FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018

Buhari Rallies IMF, World Bank for Repatriation of Stolen Funds

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in New York, United States, solicited the support of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in repatriating stolen funds from Nigeria.

The president made the appeal while addressing participants at a media launch with the theme: “Illicit Financial Flows and the Fight against Corruption: Curbing the Existence of Safe Havens – the Role of Africans in the Fight against Corruption."

Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the president recalled how he embarked on a trip to the Middle East in the first quarter of 2016 to canvass the return of stolen assets and simultaneously hand over the culprits for trial in Nigeria.

The statement also said

He told the participants that he had “enlisted the support of multi-lateral institutions like the World Bank, IMF, security agencies, and friendly nations to locate and recover and help repatriate stolen assets.”

Special Adviser to the President on Media and

the president recalled that in January 2017, Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed judicial treaties on extradition, transfer of convicted persons, and mutual legal assistance on criminal matters.

Furthermore, the statement added that the president also

recalled that in March 2016, the Nigerian government and its Swiss counterpart signed a letter of intent on the restitution of forfeited assets illegally acquired in Switzerland to pave the way for repatriation of $321 million Continued on page 8

Telecoms Industry Loses N1.06tn to Call Masking in Two Years… Page 10 Friday 28 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8563. Price: N250

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Strike Continues as Presidency, Labour Fail to Agree Action records partial success in several states Banks, fuel stations open Economy losing billions of naira, say experts

Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Chiemelie Ezeobi, Chinedu Eze, Eromosele Abiodun in Lagos

The warning strike declared by organised labour continues today despite the intervention of the presidency, which met yesterday with leaders of the striking workers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari, had met with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, and his team to work out a truce that would see the workers suspend the

strike and return to work while negotiations resumed on Thursday as proposed by the federal government.

Nothing concrete came out of the conversation.

"We've just finished a

meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President and we did not say anything different. The strike continues tomorrow until further notice," NLC General Secretary, Mr. Peter Ozo-Eson, told

THISDAY last night and said the strike would continue as nothing new came out of the discussion.

Kyari told State House Continued on page 10

APC Subdues PDP, INEC Declares Oyetola Winner of Osun Gov Race Main opposition party rejects result, says it’s an electoral robbery Foreign observers express concern over alleged interference

Nsebong Okon-Ekong in Lagos ,Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Adedayo Akinwale, Palvin Namero in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) finally subdued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced its candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, as the eventual winner of the Osun State governorship election.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Fuwape, said Oyetola prevailed over PDP’s Senator Ademola Adeleke, his main opponent at yesterday’s supplementary election, the

main one held last Saturday having ended inconclusively.

It was a clean sweep for Oyetola who had trailed behind Adeleke by 254,345 votes to 254,698, leaving a margin of 353 votes.

At yesterday’s contest held in seven units across four local governments of the state, the APC cancelled the negative margin, besting the PDP flag bearer by a margin of 472 votes.

Fuwape said Oyetola scored 1,150 votes at yesterday’s duel to bring his haul in the race to 255,495 votes, while Adeleke got 325 more votes to close up at 255,023.

Specifically, the APC scored Continued on page 8

Ambode Inaugurates Campaign ICT SAVVY… CEO, Mr. Satya Nadella (left), and GMD/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Chief Herbert Wigwe, during a discourse on Banking and Organisation, Trains Ward Agents … Page 10 Microsoft Technology at Microsoft Head Office in Seattle, USA…yesterday

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Ambode Inaugurates Campaign Organisation, Trains Ward Agents In readiness for Saturday’s direct primary election, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s team has approved specialised training for 1,960 personnel that will serve as agents in all the 245 wards in the constitutionallyrecognised 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) where the primary election is expected to take place.

This development comes on the heels of the inauguration of the Ambode Campaign Organisation coordinators

and offices in the three senatorial districts in the state, with functional outposts across the 20 LGAs. In a statement by the Directorate of Media and Strategy of ACO, the agents were selected and trained “to be the eyes and ears of Governor Ambode as the candidate of choice in the primary election.�

The statement added that while being vigilant and uncompromising, the agents have been tutored

to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner as loyal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who want the best for the party and for democracy by ensuring that the best candidate emerges on a level playing ground.�

Ambode had on Wednesday reiterated his intention to participate in Saturday’s primary election in line with the preference of the party and the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).

The governor’s position has sent jubilation and encouragement to the teeming supporters of the governor who believe that the governor deserves a second term in office in order to consolidate on his numerous landmark socio-infrastructural achievements in the past three and half years.

In his declaration on Wednesday, Ambode had stated his intention to seek re-election with a “grateful heart, open arms and a

pledge to open and pay deeper attention to the concerns of this one, big family.�

He also stated that a return of the party’s ticket to him will “guarantee the stability of the state’s growing economy; ensure continuation of the growth and development it has witnessed over time and ensure that the opposition does not take root in Lagos State.�

Meanwhile, buoyed by

the governor’s genuine commitment to the development of the state as well as his gratitude and reference to the APC’s National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and elders of the party in the state, several special interest groups in Lagos APC have endorsed the governor’s candidacy, insisting that his sterling performance and reconciliatory conduct should earn him the deserved second term in office.

by inappropriate persons in the rerun election.

Giving their initial observation on the conduct of the exercise, a member of the team in a short statement said, “We are very concerned by these reports and will be checking with stakeholders to check the facts. We call on all stakeholders to remain calm.�

The observers stated their position while addressing journalists in Osogbo in an interview televised by the TVC television station.

Also commenting on the exercise, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) faulted it, saying that the conduct of some key stakeholders clearly ran contrary to democratic norms and standards, as well as best practices in the conduct of credible elections.

The CDD lamented that a number of the incidents recorded during the poll had undermined the sanctity of the vote and the overall credibility of the electoral process.

The centre specifically frowned at the conduct of the security agents as well as political party stalwarts who took steps that were clearly inimical to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

The Director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja, where she decried that election observers who attempted to carry out their legitimate duties were arrested and taken to nearby police station, and were only released after being denied the opportunity to keep an eye on the process so as to guarantee its credibility.

Hassan stated: “The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has carefully observed the governorship rerun election in Osun State with a conclusion that the conduct of some key stakeholders clearly ran contrary to democratic norms and standards, as well as best practices in the conduct of credible elections. “CDD observers reported

several cases of denial of access to Polling Units to observers, and even voters. CDD field observers deployed to observe the process and ensure its credibility, especially in Orolu and Osogbo LGAs, were intimidated, threatened and in some cases arrested by security forces. “Credible reports from our field observers showed that despite being duly accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), several of the observers and journalists were stopped from observing the process.�

APC SUBDUES PDP, INEC DECLARES OYETOLA WINNER OF OSUN GOV RACE 299 votes in Osogbo LGA; 280 in Orolu; 455 in Ife South; and 126 in Ife North.

He said the PDP garnered 165 votes in Osogbo; 122 in Orolu; 36 in Ife South and two in Ife North.

Announcing the final results, Fuwape, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, said having scored the highest number of votes, Oyetola was returned as the winner of the governorship election and Governor-elect of Osun State.

But the PDP said the APC victory might be short-lived, describing it as "electoral robbery", which will be resisted. The state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Soji Adagunodo, described the supplementary election "as the most brazen assault on democracy and biggest robbery ever witnessed in the history of the state."

He accused the security personnel of aiding "the open robbery perpetrated by the APC." Adagunodo explained that thousands of eligible voters were chased away from their homes in Orolu, Ife North and Ife South in the early hours.

He said, "Scores of our supporters in those local governments were shot and matchetted on their way to polling centres and in the full glare of security men.

Hundreds of people holding PVCs from other polling units were accredited and allowed to vote in Osogbo and Ife South Local Government Areas. PDP agent in Olode was axed and abducted about 7a.m. yesterday. “It was regrettable that election in seven polling units could not be freely and fairly concluded by the INEC. We reject any return of results from this sham and call on the INEC authorities in Abuja to direct that the so called supplementary election result collation be put on hold."

The PDP state chairman further invited leaders of thought in Nigeria and the

International community to "rescue Nigeria's democracy from being ruined."

He called on all members and supporters of our party to resist any attempt to foist a concocted election result on the people of Osun using all legal means at their disposal."

However, the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, countered the accusations against his party, saying, "The PDP was unable to manipulate the result this time around, so they are crying foul."

Oyatomi said, "We have always known that the PDP had made elaborate arrangements to rig the election through the manipulation of the card readers and it was this process that gave them the votes in the first ballot."

He asserted that the PDP win in the first ballot was a surprise.

According to him, "Most people in Osun had the believe that it would be a straight fight between the APC and Social Democratic Party (SDP). But as God would have it, Osun was saved from the vultures."

Oyatomi also noted, "They attempted to win by fraud, they failed in the first round and eventually lost the rerun election."

Apart from Ward 5 Unit 17 in the Osogbo metropolis, polling units in the remaining three local government areas were domiciled in far-flung areas that were not easily accessible.

However, the election was characterised by heavy presence of security agents and a good turnout of voters.

Officials of INEC arrived the polling units on time.

In order to quicken the process, more polling booths were provided. Card readers were deployed to accredit voters in all the units visited

by THISDAY and the process was largely peaceful.

Few cases of conflicts were reported, but the situation was quickly brought under control

by vigilant security agents.

Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) reporter, Mr. Tosin Oladokun and Kaftan Television crew led by Mr. Jude Ochinma, were attacked by suspected hoodlums in Ward 5 Alekuwodo, Osogbo, where the governorship rerun was conducted.

The hoodlums reportedly damaged the OSBC official vehicle and seriously wounded the crew who were on official assignment to cover the exercise.

Security agents in the area, including military personnel dislodged the suspected thugs who laid siege to Akindeko market but were unable to arrest the culprits.

Acting Chairman, Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Kehinde Ayantunji, who was at the polling unit at the time of the attack, confirmed the incident.

He said the police intervened swiftly but were unable to apprehend the culprits, who fled when the police stormed the scene of the attack.

He described the action as regrettable, saying media must not at time be the victim of electoral violence.

The police also arrested a woman and two middle aged men at the polling unit on Adewale Street, Ward 5, Unit 17 Alekuwodo in Osogbo local government area for alleged possession of voter cards belonging to other polling units.

Agents of some political parties had raised the alarm over the presence of the persons, who were not registered voters in the unit.

Security operatives intervened to bring the matter under control by taking the individuals away.

Also, some supporters of a particular political party in the state were arrested for possessing assorted charms and Indian hemp at a polling unit in Osogbo.

Secondus: Democracy under Siege

Earlier and before the announcement of results, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, had called for the cancellation of the supplementary election, saying it was fraught with malpractices.

Secondus spoke at a press conference in Abuja, where he said the state was under siege as security agencies deliberately chased away journalists, observers and supporters of the party from exercising their basic rights.

The party lamented that if what happened in Osun is what would happen in the 2019 general elections, the future of Nigerian democracy is bleak, warning that the country is sliding into crisis.

Secondus stated: “Today we are all aware of the rerun election in Osun State as we address the press conference.

We, the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have reviewed what has happened since, from the distribution of materials to the actual voting that has taken place in some of the units and wards. “We found that Osun is under siege, therefore today is a black day for Nigeria.

We would think that it is a state or some units, but if you look at what has transpired so far from Ekiti to Osun State, Nigerians are groaning in pains especially the Osun people.� “INEC must rise above what is happening in Osun and declare our candidate winner immediately and all the units where the security agencies have seized our people, beaten up, their PVCs collected from them, INEC should immediately cancelled the elections in those areas.�

Foreign Observers Express Concern over Alleged Interference Meanwhile, the election observation team of the U.S., EU and UK have expressed concern over alleged reports of irregularities, harassment and interference

BUHARI RALLIES IMF, WORLD BANK FOR REPATRIATION OF STOLEN FUNDS illicitly acquired.

According to Adesina, Buhari noted that arrangements had been put in place for the monitoring, assessment and reporting of the United Nations 2030 Goals on Sustainable Development.

He also said Buhari appealed to Africans in the Diaspora to

come up with suggestions aimed at combatting the menace of corruption on the continent.

The statement also said Buhari described corruption as a “cancer� which could only be checked by global efforts, recalling the negative impact of corruption on the continent.

It also said the president acknowledged the massive social and economic costs of corruption and illicit financial flows, lamenting that they have continued to impede growth and development of Africa.

The statement also said Buhari cited a study conducted in 2015 by an African Union

Panel headed by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, which it said estimated the flow of $50 billion illicit funds out of the continent every year. “According to the report, about US$2.5billion of the US$50billion of Illicit Financial Flows was in respect of commercial activities.

"It is obvious that the continent still battles with grand corruption at the highest level, with Safe Havens, opaque systems in many recipient countries and the outright willingness of some advanced countries to harbour stolen funds from Africa,� he was quoted to have said.

Fani-Kayode: APC Chieftains Playing with Fire Reacting yesterday, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said that the re-run election was a charade, saying that the conduct of the APC during the election showed that Nigeria has a long way to go and thereby declared that President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Bola Tinubu, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other leaders of the APC are playing with "fire" over the re-run election.

"The truth is there was no election in Osun State on Thursday," he said, adding, "It was violence all through.

It was daylight robbery and theft. It was a violation of the dignity, rights and sovereignty of the people of Osun State and Yorubaland."

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Telecoms Industry Loses N1.06tn to Call Masking in Two Years Regulator bans 750,000 suspected lines

Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, yesterday disclosed that the telecoms industry lost N1.06 trillion ($3 billion) revenue to Call Masking, Call Refiling and SIM Boxing within a space of two years.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta, who made the disclosure at the 85th edition of the NCC organised Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), which held in Lagos yesterday, said aside the revenue loss, the situation was posing serious national security threat.

Danbatta, who was represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau at NCC, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the revenue loss started in September 2016 when

the NCC reviewed and implemented a new call termination rate for international inbound traffic from N3.90k per minute to N24.40k per minute.

He said the operators involved in call masking and refiling took undue advantage of the hike in international termination call rate to tamper with international calls and terminate them as local calls in order to avoid paying the new rate, thereby defrauding the telecoms industry, trillions of naira within a space of two years.

"So what is happening since 2016 is a clear indication that some unscrupulous elements want to continue to fraudulently profit from the earlier lop-sidedness in the International Termination Rate (ITR), which we had before the 2016 review," Danbatta said.

Worried by the ugly

situation, Danbatta said NCC investigated the fraud and arrested some operators involved in call masking and call refiling.

He said in the process, NCC barred 750,000 lines assigned to 13 operators from the national network. The lines, which were barred this year, were suspected of being used for masking and NCC took a hard and no-compromise stance to withdraw the use of such lines.

Call masking and refiling is basically when an international call ID is tampered with and terminated in Nigeria as a local number, while SIM Boxing is a process of creating an artificial middle man with device that alternates call rates. The perpetrators have ulterior motive of profiting from price differentials between international and local call termination rates.

According to Danbatta, despite regulatory actions, call masking persisted as telecoms consumers continued to express outrage over call masking, even as security agencies constantly put pressures on the Commission to find lasting solution to the menace.

Danbatta said as part of zero tolerance for communications fraud in the market, its determination to stamp out the practice in the industry, the NCC in collaboration with different stakeholders and security agencies held series of meetings, which led to the suspension of six indicted interconnect exchange licensees in February 2018.

In other to completely address the issue, the Director, Legal Services at NCC, Mrs. Yetunde Akiloye, said NCC would continue to monitor the networks and sanction more operators and individuals

who are still involved in call masking, call refiling and SIM Boxing.

She said NCC's earlier interventions had helped to reduce the rate of call masking by 25 per cent and SIM Boxing by 40 per cent.

To curb the ugly trend in call masking and refiling, NCC, therefore, called on telecoms subscribers and the Nigerian populace to report cases of call masking and refiling to a special code: 622.

"The Commission is set to take the bull by the horn towards putting an end to call masking menace in the country. NCC is leveraging different consumer platforms to deepen awareness campaign on call masking and we advise consumers to report the local numbers through which they receive foreign calls as masked calls to the Commission for proper tracking," Danbatta said.

In her speech, Onwuegbuchulam said the Commission had been inundated with complaints by telecoms consumers and other industry stakeholders on the rising wave of call masking and refiling, which she said, posed security and economic risks.

Some telecoms operators who attended the consumer parliament, condemned call masking and refiling and called on NCC to increase its awareness campaign on eradication of call masking, and impose severe sanctions on all those involved in the act in order to save the telecoms industry that is currently valued at $70 billion.

They also advised subscribers to ensure that they duly and personally register all new SIM cards purchased and to avoid patronising pre-registered SIM cards.

can offer to alleviate their sufferings.

Addressing journalists at the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of NASU in Abuja, the General Secretary, Mr. Peter Adeyemi, said he had directed members to comply fully with the warning strike.

Adeyemi lamented the ugly state of workers’ welfare particularly the non-payment of salaries to workers in stateowned tertiary institutions.

The labour leader also expressed worry over the apparent foot-dragging being witnessed in the negotiations for new national minimum wage.

