FRIDAY 10TH AUGUST 2018

Osinbajo Intervenes in Total’s $16bn Egina Oilfield Dispute December target for 200,000bpd first oil under threat Ejiofor Alike Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will be in Lagos today as part of his efforts to settle the dispute threatening the

ongoing integration of the $3.3 billion Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) unit constructed for the $16 billion Egina Deepwater oilfield being developed by

the French oil major, Total, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

The visit follows the allegations by some international oil companies

(IOCs) behind the Egina project that the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity by

200,000 barrels per day in December 2018 through the Egina deepwater oil field, is under threat, following a demand of $33 million by the Global Resources Free

Zone Management Company (GRFZMC), a subsidiary of LADOL. THISDAY gathered that Continued on page 10

New Contributions Raise Pension Assets to N8.23tn… Page 8 Friday 10 August, 2018 Vol 23. No 8515. Price: N250

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45 Political Parties Pay Solidarity Visit to Saraki Claim FG wants to freeze Senate's account APC insists Senate president must step down Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Deji Elumoye in Abuja Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday received a morale boosting visit from 45

political parties, who went to his Three Arms Zone, Abuja office to show solidarity to him and his colleagues over Tuesday’s siege to the National Assembly Complex by the

operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Speaking on behalf of the 45 parties, the Chairman of National Unity Party, Chief Perry Okpara, who

condemned the siege, also claimed that the parties had it on good authority that the accounts of both the Senate and Saraki would be frozen anytime from now.

And apparently unhappy with the goodwill that the siege had brought Saraki and the federal legislature, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lashed out at the

Senate president, saying he was unfit to occupy his office and insisted that he must step down.

Continued on page 8

IG Submits Interim Report on Daura to Acting President EFCC quizzes, releases ex-DG, SSS, Ekpenyong Seiyefa promises to review illegal detentions, rights abuse Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has submitted to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, an interim report on former DirectorGeneral of State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, who was dismissed on Tuesday over the siege to the National Assembly by hooded operatives from the secret service.

The interim report, a copy of which THISDAY sighted, made its way to the acting president, just as unconfirmed news had it that Daura might have been released but his passport seized as further investigations were still being conducted by the police.

More troubles, however, seem to be in the offing for the former secret service chief, Continued on page 8

Boko Haram Kills 17 Soldiers, NEMA Staff... Page 10

THE INTERIM SPYMASTER...

The Acting Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, during his maiden media briefing in Abuja... yesterday

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PAGE EIGHT

New Contributions Raise Pension Assets to N8.23trn Ebere Nwoji

The total pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have risen from N7.52 trillion as of December 2017, to N8.23 trillion in June 2018.

The Acting Director General of National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, who disclosed this at the third annual conference of

the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO) held in Lagos yesterday, attributed the increase to new contributions received, interest/coupon from fixed income securities and net realised/unrealised gains on equities and mutual fund investments.

The PenCom boss, who was represented by the Head, Contributions Bond

Redemption Department, PenCom, Lana Loyinmi, said the number of contributors had also grown from 7.89 million in December 2017, to 8.14 million as at June 2018,as a total of 312, 291 employees joined the pension scheme during the first six months of the year.

Umar, who spoke on recent developments in the sector, also pointed out that as part of efforts

to enhance the monthly pension of retirees under the scheme, the commission recently initiated the Person Enhancement Programme.

"It was discovered that the returns being generated by the PFAs on the balances of RSAs of majority of retirees could be used to enhance their monthly pensions," the PenCom boss added.

She added that, the commission sought for and

obtained the approval of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to implement the pension enhancement programme, which resulted in increased monthly pensions for most retirees receiving pension under the programmed withdrawal arrangement.

She said the implementation of the pension enhancement was one of the significant

milestones attained since the commencement of the CPS, stressing that, it confirmed that CPS had workable internal mechanisms to respond to legitimate demands of retirees as they seek a reasonable retirement income.

The commission, she said, intends to sustain this periodic review exercise in line with relevant provisions of the law.

huge fund alleged to have been released to the SSS and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The money, the source stated, was not fully utilised and Ekpenyong was said to have left behind over N17 billion, which his successor, Daura, could not account for.

Meanwhile, the security agencies are said to be investigating Daura over the huge fund.

THISDAY gathered that the sacked DG was released on Wednesday night, where he was placed on house arrest – after interrogation, since the acting president ordered his dismissal.

The police could, however, not confirm his release yesterday, as calls and a text message by THISDAY to the phone of the Force Public Relations Office, ACP Moshood Jimoh, were not returned.

The Presidency had asked Daura to be remanded in custody, following allegation that he might have committed serious crimes, which bothered on national security.

impunity of his sacked predecessor, Daura, the Acting Director-General (DG) of the SSS, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, said yesterday that the service would review all cases of alleged illegal detentions and human rights violations by the intelligence gathering service.

Seiyefa, who was appointed Tuesday by Osinbajo, after terminating the appointment of Daura, for unauthorised deployment of the security operatives to lay siege to the National Assembly complex, disclosed this during his maiden press conference in Abuja.

He added that the service would remain focused and professional in in the discharge of its mandate in the national interest.

According to the spymaster, “We are reviewing all issues that have brought about unhealthy perceptions about the service in recent times, including detentions and perceived human rights abuses.

“We will respect the rights of groups or individuals as long as they are legitimate.

We will work on the basis of our core roles and mandate, which are the detection and prevention of threats against the internal security of Nigeria.’’

He said the service would not tolerate the abuse of freedom of Nigerians, saying

however that members of DSS will neither be intimidated nor cowed in the discharge of their mandate.

Promising to promote and protect the national interests and not individual or sectional agenda, Mr Seiyefa explained that the service would do its best to diffuse the perception about it, adding that it was critical to the security architecture of the country.

He vowed to redouble the service’s efforts to improve on intelligence gathering and analysis -- to guide policy formulation and security management and partner with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders in the country to provide security to the citizenry.

Speaking on the continued detention of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), Mr Seiyefa said it was early to make any definite decision as he was still studying cases before him.

He, however, said that the service would work closely with the media to project the activities of the service, promising that the appointment of a spokesperson for the service was under “active consideration”.

He added, “The issue of having a spokesperson to respond to media inquiries is under active consideration.’’

current Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who has been a dismal failure and has been involved in one controversy or the other - budget padding, filibustering, legislative rascality, sabotage of matters of national interest, among other criminalities too numerous to mention.’’

The ruling party claimed that having suffered under the 16-year misrule of PDP, Saraki would go down in the country’s history as the worst Senate president Nigeria had had the misfortune to have.

The party added, ‘’Since his usurpation of the coveted seat, achieved through a wicked conspiracy with members of the opposition PDP, it has been from one controversy to another – the Code of Conduct trial for false declaration of assets; conspiracy with his deputy to fraudulently alter the rules of the Senate and links to the deadly armed robbers who wasted many lives in the Offa robbery attack. It is alleged that some of the robbery suspects were his political thugs used to rig elections; a common adage says: Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”

All over the world, the

party further claimed, the leadership of the legislature is provided by the political party with majority members, claiming that Saraki would in the absence of many members of his former party, APC, connive and conspire with members of the opposition PDP to emerge Senate president, and in the

IG SUBMITS INTERIM REPORT ON DAURA TO ACTING PRESIDENT as his predecessor, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, was arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to through more light on his stewardship as well as clarify the finances of the service he handed over to Daura.

Daura was dismissed on Tuesday by Osinbajo, who directed a thorough investigation into the incidence the acting president said was an unacceptable assault on the rule of law.

In a memo dated August 8, 2018 with reference number: CR:3000/IGP-SEC/ABJ/VOL 131/782, addressed to the acting president, the police boss apprehended Daura as the mastermind of the siege to the National Assembly, suggesting that he might have acted the script of ‘’some highly placed politicians to achieve selfish political goals, hence his unilateral and unlawful decision to invade the National Assembly.’’

The IG confirmed in his memo that Daura was still undergoing further interrogation at the police facility and was currently placed on house arrest at a private property in Abuja, while awaiting further directive from the acting president.

Stating the due process in the investigation, Idris said that following a petition letter no. OVP/SGF/7818/381, dated August 7, 2018 from the

presidency to investigate and report findings against Daura, a team of cracked operatives headed by Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Baba Umar, were deployed to respond immediately and take Daura into custody for interrogation and further investigation.

Idris said Daura, in his statement, confessed and accepted to have deployed operatives of DSS, claiming he got intelligence report that unauthorised persons were planning to smuggle undisclosed dangerous weapons and incriminating items into the National Assembly complex. ‘’He did not inform the Acting President, neither did he share the information with the Nigeria Police Force or other sister security agencies,’’ the interim report stated.

According to the report, ‘’So many distinguished senators, Honourable members and staff of the National Assembly, who wanted access to the National Assembly complex, suffered humiliation, intimidation and were forcefully chased out of the Assembly complex at gun point by operatives of the State Security Service wearing hoods and masks.’’

The report said, the DSS operatives acted like mercenaries, hired to carry out executions. ‘’The claim of purported intelligence report by the suspect cannot be substantiated as the

personnel deployed were not EOD experts or specialists in this regard,’’ it stated.

The IG said all communication gadgets, such as phone and other electronics devices of the suspect (Daura) would be thoroughly analysed to get to the root of the matter, promising to also search houses and premises of identified suspects.

EFCC quizzes, releases ex-DG, SSS, Ekpenyong Meanwhile, the EFCC yesterday raided the residence of Daura’s predecessor, Ekpenyong, arresting and detaining him briefly.

He was, however, reportedly released later yesterday after interrogation by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

The Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed to THISDAY in Abuja yesterday that Ekpenyong had been arrested by the operatives of the anti-graft agency, did not give details of his alleged infractions.

"Yes our men went to his house to search and interrogate him," Uwujaren said.

A source, however, said Ekpenyong’s arrest was in connection with the

Seiyefa Promises to Review Illegal detentions, Rights Abuse Moving away from the

45 POLITICAL PARTIES PAY SOLIDARITY VISIT TO SARAKI But Saraki, through his spokesperson, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, said he would not dignify the party with a response.

The coalition of parties, however, told the Senate president to soldier on, and assured him that they were behind him in his fight to defend democracy in the country.

Okpara said, "We have information that the next line of action is to freeze the bank accounts of the Senate and Senate President."

He also hinted of plans by the authorities to disrupt legislative activities at the National Assembly through illegal removal of the presiding officers.

According to him, "We wish to state that we the Chairmen and leaders of political parties will not support or stand by to watch any unconstitutional impeachment of the leadership of the National Assembly."

Okpara described as unfortunate and uncalled for Tuesday's invasion of the National Assembly premises by security operatives.

"We unequivocally condemn the use of agencies of state: Nigeria Police, DSS, EFCC to clamp down on

the opposition and stifle democracy as demonstrated in the siege to the residences of the principal officers of the National Assembly, the siege on the National Assembly and the siege to the Benue State House of Assembly," he said Responding, Saraki reiterated the resolve and commitment of the 8th Senate and the National Assembly to continue to protect and defend the nation’s fledgling democracy.

He told the party leaders that as direct representatives of the people, lawmakers would continue to play their role to ensure that the rule of law was followed and human rights were respected in the country.

Saraki said, “Thank you for the solidarity message and we truly appreciate it as it encourages us to further do what we are doing to defend democracy in our great country.

“The big thank you goes to all Nigerians that stood with us and have come to support us here in the National Assembly because in supporting us, you are supporting our democracy.

“We will continue to defend it. We will continue to ensure that there is respect

for the rule of law and that due process is followed across the country.”

He further expressed optimism that the perpetrators of the recent siege on the National Assembly have learnt their lesson from the wide condemnation that has continued to trail the anti-democratic action.

He said, “It is our hope that those anti-democratic forces have leant their lesson in the last few days, to listen to the voice of Nigerians - men, women, boys and girls - all across the country, who stood firmly to reject their unconstitutional and anti-democratic action.

According to him, “Some have paid the ultimate price and we must respect that and ensure that Nigeria, as a country, is a shining example for other democratic nations to emulate. We must not allow anything that will tarnish the image of this country and the democracy we have worked so hard to birth and sustain.”

The parties represented during the solidarity visit include United Democratic Party (UDP); Action Peoples Party (APP); Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP); National Interest Party

(NIP); All Grassroots Alliance (AGA); Democratic Peoples Party (DPP); KOWA Party; National Conscience Party (NCP); Alliance for Democracy (AD); Action Alliance (AA); and All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP).

APC Says Saraki Not Fit for Senate Presidency Apparently still unhappy about the defection of Saraki to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC said yesterday that the Senate president was not fit for his plum position.

In a press statement signed by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, the party said in every democratic country, the position of the Senate president was one of the highest political offices one could attain, saying it was a position reserved for ‘’the best of the best, experienced and exemplary politicians’’ who by their character and conduct in public offices, the younger generation looked up to as role models.

According to APC, ‘’In terms of exemplary personage, the reverse is the case in respect of the

Continued on page 10

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN COURTVILLE 0.02 0.22 STERLBANK 0.13 1.49 NIGERINSURE 0.03 0.39 MUTUALBENEFITS 0.02 0.30 STINUSURE 0.01 0.26 TOP LOSERS NGN JAPAUL 0.03 0.27 LAWUNION 0.10 0.90 LINKASSURE 0.08 0.72 VERITASKAPITAL 0.03 0.27 VITAFOAM 0.36 3.24 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 1,560.00 Volume: 188.259 million shares Value: N1.291 billion Deals: 2,795 As at yesterday 09/08/18 See details on Page 43

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Boko Haram Kills 17 Soldiers, NEMA Staff Iyobosa Uwugiaren with agency report At least 17 Nigerian soldiers have been killed in a fresh Boko Haram attack on a military base in Borno State, military sources said yesterday, the third assault on three different bases in less than a month.

According to AFP, the attack occurred on Wednesday evening when heavily armed jihadists riding in trucks stormed and looted weapons and vehicles from a military base in Garunda village in Borno State, the epicentre of the Islamist insurgency that has been raging for nine years.

The attack is the latest of a series of bloody Boko Haram assaults on military bases in Nigeria, underscoring the continued threat the Islamists pose to the region and putting the spotlight on the Nigerian government’s claim that Boko Haram is

“decimated.”

“Our troops came under attack from Boko Haram terrorists in Garunda last night,” a military officer said.

“Unfortunately we lost 17 troops, 14 others were injured while an unspecified number is still unaccounted for,” said the military source, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the incident.

The source added that the militants looted weapons and vehicles before fleeing.

The insurgents, whose activities have also been felt in Chad, Niger and Cameroon, have been packing punches regularly, hitting civilian targets and other soft spots in Nigeria’s North-east.

In the past month, Boko Haram jihadists have launched two other major assaults on military bases in the remote northeast region.

On July 14, jihadists suspected to be loyal to Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, who is affiliated with the Islamic State group, attacked a base in Jilli village, in neighbouring Yobe State.

Dozens of troops were killed, wounded or missing, according to several security sources.

The army conceded the base was attacked but did not give a death toll, saying that the “troops reorganised and successfully repelled the attack and normalcy has since returned to the area.”

On July 26, the Islamists stormed a base on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno State.

The base attacked yesterday in Garunda village of Borno state had just been set up for troops from the 81 Brigade who had been stationed in Jilli village and forced to move after the July 14 assault.

“The truth of the matter is

that the troops in Jilli were relocated to Garunda where a new base was established,” said the second military source, who gave a similar death toll.

“Troops were just setting up and the excavator operator was working to fortify the base with trenches against attack from the terrorists when the attack happened,” said the officer.

The Nigerian army did not respond to to requests for comment. Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday confirmed in a statement that a staff member, an excavator operator attached to the military, “was killed

by Boko Haram yesterday in Damasak, Borno State.”

Boko Haram no longer controls swathes of territory in northeast Nigeria as it did at the height of its insurgency in 2014, yet the

Islamist militants still pose a threat to the impoverished region.

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that the Islamists are a spent force as he gears up for elections next year.

In an interview with Nigerian press published yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said “we promised to fight insecurity…despite what anybody says, we have decimated Boko Haram.”

Six months away from presidential polls, Buhari is under pressure to defend his track record as he battles insecurity across Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.

In a related development, workers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been thrown into mourning, following the killing of a colleague by Boko Haram

insurgents.

Excavator Operator John Iliya was killed by Boko Haram jihadists on August 8 at Damasak in Borno, according to a statement by NEMA yesterday in Abuja.

Iliya is the latest victim of the Islamic insurgency that flared since 2009, killing more than 20,000 people and displacing up to 2.5 million residents of Nigeria’s North-east.

Spokesman of NEMA, Sani Datti, said that the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, had dispatched a team to Maiduguri to facilitate the return of Iliya’s remains to the family.

Datti said that Iliya, who was working with troops on the front lines died in the line of duty.

The insurgents have been fighting at many fronts for almost a decade, in a bid to enforce a strict Islamic code in Northern Nigeria.

Onnoghen Gets 2018 Michael Hill Prize for Criminal Law Reform

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has been conferred with the 2018 Michael Hill Prize for his reform agenda, which has positively changed the way the Nigerian judiciary works.

The award was presented to the CJN in Montreal, Canada, by the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law (ISRCL), an international non-governmental association of judges, legislators, lawyers, academics, and police and corrections professionals, at its 31st conference in Canada with the theme: ‘The Scourge of Trafficking in the 21st Century.’

While presenting the award, ISRCL President, Major General Greg Melick, described Justice Onnoghen as "a judges' judge on account of his over 30 years devotion to the pursuit of justice," and a "leading light of the

Nigerian Judiciary."

In a statement by Mr. Awassam Bassey, Senior Special Assistant to the CJN, the ISRCL President was quoted as saying, "Mr. Justice Onnoghen has been a leading light on the Nigerian Supreme Court, and the Nigerian judiciary as a whole, central to the protection and stabilisation of democracy, checking the near-sighted antics of door-die politicians. Cases like Amaechi vs INEC are cited as examples of the outsidethe-box jurisprudence that saved Nigeria’s democracy."

The president noted that the CJN, since his appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria in November 2016, has "brought a lot of zeal and originality to judicial administration in the country", adding that through a series of National Judicial Council (NJC) committees, Onnoghen launched a Judicial Reform Programme that is already showing results.

According to the ISRCL President, "One result that is exciting the populace is the apparent end to the stalemate in the prosecution of highprofile corruption cases. Cases are now reaching conclusion, evinced by two recent highprofile convictions of two former state governors."

Melick said the ISRCL had chosen Justice Onnoghen for the Michael Hill Medal Award because he is "an embodiment of the ideals and goals of the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law." Accepting the award, Onnoghen called on criminal prosecutors in particular, and lawyers in general, to imbibe the virtues of the late Michael Hill, whom he described as "a relentless prosecutor, "a dogged defence counsel," who "had a reputation for holding himself to the highest standards of professional conduct, dedication to duty and the pursuit of justice."

Onnoghen

OSINBAJO INTERVENES IN TOTAL’S $16BN EGINA OILFIELD DISPUTE the acting president, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), would visit LADOL to get the details of the dispute and inspect the FPSO and the integration yard (SHI-MCI FZE) built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) of Korea at the LADOL free zone in Lagos.

The IOCs behind the Egina project alleged that the demand by LADOL for SHI-MCI FZE to pay $33 million as one per cent Free on Board (FOB) charges before the FPSO would sail away to the Egina deepwater field would frustrate federal government’s efforts to make Nigeria the hub of FPSO integration in Africa and also scare potential investors.

It was alleged that the $33 million demand, which is one per cent of the cost of

the FPSO, is frustrating the ongoing integration, thus potentially putting the efforts to bring the Egina field on stream by the end of this year in jeopardy.

However, the Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, told journalists in Lagos, that the charges were mandated by the federal government policy, adding that no company operating in the LADOL free zone had been made to pay charges not mandated by the government.

“This is not a unilateral action by us, and to say otherwise is completely false and highly mischievous since we have been transparent at all times,” she said.

“The enterprises operating within the LADOL free zone and the related parties are aware of the charges and

the rules and regulations in detail. The charges are known and required to maintain the zones and the free zone scheme,” she explained.

LADOL also placed advertorials in some national dailies yesterday, where it argued that all charges in the free zone are statutory, including the controversial one per cent FOB imposed on Egina FPSO. But the promoters of the Egina project have insisted that the $33 million being demanded by GRFMZC was not in the contract documents or in the NEPZA regulation.

A source close to the project promoters, has also described as curious, the fact that the demand for the payment of $33 million was made by Global Resource

Management Free Zone Company, a subsidiary of LADOL. “GRMFZC is unknowingly frustrating the project and scaring other investors.

The one per cent levy for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) was clearly stated in the Egina contract document right from the bidding stage but this one per cent FOB is a strange development. Where do you expect the contractors to raise $33 million as the LADOL Free Zone tariff, which has no legal basis?,” an official of one of the IOCs queried.

“I can confirm to you that the VP is coming tomorrow on a fact-finding. The chief executive officers of all the IOCs will be present. But we have information that the management of the free zone

will not allow him to visit the multi-million dollar FPSO integration yard where SHI invested over $300 million.

He will only visit the FPSO,” he added.

The FPSO, which was built

by SHI, sailed away from the quayside at Samsung Yard in Geoje, South Korea, on October 31, 2017 and arrived at the Samsung Yard (SHI-MCI FZE quayside) in LADOL free zone, where it is currently being integrated locally.

After the integration, it sails away to the deep offshore oil field in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130.

The SHI-MCI FZE is a fabrication and integration yard, the only one of its kind in Africa, built by SHI as part of the efforts to make Nigeria the hub of FPSO integration in Africa.

45 POLITICAL PARTIES PAY SOLIDARITY VISIT TO SARAKI process trade off the deputy Senate president position to the opposition PDP. “Even at this time he has defected to the opposition PDP, and with APC still in the majority in the Senate, Saraki still has the impudence to present himself as the Senate President.

Political ambition should be made of nobler stuff,” the party said.

But Saraki’s media aide said the APC was better ignored. "We can't descend into the gutter with these characters," Olaniyonu said, adding, "Apparently they have not recovered from the shock of their Tuesday's failed attempt to subvert democracy.”

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

Buhari May Emerge APC Consensus Candidate for 2019 Election Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t malign president over Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Assembly invasion, House caucus tells PDP

Francis Sardauna Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; There are indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have reached an agreement in principle to nominate President Muhammadu Buhari as its consensus candidate for the 2019 general election.

His comment came as the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to take undue advantage of the unlawful invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives to malign President Buhari and the APC. Also, the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday berated those criticising Buhari, and described them as corrupt syndicates and thieves.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yussuff Lasun, gave the hint on possible consensus candidate yesterday.

He said:â&#x20AC;?As at today, the party in principle has agreed that Buhari is going to be our candidate in 2019; I said in principle because when the date of the primaries is now finally announced, we are just going there to approve Buhari as a consensus candidate.â&#x20AC;?

On his part, Gbajabiamila has cautioned members of the main opposition party not to take undue advantage of the unlawful invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives to malign President Buhari and APC.

Condemning the blockade, he said no single member of the ruling party would accept a rape of democracy.

Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting of the APC Caucus in the lower chamber, the leader, who was flanked

by Lasun and other members, said Buhari was unaware of the blockade of the parliament, which was why he promptly acted by approving the removal of the former Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura.

He added that rather than cast blame, everyone, particularly the House PDP Caucus, should exercise restraint and await the outcome of the investigation into the invasion to be able to determine what actually happened.

He regretted that members of the main opposition party had given partisan colouration to the siege. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where we depart.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all stand together to defend democracy. Nobody will accept what happened.

But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use the opportunity of what happened to malign the party or the president. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buhari didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what happened and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why he acted the way he did,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Lasun, also noted that since 2015, the APC has remained a majority in both the House and Senate.

Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has described those criticising Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic policies as

Jonathan, Tinubu Console Dickson over Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Death Emmanuel Addeh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039; Former President Goodluck Jonathan, and a former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have commiserated with Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, over the passing on of his mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, who died at the age of 72.

A statement by Jonathanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said the former president delivered his condolences to the family of Dickson in a letter he personally signed.

The ex-president who lamented the exit of the matriarch, however, urged the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that Mrs. Dickson lived a fulfilled life.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am saddened by the news of the passage of your dear mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, to eternal glory.

In a separate statement by his media office in Lagos, Tinubu who said he understood how it felt like to lose a mother, having also experienced same, urged Dickson to take solace in the life of service to humanity his mother lived. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I commiserate with Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, over the passing of his mother, Madam Gold Coast Dickson.

Losing somebody dear to us

like a mother can be difficult. I know how it feels because I have been through that way, having lost my mum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must, however, be consoled by the memories of the time they spent with us. Mama is said to be a woman of substance who lived a life of service to humanity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has done well for us by gifting the country a wonderful son like Governor Dickson. I pray that God grant Madam Dickson eternal rest and give the family the strength to endure this period,â&#x20AC;? the statement explained.

Dicksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother died of complications arising from cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, United States where she had been receiving treatment.

The governor, while confirming the passing on of his mother in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo, said the woman died in the early hours of yesterday.

He expressed appreciation to the centre, especially the team of medical professionals, who he said did their best to save the life of his mother.

Dickson also thanked family members, friends, political associates and Nigerians generally for their prayers and support in the most trying times for the Dickson family.

corrupt syndicates and thieves.

He argued that they were saboteurs bent on promoting lies to resist the change mantra being introduced by the Buhari-led administration aimed at alleviating the plights of Nigerians.

Oshiomhole, who was

speaking at the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mega rally at Kangiwa Square in Daura, Katsina State, said the critics were misguiding Nigerians so that things would continue the way they have been during the previous administration when â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lootingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was the order of the day in Nigeria.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critics are saboteurs and thieves of a government that is working hard to clean the augean stable of the mess created by the previous administration in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

Addressing APC stalwarts at the rally, the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said for

democratic dividends to thrive in the country, Nigerians must cast their votes for APC candidates.

Osinbajo urged the people of Katsina North senatorial district to vote Hon. Ahmed Baba Kaita to represent them at the red chamber.

99 HEARTY CHEERS!

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; renowned industrialist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and the celebrant, Chief Akintola Williams, during the 99th birthday celebration of Williams at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos... yesterday

13 Burnt to Death along East-West Road Ernest Chinwo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; No fewer than 13 persons, including a naval personnel, were burnt to death in a fatal accident involving a pail loader and a commercial bus along the Emohua axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that the

accident occurred yesterday morning when the pail loader skidded off its lane and rammed into an on-coming commercial Hiace bus, fully loaded with passengers headed to Lagos.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), confirmed the accident and said there was only one

survivor.

Omoni said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got the report of a fatal motor accident after Choba, along the East West Road, where a pail loader skidded off the road and had a head-on collision with an on-coming bus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bus was conveying passengers to Lagos. The bus went up in flames and the passengers,

except one person, were burnt beyond recognition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The person who had survived had severe burns and he is said to be in the hospital for medical attention while the charred remains of those burnt had been gathered and taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for preservation.â&#x20AC;?

National Assembly to Reconvene Next Tuesday, Says Deputy Speaker James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, August 14.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yussuff Lasun, stated this yesterday in Abuja.

He said the agenda would primarily be the presidential budget request to fund INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

operations for the 2019 polls.

The National Assembly had been on recess since July 24, and they were expected to resume in September.

However, the need to attend to some issues that were pending before they proceeded on leave seems to compel them to reconvene earlier than scheduled.

The pending matters

include: priority attention to the supplementary budget for 2019 general election, and the confirmation of some of President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nominees, including the Chairman of the Board of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Muiz Banire.

The lawmakers had attempted to meet on Tuesday, but security operatives from the

Department of State Services, acting on the order of their erstwhile Director General, Lawal Daura, mounted a blockade, preventing the lawmakers from gaining entrance.

The face-off led to the sacking of Daura by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who condemned the siege as an affront to democracy.

Osinbajo, Others in Daura for APC Rally Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday arrived Daura in Katsina State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally for Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Katsina North senatorial district by-election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported

that Osinbajo arrived at about 12.45p.m. in the company of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Bo s s M u s t a p h a and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

Others, who came with the vice president, were Minister of

S t a t e for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu and an APC national leader, Bola Tinibu, among others.

The acting president was received by the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Mustapha

Inuwa, commissioners and heads of agencies and parastatals.

The popular Kangiwa square, venue of the event was thronged by thousands of people and party loyalists, praising the acting president.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

13

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

COMMENT

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

DISMANTLING THE CULTURE OF INDISCIPLINE IN GOVERNMENT The sacking of the Director-General of DSS, Lawal Daura, is a good signal at self-redemption, writes Sufuyan Ojeifo

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henever I remember that the General Muhammadu Buhari-led junta of December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985 was anchored on the philosophical foundation of war against indiscipline (WAI), it always beggars belief that it is the same Buhari that is in the saddle, scandalously superintending over a culture of indiscipline and impunity.

I cannot understand why Buhari could not use the magnitude of his acclaimed antecedents as a man of discipline and integrity to recreate that legacy. Nigerians, who witnessed that era, cannot forget in a hurry how the junta whipped out indiscipline from public life. Nigerians dared not engage in open urination let alone defecation along the roads in state capitals and other major cities that had the presence of enforcing soldiers.

Nigerians conducted themselves maturely in service-delivery offices.

It was first come, first served. Everybody must take his or her turn on the queue. The new culture was already being imbibed when the regime was overthrown and, because the regime that took over charted an entirely different trajectory, Nigerians returned to their old ways.

Indiscipline rebounded in its vast flourish. I am sure Buhari would be sad at the imprudent dismantling of his legacy.

Besides his celebrated war against indiscipline (WAI), there was the policy to prosecute second republic politicians and public office holders who plundered the financial resources of the nation. That process also suffered a reversal following his overthrow. Indeed, both audacious policies were capable of transforming the nation through moral reorientation and rearmament. Perhaps, just perhaps, Nigeria would have become a disciplined society with zero tolerance for corruption if the regime was not short-lived.

But many years after, Buhari’s personality and political profile had continued to hugely benefit from the enormity of his legacies.

It benefited in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections. It was in the 2015 presidential election that his persona reaped much more bountifully, against the backdrop of the countrywide desire for change in the way administration and public finance were being mismanaged.

That nationwide approbation of the Buhari candidature bolstered, in the main, his defeat of an incumbent to become president More than three years in the saddle, Buhari has not been able to reconnect with the significant social character of his military administration. I had expected him to hit the ground running with a reinvigorated war against indiscipline. He failed to seize the essential momentum that had sustained his presidency in the first six months to one year.

Whereas, the issue of discipline should have been an easy one for him to tuck as an immediate achievement in his kitty, he possibly got distracted by some seemingly much more audacious anti-corruption war.

Unfortunately, officials of the Buhari administration have since been caught by the bug of indiscipline and, by their unconscionable acts, they have exposed the integrity, credibility and commitment of the president to propriety in governmental conduct to critical queries and

OFFICIALS OF THE BUHARI ADMINISTRATION HAVE SINCE BEEN CAUGHT BY THE BUG OF INDISCIPLINE AND, BY THEIR UNCONSCIONABLE ACTS, THEY HAVE EXPOSED THE INTEGRITY, CREDIBILITY AND COMMITMENT OF THE PRESIDENT TO PROPRIETY IN GOVERNMENTAL CONDUCT TO CRITICAL QUERIES AND INDICTMENTS

indictments. There was therefore a sense in the righteous indignation expressed recently by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, about the disrespect being shown by some appointees and party leaders to the office of the president.

But while Oshiomhole had succinctly put the issue in context and expressed zero-tolerance by the new leadership to any such acts of disrespect to party lines and supremacy, a position that has since been generating ruckus within and outside the party, credit must be given to the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, for belling the cat on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, with the sack of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura, for deploying his men in and around the premises of the National Assembly, blocking federal legislators and bureaucrats from gaining access to the chambers and offices for official duties.

There were reports that Daura got the boot for being rude to the acting president when he was asked to explain on whose orders he acted. It was apparent that he did not act on the orders of the presidency; otherwise, Osinbajo would not have questioned his action.

If Daura’s alleged impudence was actually indicted in the process that resulted in his immediate sack, then it would only go to confirm the extent the culture of indiscipline has become entrenched in the administration. Daura must have been overwhelmed by the folly that the president, who is his kinsman and possibly a relation, employed him and an Osinbajo who is dressed in the garb of acting president did not have the guts to deal with him.

That myth that had, all the while, perhaps sustained the Daura phenomenon in the saga of security reports that stalled the nonconfirmation of the acting chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate on two occasions and the invasion of the residences of some judges by DSS operatives in a Gestapo-like fashion in search of alleged loot, crumbled like a pack of cards, under the imprimatur of the acting president, in the twilight of the blockade of the national assembly.

There are sensitive political issues that are beyond the discretion of the DSS DG and which, in order to act in accordance, he must get clear directives or instructions from the president. On this sensitive issue that had far-reaching implications for the survival of democracy, he acted outside his authority. His characteristic conceit, the kind that had consistently sustained the undisciplined posture of some strategic position holders in the administration, took the better part of him and he goofed. Some persons have continued to express concern that Daura could send security reports to the Senate for the non-confirmation of Magu, a presidential nominee, on two occasions, in apparent disrespect to the office of the president. And the president carried on as if it was normal. Or was it that Buhari’s hands were tied to deal with Daura? However, one thing would appear very clear: the “presidency” wants Magu as EFCC chair, which is why Buhari has retained him in office in acting capacity.

