TUESDAY 21ST AUGUST 2018

NBS: With N3.45tn, Oil Sector Got Highest Credit in Q2 Insists economy out of recession

Obinna Chima in Lagos, Ndubuisi Francis and Flourish Arinzechi in Abuja The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has put the total amount

of credit allocated by banks to the oil and gas sector in the second quarter of 2018 at N3.45 trillion, which it said was the highest during the period.

The agency has also

debunked reports credited to the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Yemi Kale, to the effect that the economy was still in recession.

The oil sector had recorded total credit allocation of N3.42 trillion in the first quarter of the year.

The NBS stated this in a report titled, ‘Selected

Banking Sector Data: Sectorial Breakdown of Credit, e-Payment Channels and Staff Strength,’ it posted on its website yesterday.

In terms of credit to private

sector, the total value of credit allocated by the banks in the period under review dropped slightly to N15.34 trillion, as Continued on page 34

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Akpabio: APC will Take over Akwa Ibom Like Hitler Took Poland… Page 34

Saraki, Tambuwal Fire Back at Tinubu, Say He’s a Pretender “I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government, which we all worked to put in office.”

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday fired back at the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his support for President Muhammadu Buhari was pretentious,

having complained, in private discussions, that he was unhappy about the president’s style of governance.

Tinubu had on Sunday said Saraki, Tambuwal and others that defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others parties, did Continued on page 8

Step up Your Game, Buhari Tells Security Chiefs Military kills 21 herdsmen militia in Benue, Nasarawa Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday resumed duty in the State House, Abuja, presiding over a Security Council meeting and

ordering the service chiefs to raise the tempo of security operations in the country with a view to guaranteeing peace and safety of citizens.

While the meeting received disturbing security reports Continued on page 34

Concerns Mount over PDP Presidential Aspirants’ Rising Numbers ... Page 8

BARKA DE SALLAH… L-R: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.); Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the departure of the president from Abuja to Daura for Sallah holiday…yesterday STATE HOUSE

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Concerns Mount over PDP Presidential Aspirants’ Rising Numbers Babangida, others intervene Party’s spokesman allays fear Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Ahead of the presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scheduled for next month, some influential stakeholders in the North are worried over the increasing numbers of aspirants on the platform of the party from the zone and are said to be working assiduously to prune the numbers to a manageable size to avoid post-primary conflicts within the party, THISDAY has learnt.

However, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, has dismissed the seeming fear over the development, saying the party’s primary election would be free, fair and transparent.

A member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who told THISDAY in Abuja yesterday, that the move to persuade some of the aspirants to drop their aspirations for their colleagues became necessary because the party’s governors are also sharply divided along the aspirations of the presidential contenders.

As at the last count, there are eight contenders in the PDP, who are interested in President Muhammadu Buhari’s plum position.

They include former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto

State; former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Markafi; former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido and former Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

The party’s BoT member said the growing number of the presidential contenders within the major opposition party has become “a source of huge concern’’ for some political forces plotting to dislodge President Buhari in the 2019 general election.

“While we are happy that our rebranded party has become very attractive to many presidential hopefuls, because of the

failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)/Muhammadu Buhari administration in the past three years; it is also a source of concern to us,’’ the BoT member stated.

He added: “As at today, all our presidential aspirants are eminently qualified to occupy the position. But there is need to ensure that their aspirations don’t create post-primary conflict that might weaken our capacity to collectively go into the election and defeat President Buhari roundly.

“We are happy that our leaders, being spearheaded

by General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), are already intervening.

The aspirants are being engaged in order to reduce the number

of the contenders, so that the outcome can be properly managed.’’

The BoT member added that there is no better time to dislodge APC than the 2019 general election, adding that, ‘’PDP needs to get it right in picking the right, credible and acceptable candidate,’’ who will face President Buhari.

However, Ologbondiyan dismissed the seeming fear concerning the increasing numbers of the presidential aspirants.

Speaking with THISDAY, he said what matters is the process that would produce the candidate of the party, adding that once the process is credible and transparent, the defeated aspirants would have

no problem working with the winner.

“We have no fear at all that other aspirants will not cooperate with the winner of the primaries. What is important is the process; we will ensure the process is transparent and credible. Once the process is transparent everybody will accept the outcome,’’ the party’s spokesman stated.

“All the aspirants are currently mobilising Nigerians for our party; it is in the interest of democracy; on the other hand, the APC has no alternative than Buhari, who cannot win the election for APC. That is why they are currently confused.’’

Ologbondiyan said PDP would emerge victorious in the general election.

in the last three years belong to the past and will definitely not shape my decisions now and in the future.

“However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between me and him is that while I express my worry that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather 'support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher' to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west.

“It is clear that while my own decision is based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency, particularly when one reviews his antecedent over the years.

“It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still

peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic ticket, oil block and other benefits.

I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open.

“It should be known that Democracy is a system which allows people to freely make their choice. It is my choice that I have decided to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections. Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it. As for me, Allah gives power to whom He wishes. Human beings can only aspire and strive to fulfill their aspirations.”

SARAKI, TAMBUWAL FIRE BACK AT TINUBU, SAY HE'S A PRETENDER so because they were not guaranteed automatic tickets by the ruling party.

He also accused them of baying for the national treasury, accusing them of having their eyes on the country’s resources to the detriment of the interest of the people.

Yesterday, Saraki and Tambuwal replied Tinubu, saying he was being economical with the truth.

While the Senate president issued a statement in Abuja, the Sokoto State governor took to his twitter handle.

Tinubu, said Tambuwal, was a latter day lover of Buhari, contending that the national leader wanted to rock the boat when he was refused the vice presidential slot by Buhari in 2014, prelude to the 2015 general election.

His media office told THISDAY that a fuller response was being made in the days ahead.

Saraki was, however, more comprehensive in his response to Tinubu, saying the APC national leader was blindly supporting Buhari’s administration to preserve his presidential ambition in 2023.

The Senate president in his statement titled: 'The Tinubu Rhetoric- My Response,' declared that Tinubu would rather "support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher to get a second term because in 2023, power would shift to the South-west."

This Tinubu viewpoint, Saraki said, was not only expressed to him but to several of his colleagues.

He said the relationship between him and Tinubu became frosty in 2014 when he opposed his ambition to run as Buhari's running mate on a Muslim/ Muslim ticket.

He explained, "My present uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when I and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls.

"It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 general elections in terms of

religion and geo-political zones.

Since that time he has been very active, plotting at every point to undermine me, within and outside the National Assembly."

The Senate President recalled that on several occasions, he had discussed unusual developments in government with Tinubu but it became glaring that "while my own decision is based on protecting collective, national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies in the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency, particularly when one reviews his antecedent over the years."

He explained that he had consistently complained to APC leaders about the leadership of the National Assembly not being in the know about key government decisions.

According to him, "I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or

carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation.

"No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues, which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treat the legislature with contempt and act as if the law making body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, that is unacceptable.

“Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the party, I raised all the above issues.

I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through

NBS: WITH N3.45TN, OIL SECTOR GOT HIGHEST CREDIT IN Q2 against the N15.605 trillion recorded last quarter.

Also, the report showed that the manufacturing sector got total credit allocation of N2.019 trillion in the second quarter of the year, compared with the N2.073 trillion it was in the first quarter.

Also, the agriculture sector got total credit allocation of N523 million in the period under review, up from the N502 million recorded the previous quarter.

The power and energy sector also recorded total credit allocation of N416 billion in the period under review, lower than the N426 billion it got in the first quarter of the year.

This is just as total credit allocation to the real estate sector was put at N744 billion, higher than the N784 billion recorded the previous quarter.

According to the report, a total volume of 509,668,433 transactions valued at N32.90 trillion were recorded in the second quarter of 2018 on

electronic payment channels in the banking sector.

“Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions dominated the volume of transactions recorded. 217,417,961 volume of ATM transactions valued at N1,603 billion were recorded in the second quarter of 2018,” it added.

NIBSS instant payment recorded 168.6 million transactions and point of sale machines (POS) recorded 67 million transactions.

Furthermore, it showed that staff strength of banks in the country increased by 12,253 people in the second quarter of 2018, but 11,942 of this total figure were employed as contract staff.

According to the report, the staff strength in the industry increased from 89,608 to 101,861.

A breakdown of the figure showed that the number of senior staff increased from 16,941 to 17,144, just as the number of junior staff increased from 40,444 in the first quarter

to 40,549 in the second quarter.

Also, the number of contract staff increased from 32,013 in the first quarter, to 43,955 in the period under review.

The Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, last week attributed the delay in releasing the country’s unemployment figures to the late approval of the 2018 budget.

Speaking on Arise TV, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY, Kale stressed that funding was required to carry out the nationwide survey.

But Kale explained, “In Nigeria, unfortunately some of the challenges of collecting data are that you have to go out into the field. So, we have staff in all the states and offices in all the states and their job is to go out into the field and collect this data.

“Now to go out into the field and collect these data, they need to collect their transport allowance and so on.

So, if you have not gotten your budget signed and we know

the budget was not signed until June, so it means we don’t have any funds to work with.”

Insists Economy Out of Recession

Meanwhile, the agency has debunked reports credited to Kale to the effect that the economy was still in recession.

The NBS, in a statement issued by its Head, Public Affairs and International Affairs Unit, Mr. Sunday Ichedi, said its attention had been drawn to publications across various media outlets, which erroneously suggested that Kale stated that the economy is still in recession during an interview on Arise TV. "We want to emphasise and state categorically that the economy is out of recession and at no time did the NBS or its CEO state otherwise as had been reported.

"You will recall that the same NBS that announced the end of recession in Q2 2017 following the announcement of the first

positive growth in the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) following five quarters of contraction.

"Economic growth as measured by GDP has remained positive since then (0.72 per cent in Q2 2017; 1.17 per cen in Q3 2017 2.11 per cent in Q4 2017; 1.95 per cent in Q1 2018).

"The NBS had stated several times that the stages after an economic recession is an economic recovery where the economy moves gradually following the end of a recession towards sustainable strong growth.

"This is the stage of recovery that we are now and was alluded to by the StatisticianGeneral during his interview," the statement said.

It noted that the economy is in the second stage of recovery, heading towards sustainable growth, which is the last stage and should not be wrongly interpreted as an economy that is still in a recession.

TOP GAINERS NEWRESTASL FCMB REGENCY SKYEBANK LASACO TOP LOSERS UPDC HONEYWELL JAPAUL

NGN NGN 0.40 4.85 0.10 1.80 0.01 0.24 0.02 0.50 0.01 0.32 NGN 0.14 1.57 0.12 1.46 0.02 0.26 PZCUSSONS 1.00 13.05 UNITEDCAPITAL 0.20 2.82 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 1,500.00 Volume: 23.808 million shares Value: N3.091 billion Deals: 3,162 As at yesterday 20/08/18 See details on Page 31

% 8.9 5.8 4.3 4.1 3.2 % 8.9 7.5 7.1 7.1 6.6

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

COMMENT

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

A DEPENDABLE ALLY

Iyke Ogbonnaya writes that Ude Oko Chukwu, deputy governor of Abia State, means well for his people

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orks do not lie and my imagination has been thoroughly beaten in the elusive attempt of wanting to reconcile what sense it makes for some kinsmen to blindly wage a needless war against a deputy governor who has not only remained consistently loyal and humble, but has deeply touched the lives of his people.

But those who are naïve will indifferently sympathise with political merchants, whose unbridled desire to occupy one position or the other compels them to tactlessly promote their desires.

However, the futility of these despicable acts is anchored on the well acknowledged life changing templates on which the deputy governor has been operating.

Inherent in those path-finding platforms include but not limited to his being a distinguished statesman with a gentle demeanour, powered by a dogged drive to constantly put smiles on the faces of Abians and his Nkporo clan. Some of the developmental strides which the deputy governor’s administrative imprimatur has aided him to deliver to the people shall be manifested in this endeavour bearing in mind the constraints of time and space.

I was amazed beyond measure, on getting to know that for more than a decade, the Abia deputy governor undertook to faithfully defray the cost of periodically grading and managing the Etiti-Ama Nkporo road before the ongoing intervention of government.

On assumption of office, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu graciously replaced the contractor handling the construction of the road with a more competent one, resulting in the 80% completion of drainages, considered inevitable in roads construction.

In the days ahead, the patience, cooperation and understanding of the good people of Nkporo wil be duely rewarded as they roll out the drums to inaugurate the gateway Etiti-Ama Nkporo road, attracted by their illustrious son, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu.

I can also see that the deputy governor’s mud-slinging household enemies feigned ignorance of his spectacular empowerment programme, which held in September 2014 and during which innumerable vehicles including jeeps where given out to benefiting stakeholders including Ndi Eze’s across the length and breadth of the 17 local government areas of Abia State. Other items that were freely given out include garri processing machines, tricycles, hair dressing accessories, sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles, buses, etc.

The deputy governor had earlier built and lavishly equipped a comprehensive skills acquisition centre in Abriba and Nkporo which boast of barbing saloon, fashion designing, ICT centre and aluminum fabricating units.

Not minding that he has been taking the bills for payment of West African School Certificate Examination of all Nkporo students at the academic front, he has also at different times and seasons attracted the renovation of all the school blocks in Etiti-Ama high school and followed it up with construction of three brand new classroom blocks.

Same was also done to Nkporo Comprehensive Secondary School,

FROM WHICHEVER PERSPECTIVE WE DESIRE TO LOOK AT IT, THE TRUTH REMAINS THAT OKO HAS CONSISTENTLY REMAINED A DEPENDABLE AND LOYAL ALLY TO GOVERNOR IKPEAZU IN THE ONGOING PROJECT OF RECONSTRUCTING ABIA

where two brand new classroom blocks were recently constructed.

As if that was not enough, the deputy governor, who knows the importance of allocating values, went further to attract the renovation of five classroom blocks and construction of three new ones at Nkporo Central School. This was followed with the supply of 30 new study desks in each of the seven primary schools in Nkporo.

In the health sector, available record indicates that more than five health centres built at Nkporo were achieved at the instance of the deputy governor. He followed it up with the construction of nursing quarters of two bedroom flats each to spare the natives the trauma of not having nurses on duty when they seek medical attention especially at odd hours.

This is why they must eschew being beguiled and conscripted into accepting that a son who regularly engages first class health practitioners including MTN foundation for treatment of their varying degrees of health challenges has done nothing, given the mindblowing financial implications of the interventions.

The team-playing spirit and kind-hearted disposition of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was recently put to work, when he approved and personally came to flag off the construction of big and ambitious Nkporo General Hospital.

There is no denying the truth that before long, the reward for believing will be the deserving portion on the whole spectrum of Nkporo clan as we earnestly hope that their implicit confidence in their go-getting son will not be truncated by few political chameleons.

They are at liberty to compare notes, and recall vividly that while some of their sons who held public offices in the past maximised it for personal gains, their son has attracted over seven electricity transformers to ensure that Nkporo keeps glowing.

Perhaps, it will be instructive to enjoin the youths to remember that at the end of every race, miles will be counted. During one of those stock takings, if nothing else counts for their brother deputy governor, it will be recalled that he single-handedly roofed the Nkporo Youths Centre, which situates at Etiti-Ama Nkporo. This is besides several halls he has built in Nkporo and the icing of having completed arrangements to deliver a massive hall that will shelter all Nkporo community when they congregate in thousands. It will also be remembered that through the instrumentality of Ude Oko Chukwu, throngs of Nkporo sons and daughters secured admission to study at various universities in Nigeria and he gave scholarship to many of them in Law School. Through his invaluable intervention, many sons and daughters of Ohafia LGA have been recruited into Abia State Civil Service and many others occupying elevated positions of authority.

I featured in the roll call of an official event, during which the deputy governor promised to provide Nigerian Bar Association Ohafia Chapter with an official vehicle. Memories of that promise were yet to be forgotten, when we were mobilised back to witness its fulfilment.

Ogbonnaya wrote from Umuahia

TIME TO GET SERIOUS

Governor Udom Emmanuel is putting his state on the path of industrialisation, writes Desmond Ibe

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ubai in the United Arab Emirate is today unarguably one of the world’s wonders and a testimony to what visionary leaders could do to lift the fortunes of their nations.

A complete desert, with no rain at all, all- year- round, Dubai is today a haven for tourists and businessmen from all over the world, thanks to Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who at a point in time chose to change the fortunes of his people. To accomplish his aim, he surrounded himself with the best and the brightest.

In a book titled, Rashid’s Legacy, deputy ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Maktoum described Saeed thus: “ He ruled Dubai from 1958 to 1990, taking his city –state from a relative backwater and laying foundations for the 21st century.’’

By the time Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed died, the United Nations observed a minute of silence in his honour. This was a leader that began his reign when the people he was ruling knew nothing about a body called the UN. Truly, anyone that visits Dubai today would acknowledge that Sheikh Saeed worked hard for his people. He was a leader to be proud of. He laid the foundation for wealth and abundance for his people. His pictures are everywhere in the city. Truly, with the ultramodern skyscrapers in Dubai, it would be hard to imagine that it was once a mud-walled city with people riding on camels and living in the desert.

No doubt, the story of Dubai is a pointer to what can be accomplished by great minds in any society.

Back home in Nigeria, one of the state governors trying to lay a solid foundation for industrialisation of their states is Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State. The governor has been trying to turn the oil- rich state to an industrial haven. Nigeria has always depended on crude oil for revenue despite

the share foolishness of doing so. As a thoroughbred technocrat, the governor obviously knows the implication of an absolute dependence on oil, hence the drive to put the state on a path of self -sufficiency. A lot of people have acknowledged his efforts and are hoping that he would leave a solid legacy that can be built upon in the future for the oil rich state.

Indeed it is difficult not to recognise the giant strides of Emmanuel in the last three years. Even the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo publicly acknowledged this during the inauguration of the needle factory in the state a few years back. The vice-president who was visibly impressed by the governor’s foresight in attracting the project to the state had said: “You are one of the cleverest people I’ve ever come across,” describing the syringe factory as a landmark project, not only for Akwa Ibom but also Nigeria.

Also, testifying to the sagacity and brilliance of Emmanuel, the Chairman of Syringe and Needle Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (SNMAN) and Managing Director, JSM Company Limited, Zubeyir Gulabi,, in a newspaper article once said, “ Africa is blessed with lots of wealthy people, well-educated and knowledgeable individuals scattered all over the world. One of the examples of these great leaders is Udom. When you are discussing with him, he discusses with you as a technocrat. He gives you the figures, not just support; he shares your problem with you. And this is the greatest encouragement we need to invest everything we have in Akwa Ibom.’’

The governor anchors his vision on a five point-agenda of wealth creation, economic/ political inclusion, poverty alleviation, infrastructure consolidation and job creation. By encouraging private sector participation in lifting the state’s economy, the governor has done a lot to lay the

foundation of a strong economy for the state.

The N15billion Jubilee Syringe company in Onna Local Government area of the state is the largest syringe manufacturing company on the entire African continent according to experts. It is expected to produce 700,000 syringes daily and over 350 million syringes yearly.

Apart from what Nigeria as a whole stands to gain from such huge project, which the vicepresident confirmed, syringe business is a major commerce across the world. Disposable syringes are the most consumed medical services in the world and according to Transparency Market Research, the global disposable syringe market is expected to reach $7.5billion (N2.6trillion) in 2022.

Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company hopes to take 500 Nigerian youths off the congested labour market, with further commitment to grow the numbers. Investments in the syringe industry alone, according to Gulabi, can boost the nation’s economy by about 50 per cent, if the federal government implements the medical devices industry policy meant to enhance the sector.

Although the initiative is a 100 per cent privately driven investment, investors have said Akwa Ibom State has what it takes to attract investment to the country. Apart from the encouragement from the state government, investors said the state is the safest place in the country in terms of security. While it might look far away from the market, the good policies of the government are giving investors the confidence to see it as the best location to do business.

Beyond the needle factory, the government has encouraged the setting up of more industries in the state in order to open up the state for inflow of Foreign Direct Investments and create more jobs for the people. For example, the Toothpick and Pencil factories in the state are currently producing

over 15,000kg toothpick and 20,000 pencils within every eight hours of production. By so doing, the governor has created direct employment for many youths and businesses for many others who indirectly benefit from the industries in the state.

These include bamboo suppliers, newspapers suppliers, gums distributors and diesel suppliers.

The governor’s metering project is described as Africa’s first ever electric metering industry. It is located in ONNA Local Government Area of the state. It was done to reduce high cost of electricity tariff and encourage micro, small and medium scale businesses to spring up in every nook and cranny of the state.

Just recently, the Managing Director of 4Power Consortium Limited, Mr. Matthew Edevbie, said the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company will distribute 150,000 meters to its existing consumers. This is made possible by the governor’s metering project.

Also, to the governor’s credit, an agreement was signed with a foreign firm to revive the abandoned Ibom Science project started in 2006 by former Governor Victor Attah and abandoned by subsequent regimes.

The governor a few months back signed a memorandum of understanding with SERGE Capital Investment to resuscitate the moribund multi-billion project in the state.

Development comes by policies and from all indications, Governor Emmanuel seems to have good policies for sustainable development.

Sustainable development responds to both the current and future needs of the people. Industrialisation of Akwa Ibom State is clearly providing answers to the present needs of the people, which will subsequently open the gates for the future generations.

Ibe wrote from Lagos

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

EDITORIAL BEYOND THE RAM MEAT

The festival offers another opportunity for a life of sacrifice, charity and love

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he Eid al-Adha, better known as Eid-el-Kabir being marked today across the world is a festival that calls for rededication to the cause of mankind, to appreciate the gift of life and to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighbourliness. This day, according to a scholar, is meant “to multiply good deeds by bringing happiness and pleasure to the hearts of other Muslims, by helping and supporting the poor and needy, and by getting involved in pastimes that emphasise the strong and serious Islamic character.”

Therefore, amid the traditional consumption of ram meat that is customary on a day such as this, it is important not to lose sight of the true meaning of this special occasion and the spirit of sacrifice it represents.

THE TRUE MEANING AND Given the level ESSENCE OF THIS OCCASION of deprivation in the land, perhaps ARE: SUBMISSION, no period in our OBEDIENCE AND LOVE, VIRTUES THAT ARE IN SHORT history offers better opportunity SUPPLY IN OUR COUNTRY to share and to TODAY make sacrifice. The socio-economic conditions of the country this year makes it compelling for adherents of Islam and indeed all Nigerians to look beyond themselves and their immediate environment. That explains why the occasion should go beyond the slaughtering of rams to sharing love and material possessions not only with relatives or acquaintances, but also with the displaced, the elderly, the orphans and other people at the margin of the society, including those with special needs.

The lesson of Eid-el-Kabir is simple: by paying attention to the plight of the poor, we invariably place the welfare of our neighbours as important as ours; by allowing others to partake of our wealth or material possessions, we honour the One who made the provision in the first place. This happens

Letters to the Editor

to be at the heart of all religions, but a virtue that is particularly at the heart of this festival. It is also important that Nigerians begin to embrace and support charitable causes and there is no better occasion than today’s to make such resolve.

What particularly makes the festival significant is that it is rooted in the scriptural accounts of both Islam and Christianity about how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), in obedience to God was to sacrifice his son before divine intervention. Thus, the true meaning and essence of this occasion are: submission, obedience and love, virtues that are in short supply in our country today.

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

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

his year’s celebration, like in the past few years, is coming at a particularly difficult time for our nation. The temperature is uncomfortably high, fouled by acrimonies and recriminations between and among different ethnic groups and political parties, especially as we inch towards the 2019 general election. However, if we understand the fact that we are all creations of God, the propensity for hate on the basis of some artificial differences would reduce and we would relate more to one another with love and mutual respect. Tolerance across these artificial divides that our politicians have erected will foster harmony and promote peace and development in the country. It will also help the process of healing the deep wounds sparked off by politics and the manipulation of religion and ethnicity.

Against the background that there are usually challenges in the process of integrating members of any society into a cohesive social whole, what confronts us may not be particularly peculiar. But it will require all citizens working together if we are to resolve many of the ills that plague our nation.

Therefore, as we celebrate this special festival, we must reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice and humility for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our country. We also need to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone in promoting love, peace and unity.

We wish our Muslim readers Eid Mubarak.

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.

BOOSTING BREASTFEEDING IN NIGERIA

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orld Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from August 1-7 to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. First celebrated in 1992 by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), World Breastfeeding Week is now observed in over 120 countries by UNICEF, WHO and their partners to spread awareness about benefits of breast milk and exclusive breastfeeding as well as factors that could promote or hinder exclusive breastfeeding by nursing mothers.

The question of exclusive breastfeeding as the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need has been a subject of several studies. Exclusive breastfeeding by definition is giving the baby only breast milk from birth until six months of age. It means the child will not be giving water or herbal concoction for a whole six months. Exclusive breastfeeding is universally recognised as the most cost-effective, high impact preventive intervention that promotes the health of mothers and babies while reducing health care costs for government and families.

According to United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), it is described as the cornerstone of care for childhood development and the gold standard of infant feeding as it provides all the nutrients that a child needs for the first six months of life. Breast milk continues to provide essential nutrients for childhood development up to two years.

The theme of 2018 week, “Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life’’ is very fitting as breastfeeding especially exclusive breastfeeding is a win-win for all - baby, mother, family and society. Breastfeeding

improves the survival, health, and development of all children. It saves women’s lives and contributes to human capital development.

These benefits are irrespective of where you live and your economic status.

Breast milk contains the entire nutrient that an infant needs for the first six months of life. It also contains antibodies that help the baby fight off infection. Breastfeeding lowers the baby’s risk to allergies such as asthma. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives have lower risk of respiratory infection, sudden infant death syndrome and fewer bouts of diarrhea.

Breastfeeding also protect the babies from adult on set of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Breastfeeding also reduces ill health in children, improves their educational potential and probably their earnings as adults.

The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother include protection against breast and ovarian cancers, against hip fracture later in life and postmenopausal cardiovascular disease (the longer mothers breastfeed, the greater their protection against breast and ovarian cancer, and hip fractures). For this, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed for up to two years and beyond with addition of complementary foods from the sixth month.

Exclusive breastfeeding also helps to bring about bonding of baby and mother and helps delays a new pregnancy. It also boosts the child’s intelligent quotient (IQ) and lowers his or her tendency of developing into a violent adult. The findings from WHO and partners estimate that global economic losses from lower cognition associated with not breastfeeding reached more than US$ 300 billion in 2012, equivalent to 0.49 per cent of the world’s gross national

income.

Yet, worldwide, there are still low levels of optimal breastfeeding.

Very low exclusive breastfeeding rate has persisted among mothers in Nigeria with the national rate at 25% in 2014 (National Nutrition and Health Survey, 2014). This rate varies across the geopolitical zones with the lowest rate in the North West at 10% and highest rate in the South West at 39%. The rates in other regions are South East 18%, North East 22%, South South 31%, and North Central 32%. Top on the findings of factors that cause this is that women in the workplace often did not have enough maternal protection from their employers. There are also factors of hormonal challenges, lack of family support, societal influence, influence of extended families and social status. This brings to the fore the question of maternity leave: Should maternity leave be six months on national scale?