According to NASU General Secretary, it amounts to great insensitivity for President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate a tripartite committee on new minimum wage only to allow its lackadaisical approach to its assignment.

Similarly, health workers under the auspices of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) yesterday rallied support for industrial action, which entered the second day today.

The President of MHWUN, Mr. Biobelemoye Josiah, who said that the national minimum wage was supposed to be reviewed after every five years, lamented the apparent reluctance by the federal government and the states to conclude action on a new minimum wage.

"We at the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, wish to register our unalloyed support to the NLC under the leadership of Ayuba Wabba,� he said, adding, "We have watched with keen interest unfolding events leading to this unfortunate situation and are convinced that organised labour has exhibited the highest level of civility, patience and respect for due process in the quest for the legitimate aspirations of the working class."

In Lagos, Vice President of NLC, Mr. Amaechi Asugwuni, led other members to several

sectors to enforce compliance with the directive to embark on strike.

Some of the areas where compliance was enforced were Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa and other agencies and parastatals.

It was gathered that the workers who had no inkling about the strike had reported to work only to be turned back at the gates of their respective offices.

The Lagos State Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Idowu Adelakun, said the strike was long overdue, given the body language of the federal and state governments in living up to the required minimum wage.

The labour unions were said to have arrived the secretariat early enough to stop workers from gaining entrance into the premises.

Stressing that they would not leave the premises until 2p.m., he said they would repeat the move for the next seven days to ensure that there was compliance with the strike action, as well as no destruction of lives and property.

He said, "When we call for a strike action like this and we are not here, some people may decide to go inside and start spoiling government property. As leaders, we are responsible enough.�

Also speaking to newsmen in Lagos yesterday, the President General of MWUN, Mr. Adewale Adeyanyu, said the maritime union had to comply with the directive of the union by calling his members out for strike.

According to him, “We are complying with the national leadership and there won't be economic activities at the seaports throughout the warning strike.�

MWUN is comprised of four branches, which include the Dockworkers, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), shipping and members of the MWUN. Meanwhile, when THISDAY visited the Lagos

port complex, Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port yesterday, the ports were in total shut down.

THISDAY findings revealed that MWUN members shut the gates against clearing agents seeking entrance into the ports to clear cargoes.

Also, shipping companies, banks around Apapa were short down. Only the Nigeria Customs Service officers were allowed entrance into the ports.

A senior manager at the APM Terminals, APAPA informed THISDAY that there were no activities at the quayside.

He also confirmed that the port gate has been closed against vehicles from accessing or exiting the ports.

STRIKE CONTINUES AS PRESIDENCY, LABOUR FAIL TO AGREE correspondents that the meeting was called to know how the negotiations that had already commenced on the minimum wage got stalled and was swift to explain that it was the process of arriving at the figures that stalled the negotiations.

"The purpose of this meeting is to know what led to the strike. It is the process of arriving that figure that got stalled," he said.

Also speaking, Wabba said the meeting with the Chief of Staff was fruitful Asked if the strike action would be called off following deliberations at the meeting, Wabba said the output of the meeting would be tabled before relevant organs of the organised labour before they could know the next line of action.

According to him, the federal government had made a promise to the group.

Wabba however, failed to disclose the nature of the promise made by Kyari.

He said, "The Chief of Staff tried to give us detail of government position which we will have to go and convey to our members and then we can revert back to him.

"This is how far we have gone but clearly I think we have tried to share details of the information that pertain to the issue of the national minimum wage and how the ongoing negotiation was stalled and also the best way to get out of it.

"Government has given us their words which we will also go and communicate to our members and revert back to government.

"The strike as you are aware is called by a larger organ until we get their mandate before we can make any pronouncement on the strike.

"All the discussion we have had, we will communicate to our members and therefore it is the outcome of our meeting with our members that we will also communicate to government."

"We will try to do that very

shortly as soon as possible.

As we get out of here we put our heads together and try to see how to get our organs informed."

But a member of the delegation disclosed at the background that the strike would continue despite pleas from Kyari that it should be called off, saying the government had enough time to avert the strike but failed.

"The Chief of Staff was begging us to call off the strike but it is not possible now. If we do it, our members will lynch us."

The industrial action, called to protest the sluggish approach to the workers demand for an upward review of minimum wage, was partially successful in several states across the country as workers, particularly those in public service shunned work.

Banks and fuel stations, however, opened their doors to customers.

A drive round major cities, particularly Abuja, the seat of the federal government, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano and others saw some affiliate unions of the organised labour, especially in the private sector defying the order to close shops.

However, many federal civil servants, teachers in public schools stayed away from work across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Also affected was the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) where activities were paralysed by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

However, same was not the case as banks and petrol stations opened for business.

In the FCT and Lagos, virtually all the banks carried on with their business activities, ignoring the strike.

THISDAY findings revealed all the banks on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, including Access Bank, Ecobank, Diamond, UBA, FCMB, among others opened for

normal business activities.

In Lagos, virtually all banks opened for business at different locations.

Also, a visit to both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) also revealed normal work activities.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, local and international airlines were seen operating to different destinations, as the heads of the unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Service Senior Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) disclosed in a joint statement that they did not join the strike due to national delegate conference of NUATE scheduled for September 26 to 28 in Asaba.

They added that the labour centre had granted moratorium to all the aviation unions to allow for the conclusion of the conference.

The statement, however, said they would join the strike on Tuesday, October 2.

The strike by NLC got a boost with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria expressing their support for the warning strike.

Government hospitals in the FCT observed the strike although skeletal services were offered by some of the health workers.

NASU and the health workers’ union in their reactions expressed outrage over the continued delay in the conclusion of minimum wage negotiations.

The unions urged their members to make sure they use their voter’s cards to vote out governors that are owing workers’ salaries.

They also asked workers to interrogate politicians seeking public offices on what they

Economy Losing Billions of Naira, Say Experts However, the Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, estimated that the country would have lost over N1 billion from the nationwide industrial action, saying that the amount would be higher if the oil workers also down tools.

Ekpo called on government to intervene because the industrial action is not healthy for the economy that is struggling to recover. “The government should intervene and still the strike because this is not healthy for the economy that is struggling to recover. The issue at hand is minimum wage and they should have reached this agreement long ago,� he added.

Also, the Managing Director, Afrinvest Securities Limited, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, advised the organised labour to come up with a blueprint on how the government can reduce the cost of governance as well as revenue leakages, “so that there would be enough for them to cater for an increase in minimum wage.�

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

19 Firms Submit Bids to Acquire Afam, Yola Discos Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

No fewer than 19 firms have indicated interest to acquire the Afam Power Company and the Yola Distribution Company (YDC) already put up for sale by the federal government.

While seven companies submitted bids to buy Afam, 12 others submitted for the acquisition of the Yola Disco, at the close of the submission of bids for the Expression of Interest (EoIs) for the two power companies.

The Head, Public Communications of the Bureau of Public- Enterprises (BPE), Amina Othman Tukur, in a statement shortly after the 1 p.m. deadline for the submission of EoIs for the two companies on September 26, 2018, said the bidding companies were renowned players in the power industry.

Tukur said the evaluation committee earlier set up by the BPE to scrutinise the bids was immediately after the expiration of the deadline, inaugurated by the Bureau’s Director of Energy, Mr.Yunana Jackdell Malo to commence work.

The request for expression of interest in the two companies was published by the BPE

in national newspapers on August 16, 2018.

Although Yola Distribution Company was successfully privatised and handed over to the core investor in 2013, a force majeure was declared in 2015 by the core investor citing insecurity in the Northeast region of the country.

Following this, the company was duly repossessed by the federal government.

Integrated Energy and Distribution Marketing Company (IEDM), a firm fronted by Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Capt. Osa Okunbor, and a former military head of state, Gen. Abudulsalami Abubakar, had acquired the Yola and Ibadan Discos for $228 million in 2013 under the privatisation programme.

A year later, Integrated Energy was forced to declare force majeure and returned Yola Disco to the federal government on the grounds that it was impossible to operate and access the assets of the electricity distribution firm in the North-east due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

After a joint evaluation of the electricity asset, as provided under the terms of the share purchase

agreement, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Ministry of Power, in the twilight of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, had approved $186 million as the sum to be refunded to Integrated Energy.

But the payment of the sum was stalled over concerns that the $186 million was too high, forcing the parties to the transaction to renegotiate the compensation to be paid

to Integrated Energy.

The non-payment of the refund to Integrated Energy has been linked to some of the non-performing loans (NPLs) on the books of Skye Bank Plc, as the promoters of Integrated Energy had borrowed from the bank to acquire and inject capital into Yola and Ibadan Discos.

The federal government later renegotiated and reached an agreement with Integrated

Energy on a payout of $87.8 million as against the $186 million earlier approved as compensation to the company after it returned the Disco to the federal government.

However, their inability to service the loan for Yola Disco was one of the factors that led to the erosion of Skye Bank’s capital adequacy and liquidity ratios and ultimately takeover of the bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) penultimate week.

The transaction for Afam Power Generation Company on the other hand fell through due to the delay in signing the Gas Supply Agreement (GSAA) and the Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA).

In 2017 the National council on Privatisation (NCP) gave approval for a fresh transaction to privatise the two power companies.

Again, Nigerian Leaders, Elders Knock Buhari over Poor Performance NEXT CASH AND CARRY…

Segun James

The Nigerian Leaders and Elders Forum (NLEF) has said that it was totally embarrassed that President Muhammadu Buhari went to the global stage to restate his position that terrorism and insurgency in the Sahel region and Lake Chad Basin area were fuelled by runaway fighters from Iraq and Syria with arms from the disintegration of Libya.

The NLEF in a statement signed by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere; Prof.

Ango Abdullahi, Northern Elders Forum; Chief John Nwodo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Pogu Bitrus, Middle Belt Forum and Chief Edwin Clark, PANDEF, said that “President spoke in New York where he unfolded Nigeria’s positions on international matters before the global audience during the opening of the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73).

“The position of the President is obviously a disingenuous way of explaining the failure of leadership of Nigeria under him to fulfill the elementary obligation of any constituted authority -protecting the lives of its citizens.

The NLEF lamented that in the last three-and-half years, “thousands of lives have been lost to bandits and terrorists with our government failing to apprehend any suspect except giving one excuse or the other for its inability to secure our

country.

“The palpable failure of the administration has led many citizens including Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma to conclude that there could be some complicity between the terrorists and some members of our security forces.

“This is why it is so scandalous that the President would still be offering this jaded line a few months to the end of his tenure. Does he expect Nigerians to hold an appreciation rally that he is telling them that he knows where those killing them are from and he cannot do anything about it?

“It is more appalling that one of the major planks of campaign by the President in 2015 was to secure Nigeria. Is this how to secure a country?

If a group of foreign gangsters decide to take over the government of Nigeria today, is it this kind of lamentations we would see?

“It is pretty clear that Nigerians cannot have security under a President that admits this kind of abysmal failure and incapacity at a global stage. It is a confirmation of our position that Nigeria needs a new leadership from next year that understands what the duties of a responsible and responsive government is.

“We cannot continue to die daily as a people unprotected under this type of leadership for another four years after the first unfortunate four of this administration.”

L-R: Chairman, Genesis Group, Nnaeto Orazulike; Executive Director, South, Aku Odinkemelu; Chief Executive Officer, Next Cash and Carry Shopping Mall; Ndibe Obi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, at the formal opening ceremony of Next Cash and Carry Shopping Mall in Port Harcourt, Rivers State …yesterday

Hold Your Leaders Accountable, Babarinsa Urges Nigerians Segun James

The former Executive Editor of TELL magazine, Mr. Dare Babarinsa has said that Nigerians have no business complaining if they fail to hold their leaders accountable for every action taken on behalf of the people.

He said part of the major requirements is to participate with the consciousness of holding the leaders accountable.

Babarinsa said this at the unveiling of the League of Nigerian Columnists (LNC) at the Centre for International and Advanced Professional Studies, Ikeja, yesterday.

He made it clear that for the people to “recover our

country, we must recover our appetite to read or we will lose our country,” adding that the people no longer read, a situation”, he said, will make the process difficult.

Also speaking, columnist and Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation Newspapers, Dr. Sam Omatseye, while supporting the position of Babarinsa however, urged columnists to explore and foray into the online world, which according to him, is where the people now congregate.

“Online media is now the public square. It will help if the league can take advantage of this,” he added.

Earlier, the president of the league, Akogun Tola

Adeniyi told the house which included top current and past columnists like Mr. Ray Ekpu, Ms. Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Mr. Ben Lawrence, Mr. Dan Agbese, Mr. Yakubu Muhammed, Dr. Reuben Abati, Mr. Martins Oloja, Dr. Dele Shobowale Dr. Enny Martins, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo and Prof. Anthony Ila, among others, that as columnists, they are a rare breed as their efforts help to shape the mind and thinking of the people.

He stressed that “columnists are a rare breed. Whether as creative artist, visionary, analyst, essayist, historian, preacher, ideologue, propagandist or agitator the man or woman who originate

and compose thoughts by way of commentary that would engage the mind and thought of of their readers almost in a compelling manner should be singled out for celebration and adoration.”

Giving the reason for the formation of the league, Adeniyi said “it is our strong held view that the Nigerian columnists that have made their mark must come together and carve a respectable identity for themselves and jealously protect that identity to ward off quacks and pretenders.”

He insisted that Nigerians columnists have always been powerful and influential, hence the formation of the league.

APC Disqualifies Shittu, Aisha Alhassan, Clears 166 Others Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan from participating in Sunday’s governorship primary election of the party.

Although the screening committee did not state reasons for disqualifying Shittu from the Oyo State governorship race, it was gathered that it might be related to his failure to participate in the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

For Alhassan who popularly

known as ‘Mama Taraba,’ her disqualification may be due to her involvement in the protracted tussle for the control of the party structure in the state.

The minister had pledged support for the presidential aspiration of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar when Atiku was still in APC.

In a statement issued by the party yesterday night, it said 166 governorship aspirants were prequalified to take part in the party’s primary election across the states.

From the list of the APC governorship aspirants, Borno State tops the list with 21 aspirants followed by Taraba State with 12 aspirants.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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COMMENT

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

PDP AND LESSONS OF HISTORY

The PDP should ensure its best emerges as the presidential candidate, writes Bolanle Ajibade

T

e Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be holding its national convention in the first week of October and there is a lot of apprehension about who will emerge as the standard bearer of the main opposition party.

For a political party that has been used to being in power since 1999, it is expected that the PDP should throw in its all to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress. Already there are 13 aspirants who are keen on contesting the presidential ticket of the PDP. Of course, some of the names are heavy weight while some others are not really expected to go far in the contest.

What is however not in doubt is the fact that the PDP parades a very colourful array of aspirants and it might seem that all that the party needs to do well to guarantee a return to Aso Rock Villa in 2019 is managing the crisis that may potentially erupt after the primaries election.

But the PDP will be deluding itself if it was to presume that the ruling party would allow it a free hand to stabilise and eventually present a formidable candidate who could cause an upset for the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in the next year’s election. Of course, the All Progressives Congress will dog its main rival to ensure that it frustrates any attempt to throw up a strong candidate as the standard bearer of the party.

Perhaps some people in the leadership of the PDP know this much and that, perhaps, prompted the remark by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike that there are moles amongst the contenders for the presidential ticket of the PDP. Such a remark from a highly respected leader of the PDP makes a lot of sense because, for whatever it is worth, it is trite that out of every 12 there is a Judas. And in the case of PDP, the figure is even more than 12!

For those who believe in conspiracy theories, the allegation from Governor Wike should be seriously looked into by the relevant organs of the PDP. The 2019 election is a very critical election such that the PDP cannot have its two eyes closed and allow a dummy for bargain. The Buhari-led APC controlled federal government has performed so poorly that Nigerians cannot afford to take a gamble for another four years of the current hardship.

International bookmakers have already predicted that the APC would lose the 2019 election but that is only to the extent that the PDP does not allow the APC to influence the processes that will lead to the emergence of its presidential candidate.

Already, speculation is rife in some quarters also

THE 2019 ELECTION IS A VERY CRITICAL ELECTION SUCH THAT THE PDP CANNOT HAVE ITS TWO EYES CLOSED AND ALLOW A DUMMY FOR BARGAIN

that the APC is in talks with some of the governors of the PDP predominantly in the South-south to ensure that the PDP fields a less popular presidential candidate as trade-off for their second term comeback as governors. According to those making the narrative, the idea is to enter into a deal with some influential governors in the South-south who are main financiers of the PDP to skew the PDP ticket for a weaker aspirant, in return that in their state too, the APC would field weak governorship candidate opponents against them.

Such an arrangement is not alien to the political terrain in Nigeria. If one recalls that in 2003, the then ruling PDP had a deal with incumbent governors of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Southwest not to field a candidate for the presidential election with the promise that those governors, in turn, would have their seats secured.

But today the consequence of that deal on the political careers of those governors and the fate that befell their political party is common knowledge.

The PDP, therefore, should learn from history and not allow a situation whereby any or some of its governors will mortgage the soul of the party for an uncertain pot of porridge.

