FRIDAY 14H SEPTEMBER 2018

Air Peace Makes History, Orders 10 New B737 MAX Planes from Boeing Chinedu Eze Nigeria's leading carrier, Air Peace, yesterday signed an agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of 10 new 737 MAX 8 aircraft, making history as the first airline in West Africa to add the equipment to its fleet.

Air Peace already operates Boeing 737s and Embraer 145s on its domestic and regional routes. The airline, which recently added Boeing 777s to its fleet, is looking to soon launch its international flight operations.

Speaking during the

agreement signing ceremony at the residence of the US Consul General in Lagos, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, said with the development, the airline has been more positioned tosupport the growth of

Nigeria's economy, create jobs and transform air travel.

“We are excited to add the 737 MAX to our fleet as we expand our network to offer more destinations and serve more passengers,” Onyema said.

He added, “The fuel

efficiency and superior operating economics of the 737 MAX will ensure that the aircraft will play a major role in growing our business in the years to come.”

He commended Boeing, the governments of Nigeria and the United States as well as

Fidelity Bank for the roles they playedin assisting the airline to achieve the feat.

On his part, the Sales Director of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr. Larry Tolliver, commended Air Peace for the Continued on page 10

Nigeria’s Bonds Still Attractive Despite Emerging Markets Turmoil … Page 8 Friday 14 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8549. Price: N250

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Lagos Gov Race Intrigues Deepen, Tinubu Weighs Options, Meets Buhari over Ambode Sanwo-Olu names campaign co-ordinators Hamzat: I am preparing for screening Gboyega Akinsanmi The fate of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State hung in the balance last night as President

Muhammadu Buhari and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, were locked in a meeting in Abuja over the national leader’s

withdrawal of support for the second term aspiration of the governor.

However, signs that, in spite of the meeting, peace might not be in sight soon emerged

yesterday as Ambode’s main challenger, Mr. Jide SanwoOlu, pushed out a list of his campaign coordinators, announcing that he would hold a rally shortly to formally

announce his aspiration.

The other contender, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, also told THISDAY last night that he was preparing for his screening, having submitted

his nomination form to the party.

Multiple sources in Abuja and Lagos confirmed the Continued on page 10

PDP: With Buhari as APC Candidate, Our Victory is Assured Omololu Ogunmade, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari, as the presumed presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reassured the opposition party of victory in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary,

Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the party pointed out that Buhari’s fear to contest an elective presidential primary, for which he and a few APC leaders scared away other presidential contestants within their party with threats and high nomination form fees, had ended up ruining APC’s chance of fielding a good candidate for the election.

According to the opposition party, “Had President Buhari shed his desperation for power Continued on page 10

Again, Bandits Kill 11 in Zamfara …

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DONE DEAL… L-R: Sales Director (West and Central Africa), Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr. Larry Tolliver; US Consul General, Lagos, Mr. John Bray; Air Peace Vice Chairman, Mrs. Alice Onyema; Chairman/CEO, Mr. Allen Onyema; Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo; Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, Ms. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; and Boeing Regional Director (Contracts), Mr. John Fonvielle, during the signing of an agreement for acquisition of 10 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by Air Peace, in Lagos…yesterday

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Nigeria’s Bonds Still Attractive Despite Emerging Markets Turmoil Obinna Chima and Goddy Egene Despite the turmoil in emerging markets (EMs), which have seen their currencies tumble, Nigeria’s fixed income instruments have remained attractive.

For instance, average yield on Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) Bond in the secondary market closed yesterday at 15.27 per cent, up from an average of 15.13 per cent it closed the previous day.

Also, the average yield on Nigerian Treasury Bills closed at 14.03 per cent, up from 13.29 per cent the previous day.

In fact, the country’s fixed income instruments have outperformed countries such as Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea, Philippines and China, in terms of average total return for government’s bonds.

The currencies of the abovementioned economies have also plunged heavily in the past few weeks, even as the naira has remained stable.

EMs across board have been under pressure since the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates in June. Governments and companies had borrowed in dollars when interest rates were low, and the dollar was weak.

Now the dollar is strong and interest rates are rising.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index of shares is down more than 13 percent in 2018.

Also, the Nigerian Stock

Exchange (NSE) recorded loss of N1.031 trillion within the nine trading days of September. The NSE had closed the month of August with a capitalisation of N12.722 trillion, while the NSE All-Share Index (ASI) ended at 34,848.45.

To Research Analyst at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, the simmering trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies had also fuelled global risk aversion while a brutal sell-off in the EM space rattled investor confidence.

He pointed out that with fears mounting over a fullblown trade war triggering global instability and negatively impacting growth, emerging markets especially remain under extreme pressure. “Throughout the third quarter of 2018, Nigeria has kept afloat with GDP expanding 1.5 per cent during second quarter (Q2) and inflation easing 11.14 per cent. Although the nation’s external reserve dropped to the lowest since March to $45 billion, it still remains at manageable levels. “With oil prices somewhat supported by geopolitics and the Naira displaying a degree of stability against the Dollar, the outlook looks somewhat encouraging.

However, external risks in the form of an appreciating dollar, prospects of higher interest rates and trade tensions could cripple Nigeria’s fragile recovery,�

Otunuga explained.

According to Otunuga,

although Nigeria’s economic prospects remain tied to oil prices, the upcoming presidential elections could play a leading role in determining if the nation would be able to conclude this year on a firm footing.

He noted that the increased spending ahead of the Febrauary elections would most likely be a welcome development for economic growth. “If oil prices remain at current levels and support both government revenue and consumption, this may stimulate the recovery further.

The largest economy in Africa still has the ability to shock the world stage this year. “While it is widely known that the cure to Nigeria’s illness - Oil dependency - can be found in economic diversification, the correct steps must be taken while the conditions are still accommodative. “As the third trading quarter of 2018 slowly comes to an end, global sentiment is likely to remain heavily influenced

by U.S.-China trade tensions and the emerging market rout.

With the US Federal Reserve expected to raise interest rates this month, the CBN’s effort to defend the naira may be obstructed,� he added.

On his part, a research analyst at Anchoria Asset Management Limited, Mr. Adedeji Adewole, pointed out that compared with other EMs, the Nigerian market remains attractive.

“There have been outflows even before the CBN and the federal government directive that MTN should refund some amount of money to the country, so, that has nothing to do with it. “Also, the Bank of England and Federal Reserve hiked rate, which contributed to the massive outflows we have seen in the EM. We also have political risk ahead of the election because people are factoring political risks into the overall pricing of instruments, which is part of the downside.

Apart from that, the market remains attractive and oil prices remains stable.�

Meanwhile, on the NSE, an unprecedented sell pressure in large capitalised stocks since the beginning of September has further depressed the market to a new low.

Specifically, market capitalisation closed at N11.691 trillion, while NSE ASI ended at 32,022.23, indicating a decline of N1.032 trillion or 8.1 per cent. At the current level, the market has recorded a year-to-date decline of 16.3 per cent Investors' sentiments have remained at lowest ebb despite strong fundamentals of stocks. While most stocks present entry opportunities due to their low prices, investors have remained at the sidelines as they monitor the events in the polity.

Some market analysts have said the decline was not a reflection of the economic

performance.

Analysts at Afrinvest had said the contagion effect of emerging and frontier market routs resulted in a moderate slowdown of portfolio investments into Nigeria in the first half of 2018.

"Sadly, this is expected to continue impacting sentiments as foreign portfolio participation in domestic equities remains feeble. Furthermore, persistent sell-offs, especially in second half (H2) cannot be dissociated from increasing political and policy risks, which historically define election cycles in Nigeria. “Nonetheless, we do not expect these to have substantial impacts on the broader macroeconomy given the relative stability in external economics (particularly steady and positive outlook in oil market) and the commitment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in achieving a stable foreign exchange market," they said.

According to them, ahead of the 2019 general elections, rising political tensions and heightened insecurity - which have intensified polity uncertainties - are major downside risks to watch out for in H2:2018.

"The strains in the polity have been aggravated by the increasing rifts between the Federal Executive and Legislature, culminating into the delay in approving and signing the 2018 budget, including the supplementary budget.

However, while we expect these and other critical issues to persist in the near-term, we believe there will be no lingering impact post-elections.

Hence, we expect the risks to dissipate as the elections wind-up, potentially reversing risk-averse capital flight trend," Afrinvest explained.

While the market continued to decline, investment analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, have advised investors to see the low prices as an opportunity to increase their portfolios.

According to Meristem, the market has bled so much over the past few months and the bearish days would be over soon. “With stock prices bottoming out, light gleams at the end of the tunnel. The low prices in the market provide investment opportunities for players in the market, but of course, with a focus on the fundamentally justified stocks,� they said.

The analysts explained that the 2019 elections have posed a major concern for most investors which has caused them to withdraw their funds from the market, thus making profit volume opportunities after the election become more visible.

"We believe that after the elections in February 2019, calm will be restored in the market. It is only fair that you don’t get caught sleeping so why not you buy now, ahead of 2019?,� they said.

President Appoints Yusuf Bichi DG, SSS Southern leaders kick Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari last night named Mr. Yusuf Bichi as the new DirectorGeneral of the State Security Services (SSS).

Bichi replaces Lawal Daura who was sacked on August 7 by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo over his unilateral decision to deploy men of DSS to take over National Assembly without authorisation.

According to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bichi's appointment takes immediate effect.

Describing the new appointee as a core secret service operative, Shehu said he attended Danbatta Secondary School, Kano State; College of

Advanced Studies, Zaria; and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

He also said the new DG began his career in the security division of the cabinet office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present SSS. The statement added that Bichi had undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the United Kingdom, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

It also said the new SSS boss came to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter

intelligence and protective operation as well as human resources management.

The statement added, "In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.

"He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.

"He also served as Director at State Service Academy.

Mr Bichi is married and with children."

Southern Leaders Kick

In a swift reaction yesterday, southern leaders said Bichi’s appointment was a vote of no confidence in one Nigeria by Buhari, warning that such an action was capable of dividing the nation.

In a joint statement last night, signed by Chief E.K Clark, leader, South-South; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, South West; Chief John Nwodo, South East; and Dr Bitrus Pogu, Middle Belt, and made available to THISDAY by the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, they accused the President Buhari of “outright disregard for the conditions precedent for a united Nigeria and an inclusive country, which President Buhari has become well known for was taken to a new height with the replacement of Seiyefa

with Bichi.�

They warned, “The I-don'tcare and in-your-face attitude of the president in restoring Nigeria security architecture to the provocative situation of having 16 out of 17 service chiefs from his corner of the country is a clear demonstration of the fact that Nigeria, for General Muhammadu Buhari, is no more than his section of Nigeria and the resources and the constitutionally mandatory votes from other sections of the country.�

They lamented, “Since 1960, Nigeria has never had a leader more sectional, narrow, parochial, and tribalistic like the current president who went on a global stage to divide Nigeria into ‘95 % and 5%’. “We have looked critically at the profiles of the Acting DG

AIR PEACE MAKES HISTORY, ORDERS 10 NEW B737 MAX PLANES FROM BOEING bold step taken by the airline.

The new aircraft, he assured, would drastically cut the airline's cost of operations.

Also speaking, the US Consul General in Lagos, Mr John Bray, assured Air Peace of the support of his country's government.

He commended Air Peace and its chairman for the feat.

"There is a continuous dialogue with the United States of America that is on-going

to ensure safety and security of passengers. Greater access into the United States requires the carrier to be qualified and through dialogues more routes will be given."

In his remark, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, commended Onyema for his integrity and hard work.

He said Fidelity Bank decided to support Air Peace because of its financial

discipline and sound business model.

The 737 MAX 8 is part of a family of airplanes that offer 130 to 230 seats and the ability to fly up to 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometres).

With improvements such as the CFM International LEAP-1B engine and Advanced Technology winglets, the 737 MAX will help Air Peace save more than 20 percent on

fuel costs compared to its current single-aisle airplanes.

The MAX 8 offers airlines 13 more seats than its closest competitor, seven percent lower costs for each of those seats, and 300 miles more range. “Africa is a growing market for commercial airplanes and we are proud that airlines like Air Peace are selecting Boeing aircraft to be part of that growth,�

Boeing Sales Vice President for Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Central Asia and Africa,Marty “This order reflects the strong demand that we are seeing for the 737 MAX as airlines choose the airplane’s superior performance and reliability.�

The 737 MAX is the fastestselling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,700 orders from 102 customers worldwide.

who was removed and the one Buhari just appointed and it is crystal clear that Bichi does not come with any experience close to that of Seiyefa. The only qualification for this appointment is therefore only the rabid nepotism of the president, which has seen him always masking personal and sectional interest as ‘national Continued on page 10

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Again, Bandits Kill 11 in Zamfara Mohammed Aminu in Gusau Bandits have killed 11 persons in Badarawa village of Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

THISDAY gathered that the bandits stormed the village on Wednesday night and opened fire on the residents leading to pandemonium in the area.

It was also gathered that at

least 10 youths were injured during the incidence.

A resident of the village, Malam Bashir Badarawa, told journalists that the bandits numbering about 16 invaded the community and opened fire on the residents.

He stated that as a result of the attack, many people were living in fear while some had already fled the community.

"Our people are living in fear and many have already deserted the community. We don't know why these bandits attacked us,� he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara State Command and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY

yesterday, said six persons lost their lives during the attack while 10 were injured.

He disclosed that a combined team of policemen and soldiers were mobilised to the area as soon as the incident occurred.

"As you are aware, we got information that Badarawa village was under siege by bandits after midnight and a combined team of Police

and soldiers were mobilised to the area.

"However, on reaching the village, it was discovered that the bandits had fled the area.

We are currently on the trail of the foot path of the bandits and also combing the forest with a view to apprehending them,"he said.

The PPRO further said the injured persons had been taken

to the hospital for medical treatment.

He added that the victims of the attack had already been buried in accordance with Islamic rites in the area.

Shehu appealed to residents of the community to remain calm, saying the police was currently conducting fear -reduction patrol in the affected communities and the environs.

LAGOS GOV RACE INTRIGUES DEEPEN, TINUBU WEIGHS OPTIONS, MEETS BUHARI OVER AMBODE peace meeting to THISDAY yesterday, assuring that with Buhari’s last-minute intervention, Ambode would likely secure Tinubu’s approval to seek re-election in 2019 on the platform of the ruling APC. There has been controversy over the political future of Ambode after Sanwo-Olu and former Lagos State Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Hamzat obtained nomination form to challenge Ambode in the APC primaries scheduled to hold on September 19.

Just after obtaining the nomination form, the Mandate Movement, a political group loyal to the APC national leader, promptly endorsed SanwoOlu, a former Commissioner for Establishment, Training & Pensions in the state to contest the 2019 governorship poll.

Subsequently, all chairmen of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as well as 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state signed Sanwo-Olu’s governorship nomination form, claiming that they were acting on the instruction of the APC leader.

Some APC chieftains in the state, including former Deputy Chairman of Lagos APC, Cardinal James Odumbaku and former Commissioner for Agriculture & Cooperatives, Mr. Kaoli Olusanya, allegedly directed Ambode to return his nomination form or face impeachment at a meeting held at Watercress Hotel,

Ikeja Monday night.

But the potential collateral damage the defeat of Ambode in the primary could cause the APC at the general election has become worrisome to party leader at the national level, prompting the intervention of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, who was in Lagos yesterday to persuade Tinubu to change his mind.

After the meeting, Tinubu left Lagos for Abuja to meet with Buhari who had invited him for discussions over Ambode.

The discussions with the president was still in progress at press time.

Sources close to the power play in Lagos, however, doubt that the meeting with the president would provide reprieve for Ambode as Tinubu’s options are said to be limited.

According to THISDAY sources, Tinubu’s close associates are telling him that having showed his hand, it was better for him to finish what he has started, fearing that should he be persuaded to back pedal and support Ambode, it could be costly. “Ambode could play the good boy now, and deal with Tinubu and his supporters once he wins his second term.

He would have nothing to fight for or lose again,� a source said.

Besides, said another source, it is not only Tinubu that is aggrieved. Most other party leaders are, warning that the national leader is

aware of the real danger of losing his key supporters who are very angry with Ambode and baying for blood.

A very reliable source told THISDAY yesterday that Tinubu would likely tell Buhari to trust his judgement and allow him to handle the situation his own way. “Tinubu is not likely to be persuaded by Buhari’s fear that an Ambode defeat could backfire. He would assure them that he could handle the situation without any adverse consequence for the president’s election and APC’s fortune in the state,� said the source.

In a telephone conversation yesterday, a lawmaker from the South-west confirmed that both Tinubu and Ambode had been in a close-door meeting with the president.

According to him, “The president is meeting with both parties. He is resolving the crisis already. All of them are still in the meeting.

Hopefully, all the issues will soon be resolved.�

Another federal lawmaker confirmed the peace meeting, noting that the president would definitely resolve what might have pitted the APC leader against the incumbent governor.

He said, “I know that the matter is being resolved.

But I cannot confirm yet. I am expecting details of the meeting with the president.

Hopefully, it looks as if it would be resolved with the high-level meeting with

President Buhari and other APC national leaders.�

A party chieftain, however, expressed divergent view about the likelihood of resolving the disagreement between the APC leader and Ambode, noting that the matter had gone beyond Tinubu because the party leaders and most party chieftains in the state were fed up already.

He said, “The president has invited Asiwaju to Abuja. He has already gone to Abuja. He ought to have gone Wednesday night. But he could not make the trip for some reasons. In actual sense, most party leaders do not want Ambode to come back again. “The party elders are saying they do not have access to the governor. They are saying they have been shut out of the government.

It appears they have made up their minds they are not going to support Ambode’s re-election. But they cannot deny Ambode’s sterling performance.�

The chieftain noted that it might be difficult “to convince the elders to accept Ambode again because of what they have suffered under this administration in the last three years. It is above Tinubu. I know Tinubu will present cases against Ambode to the president. But we cannot rule out resolution with Buhari’s intervention.�

In an attempt to neutralise the outcome of Buhari’s peace meeting, THISDAY checks

revealed that Sanwo-Olu and handlers had already started working on alternative plan if Tinubu eventually agrees to a peace deal in favour of the incumbent governor.

A source noted that the Mandate Movement, which endorsed Sanwo-Olu on behalf of the APC leader, might not honour any peace deal that would edge out its candidate, though Tinubu would eventually rally them behind Ambode’s re-election campaign.

The source said the leaders of the Mandate Movement “have been running around already and meeting different party leaders across the state to ensure Sanwo-Olu clinches the party governorship nomination. But the leaders of Justice Forum, another formidable political group loyal to Tinubu are not with them. They are sympathetic to Ambode.�

In a statement by its Director-General, Mr. Tayo Ayinde yesterday, the Olusola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO) said it “is on course. His formal declaration will happen shortly followed by his rally. “The campaign organisation remains focused on its objectives and will not be distracted by unfounded rumours and insinuations. We thank all APC members in Lagos for your overwhelming support.�

The statement said Sanwo-Olu had inaugurated Directors and 3 Senatorial Coordinators for the

campaign oragnisation with Mr. Tayo Ayinde as Director General, Alhaji Abdullah Enilolobo (Mobilisation), Hon. Adeniran Onilude (Special Duties), Mr. Tobi Lawal (Fund raising), Hon. SOB Agunbiade (Legal), Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun (Research and Intelligence) and Hon. Kola Egunjobi (NGO, Civil Society & Students).

Other directors are Hon. Sesan Dani (Media & Publicity), Hon Bolaji Ariyo (Security), Hon. Jimi Benson (Planning & Strategy), Hon Bolanle Akinyemi – Obe (Women Affairs), Hon. Wale Adelana (Ethnic Affairs), Hon Ayoola Fatai (Welfare), Hon. Kolade Alabi (Finance), Hon. Abiodun Mafe (Party Affairs) and Dr Sulaimon Aleshinloye (Medical and Safety).

The senatorial coordinators are Hon. Rasak Ajala (Lagos West), Hon Wahab Alawiye King (Lagos Central) and Mayor Dele Oshinowo (Lagos East).

In another telephone conversation yesterday, Hamzat, currently Special Adviser to the Minister of Works, Power & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, told THISDAY that he had completed the process already after obtaining and filling the nomination form.

He said, “I am preparing for screening. I am ready as soon as the APC National Secretariat calls us. But we have not been communicated.

I am waiting for calls from the national secretariat to screen us.�

He said, "The people of Katsina are 100 per cent behind President Buhari and they will continue to support him even after the elections of 2019.

"We expect, based on figures coming out of the registered voters to give him nothing less than 70 to 80 per cent.

"We don't have the figures now because they have completed additional registration.

"We are not talking about the last exercise that led to the election of 2015 and in 2015, he got almost 1.5 million votes from Katsina State. “So, we expect that by 2019, we will be able to give him additional one million votes making it not less than 2.5 million votes."

On the raging issue of direct and indirect primary in the APC, the governor dismissed the insinuation that it was a serious issue.

According to him, there is nothing contentious about it because whatever

option adopted, whether direct, indirect primaries or consensus option, it is adequately provided for in the party's constitution and hence, is a non-issue.

"It is not a hot cake. First of all, let me say from all the

states that we have read and heard from, Lagos, Kano and Niger are the only states that have opted for direct primaries in a country of 36 states plus FCT,� he said, adding, “I think it shouldn't be a contentious issue.�

PDP: WITH BUHARI AS APC CANDIDATE, OUR VICTORY IS ASSURED and allowed for internal democracy within the APC, particularly when it became clear that Nigerians across board have become averse to his re-election, due to his incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of the citizens, there would have been little hope for the APC. “In muzzling contest in APC and gleefully emerging a sole candidate, President Buhari has merely won a pyrrhic victory; a General without a troop, with no capacity to face a general election, as the army of stakeholders and the masses that supported him in 2015 have since left him because of his unfulfilled promises and many failures in governance. “Now that Mr. President has confirmed by his body language that he had no chance in a party he leads, how then can he stand a chance in the general elections, where millions of Nigerians, who are suffering untold hardship because of his misrule are only waiting to deal him a blow

with their votes?�

PDP added, “Owing to Buhari’s incompetence, Nigerians’ purchasing power had become abysmally low, industries have wound up with attendant mass job losses; foreign direct investments have hit all time low, international partners have totally lost confidence in doing business with our compatriots, while the administration had no economic blueprint except borrowing�.

The party said since Buhari’s declaration to contest the 2019 election, true democrats and other well-meaning citizens had continued to leave the APC in droves to the repositioned PDP, which has now become the rallying platform for all Nigerians, in their collective quest for a new president among the array of very credible aspirants in the PDP. The party said while it was settled that Buhari would be no match to any of its presidential

aspirants, all indices point to his imminent defeat as the PDP remains committed to a credible, free, fair and transparent presidential primary, where Nigerians will freely participate to throw up that president that will lead the country to the path of unity, peace, good governance and economic prosperity for our people.

Masari: Katsina Will Deliver 2.5m Votes to Buhari Meanwhile, Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Bello Masari, yesterday in Abuja boasted that the state would deliver 2.5 million votes to Buhari at the 2019 presidential elections.

Masari who made the declaration while answering questions from journalists after meeting Buhari in the State House, said whereas Katsina State gave the president 1.5 million votes in 2015, it will top it with additional 1 million votes in 2019.

PRESIDENT APPOINTS YUSUF BICHI DG, SSS interest.’ “Besides, Bichi is an out-ofthe-system man drafted by Mr. Lawan Daura in the days of his nepotism rule at the DSS. The next six most senior persons in line of succession at the DSS after Seiyefa from our findings, are all southerners, which may explain why the president picked a man who already retired from the DSS to lead because of ethnic affinity. “That the president went ahead to deep himself further into the cocoon of ethnic irredentism in making this insensitive appointment shows

clearly that he does not care a hoot about the unity, cohesion and oneness of Nigeria. “We reject this appointment and we do not shy in telling Mr. President that he no longer pretends that the country is one under him. In the last few days, there have been fears coming from the international community about the dangers that would come the way of Nigeria if Mr. President returns for another term. With his latest action, we add that the country is not safe in the remainder of his first term. “Lastly we ask Mr President: Are we still one country?�

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COMMENT

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

EDO APC: LET OBASEKI WORK

Tonnie Iredia argues that Godwin Obaseki would do more for the state if he is less distracted

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o many Edo indigenes especially those outside the state, it was a thing of joy hearing about positive developments at home immediately after November 2016 when Godwin Obaseki assumed office as governor of the state. Of importance was the strategy of not allowing the execution of projects to be overshadowed by heavy publicity as was the case with the former governor. Instead, people woke up every morning to observe some government projects springing up around them. Some people had imagined that with the high level of indebtedness inherited by Governor Obaseki which was said to be among the highest three in the country at the time, governance might virtually grind to a halt. It was also feared that with the virile opposition of the Peoples Democratic Party led by its articulate chairman, Dan Orbih, the new governor had little chance of survival. Within a short time however, it was observed that development projects were going on amidst several complaints from the most unexpected source – members of the governor’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Considering that the state government was formed by the party and that all public bodies and local councils are under the control of the same party, the complaints are virtually inexplicable.

Nevertheless, it is not unreasonable for party members to seek to be rewarded for their contributions towards the victory of their party at the polls which empowered their standard bearer to form the government of the day. That happens all over the world. Known as the spoils or patronage system, the convention is for party members to be compensated with appointments, contracts and favours. But then, not everyone can be so favoured because the members are far more than the available offices and contracts. Besides, the patronage system is not open-ended. Persons who have no capacity to hold some offices or are incapable of executing certain contracts cannot in the name of patronage system get such favours. It is therefore not unusual for government to be unable to meet the desires of all the members of the ruling party. Those that cannot be so accommodated ought to be patriotic enough as loyal party members to continue to support the government instead of becoming so openly disillusioned to the extent of presenting a posture that can distract the governor from concentrating on his development agenda.

If the cause of dissatisfaction among APC members is what has become commonly known as the fight for political structure, the earlier that is resolved the better for the state. Many years back, the same struggle by politicians loyal to Governor Osunbor to evolve a new political structure merely neutralised the viability of that governor. But it would appear that the major grouse this time is the failure of some persons to acquire material wealth as in the past. This is the only way to understand the statement credited to the governor at the second anniversary thanksgiving of the APC Christian Prayer Contact Committee that he would not share our money among party stalwarts because his focus is to develop the state. This is supported by an earlier posture of the governor which differentiated Government House from the political party secretariat which some members are uncomfortable with. But because Edo State is not for only politicians, we need to admonish party officials not to disturb the serenity of the seat of government and make the premises a location

THE PATRONAGE SYSTEM IS NOT OPENENDED. PERSONS WHO HAVE NO CAPACITY TO HOLD SOME OFFICES OR ARE INCAPABLE OF EXECUTING CERTAIN CONTRACTS CANNOT IN THE NAME OF PATRONAGE SYSTEM GET SUCH FAVOURS

for commotion instead of one for articulation of how best to serve the common good.

When a candidate assumes office as governor, he is governor of everyone including members of the opposition party. In fact, many non-members of the winning party may have voted for the governor against their own candidates for some cogent reasons. In other words, Godwin Obaseki is not APC governor but governor of the entire state. All citizens are expected to benefit from his administration by the type of policies he formulates and executes. Put differently, as the governor of all, Obaseki ought to look beyond his own political party to invite capable hands from everywhere to help him ensure good governance because with good policies on ground, everyone would benefit from the resultant massive development.

This is why the rest of us – artisans, farmers, technocrats and other professionals must send a clear signal to political jobbers that we are anxious to have our state developed and returned to the glorious days when former Governor Samuel Ogbemudia gave us all a sense of pride. In those days, every Midwesterner or Bendelite was respected because of the giant strides taken by the then dynamic governor to push development to the next level. That is what we look forward to now and not distractions from the governor’s political base.

For this to be achieved, it is necessary for us all to note that no meaningful societal development can be attained without technology. Indeed, with the attribution of massive development in the western world to technology, there is now a growing belief world-wide particularly in developing societies, that technology is the key governing force in society and the redeeming feature of humanity. This is the prism through which Edo people can best comprehend Obaseki’s on-going industrialisation reforms, among them the introduction of technical programmes designed to leapfrog the state’s basic education delivery system. Also relevant here, is the provision of a standard framework for the administration of urban and regional renewal that has already led to the reduction of the cost of acquiring Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from N300,00 to N50,000.

Whereas these reforms are commendable, they cannot be sustained if there is lack of unity among the ruling party. We dare say that one of the factors encouraging people to crave for the sharing of our money to continue, is the belief that some of the indulgences of the past have not ended. For example, the ultramodern building that is to house the Central Hospital is yet to be equipped after government had announced at its commissioning, that a whopping sum of N1.5 billion had been paid to a supposed world-renowned Austro-German Hospital Equipment provider.

Where is the equipment and where is the money? The governor must deal with issues such as this. Most importantly, he needs to create extensive avenues for dialogue with a view to carrying everyone along. Such an egalitarian approach would put an end to the emergence of political camps within the same political party with some people in support of the governor and others against him. In all, what we want in Edo is development.

Iredia is a former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority

CLEANSING THE AUGEAN STABLES Attahiru Bafarawa’s tour across the nation has exposed him to many unpleasant tasks that must be done, writes Zakari Buba

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he former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, is unarguably one of the most patriotic Nigerians of our time. Whenever the country is besotted by testy issues, Bafarawa is always one of the strident voices that will intervene on the side of the people. He always puts Nigeria and its peoples first.

In recent weeks, he has taken an uncommon step.

He has been touring the length and breadth of the country. The significant thing here is that he is not hopping in and out of airplanes. He is embarking on the tours by road. Bafarawa has a reason for this. He says he wants to know the true situation of things in Nigeria. He wants to have a first hand knowledge of the problem of the people. He wants to connect with the people in their local environments.

The experience has, so far, produced amazing results. From north to south, there have been huge stories to tell. But Bafarawa’s tour of South East and South South states has been most revealing. From Enugu to Abakaliki. From Awka to Owerri down to Umuahia. From Port Harcourt to Yenagoa. And from Uyo to Calabar, the discoveries have been humbling. In these tours, Bafarawa has come face to face with the state of infrastructure in the two zones of the country. He has seen the state of the federal roads in the East. Most of them are in very bad state.

Gullies mostly occasioned by floods have eaten up the roads, thus making most of them impassable. In some cases, traffic gridlocks could prolong a journey of two hours to five or six hours. Road travellers have been having a hell of experience. And this was

what Bafarawa has had to experience through the tours. His experience on Ikot Ekpene-Itu-Calabar highway was almost nightmarish. The narrow and dilapidated highway has been rendered impassable by the elements to the extent that heavy duty vehicles fall freely on this road. While Bafarawa and his entourage were travelling from Owerri through the Umuahia- Ikot Ekpene corridor to Calabar, fallen trucks halted vehicular movement and grounded the highway. A journey of about four hours ended up lasting over nine hours. But the salutary thing in all this is that the experience did not weigh down Bafarawa. Rather, it energised and strengthened him. If you thought he would be weak and sapped after the gruelling experience, then you must be wrong. He was unruffled. Instead, he bubbled with more energy. That is very uncommon for a man like Bafarawa who is used to comfort. The experience ushered in a new reality. He has seen what the common people go through. He felt their pain. He identified with them. And he has promised that he would embark on massive road rehabilitation across the country if he is voted into power. Significantly, Bafarawa did not gloat about his ability to go through the harrowing experience without qualms.

But he challenged other presidential aspirants to try to experience what he has experienced. He mocks those of them who are disconnected from the people.

He wants them to come down from their high horse and be at one with those they aspire to lead.

The Bafarawa approach is truly worthy of emulation. It should be copied by every other person who aspires to rule Nigeria. With this experience, Bafarawa cannot go into office and sleep easy

without addressing this dehumanising condition of the Nigerian people. And of course, since Bafarawa has promised to address this problem, we have to believe him. He will always do what he says. He is a man of his words. While he was the governor of Sokoto State, he demonstrated capacity in this regard. He constructed over 1000 kilometres of roads, a feat that earned him the name “road master�. He is poised to tame the roads again and bring us comfort.

What is left is for us to play our part by voting him into office. If we do that, we can be sure that the man will not disappoint us.

The tours have also brought to public knowledge another aspect of Bafarawa. He is not given to primitive display of wealth. At this time that delegates to the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party he belongs to, are expecting to be bought by aspirants to various elective offices, Bafarawa has told them in clear terms that no one should expect any money from him.

He has cautioned that people should not sell their conscience in exchange for money. His message is that the delegates should make an informed decision.

They should choose candidates based on merit. They should consider the backgrounds and track records of the contestants and settle for the best. Money should not be the deciding factor. Since a people get the kind of leadership they deserve, the good people of Nigeria should ensure that they go for quality people who will give them good service.

Bafarawa is, at all times, interested in making Nigeria better. As the debate over restructuring rages, Bafarawa has a simple solution. He has said that he will embrace restructuring if he is given the opportu-

nity to serve. He said he will do this not necessarily by instituting a national conference. He reasons that previous conferences have given us all that we are looking for. The only problem is that their reports have never been implemented. Bafarawa has said that his government will synthesise the reports of the various national conferences and isolate the best aspects of them for implementation. Bafarawa will always do what he says. And he knows the issues. As a member of the national conference of 1994- 1995, Bafarawa has had a first hand knowledge of how certain decisions are arrived at. He will bring his wealth of experience to bear in this regard. And we will look forward to a new and restructured Nigeria under the Bafarawa presidency.

For those who know Bafarawa, this expectation should be taken for granted. He is an apostle of good governance. He understands the fact that agitation and restiveness will always set in once a bad leader is in place. The ongoing agitation for restructuring, though justified, was largely given rise to by the misgovernance of the present administration. In a situation where citizens are left out of governance, they are bound to look for a new order that will accommodate them. Bafarawa envisions a new Nigeria where there will no sense of alienation and rejection. He will run an inclusive government that will put every Nigerian on the same wave length. His road tour is aimed at achieving this objective. He does not want anybody to ride the high horse at the expense of the people. Nigerians need to give this man a chance. He may end up being the messiah we are looking for.

Buba wrote from Sokoto

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

EDITORIAL DEALING WITH THE LAGOS CHAOS

Government should introduce a policy that will encourage patronage of the ports in the Eastern part of the country

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n calling for the revival of the ports in the eastern part of the country in a bid to secure a permanent solution to the perennial traffic gridlock in the Apapa axis of Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was right on point. For years, the two ports at Apapa in Lagos have created perpetual traffic gridlock in the metropolis and constituted a nuisance to both livelihoods and businesses.

But the fears of Ambode that the situation could worsen are well founded and the authorities should act quickly to prevent the crisis from morphing into a full blown disaster.

The unending snarl is provoked by the sheer volume of articulated vehicles and tankers traversing the road that connects the two ports to lift containers and offload petroleum products, for onward transportation to other parts of the country. Sadly, the ensuing lockdown is already having severe consequences on the socio-economic landscape of Lagos State. “As it is now, other ports in Nigeria must begin to work immediately to decongest the gridlock in Lagos. Whatever has led to the continual GOVERNMENT SHOULD use of trucks to lift fuel - the vandalism PROVIDE INCENTIVES of pipelines -should FOR SHIP OWNERS be addressed immeBY LOWERING THE diately. We believe CHARGES ON FREIGHT that this will allow IMPOSED FOR VESSELS the road to become BERTHING THROUGH free. We don’t need to continuously use THE EASTERN PORTS SO AS TO RELIEVE THE taxpayers’ money to build roads that are PRESSURE ON THE destroyed by tankLAGOS PORTS ers,” Ambode said.

In the past few years, we have used this platform to draw the attention of the authorities to the imminence of what has now become a reality: access to the nation’s major port is increasingly becoming impossible. For years, motorists using the two main access roads to the town spend unbearable long hours on the

Letters to the Editor

traffic before they could get to their various destinations. Besides the daily dreadfulness, the loss of productive man hours is emphasised by craters and potholes on the roads, particularly during the raining season.

What is happening in Apapa is anathema to decency in road usage. Unfortunately, years of toeing the path of impropriety and poor infrastructure development and maintenance in the energy and other sectors are having their toll on other forms of business. That explains why we have tankers of all sorts on the roads every day with all the risks they pose to other motorists. Besides, the blocking of the inland roads has caused a disruption to the urban landscape and forced many affluent citizens to abandon their property in Apapa and relocate to other parts of the city.

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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

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hile we have consistently called on the federal government to crack down on tanker drivers packing indiscriminately on the road while waiting to offload petroleum products in Apapa, the long term solution is for the federal government to introduce a policy that will enable patronage of the ports in the Eastern part of the country by importers.

For years, the ports in Port Harcourt, Warri, Koko and Calabar have remained idle largely because of low patronage, underutilisation and inability of high capacity vessels to berth, arising from the non-dredging of the ports. Outside Apapa, the only other active port in the country is located in Onne in Rivers State.

It is regrettable that Apapa, which used to command prime value for property, considering its strategic location and primacy as a commercial and industrial hub is now notoriously reputed for its unrelenting traffic. That is why we subscribe to the solution being proposed by Governor Ambode that the federal government should provide incentives for ship owners by lowering the charges on freight imposed for vessels berthing through the Eastern ports so as to relieve the pressure on the Lagos ports.

