WEDNESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2018

Buhari: Partnership with China Attracts over $5bn Investment Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Beijing, China said Nigeria's partnership with China through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has yielded over $5 billion investments in the

last three years.

Buhari made this disclosure at the FOCAC round table meeting, attended by African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said Buhari highlighted

specific FOCAC projects in Nigeria, saying through the Chinese support, Nigeria has impressively addressed significant challenges in the areas of infrastructure, human capacity development, power, transport, agriculture and humanitarian assistance.

He quoted him as saying, ''For Nigeria, our partnership with China through the FOCAC platform, has resulted in the construction of the first urban rail system in West Africa. This $500 million project in Abuja was commissioned in July

this year.”

He said the president also cited the construction and operation of the first rail system in Africa that uses modern Chinese standards and technology.

He further quoted the president as saying, “This

180km rail line that connects Abuja and Kaduna was commissioned two years ago at a cost of $500 million. Today the rail line is functioning efficiently with no issues – indeed, a sign that Chinese Continued on page 10

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Police Raid 91-year-old Clerk's Abuja House... Page 17

With $2bn Tax Arrears Demand by FG, It’s Double Jeopardy for MTN Telecoms company insists all outstanding taxes cleared Emma Okonji Sign of more trouble for MTN Nigeria emerged yesterday as the federal government wrote the telecoms company, directing it to pay $2 billion as taxes it failed to remit to the government in the past 10 years.

This followed the call by a former senior executive of the company, who informed THISDAY last weekend that

beyond the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive that the telecoms company should refund $8.134 billion, which it had illegally repatriated, the federal government should properly investigate MTN Nigeria’s operations in the country.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had notified MTN in a letter that his office Continued on page 10

PDP Petitions May, Merkel over Alleged Growing Impunity Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic (PDP) has petitioned British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, over alleged growing culture of impunity, disrespect for judiciary and other antidemocratic tendencies by the President Muhammadu Buhari government ahead of 2019 general election.

The opposition party said the president's antecedents and current flirtation with dictatorship should not be allowed to reverse the gains of liberal democracy to which the PDP and the UK are committed.

The party noted that the intervention of both the German and the UK Continued on page 10

Mark Joins Presidential Race, Promises to Restructure Nigeria ... Page 16

AT THE CENTRE OF COMMERCE...

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje (left), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the flower girl, during the visit of the vice president to Kano...yesterday

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South Africa in First Recession Since 2009 Ugo Aliogo with agency report

For the first time since 2009, South Africa entered recession in the second quarter of the year, data showed yesterday, in a stinging blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to revive the economy after a decade of stagnation.

Reuters quoted reports from South Africa to have revealed that the economy contracted by 0.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter, led by declines in the agricultural, transport and retail sectors.

But reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, who spoke in a chat with THISDAY yesterday, said, “What is happening to South Africa is because of the trade war between the United States and

China and the issues in Turkey, which global fund managers are looking at South Africa as one of the emerging markets. “We have seen depreciation in a lot of emerging economies, including Nigeria. But because of the sophistication of the South African economy, the country is a direct beneficiary and suffers the implication of any effect or setback in emerging market economy. “South Africa is one of China’s export markets. We should not expect such in Nigeria. It does not mean we are not affected. We have seen a lot of capital outflow in the country. But then, our own issue is more of heightened political risks due to impending upcoming elections.�

Continuing, the Reuters report stated that the Rand stretched losses against the dollar to more than two per

cent and government bonds fell after the data was released.

However, analysts had predicted that the economy would grow 0.6 per cent in the latest quarter. “We are in a recession. We reported a contraction in the first quarter ... and now in the second quarter with a fall of 0.7 per cent,� South Africa’s Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke, said.

The report also stated that Africa’s most developed economy needs faster economic growth if it is to reduce high unemployment - currently at 27 per cent - and alleviate poverty and inequality that stokes instability.

It added that unemployment was a hot-button issue ahead of national elections in 2019, and the African National Congress (ANC) has made repeated pledges that things

would improve.

The report revealed that the country’s agricultural output fell 29.2 per cent in the second quarter, while the transport, communication and storage sector shrank 4.9 per cent, “mining output grew by 4.9 per cent and finance by 1.9 per cent.�

Statistics said the economic contraction in the first quarter was steeper than initially recorded at 2.6 per cent and that gross fixed capital formation fell by 0.5 per cent in the second quarter.

According to Reuters, “Ramaphosa has made wooing foreign and domestic money a cornerstone of his economic reform agenda, so the investment numbers will come as a big disappointment. “The buoyant market mood that took hold after he was elected leader of the ruling ANC in December and then

president of South Africa in February appears to have dissipated. “The president is currently in China, attending a summit.

President Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion to African nations at Monday’s opening of a China-Africa forum on cooperation. “Economists said the dismal data would probably make it harder for the South African Reserve Bank to raise interest rates, as inflation has been gradually rising in recent months. Inflation stood at 5.1 per cent in July. The GDP figures could also draw the attention of ratings agencies, which have South Africa’s sovereign ratings near ‘junk’ status. “There is no way to sugarcoat the numbers, the growth picture in the first half of 2018 is ugly and it shows in this economy that there is broad-

based weakness across the primary and tertiary sectors of the economy,� said senior economist at BNP Paribas, Jeffrey Schultz.

The Head of Research at ETM Analytics, George Glynos, said the recession was a function of years of maladministration. “Clearly this is not what Ramaphosa would like running into the elections next year,� he said. “The optics of South Africa is poor.�

A senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, Jason Tuvey, said he expected the economy to recover over the rest of 2018, but that a sharp rebound was unlikely. “Today’s data will further dent hopes that Ramaphosa’s presidency would lead to a marked turnaround in South Africa’s economic fortunes,�

Tuvey said.

“And they altered the structure of their funding in a clear violation of the spirit and intent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange regulations.�

Emefiele had stressed MTN Nigeria manipulated the regulations for maximum profit and tax avoidance, without regards to the laws when they embarked on unauthorised conversion of loans to equity so as to game the system and exploit loopholes.

But addressing the CBN allegations, Okigbo said, “From the CBN’s own letter and subsequent statements, it is clear that there is no dispute that the capital captured in MTN’s books and for which CCIs were issued was imported into Nigeria, and this is acknowledged explicitly by the CBN. “It is equally clear that Nigerian law provides for guaranteed unconditional transferability of funds through an authorised dealer in freely convertible currency relating to dividends or profits attributable to the investment, payments and in respect of loan servicing where a foreign loan has been obtained.�

The former senior executive at MTN Nigeria, who spoke with THISDAY on condition of anonymity, because of the non-disclosure and

non- compete clauses of his termination benefits, claims had said there was a lot more with the payments than the MTN and banks want us to believe, calling for a forensic audit that would uncover much more.

He had also chided the financial institutions involved in the matter over what he described as their failure to adhere to the Know-YourCustomers (KYC) policy of the apex bank.

He had insisted that the capital inflow the telecoms company claimed to have brought into Nigeria as equipment finance were “over invoicing.�

The source had also said, “The invoices from the transactions were from third parties and sub-companies related to some of MTN directors. Some of the invoices were not directly from MTN itself.�

He said investors in the MTN Private Placement, which took place in February 2008, obtained foreign exchange loans from local banks for the purpose of investment in the telecoms company, only for them to subsequently repatriate foreign exchange as though they were foreign investors for FX which they sourced from Nigeria, at the official exchange rate.

WITH $2BN TAX ARREARS DEMAND BY FG, IT’S DOUBLE JEOPARDY FOR MTN made a high-level calculation and came to the conclusion that MTN Nigeria should have paid approximately $2 billion in taxes relating to the importation of foreign equipment and payments to foreign suppliers over the last 10 years and requested the company to do a selfassessment of the taxes.

The AGF intends to recover up to $2 billion of tax relating to, inter alia, import duties, VAT and withholding taxes on foreign imports/payments, the government said.

The CBN last week slammed a fine of N5.87 billion on four banks over the violation of extant laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, and the Foreign Exchange Manual, 2006.

Also affected was MTN Nigeria, which the CBN directed to immediately refund $8,134,312,397.63, which was illegally repatriated by the telecoms company, to the coffers of the bank.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had on Monday, confirmed that MTN Nigeria would refund the money at the exchange rate at which they were remitted and not the current rate,

leaving the company with the potential loss of over $4billion in exchange rate.

For the banks, the highest fine of N2,470,604,767.13 was slammed on Standard Chartered Bank, while Stanbic IBTC Nigeria was fined N1,885,852,847.45.

Citibank also got fine of N1,265,541,562.31, just as Diamond Bank was directed to pay N250 million penalty.

But reacting to the latest allegation of tax evasion, MTN in the statement yesterday, insisted that it had cleared all outstanding taxes within the vexed period, saying it would continue to reject the findings of the AGF’s investigation because it believes it had fully settled all amounts owed under the taxes in question.

The statement also said MTN would, in strong terms, deny the allegations being made by the CBN, having provided further clarity on the company’s position on funds repatriation.

Speaking on the AGF’s demand notice for historical tax obligations, MTN Corporate Relations Executive, Mr. Tobe Okigbo, said, “MTN has conducted a detailed review of these claims and provided evidence of tax remittance to the AGF’s office. The AGF’s notice

indicates that he is rejecting this evidence. We believe that all taxes due to the Nigerian government have been paid and these allegations have not been raised by any of the revenue generating agencies that MTN engages with regularly, and from whom MTN has received numerous awards for compliance. “MTN Nigeria will continue to engage with the relevant authorities on all these matters and we remain resolute that MTN Nigeria has not committed any offences and will vigorously defend its position.� According to him, in August 2018, MTN submitted comprehensive documentation to the office of the AGF. He said, “MTN Nigeria has also completed an initial assessment of the full period, which indicates that total payments made to the tax authorities in regard to these foreign imports and payments in aggregate are $700 million.

There are valid reasons for the differences between the actual payments and the AGF high-level assessment,�

Okigbo said.

"We were notified by the office of the AGF last week that they have not accepted the documentation presented and they have given notice of an intention to recover

the $2.0 billion from MTN Nigeria. Based on the detailed review performed, MTN Nigeria believes it has fully settled all amounts owing under the taxes in question,� he said.

Emefiele had said he was aware of all sorts of documents being paraded by different people with a view to misinform members of the public on the MTN Nigeria matter, saying the investigation of the telecoms company spanned over a period of 30 months, on several issues and not just on the illegal capital repatriation.

The CBN governor had explained, “The latest hammer came when they (MTN Nigeria) clearly took liberty for licence in flouting Nigeria’s foreign exchange laws in the manner of the funding of their equity investment into MTN and subsequent capital repatriation that resulted thereafter.� “They brought in $402 million and said about $350 million of that was equity and the balance was loan, and they were issued Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) for the equity. They later reversed that position when they realised that the loans will not attract the kind of taxation equity investment will attract.

BUHARI: PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA ATTRACTS OVER $5BN INVESTMENT technology is world class,� he noted. ''Nigeria is leveraging Chinese funding to execute $3.4 billion worth of projects at various stages of completion. These include the upgrading of airport terminals, the Lagos – Kano rail line, the Zungeru hydroelectric power project and fibre cables for our internet infrastructure. ''Furthermore, less than 3 months ago, Nigeria signed an additional $1billion loan from China for additional

rolling stock for the newly constructed rail lines as well as road rehabilitation and water supply projects.''

He also said the Nigerian leader said the aforementioned projects had demonstrated the high level of consistency and commitment that China has shown in boosting its relations with African countries under the umbrella of FOCAC. ''I am optimistic that this summit will offer new opportunities that would build

on these past achievements,� he said, adding, ''Nigeria will continue to support the FOCAC initiative and also seek to key into the Belt and Road Initiative as an additional Chinese mechanism to build further cooperation in our quest for infrastructural and economic development.�

Shehu said Buhari dispelled insinuations about the socalled debt trap by Chinese government on developing countries, insisting that Nigeria

would be able to re-pay the loans. ''These vital infrastructure projects synchronize perfectly with our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. Some of the debts incurred are selfliquidating. Our country is able to re-pay loans as and when due in keeping with our policy of fiscal prudence and sound housekeeping,'' the president reportedly added.

The statement also said Buhari applauded China

for its overall commitment to the ideals of FOCAC, acknowledging that since the launch of the Forum in 2000, China and Africa had strived to implement the declarations and follow-up action plans for the benefit of both parties.

Finally, it said the president also commended Jinping, his government and people for successfully hosting the Beijing summit, which he said was aimed at further strengthening China-Africa partnership.

PDP PETITIONS MAY, MERKEL OVER ALLEGED GROWING IMPUNITY governments, at this time, would help Nigeria and indeed Africa to avert a looming crisis that would divide Nigeria along its emerging fault lines.

This was contained in a letter dated August 30, 2018 and signed by PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and made available to journalists at

the PDP national secretariat yesterday in Abuja.

It reads, “Sadly, the unfettered freedom and respect for human dignity entrenched by our party has been eroded in the last three years of the current administration. “An important institution like the EFCC, which was established by the PDP

government under President Olusegun Obasanjo and graciously still supported by international friends of Nigeria, including the tax payers of European Union, to professionally deal with the scourge of corruption, has now lost its essence and original intentions of the founders to become the Buhari administration's tool

for persecution of opposition members and perceived political opponents. “The EFCC, under this administration, has metamorphosed into a draconian agency, showing scant regard for the rule of law and respect for human rights. The commission has turned the process of investigation into a media

event to embarrass and tarnish the image of key opposition figures and sub-national governments of the federation perceived to be averse to the whims and electoral interest of the ruling party."

The party called on the British prime minister to take Continued on page 16

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COMMENT

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

THERESA MAY’SVISIT TO NIGERIA

Sonnie Ekwowusi writes that Nigeria and Britain stand to derive mutual benefits from bilateral trade

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ast week British Prime Minister Theresa May embarked on a three-day, three-African-country trade visit. The three African countries were South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Officially, the purpose of the visit was to seek to reinvigorate the political, economic and cultural ties among the former three colonies of Britain even though in essence the visit was obviously a selling point for Brexit. Simply put,Theresa May came visiting to court the three African countries on trade relationships and economic dealings that would be of substantial benefits to Britain as she quits the European Union.

In Abuja, Prime Minister May was greeted with a tumultuous welcome. Thereafter she was driven to the Presidential Villa at Aso Rock where both Britain and Nigeria signed two bilateral agreements - defence and security partnership and economic development forum agreement.

Thereafter Theresa May flew into Lagos where she met the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and the Nigerian business community before she departed to Kenya.

It is important to stress that prior to departing Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari assured May that he would conduct a free, fair and credible elections in 2019. It is hoped that President Buhari would live up to this expectation by truly and really organising a free and fair elections in Nigeria next year. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, one could say, gave the Professor Attahiru Jega-led INEC a freehand to exercise its freedom and independence in organising the 2015 elections. In contrast, nothing but suspicion has been trailing the new INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu and his newly appointed 14 resident electoral commissioners (RECs). Given the gerrymandering and electoral malpractices that marred the last Ekiti State gubernatorial election, Nigerians are still waiting for Prof. Yakubu-led INEC to demonstrate the much-vaunted transparency, impartiality and balanced interaction expected of them.

With only four months to the 2019 elections, the political atmosphere is beclouded with tension, uncertainty and apprehension. Already the different political gladiators and power brokers have started issuing out warnings about the possible conflagration and Armageddon that may engulf Nigeria in 2019. Therefore in the coming months the Buhari government should douse the tension and allay the fear associated with the 2019 elections by assuring all with concrete evidence that the elections would not only be free and fair but would be manifestly seen to be so. It is only in a stable and peaceful political atmosphere devoid of conflagration that the bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and Britain can flourish and both local and foreign investors can garner the confidence to invest in Nigeria. The general perception is that the Nigerian economy is the biggest in Africa. Unfortunately many Nigerians are reluctant to explore the trade opportunities that offer themselves to the maximum especially the trade opportunities with Britain. Now that Prime Minister May has visited Nigeria and entered into bilateral security and trade agreements with Nigeria it is high time our investors looked inward to explore the trade relations that exist between the United Kingdom and

IT IS HOPED THAT PRESIDENT BUHARI WOULD LIVE UP TO EXPECTATION BY TRULY ORGANISING A FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA NEXT YEAR

Nigeria. Instead of travelling outside the Commonwealth to look for business finance and investment, Nigerians should engage in bilateral trade relationship with the UK and thus could learn from UK best trade practices that could entice other nations. Undoubtedly both Nigeria and Britain stand to derive mutual benefits from a bilateral trade especially now that Nigeria boasts that she had wriggled out of economic recession.

Having said this, the Buhari government should not succumb to the allure of British-Nigeria bilateral trade relationship that would put Nigeria in economic and cultural shackles. It is unfortunate that many independent African countries are still living under the shadow and exploitation of their former colonial masters and other powerful countries. For example, prior to the passage of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in 2014 former British Prime Minister David Camerons had issued a statement threatening that if Nigeria proceeded to enact the law she would lose developmental aid from Britain. Of course, Nigeria ignored Cameron’s threat and went ahead to enact the anti-gay law.

But Britain is undeterred. She continues to mount pressure on Nigeria and other African countries to legalise gay marriage. Just last April, Britain hosted a meeting of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. In that meeting, Prime Minister May told Nigeria and other Commonwealth nations to legalise gay marriage.

She described the law banning gay marriage as “outdated legislation.�

Apparently referring to Nigeria and other countries which had banned gay marriage, Prime Minister May pledged the support of Britain to any of the countries that was ready to revoke its anti-gay law. The logical question is: if President Buhari does not interfere in the manner Britain enacts her laws, why should Prime Minister May interfere in the manner Nigeria enacts her laws? In my humble view, Nigeria should just ignore May in the same way Nigeria ignored Cameron in 2014.

Nigerian is an independent country. She is no longer under the tutelage of Britain. Therefore Nigeria must protect, preserve and promote her cultural heritage as a people in consonance with section 19 of the 1999 Constitution. All countries are not the same. Every country grows with its own identity and values. Gay marriage is not a Nigerian cultural heritage. If Britain does not want to give us development aid because of our affinity to our cultural identity, so be it.

On May 14, 2018, the Director of the Kenya School of Laws Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba presented a paper at the Rwanda National Security Symposium. The title of the paper was, “Africa is on the dinner table Eaten by Superpowers�. In the said paper, Prof Lumumba stated that Africa should not think that it is free from colonialism. Citing the tragedies in Somalia, Northern Mali, Cameroun, Southern Sudan and so forth which were exacerbated by western interferences, Prof. Lumumba regretted that the conceptual West thinks that it has the divine duty to dictate to Africans how they should govern themselves and conversely Africans believe that they the divine duty to listen to and obey the West.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESSFUL PPP

Wale Babalakin argues the need for government to abide by contractual agreements, writes Abdul Okwechime

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r. Wale Babalakin, Chairman, Bi-Courtney Ltd, has identified sincerity as the biggest challenge to the public-private partnership (PPP) initiative of the federal government.

He defined PPP as “a contract where a public function is executed by a private concern on agreed terms. And as a reward for its participation, the private sector is remunerated usually through the project for its service in accordance with the Agreement�. Babalakin was delivering a lecture on the “Constraints of Implementing Infrastructure Projects Through Public- Private Partnership (PPP), at the Banquet Hall of the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja over the weekend.

As the guest lecturer at the Eighth Fellowship Conferment Lecture of The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Dr. Babalakin observed “that government on its own cannot fund all responsibilities of government from its own resources�. Breaking this down and using the 2018 budget of the federal government as benchmark, he said “the total amount of money available for critical infrastructure like roads, power and housing is about N550billion�. He noted rather sadly that this amount can barely complete one road out of over 40 roads needing interventions.

Even more worrisome is the complete inability of government to sustain the few roads infrastructure it manages to build due to “poor planning and maintenance�.

This underscores the Imperative of PPP in a developing economy such as ours. However, in his own words, “for PPP to work, it has to be created and monitored by an institution that is sufficiently empowered to act as an arbiter between the government and the investors�. Such a body or commission, according to him, must be empowered by law to act independently as an arbiter between government institutions and private investors.

He noted that the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) is a good idea. How-

ever, for it to achieve a meaningful impact, Babalakin reiterated that once a PPP transaction is identified by the appropriate government institution, “the parameters for its implementation should be left to the ideal ICRC�. He insisted that “the ministry and parastatal must completely step aside to enable ICRC create an enduring transaction that will be just and fair to all parties concerned�. Babalakin’s experience shows that allowing the ministry or parastatal to continue to play a role in the implementation of PPP projects “creates serious conflict of interest�.

Most of the PPP projects in Nigeria have failed due to these interferences. What we have on ground today, Babalakin says, “is a PPP that functions at the benevolence of the respective ministries and parastatals�. And he should know.

Once the biggest player in the PPP in Nigeria, Dr. Babalakin shared his experiences with his audience made up of mostly engineers. From the on-going issues of discrepancies meted out by the supervising ministries to the PPP at the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos, to the lingering Lagos-Ibadan Expressway construction that was arbitrarily taken from him and other huge experiences he encountered while pioneering PPP in Nigeria, Wale Babalakin sees government’s impunity at flouting basic terms of agreement as a major issue in forging or upholding agreements in a PPP. He gave the Igbeti Marble case example where the revocation of the laudable project not only ruined Ashamu, the initiator of the idea, “Igbeti Town was denied economic development and Oyo State is the poorer for it�, he said. He pointed out how successive governments of Lagos State interfered and killed the larger dream of putting up a world class housing estate for Lagosians in the Victoria Garden City. He was a major player in this project where government meddlesomeness aborted the dream.

However, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), described as the only working airport terminal in Nigeria today, appears

a most traumatic PPP experience for him. It is here that the grantor of the concession is blatantly violating the terms of agreement by the day. First, the grantor, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) “contrary to the executed agreements, started to run another terminal next door to the MMA2, thus taking away 60% of our traffic�. FAAN actually created a new terminal now called the General Aviation Terminal (GAT). The erudite legal scholar lamented that “in the world of PPP, this action is totally unimaginable. A situation where the landlord or grantor of a concession is in competition with its tenant for the same traffic�. And in this instance the grantor is using “government money to compete with private capital. This is the most unfair scenario and discouraging to investors�. Even when the highest courts in the land gave judgments to uphold the true position, the grantor disregarded all the courts decisions. The breach has continued and according to him, “the damages that have accrued to us till date is now in excess of N250billion�.

Babalakin pointed out that “this action of impunity portrays our country in a very bad light and speaks clearly of our lack of interest in developing infrastructure through private capital�. More importantly, he says “it is a major discouragement to any discerning investor. No serious investor will come to Nigeria for a long term project without examining what happened to previous investors “. He reasons that “we will be unable to attract investors who are interested in placing their capital in projects that will benefit Nigerians when they realise that even when you come through after the unduly long legal process, the authorities can still decide not to honour the decisions of the tribunal entrusted with the resolution of disputes�.

If the MMA2 example was confounding, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s case is mind-bending.

The contract was terminated via a news media announcement without prior hint on the action and to the chagrin of all investors involved, particularly

the foreign partners who till date have not been able to come to terms with such level of executive impunity.

More ridiculous is the fact that government through the Ministry of Works and contrary to its evidence on oath, “had signed another concession agreement which was not advertised or properly processed�. Strangely enough, this illegal concessionaire was paid N50billion from government coffers to execute the project, while Bi-Courtney, Dr. Babalakin’s firm and the legal concessionaire were working with their private capital.

To address these interferences and impunity, Babalakin says “ there is an urgent need for the government to invest considerably in the judiciary�.

Expatiating, Babalakin says, “it is important that commercial disputes are resolved promptly if we are to regain the confidence of the investing public, especially the international community�. Reason is that the best transaction can go wrong, but with an “appropriate disputes resolution mechanism, the pains of such a failure will not be prolonged�.

He summed up: “Orders of arbitral panels and courts must be obeyed promptly�. He warned that “enforcing court orders is not discretionary, it is compulsory. This is very crucial if we are going to commence the journey to become a serious player in the world of project infrastructure�.

The night also witnessed the conferment of Fellows of the Society to some outstanding 28 engineers to whom Babalakin threw a challenge: to take the lead from the foreign contractors in the infrastructural turn around of Nigeria. He said, “I consider it very sad that 58 years after independence, there are no Nigerian constitution companies that can compare favourably with the foreign companies like Julius Berger. You have to accept the challenge�, he said, adding: “I seize this opportunity to call on the Nigeria Society of Engineers to lead from the front and use its knowledge of engineering to contribute extensively to the development of Nigeria.�

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T H I S D AY WEDNESSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

EDITORIAL THE PROPOSED POLICE DECENTRALISATION Ibrahim Idris will take the assignment to a familiar dead end

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recent meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (then in his capacity as acting president) resolved to constitute a committee to spearhead the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police. But as we have reiterated in the past, a cynical approach to a fundamental problem, taken essentially to buy time, will not do in an environment where impunity has for long been the order of the day.

With Nigeria gradually descending to the Hobbesian state of nature where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”, there is need for a more coherent strategy to deal with the challenge of insecurity in the country.

By the reasoning of the NEC, the proposed decentralisation would aid greater access to intelligence gathering and make policing work more efficient at all levels. Furthermore, the magnitude of the security challenge facing the nation necessitates collaboration between the states and federal governments in tackling the menace.

A MORE SERIOUS Sadly, question remains as to how COMMITTEE SHOULD the NEC would seek BE ESTABLISHED TO to decentralise the REVIEW THE SEVERAL Nigeria Police and opt AVAILABLE REPORTS to choose the current ON THE REFORM OF Inspector-General of THE POLICE AND COME Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to head the comUP WITH USEFUL mittee. It appears that RECOMMENDATIONS the council merely wanted to play on the emotions of Nigerians.

That there is an urgent need to reform the police is not in doubt. The security challenge is overwhelming. Besides, while there are several stories of police officers collaborating with criminal gangs, not a few Nigerians have had experiences of extortions from some of the notorious officers and men who act in a manner unbecoming of a police force. Demanding bribes from motorists on the roads, collecting money

Letters to the Editor

before accused persons are bailed from their stations aside being deployed as muscle men for rich people, the image of the Nigeria Police is unedifying.

Therefore, assuming there is a genuine interest in the idea of decentralising the police for efficiency, the assignment ought to have been given to a neutral person, especially when the decision came at a time majority of Nigerians have lost confidence in the Nigeria police and its current leadership. This NEC move is not different from the so-called overhaul of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) ordered by Osinbajo at about the same period. The presidential order came against the background of extortion, brutality and extrajudicial killings for which men and officers of SARS were notorious.

H 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

owever, in a cynical move devoid of any rigour, all that Idris did was to rename SARS as FSARS as if that would change the mentality of the men renowned for all manner of misconduct ranging from harassment to extortion, assault and extra-judicial killings. Not surprisingly, the reign of impunity has continued in the squad. For instance, on 23rd August, an innocent undergraduate was shot dead in Iwo, Osun State by one of their operatives, prompting irate youths in the town to set the police station ablaze. It was also just a few days after the presidential order to overhaul SARS was given that its men, fully armed, engaged in ballot box snatching during a state house of assembly bye-election in Rivers State, thus forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to call off the election.

Given the foregoing, we agree with the NEC that there is an urgent need to reform not only the administration of justice in Nigeria but also the entire structure of the police if they must regain public confidence. But we do not believe that the current IGP possesses both the temperament and capacity for the task with which he has been saddled. We therefore demand that a more serious committee be established to review the several available reports on the reform of the police and come up with useful recommendations.

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.

THE PROPOSED U.S. CUTS FOR HIV/AIDS FUNDING

I

t was with great sadness that I learnt that the US plans to cut down on funding for Hiv/AIDS, and with still greater sadness that I read the article on the “Shocking confessions of adolescents living with Hiv/AIDS” were a few teens are clamouring for U.S. aids because they are homosexuals living with Hiv/AIDS. This is really appalling in a society like ours. Yes, I understand that we need these funds. We need them because they are a basic need for all those living with Hiv/AIDS and not just because some homosexual teens out there have decided to have fun without any protection or because they have no plans of getting married. In fact, when I read the article, I thought to myself, these reasons are enough to even withdraw foreign aids. These homosexual teens, rather than parading the fact that they are homosexuals having unprotected sex, having fun and living with Hiv/Aids, should also be made to realise that there are very many people out there living with cancer, there are many who cannot even afford to buy malaria drugs, or even eat once daily. And for crying out loud, homosexuality is against the Nigerian law and culture. These people should actually be speaking from behind bars, rather than instigating a propaganda for homosexuals. Besides, statistics already showed that anal sex is the riskiest type of sex for spreading Hiv/AIDS… I feel it’s a bit lackadaisical to say one enjoys taking such a risk and in the same breadth to be crying for aids from the U.S.

As a secondary school teacher, I have come to realise from the confidences my students share with me that many times, the problems most teenagers face in their adolescent years has its roots in a faulty family background. We all know the role the family plays in a child’s upbringing. A student once confided in me that she hates men. This was quite shocking and a strong statement coming from a teenager. And when I dug deeper, I realised that the girl was being repeatedly abused sexually by her uncle, and was too afraid to speak up. And so for her, all men were monsters. Can one then be surprised if such a girl starts having gay tendencies? We have had cases of cousins in the higher institution abusing their younger cousins when they come to spend holidays with an uncle or aunt, and introducing then into homosexuality. From the personal experiences I have encountered in my years of teaching, most teenagers (especially those who are boarders) are introduced into homosexual activities, while they are still in secondary school. When they are caught, they most often say their classmates or older students introduced them to it. For sure a good number of them were not born that way, but are victims of very sad circumstances. Parents need to draw closer to their children, and be friends with them. Even though given the harsh economic situation, we have situations whereby both parents are out of their homes even before the children awake and return very late at night. Hence the children are left without any close monitoring. They regard their parents

as strangers, and go to the internet for answers to all their teenage problems. The family should be our first priority.

The excuse that we need to hustle to put food on the table is being overstretched. As teachers, we try to do the best we can.

But parents have a lot of roles to play. If parents are close to their children, they are better able to notice any odd habits or behaviours and address them promptly. Gay lobbying is on the rise. And I will like to say that from my close dealings with teenagers, a good percentage of teenagers who tend towards these abnormal habits like lesbianism and homosexuality are either from traumatised or broken homes or have been abused in one way or the other. They are emotionally and mentally unstable. It is very clear that this is a propaganda by the LBTGs to seek the compassion and support of the public.

We have to fight resolutely against any form of gay lobbying which goes against nature itself. We can’t start fighting for the rights of people who clearly need psychiatric help, but are oblivious of that fact.

I think the government should set up special institutions where patients with these disorders can have access to medical help. Values, self-control and high morals should be promoted in schools. Far from ostracising those who have these disorders, they should be encouraged to seek urgent medical attention and shun gay lobbying. Many Nigerians need food also. Can drugs work without food?

Omosefe Oseghale, Benin City

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WEDNESDAY, Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Operators Threaten Showdown with NAICOM over Recapitalisation Deadline 5.8m Nigerian motorists carry fake insurance Ebere Nwoji The decision by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to revise backward the recapitalisation deadline from the January 1, 2019, it had earlier fixed, to October 1, 2018, is causing ripples in the industry.

In fact, THISDAY gathered that some operators are threatening legal action against NAICOM. This is just as the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) disclosed that 5.8 million out of the 11.7 million registered vehicles plying Nigerian roads have fake insurance.

At the forefront of the move to take legal action against NAICOM are chief executives of insurance firms that fall within the tier two and tier three categories, THISDAY learnt.

They described the backward revision of the deadline by NAICOM as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the plans and programmes they had put in place to meet the initial deadline of January1, 2019.

One of the chief executives who pleaded anonymous said the commission had warned that any insurance chief executive that speaks to the media would be heavily sanctioned.

NAICOM had on July 25 announced increase in minimum capital base for insurance companies, giving January 1, 2019 as deadline for companies to upgrade their capital to the type of business they want to do.

But in announcing the change in earlier deadline, the commission in a separate circular dated August 27, 2018 stated, "In the exercise of the powers conferred on the commission under extant laws, it hereby issues this circular

for the introduction of the tier-based minimum solvency capital requirements, for assessment of capital adequacy and solvency control levels of all insurance companies in Nigeria, with effect from October 1, 2018. “This circular shall be read in conjunction with the provisions of the Insurance Act, the NAICOM Act as well as other regulations, guidelines, notices and circulars that the commission has issued or to be issued from time to time.�

A CEO of one of the leading insurance firms who spoke with THISDAY on condition of anonymity, because NAICOM has threatened to sanction any operator that speaks with journalists said, “We have given the commission till the end of September to reverse the new date or face their legal action.�

Aside the shift in deadline, operators also kicked against the use of their 2017 solvency accounts for the exercise.

However, analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited have warned that, although the recapitalisation of the insurance industry was long overdue considering the deterioration in the capital of underwriters since the last recapitalisation exercise was carried out in February 2007, it was, however, practically impossible for underwriters to meet up with the latest deadline in view of the duration involved in raising capital amidst the current negative sentiment from investors’ in the equities market.

They said, “Furthermore, we believe the recapitalisation exercise if not well managed, could potentially affect investors’ confidence and sentiment in the insurance sector, leading to a knee-jerk sell off on insurance stocks.

Furthermore, given the fragile

Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari recovery of the economy, there is need to avert the negative consequences associated with the potential collapse of insurance companies who are unable to recapitalise. “Evidently, there is the need for NAICOM to liaise with insurance companies to ensure a smooth, hitch-free recapitalisation exercise that will reposition the industry for better growth.�

The Chairman Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, recently highlighted the dangers of the tier-based capital and regulator's action, saying it could be counter-productive, anti-growth and disruptive.

Ogunbiyi, who stated this at a forum by Business Today, also said the exercise might usher in a new era of de-listing of insurance stocks from the Nigerian Stock market.

He also said the tier-base recapitalisation could lead to hostile takeovers of insurance firms for peanuts, especially by foreign investors with short term gains as focus.

"This development in my

opinion could be counterproductive, anti-growth and disruptive. The immediate implementation of the tierbased rating could lead to crisis of confidence for the entire insurance industry where only about seven of the 29 companies qualify under the new standard," he stated.

According to him, “As an industry, we need to urgently adopt a value innovation strategy to enable us provide relevant affordable products for our teeming population. “My advice is that as a priority, we must align insurance services to the unique lifestyles of our citizenry in all income groups.�

5.8m Nigerian Motorists Carry Fake Insurance Meanwhile, the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) has disclosed that 5.8 million out of the 11.7 million registered vehicles plying Nigerian roads have fake insurance.

On the other hand, only 5.9 million Nigerian vehicles have genuine insurance certificates.

These figures, captured by the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) of the NIA, were made available to THISDAY yesterday.

The NIA said 5.9 million vehicles with genuine insurance, were those that purchased their insurance policies from licenced insurance companies and are eligible to claims in the event of eventualities.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest report on road transport had put the number of registered vehicles plying Nigerian roads at 11.7 million.

The NIID is the central database for all insured vehicles. It also serves as a tool to ensure that only insured vehicles are driven on Nigerian roads and helps to checkmate the activities of fake insurance operators.

The premium generated by various policies underwritten by the industry showed that the contribution by motor insurance has been fluctuating.

For instance, NIA figures showed that in 2010, overall premium from motor insurance for the industry stood at N42 billion in 2011, rose to N45 billion in 2012 and was N45 billion in 2013 and declined further to N43 billion in 2014, N40 billion in 2015 and N40 billion 2016.

The Immediate past Chairman of NIA, Mr Eddie Efekoha, in a chat with THISDAY, confirmed that less than six million vehicles currently have genuine insurance certificates.

He said the association was working towards ensuring that in no distant time, loopholes through which insurance companies lose premiums are blocked.

Efekoha said efforts were being made by the association to extend the NIID to marine insurance to curb the activities of fake marine insurance certificate sellers as well.

He said motor insurance policy alone was capable of growing the insurance sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy, if the right premiums are charged and it goes to genuine operators' coffer.

He said the volume of businesses that were underwritten by the industry grew from N315.96 billion in 2016, to N363 billion in 2017. This represented an increase of 15 per cent, just as he anticipated that given the recent collaboration between operators and the industry regulator in various initiatives to deepen insurance penetration, there would be increase in both volume of business to be underwritten and premium generated this year.

He said out of the above figure, motor insurance was one of the policies that made significant contribution to the total premium generated by the industry.

Meanwhile given this debut made by the industry in the use of NIID to curb activities of fake motor insurance certificate sellers, the industry has been urged to replicate same in marine insurance to curb the menace of fake marine insurance sellers.

The Executive Director, Leadway Insurance, Mr. Adetola Adegbayi, said this would bring about reduction in fake marine insurance certificates.

Adebgayi observed that marine insurance class of business in Nigeria had suffered serious neglect and malpractices.

Mark Joins Presidential Race, Promises to Restructure Nigeria Deji Elumoye in Abuja Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has promised to restructure the country if elected president in February 2019.