And, in any case, the PDP has agreed to zone its presidential ticket to the Northern zone of the country and the aspirants who have emerged among whom there is a sitting senate president, two sitting state governors, a former vice-president, a former senate president, former minister and former state governors. The list is very impressive and gives credence to the political sophistication that the North is known for. But it is preposterous that with the all-star parade of politicians from the North vying for the PDP ticket, just one state governor from the Southsouth is the alpha decider of who eventually will win the PDP ticket.

Much as it is important that whoever emerges winner amongst the contestants should have appeal across the length and breadth of Nigeria, it is equally dangerous that a moneybag state governor will solely determine the candidate that the PDP fields in the next year’s election.

It is necessary for PDP stakeholders in the North to rise to the occasion and seize the reign by consulting widely with other sections of the country and endorse the aspirant who best meets with the interest of not only the North but indeed of all of Nigerians.

Ajibade wrote from Lagos

ANYTHING FOR ELECTIONS

Aba Saheed satirises the mayhem, the odds and ends packed into our elections

“H

ave you heard? “Have you been told?� “I am talking to you, are you deaf?�

Ori Iku asked.

“Heard what?� “Told what?� Ese Iku countered. “ I ask again, have you heard?� “Have you been told?� “Did you see the circular?’ “Have you got any message from the Captain?�

Ori Iku continued his barrage of questions while his comrade in crime looked askance. “I have not heard anything� “Nobody has told me anything�. “Look, tell me what you were told if it’s of any importance to our operations.� Ese Iku was losing his patience as he steadied his deadly AK49 on his tired shoulders.

He had just finished the night’s operations where he boasted of roasting 100 lives alive. He chewed on his weeds while his eyes, virtually popping out of their sockets, surveyed the surroundings in case some victims would miss their way while running for their lives. “Have you received any message? Don’t tell me you are not aware of the new development.�

Ori Iku renewed his pestering. “Now tell me what it is or I’ll walk out on you even though you are my senior in this field and you have killed more men, women and children than I have done.� Ese Iku threatened. “Okay. We have been instructed to stop all

operations for the time being until elections are over.� “Who gave the instruction? What is our business with elections? Are we going to vote while we are busy with our raids? Come on; stop the costly joke� Ese Iku was moving away. “No. No. No. It is a fact. The commander sent words through our usual bush radio that all operations be suspended for now.� Ori Iku said. “What is going to happen to our weapons?

Our machetes? Our hatchets? Our guns? Our swords? Our rocket launchers? Our hammers and clubs?� Our gasoline and petrol?

Our grenades? Our petrol bombs?� Ese Iku wondered. “It’s elections time. We have been instructed to hand over some of our weapons to Party thugs who would be engaged in ballot stuffing and ballot snatching and all that stuff. You know there would be some opponents that need be assassinated and some kidnapped.

There will be plenty job for thugs and assassins. Our weapons would be handy for them�

Ori Iku sought to explain. “But were we told all these?� Ese Iku countered. “It seems you have not been attending your Mosques and Churches. And it must have been a long time you visited any village head� argued Ori Iku. “What time do I have to visit anybody or go to Church or Mosque? Do we even have time for prayers? You can’t be shedding the quantum of blood we shed on daily basis and still find time to pray. We have a mission.

And that mission must be accomplished to the letter before we take a break, if ever we take a break� Ese Iku ranted. “Come on. You can’t claim to be holier than the Pope or choose to shed more tears than the bereaved. We are just foot soldiers. Do we really understand the game plan of our masters and commanders? Ours is to wreak maximum havoc on communities and drive them out and pursue them to their graves. So if they say ‘Stop� we stop. If they say “Go’ we go. They own the weapons. They supply the weeds. And they pay us handsomely. Why must you or I argue? And in any case after the elections our victims would still be available for slaughter.�

Ori Iku spoke without emotions. “I can understand if we are the ones that say we cannot continue now because of the rains.

We have green pastures now and there is no convincing need to drive people away from their places of work or dispossess anybody of their means of livelihood. But to say that because there are elections people should not be killed, I cannot understand. Are the people to be killed among those to vote or be voted for? Can people on the run ever have a chance of voting? So, what has election got to do with our assignment?� Ese Iku was at sea. “Please don’t lawyer me. Am I the one that employed us? Those who press the button know what their game plan is. But if I can make a guess, you cannot be pointing gun at my head and still ask me to vote for you.

It is as simple as that. Just my guess. I am not a politician. Politicians are clever rogues.

They know when to laugh and when to shed crocodile tears. They know when to cajole and they know when to show their fangs�. Ori Iku, a veteran of Death harvest had been in killing business since he was 11 years old.

He dropped out of school just three years after his maternal uncle enrolled him in the primary school. And like thousands of his like, many of whom did not even have the luxury of ever stepping into any classroom, thuggery and vagrancy had been their main occupation.

They were always available as dangerous tools in the hands of politicians, blackmailers and ritualists. They have no ambition and no future aside the future of crimes and criminality.

Ese Iku on his part was just a bloody fool.

Once he’s given food and weeds, he could do anything. If he was ordered to kill his mother he would not blink his eyelid. He was as cold as frozen fish and he relished the smell and sight of blood. He was at his happiest when engaged in disembowelling a pregnant woman! Such was his bloodthirstiness and callousness. And he had hundreds of his like for company. “Elections have been called off� Eleti Ofe showed up battling with his breath.

Ori Iku and Ese Iku jubilated and corked their guns. A fearsome thunderstorm with dreadful lightening tore through the sky and all the foot soldiers and their commanders and commanders’ commanders were struck with 1000 watts voltage.

They were all burnt to ashes!!!

Saheed, a veteran satirist, wrote from Canada

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EDITORIAL NIGERIA’S TUBERCULOSIS BURDEN The major stakeholders could do more to contain the tuberculosis epidemic

T

he health authorities should be worried against the background that some 18 persons die every hour from tuberculosis in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, no fewer than 420 Nigerians die on a daily basis to the highly preventable and curable disease. Indeed, the country now has the second highest burden of the disease in Africa and seventh highest globally.

This is a major public health issue that needs to be addressed especially when it is fuelled largely by undetected cases. For every 400,000 cases in Nigeria, only 100,000 are detected while the remaining 300,000 are missed. Statistics on tuberculosis in Nigeria from an online tracking platform – TBFacts. org – also indicate that the country is among the 14 high burden countries for TB, TB/HIV and MultiDrug Resistant TB. The online platform also added that the problem of tuberculosis in Nigeria has been made worse by the issues of drug resistant TB and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In most cases, THE PROBLEM OF Alemu explained that the highly infectious TUBERCULOSIS IN disease is transferred NIGERIA HAS BEEN from these undeMADE WORSE BY tected cases because THE ISSUES OF DRUG those that have RESISTANT TB AND THE been detected have HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC the potential to be successfully treated while a missed case has the potential to infect 15 other persons per year. This, to us is frightening especially when it is considered that the 300,000 reportedly undetected cases could infect as many as 4.5 million people annually going by the possibility of one undetected case. Also from Alemu’s perspective, millions of Nigerians could access healthcare in private hospitals, but only 14 per cent of private health institutions in our country

Letters to the Editor

actually collaborate with the National Tuberculosis Programme to tackle the disease. Again, there is the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP) which was established in 1989 but ofďŹ cially launched in February 1991, with a mandate to coordinate tuberculosis and leprosy control activities in the country. The real mandate of the NTLCP is to help signiďŹ cantly reduce the public burden of the two diseases. Clearly, the ďŹ gures and facts show the NTLCP is perhaps challenged to undertake its responsibilities. We will like to see NTLCP strengthened beyond what exists at the moment to do its job of scaling down the burden of tuberculosis on Nigeria. e recognise that there could be such challenges as inadequate funding, access to the hard-to-reach parts of the country, unreported cases of tuberculosis, and of course inadequate human resources technical capacity.

But then, that is where collective participation of all stakeholders in both the public and private sector comes into play in the ďŹ ght against tuberculosis. Religious and traditional institutions should also be mobilised to further educate people within their reach on the need to report potential cases of tuberculosis for treatment.

It is also important for the authorities to underline the need to intensify efforts to always ďŹ nd all missed cases of tuberculosis for proper management. As things stand, until we are able to frequently ďŹ nd and treat missed TB cases, the prevalence of the disease and the high death rate from it will not diminish.

Finally, there should be more political commitment from governments at all levels to fund activities against tuberculosis. Active house-to-house case searching should be initiated to educate the public and detect potential cases, while people living with HIV, urban slum dwellers, prisoners, migrants from conict-ravaged communities, internally displaced people and facility based health care workers, should be monitored intensely to ensure they are ďŹ t and free from the disease. We fear that if no proactive measures are collectively taken, we may continue to have high death rates from tuberculosis.

W

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AAU AND CULT KILLINGS IN EKPOMA

I

t is wrong to put the blame of cult killing in Ekpoma on the authority of Ambrose Alli University. Last week cult killings did not happen within the university in Ekpoma.

Today, there are several related cults killing in Benin City and other places in Nigeria. Do we blame universities authority for cult-related killings outside the school? I want to correct the erroneous impression that five persons, including graduating students and ex-students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma were murdered in cold blood in a bar near a private hostel in the university town and not the school last week. A bar near a private hostel is not Ambrose Alli University and we should stop blaming the university authority for an issue that happened outside the campus. The youths were said to be having a party in Ekpoma and not inside the university when a fracas that culminated in the shooting and killing of the victims broke out. One of the parties to the misunderstanding had reportedly escaped from the scene of the mayhem with a bruised ego only to allegedly return with fully armed friends to execute the dastardly act. There is rarely an academic session without reported incidents of cult-related violence in most schools in country, which usually result in the loss of lives of promising youths. Cultism in Nigeria could be traced to pre-colonial period when a group of people with the main aim of seeking protection from their ancestors conducted rituals. Secret cults have always existed in many parts of the country with the Ogboni secret cult notable among the Yorubas, the Ekpe secret cult among the Efiks, Ekine cult in the Delta region and Owegbe cult among the Edos.

Today, almost all tertiary institutions across the country have confraternities otherwise known as secret cults, some of which include Supreme Eiye Confraternity, also referred to as Air Lords.

Cultism in Nigeria has no doubt taken a new trend as it has spread from tertiary institutions where it hitherto holds sway to the streets in various communities across the country. In Edo State, particularly in Benin City, the rate at which teenage youths are initiated into cult groups is alarming, and this has become a major cause of concern to the state government and the law enforcement agents, especially the Police, which oftentimes close in and try to stop them during initiations at the odd hours of the night.

The Edo State police command has declared that the killings were cult-related but the university authorities claimed they had nothing to do with cultism. The university’s position is understandable because it does not want to be associated with cultism but the police are best suited to determine the nature of a crime as well as the motive based on their investigation.

In Ekpoma, the host community of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), it is difficult to tell who is a cultist. The town has become a tapestry of cultism as membership of a cult group is no longer a special privilege enjoyed by students of the university. Locals, including farmers, commercial cyclists, mechanics, electricians and other artisans/technicians are members of one cult group or another.

The renewed cult war, which has left a lot of casualties on the street of Ekpoma, Benin City and other major cities in Nigeria has

left so many people dead.

Since the introduction of democracy in Nigeria, Nigerians have experienced election rigging, which has also produced the highest wave of hooliganism and violence amongst politicians at the local, state and federal levels. The return of democratic rule in 1999 marked the watershed in bloody cult clashes across the country.

The dire urge of political dominance impelled political parties and politicians to engage the services of the cult gangs.

A number of these politicians surround themselves with the cult gangs, using them as private armies and bodyguards, and supplement them with the law enforcement agents who are willing to carry out their commands. Together with these politicians, these students’ fraternities have been linked to violent activities in the country. For decades, these cult groups have flourished following the support and patronage of influential political figures who are using them as instrument to settle political scores.

Even those who laid claim to patriotism and some other noble intentions in introducing a confraternity into the country’s first university, the University of Ibadan, in the early 1950s can hardly believe the kind of monster that it has become and the violence they unleashed on the society. Today, diverse cult groups, strangely populated by artisans and school dropouts, are ubiquitous in the streets of cities and towns in the country, regularly visiting deadly violence on one another and on members of the public in their unending supremacy battles.

Inwalomhe Donald, Benin City

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

MAKING MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL Nnamdi Nwokedi

I

read an interesting intervention in the Enugu politics by one Louis Okolo, to wit: “APC Makes Final Push to Take Enugu State”, published in the ‘THISDAY Newspaper of Friday the 21st of September 2018. The writer left nothing to be guessed about the quality of his credentials given the contradictions, prevarications and sheer illogicality of his thought flow. At best, it was an embarrassing catalogue of self-indictment, laid bare by an ostensibly profuse struggle to be noticed by a receding godfather. But that is understandable, after all, it is often the passion of a dog to bark at the enemies of his master.

To this end, the article would ordinarily not have merited any attention, after all the ultimate ambition in the whole project as expressed in his first sentence is for the APC in the state to be able to make a “significant impact” in the forthcoming general elections in the state.

But what wries me is the unhidden evidence that Ayogu Eze, his principal may not have weaned himself of the same hubris that has constantly exposed his knavery and avidity for histrionics and which incidentally served as his Achilles heel in his now forlorn quest to be governor of the state.

The writer takes off by making nonsense of all the efforts, investments and membership of notable political leaders in the APC and who have all the while struggled to keep the light of the party aflame before Ayogu’s recent sojourn to the fold. According to the writer, “even the defection of former governor Sullivan Chime, former Senate President Ken Nnamani and Jim Nwobodo among others, including the membership of other top notchers … could not in anyway produce the required impetus to keep the APC alive and active, let alone constitute a source of concern to the ruling PDP. … all these have changed the very moment Senator Ayogu Eze defected to the APC with an exhibition of sufficient affinity with President Muhammed Buhari…” There he goes again, one may be tempted to say!

Ugwuanyi

The same hubris, the same cynical, howbeit vacuous, condescension with which he treated the leaders of the state in 2014 following the presence of former President Goodluck Jonathan at the burial of his late mother, and which disrobed him of any regard in the political circle in the state comes to mind. Does Ayogu now see himself as the messiah the APC needs in the state over and above these credible leaders of the party who have labored to keep the party afloat all this long while he hankered after an illusory, nay wild goose chase of gaining the coveted governorship seat via a senseless litigation process? Is that how best

to thank a people for their benevolence in accepting an evidently famished political orphan?

William Shakespeare might have had Ayogu in mind in his immortal poem, “Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude!”

This assertion is the most unkindly testimony to the efforts of the APC members in the state given that Ayogu, for three long years was absent from the state. In his absence, these men who he now seeks to demean have invested both their material and human resources to keep the party afloat. So Ayogu thinks he is more relevant, or has a better capacity than

Sullivan Chime who governed Enugu for a wholesome eight unbroken years? Or the inimitable Ken Nnamani who is arguably one of the salient faces of respect for the party in the country? Or indeed Chief Jim Nwobodo, a former governor of the old Anambra state, former Minister, former Senator and arguably the most charismatic politician to have emerged from this side of the country? These are yet without mention of such mercurial avatar in the person of Gbazuagu Nwkek Gbazuagu, or the indomitable Osita Okechukwu, or the business mogul, Onyemuche Nnamani, to mention but a few, who all have stood by and nurtured the party in the state. The writer alludes to Ayogu being also a “prodigy” of the “maestro”, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani; in other words, his godson. As patronizing as this may be, it must be pointed out that Chimaroke has repudiated this infantile blackmail and the singular reason why he chose to pitch his political tent with the PDP remains the fact of Ayogu’s opportunistic presence in the APC. Can anyone ask Ayogu when last he spoke with his so-called godfather in all the travails he went through since his exit from office in 2007, including his well-known health challenges.

He perhaps never reckoned there would again be a season like this. But the truth must be told, without diminishing anything from the fact of Chimaroke’s contribution to Ayogu’s new-found relevance in the state, the credit of who actually invented Ayogu as a politician should go to the Nwodo political dynasty of Ukehe that gave him the first political break in 1992. This was followed in 1998 when again, through the instrumentality of the same family, Ayogu was made Secretary of the PDP in Enugu State. But true to his streak, he did not blink an eyelid when he abandoned them and joined hands with the emerging power in the state to torment his benefactors.

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

UGWUANYI STILL HOLDS THE ACES Uchenna Nwatu

L

ike most states in Nigeria, Enugu State is characteristically buzzing with political activities as another election cycle draws close. And as is usually the case, the attendant horse-trading has resulted in a number of defections. Forget that the attendant celebration - even of those with barely significant electoral worth - is carried on so stridently in ways that often mask the actual self-serving motive, tactfully projected as altruistic. We are, after all, on the cusp of another election - a time when cheap rhetoric comes dangerously close to trumping the truth.

Enugu State witnessed the defection lately of a politician whose clout, by every measure, could be considered significant, even if sometimes overstated. He is former Senator Ayogu Eze, the presumed candidate of the All Progressives Congress for next year’s governorship election in Enugu State.