This is very desirable as it will support the mother practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life.

One of the steps to successful exclusive breastfeeding includes allowing mothers and infants remain together 24 hours a day. This is to enable the mother breastfeed the baby on demand whenever the baby wants to breastfeed. A six months leave will provide ample opportunity for the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Lagos State has already implemented this and others can take a cue from the Lagos example. This is especially important as most establishments in Nigeria do not make any provisions for crèches where breastfeeding mothers can bring their babies, close enough for mothers to take breastfeeding breaks and breastfeed their infants.

Rasak Musbau, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

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POLITICS Don’t Tow the Path of Other Parties, Obasanjo tells ADC Fomer President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to remain prudent and uphold its uniqueness by being a members’ driven party, where its supporters were the sponsors of the party and not a few money bags.

He told the National Working Committee of the ADC, led by its Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu in Abeokuta that by pursuing such goals, the ADC would stand out in the Nigerian political terrain and avoid the same mistakes that have affected the smooth running of major political parties. The former president, said he was impressed that the party had become a force to reckon with and recorded positive impact in such a short period. Obasanjo advised the ADC against toeing the path of past governments in terms of using “government money directly or indirectly to fund the party.”

He said: “I am happy that the party has become a credible alternative to the other two parties in such a short period.

I have said it many times that I am not a member of ADC; I will, however, provide guidance where necessary. You have to make sure that you are guided

by the vision of the party at all times, and continue to accord women and youths the chance to participate without discrimination.

“The major parties, right now, have image deficit, discipline deficit, commitment deficit, and leadership deficit. Once you are able to ensure that you are not found wanting in all these areas, you would have conquered the major challenges of running an ideal party that will produce credible leaders; and there must be internal democracy.”

The former president advised ADC leaders at all levels to focus on their short, medium and long-term objectives, noting that, in the short term, ADC would have an impressive number of lawmakers at the House of Representatives and Senate, control a good number of state governments, and also work in collaboration with other parties to form the right government at the federal level.

“Once this is done, your short-term objective has been achieved. You can then focus on your medium-term objective.

However, the only thing that can uphold a political party is morality. You can’t be a party condoning indiscipline,” he said.

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

ANN Targets 10 Million Members Stories by Nseobong Okon-Ekong Rising from its first national convention in Abuja, one of the optimistic political parties, Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) has set a lofty target of going beyond 10-million membership mark by October 2018, in view of the 2019 general elections.

In a valedictory, ANN’s interim national chairman, Dr. Jay Samuels said the party was the vehicle to take Nigeria to a new dawn. He described ANN as “a strong ideological platform to move us forward as a nation. We are the bedrock for a new Nigeria, and the platform on which an ideal Nigeria truly beckons. It is the assembly of a people with a special mission. We are a platform of credible Nigerians, without any baggage. We are

fresh, young, and vibrant and ready to proceed from a different pedestal because we are not committed to any special interest.” Introducing the new chairman of the party, Mr. Daniel Dania who was elected unopposed, Samuels stated that 70 per cent of ANN’s teeming membership was made up of the young and the under 30s.

Speaking in the same vein, Dania said ANN was divinely orchestrated to cause a generational leadership change in Nigeria that will lead the country on the path of posterity and greatness.

According to him, the party was set on the ideals of equal joiners and equal ownership.

“Every member has the same right as everyone else.”

Mr. Gbenga OlawepoHashim, a leading presidential aspirant on the ANN platform

called on professionals to play strategic roles in rebuilding the country’s economy. He said Nigeria has the human and material resources to banish poverty. “We have the creative minds to make Nigeria great,” he stated.

Encouraged by a loud ovation from the audience, he said, the ANN remains the vehicle through which the desires of Nigerians could be met. Olawepo-Hashim assured, “When ANN is elected, by the grace of God within 10 years, with the policies I have seen our leaders put together, the GDP of the country will grow seven fold and we will move the country out of poverty. Per capita income will average nothing less than $20,000. We have the resources, the brain, the power and the commitment to do it. We will stop the killings in

the land; we will bring Nigeria back together again.

The APC has divided Nigeria more than we have ever seen in the history of this country.

In Nigeria of old, the great people of Kano, elected a Yoruba man MKO Abiola and didn’t vote for their own son of the soil, Ibrahim Tofa. They demonstrated that they were committed to one Nigeria. In the history of our country, the great people of Benue elected Sir Kashim Ibrahim to represent them.”

Another ANN presidential aspirant, Alhaji Ibrahim DanMusa was confident that an ANN government could bring Nigeria back from the vicious cycle of backwardness. He said, “Together we will wrestle power and then make the desired impact for the good of our people.”

Elishama Ideh Announces Seven-Point Agenda A female presidential hopeful in the 2019 general election, Mrs. Elishama Ideh continued her positive campaign at a recent meeting with journalists in Lagos, where she articulated a seven-point agenda covering security, law and order; human capital development, great, affordable and accessible healthcare, good governance; industrialisation and infrastructure; women and youth inclusion; sports and tourism. She stated that true and sustainable economic and social development entails the creation of an environment and conditions in which people are able to make meaningful choices to improve their lives in the short, medium and long terms, where they can engage in healthy behaviour, feed their families, cope better with adversities, overcome their challenges and freely exercise their God-given freedoms and rights. Such conditions can only be created by visionary leaders and diligent administrators at all levels combining and leveraging on knowledge, innovation and experience according to global best practices, with the help of an enlightened populace, as well as local and international support and resources.

Ideh who hinged her major claim to the presidency on a personal charity which she has executed for over 20 years, said her aid organisation opened her eyes to the fact that “Poverty was directly related to leadership- when a nation lacks strategic patriotic leaders who believe in the nation and people will breed poverty that multiplies to extreme poverty.

India used to be the centre of extreme poverty; but through strategic patriotic leadership it has created a base camp to eradicate this position that Nigeria decided to inherit.”

She promised that if elected, our administration would focus on a proper audit of our tourist endowments, the provision of the right legal and fiscal arrangement to stimulate growth in this area and the provision of support infrastructure and security and information systems that are required to drive growth in the sector. Not to be left out would be a vigorous drive to boost intra-national tourism through the associated spin-offs that would come from our ancillary activities at unifying our people and driving a renascent campaign for Nigerians themselves to love one another, visit each other, and to vigorously, safely and joyfully experience and explore the vast range of tourism delights that are available in-country. Satisfied Nigerian tourists will sell the pleasures they have experienced in these areas to others.”

Elishama-Ideh

FIRST CONFIDENT STEP

L-R: National Chairman, Alliance for New Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Dania; Presidential Aspirant ANN, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo- Ashim; and National Vice Chairman ANN, Alh. Kanti Uthuma, during the party national convention in Abuja

Okonmah Joins Race for Leadership Has Collapsed in Imo State, Says ADP Oshimili North Sunday Okobi An aspirant for the Oshimili North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Joseph Adimabuah Okonmah has lamented over the marginilisation of Illah and other communities in the area by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.

Okonmah who is a lawyer and public relations practitioner spoke at a rally, he emphasised the need to deliver the constituency to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the only way out of the deprivation suffered by the people of Oshimili North.

According to Okonmah, “Our people have been so brazenly neglected. It is very glaring,.

There is basically no development in Illah or evidence of state government’s presence in these communities.

There is no electricity for over four years, not to talk of pipe borne water or good road network. We are in this

race for service and quality leadership.

There must be a difference between well -groomed leaders and accidental politicians.

We must begin to engage our people to see how we can enthrone true democracy with evident dividends that can address poverty, hopelessness, high rate of unemployment, and underdevelopment of our communities and provide basic needs for the healthy living of our people.”

Present at the rally were leading officials of the APC in Delta State and other dignitaries including APC Delta North Senatorial hopeful, Dr. Marian Nneamaka Alli, Precious Enus, Dr. Ken Mordi, Mr. Emmanuel Obanya and Mr. Ike Gwam.

Challenging other contenders for the office to debate, Okonmah said, “Any person from this constituency who can truly attest to adequate representation that is anchored on positive development to face the reality by demanding a change of government and representation.”

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The National Secretary of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dr. James Okoroma has stated that leadership and governance has failed in Imo State.

He stated this during the presentation of nomination form to the party’s governorship aspirant for Imo state, Mr. Success Obioma.

He said that leadership eluded the people of Imo State after the first civilian governor of the state, late Mr. Sam Mbakwe left office, adding that the ADP was poised to provide good governance and purposeful leadership in the state with the coming of Obioma.

According to him, “Since Mbakwe left, leadership has collapsed in the state. Noother governor after him has been able to offer effective leadership.

“The time is right for a true change. I believe Obioma will be an agent in that direction.

You will agree with me that the ideas, the views of the founding

fathers of Nigeria have been abandoned and I believe that what we need now is a platform like ADP that will give room for the emergence of a crop of leaders who will give Nigeria a new direction.”

Thanking the party for the opportunity given him, Obioma promised to deliver the state to the party by winning the Imo governorship election next year.

He also advised his supporters not to engage anyone in a war of words.

He added, “I have always told whoever cares to listen that I am coming from the direction God is leading. My mission is to rebuild Imo state, restore God’s presence in Imo and reconcile people of Imo state back to God” The National Organising Secretary of the party, Mrs. Lynn Olisa was full of praise for the aspirant. According to her, the party has participated in governorship electionsin Anambra and Ekiti states, saying the ADP is also taking part in the coming governorship election in Osun state.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018

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FEATURES

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

Confidence for the Girl-child Adibe Emenyonu writes on the attempt by Girl Effect, a creative non-profit body in Benin City, to aid the girl-child attain confidence through its recently launched Girls Connect, which is aimed at creating a support network for young girls

L-R: Director of Schools Ministry of Education, Dr. Oni Ekosuehi; Deputy Country Director, Girl Effect, Hadeezah Haruna-Usie; Commissioner of Women Affairs, Edo State, Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen, and Chief HR Officer, 9mobile, Abigail Isokpan, at the recent launch of Girls Connect in Benin City

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rowing up as a girl-child, especially in Nigeria, throws up a lot of issues, like early marriage, child slavery, school dropout, child labour, and sexual abuses. Sometimes, girls are trafficked and prostitution becomes a reality they are forced to live with.

A fiction by Aryn Baker best explains this.

In the book titled "Lantana", Baker portrays the female protagonist, Lantana, as a growing female child who was forced to drop out of school and start working so her parents can afford her brother's school fees. In the impoverished area where she lives, most bus stops are thronged with so many young girls who are engaged in hawking from trays balanced on their heads.

As most girls on the street who are used for child labour, they are often easy prey for adult males. Still in the book, Lantana thinks she has found a protector in a motor park tout who regularly bought up her daily wares, until the night he lured her into a dark corner and abused her.

As fictional as the book may be, it still depicts the life some adolescent girls live. In Lantana's story, another aspect that is easily relatable is young girls giving up school to help carter for the family, and in the process being abused by a trusted fellow.

To protect the girl-child, Girl Effect, a creative non-profit body, which is championing the Girls Connect Project, recently launched the project to give voice to young girls who cannot speak out on their own.

At the launch, the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, in her goodwill speech commended all those involved in the initiative aimed at empowering and advancing the course of the girl-child. Obaseki, who was

represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Magdalene Ohehen, said she saw the project as a welcome development where girls can speak up on issues bordering them without being afraid.

Girls Connect Project According to programmes officer of Girl Effect, Ayo Abosede, the Lantana story is one of the tales of young girls being used in a radical way to help other young girls in Nigeria to navigate the challenges of growing up in a country where low levels of female empowerment and education have contributed to early marriage, stagnant economy and insurgency.

She said explained that the aim of the programme, "Girls Connect" was to use compelling stories like that of Lantana to reach out to young women from across a broad spectrum of Nigerian society through a kind of interactive voice recognition software that a bank might otherwise use to address consumer queries.

She said, "But unlike a bank interaction, the

We are particularly passionate about advancing the cause of the girl-child and women, and this we have showcased through a number of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives

point of Girls Connect is to get the caller's to engage with a centre representative who can help them process the information and use it in their daily lives. It is a kind of link calling a toll-free bank line to get the latest foreign exchange rates, only to be connected with an agent who gives out personalised advice.

"When callers dial in they are offered a menu of four stories, with four chapters each to choose from. Once they listen to the 2-3 minutes dialogue performed by professional radio actors, they are connected to speciallytraining agents, which the company call 'Role Models'. The 13 agents, all women work off a standardised script that is designed to help callers internalise the lesson that Lantana and her fellow characters learn the hard way."

The Girls Connect narrative as currently piloted is a creative group that combines the power of storytelling with one-to-one support in partnership with iSON, an IT services, Girl Effect and 9mobile.

In a welcome address, the Deputy Country Director, Girl Effect and initiator of the programme, Mrs. Hadeezah Haruna-Usie, said the launch became necessary to help to access the right information and support network around growing young girls.

She said, "Young girls like Lantana can become easy prey for older men. Lantana thought she had found a protector in a bus conductor who regularly bought up her ware, until he lured her into a dark alley. Lantana was too afraid to tell her parents for fear they would blame her and felt she had no choice but to return to the market the next day.

"Lacking access to the right information and support network around her, a young girl like Lantana will lack skills and confidence to make decisions about her own life. And just like young girls anywhere else in the

world, she may feel uncomfortable speaking to her immediate family about the everyday challenges she faces."

Haruna-Usie noted that Girls Connect was devices and developed in Nigeria to help growing young girls get answers to their questions about growing up in challenging circumstances on their own terms and free from any fear of judgment.

In other words, Girls Connect project is an innovative Interactive Voice Response (IVR) mobile service for girls who are burdened and could not open up. She added, "It is a pioneering partnership founded by Girl Effect Nigeria, a creative non-profit organisation that uses media and mobile tech to empower girls in conjunction with the iSON Group- one of Africa's leading IT and ITeS companies."

She explained further that to access the platform, girls can dial a number (5512) and choose to listen to a pre-recorded stories with inspiring, engaging and educational content, which they can relate to and learn from.

9mobile Partnership Also speaking at the event, Chief Human Resources Officer, 9mobile, Mrs. Abigail Isokpan, said the firm's tradition and passion about developing it's customers, host communities, the nation, and constantly on the lookout for opportunities to create values were the motivating factor behind the project.

She said one of the ways the company is achieving this is by aligning their business agenda with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"We are particularly passionate about advancing the cause of the girl-child and women, and this we have showcased through a number of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives", she stated.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ AUGUST 21, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 7.33 % 8.33 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

7.25% 7.63 % 7.88%

A U G U S T S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

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

1 7 , 2 0 1 8

348.60% 0.11% -1.83%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 1.58% YEAR TO DATE 5.81%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.10/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Facebook Supports Creative Talent

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: President, Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Mr. Oluwatoyin Akomolafe; Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo and Director-General, NACC, Mrs. Joyce Akpata, during a courtesy visit by NEPC to the chamber in Lagos…recently

TCN Revokes Non-performing Transmission Contracts, Secures Spinning Reserve Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has cancelled a couple of transmission network expansion contracts because firms contracted to execute them failed to live up to their obligations, its Managing Director, Mr. Usman Mohammed has disclosed.

Mohammed also stated that the TCN was about to procure up to 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity from power generation companies (Gencos) to serve as spinning reserves in case of collapse of the national grid.

He made these disclosures recently in Abuja, where he equally disclosed that the TCN was heavily underfunded and had asked for an extra-ordinary

ENERGY tariff review from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Mohammed’s assertions however coincided with the decision of the TCN Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) to cut off ties with its national body because of alleged false misrepresentation of facts by its national body.

But speaking in an interview with THISDAY on the status of contracts awarded by the TCN as well as the whereabouts of containers of transmission equipment it had recovered, Mohammed said, “All the contracts that are issued here

are supply and installations. We have transported all the recovered transformers we recovered to their destination sites because it would be senseless to transport them to the store and then move them to the sites.

“It makes sense to send them straight to their destinations. I have cancelled so many contracts - Damaturu, Walalanbe, Wudil, Dambatta, Yawuri and a lot of others, because they (contractors) were not performing and I don’t see why they should still hold on to the contracts,” Mohammed added, and claimed the TCN had been a cash-cow to elites of the country, and who he said had been against its adoption of strict corporate governance business practice.

Asked to explain what he

meant by that, he stated, “Some Nigerians make this place their farm. They get people who are doing procurement for them, and continue to collect money, but we cannot have stable power with such arrangement.”

He gave reasons why the TCN applied for an extraordinary tariff review from the NERC as well as the procurement of a spinning reserve.

According to him, “We actually made a case for extraordinary tariff review because we met NERC last year and presented our case. Our numbers showed clearly that TCN is underfunded, and NERC agreed that we need an extraordinary tariff review.

“We submitted the case, Continued on page 22

PTDF to Boost Local Production of Anti-corrosion Agent, Refining Catalysts The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has said it is funding a research work which if successful could help Nigeria’s oil and gas industry cut down its annual expenditure on limiting corrosion of oil production assets by about $600 million.

The fund also said it was backing a study on the local production of zeolite catalyst, which is used in refining processes. It explained that this would ensure such refining catalysts are sourced locally and subsequently serve as import substitution.

The lead researcher of the

ENERGY technology, which if completed is expected to diagnose and remediate problems associated with oil field and reservoir souring and corrosion using cow urine, Prof.

Chuma Okoro, told THISDAY at a recent meeting in Abuja that he was close to recording a breakthrough with the plan.

Okoro, a professor of environmental microbiology from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, explained the technology would use cow urine as a major ingredient for the biocide solution against corrosion.

He also said the invention could bring an end to the frequent violent clash between cattle herders and farmers in Nigeria considering that it would create an incentive for people to build ranches for cows from which urine could be harvested to produce the biocides.

“The major challenge we have in the oil industry today is what we see microbial resistance to biocides used to fight corrosion and souring in the oil and gas industry, and this is what the global oil industry is battling now, not only in Nigeria,” said Okoro, on the side-line of the 2017/2018 annual PTDF oil and

gas research grant competition close out seminar.

According to him, “The panic now is that there is a lot of resistance to major biocides, they call is Deoxyhypusine Synthase (DHPS), and this is making DHPS ineffective in combatting corrosion.

“Now, we are looking at the future of green biocides we can actually synthesis here in Nigeria without wasting our scarce foreign exchange and we are looking at the potency of cow urine as a major raw material for that green biocide, and if Continued on page 22

For the third year running, Facebook recently sponsored the annual FacebookChallengeaspartoftheStudentCategoryattheLoerieAwards 2018.Theawardrecognises,rewards,inspiresandfosterscreativeexcellence intheadvertisingandbrandcommunicationindustry.DuringLoeriesCreative Week, Facebook and Instagram would also host a series of workshops, hackathons and activations for the creative community – including advertising students – and a special event for women in marketing. For thisyear’sstudentchallenge,FacebookpartneredwiththeInternational Federation of Red Cross to provide a creative brief on helping to tackle the cholera crisis on the continent. Students from across Middle East andAfricawerechallengedtocreateanimpactfulmobile-firstcampaign forFacebookandInstagramthateducatesat-riskcommunitiesaround preventing the spread of the disease.

Facebook’sCreativeShopteamalsoprovidedongoingsupporttostudents enteringthecategory,tutoringandmentoringtheminunderstandinghow tocreate‘thumb-stopping’mobilecontentthatgrabbedtheuserseye.As part of the competition, the winning team was crowned ‘the Facebook ChallengeWinnersof2018’andalsoprovidedwithanall-expensepaidtrip toLoeriesCreativeWeektocollecttheircovetedaward,atanexclusive ceremony that took place last week.

“Digital plays a huge part in all of our lives, and to make the most of it, creative agencies across Africa need to continue to tap into creative talentsthatunderstandbuildingforthedigitalage,andtheneedsofthe next billion users coming online,” Regional Director at Facebook Africa, Nunu Ntshingila said.

“OurpartnershipwithTheLoeriesforthethirdyearrunning,reinforces ourcommitmentinnurturingyoung,creativeanddiversetalent,whoare passionateaboutcreatingpowerfulmobile-firstcampaignsthatresonate with users.”

SPAR Nigeria Launches Promo

Oneoftheleadingretailersinthecountry,SPAR,haslaunchedits‘Scratch andGetFreeGifts.’ThecampaignisforitsteemingcustomersinNigeria to celebrate its 30 years of existence in the country as a brand.

Thepromowhichopenedthismonth,hasover750giftitemsincluding abrandnewcar,upforgrab,toappreciateitscustomersandshoppersfor their loyalty and patronage. Announcing the promo in Lagos, the Head of Marketing, SPAR Nigeria, Mr. John Goldsmith, said the company was delighted to have been in Nigeria for 30 years, stressing that they had enjoyedthesupportandpatronageofNigeriansovertheyears. Hesaid, “We are reciprocating this good gesture through this ‘Scratch and Get FreeGift’promo.ThepromowhichwillrunthroughthemonthofAugust atourSPARoutletsnationwide,guaranteesagiftforeveryshopperwhose spend in any of our stores, N5, 000 and above.

“Thereareover750differenttypesofproductsasgiveaway,including abrandnewNissanAlmera Salooncar,Televisionsets,washingmachines, gascookers,fridges,laptops,perfumes,wines&spirits,bags,SPARgift cards, and so much more.”

SPARNigeriaapartoftheglobalretailchainoriginatingfromHolland andhasgiventheMasterFranchiseoftheSPARbrandtoArteeIndustries Limited,foritsoperationsinNigeria. Thehypermarketbrandtakescognisanceofthevariouskindsofshoppingmissionsandadaptsitsproducts and services in respect of choice, quality, service and value, to translate the entire shopping experience for Nigerians.

Nestlé Offers Opportunities to Youth

Oneoftheworld’sleadingfoodandbeveragecompany,Nestlébelieves that communities cannot thrive if they don’t offer a future for younger generations. The company believes that providing youth with the right opportunities helps to create wealth and support the development of communities. In line with its purpose of “enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future”, Nestlé has set an ambition to help 10 millionyoungpeoplearoundtheworldhaveaccesstoeconomicopportunitiesby2030. Underitsflagshipprogramme,GlobalNestléNeedsYOUth Initiative,thecompanyfocusesonentrepreneurship,“agripreneurship”, as well as providing work readiness skills training to young people.

“In Central and West Africa, over 500 young people have benefited fromtheglobalNestléNeedYOUthinitiativethroughjobfairs,internship opportunitiesaswellasgraduateandmanagementtraineeprogrammes as at 2017 alone. “

“We have seen challenges in agriculture because of the clashes that are happening in different parts of the country.

Obviously, if people cannot go to the farms, it is going to be a problem.”

Statistician General, NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale

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BUSINESSWORLD TCN REVOKES NON-PERFORMING TRANSMISSION CONTRACTS, SECURES SPINNING RESERVE

they asked us questions and we answered but when we expected a reply from them they said they wanted to get a regulatory assets consultant and so we are waiting for that to be recruited to review our assets and give us cost reflective tariff.

“But, you must understand that in the market, the biggest problem is not only tariff, we also have liquidity problem. The liquidity problem is what we are waiting for the government to solve, he explained while noting, “It is 300MW that we are hoping to procure for the spinning reserve.”

Meanwhile, members of the TCN branch of SSAEAC have dissociated themselves from the national body of the SSAEAC as a result of, “unjustifiable rumours peddled by the national union.”

PTDF TO BOOST LOCAL PRODUCTION OF ANTICORROSION AGENT, REFINING CATALYSTS

that becomes effective, it will achieve two things for Nigeria: we will save a lot of money from sourcing foreign exchange, and we are hoping that the oil industry will massively invest in ranching because to get the cow urine, you have to massively invest in ranching and that will save the present crisis between farmers and herders.”

On what the industry could benefit from the solution if successful, Okoro said, “If you are using a natural biocide, you are saving about 75 per cent of the original cost of managing souring and corrosion and that savings translates to $600 million annually.”

Also speaking on the progress of the research, he stated, “We are almost there, the good news is that our industrial partners have already assured us that once we tidy up with PTDF which sponsored the diagnosis phase - and we are hoping they will sponsor the remediation phase and progress to the pilot phase - if that is done, then we will go to the oil industry to show trial runs and they have already assured us they will fund it because we will use their fields which have cases.

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 (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market)

NEWS

Mainstream Seeks Improved FG’s Support for Gencos Chineme Okafor in Abuja The concessionaire of the Kainji and Jebba hydro power plants, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited has expressed fears over what could become of its operations and that of other power generation companies (Gencos) in Nigeria when disbursement from the N701 billion guarantee fund the federal government provided to support the operations of the Gencos eventually runs dry.

To this end, it has asked the federal government to quickly move to restore stability of operations in the country’s electricity market.

Speaking recently at the August edition of the monthly power sector operators meeting in Minna, Niger State, the Managing Director of Mainstream, Mr. Lamu Audu, urged the government to continue supporting the Gencos to expand their operations.

“We must not forget the various initiatives and interventions of the federal government to ensure that the power sector remains viable and we must continue to ask ourselves how we can contribute our own quota in ensuring that the power sector survives.

“As we all know, the most recent intervention in the form of the N701 billion has a life span that would terminate in December 2019.

“Beyond that, we are apprehensive with respect to the future of the industry.

On this note, we would like to appeal and pray that the minister continues to use his office to ensure that there is stability in the sector to aid expansion and growth that guarantees electricity for Nigerians,” Audu said.

He explained the company took over the hydro plants in November 2013, when their total generation capacity was at 582 megawatts (MW), and at which time it promised to restore them to their nameplate capacity of 1,338.4MW. “Today, despite the serious challenges facing the

electricity supply industry, you will be glad to know that we are at 69 per cent recovery and our plants granting favourable grid and reservoir conditions, are now available with a generation capacity of 922MW,” he said.

He also stated, “Favourable conditions aside, we continue to forge ahead to achieve a 100 per cent recovery by implementing a very robust capacity and expansion program. Further, additional capacities are being recovered with the ongoing rehabilitation of the 80MW

Unit 1G7 at Kainji, which contract was awarded to GE and would be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

“We are also in the process of awarding the contract for the recovery of additional capacity of 96.4MW to Marubeni for the rehabilitation of Unit 2G6 at Jebba, which would commence in 2019.

“Plans are also under way for a reservoir and capacity expansion at the Kainji hydro power plant to increase installed capacity by 200MW from 760MW to 960MW.” According to him, Main-

stream has equally contributed to the development of the West African regional electricity market framework – West African Power Pool (WAPP) and would continue to work within the region to guarantee power supply.

He explained the company also has made the most of the eligible customer regulation the government recently approved and had signed supply agreements with companies.

