Fidelity Bank Sustains Growth Trajectory, Profits Soar by 27% to N13bn Gross earnings hit N88.9bn Nume Ekeghe Fidelity Bank Plc posted an impressive half year results for 2018, recording a double-digit growth in key revenue lines
and achieving significant traction in her chosen business segments. Details of the audited half year results, for the period ended June 30, 2018, released
80% of total transactions now digital
at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday showed a 27.3 per cent jump in Profit Before Tax (PBT) from N10.2 billion in the previous period to N13 billion in the reporting period.
Profit After Tax (PAT) rose by 31 per cent to close at N11.8 billion from N9.03 billion recorded in 2017, while gross earnings rose by 3.6 per cent from N85.8 billion to N88.9
billion. In other indices, total assets grew by 13.7 per cent to N1,567.6 billion from N1,379.2 billion in the previous period. Total deposits, a measure of
customer confidence, increased by 19.7 per cent to close at N927.9 billion from N775.3 billion in 2017. Continued on page 6
Power Supply Stagnates at 3,761MW, Sector Loses N381bn‌ Page 8 Thursday 27 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8562. Price: N250
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Concerns in Nigeria, Others over US Fed Interest Rate Hike ... Page 8
Testy Duel in Osun as SDP Partners APC to Battle PDP Omisore gets Senate presidency offer We are sure of victory, says main opposition party Adeleke writes diplomatic missions, alleges threat to his life Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Today’s supplementary governorship election in Osun State promises to be a testy fight as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore,
yesterday finally pitched his tent with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, against the leading contender, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Last Saturday’s contest, Continued on page 6
Despite FG’s Offer of Reopening Talks, Labour Begins Strike Today Banks, petrol stations to shut down Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Organised labour has made good its threat to commence a warning strike across the country today, asking all its members to ignore work and stay at home from the middle of last night. By the industrial action,
all public and private offices, including banks and petrol stations would shut down. The action by workers came in defiance of a late rally by the federal government, which offered to restart negotiations on new national Continued on page 6
Ambode Takes up the Gauntlet, Ready for Primary... Page 6
LETS'S WORK TOGETHER... Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (left), and Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, during Tambuwal's electioneering visit to Dickson in Yenagoa... yesterday
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Ambode Takes up the Gauntlet, Ready for Primary Says his re-election will stabilise Lagos's economy Gboyega Akinsanmi After weeks of sustained negotiations for a return ticket, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday affirmed that he would participate in the primary election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday. Ambode also said a return of the APC ticket to him would guarantee the stability of the state’s growing economy; ensure its development and growth it had witnessed over time and make sure the opposition did not take root in the state. He conveyed his readiness for the contest in a statement by the Commissioner for
Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, yesterday, noting that his decision was in line with the choice of the party in Lagos State and the validation given to the direct primary preference by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC). There has been uncertainty about Ambode’s re-election after the Managing Director of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat declared their intentions to challenge the governor in a primary contest. Consequently, the Mandate Movement, a powerful political machine of the National Leader
of APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsed Sanwo-Olu for the governorship contest, thereby heating up the state’s political climate ahead of the primary election scheduled to hold on September 29. Ambode’s travail had attracted the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), pleading for reprieve for the embattled governor. With the presidential intervention, the APC leader, Tinubu, decided to consult the GAC, the state’s highest advisory
political organ comprising 22 APC chieftains across the three senatorial districts. But in its resolution, the GAC directed Ambode and two other aspirants to face the direct primary election. But in the statement yesterday, Ambode said, “As our great party approaches Saturday, September 29, earmarked for the direct primary election to choose the candidate to fly our party’s gubernatorial flag at the next general election, I am happy to restate my commitment to participate in that process. “I have procured and submitted my governorship nomination form and formally declared my intention to seek a second term to continue on the
path of unprecedented growth and development that our state has witnessed since 2015.� He, therefore, commended Tinubu, the State Executive Committee (SEC), the State Working Committee (SWC), GAC members; all APC members and the people of Lagos at large for their support since he assumed office on May 29, 2015. He acknowledged that the support, understanding and prayers had indeed assisted him in no small measure in being used as an instrument through which the state had redefined the concept of greatness, growth and development. Specifically, Ambode noted that in seeking re-election, he “is approaching the founding fathers
and teeming members of the party with a grateful heart, open arms and a pledge to open and deeper attention to the concerns of this one, big family. “A return of the party’s ticket to me will guarantee the stability of the state’s growing economy; ensure the continuation of the growth and development it has witnessed over time and ensure that the opposition does not take root in the state.� He, therefore, congratulated other aspirants for the courage and commitment to the APC, urging party faithful “to come out in good number and vote peacefully in all the 20 local governments and 245 wards where the election will take place.�
promised some irresistible offers, including Senate presidency in the next dispensation. The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on behalf of the PDP, had also visited the former deputy governor in a bid to secure his support for the party’s governorship candidate, Adeleke. THISDAY gathered from reliable sources that other irresistible offers to the SDP candidate in exchange for his support include the party’s senatorial ticket in 2019. The APC team promised to persuade Senator Jide Omoworare to bury his ambition of returning to the Senate in favour of Omisore. Both men are from Ile Ife in Osun East senatorial district. To further convince the Ife-born politician to support the APC, THISDAY gathered that the APC delegation was said to have promised him two commissioners’ slots should Oyetola win the governorship contest and two House of Representatives seats.
suggestion that Omisore could become Senate president in a government controlled by his party. He said, "Though I was not at the meeting, it does not sound right that the Vice President and the Senate President would come from the same geo-political zone. This is what we are contending with now with the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President both from the North."
supporting those who treated the people of Osun State like filth and slaves over the last eight years. He said, “Omisore's decision to support the APC in tomorrow's rerun is shameful. It is sad that he would seek to deny Ile-Ife the position of deputy governor simply for money. He told me he would stand firm two days ago and he told our leader and father, Ayo Adebanjo the same thing last night. I do not know what has turned his head but we shall forge ahead and by God's grace Adeleke will win.�
TESTY DUEL IN OSUN AS SDP PARTNERS APC TO BATTLE PDP in which 48 parties participated, could not produce a clear winner, as the Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Fuwape, declared the election inconclusive on the ground that the margin of win between the two leading candidates was lower than the number of cancelled votes. According to him, Adeleke scored 254,698 votes while his closest rival, Oyetola, was credited with 254,345 votes. Omisore got 128,049 votes to take the third position. He had to declare a re-run because the 353-votes difference between Adeleke and Oyetola were less than the 3,498 cancelled votes. Subsequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared a re-run in seven units spread across Orolu Local Government Area (three units, 947 votes); Ife South (two units, 1,314 votes); Ife North (one unit, 353 votes); and Osogbo (one unit, 884 votes). Omisore who came a distant third immediately became the beautiful bride being wooed by both the PDP and APC, largely because the contiguous Ife North and Ife South local councils are believed to be his strong hold even though they were won by the APC. Omisore eventually decided on the side of APC yesterday
even as the Conference of All Registered Political Parties in the state also declared support for its candidate, Oyetola. The agreement, THISDAY gathered, might not be unconnected with details which emerged from the fence-mending meeting between Omisore and chieftains of the APC led by its National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, governor-elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in Ile Ife. Omisore whose party came third in the governorship election last Saturday, stands no chance of being elected governor after today’s supplementary poll. But his support is crucial for any of the APC or PDP to win the supplementary election. It was gathered that the APC chieftains promised the former deputy governor Senate presidency and other ‘juicy’ offers in the next dispensation should he support the party to win today’s supplementary election. Omisore made his party's decision known at a press conference attended by the National Chairman of the SDP, Professor Yemi Farounbi, and other stalwarts in Ile-Ife. The SDP candidate hinged his
decision on the acceptance of his party's manifestos, including payment of backlog of arrears to civil servants and pensioners in the state within the first three months of assumption of office by the APC. Other conditions include payment of accumulated salaries to workers and pensioners in the state civil service, while workers must be trained and motivated. He explained that SDP was left with no option than to pitch its tent with the APC after the PDP failed to respond to his party's terms and condition for a coalition government. Similarly, the conference of all registered political parties in the state has also declared support for the APC candidate, Oyetola. This decision was made known at a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Prince Adesoji Masilo.
APC Dangles Irresistible Offers before Omisore Meanwhile, details yesterday emerged from the fencemending meeting between Omisore and chieftains of the APC. Omisore, it was gathered, was
APC Denies Offers The Acting Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Yekini Nabena, however denied the
Fani-Kayode: It’s Shameful for Omisore to Support APC However, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi FaniKayode, has described the decision to support the APC in today's rerun election as shameful. Fani-Kayode said it was sad that the SDP governorship candidate would seek to deny Ile-Ife the position of deputy governor simply for money. He added that Omisore assured him and Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, two days ago that he would stand firm. The former minister stressed that there was no excuse or justification for joining or
PDP Avoided Alliance against APC, Says SDP The Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday disclosed that the PDP refused to pursue alliance it proposed to forge with it on the Osun State governorship re-run. The SDP, a centre-left political organisation, noted that the approach of the PDP was a threat to the alliance arrangement under the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), which it said, was brokered to rescue Nigeria Continued on page 8
DESPITE FG’S OFFER OF REOPENING TALKS, LABOUR BEGINS STRIKE TODAY minimum wage after weeks of suspension. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all its allies and affiliate unions have jointly mobilised their members nationwide to ensure observance of the industrial action. As at 8p.m. yesterday when THISDAY spoke with the Head of Information at the NLC, Mr. Benson Ukpah, on the update regarding the strike, he said labour leaders had ordered that the warning strike should proceed by midnight as planned. Also the organised labour has asked its members not to listen to any instruction to resume except that given by the leadership of the umbrella unions. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, had announced yesterday that the federal government had agreed that the suspended tripartite negotiations on the new national minimum wage would reopen on Thursday, next week. The minister, who met for two hours with labour leaders led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said all processes had been put in place to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite committee as demanded by the union. Addressing journalists shortly
after the talks with the organised labour, Ngige said, "Yes we are resuming next week, Thursday, precisely October 4 and the meeting is expected to dovetail to Friday. “All the processes have been put in place and labour leaders are to consult with their affiliates to come back for the meeting. I think we don't have any need for strike.� He said that the National Economic Council is deliberating on the issue and will most likely conclude action on it before the resumption of negotiations next week. Ngige, however, said he could not give any time frame for conclusion of action on the new minimum wage. He explained that the processes leading to the eventual implementation of the new minimum wage does not end with the work of tripartite committee. According to the minister, after agreement on the new minimum wage may have been reached, the Federal Executive Council will consider and review it and subsequently forward same to the National Assembly. On his part, Wabba said that the meeting with the minister provided opportunity for them to have update on the efforts being made by the federal government
to meet the worker's demand. When asked if Labour would still be going ahead with the warning strike, Wabba said, “As you are aware, there was a meeting where the Minister of Labour and Productivity tried to update us on government's efforts, since this was the first meeting after the suspension of negotiations. That briefing will also be taken to our members.� The President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwue Achebe, told journalists that they are only representatives of their various unions and they have no powers to cancel the industrial action. Leaders of the organised labour, had said that their decision to embark on the action was because of the unilateral suspension of negotiations on minimum wage by the federal government. Various figures ranging from N65,000 to N45,000 have been suggested during negotiations as the new national minimum wage by stakeholders, but none has been agreed upon. While speaking to journalists earlier in the day, the NLC president said the workers have been taken for ride over the past one year by the government, which has failed to show sincerity in the handling of new
minimum wage negotiations. He said what angered the workers most was the pronouncement made by the federal government that minimum wage negotiations had been adjourned sine die. "This was the reason why the organised labour was outraged and shell-shocked by the decision of government to adjourn the meeting of the negotiating committee indefinitely�, Wabba said, saying the action of government was against the principle of collective bargaining, which cast doubts on the integrity and seriousness of government. He said the directive by Organised Private Sector urging its employees not to comply with the strike should be discountenanced. Subsequently, the unions led by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday said that it would shut down all government offices, and private companies, including petrol stations by midnight. According to Wabba, the warning strike is in compliance with the decision of the various organs of the organised labour which endorsed the 14-day ultimatum served on the federal government by members of the organised labour who are members of the tripartite
committee on the new national minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage Committee was set up in November 2017 but commenced work in March, this year. Ayuba said there were assurances that negotiations will follow timeline which is to terminate with an agreement on new minimum wage latest in August or September, 2018. Explaining further, the NLC president said the tripartite committee in the course of its work received several memoranda and inputs from 21 state governments, organised labour, agencies of the federal government and organised private sector. Wabba also reacted to the statement attributed to the governors that they should not be compelled to pay a national minimum wage. He said: "We do believe that the reasons why governors find it difficult to pay the national minimum wage are lack of political will, high level of corruption, excessive cost of governance, indulgence in obscene lifestyle and White elephant projects. On whether labour would be ready to suspend tomorrow's industrial action if the federal government summons them to a meeting, Ayuba said the strike
cannot stop unless the leadership goes back to consult with its organs. On his part, the President of NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, said that workers strike would go on despite the last minute offer by the federal government to meet with labour unions next week.
TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % UPDC 0.17 1.87 10.0 NIGERINSURE 0.03 0.37 8.8 UPL 0.14 2.05 7.3 VERITASKAP 0.02 0.30 7.1 ZENITHBANK 0.95 21.40 4.6 TOP LOSERS NGN % BERGPAINTS 0.70 6.30 10.0 PRESTIGEASSURE 0.05 0.46 9.8 ROYALEXCHANGE 0.02 0.20 9.0 JAIZBANK 0.05 0.51 8.9 UNIONDAC 0.03 0.32 8.5 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,495.00 Volume: 172.196 million shares Value: N2.052 billion Deals: 2,866 As at yesterday 26/09/18 See details on Page 41
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Power Supply Stagnates at 3,761MW, Sector Loses N381bn Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria’s power sector has struggled to sustain an average daily supply of 3,761 megawatts (MW) within the first nine months of 2018, according to a performance trend data obtained from the office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The power sector also lost N381 billion during the period under review as a result of high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure, poor gas supplies to generation companies, and water management constraints were the major challenges of the sector. The data obtained by THISDAY revealed that after the sector achieved a peak power generation of 5,222MW on December 18, 2017, it managed to generate and supply up to 4000MW for
only 72 out of the 263 days of 2018. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and electricity distribution companies (Discos) through their umbrella association – the Association of Electricity Distributors of Nigeria (ANED) have persistently disagreed on Nigeria’s power generation and distribution figures. Fashola has insisted that the Muhammadu Buhariled administration has been making steady progress in electricity generation and distribution. The minister in August during a retreat of the ministry in Cross River State, stated that power distribution had risen to 5,222MW. He also said it was an all-time national high. However, THISDAY’s summation of the production and supply figures in the power supply trend, showed
Fashola that the highest generation and supply mark attained so far in 2018 was 4419.6MW achieved on March 28. The data analysed also showed that high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure; poor gas supplies to generation companies; and water management constraints were the major challenges of the
sector. It was further discovered that on the average, the sector could not supply up to 2,914MW of electricity to homes and offices in the country due to these constraints. Equally, under the period under consideration, the market had not earned a whooping sum of N381.798 billion due to the various operational constraints it encountered. According to it, in January, the sector managed to produce and supply an average of 3697MW daily; in February, it did 3937MW; in March, it supplied 4029MW; as well as 3985MW in April. Continuing, in May, 3,780MW was the average daily energy level the sector could afford to produce and supply, while 3588MW was produced averagely in June. For July, it was 3619MW; 3660MW in August, and then
3,486MW so far in September which has about seven days left to come to an end. For the unearned revenue, January accounted for N40.419 billion; February was N35.522 billion; March was N36.399 billion; April was N33.175 billion; while June had N48.759 billion. The month of July saw the sector failing to earn N50.082 billion, while August saw it lose the most as N59.976 billion could not be earned. So far in September, it has lost N36.439 billion. The trend report also indicated that for the period, a total of 182,741 metric million standard cubic feet (mmscuf) of gas was supplied to power generation plants in the sector, thus indicating an average of 20,304 million standard cubic feet per day per month and 654.985mmscf/d. On the average, the data also showed that four power plants were shutdown mostly
on account of gas constraint. Notwithstanding, a daily operational report of the sector’s performance showed that for instance that on September 21, which is the most recent of its daily reports, average energy sent out was 3,710MW up by 613.5MW from what was delivered the previous day. It also stated that 1,452.2MW was not generated due to unavailability of gas, while 2,350.3MW was not generated due to high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure. The power sector, it explained lost an estimated N1.825 billion on September 21, due to insufficient gas supply, distribution infrastructure and transmission infrastructure, just as its dominant constraint for the period remained high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure.
Concerns in Nigeria, Others over US Fed Interest Rate Hike Obinna Chima The United States Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates again at the end of its Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, raising concerns of increased turmoil in emerging markets (EMs). Specifically, the Fed increased the target for the bank's benchmark rate by 0.25 per cent, to a range of two-2.25 per cent. This clearly means that policy makers in Nigeria and other emerging economies would come under intense pressure as they seek measures in the coming days to retain exiting
foreign portfolio investors. Stock markets as well as currencies in EMs such as Argentina, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea, Philippines and China, have plunged heavily in the past few weeks. Speaking with THISDAY on the development last night, the Chief Executive of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said, “What this means is that policy makers in Nigeria will now have to sit up and do more work.� He also anticipated more capital outflows from Nigeria and other emerging economies. Rewane added, “The US has increased interest rate by 25 basis
points. Inflation in the US has come down, while inflation in Nigeria has gone up and interest rate in Nigeria remains the same. “So, the difference between inflation and interest rate in Nigeria has increased in favour of the US. Therefore, what this means is that in the near future, the naira will come under pressure, relative to the US dollar.� Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had on Tuesday warned that the country’s recently celebrated exit from recession may be under threat in view of the slowed growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which declined
to 1.50 per cent in the second quarter from 1.95 percent in the first quarter of the year. It had further expressed concerns that the modest stability so far achieved in key indicators, including inflation, exchange rate and reserves since its last MPC meeting in July- also appeared to be under threat of reversal given the new data, which provided evidence of weakening macro-economic fundamentals. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had urged the fiscal authorities to sustain the implementation of the 2018 budget to relieve the supply side growth constraints as well as address the flooding incidents,
which have become perennial on a permanent basis. The MPC had left the benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) unchanged at 14 per cent, the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 22.5 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30 percent. Th rate hike by the Fed was the eighth since 2015, as it continues its policy of gradual rate rises. Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, said the monetary policy decision was a safe path amid economic uncertainty. Now, investors are looking for clues about how high the Fed might eventually go - as well as signs that policymakers could
start to move more aggressively, the bbc.com reported. US interest rates remain relatively low, reflecting the Fed's decision to lower them dramatically amid the 2007-2009 financial crisis in an effort to encourage borrowing and boost economic activity. Powell and other economists said the economy is strong enough now that such stimulus is no longer necessary. Higher interest rates make borrowing in the US more expensive, slowing economic activity and curbing price inflation. Most analysts expect the Fed to raise rates again in December, with increases continuing in 2019.
“We have spoken to our people and we are certain that their experience from the current administration is enough for the need for a change that will bring development to the nation.�
process. Adeleke said, "I am constrained to write this letter to intimate you, our diplomatic partners and friends of the despotic happenings in Osun governorship polls, which I won but for which I was not declared the winner. My life is under threat and leaders of my party are under siege before and after Saturday main polls. "During the campaigns, we were subjected to countless attacks. I escaped about four assassination attempts. Our campaign vehicles were severally attacked and our rallies disrupted. We went through the pre-election process under constant onslaught from political thugs and merchants of violence. "Despite the violence prone climate, I still won the election. On live television, our votes were removed and protestations for re-addition of the votes were rejected. “Votes for the ruling party were jerked up and again the electoral umpire refused to correct the arithmetical errors. After all the manipulations which saw about 4,000 votes removed from my total votes, I
still won by close to 400 votes. "In a brazen assault on democracy, the returning officer in open breach of the constitution refused to declare me the winner even after fulfilling constitutional stipulations.�
With regulatory ratios such as the capital adequacy ratio at 17 per cent, liquidity ratio at 33.2 per cent, well above required threshold, Okonkwo was optimistic that the bank will sustain this sterling performance in the second half of the year. Fidelity Bank is a fullfledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over four million customers who are serviced across its 240
business offices and various digital banking channels. The bank, which is focused on select niche corporate banking sectors as well as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has in recent times won accolades as the Best SME Friendly Bank, Best in Mobile Banking and the Most Improved Corporate/ Investment Bank, among several industry awards and recognition.
TESTY DUEL IN OSUN AS SDP PARTNERS APC TO BATTLE PDP from bad government. The SDP National Vice Chairman (South-west), Chief Olasupo Shonibare, expressed this concern in a conversation with THISDAY yesterday, lamenting that the proposed alliance to ensure the PDP defeat the APC in the governorship re-run failed. Speaking with THISDAY yesterday, Shonibare explained the commitment of the SDP to the PDP’s alliance proposal, but the PDP refused to make contact to forge the alliance and work out strategies to ensure its victory in the governorship re-run. After INEC declared the election inconclusive on Sunday, he said the former National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, set up a five-man national team on matters relating to the re-run. He noted that the national team, which was set up to work out the alliance, comprised Chief Supo Shonibare (Chairman), Mr. Joseph Abu (member), Senator Iyiola Omisore (member), Chief Yemi Farounbi (member) and Dr. Olu Agunloye (member). He added that the team waited for the PDP delegation
“to make contact after the visit of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his promise to come back on Tuesday. We waited all day on Tuesday till I left for Abuja while Yemi Farounbi was in charge. “The PDP have not made contact. Instead of making contact, Senator Ben Obi was suggesting that the SDP national chairman should make a statement supporting PDP and Adeleke. It seems as if the PDP is avoiding to make contact, hoping they will either get the nod from court today or can go it alone.� Despite the SDP’s readiness for discussion, Shonibare said the PDP “does not want to give Omisore or the SDP any bragging rights for having assisted. As much as we, leaders see the bigger picture, the stupid intransigence of PDP being demonstrated now will make the arrangement of the CUPP difficult to implement. “It was adjudged that the PDP being the leading opposition Party at that election was the appropriate vehicle to engage. Saraki led a team of PDP leaders and promised
to revert. In the spirit of the CUPP alliance, SDP Committee all assembled in Osogbo and waited for the PDP to make contact. “As of this Wednesday morning, they are yet to do so. We understand the PDP has more faith in the Court process and may have decided it did not need any other Party's support.�
PDP: We are ConďŹ dent of Winning Despite the coalition between the SDP and APC, the PDP has expressed confidence of winning the supplementary election. The National Vice-Chairman (South-west) of PDP, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, stated this in Abuja while addressing newsmen in Abuja. Olafeso said, “For us, we are very confident that victory will be ours tomorrow. We already won anyway. “PDP is not bothered because our people are resolute. And they are desirous in ensuring that the victory denied us on Saturday will eventually be ours.
Adeleke Writes Diplomatic Missions, Alleges Threat to His Life Meanwhile, Adeleke has written a letter to diplomatic missions in Nigeria, raising the alarm over threats to his life and rabid clampdown on his supporters ahead of today’s polls. In the letter already dispatched to the United Nations, European Union, United States Embassy, British High Commission and other diplomatic missions in Nigeria, Adeleke catalogued the many infractions in the last Saturday’s poll, the refusal of INEC to declare him the winner in line with the constitution, the killing and maiming of his supporters, the arrest of key leaders on trumped up charges and the manipulations of the electoral
Police Vow to Curtail Break down of Law and Order The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of security in the rerun election, Mr. Joshak Habila, yesterday said the police would deal ruthlessly with persons with the intent to disrupt the exercise. Habila who stated this at a press briefing at the police headquarters in Osogbo, said security was fully ready to comb all the areas slated for the rerun. The police boss also made it clear that security arrangement were in order to deal ruthlessly with intent person to cause problem during the rerun. He, therefore, urged all voters to conduct themselves well during the election.
FIDELITY BANK SUSTAINS GROWTH TRAJECTORY, PROFITS SOAR BY 27% TO N13BN Commenting on the results, Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, attributed the impressive performance to the disciplined approach in managing the balance sheet growth of the bank, its strategic cost containment initiatives; focused attention to chosen business segments and determined execution of its retail and digital banking strategy. He stated, “Gross earnings,
net fee and commission income all grew primarily due to the increase in transactional activities. “Our digital banking initiative continues to gain traction with almost 40 per cent of our customers now enrolled on our mobile/ internet banking products and over 80 per cent of total transactions now done on our digital platforms.� As shown in recent years,
Fidelity Bank’s retail digital banking strategy has continued to positively impact the business. This was again evident in the first half (HI) of 2018 results as savings deposits increased by 10.6 per cent to N197.5 billion. “The bank is on track to achieving a 5th consecutive year of double-digit savings growth. Low cost deposits now account for 73.8 per
cent of total deposits,� the CEO explained further. Although total operating expenses grew by 5.7 per cent to N32.7 billion, Okonkwo maintained that the bank’s cost to income ratio remained relatively stable at 67.7 per cent when compared to 67.5 per cent reported in the previous year. This is in spite of the double-digit inflationary environment in Nigeria.
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NEWS
Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268
PDP Asks Buhari to Investigate First Lady over Alleged N2.5bn Scandal Says INEC’s double standard threatens 2019 elections
Adedayo Akinwale and Palvin Namero in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President
Muhammadu Buhari to show his zero tolerance for corruption by allowing for an open inquest into the N2.5 billion scandal, involving the First Lady, Aisha
FG, States, LGs Share N741.843bn for August Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The three tiers of government - federal, states and local governments shared a total of N741.843 billion as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) met in Abuja yesterday to distribute revenue for the month of August. The allocations were shared even as the federal government avoided comments on the alleged withholding of the last tranche of the Paris Club refund to three states, including Benue, Delta and Rivers. Yesterday’s FAAC meeting was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mahmoud Isa- Dutse who represented the Minister, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed who was said to have traveled overseas on official engagement. Giving the figures for the month of August, Isa-Dutse stated that a total of N741.843 billion was approved for distribution as allocation for the month of August. According to him, gross statutory revenue received during the month under review was N627.139 billion, representing an increase over the N609.975 billion received in the previous month by N17.164 billion.
The total distributable revenue of N741.843 billion was composed of a statutory revenue of N627.139 billion, gross Value Added Tax of N114.542 billion and an exchange gain of N162 million. The breakdown of net statutory revenue shared showed that the federal government received the highest amount of N274.889 billion representing 52.68 per cent; states got N139.427 billion, representing 26.72 per cent, while the local government councils received N107.493 billion or 20.60 per cent. The oil-producing states received N53.034 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue. For Value Added Tax distribution to three the tires of government, the federal government received N16.494 billion (15 per cent); states got N54.981 billion, representing 50 per cent while the local governments got N38.486 billion (35 per cent). Data showed that oil export sales volume rose to 4.57 million barrels resulting in an increased revenue from the Federation crude oil expert sales by 0.82 million barrels when compared with the previous month’s sales volume of 3.74 million barrels.
Nine Passengers Die in Ekiti Auto Crash Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Tragedy hit Awo Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ekiti State yesterday as nine persons died in an accident crash that occurred in the town. Most frightening was the fact that the news that first broke in the town was that all the 18 occupants of the 18-passenger bus had perished in the accident. The Toyota Hiace bus, conveying the passengers from Lagos to Abuja, had collided with a trailer on Awo - Igede road. The bodies of the passengers were squeezed in the crushed bus, with witnesses claiming that there were no survivors in the accident. A resident of Awo community told journalists that the bus rammed into the truck which they said was travelling ahead and conveying planks. After hitting the truck, the bus lost control and also forced the truck to equally lose control. Nine people died at the scene
as they were mangled in the crushed bus, while one of the passengers was said to have been rushed to the hospital. According the community sources, the Toyota hiace bus, with registration number EKY 978 XJ was travelling from Lagos, while the origin of the trailer attached to a DAF truck with registration number XB 404 FKA was not immediately known. While the community people said they believed the bus was heading to Abuja, the destination of the truck was not immediately known. The accident had occurred in front of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Igede - Awo road. Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Mohammed Olowo, while giving details of the accident, said the possible cause of the accident was “overspeeding and loss of control.” The FRSC said the accident had occurred at about 6:15 a.m., and that 10 people were involved.
Buhari. The leadership of the main opposition party has also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of double standards, saying the commission takes different decisions on electoral results, irrespective of constitutional provisions. PDP said it was more scandalous that while President Buhari was in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York mouthing his war against corruption, a huge broth of corruption, in which his wife was mentioned, was simmering under his own roof. The National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan who disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Abuja, said that the scandal had further vindicated the stand of the PDP that President Buhari presides over a government of corruption, where his close relatives, officials and a cabal
of associates are enmeshed in sleazy deals but parading as saints. The party said it was instructive to note that the First Lady had already admitted that her detained security aide defrauded “unsuspecting associates and officials”, a position which inadvertently exposes the attempt by the Police to conceal the matter. Ologbondiyan said Nigerians should note that the Presidency had suddenly gone dumb on a N2.5 billion fraud under its roof, saying, “does this not amount to admittance of complicity by the Buhari Presidency, which is becoming notorious as a den of certificate forgers and persons of questionable character.” The PDP stressed that President Buhari, by now, must have learnt that Nigerians are not buying the lame denial by the First Lady, who had rushed to town to disown her detained security aide, Sani Baba Inna,
just because the lid is off the can of worms. Ologbondiyan said, “The PDP and indeed Nigerians have always pointed to the very expensive lifestyle and personal effects, including posh jewelries, daily paraded by close relatives of Mr. President, thus belying gimmicks and stunts of the first family being saintly and pro-poor. “Also, there have been allegations of acquisitions of sprawling and choice property in Nigeria and other countries by persons close to the President.” The opposition party noted that it is common knowledge that aides of former Presidents and those of former First Ladies are currently facing trial in open court over similar allegations, adding that this should not be an exception. The PDP said it hoped that the detained aide will not be ‘escorted’ out of the country to
prevent him from opening up, as was the case of disgraced former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun. Meanhile, the leadership of the main opposition party has also accused INEC of double standards, saying the commission takes different decision on electoral results irrespective of constitutional provisions. The party added that the double standards being operated by INEC not only worries political parties but is a pointer to the fact that the 2019 general elections is under threat. The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus stated this yesterday when he received members of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) at the party’s National Headquarters,
Continued on page 52
MEET-THE-DELEGATES’ TOUR...
L-R: Director General, Bukola Saraki Campaign Organisation, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, President of the Senate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Chairman, Katsina State Chapter of PDP, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, during Saraki’s tour to meet delegates in the state...yesterday.
APC Primaries: Oshiomhole Threatens to Sack Erring State Party Executives Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomohle, has cautioned that the leadership of the party will dismiss any member of a state executive of the party who takes side in the Saturday’s primary election. Addressing the APC forum of state chairmen last night in Abuja, Oshiomhole said just as his leadership suspended the Adamawa State executive on Tuesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) has power to disband any state executive without prior notice or reason. According to him, the business of the state executives should not be influenced by their personal interest, particularly in state where there are more than one aspirants contesting for positions.
The national chairman said: “If you do that and it is not going to be secret, we will, without any hesitation disband the entire executive. The NWC has the power without given reason to disband any executive which in its opinion is no longer fit and competent to represent the party in your respective states. “There is only one party known to law, and that is the APC. So, please, resist any temptation. We have seen embarrassment where people go on Television canvassing positions of their governor or declaring one person as the sole candidate; you don’t have those powers, and if you do so, not only can you be dissolve, you can be prosecuted for breach of oath of office and oath of allegiance to the APC.” Meanwhile, the supporters
of one of the governorship aspirants who contested the Ondo governorship primaries in 2016 on the platform of the APC, Dr. Olusegun Abraham yesterday stormed the party’s national secretariat to demand immediate release of electoral materials used for the conduct of the primaries as ordered by the Federal High Court. The aspirant asked the party to respect the rule of law and to stop delaying the case by releasing the materials used for the primary election. The supporters led by Chief Kolawole James Oluwole said the refusal of the party to release the materials to the court has frustrated the success of the aspirant’s case. Oluwole said that as a party built on the principles of fairness, the new leadership of the party must respect the
law and do things differently concerning Olusegun Michael Abraham and the case pending in court. The aspirant’s letter reads: “We write to you... as members of the members of the Olesugun Michael Abraham Organisation which is a major and critical block of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress. “We wish to first congratulate you on your emergence as the National Chairman of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress. It must be placed on record that you have lived up to expectation, and our party has been given hope and a lifeline by your great works, resilience, experience, forthrightness and presence of mind. We dare say that a Daniel has come to judgment,” they said.
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COMMENT
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
TIMES OF BASHINGS
Politicians and voters alike have much to learn from Julius Nyerere and Aminu Kano, writes Okello Oculi
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frican-Americans have a code which says that when “White Folks’’ (a media owned by White Americans) vigorously condemn a Black Man or Black Woman for what that person is doing it must be because it is good and beneficial for interests of “Black Folks’’. In recent times, Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May visited Nigeria as a key market after Britain’s expected exit from membership of the European Union. The visit and its presumed dividends was her campaign weapons for fighting those in her Conservative Party, parliament and a growing appeal by sections of the public and the Opposition Labour and Liberal Democrats turning against this exit. As a former colony in whose economy British financial and commercial firms have remained entrenched, Theresa May had to show that fears about China becoming the new rogue elephant in Nigeria’s economy and culture are hollow and uninformed. Her trip was followed by President Buhari attending the AfricaChina talk-shop in Beijing. That was followed by The Economist Intelligence not only damning Nigeria’s current economic conditions, and if Buhari retains power after the 2019 elections. It was a brazen drive at fuelling the momentum of election campaigns in Nigeria in favour of “regime change’’. This diplomatic hostility recalls cumulous clouds which preceded the military coup of August 1985 while Buhari-Idiagbon’s government was wrestling with the IMF/World Bank. That regime was determined to implement measures – including barter trade - that would ensure Nigeria’s economic nationalism. The devaluation of the Naira by the triumphant Babangida military faction as demanded by IMF/World Bank officials resulted, among other things, in the devastation of the country’s education sector; the explosion of corruption and, many have said, a severe erosion of Nigeria’s moral architecture. The Economist Intelligence’s failure grade for Buhari’s economic performance and non-performance coincided with relentless demands for the dismissal of Buhari’s minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun. The fatal thin crack in her bullet-proof jacket was a failure to have a legitimate exemption from serving in the National Youth Service Corps scheme. A leading newspaper attributed calls for her dismissal to patriotic policies she was pushing vigorously. Her determination to extract tax revenue ‘wisdom teeth’ from wealthy individuals and corporate organisations was viciously detested. She also invented the “Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration (VAIDS)’’ under which tax defaulters were asked to either pay up their tax areas or face prosecution’’. Adeosun also fought to protect a “multi-billion Naira’’ in an ‘’Infrastructure Fund’’ from being headed by an individual whom she feared was likely to become a ‘’political godfather’’ money pot during the run-up to the 2018/ 2019 election drama. Her courage in defence of financial
ECONOMIC EXPERTS HAVE URGED AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS TO VIGOROUSLY COLLECT TAXES LOCALLY AS A SOURCE OF INCOME INSTEAD OF BEGGING FOR LOANS FROM THE SO-CALLED ‘DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ WHO ROPE THEM WITH DEBTS
accountability and a healthier electoral culture was a road taken towards a political suicide. Economic experts have urged African governments to vigorously collect taxes locally as a source of income instead of begging for loans from the so-called “development partners’’ who rope them with debts and inhibit their freedom to pursuing patriotic plans for growth. The Thabo Mbeki Committee set up by the African Union to investigate illicit drainage of funds out of the Continent, reported that as huge a sum as US$55b illicitly flow out each year. Mrs Adeosun was obviously fighting this crime. It is predictably bizarre that editors of The Economist Intelligence find this to be evidence of failed economic governance. The times also warned that tens of millions of unemployed graduates from various stages of Nigeria’s education ladder constitute a ‘’time bomb’’. A key offer to youths against this hazard has been a ritual of politicians shopping for selection as presidential candidates by jumping from one political party to another. Agriculturists might depict the practice as ‘’shifting cultivation’’. There is, however, a damning lack of educative dialogue which offer these youths alternative visions of hope by either reforming the education sector and pouring funds into the agricultural sector; or changing society as a vital weapon for fighting poverty so that more violent Boko Haram, Maitasine or Abakoba and Niger Delta Executives, etc., do not explode from under society’s soils. Mwalimu Nyerere once adopted devices like weekly folk tales he told on radio broadcasts and showing their relevance for current global and African affairs. His ruling political party insisted on candidates in each constituency gathering together and telling assembled community member why they should be voted for and not for the other two contestants who are also present. Election campaigns became vital educational income for voters and youths. Voters had opportunity to ask questions and gained a sense of importance in the electoral process. Mallam Aminu Kano in Nigeria and Leopold Sedar Senghor in Senegal won popularity by taking advantage of Harmattan season to spend long nights among village communities listening to, and talking with, voters. These times have shown condemnations of “vote buying’’: the other side of “vote selling’’. Older practices of politicians dropping bags of rice; wands of textiles; tablets of soap, or ‘’Ghana-MustGo’’ bags full of Naira bundles, are apparently too distant from vote-casting to assure ‘’investors’’ of desired victories for their money. Voters are turned to nasty compulsive ‘’stomach vacuum cleaners’’. Youths are seduced as irrigation pipes for election campaign funds; and cynicism eats up their moral fire. As a female member of the ECOWAS Parliament told me, politics in Ghana is warfare and women are withdrawing from “democracy’s blood-letting.�
OSUN AND THE 3,498 ‘SUPER DELEGATES’ Olusegun Adeniyi writes that the Osun election holds lessons for Nigerian leaders
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t the end, the decision as to who becomes the next Governor of Osun is left in the hands of 3,498 voters in just seven polling units across four local government areas in the state. But given how high the stake has become, it is my prayer that the exercise does not degenerate into another bazaar or a financial shoot-out in which the highest bidder takes the day. I am also hoping that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can complete, without further hitches, the exercise it started so brilliantly. Evidently impressed by what he had observed at the weekend, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy, Mr David Young praised the commission, though he spoke before the election was declared inconclusive. “They (INEC) are moving forward and in a positive way. I think this is going to be a very close election. It is going to come down to a very small margin‌We at the United States have had very close elections too. I urge the people to be peaceful and respect the result that comes out in the time ahead.â€? While there were 48 candidates in the election, the choice has been narrowed down to two: Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who led with 353 votes and Gboyega Oyetola of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who came second. That the margin is small makes the exercise of today very dicey. A politician I discussed with on Monday said he would win were he to be either the PDP or the APC candidate and I asked him how. He said he would simply treat the 3,498 voters as ‘super delegates’ with N200,000 allocated for each. The man broke it down for me. If he were
Adeleke, with an ‘extra’ 353 votes already in the kitty he explained, he would need no more than 1600 ballots even if everybody on the voters register turned up. With that, all the ‘logistics’ he would mobilise and deploy is just about N320 million. If he were Oyetola, he would need about 1900 votes so that would cost him about N380 million. Either way, we are still talking of about a million dollars which is small potato to our politicians when it comes to gaming elections at that level. I hope INEC will insist on the policy of no camera inside the polling booth which ensured that the promoters of ‘see and buy’ who had a field day during the Ekiti State gubernatorial election in June were checkmated in Osun State. That the prospective 3,498 voters are indeed being treated as ‘Super Delegates’ can be glimpsed from what has been happening since the poll was declared inconclusive on Sunday. Ordinarily, you would expect both Adeleke and Oyetola to embark on house-to-house campaign in the affected areas but instead, the whole exercise has been reduced to cutting deals not directly with the voters but rather with those who have already exercised their own franchise, essentially because of the assumption that they control the ‘Super Delegates’. From the Senate President and other top politicians in the PDP to the APC National Chairman and five of their governors, the residence of Omisore has become the new political Mecca. Meanwhile, I will not be surprised if some political contractors have been serving as ‘intermediaries’ between the candidates and the voters in the affected areas. While we will deal with these vexatious issues in our politics another day, let me quickly highlight the most significant lessons that can be drawn from what transpired last weekend. One, education and intellect no longer matter in the
choice of leadership in Nigeria and I do not want to elaborate on that since readers must know what I am talking about. Two, political parties are mere labels because most of them stand for the same thing, a reason why it is very easy for our politicians to dump one for another at any given time. Three, and most significant, the voters are becoming more important in our politics. The bulk of the votes Adeleke got came from people who were out to punish a government that owe its workers several months in salaries. Majority of the Osun electorate therefore want a change and anyone, including someone with F9 in English but distinction in dancing, would do otherwise they would be rewarding bad behaviour. There are also APC faithfuls who may be protesting the imposition of the gubernatorial candidate by the party lords. Adeleke benefitted from both, even when it is difficult to ascertain his capacity for managing a state that is already heavily indebted. But let us go back to the political hubris. Among the candidates who sought the Osun State APC gubernatorial ticket, the most popular was Moshood Adeoti, the former Secretary to the State Government and a grassroots politician from Iwo. The local sentiment in the state was also on his side. Of the three senatorial districts in the state, the only one that has not produced a governor under the current dispensation is Osun West so the popular expectation was that Adeoti would secure the APC ticket, given the not-so-subtle clamour for power shift. At the end, it was Oyetola, who hails from the same Central zone where Bisi Akande and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (who spent a combined period of 11 years in office) come from, that secured the ticket because he had the support of the powers-that-be within the party.