The buzz created by his announced defection had offered a strong hint of APC’s desperation for a foothold in Enugu State. And given the pomp witnessed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on September 8 when he made his first visit to the state after that defection and the crowd it attracted, an observer might be tempted to conclude there is a strong chance the party’s dream could be actualized. But realpolitik often offers a better view of reality vis-a-vis the crunch-time thinking that influences the choices made by the electorate in a developing society such as ours.

Indeed, herein lies the folly of it all: The

Ayogu Eze

presumed choice of Eze is an indication the party yields to the tacit understanding that Enugu North Senatorial zone will produce the governor of the state. In settling for him, apparently, the party would be hoping to blunt whatever electoral advantage the incumbent and likely candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, would reap from being an indigene of that zone. So, in the event the gambit unfolds as they hope and their candidate triumphs, it results in the scuttling of the tacit agreement for a rotational governorship among Enugu’s three senatorial zones and, ultimately, confers the

undue advantage of a possible extra term for Enugu North Senatorial zone.

Even as a hypothetical scenario, that is difficult to contemplate for electorate in the two other senatorial zones comprising Enugu East and Enugu West. They would naturally be inclined to voting in a manner that ensures the swift return of the governorship to their zone which, in precise term, means predominantly casting their ballots for the incumbent.

However, it is wrong to assume that the electorate’s voting decision would be shaped by such base regional instincts only. It will by and large be tempered by such considerations as the incumbent’s performance which, so far, has been hailed as outstanding by a significant percent of the population across the state.

This includes, ironically, most leaders of the APC who had equally hailed “the big catch”, a phrase the party had coined for a publicized welcome rally for Eze that never held.

For instance, the former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, had during the 17th Convocation Ceremony of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology praised Gov. Ugwuanyi’s remarkable leadership qualities and the fact he always deploys the state’s resources for the common good, noting that he was “moving in the right direction and deserves everyone’s support”.

Senator Nnamani’s commendation for the governor was also effusive when he described him as“a governor for everybody”at a reception organized by the Enugu State government in honour of the Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of India with Concurrent Accreditation to Bangladesh and Nepal, Major General

Chris Sunday Eze (retd). “We are enjoying somebody that has a large heart, not minding his political affiliation,” said the APC chieftain who also urged “other states to emulate what is happening in Enugu State”.

Former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, spoke in a similar vein when the Enugu State governor visited the former’s Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South community last October during campaign for the local government election in the state.

“You are a different governor. A governor who wants to lead well must be for all political parties. He (Gov. Ugwuanyi) has surprised everybody and has done so well and united everyone. He has conscience,” said Nwobodo, who is also an APC leader in the state.

These self-validating comments by key opposition party figures in Enugu State are testaments to the capacity of the incumbent governor and could be deemed a referendum on his stewardship. Yet, his second-term appeal does not merely derive from those; it resides, rather, in his sustained investment in urban renewal programmes and projects that improve living conditions in rural communities across the state. A sense of how well he has performed could as well be seen in the huge impact that his administration’s increased spending on the Free Maternal and Child Health programme has had on Enugu State’s maternal and infant mortality rate, described as among the least in the country.

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

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

POLITICS

THE BURDEN OF LOYALTY Kanayo Esinulo.

A

s amiable Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State began to round up his tenancy at Lagos House in the later months of 2014, and a search for a suitable successor by stakeholders was in full gear, as in many states in Nigeria, the name Akinwunmi Ambode started propping up on computers and Goggle search. Not long after words, the name became a dominant political subject matter among Lagos residents.

It didn’t matter too much that politically the name did not immediately ring a bell in sensitive political circles in the Centre of Excellence. All that political actors, political observers and the ever-inquisitive journalists heard and knew was that Akinwunmi Ambode was a respected professional Accountant who singularly outstanding in his profession, respected by his colleagues, rose to become the Accountant-General of Lagos state, a political participant in his own right and a devoted and dedicated loyalist to the political tendency of the former governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The news that the oracle of Lagos politics, Tinubu, preferred Ambode as a suitable replacement to the departing Fashola spread like harmattan fire. There must be something about Ambode, a friend told me in the heat of the 2014 campaigns, that attracts him to the politically sagacious Tinubu, among other contenders for the position of the Number One Citizen of Lagos State.

Tinubu himself was a damn good governor during his eight years in office as the governor of the state. It was during his tenure that structural and institutional changes took place in the state. So, like Fashola, this new choice by the Oracle, Ambode, will surely deliver. It was the popular assumption. On the election day, despite a stout and spirited campaign and well-appointed political strategies by the Jimmy Agbaje Campaign Organisation, Akinwunmi Ambode eventually won. Since May 29 2015, Ambode has been the Chief Servant of the most cosmopolitan state in the country. And the verdict among many Lagos residents, including serious-minded political observers, is that the young man has been piloting the affairs of Lagos State with dedication, foresight and profit.

Lagosians easily fall for any governor that provides critical infrastructures and allows the

Tinubu

environment for businesses to thrive and grow.

Ambode, in my view, has done comparatively well in this area and in so many others, although there are some complaints about increasing potholes on Lagos inner roads – from Ikeja to Surulere and to Apapa axis. And the stubborn rains of this year have not helped matters, at all. In the eyes and perception of close watchers of the politics of development in Lagos state, Governor Ambode is on course, and his focus had the right targets.

Then the news began to circulate – first as rumour, and later developed as a disturbing reality. And what was it? The story began to circulate that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Head Master of Lagos politics since 1999, had hinted to close associates and through a calculated body language that his protégé and current governor of the state will not get his endorsement, this time around, for a second term in office. There was confusion. There was understandable anxiety and curiosity about what could have happened? Did Ambode fall out of line? Did he cross the oracle’s red line? Did he disobey the orders of the political godfather? Or did their political interests, clash in any way? There were so many questions, but answers were few. No one knew exactly what was going on.

Ambode

Anxiety mounted and we began to hear the name of the new choice, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner of Establishment in the state. So, what is really happening?

A flurry of interventions commenced: sympathies for the embattled governor began to build up, even from Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari had audience with Ambode in Aso Rock Villa in an effort, I suppose, to settle what many believed was a minor family feud that Mr. President could easily handle or, at least, put under control.

Tinubu remained adamant and diplomatically encouraged his new choice, Sanwo-Olu, and the fifty-seven local government chairmen in the state, and in fact the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state to continue mobilizing in favour of his new choice.

Meanwhile, Ambode had shown interest for a second term in office and had, in fact, bought the nomination forms for participation in the contest. He was tacitly advised to discontinue his bid to be re-elected, and to dismantle his Campaign Organization because the party in the state had decided to field Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Not a finger was pointed at the exact reason or reasons why a sitting governor and party loyalist had been earmarked for this degree

of harassment and humiliation. Governor has not, as I write this, risen in his own defense.

The continuing interventions and pleas for a rethink by Tinubu to support the re-election bid of this silent achiever and a calculating new breed politician seem not to be yielding fruits. Instead, Tinubu and his foot soldiers are consolidating their hold on party machine in an effort to sufficiently isolate Ambode and his growing band of loyalists and sympathisers.

From Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, publicly advised Ambode to call off the Tinubu bluff and seek re-election, if necessary, on a new political platform. Some APC governors are discreetly sympathetic to Ambode and have advised that the party in the state should revisit its handling of the delicate matter, before it spills over.

And they readily point fingers at the recent governorship election in Osun State where, the contradictions in the politics of a state considered an APC stronghold, now seems snatched by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Can Tinubu and those who act for him possibly change their minds and allow Governor Ambode to complete two terms in office, as his predecessors did, or are they still bent on humiliating one of their loyal ones out of office?

These questions may remain unanswered for now, but there is a danger in destroying a man who, to the best of public knowledge, has not offended the oath of office he swore to, on assumption of office nor have betrayed the social forces that created room for him to emerge as the flag-bearer of his party.

If Asiwaju Tinubu continues to insist that his instincts and preferences would continue to determine who governs Lagos State and in what direction the party will go, he may, one day, have to contend with a huge rebellion within his own camp that could possibly and devastatingly destroy his political empire, smash the myth with which he has surrounded himself and deny him a suitable place in history. It is my hope and prayer the curious myth about Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not dismantled or demystified by an avoidable political miscalculation in Lagos state.

Let me chip in this sweet coda, a small diversion, if I may. If Tinubu loses his well merited respect in Lagos State, that will not be a small tragedy.

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

APC MAKES FINAL PUSH TO TAKE ENUGU STATE: A REJOINDER Victor Ugwu

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he article (headline above refers) in the September 21, 2018 edition of THISDAY Newspaper and written by one Louis Okolo, would have been missed by most breezy newspaper readers if not for the choice of photo illustration that would force any person closely or remotely interested in the politics of Enugu State to apply his or her brakes.

Without sounding disrespectful to the writer, the great party, the All Progressives Congress and the two great sons of Enugu State that were profiled, the very first conclusion anyone will have after reading would be that a selfcontradicting article, probably put together by someone that was provided with research information he either did not believe in or did not understand. How else will one interpret an article that began by predicting that, come 2019, the “All Progressives Congress (APC) would make a significant impact in Enugu State only to also suggest it was going to unseat the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi?

Again, apart from the headline that spoke of a “final push to take Enugu State,” the article did not go beyond the defection of Senator Ayogu Eze to the ruling party at the centre to mention or suggest strategies and/or tactical action plans deliberately designed to ensure the party would win the 2019 governorship election in Enugu State.

But this article is not by any means intended to blur whatever chances that the APC just might have in either “making an impact” or winning the governorship election in Enugu State. On the contrary, the purpose is to straighten-out some

of the factual inaccuracies and wild assumptions and allegations replete in the article.

The second and third paragraphs of this writeup suggested rather unfortunately, that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stoked internal crises in the Enugu State chapter of the APC by infiltrating its ranks, giving a semblance of a bipartisan disposition, with intent to stymie growth and diminish electoral fortunes. By every strategic consideration, this is quite childish and denies the opposition party in the state its due credits as a party that has worked hard to sustain some form of growth momentum even in the face of overwhelming high performance ratings of the sitting governor. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has since he assumed office nearly four years ago, chosen the path of delivering values for the people, a strategy, he must believe, would naturally draw the people to him, as against purchasing and renting loyalty to hoodwink the people.

I also feel that it was an insult on the persons of great sons of Enugu State for the writer to suggest that Governor Ugwuanyi dolled out “goodwill”to blind the likes of former Governor Sullivan Chime and former Senate President Ken Nnamani and other great leaders of the party in the state from growing the party.

I am not sure Dr Ken Nnamani, who Nigerians know and respect for his integrity, demonstrated during the botched“third-term”saga of 2006/2007 would take kindly to someone suggesting that he was bribed into allowing someone else prevent him from working for the growth of his party. Neither will Governor Chime find such wild accusation complimentary.

The“goodwill”Governor Ugwuanyi appears to have been dolling out is the recognition of the

political plurality of the State and the creation of a level playing field for all to express his or her democratic choices and freedoms without compromising the time-honoured brotherhood that the people of the State have been known for. If the writer’s idea of politicking is the breeding of bad blood and the perpetuation of hate and distrust among peoples of different political divides in the State, then this is not the agenda of Governor Ugwuanyi, as far as those who have watched Enugu politics are concerned.

Paragraph four of the article suggested that with the recent defection of Senator Ayogu Eze to the All Progressives Congress, the regime of obstructing the growth of APC had stopped and with it, the chance to take over the reins of government come 2019. This article, once again, will not attempt to diminish the electoral values of Senator Ayogu Eze although it is on record that he was trounced by Governor Ugwuanyi during the PDP primaries in 2015 and roundly defeated him again during the long court battles that lingered from the High Court to the Supreme Court. As a citizen of this State, I am certain that even Ayogu Eze knows that should the APC allow him the very difficult luxury of winning the party’s governorship ticket, mustering significant followership and votes against a performing Governor would be a miracle that is highly improbable.

I will refer the writer to a recent event in Enugu where a well-known chieftain of the APC in Enugu openly endorsed Governor Ugwuanyi in the presence of Senator Ayogu Eze and other big wigs of the party in the state. In case the writer may have conveniently forgotten, this took place on September 10 during

a thanksgiving service at Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Enugu and the endorsement came from no less a person than the National Vice Chairman, South East of the APC, Hon Emma Eneukwu, who, at the event, also praised the Governor for bringing peace and the spirit of sportsmanship to the political relationships among the political parties in the State.

If Governor Ugwuanyi had done the impossible by compromising the APC in Enugu, how would he have possibly compromised the party’s national executive committee to which Hon. Ezeukwu belongs?

I am not sure it is necessary to begin to analyse paragraphs five and six where the writer appeared to be struggling to present the political capital of Senator Ayogu Eze and why this must be unsettling for the Governor. The suggestion that Governor Ugwuanyi had displayed what the writer described as “mindless extremism” is something I am sure the Governor and his team should compel the writer to properly define.

Suffice that at a time it was impossible for most of the other states in Nigeria to meet with its salary obligations to civil servants, workers in Enugu State have never been owed. As a mater of fact, I am aware that salaries in Enugu State are paid on the 24th of each month. It will also be important for the State Governor to explore every means to ensure that the writer explains what he meant by suggesting that there is capital flight from the state and that there is diversion of state resources towards the funding of the 2019 political project.

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

19

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 9.25 % 8.42 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

7.17% 10.24 % 11%

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

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078, 08091152219

1 7 , , 2 0 1 8

355.72% -0.03% 0.18%

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

0.43% 7.96%

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

Quick Takes 400 Delegates for NUATE Conference

FIGHTING CORRUPTION

L-R: Director, Public Enlightenment and Spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mrs. Rashidat Okoduwa; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Director, Legal Services of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Mr. Samuel Vongtau during a joint courtesy visit by the ICPC and NSC to the management of NIMASA in Lagos…recently

Open Sky: African Countries Frustrate Nigerian Airlines Chinedu Eze Domestic airlines have accused some African countries of strategically blocking them from flying to their countries while their airlines take advantage of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to operate into Nigeria.

Executive Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison said that every African country targets the high passenger traffic in Nigeria while at the same time protecting their airlines and using stringent policies to block Nigerian carriers from operating to their own countries despite the open sky policy for Africa.

Speaking in the same the

AVIATION Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said that airline operators opposed the signing of the treaty by the Nigerian government because they knew that it would be detrimental to the nation’s airlines as other African states would not be willing to operate uniform charges for all regional carriers.

Onyema said unfortunately Nigeria does not adopt the principle of reciprocity by also introducing outrageous charges to discourage airlines from these countries to Nigeria.

“Rather, the federal gov-

ernment through its aviation agencies operates liberalised bilateral policies that make some African airlines to fly to many airports in the country without any Nigerian carrier flying to theirs,” he said.

“Some people make it seem as if SAATM is the best thing that has happened to this country.

This is a lie. The truth is that the other countries in Africa are the ones gaining from SAATM; not necessarily Nigerian airlines. The population of most countries is relatively small; Nigeria is a country of almost 200 million people. Some of these countries are about five million people or less with very tiny air passenger traffic. It is not only that Nigeria has the largest population in

Africa but also the highest travelling public.

“So when SAATM was introduced Nigeria embraced it without looking at its implications for its own airlines. They said if Nigeria does not sign the treaty her airlines would not be travelling to other African countries but that is not true because with bilateral air service agreement we can fly to any country in the continent,” Onyema added.

The Air Peace boss observed that some African airlines want to be coming to Nigeria and if possible operate domestic service in the country by taking advantage of SAATM to reap Continued on page 20

Expert: Investments in Port, Logistics Infrastructure Will Boost Africa’s GDP Eromosele Abiodun The rapid expansion of regional and international trade underscores the need for significant investments in port and logistics infrastructure as gateways for African exports, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Mr. Andrew Tan has said.

Tan stated this while addressing delegates and stakeholders at the just concluded African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Conference held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

This, he stated, is crucial because exports would continue to be an important engine of growth for Africa, where every dollar exported is expected to increase gross domestic products (GDP) by $3.5 dollars.

Having adequate and efficient port infrastructure, he added, is therefore an important enabler to unlock economic growth and strengthen Africa’s competitive-

MARITIME ness in the long run.

According to him, “Africa has been on a sustained growth path since the 1980s and holds tremendous economic potential today. Despite global volatility and uncertainties ahead, Africa’s growth outlook remains robust.

Collective GDP in Africa is currently expanding faster than the world average. In particular, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to continue accelerating to reach an average annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent by 20221. At this pace, Sub-Saharan Africa is on track to become the world’s second-fastest growing region after Emerging Asia.

“Africa has many diverse regional economies. Each offers unique strengths and opportunities. Through my engagements with African maritime officials and global business leaders, I have had the privilege to learn

about the economic dynamism and transformations taking place across Africa.”

“Today, many African nations are seeking to diversify their economies beyond commodity-focused industries.

At the enterprise level, African businesses are evolving rapidly by embracing technology and innovation. The pace and scope of change is impressive.

“For example, a recent report

by McKinsey has recognised East Africa as a global leader in e-payments2. Digital trade is also fast expanding. In Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, e-commerce revenue has doubled each year since 2010. Other industries such as manufacturing, financial services and IT services are growing rapidly as well, ‘he stated.