Ojeifo is an Abuja-based journalist

ECHOES OF DESTINY

Issa Aremu pays tribute to Lawrence Onoja, former military administrator of Plateau and Katsina States, at age 70

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oday all roads lead to Abuja (precisely Army officers mess Command Asokoro) for family members, friends and well wishers to mark the 70th birthday of General Lawrence Anebi Onoja mni (rtd). My dear friend and great chronicler, Elvis Ogenyi in a book to be made public today entitled Echoes of Destiny had ably documented the eventful life of General Onoja. The book could very well be entitled Onoja: From Grass to Grace. The book is a compulsory read of a dramatic transformation of a village boy, gallant survivor/combatant of the unfortunate civil war, to a military governor of both Plateau and Katsina States, a General of Nigerian army and the 10th President of Alumni Association of the National Institute, (AANI) Kuru, Jos. Godliness is in the details of the 17 chapter book on the general today.

My tribute on Onoja at 70 flows from my record of his sterling achievements as the elected President of AANI between 2013 and 2017. Yours comradely was also elected two terms as the Secretary General of AANI during the period. What struck me about General Onoja was his love and compassion for members of Alumni. He celebrated members alive both in terms of their promotions, (many members were elevated or promoted in their various organisations through his personal intervention) birthdays, weddings of children. AANI under his leadership had cause to intervene on members’ promotions and deployments in some government agencies such as immigration, customs service, external affairs and agriculture ministry. I recall the case of a female member in Ekiti State whose job was threatened by the state governor on account of alleged disrespect. He personally called the governor who in turn reversed his decision and member’s job got secured. AANI was visible at book launches and all positive manifestations that involved our members.

Significantly he had been consistent to demand for the appointment of Members of National Institute to strategic positions in the country towards better society. He also worked out a new policy framework for a comprehensive welfare package for members including life insurance policy. He empathized in case of adversities through personal visits and cash donations. Hadjia Memunat Abdullahi, mni of SEC 38, 2016, a permanent secretary, with Niger State died tragically on the eve of the graduation day of SEC 38. General Onoja as AANI president conferred on her posthumous Towards a Better Society award.

Remarkable too was his team spirit. With his larger than life qualifications and pedigrees, General Onoja was and still one among equals which included Dr. Garba Usman Tetengi, SAN, mni Vice President; Comrade Issa Aremu, Bsc, MA, mni Secretary General; Mrs. Maryamu Nghargbu, mni Assistant Secretary General and Mrs. Comfort Olu Eyitayo, CFA, mni, Treasurer. Others include Alhaji Abbas Bello, FCIA, mni, Financial Secretary; Dr. Juliana Mafwil, mni Publicity Secretary; Dr. Pat Emembolu Eze, MON, mni, Welfare/Social Secretary; Hon. Sola Ephraim-Oluwanuga, LLM, mni, Legal Adviser and Air Commodore C.A. Ogbeche, DSS, mni, Internal Auditor.

Nelson Mandela once observed that “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” I bear witness that Onoja-led executive was made up of good heads and hearts making good combination. In spite of occasional legitimate policy disagreements, the executive was united throughout in the service of AANI. Never was there external intervention to manage any internal organisational feud since there was none anyway.

General Onoja brought a number of innovations to the alumni. One significant innovation was the historic first AANI re-union which took place on Monday 12th January 2015 at NICON Luxury

Hotel, Abuja. The event marked the 36th anniversary of the prestigious annual Senior Executive Course (SEC). Notable foundation members and members of the Board of Patrons namely Major General David Jemibewon, mni (rtd) SEC 1/1979); Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, mni (SEC 1/1979) and Major General (rtd) Joshua Dogonyaro, mni (SEC 4) among others, were present. The Chairman of the event was Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana was the distinguished Guest Speaker, whose address on the theme was delivered by Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Lt Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON as a special Guest was represented by Major Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro mni. The highlights of the reunion included the interactive lecture by the then Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga who spoke on the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP). More than 100 AANI members attended the historic event. The maiden edition of AANI Magazine was launched at the 35th AGM, March 7th, 2015 under his leadership. For the first time, three AANI Calendars for 2015, 2016 and 2017 were produced. For the first time, AANI anthem as composed by Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, mni (SEC 36) was unanimously adopted by the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) as the official Anthem of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI).

AANI held an unprecedented Special Town Hall Meeting/Policy Dialogue on “Effective Implementation of the 2016 Budget” in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Tuesday August 9th, 2016 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. His Eminence (himself a member of National Institute) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto was a special Guest. Inspired by the renewed activism in

governance by President Buhari administration to link budget outcomes with target plans and with the successful launching of the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for the 2016 budget, the Policy Dialogue complimented the efforts of the federal government for effective implementation of the 2016 budget and to link budget outcomes with target plans.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed led the team of other ministers that participated in the town hall meeting. They included: Kayode Fayemi - Minister of Mines and Steel Development; Babatunde Fashola - Minister of Power, Works and Housing; Kemi Adeosun – Minister of Finance; Audu Ogbeh – Minister of Agriculture; Udo Udoma – Minister of Budget & National Planning; Lai Mohammed – Minister of Information; Amina Mohammed – Minister of Environment; Geoffrey Onyema - Minister of Foreign Affairs; Isaac Adewole - Minister of Health.

AANI’s voice was also loud on topical national issues under his leadership. AANI registered support for the three-point agenda of President Buhari Administration namely, security, anti-corruption and economic diversification. It commended the efforts of the administration in identifying and damning corruption in ways that have not been done before.

AANI saluted security men and women who have jointly put the criminal terrorists on the run. AANI was willing to partner with the state governments of the north east in the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation. AANI also strongly condemned the indiscriminate unprovoked xenophobic attacks on Nigerians resident in South Africa. AANI called on the federal government to hold South African authorities accountable for the security of all Nigerians and indeed Africans in South Africa.

Happy birthday to one of the Presidents AANI ever produced.

Aremu, Member, National Institute Kuru, Jos

15

T H I S D AY FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

EDITORIAL DOING BUSINESS WITH TEARS There is still much more to do to ease the business climate

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oing by the ‘2018 Investment Climate’ report by the United States’ Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, corruption and inconsistent regulations are not only still pervasive in Nigeria, they serve as impediments to business investment. The report further reveals that the country’s market potential remains unrealised due to poor judicial system, inconsistent regulations, insecurity and lack of transparent tender processes culminating in investors finding the environment difficult to do business.

It is disturbing that such an unsavoury report is coming when the present administration claims that its policies, especially those targeted at improving the business environment, are yielding huge dividends. It is instructive that government’s Executive Orders One, Two and Three are primarily designed to make the business environment more friendly but questions remain about their impact. Beyond the recent World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, which affirmed that Nigeria moved from 169th to145th position, 24 positions better than the 2017 ranking, are the daily ALTHOUGH GRAFT realities enough pointer that the business IS NOT THE ONLY environment has IMPEDIMENT TO A improved?

GOOD INVESTMENT Even before the CLIMATE, IT IS A MAJOR report, proofs abound INHIBITING FACTOR, that not a few public ofAND FUELS THE LACK ficers who are supposed to ensure a seamless OF TRANSPARENCY ALLUDED TO IN THE US implementation of government policies with a STATE DEPARTMENT view to improving the REPORT business environment in the country at all levels are mired in corruption and sundry abuses. The contracting systems in government and oil and gas sectors leave much to be desired. Bribes are freely given and taken to get permits and licences, move files, get bails, and drive without molestation from police, among others. In a damning report last year, the

Letters to the Editor

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that about N400 billion was spent on bribes annually in Nigeria.

In its ‘Corruption in Nigeria, Bribery: Public Experience and Response (2017 Survey)’, the bureau claimed that this was a rough estimate of bribes paid to public officials in Nigeria. The survey was conducted as part of a technical assistance project on corruption which was funded by the European Union (Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria) and implemented by the NBS, in partnership with UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The NBS research confirmed that corruption is getting worse as against the public belief that the current administration has succeeded in largely reining in that major threat to governance in the country.

A

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

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

ccording to that report, the police and the judiciary won the gold and silver medals in the corruption scale in the country. The situation has not changed since then. The country has not fared better in the annual ratings by Transparency International (TI). Although graft is not the only impediment to a good investment climate, it is a major inhibiting factor, and fuels the lack of transparency alluded to in the US State Department report. Meanwhile, the report also pointed to inadequate power and transportation infrastructure, high energy costs, an inconsistent regulatory and legal environment, insecurity, a slow and ineffective bureaucracy and judicial system and inadequate intellectual property rights protections and enforcement, among others.

These are obvious encumbrances to a good business climate, and it bears no repeating that they have made doing business in this clime a most harrowing experience.

These factors have not only led to the forced exit of many companies and businesses from Nigeria, but have torpedoed the emergence and stunted the growth of many.

As the largest economy in the West African sub-region, it is in our economic interest to take the report as another wake-up call. What is required is the will to pursue these smart and business-friendly reforms.

All factors considered therefore, there is need for the current administration to do much more if we must reposition our economy and put our people to work.

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.

PROVIDING A CHECK ON EXPIRY DATES OF DRUGS

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ately, Nigeria has witnessed increased cases of some heartless human beings relabelling and revalidating dates of expired foods and drugs. The arrests of perpetrators and the confiscations of relabelled expired drugs were carried out by the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The news media has thus been awash with stories of seized expired foods and drugs. It was recently reported that N15m worth of fake expired products was confiscated in Nasarawa. In June this year, NCS and NAFDAC destroyed N100m worth of expired medicaments and other items at Seme command of NSC. Some expired goods worth N80m were destroyed also in Abuja same month by NAFDAC. It was revealed that some of the products were voluntarily submitted by companies and individuals while others were seized through enforcement activities.

It is scary to note that while concerned agencies are making efforts to thwart activities of peddlers of expired products, some relabelled expired food and drugs would have made their ways to the markets without the agencies’ knowledge. Only the perpetrators nabbed in these nefarious acts made the news. So the big question is: how do consumers identify and recognise relabelled or revalidated food and drugs? Let us now attempt some answers to that multimillion naira poser.

Expiry dates and best-before dates are dates which are interchangeably being used by manufacturers to convey a date when a product is at its peak performance or no longer fit to consume. Technically, there

is a slight difference: expiry dates show the last day that is expected for a product to be used or consumed, while best-before date indicates that as from that date, the product’s freshness along with its quality is no longer guaranteed. Expiry date of a product is safety-based, while the best-before date is quality driven. Both are however important no matter which terminology or wording is used by the manufacturer’s label on the product.

A product’s expiry date or best-before date is usually determined by the shelf life of that product. According to a US Food and Administration website, ‘a product’s shelf life generally means the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and stay safe for use. The length of time varies depending on the type of product, how it is used and how it is stored’.

Personal care products, cosmetics, daily needs, foods, beverages, drugs, toiletries and other consumables and perishables all have varying shelf lives based on product content, raw material quality and sanitary conditions. Temperature, water and air are the main factors which determine the storage and shelf life of a product. For example, drugs are to be kept in a cool and dry place in order to take care of temperature and moisture exposure. Expiry date label on products only holds true for unopened or sealed products but when a sealed product has been opened the best-before date can no longer be relied on.

It is observed that some personal care products like cosmetics, perfumed body spray, makeup and moisturisers, apart from the expiration dates printed on the product’s label, still have some symbols stamped on them, providing more information on the product’s

shelf life. Some cosmetics and body spray containers have a little jar icon having a symbol PAO (Period After Opening) which tells that product’s shelf life after opening. This PAO is often shown in months and appears in number followed by letter ‘M’ printed on that open jar icon or below it. This is commonly seen in lotion and shower gel bottles. The period-after-opening (PAO) symbol shows cosmetic product useful lifetime after first opening.

The need for expiry date label checks cannot be overemphasized as consumers are duty-bound to check product expiry dates of food and drugs before purchase and consumption. Foods, particularly poultry and meat, taken well past their expiry may trigger food poisoning and result in symptoms like fever, vomiting, cramping in stomach area, dehydration and diarrhea. However, some expired products will pose no health problems if consumed; rather they degrade to a lower quality depending on the food type. A school of thought believes that the effectiveness of a drug may decrease overtime but much of the original potency still remains even a decade after the expiration date.

Some drugs (especially liquid drugs and antibiotics) are excluded from this category of active drugs after expiry. This is because their potency ends at expiration. Other experts advise consumers to discard all expired drugs despite post-expiration potency to avoid any risk of health challenges from expired drug consumption.

All appropriate and concerned authorities waging war against fake, expired food and drugs are to create fast, easy and enabling environment, devise a technological means for the general public to report any suspected act of expiration date relabeling.

Kayode Ojewale, kayodeojewale@gmail.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

16

NEWS

NYSC Certificate: Sagay Rejects Calls for Adeosunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sack Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Chairman, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) yesterday in Abuja dismissed calls for the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.

He also rejected calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the finance minister over the allegation that she skipped the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and forged an exemption certificate.

Sagay spoke in Abuja during the workshop on the United Kingdom Unexplained Wealth

Order (UWO), organised by PACAC, UK National Crime Agency and the Department for International Development (DfID).

Asked what he thought about the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refusal to react to the issue, Sagay said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why the government has not reacted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, let me tell you my reaction. This woman is a brilliant and extremely valuable member of this government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of the good things happening now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the welfare that Nigerians are enjoying

and are going to enjoy, because it takes time, and the way our economy is booming, how we got out of recession â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are due to her expertise, her commitment, her sacrifice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is nothing in this world that will make me remove such a woman from the government. The PDP can weep from now until there is no tear in their body; she is going to be there. We cannot afford to lose that woman.â&#x20AC;?

Asked if it was not an offence to skip NYSC, Sagay said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who cares about youth service? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bloody care

whether she did youth service or not. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irrelevant as far as I am concerned.â&#x20AC;?

On the allegation that she forged an exemption certificate, the PACAC chairman said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see anything serious about not doing youth service. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see anything serious about it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my own bias, not governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m telling you now. If you ask me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; If I were President Buhari, I would never, ever touch that woman because sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s damn good. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The enemies of this

government want to reduce his capacity to provide good governance by engaging in social media attacks and trying to get rid of her. It will not work.â&#x20AC;? Saraki should resign as a matter of honour.â&#x20AC;?

In a related development, Sagay faulted the freezing of Benue Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as â&#x20AC;&#x153;extremeâ&#x20AC;?.

He said while EFCC could investigate governors, they cannot be prosecuted since they have immunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing EFCC can

do to him (Governor Samuel Ortom). They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t arrest him.

They can investigate him, put down the records of what they found, and wait for his tenure to end. Right now nobody can touch him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As for freezing Benue Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support it. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why, but government has to function.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want people to suffer because there are no funds for basic government functions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if EFCC really did that; we have to be careful because it looks extreme to me,â&#x20AC;?

Sagay said.

Ooni Inaugurates Ife Digital Job Centre Yinka Kolawole Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;

Forwardâ&#x20AC;?, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Labour and Productivity, Mrs Ibukun Ogunwusi, has advised youths Odusote, insisted that youths must to utilise the opportunities in be ICT compliance with the present entrepreneur to become a creator situation of the country of jobs instead of seeking for job.

She said the present He gave the advice at the Ife administration under president Youth Economic Summit and Muhammadu Buhari has been official inauguration of Ife Digital making serious efforts towards Job Centre, held yesterday at Oba diversifying economy to Information Okunade Sijuwade Memorial and Communication Technology, Hall, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

ICT. Ooni Adeyeye who described She described the event as youths as future of Nigeria, â&#x20AC;&#x153;timely, commendable, saying charged them to eschew the topic is apt and germane violence and avoid being used given the unemployment that by politicians in the coming youths face in Nigeria. governorship election. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to think of He promised that he would creating job instead of waiting continue to promote youth for jobs. The quest for good developmental programmes, leadership is solving the maintaining that the menace problem of unemployment, of poverty and unemployment that is why this government could be combatted with ICT. is not taken unemployment Speaking on the theme: with levity. Government â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youth Employment and is committed to solve Challenges of Enabling unemployment crisis in Environment- The Way Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Stop Parading Yourself as Chairman, Kwara APC Tells  Bolarinwa Hammed Shittu Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday cautioned Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa, who is parading himself as caretaker chairman of the party, and  to stop such act of impersonation with immediate effect or face the full wrath of law.  The party stated this in a statement issued in Ilorin, the state capital and signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari.

The statement also cited to a recent court order which ordered Bolarinwa and others or their agents to stop parading themselves as chairman or executive members of APC caretaker committee in the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a matter of public record that the issue of the leadership of APC is settled with the affirmation of the Kwara State High Court that the Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani-led State Executive Committee (SEC) has a constitutional mandate of four years that will elapse by 2022. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The public is also aware

that in the suit number: KWS /292/218, filed before the court of Justice T. S. Umar, the judge granted an express order that restrained Mr. Bashiru Bolarinwa and his agents from parading themselves or performing any function or duty specified for members of the executive committee of the APC either individually or collectively as members of the executive committee of members of purported caretaker committee of the APC in Kwara State. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In spite of the above stated court order, the attention of the leadership of APC in Kwara State has been drawn to reports indicating that Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa is still parading himself as chairman of a caretaker committee the court of law has dismissed as unlawful and non-existent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a matter of fact, Kwara APC has a chronicle of unlawful actions of Mr Bolarinwa and his agents. Such unlawful actions constitute contempt of Court.

By their unlawful actions, they are walking the road to jail,â&#x20AC;? the statement explained.

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R: Member, Technical Aid Corps, Uganda,Ambassador Philip Bada Ogunlade; Special Adviser on Media to the President,Mr Femi Adesina; and his brother, Professor of History, Univerisity of Ibadan, Prof. Olutayo Charles Adesina, at the 20th Convocation and Investiture of New Fellows of Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL),held at the University of Lagos... yesterday

Buhari, Ambode, Amosun, Gowon, Akiolu, Others Celebrate Williams at 99 Omololu Ogunmade Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday congratulated the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant, Chief Akintola Williams, who clocked 99, describing him as a true Nigerian who worked According to the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, Buhari joined Amosun, family and friends, professional colleagues, mentees, and other well-wishers to celebrate the man he said taught Nigerians how to seek and achieve transparency and

accountability.

According to him, the president believes that the pioneer efforts of Williams in his chosen field and continued show of interest have transformed the profession into noble heights.

Speaking to journalists at a special birthday reception held in honour of Williams at his Lagos residence, Ambode described him as the doyen of accountancy profession and elder statesman who deserved to be celebrated for his contributions to the growth and development of the country.

According to the governor, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The main reason we are here is to celebrate a true Nigerian who

has actually contributed to the development of Nigeria and he is still alive at 99, is worth celebrating and this is like a prelude to the centenary that we are waiting to celebrate next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Apart from the fact that Chief Williams is the Doyen of the Accountancy Profession, we see him as a founding father of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); he is also the founding father of the Musical Society of Nigeria.

So, he has too many parts and this is one Nigerian that we are proud of and we are willing to celebrate him every day.â&#x20AC;?

Responding, Williams appreciated all those who found time to be with him on his

special day, and wished them long life as well.

Aside Ambode and Amosun, other eminent Nigerians at the event were former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); first military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; foremost banker and founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun; legal luminary and philanthropist, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo; former ICAN presidents among other captains of industries and members of the diplomatic corps.

Again, Melaye Fails to Appear in Kogi Court  Yekini Jimoh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in Kogi State, Dino Melaye yesterday failed to appear for the second time before a Senior Magistrate Court 11 sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, to answer the charges  against him and two others.

The trial Magistrate, Sulyman

Abdalah had at the last hearing fixed August 9 to commence trial following the complaints from Melaye that he was attacked on his way to Lokoja to honour policeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s invitation.

When the case came up yesterday, Melayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyer, Yemi Mohammed who represented Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court that his client could not appear in court on health

grounds.

He presented a medical report to that effect, and was not opposed by the officer in charge of Legal at the Kogi State Police Command, Theophilus Oteme.

However, the two other suspects charged along with Melaye - Kabir Seidu, aka Osama, and Nuhu Salihu aka â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smallyâ&#x20AC;?  were in court.Â

The two alleged accomplices however, applied for bail claiming to be suffering for a crime they knew nothing about.

Consequently, the trial magistrate, Sulyman Abdalah adjourned till Agust 21 for hearing in the bail applications of  the  two alleged accomplices and adjourned to September 20 for hearing in the case of Melaye.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

17

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

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Citing Hypocrisy as Corruption in Saraki’s Case Integrity, according to Cambridge Dictionary, is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change. So, the more one listens to the bizarre arguments by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, chieftains, and Senators on why Senator Bukola Saraki must resign his position as Senate President following his defection from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the more one just wonders in bewilderment over the ricocheting hypocrisy of a people that ought to be shinning lights in integrity and honesty.

By Zacheaus Adebayo

What the Constitution says Section 50 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution clearly provides that “There shall be: a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by members of that House from among themselves”.

Section 50(1)(b) and Section 92(1) make exactly the same provision regarding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and States Houses of Assembly. So, there is clearly no provision that demands that the presiding officer should come from the party that is majority in parliament.

The measure you give is the measure you receive The Holy Scriptures, in Matthew 7:2 says: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”.

Something happened at the inauguration of the Benue State House of Assembly in June 2015, which Nigerians appeared not to have paid adequate attention to. Although the APC was the minority in the Benue and Plateau Houses of Assembly, their members- Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange and Hon. Peter Azi - were elected Speakers of the Benue and Plateau Houses of Assembly, respectively.

Equally, Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, defected from the PDP to the APC on October 28, 2014 and adjourned the House to December 3, 2014. He didn’t lose his seat.

President Buhari was so elated and poured encomiums on Tambuwal at the Special Convention of the APC at Eagles Square. He enthused: “We will like to thank Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal for what he did yesterday. We were overwhelmed.

Taking such a remarkable risk and sending everybody on holidays till December is an achievement.”

The former spokesperson of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, thundered: “I must say that this historic development means that our democracy is growing by the day and it is dynamic. On a more serious note, we welcome the defection of Tambuwal to APC. With this defection, APC has now taken the leadership of one arm of the national legislature.

We think that having the head of the legislature from the opposition party makes for a balanced setting in government and it’s good for democracy.

“Those who are saying this has not happened before and that Tambuwal should step aside as Speaker, do not have the backing of history and the constitution.”

On his path, the Minority Leader at the time (now the Majority Leader), Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila declared: “We welcome and applaud the Speaker’s decision… We are proud to acknowledge that the Speaker remains not only a Member of the House of Representatives but also its Speaker.

This position is consistent with the law and practice in a presidential system of government and Nigeria is no different.

For the avoidance of doubt, the constitution requires only that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

Saraki

shall be elected by members of that House from among themselves.”

Now, in less than four years after, the same party and leaders of “integrity” are singing a completely different song. Insisting on Saraki’s resignation, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole said Saraki “should not collect a crown that belongs to a family and wear it on behalf of the family if he has gone to another family.”

Following the tension triggered by the siege to the residences of the Senate President and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, by EFCC and security agencies, which have been described as a failed coup against Senate leadership, the Senate and the House adjourned two days earlier- 24th July to forestall trouble.

Could the INEC budget have been passed in two days?

Who told them Senate Presidency is an APC crown?

Even more brazen was Buhari’s kinsman and Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina South), who boasted that there will not be peace in the Senate, a vital institution and arm of government would not know peace until Saraki resigns. Speaking on Saraki’s defection, he said: “By all conventions all over the world the majority party produces the leadership; Senate President. If he doesn’t resign, we will never have peace in that Senate because it is absolutely clear that APC has majority to produce the leadership.

How can we 53 (APC senators), allow a renegade to control us? No, we cannot allow that.”

The question then is, what has changed in our Constitution and between October 2014 and July/August 2018? Unlike during Tambuwal’s defection to APC, the party no longer thinks that such defections “means that our democracy is growing by the day” and that “having the head of the legislature from the opposition party makes for a balanced setting in government and it’s good for democracy.”

Tambuwal, who returned to the PDP a few days ago, exposed the hypocrisy of the APC thus: “When they talk about cross-carpeting, I begin to wonder.

When I cross-carpeted the other time, did they complain? The constitution of this country is very clear that members of the Senate and the House of Representatives can choose from among themselves their own President of the Senate or Speaker (of House of Representatives) without leaning to any political party.”

Recess and Reconvening Another contentious issue is the insistence of some APC Senators, specifically members of the Buhari Parliamentary Support Group (BPSG) and the presidency that the Senate must reconvene to consider the President’s

request for virement and supplementary budget for INEC for the 2019 elections.

The wrong impression being dished out is that Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara unilaterally shut the National Assembly (NASS). Truth is the presidency and every lawmaker knew that NASS scheduled to go on eight-week recess starting from July26, 2018. However, following the tension triggered by the siege to the residences of the Senate President and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, by EFCC and security agencies, which have been described as a failed coup against Senate leadership, the Senate and the House adjourned two days earlier- 24th July to forestall trouble.

Could the INEC budget have been passed in two days?

The adjournment of the Senate and House of Representatives comes by motion moved and supported by the Majority and Minority Leaders, respectively, and passed by the respective Houses. To Reconvene, Senate Rule provides: “Whenever the Senate stands adjourned… and it is represented by the leaders of the political parties in the Senate to the President of the Senate that the public interest requires that the Senate should meet on an earlier or a later date or time than that on which it stands adjourned, the President of the Senate may give notice accordingly, and the Senate shall meet on the date and at the time stated in the notice.”

So, any resort to self-help in the guise of a purported urgent need to approve INEC’s budget for the 2019 general elections won’t fly. The NASS recess and 2019 elections didn’t take INEC and FG by surprise. INEC even published a 36-year election timetable.

Shouldn’t the election budget have come with the 2018 Appropriation Bill?

APC and FG are being hypocritical and desperate; and hypocrisy and deceit are also corruption.

Adebayo writes from Ibadan

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

PERSPECTIVE

Celebrating an Icon of Integrity

By Musibau Akanni

P

ermit me to renew or share with you some didactic, relevant literary experience availed the world by the duo of Ghana’s Ayi Kwei Armah and Nigeria’s Chinua Achebe, both writers of indomitable renown.

We resorted to Armah because of the similarity in the political history of Nigeria and Ghana both being former British colonies. A constant reminder of this tie today perhaps is the Nkrumah Award for Good Governance which contemporary Nigerian politicians are always excited to be honoured with.

Armah via his probably best-known work The Beautyful Ones Are not Yet Born tells the story of a corrupt society such as contemporary Nigeria presents. But we all know that no matter how pervasive the decadence of a society may be, some of us will still be consistently critical of the situation at whatever cost. This is also in addition to steering clear of unworthy benefits corruption as much as possible.

The protagonist in the novel made all efforts to steer clear of corruption to the delight of the fair-minded compatriots and

Oloyede

others. However, the tribe of the critical mass is slim. Unfortunately, the least likely solution, a military coup happens. We are all too familiar with the regular tendency of coup plotters as opportunists always

out to suppress or exterminate dissenting voices. Even the protagonist is not to be spared by the rampaging army. He is lucky to be rescued. Guess the Messiah: Some visibly corrupt members of the society. This is no doubt a most sobering end capable of plunging readers into hopelessness.

But that’s how strong and overwhelming corruption can be. Corruption fights back, you must have heard spokespersons of the sitting, anti-corruption government of President Buhari say, repeatedly.

Our own Achebe presents in No Longer at Ease what qualifies rather as individualised scenario such that you and I could reflect much more deeply. Obi Okonkwo, the central character in the novel, having been awarded a scholarship to study English in England emerges the hope of his community.

On return, he gets invited for a job interview at the Scholarship Board, a prestigious public service department. Obi is stunned when asked if he has sought to be employed there so he could take bribes. Eventually, Obi still gets caught up by the whirlwind of corruption even as he is contemptuous of the question that signaled its possibility in the first instance. Obi is jailed. From both Armah and Achebe, spirit-dampening stories, you would conclude. Achebe

and Armah are however far from being simplistic about the societal challenges we have. They are no prophets of doom either. Rather, they are challenging the rest of us to adhere to deep thinking and strengthen our patriotic zeal.

Would I be wrong to say that it is most tragic that unguarded use of social media today is robbing this generation of the capacity to deepen our thoughts? Just imagine how supposedly knowledgeable and radical undergraduates no longer compete to get published on the opinion pages of newspapers but rather dwell on ceaseless, resource sucking Facebook gossips.

As a mark of genuine commitment to this Leadership Summit of the Unilorin Student Union, it’s time you all had a rethink on this.

Far from being simplistic, Achebe did not ignore the impact of the international environment. In his essay, “Africa is People”, he argues that so many challenges for governance, especially economic challenges have derived from the inevitable international cooperation among governments which unfortunately appropriates more advantage to the western world than Africa.

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

AUTOGRAPH

THE BOGIEMAN STRIKES A NEW POSE

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s attempt to re-invent himself and change the narrative may be fraught with tell-tale gaps

T

here is no doubt that Senate Minority Leader and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio is over the moon with all the uproar going on around his personality because he has switched politicial party loyalty from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since he first tasted the vehemence of popularity as the speaker of the students’ union parliament as a law student at the University of Calabar, he had become drawn to power as water is to fish. Calabar was where he apparently perfected his enterprise of being the garrulous and became an adept at saying more than he has done and convincing many people to believe him. It is not impossible that he imagines himself a great orator. That is fine if you love listening to a broken record, repeating the same irritating sound over and over again.

His next major outing as the spokesperson for owners of telecommunication businesses in Nigeria gave him an enhanced capacity in a section that covered a significant part of the country.

He returned to Akwa Ibom from Lagos, some argue, on the recommendation of the late Lady of Songs Christie EssienIgbokwe who was very close to then Governor Victor Attah. Akpabio was made the Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources. The ministry was dear to Attah’s heart as the former governor was in the heat of a struggle for 13 per cent derivation of oil revenue to host states and the abrogation of the on-shore-off-shore dichotomy. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was so enraged at the audacity of Attah that he withheld the monetary allocation for the state in a futile attempt to force Attah to repudiate the struggle.

Akpabio was the first and only commissioner who served in that ministry.

It looks like Attah created that ministry specifically to bring Akpabio on his team in 2002. His stay in the ministry apparently opened his eyes to the huge

Akpabio financial opportunities in the oil and gas sector. Apart from the former governor and state’s finance commissioner, Akpabio was the other person who had a good clue to the state’s funding profile.

Perhaps, Attah got a hint that Akpabio knew too much. He was moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. More than any other posting, Akpabio quickly converted the chances as he made friends with all the local government chairmen and strengthened ties with natural rulers across the state. While Attah travelled frequently outside the state, Akpabio combed all the 31 local government areas seemingly on tour of duty, but he was building formidable support for himself at the grassroots. His next appointment to the Ministry of Lands and Housing only served to fire his ambition to rule the state.

Attah unwittingly played into his hand when he attempted to impose his son in-law as a successor. His plan met stiff rebellion. An unprecedented number of 57 contestants indicated interest in the job he was quitting, but it was Akpabio who breasted the tape ahead of others in a keen contest. Once he had the knife and yam in his hand, Akpabio consolidated on his position so well that he had virtually everyone in the state eating

out of his hand. He brooked no nonsense and wielded power in the most brazen and ruthless manner, earning for himself the title of the Akwa Ibom governor who has exhibited the greatest callousness; depending on which side of the argument one stood. To many he was the God-sent messiah who carried out a phenomenal make-over of infrastructure in the state and even changed the orientation of the people by giving them a sense of self-worth they were not accustomed to. Others saw him as the devil incarnate who provided an environment for ribaldry, ostentatiousness, gangsters and a lot of blood-letting. Before Akpabio became governor, Akwa Ibom was the most peaceful (and even docile) of the Niger Delta states. No sooner he took the reins of governance than frequent cases of (some say state sponsored) assault, kidnapping and assassination became the order of the day and emergency millionaires whose wealth could not be traced to any manufacturing or service industry emerged on the scene. Their only claim to fame and the accompanying affluence was being family members or associates of Akpabio.

The former governor kicked the behind of all the elders in state who issued a dissenting opinion to his style of governance. Many of them like Attah, Chief Don Etiebet and former military administrator Sam Ewang kept their distance from Akwa Ibom while Akpabio kept watch over the state. Many remember Attah walking away with his head bowed at the commissioning of the Ibom International Airport, a project he initiated, but reached a reasonable level of completion under Akpabio.

Attah felt so humiliated, even the least courtesy of recognising his presence was not extended to him. Akpabio is still going around with an air of importance and a feeling that he does not need the APC elders in the state. He entered the party from the top; getting the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senator Bola Tinubu. His army in Akwa Ibom

was ready and it is a dedicated army; dedicated to Akpabio. So, the former governor’s coming to the APC in Akwa Ibom is for the downfall of many and also for the rising of many. Even the PDP has no response. It would have been better for Governor Udom Emmanuel if many who claim to be with him summon the courage to ditch him outright like a few have. The tragedy of Emmanuel is that he has no army of his own. He would be trying to use an army that Akpabio created to fight him. Is that possible?

