the scene last year, PenCom has continued the reform of pension administration with more vigor and transparence.

Pension assets has risen from N7.52 trillion in December 2017, to N8.14 trillion in May 2018. The growth has been meteoric and historic. For instance, as at December 2017, pension assets stood at N7.52 trillion; it moved up to N7.8 trillion as of February, and soared to N7.94 trillion in March, then to N8.14 trillion in May. This, expectedly, has impacted on the economy in a substantial way and made pension for retirees more secure and more assured. In a recent statement, PenCom spokesman, Mr Peter Aghahowa, had revealed that N5.2 trillion had been invested in federal government securities

Dahir-Umar

by the Pension Fund Administrators, which represented 70.08 per cent of the N8.14 trillion pension assets.

A breakdown of the investment showed that FGN bonds got N3.96 trillion; treasury bills, N1.68 trillion; agency bonds like the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, N6.54 billion; Sukuk bonds got N51.98 billion; and green bonds got N8.26 billion.

In addition, state government securities gulped N154.02 billion; corporate bonds - N393.27 billion; corporate infrastructure bonds - N8.36 billion; banks - N662.80 billion; commercial papers - N71.75 billion; and real estate properties -N228.86 billion.

Other classes of assets are supranational bonds -N8.21 billion; open/ close end funds - N10.16 billion; mutual funds - N19.87 billion; private equity fund - N37.27 billion; infrastructure fund - N8.95 billion and cash and other assets, N96.13 billion.

This diversified investment portfolio would not only have multiplier effects on the economy, but would surely grow the pension fund and make pensioners more secured. It is truly the dawn of better life for retirees in Nigeria.

Pre-retirement workshop for prospective retirees has become more regular for those in public and private sectors.

These talk and enlightenment gatherings comprise all stakeholders in the pension industry including pension fund administrators, PenCom officials and representatives of the financial and investment communities.

The workshops and seminars are organised at zonal and state levels to educate prospective retirees on what life awaits them. At one of such workshops in Lagos, the PenCom boss called on pension contributors across the country to contribute positively towards their comfort at retirement. She noted that the workshop was tailored towards addressing the challenges that prospective

retirees might face as they enter retirement life under the CPS. To make the on-going reforms more engaging and participatory, she urged the would-be retirees to feel free to offer constructive suggestions during and after the workshops, on the best way to make retirement life more comfortable to all retirees.

She stressed that the achievements recorded by the commission since the commencement of the implementation of the scheme would not have been possible without the support and understanding of all stakeholders, especially the contributors.

The Acting Director-General, however, stated that one area where the Commission still requires the cooperation of contributors is the remittance of workers’ pension contributions by employers.

Many organisations, especially in the private sector are failing in the remittance of their workers’ pension despite deducting this from their salaries. This is still a major challenge PenCom needs to tackle to avoid retirees falling into despair upon their retirement.

The challenge of non-remittance of pension contributions by employers is a major area of concern for Dahir-Umar, who strongly feels it is an unaccepta ble situation. In a recent interview, she said the Commission was displeased with the series of reports of non-remittance of monthly pension, especially by media proprietors, and promised that very soon, PenCom will begin to beam its searchlight on erring media firms to ensure that they invest in the future of their workers.

Dahir-Umar further noted that the essence of the new pension scheme was to ensure that contributors can still enjoy a good life at retirement from their robust RSA balances.

That means both the employers and the employees must jointly contribute a minimum of 18 per cent of their incomes monthly into the RSA of employees, which would accumulate with time to

make them spend their retirement life happier.

Pension fund administrators are also weighing in on the problem of nonremittance.

The President, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOP) Aderonke Adedeji, also in a recent interview, said the issue of non-remittance of workers’ pension contributions into their RSAs has become very challenging, even as there are provisions in the law on how to handle such.

Adedeji noted that “one of these is that when you have an employer who has not been remitting regularly, we are supposed to get the regulator informed about it.

But before we do that, we try to find out what is responsible for such because the implication of making an official report is that it could lead to one or two things for your customers. “The law says that seven days after salaries are paid, deduction from employees’ salaries and employers should be remitted. So, when you have a situation where an employer is not making such remittances for two, three, four months and above, we go there to ask why it is so. “But when we find a situation where employers seem to be nonchalant, careless and things like that, we inform the regulator, and recovery agents to go to such employers to do all that are necessary to recover the debts,� she said.

While it is good that PenCom carries all stakeholders along in the reform of the sector, matters of pension fund remittance must not be at the discretion of individual companies or organisations.

PenCom must ensure compliance with the law for the benefit of workers, so that they can have life after retirement. The Commission is doing a great job. This must, however, be sustained and continuously improved. The workers expect no less.

Omokwe wrote in from Abuja

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CITYSTRINGS

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Proffering Lasting Solutions to Apapa Gridlock The Lagos State Government, during its recent 12th town hall meeting, proffered solutions to the seemingly intractable Apapa traffic problem, among other issues. Rebecca Ejifoma reports

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left) and State Chairman, All Progressives Congress Lagos, Alhaji Tunde Balogun (right) during the third Quarter 2018 Town Hall meeting, at Community Primary School, Iberekodo, Ibeju-Lekki, ...recently

I

t truly defies logic that a trip of 20 minutes stretches into five hours or more. On a typical Monday morning, the usual scenario at the two major roads (Ijora and Mile 2) leading to Apapa, which hosts Nigeria's premier quay, is that of cars and trucks piled bumper to fender with exhaust fumes choking out the little fresh air from the ocean.

Navigating the route is a herculean task for motorists and it’s usually worse during rush hours-morning and evening - when people are either going to work or returning home at the end of the day's activities.

Unsurprisingly, desperate motorists trying to find their ways out of the snarl only help to further complicate the already bad situation, and many commuters are constantly forced into trekking long distances to get to their destinations, while some motorists even abandon their cars by the road sides.

It is not out of place to see security and traffic operatives on the long stretch of road trying to manage the situation.

Chaos There is no doubt that the perennial traffic gridlock which has been bedevilling Apapa and its environs for about six years now has snowballed into an alarming state of national discomfiture. The chaos in the axis, which is multifaceted, principally has to do with operations within the Apapa Ports being managed by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). To say that businesses have been terribly affected and lives made difficult in the axis would be stating the obvious.

There have been instances where some sections of the bridges and roads leading to Apapa both from Western Avenue and Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, among others, were turned into parking lots for tankers,

containerised trucks and generally articulated vehicles.

But the situation reached a totally alarming state some few weeks back when the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway was completely blocked by articulated vehicles, all thanks to breakdown of operations at the ports. The situation has led to a complete state of chaos with attendant negative effects on the people and the economy of not just Lagos State, but Nigeria as a whole considering the strategic importance of Apapa to the nation’s economy.

Immediate Response As an immediate response to restore law and order, the state government constituted a taskforce headed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, to at least restore sanity, while the affected authorities find solutions to the issues that gave rise to the chaos. Members of the taskforce were drawn from all security agencies and relevant unions within the maritime sector.

The team were able to clear the service lane within 72 hours in an operation in which over 2, 000 articulated vehicles were removed from

It is bad that we still use trucks to lift petroleum products from Apapa to other parts of the country.

As it is now, other ports in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest gridlock in Lagos

the road and taken to designated holding bays.

Tank Farms Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also followed up the initial gains with a meeting with relevant stakeholders, including the NPA leadership, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), maritime unions, among others.

At the meeting, the state government suspended further approval for development of tank farms and issued a 30-day-ultimatum to existing tank farms without adequate loading bays to do so, in order to forestall a situation where tankers would have to park on the road while waiting to be called up to load petroleum products.

Being the agency in charge of enforcing the law on operation of tank farms, the DPR was also directed to implement the directive at the expiration of the ultimatum.

Task for FG The governor at the third quarter 2018 Town Hall Meeting further discussed ways to end the perennial gridlock in Apapa. The governor specifically tasked the federal government to do everything within its powers to revive existing ports in other states of the federation, noting that such was important to bring about permanent solution to the perennial traffic congestion in Apapa axis.

The Town Hall Meeting, the 12th in the series since the inception of the Ambode’s administration, was held last Wednesday at the Community Primary School, Iberekodo, in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area.

According to Ambode, the recent chaos witnessed in Apapa was beyond traffic issues, while it was time for concerted efforts to be made to revamp moribund ports.

He said beyond getting other ports up and running, the issue of tankers queuing up to

lift petroleum products from tank farms in Apapa was also a major issue causing gridlock and damaging road infrastructure in the area.

The governor said, "It would be very unfair to Lagosians if I don't talk about issues relating to traffic management and integrated transport management most especially what we have witnessed in the last one week in Apapa, but again I would like to tell Lagosians that every stakeholder that is relevant to resolving the Apapa crisis, we have gone to work and you can see that there is a major improvement.

"But again, this issue has become perennial and in the last six years, it's always been there, it comes and goes, but the challenge is to be able to find a permanent solution and in that reason the president had directed the vice president to come and see what the situation is and to actually give us a permanent solution. We are grateful to the president; we believe strongly that every layer of government should collaborate to be able to resolve this Apapa crisis.

"But we all must know that Apapa crisis is more than traffic issues. That is where all states depend on for revenue through Customs because the revenue is shared at FAAC. If anything goes wrong in the port, whatever they get from Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) could reduce.”

Revival of pPipelines Stressing that the Apapa congestion was a national issue that required urgent attention, the governor also noted that oil pipelines should be revived to discourage the trend of thousands of trucks coming from other parts of the country to lift petroleum products from Apapa.

He stated, "It is bad that we still use trucks to lift petroleum products from Apapa to other parts of the country. As it is now, other ports

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CITYSTRINGS

Ambode, addressing residents, traditional rulers, party chieftains and other dignitaries during thetown hall meeting

in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest gridlock in Lagos; whatever has led to continual use of trucks to lift fuel, which is, vandalism of pipeline should be addressed immediately.

"We believe that this will allow the roads to become free. We don't need to continuously use tax payers’ money to build roads that are destroyed by tankers. We call on the Minister of Petroleum and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to work towards reviving the pipelines."

The governor also expressed concern about the approval for the development of tank farms in Ijegun area of Lagos, saying that as much as the state supports redistribution of tank farms, such should be located in areas that are not populated.

According to him, "We don't need tank farms within Lagos metropolis anymore. There are 86 tank farms in Apapa alone. That is a serious danger waiting to happen. Beyond Apapa, they have approved tank farms in Ijegun axis and that is where we have huge population.

"We need to redistribute tank farm establishment to outer borders and other parts. This is what we believe should be done at this moment to free Lagos roads."

Scorecard On the efforts of his administration to develop the economy of the state, Ambode said the government had continued to keep faith with its mandate to ensure that the future of Lagos remained on a sound pedestal.

He said the town hall meeting, which has moved round the three senatorial districts in the state from its first edition held in October 6, 2015, had continued to provide the government first-hand information on the needs of the people and how best to solve them.

"Our promise from the very beginning was that we are going to give you a government of inclusion and it's very clear that we are on track. When we look at our scorecard, which is to keep Lagos on a trajectory of growth and development, we are on that track,” he said, adding, "We are happy to be here. We are everywhere meeting the needs of our people, asking them what the issues are and wanting to respond positively to those issues. Yes, we are not perfect, we would try our best but our people know that we are doing things that would create prosperity for their future."