Regional integration, he pointed out, is another key driving force creating economic opportunities across multiple dimensions.

“The combination of significant infrastructure investments and a growing network of transport links has vastly improved physical connectivity and logistics efficiency in Africa. Efficiencies in logistics are important for large geographical regions like Africa – so landlocked countries, transhipment points, and port cities all share the benefits of trade and economic growth.

“External initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative will also drive the momentum for infrastructure development forward. Africa’s economic outlook today is bright. With large reserves of untapped resources and significant export potential, Africa will continue to play a significant role in the global trade and commodity value chain,” he said.

Much like it is for Singapore, he said maritime connectivity Continued on page 20

Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, heads of aviation agencies and over four hundred delegates will converge on Asaba, Delta State capital for the national delegates conference of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

AccordingtotheGeneralSecretary,NUATE,ComradeOlayinkaAbioye, the 10th quadrennial national delegates conference with its theme: ‘Public, private partnership in aviation industry – Perspective from investors, labour and management’ will feature awards.

Abioye explained that past leaders of the NUATE will be honoured including heads of aviation agencies for their contributions to the development of the sector.The conference, according to him, will take place from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 September 2018.

Hadi Sirika will be conferred with Aviation Minister of the decade award while five chief executives will be awarded Transformational Leadership. The conference also marks the 40th anniversary of the birth of the union which makes it the foremost trade union in Nigeria’s aviation industry.The chairman of the occasion is the Group Chairman, SIFAX Group, owners of Sahcol, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, to be supported

by Captain Mshelia, MD/CEO Westlink Airlines The conference will also usher in new national executives that will steer the affairs of the union in the next four years. NUATE is a notable union in the aviation sector championing the cause of workers and an affiliate body of the the Nigerian Labour Congress.

Ethiopian Voted Best African Airline

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, has been voted best African airline at Arabian Travel Awards 2018. It was the second edition of Arabian Travel Awards, held on September 20, 2018 in Dubai and the winners of the award were determined based on the votes of travelers.

GroupCEOofEthiopianAirlines,Mr.TewoldeGebreMariam, remarked: “We are honored to have been voted the ‘Best African Airline’ at the ArabianTravelAwards2018,atestimonythatourproductandservices are meeting the high expectations of customers from the Middle East. Ethiopian currently flies to 12 destinations in the Middle East and thrice daily from Dubai with ultramodern aircraft, connecting travelers from the Middle East to over 60 destinations in Africa and over 115 worldwide. In line with our long-term growth plan, Vision 2025, we will continue to invest in expanding our ultramodern fleet and global destinations ultimately creating even better connectivity options for travellers around the world in general and the Middle East in particular.”The ArabianTravel Awards recognise and encourage the talent in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors under different categoriessuchasairlines,cruisecompanies,hotels,traveltechnology providers, travel insurance facilitators, B2B travel portals, travel agents, tour operators and holiday companies, among others.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25 per cent in the past seven years.

Ryanair Cancels 190 Flights

Ryanair said it has cancelled 190 of its scheduled flights for Friday, the day cabin crew in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain have called a 24-hour strike.The 190 flights is about eight per cent of the total number the Irish airline has scheduled for Friday.

Ryanair said it has contacted the 30,000 customers affected by the cancellations, out of the 450,000 booked to fly on Friday.

A company statement said the strikes “have been called by unions at the behest of competitor airline employees.” It said that in Spain a Norwegian cabin crew member in Alicante is driving the strike, in Portugal a TAP employee is calling for strikes without the support of Portuguese cabin crew, and in Italy the strike has been called by a small union that has no recognition or support from Italian cabin crew. Separately, Ryanair said it had agreed a collective labour agreement (CLA) with the three main cabin crew unions in Italy.

The airline said the FIT CISL, ANPAC and ANPAV unions cover all of Ryanair’s Italy-based cabin crew. The three year agreement is effective from October 1st 2018, and is governed by Italian law and the Italian Courts. It will allow Italy-based cabin crew to transition to local contracts and provide immediate access to Italian benefits such as maternity and paternity leave.

“ Reputation building is a priority for information managers who have the ability to manage airlines relationship with the public,” Director General”

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Captain Muhtar Usman

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD OPEN SKY: AFRICAN COUNTRIES FRUSTRATE NIGERIAN AIRLINES from Nigeria’s high passenger traffic. “So in practice SAATM works for these other airlines but not for Nigerian airlines because they want to airlift passengers from Nigeria. But these countries don’t want us to come to their own countries and airlift passengers from there and they are being protected by their government which introduces stringent measures to stop Nigerian airlines from flying to those countries. But I support the position of their government.

This is because they are supporting their airlines. “If you want to protect Nigerian airlines, government should play the aero politics on our behalf. Senegal for two and half years has not responded to our letters requesting to fly to that country, even for once.

They refused to attend to us because they are trying to float their own airline. So they are trying to protect what they will still do in future.

EXPERT: INVESTMENTS IN PORT, LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BOOST AFRICA’S GDP will be a key enabler to sustain Africa’s growth momentum. “Infrastructure investments must therefore continue apace but with long-term planning considerations and greater emphasis on sustainability.

Relevant stakeholders should coordinate on key issues such as logistics connectivity, cross-sector synergies and environmental impact as part of integrated infrastructure planning. We must also be prepared to adapt and transform the way we work by harnessing technology as a force multiplier. Investments in automation and digital tools are no longer good-to-haves but a necessity. This should be coupled with efforts to streamline workflows and optimise existing resources. “Going forward, the global maritime industry will become more interconnected. Singapore and Africa today have a broad range of partnerships spanning trade, investments, capability exchange and maritime security among others.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

NEWS

Visa on Arrival, Ease of Doing Business Boost Foreign Direct Investments Chinedu Eze Visa on Arrival (VOA), Ease of Doing Business policies introduced by the federal government at the nation’s major airports last year have boosted foreign direct investment (FDI) by investors who were hitherto discouraged by the difficult visa process in the past.

THISDAY gather from senior official of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, that more foreign investors have visited the country since last year compared to similar period in the last three years.

THISDAY investigations revealed that over 38, 000 people have used the VOA between June 2017 and June 2018. The Immigration official, who spoke to THISDAY said VOA is a product of the federal government’s ease-of-doing-business policy which came onboard over a year ago meant to reduce the bottlenecks in getting visas for businessmen and tourists.

He said investment has been boosted in the country as more investors are finding their way to Nigeria to trade and do other forms of businesses, investing funds, technology and skills in the country.

According to information provided to our correspondent, the over 38,000 came in from all over the world but there were frequent influx from countries

like the United States, China, Britain, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and a host of others. � The VOA is seriously helping and It is a good omen for this country. The Nigeria Immigration Services has done something great and this has helped access of investment as people will make their application and come in and pay for

it, instead of going to the embassy,� the official said.

The VOA has a duration of one month, according to the official, stating that once approval was granted by the Comptroller General, the approval has a two-week validity and when it is obtained it lasts for one month, but the beneficiary has a chance to renew the visa. “You only need approval from the Comptroller General

to get the VOA. In fact, once the approval is given, it has a validity of two weeks, if not used within that time, you start the process of re applying for approval . However, when you have approval and everything is done the duration of the visa is one month. It is also renewable,� he told our reporter.

He said enlightenment is still ongoing for those that seek

greener pastures by hook or crook, stating that the trend is reducing but that the service at all borders are trying to dissuade young ones from taking that route. “Human trafficking has reduced, not only at the airport but at other border posts. We cannot say it is completely eradicated but we are doing all we can to make sure we reduce it,� he said.

STOCKBROKERS� CONFERENCE

L-R: Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe; Chairman, 2018 ( CIS ) Annual Conference Committee , Lilian Olubi; the Register /CEO, Mr. Adedeji Alabi and member of the conference committee, Mr. Akeem Oyewale at a press briefing on the forthcoming conference in Lagos‌recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

NEPC Plans to Review Nigeria’s Export Regulations Jonathan Eze The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced plans to review Nigeria’s export regulations to drive the nation’s non-oil export.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo, said the move was to ensure export regulations in Nigeria are simple, clear, and more importantly not unreasonably costly to exporters.

Awolowo stated this during NACCIMA/NAWORG export promotion conference in Lagos. “Regarding Nigeria’s export regulations we are in the process of a comprehensive review of the steps, costs, and efficacy of implementation,� he added.

He stated that Nigeria has come a long way, but still has some work to do, pointing out that exporters

are to manage regulations on two levels – starting with export regulations in Nigeria, and ending with import regulations in target markets of its products.

He said almost all oil producing countries around the world have concluded they must diversify their exports, to build truly sustainable economies, stating that at the COP21 Paris climate agreements in 2015, over 195 countries committed to reducing their consumption of fossil fuels. “We are in complete agreement that our nation’s economic growth must be export driven through export oriented manufacturing and industry. Indeed NACCIMA has been a strategic partner in the formulation of Nigeria’s Zero Oil Plan. The Zero Oil Plan identifies 22 sectors where Nigeria has both comparative and competitive advantage in world trade and the specific international

markets to penetrate,� he added.

According to him, “to achieve our goal of rapid export diversification, we must emphasize the importance of the themes of this event - Effective export chain management, and Compliance to regulations.

These two factors play an important part in whether we succeed or fail in our export revolution. It is a known fact that Nigeria is blessed with exportable agricultural products, solid minerals, manufacturing products among others.�

He added that efforts are already ongoing by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to accelerate the pace at which many of Nigeria’s non-oil sectors can begin to contribute foreign exchange. “Regarding export chains development, the NEPC boss said Nigeria is not an economic island, and must

integrate into pre-existing international supply chains.

This leads to three basic conclusions – firstly we must be ready to compete and innovate to get our own share of global trade. This will not come easy and must be deliberately and systematically achieved.�

He stated the need for Nigeria to create a conducive business environment to attract the ongoing international reallocation of production and processing facilities from richer countries to developing markets.

He also said Nigeria must define and implement a comprehensive framework of trade agreements and fiscal instruments to improve its access to global supply chains. “These conclusions are essential to linking Nigeria’s exports into the global supply chains, and are key elements of the current national exporting agenda. No economy can survive without exports. The

NEPC is committed to playing a lead role in accelerating and providing a conducive environment for Nigeria’s effective participation at the international market space with a view to reaping for the economy significant foreign exchange from the global pie. NACCIMA has been a trusted partner for us in the past, and will remain so going forward.�

Also speaking at the event, the National President, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, said Nigeria has relied on crude oil revenues as its main source of national income and supply of foreign exchange.

She stated the need to jointly work to develop a robust non-oil export trade, restating NACCIMA’s support to promote the growth and competitiveness of businesses by ensuring an enabling environment through policy advocacy and information dissemination.

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

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

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

NRC Orders Locomotive Engine, Spare Parts The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has placed orders for procurement spare parts for rehabilitation of locomotive engines that are awaiting repairs in its fleet.

This announcement made

by Lagos District Manager of the Corporation, Jerry Oche, is coming on the heels

of complaints made by passengers of Lagos Mass Transit Train service over the frequent unscheduled movement of trains and brake down of few functional Locomotive engines at regular intervals.

According to him, “We have awarded contract for supply of spare parts and

as you know spare parts are not what you can buy off the shelve. You place order and wait for it to arrive. “Once the spare parts arrive I can assure you that most of the engines awaiting repairs will be fixed and our service will be better.�

Meanwhile, NRC in the second quarter of this year, made 584 trips with its Mass Transit Train service from Ijoko/Kajola to Iddo/Apapa and vice-versa.

Oche stated further that 457,000 passengers and 43 tons of of Luggage/Passage were respectively carried dur-

ing the period under review.

Regarding Lagos to Kano passenger and goods train service, statistics made available to Leadership shows that 7 passenger trains worked in six months while 3, 092 passengers and 276 tons of goods were conveyed between January and June this year.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

AIR WATCH

Firm Opens Catering Facility at MMIA Chinedu Eze LSG Sky Chefs in partnership with Things Remembered has opened a state-of-the-art in-flight catering services at the Murtala Muhammed Inetrnational Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The facility, which will service both international and domestic airlines had the capacity to produce up to 10,000 meals a day.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika said that the facility would distinguish the Lagos Airport in particular and Nigerian airports as a whole from others in the West Coast, thereby making the sector as the airport of choice among airlines and passengers in the sub-region.

Sirika, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sky Catering Service, Mr. Paul Obla said that the quality of in-flight service would provide added incentives to air travellers emanating from the country. “What we see today is a fulfillment of the desire of the LSG Group to pursue targeted partnership that we see today coming to fruition. This standard of in-flight catering will provide an added incentive. What we see today is a fulfillment of the desire of the LSG Group to pursue targeted partnership that will make its portfolio even robust. “The

global in-flight catering services market has reached $15.54bn in 2017 and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.06 per cent and grow to a market size of $18bn by year 2021. Passengers are more discerning and expect better quality meals when flying.�

The Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Mrs. Adeola Omikunle, in her welcome address, said that the project was in partnership with Lufthansa Airline while other foreign carriers and indigenous airlines had moved their services to the catering service company.

She explained that the company, which commenced in 1985, did not start as a catering service, but dealt in household materials.

According to her, no fewer than 400 employees are already engaged directly by the company while thousands of people would also benefit indirectly from the organisation.

She explained that Things Remembered got its first letter of award to operate a snack bar at the then Terminal 1 of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos now Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) on March 17, 1985.

She emphasised that Things Remembered was a brand name in the industry setting the pace

in hospitality and adding value to the nation’s economy through job creation. “As earlier said, delving into in-flight catering too was by providence. Our first airline customer was Arik Air, courtesy of dear brother here present, Folorunsho Coker, now the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation. “A couple of months later, Things Remembered took over catering for all Arik Air’s catering covering all its local, regional and international flights from Lagos, until 2015 when the airline decided to open its own kitchen. We also catered for Air Nigeria on all its routes, Aero Contractors, Medview Airlines, Overland Airways and quite a number of chatter flight operators,� she said.

Also, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who attended the event, commended the company for its vision to create jobs for teeming Nigerians.

He explained that at present, the company could create jobs for at least 400 Nigerians with prospect for expansion, stressing the federal government would continue to support indigenous companies in its drive for expansion.

Air Peace Relaunches Asaba Route October Air Peace has announced that it will restart its daily LagosAsaba-Lagos flight operations on October 8. The airline, which pulled out of the route more than two years ago due to safety concerns with respect to the runway of the Asaba Airport, said it would also add Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the service. A statement signed

by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the airline decided to return to the Asaba route to end the nightmare of air travellers seeking to connect the Delta State, Anambra and other adjoining cities.

Air Peace, the statement assured, was going to offer unparalleled on-time, convenient,

safe and affordable flight services on the Lagos-Asaba-Lagos and Abuja-Asaba-Abuja routes. “We are pleased to announce our return to the capital of Delta State, Asaba starting October 8, 2018. Air Peace had to suspend flight operations to the Asaba Airport more than two years ago due to safety concerns with the facility. “Since we suspended our operations to the airport, members of the flying public have inundated us with calls and appeals to return to end their nightmare on the route. While we could feel their pain, there really was not much we could do about it since our decision to pull out was anchored on safety, an issue we could never

compromise. “We are, however, thankful that the Delta State Government had to intervene to give the airport a facelift. We have been assured that the airport is now safe to operate into and we cannot but move in immediately to end the woes of members of the flying public wishing to travel to Asaba, Anambra and other connecting cities. “We are not just restoring our daily LagosAsaba-Lagos service, we are also adding Abuja-Asaba-Abuja flights to the offering to meet the yearnings of members of the flying public. It promises to be quite an exciting time once more on the Asaba route beginning from October 8�, the statement said.

Dana Partners Project Pinkblue, U.S Embassy to Train Nigerian Doctors Dana Air has deepened its corporate social responsibility(CSR) with the recent Medical oncology training of 44 Nigerian doctors at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.

The Medical Oncology training which held August 13 to 25 was in collaboration with Project Pinkblue, a non-governmental organisation, U.S Embassy in Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Speaking on the initiative, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa said, “Giving back to the society in which we operate is part of our secrets of success.

We are committed to the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and this training is part of the Upgrade Oncology initiative focused on strengthening the

capacities of oncology education, medical oncology curriculum, oncology infrastructures and cancer treatment in Nigeria.� “The training was led by two U.S. based Fulbright Specialists- Dr. Tracey O’Connor MD, a medical oncologist and associate professor at Rosswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA and Dr. Mike Martin MD, medical oncologist and associate professor of Medicine at West Cancer Center, University of Tenesse, Memphis, TN, USA.’’ According to the Executive Director of Project PinkBlue, Mr. Runcie Chidebe, the two U.S. based medical oncologists also trained 56 doctors and healthcare workers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the 44 oncologists were drawn from all

the centres of excellence (CoE) hospitals, namely: University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, University of Port Teaching Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, National Hospital Abuja, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Gusau, Federal Medical Centre Bida, Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki, and two private facilities namely Lakeshore Cancer Centre and Asi Upko Diagnostic & Medical Centre.