“We have so far entered into power purchase agreements with five eligible

THIS IS OUR SCORECARD

L-R: Director, Rak Unity Petroleum Company Plc, Moroti Adedoyin Adeyinka; Managing Director/CEO, Engr. James Ogungbemi and Chairman, Edo-Abasi Bassey Ukpong, at the 15th Annual General Meeting of Company, held in Lagos…recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Digital Technology, Major Disruptor of Ibadan Disco to Install 11,000 Meters in Two Months Businesses, Says CIBN Boss The emergence of digital technology has been a major disruptor of businesses and long-term strategic planning, the President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Uche Olowu has said.

Olowu, made this remark in his welcome address at the 2018 induction and prize award day organised by the institute in Lagos at the weekend.

He noted that digital revolution had brought about a new set of challenges and opportunities.

According to him, the disruption, popularly coined the Fourth Industrial Revolution, was characterised by a fusion of technologies dominated by robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, machine learning etc.

He cited a survey conducted recently by PwC that revealed that CEOs anticipated significant changes in the type of people they need and how they attract, engage, deploy and develop them.

Also, a 2016 World Economic Forum report had stated that the 4th Industrial revolution would cause widespread disruption not only to business models, but also to labour markets over the next five

years, with enormous changes predicted in the skill sets needed to thrive in the new era.

“The disruption is so deep-seated that even jobs which were once considered vocational, such as welding, petroleum production, and even factory work, are now high tech and require specialized knowledge as well as critical thinking and collaborative skills.

“The effect of this reality is captured in an article published

by Forbes in 2017. The article asserts that 21st century job growth is outpacing the ability to develop a prepared workforce.

“The reality is that while technology is taking jobs away, technology is creating new jobs.

The question then should be, as individuals, do you have the skills for the new jobs created by technology? How will you not be disaggregated in the new hi-tech economy?” he added.

This, he said was the reason the theme of the event, “21st Century Professional: Vital Skill Sets for Success,” was chosen.

Therefore, he re-affirmed the institute’s commitment to capacity building, certification, developing skills and competences of professionals and would be professionals in the banking industry in line

with its statutory mandate, “to determine the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the banking profession.”

A total of 784 graduates of the institute were inducted by the institute. A breakdown of this showed that 67 of them were associates (Chartered Banker MBA route); 240 associates (ACIBs); 413 Microfinance Certified Bankers (MCIB) and 64 Diploma graduates The event also featured the presentation of prizes and awards to students that distinguished themselves in various subjects and levels of the examinations.

In addition, for the very first time, the event also witnessed the presentation of prizes and awards to the winners of the Otunba ‘Debola Osibogun, National Essay Competition for undergraduates of Banking and Finance in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions as well as award of excellence and outstanding performance to deserving examiners of the institute.

The CIBN recently transited from paper-based examinations to Computer Based Testing (CBT) in April 2018, this makes CIBN the first professional body in Nigeria to so do.

Emmanuella Igwe The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) at the weekend unveiled plans to embark on a two-month project of installing 11,000 meters across its franchise from next week.

The Chief Operating Officer Mr. John Ayodele said the company had invested over N11.5 billion in metering, rehabilitation and network upgrade in the past six months.

He added that the project was expected to map the layouts of 114 sub-stations and the major reason for these projects is to ensure the customers get access to their own meters, reduce the challenge of estimated bills and ensure that customers are billed accurately in other of power consumed.

Ayodele further added that over 95 per cent of CAMPI meters had been received for distribution to all those who have made the necessary payments. He has assured that before the end of December 2018 all those who have paid for these meters would get them.

According to him, one of the board cardinal programs is on health safety, which is taking over N4.4 billion because over 14 sub-stations are involved.

He said consultants have being appointed to put the staffs through while in the field in other to ensure their safety and the sum of N1.47

billion have been whopped for the safety and Environment department.

He, however, informed that the on-going Asset and Customer Enumeration (ACE) exercise estimated to N5 billion is aimed at capturing their entire asset and customers in fair control, enhance great service delivery by providing data needed for the planning of infrastructure, enhance quality of power supply and quicker response rates to faults.

The Project Manager, Asset &Customer Enumeration IBEDC, Mr. Olabisi Daramola, at Raymond zard 500 KVA distribution transformer, Iyaganku, said, it was the 11 kV line that gives power to the transformer and it measures the total consumption being drawn.

He also said this transformer has the enhancement ability feature and is used for energy auditing comparative analysis.

Ayodele, however, said the Ibadan North 15 MVA injection substation, 11 KV typical control room with 11 kv breakers was built in 1979 and has since being in bad shape until the IBEDC came in and turned it into a 21st century substation which included the installation of the eight panel board which cost about N60 million.

The Principal Manager HSE, Mrs Mariam Arowolo added that the transformer at Ibadan North by the IBEDC cost approximately 120 Million.

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BUSINESSWORLD

BeyondtheBeat CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU

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Power Sector: Who is Deceiving Who?

Buhari In his article, ‘The Dangers of Deception’, Steven Harper, a Canadian economist, entrepreneur, and retired politician said: “Deception is just another form of lying, but with a stronger degree of wrong, because the deceiver purposefully misleads others into believing that a lie is really what is true” Penultimate week, the media was awash with reports that power generation “has hit 7000MW and distribution risen to all time national high of 5,222MW.” Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, released the figures in Calabar, Cross River State, at the ministry’s retreat for top directors, heads of units and chief executives of agencies and parastatals.

Reeling out what he deemed as achievements of the power sector under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch, Fashola claimed that the ministry had moved the power sector forward from where it was three years ago.

In his words: “Three years ago, the story was that power generation was the main problem of Nigeria. The story was that the distribution companies were complaining that they did not have enough energy to distribute to Nigerians.

“We were distributing averagely 2,690MW of electricity to Nigerians, but today, that story has changed; distribution has risen to 5,222 megawatts, an all time national high.

“Transmission has reached 7,000 while generation has reached 7,000.

The problem has not finished but all we can say is that we have made progress.”

Even with generation stagnating at below 4,000MW despite the rains, the minister had insisted that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has been making steady progress in electricity generation and distribution.

This acclaimed ‘all time national highs’ in generation, distribution and transmission came less than three weeks after the minister and owners

Fashola of the electricity distribution companies (Discos) exchanged hot words over the power sector’s abysmal performance.

As at January this year, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) put the average power generation at approximately 3,600MW even after the repair of the damaged Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), which supplies gas to some of the power stations.

Prior to the fire incident that damaged the ELPS, average generation, according to the TCN was 4,300MW, while peak generation was put at 4,685.3MW and 3,667.5MW as the lowest electricity generated.

Only last month, the TCN also revealed that power generation dropped to 2,290MW, from 4,500MW, sequel to gas pipeline vandalism. A whopping N12.171 billion was reportedly lost on account of the drop in generation, which had been attributed to inadequate gas supply, poor distribution facilities, transmission network limitations and water management constraints.

Recall also that at a meeting in January this year, precisely, the 23rd monthly power sector operators’ meeting in Nasarawa State, the power minister had announced that power generation rose to 7000MW in 2017 from 3,000MW in May 2015, when he took over the affairs of the sector; while transmission capacity rose to 6,900mw in 2017 from about 5,000mw in May 2015.

Fashola had also put peak distribution at 5,000MW in 2017 from 2,690MW in 2015.

In what he titled: “The Progress and Milestones, our Journey for Incremental Power ’, Fashola asserted: “We have increased the supply of power in the dry weather and people’s experience with power was better.”

However, a closer look at the figures the minister released in Calabar a fortnight ago, showed that they were almost the same as what he released at the January meeting in Nasarawa state, raising questions as to their authenticity.

Whereas the minister claimed that

generation had reached 7000MW, distribution and transmission, 5,222MW and 7,000MW respectively, checks by THISDAY revealed otherwise.

A detailed report obtained from the office of the vice president, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo showed that despite the rains that should normally fill the hydro dams for optimum performance, power generation has remained below 4,000MW. According to the sector’s operational data released by Osinbajo’s Advisory Power Team, the average amount of power supplied to the grid on August 4, was 3,682MW with about 3,975MW constrained. The sector, the report noted, was unable to collect about N1.908billion revenue on account of the constraints, which include line and inadequate gas supply.

Similarly, 3,612MW was supplied on August 3 while 3,793MW was constrained and the amount of revenue not collected was 1.820 billion.

It was also revealed that 3,809MW was supplied on August 2; 4,380MW constrained and N2.102 billion lost as unearned revenue.

On August 1, 3,921MW was supplied while 3,370MW was constrained and the amount of revenue deferred on account of the power sector ’s inefficiencies was put at 1.618 billion; 3,896MW was supplied on July 31, and 3,571MW constrained while revenue not collected was N1,714 billion.

The breakdown as contained in the operational report showed that between July 29 and August 4, the volume of electricity constrained by line challenges were 2,030.2MW; 2,551.7MW; 2,,154.6MW; 1557.1MW; 2551.7MW; 1,964.5MW; and 2,126.5MW respectively.

Constraints from gas supply for the period were reported to be 1,520MW; 1,559MW; 1,419MW; 1,813MW; 1,828MW; 1,828MW; and 1,848.2MW respectively.

The poor performance of the hydro power stations at this time is a clear indication that the plants and indeed the sector as a whole remained ham-

pered by sundry problems.

On assumption of office, Fashola had announced that the government was resetting the operations of the country’s power sector and was considering adopting “incremental, stable and interrupted power” as the new policy the ministry will adopt to generate 10,000MW by 2019. There is nothing on ground to show that this ambitious target would be actualised as generation still hovers around 4000MW. He also disclosed that his team was putting up a development plan consisting of power generation, which would focus on maximising all available power-generating components by repairing them. The second phase, according to him, would be steady supply of power, while the third phase would be achieving uninterrupted power supply. Three years down the line, no meaningful achievement that I know of, has been achieved by the sector under Fashola’s watch.

The minister had declared that the problem of Nigeria’s power sector was man-made and pledged his determination to deliver on uninterrupted power supply.

In the words of the power minister: “The power challenges are not impossible to fix, most of them are man-made.

I am determined to ensure we get to the point where Nigeria has uninterrupted power supply.” Is Nigeria enjoying steady supply now? The answer is NO. This is in spite of the mind-boggling amounts released to the power sector by successive administrations and its eventual privatisation in 2013.

It is therefore baffling to Nigerians that the minister could downplay the underperformance of the sector in an apparent bid to deceive people and make them believe that the Buhari administration had fixed the electricity sector problems.

Given the voracious appetite for energy to run Nigeria’s burgeoning factories, many of which are at the point of closing down, the need to urgently resolve the lingering issues in the sector has become imperative.

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Olorunsola: Without PIGB, FG Should Say Goodbye to ERGP Mr. Osten Olorunsola, once headed the Department of Petroleum Resources. But he now serves in the Expert Advisory Panel of the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter. He is also the Lead Consultant to the National Assembly on the Petroleum Industry Bills which has been separated into four parts for ease of passage. In this interview with Chineme Okafor, he advises President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Petroleum Industry Government Bill to activate his Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Excerpts: You headed the DPR and understands how Nigeria’s downstream sector operates. Today, that sector looks inefďŹ cient and the NNPC imports almost all the petrol Nigeria consumes, but that has come with a lot of controversies relating to national consumption volumes, subsidy claims and huge under-recoveries.

Does it make sense that Nigeria has no idea of how much petrol it consumes daily and why is it a difďŹ cult task to determine?

It is unfortunate that there is neither a common understanding nor consensus on the volumes of products consumed in Nigeria. It is even worse because of the poorly governed nature of accounting for under-recovery by the NNPC, the sole importer of petrol. The absence of a simple check and balance is what causes the suspicion of Nigerians generally as well as the frequent wrangling as monthly FAAC meetings.

Ordinarily it should not be that difficult knowing and tracking the numbers if only the requisite institutions are allowed to work as designed, ensuring adequate checks and balances. Besides, tracking can even be optimised by hardwiring smart performance indices and accountability across the various institutions responsible across the value chain.

Ultimately, a greater part of this issue will go away as soon as the sector is completely deregulated and liberalised.

In your last public presentation in a meeting of the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC), you were very conďŹ dent about President Buhari assenting to the PIGB before the 2019 elections.

With what is happening in the political environment today, do you still believe that will happen?

Indeed, I was, and even now still confident that President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the PIGB. Let’s be clear, our country will for a very long time continue to rely on petro-dollar for economic development. Any laws or reforms that help to unleash the development of the sector and maximise revenues for government to support diversification out of petroleum will always be welcomed. Moreover, we have seen and felt the effect of the opportunity cost of delaying the sector reforms for more than 18 years.

So, in my view, in so far as the PIGB is aimed at fixing the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, it truly belongs to Nigeria, not any political party or individual. And I believe this resonates with Mr President’s wishes and aspirations for the country and Nigerians in general. A successful reform of the petroleum sector will always be about securing Nigeria’s energy and economic development, both of which luckily, neither belong to any tribes nor political parties.

How far are we to that signature, do you have an idea of the presidency’s thoughts?

Because the PIGB is not an executive bill, I am aware that Mr. President has since sought the views of the key operatives in government as soon as it was transmitted by the National Assembly. I am also aware that the feedbacks so far from the MDAs are positive, more especially as the bill will help cure a lot of the wrangling and issues begging for solutions today. I believe you know Mr. President has in-depth knowledge of the industry from his days as head of the PTF and he has expressed concerns about its poor state of health. He is very desirous in seeing good governance, sustained growth as well as the proposed diversification from oil. That is why it took no time to approve the policies which re-set directions for the industry since 2017. Mr President will therefore be quite excited to see that the much talked about legislative instruments are finally here.

I believe the overall process to facilitate Mr. President’s assent will soon be concluded.

Let’s imagine that the president fails to put his signature as expected, what would that mean, are there really damaging implications?

I like to say God forbid to that. However, in the slightest chance that, that becomes the case, there are two key issues that will continue to plague the petroleum sector, and by extension the Nigerian economy should the reforms be delayed any further. Firstly, the continued uncertainty for investors with respect to the legal framework will linger. Current estimates of direct investment losses is somewhere between US$15 and 20 billion per annum. Although enough damage is already done, the earlier that trend is truncated, the better. Secondly, the opportunity to plug loses due to inherent inadequacies and obsolescence of existing legal provisions and practices would again have been missed. So, the gross loses are quite huge, from missed investment opportunities to forfeited revenues simply because we have failed to manage our oil and gas resources in a responsible manner. Besides, what about cost? The cumulative effort and amount spent so far to put the reforms together including consultations is quite huge. To go through the whole process again would amount to unnecessary repetition and waste of resources. Ultimately, government can simply say bye-bye to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020. Mr. President is very much aware of this “road to Kinshasa�! Let us all pray and hope the reforms are concluded as quickly as possible and implemented as designed.

There are three more bills left to be legislated on at this very tensed time and the National Assembly may not reconvene until September.

Do these bills have a chance of being passed and even assented to by the president?

Olorunsola When this administration came into power in 2015, the reforms of the petroleum sector was a priority if only the country truly wants to catalyse and diversify the economy. Within a very short period, the executive rolled out unprecedented policy reforms cutting across the value chain, underpinning the ERGP. In parallel, the eight National Assembly ensured the jinx of the industry reform was broken and churned out the requisite bills to help put teeth in executive policies.

So, all the cylinders of government engines were firing in my view.

Accordingly, I do not think all this work will end in futility. Apart from the PIGB which is already being considered for assent by President Buhari, the remaining three bills (PIAB, PIFB and PHICB), which are necessary compliments of the first have all passed the stage of public hearing and now being prepared for third reading as soon as the NASS resumes from summer recess.

And, because of the imperatives to our national survival, I want to believe that all hands will be on deck to ensure successful conclusion.

That said, as time is gradually running out, the risk of not concluding the legislative journeys for the various bills are getting higher as the race to 2019 elections could become priority. It was because of this risk that the omnibus bill was split into pieces, in addition to starting as early as 2016. A lot of hope is however being put on the PIGB which is now awaiting assent of Mr. President. Should that scale through and become law, it will give a lot of momentum to the other three, and optically signal a new dawn to the Nigeria petroleum industry.

People talk about how much in terms of money Nigeria may have lost to the lack of a modern law in its oil industry, but rarely talk about value erosion to the industry, do you have an idea of how much value in terms of investment goodwill and others that the country has lost so far?

Well, several numbers have been tossed around as a way of capturing the gross total loss due to lack of modern laws. But let me try to clarify once more. The implications of failed reforms for over 18 years are far reaching. This includes general uncertainty to new investments, insufficient focus on maintenance and operations, declining production and reserves, comatose mid- and down-streams, lack of employment arising from reduced activities, rising illegal activities to meet economic needs, loss of competitiveness, divestment of assets by majors with concomitant lay off employees and termination of services.

Within this period, there had been many failed country entries by a few medium and major companies who just could not start up. Worst still, there were a few others who managed to start but had to exit prematurely due to one reason or the other, the main being inconclusive reforms.

Our country has not been able to attract material investments in the sector for about 10 years despite huge opportunities begging for project sanctions including upstream field developments like Zabazaba deep offshore, Bonga South West, Uge, Nsiko and Owowo. There are also large scale midstream and downstream opportunities which were only conceived but never started at all.

The overall direct impact of all these is what is being estimated to be $15 to 20 billion per annum.

That excludes other indirect opportunity losses due to insufficient gas supply to power, in-country value extraction in particular the mid and downstream sectors.

I understand there is a ďŹ fth bill of the PIB that is in the ofďŹ ng, which will deal with issues of oil revenue management, can you provide some insights on this and will it address the perennial conict associated with sharing oil revenue in the FAAC? Indeed, the technical team together with the National Assembly sponsors did consider a fifth bill meant to address issues around revenue management for sustainability and responsible management of petroleum resources. Unfortunately, the effort had to be put on hold because of constitutional provisions around petroleum revenue sharing and allocation in Nigeria. Suffice it to say that this bill will still need to be worked on at the appropriate time to assure a comprehensive legal framework for managing our petroleum resources.

The existing bills, in particular the PIGB already address some of the issues associated with sharing petroleum revenues. This includes basic understanding of measurement and movement of volumes (crude as well as products), pricing, cost assessments, and ensuring accountable remittance of taxes and royalties. This is one major puzzle in the revenue sharing mechanism. The second aspect which the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill will unravel is in the area of who gets what, how do we ensure allocations reach the target audiences, how valuable are there funds deployed, how do we cater for host communities, country stabilisation as well as future generations.

These are the dimensions the fifth bill will be focusing on as soon as the constitutional issues are off the table.

You’ve been in this industry for ages now.

The NLNG recently indicated its readiness to go on with its Train-7 project which would increase its capacity to 30mtpa. What does this mean for the country’s gas industry?

It is heart-warming to see that finally, there is credible progress on this. By the way, this too has already suffered some 15 years delay due to various reasons. At some point, Nigeria was going neck to neck with Qatar in terms of NLNG growth. Today Qatar is well over 77mtpa.

So, even though we see this as progress, we are far behind par, in particular if you understand the closed nature and dynamics of global LNG market.

No doubt, being a simple expansion, this growth will come with activities leading to direct and indirect employment, improvement on the dividends to the country when completed, and once again putting Nigeria firmly back on the LNG market play. It will also help to catalyse growth in the domestic gas development.

We equally have the OKLNG and Brass LNG projects still pending, do you think these projects still retain relevance and can the PIGB impact on them positively?

Although the PIGB would not have direct impact on the OKLNG and Brass LNG projects, clarity on governance and refocused commercial paradigm will come in handy for the new institutions going forward.

In particular, the new National Petroleum Company will be in a position to optimise its portfolio and pursue only projects that are commercially viable and profitable to the ventures.

Let’s talk about the oil industry post-PIB. What would it look like, are there going to be radical changes like subsidy going away; NNPC becoming a lot more committed to business ethics and less about bad business choices, and will there be a transition phase or period?

Indeed, it is all of the above! As already mentioned, an unfortunate uncertainty was introduced to the Nigeria petroleum industry some 18 years ago when we announced that there will be reforms. Since then the train left the station but has never arrived anywhere.

In the meantime, even confidence in existing laws was no longer there, many of the provisions were already obsolete and out-dated. It is these two-pronged malaise – uncertainty and obsolescence – that we have been struggling to overcome for over a decade. And rather than treat it as an emergency which it ought to be given its role in Nigeria’s economy, we allowed politics to unfortunately drive it.

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T H I S D AY •TUEDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

You Can’t Freeze Bank Accounts of Tax Defaulters, LCCI Tells FIRS Jonathan Eze The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has described the decision of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to freeze accounts of taxpayers, considered to be in default of tax payment, as an act of intimidation.

FIRS had written to select banks as collecting agents with a mandate to subsequently freeze the accounts of defaulters. Such accounts will be debited to the tune of the alleged tax debt.

Reacting to this development, the LCCI, through its Director General, Muda Yusuf, told THISDAY that tax administration should be in consonance with the basic

tenets of the rule of law and the fundamental principles of a good tax system.

It added that tax administration should be consistent with the basic principles of equity, fairness, legality and accountability. According to Yusuf, “The LCCI is concerned about the recent turn of events, especially the freezing of accounts of bank customers based on tax assessments that are in dispute.

“This provision is draconian and could be used as a tool of intimidation, coercion and harassment of taxpayers. It should be invoked with utmost discretion and caution.”

The Chamber raised a number of key concerns which included, “Whether the claim of

tax liability by the FIRS of the affected investors applies to a final and conclusive assessment which should be an outcome of an exhaustive engagement between the tax authorities and the taxpayer. “The propriety of appointing banks as ‘collecting agents’ by the FIRS, given the strategic and catalytic role of the banking system in business operations, financial intermediation and transactions among economic players is also an area of concern.

“The legality of freezing the accounts of bank customers by the banks on the directive of FIRS for alleged tax liability, given the contractual relationship between the banks and their customers is quite unfair and unacceptable.

International Breweries Set to Unveil $250m Plant Nume Ekeghe International Breweries Plc (IB Plc), is set to commission its $250 million state-of-theart brewery situated at thee Shagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State.

The event is slated for August 28, 2018. The brewery would be one of the biggest in West Africa.

IB Plc is a part of the AB InBev group, the world’s largest brewer. The company is extremely proud of its national treasures - Trophy, Hero, Betamalt, Grandmalt, Castle lite, Eagle lager, and the recently launched global brand, Budweiser.

Given the importance of the event, President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to commission the facility, alongside other top government officials and private sector operators.

The new brewery would be the company’s largest plant

within the group in Africa, outside of South Africa.

It is expected to have a significant multiplier impact on the value chain within Ogun State, its environs, provide direct and indirect employment, manufacture global brands locally and support Nigeria’s foreign direct investment aspirations.

Managing Director, IB Plc, Annabelle Degroot, while speaking about the inauguration, described the plant as a major step towards the company’s strategic goal of producing high-quality drinks locally.

“International Breweries Plc is a brand that places a premium on quality. Bearing this in mind, we will spare no expense or effort in ensuring that Nigerians are treated to the best traditions in brewing, with outstanding recipes, superior ingredients, innovation and world-class techniques. The outcome is to ensure satisfaction and enjoyment for our consumers,”

she said.

Degroot added that the plant would provide great opportunity to engage qualified locals who are excited about the prospects of forging a career with the brand, while thousands of both direct and indirect jobs would be created.

“One of the objectives of the company is to create job opportunities for the people of Ogun state as well as Nigerians in general. “The plant will also be instrumental in empowering farmers as most of the raw materials required will be sourced locally. This will, in turn, contribute to the economic development of the country,” she added.

On his part, the Corporate Affairs Director, Mr. Otunba Michael Daramola, the noted that establishment of the plant in Nigeria was in further recognition of the corollary between having prestigious brands and a befitting world-class setting.

Webercoin Seeks to Raise $1.1bn Chinedu Eze Webercoin, an ecosystem that that provides platform for business owners, marketers and advertisers to efficiently market their products, goods and services on the internet is targeting $1.1billion investment in 2020. Speaking during a press conference to announce the on-going Webercoin Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer of Webercoin, Sheneni Tukura, said the platform creates an avenue for all advertisers and regular users to be rewarded for posting contents, commenting or contributing.

“We have 100 million tokens supply of Webercoin to reward users with. What we are doing now is that we are adding value to Webercoin. “So, when we give you Webercoin as a reward, you will know the value.

We are currently selling a Webercoin at $0.5. “When this amount gets into customers’ pockets, it will be more than $0.5, the equivalent will be given to customers in whatever currency they want.

“We project $1.1billion dollar worth of investment by year 2020 and that is based on what we have seen from different

eco systems. “Since the ICO opened three weeks ago, we have sold over 300thousand tokens already,” Tukura said.

He explained that the firm developed a system where the community also has a voice and a say in what happens and not what is prevalent in various social media platforms where the platform owners make all the money, and nothing gets to the platform users.

“In our platform, we are creating a community that votes for what should be allowed and what shouldn’t be allowed.

This is a social market place and we want people to define it as their own community.

“That is why we are not talking about how much we will get from the ICO but we are talking about the users’ slice of the cake and their investment in the future,” he added.

He further explained that Webercoin uses crypto currency, which can be used in any part of the world, adding that with crypto currency, the firm is able to give anyone in the world equal opportunities.“Another key feature of our ad system is the location. We found out that a lot of business people who advertise on social media do not advertise to their im-

mediate location or neighbour.

So, we decided to tackle this problem to say anyone who is on our platform will be able to advertise to their immediate location first,” Tukura said.

Also speaking at the event, Marketing and Media Manager of Webercoin, Susan Onigbinde said, “What is important for investors to know is that the current social media platforms are changing. Research has shown that in the year 2019, there is going to be fraudulent activities and up to $51million will be lost on-line daily.”

Our platform promises security of the block chain.

The block chain is a very secured technology, where information is encrypted going from one part of the block chain to the other. The data is secured as people use the social platform. This is something that should interest investors and everyone.

“Marketing on several social media platforms is very expensive. As people increase on these platforms, it is harder for businesses to reach their target audience. A small business with small money can now reach her target audience, sell more and make more profit,” she added.

L-R: Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Beautification of Parks and Gardens, Mrs Daisy West; Executive Director, Sterling Bank, Mr Emmanuel Emefiele; Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya and MD/CEO Express Concerns Limited, Chief Daniel Okeke, during the unveiling of Sterling Bank’s Recycled Arts in Port Harcourt, Rivers State...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA) 2018

Month

MARCH

Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

MARCH 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, FRI, 17, AUGUST , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fifteen crudes stood at $70.27 a barrel on Friday, compared with $69.47 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

31

T H I S D AY •MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Closes Lower on Losses by Bellwethers Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

A total of 22 stocks shed weight compared with only 11 other stocks. The banking counters recorded the more losses, leading to a decline of 2.8 per cent in the NSE Banking Index.