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.

AVIATION UNIONS: IS NCAA COMPROMISED?

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he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is the umbrella body saddled with the onerous task of regulating the country’s aviation sector. With this, the authority must both be technically and procedurally competent to handle any, or all the issues in the industry. Unlike the road transport sector that is an all-comers’ affairs because its regulations are not obeyed, making it to be in total disarray, leading to colossal loss of lives and property, the aviation sector must continue to maintain its integrity and be highly regulated because a single plane crash may be so catastrophic that it can wipe out several lives, both of the flyers and those on the ground. So, in essence, there must be no half-measure in aviation, as no aircraft can park in the sky for repairs of any sort, unlike road transportation.

NCAA is not only saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safety in the sky, it is also to ensure peace in the aviation sector so that those operating therein will do so seamlessly. This is because, if all the aircraft landing and taking off in the country and all the facilities are in perfect order, but are operating in a chaotic environment, NCAA would have been seen to have failed in an aspect of its statutory duties, Therefore, NCAA has a responsibility to ensure that all government policies and contracts are sustained for the enhancement of safety in the industry. It also has a responsibility to educate the monstrous unions in the sector who are always hell-bent in disrupting the prevailing peace despite the federal government’s attempts to rejuvenate and attract foreign investors to the aviation industry.

It is annoying and equally unbelievable that some of these union

officials are uninformed, as they are displaying a lot ignorance and promoting misinformation and disinformation about happenings in the industry, all in an attempt to portray those who are providing jobs for teeming Nigerians and foreigners alike in bad light in the name of unionism. They selfishly do this to strengthen their arguments laced with half-truths and outright lies to curry public sympathy for their ill-decisions of disrupting the operations of the airlines and the airport terminals in ways reminiscence of thuggery.

For instance, it is shocking, embarrassing and indeed laughable that the Secretary General of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mr. Olayinka Abioye, would step out at a recent stakeholders forum organised by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Lagos to say that Dana Air has surreptitiously brought in a foreign airline, Asky, to operate domestic flights in Nigeria, when in actual fact, the plane is in on wet-lease to Dana and NCAA approved it. Anybody worth its salt in the aviation industry should know that airlines are protected by law to go on either wet-lease or dry lease of aircraft from other airlines. This clearly shows the level of ignorance and illiteracy among the aviation union leaders who claim to be fighting for the rights of workers. It is like the blind leading the eyed.

There is hardly any critical investor in the aviation industry today who has not tasted the bitter pill of the unions’ unruliness and thuggery. Airlines, such as Arik, Aero, Dana, Landover and others have lost millions of dollars to the unions’ brigandage in the name of picketing. Now, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of the internationally-acclaimed Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal

Two (MMA2) has been under the constant threats of the unions since May, this year.

As an observer and a critical stakeholder in the sector, I have watched in awe how the unions have been issuing all sorts of threats and ultimatums publicly to the terminal operators to recall some staff members relieved of their jobs for incompetency or old age, as Bi-Courtney would later explain. I have equally watched how BiCourtney has approached the government and NCAA severally with a lot of maturity and superior arguments, despite the threats to the MMA2 Concession from different quarters. I have read and digested the firm’s response to the unions’ allegations and I have rightly come to the conclusion that these are real needless threats. Fortunately, many other stakeholders have the same thought about the whole thing. The basic thing is that you can never force an employee on an unwilling employer.

However, I am seriously worried that issues that are being discussed at various meetings both parties are holding and the contents of correspondences to NCAA to amicably resolve the crisis are being pushed to the public space by the unions, who obviously are workers of the aviation agencies, to curry public sympathy. This to me is very unfair on the part of the government.

In as much as the unions have the right to protect their members anywhere they are, the employers they have been fighting in the industry also have the right to justly hire and fire for without the investors, there would not be anywhere for the employees to work and claim they belong to any union.

Kabiir Hadejia, Abuja

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

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

‘BUHARI HAS BEEN VERY TOLERANT OF SARAKI’ Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, a former senior legislative aide to two former presidents states why The Presidency and the leadership of the National Assembly must bury the hatchet and adopt a process of cordial informal consultations

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his type of crisis is nothing new to the senate. I recall that between 1999 and 2003 when I served in the senate that a similar situation existed, where a Senate President emerged without the endorsement or support of the ruling party leadership or Presidency. You will recall that the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo took over the Senate Presidency after Evans Enwerem was removed against the wishes of the then President, so this Senate President is not the first to so emerge. The difference between now and then is the disposition of our present President who has been, in my opinion, exhibiting a lot of maturity and patience because having worked for two Presidents as Presidential Legislative Special Adviser, I can authoritatively say that, this Senate President, considering the manner he emerged would not have lasted one year.

Personally, for supporting Okadigbo, I was removed as Senate Deputy Minority Leader.

I was given accommodation in Apo Village at the end of the estate close to the thick forest with wild animals as my regular visitors.

When I fenced the property, I was indicted for illegally erecting the fence and making senate pay for it without declaring pecuniary interest. All sorts of charges were levelled against me and at some point, I had like three cases in court. I suffered all these because I supported Okadigbo in the Impeachment of Enwerem. The party is only now, and rightly so, insisting that the Senate President should step down now that he is in another party.

Whenever a Senate President emerges without the endorsement of the Presidency and the party leadership, this type of crisis is bound to occur. But both parties could have handled the situation better. Ordinarily, it is important for the Senate President and the President to be friends or at best be on cordial terms. Both parties have a duty to be

Ita-Giwa

cordial and work together for the good of the people. In my days as Special Adviser, we evolved a system of non-stop informal interactive sessions. From the time of policy formulation, we used to engage the legislators and keep them posted and engaged so that by the time the bill is drafted and laid on the table, the legislature is fully involved and the bills get passed fast.

Doing it this way engenders mutual trust and promotes co-operation without affecting the principles of separation of power between the executive and legislature.

We are at a point where both parties of necessity must reconsider their approach. Any leadership that emerges through personal alliances not linked to the party leadership

will invariably be high-handed in its approach to administering the legislature, that notwithstanding it behoves such leadership to rise above base sentiments to exhibit maturity.

I pride myself for not being anyone’s apologist but this President has, in my opinion, either been indifferent to the circumstances that led to the emergence of Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President or he is an extremely tolerant person. I however choose to believe the latter because he even congratulated Saraki when the Supreme Court vindicated him.

What we are seeing now is that disagreement slows down the pace of government. The passage of bills is delayed and the people suffer unnecessarily. If the executive and legislature can adopt a process where cordial informal consultations are the order of the day, it will become a win-win situation for everyone including the populace. Democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of incessant disagreement, cordiality is paramount and must be sought by all means.

To achieve this, mutual respect and cordiality is the key. If the present leadership of the legislature and the executive revive my policy of nonstop informal interactive engagement, the era of purposeful governance and cordial relations will return to governance in Nigeria.

I fervently pray that good conscience and love for country will prevail in the current situation between the executive and legislature.

I recall an incident during my days as a serving Senator. Our choice as Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo had taken over the mantle after we removed Evans Enwerem the then President’s favourite. Okadigbo was inundated with impeachment plots and series of intimidations engineered from outside the Senate. On one occasion, his official residence at Apo Villa was invaded by police men and under duress forced the Senate President to write and sign a bogus statement. When the news got to us- Senators who supported

Any leadership that emerges through personal alliances not linked to the party leadership will invariably be highhanded in its approach to administering the legislature, that notwithstanding it behoves such leadership to rise above base sentiments to exhibit maturity

Okadigbo, we mobilised to the residence and successfully broke the siege and tore the bogus statement. For this, we were marked for serious retribution. When they finally impeached Okadigbo, I as a supporter, was removed as Deputy Minority Leader and indicted on trumped up charges. When I hear people say Mr. President has been overbearing in this current crisis, I laugh.

Compared to what we went through with Okadigbo, this is a tea party. In fact, I think this President should be commended for displaying incredible restraint in the face of legislative provocation.

THE MAN TO BEAT IN THE 2019 AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP RACE Nathan Edohoeket

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he political climate in Akwa Ibom State has assumed a new dimension since Obong Nsima Ekere began to make overt moves towards his predictable ambition to govern the state. This has sent jitters across board, especially in the major opposition camp.

Since he launched into the political landscape, Ekere’s profile has continued on upswing, boosted by his unprecedented landmark achievements on all fronts. Having earlier served as Deputy Governor, his present ambition to become the next Governor of Akwa Ibom through the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2019 is not a surprise. His profile has become so intimidating and very impressive that it will take the uninitiated in the polity to know exactly where he is coming from.

Little wonder, the entire political circuit in his state has been rooting for this man of cool mien and silent achievements, much to the amazements and endorsement of all stakeholders in the state and even beyond. Even on the opposition, apprehension has become their lot, given his antecedents in the public and private spaces.

The fear of Ekere as the next governor of the state is beginning of wisdom for every other contestant, including the incumbent, who despite all the shenanigans and grandstanding has been pulling here and there to ruffle Ekere. But, does Ekere entertain any fear about all these? No. All

Ekere

permutations point in one positive direction for the undisputable widely-acclaimed man of the moment in the entire South-south geographical region of the country. Many of the big wigs of the party have come to a consensus about his candidacy and eventual election as the next occupant of the Government House in Uyo. Maverick and illustrious Ekere was born on

May 29, 1965 in Ikot Oboroenyin, Edemaya Clan in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He started his secondary education at Regina Coeli College, Essene, Ikot Abasi, and completed same at Mary Knoll College Ogoja, Cross River State. He had a brief but very exciting stint at The Polytechnic, Calabar, between 1981 and 1982 before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated with B.Sc. Honours Degree in Estate Management in 1986. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, FNIVS. He is also a registered member of Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, ESVRBN, a Senior Certified Valuer of the International Real Estate Institute, IREI, Minnesota, USA, and to boot, an associate member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation, IRRV, London.

In 1989, enterprising and very forward-looking Ekere set up Gassons Nigeria Limited, an indigenous anti-corrosion, environmental, fabrication/maintenance engineering company.

Before joining politics, Ekere was the Principal Partner at Ekere and Associates, a firm of estate valuers and real estate development consultants with offices in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja and Uyo, which he started in 1993. He had sat on the board of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and also served in various entities like Universal Energy Resources Limited, Anchor Insurance before emerging deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. His active and very impressive political career began in December 1997, when he

contested and won election into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly during the Abacha Transition, on the platform of the then fledgling Grassroots’ Democratic Movement (GDM). He wasn’t however inaugurated before Abacha died in June 1998 and that transition was truncated. He then joined the PDP at the start of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s transition regime in 1998, and played a very active part in the politics of the state till he emerged deputy governor on May 29, 2011.

In March 2008, Ekere was appointed Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom Investment & Industrial Promotion council (AKIIPOC), the investments and industrial promotions’ arm of the Akwa Ibom State Government. He also served simultaneously and very meritoriously too as the Chairman of Ibom Power Company, the independent power generating company owned by Akwa Ibom State.

He was the leader of the ‘G22’, a group of 22 PDP governorship aspirants that protested the conduct of the December 2014 PDP primaries.

He subsequently defected to the APC after some internal wrangling that bared its face in his gubernatorial ambition, a decision he took with an unusual calm and philosophical stead, even in the face of outright condemnation by his assumed cronies in the PDP. He is married to Ese and has four children.

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

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

POLITICS

WHY GBENGA ASHAFA DESERVES A THIRD TERM Calls for Gbenga Ashafa to run for another term as Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District have continued and it is becoming a prove that loyalty is better earned than bought, writes Gbolahan Yusuf

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s a lawmaker in Nigeria, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has earned the loyalty of his constituents through efficient representation at the Senate and the direct investment in the lives of the people. These are the reasons he should be rewarded by his party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) with the ticket to serve a well-deserved third term in office.

One would be hard-pressed to find in the 8th Assembly another senator as well-mannered, eloquent, cultured and refined as Senator Ashafa. He carries, in every way, the type of progressive demeanor that the APC promised Nigerians when it took over power in 2015.

Through self-discipline, he has distanced himself from scandals, whether political or personal.

His soft-spoken nature has endeared him to senators on both sides of the aisle and his brilliance shines through each time he takes the floor to speak in the Red Chamber. The many bills he has sponsored or co-sponsored directly affect the lives of the common Nigerians, for whom he battles daily in Abuja.

During his two terms, Ashafa has demonstrated a visible mastery of the mixture of responsibilities, both as a legislator and a representative.

He has been creative enough to devise new methods of reaching out to his constituents in various ways. For example, about 120 of his constituents in February 2018 acquired various skills ranging from catering to mechanical repairs in a training programme in conjunction with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The Gbenga Ashafa Trust Endowment (G.A.T.E) is a Trust Fund set up by the Senator and it provides funds for projects covering ICT Training, Education, HealthCare, Micro-Finance, as well as Agricultural Development. Only recently, an ICT center/Town hall in Oreyo Grammar School, Ikorodu, which he sponsored as a constituency project, was commissioned for the benefit of his constituents. These various projects have touched and continue to touch thousands of constituents. This is outside of several infrastructural interventions carried out by the Senator in several sectors, but

Ashafa

with particular focus on education, an area the Senator is deeply passionate about, due in part to his quality educational background, which includes a Master’s Degree in Public Health Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Many of such projects include construction and renovation of classroom blocks in Epe; Odomola Primary School, Eredo in Epe, Elemoro Village; Salvation Army Primary School in Ibeju, Lekki Primary School, Ikosi-Isheri Grammar School, Magodo Community Primary School, Oke-Metta Primary School in Somolu, Ajelogo Primary School in Agboyi-Ketu, amidst several other structures ranging from boreholes to electricity transformers to link secluded areas to electricity or water. Medical outreach programmes have also been carried out for widows and widowers, with the Senator also taking steps to make Bank of Industry loans accessible to constituents.

The larger point is that while Senator Gbenga Ashafa saw to all these, he remained one of the highest contributing Senators in the hallowed chambers. Senator Ashafa has been the Chairman

of the Senate Committee on Land Transport in the 8th Senate, and has, in his role, actively provided legislative support for the efforts of the APC-led Federal Government to implement reforms in the railway system of the country.

In his tenure as Chairman of the Committee, he has witnessed the repealing of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955 and its replacement with the Nigerian Railway Bill 2016, which was passed by the Senate in July 2016 as well as the passage of the revolutionary National Transport Commission Bill. The Committee is also midwifing the Labour Transportation Bill to provide for the transportation needs of Nigerian workers. Senator Ashafa has also sponsored other bills in the Senate, including The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Amendment Bill 2016, The Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport Bill 2016, The City University of Technology Bill 2016, Sporting Tax Holiday Bill 2016, The Nigerian Postal Bill 2017, The Nigerian French Language Village Establishment Bill 2017, among others.

If the efficiency of Ashafa’s representation,

Ashafa has demonstrated a visible mastery of the mixture of responsibilities, both as a legislator and a representative. He has been creative enough to devise new methods of reaching out to his constituents in various ways. For example, about 120 of his constituents in February 2018 acquired various skills ranging from catering to mechanical repairs in a training programme in conjunction with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria just like his legislative prowess, cannot be questioned, it is really a waste of time and energy to be mooting any replacements for the Lagos-Island born politician. Trading a certain positive for uncertainty has never and will never be a sensible option.

It therefore comes without surprise that stakeholders in the Lagos East senatorial district continue to endorse the Senators’s re-election bid. Senator Ashafa himself once said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and proud of the work I have done and continue to do in the Senate. I will continue to provide legislative interventions and support towards policies and initiatives that will positively impact Nigerians and my dearest constituents in Lagos East.”

Gbolahan Yusuf lives in Lagos.

TASKS BEFORE USORO, NBA PRESIDENT Davidson Iriekpen

T

he new President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) who comes to office with over 30 years post call experience and is acknowledged as a highly experienced litigator and Nigeria’s foremost communications law expert, is the founder and senior partner of Paul Usoro & Co. He took a Bachelors of Law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in 1981, was called to Nigerian Bar in 19 Usoro has advised a wide range of blue chip Nigerian and foreign companies in the areas of project finance and development, equity raising, infrastructure development and management buy-outs. He has served as the Chief Legal Consultant for Nigeria’s first ever spectrum auction since 2001. He has also worked with the National Assembly in producing the Nigeria Communication Act, 2003.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the Learned Silk is coming to office at a time of growing division in the legal profession and deep quest for the salvaging of ethics among lawyers. For him, the tasks are onerous but during his campaign, he promised to tackle them frontally. Having emerged through an election that was dogged by multiple controversies, it is expected that he would hit the ground running by embarking on a holistic unification and peace-building processes. With the controversy generated by the two online elections, the incoming administration should take the matter back to National Executive Council (NEC), or call a broad-based stakeholders’ meeting to look at the issue again. When the

Usoro

delegate system was in force, there was never a time an election was adjudged to be rigged.

But the two last online elections have attracted so much condemnation. As a matter of fact, the election that produced Mahmoud, who just bowed out is still being challenged in court by Chief Joe Gadzama (SAN), and the matter is at address level, while the election he is seeking to nullify has been served out by Mahmoud.

The other contestants in the just-concluded election are also spoiling for war. Though Professor Ernest Ojukwu, who has insisted that the election was rigged had promised not to go to court, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor has called for an audit of the election result and may head to court if he is not satisfied with the outcome.

The fact that Usoro emerged victorious, albeit mounting insinuations that the process was

skewed in his favour, is enough ground to spur him to pursue a vigorous reform initiative that would ensure a credible, free and fair election system for the NBA in subsequent years.

This is why many members of the Bar are calling for a review of the online voting system, so that whoever emerges in the association’s election does not have to carry the burden of a disputed poll. The NBA had served as the voice of the people, especially taking on the government and its obnoxious and oppressive policies on behalf of the people. An example of this was the recent statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari while addressing the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of the association in Abuja saying that the security of the country could not be sacrificed on the altar of the rule of law, where national interest was threatened.

Though the President’s comments drew criticisms from a cross-section of lawyers and eminent Nigerians, observers believe that it is not enough. They want NBA to urgently intervene before the country is taken back to military era. They believe that the association must pick up its role of being the voice of the common man, by helping to hold government accountable to the people and ensuring that arbitrariness of government and its agencies at all levels is totally curtailed.

The role of NBA in rejecting fuel subsidy, challenging draconian laws and government policies that dehumanised the masses, cannot be forgotten in a hurry. But in recent times, it appeared that the NBA had gone to sleep.

Usoro must re-awaken NBA to the days of Alao Aka-Bashorun leadership, when the

association was able to confront and challenge executive excesses and lawlessness. It is highly imperative for the new NBA President to revive the traditional values, outspokenness and legal activism that the association was hitherto known for.

The deafening-silence of the NBA in recent years to national issues is not only regrettable, but represents a dent on the integrity of the body as the foremost promoter of the rule of law in Nigeria. Also, the legal profession has its challenges, ranging from poor pay for young lawyers, corruption in the bar, harsh operating environment, abuse of court processes, unethical behaviour among some lawyers. These are at the core of the challenges facing the NBA. Usoro must ensure that this unhealthy practice is stopped and young lawyers are paid well.

Usoro may need to get the approval of the NEC for the de-baring of any lawyer caught bribing a judge, in order to restore the much needed confidence in the profession. A situation where senior lawyers are prosecuted for bribing a judge does not portray the profession in good light. Lawyers involved in compromising judicial officers must be de-barred.

Also, a situation where the ordinary citizen believes that a judge could be paid money to give a particular judgment, is not only dangerous for the society, but diminishes the esteem of the profession, hence the new president of the NBA must take steps to challenge the perception by doing something concrete about it.

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

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 6.00 % 6.83 %

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 -2.35% YEAR TO DATE 4.89%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.15/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Qatar Expands Its Operations in Kenya

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf; Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Lagos office, In-Teak Kim; President, LCCI, Mr. Babatunde Paul Ruwase and Deputy President, LCCI, Mr Knut Ulvmoen, during a courtesy visit by the new Korean envoy to the LCCI in Lagos‌recently

Experts: Apapa Gridlock, Smuggling to Depress Agro-allied Sector Eromosele Abiodun Experts at Investment One Research have predicted limited growth in the agro-allied sector in the near term on the back of challenges due to the Apapa gridlock and smuggling in the north-eastern region of the country.

In a report obtained by THISDAY, they pointed out volatility in the commodities market as downside risks to the performance of companies in the agro-allied space.

According to them, “We highlight that companies in the agro-allied space saw a lot of smuggling particularly in the North East region, which

MARITIME took part of their market share. “This has caused these companies to cut prices to maintain market share despite the increased cost associated with the issue of Apapa gridlock.

This may continue to weigh on earnings in the near term.�

However, they stated that stability in the foreign exchange market has been positive for the cost of sales of importdependent companies in the agro-allied sector who have to import raw commodities for production. “We believe the availability

of foreign exchange has made it easier for these companies to import raw materials relative to early 2017 before the introduction of IEFX window.

This could have supported the gross profit margin of these companies in H1 2018. “Going forward, we expect stability in the foreign exchange market to support the cost of sales in agro-allied sector with about 56 per-cent and 70 per-cent of DSR and FMN’s cost respectively dependent on foreign exchange. “However, we believe the recent reduction in sugar prices due to stable foreign exchange market may continue to weigh on DSR’s gross profit margin,

“the experts said.

They added, “On the other hand, we believe the administration’s plans for self-sufficiency in Sugar by 2023 may support sugar business of these companies in the long run with government trying to channel efforts to build plantations and cane-crushing mills. “It is expected that these plantations and cane-crushing mills will produce about 2million tons of sugar annually in order to meet the annual demand of about 1.5 million metric tons within a decade. We believe this may support backward integration Continued on page 20

Why Aircraft Leasing Companies Rip-off Nigerian Airlines Chinedu Eze Some airline operators argued that leasing aircraft to operate in Nigeria is exploitive because of the low credit rating of the country among lessors (aircraft leasing companies).

The operators said poor credit rating has become a stigma on African airlines because some airlines default on leasing agreements and resist repossession by lessors.

THISDAY gathered that there is a strong warning being circulated around leasing companies to be wary of leasing aircraft to Nigerian airlines because of long history of default and resistance to re-possession.

An operator told THISDAY that lessors which want to lease aircraft to Nigerian airlines do so at outrageous cost with high insurance premium and the history of exchange rate fluctuation in the region. “Also older airplanes are

AVIATION pushed to Africa because the continent is seen as high risk, poor safety region with poor economic performance of local airlines, which discourage lessors,� the operator said.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo told THISDAY that globally airlines choose how they want to acquire aircraft, explaining however that airlines rarely buy aircraft with cash because such amount of money may not be readily available to acquire the number of aircraft they may want at anytime. “Because of high the credit rating, many airlines in Europe, the US and Middle East are able to order aircraft from lessors at good rates but in Nigeria, Nigerian carriers do not enjoy such privileges due to poor credit rating and lessors give Nigerian airlines aircraft at

outrageous rates. “Airlines choose how they acquire their assets. No airline goes to purchase aircraft with cash. Small body aircraft like Embraer can cost about $75 million. “No airline will pay cash to acquire such aircraft and some airlines acquire 20, 30 of them at the same time. So, they go to lessors like GCAS or Aircab and lease those aircraft and sign an agreement to operate them and register them in their country of operation. But they will give you specifications; that you must pay monthly fees with insurance and so on. “You must give guaranty that when the aircraft is due for maintenance you have to maintain it. This opportunity is not open to a Nigerian operator and in Nigeria you will have to pay more if ever you are able to get a lessor that will agree to give you aircraft. Because they see our environment as risky

they put higher premium on us. “If they are sure that the regulatory environment is right, there is the issue of insurance, government policies and operating environment. There are different kinds of lease. There is operating lease and there is financed lease. In Nigeria airlines cannot easily lease so airlines tend to buy older aircraft because nobody can afford the price of new aircraft.

Also, the Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who recently acquired a long-haul aircraft, Boeing B777 told THISDAY that the low value of the naira makes aircraft leasing in the country unprofitable. “It is because of the low value of the naira. When you are charged in dollars by the time you exchange the naira earned in Nigeria to dollar, you see one huge amount of money to pay for the leasing.

Continued on page 20

Qatar Airways has announced plan to launch direct ights to Kenya’s second city, Mombasa, opening up the country’s beautiful coasts to international holiday-makers. The new four-time weekly service would be Qatar Airways’ second Kenyan destination, in addition to existing ights to Nairobi.

The new four-times weekly ights between Doha and Mombasa (MBA) would be operated with an Airbus A320, with 12 Business Class seats and 120 Economy Class seats, from 11 December 2018, with a ight time of just over six hours.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways sees Kenya as an important market for our passengers, so we are delighted to oer this new service to a second Kenyan destination. We are sure our new direct daily service to Mombasa will prove very popular with tourists interested in exploring Kenya’s beautiful tropical beaches and coastline, as well as immersing themselves in the city’s fascinating diverse cultural mix. “This second new route to Kenya, in addition to our existing three daily services to the capital Nairobi, will help make Qatar Airways the ďŹ rst choice for travellers wishing to explore this beautiful country.

It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to expand our reach with ambitious new routes around the globe to oer our unrivalled ďŹ ve-star customer service wherever our customers want to y.â€?

Bordering the Indian Ocean, tropical Mombasa is Kenya’s main coastal tourist destination and a popular gateway to the country’s amazing white beaches and coral reef diving. The cosmopolitan city has also become a destination in its own right, thanks to its diverse cultural mix and old town charm.

Saudi Arabia to Partner Britain

The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation has oered investment opportunities in the operation and construction of airports to British companies in London.

The General Authority for Civil Aviation, in cooperation with the Saudi-British Business Council, organised a round table meeting with the largest British companies in the ďŹ eld of civil aviation to discuss the specialised activities in the aviation sector of Saudi Arabia.

The aim of the meeting was to review the potential investment opportunities in the civil aviation sector, and the developments in the investment environment and privatisation projects.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the concerned departments of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and more than 60 representatives of the national and British companies.

Each of these attendees came with a specialist background some of which included airport operation, technology systems, aviation services, building and construction, navigation systems, hospitality and free market.

Chairman of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, H.E. Abdul HakimMohammedAlTamimi,reviewedtheinvestmentopportunities in the aviation sector and the air transport market in the country, especially with its growing air traďŹƒc.

He also discussed ways to operate airports and provide advanced services and consultancy in the ďŹ elds of civil aviation in the country.

Tamimi stressed the importance of the General Authority of Civil Aviation to strengthen the pillars of the civil aviation industry in the country and harness the required capabilities to keep pace with the steady growth of air transport. Moreover, he expressed an interest in attracting international companies to invest in airport infrastructure and services provided in airports.

Pilots Call for 24hrs Strike

The union representing Ryanair’s Germany-based pilots has called a 24-hour strike this week which will aect all of the airline’s German ights. In the latest skirmish between the Irish airline and its pilots, the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union has called its pilot members out from 03:01 (3.01am) on Wednesday, September 12th until Thursday, September 13th at 02:59 (2:59am) local time.

VC said it has been demanding improvements on pay and working conditions for months, but Ryanair has not issued an improved oer.

The union’s head of industrial relations Ingolf Schumacher said “Despite the strong signal of the strike action at the beginning of August, negotiations have come to a standstill.�

VC said it invited Ryanair management to enter arbitration talks in September, but Ryanair “only tried to stall by issuing vague and meaningless statements. Ryanair management still does not seem to be interested in ďŹ nding a solution at all.â€?

“Nigeria had a mere five per cent penetration of broadband in 2012, but now we have attained 22 per cent and hope to hit the 30 per cent prescribed by National Broadband Plan by December 2018�

ExecutiveVice Chairman, NCC,

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta

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BUSINESSWORLD EXPERTS: APAPA GRIDLOCK, SMUGGLING TO DEPRESS AGROALLIED SECTOR programmes of companies in the agro allied space, which may reduce their exposure to volatility in the commodities and foreign exchange market in the long run.�

The port access roads across the country have been a nightmare for commuters and residents with business closing shop and sending staff home.

This had prompted the federal government to step in with a visit to Apapa port over a month ago by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo, who paid an unscheduled visit to Apapa at the peak of the gridlock on July 20, had directed relevant government agencies to immediately embark on the decongestion of the Wharf Roads and the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to allow for free flow of traffic.

Less than a week after issuing the directive, the Vice President accompanied

by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and the Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, on July 26, 2018, held a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the traffic management mechanisms at the Western Naval Command, Apapa.

WHY AIRCRAFT LEASING COMPANIES RIP-OFF NIGERIAN AIRLINES So, it is not profitable. “You borrow money from banks; you pay your taxes so after all the expenses you realise that you are not making any profits. If the naira were stable it would have been better. In some countries exchange rate is stable for several years. In Saudi Arabia, dollar is R4.74 and it has been there for about 30 years. This is stability but in Nigeria the value keeps on changing. This is great challenge for us,� Bankole said.

THISDAY also learnt that some Nigerian airlines do not keep to the terms of the leasing agreement and don’t willingly return the aircraft when they are due for return, while some of them do not pay the agreed fees at the agreed time.

NEWS

NIRSAL, Stakeholders Develop Framework to Curb $9bn Losses in Agric Haulage James Emejo in Abuja Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed on Wednesday unveiled another innovative measure to de-risk the agricultural sector by developing a framework for the Secured Agricultural Commodity Transport Corridor (SAT-C) to plug about $9 billion leakage in the entire post-harvest system.

Essentially, the aim of the project is to fix key constraints confronting the transportation of agricultural produce and products across the country, working with both private and public sector stakeholders.

This, will consequently reduce wastages resulting from late evacuation of particularly perishable produce from the farms.

It’s estimated that about 70 per cent of farm food at are lost annually to inefficient transport system, causing huge economic waste to both farmers and the country at large.

Speaking at the opening of the technical session on SAT-C, the NIRSAL boss said the target was to cut such losses to less than 10 per cent.

He said: “You can imagine what a $9 billion loss- if we save it- can do to the lives of poor producers in the rural areas: it means the net gain will come back to their pockets. “It means consumers will buy food at lower price because inefficiencies would have been removed.�

According to him, the initia-

tive will leverage on the positive moves by the federal government in bringing the railway into action-as well as construction of major roads linking the northern and southern parts of the country.

Abdulhameed, added that the implementation of SAT-C would reduce the prices of food commodities, enhance food security and increase the contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said the proposed framework would promote a model that manages the interests of all stakeholders while the federal government works on developing the necessary alternative transport infrastructure that will enhance seamless movement of produce around the country.

He pledged NIRSAL’s technical and financial support for the session throughout its duration, noting that Nigeria’s estimated population of 200 million people provides a captive market for

agricultural products in the country- and urging bold steps in the sector in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s “Eat what we grow and grow what we eat� mantra.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh commended the SAT-C model and pledged support with the right policies that will enable the emergence and operation of private sector haulage businesses.

NIRSAL’s Head, Corporate

Communications, Anne Ihugba, explained that the project was hinged on four major components including secured commodity aggregation zones which are designated areas for the aggregation of specific crops; Agro runner, whereby farmers can call “uberised� haulage service providers for the evacuation of their produce; Haulage services that will link aggregation zones to industrial and consumer markets as well as dedicated commodity routes.

GLAD TO MEET YOU

L-R: President/Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uche Olowu and MD/CEO, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, at the CIBN’s 11th Annual Banking and Finance Conference held in Abuja‌recently

SON Bursts Substandard Paints Syndicate in Port Harcourt Jonathan Eze A syndicate specialised in the production of substandard and adulterated paint products have been apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by officials of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

This followed a tip-off from well-meaning Nigerians.

The operation which followed weeks of surveillance activities by the SON officials and security agencies stemmed from classified information provided by concerned Nigerians on the production of the paint products within residential areas without necessary precautionary measures.

The residential areas where the unwholesome activities

were discovered according to him were in Rumuobiakani, Ada George and Eloparanwo, all in Port Harcourt.

A statement quoted the Port Harcourt, SON State Coordinator for Rivers/Bayelsa States, Ayoola Ololade, to have explained that the over 200 units of 20-litre buckets of paints and 70 bags of calcium carbonate materials were discovered at the site. He stated that the sites at Ada George and Eleoparanwo were about to commence production when the SON officials arrived and sealed up the two premises where about 50 used 20-litre cans of paints were found.

The uncertified paint products being produced by the suspects included Planet Coat Acrylic Emulsion, purportedly being

produced at 9th Mile Enugu and Olamac Emulsion Paint, according to Ayoola.

They were also found to be adulterating popular, certified made-in Nigeria paint products including Sloak and Saclux while children and pregnant women were found engaged in washing used paints buckets for recycling.

Asides the economic sabotage associated with these activities, the chemicals used in paints production pose danger to human health as well as the environment, if not properly handled as provided for in the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard, he said.

Ayoola stated that research had established the damage that results from even low level of heavy metals like lead and arsenic

when acquired involuntarily and present in the blood, stressing that poisoning from the metals are usually due to exposure which are either acute or chronic.

In the case of paint, involuntary inhalation creates a build-up in the body over a period of months and years which then attacks organs, tissues and bones and causes alterations within the human body systems. The most evident effects are often related to cancer, he said.

The SON State Coordinator then acknowledged the support of well-meaning Nigerians in providing classified information to the agency on the unwholesome and dangerous activity and appealed to all residents of Rivers and Bayelsa States to take a cue in the overall interest of the public.

According to him, the agency will not relent in its efforts to apprehend substandard and life-endangering products and the perpetrators in line with its enabling Act No. 14 of 2015.

The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, recently stated that with the reinvigorated SON Act 2015, the standards body has the mandate to police the whole country to ensure that substandard goods do not find their way into the hands of unsuspecting Nigerian consumer. The SON boss had urged importers to always consult SON for quality control guidelines before importing goods into the country. This he said will give their products certificate of free sales without unnecessary hindrances from different regulatory agencies

Premium Bread Lament High Cost of Raw Materials Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Chinedu Eze

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), an association comprising owners, managing directors and partners of premium bakeries in Nigeria have decried the high cost of raw materials, which makes bread making unprofitable venture.

The bread makers therefore called on the federal government to review downwards Value Added Tax (VAT) on bread and 15 percent levy on wheat grain imports, which increased the cost of production and make the business unprofitable, noting that if the right pricing of bread is

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

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) Linda Eroke (Labour) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Cap Mkt) ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (Maritime)

applied the cost would go beyond the affordability of average family in Nigeria.

They noted that on July 20, 2012, the federal government introduced a 15 per cent levy on wheat grain imports, resulting in an increase of the duty from five percent to 20 per cent.

The bread makers explained that the levy is said to be meant for the development of wheat cultivation in Nigeria, “but about six years after the introduction of the levy, the effect on wheat cultivation in Nigeria is yet to be felt.�

Therefore, they urged the federal government to review downward, the 15 per cent levy

on wheat grain imports to help drive down the price of flour which constitute about 75 percent of baking ingredient.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, President, PBAN, Tosan Jemide explained that the VAT Act exempts certain goods including ‘basic food items’ from VAT payment. However, producers of premium bread over time have been made to pay VAT, penalised or threatened for not paying VAT on bread. “There is an ambiguity in the tax law, which needs clarification from the FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Service). We therefore demand that the federal govern-

ment and FIRS look into this as a matter of urgency in order to clarify this ambiguity,� Jemide said.

He further explained that this has a ripple effect on the economy as a whole as it serves as a disincentive for investment. “Between 2015 and now the price of flour which is our major ingredient has increased from N6,500 per 50kg bag to N11,500 naira per bag as at today, with the possibility of further price increases. “In the last three years, the prices of flour, sugar and other baking ingredients have quintupled without a corresponding

increase in prices of premium bread by PBAN members. “As an Association, it is either we do something about the astronomic increases in prices of baking ingredients or we burst. “Most of us got loans with double digit interest rates from financial institutions to fund our bakery projects and are finding it extremely difficult to meet our loan repayment obligations,� he disclosed.

He stressed that another major challenge was the unbearable cost of power supply, saying bakery operators were bearing huge cost of power due to the epileptic power supply.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Dana Air Explains Partnership with Asky Chinedu Eze Nigeria domestic carrier, Dana Air has explained its partnership with its regional operator and Togo based airline, Asky.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of the domestic airline, Obi Mbanuzuo, the partnership with Asky would see the airline operate with an all Asky crew in collaboration with crew from Dana Air, making it a damp lease.

Mbanuzo also said Asky aircraft would operate with Dana Air’s call sign, Dana in-flight services and catering and even the entire interior of the aircraft is branded Dana. “We are flying those airplanes and adding more. Aircraft and pilots on board are Asky’s and in the back we have cabin crew and they have theirs, it’s a damp lease. But the pilot flying might be from Asky but he is Nigerian,�

Mbanuzua said.

He also explained that the current deal with the Togolese airline was a stepping stone to greater and better things as Dana has aircraft going through rounds of certification before being introduced into the market. “There are aircraft currently registered under Dana name as the owner that nobody has seen yet, they are currently undergoing the necessary checks, the work being done on them needs them to conform to our regulations in Nigeria, we are working very hard with NCAA and there has been progress,� he said.