Mark, who was president of the Senate from 2007 to 2015, said this yesterday when he picked his presidential nomination form at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

According to him, “Irrespective of our political persuasions, it is incontrovertible that

restructuring of the nation is an idea whose time has come,� he said, adding, “A restructured Nigeria will further strengthen our bond of brotherhood and unity more than ever before, because everyone would have a sense of belonging and live in harmony in any part of Nigeria without any fear of molestation and intimidation.�

Mark also promised to tackle the intractable security, economic and socio-political challenges, threatening the corporality of the country.

The former Senate president who is serving his fifth term as a senator since 1999, said

his blueprint tagged ‘730’ will address critical areas of national life.

"Specifically, we will deal with poverty, unemployment and neglect, which have forced some of our young people to undertake the very risky route of going through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in their quest for greener pastures in Europe,� Mark said.

The ‘730’ economic model, he explained, is a strategy that will turn the economy around within two years, adding that youth will be the drivers of the process.

He explained his plan, “We will concentrate on developing our infrastructure, delivering on affordable housing, roads, rails and power. We will focus on education and create a pool of highly trained citizens with excellent IT skills who will be employable as well as create jobs. “We will support Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as a matter of priority by providing interest free cooperative loans to produce optimally with appropriate technology which will be the main driver of the economy with attendant huge

employment opportunities.�

Handing over the nomination form to Mark, the National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), praised him for his steadfastness and belief in the party over the years.

Akobundu noted that the party has been reformed, rebranded and earned the trust of all Nigerians.

In the wake of the gale of defections by PDP faithful to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the former's defeat in 2015, Mark said he would be the last man standing for the PDP.

He had said, “I have no reason to jump ship. I will not leave the PDP. I will be the last man standing for the PDP. The party gave me the platform to be who I am today. “I will stay in the PDP to contribute my quota to the rebuilding and restructuring of the party. This is democracy; winners emerge and losers go back to the drawing board to rejuvenate. “Those drifting to APC now are fair weather friends of the PDP. They are seeking new green areas. When the PDP bounces back, they will seek another return to the PDP."

free speech and press freedom as catalogued in the reports by the United States Department of States and other international agencies.�

At this critical moment in Nigeria's political development, PDP added, the nation cannot afford to revert to the impunity of

governance that characterised the military in the past, enjoining the prime minister to use his immense clout to impress on the president and his administration to immediately retreat from the path of authoritarianism and embrace the ideals associated with a democracy.

PDP PETITIONS MAY, MERKEL OVER ALLEGED GROWING IMPUNITY Buhari away from the path of impunity and totalitarianism.

It stressed, “Also, his recent declaration, at an event of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), that rule of law will take second stage on issues involving alleged threat to national security, raises fresh concern about this

administration's attitude and respect for constitutional rule. “The recent outburst

by President Buhari that he will jail more looters, created national outrage and concern about the role of the judiciary and respect for our institutions. “President’s statement

provides context for the treasonable attack, by armed operatives of the secret police on the National Assembly, blocking members of the opposition from gaining access to their offices. “It also explains the license behind the continued unlawful detention of Col.

Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, against multiple court orders mandating his release as well as the documented cases of human right abuses, including arbitrary and extra-judicial executions, unlawful arrests and detentions, torture, impunity, restriction of

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Police Raid 91-year-old Clark’s Abuja House IG: Search not authorised Afenifere, others condemn invasion Jonathan Eze, Segun James in Lagos, Alex Enumah in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Nigerian police yesterday raided the Abuja residence of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-south leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

The heavily armed policemen, who searched all the rooms in the elder statesman’s house, alleged that they were in the house to search for arms which they accused him of stockpiling.

But in a swift reaction, the police in a statement issued

by Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, neither gave the order nor aware of the raid.

The policemen who were said to have arrived at the Asokoro residence of Clark at 1.30p.m., left the premises by 2.30p.m.

They did not find any incriminating evidence or ammunition in the house.

According to the policemen, they stormed the house on the orders of the IG Idris.

However, when THISDAY contacted the phone line of the octogenarian, the call was answered by someone who

simply identified himself as his personal assistant, and confirmed the raid.

He said Clark was resting after the ordeal and could not speak to anyone.

But the police denied the invasion in the statement issued by its spokesman, Moshood, saying there was no order from the IG, neither was it aware of the raid.

It said the IG had ordered the arrest and detention of the four police officers involved in the raid as well as their informant.

The police IG in addition, ordered the investigation of the raid by the IG Monitoring Unit.

The statement read in part: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a report claiming that the police yesterday raided the Abuja residence of Clark.

“The Force wishes to categorically state that the IG is not aware and did not order the raid of the residence of Clark as claimed by the writer of the story.

“Consequently, the IG has directed the detention and investigation of the four police personnel and the informant involved. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be

made public.

“Notwithstanding, the facts that on a daily basis the Nigeria Police Force across the country receives information from members of the public which is promptly used to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities, the Force will not condone misconduct by any of its officer who acts contrary to the rule of law.”

Meanwhile, ethnic nationalities across the country such as Afenifere, Nigerian Leaders and Elders Forum and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have unanimously condemned the invasion of Clark’s residence.

In a joint statement signed by their spokespersons, Yinka Odumakin, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, Junaid Mohammed, Isuwa Dogo and Senator Bassey Henshaw, they described the invasion as an act of sheer intimidation.

In the statement, the forum said the raid was a sad reminder of the era of dictatorship in 1984 when the home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was ransacked in Ikenne, Ogun State, by soldiers

and officials of the National Security Organisation (NSO) “whose conduct has only been rivaled by the DSS under the recently sacked Lawal Daura.”

According to the statement, “The Nigerian Leaders and Elders’ Forum is shocked by the gestapo-like raid on the Abuja home of Clark by men of the Nigerian Police on the spurious allegation that there were arms and ammunition stockpiled in the house.

“At the end of the shameful invasion of the home of the former minister in the worst signal of Nigeria becoming a police state, the police could not find more than a kitchen knife regularly used to slice tomato and onion.

“We view the provocative search as not arising from any intelligence report, but a sheer act of intimidation on a home that has served as meeting point for patriots across Nigeria, who are engaged in peaceful consultations to save Nigeria from the edge of the precipice.

“The raid is a sad reminder of the era of full blown dictatorship

in 1984 when the home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was ransacked in Ikenne by soldiers and officials of the dreaded NSO whose conduct has only been rivaled by the Daura-led DSS.” The forum further described the traumatisation of Clark as another proof “that mad power has taken over the polity and its full blown desperation now at the boundaries of decency collapse.”

They, however, demanded an immediate apology to Clark by the Nigerian Police, saying: “Its (police) leadership at the moment has shown serial unprofessionalism and Dark Age policing.

“We want to sound it loud and clear to the administration that if the object of this intimidation is to send fear signals to patriots who are demanding better leadership for our country, it has backfired.

We all counted the cost before we chose to stand up for the country.”

While also condemning the invasion, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) stated that the country might be descending into full-blown anarchy.

IYC President, Mr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi, in a statement yesterday in Warri, Delta State, urged relevant stakeholders to rise in defence of democracy.

The statement read: “Nigeria is gradually descending into a full-blown anarchy. This is dangerous for our democracy.

Nigeria is heading to the cliff.

Relevant stakeholders need to rise in defence of our hard earned democracy. There can be no democracy where there is no dissenting voice. President Muhammadu Buhari should accept that our democracy cannot exist without opposition elements to his government.”

Similarly, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, condemned in its totality the actions and assault on its leader, who has contributed to the development of Nigeria in several ways, including restoring the most required peace in the Niger Delta region. It further called on the presidency to call the police IG, Idris, to order forthwith.

APC to Elect Presidential Candidate October 6 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed a national convention to ratify the outcome of the presidential primary for October 6, 2018, while the presidential primary to elect its presidential candidate will be held on September 20.

In a notice of approved timetable for congresses and primary elections posted on its official platform yesterday and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, the party said the sale of nomination forms would commence today (Wednesday) and end on September 10.

APC also fixed nationwide congresses to elect delegates to its primary elections for September 12.

According to the primary election timetable, the presidential primary of APC will hold on September 20, while the governorship

primaries will be held on September 25.

The party said the primaries for the Senate and House Representatives aspirants will hold on September 27 and 29, respectively.

APC also fixed primary election for the State Houses of Assembly seats for October 2.

The National Working Committee of the party also approved cost of expression of interest form and nomination form.

The new prices showed a remarkable reduction from the one earlier proposed by the party.

According to the statement issued by the party, expression of interest/nomination forms are N5 million and N40 million, respectively, while governorship forms are to cost N22.5 million.

Nomination forms for the Senate cost N7 million; House of Representatives - N3,850,000 and State House of Assembly - N850,000.

Shell to Sell $2bn Oil Blocks Shell has reportedly initiated negotiations with local oil producers for selling two of its Nigerian oil licences in the Niger Delta, collectively worth $2 billion.

The Anglo-Dutch petrochemical giant is in talks about selling its Oil Mining Licenses (OMLs) 11 and 17, according to sources familiar with the planned deal.

Sources close to the matter revealed that the deal would involve selling essential infrastructure assets as well, including a natural gas-fired power plant that will be managed

by Transactional Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp).

They further disclosed that initially, talks between Shell and the local buyers were at an advanced stage.

OML 11 is one of the biggest blocks in south-east part of Niger Delta and has 33 oil and gas fields, eight of which were producing as of 2017.

The federal government had supposedly divided the block into three portions in April, offering one to Shell after it confirmed renewal of its production licence.

ROYAL BLESSING...

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli (left), and the immediate past governor of Delta State and APC Delta South senatorial hopeful, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, during a consultation visit to the Olu of Warri...yesterday.

DSS Cautions Media against Speculative Reporting of National Security Issues Alex Enumah in Abuja The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on media practitioners in the country to be cautious in the manner in which they disseminate information relating to national security, so as not to rock the peace of the country.

The call is coming on the heels of what the service described in a statement issued yesterday as speculative reporting in the media concerning the internal affairs of the DSS. “The attention of the DSS has been drawn to several speculations making the rounds in the media on some internal affairs of the Service. These speculations, to say the least, are unhealthy for

the Service and indeed, Nigeria”, a statement from the service read.

In the statement signed by Peter Afunanya of the Public Relations Department, the DSS reiterated its commitment to the stability and security of the nation, adding that this task can only be realised with through the cooperation of its partners including the media.

“Over the years, the Service has been known to be both a strategic stabiliser and a unifying factor in the Nigerian project. It therefore deserves and desires to be focused and supported by all stakeholders to play the expected role in a democracy.

“The media is one of such partners. Held in utmost respect, the media is called upon

to report issues of national security with caution to avoid a breach of peace. No deliberate effort should be made by self serving interests to bring the Service to ridicule”, said the statement.

It stressed that “no country or its media can afford to undermine their own security forces because of the dire consequences that portends.

“The service, as an institution of government will continue to carry out legitimate orders; support democratic institutions; respect the rule of law and protect the citizens in line with global practices and Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) in Intelligence gathering and law enforcement. Dark forces should not bring the Service into

a collision with the Government it is meant to diligently serve,” he said.

Afunanya said the service would be undaunted and would pursue noble goals only meant to uphold integrity in security and intelligence governance, which according to the service is a global trend for accountability.

The statement noted that personnel of the DSS across the commands and formations have been enjoined to be calm, loyal and united in the discharge of their duties as the service has remained one of the few institutions in the country that has exhibited unquestionable oneness and commonality of purpose in advancing the interest of the nation.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, 5, SEPTEMBER, 2018

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Driving Through New Political Routes Ferdinand Ekechuwu reckons that the issues besetting Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State may well justify his stance that he is being persecuted

T

he legion of issues trailing Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State from within and outside of his state is besetting. At first, it appeared the power brokers had taken authority over him, occasionally giving him this forlorn look that often portrayed him as weak. He would be derided in the face of his struggles and bandied as a governor on trial, a drowning man and a politically wandering governor.

Ortom was a member of the defunct All People’s Party (APP) before joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He served as the Director of Operations of the PDP gubernatorial campaign in Benue State in 2007, and later as Director of Administration and Logistics of the Goodluck/ Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2011 and later became PDP National Auditor before his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria same year.

Ortom bears a grass to grace story which is engaging. So endearing is it that when he told the Senate during his ministerial nominee screening on July 6, 2011 he was said to have stirred the lawmakers who asked him to take a bow.

Senators were said to be particularly moved by account of his background as a school dropout, a motor park tout and one who struggled to attain education through difficult means.

Perhaps, his background as a driver opened new routes through his life’s journey, particularly through the vehicle of politics. In the political sphere, he has been state Publicity Secretary of the National Conscience Party of Nigeria (NCPN); state treasurer of the All Peoples Party (APP); and state secretary as well as deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), all in Benue State.

Ortom’s journey through his most turbulent political history was said to have started when he resigned as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment in October 2014 to contest for the governorship position of Benue on the platform of the PDP. Failing to clinch the PDP ticket, he switched over and picked that of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won the April 11, 2015 election. His victory was largely attributed to his personality and not on account of his new political platform.

Upon assuming office as governor, he was determined to deliver on his promises to the people. Ortom was reported to have inherited enormous rot in the system and acrimonious relationships among political elites which is inimical to good governance and cohesiveness.

In the ensuing melee, the governor pledged to protect lives and properties of Benue citizens as Chief Security Officer on assumption of office. When it became obvious that there was a conspiracy of silence against the state, Ortom began to think outside the box to provide a sustainable solution to the continued killings of his people.

Ortom

He initiated the Anti-Open Grazing Bill after a wide consultation among stakeholders. He signed the bill into law as was passed by the Benue

Shortly after his defection to his erstwhile party, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a section of the Benue State Assembly made him both a subject of investigation and impeachment, putting him on the hot seat

State House of Assembly. Again, the enemies within and outside frowned at his signing the Anti-Open Grazing law which was aimed at securing lives and properties of his people. His current travails leading to his return to the PDP are the climax of political persecution following the passage into law of the state’s prohibition of open grazing law in May 2017.

While he insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari had not done enough to stop the killings perpetrated by herdsmen in the state, other parts of the country lay credence to the governor’s conclusion.

Recently, Ortom alleged that he was being persecuted by the Federal Government and his former political party, the APC because he refused to surrender Benue land to herdsmen.

The governor also alleged that some political opponents working for top politicians have allegedly connived with top government officials to assassinate him.

During a thanksgiving service in his honour, he declared that the agenda of the invaders was not for grazing, but to take over the land from the real owners. Ortom vowed “never to be a party to such evil agenda and reassured the people of his state of his administration’s commitment to protecting their interests, no matter the level of intimidation and threats. The governor had claimed that his defection from

the ruling APC was a rejection of a political party which treats the killing of his people with kid gloves.”

Having endeared himself to the people when he spearheaded the Anti-Open Grazing law to discourage roaming cattle, but encourage ranches like civilised breeders; it was the beginning of the crack between Ortom and those he referred to as “enemies of the state.” The invasion and incessant killings of innocent Benue citizens by marauding herdsmen and the seeming compromise or inability of the APC-led federal government to stop the killings was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

His exit from the party described has likened to the biblical exodus of the Israelites from the shackles of slavery in Egypt to the land of Canaan as the governor led his people out of the APC to the warm embrace of the PDP. Ortom pulled a multitude of Benue citizens including 13 Local Government Chairmen; 10 out of 17 APC State House of Assembly members; 268 Councilors; and several other government officials out of the APC in one swoop.

Shortly after his defection to his erstwhile party, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a section of the Benue State Assembly made him both a subject of investigation and impeachment, putting him on the hot seat.

The anti-graft agency had blocked the state account and days later, unblocked same in an act described as shameful activities on purpose to cripple governance in the state.

Since then events have moved at amazing speed in Benue as operatives of the Economic Finance Crime Commission EFCC have since commenced probe over huge sums of money allegedly misappropriated by the government under Ortom. The EFCC probe was also extended to the state assembly and other officials of the Benue State Government.

There was the dubious attempt to impeach the governor which is believed to have strengthened his resolve and the anger of his people. Analysts observed that, “This was his original party before he joined the Buhari bandwagon and became an APC man. Now he is back to the PDP, on the grounds that he can no longer condone the killing of his people by Fulani herdsmen-the biggest problem he has had to deal with as governor of Benue State.

While this is ongoing, the APC, both in the state and the national level was critical of the governor, who they blamed for financial decay of the state, as well as his inability to clear workers’ unpaid salaries. Describing his probe as a clear case of persecution and witch-hunt, Ortom reportedly urged the anti-graft agency to start the probe of security vote from the Presidency, if it was not after him for dumping the APC. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

OFF THE CUFF NO ONE SHOULD TAKE LAW INTO HIS HANDS: It is the law that regulates the activities of human beings. If anybody decides to take the law into their hands then we cannot live together in that society.

Ortom explaining that the Anti-Open Grazing Law by his government may have ignited more killings of Benue indigenes by suspected Fulani herdsmen I WAS GIVEN A RED CARD: The leadership did not allow room for integration. In Benue State, because all politics is local, the senator who said he is the leader of the party took control and doesn’t want input from outside. My supporters and myself

were left out and when we tried to insist, I was given a red card. That I am not needed, and everywhere he went, he demonized me, saying all kinds of things.

Ortom blaming Senator George Akume for forcing him out of the APC I CAN DIE FOR MY PEOPLE: As a leader, let me do what I believe to be right. Even if I die, let it be on record that Ortom was killed because of his people. I have chosen to stay with the people and to walk with them. If they crucify me today, if anything happens to me today, everyone will know that it is because I have chosen to stay with the people. Whichever way you do, one

day, you will die. But if you die for a just cause, it is okay. Jesus died so many years ago for a just cause, but he’s a hero. Just like Abiola was recently recognised as a winner of June 12 in Nigeria.

Ortom expressing willingness to lay down his life for a cause he believes in WE DIE FOR CATTLES IN NIGERIA: We are talking about just 20 million cattle in Nigeria. In India, there over 270 million cattle but they ranch.

In Brazil, there are over 300 million but they ranch their cattle. In America, there are over 100 million cattle but they are surviving.

Ranching is global best practice in animal

husbandry. Trying to set a pace by doing something new is a difficult task. One day people will understand.

Ortom insisting that ranching was the solution to herders versus farmers clash in Nigeria I DID NOT GIVE BENUE YOUTHS WHEELBARROWS: That is outright falsehood, there is no iota of truth, it is meant to scandalise, blackmail and to reduce my rising profile in Benue because of the achievement we have recorded during these two years.

Ortom explaining that the wheelbarrows that were publicised as his youth empowerment project were actually donated by National Emergency Management Agency to displaced people

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POLITICS

Coping with the Dapo Abiodun Challenge in Ogun State Femi Ogbonnikan reports that successful businessman, Dapo Biodun turned his recent formal declaration of intent for the governorship of Ogun State into a disclosure of his previously unknown achievements as a politician

A

s the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are slated to commence soon, the political clime in Ogun State appears tense and shrouded in uncertainty. The governorship radar is not pointing to any clear direction.

No one can say with certainty, whether it will swing to the Ogun West or Ogun East, going by the recent declaration of intent by, Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, a close ally and a bosom friend of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Abiodun, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Heyden Oil & Gas Limited is prepared to walk the talk.

At his formal declaration in his Iperu-Remo country home in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, he was flanked by notable APC stalwarts from the three senatorial districts from across the state. Abiodun, popularly known as DA, left no one in doubt as to his determination to slug it out in the coming Ogun State governorship race, not minding whose ox is gored. He described the decision of the party’s leadership to zone the coming 2019 governorship ticket to a particular senatorial district in the state as lacking merit.

Across party lines, his foray into the governorship contest has sent jitters down the spine of many and as well, continued to benumb the sensibilities of the party’s state hierarchy and the powers-that-be.

According to political observers, if the governorship ambition of the 58 year-old political figure is anything to go by, it is going to heat up the polity and alter the political equation in the state.

Prior to the 1999 return to civil rule, the trio of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Ibikunle

Abiodun

Amosun and Prince Dapo Abiodun had been very good friends. His friendship with Amosun subsequently turned sour, following the indication of the former intent to throw his hat into the governorship ring early last year 2017.

According to Abiodun, “Amosun formed an alliance with and lined behind Daniel to become Ogun State governor in 2003. He (Amosun) was responsible for Daniel’s victory. The arrangement between them was for Daniel to go for eight years, after which Amosun would take over from him, but they both fell apart.

In 2011, Amosun contested on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) and he won the governorship race.

We all gave him the support to run on the platform of the AC. But credit for his victory should go to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who facilitated his acceptance into the AC

fold. It was Tinubu who introduced Amosun to Chief Olusegun Osoba who was the leader of the AC in Ogun State. After much pleas and persuasion by Tinubu, Osoba accepted and allowed Amosun to fly the AC ticket in Ogun State. He had a slim chance, but by divine orchestration, the ruling-PDP in the state was split into two, with a group going to a newly formed Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and the other remaining in the PDP, due to an intractable intra-party crisis that rocked the party in the state. Amosun became the governor and we were close friends.”

Continuing with his justification for taking a shot at the Ogun State Number One job, he said, “In 2014, preparatory to the second term of Amosun, I was invited to help APC in my Ogun East senatorial district because the party was almost dying. Out of conviction, for the good job Amosun was doing in the state, I accepted to serve, because the party was comatose. We did well. I tried my best. In 2003, politics was local, because playing politics from grassroots to the top was very low. Regular meetings were hardly held in wards, local government, senatorial and state levels. In 2015, we did everything that we should have done. We ran a very good campaign, from providing electricity to Ogun Waterside in a community that had no light for over 12 years, to constructing roads, to giving transformers to those communities that didn’t have electricity and to giving out scholarships to indigent undergraduate students in tertiary institutions of learning. There left nothing undone. In every ward, local government and senatorial district, we were having meetings. The fortune of the party obviously changed before we began to participate. It is most unfortunate that, I fought hard to convince

myself because most of my colleagues in my industry that, have asked me, “Dapo, what are you doing in politics? You are doing well in your various businesses, God has been so good to you, why are you going to waste your time and energy?” I always tell them that, if all of us decide not to participate then, we would leave governance and administration to fools. I would be governed by them. And we would sit down in Lagos and we would begin to complain that, ‘look at what is happening here’ The only thing you can do is to ensure there is a change and to ensure good governance is to actually participate. I believe that, if a few of us in the private sector who have done well in our various and diverse backgrounds who have made successes of our various businesses, participate then, we can begin to change how people see politics. We can bring our experiences into governance.

“With that, at the back of my mind, I decided to run for the Senate in 2015. Unfortunately, our voting publics have not got to a point where merit, integrity, character, decide who they vote for. If the voting publics were doing enough, I have no doubt that, I would win that election.

We accepted the outcome of the election as the will of God. We sat down, after that election and analysed how it went. What did we do wrong? What did we do right? What should we have done? We saw where we were rigged out. We saw where elections were bought, and we decided that, rather than pack our bags and leave, we would stay and work towards ensuring that the stage we were rigged out NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Re-Build Nigeria Suspends National Chairman, Appoints Okorie Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Executive Committee of Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP) has in a unanimous resolution, suspended the party’s Pro tem National Chair-

man, Chief Japhet Anyanwu and approved the appointment of Chief Canice Okorie as the Acting National Chairman.

In a communique signed by the National Secretary, Prince Musa Abuti, the party stated

that Anyanwu was suspended for “gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, extortion, offering of party positions for monetary gratifications and gains.”

According to RBNP, the

NEC constituted a five-man disciplinary committee to investigate series of petitions and allegations levelled against Anyanwu and approved Okorie’s appointment as the acting National Chairman

of the party. The NEC also ratified the decisions of the National Working Committee with regard to the congresses and National Convention slated for this month.

The party added that its

executive committee mandated the onward transmission of the above resolution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other related institutions for proper documentation.

2019: AAP Gets Presidential Water Aid, Rotary, Others Promote Lagos Speaker, Obasa, Ikpeazu Aspirant Hygiene, Clean Water Access Confer at SME Economy Award

Stories by Udora Orizu in Abuja

A newly registered political party, Advanced Allied Party (AAP) has welcomed Comrade Chike Ukaegbu, who declared his interest to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in 2019, under the platform of the party. Speaking at the declaration event in Abuja, Ukaegbu thanked the party for giving him the political platform to realise his ambition of rescuing Nigeria from the clutch of poverty and underdevelopment due to years of absence of visionary leadership.

“AAP is a party that’s is citizens oriented and massesconscious, selflessly committed to national prosperity and better life for Nigerians all over the globe and even foreigners dwelling in Nigerian soil, irrespective of ethnic group, religious background or political affiliation,” Ukaegbu said.

He stressed the party would radically bridge the huge gap in the standard of living between the rich and the poor, through a very strong and most cost effective governance mechanism

hinged around indigenous social-capitalist economy and true federalism.

In the same vein, the party’s national chairman, represented

by Paul Iyemike, said the party was impressed by the aspirant, adding his declaration to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, did not come as a surprise. The chairman added that Ukaegbu’s interest progressively aligned with the objectives of youth, students and other Nigerians to participate in political leadership of the country. He assured the aspirant that the party will mobilise its existing political structures nationwide to organise a transparent primary election and ensure its candidates emerge victorious in the 2019 elections.

Iyemike further said that the party wants to address injustice and decadence in the society and will be open and fair to everyone. While offering the vote of thanks, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Rikki Nwajiofor, enjoined the Nigerian youths to embrace politics with spirit of patriotism, devoid of rancour and thuggery.

Water Aid in collaboration with Rotary International, International Republican Institute, Action against hunger, YouthWASH Network, Public Private Development Centre, WASH media network, Plan International, United Purpose and Connected Development, have launched a campaign: vote4WASH which calls on the public to promote the provision of clean water, hygiene, and sanitation in the country, by using their votes wisely.

Speaking at the flag off of the campaign, Manasseh Igyoh, representing Water Aid Nigerian’s Country Director, said with nearly 60 million people living without clean water, over 120 million people without access to a decent toilet and about 46 million people defecating in the open, the NGO could not afford to ignore the urgency of WASH action in Nigeria.

According to him, looking at the current rates of progress, the promise to bring safe water and toilets to everyone by 2030 will not be met hence, WASH ( Water, sanitation and hygiene) has the primary objective of

encouraging the public to vote politicians that will ensure that such basic amenities are met.

The vote4WASH campaign organisers also called on all electoral candidates to ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene promotion is given the priority it deserves with ambitious universal access targets on (WASH) for households as well as schools, health facilities and other public places.

Manasseh revealed that many Nigerians will save on health bills and be able to be more productive and generate more income if they have clean water and sanitation” He further revealed that 67% of the population lacks basic sanitation, 26% practice open defecation, 33% of the population are without clean water while 87% do not have basic hygiene facilities.

According to him, sub -Saharan Africa ranks lowest in the world for access to improved drinking water and sanitation, around 60,000 children under the age of five in Nigeria die from diseases caused by the nation’s poor levels of access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Distinguished lawmakers Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is billed to deliver a speech, while Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu (member House of Representatives, Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency) will be delivering a plenary conference address at a SME Economy and Award event in Lagos .

The convener of the project, Mr. Emmanuel Ezima said, “The distinguished guest speakers are passionate about the growth of SMEs in Nigeria and have committed themselves to building infrastructure and also evolving policies that will ensure that SMEs thrive and compete globally.”

The conference which is slated for two days at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island-Lagos, on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, with the theme, “Tech Governance Funding”. This year’s conference is projected to be the largest SME gathering.

“The conference is aimed to provide a significant platform where African entrepreneurs can incubate, innovate, up-

scale operations, and also get trained, mentored and be out of poverty”. The conference will feature exhibitions and a major award ceremony to recognise outstanding SMEs, who are innovating ideas that are changing Nigeria’s economic trajectory and also recognize stakeholders in government and private sector who have contributed meaningfully to the sector.

Over 3000 delegates from all over the country are expected to attend the conference. The delegates are drawn from different sectors and SME service providers, including but not limited to creative, events, tech, fashion, entertainment, makeup, agriculture, production, manufacturing, cosmetics and corporate services.

Some of the recognition at the event: SME Economy Entrepreneur of the Year (Male and Female), Award for SME Network of the Year, Award for Real Estate, Award for SME Bank of the Year, Distinguished Service Award, Award for Arts and Crafts and Award for Event Management.

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FEATURES

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

Collaborating to Tackle Spread of HIV/AIDS in Nasarawa With about 43,500 people currently living with HIV and AIDs in Nasarawa State, the United Nations Children’s Fund recently launched a partnership with media executives and practitioners on prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, and Adolescents and Young Persons Support, to check the spread of the disease in the state. Emmanuel Ukumba reports

Some of the media executives and stakeholders in the ďŹ ght against HIV/AIDS

R

ecently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) organised a meeting with media executives, reporters, and producers on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)/ Adolescents and Young Persons (AYP) Support in Nasarawa State.

The reason was simple: to check the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS across the state.

Statistics Available statistics at the Nasarawa State Aids Control Agency (NASACA) has it that no fewer than 43,500 people are currently living with HIV and AIDs in Nasarawa State. The statistics further reveals that new infections among AYP for 2016, 2017 and first half of 2018 are 1,721; 1,155; and 1,068, respectively. The NASACA’s statistics also reveals that in 2017, AYP Counselled, Tested and Received Result (CTRR) cases was 82,151, with 1,155 testing positive to HIV, while in the first half of 2018, AYP CTRR was 75,435, with 1,086 testing positive.

Worried by the widespread HIV/ AIDS explosion in the state, UNICEF recently organised in Keffi, headquarters of Keffi Local Government

Area of Nasarawa State, a one-day meeting with media practitioners in Nasarawa State on prevention of the dreaded disease and among

Major drivers of the disease among Adolescents and Young Persons in Nigeria are multiple and concurrent sexual partners, intergenerational sex, sexual coercion and low risk perception. Others includes pervasive gender inequalities and gender- based violence, poverty, unemployment or underemployment and widespread HIV/ AIDS related stigma and discrimination

adolescents and young people.

Speaking at the one-day meeting in Keffi, the executive director of NASACA, Dr. Ruth Adabe, said, “AYP currently on Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) treatment as at June 2018 in Nasarawa State is 4,245, comprising 976 males and 3,269 females, with females being the most affected group. In 2016, over 240,000 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were living with HIV, making up seven per cent of the total number of people with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.�

Adabe, who was represented by the state HIV/AIDS and STIs Control Programme Officer, Dr Peter Attah, called on residents to always know their health status in the interest of their health and for the overall development of the country.

According to her, “Reports from a 2017 National Health Survey show that only 29 per cent of women and 27.9 per cent of men between the ages of 15 and 24 could correctly identify ways of preventing sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS, and reject major myths around transmission.�

Drivers of HIV/AIDS Speaking also, UNICEF HIV/AIDS specialist, Dr. Idris Baba, said currently, millions of women, children

and adolescents were still not being reached, adding that an adolescent girl is newly infected with HIV every three minutes.

According to him, “Some of the major drivers of the disease among AYPs in Nigeria are multiple and concurrent sexual partners, intergenerational sex, sexual coercion and low risk perception. Others includes pervasive gender inequalities and gender- based violence, poverty, unemployment or underemployment and widespread HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination, early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation and widow inheritance, ineffective sexually transmitted infection (STI) programming and poor integration of HIV/AIDS. �

The HIV/AIDS specialist stated that with the increasing number of deaths due to the dreaded disease, and the growing population of the world’s children aged 0 to 19, projected to increase to 2.7 billion by 2030, there was an urgent need for partnership in the HIV/AIDS response for children and adolescents to refocus efforts and redouble investments.

Recommendation Baba recommended measures that could help in the control of HIV/

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FEATURES

Cross section of guests at the event

AIDS to include increased advocacy

by UNICEF with key programmes, especially the SAPC, remote programme implementation in security challenged areas, and continuous support to NASACA to provide means of identification, such as ID cards or reflective jackets (branded) to the volunteers.

Role of Media In a paper presentation titled, “Role of Media as Advocates Addressing AYP To Make Right Choices�, Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, Tamani Yusuf, said the media could greatly influence adolescents and youths in making the right choices. Yusuf said there was need for the media to influence the choices that the Adolescents and Young Persons (AYPs) make, through positive programming and news items they present. She added, “The media can serve as a big motivator for AYPs. They can motivate them to know that if they can dream it, they can achieve it. The media should also raise public awareness on the importance of parents making their children their friends, so that they can discuss openly with them; parents also need to be connected to their children. Thus, the media should encourage parents to know the type of friends their children/wards keep. They should also Impact moral values and education so that the ego cannot be influenced by peer pressure to imbibe negative habits. Parents need to inculcate strong religious, social and cultural values. Parents need to be good role models and inspire AYPs to dream big."

She said some of the issues adolescents struggled with included depression, dropping out of school, peer pressure, mood swings as a result of hormonal changes, friendship, coping with stress, teenage pregnancy, and anxiety. She said there was “need to share experiences with them so that they can tap into the wisdom of other people who passed through similar challenges before them.�

Furthermore, she said the media had a mandate to arm AYPs with values to help them stand against corruption and other issues. “They need to be guided on what is right in terms of justice, patriotism, honesty, truth and good morals. AYPs should be encouraged that in the face of obstacles, they must not give up.

The media must encourage parents to teach AYPs the right values, how to spend their time, monitoring their smart phones, how many hours they watch television and how they use their computers,� Yusuf stated.

She concluded by tasking the media practitioners to initiate programmes on dangers of drug abuse, HIV/ AIDS and other issues, as well as develop jingles in different languages of Nigeria.

Guidance UNICEF consultant on child protection and adolescence specialist, Faruk Chiromari, when delivering a paper at the meeting, stated that it was important to guide and redirect adolescents on roles expected of them in the family and society to prevent them from making wrong choices.

Chiromari explained that without

The aim of the meeting was to provide knowledge and orientation to the participants on PMTCT, AYP and HIV/AIDS situation in order to tackle the menace in the country

Campaign against HIV/AIDS must not ďŹ zzle out

guidance, teenagers might become pregnant before they are ready, adding that they may also get infected with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), as well as the dreaded HIV/AIDS. His words: “Parents should find time to talk with their children to let them know that there is safe sex.

You have to talk to them about the consequences of unprotected sex. They may act on impulse as a result of hormonal changes.�

Chiromari said addiction to cyberspace also cut short their physical activities, resulting in an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle. "Internet addiction adversely impacts on academic activities. Even though they may use the internet for research and learning, they may delve into other areas; hence do not say no to Internet, but observe and track what they are using the Internet for. You have to redirect their usage of the internet,� he cautioned.

The expert said no matter what AYPs were told in schools, churches or mosques, they end up following their role models. He, thus, cautioned parents against letting their children get the wrong role models, saying parents should, instead, “be their role models by being friendly with them.�

He explained that aggression among boys was noticed during adolescence,

when the young boys developed muscles, consequently warning that at such times, it is expected that they are prevented from access to firearms and alcohol, as well as violent movies.

Work Plan Earlier, the Communication Officer of UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Rabiu Musa, said the aim of the meeting was to provide knowledge and orientation to the participants on PMTCT, AYP and HIV/AIDS situation in order to tackle the menace in the country.

Musa said, “The aim is also to review and document programmes of the media in Nasarawa State in supporting the dissemination of PMTCT, AYP and HIV/AIDs messages, to leverage airtime and produce links for dissemination PMTCT, AYP/HIV and AIDS messages and to develop media plans by the participating media organisations for implementation.�

Musa called on the media to continue to educate the public on the dangers of the scourge, considering its negative effect to societal development, adding that UNICEF, in collaboration with Nasarawa State Government, had developed a work plan to run from 2018 to 2019 with focus on PMTCT and AYP issues to curb the rising menace of the scourge in the state.