There is another big lesson in the Osun election that we should also not gloss over. The disdain for consensus and utter disrespect for local sensitivities by those who call themselves leaders in Nigeria is at the heart of the challenge we have in the polity today. And until we successfully deal with it, there will be no meaningful development in our country. On Tuesday afternoon, I had lunch with some prominent Nigerians from the North and from the discussion at the table, in virtually all the northern states where the governor has done a second term in both the PDP and APC, the persons they are pushing as candidates of their parties and likely successors are either their cousin or brother in-law. A few of them that do not care about bloodlines are promoting known lackeys. But the problem is not restricted to the North; afterall, in Imo State, Rochas Okorocha is desperate to enthrone his son-in-law as his successor while the Osun APC problem started with someone wanting his cousin as the next governor. Anybody who has followed the argument within the ruling APC on what to adopt between direct and indirect primaries will see how difficult it is to enthrone democracy in our country. At the end, the governors and the godfathers chose the one they think will produce desired outcome. Even those canvassing direct primaries know what they are doing; after all, they determine who the party members that can vote are since there is no credible register in any of the political parties. With that, the people have already been rigged out because, in many of these states, come February next year, the electorate may be left with no more than a choice between maggot-infested apples and rotten oranges.
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EDITORIAL
AS OSUN CONCLUDES GUBER POLL Everything should be done to ensure that the election is credible
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hortly before the Osun State gubernatorial election was declared inconclusive last Sunday, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Mr David Young, made a signiďŹ cant intervention. He appealed to the candidates of all the political parties and their supporters to be peaceful and respect the results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “We request and urge all supporters to be peaceful as this process moves forward. This is part of democracy. We at the United States have had very close elections too. I urge people to be peaceful and respect the result that comes out in the time ahead,â€? he said. According to the US envoy, the election was unique in several respects with the most signiďŹ cant development being THE DEPLOYMENT OF the increased capacity of INEC to deliver MONEY OR VIOLENCE on credible elections. TO MANIPULATE “They (INEC) are ELECTORAL OUTCOMES moving forward and in a positive way. I IS NOT ONLY A think this is going VIOLATION OF THE LAW, to be a very close IT ALSO CONSTITUTES election. It is going to come down to a very AN ABUSE OF THE small margin. I think CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT one of the things we OF THE PEOPLE TO need to do is let the CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS democratic process go forward with parties and their candidates raising any concerns they have through the legal process and for the results to be peaceful,â€? Young admonished. We agree with the US envoy as we also commend INEC, all the candidates as well as the security agencies for the peaceful manner in which the entire process went. We are also delighted that there were no incidences of vote-buying which had been of concern to many people, including the
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Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, before the exercise. “It is not an easy thing to prepare for an election and then some people will come on election day with bags of money very close to where you are having your polling units to see how they can pay voters for a particular candidateâ€?, said Agbaje who promised that INEC would rearrange the voting cubicles in such a way that it would be difďŹ cult to display ballot paper after voting. The pledge came against the background of what happened during the Ekiti State gubernatorial election that was a bazaar with votes traded openly. At the end, the decision by INEC to prevent mobile phones inside the voting cubicles helped to minimise ďŹ nancial inducements at the Osun poll. Unfortunately, a winner could not be declared even though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke polled the highest number of votes among the 48 candidates. But the margin of his victory over the closest challenger, Mr Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was only 353 votes, while the number of cancelled votes stood at 3,498. The stakes are higher today since the polling units where elections will hold in the state are just seven. The state government, the security agencies, all the political parties as well as their candidates and supporters have a responsibility to ensure peace. When elections become a zero sum game in which dirty money has to be deployed for victory at all costs, then democracy is endangered. As we have said repeatedly on this page, the deployment of money or violence to manipulate electoral outcomes is not only a violation of the law, it also constitutes an abuse of the constitutional right of the people to choose their leaders in a free, fair and credible manner. While it is our hope that INEC will be allowed to conclude the process it started so that any aggrieved parties can seek legal redress, we wish the people of Osun State all the best.
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2019 AND PLATEAU’S POLITICS OF POTHOLES PDP PRIMARY AND SARAKI
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eptember 17 was a bright Monday morning in Jos. While passing through the city’s commercial district during the early rush hours, I came across a strange hold-up around the British-America junction. I started looking for an answer to what might have caused this unusual event on a road plied by not only civil servants and students on busy days, but also passengers that enter or exit the city centre for various activities including trade. To my biggest surprise, I saw a few workers digging potholes (that were later repaired) on the other lane of the road – which they had closed to road users earlier – leaving the antiparallel commuters to use only one lane of the two-way road. How on earth could a busy Monday be the best day of the week to conduct such pothole-patching operations? What happened to weekends – when there are fewer people plying the road? Why is it that the government was only now interested in getting rid of these potholes that have brought despair to people? Or they haven’t noticed the suffering of passengers and drivers alike that make use of the road on a daily basis? I kept wondering while looking at the angry faces of students thinking they would be late to school; workers thinking they would be late to work and traders that would also certainly be late to their business endeavours. The honking, shouting and yelling of desperate commuters never stopped. People looked infuriated at what was unfolding, although they could not do anything. After my 20 minutes-turned-40 minutes tortuous journey, I was eager to come up with answers to my questions. But looking at newly displayed posters and banners of smiling faces along my route and groups of people dancing, singing and waving, I remembered 2019 was around the corner. And as usual, those holier-than-thou politicians that pretend to be caring for the masses during an election period are at it again – I guessed.
About a year ago, at the height of suffering of communities bedevilled by dust generated from abandoned road project sites, I did write a piece titled “Jos stagnant road projects: Everything is turning red,� highlighting the economic and health effects of dust, after hearing and witnessing the stories of frustrated people who were trying to cope with the new reality of living in a polluted environment due to the fall-out of laterite used in the rehabilitation of road networks around Jos metropolis. In it I argued that, “The once deemed most successful government on the Plateau, headed by All Progressives Congress’ Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, should not throw all its hard work, in the vein of inclusiveness, peace and security, into a trash can over stagnant roads repair and reconstruction, that continue to frustrate affected communities, which many deem as mere political delay tactics.� Since February 2017, the awarded contracts for the repairs and reconstruction of major road networks with an average distance of seven kilometres in “neglected� Jos communities are yet to be achieved. Residents that were rejoicing when the roads project was inaugurated are now nervous and frustrated, as they feel betrayed. They don’t want to witness a repeat of what transpired with the previous administration. Fulfilling promises, acting promptly and displaying honesty seems to be the only way the present government on the Plateau will regain the trust of those frustrated voters that continue to suffer under stagnant road projects taking a toll on their day- to -day activities. The ball is now in the government’s court. Patching of potholes won’t suffice. But concrete and a serious change of policy will. The Lalong government needs to do the needful – to be seen visibly on the ground – before it’s too late. t-BCBSBO :VTVG +PT 1MBUFBV 4UBUF
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lection primary is the instrument through which political parties choose credible leaders for electoral position. The presidency is the highest position in democratic government setting. Currently, Nigerians are dissatisfied with the current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari and they desire to make a change. As the Peoples Democratic Party moves to select its presidential candidate, it is important they pick the right person. The PDP presidential aspirants are over seven from the North geo-political region. In the interest of the party and the nation I recommend that some nominees should forgo their personal ambition in the interest of the nation. The choice of Senator Bukola Saraki as the presidential standard bearer of PDP would help to redeem the lost glory of PDP and realign the party to greatness. Saraki possesses the political prowess that would unseat the current administration of President Buhari if allowed to be the standard bearer of PDP presidential ticket. Therefore, I call on the National Working Committee to ensure Senator Saraki emerges as PDP presidential candidate for 2019 presidential election. In addition, I call on INEC National Chairman to direct the returning state electoral officer of Osun State to declare PDP winner of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State in line with the constitution of INEC as cited in section 69 of the act. Section 69 of the act provides that election results shall be ascertained by counting votes cast for each candidate and that the candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared as elected by the returning officer. However, this provision is subject to sections 133, 134 and 179 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the procedure in which a candidate can emerge winner in a Presidential and Governorship election. The idea of inconclusive election is an attempt to rob the people of Osun State in the public glare. t1FESP 6LPLPCJMP -BHPT
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
POLITICS
Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY
PERSONALITY INTERVIEW
'Insecurity in Zamfara is Fueled by Poverty' Governorship aspirant in Zamfara State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Mallam Dauda Lawal, may be a fresh face in politics, but he has a rich history of interventions for the public good
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doing everything to carry these youths along because they are the future of Nigeria as well as Zamfara state.
overnorship aspirant in Zamfara State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Mallam Dauda Lawal may be a neophyte in politics, but he has a rich history of interventions for the
Zamfara State is blessed with a lot of natural resources but activities of illegal miners are also prevalent in the state. How do you hope to tackle this? You know by law, the Federal Government is in charge of mining. Our starting point will be engaging with the Federal Government to see how we can work together to take care of the resources buried under our soil. The sort of engagement that will create viable industries in Zamfara, create employment at wealth without damaging the environment and polluting it. We remain a largely agrarian community, agriculture is important and you know I am sure that food security is critical particularly in helping to mitigate conflict and violence. We will work closely with the Federal Government to bring in credible investors, domestic and international to sustainably exploit our resources but we will do it responsible. My promise to the people of Zamfara is that if they trust me and give me this mandate, I will in four years, turn around the fortune of this state. There will be a solid foundation laid for growth, for development for peace.
public good
You have been a member of All Progressives Congress (APC) for just a few months and you want to become governor, leaving behind the people who have laboured to build the party in the past years. Why should the APC give you a ticket and not any one of their long term members? After I retired from banking, I set up my own business and was happily pursuing it until I started getting calls from delegates, traditional rulers, youths and women representatives, representatives from people with disabilities and religious groups including members of the APC, asking me to come and serve the people of Zamfara. The reason for the clamour is simple. From the first day I started earning money, a part of it has always been put into the service of Zamfara people. I helped make hospitals better; I have built classrooms and provided a conducive atmosphere for learning. I have built roads in Zamfara. So, people were of the opinion that if as a private citizen I can do all of that, then it means that as a governor, I would do even better. For a very long time, I resisted their calls because you all know how politics can be. I am not a professional politician, but a private sector person. In the end, I looked at the situation of my people, and essentially needed to answer these calls so that we can collectively work to build a better state. Many of those that called me to serve are long-time members of the AP,C. They know what they saw in me. However, this is not to dismiss the importance and contributions of dedicated party members. I believe this is a joint effort and this is something that we will succeed at, collectively. In the end, whether I joined APC early or late, the purpose of politics is development and progress and I am very glad that so many people think I have what it takes to deliver. Why did you choose APC? First of all, President Muhammadu Buhari continues to be an inspiration. Our President is passionate about Nigeria and its teeming poor. Despite coming into office during very challenging times, he is steadily steering the affairs of Nigeria in a direction that will ensure we have a better future. For the poor, for example, programms like N-Power and TraderMoni are lifting people out of poverty and allowing them to become self-sustaining. Look at our progress in agriculture for example. He is setting a solid foundation and I am confident, working together to ensure he returns for a second term will give my state a better chance of beginning to journey back to security, safety and prosperity. I decided to join APC because I looked at all the parties and I felt that of all of them, APC aligned best with my passion for service and since my decision to run is not about party politics but service politics. APC focuses a lot on the people, and that is my passion. Therefore, there could only be one choice for me — the APC. What is your relationship with the current governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari? I know him very well and we have a decent relationship. But it is important we look forward to the future. The issues facing Zamfara are huge. We need a candidate that has the requisite skills, knowledge and service orientation to rescue Zamfara from the precipice. Give the children and citizens a shot at a better and decent future in which they won’t be in a perpetual cycle of poverty and insecurity. We want to become the leading state in Nigeria. With the
Lawal
resources at our disposal, this is not a pipe dream but it does require proper planning and the harnessing of all that we have by a leader whose first and only reason for seeking office is service to his people. I am that leader. What do you feel about the current Commissioner of Finance anointed to become the next Governor by the current administration? Just like his boss, I know him well and he is a young man. But again the focus is now on Zamfara people and their future. It is about providing leadership and service to a community on the verge of total destruction. My track record for service to the people of Zamfara, even when I was a private citizen, speaks for itself. What are you most passionate about in Zamfara? Security is my first priority. Without security, every other aspect of our lives cannot fall into place. The insecurity in Zamfara today is fueled by poverty, under-development and a general feeling of hopelessness. A large chunk of the crime in our community is perpetuated by us and by that I mean our people, our children. We are the perpetrators, we are the victims. A community this ravaged cannot survive, so we need clear plans and policies for reversing all of the ills in our community and giving our people better options. We will work in collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure Zamfara State is given high priority in matters concerning security, while educating our communities and providing them with learning and the skills they need to lift themselves out of poverty. What is your economic blueprint for the state? Part of the challenge here is to bring back those good glories in terms of reviving the textile industry. I we are able to revive the textile industry which used to be the largest employer of labour in the state and there is a value chain in that regard. If the textile industry is working, the ginneries will also be functioning. We have about 10 to 15 ginneries in Gusau which are idle now because the textile is not functional. So you can imagine if the textile industry is functioning it means all those 15 ginneries and more will be functional and that will provide employment to the people as well as revenue for the government. Not only that, looking at the value chain, there
are benefits even for petty traders in terms of people that sell food for breakfast, lunch, dinner. They will benefit from the business activities and there will be money in circulation. The transporters will be transporting finished goods from Gusau to other parts of the country. We used to do that, taking finished goods from Gusau all the way to Lagos, Kaduna, Funtua as well as Kano. You can imagine if the textile industry is functioning, the Gusau oil mill will come back to production and that is another area that will provide employment and engage people. So there will be business activities which will take people’s mind away from crime. What we are trying to do is to bring back those values to engage people to do what is right. I told you Gusau used to be the second largest commercial city in the North outside Kano and it is not impossible to go back to those days. All the state needs is a leader that will direct them rightly, then you can imagine where their destination will be. The state needs a leader that will be able to meet the needs of the society, a leader that will make them understand the reality of life. How will you engage in Zamfara if you are given the mandate of Governor? To start with, we will take responsibility. We will serve and we will work with everyone closely. These three things are important if we are to deal with the enormous challenges facing the state. Things are so bad that if care is not taken, soon our communities will not be habitable. We won't be able to live in Zamfara. It is time for us to come together, work together to salvage our state. We will not be in government for ourselves and our cronies. We will be in government to work together with our communities in the interest of our communities. You have spoken passionately about the youths of the state. What role will they play in your government if you are elected as the next governor? Those who made me seek for this (governorship) office are the youths because they have seen my modest contributions to the society, most especially in the area of education. So they are at the forefront in trying to convince me to go into this process of politics. I am
What is your agenda for the women of the state? What we are doing right now is to make sure all women are part of our activities- ranging from education and in terms of small and medium business enterprise, we will empower women. It is an agrarian economy that has served Zamfara and there are so many things you can do within that sector that can empower them. At the local level, even people that sell akara need little capital, or people who make local soap and so on, they are people who must be empowered. Women are very prudent when it comes to business, one can rely 100 percent on women, so in everything we are doing definitely the women are part of it, we are mindful of their contributions to the society. What if you don’t get the ticket? I will work with whoever gets the ticket to ensure victory for our party in the governorship and presidential elections and even beyond the elections. This goes beyond one person and his desire to serve even if that person is me.
IN THE MIRROR • Executive Director, Public Sector Group, First Bank Of Nigeria Limited, a bank he joined as a manager in 2003 • Bagged a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.Hons) Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1987 and earned a Master of Science (M. SC.) in Political Science/International Relations from the same university in 1992 • Retired from banking into private business • Philanthropist, uses his own funds to service communal needs, helping to make hospitals better; built classrooms and provided a conducive atmosphere for learning • One of the respected leaders in the Nigerian banking • Awarded honorary doctorate degrees in Business Administration by the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto • Honoured as Reform Ambassador by the Centre for Public Affairs and Development • Nigeria Union of Journalists, Zamfara State Council Awardee for Humanitarian Services
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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
POLITICS
'We're Working to End Saraki Dynasty in Kwara' Former THISDAY Group Political Editor and a leading corporate and political communications expert in Nigeria, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, is a notable opposition to the dominant political leadership of Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara State. He told Shola Oyeyipo that the political landscape in Kwara State could never be the same again There is the widespread notion that without the approval of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, nobody can attain any political office in Kwara State. Do you share this view? That is a wrong notion. There have been people who held political offices without paying any obeisance to Senator Bukola Saraki. The current Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, is one of such persons. You could say it was difficult in the past. Saraki’s politics is set up to stifle competition. It is a brutal hegemony that abhors any attempt by anyone to independently rise into political relevance. It has been an extractive political system that seeks to be in complete control of the political space in Kwara State. It is a system that is being nurtured to deliver droplets to its followers in exchange for their personal integrity. It is a system that feeds on the sheepish submission of its members who expect to derive benefits by so doing. Such system naturally attracts people who are self-centred and greedy, who do not mean well for the generality of the people. We can understand why many otherwise intelligent people find themselves ensconced in that system. But there are many people in the state who could not submit their conscience to such an anti-people political model. They have continued to maintain their own political course and owe their modest achievements to personal efforts and the grace of God. In any case, it is a system that doesn’t make anyone a leader. The system they run is such that ensures that each time you’re thrown up the ladder of leadership, you are returned to the base after your office. It keeps you in perpetual want, moving from the front of the patronage queue to the back of the queue. It is a cyclical political model. What do you think has changed? What you have under Senator Saraki is unlike the situation under his father, the late Dr. Olusola
Issa-Onilu
Saraki. Baba Saraki’s political structure was such a strong force that if you didn't align then you are not likely to make it as a politician in Kwara State. But it was largely a voluntary thing and it was because the late 'Oloye' earned the right over the majority of Kwarans. He was such a kind and selfless political leader. He made huge contributions to the lives of a lot of Kwarans and even communities for nearly four decades. It was not about himself. Perhaps, that is why he didn’t die a billionaire. But what he lacked in monetary term, he had in his good name that is worth more than all the monies he could have made. So, it was a reciprocal thing, which was what was passed on to the Senate President in 2003. We expected him to even transform the dynasty to a modern and benevolent political machine. He did not do that. But Bukola Saraki has left those of us who agitated for a change during the times of his father to feel nostalgic about that era. The nearly 16 years that he has been in charge of governance in Kwara State are easily the
worst era since Kwara State was created. Even his supporters cannot deny that. Some would say that he has been able to manage the dynasty effectively because considering the fact that even after his father's demise, nobody has been able to challenge his authority politically in the state. People make serious mistake by what they call "Saraki dynasty." The same Senate President decimated the Saraki dynasty in 2011. He took over in a very hostile manner and the first victim of that political coup was the late Oloye himself. What you have with Bukola today is not the same dynasty that Baba Saraki held so beautifully for nearly four decades. What he has with him now is essentially a Bukola Saraki thing. The real 'Sarakites', are not with Bukola. You can't mention any real Sarakite who was with Baba who are still with Bukola today. I think if we want to be fair in our assessment of the Kwara situation, we must separate the dynasty that Baba Saraki built, which to a large extent served the people, from the Senator Bukola Saraki’s extractive political system. Whatever has happened to our state in the last 16 years has nothing to do with the Late Senator Olusola Saraki. I would push this argument further that it would even be unfair to blame Senator Bukola Saraki alone for the misgovernance of the last 16 years. I have always disagreed with people who blame a family, the Saraki family at that, for our predicament in Kwara State. I am aware that only one member of the Saraki family has held a political office with control over our commonwealth and authority to make decisions that affect our lives during this period. If we are putting every person whose surname is Saraki in the dock over the misuse of our resources, what happened to those several Kwarans who were commissioners during this period? Are they not part of the infamy? Are all these people also from the Saraki family? Why are we not mentioning
their fathers’ names in this roll call of politicians who have messed up our socio-economic and political lives? I do not think we should allow anyone hide under Saraki family. They should step forward for their own garlands for bad leadership, in which they played active roles. Are you saying that the APC can undo Saraki in Kwara? In fact, Saraki is not even our focus. He had the opportunity to be the leader we all want. He chose not to be. Our concern now is how to ensure we do not disappoint the majority of Kwarans who have faced the unfortunate consequences of the bad leadership. The people of Kwara State have desired a change long before now. To be fair to them, they have demonstrated this in a very clear term. The challenge has been with the opposition politicians whose personal interests have continued to becloud their involvement in this struggle. Our hope is that we will all rise this time by subsuming individual ambitions under the collective interests of the people of Kwara State. The only hurdle we have in this effort to free the state from the painful and dehumanising political grip of Senator Saraki is the manner the opposition has been conducting itself. Our focus is how to get Kwara out of the doldrum. We know Saraki is not an issue. He knows himself. It is left for us in the APC to do the right thing. We know that the people are ready. Some people have said the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is not on ground. Others say he is a paperweight politician. How would you react to that? You will hear that from those who are following NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
Much Ado About Ifeanyi Ubah, Bianca Ojukwu's Senatorial Ambitions David-Chyddy Eleke.writes that the race to win the All Progressives Grand Alliance ticket for Anambra South senatorial district betwen Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and Mr Ifeanyi Ubah is becoming both interesting and messy Before the widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced her ambition to go to the Senate, feathers had already been ruffled. This may not be unconnected with the fact that she is vying for the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) where her late husband's name alone is capable of unlocking any door. First to kick against rumours that Mrs Ojukwu was preparing to go to the senate was Anambra South Integrity Forum(ASIF), a pressure group in the party, led by Chief Olisaemeka Muoma. He was categorical in his condemnation. “It is sad and unfortunate that the internal democracy of our great party is being destroyed by the wife of our late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu. She has been going about threatening to deal with any person that opposes her ambition. Bianca Ojukwu has vowed to create confusion in our party and to ensure that her opponents are expelled from the party if she is not given the senatorial ticket on a platter of gold. Her supporters have also been boasting that not even Governor Willie Obiano can stop her from flying the flag of the party into National Assembly in 2019." Muoma's whose group is largely made up of supporters of other senatorial aspirants, vowed that the Anambra South senatorial primary elections of the party must be conducted in line with the constitution of APGA. “Our party has a constitution which stipulates the guidelines for the conduct of primary election and it must
Bianca
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be followed to the letter. We urge the National Chairman of our great party, Ozo Victor Oye not to allow himself to be used to destroy the party by handing over the Anambra South Senatorial ticket of our party to anyone on a platter gold, rather than holding a credible primary election." Their grouse related to insinuations that leaders of the party favoured the widow of their party's founder. Mrs Ojukwu has since made a formal declaration of her intention to run for a senatorial seat at a well attended ceremony, inside the home of one of the party's leaders, Chief Titus Anigbogu in Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area, thus drawing battle-line between her opponents and herself. On the other side of the battle line are; Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, a businessman and
grassroot politician, Chief Anselm Enyimba, a retired banker and politician also gunning for the ticket of APGA, Barr Ikenna Amaechi, a former state lawmaker and the very ebullient Mr Ifeanyi Ubah, CEO of Capital Oil and Gas, and a grassroot politician, who is also favoured for the ticket of the party. The truth could be discerned during the declaration ceremony of the former beauty queen, when party leaders who should maintain their neutrality threw their weight behind her, insisting that no one was most qualified to represent the people of the area than Mrs Ojukwu. One after the other, the leaders of the party praised her, and stated that the party would not give its ticket to a politician who would jump ship after winning the election, apparently referring to Ubah.
One of the leaders of the party and governorship aspirant in Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim who was also at the meeting with an American based medical doctor and owner of Las Vegas Pain Institute, Dr Godwin Maduka hinted that over 15 billionaires were behind Mrs Ojukwu, and were ready to finance her election. As if prompted by such revelation, the children of the former warlord in what looked like a gang-up cast aspersion on the integrity of their step mother, with the trio of Debe, Emeka and Ike Odumegwu Ojukwu calling her out, and questioning the legality of her marriage to their father. Dr Ike, one of the Ojukwus said he would not support a woman who had been in court with them over their father's property. Emeka on his part, stated that he had no qualms with APGA handing its party ticket to Bianca, who he described as an "Ngwo woman in Enugu state, who can also remarry a man from any other state if she so wished." The brothers favoured Ifeanyi Ubah for the position of Senator for Anambra South. What has become imminent however is that Ubah and Ojukwu remain the two most visible contenders for the ticket of APGA. The two are also said to have polarised the party's leadership as it is believed. While some members of the party are standing up for Ubah, others are with NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • T H I S D AY
FEATURES
Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430
Commemorating World Tourism Day the Lagos Way Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that as the world commemorates World Tourism Day today, it will afford the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the opportunity to launch its Tourism Masterplan
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lobally, September 27 of every year is mapped out to commemorate World Tourism Day. This practice was kickstarted since 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). According to Wikipedia, that date was chosen and the statutes of of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide. The theme of the day was "sustainable tourism", in 2017. In 2018 the theme is "Tourism and the Digital Transformation". At its 12th Session in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to designate a host country each year to act as the organisation's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day. At its 15th Session in Beijing, China, in October 2003, the assembly decided the following geographic order to be followed for World Tourism Day celebrations: 2006 in Europe; 2007 in South Asia; 2008 in the Americas; 2009 in Africa and 2011 in the Middle East. The late Ignatius Amaduwa Atigbi, a Nigerian national, was the one who proposed the idea of marking September 27 of every year as World Tourism Day. He was finally recognised for his contribution in 2009. The colour of World Tourism Day is Blue. This year, Budapest in Hungary is the host celebrant nation. Lagos as a Tourism Template It is no mean feat that Lagos is adjudged the commercial nerve center of the nation. Home to over 18million people from diverse ethnic groups, Lagos, yet the population keeps increasing. The reason is not far-fetched; Lagos has sold itself as a land of all possibilities. One of the perceptions about Lagos that has stood the test of time is that no one can ever go hungry'. In tourism, the appeal that sells Lagos to millions still works. According to the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, commitment and master plan will keep driving the growth of the state. He said the state in the past few years has demonstrated rare commitment to the business of tourism and promotion of arts, culture and entertainment as part of its growth strategy. As the World Tourism Day is celebrated today globally, he noted that the state is happy to further propel its tourism and creative economy agenda with a brand new Tourism Masterplan, the first of its kind by any state in Nigeria. On the significance of the day to Lagos he said: "The Lagos State government is in tune with the world to mark this day which is celebrated globally as the World Tourism Day. We have always acknowledged this day and this year has Budapest in Hungary as the 'host celebrant nation' with technology and digital transformation as its focus. This theme is pleasing to us as it speaks to our current short to medium term plans for Tourism Development. "We are marking the day with the formal presentation of the Lagos State Tourism Masterplan to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and we are having a roundtable in-house to unveil the Masterplan to our officers because this is the plank upon which the tourism promotions agenda of the state for the next 20 years will be anchored. The formal presentation of the Masterplan to stakeholders and CEOs of 100 top brands and multinationals who are expected to be our key partners in the tourism growth agenda will be done later next month." The Tourism Masterplan On the importance of the Masterplan he said it would help anchor the development of the
La Campagne Tropicana beach resort, one of the tourist destinations in Lagos
and cultural landscape of Nigeria as a whole."
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde
state in the next 20 years. Ayorinde said: "We are convinced that we do. In every nation where tourism has thrived, a blueprint is always required. Your vision must be clear and you need a roadmap to drive it. This is what a Masterplan does; it identifies what you need to do and how to do it. This is similar to what Lagos State has achieved in the political-economy space. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu conceived the idea of a Lagos State Development Plan. Governor Fashola berthed it in 2012 and handed it over to Governor Ambode. This is what the state is running with till 2025. The tourism Masterplan will work in a similar fashion with one governor handing it over to his successor while the deliverables are attended to in order to diversify the economy and create a good image for the state." On the role the Federal Government is expected to play in this document he said: "As a document, not really. The Masterplan was commissioned directly by the Lagos State Government and it is a blueprint that focuses largely on specific areas of need for the state. But in execution, yes, it will have a lot to do with Abuja, other states and the private sector. The truth is that you can't market a state in isolation. You will always be a component of a big, beautiful and diverse country that we really are. Issues of national carriers; ideal airports, visa on arrival and courteous consular officers representing the country all over the world are exclusively within the Federal purview. But we are lucky in Lagos that the two people running tourism at the Federal level - the Honourable Minister and Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation are both Lagos products who have the interest of the state at heart. We enjoy a very cordial relationship with them and we are always happy to key into their efforts at promoting the tourism
Vision He divulged that his mission is to make Lagos State one of the top three tourism destinations in Africa. "We are there already as a business and entertainment hub, but as a leisure travel destination, we need to work a lot harder to climb high in ranking for both domestic and international tourists. Which is why our ministry is saddled with the responsibility to formulate, execute and monitor policies relating to the tourism sector and the creative economy in general. The ministry also promotes investments and regulates operations in the Tourism, Hospitality and Entertainment industries in the state", he added. Growth On the areas of significant growth In the last three years under Ambode he said: "First we have adopted the popular buzzword coined by the governor himself - Tourism Hospitality Entertainment and Sports for Excellence (T.H.E.S.E) as our focus. In three years, the ministry is fulfilling its mandate creditably well; changing the profile of Lagos into that of a city with a vibrant artistic soul. The state's landscape is being beautified daily with iconic statues and public art installations that have engaged a wide spectrum of Nigeria artists. Six new 500-seater theatres are being built simultaneously across the state to expand the frontiers of opportunity for talented youths; four out of the six will be opened this December; the Onikan-Marina axis is being turned into an arts and culture district with its first major offering, the J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History nearing completion. "The Lagos Museum project within the same district will soon commence with a grant from Ford Foundation and strategic partnership from the Musee du quai Branly in Paris and the British museum. Our ministry conceptualised and has supervised since December 2015 the popular One Lagos Fiesta (OLF), which has become arguably the biggest end-of-the-year concert in Africa with its unique template of holding simultaneously across the five divisions of Lagos in the last eight days of the year. If you consider that up till 2014, the Lagos Countdown was a one-day, one venue affair, but in three years, One Lagos Fiesta is fulfilling two major obligations democratising and decentralising the idea of fun and entertainment and giving every part of Lagos a sense of belonging, you will appreciate why OLF has become a significant part of our socio-economic service to the people. "Similarly, more artists are engaged and given the opportunity to perform at Ikeja,
Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu in addition to Bar Beach and in the process we are creating a whole new economy around those towns for eight consecutive days. Also, with a Calendar of Arts Events released in January to aid planning and visits around the state, our ministry believes we will always give visitors a reason to spend an extra day or two in exploring this smart megacity that is full of fun, art and cultural enterprise." Aqua Tourism On tapping into the competitive edge that Lagos has in water Ayorinde said: "I think aqua tourism has always been an important and recognisable component of the tourism eco-system in Lagos State. And it ought to be so because water constitutes about 22.5 per cent of the land mass of the state. So the state is keenly aware of its God-given gift - the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The Prest Boat Cruise for example has promoted water tourism on the lagoon in the last 15 years or so. Several other cruise packages have been added in the last three to five years. And because of the huge awareness and serious commitment of this administeration to everything tourism, several business concerns are adding to the water tourism component of the sector. "The Lagos Boat Club is growing and as you must have heard, the governor recognises and supports its contribution to the development of the sector. From La Campaigne Tropicana in Ikegun to Ilashe beachfront and Inagbe waterfront resorts, awareness and investments are growing in the area of water tourism. On the part of government too, this adminisration has maintained the annual Boat Regatta Carnival among several other initiatives." On the intra-city movement of tourists through the waterways to enhance their experience he said: "It's a two-way approach. First is to create the necessary awareness both for tourists that want on-the-water experience and for investors that see great opportunities on the waterways and in the general marine tourism economy. And you will soon see from our Tourism Masterplan that we have paid a great deal of attention to our waterways in terms of better utilisation by domestic and international tourists. "The other way is in working closely with tour operators and partner-destination stakeholders to make waterways an integral part of the Lagos tourism experience. For example, we are in talks with Apapa Amusement Park's management on how this fantastic facility can be better accessed via water as an alternative to the Apapa gridlock. We are Continued on next page
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• T H I S D AY THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
FEATURES
The Pact with Akwa Ibom Workers Rebecca Ejifoma writes on the unwritten pact between the Akwa Ibom State Government, its workers and retirees, especially in the area of timely payment of salaries and gratuities
A
worker is worthy of his wages and this is one pact that is sacrosanct between Akwa Ibom State workers and the state government. Without a doubt, one of the basic needs of man is food, clothing and shelter. According to the Internatiobal Labour Organisation, these three combined are considered as one of the main measures of 'absolute poverty. According to Wikipedia, basic needs approach to measurement of absolute poverty is 'the absolute minimum resources necessary for long-term physical well-being, usually in terms of consumption goods.' Thus, as an employer, consistent payment of salaries helps the worker meet the three key basic needs, thereby removing them from the poverty spectrum. Wages for Workers In Akwa Ibom, one of the key drivers of this administration is the pact of consistent payment of salaries for workers and gratuities for retirees. Besides roads rehabilitation/ construction, rehabilitation of hospitals, one other area that has distinguished the Governor Emmanuel Udom administration is his ability to pay regular salaries and monthly pensions despite paucity of funds caused by recession. This no doubt explained the government -workers cordial relationship existing in the state, unlike so many states that workers continue to threaten strike action due to non payment and of backlog of salary arrears, and even pensions. Indeed, many are of the belief that the governor’s clearing of ten years previously unpaid gratuity within one year of this inauguration was a landmark. So, it was no surprise why the Head of Civil Service (HOS), Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan, had during a recent media chat expressed confidence that workers and indeed Akwa Ibom people would vote massively for the incumbent come 2019. She said, “I have so many instances I can cite that will address this issue. If a leader assumes office and then notices that some people were left out for over 10 years without being paid their gratuities and without prompting clears the entire outstanding, I think that leader has the interest of the workers at heart. If that same leader within the period of recession, instead of downsizing, continues to employ, I think he has the interest of the people and the workers. “If a leader comes in and with or without federal allocation, pays salaries between the 25th and 27th of every month to workers and one week after pays retirees; he has the interest of the workers at heart. In Akwa Ibom State, even when you are not promoted, you are not denied your increment yearly. “I want to say here that in Akwa Ibom State, every January if you have not hit the bar of your grade level you are given your increment. We have rules, if you are promoted, your next grade level should not be less than your annual increment and this is one state that if in January you are given your increment and then you are promoted in that same year, your placement will be determined by the increment you enjoyed
Governor Emmanuel Udom
one or two months earlier." Challenges She was however quick to admit that the state government is only owing gratuities from where it had stopped, adding that it is not peculiar to the state. She pointed out that many states of the federation are also facing challenges of payment of workers or gratuities to retirees. “For a state like ours that has not joined the contributory pension scheme, it’s still a problem. For those that have joined, they have backlogs of the ones that retired before now”, she said. She, however, assured that the gratuities would be paid, though she did not specify when. “Government does not owe any person in perpetuity. If the government owes you a kobo, remember that you will be paid. And so, for salaries, we pay salaries in Akwa Ibom on every 25th to 27th of every month with or without federal allocation. That is the truth and it is on record, including SUBEB and local government staff. If a worker comes out to say he/she is owed salary, I would ask the worker just as I asked the young man I referred to earlier. There must be something wrong somewhere that he’s not cleared. And until we clear you, we can’t pay you," she stated. Workers Welfare The HOS went further to enumerate other things that the current administration was doing to improve workers welfare in the state besides regular payment of salaries, and pension. According to her, one aspect of workers welfare that the administration has made a mark in, is the payment of salaries of primary school teachers and local government workers, which has calmed agitations in those areas in the past. “I remember when I came on board I said
Akwa Ibom Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan
arrears of people to be promoted included 2012, 2013 and 2014 and such persons were duly promoted. When this administration came on board, they were over 10,000 of them, they were promoted, and I have records to show that we have been paying these people that we promoted. “We were all there when they came out en-masse and told the governor that he had paid them and they have been fairing well. We all watched the NULGE week event, it was aired and every person watched it, It was real and I also know, in this my state and in this service I serve as the head of service were pensioners came out December last year, all of them said they have been paid all their pensions. In this same state they all came out and surrendered 28,000 retirees to the governor. We have records to show, I don’t know what welfare is, if it is not what I am talking about now, which we have observed. It is part and parcel of us." Housing Needs She revealed that the state was at an advanced stage of offering workers houses, adding that a circular would be out soon which she had allocated different ministries the numbers they should invite applications from. According to the HOS, the current administration was determined to ensure civil servants own house which they would be expected to be paying monthly for the next 15 or 20 years as the case may be. Retirees Akpan stressed, “This is a state where workers and retirees are taken care of. We are working with salary consultants. If you retire today, by 12 midnight, your name will be inactive in the integrated payroll and become active in the pension payroll. I have observed what used to happen before that a retiree who is used to monthly salaries is now wondering when he would be paid. In August this year, I
gave names of those that would retire between July and December so that they will also prepare that come October, November and December, they will be out and that they will be earning pensions. I think that is part of the goodies for the workers that weren’t there before. The HOS disagreed that workers in the state do not receive entitlements even as she stressed that workers are given their entitlements. Akpan who said she had been in the know of workers challenges since the creation of the state in 1987 was quick to say that workers would prefer Udom in 2019 given his track record. Promotion On promotion she said: "Things have been done to improve this system over time and we are moving on in all areas – education, agriculture, health, administration and all others. This administration has tried within its power to do a lot of things. We have had over 20,000 persons promoted within this period. This is beside junior staff in all our Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This is beside promotions in the judiciary and the extra-ministerial departments and tertiary institutions. You know what that will mean if we were to add all of these together. They all have been promoted. I can give you the details of the arrears that have been paid including people that were employed into the service in 2014 and 2015 and were not paid. All of them have been paid. The last batch is coming up in October payment. This is a state that is still paying leave grants. “The arrears we are talking about for the newly employed people we had, 2249 of them have now been paid close to N1 billion. Most of them have not informed their people that they have received their salaries. If they are owed one year, they are paid all one day including the current month. I am speaking from records that we have.”