Mbanuzua further explained why Dana chose to partner Asky and its plan on aircraft acquisition. “There will be three aircraft flying at different times, it is a complex wet lease operation. They will provide an aircraft, take

it and put another one in the system. There is also another Boeing 737-800 that will also be leased out to us. As time goes on, we will help our staff get acquainted and trained with the aircraft type. We will go further to entrench this agreement with the code share. “We are discussing many of these agreements even with other airline. If you want to go to Cotonou, we will provide you the same service. We will be a marketing carrier and they are the operating carrier.

Tomorrow, we will code share with them on LagosAbuja. Dana Air will be a marketing carrier. This gives benefits to Dana Air and Asky as well. Today, you will see Asky aircraft, wet lease to Dana Air, operating on behalf of Dana Air. This will be with Dana Air’s standards, catering on board and operating to our schedule,� the COO said.

Air Peace Reacts to Money Laundering Allegation Air Peace has said there is no atom of truth in the allegation levelled against it by the Secretary General of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASTRI), Mr John Ojikutu, that domestic airlines’ outright acquisition of aircraft was a clever way of taking funds overseas.

The airline said that it was because of the difficulty and high cost of aircraft leasing that Nigerian airlines resort to outright acquisition of aircraft for commercial flight operation.

Reacting to the comments in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah, Air Peace said Ojikutu’s position was an undisguised attack on its image as a responsible corporate citizen working hard to contribute to Nigeria’s economy and do the nation proud through efficient domestic, regional and international air services.

The airline dismissed

Ojikutu’s views on outright purchase of aircraft and the option of wet lease and explained that Air Peace recently took delivery of its second Boeing 777 aircraft for its planned long-haul operations. “While we have no problem with people expressing differing opinions on the airline business, we frown as such allegation because this is a deliberate attempt to present us before members of the public as a fraudulent organisation, working to sabotage and subvert the current efforts of the federal government to place the nation’s economy on a sound footing. “We reaffirm our resolve to end the domination of our airspace by foreign carriers at the detriment of Nigeria’s economy. We have trained a lot of Nigerian pilots and engineers on the operation of the Boeing 777 aircraft and we would continue to

do so as we expand our operations.

The statement said Air Peace acquired the long haul fleet for its planned operations to international destinations and advised that instead of peddling rumours, the airline is open to answer questions from any stakeholder that may want to know more about its operations.

The airline said those who don’t want domestic airlines to grow should know that foreign carriers do not employ Nigerians; that the domestic airlines they attempt to bring down employs hundreds of Nigerians “Foreign airlines dominate Nigeria’s airspace because there are those Nigerians who are very comfortable with that; who would do anything to ensure that domestic carriers do not come up to compete with these international airlines,� the statement also said.

NAMA Insists TRACON Facility in Order The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has declared that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), project is working optimally.

This is contrary to recent reports from the agency indicating that the facility has become malfunctioning due to lack of spared.

In a statement from NAMA signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Khalid Emele, the agency said spare parts for the facility are regularly sourced from the manufacturer, Thales of France whenever required.

NAMA also said that the Director of Safety Electronics

and Engineering Services, Farouk Umar was quoted out of context during his presentation at the stakeholders’ forum held by the airspace manager in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to Emele, NAMA has regularly received spare parts from Thales of France since the project came on stream in 2010, stressing that the agency would continue to provide state-of-the-art air navigation services without compromising safety of lives and equipment.

Emele explained further that as at August 28, 2018, NAMA still received spares and quotation for more spares from Thales of France, noting that

the agency has consistently had discussions on spares with the manufacturer. He emphasised that NAMA regularly takes delivery of spare parts from Thales of France. “The intent of the Director of Engineering Services was to highlight the fact that there was a delay in delivery of spares and not that there are no spares at all from the company. It was a misrepresentation. “In fact, there have been ongoing discussions with Thales on the contractual agreement.

So, it is not true that we don’t have spares from them. They are doing repairs for us and you cannot do repairs without spares,� the agency said.

AIR WATCH Between Enugu State Govt and Akanu Ibiam Airport

Last week, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman led a team from Lagos to inspect the runway and other safety critical facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Usman, who was accompanied by the acting Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Salisu Daura, was directed by the Ministry of Transportation to inspect the airport, which the governors of the South East states described earlier as death-trap.

After the inspection, the Director-General of NCAA who spoke with journalists came to the conclusion that while the airport runway could still accommodate flights, there was critical structural improvement that must be carried out at the runway so that it could effectively serve airlines and other flights both in the day and in the night.

Presently flights cannot operate at night because the airport does not have approach light, which ought to be installed at the two ends of the runway. The airport also does not have enough water supply, which means that it may not service large body aircraft because it does not have adequate fire cover, as certain volumes of water are needed for the fire hydrants in case of emergency.

THISDAY gathered that during several meetings with the Enugu state government, FAAN had urged the state to clear the flight paths along the runway by relocating the residents along the flight area so that critical facilities can be installed to enable flights land at the airport at night and also remove hindrances on take-off and landing of flights.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika also met with the state government and stressed the need for the government to relocate the market at Emene Enugu, settle the residents that built structures on the flight path so that approach light could be installed at both ends of the runway.

Sirika also urged the governor to give approval to FAAN and also to provide the facilities that could support FAAN to pipe water from Ekulu River for the airport so that it would have adequate water cover and also to remove two masts on approach area to the airport to enable flights easily take off and land at the airport.

The Governor of the State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the courtesy visit, attended by journalists, assured the Minister that urgent action would be taken, but as at

last week, none of those promises had been fulfilled.

THISDAY learnt that the committee established by the Governor to carry out the request of FAAN had not taken any action to remove any of the obstructions to the runway.

During the inspection last week, the acting Managing Director of FAAN, Daura made it clear that all the equipment for the approach light and airfield lighting had been procured but they could not be installed because the state government could not clear the places where the facilities and equipment could be installed.

Daura also disclosed to journalists that FAAN was willing to pipe water from Ekulu Rivers at its own expense to the airport, if the state government could give approval for FAAN to source the water.

The Director General of NCAA noted, “We saw during our tour that the instrument landing system, the approach field lighting system have been acquired by government, but the only problem is the deployment. “As a result of the extension of the runway, you need to put all those aids in place.

Also, it is not under the purview of the state government to make space available; it has to do with the state government.�

Industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe who played significant role in the campaign to make Enugu international airport, said that the airport is of strategic importance as an international airport in the South-east. “The leadership of the states in the South-east should realise that if they miss the present opportunity when the federal government is committed to improving the aviation sector they will be doing it at their own peril and they will not have anybody to blame. There were many struggles to make Enugu an international airport. “Now that the federal government has accepted to improve the facilities at the airport, it behoves the states in the South East to ensure that they met all the requests of FAAN. It will create jobs because Enugu sits on business emporium. No other airport will be designated international in the South East. This is an opportunity they should not miss. “It will hurt them if they miss it. Tomorrow they will cry of marginalisation. They have to seize the opportunity and flow with the federal government, which is determined to make a difference in the aviation sector,�

Aligbe said.

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Bankole: Political Transition, Disincentive to Investment in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector The Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, in this interview with Chinedu Eze, says the current political situation in the country is discouraging foreign investment What is your view about foreign investment in the aviation industry.

Do you think foreign investors are seeing huge opportunities in the sector that could attract them to partner with local airlines and also do other businesses in the industry?

For any meaningful investment to come into our country there must be stable political environment. We thought we have gone past what we are witnessing now. Investors are apprehensive about the current political transition going on and it is affecting investment and even business negotiations between us and the outside world. This is because they are not confident that things will be okay in the business environment.

Whether politicians are changing political parties or whatever they are doing it should be done in a way that it should not leave outsiders with doubt about where we are going in our democracy.

So, we should be more transparent so that the whole world can see us the way we see ourselves. What is happening now is giving investors concern and I am aware that some people are pulling their capital away; we should not make political transition an issue. Foreigners are sceptical about our politics and we have read recently that a lot of money is being moved out of the country. There is a threat because our politics is looking unstable and this has made investing in Nigeria a big risk. So many people are not interested in investing in Nigeria and even most of us who have already invested are at a risk too.

Recently there was a report that foreign airlines sold tickets worth $800 million in Nigeria, between January and August 2018. What is your reaction to this?

As a Nigerian operating an airline it is not an achievement to me because over 80 per cent of that money will be repatriated. That is huge amount of money being taken away from Nigeria. We have four major airports in the country in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and these foreign airlines are designated to these airports. For local operators like Medview and Air Peace who service international destinations, we need to be encouraged. About 99 per cent of the airlines that earned the money are foreign carriers but the money was paid

by Nigerians who are travelling out of the country and almost all the money earned will be taken out of the country so what is the benefit to Nigeria? The domestic airlines are not benefitting in any way from those earnings and the foreign airlines change the monies and take them out of the country.

There is always an argument that Nigerian airlines are responsible for their inability to participate fully in airlifting international passengers while others blame government policies.

What do you think is responsible?

Those who blame Nigerian airlines are arm chair critics who do not know what it entails to run an airline. Unless you own and operate your own airlines you may never know or appreciate the challenges that are surmounted everyday by Nigerian airlines. We have to recongise that the environment is tough. We have talked about charges; we have talked about the high cost of aviation fuel, inadequate airport infrastructure and nothing has changed yet. The environment in which we find ourselves is the environment

Bankole

where the aviation agencies are working towards a different direction that may not be in tune to promote domestic airline operation. There is no much reward for the local airlines that labour in the industry and what makes it unbearable is that you are also saddled with heavy taxes. You will pay these heavy taxes, pay your employee, maintain your aircraft, buy fuel and pay for other operational costs. Every of these monies come from passenger fares. The foreign airlines don’t go through what the domestic airlines are going though. The system is created to favour them. The compa-

Those who blame Nigerian airlines are arm chair critics who do not know what it entails to run an airline. Unless you own and operate your own airlines you may never know or appreciate the challenges that are surmounted everyday

by Nigerian airlines

nies that employ people in the aviation industry are the domestic airlines. The foreign carriers have expatriate workers and very few Nigerian workers who they pay peanuts and exploit them as much as they want because of the economic situation in the country.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is making a move to introduce interlining among Nigerian airlines. Do you think this will work and what will be the benefits?

There are not many airlines in Nigeria and we are concentrating on for major domestic destinations. Everybody wants to fly to these major destinations in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. For example, we fly to Yola, out of the few airlines that are still operating; three want to go to Yola. There is nothing wrong in Medview, for example, to take passengers to Abuja from Lagos and another airline takes them from Abuja to Maiduguri. The same thing with the other routes; another airline can take the passengers to Yola from Abuja and we then open Yola to Sokoto. We have six geographical zones and every region needs an airline to service them.

For example, an airline can be designated to serve one region and in partnership with other airlines, passengers going to that destination could be taken from Abuja or Lagos and the designated airline can take them to Calabar, Uyo, Asaba and Osubi in the South South or Enugu and Owerri in the South East. The passengers may be coming from the other airlines but that particular airline designated from that region will distribute them. In the

same vein, an airline could be serving the South West, the core north and the north central. So, when we use those geopolitical zones and service at least two standard airports in each zone, we link people to their destinations. This will help to expand the economy; airlift farm produce in the area of cargo from those zones to the major market in Lagos and other places. This will help to create more jobs and also encourage more people to go to farm because whatever is produced can quickly be taken by air to the market.

Thank God that this administration is prioritising the train system to connect to different parts of the country. The one linking Ibadan to Lagos will soon be completed and there is another one that will connect Lagos to Kaduna and Kaduna to Jebba. We need to thank this government for what it is doing in that area and we need to encourage them to do more. So, interlining is the best option for all of us if all the airlines would be willing to abide by the rules that guide it. But for it to succeed, we must curb the present cut-throat competition and submit ourselves to the partnership which will help us to succeed. For you to succeed in this business, you must have open mind and sincerity of purpose. We are already partnering with our colleagues and we know where the challenge is, and we have seen that it can work if we are committed to it. We partnered with Arik and we worked well together. We thank them. When we needed them, they were there for us and when they need us, we will be there for them. This is the way it should be. We benefit more if we work together and that is why interlining is important; because it will work. Presently we are having delays due to unfavourable weather; we still have aviation fuel challenges, which include availability, distribution and cost of the product. So, interlining is the best. We are meeting and talking among ourselves on how it can work effectively. We are reviewing our relationship with aim to improve on it. We need to do better.

How are the airlines in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) addressing unequal and high charges against Nigerian carriers by ECOWAS countries?

NCAA being a regulator knows the way it can tackle that issue. The West African communities and West African regulatory authorities are one body. NCAA works well with other regulatory authorities in Africa and in West Africa. We are talking about use of common currency in the sub-region. This is expected to encourage sub-regional integration to boost trade among the states in the West Coast. If the objective of sub-regional integration is achieved there won’t be any need for Medview to go to Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) or Dakar (Senegal) to seek for permission before I will fly to these West African countries because it ought to be free movement among West African nations. This integration is reinforced by the Single African Air Travel Market (SAATM), so there shouldn’t be any barriers in air movement in the West Coast. When the African Union passed the SAATM treaty, it is expected that it should be fully implemented by those countries that endorsed it. There should be single currency in the subregion and flight clearance should b seamless and uninterrupted in the West Africa’s airspace for airlines owned by countries in the sub-region. We should

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Bankole: Political Transition, Disincentive to Investment in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector harness these opportunities and create one single market in the West Coast.

Just like Eurocontrol in Europe, there should be a single clearance in West Africa and in Africa. Since the last four years there have been negotiations about single currency, open the skies for African registered airlines to fly freely in the continent. These will help to create a single market: common currency in West Africa and open sky for Africa airlines across the continent.

What do you think Nigerian airlines will save if they maintain their aircraft locally, as new maintenance facilities are springing up in the country?

The establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria is a good development. As I am talking to you now we have been holding talks with Aero. We are giving them a trial. To maintain our aircraft we have been paying too much money overseas ferrying our airplanes to maintenance facilities outside the country. We are buying dollars from the black market and paying for other costs including logistics before paying for the actual cost of maintenance. I am very happy to tell you we are doing business with Aero Contractors in order to encourage ourselves.

What is your view on the planned concession of major airports in the country?

The airports are not supposed to be under government parastatals in order for them to be efficiently managed. This is because the responsibility of service relating to customers is the same thing as the duty of airlines servicing passengers.

Concession or whatever name they may want to give it implies that there should be a new drive. The airport management should be ceded to investors that can efficiently run the airports and pay certain amount of revenue to government.

Things cannot work efficiently when government is managing these facilities.

The monies generated are not ploughed back to develop the airport infrastructure; so there must be a way out and that is bringing the private sector to management the airports. The officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are not in control. Directives come from above and you see the facilities dilapidating and nothing is being done and this robs off negatively on the operations of the airlines.

If you travel overseas you see that airports are run by private concerns and they provide everything. They provide you comfort and other services and you pay for them. They create space for shops, restaurants and others that attend to travellers so you cans stay anywhere and eat and enjoy yourself before your flight leaves.

At the Gatwick in London a Nigerian partly runs the airport and people pay for the services. Such can also be done in Nigeria. People run the business and make money for the owner. This is an investment and should be done efficiently so that there would be a yield on investment. In giving out the airports for concession, airlines should also be contacted so that they can also make their contribution with the investors.

Is there any way flight delays caused

by VIP movement can be curbed?

VIP movement is not negotiable. There is only one President and he should be recongised and given all the appurtenances of his position as President. This is not peculiar to Nigeria. It happens in other parts of the world. So Flight 001 should be honoured; after all, it doesn’t happen every day; it is done for security and safety purposes. This is done all over the world. We should educate our people to know that this has to happen because that is the tradition and it is not peculiar to Nigeria. We should be able to accommodate and tolerate the few times the President goes out.

Bankole

Are the domestic airlines still talking to government to review the multi-designation of foreign airline, which has shrunk the market for local carriers?

We are still talking to government so that they will understand the plight of the domestic airlines. The foreign airlines diminish the local market for indigenous operators. For example, a foreign carrier is allowed to operate from five airports in the country.

If every foreign airline operates from one airport in the country, the local operators will take passengers from other parts of the country to them. That is the way it should be. Government sees local carriers as subordinate to the foreign operators, but we should be given priority because every country first protests its own airlines and creates the market for their benefit.

But it is not so in Nigeria.

Nigerian airlines employ Nigerians. The total number of Nigerians employed by all the foreign airlines may not be up to

The establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria is a good development. As I am talking to you now we have been holding talks with Aero. We are giving them a trial. To maintain our aircraft we have been paying too much money overseas ferrying our airplanes to maintenance facilities outside the country

the number of Nigerian employed directly

by Medview Airline. We also invest in Nigeria and pay taxes in Nigeria. We do everything in Nigeria, so we expect government to encourage us.

This year you successfully operated hajj service, which is still on-going.

What are the future plans for Medview?

We started from hajj, operated successfully, carved out a niche and built enormous goodwill. Over the years it has become our responsibility to serve our people at that level and we are spiritually inspired to continue what we are doing. We have been one airline that has been consistent. When we came into the hajj market we met 14 of our colleagues, but today we are only two.

The federal government approved only two: Medview and Max Air. We pray for God’s guidance so that we continue to wax stronger. We have seen many of our colleagues fold up.

We don’t pray for that to happen, but we have to recognise that challenges are there. We encourage partnership among the airlines so that we can progress because the passengers to be airlifted are Nigerians. We believe in God and in Medview, God has been guiding our activities.

We satisfy our pilgrims. We keep to our words. We take them to the Holy Land in time; we bring them back in time. We airlifted about 10, 000 pilgrims and we have already returned 50 per cent and we are close to 80 per cent. Soon we will return all of them. We pray God to see us through to the end successfully.

It worked out so well this year because we didn’t lease aircraft. We were able to save cost because we used our own aircraft. With the support of First Bank we were able to bring one Boeing B777 out of the two we planned to have. We will continue to encourage more Nigerians to fly so that we build capacity. We have the opportunity to have another Boeing B777 in the Nigeria’s airspace, so God is so kind.

What are your plans for the domestic route?

We are repackaging our domestic operations because we want to use our own airplanes. We don’t want to operate with leased aircraft. So, once our aircraft

arrive we consolidate on our domestic operations. When we are able to serve our people well in the domestic market, we select one or two routes in the West Coast. This is because Europeans and Middle East airlines have taken the West Coast market; so, we shall carefully select profitable routes.

Why is aircraft leasing so unprofitable in Nigeria?

It is because of the low value of the naira. When you are charged in dollars by the time you exchange the naira earned in Nigeria to dollar, you see one huge amount of money to pay for the leasing.

So, it is not profitable. You borrow money from banks; you pay your taxes so after all the expenses you realise that you are not making any profits. If the naira were stable it would have been better. In some countries exchange rate is stable for several years. In Saudi Arabia, dollar is R4.74 and it has been there for about 30 years. This is stability but in Nigeria the value keeps on changing. This is great challenge for us.

Has the supply of aviation fuel improved?

It has not. It is still N257, N275 per litre. Kano is about N260, Yola is about N275, Lagos N240, N245, depending on who is selling it to you. You know that we started a couple of years ago at N110, N150 per litre but now the price has risen so much. It is still the dollar value as against the naira that shut up the prices.

I recommend that there should be a forum where fuel marketers, fuel suppliers, airlines and aviation agencies should sit together and talk. There are many levels before the product gets to the airline and that adds to the prices.

But do you think that local refining will help bring down the prices?

We have been on this before. Cost of aviation fuel is huge on the airlines.

Government should designate one of the existing refineries for the refining of aviation fuel so that the product will be available and in that way the prices will come down. Bringing the product from overseas entails huge costs, including cost of freighting, cost of moving the product from the port, storage and payment of other hauling services. But local refining will eliminate all that.

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Rising Hope for Shipping Companies Eromosele Abiodun writes that the promise by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund and an earlier move by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to change terms to enable Nigerian shipping companies lift Nigeria crude will ultimately boost indigenous capacity Over the years, shipping has been recognised as one of the catalysts for socio-economic development. This is because shipping has since the ancient times been at the fore front of opening up of the world and thus a major driver in of the process of globalisation.

Specifically, container shipping has been both a cause and effect of globalisation.

Container shipping is believed to be the world’s first truly global industry.

Container shipping could claim to be the industry which, more than any other, makes it possible for truly global economy to work, it connects countries, markets, business and people, allowing them to buy and sell on a scale not previously possible. As a matter of fact, it is impossible to imagine world’s trade, and ultimately our lives as consumers, without container shipping. Shipping has led to a phenomenal growth in world merchandise trade, which has consistently grown faster than output.

In 2006, goods loaded at ports worldwide are estimated at 7.42 billion tonnes, up from 5.98 billion tonnes 2000. The value of total world export increased from $6.454 trillion in 2002 to $40.393 trillion in 2005 representing an increase of 64 per cent. However, the reverse seems to be the case in Nigeria. It is on record that no fewer than 90 per cent of shipping companies owned by Nigerians have either completely shut down their operations or are barely struggling to survive.

Some of the indigenous shipping companies include: Equitorial Energy, Oceanic Energy, Morlap Shipping, Peacegate, Pokat Nigeria Limited, Al-Dawood Shipping, Potram Nigeria Limited, Joseph Sammy, Genesis Worldwide Shipping and Multi-trade Group, all in Lagos; Niger-Delta Shipping in Warri, Delta State; and Starzs Investment Group in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

Of all the companies listed above, only two can be said to be operating viable businesses while others, representing 83 per cent of the companies are either completely dead or are in comatose condition.

Ironically, all the shipping companies based in Lagos are either dead or struggling to survive while the ones in Warri and Port-Harcourt are thriving.

The companies, which the General Secretary of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Capt. Niyi Labinjo, described as “struggling heavily�, have mostly downsized and are operating with less than 20 per cent of the workers they had about two years ago.

THISDAY findings also revealed that all the companies are heavily indebted to banks and are mostly unable to service the loans they took to buy ships.

Labinjo, who is also the President of Al Dawood Shipping, disclosed that most of the ship owners have resorted to selling their landed properties to enable them service their bank loans, while others have lost prime properties to the banks.

The companies, sources volunteered also owe their crew arrears of salaries ranging from six to 14 months, while some have sold off their vessels.

THISDAY also learnt that Genesis Worldwide Shipping, which was once seen as a thriving indigenous shipping company just four years ago, has completely gone under with not a single ship to operate. The company, at its peak, had six ships. This is also the story of Joseph Sammy Nigeria Limited with one of its staff describing it as “almost dead.� The only vessel left in the company’s fleet, MT Kemepade, was stolen recently. The ship was taken to a ship breaking yard in Ghana and the breakers were about to commence work on it before the owners found out. The case is in court in Ghana.

NIMASA to the Rescue 0However, all is not lost if the promise by the federal government disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) in line with set down regulations, next year is anything to go by.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, following relentless agitation by the Nigerian ship owners, promised recently that the agency would commence the disbursement of the CVFF in 2019.

Peterside, who stated this in a chat with journalists, in Lagos State, said the fund, which has increased to $124 million (N44.64 billion) and domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would be disbursed as soon as the Ministry of Transportation concludes the review of the guidelines for disbursement.

Also, at a parley for stakeholders on Ship and Maritime Infrastructure Financing organised by the Nigerian Ship Finance Conference and Exhibition (NISFCOE) in Lagos, Peterside as-

It is shame on our country because we are doing nothing. Do you think you can go to The Philippines and ask them to train your cadets so that you can compete with them?

I worked onboard the British ship, Dempsa, and if you were not a good sailor, nobody would employ you.

But today, nobody wants to care

sured Nigerian ship-owners that the agency is making frantic efforts to disburse the CVFF. Peterside said the fund is with the CBN due to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

He said that in line with its cargo support initiative for indigenous practitioners, the agency is already getting the support of the presidency to change the Nigerian terms of trade from Free-on-Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF).

He, however, lamented that many Nigerian ship-owners are not ready to take advantage of the opportunity when it finally arrives.

Peterside identified lack of debt facility from Nigerian banks and high interest rates as major challenge confronting Nigerian ship-owners.

He vowed that NIMASA is ready to crash the interest rate in order to allow Nigerian ship-owners compete favourably against their international counterparts.

According to him, “We are determined to disburse CVFF according to the law and according to regulation. We are dedicated, we are committed and we are passionate about disbursing it. “We would match the CVFF fund with some money coming from the financial institutions, this will crash the rate of borrowing, and that is why we are passionate about disbursing CVFF to bring our own funds to come almost at the cost of nothing and match it with their own fund coming at the rate of 25 per cent, the first thing that would happen is that the rate would crash from 25 per cent to a one digit interest rate. CVFF is lying at the CBN under TSA arrangement, we are working hard to disburse it, and it is over a hundred million dollars. “We are in talks with the CBN. We want to change the terms of trade from FOB to CIF, but how many persons are prepared for this regime? If we get NNPC to change the terms of trade and we are getting the support of the presidency, if we get it changed, how many of us are ready?�

Peterside said that the NISFCOE is apt because it would enable NIMASA meet critical private sector investors who would translate its vision.

According to him, NIMASA depends on private sector energy to set frame work and it is ready to partner anybody that has concepts that can change its story.

Also speaking, moderator of the conference and former DG of NIMASA, Temi Omatseye said that the Minister of Transport needed to be properly guided on how to draw attention of financial institutions to benefits of supporting shipping trade in Nigeria.

He said changing the terms of trade from FOB to CIF would only require a presidential order.

On her part, a ship-owner and former President of Trawler Owners Association, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi said it is wrong for government to keep holding on to the CVFF fund. Rather, she advocates that the fund be used as seed money to set up a maritime bank.

According to her, “CVFF does not belong to the federal government. It is our money, the government is only to monitor it, but they are now squeezing life out of us.�

Convener of the Nigerian Ship Finance Conference and Exhibition, Mrs. Ezinne Azunna said that the parley was held preparatory to the actual NISFCOE conference 2017 billed to hold in November 2017.

She noted that the Nigerian maritime sector, although endowed with huge potential, cannot be called a maritime nation because it lacks ships and many other maritime infrastructure.

She said that one of the aims of the conference is to look at how to raise money to acquire ships by bringing the regulators, banks and the private sector together to design a way out.

The NNPC Solution That is not all, recently, the National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced the desired change in its trade terms from Free On Board (FOB) to Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) which would enable local shipping companies to begin to lift Nigeria crude and ultimately boost indigenous capacity.

The new encouragement was a fall out from the stakeholders’ engagement on changing Nigeria’s crude oil affreightment trade term from FOI to CIF which was organised by the NNPC in Abuja.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who declared the event open welcomed the development, noting that the issue on this trade term is an aged long challenge that Continued on page 26

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Apapa Gridlock: Chinese ďŹ rm, ENL Consortium to Move Cargo by Barges Stories by Eromosele Abidun Operator of Terminals C and D, Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, ENL Consortium, has entered into strategic partnership with a Chinese logistics giant, Sinoma Cargo International to evacuate cargo from the port using barges.

The ENL Consortium, in a statement, said the partnership was part of efforts to find lasting solution to the perennial Apapa gridlock.

The partnership also incorporates Josephdam Port Services and Lianyungang Port of China.

Lianyungang port is among the 10 largest ports in China and the 30 largest ports in the world. The cargo throughput of Lianyungang port is 210 million ton per year while its container throughput is 5 million TEU per year.

Speaking at the China-Nigeria Core Liner Conference in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of ENL Consortium, Vicky Hasstrup, noted that the existing poor transport infrastructure in Nigeria is affecting the economic performance and competitiveness of the port.

She said the partnership

became imperative given the persistent gridlock on the port access roads in Apapa, which has made cargo evacuation from the port difficult.

Hasstrup said the initiative, which would be implemented in conjunction with Lianyungang Port of China, would facilitate the evacuation of cargo from the terminals through barges and also help promote mutual cooperation and exchange between Liayungang and the Lagos port.

He said: “We have been to Lianyungang Port at the invitation of Sinoma, and there, we signed a friendship agreement sometimes in July. They also expressed their willingness to come to Nigerian port to see what ENL and other ports look like. “This conference was organised to brainstorm on how to have a better operational logistics which is Sinoma’s core duty. We know what it is getting in and out of Apapa and discharging of cargo because of the present traffic situation in the Apapa and its environs. “So, this afforded us the opportunity to brainstorm on what else can be done under a Public Private Partnership

NSWBN: NIMASA Not Responsible for Seafarers Detention The Chairman of the National Seafarers Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN), Kunle Folarin has exonerated the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of the recent arrest and detention of seafarers.

Rather, he said NIMASA has been of immense support and assistance in ensuring that seafarers have a better living condition in line with international best practices.

Folarin, who led other members of the board on a courtesy visit to the management of NIMASA, said he thought it necessary to clear the air and exonerate NIMASA from the news making the rounds about the agency abandoning seafarers; rather he said the reverse is the case as the Agency has always ameliorated their plights.

According to him, “For the records, NIMASA has no obligation for detained seafarers; rather they have been assisting us, especially in the area of their welfare.�

Speaking further, he commended the agency for taking the centre stage in the Nigerian maritime sector by ensuring that Nigeria takes its rightful place in the comity of maritime nations.

He also called on other stakeholders in the sector and Nigerians as a whole to support the quest of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about a change to the sector adding that it will in-turn affect the growth and development of the Nigerian

economy.

Folarin, who is also the Chairman of the Ports Consultative Council (PCC), used the opportunity to call for more support from the agency regarding the activities and well-being of the seafarers and pledged the unflinching support of the board to NIMASA in order to ensure that its mandates are fully realised.

On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that the importance of seaborne trade cannot be overemphasized as over 90 per cent of goods are transported through the sea.

Dakuku, who was represented by the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Gambo Ahmed said that there would be no shipping activity without the seafarers, hence they are the bedrock to realising a robust maritime sector. “For us in NIMASA, we are determined to ensure a better living condition for our seafarers as they are critical to the actualizing of our mandates. The welfare of the seafarer determines a lot about the growth of any economy and on our part as an Agency, we will continue to ensure their well-being is topmost on priority,� he said.

He further assured the delegation that the agency will continue to partner with them, noting that the overall goal is to realise a robust a virile economy.

(PPP) arrangement other than road since their core business is logistics. Sinoma has told us they would want to bring barges that can evacuate cargo at the seaside in large volume.

The barges are the types that we have not seen in Nigeria that can take several hundreds of tons of cargo at once.�

The ENL Consortium boss

emphasised the importance of deploying intermodal means of transportation at the port, noting that continuous reliance on the road is no longer feasible and should be discouraged. “There has to be an investment in other modes of transportation other than road because already the roads are undergoing a lot of pressure

because the roads in Nigeria are not built to withstand the kind of pressure that they are subjected to,� she said.

While expressing appreciation to the leadership of the firm and officials of the Lianyungang Port for the confidence reposed in ENL and Josephdam, Hasstrup assured that terminal operators in the

country would continue to provide efficient port services that conform to global standards.

She added that efforts to develop the port industry will achieve greater effects if strategic alliances and partnership are grown, not just between private and public entities alone, but between business entities.

OFFERING A HELPING HAND

L-R: Acting Regional Branch Head, Fidelity Bank, Cross River-Akwa Ibom, Emenike Okeudo; Country Director, Community Humanitarian Emergency Backing Nigeria (COHEB Nig), Ugochi Ossai; Head CSR and Sustainability, Chris Nnakwe; CEO, Rhema Care, Eric Shu; Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank UNICAL, Celestine Igwegbe, during the presentation of items at the refugee camp by Fidelity Bank in Ogoja, Cross River‌recently

ASIMPIN Accuses Customs of Applying Crude Methods in Revenue Collection Stakeholders in the maritime industry have accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of applying ‘crude’ method in their efforts to generate revenue.

The stakeholders, who are manufacturers, importers, customs agents and other practitioners under the Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioner in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) accused customs of adopting exploitative methods in revenue generation at the ports and in excise duties collection.

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of ASIMPIN, Chief Obicee Okonkwo, the practitioners, while noting that requisite revenue generation remains apt for even socioeconomic development of the nation, said it was wrong for the NCS to adopt, “any form of exploitive and imposing revenue generation, bearing in mind its attendant socio- economic implications on the citizenry.�

Rising from its Board of Trustees/ National Executives meeting, in Lagos, the practitioners said it was amazing that stakeholders don’t take time to re-verify the components, sources and manner applied in generating revenue into the coffers of the government.

They queried as to whether the August revenue yield, among others were “ a function of excise duty collection from a flourishing manufacturing activities, increase imports and exports activities

across the international frontiers�. “So what is the volume of imports and exports activities per month? What is the dwell time of cargo at the port , what is the trade facilitation rating/performance indicators at the customs ports? What is the prevailing manufacturing conditions and production level in the country to complement bumper excise duty collection,� they asked.

The statement added, “where revenue source seems tilting towards “other available avenues� amidst low cargo throughputs – aka the quick resorting to profiling past imports transactions recorded of 2013 to date, a practice popularly known as the application of “by hook or crook.�

According to them, the current ailing economic and hash business climate were, “tantamount to an indirect request to the business owners or firms to gradually close shop.�

They added: “The spate of closures cum invitations of the warehouses owners and business outfits is dangerously alarming.

If the spate continues, then , so many business owners and manufacturers will be left with no other option, but to down size their staff or workforce. “The implications of this we all know, in the face of an electioneering period as this.

In addition to this, the reserva-

tions on the foreign exchange application to originating form M and the contradictory CBN foreign exchange directive cum application as at the time import valuation for customs purpose, casts enormous doubts on trade reasonability applications. “Another, aspects being the prevalence unlevelled/ unequal playing field in relation to nonuniformity of trade practices, application and methodology across the frontiers.�

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd.) had recently announced a revenue generation of N140.41billion in the month of August which has been so far the highest monthly revenue collection.

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah in a statement said this was as a result of dogged pursuit for reform programmes.

He said the Service had pursued the mandate given to him based on Restructure, Reform and Raise Revenue very seriously, adding that he has not relented on efforts to meet up with expectations to contribute to the national economy.

Apart from realizing as much as N140.41bn in August, the Service had also effected seizures of 156,090 bags of smuggled rice; 15,632 sets of military wears, 489,000 ammunition, among others.

Ali said: “This positive harvest

in the areas of anti-smuggling and revenue generation is a clear testimony of what can be achieved under a selflessly focused leadership.�

Custom Agents Canvass Promotion for Customs Officers Following the seizure of 50,000 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth over N1.5 billion in Ijofin, Ogun State by customs officers attached to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, clearing agents operating at the nation’s seaports have called on the ComptrollerGeneral of the service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to reward the officers with accelerated promotion.

Rapid Response Team headed

by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Jack Okpabi was responsible for the interception of the products in a creek in Ogun state.

The seizure was made by Okpabi and 10 other officers who went into the creeks in the middle of the night to intercept the products which were on the verge of being smuggled out of the country.

Consequently, the Association of Nigerian Liscenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) called for promotion of the officers involved in the seizure to encourage others.

The National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Joe Sanni said the promotion would serve as reward for hard work.

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BUSINESSWORLD

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTION

Investing in Sanitary Towel, Diapers Manufacturing Godwin Uba The only way to reduce unemployment in this country is to embark on establishment of small, medium and large-scale industries. The federal government at present is putting every effort to see that enabling environment for setting up and running of industries in the country is achieved.

With the dwindling price of oil Nigeria should look inwards to develop agriculture, manufacturing and other real sector-based projects.

From research, many Nigerians are willing to go into manufacturing and invest in other agricultural value chain projects, but due to lack of funds, they have their plans and objectives dashed along the line.

With the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan policies to assist the start-ups, new ventures and expansion of manufacturing, agricultural value chain related projects and other vital service projects; the sky is the limit for Nigeria investors.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, as part of the efforts to unlock the potential of the real sector to engender output growth, value added productivity and job creation established a Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF).

The Facility will be used to support large enterprises for startups and expansion financing needs of N500 million up to a maximum of N10 billion. The real sector activities targeted by the scheme are manufacturing, agricultural value chain and selected service sub-sectors. These guidelines relate to the operational modalities of the RSSF. The objectives of the scheme include to improve access to finance by Nigerian SMEs to fast-track the development of the manufacturing, agricultural value chain and services sub-sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Secondly to increase output, generate employment, diversify the revenue base, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis.

The activities to be covered under the scheme are new, start-ups and or expansion projects in the following sub-sectors: i.Manufacturing: Any entity is adjudged to be a “Manufacturer� if it Is involved in the production and processing of tangible goods, Fabricates, deploys plants, machinery or equipment to deliver goods or provide infrastructure to facilitate economic activity in the real sector; and such entity must not be involved in the financial services industry. ii. Agricultural Value Chain iii. Services (hospitals, schools and hotels) Details will be given to prospective investors.

One of the projects that will benefit from the proposed CBN loan plan isNAPKINS & DIAPERS manufacturing Having said so, there are some manufacturing investment projects which one can set up in small scale level with the intention to expand in the near future. The writer is readily available to guide prospective investors in this regard.

One of them is Napkins and Diapers production.

This is a project that can ensure regular provision of daily cash for you and your family.

This is a project that you can introduce after related products like serviettes, toilets rolls, facial tissues, face towels etc.