However, UACN Property Development Company Plc led the price losers with 8.1 per cent to close, trailed by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc with 7.5 per

The equities market plunged further yesterday as profit taking in bellwether stocks depressed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) below 35,000 mark at 34,663.48. Similarly, market capitalisation shed N220.5 billion to close lower at N12.638 trillion.

cent. Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc went down by 7.1 per cent each.

Other top price losers included: United Capital Plc(6.6 per cent); Unilever Nigeria Plc (4.5 per cent); Zenith Bank Plc(3.1 per cent); Oando Plc(3.0 per cent); Nigerian Breweries Plc (2.9 per cent); Wapic Insurance Plc (2.8 per

cent); Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (2.7 per cent) and Transcorp Plc (2.6 per cent).

On the other hand, Newrest ASL Plc led the price gainers with 8.9 per cent, followed by FCMB Group Plc with 5.8 per cent. Regency Alliance Insurance Plc and Skye Bank Plc added 4.3 per cent and 4.2 per cent in that order.

Others top price gainers are:

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

LASACO Assurance Plc (3.2 per cent); Sterling Bank Plc (3.2 per cent); AIICO Insurance Plc (2.9 per cent); Diamond Bank Plc(1.8 per cent).

Meanwhile, activity was mixed as volume of stocks traded decreased 9.8 per cent to 220.5 million shares while value of stocks traded advanced 44.7 per cent to N3.2 billion.

In terms of sectoral per-

formance, the NSE Banking Index led, followed by the NSE Consumer Goods Index with 1.1 per cent,, while the NSE Insurance Index that shed 0.6 per cent.

The NSE Oil & Gas Index was dragged by decline in Forte Oil Plc, while NSE Industrial Goods Index went down on the back of price depreciation in Dangote Cement Plc.

A S AT 1 7 / 0 8 / 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) 277,708.53

TRADES

VOLUME

30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

9.60

-

76

1,661,352

285,565.17

8.35

0.60

203

9,626,390

717,409.88

22.85

-0.44

283

15,871,230

562

27,158,972

32

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33 34

MARKET CAP(Nm) 351,773.87

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 3,748,911.63 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. 241,121.31

BUILDING MATERIALS

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

PRICE %CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 382,488.96

9.80

-0.51

157

4,754,734

157

4,754,734

719

31,913,706

TRADES

VOLUME

56 49 105 105

347,702 6,757,359 7,105,061 7,105,061

TRADES

VOLUME

31

35 36

PRICE %CHANGE 220.00 27.80

6.80 -0.36

PRICE %CHANGE 650.00

-

5

344

5

344

5 829

344 39,019,111

37 38 FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 39 40 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 41 42 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm) 440.00

CROP PRODUCTION FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

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

43 PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME 5,000

0.20

-

1

71,113.99

74.55

-

11

69,082

60,000.00

60.00

-

8 20

11,111 85,193

TRADES

VOLUME

0 0

0 0

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,830.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,164.81

PRICE %CHANGE 4.26

-

PRICE %CHANGE 0.61

-7.58

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

13

1,219,115

13

1,219,115

33

1,304,308

TRADES

VOLUME

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

46 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING

-

0

0

-

0 0

0 0

46,745.19

1.15

2.68

82

17,405,011

55

36,304.34

12.60

-

30 112 112

192,251 17,597,262 17,597,262

56

TRADES

VOLUME

59

0 0

0 0

60

TRADES

VOLUME

61

6

6,348

MARKET CAP(Nm)

57 58

-

PRICE %CHANGE

33,000.00

25.00

-

165.00

6.60

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 4,443.26

S/N

PRICE %CHANGE 1.71

-

62 63

0

0

6

6,348

64

TRADES

VOLUME

65

2

10,594

66

2

10,594

67

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,900.00

95.00

-

1

2,500

11,300.89

45.20

-

0

0

70

24,014.43

9.00

-

1

140

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) 14,406.27

PRICE %CHANGE

69

2

2,640

10

19,582

TRADES

VOLUME

-

1 1

3,862 3,862

75

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

76 77

73 PRICE %CHANGE 0.20

1.84

-0.54

9

10,198,900

242.22

0.89

-

0

0

197,134.45

90.00

-

38

185,996

302,574.34

68

35.20

-

19

5,312,785

74

78 79

PRICE %CHANGE

151

851,644

217

16,549,325

TRADES

VOLUME

85

1,151,192

177,600.00

14.80

-1.99

51

891,240

90,208.35

22.00

0.45

88

1,871,852

12,529.71

1.58

0.64

44

1,552,600

1,340.10

0.36

-

0

0

1,158.30

6.50

-

1

2,960

52,988.77

20.00

-

24

1,181,110

3,676.41

13.45

-

FOOD PRODUCTSMARKET -DIVERSIFIED CAP(Nm) CADBURY NIGERIA 18,782.02 PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,188,984.38

PRICE %CHANGE 10.00

58,779 16,216 74,995

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

14.05

315,975.30

55.00

4,117.00

VOLUME

20 32

MARKET CAP(Nm) 55,785.20

MARKET CAP(Nm)

TRADES 12

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 25,244.82

11,703 6,662,657

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,680.31 3,377.28

2 295

-

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC. UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC VERITAS KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC

-0.10

1.32

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNA386,258.05 TIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC 48,098.16 GUARANTY TRUST 1,118,384.81 BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC 15,910.69 SKYE BANK PLC 6,662.54 STERLING BANK PLC. 36,275.93 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 161,620.18 UNITY BANK PLC 9,468.36 WEMA BANK PLC. 25,073.40

47

103.00

7.70

45

0.58 3.25

4.79

MARKET CAP(Nm) 38,500.00

BANKING

0.44

PRICE %CHANGE

FOOD PRODUCTS DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC.

S/N

225.71 2,111.93

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 823,680.91

22.10

-

1

200

3.24

-

9 10

24,849 25,049

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-

30

135,874

3.77

25

233,396

55

369,270

610

23,685,158

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.09

-1.80

51

3,847,569

21.05

0.24

32

311,295

1.66

3.11

95

7,170,381

38.00

-0.13

149

5,769,685

0.54 0.48 1.26 5.55 0.81 0.65

-7.69 0.79 -2.63 -10.00 4.84

2 48 61 27 9 18 492

109,300 6,161,380 4,841,584 200,778 713,162 161,281 29,286,415

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-

0

0

0.20

4,712.54

0.68

1.49

18

1,274,516

26,775.00

2.55

0.79

3

94,489,040

2,100.00

0.30

-

6

390,197

14,521.84

1.40

-

9

322,014

3,387.79

0.23

-4.17

8

373,672

2,411.47

0.53

-

0

0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

2,149.00

0.35

-

2

1,310

539.32

0.42

-

0

0

2,270.26

0.31

-

8

385,030

3,480.03

0.81

-10.00

2

200,000

5,920.00

0.74

-

0

0

2,400.00

0.30

-9.09

20

2,538,582

15,049.43

2.85

-

19 130,487,918

3,095.79

0.40

-

15

1,099,993

2,175.92

0.57

-

1

1,000

1,533.81

0.23

4.55

9

1,781,738

2,168.61

0.26

-3.85

10

2,237,844

5,422.63

0.42

-

0

0

4,483.72

0.48

-

0

0

2,800.00

0.20

-9.09

7

420,846

516.46

0.20

-

0

0

7,040.00

0.44

-

0

0

3,605.33

0.26

8.33

5

5,000,000

32

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018

33

34

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Nigeria Air, Waste of Resources, Says Ezekwesili Chinedu Eze A former Vice President of World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has described the plan by the federal government to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, using public funds as a waste of resources.

Ezekwesili, who spoke on an African Independent Television (AIT) programme yesterday, said government’s plan to fund the establishment of the airline and later bring in investors to buy into the company, would be “putting the cart before the horse.”

Ezekwesili, also a former Minister of Education and co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls, argued that if the government sincerely wanted to have a private sector-driven national carrier, it would have designed it differently.

Recalling her experience when she was Vice President of the World Bank, Ezekwesili insisted that if the federal government wanted Nigeria Air to be private sector-driven as it claimed, the design of the project would have been made in a way that investors would have provided start-up

fund for the airline.

She noted that money spent on the national airline in terms of opportunity cost would deny government the funds for other priority programmes in education, healthcare and other essential sectors of the economy.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, explained that the federal government would commit $300 million and $8.8 million to the project, and it is expected that when the airline is established its shares would be sold to investors.

Sirika had also stated that the $8.8 million represents startup capital for offices, etc required for takeoff.

But $300million is the entire airline cash flow funding requirements (aircrafts, operations and working capital) for three years (2018, 2019 and 2020).

“This funding can be in the form of equity or debt.

The financial model estimates cash flow requirements as follows 2018 ($55m – $8 million is included here), 2019 ($100m) and 2020 ($145m).

“In order to ensure take-

off of the airline in 2018, government will provide $55 million upfront grant/ viability gap funding to finance startup capital and pay commitment fees for aircraft to be leased for initial operations and deposit for new aircraft whose delivery will begin in 2021,” he said.

On divesting the shares to investors and other shareholders, Sirika said after one year of operations, government would through an IPO divest her equity for purchase by Nigerians subject to approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Government will then retain only five per cent equity. The rest of 95 per cent equity of Nigeria Air Limited will then be owned by the strategic equity investor and the general public. Majority ownership must however remain with Nigerians so that the national carrier can benefit from BASA (Bilateral Air Service Agreement) and other bilateral agreements which require local beneficial ownership as a condition precedent.

“Management of the

national carrier will be concessioned to the strategic equity investor with no step in rights and management control by government.

Signed up acceptance and approval of the management concession agreement will be a condition precedent for the IPO,” the Minister said.

But Ezekwesili faulted this strategy, saying it is a waste of government resources.

She added that if it was designed in a way that significant part of the ownership would be ceded to the private sector, investors would have been made to commit funds in the establishment of the airline, so that government would not have to spend even a penny on the project.

Reacting to the federal government’s strategy, a member of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) who wished to remain anonymous, told THISDAY that government planned the national carrier in a way that suggested that it has already identified the investors that would buy into the airline.

He expressed doubt that the project would attract

Ezekwesili foreign investors government expected.

“The truth is that it will be difficult for Nigeria to have a strong core investor for the airline because Nigeria is not known to respect its agreements. Nigeria made

an agreement with Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic Airways and it defaulted on that agreement. Anyone you asked to come and invest in Nigeria refers you to that Branson experience,” he added.

Akpabio: APC will Take over Akwa Ibom Like Hitler Took Poland Bassey Okon in Uyo Former governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said at the weekend that the takeover of the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 would be as total as the 1940 invasion of Poland by the German dictator, Adolf Hitler.

Akpabio, who recently defected from the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) to APC, abdicating in the process, his minority leadership of the Senate, spoke in Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government area of Enugu State Enugu, saying the impending 2019 general election in the state would be a full scale war, and he boasted his new party would win.

He said, “Recently, I had an occasion in Akwa Ibom State and this is what happened:

I went just to make a floor declaration; others do it in the social media, others just sit in their offices, some do it by text messages that they have changed platform, what we call party. But in my own, I just decided to do it in an uncommon way because they call me uncommon transformer. It was watched in 59 countries and somebody asked what happened there,

and I said just how it happened in Poland.

“When they asked Hitler’s minister for information how was the war in Poland? He said Warsaw saw war and war saw Warsaw. I will say that in the Ikot-Ekpene arena, when I stepped out, this is my first function after that, Warsaw saw war and war saw Warsaw.

We can’t talk politics in the church but in 2019 Warsaw

shall see war and war shall see Warsaw. The return will be victory. May God grant us all victory.”

Akpabio left the PDP a few weeks ago, turning his back on his godson, Governor Udom Emmanuel, setting off a chain of acrimonious exchanges between the two.

Yesterday in Ikot Ekpene, the former governor told his supporters that he regretted

imposing Udom on the state, saying it was a mistake in a hurry and was now set to correct.

Udom in a swift response at an endorsement rally in his Eket Senatorial District, warned his former godfather of dire consequences of his defection, threatening to expose his wrongdoing while at the helm of affairs in the state for eight years.

Mr. Ibrahim Idris; and the Acting Director General of Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Matthew Seiyefa.

clearing operations along Gbajimba-Akor axis in Guma Local Government Area, made contact with armed militia moving with large herds of cattle close to boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States and engaged them in gun duel.

According to him; the troops and the armed herdsmen militia exchanged fire for about two hours while reinforcements were sent to support the troops and in the process, 21 of the herdsmen were killed while weapons and ammunitions were recovered from the herdsmen.

He noted that based on intelligence gathering, the troops have commenced riverine patrol on riverine areas along Benue river basin to ensure safety at the river banks, disclosing that, a total of 135,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have so far returned home and now engaging in farming activities across Benue and Nasarawa States in particular.

Yekini stated that plans are in progress to conduct further clearing operations of the border areas between the two states.

The force commander however stated that in response to the recent killings around Katsina Ala Local

Government Area suspected to have been masterminded

by Gana, OPWS troops had raided The Akwaza camp belonging to militia Gana in Katsina Ala. "Assault of the camp was preceded by air strike by the Mi35m which neutralised key buildings before troops moved in for mopping up.

Troops searched the camp but nothing significant was recovered and later set the buildings ablaze.

"It was not clear if Gana was killed during the assault, but trail of blood seen in the buildings suspected to be where he slept suggests he might have been hit. A motorcycle usually used by Gana was also badly damaged during the air strike", Yekini disclosed.

He stated that the troops at Daudu have been tasked to tighten up security along the Daudu- YelwataKadarko axis to put an end to armed robbery and other criminal activities along the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa States.

According to him, the position of the OPWS is that IDPs can now return home except along the GbajimbaAkor-Tomatar axis which the troops are still clearing.

STEP UP YOUR GAME, BUHARI TELLS SECURITY CHIEFS from the North-east, reports from Benue, Zamfara States and the Niger Delta showed a great degree of improvement.

Buhari had returned from a 10-day working vacation to the United Kingdom on Saturday and immediately transmitted a letter to the National Assembly, announcing his return to Nigeria and consequent take-over of the reins of power from Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who had acted in that capacity since August 3.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, which lasted for two and half hours, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, said the meeting reviewed security situations in all parts of the country and participants made submissions.

According to him, the service chiefs briefed the president on the successes recorded from their various operations and the president instructed them to increase the tempo of their operations in such a way that the safety of citizens could be guaranteed and everyone proceeding on his/her activities without any fear of insecurity.

"We just had two and half hours' meeting with the

President and Commanderin-Chief. We reviewed the security situation across the country in all the geopolitical zones and of course, we made all our comments, especially the new operations in Benue, Zamfara, Taraba operation WISE stroke, and operation (Saradaji).

"We gave the extent of successes in these operations and we are to continue in this line of action in these operations. All the operations were reviewed and all the issues concerning the operations were dealt with.

And he directed that we should continue to step up our game to ensure that the nation is safe and people go about their daily activities in a very safe manner," Olonisakin stated.

Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), described the meeting as a routine security briefing with the president, adding that it was a mere update on the last one held on August 2, a day before the president left Nigeria.

According to him, whereas the meeting received disturbing security reports from the North-east, reports from Benue, Zamfara States and the Niger Delta showed a great degree of

improvement. However, he said the North-east situation had been critically looked into and the council had taken a decision on how to address it.

"This is a normal routine security briefing with Mr President. He just came back.

So, we briefed him on all the activities we had while he was away. It's an update on the August 2nd Meeting.

"The decision that has been taken is that we have seen that there is a lot of improvement in the security situation in the country most especially in Zamfara and Benue States and in the Niger Delta. In the North-east, we are having worrisome reports. We have looked into it critically and we have taken absolute decision," he said.

Present at the meeting were: National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd.); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ahmed Abubakar; Inspector General of Police,

Military Kills 21 Herdsmen Militia in Benue, Nasarawa The special military operation code named ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ (OPWS) yesterday announced that it neutralised a group of herdsmen militia in a shoot-out in Benue and Nasarawa States and killed 21 of them while others sustained injuries.

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Tactical Air Command Headquarters Makurdi, on the activities and achievements of the OPWS. He said the herdsmen were neutralised, while one soldier lost his life, two others sustained various degrees of injuries, adding that the injured soldiers are responding to treatment at the military hospital.

Yekini stated that troops of sector 2 with the headquarters at Tormatar supported by the Force Reserve, conducted

TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

35

NEWS

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

Court Halts EFCC’s Probe of Benue State’s Accounts Alex Enumah in Abuja The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop further investigations into the finances of the Benue State Government, pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by the state.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the preservative order yesterday, just as he cautioned the parties in the suit not to take further steps that would destroy the subject matter of the court.

In an originating summons marked ‘FHC/MKD/CS/42/18’ filed by the Attorney General of Benue State, the state government is challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate or inquire

into the accounts and/or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government, having regard to the clear provisions of sections 1(1) and (3), 125(2),(4) and (6), 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution.

The suit marked FHC/MKD/ CS/42/18 and filed on behalf of the state by the state Attorney General, has the Speaker of the state House of Assembly; the Clerk, state House of Assembly; and the Auditor-General, Benue State, as other respondents.

Although all the parties were yesterday represented in court by their counsel, the vacation Judge, Justice Dimgba, expressed the need to study the case file, as it was coming to him for the first time.

Justice Babatunde Quadri,

another vacation Judge who had earlier handled the matter, summoned the EFCC to come to court and explain its action.

The EFCC had earlier this month frozen the bank account of the state government, claiming it was investigating alleged fraud but, quickly de- froze the account same day the order was made.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), represented the Benue State Government, while Sylvanus Tahir appeared for the EFCC. In a short ruling, Justice Dimgba, ordered parties “Not to take any further steps so as not to destroy the res, which is the subject matter before the court, pending the determination of

the originating summons and adjourned to August 29, 2018.”

Issues brought before the court for determination are; “whether by virtue of sections 6, 7 and 38(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act 2004, or any other law, the EFCC or any other body, authority or person beyond the Benue State House of Assembly

and the Auditor- General, Benue State (4th and 5th respondents), has the power to investigate or inquire into the accounts and / or appropriations, disbursements and administration of the funds of Benue State Government having regard to the clear provisions of sections 1(1) and (3), 125(2),(4) and (6), 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution.

NECO Releases JuneJuly SSCE Results The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the June/July 2018 Senior Secondary Schools result, according to a statement issued yesterday in Minna, Niger State.

The Acting Registrar of NECO, Alhaji Abubakar Gana, said in the statement that 1,041,536 candidates registered, while 1,032,729 candidates actually sat for the examination.

Gana said 939,733 candidates representing 90.47 per cent scored five credits and above without English and Mathematics.

He also added that 875, 464 candidates, representing 84.77 per cent scored credits in English Language, while 850,331 candidates representing 82.34 per cent, scored credits

in Mathematics.

Furthermore, he said a total of 742,455 candidates representing 71.48 per cent scored five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

Gana said in 2017, 70.85 per cent of the candidates had five credits and above including in English and Mathematics as against 71.48 per cent in 2018, showing 0.63 per cent improved performance in the current result.

According to him, a total of 20,181 candidates were involved in examination malpractices — 3,269 candidates in Mathematics and 2,177 candidates in English Language.

He decried the fact that 838 candidates were absent from the examinations, and yet had answer scripts.

US Embassy to Resume Consular Services in Abuja August 24 The United States Embassy has said it will reopen its Abuja’s consular section on August 24 for full services for both visas and American Citizen Services (ACS).

The embassy stated this in a message on its website: https://ng.usembassy.gov, accessed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

The embassy had on August 15 temporarily suspended its consular services in Abuja due to reasons it said were beyond its control.

“The US Embassy in Abuja’s consular section will reopen on August 24 for full services for both visas and ACS. Please, note that consular functions at the US Consulate Lagos were never affected and will continue as usual.

“We regret the inconvenience this interruption of service in Abuja has caused,” it stated.

The embassy stated that Visa and ACS applicants with scheduled appointments for August 24 should come to the Embassy in Abuja, as usual.

“Visa and ACS applicants

with cancelled appointments between Aug. 13 and Aug. 23 will be contacted by the Embassy for rescheduling.

“Visa and ACS applicants, who were requested by an officer to appear again for follow-up questions on existing applications should contact our office to arrange a new date (ConsularAbuja@state.gov for visas or AbujaACS@state.gov for ACS,” it said.

It assured Visa applicants, who submitted passports through the Interview Waiver Programme for visa renewal, that such would be processed as soon as possible.

“If your application was already approved, it will be mailed out as normal on the next available DHL shipment to your listed address.

“Abuja ACS applicants, who wish to pick-up their already-printed US passports, may come on Friday between 9:30a.m and 11a.m.

“If you are uncertain if your US passport has arrived yet, please contact us first at AbujaACS@state.gov,” it added.

SECURITY IN THEIR MINDS

L-R: Acting Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Matthew Seiyefa; Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Saliu Usman, during a security meeting at the State House, Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Ojukwu, Okafor Kick as Usoro Wins NBA Presidency The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) yesterday declared a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Paul Usoro, winner of NBA presidential election.

However, two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Prof. Ernest Ojukwu and Chief Arthur Obi Okafor who contested the NBA presidency, have rejected the result of the election.

The election was held by electronic voting from Saturday to Sunday but the result was

announced in the early hours of yesterday.

Usoro polled 4,509 votes to beat Okafor, who scored 4,423 votes and Ojukwu, who got 3,313 votes.

Stanley Chidozie won the race for First Vice President with 6,188 votes, while Dada Olayemi was elected Second Vice President with 4,242 votes.

Taidi Gunu won the post of General Secretary with 3,574 votes, beating Mobolaji Idris who polled 1,993 votes and Balogun Oyeyemi who got 1,630 votes.

Okafor and Ojukwu have, however, faulted the result, insisting that the election was rigged.

In a letter to the outgoing NBA president, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Okafor rejected the result and called for a post-election audit.

He said: “I participated in the aforesaid election to conclusion.

It is in my candid view that the election was rigged by which I was denied victory.

“In the course of the election, my team made complaints of

obvious malpractices, including harvesting of voters’ details using some funny email domains.

These complaints were not attended to. “I do hereby reject the result of the elections. Whilst considering various options open to me, I call for a participatory post-election audit of both the verification process and voting.”

Ojukwu, a former Law School Deputy Director-General, claimed that he contested against corruption, rigging and a skewed process, but said he would not challenge the result.

FDI Grows 5.97% to $261.35m in Q2 Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stood at $261.35 million in the second quarter of 2018, growing by 5.97 per cent from the first quarter of the same year,

but falling by 4.75 per cent when compared with the corresponding quarter of last year.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ second quarter capital importation report, FDI represented only

five per cent of the total capital importation.

The report added that equity Investment dominated FDI in the second quarter, accounting for 97.85 per cent of total FDI received in the second quarter.

Capital Importation in the form of Other Capital saw significant expansion, from only $5,000 as recorded in Q1 to $5.63 million in Q2, an increase of over 1000 per cent compared to the same period of last year.

Oyo Gives Conditions for Reconstruction of Music House Ademola Babalola in Ibadan The Oyo State Government yesterday gave conditions for the Chairman of Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited, Dr. Yinka Ayefele to rebuild his partially demolished Music House, saying the musician must complete the documentations required for construction of such edifice for radio station before embarking on repairs of the structure.

The state’s Director General, Physical Planning and Urban Development Control, Alhaji

Waheed Gbadamosi, who gave the conditions, insisted that Ayefele flouted the state’s town planning regulations before establishing the radio station.

The government’s position came as Ayefele yesterday told journalists that all he laboured for in his over 20 years’ career was pulled down by the state government in few minutes.

In an emotion-laden voice, Ayefele noted that his wife who met the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, 24 hours before the demolition, was subjected to series of psychological torture at

the Government House, saying “she was on her knees for about five hours from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. begging the governor for leniency”. “We have relocated our studio and Fresh FM is fully back on air. It is only the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) that can stop us from broadcasting. They can only try but they can’t succeed.

I have provided employment opportunities for the people of Ibadan and Nigerians. Fresh FM is a small business that should be encouraged, not destroyed.

“Fresh FM impacted the city

and state’s economy. Families depend in Fresh FM for their daily existence. There is no defense for this vindictive and politically motivated destruction of a thriving business in a city that needs economic and job opportunities,” Ayefele explained.

But the government maintained that Ayefele must complete the documentation required for construction of such edifice for radio station before embarking on repairs of the partially demolished Music House.

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TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

EID-EL-KABIR FELICITATIONS…

EID-EL-KABIR FELICITATIONS…

Babangida, Atiku, Saraki, Others Task Muslims on Love, Tolerance Our Correspondents As Muslims across the country join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have advised Muslims across the country to take the centre stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians in order to consolidate our unity.

Babangida charged Muslims to use the period of the Eid-el-Kabir festival to pray for peace and progress of Nigeria.

The former military leader in a statement sent to media houses in Minna, felicitated with Muslims across the country and challenged them to make necessary sacrifices for the growth and development of Nigeria.

Also, Atiku in his Sallah message to Muslims to mark the Eidel-Kabir celebration, said religion should be used as a means to advance the cause of love amongst the people.

He explained that diversity is not the cause of Nigeria's problems, but blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another instead.

According to him, "The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us,” adding that diversity can be used to advantage.

On his part, Saraki in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in the country, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in their relationship during Sallah celebration and beyond.

He further enjoined Nigerians to increase their efforts in charitable endeavours, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation.

Similarly, Dogara enjoined the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love and tolerance for the peace, unity and progress of the country.

He also charged religious leaders to always preach and promote ethno-religious tolerance as well as foster peace and unity among the people ahead of the 2019 general election for the good of the nation.

"While rejoicing with our Muslim brothers on this auspicious occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration, which symbolises sacrifice and obedience, I wish to enjoin all people of goodwill to be steadfast in love for one another and demonstrate renewed commitment to the Nigerian project in order to make our society ideal for all and towards the fulfillment of the country's great potential.

"I also urge our religious leaders to take advantage of the season and preach peace, unity and tolerance among the diverse people, especially now that the country is at critical political crossroads, with the electioneering process gaining momentum as the 2019 general election draw nearer.

In the same vein, Ekweremadu called on the Muslim Umah to work and pray towards the peaceful and successful conduct of the 2019 general election, noting that developments in recent elections in parts of the country were bad omens for 2019 general election.

He also called on Nigerians to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s life of total obedience, love, justice, and self-sacrifice, which he described as the hallmarks of Eid-el-Kabir.

CAN Celebrates with Muslims, Tasks Northern Govs on Policy Denying Christians Land for Worship

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged state governors in the North to desist from the policy of refusing Christians land for places of worship.

CAN observed that the teachings of sacrifice associated with the Eid-el-Kabir should be seen as a moral compass in which the policy is discarded forthwith.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah, recently raised concern over the policy, arguing that such discriminatory policy glaringly indicates that Nigeria is not united as a country.

CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle in a message to Nigerian Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration, explained that the policy of denying Christians land for a place of worship has been shocking.

According to CAN, "We wonder why some state governments in the North would literally declare war or hatred on Christianity.

For example, most of them has it as a policy not to give Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to churches with a view to denying them places of worship, when the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows freedom of worship and association.

"This is not so in the Christian dominated states in the South.

This policy must be discarded to promote peace and unity.”

On the forthcoming 2019 general election, CAN President said: "As we are in another election year, we challenge our politicians to stop vote buying, violence, blood-letting and other evils associated with campaign and election.”

The Christians body said is regrettable to note that many of the politicians are not aspiring to serve, but to amass wealth at the expense of the people, saying this is why election had become a do-or-die affair.

The group added that if a political party fulfils what was promised, violence force and intimidation will not be needed to retain the seat.

"CAN advises the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure all eligible voters are allowed to register, with no hidden agenda”, the group added. "

Ganduje Urges Muslims to Imbibe Values of Sacrifice, Love Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has urged Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering

Muslim faithful buying ram at the Karah Market along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway… yesterday unity as they join their counterparts globally to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Ganduje also cautioned religious and political leaders against hate campaigns, incitement or fanning the ember of disunity in this period of heightened political activity in the country. In his Sallah message signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, and made available to THISDAY in Kano, the governor said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

Ugwuanyi Salutes Muslims, Calls for Prayers, Sustained Peace

As Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged them to continue to uphold and promote the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.

In a Sallah message, Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, also wished them the guidance and blessings of Allah, calling on all Nigerians to continue to supplicate for the progress of the country, through good deeds, sacrifice and abiding faith in God. The governor noted that “the ultimate goal remains our collective ability to live in peace and harmony, to cherish one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, for sustainable development of the nation.” He therefore, wished all Nigerians a peaceful and pleasant celebration.

Marks Ask Nigerians Not to Heat up the Polity

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday said the current political upheavals ahead of 2019 general election are avoidable if all interested parties would play the game according to the rules.

Mark who took stock of the chequered socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation canvassed for a common approach by all stakeholders in order to come out of the woods.

He frowned at the current unwarranted acrimonies in the polity, pointing out that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity and unwholesome vices.

“I still believe that Nigerians can live in peace and carry out their legitimate businesses in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.”

He craved for a peaceful co-existence between and among various religions, saying, “we must shun religious and ethnic differences and co-exist harmoniously because there is more to gain staying together as a people.” Mark also urged the federal government to brace up to the challenges of insecurity in the land and restore confidence among Nigerians by proving that it is capable of protecting their lives and property.

Embrace Sacfrice, Love, Unity, Ambode Urges Muslims

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, called on Muslims in Nigeria to embrace the values of sacrifice, love and continue to foster unity as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, Governor Ambode, said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

Ambode therefore called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values

SUNDAY ADIGUN

for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country,” the governor said.

Yobe Imposes 12 Hours Vehicular Restriction

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has placed a 12-hour restriction in vehicular movement to allow for hitch-free celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.

The governor in a statement by his spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, said the decision was made after a security meeting the governor had with heads of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the state. The statement read: “Governor Gaidam has approved the placement of a 12-hour restriction of vehicular movement across the state as part of preparations for a peaceful and hitch-free Eid-el Kabir prayers tomorrow Tuesday, August 21, 2018. “The restriction begins from 10p.m. tonight (Monday) to 10a.m tomorrow (Tuesday).” He warned that no vehicle would be allowed within or near Eid prayer grounds except those on special duties.

The governor, in a Sallah message to the state, asked all Muslim faithful to follow the “examples set by these great Prophets by obeying and submitting ourselves to the commands of Allah, the beneficent and the most merciful whole-heartedly.”

“This also reminds us of the practical demonstration of Islam’s vision of man’s total submission and obedience to the will of Allah Subhanahu wata’ala.”

APC, PDP, Seek Peace, Sacrifice

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), solicited for peace and sacrifice from among the various entities in the country.

While felicitating with Muslim faithful and all Nigerians on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, the APC said there was the need for peace and harmony among the diverse groups and different faiths in the country.

In a statement issued by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabene, APC said: "On this momentous occasion, we share below the inspiring message by Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the 83-year-old Islamic cleric who courageously saved the lives of over 300 multi-faith people in Nghar village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State when conflict broke out there in June.

"The holy prophet Mohammed lived in peace and harmony with diverse groups of different faiths. In following his teaching and steps, we must all appreciate the fact that the Almighty Allah created us with our diversities. We must embrace the diversity and strive to live in peace with one another," it said.

The PDP in its goodwill message issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to support one another in the spirit of love, unity, sacrifice and dedication to the Almighty Allah as exemplified in the life of Ibrahim and the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed. It asked government’s leaders to shed all selfish proclivities and rededicate themselves to the service of the people, especially in the prudent and transparent management of the resources.

The party appealed to the citizens to remember and assist the hurting, particularly, the sick, aged and victims of unfortunate violent attacks and natural disasters that have ravaged our nation in recent time.

It also charged spiritual and political leaders across the country to use the occasion to shed all selfish proclivities and rededicate themselves to the service of the people, especially in the prudent and transparent management of the resources with which the Almighty Allah blessed our nation for the good of the people.

37

TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

TCN Targets 20,000MW of Electricity by 2021 James Sowole in Akure The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has promised that it would attain the capacity to transmit 20,000 megawatts of electricity to Nigerians by 2021.

TCN’s Managing Director, Mr. Usman Mohammed, gave the assurance yesterday during the inauguration of the 1x60MVA, 132/33KV transformer substation in Akure, Ondo State capital.

He said the inauguration was in line with the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on power.

Mohammed revealed that TCN is implementing the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), which seeks to stabilise, expand and provide necessary

redundancy, consistent with international standard.

He said the programme is aimed at providing operational flexibility and reliability in delivering bulk power to the distribution companies, international customers and other classes of customers that are connected directly to the national grid.

“The capacity of the substation prior to this installation was 120MVA. This additional transformer therefore, has raised the capacity of the substation to 180MVA. “Currently, the Akure 330/132/33KV substation is about 95 per cent completed.

This will eventually add another 120MVA to the existing capacity in Akure. I visited the station yesterday and I can confirm, it

is one of the best in this country.

“The installation will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was 7,124MW when it was last simulated in December 2017”, he said.The TCN boss added that all bottlenecks confronting effective service delivery had been resolved.

Mohammed stressed that the installation of the1X60MVA 132/33KV transformer in Akure substation would lead

to remarkable improvement in power supply in Akure metropolis and its environs, including Igbara-Oke, Oba-Ile, Iju and other areas.

The TCN boss, however, noted that the massive investment in the sector would not lead to significant improvement in the country unless the distribution companies also invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their networks.

He called on the distribution

companies to invest in their network so that the massive investment by TCN and generation companies can lead to economic growth and development of Nigeria.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, charged Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to utilise the opportunity offered by TCN to open up the sector.

“Power is a critical

requirement in economic growth. The impact of power on education, health and other facets of life cannot be quantified. In Ondo State, we have had more than our fair share of the challenges of electricity.”

He lamented that there are many communities in Ondo South and Ondo North senatorial districts that had been off the national grid for several years.

Disappointment as Akwa Ibom Senator Fails to Decamp to PDP It was a huge disappointment for supporters of Governor Udom Emmanuel, yesterday when a third republic Senator, Etang Umoyo, who was touted to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to show up at the PDP Eket senatorial district rally for the endorsement of the governor for a second term.

No explanation was offered by the organisers of the event for the ex-Senator’s absence but a family source claimed the ex-Senator was hospitalised last Sunday.

Senator Umoyo, who represented Eket senatorial district from 1992 to 1993 last Friday held a chaotic meeting with some APC members in Esit Eket, his local government area, to inform them of his decamping, and the party members present challenged him with angry speeches and placards, accusing him of receiving N10 million from the governor to destroy the All Progressives Congress

(APC) in Esit Eket.

To make up for the vocal ex-Senator’s absence at the endorsement rally, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the Director-General of Udom’s campaign organisation hurriedly announced the defection of three APC members who are not from Eket Senatorial District and called the PDP state chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo to receive them.

Udoma Ekarika and Obong Anny Asikpo, two of the decampees are from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district while Elder Emmanuel Udo, the immediate past APC Deputy Chairman, is from Uyo senatorial district.

Ekarika who was lured into the PDP by the governor with the promise of deputy governor, alluded to this promise when he said “I will be privileged and opportuned to be in your team. That is when I will tell you what the APC is in Akwa Ibom State.”

South-west Govs Urged to Embrace Open Government Partnership Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Governors of South-west states have been urged to embrace the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a global mechanism aimed at achieving good governance.

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Otive Igbuzor, stated this yesterday at the South-west OGP learning and sharing session.

The event was organised

by Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), a programme of UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.

Igbuzor who is also a Partnership Facilitator for DFID, noted that the Open Government Partnership is an international initiative that provides a platform for reformers inside and outside

governments around the world to develop reforms that “promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance”.

He opined that only seven states have signed into OGP out of the 36 states of the Federation and urged the remaining 29 states to also embrace OGP. According to him, “OGP is an international initiative introduced in 2011. Nigeria was formally admitted into OGP in July 2016.

The National Action Plan was approved in December 2016 and the implementation started in January 2017. Kaduna State was the first state that signed into OGP at the subnational level.”

“We have seven States, including Kano, Ebonyi, Anambra, Niger, Abia, Enugu and Kaduna, which have signed into the OGP, while Kogi, Jigawa and Bauchi States have indicated their interest to sign into the OGP. We urge all other states to embrace and sign into the OGP”, Igbuzor said.

WHY WE DEMOLISHED MUSIC HOUSE L-R: Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Media, Bolaji Tunji; Director General, Physical Planning and Urban Development Control, Waheed Gbadamosi, and Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, during the press conference on the demolition of Music House in Ibadan...yesterday

Presidency Earmarks N700m to Rebuild Institutions in Benue Police: How Boko Haram razed 40 houses in Borno George Okoh in Makurdi The Presidential Committee on Victim Support Fund has set aside N700 million to rebuild institutions destroyed in the perennial attacks by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.

This is coming as the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Damian Chukwu yesterday disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents burnt down 40 houses in a reprisal in Mailari village in Guzamala Local Government

Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

The government’s plan to rebuild institutions in Benue State was disclosed yesterday by the Executive Director of the Fund, Prof. Sunday Ochoche in Gbajimba, the headquarters of Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state during the flag-off of the reconstruction of public infrastructure destroyed by herdsmen.

The executive secretary said the committee would be

rebuilding public institutions in the three LGAs of the state - Guma, Logo and Agatu, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Damian Chukwu yesterday disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents burnt down 40 houses in a reprisal in Mailari village in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday.

Chukwu however, told journalists that the state police

command had not ascertained the casualty figure.

“Two weeks earlier, the vigilante in that community arrested a Boko Haram element with AK47 and after beating him, he was handed over to the military.

“The marauding militants who were pissed with the development decided to lunch the massive attack to avenge the arrest. They passed several villages on their way to Mailari.”

I’ll Not Leave APC, Adamawa Gov Vows Governor of Adamawa State, Mohammed Bindow, has vowed that he would not leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the rest of his political career.

Bindow made the clarification at an extraordinary state executive council meeting held in

Yola, the state capital, yesterday.

The extraordinary meeting was attended by commissioners, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, special advisers, and chairmen of local government areas, among critical stakeholders in the state.

He said his support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari would make him not to leave APC to another party.

“I believe in the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari administration so much that I

will remain in the APC for the rest of my political career,” he said.

Bindow called on all APC members in the state to remain loyal to him and to support the administration for its transformation.

Okowa Emerges Best Gov on Good Governance Delta presents certificate of awards, cash prizes to NMA Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has emerged ‘Best Governor - Grassroots & People Development in the 2018 Nigeria’s Good Governance Poll,’ organised by the African Leadership Magazine UK. This is coming as the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Health, Minnie Oseji, has presented certificates and cash prize of N50,000 to each of the two bodies of the state branch of

the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) that emerged co-winners for the implementation of the association’s strategic plan.

THISDAY learnt that his globally acclaimed huge strides in the development of entrepreneurial and technical skills and job creation for youths, women and the lessprivileged, as well as massive infrastructural development and creation of enabling environment for investment in Delta State stood Okowa out among other governors to emerge winner in this category.

The organisers in a statement made public by the Publisher, Ken Giami, said Okowa emerged winner from the collation of both offline and online votes across all the channels and platforms.

The statement added that Okowa and other winners would be decorated and presented with the paraphernalia of honour and award on September 25, 2018 at a ceremony expected to be witnessed by “over 300 political, business and diplomatic leaders in New York, at the International Forum on African Leadership, on the

sideline of the United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York.”

It named winners in other categories to include: Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State and Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof.

Danbatta, also emerged as the Best Government Institution for the year.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY AUGUST 21, 2018

38

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

AGUMA, SAN: PASSAGE OF A LEGAL ICON

21.08.2018

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN

2/DASHBOARD

21.08.2018

Essential Constituents of a Judgement in Rem PAGE 4

Groups: IGP Measures Overhauling SARS, too Cosmetic to Deliver Real Change PAGE 5

Experts Sensitise Pro Bono Lawyers, Legal Aid Service Providers on Leadership, Capacity Building PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘In Law, we don’t play with Treason. I will not go to the extent of describing the non-convening of the Senate as a treasonable act.’

– ProfessorAkinOyebode,ProfessorofInternational Law & Jurisprudence

‘A Lawyer should have a Goal that is Beyond Himself’ PAGE 6

‘The Constitution is not a prescription for anarchy. The Constitution is a clear document. It says two-thirds majority of members. It didn’t say members present.

So, if you purport to remove a man, and say, well although usually there are 100 Senators, but today we could only find 60, and therefore, it’s two-thirds of 60, I’m sorry, that would be unconstitutional.’

– Fola Arthur-Worrey, Former Director of Public Prosecution, Lagos State

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

/3

Chief Agums, Hard Worker for Justice, Adieu! the Conference, he had sent me His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike’s Opening Address, which we published along with other Conference materials. I had chased him around a bit for the Address; he had mentioned that he was extremely busy, because aside from the mountain of paperwork he had to complete, and various meetings he had to attend, he was scheduled to go on an official trip to Asaba, Delta State that weekend, and possibly on to Lagos; he also had to prepare for the trips.

The Road to Eternity Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what’s to be, A resting place along the road To sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, But never meant to stay....

Our destination is a place Far greater than we know.

For some, the journey’s quicker, For some, the journey’s slow.

And when the journey finally ends, We’ll claim a great reward, And find everlasting peace, Together with the Lord.

Unknown

O

The Sad News

n the morning of Friday, August 10, 2018, I attended the funeral service and interment of Dr. Gabi Williams, the father of my childhood friend, Olatoun.

As I walked into the house from the cemetery, I received a telephone call, informing me of the demise of the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice (he preferred ‘of Justice’ instead of the usual ‘for Justice’), Rivers State, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN. Was this a sick joke? No! Not only was the caller not the unserious type, I realised that, he was sobbing like a baby. But Attorney-General told me that he had an excruciating back ache which had refused to subside, and he was travelling to the UK for further treatment, as the Doctors here had been unable to resolve the issue. The sad news, was the last thing I had expected to hear.

Port Harcourt NBA-SLP Conference: Our Last Meeting My mind started to race. I thought about how sudden death could be. I saw the Attorney- General at the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice Conference, which took place in Port Harcourt, in April. He looked hale and hearty, and was his usual ‘larger than life’ self. The night before the Conference started, he had taken time out of his busy schedule (I remember he told us that, he was just coming from their weekly Exco

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, Honourable Attorney- General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, the Quintessential Rivers Gentleman

Meeting), to host some of us Lawyers, who had come from different parts of the country, to attend the Conference. We all sat by the Hotel’s poolside.

I recall that, among those who were present, were Arthur Obi-Okafor, SAN, J. S. Okutepa, SAN, Boma Alabi (NBA-SLP Secretary), and myself. Little did we know that, that would probably be our last social interaction with him (it was mine anyway).

The next day, at the Conference, he chaired the session that deliberated upon the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. When I saw Attorney-General passing by during one of the breaks, I asked our photographer, Mr Kola Alli, who was there with us to cover the event, to take some photographs (little did I know that, it would be the first and the last photograph we would ever appear in together). The day after

A Monumental Loss The death of Chief Agums (as he was fondly called), is a monumental, indescribable loss, to his family, to the Legal Community, to his beloved Rivers State and to his friends. He was a brilliant Lawyer, who was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise. To me, he was a Mentor of sorts, who despite his enormous responsibilities, would still have time to send me authorities, when I was doing some research or the other for my work. He opened my eyes, to the plight of Rivers State/Niger Delta and his people; to the severe never ending pollution and environmental degradation that exists in that part of our country, as a result of oil exploration and other related activities, and the poor response of successive Governments (present company included), to the deteriorating situation. He was an incredibly hard worker, who drove himself beyond the limits of normalcy, to ensure justice and development for Rivers State.

Sometimes, when we spoke on the telephone , I would laugh and hail him - “Commissioner of Everything!”, as he seemed to be involved in everything concerning Rivers State, and not just only the legal aspects. I remember in my presence, someone asked him whether he did any form of physical exercise. Chinwe responded that, the frequency with which he went on project inspections with Mr Projects, was more than enough exercise for him, as they would end up walking long distances during such inspections.

Chief Agums was an astute Politician. He was fiercely loyal, a dependable friend.

To all of us who mourn Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, he would probably smile and say:“....Don’t dwell on the thoughts that cause you pain, We’ll see each other once again.

I am at peace....try to believe, It was my time....I had to leave....”

Genie Graveline We take solace in the knowledge that, God gave you the grace to make your peace with Him, and that you have joined the saints triumphant. “.....A o pade leti odo (Yes, we’ll gather at the river)

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com

“HE OPENED MY EYES, TO THE PLIGHT OF RIVERS STATE/ NIGER DELTA AND HIS PEOPLE; TO THE SEVERE NEVER ENDING POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION THAT EXISTS IN THAT PART OF OUR COUNTRY, AS A RESULT OF OIL EXPLORATION AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES, AND THE POOR RESPONSE OF SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS (PRESENT COMPANY INCLUDED), TO THE DETERIORATING SITUATION” Odo didan, odo didan na; (The beautiful, beautiful river) Pel’awon mimo leba odo, (Gather with the saints at the river) T’o nsan leba ite na.” (That flows by the throne of God) Till we meet to part no more, Honourable Attorney-General, ‘Good night, good night, good night’. May you find everlasting peace with the Lord. Amen. As we say in Yoruba, Sun re o (Sleep Well).

Honourable Justice Biobele Goodwill of the Court of Appeal, late Chinwe Aguma, SAN and Onikepo Braithwaite at the NBA-SLP Conference, Port Harcourt, April 2018

4/LAW REPORT

21.08.2018

Essential Constituents of a Judgement in Rem

T

the steps taken by the 1st to 5th Respondent to enforce the said judgement after the demise of Late Michael Lapang, was in order. He submitted further that, the selection of the Appellant as the District Head of Kwalla stands nullified, with the grant of the Order compelling the Appellant from parading himself as the District Head of Kwalla, and restraining the 1st to 5th Respondent from recognising and dealing with the Appellant as such. Counsel posited that, the Consequential Order was necessary and incidental to the decision of the Court, which is not at cross-purposes or contrary to its substance. Relying on the authority of OBA RASHEED AYOTUNDE OLABUNMI & ANOR. v OLABODE OYEWINLE & 2 ORS. (2013) 7 SCNJ 919 at 929, he argued that the judgement was executory, and not declaratory.

Facts

he Appellant, who was the Village Head of Shangfu, and a certain Michael Lapang, the Village Head of Chun Village (both in Kwalla District of Qua’an Pan Local Government) contested for the vacant stool of District Head of Kwalla. At the election/selection process, the Appellant emerged the winner having pulled three (3) votes against the two (2) votes scored by Michael Lapang. Dissatisfied with the result aforesaid, Michael Lapang took out a Writ of Summons against the Appellant and the 1st to 5th Respondent, at the High Court of Plateau State. The trial Court found for Michael Lapang, who was the Claimant. In its judgement, the trial Court held contrary to the declaration made, that the selection was not in compliance with native law and custom governing the election of the District Head of Kwalla, as contained in the Regularisation Gazette No. 34 of 1982.

Following this judgement, the Appellant and 1st to 5th Respondent, appealed against the judgement, while Michael Lapang filed a Cross-appeal. However, before the appeals could be heard, Michael Lapang died.

Consequently, the Appellants withdrew the appeal, and both the appeal and cross-appeal were struck out. Upon the striking out of the appeal, the 1st to 5th Respondent prepared to comply with the Order of the trial Court, to conduct fresh election to the stool of Kwalla District Head. The 6th Respondent petitioned against the continued stay of the Appellant in office as the District Head of Kwalla, in spite of the subsisting Order of Court to the contrary. While the preparation by the 1st to 5th Respondent for the conduct of fresh elections was ongoing, the Appellant took out an originating summons against the Respondents, raising four questions for determination. The Court determined the questions against the Appellant, necessitating the appeal to the Court of Appeal. The Appellate Court affirmed the decision of the trial Court; hence, a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination 1. Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal, were right to have found that the judgement of the Plateau State High Court is a judgement in rem which survived the death of Michael Lapang in whose favour judgement was given and who died during the pendency of the appeal against the said judgement at the Court of Appeal in Appeal No.CA/J/ 192/2006, and that the 1st to 5th Respondent can enforce the said judgement to suspend the Appellant for purposes of conducting fresh selection into the stool of District Head of Kwalla.

2. Whether going by the three final reliefs granted by the trial Judge in his judgement, the selection of the Appellant as the District Head of Kwalla on the 16th May, 2001 was nullified or declared to have been nullified, as held by the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal.

Arguments For the Appellant, Counsel submitted that, the legal consequence where the deceased did not prosecute the action in a representative capacity, is that the action and judgement obtained thereon, dies with him. He challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal, for failing to consider the nature of the action which is a chieftaincy dispute vis-à-vis the capacity in which Michael Lapang filed the action against the Appellant and the 1st to 5th Respondent. Counsel argued that, the Court of Appeal was misguided when it considered the entire reliefs of late Michael Lapang, in determining whether the judgement was in rem or in personam.

He opined that, the decision of the Court of Appeal as to the nature of the judgement, should have been predicated on the three (3) reliefs granted by the trial Court, as against the six (6) reliefs claimed by Michael Lapang. Counsel argued that, the Order of the trial Court merely declared that the selection is contrary to Native Law and Custom, without more, and this does not affect the Appellant whose selection was not nullified, for there to be a fresh one. For him, the 1st to 5th Respondent ought to have initiated another proceeding, for the enforcement of the Order of the trial Court, relying on the case of IRAGBIJI v OYEWINLE (2003) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1372) 566 at 580.

The Attorney-General on behalf of the Respondents, contended that, the Court of Appeal rightly held that the judgement of the trial Court was in rem, and that

Hon. Amiru Sanusi, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 20th day of April, 2018 Before Their Lordships Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili John Inyang Okoro Amiru Sanusi Sidi Dauda Bage Justices, Supreme Court SC.562/2015 Between Alhaji Isa Noekoer

.........Appellant

And 1. Executive Governor of Plateau State 2. Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Plateau State 3. Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Plateau State 4. Mr. Ignatius Miaphen, Secretary, Qua’an Pan Local Government Council 5. Qua’an Pan Local Government Council 6. Emmanuel Daniang. .............Respondents (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Amiru Sanusi, JSC)

“A JUDGMENT IN REM, IS ONE WHICH DETERMINES THE STATUS OF A PERSON OR A THING....THE JUDGEMENT MUST AFFECT THE RES IN WHICHEVER WAY, SUCH AS BY CONDEMNATION, FORFEITURE, PER SE, STOPS PERSONS FROM AVERRING THE STATUS OF PERSONS, OTHER THAN WHAT THE COURT DECLARES OR MADE IT TO BE. IT IS A JUDGEMENT IN REM, IF IT IS CONTRA-MUNDUM BINDING ON BOTH PARTIES, THEIR AGENTS, PRIVIES AND EVEN NON-PARTIES”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Considering the two issues for determination together, learned Justices of the Supreme Court held on the nature of the judgement delivered by the trial Court, that the judgement is executory, and therefore, remains subsisting, and must be obeyed even if the person affected by it believes that it is void. The validity of such judgement rendered by a Court of competent jurisdiction, subsists and remains binding, until it is duly set aside on appeal and not by wishful thinking. GOMWALK v MILAD PLATEAU STATE (1998) 7 NWLR (Pt. 558) 413; BABATUNDE v OLAFINJI (2000) 2 SCNJ 26 at 33-34.

A judgment in rem, is one which determines the status of a person or a thing, as distinct from the particular interest of a party to the litigation. The judgement must affect the res in whichever way, such as by condemnation, forfeiture, per se, stops persons from averring the status of persons other than what the Court declares or made it to be.

It is a judgement in rem, if it is contra-mundum binding on both parties, their agents, privies and even non- parties. It is an adjudication pronounced upon the status of a particular subject-matter by a Court or Tribunal, having the competence to adjudicate on such matter. IKENYI DIKE & ORS. v OBI NZEKA II & ORS. (1986) NWLR (Pt. 34) 144.

The judgement of the trial Court in this instance, satisfied the description of a judgement in rem not a judgment in personam. The Court had found for Michael Lapang, and determined the status of the District Headship of Kwalla at the material time. By the pronouncement that the election was contrary to the Native Law and Custom regulating the stool, and an Injunctive Order restraining the Appellant from parading himself as the District Head of Kwalla, the Court had touched on the position of the Appellant in this appeal. Though there was no specific claim for an Order to nullify the selection of the Appellant as District Head of Kwalla, however, in view of the finding that the selection process ran contrary to applicable procedure, the appropriate thing to do, was to consequentially nullify the selection notwithstanding that it was not specifically prayed for. A Court of law, has inherent powers to make Consequential Orders which flow directly and naturally from the decision or Order made on issues litigated upon, and inevitably consequent upon it. AKAPO v HABBEB-HABEEB (1992) NWLR (Pt. 247) 266. Such Orders are made in the interest of justice, and it is of no moment that, the particular Order was not specifically asked for by either party to the proceedings.

The decision appealed against, is the concurrent findings of the Courts below. The Supreme Court is always hesitant to upset/disturb such findings, except where there is manifest error resulting in miscarriage of justice, or a violation of some principle of substantive or procedural law, or where the decision has been shown to be perverse. The Appellant herein failed to satisfy the conditions for the intervention of the Supreme Court with the concurrent findings of facts of the trial Court and the Court of Appeal.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation: E.O. Okjor with E.I. Ndidigwe; J.E. Esanubi; B.O. Anajeke and I.T. Egwuonwu for the Appellant.