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IMAGES

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Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

L-R: Chairman of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Director of Home Finance in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola;and Director of Revenue, Budget OďŹƒce of the Federation, Mr. Sulaiman Nasidi Tahir, during the FAAC meeting held at the Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja...recently

L-R: Interim Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, Eko Hospital Plc, Mr. Chukwurah Ejioloh; Interim Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Mr. Chukwuka Monye; Chief Medical OďŹƒcer, Dr. Adegbite Ogunmokun; and Deputy Chief Medical OďŹƒcer/ Director of Training. Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, at the media presentation on Eko Hospital major success in its transformation programe in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Head of Rescue and Referral, Child Protection Network (CPN), Oshodi – Isolo LGA; Ebenezer Omejalile; Founder, Women At Risk Foundation (WARIF),Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Forensic Department Force CID Alagbon, Serifat Adesukanmi and , Sergeant, Gender Unit, Lagos State Police Command, Olakunle Orebe at the WARIF Law Enforcement Training Session on Gender Based Violence Management and referral. in Lagos..recently

L-R: CEO, Shortlist Public Relations, Mr. Ayodeji Ayopo; Administrator, Grace School, Gbagada, Mrs Tokunbo Edun; and Finance/Business Executive of the school, Mr. Ademola Eidun, during the press brieďŹ ng on the proposed aďŹƒliation between Grace School and Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Tecchnology, Canada with a aim of establishing a college in Nigeria, in Lagos...recently PHOTO: YOMI AKINYELE

Executive Director, Business Development, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Bukola Smith (6th from left); Divisional Head, Transaction Banking, Mrs. Rolayo Akhigbe (7th from left) with members of Teams Crop2Cash and Dilivas Box, winner and ďŹ rst runner up, respectively, of the FCMB organised Agritech Incubation Programme for Agri-tech start-ups, and others at the ďŹ nal day of the programme organised in partnership with We Nnovation Hub in Lagos...recently

L-R: Executive Vice President, Emirates, Thierry Antinori and award winner, Chief Commercial OďŹƒcer, Samuel Adekanmbi CSSTL, Lagos, Nigeria at the The Leadership Award targeted towards employees in the Retail and Contact Sales in Dubai, Emirates Headquaters...recently

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Sule Umar Bichi; GMD/CEO, Olusola Obabori, and Chairman, Dr Mohammed Koguna all of Red Star Express Plc during the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos...recently

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 6.83 % 6.00 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

5.10% 5.25 % 5.50%

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 08024557078, 08091152219

3 1 , 2 0 1 8

345.87 % -0.72% -2.60%

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

-2.35% 4.89%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.150US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Lagos Plans Big for ‘Akwaaba’

VOICE OF BANK CUSTOMERS

L-R: Guest Speaker, Prof. Segun Ajibola; Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Victor Odozi; President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, (BCAN), Dr Uju Ogubunka and pioneer president, Afreximbank, Dr Chris Edordu, during the third biennial bank customers summit organized by BCAN in Lagos‌ recently

10 Stockbroking Firms Facilitate N103.4bn Transactions in One Month Goddy Egene Ten stockbroking firms facilitated the trading of 5.760 billion shares valued at N103.423 billion in the month of August, data released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has revealed.

A breakdown of the data showed that in value terms, the 10 brokers accounted for 76.9 per cent while in volume terms, they accounted for 53.32 per cent.

According to the NSE report, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited led the chart in terms of value and volume. In volume terms, the firm traded N29.058 billion, which is 21.6 per cent.

CAPITAL MARKET Rencap Securities (Nig) Limited traded N19.221 billion or 14.3 per cent, while EFCP Limited facilitated N15.262 billion, which is 11.3 per cent. FBN Quest Securities Limited facilitated N8.472 billion or 6.3 per cent whereas CSL Stockbrokers Limited traded N7.808 billion or 5.8 per cent.

Others were: Meristem Stockbrokers Limited, N6.510 billion(4.8 per cent); Chapel Hill Denham Securities Limited, N6.113 billion (4.5 per cent); United Capital Securities Limited, N4.9 billion, 3.6 per

cent; Cardinalstone Securities Limited, N3.664 billion(2.7 per cent) and TRW Stockbrokers Limited, N2.404 billion(1.7 per cent.

A look at the performance in volume terms still showed Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers as the leader with 1.349 billion shares, which translates to 12.4 per cent. TRW Stockbrokers Limited trailed with 760.331 million shares which is 7.0 per cent. Cardinalstone Securities Limited accounted for 625.56 million shares or 5.7 per cent.

United Capital Securities Limited traded 514.58 million shares or 4.9 per cent. CSL Stockbrokers traded 514 million shares or

4.7 per cent.

Morgan Capital Securities facilitated 509 million shares or 4.7 per cent, just as Rencap Securities (Nigeria ) Limited traded 462.3 million shares or 4.2 per cent. EFCP Limited recorded 368.7 million, while FBN Quest Securities facilitated to 331.1 million shares. Greenwich Trust Limited traded 308 million shares or 2.8 per cent.

Stanbic IBTC has maintained its leading position on activity chart over the years.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Mrs. Titi Ogungbesan, once said the Continued on page 24

Experts Highlights BeneďŹ ts of Digital Advertising Raheem Akingbolu Contrary to the view in some quarters that the growth in digital advertisement will negatively impact traditional advertisements in Nigeria, top advertising practitioners and communications experts, including the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Ikechi Odigbo, have predicted a boost in the nation’s economy as a result of digital advertising revolution, if well harnessed.

Recent survey put Nigeria’s internet users at close to 100 million.

Also, a survey by Statista, a Statistics Portal, had shown that the year-on-year internet advertising revenue in Nigeria grew from 2013 to 2016, with a forecast until 2021.

ADVERTISING According to the estimate, mobile advertising revenue in Nigeria increased by 73.3 per cent in 2016 compared to previous year. It had been projected that in 2021, mobile ad revenue growth will slow down to 15.9 per cent.

The total internet advertising revenue is expected to reach $157 million.

Speaking on the new trend in the marketing and communication industry, the Communications & Public Relations Manager, West Africa at Google Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, told THISDAY that marketing and branding executives have started hiring developers and creating beautiful, interactive apps to deepen their relationship with consumers.

The Google Africa Chief, however stated that the advent of web-based adverts has had a large impact on offline advertising. “As marketing and media move headlong into a digital future, Nigeria’s marketing communications industry will have a unique opportunity to build a future that helps drive our economy, and the web, forward,� he said.

He stated that the world was changing in line with new communication trend and that it has changed the way brand owners are reaching out to consumers. “Social platforms are empowering citizen journalists worldwide and hitherto quiet brands are becoming content creators. One of the major fac-

tors driving this change is the fact that Web is being adopted faster than we’ve ever seen, and through different channels. “Mobile is one example: devices are smarter and more powerful than ever. Time spent on mobile devices increased to over three hours in the US, in 2016 alone. As wireless connectivity and digital screens proliferate, so does digital media and online advertising,� he said.

To keep up with millennials, the expert stated that advertisers have been moving as fast as consumers in adopting new technology, hence the noticed spilt in advertising spend between offline and online channels.

On his part, Odigbo, though admitted that in the past seven Continued on page 24

The Lagos state government has announced plans to be fully involved in the forthcoming Akwaaba African Travel Market slated for September 9-11 2018. Akwaaba has been hosted in Lagos since the last 14 years and Lagos state government has given support to the programme.

But the state pointed out that it would give the 14th edition of the event its signature tune. The organiser of the travel event said with the changing face of the city of Lagos amid ongoing infrastructural development, delegates to the 14th expo would be treated to the taste of Lagos as never before. “You have heard all the stories of Lagos. Some good, some bad; but no report is better than a personal experience. This is what the government of Lagos through its Ministry of Tourism is promising delegates to this year’s African Travel Expo,� the organisers explained.

They noted that this hosting is in line with eort to make true the vision of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State, to transform Lagos, Africa’s most populous city and the second largest economy in West Africa, in creating an enduring architecture for the business of tourism to thrive to support continuous prosperity of the state as it targets its low hanging fruits of its massive entertainment, culture and heritage TheGovernorearlierintheyearnotedthatthestatewas channelling a lot of resource to creating an enduring architecture for the business of tourism to thrive, with an understanding that tourism does not stand on its own; that it is the infrastructure supporting it that actually allows it to thrive; hence, the upbeat about putting the infrastructure in place.

Dubai Airport Passenger Movement Rises

Dubai Airport had its second busiest month in July as passenger numbers topped eight million during the month.

Airwise.com reported that July saw 8.2 million passengers passing through the airport, a 1.8 per cent increase on the same month last year, and second only to August 2017’s 8.23 million. It was also the fourth month the airport beat the 8 million passenger number.

Eastern Europe was the fastest growth region in July with traďŹƒc up almost 25 per cent, as low-cost carrier ydubai added routes.

CIS passenger numbers rose by 18.34 per cent and Africa 9.7 per cent. Overall, India was the top destination country with a over one million passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UK. In city terms, London was the most popular destination from Dubai, followed by Kuwait, Mumbai and Riyadh.

Cargo volumes rose 4.8 per cent in July to 223,488 tonnes, but year to date volume dropped 1.6 percent to 1,491,649 from the same period in 2017. Dubai International is the busiest airport for international passenger numbers, with 87.7 million in 2017, beating London Heathrow’s 78.2 million. The busiest US airport for international passengers last year was New York’s JFK with 32.4 million.

Brazil to Increase Visa to Nigerians

The Brazilian Envoy in Lagos has promised more visas for Nigerians as commercial and people-to-people relations improve between Nigeria and Brazil, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

The Consul-General of Brazil in Lagos, Ambassador Flavio Bonzanini, told the wire agency in Lagos that his government was willing to increase its visas to Nigerians. “We have the interest to foster the relations between our two countries. We have a very signiďŹ cant importance in Nigeria as the largest country in Africa and the most important economy on the continent. “At the moment, we think that the issuance of visas to Nigerians will increase naturally, as our relations get better. “There will be a natural way to increase visa issuance to Nigerians as more commercial and people-to-people relations increase between Nigeria and Brazil,’’ he said. Bonzanini, who said that the number of visas issued to Nigerians was gradually increasing, however, added that Nigerians had over the years received a low number of visas to Brazil.

“The hammer came when MTN Nigeria took liberty for licence in flouting Nigeria’s foreign exchange laws in the manner of the funding of their equity investment and subsequent capital repatriation that resulted thereafter�

CBN Governor

Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele

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10 STOCKBROKING FIRMS FACILITATE N103.4BN TRANSACTIONS IN ONE MONTH most important characteristics that have endeared the firm to clients are integrity, professionalism and painstaking execution capabilities. “For us, ensuring optimal value to clients is the first consideration in our service delivery. We pride ourselves in the high quality of our equities research backed up by a dynamic sales team. We also leverage on the expertise and experience of Stanbic IBTC Group and the relationship with our parent company, the Standard Bank Group,� she said.

According to Ogungbesan, the firm does not only seek to execute transactions, it builds quality relationships with clients and other stakeholders, which is why investors naturally gravitate towards it. Equally important, she stated, is the fact that the broker continues to deploy cutting-edge technology to provide innovative products and excellent services in a way to boost investor confidence in the market.

EXPERTS HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF DIGITAL ADVERTISING to 10 years, there has been continuous erosion of value within the advertising industry where most clients have begun to divert most of their marketing styles towards activation and also digital campaigns, he argued that the situation would only complement the role of traditional advertising practitioners in the country.

According to him, creative agency still controls the space as promoters of other platforms rely on them for contents. “It’s the same creativity that is required for your campaign on the mass media that will be required to also be effective in terms of digital advertising. “To me, the important thing is that ad agencies need to think even beyond just beginning to dominate the digital space to begin to see their business more for a holistic point of view. “Today, the time requires that we begin to see ourselves not just as agencies but as creative business solution providers.

Akwa Ibom Harps on Investment in Agric Okon Bassey in Uyo The 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom State have been told to take the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) which is funded by World Bank, French Development Agency and other international financial institutions a serious.

At a one-day sensitisation on the Akwa Ibom State -Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (AKS-RAAMP), the Chairman, Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency in the state, Prof Edet Udoh stressed the need for them to take advantage of the project.

He explained that RAAMP has window of opportunities created by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for local government council helmsmen to access the facility and popularised themselves.

Under the scheme, Udoh said the RAAMP had already prioritised the construction of 500Km roads across the state as well as agro-logistics, among other projects as the state government had paid its counterpart funding.

Udoh, who doubles as the Chairman, State Project Monitoring Committee (SPMC) of AKS-RAAMP said “the problem we have in Africa is that we don’t own development efforts for sustainability.�

He noted that the interest of the state governor in the programmed had opened the state to development agencies or partners, pledging the resolve of SPMC to work with the Local Government Areas to ensure RAAMP succeed in the state.

Giving an overview of AKS-RAAMP, the Sate Project Coordinator, Mr. Gideon Akpan explained that RAAMP had been in Nigeria for the past twelve years with only two states that benefited.

Akpan maintained that it scaled up to RAAMP ll where seven states benefited, adding, “we had to scale up from RAAMP ll which was Rural Access And Mobility Project, to Rural Access And Agricultural Marketing Project,� with 18 states selected to participate including Akwa Ibom State which is opportune to join through the efforts of the

present state administration of governor Emmanuel.

To boost the AKS-RAAMP, funded by the World Bank with the assistance of French Development Agency, he said the state government had released the sum of N833 million as counterpart fund. “French Development Agency is coming to give us the grant for Agriculture while World Bank will be interested in infrastructure and institutional development,� he said.

He posited that AKS-RAAMP would embark on development of value change, agricultural produce through processing,

marketing, export, making farmers product available at the right place, time and value through the right access road connectivity in the state.

The Project Coordinator said RAAMP was adopted by governor Emmanuel to consolidate on his five points agenda of Wealth creation, Economic and political inclusion, Poverty alleviation, infrastructural consolidation and Job creation.

Akpan maintained that farmers within the project will access loan at international market and agricultural hubs to improve their sales and make income, stressing that the 500Km roads

identified in the state was for immediate intervention.

According to him, “the project will develop inter-border transport system that will connect all the local communities in Akwa Ibom state�, noting that with the development rural-urban drift would be controlled and all rural areas would be opened up with access broad and agro marketing hubs.

Also, he said the project would have a delivery of agricultural product at lower cost and at the right time as well as ensure food sufficiency and poverty reduction in line with sustainable development goals.�

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Jingak Chung; Samsung Ambassador, Bankole Wellington and Director, Information Technology & Mobile (IM), Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo, during the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note9 into the Nigerian market in Lagos‌recently

EFInA to Boost Financial Inclusion with $2m FinTech Challenge Fund Emma Okonji The Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) has disclosed that it will use the occasion of the recent visit of the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to Nigeria to introduce a new challenge fund focusing on financial technology (Fintech) companies.

This, the organisation said is expected to enhance the uptake and usage of financial services by the low-income population in Nigeria.

At a business networking event in Lagos, that was hosted by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, EFInA’s Board Chair, Mr. Segun Akerele, explained further that EFInA is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Speaking at the launch of the fund, a board member of EFInA, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, said: “Following our recent request for information at our

Fintech Outreach Forum, it gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of a new $2 million fund for start-up and growth stage Fintech firms looking to increase access to financial products and services for the poor as well as reduce the rate of financial exclusion in the country.�

She said the essence was to pilot and support the development of innovative financial products and services through the use of digital technology.

In addition, the new fund would support projects that helps strengthen financial inclusion in Nigeria by aligning innovation and modern technology with the needs of the target audience. “As we see changes happening faster and faster in our environment, we have to anticipate and step up our pace as well. There is immense opportunity in this market and our aim is to see to it that Nigerians are well placed to take advantage of these new opportunities and

in the process reduce poverty and boost our GDP,� she said.

She further stated that the grants would cover a range of between $50,000.00, up to $200,000.00 for the “Fintech Challenge 1 Grant� and a range of between $200,000.00 to $500,000.00 for the Fintech Challenge 2 Grant,� adding that more information about the grants would be made available to prospective applicants at the formal Request for Proposal event to be held by the company in the near future.

FCMB Reiterates Support for SMEs Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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

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

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First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has reiterated its commitment to champion and execute initiatives that would boost the growth and performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) through increased lending, capacity building, advisory and value-added offerings that would fast-track overall national development.

The bank gave the assurance during the third series of its free capacity building programme tagged: “Business Enterprises and Sustainability Training (BEST)’’ that was organised for existing and new SMEs

in Abuja recently.

This followed the success of the first and second editions of the training in Lagos.

According to a statement, the initiative, led by FCMB Training Academy, the bank’s business banking group and facilitators, focused on business and skills development, marketing, finance and accounting for SMEs. It covered various topical areas such as identifying business opportunities, improving productivity, raising capital, optimising sales, cost and revenue management among others.

Speaking on the BEST initia-

tive, the Executive Director, Business Development of FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, said the bank recognises the increasing role and impact of SMEs on the lives of people and the society.

According to her: “the BEST initiative is one of the innovative ways we support the growth of our SME customers because without effective training and exposure, it can be a challenge to succeed. “In FCMB, we are passionate about helping our customers thrive in a sustainable manner.

We believe that this comprehensive training programme

will go a long way to impact positively on the operators of SMEs and propel them to further develop themselves. “This will also help them take their respective businesses to the next level and compete favourably within and outside the Nigerian market. We therefore, urge participants to take advantage of the unique opportunities provided by FCMB.�

Also commenting, the Head, Training Academy of FCMB, Mr. Sola Oyegbade, stated: “BEST Initiative is a proof of our commitment to the growth and sustainability

of the SMEs. “We focus on helping and getting these businesses sustained beyond just focusing on what value they add to our own Business on the immediate, and then overlook the critical need to develop the nation’s growing economy. A number of our SME partners who have participated in earlier versions of this training, are much better off today.’’ The participants at the training expressed gratitude to FCMB for living up to its value as a simple, reliable and helpful bank that creates opportunities and values.

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Group Tasks Africa to Focus on Trade with China Ugo Aliogo The Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA) has advised African leaders to rethink their engagement strategies with China in order to make their present relationships with the Asian country mutually beneficial and a win-win cooperation.

The group, which stated this in a statement signed and made available to THISDAY by the Senior Research Fellow, IPPA, Thompson Ayodele, noted that the key economic considerations that had shaped China-Africa relations are mainly loans, development assistance and debt cancellations, and trade.

The statement also noted that the summit would be used by China to offer new round of billions of dollars in loans and aid to African

countries amidst rising debts.

Ayodele in the statement said African countries such as Angola and Djibouti which are recipients of China’s foreign loans and aid are already mired in debt, adding that these countries are either restructuring their debts or negotiating another round of loans.

He added that some African countries are seeking funding from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because of their inability to pay back the Chinese.

According to him: “Loans and aid dependency from China will make growth elusive and alter the bottom up economic growth strategy in Africa. “Instead, Africa should seek an increase in trade level comparable to China’s trade

partners in Asia whose trade volume is five times higher than trade with Africa. “The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between China and its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trade partners in 2002 has contributed to the increase in the volume of trade between China and its ASEAN partners. However, Africa is left out of China’s FTAs foray. “The central criteria of China’s FTAs include, achieving “One China� policy; recognition of China as a market economy; achieving access to raw materials; and maintaining and strengthening its political and diplomatic relations.

Many African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and South Africa, to mention a few, meet these criteria with which China signs FTAs.�

MAN Endorses Manufacturing Equipment Expo The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs has reiterated his association’s commitment to support initiative that would promote the manufacturing industry.

This was made known at the recently held MAN annual general meeting held by the Abuja Chapter of the association. The event which had the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammadu Musa Bello as guest speaker and the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Mrs Oduwole Olajumoke, in attendance; was to positively engage heads of government, it’s agencies and parastatals on policies that have the potential to impact the manufacturing industry.

Jacob assured that MAN

would continually support the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo, which he believes to be a credible initiative to further encourage investment and promote sustainable development within the manufacturing industry.

The Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment Expo featuring mPAD and collocated with the Nigeria Raw Material Expo was a 3-day annual event, an international end of line packaging and processing exhibition for the agro food, beverage, textiles, pharmaceuticals, industrial and non -food manufacturing industry.

Still speaking at the event, the Event Manager, Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo, Mr. Joseph Oru, expressed gratitude

to MAN for the support in ensuring a successful hosting of the third edition of the event. According to him, CEWA would not relent in her effort to keep making relevant contribution to the industry.

During the 2018 edition of the NME, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by Oduwole, also revealed that the current administration was working to ensure the elimination of bottlenecks that may hinder industrialisation.

Clarion Events West Africa is a division of Clarion Events Limited based in the United Kingdom established since 1947 with capacities and expertise in producing over 180 innovation and market leading exhibitions annually; organised with 13 global offices.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

Do You Know Your Fatal Flaw?

Let’s start by attempting to define what a fatal flaw is. “Fatal flaws are weaknesses that are extreme and can have a dramatic, negative effect on a leader, seriously hampering their contribution to the organization and their career progress.

Everyone else can see this clearly; but the person with the fatal flaw almost never does.�

Data shows that someone perceived very poorly on any single, important leadership trait pays a high price. If their score is in the bottom 10 percent on one skill, they will rank in the bottom fifth overall – no matter how strong other strengths are. “Bottomline, leaders don’t need to be extremely good at everything, but they generally cannot be totally void in one area and still succeed.�

Data also says, most of the fatal flaws noticed as “sins of omission� from leaders have been in the areas of a lack of strategic thinking, not taking responsibility for outcomes, not building strong relationships, or “sins of commission�, having a terrible temper, an executive who lies, arrogance, lack of empathy, etc.

When I read this literature to support this article it got me thinking. You and I know many leaders who have at least 2-3 sins of omission and as well as sins of commission rising to the top of their career. My conclusion is that, it was pure luck. Each leader I know with these weaknesses, now I’m talking about the CEO level, had these leadership positions fall on them because of extenuating circumstances in the organizations they led. Had the situation been normal, where there was competition or a vote to attain these position, many of them would not have achieved this feat in the careers.

Haven cleared that exception, let’s look at normal people like you and me and leaders who have had to go through an evaluation system to achieve the next level of growth in their careers.

Let me start with me. Like I have mentioned on this page before in my article “It takes more than hardwork. Politics is Key!� I thought it was all about getting the work done, being innovative, pushing myself and my team to excel. At the

Paga Releases New Money Transfer App With its newest offering, Paga, one of Nigeria’s leading mobile money company is making it easier to send and receive money for all Nigerians.

The app which is now available in both the Android Play and iOS App stores, shrinks the already existing functionalities of the Paga platform and strips it down to two main functions send money and request money, a statement from the company explained. “Paramount for us was the user experience. To get it right we took a step back and removed all the clutter you find in a lot of apps—and chose to focus on two things—send and request money. “Have you ever found yourself spending time trying to contact someone to get their account number just so you can pay them?� explained the CEO and Founder, Paga, Tayo Oviosu. “Or looking for your account number to give someone? Then going through the numerous steps required to complete a

payment? Well, no need to ever do that again! Simply pick the person you want to send money to, and do so easily— by phone number or email,� he added.

According to him, the appeal lies not only in its simplicity, but also in its highly enjoyable user experience - it is the simplest way to access your money from different sources - be it your debit cards or bank accounts and use from one central wallet. “It is easy to use - simply choose a person from your contact list or enter a phone number or email address; and Paga has made it absolutely free! No charges and no fees on any transactions. “The service is not limited to the app - it is available on all platforms, including the online channel and USSD portal *242#,� the statement added.

Paga, which was founded nine years ago, has remained innovative in its quest to support Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey.

The company recently

celebrated crossing the nine million customer mark; a feat achieved barely six months after reaching eight million and has processed over $3.6 billion worth of transactions.

They have done this through building their agent network, and key collaborations with various financial institutions.

Now, they are putting Paga into people’s hands. “At Paga, we are building an ecosystem that enables people to digitally send and receive money and creating simple financial access for everyone. “We do not seek to be the bank but rather to partner with banks and financial institutions in the markets we operate.� “In line with the likes of Paypal and Venmo, this new offering will revolutionise how Nigerians are interacting with their money, and improve access to digital financial solutions.

The company hints at plans to build in more functionalities and services in the future,� the statement added.

You are not alone if you do not know your fatal aw. Over two thirds of leaders do not recognise this deďŹ ciency because it takes a while for the direct correlation of our aw to start showing. It is important to start evaluating yourself early in your growth trajectory, to determine where your errors of omission and commission are and start to actively work on correcting them

lower rung of my career, this objective worked very well for me and was appreciated by the organization I worked in. As I grew up the ladder, I started to suffer from a fatal sin of omission, which was very hard for me to see. The main reason was, though the organization was a meritocracy, I thought that was all that mattered. Doing a good job!

It was not immediately visible to me that I was suffering from a fatal sin of omission of “not building strong relationships�. It took me a while to realize that there was more at play than just the work, it was more about your alignments, who was with whom, were you perceived as loyal or subordinate enough, etc. Your work still spoke for you, but there was more that was required. Let me also say that merit was still highly prized and rewarded, and was not detrimental to my growth.

I also had a colleague, who did excellent work, but her sin of omission was also a lack of “not building strong relationships�.

She was quiet and reserved, but everybody felt the job she was performing required a more extroverted personality. Being her direct supervisor, I disagreed with this assertion, because I found her very effective on her job and knew that everybody could not have the same personality. She could never understand this requirement, and it was detrimental to her growth.

I have had bosses, whose sins of omission, I felt were a lack of strategic thinking. They were also good at getting the work done, but lacked the strategic thinking of ensuring that innovation and “new thinking� for the future was woven into their work. We all also know leaders who lack empathy or jokingly degrade the people they interact with or work with. Greatest sin in my view is the leader that lies. Thank God in my over 20 years as a professional, I came across very few and one in particular with a penchant to lie.

Research has shown that many of us are not aware of our flaws. Jack Zenger, the author of “Most Leaders Know Their Strengths – but Are Oblivious to Their Weaknesses�, said becoming more self-aware is where to start.

He says there are several ways to can learn to identify your weaknesses, and start to figure out whether they are serious or mild.

Start by finding a “truth teller�, who will share honest feedback with you. He says data shows and from my own personal experience that our colleagues know about or see firsthand failing in us. We just need to find these people and encourage them to give us feedback.

If that doesn’t work, hire an external consultant to give you feedback. I know of a colleague who did this. I know because I was one of those who provided feedback to the outside consultant. I was very proud of her for going the extra mile to be self-aware.

You are not alone if you do not know your fatal flaw. Over two thirds of leaders do not recognize this deficiency because it takes a while for the direct correlation of our flaw to start showing. It is important to start evaluating yourself early in your growth trajectory, to determine where your errors of omission and commission are and start to actively work on correcting them. Good luck!

Marie-Therese Phido is Sales & Market Strategist and Business Coach Email: mphido@elevato.com.ng tweeter handle @osat2012 TeL: 08090158156 (text only)

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UBA Shows Resilience Despite decline in yields in two of its core markets -Nigeria and Ghana- United Bank for Africa Plc recorded growth in gross earnings and profit for the half year ended June 30, 2018, writes Goddy Egene Most of the banks in Nigeria recorded improved performance in their 2017 financial year.

The strong performance was bolstered by earnings from foreign exchange market and investment in treasury bills and other fixed income securities.

However, experts had predicted that the fall in yields in fixed income securities as well as the slow pace of economic growth would affect banks’ performance negatively.

Some of the apprehensions have manifested in the financial results of some of the banks in their half year (H1) ended June 30, 2018, results released so far.

The development even made some of the banks to record lower bottom-line.

But, this was not for the United Bank for Africa Plc, which delivered double-digit growth in gross earnings and higher profit for H1 despite declining yield environment in two core markets, Nigeria and Ghana, where the pan Africa financial institution operates.

Financial performance United Bank for Africa Plc recorded a growth of 16 per cent rise in gross earnings to N258 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2018, up from N223 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

Net interest income stood at N111.1 billion, compared with N101.4 billion in the corresponding period of 2017. Credit impairment charges reduced by 28.9 per cent from N9.4 billion to N6.7 billion, while operating expenses rose by 9.4 per cent from N94.8 billion.

Operating income was N168.5 billion, compared to N161.8 billion in 2017, indicating an increase of 4.1 per cent.

Notwithstanding the inflation-induced cost pressure in the period, UBA finished the first half of the year strongly, with a profit before tax(PBT) of N58.1 billion, while profit after tax(PAT) rose from N42.3 billion in 2017 to N43.8 billion in 2018, showing a 3.4 per cent growth.

The first half of the year profit, translated to pre-tax and post-tax return on average equity of 23 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.

UBA’s foreign operations continue to grow in importance, contributing 40 per cent of the group’s profit, which according to analysts attests to the benefit of UBA’s pan-African strategy and reinforces the Bank’s objective of achieving 50 percent earnings contribution from offshore subsidiaries.

A further analysis of the results showed that the bank’s total assets grew 4.9 per cent to N4.27 trillion and customer deposits rose by 6.1 per cent to N2.90 trillion, compared to N2.73 trillion as at December 2017. But net profit margin fell from 19 cent to 15.8 per cent in 2018.

In line with its culture of paying both interim and final cash dividend, the board of directors of UBA Plc declared an interim dividend of N0.20 per share for every ordinary share of N0.50 each held on the qualification date of Wednesday, September 05, 2018.

Bank explains performance Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Mr. Kennedy Uzoka said: “Our performance in the first half the year reflects the resilience of our business model and strategies. Despite declining yields in two core markets, Nigeria and Ghana, we delivered double digit growth in gross earnings. Our performance demonstrates the success of our digital banking initiatives and broader Customer-First strategies� “We are integrating banking to our customers’ lifestyle, simplifying processes for routine transactions and driving financial inclusion by making banking services ac-

Uzoka

cessible and affordable. We are creating opportunities for wealth creation and

Our performance in the ďŹ rst half the year reects the resilience of our business model and strategies. Despite declining yields in two core markets, Nigeria and Ghana, we delivered double digit growth in gross earnings

economic progress, as we empower our customers through innovative platforms and solutions that support their personal and business growth. Our commitment to delivering excellent service is paying-off, as we increasingly win a bigger share of customers’ wallet across our chosen markets. We won the highly coveted “Africa’s Best Digital Bank� Award by Euromoney, demonstrating our pioneering initiatives are being recognised with Leo, our digital banker having been name checked by Mark Zuckerberg.�

He explained that the bank’s enhanced asset-liability management strategies improved asset yield and grew interest income by 21 per cent despite prevailing yield environment. “Our re-engineered sales structure provided the impetus for renewed retail deposit growth. I am particularly pleased by the 24 per cent year-to-date growth in retail savings and current account deposits, underpinning the increasing penetration

of our digital offerings and the Group’s overarching goal of democratizing banking across Africa. “We improved net interest margin to 7.4 per cent in line with our 2018 target, notwithstanding strong competition for wholesale deposits and the impact of rising global interest rates on our foreign currency funding,� Uzoka said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Nwaghodoh said: “We finished the first half of the year in a stronger position and we are optimistic on the future of our business. Amidst economic recovery and uncertainties in Nigeria, our largest market, we grew net interest income and operating income by 9.6 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively. “We doubled revenue from trade services and grew e-banking income by 24 per cent, a testament to our market share gain, which is driven by innovative offerings. “Our foreign operations contributed 40 per cent of group’s profit, underlining the benefit of our Pan-African strategy.�

According to him, the bank sustained asset quality, with cost of risk at 0.8 per cent. “Whilst the loan book declined by 6.5 per cent due to prepayments from some customers in Nigeria and Ghana, we grew the overall balance sheet by five per cent in the first half of the year. The Group’s capital adequacy ratio of 23 per cent, bank’s liquidity ratio of 48 per cent and loan-to-deposit ratio of 57 per cent all reinforce our capacity to grow, with ample headroom for risk asset creation,� Nwaghodoh said.

Enhancing customer experience Analysts said the introduction of Leo, the UBA Chat Banker which enables customers make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions, is a big boost for the bank and its customers.

The introduction of Leo was the first time that a financial institution in Africa has come up with that manner of solution to simplify the way customers transact.

According to the bank, with the launch of the chat banking, customers would be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfer funds and airtime top up.

They would also be able to confirm cheques, pay bills apply for loans, freeze accounts, request for mini statements, amongst other things. “The formulation of this product is consistent with the bank’s customer 1st philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like, but focusing on what the customers want, where they want it, and in the exact platform they want it.’ “At UBA, we have been working with technology giants that have the global capacity to ensure not only seamless but also effortless banking for millions of our customers across Africa. We at UBA, have collaborated with Facebook to come up with this innovation that is capable of revolutionising the way banking is done in Africa,� he said. Uzoka noted that Leo will in the nearest future, show up on other social platforms and added that all it takes to enjoy the services is simply to have a Facebook account,� Uzoka said.

Also speaking on Leo, the Group Head of Online Banking at UBA, Mr. Austine Abolusoro said it is not just a chat machine, but an artificial intelligence personality meant to address any type of banking concerns raised by customers. “Leo is ready and waiting to help with most transactions and to deliver any form of banking services. Leo is operating a lifestyle banking platform on facebook messenger to assist with your transactions while chatting with your friends and business partners. The security with this platform is that for every transaction, an OTP (One Time Password) is generated to the phone number that is registered on your account.�

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Chukwu: FG Should Prioritise Job Creation Managing Director/CEO, Cowry Asset Management, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, in this interview, speaks on the state of the Nigerian economy. Nume Ekeghe presents the excerpts: will want to pull out such funds and lend, though at single digit interest rate. The reason they will not want to lend is that there is no risk sharing. The risk still resides solely with the banks, so should they lend to projects that fail, they will still have to bear 100 per cent write off for such loans.

So it is not a risk sharing initiative. It is basically to reduce the burden of the cash reserve ratio that are with the central bank and make it kind of productive. So what the central bank is basically doing is to free up financial instruments that are sterilized and then deploy it back into the economy for productive engagement. But even at that, because the risk still resides with the banks, the banks are not likely to be very bullish; they will rather live with a zero income than loss of principal. But I want to believe that once the environment is more positive, the banks will latch onto that opportunity.

What are your thoughts on the state of the Nigerian economy?

The economy is in a state of slow recovery.

We have seen the second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a slow growth rate of 1.5 per cent, compared with the 1.95 per cent we saw in the first quarter of the year. The basic factors that may have led to a slowdown in the GDP growth rate are the displacement of farmers in the north-east added to the long term existing displacement in the North- central and then we have also seen an uptick in arms bandits in the north-west, which have also displaced farmers in states like Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina. The second contributory factor to the economy which is the oil and gas sector, which accounts for between 13 to 15 per cent of the GDP also saw a slowdown. In January 2018, crude production was about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd)but when we got to the second quarter of this year, we saw consistent decline in crude production to as low as 1.5 million bpd. So that reduction in crude production affected the contribution of the oil and gas sector in economic activities. And these two sectors almost account for 84 per cent of the GDP. As you are aware, we are now in an election season, so we have seen instances where foreign portfolio investors are pulling out or pulling back from the Nigerian economy principally because of heightened political risks. We have also seen normalisation of interest rates in the US. How soon do we see a turnaround in the economy, especially regarding capital outow?

The turnaround would come at the end of the first quarter of next year depending on how the elections go. Should the election go smoothly and there are no major agitations after the elections, then foreign investors would come back significantly. Their concern like I said earlier is more political so once the political risk is overcome I believe many of them would comeback. Our assets are still giving good yields. If you go to the equities realm, you would see a lot of stocks trading below their intrinsic worth and some of them are trading their net asset value which means the opportunity for income capital gain on those stocks. On the fixed income end, even the treasury bills or short term 91-day bills in the primary market are still doing 10.3 per cent. And given that our exchange rate in the near future is still going to be stable, so the yield environment is still attractive both in the fixed income segment of the market and equities segment of the market. So, if we tidy ourselves through the political season and we have a smooth election that doesn’t lead to major agitations, post-election violence where all the parties accept the outcome of the elections, I believe the investors would come back.

Comparing our MPR rate with other emerging markets, do you think it is proper to continue to keep interest rate high?

The way I would look at it is that managing the economy is a very delicate balancing act. Today, the primary objective of the central bank is given that we are having outflows of foreign investors, they need to keep rates high as to sustain the interest of a few those who are ready to ignore the risks in favour of the yield.

So the central bank in as much as they know the economy is growing slowly, is not in the position to lower the monetary policy rate and inject more liquidity into the economy, that could bring pressure on the demand for foreign exchange and could possibly reverse the trend we have

Do you think the interest we are seeing in the commercial paper segment of the market will continue after the elections?

Yes, after the election, the economic direction will be known, economic policies will be enunciated, investors will want to look at those policies and now decide when to play, but for now, with the political environment, no one wants to play long term.

Chukwu

seen in inflation. I believe that after the election, the priorities of the government would change and at that point, it would be more of growing the economy. We have seen inflation drop to 11.14 per cent in July and for the monetary policy rate, it is low enough to justify a reduction in MPR. But given that we are in a period where you expect a lot of liquidity injection from budget disbursement and at the same time exit of foreign investors, the central bank or the MPC cannot at this point in time and it is not auspicious for them to reduce the MPR. Even if they do, banks are not going to lend because banks are not going to lend in an environment that is very politically charged. So, after the election, the government would have to redefine its economic priorities. And I want to believe that at this point, the priority should be on growing the economy to create jobs and expand economic opportunities for Nigerians.

The turnaround would come at the end of the ďŹ rst quarter of next year depending on how the elections go.

Should the election go smoothly and there are no major agitations after the elections, then foreign investors would come back signiďŹ cantly

You mentioned that banks are not likely to lend in a politically charged environment and the loan books of banks have been on the decline, are you saying we are going to see a continuation of this trend?

I want to believe we are going to see a further decline in the loan portfolio of banks in this fiscal year up to the first quarter of next year and subsequently if we have a very calm political environment, banks will resume lending. The key thing about lending is that nobody wants to give out their financial resources at such periods when you are not sure of how the environment is going to remain. It is just a natural defence mechanism that financial institutions adopt.

I want to believe that it will continue till the end of this year even as we approach the election period, business leaders will also roll back their investment and business activities. I believe we are going into a period of comical relief, where many of us will be sitting in our offices from morning till night watching people dancing and campaigning.