COMMEMORATING WORLD TOURISM DAY THE LAGOS WAY in tune with La Campagne Tropicana and the Lagos Sports Commission on a possible annual kayaking tournament. The promoters of All Sails Lagos have our endorsement for the kind of water racing fiesta that is being planned. Similarly, F1 boat racing franchise owners in Nigeria are in discussion with us on how this global spectacle can berth in Lagos soon. Getting our waterways busy once the channelisation of the key routes have been completed by next year, therefore, is a priority in our short to medium term plans for the Tourism Masterplan." Job Opportunities Beyond shows and festivals that entertain people, Ayorinde belives that the tourism industry in the state provides job opportunities
for Lagosians. "I am actually excited by a new research this year which suggests that directly or indirectly, tourism and travel-related eco-system provide one out of every ten jobs in Africa. From tour travel component of aviation industry to hotels and hospitality establishments; visual and performing arts and the huge technical support base that keeps all working; not to forget the chefs; cooks, tour guides, tour operators, travel bloggers and journalists; specialised security operatives and even taxis and specialised tour transport operators, there's just an endless list of opportunities. "Marine transport is already benefiting. It can only do better as the sector grows. The more ferries that are put on the lagoon, the more jetties that will be needed to be built
and maintained; the more our waterways are channelised and routes expanded the more ferries and luxury boats that will be operated with the full compliments of staff. More technicians and safety officers will be required and engaged as the sector expands. That's a whole huge job creator and money spinner that we have in this tourism sub-sector. "The possibilities are limitless. Imagine by the time we start to have two or three world-class boat racing that take weeks and months to plan; multi-million dollar sponsorships and hundreds and thousands of direct and ancillary jobs, we shall then begin to see the goldmine that aqua-tourism for example represents for our state. "I think these are just exciting times as far as tourism and the arts are concerned in
Lagos State. Tourism has become a buzzword here that a lot of people now take seriously. And I think Lagos is just lucky to have a governor that is so passionate about tourism and the creative economy and as a cerebral accountant, the governor though appreciates the entertainment but he sees the business component too", he added. For Ayorinde, If he had the power to change one thing about how art and culture is celebrated in Lagos, it would be to improve on existing structures. Thus, as the world celebrates World Tourism Day, he would that people start to appreciate and celebrate their own languages, culture, fashion. Although he admitted that art and culture will always embrace other influences, he opined that one must never loose sight of their history.
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IMAGES
T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com
Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (middle),flanked by other stakeholders after their’ meeting at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City, Edo State....recently President of the Senate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki [left] and the Chairman, Bauchi State Chapter of the party, Alhaji Hamza Oshe Akuyam, in Bauchi... recently
L-R: Chairperson, Project Committee, Mrs. Shola Iyoho; Principal, Federal Government College, Idoani, Dr (Mrs.) Yakubu Oyinloye; National President, FGC, Idoani Association, Prof. Abimbola Akintade; and President, Akure Chapter, Alumni Association, FGC, Idoani, Jaiye Olowosuko, during the Renovation/ Donation of Hostel (Alani House) by the Alumni Association, in Ondo State…recently
L-R; Director, Corporate Affairs, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ambrose Oruche; President, MAN, Dr. Frank Jacob; and the Association Director General, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir at a press conference to announce the 46th Annual General Meeting of MAN in Lagos,.recently SUNDAY ADIGUN
L-R; Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Mrs Toyin Adeniji; Chairman, Nyanya Market, Mr Ahmed Shehu; and Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, at the inauguration of TraderMoni in Nyanya market, Abuja recently
L-R: Vice Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State, Alhaji Adejumo Ajagbe; one of the contestants for PDP Presidential Primaries, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; PDP State Secretary,Muiz Dosumu, during the visit of Dr. Kwankwaso to the Lagos State PDP Secretariat, Ikeja GRA.....recently
L-R: A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; at the maiden General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar Foundation Peace Lecture, in Ibadan... recently Governor’s Office
L-R: Human Resources/Administration Manager, C.Coermann Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Nike Olobayo; Managing Director, Mr. Klaus Okunoski; Director, Dettev Woermann and the Financial Controller, Mr. Segun Olaniyi, during a media briefing to mark the company 50th golden jubilee, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO
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Quick Takes Lagos to Host Africa Fintech Summit
Africa’s premier Fintech event, the Africa Fintech Summit, will be held for the ďŹ rst time in Lagos, Nigeria, between November 8 and 9, 2018. This event comes on the heels of the earlier edition in Washington D.C. which featured leading policy makers, c-suite businessexecutives,start-ups,andinvestors.Thesummit,organised by Dedalus Global, gathers innovators, investors, policy makers and other key stakeholders in the Fintech sector to discuss technologies transforming ďŹ nance on the continent, debate regulatory policies, compare best practices, and forge new ventures. Speaking on the decision to bring the summit to Lagos, the Chairman of the summit, Leland Rice, said: “Lagos is an ideal host city; it’s an epicenter of Africa’sFintechrevolutionandthedrivingforcebehindthecontinent’s entrepreneurial spirit. The successes of companies such as Paga, Flutterwave, Mines.io, and Paystack have strategically positioned Lagos as the destination of choice for investors.â€?
POS INNOVATION SUMMIT
L-R: Director, Marketing, Global Accelerex, Obiora Atuokwu; Managing Director, Tunde Ogungbade; GM, Corporate Services and Administration, Kehinde Adisa; Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer, Stanley Peters; Receivables Product Manager, Ecobank, Funso Oyelohunnu and Executive Director, Business Devt/Chief Operating Officer, Global Accelerex, Olukayode Ariyo, at the 3rd Quarter 2018 edition of PoS Innovation Summit held in Lagos...recently
Remove Charges to Enhance Quality Service, Telcos Tell State Govts Stories by Emma Okonji Telecoms operators in the country have called on state governments across the country to stop delaying the approval of Right of Way (RoW), saying it is impacting negatively on the deployment of telecoms infrastructure like fibre optic cables. The operators also called for the removal of charges by states on ROW. According to them, the removal of the charges would enhance fast rollout of telecoms facilities in various states, which would eventually lead to improved service quality in the telecoms sector. Different agencies of state governments have continually imposed different charges for the
TELECOM approval of ROW, a situation that has stalled the fast rollout of broadband infrastructure, hitherto designed to boost internet connectivity, voice call, smart city development and digital transformation across the country. Most government agencies go as far as halting telecoms operations at sites, seizing telecoms equipment, harassing telecoms workers on sites and shutting down telecoms operations in some areas, should there be any delay in the payment of RoW charges, which has forced telecoms operators to suspend work on rollout of telecoms services at sites,
and some have even returned their Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) licence. Disturbed by the situation, which remained unabated despite several meetings held between telecoms operators and state governments at the instance of the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), some telecoms operators who spoke at a panel discussion during the NigeriaCom event, which held in Lagos recently, said there was need for state governments to completely eradicate the collection of charges on RoW. Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, assured state governments that if RoW
charges were removed, it would not only improve on telecoms services, but would also create job opportunities and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of states. President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said there was need for strong collaboration between telecoms operators and state governments, to enable state governments understand the vision of telecoms operators operating in their states, and to seek new and better ways to generate income outside RoW charges. General Manager, Swift Networks, Mr. Nkem Emelieze, Continued on page 24
Report: Africa’s Remittance Income Is Key Economic Booster The third quarter 2018 report of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), produced by partner and forecaster, Oxford Economics, which focused on the African region economic performance, revealed that Africa projected a positive economic outlook, with remittance income expected to be a key economic booster in the coming months. According to the report, which surveyed regions like East Africa, West and Central Africa, Northern Africa, Franc zone and Southern Africa, the
ICT East Africa continued to be the continent’s best performing region with a GDP forecast at 6.3 per cent. The positive outlook is due to the region’s economic diversification and investment-driven growth. Ethiopia remains the region’s powerhouse, with growth forecast at 8.1 per cent, which was attributed to the recent reforms under the new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. In Central and West Africa, the report puts the growth
forecast at 2.9 per cent, while blaming the constrained growth in the regions, to subdued non-oil economic activity by Nigeria, the West Africa region’s powerhouse. Ghana by contrast was described as the best performing country in the West African region with a forecast growth of 6.5 per cent. Regional Director, ICAEW, in charge of Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Mr. Michael Armstrong, said: “Despite the recent growth slump; all regions in Africa are projected to report a positive economic outlook, with
remittance income expected to be a key economic booster in the coming months.� Growth in the francophone zone is forecast at 4.6 per cent, largely driven by a boost of 7.4 per cent in the region’s biggest economy, Ivory Coast, where investment is driving rapid expansion. North Africa’s Egypt is forecast at 5.3 per cent, as a result of structural and policy reforms, which have boosted manufacturing and investment. The county’s tourism sector has also continued to recover. Continued on page 24
: Andela Celebrates First Developers Andela, the company that identiďŹ es and develops Africa’s most talented software engineers to help companies scale with highperforming teams, celebrated the ďŹ rst set of developers to have completedtheirfour-yearFellowship.NowAndelaalumni,thelaunching developersareexpectedtojoinglobalandlocalcompanies,starttheir own ventures, or take senior developer roles at Andela to continue building the next generation of tech leaders at the company. The event, which held last week in Lagos, was attended by over 300 attendees, including families of the developers completing the Fellowship and Andela sta. Senior Partner atTLcom and Board member of Andela, Dr. Omobola Johnson, delivered the keynote address. Remarking on the celebration, she said, “Andela has cemented its position as the company that invests in Africa’s most talented software engineers, and I am proud to be celebrating the Fellows’ commitment and successes after four years of hard work.â€?
Golden Pen Awards Holds
ThegrandďŹ naleofthisyear’sNigerianBreweriesGoldenPenAwards, whichcomesuponFriday,September28,2018promisestobegrand indeed, going by the level of readiness of the organisers. As the 10th editionoftheawards,NigerianBreweriesPlchasassuredthatguests would witness an epoch event with all the beďŹ tting ourish in Lagos. The company’s Corporate Aairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem said he is happy that the Golden Pen Awards has greatly impacted on the Nigerian media in the discharge of their role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. “Looking back over the last nine editions, we are happy that the initiative has continued to help in uplifting the standards of journalism in Nigeria going by the quality of entries we receive every year as attested to by our independent panel of judges and stakeholders in the Nigerian media who have been part of the awards over the years,â€? he said. Since inception, the award has produced nine grand prize winners in the “Journalist of the Yearâ€? category, six grand prize winners in the “Photo Journalist of theYearâ€? category and four others in the “Report of the Yearâ€? category. It has also produced several runners up in the three categories.
DStv, Indomie Sponsor ‘Nickfest’
After a successful family-centric ďŹ rst year, Nickelodeon in partnership with Maltina has announced that the tickets to the second edition of NickFest are available, stating that parents can treat their families to a two-day extravaganza at the orange entertainment ďŹ lled wonderland.In addition to Maltina’s Happy land, this year, the entertainment- packed event welcomes associate sponsors Indomie and DStv Nigeria who will be joining in on the fun by creating additional experience zones. TV personality, Ikponmwosa “IKâ€? Osakioduwa returns as a host, joined by Nigeria’s GotTalent maiden edition winner,Amarachi as a co-host. Tickets are available at Afritickets for N5,000 each day for adults and children three-years and above, while kids under the age of two have free access to event.
“The will-power of the Nigeria government to implement digital transformation processes nationwide, has remain an issue affecting the growth of digital transformation in the country�
CEO, eStream Networks
Mr. Muyiwa Ogungboye
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REMOVE CHARGES TO ENHANCE QUALITY SERVICE, TELCOS TELL STATE GOVTS lamented that of the issues causing slow penetration of broadband across Nigeria, is RoW charges. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the poor state of telecoms infrastructure in the country, a situation he said, compelled telecoms companies to invest in the rollout of telecoms infrastructure. According to him, t the government failed in their responsibility to provide telecoms infrastructure, yet the same government will still want to task operators on RoW. While presenting his keynote address at the NigeriaCom event, the Chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, said there was need for multi stakeholder commitment which includes agencies of government, the legislature and judiciary to come together and draw up polices to address challenges of ICT that stifle economic growth in Nigeria. REPORT: AFRICA’S REMITTANCE INCOME IS KEY ECONOMIC BOOSTER Likewise, Libya is expected to record a growth of 16.5 per cent, owing to posted improvements in oil production after the civil conflict, the report said. Southern Africa, according to the report, has been affected by continued slow growth by the regional heavyweight South Africa, forecast at 1.5 per cent. Angola, the region’s other economic leader, has the same forecast of 1.5 per cent. Strong growth in both Botswana and Zambia is said to have little effect on the region’s overall performance. Remittance income was emphasized in the report as a major economic factor for most African countries. Nigeria was the biggest receiver of remittances on the continent. The West African economic powerhouse received $22 billion, which is about 29 per cent of total remittances flowing to the continent in 2017, mostly from the gulf, the US and United Kingdom.
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Experts Push for Policy Implementation to Boost Digital Transformation Nosa Alekhuogie who was represented by Mrs. clearance of all government government. Rudman said. Speaking further, he said According to him, government Chioma Oke- Agugua in his funded ICT projects. At NITDA, Experts in the information technology (IT) industry sec- must have a strategic road map speech, noted that as a regulator we recognise the importance of relevant government agencies tor have called on the federal towards digital transformation of the IT sector, NITDA is at the having a digital literate society be it at federal, state and local government to formulate and which should be developed with fore front of digital transformation and we are supporting human government, the players in the capacity building effort to enable Nigerian telecom industry, foreign implement policies that will input from all stakeholders. To in Nigeria. “Regulation provides a level us realise this,â€? Pantami said. investors, financial institutions enable Nigerians take full ensure its comprehensive impleThe Managing Director, and behavioural pattern of other advantage of the on-going mentation, they must establish playing ground that is required digital transformation sweeping follow up mechanisms for continu- for the ICT industry to support eStream Networks, Mr. Muyiwa industry that are expected to be across the globe. They made ous assessment, monitoring, and in the digital transformation Ogungboye in his contribution digitally savvy and the generality of the country. As part of our explained that the readiness of of consumers, must be digitally the call at the 9th edition of evaluation of progress. On his part, the Director- activities in this area, we have the country for digital transfor- empowered to drive digital transthe e-World forum themed: “ Nigeria’s Readiness for Digital General, NITDA, Ali Pantami, strengthened our roles in the mation rests largely with all tiers formation in Nigeria. Transformation, which was held in Lagos recently. The Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Mr. Mohammed Rudman, in his opening speech explained that the forum was targeted at underscoring the need for the Nigerian government, corporate organisations and individuals to digitally prepare and transform their systems to achieve their stated visions. “Digital transformation is hitting the world in a big way, no business can thrive without incorporating technology in its core strategy. As we move towards the more digital world, the government needs to look beyond the digitisation of existing processes and service .They need to harness the power of digital technologies and data to transform their existing business models in order to meet the increasing appetite and expectation of rising digital consumer by adopting new technologies in L-R: Senior Manager, Product Portfolio, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Abu Etu; Chief Product and Information Officer, 9mobile, Otuyemi Otule the way business is conducted,â€? and Executive Director, Aramex Nigeria, Omar Jarmakani at the 2018 NigeriaCom conference held in Lagos‌recently
NIGERIACOM CONFERENCE
Konga to Invest N2.9bn in K-Xpress to Boost e-Commerce Emma Okonji Konga, Nigeria’s composite e-commerce giant has revealed that the company is set to invest N2.9 billion in its logistics arm, K-Xpress to build a world-class delivery solutions company that will resolve the logistics challenges in Nigeria’s e-Commerce emerging business. Chairman of Konga, Olusiji Ijogun, made the disclosure during a recent technology show at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos Ijogun, who was congratulated for the quick turnaround of Konga after its acquisition by the Zinox Group in January 2018, also spoke on how
Konga has managed to cope with the problems of delivery which has stunted e-commerce in Nigeria. Ijogun, who admitted that logistics remained a major challenge for e-commerce, however noted that the new management of Konga has injected over 43 new vehicles and 100 brand new motorcycles into the system since it took over, noting that the company has already commenced work to create a lasting solution that will work not only for Konga but other third-party logistics companies in Nigeria. “We have received approval from the board of Konga to invest about N2.9B in Kxpress
to expand the fleet of vehicles available in the pool in order to reach the last-mile faster and more conveniently. “The plan is to add 200 new vans and 1000 motorcycles to the system nationwide. One aspect of this investment is our intention to work with other credible, hardworking Nigerians as franchises to create jobs for more people while the second part is our determination to guarantee same day delivery anywhere in Nigeria. Customers in Abuja, for instance, may start enjoying same day delivery from first week of October and same will be extended gradually nationwide. “We must understand,
however, that solving this challenge goes beyond increasing the number of vehicles at our disposal. We are also investing heavily in setting up logistics centres nationwide, boosting our technology and human capital,� he disclosed. While urging customers who have had to bear some inconveniences to keep faith with the Konga brand, Ijogun who assumed the position of Chairman at Konga in April 2018, further noted that the management of the company is working hard behind the scenes to raise standards in the e-commerce industry, noting that the new initiatives will manifest in the first quarter of 2019.
“Nigeria will feel the power of Konga as a clear leader in the Nigerian e-commerce space from the first quarter of 2019. “Our mission is to build a world class composite e-commerce company that appreciates the needs and aspirations of the people and creates tailor-made solutions to resolve them. We have filtered the system within the first few months since we took over to eliminate fake products and we have achieved about 97 percent of same day delivery of genuine products within our network but the ambition is to reach 100 percent,� he added.
Danbatta Harps on Importance of Global e-Health System Emma Okonji The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will, in the near future, join the league of nations where e-health thrives. While speaking on the importance of global e-Health care for Nigeria, Danbatta stressed the need for the connection of all data centres in the country to a central data centre domiciled at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
He spoke while receiving a delegation of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, led by its Board Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, and the Chief Medical Director, Prof Bisallah Ahmed Ekele, who paid a courtesy call at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja recently. According to Danbatta, “We are moving gradually towards what I call, the digital transformation of the country, and this, you can do stage by stage. A time will come when everything will be online. If you want the record of a patient referred to you from a different
hospital. You just do it with a press of a button and you have the patient’s history. “And a patient travelling abroad for medical reason may not have the need to carry the hard copy of his medical history with him. These are all parts of the global e-health architecture that we hope to put in place in the not- too -distant future.� He further observed that the ICT could be leveraged upon to ensure computerization of records and fast-tracking diagnosis and treatment in the nation’s hospitals.
“Our intervention in university intercampus connectivity project has made distance a non-issue by providing you with high speed and reliable high-speed connectivity that will facilitate communication between your campuses. “And we see the university teaching hospital as an important component of this project. And then there’s a data centre and facility that will enable you to capture the data of the most important things you are doing, including serving as a repository of student records, academic records, medical
records and all kinds of records, which will be difficult to keep in hard copy form. We decided that universities like Unibuja will require data centres that will ensure a reliable source of keeping data, which is retrievable at a press of a button.� Dr Jaja commended the NCC for the significant interventions in the hospital. Also speaking, Prof Ekele told the EVC that the NCC’s intervention was the first major assistance the medical institution received in its 25-year history.
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Digital Transformation: How Ready Is Nigeria? Emma Okonji examines Nigeria’s state of readiness in connecting with the rest of the world for digital transformation that will give Nigerians access to digital connectivity and smart economy Discussants at the ninth edition of eWorld Forum, which held recently in Lagos, highlighted the need for Nigeria to be digitally prepared in order to take advantage of the many gains of digital transformation that the world is currently looking up to. Digital transformation, which is evolving, has been described as the integration of digital technology into all areas of business, fundamentally changing how countries operate and deliver value to citizens and customers. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ajomedia Limited, Publishers of eWorld Magazine, and the organiser of the Digital Transformation Forum, Mr. Aaron Ukodie, stressed the need for Nigeria to be digitally ready through her policies formulation and implementation, while describing digital transformation as the building and refining of capabilities and culture to perform and transform. “The more prepared or ready an organisation or nation is, the more likely it will achieve its desired outcome,� Ukodie said, while expressing fears about the state of readiness of Nigeria and the Nigerian businesses in the digital transformation realm, especially in the area of available technologies in the Nigerian ecosystem that will help to achieve the digital transformation quest. Discussants at the forum looked at the infrastructural state of the country, the awareness drive and the will-power of government to make digital transformation a reality in Nigeria. Evolving technologies Advanced and evolving technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Automation, Self-driving cars and Artificial Intelligence (AI), are projected to affect about 50 per cent of the world economy, and these are some of the outcomes of the application of digital technologies. The answer to digital transformation, according to participants and discussants at the forum, may lie in dismantling obstacles militating against entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria, such as high taxes, lack of power supply, inconsistent policies by government, high interest rates, prohibitive prices for internet access among others. They were of the view that though the Muhammadu Buhari led government is trying to improve ease of doing business, having moved as a nation from the 170th position in 2017 to 145 in 2018 based on the recent World Bank report, but they insisted that the government needed to do more. Nigeria’s journey to digital transformation The Journey of Nigeria towards digital transformation could be said to have started since 2000, with the liberalisation of the telecoms sector which ushered in the first Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operator and the award of the first Digital Mobile License (DML) in 2001. Prior to that, Nigeria had only 400,000 telephone lines, with a teledensity of 0.4 per cent, operated by Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), a monopoly company owned by Nigerian government. These lines were mainly available in urban areas, with huge unmet demands across the country. But 17 years after, Nigeria now has over 162 million active lines which open plethora of opportunities to individuals, businesses and government through the use of mobile phones. In spite of the numerous challenges in the country, Nigeria could be said to have recorded huge success toward digital transformation. Highlighting the recorded success in the process of digital transformation since 2001, the Chairman of the Digital Transformation Forum, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, said there had been unprecedented transformation in the banking industry brought about by digitalisation, while citing transactions involving the use and movement of physical cash that are gradually declining. “The use of Point of Sales (PoS) machines and other several simple avenues of transaction have made life very easy to the consumers, the bank and government. Individuals no longer had to embark on a trip to the bank to conduct banking business, the banks on the other hand have less ratio of customers to attend to, in essence reduction in the cost of banking
services as well as reduction in high security and safety risks,� Rudman said. According to him, “There are many relative success stories in other key areas as well, such education, commerce, health, housing, employment, security, transportation, fighting corruption, among others. We have achieved much in less than two decades, but the journey to digital transformation is perpetual, we can’t afford to slow down, especially with our ever-expanding population. We have to find innovative ways to educate our young population and equip them with the right skills to handle ever evolving job market.� The CEO of eStream Network, Mr. Muyiwa Ogungboye, while speaking of Nigeria’s success to digital transformation, said at the federal government level, all payments now go through a treasury single account called TSA via Remita Software from Systemspecs Nig Ltd. This move has made our government to realise billions of naira that were hitherto not accessible to government. According to him, at the state level, most state governments have installed various software that track the collection of various levies which has resulted to increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). “At the private sector level, Nigeria had an explosion of several telecommunications and software companies that are adding value to the economy at large,� Ogungboye said. However, in the 2017 Digital Evolution Index developed by Mastercard and Tufts University, Nigeria was ranked among countries in the breakout zone, meaning that it faces significant challenges with the low state of digitalisation, especially in the area of infrastructure required to increase the momentum of adoption. Nigeria’s state of readiness Speaking on Nigeria’s readiness to digital transformation, the CEO of eStream Network, Ogungboye, said Nigeria’s readiness for digital transformation rest largely with all tiers of government, relevant government agencies, be it at federal, state and local government, the players in the Nigerian telecom industry, foreign investors, financial institutions and behavioral pattern of other industry that are expected to be digitally savvy and the generality of consumers. “We cannot discuss the readiness of Nigeria for digital transformation without considering actions and inactions of governments and their agencies, as they all have key roles to play in determining our readiness to adopt digital transformation as a way of life. “Nigeria as a country has shown a high level of readiness for digital transformation because government agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) were created to concretise the decision,� Ogungboye said. According to him, Nigeria had since been ready for digital transformation with the establishment of the mentioned agency, but there were challenges that have slowed down her speed of digital transformation.
The challenges The Managing Director, Medallion Communication, Mr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, who spoke on the challenges of digital transformation, said the company’s research report of 2017 on cybersecurity, showed that about 90 per cent of Nigerian organisations were operating below the security poverty line significantly exposing themselves to cyber security risks, which he said, negated the digital transformation. Citing the research report, Nnamani said the people affected by cyber bullying ranged from the common citizen to media personalities and even government officials and organisations. The threat, according to Nnamani, poses serious danger on all online transactions, especially now that the e-commerce business is beginning to gain traction across the country. Highlighting some of the challenges impeding the growth of digital transformation in the country, Ogungboye said the will-power of the Nigeria government to implement digital transformation nationwide, has remain an issue affecting the growth of digital transformation in Nigeria. “If the lack of will-power is addressed, it would drastically reduce the biggest problem in Nigeria and the required transformation we all have been longing to have would start to manifest,� Ogungboye explained. He listed other challenges to include delay in approval of Right of Way (RoW); Multiple taxation, Levies and fees on the same existing infrastructure; fragmented and limited distribution of fiber and telecom infrastructure to several areas of the country, creating large swathes of un-served or underserved communities within states and local government areas; long delays in the issuance of permits for new infrastructure; severe power challenges and multiple agencies doing the same function.“Removing all the above bottlenecks will not be an easy task but the will-power of the government and having several forums like the eWorld Forum, will lead to an understanding of what to do, how to do it and the results that is expected for the generality and well being of the citizens, will accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation,� Ogungboye said. Government’s role Speaking on the role of government in attaining the speed of digital transformation, Rudman said government needed to look beyond the digitisation of existing processes and services, and harness the power of digital technologies and data to transform existing business models in order to meet the increasing appetite and expectations of the rising digital consumer, by adopting new technologies in the way business is conducted. Digital transformation, he said, should be central and strategic among public sectors across the world, with ever-increasing citizen’s expectation around delivering greater efficiency, offering better services to the public and exploiting a greater range of modern technologies. The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who was represented by Mrs. Chioma Okee-Oguguo, said government
has responsibility to drive digital transformation, hence NITDA had to identify digital job creation as one of its seven pillars and it is currently setting up Digital Job Creation Centres (DJCC) across the country. “These centres empower users to set up businesses that incorporate cutting edge digital technologies. We want these centres to be triggers for the development of jobs that can thrive in this fourth industrial revolution, jobs that evolve with the needs of the citizens and take advantage of cutting edge technologies,� Pantami said. According to him, the Local Content Development and Promotion pillar of NITDA would ensure that the information and communications technology (ICT) sector is powered by Nigerians and indigenous companies. “We have an Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT (ONC). The ONC focuses on five focal programs for the first phase of the local content in ICT programme. The Government Digital Services pillar focusses on how ICT is used to deploy government services to citizens in a way that is efficient, transparent and effective,� he said. Way forward Speaking on the way forward for Nigeria on digital transformation, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who was represented by the Chairman, Regulatory and Legal Committee at ALTON, Mrs. Eno Udoma-Eniang, said to aid digitisation and digital transformation, there would be need for deployment of infrastructure to enable speed of broadband delivery and quality of service. “Whilst businesses in eCommence, eHealth; eAgriculture and the rest may be coming up with better digital innovation, the issue is whether the current legal framework enables these businesses to thrive,� Udoma-Eniang said. According to her, there cannot be digital transformation when basic infrastructure to drive the revolution are not in place. She therefore called on government at each level to support the massive deployment of telecom infrastructure in their domain for efficient digital transformation of their day to day activities by looking at the long-term benefits of all the infrastructure in place for better service delivery to the citizen. ALTON, she said, would be committed to the smart cities initiative by which the states in Nigeria could all be transformed to digital operating states. On his part, Rudman was of the view that Nigeria needed to improve on connectivity and rapidly promote new forms of online learning, so that people do not necessarily need to travel to an industrialised country to get a degree and equally make it possible for university graduates to work in the global labour market from Nigeria. “Government must have a strategic roadmap towards digital transformation, which should be developed with input from all stakeholders. To ensure its comprehensive implementation, government must establish follow-up mechanisms for continuous assessment, monitoring and evaluation of progress,� Rudman said.
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Rogers: Organisations Must Adopt Best Solutions against Cyberattacks The Regional Director Africa, CheckPoint Software Technology, Mr. Rick Rogers, spoke with Nosa Alekhuogie on the danger of increasing rate of cyberattacks on organisations and how best to mitigate such attacks. Excerpts: is better because once malware is in and you do not have the proper segmentation in your network, it spreads like wild fire.
As a world class cybersecurity company, what are the major global security threats, and what are the possible solutions? Cyberattack is open ended, but what we are positioning is Generation 5 technology solution. So, we are moving into an era of massive attacks, and you must have seen this massive attacks where it spreads. It was in the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and then to Norway. We believe that most organisations are not investing enough to secure their environment to prevent that. If we look at Generation 1 solution, which was the firewall and now we are sitting at Generation 5 solution attacks but a lot of organisations are still deploying Generation 1 technology. So generation 1 was firewall, you can’t skip firewall and say its not relevant, because you always need those components. So generation 2 was maybe some URL faltering, IPS, intrusion prevention with firewall etc. At the moment, there are massive global attacks where you need the threat prevention, where you need the end to end architecture, you need the analytics. So security threats can be seen from end point, meaning computer, desk top device end point, servers, virtualisation, cloud security and mobile security. Security is a major issue hindering the growth of mobile money in Nigeria. How is CheckPoint working with telecommunication operators to make sure that their infrastructure is secured? Well, there are a couple of ways that we work with mobile operators, and I will look at it in three key areas. The one area for mobile operators is that we protect the IT infrastructure, and we do the same for the telecoms. Over and above that, the core infrastructure also needs to be secured and as I mentioned earlier, we have the technology available that the mobile operator can use to solve security issues from mobile devices to their customers. What are the speciďŹ c solutions developed by CheckPoint to address cyber insecurity, especially in Nigeria? We have the Next generation Firewall, UTM, virtualisation, and cloud guide solution which depends on our solution too. We have threat detection solution as well that majorly introduce preventive measures for networks. Prevention is a checkpoint ethos. We believe prevention is better than cure and we try as much as possible to prevent virus from gaining access into organisation’s network, this is because once a virus gains access into organisation’s networks, it becomes too late to prevent and control. We have a range of appliances but we have a consistent software with a range of hardware and this is the full suite of firewall. We have all the intermediate steps of intrusion prevention, URL faltering, and all the different components to secure data centre. In terms of percentage growth, how would you see the adoption of mobile security in Africa? We are starting to make progress in that area and we are starting to get traction, I think a lot of organisations are still deciding on the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies, so if you look at it from an enterprise perspective, the key strategy on management security is not there yet. We obviously do take the time and effort to ensure that organisations understand that it’s a critical component that they need to secure. So we are making progress, we are getting customers to understand that we are not quite there yet. We also have a separate strategy when it comes to the consumer component and the consumer element of securing mobile devices meaning that for example, a mobile operator can actually take our security application and resell it to the market. In terms of adoption rate, have you been able to calculate how much progress you
As the Regional Director of CheckPoint in charge of Africa, what is the risk level in Africa for organisational breeches? Looking at the risk level, as at last month, Nigeria was number 1 but now it has dropped to 8th. So we do have research, we came up with an index rating, and from this index, we can actually see and rate countries and all the rest. But it is a good measure to understand where a country sits in general and the amount of attacks that has been targeted at specific countries. What do you think was responsible for Nigeria dropping to 8th Place? You do have cycles, so there could have been a lot of attacks, I think the security in Nigeria affects the customers that we work with and we have over 300 customers which include the government, banks, multinationals and even the telecommunications sector. We even handle security with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). so instead of ISPs just going out to provide internet access, they provide internet access with security and we do that in Nigeria.
Rogers
have made? If you look at it from a CheckPoint perspective and strategy, mobile is very important, the whole infinity architecture is very important to us so we have been here for over 10 years. We have over 300 customers in the market and over 30 resellers in the Nigerian market. So we are part of the security landscape. In my opinion, we are the leading security vendor in Nigeria, so the feasibility around mobile is at a global context and that is a very dangerous place not to get secured, because that gives hackers the ability to penetrate at corporate environments. So the idea to to specifically do a business case around mobile in Nigeria is not economical. What we are doing is a business case about the entire environment and mobile is one of those key elements that we need to position with our enterprise customers that’s critical for them to adopt. The Nigerian government is faced with insider attacks like insurgencies. Does CheckPoint have a solution for these kind of attacks? We have the Sandblast range and the Sandblast is our trademark for threat prevention. So we have Sandblast agents for endpoints, for computers such that if an insider accidentally puts a USB that is malicious, then we would block that. Technology is a component of security and we have the full suite, from end point to mobile devices to virtualisation to cloud to provide a consistent security approach. But if someone is maliciously hacking, then that becomes a culture with internet organisation that also needs to be addressed. Aside addressing organisations’ cyber threats, is CheckPoint also talking to government in respect to securing their data? Yes we are. When we look at a market, we look at it holistically, as we look at technology, we also look at it holistically. We don’t come into a market and say we are only going to focus on enterprises, so we talk to the entire system that needs security. The public sector, Central Bank, revenue services, especially entities that really understand, are all the sectors that our solutions address. You can appreciate that some of the groundwork that we do undertake is to educate certain institutions, organisations
or pillars of the society about security, but we do address everything. In regards to the cloud market, CheckPoint said the cloud market would reach about 190 billion dollars by 2020. Is this a global statistics, and is it restricted to a region and how do you envisage this growth? Cloud is not going to go down or decrease, it is here to stay because it provides agility and flexibility kind of pay as you grow. It is certainly the adoption of the future and that depends on few things such as in-country resources. This is aimed at making it really effective as Microsoft is now doing in Nigeria, where they are busy building data in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa to make it more accessible to customers. So definitely, cloud services, cloud adoption, and people moving to the cloud, that’s the way of the future. A lot of businesses are still sceptical about putting information out there, so what we do is to carry out testing and proof of concepts with customers. We run trials with them, we test equipment, security, feasibility because there is a business drive. There is also the concern about security, we offer the security solution and we also talk to customers to ensure that if they have the business desire, that can be protected, but a lot of it to me is resources, infrastructure, bandwidth, among others. All of those components need to be in place for cloud to really become attractive. Cloud security should be a shared responsibility, it should be between the customer and the provider. What are the solutions to address the after effect of cyber attacks, should organisations suffer from it? First of all, they should try to prevent it. I think any organisation today should look at prevention, second would be to understand what is infected and isolate that from the rest of the environment. Organisations do have disaster recovery, they also have incidence response. And it’s a service we provide as well, so even if it did occur, we provide that service and some organisations contact CheckPoint proactively to provide that incidence response. We can do the analytics, we can trace it down to the root cause and we can provide them a solution and we can rectify the problem but I must state that prevention
Most organisations in Nigeria are slow in the deployment of cyber security solutions because of high cost. What is your advice for them and do you have any solutions for small organisations? For small enterprises, we have the 700 series appliances. As I said earlier, if you look at our appliances, including hardware, we have the big appliance; the 64,000 and then the 700 series appliance. It runs the same software and security service. So all our security services are consistent across our entire platforms. Now the 700 series is positioned competitively against other small enterprise security appliances, and it is not pay as you use. It can be bought straight off or as I mentioned earlier, ISPS can actually take that and do a lease or put it to other commercial use. What is your advice for technology start-ups in the area of cyber security? First of all, these technology start-ups would get bigger. If you look at Internet of Things (IoTs), it is almost unlimited, you can get smart cars, you can get smart houses, appliances etc. So we are entering into an era of massive technology explosion. And as technology increases, so does the risks, and there are many angles to this but maybe for some start-ups; I think awareness and education are key factors to consider. I think there is a lot of companies doing the development at the moment. At my last count, I think there was probably like 680 technology companies that play in the cyber security space. What is your future projection for the Nigerian market? So we do a lot, we do trainings in Nigeria, we have CheckPoint certified training for technical people, CheckPoint certified administrators, CheckPoint certified experts. We try to do two of those courses every three months in Nigeria. Over the last couple of years, we have trained hundreds of engineers and technical people to become certified in CheckPoint technology. We have a lot of customers and we train our partners, and we have about over fifty partners in West Africa, which is an on-going activity. Technology moves as you know, so we have new versions. Last year we had IRT, this year we have IRT.20 among others. As technology moves, security improves. We constantly train our people. We do monthly trainings, we do roundtables with customers to get the message across for them to understand that we do technical trainings. We try to get the overall strategy across to the market on our Generation 5 solution, which companies should be looking up to for their future business.