Besides, the governor said his administration was not oblivious of the fact that the eastern

We don't need tank farms within Lagos metropolis anymore. There are 86 tank farms in Apapa alone. That is a serious danger waiting to happen. Beyond Apapa, they have approved tank farms in Ijegun axis and that is where we have huge population

back to the drawing board and respond accordingly to issues raised, appealing to residents to be patient as the government would continue to deliver more life changing projects to make life more comfortable for the people.

At the meeting, which was also attended by heads of security agencies, including the state police commissioner, the governor directed immediate action on security issues raised by residents, noting that one of the cardinal objectives of his administration was security of lives and property.

On the traffic around new Jubilee Bridge in Ajah raised by some residents, Ambode directed the General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olawale Musa, to immediately move in to free the axis.

He said the state government would work with the local government to relocate the market in the area which was contributing to the traffic, while proposal for more personnel should be brought forward in the event of lack of adequate manpower for the traffic management agency.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun (left);Onitedo Oke Odo Iwerekun, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro (second left); Onibeju of Ibeju, Oba Rafiu Salami (third left) and Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Adetunji Akinloye (second right),..recently

Ambode and deputy acknowledging cheers from residents

and western axes of the state were pivotal to the future prosperity of Lagos.

Plans for Ibeju Lekki Giving an insight on the next plan of action for the Ibeju Lekki axis, Ambode said the construction of the Epe Airport and reconstruction of the Coastal Road were very much on course, adding that the dualisation of the Eleko Junction to the T-Junction in Epe would commence in January 2019, while the 27 network of roads in Ojokoro, Ayinke House, among others, would be completed before the next quarter.

He appealed to people to bear with the state government over the inconveniences they might be experiencing as a result of on-going construction works across the state, adding that the government was very much aware, and was working towards delivering the projects on schedule.

“I want to appeal to the people to please bear with us on the infrastructure projects

across the State. We are working towards delivering them on schedule. A little pain for greater joy and so I like to appeal to the people to cooperate with us,” Ambode said.

The governor, while thanking traditional rulers, community heads and residents of Ibeju Lekki for their unflinching support towards the advancement of the multibillion dollar projects on-going in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, assured that all issues relating to compensation would be resolved before the end of the week.

Recruitment of Teachers Responding to concerns by the people, especially in the rural areas, over the lack of adequate teaching manpower, Ambode announced the commencement of recruitment of 1,000 teachers in the state, adding that more would be recruited as the need arises.

Miscellaneous After taking questions from residents, Ambode said his administration would go

Hope for the Physically-challenged A physically challenged resident and graduate of Computer Studies, Micheal Ogunyemi, who said he had been jobless for five years, could not hold back his joy as the governor directed the Civil Service Commission to grant him immediate employment from August 1. Also responding to issues raised by some physically challenged persons on the difficulty in making use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Ikorodu road corridor and how to access to the N500 million Disability Fund set aside to take care of their needs by his administration, Ambode directed the relevant agencies to sit up and do the needful to make life comfortable for the people.

He also directed the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) to come up with modalities to establish the branch of the office in each of the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for ease of operation, while other relevant agencies were directed to address various issues raised by residents.

He particularly expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Town Hall was meeting the objectives for which it was established, saying many of the revelations would not have been possible for him to access.

The governor stated, “For me, I am particularly happy with the fact that the Town Hall Meeting is meeting the objectives for which it was established. I mean if I sit in my office in Alausa, there is no way I could get the feedback I am getting here and that is one of the reasons I am happy that we set this up.

“I also want to appreciate the people for coming out to tell us what they want us to do and the areas we need to intervene. For me, I will continue to work hard to make life comfortable and better for our people.”

An analyst, Dr. Mahmud Zukoji, who watched the town hall meeting live on television in faraway Kano State, said, "Watching the live coverage of the town hall meeting in Ibeju Lekki gives one the positive impression that democracy can work for us if those in leadership create the right environment for it to work."

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ AUGUST 3, 2018

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Personal Well-Being Index Records Marginal Growth The NOIPolls Personal WellBeing Index (PWBI) report for the second quarter of 2018, recorded a minimal increase of 0.4 points to 65.2 points last quarter, compared with the 64.8 points it was in the first quarter of 2018.

The magnitude of the positive perception of the various aspects of one’s life, altogether, is determined by the PWBI. According to the poll, four out of the seven factors that constitute the PWBI experienced an increase while the remaining three experienced a decrease. “The highest increase, as usual, was seen in the Religion Index with a 1.2-point increase to stand at 90.3-points from the 89.1-points obtained in Q1, 2018.

“Interestingly, the Economic Index also increased, though minimally, to 42-points in Q2, 2018 from 41.8-points of Q1, 2018, indicating a 0.2-point difference. “This slight increase corroborates the report by the federal government that Nigeria’s economic outlook for 2018 and over the medium term witnessed an upward trend. “This win, according to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning was achieved as a result of series of short term interventions aimed at reflating the economy. “Economist and stakeholders in the ministry have also attributed the country’s growth acceleration to improved oil prices, revenue, production,

and the recently introduced foreign exchange measures that contributed to better foreign exchange availability.

On the contrary, the Personal Security Index saw the highest decline of 1.1-point to stand at 63.5-points in Q2, 2018 from 64.6-points obtained in Q1, 2018.

In February 2014, NOIPolls Limited introduced its portfolio of indices; the NOIPolls PWBI, the NOIPolls Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) and the NOIPolls Eagle 30 Business Confidence Index (EBCI). The NOIPolls PWBI measures factors impacting on the lives of everyday Nigerians; thereby producing a complete view of the individual’s personal well-being.

Stanbic IBTC Harps on Support for Aviation Industry Nume Ekeghe Harnessing strategic cooperation and creating an enabling environment have been identified as factors to drive the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

This was the consensus of stakeholders at a recent interactive aviation session organised

by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc in Lagos recently.

The session attracted players across the aviation spectrum, including aircraft manufacturers, airlines, investors, pilots, lessors, bankers, insurers, engineers, travel agencies, air travellers and aviation service companies.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle, said Stanbic IBTC realised the correlation between a vibrant aviation industry in Nigeria and economic growth, hence took up the initiative to support the development of the sector, in collaboration with other stakeholders.

He added that some of the areas where the bank can offer financial service solutions are aircraft financing and leasing, advisory services, asset financing, aviation infrastructure development, and capacity building.

He added, “When we say Africa is our home, we mean every word of it. Supporting the continent’s development is a task we take very seriously.�

Also, at the session the keynote speaker and Chief Executive Officer, African Aviation Services, Nick Fadugba, spoke against the backdrop of Africa’s below par performance in air transportation.

He highlighted three key ingredients that will be helpful in halting the trend: these are having strong airlines, hub airports and an enabling environment. “These steps will improve connectivity and convenience, increase safety and aviation infrastructure, as well as enhance competition, drive down costs and raise efficiencies. “Achieving this will not be a

walk in the park, but it requires hard work by all stakeholders. It was noted that although South Africa Airways, Ethiopian and Kenya Airways are Africa’s three biggest airlines, Emirates is bigger than the three put together – hence the need to provide every support necessary for the industry. “For a continent with 15 per cent of the global population, Africa offers immense opportunities in air travel, but unfortunately 90 per cent of its air traffic is conducted by foreign airlines,� Fadugba added.

While thanking Stanbic IBTC Bank for organising the aviation-specific conference, Fadugba emphasised that building a safe, secure and efficient aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa required the cooperation of stakeholders in such areas as joint training, repair and overhaul (MRO), spares pooling, joint operations, interlining, and code-sharing.

FirstBank Launches Chatbanking on Whatsapp FirstBank has announced the launch of chat banking on WhatsApp. With this, the bank explained that its customers would be able to leverage real-time messaging capabilities of the WhatsApp Business solution to check their account balances as well as perform simple banking queries.

A statement from the bank yesterday, explained that the initiative which was launched recently, was still in its pilot phase and would be available to a select group of customers, after which

it will be made available to all customers.

Additional details on the solution would be provided in the coming weeks as customers are encouraged to keep interacting with the Bank on its various social media channels for updates. “Customers’ expectations are constantly changing and it’s our duty as a customer focused bank to ensure that our customers are provided with the means to carry out banking services through any

channel they desire,� the Group Head, E-Business, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chuma Ezirim said. “We are constantly seeking new ways and opportunities to meet customers at their preferred touch points and we understand our customers are actively engaged on WhatsApp. “With FirstBank chatbanking on WhatsApp, it is not just about staying connected with friends and loved ones, but also keeping in touch with your bank anytime and anywhere you are.�

Agusto & Co. Assigns Union Bank ‘A-’ Rating Agusto & Co. has assigned Union Bank Plc and ‘A-’ rating.

The pan-African rating agency explained in a statement yesterday, that the latest rating on the bank would expire on 30 June 2019.

It stated that the rating assigned reflected the bank’s good capitalisation, ability to refinance, good brand equity, as well as an experienced management team. “The rating also takes

into account the bank’s tangible efforts at resolving asset quality issues with significant write-offs and loan recoveries, which has resulted in a 55 per cent drop in non-performing loans as at 30 June 2018. “In addition, the additional capital raised via a rights issue in 2017, as well as the use of technology to improve operations and mobilise deposits, will positively impact Union

Bank’s financial performance in the near term. “Union Bank like a number of the older banks, has weathered periods of adverse macroeconomic headwinds, industry boom & bust years, and legacy challenges. Shareholder support, alongside regulatory guides, at various times has led to positive strategic changes, thus enabling continued business activity,� it explained.

L—R: Best Student, Stream 41, Skye Graduate Intensive Training, Mr Prince Emmanuel; Directorate Head, South, Skye Bank Plc, Dr Ayo Abina; Best Student, Stream 42, Miss Pamela Chikezie and Head, Human Capital Management, Skye Bank, Mr Taiwo Olupeka, at the Skye bank Business School graduation in Ibadan‌ recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY JULY 31, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $73.62 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $73.53 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), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

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MARKET NEWS

Notore’s Listing Boosts NSE Market Capitalisation by N101bn Goddy Egene The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) got a boost by N100.75 billion yesterday, following the historic listing of 1.612 billion ordinary shares of Notore Chemical Industries Plc (Notore) at N62.50 per share.

The company was listed on the industrial goods sector of the NSE. The listing was the first this year.

Notore, which is a vertically integrated agro-allied, chemical and power group based in Onne Rivers State, has six subsidiaries. They are Notore Supply & Trading Mauritius Limited, Notore Power Limited, Notore Seeds Limited, Notore Foods Limited and Notore Industrial City Limited. Speaking on the reasons for the listing on the NSE, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Notore Plc, Mr. Onajite Okoloko, said

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

it was to support the Nigerian government’s effort to deepen the capital markets, improve liquidity and tradability of the company’s shares. In addition, he said the move would increase the company’s visibility and credibility in the Nigerian market and beyond.