At such period, not many people want to put their financial resources in long-term instruments, you see that the beneficiaries will be short term instruments like money market, treasury bills while we all wait till the election and the election outcome will also determine the direction of the country and where opportunities will emerge.

If banks are not lending do you seebus them taking the opportunity of the CRR single digit long term loan of the CBN? I don’t think it will be very bullish in the period I referred to as a period of slowdown of economic activities. But subsequently once the policy environment is good and the political environment is good then the banks will take advantage of it. The basic thing is that these are funds are sitting at the central bank at no interest rate and no income to the bank. So any opportunity they have if the environment is good, they

The equities market has been in the red?

Some of us had predicted in the early part of the year that the equities market is going to suffer from the pre-election uncertainties and it wasn’t surprising for us.

I can’t imagine what will spur a consistent rally in the market. We are going to see some rally here and there. We are going to see some few days of market recovery, but on average this year is going to close on a negative territory. But it also presents buying opportunities for discerning investors. I believe sometimes towards the end of this year, November or December, the market is going to bottom out which will create opportunities for people who have the technical competence to identify good instruments and invest. I also believe that, and I have always emphasised that by the end of the first quarter, of next year the economic and political environment will be clearly defined and opportunity will emerge, and investors will scramble for Nigerian assets, including local investors.

So, if you are courageous enough to go in towards the end of this year, I want to believe that such investor will reap the benefit after the election.

Going forward, what do we expect from your ďŹ rm?

The unique thing about us is that we understand the economy, we always proffer forecast that is in most instances are realised and investors have the benefit of foresight and the octopus’ benefit of seeing and having a gaze into the future. The basic thing is that for us when you are creating a future cash flow of an entity and for us we direct our investors and always emphasise that you need to understand what you are doing and the economy is not what you can navigate half blinded, you need to latch onto an institution like cowry investment that has the competence to make the appropriate investment. We have customers that are very loyal to us because for the past 13 years of our existence, they have really made good money from our advice and they know the competence that we have and I believe the public knows that we have very deep knowledge base, that we have access to the right tools and we will advise our customers only on those instruments that we would put our money in.

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Travelex, CBN, EFCC Partner on Best Practices for BDCs Nume Ekeghe As part of efforts to ensure transparency in the foreign exchange market, Travelex Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Travelex UK, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have concluded plan to engage Bureau De Change (BDC) operators on international best practices.

The engagement, which is a national seminar on best practices in the BDC segment of the foreign exchange market in Nigeria, is schedule for September 6th to 7th, 2018 in Lagos.

The seminar will highlight a major cooperation between Travelex, the CBN and key financial services regulatory authorities in the country.

Key presenters at the seminar are the CBN Deputy Governor on Financial System Stability Directorate of CBN; the Chairman Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, Director General, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); Managing Director/CEO Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the President of ABCON, alongside experts and technical personnel from Travelex UK. According to a statement signed by Anthony Enwereji, General Manager, Travelex Nigeria, some of the topics to be discussed include: ‘BDCs and

Linkage Assurance Excites Shareholders with Dividend Payout Ebere Nwoji

anti-money laundering laws and regulations’; ‘Detection and prevention of illicit financial flows in election year’; ‘International best practice in BDCs operations: How BDCs work in order climes’; ‘Standard reporting guidelines on BDC returns’; ‘Application of IT in facilitating BDC operations’, and ‘Practical effects of CBN policies on BDC operations’. “The core objective of the seminar is to harmonise the practices and procedures in the nation’s BDC subsector by bringing them in line with international best practices,� the statement said. “In addition, the seminar is slated in the countdown to the general election in Nigeria to help BDCs guard against facilitating illicit financial flows associated with the season of campaign financing. African countries lose more than $50 billion annually through illicit financial flows,� it stated.

The statement added, “it is estimated that $100 billion a year, about four percent of Africa’s GDP, have been illegally earned, transferred, or used, much of it due to mis-invoicing. “This retards Africa’s growth; weakens public institutions and rule of law; discourages the culture of paying taxes and value-addition to natural resources; and results in countries over relying on official development assistance.�

Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc, at the 24th annual general meeting(AGM) of the company held in Lagos recently commended the company for dividend payment after several years without dividend.

They called on the board and management of the company to ensure sustenance of same and to improve on what they paid for the financial year ended December31, 2017.

The company, at the AGM announced a dividend of five kobo per share for the shareholders. “We urge you to reinforce your marketing team and distribution channels so that there will be more growth in premium and profitability for the company in the coming years�, said the shareholders.

The company’s Chairman, Joshua Fumudoh, who announced the result said the company in 2017 recorded a gross premium written of N4.10 billion as against N4.03 billion in 2016, while the gross premium income was 6 percent up to N4.186 billion in the review year as against N3.96 billion the past year.

Linkage Assurance profit before tax rose by 218 percent from N942.68 million to N2.996 billion in 2017, while the Profit After Tax also appreciated significantly by 431 percent to close at N2.891 billion in 2017. This is as total assets appreciated 15 percent to N23.3 billion in 2017, from N20.33 billion in the previous year.

Fumudoh also said the company paid out a total of N1.038 billion in claims in 2017 as against N613.2 million in

2016, underscoring its commitment to policyholders.

He noted that the company was determined to take advantage of developments in the economy by developing strategic initiatives such as deployment of online portal for selling of motor insurance, as well as repositioning its bouquet of retail products like the Third Party Plus (a budget friendly motor insurance plan) to ensure sustainable growth for the company in 2018 and beyond. “Continuous growth in customer satisfaction, productive sales in the market and impeccable underwriting and risk management practices will set us up for achievable greatness in 2018. We are focused on sustaining and

surpassing the gains of 2017 and enhancing reputation and performance. We will further develop our strategy to deliver value to all our stakeholders within a governance framework of prudence and effective oversight as a board,� he said.

Speaking, Acting Managing Director of the company Daniel Braie, said going into the future, the company would continue to refine its strategy in line with the political, economic, sociological and technological changes in the industry. “Also, we will continue to develop innovative products, alternative channels of distribution and strategic initiatives that will enable us achieve our corporate goals and objectives.

With a medium-to-long term perspective, we believe that we will benefit from growth in these initiatives,�, Braie said.

Eko Hospital Improves Services with Automation Nume Ekeghe Ekocorp Plc said it has concluded the first phase of the transformation of its hospital, Eko Hospital, making it a one stop shop for health care services in the country in a bid to enhance its market competitiveness.

Speaking on the transformation done in the hospital in the last six months, the interim Chief Executive of Ekocorp, Mr. Chukwuka Monye, said it has been a new experience for its clients.

The transformation of the hospital according to him was focused on the main areas which are automation, finance and care delivery.

He explained that the automation of processes has reduced the wait time of patients improving their experience at the hospital.

Asides this, he said the transformation process carried out by the interim management ensured that the hospital was managed such that it would return to profitability.

Speaking at a press conference, interim chief financial officer of Ekocorp, Ayodeji Adewale, noted that the healthcare provider which is listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), plan to commence payment of dividend to is shareholders soon.

According to him, Ekocorp which has not paid dividend

for over a decade is on its way to profitability and would soon begin to yield returns for its shareholders.

He noted that discussions were ongoing with some investors on injecting more funds to further equip the hospital and extend its operations beyond its three outlets.

On his part, the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr Adegbite Ogunmokun, noted that the automation of processes in the hospital has not only improved the experience and wait time of patients, but is also driving data collection for research purposes in the hospital. “Research is done easier and we have been able to publish some paper in the local journals international journals,� he stated, adding that the hospital through its training programmes have been able to produce 25 consultants.

He noted that while the hospital was yet to commence renal and open heart surgery, it’s facilities for other medical procedures are such that patients do not have to travel out of the country. “The services we offer are as good as what patients would get when they travel out of the country and they are much cheaper and convenient for the patients,� he stated.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: Regional Administrator, Enterprise Business Unit, MTN Nigeria, Chigoziri Charles; MTN-Google Training Beneficiary, Anthony Jesugbamila; Pricing Manager, Enterprise Business Unit, MTN Nigeria, Bridget Enuma and Google Digital SkillTrainer for Haptics, Daniel Chinagozi, at the MTN-Google Digital MarketingTraining in Port Harcourt‌recently

FBN Insurance Pledges IBTC Insurance Broker’s Commitment to Customer Boss Explains Low Service Insurance Penetration Ebere Nwoji Specialist Life insurer, FBNInsurance, has restated commitment to outstanding customer service through the firm’s sponsorship of the 2018 Customer Amazement Revolution Masterclass with renowned customer service expert, Shep Hykens and accomplished economist, Prof Benjamin Akande.

Speaking at the conference, lead facilitator, Hyken, emphasised the need for every business to realise that today’s customer no longer compare apple to apple, but they compare the quality of service received from the business to the best they have enjoyed elsewhere even if the industries were different.

He went ahead to propose the out-convenience model for

winning back the customer’s trust at all times.

In his presentation, Akande charged business leaders to commit to building a vibrant generation of youth leaders who will affect the Nigerian economic space going forward.

Speaking, Managing Director, FBNInsurance, Val Ojimah, commended the organisers and other sponsors of the conference for their support. He pledged his firm’s commitment to better customer service as a pre-requisite to continuous customer satisfaction via multiple touch points.

The Masterclass, which was organised by the Workplace Centre, had various professionals from the financial services, health sector amongst others in attendance.

Ebere Nwoji The Chief Executive Officer, Standbic IBTC Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Amslem Igbo, has said that Nigerians are still alien to insurance services, a situation which he blamed on low awareness due to insufficient publicity.

He further attributed the poor penetration of the insurance to low standard of processes in the insurance industry.

Addressing the media in his office in Lagos, Igbo pointed out that over the past three years of existence, Standbic IBTC Insurance Brokers has done reasonably well n changing the perception of the public towards Insurance.

He urged Nigerians to protect themselves, their families and valuables through insurance services. “The insurance industry has

numerous products and services to cater for the insurance needs of all strata of society, including individuals, families, groups, associations, businesses, and large organisations. Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers, building on the brand strength of the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belongs, will continue to adopt global best practice in its operations, including exceptional quality of service and facilitating prompt payment of claims for clients,� he said.

According to him, the company which commenced full operation sequel to the granting of a licence by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in January 2016 is among the top 10 insurance brokers, adding “because of our status in the industry,we are consulted in determining the tier for brokers.� he said

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Diamond Bank, Facebook to Train 28,000 on Online Marketing Bassey Inyang in Calabar As part of its contribution towards the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria, Diamond Bank Plc in collaboration with Facebook has disclosed that is targeting to train about 28,000 entrepreneurs on the application of Facebook and its affiliates for online marketing.

Already, part of the training for these categories of business people facilitated by Diamond Bank and Sheleads Africa, representatives of Facebook, took place in Calabar, Cross River State, recently, with over 120 participants in attendance.

Explaining the importance of the training to journalists,

Head, Emerging Business (SME Banking) of the bank, Ayodele Olojede, said it was to provide the necessary information on how SME operators, especially Diamond Bank customers, could expand their markets online, improve their turnover as well as profit through the application of Facebook in online marketing.

Olojede said: “Diamond Bank is very focused on supporting SMEs, supporting them to grow their business and we recognised that access to market is a limiting factor to growing your business, to growing our businesses. “We also recognise the contributing factor of women to the growth of GDP (Gross

Domestic Products). SMEs contribute about 34 percent to GDP growth and then you have employment. “Women contribute about 50 per cent to the GDP. So, it therefore becomes important to continue to support them, enable them, empower them to scale up and improve their productivity. “What we are doing today is to create online visibility and then teaching them how leverage that online visibility to monetise it. “Just by being on Facebook and doing what it is that you want to do diligently, you actually can increase your sales by up to 83 per cent. “That is a goldmine that a lot of women are not aware of

despite the fact that that you are there.�

Continuing, she said “Facebook is already a market for 26 million Nigerians and yet business owners are not aware, women, more so, are not aware.

So, what we are trying to do here today is to let them know that this market is just there for the taking. “Twenty-six million Nigerians are on this platform, so if you are not online, you are missing the opportunity to be able to scale up your businesses. That is the reason for this training- to support businesses to grow. If you are online and you are not diligently driving your business on that platform, you are also missing the opportunity to be

able to sell.�

She said the target of the training was to empower customers of the bank who are SME operators across the country. Olojode, said Diamond Bank has a lot of technologies, partnerships, education etc to support businesses to grow.

Also speaking, Head Regional Businesses South, Diamond Bank, Mr. Nkem Okoro said: “We are one of the fastest growing retail banks in the country. So, we are leveraging technology with SME businesses. “The programme is about collaboration between Facebook and Diamond Bank.

The idea behind the exercise is to give our SME customers the platform to merge their business

with their Facebook accounts.�

One of the participants, Ruth Ntekim, who disclosed that she owns and runs a luxury perfume store said: “I have actually learnt how to market online as creating your audience and being able to give the direct information because sometimes when you go on Facebook and you are about to do an advert for example, you don’t really give the specific details of what you need to do to get the targeted audience you want. “From today, I have been able to understand a lot of things about it, and I am going to start using Facebook to be able to market and create the audience that I want.�

Interswitch Boss Identifies Basic Elements for Business Growth Raheem Akingbolu The Group Managing Director of the Interswitch Group, Mitchell Elegbe, has said although having a high intelligence quotient (IQ) is necessary, IQ alone is not enough to make a headway in life.

He was speaking to the 81 finalists of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition during the InterswitchSPAK Masterclass 1.0, held in Lagos recently.

Speaking on the topic ‘Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Responsibility of Youths,’ Elegbe stated that emotional intelligence has become a necessity in today’s world, explaining that many people are getting more interested in the ‘softer’ skills.

He said: “Emotional Quotient or Emotional Intelligence is very necessary in today’s world. What this means is that your high scores and academic brilliance might have gotten you this far, but you need a lot more than that to be successful in life. “The reason is that Nigeria continues to churn out highly intelligent people every day, so the only thing that will stand you out in life is that extra quality.

This is where emotional strength, which includes attitude, good character and so on, come into play.�

He admonished the students not to set expectations that are too high for themselves and others, explaining that when people fail to meet set expectations, dissatisfaction was inevitable.

Elegbe challenged the students to break out of their cocoons and strive to be the best in their chosen careers, noting that challenges create opportunities for growth, as many innovators in the world today identified problems in the society and then proffered solutions to them.

He said: “If you come from a poor home, you are

in a better position to see problems that need to be solved because those challenges are always around you. So, my advice is just be focused and be the best you can be.�

Also speaking at the event, the CEO of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Yinka Sanni, who spoke on the topic: ‘Social Innovation – The Power of Transformative Ideas’, noted that most of the wealthiest Nigerians made most of their money in the country.

He said: “I hope you students will accept this challenge to generate ideas that will help the country solve real problems to improve the lives of your country men and women. “This country has real problems and social innovation starts with you seeing a specific problem and finding a solution to it.�

Another speaker, MD Endeavor Nigeria, Eloho Omame, who spoke on ‘Entrepreneurship – A Tool to creating Impact in Our Society,’ urged the students to start businesses that would grow and have high impact by providing employment for many people, as this was the only way to grow the economy.

Following the Innovation Challenge was the TV quiz competition around STEM subjects for home viewers, targeted at students aged between 14 and 17 years in SS 2. It aimed to encourage and guide the students on career paths that will help them achieve full optimisation of their potentials and dreams to become inventors or entrepreneurs.

The winner of the TV Quiz competition got a N7.5 million scholarship over five years in a tertiary institution. The second prize was N4.5 million in scholarship funding over three years of tertiary education while the third prize is N1.5 million scholarship for one year.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

L-R: Head, Operations and Maintenance, Ikeja Electric (IE), Mr. Joshua Okafor; General Secretary, Oworonshoki Youth Development Association, Mr. George Ikpe; Business Manger, Abule Egba, IE, Mr. Muhammed M. Abdullahi; Secretary Ogudu/Ojota, Mr. Lawal Abdulazeez and Head Strategic Revenue and Optimazation, Mr. Fidelis Okosi, during a meeting between Ikeja Electric and youth leaders from IE’s business districts in Lagos‌recently KOLAWOLEALLI

Spectranet Restates Gains Additional Commitment to Customer Dana Aircraft With Asky Service Partnership organisation is towards the Emma Okonji Spectranet, one of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country, has reiterated its commitment to deepen customer service and ensure that customers get high speed internet connectivity and still have value for their money spent on internet service delivery. The Chief Executive Officer of Spectranet, Mr. Ajay Awasthi, told journalists at a recent media briefing in Lagos, that Spectranet would remain committed to customer service in order to boost their experience in today’s technology world.

According to him, definition of customer service extends beyond addressing customers’ complaints. “As a responsive organisation, we try to meet customer’s demands, and that is basic, being the fundamental level of customer service. “We regard customer engagement as a journey, thus we started working on what we refer to as improving the Customer Service Quotient (CSQ) of the organisation. “CSQ simply means how responsive and sensitive an

customer. It is not restricted to the customer service department only. It is about engaging with the customers and raising their values. CSQ should be a cultural issue. “If the culture is not properly communicated from the front desk to various departments of the organisation, we will never succeed. A serious-minded organisation yearns to offer the best in terms of customer service, and this is the thrust of our journey as a company towards customers,� he explained.

He further said Spectranet had created channels for customers to express themselves. “The world is in a digital era.

In this era, we felt it was imperative to revamp our website. “We changed the look of our website to make the customer express himself/herself freely, purchase and get solutions without stress,� Awasthi said.

Speaking on the company’s initiative on new customer services, Awasthi said the introduction of Spectranet express service outlets was hinged on the importance of customer engagement.

Dana Air has introduced a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to its fleet to operate its ‘early bird’ flights between Lagos and Abuja from 10th September, 2018.

The airline in a statement by its Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, said the aircraft was the offshoot of its partnership with Togo-based regional airline, Asky. “We are pleased to announce the commencement of our ‘early bird’ flights from Abuja to Lagos on 10th of September, 2018. The service will be operated using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from our partners, Asky. “The introduction of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft is part of our ongoing partnership with Asky airlines and it will operate two daily flights from Abuja to Lagos at 7.02hours and 16.11hrs and a return service from Lagos to Abuja at 8.55hrs and 18.03hrs,’’ Ezenwa explained.

He said Dana Air passengers could now rely on the airline for multiple flights between Lagos and Abuja and can now visit Abuja or Lagos very early and return conveniently from

both destinations, “to the warm embrace of their families.’’ He said the early bird service was in response to the yearning of its esteemed guests who have continually requested for an efficient early morning flight option from Abuja to Lagos, saying the intervention was timed conveniently for its guests “We are glad to have been able to review our service to meet the demands of our teeming guests and we are also excited to announce the addition of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from our partners Asky to our fleet. “Our route and fleet expansion plan is still on course and we are committed to maintaining our operational efficiency by providing seamless and world-class services to at all times.’’ According to him, the addition of the B737-700 aircraft to operate its newly- introduced flights between Abuja and Lagos only shows the airline’s commitment to providing its guests more options, convenient timings and more comfort.

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Contracts: Domestic Engineers to Wade Off Foreign Incursion Chineme Okafor in Abuja Indigenous engineers will no longer allow governments in the country to expend exorbitant sums of money on contracts awarded to foreign engineering companies, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr. Adekunle Mokuolu, has said. According to him, engineers in the country would leverage the Presidential Executive Order 5, which President Muhammadu Buhari recently introduced to get more contracts from the government.

Mokuolu said this recently at the conferment of fellowship to some members of the NSE in Abuja.

He pointed out that the

executive order which sought to prioritise the use of locally sourced resources in the execution of infrastructural projects in Nigeria was well-intentioned.

He thus asked engineers in the country to make the most of it.

According to him, local engineers would identify and go after existing opportunities in the country.

He said it was through this way they would be able to ensure the presidential order was implemented in the country.

He also stated that engineers in the country would not discriminate against their foreign counterparts, but would take the lead in implementing projects in the country, adding that they

would henceforth discourage government’s award and payment of contracts to foreign companies. “It is high time we stopped deceiving ourselves in this country. We do not have an economy that benefits and sustains all Nigerians; Nigeria’s economy sustains only a few Nigerians, especially those in the corridors of power, in collaboration with foreign contractors,� said Mokuolu.

He further stated: “Our economy is dependent on export of our natural resources, and the prices and processes of

extraction of these resources are not wholly determined

by Nigerians. “Also, the process of our appropriation is so lopsided that it tilts more towards supporting recurrent expenditure and the expense of funding for capital projects and development of common engineering infrastructure.�

Mokuolu, explained that while this was not helping indigenous engineers, the enactment of the presidential order would however ensure that going forward, they would

be considered priority in government’s award of contracts for infrastructure development. “I encourage Nigerian engineers and indeed all Nigerian professionals to take advantage of the opportunities thrown up and support the implementation of the directives of the Executive Order 5. “We must all rally round ourselves and ensure that Nigerian content gets priority consideration in all projects. “We are not saying that foreign profes-

sionals are not welcome in our country, but they must demonstrate that they truly love Nigeria by investing in establishment of industries in Nigeria, in active partnership with indigenous engineers as leads. “That way, we will not only be ensuring the domestication of global codes and standards, we will be discouraging frittering our commonwealth in payment for government contracts which are awarded to foreign nationals. And, that is the only way to guarantee sustainability and growth for such industries,� he noted.

Abuja Disco Raises Alarm on Energy Thieves Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Abuja electricity distribution company (Discos) has raised the alarm over alleged sophisticated methods of stealing electricity from its network by consumers under its network coverage areas.

It said the practice of stealing its electricity has persisted despite massive investments in distribution assets improvement measures.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Ernest Mupwaya, made this disclosure when he hosted members of the national executive council of the Nigerian Institute of Power Engineers (NIPE) recently in Abuja.

A statement detailing what transpired at the meeting was sent to THISDAY by the Disco’s head of corporate communications, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe.Mupwaya.

It stated that the Disco would welcome tactical collaborations with various industry stakeholders to curb electricity theft, vandalism, and other forms of electricity offences.

According to him, it was specifically concerned about the increasing sophistication of electricity thieves, notwithstanding the investments of the Disco in technology to curb such cases.

He said: “We’ll continuously adopt innovations, including putting in place facilities that would give us forensic evidence in our efforts to stop electricity theft and improve on our revenue collection.�

Mupwaya reiterated the significance of the Disco’s call for partnership, saying though it had made significant progress in terms of investments in infrastructure, including new information technologies, it still required such collaborations.

The statement stated that he made a presentation to the NIPE, in which he disclosed the Disco has since taking over from the government in a 2013 privatisation exercise, introduced a metering system which has helped enhance retailing confidence between the Disco and its customers.

He also said the Discos has done a lot of network capacity improvement which has now made it possible for it to deliver about 870 megawatts (MW) of electricity to consumers, as well as replaced and installed 630 transformers at the cost of N903 million.

Mupwaya, further noted that the installation of automated meter reading (AMR) equipment which enables the Disco to monitor attempts to tamper with meters by some customers had also been done while it was on the verge of collecting vital data on its customers to speed up stakeholders’ engagement and information sharing, particularly during outages.

He specifically disclosed that with the customer data obtained so far, the Disco has started notifying its customers about scheduled and unscheduled outages through their cell phones, adding that efforts to reduce the average technical, commercial and collection (ATC&C) losses of the Disco was still ongoing to enhance the Discos’ productivity.

The statement quoted the NIPE President, Mr. Israel Abraham, to have said his delegation was at the Abuja Disco to rub minds and share knowledge with it on how the sector would become functional. “We want to get to know what you have been doing as a critical stakeholder in the power sector value chain, because our primary interest is that this industry must work,� Abraham, noted.

GONG CLOSING CEREMONY

L – R: Group Executive Director, BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema; Chief Finance Officer, Ladol, Jocelyn Nwaokenneya; Morayo Afolabi-Brown; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority; Hadiza Bala-Usman, CEO MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi, Head, CNN Africa, Stephanie Busari and MD/Head ofWest Africa JP Morgan, Dapo Olagunju, during a closing gong ceremony to commemorate Nigerian honorees in the Most Influential People of African(MIPAD) 2018, at the NSE in Lagos‌recently

Samsung Launches Galaxy Note9 Emma Okonji Samsung has introduced to the Nigerian market, its newest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note9, which has been described as the game changer because if it’s unique features that allow users to do more with their mobile phones.

The Note9, according to the manufacturers, is packed with innovative features as well as aesthetically appealing modifications making the smartphone a stunning device.

The smartphone is powered by technology set to revolutionise the functionalities of a phablet such as the state-of-the-art S Pen and a never before integrated intelligent camera.

Speaking at the launch of

the Note9, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Jingak Chung, said the Note9 raised the bar for smartphones considerably as it has exceeded all expectations and Nigerians are about to experience a new level of performance and power they will not be able to do without. “The Galaxy Note9 is a revolutionary smartphone that delivers the ultimate in performance; a new S Pen with connectivity for the first time ever; and Samsung’s most intelligent camera yet. “These are just some of the features that will allow users to do so much more. An all day, longer lasting battery is just another reason why. Users can now talk, message, play

games and watch movies for as long as they desire. “The Galaxy Note9 is bigger, better and so much stronger.

For business or play, it’s a game changer,� Jingak said.

The Galaxy Note9 device comes with creativity, innovation and a burning desire to match and exceed consumer needs in the world of mobile technology.

While speaking on the functionality of the phone, Director, Information Technology and Mobile (IM), Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo explained that a lot of thought had gone into the creation of the Note9, a fascinating addition to the Galaxy family specifically crafted for the busy executives.

“The S Pen is just one of the ways we have modified our consumer’s user experience.

From a classic portable and functional design to a sleek multifaceted power tool, the pen-like device now features a Bluetooth chip that allows the pen function aside of its natural form. “With the S Pen, consumers can change slides during presentations, activate their cameras or skip songs on their playlists.

The S Pen is truly a modern-day magic wand,� Ojo added.

The Samsung Galaxy Note9 builds on Samsung’s industryleading camera technologies with new capabilities that use intelligence to identify elements of a photo, such as scene and subject, and adapt accordingly.

Tunisia Raises Fuel Prices, Fourth Hike in 2018 Tunisia’s government has raised fuel prices by about four percent, the fourth hike this year, in an effort to rein in its budget deficit and meet reforms requested by the country’s international lenders.

The price of a litre of petrol will rise to 1.985 Tunisian dinars from 1.925 dinars, starting last Sunday, Reuters quoted the industry ministry to

have said in a statement. The three previous increases this year were in March, January and June. Fuel subsidies this year will rise from an expected 1.5 billion dinars to 4.3 billion dinars with the rise of world oil prices, officials said.

The IMF has been pressing Tunisia to trim its budget deficit and increase fuel and electricity bills to offset a rise

in oil prices that is pressuring already-strained public finances. “Staying the course on reducing the fiscal deficit this year and next is critical to stabilise debt and reduce excessive demand for imports given the recent increase in global oil prices,� the IMF said on Friday after a mission visited the country.

The two sides reached an

initial, or “staff level�, agreement on the next reforms, the IMF statement added.

Tunisia has forecast that the budget deficit will fall to 3.9 percent in 2019 versus 4.9 percent of gross domestic product expected in 2018. The country has dropped into a deep economic slump following the overthrow in 2011 of autocratic leader Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

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Obidike: There is Glaring Lack of Synergy among Govt Agencies The Executive Secretary of Lubricants Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Emeka Obidike recently spoke to journalists on the need for the federal government to formulate policies that would promote crude oil refining in Nigeria, in a bid to attract investors into a more industry-friendly clime.

Kehinde Lawal presents the excerpts: How would the Dangote ReďŹ nery beneďŹ t the lubricant and the downstream sectors?

Let me start by lauding the initiative of the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote for his audacious enterprise which is most timeous in its conception, coming on the heels of the inability of successive administrations to address the issue of fuel scarcity and a nation groaning from the burden of fuel importation; a situation made all the more ludicrous by the fact of Nigeria being the sixth largest oil producer in the world.

The 650,000 bpd plant by Dangote will, to a very large extent, address the issue of fuel scarcity and shortages in the supply of other petroleum products. For the downstream sector, I’d say it’s a welcome relief, albeit long overdue as it would impact positively and significantly on same. The country would finally be freed from the shackles of petroleum product imports and its attendant hassles, complexities and setbacks. However, it is in doubt whether the same could be said for the lubricant sector, as so far, no mention has been made of provisions for the production of base oil, just petrol, diesel and aviation fuel; then there’s the fertiliser plant. But there is no talk of plans to accommodate an industry boasting a minimum of 50 blending plants and almost 100 per cent local content, all licenced by the Department of Petroleum Resources. It is quite disappointing really, after years of clamour to re-establish the burnt down refinery in Kaduna and refurbish the other refineries at Warri and Port Harcourt, followed by the call for modular refineries, to enable us to try our hands at refining all petroleum products, base oil inclusive.

Nonetheless we are quite hopeful that in the not too distant future, due cognisance will be taken of the industry and plans would be put in place to cater to its growing needs.

What will be the reďŹ nery’s beneďŹ t to Nigeria’s economy, in terms of job creation, gross domestic products and others?

Once the refinery is commissioned, a boost in employment and the country’s GDP are both given factors. Of course, a project of such magnitude is bound to have a snowball effect on the country’s economy, albeit a positive one. The refinery is expected to retain about $7.5 billion spent yearly on importation of petroleum products, while new jobs to be created is put at an impressive minimum of 235,000, both direct and indirect labour. It will definitely check capital flight prompted by petroleum products importation, facilitate technology transfer. The 650,000 bpd estimated to be produced by the refinery would transform the country from consumers to exporters, and it will put paid to the issue of scarcity, not to mention the wrangling that accompanies the payment of subsidy.

Nigeria’s reďŹ neries are not able to meet local demand of petroleum products.

What are the implications of this to the local economy?

The implications are multifaceted: we continue creating jobs for the youths of other countries, and strengthening their economy, while weakening ours and swelling our job markets. This in turn leaves us with restive youths, a constantly aggravated citizenry continually faced with the threat of scarcity and/or inflation of petroleum product which has a domino-effect on prices of goods and services, as they would be inflated to cover costs. Unless of course the manufacturer

(PIGB) fared no better. The refurbishing of the burnt Kaduna Refinery became a herculean task akin to building castles in the air. Then there’s the usual chorus of stringent policies and series of administrative bottle necks and protocols with their attendant fees, levies, lack of infrastructure and basic amenities, to snuff out whatever ambition is left in the bosom of investors. One only has to see the level of hassle being faced by small scale industrialists to repent of any noble intent to invest.

Obidike

decides to cut corners by producing below standards in order to give his product a competitive edge in the market; and where they are unable to keep up the pace, they wind up, amongst others.

What do you think government can do to help Dangote ReďŹ nery meet its 2020 completion target?

Indeed, the growth of any industry requires a stable economic climate devoid of high inflation trends and draconian regulations.

The first step would be for the government to put in place, industry-friendly policies, set up growth-oriented agencies with a progressive/ developmental outlook. The need for proper infrastructure and basic amenities cannot be over-emphasised; the need for incentives such as funds, moratorium, waivers, to enable these new organisations recover from the expenses used to set them up and get them running is imperative. There is also a glaring lack of synergy between the agencies, as each, in a bid to generate revenue, directly or indirectly invalidates the processes and/or licenses of other agencies by confiscating products and sealing up business premises, tank farms or depots; this should be thoroughly addressed to avoid instances of duplicity of procedures, at immense cost to the investor. Also, to be put in place are legislations to dissuade counterfeiters and adulterators; laws to set up departments within the agencies to prosecute perpetrators of these heinous crimes and also enforce the levying of severe penalties. I again applaud the gumption of the President of the Dangote Group for this laudable, grand project aimed at strengthening the economy and alleviating the suffering of the masses with regards to the availability and purchase of petroleum products. It is the hope of lubricant blenders in the country that soon enough it would also

bring an end to the era of base oil importation into the country. There is however anxiety in some quarters that see a single refinery virtually handling the nation’s supply of petroleum products as putting all one’s eggs in the proverbial basket; and further fuelling these inhibitions is the country’s past antecedent on maintenance culture.

Global standards stipulate that process equipment be serviced and inspected at least every five years, and an on-stream mechanical integrity programme be implemented and documented. Nigeria’s oldest refinery was built in 1965 and is barely, along with the other three refineries, utilising 40% of its installed capacity. Meanwhile, all the refineries have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 bpd.

If there are ethics guiding the industry they are clearly not being applied. Should the facility suffer a mishap, the confusion and turmoil the country would be thrown into is best left to the imagination. However, should the antecedent of business enterprise and proficiency of the Group’s President be considered, such reservations should not be given credence by a single moment’s thought.

Do you think government is doing enough to encourage investment in private reďŹ neries?

There has, unfortunately, not been enough done by the government to encourage refining in Nigeria; on the contrary whatever is being done by the government and its agencies is prompting investors to take their investments to a more industry-friendly clime. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that looked to be the elixir of the petroleum industry, due to the prevailing circumstances to wit, unrepresented interests of both multinationals and legislators, was virtually Brought in Dead and its replacement, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill

What are the current challenges in the downstream industry and what role do you want the government to play in solving these challenges?

The challenges facing the downstream sector, stems largely from a patent lack of industry friendly policies, which in most cases give birth to regulatory agencies with quixotic, unfeasible and in most cases stringent rules, procedures and guidelines. Also, any government intervention by way of funds is usually encased in iron clad policies and rules for accessing same, and ironically some of these measures designed to rejuvenate, end up sealing the fate of ailing and struggling industries. There is the inability by most to access forex at government approved rates and when done, at impossible exchange rates; most investors bear the full risk of their venture by sourcing loans at astronomical rates through the banks due to lack of or inaccessibility of intervention funds.

Also, prevalent, is the recent unprecedented scramble by various agencies to license a single product under spurious jurisdictions, designations and initiatives. An entrepreneur desiring to venture into the sector either finds himself besieged and/or beholden to three or more agencies, all licensing a single product, or a situation where each of the agencies involved subject a single product to several processes of certification and authentication, each bearing its individual administrative costs. Unfortunately, the disposition of these agencies towards local industry borders on hostile, as they are wont, at the slightest hint of irregularity, to confiscate products and seal up premises, without trying to explore options or avenues of assisting these establishments to regularise. It is truly ludicrous where an agency, in a bid to secure administrative fees or dues in the sum of N350,000, or simply carry out its duties would remorselessly cause the company to incur expenses by way of demurrage to the tune of $20,000. The above stated in turn encourages the unscrupulous dealer to opt for evading the radar of said agencies, a myriad of inspections and supervisions by said agencies, threat of penalties and sealing, amongst other bureaucratic clogs and freedom from the financial commitment of setting up a standard plant. There is also the ever present menace of counterfeiting and faking of genuine local products, which we believe stems from the issue of multi-licensing; so many agencies licensing a single product it becomes difficult to keep track of what comes in and what goes where, which bodes well for the corrupt elements.

The loss that can be attributed to the activities of counterfeiter and faker is inestimable – whether it be the loss of manpower, breakdown of machineries, increase in production cost, as the expenses arising from continuous repairs will invariably be added to the final pricing of the product to allow manufacturers break even; reduction in work hours, turnout of low quality products manufactured by faulty machines, amongst many other ills.

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EDUCATION Enhancing OAU’s Centre of Excellence to Develop Nigeria’s Economy With the inauguration recently of the ICT-Driven Knowledge Park African Centre of Excellence, a World Bank sponsored project designed to strengthen the capacity of universities to enable them deliver high quality training and applied research, especially in science-related education, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, its stakeholders are optimistic that it will sow the seed of development for the country’s knowledge industry and reduce unemployment. Funmi Ogundare reports

I

n 2013, the governments of Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Cameroun, Togo and Senegal, instituted the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) project with support from the World Bank.

The project was initiated to promote regional specialisation amongst universities in the participating countries within the West and Central African sub-regions, to address common regional development challenges and strengthen their capacities to deliver high quality training and applied research.

For the ACE project in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is the focal point and the secretariat for 10 of such centres including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, University of Port Harcourt, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Benue State University, Makurdi, Bayero University, Kano, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State.

Others are University of Jos, Plateau State, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

They are all devoted to facilitate the convergence of technological advances in various disciplines in ICT, food and beverages processing, pharmaceuticals and agriculture and enhance the development, transfer and commercialisation of technology and research outputs.

They are also to promote the launch pad for start-up companies borne out of university research activities, and advancement by partnering companies, who will have the competitive advantage of close proximity and direct access to the intellectual infrastructure and output of the university.

In OAU, Ile Ife, its ACE project is devoted to ICT. It recently Inuagurated its ICT-driven knowledge park (OAK-Park) Africa Centre of Excellence witnessed by the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, partner companies, as well as members of the academia.

In an interview with THISDAY, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede said the World Bank sponsored project has made the institution number one ICT-driven in the country, adding that the move is to support the vision of the federal government to reduce unemployment in Nigeria. “The whole world relies on technology. OAU as a university had the first department of Computer Science and Engineering in Nigeria.