In this write up brief information is provided on how to set up and run the project. For further, detailed information please contact the writer.

Sanitary towel plant

Project Concept

The envisaged project will be able to produce quality napkins and diapers to be well accepted in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

Marketing Potential and Strategies

Napkins & Diapers are consumed on daily basis by all and sundry irrespective of age, social class or religious. Napkins and Diapers are device for sanitary and cleansing purposes. They enjoy high aggregate demand in places like households, schools, hospitals. Others are maternity homes, shopping centres.

The arsenals of any mother/lady are not complete and properly assembled without a napkins and diapers. Consider the number of new born babies and children under the age of 6 in the country. The number is also rising every day.

Napkins and Diapers have a high repeat sales tendency which is fuelled by such factors as increasing sanitary awareness of the need for hygienic and good quality living standard, geometrically exploding population, continued drift from the rural to the urban centres in search of the better things of life and job opportunities, after ability of the product price etc. The markets for napkins and diapers have been well established and developed. It is large, expanding and sustainable.

My recent research findings revealed that supply is inadequate to meet up with the increase in demand, thus creating a large gap yearning to be filled.

This enormous demand supply gap translates into a viable venture for Nigerians.

Raw Materials

The essential raw materials needed for this project are the jumbo reels and cotton lint and packaging materials like the wrapping with the producer’s name logo, address and brand name conspicuously printed. Each of these is obtained locally from suppliers and producers. Details will be given to prospective investors.

Plants and Machinery

The machines for the project are not locally available. They are all imported machines. The writer has reputable producers and suppliers of quality machines from South Africa, China, Taiwan and Germany. Details will be given to prospective investors.

Packaging Machines

The project can be located in any part of the country particularly where the market lies and nearness to the source of raw materials. The writer will discuss this issue with prospective investors.

Accommodation

The project does not need much space. It can be comfortably set up in a rented building of three bedrooms flats. This will take care of the production room, the storage and raw material rooms as well as the administration/accounting rooms

Financial Implications

The project will take an estimated sum of about N33 million to set up a small-scale plant.

This amount many changes depending on the capacity level the prospective investor intends to embark upon.

If the project is going to be on medium or large scale, the cost will be higher than the above.

Investment Analysis

The payback period based on our preliminary projections will be about two years. The return on investment is about 52 per cent and there is positive NPV. Details will be discussed with the prospective investors. The project is very profitable with about gross profit of N20million in the first year, N27 million in the second year, N38million in the third year and N62 million in the fifth year of operation. The turnover is also very impressive.

Conclusion

This project is very profitable. The market is wide, and the supply demand positions keep on elongating. There is need for Nigeria to set up small medium and large-scale industries to reduce the level of unemployment in the country.

Think out of any manufacturing industry of your interest and discuss with us today.

You will not regret your actions.

-Uba can be reached on 08034494437, or e-mail: ubagodwin@yahoo.com

Rising Hope for Nigeria Shipping Companies has lingered too far and charged participants to come out with resounding resolutions that would be of National benefit.

Also speaking at the event the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru stated that the corporation does not have any reason not to allow Nigerians lift crude that there were conditions which made NNPC opt for the FOB trade.

He, however, noted that the NNPC also sees benefits in the CIF trade term but processes have to be followed which may include transition period before finally opting for the CIF trade term.

Shipowners and major stakeholders who spoke at the engagement lauded the initiative.

A former DG of NIMASA, who is also a ship owner pointed out that there is a lot of benefit in the CIF trade term.

He stated further that that it would eliminate crude theft, create employment and ultimately compliment the diversification drive of the federal government.

In the same vein, the President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) and MD of Starz Marine Group, Greg Ogbeifun

observed that what is needed to make the great CIF initiative to grow the Nigerian shipping industry and the economy is the needed Government support, which is coming at the right time, when the country wants it most to diversify the economy.

All other stakeholders, who spoke at the event including leading members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) and Master Mariners unanimously agreed that the CIF trade term would be more beneficial to the country than the present FOB on which the crude lifting is currently based upon.

Operators’ Agitation Piqued by the spiral effects of the death of indigenous shipping due to lack of funds and unfavourable policies, maritime stakeholders had queried the federal government’s wisdom in warehousing over $100 million in the CVFF while its purpose suffers.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) for public relations officers of maritime and related organisations recently, the Public Relations Officer of the Association on

Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto, said the problem was due to lack of patriotism. “Our indigenous ships will continue to die because of the fact that we are not saying the truth. CVFF takes care of assisting our indigenous ship owners with funds. The CVFF holds nothing less than N70 billion in an escrow account.

What happens to that fund,� he said.

Similarly, the Special Adviser on Seafarers Affairs to the President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Henry Odey, said that Nigeria was only able to rescue citizens trapped in Liberia during its civil war because the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) was still operational.

While stressing that cadets from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron are half-baked, the retired sailor recalled that the NNSL, “had a training ship made for cadets, which carried cargo and cadets to give them sea-time.�

Faulting the new trend whereby the NIMASA shuttles from country to country seeking assistance with sea-time training, Odey wondered: “How would you think that the other countries would like to train your cadets for you to

compete with them? “It is shame on our country because we are doing nothing. Do you think you can go to The Philippines and ask them to train your cadets so that you can compete with them? I worked onboard the British ship, Dempsa, and if you were not a good sailor, nobody would employ you. But today, nobody wants to care.�

On his part, the publisher of maritime daily, Ships and Ports, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of SCAN, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, noted that “indigenous shipping is dead.�

He blamed the situation on NIMASA, which he said has lost focus on shipping development.

Akinola regretted that NIMASA was now a money-making agency, as its three per cent freight levy on ships has made it a big attraction for political appointments, adding that while CVFF grows in idle billions of naira in escrow account, MAN Oron continues to churn out ill-trained and ill-qualified cadets.

According to him, no fewer than 6,000 of those cadets are today stuck with their National Diploma programme because they could not get the required one year sea-time training to proceed for Higher National Diploma.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Eze Chikamnayo My Daughter Became One-day Governor of Abia Same Day I Realised My Law Dream

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COVER

EZE CHIKAMNAYO My Daughter Became One-day Governor of Abia Same Day I Realised My Law Dream

C

an we know how you started or was it a sudden ight to prominence?

I studied variously at National School, Isu Njaaba, Imo State then moved over to Eziama High School, Aba, where I graduated from secondary school. At Eziama High School, I was talented to the extent that when we decided to choose subjects, then there was nothing like junior and senior secondary, it was five years but you specialise from class three; either science or arts, it was a herculean task. I remember coming home to my dad and asking if is should go for sciences or arts. When he brought out all my report cards and discovered that I had excellence in both; he now threw the question back at me and said, if you had done badly in any area, I would have said go to the other but because you had almost 90 and above in all the subjects, I will find it difficult, I will ask you, son, to choose.

So, I asked what he has always wanted me to do and he said, well if you become a doctor I wouldn’t mind so he tilted my choice because I loved my dad so much that I always wanted to make him proud.

So I tilted to the sciences and chose all the science subjects and added Geography to make it nine.

So the way God would have it, even though I was the science and laboratory prefect of Eziama High School, the youngest at the time, I was doing very well in the arts. At a time I participated in a national essay competition organised by the National Museum in Aba and I came tops and they gave me a very beautiful novel by Better M. Clay. Those days we used to read all the novels; James Hardley Chase, Pace Setters, different sets. It was my first honour, they wrapped it up with cash prizes and it was glorious, I took it to my dad and told him I won a prize in the whole of Aba Zone, that competition was for all secondary schools in Aba. While I was winning competitions in the arts, I was also representing my school at science competitions organised in the wider Imo State then, Abia State wasn’t created then. I remember we went to government college, Owerri, myself, Abubakar Haruna and Isaiah Orji to represent our school at Government College Owerri in science competitions. We manufactured fire extinguisher using sodium metals and our school came tops. So, it was wonderful times, we were competing then as young people so we were not competing on how to smoke, rap or belong to cult or fashion, we were competing on who will come first in class, represent the school in the next competition, represent his family well or whose father will come for the next award ceremony. Abubakar Haruna was a Muslim, his father was a police officer posted to Aba then, but we slept in their houses, in the quarters where they lived and they came over to our houses and passed the night despite the fact they were Muslims and we are Christians, it was never an issue; I remember we competed, read together and it became difficult for us growing up to see Nigeria being partitioned into Muslims and Christians and to be friends you have to find out their faith; to cohabit you have to find out of what tribe and clan one is from.

Those things were some of the shocks I experienced outside my secondary school because in our secondary school we had Muslims and Christians and we related without inhibitions.

I was also in the Scripture Union (SU), my mother took us there and was wonderful in her influence on my moral life. In those days, SU represented the Pentecostal movement and it was not popular among the orthodoxchurches. I remember my mother and some of her colleagues were ostracised from the Methodist Church for daring to go to Scripture Union where people spoke in tongues and where people evangelised and shared the gospel freely.

My father was not happy about it, he was a lay preacher in the Methodist Church and his wife belonging to the Scripture Union at that time was like his wife belonging to something obnoxious. They were holy in their lifestyle and did not tolerate sin at all, they did not acclamatise with what other

He was born into a strict Christian family where discipline, respect for elders and fear of God were taken seriously. At a tender age, his mother conscripted him and his siblings into Scripture Union where their spiritual lives were shaped. Though his father wanted him to become a medical doctor, he ended up as a lawyer. Eze Chikamnayo, who is an aspirant for the Abia State House of Assembly shared his life’s journey with Charles Ajunwa and Ahamefula Ogbu

Chikamnayo

churches did, they were pure in their pursuit of righteousness, my father was not happy because my mum took us to SU but then she had her way and we were brought up in SU, went to youth camps where we were given sound moral teachings.

There are four foundations in life, you have the mental foundation, the spiritual, physical and social foundation, these four must grow simultaneously otherwise you will be a skewed human being. While you are pursuing your mental foundation, it is good to be in school, to know all of the knowledge one can look for, that is the mental foundation you are building but what of the spiritual foundation? Most parents these days only build only the mental foundation of their children without building the spiritual foundation and that is why we have lopsided youths who are sound and intellectually excellent but morally bankrupt and bereft of any moral standard. My mother ensured that she provided that spiritual leg by taking us to the SU and giving us the moral foundation.

My father gave me the mental equipment for life by taking me to school, making great sacrifices to pay my fees. Apart from my father, one of my aunties more or less adopted me as a foster son, the late Ugoeze Dorathy Okorocha. She took me all the way through school, helping my father to pay my fees and helping me all the time. The physical foundation is the exercises people are doing today and the social foundation is being part of the community, age grade, development groups and clubs. People should always watch where they are on these scales to know how they are developing in society for a balanced life.

What do you think eroded the cohesion among groups in Nigeria unlike what you saw in secondary school?

Selfish primordial primitive considerations of exploitative adults are what is taking us down the slope as a nation. When you want to talk about a person as Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, always remember that before you became a Christian or Muslim, you were first of all a human being and if only we can treat each other at the level of humanity, our world will be a great place to live in.

I have never seen somebody that rejected

love, goodness; those times when you enter plane and you meet people, if you smile at them they will smile back at you, if you give a small assistance even in helping to carry your luggage, they are grateful, if you go further to pay their fares, they feel a further sense of obligation, that is human being for you as humanity cuts across all religions and tribes. A human being is like a mirror, what you show the mirror is what it brings back to you. Goodness begets goodness, frugality begets frugality, what you mete out to others they will mete out to you. When I grew up and saw the manipulative use of religion and clan and tribe, over time I began to realise that they are mischievous well-articulated manipulations of adults. We should be sober as we are going to account for our mischievous use of religion.

There is the notion that intelligent people are stubborn, were you a stubborn or pliant child?

I wasn’t on any of those extremes. I wasn’t pliant or stubborn, I was in between. I wasn’t a young man that would go out of his way to do things to show disobedience to adults or parents like I said earlier, my mother took care of that when she took us to the SU, where we imbibed the love of God and obedience to parents. Sometimes as an adult now, I will want to do a certain thing and a scripture pops up on my mind to check that, it is from what my mother inculcated in me even as an adult even when I have not revisited it in a long while. I wasn’t stubborn, arrogant, pliant, but I used my intelligence though. Every young man in a way has this element of stubbornness, I merely exercised mine creatively.

Can you remember any particular punishment due to this combustive attitude in trying to explore the world?

I can’t remember but, on several occasions, I was punished for over succeeding because sometimes they will say do this and I will do that and try to go the extra mile and in doing that, incur the wrath of my colleagues.

Sometimes the reprimand of my superiors who will say we asked you to do this and you went further now everybody is no longer comfortable.

What are those traits that you have transferred to your children?

I see creativity in my children, they don’t go with the crowd. So, standing out in the crowd is what I think my children have inherited from me. My son went to university to study Political Science, he is very intelligent, but he is now one of the best photographers in the country and he owns a studio. Initially, I wanted to put a stop to what I considered a deviation from what he told me he wanted to do but I reminded myself that I set out to be an optometrist and ended up being a lawyer.

Sometimes, much as you want the children to follow a particular mould, you must put a small expansion joint and allow for linear expansivity. You must give room for creativity, the instinct of the child, to go where his talent and passion leads him.

There must be a meeting point between talent and passion and when a child does, he shows his star.

How did you feel as a father when your daughter emerged as one-day governor of Abia State?

I didn’t expect it as I didn’t know she had entered into any type of competition, because my daughter attends a boarding school and from the school, they take them to various competitions as directed by their proprietress. I didn’t know, so I was then just coming out of the burial of my mother.

After the burial, I was preparing for my call to bar and on my way to Abuja my wife called me that Joy my daughter was needed in Government House, Umuahia, so I said by who, what for? She said she would find out. Twenty minutes later she called to say it was the school and that they had an award.

I said award for what because if the school wins an award why can’t the teacher or proprietress go. She still didn’t understand so she forwarded the number to me. About two hours later a certain number called me that he was an aide of the governor and told me that there was a competition among secondary schools in Abia, both private and public and the students did not submit their names, they were given identification numbers and they wrote essays and took other oral tests. They discovered that the number that won came from Intellectual Giants so they sent the number to the school and the students that represented the school was brought forward and it was discovered that my daughter had the number that came first. They did it in a manner that extraneous influence was reduced. They said the price was that who came first becomes the oneday governor of Abia State. Then it dawned on me on the enormity of what she had achieved. The next day, I got a call from the governor who asked of my whereabouts so I told him I was at my call to bar and he said well, I just handed over to your daughter as one-day governor of Abia State and on a lighter note, that those things I used to ask him to do, I should ask my daughter to do them for me. I was very happy but unfortunately, I couldn’t attend because while she was sitting on that red seat as the governor, I was on my call to bar. It was a great feeling, a coincidence that the day I was realising my dream of becoming a lawyer, my daughter was sitting as the governor of Abia State. December 12, 2017 will go down in the annals of my family as the greatest moments of our lives.

So would you say that was your happiest day in life?

I have many happy moments but that was one of the happiest days of my life.

What do you consider the downsides of your life?

The downsides of my life are that up till today, I still suffer from over succeeding in life. If you give me a position and my knack for excellence and perfection comes in and I do it so well. The small time I have, I still find conspiracies of people of no memorial trying to pull me down, blackmail or push me out of the system.

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

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

NEWS

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Funke Olaode

L-R: CEO, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Amy Oyekunle; Category Manager Skin Cleansing, UNILEVER Nigeria plc, Osato Evbuomwan; Brand Ambassador, Lifebuoy, Omawumi Magbele; Director, Corporate Aairs, UNILEVER Nigeria Plc, Soromidayo George and Country Director, Sightsavers, Dr. Sunday Isiyaku at the relaunch of lifebuoy anti-bacterial soap in Lagos ...recently

Lifebuoy Relaunches, Unveils Omawumi as Brand Ambassador Mary Nnah Renowned Afro-pop singer and songwriter, Omawumi Megbele was recently unveiled as the new face of Unilever’s antiseptic soap brand, Lifebuoy, during the brand’s relaunch in Nigeria penultimate Thursday.

During the event, Lifebuoy’s ‘Help a Child Reach 5’ global campaign was also brought to focus.

The campaign will advance critical hygiene interventions such as regular handwashing with soap to prevent infections.

Nigerian singer and Lifebuoy’s newest brand ambassador, Omawumi said, “As a mother of two young children, I simply cannot imagine losing them to preventable infections. “It is a shame that hundreds of thousands of Nigerian children die before their fifth birthday each year, so we have to take further steps to address this issue. “I’m thrilled to partner Lifebuoy to empower parents with the lifesaving message of handwashing with soap. I look forward to lending my voice and influence to advance this wonderful effort.�

Speaking at the launch event, the Category Manager, Skin Cleansing, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Osato Evbuomwan, said, “Private corporations can play important roles in impacting the survival of the society, and through the Lifebuoy brand, Unilever is absolutely committed to changing the hygiene behaviour of a billion people worldwide by 2020. “With strategic partnerships, we can expand programs to drive lasting and impactful change within Nigerian communities.�

The antiseptic soap brand will partner Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Sightsavers to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria to address child mortality due to preventable diseases in Nigeria.

Giving the keynote address, Deputy Director, Co-curricular Department, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Ogunlamoye Ayodeji said, “As a nation, our growth depends solely on the education of the majority of our people, but not many are willing to apply their knowledge for benefit of the nation. “Since we recognise this challenge, the state government is working in line with Lifebuoy’s

‘Help a Child Reach 5’ initiative - an endeavour which addresses the mortality rate of children under five�.

Commending Unilever and Lifebuoy for the initiative, the deputy director pledged government’s support and commitment in line with state policy on public/private participation.

Country Director, Sightsavers, Dr. Sunday Isiyaku, further explained that classrooms are important touch points to empower Nigerian youths, especially as a wide-reaching platform to bring hygiene practices acquired in school back to their communities – a critical step to ending the spread of neglected tropical diseases like blindness-causing trachoma.

CEO, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs Amy Oyekunle, also said: “Newborn babies are vulnerable to infections, which is why ensuring access and availability to skilled care under hygienic conditions is imperative. “Along with Lifebuoy, we seek to empower mothers in Nigeria through our MamaCare classes, led by qualified midwives, to help make handwashing with soap an everyday habit early on. “This partnership supports

our global campaign, led by our founder and president, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, to ensure mothers and their babies survive and thrive.�

More than 215,000 children under the age of five in Nigeria die due to preventable infections like diarrhoea and pneumonia each year – the highest across Africa.

The simple act of handwashing with soap is one of the most cost-effective, yet often overlooked ways that could have prevented many of these deaths.

Handwashing with soap saves lives and Lifebuoy’s Help A Child Reach five campaign aims to eradicate preventable deaths from diseases and illnesses like diarrhea, by teaching lifesaving handwashing habits.

As the world’s leading health soap, Lifebuoy aims to make a difference by creating accessible hygiene products (soap) and promoting healthy hygiene habits.

With this in mind, Lifebuoy aims to impact the handwashing behaviour of one billion people given that since 2010, Lifebuoy has impacted the handwashing behaviour of 426 million people across 30 countries.

Maristella Okpala Emerges Miss Earth Nigeria After much hype and anticipation, the 17th edition of Miss Earth Nigeria pageant held at the prestigious Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, last Saturday, September 8.

As expected, it was a grand event but the build-up to the event had all the contestants camped for 10 days at the exotic Reventon Park Hotel (Lamborghini) hotel, Port Harcourt.

This proved to be another plus for Rivers State as it attracted tons of tourists to the state.

The Theme for this year’s pageant was ‘Goddesses of the Earth’ and this edition had 17 beautiful ladies as finalists contesting for the prestigious crown.

Worthy of note is that over 1000 ladies took part in the qualifiers and in the end, four of the girls emerged as the flag bearers accordingly.

However, Maristella Okpala emerged the winner of the night, thus earning the title Miss Earth Nigeria ‘Air’ while Vinna Snithers Briggs was the first runner-up and Miss Earth

Okpala

Nigeria ‘Water’. Other winners are Nna-Udosen Chikaodili Enobong, the second runner up and Miss Earth Nigeria Fire with Ekwemozo Adaobi being the third runner-up.

The new queen Miss Earth Nigeria is from Anambra State and she is a Dental Technician

and an NCAA licensed cabin crew. She will be flying the Nigerian flag at the Miss Earth World which will be held on the third of November in the Philippines with over 90 other countries.

Performing on the night were entertainers like Harrisong who

was on hand to entertain guests.

Rivers State Culture was also on display as ‘Owembe boys’ masquerades from Obio/Akpor LGA thrilled the audience.

The event anchor was an onair personality who was herself a former Miss Earth Nigeria pageant winner in 2006.

Ibinabor Fiberesima, the National Director of Miss Earth Nigeria pageant, was one of the attractions of the night.

She spoke with enthusiasm and passion as she introduced the pageant to the guests and afterwards commended the state governor, Nyesom Wike for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

She said: “Miss Earth Nigeria pageant is all about the environment; and Rivers State has indeed regained her former glory as the garden city all thanks to the governor. “As you know, Miss Earth Pageant is all about the environment and who else is more passionate about the environment than Governor Wike? You can tell by his policies.�

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, has been inaugurated as one of the board of governors for the 2018 Pearl Awards in an elaborate investiture ceremony held in Lagos recently.

The appointment came on the heels of the role she played in the development of the Capital Market while piloting the affairs of United Capital Plc., where she was the then Group Chief Executive Officer.

An elated Sanni, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Africa Capital Group, in her brief remarks expressed her gratitude to the Pearls Award organisers for finding her worthy.

Emphasising the role of the Capital Market as a catalyst for economic growth, she said: “Capital Markets contribute to the growth, health and stability of economies by funding infrastructure and other development needs through long-term investment vehicles and products. “Where there are no measurements, standards, set criteria and there is nobody who is actually recognising and rewarding those who perform excellently, there would be mediocrity. “The greatest enemy of African governance and market is mediocrity. I consider the role of Pearl Awards integral to the development of the Nigerian Capital Market.�

She further posited that well governed companies achieve sustainable growth and emerge as market leaders.

She therefore promised to continue to institutionalise the best standards of corporate governance and performance across these regions.

Sanni is a seasoned investment and portfolio banker, a writer, with 32 years cognate experience in the capital job.

She has initiated and championed many innovative products such as NGN Eurobond Fund and the ‘Wealth For Women Fund.’ She has played lead roles in landmark deals, which leveraged the indigenous companies from making huge profits.

Sanni

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Mary Nnah The Luxury Network Nigeria, an invitation-only business, has had a soaring start in its second year in Nigeria, just as its focused on expanding its membership base.

In the past few weeks, big players such as leading luxury wine and spirits company, Moet Hennessy; luxury real estate developers’ company, The Belmonte; leading luxury fragrance, skincare, cosmetics and lifestyle company, Montaigne Place; International luxury wedding and events company, Privè Luxury Events and the much-anticipated Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, are some of the latest luxury brands to join the network.

Until now, its focus was on building strategic alliances with key luxury brands in Nigeria, and a number of exclusive collaborations were initiated and rolled out, such as a special Harrods shopping concierge service launched last Christmas at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Lagos. In anticipation of a surge in membership over the coming months, the network recently held its first B2B meeting; a Business Development Roundtable, an event designed to inspire and support new strategic alliances and partnership opportunities between brands in the luxury industry.

The Director of Strategic Partnerships and PR guru for The Luxury Network Nigeria, Bukky Karibi-Whyte, said. “The Luxury Network is poised and ready to initiate conversations and create truly unique collaborations, that will drive a new luxury narrative and put our member brands at the forefront of the new conversation on luxury in Nigeria.� The Luxury Network is the world’s leading luxury affinity marketing group and private Business Club for luxury brands and high-end service providers.

The company has offices in 28 locations across Europe, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, America and Africa, working with the most prestigious brands around the world.

Their B2B events provide a unique platform to share and learn about the latest success stories from the various offices and provides a platform to discuss practical partnerships and collaborations specific to each region.

The momentum is building and it appears the Luxury Network is ready to make an impact in the Nigerian luxury industry, as it has done in various countries around the world.

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

‌Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Dissecting Genevieve’s Netix ‘Lionheart’ VANESSA OBIOHA takes a critical look at the news of Netix’s acquisition of Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ movie and its impact on the ďŹ lm industry

I

nternational film festivals are usually a marketable ground for filmmakers to strike new deals and Nigerian filmmakers are gradually tapping into the opportunities such platforms provide. This new fashion for international reach comes with certain perks – better quality movies for the consumers, a befitting platform for the cast and crew and an overall better projection of the industry at a grand scale.

Genevieve Nnaji, a longtime Nollywood key player tagged along on a production team in 2015 with Chichi Nwoko and Chinny Onwugbenu to bring to life the movie ‘Road To Yesterday’ which featured British actor Oris Erhuero. Indeed, the hunger to take the role of captain rather than play a singular role of actor set in for the Imo state-born screen diva thereafter.

Three years after the film’s debut and two years after earning and sharing an AMVCA trophy for Best Film West Africa with fellow co-producers, Nnaji climbed swiftly to a directorial position with the debut of her movie ‘Lionheart’ at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, September 8.

The synopsis of the actress plied film relays the hurdles of an Igbo family that is into transport business. The dramedy stars Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Onyeka Onwenu, Genevieve Nnaji, Kanayo O. Kanayo with a cameo role by Phyno.

Upon its screening, Netflix announced on their site claiming that they had bought the rights to stream ‘Lionheart’ to its subscribers worldwide with no set date for stream commencement at the time of this report.

This not only makes ‘Lionheart’

the first Nigerian movie to reach this milestone, it marks Nnaji as the first female producer in Nigeria to do so.

While Nnaji is highly lauded for opening such a window, the deal however speak volumes of the online streaming platform fierce competitive spirit to expand the volume of its content.

In only a few years, the streaming giant has pushed aside major movie production companies in the USA such as HBO, while inspiring others like Disney to foray into the streaming business.

They also pose a threat to other stakeholders as seen at the just concluded Venice Biennale where the National Association of Film Authors (ANAC), which represents directors and screenwriters; Italian Federation of Cinema of Essa (FICE) and Catholic Cinema Exhibitors Association (ACEC), opposed the Biennale promoting a streaming platform with huge resources that is also making the position of Italian and European cinemas extremely difficult.

No doubt, Netflix acquisition of Lionheart from MPM Premium is a smart move, particularly now that the world is focusing on the continent for true stories that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa. The streaming brand has deftly positioned itself as a pathfinder.

However, with little information on the deal, there is a shadow of doubt that Lionheart will enjoy box office success as Mo Abudu’s ‘The Wedding Party’, which grossed N450m in box office revenue.

With ‘Lionheart’ posing as a Netflix content, the platform not only exposes it to poor sales but also to rampant bootlegging. The success story behind ‘The Wedding Party’ was born out of their ability to securely guard the stock format from pirates.

This in turn compelled most people to visit the cinema to experience the hype

Expect More SWEAT Vanessa Obioha If everything should go as planned, the reggae music scene in Nigeria will witness the original founding members of the reggae band SWEAT: Yomi Bobby-Benson, Daddy Bee Jay, Gesso Dread and Francis Goldman, performing together for the first time in a themed concert since they went their separate ways in 1989.

Details of the planned concert are sketchy but according to people who are close to the organisers, efforts are being made to ensure that the concert will be phenomenal.

Of all the founding members, only Dread is in London. The rest reside in Nigeria.

Goldman who was the band’s bass guitarist is a regular feature at Bogobiri House in Ikoyi.

He recently started playing with his band, Determined Souls at Smokey Bones Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos. The Ghanaian has spent most part of his life in Nigeria since he crossed paths with Gesso, who introduced him to the family of the late highlife veteran, Bobby Benson.

At the time, one of the sons of the musician, Yemi Bobby-Benson was looking for members for his band. The reggae band was formally formed in 1985 with Yemi on the rhythm guitar, Bee Jay on the drums, Dread on the keyboard and Goldman on the base guitar.

The quartet stormed the music scene with the reggae version of Bobby Benson’s ‘Taxi Driver’ in 1986. The hit was from their only album together of the same title. SWEAT’s version was a mainstream hit and cast the spotlight on them as the next reggae big stars after the debut of Tera Kota, the eccentric reggae artiste who released the controversial single ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’.

The group was managed by Maxwell Benson, while Seyi Sonuga was their producer.

Their album was marketed by Polygram Records. The group’s most popular song till today is the remix of ‘Taxi Driver’, followed by ‘Television Data’.

Members of the band went separate ways in the late 80s following a dispute with the Benson’s family. Though there have been efforts in the past to reunite the founding members together but to no avail as each have found a certain level of fulfilment in their solo careers. Yemi however still runs the band. The planned gig is scheduled before the end of the year and will take place at a high-end venue on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Former member of SWEAT, Francis Goldman

A scene from Lionheart movie

built around it. Currently, a trip to Alaba International Market in Ojo area of Lagos State will present itself as a buffet to choose the latest Netflix offerings, and in clear, HD format at that.

This is further made possible with Netflix’s traditional way of releasing all episodes of their series at once, in a bid to give the true binge experience coined as ‘Netflix and Chill’.

Of course, most people would rather spend a meagre N100 to see the film than visit a cinema where they might end up spending over N2,000. The latter is highly unlikely to occur if conscious efforts are taken to avoid pirated copies filtering the market.

There is also the possibility that most people would have seen the movie by the time it premieres in cinemas here, except for a select die-hard fans who will remain resolute to drop their coins into her pocket.

But this group only makes up a tiny portion of interested persons that might want to see the film, thus, reflecting low earnings at the end of the day.

The idea by Netflix to adopt the film no doubt speaks volume about the quality of

work Nnaji has put in, but certain steps should be looked into first.

Netflix’s purchase shouldn’t translate to immediate streaming on its platform.

Its premiere in Nigerian cinemas and its availability on Netflix should be paramount and months apart; giving room to amass on domestic gross earnings.

A case where Netflix makes it available on its official website for streaming prior to its premiere in local cinemas would be an imprudent case of ‘penny wise, pound foolish’, losing at home at the risk of international exposure.

The only acceptable case is if the drafted deal compensates for the risk of failure at local level where the bulk of her audience is located else, this seemingly well-thought-out body of work might lurk in the ally, begging for scraps as royalty.

Gaining from both the deal and exclusive premiere in Nigeria cinemas only proves to be the most commercially viable route, lest its turbulent plot be reenacted in real life.

AFRIMA’S Executive Producer Elected Second VP of PACC5 Bureau Vanessa Obioha President and Executive Producer of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mike Dada, was part of art and cultural experts invited to the 5th African Union Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC5) held at the African Union (AU) Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was elected second Vice President of the PACC Bureau.

He will occupy the position for three years and will be subject to the PACC objective of proposing policies towards the contribution of culture and arts in the development of the continent. PACC is a platform for PanAfrican Cultural Institutions and Civil Society Organisations working on the arts, culture and heritage field to provide their contributions to the policy making process of the AU. Dada, drawing from his experience and knowledge in destination marketing, perception management, media and law, presented a paper with the theme ‘Advancing the African Union Agenda 2063 through African Culture and Creative Economy’ at the three-day meeting.

With the aim of delivering best practices for the promotion of the AU Agenda 2063, he shared practical knowledge on actions AFRIMA employs in showcasing great potentials and values of the African musical and artistic heritage, while also promoting the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness. He was highly commended by the former Cultural Director of Rockefeller and the Ford Foundations, Damien Pwono, for the immense effort of AFRIMA at showcasing the potentials of Africa through its creative

Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada

industry. “AFRIMA is doing a great job at promoting African culture using its arts, talents, and music, it provides a platform that popularizes the dynamism in our culture, thereby creating a sustainable competitive creative economy,� said Pwono during his keynote address on ‘Cultural Diplomacy’. In its effort to promote the AU agenda 2063, which is to garner strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years, the 5th African Union Pan-African Cultural Congress enables creative and cultural experts, researchers, creators/producers of culture, policymakers and cultural promoters to come share ideas, tackle challenges, and formulate best practices towards programmes in Africa in the area of cultural and creative economy and development.

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E-TRENDS

Rape Allegation: Linda Ikeji Writes Open Letter to Ex-sta Sunday Ehigiator Following the recent rape accusation by Nigerian TV presenter and model, Emilia Samuel, against Theo Ukpa, a film maker, his former boss, Linda Ikeji wrote him an open letter officially distancing herself from him.

Although Ukpa was sacked by Ikeji after the rape allegation was made public, he had put up a strong defence countering Samuel’s accusations.

His claims notwithstanding, he was sacked

by Ikeji, who was forced to write him an open letter after his continued avowal of innocence.

Her letter reads thus; “Dear Theo Ukpaa, I have known you for many years and I’ve shown you nothing but love and kindness and made you the head of my TV channel but listen my dear friend, if you dare release another statement denying what you did or calling another one of your victims a liar, not only will I expose you, I will have you arrested and charged to court where you can go defend yourself properly. “These girls – and I didn’t say girl, I said girls may not have a voice, money or time to take it up with you but I do, so please don’t test me. “I know more than most and right now I can’t tell you how ashamed I am to have given you another chance in my organisation. You weren’t sacked solely over Emilia’s story. “I am not so stupid that I would let go of the person I relied on the most to help me run my TV channel over a story by someone I don’t know.

You were dismissed last year, remember?

And I’d never heard of Emilia or her story. “If you think I am going to seat back and watch you victimise your victims, or humiliate them further by making them seem like liars, you have another think coming.

L-R: Ukpa, his accuser Emilia and Linda Ikeji

“What you need now is seek help and if you’re too ashamed to do so, at least hide your head in

shame and don’t dare call another girl a liar. Please don’t make me come for you, Theo! Be warned!�

I Am a Feminist And I Embrace my Femininity, Genevieve Declares Sunday Ehigiator Nollywood screen goddess and the C.E.O of The Entertainment Network (T.E.N) Genevieve Nnaji, who recently dropped her sole directorial debute “Lionheart�, has declared herself a feminist.

Nnaji, who has been a prominent fixture in the Nigerian film industry for over 20 years, primarily as an actor before her directorial sojourn, made this disclosure in an interview with Women and Hollywood, when asked to name her favorite womandirected film and why.

She said; Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.� It was powerful and strong, and at the same time, feminine and sexy. “I’m a proud feminist who embraces her femininity. I feel sometimes women are made to feel self-conscious and ashamed of their womanhood. “ Perhaps like ‘Wonder Woman’, we may wake up one day to discover that it

is our superpower, and then we would be unstoppable. “History has shown that in almost every situation where a group of people or a demographic is being oppressed, it’s usually because the oppressors are threatened by the potential of the oppressed to be great. “I am happy women all over the world are discovering their superpower and turning “why me?� into “not me.�

Genevieve

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Wizkid To Build Schools in African Nations Sunday Ehigiator Nigerian singer Ayodeji Balogun Ibrahim, popularly known as Wizkid, in a recent tweet declared his intentions to build schools in all African countries.

He went further to also ask his fans for their opinions on which African nation to begin with.

He wrote; “I’ll need help from fans to pick where we start this. Trying to build a school in every country in Africa. That’s my dream�.

When implemented, the schools will be in partnership with popular sports brand, Nike, with whom he already launched a clothing line called Star Boy. Wizkid

Harrysong’s Former Manager Blasts Singer Sunday Ehigiator Harrysong’s former manager, Kaycee Ichie Oguejiofor, recently blasted him in a rather suggestive post feel days after the Nigerian singer, revealed to the world on his instagram page that he was battling with depression. Harrysong wrote: ‘Don’t cry when I die, but celebrate and put up a kingmaker’s concert. Empower more youths. I have lived and I have done my bit. Carry on in grace. I love you all.� While his post raised a furor on social media as close friends and associate began to look out for him, his former manager on the other hand, wrote to write a subliminal post suggesting that he would rejoice if anything happens to the crooner.

He wrote “When you die, the only memory of you I will have is greed! greed!! and greed!!! None of the homies around you made a living off you. No

one got in equal strength what they put in and sacrificed. “Only people who stick around you are those who steal from you. When you die, we will only tell stories of the sadness you brought to us. “If you die, I will sit in the bar and tell stories, sad stories of how ungrateful and disloyal you were to everyone who helped you build your dream.�

Given the backlash his post generated, Oguejieofor quickly clarified that he had no idea Harrysong was battling with depression. Meanwhile, the coroner later took to his Instagram page to thank his fans, adding that he has started his session for depression and is now getting back his feet.

He wrote; “Thank you so much guys.

My session with Miss Oyinkansola Alabi went well and I am gradually getting my feet back. Always show love and be kind to people. Depression is a silent killer, learn to unburden your mind to trusted ones. I love you all.�

Harrysong and therapist

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X-TRA

Nollywood Actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako Becomes Suru Group’s Brand Ambassador Mary Nnah

R

eal estate and hospitality firm, Suru Group, has unveiled popular Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako as its new brand ambassador.

The recent move by the company is in line with its efforts to set a new stride in the real estate industry.

Daramola-Salako, who is one of Nigeria’s most loved actresses, is expected to bring tremendous progress to the company by promoting its products and reputation.

She would represent the Suru Group brand and feature heavily in the property marketing campaigns and client-focused strategies of the company.