“The listing will also increase access to capital in order to fund the company’s future growth initiatives and grant Nigerians the opportunity to participate

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

in the Notore’s growth history,” he said. Giving a brief history of the company, Okoloko said, formerly O-Secul Fertilizer Company Limited, Notore was established in 2005 to acquire the core assets of the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON). “Our core business is the production and sale of fertilizer products, which is traded locally (within) Nigeria and exported to West Africa, Southern Africa and Europe.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Our key strength lies in our huge potential to diversify our revenues due to our favourable location within a prolific gas hub and access to a jetty, which guarantees easy export of any products manufactured in the facility,” he said. Disclosing the value proposition of the company, Okoloko said Notore remains the only urea producer in sub-Sahara Africa with control over gas supply and has vast distribution network in the local

O F

Nigerian market. According to him, it currently produces 1,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer on daily basis. “Notore sells 75 per cent of its urea fertilizer locally and export 25 per cent to leading international traders such as Helm Ag, Ameropa and Yara.

Notore is a licensed independent power producer, which generates electricity for use in the fertilizer plant and residential estate with excess capacity available for sale to nearby off-takers.

0 2 / 0 8 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

44

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45

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MARKET NEWS

ASHON Chairman Call for Regular Information from Quoted Companies Goddy Egene The Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) has called on listed companies to regularly provide information on their operations to enable operators and investors make informed investment decisions in the stock market.

The Chairman of ASHON, Chief Patrick Ezeagu made the call during a visit of the association’s executive members to the management of FBN Holdings Plc in Lagos. According to him, the stock market is information

driven and quoted companies are obliged by the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE)’s post listing requirements to ensure regular dissemination of information to the market to enable stockbrokers serve as a rally point for the market, quoted companies and shareholders.

“It is important that we have regular information concerning what is happening within the companies that are quoted on the exchange so that the brokers will appropriately appreciate the efforts of the people who are running those companies,

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

and know exactly what they are planning to do. This will help stockbrokers to advise their clients effectively. The engagement will be a continuous one because that is the only way that we can be sure that they are operating in a very transparent manner and that we too are abreast with what is happening within the company’s space. This is because the market is actually driven by information. Prices are made based on perception of the company in question and the value they actually carry. You cannot know the

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 01Aug-2018, unless otherwise stated.

value except when you get information concerning what they have done, what they are doing at the moment, what they have done and some of the measures that the companies have put in place in order to ensure that they are able to manage their risk,” he said.

Responding, the Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Urum Kalu Eke commended the collaborative efforts of ASHON to move the market forward.

He also hailed ASHON for its series of initiatives,

including floating of Lagos Commodity and Futures Exchange (LCFE) as Indices that shall move the capital market to the next level.

Eke explained that FBN Holdings considered it a corporate recognition for being worthy of partnership with ASHON. “We know the primary role that stockbrokers play in deepening the market and creating awareness.

And so, for us, this is a partnership that should be strengthened. I was quite delighted that they have an agreement and

understanding on how to move forward in terms of helping to build capacity and I was particularly delighted to learn of the plan to get into commodity exchange that ASHON is promoting. I think it supports the government initiative towards deepening the market.

On our part, we are going to provide our platform, which is the First Bank of Nigeria Limited. The commercial bank will support the commodity exchange initiative. We will definitely partner with them.

It is a great development for the market.”

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 178.75 179.04 3.95% Nigeria International Debt Fund 262.72 263.06 13.50% 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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 12.50% 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 18.69 19.25 2.28% ARM Discovery Fund 388.05 399.75 -0.26% ARM Ethical Fund 7,096.10 7,310.05 25872.10% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.52% 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 144.98 146.00 -4.42% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.00% 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 10.54% Paramount Equity Fund 11.54 11.84 -6.63% Women's Investment Fund 102.70 105.33 2.06% NAV Per Share Fund Name Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 105.44 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 12.47% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1,177.04 1,177.76 9.00% FBN Heritage Fund 144.23 145.27 3.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.11% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.01 $114.4 3.23% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.91 $114.3 3.22% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 166.71 169.12 4.05% 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 1.30 1.33 0.35% Legacy Debt Fund 3.09 3.09 7.95% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.99% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 102.60 104.04 2.86% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.00% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.83%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.24% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.42 120.70 4.66% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 3.50% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,065.59 1,065.59 5.71% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.81 -2.88% 0.70% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 11.15% 11.28% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.36 11.86% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.77 11.83 6.63% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.81% 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 128.23 128.90 -1.04% 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 1.62 1.62 9.12% 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 2,324.62 2,343.43 3.63% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 184.23 184.23 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.01 1.02 0.50% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 242.01 242.06 9.89% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 174.41 176.38 -2.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.91% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,363.51 9,490.09 -3.17% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.08 1.08 1.51% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.15 1.16 -2.82% United Capital Bond Fund 1.54 1.54 8.05% United Capital Equity Fund 0.75 0.76 -1.90% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.50% United Capital Eurobond Fund 104.28 104.28 4.25% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.14 1.14 4.54% 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 12.71 12.91 1.52% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.29 13.43 0.89% Zenith Income Fund 20.63 20.63 9.01% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.05%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 136.81 51.45

1.01% 3.28% 1.22%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.05 139.22 109.58

12.25 142.11 111.58

-0.18% -2.55% 0.28%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.53 8.56 17.07 17.63 145.81

4.57 8.64 17.17 17.83 147.81

-4.41% -10.48% -2.48% -10.31% 6.51%

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.

FRIDAY AUGUST 3, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757

The Limits of Trump’s Summit Diplomacy Recent events in North Korea and Iran seem to put a question mark over the efficacy of President Donald Trump’s strategy of jettisoning multilateral solutions to international problems in favour of direct bilateral meetings. Vincent Obia writes The reports this week about possible continuation of missile activities at a North Korean facility raised questions over the success of US President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

The highly anticipated and well celebrated summit in Singapore last June had the ultimate aim of halting Kim’s nuclear ambitions and denuclearising the Korean peninsula. But with allegations

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWAKEMI ELIZABETH AWODIJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAKEMI ELIZABETH BAKARE. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FUNKE AFOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBODE FUNKE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BABATUNDE PETERS OLUWABUNMI OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as PETERS OLUWABUNMI OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ONYILOHA GEORGE OPARA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYIRIOHA GEORGE UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABIDEMI YETUNDE BADEWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ABIDEMI ESTHER ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AISUEGBEHIEN OMONIGHO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EHIANE OMONIGHO. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH SALAMI BENJAMIN, now wish to be known and addressed as AJADE JOSEPH BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AJAYI TEMITAYO AYODELE, now wish to be known and addressed as OMIYALE TEMITAYO AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. and general public should take note.

by US spy agencies that North Korea might be building more Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) capable of reaching the United States, there is serious uncertainty about the achievability of the denuclearisation goal within the context of the US/North Korea bilateral talks.

Quoting senior U.S. officials, The Washington Post reported on Monday that satellite pictures and infrared imaging had indicated renewed work at the Sanumdong missile assembly facility south of the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The report said this was the facility that produced North Korea’s first ICBM and “space-launch vehicles.”

The images taken in recent weeks was said to indicate that, at least, one or two liquid-fuelled missiles were being built.

“We see them going to work, just as before,” the Post quoted one senior official as saying on condition of anonymity.

Reuters quoted another U.S. official as saying that it was uncertain how far the likely missile construction had gone.

But the images reportedly captured regular movement

of supply trucks and other vehicles around the missile facility.

The satellite images were analysed by nuclear scientists at Middlebury Institute, California. Octave Lepinard, from the institute, was quoted as saying they saw increased activity, but there was nothing concrete to prove resumption of production there. He said they knew ICBMs had previously been constructed and stored at the facility and in the new images, they saw shipping containers and vehicles moving in and out and new buildings being constructed close to the facility.

“The unusual aspect of the images that we have seen recently is particularly the shipping containers that we saw on July 7 we believe to be transporting some of their ICBMs,” said Lepinard.

Experts, however, say North Korea may not be breaching any agreements, as no concrete agreement or detailed denuclearisation plan was decided at the Singapore summit in June. The Trump administration appeared to be more interested in establishing trust with the North Koreans, first, before advancing along the line of denuclearisation.

Many Republicans had rejected the strategy, saying they don’t trust the North Koreans.

It is hard to verify what might be going on at the Sanumdong missile facility. But experts believe it would not be surprising if activity continued at the site, because North Korea never really committed to immediate halt of their nuclear and missile activities. But even if the North Koreans made such commitment, it is doubtful whether the US can effectively enforce and monitor compliance without the active involvement of the international community. But the Trump administration’s isolationist tendencies, which have seen America deliberately weakening or pulling back from multilateral institutions that the United States had helped to establish, is a clear disincentive to such international cooperation.

The US has lately alleged that China was quietly easing sanctions on North Korea and threatening Trump’s policy of maximum strength and maximum pressure on the North Koreans to force the Kim government to denuclearise. But what with recent US actions against multilateral institutions and agreements, many feel it is hard to really blame China if they choose to engage in any unilateral moves towards North Korea.

Trump has pursued a controversial US-centric policy since his inauguration in January last year, going it alone and brushing aside everyone else, even traditional American allies. The US ended its participation in the UN process to develop a Global Compact on Migration (GCM) in December 2017; pulled out of the Paris-based landmark UN cultural organisation, UNESCO, in October 2017; and withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council last June. On May 8, the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also called the “Iran Nuclear Deal”. The deal on the nuclear programme of Iran was reached in July 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—plus Germany.

Condemning the Trump government’s withdrawal from the Iran deal, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in May, “I deeply regret President Trump’s decision to withdraw, and urge all other signatories to renew their commitment to the deal and avoid a broader escalation of tensions across the Middle East.”

Annan said the JCPOA was a “hard-won diplomatic achievement and proof of what robust negotiations on the part of all those involved can achieve”.

The immediate past UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned Trump’s decision.

Ki-moon stated, “I am very worried about the risks of a new nuclear arms race, this time in the Middle East, as well as the negative implications for on-going negotiations on North Korean nuclear issues.”

Those negative implications appear to be playing out.

Trump’s surprise declaration on July 30 of willingness to meet with Iran’s leadership without “preconditions” was met with deep distrust in Tehran. Barely a week after threatening Iran, Trump offered to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss how to improve ties.

In response, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, said on July 31 that Trump’s offer contradicted his actions, pointing to the US’ moves to impose sanctions on Iran and put pressure on other countries to avoid doing business with it.

In continuation of his summit diplomacy, Trump has also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting on July 16 in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, drew angry reactions in the US. But outside the US, too, not many people had high expectations of the summit, just like other meetings before it, because of Trump’s predisposition to spurning international cooperation and electing isolation.

In Brief Israel’s ‘Loyal’ Druze Arabs Push For Changes

Israel’s new “nation-state” law has provoked anger among members of its most integrated minority, the Druze, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek corrective legislation, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Netanyahu has defended the law, which declares that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country, from fierce criticism at home and abroad. But his conservative government appears to have been blindsided by the response from the Druze community, even though parliament passed the law on July 19 after years of heated debate in the Knesset. In a further effort to calm tensions, Netanyahu convened a meeting with Druze community leaders in Tel Aviv late on Thursday but it was cut short because one of the participants, a retired senior military officer, had harshly criticised the legislation, Israeli media reported.