This is to state an example of the conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others that the former Senate Minority Leader celebrated. His wife, originally from Anambra whose name was Unoma suddenly became Ekaette. It could have been done to make her more acceptable to Akwa Ibomites. But his predecessor was married to a Caribbean and the people did not crucify Attah for his wife’s nationality. While the right to a change of name is one’s prerogative, Ekaette was one of the common names for the emblematic ‘Calabar’ house help and inexplicably tied to the paternity of the bearer.

Abruptly, it dawned on the former governor that he had made his wife a symbolic house girl. The worry created around the former First Lady’s name was absolutely unnecessary. It wouldn’t have mattered much if her name was Nnenna. Nobody would kill her for it. But God brought this Ekaette to pronounce freedom to all Calabar house girls wherever they were! Around this period, every Ekaette became haughty, after all their mate was a first lady. And Akpabio rubbed it in. He told whoever cared to listen that he had removed the house help stigma from his people (thanks to the coincidence of his wife’s name). The world of the Calabar girl had become so positively transformed that famous celebrities like 2 Baba Idibia thanked his lucky stars for getting married to one of them. Akpabio was at their wedding to gift them with pristine cars and hundreds of thousands of Dollars.

But deploying phony schemes had

been Akpabio’s thing for a long time.

Throughout his tenure, he thought nothing of commissioning projects that were at 40 per cent completion state.

Many of these painted sepulchers looked prim and proper on the outside but were filled with the bones of dead men. In fact, it became an absurd essence of his existence-a seemingly good looking man with many skeletons in his cupboard. This perception did not matter to the former governor as long as a memorial plaque with his name was affixed on the sham projects and he could exploit the opportunity in the media. Akpabio had so much money to play around with, as all the monies due to Akwa Ibom that Obasanjo held back were released by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Oil was doing well in the global market and Akwa Ibom was Number One on the Federal Revenue Allocation table. The former governor started envisioning a pan-Nigerian outlook for himself by meddling into issues away from his jurisdiction, because money was not his problem, but how to spend it. Every social club and professional group struggled to host their meeting in Akwa Ibom for the chance of getting a generous monetary donation from Akpabio.

With stupendous wealth at his disposal, Akpabio exhausted the list of things money could buy. Left with nothing else, he started buying human beings. He bought journalists, judges, human rights activists, the clergy and trade unionists. This led to a series of changes that had major implications in Akwa Ibom. It set an agenda in which many had a vaunted image of themselves. If Akwa Ibomites were no longer house helps, Akpabio did not put in place a sustainable support system that would systematically elevate them to the position of a master. What could have been his outstanding achievement as he tries to re-invent himself is the presence of an organised and institutionalised support system, but these are lacking on the slate of his purported achievements.

19

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

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N305.95/1US DOLLAR AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Pilgrims Board Commend Medview

Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board has commended Medview Airline for its consistency in the airlift of Muslim pilgrims to the Holy Land on annual basis. The overseer of the Board, Imam Hussain Suleiman made the commendation in Kaduna recently when the airline commenced the airlift of pilgrims from Kaduna State, thus putting paid speculations that Medview Airline has no capacity for the operation.

A statement from the domestic carrier said MedView Airline lived to its billing when it airlifted 322 pilgrims including 10 officials to Medina recently.

Suleiman, said the airlift of pilgrims has been going smoothly, remarking that Medview is expected to airlift about 1,600 pilgrims.

The airline Chief Pilot, Captain Steven Fevrier said the rationale for the acquisition of B777-200ER is to continue to improve on its services to the flying public and by extension to the pilgrims.

Fevrier said, “We are happy to be here again. We are not new in Kaduna. We were here last year with a B767-300ER. This year we are here with B777-200ER, which is an addition to the Medview fleet.”

Air Peace Begins Kaduna Service

SUPPORTING THE ECONOMY

L-R: Head, Corporate Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, Obaro Odeghe; Executive Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Toyin Adedeji; Managing Director, BoI, Olukayode Pitan; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Edet Akpan and Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osaigbovo Omorogbe, at the launch of the Aba Finished Leather Goods Cluster Finance Scheme supported by Fidelity Bank, which held in Aba…recently

FG’s Revenue Dwindles as Customs Abandon N20bn Worth of Cars Eromosele Abiodun As against the earlier promise by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ali on assumption of duty as head of the service to increase federal governments revenue by auctioning seized and abandoned cars, vehicles worth over N20 billion are currently rotting away at various ports and warehouses of the service, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

Aside the over N10 billion worth of seized cars rotting away in Customs warehouses across the country, about 6,000 vehicles

MARITIME worth over N10 billion have been abandoned by importers at the Lagos ports.

Ali had introduced e-auction system to auction seized and abandoned vehicles last year, but the NCS under him has since abandoned the system due to its inefficiency.

In the first week after the system was inaugurated, spokesman of the service, Joseph Attah, had said the service generated N272,115,366 from the auction of 646 vehicles under its electronic

auction scheme.

Since then, nothing has been heard from the service concerning the auctions despites frequent seizures and its warehouses going out of space for vehicles.

THISDAY checks revealed that the vehicles, imported through Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, were abandoned because of the owners’ inability to pay the Customs Duty within the stipulated period.

The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about 1,000 of the vehicles, Customs sources said, is up to N4 billion.

The market value of each of the vehicles is between N4 and

N4.5 million.

Reliable sources close to the NCS told THISDAY that instead of importers looking for ways to pay the duties and levies, they resorted to bribing some Customs officers.

They also sought ways to ‘fly’ the vehicles out of the ports through “unscrupulous agents.”

Over 3,000 of the vehicles, it was learnt, have been moved to some bonded terminals. Some sources believe are still at both terminals contributing to the Continued on page 20

Why FG May Not Be Willing to Complete New Airport Terminals Chinedu Eze The federal government may not be willing to provide about N30 billion needed to complete the new airports terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano airports, THISDAY has learnt.

While most of the projects are over 80 per cent completed, the terminals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and that of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja were wrongly located, necessitating that many other structures must be removed before they would be put into use.

In 2013, Nigeria obtained

AVIATION a $500 million facility from the Chinese Exim Bank with additional counterpart funding of $100 million to build four terminals at the four major airports in the country, including the airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

About a month ago when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the train station at the Abuja airport and inspected the new terminal, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Saleh Dunoma, said the terminal in Abuja would be put to use in October.

Dunoma, said major work to be done would be to connect the new terminal to the old one in order to have seamless passenger movement, as the train station, which is located at the new terminal would have to process passengers from both the local and international terminals.

But a study on the infrastructural limitation of the airport, funded by the Ministry of Transportation, disclosed that there are many facilities that must be relocated before the terminal would become operational.

The report which was carried out by Arcaid, Architects and Environmental Consultants, revealed that the new airport

terminals built at the cost of $600 million (N2.16 billion) are inadequate for targeted passenger traffic and lack essential facilities.

The report of the studies made available to THISDAY, disclosed that to provide the infrastructure lacking in the terminals, government has to deploy over $500 million.

This would be in addition to the funds needed to destroy and relocate fire service in Abuja and Lagos airports, the control tower, reinforcement of power supply and others.

Details of the report disclosed that adequate feasibility study Continued on page 20

One of Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace has announced plans to commence daily flights from Lagos to Kaduna from August 13 as part of its no-city-left-behind project.

The airline had earlier announced commencement of its four weekly flights from Lagos, Abuja and Accra to Monrovia with effect from August 6.

A statement issued by the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said the carrier was pleased to connect and unite the South and North of Nigeria by air.

Air Peace, which recently secured the renewal of its International AirTransport Association Operation Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate, said broadening its route network in the North of Nigeria aligned with its determination to democratise flying experience, give hope to unserved and underserved destinations as well as positively impact the economies of destinations where it operates.

The carrier assured that many more domestic routes, including Makurdi, Warri and Port Harcourt NAF Base, would soon join its network under its no-city-left-behind project. Air Peace also confirmed that it would shortly reopen its Asaba and Sokoto operations.

Freight Growth Slows in June

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said freight growth slowed in June, 2018, compared to the previous year.

Data released by the world body indicated that global air freight markets showed that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 2.7 per cent in June 2018, compared to the same period the year before. The slowdown started earlier in 2018 but there was growth for the first half of 2018 that stood at 4.7 per cent, less than half the growth rate in 2017.

Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), rose by 4.1 per cent in June 2018. Capacity growth has now outstripped demand growth in every month since March.

There are three main factors driving the slowdown, which include the restocking cycle, during which businesses rapidly built up inventories to meet demand, ended in early 2018. There was a marked fall in air cargo volumes from March.

Qatar Earns Three Awards

Qatar Airways has announced that its duty free department, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has been shortlisted for three prestigious awards by the 2018 Frontier Awards, including: ‘Airport Retailer of the Year,’ ‘Inflight Retailer of the Year’ and ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year by a Retailer.’

Now in its 34th year, the Frontier Awards are one of the most prestigious set of accolades of their kind.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations stipulates that access by persons and vehicles to restricted areas of the airport is prohibited,”

Director General, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),

Captain Muhtar Usman

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD FG’S REVENUE DWINDLES AS CUSTOMS ABANDON N20BN WORTH OF CARS

ports congestion.

The source alleged that some of the importers delayed payment until the vehicles were declared overtime cargoes.

Their thinking, he said, is that such vehicles would be sold to them later at very cheap rate through auction.

An official of one of the bonded terminals informed THISDAY that some importers abandoned some of the vehicles declared as overtime cargoes when they realised they have to pay 70 per cent duty and levies to clear them.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an importer said, “As importers, part of our efforts was to ensure that we patronise Nigerian ports and don’t divert our cargoes to the ports of neighbouring countries, but rather than this gesture being recognised and compensated, the federal government through the NCS is busy breathing down on our necks, asking us to pay 70 per cent duty and 70 per cent levy on every brand new vehicles imported into the country.

WHY FG MAY NOT BE WILLING TO COMPLETE NEW AIRPORT TERMINALS was not carried out before locating the terminals at the Abuja and Lagos airports where it obstructed the fire service and the control tower respectively.

The studies also revealed that essential facilities that were absent in the new terminals included landside link, which ought to link the new terminal to the old, drop off canopy, access roads, apron and taxiway, water treatment upgrade and power improvement equipment.

This was acknowledged by the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who regretted that more money would be spent on the projects.

Sirika had explained that the planning of the project did not envisage that the building would lead to additional works, power and water supply, adding that it was also discovered that the building would block both the control and fire towers which would require relocation, so additional work was required to link it with the existing terminal as well as expanding the apron to accommodate bigger air planes.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

NEWS

‘Banks Looking for Viable Businesses to Fund’ Obinna Chima The Head of Research at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Mr. Ayodele Akinwunmi has disagreed with the belief that a lot of commercial banks have abandoned their financial intermediation role.

Akinwunmmi, who said this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos recently, argued that the “reality is that even the banks are now looking for SMEs to lend money to, but those businesses must be viable.”

He added, “A lot of banks are looking for viable businesses to fund. Yield on treasury bills is less than 13 per cent. A bank that has a target of return on equity of 20 per cent, there is no way it can meet that target by investing in government securities. And I think this point needs to be clear in the market. Banks are looking for good businesses to fund. But it must be such that the money would come back.”

The net credit to the private sector shrank marginally by 0.37 per cent to N22.21 trillion in May. The Monetary Policy Committee at its last meeting in July, had announced measures to stimulate economic activities.

But Akinwunmi pointed out that FSDH believes that the measures may increase credit creation and business expansion to stimulate growth.

He, however insisted that complementary fiscal measures were required to de-risk the economy.

FSDH Research predicted a further drop in the inflation rate to 11.01 per cent in July.

The firm noted in a report that prevailing crisis in the food producing states in Nigeria was putting an upward pressure on food prices.

This, it stressed, was a major risk to the achievement of a

single digit inflation rate in 2018.

FSDH Research’s analysis of Nigeria’s Balance of Payments (BoP) position as at the first quarter of 2018 confirmed that the country’s external position was strong, but vulnerable to developments in the crude oil and gas market.

The provisional BoP figures for Q1 2018 published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had indicated that the overall BoP for Nigeria showed a surplus of US$7.32 billion in the first quarter of 2018, an increase from a surplus of US$2.98 billion in first quarter 2017.

The current account component of the BoP showed that it increased to a surplus of US$4.47 billion in Q1 2018, from a surplus of US$3.42 billion in

Q1 2017. FSDH Research noted that the Nigerian economy was overly dependent on crude oil, which presents a significant downside risk.

“Government at all levels must intensify efforts to implement policies that would grow the non-oil sectors of the economy.

“This would ensure that the economy is mitigated against consequences attached to adverse developments in the crude oil market and would also encourage more foreign capital inflows in the form of foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investments,” it added.

The Manufacturing PMI of July stood at 56.8 points from 57.0 points recorded in June, however the Non-

Manufacturing PMI increased marginally to 57.7 points, from 57.5 points in June.

According to Akinwunmi, the slowdown in the PMI reiterated FSDH Research earlier position on the weak economic recovery in Nigeria.

“FSDH Research believes that an adequate combination of monetary, fiscal and trade policies is needed to stimulate growth.”

The yields on the fixed income securities recorded a mixed performance in July 2018, compared with June.

The Nigerian Inter-Bank Offered Rates (NIBOR) dropped, while the yields on the FGN Bonds we monitored increased in July compared with June.

However, the yields on the Nigerian Government Treasury

Bills (NTBs) recorded varying movements.

A total inflow of about N2.68 trillion was expected to hit the money market from the various maturing government securities and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in August 2018.

“We estimate a total outflow of approximately N1.14 trillion from the various sources, including government securities and statutory withdrawal, leading to a net inflow of about N1.53 trillion.

“We expect the CBN to use OMO to manage the liquidity in the market. Yields on the short-tenored fixed income securities may trend marginally lower in August 2018 because of the expected decrease in the inflation rate in July 2018.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

L-R: Director Elect, Africa Region, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Prof. Wumi Iledare; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle; Chairman, SPE, Mr. Chikezie Nwosu and Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, during the SPE’s Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos…recently

NCS, FOU Impounds N2bn Contraband Seme Customs Generates Goods in Two Weeks N576m, Seizes Illegal Alcohol Eromosele Abiodun The Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and impounded various contraband goods with Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N2.055 billion within two weeks. The Comptroller of the Command, Uba Mohammed ,who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, indicated that the most notable of the seizures were a MAN Diesel Truck with registration number XB 286 BEN which was intercepted along Afromedia Estate by Egbeda Junction, beside Alaba International carrying 2,748 cartons of DSP Codeine Cough Syrup 100mg (100 per carton) and 95 Cartons of Chaka pain Xtra based on information.

According to him, “This is the second time in a row the unit is intercepting this substance since the federal government banned the importation of Cough Syrup that contains codeine. The substance is valued at N1,175,200,000.

“The driver of the truck on sighting our officer abandoned

the truck and fled. Also 49 cartons of tramadol capsules 100mg were evacuated from a warehouse in Ajao Estate based on information. The drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation.”

“Similarly and more remarkably among the seizure was the evacuation of 21 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,031kg and 4 pieces of elephant tusk weighing 29.35kg from a shop located in Tejuosho market in Victoria Island, based on information by Warehouse Operation team, led by AC Mutalib Sule.

“The occupant of the shop fled and is still at large; but investigation is already ongoing towards getting the culprit arrested and prosecuted”, Uba stated further, adding that the seized endangered species have a DPV of N253,566,056.

“You will recall that the Minister of State for Environment, Mallam Usman Jibril accompanied by the CITES Delegate from UN visited the unit, inspected the previous seizure of such endangered species this year and even com-

mended us for a job well done.

The trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited, hence the need for us all to fight against such illegality so that such endangered species do not go into extinction.

“Also within the weeks under review, the unit intercepted one Ford Transit Bus with Engine no. XL32452L along Olorunda axis Ogun state based conveying 39 sacks aand 1,220 parcels of Cannabis Sativa popularly known as Indian Hemp weighing 1,610kg, concealed with baskets of Fresh Tomatoes, pepper and vegetables. In the spirit of inter agency relationship, the seized substance will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation,” he stated.

Mohammed added, “Other seized items include: 17 units exotic vehicles, 1,380 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1,126 pieces of used shoes, 40 jerrycan of vegetable oil. Among the detained vehicles include 7 Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps (2015-2018), 4 Toyota Hiace Bus (2017), 2 Toyota Coaster Bus (2017), and 4 Toyota Camry (2014).

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it generated the sum of N575, 623,365.00 as revenue in the month of July, 2018.

The command in a statement said the anti-smuggling operation of the Command also made 91 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N130, 899,518.00 for the period under review.

Commenting on the revenue figure, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Compt.

Mohammed Aliyu expressed satisfaction over the figure generated as he made the assertion that the revenue generated represented about 85 percent of the revenue target budgeted for the command.

In the same vein, the Customs Area Controller showcased a remarkable seizure of Fire Spice Gin with a 42 per cent concentrate of Alcohol.

“Over 2000 cartons of the said items were found concealed in a truck with the intention of evading customs control. The seized item has a duty paid value of over thirteen

million naira. He stressed the commitment of Customs officers of the Command in securing the border against illicit trade that is harmful to the health and wellbeing of the citizenry.

“Based on the World Customs Organisation (WCO) emphasis on transnational border control management and the technical simulation/ handover of the Joint Border Post by the ECOWAS Commission at Seme which held on Friday, 27th July 2018.

The CAC disclosed that the command is poised to conduct its assigned responsibilities with discipline at all levels and also ensure border security and seamless facilitation of legitimate trade, in tandem with the executive order on the ease of doing business.

The Customs Area Controller assures that the Joint Border Post will serve as a platform that will simplify Customs procedures while increasing cooperation, collaboration, coordination and harmonious working relationships at the border post.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Air Peace Boss Seeks Connectivity in Africa Stories by Chinedu Eze The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has said the airline is championing seamless air connectivity in Africa to drive the economic growth in the continent and ease the travel challenges of the people.

Onyema spoke during the launch of Air Peace’s flights from Abuja, Lagos and Accra to Monrovia, Liberia and from Abuja to Accra, Ghana recently.

The Air Peace boss insisted that the airline had continued to prove its mettle in the project to link African nations and connect them with the rest of the world through flights to Accra, Freetown, Banjul, Dakar and Monrovia.

Addition of Monrovia to Air Peace’s route network, he assured, would consolidate the airline’s strategy to unlock economies in Africa through air connectivity.

Onyema, who was represented by the carrier’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said the airline was gradually rewriting the negative narrative about regional flight operations in West Africa.

The launch of the airline’s Monrovia service, he said, had expanded its regional operations to five routes.

“Today’s epoch-making event is a pleasing consolidation of our efforts to unlock the economies of Africa, offer air travellers on business and leisure trips seamless connectivity as well as create jobs for people,” Onyema enthused.

Speaking on the carrier’s rapid expansion in West Africa, he said, “We began our intervention in the air travel difficulties of the West Coast of Africa with the inauguration of Lagos-Accra service in February 2017.

“A year later in 2018, we deepened our presence in the region with the addition of Freetown, Banjul and Dakar to our route network.

“The addition of Monrovia to our route network is a fitting response to the yearnings of the flying public for the Air Peace experience. The launch of Monrovia brings our regional destinations to five.

We are connecting Monrovia from Abuja and Lagos through Accra. Shortly, we hope to add more destinations to our regional route map.

“Our goal is to build a solid base to link African nation’s and connect the continent to the rest of the world by air. With our expanded fleet of 24aircraft comprising Boeing 737, 777; Embraer 145 and Dornier Jets,

we are set to soon begin flights to many international destinations including Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou- China, London, Houson, Mumbai and South Africa. There is no doubt we mean business at Air Peace.”

On her part, the Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Liberia Airport Authority, Paula Fares Harvey congratulated Air Peace on its commencement of the Monrovia flights. The launch, she added, was a great milestone in Air Peace’s effort to connect Africa by air. ”It’s good for you, it’s good for us in Liberia at this time,” Harvey said shortly after the flight landed at the Roberts International Airport, Monrovia at about 12.15 p.m. (local time) to a rousing water salute and warm welcome by aviation authorities, airport workers and corporate executives.

The International Terminal Manager of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Mrs. H. O. Musa also commended the airline for the launch of its Monrovia service.

She spoke shortly after the flight returned to another round of water salute at the airport, predictingthat the airline’s first regional flight out of the facility would be a success.

Nigeria Loses N3.6tn to Poor Agribusiness Export A recent report has indicated that Nigeria loses about N3.6 trillion to poor export opportunities and lack of storage facilities at the airports.

The report stated that if the opportunity to exploit farm produce to meet international demand is fully exploited

by Nigeria, it would create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

But the sub-sector had been under exploited due to low operational and investment opportunities.

Owing to this, farm produce that are in high demand in Europe and other parts of the world are allowed to perish due to non -existing storage or preservation system.

The report which was obtained from a recent workshop on Agro Air Logistics held in Abuja under the Airport Business Summit and Expo 2018, said there is operational and investment gap between

the Agro Perishable industry and the aviation sector.

The gap, the report indicated included distance of production site to the market, high prices of perishable goods coming from loss along the supply chain, insecurity hindering sustained production and evacuation, multiple levies, poor transportation, poor logistics infrastructure, power, relatively crude local market, poor access to international the market, lack of comprehensive agro air logistics policy, clustering and touting at the freight corridor, de-marketing of Nigeria and lack of professional manpower placements.

The report noted that other challenges included low government support to private investors, discontinued previous air cargo projects

by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and non-expansion of the air cargo apron of the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) project currently abandoned.

If these challenges are resolved, the report stated that, there would be more new jobs, enhanced airport revenue, reduction in cost of perishables, healthy food to mitigate food security, increased revenue for airlines, support to government plan for ranching, creation of investment opportunities into special cargo services and promotion of investments into cold chain logistics.

Recommending some ways to close the gap, the report stated that there is need for stronger government policy on agro perishable air logistics and that there should be an establishment of a perishable goods unit in all airports to enable all airports capacity provide support for warehousing, handling and transportation of the perishable cargo through the country and beyond.

San Jose Airport to Use Face Recognition San Jose Airport in California will be the first West Coast airport to use facial recognition technology to process all arriving international passengers.

Airwise.com reported that the airport said it began the process of moving to facial biometric screening in late June and would extend the checks to all departing international passengers later this year.

“The use of biometrics

technology will help cut down wait times and enhance the overall experience for our international travellers, especially as we continue to see unprecedented growth at SJC,” San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo said.

The airport said the new technology will simplify the arrival process, enabling increased security, faster throughput, and higher ef-

ficiency.

International passenger arrivals to San Jose have more than doubled in the last two years, from just under 200,000 in 2015 to 438,800 in 2017.

Orlando International was the first US airport to commit to screening all arriving and departing international passengers with facial recognition technology.

W

AIR WATCH

Hiccups in Aviation Fuel Supply

Air Peace celebrate all-female crew before take off from Lagos airport

One of the many concerns in Nigerian airlines is the disruption and unreliable supply of aviation fuel, which most often hamper airline operations.

Many of the flight cancelations on domestic operations are due to delay in fuel supply. Besides the high cost of the product, which increases at the airports located up north, the supply of the product is fraught with hitches.

Airline operators are of the view that as long as the product is being imported and transported through Apapa in Lagos, the price of aviation fuel would always be high, and the supply would always be inefficient.

Last week the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo disclosed that a single isle aircraft like the regular Boeing B737 or MD 83 which operates most of the domestic services, carries about 10,000 litres of fuel to operate a one hour flight and this include the 4000 litres that the flight would consume, the endurance fuel, which is another 4000 litres and a percentage of the 8000 litres, which could be put as 2000 litres, making it 10000 litres.

The 10, 000 includes the fuel that would be consumed on the flight and in case there is VIP movement or any incident that might delay the aircraft in the air or possible emergency.

The lowest price of the product is N235 to N250 in Lagos and in the other parts of the country; it could be as high as N280 per litre. So overall, an aircraft loads about N2.5 million litres of fuel for one-hour flight.

Now, the challenge is how to get fuel regularly and for the product to be sold at cheaper rate.

The CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, who spoke to THISDAY about the fuel problem lamented that one of the challenges of aviation fuel is that in as much as it was deregulated officially, marketers still operate as a cartel. They do not open and compete on the prices.

The marketers he noted manage the product in a way that demand is always higher than supply, so the price is always high. This is exacerbated by the fact that it is imported.

The marketers pay a lot of charges which keep the price of the product high and higher than what an airline can get in the West Coast.

Sanusi, had called for the review of the product pricing because the prevalent situation is that “you wake up you learn that they have increased the prices of Jet A1 by 30 percent.

And you cannot quickly adjust your ticket prices to reflect that, but you have to buy that Jet A1 at the new prices in order to operate your flights that day; but the passengers have bought their tickets for that day’s flight at the old fares.”

So, airlines are under constant pressure on the price of aviation fuel.

“It is only in this country that this is done, and I think that there must be a way of introducing the new price regime, recognising that we are in a free market and it is not regulated. This will help you to know the cost of your operation every month, as you know that the price of fuel will not change and if it will change they will notify you.

“I think the airlines should come together and pressurise the oil marketers so that they should do the right thing. So that it won’t be something you just wake up and they increase their prices of Jet A1,” Sanusi said.

The airlines however expressed hope that if the product is refined locally the prices may come down. THISDAY learnt that everyone hopes that when Dangote completes his refinery and puts it on stream, there would be efficient supply of the product and the prices would come down.

The airlines generally agreed that as long as the product is imported, the prices would continue to be high. But some of the aviation stakeholders expressed doubt that Dangote refinery, when completed, may supply adequate volume of fuel that would meet the demand of local airlines and foreign carriers that tank fuel in the country before they depart to their destinations.

The Head of Communication of Air Peace Airline, Chris Iwarah, told THISDAY recently that airlifting high volume of fuel affects the number of passengers and luggage an aircraft may carry. So, if the product is available at the same price at every airport, an aircraft should not be loaded with round trip fuel.

“The consequence of filling the aircraft with round trip fuel means that we cannot carry all luggage in order not to exceed the maximum weight for the aircraft,” Iwarah said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Nigeria’s Porous Airports Last Friday supporters and loyalists of former governor of Sokoto State and now Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Wamakko broke into the restricted area of the Sokoto airport, thus exposing the pilots, passengers and aircraft to danger. Chinedu Eze writes that many airports in the country are not fortified and therefore are exposed to such danger The invasion of the Sultan Abubakar 111 International Airport, Sokoto by the supporters and loyalists of Senator Aliyu Wamakko last Friday was not the first time such incident has happened at the airports in Nigeria. What is peculiar about the invasion was the fact that some of the supporters rode into the runway with their motorcycles.

The dexterous motorcycle riders manoeuvred their machines all through the taxiway of the airport, forcing the taxiing aircraft to stop midway, instead of going to the tarmac to disembark its passengers. If they had bombs they could have easily thrown it at the aircraft. No one profiled them before they accessed the airport territory.

The incident says a lot about the Sokoto airport. It is not only that its restricted and sterile areas could be accessed by unwarranted persons, the territory is too large for the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) security apparatus to monitor. It would also cost a whooping sum of money for FAAN to fence the airport to fortify its security.

Regulations According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, which evolved after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US, every airport should have security and perimeter fencing. Security fence protects the whole airport from unwarranted access to persons not billed to be at the airport, while perimeter fencing protects the airside restricted and sterile area.

Many airports have perimeter fencing; some like the Abuja and Port Harcourt airports are completed; some are not completed. Ideally, there should be comprehensive two layers of fencing, in accordance to standard ICAO regulation.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident at Sokoto airport, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it received the reports of “a huge crowd that flagrantly broke all security rules and gained unauthorised access to the safety critical areas of the airport. These include runway, taxiway and apron.”

NCAA noted that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) Part 17.48.3(c), stipulates that “access by persons and vehicles to restricted areas, enhanced security restricted areas and sterile areas is restricted only to persons who have a clear need for such access by virtue of their duties.”

The agency went further to note that the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), 6.3.1. states, “in accordance with the appropriate legislation, no person to whom the legislation applies, shall enter or remain in a restricted area, enhanced security restricted area, or tenant restricted area unless that person has in his or her possession a restricted area or tenant restricted area permit in respect of that restricted area or tenant restricted area and complies with all conditions of issuance of the Permit.”

Hero Worship In most of the airports in Nigeria, supporters of politicians and traditional rulers overwhelm airport security apparatus and force themselves into the tarmac. Sometimes FAAN would be able to contain them at the airports under its management. Sometimes, when FAAN officials could not contain them, they open the gates, but police and other security operatives restrict their movement in the airside.

This has been witnessed in many parts of the country. This attitude takes a notch higher during electioneering periods, when politicians are gearing for election.

In condemning the Sokoto airport incident last weekend, FAAN warned that such action was against international standard practices and the regulations of ICAO and NCAA.

Crowd who invaded the airport to welcome their leader, Aliyu Wamakko at Sokoto Airport

In the aviation circles, it is considered a security breach which may lead to the downgrade or outright closure of the airport and FAAN noted that the incident was “a gross violation of the security and safety arrangements at the airport, as thousands of political loyalists violently accessed restricted areas at the airport, breaking down the airport fence in the process and resisting all security machineries in place.”

According to international practices, the airside of the airport cannot be accessed by unauthorised persons for security reasons to ensure that incendiary devices or other dangerous objects are not taken to the restricted area of the airport where aircraft lands and takes off.

“The airport environment is a highly regulated environment and should be such. As the 2019 general elections is drawing closer, the Authority will like to advise the public, especially politicians and their supporters to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations at the airports, as we will not compromise security and safety at our airports for any reason,” FAAN spokes person, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu also said.

Prevention Recently top officials of FAAN and the NCAA met with the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika to deliberate on how to prevent such incident from happening again at any of the nation’s airports.

THISDAY learnt that at the meeting it was acknowledged that supporters of politicians and traditional leaders cannot be prevented from coming to the airport.

They also acknowledged that it is a sensitive matter, which must be dealt with carefully because crowd support is part of politicking in Nigeria.

At the meeting, it was agreed that every airport under FAAN management should have designated areas where such supporters should wait for their leaders. They also agreed that airport management and FAAN would have to sensitise politicians on the matter and stress the importance of security at the airports.

Critical Security Challenge The invasion of the restricted area of the airport is a serious security challenge. But the decision FAAN has taken may be in tune with what

the aviation security expert, Ayo Obilana said might be the solution of the regular invasion of airport airside by supporters of politicians.

Obilana, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Selective Security International Limited acknowledged that it will be difficult to keep the supporters and other leaders away from the airports. But he suggested that first, concerned authorities should talk to the politicians and with their mutual understanding, an area should be designated at the airport for such supporters.

Obilana said FAAN should reinforce security to protect vulnerable and valuable areas of the airport. He recalled that in the days of the Late Aminu Kano that people run to airside of the airport to welcome him.

“They broke the fences, so you need not lock the gates because they will break them.

But what you should do is that you meet the supporters and ask them to comply with the rules and regulations of the airport, open the gates because no matter what you do, you cannot stop them.

“I had witnessed this live. No matter what you do, you cannot stop them. It will be impossible to contain them. And there is no need to apportion blames about what happened, but we must take precautionary measures to ensure that such does not happen again. Most of the time they spend 15 to 20 minutes and they leave the airport,” Obilana said.

Fortifying Security Many airports in the country today don’t have comprehensive security fencing; the same with perimeter fencing, which barricades the airside of the airport from encroachers and other unwanted persons. They are known as inner and outer perimeter fencing.

It has now become very urgent that the fences should be built to secure the airport environment.

It is still ironical that despite the insufficient fencing of the Lagos and Abuja airports they were still certified by NCAA. FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials are recognised by ICAO as responsible for managing airport security. The experts said the support AVSEC is getting from the Nigerian police and Nigerian Air Force for the landside of the airports

can only go to the extent that it controls the entry and exit of passengers and other airports users, but it cannot help protecting the airside of the airport, which is highly restricted. It is the responsibility of AVSEC officials to do so.

They also warned that insider threat becomes high when operatives who are not trained in aviation are made to take significant roles in aviation security management, noting that either government makes it a permanent policy that the other paramilitary operatives would now work permanently with AVSEC officials which now requires they must go for aviation security training. In addition, for the training, AVSEC officials should be profiled at regularly interval.

Nigeria’s Lax Security System According to aviation security experts, there is total laxity in the airport security system in the country. With global terror threat so close to the country now, experts said that Nigerian security system may not be prepared to effectively fight terror attacks because it would need advanced technology to detect possible incendiary devices hidden in electronic gadgets and it has to monitor the precincts of the airport to ensure that unwarranted people do not gain access.

Although FAAN has installed Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at the major international airports in the country, other airports have not been covered by the equipment, which monitors movements of people and actions around the airport.

At the airport in Kebbi, there is centralised CCTV which monitors every parts of the airport, especially movements around the fences to ensure that intruders do not enter the airport environment without notice.