Airport Infrastructure and Quest for Operational Hub

Parambil

The desire for Nigeria to be an operational hub in West and Central Africa has become a sing-song in the aviation industry. But as the clamour is reinforced by stakeholders, the chances seem to elude the country.

This is because what are critical in growing an airport into a hub are modern airport facility, policies that serve as incentive to attract airlines and passengers, good charges, efficient service, availability of fuel at good prices and aircraft maintenance facility.

Despite having about 26 functioning airports, none of Nigeria’s major airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt meets these requirements.

This is why in the last three weeks people have been talking about the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. The country just built state- of-the-art international terminal, which became operational few weeks ago and which is already attracting passengers from other parts of West and Central Africa.

Even before the completion of the new terminal, the Accra airport has been attracting international and regional airlines in the last five years because of the efficient way it is run, easy facilitation and non-existence of bureaucratic bottlenecks and lack of outrageous and arbitrary charges, which are prevalent in Nigeria.

Last week, Emirates Regional Manager, West Africa, Afzal Parambil spoke to selected journalists in Nigeria about its operations in the country and in West Africa and noted that passenger traffic and modern airport infrastructure are major attractions to airlines.

As part of the unveiling of the new international terminal at Accra airport, Emirates took world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380 to Kotoka Airport. Fielding questions from the journalists, Parambil explained why. “We are taking this aircraft to Ghana showing our commitment to Ghana and West Africa. We upgrade our aircraft based on the demand of the market. Ghana in comparison with Nigeria, Nigeria is still far bigger in terms of the size of the population and number of fleet taken.

But the most important thing in West Africa is regional hub, be it Ghana or Lagos, it can act like a hub for West Africa. Traffic from Nigeria is largely driven by Nigeria and but Ghana it is not just Ghana, we have other countries like Ivory Coast, Cameron, amongst others. “Nigeria is larger in terms of the number of passengers and it is also growing. And for us to decide which aircraft we should operate is

the demand of the market, approvals from the government, the infrastructure of the country to support the huge aircraft. When passengers arrive, we should be able to clear them within a certain time,� Parambil said.

Evaluating the airport facilities in Nigeria, Emirates Regional Manager noted that one of the great attractions of visitors to Dubai is its super and state-of-the-art airport and noted that airport infrastructure is critical for successful air transport sector of any nation. “Infrastructure is critical for the airline and for the country to be successful. We have challenges like any other business and infrastructure is one of them. One of the infrastructure issues not just the airport is when passengers come from the rest of the world they should be able to connect to any part of Nigeria without any delays and we like to see that improve. I can say certain measures have been taken by the authorities, which is impressive. I believe there have been significant improvements in infrastructure, as some of the bottle necks have been removed. So, it means government is not just listening to us but to our customers. So, we are working together with the government to improve the situation,� he said.

Parambil also spoke about the successful operation of Emirates in Nigeria and how the airline is contributing to airlift cargo from Nigeria to the rest of the world.

He said that cargo business in Nigeria is growing in the same ratio as the nation’s passenger business is growing. “For some months we are seeing the cargo growth as regular as we see the passenger growth. Most of the imports are personal effects of Nigerians who live abroad and foreign nationals migrating who imports, we also bring in pharmaceutical items into the country. “For exports we have kolanuts, chocolate drinks called Milo. These are the two main products exported. These are perishable items, so you need to have a reliable carrier to take them and reach their destinations in time. We ensure we have adequate facilities at the airport here in Nigeria and also in Dubai and we ensure it doesn’t take more than the required time to get to Dubai as this can impact on the quality of the product. So, customer satisfaction is key in this,� he said.

Emirates which recently introduced new aircraft, Boeing B777 ER to Abuja route, also operates twice daily from Lagos to Dubai.

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Creating Wider Market for African Airlines Last week at the 14th Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, aviation experts x-rayed the opportunities offered by the Single African Air Transport Market for Nigerian and other African airlines in the continent. Chinedu Eze writes that Nigerian carriers can take advantage of open sky for Africa to explore more routes in the region.

Aviation and tourism practitioners last week at the 14th Akwaaba African Travel Market, which held September 9-11 in Lagos, brainstormed on how to boost tourism in Nigeria and how to expand the market for African airlines in Africa, taking advantage of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the treaty on open sky for Africa that was ratified by the African Union earlier in the year.

A day was dedicated to aviation at the event and the theme of the aviation day was: “Is Aviation in Africa Making Progress or in Decline?� which looked at how well African governments and airlines were able to harness the huge potential provided by the aviation industry in the region.

According to the International Air transport Association (IATA), aviation already supports 6.9 million jobs and more than $80 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) across Africa.

The world body said implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision (which is open sky for Africa, now replaced by SAATM) would transform intra-African air connectivity.

IATA noted that the additional services generated by intra- African liberalisation between just 12 key markets (countries) would provide an extra 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in annual GDP. This would also provide a potential five million passengers a year. IATA said these potential five million passengers are being denied the chance to travel between these markets because of unnecessary restrictions in the establishment of air routes, according to a research carried out by Inter VISTAS. Other issues were deliberated upon at this year’s Akwaaba and these included interconnectivity in Africa and the challenges of implementing the SAATM among nations, African carriers and the challenge of profitability, the relationship between infrastructure and passenger growth in Africa sand regional disparity and market share distribution in Africa.

Lucrative African Market IATA’s Regional Head for Airline and Relations, Africa and Middle East, Funke Adeyemi said that intra-African routes are lucrative and that there are under served markets that Nigerian airlines could take advantage of. “An airline that is operating across Africa could testify about the goodness and sweetness of the SAATM. Let us talk about what it is, it is a policy decision taken by African heads of states, designed to ensure that Africa is integrated.

And this is in line with African Union vision for Africa, to see regional integration, prosperity and mobility across Africa. “Now why does aviation play such a key role? And why did the Africa Union start with aviation as its flagship project? I think it is fair to say that aviation is the fastest means of transportation across borders in the world.

You can travel by ship, you can travel by road, you travel by rail but aviation is the one that can take you there the fastest. And aviation can travel anywhere in the world within a 24-hour period. Why is this important for Africa?

Africa is one of the largest land masses in the world. So what you see on the land is not the reality,� Adeyemi said.

She noted that the map of Africa reveals the reality of the vastness of Africa but noted that it is easier to travel to Europe from Africa than to travel from one part of Africa to another.

So this explained why aviation is necessary in Africa because it takes about eight hours to travel from Johannesburg to Dakar, while it takes a passenger six hours to travel from Lagos to London. “Now going to the issue of the SAATM as I said it is designed to ensure that there is integration and connectivity among African states and supported by operations of African airlines. So I need to emphasise this, SAATM is about Africa, for African states and African

From left –Right: Richard Aisuebeogun, former Managing Director, FAAN, Vice Chairman, SAHCOL, Chike Ogeah, Fatima Garbati, Aviation consultant, Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director, IATA, Africa and Middle East, Wimpie Van Vuuren, Senior Manager, Sales, and Marketing, Air Namibia, Managing Director, Dial Travel and Tours, Steve Isokariari and Mr Ikechi Uko, organizer, 14th Akwaaba Travel Market at the aviation Day held at Eko Hotel Lagos Abdullahi

airlines. And the idea behind this is to ensure better co-operation among the states first at the bilateral level and amongst the airlines in terms of commercial cooperation between themselves as African carriers. So this is something designed for Africa and meant to be deployed for Africa by Africa.

Connections across Africa Adeyemi wondered why African airlines have not seen this great connection across Africa and explained that it was because the airspace over the state, is a sovereign property of that, so the state has the right to go and negotiate with another state, who can come into their country, how many times that airline can come into their country because it is their sovereign right.

In other words, the states create literally walls through immigration and restriction in the airspace, which serve as impediment to the free movement of passengers from one country to another, as it is done presently in Europe. “Let me illustrate what I mean; is it necessary for every African state to have an airline? No. what the single African skies is trying to do is that there are appropriate air services across Africa that are done by different African airlines, and they don’t have to be from your own country. Let’s give some examples of where we are starting to see this. Ethiopian Airlines and Asky, they came to an agreement, Ethiopian said they will do technical partnership and that technical partnership will see Asky setup a hub in West Africa and operate within West Africa. “West and central Africa is notorious for the

According to the International Air transport Association (IATA), aviation already supports 6.9 million jobs and more than $80 billion in GDP across Africa

least connected in Africa. It is not Ethiopian airlines per se; but it is another entity run with different stakeholders involved. And what happens, they started operating within West Africa, people started to benefit. So it wasn’t that they invited Lome, there is no Lome Airways, it is Asky operating out of Lome,�

Adeyemi said.

SAATM Adeyemi said SAATM allows an African airline to go to another country and set up a base. For example, Rwand Air is setting up a base in Benin Republic and Ethiopia Airlines has started doing this across Africa and in the same vein, a Nigerian airline can set up base at any place, like in Niger Republic, in Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia or any other country. “What is stopping other airlines from doing the same thing? Ghana doesn’t have a Ghana Airways but they have opened up their market, giving fifth freedom rights to all African carriers that want to come in there. Today Ghana has better connectivity out of the continent.

So that is what the single African market is intended to do. And the idea behind that is that African countries open up their market to each other,� she said.

Taxes and Costs Adeyemi said it is expensive to travel across Africa, stressing that it is 45 per cent more expensive to fly across Africa than it is in any other part of the world. She said that IATA is trying to solve this problem by making governments in Africa to understand that air travel is a necessity, not luxury and that the policy of these governments is undermining the potential air travel market in the continent. “The world travel statistics was released this year and over 4.1 billion passenger travelled by air. That is over half of the world population, that is mass transit. So how can aviation be seen as a luxury? And for Africa in particular aviation is supposed to be doing that job. We have the same population as a continent as India as a country. Aviation is the biggest means of transportation in India; in the China it is the same thing. That is what is supposed to happen in Africa, it is supposed to be a mass transit, to allow people and goods to move freely. And what that does is that it facilitates business, trade, economic development, prosperity etc.�

She said one of the reasons why governments impose taxes on aviation is because aviation is an organised industry in terms of safety, security, passenger facilitation and even on how we collect money. So it is easy to collect money from aviation.

Another reasons why governments levy taxes on the aviation industry is because it is seen as an elitist industry. “What is the big deal in putting $10 on a ticket? Well, the big deal is that $10 is the difference between somebody flying or not flying. And so if you make it a disincentive for people to fly then the industry will not grow.

Bridging Connectivity Gap Former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Richard Aisuebeogun lamented that it is due to lack of connectivity among African countries that sometimes to get to some destination in African, from Africa; you have to travel to Europe to connect flight back to Africa. “Some 10 years ago my team and I needed to travel to Bamako, Mali. To get to Bamako we had to fly out of Africa to France and then flew back from France to Bamako. When we are done we thought on how to connect Bamako back to Lagos, of course there was nothing we could do than to fly back to Paris and then to Lagos. That wasn’t a good experience because ordinarily, the flight could have taken us close to four and half hours if we had flown directly but it took close to 24 hours to get to our destination. “Over the years the governments in Africa have seen all of these difficulties and challenges in air transports system but possibly because they need to guard their airspace jealously, they have refused to loosen up and let air transport market become a regional thing. Over the years, also African air transport market has developed various regional policies with regional initiatives.

For instance the Banjul Accord, Yamoussoukro accord, the Cape Town Convention which also allows the operators of the airlines to be able to own ownership of the aircraft and in the case of a default the lessor will be able to take back the airplane. All of these initiatives were developed in the last 20years and 25years to guarantee seamless air transport in Africa but it has all failed because of government policies in each of the 55 countries of Africa,�

Aisuebeogun said.

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Protecting African Marine Environment Eromosele Abiodun examines plans by the Association of African Maritime Administrations to protect Africa’s marine environment to support sustainable development Following global economic turmoil and the increase call for governments across Africa to diversify their economies, there has been a steady rise across Africa in the attention given to the responsible use of the oceans to contribute to economic development. Experts believe the opportunities around Africa’s blue economies are enormous with significant potential to create jobs and improve livelihoods.

Africa’s vast coastline hosts a maritime industry estimated at $1 trillion per year and this is only scratching the surface.

Africa has 38 coastal states and a number of island states like Cape Verde, Sao TomĂŠ and Principe, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros. Collectively African coastal and island states encompass vast ocean territories of an estimated 13 million km2.

The Seychelles, for example, has 1.3 million square kms of ocean territory that remains largely underdeveloped. Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa (approximately 3 000 km) and claims ocean territory stretching about 120 km off shore.

But what is often missing in debates are issues of governance and security. Five themes are particularly important to ensure both: safety and security, rule of law and transparency, respect for human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development.

Experts believe many African countries are failing to ensure safe and secure conditions for those working and living off the oceans.

Tracts of the sea off East, West and North Africa are often labelled lawless. Illegal fishing, sea piracy and armed robbery, drug and human smuggling have assumed staggering proportions.

Capping this is the rise in illegal migration.

For this to change, experts said diverse actors need to start cooperating across national boundaries to secure and use ocean territories. It has become common knowledge that individual states can do little on their own. The solution of cooperation is simple but difficult to sell to a critical mass of African governments that are often suspicious of collective agendas.

Failure to ensure that ocean territories are secure promotes ungoverned spaces which criminals exploit. At worst, neglected maritime spaces benefit insurgents and terrorists as is obvious in Libya, Somalia and Nigeria.

Africa has had to contend with three volatile oceanic regions where criminality makes it impossible for countries to realise the potential of their oceans. These are the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and the waters of the Mediterranean to the north of Libya.

A common denominator in the three hubs is that countries on these coasts have failed to make the areas safe. This has opened the door to criminal actors.

Marine Pollution That is not all, the greatest danger now is the alarming rate of marine pollution. Experts believe the health of marine ecosystem is on the decline as a result of anthropogenic waste that is discharged into coastal or marine environments, resulting from the human activities on land or at sea.

They therefore warned that it is very critical that governments, global businesses and political leaders recognize the growing threats and urgently act to restore the marine environment to healthy state for economic development of Africa.

According to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), plastics constitute about 95 per cent of marine litter found on coastlines, sea surface and the ocean floor. Also, an estimated 4.8 million to 12.7 million metric tonnes of plastic entered the ocean from land-based sources in 2010, and about 8 million metric tonnes has entered the oceans each year since then. It is estimated that between 1.15m and 2.41m metric tons of plastic trash currently flow from rivers into the oceans every year.

The top 20 polluting rivers were mostly located in Asia and account for 67 per cent of

the global total. Shipping, fishing, aquaculture, tourism and recreation are directly affected by plastic pollution. Marine plastic pollution is estimated to cause at least $13 billion annually in economic losses.

In the same vein, a recent Greenpeace report found that the West African region loses about $2 billion to illegal fishing. “Most African countries are keenly aware of both the ocean’s potential as well as the threats to this potential. A number of initiatives point to this. These include: the African Union’s 2012 Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 which

recognises and encourages the importance of African countries paying greater attention to their maritime interests and the recently agreed LomÊ Charter – a continental effort to encourage and coordinate efforts by African states to attend to maritime security, safety and development,� the report stated.

Others the report said are: “the YaoundĂŠ Code of Conduct for West Africa which maps out an inter-regional set of responsibility zones to oversee and facilitate responses to growing criminality in the Gulf of Guinea and an increase in the presence of international naval capabilities

off the Horn of Africa to stem the piracy tide off Somalia. This was complemented by the Djibouti Code of Conduct that enabled East African intervention to counter piracy threats.

The code has been extended to include other maritime crimes. “At national level the Seychelles’ government has set the tone with its explicit focus on the importance of the blue economy. A National Blue Economy Roadmap aims to advance economic diversification, unlock investments CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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PROTECTING AFRICAN MARINE ENVIRONMENT “Embracing technology was another key plank in our strategy to develop as a global hub port. For Singapore, this was vital given our perennial challenges of land space and manpower constraints. To become a world-class global hub port, we had to overcome these limitations and deliver the highest value in terms of efficiency, quality and reliability of service. “Likewise, enhancing efficiency is a common challenge shared by many African ports today.

A global benchmarking study conducted by SAP found that ports that leverage technology to drive productivity improvements enjoy 36 per cent higher operating margins than similar peers. This is where port automation and digital solutions could be potential game-changers, not only for cargo throughput but also profitability.�

He added that long-term, holistic planning and collaboration among stakeholders are key to ensure these projects are sustainable while generating growth opportunities and positive spinoffs. “And while there will be differences in scope and economic objectives, good institutions and responsible governance will be the common threads that will propel these projects and keep them firmly on course, �he stated.

and address food security. Although the approach taken by the Seychelles seems obvious given its dependence on the surrounding oceans, the connection is just as important for Africa’s other 38 coastal states.�

South Africa, the report pointed out, runs a host of maritime initiatives to tap into the blue economy. “The country recently adopted a policy – called Operation Phakisa aimed at four priority areas: marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture and marine protection services,� it stated.

Despite all these initiatives a great deal still needs to be done. The most important are around governance and security.

Unfortunately well networked actors threatening the security of African waters are growing at an alarming rate.

Maritime security experts believe African countries could address this by, in the first instance, ensuring that their national laws are aligned with the United Nation’s treaty aimed at ocean safety.