Death Toll Rises As Zimbabwe Awaits Poll Results

The number of people killed in Zimbabwe’s post-election violence has risen to six, according to police, as opposition leader Nelson Chamisa claimed victory before the release of official results in the tightly contested presidential poll. The situation in the capital, Harare, remained tense on Thursday, as police raised the death toll in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters from three to six, according to Al Jazeera. The electoral commission has until Saturday to release the full results of the presidential elections, but faces pressure to make them public as soon as possible amid escalating tensions. It was expected to start releasing the results later on Thursday.

Warning As Europe’s Heat Nears Record

As Europe bakes in another heat wave, forecasters said the all-time temperature record could be broken in the coming days, BBC reported. The current European record is 48C (118.4F) set in Athens in July 1977. Temperatures are rising in Spain and Portugal, aided by a surge of hot air sweeping in from Africa. BBC Weather says the current forecast for southwestern Spain and southern and southeastern Portugal is 47C (116.6F) on both Friday and Saturday. Portugal’s national record is 47.4C (117.3F), set in 2003. Spain’s peak of 47.3C (117.1F) was only set in July last year. In the UK, temperatures are expected to reach about 33C (91.4F) in the southeast.

US Accuses Russia of ‘Pervasive’ Election Meddling

US national security chiefs have lined up to warn American democracy is in the “crosshairs” of foreign adversaries for elections in 2018 and 2020, according to BBC. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said: “We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to weaken and divide the US.” Coats said the efforts were less robust so far than in 2016, and did not appear directed at a single party.

The Kremlin denies US claims it meddled in its last presidential election. US National Security Adviser John Bolton, FBI Director Chris Wray, National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen also spoke at Thursday’s White House news conference. Coats said Russia was not the only country that was trying to intervene in US elections, without elaborating.

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: Ă&#x;Ă?ÞËÚÒË Email ĂŽĂ?ÔÓ˛×Ă&#x;Ă?ÞËÚÒË̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

The Inner Dimensions of Hajj Nature of journey for Hajj Syed Abul Ala Maududi

T

he people of the world are usually aware of two kinds of journey.

One journey is that which is made to earn livelihood. The second one is that which is undertaken for pleasure and sight-seeing.

In both of these journeys, a man is impelled to go abroad by his need and desire. He leaves home for a purpose of his own, he spends money or time for his own requirements, therefore, no question of sacrifice arises in such a journey.

But the position of this particular journey which is called Hajj is quite different from that of other journeys.

This journey is not meant to gain any personal end or any desire of Nafs. It is intended solely for Allah, and for fulfillment of the duty prescribed

by Allah.

No person can prepare himself to undertake this journey until and unless he has love of Allah in his heart as well as fear of Him, and feels strongly that the Fard (obligation) ordained by Allah is incumbent on him.

Therefore, whosoever sets out for Hajj parting from his family and relatives for a long period, allowing his business to suffer, spending money and bearing the rigors of the travel, he furnishes by his act of devotion a proof of the fact that there is in his heart fear of God and love for Him as also a sense of duty.

[It also indicates] that he possesses the strength to leave his home, when called upon to do so, for the cause of God, and that he can face hardships and willingly sacrifice his wealth and comfort for the pleasure of God.

Inclination towards virtue and piety

When the pilgrim gets ready for the journey with this holy intention, his disposition assumes a different color.

His heart, which is aflame with exuberance of the love of God and which is pulsating with a longing to visit His House, starts harboring only virtuous thoughts.

He does penance for past sins, seeks forgiveness from people whom he might have wronged, tries to render his due to others where necessary so as not to go to God’s court trammeled with the unfulfilled rights of his fellow beings, shuns vice and develops fondness for virtue.

Then, as he steps out to begin the journey, the more he proceeds toward the House of God, the more keen he becomes to do good deeds. He is careful to see that nobody is harmed by him, while he tries to render whatever service or help he can to others. His own nature desists from abuse, indecency, dishonesty, squabbles and bickerings because he is proceeding on the path of God. A man may be making a journey towards the Divine Haram and yet indulging in bad habits?

How can such a shameless thing be possible for anybody?

Thus the entire journey of his constitutes a complete Ibadah.

Oppression and vice can find no place in contrast to all other types of journey. This is the one which continuously keeps on purifying man’s Nafs. It is like a great reformatory course to be compulsorily gone through by every Muslim who sets out to perform Hajj.

Blessings and effects of Hajj

From all the details you have heard you can judge that during the period of two to three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, what great effects are produced in the heart and mind of man!

The process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of several worldly relations and sacrifice of many corporeal desires and pleasures. And all this simply for the sake of Allah, with no selfish end.

Then, together with piety and virtuousness, the incessant remembrance of God and the longing and love of Him pervading the mind of the pilgrim, all leave a firm impression on his mind which lasts for years to come.

On reaching this sacred land he witnesses at every step the relics of those who sacrificed everything of theirs in servitude and obedience to Allah.

They fought against the pagan Arabs, suffered tortures, became migrants, suffered unbearable hardships, but ultimately did raise aloft the Word of God and did not rest content till they subdued every such false power which wanted man to

become subservient to other entities than Allah.

A lesson in courage and determination, which a devotee of God can draw from these clear signs and sacred relics, can hardly be available from any other source.

If the attachment developed with his focal point of Deen (religion) through the circumambulation of the Kaba and the rehearsal of a Mujahid’s life through the rites (Manasik) of Hajj (such as running about, and repeated departures and halts) are combined with Salah, fasting and Zakat, and they are all seen conjointly, you will realize that these processes constitute a training or some big task which Islam wants Muslims to execute.

For this reason, Hajj has been made compulsory for those who are solvent enough and are capable to undertake the journey to and from the Kaba so that, as far as possible, Muslims in the largest possible number remain equipped in every period after having fully gone through this training.

Hajj: a collective Ibadah

You will be unable to appreciate fully the benefits of Hajj unless you keep in view the fact that each and every Muslim does not perform Hajj individually but that only one single period has been fixed for Hajj for the Muslims of the whole world, and, therefore, hundreds of thousands of Muslims jointly perform it.

What I have stated before has only brought home to you the effect produced by this Ibadah on every Haji individually.

Now I shall explain to you how these benefits have been enhanced 100,000-fold by appointing one single period of Hajj for all the world.

The excellence of Islam lies in this very fact that by one stroke it achieves not only two but 1,000 purposes. The advantages of offering Salah singly are by no means small but by making it conditional with congregation, enforcing the system of Imamat in Salah and by enlarging the congregations of the Friday and Eidain [the two Eid] prayers, its benefits have been increased to a limitless extent.

The observance of fasting separately by each person is also a very big source of reformation and training but by appointing only one month of Ramadan for all Muslims, these benefits have been increased so much that they cannot be counted.

Zakat too has many advantages even if dispensed individually. But with the establishment of Baitul-mal (Public Exchequer of the Islamic State) its usefulness has been increased to such a great extent that you cannot estimate it till such time as an Islamic government is formed and you witness with your eyes how much goodness and plentifulness result from collecting the Zakat of all Muslims at one place and distributing it among the deserving persons in organized form.

Similar is the case of Hajj. If every [person] were to perform Hajj singly, even then it will bring about a big revolution in his life but by formulating the rules for all the Muslims of the world to perform it together at one time, its benefits have been increased to a limitless degree.

Growth of piety and virtuousness

When every intending Haji decides to perform Hajj and immediately with this intent the virtues of fear of God, piety, penance, Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from God) and good morals begin to cast their influence on him; when he starts saying farewell to his relatives, friends, professional and other associates; and when he settles all his affairs as if he is no longer the same man as before (his mind is now pure and clean because of the newlykindled spark of love of God), you can imagine the effect of the changed condition of the Haji on so many people around him.

And if every year in each of the different parts of the world 100,000 Hajis at an average get prepared for Hajj in this manner, their influence will improve the moral state of a vast number of people.

Then the hearts of a large number of people will be warmed at places through which the Hajis’ caravans pass, by seeing them, meeting them and by hearing from them the sound of Labbaik, Labbaik.

There will be many whose attention will be diverted towards Allah and Allah’s House, and the eagerness for Hajj will create a stir in their slumbering souls.

And when these people, filled with the thrill of Hajj, return from the Center of their Deen to their cities and towns spread over all parts of the world and are met by numerous persons, then this interchange and the accounts related by the former of their Hajj experience enliven religious sentiments among countless circles.

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FRIDAY 3, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

FG Explains Challenges on $1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan Rail Construction Directs CCECC to commence work at Apapa axis Gboyega Akinsanmi The federal government yesterday explained the different challenges that slowed down the pace of work on the construction of the LagosIbadan rail line, which was awarded at a whopping cost of $1.5 billion, saying a lot of gas and water installations in the Lagos axis constituted one of the major challenges.

Despite the challenges, the federal government equally directed the contractor handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to commence work on the Lagos wing of the rail project.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, explained the challenges yesterday at a session with journalists after a meeting with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the State House, Alausa.

The meeting was attended by the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Mr. Davies Ikanya; Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, and his transportation counterpart, Mr. Ladi Lawanson, among others.

Speaking at the session, the minister first identified the

relocation of public utilities as a major challenge that compelled the construction company to stop working on the Lagos wing of the $1.5 billion rail project.

He said: “In Lagos, we have a lot of oil and water pipes that should be relocated. Beyond gas pipes, we have some bridges we must either build or demolish. When we said we would demolish Costain bridge, everybody screamed.

“We had to call the governor of Lagos State to assist us. He took us there and promised to pay the compensation. He did not say we should not demolish. I like the Lagos State government.”

The minister also highlighted the challenges with some communities along AbeokutaIbadan axis, which he said would require payment of some compensation to the families and individuals that allowed the federal government to use their land.

He acknowledged that the federal government “is going to pay them some compensation, though not much. Lagos is also making some contribution. That is why we came here to see that there is win-win situation.

“Governor Ambode has been very cooperative. He has been cooperating from the beginning to date. We, therefore, decided that CCECC should move back to Lagos. The construction should commence in Lagos so that the Lagos-Ibadan railway

IPC Seeks Jones Abiri’s Release After Two Years in Detention Jonathan Eze The International Press Centre (IPC) has called for the release of Jones Abiri, a journalist and publisher of the Weekly Source local newspaper in Bayelsa State.

He was arrested in 2016 and detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) without arraignment.

However, following a N200million suit filed by Femi Falana Law Chambers against the (DSS), the outcry of media stakeholders and human rights groups, the DSS yesterday produced him at a Magistrate court in Abuja.

The case could not however, proceed because the DSS failed to produce its witnesses and the matter had to be adjourned till August 16 with Abiri being ordered to be remanded in Keffi prison.

Abiri is facing stringent bail conditions including the requirement to have

two sureties who must be very high officers in the civil service.

Reacting to this development, the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, through its Programme Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, said it was very irresponsible for the DSS to have failed to produce its witnesses after having illegally detained Abiri for two years and therefore effectively stalling his trial.

The IPC director also noted that the stringent bail conditions imposed by the Court were unacceptable as it would be very difficult for Abiri, who the DSS labeled a terrorist,to get two Level 16 public officers as sureties.

According to Arogundade, the attitude of the DSS showed that it did not have any case against Abiri and he should therefore be set free immediately and unconditionally

Helicopter Crashes in Sokoto A helicopter suspected to be for surveillance operations yesterday reportedly crashed in Gandi town, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

There is no official confirmation of the number of

those on board, take off point and destination of the helicopter.