FAAN should replicate this system at all its airports. In many airports in country including that of Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Abuja airport, host communities of the airports have their own routes of movement carved inside the airport territory.

When the renovation and upgrade of the Kaduna airport was going on, villagers from the host community were moving about the airside on their daily chores. At the Port Harcourt airport, villagers come to rinse their farm produce in the sun at the airside.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Ending Excessive Charges by Shipping Companies Eromosele Abiodun examines claims by customs agents that shipping companies and terminal operators’ charges on storage and demurrage contravene Sections 20, 31 and 97 of the Customs and Excise Management Act International shipping is a complex subject that contains many variables. Proper handling paves the way for a reliable and cost-effective management of ocean freight. That is regardless of whether an importer ships one container now and then, several per month or more than 10 per day.

Many businesses depend on viable international shipping to ensure the persistence of partnerships and clients and sustain profitability. Avoiding delays is critical to guarantee an uninterrupted operation.

However, international shipments could face shipping delay charges resulting from various clearance issues. Sufficient preparation and understanding the different resulting charges in advance is key.

When it comes to clearance delays, importers, as well as exporters seem to throw around three terms interchangeably: demurrage, detention, and per diem. From common usage, it may seem like they all mean storage when they, in fact, do not.

If your international shipment stays beyond a certain amount of allowed free time at a site, you face storage charges. That includes ports, airline terminals, rail facilities or a bonded warehouse. The storage fee compensates the facility for the use of their space and equipment, i.e. a container taking up space or blocking processing.

The amount of free days and the charge for storage will differ from one facility to another.

This is often also based on the volume an importer or your freight forwarder is passing through the facility.

It is a norm the world over for steamship lines to charge demurrage, a fee to compensate for the use of their shipping containers.

Experts believe demurrage fees are in place to discourage using the provided containers for storage and to compensate for container usage.

“Before you pick up your international shipment, you must pay all demurrage charges in full. The fee may differ greatly from carrier to carrier and from port to port. You are granted a limited number of free days, depending on the carrier and the location. After your free time runs out, you will be charged demurrage for each additional day. These charges tend to increase per day after exceeding a certain amount of days,” said a top player in the maritime sector The detention charge, he stated, usually applies to domestic trucking adding, “The trucking or drayage company bills you for the so-called detention of their trucker or driver in cases.

This happens when the loading or unloading of your shipment or containers takes too long.

Detention fees are billed at an hourly rate.

You can usually expect a free time or grace period of around one to two hours for loading or unloading a container. But this will depend on whether it is a domestic shipment or destined for import or export.”

He added that per day applies when an importer require the use of equipment beyond a set amount of free time.

“Steamship lines and airlines charge this fee, and equipment include ocean containers and unit load devices (ULD). You have some free days, depending on the equipment and the carrier, before per diem kicks in. With imports, the charge applies to cargo leaving the arrival terminal. With exports, it applies to shipments leaving the departing terminal.

Per diem fees accumulate until you return the equipment to the terminal of the port, rail yard dock or airline,”he stated.

Analysts believe terms of shipping delay charges, often used interchangeably, results in confusion when receiving bills for detention, demurrage and per day charges.

Nigeria’s Peculiarity While it is a known fact that international shipping is intricate, the confusion in the

Nigerian maritime industry over shipping companies’ charges has over the years raised dust with stakeholders at daggers drown as to who is right or wrong.

The problem assumed a new dimension recently with customs brokers plying their trade at Lagos ports declaring war on terminal operators and shipping companies over the N4billion demurrage accrued from the recently shelved strike by truck drivers.

For six days last month truck drivers shunned lifting of cargoes at the ports in protest over alleged extortion by security agencies. Resulting to over N4 billion accrued as demurrages and storage charges that importers had to clear.

THISDAY investigations revealed that N668 million demurrage was incurred daily for the duration of the strike which translated to N4billion.

The amount resulted to a running battle between clearing agents, importers on one hand and the service providers on the other.

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

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

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

He declared that the strike action was not the making of customs brokers, hence the need for the service providers to grant demurrage waivers.

“Is it our fault that the containers are incurring storage and demurrage? It is not the fault of the importers but the fault of the importers representative. Clearing agents are representative of importers and not terminal operators nor shipping companies. Why are we bearing the cost of someone else’s action?

Don’t forget we are in business looking for profit. That is why we are here, “a manager in one of the terminal operators declared.

He added: “Why didn’t government call terminal operators, shipping companies to a meeting and give concession to cargo owners

and we tell them that since we are also going to pay our lease fees like we use to pay every time, they should give us concession so that we can give others concession. If government is not giving us concession, why are we giving other people concession.”

“If people are saying truckers went on strike because of the roads, they incur demurrage and all that, it is government that is supposed to be discussing with us because if not, everyone can go on strike and they will ask us to give them waivers we can’t do that,” he said.

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

He said the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, promised to visit terminal operators and shipping companies on how to reduce the storage and shipping demurrages.

Sanni, who quoted the Chairman of Tin-Can Island chapter of ANLCA, Segun Oduntan, said in a meeting with the shippers’ council boss, he promised to intervene.

He said: “Coming out from the meeting with shippers’ council, the chief executive will be going out on Monday to the terminals and shipping companies to tell them why they have to waive and refund if they collect any during the strike.”

He, however, charged clearing agents not to make further payments to on demurrage to terminal operators or shipping companies.

Before the truckers’ industrial action, some customs agents in the country had called on the federal government to urgently check the unlawful activities of shipping companies and terminal operators whose actions they said hinder imports and exports and violate the ease of doing business directives issued by the government.

Customs and Excise Management Act In a petition addressed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the customs agents alleged that the shipping companies and terminal operators’ charges on storage contravene Sections 20, 31 and 97 of the Customs and Excise Management Act that limit the days for rent charges and conferred authority to Nigeria Custom to charge rent after specific days by the board.

The agents in the petition signed by National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, stated that duplication of charges such as terminal delivery charges/ terminal handling charges, deposit repayment delays and process procedure that lack regulation of the economic interest in the port.

They stressed that there is the need for the federal government to intervene to address the cost of doing business by a total review of the procedure, process and cost in the ease of doing business.

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PBBEC), they added, should urgently address the following short falls, which is militating against our import and export trade that resulted to massive diversion of goods to neighbouring ports.

Also, the agents called on the federal government to use part of the seven per cent port development levy for the development of port access roads, trailer parks.

According to Amiwero, “The condition of the Tincan Island Port Axis of Apapa Oshodi express road leading to the ports is a death trap, big potholes and gridlocks resulting in loss of lives and continued destruction of loaded goods that always fall on cars, trailers and sometime persons.”

He said: “It is a complete setback to trading across borders (TAB) for ease of doing business on trucks that spend weeks to access and exit the ports which result to delay and rejection on most of the fragile export products in international market and high cost in import clearance.

“The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) is no more in port operation, the percentage collected from the seven per cent Port Development Levy should be used for the development of the trailer parks and port access roads.”

On the increase of revenue collection on the recovery of short levied duties on discrepant cargo as provided under Section 142 of Customs and Excise Management Act, he said: “The discrepant cargo, as covered under Section 142 of the Customs and Excise Management Act and the Import guideline paragraph J are non contraband goods with discrepancy, which is allowable for treatment and issued with demand CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Driving Entrepreneurial Growth through Technology Kehinde Lawal examines efforts by Edo State government to support start-ups in the state The astronomical rise of investment inflow into the Nigerian tech space over the years goes to show the potential in the sector and would point a discerning leader to the vibrancy of Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.

Not only are tech companies such as Google, Uber, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft valued as some of the biggest companies in the world, their continued incursion into the Nigerian tech space and their investment in building local capacity is a sign of good things to come.

In his resolve to deliver on his campaign promises, particularly the pledge to deliver 200,000 jobs to the people and create wealth in the process, Governor Godwin Obaseki is not one to overlook the immense potential in the unfolding technology revolution in Nigeria.

Recently, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the Edo Innovation Hub, located at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), in Benin City. A landmark project that provides a space for technology innovators to birth their tech-powered solutions, the hub leverages a mix of conducive business environment, business support services, and training from technology heavyweights such as Google, Facebook, Andela, Oracle, among others, to provide a space to nurture and drive innovation. At the launch of the Edo Innovation Hub also known as Edo innovates, Governor Obaseki said “the innovation hub would serve as a facility for training youths in the state and it would also serve as a center for follow-up training for youths who are participating in similar training programmes organised by the state government through its skills development arm popularly known as EdoJobs.

“Services on offer by the firms include an incubation and pre-incubation programme, acceleration programme, business clinics and co-working facilities. The Innovation Hub is equipped with thousands of computers supported with high-speed connectivity.” The Vice President, who commissioned the South-South Innovation Hub, domiciled in the Edo Innovation Hub, said that the facility will give young and old people opportunity to provide solutions to everyday problems. Explaining that the innovation hub was targeted to grow the state’s economy as well as that of the South-South region, he charged the people of the zone to take advantage of the facility to end youth restiveness. He further urged the youths to come up with innovative ideas, saying that the country needs to grow technologically to meet up with modern-day trends and compete with developed nations.

Innovation Hub as Haven for Tech-powered solutions Ever since its launch, the Edo Innovation Hub has become a beehive of activities, as hundreds of Edo resident have undertaken training in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Coding, Python Programming, Solar power engineering, among others. The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, said that the hub accommodates over 25 technology companies, including Google,

Cross section of students at one of the labs in Edo Innovation Hub

Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle.

He added that the state government intends to solve youth unemployment through the hub, noting, “it will offer youths unique opportunities to discover their talent in the use of technology, improve these skills and promote innovation.”

He maintained that the innovation hub serves as a training facility for small business owners, who will learn how to leverage digital solutions to transform their businesses. “Individuals and groups who own small businesses in the state and intend to transform their businesses in line with global standards can acquire innovative skills at the hub,” he added.

Explaining that repurposing the ICE showed a strong resolve to promote innovation, he stressed, “Edo State intends to become a case study in Nigeria on how public facilities can be transformed for effective use. This is why the governor refurbished the former Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) into an innovation hub. The world has become a global village, where technology is key to transforming the society for the better. That is the direction this government is going.”

Python, data science programming Less than two weeks after Osinbajo, commissioned the Edo Innovation Hub, Curators Academy, one of the partners at the hub, commenced training on Python, Data Science, and other programming tools.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the Curators Academy opened its laboratory for Edo youths to acquire on-demand tech skills. According to her, “Beginners and intermediate classes would be held on Python and Data Science programming for youths who were part of the boot camp held when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, launched the Edo Innovation Hub.” She added, “In preparation for this class, the laboratory is now open for people who are interested in learning Python and Data Science programmes.”

She explained that “Those who were trained during the launch of the Edo Innovation Hub are practicing, working and using the knowledge and tools to improve their skills. This kicks off a one-year partnership where 600 young people in Edo will be trained as tech entrepreneurs and tech experts, participate in international competitions and get jobs globally in the tech space.”

Co-working spaces, workstations The Edo Innovation Hub has also opened its doors for entrepreneurs in Edo State and environs to take opportunity of its co-working spaces and other facilities to drive innovation in the state.

Dare said that the Edo Innovation Hub is arguably one of the best equipped and furnished spaces to run a start-up company in Southern Nigeria. She said, “We are excited to be opening up the Edo Innovates cluster to budding entrepreneurs in Edo State and environs. We are open to working with them, providing the enabling environment to nurture their start-ups, and training and other benefits of a co-working space.”

She noted that some of the services provided in the hub include virtual office, shared desks, dedicated desks, private office and serviced office, all of which have access to services such as mail handling, electricity, business support, workshops and trainings and networking opportunities.

Impact and Sustainability Less than four months after commissioning, Edo Innovation has proven naysayers wrong and is coasting to resounding success, with its impact being felt by youths in the state.

The facility has trained not less than 724 entrepreneurs and its operators, EdoJobs, has drawn up a sustainability plan that will see the private sector drive activities at the cluster.

Dare, who is also Head, EdoJobs, said that the facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub, which has two halls; it also has five

separate training rooms, six fully-furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with hundreds of computers, offices, conference rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.

Of the 724 entrepreneurs, who have been trained, she said “200 females are being trained

by Microsoft and Tech4Dev; 32 persons participated in LinkedIn MeetUp sessions to build a vibrant business community and leverage networking for local and international businesses; 49 budding app developers participated in Curators University’s Artificial Intelligence boot camp; 23 developers were trained by Hotels.NG on coding and app development.

Others, according to her, include “Makers Academy, which trained 40 students on robotics; Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre trained 59 entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship and innovation; Siemens, Impact Hub conducted pre-hackathon orientation for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs in the power sector while Microsoft took 50 teachers on Basic Digital Literacy for Teachers.”

She said the sustainability plan is to ensure that the private sector takes the lead in the growth of the state’s technology ecosystem, adding that trainings and business incubation would continue at the facility.

She disclosed that the state government’s effort has received a boost from the private sector actors in the state, noting that ATC Nigeria donated three fully equipped ICT centers for training in Benin, Irrua and Ekpoma.

Dare explained that this would deepen the penetration of tech-driven development across the state, while a good number of the firms at the hub have expressed interest in long-term partnership with the state government.

The Hack Edo Series After the launch of the hub, the Hack Edo Series, a multi-dimensional initiative to identify and incubate the best ideas that tackle problems of power generation and distribution faced by individuals, businesses and the digital ecosystem, was birthed. A N3.5 million prize money is up for grabs for the best ideas in the state that will tackle power generation and distribution challenges.

The EdoJobs boss said that The Hack Edo Series is being organised in partnership with Impact Hub and Siemens Nigeria.

According to her, “Through a series of practical Hackathons, the Hack Edo series aims to equip young Nigerian innovators with the skills necessary to make impact in their various communities.” The series was intended to increase the number of individuals taking action on social and economic issues, build a collaborative community that tackles issues and identify the best ideas that will be supported through the incubation phase at the hub.

Dare said the hackathons will catalyse highgrowth start-ups within Edo State, support development of ventures from ideation to commercialisation and promote job creation and economic development.

ENDING EXCESSIVE CHARGES BY SHIPPING COMPANIES notice (DN) Section 142-(2).

“Recovery of Duties states: Where any duty has been short levied or erroneously repaid, then the person who should have paid the amount short levied or to whom the repayment, has erroneously been made, shall on demand by the proper officer, pay the amount short levied or repay the amount erroneously repaid as the case may be. Any such amount may be recovered as if it were duty to which the goods in relation to which the amount was so short levied or

erroneously repaid were liable.”

Amiwero also called on the government to address multiple checks and delays of clearance

by Nigeria Customs Service.

He said: “The process of clearance is associated with multiple interventions of various alerts headquarters Abuja, CIU, Valuation Gate etc that takes days and increase the cost and time in contravention of WCO Kyoto convention on simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures.

“The Customs procedure should comply with WCO

Kyoto convention and (FAL) Convention of (IMO) for Minimisation, harmonisation and simplification of Customs procedure with regards to various checks after release from the Port, (FOU), CG Squad in line with international best practice of One-Stop-Shop process.”

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo had in a bid to boost business activities in the country earlier in the year signed the ease of doing business executive order.

The effort was in the at-

tempt to grow the country out of recession, stimulate economic activities and generally improve the business environment in Nigeria through promotion of transparency and efficiency.

Federal ministries, departments and agencies have since gone into frenzied activities in the bid to carry out the Executive Orders and exhibit compliance with a view to achieving the objectives of the orders. One of the fall outs of the executive orders is on port operations and this

brought to mind the challenge of ensuring ease of doing business at the entry points vis a vis the subsisting issue of influx of sub-standard and harmful products of very low quality into Nigeria.

In 2011, then Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, ordered that agencies like NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Agricultural Quarantine Services should exit the Seaports. Prior to the pronouncement, all of

the regulatory and security agencies have offices located within the seaports complexes.

The executive pronouncement then clearly directed that they all relocate their offices outside the ports and participate in cargo examinations on the invitation of the NCS. Outside this, no effort has been made by government to check the excesses of shipping companies and terminal operators whose activities seem to be undermining the ease of doing business directive.

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

NEWS| P30

COLLAGE | P36

DR. CHINNY OBINWANNE:

BABIES NOT WELL BREASTFED ARE EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE HEALTH ISSUES

THISLIFE | P37

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Obinwanne: Babies not Well Breastfed are Exposed to Multiple Health Issues To commemorate the annual World Breastfeeding Week, Chiemelie Ezeobi spoke to Dr. Chinny Obinwanne, a medical doctor, lactation consultant, and member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Obinwanne, a nursing mother, is the founder of The Milk Booster, a company that produces lactation products that help increase breast milk supply. She also founded The Breastfeeding Doc, which is a company that provides evidence-based knowledge for healthcare professionals and breastfeeding mothers. In this interview, Obinwanne emphasises the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Excerpts: infections. Every year hundreds of thousand babies die because of this. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces the rate of mortality amongst children from new-born to five years.

Dr. Chinny Obinwanne: Babies Not Well Breastfed Are Exposed to Multiple Health Issues To commemorate the annual World Breastfeeding Week, Chiemelie Ezeobi spoke to Dr. Chinny Obinwanne, a medical doctor, lactation consultant, and member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Obinwanne, a nursing mother, is the founder of The Milk Booster, a company that produces lactation products that help increase breast milk supply. She also founded The Breastfeeding Doc, which is a company that provides evidence-based knowledge for healthcare professionals and breastfeeding mothers. In this interview, Obinwanne emphasises the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Excerpts:

What about those who genuinely find it difficult to breastfeed. What's the way out?

Seek help early. Most breastfeeding issues can be resolved and the earlier help is sought, the better.

Some women are of the opinion that promoting exclusive breastfeeding is merely a way to shame those mothers who can't afford to.

What is your take on this?

This is not true and it’s sad because this hinders some mothers from coming out to share their experience. The aim is to encourage mothers to breastfeed and not to judge mother’s that didn’t. I have worked with mothers that didn’t get it right with their first baby, but with this knowledge they’ve been able to do much better with their next baby.

How did the whole business of producing lactation products come about?

After I had my baby, she was admitted into neonatal ICU. This was the beginning of my struggle. I wasn’t equipped with the right knowledge. So, after we were discharged home, I continued to suffer with low milk supply. I was not able to meet up to her demand and that left me utterly devastated and I felt like a failure for not being able to accomplish my responsibility as a mother. One day it got so bad that my husband threatened to start my baby on formula. That was how the products came about. Today she is still breastfeeding and will be turning two years next month.

What is your view on the recent movement to stop shaming women who breastfeed in public?

We all should normalise breastfeeding in public.

The primary function of the breasts are to nourish babies, every other thing is secondary.

The moment we all get this, that’s when we will stop judging babies for feeding in the public, as we adults can eat anywhere. Most offices and organisations do not have lactation rooms for working mothers. What is the way out? Organisations should understand that it’s in their best interest for mothers to get lactation support at their workplaces. Until this happens, I advise mothers to negotiate with their human resource department and also to invest in a good double electric pump and make the best with a 15-minute session.

They can also breakdown their lunch break to 15 minutes each.

What services do you offer as a company and to whom?

We provide healthy lactation products that help increase breast milk supply. I also provide evidence based knowledge on breastfeeding for both mothers and healthcare professionals.

At The Milk Booster, we produce lactation products like cookies, granola, smoothie mix, cocoa mix and juice. All are lactation products that help increase breast milk supply. At The Breastfeeding Doc, we offer knowledge for healthcare professionals and breastfeeding mothers.

What was the journey like to where you are now?

It’s been exciting. I derive a lot of joy in helping mother’s achieve their breastfeeding goals and seeing all these healthy babies makes it all worth it.

You recently marked the World Breastfeeding Week, how successful was it and what were the lessons learnt by nursing mothers?

It was quite successful with the capacity we had. A lot of mothers, fathers, grandmothers and friends turned up and our venues were full.

Mother’s went home with so much knowledge and gift bags. The Milk Booster train touched three cities: Port Harcourt, Abuja and of course Lagos. This year, we had an estimate of about 300 mothers, who were touched by the train at the three locations visited. In Lagos, we started off with the breastfeeding walk, which led us to the venue at Landmark Towers, Victoria Island. There, I dished out evidence based knowledge on breastfeeding, while the picky eater specialist @augustsecrets.ng broke down child nutrition, introducing solids to your baby and healthy eating by toddlers with food tasting. Afterwards, we assessed mental health during postpartum before the panel session with experienced mums. I also unveiled my latest project; an online course on breastfeeding for mother's and healthcare professionals via thebreastfeedingdoc.

The highlight of the day was perhaps the “Big

What are some of the challenges you have faced as an entrepreneurs?

I struggle with time. In addition to the business, I have to go to work everyday and take care of my family.

Obinwanne

Latch On”, which was when we simultaneously latched our babies and nurse. There was dance competition and a breastfeeding

Babies that are not breastfed exclusively or not at all are at a higher risk of respiratory problems, ear infections, allergy, obesity and diabetes etc. These babies don’t have strong immune system, which makes it hard to fight infections

game before all left with a gift bag containing lots of goodies.

According to statistics, improper feeding accounts for about 40 per cent of child deaths.

What do you think hinders nursing mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies?

From experience, the thing that hampers nursing mothers from breastfeeding is lack of appropriate knowledge, especially when we are still practicing what our mother’s and grandmother’s did- by believing that a breastfed baby still needs additional water.

Other factors include little or no maternity leave and lack of lactation support when mothers return back to work, among others.

According to the 2016- 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Nigeria’s breastfeeding rate remains low overall with only 23.7 per cent of babies born in the country being breastfed exclusively. What are the implications of not breastfeeding exclusively or not breastfeeding at all?

Babies that are not breastfed exclusively or not at all are at a higher risk of respiratory problems, ear infections, allergy, obesity and diabetes etc. These babies don’t have strong immune system, which makes it hard to fight

So how have you kept going? What is your core strategy for sustaining your legacy?

Simply put; collaboration!

What policy changes would you advise the authorities to make in order to create more awareness on the gains of breastfeeding?

They should consider nursing mums. Giving all nursing mother’s maternity leave up to six months without criteria like for the first two children. To provide lactation breaks and breastfeeding rooms at workplaces as well as in public places like mall etc.

What is your take on the move by the Federal Government to make law providing for six months maternity leave for mothers? Isn't that counterproductive?

This is not counterproductive. Six months maternity leave is ideal. The government also need to be sure organisations will not count this leave against these mothers such that it does not elongate the period to their next promotion or see them as less competent because of this.

What is your final word for nursing mothers?

Breastfeeding is not always easy. The earlier you reach out for help with any problem the better. You are doing an amazing job breastfeeding your baby.

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30/ NEWS

10.08.2018

Fashion Designer Celebrates Nigerian Heroines in New Collection Mary Nnah Nigerian fashion designer, Yeside Laguda of My Q Lifestyle, recently unveiled her new designs, tagged, “The Roots Collection”, which were named after women who have in one way or the other made the country proud. The designer went back to the old, applying a modern twist to wearable pieces made from the indigenous Tie and Dye fabric popularly known as Adire.

Heroines who influenced her designs include Alimotu Pelewura, Dora Akinyuli, Efunroye Tinubu, Emotan, Florence Nwapa, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Grace Soyinka, Margaret Ekpo, Dideolu Awolowo, Kudirat Abiola and Stella Adadevoh.

All of these women have in one way or the other fought for Nigeria’s independence, freedom and democracy. Laguda who said she created the collection in such a way that the 21st century woman can enjoy it and wear them anywhere without feeling restricted, noted that the entire collection was made

L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed; Director, My Q Lifestyle, Yeside Laguda; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Idiat Adebule and Jibola Laguda at the presentation of Roots Collection: “A Journey In History With Adire” in Lagos… recently

completely from the popular, local Adire fabric. She added that the different types were employed and were dyed in Osogbo, Ikorodu, and Ibadan amongst other places within the Southwest region.

Speaking on the reason why she decided to explore Adire, she said it had become imperative for her to

look inwards and explore indigenous fabrics. She said, “We have been in business for 11 years and this time around and we can’t keep relying on imports.

"Gradually our mills are closing down; our industries are shutting down and about 90 per cent dependent on import. Most of the time

when people place an order for any of our collections, you have to wait when we run out of fabric.

“In a creative industry such as ours, spontaneity is crucial as well.

Sometimes you think something up and the time to execute it, you won't have materials. This was why we decided to start designing our own patterns and fabrics so we can contain that and control resources for ourselves. "Exchange rates and cost of production have tripled especially with imports and people’s earnings haven’t increased and we were asking people to pay three times their earnings."

Dignitaries present at the launch included Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and wife, Kudirat; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by his deputy, Yetunde Onanuga; Deputy Governor of Lagos State Idiat Oluranti Adebule; Minister of Sate on Trade and Industry, Hon Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; and publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Pa Sam Amuka.

Coy Raises Stakes for ‘Mum of the Year’ Competition Ayodeji Ake Three Crowns Milk, one of Nigeria’s leading dairy brands and a flagship product from the stable of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, has raised the stakes in its Mum of the Year (MOTY) campaign for 2018.

Flagging off this year’s edition of the competition, Senior Brand Manager of Three Crowns Milk, Mrs. Omolara Banjoko, said three mums would win the grand prize at this year’s edition, instead of just one mother as was the case ab initio.

The iconic brand has, since 2015 celebrated the unique role a mother plays in the family, especially by ensuring a healthy nutrition for the family. This is in line with the pay-off line, 'Healthy Mums, Happy Families' which it has adopted since its re-launch in 2015 and defines its role to enable mums take extra care of themselves by eating right and keeping fit.

Three Crown Mum of the Year winners

This year’s campaign coincides with the 30th anniversary of the leading brand in the Nigerian market. Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Senior Brand Manager, Three Crowns Milk, Mrs. Omolara Banjoko, said the Three

Crowns Milk ‘Mum of the Year’ campaign is the brand’s special way of rewarding mothers who are the key target consumers for their unalloyed support and patronage.

“The mothers are as invaluable to Three Crowns Milk as they are

to their families. We like them to always keep fit and feel appreciated.

The mothers are our primary target as the key decision makers and most times prioritise themselves last in the pursuit of their families’ happiness and wellbeing.

"Hence, the brand places a very high premium in identifying and celebrating them. Participants in the campaign would need to visit http://bit.ly/2O5o0PF for details."

Nigerian celebrities who have been judges at the competition include Dance Queen, Kaffy; Nollywood screen goddess, Chioma Apotha; popular OAP, Matse, Nollywood actresses, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Annie Idibia and popular chef, Uzor Orimalade, among others.

Three Crowns, the leading low cholesterol milk has for 30 long years consistently delivered good quality milk to and is trusted by families and medical practitioners to help Nigerians stay fit and healthy.

Rotary Club Lagos Island Installs New President Mary Nnah Rotary Club of Lagos Island recently installed its third president, Rotarian Raj Kumar Gulati, to direct the affairs of the club for the year 2018-2019. Gulati during his installation ceremony held in Lagos recently, said it was not a moment of pleasure for him, but a moment of responsibility which has been put on his shoulders to complete within one year time.

“One of many good things about Rotary is that positions are generally for one year. So whatever one has to do, should be done within this time frame,” he said. “Being the president of a club of this nature is like taking a huge responsibility on your shoulders and to be able to succeed in carrying out this responsibility, you need the support of everybody. You can’t be the leader alone.”

Speaking on his vision for the year, the newly installed President said some of the projects to be executed in the current rotary year will include blood donations, vocational trainings, provision of artificial limbs and free cataracts eye surgeries.

Expressing his expectations for

L-R: Newly installed President of Rotary Club of Lagos Island, Rotarian Raj Kumar Gulat; District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Rotarian Kola Sodipo and outgoing president, Rotarian Sanjeev Tandon at the event

the Rotary Club of Lagos as the new president is installed, District Governor for Rotary International, District 9110, covering Lagos and Ogun State, Rotarian Kola Sodipo, said, “I am happy that today the new president, Rotarian Gulati is being installed as the third president of this club.

"Coincidentally, the Rotary Club

of Lagos Island is now the largest club in Africa with well over 150 members. They did a lot last year, so I don’t have any doubt in my mind that in this rotary year, they would also do great work in the service to humanity.”

The district governor advised therefore that the club should continue to do good to various people out

there that need help and succour in whatever area of life.

Noting that one of the key objectives for Rotary International is service to humanity, Sodipo said for this rotary year, the club will focus on three core areas which are health, education and youth empowerment.

He stated, “When we talk about the area of health, we are looking at assisting and partnering both Lagos and Ogun State governments to rehabilitate some identified primary health centres and also equip them with the basic medical needs so that when patience gets to a primary healthcare centre, he/she will be attended to and rendered the necessary health care.

"We are also looking at having a surgical mission just like the Rotary Club of Lagos Island where every year we do free eyes surgeries for patience with cataract.”

Chairman, Installation Committee, Rotarian Vipul Agrawal, said Rotarian Gulati was regarded as an inspirational president because every year in Rotary International, they decide on a theme to run with and this year the theme is “Be the Inspiration”.

Nigerian Art to Take Centre Stage at Chinese Exhibition Solomon Elusoji Artistic pieces from Nigeria will be one of the highlights at the 11th Changchun Folk Art Exhibition, which is currently being held in Changchun, the capital and largest city of Jilin Province in North-East China. The exhibition, which started August 9 and will run till to August 13, will include a delegation of more than 30 Nigerians.

The Nigerian part of the exhibition promises to focus on certain historical aspects of the country’s art, including Nok, Ife and Benin art.

According to a promotional document obtained from the organisers, Nigeria is regarded as “Africa’s cultural cradle.”

The document further stated, “Since its independence, cultures like modern art, folk literature, music, dance, painting and so on have developed rapidly.

“Among them, Nigeria's wood sculpture, textile, painting and bronze wares are most distinctive.

Nigeria's sculpture art represents the essence of African sculpture art and embodies the deft wisdom of its black ancestors."

Another part of the exhibition will focus on Nigerian weaving and butterfly paintings.

“Nigerian butterfly paintings are unique,” the organisers said.

The Changchun Folk Art Exhibition is formally named China (Changchun) International Folk Art Fair (CCIFAF).

The 10th edition, last year, was supported by the Chinese folk art industry and was part of China’s “One Belt and One Way” initiative, which served as a guiding ideology for the exhibition. he “One Belt and One Way” initiative is designed to promote cooperation and mutual understanding among nations of the world.

Ambode, Udom, Ikpeazu, others win NiOMA Awards Mary Nnah Winners have emerged at the recently held Nigerian Online Merit Awards (NiOMA) and they include Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, who won the e-Governor of the Year; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, who won the Best State Website of the year, and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who won the State Innovative e-project of the Year.

At the event, which held in Lagos, other winners include the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which emerged as the best MDA website of the year; ICT Icon of the year went to Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh of the Zinox Group, and minister of the year was won

by Dr. Adebayo Shittu, while Fidelity, Zenith and Access Banks won the Bank Websites of the Year.

Before the nominees were selected, considerations like inter-activeness, traffic, design, best use of social media, content and best use of photographs were the concerns. The eight categories in this maiden edition included Best Newspaper Website of the Year which went to Guardian, Vanguard and Daily Trust in Gold, Silver and bronze categories, respectively.

The event set out to recognise and celebrate remarkable individuals, institutions and corporates who are key drivers in the Nigerian Online revolution.

Initiator of the NiOMA award, Mr. Isaac Umunnah

31/ENTREPRENEUR

10.08.2018

Imperial International Business City is a Legacy Project- Akioye Femi Akioye is an entrepreneur. As the Managing Director, Channeldrill Resources, he is quite passionate about addressing the housing gap in Lagos State. A recent partnership with the Elegushi Royal Family and other investors has seen the company addressing this problem by building the Imperial International Business City (IIBC), Africa's first Smart city built by technology, renewable energy and cyberspace driven. In this interview with Chinecherem Ojiako he talks about the future of real estate. Excerpts: How did you and the investors conceive the idea of the Imperial International Business City and are you working with any template around the world?

The idea was conceived by two groups that want to make a difference in the real estate landscape of the continent. The Head of Elegushi Royal Family wanted a legacy project that will redefine the real estate sector. Channedrill Resources on its part wants to be the face of the next century when it comes to real estate in Africa and beyond. So we came together to brainstorm and research on what future cities will look like.

We were also quite passionate about bringing luxury living to Lagosians by creating a serene environment that connects work, living and recreational environments of Lagos in a wholesome mix. We also want to build an impregnable city what will not be affected by the impending sea water level rise that is been and will continually be created by global warming. The fusion of the above reasons and others whose depth cannot be covered here is what gave birth to IIBC. On the issue of template, we are quite ingenious in that we are breaking new frontiers instead of conforming to the status quo. Though we studied a few projects around the world like Masdar Smart city -Abu Dhabi, Tianjin Eco City- China, Dubai Sport City, Colombo port city- Sri-lanka, etc, we learnt from these projects and added our own flavor into it with a dash of the ever zestful Eko tang. In addition, we got the best consultants and contractors in the world to deliver this amazing dream we have conceived.

The new city is advertised as “Africa’s First Smart City" how did you come about this evaluation and what are the facilities that makes it smart?