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NCC Approved 704 Equipment Models in 2017 Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday in Lagos, said it approved 704 different models of equipment in 2017 for the telecoms sector. A breakdown of the figure shows that 441 mobile phone models and 263 other equipment model were approved by the NCC.
The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at NCC, Ubale Maska made the disclosure during the inauguration of the industry working group on type approval. Maska, who was represented by the Head, Technical Standards and Networks Integrity at NCC, Bako Wakil, said it was imperative for due process to be considered in equipment approval.
Explaining why the group was inaugurated, Maska said the group would assess the bottlenecks relating to equipment authorisation and therefore solicit contributions from the stakeholders. “The Group is to assess the challenges and constraints relating to equipment authorisation. We need all the stakeholders to contribute to our Commission as we are aware
“Last year, we approved 704 different models of equipment. We have given approval for 441 mobile phones model and 263 other equipment model, which is about 8 per cent. “It is extremely important that we follow the due process in obtaining approval for equipment in the country for the general development of the country,� he said.
that the norm at the NCC is consultation� Maska stated. Speaking also, the Head, Wireless Networks at NCC, Anthony Ikemefuna, explained that the objectives of type approval were to protect public telecommunication networks, to ensure safety of public from dangerous equipment, spectrum optimisation and to facilitate quality of service.
Ikemefuna further explained that a complete application must be duly signed with completed type approval form; one sample document; soft copies containing the following documents- Equipment test report; Technical specification and operational manuals of the equipment; Equipment declaration of conformity and letters of authority.
TAMBO Mobile Launches in Nigeria Nigeria phone market, which is Africa’s largest phone market, last week, received a major boost with the launch of TAMBO Mobile, designed with latest innovations to disrupt African phone market. Launched with two distinct brand series, the Superphones and the Powerphones, TAMBO Mobile plans to change the existing game in Nigeria’s mobile market by giving phone users the best of experience in the use of the latest mobile phones. Speaking at the product launch, the Managing Director, TAMBO Mobile, Mr. Roy Jiang, said: “With our Superphones and Powerphones categories, we will deliver value to the Nigerian mobile phone market with innovative products delivered with the best-in-class customer service proposition.� “We also want to build a business ecosystem with our dealers and partners that will create jobs, add value to the Nigerian economy and promote sustainability in the social no business environment,� Jiang said. He added that in the next few months, TAMBO Mobile products and services would take Nigeria by the storm, while explaining that the company is glad to begin the journey in building a brand that Nigeria at home and abroad can be
proud off. “The brand plans to put the customer at the heat of its operations with the introduction of customer-oriented after sales service and proposition such as the 100 days after sales support for all TAMBO Mobile devices purchased from accredited dealers and retailers. “Our customer care lines are also open and reachable 24/7, 365 days,� Jiang said. Speaking on some of the features of TAMBO Mobile phone, Marketing Manager of the company, Mr. Gbenga Kolawole, said the two series of phones come with long battery life of 4000mAh, latest features and with affordable prices. The Sales and Distribution Manager of TAMBO Mobile, Mr. Sanjay Anand, said the brand would target the generality of phone users because they are suitable for all phone lovers. “We plan massive rollout in all states of Nigeria and in several countries in Africa, with Nigeria as a hub,� Anand said. Conceptualised and established in 2017, TAMBO has a long term vision to empower every Indian and Nigerian, with the aim to do mobile phone business differently, efficiently and driven by systems to give maximum value to its customers, partners and people.
NIG to Induct Akwa Ibom SSG into Hall of Fame The Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), which is committed to the promotion of the internet and its economic benefits in Nigeria has revealed its plans to institute the body’s Hall of Fame. The internet advocacy group made this known during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem. The NIG executive council led by its President, Destiny Amana included, Bayero Agabi (Vice President), Fidelis Orji (Executive Secretary) and Hilary Damissah, (Publicity Secretary). Amana briefed the SSG of the intentions of the group and its decision to induct the SSG into the NIG Hall of Fame. Amana enumerated the contributions of the SSG to the growth of the internet in Nigeria. He applauded the foresight with which Ekuwem championed the domestication of the country’s dot NG (.ng) domain name which is its internet identity. He added that Ekuwem and others who committed their time, resources and knowledge to promoting internet penetration and adoption in both public and private sectors in Nigeria at such a time that the military government of
the day was against it, deserves commendation and should be celebrated. Responding, Ekuwem recalled how the NIG helped to drive the growth of digital economy in Nigeria. He hailed the courage of the group towards positioning Nigeria in the cyber space. Ekuwem noted that the goodwill he enjoyed as the President of the NIG is what opened the vista that has brought him to serve in his present position as the SSG. He recalled how he met with the present Governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr. Udom Emmanuel while running for the post of the President of the NIG and the latter was a Manager at Zenith Bank. Ekuwem narrated how, as President of NIG, he escalated the .ng to the presidency upon which the then President Olusegun Obasanjo invited him to Aso Rock to make a case for the domestication of .ng which today has become the country domain name of Nigeria. Ekuwem recounted how Obasanjo prevailed on the hitherto foreign custodians of the .ng domain released to NIG.
COURTESY VISIT
L-R: Board Member, Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Mr. Peter Nggada; Executive Secretary, Mr. Victor Olannye; Board Member, Mr. Abraham Amkpa; President, Mr. Magnus Nnoka; Director General, Debt Management Office ( DMO) Ms. Patience Oniha; Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Mr. Umar Yayangida, Director, DMO Mr. Joe Ugoala; Executive Council Member, Ms. Funmi Adewole, during a courtesy visit of RIMAN’s officials to DMO’s Office in Abuja‌recently.
Globacom Upgrades to Enhance Telecoms Service Delivery Globacom has announced a major upgrade and overhaul of its network infrastructure, designed to improve its telecoms services deliveries. The company, which recently commemorated its 15th anniversary, said the upgrade of its infrastructure was geared towards offering its subscribers better voice and data service delivery. “Glo is a brand that offers subscribers the best in the market and is enriching customer experience on the network in terms of installing the best technology and offering lifestyle-changing products and services,� the network emphasised. According to the total telecommunications service provider, the enhancement project covers swapping, upgrade, and overhaul of network infrastructure, building of new switches and construction of additional 4,000km of optic fibre cable to complement the company’s existing fibre optic facility, which is among the most extensive private fibre networks in Africa. The company’s existing 10,000km optic fibre network is also being expanded to provide capacity and route protection. This is meant to ensure constant and all-year round connectivity. Globacom further disclosed that the massive project also includes installation of new base stations and densification of existing ones, resulting in a spanking brand new network that will be congestion-free with reduced call drops. The Lagos microwave network is also getting transformed into a full IP Network geared up to meet future data requirements of the rapidly expanding state. In the light of the upgrade,
the company disclosed that old equipment have been swapped with new ones in several states and cities of the country including Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Ebonyi, Ogun, Kwara, Edo and Abuja, thereby increasing the capacity and improving the quality of the network across the states. The operation has further led to an increase in the transmission capacity of the network with pure internet protocol backhaul in several states across the country. “The data core network interface ports have been upgraded from 40GB to 100GB – meaning the traffic handling capacity is more than doubled. We have also upgraded the transport backhaul with additional 100GB route and redundancy, thereby making the network more stable and resilient,� the statement added. Similarly, the operator explained that its 2G and 3G network components have been swapped with new and higher capacity equipment to deliver improved data and voice service just as 4G coverage has been extended to more cities in 33 states making Globacom the mobile network operator (MNO) with the widest and the best 4G coverage in Nigeria at the moment. The objective of embarking on the cost intensive project, said Globacom, is to build a resilient brand in terms of investment in new technology. “With this project, we are consolidating on our existing facilities in the hope of gaining a higher edge in the market by enhancing our stature and service delivery. We will continue to give value offerings, while not forgetting to keep investing in our teeming subscribers and the larger Nigerian society,� the company promised.
Concept Nova Unveils Comprehensive IT Solution for Fleet Managers Nigeria’s indigenous information technology company, Concept Nova, last week unveiled a comprehensive technology-driven fleet management solution. The solutions include a Vehicle Tracking System, Delivery Management System, Fuel Control System and FleeTrak Fleet Management Application (FMA). The solutions are all high-tech powered and geared towards giving fleet managers’ total control of their assets to achieve optimum utilisation. Speaking on the Vehicle Tracking System, Concept Group’s Lead Brokers Analyst, Martina Amos, explained that the vehicle tracking solution, called Tikon helps fleet managers track locations and status of their vehicles and drivers in real time. The FleeTrak Fleet Management Application, on the other hand, has been completely revamped. Fleet managers can now use the web-based application to provide seamless management of up to 5000 units of a fleet, including cars, trucks and boats. Another bespoke solution launched on Thursday is the Fuel Control System which helps fleet managers reclaim control of fuel consumption by their fleet. The solution deals a decisive blow to fuel pilfering, both in mobile and stationary tanks. The Delivery Management Solution caters to supply chain managers who hitherto had to contend with incomplete inventory during shipment. The Delivery Management System helps keep track of goods delivery from where an order
originates to the destination. Some of the fleet managers who were at the launch commended the Concept Nova for the innovative solutions. They stated that it will go a long way to reduce their operational costs while simplifying their fleet management processes. “I think they have done a great job with these solutions. Their solutions come highly recommended and from what I have seen here, I am not disappointed. All the solutions are quite useful for any fleet manager. “The one that intrigued me most is the audio feature in the vehicle tracking system. The fact that one can listen in to the audio conversation of the passengers in the vehicle being tracked means it will be difficult to perpetrate theft and get away with it,� said a fleet operator from Sterling Trust Limited, Paul Erhima. Speaking on what inspired such a comprehensive solution for fleet managers, General Manager of Concept Nova, Mr. Itiekhao Ikpeminogena said the solution was driven by the need to build a local solution that addresses the challenges of high operational cost for fleet management while helping them improve efficiency and productivity. “Through our solution, you can reduce the cost of diesel alone by 50 per cent. This means that if diesel consumption costs the company about 30 million naira per annum, we are then talking of saving up to 15 million naira. That is huge,� Ikpeminogena said.
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Inlaks Gets Best Temenos Community Partner Recognition Embracing the core values of innovation and customer focus, Inlaks has been recognised as the best Temenos Learning Community (TLC) partner of 2018 in Africa for investing in training and development with well-coordinated training methodology in delivering value to numerous customers across Africa. This endorsement was highlighted by Temenos at this year’s Temenos’ Middle East and Africa (MEA) sales and partner meeting in Dubai. Temenos specializes in enterprise software for banks and financial services. The Managing Director and CEO of Inlaks, Africa Operations, Femi Adeoti, further professed about what the testimonial connotes for Inlaks as the best Temenos Learning Community partner, “Through this, the company has delivered more value to numerous customers across Africa�. He explained that the Temenos training and certification is delivered through Temenos Learning Community;
as such, each member “will need to study online or attend classroom training courses and take the associated exams to earn the necessary credits needed to move to the next level of membership�. Detailing the line of action for the course, he shared that the course catalogue, is available in the Temenos learning community which provides details about each course and prerequisites needed accordingly. Course materials and examinations are both available on the designated online link for TLC. Inlaks and Temenos as a result of excellent collaborative effort, triumphed by securing the biggest deal in the history of Temenos in a Francophone country, Afriland Bank Limited, Cameroon. “This is a landmark deal since Temenos T24 replaces an entrenched core banking application, such as Sopra banking software in Francophone countries across Africa�, Adeoti added.
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Vodacom Calls for Network Operators’ Collaboration Stories by Emma Okonji Vodacom has said there is no better time than now for businesses to begin to focus on new collaborative strategies to help deliver more efficient service for users. This was the focus of the keynote presentation made by Commercial Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Solomon Ogufere at the NigeriaCom 2018 Conference and Exhibition organised by Informa Telecoms Group, which recently took place in Lagos. The event themed: “Leading Economic Resurgence through ICT Innovation�, provided an excellent opportunity for
various stakeholders within the information communication and technology (ICT) space to deliberate on pertinent issues facing the sector today, paramount of which, was the issue of collaboration in order to achieve optimum quality of service for the end user. While addressing the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Policy Makers, Techpreneurs and others present at the NigeriaCom 2018 Conference, Ogufere said: “With the increase in internet penetration around the world, the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) and new enabling technologies permeating every
facet of business and life, there is an urgent need for swift development within the ICT industry and this can only be achieved through a paradigm shift.� According to him, “The shift must begin first from our approach towards collaboration, moving from opportunistic pseudo collaboration to symbiotic collaboration that leads to efficiency in service delivery, improved quality and a better all-round experience for the customer.� As the rest of the world enters into the fourth industrial revolution, Africa as a Continent still lags behind
in digitization efforts when compared to Europe, the United States and even Asia, showing that there is yet more ground to cover as it pertains to technological development and this cannot be achieved unilaterally. Ogufere also noted: “The secret to solving the collaboration conundrum is to create a culture of collaboration which requires constant interaction. Industry leaders must move away from ownership mentality by creating avenues for collaboration at every point within the ecosystem and encouraging new entrants with specific expertise into the market.�
Microsoft FortiďŹ es Cybersecurity, Brings AI to Customers Microsoft, the software giant, at its Ignite 2018 annual information technology (IT) event, released an array of security programs and products that underscore the need for increased IT security for customers. Among them are Microsoft Secure Score, a dynamic report card that assesses Microsoft 365 customer environments and makes recommendations that can reduce breaches up to thirtyfold, and Microsoft Authenticator, which helps make secure sign-on easier for workers with features like password-free login. The company also advanced its commitment to democratise access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a new AI for humanitarian action program aimed at harnessing the power of AI for disaster recovery, helping children, protecting refugees and displaced people, and promoting respect for human rights. Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, in his speech, said: “In this era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge, businesses in every industry are looking for a trusted partner to help them transform. “We are pushing the bounds in AI, edge computing and Internet of Things (IoTs), while providing end-to-end security to empower every organisation to build its own digital capability and thrive in this new era.â€? Cybersecurity, according to him, is the central challenge of the digital age. Every day organisations take precious time and resources away from their core business mission to defend against, and recover from, cy-
berattacks. They operate dozens of complex, disconnected tools, yet the gaps between those tools remain and threats get through. As the nature of the threats and the profile of the attackers continue to evolve, security teams struggle to keep up, and skilled expertise is scarce. Corporate Vice President, Communications at Microsoft, Frank Shaw said the Microsoft threat protection, announced, remained a comprehensive endto-end solution that could help protect, detect and remediate cyberthreats, bringing together advanced threat protection and auto-remediation across email, PCs, identities and infrastructure into a single integrated experience in Microsoft 365. The service, he said, uses AI and human research to speed up investigations to eliminate threats faster, saving thousands of hours for overstretched security teams. Microsoft is working with tech companies, policymakers and institutions critical to the democratic process on strategies to protect our midterm elections. “The company’s defending democracy program aims to protect political campaigns from hacking, increase security of the electoral process, defend against disinformation and bring greater transparency to political advertising online. Part of this program is the AccountGuard initiative, which provides state-of- the-art cybersecurity protection at no extra cost to all candidates and campaign offices at the federal, state and local level, and other organisations critical to the democratic process,� the software company said.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
L-R:ManagingDirector,NigerianLiquifiedNaturalGas(NLNG)Limited,TonyAttah;CEO,AirtelNigeria,SegunOgunsanya,andChiefExecutiveOfficer, Richardson Oil and Gas Limited, Akin Osuntoki, during the presentation of Special Achievement Award to Ogunsanya in recognition of his support for health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) management and local content development in Nigeria in Lagos...recently
9mobile AfďŹ rms Commitment to Enhance Businesses in Nigeria Telecommunication company, 9mobile has said it is working with strategic partners and other key players within the digital services ecosystem to help Nigerian businesses deliver breakthrough results through the rapid adoption of Internet of Things (IoT). IoT allows a network of ‘things’ - any form of equipment or device with embedded electronic and powered by software - that are connected and designed to interact in a specific context through the exchange of data. It creates opportunities for businesses and
governments to access real time information that can improve efficiency, responsiveness and overall performance. Speaking as a panel discussant on ‘Making Internet of Things Work for Business’ at the 2018 Nigeria Com Conference held in Lagos, , 9mobile’s Chief Product and Information Officer, Otuyemi Otule highlighted the benefits IoT can bring to businesses, and stressed that security and the people implications are as important in IoT considerations as are the drivers for adopting IoT in the first place.
Otule, who explained that anything capable of gathering data and transferring such to a central location where decisions are taken and the data that is transmitted are potential targets for cyber criminals, stated that businesses have to ensure that none of the components in their IoT network (devices, the operating software) is vulnerable. According to him, “risk could be anywhere, not just on the device but across the network, the threat landscape is ever changing, and cybercriminals are hard at work looking
for loopholes. Most software developers never thought of designing security into their solutions until the rise of cybercrimes. Hackers can hijack your device and compromise the data transmitted; they can intercept the information you send and use it to gain valuable insights into the business or its executives’ lives. With more devices than people on the planet today and growing exponentially, the risk landscape is complex and dynamic. It is therefore important for businesses to pay attention to security as they embrace IoT.
Firm to Extend MainOne Services to Francophone Region TE Connectivity Limited company, an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology has secured a contract from leading connectivity and data center solutions provider, MainOne, to extend its active submarine cable system into West Africa’s francophone region with two additional branches connecting Senegal (Dakar) and Cote D’Ivoire (Abidjan). These new
branches will connect to MainOne’s 7,000km cable system, which extends from Portugal to Nigeria, and will inject new technology that upgrades the system to a potential capacity of 10TBps by November 2019 when the subsea system becomes operational. With this development, MainOne will have landing points in five markets – Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire and
Portugal, in addition to Cameroon. A cluster of francophone countries in West Africa that are experiencing an increased demand for advanced telecom services including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania will also benefit from these extensions into Cote D’Ivoire and Senegal. MainOne’s Regional Executive for West Africa, Mr. Kazeem Oladepo, said: “MainOne continues to lead the current
digital transformation of the region by ushering in affordable connectivity to drive economic development. Our objective remains focused on bridging the digital divide between West Africa and the rest of the world. We have, and will continue to, invest significantly in projects to accelerate broadband access to help local businesses address the challenges they face procuring capacity at competitive rates.
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The Renewed Telcos Competition With the recent launch of Oga SIM by the Globacom brand, Raheem Akingbolu reckons that players in the telecom sector appear set for another round of competition Towards the end of the year when good manufacturers and service providers are getting set to boost sales, the media naturally go abuzz and the Nigerian consumers of products are sucked into the frenzies of reward programmes and innovative offerings. While some promotions offer mouth-watering cash rewards to lucky consumers for their loyal patronage, others creatively skew the pricing of their goods and services, while some introduce new products to attract more patronage or retain loyal customers. Yet others offer below-the-line shows and activations coupled with raffle draws designed to both create fun and reward customers who had stayed with their brands through the year. This year, telecom operators in the country appear to have started early. While MTN is believed to be leveraging on its “What Can We Do Together (WCWDT)� a corporate social responsibility(CSR) project, Airtel is using its ‘Touching Lives’ initiative to boost the image of the Airtel brand. However, beyond CSR and promotions, Globacom is believed to have raised the bar with the introduction of Oga SIM to rev up activities in the nation’s telecommunications industry. The data market particularly has gone agog with excitement as telecom users scrutinize the benefits of the new product and compare it with pre-existing offers. Features Oga SIM, in a manner of speaking, upturns the apple cart by offering new data subscribers a whopping 125 per cent bonus on data bundle subscriptions. This benefit also covers old data subscribers who have not used Globacom’s data service in the last three months. To analysts, the product offer trumps similar offers from other operators in terms of the sheer value it delivers to telecom users. The product was formally unveiled to the media by top executives of Globacom at the company’s Victoria Island, head office in Lagos about four weeks ago. According to Globacom’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Ashok Israni, the benefit of 125 per cent bonus on data bundle subscription is automatic. He said a subscriber needs not do anything other than simply buy a data subscription of his or her choice. “A new subscriber who buys N500 worth of data subscription will automatically get 1.8GB of data instead of the usual 800MB; one who buys N1000 data package gets 3.6GB instead of 1.6GB, N2000 fetches the subscriber 8.2GB instead of 3.6GB, while N2,500 gives a whopping 12.9GB instead of 5.75GB.Israni called the offer “unmatchable� and a “must have� for every telecom consumer, as it links subscribers with their passion points. The value to be derived from Oga SIM can either be shared or gifted,� Speaking further, Israni stated that the offering is consistent with the nonconformist and persistently innovative persona of the Glo brand. The CMO added that it is a persona that has ensured that the company keeps breaking fresh frontiers in the country’s telecommunications space right from its inception. “It is the same persona that has kept the company growing at astronomic rate. Globacom was the last to enter the telecommunications industry among the first three operators to launch commercial Global System for Mobile
Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga
communications (GSM) service in Nigeria. In no time, the company ascended to the spot of the second largest telecommunications network in Nigeria, basically on the back of creative and innovative offerings,� he said. Strength of the brand Maintaining its winning streak, most industry watchers have admitted that Globacom has, again, trumped the other operators in terms of subscriber growth in the latest statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the month of July 2018. According to the report, Globacom amassed 214,646 new subscribers in the month of July, taking its customer base to over 40.3 million. Globacom’s addition of 214,646 subscribers constituted the largest gain by any operator in July. Airtel garnered the second most number of subscribers, as it added 149,880 new customers, growing from 39,898,448 in June to 40,048,328 in July. The NCC report showed that Globacom has added a total of 2,153,374 new subscribers this year. In terms of Internet subscribers on mobile devices, Globacom accounted for most of the growth during the review period. Total number of data users in the country rose by 866,656, from 102.81 million in June to 103.67 million in July. Globacom took the lion share of 574,821 new internet users, with its data subscription rising from 26.57 million in June to 27.15 million in July. The additions represent 66 percent of the total of 866,656 new internet users in the industry. The open-arm embrace of the operator by telecom subscribers cannot be divorced from its aggressive roll-out of innovative products and services and continuous investment in its expansive network. Before Globacom launched
Oga SIM, it had first launched Glo Yakata, which offers up to 2,200 percent bonus on every N100 recharge and above. That was also a game-changer in its own right, as it topped what all the operators had been able to offer telecom consumers. It was on account of its sterling achievements in the telecommunications sector that Globacom and its chairman, Mike Adenuga Jr. were publicly celebrated as heroes of the telecommunications industry by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) recently. Adenuga and Globacom were given primal positioning in ATCON’s book celebrating heroes of the telecom industry. The book, 100 Leading Telecom & ICT Personalities in Nigeria, chronicles the contributions of 100 outstanding individuals and their companies to the growth and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. The 365-page book was formally presented to the crème-de-la-crème of the telecom industry, including the Minister of Communications Technology, Chief Adebayo Shittu, and the man who piloted the affairs of the industry when the telecom revolution took off, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. ATCON noted that Adenuga and Globacom earned the coveted spot for pioneering a long list of innovations, which have helped to shape the high-flying telecommunications sector of the Nigerian economy. Aside celebrating the man behind the brand, some of the outstanding contributions of Globacom to the telecom sector were highlighted. These include its now famous introduction of per second billing of customers into Nigeria’s telecom lexicon. That singular act alone is credited with rapid stimulation of competition in the sector, with the concomitant explosion of highly competitive telecom service offer-
ings from the operators who were eager to outdo each other in pleasing consumers. The feat attracted accolades at the time because efforts of telecom consumers to get pre-existing operators to introduce per second billing (PSB) were abortive as the operators said it was not feasible at the time. PSB introduction made it much easier for Nigerians to get value for money by paying only for the exact time spent on calls, the book stated. The book further documented the fact that Globacom crashed the cost of GSM SIM and tariff from N20,000 and N50 per minute respectively to as low as N200 and 5 kobo per second, thus helping to aggressively boost telephone penetration in the country. Globacom’s consistency in the area of innovative offerings has earned it laurels from far and near in the last 15 years. Recently, the brand Glo was ranked the fourth most admired African brand in the 2018 ranking of brands in Africa by Brand Africa, an independent non-profit organisation committed to promoting business excellence on the continent. The propelling force behind the company’s giant strides has been its founder, Adenuga, who has consistently proven to be an inexhaustible reservoir of revolutionary ideas that have kept competitors in the sector on their toes. His indefatigable efforts in revolutionising the Nigerian telecoms industry have earned him awards both locally and internationally, the most recent of which is the Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur (CLH), personally bestowed on him by the France President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. As the year approaches the end, with many brands pushing for more market share, the introduction of Oga SIM at this point, may be the key needed by the brand to further position itself as innovation leader as well as unlocking the heart of consumers.
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Eat’n’Go Commemorates Sixth Anniversary with New Outlet Stories by Raheem Akingbolu Sixth year after opening its first shop in the Nigerian market, the Eat‘N’Go, has opened its 70th outlet as part of activities marking the anniversary in the country. The firm is behind the Dominos Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkerry Gourmet frozen yogurt, among others. The business started in 2012 with the opening of the first Dominos and Cold Stone that has grown into 70 stores in the space of six years by a hardworking local team. According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Pat McMicheal, “Eat’N’Go is a proud
Nigerian company with over 2,000 Nigerian team members spread across the country. These men and women are a major part of the success the company has enjoyed over the past 6 years� On the company’s strategy for staff retention, Eat’N’Go’s HR Head, Olusola Adeeko, said: “above award salaries, we are proud to make sure that we pay our team well to retain our team. There are special incentives given to store teams, who go above set targets. This builds a culture of ‘we all win at the same time.� Meanwhile, the outlet a recently announced a ‘promote from within’ policy for all positions. This new policy has become possible due to
the continued growth of the company, and the managements dedication to create a genuine career path for its team at all levels of the business. According to the company’s Marketing Director, Amalia Sebakunzi, the firm has partnered with local charity groups, including Slum2School, to help children get access to quality education. “We are passionate about social contributor to society in Nigeria. Education is a key fundamental in Nigeria to help the country further prosper, now and into the future and we are proud to be involved in giving back to the community by providing education opportunities to those in need.�
N-BA Reiterates Commitment to Deepening Nigeria, Britain Bond The Nigeria-Britain Association has restated its commitment to deepen the bond between Nigeria and Britain in the area of business and fashion to boost the economies of the two countries. The President of the association, Mr. Shola Tinubu, disclosed this at the unveiling of a Lagos-based fashion designer, Miss Bukola Adeogun, who emerged winner of this year’s Nigeria-Britain Association’s Fashion Competition. The competition was organised by the association, in partnership with GMYT Fashion Academy, a Lagos-based fashion training institute. He explained that one of the focal points of the association, in recent times, remains the youths, hence the decision to organise a fashion competition, designed exclusively for upcoming designers within the age grades of 18 and 30. Tagged ‘Expression’, the fashion competition which
lasted for a month, according to the association, was designed to harness potential and talents in the nation’s fashion industry and showcase them to the world. According to him, the choice of Adeogun was arrived at the final rounds of the competition in Lagos, which had five finalists in attendance. Tinubu added that besides getting a six-month Advanced Fashion Design training at GMYT Fashion Academy, an industrial machine and a three- month mentorship with a fashion icon Adeola Sagoe, the winner will also have the opportunity to showcase her designs for the first time at the association’s Presidential Cocktails, scheduled for 27th September, this year, at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence, in Lagos. “We believe this is a great one for the winner since the N-BA Presidential Cocktails remains
one of the key signature events of the association. It is always well-attended by British Deputy High Commissioner, who is the Chief Host, top executives of Nigeria and British companies and well-meaning Nigerians and Britons. Having an opportunity to showcase designs at such a stage will definitely enhance their career of the winner,� the N-BA boss stated. According to the president, the association which would be celebrating its 50th anniversary, next year, would also use the opportunity of the anniversary to touch lives of more passionate and industrious youth, by implementing sustainable programmes geared towards its main objectives. Expressing her delight at the feat, Adeogun, who has her shop in Egbeda area of the Lagos metropolis, believes the win would go a long way in widening her horizon in the world of fashion.
Throne Autos Excites Consumers with Car Giveaway Throne Autos, the vehicle subsidiary of the Throne Group of companies, has made good her promise at the 1st Season Car Giveaway event held recently in Lagos. Stakeholders in the auto industry and celebrities who attended the event attested to the fact that it lived up to expectations as it attracted people from all walks of life, who trooped in to witness the lined up activities of the day which eventually culminated in the Grand final winner that walked away with a Toyota Corrola. The giveaway initiative awareness commenced and enjoyed huge customers and consumers attention with series of A – list social media influencers ranging from Arole & Asiri,Lekan “King Kong�,Radio Host Nedu of Wazobia Fm , Woli Agba and Broda Shaggi respectively. Their followers were treated to engaging treats about the event thus driving interest and likes. According to the Managing Director of Throne Autos, Mr. Oladapo Oladimeji, the initiative is the brainchild of
the able leadership at the helm of affairs at the company, whose foray into the auto sales industry stemmed from the continued shortchanging of car buyers through hidden charges, delayed delivery and other untidy acts. In his words their offering is mutually beneficial as customers are only charged 100 Dollars for transaction aids done for them on cars bidded for online in their presence and brought in on their behalf based on other legal/business charges. The Chairman of the Group, Mr. Olalekan Ilori, during the occasion announced his new pet project tagged the “Throne Charity Foundation� whilst he donated the sum of N5,000,000.00 as initial take off funding,he solicited for the support of all present and Nigerians in general to support the foundation, which he explained was targeted at kids of humble background. The highlight of the event was the emergence of Mr. Abimbola Kazeem alias “Jigan� an Actor and Instagram Influencer, who re-enacted his acting career
through with “Sho Mo Age Mi Ni� skit ,as the lucky winner of the grand prize of Toyota Corrolla. The actor in his words shared after emerging as winner ,said this year has heralded in good tidings of huge impact to his family after obeying Gods’ January 1st directive not to observe his watch night service in church but by offering prayers, by his bed side and upon obedience ,the year has brought him, endorsements, child birth and latest addition been a Toyota Corrola he won at the event, which he accessed with a Keke Napep, locally known as Maruwa. A guest speaker at the event, Mr. Deji Oso, implored the attendees and the Nigeria motoring public to patronise the company as they stood to benefit from the Business to Business (B2B) Partner Scheme, through the company hassle free car purchase transactions or via their referral scheme, where a referral stands to benefit 50 dollars for every prospecting and eventual customers deal concluded by them.
FROM THE FARM
Dimieari Von Kemedi
It’s Time We Stop BeingVictims of Floods & Droughts Catastrophic floods have once again wiped out farms and devastated livelihoods in many parts of Nigeria this year. For farms that survived in the flooded plains, soil erosion and leaching are ever-present dangers. While being close to the water brings benefits from soil fertility through alluvium deposits being spread over the land, we also need to appreciate the heightened dangers – and take steps to protect our land. That begins with mapping. Topographical and hydrological surveys of the farmland and surrounding areas helps farmers to work out ways of opening up natural drainage or creating artificial canals to protect against flooding. Historical weather data can be used to anticipate and respond to meteorological patterns. Farmers can mitigate soil erosion and leaching – the washing away of nutrients – through land preparation techniques that are routine in many other countries. These methods prevent run-off, retain topsoil and nutrients, and minimize water loss, thereby enhancing nutrient intake and water availability to boost yield. In our mineral rich and diverse land, we of course also suffer the opposite problem: draught. The solutions are similar. They begin with understanding the land and then preparing and shaping it to best retain water. A storage source for excess water will supplement the rains in times of need, which sometimes occurs even during the rainy season. Clearly, irrigation is key. It is better to invest in a hectare of land that’s fully irrigated than a hundred hectares without irrigation. Where there are smallholders on adjacent plots, they should work with their neighbours to create economies of scale. Nature loves all creatures great and small, but farmers are less enamoured with some of the tiniest of our fellow beings. Insect invasions and many crop diseases are preventable by planting with the right amount of inputs ranging from fertilizers to
insecticides, improved seeds, and pesticides. The old adage tells us that we reap what we sow. Yet for many farmers, the agricultural planning process starts with spending as little as possible or nothing at all on fertilizers and other inputs. Even less attention is given to post-harvest strategy. For most, post-harvest is that time of great relief when farmers send their produce to the market as quickly as they can. But harvesting straight into the market means the farmer is selling just when their crop commands its lowest price. Capturing full value requires reliable means of storage – whether on the farm or in third-party facilities – and the data to understand historical global and local price patterns. Even after careful planning and execution there are still off-farm challenges to negotiate such as transport infrastructure, financing costs and natural disasters. Insurance can help to cover some of these risks. Farmers can obtain index yield insurance to cover for natural disasters and transit insurance as their produce moves through our uncertain roads. The providers of insurance and transportation must be thoroughly checked for reliability. Traditional knowledge and practices have served smallholders through the generations, but we should not unduly romanticize the low productivity and poverty that most times accompany them. Farming is an orchestra. It has many moving parts that each require careful arrangement and the utmost attention to detail. If the conductor can find and combine the right pieces and players with the right intervals, the result can be a masterpiece time after time. Dimieari Von Kemedi works with smallholder farmers in the Alluvial Agriculture network. kemedi@alluvialtrade.com www.alluvialtrade.com
Master of Style Winner Emerges at Dare 2 Dream Grand Finale It was all glitz and glamour as the 5th season of the youthempowerment platform, Dare2Dream, sponsored by Imperial Leather and Canoe, came to a befitting end recently,at its grand finale event at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. The grand finale was the culmination of a series of activities and events that have seen the emergence of talents in the areas of Modeling, Performing Arts, and Fashion Design from across the country. All the contestants in this year’s edition were pooled from five universities, namely: University of Jos, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, University of Lagos, and University of Calabar. 18 contestants from the five universities made it into the Dare 2 Dream Bootcamp where theywere groomed and put through series of tests before the finale, where eventual winners would be selected. This edition, however, witnessed a twist as the competition and category sponsors of the Fashion Design category, Imperial Leather and Canoe, introduced the Masters of Style campaign. The Masters of Style
campaign sought to discover and reward the best talents in the category of fashion design. The qualifying participants from each of the campuses were entered into an “Incubator� program where they were mentored and groomed by celebrity fashion designer, Mai Atafo, over a 4-day period as they prepared for the final contest. The grand finale had in attendance, the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion industry such as Kate Henshaw, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Bovi, Samantha Walsh, Denola Grey, and many others. The adjudging panel was also not short on star-power as it comprised celebrities such as foremost fashion designer, Mai Atafo; multi-award winning Nollywood actress, Dakore Akande;Advertising guru, Steve Babaeko; and the eccentric Denrele Edun. After a night of impressive talent showcase, the winners emerged. Emmanuella Alile, representing the University of Lagos, emerged as the winner of the Performing Arts category, while Olamide Olawaiye, representing the University of Benin, emerged
as the winner of the Modelling category. The highlight of the night was that of the Fashion Designcategory which was keenly contested. After a pretty tense moment leading up to the announcement, Yahaya Taofiq, representing the University of Lagos, was named winner of the Fashion Design category and Master of Style2018. Each winner walked away with a prize money of N500,000 while the Masters of Style winner, Yahaya, also got a paid internship with a top fashion designer as well as an opportunity to showcase his designs at a major fashion show in Nigeria in addition to the prize money. Present at the event was Brand and Activation Manager, PZ Cussons, Busayo John, who expressed her joy regarding the outcome of the programme: “We have seen amazing talents today, and we at PZ Cussons are pleased to be part of such a laudable initiative. This season, we decided to focus on the fashion design category, which happens to be one of the passion points for our brands; Imperial Leather and Canoe.