Rabah Local Government Area is over 50 kilometres away from Sokoto, the state capital.

As at press time, it was not certain who specifically owned the helicopter.

will be completed by December.

“We are heading to Apapa.

When we got to Apapa, we discovered the station there is too small. However, we do

not need to acquire property because almost all the property at the place belongs to the NRC. So, we are going to expand the Apapa station. “We are

going to have a mall within the station. There are two major stations in Lagos. We have one Ebute-Meta. We are looking for an investor for it because

it will have hotel and mall.

We have the same plan for the Apapa Station. The third station is in Abeokuta while the last one is in Ibadan.

CAMPAIGN RALLY

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole; Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; APC ‘s senatorial candidate in Bauchi State, Lawal Yahaya; President Muhammadu Buhari and Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), during the campaign rally for Bauchi South senatorial district bye-election in Bauchi...yesterday

Soyinka Asks Obasanjo to Stop His ‘Hijacking Propensity’ Debunks defection comments Yinka Olatunbosun The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to keep away from movements struggling to restore Nigeria to the path of sanity and end his “hijacking propensity.”

Soyinka has also denied comments credited to him on the current defections by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made his position known yesterday at the launch of his book, ‘Interventions’ VIII’ published by Book Craft.

“The business of fake news is becoming very alarming. The unscrupulous attachment of one’s name with something which I had never said or even thought and the brazen

imposition of one’s identity on such outpouring is so canning, so dishonest. It is disgusting and cowardly. I want the press to be very alert to this and sensitise the public on such materials the way banks do. They should check any information properly before they make an industry out of total lies,’’ Soyinka said.

The Intervention series project is a literary response to the widely distributed three-volume book written

by Nigeria’s former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo titled: My Watch.

The author made several scathing comments on Obasanjo’s political persona with claims of proof of evidence.

In his message to Obasanjo,

Soyinka cautioned him against associating with the new crop of Nigerians who seemed genuinely interested in provoking progressive ideas for nation-building. “I have only one demand: Keep away from movements struggling to restore this country to the path of sanity and even moderate rectitude. End your hijacking propensity,’’ he said.

In his submission, a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), promised to defend the author of this book against legal action that the content of the book may provoke.

While reaction to the spate of defection in the political climate, he cited the constitution as the authentic legal framework for assessing the merit of these defections.

“On the issue of defection, under section 68 of the 1979 and 1999 constitution, a legislator can only decamp to another party on the grounds that if your political party is in trouble and is factionalised into major divisions, you can cross carpet but not on divisions instigated for the purpose of exiting.

“You are shortchanging the electorate if you do not want to continue on that same platform that brought you in; you must go and receive a fresh mandate under the platform of your new party. There will be two congresses that will produce two chairmen, there will be state executive, national executive involved, you don’t just address a press conference and give a statement that you have defected,” Falana said.

Buhari: God Uses Defection to Fish Out Bad Eggs from APC Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State not to be perturbed by the recent gale of defections from the party, saying “God will continue to fish out the bad eggs among us’” as the 2019 general election approaches.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari also said his administration would continue to work hard to surpass its campaign promises for a better Nigeria.

Adesina said the president spoke at the commencement of the campaign rally for the Bauchi South senatorial district bye-elections and the formal presentation of APC candidate, Hon. Gumau Lawal Yahaya, for the August 11 poll.

According to him, Buhari told the rally that the APC-led government had remained faithful in implementing its campaign promises of improving the economy, securing the country, and fighting corruption.

He quoted him as saying “the work we are doing is because of God, our country and you.

I want to inform you that the

knowledge we have garnered over the years, we won’t allow you to be cheated. ‘‘Like we promised, what will determine a good future for the country are security, strong economy and to stop corruption. We campaigned on these things, you voted for us and we will never forget.”

Adesina who further said the president’s remarks were accompanied by a thunderous applause by party supporters at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, said he endorsed the APC candidate for the senatorial bye-election.

He added that the president,

who was accompanied by the party Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, governors of Bauchi, Plateau, Kano and Imo States, and other party officials, added that “we have confidence in him and we trust him.”

The statement added: “He, therefore, urged the people of Bauchi South senatorial district to vote Hon. Yahaya in the upcoming election.

“The president also thanked the people of the state for defying the heavy rainfall and coming out en masse to welcome him and show solidarity to the party’s candidate in the Senatorial election.”

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NEWSEXTRA

2019 Elections: Middle Belt, Southern Nigeria Unite for Common Agenda Kehinde Lawal Peoples from the Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt have resolved to work together to pick a common presidential candidate for the 2019 elections

and ensure the restructuring of the country for peace and liberty.

The movement, Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum for Development, (SNMFD) after its national

Defections: 16 Kwara LGA Chairmen Dump APC, Joins PDP Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The gale of defections in Kwara State continued yesterday as 16 chairmen of local government areas (LGA) in the state dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leader of APC in the state and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, six members of the House of Representatives, two senators and all the political structure of Saraki had all defected to PDP. Also, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad and 23 members of the assembly had dumped APC and joined the PDP, while Hon.Saheed Popoola representing Ojomu/Balogun state constituency remained the only lawmaker in the APC in the state House of Assembly.

The state Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Joshua Omokanye, dis-closed the defection yesterday to journalists in Ilorin during a press conference.

Omokanye who is also the chairman of Oyun LGA, said their decision was not in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is supported by Section 109 (1) (g).

“It is our collective resolve to join the PDP as the worthy alternative platform to further our political careers and work for the advancement of the generality of our people. Since we are welcomed by the party, we have no doubt it wouldn’t be like the conglomeration of strange bedfellows that APC had been in the last four years,” he said

conference held in Lagos, said the people from the two critical sections of the country have shared history, fears and aspirations and urged them to unite behind a presidential candidate.

It said the unity is necessary to forge harmony with other ethnic groups and social groupings in the country.

The group added that the best way to tackle the challenge of exclusion suffered by the people was for them to unite and present a common position in the forthcoming presidential poll.

In a communiqué signed by the group’s President, Mr. Sidney Imohbio, it said people from Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt zone are anxious to see the restructuring of the country in the shortest time possible.

It regretted that in spite of the democratic experience of the country, human lives continue to lay in waste while hope for a renaissance continue to diminish.

The group said in the past four years, no fewer than 10,000 lives have been lost to conflict and violence in the

country, saying that the unity of the South and Middle Belt was imperative for the overall goal of a united, strong and flourishing Nigeria.

“Only a political system that considers the urgent need for restructuring will be useful to the people of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt. We have to work together. Though we are non-partisan, we consider the electoral field as critical to the realisation of the dream of SNMBF to see to the restructuring of Nigeria,” the group said.

Sidney said the restructuring

was the surest way to peace, stability and prosperity in Nigeria.

“We shall work day and night to ensure the best candidate emerges in 2019 that will uplift Nigeria by addressing the garrison structure of the country which stifles development and creativity,” the group added.

SNMBFD was established about two years ago to promote the interests of Southern Nigeria and the Middle belt. It has already established structures in 24 states of the Federation.

PDP Loses National Officer to APC The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost one of its National Executive Committee (NEC) and the only National Officer from Kwara State, Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Aluko, who was the party’s flag bearer as deputy governorship candidate in the 2015 elections resigned his elective position and membership of the PDP during the party’s NEC meeting yesterday.

The former Special Adviser on Security matters in Kwara State accused the opposition of impunity and undemocratic practices.

Aluko said he was irked by the decision of the PDP’s

national leadership to hand over the structure of the party to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who defected to PDP on Tuesday and attended its NEC meeting yesterday.

“It is therefore, shocking that the party at the national level has resolved to hand over the party structures and all electable positions to defectors without any regards for those who stood by the party and built it Into a strong winning machine in Kwara. It is even more shocking that as the only national officer from kwara State and NEC member from Kwara was not consulted,” he added.

Aluko said he was leaving PDP “ for a more democratic platform.”

Ekiti Establishes Health Insurance Scheme Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Government yesterday kick-started a Health Insurance Scheme (EHIS) in the state with the inauguration of 18-man committee that is expected to ensure a smooth take-off of the scheme.

The organised labour in the state has however, threatened to embark on an industrial action if the state government fails to pay them two months’ salaries every month with effect from July.The committee, which is headed by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo as Chairman, consists of members drawn from the public sector, private organisations, labour unions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and health practitioners.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Ojo reiterated the commitment of the state government to the provision of affordable healthcare services and to transform the health sector through the wide coverage and people’s participation in order to increase life expectancy for the growth and the overall development of the state.

Ojo said the focus was to guarantee improved access to high standard healthcare delivery through adequate financial protection against unforeseen huge medical bills as well as reduction of poverty in the state by reducing the out -of -pocket expenses on healthcare for families and individuals.

INTERVENTION SERIES

L-R: A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; a renowned journalist, Kunle Ajibade and Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation Newspaper, Sam Omatseye, during the unveiling of Soyinka’s latest Interventions Series - “QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?” at the Freedom Park, Lagos ...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

Certificate Forgery: Police Investigate Adeleke,Arrest Principal Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Detectives from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday commenced investigation into the allegations of certificate forgery levelled against the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

THISDAY’s investigation revealed that policemen from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, were at Ede Muslim

High School I, where the principal of the school, one Mr. Khalid Abbas, was said to have been arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Osogbo, the Osun State capital, before being transferred to Lagos.

The investigation also revealed that the officers also visited the head office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo for an undisclosed mission.

When THISDAY visited Ede Muslim High School,

Ede yesterday, a source in the school confirmed the arrest and the transfer of the principal to Osogbo. The source in the school also told journalists who visited the school yesterday: “It was true that policemen from Lagos came to Ede Muslim High School. One of the teachers said that the policemen came to investigate the secondary school certificate which Senator Adeleke submitted to INEC. “They noted that the signature on the testimonial was different from the notification

of result which he submitted.

However, the principal was taken to the police headquarters in Osogbo before taken to Alagbon in Lagos.

A competent security source in the state police headquarters also confirmed the arrest and added that the principal was being detained in Alagbon, Lagos.

When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Fimihan Adeoye, said he did not know anything about the incident, saying he was in Abuja.

INEC Chairman Challenges Arrest Order at Appeal Court Alex Enumah in Abuja Less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja, issued a bench warrant for his arrest on alleged disobedience to court orders, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has asked the Court of Appeal to quash the arrest order.

Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had last Wednesday issued a bench warrant against the INEC chief, following his failure to appear before the court on three occasions to defend himself in the contempt charge brought against him by the Anambra State chapter of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But Yakubu who is challenging the arrest order in a notice of appeal he filed through his lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), is claiming that Justice Pam acted in bad faith in the issuance of the arrest order because he had already filed a pending appeal against the order and the attention of the judge drawn to the appeal.

Among others, Yakubu claimed that up till date, no order was enrolled and served on him for his personal appearance in court as required by law.

He averred that the warrant of arrest against him was a nullity because none of the

parties in the contempt case applied for issuance of bench warrant except the judge who did so on his own.

The INEC chief maintained that he had not disobeyed any court order because he was not present before the court, when the alleged order directing his personal presence was made and that Justice Pam who issued the order has no jurisdiction to punish him for the alleged disobedience of court order committed ex-facie curie (outside the court).