The beautifully endowed actress who was accompanied by her husband, Kayode Salako, to the event, is expected to use her large followership and popularity that cuts across socio-economic classes and age groups to further deepen the brand’s growing impression in the real estate market.

Managing Director/CEO of Suru Group, Mr. Edward Akinlade, during the event said: “The company will explore every good platform to deepen its strength in every sphere of its conglomerate, which comprises the Suru Homes and Properties, Suru Express Hotel, and Prolific Microfinance. “We are extremely pleased to partner with a hardworking entrepreneur like Foluke Daramola-Salako, who is also a role model to a wide spectrum of youths and people from all walks of life. “This partnership aligns with our corporate objective of supporting SMEs

L- R: Mr. Kayode Salako, with wife, Foluke Daramola-Salako, signing an agreement, anked by CEO of Suru Group, Mr. Edward Akinlade during the unveiling of the actress as Suru Group new ambassador in Lagos ‌ recently

and empowering enterprising women.�

Akinlade said he had observed Daramola-Salako for a long time and admired her professionalism, hard work and scandal free life, so he decided to make her a brand ambassador of the company to reiterate that her values and that of the company are parallel. “Daramola-Salako will be involved in marketing for the company and talking about our brand. We will look at the values she is bringing in and the contract will be extended on the basis of the outcome of the partnership,� Akinlade

added.

Responding the actress said, “I am delighted to be signed on as a brand ambassador for Suru Group. The group managing director has been more like a father to me ever before now and has played vital role in my life and marriage. “It is a privilege to be associated with one of the fastest growing property companies in the country today, we will certainly put Suru Group on the world map together. “I feel that this partnership is long overdue, I have always wanted to work

NGO, FIFA Foundation Use Football to Teach Adolescent Girls Sexuality, Life Skills Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), an NGO with support from FIFA Foundation, recently conducted a one-week free holiday camp in Abuja.

Tagged SKILLZ Holiday Camp’, the initiative utilised age - appropriate and gender -sensitive curricula that combines soccer metaphors, FairPlay soccer and experimental activities with high impact health information that equip adolescents with knowledge and skills to challenge stereotypes, cultural barriers, gender misconceptions and risky behaviors that hinder their successful transition into productive and healthy adults.

The camp which opened on Monday August 6 at LEA Primary School, Zuba, admitted over 120 adolescent girls aged 13-19 and were engaged with a girls-only curriculum called SKILLZ Girl project.

According to Victor Nzenwa-Orji, YEDI’s Regional Coordinator (Northern Region), the FIFA Foundation-supported SKILLZ Girl project, which started in 2017, is an adolescent health project for girls between ages 13 and 19.

He said: “It centers on HIV prevention, sexuality and life skills. It supports young women and girls participating in the project to better protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and make self-determined life decisions, using football metaphors, languages, fair-play soccer, and peer-led structured intervention.�

Participants at the camp learnt relevant skills to better protect themselves and make informed and healthy self-determined life decisions.

They also accessed free HIV Counselling and Testing with parental consent for those below 18.

One of the camp coordinators, Miss.

Faith Ani, while addressing parents and guardians of participants at the closing ceremony expressed gratitude to them for allowing their wards to participate in the camp.

with this brand because it has been my family brand for a long time. I believe that with this opportunity, I have to go an extra mile to prove myself as part of being a family of Suru Group.�

Speaking on the benefits she will be bringing to the brand, she said “I intend to discuss with the managing director for me to have a party when I get to the US, where all I will do is talking about my brand to people in the diaspora because a lot of them do not have the benefits Suru Group has over other competitors.�

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Participants and facilitator at the YEDI/ FIFA Foundation empowerment programme

“Thank you all for granting YEDI the opportunity to impact your girl child positively. We had fun together, played fair-play soccer and learnt about our changing bodies together�, she noted.

A participant, Miss Sherifat Suleiman while sharing her camp experience with journalists who visited the Zuba camp site, said she learnt how to calculate her menstrual cycle for the first time at the camp.

She said: “I am so happy to participate in the SKILLZ Girl camp. My coach taught me how to calculate my menstrual cycle and I’m going straight to teach my younger sister. “It is my first time to go for a holiday camp. I came early for the five days because each day was fun packed leaving you with no choice than to look forward to the next day. “I have been empowered to know my rights, my sexual and reproductive health, shun risky behaviors that will expose me to contracting HIV and STIs and how to reach my goals in life of which my most important goal is becoming a medical doctor. “ She expressed gratitude to her coach for mentoring her throughout the five-day period. “Permit me to say a special thank you to my wonderful coach: Coach Ador-

able. I promise that memories and lessons learnt from you and this camp will stay with me forever and will help me become a better person and a change agent in my community�, she noted.

Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), an NGO with support from FIFA Foundation, recently conducted a one-week free holiday camp in Abuja.

Tagged SKILLZ Holiday Camp’, the initiative utilised age - appropriate and gender -sensitive curricula that combines soccer metaphors, FairPlay soccer and experimental activities with high impact health information that equip adolescents with knowledge and skills to challenge stereotypes, cultural barriers, gender misconceptions and risky behaviors that hinder their successful transition into productive and healthy adults.

The camp which opened on Monday August 6 at LEA Primary School, Zuba, admitted over 120 adolescent girls aged 13-19 and were engaged with a girls-only curriculum called SKILLZ Girl project.

According to Victor Nzenwa-Orji, YEDI’s Regional Coordinator (Northern Region), the FIFA Foundation-supported SKILLZ Girl project, which started in 2017, is an adolescent health project for girls between ages 13 and 19.

As this year’s edition of Africa’s most prestigious pageant, the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria {MBGN] returns home to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, one lucky young, beautiful, talented girl out of the millions of beautiful girls from across the country will be capped with the prestigious crown of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.

Billed to take place on Friday, September 21, at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the process of picking Nigeria’s next most beautiful girl started with the nationwide screening exercise which held in Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and finally Lagos.

At the end of what was a very competitive screening process, 37 lucky girls were able to stand out taller than their counterparts.

Following successful hosting of past editions of the pageant in Lagos, Owerri, Benin, Calabar and twice in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, is pulling out all the stops once again to host the pageant as well as promote the state as a tourism destination of choice, using the established brand name of the MBGN. The theme for this year’s pageant, is ‘Girl Child Education’, which is in tune with the Bayelsa State Governor’s drive to democratise education and empower young people in the state.

MBGN 2018 lucky contestants set for the ďŹ nals in Yenagoa

33

F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

ART WEEKEND

‌For pure art enthusiasts

Ă˜ ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Þ˪Ă? Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ËÕÙÕÙ Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ Yinka Olatunbosun

One of the sculptural pieces at the National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon

Preserving Beirut Museum’s Priceless Collection As the world gradually recovers from the shuddering news of Brazil’s 200-year old National Museum in Rio, which was consumed by fire, the silver lining seems to rest in the National Museum of Beirut, Lebanon, for world’s preservation of arts and artefacts. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

T

The global media had saturated our screens with images of some members of the academic community in Rio weeping; some protesting after Brazil’s once enviable archive of 20 million pieces of artefacts representing Egypt, Greco-Roman periods and more were reduced to ruins in an inferno that razed down the 200-year-old National Museum. But on the Eastern Mediterranean, the National Museum of Beirut holds a collection of magnificent historical pieces that represent the art forms across different world civilisations. Given the Brazil example, it was only natural to check the ceilings for smoke detectors on entry, which was a sort of visual assurance that the pieces on display are secured.

Though the museum offers no historical narrative, the recovered items articulated a tale of how the Lebanese had carefully documented history through the eclectic art forms and archeological details. Some of these pieces dated as far as the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman periods from big statues to tiny figurines.

Profound cultural statements are made through the arrangement of the reliefs and religious iconography spurred by Pharaoh’s gifts to city princes and by offerings to local gods.

With a view to discovering much of the archeological sculptures, the Wole Soyinka Foundation in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities, Notre Dame

University, as well as Cedars Institute, selected 10 Nigerians including journalists to experience the untold story of the place of Lebanon in World History through its annual Study Abroad in Lebanon (SAIL).

It is an initiative sponsored by Habib Jaafar. The visit to the National Museum was one in the series of tours across the country through the 12-day intensive programme.

Right on the first floor, a sprawling view to a darkened room awaits the visitor.

Usually, no one likes to be left alone in this particular room that houses the mummies of Assi El Hadith recovered from the Qadisha valley. They looked real and perhaps capable of triggering fear in anyone with either a very wild sense of imagination of resurrection or the thought of one of the mummies grabbing his shoulder on the way out of the room.

The tombstone of the Ottoman period was also seen in rectangular slabs with motifs ornamented with cypress andhyacinth stems, dating back to 18th century.

In marble, there is the sarcophagus of the battles between the Greeks as well as the legend of Achilles.

Still at the Upper Gallery, a visitor will find the statuette of a god in bronze, figurines of gods and ex-votos wearing a helmet and a loincloth. Some of the masks derived from the Greek theatre masks were found on the east side of the top floor with grinning features typical of comedy or pathetic features that characterised the

theatrics of the period.

Astarte is represented by the winged sphinx sculpture on each side of the theme while just ahead of the piece, there is a mosaic piece illustrating the abduction of Europe by Byblos found in 3rdcentury A.D. and a very large one, reasonably so, which depicts the Birth of Alexander, recovered from Baalbek. Other pieces include statues from the Roman period and funerary stele cast in limestone dating back to the Neolithic period.

And arguably, one of the most important cultural claims by the Lebanese to being instrumental to global literacy is embodied in the tablet containing the Phoenician inscriptions which represent the writing revolution in the 1st Millenium with the invention of 22 consonants in the alphabets.

On the economic plot to the Museum story, loads of souvenirs with some replicating the motifs or artefacts contribute to earning a return on this cultural investment by the state. As all the world’s civilisations are preserved through this delightful collection in Beirut, it is expected that tourists and art connoisseurs find pleasure in situating a visit to this museum in future plans or be inclined to join the movement to echo the unbecoming state of our National Museum in Onikan, amongst other things.

A Celebration of Visual Stories Yinka Olatunbosun

West Africa’s Premier International Art Fair, ART X Lagos, is set to hold from November 2 to 4 as its traditional venue, Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, which is the biggest for the visual arts sector in Nigeria, parades the finest of contemporary art. At this edition, 18 galleries in Africa will feature 50 artists. The exhibiting galleries are Addis Fine Art (Ethiopia), Afriart Gallery (Uganda}, Art House- The Space, Artyrama

(Nigeria), Bloom Art (Nigeria),Circle Art Agency (Kenya), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), Nubuke Foundation (Ghana)band Out of Africa Gallery (Spain).

Others include: Retro Africa (Nigeria), Signature Beyond (Nigeria), SMAC Gallery (South Africa), SMO Contemporary (Nigeria), Stevenson (South Africa), TAFETA (UK), Thought Pyramid (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK). One of the most interesting aspects of the fair is the talk session which features world-renowned artists. Titled ART

X Talks, this session is curated by Missla Libsekal and scheduled to hold on November 3 and 4. The fun is incomplete without the ART X Live, a nightlife entertainment segment at the waterfront lounge inside Civic Centre where inviting champagne glasses, fine wine and good music meet.

The fair will also feature a series of diverse and exciting art installations curated by A Whitespace Creative Agency. Last year, over 10,000 visitors were received at the three-day art fair which was launched in 2016.

A passionate painter known for her mind-blowing pencil drawings, Clara Aden, has begun a unique training for young girls from less-privileged communities.

Born OmolaraAdenugba, the artist, who began drawing as a four-year-old, was discovered by her art teacher who stumbled upon one of her drawings-an ink painting of a frog atop water lilies.

She had since become a very prolific artist, featuring in live drawing events and tours across West Africa. The multiple-award winning Aden is the first lady of the Molue Mobile Museum of Contemporary Art on its maiden edition.

It involved a month-long road travel, estimated at 4,000km with five other male artists- in-residence from Lagos to Dakar.

She was recently invited by a nongovernmental organisation called Speak Out for The Girl-child Initiative (SGCI), which has Tomilola Ajayi as its executive director.

The project called, “Girls Meet Girls’’ featured Aden whose task was to teach the rudiments of fine art to young girls in Makoko and highlight the importance of education, while breaking the gender barriers in accessing a maledominated field of arts.

For a poor community like Makoko, young girls are likely to find some art materials quite expensive but Aden does not see poverty as a threat to acquiring the right education as she cited a few examples of individuals who have overcome financial-related challenges to build a career in visual art. “Art materials are very expensive for the less privileged so I introduced them to easy-to-use materials like old newspaper print, worn out fabrics, metal scraps amongst others. With these materials, they can learn, create and explore their creativity,’’ she said.

In November 2017, Aden coordinated a three-day Freedom of Expression Art workshop, organised by Beyond Border Artists’ Association of Nigerian (BBAAN) with the theme, “My Environment’’. She targeted boys at the Special Correctional Centre, Oregun, Lagos. “Ten years ago, Beyond Borders Artist, Ogunlesi Paul was brought to the centre as a homeless person. He is studying Art and Design at the Yaba College of Technology. He facilitates art training for boys at the centre,’’ she added.

For Aden, educating these young girls is gratifying as she prepares for future project with children who are vulnerable to crimes. She described some of the works at the painting session and their global relevance. “Paintings like ‘It’s My Right’’ is an acrylic painting that portray education as the key to knowing political rights. Former US President Barack Obama stated at the 2012 United Nations General Assembly that ‘the future must not belong to those who bully women. It must be shaped by girls who go to school and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live their dreams just like our sons.’ The Charcoal drawing ‘Girl Not Bride’ addresses the issue of child marriage,’’ she explained.

Aden’s keen interest in girl-child education is premised on the view that young girls are vulnerable to human trafficking and involuntary prostitution. She hopes to deconstruct

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Ă?ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë? lifelinkfertility.com

Depression And Infertility(Part 1)

N

igeria and the African society at large places passionate premium on procreation in any family setting such that the woman’s place in marriage remains precarious till confirmed through child bearing. In the society, a woman has to prove her womanhood through motherhood. The man also has to confirm his manhood in same fashion. Children are held as sources of pride, strength and economic fortune for the family, a man’s wealth and strength being equated to his progeny. Infertility therefore entails a loss even though previously in existent is thought to be tangible and therefore impacts negatively on a couple’s mental and social wellbeing. Infertility constitutes a crisis in the affected African family. The attendant emotional, psychological, cultural and social burdens drain the couple of self-belief and esteem. The unsolicited and often inpatient societal demands and expectations place on such couples,unimaginable pressure and tension. They may become isolated and neglected consequent upon the attendant social stigmatization.

Taken generally, the female is held responsible for virtually all cases of infertility. The men folk are held as above board. Consequent upon this, the woman is humiliated isolated, derided, abused and rebuffed. Undergoing such life crisis has been the stories of most infertile women in Africa. It has been reported that they go to varying lengths visiting orthodox medical practitioners, herbalists, traditionalists and spiritualists in search of needed reprieve and solution while others visitclinics for regular counseling without the financial ability to go through recommended treatment thus compounding more burden in fertility clinics.

It is against this backdrop that we have chosen to look at the above topic;

Depression and Infertility.

The description above is very similar to what lots of women or couple face daily and these may often lead to frustration and depression. Most often women/couple faced with depression due to infertility may not even realize it. Depressive state has been reported to impact negatively on fertility as well, hence compounding the already existing issues.

Symptoms and Signs of Infertility – Related Depression and Anxiety Do you feel like your entire life has been hijacked by infertility? Do you go to sleep and wake up thinking about pregnancy?

Infertility is emotional and physically exhausting. Studies have shown that the emotional stresses women with infertility are similar to cancer and cardiac patient.

The fact that the emotional struggle of infertility is common doesn’t mean it should be ignored or that one should resign to feeling

that way. As you flip through this list, you can jot down signs you have identified you experience and discuss about the solutions with your doctor.

Thinking About Infertility All Day Long For women trying for babies it is not out of place to have infertility at the front of your mind. However that is different than feeling like infertility is the only thing you can think about even when you are not in the midst of any fertility treatment. If you notice that you can hardly concentrate to enjoy other part of your life, the thought of infertility often creeps in to break your concentration then it’s a sign that you may be depressed and may benefit from counselling with a specialist.

Are You Saddled With Guilt Guilt is an emotion that should be limited to those who have done something wrong.

Very often in life we feel there are things we did that we should not have done.

We may feel guilty for: r/PU TUBSUJOH UP IBWF B GBNJMZ FBSMJFS r/PU Ă OEJOH B QBSUOFS FBSMJFS r'PS OPU GSFF[JOH ZPVS FHHT FBSMJFS FWFO if there was no way you could have known you needed to r:PV NBZ GFFM HVJMUZ GPS DPOUBDUJOH B sexual transmitted infection that led to the infertility If this feeling describes yours then you sure need to seek help. :PV 'FFM 8PSUIMFTT "OE "TIBNFE Do you worry that people will love you less or not at all if they knew you infertile?

Do you sometimes worry your partner may leave you because of your fertility problem?

Do you see yourself as broken and defective? Then you are struggling with a GFFMJOH PG XPSUIMFTTOFTT BOE TIBNF :PV have allowed infertility to define you as a person and have forgotten that you are so much worth more than infertility Persistent Feeling of Sadness Sadness is a normal action to unfortunate events. If you find yourself in tears when a fertility treatment fails and the pregnancy test results reads negative, it is normal However if ‌‌‌ r:PVS TBEOFTT TFFNT UP SBSFMZ MJGU r:PV à OE ZPVS EBZT BSF NPSF HSBZ UIBO sunshine r:PV IBWF GFMU TBE GPS XFFLT BOE XFFLT Then you sure may be dealing with depression.

Depression can be defined as a feeling of sadness, lasting over an extended period of time and interferes with your daily life.

Sometimes you don’t even understand why you are feeling deeply sad then you need to seek counselling ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.. to be continued next week

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

That Unsurprising Reply from Nigerians Abroad #FreeLeah Campaign: Why British Lawmaker Occupied Nigerian High Commission in London

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hen it is said, according to the famous expression, to let sleeping dogs lie; for the uninitiated, it actually means to leave a delicate situation alone so as not to worsen it.

5IFSF T OP EFOZJOH UIF GBDU UIBU UIF /JHFSJBO HPWFSONFOU JT working out plans to make its society more conducive to living for her citizens, and also to foreigners to bring investments and explore opportunities in the country. But to jump from the initial stage of these plans and straight to a point when the government is chest-thumping that all is now perfect and boldly calling its citizens abroad to return home is not the ideal approach.

5IF SFDFOU DBMM CZ UIF /JHFSJBO HPWFSONFOU UISPVHI JUT Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, to /JHFSJBOT MJWJOH BCSPBE UP SFUVSO IPNF JT DMFBSMZ BO BUUFNQU at provoking or rousing a sleeping dog.

6OEPVCUFEMZ NPTU /JHFSJBOT IPNF PS BCSPBE BSF B QBUSJPUJD group of people. They don’t need a special assembly or a town hall meeting organised by the government to appeal to them on the subject of home-coming and supporting nation-building. After all, some of them have been taking, without the prompting of government, initiatives on giving the fortunes of their motherland a positive spin despite the numerous difficulties inherent therein.

Hence, the most important responsibility of government is to put its house in order and, upon achieving this, wait to TFF UIF WPMVOUBSZ NPWFNFOU PG /JHFSJBOT XJUI NFBOT BOE capacity in diaspora back home to support development.

But without this in place, what we will continue to see JT UIF FYPEVT PG TLJMMFE BOE VOTLJMMFE /JHFSJBOT CSBWJOH BMM means, like the dangerous Libya-Mediterranean route, to flee the country which sadly has been the case in recent times.

4P UIF SFQMZ TFOU UP UIF /JHFSJBO HPWFSONFOU CZ /JHFSJBOT who were present at the town hall meeting Onu hosted in America signposts to areas of improvement. It was also a strong indication that more work needs to be done. “When the Kaduna refinery broke down, I brought the FOHJOFFST XIP CVJMU UIF SFĂ OFSZ UP /JHFSJB TFWFSBMMZ UP SFWBNQ it but we were not able to make any headway,â€? US-based /JHFSJBO &NNBOVFM "OPTJLF TBJE i* IBWF CFFO UP /JHFSJB UJNFT XJUI QSPKFDUT BOE JOWFT-

T

om Brake, a member of the British parliament (MP), attracted huge attention in the UK and beyond when, few days ago, he occupied the FOUSBODF PG UIF /JHFSJBO )JHI $PNNJTTJPO JO London, UK. The British Liberal Democrat politician took a seat in front PG UIF FNCBTTZ XJUI B UBCMF EJTQMBZJOH B QPTUFS PG UIF /JHFSJBO girl who has been held captive by the evil Boko Haram sect for over six months.

Brake, while stJMM TJUUJOH PVUTJEF UIF /JHFSJB

foreign mission, went on social media to express the motive behind his solo-protest. i0VUTJEF UIF /JHFSJBO )JHI $PNNJTTJPO launching the #FreeLeah campaign. Leah,

Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu

UPST CVU * IBWF CFFO GSVTUSBUFE BMM UIF UJNFT *UT KVTU WFSZ sad that you leave here with the best intentions and youre frustrated,� he added.

Putting her concern straight to the minister, Jolly Abu, also a 64 CBTFE /JHFSJBO TBJE iXIFO ZPV MFBWF OPX UP IBWF BDDFTT UP ZPV XJMM CF WFSZ EJGĂ DVMU 8F WF CFFO JO /JHFSJB TFWFSBM times but to gain access to the minister becomes a problem. “Several times we spend months and we go back the same.

The people coming from diaspora, when they want to register a company at home, it becomes a problem�.

Many others spoke candidly about the encumbrances to happy home-coming and even the precarious state those at home live in.

Theirs were evidently unsurprising responses going by what is largely debated on the current socio-economic and QPMJUJDBM DPOEJUJPO PG /JHFSJB "OE JO B OVUTIFMM UIF HPWFSOment needs to double up.

Tom Brake

who is still held captive by Boko Haram, because she refused to recant her Christian faith, has been held for 198 days�.

Meanwhile information has emerged that the British politician took the stance for Leah after an audio message reportedly featuring her voice from the captivity appeared in the media.

4P #SBLF UIPVHIU UIF /JHFSJBO HPWFSOment needed to be compelled to push more for the girl’s release. And interestingly his action has triggered more protests from NBOZ /JHFSJBOT BOE GPSFJHOFST BMJLF DBMMJOH on the government to save Leah.

F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

35

COLLAGE EVENTS Iseoluwa Live in Concert Holds September 30

L-R: Divisional Head, SMEs, Fidelity Bank, Osaigbovo Omorogbe; Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, Development Bank of Nigeria, Bonaventure Okhaimo;Executive Director, Nexim Bank, Stella Okotete; Founder, NESH, Emeka Ugwu-Oju; Director General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Samuel Etatuvie; Manager Human Capacity Development, Angela Okoro; CEO,Oine,Konga, Nnamdi Ekeh and CEO,Stanbic IBTC Capital, Funso Akere at the 3rd annual NESH-NXT Plenary Session“NIgerian Content and Enterprise Competitivenessâ€? in Lagos..recently

After registering a very colourful first of its kind gospel music show in Nigeria and by extension, Africa, with its maiden concert in December last year, organisers of the Iseoluwa Live in Concert are set for the second edition slated for September 30.

The Iseoluwa Live in Concert, an annual music concert headlined by teen gospel star, Iseoluwa Abidemi, promises to be bigger this year. Scheduled to take place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Jesus Embassy Parish, VGC, Lekki,Lagos, the second edition of the Iseoluwa Live in Concert dubbed “Unbreakable�, will feature an array of top Nigerian gospel superstars.

Billed to perform at the much-anticipated concert are Tope Alabi, Mike Abdul of the Midnight Crew, Adeolu Omooba, Odunayo Aboderin and new kid sensation, Feranmi Sax. Other notable singers to minister at the gospel gig are Chioma Jesus, Wole Oni, Femi Okunuga, Funmilade, and the fearless one Tim Godfrey. Its debut last year was well attended as the young star Iseoluwa headlined the show at just 12, displaying talent rarely seen in kids of her age. The teen star will perform all her songs including her latest, Rababa. Speaking about the upcoming event at the weekend, the star said: “We are the Bible the world will be reading come September 30.�

TEEIN Initiative to Hold Empowerment Programme Ayodeji Ake

L-R: Groom’s father, Elder Adoko Ajayi; bride Mother’s, Mrs. Roseline Adedokun; Couple, Mr. Emmanuel Onaivi Ajayi and wife Oluwaseun Grace; groom’s mother, Mrs. Edith Ajayi, and the bride’s father, deacon Jumobi-Phillips Adedokun, during the wedding DAN UKANA ceremony of the couple in Lagos...recently

In a bid to put an end to youth unemployment, increased rate of cyber-crimes and kidnappings, couple with the ailing economy, The Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria (TEEIN) has decided to organise and champion youth entrepreneurship skill development. This is alongside its efforts to promote rural women empowerment, while improving community health care delivery and supporting the entrepreneurial education of the Nigerian child.

The first phase of the event according to the organisers, which is the summit lecture, is scheduled to hold on Monday, October 1, 2018, at the multipurpose hall of University of Lagos, Akoka between 8am to 4pm. After that there will be a gala/award night dinner, which will hold same day at Radisson Blue Hotel, Ikeja from 6pm till 11pm.

The event which is tagged, ‘Power Youth: Creating Wealth Through Entrepreneurship’ is organised in conjunction with the University of Lagos and Kwara State University.

Some of the guest expected to grace the occasion include; President of the Republic of Sierra-Leone, Julius Maada Bio; the Olugbo of Ugboland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan; former President, General Ibrahim Babangidan, and other notable personalities. Meanwhile, this summit and gala award dinner promises to be a convergence of young and emerging entrepreneurs, seasoned business practitioners, academics, researchers and government policy makers in the field of entrepreneurship development with about 2,500 participants.

Timi Dakolo, Others to Perform at TEC’s Programmes

Vanessa Obioha

Award-winning artiste Timi Dakolo, BJ Sax and Tim Godfrey are scheduled to perform at various line-up programmes of The Elevation Church this month. Dakolo will be serenading couples with his love ballads at the church’s couple programme ‘Vow Renewal’ on September 30; while Godfrey and BJ Sax will be performing at the church annual singles ‘The Hangout’ tomorrow, September 15.

The Hangout is a vibrant, fun and enlightening conference that invites discussions about the godly principles on sexuality, relationships and marriages in our modern day. Features speakers include the church’s convener Godman Akinlabi and Bola Akinlabi, Ezekiel Atang, Praise Fowowe, Joy Isa and Yemi Popoola. Meanwhile, the church has kicked off the seventh edition of its relationship series Mr and Mrs BetterHalf. The series anchored by Akinlabi is designed to strengthen existing marriages and relationships that will lead to marriage, with wisdom from God’s Word. This year’s edition themed ‘You and Me Incorporated’, is packed with interesting programmes for everyone including the widowed, separated, divorced, and single parents.

L-R: Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Oyo State Command, Mr. Attahiru Isah; state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 11, Mr. Danjuma Ibrahim; and the state command’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Odude, during a visit to the governor, in his oďŹƒce, Ibadan...recently

Top Artistes to Storm NSF Concert Night Adebayo Adeoye in Abuja

Executive Director, Saponaria Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Krishna Kumar with Head Master, Dr Teslim Elias Model Primary School, Isale Eko, Lagos, Mr Olajide Francis along with sta and students during the launch of Sanitol Million Clean Hands at the school premises in Lagos..recently

As a buildup to the National Sports Festival (NSF) billed for last quarter of this year, a pre-Festival BeneďŹ t Concerts would be held on Saturday, September 15th at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with features from Nigerian A-list artistes. The 2018 event, is organised and managed by the National Sports Festival Marketing and Management Company Limited; a private sector driven initiative by GreenďŹ eld Assets Limited in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development The main event, according to the organisers would hold from the 6th December 6th to16th, 2018 with the theme, “Abuja 2018 – World Series Editionâ€?. Speaking at the press conference the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung disclosed that the event that has been suspended since 2012, would take place again this year in Abuja, FCT. The minister who also hinted on the several challenges that have hampered the sport event in the past, added, “Several states have indicated interest to host this biennial festival without success as they usually back out at the last minute due to diverse reasons. Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĘĽĂ‹Ă“ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂžĂ™Ă™Ă• Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ ÞÙ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ę°Ă?Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂĄĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÓ×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ ÒÙÖÓĂ?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ×ÙÎĂ?Ă– Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă¤Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ˛˪˪

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

POTPOURRI

KoďŹƒ

L-R, Tina Weisinger, Oghenekaro Itene and Amberr Washington

Ùʊ Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ

Oghenekaro Itene Lands HAPA Ambassadorial Role Nigeria’s rising Hollywood actor, Oghenekaro Itene has landed another landmark in her journey to score a sterling point in the American movie industry with her recent announcement as the official ambassador for the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPA).

Oghenekaro, who represents the African diaspora, is currently filming her debut movie in Hollywood titled ‘Chase’ where she plays the role of Jayla.

The movie is written and directed by Michael Matteo Rossi, co-produced by Michael Matteo Rossi and Katrina Y. Nelson.

Oghenekaro balances three

careers, one as an actress, a makeup artist - the creator/ CEO of Kadia Makeovers and a philanthropist.

Some of her notable features include ‘Shattered Mirror’, a feature film directed by Lancelot Imasuen Oduwa, ‘The Prodigal’ and ‘Esohe’ by Charles Uwagbai . She has also featured in some prominent series including, ‘Lincoln’s Clan’ and ‘Tinsel’.

Billed for the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California on September 30, HAPA is produced by founder and executive producer, Ms. Tina Weisinger of ‘I Dream 4 All Foundation’.

This visionary continues to

raise the bar creating synergies and bridging gaps with both cultures by recognising pioneers in the movies, music and comedy industries.

HAPA will celebrate outstanding achievements of artists from various entertainment genres with the vision to continuously blend the richness of African cultures and the beauty of America to promote In its second edition, HAPA will showcase the grand awesomeness of African royalty merged with the affluence of Western connoisseurs. It successfully celebrates the best of two cultures in 32 categories.

Mary Nnah

In the ‘Oldies but Goodies’ category, along with nominees are Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The 5th Dimension and Charles Wright.

Borrowed by Dr. Dre, Madonna and Diplo; sampled looped by N.W.A. and themed by the NBA, Charles Wright’s ‘Express Yourself’ has touched the lives of generations since 1970; being deemed the most licensed song.

HAPA 2018 will be compered by the Tyrone DuBose, an iconic R&B historian, radio host, motivational speaker and philanthropist.

Gemona West Interior Design Wins Prestigious International Award Lagos-based interior design company, Gemona West Interior Designs, has won the prestigious African Property Awards for the Office Interior Category, Africa. Gemona West Interior Designs, which made its debut at the international award, won the prize through its E Tranzact office project.

The company will be honoured at the African Property Awards, organised in association with Salice, at The Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah Hotel on October 11, 2018.

The 25-year-old award event celebrates the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry.

Gemona West Interior Designs has distinguished itself by its cutting edge and innovative service offerings. The company provides the highest quality interior design consultation for discerning, quality-conscious clients that seek assistance in their design choices for their primary residences, and businesses.

The Gemona West Interior Designs’ success at the African Aesthetic display of E Tranzact OďŹƒce Project (the managing director’s oďŹƒce) by Gemona West Interior Property Awards, is a testimony Designs, winner of the OďŹƒce Interior Category at the International property Awards 2018 to how much progress the startThe awards are split into who cover the whole range of panel of 80 industry experts. up has made since it won The regions covering Africa, property disciplines.

Judging focuses on design, Tony Elumelu Foundation Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, The highest-scoring winners quality, service, innovation, Entrepreneurship Programme Caribbean, Central ans South from each region are automati- originality, and commitment in 2015. The grant it received America, Europe, UK and USA. cally entered into the overall to sustainability. The judging from the foundation became the Participating companies are International Awards, which panel is chaired by Lord Caithseed money that contributed required to send in their entries holds at the Savoy Hotel, Lon- ness, Lord Best, The Earl of to the interior design firm and at their relevant national level don, on December 3, 2018.

Liverpool, and Lord Thurso, provided the financial backbone and are judged by a highly exThe African Property Awards members of the House of Lords for its stability and growth. perienced team of professionals is judged by an independent in the UK Parliament.

Koffi Idowu-Nuel, better known as Koffi Tha Guru, has been appointed to the Board of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Africa’s fastest growing copyright collective management organisation.

The decision to appoint him to the board received the unanimous consent of every member of the COSON Board at a meeting held on August 22 at COSON House in Lagos.

Following his appointment, Idowu-Nuel will take over the position previously held by the late Rub-A-Dub Master, Ras Kimono, who was recently laid to rest in his home town, Onicha Olona in Delta State.

He will remain on the board till the next COSON Annual General Meeting when he will have the opportunity to stand for election and if elected by the members, will continue to serve.

Idowu-Nuel is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Lagos, where he also undertook Theatre training from Theatre 15.

The multi-linguist from Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, who enjoys acrossthe-board goodwill within the Nigerian creative industry, recently released his 13th music album, “Colourborations�, featuring a number of Nigerian renowned artists.

The multi-talented entertainer and master of ceremony, is a renowned comedian, actor, singer and producer with numerous awards.

Idowu-Nuel, who is married with three children, is the CEO of FUN Media and author of the book, “Beauty of the Beast: The Scars that made me a Star� his recently published memoire.

Commenting on the appointment, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, said, “Koffi is not just a frontline member of COSON. Like the late Ras Kimono, whose position on the Board he steps into, Koffi is a 100 per cent COSON activist totally dedicated to the cause of the organisation. “He understands our commitment to the work of building a first-class institution that protects the rights of thousands in the Nigerian creative industry.�

ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÙÎĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă?âÞ Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ͺ͸͚΀ Vanessa Obioha After months of anticipation and preparation, Few Model Management and IMG Models concluded their model scouting competition with Ethiopian model Dotain Asfawosen emerging as Fews Next Face Africa 2018.

Patrons and supporters of the fashion, advertising and modelling industries recently gathered at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, to watch the finale of the second edition of the competition which started in July 2018.

The finale saw the 15 finalists from Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia donning iconic pieces by Otumemine, Angella Phillips, Sokoto by Fawenzo, Samuel Noon, Style Infidel Studios, and Larry O on the runway.

Asfawosen emerged winner of the night after much deliberation by judges Bolajo Fawehinmi, Director of Few Model Management; Luis Domingo, Scouting and Development, IMG Models; and Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Creative Director of Orange Culture.

Stacy Wangui from Kenya clinched the first runner-up position while Nigeria’s Morufat Aleem emerged second runner-up.

Asfawosen took home a modelling contract with the globally renowned IMG Models, as well as an opportunity to work with Next Models, Select Models, and Boss Models in their different locations – Paris, London, Spain, and New York.

There were also musical performances by Aramide and Skales while DJ Sose scratched the wheels of steel.

Some notable guests who graced the event were Denrele Edun, Denola Grey, Nonso Bassey, Big Brother’s Coco, DJ Timmy, Misi Molu of Hot FM, and ChiomaBBB of Inspiration FM

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ENTREPRENEUR

Beatrice Odele: I Drive Keke NAPEP as a Woman but I am Content ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ÙÞãÚÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁË› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÓÞ˞ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÒÙÙÎÖĂ&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞÓÑ×ËÞÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ë› Ă&#x;Ăž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ÙÞãÚĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœË› Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă•Ă‹ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÕÙÞĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă”Ă“Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ ËâÓĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂĄ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Sunday EhigiatorËœ Ă?Ă’Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÒÙå Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂ?Ú˛ Ă’Ă? ×ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă?Óâ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă”Ă™ĂŒË› âĂ?Ă?ĂœĂšĂžĂ?Ë?

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hat inspired you into driving a tricycle?

I used to sell foodstuffs before but there was no much gain and the business was not even booming. For years, I sold rice and beans, groundnut oil, frozen foods, and the likes. The problem with it was that, there are too many associations in the business, and you must belong and pay dues to all. By the time you are done paying dues in all the associations, you are left with little profit. One day, I got fed up. That was six years ago. My husband returned home from work and told me he saw a business that he thinks I can do.

According to him, he saw a woman driving Keke that he thinks I can do it too.

He asked me to go and stay in a certain junction at a certain period of the day to confirm what he told me. So the next day, I did. And indeed I saw the woman and I asked to see her. She granted me audience and then, I told her I want to come into this business that she should put me through. The first question she asked me was that, am I ready? And hope I am no longer bearing children. She said if I was still bearing children I shouldn’t do this job because of my back. I could develop pains. I told her I was ready, and I was no longer bearing children. I have three children and the last born is about 10-years-old now. So it was the woman that introduced me to the business. She taught me all I needed to know before starting. Eventually, when I got my tricycle, I was taught how to ride it by some male folks in the business. And it has being good ever since then.

What are the challenges associated with the business, especially as woman, and how have you been coping?

The major challenge I face is from some abusive and disrespectful passengers.