The Africa’s first smart city phrase is more than an evaluation. It is a reality that we are about to unleash and believe me, we are going to walk the talk on this phrase. The security, transportation and energy within will be smart, (bottom-line is that everything will be technology, renewable energy and cyberspace driven). To achieve this, we are almost concluding arrangements to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with CISCO. They will be making the smart city vision of IIBC a reality. I won’t talk much about this now because we are planning an event to showcase what IIBC is cooking in that regard in the next few months. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Rest assured that you will get an invitation for

Akioye

the investors/subscriber’s interaction event where all the smart city facilities that will be in IIBC will be unveiled.

There is a global housing deficit and Lagos has a large share of this, however, how affordable will your proposed city be for the average Lagosian or even Nigerian?

The word affordable is relative, but I can tell you that hard working Nigerians and international firms will be able to make IIBC their abode. In fact, some are already buying into the dream and are extremely impressed with the quality of work done.

The Africa’s first smart city phrase is more than an evaluation. It is a reality that we are about to unleash and believe me, we are going to walk the talk on this phrase. The security, transportation and energy within will be smart, (bottom-line is that everything will be technology, renewable energy and cyberspace driven)

Dredging the sea or ocean reclamation has been criticised in some quarters, how will this project not contribute to ocean erosion?

Our project is on the lagoon and the Lagos lagoon is not open sea or ocean. In general one could say that at a coast, directly facing a sea or ocean, problems only occur when dredging large quantities of sand from the coast/beach/ under a water slope as the coastal stability/ protection can be endangered! But taking sand away further from the coast in 'deep' water, say at 30metres or further there will be in general no effect on the environmental load conditions and also not on the coast. Moreover our closet borrow area is over 2.5 kilometers to the coast. In addition to that, the Lagos State Government now has a well-regulated process and approval procedure to be followed before such projects can be carried out.

For Imperial City being positioned inside a relatively shallow lagoon, you should know that the daily waves generated by normal winds are very small. Up to maximum 0.3 metres with a wave period of two seconds.

This kind of waves do not “feel” the bottom anymore when the water depths are equal or larger than about 1.5 metres. In other words, deepening the lagoon by dredging in water depths larger than about 1.5 metres will not have any effect on the “daily” waves passing these areas and also not on the stability/erosion of the lagoon shores impacted by these waves.

As a matter of fact, for Lagos State to fully take advantage of what nature has freely giving us by way of massive potential for water transportation, the lagoon needs to be dredged further so as to deepen the depths for creation of waterways in preparation for massive water transportation.

Finally, do not dredge the shallow foreshore in front of the natural lagoon shores, certainly not within 25metres of the natural shore and I can assure you that Lagos State will never allow that to happen.

What is the current level of work on site and how soon will it be ready for commissioning?

The first phase will take five years; and it entails reclamation and infrastructure and will be ready by the end of 2021. Presently we have started reclamation.

You listed a couple of foreign partners,

what about local content, why are you not partnering more with local developers?

Channeldrill is the local developer and all the foreign firms have Nigerians working with them. The reason why we employed the expertise of the top 10 foreign globally rated firms and not just any foreign firm is because they have built smart and green cities from the scratch in different parts of the world and we need them to bring that experience to bear in this project also and to transfer knowledge to our local staff. This makes it a win-win situation for all.

Your catch phrase is "Buy the future" can you take us into this future; give us a peep into what it will look like?

What can I say? This is beyond words! How do you describe magic? A technological world run by renewable energy, a gem of the Atlantic, a green paradise, a tropical nirvana, a serene and bohemian enclave, and the list goes on.

It is magical! We are creating a Xanadu. You need to come see for yourselves. Visit our website: Imperiallagos.city, or better still, why don’t I take you to the site?

On this project, what has been the greatest challenge that you have faced and how have you been able to surmount it?

A major challenge is staying true to the standard of the vision irrespective of the extra cost it will cost us. Another was getting the right consultants to deliver the vision.

32/E-TRENDS

10.08.2018

Daddy Showkey Celebrates Birthday

Femi Kuti's Band Member Absconds in US

Sunday Ehigiator

Adedayo Adejobi

Encomiums flowed for legendary dancehall musician, Olorogun John Odafe Asiemo, popularly known as Daddy Showkey, last week as he marked his birthday. Nigerians, including celebrities such as, K-Cee; The Limpopo master, Efemoney; 2017 Big Brother Naija winner turnd musician, Yung6ix, DJ Jimmyjatt, Kizz Daniel, Saheed Osupa and so many others, flooded their social media timelines with Showkey’s pictures and videos, as well as congratulatory messages.

Perhaps, the highlight of Showkey’s birthday was the N500,000 cash gift given to him by business magnate, Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-money. In a video posted on his Instagram page, Daddy Showkey poured showered Nigerian Pidgin English parlance, encomiums on Okonkwo. He which loosely translated means did the video in the popular “Emoney has killed me! My

Last week was a dramatic one for the Afro beat King Femi Kuti, as a crucial member of his band, the bass guitarist and lifeline of the musician’s music, Andrew Aghedo, absconded in the United States few

Sunday Ehigiator

Good’ and the other when they set me up with a stolen laptop in a quest to make me look like a fraudster.

"I was moved me from Kano where I was

recording a campaign song for PDP to SARS Abuja and locked me up for no reason. This man and @areafada1 (Charles Oputa) made sure I was good.

"Two times people I know were implicated in dangerous cases and everyone fired except the ones who mentioned my name.

They didn’t commit the crime but they were innocently chilling with the guys.

"Brother, brother, you are more than a friend. I salute you Capo. May this day bring you long life and great wealth. May you march and never fall.

May evil forever lose the directions to your location and may God bless you and yours."

Healing Balm for D'banj Adedayo Adejobi Losing one’s child can be a harrowing experience. For Nigeria’s hiphop sensation, Dbanj, it is no different. He is still lost in thoughts over his loss. If money could cheat death, we need not say he would have paid the price to

keep his late son alive.

The death of D'banj's son came as a rude shock to everyone.

Since the harrowing incident, the artiste has stayed away from social media but recently, from his solitary confinement, he has found courage to write about how he and his family are coping since the sad incident.

He wrote, “the past few weeks

20minutes before concert because he wants to stay in America.

"Andrew Aghedo!

Those who defend you are just like you.

You try to destroy other people to get on in life. It doesn’t work like that."

In any case, for

anyone who knows the nuances of the music trade, it is common knowledge that when musicians leave or abscond in the fashion that played out on Femi, they are either ill-treated, less paid or aggrieved over something.

account has burst. He sent N500,000 for me to enjoy. If you are good, people will like you!"

Kellyhansone Accuses Don Jazzy of Orchestrating his Arrest Twice Singer Kellyhansome while wishing his friend, Awwalbiu, a happy birthday on his instagram wall, narrated how his friend stood by him both in times when music producer and artist, Don Jazzy, orchestrated his arrest. In the post he wrote “HBD to the most rugged Capo @ awwalbiu. The two times our brother @ donjazzy and his people orchestrated my arrest, one for making a cover to the song ‘Feeling

minutes to a gig.

In a heartfelt solidarity for her brother, Yeni Kuti called out the band member on her Instagram page.

The post read: "The face of betrayal. I hope @realdonaldtrump catches you and deports you! Deserted band

Music Crooner Waje's PA Calls her out over Unpaid Sal Sunday Ehigiator It all started when last weekend, Nigerian music crooner, Waje took to Instagram to advise young people seeking success that the struggle is real and not as glamorous as they often think.

In her post, she wrote “Dear young people, you have to work!

You think because of the cloths and the lifestyle, we hang our legs and sit with makeup and a smile?

Its disheartening.

"You send me direct messages of how you want a job etc. In the last three months, I

have worked with four personal assistants with everybody complaining the job is stressful. So you thought the job was taking pictures?”

Her ex-assistant, one Yvonne Imongan who had just parted ways with the singer replied her thus, "I almost lost my life working with you. Personal assistants are people’s children not classified maids".

Yvonne who narrated her ordeal after quitting her job as Waje’s PA said, "I almost lost my life running errands for her. All I asked for

was time to study for my forthcoming exams and also work for her. I wasn’t really about the pay.

“I fell ill in the process of working for her and funny enough, I didn’t get a little support for my medical bills. I let that slid.

"All this drama just started this morning when I asked for a few days to study, she asked if this job was convenient, and I replied no just for the main time, not like I wanted to quit.

"I thought she understood as a mother would.

Tomorrow

completes a month I started working with her efficiently. I got home and I asked if I would be paid for the one month I worked but she replied no, saying I was on probation.

"Sometimes I come home late without eating and sometimes I have to resume work without eating and it caused my ulcer to start again. She started all this by bringing it to the social media."

With the hullabaloo the post caused, the singer was forced to later pay Imongan the one month salary she had earlier requested for.

have been incredibly trying and difficult, but God’s love has kept me and my family going.

I can't thank my team enough and the incredible love from you all. May God keep us all. #StrongerTogether."

One can’t help but pray that God grants the musician the inner strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Street named after Akpororo in Lagos Adedayo Adejobi Frontline Nigerian stand-up comedian, vocalist, and actor, Jephthah Bowoto, popularly known as Akpororo, has joined the long list of Nigerian celebrities who seem to be counting their blessings this season.

This time, he's not moving into a multi -million naira mansion in Lagos, nor acquiring an exotic

car. He took to social media to show off a street in Lagos which has been named after

him.

The father of three dances and praises God every month

from street to street and today he’s blessed with one in his name.

He shared the picture on Instagram with the caption: “I'm nothing without God that's why I don't brag. Favour and grace speak for me. Every month I dance and praise God from street to street #streetpraisetoday I am blessed with one.

My life is a testimony.

33/THISLIFE

10.08.2018

AOCOSA: Old Boys to the Rescue At their recent annual dinner, the old students association of Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, mapped out plans to restore the glory of their alma mater by raising funds to improve the school's infrastructure. Femi Ogbonnikan reports The standard of education in Nigeria is generally believed to have fallen. Ace geographer Akin Mabogunje attributes a lot of this to the takeover of private schools by the state governments.

Mabogunje feels the takeover has done more harm than good to education in the country, and contributed significantly to the fallen standard of education.

Speaking at the Adeola Odutola College Old Students Association (AOCOSA) 2018 Day held at Adeola Odutola Events Centre, Folagbade/ Degun Street, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on July 14, Mabogunje, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the takeover of the Adeola Odutola College by the state government marked a departure from the original visions of its founder, late Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola. He said the school was founded with a mission to nurture its students to greater heights, with the fear of God towards the making of a better society.

According to him, “The takeover of the school by the state government hasn't helped to nurture well for its progress. It was a college established to nurture its students and make them better in the society.

"No wonder at its formative stage, instead of finding the motto of the school in Latin words, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola chose to go by his Yoruba dialect to coin it, ‘atan ko ko ile kile’, meaning that the refuse doesn't reject any refuse.

"Now, the school has changed its fortunes.

And for standard to be sustained and to grow, the family members of the founder should do something urgently about the return of the school to them. Likewise, the AOCOSA should also assist in this regard.

At the same time, I am calling on the state government to return the school to the family members of the founder."

Mabogunje, a former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, congratulated the old students of the college. He said, "It is only the beginning and AOCOSA will bring more of the old students together to help bring about the vision of the founder of the school.

"Throughout his career, Chief Odutola's activities have been marked by an aura of selflessness and the desire to share the fruits of his good fortune with as many members of the national family as possible.

It is in this spirit that it could be understood his almost single-handed establishment in 1945 of a Secondary Commercial School and a Secondary Grammar School (known as Olu-Iwa College), although both have now been merged to become a Comprehensive (Co-educational) High School known as Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode, nursed by him through its most difficult period of growth and educational experimentation."

National President, AOCOSA, Professor Akin Osibogun, in his address, said the establishment of the old students association was premised on the need to strengthen the bond among old students, as the work at hand is never ending.

Osibogun, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, noted that members of the association had been joining hands with other stakeholders to ensure a conducive learning environment in the school, so that it can continue to contribute to human capital development for communities within Nigeria and the world at large.

He said, "We, in the Adeola Odutola College Old Students Association, therefore, continuously pay tribute to the foresight and vision of the school's founder and we commit ourselves to ensuring that his legacy remains ensuring.

Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola lives on in this and other legacies he left behind."

He urged the Ogun State government and friends of the school to join hands with the National Executive Council of the association in executing new projects in the school and in maintaining the high standards envisioned by the founder of the college.

Guest lecturer of the day at the 2018 alumni, and award and fund raising dinner, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, who is an alumnus of the school and the current Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, spoke on the theme: "Beyond formal education: the role of vocational education in the economic growth of Nigeria."

According to Ashiru, "For the last seven

L-R: Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Prof. (Mrs) Oyinade Odutola-Olurin; Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and. Prof Akin Osibogun

Members of the association

years, I have served as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ogun State under the current administration led by His Excellency, Sen Ibikunle Amosun. During this period I have come to discover that one of the key constraints faced by industrialists is getting skilled workforce.

Some either have to rely on bringing in expatriates for knowledge transfer mainly in technical areas over a number of years, while others set aside a sizeable budget to orientate and train new hires in order to equip them with relevant technical skills.

"A number of employees lament about the quality of graduates being produced by our educational institutions in Nigeria today, despite the gradual increase in the number of private institutions, student applications, admission numbers and most importantly, cost of tuition. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a parallel growth in the quality of graduates being produced by our educational institutions; some even argue that there is a decline in quality."

Ashiru, who is an Ogun State governorship

Unfortunately, there hasn't been a parallel growth in the quality of graduates being produced by our educational institutions; some even argue that there is a decline in quality

aspirant on APC platform in the upcoming to produce functional designs and products."

2019 general election, said the role of education To meet up with the educational demands in the economic and political development of of society, Ashiru suggested vocational and any nation was dependent on both formal and technical education. But he noted that the informal educational system that produces the investment in vocational and technical education personnel required to function in various facets had been impeded mainly due to the fact of both national and individual development. that its implementation had been fraught with "On the other hand, as a commissioner,” he many problems, such as negative perception, said, “I am inundated with calls, emails and paucity of educators, lack of opportunity, personal visits from people seeking employment inadequate teaching facilities, lack of electricity for themselves, their children or wards. It is and other consumable practical materials, lack a amazing how 21st century parents invest of funds, curriculum and pedagogy and lack so much on their children's education with of entrepreneurial skill. the hope that they will become self-sustained Ashiru suggested the need for improved upon graduation. Unfortunately, modern day educational policy, curriculum review, esparental obligation has now been extended tablishment of specialised universities and behind formal education to securing employ- adequate funding. ment for your child.

He said, "Currently, in Ogun State, we have a As a matter of fact, I was compelled to add total of eight technical colleges spread across the up that to the responsibility of one of my three senatorial districts of the state. Enrolment team members in the office.” into these technical colleges had increased as He said formal education was an indispensable facilities in these schools have also improved. element without which no society can develop. Teachers are exposed to training in the industry According to him, "This means that education to familiarise them with modern equipment can be acquired through other forms and one and tools. of such forms is the non-formal setting and "There is no doubt that skill acquisition has formal instituting established by the government. helped employees by providing the competence If formal education programmes are properly required for job performance. Over the past planned and implemented through established two years, a large number of businesses have centres and institutions that are adequately closed shops with some moving out of Nigeria equipped with facilities and resource personnel, to even the neighbouring countries, such as it has the capacity to equip and produce the Ghana. required manpower skill meant for personal Although this can be attributed to a number socio-economic sustenance which in turn will of reasons, and some of which include: lack of enhance national development. infrastructure, high foreign exchange risk with "Any developing nation that wants to shake off one dollar currently at over N350; high rate its syndrome of poverty, insecurity, unemploy- of insecurity in some regions of the country ment and other social ills, must embrace and and policy instability and poor political will." institutionalize 'skill acquisition' in various Highlights of the occasion included the fields, both within the private and public sec- award of "Ambassador of AOCOSA" on seven tor as the vehicle through which individuals personalities, Professor Oyinade Odutola-Olurin, can become economically independent. Skill Dr Yomi Finnih, Otunba Kunle Osinoiki, Alhaji acquisition is knowledge and training in the (Dr) Rasheed Adenusi, Prof Oladapo Ashiru, area of using intellectual thinking and skilful Sen (Mrs) Daisy Danjuma, and Otunba Bimbo manipulations of instruments and equipment Ashiru.

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34

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF DOWNHOLE RENTAL TOOLS AND SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP16-0272) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003172 1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of downhole rental tools and services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work The Service includes the provision of Personnel and Equipment required for the execution of downhole rental tools and services aboard a drilling rig (and/or any other potential unit) operating in OML18 swamp Nigeria, for field development or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria. The contractor shall be responsible for the supply of the following: t %SJMMJOH UPPMT WBSJPVT TJ[FT PG ESJMMJOH KBST TVCT IPMF PQFOFST VOEFS SFBNFST BDDFMFSBUPST ESJMM DPMMBST IFBWZ XFJHIU ESJMM QJQFT ESJMM QJQFT QVQ KPJOUT DSPTTPWFST bit subs, non-magnetic drill collars, etc); t 3FRVJTJUF DPOTVNBCMFT BOE TQBSF QBSUT BOE t "MM PUIFS SFMBUFE FRVJQNFOU UPPMT BOE FYQFSJFODFE QFSTPOOFM OFDFTTBSZ UP satisfactorily perform the above services The contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) firm years plus one (1) year optional extension.

3. Mandatory Requirements t

t t t t

5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF QSF qualified in the 3.04.36 Drilling Services category of the NipeX Joint Qualification (NJQS) %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJĂśFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

5P EFUFSNJOF JG ZPV BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE BOE WJFX UIF QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF MJTUFE GPS 0QFO IUUQ WFOEPST OJQFYKRT DPN BOE BDDFTT /+24 XJUI ZPVS MPH JO EFUBJMT $MJDL PO Products/Services Status tab to view your status and product codes. *G ZPV BSF OPU MJTUFE JO B QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI %13 UP EP CVTJOFTT DPOUBDU /JQF9 PĂłDF BU #BZP ,VLV 4USFFU *LPZJ -BHPT XJUI ZPVS %13 DFSUJĂśDBUF as evidence for verification and necessary update.

5P JOJUJBUF UIF +24 QSF RVBMJĂśDBUJPO QSPDFTT BDDFTT XXX OJQFY OH DPN DMJDL PO TFSWJDFT tab followed by NJQS registration.

5P CF FMJHJCMF BMM UFOEFSFST NVTU DPNQMZ XJUI UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU "DU /PO DPNQMJBODF TIBMM SFTVMU JO EJTRVBMJĂśDBUJPO from bidding for this opportunity.

4. Closing Date t

0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.36 Drilling Services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

5. Nigerian Content

Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria defined in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;FATAL FLAW.â&#x20AC;? *O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010: %FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria. %FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in order to achieve the minimum target as set out in the requirements of the /0(*$% "DU (80% man-hour; Other Drilling Services) GPS UIJT QSPKFDU 8IFSF in-country capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap 3. A plan of how it intends to give first consideration to materials, manufactured as well as assembled goods of Nigerian origin which shall include a breakdown of all NBUFSJBMT BOE DPOTVNBCMFT UP CF VUJMJ[FE BOE JEFOUJGZJOH UIPTF UIBU BSF GPVOE MPDBMMZ

finished products and materials that will be procured from Nigerian manufacturing and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported %FUBJMT PG UIF DPNQBOZ T DPSQPSBUF PSHBOJ[BUJPOT PWFSBMM IVNBO SFTPVSDFT TUSVDUVSF NBOBHFNFOU TVQFSWJTPST TFOJPS BOE KVOJPS TLJMMFE PĂłDFST FUD JEFOUJGZJOH positions manned/occupied by Nigerian nationals with evidence of type of employment in-country and identifying the positions manned/occupied by other nationals 8IFSF UIF CJEEJOH FOUJUZ MBDLT DBQBDJUZ HFOVJOF BMMJBODFT XJUI PUIFS /JHFSJBO companies or multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE 5IF BMMJBODF KPJOU WFOUVSF TIBMM CF FYFDVUFE XJUI CJOEJOH Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved.

6. A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

7. Tenderers to submit a detailed training plan which shall provide sustainable training and development (including certification as applicable) for Nigerians in line with UIF )VNBO $BQBDJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU *OJUJBUJWF (VJEFMJOF PG UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE T /$%.# 5IF USBJOJOH QMBO XJMM JODMVEF contract-specific training and estimated man-hours. Tenderer is required to submit .0" XJUI 0JM BOE (BT 5SBJOFST "TTPDJBUJPO PG /JHFSJB 0(5"/ USBJOFST UP TVQQPSU UIFJS USBJOJOH QMBO XIJDI TIBMM CF PG UIF QSPKFDU .BO IPVST PS PG UIF UPUBM contract sum.

8. Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list (Tenderer to provide verifiable evidence (purchase receipt, bill of sale, etc.) of ownership of equipment in executing this contract.

9. Provide evidence of approved Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate or status of UIF BQQMJDBUJPO TVCNJUUFE UP /$%.# GPS UIF DFSUJĂśDBUF GPS UIF QSPDVSFNFOU PG BMM equipment, systems and packages to be supplied on the contract (where applicable).

8IFSF 5FOEFSFS JOUFOET UP VTF TVCDPOUSBDUPS T TVQQMJFS T 5FOEFSFS TIBMM QSPWJEF same information for the nominated supplier(s)/sub-contractor(s).

"MM CJEEFST GPS B QSPKFDU DPOUSBDU TFSWJDF XJUI B DPNQMFUJPO QFSJPE PG NPOUIT or more are required to submit as part of the Nigerian Content requirement, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between it and one of the research and EFWFMPQNFOU 3 % $MVTUFST FTUBCMJTIFE CZ UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE /$%.# 5IF .0" TIBMM CF SFMFWBOU UP UIF QSPKFDU BOE TIBMM JOEJDBUF IPX UIF CJEEFS JOUFOET UP VTF UIF SFMFWBOU 3 % $MVTUFST EVSJOH QSPKFDU executionâ&#x20AC;? %FUBJMFE TQFDJĂśD QSPHSBNNFT JO QMBDF UP USBOTGFS UFDIOPMPHZ BOE TLJMMT UP /JHFSJBO businesses 1SPWJEF FWJEFODF PG DPNQMFUFE SFHJTUSBUJPO PO /$%.# /0(*$% +24 QPSUBM Note: Land and Swamp operations are exclusively for Nigerian indigenous service companies that have a minimum of 51% equity shareholding.

6. Additional information t t t t t t

t

*OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO successfully pre-qualified in NJQS. 5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, subcontractors or agents.

5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJĂśFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS. "MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

4VQQMJFST UIBU BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 NVTU ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone numbers) of their company and authorised/responsible personnel is up to date in their company profile in the NJQS data base. &3050/ TIBMM DPNNVOJDBUF POMZ XJUI UIF BVUIPSJTFE SFTQPOTJCMF QFSTPOOFM PG QSF qualified companies and not through unauthorised individuals or agents.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

35

T H I S D AY หพ FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF GRAVEL PACK SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP17-0012) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003249 and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported

1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of gravel pack services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work

%FUBJMT PG UIF DPNQBOZ T DPSQPSBUF PSHBOJ[BUJPOT PWFSBMM IVNBO SFTPVSDFT TUSVDUVSF NBOBHFNFOU TVQFSWJTPST TFOJPS BOE KVOJPS TLJMMFE PรณDFST FUD

identifying positions manned/occupied by Nigerian nationals with evidence of type of employment in-country and identifying the positions manned/occupied by other nationals

The Service includes the provision of personnel and equipment required for the execution of gravel pack services aboard a drilling rig (and/or any other potential unit) operating in OML18 swamp Nigeria, for field development or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria. The contractor shall be responsible for the provision of the following:

8IFSF UIF CJEEJOH FOUJUZ MBDLT DBQBDJUZ HFOVJOF BMMJBODFT XJUI PUIFS /JHFSJBO companies or multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE 5IF BMMJBODF KPJOU WFOUVSF TIBMM CF FYFDVUFE XJUI CJOEJOH Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved.

t

(SBWFM BOE GSBDL QBDL TZTUFN EFTJHOFE UP DPOUSPM TBOE BOE รถOFT QSPEVDUJPO

6.

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1PTU PQFSBUJPO SFQPSUJOH

A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

t

"MM PUIFS SFMBUFE FRVJQNFOU UPPMT DPOTVNBCMFT TQBSF QBSUT BOE FYQFSJFODFE personnel necessary to satisfactorily perform the above services

7.

Tenderers to submit a detailed training plan which shall provide sustainable training and development (including certification as applicable) for Nigerians in line with UIF )VNBO $BQBDJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU *OJUJBUJWF (VJEFMJOF PG UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE T /$%.# 5IF USBJOJOH QMBO XJMM JODMVEF contract-specific training and estimated man-hours. Tenderer is required to submit .0" XJUI 0JM BOE (BT 5SBJOFST "TTPDJBUJPO PG /JHFSJB 0(5"/ USBJOFST UP TVQQPSU UIFJS USBJOJOH QMBO XIJDI TIBMM CF PG UIF QSPKFDU .BO IPVST PS PG UIF UPUBM contract sum.

8.

Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list (Tenderer to provide verifiable evidence (purchase receipt, bill of sale, etc.) of ownership of equipment in executing this contract.

9.

Provide evidence of approved Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate or status of UIF BQQMJDBUJPO TVCNJUUFE UP /$%.# GPS UIF DFSUJรถDBUF GPS UIF QSPDVSFNFOU PG BMM equipment, systems and packages to be supplied on the contract (where applicable).

8IFSF 5FOEFSFS JOUFOET UP VTF TVCDPOUSBDUPS T TVQQMJFS T 5FOEFSFS TIBMM QSPWJEF same information for the nominated supplier(s)/sub-contractor(s).

The contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) firm years plus one (1) year optional extension.

3. Mandatory Requirements t

5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF pre-qualified in the 3.04.28 Gravel Packing Services category of the NipeX +PJOU 2VBMJรถDBUJPO /+24 %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJรถFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

t

5P EFUFSNJOF JG ZPV BSF QSF RVBMJรถFE BOE WJFX UIF QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF MJTUFE GPS 0QFO IUUQ WFOEPST OJQFYKRT DPN BOE BDDFTT /+24 XJUI ZPVS MPH JO details. Click on Products/Services Status tab to view your status and product codes.

t

*G ZPV BSF OPU MJTUFE JO B QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI %13 UP EP CVTJOFTT DPOUBDU /JQF9 PรณDF BU #BZP ,VLV 4USFFU *LPZJ -BHPT XJUI ZPVS %13 certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update.

t

5P JOJUJBUF UIF +24 QSF RVBMJรถDBUJPO QSPDFTT BDDFTT XXX OJQFY OH DPN DMJDL PO services tab followed by NJQS registration.

t

5P CF FMJHJCMF BMM UFOEFSFST NVTU DPNQMZ XJUI UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU "DU /PO DPNQMJBODF TIBMM SFTVMU JO disqualification from bidding for this opportunity.

4. Closing Date t

0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.28 Gravel packing services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

"MM CJEEFST GPS B QSPKFDU DPOUSBDU TFSWJDF XJUI B DPNQMFUJPO QFSJPE PG NPOUIT or more are required to submit as part of the Nigerian Content requirement, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between it and one of the research and EFWFMPQNFOU 3 % $MVTUFST FTUBCMJTIFE CZ UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE /$%.# 5IF .0" TIBMM CF SFMFWBOU UP UIF QSPKFDU BOE TIBMM JOEJDBUF IPX UIF CJEEFS JOUFOET UP VTF UIF SFMFWBOU 3 % $MVTUFST EVSJOH QSPKFDU executionโ %FUBJMFE TQFDJรถD QSPHSBNNFT JO QMBDF UP USBOTGFS UFDIOPMPHZ BOE TLJMMT UP /JHFSJBO businesses 1SPWJEF FWJEFODF PG DPNQMFUFE SFHJTUSBUJPO PO /$%.# /0(*$% +24 QPSUBM Note: Land and Swamp operations are exclusively for Nigerian indigenous service companies that have a minimum of 51% equity shareholding.

5. Nigerian Content Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full 6. Additional information details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the t *OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJรถFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ biddersโ submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria t 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO defined in โ The Actโ . Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a โ FATAL FLAW.โ successfully pre-qualified in NJQS.

*O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010:

t

%FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entityโ s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria.

5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, subcontractors or agents.

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5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJรถFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS.

t

"MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

t

4VQQMJFST UIBU BSF QSF RVBMJรถFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 NVTU ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone numbers) of their company and authorised/responsible personnel is up to date in their company profile in the NJQS data base.

t

&3050/ TIBMM DPNNVOJDBUF POMZ XJUI UIF BVUIPSJTFE SFTQPOTJCMF QFSTPOOFM PG QSF qualified companies and not through unauthorised individuals or agents.

%FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in PSEFS UP BDIJFWF UIF NJOJNVN UBSHFU BT TFU PVU JO UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /0(*$% Act 2010 (80% Spend; Well Completion Services) GPS UIJT QSPKFDU 8IFSF JO DPVOUSZ capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap 3.

A plan of how it intends to give first consideration to materials, manufactured as well as assembled goods of Nigerian origin which shall include a breakdown of all NBUFSJBMT BOE DPOTVNBCMFT UP CF VUJMJ[FE BOE JEFOUJGZJOH UIPTF UIBU BSF GPVOE MPDBMMZ finished products and materials that will be procured from Nigerian manufacturing

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

36

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF PUMPING SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP17-0017) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003251 1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of pumping services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work The Service includes the provision of personnel and equipment required for the execution of pumping services aboard a drilling rig (and/or any other potential unit) operating in OML18 swamp Nigeria, for field development or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria. The contractor shall be responsible for the provision of the following: t 1VNQJOH FRVJQNFOU GPS QVNQJOH PG CSJOF PUIFS øVJET GSBDUVSJOH BOE BDJEJ[JOH slurry) during completion phases t 1SFTTVSF UFTUJOH t 1PTU PQFSBUJPO SFQPSUJOH t "MM PUIFS SFMBUFE FRVJQNFOU UPPMT DPOTVNBCMFT TQBSF QBSUT BOE FYQFSJFODFE personnel necessary to satisfactorily perform the above services The contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) firm years plus one (1) year optional extension.

3. Mandatory Requirements t

t t t t

5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF QSF qualified in the 3.04.18 pumping services category of the NipeX Joint Qualification /+24 %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJĂśFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

5P EFUFSNJOF JG ZPV BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE BOE WJFX UIF QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF MJTUFE GPS 0QFO IUUQ WFOEPST OJQFYKRT DPN BOE BDDFTT /+24 XJUI ZPVS MPH JO details. Click on Products/Services Status tab to view your status and product codes. *G ZPV BSF OPU MJTUFE JO B QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI %13 UP EP CVTJOFTT DPOUBDU /JQF9 PĂłDF BU #BZP ,VLV 4USFFU *LPZJ -BHPT XJUI ZPVS %13 certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update.

5P JOJUJBUF UIF +24 QSF RVBMJĂśDBUJPO QSPDFTT BDDFTT XXX OJQFY OH DPN DMJDL PO services tab followed by NJQS registration.

5P CF FMJHJCMF BMM UFOEFSFST NVTU DPNQMZ XJUI UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU "DU /PO DPNQMJBODF TIBMM SFTVMU JO disqualification from bidding for this opportunity.

4. Closing Date t

0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.18 Pumping services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

6. Additional information

5. Nigerian Content

finished products and materials that will be procured from Nigerian manufacturing and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported %FUBJMT PG UIF DPNQBOZ T DPSQPSBUF PSHBOJ[BUJPOT PWFSBMM IVNBO SFTPVSDFT TUSVDUVSF NBOBHFNFOU TVQFSWJTPST TFOJPS BOE KVOJPS TLJMMFE PĂłDFST FUD

identifying positions manned/occupied by Nigerian nationals with evidence of type of employment in-country and identifying the positions manned/occupied by other nationals 8IFSF UIF CJEEJOH FOUJUZ MBDLT DBQBDJUZ HFOVJOF BMMJBODFT XJUI PUIFS /JHFSJBO companies or multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE 5IF BMMJBODF KPJOU WFOUVSF TIBMM CF FYFDVUFE XJUI CJOEJOH Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved.

6. A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

7. Tenderers to submit a detailed training plan which shall provide sustainable training and development (including certification as applicable) for Nigerians in line with UIF )VNBO $BQBDJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU *OJUJBUJWF (VJEFMJOF PG UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE T /$%.# 5IF USBJOJOH QMBO XJMM JODMVEF contract-specific training and estimated man-hours. Tenderer is required to submit .0" XJUI 0JM BOE (BT 5SBJOFST "TTPDJBUJPO PG /JHFSJB 0(5"/ USBJOFST UP TVQQPSU UIFJS USBJOJOH QMBO XIJDI TIBMM CF PG UIF QSPKFDU .BO IPVST PS PG UIF UPUBM contract sum.

8. Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list (Tenderer to provide verifiable evidence (purchase receipt, bill of sale, etc.) of ownership of equipment in executing this contract.

9. Provide evidence of approved Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate or status of UIF BQQMJDBUJPO TVCNJUUFE UP /$%.# GPS UIF DFSUJĂśDBUF GPS UIF QSPDVSFNFOU PG BMM equipment, systems and packages to be supplied on the contract (where applicable).

8IFSF 5FOEFSFS JOUFOET UP VTF TVCDPOUSBDUPS T TVQQMJFS T 5FOEFSFS TIBMM QSPWJEF same information for the nominated supplier(s)/sub-contractor(s).

"MM CJEEFST GPS B QSPKFDU DPOUSBDU TFSWJDF XJUI B DPNQMFUJPO QFSJPE PG NPOUIT or more are required to submit as part of the Nigerian Content requirement, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between it and one of the research and EFWFMPQNFOU 3 % $MVTUFST FTUBCMJTIFE CZ UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE /$%.# 5IF .0" TIBMM CF SFMFWBOU UP UIF QSPKFDU BOE TIBMM JOEJDBUF IPX UIF CJEEFS JOUFOET UP VTF UIF SFMFWBOU 3 % $MVTUFST EVSJOH QSPKFDU executionâ&#x20AC;? %FUBJMFE TQFDJĂśD QSPHSBNNFT JO QMBDF UP USBOTGFS UFDIOPMPHZ BOE TLJMMT UP /JHFSJBO businesses 1SPWJEF FWJEFODF PG DPNQMFUFE SFHJTUSBUJPO PO /$%.# /0(*$% +24 QPSUBM Note: Land and Swamp operations are exclusively for Nigerian indigenous service companies that have a minimum of 51% equity shareholding.

Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria defined in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;FATAL FLAW.â&#x20AC;? *O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010: %FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria. %FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in PSEFS UP BDIJFWF UIF NJOJNVN UBSHFU BT TFU PVU JO UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /0(*$% Act 2010 (95% Man-hour; Pumping Services) GPS UIJT QSPKFDU 8IFSF JO DPVOUSZ capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap 3. A plan of how it intends to give first consideration to materials, manufactured as well as assembled goods of Nigerian origin which shall include a breakdown of all NBUFSJBMT BOE DPOTVNBCMFT UP CF VUJMJ[FE BOE JEFOUJGZJOH UIPTF UIBU BSF GPVOE MPDBMMZ

t t t t t t

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*OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO successfully pre-qualified in NJQS. 5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, subcontractors or agents.

5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJĂśFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS. "MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

4VQQMJFST UIBU BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 NVTU ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone numbers) of their company and authorised/responsible personnel is up to date in their company profile in the NJQS data base. &3050/ TIBMM DPNNVOJDBUF POMZ XJUI UIF BVUIPSJTFE SFTQPOTJCMF QFSTPOOFM PG QSF qualified companies and not through unauthorised individuals or agents.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

37

T H I S D AY หพ FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF SAND CONTROL SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP17-0016) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003247 1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of sand control services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work The Service includes the provision of personnel and equipment required for the execution of sand control services aboard a drilling rig (and/or any other potential unit) operating in OML18 swamp Nigeria, for field development or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria. The contractor shall be responsible for the provision of the following: t &YQBOEBCMF TBOE TDSFFOT TUBOE BMPOF TDSFFOT t $IFNJDBM TBOE DPOTPMJEBUJPO t 1FSTPOOFM NBUFSJBMT DPOTVNBCMFT BOE TQBSFT t 3FBM UJNF SFQPSUJOH The contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) firm years plus one (1) year optional extension.

3. Mandatory Requirements t

t t t t

5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF pre-qualified in the 3.04.17 Well Completion Services category of the NipeX +PJOU 2VBMJรถDBUJPO /+24 %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJรถFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

5P EFUFSNJOF JG ZPV BSF QSF RVBMJรถFE BOE WJFX UIF QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF MJTUFE GPS 0QFO IUUQ WFOEPST OJQFYKRT DPN BOE BDDFTT /+24 XJUI ZPVS MPH JO details. Click on Products/Services Status tab to view your status and product codes. *G ZPV BSF OPU MJTUFE JO B QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI %13 UP EP CVTJOFTT DPOUBDU /JQF9 PรณDF BU #BZP ,VLV 4USFFU *LPZJ -BHPT XJUI ZPVS %13 certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update.

5P JOJUJBUF UIF +24 QSF RVBMJรถDBUJPO QSPDFTT BDDFTT XXX OJQFY OH DPN DMJDL PO services tab followed by NJQS registration.

5P CF FMJHJCMF BMM UFOEFSFST NVTU DPNQMZ XJUI UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU "DU /PO DPNQMJBODF TIBMM SFTVMU JO disqualification from bidding for this opportunity.

4. Closing Date t

0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.17 Well Completion Services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

5. Nigerian Content

Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ biddersโ submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria defined in โ The Actโ . Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a โ FATAL FLAW.โ *O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010: %FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entityโ s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria. %FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in PSEFS UP BDIJFWF UIF NJOJNVN UBSHFU BT TFU PVU JO UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /0(*$% Act 2010 (80% man-hour; other drilling services) GPS UIJT QSPKFDU 8IFSF JO DPVOUSZ capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap 3. A plan of how it intends to give first consideration to materials, manufactured as well as assembled goods of Nigerian origin which shall include a breakdown of all NBUFSJBMT BOE DPOTVNBCMFT UP CF VUJMJ[FE BOE JEFOUJGZJOH UIPTF UIBU BSF GPVOE MPDBMMZ finished products and materials that will be procured from Nigerian manufacturing

and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported %FUBJMT PG UIF DPNQBOZ T DPSQPSBUF PSHBOJ[BUJPOT PWFSBMM IVNBO SFTPVSDFT TUSVDUVSF NBOBHFNFOU TVQFSWJTPST TFOJPS BOE KVOJPS TLJMMFE PรณDFST FUD

identifying positions manned/occupied by Nigerian nationals with evidence of type of employment in-country and identifying the positions manned/occupied by other nationals 8IFSF UIF CJEEJOH FOUJUZ MBDLT DBQBDJUZ HFOVJOF BMMJBODFT XJUI PUIFS /JHFSJBO companies or multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE 5IF BMMJBODF KPJOU WFOUVSF TIBMM CF FYFDVUFE XJUI CJOEJOH Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved.

6. A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

7. Tenderers to submit a detailed training plan which shall provide sustainable training and development (including certification as applicable) for Nigerians in line with UIF )VNBO $BQBDJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU *OJUJBUJWF (VJEFMJOF PG UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE T /$%.# 5IF USBJOJOH QMBO XJMM JODMVEF contract-specific training and estimated man-hours. Tenderer is required to submit .0" XJUI 0JM BOE (BT 5SBJOFST "TTPDJBUJPO PG /JHFSJB 0(5"/ USBJOFST UP TVQQPSU UIFJS USBJOJOH QMBO XIJDI TIBMM CF PG UIF QSPKFDU .BO IPVST PS PG UIF UPUBM contract sum.

8. Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list (Tenderer to provide verifiable evidence (purchase receipt, bill of sale, etc.) of ownership of equipment in executing this contract.

9. Provide evidence of approved Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate or status of UIF BQQMJDBUJPO TVCNJUUFE UP /$%.# GPS UIF DFSUJรถDBUF GPS UIF QSPDVSFNFOU PG BMM equipment, systems and packages to be supplied on the contract (where applicable).

8IFSF 5FOEFSFS JOUFOET UP VTF TVCDPOUSBDUPS T TVQQMJFS T 5FOEFSFS TIBMM QSPWJEF same information for the nominated supplier(s)/sub-contractor(s).

"MM CJEEFST GPS B QSPKFDU DPOUSBDU TFSWJDF XJUI B DPNQMFUJPO QFSJPE PG NPOUIT or more are required to submit as part of the Nigerian Content requirement, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between it and one of the research and EFWFMPQNFOU 3 % $MVTUFST FTUBCMJTIFE CZ UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE /$%.# 5IF .0" TIBMM CF SFMFWBOU UP UIF QSPKFDU BOE TIBMM JOEJDBUF IPX UIF CJEEFS JOUFOET UP VTF UIF SFMFWBOU 3 % $MVTUFST EVSJOH QSPKFDU executionโ %FUBJMFE TQFDJรถD QSPHSBNNFT JO QMBDF UP USBOTGFS UFDIOPMPHZ BOE TLJMMT UP /JHFSJBO businesses 1SPWJEF FWJEFODF PG DPNQMFUFE SFHJTUSBUJPO PO /$%.# /0(*$% +24 QPSUBM Note: Land and Swamp operations are exclusively for Nigerian indigenous service companies that have a minimum of 51% equity shareholding.

6. Additional information t t t t t t

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*OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJรถFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO successfully pre-qualified in NJQS. 5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, subcontractors or agents.

5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJรถFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS. "MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

4VQQMJFST UIBU BSF QSF RVBMJรถFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 NVTU ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone numbers) of their company and authorised/responsible personnel is up to date in their company profile in the NJQS data base. &3050/ TIBMM DPNNVOJDBUF POMZ XJUI UIF BVUIPSJTFE SFTQPOTJCMF QFSTPOOFM PG QSF qualified companies and not through unauthorised individuals or agents.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍŽË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

38

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF SURFACE WELL TESTING SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP17-0013) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003250 UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported

1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of surface well testing services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work The Service includes the provision of personnel and equipment required for the execution of surface well testing services aboard a drilling rig (and/or any other potential unit) operating in OML18 swamp Nigeria, for field development or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria.

The contractor shall be responsible for the provision of the following: t

4VSGBDF XFMM UFTUJOH FRVJQNFOU BOE TFSWJDFT

t

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identifying positions manned/occupied by Nigerian nationals with evidence of type of employment in-country and identifying the positions manned/occupied by other nationals 8IFSF UIF CJEEJOH FOUJUZ MBDLT DBQBDJUZ HFOVJOF BMMJBODFT XJUI PUIFS /JHFSJBO companies or multinational companies for the purpose of technology transfer TIBMM CF FODPVSBHFE 5IF BMMJBODF KPJOU WFOUVSF TIBMM CF FYFDVUFE XJUI CJOEJOH Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by chief executives of both entities stating clear work-share ratio among the parties and time frame for growth or transfer to be achieved.

6.

A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

7.

Tenderers to submit a detailed training plan which shall provide sustainable training and development (including certification as applicable) for Nigerians in line with UIF )VNBO $BQBDJUZ %FWFMPQNFOU *OJUJBUJWF (VJEFMJOF PG UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE T /$%.# 5IF USBJOJOH QMBO XJMM JODMVEF contract-specific training and estimated man-hours. Tenderer is required to submit .0" XJUI 0JM BOE (BT 5SBJOFST "TTPDJBUJPO PG /JHFSJB 0(5"/ USBJOFST UP TVQQPSU UIFJS USBJOJOH QMBO XIJDI TIBMM CF PG UIF QSPKFDU .BO IPVST PS PG UIF UPUBM contract sum.

8.

Provide evidence to show that a minimum of 50% of the equipment to be deployed for the work is owned by the Nigerian subsidiary if international or multinational company is working through the Nigerian subsidiary including equipment list (Tenderer to provide verifiable evidence (purchase receipt, bill of sale, etc.) of ownership of equipment in executing this contract.

9.

Provide evidence of approved Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate or status of UIF BQQMJDBUJPO TVCNJUUFE UP /$%.# GPS UIF DFSUJĂśDBUF GPS UIF QSPDVSFNFOU PG BMM equipment, systems and packages to be supplied on the contract (where applicable).

8IFSF 5FOEFSFS JOUFOET UP VTF TVCDPOUSBDUPS T TVQQMJFS T 5FOEFSFS TIBMM QSPWJEF same information for the nominated supplier(s)/sub-contractor(s).

The contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) firm years plus one (1) year optional extension.

3. Mandatory Requirements t

5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF pre-qualified in the 3.04.14 Well Testing Services category of the NipeX Joint 2VBMJĂśDBUJPO /+24 %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJĂśFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

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5P EFUFSNJOF JG ZPV BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE BOE WJFX UIF QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF MJTUFE GPS 0QFO IUUQ WFOEPST OJQFYKRT DPN BOE BDDFTT /+24 XJUI ZPVS MPH JO details. Click on Products/Services Status tab to view your status and product codes.

t

*G ZPV BSF OPU MJTUFE JO B QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ ZPV BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI %13 UP EP CVTJOFTT DPOUBDU /JQF9 PĂłDF BU #BZP ,VLV 4USFFU *LPZJ -BHPT XJUI ZPVS %13 certificate as evidence for verification and necessary update.

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5P JOJUJBUF UIF +24 QSF RVBMJĂśDBUJPO QSPDFTT BDDFTT XXX OJQFY OH DPN DMJDL PO services tab followed by NJQS registration.

t

5P CF FMJHJCMF BMM UFOEFSFST NVTU DPNQMZ XJUI UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU "DU /PO DPNQMJBODF TIBMM SFTVMU JO disqualification from bidding for this opportunity.

4. Closing Date t

0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.14 Well Testing services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

"MM CJEEFST GPS B QSPKFDU DPOUSBDU TFSWJDF XJUI B DPNQMFUJPO QFSJPE PG NPOUIT or more are required to submit as part of the Nigerian Content requirement, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between it and one of the research and EFWFMPQNFOU 3 % $MVTUFST FTUBCMJTIFE CZ UIF /JHFSJBO $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU BOE .POJUPSJOH #PBSE /$%.# 5IF .0" TIBMM CF SFMFWBOU UP UIF QSPKFDU BOE TIBMM JOEJDBUF IPX UIF CJEEFS JOUFOET UP VTF UIF SFMFWBOU 3 % $MVTUFST EVSJOH QSPKFDU executionâ&#x20AC;? %FUBJMFE TQFDJĂśD QSPHSBNNFT JO QMBDF UP USBOTGFS UFDIOPMPHZ BOE TLJMMT UP /JHFSJBO businesses 1SPWJEF FWJEFODF PG DPNQMFUFE SFHJTUSBUJPO PO /$%.# /0(*$% +24 QPSUBM Note: Land and Swamp operations are exclusively for Nigerian indigenous service companies that have a minimum of 51% equity shareholding.

5. Nigerian Content Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full 6. Additional information details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the t *OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria t 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO defined in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;FATAL FLAW.â&#x20AC;? successfully pre-qualified in NJQS.

*O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010:

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%FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence of entityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria.

5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or associated companies, subcontractors or agents.

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5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJĂśFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS.

t

"MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

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4VQQMJFST UIBU BSF QSF RVBMJĂśFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 NVTU ensure that the name and contact details (physical address, email address and telephone numbers) of their company and authorised/responsible personnel is up to date in their company profile in the NJQS data base.

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&3050/ TIBMM DPNNVOJDBUF POMZ XJUI UIF BVUIPSJTFE SFTQPOTJCMF QFSTPOOFM PG QSF qualified companies and not through unauthorised individuals or agents.

%FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in PSEFS UP BDIJFWF UIF NJOJNVN UBSHFU BT TFU PVU JO UIF SFRVJSFNFOUT PG UIF /0(*$% Act 2010 (55% Spend; Well Testing Services) GPS UIJT QSPKFDU 8IFSF JO DPVOUSZ capacity is inadequate, propose innovations to bridge the gap 3.

A plan of how it intends to give first consideration to materials, manufactured as well as assembled goods of Nigerian origin which shall include a breakdown of all NBUFSJBMT BOE DPOTVNBCMFT UP CF VUJMJ[FE BOE JEFOUJGZJOH UIPTF UIBU BSF GPVOE MPDBMMZ finished products and materials that will be procured from Nigerian manufacturing and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

39

T H I S D AY หพ FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

EROTON E & P COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the OML18 Asset

RC1137060

TENDER OPPORTUNITY FOR PROVISION OF WELLHEAD MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN OML 18 (EEP17-0019) NipeX Tender Number: 1000003181 and assembly plants, finished goods that order can be placed from outside Nigeria UISPVHI /JHFSJBO BVUIPSJ[FE WFOEPST BOE BDDSFEJUFE BHFOUT BOE UIPTF UIBU XPVME be directly imported

1. Introduction EROTON E&P Company Limited; the operator of NNPC/Eroton JV invites interested and reputable contractors with suitable equipment and relevant experience to tender for the provision of wellhead maintenance services in OML 18. The Company plans to initiate a field development programme in OML 18 which will necessitate drilling and completion of thirty-six new and workover wells within a three-year period (2018-2021).

2. Scope of Work The Service includes the provision of personnel and equipment required for the execution of wellhead maintenance services for Eroton wells in OML18 swamp Nigeria or any other additional Permit Area in which COMPANY has the right to conduct petroleum operations within Nigeria. The contractor shall be responsible for the provision of the following: t

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6.

A detailed description of the location of in-country committed facilities and infrastructure (assets, equipment, technical office, and administrative space, storage, etc.) in Nigeria to support this contract.

7.

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3. Mandatory Requirements t

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5P CF FMJHJCMF GPS UIJT UFOEFS FYFSDJTF JOUFSFTUFE DPOUSBDUPST BSF SFRVJSFE UP CF QSF qualified in the 3.04.19 Wellhead Services category of the NipeX Joint Qualification /+24 %BUBCBTF "MM TVDDFTTGVMMZ QSF RVBMJรถFE TVQQMJFST JO UIJT DBUFHPSZ XJMM SFDFJWF *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FDIOJDBM 5FOEFS *55

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0OMZ 5FOEFSFST XIP BSF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI /+24 1SPEVDU DBUFHPSZ (3.04.19 Wellhead services) as at September 04, 2018 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical Bids.

5. Nigerian Content

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Bidders are to note that they will be requested during the technical tender to give full details of their relevant strategy to ensure that they fully comply with provisions of the 6. Additional information /JHFSJBO 0JM BOE (BT *OEVTUSZ $POUFOU %FWFMPQNFOU /0(*$% "DU $POTFRVFOUMZ t *OUFSFTUFE TVQQMJFST NVTU CF QSF RVBMJรถFE GPS UIJT QSPEVDU TFSWJDF DBUFHPSZ JO /+24 biddersโ submissions shall be evaluated strictly with the minimum evaluation criteria t 'VMM UFOEFSJOH QSPDFEVSF XJMM CF QSPWJEFE POMZ UP DPOUSBDUPST UIBU IBWF CFFO defined in โ The Actโ . Failure to meet the Nigerian Content requirements is a โ FATAL FLAW.โ successfully pre-qualified in NJQS. *O MJOF XJUI UIF BCPWF 5FOEFSFST SFTQPOEJOH UP UIJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU t 5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OFJUIFS CF DPOTUSVFE BT BO *OWJUBUJPO UP 5FOEFS *55 OPS the following in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, 2010: a commitment on the part of EROTON to award a contract to any supplier and/or %FNPOTUSBUF UIBU UIF FOUJUZ JT B /JHFSJBO SFHJTUFSFE PXOFE DPNQBOZ 4VCNJTTJPO associated companies, subcontractors or agents. of certified true copies of CAC forms 10, 02 & 07 (or its equivalent; CAC 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, t 5IJT BEWFSUJTFNFOU TIBMM OPU FOUJUMF QSF RVBMJรถFE DPNQBOJFT UP NBLF BOZ DMBJNT etc.) including company memorandum & article of association and other evidence whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from EROTON and/ or its partners by virtue of entityโ s incorporation, shareholding & ownership structure in Nigeria. of such companies having been pre-qualified in NJQS. %FWFMPQ B /JHFSJBO $POUFOU 1MBO UIBU EFNPOTUSBUFT UIF GVMM VUJMJ[BUJPO PG /JHFSJBO t "MM DPTUT JODVSSFE JO SFHJTUFSJOH BOE QSF RVBMJGZJOH GPS UIJT BOE PUIFS QSPEVDUT labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in services categories in NJQS shall be borne solely by suppliers.

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Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information

40

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

CITYSTRINGS

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

Changing Benue's Bloody Narrative Benue State has been in the news for killings largely occasioned by herdsmen attacks. But something unique is happening to change that story: education! The Seed of Royalty Academy has embarked on tuition-free basic education for indigent school kids. Chinecherem Ojiako reports

Dr Adi (midle), his wife Mrs Adi (right) with the graduating students

A

couple, Dr. Moses Tyorumun Adi, and his wife, Diana, have embarked on a mission to change the bloody narrative of Benue State through education.

They are offering tuition-free education to indigent pupils at the Seed of Royalty Academy (SORA International) in Gboko, Benue State.

I spend over N4 million monthly on salaries from my pocket. The total income per term is barely N8 million. There are four months in a term. If every month we’re paying N4million plus, then salaries alone are over N16million per term, not to talk of the diesel costs and medicals

The Benue indigenes are providing worldclass tuition-free basic education for indigent school kids in Gboko, a fast-growing town in Benue. About 127 of the pupils graduated last month.

So far, Dr Adi has made over N500 million worth of investment in the school and has never owed staff salary since inception. “The school is not aimed at profit-making,” Dr Adi, also a Christian reverend, said.

SORA A first time visitor to SORA International in Gboko may mistake it for a private university.

Its beautiful structures are imposing, and the facilities are world-class. A standby dieselpowered generator provides steady power supply. The massive school auditorium, with a gallery, is better than what can be found in most universities.

The school is on over 60 plots of land and currently has nearly 2,000 nursery and primary pupils.

President/Founder, Dr. Moses Tyorumun Adi’s target is to provide fully funded tuitionfree quality education to 4,000 pupils each academic session when the school’s expansion is completed. Presently, the school has 637 pupils in the nursery section and about 1,200 in the primary section.

They only pay a maintenance fee of N5, 500, but with staff strength of 202, the fee is certainly not enough to pay a term’s salaries, let alone the overhead costs that include the maintenance of over 12 buses that convey the students. The Adis subsidise the rest.

SORA International hires the best teachers and has a monthly wage bill of over N4 million. More than 100 children are on scholarship (for those who cannot afford the maintenance fee or are unable to buy textbooks).

High Standards Despite being tuition-free, standards are high.

Pupils of SORA International are as good as their peers in some of the best nursery/ primary schools in the country. In the 2017 MAN Olympiad, a SORA International pupil, Stephanie Akange, came third overall at the state level of the competition. She was crowned “the Queen of Mathematics” in the state and came first at the national level.

In the 2018 Nigerian Tulip National Mathematics Competition, Terlumun Tersur emerged as the Gold medal winner at the national level. Also this year, two of SORA International pupils, Silas Doose and Abele Chivirter, came second and third, respectively, in the MAN Olympiad.

Last month, 127 pupils graduated from the primary school. Among them are two children of a serving House of Representatives member, Hon. Iorember Benjamin Wayo, who represents Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

On why he sent his children to SORA International when he could have sent them abroad or to schools in Abuja, the lawmaker, a one-time magistrate in the Benue State judiciary, said the standards at SORA International were as good as he could get elsewhere.

“I was a lawyer in Gboko and I found this property for Dr Adi. So, I’ve been part

of the school since inception. I have no regrets whatsoever enrolling my kids in SORA International. The quality of teaching and moral education given the children is perfect,” Wayo said.

An actress and radio presenter, Jessica Tsevende, whose younger sister also graduated from SORA International, was full of praises for Dr Adi and his wife, Dianna, who is the school’s proprietress.

Tsevende said, “SORA International is a great school. I could barely solve some of the take-home tasks they gave my sister. If we were to pay N50,000 or more per term for her, I’d still consider it cheap considering the quality of education my sister got.

“Yet, she schooled here almost free of charge. The school does not appeal for funds.

I haven’t heard the owner call for support from politicians. He funds it all alone. At first I didn’t understand why my dad chose the school. I thought the standard would be too low for my sister. But I was blown away when I first visited the school. It turned out my dad was right as my sister’s Common Entrance result was amazing. She had very good grades.

“I believe the standard of teaching is very good and I must confess its high and better than what others have. Their facilities are outstanding. The President is doing a great job. I’m very impressed with the serene environment. To think that it’s all almost free is just awesome and surreal.”

Application Galore The story is SORA International is well known

41

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2018

CITYSTRINGS in Gboko. According to the head teacher, Mr. Tyam Michael, the school receives more applications each session than they can admit.

They can only admit a few so as to maintain the standards. “We have a crèche, a play group, Nursery 1-3 and Primary I to 6. The school is designed to accommodate a population of 4,000 when completed,” Michael said. “That is why you can see the structures on ground and the on-going expansion.”

He added, “There are 67 class rooms for the primary school. A class has a maximum of 30 pupils. We’re looking for efficiency.

The school is not built to make profit. The owner decided that this is what he can offer to the society. The cheapest fee you can find in other standard schools around Gboko is N10,000 or more and you cannot compare their facilities with ours.

“By the time the buildings are completed, there will be nothing like payment of school fees in SORA International. We have a total staff strength of 202, both academic and nonacademic. So, what the pupils pay cannot be enough to pay a month’s salaries let alone maintaining the school. Dr Adi pays us with his personal funds.

“I think it’s only the building that is stopping him from removing the maintenance fee completely. That is his vision. Requests for admission are always much, but we cannot admit everyone for now. A dining hall is under construction and the aim is to provide the pupils with daily free meals as well.”

Head Girl The graduating Head Girl, Doose Olaitan, gave a moving speech that drew a thunderous applause from the packed auditorium.

While decrying the poor attention paid to girl-child education, she paid tribute to Dr Adi and his wife for giving people like her a head-start in life.

“A look at the structures of this school will suggest to anyone that if the Adi's had been selfish as the others, this place would have been a five-star hotel in Benue, which could have been a safe haven for evil men to carry out their activities and defile young girls like me. They decided to stand out by building a proper foundation for us,” Olaitan said.

Dr Adi (third from left), his wife Dianna (right) with some of the pupils at the graduation

Passion to Touch Lives Dr Adi’s dream is to make SORA International the biggest privately-owned Christian faithbased nursery and primary school in sub Saharan Africa “with the sole objective of providing affordable and accessible education for underprivileged children at minimal or no cost”. A secondary arm, SORA Heights, with semester academic structure, has already taken off, with boarding facilities.

A philanthropist, Adi believes that life is about touching lives. His home in Gboko is a three-bedroom flat he built 20 years ago.

He said he would rather add more structures to the school than build a mansion in his hometown.

On what drives him, he said, “It’s to see children who are under-privileged have the best that life can offer that their parents cannot afford. This school was not established with the intention of making profit.”

Speaking the financial burden of providSORA International school building

ing for the envisaged school population, he said, “God will provide for it. That’s what I want– to be embarrassed by God. Anything that of God, he funds it; that’s the faith I have. Once we provide the classes for the children to come in, God will provide the resources. We’re looking at having a hundred classes.”

As the Lord gives us profit in our businesses, we’ll plough it back into this school. We’ll invest in bonds, and whatever interests accrue will be ploughed into the school.

This is so that even when we’re dead, the school can continue to do what we started when we were alive

Adi also speaks on his plans for the school.

“In the next two to three years, we may be close to about 3,000 pupils. In five years, it could get to 4,000. That’s the ultimate.

Once God prospers the businesses we’re doing outside the school, and we see that the income can take care of the salaries and daily feeding provisions, then we’ll start the free daily feeding,” he said.

He added, “Every child that comes here will have free lunch, and that will be the happiest day of our lives. They will come to school not worrying about what to eat. There will be no tuition fees. As the Lord gives us profit in our businesses, we’ll plough it back into this school. We’ll invest in bonds, and whatever interests accrue will be ploughed

into the school. This is so that even when we’re dead, the school can continue to do what we started when we were alive.

“I spend over N4million monthly on salaries from my pocket. The total income per term is barely N8million. There are four months in a term. If every month we’re paying N4million plus, then salaries alone are over N16million per term, not to talk of the diesel costs, medicals. We give God the glory. I'm proud to tell God I used everything I have for the good of the children.”

Dr Adi said he was joyous seeing the pupils perform excellently. “That’s what gives us joy. God wants to encourage us to continue doing what we’re doing. We wanted to roof and deck two buildings. Both were to cost N25million. Where would the money come from? But as I talk to you, the money is coming in, and our promise to God is that it’ll be used on these buildings. You have seen faith in action here. This is wonderland.”

The proprietress, Mrs Adi, said she was in full support of her husband’s acts of kindness.

“Not at all,” she said when asked if she ever thought the husband was spending too

much. “We’re in this together. The students are simply great. They are teachable.”

On her experience running the school, she said, “There’ve been challenges, but the Bible tells me that with God all things are possible.

So everything you’re seeing here is through God’s grace.”

Dr. Adi holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Security Management and a PhD holder in Criminology from the University of Port Harcourt. He was formerly the Security Intelligence Manager at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) during which he ensured that Shell was able to sustain oil production operations without disruptions at the height of the Niger Delta militancy. After leaving Shell, he went into business as a security consultant and investor.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Threatmit Security and Safety Consultants. He took over the moribund Benue State and Chemical Fertiliser Company, based at the Industrial layout in Makurdi and turned it around to optimal production capacity within record period of four months. It is now known as SORA Fertiliser.

42

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FMBN Begins Implementation of Revised Conditions for Accessing Housing Loans Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja In continuation of a renewed management drive to break down longstanding financial barriers to home ownership by Nigerian workers, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has commenced the implementation of the newly-approved conditions for accessing loans from the National Housing Fund (NHF).

This includes zero equity contribution for the provision of housing loans of up to N5 million and 10 per cent contribution for housing loans ranging from N5 to N15 million by contributors to the NHF. A statement issued by the Group Head, Corporate Communications, FMBN, Zubaida Umar, said the revised requirements, which were recently approved by the Board of FMBN, represent a 100 per cent reduction in the equity

that contributors to the housing fund were hitherto expected to bring before they could access the housing loans-- five per cent and 20 per cent for the two housing loan bands of up to N5 million and N15 million respectively.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that the downward revisions represented a key milestone in the new Executive Management’s drive to ensure that more Nigerian workers can afford decent and quality housing.

“I am delighted that we have been able to achieve this ground-breaking feat. It is a huge win for the Nigerian workers and particularly those that contribute to the National Housing Fund (NHF).

“It will go a long way towards reducing the financial burden of homeownership that contributors to the fund have

been carrying for the past three decades.

“When we came on board, we realised that the existing equity contribution put too much pressure on workers. I am glad that today, we have been able to crash it by over 100 percent”.

Dangiwa, advised existing contributors to take advantage of the new friendly conditions to secure loans to purchase or build their homes.

He also advised those not currently registered with the NHF to do so through FMBN offices located in states nationwide, so they too can take advantage.

He thanked the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for his continuing support towards the attainment of the goal, the FMBN Board and mnagement for the hard work they are putting towards reforming the bank for greater impact.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Risk Managers association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Mr Victor Olannye; first Vice President, Mr Kola Ajimoko; Council President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Uche Olowu; President, RIMAN, Mr. Magnus Nnoka; first Vice President, CIBN, Mr Bayo Olugbemi; Treasurer, RIMAN, Mrs Grace Ademola; Registrar, CIBN Mr Seye Awojobi and RIMAN/ Ex-Officio Mr Joshua Uwedinisu, during a courtesy visit by RIMAN executive council to the CIBN in Lagos… recently

Lawmakers Pledge Speedy Passage of NDIC Amendment Bill Nume Ekeghe The House of Representatives has pledged to pass the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Amendment (repeal and re-enactment bill) of the 2006 Act which is aimed at strengthening the operations of the corporation.

The amendment law which is also expected to protect depositors is at the final stage, the lawmakers revealed.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters, Hon. Olufemi Fakeye, made this known yesterday, at the opening ceremony of a retreat for the committee in Lagos.

Fakeye said: “We are here to take another look at the effort that has been on-going for about two years now and to repeal the NDIC Act 2007 and re-enact the one for 2018.

“The retreat is to look at the details of all that and lately, we

are now having to work with the CBN to ensure everyone is on the same page.”

On when the bill would be passed, he said, “There are benchmarks and processes that each bill must go through.

As far as we know at this point, we have gone may be, between 80- 85 per cent of all the steps.

“So, once we have harmonisation which I hope would be before the end of this year, it would then be up to the Senate and then it goes to the Presidency for assent. And I don’t foresee any problem at that point.

“This Assembly would terminate before June next year, so we are thinking definitely before June next year we should have passed.”

On his part the Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC, Mr. Umaru Ibrahim, in his opening remarks, said all the conflicts the CBN had with the previous bill had

been agreed on and also some additions made to it.

He added, “There are only about four sections that are in contention, but as we would see in the details, we have had meetings with the CBN and we agree as to the areas we need to look at.

“And we are hoping that during your harmonisation with the Senate, those areas would be looked at.

“We have noticed together with the CBN that there is need to have a relook at some of the sections in the NDIC reforms act.” On the new additions, he said, “The new addition includes the need to redefine very comprehensive the definition of a deposit.

The second issue has to do with ensuring that the NDIC is the sole liquidator of licenced deposit taking institutions.

“The third has to do with what refer to as double taxation so as to avoid a situation whereby NDIC is double taxed.”