Yakubu in the notice of appeal predicated on five grounds claimed that the Federal High Court Judge was wrong to be a judge of

his own order allegedly not obeyed outside the face of the court.

He maintained that he was no longer a contemnor at the Federal High Court under the strength of his appeal lodged at the Court of Appeal challenging the justification of the contempt charge against him.

Besides, Yakubu asserted that Justice Pam committed a grave miscarriage of justice, when he unilaterally struck out a motion on notice he filed on July 31, praying his court to adjourn the contempt charge against him, pending the determination of his appeal on the contempt charge at the Court of Appeal.

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NEWSEXTRA

Nigeria’s Constitution Does Not Guarantee Economic Prosperity, Says Soludo Kehinde Lawal The Nigerian constitution is designed to collect and share oil rent and has little or no incentive for the growth of a

productive economy, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, has said.

Soludo made this known in an essay titled: ‘The Political

I Am Still in APC, Says Kano Deputy Gov Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubaka has denied the report that he defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I have not resigned; I am still the deputy governor of Kano State. I am currently in Abuja attending an official function; that is, the National Council of Education meeting,” he said.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Abubakar debunked the report, adding that he is still the deputy governor of

Kano State.

The purported defection of the deputy governor was announced on the PDP twitter handle welcoming him and the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who defected on Wednesday.

Abubakar added that he would take decision on his political future at an appropriate time, after consultations.

“I will take decision on my political future at an appropriate time after due consultation with my political leaders,” he added.

He therefore blamed “some agents” of the state government for spreading the rumour.

Economy of Restructuring the Nigerian Federation’, delivered at a lecture organised by the Ndigbo Lagos Foundation in Lagos yesterday.

Soludo, whose lecture focused on restructuring, said prosperity in every society is usually tied to the role accorded the economic institutions.

“If Nigeria desires prosperity to the generality of its people, a new constitution with incentives for the prosperity of the mass of Nigerians will have to be written.

“Our thesis is that while other considerations may be important, the overarching case

for restructuring is economic: restructuring should provide the necessary foundational meta-level socio-political-governance architecture for the emergence and sustainability of a secured and prosperous post-oil economy.

“Context and history matter, and building progressive institutions is a continuous work in progress. However, subjective one may view institutions, we can still recognise a good institution as one that unleashes and maximises the creative energies of the people for the promotion of the highest possible security, prosperity and happiness of the people.

“We argue here that Nigeria’s meta institution, its Constitution (legal-political-governance architecture) is designed to share and consume the oil rents and has perverse incentives for a productive economy,” he said.

The former CBN governor, according to Premium Times, said by its reliance on oil rent, mass economic prosperity in the country is being truncated by the twin malady known as the Dutch Disease and what he termed the Lottery Effect.

“Oil or natural resource boom is known to cause the appreciation of the real effective exchange rate thus harming the

economy, and this has been referred to as the Dutch Disease syndrome. Ours is beyond the Dutch Disease. We also suffer what can be described as a Lottery Effect—a syndrome whereby a hitherto hard working person wins a lottery, quits his job and restructures his family’s lifestyle around the consumption of the lottery money; breeds more children and each with guaranteed allowance from the lottery money; and centralises decision-making in the family, such that the children never have the experience to take up challenges and mature in the process.”

FG to Extend Maternity Leave to Six Months Paul Obi in Abuja The federal government has said it is perfecting plans to extend maternity leave from the current three months to six months The move is geared towards empowering nursing mothers to provide adequate care for newborn babies across the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole stated this at the 2018 World Breast Feeding Week in Abuja.

Adewole who harped on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to the infant, added that “it is the duty of the government to promote, protect and support breast-feeding as part of their obligations to citizen under

the UN convention on the Right of Child to help ensure Children’s right to health.” The minister explained that there was urgent need to consider the extension of the maternity to six months He tasked married men to allow women to give breast milk to baby without any obstruction until the circle of breastfeeding is complete.

Also, the Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed stated that seven million children are born every year in Nigeria and only 25 per cent are exclusively breastfed.

Ahmed added that government has embarked on numerous programme to advocate for breastfeeding.

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday granted an interim bail of N20 million to the Personal Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Mr. Olalekan Alabi.

Alabi has been in police custody in Abuja since May 30, 2018 following his arrest over his alleged link with Offa banks armed robbery suspects.

The presiding judge, Justice IA Yusuf granted the bail after carefully considering the oral application for bail made by Alabi’s counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) and the response of Adekunle Iwalaye, who is the counsel to the respondent, Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim.

Adelodun had on July 27, 2018 moved an exparte motion praying for the release of his client from police custody.

PediniI-Bosch Cautions Clients against Online Fraudsters Pedini-Bosch Nigeria limited, a leading kitchen manufacturing company and the official distributor of Bosch home appliances, has cautioned its current and prospective customers on the activities of online fraudsters masquerading as agents of the company and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of their nefarious activities.

Speaking at the unveiling of the

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, Mr. Davies Ikanya, briefing journalists at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos....yesterday

Alleged Forgery: Court Grants Stella Obasanjo’s Brother Bail Akinwale Akintunde

Offa Bank Robbery: Gov Ahmed’s Aide Gets Bail Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

RAIL TRANSPORT MADE EASY

‘Pedini Buy One Vurn Kitchen + Get 50 per cent off a Second Kitchen Promotion’, in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Emmanuel Enejoh, said: “It has come to the notice of Pedini-Bosch Nigeria Limited that some unscrupulous persons have been soiling our good name by defrauding our prospective clients of their hard earned money using some social media account.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, has granted bail to the Chairman of Inducon Nigeria Limited, Dr. John Abebe.

The judge had remanded Abebe in Ikoyi Prison on July 26, following his arraignment over allegation of forgery preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abebe, who is a younger brother to the late former First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, was arraigned before Justice Dada on a four-count charge of forgery, fabricating evidence and attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The defendant however,

pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC accused Abebe of knowingly forging a letter on June 22, 2010 dated November 30, 1995 and belonging to BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to that of his company, Inducon Nigeria Limited.

The commission said the defendant forged the alleged letter by inserting on page 2, the following words: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4 million buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of Oil in any of our fields,” and purported same to have been issued by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited.

The EFCC also accused Abebe of attempting to “pervert the

course of justice” by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited. Abebe was further accused of attempting to “mislead the court” by using fabricated evidence, contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that by attempting to pervert the course of justice, Abebe violated Section 126 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

Oyedepo added that forgery was a violation of Section 467

of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

Moving Abebe’s bail application yesterday, former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), who led other three Senior Advocates, Dr. Uche Nwobike, Mr. Wale Akoni and Mr. Babajide Koku, argued that the defendant would not jump bail going by his calibre of person. He prayed the judge to grant his client bail on self recognisance.

The former AGF also argued that bail is at the discretion of the court and formalty as many lawyers have considered it to be. He urged the court to grant his client affordable bail.

Kaduna Court to Decide El-Zakzaky’s Bail Application October 4 John Shiklam in Kaduna A Kaduna State High Court has fixed October 4, for ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zinat.

Zakaky and his wife are standing trial for alleged homicide.

The presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, adjourned the matter after counsel to the defendants, Mr. Maxwell Kyon, moved the application for the bail of the first and second defendants.

Journalists were prevented from wåitnessing the proceedings of the court as they were not allowed into the court premises by

security personnel.

But speaking in an interview after the court sitting, Kyon said the defence counsel had filed a bail application to the court and the prosecution had also filed their response.

He said the ruling on the bail application had been fixed for October 4.

“We have moved an

application for the bail of the first and second accused persons and are optimistic of getting bail for our clients,” he said.

Also speaking with journalists after the court session, the prosecution counsel, Chris Umar, said the third and fourth respondents had been served through newspaper publications.

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We Spent N49bn on School Feeding Programme, Says FG The federal government has spent N49 billion on the national home-grown school feeding programme, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Protection, Mariam Uwais, disclosed yesterday.

The programme is meant for feeding primary school pupils across the country.

The programme, a component of the government’s social investment, has been ongoing in the last two years.

Uwais said 8,596,340 pupils were currently being fed in 46,247 public primary schools in 24 states.

She listed Abia, Adamawa,

Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara States as the beneficiaries.

She added that through the programme, 90,670 Nigerians had been engaged and empowered as cooks while over 100,000 local farmers had also been linked with the programme to supply locally sourced farm produce.

Uwais said the government had achieved 30 per cent improvement in school enrollment in the country

since the commencement of the programme.

“We have created a value chain with significant economic benefits to the micro-economic development of the states.” she said.

“The value chain offers additional benefits of job creation and increased livelihood outcomes for both cooks and small holder-

farmers, hence improving livelihood and the local economies.”

Uwais noted that government was having challenges with the implementation of the school feeding programme in Niger and Benue states, adding that some officials in the two states have been handed over to the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.

“The national social investment office is ably empowered to suspend the programme in any state where the prescribed standard is reported to have fallen below expectation until a redesigned and realignment is achieved,” she said.

She said while the federal government budgeted and appropriated N500bn for the 2016 fiscal year and the same amount in 2017, only about N140bn was released in 2017 while N80bn was accessed in 2016. Other components of the SIP are N-Power, national cash transfer project, and government enterprise and empowerment programme.

Saraki Has NotViolated Any Law for Defecting, Says Senior Lawyer Davidson Iriekpen A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ahmed Raji, has cleared the air that Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has not violated any known law of the land by defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Raji made his position known in an interview with THISDAY, pointing out that it was only the Senate president that the constitution vested with the powers to reconvene the Upper Legislative chamber of the National Assembly.

Although he was quick to point out that he did not believe that some senators were scheming to forcibly reopen the Senate. the senior lawyer said: “I do not think anybody has threatened to forcefully reopen the Senate.

What they have said is that they want to appeal to the leadership to reconvene. If you check their rules, it is the prerogative of the president to convene the Senate.”

On the burning issue of legality or otherwise of Saraki’s defection, Raji said any parliamentarian that has defected could lose his seat if there was no division within his party.

He, however, posited that what Saraki has done is presumed legal unless the action is challenged in a court of law.

“Under the constitution, in Section 65, if a parliamentarian defects except there is a division, he may lose his seat. But the question is, is there a division within the APC? Is rAPC a division, if it is held to be a division, he has not violated

any law,” said Raji.

The legal practitioner pointed out that the issue of Saraki’s defection could at best be described as a muted one.

He urged the ruling APC to seek a judicial determination of the matter so as to clear the air once and for all.

Raji said:“It has not been tested and it is a muted point unless the court pronounces; nobody can say one way or the other. Until it is challenged, it is presumed that what he has done is legal.

So far, nobody has gone to court to challenge what he has done, until there is judicial intervention, nobody can pronounce if what he has done is against the law or otherwise.”

Raji further said the recent demand by the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, that Saraki should resign his position was founded more on morality.

He reiterated that Oshiomhole’s demand does not have any basis in law.

Raji pointed out that Saraki was not elected as APC Senate president. He wondered why Senator Ike Ekweremadu would be occupying the seat of Deputy Senate President all this while without the ruling party asking him to resign.

He also enlightened on the question of internal politics of the parliament, saying, “While the party majority plays the role, it is not the sole determinant.