J.A. Mawiydu – Hon. Attorney-General, Plateau State with N.D. Shasheet – Director, Citizen rights; J.D. Longdon – DDPP; N. Mbap – SSC; N.J. Agaba – SSC and S.F. Dalyop – SSC for the Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

21.08.2018

NEWS/5

SYMPOSIUM

PRESENTATION

Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami representing Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem at the 3rd Lagos State DNA & Forensic Symposium held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos last week

Director, Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Yhaquib Oshola presenting “Plea & Sentence Bargain” Protocol/ Manual to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayuba Elknah at Police Headquarter, Ikeja G.R.A last week

Groups: IGP Measures Overhauling SARS, too Cosmetic to Deliver Real Change Stories by Akinwale Akintunde Human Rights Advocacy Groups, Access to Justice and Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), have expressed concern about the new measures taken by Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), saying that such measures will not deliver any sustainable change.

The Groups, in a statement issued and signed by Joseph Otteh, Director, Access to Justice and Okechukwu Nwanguma, National Coordinator, NOPRIN last week, stated that the IG’s measure are ‘’too little, too short, and too cosmetic, to deliver real change’’.

“After a review of the IGP’s new “overhaul” order, A2Justice is convinced that, the measures

come too short, and do not go far enough of what is needed to reform SARS”, the groups stated.

Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, had on July 14, directed the Inspector General, to immediately overhaul the management and activities of SARS, by ensuring that it becomes an intelligence-driven unit, restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery, kidnapping, apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.

Osinbajo, also directed that any new unit emerging from SARS, ‘’must’’ conduct its operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and observance of human rights.

While the two groups are full of praises for the intervention

of the Acting President, they however, expressed regret that it took this length of time, for Nigeria’s leadership to rise to the occasion and act.

“SARS, established in 1992 with the mandate of combating armed robbery and other related crimes, quickly garnered notoriety for brutal violations of human rights - arbitrary arrests and detention, sexual harassment, barefaced extortions, torture and extrajudicial killings.

The Presidential intervention, was therefore, a long overdue, but, a welcome development.

“In compliance to the Acting President’s order, the IGP has ordered the immediate overhauling of SARS nationwide, changing its nomenclature, its commanders and structure.

He also promises a new set of “Standard Operational Guidelines and Procedures, and Code of Conduct for all FSARS personnel”. However, all of this is mostly a rehash of old, draft policy. Late last year, the IGP had promised that the SARS unit would be revamped, announcing measures similar to the ones he has now outlined, but the promised changes did not materialise, and SARS personnel continued to prowl the Nigerian landscape with accustomed impunity.

But according to the Groups, “the measures first of all appear like a knee-jerk reaction to the Presidential directive, having been announced just on the heels of the directive. Such speed, does not provide evidence of thoughtful

reflection, sober deliberation, wide and strategic consultation on an issue of such huge public importance. The IGP over-sped on the response, in a way that questioned his genuineness of purpose.

“There are no measures of accountability for unlawful actions, proposed in the new policies. The IGP offers the public, communication channels for reporting grievances against FSARS, but did not commit the Police Force to ensuring that every complaint made against FSARS operatives, will be promptly and fairly investigated, and where substantiated, result in a definite outcome.

“This is a major anomaly, that has contributed to the sustained culture of impunity within the Police Force, and must be

addressed simultaneously with efforts to reform the Police Force.

In many parts of the world, external oversights like the PSC, are crucial to seeing that Police services are delivered in a professional, ethical and accountable manner, but Nigeria’s case has been unfortunately different’’, the Groups stated.

A2Justice and NOPRIN urged the Acting President, to give directives that push the PSC into more active gear, to justify its existence, and play its part in reforming Nigeria’s Police Force, into a truly democratic institution.

They also called on the IGP, to go back to the drawing board, and fashion a new, more embracing and inspiring set of reforms, for SARS.

NICON Trustees Asks Court to Restrain Property Firm, Its Privies, Police, from Interfering with its Receiver Manager Operation NICON Trustees Ltd., has appealed the decision of Justice A O Faji of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which dismissed its suit against Alma Beach Estate Limited.

In its Notice of Appeal, NICON Trustees Ltd., asked the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, to restrain Alma Beach Estate Limited and its privies, from interfering with the possession of its Receiver, who was appointed out of court by virtue of the Provisions of the Debenture Trust Deed, duly executed the parties.

The Appellant said Justice Faji had in his ruling delivered on June 22, 2018, dismissed its case against Alma Beach Estate Limited, in the course of determining the issue of representation of the Respondent, as between the Solicitors instructed by the Receiver Manager and the one instructed by the Alma Beach Estate Limited (Debtor Company), to represent the Respondent in respect of the charged assets in receivership.

NICON Trustees Ltd stated that Alma Beach Estate Limited and its privies, have since the ruling of Justice Faji, been intimidating, harassing and arresting the Receiver and his officers, on a trumped up allegations of force-

fully entering the charged assets.

In a 35-paragraph Affidavit in support of Motion on Notice deposed to by one Cynthia Eyuba (Mrs.), the Appellant stated that the Respondent (Alma Beach Estate Limited) sometime in 1999, by virtue of Debenture Trust Deed dated February 20, 1991 conveyed 150 plots of land at Alma Beach Estate to it (NICON Trustees Ltd).

It added that the said Debenture Trust Deed was duly registered at the Lagos State, Land Registry as No. 75 Page 75 in Volume 1949.

It averred that in 2003, the Respondent defaulted in the repayment of the outstanding sum due on the said Debenture Trust Deed, thus necessitating the appointment of a Receiver, Mogbeyi Sagay, SAN (now deceased), over the assets covered by and in accordance with the Debenture Trust Deed.

According to the Appellant, in the process of the said Receiver taking possession of the assets covered in the Receivership, the Respondent (Alma Beach Estate Ltd), filed a suit with No: LD/849/2003 at the Lagos High Court, and surreptitiously obtained orders of injunction restraining the then appointed Receiver, from taking over and exercising his powers as Receiver over the charged assets.

NICON Trustees Ltd stated that, it appealed the Lagos High Court decision and the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal in its decision of October 25, 2016, set aside the Orders of Injunction granted against the Receiver and dismissed the case of Debtor Company (Alma Beach Estate Ltd), on the ground that it lacked locus standi to deal with or sue on the charged assets, upon the appointment of a Receiver by the Appellant.

The Appellate Court further struck out the originating suit at the High Court, for want of jurisdiction.

“Meanwhile, in the course of the aforesaid appeal which lasted for 14 years, and notwithstanding the appointment of a Receiver over the charged assets covered by the Debenture as aforesaid in 2003, the Respondent started taking steps to dissipate the charged assets, by selling off some to third parties, even though the Appellant’s interest over the charged assets had been duly registered at the Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa.

According to NICON, following the judgement of this court in Appeal No: CA/L/365/2004 as aforesaid, it appointed Abah Onah, as its new Receiver, in

replacement of Mogbeyi Sagay, SAN who unfortunately died in a car crash during the pendency of the appeal.

The Appellant stated further that, it later filed a suit (which is now the subject of its appeal), at the Federal High Court, Lagos wherein it sought for judicial protection to enable the Receiver it newly appointed, Abah Onah, take possession.

It stated that Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court on October 26, 2017, eventually granted its order for Police protection, to enable the Receiver, Abah Onah take over the 150 plots of land covered by the Debenture Trust Deed, and for Police protection to the said Receiver Manager.

“The said Order of Justice Obiozor was executed on November 13, 2017, wherein the Appellant took effective possession of the entire 150 plots of land covered by the aforesaid Debenture Trust Deed.

“The lower court in a considered Ruling delivered on January 9, 2018, dismissed all the several applications seeking to discharge the lower court’s earlier order of October 26, 2017.

“The suit was thereafter, sent to the Admin Judge by Justice

Obiozor, for reassignment to another Judge, after the allegation by the counsel to the Debtor Company, that Appellant’s counsel was present in a seminar organised in a forum in relation to the charged assets.

“The suit was consequently reassigned to Justice Faji.

“Then in the course of argument before the court, the Debtor Company’s counsel raised the issue of abuse of court process, in the entire suit. Justice Faji granted leave to the Applicant/Appellant’s counsel, Ejeta Otuoniyo to respond to the issue of abuse raised by the counsel appointed by the Debtor Company”, it averred.

NICON Trustees Ltd., said Justice Faji in the course of determining the issue of representation, dismissed its suit, and being aggrieved and not satisfied with the ruling of Justice Faji, it appealed the suit, seeking among others, that the Respondent and its privies, should be retrained interfering with the possession of its Receiver.

The Appellant said its Notice of Appeal has raised arguable and substantial issues of law, for the court to determine.

It also stated that the title of

privies to whom the Respondent had sold the charged assets after the appointment of a Receiver in 2003, has already been nullified in the lower court’s ruling of January 9, 2018, and has not been appealed against.

NICON Trustees Ltd also accused the Respondent, of using Police to harass and arrest its Receiver Manager and his officers.

“On August 8, 2018, the men of the Zone 2 Police Command Monitoring Unit, arrested and detained the Receiver, Mr. Abah Onah, and one of his staff, Mr. Ayobode Thomas Ojo. They were released the following day, August 9, after very stringent conditions were met on allegation of one Engr.

Shola Alabi, a nominee of the Debtor Company.

The Appellant stated that, if the Debtor Company, Police and its privies are not retrained, they would use force of arms to chase the Receiver out of the charged assets before the hearing and determination of the instant appeal, which will render nugatory the decision of the Appellate Court, in the event that the appeal succeeds, and the ruling of the lower court, is eventually set aside.

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AGUMA, SAN: PASSAGE OF A LEGAL ICON For the Nigerian Bar and the people of Rivers State, a huge vacuum has been created, with the sudden demise of a member of the Inner Bar, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN at a London Hospital on Friday, August 10, 2018. Many have without reservation, attested to his brilliance, amazing sense of responsibility, uncommon passion, loyalty, courage, and dedication in his service to his State and the Bar. He could be described as having been born with a silver spoon, yet Chinwe Aguma overlooked his pristine pedigree, and studiously worked his way up the professional ladder to the pinnacle, receiving the well deserved honour of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2015. That he passed on at age 57, at the height of his career, in his most productive years, is saddening. His footprints have, however, been written on the sands of time. THISDAY LAWYER in this Special Edition, dedicates a compendium of Tributes to his memory.

The Life of Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was born on the 21st of April, 1961, to Chief Emmanuel Aguma KSC, former Federal Minister of State for Agriculture and Dame Hannah Aguma JP, the first son of this distinguished community leader.

Chinwe as he was known to family and close friends, was very happily married to Inimefien Ifeyinwa, and their union produced three brilliant and accomplished children, Onyinyechi, an Accountant, Emmanuel Chima, a Lawyer and Ezekwesili David, a Lawyer in training.

Chinwe obtained a B.A. (Hons) from University of Warwick in 1984, and his LL.B in the second class upper division, from University of Sheffield in 1977. After completing Law School (1988), Chinwe’s NYSC year, was spent in Enugu State working as a Commodities Broker, following which he returned to Port Harcourt to commence his legal career in the chambers of N. Nwanodi & Co, where he spent seven years under the watchful eye of N. Nwanodi SAN, his principal, mentor and uncle. He left with Nwanodi, SAN’s blessing to set up his own practice, Aguma & Co, where he served as Principal Counsel until his appointment as Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State. As a Legal Practitioner in active practice, Chinwe conducted cases in all Courts of record including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and was deservedly elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the 21st of September, 2015, in recognition of his excellent advocacy skills.

He was the quintessential Lawyer and Bar man. He served his beloved profession in various capacities throughout his distinguished career, both at branch level as Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA from 2006 to 2008, and at the National Level. During this period, I witnessed first hand, his political dexterity in the campaign and subsequent election of the NBA National Officers led by Olisa Agbakogba SAN. He also served the profession as a member of NEC, on the Committees of the Sections on Business Law and Legal Practice, and as Prosecutor for the NBA from 2012 to 2015. In addition, Chinwe served as a member of the Body of Benchers and a Member of the Council of Legal Education.

A committed and devout Christian, Chinwe, quietly supported the Church and various charitable and humanitarian causes throughout his life, and served as the Deputy Registrar, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of the Niger Delta North, Province of the Niger Delta since 2008 until his call to glory.

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was a thorough professional, and a gifted Lawyer. Many have described him as an intellectual Colossus, I align myself with this view. Chinwe’s family, meant the whole world to him. It is not an overstatement to say that, he lived for them. He was a loving husband to his beloved Inime, a loving and responsible father to Onyi, Chima and Eze; loving and dutiful son and brother to his parents and siblings.

Chinwe was a born leader, by virtue of his extraordinary intellect and compassion in the face of genuine need. He was my friend who became my brother, my classmate of the Nigerian Law School class of 1988, and my intellectual sparring partner whenever our paths crossed, as it often did in the course our work. I am grateful for the privilege of his friendship and consoled by his legacy.

Boma Ayomide Alabi, OON

Tribute to a True Friend and Brother, Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN Nyesom Wike

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t is with great sadness, that I write this Tribute over the unimaginable loss of my brother and friend Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN, to the cold hands of death in the early hours of Friday, 10th August, 2018. Until his death, late Aguma served our administration as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State.

Aguma was Charismatic This great man, was a wonderful friend and brother to me for decades. We both came from different social backgrounds, but from the first day our paths crossed, I felt his charismatic personality and great leadership qualities. Ever since, he remained a loyal, trustworthy and close confidante, supporting me in my numerous

political battles with unmatched commitment.

Over the years, we became closer and closer, especially in the last three years, when he served and worked closely with me, as the Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State.

Chief Agums, as he was fondly called by his admirers, was special; yes, he was extraordinary.

In whatever role you knew him, encountered him or related with him, he always stood out as someone special, a kind of his own person.

He was not only a dedicated professional Lawyer; he was also an honest, courageous and decent man, to whom I could freely repose my confidence in.

Aguma was Loving and Real As a person, Aguma was authentic to people, loving and real. Although he never suffered fools gladly, he treated everyone with respect and admirable accommodation. He was a wonderful and proud son to his parents, a

Tribute to my Father and Friend Chima Aguma

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man of discipline, integrity, hard work, commitment, loyalty, love for family and style.

My father was more than my father.

He was my friend, mentor and boss.

He believed in diligent work, and merit. For him, it was never about monetary gain, but principle.

In the last 3 years, going through Law School and then beginning legal practice, we became closer than we’d ever been.

We shared ideas, and advised each other.

I was privileged to have worked with him, and we bonded in an inexplicable way.

Very often he would say to me, “Boy, I’m advising you now, because you know I won’t be here forever, better listen”.

Sometimes it upset me, but every single time I meditated on his message, he was right. I didn’t know, he was preparing me for a time like this. A time when I will have to walk alone, and guide myself in his absence. A time when I would only have him, as a memory and inspiration. A time when I wouldn’t be able to angrily walk in to his bedroom or office and say; “Daddy, see what this person or that person did”. A time when

I would have to be my own man, and walk out of his shadow.

Before he left Port Harcourt for his health check in England, he said to me, “Boy, you have to be a man now o. You know I will not be around for a while”.

I was very upset, and visibly so. I wondered if he doubted my capacity to step in briefly for him, especially as I had worked with him very successfully and passionately, on different assignments in very recent times. I did not at the time, want to process that he had said this because there was a possibility, as minute as I would have deemed it at the time, that he would not return.

My Father trusted me with assignments, which I sometimes thought were beyond my age; be it date of birth, or year of call to the Bar. He was never shy of involving me in difficult, challenging, yet fulfilling tasks. Sometimes, they were tiring and annoying. Little did I know, he was preparing me for a time like this.

He was a frank and honest man. He had a very frightening mien, but that was a façade to shield the very soft hearted, tender, loving and caring person that he was.

He was ready to sacrifice everything he had, for family. He loved my Mother, and trusted her with both life and business. Before he assumed the office of Attorney-General of Rivers State, he ran the law firm, Aguma & Co LP with Mum. He gave my siblings and I, the

Chinwe Aguma, SAN greeting the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN

loving husband to his wife, and a doting father to his three lovely children in whom he genetically imparted his brilliance, hard work and sense of responsibility. Sadly, he lived for only 57 years for his family, but it was 57 years of joy, love happiness and hope for a brighter future, to his family and all those who came his way.

Aguma showed early that he was going to have an outstanding career. Soon after he returned to Nigeria after his studies in the United Kingdom, he established his law firm, and remained focused and committed to nothing but legal practice. He was passionate with his calling and advanced his practice with great oratorical skills, innovative thinking, and the tenacious patience required for a successful legal practice. Before long, he emerged as one of the most brilliant, hard working, goal-oriented and talented advocates I ever knew. We were therefore, not surprised when he got to the zenith of legal competence, and was admitted into the inner bar as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria three years ago.

An Embodiment of Wisdom, Intelligence and Dignity As the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Aguma was a devoted, loyal and skilful administrator; an embodiment of wisdom, intelligence and dignity, Aguma’s contributions to the State Executive Council meetings,

were always thoughtful and illuminating. His productivity was unmatched, while his work ethic was not only exemplary, but also evoked the imagery of energy, integrity and commitment.

Aguma loved his job, but he loved Rivers State even more and completely surrendered himself, his time, and even his resources, to defend the State and advance its progress, through the instrumentality of the law. His love for Rivers State was such that, even on his sick bed, he called for and worked on his office files. Indeed, with Aguma I could go to sleep, as the job, no matter how difficult, always got perfectly done and delivered. We did, and achieved so much, together.

He loved Life In the midst of his very busy schedule, Aguma

“AS THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER OF JUSTICE, AGUMA WAS A DEVOTED, LOYAL AND SKILFUL ADMINISTRATOR; AN EMBODIMENT OF WISDOM, INTELLIGENCE AND DIGNITY, AGUMA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS, WERE ALWAYS THOUGHTFUL AND ILLUMINATING”

still loved life and all that it had on offer.

He spared and spent quality time with his friends and colleagues who treasured him for his kindness, generosity and love. To him, distance was not a barrier to true friendship, as he kept in regular contact with all his friends, wherever they may be across the globe. He was a man with a big heart, who spread the joy of living to his friends and everyone who related with him.

Aguma’s Death: A Tragic Loss Aguma’s death is personal loss to me, as I have lost a brother and friend whom I will never speak to or see again, and consequently, I miss his truthful, tremendous and valuable contributions to my life. Aguma’s death is a tragic loss to Rivers State and the nation, as we will forever miss his unrelenting and remarkable devotion to peace, unity and progress of Rivers State, Nigeria and humanity.

Although he lived for too short a period, we take solace in the fact that his was a life well-lived with so many accomplishments, just as his memory will remain with all of us that were privileged to have known him.

I pray for peaceful repose of his gentle soul, and extend my condolences to his loving wife, children and aged mother.

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS, POS, Governor of Rivers State

The Family Man’, Chinwe Aguma, SAN, with his wife, Mrs Inime Aguma, and children (standing from the left) Eze, Chima and seated, Onyinye

“HE SERVED THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE AND RIVERS STATE AT LARGE, WITH UTMOST LOYALTY AND PASSION. HE LOVED HIS EXCELLENCY, NYESOM WIKE DEARLY, AND HE NEVER HID IT FROM HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS”

best education he could afford. He put off flamboyance, and instead, ensured the comfort of family and close friends, always.

He lived a selfless life.

He supported my dreams and ideas, but always reminded me to seek advice and learn to discern, to take risks, but to always apply caution.

I’m very happy that, he lived his life to the fullest. He laughed, danced, drank, and was merry. He enjoyed the company of his family, and very close friends. He did this, I believe, knowing that no matter how wise or foolish a man is, every being under the sun must face death. Above all, he feared and loved God. He served the Governor of Rivers State and Rivers State at large, with utmost loyalty and passion. He loved His Excellency, Nyesom Wike dearly, and he never hid it from his family and friends.

Most times when we had our evening discussions, he’d sometimes abruptly say “Boy, make I go see Oga”. He referred to His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, as “Oga”.

His loyalty to His Excellency inspires me till this moment, and I thank His Excellency for trusting my Father, giving him the opportunity to serve, and also setting a stage for him to display his legal prowess.

Dad attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as a member of the Body of Benchers, as a result of his position as Honourable AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner of Justice, was a Prosecutor, and later a Judge, for the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

He served the Nigeria Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, as Secretary and Chairman respectively, and was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association National Executive Committee.

Dad was very straightforward, he was vocal about his core values. He spent his last days, quietly seeking peace with God. He was loved by many, and respected by all.

My Mother, Inimefien Ifeyinwa Chinwenwo Aguma, was, and still is, the love of his life.

Good Night Daddy, till morning comes.

Chima Aguma

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Tribute to my Uncle Chinwe Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom- Wike

to afford the cost of treatment, so why did this happen? Was it to teach us to number our days, as tomorrow is never promised? To make hay while the sun shines? To always prepare for the unexpected or to always count our blessings?

Surely, there has to be a plausible reason, for this sad occurrence and rude shock. But who can question God, the giver of life, who decides when and whom to take?

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any words can be used to explain the different feelings that enveloped my husband and I, on being informed of your passing.

Disbelief, confusion, shock, intense pain, sadness.... I could go on and on. The tears rolled freely down our eyes and even, more so, when we visited your family moments later. The realisation that my friend, Inime is now a widow, brought me to terms with the clichè: "Here today, gone tomorrow".

I could only wonder: how did this happen?

Questions

“MANY WORDS CAN BE USED TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT FEELINGS THAT ENVELOPED MY HUSBAND AND I, ON BEING INFORMED OF YOUR PASSING. DISBELIEF, CONFUSION, SHOCK, INTENSE PAIN, SADNESS.... I COULD GO ON AND ON. THE TEARS ROLLED FREELY DOWN OUR EYES....”

Chinwe Aguma, SAN with Her Excellency, Hon. (Mr.) Justice Eberechi Wike, Wife of the Rivers State Governor

So many questions ran through my mind.

Was it not only a month ago I had seen you?

Yes indeed, you did have some health challenges, but we hoped, prayed and were certain

that The Lord would answer us, especially believing the assurances we received from your Physicians, that you would come out of it all.

It was not a question of having the capacity

Our Last Meeting Uncle Chinwe, as I fondly called you, I wish I had known that the day I saw you in July, would be the last. I would have asked you what was going on in your mind, as I observed your intense, unsettling stare at nothing really, while you put up your usual no-nonsense, serious mien even when you were not busy. The same look that those close to you have come to realise, was a facade to protect your gentle, calm and loving spirit from this harsh and cruel world.

I will never get that opportunity to see you again, or ask you that question. At least, not on this side of eternity. But I await the time when we all shall reunite with our Lord Jesus Christ, to never again be separated. As a man of many parts, you shall be missed by your immediate and extended family and friends, the Anglican Church family, the family of our Noble Legal Profession, the entire Rivers State, Nigeria and all who encountered you in this life. You have left a great vacuum, that will be a challenge to fill. May The Lord comfort us all, especially my friend, Aunty Inims, and your lovely children you left behind.

Adieu, my Uncle Chinwe. The Lord rest your soul in His ultimate peace, Amen.

Her Excellency, Mr. Justice Eberechi S. Nyesom-Wike, The Wife of the Governor of Rivers StateThe Wife of the Governor of Rivers State

Tribute to Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN: ‘President General’ Emma Okah

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mmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was like the elephant, indescribable by only one person.

Many people who came across him in life, had different stories to tell. So many others, as well called him different names. I didn’t meet him early in life. His stay at County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche where I would have met him, was brief. I was in Lagos and didn’t practice law in Rivers State, and again, we didn’t quite meet too although his name kept cropping up in Port Harcourt Bar Politics.

I didn’t know if the Chief Agums many called him, was borrowed from his father Late Chief Emmanuel W. Aguma, a cabinet Minister of the 2nd Republic. It’s also not clear if his prowess and mastery of law, foray into partisan politics, spotless decorum or borderless friendship spectrum, played a role in that name, but it was one well merited. He was indeed a chief in everything he touched.

PG However, I fondly called him PG (President General) and he called me DG Gburugburu.

The two names arose from the various informal roles we played, when we worked together to support Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who, then as Minister of State for Education, had assumed a new role as Conscience of the people of Rivers State, to end the scandalous era of the administration at that time. It was then, that I went to his chambers for the first time.

I had worked briefly in Chief Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, and had also been led in a few cases by Ladi Williams, SAN, for Chris Okolie of blessed memory. I had visited many traditional law offices in Lagos, and a few in England. PG was of the traditional school in law office setting, furnishing, decors and content. I was very proud of him, and didn’t need a soothsayer

to label him a serious minded person. Even his dress sense, reflected his purity of vision and distinction. His wife Mrs Inime Aguma (Alternate SAN), who has to carry the new cross, flowed in the same direction with PG. Down to the work of redemption at a time when many were afraid to dare a sitting governor, PG showed courage and capacity, that transcended law practice. He wrote brilliant articles, spoke at forums, and dazzled his audience. He humbled my posturing as a columnist, and one who had done some media work in the past. He composed and typed some of his works, directly. He was organised and conscientious.

After the elections, all fingers pointed at his direction for the job he knew well. Eventually, he was sworn in as the State Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on June 12, 2015, alongside myself and two others. When the cabinet was dissolved in 2017, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma was hurriedly reappointed, ahead of other cabinet colleagues, because of the sensitivity of his line of duty.

At work, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was a tireless horse. He was clinical. He was smart, passionate, determined, dogged and industrious. Given the plethora of cases that touched the State Government since 2015, and the dexterity with which he successfully conducted them, PG proved that his private practice background became an invaluable asset to the State. The rank of SAN which was bestowed on him while in office, was a huge value added to his valour. He did more than he was asked to do. Many people ran to him for one legal problem or the other, and he joyfully proffered sound opinions and solutions pro bono.

It is an understatement to say that the success of the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s administration in Rivers State, is largely attributable to the exemplary contributions of Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN. The implication is that, by his death, a part of the

Chinwe Aguma and Emma Okah, Lawyer and Commissioner for Information, Rivers State

Governor has also died, and the State will deeply miss his invaluable contributions, friendship and personality.

PG was friendly with many, from the low to the mighty. His amazing sense of humour and easy adaptability to circumstances, brightly coloured the after-hours acceptability of this great man. In the social circle, he remained a jolly good fellow until his death at 57.

His demise has left a vacuum that may not be easy to fill.

My towering PG, good bye. Your death has dislocated all of us who are mourning, but our joy and strength is that you lived well, and this is the measure of a man.

Emma Okah, LL.M, Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State

“HOWEVER, I FONDLY CALLED HIM PG (PRESIDENT GENERAL) AND HE CALLED ME DG GBURUGBURU....