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

MARCH

Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 • Source - CBN

Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

company for better business performance.

“Yusuf Binji brings with him solid experience from almost 3 decades in the African cement industry having worked with Heidelberg Africa, CCNN and BUA Cement in various capacities. Prior to joining BUA Cement, he was Technical Director at CCNN with responsibility for plant operations, maintenance, projects and power generation of the whole plant and was instrumental in the turning around of CCNN operations when BUA took over. “Before then, he had worked extensively with Heidelberg Cement Africa. Whilst at Heidelberg Cement Africa, he underwent various foreign assignments to CEMENTA Slite Plant, Sweden and NORCEM Kjpsvik factory, Norway.

“He also undertook a joint project assignment to develop recommendations for harmonised control procedures around dispatch of cement at

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

MANAGED FUNDS

Binji Appointed CCNN MD The Board of Directors of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), one of Nigeria’s largest cement producers, has announced the appointment of Engr. Yusuf Binji as its new Managing Director.

The appointment is expected to take effect from September 1, 2018.

A statement yesterday disclosed that prior to the appointment, Binji was the Managing Director of Obu Cement Company (a subsidiary of BUA Cement), in Okpella, Edo State – a position he has held since February 2017.

He is to take over from Ibrahim Aminu who joins the larger BUA Group in an Executive Director capacity.

Speaking on this appointment, the Chairman of the CCNN Board of Directors, Abdul Samad Rabiu, said Binji’s appointment was part of a restructuring effort aimed at further positioning the

(MILLION NAIRA) 2018

Month

a few different plants in West and Central Africa (Ghacem, CimTogo, CimBenin, CCNN, TPCC and CimGabon) using a ‘best common procedure’ approach,” the statement added.

Furthermore, it disclosed that as Managing director at BUA Obu Cement, Binji was responsible for overseeing extensive growth in production volumes and sales, and solidifying BUA Cement’s place as the preferred brand in its key markets.

“We are thus confident in his ability to build on the gains recorded in recent years by CCNN and oversee new growth areas for the company,” Rabiu added.

A chemical engineer with degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and the University College, London, Binji is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers.

MARCH 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 8, AUGUST , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fifteen crudes stood at $72.21 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $72.58 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Collaborate More for Benefits of Investors, SEC Boss Urged Securities Exchanges Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

official launch of the Association of Securities Exchange of Nigeria (ASEN) in Lagos.

ASEN, which is Nigeria’s first association of domestic securities exchanges, is a non-profit industry association established to accelerate the development of domestic securities exchanges and support the Nigerian capital market to achieve greater

The Acting Director- General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Mary Uduk has urged securities exchanges in Nigeria to collaborate more so as to provide efficient and cost-effective services for the benefits of investors.

Uduk, made the call at the

global competitiveness.

Membership of the association currently includes: AFEX Commodities Exchange (AFEX), FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ), NASD OTC Securities Exchange (NASD), Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) and The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The SEC boss commended the securities exchange for

their collaborative effort in putting up the association.

She said, “We recognise that the launch of the ASEN does not remove the fact that the exchanges and distinct institutions whose interest may sometimes not align and as such I would like to enjoin you to keep the competition healthy for the protection of investors and development

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

of the capital market.

“The securities exchanges are encouraged to work more closely especially in the area of share services to provide efficiency and cost effectiveness across their operations.

“I would like to commend the tenacity of those who worked selflessly to make this association a reality and we hope the market would

reap the huge benefits of these collaborative effort.”

The Chairman of ASEN Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema said, “We are excited to launch ASEN, an association that will help build a stronger capital market and cultivate a culture of mutual support and collaboration among stakeholders.

A S AT 2 5 / 0 7 / 2 0 1 8

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES

S/N 1 2 3 BANKING S/N 4 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 5 6 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS OIL AND GAS S/N 7 EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 8 9 10 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 11 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 12 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 13 14 15 16 17 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N 18 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 19 20 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 21 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N 22 23 24 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 25 AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N 26 27 28 29

BANKING ACCESS BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 290,726.11

10.05

0.50

TRADES 121

VOLUME 39,218,652

30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

324,894.50

9.50

3.83

164

51,696,669

729,968.48

23.25

0.65

334

20,395,987

619

111,311,308

32

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33

269

88,103,288

34

269

88,103,288

888

199,414,596

TRADES

VOLUME

71 171 242 242

1,566,520 3,389,126 4,955,646 4,955,646

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm) 337,415.75

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 4,004,519.24 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. 238,519.28

BUILDING MATERIALS

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

PRICE %CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 382,488.96

9.40

2.17

31

35 36

PRICE %CHANGE 235.00 27.50

-5.98

PRICE %CHANGE 650.00

-

1

23

1

23

1 1,131

23 204,370,265

37 38 FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 39 40 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 41 42 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm) 440.00

43

CROP PRODUCTION FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

0.20

-

1

6,000

79,174.53

83.00

-

5

52,070

59,550.00

59.55

-

4 10

2,331 60,401

FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

TRADES 0 0

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC. INFRASTRUCTURE/ HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,890.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,217.75

PRICE %CHANGE

PRICE %CHANGE 4.26

-

PRICE %CHANGE 0.63

-10.00

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

TRADES

VOLUME

20

1,381,338

20

1,381,338

30

1,441,739

TRADES

VOLUME

47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING

41,429 2,484 0

45,932.23

1.13

-0.88

141

15,088,087

55

38,033.11

13.20

3.41

57 211 211

918,564 16,050,564 16,050,564

57

TRADES

VOLUME

59

0 0

0 0

60

TRADES

VOLUME

61

8

44,977

-

165.00

6.60

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 4,417.27

S/N

56

58

24.30

PRICE %CHANGE 1.70

-

62 63

0

0

8

44,977

64

TRADES

VOLUME

65

6

10,032

66

6

10,032

67

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,900.00

95.00

-

0

0

11,300.89

45.20

-

0

0

70

24,014.43

9.00

-

0

0

71 72

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 954.53

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 16,363.65

PRICE %CHANGE

69

0

0 55,009

TRADES

VOLUME

74

-

2 2

50,000 50,000

75

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

76 77

73 0.20

2.09

10.00

9

181,940

242.22

0.89

-

0

0

210,276.75

96.00

-

29

56,204

322,344.82

68

14 PRICE %CHANGE

37.50

-

10

MARKET PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CAP(Nm) P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA 60,152.73 PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA 301,900.03 PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 28,255.67

46

1 0

32,076.00

3,387.70

0 0

12

PRICE %CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,680.31

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNA366,991.02 TIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC 54,762.37 GUARANTY TRUST 1,141,929.75 BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC 16,499.98 SKYE BANK PLC 9,299.80 STERLING BANK PLC. 40,882.39 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 163,076.22 UNITY BANK PLC 10,052.83 WEMA BANK PLC. 29,702.34

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

45

-

-

FOOD PRODUCTSMARKET -DIVERSIFIED CAP(Nm) CADBURY NIGERIA 20,096.76 PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,149,351.57

VOLUME

0.58 3.25

4.79

FOOD PRODUCTS DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR 186,000.00 REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 117,680.89 HONEYWELL FLOUR 13,639.94 MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTE1,340.10 GRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS 1,167.21 PLC. NASCON ALLIED 52,988.77 INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT 3,676.41 PLC.

BANKING

0.46

PRICE %CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 43,500.00

S/N

225.71 2,111.93

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 835,676.26

26,600

78 79

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC. UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC VERITAS KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

104.50

-0.95

PRICE %CHANGE 8.70

120

1,838,853

168

2,103,597

TRADES

VOLUME

-3.87

111

1,855,941

15.50

-8.82

137

3,475,870

28.70

-3.37

41

399,972

1.72

-

23

413,062

0.36

-

0

0

6.55

-

1

100

20.00

-

20

148,647

13.45

-

0

0

333

6,293,592

TRADES

VOLUME

-0.93

36

214,832

-

58 94

85,880 300,712

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

PRICE %CHANGE 10.70

22.10

-

0

0

3.25

-

18 18

418,355 418,355

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

15.15

-

18

93,754

52.55

0.86

59

672,868

PRICE %CHANGE

77

766,622

692

9,932,878

TRADES

VOLUME

79

17,963,392

1.22

-6.15

20.00

-2.44

30

1,206,671

1.89

9.88

153

13,867,658

38.80

-0.51

132

7,843,882

0.56 0.67 1.42 5.60 0.86 0.77

-8.20 -1.49 1.43 -2.61 -4.44 2.67

29 36 753 55 10 44 1,321

3,220,000 4,050,686 6,526,046 1,313,640 580,262 3,616,619 60,188,856

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,117.00

0.20

-

0

0

4,296.73

0.62

-

18

78,231

26,775.00

2.55

-

1

1,000

1,890.00

0.27

3.85

6

805,985

16,388.94

1.58

-0.63

6

213,004

4,271.56

0.29

-

0

0

2,411.47

0.53

-

0

0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

2,333.20

0.38

-

0

0

539.32

0.42

-

0

0

2,416.73

0.33

-

4

502,470

4,296.33

1.00

-

2

4,000

6,400.00

0.80

-

4

19,550

2,400.00

0.30

-9.09

13

1,065,386

15,577.48

2.95

-1.67

22

1,065,441

2,012.26

0.26

-

3

99,952

1,985.05

0.52

4.00

6

421,754

1,667.19

0.25

-

14

4,507,300

1,918.39

0.23

-8.00

10

1,094,489

5,422.63

0.42

-

0

0

4,483.72

0.48

-

0

0

2,800.00

0.20

-

2

50,100

516.46

0.20

-

0

0

8,000.00

0.50

-

0

0

4,160.00

0.30

-

0

0

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

44

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Sheds 42bps Yesterday, Thursday 9th August 2018, the Thisday ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ ϰϮƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϵϴ͘ϭϴ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ůŽƐƐ ƐƚŽŽĚ Ăƚ Ϯ͘ϵй͘ dŚĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ performance of the index yesterday was due to price loses in ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ͕ FBNH (-ϰ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ UBA (-Ϭ͘ϱйͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϮϮ͘ϲй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ WƌŽĮƚ dĂŬŝŶŐ KŶ >ĂƌŐĞ ĂƉ ^ƚŽĐŬƐ ƌĂŐ ĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ /ŶĚĞdž͘​͘​͘ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϭϵďƉƐ dŚĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƚLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ǁĂƐ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƚŽĚĂLJ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ƚŽ Ŭ ƉƌŽĮƚ ŝŶ some large-ĐĂƉ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ – FBNH (-ϰ͘ϱйͿ͕ ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ and DK />;-ϱ͘ϳйͿ – ĚƌĂŐŐŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ƚŽ ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ĐůŽƐĞ ůŽǁĞƌ Ăƚ ϯϲ͕ϮϯϮ͘ϲϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ YTD loss deteriorated to -ϱ͘ϯй͘ ,ĞŶĐĞ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ůŽƐƚ EϮϭ͘ϯďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĨĞůů ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϮƚŶ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ŽĨ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ϲϱ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϳϲ͘ϵй ƚŽ ϭϴϴ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϭ͘ϯďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ UBA ;Ϯϳ͘ϯŵͿ͕ > thE/KE ;Ϯϱ͘ϬŵͿ ZENITH ;ϭϵ͘ϵŵͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ZENITH ;Eϰϳϭ͘ϰŵͿ͕ UBA ;EϮϲϬ͘ϮŵͿ ĂŶĚ GUARANTY ;Eϭϱϴ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ Performance across sectors under our coverage was ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ĚĂLJ ĂƐ ϰ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ůŽǁĞƌ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͕ ƚŽĚĂLJ͛s ďŝŐŐĞƐƚ ůŽƐĞƌ ĨĞůů ϭ͘Ϯй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ in >/E< ^^h (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ > thE/KE (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ƐĞůů pressures in DK /> (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ and &/ >/dz (-ϯ͘ϳйͿ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶůLJ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ Ϭ͘ϭй͕ ĂƐ ďƵLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ in /Ed Z t ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ ůŝŌĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘Ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ĂƐ ϭϮ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƌŽƐĞ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϮϮ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ were KhZds/>> ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ^d Z>/E' ;нϵ͘ϲйͿ and NIGERINS ;нϴ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ : W h>K/> (ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ s Z/d ^< W (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ > thE/KE (ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘ Tomorrow, ƚŚĞ ĐůŽƐĞ ŽĨ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ Ă ƌĞǀĞƌƐĂů ŝŶ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞĞŬ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ Ă ϱ-ĚĂLJ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Current Price

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weightin YTD Index to g Change Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,498.18

-0.42%

-2.9%

49.8%

19.1%

6.8%

6.4x

0.8x

7.9%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

39.00

0.0%

21.1%

-4.3%

-3.8%

32.6%

5.2%

6.0x

2.2x

83.1%

16.8%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

23.60

-0.6%

12.4%

-8.0%

-9.0%

25.6%

3.6%

4.0x

1.0x

11.7%

24.9%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

103.00

0.0%

7.1%

-23.6%

-23.7%

15.9%

n

29.6x

4.8x

4.0%

3.4%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,560.00

0.0%

8.3%

0.3%

0.3%

92.0%

23.0%

32.0x

27.8x

2.7%

3.1%

11.2%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

228.00

0.0%

6.4%

-0.9%

-0.9%

21.7%

9.9%

23.3x

5.4x

4.6%

4.3%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

9.50

-4.5%

6.1%

8.0%

8.1%

6.7%

0.8%

6.2x

0.5x

2.6%

16.1%

7

Access Bank PLC

10.00

0.0%

4.4%

-4.3%

-5.7%

12.7%

1.5%

4.9x

0.6x

6.5%

20.3%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.45

-0.5%

4.1%

-8.3%

-9.2%

15.9%

1.9%

4.2x

0.7x

9.0%

23.9%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

22.15

0.5%

4.4%

30.3%

36.1%

12.2%

1.0%

7.2x

0.9x

650.00

0.0%

3.3%

3.8%

3.8%

25.0%

14.6%

3.0x

0.7x

2.8%

33.5%

0.2%

3.6%

20.5%

22.2%

30.8%

4.1%

9.5x

2.6x

1.0%

10.6%

14.0%

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

50.00

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

52.45

0.0%

3.4%

27.9%

30.4%

20.4%

8.7%

29.0x

3.8x

1.0%

3.4%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

94.00

0.0%

2.4%

0.0%

0.0%

15.4%

6.1%

17.9x

2.4x

0.7%

5.6%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

29.90

0.0%

1.1%

-33.4%

-33.4%

-54.0%

-10.1%

1.9x

5.0%

-30.1%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.82

-3.7%

1.0%

-26.0%

-29.5%

10.4%

1.4%

1.4x

0.3x

6.0%

16

Oando PLC

5.45

0.0%

1.2%

-9.0%

-9.0%

10.3%

1.5%

4.8x

0.4x

69.9% 20.8%

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

16.00

0.0%

0.9%

-20.0%

-21.4%

41.5%

18.1%

5.4x

1.9x

7.8%

18.5%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

73.10

0.0%

1.2%

8.0%

8.0%

35.8%

26.6%

7.9x

2.5x

4.1%

12.7%

19

International Brew eries PLC

31.00

1.6%

0.5%

-43.1%

-43.6%

24.6%

7.4%

32.5x

7.4x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

25.50

0.0%

0.6%

-12.1%

-12.1%

9.8%

2.9%

6.3x

0.7x

3.9%

15.9% 16.7%

3.1%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.16

-4.1%

0.5%

-20.5%

-21.6%

12.9%

2.8%

6.0x

0.7x

1.7%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

13.00

0.0%

0.5%

-23.1%

-23.1%

1.5%

0.6%

23.1x

0.6x

5.0%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

1.17

-3.3%

0.4%

-22.0%

-25.5%

-7.2%

-0.9%

-17.4%

-17.4%

33.1%

6.9%

7.1x

2.2x

8.9%

14.1%

25.9%

5.8%

0.9%

3.3x

0.2x

5.0%

30.5%

5.8x

2.0x

4.7%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

25

FCMB Group Plc

190.00

0.0%

0.5%

1.99

1.5%

0.7%

170.00

-5.6%

0.5%

-12.6%

-12.6%

40.2%

16.0%

23.00

0.0%

0.3%

-47.1%

-45.2%

17.6%

1.6%

0.1x

4.3% -73.9%

26

11 PLC

27

Forte Oil PLC

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

14.05

-1.4%

0.3%

-31.8%

-33.6%

10.7%

5.0%

13.3x

1.4x

3.5%

7.5%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.00

0.0%

0.3%

-36.2%

-35.9%

2.0%

0.8%

36.6x

1.6x

1.6%

2.7%

1.9x

17.1% -11.5%

30

Presco PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.3%

-12.4%

-12.4%

35.8%

24.8%

2.5x

0.8x

3.3%

39.7%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.00

0.0%

0.4%

8.1%

4.1%

62.4%

20.6%

9.5x

5.4x

7.5%

10.5%

0.8x

8.4%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

9.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.0%

-10.0%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

5.85

0.0%

0.3%

-25.0%

-22.1%

5.3%

1.1%

8.8x

0.6x

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

25.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.7%

-10.7%

17.3%

1.8%

6.9x

1.1x

3.9x

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.49

9.6%

0.4%

38.0%

31.9%

10.7%

1.0%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.25

-0.6%

0.2%

-32.1%

-32.1%

0.0%

0.0%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

17.00

0.0%

0.2%

-21.3%

-21.3%

4.4%

2.8%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

28.35

0.0%

0.2%

-16.6%

-20.6%

66.2%

30.2%

39

Beta Glass PLC

78.00

0.0%

0.2%

52.0%

52.0%

17.7%

11.5%

9.5x

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.75

0.0%

0.1%

-6.4%

-6.4%

5.3%

2.9%

18.8x

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ

Friday, August 10, 2018

T o p 10

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

0.22

10.0%

T ra de s

T ic k er

C OUR T VILLE ST ER LN B A N K

1.49

9.6%

N IGER IN S

0.39

8.3%

M B EN EF IT

0.30

7.1%

SOVR EN IN S

0.26

4.0%

N EIM ET H

0.80

3.9%

ET ER N A

11.3% 4.0%

14.4% 25.6%

0.5x

1.4%

1.1x

2.4%

24.4x

1.2x

44.1%

4.1%

13.2x

8.9x

7.1%

7.5%

1.6x

1.4%

10.6%

0.9x

1.8%

5.3%

by V o lum e

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

UB A

27.2

-0.5%

LA WUN ION

25.0

-1 0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

1 9.9

-0.6%

C OUR T VILLE

1 9.7

1 0.0%

R EGA LIN S

1 3.1

0.0%

UN ION D A C

7.8

-8.3%

6.10

1.7%

FB NH

6.3

-4.5%

31.00

1.6%

T R A N SC OR P

6.3

-4.1 %

FCM B

1.99

1.5%

SOVR EN IN S

6.0

4.0%

M A YB A KER

2.30

0.9%

A IIC O

5.4

-1 .4%

IN T B R EW

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

T o p 10

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

J A P A ULOIL

0.27

-10.0%

VER IT A SKA P

0.27

-10.0%

T ic k er

LA WUN ION

0.90

-10.0%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.72

-10.0%

VIT A F OA M

3.24

-10.0%

UN ION D A C

0.33

-8.3%

UN IVIN SUR E

0.44

GUIN EA IN S

0.35

T ra de s Value

by V a lue P ric e C hg %

Z EN IT H B A N K

471 .4

-0.6%

UB A

260.2

-0.5%

GUA R A N T Y

1 58.8

0.0%

FB NH

61 .8

-4.5%

IN T B R EW

35.6

1 .6%

ET I

32.1

0.5%

-8.3%

NB

27.3

0.0%

-7.9%

M OB IL

23.8

-5.6%

EQUIT YA SUR

0.24

-7.7%

LA WUN ION

22.5

-1 0.0%

C OR N ER ST

0.27

-6.9%

N EST LE

20.6

0.0%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Eronmosele Aziba | eaziba@afrinvest.com

45

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͹͸˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

MARKET NEWS

UACN Property Development Gets New Directors to Boost Operations Goddy Egene UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) has appointed a new chairman, chief executive officer and other directors in an apparent move to boost its performance.

The new chairman is Mr. Babatunde Kasali while and Mr. Folasope Aiyesimoju as the new CEO. Kasali takes over from Mr. Larry Etta, who retired with effect from 23rd July, 2018. The company also

appointed further announced Mrs. Adeniun Taiwo as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia as non-executive director.

UPDC has suffered losses in the operations in recent times. It ended the half year to June 30, 2018 with loss of N1.833 billion, compared with N2.063 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

However, market operators said the new directors would inject new

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

Kasali, an accomplished accountant, banker and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria is a non–executive director of UAC of Nigeria Plc and the Chairman of Wema Bank Plc. Aiyesimoju, a finance professional with experience spanning corporate finance, principal investing and private equity, is the founder of Themis Capital Management. He holds a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Estate Management from the University

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 0808-2018, unless otherwise stated.

of Lagos, where he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Real estate development and finance, and earned the right to use the CFA designation in 2006.

Prior to founding Themis, he worked with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a leading global investment firm; Standard Bank Group, where he led mergers and acquisitions in Nigeria, Ocean and Oil Holdings Limited and ARM Investment Managers. He is a co-founder and non-executive director of Foodpro Limited and

a non-executive director of UAC of Nigeria Plc. On the other hand, Ajumogobia, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, is a non-executive director and Chairman of Risk Management Committee of the Board of UAC N Plc Taiwo, until her current appointment, was the Chief Financial Officer of UAC of Nigeria Plc and acted as Managing Director of UPDC

Plc from 2nd of May 2018.

Meanwhile, UPDC had said the Nigeria’s real estate market still presents substantial opportunities as well as a number of challenges for property investors and developers.

The company said the federal government should address existing concerns such as underdeveloped mortgage market, paucity of medium to long term infrastructure and financial institutions with reasonable interest rates.

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 179.27 179.63 0.77% Nigeria International Debt Fund 263.22 263.58 13.71% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 1.40% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 4.37% 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 12.40% 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 18.36 18.91 0.48% ARM Discovery Fund 383.01 394.56 -1.55% ARM Ethical Fund 28.56 29.42 4.53% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.42% 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 144.15 145.16 -4.97% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.07% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A NAV Per Share Fund Name Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.00% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.20 11.63% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.23 16.26% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.17% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.95% 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 1,180.03 1,180.75 9.87% FBN Heritage Fund 143.85 144.86 2.99% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.36% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.34 114.72 3.72% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.13 114.51 3.64% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 163.89 166.28 3.59% 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 1.29 1.32 -0.35% Legacy Debt Fund 3.11 3.11 7.70% 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 11.65% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 103.05 104.37 3.25% 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 12.05%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.96% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.21% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 123.25 123.53 7.12% 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 1.18 1.20 3.24% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,067.44 1,067.44 8.24% 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 12.49 12.60 -4.31% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.04% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.35 1.38 13.43% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.84 11.91 7.31% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.71% 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 N/A N/A N/A 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 9.35% 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 2,310.66 2,329.18 3.00% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 186.44 186.44 5.66% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.00 1.01 -0.50% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 237.44 237.49 7.82% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 171.39 173.40 -4.28% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.88% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,226.44 9,350.94 -4.59% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.08 1.08 1.63% 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 United Capital Eurobond Fund 104.28 104.28 4.25% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.09 3.35% 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 12.62 13.83 1.21% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.15 13.29 -0.22% Zenith Income Fund 20.68 20.69 9.23% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 137.37 51.47

1.01 3.71% 1.26%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.88 135.51 103.13

12.08 138.38 105.07

-1.60% -5.13% -5.60%

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

4.57 8.41 16.89 17.81

4.61 8.49 16.99 18.01

-3.47% -12.08% -3.50% -9.39%

146.07

148.07

8.36%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

˜ ͹͸˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ ˾ T H I S D AY

46

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757

In Brief US Lauds ‘Progress Toward DRC’s Elections’ The US has commended the ruling coalition in the Democratic Republic of Congo for choosing “a consensus candidate other than President Kabila”, saying it represents an important step forward for democracy. “We are encouraged by this sign that he intends to uphold his commitments to the Congolese constitution and the terms of the December 2016 St. Sylvestre agreement by not seeking a third term,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement on Thursday.

“Government, opposition, and civil society leaders, along with the heads of the security services share with President Kabila the responsibility of ensuring full respect for democratic norms,” Nauert said.

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. The general public should take Note.

President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

As Trump Defies the World, Re-imposes Sanctions on Iran The biggest lesson of the current sanctions regime may be how weak America’s influence has become over its allies, writes Vincent Obia

T

he United States reimposed economic sanctions on Iran this week in defiance of global opinion. This followed US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal reached between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—plus Germany and the European Union.

Announcing his country’s withdrawal from the deal on May 8, Trump alleged that it was weak and “onesided”.

As the sanctions kicked in on Tuesday, the purchasing power of Iranian consumers seemed to take the most direct hit. Prior to that August 7, dollar-denominated imports had become much more expensive and beyond the reach of many Iranians. This and other real or anticipated economic strains spurred demonstrations in some Iranian cities – exactly the kind of things Trump wants to pressure Iran into giving up its alleged nuclear ambition.

Iran would need significant global cooperation to be able to counter the effects of the current sanctions. And it appears to be getting a lot of it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on July 16 that his country had filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to “hold US accountable for its unlawful re-imposition of unilateral sanctions.” Zarif stated, “Iran is committed to the rule of law in the face of US contempt for diplomacy and legal obligations.

It’s imperative to counter its habit of violating int’l law.”

The other parties to the Iran deal have declared their intention to

not only preserve the agreement, but also help Iran overcome some of the effects of the US sanctions.

In a joint statement responding to the US withdrawal from the deal, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom had stated in May that the United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing the nuclear deal with Iran remained the “binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute.”

On May 17, the European Commission announced its plan to implement the blocking statute of 1996 to declare the US sanctions against Iran illegal in Europe and bar European citizens and companies from complying with them. The Commission also instructed the European Investment Bank to facilitate European companies’ investment in Iran.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also called “Iran Deal” or “Iran Nuclear Deal”, requires Iran to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for reduced sanctions. It also provides that the US President would certify every 90 days that Iran would adhere to the terms of the JCPOA. Just before the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the deal, which was signed by his predecessor Barack Obama, the International Atomic Energy Agency said its inspectors had confirmed that Iran was implementing its nuclear commitments under the agreement.

The US is largely isolated with the regard to the Iran nuclear deal and its new sanctions.

When the sanctions took effect Tuesday, the EU responded with a joint statement maintaining its rejection of the Trump administration’s position. High Representative Federica Mogherini and Foreign Ministers of E3 (Jean-Yves Le Drian of France,

Heiko Maas of Germany, and Jeremy Hunt of the United Kingdom) stated on August 6, “We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latter’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world.

We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.” They said, “The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal,” stressing, “We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231. This is why the European Union’s updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions.

“The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran’s export of oil and gas. On these, as on other topics, our work continues, including with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA and maintaining economic relations with Iran. These efforts will be intensified and reviewed at Ministerial level in the coming weeks.

“Preserving the nuclear deal

with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security.”

China and Russia, too, seem set help in circumventing the US sanctions on Iran. China, the biggest importer of Iranian crude, is in the thick of a trade war with the US. This has already caused a decrease in Chinese import of American crude, and it looks set to spur China to import more Iranian crude. Besides, China’s state-owned companies doing business in Iran may not really worry about the secondary sanctions, as they do not have major dealings in America.

Moreover, Iran’s national oil company would be comfortable to accept payments in Chinese Yuan instead of US Dollar.

Russia has state-owned energy companies that do not have significant business in the US. And the President Vladimir Putin administration has declared interest in investing about $50 billion in the Iranian energy sector, which will increase Russian presence and influence in Iran.

The Trump government’s central goal in the new sanctions against Iran is clearly to stifle the country economically and also put pressure on other countries to stop doing business with Iran. But it does not seem this strategy would work according to America’s expectations.

Director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, But Ali Vaez, believes the current US sanctions would not have much effect on Iran.

“Sanctions are effective as they have international support. This time around, the US is basically bullying the rest of the world into compliance. There are many countries who would not comply, like China or Russia,” Vaez said.

“As a result, the leaky sanctions regime would not be as effective as the previous round of sanctions.”

I formerly known and addressed as FUNKE AFOLABI, AP now wish to be known and addressed as OLUBODE FUNKE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as OSITADINMA CHIDINMA FAITH, now wish to be known and addressed as CHARLES CHIDINMA FAITH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as IBERAAN GARRICK JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSHUA IBERAAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as ANUGHERE CHIDI CHRISTIAN ARTHUR, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOROAFOR KELECHI MIKE KELVIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBED CHINONSO CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as IVY CHINONSO FELIX. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as UMOREN PAULINUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OGASA BENEDICT UMOREM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as UMORU DAVID ABRAHAM, now wish to be known and addressed as UMORU HARUNA DAVID. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OMONE FATIMA MOMODU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OMONE FATIMA ENAKHENA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as IMAFIDON FELICIA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OJELEYE FELICIA OMOWUNMI . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as OYOLOLA JANET IYABODE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADESUNLOYE JANET IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

CHANGE OF NAME 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. The general public should take Note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IBEH BEATRICE IFEYINWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ODILI BEATRICE IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BEAINI JOE now wish to be known and addressed as BEAINI YOUSSEF ELIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as NWEKE TOCHUKWU CHUKWUNONSO now wish to be known and addressed as NWACHUKWU TOCHUKWU NELSON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ODOGWU PATIENCE NDIDI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NDUKA PATIENCE NDIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ANGELA OBIANUJU NWANDISON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANGELA OBIANUJU ESEKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as TITILAYO BUKOLA MENUKURO, now wish to be known and addressed as AYODEJI TITILAYO BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBI CHUKWUKELO WALTER, now wish to be known and addressed as OBI CHUKA WALTER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as AMATA EMMANUEL JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL OLU DANIELS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OMOLARA DIEKOLOLA ATOLAGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OMOLARA DIEKOLOLA BANKOLE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take Note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OMOLARA DIEKOLOLA ATOLAGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OMOLARA DIEKOLOLA BANKOLE. All former documents remain valid. Director human Resources Dept, Babcock University, ilishan-Remo Ogun state Nigeria and the geneal public should please take note.

47

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

9 Things You Can Do in Zul-Hijjah’s First 10 Days SoundVision Staff Writer

T

he first 10 days of Zul Hijjah are considered blessed in Islam. Zul Hijjah is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There aren’t any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah Most High, than these ten days. So, increase in them the saying of Tahleel (La ilaha illa Allah), and Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdu lillah).” (Reported by Imam Ahmad).

Below is a sample schedule of activities you and your family can do together in these blessed days.

Daily Show what people making Hajj are doing that specific day on a blackboard. This way, you and the family will feel connected to the pilgrimage.

Day 1: Make Hajj come to life in your home What can you do with a square-sized cardboard box, some black paint and a line of gold fringe material? Make a model of the Kaba!

But don’t stop there. Make it the centerpiece of your living room for the next 10 days. Discuss Hajj by describing exactly how it is performed.

If possible, get some dolls or action figures to demonstrate.

Also, get one of the male family members to “model” Ihram, the clothing men wear during Hajj and Umra, using two big bath towels.

In addition to talking about how Hajj is performed, you can give details about the Kaba in terms of its construction and its reparations.

Day 2: Invite a Hajji, dim the lights and .....

What better way to learn about Hajj than to hear it from someone who’s done it?

If you have a Haji (a person who has performed Hajj) in your home great! Otherwise invite one over, preferably someone skilled in storytelling.

Dim the lights and ask people to close their eyes. Then the Haji should recount the story from A to Z, from when he or she first thought about Hajj to how the whole journey took place. At the end of this activity, everyone should make Dua (supplication) to Allah to be blessed with the opportunity to perform Hajj if they haven‘t.

Day 3: “Take me, take me, take me to the Kaba!”

It’s tempting to think traveling to Hajj is as simple as booking a plane ticket and flying to Makkah. But this is still a luxury most Muslims worldwide can’t afford, which is why you and the family should discuss how people of today and the past traveled to make the journey of a lifetime.

If five-year-old Ammar, the baby of the family, is a car, plane, ship or train fan, use this to your advantage. Use his beloved toy(s) to show how so many people use different means of transportation to get to the Kaba, and how long it takes to get to Makkah using these various methods.

Transport is a key point because Hajj becomes compulsory on an adult Muslim if the means of transportation are available.

It would also be interesting to look up Mecca online and see satellite images. Finally, end this activity with everyone singing the song Take me to the Kaba. The song is on the Allah Helps You Grow CD. Day 4: Tell it like it is: the story of Prophet Ibrahim Forego family movie night and replace it with storytelling hour so you can share the incredible

story of Prophet Ibrahim. Make it as exciting and interactive as you can, adding sound effects, movement, and awesome narrative.

What was it like when this great Prophet was thrown into the fire? What was it like when he built the Kaba with his son Ismail?

At the end of sharing his story, also discuss how Jews and Christians revere Prophet Ibrahim.