They could be very abusive and temperamental. And being human, I would sometimes react emotionally. They say words that hurts; they would sometimes say to me ‘witch, it is because you have killed your husband that is why you are suffering like this’. I would most times laugh and wave it off, after all, my husband is hail and healthy. Another challenge is from the task force. We pay too much, even when I don’t do as much trips as those men do, they don’t care, and they give me no preference. Sometimes we fight; I mean manly fights. Because that is how rough and rude they can be, I give them no chance to intimidate me.

Any intimidation or harrassment from the police and your male counterparts?

I don’t have problem with policemen at all. They are very compassionate and understanding, especially female police officers. Once they sight me having arguments with any passenger, they are always at my side. And my colleagues too are very awesome. They support me a lot.

They don’t oppress me. They protect me whenever the need arises. They encourage me and always show me care and concern.

What is the average number of trips you make daily?

There is no static number of trips. But I make a minimum of N3000 profit on a daily basis after buying fuel. This is because I own my Keke, so I don’t work under pressure. Aside that, I spend time to take care of my family before leaving home, so I start work around 10am every day and don’t work on Sundays. During week days, I would also suspend work

Odele

to check on my children at home and sometimes go pick them in school. Since I own my own keke, I am comfortable with whatever I make daily as long as I have time for my family.

What have you achieved with this business?

Asides having time for my family, the business has empowered me to be able to assist my family financially. By God’s

It was a woman that introduced me to the business. She taught me all I needed to know before starting.

Eventually, when I got my tricycle, I was taught how to ride it by some male folks in the business. And it has being good ever since then

grace, from this business, I was able to give support to my husband to build the house we live in some years ago, and I am still supporting in taking care of the financial expenses of the family and many more.

to work for you in this type of business requires a lot. The people are always not sincere, and they could cause troubles for you. I have seen a lot in this business in the past six years I have being here.

I don’t think I would ever venture into that. I am okay with this level I am.

What are your children’s reaction to the job?

My children are sometimes discouraging, especially my first son Emeka.

Sometimes he rides in my tricycle without other passengers knowing he is my son.

So he often witnesses some of the insults I receive and he would quickly react by attacking the passenger involved for talking to me anyhow. And he would end up asking how I allow people insult me anyhow like this. He often tells me it’s better I quit this job but I always beg for his understanding.

Would you advice other women to come into the sector?

Not at all. This job is not meant for women except you are extraordinarily strong. I sometimes get home very late at night. Sometimes I get home and I break down and become unable to do anything at all. Sundays are my resting days and sometimes I am so tired that I am unable to go anywhere for that day. So it is not the type of job I would advise any woman into it except she can cope.

If you are offered a better job, would you quit this?

Seriously, I don’t know yet. My husband would sometimes make ask me if I want to be a Keke rider forever and that I should start thinking of what else I can do. I would always shove it off and ask him to leave me alone. Because, seriously, I don’t think there is any other job that can give me this time I have for my family and other things while I still make money.

How about growing the business to a state where you would have people working for you?

I don’t want to do that also. I don’t have strength for problems. Managing people

Do you have anything to task the government on especially in relation to some of the challenges you mentioned earlier?

Yes, I want to beg them to be subtle to women in this business. It is not easy for us to thrive in this business as a woman when we make less and you tax us high as equal with the men that make more and can afford to drive extra trips. In fact, the first woman that started this keke business in this environment couldn’t last six months because of Taskforce. She eventually quit. So, I am begging them to be subtle with us. Let them treat us with a bit of consideration to our gender and our disadvantaged positions.

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

METRO

‌Your city life in print

Support, Don’t Punish Campaign for Drug Abusers Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the campaign against drug abuse should be centered on support for victims, as against punishing them for falling prey to the vice

W

ilson Ighodalo is known primarily for his campaign against drug abuse.

However stern he is against drug abuse, he nonetheless believes in rendering support to drug victims as against punishing them for

the vice.

Ighodalo, who is the president , the Drug Salvation Foundation and Convener NDLEA Celebrity Drug Free Club, is also the focal person, South West Zone, Community Intervention Network on Drugs (CIND) Nigera.

CIND is a network of CSOs working on drugs in Nigeria, who are championing the cause of giving support to drug abusers.

Clarion Call Against Stigimatisation In one of his interactions with Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), the foundation was equivocal in its clarion call to stop the stigmatisation against ex-drug users.

According to Ighodalo, there has to be change in the narrative about drug use, as discrimination and stigmatisation cause more harm than one can Imagine.

He said it prevents users from seeking treatment/rehabilitation services and also makes reintegration almost impossible, adding that the society should show them love and care for them to overcome the addiction.

Support, Don’t Punish Ideology He said: “Support, Don’t Punish is a campaign to raise awareness about the physical and psychological consequences of stigmatising people facing substance use disorders. The campaign aims to emphasise that drug addiction is not a personal choice but a public health issue that needs to be addressed as such. Nevertheless many people with substance-related disorders experience social isolation, face stigma and discrimination. Stigma can have multiple impacts: as discrimination and stigimatisation cause more harm than one can imagine. “Addiction stigma can affect people in the workplace, it can affect their social relations and mental and physical health. Stigma can result in people delaying their decision to enter treatment, and can hinder access to regular or specific healthcare. Stigma can trigger dangerous behaviours and it can further compound social disadvantages associated with substance abuse and it can trigger further use of drugs and other dangerous substance. “The Drug Salvation Foundation supports the implementation of policies based on public health and human rights. We call for an end to these repressive policies that only serve to

Support, Don’t Punish is a campaign to raise awareness about the physical and psychological consequences of stigmatising people facing substance use disorders. The campaign aims to emphasise that drug addiction is not a personal choice but a public health issue that needs to be addressed as such

Community Intervention Network on Drugs team and journalists championing the cause of ‘Support Don’t Punish’

The Community Intervention Network on Drugs team

marginalise and stigmatise drug users and reduce their access to the services they need.�

He added that Support, Don’t Punish is a global advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the harms caused by the criminalisation of people who use drugs.

He noted that it aims to: first change laws and policies which impede access to harm reduction interventions for people who use drugs, raise awareness about the need to stop criminalising (punishing) people for using drugs, adding that long incarceration should be reserved for drugtraffickers, not people with substance use disorders.

In all, he posited that sensitisation and treatment are key solutions, as well as the need to raise awareness about the need for greater funding and attention for essential health services and other ‘support’ for people who use drugs.

He added that the campaign also seeks to promote respect for the human rights of people who use drugs and engender public support for drug reform.

He said: “Support, Don’t Punish was conceived by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the International Drug Policy Consortium, Harm Reduction International, and the International Network of People Who Use Drugs at the Global Day of Action on the June 26, (the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking). The campaign statement was

released in March 2012 at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

Public Health-Based Approach Stressing that drug abuse is not a personal choice rather a public health issue, he said substance abuse is a call for a public healthbased approach to addressing and discussing the importance of building awareness of substance abuse as a public health problem. Public health he said is the science of preventing disease and injury and promoting and protecting the health of populations and communities.

Thus, he stressed that forced rehabilitation of drug users is ineffective as it breeds anger, frustration and recidivism in young people, adding that rehabilitation should be voluntary and done effectively with love and care.

I am telling Nigeria youths to stay off drugs by being smart and not starting at all.

Victims of Torture He said it was quite ironic that some drug users are victims of torture when they are already undergoing torture and abuse from the drugs. He bemoaned the suffering and abuse metted on drug users in the name of the war on drugs and under the guise of treatment and and care for people with drug use disorders.

Policy Window As part of ongoing advocacy against

abuse and stigimatisation, CIND is also championing dialogue with stakeholders that brings together key state institutions in charge of the enforcement of the drug legislation, civil society activist, public health workers, human rights activist, media, lawyers and more importantly the most affected population of the punitive drug laws in Nigeria.

Ighodalo said the campaign in Nigeria is going to be a policy window of opportunity for civil society to strengthen their relationship with government and to get actively involved in the current drug policy reforms currently on-going in the country. He said: “It will help strengthen the relationship of government and civil society and open a great door for civil society involvement in major changes in theNarcotics Control Bill, making great contributions to the new bill and proposing evidence –based policies for the country.

Media Engagement One of the key groups in this advocacy is undoubtedly the media. Ighodalo therefore called on the media to help change the narrative for better drug policies in the country especially the need to stop criminalising and stigmatising people who use drugs and ensuring that harm reduction services are offered for the most affected population to help address the unintended consequences of the implementation of the punitive drug laws in the country.

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F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

CRIME&SECURITY CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

NEMA DG Partners Navy, AirForce The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Wednesday in Lagos said it was ready to partner the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Navy (NN).

According to NEMA Director General, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, the partnership was in tackling and averting the expected flooding of 12 states.

Maihaja made this call during a visit to the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Ikeja, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ekeh.

During the visit the DG revealed that the water level in the 12 states rose from 10.50 on Monday to 10.66 metres as at Wednesday, adding that there was a likelihood that it would rise above the present situation as the rain continues.

Maihaja said inspite of the constant rise in the water level, both Kainji and Shiroro dans that are full of water have not been opened.

He said that by the time water is discharged from both dams the water level would rise above what was witnessed in 2012.

Some of the states likely to be affected, according to him, are Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Anambra, Edo,

Maihaja

Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue.

He said: “ Same day in 2012, the water level was about 9.81 metres and the highest was 12.80 metres.

We are still expecting the rains and when it comes, it might increase above what was witnessed in 2012. “NEMA has been monitoring the situation for over a month now and the state of preparedness not only on the people but frontline states has been on. “We have been trying to enlighten them and we have called an emergency meeting with all the

stakeholders including the Defence Headquarters and we have set up a team to go to the 12 identified frontline states to carry out certain assignments like sensitisation. “Where we also see that some communities are under serious threats, we will commence evacuation just like Taraba State.

We evacuated some people and identified some areas which we could move them.�

He assured Nigerians that the level of preparedness was appreciatively high.

In his remaks, the AOC Logistics Command, assured the NEMAboss of the readiness of NAF to support the move.

Ekeh said the officers and men in the command would give the DG and his team all support needed to perform its roles in flood management. He said: “We are ready to collaborate and assist NEMA and the entire team to ensure they carry out their statutory responsibilities and roles.�

DG accompanied by the AOC visited the NAF Aircraft hanger to see some of the aircrafts that could be used to deliver relief materials incase the need arises.

Prophet Defrauds Widow of N18m, Threatens to Wipe Family Rebecca Ejifoma The anti-fraud command of the Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon, Z Lagos, has arrested a Celestial Church prophet, Peter Ononuju, 56, for alleged N18million fraud.

The Commissioner of Police, Nkem Okoro, at the FCIID, Alagbon, Ikoyi paraded the suspect, a resident of 41 Jubril Martins Street Lawanson, Surulere on Tuesday.

According to the widow and victim, Oluchi Dillion, Ononuju collected the money from her in the guise of acquiring a plot of land for her son at Ibeju-Lekki.

She said: “The incident occurred last April. But I realised I was duped when the suspect started threatening to wipe off my entire family.�

She said it was at the point of demanding for documents of the land that she discovered it belonged to the suspect’s ex-wife. “I have known Ononuju for over 30 years now. He was my lover then. He used to sleep in my father’s house when we were young.

I gave him the money in trust and I never knew he could do this to

Ononuju

me�, Dillion lamented.

She said she confided in the suspect because of his position as a man of God, adding that she told him she needed to buy a property and he said he knew someone that had one. “He told me he had seen the one of N12 million and he said I should not pay him the money through the bank. I paid the first N2million into his account and then he said his account was bad that I should not pay in there again,� she narrated.

Dillion added that having paid him the money in instalments, Ononuju collected N12 million for the land and N6m for governor’s

consent.

When the bubble burst on the prophet, he was said to have resorted to threatening his victims, prompting her to run to the police.

While parading the suspects, CP Okoro said: “When the lady discovered the fraud, she reported to my office and I detailed detectives to go after the prophet and he was promptly arrested. “During investigation detectives discovered that the suspect collected N16 million cash and N2million into his bank account. This goes to show the suspect had another intention.�

Okoro said Ononuju was currently on court remand their our custody, adding that they were still investigating and at the end of the process, the suspect would be charged to court.

He said: “I use this medium to warn fraudulent minded people, organisations to change their ways or face the wrath. “People should also be wary of those who claim to be pastors when transacting business because they tend to cash into gullible nature of true believers to swindle them.�

POLICE STATIONS IN LAGOS WITH FAMILY SUPPORT UNIT The Lagos State Police has released an update on police stations in the state that have Family Support Units (FSUs)/Gender Unit/Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) and phone numbers to reach them on.

1.Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island 09062887864 2. Isokoko 09062887856 3. Ilupeju 09062887848 4. Festac 09062887841 5. Alakuko 09062887861 6. Badagry 09062887852 7. Ajah 09062887849 8. Ikorodu (Igbogbo) 09062887858 9. Ketu 09062887866 10. Ikotun 09062887870 11. Gender Desk, Police Command, GRA 09062887853 12. Ikeja Divisional Police Station 09062887863 13. JWC Alakara 09062887859

SECURITY TIPS (part 5) r #F WJHJMBOU BU QVCMJD QMBDFT BT PCKFDUT TVDI BT CPNCT DBO CF LFQU by unscrupulous persons in unattended bags, packages, containers, cars, etc. r *O UIF VOGPSFTFFO DJSDVNTUBODFT PG B CPNC CMBTU TUBZ BXBZ GSPN UIF blast scene. Avoid the temptation of rushing to the scene (except you work with any of the Security or Emergency Management Agencies).

Remember, terrorists often detonate secondary explosions in order to harm additional by-standers and on-lookers. r"MXBZT SFQPSU TVTQJDJPVT QFSTPOT PS NPWFNFOUT XJUIJO ZPVS neighbourhood to the police or other security agencies through available means of communication.

Source: Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Department

MISSING PERSON

A Nigerian man, Iyiola Femi, has taken to his twitter account to seek help from the public in a bid to find his missing mother.

His mum, Mrs. Bernadette Chidi, 62, went missing after leaving her home to buy something along the street at the Ejigbo area of Lagos didn’t never return home afterwards. Kind hearted Lagosiand are enjoined to alert the nearest police station when they sight her.

Yobe State Government Approves Life Imprisonment For Rapists Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, on Monday, signed into law; life imprisonment and 25 years jail term for rape of minors and adults respectively.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Gaidam while signing the law in Damaturu, said that government took the proactive action in view of the rampant cases of rape, kidnapping and unnatural offences being reported across the country.

He said, “Whoever commits rape, where the victim is a minor, shall be punished with imprisonment for life and where the victim is an adult, shall be jailed for a term of 25 years.�

Gaidam

He said that any kidnapper arrested in the state would face a 14-year-jail term. “Anyone who is ascertained to have carnal knowledge against

the order of nature with any man, woman or animal is said to have committed unnatural offence and shall be convicted with a prison term that may extend to 25 years or not below 14 years. “The law stipulates that whoever takes, entices, confines any person by means of force, threat or deceives such person without his consent or lawful authority with intent to deprive him of his personal liberty will be construed to have committed the offence of kidnapping.�

According to the governor, the court shall also award appropriate compensation to the survivors of rape as it deems fit in the circumstance

Chidi

40

F R I DAY ˞ ͯͲ, Ͱ͎ͯ͜

LIFE

When Paul Adefarasin Hosted Creflo Dollar, Others at Spirit Life Conference Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha were part of an enthusiastic crowd of worshippers that thronged the Rock Cathedral in Lekki-Lagos to witness emotional interactions with diverse clergy

F

or five days, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Paul Adefarasin played host to renowned televangelist and Pastor Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church, New York, USA, alongside other ministers of God at his annual Spirit Life Conference.

Every year, the clergyman invites great men of God and music ministers across and beyond the country to impact, empower and spiritually refresh thousands of souls as part of the church’s mission.

This year witnessed teachings from a select group preachers who expounded on the theme ‘Great Grace’ through a panoply of scriptures.

Opening the conference were Bishop Mike Okonkwo and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo who spoke extensively on topics related to the theme. While Okonkwo tackled the topic “Grace the Teacher’, Ashimolowo shared insights on ‘Lifted by the Covenant of Grace’.

Explaining why grace is offensive to the devil, Ashimolowo said: “The enemy wants you thinking that you are your own source rather than believing and receiving all that Jesus has already done.�

Bishop Ransom Bello and Adefarasin took things to another level with their teachings the following day. Bello focused on ‘Heaven is a Gift, Not a Reward’, making proper delineation and appropriation of the Law and Grace, which many pulpits have done in error.

Adefarasin on his part advocated strongly against mixing Law and Grace. He posited that “the Law is all about works; it makes you a slave.

True grace empowers us to lead righteous lives.�

Dollar took the pulpit on the third day sharing insights on the topic ‘Living Under the Correct Covenant’. He submitted that each covenant has benefits – the blessing; beneficiary – you; and the benefactor – God. He reminded the gathering that the Law was between God and the Jews – which the rest of the world were not a party to.

He continued the following day by expounding the respective roles of Faith and Grace in our lives. According to him, “Grace makes while Faith takes. Faith can only take what Grace has made available.� He further described Grace as not just a teaching but a person – Jesus. The conference came to a climactic end on Sunday, September 9, with the Super Celebration Service that featured more teachings from Dollar.

Speaking on ‘No More Self Righteousness’, he admonished the church to believe correctly and

Creo Dollar and Pastor Adefarasin at the Spirit Life Conference

deduce their identity from their belief rather than their behaviour.

He summed up his thoughts by stating that the most important thing for a person to do was to get born again and the most important thing a born-again person can do was to constantly

renew the mind.

The celebration service rounded up with a concert that featured international gospel artistes like Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Vicki Yohe and Nigerian artistes like, Sammie Okposo and Glowreeyah Braimoh.

Engaging Realities at Nigerian Authors Conference Adedayo Adejobi writes that the recently held patrons nite of the Association of Nigerian Authors was a call to critically engage with the realities of the mega-city of Lagos

T

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), were recently charged to critically engage with the realities of the mega-city of Lagos. This charge was made prior to the group’s forthcoming October 2018 convention by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.

Adetunmbi, who is the Secretary of the Restructuring Committee constituted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), said to become more relevant, members of ANA must engage critically with the realities of the mega-city of Lagos.

He made this disclosure at the patrons’ nite of ANA, Lagos chapter tagged ‘Literature: megacities and mega realities’. The event, which held at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, was staged to honor the association’s past and new patrons.

It was graced by eminent personalities including the former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Chief L-R: Dr. Tolu Ajayi, Senator Olu Adetunmbi, and Chief Mrs. Sinatu Ojikutu, at the patrons evening of the Mrs Sinatu Ojikutu; former DG of Ministry of Women Affairs Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos Chapter Lagos, Mrs. Maureen Bakare; the Senator Toki Mabogunje, and many others. literary writings must insist on presenting Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hon Wahab While applauding the upcoming ANA Con- objective reality.�

Alawiye-King; first chairman of ANA Lagos, vention whose theme explores the relationship According to the immediate past Senator Dr. Tolu Ajayi; Vice President of the Lagos between mega-cities, Literature and mega nar- who represented Ekiti North, “megacities offer Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mrs. ratives, Adetunmbi held that “literature and avenues to explore a wide array of existential

realities with the capacity to resolve critical problems. “Literary works must begin to reflect the reality of living in a city such as Lagos, where diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences agglomerate.�

Adetunmbi listed three critical examples of such relevant themes which include the reality of solid waste management in the mega city of Lagos, a major challenge considering the fact that Lagos generates 4million tonnes of solid waste yearly.vHe cited the population explosion in Lagos as another critical reality, adding that the steady influx of people adds tremendous pressure on housing and other goods and services. The third reality he said centres around environmental pollution, from carbon dioxide emissions in Lagos State, and its impact on life expectancy, which in Nigeria is about 53 years, a sad fact, he said, given our resources. He did not leave out the place of Lagos as a prominent place in Nigeria’s history, as a melting pot and a frontier of colonial interface with West Africa.

In conclusion, he charged the authors to continue to improve on their work and expand their fiction and non-fiction works to the various realities of the Lagos mega-city.

TRIBUTE

Greatness of a Man Called Emmanuel Aguma Emma Okah urbulent situations bring out the best in men and throw up the best of men. If the late Rivers State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma (SAN), had lived about 2,400 years ago, he would have qualified for the Pens of Pericles, a chronicling of the great by the great; a scribbling by the best of pens in the land.

His death thus represents a big loss not only to the state and the Nyesom Ezenwo Wike administration but to our generation.

Nigeria indeed mourns a great loss in this great son.

Born on April 21, 1961, the late attorney-general was the first son of Chief Emmanuel W. Aguma, a Second Republic federal minister and Dame Hannah Aguma. His fruitful life reflected everything in his names, Emmanuel (God with us) and Chinwenwo (God is the real owner of any child). He was therefore a gift from God to his family, Rivers State and Nigeria. He was a carrier of the blessings of God. All through his service as the chief law officer of Rivers State, the people of the state and indeed the Governor Wike administration glided assuredly from one legal huddle thrown on his way to another.

Strong education, they say, is foundation of strong career and strong character. The late Aguma was a product of some of the best schools our region could offer before proceeding abroad, and acquired every certificate available at every stage of education from primary to university level. He began with the well-respected Santa-Maria Primary School in Port Harcourt for one year before proceeding

T

Aguma

to St Paul’s Primary School (1970-1971), Diobu after resorting to private tuition in the heat of the civil war between 1968 and 1969. He then proceeded to Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Port Harcourt (1972-1975) and County Grammar School, Ikwerre Etche 1975 and graduated in 1977 with the West African School Certificate. He was admitted for his Advanced Level education at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt (1978-1980) and later went to St Aldgate’s College in Oxford, London, for his London GCE in Advanced Levels too (1980-1981).

For his university education, he went to the University of Warwick between 1981 and 1984; and also the University of Sheffield from 1984 to 1987 where he obtained BA (Hons) and LL.B (Hons) with Second Class Upper Division respectively before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School between 1987 and 1988. It is on record that since being called to the Nigerian Bar, he continued to attend numerous conferences and continuing legal education trainings in Nigeria and abroad including International Bar Association Conferences and Commonwealth LawyersAssociation Conferences.

This proved helpful reaching his professional zenith 33 years later (2015) when he was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. Right after school, the Emma Aguma delved into his chosen profession without deviating for one moment. He took off as a General Counsel to Gemmex Nigeria Limited in Enugu, a firm of commodity brokers during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ending 1989. He proceeded to N. Nwanodi & Co between 1989 and 1996 as Legal Counsel before he founded his own chambers known to this day as Aguma & Co in 1996. In fact, he remained as the Founding Partner and Principal Counsel until his appointment as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State from 2015 till his transition.

The late SAN lived through extensive litigation experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. He conducted several election petition cases extensively in his fruitful and eventful career.

He invested heavily in the same profession that produced him.

He served as the interim secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association

(NBA), Port Harcourt Branch in 1992 and member of the executive committee of the NBA in 1998 before carrying this experience to serve as the pioneer head of legal, strategy and planning of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State in inception in 1998. He bounced back as secretary of the NBA in 2000 to 2002 before becoming a member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA from 2000 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2016. He equally served as NBA Branch Representative of the National Executive Committee of the NBA from 2004 and 2006.

He became the chairman of the NBA, Port Harcourt Branch between 2006 and 2008 as well as the Secretary, Section on Legal Practice of the NBA from 2007 and 2008. He was also a member of the council on section on Business Law, NBA, from 2010 to 2015. He was also the secretary of the NBA Rule of Law Action Group from 2008 to 2009. Emmanuel Aguma SAN was a member of the Board, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara State from 2004 to 2007.

This true son of Rivers State was the Deputy Registrar, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Niger Delta from 2008 and Prosecutor for the NBA from 2012 to 2015. He was appointed Notary Public 2013; member of the Council of Legal Education; member of the Body of Benchers; member, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers (2015), and life member of the Governing Council of the African Bar Association (AFBA), among other positions he held in the law practice.

Emma Okah is the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

41

42

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG, Japan Sign MoU on Infrastructure Investment Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government and its Japanese counterpart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote quality infrastructure investment between both countries.

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi signed the MoU on behalf of government with Japan’s State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tsukasa Akimoto in Abuja.

Amaechi, in a statement, said Japan’s interest to partner Nigeria in infrastructural development is a welcome idea.

According to him, “You have Identified the infrastructure deficit that is huge. We are a

developing country, so there will be huge infrastructure deficit, and it offers Japan and Japanese Investors opportunity to come in.” He explained that the American Investors and the Chinese Investors were coming into the economy and that the country would be glad to see such investors.

He explained that, “There are two types of investment that the Nigerian government encourage, there is one we ask government to government for a concessioning loan.

“Usually the concessioning loan interest rate is about 1.5 per cent so we will be glad if the Japanese government can come in as the Chinese government have come in.

“There is over 3500 kilometre of rail. The Chinese have been able to do about 300 kilometres.

Before the end of the year they will do another 1200 kilometres to bring their own contribution to 1500 kilometres which is concessioning loan.”

The minister hinted that, the presidency is currently talking with the Americans, adding that, “They are bringing their investment and they will build 1500 kilometre of rail including two Sea Ports and they will be rapid by the profit they get from the investment, so we still have about 1500 kilometres of rail. We will be glad if we can get concessioning loan from the Japanese government or get Japanese investors.”

Ebonyi Subscribes to Open Budget System Peter Uzoho BudgIT, under its Open Budget Partnership project, has signed an MoU with the Ebonyi State government. The agreement was signed on Wednesday.

The development, according to a statement from BudgIT, to kick-start a partnership with the state to improve its level of transparency and accountability. It explained that the success of the Open Kaduna initiative, which started in 2016, with support from BudgIT, had propelled some states in Nigeria to consider exploring the benefits of subnational transparency and accountability.

BudgIT, a civic tech transparency organisation working to keep government transparent and accountability.

“Ebonyi State Government has shown a willingness to improve the principles of transparency as well as establish the culture of accountability within the 13 local government areas of the state. “The state’s effort to join the Open Government Partnership is also a good move in the direction for public sector reforms and efficient service delivery. “BudgIT is therefore committed to supporting the Ebonyi State Government through this process. This will include engagement with key government officials to discuss best practices in making budgets readily available and quickly developed in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS),” the statement added.

With the involvement of

the state government’ technical team, BudgIT would be expected to design an Open State portal for the state government, which would serve as a repository for the pre-budget statements, executive budget proposals, enacted budgets, audit reports, implementation reports, financial statements and other public documents.

Gabriel Okeowo - BudgIT’s Principal Lead noted during the MoU signing that ‘open budget system is a win-win course for both the government and the citizens, as it projects the state’ positively for investment and development support opportunities, while citizens would enjoy improved service delivery through public participation and constant engagement with the government’.

NBCC Partners Group to Enhance Trade Relations The Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has gone into partnership with COBCOE Connects as Africa’s first affiliated British chamber of commerce to collaborate with the online business hub in boosting trade relations and connectivity amongst member partners and organisations across the globe.

COBCOE Connects, which is a digital hub is one of the fastest online business matchmakingplatform which seeks to boost trade relations using their online platforms in creating a business world without barriers.

This ensures that members and partners signed up are con-

nected within a safe hub with available access to networking and grow their businesses through shared ideas.

A statement explained that the trade platform also unites about 15 British chambers of commerce in 10 different countries with over 5,757 companies from different sectors and 301 opportunities to do business globally.

The NBCC through this partnership is expected to serve as a regulating body in ensuring that its members and organisations signed up under it are genuine, reliable and trustworthy to be a part of the trade engagements within

the platform which is designed to be a reliable mode for ease of business, business development and business growth for prospective clients, business partners and investors.

“This partnership further highlights the policy drive by the current leadership of the NBCC in embracing the digital age to further enhance trade relations and subsequent economic growth which is beneficial to its over 350 corporate members in all sectors of the Nigerian economy which ranges from small and medium enterprises to large scale multinational corporations,” the statement added.

Sigma Pensions Empowers Beneficiaries of Deceased Contributors Nume Ekeghe As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sigma Pensions Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) has presented some relief items to families of late officers of the Nigerian Prison Services (NPS) The Head Business Development Division North, Mrs. Nafisah Muhammad Buba, said the relief items were to create a revenue stream for affected families of NPS officers who

lost their lives during service to their country. Sigma pensions took the CSR initiative to Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State, where beneficiaries were empowered with complete grinding machines and stands.

Buba, who handed over the items to the beneficiaries said: “Sigma Pensions is doing the CSR to maintain existing relationship with (NPS) and also to give back to the host community by empowering some residents in the North East. “The families who we

are empowering are officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. These individuals lost their lives in an attempt to serve their Country and the result is that their families, the beneficiaries of the CSR, are now without their bread winners.” She further said Sigma Pensions did not just extend a helping hand to only its pensioners, but also extended the gesture to beneficiaries of other families who are not registered Sigma pensions’ members.

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Abba Bello; Senator Alli and Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State, when the NEXIM boss paid Masari a visit in Katsina State…recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA) 2018

Month

MARCH

Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

MARCH 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55 • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, TUE, 11, SEPTEMBER , 2018 The price of OPEC basket of fifteen crudes stood at $77.16 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $76.02 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Banking Stocks Defy Bears, Lead Price Gainers Goddy Egene Banking stocks led the price gainers at the stock market, yesterday amidst the prolonged bearish market. Out of the nine price gainers, six were banks, led by Skye Bank Plc with 9.8 per cent.

Unity Bank Plc trailed with 8.9 per cent, while Wema Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc added

3.3 per cent apiece. United Bank for Africa Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc appreciated by 1.4 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively. The non-banking stocks that appreciated for the day were Transcorp Plc (4.6 per cent); LASACO Assurance Plc (3.3 per cent) and Nigerian Breweries Plc (0.12 per cent).

In all, the market remained bearish with 256 price losers

leading to a decline of 0.84 per cent in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index to close at 32,022.23.

Volume and value of trading dropped by 29.7 per cent and 46.4 per cent 173.55 million units and N3.71 billion respectively, exchanged in 3,082 deals.

Market analysts said:“The absence of a one-off positive trigger and political jitters ahead

of the 2019 elections, guide our conservative outlook for equities in the short to medium term.

However, stable macroeconomic fundamentals remain supportive of recovery in the long term.”

Most of the banking stocks are trading lower than their opening prices, giving investors opportunity to increase their portfolios also considering the fact that some of the banks

reported higher than profit for the half year ended June 30, 2018.

For instance, GTBank Plc, UBA and Wema Bank posted improved results for the H1.

GTBank posted gross earnings of N226.6 billion, showing an increase of f 5.9 per cent from N226.6billion in 2017.

Profit before tax stood grew by 8.4 per cent to N109 billion,

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

compared with N101 billion in 2018, while profit after tax (PAT) grew faster by 14.2 per cent from N83.679 billion to N95.582 billion.

UBA 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.

12/09/2018

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 30

BANKING ACCESS BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC ZENITH BANK PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 219,852.58

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7.60

-5.00

161

3,966,539

244,525.86

7.15

1.42

148

16,310,894

615,371.28

19.60

-0.51

275 584

25,863,588 46,141,021

32

MARKET CAP(Nm) 287,162.34

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 3,578,506.56 LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. 179,539.96

BUILDING MATERIALS

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

PRICE

31

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

33

8.00

-1.23

227

7,363,085

34 35

227

7,363,085

811

53,504,106

36

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

37

210.00 20.70

-10.00

41 59 100 100

4,925,729 597,564 5,523,293 5,523,293

38

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

357,009.32

606.70

-

0

0

0

0

0 911

0 59,027,399

FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 39 40 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 41 42 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N 43

MARKET CAP(Nm) 440.00

CROP PRODUCTION FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

76,217.41

79.90

-

7

32,250

60,000.00

60.00

-

11 18

343,417 375,667

FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

4.26

-

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.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,800.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,164.81

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.20

-

0

0

TRADES

VOLUME

48

9

803,291

9

803,291

28

1,178,963

49 50 51 52 53 54 BANKING

TRADES

VOLUME

-

4

101,629

225.71 2,111.93

0.58 3.25

-

0 4

0 2,012

45,932.23

1.13

4.63

78

6,613,517

29,389.23

10.20

-

20 106 106

225,421 6,942,579 6,942,579

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.79

-

0 0

0 0

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

33,000.00

25.00

-

4

165.00

6.60

-

0

0

4

14,534

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,900.00 11,300.89 24,014.43

TRADES

14,534

VOLUME

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

-

12 12

281,164

68

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

95.00

-

0

0

69 70

45.20

-

0

0

72

1,000

73

-

1

281,164

S/N

1.57

9.00

1

1,000

17

296,698

71

74 75 76

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 954.53

MARKET BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS CAP(Nm) CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 14,093.09 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. 242.22 PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC 192,753.69 INTERNATIONAL 275,067.58 BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 672,539.46

31

414,085

81,187.52

19.80

-

56

222,378

10,071.35

1.27

-8.63

47

2,307,664

1,340.10

0.36

-

0

0

1,158.30

6.50

-

0

0

52,988.77

20.00

-

30

414,602

3,676.41

13.45

-

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,680.31 3,346.01

MARKET PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CAP(Nm) P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA 53,601.44 PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA 268,866.25 PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 27,560.86

46

-

%CHANGE

-2.11

5 5

%CHANGE

PRICE

13.90

1 1

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 4,079.48

636,336

166,800.00

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNA339,466.70 TIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC 45,200.68 GUARANTY TRUST 969,757.36 BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC 15,616.05 SKYE BANK PLC 9,299.80 STERLING BANK PLC. 41,746.11 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 147,059.80 UNITY BANK PLC 9,935.94 WEMA BANK PLC. 23,916.17

0.44

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PLC

36

45

0.60

%CHANGE

TRADES

-4.76

VOLUME

PRICE

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

77

0.20

-

5 5

242,000 242,000

78

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.80

-

6

102,000

0.89

-

0

0

88.00

-

24

42,491

32.00

-

5

12,860

84.10

0.12

82

3,777,866

79 80 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 81

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. NEM INSURANCE PLC NIGER INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC REGENCY ASSURANCE PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. SUNU ASSURANCES NIGERIA PLC. UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE PLC VERITAS KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC MICRO-FINANCE BANKS FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

VOLUME

%CHANGE

BANKING

47

3,935,217

8.00

FOOD PRODUCTSMARKET -DIVERSIFIED CAP(Nm) CADBURY NIGERIA 17,655.10 PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,108,133.44 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

117 PRICE

S/N

PRICE

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

44 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

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.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 40,000.00

PRICE

%CHANGE

0

0

200

3,995,065

TRADES

VOLUME

9.40

-

11

11,340

1,398.00

-5.48

67 78

331,958 343,298

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

22.10

-

2

5,020

3.21

-

17 19

129,654 134,674

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

13.50

-

25

54,747

46.80

-

15

29,883

40

84,630

459

8,734,884

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1.19

-3.25

36

3,003,360

18.50

-

26

243,238

1.56

3.31

64

4,185,508

32.95

1.07

188

28,185,308

0.53 0.67 1.45 5.05 0.85 0.62

9.84 -0.99 8.97 3.33

6 120 249 24 14 11 738

105,943 18,870,751 6,502,511 355,429 660,084 613,475 62,725,607

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4,117.00

0.20

-

0

0

5,544.16

0.80

-4.76

54

2,488,545

24,150.00

2.30

-

9

137,000

2,240.00

0.32

-

3

5,758

14,833.02

1.43

-

0

0

3,535.08

0.24

-4.00

5

156,255

2,411.47

0.53

-

0

0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

1,964.80

0.32

-

0

0

487.95

0.38

-

0

0

2,270.26

0.31

3.33

12

3,208,077

2,577.80

0.60

-

7

600,323

5,200.00

0.65

-7.14

16

447,891

2,160.00

0.27

-

10

387,267

15,735.90 2,554.03

2.98 0.33

-0.67 -

28 4

3,240,979 304,889

1,832.36

0.48

-

7

130,220

1,467.13

0.22

-4.35

5

1,063,800

1,918.39

0.23

-4.17

9

1,470,000

4,483.72

0.48

-

0

0

3,227.76

0.25

-7.41

4

606,000

2,800.00

0.20

-

8

2,000,110

516.46

0.20

-

0

0

4,320.00

0.27

-

3

47,501

3,882.67

0.28

-

4

3,662

4,951.61

0.37

-7.50

35

1,340,565

223

17,638,842

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.58

-

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm) 11,799.67

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

44

Friday, September 14, 2018 THISDAY Afrinvest 40 Declines by 0.7% Yesterday, Thursday 13th September, the Thisday Afrinvest

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

40 index shed 0.7% to 1,284.24 points while YTD loss

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

declined to -ϭϲ͘ϴй͘ dŚĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ZENITH (-0.5%), NESTLE (-5.5%) and ACCESS (-ϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ account for 26.7% of the index.