DOWN TO THE WORK OF REDEMPTION AT A TIME WHEN MANY WERE AFRAID TO DARE A SITTING GOVERNOR, PG SHOWED COURAGE AND CAPACITY, THAT TRANSCENDED LAW PRACTICE. HE WROTE BRILLIANT ARTICLES, SPOKE AT FORUMS, AND DAZZLED HIS AUDIENCE”

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My Brother, the Finest Class of Lawyer Justice Elsie Thompson

“MY BROTHER, CHINWE, WAS OF THE FINEST CLASS OF LAWYERS AT THE BAR. HE WAS A LAWYER’S LAWYER; OF THE CALIBRE OF WELL SEASONED LAWYERS LOOKED UP TO FOR INSPIRATION, AND WHO YOUNG LAWYERS ASPIRED TO BE”

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y brother, Chinwe, was of the finest class of Lawyers at the Bar. He was a Lawyer’s Lawyer; of the calibre of well seasoned Lawyers looked up to for inspiration, and who young Lawyers aspired to be. He was a real thoroughbred professional, who had a unique way of finding the law and appropriating it to make his case.

Over the years, I watched Chinwe rise by sheer dint of hard work, determination and integrity, to earn a special and well deserved place and commanding influence at the Bar, and ultimately, the inner Bar. His excellent research skills and moving delivery, set him apart in more ways than one. His research assistance to me in my duties at the Bench, will forever remain priceless. He was always my first point of contact when I was faced with a complex issue, and his counsel never let me down.

Chinwe made excellence the hall-

His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, Chinwe Aguma, SAN, and Hon. (Mr) Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike

mark of everything he did. In truth, he was the definition of an outstanding Lawyer, through and through.

He devoted himself to giving his best to the legal profession and rose to the peak, adding incomparable value and bringing pride to it. He was, and remains, the standard of nobility in the legal profession. He lived and

stood firmly by what he believed in, never wavering in the face of opposition.

Chinwe, by his passing, has left a void in the hearts of many which will be difficult to fill. He lived an authentic life of service to the Bar and Rivers State, as an active member of the Port Harcourt Bar, Attorney-

General and Commissioner for Justice.

He is irreplaceable.

He was the star of the family.

A great son, a fabulous brother, a fantastic and firm father, and a loving husband.

Chinwe will be greatly missed.

However, we take solace in the fact that he lived well, and he left a legacy worthy of emulation by the younger generations. He was at peace with his Maker.

Adieu Chinwe, my brother. Sleep well in the Lord's bosom.

Honourable Justice Elsie Thompson

Tribute to a Bosom Friend and Great Brother, Sir Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, JP Biriyai Dambo, SAN

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our full names were Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma. The name which most of your friends and I call you, was ‘Chief Agums’.

Some who didn’t know you well, mistook you for a ‘Chief’, which you were not.

Chief Agums: The Attorney-General Chief Agums, you called me about six or seven weeks ago, to say that you had this excruciating back pain, and that you were travelling to the United Kingdom for medical check-up. In our usual way, we cracked our jokes (which in our local parlance, we refer to as “injakiri”). I prayed for you, and wished you speedy recovery.

You however, assured me that you would be back very soon, because you had a lot on your table to clear. That was the quintessential, articulate, committed, focused and hardworking Chief Agums in you, talking.

You were not given to betrayal, that word was alien to your dictionary.

You took your job as Attorney-General very seriously, to the admiration of His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, your Colleagues, friends, and even the opposition in the State. A great ‘Iroko’ tree, has fallen. I can imagine how His Excellency will be so devastated, losing a trusted hand like you. This is sad. I came into close contact with His Excellency, through you. There was no time you were going to the Government House and I was in Port Harcourt, that you didn’t insist that I accompany you to see His Excellency.

That was how close and intimate we were.

We were proud of each other, and our accomplishments, especially when both

of us became Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

That Fateful Day Our paths crossed on that fateful day in 1978, when we went to Federal Government College (then Rumuola) in Port Harcourt to enrol for our Higher School Certificate. We immediately bonded, and have ever been like that up until that Black Friday, August 10th, 2018, when I got that devastating call from our friend and Commissioner of Information Hon Emma Okah, informing me of your demise. I was at Ikoyi Club having lunch. I abandoned the lunch, rushed down to my car, crying like a baby. You know the kind of cry, that will hit your inner being, body, soul and heart. That was precisely the type.

My driver and people around, were looking at me, but who cares. I had just lost my soul mate. It was like a dream, or I thought I was in a trance.

When I summoned the courage to put a call across to your wife, Inime, she confirmed the news to me, by saying “Uncle Biri, you have lost your bosom friend and brother”.

Don’t ask me what happened next. She stood by you to the end. May God continue to bless and console this great woman of valour.

Yes, you gave your life to Christ, I was told.

I thank God for that singular act. Not too many people, have that opportunity and grace.

Our Friendship Chief Agums and I, were brothers made from heaven. For about 40 years, I cannot remember when we ever quarrelled, or had a major disagreement. His family was mine and mine was his. I was his Best Man and he was also my Best Man, when we got married. It’s no wonder that on occasions His Excellency fondly refers to me as “Attorney-General’s Best Man”.

You gave birth to a girl and two boys

“YOU TOOK YOUR JOB AS ATTORNEY-GENERAL VERY SERIOUSLY, TO THE ADMIRATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, YOUR COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, AND EVEN THE OPPOSITION IN THE STATE. A GREAT ‘IROKO’ TREE, HAS FALLEN”

Chinwe Aguma, SAN with Biriyai Dambo, SAN

(Onyinye, Chima and Eze). I also gave birth to a girl and two boys (Inaingo, Nimibio and Ebitimi). Your late Father and mine, both graduated from University College, Ibadan in 1957. We both got to the peak of our careers. What else can I say? Is this a coincidence, or true brotherhood?

Chief Agums, when you spoke to me on Sunday the 5th of August, 2018, you told me that I should be strong, that you will be coming home very soon. I believed you totally, because you exuded all the confidence and strong will. I did not know, that God

had his own plans. “Oh death, where is thy victory? Oh death where is thy sting?”

We had great plans. I am in pain and so distraught. Who will now hail me “ah Biridams”, like you always did? Adieu, my great friend and bosom brother. I pray that God will give all of us you left behind, especially your immediate family (Inime, Onyinye, Chima and Eze), your aged mother (oh Mummy!) and the entire Aguma family, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Amen.

Biriyai Dambo, SAN

12/COVER

21.08.2018

A Great Loss O.C.J. Okocha, MFR, SAN

I

t was with sadness that I received the shocking news of the death of E.C. Aguma, SAN, which sad event occurred on Friday, the 10th day of August, 2018. Chief Agums, as most of us at the Port Harcourt Bar called him, was until his demise, the Honourable AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner of Justice of Rivers State, a position to which he was appointed sometime in the year 2015, by His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (AFRICA), Governor of Rivers State.

Before he became Attorney-General, E.C Aguma was a Private Legal Practitioner, and the Managing Solicitor and Head of Chambers of the Law Firm of E.C Aguma & Co. He was an erudite Lawyer, and a gentleman in every respect.

He was very active at the Bar, and served first as Secretary, and later, as Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch. As the Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State, he personally handled several politically sensitive cases, for the Governor of Rivers State. His passing has left a very large vacuum which, I dare say, will be quite difficult to fill.

I am greatly pained, by the passing of the brilliant Lawyer that E.C. Aguma, SAN, was. His family and mine, had a very close personal relationship, which started with our fathers in the days of the Old Eastern Region. I will miss him sorely, and so will my wife and our children. As we join with his dear wife and colleague, Mrs Inime Aguma, their children, his mother, his siblings, the Governor, the Government and the good people of Rivers State, to mourn his loss, it is my prayer that the Almighty and Eternal God will grant divine comfort and consolation, to all who are bereaved by this monumental loss. I also pray God to grant his soul eternal rest in peace. Amen.

O.C.J. Okocha, MFR, SAN, JP, DSSRS, Life Bencher, The 19th/Millennium President, Nigerian Bar Association

Chinwe Aguma, his son Chima Aguma, and O C J Okocha, SAN, at Chima’s Call to the Bar

Tribute to Late Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN Callistus Uriem

H

ow does one describe green and white colours, to a blind man who has never experienced the sense of sight?

That is how difficult it is, to describe the void created by the sudden death of a perfect husband, a perfect father, a perfect son, a perfect big brother, a perfect mentor, a perfect leader, a perfect boss, a philanthropist, a God fearing man, a defender of the Rule of Law, a positive legal force in the legal profession, a distinguished gentleman par excellence, a friend.

That is how difficult it is, to describe the impact of the sudden death of Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN. Indeed, our God Almighty is a jealous God, and has chosen to keep you all to Himself.

Though we beat our chest, we however, hold our heads up high, for in our lifetime we had the rare privilege and honour to have experienced, lived and worked with you sir, Emmanuel C. Aguma, SAN. We also find solace, knowing that you are resting with the Lord God, our Heavenly Father.

Good bye Sir, we forever love you, and you will always be in our heart.

Callistus Uriem, For and on behalf of the Aguma & Co. (Legal Practitioners)

Tribute to my Friend and Brother, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN and I retreated to our hotel room, Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN instruction, and after a few minutes of brain storming, we commenced Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN

T

he news of the death of Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma SAN, Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State on 10th August, 2018 came like a bolt out of the blue.

How our Paths Crossed My path crossed with the late Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN in 2017 when I was invited by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, to join a team of Lawyers to prosecute a case on behalf of the State Government, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. As a result of an opinion I wrote, the late Aguma, SAN called me at about 9.15 am the following day, to express his appreciation for a job well done, and there began our close relationship, such that a day would hardly pass without having a telephone conversation to discuss legal issues and other matters of interest to both of us.

Coincidentally, the late Aguma, SAN and I were both called to the Bar in 1988, and belong to the famous Law School Class of ’88, that has produced Governors, Federal Ministers, Judges, Senior Advocates, several Commissioners in different States, successful business men and a host of other successful men and women.

The Lawyer: A Brilliant and Analytical Mind The late Emmanuel Aguma, SAN was a brilliant Lawyer, a great strategist with a clear analytical mind, and deep appreciation of legal issues. There was hardly a point of law that was raised, that the late Aguma SAN did not have a case law authority on. As Attorney- General of Rivers State, he did not merely instruct external solicitors on matters involving the State, but also participated in executing the instruction. On one occasion, after a victory in one of the cases we handled for the Government of Rivers State, he called and requested that I initiate a new action on behalf of the Governor of Rivers State. Following the

preparation of the Court processes. He offered to prepare the supporting affidavit, while I prepared the Originating Summons, the questions for determination, the reliefs and the written address. We worked through the night, and to the amazement of both of us, the Court papers were ready for filing the following morning. Again, to the credit of both of us, we won the case.

Emmanuel Aguma, SAN and I worked together throughout the month of May and June, 2018, before he eventually took ill and had to take time off to seek medical treatment. It is worth mentioning that even in the face of the medical challenge which did not appear to be too serious at the time, he still joined the team of Lawyers in most of our strategy meetings, before he eventually travelled to the United Kingdom for medical care.

In all our telephone conversations while he was in the UK, my friend kept assuring me that he was on the mend, and results from tests carried out so far were good. He always sounded upbeat, and never gave any clue that his health was in any terrible shape. On getting to the UK, I made several attempts to visit him, but he would tell me that he was seeing his team of medical doctors. We spoke few days before his passing, and he promised to call back to confirm when we could meet up, one promise my friend never kept, quite unlike him. There was no clue from his voice, that he was not going to be alive to make that call. One can only then imagine my shock, when I received the news of my friend’s passing.

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, a versatile, hardworking and consummate Lawyer, with a brilliant analytical mind, an astute Politician (loyal and committed to the service of his people in Rivers State), devoted and loving husband to his wife Inime, and a great father to his three children, reliable, dependable and trusted friend and brother, Adieu! May your peaceful and gentle soul Rest-In-Peace with our good Lord.

Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN

Demise of Emmanuel Aguma, SAN: A Painful Loss to the People of Rivers State and the Legal Community Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN

I

t is indeed with deep sadness, that I express my heartfelt condolences to the Government of Rivers State, family, relatives and friends of my learned friend and brother, Sir Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Rivers State, upon his untimely demise on Friday, August 10, 2018 in a London hospital.

An active and committed Bar man, Sir Aguma was a leading light of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), especially the Port Harcourt Branch, where he served as Secretary in 2000-2002, and later, Chairman, between 2006-2008. He made invaluable contributions towards the unity and stability of our noble Association.

His death is a painful loss to the people of Rivers State, and the entire legal community. He will be fondly remembered as a brave and tireless promoter of justice, who served the society with boundless dedication, utmost humility and total commitment. His noble service and contributions to the legal profession, shall indeed, be missed.

I pray that the Almighty God will comfort the family and loved ones, in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen!

Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN

A Mentor and a Father Nma Omereji

‘H

ow often do you come across the one who leaves an indelible mark on you?’

Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, was a Mentor and Father. His contributions to the liberation of Rivers State, will remain etched in the annals of the State.

Indeed, some goodbyes have a way of provoking deep introspection and detours. People like him, as rare, as they are world changers.

His dedication and commitment to duty and excellence, was one of his finest qualities. He will be greatly missed and celebrated for a long time.

Adieu Farewell Great Man.... Sir E.C.Aguma, SAN Nma Omereji, Secretary/Legal Adviser Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency

21.08.2018

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Tribute to ‘My Chairman’ Emeka Etiaba, SAN

E His Beginning

mma, who I fondly called my Chairman, was noble in all his ways. Having carved out nobility early in life as his way of life, he decided to settle for the noble profession and by all accounts, he made a success of it. He was born on the 21st day of April, 1961 to the family of Chief and Mrs. Emmanuel Aguma of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was of Ikwerre extraction.

His Journey He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and founded his Chambers, Aguma & Co on 26/2/1996. The Chambers has grown in leaps and bounds, and has as its Managing Solicitor, his wife Mrs. Inime Ifeyinwa Aguma (National President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA). His son Chima Aguma, is also one of the Associates in the Firm.

Emma was a true Bar man, who had served as Secretary and Chairman of Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA, between 2000 – 2002 and 2006 – 2008 respectively. He has also served as a Prosecutor, with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria with me and a few others, by the grace of God, on 21/9/2015.

The Professional and Politician As a Professional, Emma was consummate.

He loved Practice and brought a lot of respect and panache to it. He was dignifying, and never cut corners. Hard work and excellence, marked his attitude to work. (No wonder he was sworn in as the Attorney-General and

Chinwe Aguma, SAN, President, NBA, A.B.Mahmoud, SAN, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike (Mr Projects)

Commissioner of Justice Rivers State in 2015

by Mr. Projects, the indefatigable Governor of Rivers State, even before the Governor constituted his cabinet).

Together with the Governor, Emma took governance of Rivers State to an unprecedented height, with the result that the blind sees and attests to the projects and quality of projects executed by the Government.

One may ask, why Emma is associated

Tribute to Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma, SAN Mia Essien, SAN

W

riting this tribute, is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. The reason is simple. I should not be writing a tribute for Chinwe. He should be here.

I met Chinwe in a Magistrate Court in Elimgbu around 1996. I was representing an individual client, he, a multinational. We sat together at the Bench and got talking while I was battling to figure out who was my senior. He let me know I was the most senior person in court, and I heard him explaining to Lawyers, who obviously did not know me, that I was the most senior Lawyer in court. That was Chinwe. Always looking out for people.

Fast forward decades later, to a time when he had become the Attorney-General of Rivers State and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He had my back. When I became Chairman of the Section on Legal Practice, he congratulated me, told me he was there for the Section, and I should just say the word and he would do his bit for the Section, being an avid Bar man. He did not just talk the talk, he walked the talk. He fully supported and was involved in the Section’s April Conference, and was instrumental in making sure it was a huge success.

The evening before the Conference, he still called me to go over all issues pertaining to our having the privilege of His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, deliver the key note address.

Chinwe was an exceptional Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a consummate professional, a quintessential gentlemen and a Bar man par excellence. He was a dogged fighter in everything he believed in. He always had your back. He said it like it was, whether you wanted to hear it or not. I can still hear him telling me, “Madam, I have told you my own”. That was Chinwe.

The ways of the Lord, are not known to mere mortals.

So, while we question why He took you, I am not sure we will ever comprehend the answer. Chinwe, you are sorely missed. We pray God will give Inime, the children, your mother, and other members of your family the strength to bear the huge loss.

Rest in perfect peace, my brother silk.

Mia Essien, SAN

with developmental projects in Rivers State.

My answer is that his ability to put in check, all distractions, impediments and traps set by adversaries of the Government, gave the Governor the clear head to do his work.

Alluding to Emma’s abilities, the Governor, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike (a learned friend), observed that he has lost a loyal, hardworking, intelligent, dedicated friend and Attorney-General.

Emma was a Politician, and a long standing member of the Peoples Democratic Party. He was a consistent and principled party man. He never let political differences mar his relationship with his brother of the All Progressives Congress, and friends of other political leaning. He believed that, everybody does not have to be in the same political party.

As a colleague and one of the Counsel to Rivers State Government, I worked closely with Emma. He would not farm out a brief, and go to sleep. He would arm you with the facts, documents and authorities. He was a master of procedure. He discussed the briefs handled by every external Counsel with the Counsel before they were filed. He had his style.

The Friend As a friend who sticks closer than a brother, he was true, humane, sometimes brutally frank and above all, responsible.

He was a relationship driven person, and my family, the late B.M.C Etiaba family, will miss him. It is noteworthy that, my parents and his, were friends as far back as the 60s when my late father was a Magistrate in Port Harcourt, and his father, a seasoned Administrator.

The last celebration in Emma’s immediate family, was the 25th anniversary of his marriage, where we all made merry and gave glory to God for their fruitful marriage and lives, unknown to us that Emma’s end was near.

As we mourn the demise of a good man, a man of excellence and a committed Anglican, we pray that the Almighty God will give Inime, the children, Emma’s mother, siblings, the rest of the family, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike and his family, and the Government and people of Rivers State, the fortitude to bear the loss.

It is well. Good night, my Chairman.

Emeka Etiaba, SAN, FCIArb

Aguma, SAN: The Tears Keep Rolling Down Jude Igbanoi

F

or me and hundreds of other Lawyers, who at one point or the other had personal and professional contact with Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, the tears may not dry soon.

I first met Mr. Aguma over a decade and half ago, a few years before he became NBA Port Harcourt Branch Chairman. His Self- effacing, easy-going and introverted nature, caught my initial curiosity, until my close interaction with him at the NBA elections and Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt in 2006.

As Chairman of the host Branch, Aguma hosted a party at his home, to which high profile legal personalities were invited. How I got invited to the party, I may never know, because I wouldn’t imagine that he held me in such high esteem, to count me worthy enough to be a guest at his personal party, alongside Senior Advocates, Branch Chairmen and Secretaries.

The party featured the best of Rivers cuisine, assortment of wines and drinks, and cultural displays. At every occasion we met, I would always remind him of that party. It was one of a kind!

Before he was appointed the Attorney- General of Rivers State, he left no one in doubt that he was disenchanted with the political developments in the State, especially as they relate to the Judiciary.

Our relationship had become so close that, I made it a point to attend his elevation to the Inner Bar, as Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the Supreme Court in Abuja on September 12, 2015.

He hit the ground running, when he was sworn in as Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in 2015 by the Nyesom Wike Administration. As would be expected, he rolled up his sleeves and dug in to clean the rot that had engulfed the Rivers State Ministry of Justice for many years.

Aguma ensured that, the Courts resumed sitting after a two year hiatus during the Amaechi Administration, and that the rightful Chief Judge assumed office soon after.

With the expected litigious matters that trailed the assumption of that Administration, we had cause to telephone him to seek his reaction to the litigation He said, “Jude, we don’t fight legal battles on the pages

of newspapers. Please, tell our distractors that we’ll rather fight our battles in court”.That was the quintessential Chinwe Aguma, few words, more action.

For months my Editor, Mrs. Onikepo Braithwaite and I, had sought to interview him for THISDAY LAWYER. After a long delay and several postponements, that interview eventually took place at Eko Hotel last August, during the Annual General Conference of the NBA in Lagos. At that interview, a well composed legal icon and encyclopaedia of Nigerian laws, spoke from the depth of his heart on sundry national issues, including his stewardship as A-G of Rivers State.

A few short weeks after we spoke on the telephone, my learned friend and brother, Mr. Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN has gone to be with the Lord. Even in grief, one is comforted with the fact that, Emmanuel made peace with his Maker before his untimely exit.

Adieu. Rest in peace. Amen.

Jude Igbanoi

Sudden and Untimely Hon. Nimi & Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack

W

e have always used the words sudden and untimely. But for once, the reality of these words has dawned on us.

Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma's demise, is both sudden and untimely. The sad event has left us speechless.

In Chinwe was a family friend, professional colleague, political associate, and our Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice.

The Walson-Jack family, will miss a friend, who found us worthy of being Godparents to one of his sons.

Chinwe will be remembered by the many things he has done. History will surely be fair to him.

Adieu, Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma Esq., a truly learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Hon. Nimi & Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, mni

14/COVER

21.08.2018

A Quintessential Barman is Gone!

Babatunde Kwame Ogala

I

had heard the news, a few minutes after I stepped out of the aircraft in Lagos, and switched on my phone, that my Brother, my friend, my colleague, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN , Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State, had gone to be with his Maker. Our common friend and colleague , Chike Adibua, had called to commiserate with me, unknown to him that I was oblivious of the fact that anything had happened to the good soul that Chinwe was. He broke the news to me unwittingly.What a heart breaking news!

Still unbelieving and wishing it was not true, I had called another close friend of ours, who perhaps was the last person I discussed Chinwe with, Biriyai Dambo, SAN , who even before me asking just muttered “Beekay, it is true” repeatedly. He was devastated, as he was talking to me and repeating himself. I could tell from his voice, that he was a beaten man. And so it was with most other friends, who either called me to confirm or to break the already broken bad news to me. Such was who Chinwe was, that his death touched too many people.

Chinwenwo and I, come a long way. We struck friendship, when he came to do his Law Office attachment in the law firm of Olufemi Okunnu, SAN, as a student of the Nigerian Law School in 1988, whilst I was already a a pupil counsel in chambers.

The Chinwe that I met, was a returnee graduate of law from Warwick University in the UK, who was determined to conquer the law in Nigeria. He never hid the fact that, he was in Nigeria to stay and conquer. He was determined to be the best in the legal practice.

He returned to Port Harcourt to commence

active legal practice, immediately after his call to Bar in 1988, and plunged headlong into the only thing he did all is life and passionately too, which was the practice of the noble profession.

Emmanuel was indeed a noble man himself.

He practiced the profession and followed his passion for law, till his last day. My brother not only engaged in active law practice, but also actively participated in the affairs of the Bar, rising to become Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as a member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA, till the good Lord took him away to be with Him. My brother was a Knight of the Anglican Church , which presupposes that he served God and was passionate about Him, as he was for the legal profession and legal practice.

Chinwe followed his passion, and rose to the pinnacle of our profession, after several attempts to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was also a member of the Body of Benchers. For 30 years since our paths crossed, we bonded like brothers. He was one of the few that would insist and rather call me by my middle name, “Kwame”.

I met some great friends, through him .

He made me and I gladly became a Port Harcourt boy, through my friendship with Chinwe and made great and lasting friendship with his friends. We played hard. I still recall our rascality, as young men. I recall our escapades We took risks, we played as hard as we worked. I recall Chinwe bringing me chunks and thighs of pork, on his visits to Lagos from our hangout joint on Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt. I recall his Mum’s cooking, which I was privileged to eat from.

My attendance at NBA Conferences were incomplete, without my friend’s company. We would plan to meet at Conferences, which was

L-R: Rivers State SSG, Deputy Governor, Rivers State and Chinwe Aguma, SAN

our annual ritual, even if we didn’t see all year.

We were sure to meet and relive old times, and renew our bonds at the Conferences. Chinwe had this deep baritone voice, and infectious deep laughter. He had an excellent command of the English language, and his presence was imposing and infectious. You could not ignore him, or his presence.

Chinwe was godfather and mentor to my son, when he was posted to Rivers State for NYSC, as a young Lawyer fresh from Law School.

As Attorney-General, he specifically requested that my son be posted to his office, the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers, and even offered him accommodation in his private property, as well as a car unknown to him, that both had already been arranged. Despite being on opposite side of the political divide, and supporting and passionate about rival soccer teams, in me Chelsea and he, Arsenal, we kept our friendship.

Chinwe just left us without notice at the age of 57 years. The Legal Profession has lost a an asset. Nigeria just lost a patriot. His friends have lost a gem. I have lost a beautiful soul.

We have lost Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, Senior Advocate of Nigeria in his prime.

His wife , also a Lawyer, and the children have lost a dutiful husband and father. Rivers State, has lost one of her best. Arsenal Football Club and it’s supporters, have lost a iconic supporter.

We have lost a gem.

Who are we to question God? All I can say is, good night my Friend, my Brother, my Colleague and learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chinwe.

Good Night! Good Night!! Good Night!!!

Hon Babatunde Kwame Ogala, National Legal Adviser, All Progressives Congress Party

My Brother, My Friend, Aguma, SAN Has Passed On Richard Ahonaruogho

T

he news of the passage of Mr. Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, who was until his death in a London Hospital on 10th August, 2018, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, a member of the Distinguished Body of Benchers, a happy family man, a friend and brother rolled-up in one, came to me last night with rude shock. It has been difficult to sleep since I heard.

I commiserate with his amiable wife and lovely children, his immediate family, the Government and Good People of Rivers State, my Lord, the Honourable, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Honourable, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Body of Attorneys-General, the Chairman and Members of the Distinguished Body of Benchers, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Juris Cradle, the Chairman and Members of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association (as we then were), all my learned friends, who are brothers and sisters to our departed colleague.

Emma, as he was fondly called, was a man of deep and great convictions. He left without a good bye. Yes, no good bye, but he left his mark, for which the several persons, bodies, associations and institutions referred to in the preceding paragraph, will bear witnesses and testimonies, worthy of ‘codification’.

I had on the 6th day of July, 2018, called his two telephone numbers known to me, to congratulate him on the building and commissioning of the National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt, and the upgrading of the building and facilities at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt by His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Governor of Rivers State, but his phones were unanswered. I was compelled, because I was convinced that the event was epochal, to send to him text messages at 22.56pm and 22.57pm, to his two phones, which, if you permit me, I will quote “HAG, Good evening, Sir. Congratulations on the

building and commissioning of the National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt and the upgrading of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. It is a lasting legacy of His Excellency and your pride as the Honourable Attorney-General, Rivers State, Regards. Richard Oma Ahonaruogho”.