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Borno’s IDPs and the Challenge of Resettlement Kayode Fasua examines issues surrounding efforts by the federal government, in collaboration with the Borno State government to resettle the internally displaced persons
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gainst the backdrop of a recent discovery by the United Nations that there are 7.7 million people benighted by the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-eastern part of Nigeria, the body has particularly taken more than keen interest in residents’ plight. Apart from those who are encamped as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who are considerably fortunate to be living ‘from hand to mouth’, the UN has also found that there is an army of wanderers; the loosely displaced locals, who are no more than endangered species to clear starvation and depravation, and then, to ambush-laying insurgents. In a recent publication, the world body, through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, stated that it allocated US$9 million to provide life-saving aid to some 60,000 children, women and men, who were recently displaced during hostilities in Borno State. The sum, it said, included $2 million in support of the UN Humanitarian Air Service for frontline responders in North-East Nigeria. “The humanitarian crisis in the region remains one of the most severe in the world today, with at least 7.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2018 in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. About 80 per cent of them6.1 million, are targeted for humanitarian assistance. “This $9 million allocation will help fund 15 projects. It will support humanitarian rapid response in areas recently affected by large-scale conflict-related displacements, particularly in the northern parts of Borno, along the Maiduguri-Monguno axis. “In just three months, close to 30,000 persons have fled the violence in areas that are hard to reach for international humanitarian organizations, and these persons are in dire need of food, water, shelter, blankets, clothes and medical services,� the UN report stated. Alongside the UN assertions, a fresh controversy has also now been thrown up as to the desirability or otherwise of decamping the IDPs in Nigeria at a time like this. Though the military authorities have claimed that the insurgents had been largely subdued, pockets of attack or swift shock invasions are, from reports, still being recorded in some Borno localities. Also, recently, Reuters, in a report raised the alarm that IDPs in Borno State were being forced back home “to ruins�, without guarantee of their safety. According to Reuters, the move was to show progress in the war against Boko Haram insurgency as the 2019 elections approach. “The IDPs are reportedly being told that they must return home if they wish to continue to receive help from the Federal Government. “In June, some 2,000 IDPs living in Bakassi camp in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, were reportedly asked to return to a town called Guzamala. “Apart from the communities being unsafe, the IDPs complained that they could not earn a living in the area, owing to the activities of the insurgents,� the report stated. But to the Borno State Government, the time is ripe for the IDPs to return home, as it cited enhanced military surveillance and intelligence gathering in the local communities. Indeed, the state government had since April, this year, begun the phased resettlement of the IDPs, many whose loved ones are either now dead or can no longer be traced. For instance, the state government resettled over 120,000 displaced residents of Bama, arguably the worst hit community in the North-East by the Boko Haram heist, last April. The locals of Bama, according to re-collectors, counted greatly among the over one million people displaced by the insurgency. Following the wanton destruction of the community, which was once a buzzing com-
IDPs Camp
mercial hub in the North-East, the Federal Government also recently instituted a scheme known as Bama Initiative, to fast-track reconstruction activities of the town. Justifying why the state government is now convinced that the IDPs could go back home, apart from a return of relative peace, the state governor, Kashim Shettima, said that the state government had rehabilitated and reconstructed residential homes, police posts, schools, clinics and palaces. Besides, he said the state government similarly rebuilt once ruined offices, markets and other public structures. “The government has also provided electricity and water supply facilities in affected areas,� the governor announced. Shettima said that such projects were executed under the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme initiated by his administration. The governor stressed that the state government in collaboration with the Nigeria Armed Forces, the police and other partners, had adopted proactive measures to secure the settlement, noting that the returnees would be screened to enhance security and would be provided with other support services. “Right now, our people are in Bama to safeguard life and property and we are talking with security agencies that are doing their utmost best; we will continue to support them to secure the state,� Shettima recently said. Challenges But between the governor and the military authorities’ efforts at ensuring the safety and well-being of not just the decamped IDPs but also the entire Borno residents, lies also, the challenges facing the IDPs in their various camps. For instance, a recent report by the Amnesty International alleged that thousands of women and girls who managed to survive the insurgency were also being sexually abused by the security forces who claimed to be rescuing them. According to the rights group, some women confined to remote camps had been forced to become ‘girlfriends’ of the uniformed men in exchange for humanitarian assistance, noting also that thousands had died of starvation, owing to lack of food in the camps. “It is absolutely shocking that people who had already suffered so much under Boko Haram have been condemned to further horrendous abuse by the military,� said the Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria,
Mr. Osai Ojigho. But in a reaction, senior officials at the IDPs’ camps denied the Amnesty International’s allegations of sexual abuse and other deprivations, describing them as a deliberate ploy to discourage the military and make them withdraw their security services to the inmates. This is as the military in a separate forum, also denied the accusation, saying its personnel neither molested, sexually assaulted nor raped any IDP as alleged by the Amnesty International. An official at Dalori 1 IDPs’ Camp, Alhaji Buka Lambari, who was camp chairman in charge of Bama and Konduga councils, said, “We have about 7000 IDPs now in camp from both Bama and Konduga LGAs and have never heard or received any rape case involving any military man. “All we know about the military at the camp is ‘security’ and nothing more. This is even my first time of hearing this allegation; this is nothing but a lie, just to smear the integrity of the military that are busy providing us with security day and night.� Resettlement in Progress Under PCNI Meanwhile, the Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI) said it had inaugurated a committee for the return and resettlement of the IDPs. PCNI’s Vice Chairman, Alhaji Tijjani Tumsa, said in Maiduguri recently that the committee was constituted to facilitate safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their homes. Tumsa said the committee was part of the strategies adopted to ensure successful implementation of the resettlement exercise. According to him, members of the committee included Borno Government, UN agencies, humanitarian and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the military, the police, other security agencies, as well as representatives of the IDPs. “It will ensure the people return to their homes in a safe, dignified manner, and pick up livelihoods to resume their normal lives,� he said. Tumsa, however, observed that the challenge facing the exercise was how to be able to sustain the resettled communities in the next four months in terms of food supply, before they could harvest their crops. But he also noted that the PCNI, in collaboration with Victim Support Fund (VSF), recently provided seeds and fertilisers to the returning farmers, to enable them
engage in agricultural activities. “While we may want to address issues that are long-term developmental, the basic aspect of the humanitarian condition is food. “We are working with the national and state emergency management agencies, UN agencies and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), to address the food supply gap in IDP camps and resettled communities in Borno.� He added that the committee, in partnership with the government, would rehabilitate major roads to open up the state, link communities, encourage agricultural activities, and ease movement of farm produce to the market. “Road is critical to resettlement, and we are in discussion with the Borno Government on rehabilitation of Maiduguri-Bama road, and work will soon commence at the end of the rainy season,’’ he said. Tumsa disclosed that the Federal Government also awarded a contract for Gwoza-DamboaChibok road, adding that the committee accorded priority to the rehabilitation of Maiduguri-Gwoza, Maiduguri-Mubi, Maiduguri-Ngala, and Maiduguri-Biu roads. According to him, the road projects were essential to the improvement of the wellbeing of the people, as they would also help check the nefarious activities of the insurgents. CD Issues Caution Meanwhile, the Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called for utmost sincerity in the concerted effort between the Federal Government and the Borno State Government towards the resettlement of the IDPs. Making the call, the CD General Secretary, Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, said government should not relocate the IDPs to their communities for the purpose of making them participate in the 2019 election, as being alleged. “There must be sincerity of purpose in resettling these traumatised citizens; they should not be herded home because of 2019 election only for them to be slaughtered by Boko Haram insurgents. “Government must ensure that their localities are safe and must provide 24-hour security for them, since the war against insurgency has only made progress but is not yet over. “Besides, humanitarian aides to them should not cease because these people have been displaced for upwards of three, four years and they have no means of livelihood yet. “Above all, our government must realise that it is only the living that can vote; so they must do all within their powers to keep these helpless and hapless Nigerians alive,� Odili urged.
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Weighing Nigeria’s Preparedness for Flood Hazards Emergency preparedness at all levels is the cornerstone of effective response to the increasing trends of global disasters. In this report, Ugo Aliogo examines recent flooding in Nigeria and government’s response
Flooded area This year’s flooding has, no doubt, caused a lot of havoc, destroying property, displacing people and even claiming lives. While some Nigerians belief the government was proactive in its response to address the situation, others differed, saying enough measures were not put in place to foreclose the huge damage the flooding caused. According to a report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) there are 327,052 people presently affected in the flooded States. NEMA in the report, noted that 12 States and 50 Local Government Areas were actually earmarked as frontline States to be affected by flood. On September 17, a national disaster warning was declared in the worst four affected States: Anambra, Delta, Kogi and Niger. However, the federal government, through NEMA and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) had earlier issued a red alert, which revealed that riparian states and communities by the bank of River Niger and Benue may be flooded due to a daily rise in the water level of both Rivers. At the emergency meeting of stakeholders on flood preparedness and response in Abuja recently, the Director, Engineering Hydrology, NIHSA, Mr. Clement Eze, had stated that likely states to be affected were Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta from the River Niger axis, and Taraba, Benue and Adamawa from the River Benue axis. Eze, had warned that the flood was lurking because all the indices that manifested before the 2012 flooding had actually showed, hence the need to issue the alert. He explained that the height of River Niger in Lokoja is at 10.01 meters as against the 9.74 in 2012 and it has been rising every hour due to the opening of the dams. According to him, “Shiroro Dam had joined Kainji and Jebba dams in spilling water and this has contributed to the steady rise in the water level. “As at today, our hydrological measuring station downstream the confluence in Lokoja recorded a stage height of 10.1m and a discharge value of 21, 326 cubic metres / second, as against lower values of 9. 74m and 19,762 cubic metres / second, which was recorded on the corresponding date of 2012 when the flood occurred. “From the foregoing, it could be said that all the indices that caused the 2012 river flooding have manifested, except spillage of water from the Lagdo Dam. “It would be noted that it was on September 29, 2012 that the maximum flood level of 12 .840 m and the corresponding discharge of 31, 692 cubic metres/ second were recorded at our station in Lokoja, downstream of the confluence, in 2012. By the 2018 seasonal rainfall prediction
released earlier in the year, according to him, September 28 is the earliest cessation date of rainfall in Sokoto and Katsina, while December is the earliest cessation date for the southern coastal cities. “The implication of this is that the northern part of the country should be expecting more rains in the next three weeks,� he said. Meanwhile, the Director General, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, said the need for the emergency meeting was to review the present situation and access the preparedness of all stakeholders. He said that the stakeholders would raise five different committees that would go on a fact-finding and sensitisation tour of these states, in order to prepare the communities for any event of flooding, immediately. NIHSA Report According to the NIHSA report, it was noted that as for the riparian States and Communities by the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue and their floodplains, there has been a systematic, daily rise in the water levels on both rivers. It also stated that records from the measuring stations in Lokoja (River Niger) and Makurdi (River Benue) clearly revealed drift. However, NIHSA stated that the situation called for watchfulness on the part of the riparian states as there is still the likelihood of occurrence of much River flooding. The report further explained that Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro Dams have been spilling water which has contributed to the steady rise in the water level. NIHSA, in the report, said as at September 17, the country’s hydrological measuring station, downstream the confluence in Lokoja, recorded a stage height of 11.05m, as against a lower value of 10.29m recorded on the corresponding date of September 17. The report also noted that the flood level of 11.05m is just 1.79m below the highest flood level of 12.84m recorded on September 29, 2012 when the country was devastated by flood. The report further explained that during the emergency stakeholders’ meeting summoned by NEMA on September 15, this year, the stakeholders were informed that Malanville town in Benin Republic had been flooded. “This means that the flooding incident that took place in Malanville in Benin Republic would flow down to Nigeria through Kebbi state.� According to the report, “Based on this, both Kainji and Jebba Dams will continue to spill water downstream. From the foregoing, it could be said that all the indices that caused the 2012 river flooding have manifested, except spillage of water from the Lagdo Dam. By NiMet’s 2018 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released earlier in the year, 28th Sept is the earliest cessation date of rainfall in Sokoto
and Katsina, while December is the earliest cessation date for the southern coastal cities. “The implication of this is that the northern part of the country should be expecting more rains in the next two weeks. High flows are still coming in from the upper catchment of the Niger Basin, namely: Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, CĂ´te d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Chad. “The River Benue is equally rising, though the level of water as at today has not attained the level witnessed at this time in 2012. This rise in water level of River Benue should not be attributed to any release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. “There is a subsisting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cameroon with regards to the water resources development within the River Benue valley, especially with regards to release of water from the Lagdo Dam. “Under the MoU, Cameroon is bound to notify Nigeria ahead of time in the event that the Dam must be opened. In a telephone conversion of September 15, initiated by a Cameroonian official, Mr. Abdoulaye Serno, the official confirmed to NIHSA that impoundment of water is still taking place at the Lagdo Dam reservoir. He went further to state that rainfall was still expected within the catchment of the Lagdo Dam up to early October. “It should be noted that there are many active rivers downstream the Lagdo Dam which contribute heavy inflows into River Benue, namely: Faro, Mayo Kebbi, Taraba, Gongola, Katsina-Ala, Donga, and Dep. Heavy contributions from these rivers into River Benue leading to flooding of the Benue valley are often mistaken for release of water from the Lagdo Dam. “The localised urban flooding incidents being witnessed in some cities and communities in the country are expected to continue due to high rainfall intensity of longer duration, rainstorms, blockage of drainage systems and poor urban planning, as well as coastal flooding resulting from sea rise and storm surges. “States and local government areas should endeavour to remove structures built within the floodplains, clear blocked drainages, culverts and other waterways. “In the light of the above, the following states that are contiguous to Rivers Niger and Benue should step up their efforts in evacuation of persons from communities already affected by River Flooding: Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa.â€? Expert Opinion The actions of the government in addressing the flooding has been described as commendable when compared with 2012, noted the founder of Lufasi Nature Park, Mr. Desmond
Majekodunmi. He also said that there were a lot of advanced warnings which he noted were impressive. He added that even NEMA had been quite proactive in terms of looking for budget and reaching out to the various areas that people needed to be reached out to. Majekodunmi, further commended the federal government for being more proactive in its measures, noting that the situation would have been worse, noting that climate change, this time round, is real. He observed that there is more heat on water and more evaporation; therefore, there would be more evaporation and heavier rain. Majekodunmi, said the present situation is due to the climate change induced rainfall which is getting way ahead of the government systems to cope with it. According to him, “We need to project the possibility of the kind of rainfall we have, which will bring the sought of flooding that we could experience, which we are not doing yet. We are not alone; many countries in the world are facing the same problem. “They are partially nature-driven consequences but because of our terrible neglect and abuse on nature, the rains are now reacting to ‘mankind’s acts of terrorism against nature’. Part of that reaction is global warming, which is mainly causing the climate change. Man has been the one that has caused this global warming. “The second thing we have done is massive deforestation. Nigeria only has two percent of her forest cover left. “This has made the global warming worse because the forest is the one that will sequester the carbon dioxide. Also, it has made the floor worse because the forest and the banks of the rivers prevent erosion into the river bed. “So, the river beds are not higher, and they are less capable of containing the extra water that is coming into them. As for the release of the water from the Dams, when the dams get too high, the water has to be released. “The whole issue about the big dams needs to be revisited, but it is a bit late because we are already there. Scientists have noted that big massive dams are not the best way to go, even for hydro-power. “Ecology funds should be put into use in helping people redeploy and resettle. On our part, we need to have a fundamental change in our mind and understand that we are a part of nature. We need to protect the environment. “We also need to engage in massive reforestation. Billions of trees have to be replanted and the forest has to be protected in a scientific way, in partnership with the communities. “The other thing is for us to focus on Renewable, because burning petroleum is poisonous. Therefore, all our energy sources have to be converted to renewable; so, it is a big challenge.�
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Fashola: FG Rapidly Improving Infrastructure The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at a recent forum where he was inaugurated Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Research Foundation by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, appraised some of the policies of the federal government in infrastructure. Kayode Fasua brings the excerpts What does the word ‘Research’, mean to you? As I prepared to attend the national workshop titled ‘Strengthening Health Research Capacity’, I took time, as I always do when I am confronted by such challenges, to look up the ordinary meaning and definition of Research, just to be sure that I am not getting myself into trouble; and what I found is quite interesting. It talks about a systemic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Very simple, and I think this is what we have done all the time in the way we do things. The way we wear our clothes have changed over time and the way our women wear their hair have also changed over time. And there is a lot that is happening in research; whether it is about how roads are built or how houses are built, research ultimately has to do with our quality of life. And to that extent, I think Professor Ibrahim Abubakar who spoke on, “The Case for Strengthening and Supporting Research in Nigeria� (at the Workshop) has made the most compelling case about why we must research. But I think one compelling case that I want to add is that, whether it is a business case, political case or quality of life case, what’s most crucial is the one I call “What you know� case. I grew up in an era when what you knew was more important than what you owned and I think it is that era that we must recreate. We must go back to that era if we must develop in a consistent manner; because it is only what we know that can define our quality of life, more than what we own. Some people own so much and eat poorly; and they eat all of the wrong things and before we know it, they have, by their own choices, out of what they own but without knowledge, shortened their own life-expectancy. I think we should go back to that era and remember that it is people who ask questions that get knowledge. For example, can man live forever? What will life be like if we live for 200 years? And people are already asking such questions. What will artificial intelligence be like? We call it artificial intelligence, but it is affecting our lives. So, with such intelligence, what will our lives be like? Fashola How has the Buhari administration contributed to research? Let me say that what the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is doing fits very well into the Buhari Plan and the Buhari Plan seeks to do so many things, not the least of which is to invest in the Nigerian people. And that is well stated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and if you have not read it yet, I entreat you to do so. It is addressing first, our infrastructure on a rapid and committed scale; committing more resources on Infrastructure, budgeting N8 trillion when the price of oil is lower than $100 per barrel, as against ‘yesterday’ when we were budgeting N4trn when the price of oil was $100 per barrel. The Buhari Plan seeks to achieve self-sufficiency for us in many things. You already know about Agriculture and grains, wheat, rice, soya beans and so on. What that plan has achieved is that, instead of spending $5 million every day to import rice, we are now growing the rice here. Some of us who know the quality of rice that we import here will tell you that some of that rice did not get here the year they were made. They would have been bagged several years before; and that is another area of research; to look at how that five-year old rice that we have eaten for several decades could affect the quality of our existence here. The Buhari administration is also committed to defining production of certain basic vaccines in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the Ministry of Health. Again, that is the level of self-reliance that we are already
embarking on. And therefore, it should be no difference that the Buhari Plan would be seriously affiliated to the NIMR plan that seeks to reposition Nigeria as a global player in the field of research, particularly in Medicine and by extension, the human being and his quality of life. So, I think this is a partnership that was long overdue and in which I am glad to be a part. What this will do is that, for every breakthrough that we achieve, what we do actually is that we are projecting ourselves to the global stage; that we have become a force to be reckoned with. Has there been enough boost for the competitive spirit in the Nigerian society lately? And why I know that these things will happen sooner than later is that no field of endeavour that Nigerians choose to play that they have not been competitive. In Sport, we are competitive when we choose to play. In the field of technology, film, music or in the Entertainment Industry, once we have chosen to play, we are always competitive and are always successful. So, as we now decide to play in the field of Medical Research, I have no doubt in my mind that we will be competitive and successful. What is your recipe for how Nigeria can advance easily in its Research Plan? Now, it seems to me that we have made a very clear case for funding in order to promote research. But I think the case we
must put forward first is the Plan. What is the research plan? In what areas are we interested in starting? What are the short-term goals? What are the medium-term areas and what are the long-term plans? I will be interested in asking the Director General (of the NIMR) to develop a 10-year plan with the objective: what is possible without guarantees? Because I know there are no guarantees in this business; and what the budget will be doing. Once there is a good plan, it will be easy to find the money, because money follows a good plan. If we can do that, then my optimism is at a very high rate. How can the NIMR key into the ongoing infrastructure renewal momentum? I will like say first, that NIMR is a very old institution with a long history. So the institution already exists and whatever may have been the situation, it is for us to get our work done and move the institution forward. It is you and I who will make NIMR what it will become in the future. I will like to be advised as we begin this partnership, as to what infrastructural needs of the NIMR are. Does it have laboratories and equipment and facilities that are comparable to that global patent, against which it seeks to compete? If we must compete in the global field of Medical Research, we must equip ourselves adequately. In that regard, I will be able to share my thoughts about how first to deliver the infrastructure that supports the institute, to achieve its objectives. There are already
steps taken and being taken by the Buhari administration under the ERGP, which I call the Buhari Plan. One of the things being done through my Ministry is the intervention in institutions of higher learning, especially Federal Universities. Today, we have completed an Energy Audit for 37 Federal Universities in the country. We have approved the award of the first phase of nine universities to be provided with their own electricity so that they will be totally reliant on themselves and provide 24-hour electricity for themselves. We have done this in collaboration with the Vice-Chancellors of the universities. We do not have enough money to start everything at once, but we have started nine. At this moment, they are in various stages of procurement: either preparing the sites or the equipment or clearing the equipment. So, in a few months from now, we will begin to see uninterrupted power in those universities. Simultaneously, we are also intervening in the transport infrastructure of these universities. At this moment, we are undertaking major road constructions and rehabilitation in 14 federal universities and some of those universities include the University College Ibadan, University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and others. That is going on without a lot of noise. So those who say the budget for Education is a certain percentage, must factor in the budget in Power and the budget in roads. I will close with a firm commitment that, the only thing you can get from me is my very best, an endeavour to succeed.
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DEVELOPMENT
W’Bank: Global Waste to Grow by 70% By 2050 Unless Urgent Action is Taken Expert Tasks FG on Developing Tourism Sector
Stories by Ugo Aliogo Without urgent action, global waste will increase by 70 per cent on current levels by 2050, according to the World Bank’s new “What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050,� report released recently. Driven by rapid urbanisation and growing population, global annual waste generation was expected to jump to 3.4 billion tonnes over the next 30 years, up from 2.01 billion tonnes in 2016, the report stated. Although they only account for 16 per cent of the world’s population, high-income countries combined are generating more than one-third (34 percent) of the world’s waste. The East Asia and Pacific region is responsible for generating close to a quarter (23 percent) of all waste. And by 2050, waste generation in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to more than triple from current levels, while South Asia will more than double its waste stream. Plastics are especially problematic. If not collected and managed properly, they will contaminate and affect waterways and ecosystems for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In 2016, the world generated 242 million tonnes of plastic waste, or 12 percent of all solid waste, according to the report. It stressed that solid waste management is critical for sustainable, healthy, and inclusive cities and communities, yet it is often overlooked, particularly in low-income countries. While more than one-third of waste in high-income countries is recovered through recycling and composting, only four per cent of waste in low-income countries was recycled. Based on the volume of waste generated, its composition, and how the waste was being managed, it was estimated that 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon-dioxide-equivalent were generated from the treatment and disposal of waste in 2016 – representing about five per cent of global emissions. “Mismanagement of waste is harming human health and local environments while adding to the climate challenge,� Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank,
Waste Laura Tuck. “Unfortunately, it is often the poorest in society who are adversely impacted by inadequate waste management. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our resources need to be used and then reused continuously so that they don’t end up in landfills.� The report noted that good waste management systems are essential to building a circular economy, where products are designed and optimized for reuse and recycling. As national and local governments embrace the circular economy, smart and sustainable ways to manage waste will help promote efficient economic growth while minimising environmental impact. “It makes economic sense to properly manage waste,� World Bank Urban Development Specialist and lead author of the report, Silpa Kaza said. “Uncollected waste and poorly disposed waste have significant health and environmental impacts. The cost of addressing these impacts is many times higher than the cost of developing and operating simple, adequate
waste management systems. Solutions exist, and we can help countries get there.� Supporting countries to make critical solid waste management financing, policy, and planning decisions is key. Solutions included providing financing to countries most in need, especially the fastest growing countries, to develop state-of-the-art waste management systems; supporting major waste producing countries to reduce consumption of plastics and marine litter through comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs and reducing food waste through consumer education, organics management, and coordinated food waste management programs. Since 2000, the World Bank has committed over $4.7 billion to more than 340 solid waste management programs in countries across the globe. What a Waste 2.0 was funded by the government of Japan through the World Bank’s Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC).
The Director, Tourism Consultant Forum (TCF), Mrs. Clara Okoro, has urged the federal government to implement strategic policies to drive the growth of the tourism sector. Okoro, who disclosed this to THISDAY in an interview, noted that if Nigeria adopts the right policy framework, it would offer the country huge opportunity to develop its numerous economic potentials. She also noted that other countries were reaping economic gains from the tourism industry, having adopted transformative and sustainable economic policies. “Agricultural tourism, medical tourism, faith-based tourism, and landscape tourism are all tourist attractions that can develop the sub-sector, they are like masterplans that can employ a lot of people and help grow the economy if they are properly structured. “So, Nigeria stands to gain a lot if there is a cohesive strategic plan that can make tourism the alternative to our oil-based economy,� she noted. She also advised government to partner with organisations such as TCF and allied sectors in driving the growth of the sector. “With members nationwide, we represent one of the forces influencing the tourism space in Nigeria. Our key interests include, ensuring that we foster education, excellence, inclusion, knowledge and experience of Nigeria’s abundant offerings in tourism, through our professional tourism consultancy as well as strategic partnerships with Government and other professional bodies. “These will take the tourism industry in Nigeria and especially in states where we have large membership base to the levels where they should be. “Our members have and are still in the business of transforming the tourism sector in Nigeria; we handle Turnkey projects for State Governments in Nigeria and also develop strategic Tourism Blueprints for states that want to harness their tourism potentials,� Okoro disclosed.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430
Saving Nigerian Women from Vaginal Fistula Many Nigerian women are silently suffering the pain of obstetric fistula, commonly known as Vesico Vaginal Fistula and Recto- Vaginal Fistula. But there is a way out, through preventive care and adequate treatment. Kuni Tyessi reports
B
y the end of today, at least 32 women will come down with obstetric fistula in Nigeria, which means every year, about 12,000 mothers, sisters, wives and daughters nationwide will suffer from a condition that causes women to leak urine and/or faeces from their vagina uncontrollably. If available reports are anything to go by, over 200,000 women are already suffering from the health condition nationwide. Unfortunately, despite the high prevalence of obstetric fistula in the country, only about 5,000 cases are treated every year - leaving behind at least 7,000 unattended cases yearly plus the backlog of 200,000 cases already existing in the country; a calculation that suggests the prevalence rate is still on the rise, since most of the backlogs still remain untouched. To address this imbalance and prevent more cases, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fistula Foundation, Nigeria, Musa Isa, is advocating more enlightenment on what can be done to prevent the scourge from arising in the first place. Isa believes if women know what causes the abnormality, they will be able to prevent it. Prevention Speaking with THISDAY recently, Isa said it was highly important that mobilisation and creation of awareness are carried out not only in the media but also with people at various community levels. He stressed that those educated at the local government areas were very close to the people at the grassroots and can communicate with them better. If possible, he said, fistula survivors should be included in campaigns against the anomaly. He cited the example of some local government areas mobilised by the Fistula Foundation in Kano and Katsina states, where many women came out for diagnosis, and the health condition reduced in those areas. According to Isa, “We trained 60 people, of which 40 are women and 20 are men. Out of the 40 women, 20 are fistula survivors. This is a good combination. We train the fistula survivors so much so that they could stand before anybody and speak as well as deliver lectures on their experiences with obstetric fistula. They usually do this in women gatherings, wedding ceremonies and so on. In those mobilised areas, men now escort their wives to get fistula treatments. “In forestalling fistula, I will advise men to support their wives during pregnancy and child birth. They should allow them attend antenatal and should also allow them deliver in hospitals. In situations where their women come down with fistula, they should not divorce them, but rather encourage and show love by taking them to where they can get free surgical intervention.”
Obstetric fistula can be prevented
Isa
In forestalling fistula, I will advise men to support their wives during pregnancy and child birth. They should allow them attend antenatal and should also allow them deliver in hospitals
Causes Explaining that surgical procedures for the ailment were free in Nigeria, he said women should avoid staying at home during labour and going through prolonged obstructed labour, which he stressed was the major cause of obstetric fistula. “They should avoid gishiri cut, among other unhealthy practices,” he said. “But for the long obstructed labour, they should be supported to reach health facilities where they can deliver safely. Where they have fistula, they should drink lots of water, and avoid living in isolation. When they fail to drink lots of water, there will definitely be a lot of issues including vagina stenosis, urine dermatitis, itching and so many infections, and this will cause serious problems when it comes to surgery.”
Advocacy Call him a fistula advocate and you won’t be far off from the truth. Isa said he was the first person in Nigeria to talk about incurable obstetric fistula after working with the Ministry of Health in Kano State in 1984. He explained that he had at the time seen cases of obstetric fistula including the incurable ones and wondered if there could be anything that could be done. He said, “I became passionate about the plight of sufferers and this gave me the opportunity to become a member of the international working group. I was the first person to introduce the case in an international conference that took place in London, and this won the attention of the policy makers there, and they said something had to be done to the inoperable. I had seen cases whereby some of the affected patients came to the hospital and got treated, while the inoperable are left behind. While some of them were left to their fate and many went into aggressive begging on the streets of Kano, some others went into other social vices. Still yet, some fell into psychiatric conditions and ended up in psychiatric hospitals. “These are some of the things that prompted me to be a fistula advocate and I felt there was the need to do something about it. In 1988, we started with the Association of Fistula Clients and later changed the name to Fistula Foundation Nigeria, not knowing that there is a fistula foundation, California. When this was discovered, I was told to change the name and I said I didn’t know that there was a fistula foundation like that and thanks to God Almighty, this same fistula foundation in California now supports us with funds.” Isa said he had been working with fistula patients and survivors for close to 38 years, a reason why he is often called ‘Baba’. According to him, during the course of his work, he learnt a lot from women, communities and husbands.
“The women are respecting more of our projects than the men. Whatever we ask them to do, they comply. During the commemoration of the Fistula Day, we organised a rally and I thought only the patients will come out, but we had 220 fistula survivors that graced the rally in the streets of Kano carrying banners and talking about obstetric fistula.” Challenges As expected in the course of advocating against this anomaly, challenges abound. Citing some of those challenges, Isa said, “In the course of our work, we have realised that most often than not, some of the consumables are missing. And sometimes, when we ask for the list of those who are serving, they give us a list of those who are not working, instead of giving us the actual names of the nurses that are working.” Role of Government, Stakeholders Isa called on state governments to establish fistula centres, especially because many states still live in denial that there are no fistula cases in their states. He said, ”Obstetric fistula exists in all the states and it is not a northern phenomenon which has been associated with early marriage. When they make announcements through the mass media they will realise that there are fistula cases in all states. ”They should establish desk officers in ministries of health and at the same time establish fistula repair centres which will be dedicated to fistula cases. With this, foreign donors, as well as other partners will see the need to support them with doctors so that they will be able to perform fistula surgeries. For wealthy individuals, this is where they can put in their money and quickly get a reward, because this is tangible. When a patient has been repaired, supporters will be able to see where their monies have gone to and what they have been used for. If they can give support and organise surgeries, definitely there will be a lot of success stories.”
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NEWS
For Delayed Motherhood, Freeze Your Eggs, Abayomi Tells Women Martins Ifijeh The Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has advised women having delayed fertility, delayed motherhood or are still waiting for a lifetime partner, to have their eggs frozen, He said women who want the chance to conceive in the future but are not ready due to several factors, should grasp the opportunity to get their eggs iced, as this will help in addressing infertility issues later in life. He said egg freezing procedure allows women to use eggs from a younger version of themselves to conceive and have their own biological children. This involves extraction, freezing and storage of the eggs of a woman of reproductive age as a method to preserve her reproductive potential. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos recently, the fertility expert said a woman’s chances of conceiving naturally falls as she gets older because the quality and number of her eggs drop. He said: “It is best for a woman to freeze her eggs by the time she is 35 years old to ensure the highest rate of success. Babies produced with frozen eggs are believed to be as normal as babies born with
fresh eggs. “We have had patients since the procedure was set up. Egg freezing for these women has been successful. Some women diagnosed with cancer opt for freezing their eggs as a safeguard in case their fertility is affected by the cancer or in the course of treatment.” But caution has been called for over “social egg freezing,” by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). In its latest report, it noted that while egg freezing has the potential to offer a future family to some women, this should not detract from the social, economic and political issues that contribute to women’s use of the technology in the first place. Ajayi said concern of the RCOG was to draw attention to certain aspects to ensure maximum benefit from the procedure. “The age at which eggs are frozen obviously makes a difference. We mostly get patients above 35 years of age, but for freezing to be useful, it should be done when the woman is below 35 when she still has healthy, high-quality eggs. The chances of success will likely lessen when women are older. “We started cryopreservation at Nordica Lagos when we were
having more embryos than we could use. It was to preserve the excess embryos. We now know we can freeze eggs and the importance of cryopreservation is better appreciated. “The process used is fast freezing called vitrification that has a high survival rate of about 90 per cent for eggs and embryos. We want to let
people know that it is possible to store their eggs for later use, who should freeze their eggs and for how long?” Ajayi said the challenge is that most people that are coming for egg freezing are those that should have done it 10 years ago. “From experience at Nordica, those making enquiries
about egg freezing are not the ones that will ultimately benefit and that is why the RCOG is calling for caution. If you must freeze, know what the technology entails. “The success rate of when the egg is thawed is different from the success rate of the egg becoming a baby. The success rate for the egg to
come alive when thawed and success rate of the thawed egg becoming a baby is the success rate of the age group of the woman whose egg was frozen.” Ajayi remarked that it is the age at which the eggs are frozen that determines the efficacy of the eggs when they are thawed.
L-R: Executive Director, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr Michel Sidibe; Chief Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Dr Ayoade Alakija; and Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Sani Aliyu, at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in United States
Malaria:BrandManagersInstitute FMC Ebutte Metta Develops Innovative Ideas on Healthcare Recognises Zeramal Zeramal, an anti-malarial drug by KCH Consumer Healthcare Limited, recently won the premium brand of the year 2018 award given by the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria (IBMN). The drug was recognised during the award presentation and investiture ceremony held in Lagos recently. The organisers of the annual event said Zeramal was recognised for its efficacy in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria among millions of Nigerians who make use of the drug. In his remarks, Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, IBMN, Mr Desmond Esorougwe, said: “The award was conferred on deserving companies as well as brands and individuals who have made impacts on the lives of consumers through their innovations, inventions and ideas, adding that the competitive environment became increasingly hostile.” He said branding had become a strategic asset and source of competitive advantage for companies. According to him, “the 2018 edition of the IBMN award was aimed at identifying, recognising and rewarding companies that applied branding culture and branding management best practices to the analysis, planning, implementation, and control of polices designed to achieve corporate objectives in both profit and non-profit organisations in Nigeria.” The IBMN boss commended the awardees for their commitment to standards in their
operations, despite the challenging economic environment, urging them not to relent. The Superintendent Pharmacist of KCH, Oluwaseun Nellie Bastos, who received the award on behalf of the company, expressed gratitude to the organisers for the recognition accorded Zeramal. Bastos advised the public to stay on Zeramal anti-malarial ranges in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria because the products met World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on use of ACTs. Expatiating on the circulation of some anti-malarial drugs with conflicting dosage compositions in the country, the pharmacist said there was no confusion about the internationally acceptable dosage regime for ACTs because Zeramal ranges had addressed the issue. She explained that only six tablets of quadruple strength (QS) or 12 tablets of double strength (DS) or 24 tablets normal strength of 20/120 of Arthemether and Lumefantrine combination therapy could effectively treat uncomplicated malaria in adults as recommended by WHO. She added that for ages nine -14 years, the standard dosage regime was six tablets of the Tripple Strenght (TS) or 18 tablets of the standard of 20/120 Arthemether and Lumefantrine Combination therapy. “The WHO recommendations must be strictly adhered to and that is what we did with Zeramal ranges,” she said.
Martins Ifijeh As part of efforts to improve the health of Nigerians, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebutte Metta, said it has upgraded the hospital to an international standard with the provision of state of the art equipment and improvement of service. Stating this at a press conference in Lagos recently, the Medical Director, FMC Ebutte Metta, Dr. Ademola Dada, said this has positively affected the number of patronage the hospital has been getting in the past one year, to over 50 per cent. He added that the centre has, in a systematic way, begun to resolve issues of infrastructure ravaging the facility over the years. “If you go round you will notice some renovations. We are still going to do more and after four years when we step aside and someone else continues maybe in few years to come, we will have a highly functional and efficient and clean hospital where services and responsible attitude to patients exist,” he said. Prior his appointment, Dada noted that he was driven by the fact that Nigeria can also build world-class institutions and the opportunity has come for him to demonstrate it to the world. He said: “It is not going to happen in one day but ultimately at some point we are going to solve the problems revolving around healthcare in Nigeria. “Due to the good works
we do, we are getting letters from organisations who want to use our hospital and have a relationship with us. This is because of quality of service we offer. “If you actually take into consideration the work we have done, we are also keen for people to point out the area we need to improvement and we believe we can improve.” On accountability and corruption, Dada explained that his administration has made huge effort to curtail the scourge ravaging the sector. He noted that immediately he took over, remittal mode of payment was introduced thereby creating a lot of confidence because staffs are not allowed to handle cash anymore. “We are appointed to serve and let people have value for service. If we are appointed to serve then we must be accountable to the people,” he added. Reacting to the poor maintenance culture across the country, Dada continued: “apart from our maintenance structure, we have a maintenance gang. What they do is to respond to faults 24hours. A lot of people have expressed fears on maintenance, my challenge has always been to those people to come back between two or three years to come and have a look. “I can assure you that none of the facility put on ground will depreciate because it is very clear in our mind when we are choosing people who will do the work. We also have written agreement with those people.
“If you supply to us what is of substandard quality, we are going to call you back. This is because the whole system is transparent and in line with procurement act. It actually assisted us in getting the best, it is not done the typical Nigeria
way of inviting your friends and because they are neutral people, we are also neutral. “We provided solid supervision and then we are convinced that facility wont deteriorate we do not have any doubt for what so ever.”
Enlightenment, Research Traces Dearth of ‘Abiku’ to Adequate Nutrition Kuni Tyessi, in Abuja The role of adequate nutrition in the life of children from zero to five years has been said to be responsible for the reduction of ‘abiku’ (a Yoruba belief of child reincarnation) cases. In the past, cases of infant and child mortality were rampant and with little explanations to serve as reasons behind their death, thus heightening the belief system in ‘Abiku’. The term ‘Abiku’ means a child who is born to die. It is believed that such a child enters into the womb of the same woman and is reborn severally until marks and incisions have been made on its body to prevent it from coming back again. In Igbo language, it is referred to as ‘ogbanje’’. Instead of any belief system, unqualified birth attendants, inadequate knowledge to severance of umbilical cord, infection, pneumonia, malaria and bad water amongst other unhealthy practices were responsible for the high rate of child and infant mortality.