Nothing in their rules says that someone from minority party cannot be Senate President. But in their rules, the majority leader must come from a party that has majority in the house.”

YIAGA AFRICA to Deploy 500 Observers for Osun Election Yinka Kolawole Osogbo As part of the efforts to ensure legitimate and credible election in Osun State, a Civil Society Organisation, YIIAGA AFRICA has said it will deploy over 500 stationary and 31 mobile citizen observers for the election.

Speaking at the round table on the Osun State Governorship Election, the project manager of the organisation, Mrs Cynthia Mbamalu also disclosed that

31 mobile observers would go for random sample at the 250 polling units across all the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

She remarked that observers would be carefully selected to ensure that every local government area was included proportionally in the sample .

Mbamalu stressed that the sampled polling units for would be based on the percentage of polling units and registered voters in that LGA .

YOU ARE WELCOME

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (right); and the Registrar, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Dr. Uyi Uwadiae, during the registrar’s courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State...recently

Alleged Fraud: Kalu Appeal Ruling on No-case Submission Davidson Iriekpen A former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has filed an appeal challenging the ruling of the Federal High Court in which last Tuesday which said he had a case to answer on the allegation of fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Mohammed Idris had last Tuesday held that Kalu has some explanations to make particularly on certain documents tendered by the EFCC as exhibits in evidence against him.

The judge said: “I am of the view that the defendants have some explanations to make

in the light of the exhibits and the evidence so far led.

Again, I will say no more.

The no-case submission is dismissed.”

In the notice of appeal, filed on his behalf by his counsel, Chief Awa .U. Kalu, dated August 1, Kalu insists that all the evidences supplied by the prosecution witnesses had no “nexus,” with him, and as such there was no way a prima facie case against him would have been established.

The former governor also contended that it would amount to “miscarriage of justice,” to compel him to defend a matter in which no “prima facie” case has been established against him.

Kalu’s appeal is based on two grounds. On ground one, the former governor is insisting that the court erred in law when it held that he has a case to answer “notwithstanding the fact that the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses had no nexus with the appellant (Kalu) and did not make out a prima facie case against the appellant.”

He also listed six particulars of the error as follows: “None of the prosecution witnesses gave any evidence linking the appellant with any of the charges. There was no evidence that the 2nd and 3rd respondents acted at the behest of the appellant and

or on his behalf. No fund whatsoever was traced to the personal bank accounts of the appellant nor was the appellant shown to have personally benefitted himself from the said funds alleged to have been stolen or laundered.

“No financial document was shown to have been made or any financial transaction shown to have been performed or transacted by the appellant in relation to the funds the subject matter of the charge.

The prosecution had not made out a case against the appellant. There was nothing for the appellant to defend and no justification for the appellant to be put through the rigors of a full trial.”

Ikeja Electric Employs 500 New Staff, Promotes 299 Others Chibuzor Oluchi In line with its commitment to reward productivity and also bolster efficiency within the organisation, Ikeja Electric (IE), has announced the promotion of 299 employees across various job grades in the business, while employing over 500 new staff in the last one year.

According to the statement by the organisation, the promotions cut across both junior and senior staff cadres in various departments of the company’s Head Office and its six Business Units.

A breakdown of the list showed that in the senior cadre, 13 employees were promoted to the role of senior managers, while seven others

got promoted as managers and another 15 employees ascended the career ladder to become assistant managers.

In addition, 121 employees moved up to become supervisors, while one person rose to Grade Level 1 Officer In the junior cadres, 38 technicians were elevated to Junior Grade Level 4, another 86 persons across technical, commercial, security, internal audit and human resources and administration departments were promoted to Junior Grade Level 3 while 17 employees were elevated to Junior Grade Level 2.

Speaking on the significance of the promotion exercise, the Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer,

Ibiene Okeleke, explained that the company places a high premium on human capital development as a vital component of driving its commitment to providing the best possible service to customers within its network, while noting that the company has employed over 500 new staff since August 2017. “At Ikeja Electric, we constantly recognise and motivate employees who are committed to delivering finest performance on the job, so this promotion exercise is part of the systems that we have put in place to motivate performance among our employees. It also attests to the fact that we value productivity and encourage career advancement for every

employee across various departments”, she said.

She further noted that “it is also important to state that while some other sectors are experiencing huge job losses, we have employed over 500 new workers in our bid to create a more efficient workforce with the aim to ensure excellent service delivery. We strive to deliver the best and and we are not relenting to do more, that is why we also emerged as one of the best 100 places to work in Nigeria, as indicated by the recent ranking released

by Jobberman.”

According to Okeleke, other recognition and reward programmes have been instituted to reward exceptional performances.

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

CAA ASABA 2018

Amusan, Enekwechi Win Nigeria’s First Gold Medals Akani Simbine, TA Lou win men and women 100m titles Femi Solaja in Asaba

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth gold medalist, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, extended her winning streak at major championship yesterday as she won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba by claiming the top spot in the 100 metres women’s hurdles final.

The Nigerian hurdler returned the time of 12.86secs while Steenkamp Rikennete of South Africa came second in 13.18 and Okou Rosvitha of Côte d Ivoire won bronze with time of 13.39. The other Nigerian in the pack, Favour Efe placed sixth with a distant 14.18 seconds.

Moments after fans at the Stephen Keshi Stadium celebrated Amusan’s feat, Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi struck another gold in the men’s shot put event. He threw a distance of 21.08m to pick the precious medal.

However the anticipation for more medals by Nigerian fans were short lived in the 100 meters men and women in which three Nigerians were in contention for the medals. When the

smoke was cleared, and as expected, Marie-Josee TA Lou of Côte d’ Ivoire won the women race in 11.15 secs while Ghanaian Janet Amponsah came second in 11.54 while Nigeria’s Joy Udo-Gabriel won bronze in 11.58 secs.

In the men’s 100 meters final, as expected Simbine Akani of South Africa picked the gold in 10.25 while Cisse Gueu Arthur of Côte d’ Ivoire picked silver in 10.33 and Magakwe Simon won bronze in 10.35 secs.

Nigeria’s hope in the race, Adeseye Ogunlewe finished fifth in 10.45 secs.

In his post race interview, the Nigerian attributed the below par performance to the ‘bumpy’ track of the stadium.

“I was unfortunate to run on lane seven and after 10 meters, I felt like falling down but managed to pick myself and other contestant complained too.

“But it is important to state here that Akani was a great sprinter who managed the difficulty situation better than I did.

“I am at a loss presently because I failed before the Nigerian fans and hoped for better outing next time,” he commented.

Asaba 2018: Failure to Pay for Visa on Arrival Delayed Athletes at MMIA Chinedu Eze The inability to pay for visa on arrival was responsible for the delay of some athletes billed for the 21st African Athletics Championship in Asaba, Delta State.

Many of the athletes arrived Nigeria Monday but could not report to Asaba in time for the kick-off of the tournament on Wednesday.

Majority of the athletes affected were from Kenya and Burundi who, along with their officials, could not raise the money to pay for visa when they arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) source has revealed.

The new policy of visa on arrival, which is part of federal government’s plan to ease the process of doing business in the country enabled the athletes to come to Nigeria without obtaining Nigerian visa in their various countries.

THISDAY checks further revealed that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) was supposed to make arrangements for their easy passage into Nigeria through online visa payment before their arrival, but it failed to do this, which led to their delay at the Lagos Airport.

The Immigration source in Abuja also disclosed to THISDAY

that a lot of the athletes ought to have processed their visas online and make payments before arriving Nigeria, but failed to so, a situation, which led to their temporary delay at the airport.

The Immigration source at MMIA insisted that the Command did not seize any of the athletes’ passports, but only collected them for issuance of sticker Visas on their passports, which was necessary for them to enter the country.

At the Lagos airport, it was gathered that the technical partner of Immigration, New Works had to issue each athlete ID and reference number, an exercise that was cumbersome and caused delay due to poor internet connectivity.

The visa was embossed after payment was made to NIS. “A lot of them came in at once and none of them could pay for visa on arrival, which is a policy of the federal government. As you know, we don’t collect cash at Immigration any longer. The local organising committee was not able to make the payment because it did not make enough preparation towards their arrival into Nigeria. They all came at once and New Works, which is our technical partner, had to generate ID and reference number for each and every one of them to make the payment easier,” the source said.

In his reaction, Akani also confirmed the bumpy state of the track but acknowledged the fact it is not new to him.

“I don’t want to say anything about the state of the tracks or my win today. I am delighted by

the turn out of fans and my concern is more of how the athletics will improve on the continent and perhaps the black race.

“I plan to win more with my team in the relay race and I will be looking forward to race before this

friendly atmosphere again in the course of the this championships,” Akani remarked yesterday at the media tribune.

In another field event, Nigeria’s Temilola Ogunrinde won silver in the women’s hammer

throw.

She return 67.39m.

Soukaina Zakour of Morocco won the event with 68.28metres and Bawsikita Jennifer Batu of Congo Democratic Republic won bronze in 66.43 meters.

Gold medalist of the women’s 100m hurdles, Nigeria’s Oluwatobiloba Amusan (centre); Silver medalist, Steenkamp Rikennete of South Africa; and Okou Rosvitha of Côte d Ivoire on the podium shortly after event in Asaba…yesterday

NFF Congress Gives Condition for Reconciliation with Giwa, Others Orders review of Electoral Guidelines

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday at its congress in Benin City, opened a possible window for reconciliation of all aggrieved stakeholders in Nigerian football.

The football body asked the Chris Giwa and his group, with a pending court case to retrace their steps and reconcile with the football family.

The Congress urged all aggrieved parties to within two weeks ensure that they dismissed all pending court cases against NFF and its leadership.

Part of the resolutions reached by the Congress include filing affidavits in court to affirm and uphold the football statutes as well as not taking football matters to civil court but, to resolve any disputes and/or grievances within the available alternative dispute resolutions mechanism enshrined in the football statutes.

Reading a communique issued at the end of the NFF’s Extra Ordinary General Assembly held in Bénin City, Eze Chukwuemeka, said the Congress empowered the NFF Executive Committee to commence the process of removing any penalties on persons that are currently under sanctions for breach of the NFF statutes provided they complied with the resolutions.

The communique warned that any member that takes any football matter to the ordinary courts of law

would henceforth be automatically expelled from all football activities with immediate effect from the date of filing such law suit.

It described the suit at the Federal High Court in Jos as an unnecessary distraction for the growth of football in Nigeria and has the potential to get Nigeria suspended from being a member of the global football family, FIFA. On the issue of Giwa FC that was expelled from the NPFL in 2016, the communique noted that the club was expelled for multiple breaches of the framework and rules of the league and the claim or challenge by Chris Giwa to NFF leadership.

It explained that Giwa FC was never expelled from participating in league football totally but relegated to the lower league as provided in the league rules.

According to the communique, “As part of reconciliation, the Congress has mandated the Executive Committee to, upon application by Giwa FC, immediately permit the registration of Giwa FC to commence participation in the 2018 Nigeria National League.

“All matches are to be rescheduled in the league to accommodate the club and NFF shall provide reasonable support to the clubs in the division to accommodate these additional matches with Giwa FC, which are not captured in their budgets.”