End with a Dua asking Allah to guide all of us to the life of commitment to God and sacrifice that he exemplified.

Day 5: Hajj film night In the last 20 years, Hajj has been caught on film through various documentaries, and more recently, an IMAX film. For kids, they can check out Adam’s discussion of Hajj in Adam’s World 4: Take me to the Kaba.

Pop that popcorn, get comfy, and don’t forget to follow up with a discussion of what you’ve just seen.

Day 6: Share what you know - prepare a school presentation Contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible to arrange a class presentation on Hajj. This is a great way to share what you’ve learned these last few days about the fifth pillar of Islam and bring a different aspect of the faith to your son or daughter’s classmates.

Day 7: Engage your tongue in the remembrance of Allah Every person, individually, should regularly remember Allah by saying La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is great), and Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah).

Also, talk about the Talbiya (what pilgrims recite during Hajj) and everyone should recite the Takbir of Eid! Finally, don’t forget to make Dua for those who are suffering, whether that is sickness, abuse, as well as injustice of any sort. Ask for Guidance, and ask Allah to guide humanity.

Day 8: Planning for the big day Did seven-year-old Yassin wear different colored socks to prayers last Eid? Did Daddy forget to bring change for parking at the stadium where prayers took place?

Planning and Dua are the keys to ensure that disasters like those mentioned above don’t happen.

Eid can be stressful and rushed. Reduce this by planning properly. Call a family meeting and discuss logistics, menu, where the family will go or who will be invited for Eid, for instance.

Day 9: Fast & read aloud the Last Sermon of the Prophet Muslims are recommended to fast on this day.

The Prophet said, “fasting the Day of Arafa (the ninth day of Zul Hijjah) will be credited with Allah by forgiving one’s sins of the previous year and the following year.”

As well, we should sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness for mistakes on this day as the Prophet said: Allah sets more people free from Hell on the Day of Arafa than on any other day (Muslim).

Have a big family Iftar. The 9th of Zul Hijjah is going to be on a weekday, so everyone should try to get home from work or school early to enjoy Iftar together.

Also, read the Prophet’s last Sermon that day, since it was on the 9th of Zul Hijjah that it was delivered. There are so many lessons it offer. You can designate specific parts for presentation to one member of the family. For instance, Sara, 15, can discuss what the Khutba says about women.

Ali, 12, can talk about what it says about racism and prejudice.

Duas Every Hajji Should Strive to Make Samana Siddiqui/SoundVision For those making the Hajj pilgrimage, these are the last weeks of preparation before heading off to the journey of a lifetime. Amid the scramble to confirm travel and visa requirements, pack necessities, and tie up business at home to ensure full focus during Hajj, will be requests from family and friends for Dua. Many pilgrims keep a written list handy throughout Hajj, dutifully offering their own supplications and those of loved ones. Others may save them on their cellphones.

Regardless of the method chosen, Hajj is an excellent opportunity for Dua, a time when we are visitors to God’s house, when we are not distracted by our day to day lives, and are more focused on worship, the very purpose of our pilgrimage.

Below are a few suggested Duas we can

make during the journey of a lifetime. r 6QPO TFFJOH UIF ,BCB 0I "MMBI QMFBTF accept all the Duas I make during Hajj and for the rest of my life. r :B "MMBI * IBWF DPNNJUUFE DPVOUMFTT TJOT both big and small, many of which I may not even realize. Please forgive me for all of them and make me sensitive to my sins r 0I (PE NBLF NF B KVTU QFSTPO XIP does not violate the rights of others. I know that You can forgive me for the wrong I have committed, but others may not. Please help me be just and seek forgiveness from others. r 0I "MMBI IFMQ NF PWFSDPNF NZ CBE habits that keep me far from You, and help me develop habits that will bring me closer to You. r .Z -PSE DVSF NF PG JOTJODFSJUZ JO NZ words and actions. Make every good deed I do be purely for Your sake and no one else’s.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

48

NEWSXTRA

7 Star Global Hangar Gets Licence Set to commence operations A new internationally licensed Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), 7 Star Global Hangar, owned and managed

by Nigerians, will commence operations in the country next week, following the granting of a full license by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in Lagos (NCAA) According to the Chief Executive Officer of 7 Star, Mr. Isaac Balami, the MRO is operations-ready to handle Boeing 737 Fleets, adding that 7 Star will also stock a comprehensive spare parts inventory marketplace to be made available to airlines in

Nigeria and across the West and Central African region.

Balami, who decried the high cost of maintenance of aircraft by airline operators in the region, said relief has come to the aviation sector, urging operators to take advantage of the opportunity.

Former President of about Eight years standing of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) - while serving as a senior manager at Aero Contractors - Balami handed over in NAAPE and resigned in Aero to focus on the MRO. He is of the view that with the granting of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Approved

CertiďŹ cate Scandal: Adeleke Accuses His Detractors of Mischief Yinka Kolawole Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122; The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke yesterday reacted to the court action challenging his academic eligibility to contest the governorship election and described those questioning his eligibility as mischievous enemies.

Addressing journalists in Ede, Osun State, Adeleke who was surrounded by some of his classmates at Ede Muslim Grammar School and multitude of the school alumni, attributed his silence on the matter to his belief in party supremacy and avoidance of what will amount to subjugation as the matter was then already a subject of litigation.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;those questioning my academic eligibility are clearly being mischievous and deceptive,â&#x20AC;? adding that he not only graduated from Ede Muslim

Grammar School but was a one-time President of the Alumni Association of the institution.

Adeleke who commended the judiciary for upholding the truth, despite the pressure involved, said with emphasis that he did not forget a certificate or testimonial. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I also must express my gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the truth despite the pressure. It is now clear and proven that I did not forge any certificate or testimonial.

In any case, how can I forge a testimonial that simply attests to the fact of my attendance at the school?â&#x20AC;? he queried.

Adeleke thanked the people of the state for standing by him despite the campaign of calumny targeted at him saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I recognise the concerns the electorate will have as to my competence and capabilities to run and rescue our dear Osun State from the mess we have found ourselves at the hands of Aregbesola.â&#x20AC;?

I Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Reply Obasanjo, Says Atiku Dankwambo tasks PDP on credible candidate Kayode Fasua Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that he will not respond to the disapproving comments credited to his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This is coming as Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be guided by  Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments on Atiku and look for a credible candidate that will be acceptable to Nigerians.

Atikuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position was made known yesterday by his spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe. Ibe said his principal was not disturbed by Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have taken a decision not to make any reply to what former President Obasanjo was reported to have said. We have decided to move on and that is just it,â&#x20AC;? Ibe said.

He, however, said it was not impossible for the PDP to come up with a consensus candidate in view of the various coalition talks going on in the circles of the opposition parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it is the thinking among the parties to possibly

field a consensus candidate, but you know, these are politicians; they know how to go about it,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Ibe said Atiku was focused on his presidential aspiration and had not been distracted in any way, stressing that his propelling force was to take the masses out of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the present grinding poverty.â&#x20AC;?

Reacting to the ex-presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disparaging comment on Atiku, the Senior Special Assistant on Press Affairs to Governor Dankwambo, Mr. Junaid Usman Abubakar, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What Obasanjo said is only a pointer to the PDP, to look for a credible candidate that will be acceptable to Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue is not about the name of a candidate but what he has done; and if PDP is very serious, this (Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comment on Atiku) is the only chance it has to prove to the people that it is out to give them the best.â&#x20AC;?

Abubakar stated that his principal, Dankwambo, is the best candidate so far, as he parades an unblemished track record right from his days in the civil service where he rose to become the Accountant-General of the Federation, and now the governor of Gombe State.

Maintenance Organisationâ&#x20AC;? to operate, millions of dollars will be saved for airlines, while also greatly reducing capital â&#x20AC;&#x153;flightâ&#x20AC;?.

Additionally, foreign airlines local currency accounts will encourage their engagement with 7 Star Global, he said.

Working with Jordanian, American and European technical partners, Balami said maintenance will be carried out on Boeing Classic alongside new generation, private jets military/paramilitary planes and other aircraft types, over time.

In his view, a prime contributor to the failure of so many airlines over the years, has been the capital and fleet erosion, all of which can be mitigated and eliminated with licensed local maintenance support.

Noting that maintenance costs added to the continuing rise of the collapse of airlines at an alarming scale, Balami said his team is determined to apply their expertise to deliver such a facility in Nigeria to assist local African operators.

He also added that a single

B737 aircraft that is grounded and awaiting maintenance has a negative impact of over $100,000 per day, to the owner /operator airline.

Balami also explained that additional significant costs savings, including navigational charges, crew salaries and expenses to local airlines would be achieved if identical services are performed in the country.

Maintenance services, Balami disclosed, will also be available in Abuja in a few short weeks from now, delivering cost reduced international class services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our new Hangar in Abuja can take two Boeing 737 at the same time,â&#x20AC;? Balami said.

According to the CEO, some of the experts in the organisation have worked for more than 30 years in the aviation sector, at local and international levels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, our technical partners from Jordan, United States and Europe bring more than 50 years combined experience in aircraft heavy maintenance, ranging from C-D Checks to aircraft paintings amongst a broad

cross-section of related services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Together we have determined to ensure aircraft serviceability across Africa. This MRO will create hundreds of Jobs in the next few months as well stimulate opportunities across the sector supply chain.â&#x20AC;?

An international aviation expatriate from the USA, and a Founding Director of 7 Star Global Hangar - and the former use MD of American Airlines where he was in charge of more than 1000 Aircaft - and the Biggest MRO in the world, Dr. Abiodun Asekun, has described the approval of the license by NCAA as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a right step in the right directionâ&#x20AC;?

He added that with the MRO he would play a major role in support of the new Nigerian National carrier to commence operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Currently this is the only standalone MRO in West and Central Africa with huge potentials. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because there is no parking space in the air, we have put together the best brains in the aircraft maintenance,

managements, engineering, modifications, fabrications, training, design and manufacturing in the groundâ&#x20AC;?, Asekun said.

The Accountable Manager, Mr. Ibrahim Nock also spoke on the new initiative, saying that 7 Star is coming at a time when it is truly needed in the country.

According to him, the national carrier fleet are encouraged to take advantage of â&#x20AC;&#x153;our facility, to generate jobs for the vast number of talented but jobless engineers across the country. This is also an opportunity to stretch the best aviation engineers at home and across the Diaspora- many of whom have made up their minds to return home to support the great efforts of the Aviation Minister, with the support of our presidentâ&#x20AC;?.

Abiodun described the new development as a new dawn in the Nigerian and African aviation sectors that will save the country huge amount of money and urged the government to provide enabling environment to ensure the survival of the MRO

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

L-R: Former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Funsho Kupolokun; Chairman, Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Chikezie Nwosu; Chairman, Board of Trustees, SPE Nigeria, Andy Olotu; SPE lnternational President, Darcy Spady and Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, at the opening ceremony of Nigeria Annual lnternational Conference and Exhibition of SPE in Lagos ... recently

APC Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Lose Any South-west State, Says Party Ruling party a den of illegality, Falae insists Yinka Kolawole Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Yekini Jimoh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The South-west Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed that the party would not lose any state in the zone and mapped out strategies to ensure its candidate emerges victorious in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State.

This is coming as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, has described the ruling APC as a

den of illegality.

Speaking at the zonal caucus meeting, the National Vice Chairman of the party in the zone, Pastor Bankole Oluwajana, reviewed the affairs of the party in the South-west with particular attention on the just- concluded gubernatorial election in Ekiti State and the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

In a statement signed by the Zonal Secretary, Ayo Afolabi, the party expressed appreciation to its teeming supporters in Ekiti State for trooping out to vote for its

candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

On the Osun State governorship election, the party said â&#x20AC;&#x153;as far as the South-west caucus of the APC is concerned, we have a candidate for the election in Osun Stae and we all have to rally round him to win the electionâ&#x20AC;?.

The caucus directed all state chairmen of the party within the zone to get involved directly in the electioneering process to ensure the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory that started in Ekiti. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot afford to lose any of our South-west states to

the oppositionâ&#x20AC;? the statement added.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the SDP, Chief Olu Falae, has described the ruling APC as a den of illegality.

Speaking yesterday at the grand rally of the candidate of the SDP for the Lokoja/Kogi Federal constituency election, Hon. Ahmed Imam, which was held at Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the former presidential candidate called on Nigerians to reject the party at the 2019 elections.

Stop Action against Accused, Widow of PDP Chieftain Tells Police Martins IďŹ jeh The widow of the late former Chairman of the Apapa Local Government Area chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Adeniyi Aborishade, Mrs. Silifat Olabisi

Aborishade, has called on the Nigerian Police Force to release with immediate effect the five accused persons in their custody, saying they are innocent in the murder of her husband.

She said the five detained persons are the complainants,

who were not in any way responsible for the death of her husband who died of gunshot injuries July 21, 2018 at First Consultant Hospital, Ikoyi.

Stating this in a petition sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CIID, Panti, recently,

Aborishade said the police have turned the complainants into accused for reasons best known to them.

The five accused are Dr. Amos Alabi Fawole, Kehinde Fasasi, Rotimi Kujore, Fatai Adele and Ismaila Abiola.

49

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Nigeria Must Review Its National Security Strategy, Says Ajibade Funmi Ogundare A former national security officer, Major General Adewunmi Ajibade (rtd), yesterday, stressed the need

for the country’s security strategy to be reviewed from time to time, adding that there should be full implementation of anti-terrorism laws that must reflect the actual

USAID, PIND Develop Framework for Inclusive Growth in Niger Delta The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND) has said its partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) has developed tools to promote transparency and accountability of Niger Delta Institutions for inclusive economic growth in the region.

PIND’s Capacity Building Programme Manager, Ms Bose Eitokpah, made this known at SACE Niger Delta Institutions (NDIs) Learning Event titled: ‘Participatory and responsive governance for sustainable development in the Niger Delta’ in Benin City, Edo State last week.

She said the two tools; Niger Delta Institutions Transparency and Accountability Index (NDITI) and Citizens Report Card (CRC) were used to monitor performance of NDIs were presented during the event.

Eitokpah who informed the guests that PIND was established

in 2010 with funds from Chevron said two mid-term evaluations of the SACE project in 2016 and 2017 reported progress in engagements between civil society organizations and NDIs. “Achievements included involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in joint monitoring of projects implemented by NDIs, adoption of open government practices, introduction of transparency and accountability tools and frameworks and increased collaboration among CSOs to engage with NDIs,” She said.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Phillip Shaibu, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee for Budget and Cooperation, Hon. Lawani Damian commended ANEEJ and LITE-Africa for introducing the NDITI and CRC to NDIs. He called on CSOs and the public to engage with such reports and hold government accountable as such actions will improve development in the region.

security situation.

Ajibade who disclosed this at Yoruba Tennis Club (YCT) public lecture titled, ‘Current Security Challenges in Nigeria: The Way Out’, held at its Greetings Hall, in Lagos, expressed regret about the insecurity situation in the country which has brought the country to its knees.

“The democratic institutions

must be strengthened which will engender winning the hearts of Nigerians and win peace rather than not the war.”

He cited instance of herdsmen attacks in the country saying that there must be a political and diplomatic decisions that will reduce the impact of terrorists.

He listed some of the causes of insecurity in the country to

include poverty, undemocratic actions of which bring about dissatisfaction, ethnicity and religious intolerance.

In his remarks, His Royal Majesty, Olota of Ota, Obi Kabir Adeyemi Obalenlege said the para- military personnel in the community must be engaged on a daily basis with information that would make their job for

the safety of Nigerians.

According to him, “It is all about community policing, which is vital to our security because when you give them information, it is safer for us. They would also do their intelligence gathering and information. The government and community members should live together in harmony so that we can have a safe society.”

IPOB Opts Out of Peace Talks with Ohaneze Ndigbo David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has opted out of its initial peace talks with the leadership of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo.

The group said it has discovered that Ohaneze planned to use the peace meeting to lure it into endorsing a vice presidential candidate of Igbo extraction for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A statement issued by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated that it suspected sinister moves when Ohaneze Ndigbo approached them asking for settlement, and that its recent discovery of the plan has therefore put paid to all peace moves as the group would no longer enter into any talks with Ohaneze leadership.

Professor Ben Nwabueze had last weekend hosted the leadership of

Ohaneze Ndigbo and IPOB in his country home in Atani, Anambra State, where he said that the meeting was convened to consolidate on an earlier peace agreement he had brokered between both groups in Enugu.

IPOB and Ohaneze Ndigbo had been at daggers drawn following the proscription of the group by the federal government last year.

IPOB believes that Ohaneze Ndigbo and governors of the South-east worked in concert with the federal government to proscribe it.

At the last weekend’s meeting, Nwabueze had told journalists that another meeting would be held in Enugu where the South-east governors would be in attendance, and that the trio would work to pressure the federal government to de-proscribe IPOB. THISDAY however learnt that the meeting scheduled to hold in Enugu last

Wednesday failed for unexplained reasons.

IPOB in its statement said: “Following the inability of Ohaneze Ndigbo and South-east governors to de-proscribe the activities of IPOB in line with the stated objectives of the Prof.

Nwabueze who convened peace initiative, the leadership of IPOB hereby suspend, with immediate effect, any future contact or participation in meetings involving Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership or South-east governors.

“The ceasefire previously announced as a gesture of goodwill after the first Enugu meeting is now officially revoked with no hope of future reinstatement.”

IPOB noted that what was more annoying was that the peace meeting was planned as a ploy to get her members to be part of

the endorsement of an Igbo vice presidential candidate of the PDP. “They abused the privilege IPOB ceasefire afforded them by seeking to turn the meeting into an endorsement of an Igbo candidate for PDP vice presidential slot in the coming 2019 elections.

“Under such circumstance, we felt the meeting had lost its purpose hence the need for us to pull out of any talks which consequently brought the entire process to an end.

“Having dutifully attended three meetings in the past seven weeks with nothing to show for it, these collaborators and traitors have become more emboldened in their subterfuge to the extent of boasting to observers sent by Aso Rock to the Enugu meeting that IPOB has been thoroughly weakened and reduced to begging to be de-proscribed,” the statement disclosed.

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

FRIDAYSPORTS U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Falconets Whip Haiti 1-0 to Keep Q’final Hope Alive Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half penalty kick was enough to see Nigeria’s Falconets edge Haiti 1-0 in Group D at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 to secure a crucial three points, keeping their knockout round qualification hopes alive.

The Falconets needed a win badly to keep their hopes of a qualification to the knockout stage alive after losing their opening game 1-0 to Germany.

But stand-in Captain, Ajibade, netted from the penalty spot after Anam Imo was fouled in the box in the 36th minute of the encounter to give Nigeria any hope of progressing to the quarter finals.

Just before the end of the first period, Ajibade sent a brilliant pass to Anam Imo but the latter could not connect for a tap-in, and the half ended with the Falconets still one goal ahead.

The Haitians improved at the beginning of the second half but were contained by the Falconets who were hell bent on getting all three points at stake.

Just as she did in the first match against Germany which

the Falconets were unlucky to lose by the odd goal, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved the blushes of the Falconets time and time again whenever they were caught napping at the back.

The 2010 and 2014 silver medalists are now second on the Group D table with three points from two games and have China, losers against table –toppers Germany on Thursday, to confront in the final group game on Monday in Dinan/Léhon.

Earlier, it was Germany’s 2-0 defeat of China that gifted the Nigerian Under-20 team to have any hope of progressing to the quarter-final.

Germany scored a pair of first-half goals as they defeated China PR 2-0 in Saint-Malo on Thursday afternoon.

After an even start to this Group D contest at the Stade de Marville, the Germans broke the deadlock just after the halfhour mark. Giulia Gwinn took a through ball from Stefanie Sanders and powered a rising shot home from the right of the China PR box.

The Europeans then doubled their advantage on 40 minutes after China failed to clear

Falconets’ Rasheedat Ajibade (right) celebrating after she scored the only goal of Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat of Haiti at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 in Saint-Malo, France…yesterday a Germany corner. Sophia Kleinherne’s looping ball back into the Asian side’s box found an unmarked Laura Freigang at the far post. Her downward

header eluded a diving Huan Xu in the Chinese goal for 2-0.

The Chinese did their best to respond after the break, but only Qiwen Xie went the closest

to scoring after striking the post.

At the other end, Germany substitute Klara Buhl forced a good save from Xu in the late stages.

The result, combined with Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Haiti later in the day, secured Germany’s spot in the quarter-finals from Group D.

Why Nigerians Won’t See Summer Transfer: Courtois Seals Six-year Deal at Real Next English FA Cup Live Madrid Ikpeme brutalised in fracas at

DSS Restores Sanity at NFF the Glass House Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), yesterday morning restored sanity to the crisis enmeshed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat in Abuja.

The intervention was in response to the subtle move by the faction led by Chris Giwa, to assume control of the “Glass House. “ As reported on Thursday, some members of the factional board and a handful of aides had attempted to regain control of the football headquarters in the wake of retreat of DSS on Wednesday, after Lawal Daura, the former DG of the state security agency, was sacked for his role in the siege at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

An atmosphere of confusion has gripped Nigerian football in recent times fueled by the claims by Giwa and Amaju Pinnick to be the legally elected president of the NFF Executive Committee.

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has never hide his intentions to install Giwa as NFF president in line with a High Court of Jos order, but the Presidency restored Pinnick who also has the backing of FIFA President,

Duro Ikhazuagbe Gianni Infantino.

NFF workers were stunned when DSS officers made a lightning return to the football headquarters in Wuse Zone 7, Abuja at about 9 a.m yesterday.

When the DSS men arrived, they asked all workers to vacate the premises, but they were dared by Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the ‘Protem’ Secretary General, installed by the Giwa faction to replace Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who was removed over a petition to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) alleging corrupt practices.

Ikpeme, was, however, bruised following a confrontation with the DSS operatives.

The substantive technical director at NFF insisted on driving into the premises of the football headquarters, contrary to the instruction of the DSS men.

He was assaulted in the heated exchange that also ensued.

After assuming effective control of the Glass House, the state secret service, subsequently handed the control of NFF to Bola Oyeyode, the most senior football administrator, in the absence of Sanusi, who is attending the FIFA Under-20

After Nigerians missed the live broadcast of the traditional season opening FA Community Shield match Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-0 last Sunday, the worst is yet to come. THISDAY checks have revealed that football fans in the country are not going to see the live broadcast of world’s oldest cup competition, the FA Cup when it kicks off in England.

It was learnt that the noshow situation is a fall-out of the award of the rights to a new entrant into the Pay TV operator in the Nigerian territory. In what is now similar to how HiTV, the failed Pay TV channel snatched the broadcast right of the English Premier League from DSTV with outrageous bid, the new operator (name withheld), also offered what industry watchers termed ‘mind-boggling’ fees to grab the rights for both the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

Now, the new operators have been unable to meet up with the financial obligations to the rights owners, a development that made them pull the plug on the broadcast deal for the Community Shield which denied Nigerian football fans (the first time in decades) the

chance to see how Sergio Aguero last weekend put away the two goals that earned City their first trophy of the new season. This same new operator that promised to crash subscription rates for Pay TV in the country, appears to have bitten more than it can chew as it is now likely to jerk up rates in order to recoup the ‘bogus’ bid fund for the two football property.

Sadly, Nigerian football fans took on the wrong horse to vent their anger on the social media for the Community Shield no-show in Nigeria territory.

MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv who previously had the rights to the two football property was forced to issue a statement to exonerate the two Pay TV channels from blame on the Community Shield match.

The provider, on its official Twitter handle @DStvNg, had to explain that it does not have the rights to the FA Cup and Community Shield matches.

“Dear esteemed subscribers, we don’t have rights to air the FA Cup & Community Shield this year, but you can enjoy pulsating football action from the #PL, #UCL, #LaLiga & the recently added Italian #SerieA and Uefa Nations League.

Thanks for choosing DStv,” the provider said in the tweet.

Says he has realised dream of playing for ‘best team in the world’

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois officially signed a six-year deal with Real Madrid on Thursday, ending his seven-year spell at Chelsea. The Belgium number one, 26, completed his move to the Spanish capital hours after Chelsea confirmed Real midfielder Mateo Kovacic had joined on loan.

Real posted a clip of Courtois signing his contract alongside club President Florentino Perez.

“Today I am realising a dream,” said Courtois.

Real have not revealed how much they have paid for Courtois, who had a year remaining on his contract, but reports suggest the deal is worth up to £35m. Chelsea have signed Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for £71m as a replacement.

“This is the best club in the world,” added Courtois, who signed for Chelsea in June 2011 from Genk. The Belgian was immediately sent on loan to Atletico Madrid, where he played until 2014 before returning as the Blues’ number one. On Monday Courtois was absent from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, where he was due to take part following his involvement at the World Cup.

Courtois was voted best goalkeeper at the tournament in Russia, where Belgium beat England in a third-place playoff. “Chelsea will always have a special place in my heart,” he said in a Facebook message posted on Wednesday. “I want to thank the fans for their great support. “I hope you understand that being close to my kids was considerable in my decision.”

Midfielder Kovacic, 24, had been at Real for three seasons since joining from Inter Milan and helped Croatia reach the final of the World Cup. “I am really happy and excited to be here. It is an amazing feeling,” Kovacic told Chelsea’s website.

“I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “He is a perfect fit for us this season, his style is well suited to how Maurizio (Sarri) wants to play and we are sure he will prove to be a valuable asset for the club.”

Friday, August 10, 2018

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MISSILE NGF to EFCC “We don’t know why the EFCC took the action. But if indeed EFFC froze the account, from my point of view, it is wrong. This government will not sit down and oversee unlawful operation from the security agencies” – The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, condemning the freezing of the accounts Akwa Ibom and Benue State governments’ accounts by EFCC.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

As Predicted by The PDP A

gainst the background of his long medical emergency sojourn in the United Kingdom, UK, sudden announcements of the like of the departure of a 10-day working leave\medical vacation\technical stop-over (and other fanciful euphemisms) of President Muhammadu Buhari to London has become the trademark of his incumbency. The British government and British airways owe the president a debt of gratitude for this free marketing promotion. So smitten with London is our president that he receives, accepts and echoes whatever condescending punditry on Nigeria that issues forth from British soil, with childlike innocence and adoration.

It was in London that the president junked his rhythmical ‘corruption will kill Nigeria’ mantra in deference and preference for the more swanky ‘fantastically corrupt nation’ byline of former British Prime Minister David Cameron.

On another quick return to the British capital he further obliged his British patron’s dim view of Nigeria with the quite impressive denigration of Nigerian youths as congenitally lazy. Perhaps all this fawning subservience is in subconscious gratitude and appreciation for the wonders of British medical technology that wrought his ‘miraculous’ restoration to fair health.

The backdrop to the latest London junket was the snowballing political crisis generated by the

Buhari

bloody nose that the blundering Buhari\APC apparatchik suffered in the political skirmish with the Bukola Saraki camp. In blind fury, the ruling party soon regrouped and went for broke-with the trash talking Adams Oshiomhole lashing out at anyone and anything in sight.

Such that when you think Nigeria has reached the nadir of political banditry, you are treated

to a rude awakening with a tumble in the gutter escalation of the political outrage.

And so, while President Buhari was conveniently attending the ECOWAS meeting in neighbouring Benin, seven members of the Benue State House of Assembly, chaperoned and empowered by the complicit Ibrahim Idris led Nigerian police, were suspending the other 22 members in order to serve a notice of impeachment on the Benue State governor.

This being the punishment for committing the sacrilege of defecting to the PDP-as if he had any choice if he were truly the elected leader of a people suffering genocidal attrition under the dubious watch of the APC government.

As the situation simmers and the evidence of the take-no-prisoners collusion of the APC government mounts, off to London again the president took flight. What manner of president is he who can be this detached from the catastrophic plight of the Benue people to the point of malicious indifference? And then the PDP predicted as follows: ‘The Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-week vacation in London is designed as an alibi to exonerate him from the planned political illegalities, forceful invasion and mayhem about to be visited on the polity and particularly, the National Assembly. The party is aware of perfected plots between the presidency and some unpatriotic All Progressives Congress (APC)

senators to forcefully reconvene the Senate with protection of the security agencies, with a view to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. 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. The invasion is also in the bid to cover the atrocities and humongous corruption of the Buhari administration, which the National Assembly is set to expose’. And the Presidency responded with characteristic hypocritical disdain: “Claims by the failing PDP that President Muhammadu Buhari had taken a token 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. 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 carry out’.

And then on the following Tuesday, August 7, 2018, the treasonous state security siege on the National Assembly confirmed the prediction of the PDP and put the lie to the prior disclaimer of the Presidency.

The Akpabio Syndrome II As indicated in the title above, this column has a history with Senator Godswill Akpabio-and it dates back to June 2014. That was the date he got the Akwa Ibom State assembly to legislate an annual medical allowance of N10million as post governorship incumbency remuneration for him. I had characterised the Nigeria-wide typicality of this propensity for wanton corruption as pathological behaviour bordering on public service corruption syndrome in Nigeria. Corruption in the Nigerian public life has attained a magnitude that is beyond rationality and sense of proportion-requiring the pronouncement of the prognosis of pathological condition.

‘It is within the pathology of this syndrome that we may begin to understand Governor Akpabio when he dismissed as laughable public outrage at the scandalous news of committing Akwa Ibom to the penance of expending over N100 million annual pension (and God knows what other creature opulence) on him till death does them apart. Pray what is laughable or inconsequential about paying any Nigerian public official over a N100 million emolument a year’-I noted four years ago.

It has become fairly apparent that Akpabio is a man of destiny. Following the public office obsession culture of the contemporary Nigerian political elite and while serving out the lame duck months of his governorship, he, without let, corralled the next best political office opportunity within his reach and power-the Senate. He was always going to be unique among the 2015 class of newly

elected Senators. From the enabling of his two-term governorship of one of the richest Nigerian states, he logically evolved to become a formidable political financier. It should be taken for granted that beginning with Akwa Ibom State, sundry elected officials across the length and breadth of Nigeria owe the settlement of their political expenses to the munificence of his deep pockets. He would of course be a major financier of the PDP and following the dictum of who pays the piper, he, along with a few other well appointed members, called the shots in the party. Hence the office of the minority party (PDP) leader in the Senate was his for the taking.

After leaving office as governor and tens of billions richer, the routine and standard career detour was for the former to become a client of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This phase, in the life of former governors, plays out interminably in the courts and can drag on for years with occasional spats in the media.

The general rule is that those of them who belong to the opposition party are utilised as low hanging fruits in the target practice of the cynical and selective propaganda war against corruption. Exchange of cash and other valuables through opaque plea deals and self-imposed media censorship have also proven to be measures that could facilitate relegation from the status of suspect to just a person of interest. In the haphazard post incumbency public accountability reckoning of Nigerian politically exposed personalities,

the speculations above seemed, to a large extent, to be the career pattern of Akpabio since he left office as governor.

Another worthy of mention aspect of his post governorship incumbency life-which none of them wants but nonetheless follows a general trend is the puzzling typical phenomenon of the rapid and irreparable breakdown of the relationship between predecessor (godfather) and successor. Haven staked a major interest in this phenomenon (I wrote two columns on it titled ‘the rebellion of the godsons’) I was full of anticipation on how this might play out in the potential governorship of Professor Kolapo Eleka in Ekiti State. It was going to be a unique instance-there being no Nigerian precedent for the manner in which the candidacy of a (would be) successor was totally submerged in the personality of the predecessor the way Eleka was subservient to Governor Ayo Fayose. My projection was that given the unrestrained and impulsive power mania of the latter, it would prove the shortest twosome affair-never mind the vaunted meekness of the former.

Other than Delta and Kwara States, I cannot readily fathom any other state where the mentor-mentee bond or bondage has withstood the test of time. The Kwara instance is of particular interest because if any godfather deserves the retribution of Nemesis, none should deserve it more than a son who betrayed his father on whom he rode to become a godfather himself. But maybe there is a countervailing mitigation at play

here. After serving eight years as governor, was it proper for Bukola Saraki to yield the governorship to his junior sister who was a serving Senator from the same state?

Rightly so, Akpabio was not this lucky with his protégé successor, Emmanuel Udom. In the tradition of the seed time-harvest time reciprocity, he has been made to reap the harvest of the same seed of disloyalty he sowed when he put his godfather-mentor, Victor Attah, to the sword. Those who live by sword, die by the sword.

Akpabio is in the news again and equally for the wrong reasons. He has bucked the trend of the repudiation of a political party that now embodies all that is conspicuously wrong with Nigeria. In deserting the PDP for the APC, he is the latest evidence or casualty of the political duplicity that the APC has foisted on Nigeria-suffer any politically useful corrupt opposition politician come onto Buhari and his sins would be forgiven. He had become such a political priority that the two furtive principal actors in the unfolding tragicomedy (Akpabio and Buhari) cannot wait the 10 days that was scheduled for the latter to return home, to consummate their unholy matrimony. Or maybe the indecent haste will begin to make sense if we subject it to the logic of the role earmarked for him in the abortive Tuesday invasion of the National assembly. In which case, he, perhaps, needed to go to London to receive his marching orders. Yet the president is running for reelection on the platform of fighting corruption. What a farce.

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