This was revealed by performance and development consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Noel Ihebuzor in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, during a media dialogue on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Ihebuzor who lamented the sad occurrences of the past due to lack of enlightenment, said knowledge has increased over the years and people are now knowledgeable about best practices when it comes to nutrition in the right proportion, access to availability of clean water, adherence to hygiene practices, use of insecticide treated mosquito nets to avoid malaria and sanitation among others. He said the spirits believed to be behind ‘abiku’ didn’t go because they were fought to a standstill, but because the right things, such as research, training and re-trainings, as well as enlightenment were carried out without knowing that they would bring solutions to the ‘abiku’ syndrome.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
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INTERVIEW
Ben Nkechika: Delta Health Insurance Has Enrolled Over 300,000 Beneficiaries Dr. Ben Nkechika, a Harvard trained health insurance expert, is the Director General, Delta State Contributory Health Commission. In this interview with select journalists including Martins Ifijeh, he shared insights into why the federal government, under the Saving One Million Lives Programme, adjudged Delta the best on health insurance coverage. He also spoke on other sundry issues. Excerpts: Delta State Health Contributory Commission has been adjudged best in Nigeria by the FG. How were you able to grow the scheme? At the 58th National Council on Health meeting in March 2015, one of the resolutions passed was for all states in Nigeria to establish a State Supported Health Insurance (SSHIS) program as a decentralisation strategy to enhance and encourage Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the country. Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who at the beginning of his medical career chose to move to a rural community to start his medical practice, while some of his colleagues preferred the cities, made establishing a state-supported Health Insurance Scheme for all residents of Delta State a cardinal program of his new administration. He had gone up through the state bureaucracy and political strata to become the Commissioner for Health, Secretary to the State Government and at the federal level became the Chairman Senate Committee on Health. All through, he displayed his passion for quality and affordable healthcare for all through enhancing the primary healthcare service capacity in Delta State and a steadfast contribution towards ensuring the National Health Act (NHA) and the National Health Insurance Scheme Law became formidable through the National Assembly. As Governor of Delta State, he ensured the bill to establish the Delta State Contributory Health Commission was ready and sent to the Delta State House of Assembly within a few months into his administration. The bill went through all parliamentary protocols and procedures before being passed and signed into Law with a strong governance structure and processes on the February 4, 2016. Implementation of the scheme commenced on January 1, 2017, after start-off mechanisms had been put in place despite the start-off financial challenges due to the sharp drop in the state revenue from the falling oil price and inherited debts. Within a year of its operation with prudent resource management, the scheme was able to win an award in 2017 for the Outstanding Healthcare Program of the Year at the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award ceremony and in 2018 it won an award as the state with the most people covered under its State Social Health Insurance Scheme with focus on the Poor and Vulnerable population in Nigeria under the World Bank/FG - Save One Million Lives Programme. This award was presented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The growth of the scheme can be ascribed to a combination of factors that include the governor’s strong political will, strategic planning, prudent resource management and the support from Deltans. Was the success influenced by the large kick off grant you got, which is rumored to be around N350m? The scheme did not receive N350million as take-off grant. What it got in 2016 was N35million only for its entire year operations. Delta State, at that time, received one of its lowest revenue. With this situation in mind, we commenced a modest start-off process to enable value maximisation of the funds, not compromising on quality of service. First, instead of an elaborate recruitment process, civil service workers already on the state’s payroll were trained and deployed to the commission. Instead of starting off with brand new vehicles, broken down vehicles within the government house were refurbished, and a section of the State Head of Service Office building was allocated as start-off office for the scheme. We also worked round the clock to ensure we met expected target deliverables. Is the scheme building on what the past administration put in place?
health facility readiness to deliver services and a poverty mapping that will identify areas and category of people that would have challenges with ability to pay premiums to ensure no one is left behind. Have you been able to share the commission’s successes to other states planning to commence health insurance? Yes. Due to the success so far achieved and robust nature of the scheme, several states across political party lines have sent emissaries to Delta State; some sponsored by UNICEF to understudy the governance and operating dynamics of the scheme with a view to adopting it for their own states. I have also over the past few years consulted and supported the settling up of health insurance programme in several states, and the Okowa has been a strong advocate for other states to adopt the health insurance program at the Governors Forum.
Nkechika
The past administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, implemented the free maternal and under -five years healthcare program which improved the maternal and infant mortality healthcare indices in Delta State. However, there were challenges in its implementationwith the program available only in urban center, secondary healthcare facilities, and no comprehensive data for tracking, reporting, analysis and long term plan. The Delta State Contributory Health Scheme (DSCHS) thus commenced its service by transitioning the previous administration’s free maternal and under-five years healthcare program into the scheme to ensure continuity and long term sustainability. It expanded the program to 107 PHCs in rural communities where the people that actually need the free healthcare service reside. It then established a database system that enables all pregnant women and children under-five to be automatically enrolled into the scheme for service free of charge. Their services were paid for by the government. With this strategy, they are able to receive all healthcare services available under the scheme and have access to healthcare service referrals for higher levels of care with an identity card and patient’s case file for proper documentation of healthcare services provided, ensuring continuity of care with proper medical records. How many healthcare facilities have been accredited to provide health services to enrollees? Since its inception, over 300,000 residents of Delta State that include pregnant women, children under-five years, public service workers and the informal sector have been enrolled into the scheme with access to 225 public and private healthcare facilities accredited for the scheme in Delta State. Renovation is ongoing at other healthcare facilities across the state to increase the number of facilities available with commensurate infrastructure upgrade to ensure quality of service. What type of services are the enrollees getting? The DSHCS is focused mainly on preventive and curative services derived from the Baseline Assessment Survey carried out at the beginning of the programme. The survey was done to determine key household demography, health seeking behaviour, coverage needs and willingness to pay, health facility availability and capacity,
The scheme seems to have a deep pocket for its running. Are there contingency amounts and other funds pumped into making it work? There has never been a contingency fund approval for the commission since the scheme began. We operate a prudent financial management system to ensure that the bulk of funds received are channeled to payment for healthcare services provided to enrollees. Expenditures for the scheme are approved and expended in line with due process expectations as stated in the law establishing the commission. Expenditure budgets are approved by the governor and the governing board of the commission with budget breakdowns. Also N90 million was never approved for advocacy for the scheme as erroneously reported by some social media platforms. Instead, N90million was approved for the commission’s entire 2017 operations budget with N18 million only approved for advocacy activities across the 25 LGAs in the state that included town hall meetings, publications, media campaigns, sensitisation meetings with all trade associations and heads of the various communities in Delta State to ensure inclusion for all segments of the society, amongst others. How many people are currently under the scheme? The scheme currently has over 300,000 residents of Delta State including pregnant women, children under-five years, public service workers and the informal sector. The number increases daily as there are several registration points that feed to the central database daily. We are in partnership with Inter-switch for its ICT deployment to provide an elaborate online real-time electronic payment systems, as well as an identity and health insurance management solution that will ensure payment of premium through several options that include Quick-teller, POS, ATM, Cash at bank, and Web-pay, as well as the quick and real time payment to healthcare providers for verified services to enrolees of the scheme. The scheme also has a self-registration app on Google Play Store (DSCHC) to enable residents register themselves remotely, choose an accredited healthcare facility, transmit data electronically and pay their premium online. When the commission receives the enrolee data and confirms payment, the enrolee’s identity card is printed and dispatched to his stated address via courier service. Before this administration winds down, how much more do you want the scheme to grow? The primary goal is to have a healthcare service financing system that ensures that any resident of Delta State, irrespective of socioeconomic status or geographical location, is able to visit
a healthcare facility when in need of quality services. Thus we aim at registering a significant number of Delta State residents into the scheme, particularly in rural communities. Before you took over as the DG of the scheme, what were you into? Interestingly, the governor in his wisdom did not make political appointments into the commission, rather he opted for healthcare financing and medical experts with public and private healthcare service experience to regulate and implement the scheme. In 2013, while studying at the Harvard Business School in Boston, USA, I was the only African in the class. In one of the seminar sessions, each person was to make a presentation on the healthcare service status of his country. I was told to go to Rwanda to get materials for my presentation as I was not likely to get good materials for my seminar work on healthcare service advancements from Nigeria. Instead I travelled back to Nigeria and went to see Okowa who was then the Chairman Senate Committee on Health. He handed me the draft bill for the National Health Insurance and the National Health Act Bill to read in his living room. I read through it, got excited about the prospects. I went back to Boston to present the future of healthcare service in Nigeria under a Health Insurance Program and the National Health Act. I did not bother going to Rwanda. In 2015, when I was again at the Harvard Business School in Boston for another course, I presented the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme program and received technical advisory support from the Harvard Business Review Team. When Okowa commenced his campaign for governor, I travelled with him throughout the campaign providing emergency medical cover for his campaign convoy, which usually had over 40 vehicles. Along with other members of the Campaign Medical Committee, we started drafting the healthcare policies and priorities of the expected new administration. I was also a member of the Governor-elect Transition Committee on Health and Member/ Secretary of the Governors Team that midwifed the contributory health insurance program. When the bill establishing the commission was signed into law, I was appointed the Director General/ CEO of the DSCHSC. From obtaining MBBS and Msc in Public Health from the University of Benin and Nsukka respectively, I went for post graduate courses in Occupational Medicine at the University of Manchester in UK and Occupational Safety and Health Course for Senior Management at the British Safety Council in UK. I attended the Managing Healthcare Delivery Program at the Harvard Business School in Boston USA, the Business Innovation in Global Healthcare Delivery Program also at the Harvard Business School in Boston USA, a Health Economics course at the London School of Economics UK and obtained two Project Management certificates from the Oxford University UK. Before my appointment as the DG/CEO of DSCHC, I was the Managing Director a Healthcare Consultancy organization and the Chairman Board of Directors of an Oil and Gas Service company. I was the Pioneer Medical Director of Delta Specialist Hospital in Bonny Island and one of the Pioneer Medical Doctors at the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) project Hospital in Bonny Island in Rivers State. I was also the Medical Officer for a number of International companies that built the Trains 1,2,3,4 and 5 NLNG plant in Bonny Island. Before setting up the Delta Specialist Hospital and my service at the NLNG Project Clinics in Bonny Island, I was a Field Medical Officer for Schlumberger Oil Service Company.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
HEALTH NEWS
Know Your Rhesus Factor Before Childbearing, Minister Tells Nigerians Martins Ifijeh As part of plans to save couples from undue agony of miscarriage, still birth and child death, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised Nigerians to seek information on the status of their Rhesus factor before embarking on childbearing. Adewole said if laws are put in place to compel unmarried couples to seek the status before getting married; it will address issues around childbearing.
Stating this at a symposium organised by Rhesus Solution Initiative at the Sickle Cell Foundation Centre in IdiAraba, Lagos recently, the minister, urged the National Assembly to enact laws that would compel unmarried couples to find out about their Rhesus factors before getting married. The minister who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Chris Bode, said: “If a woman is Rhesus-negative
and the husband happens to be positive, that woman will be told that whenever she is having her babies, she should take the Rhogam injection. That way, their babies will not die from this easily preventable disease.” In her welcome address, President, Rhesus Solutions Initiative, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Banire, said the objective of the foundation was to eradicate
the disease through advocacy, partnership with government and traditional birth attendants, educating the school pupils and making free donations of Rhogam injections. “When the pregnant woman is Rhesus-negative, there is the possibility that the blood in the foetus might be the blood of her Rhesus positive husband. So, complications may arise before or after
delivery,” she said. The Co-chair, Consortium for Universal Rh-disease Elimination, Emeritus Prof. Alvin Zipursky, called on the Nigerian media to help educate the public on the disease. Zipursky, who was represented by Prof. Isaac Odame from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, said everyone must cooperate
with the federal government to eradicate the disease. “We don’t always have to wait for government to take the step first. It can start from individuals and the government will get involved to make things happen. “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and I think if she leads the way, it will be possible to get it done in Africa,” he said.
FMEN Organises Aid-to-Life Initiative to Support Parenting Ugo Aliogo Foundation for Montessori Education In Nigeria (FMEN) has organised aid to life, an initiative aimed at supporting parents by teaching them basic things they need to do with their children to enhance their natural development. The foundation disclosed this recently at the three-day event organised by FMEN in conjunction with Zenith Bank, PZ and Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with the theme; ‘Effective Parenting’. The Aid to Life Cordinator, FMEN, Yinka Awobo-Pearse, said in parenting, movement is important because once a child starts to move, they are able to move properly. She also noted that parents need to spend time with their children because when they do, they are able to observe things about them, which she noted that nobody would reveal to them, not even teachers. Awobo-Pearse explained that people understand the right thing to do, but they need to be reminded, adding that due to the pressures of life, these information goes into the back of their minds. The coordinator further stated that they are eager to continue the partnership
because they aim to use the initiative to educate parents so that they can support their children. She added that through the training parents would be able to give their children the skills they need “so that when their children gets to school age, which is three years in Nigeria, they have the skills that will make them competent and successful in their academic career. “SUBEB has given us permission to work with Agege Local Government Authority and so this is the first time we are working with Lagos State Government. It is going well. It is for three days, there are two more days left. “We are not stopping in Agege, now that we have a meeting with SUBEB, we will go back to them for any other local government area that is open to this training. From what I saw today, somebody came from SUBEB and they seem to be interested in the initiative. “We are also eager to continue the partnership because our aim with this initiative is educate parents so that they can support their children, so when that their children gets to school age, they have the skills that will make them competent and successful in their academic career.
Rotary Club Establishes PHC At Gidan Gimba to Fight Diseases Kuni Tyessi, Abuja As part of its social responsibilities to the society, Rotary Club of Abuja Central Business District has pledged to continue in the ongoing battle against diseases by proving a functioning primary healthcare facility at Gidan Gimba, a community in Nasarawa state. Also, the club said it is set to increase momentum in the areas of peace and conflict prevention/resolution, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, as well as economic and community development. This was stated by the Second President of the Rotary Club of Abuja CBD, Mr. Martins Odeh, during his investiture as the in-coming president of the club.
He said the club has earmarked some critical areas to intervene in the adopted community of Gidan Gimba and would include the building of sets of classroom blocks for primary education and a maternity centre. He said the club under his supervision will increase its participation in polio immunisation exercises on the federal capital territory and beyond. Odeh noted that the narrative on how the people in that community cope without the mentioned amenities could only be likened to the story of a tale of two cities. “Already, job on the borehole project in that locality has reached 90 per cent completion and would soon be unveiled,” he added.
L-R; Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Segun Adebanji (middle), flanked by MD/CEO, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae (left) and Company Secretary, Mr. Abayomi Adebanjo at the 19th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, recently
15-Year-Old Kehinde Urgently Needs N4M for Heart Surgery For 15-year-old Kehinde Mutairu to live beyond this period and fulfill his dreams in the future, he urgently needs N4 million for a heart surgery. According to doctors at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), his condition, which is a hole in the heart, is life-threatening and requires immediate attention.
His parents, Mr. Hakeem Osho Mutairu and Mrs. Abiodun Mutairu, said he has suffered greatly with the ailment for more than five years without any obvious improvement. He is said to have a displaced apex beat and a grade four pan systolic murmur loudest at the mitral area. Kehinde
was managed for congestive cardiac failure secondary to rheumatic heart disease and he is currently on anti-failure medications, but doctors say the only remedy therefore for him is to undergo a heart surgery without further delay. The mother said: “My son stopped attending classes since we noticed his inability to work
well, this has really brought sadness to us and to kehinde as well. “We were told to bring the sum of N4 million before the surgery could be conducted. So much money has been spent on this ailment. We plead with every member of the society to render assistance to save my son’s life.”
Nigeria Ranks 171st among Nations Investing in Healthcare Mary Nnah According to the first-ever scientific study ranking countries for their levels of human capital development, Nigeria has been ranked 171st in the world for its investments in healthcare. The nation placed just behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ranked 170th) and just ahead of Zambia (ranked 172nd). The United States ranked 27th, while South Africa placed 144th. The Director, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Christopher Murray said findings show that the association between investments in education, health and improved human capital and GDP has been ignored by policymakers at their own peril.
He said: “As the world economy grows increasingly dependent on digital technology, from agriculture to manufacturing to the service industry, human capital grows increasingly important for stimulating local and national economies.” Nigeria’s ranking of 171st in 2016 represents a drop from its 1990 ranking of 155th. It comes from having five years of expected human capital, measured as the number of years a person can be expected to work in the years of peak productivity, taking into account life expectancy, functional health, years of schooling, and learning. Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank President, defines human capital as “the sum total of a population’s health, skills, knowledge, experience, and habits.” It is a concept that rec-
ognizes that not all labor is equal, and the quality of workers can be improved by investing in them. Nigeria’s ranking of 171st in 2016 represents a drop from its 1990 ranking of 155th. It comes from having five years
of expected human capital, measured as the number of years a person can be expected to work in the years of peak productivity, taking into account life expectancy, functional health, years of schooling, and learning.
DO YOU KNOW?
Source: UNAIDS 2017
T H I S D AY Ëž SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
40
BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE
NEXIM Bank Woos Chinese Investors with $100m Investment Guarantees Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) is offering investment guarantees worth $100 million to Chinese investors and their local trade partners interested in investing in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abba Bello, disclosed this in Beijing, China, while presenting a paper titled: ‘Discover Nigeria’, at the 10th China Overseas Investment Fair, held recently. Abba, in the paper, obtained by THISDAY yesterday, listed the critical sectors as infrastructure development for international trade, agriculture and agro-processing, light manufacturing, solid minerals and services.
He stressed that the sectors listed above have high growth potential for trade and investments, as well as foreign exchange earnings and employment generation. According to him, they also align with both the government’s development plans and NEXIM Bank’s strategic focus, noting that foreign investors in these sectors of the economy would gain numerous investment incentives especially from the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), to encourage their investments. He said: “They will also qualify for funding and advisory services from NEXIM Bank. “NEXIM Bank presents partnership with Chinese investors and their Nigerian trading partners in the following areas: facilitation of Buyers’/
Suppliers’ Credit arrangements for equipment and provision of complimentary project financing for local components of project costs to investors seeking to establish industries in Nigeria. “Provision of Investment Guarantees of up to US$100 million to investors to protect foreign direct investments (FDIs) against political and noncommercial risks. Provision of Guarantees/Counter Guarantees to Lenders/Guarantors to facilitate exports of Chinese capital goods to Nigeria in collaboration with any financier/guarantor from China. “Promoting sustainable operations by ensuring steady supply of raw materials and other inputs for Investors in the manufacturing and agroprocessing sectors.
Stanbic IBTC Promotes Financial Literacy Ugo Aliogo As part of efforts to promote inclusive banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank in partnership with Community Youth Development Initiative (CYCDI) has taken its financial literacy and wellbeing campaign to Covenant University. Speaking at Covenant University, Ogun State, during the live broadcast of UN General Assembly event with the UN goal number three: ‘Wellbeing’ as the theme, the Head Personal Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Nkolika Okoli, described Stanbic IBTC as an end-to-end financial institution, saying one of the core focus of the bank is youth empowerment. Okoli, also stated that the partnership was strategic to the bank because it promotes the well-being of youths. She stressed that the youths are a major focus for the bank.
According to her: “The partnership is strategic to us because it is promoting the well-being of youths. “The youths are a major focus for us because what we are trying to do is to nurture the future Stanbic IBTC Bank customers, not just by waiting until they become adults and start earning money, but we are interested in ensuring that they grow up to be well-balanced adults who will do well in life and then we are assured of customers. “The partnership has been strategic to us because we educate the youths. We have the pension business, wealth business and the bank. So, when we come here we educate them beyond banking because they are used to banks telling them to open an account. But we educate them on how to start early; they can even start up an investment account as a
student, just by setting aside N5000 from your pocket money.� In his remarks, the ViceChancellor, Covenant University, Atayero Aaron-Anthony, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akan Williams, noted that the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is very important to the institution. He commended the bank and CYCDI for the partnership. Aaron-Anthony added: “We appreciate Stanbic IBTC Bank for the partnership and giving our students this sense of belonging. This UN event we are doing today, our students are indeed excited to be part of it. “We appreciate Stanbic IBTC Bank for coming to be like an external voice to galvanise our students towards getting themselves involved in what is happening in the world. We are hoping that this partnership is sustainable, not a onetime affair.�
IoD Nigeria Inaugurates Ethics Committee Ugo Aliogo In line with its desire to ensure that its members are properly guided in their conducts and behaviour, the Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IoD Nigeria) has inaugurated an Ethics Committee. The committee is saddled with the responsibility of developing a code of ethics for its members. According to statement made available to THISDAY by the Associate Director, Operations IoD, Segun Dipe, during the inauguration of the seven-man committee recently, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of IoD Nigeria, Alhaji
Ahmed Rufai Mohammed, urged the committee to come up with a set of guidelines that would encourage members to embrace sound business ethics and good corporate governance. He said it was imperative that IoD members adhere strictly to the principle of corporate governance in their endeavours, recognise champions of good governance for adulation and identify erring members and employees for sanction. Mohammed, noted that part of the desires of the institute is to ensure a clear and definite outline of ethical requirements of members and employees
of the Institute for a proper understanding and adherence to a world-class business standard “and ensure that the institute was able to monitor the conducts of its members and employees.� The seven-man Ethics Committee comprise seasoned corporate directors and is headed by Mrs. Amina Oyagbola. Other members are Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, Mr. Femi Awoyemi and Ms. N.A. Chibututu, while Director General/CEO of IoD Nigeria Mr. Dele Alimi, and Executive Secretary of IoD Centre for Corporate Governance, CCG, Dr. Nechi Ezeako.
Resort Savings & Loans Explains Delay in Capitalisation The board and management of Resort Savings & Loans Plc has explained delay in the capitalisation of the company, assuring its stakeholders of a strong comeback. The board in a statement said the bank had executed binding agreement and first drawdown agreement of $10 million with a provision for immediate release of $1 million. According to the statement, the release of the fund was being delayed by the valuation of the
bank’s shares through market forces. “The shares are presently on technical suspension and we believe that this will be lifted on provision of constant and required information to the market,� the statement added. The company, through its Chairman, Senator Sunday O. Fajinmi, who said he was not leaving any stone unturned to restore the glory of the company, added that the bank has a major investor in Messers
Milost Global Incorporation, expressing optimistic that the technical suspension would be lifted very soon. He added that the management had equally engaged various regulators towards capital injection. According to him, the “audit of the bank’s financial statements for the year 2015, 2016 and 2017 by Messers BBC Professionals; appointments of parties to the planned issue, amongst others, had been sorted out.
Bello
MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS
(MILLION NAIRA)
MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)
24,303,049.86
-- Narrow Money (M1)
10,912,604.10
---- Currency Outside Banks
1,668,378.21
---- Demand Deposits
9,244,225.90
-- Quasi Money
13,390,445.76
Net Foreign Assets (NFA)
15,619,134.18
Net Domestic Assets(NDA)
8,683,915.68
-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)
26,267,136.53
---- Credit to Government (Net)
3,823,345.45
---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA
5,433,209.43
---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)
-1,609,863.98
---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)
22,443,791.08
--Other Assets Net
-17,583,220.85
Reserve Money (Base Money)
6,746,646.49
--Currency in Circulation
1,668,378.21
--Banks Reserves
4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹
Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month
March 2018
Inter-Bank Call Rate
15.16
Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)
14.00
Treasury Bill Rate
11.84
Savings Deposit Rate
4.07
1 Month Deposit Rate
8.82
3 Months Deposit Rate
9.72
6 Months Deposit Rate
10.93
12 Months Deposit Rate
10.21
Prime Lending rate
17.35
Maximum Lending Rate
31.55
Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $80.44 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $78.81 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna
41
T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
MARKET NEWS
Banking Stocks Enjoy Positive Sentiments Despite Return of Bears Goddy Egene The depreciation recorded in the share prices of companies such as Dangote Cement Plc, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries Plc attracted pushed the market into the negative territory today after redounding yesterday. Bellwether counters had lifted the market yesterday. But that positive performance could not be sustained today as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)
All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 0.46 per cent to close lower at 32,963.27. Market capitalisation shed N55.2 billion to be at N12.0 trillion. A total of 23 stocks depreciated as against 17 that appreciated. “We attribute the losses recorded today to prevailing negative sentiment across all sectors asides the banking sector. Nonetheless, we expect a positive close to the market at the end of the week, as investors take advantage of
P R I C E S MAIN BOARD
F O R DEALS
the low prices across the various sectors in the market,” at Meristem Securities Limited said. However, amidst the bearish trading, the banking sector attracted positive sentiments from investors which led to appreciation in five stocks. They are Zenith Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc , Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc that went up by 4.6 per cent, 3.9 per cent, 3.0 per cent, 1.3 per cent and 0.6
S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE
QUANTITY TRADED
VALUE TRADED ( N )
per cent in that order. Berger Paints Nigeria Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent, trailed by Prestige Assurance Plc with 9.8 per cent. Royal Exchange Assurance Plc shed 9.0 per cent. Berger Paints shares witnessed a decline two days after the management of the company visited the NSE to present its fact behind the figures. During the presentation to market operators, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
T R A D E D MAIN BOARD
A S
of the company, Mr. Peter Folikwe identified top-notch and experienced management, high quality products, efficient market and strong distribution network, effective utilisation of modern information technology and strong brands as some of the factors that enhance the company’s competitive edge. Folikwe also noted that effective franchise growth and deployment of point of sales (POS) machine were among the key
O F
drivers that shall boost the company’s profitability. Commenting on the strategic outlook for the company, he explained that the focus would be on increase in earnings and profitability,leverage on the new automated factory to be inaugurated, increased production output, increase in market share, optimising return on investment (ROI) and implementation of risk management culture among others.
2 6 / 0 9 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS
MARKET PRICE
QUANTITY TRADED
VALUE TRADED ( N)
˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
42
Thursday, September 27, 2018 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Appreciates by 0.5%
THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX
Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 index rose 0.5% to 1366.61
points
while YTD ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƐĞƩůĞĚ Ăƚ –
Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index
11.4%. The index was propped by gains in ZENITH (+4.6%), GUARANTY (+1.4%) and UBA (+0.6%) which ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϴ͘ϲй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘
THISDAY AFRINVEST 40
Losses in Bellwethers Drags Benchmark Index... ASI
down 46bps In today͛s trading session, losses in bellwethers DANGCEM (-2.4%), FBNH (-Ϯ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ STANBIC (-1.6%) drags the benchmark index 46bps lower to 32,963.27 points, ex-DANGCEM, the ASI would have gained 35bps. This, YTD loss worsened to -ϭϯ͘ϴй ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĨĞůů ďLJ Eϱϱ͘ϮďŶ ƚŽ EϭϮ͘ϬƚŶ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϮϮ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ ϯϳ͘ϱй ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϭϳϮ͘Ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ EϮ͘ϭďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ were FIDELITY ;ϯϯ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ UBA ;ϭϵ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ ZENITH (12.3m
units)
while
GUARANTY
(N1.0bn),
UBA ;ϭϲϱ͘ϴďŶͿ ĂŶĚ FBNH (71.7bn) were the top traded stocks by value. Banking Index Emerges Lone Gainer Performance across sectors was largely bearish as 4 of 5 indices under our coverage closed in the red. The Industrial Goods index shed the most, down 1.4% as a ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ DANGCEM (-2.4%) and CCNN (-Ϭ͘ϴйͿ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨŽůůŽǁĞĚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ
ŽĨ
ƉƌŽĮƚ
ƚĂŬŝŶŐ
ŝŶ
CUSTODIAN (-7.4%),
Current Price
Ticker
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
1,366.61
0.49%
-11.4%
36.7%
19.6%
6.7%
5.9x
0.8x
6.3%
1
Guaranty Trust Bank PLC
37.50
1.4%
22.3%
-8.0%
-7.5%
35.8%
5.4%
5.7x
2.3x
7.2%
12.3% 17.4%
2
Zenith Bank PLC
21.40
4.6%
12.3%
-16.5%
-17.5%
3.6x
0.9x
12.8%
27.4%
3
Nigerian Brew eries PLC
4
Nestle Nigeria PLC
5
Dangote Cement PLC
6
FBN Holdings Plc
90.10
-0.1%
6.8%
-33.2%
-33.3%
15.9%
7.3%
25.9x
4.2x
4.6%
3.9%
1,495.00
0.0%
8.7%
-3.9%
-3.9%
92.0%
23.0%
30.7x
26.6x
2.8%
3.3%
205.00
-2.4%
6.3%
-10.9%
-10.9%
21.7%
9.9%
20.9x
4.9x
5.1%
4.8%
8.55
-2.8%
6.1%
-2.8%
-2.7%
7.4%
0.9%
5.6x
0.5x
2.9%
17.8%
7
Access Bank PLC
8.15
0.0%
4.0%
-22.0%
-23.1%
13.3%
1.6%
3.7x
0.5x
7.9%
26.7%
8
United Bank for Africa PLC
8.35
0.6%
4.0%
-18.9%
-19.8%
16.2%
1.9%
3.7x
0.6x
10.1%
26.9%
2.9%
35.2%
9
Ecobank Transnational Inc
10
SEPLAT Petroleum Development C
18.00
0.0%
3.9%
5.9%
10.6%
12.2%
1.0%
5.8x
0.7x
622.00
0.0%
3.5%
-0.7%
-0.7%
25.0%
14.6%
2.8x
0.7x
17.3%
11
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC
43.30
-1.6%
3.4%
4.3%
5.9%
35.4%
4.9%
6.7x
2.1x
2.3%
14.9%
12
Unilever Nigeria PLC
45.00
0.0%
3.2%
9.8%
11.9%
20.4%
8.7%
24.9x
3.3x
1.1%
4.0%
13
Guinness Nigeria PLC
86.15
0.0%
2.4%
-8.4%
-8.4%
10.3%
4.5%
25.6x
2.2x
2.3%
3.9%
14
Lafarge Africa PLC
22.50
0.0%
0.9%
-49.9%
-49.9%
-54.0%
-10.1%
1.4x
6.7%
-40.0%
6.4%
15
Fidelity Bank PLC
1.70
3.0%
1.0%
-30.9%
-34.1%
10.4%
1.4%
1.3x
0.3x
16
Oando PLC
5.20
-1.0%
1.3%
-13.2%
-13.2%
10.3%
1.5%
4.6x
0.3x
79.9% 21.8%
17
Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC
14.60
0.0%
0.9%
-27.0%
-28.3%
41.5%
18.1%
4.9x
1.7x
8.6%
20.2%
18
Okomu Oil Palm PLC
70.10
0.0%
1.3%
3.6%
3.6%
35.8%
26.6%
7.5x
2.4x
4.3%
13.2%
19
International Brew eries PLC
32.50
0.0%
0.5%
-40.4%
-40.9%
24.6%
7.4%
34.0x
7.7x
20
Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC
19.65
-1.8%
0.5%
-32.2%
-32.2%
9.8%
2.9%
4.8x
0.5x
5.1%
20.7% 15.3%
2.9%
21
Transnational Corp of Nigeria
1.27
0.0%
0.6%
-13.0%
-14.2%
12.9%
2.8%
6.5x
0.8x
1.6%
22
UAC of Nigeria PLC
11.85
0.9%
0.5%
-29.9%
-29.9%
1.4%
0.6%
21.2x
0.5x
5.5%
23
Diamond Bank PLC
1.19
0.0%
0.5%
-20.7%
-24.2%
-7.2%
-0.9%
-21.2%
-21.2%
33.1%
6.9%
6.8x
2.1x
9.3%
13.3%
6.7%
1.0%
2.9x
0.2x
5.6%
34.0%
-10.0%
40.2%
16.0%
6.0x
2.1x
4.6%
16.6%
24
Total Nigeria PLC
25
FCMB Group Plc
26
11 PLC
27
0.1x
4.7% -72.7%
181.10
0.6%
0.5%
1.79
-0.6%
0.6%
175.20
0.0%
0.5%
Forte Oil PLC
20.05
0.0%
0.2%
-53.9%
-52.3%
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%
29
Cadbury Nigeria PLC
9.20
0.0%
0.3%
-41.3%
-41.0%
5.9%
2.2%
27.3x
1.5x
1.7%
3.7%
30
Presco PLC
56.55
0.0%
0.4%
-17.4%
-17.4%
3.5%
42.1%
31
NASCON Allied Industries PLC
19.00
-3.1%
0.4%
2.7%
-1.1%
5.2x
7.9%
11.1%
32
UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr
9.00
0.0%
0.3%
-10.0%
-10.0%
0.8x
7.8%
-10.0%
1.5x
2.4x 62.4%
33
Union Bank of Nigeria PLC
5.30
3.9%
0.3%
-32.1%
-29.4%
34
Julius Berger Nigeria PLC
25.00
0.0%
0.3%
-10.7%
-10.7%
17.3%
20.6%
9.0x
8.4x
0.5x
1.8%
6.9x
1.1x
3.9x
35
Sterling Bank PLC
1.50
0.0%
0.4%
38.9%
32.7%
11.0%
1.1%
36
Dangote Flour Mills Plc
7.30
1.4%
0.2%
-39.9%
-39.9%
0.0%
0.0%
37
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger
13.65
0.0%
0.2%
-36.8%
-36.8%
6.5%
3.6%
38
Chemical and Allied Products P
27.20
0.0%
0.2%
-20.0%
-23.8%
66.2%
30.2%
39
Beta Glass PLC
78.00
0.0%
0.2%
52.0%
52.0%
17.7%
11.5%
40
Transcorp Hotels Plc
6.75
0.0%
0.1%
-6.4%
-6.4%
6.0%
3.3%
14.8%
-13.0% 7.8%
11.9% 4.2%
14.4% 25.6%
0.4x
1.4%
0.9x
2.7%
19.6x
1.9x
54.9%
5.1%
12.7x
8.5x
7.3%
7.9%
9.5x
1.6x
1.4%
10.6%
15.4x
0.9x
1.8%
6.5%
CONTINSURE (-3.4%), NASCON (-3.1%) and FLOURMILL (ϭ͘ϴйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ƐŚĞĚ ϰďƉƐ following sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ OANDO (-ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Banking index advanced 1.9% as a result of buying interests
in
ZENITH
(+4.7%)
and
UBN
(+3.9%).
/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ as measured by market breadth ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϳdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž recorded the last session as 16 stocks appreciated against
T ic k er
P ric e
P ric e C hg %
UA C -P R OP
1.87
10.0%
N IGER IN S
0.37
8.8%
UP L
2.05
7.3%
UACPROP (+10.0%), UPL (+7.3%) and ZENITH (+4.6%) while BERGER (-10.0%), ROYALEX (-9.1%) and UNIONDAC (-ϴ͘ϲйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ͘ dŽĚĂLJΖƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ǁĂƐ ŝŶ ůŝŶĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƵƌ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ
outlook for the rest of this week.
Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)
T ic k er
Vo lum e
P ric e C hg %
F ID ELIT YB K
33.8
3.0%
GUA R A N T Y
27.3
1.4%
UB A
19.8
0.6% 0.0%
VER IT A SKA P
0.30
7.1%
T R A N SC OR P
12.9
Z EN IT H B A N K
21.40
4.6%
Z EN IT H B A N K
12.3
4.6%
SOVR EN IN S
0.25
4.2%
FB NH
8.2
-2.8%
UB N
5.30
3.9%
A C C ESS
5.6
0.0%
M A N SA R D
1.95
3.7%
WEM A B A N K
4.9
0.0%
F ID ELIT YB K
1.70
3.0%
P R EST IGE
4.8
-9.8%
D A N GF LOUR
7.30
1.4%
R OYA LEX
4.3
-9.1%
T ic k er
Value
P ric e C hg %
GUA R A N T Y
1023.0
1.4%
Z EN IT H B A N K
263.6
4.6%
UB A
165.8
0.6%
SEP LA T
90.3
0.0%
FB NH
71.7
-2.8%
T o p 10 Lo s e rs T ic k er
23 decliners. The best performing stocks were led by
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 %
B ER GER
6.30
-10.0%
P R EST IGE
0.46
-9.8%
R OYA LEX
0.20
-9.1%
J A IZ B A N K
0.51
-8.9%
UN ION D A C
0.32
-8.6%
T o p 10 T ra de s by V a lue
LA WUN ION
0.61
-7.6%
F ID ELIT YB K
57.3
3.0%
C UST OD IA N
5.04
-7.4%
ST A N B IC
47.6
-1.6%
WA P IC
0.40
-4.8%
D A N GC EM
47.0
-2.4%
C ON T IN SUR E
1.42
-3.4%
A C C ESS
45.8
0.0%
LA SA C O
0.31
-3.1%
N EST LE
32.7
0.0%
Investment Research
Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com
Robert Omotunde |
Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com
Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com
romotunde@afrinvest.com
43
T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍşÍżËœ ͺ͸͚͜
MARKET NEWS
Dangote, Elumelu, Okereke-Onyiuke, Others to Be Honoured for Market Devt Goddy Egene For deepening the nation’s capital market through the listing of their companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Tony Elumelu will be recognised by the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Lagos. The recognition will come under the special individual recognition award for market development category of the maiden edition of the CAMCAN Nigerian Capital
Market Performance Awards (CNCMPA). Dangote Industries Limited, which has Dangote as President, is the majority shareholder in four companies quoted on the NSE. They are: Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, NASCON Allied and Dangote Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. Elumelu’s Heirs Holdings Group owns significant stake in UBA Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), Transcorp Hotels Plc, United Capital and African Prudential Plc. According CAMCAN, the
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
listing of these companies has contributed to the depth of the market, providing investors with regular income. Hence, the decision to honour these two entrepreneurs. Besides, past directors general of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will be given special awards on that day as well. The association cited the contributions of Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke who transformed trading on the NSE from manual to automated system.
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 2509-2018, unless otherwise stated.
It also cited Sullyman Ndanusa, whose tenure as SEC DG saw the introduction of the Investment and Securities Act(ISA). The association said the awards were also introduced to recognise companies with best profitability, efficiency, return on investment, among others. The awards, according to a statement by the association, were based on verifiable data derived from audited financial reports of quoted companies for the year ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. The data was collated with the
support of analysts at Investdata Consulting Limited. “Although the Nigerian economy was in recession for major parts of the period under review, majority of the quoted companies distinguished themselves, hence the need to celebrate them,� the statement added. The awards, according to CAMCAN, will be an annual event in her calendar, as a way of encouraging companies to performance optimally in the interest of their investors and other stakeholders. Commenting, Chief Research
Officer of Investdata Consulting Limited, Mr. Ambrose Omordion said: “Companies were selected for recognition for being the most profitable, efficient, offering the best return on investment, most improved, price/book value and dividend yield.� According to him, companies were considered across sectors like: Banking, Insurance, Oil/ Gas, Consumer Goods and Industrial Goods; after which the best from each sector in the various categories were recognised separately as best for the entire market in that particular category.