Secondly, the experts added that African countries need to start working together, “It’s clear that single countries can do very little on their own. They need to sign up to multilateral initiatives. A growing network of collective maritime security is key to harnessing the Blue Economy.�

AAMA Steps In Meanwhile, the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) is responding to these challenges by putting the crisis on the front burner.

Last week 33 African maritime administrators under the auspices of AAMA gathered in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to chart a new course on how to protect African marine environment.

The theme of the conference was “Protecting the African Marine Environment so Support Sustainable Development.�

The representatives of the following member administrations attended the conference: Mauritania, South Sudan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Comoros, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Benin, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Kenya, Guinea, Libya and Nigeria.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the African Union (AU) and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame called on African government to put measures in place to protect Africa’s rich marine resource and the environment because the continent already losses a whooping $42 billion (N15.12 trillion) annually to the devastating effect of climate change.

Represented by the African Union Permanent Representative at the League of Arab States, Bouzahar Abdel Hamid, he said Africa must urgently take advantage of its maritime resource to grow its economy and ensure sustainable development.

According to him, “The theme of the 2018 Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA) conference, “Protecting Africa’s Marine Environment,� is apt considering that Africa loses a whooping $42 billion annually as a result of the devastating effect of climate change on its marine environment. The African Union Commission places importance on the blue economy as an option for the development of the African economy. The blue economy has been described as the new frontline of Africa’s renaissance. It is for that reason that the AU is working towards it being a cartelist of the growth of the African economy. “Moreover, by including maritime issues in the African agenda 2063, the AU commission has made a commitment to ensure that the blue economy remain a pillar of the drive to ensure that the African continent achieve its aspiration of sustained economic growth and development. Furthermore, it is our aspiration that by 2063 Africa should have the necessary infrastructures to support the expected growth of the maritime sector. The infrastructures should include high speed rail network, roads, shipping lines, sea and airports as well as advanced Information and Communications Technology and the digital economy. The African Heads of State and Governments have demonstrated a clear commitment that this becomes a reality, hence the signing of the African Continental Free Trade earlier this year.�

Peterside

These and the agenda 2063, he added, are aimed at supporting Africa’s integration and accelerated growth. “The African Union Commission has made considerable effort to establish an intergovernmental task force to handle the African maritime and economic advancement issues.

The commission has established a department responsible for maritime issues as stated in the African 2050 integrated maritime strategy. This department will be at the forefront of ensuring close collaboration between African maritime organizations and ensure the dream of the blue economy leading the revival of the African economy is realized,� he stated.

In his speech, the Chairman of AAMA and Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside said the theme of the conference is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the 2030 magenda for sustainable development unanimously adopted by 192 members of the United Nations in 2015.

This historic agreement, he added, forged a pathway to sustainability and a strategy called a plan of action for people. “Our choice of the theme is to show AAMA’s commitment to protecting African marine environment to support sustainable development.

This is also evident in our continued desire to adapt to global standards for safe secured and efficient maritime transport,� he said.

Africa, he added, saw into the future in 2014 when the African Union adopted Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050. “The idea is to position maritime and particularly seaborne transportation as the nub or force of driving development in the African continent. The global desire to mobilise effort for sustainable development again further drove African Heads of State and Heads of Government at an extra-ordinary session held in Lome, Togo in October 2016, to adopt a chatter on maritime security, safety and development.

The adoption of the Lome chatter provides a means for signatories to commit to specific actions to promote Africa and a sustainable blue economy. What the revised African maritime transport chatter of 2010 and the 2015 aims strategy gives broad based outlines of where Africans states should be heading. Also, the African Union agenda 2063 sees the marine economy as a major contributor to economic growth. “The plethora of national and institutional maritime strategies has continued to emerge as important building blocks for sustainable

development of our maritime domain all of this underscore the need to for maritime administrators in Africa to join efforts to protect our God given rich maritime resources and environment.

The objective of every African maritime administrator is aligned with International Maritime Organization (IMO) objective of safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans. The work of IMO relates to most if not all of the SGDs 14 target and more, particularly as it relates to environmental protection,�he said.

Learning from Singapore Also speaking at the conference, the Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Mr Andrew Tan called on African governments to make strategic investment in container port infrastructure. “The strategic investment in container port infrastructure made by our founding leaders became the early foundation of Singapore’s economic growth story. It gave Singapore the first-mover advantage to ride the global wave of containerisation and subsequently to capture other growth opportunities in tandem with global developments. “Our long-term commitment to port infrastructure development continues to be a work-in-progress today. Following Tanjong Pagar, we continued to expand the City Terminals in Keppel and Brani (these are names of locations in Singapore). By the 1990s, we started construction of the Pasir Panjang Terminal. The construction of the Pasir Panjang Terminal is carried out in four phases. Pasir Panjang Terminal Phases 3 and 4 were completed earlier this year, bringing our total container handling capacity to 50 million TEUs,� he said.

He added: “We have planned, and will continue to plan further ahead to 2030 and beyond, for the Next Generation Tuas Port. Our plans are to consolidate all of Singapore’s container handling activities in western Singapore by 2040. When completed, Tuas Port will have a total capacity of up to 65 million TEUs. “The emphasis on long-term strategic planning continues to be a core tenet of Singapore’s public policy from economy building and manpower development to social policies and urban planning. At each phase of development, we looked at the prevailing global trends and planned 20, 30 and even 50 years ahead, making necessary adjustments to our plans along the way. This reflects the Singapore Government’s approach of planning for the long term, while remaining responsive to new developments and opportunities.

Nigeria as Maritime Hub In his closing remarks, Peterside told the delegates that the President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration has the vision and determination to make the Nigerian ports, the hub of maritime activities in the West and Central Africa.

Petersides said the geographical location of Nigeria will aid its transformation to a regional maritime hub.

According to him, “Today, we are celebrating Singapore based on the Vision of its leaders.

And I am also happy to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is doing everything position to make the Nigerian ports the hub of maritime activities in the West and Central Africa.�

He added that the Buhari administration has a long-term, strategic port planning system that will ensure that the nation’s sea ports provide adequate capacity to meet the demands of key shipping lines and their alliance partners in sizeable blocks of volume.

The NIMASA boss stated that Africa needs leaders like President Buhari who has strategic vision and viable courage to make bold decisions that will enable the Nigerian sea ports and other ports in Africa to stay ready for the future, be a pacesetter, reap first-mover advantages, and thrive in a dynamic and competitive global maritime business.

Nigeria’s strategic vision for its ports, he said, are being built on the 3 Cs of Connectivity, Capacity, and Competitiveness African leaders, Peterside added, need to emulate Singapore in taking the right decision and make the necessary investment to develop port infrastructure and technology to boost efficiency and economy.

The federal government, the NIMASA boss revealed is emulating Singapore and other maritime nations of the world in terms of short, medium and long term planning that will assist the Nigerian ports to compete favourably with other ports across the globe and urged other African countries to emulate them.

He added that the maritime time sector forecast released by NIMASA recently and the training of over 2500 seafarers by the agency were part of the efforts to make the Nigerian ports competitive.

He urged African maritime administrators to identify areas where they have comparative advantage, their weaknesses and the opportunities they have to reduce poverty and the high level of unemployment ravaging the content..

He stressed that there was need for maritime administrators across the continent to come up with beautiful ideas so that people can invest in their programmes the way the World Bank and other financial institutions did for Singapore in 1972.

Paucity of fund, according to him, cannot, and must not be allowed to delay the growth of the maritime sector in the continent of Africa.

Peterside said, Nigeria and other African countries must emulate continue to emulate developed countries by investing in technology to bringing innovation and efficiency to our ports.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Lulu-Briggs:

Why I Take Care of the Elderly

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Seinye Lulu-Briggs: Why I Take Care of the Elderly Dr. (Mrs.) Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, an ardent social entrepreneur and President of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, has over the years dedicated her time and resources to taking care of the elderly in the society. In this interview with Mary Nnah, Lulu-Briggs, who reflected on her life after she clocked 60 on September 21, also revealed why she started taking care of the elderly. Excerpts:

H

ow does it feel being 60?

I really don’t know how I am supposed to feel because I feel really good. People sometimes tell me that I look good for 60. Once again, I wonder how I am supposed to look. I usually smile whenever I hear such compliments because as a Christian, I have a lot of optimism and live with great zest for life.

I believe in God’s mercy and also that He has a plan and purpose for me. When you find your purpose and understand it, you are happier because you will be more useful here on earth. I thank God for giving me the purpose of bringing joy to people’s lives by shouldering their burdens by His power. Every single day, I try to make people smile and when I do this, I feel happy because I have been useful to another human being.

To return to your question, I am not one that’s really into birthdays and age. But sometime this year, when I checked my date of birth and I knew that I would be 60 this year. I asked myself how many people I have impacted positively in those 60 years. How much more would I have done when I wake up, by the grace of God, 10 years down the line and I am 70?”

This is my motivation; this is what keeps me going: to do what my Father in heaven sent me to do, which is to love my fellow man as I love myself. If Jesus Christ tarries, I have accepted there is a lot more to be done and I am saying ‘Here I am Lord, use me’. So, let 60 come. I am not afraid of 60. I am not shy to tell people I am 60 years old.

What has life taught you?

The drive that I have is greater than the pain I have actually experienced. For me, the more I encounter challenges, the more energy and resilience I have. Everything becomes more simple and clearer to me when I understand and accept that whatever I can do is not by my might or power but by the Spirit of God. And my Bible tells me that I can do all things, not some things, but all things through Christ who strengthens me. I could not do all that I do by my strength. It is not possible! If it was by my strength, I would be tired. Just managing the oil company alone would tire me out. We have other businesses in our group, which I also supervise. Managing my household is a full time job, and there is my beloved husband to whom I give hundred per cent of my time. So, it is obviously not by my power. I can firmly say it is by the power of God. When I close my eyes and count the things that I am managing, even when I think about the things I have to do physically, I just remove all thoughts from my head.

I believe that we are created to conquer challenges, and I also believe that whatever you put in your mind and accept as the truth is what controls your physical body. I have no reason to be tired.

I am ready. If it has to be done, it will be done. The little time I have to spare, I will get on my bed and in five minutes, I am fast asleep. If I have to wake up two hours later, then, I am up again. It is amazing but it is not me. God has been so faithful.

The various businesses do not lack my attention. My home and family do not lack my attention. I am a hands-on mother and personally take my son to and from boarding school. I give God all the glory.

Looking back at your life in the past 60 years, any regrets?

My only regret would have been that I did not say ‘Yes’ to Jesus Christ earlier.

care of them and pay doctors to see them regularly. He accepted my proposal on the condition that it had to be first accepted by the community, because at that time people in the villages usually didn’t like to accept food from others. So we recruited some women to go from house to house in each compound and ask if there was an old person, man or woman in the house.

The sad part is that such old persons were usually kept in the inner room and wouldn’t be allowed to come out. They were not dead, but they were confined to the bed and they were not part of society any more. Once we knew that there was an old person in any house, we would take down their details and that was how we started to care for them.

Lulu-Briggs

Honestly, if I had the strength that I now have all along, I believe I would have covered more ground. But God works in miraculous ways; He is able to take very long steps to cover up for those lost years.

In that case, I have no regret at all.

What were the things that influenced your childhood?

In my growing up years, I always loved people. I lived with my parents and I had a grandmother. Because of my position as the middle child of the family, I was the handy person. I was the only person my mother would send on errands and chores.

My two younger sisters were too young to do chores and my big sister would not go on errands when I was available to do them. So Seinye was the person my parents always called to do things. It was my responsibility to take care of my grandmother. She had health issues and needed assistance to move about. I would get up early in the morning, assist her to go to the bathroom, prepare her food and even feed her. For me, it was just a normal thing to do.

Even though I was doing so much housework, if I went out for personal reasons, it was a problem. So I planned every morning in such a way that even before my parents asked me to do my chores, I would quickly take care of them and look after my grandmother so well that when I finally went out to play or visit my friends, no one had any need to look for me. Doing those things gave me pleasure and I often looked forward to doing chores. It meant nothing to me because that was how I grew up. In school I had friends. Some came from wealthy homes and some didn’t; but we lived and shared things together. I think it is the way God created me. I will not say I am such a nice person but I don’t know how to be selfish. I appreciate my friends.

How did the idea of establishing a foundation come about?

When I met my husband, I just saw a man who had a large heart for loving others; I saw a great philanthropist. There was however no kind of structure in his giving.

He would say, ‘go and bring the bag with money’, ‘go and bring the cheque,’. It was just like that. People would come to our home for different kinds of assistance. The next day, the same people would come again for the same assistance. I felt there had to be a way around this. When God gave me the idea to start a foundation, I went to my husband to present the structure to him.

So the thought of the foundation came because I saw a huge gap in the care and assistance being given to people and that is in the care of old people. There are two incidents that made me take that decision. The first one was a woman who was bedridden. She lay in a room whose roof was leaking and whenever it rained, it rained on her too. She had no brother, no family, no children living with her; all of those who could assist her were in Port Harcourt and she was in the village. Another instance was the woman who came to my husband because she wanted money to treat illness. People were preventing her from getting to my husband, and she kept screaming and saying ‘leave me alone, I am going to my father. Give me money; the doctor said I should bring some money to treat myself in the hospital’. Eventually, she made it to where my husband was and he gave her some money and as she was leaving, blood was dropping from her body. She was over 80 years old. I am not sure whether she was able to get medical attention. I was new in the family then; that was less than a year after we got married, so all of this was strange to me.

I kept thinking of this woman and her travails. I wondered who would take care of her.

The thought of this woman occupied my mind for so long that when the opportunity came to address the issue of the foundation, I went to my husband and said to him: ‘Yes, you have the money.

Yes, you are willing to give it out, but let us put some structure to your giving, so that it will be truly effective’. He asked me what I wanted to do and I told him there were many old people like that woman who had insisted on seeing him. I told him that we could buy them food, take

So what has become of the foundation today?

Today, we have over 200 of such elderly people that we take care of. We signed them on and they remain our responsibility till they die. We take care of their feeding, medication and social life. We have even built recreational centers for them. Apart from that, on a monthly basis, we give them food items. They are all very happy now; their relations now come around because there is regular supply of food and they are all taken care of. We have also employed caregivers to take care of the ones that are not able to take care of themselves.

The foundation today is now on a strong footing. We have grown from just caring for the elderly and have added other programmes that make up the activities of the foundation. My husband has been very gracious. When we started the foundation, as the Chief Executive of Moni Pulo Limited, he funded every activity of the foundation.

Today, by the grace of God, I am the Executive Vice Chairman of the company and the family of O.B Lulu-Briggs has remained the sole benefactor of the foundation. We have had some corporate bodies that assisted us, but the family supports over 99 per cent of our expenses till date.

Exactly in what ways has the foundation touched lives so far?

Well, under the Care for Life programme, the foundation gives daily care to the aged and infirm in rural communities by providing them food and medication for as long as they live. The foundation has built and furnished two recreational centers for the elderly in Abonnema and Abua, both of which are communities in Rivers State.

These recreational centers have modern facilities where previously home bound and ignored senior citizens can interact daily, receive nutritious meals and medical attention. We also organise regular fivedays free medical outreaches and during each of these, we treat over 4,000 people.

The O.B. Lulu Briggs Foundation also initiated the Visual Eye project.

In 2013, we donated two blocks of sanitary facilities and potable water outlets with multiple fetching points to the Port Harcourt Maximum Prison. We place high premium on health and have come to terms with the fact that even though the prisons are designed to be a rehabilitation and correctional facility for those who may have violated the rule of law, the government can achieve the corrective and rehabilitative objective of the modern prison through the collaborative efforts of its citizens.

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

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HNWOTY Awards 2018: Call for Nominations

HRH Yahaya Abubakar, the ETSU Nupe of Bida (left), exchanging pleasantries with the Egbere Emere Okori, Eleme, Rivers State, HRH Dr Appolus Chu, during the latter’s recent visit to Bida, Niger State in continuation of his advocacy for unity and harmony in Nigeria

Her Network Woman of the Year Awards (HNWOTY) has announced its call for nominations for its annual celebration of outstanding women.

The awards are returning for its second edition after the launch of its maiden edition in December 2017, which was set up to recognise noteworthy women across various industries.

The aim of the awards is to publicly celebrate successful women in various industries who manifest admirable zeal in their industry, identified by their ability to positively affect lives by changing the narrative through their work and leaving a legacy for future generations.

Some of the HNWOTY featured industries this year include Technology, Entertainment, Social media, Philanthropy and Community Service.

The Founder of Her Network, Nkem Onwudiwe said: “There are so many phenomenal women doing great work and impacting their immediate and extended communities.

“These women aren’t really looking for any accolades but they deserve all of that and more so this vision of celebrating Women of Impact at the End of every Year and their accomplishments, isn’t a popularity contest, but our own way of identifying and encouraging them

Okori Traditional Ruler Takes Unity Kingsley Ogboso Out with Another Edition of True Crusade to Bida Mary Nnah In continuation of his peace talk and crusade for unity and harmony in Nigeria, the Egbere Emere Okori Eleme, Rivers State, Dr Appolus Chu, recently took his campaign to Bida in Niger State.