Bearish Performance Sustained͙ ASI down 84bps

Current Price

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weightin YTD Index to Change g Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,284.24

-0.68%

-16.8%

28.4%

19.7%

6.6%

5.7x

0.7x

6.5%

12.7%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

32.95

1.1%

20.8%

-19.1%

-18.7%

35.8%

5.4%

5.0x

2.0x

8.2%

19.8%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

19.60

-0.5%

12.0%

-23.6%

-24.4%

25.6%

3.6%

3.3x

0.9x

14.0%

29.9%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

84.10

0.1%

6.8%

-37.7%

-37.7%

15.9%

24.2x

3.9x

4.9%

4.1%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,398.00

-5.5%

8.7%

-10.2%

-10.2%

92.0%

23.0%

28.7x

24.9x

3.1%

3.5%

210.00

0.0%

6.8%

-8.7%

-8.7%

21.7%

9.9%

21.4x

5.0x

5.0%

4.7%

8.00

-1.2%

6.0%

-9.1%

-9.0%

7.4%

0.9%

5.2x

0.4x

3.1%

19.1%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

Today, the All Share Index (ASI) declined 0.8% to 32,022.23

6

FBN Holdings Plc

points, YTD loss worsened to –ϭϲ͘ϯй while N98.8bn was

7

Access Bank PLC

7.60

-5.0%

3.9%

-27.3%

-28.3%

13.3%

1.6%

3.5x

0.5x

8.6%

28.7%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

7.15

1.4%

3.7%

-30.6%

-31.3%

16.2%

1.9%

3.2x

0.5x

11.9%

31.4%

ǁŝƉĞĚ Žī ĨƌŽŵ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĨĞůů ƚŽ Eϭϭ͘ϳƚŶ (lowest in 14 months). Sustained exits in NESTLE (-5.5%), WAPCO (-10.0%), ACCESS (-5.0%) and DANGSUGAR (-2.1%) ĚƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ moderated 29.7% and 46.4% to 173.4m units and N3.7bn ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ GUARANTY (28.2m), ZENITH (25.9m) and SKYEBANK (18.9m) were top traded by volume while DANGCEM (N1.0bn), GUARANTY (N0.9bn) and ZENITH ;EϬ͘ϱďŶͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Performance across Sectors Remain Bearish ůů ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƐĂǀĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁŚŝĐŚ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ă ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂů ϭďƉ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (+1.0%) and UBA ;нϭ͘ϰйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ decliners, down 3.3% due to sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ WAPCO (-10.0%) and CCNN (-ϵ͘ϵйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ Ϯ͘ϯй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ NESTLE (-5.5) and DANGSUGAR (-Ϯ͘ϭйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƐŚĞĚ ϭ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

18.50

0.0%

4.3%

8.8%

13.7%

12.2%

1.0%

6.0x

0.8x

606.70

0.0%

3.6%

-3.1%

-3.1%

25.0%

14.6%

2.8x

0.6x

3.0%

36.0%

11 12

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

41.00

0.0%

3.4%

-1.2%

0.2%

35.4%

4.9%

6.4x

2.0x

2.4%

15.7%

Unilever Nigeria PLC

46.80

0.0%

3.5%

14.1%

16.4%

20.4%

8.7%

25.9x

3.4x

1.1%

3.9%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

88.00

0.0%

2.6%

-6.4%

-6.4%

10.3%

4.5%

26.2x

2.2x

2.1%

3.8%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

20.70

-10.0%

0.9%

-53.9%

-53.9%

-54.0%

-10.1%

1.3x

7.2%

-43.5%

7.1%

16.8%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.56

3.3%

1.0%

-36.6%

-39.5%

10.4%

1.4%

1.2x

0.3x

16

Oando PLC

5.00

0.0%

1.3%

-16.5%

-16.5%

10.3%

1.5%

4.4x

0.3x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.90

-2.1%

1.0%

-30.5%

-31.7%

41.5%

18.1%

4.7x

1.7x

9.0%

21.3%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

79.90

0.0%

1.6%

18.0%

18.0%

35.8%

26.6%

8.6x

2.8x

4.0%

11.6%

19

International Brew eries PLC

32.00

0.0%

0.6%

-41.3%

-41.8%

24.6%

7.4%

33.5x

7.6x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

19.80

0.0%

0.5%

-31.7%

-31.7%

9.8%

2.9%

4.9x

0.5x

5.1%

20.5% 17.2%

81.5% 22.7%

3.0%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.13

4.6%

0.5%

-22.6%

-23.6%

12.9%

2.8%

5.8x

0.7x

1.8%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

10.20

0.0%

0.4%

-39.6%

-39.6%

1.4%

0.6%

18.2x

0.4x

6.3%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

1.19

-3.3%

0.5%

-20.7%

-24.2%

-7.2%

-0.9%

-17.5%

-17.5%

33.1%

6.9%

7.1x

2.2x

9.5%

1.3%

6.7%

1.0%

2.6x

0.2x

6.3%

38.0%

-7.5%

40.2%

16.0%

6.2x

2.2x

4.4%

16.2%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

25

FCMB Group Plc

26

11 PLC

27

0.1x

5.5% -72.7%

189.70

0.0%

0.5%

1.60

0.0%

0.6%

180.00

0.0%

0.6%

Forte Oil PLC

17.50

-7.4%

0.2%

-59.8%

-58.3%

29.7%

3.0%

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

13.50

0.0%

0.3%

-34.5%

-36.2%

10.7%

5.0%

12.8x

1.3x

1.1%

7.8%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

9.40

0.0%

0.3%

-40.0%

-39.7%

5.9%

2.2%

27.9x

1.6x

1.7%

3.6%

3.3%

39.7%

62.4%

20.6%

9.5x

5.4x

7.7%

10.5%

0.8x

7.8%

8.0x

0.5x

1.8%

6.9x

1.1x

3.8x

-7.5%

30

Presco PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.4%

-12.4%

-12.4%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.00

0.0%

0.4%

8.1%

4.1%

1.3x

2.5x

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

9.00

0.0%

0.4%

-10.0%

-10.0%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

5.05

0.0%

0.3%

-35.3%

-32.8%

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

25.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.7%

-10.7%

17.3%

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.45

0.0%

0.4%

34.3%

28.3%

11.0%

1.1%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.00

-4.8%

0.2%

-34.2%

-34.2%

0.0%

0.0%

14.1%

-14.9%

12.4% 4.3%

14.4% 26.5%

0.4x

1.4%

1.0x

2.6%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

14.30

0.0%

0.2%

-33.8%

-33.8%

6.5%

3.6%

20.6x

2.0x

52.6%

4.9%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

28.35

0.0%

0.2%

-16.6%

-20.6%

66.2%

30.2%

13.2x

8.9x

7.2%

7.5%

39

Beta Glass PLC

78.00

0.0%

0.2%

52.0%

52.0%

17.7%

11.5%

9.5x

1.6x

1.4%

10.6%

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.75

0.0%

0.1%

-6.4%

-6.4%

6.0%

3.3%

15.4x

0.9x

1.8%

6.5%

declines in WAPIC (-7.5%), LINKASSUR (-7.1), FORTE (-7.4%) and CONOIL (-9.9%).

T ic k er

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ZĞŵĂŝŶƐ hŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚŽŽĚ Ăƚ Ϭ͘ϯdž ĂƐ ϵ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞĚ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ϯϲ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ SKYEBANK (+9.8%), UNITY (+9.0%) and TRANSCORP (+4.6%) while WAPCO (-10.0%), CCNN (-9.9%) and CONOIL (-9.9%) lost the most. Following ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƚƌĞŶĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ Ă ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽŵŽƌƌŽǁ͕ ƚŚĞ ĐůŽƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

T o p 10 T ra de s by V o lum e

T o p 10 G a ine rs P ric e

P ric e C hg %

SKYEB A N K

0.67

9.8%

UN IT YB N K

0.85

9.0%

1.13

4.6%

WEM A B A N K

0.62

3.3%

LA SA C O

0.31

3.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

1.56

UB A

7.15

GUA R A N T Y

32.95

NB M C N IC H OLS

T R A N SC OR P

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

28.2

1.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

25.9

-0.5%

SKYEB A N K

18.9

9.8%

UB A

16.3

1.4%

FB NH

7.4

-1.2%

3.3%

T R A N SC OR P

6.6

4.6%

1.4%

ST ER LN B A N K

6.5

0.0%

1.1%

D A N GC EM

4.9

0.0%

84.10

0.1%

F ID ELIT YB K

4.2

3.3%

0.72

0.0%

A C C ESS

4.0

-5.0%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

D A N GC EM

1034.4

0.0%

T o p 10 Lo s e rs T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

WA P C O

20.70

-10.0%

C ON OIL

21.90

-9.9%

CCNN

25.10

-9.9%

T o p 10 T ra de s by V a lue

GUA R A N T Y

929.8

1.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

514.6

-0.5%

N EST LE

461.4

-5.5%

NB

317.4

0.1%

UB A

116.2

1.4%

NP FM CRFB K

1.49

-9.7%

F IR ST A LUM

0.30

-9.1%

N EIM ET H

0.62

-8.8%

H ON YF LOUR

1.27

-8.6%

FB NH

58.9

-1.2%

WA P IC

0.37

-7.5%

A C C ESS

30.5

-5.0%

FO

17.50

-7.4%

CCNN

23.4

-9.9%

ST D IN SUR E

0.25

-7.4%

M OB IL

22.8

0.0%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Eronmosele Aziba | eaziba@afrinvest.com

45

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍšÍźËœ ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

Access Bank Executive Director Calls for Better Regulation of FinTech Goddy Egene

Executive Director, Information Technology and Operations, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Ade Bajomo has called on regulators in the financial services industry to understand financial technology (FinTech) for better regulation.

FinTech is a new industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance. The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investing services and cryptocurrency are examples of technologies aiming to make

financial services more accessible to the general public. FinTech generally aim to attract customers with products and services that are more user-friendly, efficient, transparent and automated than those currently available.

There are indications that FinTech products would soon hit the capital market as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it would soon release guidelines in that respect.

Speaking in Abuja, Bajomo, who is also the Deputy President of FinTech Association of Nigeria

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

(FinTechNGR), expressed the need for regulators to understand what FinTech is all about as that is where the world is moving to now.

Bajomo said regulators need to know what to regulate, how to regulate it, protect investors as well as drive commerce as if they don’t regulate this properly, it could hinder the growth of Africa.

He said: “We have to get into the digital agility and understand that the old way of doing things will not work in this digital age.

Whether we like it or not, people

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 1209-2018, unless otherwise stated.

will adopt digitalization, it is just inevitable. It is the simplicity that is driving this entire reforms. Our markets have to reposition to provide the proper regulations to facilitate entry and exit by these people which will lead to raising of funds, bringing of new products and driving the FinTech revolution. “There exists over 5,000 FinTech companies globally.

Startups are also springing up an increasing pace. FinTech hubs are proliferating globally in tandem with ongoing disruption in

financial services. These hubs are all vying to become established FinTech centres in their own right, and want to contribute to the broader financial services ecosystem of the future. “The future FinTech scape will be molded by regulatory bodies- national and international as they seek to mitigate the risks, and leverage the opportunities presented by FinTech� Bajomo stated.

He also stated that the SEC needs to ensure there are proper regulations that would enhance

cyber security as it is the single biggest threat to the FinTech revolution. “We have to get the issue of cyber security right as if we get it wrong investments and assets may disappear. SEC has shown a very good example by showing the readiness to want to participate in this industry and help it grow with relevant regulatory framework. That is a good step that will help both the industry and the investors and help grow our economy in the long run.

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 158.75 159.40 -10.67% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 265.23 265.95 14.64% 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 0.82 0.83 -0.71% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 5.15% 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 12.27% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 132.40 133.33 -12.72% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.96% 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 10.31% Paramount Equity Fund 11.54 11.83 4.05% Women's Investment Fund 101.54 103.77 0.72% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.03% 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 11.79% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.20 11.63% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.11 4.47% 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 1,185.02 1,185.78 9.52% FBN Heritage Fund 137.88 138.78 0.65% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.17% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.19 $114.50 3.59% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.82 $114.12 3.36% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 152.31 154.47 -4.46% 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 1.20 1.22 -6.99% Legacy Debt Fund 3.14 3.14 8.82% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.00 1.00 1.06% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,992.87 3,021.47 0.23% Coral Income Fund 2,705.21 2,705.21 10.51% 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 12.02% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 102.87 104.54 3.24% 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 2.09 2.11 -0.95% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.19%

Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 121.70 121.97 5.77% 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 1.18 1.20 3.23% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,081.74 1,081.74 9.58% 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 11.15 11.25 -13.84% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.74% 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 1.30 1.32 8.98% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.82 11.87 7.01% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.08% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.64 1.64 10.64% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,250.49 2,265.63 2.47% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 184.12 184.12 5.76% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 -6.44% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 241.02 241.05 11.71% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 164.38 166.24 -8.21% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.58% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,468.22 8,568.94 -10.96% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 5.40% 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 1.17 -1.59% United Capital Bond Fund 1.54 1.54 7.66% United Capital Equity Fund 0.72 0.73 -5.07% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.54% United Capital Eurobond Fund 104.92 104.92 4.88% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 2.64% 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 11.12 11.29 -9.65% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.26 12.38 -6.11% Zenith Income Fund 20.22 20.22 6.89% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.57%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 138.09 51.55

1.01% 4.25% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.03 118.08 90.88

11.13 120.59 92.60

-6.97% -17.33% -16.80%

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

3.78 7.64 14.95 15.62 141.58

3.82 7.72 15.05 15.82 143.58

-20.12% -20.04% -14.37% -20.46% 5.35%

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.

46

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͲ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

47

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Kofi Annan Laid Muharram: The Start of the Islamic Calendar to Rest in Ghana M Muhammad Taqi Usmani/IslamiCity

Vincent Obia with agency reports

K

ofi Annan was on Thursday laid to rest in his native Ghana at a private burial ceremony, as world leaders paid tributes to the former United Nations secretary-

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBOWALE ABOSEDE ENIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI ABOSEDE ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as MISS OLALEYE TEMITOPE AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKE TEMITOPE AJOKE. All other documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as SHERIFAT ADIAHA UMOH IBE LAMBERTS, now wish to be known and addressed as SHERIFAT BOLA ADUNNI LABINJO. All other documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as EHIGUESE RAPHEAL, now wish to be known and addressed as EBEAGBOR BIKHILUYE RAPHEAL. All other documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as MISS OJINMAH CHINWENDU BABENIR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NDUKA CHINWENDU BABENIR. All other documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as SHEFU ALI, now wish to be known and addressed as SHEFIU ALLI. All other documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known as ONYEAECHI ANENE, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEAECHI ANENE PETER. All other documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as TIAMIYU ABIBAT ADEYINKA, now wished to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI ABIBAT ADEYINKA. The general public and NYSC should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS EUNICE ABUMCHUKWU AGHAUCHE, now wished to be known and addressed as MRS EUNICE ABUMCHUKWU NWOKEUKWU. The general public and NYSC should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH This is to inform the general public that Endurance Okoigun is one and same person with Endurance Okeiugun, his correct name is Endurance Okeiugun also his correct date of birth 1st March 1990 as against 1st March 1988

general with calls to preserve the legacy of the “stubborn optimist” who fought for a more peaceful and prosperous world. At the funeral on Thursday, Annan’s widow, Nane Maria, led hundreds of mourners, including past and present world leaders, traditional rulers, and global royalty. She called her husband an “extraordinary” person who had a “joy of life”.

Thursday’s burial was preceded by a state funeral on Tuesday in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

Maria said about her husband at the state funeral, “My love, you are now back home where you started your long journey.

But may your wisdom and compassion continue to guide us, wherever we are.”

Annan led the UN from January 1997 to December 2006, becoming the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to do so. He died on August 18 aged 80 at his home in Switzerland after a short illness.

Thousands of people filed past his coffin this week during three days of national mourning for the man who was called “one of the truly iconic figures of modern times” by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Many ordinary Ghanaians described him as a father figure and a source of national pride, while his brother, Kobina, told the congregation that he was more than a leader and statesman.

“We lost a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather and an uncle, a man of deep conviction who was as committed to instilling the values of fairness, integrity, kindness and service in each of us as he was to advocating for peace and human rights around the world,” said Kobina.

The current UN SecretaryGeneral, Antonio Guterres, praised his close friend as an “exceptional global leader” who was dignified, courageous and a man of “integrity, dynamism and dedication”.

Guterres added, “Kofi Annan was the United Nations and the United Nations was him.”

Annan, who was originally from Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region in southern Ghana, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

Former Commonwealth Secretary-general Emeka Anyaoku described Annan as a global statesman who left a lasting legacy in the search for human dignity and development.

Anyaoku said in statement,

“Kofi Annan was the United Nations Secretary-General during the last three years of my ten-year tenure as Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral and in 2002 after my retirement from the Commonwealth, he invited me to chair the United Nations panel for mobilising international support for the new mechanism established

by African leaders in the African Union for the development of the African continent (NEPAD).

“Beside official collaboration between our two organisations, Kofi Annan and I were close personal friends for over 50 years, and we worked together in Abuja in January 2015 for the adoption of what came to be known as the Abuja Accord by which all the 12 Nigerian presidential candidates, including the then incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and his eventual successor President Muhammadu Buhari, committed their political parties to violence-free campaign and importantly, to acceptance of the results of the impending national elections.”

From Monday, dignitaries and members of the public were paying their last respects to the Nobel Peace Laureate as world leaders jetted into Ghana for the funeral.

A delegation of Kenyan leaders who attended the burial included former Prime Minister Raila Odinga; Sabina Chege (Murang’a woman representative); acting High Commissioner of Kenya to Ghana Linus Ogola; and officials from the Ministry of foreign affairs.

Graca Machel, widow of both the late South African President Nelson Mandela and late Mozambican President Samora Machel, eulogised Annan as an African son who helped the world navigate complex issues. “He is in my opinion the secretary general of the UN who’s left extraordinary footprint on the global arena.

As an African I take pride that it is an African son who helped the world to navigate these very complex issues,” BBC quoted Machel as saying.

Akufo-Addo had promised a befitting burial for “one of the illustrious people of his generation,” saying, “We are not taking chances to say a proud farewell to one of the country’s most famous sons.”

The burial ceremony included a 17-gun salute with full military honours, which will marked the end of the three days of national mourning for the diplomat.

Annan was buried privately at Accra’s new military cemetery.

uharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified”.

These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared: “One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah.

In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity, which may be attributed to one of them in comparison to other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, then it acquires sanctity out of His grace.

Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim.

Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In the Shariah of our Holy Prophet (pbuh) the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the “sanctified months”.

The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it, which are specified below.

Fasting during the month The Holy Prophet has said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.”

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most reward-able ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

The day of Ashurah Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named Ashurah.

According to the Holy companion Ibn Abbas. The Holy Prophet (pbuh), when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water.

On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you” and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashurah. (Abu Dawood) It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashurah was obligatory for the Muslims.

It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of ‘’Ashurah was made optional. Sayyidah Aishah has said: “When the Holy Prophet (pbuh) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashurahh and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of Ashurah was abandoned. One can fast on this day, if he so wills, or can avoid fasting, if he so wills.”

However, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to fast on the day of Ashurah even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.

Abdullah Ian Masud reports that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) preferred the fast of Ashurah to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadhan to the fast of Ashurahh. (Bukhari and Muslim) In short, it is established through a number of authentic hadith that fasting on the day of Ashurah is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and makes one entitled to a great reward.

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashurah should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th an 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashurah alone, and the Holy Prophet (pbuh) wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of Ashurah.

Some traditions signify another feature of the day of Ashurah.

According to these traditions one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable.

What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashurah.

However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to Ashurah that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these: This is the day in which Adam was created.

This is the day in which Ibrahim was born.

This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Ibrahim.

This is the day on which the Qiyamah (dooms-day) will take place.

Whoever takes bath in the day of Ashurah will never get ill.

All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit.

Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal in the day of Ashurah.

This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of Ashurah to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of Ashurah cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of ‘Ashurah was established during the days of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain.

On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain that his martyrdom took place on the day of Ashurah.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept which is contrary to the express teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Such superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). If the death of an eminent person in a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad luck, out of 365 days of the whole year, because each and every day has a history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) have made us free from such superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain.

As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person.

The people of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) used to mourn over their deceased relatives or friends through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying “Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji oon”. A number of authentic hadith are available on the subject.

Blessings of Muharram It is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.

The meaning of the word:- The word “Muharram” means “Forbidden.” Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.

A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.

Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Taala will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year.

Abu Qataada has related that the Prophet (pbuh) has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Taala will pardon the sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)

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

Nigeria’s Airspace is Safe, Secure, FG Assures Abuja airport closed after plane overshot runway Chinedu Eze The federal government has assured local and international airlines as well as passengers that Nigeria’s airspace is safe and secure.

The Managing Director the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu gave the assurance yesterday, saying the safety in the Nigeria’s airspace has improved tremendously in the last three years following the modernisation and improvement of safety critical navigation aids in every part of the country.

This assurance is coming as passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, were stranded yesterday morning due to the closure of the airport, after a private jet, Skybird’s Gulfstream with registration number, 5N-BOD, overshot the runway on Wednesday night.

Akinkuotu’s clarification followed concerns raised by aviation experts that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) did not have spare parts because of likely

contractual issues with Thales of France, the manufacturers of the equipment.

But Akinkuotu who spoke in Lagos yesterday said the concerns over spare parts and maintenance issues concerning the radar were unfounded.

He also explained that the equipment was functioning optimally while NAMA has remained in close contact with Thales for seamless maintenance and delivery of spare parts.

“It is extremely important to reassure the nation, the travel public, our service users and the international community that TRACON is in top shape as I speak; it is safe in the medium and long terms.

There is absolutely no threat from components failure. I have made this point before that our engineers are some of the best in the world. They are working closely with our partners at Thales. For the avoidance of doubt, we received formal communications from Thales a few weeks ago; we are in touch with them to resolve all outstanding issues.”

Akinkuotu explained

that since Thales was the manufacturer of the TRACON equipment, spares could only be supplied by them, adding, “and we expect that they will continue to do their best to meet their obligations to us while the government is also not shirking in its responsibilities to them.

Of course, this is a technical relationship, and if there are issues both parties move quickly to resolve them in the interest of the safety of our airspace.”

“I want to emphasise that TRACON is running safely and efficiently. There is no cause for alarm. Our airspace architecture is strong and we are on top of it,” he added.

The NAMA Boss told journalists that beyond TRACON, the agency has recently installed very high frequency (VHF) radios at 17 airports across the country in a bid to enhance communication between pilots and air traffic

controllers (ATCs).

He listed some of the airports as Kaduna, Owerri, Enugu, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Katsina, Sokoto, Calabar, Akure and Gombe. Others are Asaba, Dutse, Uyo and Bauchi Meanwhile, passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja were stranded yesterday morning due to the closure of the airport.

The airport was closed temporarily on Wednesday

night when a private jet, Skybird’s Gulfstream with registration number, 5N-BOD, overshot the runway.

Workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) examined the runway before re-opening it.

They however, cordoned off about 300 meters of the end of the runway where the incident happened.

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Ngige Meets Buhari Today over Minimum Wage NLC mobilises for strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, has said he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari today to brief him on the progress made on the negotiations for a new minimum wage.

He said the presidential committee charged with the task of working out details of the new wage package had almost completed its assignment except that agreement on figures for new minimum wage was yet to be reached.

While addressing journalists in his office in Abuja yesterday over the 14-day threat issued by labour unions to commence nationwide industrial action, Ngige said he and the committee would be meeting with the president to acquaint him with what has been done so far.

He said the unions have misrepresented facts over the on-going negotiations and were trying to introduce threats.

According to Ngige, the federal government was still within the timeframe for implementation of the new minimum wage, saying the committee set up by the president had been asked to conclude deliberation on many of issues within the September deadline given to it.

The minister blamed the apparent slow pace of negotiations on the labour union and some state governments, adding that the practice whereby the organised labour proposes figures and withdraws it only to propose another one is not helping matters.

Giving further details on the negotiations, Ngige said members of the organised private sector had earlier proposed N42,000 as what they can pay but later came

down to N 25,000 blaming their action on the prevailing harsh economic situation.

He also said state governors had proposed varying amounts which they also stepped down.

While deploring the threat to embark on industrial action, Ngige described the labour union’s move as an act of blackmail and an attempt to intimidate the other partners in the wage negotiations.

“We have now in our service over half a million newly employed workers, and we have paid out over N7 billion on promotion arrears to workers,” the minister stated.

Ngige said President Buhari had shown sufficient interest in the welfare of workers, which was why he set a presidential committee to address the minimum wage issue.

He further stated that the president was quite interested in the progress being made in the minimum wage issues, adding that he had been monitoring every stage of the negotiations, and that he had briefed the governors last Wednesday on the need to fast track the negotiations.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun mobilisation of its affiliate unions in preparation for a nationwide workers’ strike to press home their demands for a new minimum wage.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the umbrella labour body would sensitise member unions and the workers to know the plans for the strike and to be ready to support it as long as it lasts.

Apart from the lingering issue of new minimum wage, the NLC president lamented the mounting arrears of salaries being owed workers by some state governments.

HEALTH FOR ALL…

L-R: Deputy CEO, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Anuradha Gupta; Director, Division of Administration, United Nations, Clemens Adams; Director General, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; GAVI Champion for Africa/ Founder, Avon Medical, Dr. Awele Elumelu, and CEO, GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Seth Berkley, at a conference to champion increased vaccine coverage, targeting underimmunised nations, in Geneva…recently

Court Orders FG to Pay Journalist, Abiri N10m over Unlawful Detention Alex Enumah in Abuja A Vacation Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday ordered the federal government to pay the sum of N10 million as compensation for its illegal detention of a journalist, Mr. Jones Abiri.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, who awarded the amount against the federal government while delivering judgment in a fundamental rights suit brought against the government

by Abiri, held that Abiri’s detention was illegal and a breach of his fundamental

rights.

Abiri, was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS), an agent of the federal government for two years.

The Bayelsa State-based journalist and Publisher of Weekly Source Paper, who was arrested and detained since August 2016, was released from the DSS custody following mounting pressures from rights group and the media last August.

After he was released, Abiri, through his lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana filed a fundamental

rights suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja demanding for N200 million compensation for the alleged abuse of his rights.

Defendants in the suit include the DSS , Director General, DSS and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. He prayed the court to among others declare his incarceration unlawful.

In addition, Abiri wants the court to hold that his prolonged detention without trial violates his right to personal liberty, dignity of person, freedom of association and fair hearing

among others.

He therefore asked the court to award a fine of N200 million against the defendants in his favour as a compensation for the wrong done to him as a person.

Delivering judgment on the suit yesterday, Justice Dimgba held that the federal government had no right to detain Abiri after taking his statement in 2016.

Justice Dimgba, also dismissed as baseless the submission of the defendants that Abiri was detained over national security concerns.

Damasak Attack: NAF Fighter Jets in Overnight Bombardment of Boko Haram’s Locations Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Terrorists who overran a military base in Damasak, Borno State, last Wednesday were contained by the superior firepower of ground troops, the Nigerian Army has said.

Army spokesman, BrigadierGeneral Texas Chukwu, had last Wednesday evening tweeted that the troops of 145 Battalion engaged the terrorists in a fierce battle following an evening attack by members of Boko Haram.

The Nigerian Air Force had also deployed jet fighters and helicopter gunships to pound the terrorists while service chiefs also relocated temporarily to Maiduguri.

The army said troops subdued the terrorists with superior tactics and marksmanship.

“The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior fire power of the military in Damasak. The troops’ aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in

neutralising many Boko Haram terrorists.

“Consequently, the Nigerian army wishes to state that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North-eastern parts of the country is yielding positive result.

“The Nigerian army therefore advised members of the public, particularly residents of the affected areas, to go about their legitimate businesses.

“The Nigerian army will continue to protect lives and property of citizens at all times,”

Chukwu said in a statement.

The army also refuted media reports that terrorists overran the 145 Battalion 24 few hours after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Yusuf Buratai, visited.

According to the it, “The Nigerian army wishes to state categorically that the claim is not only untrue but capable of misleading members of the public and the world at large.

“In the said story, the report stated inter alia that Damasak is the location of 134 Battalion.

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Court Halts Insurance Sector Recapitalisation Ebere Nwoji A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to stop the implementation of its proposed minimum solvency capital policy scheduled to take effect from September 14, pending the expiration of a 30-day pre-action notice.

Justice Muslim Hassan, gave

the order in a class action brought by some shareholders of insurance companies in Nigeria, challenging the new minimum solvency capital policy proposed by the NAICOM. THISDAY reported recently that the decision by NAICOM to revise backward the recapitalisation deadline from the January 1, 2019, it had earlier fixed, to October

Oshiomhole Urges INEC to Prosecute Jonathan over Vote Buying Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The verbal tirade between the former President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) continued yesterday with the later asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute the ex- president for allegedly being a harbinger of vote buying.

Oshiomhole who was responding to a similar charge by the former President that the APC under Oshiomhole was engaging in vote buying, said Jonathan’s cronies are presently in courts over monies used to rig elections in 2015.

In statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, the former Edo governor, said that a quick fact-check will disclose that Jonathan invented vote buying as was witnessed in 2015, in Edo State where billions of naira were injected as well as other states of the country in desperate vote buying spree to secure a futile second chance as President.

“INEC as the electoral umpire should move to prosecute Jonathan for being a harbinger

of vote buying”.

The APC national chairman said the administration of Jonathan did not deviate from the flawed vision or governance impunities of the PDP, adding that vote buying is a sad product of PDP’s uninspiring history.

“It is worth recalling here that in its 16 years in power, the PDP, betrayed considerable hope. Instead of strengthening democracy and promoting good governance, the party was bedeviled by indiscipline and a compelling failure to exercise power to the benefit of Nigerians.

“The PDP had with a strange consistency violated the constitutional primacy of free and fair elections as the only way of choosing a leader,” Oshiomhole said.

Oshiomhole also described the attack on his personality as needless and strange.

He said that his description as someone suffering from multiple personality syndrome cannot be justified by any means.

“Jonathan descended to the surprisingly low level of attacking the personality of Oshiomhole. The purpose of such approach is strangely unclear,” he said.

Protesters Give Lawmakers Sept 18 Ultimatum to Pass 2019 Elections’Budget Shola Oyeyipo A coalition of civil society organisations under the auspices of Movement for Transparent Elections (MTE) has given the leadership of the National Assembly till September 18 to reconvene and pass the budget for the 2019 general election or face a massive nationwide protest.

The body, led by one Mr. Abiodun Ajijola, which marched with placards bearing different inscriptions and chanted antilawmaker songs from the Unity Fountain, Abuja, to the Police gate at the National Assembly, said the actions of the legislature is inimical to stability and progress.

The protesters presented National Assembly security officers who prevented them from gaining access to the complex with letters addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in which they advised the duo to use their positions to save Nigeria from anarchy.

According to Ajijola, “It’s quite unfortunate and completely unacceptable that the National Assembly is considering postponing its resumption till the second week of October 2019 because its members are going to take part in political party primaries. What’s the logic in going for primaries and refusing to

conclusively approve the budget for the same election they wish to participate in it?

“If the budget is not passed, we may find ourselves in a state of anarchy. We want the National Assembly to resume and pass the budget so that we can have a smooth election.”

Speaking further, he said it’s very clear that there is no urgency on the part of the lawmakers to pass the budget, reminding all members of the National Assembly that they were elected to serve in the best interest of Nigerians and not their personal interests.

“INEC has an approved Election Project Plan (EPP) guiding it in effective election implementation. With the delay, it would be difficult, if at all possible, to meet all necessary benchmarks within the required timelines.

Therefore, there must be no further delay! The current intentional delay in approving the general election budget is precarious for the peace and stability of Nigeria,” he bemoaned.

The group of protesters noted that if there is any further delay beyond September 18, they would be compelled to mobilise Nigerians from all walks of life, particularly from the constituencies of the lawmakers, to embark on a sustained protests daily and simultaneously nationwide until the budget of INEC and the security agencies are passed.

1, 2018, was causing ripples in the industry.

THISDAY had also disclosed that some operators were threatening legal action against the commission.

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

They had 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 January 1, 2019.

But at the hearing yesterday, counsel to the applicant, Bert Chucks Igwilo, told the court

that they had filed and served the commission a pre-action notice on September 6.

He further said the applicants had before the court, an originating summons ex-parte, restraining the NAICOM from enforcing the proposed policy pending the expiration of the pre-action notice.

Igwilo stated that the originating summons ex-parte was supported by an affidavit sworn by an applicant who was a shareholder in Aiico Insurance Plc and Cornerstone Insurance Plc. He added that attached to the ex-parte application was the originating summons, the applicants intended to file at the expiration of the pre-action notice.

“My Lord, I humbly apply

that the defendant be stopped from implementing the policy pending when we file and serve our processes else it would be too late,” he said.

Justice Hassan gave the order and adjourned further hearing to October 8.

The NAICOM had on August 27, passed a circular with no.

NAICOM/DAPCIR/14/2018, dividing the categories of business for insurance companies provided for by the insurance act into tiers.

They had prescribed a tier-based minimum solvency capital for insurers on the basis of their respective risks profiles and their risks management systems.

The applicants who filed the action were Mr Sunday Nwosu, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi,

Mr Moses Oke, C.A.C Okpara, Mrs Ayodele Kudaisi, Mr Kenneth Nwosu, Mr Issac Obarinde and Mr Okechukwu Nwaguru.

They had alleged that the proposed policy, passed in the circular, would affect the business and corporate existence of insurance companies and force them to sell their shares below their market price.

In addition, they claimed that the policy was aimed at forcing licenced insurance businesses to increase their paid up share capitals by 100 per cent or face losing their investments.

They also alleged that the proposed policy in the circular was inconsistent with the provisions of Section 25 of the National Investment Promotion Commission Act, 2003.

CONDOLENCE VISIT...

L-R: Governor Ibikunle Amosun òf Ogun State; wife of Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Rachael Dickson, and Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, during Amosun’s condolence visit to Dickson at Toru Orua, Bayelsa State…yesterday

Court Orders WAEC to Produce Adeleke’s Result Hamid Adedeji The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Bwari, Abuja, has ordered the West African Examination Council to produce the results recorded by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in the May/June 1981

examinations conducted by the council.

The judge, Justice O. A Musa, ruling on an ex parte application by two plaintiffs, Mr. Wahab Raheem and Mr. Adam Habeeb, specifically ordered the examination body to produce in court the ledger containing results of Ademola and his mates with whom he sat for the examinations.

He also ordered that WAEC should swear an affidavit either denying or confirming that Adeleke, an incumbent senator representing Osun West senatorial district in the Senate, sat for the Council’s May/June 1981 examinations conducted by the Council at Ede Muslim High School in Ede, Osun State.

The court ordered that WAEC should file the ledger and the

verifying affidavits within five days of being served with the enrolled order.

Adeleke who is the candidate of the PDP in the governorship poll slated to hold on September 22, has been accused of forging his WAEC certificate.

But the Senator has since denied the allegation which he said was a lie being peddled by his political detractors.

APC Says Dogara’s Defection Not Surprising Speaker’s constituents present him PDP form Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara did not come it as a surprise judging by his alleged anti- party activities.

This is coming as supporters of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara yesterday presented nomination and expression of interest forms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to him, urging him to leave APC. In a statement issued by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabene yesterday, APC said that

Dogara is in for a crushing defeat if tries to recontest his House of Representatives’ seat.

The party said: “Dogara’s reported defection has not come to us as a surprise. It was only a matter of time judging by Dogara’s anti-party antics in the National Assembly where in connivance with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, he exploited all available avenues to sabotage and undermine the APC-led executive.

“Dogara’s anti-party activities which enabled one of the opposition party’s sole victory in Bogoro Local Government Area (Dogara’s council) during the recent Bauchi South Senatorial bye-election won

by the APC is another pointer, among several others,” it said.

While describing Dogara as a political paper weight, APC said it is empathisises with him on his confusion and despair over his bleak political future given the fact that he is not on ground politically in his place.

The party said Dogara was merely used by his political master to achieve their selfish political ends at the time, adding that they have since moved on to pursue their individual political aspirations and left Dogara in the cold.

“We would advise Dogara against his ill-advised decision

to recontest his House of Representatives’ seat under the opposition party he is linked with because a crushing and humiliating defeat surely awaits him,” it said.

Dogara’s constituents thronged his Abuja residence yesterday, saying they decided to present the PDP forms to the speaker as a result of “injustice meted on them by the APC”.

Aminu Tukur, a member of the delegation, told the speaker that the APC is now plagued by injustice and dictatorship.

“The day Buhari joined partisan politics in 2002, I was the only person from Bauchi that travelled and I have been with him since then,” he said.

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Nigeria Loses $2bn Yearly Due to Poor Healthcare Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The federal government has stated that Nigeria loses $2 billion yearly as a result of poor healthcare and expressed concern over incessant industrial crises in the health sector, saying “incessant strikes in public sector are counterproductive.”

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, stated this in Jos, Plateau State capital, at the 54th annual scientific conference and workshop of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria in Jos with the theme: “Local vaccine formulation and production in Nigeria: Challenges, threats and opportunities.”

Oya-Ita, who was represented by the Director (Special Services) in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, James Olusoji, said dialogue remained the best option for the resolution of trade disputes.

She stated that Nigeria has been losing foreign exchange drain estimated at about $2 billion yearly, due to loss of confidence in the health system.