The communique urged the National Assembly to fast-track the conclusion of the NFF Bill which is said would provide the platform that would completely eliminate most of the current challenges being experienced and ensure the sustainable development of football in Nigeria.

“The Congress further noted that the NFF Statutes would consequently be duly amended to conform to the current realities of modern football management

and the provisions of the NFF Bill as well as ensure inclusivity and optimization of service delivery at all levels.

“The Executive Committee is endorsed to review the ongoing NFF electoral processes, guidelines and reopen the process for any qualified interested stakeholder to participate, including those that may qualify after meeting the set conditions of taking football matters out of ordinary courts.”

NOC Awards Night Holds in Asaba Tomorrow All is now set for the maiden Nigeria Olympic Committee Merit Award night billed for tomorrow, August 4, at the Grand Hotel & Resorts, Asaba, Delta State.

A number of sports personalities and one serving governor will be honoured with the NOC Merit Award. It is the first of its kind in the country and both the initiators and the recipients are enthusiastic about the ceremony which comes as a soothing end to the biggest sporting week in the history of Asaba that has been hosting the African Athletics championship that began on Wednesday. It was also learnt that family members of the recipients will

attend the ceremony. The event which will be sponsored by the Delta State Government will see three administrators, two track & field athletes, one boxer, two Powerlifters, one para-athlete and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who will be given special recognition for his tremendous contributions to the development of sports in the country.

The recipients include Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, the first indigenous President of the NOC and a former member of the International Olympic Committee. He would be honoured post-humously. Other former administrators who will be honoured include Dr Awoture Eleayae and Alhaji Babayo Shehu.

Friday, August 3, 2018

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MISSILE Tambuwal to APC

“We left PDP as a result of bad governance to join APC but today, not much has been achieved. Things are really getting worse. The situation of our country, especially the economy and security, is getting worse. People are being killed in Zamfara State on a daily basis. The situation of the common man is very precarious.”

– Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, giving reasons why he defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

SHAKAMOMODU Oshiomhole as Buhari’s Enforcer L THIS REPUBLIC

ast week, Adams Oshiomhole told us loud and clear what we all knew but which many people were either reluctant to admit, or say publicly. If it was a Freudian slip from the new garrison commander and chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), then it was an important one that confirmed our worst fears about the capacity and competence of President Muhammadu Buhari to govern the country.

Things were happening at such a dizzying speed that one could hardly keep pace. Clouded by the mad hysteria of defections that had hit the ruling party and was largely overlooked by the media, what Oshiomhole had said deserves to be resurrected as it provided some information germane to understanding the Buhari persona. It remains the most striking of all the madness of last week’s events (others were largely expected).

Oshiomhole’s declaration that he was not prepared to condone disrespect for his office if the president condoned such behaviour struck a chord with me. Why was this slip so important?

Because it confirmed what some discerning Nigerians have always suspected: That our president is weak, and does not have control over the running of his government.

This was how Oshiomhole expressed his frustration: “They have taken undue advantage of the president’s fatherly disposition. When we expel the minister, we will prevail on the president that he can’t keep in his cabinet people who have neither respect for his own decisions nor have respect for the party without which they would not have been ministers.

I am convinced that what they are doing is not with the endorsement of Mr. President…”

While I sympathised with Oshiomhole for the reality that had just hit him about how weak Mr. President is, I was however unimpressed by his attempt to clothe that weakness when he said ministers were taking “undue advantage of the president’s fatherly disposition”. The known fact which Oshiomhole correctly identified is that the president condoles disrespect for himself and his office. And that has encouraged the emergence of different power cells in the government, pulling it in opposing directions.

The truth well-spoken by him is that ministers, heads of parastatals and security chiefs owe their allegiance to these competing power cells.

You see, Buhari runs a centrifugal government with no strong centripetal authority; he hardly knows what is going on in his government but appears to always be content when told certain actions have been taken in furtherance of his ethno-religious and re-election interests.

My gut tells me Oshiomhole has seen clearly how weak and indifferent the president is to happenings around him and is alarmed.

Consequently, he has taken it upon himself to attempt to enforce some measure of discipline and order amid the chaos. But this is doomed from the start. The situation is far too deep and complex for a party chairman to deal with.

As a matter of fact, power blocks within the presidency, which derive their oxygen from the president’s weakness, will frustrate him.

So Oshiomhole is wasting his time.

Remember he did not emerge on the strength of his own merit; he emerged through a deal among the power cells. Despite Oshiomhole’s momentary bluster, I am sure he wouldn’t work at cross-purposes with them. Even if there is a collision, the president may be reluctant to side with Oshiomhole especially in this era of mass defections, so as not to endanger his

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Oshiomhole re-election chances. This is a cul-de-sac for the party chair. So let’s not get carried away by his aggressive rhetoric, or overbearing zeal about suddenly wanting to enforce party discipline or harping on the so-called party supremacy.

In any case, Oshiomhole started off on the wrong foot by his aggressive rhetoric, militant and attack-dog tactics like “we’ll crush” rebellion, or when he referred to aggrieved members leaving the party, as “mercenaries”.

As the governor of Edo State for eight years, Oshiomhole should have known better that being a labour leader is one thing, but being the national chairman of a big political party, more so the ruling party, is a different kettle of fish entirely. He had promised to deploy his negotiating skills to resolve the crisis in the APC. Has he done that? I don’t think so.

Instead, he descended into the arena he was meant to rebuild. He lost that important chance to rebuild and reinvent his party by his own impetuous and cantankerous approach that is bound to win him and the party more enemies rather friends.

Back to the key issue of this article. In actual fact, Oshiomhole’s revelation helped to put back on the front burner Buhari’s fitness for office.

A man who cannot galvanise his cabinet into action, who condoles disrespect for his directives and office is to me, unfit to lead. Evidence of Mr. President’s lackadaisical attitude to governance and indifference to enforcement of his orders abounds. Anyone who claims otherwise, or believes that some people just choose to take advantage of his “fatherly disposition” is trying to hold a frog by the tail. There is no such thing as a fatherly disposition in this context.

We are talking about a situation where the president has demonstrably displayed weakness, the lack of capacity and competence to be the commander-in-chief – a situation that has left the country visibly rudderless and drifting precipitously towards anarchy and chaos.

For God’s sake, how can a man who is in the habit of tongue-lashing his countrymen and the youth when he is in a foreign land be said to have a fatherly disposition? How can

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a president who believes Nigerian youths are lazy, yet he is doing nothing to refocus them, be said to have a fatherly attitude? I am unable to establish the nexus with the fatherly disposition where all that is on display is weakness, sheer incompetence and inability to give direction to his government, leading to a lethargic and disoriented low-energy cabinet. There is a lack of synergy among government agencies. The proof of this weakness is glaringly evident and cringe-worthy.

How does one even defend the fact that Buhari sent the name of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive chairman twice, and on those two occasions, the Department of State Services (DSS) undermined the president’s request for confirmation by writing a counterreport to the Senate on why Magu should not be confirmed? Without implying support for Magu, I make bold to say, it was one of those moments in history, when we saw a display of who was indeed in charge of government and running the show. I was literarily short of words when I saw the headlines in the media the next day. Most of them read, “Again, DSS writes Senate..Says Magu unfit…”

There is another instance when the president’s weakness was on full display. At a town hall meeting with the traumatised people of Benue, during a visit to the state, Buhari told the whole world that he did not know that his Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris flouted his order to relocate to Benue, following the mass murders of 73 people by Fulani herdsmen. Several months after his voluntary public disclosure, IG Idris is still in office committing all sorts of atrocities and leading the police deeper into the abyss with his partisan behaviour. He has become the single biggest albatross around the police’s neck. Till date, no disciplinary action has been taken against him for flouting the presidential directive.

In Jos recently, after Fulani herdsmen had massacred over 200 people as revenge for the loss of 300 cows, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has repeatedly claimed that Fulani herdsmen only move about with sticks, told a bewildered nation that all he could do was pray for the killings to stop and also put more pressure on the security chiefs to do more to stop the killings. I must confess, in all my years on this earth, I have never seen or heard anything like that.

Under his watch, Nigerians are being killed like chickens and all the president can do is to pray for the wanton killings and destruction of properties to stop and also put pressure on the security chiefs to end the killings? No marching orders were given to the security chiefs to end the killings? Nor was there any condemnation of the activities of the herdsmen, or any show of righteous indignation by the president at the sheer depravity of the action of the herdsmen. I knew Buhari was incapable of leading a diverse nation like Nigeria but never did I ever imagine things would get this bad. Yet, this is the man Bola Tinubu, Oshiomhole, and many shameless Nigerians are rooting for to have a second term. Amaechi boasted recently that even if Buhari was in a wheelchair, he would win come 2019. In other words, these people actually see many Nigerians as fools, incapable of differentiating a good leadership from a bad one.

Who can forget the secret reinstatement of the fugitive former Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina? Top officials of Buhari’s government ensured that despite the fact that the president was advised against such an unforced error by the Head of Service, Maina was reinstated, rewarded with a double promotion and paid about N15 million as entitlements. When the scandal broke, the president feigned ignorance, and with great razzmatazz, he directed that Maina’s appointment be terminated immediately.

To pacify a disenchanted public and as “proof” that he was not in the know, a probe was instituted to unravel the circumstances surrounding Maina’s reinstatement and identify those behind it.

However, the information that filtered through soon afterwards showed that the president knew all along but allowed the different power cells to carry out the reinstatement secretly until the news broke and blew in his face. Public reaction then jolted him into action and overrode them. It is noteworthy that none of the officials responsible for Maina’s reinstatement was ever punished. The probe report (if any) has since been swept under the carpet.

The truth here is that Oshiomhole correctly identified the problem when he stated that if the president condoled disrespect for his office, he would not. The unfortunate thing here is that as eager as Oshiomhole is to carry out the seemingly impossible self-appointed task of enforcing presidential directives in the government or instilling discipline in the APC, he doesn’t have the tools of enforcement. His style so far is fuelling more resentment in the party of big egos. Lest we forget, a party that was a product of indiscipline cannot expect to reap discipline. If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.

This brings me to developments in Benue State. Oshiomhole alongside the EFCC are now accusing Governor Samuel Ortom of all sorts of crimes, maladministration, failure to pay workers’ salaries, including embezzlement to the tune of N22 billion. Surely, the EFCC didn’t just know this, but swept it under the carpet because Ortom was a member of the APC. But now that he has crossed over to the PDP, EFCC has suddenly come up with the embezzlement charge. Does anyone need any more proof that the EFCC is a tool in the hands of the ruling APC to harass and intimidate political opponents?

For those who still claim that Buhari is fighting corruption, let me point out another important contradiction that blemishes that claim. Babachir Lawal, the disgraced former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who pocketed money meant to alleviate the pain and suffering of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is currently busy influencing political appointments and choices in the upcoming elections. He leads the charge for Buhari’s re-election in Adamawa State. The same EFCC that served Ayo Fayose notice of his impending arrest at the end of his tenure in October when his immunity would have lapsed is unwilling to go after Babachir. The irony here is Babachir has no immunity, and there is prima facie evidence that he was the brains behind the fraud, yet he has not been put on trial. I bet you the day he defects to the PDP, EFCC would arraign him in court within 48 hours of his defection. I hope one day these people will be held to account. May God help Nigeria through this dark age.

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