We also had the first internet facility in Nigeria and got the centre of excellence in Software Engineering on the ICT knowledge-driven park,� he said, while expressing optimism that a number of people will be employed under the project. “Aside from that we are thinking of a situation where we will be able to launch the country into the technological world, something similar to the silicon valley concept in the USA . So we are pioneering that for the country and partnering with industries that shares our vision.�

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Centre Leader, ACE, Professor Simeon Adebayo Bamire commended the NUC for its efforts in making it possible to be in existence noting that it has enriched and enhanced the capacity of its students and research within the university. “Most of our students are learned and more knowledgeable about research and in the area of skills acquisition. They are empowered and are able to set up their own businesses and generate their income. It has a way of generating employment that the country is actually suffering from .

For students who have developed software products, he said the center would link them up with investors that will support in commercialising the products so that their companies will be well established. “Most of these companies we are working with are within the university setting . They will be part of the teaching component while on campus . It is a win-win situation in the

LR: Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed; Co-centre Leader, Africa Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering, Professor Adesola Aderounmu; Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academics, Professor Simeon Bamire, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede; DVC Administration, Professor Chris Ajila, former VC, OAU, Professor Michael Faborode and Chairman, Committee of Deans, Professor Olaniyi Aluko at the commissioning of the World Bank sponsored Obafemi Awolowo University ICT-Driven Knowledge Park, OAU, Ile-Ife‌ recently real sense of it with those in the industry for the university.

Asked on the way forward for ACE, the DVC said, “It is to continue in this light and build more centers of excellence within the university because we are real managers. We have people who are capable of managing centers of excellence like this and ensuring that it continues to grow . It should be entrenched in other universities within the country, so that we will altogether be able to move the country forward.�

The Dean, Faculty of Technology and Co-centre Leader, Africa Centre of Excellence on ICT project, Professor Adesola Aderounmu who emphasised on the functions of the ACE in the institution, noted that it focuses on training postgraduate students on ICT programmes.

According to him, “We have a department of Computer Science and Engineering that is currently hosting all the programme for the ACE. My job is to coordinate all the activities within the ACE. We have about six or seven activities going on within. “One of them is to admit postgraduate students into the various disciplines and also to see how we could link them up with the industry in terms of internship. Another is to organise conferences where we can disseminate results of most of the researches in the centre.

We also organise short term training courses to access the capacity of the working class and build their skills in the area of ICT.�

Aderounmu who is also the National President of the Nigerian Computer Society said one of the aim of the ACE project is to create spinoff companies such that when the students eventually graduate, they would be able to stand on their own without looking for any job. “I have some final year students whom we are to link up with the industry to solve problems. We have engaged them to develop some of these products. In the course of doing that, they are developing their skills, such that by the time they graduate they can stand on their own and continue to develop a lot of ideas and software . “We have already interfaced the students with the industry, the IT companies for instance, are ready to take them in because they have the skills. As the president of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), most of these companies will recruit them and they in turn, are also ready to partner with the university. We have already

established five spinoff companies and directors who make a minimum of $5,000 in a month.�

Asked on the challenges the centre is currently facing, the don said, “When we started the programme, we were concerned with how we are going to attract the regional students. The focus is to find a way to train students from the region apart from Nigeria alone. The World Bank believes that Nigeria is blessed with talents. So one of the things that we do is to attract such students. “The challenge is that they don’t have money for tuition , another is the security situation in Liberia . For the first two years, it was a big problem, but later we travelled to the region to ensure that the country is peaceful, and we ensured that we gave them partial scholarship.

Based on these two reasons, we now have about 37 of them that are interested in coming because of the enabling environment that we provided. The tuition is free, facilities are there and we provided free accommodation. Those challenges are over now.

He expressed optimism about the sustainability of the project even after its expiration next year saying, “ It is for four years and we are rounding up next year. The good thing about it is that before the World Bank will release any fund to you, to continue with a project, they will ask you how you intend to sustain the project beyond the number of years given to you and they would have seen your sustainability model which we have already developed. “So we have a lot of strategies to generate funds to support the project beyond the four years. With the spinoff companies, they are ready to take the products to the market such that certain percentage of the money can come to the centre to support the companies and the laboratory facilities. Another strategy is short term courses for which we charge people and tuition fee from postgraduate students who registered for training. The model is there so we will not have any challenge by the time we finish the project.�

On his assessment of the project, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed said he was impressed with the ACE project in OAU and that it has proved to be one of the best performing centers in Africa.

He added that the project will go a long way in sowing the seed for the future development of the country’s knowledge industry .

“As you know, knowledge drives the economy all over the world. The kind of knowledge from this centre will help Nigeria to transit to a knowledge-based economy. We are happy that this centre is cited here. We hope that with the collaboration, we will be able to encourage creativity, entrepreneurship and innovations as well as encourage youths to dream for a better Nigeria.�

Some of the directors of the spinoff companies established within the ACE project expressed delight about their feat saying that it has boosted their skills and created employment for them.

The Director, Bleep Tech, Mr. Temitayo Kolade said his organisation uses data and artificial intelligence to create simple applications that cuts across sectors like finance, transportation, health and using data analysis to train platforms that can be used to predict natural disasters and emergency response system .

He said they are currently working with developers who are students of the Computer Engineering department , adding, “ the way it works is that once you come, you become a staff, so you don’t have to start seeking for employment , so you have access to facilities which you can use to develop yourself. We have mentors around, and a learning network and we also get funding from the centre to raise seed capital. So, rather than going out to look for investors, investors are coming to us because of what this centre stands for. As a result, we can have employment, a place to grow and develop our skills and ultimately commercialise our products and make profits from it.�

A Software Engineering CEO of Vision FESH, Mr. Ezekiel Aliu said some of its staff are students and graduates of the institution who are developing the software that can be used by any institution in the country. “For instance, OAU has a software for Computer Based Test (CBT) which has been used to conduct over 20 exams this semester.

They are also using it to conduct post-UTME for over 45,000 candidates this week . It has a very scalable application and as a matter of fact it is so robust that we are running it as a server. “As a research centre, we are interested in building software that is very efficient. Already, we have deployed this application to several institutions and we are generating funds from it. We have several institutions in the north currently using it also.�

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EDUCATION

Ignatius Ajuru Varsity of Education: Wike Releases N500m for Projects, Graduates 4,182 Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wiki has announced the release of N500 million to the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education for the expansion of key facilities in the institution, just as it graduated a total of 4,182 students.

The institution also conferred on former President Goodluck Jonathan the award of ‘Icon of Democracy’, in recognition of his contributions to the growth and survival of democracy in the country.

Wike who is the visitor to the university, disclosed this, weekend, at the 35th and 36th combined convocation ceremony of the institution, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said “For us, providing quality education for our people is an absolute necessity as nothing can be more important. “That was why we have and will continue to prioritise the provision of quality education for our children and adults alike to acquire the knowledge and skills that they needed to succeed and contribute to our collective progress.�

The governor said at the tertiary level, his administration would continue to expand both access and quality with the progressive injection of more resources for the provision of relevant learning resources and infrastructure.

According to him, “Here in this university, we recently released the sum of N200, 000,000 as capital grant for fiscal year 2017 and we are

happy with the qualitative deployment of this money by the vice chancellor to meet the infrastructure needs of this university. “We are also pleased with the progressive increase in enrolment being experienced by the university in recent times, which shows a growing confidence in the quality and relevance of the programmes. “These unparalleled achievements clearly testify to the fact that the institution is fulfilling its mandate of producing quality teaching and administrative manpower to drive the educational needs of the state and our nation.�

In his remarks, theta Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, commended the Rivers State Governor for his investments in developing the institution.

Performing the investiture of Jonathan as Nigeria’s icon of democracy, the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, King Ikuru, said the award is the first of its kind in the history of the institution.

Emphasising on the reasons for the award, the University Orator, Professor Boma Obi, said Jonathan’s advocacy for true democracy knows no bounds, adding that the institution was particularly inspired by his commitment to peaceful electioneering process, especially his declaration that his political ambition is not worth the life of any Nigerian.

She said unlike other political gladiators, Jonathan set a new benchmark by peacefully

Students Urged to Be Diligent as Edgewood College Graduates 29 Funmi Ogundare The Registrar, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo, has admonished students to be diligent in all that they do, saying that this would take them far in life.

Oludayo who made this known, recently, at the 2018 valedictory service and graduation ceremony of Edgewood College, Lekki, Lagos, said, “You have the potential, always see yourself as the best, be the best and remain the best.�

The Director of the college, Mrs. Kehinde Philips who emphasised on the success of her student’s in the May/June 2017 Cambridge international examinations said, “It was awesome! I was extremely proud upon finding out that our students made the honors roll for the examinations. These achievements have been made much due to their hard work and dedication. For this reason, I am extremely proud of all that they have done.

She said seeing another set graduate for her, it was a bit emotional. “It was with mixed feel-

ings, to be precise. I was a bit sad seeing the students I had built relationships with over the years graduate from the school. Although I am confident that their future has never looked as bright.

They are curious, brave and ready to take on the world and all it has to offer.

Prizes were presented to students who performed well in their academics, character and sports, leadership, as well as demonstrated the ability to cope with other students.

In her valedictory remarks, the Head girl, Miss Esther Morsi thanked the management and teachers for their support for the graduating students over the years saying that though it was tough, but with God on their side, they were able to scale through. “I must commend them for the opportunity to be better than the best,� she said.

To the class of 2018, she said, “It is time to move to a new beginning , remember not to forget who you are, yoyo should celebrate in faith over what you will accomplish. Start to be an inspiration around you.�

handing over power to an opposition political party.

Responding, Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed gratitude to the institution for the honour done to him saying, “ I want to specially thank the Senate of the University for considering my family worthy of double honours, with the conferment of the honour of Icon of Democracy on me and the naming of the new automated university library

after my wife, Dame Patience Jonathan. “I always attach so much importance to any recognition coming from home because I strongly believe that no prize commands higher value than the one given by the beneficiary’s direct constituency.�

He described the visit as like a home-coming for him, as a former lecturer in the Rivers State College of Education, which was upgraded to a full-fledged university.

“Let me also say that I had good job satisfaction here, compared to all the other places I have worked.

I know that the only major challenge academic staff face is with the reward system, considering the fact that as a nation, we are yet to get to the point where we pay our teachers the wages they deserve. “However, for all the hindrances teachers face, they derive a fulfilling experience

and satisfaction from the special relationship they cultivate with their students.

This is because bringing up the young ones is very rewarding in a very distinct manner. The bond, friendship and sense of loyalty is eternal. “Even today, the way my former students regard and relate with me is different from the way my fellow politicians relate with me, even those I mentored,�

Jonathan stressed.

A cross section of pupils and oďŹƒcials of the Awesome Treasures Foundation during its eighth annual leadership summer camp tagged, ‘Camp Dawn’, held in Lagos‌recently

FG Set to Upgrade FRSC Academy to Degree Awarding Institution Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Federal Government has concluded plans for the upgrade of the Federal Road Safety Academy, Udi, in Enugu State to a full fledge degree awarding institution.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu who disclosed this, recently, when he received the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Ayeyemi, in Abuja, said he has directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to work out modalities for the upgrade of the academy in line with the necessary requirements for approval by government.

He said the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will ensure the maintenance of standard in technical education while the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), will develop appropriate curriculum for inclusion of road safety as teaching subject at all primary and secondary school levels in the country.

Earlier, the Corps Marshal

of Federal Road Safety, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi said the commission had held several discussions with the NUC and the NBTE on the issue; adding that the proposed upgrade to a degree awarding status would broaden the scope of academic activities and make the institution sustainable for growth and development.

According to him, “Consequent upon the recommendation of the NBTE, the institution would be relocated from Jos to Shendam, where the Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has donated a large expanse of land for the purpose.�

He stressed that the academy was not a new creation, but a desire to upgrade it for greater efficiency in the area of road safety management which will be the first of its kind in Africa. “The academy in Plateau State, will continue to award diplomas while the one in Udi, Enugu State, will be upgraded to a degree awarding status.�

Foundation Empowers Pupils Awesome Treasures Foundation, a faithbased non-governmental organisation which raises transformational leaders towards a national renaissance in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recently, held its summer camp party for primary school pupils.

Already, the pupils drawn from less privileged settlements in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos, have already been taught subjects such as Mathematics and English with emphasis on basic reading, speaking, writing and numeracy sessions.

They also trained in leadership, morals and personality awareness, financial literacy as well as entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the 8th annual leadership summer Camp tagged, ‘Camp Dawn’, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Ms Cindy said since its establishment 19 years ago, it has impacted the children in the area of leadership, education and health adding that over 100,000 people have benefitted from the initiatives.

She also emphasised on its initiative for teenage girls saying that the foundation empowers them in the area of sexuality and health Education on HIV/ AIDS awareness, personal hygiene, among others; as well as vocational training.

A volunteer and member of the foundation, Ms Bukola Adeagbo said the foundation plans to do a follow up measure in the schools the children are attending during the new academic session. “The parents must be involved so that they can know what we are doing. We talk to them and let them know what is expected of them as parents. Its going to be a continuous work between now and the next academic session,� she said.

The pupils who had gone through the training, expressed excitement about their experience saying some of the things they learnt during the summer camp were what they had not been taught in their schools.

Prizes were given to pupils for their exemplary behavior and outstanding improvement in the area of academics.

34

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Music: Varsity Don Advocates Synergy between Town and Gown Funmi Ogundare Professor of Music and Performative Musicology, Olusanjo Matthew Abayomi, has stressed the need for the academia especially Nigerian musicologists to complement the efforts of musicians in the country through research works related to social, religious, educational, economic, political and moral issues.

Abayomi who made this known, recently, in his inaugural lecture series 325 titled, ‘Seeing through Life’s Cloudy Domain: Navigating the Chemistry of man, music and culture’ of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the move will bring about a synergy between the works of the musicians (town ) and the academia (gown).

Music he said, occupies a prominent domain in human life, adding that it has the capacity to control people’s emotion and actions in such a way that

they become either violent and destructive or peaceful.

According to him, “Human beings cannot be removed from their culture, it is very important, it is the motherboard of every activity irrespective of the religion.

If culture is removed from somebody, then that person is dead. Most of the conflicts that also ensue in communities, cities and countries of the world have their signatures in songs especially the proverbial ones.�

The content of such songs , the don affirmed that if not attended to can bring about conflicts that ordinarily would have been amicably settled to sometimes snowball to wars and most often to genocide.

Aside the entertainment people derive from music, the Professor of Music said it is a coin of entwined dark and bright sides, adding, “ironically , musicians being social specialists, fit or shift into any of the two sides

without much ado. Sometimes, these musicians, based on the roles they play in the society , are regarded as prophets.

This is because they could see through the dust of events in their communities and prognosis of the future.�

He emphasised on contemporary musicians who have used their music to reflect on happenings in Nigeria, saying that they become chroniclers of events, recreating the history and culture of their people, commenting on aspects of societal values that have diverged from historical reports and suggesting ways by which society could be restored to the normal order. “For instance, the late Hubert Ogunde, often regarded as the pioneer of Nigerian folk opera, in his song, tried to promote interest of his people’s traditional culture. He was able to perceive the political climate of the time, and as a philosopher, he was able

to forecast the likely outcome of the attitude of the Yoruba political leaders at that time, the manifestation of which is still steering us in the face.

Also the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was personally touched by the magnitude of the injustice, brutality and corruption perpetrated by the military, released the album ‘Zombie’, which sent the junta into frenzy and made them plot so many ways to apprehend him.�

Abayomi who stressed the need for government to promote culture noted, “as an important social phenomenon, music serves as a lens by which elements of a any culture could be readily discerned. The potency of music as an element of culture and by which culture could be understood is domiciled in its tendency for promoting and propagating culture in a more accommodating and acceptable manner.�

L-R: Lagos State University (LASU) Alumni legal practitioner, Mrs. Dan Faparusi Ogugua, Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Actress and Producer, Mrs. Joke Jacobs, Actor and Producer, Mr. Segun Arinze, during LASU’s second distinguished lecture, held at University Auditorium, Ojo, Lagos‌ recently

Girls-Connect Targets One million Girls in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano In an effort aimed at tackling the challenges faced by the girl-child in Nigeria, GirlsConnect, an innovative Interactive Voice Response (IVR) designed as a mobile service for them to be able to empower themselves through a developed unique service, is targeting one million girls across Kano and Benin City, in its pilot campaign.

The Programme’s Deputy Country Director, Hadeeza Haruna Usie who disclosed this, weekend, in Kano, said it enables the girls to listen to pre-recorded stories via their mobile phones before connecting to a specially trained role

model to answer questions that concerns them.

According to her, Girls connect is in partnership with ISON group and 9mobiles in ensuring that the concept would give the girls the opportunities to practice what they learnt from stories and conversations they had with role models for them to open bank accounts and enroll in apprenticeships that will lead them to start their own businesses. “Our pre- recorded stories include inspiring stories, entertaining and educational lessons about growing up. Through such stories, the girl-child is able to address issues such as health, education, economic empowerment and safety.�

The Founder and Chairman

ISON Group Ramesh Awtaney said human beings live on hope and that through girls connect IVR service, girls in Nigeria have access to a key platform free of cost where their quest is answered and their faith reinstated to live lives powerfully.

The Chief Executive Officer of 9 mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya said the organisation is passionate about empowering the youths to succeed in life and committed to equipping them with all they could, for the success of the initiative.

The Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Yar-Dada Maikano said the state government accord special attention to the women

in the state as it has embarked on different empowerment programs and issues such as education, health, shelter, economy, among others, related to the girl child and women are adequately taken care of by the Abdullahi Umar Ganduje‘s administration.

The Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhamnadu Sanusi II represented by the Chairman Kano Nasiru Ado Bayero said the well-being of the girl child and women in general, has been a major priority to the emirate and that any initiative geared towards the betterment of their lives is highly welcomed by the emir.

He said the Emirate is ready to support the group to achieve its goals in the state.

Two Nigerian Sisters Develop App to Boost Entrepreneurial Skills Kuni Tyessi in Abuja In the face of massive unemployment in the country, two Nigerian sisters have taken the bull by the horn by developing an App known as Epp which is set to give a technical back up to micro, small and medium enterprises.

The sisters, Kesandu and Dumebi Nwokolo, revealed that the Epp app is designed to give rising

entrepreneurs a hand to be a stepping stone that will improve their visibility and apparently showcase these skills, services and products to the world.

They said the app helps in anything from filling a hungry stomach to barbing of hair, homes tutoring, language lessons to repairing of a car, as it connects users to local professionals, products and amenities in any state that can

provide a wide variety of services. “The Nigerian consumer is selective and decisive. They know what they want and are not afraid to demand for it. The Epp application is here to soothe your refined tastes by connecting you with quality and local professionals, products and services that will soothe your needs. “When you need help with a project; anything from filling your

hungry belly, barbing the hair, home-tutoring, language lessons to repairing your car, Epp connects you to local professionals, products and amenities in any state that can provide a wide variety of services to help make your life easier. “Our vision is to help entrepreneurs, businesses, service providers, youthful but skill-filled impresarios all over the country find new customers.�

‘NO BI DI SAME TIN!’ Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ăž Ă—ĂŁ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽËœ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×Ù×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă—ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂĄ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă—ĂŁ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ë› ËŤ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă™ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?˛˛˛ˏ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă—ĂŁ ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÓÞ˛ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓÖã Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽ ËŠĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ËŞË› Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă• ÙÎ Ă—ĂŁ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ě‹ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă— ÍŻ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă—ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂĄ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă˜Ë› ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ ÖÓʾÖĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĘľĂ–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă”Ă“ĂŒĂ?Ë ËŤ Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă˜Ë ËŹ Ă?âÒËÖĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ÙÙÑÖĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă? ÞÒËÞ ËŠĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ËŞ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă—ĂŁ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ËŤ Ă’Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă Ă?ĂŽËŹË› ËŤ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? åÒÙÖĂ? ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă—ËŁËŹ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ʨĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœË› ËŤ ÙÞ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë Ă’Ă‹ĂžËŞĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă–Ă?Ë ËŹ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› ËŤ Ă•Ëœ ÙÕ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ùʼ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ? ÑÙÞ Ă“ĂžËŞËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ ËŤ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ˚ʨË?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ëš Ě™Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ěš Ă˜Ă™Ăž ˚ʨĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ëš Ě™Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ ʨĂ?ĂžËœ ÖÙåĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ăž ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ“Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă?Ă?âĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ÓÞ̚ˏ˛ Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă“ĘĽĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?âÒËÖĂ?ĂŽËœ ËŤË›Ë›Ë›ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂĄ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ęś Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă?ÎÓÞËÞĂ? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ęś Ă˜Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžË›Ë›Ë›Ë›ËŹ ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ ×Ù×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ęś ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?ĂœË› Ă‹Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă— Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă— Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹ Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœË› ÙÞ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹ĘľĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ ÞÙ Ă—Ă?Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? åÓÞÒ ÖÙå Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë›

Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ÙÖÕĂ?Ëœ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ?Ă? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž åÒÓÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞËÕĂ?Ă? Ă‹ ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? ËÎËÚÞ̋ Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ë› Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞËĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă—ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™ ÞÓ×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă™ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ÚÞĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ËŞĂŽ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ËŞĂœĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžË Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒ ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ăž Ùà Ă?Ăœ Í°ÍŽ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ËÑÙ˛ Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžËœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ÓÖÓÞã ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă‹ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã ÞÙÎËã˛ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂž ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ÚÒãĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÓĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ë› Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĘŽĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă–Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă—Ëž Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëž Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëž Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ăž Ă?ÒÙÙÖ ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë›Ë›Ë›Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë›

Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă–Ă– Ă“Ăž ÞËÕĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÞÙÎËã˛ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă?ÖÙÞÒĂ?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă‹ ÖÓʾÖĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă?ËŞ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ě‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœË› ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă? Ă?ÙÖÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Íą ÞÙ Íł Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ë›

Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă—ĂŁ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ę¨Ă–Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă˜Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă—ĂŁ ĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ ÚËÞÒåËãĂ?Ëœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜Ă• ÙÎ ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽË› Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă’ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ëœ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ʨĂ?Ă–ĂŽĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă?×ÚÖÙãĂ?ĂŽË› Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Plateau Tertiary Institutions Staff Embark on Indefinite Strike Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Joint Union of Plateau State-owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI) has embarked on indefinite strike following the expiration of the seven days notice it served the state government to pay all outstanding and withheld salaries of staff.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Paul Dakol and Secretary, Solomon Ayum, the union explained that during the strike all academic and administrative activities would be suspended until demands of the unions are met.

The state warned that, “No staff shall receive any directive from any quarter except from JUPTI.�

Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, one of the state-owned tertiary institutions, when visited, was deserted even as the classrooms and main gate were locked. Hundreds of students were seen roaming about and grumbling outside the campus.

One of the students who spoke with journalists on the condition of anonymity urged government to meet the unions’ demands in order to enable the students continue with their studies.

The union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to pay all outstanding and withheld salaries on or before August 31, 2018.

But government did not respond until the expiration.

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CSO Bemoans Abandoned Projects, Poor Learning Environment in UBE Schools Udora Orizu in Abuja Human Development Initiative HDI Cluster, a Civil Society Organization has lamented poor, unconducive learning conditions in Universal Education Board, (UBEB) beneficiary schools in the FCT, as a result of the continuous abandonment and non implementation of projects.

Speaking at a stakeholders review and validation of independent monitoring

report on FCT UBEB 2014 Action Plan, in Abuja, the researcher, Dr. Olayemi Samuel explained that a monitoring exercise was carried out to track the utilisation of UBE matching grant in the FCT towards ensuring improvement in teaching and learning.

He said the exercise which lasted from November 2017 to May 2018, revealed that several approved multi million naira projects were either abandoned or poorly

constructed, adding that general construction was non-friendly for persons with disability.

According to him, “The findings showed non implementation of rehabilitation and abandonment blocks of classrooms, technical laboratories, stores, offices and recreational facilities poor plastering, use of low quality woods, substandard roofing materials and unsatisfactory completion

of some projects. “Majority of the schools visited needed more teachers, furniture for pupils/ students and teachers, teaching aids, instructional materials, fence, school gates, halls, library and science laboratory equipment, boreholes, tiers among others. “It was also observed that most of the projects were already implemented even before the UBE intervention

fund was accessed, however the implementation period was not in accordance with the expected project duration, “ he stressed.

The most affected schools in the report are; Position Primary School, Tsaumi Primary School Gwagwalada, ANAC and Junior Secondary School Kwalu, Chibri Primary School, New Kuntunku Primary School, all in the FCT.

Olayemi called on UBEB to ensure close supervision of contractors from foundation to final level to mitigate occurrence of use of substandard materials that could endanger the lives of the pupils.

He also urged the board to make a priority provision of teaching aids and instructional materials, and ensure that classrooms more friendlier for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

Author Tasks FG on Nigerian Curriculum Kehinde Lawal The Director of Straitgate Nursery and Primary School, Magodo, Mr. Dapo Ojedeji has called on the federal government to ensure that the NERDC separate topics on entrepreneurship and leadership from Civic Education, as it is done in some parts of the world.

He regretted that more than 80 per cent of secondary schools in Nigeria do not have any programme on leadership apart from what the curriculum provides for in Citizenship or Civic Education.

Ojedeji who made this call, recently, at the launch of Leadership and Entrepreneurship series (LESs), in Lagos, designed to develop in every secondary school student an awareness of his or her leadership and entrepreneurship potentials, as well as assist them in building up of such essential qualities, expressed optimism about the approval of the book by the government.

He added that talks are on with the state and federal government to approve the book and ensure the change.

Ojedeji who is also a co-author of the LESs curriculum said aside assisting youths in building essential leadership skills and entrepreneurship qualities that will enable them act with integrity and high sense of responsibility in all aspects of their lives, it is also aimed making them citizens who possess the leadership abilities to meet present and future challenges in the emerging competitive global society.

On the uniqueness of the book, he said, “The curriculum treats the few leadership topics as an academic exercise which makes it ineffective. Leadership is built by daily practice and habits. This is addressed in the LESs solution.�

He argued that in many schools entrepreneurship

is treated as just producing products and selling through an emotional captive market consisting of parents, noting, “ apart from the great work being done by some few organisations like Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), the present exposition of entrepreneurship at this level does not deal with passion, innovation, need identification, customer management, marketing, money management and people management.�

These are concepts and principles that LESs is designed to impart and build, Ojedeji added.

He affirmed that he has carried out a lot of research on leadership and entrepreneurship and sees that the country is far left behind by the whole world “Leadership and entrepreneurship is something that you find in primary schools all over the world and I saw examples, I saw classes, videos and so many things, but what are we doing in this country is just teaching English and Mathematics, these things are not making any impact. The only thing it does is just for the students to come to class cram it and pour it down during exams and walk away. “One thing I want this country to know is that we need leaders, we need entrepreneurs. The first lap in life is, you are working and doing things yourself, the second lap is to do things for people coming after you and if you have not done that, it means you have failed yourself, the community that brought you up and everybody.�

Ojedeji said most Nigerians students haven’t been told that they have something to do for their generation, and that so many things are missing in the world. “The country is just floating and that is why the youths are into drugs abuse while lacking entrepreneurial skills.�

L-R: Casio Middle East Head of Sales, Mr. Elie Al Kareh, Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, SchoolKis, Mrs. Temilola Adepetun and Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, SchoolKis, Mr. Tayo Osiyemi, during a press conference held in Lagos‌ recently

School Administrator Tasks Parents on Raising Well-rounded Children Peace Obi The Administrator, Gladys School, Lagos, Mrs. Olayemi Usani has admonished parents and guardians to make conscious effort to raise children who are not only academically sound but responsible citizens with behavioural patterns acceptable to the larger society.

Usani who gave this advice, recently, while speaking with some journalists in Lagos, said it has become pertinent that parents pay attention to their children and wards’ behaviour by inculcating discipline and consistently monitor them to align them with set moral values and standards.

She stressed that apart from giving children quality education, parents should endeavour to expose and educate them to have good behaviour.

According to her, “It helps in shaping their minds to becoming agents of change in the society.

Parental monitoring plays an active role in molding and shaping the lives of the children to contribute meaningfully to nation building.�

The school administrator hinted that it is one of the cardinal focus of Gladys School to develop platforms to engage parents on a continuous basis.

This, she noted, is in line with the school’s mission to reshape a

battered society by reaching the totality of every child’s personality, empowering his conscience and intelligence for the child to be capable of impacting positively on his immediate and remote world.

The educationist advised parents to engage themselves in continuous learning, saying, “parents need to arm themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to aid good parenting outcome.�

Quoting Henry Doherty, the educationists said, “Be a student as long as you still have something to learn and this will mean all your life.�

Usani encouraged parents to explore and utilise every available platform to positively affect their children’s behaviour and not necessarily restrict it to the school environment.

She asserted that students will always have something to learn and as a result, parents should be equipped to perform their tasks and role effectively. “Parents should open lines of communication with their children as such safeguards them from being influenced negatively by their peers. When parents open channels of communication with their children, they are more shaped by the actions of such parents and ultimately assist the child in adopting right patterns of behaviour.�

SchoolKits Partners CASIO, Inuagurates Ikeja Store SchoolKits, Nigeria’s leading back-to-school retail chain and wholesale supplier of educational resources, recently partnered with the world leader in calculators and educational resources, CASIO, to ensure that genuine CASIO calculators, label printers and accessories are available in the country.

The organisation also inaugurated its new store at the Adebola Shopping Mall, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos which features an expanded retail space, upgraded customer experience and a wider assortment of products.

The partnership, which sees SchoolKits becoming CASIO’s strong distributor in Nigeria for its education and business solutions divisions products, is a culmination of discussions between the management of SchoolKits and the CASIO Middle East, which held at the CASIO Regional Head Office in Dubai earlier in the year.

This partnership is against the backdrop of Casio’s assessment of SchoolKits as a key player that has the capacity to drive sustainable market access and development opportunities for the brand.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of School Kits, Mr. Tayo Osiyemi recalled how the organisation started 18 years ago saying, “ From a little beginning of one retail outlet and two support staff in 2000, SchoolKits has grown organically to a company with

eight locations in Lagos and Abuja, a robust ecommerce and wholesale businesses with a distribution footprint that cuts across all states, including the FCT in Nigeria. School Kits is widely regarded as the leading and most trusted educational supplies and resources provider in Nigeria.�

With the partnership, he said SchoolKits will leverage its retail and distribution footprint across Nigeria to make authentic CASIO products easily accessible; ultimately bringing to the Nigerian customers the best of technological tools available in the world to help them excel their skills in Mathematics and science; and eliminate other suspicious products that counterfeit the brand. “CASIO distinguishes its products with one-year warranty that would allow customers to benefit from it’s excellent customer service.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of School Kits, Mrs. Temilola Adepetun, said “The founding vision for the organisation is to be a one-stop destination for all educational supplies in Nigeria and after 18 years of establishing itself in this sector, there is no better time to partner with CASIO, a global leader in technology products for education and business. We strongly believe the partnership will enhance the objectives of both companies in delivering authentic products to the Nigerian market.

36

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CITYSTRINGS

ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă? äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ë›Ă?äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͖͕͔͑͑͒͑͒͑͑͘

No Respite yet on the Plateau Despite the efforts of the Plateau State Government and security agents to end the brutal killings by rampaging marauders, attacks have continued in some communities.

Seriki Adinoyi reports

A building in ruin after an attack

J

uly was, indeed, a bloody month in Plateau State, as over 200 persons were murdered in night attacks carried out in 11 villages in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South local government areas of the state by suspected herdsmen. Given the concerted measures applied then by the federal and state governments, in conjunction with security operatives, peace reigned for a while. For about a month, Plateau experienced peace. They were no incidences of attacks and killings. That was until recently when fresh attacks began again.

Fresh Attacks

Barely had September rolled in than the assailants struck again. At Lapandet Community in Dwei Du area of Jos South Local Government Area, the marauders struck on Sunday night. The attack left 13 persons dead and 12 others severely injured.

An eye witness from the community, one Emmanuel, who said 13 persons were killed, added that the gunmen had invaded the community in a Hilux van about 8:30 pm and opened fire on persons at a relaxation spot in the premises of a hotel in the area. The gunmen also reportedly shot several other persons outside the premises while driving away.

Confirming the killings, the Spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, Mr. Tyopev Terna, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said, “On the 02/09/2018 at about 2030hrs, the Plateau State Police Command, Jos, received a distress call to the effect that unknown gunmen attacked Lopandet Dwei Du Area of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. “The command immediately mobilised to the scene of crime. On arrival we discovered that some people were shot. The victims were immediately rushed to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital.�

Meanwhile, the community was still reeling from an attack last week when Sunday’s incident happened. In that incident, a pastor, his wife and three children were murdered by the bandits suspected to be cattle herders. They had swooped on Foron in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Aside the pastor's family that was wiped out, three other victims met their death when they went to pick their phones from the pastor's house, where they had gone to recharge their batteries.

That was not all. About three days earlier, the driver to the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Azi Magaji and a security guard at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Mr. Edward Ankpa were equally murdered by unknown gunmen within that neighbourhood. Before then, about three persons were also murdered at Rukuba road in Jos North Local Government Area.

PHOTOS: GOOGLE Suffice to say that it has been a line-up of deaths in the state where the government has continuously preached peace and made many efforts in collaboration with security agents, Civil Society Organisations, and religious bodies to enforce such peace.

Security Breach

After the massive killing of over 200 persons in the same Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, the state government had engaged several stakeholders to deliberate and re-strategise on the ways to return peace to the state. With the attacks, security agents have not relented on its drive towards securing the people, so much that the military Special Task Force (STF) charged with security of the state literarily moved its headquarters to Barkin Ladi that has been the tinder bolt. Yet the most recent killings occurred in the same Barkin Ladi local government.

Something must really be wrong somewhere; possibly a missing link in the strategy being employed by both the state and the security agents.

Security personnel in one of the villages attacked

Beyond the talk shows in conferences and summits, and setting up of committees that have not helped much, decisive action must follow to forcefully eject these bandits whose habitation is now in the caves, especially in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area where the attacks have been persistent

At Foron, where the Pastor with Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Adamu Gyang Wurim was wiped out with his family, the state police command confirmed that a total of eight persons were killed, while three others were injured, 95 houses burnt, and 310 cattle stolen in the attack.

The police spokesman, in a statement, said, “The police received information that some communities in Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA namely; Abonong and Zayit were under attack by unknown gunmen.

The command quickly mobilised to the communities.

But while the police were approaching the areas, the attackers sighted them from afar and fled the scene of crime.�

He said that property and food stuff were also looted and destroyed, adding that the command has deployed more personnel to the areas to prevent further attacks.

But this promise of deployment of troops and personnel has remained a repeated narrative from the security agents each time there was an attack.

The attackers would always have completed the attacks, before the police arrived the scene. In the same scenario, the attackers would always have escaped before the arrival of the police or the soldiers.

For many industry watchers, this scenario should have been aborted a long time ago and replaced with proactive ambush for the marauders.

It was the same scenario that played out in the case of the speaker's driver. The police while confirming that the killing occurred in Zarazong community of Jos North Local Government Area of the state, had added, “At about 9pm, we received a distress call that there were sporadic gunshots at Zarazong area of Jos, a community that houses Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Immediately, the police mobilised to the area. �On arrival, Mr. Azi Magaji, the driver to the speaker and Edward Ankpa, a security guard with JUTH were found dead. They were immediately rushed to JUTH, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.�

The police added that Mr. Kopdi Monday and Mr. Nenman Popdak, also security men on duty at JUTH Gate-4 were also found with gun shots and were rushed to the same hospital. “The police immediately commenced investigation to unravel those behind the attack, while we urge the public to avail us with useful information that will help in tracking down the perpetrators.�

The list is endless, and while the police and soldiers always arrive late after the attackers had escaped, the state government keeps holding peace conferences and seminars to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the killings, and the citizens left to continue to lament in their griefs until the

37

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CITYSTRINGS next community is attacked.

Even with the relocation of the headquarters of the military task force to Barkin Ladi, killings have continued across the local government and the neighbouring Daffo in Bokkos local government.

Chronicles of Deaths

Lamenting the recent incident, member, representing Barkin Ladi constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Gyendeng said, “The attackers, armed with machetes and AK47 rifles reportedly stormed the village at about 8pm, shooting sporadically and burning houses, and also killed another two in the process.�

Chairman of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), Foron branch, Mr. Thomas Tsok also said, “They first shot at two young men walking out of the deceased pastor’s residence where they had gone to charge their phones, killing them.�

Four other people, according to him, were shot in the following morning in Fan and Bek villages leaving them in critical condition in the hospital.

Tsok said the herders also destroyed farmlands and a church building.