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 163.94 164.70 -7.72% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 269.56 270.41 16.51% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.27% AIICO Balance Fund 2.18 2.19 -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 134.45 135.39 -11.37% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.93% 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 10.80% Paramount Equity Fund 11.68 11.98 5.34% Women's Investment Fund 102.07 104.69 1.43% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.86% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.17 1.20 11.63% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.11 4.13% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 11.82% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.19% 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 1,187.11 1,187.87 9.70% FBN Heritage Fund 140.64 141.59 0.67% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.04% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.09 $114.62 3.50% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.89 $114.42 3.42% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.87 153.01 -5.22% 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 1.22 1.24 -5.59% Legacy Debt Fund 3.15 3.15 9.23% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.01 1.01 1.23% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.16% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 104.64 105.12 4.41% 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 11.36% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.15 1.02%
Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.20% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 121.68 121.93 5.74% 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 3.20% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,086.56 1,086.56 10.03% 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 11.52 11.62 -11.23% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.62% 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 1.31 1.33 9.67% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.83 11.87 7.08% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.03% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.45 127.92 -1.72% 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 N/A N/A N/A 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 2,257.46 2,272.10 2.77% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 184.94 184.94 6.23% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 -5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 241.94 241.98 12.13% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 162.95 164.75 -9.02% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.62% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,571.46 8,675.12 -9.88% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 5.64% 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 1.16 1.17 -1.79% United Capital Bond Fund 1.55 1.55 8.28% United Capital Equity Fund 0.71 0.72 -6.20% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.80% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.13 105.13 5.09% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.07 2.83% 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 11.19 11.36 -10.12% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.23 12.34 -6.75% Zenith Income Fund 20.30 20.30 7.23% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.80%
REITS NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
N/A 138.09 51.55
N/A 4.25% 1.42%
Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
10.80 121.90 93.68
10.90 124.48 95.44
-8.88% -14.66% -14.25%
Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund
VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund
SPECIALIST FUNDS*
funds@vetiva.com Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
4.06 7.77 15.42 15.40 142.20
4.10 7.85 15.52 15.60 144.20
-14.28% -18.70% -11.73% -21.61% 5.77%
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.
T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͯͶ
44
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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 Ëž T H I S D AY
FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS
Editor: VINCENT OBIA vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com 0805 468 1757
Avoiding Inequality, Segregation as Egypt Builds New Capital City from Scratch Nuno Pinto and Aya Badawy
E
gypt is the latest country to build a new capital city from scratch, with ambitions to move parliament away from Cairo as early as summer 2019. With nearly 24 million people living in Greater Metropolitan Cairo, the current Egyptian capital suffers from severe congestion and overcrowding – problems which the government claims the new capital will resolve. Egypt joins more than 30 countries or regional states, which have relocated their seats of power to new cities designed from scratch: Brazil, Australia, Kazakhstan and Nigeria are among the most famous examples. Built on a site located 45 kilometres east of Greater Cairo, the city will feature a new presidential palace, a new parliament, a central bank and business district, an airport and a massive theme park, alongside housing for 6.5m people. But while new political capitals can be symbols of national identity and tools for development, the successes and failures of these mega projects have always been topics of much debate. Perhaps the most famous example is BrasĂlia: designed to embody the progressive, egalitarian ideals of 1950s Brazil, today the city is marred by urban segregation and inequality. The metropolitan area of BrasĂlia has two distinctive areas: the Pilot Plan – the well-known urban design by Brazilian architect LĂşcio Costa – and the satellite cities, which have replaced the many informal settlements built by the construction workers who worked on the Pilot Plan. Less than 10% of BrasĂlia’s population lives in the Pilot Plan. The area was carefully planned to host the federal government, its civil servants and the intellectual elites. Costa dreamed of creating a just city, where the different socioeconomic groups of Brazilian society would be represented and share
equal access to the city. The plan failed to live up to Costa’s vision. Poorer families were forced to move out from the Pilot Plan as early as the late 1950s. The government set forth relocation plans, using environmental, health and even construction issues as technical justifications to locate new satellite cities further away from the Pilot Plan, while showing little regard for those affected. For example, residents of the Amaury settlement made their homes on the site for the planned artificial Lake Paranoå – in the knowledge that they would one day need to move. But rather than being relocated by the government in a fair and organised way, residents were forced to flee their homes with only a few days warning, as the lake began to fill. To this day, kitchen utensils and other household objects can be observed among the ruins under the lake – evidence of the rushed escape of residents. Amaury favela, with the Congress and the Alvorada Presidential Palace in the background. Paulo Manhaes Relocated to satellite cities such as Ceilândia, more than an an hour and a half from the Pilot Plan by public transport, low-income families had a harder time finding work and taking part in civic life. A 1987 proposal by Costa to review the Pilot Plan and include neighbourhoods of affordable housing was never fully delivered. The lack of access to basic public infrastructure and the spatial segregation – imposed first by the relocation programmes, and later driven by the private housing and job markets – were and still are the main drivers of inequality in the city. Egypt’s as yet unnamed new capital is intended to have a range of different land uses. Phase one is focusing on the government district and residential areas, with a large supply of public facilities and green and transport infrastructure. Although the plans include affordable housing, average prices
are beyond the reach of an average public worker. The attractive character of the developments in the new capital will make housing developments near the new city increasingly unaffordable. The government has a policy in force to control the price of land every six months. So far, the price of land has only increased. This approach is not an effective way of ensuring that housing in the new capital remains affordable for Egypt’s lower income citizens. There’s a real risk that the new city will replicate the historical trend of spatial segregation, which can still be observed in Cairo today. As a result, low and middle-income families will search for housing on the peripheries of the new capital, leading to the development of poorly planned, poorly connected settlements, which will only reinforce urban inequality. The excitement of a brand new capital and its image as a clean, organised, smart and sustainable city must not overshadow the need for a balanced, diverse and fair community. The planners and authorities involved in the new Egyptian capital should look to BrasĂlia: there, it is evident that policies to provide affordable housing and access to jobs and opportunities within the new capital could have avoided the relocation of the poorer in the peripheral satellite cities. If it’s to succeed, Egypt’s new capital must stick to the principles of an inclu s i v e c i t y, w h e re a l l c i t i z e n s c a n c o m e t o g e t h e r a n d s h a re t h e city and its opportunities. This was the most important design principle for Costa – but without meaningful policies to support low i n c o m e re s i d e n t s , i t c o u l d n o t e n d u re i n t h e B r a s Ă l i a h e s o b e a u t i f u l l y c re a t e d . r1JOUP JT -FDUVSFS JO 6SCBO 1MBOOJOH BOE 6SCBO %FTJHO 6OJWFSTJUZ PG .BODIFTUFS BOE #BEBXZ JT 1I% $BOEJEBUF 6OJWFSTJUZ PG .BODIFTUFS
T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
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HERITAGE ENERGY OPERATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED (HEOSL) 46, Industrial Layout, Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria
INVITATION TO PRE-QUALIFY FOR THE PROVISION
OF A 2000HP X 10,000PSI HEAVY DUTY LAND DRILLING RIG FOR DRILLING ACTIVITIES, 1000HP X 5,000PSI AND 1500HP X 10,000PSI LAND WORKOVER RIG FOR WORKOVER/SIDETRACK ACTIVITIES IN OML30 1. INTRODUCTION Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) HEOSL is the Operator of OML-30 on behalf of the Joint Venture between Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited. HEOSL activities cover the spectrum of the upstream oil and gas business. Its operations are concentrated mainly in the Niger Delta. HEOSL wishes to pre-qualify vendors with financial and technical know-how to carry out different operational and/or service activities in land assets for a period of 2 years with optional renewal. The Company hereby invites reputable and competent vendors for the provision of the under-listed services for drilling operations.
2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED AND SCOPE The following services shall be required during the drilling phases of the Wells. S/N Services 1 PROVISION OF A 2000HP X 10,000PSI HEAVY DUTY LAND DRILLING RIG FOR DRILLING ACTIVITIES IN OML30
Brief description of scope of Work (include but not limited to the understated) The scope of work comprises provision of 10K, 2000HP Heavy Duty Land Drilling Rig, support services for drilling & completion operations and well testing. The minimum technical requirements and specifications for the rig shall be as follows: t .BTU IFJHIU PG GU BOE OPNJOBM DBQBDJUZ PG MCT %FQUI SBUJOH PG GU XJUI w %SJMM Pipe, Drawworks capacity (Maximum input Power) of 2000 HP (1491 KW), Three mud pumps, each able to deliver minimum 250GPM at 5,000Psi WP. t )PPLMPBE DBQBDJUZ PG *CT NJOJNVN 5PQ %SJWF .JOJNVN $POUJOVPVT PVUQVU UPSRVF PG Tender No: OML30/ITT/D&C/001 40,000 ft-lbs.), Well control equipment rated to 10,000psi working pressure t $PNQMJBODF XJUI %13 [FSP EJTDIBSHF GPS IB[BSEPVT XBTUF BT QFS &OWJSPONFOUBM (VJEFMJOFT BOE Standards and ISO 14001 standards and Supply of Consumables, materials, accessories etc. t .VTU CF BCMF UP TLJE VQ UP N XJUIPVU MPXFSJOH UIF NBTU "MM SFRVJSFE FRVJQNFOU BOE BDDFTTPSJFT GPS skidding shall be provided by contractor t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 3JH NVTU CF $'$ GSFF DPNQMJBOU $'$ BOE )BMPOT BSF OPU BDDFQUBCMF SFDPNNFOEFE SFGSJHFSBOUT BSF R134a, R407A and R407C). t $POUSBDUPS NVTU CF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI UIF *"%$ t 3JHT PMEFS UIBO 5FO ZFBST NVTU IBWF QSPPG PG IBWJOH VOEFSHPOF SFDFOU MJGF FOIBODFNFOU upgrades. t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 5IF SJH NVTU CF DVSSFOUMZ JO /JHFSJB XPSLJOH PS TUBDLFE
2
3
PROVISION 1500HP The scope of work comprises provision of 10K, 1500HP Land workover Rig, support services for workover/ X 10,000PSI LAND sidetrack operations and well testing. The minimum technical requirements and specifications for the rig WORKOVER RIG shall be as follows t .BTU IFJHIU PG GU BOE OPNJOBM DBQBDJUZ PG MCT %FQUI SBUJOH PG GU XJUI w w Tender No: Drill Pipe, draw works capacity (Maximum input Power) of 1500 HP (1119 KW), Three triplex 1300HP OML30/ITT/D&C/002 mud pumps, each able to deliver minimum 250GPM at 5,000Psi WP. t )PPLMPBE DBQBDJUZ SBOHJOH CFUXFFO *CT NJOJNVN 5PQ %SJWF .JOJNVN $POUJOVPVT PVUQVU torque of 25,000 ft-lbs.), well control equipment rated between 10,000psi working pressure. t $PNQMJBODF XJUI %13 [FSP EJTDIBSHF GPS IB[BSEPVT XBTUF BT QFS &OWJSPONFOUBM (VJEFMJOFT BOE Standards and ISO 14001 standards and Supply of Consumables, materials, accessories etc. t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 3JH NVTU CF $'$ GSFF DPNQMJBOU $'$ BOE )BMPOT BSF OPU BDDFQUBCMF SFDPNNFOEFE SFGSJHFSBOUT BSF R134a, R407A and R407C). t $POUSBDUPS NVTU CF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI UIF *"%$ t 3JHT PMEFS UIBO 5FO ZFBST NVTU IBWF QSPPG PG IBWJOH VOEFSHPOF SFDFOU MJGF FOIBODFNFOU upgrades. t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 5IF SJH NVTU CF DVSSFOUMZ JO /JHFSJB XPSLJOH PS TUBDLFE PROVISION 1000HP, The scope of work comprises provision of 5K, 1000HP Land workover Rig, support services for workover/ 5,000PSI LAND sidetrack operations and well testing. The minimum technical requirements and specifications for the rig WORKOVER RIG shall be as follows t .BTU IFJHIU PG GU BOE OPNJOBM DBQBDJUZ PG MCT %FQUI SBUJOH PG GU XJUI w w Tender No: Drill Pipe, draw works capacity (Maximum input Power) of 1000HP (746KW), Two triplex 1300HP mud OML30/ITT/D&C/003 pumps, each able to deliver minimum 250GPM at 5,000Psi WP. t )PPLMPBE DBQBDJUZ SBOHJOH CFUXFFO *CT NJOJNJVN 5PQ %SJWF .JOJNVN $POUJOVPVT output torque of 15,000 ft-lbs), well control equipment rated 5,000psi working pressure. t $PNQMJBODF XJUI %13 [FSP EJTDIBSHF GPS IB[BSEPVT XBTUF BT QFS &OWJSPONFOUBM (VJEFMJOFT BOE Standards and ISO 14001 standards and Supply of Consumables, materials, accessories etc. t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 3JH NVTU CF $'$ GSFF DPNQMJBOU $'$ BOE )BMPOT BSF OPU BDDFQUBCMF SFDPNNFOEFE SFGSJHFSBOUT BSF R134a, R407A and R407C). t $POUSBDUPS NVTU CF SFHJTUFSFE XJUI UIF *"%$ t 3JHT PMEFS UIBO 5FO ZFBST NVTU IBWF QSPPG PG IBWJOH VOEFSHPOF SFDFOU MJGF FOIBODFNFOU upgrades. t &RVJQNFOU BOE NBUFSJBMT QSPWJEFE NVTU CF DPNQBUJCMF XJUI BOE DBQBCMF PG PQFSBUJOH JO UIF /JHFSJBO onshore environment. t 5IF SJH NVTU CF DVSSFOUMZ JO /JHFSJB XPSLJOH PS TUBDLFE
3.0 WHO MAY APPLY Must be a reputable registered Nigerian oil and Gas services Company (or Foreign company in partnership with Nigeria Indigenous companies) with proven track record in provision of drilling ancillary services in the oil and gas industry as well as a valid DPR certificate in the relevant category.
4.0 DURATION/CONTRACT STRATEGY The strategy is to engage services of qualified and competent contractors on call-out/call-off basis for a period of Two (2) years with the option of renewal subject good performance and Management’s discretion.
5.0 PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS All interested bidders seeking to be considered must satisfy the following requirements specified below: 5.1 Full details of company profile with Certificate of Incorporation in Nigeria, certified true copies of memorandum and article of Association of the company and CAC form C02 and C07 (Particulars of Directors). 5.2 Certified true copies of memorandum and Article of Association of the company (Statement of share capital and return of allotment) and CO7 (particulars of Directors) and /or similar statutory documents indicating ownership structure of company, name(s) of Directors, major shareholders and percentage shareholding.
5.3 Detailed Company Profile with full details of company’s resume demonstrating company’s capabilities. 5.4 Company Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2015, 2016 & 2017) 5.5 Evidence of compliance with the provisions of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Amendment Act 2011 by inclusion of copy of Compliance Certificate from the Industrial Training Fund 5.6 Evidence of compliance with the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Act by inclusion of copy of Compliance Certificate 5.7 Evidence of compliance with PENCOM Reform Act 2004 by inclusion of valid Pension Clearance Certificate 5.8 Evidence of registration on the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP’s) National Data Base of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Services Providers (NDCCSPs) by inclusion of Interim Registration Report (IRR) (for Nigerian companies). 5.9 Evidence of relevant certification with Department of Petroleum Resources. 5.10 Audited Accounts for the past three (3) years (2015, 2016 & 2017) which must bear the stamp of Audit Firm. 5.11 Evidence of verifiable similar services carried out within the last five years. Please attach reference letters. Please attach reference letters; copies of letters of awards, valuation certificates, Job completion certificates including client’s company full contact details (Not P.O. Box), functional phone numbers and e-mail address; for at least three (3) completed projects. 5.12 Company’s CASHES plans and QA/QC policy and detail of safety records for accidents, incidents, injuries and damages for the past three (3) years (2014, 2015 & 2016). 5.13 A prospective bidder shall make provision of sworn affidavit to support action as follows: 1) To allow HEOSL verify all claims made in your submission 2) To allow HEOSL verify that the organization is not in receivership, nor the subject of any form of insolvency of bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of wrong up petition or proceedings 3) To confirm that the company is not a replacement for a hitherto tax defaulting company 4) To confirm whether or not any of the members of relevant companies of NNPC or Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is former or present Director, Shareholder, or has any pecuniary interest in the specific company 5) A written statement confirming that your company does not have any Director who has been convicted in any country for a criminal offence relating to fraud or any financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation of falsification of facts relating to any matter. 6) A written statement providing full names, contact addresses of current directors and beneficial owners to including their email address, and telephone number. 7) Certainty of business integrity and pre-signed undertaking to strictly comply with Nigerian Ant-Corruption laws in processing the bid and executing the contract if successful.
6.0 COMPLIANCE WITH THE NIGERIAN CONTENT ACT Compliance with Nigerian Content Act shall be a major consideration in the selection of applicants to lift Nigerian Crude Oil. It should be noted that evidence of Nigerian equity in the entity seeking consideration shall give competitive advantage. Interested applicants must submit a detailed Nigerian Content execution strategy to the satisfaction of the NCDMB, clearly setting out Nigerian Content commitments in the areas of; 6.1 Nigerian Content plan that demonstrates full utilization of Nigerian labour and services with detailed description of role, work scope and man-hours in order to achieve minimum target as set out in the requirement of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010. 6.2 Current and in-place organizational structure with detailed experience and skills of key management personnel with names. 6.3 Provide evidence (personnel list and position organizational chart) percentage of management that are Nigerian nationals and the percentage of the total workforce that are Nigerians. 6.4 Plans for the training of Nigerians demonstrating at least 10% of the total man-hours dedicated for human capacity building (where applicable)
7.0 SUBMISSION OF BID DOCUMENTS 7.1 All completed bids should be sealed and submitted in TWO (2) separate envelops clearly marked – One (1) Original, One (1) Copy and One (1) Electronic copy (CD ROM) duly signed by the bidder’s authorized representative clearly marked: ‘’PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR THE PROVISION OF WORKOVER RIG FOR HEOSL LAND ASSETS’’ with the Service applied for, clearly written on the top right hand corner of the envelope with the specific tender number. 7.2 The local content requirement as stated above No. 5.15 must be submitted in a separate envelop and clearly marked “PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR THE PROVISION OF WORK OVER RIG FOR HEOSL LAND ASSETS - LOCAL CONTENT’’.
8.0 THE SUBMISSION/CLOSING DATE All documents should be submitted to: The Secretary, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT HERITAGE ENERGY OPERATIONAL SERVICES LTD, 46, INDUSTRIAL AVENUE, ILUPEJU LAGOS STATE All bids MUST be received on or before 12.00 Noon note later Friday 9th November 2018. All the bids shall be publicly opened and endorsed immediately following the deadline for submission in the presence of invited observers and prospective bidders. All the Bidders shall be invited to attend the bid opening session
9.0 IMPORTANT INFORMATION 8.1 Each bidder should not bid for more than ONE (1) service enumerated above. Bidding for more than ONE (1) or suspected multiple bids for more than ONE (1) service shall amount to automatic disqualification without notice. 8.2 Late submission shall be rejected. 8.3 All submission should be arranged in a binder and numbered in the order listed in 5 above (Pre-Qualification Requirement). 8.4 Only companies who submit the required information and meet the pre-qualification criteria will be contacted after evaluation. HEOSL shall liaise directly in writing with only authorized representatives of interested companies and not through individuals or agents. 8.5 All costs incurred by the intending bidders resulting from this Invitation to tender exercise and any subsequent request for information shall be to contractor’s account. 8.6 This Advert shall neither be construed as any form of commitment on the part of OPERATOR to award any contract to any Contractor and or associated contractors, sub-contractors or agents, nor shall it entitle Prequalified Contractors to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from OPERATOR and/or any of its partners by virtue of such Contractors. 8.7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and any letter of affiliation or introduction letter from any company shall NOT be accepted. 8.8 All information must be provided in English Language. SIGNED: HEOSL MANAGEMENT
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Skye Bank Directors Under Investigation, Says NDIC CBN signs MOU with African countries hosting Nigerian banks Nume Ekeghe Following the revocation of Skye Bank Plc licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the former chairman and another director of the defunct bank, Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Dr. Festus Fadeyi are currently under investigation. This is coming as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other African countries where Nigerian banks are located to protect host countries. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Umaru Ibrahim, disclosed this on the sidelines of the International Association of
Deposit Insurers (IADI) Africa Regional Committee(ARC) workshop in Lagos yesterday. The heavy borrowings by Ayeni and Fadeyi are largely linked to the insolvency of the defunct Skye Bank, which led to its being taken over by the CBN two years ago. Its licence was, however, revoked last Friday while its assets and liabilities were taken over by a bridge bank called Polaris Bank Limited. Records from the last financial results showed that Ayeni, and Fadeyi, had borrowed heavily from the bank. Ayeni and his partners were alleged to have taken loans to fund their acquisitions of the Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies; NITEL/M-Tel; and
an energy services firm, Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited. Also, Fadeyi, through Pan Ocean, took loans to fund the firm’s oil and gas upstream projects which were considered as one of the major non-performing loans amongst others. On the board members who were responsible for the
bank’s downfall, Umaru said: “They are being investigated and I can assure you that when the time comes, the necessary security and law enforcement agencies would do their work.” He also said that on recent developments around cross border collaboration, the CBN had signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with other African countries where Nigerian banks are located to protect host countries. Umaru said: “ There are many Nigerian banks that are operating in other parts of Africa and other parts of the world and that calls for collaboration and at various jurisdictions. CBN for instance
has signed MoUs with the bank of Ghana, Sierra Leone and wherever our banks are so that in case of failure of a branch of a Nigerian bank a particular country outside Nigeria there can be a collaboration so as to ensure that the depositors of those host countries do not suffer.”
Imo Deputy Governor, Madumere, Resumes Duty Amid jubilation arising from victory at the state High Court where his removal from office was quashed on Tuesday, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, yesterday resumed duty. He resumed duty yesterday in compliance with the court order that he resumes duty immediately and told the state indigenes and other supporters that he bears no grudge for anyone. The deputy governor unveiled his agenda at his Project Madumere Campaign office, Owerri, Imo State, where he formerly declared his governorship ambition before a multitude of supporters who had besieged the office in celebration of his victory. Heusedtheopportunitytoformerly reel out his seven-point social contract with the people of Imo State. He said: “My covenant with Imo will be based on the following: Youth Empowerment, which will be anchored on agriculture and
agro-business, information & communication technology and entrepreneurship across the local government areas of the state. Massive Industrialisation and job creation with foreign partners and emphasis on local raw materials.” Speaking further, he revealed the need to strengthen the educational systems with Effective Quality Assurance Mechanisms with a view to uplifting higher institutions to what it should be and make them more competitive. He also hinted that he would rebuild the health sector with the assistance of foreign partners, emphasising on locally sourced personnel to reduce unnecessary medical pilgrimage abroad and to ensure affordable intensive health care. The number two citizen of the state emphasised his preparedness to improve on social welfare of the people especially the aged and women.
Police: Gunmen Abduct 16 Miners in Kaduna The Kaduna State Police Command yesterday confirmed that 16 miners were abducted by armed bandits at Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. According to the police, the miners were returning from a mining site in a truck when they were intercepted by the gunmen. The incident occurred at Pole Wire bush, close to Bogoma village of the troubled Birnin Gwari town. Among those kidnapped, according to a statement signed by the state police spokesperson, Yakubu Sabo, was one Isa Tanimu. He said the command has already deployed officers to track down the suspects. He said the suspects have started communicating with families of those abducted demanding ransom. “We received an information that on 25/9/18 at about 1830hrs, bandits intercepted a truck in the bush of Pole Wire conveying local miners
who were returning from site to Bogoma village. “They kidnapped one Isa Tanimu and 15 others all of the same village. Teams of policemen have been dispatched to the scene alongside the command anti-kidnapping unit for surveillance with the view to rescue the victims and arrest the criminals. The latest information available is that a link has been established with them (kidnappers). They have started demanding for ransom,” he said. Sabo said the police is making ‘a discreet effort’ to track down the abductors. Birnin Gwari is one of the areas most troubled by armed bandits in Kaduna State. Scores of people have been killed and several houses burnt by the bandits who also kidnap for ransom in the area and neighbouring communities. The attacks have continued despite the establishment of an army barracks in the area.
PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL...
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right), receiving a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator David Mark (left) to the Government House, Enugu...yesterday.
Police Parade Suspected Kidnapper who Threatened Atiku over 2019 Presidential Election Alex Enumah in Abuja The Police yesterday paraded a suspected Kidnapper, one Augustus Akpan, who allegedly threatened to kill former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, if he fails to withdraw his candidature from the 2019 presidential election. Akpan, 43 and an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, according to the police was arrested at toll-gate along Lagos-Ibadan express way, Lagos State, while on the run to escape arrest. The police in a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the suspect during interrogation, confessed to the crime and admitted that he resorted to the threat and intimidation when all efforts to
extort money from the former Vice President were unsuccessful.” Atiku had in a petition to the police complained of intimidation and threat to his life and members of his family from text messages he got from an anonymous person. Specifically, he was asked to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race or risked his wife and daughters raped and then killed. The alleged text messages also threatened to bomb his plane, adding that every of his move and that of his family was being monitored. However, following his complaint to the police, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team immediately swung into action and eventually arrested the suspect.
Moshood said, Akpan during interrogation however, denied working for any political party, claiming that his mention of the President’s name in the threat messages was merely diversionary. “The suspect, also admitted in his confessional statement that he is a professional fraudster and not working for any political party, that his mention that ‘let Buhari run against your PDP members’ in his threat message to the former vice president was merely to divert attention. “The suspect is fluent in English, Ibibio, Russian and Portuguese languages respectively. The phone and the SIM card he used for the threat and intimidation were recovered from him and were discovered to have been robbed by him from a lady
(name withheld) who identified him as the person that robbed her few months back”, the police said. Moshood added that the suspect, further confessed that he had threatened, defrauded and extorted huge sum of money in Naira and foreign currency from so many prominent personalities and their family members while posing as a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent. Recovered from the suspect is one Samsung (Galaxy S6 Edge +) Mobile Phone and the SIM Card used by him to send the threat messages to Atiku, his wife and Daughter. The police however, said the suspect will be arraigned in court on completion of their investigation
NBS: Nigeria Recorded Favourable Trade Balance in Q2 2018 James Emejo in Abuja Nigeria’s all products terms of trade (TOT) indices for April, May and June 2018 stood at 100.5, 111.1 and 109.2 respectively, indicating favourable TOT for all the months of the second quarter (Q2), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated. NBS stated that the data meant that the country used 0.5, 11.1 and 9.05 per cent less of her exports to procure the same level of imports in the months under review. The product groups that contributed most to the positive
trade positions during the review period were mineral products, wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal and articles, live animals; animal products, and vegetable products. According to the Commodity Price Indices and Terms of Trade report for Q2, released yesterday, Belgium, China, Spain, the Netherlands and India constituted Nigeria’s top five trading partner countries within the period. The major Nigerian export to Belgium during the quarter was other petroleum gases valued at N11.7 billion, followed by
good fermented cocoa beans (N474 million), frozen shrimps (N453.5 million) and other meals and pellets of crutacean (N53.9 million). On the import side, Nigeria imported petrol worth N117.6 billion, gas oil valued at N20.6 billion, malt (N4.1 billion), polyethylene (N2.0 billion) and other polyethers (N1.6billion) from Belgium. The statistical agency noted that all region group export index recorded an increase of 2.3 per cent in February, a decline of 1.3 per cent in April. The index reversed with a
decrease of 0.3 per cent in May but increased again in June by 1.4 per cent. It further stated that the all commodity group import price index rose by two per cent driven by miscellaneous manufactured articles. It said the all commodity group export price index rose by 11 per cent driven by mineral products, wood products, live animals and vegetable products. The major export to the countries was crude petroleum and natural gas while the major import from these countries was motor spirit (ordinary).
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Rivers Will Teach PDP Lesson If Convention is Held Elsewhere, Wike Threatens Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that there would be consequences if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) succumbs to pressures from planted presidential aspirants to move the party’s National Convention away from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He further declared that the State would not support any desperate presidential aspirant who is sabotaging the economy of the state by fighting the hosting of the party’s presidential primary in Port Harcourt. Wike warned that Rivers People would “teach the party a bitter lesson” if it allows planted desperate presidential aspirants to scuttle the hosting of the presidential primary in Port Harcourt as agreed by all leaders of the party. Speaking during a consultative visit by the Gombe State Governor and PDP presidential aspirant, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said at the PDP’s national meeting, no presidential aspirant opposed Port Harcourt as a venue. He said any presidential aspirant fighting Rivers State should forget about the support of the state, during and after the National Convention. He said: Let me warn the party, if you dare, Rivers State will teach the party a lesson. Those days have passed when they took Rivers State for granted. Nobody can use and dump Rivers State. “No presidential aspirant can
use and dump Rivers State. We never lobbied for it, we never asked for it, but it will boost the economy of the state. People will make money. “Those who are against Rivers people from making money to improve their businesses will not get our support”. The governor said that whether the National Convention holds in Jigawa or Adamawa, the winner preferred by the delegates would emerge. “I don’t know why anyone who wants to be President will be afraid of a venue. Then you are not prepared for the election. “Nobody should dare Rivers State any longer. Enough is enough. PDP should know that we are not a punching bag. We are not a people you can use and push. We are not harlots. Whenever you want, you come. When you finish, you push us aside. “We will retaliate at the appropriate time. When you go, tell your colleagues, the presidential aspirants. We were not interested, but having given it to us, you cannot insult us”, Wike warned. The governor pointed out that there are persons who are not presidential materials, but have bought forms simply because the presidency is zoned to the North. He wondered why a presidential aspirant would declare that he is uncomfortable with Port Harcourt as a venue, but would love Rivers oil. He said: “You come here to deceive us about restructuring. Just that Rivers State is a venue, you
Obasanjo’s Son Endorses Buhari for Second Term Olujonwo Obasanjo, a son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has spurned his father’s rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari and charged Nigerians to re-elect the President as he has positioned Nigeria on the correct path. Olujonwo in a two-page statement of endorsement of the incumbent president, while admitting that no human could be perfect, listed among others, what he claimed as the achievements of the Buhari administration. He said the administration had sparked the revival of the steel industry and moved to stop the importation of petroleum products through the relocation of refineries as achievements of the government. The statement was issued yesterday by Muhammadu Buhari Campaign’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mr. Festus Keyamo, following the receipt of the letter from Olujonwo. Olujonwo, in his statement, said: “The current administration has begun the process of laying a solid foundation for future generations. They have deliberated and contemplated extensively on our myriad of issues and complexity as a nation to proffer deeply rooted plans and polices to tackle and establish a strong base on which to build and consolidate upon. “It is also important to note that this process is not without pains but we should consider where we were, where we are and where we are going. The current administraion has given hope to the common
man; it is the dawn of a new age. “I would humbly and strongly appeal that we all embrace and support Buhari’s government in his aggressive, relentless pursuit of equitable distribution of wealth and resources to the masses to aid the growth and development of our nation. He is seriously improving and empowering local farmers, industrialists, the women, the SME and businessmen. “The government is serious about development and has given new life to the steel industry and the Buhari Administration is determined to industrialise our nation and to make us a producing nation and the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and completion of the baro and Lokoja ports are examples. “The current administration has sought to address our importation of petroleum products through the relocation of refineries. These are few examples, a whole book is needed to put the achievement and successes of the current administration into details. The current administration has invested more in education, health, agriculture, security, road infrastructural development to aid the growth of the economy despite receiving less revenue. “The ingenuity of the current administration in proffering solutions is highly commendable. No human is perfect, no government is perfect, only the Creator of heaven and earth embodies perfection. We are on the right path and should not deviate.
fight it. Then, when you are there, what will happen? You think we are fools where you preach restructuring, then when you get the position, you abandon restructuring”. Wike said that at the appropriate time, he would reveal the names of
presidential aspirants working with the APC Federal Government to scuttle the presidential primary. He added that no aspirant will use a few members of the Board of Trustees of PDP to scuttle the decision of the party to host the Presidential Primary in Port Harcourt.
The governor described Dankwambo as eminently qualified to contest the position of President, adding that the governor would be considered when Rivers delegates meet to decide on who to support. Earlier, Dankwambo, called
on Rivers PDP delegates to support his aspiration as he has the capacity to set the country on the path of growth. He said the crisis of development being suffered by the country is a result of the leadership vacuum at the federal level.
SET FOR 2018 CONFERENCE...
L-R: Member, 2018 Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Annual Conference, Mr. Akeem Oyewale; Vice President, CIS, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe; Chairman, 2018 CIS Annual Conference, Lilian Olubi; and the Register /CEO, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi at a press conference held in Lagos...yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN
FG Approves $64.2m for Electrification of Rural Oil Communities Says worst days on flood over Omololu OgunmadeinAbuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday in Abuja approved $64.2million for electrification of some communities around the escravos areas of Delta State. The federal government has also given an assurance that the worst days on flood are over as the level of water in Cameroun is declining. Briefing journalists at the end of the weekly FEC meeting in the Presidential Villa, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said protest by affected communities in the past had stalled plans by the federal government to execute the Escravos to Lagos pipeline project. According to him, the
communities queried the rationale behind moving 50 per cent of gas from the host communities to supply power to other places when they did not have access to power supply. Kachikwu who said since then, the escravos project had been stalled, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has hitherto been spending N18 million to fuel generators to power the communities. However, he said with the approval of $64. 2 million by FEC yesterday, permanent structure to power the communities would finally be put in place within the next four or five years. “The intervention of the council that we sought today was to seek
approval of the council for the award of contract for the supply of power to contiguous communities that are around the escravos area as part of the ELBS scheme. “You will understand that previously, we had approval to execute the escravos to Lagos pipeline system which was stalled because the host communities came and said ‘why will you move 50 per cent of the gas to provide power to other areas when the host communities did not have power supply? “So, they stalled the project for a long time. Today, we approached the council to approve $64.235, 644 million to fund and also distribute the power within the immediate communities. The council was
gracious to approve that to two specific companies. One is to build the power plant to supply power itself and the other day to distribute the power to all the affected communities “We believe that with this, power will be provided to the immediate communities within a period of four, five years and it will be a permanent structure. In the absence of that, the only way we have been able to maintain peace in the communities is that the NNPC has to use generators to provide light to those areas which has been costing N18 million to enable us maintain peace in the communities . So, today, the council graciously approved $64 million to enable us supply power to those communities,” Kachikwu said.
Ship Owners Threaten to Sue FG over Missing N105bn Cabotage Fund Eromosele Abiodun Ship owners in the country have called on the federal government to urgently put measures in place to unravel the mystery behind the $300 million (N108 billion) Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF) said to have disappeared from the coffers of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between 2008 and 2015. The umbrella body of ship owners, the National Ship Owners Association (NISA) at their annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos yesterday unanimously agreed to engage the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi on the matter after which they will seek legal redress. Also, they called on the federal government to immediately commence the disbursement of the $124 million (N44.64 billion) contributed by ship owners from 2015 to date. Otherwise known as the
Cabotage Act, the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act Number 0.5 of 2003, was enacted in order to place Nigeria in a vantage position to derive maximum benefits from the huge potential in the maritime industry. In order to ensure its successful implementation, the Act also established the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF). The management of the CVFF was put in the hands of Nigeria’s apex maritime regulatory authority, NIMASA. Amaechi had while speaking at a forum in Abuja recently accused ship owners of falling to demand their right when the funds were been frittered away by past management of NIMASA. The minister said the money was spent on unsubstantiated projects and political patronage by the past administration. However, when speaking with THISDAY yesterday, the president
of NISA, Aminu Umar said the ship owners have decided to first engage the government before taking the matter to court. According to him, “We have deliberated on the matter and we have set up a committee to find out how the money was spent, what it was spent on. Yes we know there is another $124 million or $150 million that was contributed between 2015 and now. But we have to first find out what happened to the last one that we contributed. “We are going to make a presentation to the NIMASA management and engage the minister of transportation for him to also look at it and brief us. The truth is this funds belongs to our members, it is our contribution and not government money. So all members have the right to know what happened to their money.” Speaking on the minister’s comment on the matter, he said, “what we want is accountability.
What was the money spent on; this is people’s money we cannot just sit back and allow it to be swept under the carpet. If we know what the money was spent on then the next question will be, “was it spent under the guidelines, did they spend the money according to the law. If these questions are not answered then we take the next step to know why it was so” Following relentless agitation by the Nigerian ship owners that the federal government should disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund in line with set down regulations, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside had recently said the agency would commence the disbursement in 2019. He 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.
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Buhari at UNGA, Pledges Nigeria’s Commitment against Tuberculosis Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in New York pledged Nigeria’s commitment to eradicating tuberculosis in the future. The president made the pledge while addressing a summit on the theme, “United Against Tuberculosis: Global Action Against Global Threat” on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He said he was glad that the event was taking place “at a period when the pain of the disease, and its dire consequences on the health and socioeconomic development of many developing countries, is on the rise.” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president welcomed the adoption of “the all-important political declaration on: ‘United to End Tuberculosis: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic,’”
describing the forum as the first with dedicated focus on worldwide tuberculosis pandemic. He quoted him as saying, “TB has become a global challenge that requires consistent and an allinclusive global strategy based on research and discovery of new drugs.” He also said the president observed that “such efforts must include mobilisation of funds and global partnership of relevant stakeholders working together to frontally address the scourge.” According to Adesina, Buhari said the task before world leaders “is to initiate a global response towards eradicating the disease especially in developing countries, where countermeasures are sometimes beyond the capacity of such nations.” He also said the president emphasised the “need to develop new strategies that connect national responses with international finance and technical partnership to stop the ravaging disease.” Quoting him further,
Adesina said Buhari stated that “Nigeria welcomes the adoption of this Political Declaration, especially its relevant provisions which
commit to provide diagnosis and treatment to 40 million people, including 3.5 million children between 2018 and 2022.”
Furthermore, the statement said president argued that “the Declaration should also serve as a template for preventing TB for those
most-at-risk, through rapid scale up of access to testing the infection, especially for the high-burdened countries.”
BRIDGING INFORMATION GAP...