With the benefit of hindsight, I cannot recall seeing Emma on Channels Television, from which I learnt of the events that night. I cannot say whether Emma read my text message sent to his phones for I got no response (which was unlike him). But, as if I knew that was to be the last effort at communicating with him, I tried to get through on phone to a good friend, Mr. Ibrahim Mark, who is also a member of

the Distinguished Body of Benchers, and a close Associate of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, without success. I then sent a similar text message at 22.58pm to Mr. Ibrahim Mark. Not satisfied that I had been unable to deliver my message to Emma, I telephoned, Mr. O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, a Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, whom I was fortunate to speak with, to appreciate the significant contribution to the Judiciary by the Rivers State Government with Mr. Aguma, SAN as the Honourable AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice.

I have read with pleasantness, the press statement

by Mr. Emma Okah, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications of Rivers

The “Essential” Aguma 'Deji Omotoso

I

Our Meeting first met Chinwe Aguma in 1980, just before we entered University. We happened to be on the Unilag campus one evening, for nonacademic pursuits. I was in the company of a mutual friend, Daibi Hart, who introduced me to him. I was immediately struck by his pleasantness, and innate self-confidence. My first impression was that, he was this thoroughly down-to- earth and non-pretentious guy, who could get along with pretty much anybody!!.

Chinwe and I undertook similar circuitous routes in arriving at our professional callings as Lawyers, and while we had occasional chance meetings during that period, it was at the Law School that we struck-up a true friendship, which was to last a lifetime.

As young men tend to do at that stage of their lives, we played hard, but Chinwe somehow managed to work even harder!! I remember having partied hard with him on one Friday night and going over to his place the next afternoon after having, myself, struggled all morning to recover from the previous night's exertions, only to find him bolt upright at his Uncle's dining

table, telling me that he had just finished going through the previous week's lecture notes!! I knew from that moment that this guy was "cut from a different cloth".

We remained close after the Law School, even though he returned to his beloved Port Harcourt to practice, whilst I remained in Lagos, and when he married Inime, the love of his life, it was my great honour to propose the toast at their wedding.

As a family man, Chinwe was caring, loving, attentive and immensely proud of his family.

Whenever we met up over the years, he spoke lovingly about his children, and obviously accorded priority to family cohesiveness and the emancipation of his wife and children. Like most things he did, he did this with resounding success.

His Career In the profession, he worked hard on his self development and growing his Practice, but, as the Lawyer’s Lawyer that he was, he also dedicated time and effort to the development of the profession. He was a committed Bar Man, rising inevitably to lead the Port Harcourt Bar, as one of its most popular Branch Chairmen ever.

But that was not all. Being the "political animal" that he was, Chinwe was also an astute grassroots Politician. From his youth, he cared deeply for his

State, on the demise of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, and the two days of mourning with flags flown at half-mast approved by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State. I am sure more honours will come to him, even in death.

Mr. Aguma, SAN, came, saw and conquered.

Let the ‘codification’ begin. For it is a Passage without a Passage, where legacies abound.

May his soul Rest In Peace, Amen.

Chief Ahonaruogho, former IBA Country Representative for Nigeria and Secretary of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries, Nigerian Bar Association, 1996 -1998

people and generously deployed his resources, both human and capital, in pursuit of their betterment.

As a colleague, he was ever generous with his time, vast legal knowledge and prodigious intellect, invariably proffering simple, practical and well thought out solutions to knotty legal problems. It was inevitable that, this brilliant and immensely hardworking Lawyer would receive the highest accolade his profession could offer, being admitted to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Personally, I will miss him dearly. Port Harcourt, will never be the same again for me.

No Chinwe to hang-out with on the evening of my arrival ahead of Court the next day, or to touch base with after Court on my way out of town. My practice will feel his absence too.

No Chinwe to call for that elusive authority, or that unusual insight. But, my life will ever be enriched for knowing him - Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, The Honourable Attorney- General of Rivers State, trusted, kind and loyal friend, consummate Lawyer, astute political navigator, forthright and straightforward human being, caring and doting father, loving and supportive husband - surely, it is of you they spoke when they said, "it is not how long, but how well!!

Rest in Peace my Brother, in the bosom of the Almighty.

'Deji Omotoso

21.08.2018

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Tribute to Aguma, SAN, Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice (2015- 2018) Florence Atili Fiberesima

L

ate Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was sworn in as Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice on June 12, 2015 by His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS. This was a time in Rivers State, when the Administration of Justice had been comatose for over two years, with the closure of the courts and virtually all structures of Governance operating at an abysmal level.

He therefore, from the start, had a huge task to work with the Governor, to revive and restore the dignity of the legal profession in the State.

The vision of His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS was clear, in terms of what he wanted to achieve in the administration of justice in the State, and so he had the task of strategising to ensure this vision was achieved.

In his characteristic style, the Learned HAG set out like a General at war, and we who were members of the battalion, had to align with his strategies and work plan. There was no dull moment. It was work, work, work and more work. His ingenuity and creativity with legal principles, were amazing. He could see through legal problems and arrive at a solution.

He negotiated on behalf of the Rivers State Government, without fear or Favour. He had no patience, for those who wanted to do otherwise.

He could not tolerate incompetence, and a lack lustre attitude to work. This was his major point

Late Chinwe Aguma, SAN with the Solicitor General of Rivers State, Mrs Florence Fiberesima

of departure, with some persons who had to work with him. His intelligence was apparent in the exercise of his duties, surely men like him are gifts from above.

His untiring efforts, led to the great success

Some Goodbyes are Difficult to Say

achieved in the legal sector of the State.

The evidence is clear and standing tall to his credit, for all to evaluate. He ensured that His Excellency, the Governor of the State, achieved his desire to make Rivers State a regional legal hub in the South. He was the Governor’s trusted ally, to ensure that judicial infrastructure received the needed attention. The State can boast today, of world class facilities for the courts and the Bar. The NBA, Port Harcourt Branch House, the new Federal High Court Complex, the National Industrial Court Building, the renovated and remodelled Court of Appeal Complex, Judge’s Quarters, etc, are eloquent testimonies. Other significant contributions, include prison decongestion through the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee for the commuting of the sentences of some convicts in the State, and the constitution of the Law Revision Committee, to collate all extant laws of the State for publication. The last exercise had been carried out in 2003. This exercise is still ongoing.

The Learned HAG’s ability to liaise with all sectors to achieve set down goals of Government, endeared him to so many leaders in the legal profession and beyond. He had a collaborative working relationship with the State Legislature, hence several Executive bills were sent on to the Rivers State House of Assembly for passage, to ensure good governance, law and order in the State.

He was concerned with the economic welfare of Lawyers, issues such as fiats for private criminal prosecution and consents for land transactions, were treated speedily. Even when his health was challenged, he worked on files, to ensure Lawyers were not disadvantaged in any way.

The Learned HAG, was a man of excellence, and would not compromise his standard in terms of output. He loved to put forth his best, and demanded that from everyone who worked closely with him.

His love for professionalism and diligence, led him to institute monthly capacity building training for Law Officers in the State. During the opening he spoke at length to the Law Officers, and I respectfully refer to a part of his speech: “It is important to always remember that we are Civil Servants with a difference, we are to protect Government interest at all times, and in addition the rules of professional conduct for Lawyers apply to us. Define your goals and where you hope to be after Service. You must also add value to yourself, by improving your knowledge of the law through reading.

We can best protect our client by adding value to his work”.

His words will remain as words on marble, in the hearts of Law Officers of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice. He spoke with the wisdom of a Father, who wants the best for his Children.

He encouraged team work, and exemplified it in the way he ran his office.

As Solicitor-General of Rivers State and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, working under a result oriented boss, made me a better Lawyer. He kept me thinking on my toes, to assist him respond to the myriad of legal services required by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government The Late Honorable Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, was indeed diligent in his work, no wonder he stood before great men as the Holy bible declares in Proverbs 22: 29. “’seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men’’.

The legacy left by E.C. Aguma, SAN, will be cherished by the Ministry and the entire State, for he was a worthy son of Rivers State, who served with zeal, knowledge, and loyalty for the greater good.

Adieu our shining star, Adieu Learned Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice.

May you find peace and eternal rest for your soul.

Mrs Florence Atili Fiberesima, MCIArb, FICMC, CEDR (UK), Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Rivers State

Tribute to a Leader Par Excellence Sylvester N. Adaka

T

Chinwe Aguma, SAN and Oraye St Franklyn, Senior Special Assistant on News Media to the Governor of Rivers State

Oraye St. Franklyn Oga, Some goodbyes are truly difficult to say. This is why I’d rather you’re simply preserved in my memory, just as you are: pure, classy and humane, both in and out of our noble profession.

What I want recorded about you in history, is that at a time when it was convenient to be otherwise, for a grander purpose, you chose to hold strongly to a detribalised stance in your dealings with all

humanity, while also promoting excellence and development.

I cannot thank you enough for amplifying my voice, by providing ample space for expression, under your guidance. Be assured that, you will remain both unforgettable and irreplaceable to me, as I believe to many others as well. This is not to say goodbye, but to admit that you’re already greatly missed. The vacuum is vexing.

So long Sir. Safe passage.

Oraye St. Franklyn Esq., Senior Special Assistant on News Media to the Governor of Rivers State

Shocking News he members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, are still trying to find the right words to express their feelings following the news on Friday, 10th August, 2018 of the death of Honourable Sir Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma, SAN. It is certain that death is inevitable for every living being, but we never expected yours so soon, our Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. The expectation of our members, was to hear that you were back from treatment abroad, and recovering speedily, but with a deep sense of brook shock, we received the news of his demise.

It is still like a dream, and difficult to believe this news. However, we take consolation from the Holy Bible that death is a necessary price, which every mortal being has to pay when it comes. Just as an American Philosopher once said “I know that someday my earthly house will fall, how and when I don’t know, but I know it will happen”.

His Service to NBA, Port Harcourt Honourable Sir Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, our own Attorney-General

and Commissioner for Justice, served the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch in various capacities at various times, as Secretary of the Branch from April 2000 to April 2002, as Chairman of the Branch from April 2006 to April 2008, he also Chaired several Committees of the Branch at various times. His zeal for service and his efficient performance of his duties that brought him to the limelight, and led to his appointment as Attorney-General under the watch of our dear Governor, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, P.O.S Africa. As if that was not enough, shortly thereafter, he was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The vacuum created by the death of Sir Aguma is huge, but we pray that God will give the Nigerian Bar Association in general, our Branch, his family and Rivers State, the comfort and fortitude to bear the loss.

We pray for the repose of his soul, and that God would grant his soul an eternal rest in his bosom.

Lastly, we say to you our own leader par excellence, Adieu Learned Silk, Adieu Father, friend, leader, principal, colleague.

Adieu Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State.

Sylvester N. Adaka, Esq., Chairman, NBA Port Harcourt Branch

16/

21.08.2018

THE BAR HAS LOST A GEM

HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER OF JUSTICE, RIVERS STATE (2015-2018), EMMANUEL CHINWENWO AGUMA, SAN

39

˜ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Nigeria Escapes FIFA Hammer!

Duro Ikhazuagbe World football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed that Nigeria will not be suspended following Federal Government’s explanation that Amaju Pinnick-led executive committee remains the legitimate board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

A statement from FIFA on Monday afternoon read: “Following the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council of 13 August 2018 concerning the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), FIFA received confirmations that the legitimate leadership of the NFF under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.

“In view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the suspension of the NFF will not take effect.

“FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to,” concludes the statement.

Earlier yesterday, Laolu Akande, the Special Adviser on Media to Vice

President Yemi Osinbajo, had tweeted FG’s position on the leadership tussle at the Glass House, insisting that the Amaju Pinnick-led executive committee remains the authentic board of the NFF. The statement was a follow up on the communication between the Vice President, Pinnick and FIFA at the weekend.

Before the Vice President’s intervention, Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, had made spirited efforts to visit FIFA headquarters last weekend with a 17-man contingent.

Dalung who is a known supporter of Chris Giwa to take over the leadership of the NFF, wanted to go to Zurich to justify why the Supreme Court ruling of last June should be obeyed.

The apex court had thrown the NFF matter back to the lower High Court for retrial.

The minister who is a lawyer interpreted it to mean that the status quo referred to in the judgment was to legitimize Giwa’s claim to the coveted seat.

FIFA however turn down Dalung’s request made through Nigeria’s ambassador to Switzerland. It stressed that its notice to ban Nigeria if Pinnick and his board members were not handed back the NFF was very clear and unambiguous.

Nigeria was to be handed

Super Eagles have been spared the horror of missing another AFCON through FIFA ban

a lengthy ban yesterday, a development that would have thrown Super Eagles qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations into serious jeopardy.

After missing the AFCON 2012 in similar fashion, Super Eagles came back to win the 2013 edition in South Africa.

Squabble again over the NFF post led to Nigeria again failing

to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 editions of the AFCON in a row.

The country would have also been disqualified from the Under-17 African zonal qualifiers in Niger Republic, which kicks off on September 2.

Nigeria’s last team in continental football this season, Enyimba FC of Aba would also have been disqualified from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup even after a crucial win at Djoliba of Mali on Sunday night.

The latest squabble over the leadership of the NFF began even before the September 30, 2014 elections in Warri that brought Pinnick to power.

Both Giwa and Pinnick have been in and out of courtrooms ever since.

This is the genesis of the fight that has marred the tenure of Pinnick ending in barely one month from today: Immediately after Super Eagles second round exit at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and with another election into the board of the NFF slated for the following month, the federation’s outgoing President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari was ousted through an emergency congress initiated by the then Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo.

On July 23 of the same year, eight out of the 13 board members passed a vote-of-no-confidence on Maigari and was replaced by the 1st Vice President, Mike Umeh who was in charge in acting capacity.

But with FIFA ban looming and Falconets’ fate of participating at the FIFA Women U-20 World Cup tournament in Canada about to vanish, the rebels within the NFF board were flushed out with the active support of the Department of State Service (DSS) for sanity to return to the administration of the Beautiful Game in the country once more.

FIFA thereafter restored Nigeria back into its fold

of football playing nations.

With Maigari out of the picture, a supposed level playing field was declared for all contestants.

There was however a snag: The inability of the stakeholders and the Giwa group to agree on the date for the elective congress to usher in a new executive led to two different elections in Abuja and Warri.

The Giwa group who were not sure of getting the majority of the NFF stakeholders ignored the September 30 FIFA approved congress in Warri and held its own election at Chida Hotel in Abuja where Giwa emerged President of NFF on August 26.

To preempt the election in Warri from holding, the Giwa group sought and got a court injunction stopping the FIFA approved elective congress from taking place.

Some how, NFF claimed it did not receive any court order stopping the Warri election from going ahead.

At a well-attended General Assembly at the BrownHill Event Centre in Warri, the former Delta State Sports Commission Chairman, Pinnick, was elected the new president of the NFF. But the Giwa group would not accept, insisting that a court order was flouted in getting Pinnick elected.

They went back asking the court to nullify that election. He got judgment in his favour and tried to take over the Glass House.

Pinnick and his board appealed the judgment and won. Not satisfied, Giwa went to the Supreme Court.

The apex court however referred the case back to the lower court for retrial.

However, Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, who is from Plateau State like Giwa preferred to carry out what he called the decision of the Supreme Court by asking the Giwa FC proprietor to take over the affairs of the football house even before Pinnick

returned home after Eagles crashed out of the World Cup in Russia.

Dalung also claimed that he was carrying out the Supreme Court ruling as interpreted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

Even when another letter emanated from the AGF office asking the minister to stop further heating of the football polity with his interpretations of the case, Dalung simply ignored the directive from the Presidency, claiming it did not emanate from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The present scenario would have been avoided if only the Giwa group had accepted that the tenure in dispute was about to expire and that the next elections were slated for September 20 in Katsina.

Rather, under police protection, Giwa’s men, occupied the offices of the NFF in Abuja and began making funny appointments that were not going to stand.

At another time, the Directorate of State Security (DSS) were called in to flushed out Giwa’s men and legitimate General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, and the staff presumed loyal to the Pinnick board were allowed back to the same offices.

The DSS was believed to have acted on the instruction of the Federal Government, even though Dalung disagreed.

With the militarisation of the NFF offices, almost becoming a recurring decimal, it was just a matter of time before the hammer from FIFA descends heavily on Nigeria.

The intervention of the Presidency at the weekend is the fifth time Nigeria will be at the brink of another suspension since the 1989 FIFA two-year ban on the country from age-graded competitions.

The suspensions had always been hinged on governmental interference on the running of the football governing bodies.

Tuesday August 21, 2018

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Presidency to Senate President “On the contrary, the Senate President should look into the mirror and what he will see is his own face. He is solely to be held responsible for deliberately driving the nation to this cliff edge as far as the preparations for next elections are concerned” – The presidency blaming the delay in submitting the supplementary budget, containing the INEC estimates for the 2019 general election, to the National Assembly on the late passage of the 2018 budget by the federal legislature.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

A Dry Sallah And Other Stories

“B

aba is back, we thank God” “You have started your mischief again. Baba said he will be back in two weeks, and he is back, so what is special about that?”

“You know sometimes when the President goes to London like that, we may then be told that his doctors have advised that he should spend another week or more. But we thank God this time oh.”

“There is no way the President will spend Eid-elKabir outside Nigeria. Allah be praised! Did you not see how many people trooped out in Abuja to welcome him? I liked that.”

“I didn’t see that” “Of course, you don’t always see good things.”

“But I saw something.”

“Which is?”

“I saw a photograph of the President in which he was acknowledging cheers from the crowd as he arrived at the Abuja airport, and then just a step behind him, I saw your Governor also waving to the crowd. I thought that was funny.

Is he the one that travelled? What is his own in the matter?”

“You mean Yahaya Bello? Ha, Governor Bello.

Many of us from Kogi state are certainly worried.

The man is always in Abuja.”

“They say he is an adopted son of the President.”

“I don’t know about that. I think the man should just resign his appointment as Governor and assume duties in the Villa as a Special Assistant to the President, since that is what he seems to like.”

“I hope he will stay back in his own state to do Sallah. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly see him going from Lokoja to Abuja to Daura to pay Sallah homage to the President.”

“You know when I hear people say young people are not too young to run, I tell them yes, but when young people run for elective positions and they win, they should also be told that they are expected to distinguish themselves with the quality of the service they offer, not with the photo opportunities they get, the ceremonies they attend or their capacity for sycophancy. I mean, just consider the spectacle of a state Governor leaving his own duty post now and again, to go and queue up at the airport, along with Presidential aides, to receive the President.”

“Leave that one jor. I don’t want to take Panadol for the problems of the people of Kogi state. Instead of going up and down, Governor Bello should sit down and look for ways to pay salaries so that civil servants and doctors will not be dying anyhow in his state…Governor Bello. Na wah o… But look at what the President said when he became back.”

“What did he say? Did he say anything about Governor Bello?”

“No. He said he will deal with thieves” “So, what is new in that? That is what he has always said. Only the thieves need to be afraid” “After two weeks away from the country, and a few days to Sallah, one would have expected the President to speak to us like a father and wish us a very happy Sallah season. Baba could have made a statement that will give hope and succor to the hopeless, something to inspire the people at this festive season.”

“Of course, he will wish you Barka da Sallah and he has done so – he wants you to engage in sober reflection and self-examination but he is also making it clear that he is not a father of thieves.

Thieves don’t deserve any Barka da Sallah.”

“This Sallah that is so dry, who is even enjoying it sef? I have examined myself and I have engaged in sober reflection and I am concerned that this Sallah is too dry. People are just keeping long faces as if something has gone wrong somewhere.”

“Nothing has gone wrong. Examine yourself

Buhari and reflect. ” “Can you believe that for the first time in a long while, ram sellers are complaining loudly about poor sales? People can’t afford to buy rams.

Poverty is so widespread in the land.”

“I don’t think it is poverty. People have just not been paid salaries, yes I mean civil servants.

How do you expect them to buy rams? In about 22 states of the Federation workers are being owed salaries, and some Governors are saying there is no money, so they can’t pay and they won’t pay.”

“But they have paid salaries in Ekiti, And in Osun, the Governor has moved from modulated salaries to the payment of full salaries.”

“You mean the Osun Governor is no longer modulating salaries, he is now politicizing salaries?

Don’t forget that some of these Governors now pay salaries to get people to support them politically.

No vote, no salary. Well, okay, at least in Osun state, for the first time under Governor Aregbesola, people can now enjoy Sallah and buy rams.”

“With what they have just been paid? Don’t be surprised if many of those workers use the money to settle accumulated debts. And if not, would it not be better to hold on to the money since they may not know whether or not they would still be paid after the September elections?”

“I know. I know. Can you imagine I actually saw some people pricing fowls for Sallah?”

“What do you mean fowls for Sallah?”

“Fowls! Yes! In fact, one guy told me that this year, some people are buying he-goats for Sallah.

Goats are cheaper than rams. A small ram, with some measure of meat, is about N75, 000, a slightly bigger one is about N100, 000 or N120, 000. “ “Wonderful!”

“The thing is so bad ram sellers have become very aggressive. For the first time, this year, I saw ram sellers knocking on people’s doors to hawk rams. Some of them went on social media to market their wares and even offer incentives.

I got what’s app messages offering me rams at what was called good price! When I complained that I am a Christian, I was told it didn’t matter and that I could buy and give out as gifts to friends. Buy two rams; take one at half price! One of my Muslim acquaintances later told me that what he has resolved to do is to buy his own ram on Sallah day, when suddenly the price of rams would have crashed. He doesn’t intend to go to the praying ground. He would get to the market early and get a ram for his family at affordable price. You see what these Governors who don’t pay salaries have done to our people?”

“These Governors.”

“By the way what happened to that our brother in Ekiti state?”

“Who?” “Ayo Fayose. He has been quiet.”

“No. He has been talking. He spoke out in defence of Samuel Ogundipe, of Premium Times for example. I read that.”

“But I haven’t heard him abuse the President lately.”

“Why should he abuse the President? You think he should abuse the President, after losing the election in Ekiti state?”

“He is one of the most vocal and forthright critics of this administration.”

‘So, if you were in his shoes, knowing that you will soon lose your immunity as a Governor, you will keep talking and not change tactics?”

“I don’t get your point. Some of us depend on people like Fayose to hear the truth.”

“Very good. But I believe Fayose is also a wise man. A wise man knows when to fight and when to be tactical. May your mouth not put you in trouble. ” “You think Fayose will also defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC)?”

“Candidly I don’t know what to believe anymore.

If a Godswill Akpabio can defect from the PDP to the APC, I mean Godswill Akpabio, one of the most articulate members of the PDP, the man just jumped ship as if something had hit him in the chest.”

“You want to bet?”

“Bet what?”

“If the PDP wins in 2019, the man will jump back.”

“I know. That is the nature of Nigerian politics.

Our politicians are very good at jumping like monkeys from one tree to another.”

“That is how that your brother, Dino Melaye jumped onto the top of a tree for eleven hours.”

“That is fake news. The man has denied it. He said he never did that.”

“Thank God then, but he ran into the bush.”

“Yes. He did. It is called survival. The man defected from street to bush.”

“I am waiting for him to compose a song and a dance step around that.”

“He probably has more serious things to do.”

“Meaning what? He just did a song, there is a latest number from him” “Really?”

“You haven’t heard it? “Governor dey pass Governor, ha yah yah, Udom pass Akpabio, ha yah yah. And you could see the Akwa Ibom Governor, and some PDP Senators who visited Emmanuel Udom laughing and enjoying the song.”

“No wonder Senator Akpabio fired back and said he regrets making Udom Governor.”

“Kai. What won’t we hear or see oh? Politics has become season film. Asiwaju Tinubu attacks Atiku, Saraki and Governor Tambuwal, Saraki attacks Tinubu, Tinubu attacks Wike, Wike fires back, Akpabio attacks Udom, Ajimobi attacks Ayefele, Tambuwal sacks 252 aides…That is the shape of Nigerian democracy.”

“252 aides?”

“252!”

“Yes, 252” “One Governor and 252 aides!”

“How much is the entire budget of Sokoto state?”

“Well, he has sacked them or is it that those people refused to defect? Well, whatever.”

“Hmmm, but this matter between Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State and Yinka Ayefele, the musician. What is the latest?”

“Very sad. The constituted authorities of Oyo State have been most unkind to Ayefele. They had to demolish his Music House even when the matter was already before the court.”

“I saw the pictures of the demolished building and I wept. There is more to that demolition than meets the eye. Politics. Media repression. Vendetta.

Sheer wickedness. These are very strange times.”

“The latest is that when the matter was heard in court on Monday, the lawyer for the Oyo State government allegedly said that the government of Oyo State is not aware of the demolition.”

“The lawyer said that?”

“Yes, that is what I read.”

“You are sure what you read is not fake news?

You are telling me that ghosts demolished Ayefele’s N800 million building? You want me to believe that the constituted authorities of Oyo State are ghosts?”

“That is what I read. The state government is even planning to set up a panel of inquiry to find out who authorized the demolition of Ayefele’s Music House.”

“No. That is not possible. I read a statement by the Special Adviser on Physical Planning and Development Control to the Governor, a town planner, explaining why the constituted authorities of Oyo state had to demolish the building. The statement is titled “What You Should Know about the Partial Demolition at the Music House.”

“Okay, I give up. Nothing is ever straightforward in this country. Wey-tinnnn? Can we please leave these Nigerian matters alone and talk about something else please before I start having headache?”

“Mr. Kofi Annan is dead” “Great man. He was Africa’s great ambassador on the world stage. He will always be a role model and a source of inspiration for generations to come. And he will be remembered for the role he played in promoting world peace ” “I agree with you. He deserves to be immortalized.”

“Aretha Franklin died too.”

“Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. I love her songs. Nothing lives forever other than good talent, depth, quality, distinction, be it in music or politics.”

“Yes. Yes. In civilized places, people are honoured, promoted and encouraged for their talent and contributions. At a time when the world is celebrating Aretha Franklin, is it not curious that here in Nigeria, somewhere in Oyo State, some constituted authorities are causing heartache for a talented musician. In another place, the government would be more interested in supporting Ayefele, and not discourage or destroy him.”

“You are right. It is the man they are trying to destroy not his house but I can see that his spirit is strong. Our love and prayers are with him at this trying moment.”

“Have you been following the conflict between Omarosa Manigault Newman and the Trumps?”

“Yes. Yes. But I consider Omarosa’s conduct indecent and opportunistic. Spying on your boss and his family, recording conversations around the family and the Situation Room, for me raises questions of integrity and character.”

“But with people like President Trump, people have to be careful, and protect themselves. Trump is just one kind of a President, often so un-presidential, brash, aggressive, bullish, petty and manipulative.

He lies too like a Lagos girl.”

“I forgot something which may interest you.”

“And what could that be?”

“Only God knows where we are going in this world. People now worship Satan. In Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, some people have erected a bronze statue dedicated to Satan, a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet…”

“Do you mind?”

“What?”

“I don’t want to talk about Satan today if you don’t mind. I’ll rather wish our Muslim brothers and sisters, Barka da sallah… Okay?”

“Okay. Barka da Sallah”.

“Thank you.

“Thank you too.”

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