Another attack at a mining site in Wereh village, Ropp district of the same B/Ladi LGA had resulted in the killing of one and wounding of another. Six other villages of Loh-Fan, Loh-Pwat, Nafan, Sagas, Nzom and Ude villages were also attacked on the same night according to the member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom constituency in the Federal House of Reps, Hon. Istifanus Gyang.

He said, “These attacks are coming at a time the people are yet to recover from the massacre of over 200 persons in the same B/Ladi LGA with thousands of the displaced victims still languishing in IDP camps. The unfortunate thing is that the perpetrators of these attacks continue to execute their agenda with reckless abandon without an appropriate response by government."

As expected, the deaths aroused the anger of the affected communities. Women from the bereaved communities gathered at the Special Task Force (STF) Headquarters in Barkin Ladi, protesting the attacks. They also reportedly blocked the highways through the area demanding for justice. But they soon retired to their homes to await the next fate that will befall them.

Displaced persons at an IDP Camp

Government’s Effort

Government on its part had continued to to engage stakeholders urging them to embrace peace. It had organized a three-day peace and security conference with the theme: ‘the resurgence of violence in Plateau State: Towards a multi stakeholder partnership for peace and security’, organised by the State Peace Building Agency.

At the conference, Lalong said his administration was committed to implementing the white paper from the Berom and Fulani peace committee, adding that it was a panacea for building inclusive peace based on the recommendations of the conflict parties.

Various Civil Society Organisations were also on hand to proffer possible solutions to the insecurity in the state. To encourage Muslims and Christians in the state to live together in peace, Lalong also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for President Mohammadu Buhari to receive and give National Honour to an 83 years old Chief Imam of Nghar village, Gashish district in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, who reportedly rescued 300 Christian natives on June 24 when suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded the community and killed over 200 persons.

The Christian natives were said to be running for safety from a neighbouring village when the Imam hid them in his house and mosque thereby saving their lives. The governor publicly eulogised the old Imam to serve as an encouragement to others to live in peace and protect one another irrespective of their religions.

Lalong said, “The president has told me to bring to him for a handshake, which will be followed by a national honour. I was also preparing what to do for this man. Although he is already in his old age, but God knows why he did it at that age - for us to study and also know how to maintain peace, not only in Plateau State but Nigeria in general. “What he did, not only saved the people of Barkin Ladi LGA, not only Plateau state, but I think the whole of this country because 300 lives is not a small number. So, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, only God will reward you for what you have done. “We are waiting for that process of meeting the President for a handshake and national honour.

Having a handshake with Mr. President at the age of 83, I think the man will be happy, even if he is going to his grave; something has happened in his life.�

A victim languishing in the hospital

SGF, Boss Mustapha brainstorming with Gov Lalong on way out

most sacred thing in the world.

Young also observed that the killing of innocent people is simply not acceptable whether in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Borno, Delta or Taraba. He said, “We must agree that these criminals who commit these terrible acts of whatever kind must be caught and prosecuted. We must break the circle of impunity that fills grievances on our side and leads to reprisal attacks".

He also called on effective law enforcement agents to arrest and prosecute criminal actors that do evil, adding that it is absolutely essential that those arrested be made to properly face charges in court, because bringing criminal action to justice is the first step to stop violence.

He warned, “Nigeria’s population is growing; about the fastest of any country in the world. In 30 years, the population of Nigeria will grow from 190 million people today to over 400 million people, and much of this population growth will be across the North and Middle belt of the country. So the challenges we face over land and resources aren’t going to get easier but harder.�

Complexity of the Crisis in Plateau and Middle Belt On her part, Isioma Kemakolam, programme coordinator of Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD) of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) identified persisting economic inequalities, marginalisation, decline of trust in formal and informal institutions, security and governance challenges and weak relationships, as the causes of crises in Nigeria.

She observed that, “With the complexities of these challenges, communities are further divided and relationship with the state deteriorating with a

backlash of widespread acts of terror by community groups against one another; tension and new attacks occurring with more frequency and with a larger scope of targets. “It is for this reason that we want to review our security architecture, mobilize a community of change that will utilise Plateau Roadmap to peace and the USIP JSD state level dialogue as part of tools to overcome our security challenges.�

Addressing Agitations

To address various agitations over the alleged occupation of the homes and farms of the natives by the herders after the people were attacked and chased away to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Lalong also recently constituted and inaugurated two separate committees to work on the safe return and resettlement of all IDPs to their homes and provide for the immediate humanitarian needs for the victims of the crisis.

United States’ Position

Deputy Chief Mission and Charge de Affaires of the US Embassy, Mr. David Young, during a visit to Jos, also said that the circle of violence and attacks, reprisals and counter reprisals has taken horrific tolls on the people of the state which has affected both Muslims and Christians, adding that working for peace can save lives and that is the

We must agree that these criminals who commit these terrible acts of whatever kind must be caught and prosecuted.

We must break the circle of impunity that brings grievance on our side and leads to reprisal attacks

CAN's Reaction

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), after a two-day summit in Jos on the way forward, said, “In view of the violent character of farmer-herder relations in recent time and the disadvantages of open-grazing of cattle, ranching policy should be encouraged.�

They also emphasised the need for proper Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) before the implementation of the proposed Ranching framework.

Indeed, government and critical stakeholder should engage communities through strategic advocacy and sensitisation. There is also need for periodic review of the implementation of the policy.

CAN also resolved that in view of the clamour against hate speeches, marginalisation, injustices, poverty and unemployment, there is need for the promotion of good governance at all levels, respect for human rights and rule of law.

The summit also identified the need for conflict analysis by the church and church leaders towards effective understanding of the complex trends and dynamics of violence in our communities was highlighted. Participants recommended for the institutionalisation of the mechanism for sustainable peace, security and development.

According to CAN, government, the church and development partners should drive the processes of resettlement through reconstruction, reintegration, rehabilitation, demobilisation and disarmament of the affected communities.

While identifying proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the emergence of violent militia groups as part of the problems, CAN called on government to strengthen border and forest security and management across the country. It also recommended that government and the church should put in place mechanism for effective conflict early warning and early response system across the region.

Pledge

In spite of these complexities, the state government said it was not about to give up on its determination

to provide absolute security to its citizens. In a statement by Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mr Yakubu Dati, the state vowed to end attacks on communities, assuring that it is intensifying collaboration with security agencies to bring to an end the activities of criminal elements, who are bent on taking the state back to the dark days.

On the recent attacks, Dati said, “Governor Lalong has directed security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to justice.� He reassured that various peace initiatives are being put in place by the Governor to ensure lasting peace in the state.

He added that government was reviewing criminal justice act in the state is to ensure criminals are tried in the state, urging the citizens not to give up on the state's cherished values of peace and hospitality.

Also speaking, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said “We must take note of the realities we are faced, and consider the contemporary issues and workout something positive�, warning that Nigeria should not be a lawless country, and that there is no community that can develop without peace.

Way Forward

Experts say beyond the talk shows in conferences and summits, and setting up of committees that have not helped much, decisive action must follow to forcefully eject these bandits whose habitation is now in the caves, especially in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area where the attacks have been persistent.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) must be implored to carry out aerial surveillance and air strikes to flush out the bandits from their caves like it did in recent weeks in Zamfara.

The state government should also strengthen the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow, which was created by the former Governor of the state, Jonah David Jang to beef more security in the communities and serve more or less as the state- owned police.

Government must sincerely answer the pertinent question that agitates everyone; is it true that attackers now of Fulani descent occupy the homes and farmlands of the natives they drove away from their ancestral homes, while they languish in IDPs? If the answer is yes, what has government done to reclaim the homes and farmlands of the natives for them? There cannot be peace where injustice reigns and the people are oppressed. Government must rise up to its duty of protecting the rights of the citizens.

38

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

MPC Member Seeks Reduction in Anchor Borrowers’ Interest Rate to 5% James Emejo A member of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), Dahiru Hassan Balami, has called for the reduction of the interest rate for the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme from nine per cent to five per cent.

Balami, said this in his personal comment during the last MPC meeting, a copy of which was posted on the CBN’s website yesterday.

“The government lowered the treasury bills rate from 18 per cent to 10.5 per cent. This has made the treasury bills less attractive to the banks and encourages them to extend more credit to the private sector by reducing their lending rate to single digit because of increase in their liquidity holdings.

“In my opinion the Anchor Borrowers Scheme should be modified by slashing the interest rate from nine per cent to five per cent. The five per cent interest rate should be

shared between the CBN (3%) and banks (2%) participating on the programs to promote accessibility to credit and growth in the economy.

“Credit expanded to the private sector of the economy will positively impact on those operating in the real sector of the economy such as agriculture, industry and manufacturing, as well as mining and quarrying.

This will play an important role in stimulating growth in the economy specifically in employment generation sectors.

The current rate of growth in the economy is positive, but below the domestic desired growth rate of five per cent or six per cent, given the rate of population growth rate of about 2.5 per cent,” he said.

According to him, the mandate of the CBN is primarily to control money supply to achieve price and exchange rate stability.

It also supervises and regulates the financial institutions to promote economic growth and full employment.

At the global level, inflation was projected to rise from 3.1 per cent in 2017 to 3.2 per cent in 2018. The rising level of price was projected to be due to increasing energy price (crude oil) and currency depreciation in developing and emerging markets.

“As the oil price continues to increase upward, inflation picked up moderately in some countries and marginally above the long term trend in some advanced economies.”

He pointed out that domestic credit was important in stimulating real output in the economy when properly managed. A number of studies had shown that credit granger causes output and non-oil exports have positive relationship with credit.

Credit is also positively related to capital inflows and imports. It should be noted that bank credit is closely related to opening of the economy to capital inflows and international trade.

Akinwuntan Assumes Duty as Ecobank’s MD Patrick Akinwuntan, the newly appointed Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria has assumed duty.

According to a statement, Akinwuntan is passionate about bringing customer-friendly banking services to every household in Nigeria.

“This means that Nigerians can expect a more customerfriendly Ecobank as well as continued market-leading banking innovation that will make their banking easier, more convenient and an overall better experience,” the statement added.

The Ecobank Group aims to be serving 100 million customers by the end of 2020 and intends

for many millions of them to be in Nigeria.

Akinwuntan explained: “My mandate is to deliver the brand promise of Ecobank as a leading financial institution in Nigeria in the hearts of our customers by ensuring that we treat our customers well when they choose to open a bank account with us or do their payments, collections, savings and financing through us.

In this manner, we will realise the vision of our founders, which is that Ecobank is the pan-African financial institution that empowers every African to realise their ambitions through convenient, accessible and affordable banking products and services delivered at a price

point that is affordable to all and gives quality returns to shareholders.”

According to him, the foundation that the bank would serve the needs of its consumer, commercial and corporate clients through its digital solutions such as the Ecobank Mobile app, EcobankPay, Rapidtransfer, XpressAccount, Xpress Point agents, Ecobank OMNI and Bank Collect, had been laid.

“Ecobank has built an unrivalled banking platform in Africa and we have earned several accolades within and outside Africa in the past decade which is a testimony of the transformational role we play in various markets in Africa.

CBN Intervenes in Forex Market with Fresh $210m The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made available the sum of $210 million to meet customers’ requests in various segments of the foreign exchange market.

The CBN in its quest to meet customers’ needs in the various segments of the market offered $100 million to authorised dealers in the wholesale segment

of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got boosted with the sum of $55 million.

According to figures made available by the CBN yesterday, customers requesting foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were

also allocated the sum of $55 million.

The CBN had last Tuesday intervened to the tune of $210 million to cater for requests in the wholesale segment of the forex market.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanging at an average of N361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market yesterday.

Vencap LaunchesVenture Capital Fund for Start-ups Investment One Vencap Limited (Vencap), the SME-focused subsidiary of Investment One Financial Services Limited, is calling on start-ups and existing businesses interested in securing Venture Capital funding of between N10 million and N100 million to submit applications.

The 100 per cent online application window, which opened on 20th August 2018 and closes at midnight on Monday 10th September 2018, is open to Nigerian registered start-ups and existing businesses irrespective of their geographical location.

While speaking on the significance of initiative titled,

‘Venture Quest 10.0,’ the Managing Director of Investment One Vencap Limited, Dr Ore Sofekun, stated that ‘the Quest,’ is not a competition but a platform provided to enable start-ups and existing businesses with innovative and excellent business ideas access equity or quasi-equity funding.

He said the special call for application was aimed at offering SMEs the opportunity to submit their business plans and receive accelerated assessment within a two to three-month period, saying it coincided with activities lined up for the November 2018, 10th year anniversary of the founding

of Investment One Financial Services Limited themed: “Celebrating 10 years of Innovation and Excellence”.

Sofekun said: “Vencap is a sector agnostic investor; so, start-ups and existing businesses in sectors such as agro processing, fintech/ tech-enabled, healthcare, light manufacturing, logistics services, renewable energy/recycling, and finished African fashion/ beauty products can apply.”

She pointed out that Vencap was founded in 2016 to provide financial and strategic business support to SMEs – a critical factor to achieving the nation’s non-oil GDP target.

Akinwuntan

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, THUR, 3, SEPTEMBER , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fifteen crudes stood at $75.77 a barrel on Monday, compared with $75.74 the previous Friday, 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

39

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Market Rebounds on Increased Buying Interest in Banking Stocks Goddy Egene The stock market rebounded yesterday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index (NSE ASI) rose 0.28 per cent to close at 34,933.68 after opening the month on a negative note the previous day. Similarly, market capitalisation added N36.1 billion to close at 12.8 trillion.

Buying interest in banking

stocks such as Zenith Bank Plc, GTBank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc buoyed the return of the bulls. However, 23 stocks appreciated compared with 18 that lost value. AIICO Insurance Plc led the price gainers with 10 per cent, trailed by Jaiz Bank Plc and C & I Leasing Plc with 8.8 per cent apiece. Diamond Bank Plc appreciated by 8.7 per cent, just as Japual Oil

& Maritime Services Plc and WAPIC Insurance Plc chalked up 8.3 per cent,7.6 per cent respectively. Other top price gainers included: Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc(7.1 per cent); Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (6.0 per cent); Skye Bank Plc (5.7 per cent); NAHCO Plc (5.2 per cent).

Conversely, Fidson Healthcare Plc, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

and Universal Insurance Plc led with 10 per cent apiece. Tripple Gee & Company Plc shed 9.4 per cent, just as Guinness Nigeria Plc went down by 8.5 per cent. The shares of Guinness Nigeria depreciated despite the company’s improved results for the year ended June 30, 2018. The audited results of the brewing firm showed a revenue of N125.9 billion, up by 14 per

cent from N125.92 billion in 2017. Net financing expenses fell 54 per cent to N3.443 billion, from N7.527 billion following a rights issue of last year.

Profit before tax stood at N9.943 billion, up from N2.662 billion, while PAT soared by 249 per cent from N1.923 billion to N6.718 billion in 2018. Based on the improved performance, the board recommended a

P R I C E S F O R S E C U R I T I E S T R A D E D A S AT

dividend of 184 kobo per share, compared with 64 kobo paid the previous year.

Commenting on the results, Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Baker Magunda, said: “Improved operating performance combined with lower finance charges have helped us deliver an overall PAT increase of 249 per cent during year.

30/08/2018

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) 266,137.34

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

9.20

-3.16

311

30,738,098

277,015.31

8.10

0.62

230

57,119,293

679,734.09

21.65

-1.59

253

5,465,849

31

794

93,323,240

32

MARKET CAP(Nm) 326,647.16

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 3,885,235.69 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. 205,560.25

BUILDING MATERIALS

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

PRICE

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33

9.10

1.11

293

9,958,785

34

293

9,958,785

1,087

103,282,025

35 36

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

228.00 23.70

-0.44 -7.06

28 53 81 81

257,849 586,918 844,767 844,767

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

382,488.96

650.00

%CHANGE -

8

4,726

8

4,726

8 1,176

4,726 104,131,518

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

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

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC. INFRASTRUCTURE/ HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

MARKET CAP(Nm) 440.00

43 PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.20

-

2

53,000

67,918.39

71.20

-

19

212,999

60,050.00

60.05

-

14 35

39,614 305,613

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20 MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,770.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,111.86

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.26

-

0 0

0 0

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.59

9.26

7

274,022

7

274,022

42

579,635 VOLUME

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

46 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING

-

4

702

-

1 1

2,965 200

50,809.99

1.25

-4.00

71

5,915,922

55

34,863.69

12.10

-

53 130 130

314,322 6,234,111 6,234,111

56

S/N

57 58

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

59

4.79

-

0 0

0 0

60 61

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33,000.00

25.00

-

11

31,450

165.00

6.60

-

0

0

11

31,450

64 65

62 63

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.57

-

6

10,531

66

6

10,531

67

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,900.00

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

95.00

-

0

0

11,300.89

45.20

-

0

0

70

24,014.43

9.00

-

0

0

71 72

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 954.53

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 14,093.09

0

0 41,981

69

73 PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.20

-

0 0

0 0

75

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

76 77

1.80

-

3

16,641

242.22

0.89

-

0

0

208,086.37

95.00

5.56

61

3,508,759

275,067.58

68

32.00

-

9

19,920

74

78 79

10,208,679 13,753,999 VOLUME

TRADES

-2.45

32

411,282

188,400.00

15.70

-1.87

56

2,336,116

94,308.73

23.00

-0.22

81

675,632

12,846.92

1.62

1.25

44

532,884

1,340.10

0.36

-

0

0

1,158.30

6.50

-

0

0

53,121.24

20.05

0.25

11

195,507

3,676.41

13.45

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,680.31 3,377.28

MARKET PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CAP(Nm) P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA 59,557.16 PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA 287,250.27 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

56 129

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 29,182.09

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNA366,991.02 TIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC 48,098.16 GUARANTY TRUST 1,118,384.81 BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC 16,205.34 SKYE BANK PLC 7,356.56 STERLING BANK PLC. 39,442.87 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 170,356.40 UNITY BANK PLC 8,650.11 WEMA BANK PLC. 23,144.68

47

0.10

7.95

FOOD PRODUCTSMARKET -DIVERSIFIED CAP(Nm) CADBURY NIGERIA 18,875.93 PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,188,984.38 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

100.00

PRICE

45

0.58 3.25

17

MARKET CAP(Nm) 39,750.00

BANKING

0.42

MARKET CAP(Nm) 4,079.48

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. 799,690.21

PRICE 10.05

PRICE

0

0

224

4,151,421

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-

15

77,233

-

26 41

15,114 92,347

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

22.10

-

0

0

3.24

-

10 10

294,729 294,729

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

15.00

-

33

157,027

50.00

-

45

477,865

78

634,892

482

18,927,388

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.26

-9.35

76

17,203,174

20.00

-0.25

52

1,767,838

1.66

-2.35

75

3,415,600

38.00

-2.69

248

15,418,966

0.55 0.53 1.37 5.85 0.74 0.60

-3.51 -5.36 -0.72 -

19 69 20 29 5 12 605

2,207,798 6,072,055 1,542,552 107,257 4,621 289,255 48,029,116

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,117.00

0.20

-

0

0

5,197.65

0.75

7.14

13

262,400

24,150.00

2.30

-9.80

4

253,873

2,170.00

0.31

-

1

500

14,521.84

1.40

-4.11

27

2,741,479

3,535.08

0.24

-4.00

14

194,573

2,411.47

0.53

-

0

0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

2,149.00

0.35

-

0

0

487.95

0.38

-9.52

2

7,486,800

2,197.03

0.30

-

13

565,394

3,136.32

0.73

-

3

14,857

6,000.00

0.75

-

3

65,809

2,400.00

0.30

-

14

465,173

17,425.66

3.30

10.00

36

45,250,682

3,405.37

0.44

-

0

0

1,985.05

0.52

-8.77

3

334,754

1,533.81

0.23

-

11

5,005,173

2,085.21

0.25

-

7

492,000

4,906.19

0.38

-

1

7,336

4,483.72

0.48

-

0

0

2,940.00

0.21

-

3

16,880

516.46

0.20

-

1

50,024

6,400.00

0.40

-

2

2,100

3,744.00

0.27

-

2

2,500

40

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

Easton Acquisitions Raises Stake in NEM Insurance Plc Goddy Egene An investment company, Eaton Acquisitions Limited has increased its stake in NEM Insurance to nine per cent, after announcing the acquisition of four per cent of the insurance company.

Eaton is seeking to acquire 10 per cent of the insurance company. The latest acquisition puts it within a distance of its target.

Commenting on the development the

development, Managing Director of Eaton Acquisitions Limited, Olaleye Adeyinka said:�There is no better option in the market from the perspective of effective leadership, strategic opportunities and reforms for growth in the industry, broad sharing holding base that engenders good corporate governance, and a network of current and potential shareholders for enhanced business development.� “We can’t say much about

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

the strategic vision of the company yet as it is in the purview of management and the board, but we have unalloyed confidence in both organs of the company’s governance.�

According to the investors, they increased their stakes in the company because it offers strategic opportunities and growth. “We intend to acquire more shares until we meet the mandate of our board to acquire 10 per cent of the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 0309-2018, unless otherwise stated.

company’s shares,� Olaleye added.

Although the Eaton boss expressed confidence in the ability of current NEM’s leadership, he said his company is desirous of gaining board representation in view of its dominant shareholding stake in the company.

NEM Insurance Plc recently announced a 20.7 growth in its profit before tax (PBT) for the half year ended 30 June 2018. PBT of the insurance

company grew from N1.4 billion in June 2017 to N1.7 billion in June 2018 on account of a 12 per cent increase in gross premium written and a 62 per cent decline in claims expenses.

The insurance firm reported profit after tax of N1.5 billion, up from N1.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. Other highlights of the results indicated a 10 per cent growth in underwriting profit of N2.7 billion in the period under review as

against N2.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

The insurer’s balance sheet shows total assets growth of 10 per cent from N17 billion at the beginning of 2018 to N19 billion as at the period under review.

The company had paid a dividend of 10 kobo per share for the full year ended December 31, 2017. This followed a jump in profit before tax by 44.2 per cent to N3.094 billion, compared with N2.14 billion in 2016.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 167.15 167.72 -5.97% Nigeria International Debt Fund 264.65 265.27 14.38% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 0.73% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 4.95% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.30% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 17.55 18.07 -3.97% ARM Discovery Fund 371.00 382.19 -4.64% ARM Ethical Fund 28.56 28.56 2.99% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.32% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 138.70 139.67 -8.57% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.18% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.67% Paramount Equity Fund 11.70 12.00 5.52% Women's Investment Fund 102.58 105.19 1.93% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.99% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.20 11.63% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.11 4.39% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,185.71 1,186.46 9.92% FBN Heritage Fund 142.44 141.48 0.68% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.97% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.08 $114.47 3.49% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.85 $114.25 3.39% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 159.42 161.70 -0.26% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.25 1.28 -3.15% Legacy Debt Fund 3.13 3.13 8.53% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,038.11 3,068.28 1.76% Coral Income Fund 2,696.57 2,696.57 10.16% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.14% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 102.57 104.20 2.92% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.76% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.15 0.72% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.19% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 121.18 121.45 5.31%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 3.70% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,079.56 1,079.56 9.38% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.82 11.92 -9.12% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.78% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.32 1.35 11.08% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.85 11.93 7.42% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.25% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.90 128.45 -1.34% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.64 1.64 10.19% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.18 -1.13% United Capital Bond Fund 1.54 1.54 8.20% United Capital Equity Fund 0.74 0.75 -3.59% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.54% United Capital Eurobond Fund 104.70 104.70 4.67% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 2.54% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.52 11.70 -1.61% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.37 12.50 -1.49% Zenith Income Fund 20.17 20.17 10.09% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 137.71 51.52

1.01 3.96% 1.36%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.51 127.67 98.45

11.61 130.38 100.31

-3.04% -10.62% -9.88%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

SPECIALIST FUNDS*

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.19 8.03 16.11 16.66

4.23 8.11 16.21 16.86

-11.58% -15.98% -7.84% -15.22%

141.70

143.70

5.44%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

105.44

17.63%

FOR HNI & PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

42

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5,2018 Ëž T H I S D AY

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757

In Brief US Democrats Protest as Supreme Court Nominee’s Hearing Opens

The Senate confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh, opened on a chaotic note on Tuesday, as Democrats complained about a deliberate attempt by Republicans to block access to documents from the nominee’s previous work in the White House under President George W. Bush. News photographers clicked pictures of a smiling Kavanaugh as he entered the hearing room. But moments after the Judiciary Committee’s Republican chairman Chuck Grassley opened the hearing, Democrats protested the withholding of the documents and asked to have the proceedings adjourned.

Several protesters also disrupted the opening of the hearing, with one shouting “this is a travesty of justice,� Reuters reported. “We cannot possibly move forward. We have not had an opportunity to have a meaningful hearing,� Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said, while Democratic Senator Cory Booker appealed to Grassley’s “sense of decency and integrity.�

Japan’s Strongest Typhoon in 25 Years Kills Six

Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa: Paying a Heavy Price for Dysfunctional Local Government Dirk Brand

S

outh Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, recently painted a bleak picture about the state of local government. It should worry all South Africans, not only those suffering as a consequence of dysfunctional municipalities.

In his budget speech in Parliament in May Mkhize said that 87 municipalities – about a third of South Africa’s total of 257 – “remain dysfunctional or distressed�. He identified two problems.

One set is systemic and relates to the size and structure of municipalities.

The other is mismanagement due to “political instability or interference, corruption and incompetence�.

Whatever the causes of the dire state some municipalities are in, it is evident that this situation has a huge negative impact on society.

South African municipalities form the third sphere of government after the provinces and national government.

In accordance with the Constitution, they must be democratic, accountable institutions that provide a range of basic services to local communities, such as water and electricity. They are also key institutions for the promotion of social and economic development, given their direct link to local communities.

Successful municipalities are essential for the country’s prosperity.

A number of characteristics are evident in dysfunctional municipalities.

Firstly, there is very poor or no service delivery – in other words, rubbish isn’t collected and basic services, such as water supplies, are patchy or nonexistent. Another feature is that they suffer from serious financial problems such as low debt collection and huge overdue creditors’ payments. There is

also always evidence of infrastructure, such as roads, deteriorating at a fast pace.

Communities in these areas often experience a range of problems that reflect this state of dysfunctionality.

These include potholes; significant water losses due to infrastructure not being maintained; an increasing backlog in new infrastructure; financial mismanagement as well as fraud and corruption.

A second important impact is that service providers are affected. If a municipality doesn’t collect all the revenue due to it, it can’t pay its creditors or takes a very long time to do so.

An example of this is the R16 billion owed by municipalities at the end of 2017 to Eskom, the country’s power utility. Smaller service providers, some of which are small and medium enterprises, could face serious liquidity problems if they don’t get paid. At worst they could go under.

The effect of all this is often civil unrest. In the longer term consequences will be increasing uncertainty or even instability in affected communities and a spiralling financial crisis. And financial problems will have a snowball effect. This is because investors won’t be interested in investing and current businesses might decide to move elsewhere. This will mean that local economic development and much-needed job creation won’t get off the ground.

In addressing systemic issues, there needs to be a thorough investigation into the structure, size and types of municipality and their governance structures. This should ideally be done by independent experts on behalf of the government. This should be directed to the overall improvement of the design of local government. And it should also take into account the fast-changing, technology-driven environment in

which we live.

In reflecting on the current state of affairs two potential scenarios – which I name after Beatles songs – are presented.

The first is a low road scenario. I have called this “Crying, Waiting, Hoping�.

The other is a high road scenario, which I have named “We can work it out�.

In the first scenario, bad governance continues. On the financial side this involves financial mismanagement, tender fraud, corruption, low debt collection and very slow payment of creditors. In this scenario services will deteriorate. Refuse will be collected less frequently and there will be more water losses due to old infrastructure not being maintained. In addition, more potholes will lead to more claims due to accidents. And, finally, increasing dissatisfaction among the citizens which lead to more civil unrest.

If this went on for a prolonged period of time it could lead to the total collapse of a municipality. This in turn would require a long time and significant funding to get it into an acceptable functional state again.

The “We Can Work It Out� scenario envisages the successful prosecution of corrupt officials and councillors, cooperation across the political spectrum to create a stable organisational basis and a serious attempt by communities to help solve municipalities’ problems. They can do this by providing expertise and participating constructively in the rebuilding of their society.

In this scenario all available resources from all three spheres of government, the business community, academia and citizens would be used in a spirit of cooperation to work out solutions that can benefit society. t#SBOE JT &YUSBPSEJOBSZ 4FOJPS -FDUVSFS BU UIF 4DIPPM PG 1VCMJD -FBEFSTIJQ 4UFMMFOCPTDI 6OJWFSTJUZ 4PVUI "GSJDB

Japan was on Tuesday hit by its strongest typhoon in 25 years, which caused at least six deaths and 160 injuries. Typhoon Jebi made landfall in western areas, bringing heavy rain and reports of winds up to 172km/h (107mph). In Osaka Bay, it swept a tanker into a bridge and in Kyoto, parts of a railway station roof came down. Officials ordered more than a million people in affected areas to evacuate their homes amid warnings of high waves, flooding and mudslides. It has already left tens of thousands without power and authorities have urged people to move to safety. The storm made landfall on Shikoku Island around noon on Tuesday local time and then moved across Japan’s largest main island of Honshu. It was expected to weaken as it moved north. Jebi is the first typhoon classed as “very strong� by the country’s weather agency to make landfall on Japan’s main islands since a typhoon left 48 people dead or missing in 1993, Kyodo reported.

Kremlin Dismisses Trump Warning on Syria’s Idlib

The Kremlin on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning to Syria not to launch an offensive in the rebel-held enclave of Idlib, saying the area is a “nest of terrorism�. Trump on Monday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies, Iran and Russia, not to “recklessly attack� the northwestern Syrian province, saying hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Just to speak out with some warnings, without taking into account the very dangerous, negative potential for the whole situation in Syria, is probably not a full, comprehensive approach.� Peskov said the presence of militants in Idlib was undermining the Syrian peace process and making the region a base for attacks on Russian forces in Syria.

Lewinsky Walks off Israeli Stage After ‘Off Limits’ Question on Clinton

Monica Lewinsky cut short an Israeli interview and walked off the stage after what she described on Tuesday as an “off limits� question about former U.S. President Bill Clinton, according to Reuters. Lewinsky, whose affair as a White House intern with Clinton in the 1990s nearly brought down his presidency, sat for an interview with an Israeli TV anchor at a Jerusalem speaking event on Monday where the now 45-year-old anti-bullying activist delivered an address on the dangers of social media. But she abruptly rose from her seat and strode off stage after the opening question – on whether she still expected a personal apology from Clinton. “I’m so sorry. I’m not going to be able to do this,� Lewinsky said before walking away.

Clinton, asked in an NBC interview in June whether he felt he owed Lewinsky an apology, replied: “No. I have never talked to her, but I did say publicly on more than one occasion that I was sorry.� Tweeting about her reason for leaving the stage in Jerusalem, Lewinsky wrote: “There were clear parameters about what we would be discussing and what we would not.

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Rule of Law Must Be Respected for Sake of Justice, Says CJN Hamid Adedeji FChief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday described the rule of law

as an essential element in any democratic society, maintaining that justice could not be effectively delivered when the supremacy of law was not respected.

Atiku Tackles Osinbajo over Restructuring Says he is not corrupt Shola Oyeyepo in Lagos, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that restructuring the country is a necessity and not an option, saying Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo’s approbation and reprobation would not help the country.

The former vice president has also dispelled the widespread allegation that he was corrupt while serving with former President Olusegun Obasanjo Atiku, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while reacting to a statement credited to Osinbajo, who was quoted to have said that Atiku’s concept of restructuring “is understandably vague, because he seeks to cover every aspect of human existence in that definition,” described his statement as most unfortunate.

According to a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by Atiku Campaign Organisation, Osinbajo had written to Premium Times in response to an essay on restructuring authored by Atiku.

Osinbajo had also recently stated that “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring,” but Atiku argued that “if the vice president has changed his stance, I welcome it, but we should not use one finger to hide behind semantics.”

The former vice president said he had been at the forefront of the discourse on restructuring since the 1995 Abacha Constitutional Conference, stressing that to the best of his knowledge, there has not been any term like ‘geographic restructuring’.

“It is a strange concept, not only because it is not what the restructuring debate is all about, but also because the words of the vice president, which prompted my response, were clear, unambiguous and unequivocal.

“It is understandable that the Vice President, Osinbajo has written to Premium Times to douse the tension his comments created.

However, in doing so, the vice president should not attempt to revise history by saying he spoke against ‘geographic restructuring,” Atiku said.

The former vice president stressed that he has been very clear, detailed, and

Justice Onnoghen spoke at a national workshop for Chief Registrars, Deputy Chief Registrars, Directors and Secretaries of Judicial Service Commissions/ Committee, held at National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

While fielding questions from some of the participants, the CJN said he had on various occasions in the past, harped on the necessity of allowing the rule of law to prevail in the country.

He said: “I have said it repeatedly that we should let the law prevail in every aspect of our lives. It is only then that justice will flow down.

“When I was sworn in as the acting CJN then, I was asked to make a speech even though I did not prepare

for it. On that occasion, I told them, members of the executives were there, including Mr. President. I told them that rule of law must be respected.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had in an address he presented at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) declared that he would continue to place national security and interest above the rule of law.

He maintained that individual rights of alleged offenders would not be spared when national security and public interest were threatened.

Meanwhile, the CJN said the workshop was part of measures to reinvigorate the judiciary to be able to administer justice without

fear or favour.

He said: “The theme of this workshop, ‘Applying Best Practices in Court Administration’, is deliberate.

It captures our efforts in ensuring better justice delivery in Nigeria, which has become imperative especially if justice is viewed within the context of service delivery.

It also brings to focus the present challenges in court administration.

“The theme of this workshop underscores the fact that the public perception of the judiciary is largely determined by how we apply best practices in the business of the court.

“Thus, when the top echelons of the judiciary are properly trained, fully equipped and highly conscientious, then our judiciary will function

optimally and further deepen public confidence in our ability to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”

In her speech, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Roseline Bozimo, said the judiciary could only mature when it embarks on positive innovation in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.

“As court administrators, it is important to note that effective court administration requires not only a strong court management team, but also people of exemplary character.

“You must be fair, transparent and diligent in carrying out your duties.

You are to ensure your staff respect all court users, be punctual to work and be of good conduct.”

unambiguous about his ideas of restructuring, adding that at several occasions, including, but not limited to his speeches at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he gave very clear and concise ideas about administrative, political and economic restructuring.

According to Atiku, “My advice to the vice president is that he should choose whether he is for restructuring or whether he is against it and stick to his choice. This continuous prevarication, this approbation and reprobation help no one, least of all true progressives who know that Nigeria needs to be restructured and restructured soon.”

Meanwhile, Atiku has dispelled the widespread allegation that he was corrupt while serving as the vice president to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday during his consultative visit on his presidential ambition, Atiku appealed to gladiators in the party to be united ahead of the 2019 general election, saying the party has a good prognosis to win the presidential poll if leaders exhibit extraordinary commitments.

The former vice president reiterated that allegations of corruption against him were false “ I have always said that L-R: Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kwara State, Attahiru Madami; State if they have any evidence Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; State Head of Service, Mrs. Susan Oluwole, and Administrative Secretary of INEC, Mr. Boris Mathins, of corruption against Atiku, during courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Ilorin... yesterday please come forward. But nobody has been able to come forward,” he said Atiku added that he had well packaged and distinct programmes contained in his blueprint to develop the Deji Elumoye in Abuja He had also met in the The advance teams, the team consisting of Senators, country if elected to succeed statement added, would members of the House of last one month with elder President Muhammadu Two members of the National be engaged in multiple Representatives, former statesmen, including three Buhari.

Assembly - Senators Isa meetings across the seven governors and top politicians former Presidents, Olusegun Addressing Governor Ayo Misau and Ubali Shittu-are North-western states, and on tour of the two zones as Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Fayose, Atiku described leading the presidential the six North-eastern states. part of his efforts to secure Ibrahim Babangida, among the governor as “brutally campaign teams of the Other members of the the nod of PDP delegates in others. frank,” saying: “I like the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Northeast The consultations are delegation the October 6, 2018, national way you do things. You’re Saraki, to the Northeast and include Special Assistant convention. in line with Saraki’s brutally frank. You say Northwest.