L-R: Director of Finance and Accounts, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Hajia Bilikisu Sani; Director General, Capt. Usman Murthar; General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, during a parley with information managers and aviation journalists at NCAA Annex, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday KOLAWOLE ALLI
NCAA Records 19, 323 Delays, 348 Cancellations in H1 2018 Ezekwesili Seeks Deregulation of Oil Sector had been rampant in recent Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that no fewer than 19,323 flights were delayed within the country’s airspace in the first half of 2018. Within the same period, another 348 flights were also cancelled among local and international airlines operating within and into the country. This was made known by the Director-General of NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman during presentation at the All Aviation Industry Information Managers’ Conference held at the agency’s annex office at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Usman explained that out of the 19,323 flights delayed, domestic airlines had 16,880 while the remaining 2,443 was among the 33 foreign airlines operating into the country. He also said that within the same period, domestic airline operators cancelled 253 flights while their foreign counterparts had 95 flights cancelled. Usman further stated that within the first half of the year, 17,893 delayed and missing baggage were recorded among the international airlines while the domestic operators had 25 delayed and missing luggage. The director general however, said the authority had warned airlines against unwarranted flight delays and cancellations, stressing that NCAA would not tolerate infringement on air travellers’ rights. It would be recalled that flight delays and cancellations
times with NCAA cautioning airlines against consistent violation of passengers’ rights. Airlines had severally attributed inadequate infrastructure at most of the country’s airports, stressing that until the infrastructure were improved upon, the delays and cancellation would continue. However, statistics indicate that Middle East, Qatar Air, Royal Air Maroc, Rwandair, Saudi Airline, Sudan Air, South African Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways were guilty of flight delays among the international carriers while Delta Air Lines too cancelled some flights within the period. At the yesterday’s meeting, Usman also said within the period, 20 aircraft were registered for commercial air transport while the other 10 were registered for General Aviation (GA). He added: “Between January and June 2018, 10 aircraft were also deregistered by NCAA while another 12 were reregistered by the authority. We also issued 30 certificates of airworthiness and another 85 certificates of airworthiness were renewed by us. “However, in an industry like us, there is need to improve on information dissemination among information managers in the system. Also, we require integrated communication among all information managers in the system particularly during incidences and near mishaps. This is necessary for NCAA to sustain robust regulation in the Nigerian aviation industry.”
Olaseni Durojaiye
Political leadership in the country was again called to question yesterday as a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezkwesili, berated the management of the country’s oil wealth even as she decried the huge expenditure on fuel, increasing fuel consumption price and the constitution, which she said does not encourage savings to buffer the economy against economic challenges. She berated the attitude of political leaders who always want to have control over the oil and gas sector. She added that once the sector is deregulated, most presidential aspirants would not want to contest for the position. She made these declarations at a presidential debate tagged: ‘Oil sector, Reforms, Revenue and stabilisation’ organised by Order Paper Advocacy Initiative, yesterday in Lagos. She spoke alongside development consultant, Tunji Lardner and Israel Aye. While noting the poor handling of the country’s oil
wealth, Ezekwesili reiterated the need to harness the proceeds of the natural resources to build critical infrastructural, drive human capacity development and to strengthen state institutions in order to make the local economy attractive to investors. She stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) lacks market integrity, describing it as being run like an enclave business. She added that it is a sign of leadership failure that there Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is still not in place over a decade after it was first mooted. “I recall when this government first came in and there was the discussion of subsidy or no subsidy, and I said, it is supposed to be their opportunity to deregulate the sector. Deregulate the sector -stop wanting to have political control of oil sector. You don’t need it except if you are inclined towards certain kinds of things. Otherwise, deregulate the sector. “The day the petroleum sector is fully deregulated;
there are people who will never think of wanting to be president of Nigeria because for them that is the slothfulness of leadership. That is not the kind of leadership that a nation like Nigeria deserves. Now we look at the fuel consumption figures, it is because the distortions permit unsubstantiated demands.” “We have a constitution that does not permit you to save. It simply has aprovision, I think in section 82 that once it enters, it should be distributed, so, to save money the leadership has to table it for discussion. Referencing Botswana, she disclosed that upon the discovery of gold in commercial quantity the government of Botswana enacted fiscal and policy measures that made it mandatory to save certain percent of earnings from the product to be invested in critical sectors of the country, adding that the growth of Chinese economy was on the back of appropriate saving cultures. Describing natural resources are vanishing assets with expiry dates, she stated that the real
assets of any country without expiry date is the country’s human capital and argued that the route to go was for the country to channels proceeds from oil into building critical infrastructure and human capacity development adding that the go to economy. “Angola understand the dynamics of natural resources, they know that it is not renewable and has expiry date so what they are able to do is to translate the natural resources into massive investments in infrastructure, invest in world class human capital and instituted reforms and building the right kind of institution that will attract investments into its economy,” she stated. She further warned that if the country persists with the current attitude towards saving it could end up like Venezuela with a poor performing economy amidst massive oil and gas reserve, adding that Nigeria would benefit like is the case with Norway if it institutionalises saving part of its oil windfall.
22 Ministers Absent at FEC Meeting Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The council chamber of the Presidential Villa was more or less deserted yesterday as 22 of 36 ministers were absent at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. At the meeting which started at 11 a.m., only 14 ministers were present when Osinbajo
walked into the chamber and called for rendition of the National Anthem. Of the 22 ministers, six of them accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York while 16 others were purely absent. The 14 ministers present when the meeting took off were Minister of Agriculture, Minister of
State for Agriculture, Minister of Defence, Minister of Communication, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of State for Health, Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity and Minister of State for Labour. Also in attendance were Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Minister of State for Power,
Works and Housing; Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Water Resources. The six who accompanied the president to the United States are: Minister of Foreign Affairs; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; Minister of Health; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Minister of Budget and National Planning; and the Minister of State for Environment.
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NEWSEXTRA
NNPC Boosts Petrol Stock, Increases Supplies against Labour’s Industrial Action Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it has built enough petrol stock to last Nigeria for another 37 days, and had equally directed swift
distribution of the product to all to depots and service stations ahead of the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). It equally stated in a statement from its Group
European Centre Urges INEC to Enhance Women Participation in Politics Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve the quality of women engagement and participation in the political process ahead of the 2019 general elections. ECES President, Monica Frassoni, made the call yesterday at a workshop on “INEC’s Role in Women Participation: Creating Synergy Amongst Women Politicians, Scholars and Activists”, organised by European Union, EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, and ECES in partnership with INEC. According to her, “Nigeria has done a lot in engaging the women demographic. “However, there is still need to do more in meeting global agenda on increased participation of women in the political process. “For example, the percentage of women in the Senate as at January 2017 was 6.5 per cent in Nigeria; 63 per cent in Rwanda;
35.2 per cent in south Africa; 24.1 per cent ; 25.8 per cent,16.4,17.6 per cent, 19.4 per cent and 10 per cent in Somalia, Lesotho, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo DRC, Liberia respectively.” Frassoni stated that the workshop was a timely response to the imperative of ensuring active participation of women in the electoral process both as candidates and voters. Meanwhile, the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that countries with higher level of women participation tend to be more inclusive , responsive , egalitarian and democratic. The Chairman who was represent by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, noted that women around the world are still largely absent from national and local decision making processes and face enormous exclusionary mechanisms that have become serious barriers to participation.
Omo-Agege Challenges Emerhor to Come Clean The senator representing Delta Central senatorial district, Omo Ovie-Agege, has alleged blackmail in a petition filed against him by All Progressives Congress (APC) fellow stakeholder, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. Omo-Agege in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Assistant, Efe Duku, said that it was part of the blackmail against him that led to the alleged smear media campaign in which Omo-Agege was alleged to have been indicted by the California Bar Association. “Yesterday, Emerhor petitioned the InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), that the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege plans to kill him. Although Emerhor’s petition is a shocking, malicious, wicked and brazen lie calculated to blackmail, embarrass and demean Senator Omo-Agege and smear his reputation, our Senator has nonetheless called for its proper investigation. “We note that many have reasonably asked why OmoAgege would ever plan anything against a so-called political opponent who has no electoral value - one who has never won an election in his own polling unit! “Today, barely 24 hours after Emerhor’s wild, wicked,
childish and laughable petition became a media show, a new lie, blackmail and campaign of calumny was launched against Senator Omo-Agege. The blackmailer wants the world to believe that Omo-Agege bears a criminal conviction from California, USA that legally disqualifies him from the 2019 Delta Central senate race. Alleging that it was a proxy game by his political rival, Omo-Agege said he welcomes a healthy scrutiny of the backgrounds of all aspirants for political office. While affirming that he was at one point accused of breaking the law in California during what he described as an illustrious legal career, Omo-Agege said he was, however, wholly cleared of the allegation by the Honourables Lance A. Ito (who presided over the popular O.J. Simpson murder trial case) and G. Magnera of the Court of California, County of Los Angeles. “We are not altogether surprised that the electorally infertile self-acclaimed ’Supreme Leader’ of the Delta APC believes that the easiest and only way to win his first election is to first bring down his own brother with cheap blackmail, lies and judicial magic.
General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, that all its retail service outlets and those associated with it would have adequate petrol to sell to consumers. The corporation urged motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country not to engage in panic buying of products on
account of the industrial action. Quoting the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in the statement, Ughamadu, explained that the federal government was seriously engaging the NLC on the issues it raised. He also stated that the current stock of petrol it has would last for 37 days, adding that all its depots across the country,
including private depots engaged by it on throughput basis, have an abundance of petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians. According to Ughamadu, all of NNPC’s depot managers have been instructed to intensify products loading and other activities in their depots to avert any supply shortfall
with regards to strike. Baru explained that the NNPC would continue to meet the products consumption needs of all Nigerians wherever they may be within the shores of the country. The NLC had directed workers on its platform to proceed on a nationwide warning strike with effect from today.
BREAKFAST MEETING...
L-R:ManagingDirector,NextzonBusinessServicesLimited,Mr.MondayEwans;President,Nigerian-AmericanChamberofCommerce(NACC), Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, and Director, Enterprise, Development and Promotion, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigerian (SMEDAN), Mr. Macauley Atasie at the NACC September breakfast meeting held in Lagos...recently.
MADE Targets 30,000Vulnerable Groups Out of Poverty in Edo, Delta Market Development Programme in the Niger Delta, a DFID funded programme, has said its target is to increase the income of 30,000 vulnerable groups in Edo and Northern part of Delta State within the next two years. The Investment Portfolio Manager, Edo State Investment Portfolio, a component of MADE II programme, Rufus Idris, disclosed this in Benin during a workshop on ‘Skill to Wealth: An Alternative to Irregular Migration,’ organised by Genius Hub with support from MADE, aimed at checking illegal migration. “Our target in Edo and Northern Delta state is to increase the income of 30,000 vulnerable groups through stimulating alternative economic livelihood opportunities in aspirational sectors within the next two years. Also, we want to attract up to £10 million business investment in these aspirational sectors.”
According to him, MADE II is a market development programme in the Niger Delta region aimed at increasing income of 155,000 economically active poor people in the area. He said the plan also include supporting organisations that are providing reintegration service and skills to returnees and vulnerable groups as well as reviewing and reshaping their approach of delivering in a way that is sustainable and can stem irregular migration. “MADE is focusing on priority commercial sectors with strong inclusive growth potentials, namely, Agribusiness, ICT, entertainment, beauty and fashion, wholesale and retail trade, and the renewable energy sector. These sectors are termed aspirational due to their attractiveness to young people and vulnerable groups.” “In stimulating £10 million investment, MADE has advanced discussions with lead firms outside
Edo to see how they can expand their operations and investments. We are also working with government agencies such as Edo Jobs to map the entire 18 LGAs for agricultural produce of economic value that the state has comparative advantage to produce for high value national and international markets. MADE has also established partnership with the Edo investment promotion office to drive competitive investment to the state, starting with the development of an investment brochure showcasing the sectors in the state having comparative advantage, blue chip firms, burgeoning industries, potentially viable sectors, moribund sectors that could be revamped, relevant investor data, facts, figures and outlook for the state,” he said. He explained that they collaborate with lots of private sector firms, NGOs, government agencies to reach target population as MADE only facilitates intervention delivery,
adding that they are working with Genius Hub due to its reintegration of returnees and also helping to promote alternative livelihood for vulnerable groups that may also be victims of irregular migration. He added that MADE was collaborating with NAME Foundation to create a pathway aimed at changing perceptions and behaviour in the creation of awareness about the negative aspects of human trafficking as well as acceptance of economic livelihood opportunities. On her part, Mrs Isimeme Whyte of Genius Hub said they collaborate with MADE on skill to wealth to sensitise women, youths on irregular migration and introduced its reintegration programme to the returnees and other vulnerable groups. She said it aimed to help the returnees to discover their God’s given special skills and talents and empower them on that, adding that they have been able to enable 650 returnees with various abilities.
PDP ASKS BUHARI TO INVESTIGATE FIRST LADY OVER ALLEGED N2.5BN SCANDAL when he received members of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) at the party’s National Headquarters, in Abuja. Secondus, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwomi said that APC in collusion with INEC used a different paradigm to scuttle the Osun election, which was clearly won by the PDP. He stated, “We politicians are seriously worried about what is going to happen to the country after 2019. It is
on record that when we lost election in 2015, we were the first party to concede defeat even when election results has not been released by INEC. “In Nigeria, we practice differential democracy. INEC has been compromised; the security agencies have compromised. We have lost it all under this INEC. “Since this Commission took over, there have been serious complaint over elections conducted by the government. Recently in Kogi and Delta States, they did not declare election inconclusive. It is obvious that INEC and
the federal government are doing whatever they like. In Kogi the cancelled votes were 19,000 and the APC was declared winner with 10,000 votes margin.” Secondus argued that in the last Senatorial election in Kogi, INEC declared the APC winner with about 10,000 vote margin despite the fact that 19,000 votes were cancelled. The party called for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and that of the INEC Commissioner in charge of Operations, who is the cousin of President Muhammad Buhari, who heads
the Operations Unit of INEC. The chairman noted that INEC should be held responsible should anything befall the country after the 2019 election. “We have come to let everybody know that if anything happens in 2019, the federal government should be held responsible. Federal government has the power of arm but we have the power of will”, he restated. On the delegations were Raymond Esebagbom, Country Director, NDI, Dante’s Banes Country Director IRI, Sarah Vegede Toe and Anna Jones.
T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
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THURSDAYSPORTS
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY
FIBA WORLD CUP
AfterGreece,ElonuTargetsAnotherFeatagainstUSA Femi Solaja with agency report As Nigerians are still celebrating D’Tigress’ defeat of Greece and the qualification to the quarter finals of the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup in Tenerife, Spain yesterday, team Captain, Adaora Elonu, has promised that more feats are in the making. Against all odds, Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the last eight stage of the World Cup after defeating Greece by 57 points to 56. Despite D’Tigress 15 to 7 points lead early in the game, the Greeks clawed their way back into reckoning to tie the contest at 15 points heading into the 2nd quarter. The progression thus means that D’Tigress will be up against defending champion, USA, tomorrow. But Elonu has assured teeming Nigerian followers of the tournament that the team will prove a hard nut to crack against the red-hot favourites. “It may look like fairy-tale for everyone because we did not know what to except from the World Cup as none of us had been here before. It’s just a ride that we are taking and I’m happy for us because we’ve
been through a lot and our motto was to stay together and we stayed together,” remarked the Euro League Women regular moments after the win against Greece yesterday. “Greece is a really tough team. I don’t know how we pulled it off, but I’m beyond happy and proud. It ranks really high in my career (as a win) just because of this group of girls. They are my family. “The national team is who you are and your culture. It just resonates so much stronger than any other team - not to take anything away from any other team. “But here, the girls, what we’ve been through and what we’ve had to fight through just to get here, preparations, treatment - it’s been really hard. “But the way that we stick together and have fun off the court, on the court, this is just a great moment and when we face USA in the next match, we hoped to hold ourselves together and as a unit it is possible,” she remarked. Elonu was also quick to hand credit to coach Otis Hughley Jnr for the way he has organised the unit on the floor for this global test. “We own our coach a lot because the mentality with
D’Tigress players in celebration mood after the hard fought win against Greece yesterday in Tenerife, Spain which we are playing so far in this competition is quite different meaning coach Hughley no doubt had made a huge progression to the team,” she pointed out. The win yesterday in the biggest of Spain’s Canary Island had elevated the Nigerian team from mere participant to a major force at the on going event.
Having beaten European powerhouse Turkey earlier in the week, they not only followed it up against Argentina, they made a Euro-double by pipping Greece with a point margin in a dramatic quarter final berth. In the tension soaked match, Sarah Imovbioh replaced injured Aisha Mohammed who until her injury had
been sensational for Nigeria averaging 10 points per game. Kalu Ezinne and Evelyn Akhator led the D’Tigress scorers chart with 14 points while Promise Amukarama weighed in with 13points. Akhator once again emerged the top performer for the team with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists. With about 30 seconds to the
end of the game and Greece leading by a point, Elo Edema caught a rebound before being fouled. She converted the resulting 2 free throws to give the D’Tigress 57points to 56 lead. The game which was only tied in the first quarter saw the D’Tigress end the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters (31-26, 48-37, 57-56) as winners.
Sahara Group Staff Target Gold Medals at 3rd Edition of Saharalympics Leading International Energy and Infrastructure Conglomerate, Sahara Group has raised the performance bar a notch higher as staff from its various locations across the globe gather in Lagos, Nigeria to trade tackles and light up the tracks at the third edition of the Saharalympics. At the stroke of 8 a.m on Saturday, September 29, 2018, the band will strike the opening chord, 100 pairs of training
shoes will ground stomp in unison and the march past will begin, signaling the official start of the biennial games at the Campos Square Mini Stadium, Igbosere, Lagos. Conceived in 2014 to serve as a rallying platform and celebration of Sahara’s diversity, the event represents the energy giant’s commitment to excellence, team work, integrity and professionalism. Speaking on what inspired
the games, Bethel Obioma, Head Corporate Communications said: “Team work, excellence, tenacity and integrity are some of the most critical qualities needed for success in any competitive sport. They also happen to be at the core of Sahara’s work ethic whether individually and as a collective organization. Essentially the Saharalympics is easily one of the fullest and most vibrant expressions of who we are as an organization.”
This year, there are over 20 gender inclusive games and competitions including relay races, 100m, 200m and 400m sprints, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, scrabble, chess, potato sack race, tug of war, treasure hunt and the Egg & Spoon race. Obioma added: “The Saharalympics is certainly very competitive. Whilst there are activities which demand extreme mental and physical
commitment we have also added events like the Egg & Spoon and Potato Sack race as well as the treasure hunt because we relish the lighter, more hilarious moments that accentuate the fun but intensely competitive spirit of the day.” Several companies of the conglomerate will compete against each other in a bid to rack up the highest number of gold medals and best 2016 records. The companies include
Asharami Synergy (Downstream Division), Asharami Energy (Upstream Division), Sahara Power Group, Egbin Power Plc., Ikeja Electric and First Independent Power Limited(all of the Power Division, Centrum, SIVC and CVL (Infrastructure Division) and Sahara Group Ltdthe organisation’s innovation and strategy nerve centre. Speaking further, Obioma said “the beauty of bringing all the companies together for
Lagos Open Tennis: LOC Visits Customs, CIS Share the Spoils as 2018 Maritime Cup Begins Ambode, Seeks for Govt Support The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Lagos Open Tennis on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to seek his continuous support for the championship. The Lagos Open Tennis, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved circuit, will hold from 29 September through 13 October, 2018 with participation from over 130 players across 47 countries of the world. The LOC was led by the Vice Chairman, Afolabi Salami in company of the Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye told the Governor in his office in Alausa, Ikeja of their readiness to host the world as from this weekend in Lagos in the 18th edition of the Lagos Open, formerly the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis. “We paid a visit to His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in his office to seek his moral support and more importantly to tell the Governor
we are ready for the Lagos Open Tennis 2018,” said Oladunjoye. Relieving what transpired during the meeting, Prince Oladunjoye said the “Governor was so elated and confirmed repeatedly his joy and happiness on the change of name that for a city developing as a mega city now have a tournament named after the city where international players across the world will take their time to visit and have fun.” “The Governor even promised to host some of the players during the competition at the State House in Marina and also find time to watch them playing at the venue. He told us that he would particularly have interest in whatever sports or tennis will bring to add glamour to the international profile of Lagos. The vision for the Lagos Open to become a Challenger Series that will attract more foreign players is a welcome development for him.”
The 10th edition of the Annual Maritime Cup Competition organised by Ships & Ports kicked off in grand style at the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Sports Ground, Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday with the opening match between defending champions Nigeria Customs Service and the Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS) ending in a 1-1 draw. Philip Dauzi scored the first goal for CIS in the eight minute of the match while Henry Nwakoni equalised for the Customs team in the 95th minute of the tension-soaked encounter. The opening ceremony of the tournament, which has grown in popularity ever since it was launched in 2009, was witnessed by several maritime industry stakeholders and football fans. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports, Mr. Bolaji
Akinola, said the tournament was part of the company’s effort in contributing to the development of the maritime industry through fostering friendship and the spirit of camaraderie. Akinola, who recalled how the competition started with only four teams in 2009, expressed delight that the aim of the competition was being achieved with the level of participation so far over the years. “We started this competition 10 years ago and I am happy to say that the Maritime Cup is 10 years old today. We started very small with only four teams but here we are, we are growing. “Three years ago, we had 16 teams participating in the competition but then because of exigency of duty and changing priorities, we were able to put together eight teams this year. But the quality of participation
is the most important to us. “Since we started the competition, we have seen various interest groups in the industry come together. Ordinarily, people who would
possibly not have met in the course of duty are meeting annually on the football pitch due to the opportunity provided by the Maritime Cup competition.
PinnickSetforCAFInstallation on His Anniversary Day Providence has made it possible for Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick to have a double celebration on Sunday when the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly holds in Egypt. According to www. sportsvillagesquare.com, on that day, Pinnick will formally be presented as the Senior Vice President to all the chairmen and secretaries of the 56 affiliates of CAF. Symbolically, the day also marks the fourth anniversary of his accession unto the saddle of football administration in Nigeria
after winning the election in Warri. He obtained a renewed mandate that will take him till the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the NFF elective congress in Katsina on September 20. At the CAF General Assembly which will hold at the Egypt Hall of Savoy Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, there will also be election of an African representative to the FIFA Council for the Anglophone linguistic grouping. This is to fill the position vacated by Ghana’s Kwesi Nyantakyi.
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WEDNESDAYSPORTS CARABAO CUP
Hazard’s Strike Ends Liverpool Perfect Season as Arsenal, Spurs Win
Eden Hazard scored a late winner for Chelsea against Liverpool last night at Anfield Eden Hazard scored a stunning late winner as Chelsea came from behind to end Liverpool’s perfect start to the season and their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup. Aside Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs also sailed through into the next round but West Ham United secured the biggest win of the night with a 8-0 win over Macclesfield Town. At Anfield, it was Belgium international Hazard who was introduced as a substitute in the second half and although he was quiet for much of it, burst into action by beating Alberto Moreno and smashing a finish into the far corner. The Blues had been the better side in the first half with striker
Alvaro Morata somehow striking a shot across the goalline and the Spaniard also nodded a free header over the crossbar. Premier League leaders Liverpool, who had won all seven games this season, took the lead through Daniel Sturridge’s well-executed hooked finish, just minutes after the England international missed a completely open net. Chelsea levelled the contest through Emerson Palmieri’s close-range finish which needed intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR) to check for offside before being awarded. Liverpool will be looking for revenge when the two sides meet again in the league on Saturday (kick-off 17:30 BST), while the fourth-round draw
takes place on the same day. At MK Stadium in Milton Keynes, England international, Dele Alli recused Tottenham Hotspur WOTH a late equaliser after Nigeria’ Issac Success had put Watford in front but Erik Lamela for Spurs and Emmanuel Capoue scored late in the match for the match to go into penalty shoot out which the top English Premiership side won 4-2. Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga saved twice in the shootout before Alli scored the winner. Success and Will Hughes scored for Watford in the shootout but Gazzaniga denied Capoue and Domingos Quina. Son Heung-min, Lamela and Fernando Llorente converted Tottenham’s opening three
penalties before Alli, who began his career at MK Dons, slotted past Gomes. Although Tottenham were the ‘home’ side, the game was played at Stadium:MK in Buckinghamshire because of delays in the construction of their new stadium. They had originally expected to move into the 62,000-seater ground by 15 September, but the work has overrun, with no known date for its completion. Tottenham played their first two home Premier League games of the season at Wembley, but that was unavailable for this tie after staging Saturday’s world heavyweight title boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin.
LALIGA
Barca, Real Madrid in Shock Defeat to Legannes, Sevilla Spanish champion, Barcelona and rivals, Real Madrid lost their invincibility on Matchday six but still retained the top position after the round of matches yesterday. Barcelona lost for the first time this season after bottom-of-the-table Leganes came from behind to pull off a sensational victory. Philippe Coutinho had put Barca in front with a 20-yard volley but Nabil el Zhar and
Oscar Rodriguez scored twice in just 68 seconds. Barca boss Ernesto Valverde lost for just the second time in La Liga since taking charge in the summer of 2017. Leganes had just one point from five games going into the match. But they stunned their illustrious opponents after the break, with Gerard Pique at fault for their second goal. The defender inadvertently
passed to Oscar, who is on loan from Real Madrid and slotted home the winner from 12 yards to end the Catalan side’s u beaten run in the season. However, eternal rival, Madrid failed to take advantage of Barcelona slip earlier in the day to go top in the log even with a draw as they lost 0-3 to home side Sevilla. Three quick goals from
Andre Silva in the 17th and 21st minute and another from Frank Vazquez in the 39th minute brought the Losblancos to the earth as they failed in several attempt to reduced the tally. Both team are still tied on 13 points on top of the log but Barcelona still maintain top position on superior goals advantage.
The 2018 Power Forward basketball clinic rolled off yesterday at the National Stadium, Abuja with 10 schools in the FCT featuring in the basketball life skills clinic conducted by former NBA player, Jerome Williams and WNBA legend, Astou Ndiaye. Williams is the former Detroit Piston player while Ndiaye spent 10 years in the WNBA and represented Senegal at four FIBA World Championships. The programme is tailored for students of Model Secondary, Maitama, Rahinna
Model Schools, Jikwoyi, Raberto Schools, Wuse II, Devine Mercy School, Asokoro, Glisten Internatiinal Jahi, Total Child Model School, Dutse, GSS Karu, GSS Zone 3, GSS Garki and GSS Airport. It will end on Friday with a community outreach and a court dedication and boys and girls finals of the 2018 Power Forward basketball season. Power Forward is a youth development initiative of ExxonMobil, NBA and Africare that teaches health literacy, leadership and personal responsibility through basketball and other activities to positively impact
Nigerian secondary school students in Abuja. Now in its fifth year, the programme was launched in Abuja on November 19, 2013 at a high profile ceremony that featured the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon and former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It has reached 700 students from 30 schools in Abuja through its programming and community outreach. The NBA Director Operations for Africa, Franck Traore, remarked that in all 12,000 people had passed through the basketball programme which is a vehicle that teaches Nigerian youth
The management of the Lagos Women Run yesterday unveiled Nigeria’s foremost betting company, Bet9ja as the main sponsor of the run which has been slated for November 10, 2018. According to the General Coordinator of the Run, Tayo Popoola, Bet9ja sponsorship cuts across several aspects of the Women Run, this she said has given the management a soothing relief and respite. She noted that the sponsorship will go a long way in helping participants in the Run to compete under a very smooth atmosphere. Popoola, stressed that, the acceptance of Bet9ja to bankroll the Lagos Women as main sponsor is a landmark achievement for the development of the Lagos Women Run and sports generally in Lagos state. She expressed her gratitude to the management of Bet9ja for finding the Lagos Women Run worthy of the quality sponsorship they have given it. The Bet9ja Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager, Adetunji Meshioye, said at the press conference held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, that, the company was a part of the Lagos Women Run in 2017 as a part sponsor but decided to move a step forward as the main sponsor, because of the company’s desire to contribute positively to the empowerment of the women folks in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. For this year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run, there will be two categories of competitors, the Open Category for runners who
are 18 years old to age 44years and the Veteran category for runners who are 45 years and about. The winners prize money for the Open category was fixed at N500,000, while the Veteran champion will take home N200,000. In the two categories, 10 winners each will be rewarded. The Open category runners in the Lagos Women Run, will run with a separate kit from the veteran runners but all running a route of 10kilometres. The Veterans will run with a round net shirt and purple waist bag, while the Open runners will compete with a v neck shirt and pink waist bag. In the 10 kilometres route from Tafawa Balewa Square start point to the Teslim Balogun, Surulere finish line, designed by Landscape expert, Dapo Adesina, would see registered runners running through 15 historical sites in Lagos. The historical phenomenon of these 15 sites on the Lagos Women Run new route, was explained by renowned Nigeria Cultural Artiste, Muyiwa Osinaike. The organisers noted that the registration of runners for the 2018 Lagos Women Run will close in the midnight of November 9. A total 10,000 runners are expected to compete in the November 10. The General Coordinator of the Women Run noted that, the event will also embrace entertainment, while a raffle draw will be in place to give gifts to as many Lagosians as possible at the finish line of the Run at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
KWESE PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY
Oluyole Warriors Vs Delta Force 7.30pm
Kwara Falcons Vs Hoops & Read 9am
Comets Vs Customs 10.30am
Basketball: 10 FCT Schools to Participate in Power Forward Clinic From Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Lagos Women Run Unveils Bet9ja as Major Sponsor
healthy lifestyle and creates public health awareness against the Malaria scourge. He remarked that the organisers had succeeded through the alumnus programme in monitoring some of the products of the programme, who are now in tertiary institutions. “We have alumni players and some of them are already in universities. They always want to come back because we find them useful to instill whatever they learned in the programme to other young people. They are useful in raising awareness at the community to the threat of Malaria,” Traore said.
Anambra Flames Vs Police Batons 12pm
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Customs 62-58
Police Batons 68-83
Oluyole Warriors
Comets
Anambra Flames
73-90 Kwara Falcons
Delta Force 46-81
Hoops & Read
Thursday, September 27, 2018
TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Price: N250
MISSILE Atiku Abubakar to Olusegun Obasanjo
“I don’t have any problem with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But if he says he has a problem with me, that is his problem� – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, on the alleged rift between him and his former boss, President Obasanjo.
OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
Jim Ovia’s Rise to the Zenith O
nly few people are equipped with the requisite experience and exposure to offer perspectives on how best to waltz through the odds and beat all challenges to attain business success. In Nigeria and indeed Africa, Mr Jim Ovia surely ranks among those few who have what it takes to discuss such a topic at global level, and he recently did by putting down his thoughts. Therefore, if there is any book that would-be-entrepreneurs on the continent need to read, it is ‘Africa Rise and Shine: How a Nigerian entrepreneur from humble beginning grew a business to $16 billion’ because it challenges many of the assumptions on what differentiates those who realize their dreams from the defeated ones who walk quietly back home. In ‘Africa Rise and Shine’, Ovia tells a compelling story of how what is today a multinational bank with branches in several countries started “as a single branch in Lagos on the ground floor of an improvised residential duplex that we shared with a private tenant and his wife�. That is because he and his team could not afford a stand-alone building at the time. Yet, less than three decades later, that same bank has annexed the entire street in the commercial capital of Nigeria, a stretch of road in a highbrow area of Victoria Island, Lagos that has almost become synonymous with Zenith Bank. Without doubt, ‘Africa Rise and Shine’ is a most revealing book. Divided into 30 chapters which explored the gamble, the sacrifices and the expertise that combined to make Zenith Bank what it is today, notable players in both the corporate world and the media like Richard Branson of Virgin Group, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, David Applefield of Financial Times, Dominic Barton of McKinsey and Matt Lilley of Prudent Africa added their insightful blurbs. Though initially inspired by an Africa Forbes magazine cover story, “Why $825 Million Means Nothing to Me - Jim Ovia: The Godfather of Banking,� which sold out within days of publication, Ovia said the moment he began writing the book, his determination was to respond to some negative stereotypes by illustrating the untold story of the positive vibes in Africa - a continent of abundant human and natural resources that is also brimming with immense and diverse investment opportunities. And to a large extent, he delivered. While ‘Africa Rise and Shine’ sheds light on the principles and practices that brought Ovia to fame and fortunes, the author also sought to provide insight, not just for bankers, but for other young African professionals on how to nurture their endeavours to success. First, Ovia appreciates the daunting challenges such as infrastructural deficits, unstable government policies and other factors that often confront entrepreneurs on the continent. But going by his story, such deficiencies can actually be platforms on which successful dreams could be built and nurtured. Principal among the secrets of Ovia’s success, for instance, is an intuitive entrepreneurial ability to consider obstacles as entry points to brand building and the vision to translate “not yet� into “finally now�. According to Ovia in ‘Africa Rise and Shine’,
Ovia he listens to his gut and takes his instincts very seriously. A good illustration is that while studying in the United States in the seventies, though his college advisor convinced him to focus on business management and administration, he held on to his passion for computer science at a period Bill Gates and Paul Allen were just coming up with Microsoft. “My career could be plotted on a graph as series of gut decisions that propelled me further and further ahead of others of the pack. Most significant has been my interest from a young age, in emerging technologies that simply did not exist in Africa, and basing decisions on the belief that mastering and incorporating them onto business - especially computer and internet technology - was imperative for any business wishing to survive and grow in business,� Ovia wrote. Apparently pushed by that intuition, in the course of his senior years at the university, Ovia took up a night job as a computer operator at the Baton Rouge Bank and Trust, a move he considered “greatly fortuitous� because he was being paid for a knowledge he craved. It was also while at the bank that Ovia got his most remarkable experience by gaining insight into how an America bank uses data processing in its operations, a knowledge he later deployed when he founded Zenith Bank. Although the emphasis of the author is that his instinct paid off, it is also difficult to discountenance preparation which is necessary for any entrepreneur desirous of success as well as the ability to take calculated risks both of which were evident in the Ovia story. On the former, instinct may have fired Ovia’s interest in computer at a time it was not so popular but there was also a desire to prepare ahead for what he saw as the next big break. Armed with a first degree in Business Administration in 1977 and an MBA two years later from the University of Louisiana in Monroe, Ovia upon return to Nigeria combined his mandatory National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) primary assignment with a second job, which entailed writing feasibility reports for manufacturing companies. After his NYSC
in 1980, he joined the International Merchant Bank (IMB), a subsidiary of First International Bank of Chicago as a financial analyst. Again, while there, according to Ovia, he received “excellent training from very experienced bankers.� Knowledgeable about banking techniques and capitalising on the collapse of oil prices in 1980s, which led to the implementation of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) in 1986, a measure designed to restore the Nigerian economy by extending opportunities to the private sector through commercialising or privatising previously regulated industries, Ovia toyed with the idea of applying to acquire a banking license. “When I learned of the opportunity, I decided to make an application to acquire a banking license� he recounted. At this point, the story gets more interesting. “There were two types of banking licenses issued in Nigeria at that time - those for merchant banks and those for commercial banks. The latter required a higher equity contribution of N20 million ($4 million) from investors and entailed more difficult business operation, therefore many chose the easier route of applying for a merchant bank license (equity contribution of N6 million - $1.2 million). My gut told me to go the more expensive, complicated route - the road less traveled. So, I decided to apply for a commercial banking license instead�, Ovia wrote of the gamble that paid off. Written essentially for young entrepreneurs within the continent who are still trying to find their bearing as well some of the aspiring ones who feel discouraged by the daunting challenges they confront, ‘Africa Rise And Shine’ contains several wise nuggets, including learning negotiation skills even from the most mundane of experiences. But the bottomline remains that negotiations involve ultimately finding common grounds for the benefit of the parties while the shrewdest would always secure the best deal. On many occasions, Ovia came on top in such negotiations as can be glimpsed from the chapter on ‘How and why MTN bought Visafone’. Indeed, that latent skill in negotiations had helped Ovia when it came to what he tagged “the most important negotiation in my banking career.� That was when CBN was to determine which applications for banking licences were to be recommended for approval. During the interview session, officials from the apex bank’s supervision department had said to him: “Mr Ovia, we regret, although we ate impressed with your credentials, that we cannot grant our recommendation for you to be the CEO of a bank. In fact, we are surprised that you are applying at all, for you must be aware that applicants complete
twenty years of banking experience to quality for such license. You have had only ten years of banking experience. “ Undaunted, Ovia said he told the CBN team that he was aware of the rule, but insisted that he had gained superior banking experience at global institutions like IMB, FNBC’s subsidiary in Nigeria and Merchant Bank of Africa, a Bank of America subsidiary, and that he had everything it took to run a successful bank. “In the end, the CBN directors issued their approval to the Minister of Finance, recommending that I be granted my application to become the pioneer CEO of the new Zenith Bank,� he recalled. This is instructive because, according to Ovia, “of the twenty-five CEO applicants that CBN recommended to the Minister of Finance, only three in addition to myself had just ten years of experience. After that, they imposed a mandatory requirement of twenty years’ experience, and that rule is still in effect today. If I hadn’t negotiated as I did, I would have been forced to wait many years to make my applications.� Reading through ‘Africa Rise and Shine’, Ovia’s zeal to create a first-class bank was evident in all the growth stages of Zenith Bank. That zeal saw him through the licensing stage, commencement of operations, introduction of innovative banking systems, as well as in the aggressive growth strategy both locally and internationally. Of course, there were also challenges along the way. The bank survived the 1999 Y2k millennium bug and the 2004 federal government directive that banks must be recapitalised at a minimum of N25 billion ($188 million) from N2 billion, or be liquidated. It was a development that sunk 65 of the 90 banks in existence back then, but Zenith was one of the only two banks that had no need to acquire or merge with any other financial institution. To cope with that, the bank simply announced an initial public offering (IPO), which was oversubscribed to the tune of a whooping N48 billion ($360 million back then). While ‘Africa Rise and Shine’ is highly recommended for the insights it provides for budding entrepreneurs as well as teachers and students of business on the continent, the story of Ovia will however be incomplete without underscoring his insatiable urge to give back to the country that has given him the opportunity to soar so high and that was well captured in the concluding part of the book. In the end, ‘Africa Arise and Shine’ is a story of how business success could be achieved through a strong commitment to one’s inspired dream, an abiding tenacity of purpose and a can-do spirit that sets apart only a few from the crowd.
Osun and the 3,498 ‘Super Delegates’ At the end, the decision as to who becomes the next Governor of Osun is left in the hands of 3,498 voters in just seven polling units across four local government areas in the state. But given how high the stake has become, it is my prayer that the exercise does not degenerate into another bazaar‌ the choice has been narrowed down to two: Senator Ademola Adeleke of PDP who
led with 353 votes and Gboyega Oyetola of APC who came second. A politician I discussed with on Monday said he would win were he to be either the PDP or the APC candidate by simply treating the 3,498 voters as ‘super delegates’ with N200,000 allocated for each... t/PUF 1MFBTF TFF QBHF GPS UIF QJFDF
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