Oya-Ita also expressed concern over what she described as lack of teamwork in the health sector workplace, leading to the rivalry between medical doctors,

pharmacists and other allied workers.

According to her, the federal government had directed chief executives to fully implement all approved schemes of service and circulars affecting the career progression and conditions of service of medical laboratory scientists and their establishments.

She said: “The directive was given in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice in the treatment of all staff in the public service of the federation in line with the intent of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I urge you all to always engage in dialogue in the resolution of issues with the management of your various workplaces, as incessant strikes in the public sector are counterproductive, especially in the health sector.

“There is the need to also for all healthcare professional medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses and researchers to work in harmony with trust and due respect for each other’s’ expertise in promoting the health of the patients seeking their services.”

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Jos University

Teaching Hospital, Prof.

Edmund Banwat, said the $2 billion annual loss by Nigeria was due to lack of confidence in the health sector.

He said a key area of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari included investing in its people health as a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by every citizen.

Banwat said: “Nigeria has over the last decades, sadly fallen behind in many areas of human and social endeavour, be it infrastructure, development, energy and transportation development, food production, quality of education, and healthcare delivery.

“Industrial production and manufacturing also almost totally collapsed, with increasing dependence on importation and reliance on export of raw material Primary products.

With regard to the health sector, Nigeria suffered foreign exchange drain of about $2 billion yearly, due to loss of confidence in the health sector system.

“Among many manufacturing facilities that also became moribund during past administrations was a government-owned Yellow fever vaccine production laboratory in Yaba, Lagos.”

I Have No Serious Issue with Obasanjo, Says Atiku Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that there is no serious issue between him and his former principal, President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Atiku stated this yesterday in Lokoja, Kogi State, while speaking with journalists after meeting with the PDP delegates at the state secretariat of the party.

He said there was never any serious disagreement between him and Obasanjo, adding that all grey areas of disagreements would be addressed after getting the nomination of his party, the PDP.

Atiku debunked the insinuation that he still has grudges with his former boss, Obasanjo.

He accused All Progressives Congress (APC) of lacking prerequisite knowledge on the way to go about handling the economy, adding that his main target, if given the mandate, would be to open up the economy in order to attract foreign investment thereby creating jobs for the teaming youths.

The former vice president, who accused President Muhammadu Buhari of not being a democrat despite coming to power in 2015 through democratic process, said Nigerians are presently suffering under the APC-led government, adding that the

people of Nigeria should raise up and vote out President Buhari and APC out from government in 2019.

“I will continue to express my reservations on the willingness of President Buhari to hand over power. I have a simple and straight explanation for this. When Buhari took over power in 1983, they asked him of his transition to civil rule, he responded then that he didn’t have.

“My stand is that one; he is not a democrat. Secondly, he is only using democracy to go back to power. If he loses election in 2019, he must hand over power,” Atiku averred.

He expressed confidence that Buhari would hand over if his party (APC) loses the next elections.

Senate Decries Delay in Release of Funds to Amnesty Office Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Senate Committee on Niger Delta has expressed dismay over the delay in the release of funds to the Amnesty Office for the payment of stipends and other allowances to beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The committee members, who spoke during a visit to the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator (PAP), Prof. Charles Dokubo, in Abuja, described funds so far released out of the 2018 budgetary allocation to the Amnesty Office as grossly inadequate.

Vice Chairman of the committee, who led its members on the visit, Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, said: “There are points which I did not make while I was making this presentation. Some of them actually came up as a result

of Prof. Charles Dokubo’s presentation.

It was while making this presentation that this committee became aware of the fact that you (Amnesty Office) got only N5 billion twice out of the N65 billion allocated to you in the 2018 Budget. N5 billion translates to approximately 7.7 per cent which is grossly inadequate,” he said.

A statement issued by Dokubo’s media aide, Mr. Murphy Ganagana disclosed that while emphasising that the amnesty programme is pivotal for stability in the then restive Niger Delta region, members of the committee said they would ensure prompt release of funds allocated to the programme.

“This kind of situation underscores the need for an interactive session like this so that we can put pressure on the Ministry of Finance and those that are involved in the release

of funds. Amnesty programme is a very important programme of this government. “From the Yar’Adua administration up till now, it has brought down the temperature in the Niger Delta; because of that, whenever you are having these kinds of challenges, make us know as a committee so that we can intervene,” Garbai said.

He added: “Since this committee was inaugurated, we have not had the opportunity of formally coming to make an oversight visit to this agency, so we are here to share with you some of your experiences in the various departments to formally interact with you about the activities of your office.

“The committee is filled with a lot of complaints about your office and also petitions about students sponsored by this office who have not been paid their stipends and allowances outside the country.

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NBS: Telecoms Subscriber Base Hit over 162m in Q2 James Emejo in Abuja The total number of active voice subscribers in the telecommunications industry rose by 0.09 per cent to 162,522,772 subscribers in the second quarter of the year (Q2 2018) compared to the149,309,815 subscribers in the

preceding quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday.

Also, a total of 103,514,997 subscribers were active on internet in Q2 compared to 100,923,580 in Q1 2018, representing 2.57 per cent growth in subscriber base.

Masari: Katsina Will Deliver 2.5m Votes to Buhari in 2019 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, yesterday in Abuja boasted that the state would deliver 2.5 million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2019 presidential election.

Masari, who made the declaration while answering questions from journalists after meeting the president in the State House, said whereas Katsina State gave the president 1.5 million votes in 2015, it will top it with additional 1 million votes in 2019.

“The people of Katsina are 100 percent behind President

The statistical agency, in its Telecoms Data report for Q2 which was posted on its website, further noted that Lagos State had the highest number of subscribers in terms of active voice per State in the period under review, closely followed by Ogun and Kano States, respectively, while Bayelsa and Ebonyi States had the least number of subscribers.

Similarly, NBS stated that

Lagos had the highest number of subscribers in terms of active internet per State, closely followed

by Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) respectively, while Bayelsa and Ebonyi States had the least number of subscribers.

MTN had the highest share of voice subscription with 66.45 million subscriber; GLO, 39.88 million; AIRTEL, 39.73 million; EMTS, 16.01 million and others, 447,654

MTN also had the highest share of internet subscription at 39.19 million subscribers, followed by GLO, 27.20 million AIRTEL,25.95 million; EMTS, 10.80 and others, 362,271.

Also, a total of 38,035 subscribers engaged in porting activities in the review period.

That in a way suggested users were seeking better quality services amid a terrifying service experience on all the networks

in recent times.

On MTN, a total of 5,273 subscribers entered the network from other service providers while 3,079 dumped the network.

Glo had 3,079 joined cross over from other operators while 5,443 ported-out.

Airtel received 4,547 users, but lost 5, 833 subscribers while Etisalat has 5,317 users joined the network while 5,155 subscribers ported-out.

Buhari and they will continue to support him even after the 2019 elections.

“We expect this based on the figures coming out of the registered voters to give him nothing less than 70 to 80 percent.

“We don’t have the figures now because they have completed additional registration.

“We are not talking about the last exercise that led to the 2015 election when he got almost 1.5 million votes from the state.

So, we expect that by 2019, we will be able to give him additional 1 million votes making it not less than 2.5 million votes,” he said.

Mimiko Joins 2019 Presidential Race A former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko yesterday declared his bid to run for president in 2019 on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

He declared his intention when he visited the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

“There comes a moment in the life of a nation when every patriot must stand up to be counted.

At such a moment, no person worthy of a place in history can afford to remain ensconced in their comfort zone.

“When the totality of our being, and the very essence of our humanity are in violation, patriots must advance to recapture the present; and commit to re-defining the future. For our country, Nigeria, the moment is now.

“The times are marked by

rapid tumbling of our core values. These are times in our country when a decision has become imperative for those we have for too long pretentiously told, ‘the future belongs to you’.

“The truth, however, is that bad as these times are, they will not pass away, if we choose to remain on this same old path.

The wanton killings currently enveloping the Middle Belt, and many other parts of the country, can indeed become the lot of the entire country.

“The excruciating economic pains of today can indeed become a mere introduction to what lies in the bosom of time for us all.”

Mimiko, who governed Ondo State for eight years, was elected on the platform of Labour Party before he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and returned to Labour Party in 2018.

OVERSIGHT VISIT…

L-R: Member, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Yele Omogunwa; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, and Special adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme , Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo, when the Senate Committee on Niger Delta paid a courtesy visit to the Amnesty Office in Abuja…recently

World Bank Approves 65 Community Projects for Kogi Yekini Jimoh The World Bank has approved 65 micro projects for Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KSCSDA) to be executed in various local government councils in the state.

The General Manager of the agency, Mallam Dauda Momoh, stated this yesterday at the opening of a one-day stakeholders’ training for local government administrators, directors of local government, treasurers and community

development officers from seven benefiting councils in lokoja.

He said 10 out of the 65 micro projects were ongoing while 52 would be initiated and completed before the end of the year.

Momoh said the agency, which had been inactive for over a year, just got the go ahead from the world bank in June this year to commence operation.

He explained that the seven approved focal areas for the community development projects for next year include Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Okehi, Okene, Ijumu, Kogi,

and Olamaboro.

The general manager also explained that the state poverty map was used to in selecting the seven focal councils.

He said the training was to sensitise critical stakeholders to get them on the same page on community development projects.

The head of the agency also explained that the state government has paid it’s N100 million counterpart funds as he commend the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his quick intervention which enable them

to assess the fund.

Speaking on behalf of the council administrators, the chief Administrator of Okehi Local Government Area, Hon. Ohiare Abdulrahim, expressed appreciation to the agency for the training, noting that the community development projects were key to the transformation of rural areas.

He pledged the support of council administrators to the agency in its quest to positively touch the lives of the rural populace.

Osun Pays N19.6bn to Workers Ado Indigenes Protest against Fayose’s Sale of Oba’s Market grievances to Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Addressing the protesters at the protesting youths with Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Oba Rufus Adejugbe , said the the palace, a retired Federal the Head of the Aladesanmi as Salaries, Pensions indigenes were not comfortable Director and Akuajo of royal family, Prince Adedeji

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Osun State Government has disbursed a whooping sum of N19.8 billion for the payment of salaries and pensions emoluments to all categories of workers in the state.

This huge amount, according to Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, covers the full salaries of August 2018, backlog of the salaries and pensions of September to December 2015 and leave bonuses.

Oyebamiji revealed that Governor Aregbesola gave the directive after consultation with the labour unions and other stakeholders in the state.

The commissioner stated this yesterday while addressing the journalists in Osogbo, the state capital.

Oyebamiji disclosed that the

payment was made with the N16.6 billion Paris Club refunds recently-received by the state from the federal government.

He said the state added additional N3 billion that accrued from other sources to the Paris Club refunds to ensure the payment.

The commissioner said this is not the first time the Aregbesola administration will commit such huge amount received from the federal government to payment of salaries and pensions of workers.

He stated that in November 2016, the state government received N11.4 billion Paris Club refunds and the following month disbursed N13.6 billion to pay active and passive workers as salaries, pensions, leave bonuses and other emoluments, with N8.5 billion covering salaries of September to December 2016.

Indigenes of Ado Ekiti under the auspices of Ado Ewi Indigenes Rights Protection Forum and Ado Ekiti Youth Coalition, yesterday protested against Governor Ayodele Fayose for selling the Oba’s Market in the town to traders , rather than allowing the local government council to rent it out to users.

The protesters, who took their

seeing Governor Fayose selling off their heritage without due consultation with the leaders of the community.

The market , located in front of Ewi’s market and formerly being controlled by Ado Local Government, was demolished in 2016 by Fayose and rebuilt into an ultra modern structure at the cost of about N3 billion.

Ado Ekiti, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, said the protest became necessary to prevent Ado’s heritage from being mismanaged.

Ogunleye maintained that it was morally wrong for the market being initially controlled by indigenes to have been sold out without consideration.

Ogunleye jointly addressed

Aladesanmi and Babatolu of Ado Ekiti, Chief Kayode Owolabi.

Ogunleye, who spoke on behalf of the trio, expressed disappointment with how Governor Fayose had allegedly reneged on his promise to consider the former occupants of the now ultra modern market before allocation.

Buhari’s Re-election Meant to Oppress Nigerians, Says Fayose Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has kicked against the statement that President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking re-election to protect Nigerians, saying the President’s return bid was meant to oppress Nigerians.

“Nothing is further from the truth”, says Fayose in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi.

“Buhari says he is seeking reelection to protect Nigerians? Tell him Nigerians need no spurious ‘protection’ from him. Nigerians from all

walks of life have rejected this man and dismissed the many propaganda of Buhari’s APC government as lies from the pit of hell.

“Buhari and APC have only used the power they hold in trust for the people to suppress, oppress, intimidate, victimise, and destroy our people.

“Buhari says what he is expected to do; that is, to protect us, but which is actually not what he is doing. We are calling on him to protect us from killers and murderers but Buhari has failed to do that in four years. He has instead defended them again and again. What magic will he now perform if re-elected into office?”

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Emefiele Emerges Chairman of W’Africa Monetary Zone Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was yesterday elected chairman of the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) at the ongoing sub-regional meeting hosted by Nigeria.

Critical stakeholders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region, including central banks, ministries of finance, policy makers, legislators and the academia are to brainstorm in Abuja to seek ways of deepening the promotion of regional integration and cooperation.

Shortly after the unanimous election, Emefiele, in his acceptance speech, averred that “a lot of work needs to be done especially in respect

of the attainment of Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) single currency by 2020.”

He further noted that all that was required to be done would be actualised towards the achievements of the objectives of the regional organisation.

While reiterating the country’s unflinching commitment towards the single currency project in the sub-region, the apex bank boss urged member-countries to work towards achieving the convergence criteria.

In a bid to help smoothen the transition to West African Monetary Union (WAMU), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the West Africa Monetary Institute (WAMI) are jointly hosting a seminar on the transition to the ECOWAS single currency.

The theme of the seminar, which is to coincide with the ongoing WAMZ meetings in Abuja, is ‘Exchange Rate Arrangements in the Transition to ECOWAS Single Currency 2020’.

It is designed to promote critical discourse and exchanges among central banks, ministries of finance, policy makers, legislators and the academic community on exchange rate arrangements, the options and implications.

The Director General of WAMI, Dr. Ngozi Egbuna, stated that the seminar would provide a better understanding of exchange rate

arrangements in the transition to monetary union; highlight role of exchange rate in a successful monetary union.

“The main objective of the seminar series is to promote exchange of ideas among central banks, ministries of finance, policy makers, legislators and the academic community on topical issues,” a statement by the organisers said.

The plenary and moderated panel discussions at the five-day seminar will feature select subject-matter which experts would deliver their respective points of view and perspectives

through presentations, discussions and audience participation and responses.

Technical experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB) will also facilitate sessions at the seminar, Egbuna added.

Meanwhile, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has emerged WAMZ chairman.

He was elected at the ongoing sub-regional meeting being hosted by Nigeria.

Shortly after the unanimous election, Emefiele, in his

acceptance speech, stated that a lot of work needs to be done, especially in respect to the attainment of ECOWAS single currency by 2020.

He further noted that everything that was required to be done would be actualised towards the achievement of the objectives of the regional organisation.

While reiterating Nigeria’s unflinching commitment towards the single currency project in the sub-region, Emefiele urged member-countries to work towards achieving the convergence criteria.

Wide Jubilation in Imo as Araraume Defects to APGA, Picks Governorship Nomination Form Udora Orizu in Abuja There was a widespread jubilation in Imo State, especially the state capital, Owerri, yesterday as Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), by picking the governorship nomination form of the APGA. Araraume, who was until recently, a chieftain of APC, picked the APGA nomination form after weeks of speculation of his plans to join the party.

He obtained the form in Awka, the Anambra State capital, yesterday in company of some national leaders of the party, including the National Secretary, Mr. Labran Maku.

One of his political aides, Mr. Ebere Osuji, who confirmed the jubilation said that shortly after obtaining the form, Senator Araraume joined other aspirants at a national retreat organised by the party at FINOTEL Hotel, Awka.

The news of his picking APGA governorship form was said to have caused wide jubilation by his huge supporters, who have being putting suffocating pressure on him to leave APC. Recently, a coalition of different groups made up of professionals, students, town unions, the clerics and others called on him 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 had met through representatives in Owerri, 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 envisaged, in the next political dispensation.

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, 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 had been left in for close to eight years now”.

The spokesman of the coalition, Apostle Jonas Ihejirika, had noted that they were worried that even if the senator secured the ticket of the APC to run for the election, he would be most unlikely to secure the mandate of the people because the party has been “completely demarketed” in the state by the 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 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 South-east geo-political zone had criticised Governor Okorocha for his style of administration, which they said had jeopardised the chances of even retaining Imo, the only APC state 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.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY…

L-R: Head, Network and Operations, Ikeja Electric, Ikorodu Business Unit,Mr. Ismaila Bello; Head, Mentally Challenged Section, Lagos State Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Mrs. Iyabo Giwa-Oniru; Head, Destitute Section of the Centre, Mr. Salu Oladayo and Manager, Brand, Events and P-CSR, Mrs. Titilola Aikhomu, during the donation of provisions to the rehabilitation centre by Ikeja Electric in Ikorodu, Lagos… recently

Amaechi is a Traitor to His People, Says Omokri For refusing to spend N13 billion on the Maritime University in the Niger Delta region, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has been described as a traitor to people of his South-south region “who gave him the quota opportunity to serve as a cabinet member of the President Muhammadu

Buhari’s government.”

The affront against the minister was made yesterday in a statement issued by former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, who further alleged that Amaechi’s refusal to commit to the establishment of the university was even to the amazement of

a fellow Niger Deltan Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, also a member of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Amaechi is a minister today because of the Niger Delta. He was nominated as a minister to represent Rivers State in the Executive Council of the federal

government. By his actions, it is safe to say that Amaechi is a traitor to his people!” Omokri noted.

Omokri, however, lamented that Amaechi, who felt that N13 billion was too much to be spent on the Niger Delta, justified citing an N18 billion on the so-called Transport University in President Buhari’s village of Daura.

Soyinka Urges Youths to Challenge Political Elite Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has challenged the youths to brace up and take over their destiny rather than conniving with political elite in shutting themselves out of leadership.

According to him, the status quo must be challenged because the current leaders whom he described as ‘old brigades’ wont surrender power without a fight.

Soyinka disclosed this at the maiden edition of the Sterling Leadership Series which was themed ‘Corporate Culture Intersection’ held in Lagos.

He added that Nigeria has

been unfortunate to be led by the bourgeoisie who think that leadership is their birthright. He further explained that in Marxist philosophy, the bourgeoisie is the social class that owns the means of production during the modern industrialisation and whose societal concerns are the value of property and the preservation of capital to ensure the perpetuation of their economic supremacy in society.

Soyinka who was reacting to a question on leadership and future of Nigeria, subtly berated the younger generation for lethargy and connivance with

the old brigade to shut themselves out of leadership. He charged the Nigerian youths to brace up and challenge the status quo because the political elite will not surrender power without a fight. He urged the audience to be good followers by holding leaders accountable for their stewardship from time to time.

He applauded Sterling Bank’s initiative to send its employees home to collect their PVCs in preparation for the general elections, describing it as civic solidarity. He encouraged the electorate not to give up on the

country’s leadership because the signs of another change are already showing.

According to him, banks should take the initiative and promote artistic entrepreneurs, saying the contribution of arts to the society is mostly underrated. He enjoined Nollywood to wake up so that banks can invest more in their business because it is a viable industry. He regretted the extinction of art works across the country, remarking that many art works have disappeared from Oyo to Bida, among other notable art centres in the country.

NIGERIA’S AIRSPACE IS SAFE, SECURE, FG ASSURES

The incident led to delay of flights from different parts of the country to the Federal Capital Territory, as passengers billed for early morning flights from Lagos to Abuja and from other parts of the country had to be delayed by about two hours.

The delay affected the first flights of Azman, Medview Airline and Air Peace to Abuja

from Lagos, as their passengers had to wait until signal was received from FAAN that the airport had been re-opened.

FAAN in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said the partial closure of Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,

was “due to an incident involving a Gulfstream 4 aircraft being operated by Skybird that overshot the Runway while landing and consequently got stuck on the Runway End Safety Area (RESA).”

‘The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has now reopened the runway to take arrivals and departures, subject

to a reduced threshold of 3000 metres,” she added.

The agency assured airlines and passengers that the airport is safe for normal operations.

It is expected that officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) would examine the aircraft before it would be removed from the site of the incident.

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Compete Clean, Fair at FIBA World Cup, FG Urges D’Tigress Men’s team, D’Tigers, take on Cote d’Ivoire today in Lagos Nigeria’s D’Tigress have been urged to compete clean and fair when hostilities begin at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain.

Speaking at the send forth ceremony held for the glory seeking Nigerian girls on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, told D’Tigress that they have the backing of the whole country as they embark on the journey to Spain. “It is the belief of this government that for every competition, you should compete clean and fair. The country is standing solidly behind you. We are looking out for you with hope that with hardwork, you can bring the trophy home.�

Dalung said that the Ministry under his watch was giving equal opportunities to all sports men and women to excel at the grassroots and international stage. “We are deliberately looking toward the development of female sports and we believe that once we are able to equitably tackle the inbalance between the men’s football, women’s football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, our women will do us proud because they have less of the controversies compared to the men,� stressed Dalung.

The Minister thanked the players for their dedication and willingness to heed the clarion

D’Tigress and their coaches during the send forth ceremony for the team at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports in Abuja‌yesterday

call to represent Nigeria in Spain. “I want to thank you sincerely for honouring the invitation to come to camp, for considering service to your country as a priority. You are a team that is very compact, driven by common interest and also determined. “I believe that the sky will be the limit of this team�, he concluded.

In her response, the team’s captain, Adaora Elonu promised that D’Tigress will do their best to give a good representation of the country who will be playing at the competition as African Champions.

Elonu thanked the NBBF President, Musa Kida, for ensuring the team’s early call to camp and early preparations to stand a chance of competing

seriously at the World Cup. The Nigeria Basketball Federation President who was represented by the Vice President, Babatunde Ogunade thanked the Minister for his support since they were sworn in in 2017. “We cannot thank you enough for your level of support to the board. You have shown yourself to be a good and dependable father. Like Oliver Twist, we still

ask for more.�

At the ceremony were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Mr Olusade Adesola, the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee Habu Gumel and other staff of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s senior male team, D’Tigers will start their campaign in the 2019 FIBA

World Cup qualifiers today in Lagos.

The team billed to face Cote d’Ivoire in the first game of their second round qualifier scheduled for the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos is determined to get the job done and keep to their unbeaten run as they continue their journey of picking a World Cup ticket.

D’Tigers’ point guard, Ben Uzoh who has been a constant decimal in the team since 2015 remarked that “it feels good to be back in Lagos again amongst the coaches, players and the fans in their quest to continue building support at home�.

He described the team as a united unit focused on bringing glory to Nigeria. “We are brothers. Behind the scene we are always in group chats. “We keep in touch, we joke, we bounce a lot of ideas off each other behind the scene.�

Although he is not giving anything to chance regarding their opposition, Uzoh said D’Tigers will continue to work hard in ensuring they maintain their unbeaten run. “Obviously, those teams have been working hard and preparing to put their best foot forward just as much as we are, but I am just excited to be amongst such great talents again. It’s going to be fun because we look forward to the competition.�

U-21Volleyball Nations Cup: Nigeria Loses to Rwanda Olawale Ajimotokan and Ezienyi Napoleon in Abuja Nigeria’s hope of winning the African U-21 Men’s Volleyball

Nations Cup was dented a huge blow yesterday following three straight sets loss to Rwanda at the National Stadium in Abuja.

The Nigerian team failed to sparkle and reenact the form they exhibited in the 3-2 win over Cameroon the previous day, as the technically sound

Rwandans controlled the game.

Nigeria lost 23-25, 22-25 and 22-25 and faces a must-win match today against Tunisia to stand a chance of advancing

Eunisell Extends Brand Six Nigerian Coaches Involvement in Domestic Shortlisted for Arsenal, Premier League WorldRemit Programme Group Managing Director, Mr. Chika Ikenga yesterday announced that Eunisell will extend the brand’s involvement in the domestic premier league with the launch of ‘Eunisell Boots’, a prestigious award that recognises the domestic premier league’s top-scoring player.

The inaugural award for the 2017/2018 season will be made in Lagos, this year.

Eunisell first became involved in the domestic premier league in 2015 and recently entered the record books as the first club sponsor in Nigeria to achieve four consecutive seasons – Eunisell is the Rivers United FC sponsor.

Ikenga stressed that the initiative is confirmation of Eunisell’s commitment to the development and increased interest in Nigerian football. “Too often we lose sight of the importance of the domestic league and its players, opting instead to follow the European and UK leagues for example.

What we forget is that a sig-

nificant percentage of those talented players are Nigerians who started their careers at home in the local league - and even more remarkable, is the fact that our young stars rise to the top here and abroad without having had the benefit of local academies or sponsors in their formative years.�

Ikenga continued, “It’s time we got behind our Nigerian league, Nigerian clubs and Nigerian players and recognise their incredible talent, the contribution they make to the game and their achievements. “The prestigious trophy and value of the Eunisell Boots award will spur players into performing better we believe and we are indeed proud to be associated with our home-grown stars,� he concluded.

Eunisell is a leading global chemical and specialty fluid management company, delivering world-class solutions to a wide base of customers operating throughout Africa.

Six Nigerians are among the 25 Coaches shortlisted for the WorldRemit Future Stars football coaching programme.

The Nigerian coaches shortlisted include; Adegun Shola John, Ezindu Okay-Lawrence, Felix Ifeanyi Nwosu, Henry Uche Iwuanyanwu, Ogunmefun Jerry Olaide and Oluwasegun Adeniyi. The Future Stars programme is a new initiative set up by WorldRemit, the official online money transfer partner of Arsenal Football Club, to recognise and reward the valuable contribution that youth coaches make to the communities they serve. Future Stars offers local coaches from across Africa the chance to attend an exclusive new training camp with Arsenal’s top Soccer Schools coaches in London. The programme received over 700 applications in one week from across Africa and a shortlist of 25 coaches has been selected by a judging panel of

representatives from Arsenal and WorldRemit. In recognition of their hard work, the 25 shortlisted coaches will receive official Arsenal shirts for their youth teams. From the 25 shortlisted applicants, five finalists chosen by the judges will go through to a public vote, where they will compete for the chance to train with Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches. The five finalists will be featured on the futurestars.worldremit. com website and voting will open in the last week of September.

According to the organisers of the event, WorldRemit will pay for the successful applicant to travel to London in October to attend the Future Stars camp.

The programme is expected to equip them with coaching skills which they can take back to build a lasting legacy of coaching excellence in their country.

from Group A. Rwanda rebounded by beating Nigeria following their 3-0 loss to Tunisia on Wednesday.

Eight countries are attending

the tournament in Abuja to decide Africa’s representatives to the FIVB U-21 Volleyball Championship to hold in Bahrain next year.

NYG: SWAN Lauds Sports Ministry, Berates Non-participating States Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for it’s concerted effort towards the sustainability of the National Youth Games (NYG) where young talents for grooming are being discovered yearly.

This is just as the body has taken a swipe on Zamfara and Yobe states that are not participating in the ongoing 4th edition of the NYG at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

SWAN President, Mr. Honour Sirawoo in a statement, particularly praised the sports ministry and those handling the NYG for the level of arrangements put in place for the overall success of the games. “Although I am yet to be on ground, but information from SWAN members covering the games reveal tremendous and visible improvement above previous editions and this is quite commendable. “I commend in strong

terms the tenacity of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development under the leadership of the Minister, Barr.

Solomon Dalung for achieving this feat of sustainability of the youth games. “I am particularly not happy however with the inability of some states to participate in this year’s edition. With this singular act, young boys and girls from these states are being deprived opportunity to showcase their God-given talents that could help shape their future. “Let it be known that engaging young ones in positive activities such as sports is also an avenue to address restiveness and social vices, hence my appeal to states not participating in this year’s edition to consider youth empowerment and development through sports as priority going forward.�

Sirawoo commended states that have committed their resources in sponsoring athletes participating in the NYG, stressing that it is a worthy venture that will yield results not only to their respective states but the country at large.

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Friday, September 14, 2018

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MISSILE Jonathan to Oshiomhole “His recent flip flops where he praised Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso one day, only to denounce them the next day, is enough evidence of Oshiomhole’s fragile psychological state”.

-Former President Goodluck Jonathan fires back at Oshiomhole for alleging that vote buying started during his regime

eniola.bello@thisdaylive.com

@eniolaseni 08055001956

Like Trump, Like Buhari Ibrahim Idris disobeyed a presidential order to relocate to Benue State; when he reinstated Executive Secretary Usman Yusuf of National Health Insurance Scheme, suspended by Health Minister Isaac Ajewole on allegations of gross misconduct; when he pleaded with the people of Benue State to embrace herdsmen that had been killing them and destroying their farms; and when he made dumb comments on scores of other issues or opted to hide behind the veil of silence for inaction. The tragedy though is that, unlike in the US, top Buhari aides instead of “working to insulate their operations from his whims,” would rather take advantage of the internal disconnect to advance their personal agenda.

A

n anonymous Op-Ed essay published by the New York Times and said to have been authored by a top official in the Trump administration has ruffled the imperious feathers of US President Donald Trump and, in the last one week, sent his aides scampering for cover. The anonymous author claims in the article that the country is bitterly divided over Trump’s leadership; that the Republicans might well lose the midterm elections to an opposition hell-bent on the president’s downfall; that many senior administration officials are working diligently from within to frustrate part of Trump’s agenda; and that the American president has continued to act in a manner detrimental to the health of the republic.

Having read the article more than once, I see an uncanny resemblance of the issues raised to the Nigerian situation under President Muhammadu Buhari, except in one critical area – the “resistance” from within the administration. I will come to that in the concluding part of this piece. However, permit me to quote a sequence of excerpts from the essay isolating the troubling features of the Trump presidency, and situating them to the Buhari presidency.

“The root of the problem is the president’s amorality. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision-making.

“Although he was elected as a Republican, the president shows little affinity for ideals long espoused by conservatives: free minds, free markets and free people. At best, he has invoked these ideals in scripted settings. At worst, he has attacked them outright.”

Buhari was elected president in 2015 basically on the strength of his much trumpeted personal integrity and anti-corruption stance. Almost four years down the line, the claim to integrity and disdain for corruption cannot be said to stand on solid ground, perhaps because those who exercise real power in the administration are the president’s relatives and in-laws. Allegations of corruption against top administration officials are ignored or treated with kid gloves. Contending power centres work in different directions, if not at cross purposes, and because the president has mostly failed to provide an anchor, policy flip-flop is not uncommon thereby creating the impression that there’s no discernible first principles that guide decision-making. Security agencies not only undermine one another, they sometimes publicly confront each other without any sanction for bad behavior. Although Buhari started his presidential bid in 2003 as a conservative, he won the 2015 election on the platform of a progressive party.

Although progressive ideals generally centre on change and improvement anchored on reforms, and although the first highlight in the manifesto of the ruling APC is constitutional amendment “with a view to devolving powers … to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism…” Buhari has attacked, outright, the growing calls for restructuring, the elements of which are no more than what his party has espoused in its manifesto and campaign promises.

It is difficult to identify any game changing reform initiated and implemented by the administration. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) and other payment systems that Buhari and his aides love to make a song and dance of were initiated by the Jonathan administration.

The Buhari administration initially cancelled the fuel subsidy regime, a short cut to easy wealth

Buhari

Trump

under President Goodluck Jonathan. But then it introduced multiple rates in its foreign exchange regime with the embedded currency susbsidy substituting one form of corruption for another.

The APC (All Progressives Congress) pretty much flew to the 2015 election victory on the wings of lies, propaganda and hypocrisy, and its administration, in the last three years, has rolled in the mud of the same vices. It speaks to Buhari’s amorality that a cross section of politicians that helped him to win the 2015 election were top members of the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party), the very party the president has serially blamed for the country’s problems and used as an alibi for his administration’s under-performance, if not ineptitude. Indeed, it is a situational irony that there is no discernible difference between the APC and PDP in form, structure and content, despite the ruling party’s attempt to claim a moral high ground.

been little or no progress in terms of prosecution and conviction. Taking a second look at the whole drama, it wouldn’t be wrong to conclude that the administration’s early show of force was no more than an exhibition of Buhari’s anti-democratic tendencies. For an activist judiciary, a virile opposition, an independent media, and a dynamic legislature are key institutions required for building a strong democratic culture. Buhari not only attempted to hamstring the first three in a strategic sleight of hand using corruption as a weapon of blackmail to get the peoples’ buy-in, he also tried to weaken the legislature in a long and withering legal battle against the leadership of the National Assembly.

At every opportunity, he blames journalists for his administration’s policy failure, and the media’s refusal to accept his divisive, unhelpfully defensive, one-dimensional narrative of herdsmen’s murderous exploits in some parts of the country. Buhari is manifestly anti-business. His administration makes no conscious efforts to cultivate the business community, or involve corporate leaders in policy decisions, or generally improve the business environment.

Any wonder why unemployment is growing in leaps and bounds, or why Nigeria is now the new poverty capital of the world! Buhari’s adversarial inclinations would always goad him to denigrate the country he should be the No.1 salesman before world leaders, by either calling the youths lazy, or accepting without protest that Nigeria was “fantastically corrupt.”

“In addition to his mass-marketing that the press is the “enemy of the people,” President Trump’s impulses are generally anti-trade and anti-democratic. … There are bright spots… But these successes have come despite – not because of – the president’s leadership style, which is …adversarial, petty and ineffective.”

As military leader in 1984, then General Buhari did not pretend to be a friend of the press. He had promulgated Decree 4 that empowered his military junta to jail journalists (two journalists were indeed jailed) for publishing stories that though may be true, the government could find embarrassing. Buhari’s return to power in the 2015 election did not change his distrust of the media. Having been elected president in 2015, one of the Buhari administration’s first actions was to use the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) to force top media owners to refund some money his immediate predecessor legitimately paid out as compensation for the seizure of some newspapers and disruption of media operations in Abuja by security agents in order to avert a class action from the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. That early attack on the media in the name of fighting corruption was not an isolated incident. The judiciary also came under attack with midnight raids of some judges’ residences. Many opposition politicians in the PDP were accused of fraud running into billions of Naira, indiscriminately arrested and unduly detained. After all the hot air, there has

“From the White House to executive branch departments and agencies, senior officials privately admit their daily disbelief at the commander in chief’s comments and actions. Most are working to insulate their operations from his whims.”

There’s no question that many senior officials at Aso Rock and the MDAs would have privately expressed their shock and disbelief at some of Buhari’s comments and actions. After all, millions of Nigerians expressed their disbelief when he made a distinction between “the 97 percent” that voted for him and “the 5 percent” that did not in rewards and conduct paradigm; when he accepted without question that Nigeria was a fantastically corrupt country; when he said the country’s youths were lazy; when he expressed surprise that Abdulrasheed Maina, on EFCC wanted list for pension fraud, had been recalled to service and promoted; when he said he wasn’t aware the police Inspector General

“The bigger concern is not what Mr. Trump has done to the presidency but rather what we as a nation have allowed him to do to us. We have sunk low with him and allowed our discourse to be stripped of civility.”

President Buhari has taken Nigerians for a joyless ride in the last three years. He seems to enjoy the perks and glamour of being president, yet has failed to apply himself to the rigours of the office. Detached and distant, some of his aides naturally appropriated the powers of his office, exercising presidential duties in his name and with little consideration for public good. It is a measure of how badly he has performed that scores of politicians are gunning for his seat. And the language of discourse is indeed very low.

Very few in the crowd of presidential aspirants have thought through the problems ailing the country and worked out solutions to them. We have allowed our emotions to be caught by the hook of the so-called anti-graft war; hence public discourse is driven by bitterness and anger and name-calling and hate and blackmail.

“There is a quiet resistance within the administration of people choosing to put the country first. But the real difference will be made by everyday citizens rising above politics, reaching across the aisle and resolving to shed the labels in favour of a single one: Americans.”

I did state at the beginning of this piece that it would be a tall order expecting any quiet resistance from within the Buhari administration to arrest the ever-widening division along ethnic and religious lines. Most Nigerian politicians and public officials are too greedy to be bothered about public good.

The last three years has adequately shown that Buhari does not have the vision, knowledge, capacity, capability, tolerance, social skills and emotional intelligence to lead Nigeria at this time. There’s no question that Nigeria cannot afford a second term for Buhari as the health of the republic is already endangered. The HSBC, in its latest reports on Nigeria, was only stating the obvious that another four years of Buhari in the saddle will stunt the country’s economic development. The conditions for Buhari’s defeat in the 2019 polls are so ripe that the main opposition coalition, as The Economist Intelligence Unit rightly pointed out in its latest research, should win. Unfortunately, w e cannot trust the motley crowd of career politicians who retire to bed in APC and wake up in PDP, or vice versa, to help birth a new course. We the people would need to rise above politics, break out from the prism of all delimiting labels, elevate our discourse and chart a different course.

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