The Senate president who commitment to ensure that on Political Affairs to the your mind, it’s a very Already, the teams have Senate President, Yakubu last Thursday declared his all party stakeholders are rare quality. So, I commend arrived the two geo-political Mohammed; Alhaji Akilu intention to seek the office carried along in his campaign you for who you are. We zones ahead of the Peoples Ndabawa (Kano); Hajiya of the president on the PDP ahead of the October PDP will stand by you and the Democratic Party (PDP)’s Fati Kamba, a woman elder platform had within a week presidential primary. party in Ekiti State until presidential THISDAY gathered that aspirant’s in Kebbi State; and Alhaji met and consulted with nine you retrieves your stolen planned visit to the 13 states Sheriff Hashiru, a northern state governors, including the Senate president left mandate.” that make up the two zones. youth leader from Kano Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Abuja for Ilorin yesterday Fayose called for unity Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa afternoon to continue with Saraki in a statement State. of the members of the yesterday by his Media Others on the North-east State; Udom Emmanuel of the consultations with his party, saying Atiku has Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, delegation are Hon. Binta Akwa Ibom; Ifeanyi Okowa kinsman on his ambition. “the shoulder, you have said the advance campaign Bello, Alhaji Abubakar Jada, of Delta; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of He is expected to be in the height, you have teams of the Senate president Mohammed Kachalla and Mr. Enugu State; Okezie Ikpeazu both the Northeast and thenwherewithal. Our prayer have arrived in the two Seth Crowther. of Abia State; Abdulfatah North-west zones to consult is that it will not be an effort zones to meet with party Saraki, according to the Ahmed of Kwara State; and with PDP stakeholders before in futility.” statement, will soon lead a Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. the end of the week. stakeholders of PDP.

COURTESY VISIT...

2019: Two Senators Lead Saraki’s Campaign Team to North-west, North-east

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Presidency: Lack of Forensic Investigators Pose Challenge to Anti-graft War Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidency has said the 21st century technological revolution as well as investigators and auditors who are unskilled in forensic and investigative auditing

pose a major challenge to Nigeria’s war against corruption.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while declaring open the 2nd annual conference/

Rejecting Electoral Bill will Destroy Free, Fair Elections, CUPP Tells Buhari Martins Ifijeh The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has stated that the last-minute rejection of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari will destroy the chances of a credible, free and fair election in Nigeria.

It said the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to withhold assent to the bill is an indication that it was afraid of losing the 2019 general election.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday and signed by the First National Spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the body said it recently raised an alarm following credible information that President Buhari was under immense pressure from leaders of the APC not to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Ugochinyere said President Buhari and the APC were scared of the compulsory use of card readers for accreditation and transmission of election

results, which the new electoral law provides for, adding that CUPP was sad to report that the president has succumbed to the pressure.

“The Osun State governorship lection is just a few days away and we have been told there is nothing that could have made the president to sign the Amended Electoral Act which will open the window for the people of the state to vote out the abysmally performing government of APC. The undue advantage of winning Osun State, which has a close relationship with the national leader of the APC as the party’s candidate and the mortal fear of losing the presidential election next year, has made President Buhari so desperate and this is very dangerous for our country and democracy.

“All lovers of democracy are hereby put on notice that the president and the APC have concluded plans to massively rig the September 22 Osun State governorship election through snatching of result sheets, vote buying and manipulation of the entire process,” he alleged.

Customs Generates N140.41bn in August James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has said it generated N140.41 billion revenue in August, representing the “highest ever” monthly collection by the service.

Comptroller-General of NCS, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), said the amount was “as a result of dogged pursuit of reform programmes.”

He said the implementation of three pronged Presidential mandate of Restructure, Reform and Raise revenue in NCS had continued to strengthen the Service as a crucial contributor to national economy and security.

According to him, the service had within the past eight months, effected seizures of 156,090 bags of smuggled rice; 15,632 sets of military wears, 489,000 ammunition and other items which boosted it’s collections.

“These positive harvests in the areas of anti-smuggling and revenue generation is a

clear testimony of what can be achieved under a selflessly focused leadership.

“NCS therefore calls on Nigerians to support the Service by providing credible information that would help nip smuggling at the bud and generate needed revenue for national development,” he said in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Attah.

The reform programmes carried out so far included the strategic deployment of manpower; upgrade on the electronic systems from Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS I) to NICIS II which has blocked leakages; strict enforcement of extant guidelines by the Tariff and Trade department; robust stakeholder engagements resulting in higher compliance and increased disposition of officers and men to change the way of doing things for the better.

induction ceremony for new members of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors (CIFIA) of Nigeria, with the theme: ‘The Paradigm of Forensic and Investigative Audit in Changing and the Landscape of Fraud and Corruption.’

Mustapha who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mrs. Amina Shamaki, said attempts by successive administrations

to tame corruption which has impeded socioeconomic development of the country remains largely unsuccessful.

He stated: “The 21st century technological revolution has further created new methods and ease to perpetuate corruption in all its ramifications and in almost all spheres of endeavour.

“This new ease has made fraud cases difficult to detect by the police, investigators

and auditors unskilled in forensic and investigative auditing. This therefore poses a major challenge with great vigour and determination by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.“ Earlier, the Protem Chairman of CIFAN, Dr. Victoria Enape, said the overall motivation of the institute was to ensure that prosecutors and investigators in Nigeria are in position to

effectively take advantage of forensic and investigative auditing techniques to win war against fraud and corruption.

She added that the institute remains undaunted in pursuit of this objective against all odds, stressing that the institute had also trained and inducted thousands of people from various government departments and the testimonies have been very encouraging.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE HOTS UP...

L-R: National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan; National Organising Secretary, PDP, Mr. Austin Akobundun, presenting the PDP presidential nomination form to Senator David Mark in Abuja ...yesterday

I Defected to APC Because PDP is a Stagnant Party, Says Uduaghan You left no legacy, Delta govt tells former governor Sylvester Idowu in Warri Omo-Julius Onabu in Asaba Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said he decided to defect to All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because his former party has become stagnant.

But the Delta State Government yesterday lashed at Uduaghan, saying he has no legacy in his eight years in government.

The former governor also said

he changed his mind to be part of the ‘progressives’ since he realised that APC has been the only party in the forefront of fighting for the people of the Niger Delta region.

Uduaghan stated this yesterday when he paid a consultative visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, at his palace in Warri, noting that these were few of the reasons he joined APC. He, however, assured the monarch that he is contesting for Delta South senatorial seat to represent, not only the people

of Delta South, but also the entire Niger Delta region.

The former governor said Delta State cannot continue to play opposition party, noting that if the state continues to be in the opposition, it might be left behind in the scheme of things.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government yesterday lashed at the former governor, saying he has no legacy in his eight years in government.

Briefing journalists in Asaba in reaction to recent media

report credited to the erstwhile Governor, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, said Uduaghan’s “dreaming claims of legacy projects will not fly”.

Saying it was not “the style of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s led government to respond to fallacious claims,” Ukah said “but we owe the public the duty to set the record straight particularly when such lies are spilled by a former governor who this administration has given his dues and respect.

Adamawa APC Faction Opposes Bindow, Endorses Direct Primaries A break-away executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has written to the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, endorsing the decision of the party to conduct direct primaries for all elective posts.

This came against the backdrop of the decision at a stakeholders’ forum by another faction of the party led by the state Governor Jubrilla Bindow to the effect that it had adoped indirect

model for the conduct of primaries for elective offices in the state.

That forum was attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha.

In separate letters addressed to the national chairman on Tuesday, the stakeholders and some aspirants insisted on direct primaries.

The letter by the factional leadership was signed by the faction’s chairman, Comrade Dumas Ezra, and its Publicity Secretary, Usman Ibrahim.

The other letter was written by seven members of the party who described themselves as stakeholders and aspirants.

Among its signatories are the Senator representing Adamawa North, Senator Abubakar Mohammed Mo’Allayidi, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and APC gubernatorial aspirants which included Marcus Gundiri, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, as well as Senator Abubakar Girei

and Senator Bello Tukur.

In their letter, the stakeholders argued in favour of direct primaries, saying it would foster democracy and discourage underhand dealings in the conduct of the primaries.

“As democrats, we found the decision cheering and encouraging and we are therefore shocked that anybody who lays claim to democracy or desire to lead the people would find the decision to let the people decide as a threat or discomforting.”

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N5.8bn Unpaid Allowances: N’Assembly’s Legislative Aides Threaten Showdown Deji Elumoye in Abuja National Assembly legislative aides yesterday embarked on peaceful protest to drive home their alleged claims of unpaid allowances.

The aides attached to senators and House of Representatives members stormed the lobby of the assembly, threatening to shut down the federal parliament if their allowances totaling N5.8billion are not paid before the September 25, 2018, reconvening date of the legislators.

The aides in their hundreds made the threat while shouting solidarity songs and chanting “we are aides and not slaves, pay us our entitlements.”

Addressing journalists on their plights, Chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, Mr. Sam Melaye, said the N5.8 billion unpaid allowances must be paid before

the legislators resume later this month, “failure of which will lead to a shutdown of the federal parliament.”

According to him, the breakdown of the entitlements include Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) not paid to them since 2015 put at over N2 billion and training allowances at N1billion per year which stands at N3 billion.

“By laid down procedures and yearly budgetary provisions of N250million on quarterly basis, each of the legislative aides is expected to go for training on the template of capacity building the totality of which is N1billion per year but for the past three years, no aide has been sent on any training let alone paid the required allowances,” Melaye said.

He said the aides had made concerted efforts within the last three months to get the leadership of the National

Assembly to offset the allowances but without any fruitful result.

The Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, while

addressing the protesters in his office, assured them that the Clerk of the National Assembly, Ataba Sani-Omolori, who is presently on official duties

overseas, would look into all issues raised by the legislative aides once he returns to the country next week.

Despite the assurances of

the Clerk of the Senate, the protesting aides thereafter returned to the National Assembly lobby, shouting “no retreat, no surrender!”

N1.6bn Fraud: Jonathan’s Ex-aide, Dudafa Denies Link with NSA, CBN IT’S NICE MEETING YOU...

The trial of former Senior Special conceal any money, as the sources Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (left), presenting a plaque to the Chairman of Vanguard Media Assistant on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, before a Lagos Federal High Court in Lagos continued yesterday, with the former aide denying having anything to do with the Office of National Security Adviser or Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Dudafa and his co-accused, and one Iwejuo Nna Joseph,were on June 11, 2016, arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6 billion.

At the resumed trial of the defendants before Justice Mohammed Idris, yesterday, while being led in evidence inchief by his lawyer, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), told the court that throughout his period as Senior Special Assistant to the former President, he never had any interaction with the Office of NSA or the person of NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

He also stated that he had no relationship whatsoever with the CBN and any other government official but only look after the residence of the former president, and running errands for him.

Dudafa also denied conspiracy and concealment charge brought against them by the EFCC on the alleged N1.6 billion fraud.

He also stated that his failure to fill the Assets Declaration form at the EFCC while being detained was due to the commission’s refusal to state the nature of his offences, nor given adequate time, and the denial of his right to his lawyer.

He added that he did not fill the Asset Declaration form because he was not a public officer as he was not being paid salary from the public accounts and that he only acted on personal capacity, when he was appointed by the former President Jonathan as Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

He said: “I did not conspire to

of the money is clear. I had no intention whatsoever to hide anything, it is the circumstances that I found myself.

The aide to the former President Jonathan also told the court that payments were parts of the donations paid by Prince Arthur Eze to Otueke Anglican Communion, for the building of the Saint Stephen Deaconry and youth development centre, in Bayelsa State.

Dudafa who claimed to have being in fast food business, De Jakes Fast Food, even before his appointment with the former president, said his company’s daily turnover as at 2005 to 2011, was between N5 to N7 million daily.

However, under crossexamination by the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the defendant confirmed that he received a cumulative total sum of $10 million from Prince Eze, in the presence of the former President, between 2013 and 2015.

He insisted that the proceeds of the donations for the church projects were paid into private companies’ accounts. And that it was meant for the development of church projects, the building of deaconry of Saint Stephen Anglican Communion, and the youth development centre, Otueke, Bayelsa State.

The defendant denied knowing one Jide Ofor, who was alleged to have paid the sum of N41.85 million.

When also asked of his relationship with some companies alleged to have made payments for his house at Chevron Estate, Lekki, Lagos, Dudafa denied having any house in Lekki, stating that the only house he has in Lagos is in Sangotedo, on Lekki-Ajah axis of the state.

The defendant told the court that the statements he made while in the custody of the anti-graft agency, were made under duress, as he was made to understand that making the statements will be the only option to guaranty his freedom.

Limited, Sam Amuka-Pemu, during her visit to Vanguard Newspaper head office in Lagos…recently

Indirect Primaries Breed Corruption, Shehu Sani Tells APC Onyebuchi Ezigbo Abuja The Senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani, has slammed the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), opposing direct primary election, including governors, describing indirect primary as a major source of corruption in the polity.

Sani said indirect primary stands as direct antithesis to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption at all levels. .

Senator Sani who stormed the national secretariat of APC yesterday to submit a petition to the leadership of the party, said he is fully in support of the party’s adoption of direct primary, adding that indirect primary election is against the progressive ideals of the ruling party and President Buhari’s war against corruption.

Sani, who led other stakeholders from Kaduna State, including a governorship aspirant and a

senatorial aspirant, said they are supporting the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the party National Leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in their quest to enthrone a new order in the party.

The petition, a copy of which was made available to journalists reads: “We the aspirants and stakeholders of the Kaduna State chapter of our great party the APC presents our best compliments to you.

“The delegate system, otherwise called indirect primaries will rely on the whims and caprices of the few that control the party after emerging from ward, local government and state congresses that have been widely rejected by party members as a sham.

“Hundreds of party members who bought forms with a view to vying for various wards, local governments and state party executive positions were

deliberately excluded from the process and in some instances even intentionally blocked from submitting their forms nor were they even consulted ahead of the so-called processes of affirmation of officials of the party.”

While highlighting what usually happens during the indirect primary election, Sani said the names of all party executives were single handedly written by the governor.

“That alienated many of our party members and caused mass exodus from the party.

These selected party executives under the tyrannical hold of the governor have been complying with the governor’s biddings, limiting access, communication and association to only those candidates in the favoured book of the governor,” he said.

The lawmaker said many members of the party executives have been appointed to serve as campaign coordinators of the

governor’s preferred candidates at various levels while those deemed to be sympathetic to the cause of the people other than the governor have been shown the way out.

In the petition, Sani and his group said that the argument over insecurity , flies in the face of logic because if security challenges are sufficient ground not to adopt and conduct direct primaries, then it follows that the 2019 general election ought not to hold at all.

According to Sani: “Majority of the members of our party, armed with facts that are stark and incontrovertible, are now in court seeking judgements that would, from all indications, set aside these sham congresses.

“And since it is a legal dictum that you cannot build something on an illegality, it means that for Kaduna State at least, the indirect primaries system relying as it would on these bogus congresses is dead on anival.

Afenifere Denies Endorsing Any Aspirant James Sowole in Akure The Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere yesterday declared that it has not endorsed any presidential aspirant for the 2019 general elections.

The declaration was made by the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti at his residence in Akure, the Ondo state capital while receiving a PDP presidential aspirant, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Fasoranti, who spoke through the group’s Secretary General, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, noted

that all presidential aspirants would be examined by the group and other elders’ groups in the country.

He said the group cannot endorse aspirant but will work with a candidate that can meet the philosophies of Afenifere, especially the agitation for the country’s restructuring.

Fasoranti, who spoke with journalists, said Afenifere would make its position on 2019 polls known to Nigerians after political parties’ primaries.

“It makes no sense to suggest that a serious group would adopt an aspirant when

political parties are yet to produce candidates.

“We must state emphatically that our preoccupation at the moment is to engage presidential aspirants vis-a-vis our conviction that for Nigeria to make progress,It must be restructured into a truly federal polity .

“It is when political parties have put forward their candidates that Afenifere and its partners across Nigeria in the Nigerian leaders and elders forum would make a choice of a candidate whose vision and commitment

tally with our quest for a productive and working Nigeria .

“We are fully committed to the goal of saving Nigeria from collapse and putting in place a leadership that can kick-start the rebuilding of our country to make it take its pride of place in the comity of nations as well as providing opportunities for millions of our young people wasting away at home and perishing in the deserts in search of elusive greener pasture in spite of our having all that is needed to give them chances in life at home”, he said.

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Money Laundering: TI, EU, Others, to Track Illicit Financial Flow in Nigeria Say FG loses over $50 billion to IFF annually KasimSumainainAbuja In a move to end money laundering in the country, Transparency International (TI), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC) yesterday announced the development of a tracking platform to monitor illicit financial flow (IFF) and money laundering in the country.

The group, which added that the federal government loses over $50 billion to IFF annually, made this declaration during its stakeholders’ conference in Abuja.

The Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), while delivering his speech at the event, noted that “the development of the tracking website will ensure transparency in public contracting which has been a major source of

IFF in Nigeria.”

According to him, “Despite the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, to fight corruption, corruption is still notorious.”

The CISLAC boss noted that Illicit financial flows through money laundering had continued to soar in Nigeria due to the failure of government and law enforcement agencies to respect and fully implement existing laws against the crime in Nigeria.

He said despite the ratification of relevant international convention and domestic legal framework in place, Nigeria loses over $50 billion to the these antics annually.

“We are not successful in the punishment and prevention of financial fraud and money laundering. And, until government

institutions and enforcement agencies wake up to deal with the issue of implementation, Nigeria will continue to suffer the negative effects of the menace.

“The present government rode to power on the promise to fight corruption. And according to a report by the Price Waterhouse Coopers on Impact of corruption on Nigerian Economy, ‘corruption in Nigeria could cost up to 37 per cent of gross domestic oroducts (GDP) by 2030 if not dealt with immediately. This cost is equated to around $1.000 per person in 2014 and nearly $2,000 per person by 2030

“In February 2018, the Transparency International through CISLAC, its national contact, released the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and Nigeria slipped down in the global rankings, an indication that there is a decline in the fight against corruption,” Auwal explained.

Nigeria is ranked 148 out of 180 countries, with a 27 per cent score out of l00 per cent. In 2016, Nigeria ranked 136th. In West Africa, Nigeria is second worst - ahead of Guinea Bissau.

Corruption persists in the country at all levels costing taxpayers 25 per cent of annual GDP.

The Executive Director, CISLAC, represented by Programme Manager, Democratic Governance (DE), Okeke Anya, hinted that the impact of money laundering and illicit financial flows, made Nigeria to lose about $50 billion to IFF through money laundering, tax evasion and corruption.

He pointed out that in 2013, Nigeria recorded 3198 Suspicious Transactions Reports (STRs); 61 were disseminated to law enforcement agencies but no investigation followed or prosecution was recorded.

“Money laundering and illicit

financial flows siphone the much needed resources for economic development to the pockets of self-serving individuals at the detriment of the majority aided by international financial banking system and legal loopholes.”

“Public contracting is also bedeviled by lack if transparency and abuse. There is, therefore, the need for law enforcers to step up to the challenge of money laundering and ensure proper investigation, prosecution and conviction of perpetrators,” he said.

NDDC Condoles with Family of Former MD, Aginighan Charges Niger Delta youths to embrace peace Emmanuella Igwe The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), has expressed deep shock and sadness over the tragic death of former Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Pastor Power Aginighan, in a motor accident at Mbiama, Rivers State, on Friday, August 31, 2018.

The commission has also charged youths in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities to join in campaigning for peace and security in the Niger Delta region.

The former NDDC boss died with his son, Tammy Aginighan, and a police escort.

In a condolence message, the Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, and the Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, condoled with the family and urged it “to leave its faith in the hands of God, despite the deep pain and sorrow they are going through as a result of this very sad and untimely demise.”

The message read: “Nothing happens in this world except God permits it. It is most heart-breaking and devastating for a family to lose a father and son at the same time, in such tragic circumstances.

“We pray that Almighty God grant his wife, the rest of Aginighan family and entire Ijaw nation the fortitude to bear this overwhelming loss.”

The condolence statement further stated: “Aginighan was passionate in the struggle for better living conditions for the Niger Delta people. He served in various leadership positions in various organisations committed to improving the quality of lives of the people and Nigeria in general.

He was Director-General of the Ijaw Youths Action League and held other leadership positions too numerous to mention.

“Pastor Aghinighan has remained very supportive to the Commission, years after serving as the Acting Managing Director. This is indeed a huge

and overwhelming loss for his wife, family, the people of the Niger Delta region and the entire Board, Management and Staff of NDDC.” Meanwhile, the commission has charged youths in Nigeria’s oil-producing communities to join in campaigning for peace and security in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking after receiving an award for excellence from the Niger Delta Youth Forum, the NDDC Director in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, stated that development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

Abosede, who received leaders of the Youth Forum in his office at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, stressed the need to create the right environment for development to flourish.

He thanked the youth group for finding him worthy of the award of “Excellence in Good Leadership,” noting that all stakeholders should join in the effort to sanitise the Niger Delta to make it attractive to investors.

Abosede advised the youths to be focused so as to put their God-given talents to good use, adding that they should not be discouraged by temporary setbacks.

The director stressed the importance of sensitising youths in the Niger Delta on the dangers of militancy and other social vices, stating that violence begets violence.

He remarked that promoting awareness campaigns within the Niger Delta region remained a viable tool for development agencies that need peace and security to deliver on their mandates, adding that “as an interventionist agency, the NDDC needs the cooperation of all stakeholders to perform optimally.”

Abosede said that youths of the Niger Delta region have a crucial role to play in enthroning peace. He declared: “We don’t want protests and agitations in the Niger Delta anymore. Dialogue is the way to go.”

CONSULTATIVE VISIT...

L-R: Former Governor, Ogun State and Director General, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Daniel; former Vice President and PDP Presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, and Acting Chairman, PDP, Lagos, Wali Hassan, during Atiku’s consultative visit to the party’s stakeholders in Lagos...recently

Greek Experts to Train 2,500 Amnesty Beneficiaries on Fishing Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Eight maritime industry experts from Greece have arrived Nigeria to train 2,500 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) on fishing.

The project initiated by the Presidential Amnesty Office is expected to be launched soon.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo, expressed optimism that the project, which includes the building of 100 fishing trawlers in Burutu, Delta State, for training of the beneficiaries, would enhance

their capabilities and strengthen business in Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta region.

According to a statement by his media aide, Mr. Murphy Ganagana, while receiving a delegation of eight top managers of leading fishing institutions in Greece in his office yesterday, Dokubo urged them to replicate here what they had put in place in their country.

“I have sat through most of your discussions and you have explained to me the techniques and the method of how you do your own business.

“I want that to be replicated in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta

because we are a seafaring people. So we hope that this new concept will work well for our communities and for the Niger Delta people and that the best that we can offer will enhance our capabilities and also strengthen the business and sea faring lives of our delegates,” he said.

Earlier, George Theodoru, Managing Director, TheoMan Limited, managers of the project, stated that the prospective beneficiaries would be professionally trained on how to operate state-of-the-art boats which will serve as a means of livelihood for them, their families and communities in the Niger

Delta.

According to him, “As project managers, we will organise the whole operation, consult the parties involved on progress made, and supervise each party for smooth deliveries.

Above all, we are responsible for the technical consultancy to deliver good boats; to keep them working in good condition and maintenance.”

Theodoru hinted that a study on a processing factory, including structures and facilities necessary for preparation of raw fish harvested for local consumption and export, has reached advanced stage.

Rights Group Demands Release of Dasuki, El-Zakzaky Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Human Rights Awareness Initiative (HURAI) has appealed to the federal government to release a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, insisting that subjecting national security and national interest above the rule of law is violation of human rights.

Its Executive Director, Samuel Eziokwu, made the appeal yesterday in a statement issued

in Abuja, while reacting to a statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari when he said rule of law must be subjected to the supremacy of the country’s security and national interest.”

He posited that human rights are absolute and innate under the rule of law, stressing that outside the rule of law, the character and meaning of fundamental rights would be destroyed as life becomes brutish.

“The human rights are not grant or donation and cannot be removed at the whims and

caprices of those in authority.

Rule of law when juxtaposed with the national interest and national security, the primacy of the rule of law becomes more lucid.

“National security is the safety of a country against threats such as terrorism, war, or espionage.

While national security and national interests are important national obligations expected of our leaders to uphold, but it cannot be achieved at the expense of rule of law which is the bedrock or corner stone of state sovereignty

and survival.

“We infer that to place national security and national interest above the rule of law is violation of rights of the people as it abrogates natural law upon which fundamental human rights are derived as well as the codified laws that are rendered latent,” Eziokwu stated.

He called on the President and all his aides to look dispassionately on Dasuki and Elzakzaky and do the needful by allowing the rule of law have its natural course in their matters.

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FG Insists on December 19 Take-off for National Carrier Says Nigerians are investing in airline

Chinedu Eze The federal government has said it is making every effort to ensure the take-off of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, in December this year.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),

Captain Muhtar Usman, who said Nigerians have started investing in the airline because they have developed confidence in the government’s ability to successfully establish the national carrier.

Usman, who spoke to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International

Airport (MMIA), Lagos, yesterday, the said controversy over the planned national airline died down when Nigerians understood the level of government’s commitment to the project.

He added that the government is working for the successful take-off of the airline which would

Nigerian Author Urges Govt to Build Education on Practical, Few Theories Sunday Okobi An award-winning author and educationist, Mrs. Kelicha Ochonogor, has called on governments at all levels to infuse more practical pedagogic system in the school curriculum and fewer theories in order to reverse the seeming Nigeria’s falling education standard.

Ochonogor, who stated this recently when she held a media chat with journalists at Goseld Nursery and Primary School at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, also noted that the one-month old learning centre was deploying inclusive education – a little of the British and Montessori curricula in an harmonised format.

During the chat she held alongside the institution’s Administrator, Mrs. Omowunmi Efeveya, and Supervisor, Mr. Adedipe John Ayodeji, she stressed that her organisation was much more disposed to illustrative and demonstrative system of education in imparting knowledge, adding that the pupils are engaged in practical entrepreneurship right from the pre-school level, “which would develop their skills, help them create jobs and consequently, help the

country.”

The Director of Goseld Nursery and Primary School, who authored 12 books in 2 years, which include ‘United Nations partnership with God’, ‘Darling is not Working’, ‘The citadel of learning’, ‘A product of an eight-year dream’, ‘Was Stella wrong?’ among others, posited that she is poised to build up a total child grounded in morality and spiritual uprightness.

Asked why she ventured into setting up a school, the Master’s degree holder in Education Administration from Covenant University, Ogun State noted that the decision was informed by some noticeable lapses she termed ‘misbehaviors’ in the system.

Talking about the school summer programme, she disclosed that the children spent quality time learning various concepts in vocational and practical training, which she added would help children grow faster as we as develop entrepreneurial skill.

According to her, “The children went through profound experience which will shape the rest of their lives. They enjoy great pastoral care that

allowed them grow personally as well as academically. The foundation built during this summer will stand them in good stead throughout their school careers. The summer blast is worthwhile and all involved had memorable experience.”

The author also noted that her writing centres on biblical disposition to key issues in the society.

Ochonogor is of the view that government was out to partner the private sector in encouraging education nationwide hence the establishment of learning institutions is not captured in the Value Added Tax (VAT) net though taxable in other respects.

In his remarks, Ayodeji, while throwing more light on the proposed curriculum for the institution, clarified that it was going for a comparative one.

By implication, he said the school was to holistically review various curricula vis-à-vis their strengths and weaknesses and eventually come up with something all-embracing.

He boasted that the institution was the best in the locality owing to its array of experienced teachers as well as a policy that priorities the security and rights of the child.

Traditional Ruler Urges Obaseki to End Marginalisation of His People Ugo Aliogo The Onogie of Uzea Land, Solomon Iluobe (II), has called the attention of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to the challenges facing the community, stating that they are being marginalised in the provision of basic social amenities.

Iluobe disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the official visit to the Okugbe Uzea CDA Lagos Branch aimed at discussing the key issues affecting the community and suggesting solutions on how to address the issues.

He also stated that for a longtime, the community has been marginalised because they are a minority in the local government area, and the indigenes of the community has raised this concern severally.

The Onogie appealed to the state government for the provision of health centre fully equipped with medical facilities and doctors, construction of good road networks and provision of electricity.

He, however, expressed confidence that through the efforts of the Commissioner of

Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Emmanuel Usoh, who is an indigene of community, the road leading to the community was put into the budget and they are hopeful that government would live up to its promises.

According to Iluobe, “In the past, we have not had anybody in government. But I can say that during my time, we have been given a commissioner. We now have somebody in the government representing us. I am also a member of Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers, so things are changing gradually.

We need development in the community in key areas such as the health centres; there are no doctors, no good facilities there, even the road leading to my Palace is not constructed, there is no electricity supply in the community.

“For more than five years, we have not seen electricity. We have really been marginalised.

According to the Commissioner for Wealth Creation from my community, the state government has the road leading to my community into the budget and we are working on that to ensure that

it is successful.”

In the same vein, the National President, Okugbe K’ Uzea CDA, Mr. Sunny Odidih, said due to the absence of basic social amenities in the community, indigenes travel other communities seek basic education, and medical care.

He also noted that because they are a minority, they were only allotted one ward from 11 wards, adding that this has made it difficult for their elected representatives to push the case of the community before the state government.

“In the end, the Uromi kingdom with 10 wards takes up everything because of how influential they are in the corridors of power. The Christian Missionaries got to Uromi very early, therefore they have names such as Chief Tony Anenih, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro and others. With the influence of these individuals, it is difficult to reach out to us, but thank God our sons and daughters are coming now. We want to take up the challenge and see how we can support ourselves to draw government attention to our needs,” Odidih noted.

commence operation with five aircrafts and has at its behest 81 Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) routes.

He said: “The establishment of Nigeria Air is a process, and the process is ongoing transparently for the people to see. The plan is to get the best for Nigeria. Nigerians have been yearning for the gaps created by the lack of having strong and viable carrier that would meet the demands and potential of both the domestic market, the regional market and the International market.”

Usman assured Nigerians that the December take-off date of the airline is very feasible because efforts are being made to ensure that

the airline takes off operations this year.

He dismissed fears that the government might not realise its target at the projected time, saying it would take about 90 days for NCAA to deliver on the two major certificates-the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and the Aircraft Operators Certificate (AOC), adding that the government is striving to achieve that.

“We still have more than 90 days to the end of the year, so it is still feasible; all things being equal, am just talking from the regulatory point of view,” Usman said.

In July this year, the federal government, through the Minister of State for Aviation,

Senator Hadi Sirika, unveiled the livery for the new national flag carrier, Nigeria Air, at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. Usman told THISDAY in a recent interview that the national carrier would serve as a pivot for the development of air transport in Nigeria because it would provide the platform for the establishment of Nigeria as West and Central African hub; the development of major maintenance facility; aircraft leasing, and that when airport are given in concession, the national carrier would open the intra and inter-regional connectivity from Lagos and Abuja airports.

Alaba Saka Passes on at 63 Death has been announced of Alaba F. Saka, a distinguished electrical engineer who died on August 21, 2018 after a brief illness in Lagos.

He was born on January 5, 1955 in Lagos to late Pa Saka Yaya and Mrs. Olatorera Saka of blessed memory.

On September 5, 2018 there will be a wake-keep at St. John Church (UACM), 49, Ayilara Street, Surulere,

which will be followed by a funeral service on September 6, 2018, at St. John Church (UACM), and interment at Atan Cemetery.

He attended primary school at St Thomas Aquinos Primary School in Surulere, Lagos, and Ansarudeen Grammar School where he obtained his West African School Certificate.

He worked at Vox Mobile

Nigeria Limited as a pioneer staff before he pursued his dreams of starting a successful business in the installation of automobile electronics.

He later moved to Huston, Texas, United States to continue his education/ work experience before coming back home in 1999 to work at Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited.

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Panic Grips PDP over Shekarau, Expands Kano Caretaker Committee Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Following the alleged defection of a former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), panic has gripped the National Working Committee

(NWC) of the PDP, leading to its resolve to expand the Kano State Caretaker Committee to accommodate all interests in line with its adherence to the principles of all-inclusiveness.

The spokesman of the former Governor, Mr. Sule Yau Sule told Freedom Radio, a private radio in Kano yesterday that his principal decided to dump

the party over lack of internal democracy.

He explained that Shekarau is already consulting with is supporters on the next line of action.

Following the development PDP leadership has assured of its preparedness to engage with all stakeholders in Kano State provided all matters in court against the party are

withdrawn, as all members work together to build a united PDP that could confront and send out incompetent and insensitive people in governance in Kano state and Nigeria at large.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said that the party said is

also open to opinions and suggestions from stakeholders in ensuring reconciliation and accommodation for all interests within its fold in the state, so as to ensure good governance to the people of the state.

Ologbondiyan stressed that “the NWC assures that no stone will be left unturned in the overall quest to bring good governance to Kano

state, while putting in place machinery to hedge the infiltration of fifth columnists into the party’s fold in the state.

“Furthermore, the NWC urges all stakeholders to always emulate our members in Benue state in the way and manner they united to resolve all issues concerning party structures of their state.”

Alleged Subsidy Fraud: Court Dismisses Suit against Company, Chairman Kayode Fasua A Lagos State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Chairman of Anosyke Group of Companies, Mr. Ifeanyi Anosike, the company and three others in respect of alleged diversion of fuel subsidy funds among others.

Anosyke, one of the leading energy conglomerates in West Africa, had been arraigned by the EFCC alongside Emeka Chuckwu, Ngozi Ekeoma and Dell Nigeria Limited on an eight-count charge bordering largely on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and forgery.

But in his verdict, Justice L.B Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos State High Court struck out the case and discharged the accused persons.

The ruling followed a submission by the counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr. T.A Oladipupo and Mr. Princewill Ubani, that since 2016, the plaintiffs had failed to appear in court despite having been duly notified on several occasions.

Besides, the counsel to the third and fifth defendants also averred that the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was notified, and that the defendants also filed a duly acknowledged copy of the notification, all to no avail.

Earlier, Anosike and the others

had pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them as they deposed to series of evidence provided through their counsel, against accusations of obtaining by false pretence, forgery, et al, with regard to fuel subsidy claims.

The prosecution, following the evidence so adduced, appeared unwilling to pursue the case as it failed to put up appearance on many adjourned dates for a period of two years.

Besides, it would be recalled that the court had caused letters to be written to the EFCC’s counsel on two separate occasions in 2017 and this year, accompanied with a deposition to be filed with the court evidence of same.

Despite the letters, the prosecution failed to show up, setting the stage for an application by the defence for the case to be dismissed.

Ruling on the application, Justice Lawal-Akapo noted that having been satisfied that the prosecution was duly served notices to argue its case but failed to response, “this charge is struck out and the accused persons discharged.”

Enthused by the verdict, Anosike said he and his team in Anosyke Group of Companies were poised to take their efforts in oil services delivery to new heights, “following our welldeserved vindication from legal troubles which had bedevilled our noble ambitions in the past few years.”

Kogi West APC Threatens Mass Defection over Imposition of Candidates Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State may witness an implosion if the planned imposition of candidates, particularly in the Western Senatorial district is anything to go by.

The hints of implosion and disaffection within the ranks of the party were made known at a press conference held in Lokoja yesterday, by the Concerned Okun Youths, who frowned at the planned imposition of Sen. Smart Adeyemi on the people of the western senatorial district.

The group particularly fingered Gov. Yahaya Bello and the State Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, for reneging in their earlier promise to create a level-playing field for all aspirants.

The spokesman of the group,

Omosona Olakunle, while addressing the press, said the morale of the APC members has been dampened.

The group described the planned imposition as one that has rendered the attempt at reconciliation of members of the APC a nullity, thus allowing the opposition to take advantage of the situation.

The group called on the National Secretariat of the APC to wade into the current crisis caused by the attempt to impose candidates on the party, warning that if something urgent is not done, the APC in Kogi State is on the verge of disintegration.

Olalekun said if the issue of imposition is not checked, it means that the people of Yagba Federal Constituency would have held on to the Senate seat of the Federal Constituency for 16 years by 2019.

ROYAL VISIT...

L-R: Mrs. Kate Amoboria Alex; Onogie of Uzealand, Solomon Ojiegbai Itoya Iluobe II; his wife; and Prince Alex Oifoghe,during the official visit to the Lagos branch of the Okugbe UzeaCommunity Development Association in Lagos…recently

I Won’t Stop Opposing Govt, Says Fani-Kayode Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said despite his roles in the opposition which had constantly pitched him against agents of the federal administration, he would not relent.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who spoke shortly after leaving the Force Headquarters where he had visited on invitation of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, insisted that he would keep playing his roles as an opposition figure in the country.

Idris’ invitation to Fani-Kayode followed the latter’s recent essays,

considered not only as conspiracy but also criminal and inciting capable of causing disharmony in the country.

Fani-Kayode said he was invited over his essay titled: ‘Five Useful Idiots and The Spirit of The Accursed Slave’, which was about Fulani hegemony and terrorism.

In addition, the former minister said he does not regret writing the essay and he will not relent in playing his role as an opposition.

He had appeared yesterday to keep a date he fixed to honour Idris’ invitation having failed last week to do so on the excuse that he had private engagements.

During his appearance before

the IG team that interrogated him, Fani-Kayode revealed that the officers were courteous and professional during the interrogation.

Fani-Kayode, who arrived the Force Headquarters at about 2:35p.m., yesterday, had a running battle with the security personnel stationed at the entrance gate to the complex when they asked him and those accompanying him to surrender their mobile telephone handsets with the operatives.

The minister, alongside his lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, and other members of his entourage, initially opposed to the request, but later succumbed to the demand of the operatives after they were told that it was a tradition

at the Force Headquarters for people coming for questioning to surrender their communication gadgets.

He was then led to the office of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Team to meet with the Commissioner in Charge of the unit, Habu Sani.

Fani-Kayode’s invitation might not be unconnected to a petition written by a traditional ruler who is also in the office of the IG monitoring unit.

It was gathered that the IRT boss briefed the former minister about the petition and introduced the traditional ruler who was already seated in his office to the former minister.

Imo Stakeholders Urge Araraume, Others to Quit APC Iyobosa Uwugiaren inAbuja A coalition of different groups - professionals, students, town unions, the clergy and others have called on a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume, to immediately look for another platform to contest the forthcoming governorship election, saying he and his huge followers would not get justice in the on-going efforts to resolve the current crisis in Imo APC. The coalition, which met through representatives in the state capital weekend, said it was making the call because it no longer had confidence that the APC under the leadership of Adams Oshiomhole, was the credible platform through which the people of the state can bring about the type of governance they

envisage come May 29 2019.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the participants noted that the people of the state had become “completely disenchanted” with the party as a result of the “repressive and unresponsive” style of the administration of the current Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

The groups noted that the call on Senator Araraume to seek for another party was further informed by the fact that majority of the people of the state had long before now identified the former senator as possessing qualities that would enable him “recover and rebuild the state from the ruins it has been left in for close to eight years now”.

The spokesman of the coalition, Apostle Jonas Ihejirika, noted that they were worried that even if the

senator secured the ticket of the APC to run for the election, he will be most unlikely to secure the mandate of the people because the party has been “completely demarketed” in the state by the state governor.

He listed some of the grievances of the people against the Okorocha Administration to include brazen impunity, which manifests mostly in the governor’s “utter disdain for the rule of law, high handedness/ insensitivity to the yearnings of the people, deceit and crass lack of transparency”.

Apostle Ihejirika further explained that even though at some point the people of the state were gearing towards returning the APC to power in 2019, owing to the fact that that some stakeholders were making some efforts to rebrand it, he said “recent developments

within the party have thwarted such efforts such that the people are now looking elsewhere”.

Before now, several leaders of the APC in the Southeast geopolitical zone have criticized Governor Okorocha for his style of administration, which they said had jeopardized its chances of even retaining Imo, the only state it has in the zone, let alone winning in the 2019 general elections.

Specifically, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, has had hot exchanges with Okorocha, over the former’s insistence that the governor had almost destroyed the chances of the party to get enough votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, who has indicated interest to seek re-election next year.

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Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Eagles Camp Bubbles with 20 Players in Seychelles Team build up stamina with foot-volleyball on the beach AFCON 2019 QUALIFIER Duro Ikhazuagbe With 20 players in camp as at lunch time yesterday, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, led his wards on stamina build-up with foot-volleyball on the beach of the team’s Savoy Hotel Resort and Spa in Victoria, MahĂŠ Island Seychelles. “Foot-Volleyball as training kicks off ahead of #Seychelles clash. #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #SEYNGA,â€? reads the tweet on NFF’s official website yesterday evening.

The arrival of six more Eagles yesterday increased the number of players in camp ahead Saturday’s AFCON 2019 qualifier to 18.

By Tuesday morning, Henry Onyekuru, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Nwakali, Bryan Idowu, Simeon Nwankwo and Joel Obi were the 12 early birds. But in the afternoon, Saudi Arabia-based Ahmed Musa,

alongside Turkey –based Ogenyi Onazi, China-based Odion Ighalo, Germany-based Jamilu Collins and the England-based duo of Oghenekaro Etebo and Leon Balogun arrived camp and joined the team for lunch.

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa (from Nigeria) and Daniel Akpeyi (from South Africa) were being expected to arrive camp last night to have full squad for the must-win battle against Seychelles.

Only Alex Iwobi, Olaoluwa Aina and William Troost-Ekong are missing due to injuries while Captain John Mikel Obi was excused from the Match-day 2 encounter. Victor Moses had early last month dropped out of the Nigerian senior national team on the ground that he wants to consolidate his play in Chelsea under the new manager.

The Super Eagles look to garner all three points against the Pirates on Saturday to restore their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track following the reverse

Super Eagles playing the foot-volleyball for stamina build up during yesterday’s train at the Savoy Hotel and Spa beach in Victoria, Seychelles‌ yesterday

against South Africa in Uyo on Match-day 1 in June 2017.

But while Eagles coaches are plotting how to win, the host country is not going to be a walk in the park as Seychelles coach Gavin Jeanne is delighted over the preparations of his wards too ahead of the biggest

game in their history against Nigeria on September 8.

The Pirates will battle Eagles at the 10,000-capacity stadium, Stade LinitĂŠ situated at Roche Caiman in the outskirts of Victoria for the three points at stake.

Jeanne is confident his side

will be up for the challenge in the match-day 2 of the qualifiers. “Yes, we are very ready and positive about our chances against Nigeria,� Jeanne told Footballlive.ng. “We have prepared well and I hope the players maintain their focus and stick to the plan.�

“We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game. It’s our biggest football match in history. “We have tested ourselves enough from our participation it the COSAFA Cup till now.� “I hope it goes well and we make a positive impact,� concludes the coach.

SalisuYusuf Suspended from Eagles Job for OneYear Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles Coach, Salisu Yusuf, 56, who was filmed receiving money from two players’ agents may have been suspended from the Nigerian job for one year.

Although there is no official statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yet on the coach, THISDAY check has revealed that the committee set up to investigate the incident allegedly indicted the former Kano Pillars gaffer in its report to the Glass House.

The investigation team led by Head of NFF’s Integrity Unit, Dr Christian Emeruwa, THISDAY learnt, indicted the coach and therefore recommended for his suspension from the Eagles job.

Salisu who was grilled after returning to the country from the UK where he went for a hip surgery, THISDAY further learnt, was confronted with the glaring details of his complicity in the matter as recorded by the Ghanaian journalist.

It is this development that has informed why the coach was dropped from Super Eagles trip

Salisu

to Victoria to play Seychelles in an AFCON 2019 qualifier

Nigeria’s Elite Women Cyclists Off to Italy’s Giro Tour Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Nigeria’s team to the Giro Delle Marche In Rosa Cycling Tour in Italy is expected to depart the country early next week for the Invitational Championship, President of the federation, Giandomenico Massari has said.

The Invitational event, he said, is part of efforts by Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) to expose and prepare the elite girls for upcoming international championships, including the All Africa Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.

Already the team of five cyclists and two coaches Massari said, have secured all necessary travelling documents, equipment and kits in readiness for the three-day tour of the Italian hilly countryside. The tour which features participants from over 20 nations, has three national teams in attendance; Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Russia.

In all, 25 different teams will

in the tour.

Giro Delle Marche in Rosa (Female Marche Tour), one of Europe’s and world classification tours for elite female cyclists, is in three stages, spanning 150km each. Its unique attribute is the challenging hilly course of the Marche region.

To adequately prepare for the tour, the team had been in a closed camp in the hills of Jos plateau where the girls had a foretaste of what the rugged Italian hilly terrain would offer under the watchful eyes of Coaches Emmanuel Onasanya and Joy Wachukwu.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja shortly after winding up the Jos camp at the weekend, an excited Coach Onasanya expressed appreciation to the federation for the rare opportunity given the team to showcase their talents, adding that the team is good to go. “This a unique opportunity especially for the girls to improve on their rating and

perhaps secure clubs in Europe.

We cannot appreciate President of the federation enough. A lot has gone into the Invitational Championship, talking about preparation and participation.

For three weeks we have camped in Jos because of the similarities in the terrain we are going, again all thanks to the federation. I will say the team is ready.�, said Onosaya.

Team captain, Tombrapa Gladys Grikpa is also upbeat about the tour she said, is a career -changing opportunity. “ We have idea of what the terrain is like, that is why we camped in Jos. We have done a lot of climbs and all that. By the grace of God we will do well in both the classification and tour,� she promised. Other members of the team include Durogbade Adejoke, Ukpeseraye Ese Lovina, Odiase Glory and Rosemary Marcus.

this weekend.

None of the top NFF officials contacted last night was ready to speak on the matter.

BBC published footage showing the home-based Eagles and Nigeria Olympic team coach allegedly receiving cash (about $1,000) from Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas to aid the players’ selection to the national team Salisu who has been Gernot Rohr’s assistant since 2016, led the Super Eagles to a second place finish at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana and

as well as at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco in February. He was also at the World Cup in Russia, where he was one of the assistants to Rohr.

In that video filmed in September 2017, the coach was shown meeting with Anas’s Tiger Eye agency and accepting the cash ostensibly to ensure that the two players are selected for the CHAN tournament which took place in Morocco in January and February.

Yusuf was also offered 15 percent of future player sales

should the figures in question secure transfers on the back of the tournament.

In a prepared statement to the BBC, the coach admitted receiving the money but denied any wrongdoing. “I did accept $750 handed to me by one of the two agents to the two Nigerian players only as a gift of trivial and symbolic value and not as an inducement to play the two players represented by the two agents, as Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Tiger Eye would want you to believe,� Salisu said.

Top Stars,Artistes Hail Organisers of African Freestyle Championship Top sports and entertainment stars who were named as ambassadors for the first-ever African Freestyle Championship have expressed their delight over the initiative by the Feet and Tricks International, organisers of the event.

They are former professional English footballer, John Fashanu; former Head of Lagos State Football Association, Waidi Akanni; and former Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, Superstar actresses, Kate Henshaw and Tonto Dikeh. “I have a passion for the development of grassroots football and what Feet ‘n’ Tricks is doing is basically creating an avenue to accommodate these freestylers who have been neglected all over the continent,� Fashanu said.

Henshaw said: “My interest in this sport grew when I realised the huge potential it has to impact grassroots football and make an otherwise overlooked freestyler a celebrity, at no cost

at all. I am happy to be part of this and I encourage people to register to attend the event.�

According to Akanni, “It is an honour to be an ambassador of a tournament that is determined to touch lives and mine this huge reserve of talent in Africa. Because of the lack of structure in the sport, it has been impossible to harness the economic and entertainment potentials it possesses.�

Dikeh who was very excited about the development also said: “I am happy Feet ‘n’ Tricks has extended the event reach to Africa. It shows a growing company with a vision and I am happy to be brought on board as an ambassador. I want to also encourage more women to be part of this game. “ The 2018 Africa Freestyle Football Championship will feature artistes like Falz, Vanessa Mdee, Kcee, Mayorkun, Slim Case and Mr Real.

The championship will also

host international freestyle professionals; Guinness world record holder, Iya Traore and Female freestyle legend, Raquel Benetti from Brazil.

Former Eagles Manager, Siasia, while appreciating Feet ‘n’ Tricks, said: “Associating with an organization that is poised to project and reward talent in Africa is a good one for me because I am particularly happy with the positive impact this championship is having on the youths in Africa, who have only their freestyle skills to survive. This puts them on a pedestal for the world stage.�

The qualifying rounds and Nigerian championship takes place on September 13th and 14th, 2018 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos while the best 16 male and eight female freestyle athletes in Africa will emerge to battle it out at the grand finale on September 15, 2018.

54

Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS 2018 ITTF AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

NPFL: Thumbs Up for LMC

Funke Oshonaike (right) and other members of the Nigerian team at the 2018 ITTF African Championships in Mauritius‌ yesterday

Pride At Stake as Nigeria, Egypt Battle for Tokyo 2019 Tickets Pride and places in the 2019 ITTF World Team Cup in Tokyo will be at stake when Africa’s powerhouses in table tennis – Nigeria and Egypt clash today in the finals of men and women team events of the 2018 ITTF African Championships holding in Mauritius.

As it was in the last five years, so it is in Mauritius as the continent’s best table tennis playing nations battle for top spot with both sides aiming to represent Africa at the Tokyo show come November 2019.

Both teams lived up to their rating as the top seeds in the men and women events and they have maintained 100 percent in all their matches on their way to the final. But today at the Beau Bassin Sports Complex in Mauritius, they will go up against each other in the men and women events finals.

Listed as the number one in the men’s event, Nigeria had a smooth sail to the final with wins over Congo DRC and host – Mauritius in the group and got a bye to the last

four to set a semifinal clash against Algeria.

Unlike Nigeria which played two matches to berth in the last four, Egypt as the second seeded team defeated Seychelles, South Africa and Madagascar to get a bye to the semifinal where they met Togo.

Nigeria made nonsense of Algeria in the semifinal with 3-0 win while Egypt recorded same result against resurgence Togolese team.

Just like in the men’s final, the women’s final will be between

Nigeria and Egypt after both sides ended the dream of South Africa and Algeria in the semifinal.

A confident Mohammed El-Beiali believes Egypt has the chance to retain the title in Mauritius despite the absence of their talisman, Omar Assar. “We are surely ready for Nigeria and we can surprise them in the match. But we will not underestimate the quality of Nigeria,� the 2018 Arab Cup champion said.

US Open: Champion Stephens Knocked out by Sevastova Defending champion Sloane Stephens has been knocked out of the US Open in the quarter-finals after defeat by 19th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

The American third seed seemed to struggle physically in high temperatures in New York, with the extreme heat policy again in place.

Stephens hit 27 unforced errors and lost 6-2 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Victory for Latvian Sevastova sees her reach the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career.

She will play the winner of Tuesday’s night match between Serena Williams and Karolina Pliskova in the last four.

The high temperatures have been a significant issue during this year’s championships with the conditions described as “dangerous� in the opening rounds, while Roger Federer

said he was “happy the match was over� after his defeat in high humidity on Monday. “I think it was very physical today and tough to play,�

Sevastova said. “It was so hot in the stadium. I just kept fighting.�

Stephens struggled with her movement, was repeatedly being caught out by Sevastova’s drop shot and after a number of wayward

errors was bent double on the court.

She failed to put up a fight in a one-way first set and soon fell 4-1 behind in the second.

Encouraged by her home crowd, the world number three threatened a comeback by getting the match back on serve at 4-3 but was then broken again before Sevastova served out.

10 km Race Strictly for Fun GOtv G Boxing NextGen Search Runners, Says Olopade 4 to Hold in Abeokuta A C C E S S B A N K L A G O S C I T Y M A R AT H O N

Organiser of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Hon Bukola Olopade, on Tuesday, advised professional athletes not to dream of winning any of the lucrative prizes for the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon race slated for February 2, 2019.

In a statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications, and Media, Olopade said: “Any athlete registered by AFN, the IAAF or any other federation elsewhere in the world including state athletics associations are ineligible to participate in the 10km race, if they do and win, they will not get any of the prizes.� The 10km races start at the Lekki Roundabout and finish at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. Olopade, who is the Project Consultant, said apart from promoting the city of Lagos,

encouraging tourism and other socio-economic benefits, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was conceived because of the immense health benefits that come with running, walking and jogging, “We want our people to embrace exercise, running, jogging and walking as a way of life because of the immense health benefits that come with it.

That is why one of our sponsors, Kia Motors, is giving away two cars to winners of the 10 km race and our other sponsors are also giving millions of Naira as prize money.�

Olopade said if the ordinary fun runner in Ajegunle or Ajah can win a car or millions of Naira, “It will encourage others to embrace the culture of running as they will aim for the prizes, and by so doing, enjoy the health benefits of running.�

The fourth edition of GOtv Boxing NextGen Search will B hold in Abeokuta, capital of h Ogun State, between 13 and O 15 1 September. The programme, sponsored

by Pay TV company, sp GOtv, and organized by Flykite G Productions, was conceived to P unearth young and talented u amateur boxers desirous of a tuning professional. It will take tu the th form of sparring sessions supervised by some of the su country’s best boxing coaches, c who w will assess and select the boxers adjudged to be ready b to move into the professional ranks.

The programme will ra hold at Dunkin Pepper Gym h inside the MKO International in Stadium Complex.

S It is open to boxers between the th ages of 18 and 25 from all parts of the country. Boxers p selected by the coaches will se have h the licences paid for by the sponsors, undergo free medical sp

examination and are in line to fight in coming editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

This is the second time the event is holding outside Lagos since it debuted in 2015. Last year, it held at the Francis Aiyegbeni Boxing Gym, Wall Hotel, Ibadan.

The first two editions held at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym in Surulere, Lagos. Each of the previous editions attracted over a hundred boxers, out of which an average of 25 were adjudged ready to make the leap into the professional cadre.

The programme has helped many boxers rise to local and international prominence.

Reigning West African welterweight champion, Rilwan “Baby Face� Babatunde, was discovered at the maiden edition of the programme. He went on to become the national champion before clinching the sub-regional title.

It is so easy to fall into and stay in the pit of perpetual complaints. You don’t even need to exert an effort. All you need do is just be... You are watching your football team play on TV and your wife wanting, as is usual to annoy, decides to change channels just because she wants to. Or if the wife does not prick you NEPA (that’s what we still call it), ever so willing to provoke and frustrate decides usually for preventable reasons to take your light and scatter your sanity. Or your driver, who you sent to buy petrol for the generator from a petrol station just five minutes away, comes back three hours later than expected claiming he had a burst tyre!

The point I am making is that if one allows the negativity in our situation to gain sway one might as well get drowned in a mire of regrets and sorrow...

So today I want to talk to you about something that warms my heart; something that may still revolutionize club football in our country; something that would ultimately provide more than a million jobs for Nigerians.

I am talking about the best face of Nigerian football - The League Management Company (LMC) which was midwifed by the League Management Committee.

In 2012 the then Minister for Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi called me, as he often does during his tenure, to say that he wanted to involve the private sector more intensely in our sport.

He said he was going to start with club football. His idea was to make playing football so lucrative that the least paid footballer would earn atleast N500,000 a month. The economy would have a money spinning business which would create at least a million jobs in a few years. He told me it was going to be a revolution and wanted to know which people I know who would help him kick-start this. I suggested a few names to him and by Dec12, 2012 with the very active help of the then NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, a group of eminently qualified Nigerians had been inaugurated into the League Management Committee.

In the body was Africa’s first female sportscaster, Modele Sarafa-Yusuff, Kunle Elebute, Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Mike Idoko and Kanu Nwankwo who never attended a single meeting. Also in the group was Salisu Abubakar, Mike Enahoro, Abubakar Nuhu Danburam and Sabo Babayaro. The previous two names were representatives of the Pro-League Board. The committee was headed by Nduka

Irabor who together with Dikko, Akinwunmi and Salisu Abubakar became the driving force behind the eventual formation of the League Management Company (LMC) which was successfully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

I must say that it took the doggedness, grit and absolute commitment of Irabor, Dikko and Akinwunmi together with the unalloyed support of both Abdullahi and Maigari to get the LMC off the ground and running .

The rest like they say is history. The least paid footballer is not earning as much as N500,000 per month as envisaged by Abdullahi but his wage has tripled. Incidents of induced penalty kicks are literally a thing of the past.

There are still situations of soft penalties but these persist everywhere prompting FIFA to introduce the not so successful VAR during the last World Cup. The stadiums have not become spectator friendly but I have occasionally seen Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano and the Agege Stadium filled to capacity during league matches.

Most of our clubs are still owned by state governments and contrary to the expectations of the LMC but the groundwork for privatising these clubs have been laid.

I am not in anyway suggesting that the LMC does not have it’s drawbacks. Far from it, what I am celebrating is that for the first time we are on the path to revolutionising our club football.

It is to the credit of the LMC that all stakeholders agreed that Lobi Stars FC be adjudged winner of the 2018 NPFL after 24 matches. For the first time, we seem to be tackling issues relating to club football professionally.

There is still a lot to be done to make our football a money spinning venture capable of providing jobs for millions of our youths. But a foundation has been provided. Our clubs may not be doing well at the international level but that situation will change as it has in South Africa.

In the meantime, let’s give a thumbs up to the League Management Company which has done well to help our club football professionally. Perhaps we should also remember the visionary who is responsible for birthing this noble idea -Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Minister of Sports. Others like Aminu Maigari who stood up to be counted when it mattered most and Nduka Irabor who fought tirelessly and ruthlessly for what he believes in deserve plaudits.

May the LMC continue to wax strong and achieve the goals for which it was set-up.

55

Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T H I S D AY

2018 ITTF AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

NPFL: Thumbs Up for LMC

Funke Oshonaike (right) and other members of the Nigerian team at the 2018 ITTF African Championships in Mauritius‌ yesterday

Pride At Stake as Nigeria, Egypt Battle for Tokyo 2019 Tickets Pride and places in the 2019 ITTF World Team Cup in Tokyo will be at stake when Africa’s powerhouses in table tennis – Nigeria and Egypt clash today in the finals of men and women team events of the 2018 ITTF African Championships holding in Mauritius.

As it was in the last five years, so it is in Mauritius as the continent’s best table tennis playing nations battle for top spot with both sides aiming to represent Africa at the Tokyo show come November 2019.

Both teams lived up to their rating as the top seeds in the men and women events and they have maintained 100 percent in all their matches on their way to the final. But today at the Beau Bassin Sports Complex in Mauritius, they will go up against each other in the men and women events finals.

Listed as the number one in the men’s event, Nigeria had a smooth sail to the final with wins over Congo DRC and host – Mauritius in the

group and got a bye to the last four to set a semifinal clash against Algeria.

Unlike Nigeria which played two matches to berth in the last four, Egypt as the second seeded team defeated Seychelles, South Africa and Madagascar to get a bye to the semifinal where they met Togo.

Nigeria made nonsense of Algeria in the semifinal with 3-0 win while Egypt recorded same result against resurgence Togolese team.

Just like in the men’s final,

the women’s final will be between Nigeria and Egypt after both sides ended the dream of South Africa and Algeria in the semifinal.

A confident Mohammed El-Beiali believes Egypt has the chance to retain the title in Mauritius despite the absence of their talisman, Omar Assar. “We are surely ready for Nigeria and we can surprise them in the match. But we will not underestimate the quality of Nigeria,� the 2018 Arab Cup champion said.

US Open: Champion Stephens Knocked out by Sevastova Defending champion Sloane Stephens has been knocked out of the US Open in the quarter-finals after defeat by 19th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

The American third seed seemed to struggle physically in high temperatures in New York, with the extreme heat policy again in place.

Stephens hit 27 unforced errors and lost 6-2 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Victory for Latvian Sevastova sees her reach the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career.

She will play the winner of Tuesday’s night match between Serena Williams and Karolina Pliskova in the last four.

The high temperatures have been a significant issue during this year’s championships with the conditions described as “dangerous� in the opening rounds, while Roger Federer

said he was “happy the match was over� after his defeat in high humidity on Monday. “I think it was very physical today and tough to play,�

Sevastova said. “It was so hot in the stadium. I just kept fighting.�

Stephens struggled with her movement, was repeatedly being caught out by Sevastova’s drop shot and after a number of wayward

errors was bent double on the court.

She failed to put up a fight in a one-way first set and soon fell 4-1 behind in the second.

Encouraged by her home crowd, the world number three threatened a comeback by getting the match back on serve at 4-3 but was then broken again before Sevastova served out.

10 km Race Strictly for Fun GOtv G Boxing NextGen Search Runners, Says Olopade 4 to Hold in Abeokuta A C C E S S B A N K L A G O S C I T Y M A R AT H O N

Organiser of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Hon Bukola Olopade, on Tuesday, advised professional athletes not to dream of winning any of the lucrative prizes for the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon race slated for February 2, 2019.

In a statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications, and Media, Olopade said: “Any athlete registered by AFN, the IAAF or any other federation elsewhere in the world including state athletics associations are ineligible to participate in the 10km race, if they do and win, they will not get any of the prizes.� The 10km races start at the Lekki Roundabout and finish at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. Olopade, who is the Project Consultant, said apart from promoting the city of Lagos,

encouraging tourism and other socio-economic benefits, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was conceived because of the immense health benefits that come with running, walking and jogging, “We want our people to embrace exercise, running, jogging and walking as a way of life because of the immense health benefits that come with it.

That is why one of our sponsors, Kia Motors, is giving away two cars to winners of the 10 km race and our other sponsors are also giving millions of Naira as prize money.�

Olopade said if the ordinary fun runner in Ajegunle or Ajah can win a car or millions of Naira, “It will encourage others to embrace the culture of running as they will aim for the prizes, and by so doing, enjoy the health benefits of running.�

The fourth edition of GOtv Boxing NextGen Search will B hold in Abeokuta, capital of h Ogun State, between 13 and O 15 1 September. The programme, sponsored

by Pay TV company, sp GOtv, and organized by Flykite G Productions, was conceived to P unearth young and talented u amateur boxers desirous of a tuning professional. It will take tu the th form of sparring sessions supervised by some of the su country’s best boxing coaches, c who w will assess and select the boxers adjudged to be ready b to move into the professional ranks.

The programme will ra hold at Dunkin Pepper Gym h inside the MKO International in Stadium Complex.

S It is open to boxers between the th ages of 18 and 25 from all parts of the country. Boxers p selected by the coaches will se have h the licences paid for by the sponsors, undergo free medical sp

examination and are in line to fight in coming editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

This is the second time the event is holding outside Lagos since it debuted in 2015. Last year, it held at the Francis Aiyegbeni Boxing Gym, Wall Hotel, Ibadan.

The first two editions held at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym in Surulere, Lagos. Each of the previous editions attracted over a hundred boxers, out of which an average of 25 were adjudged ready to make the leap into the professional cadre.

The programme has helped many boxers rise to local and international prominence.

Reigning West African welterweight champion, Rilwan “Baby Face� Babatunde, was discovered at the maiden edition of the programme. He went on to become the national champion before clinching the sub-regional title.

It is so easy to fall into and stay in the pit of perpetual complaints. You don’t even need to exert an effort. All you need do is just be... You are watching your football team play on TV and your wife wanting, as is usual to annoy, decides to change channels just because she wants to. Or if the wife does not prick you NEPA (that’s what we still call it), ever so willing to provoke and frustrate decides usually for preventable reasons to take your light and scatter your sanity. Or your driver, who you sent to buy petrol for the generator from a petrol station just five minutes away, comes back three hours later than expected claiming he had a burst tyre!

The point I am making is that if one allows the negativity in our situation to gain sway one might as well get drowned in a mire of regrets and sorrow...

So today I want to talk to you about something that warms my heart; something that may still revolutionize club football in our country; something that would ultimately provide more than a million jobs for Nigerians.

I am talking about the best face of Nigerian football The League Management Company (LMC) which was midwifed by the League Management Committee.

In 2012 the then Minister for Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi called me, as he often does during his tenure, to say that he wanted to involve the private sector more intensely in our sport.

He said he was going to start with club football. His idea was to make playing football so lucrative that the least paid footballer would earn atleast N500,000 a month.

The economy would have a money spinning business which would create at least a million jobs in a few years.

He told me it was going to be a revolution and wanted to know which people I know who would help him kick-start this. I suggested a few names to him and by Dec12, 2012 with the very active help of the then NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, a group of eminently qualified Nigerians had been inaugurated into the League Management Committee.

In the body was Africa’s first female sportscaster, Modele Sarafa-Yusuff, Kunle Elebute, Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Mike Idoko and Kanu Nwankwo who never attended a single meeting. Also in the group was Salisu Abubakar, Mike Enahoro, Abubakar Nuhu Danburam and Sabo Babayaro. The previous two names were representatives of the Pro-League Board. The committee was headed by

Nduka Irabor who together with Dikko, Akinwunmi and Salisu Abubakar became the driving force behind the eventual formation of the League Management Company (LMC) which was successfully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

I must say that it took the doggedness, grit and absolute commitment of Irabor, Dikko and Akinwunmi together with the unalloyed support of both Abdullahi and Maigari to get the LMC off the ground and running .

The rest like they say is history. The least paid footballer is not earning as much as N500,000 per month as envisaged by Abdullahi but his wage has tripled. Incidents of induced penalty kicks are literally a thing of the past.

There are still situations of soft penalties but these persist everywhere prompting FIFA to introduce the not so successful VAR during the last World Cup. The stadiums have not become spectator friendly but I have occasionally seen Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano and the Agege Stadium filled to capacity during league matches.

Most of our clubs are still owned by state governments and contrary to the expectations of the LMC but the groundwork for privatising these clubs have been laid.

I am not in anyway suggesting that the LMC does not have it’s drawbacks. Far from it, what I am celebrating is that for the first time we are on the path to revolutionising our club football.

It is to the credit of the LMC that all stakeholders agreed that Lobi Stars FC be adjudged winner of the 2018 NPFL after 24 matches.

For the first time, we seem to be tackling issues relating to club football professionally.

There is still a lot to be done to make our football a money spinning venture capable of providing jobs for millions of our youths. But a foundation has been provided.

Our clubs may not be doing well at the international level but that situation will change as it has in South Africa.

In the meantime, let’s give a thumbs up to the League Management Company which has done well to help our club football professionally. Perhaps we should also remember the visionary who is responsible for birthing this noble idea -Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Minister of Sports. Others like Aminu Maigari who stood up to be counted when it mattered most and Nduka Irabor who fought tirelessly and ruthlessly for what he believes in deserve plaudits.

May the LMC continue to wax strong and achieve the goals for which it was set-up.

Wednesday September 5, 2018

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& RE A SO

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MISSILE

Fayemi to Fayose “The attention of …Dr. Fayemi has been drawn to the clandestine moves by outgoing Governor Fayose to hurriedly dispose off some valuable properties of Ekiti State government through shady arrangements” – Ekiti State Governor-elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi, accusing the outgoing Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, of alleged breaching public trust.

CHIDIAMUTA Rule of Law and National Security GUEST COLUMNIST

P

resident Buhari has arguably arguably just advanced what may pass as his most debatable and far reaching proposition on law and sovereign responsibility in a democracy since he assumed power almost four year ago. He reportedly told the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association a few days back in Abuja that where the rule of law and the imperatives of national security collide, the arc of supremacy would bend in favour of national security.

The inherent controversy is old but its srelevance to today’s Nigeria is boiling hot.

This is perhaps an elaboration of a position earlier articulated by Attorney General, Malami to justify the continued detention of both Shiite leader, Sheikh El Zakzakky, and former National Security Adviser, Sambi Dasuki ,in persistent violation of an avalanche of court orders to the contrary.

In that preceding submission, Mr. Malsmi, himself a lawyer of some repute, had argued that the crimes for which both detainees were being held are matters of severe national security interest that supersede judicial adjudication.

Therefore, the administration cannot but hold them in defiance of court orders.

In particular, Mr. Dasuki’s alleged crimes, he argued, touched on grave security issues that have to do with the Boko Haram insurgency.

Mr. Malamud almost ruined his own argument then when he argued that vicariously, Mr. Dasuki as NSA may have omitted or committed acts which led to loss of lives in the insurgency war.

His detention he inferred was partly to atone or compensate for those deaths and therefore his freedom to continue facing justice would endanger national security hence his continued detention. This consideration of national security lies above the democratic imperative of the supremacy of the rule of law.

Implicit in Buhari’s and Malami’s mutually reinforcing positions is the presumption that the determination of national security is the exclusive preserve of the president or the federal government as sovereign authority who is implicitly above the law.

Without necessarily linking both positions, it is safe to say that both the president and his chief legal surrogate have touched a rather contentious issue in both jurisprudence and political thought. In a nation that is replete with all manner of lawyers and judicial pundits, a land where the rule of law can appear morexr like the rule and even tyranny of noisy lawyers and legalistic intellectuals, it would perhaps be futile to engage on the matters of legality and jurisprudence that have been raised by the executive branch..

But on the political implications, implications and meaning, fidelity to democracy and its originating liberal ethos dictates that we as a public openly interrogate the proposition further. We We may not be equipped to wrestle with lawyers on the matter but we do have a stake as to who decides what constitutes national security and also the ultimate source of the authority to decide what threatens us as individuals and as a national community.

Even more important, it is our right to know and agree on where national security ends and individual rights begin.

In a democracy, the most fundamental

Buhari

assumption that attracts us all to subscribe to a republic by surrendering our rights and liberty to a sovereign is a certain belief in the equality of all men(and women) before the law.

The fair assumption is that both the sovereign and we the people are presumed equal before the law. Therefore we exercise the freedoms

which democracy confers in reasonable assurance that those we empower to rule over us will do so in fairness and justice according to law.

There is a further assumption that in the conduct of the affairs of the republic, the leader will be guided by fidelity to the law.

This is why the oath of office is worded the way it is and taken with hands on a holy book- a symbol of the divine source of all secular power- literally, God in the absence of a pope or grand Imam!

Belief in the rule of law and sovereign equality before the law is perhaps the only guarantee we all have that those we elect to rule over us will not turn into a band of outlaws. This is my personal perennial quarrel with the immunity provisions in the Nigerian constitution which, ab initio literally empowers and emplaces authorized ‘outlaws’ to preside over the affairs of law abiding citizens.

Be that as it may, there are certain concessions that must be granted to the president’s proposition. First, the premier condition in the job description of an elected president in a free democratic state is to preserve law and order by guaranteeing the security of life and property. The assumption is that without national Security, there will be no order let alone the application of law. It is only fair then that we trust the president in determining what constitutes national security and what acts of

citizens could endanger nation’s security.

There is in the management of national security an implicit assumption that the president has privileged access to intelligence and information that is not available to the rest of us. After all, the president is the boss of a network of professional security experts on the basis of whose judgment and inputs he determines matters of national security. To that extent, we can assume that presidential judgment on such matters will be in the highest national interest and in conformity with the values that inform every democracy.

There is the additional convention that estimates of national security at the highest level of state can be ascribed to the ‘reason of state’, an indication that those who manage the affairs of state possess a collective wisdom that embodies the highest interests of the nation.

Yet, it is often the case that a governing collective finds it difficult to rise above their own narrow interests. Thus, national interest becomes the interests of the power collective or in local parlance, the ‘cabal’. In Nigeria, such successive cabals almost now approximate a Nigerian deep state. It will be unfortunate if the enemies of the Nigerian deep state are canvassed as enemies of the nation.

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Rule of Law and Security Femi Falana From 1984 to 1999, I was subjected to constant harassment by the security and intelligence community in Nigeria. Not for posing any threat to national security or for contributing to the economic adversity of the country. But for teaming up with other patriotic forces to challenge unbridled corruption, unabashed executive lawlessness, gross human rights abuse and other illegal activities which subverted national security and endangered the welfare of the people of Nigeria under successive military regimes.

The refusal of the civilian wing of the political class to demilitarize the polity there has unwittingly triggered debate over the primacy of national security over the rule of law. Majority of political office holders in the country are not committed to the observance of the rule of law. In place of the rule of the rule of law the political system has enthroned the rule of might or rule of rulers. The debate over the clash between the rule of law and national security has been reopened by President Mohammadu Buhari at this conference when he enjoined Nigerian lawyers and judges to realize that national security takes precedence over national security. A few days before then, the President had threatened to jail looters who had sabotaged the security of the nation by diverting huge funds earmarked for the development of the country. It is implied in the presidential declaration that the alleged looters cannot be jailed without a trial conducted in criminal courts under the rule of law.

In striking a balance between national security and rule of law in a democratic setting I intend

to review physical security, social security, human rights, the management of national security by security agencies and the subversion of national security by the government. Since State security is often confused with government security it is germane to explain the two concepts. I shall conclude by making a case for the enforcement of the socioeconomic rights of the masses as our country cannot have national security without social security.

On July 17, July 2018, President Mohammadu Buhari had the rare privilege of participating in the activities marking the 20th anniversary of the International Criminal Court. On that auspicious occasion the Nigerian leader assured the international community that “our cooperation with the Court is borne out of our strong belief in the respect for the rule of law and human rights...” On the basis of such assurance from the President we are compelled to review the disturbing culture of disobeying court orders by officials of the federal and state governments under the current democratic dispensation. I want to believe that the President is not unaware of the respect for human rights is the fundamental basis of a democratic society that is genuinely committed to the consistent implementation of the rule of law. Human rights are indeed the basic building blocks that governments must cultivate in order to have an effective relationship with the general population. The extent that the protection of these rights is guaranteed signifies the democratic strength of a country. Indeed, human rights and the rule of law are crucial to the well being of any truly democratic society.

These rights include not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural

rights. They are articulated and entrenched in national constitutions and the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights treaties to which Nigeria has subscribed.

Human rights, the rule of law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing: they are part of the universal values and principles espoused by the international community.

Nevertheless, it must be noted that since the birth of the human rights movement in the mid-twentieth century, the promotion of human rights and the rule of law has been seen as competing with or even compromising core issues of national security. Promoting human rights is now frequently viewed as a luxury, to be pursued when the government has spare diplomatic capacity and national security is not being jeopardized. In Nigeria, there is a continuing tension between national security and respect for human rights. While human rights and the rule of law are concerned with limitations on state power, national security, by contrast, is intertwined with assertion of state power. The result of this has often been the marginalization of human rights in the name of national security by successive governments.

The subordination of human rights to national security has been a permanent feature of Nigeria’s political history. More than anything else, high level official corruption (and associated human rights violations) poses a major threat to national security, human security and individual human rights in Nigeria.

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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