This crusade according to Chu, was part of moves to strengthen cultural ties and peaceful coexistence amongst the different regions and ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Apart from organising various events in his community to achieve this, like hosting high class traditional rulers and other dignitaries across the country in his palace regularly, Chu has recently been travelling from one part of Nigeria to another on a regular basis, trying to establish a crusade of oneness, a gesture he wants other traditional rulers to emulate.

In Bida, Niger State, Chu’s arrival was heralded with the salute of gunshots, while he was being escorted by royal horsemen to the palace of another royal father, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the ETSU Nupe of Bida and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.

It was an unending celebration accompanied by cultural dances of all sorts by different cultural troops in Bida - from

the women group to the Hausa community.

Settled at the palace, Chu thanked the ETSU Nupe of Bida and the people of Bida for their contribution towards the unity of Nigeria, even as he expressed satisfaction at the respect been maintained in the kingdom. He further described Abubakar as a role model and icon in the crusade for national unity.

He said: “I am one of the young kings in this country that admire your style of leadership.

One thing we have to note is that he is not just a king for Nupe people but a king of all Nigerians because he is one of those leaders in Nigerian that have been doing his best to educate Nigerians on the importance of national unity and also how to bring traditional rulers together in this country.

“He is a man that moves from one kingdom to another to talk about the unity, security, and development of this country. I know that it is not a job of one man alone. We need the collective support of all the traditional rulers in this country to join in this crusade.”

Chu who incidentally found his match in the ETSU Nupe of Bida in the campaign for unity, peace and harmony in Nigeria, said he was also supporting his host in this crusade of advocat-

ing for national unity and peace of the nation.

“The government cannot do it alone without the support of the traditional rulers, coming together as one. Government is far away from the grassroots, but we the traditional ruler are the ones close to the people.

“We can better communicate with our subject in the language they understand easily and as a result they would be more yielding to our instructions.

This way, we can easily maintain peace and harmony in our communities and the nation at large”, he added.

He said he embarked on the journey all the way from OkoriEleme in Rivers State just to strengthen the bonds between him and the traditional ruler of Bida, which will strengthen his kingdom with that of Bida and its people as a symbol of love.

He said his journey was also to portray the fact that there was no difference between the North and South.

On the security challenges bedeviling the nation he said: “Insecurity is a distraction and the virus eating deep into the fabric of the nation at this point.

And it is high time for us, as a nation to rise together and eradicate insecurity and all the restiveness that is happening in this country.

“ If we don’t fight for peace ourselves, nobody will come and fight for us. And we are not going to fight for peace and security with guns but by coming together as one.”

In his response, Abubakar, thanked Chu for the visit, describing it as a symbol of respect, love and unity between the North and the South-south.

“What we are actually propagating here, considering the situation we are in now and considering the history and political activities in the country, is unity.

“The traditional institution in Nigeria has been playing a very significant role in uniting this country and also ensuring that we have good government administration.”

He said for any country to develop, it must have the required peace and understanding, adding, “we hope, Chu’s visit will go a long way in ensuring that the unity, peace and progress we are looking for this country will be achieved.”

He further extolled the resilience in Chu in building synergy traditional rulers while he called on other traditional rulers across the nation to emulate Chu’s giant stride.

Abubakar later presented a royal horse as a gift to Chu.

GOtv’s Drive in Empowering Nigerian Youths One of the leaders of pay television, GOtv has reiterated its drive in empowering the youths of today across religious and ethic divide in Nigeria. As at the last count, over 6,000 youths have benefited from its empowerment schemes since 2014.

According to GOtv General Manager, Akin Salu, these empowered youths end up becoming ambassadors for the brand. These empowered youths are no other than the Sabimen, the primary responders who are trained to be the meet the need of customers.

He said participants in the Sabimen, canvassers as well as Mops and Pops schemes are community ambassadors for GOtv, adding that, “these are the people that the customers reach out to when they have issues that need to be fixed. So apart from just selling, they also help us fix issues within the communities”.

Speaking at a recent ceremony held for participants in

the schemes, he reiterated that MultiChoice is committed to improving the economic capacity of young Nigerians, adding that its employment of over 6,000 young Nigerians since 2014 is a proof of this.

He said: “Since 2014, GOtv has been able to create jobs for over 6,000 young Nigerians. We are taking a lot of people off the street and getting them employed by selling GOtv. “These people are able to attend to the needs of their immediate families, people they need to support and also support themselves in terms of education and other basic needs of life.”

One of the beneficiaries of the scheme is Umar Ahmed, who three years ago wanted a job badly. Having no skill, his chances were greatly limited, especially given the economic situation of the country.

However things changed for the better when he met a DStv installer, who told him about

the GOtv Sabimen scheme, and asked him to apply. Having no idea of what was required he had to ask the installer a few questions.

The installer explained to him that the scheme aims to provide young people with a variety of skills, which will ultimately lead to self-employment.

Ahmed was impressed and he applied.

He was taken and subsequently equipped with the skills he had been told of. Participants in the scheme are provided training in, among other things, installation of GOtv, resolution of subscribers’ complaints and customer service.

He said: “MultiChoice has supported me in a lot of ways.

First, there is a sense of responsibility being that I have a job. I wake up in the morning and I have something to do. Second, something comes in at the end of the month, which helps me pay my bills, help my younger ones and also do some certain

things.”

Ahmed is hoping to start his own business, enlarge his capacity and become a partner with MultiChoice in the not too distant future.

Another beneficiary of MultiChoice’s employment initiative is Akanni Hassan Abayomi, who became a sales canvasser in 2016.

Abayomi applied for the position after seeing an advertisement and his application was successful. He underwent training, which gave him skills in persuading people as well as financial management.

Being a canvasser involves persuading customers or clients about the product and they are paid commission on the sales they make.

His story mirrors that of Adetola Agbomagbe, a female, who is familiar with installation. Agbomnagbe said she was thrilled to have acquired technical skills through the training she got.

“As a female, I find myself in the field of engineering. I even

Heroes Awards

The second edition of the True Heroes Awards has been scheduled to hold on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Eventistry, Off Almiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos.

The event is a social initiative that celebrates Nigerians who have made outstanding philanthropic contributions towards people empowerment and nation building, but are most times unrecognised for their efforts.

Award winning actor and convener of the True Heroes Awards, Kingsley Ogboso said the objective of the award is to promote the positive image of individuals who have contributed to the growth of the country and also impacted lives knowingly and unknowingly, while encouraging them to do more.

Categories of the award include goodwill, selfless public services, restoring hope and trust among Nigerians while also reigniting the passion for citizenship and patriotism.

The second edition is almost here and 23 selfless Nigerians who have served humanity will be celebrated and showcased to the world as True Nigerian Heroes.

Among the special guests who will be attending include Pastor J.T Kalejaiye; Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare; DG, LSSC Tunde Bank-Anthony; CSP. Dolapo Badmus; Daysman Wogiren Oyakhilome and Debola Williams.

Celebrity guests who will add shine to the event include, Mr. Ibu, Sunday Are, YAW, Daddy Showkey, Denrele Edun, Annie Idibia, Omowunmi Dada, Wole Ojo, Deyemi Okanlawon, Ayo Adesanya, Ruggedman, Juliet Njemanze, Gabriel Afolayan, Gbengba Adeyinka (GCFR), Peggy Ovhire, Tina Mba, Gbenro Ajibade, Desmond Olusola Elliot, Daniel llyod, Mike Godson, Mike Ezuruonye, Kiki Omeili and Keira Hewatch just to mention a few. Musical performances would be rendered by award winning artist ICE, top gospel singer - Sister Wisdom and S.O.D.

David Wej’s ‘Live Your Dream’ Features Jimi Tewe Public speaker and career specialist, Jimi Tewe is the featured personality in the latest edition of David Wej’s ‘Live Your Dream’ campaign video.

Tewe, who is known for his passion for a new Nigeria, explained that speaking makes him feel alive, and people feel motivated to attain success when they listen to him.

He also spoke about his sense of fashion and style saying: “My dress style is an expression of who I am. Free is my style which shows I am ready to work and deliver.”

The ‘Live Your Dream’ campaign has featured several icons across industries telling stories of passion, hope, and determination to inspire the younger generation.

David Wej stores are located in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikeja, Surulere, and Yaba. Follow @davidwej for more on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

David Wej is committed to redefining styles that cuts across all genres both local and internationally which has earned our brand an appeal as well as huge recognition and patronage from men and women. David Wej boasts of unique styles that appeal to fashionistas with an outgoing rare confident taste for a remarkable stylish look.

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F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Lagos Zonal Police PRO, Dolapo Badmus, Fights Dirty with Veteran Actress,Victoria Iyama Stories by Sunday Ehigiator

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he spokesperson, Zone 2 Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, a Chief Superintendent of Police, recently fought dirty with veteran Nollywood actress, Victoria Iyama.The fight which took social media by storm, started after Badmus took to Instagram to advise young girls about the demerits of being tagged babymama.

Her otherwise harmless post drew her commendation from some quarters and flak from others, who termed her an Instagram Inspector General of Police.

One of those who took umbrage at her post was Iyama, who opined that her advice was outside the purview of her job as a policewoman.

Drama started after Sola Ogudu, one of popular singer, Wizkid’s baby mama took to her social media page and tagged him a deadbeat father. Expectedly, that post polarised the social media space.

Badmus in lending her voice to the uproar that ensured after Ogudu’s revelations said: “Warning to young girls out there. Stop opening your mind and soul to a man that do not really care about you! Its injurious. Some of you even go the extra mile to become a babymama, thinking pregnancy will give you a place in his home and heart? All you can achieve thereafter is to be tagged someone’s babymama! Is the title worth it? How can you debase yourself just to get an unconventional title of babymama, when you can calm down and get your life moving forward!

“Yesterday, I had cause to sort out babymama and sweet boy issues! it was tough. The only thing that the young girl could do was to cry with the words ‘my life is miserable’ . Young girl’s please stop making your dear life miserable just because you want to identify yourself with a man, when you can surpass him in all things if you work hard for yourself.

Note: pregnancy cannot hold a man down, good morals, values and love do! Don’t be a babymams especially when you cannot feed yourself not to talk of an unborn

child, it turns you to a nuisance.”

Iyama, who felt Badmos spoke out of turn replied her thus: “Is this a Police Relations Officer’s posting or a (sic) rationing officer. When will public officers focus on their duties so that the system can be effectively productive.

“A so called woman debasing other women by posting nonsense and thinking she is making sense. The police is still one of the most unproductive, unprofessional force in Nigeria. Not well educated. Majority lack reasoning. Their top officials don’t have a clue what constructive policing is, here she is talking about babymama issues.

Was she there when they were having sex without protection. Is getting pregnant now a criminal case? How is it a criminal case when 80 per cent of policemen are escorts to criminals, and the remaining 20 per cent are criminals! Gosh! Height of joblessness, give-over!”

Badmus in replying Iyama had called her out on her failed married and career as an actress, an umbrage Iyama did not take lying low. She unleashed her own salvo where she schooled Badmus on pyschoanalysis. After she was taken to the cleaners Badmus continued to let out steam. She further said: “Vic Vic, Really! Was my response that painful that you had to write that long epistle to comfort yourself?

Oh no! I think there is a lesson you might have learned, that as a public person, you do only constructive criticism, and not verbal abuse! So now that you were paid back in your coin, you have to consult duke of Edinburh, dictionary and Hon Obahiagbon to put all of that together, so funny. My dear, I understand you are so bitter.

“In suspect no man will stand your ‘abuse’. the man had to leave.... I had wanted to suggest that you should be a role model that the younger one can look up to but with you castigating my mentoring of the younger one is an indication that you can’t be someone that they should look up to!

Anyways all of that aside, I suggest you come for learning.

“You are bitter against me but in the spirit of love I have forgiven you and overlooked your avoidable mistake. Let’s just carry on as if nothing happened but with a caveat that if you go that way again, I

L-R: Iyama and Dolapo

will follow suit! And least I forget, I don’t send policemen after people, I send policemen after criminals. I count it as a waste of government resources to send people after those that uses their mouth wrongly even though I ignore most times, but can as well use the weapon of mouth to fire back. Did I remember to tell you that you were so beautiful, now age and stress is catching up! I Love you Victoria!”

Iyama who put up a screenshot of Badmus’ response again slammed her thus: “The cream rises to the top, so does scum.

When someone is a deucedly offensive moron and a narcissistic halitosis- infested plague to humanity.

“Just for my lovelies and the tons of DMs I am getting. I promise I won’t touch on this again cause replying a preposterous sybaritic rapscallion and a malodorous full/witted conglomerate of intellectual constipation is really constipating my instagram page.

“As she’s still conspicuously blabbering causing an offence to all my beautiful friends, fans and pals, I have stated my

point and will do the needful by always correcting an ill. There are better ways to advice than using a vulnerable young girl’s bitter experience to ridicule her. Calling someone a nuisance by an incalculable sub-literate is just sad.

“Organise seminars in schools and educate the young ones on safe sex and responsibility, male/female. Educate, teach, inform, lecture, advice, impart, empower, engage them in positive projects. No child is bad but they need to be guarded by good nurturing and example. I am a good role model, not perfect but attained all at the set time, and yes, marriage ended but I got greatly blessed. Pray God blesses you too, that’s my worst abi? What else? marriage, marriage? Man, man. That’s what you are all about. Thank God I am not childless, you would have used that one too, but hey you don’t need to have children to be passionate about young people...

Stop being a loathsome plebeian. Have a blessed day.”

Are we still expecting more drama from Badmus and Iyama? Fingers crossed.

photo-shopped. In her tweets she reads, “#hnnopinion LMAO #LindaIkeji is officially 10 months pregnant today after her six months pregnancy announcement on May 17, 2018. Time to drop that prosthetic moonbump and call the surrogate who had settled for N1.8M. Baby J or JJ has no official dad. Even on her own post. Thanks Theo!” “#HNNGossip UPDATE

How Linda Ikeji fooled Nigerians for months with a moonbump. Solaye Jeremi wants no association with Linda. Says he is not the father or boyfriend How Linda’s graphic artists photoshopped her and family into @EmoryUniversity hospital bed #HNNAfrica” Neither Linda nor any member of her family has reacted to the allegations as at the time of filling in this report.

Linda Ikeji’s Alleged Significant Other Speaks Out ..Kemi Olunloyo’s unfounded allegations of surrogacy Sholaye Jeremi, who is touted to be blogger Linda Ikeji’s significant other and the alleged father of her son, Jayce, has distanced himself from the rumour swirl.

Jeremi whose name was first heard in connection with Linda back in May, was said to have taken to his Instagram page and said: “God has blessed me beyond measures…I thank Him for life and my wonderful gift He bestowed on me this month.”

This message seemingly sealed speculation that he was the father of the baby until he issued a press release distancing himself from the Instagram post.

According to Jeremi, he neither had an Instagram account nor any social media presence whatsoever. In a statement by his media aide, Obafemi Ajayi, the disclaimer read, “The attention of Mr Sholaye Jeremi has been drawn to some social media hoodlums who opened Instagram accounts in his name. “This is to inform the general public thatMr Jeremi doesn’t have any social media account and he’s not on Instagram. Even though the accounts are fake, bloggers, mischief-makers and quacks pounced on them; like harbingers

of pain and ill-will, they cast it across social media, not minding the consequences of reporting lies as truth. “It becomes mortifying, therefore, to see the creeps leap in the mud and perpetrate lies in desperation, to slant the court of public opinion against Mr Sholaye Jeremi, a decent and well-cultured businessman. As far as we are concerned, their annoyingly comical posts not only beggars belief, but skirts moral boundaries.

“The reports which attempted to disparage the hardworking oil magnate was curiously mischievous. Naturally, Mr Sholaye wouldn’t have responded to the poorly choreographed bunch of lies, but we just have to keep the record straight. We hereby appeal to the general public not to take the evil-doers seriously.”

Meanwhile, Kemi Olunloyo, another blogger, has swirled the grapevine with allegations that Ikeji was never pregnant, rather used a surrogate.

She said she put a call through to the said Emory Hospital in Atlanta, but no record of a patient with the name “Ikeji” was found.

She further claimed on her verified Twitter account that the viral delivery picture was

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

X-TRA

Media Expert Cautions Scholars against Complacency Mary Nnah

Chief Operating Officer at Starcom Media Perspectives, one of Nigeria’s leading media agencies, Jude Odia, has cautioned O2 Academy students against complacency when they finally get the chance to work in a marketing communications agency. Speaking as guest instructor at O2 Academy’s Master Class which held on September 1, at the academy’s premises, he emphasised that they must subject themselves to constant up-skilling and reskilling to survive the intense competition in the industry and get to the pinnacle of their career in the marketing communications.

The topic of Odia’s presentation was “Understanding Media Strategy”. He elaborated on the need for the students to appreciate and discover the importance of media planning and strategies, as

Starcom Media Perspectives COO, Jude Odia

a critical component in the marketing communications value chain.

“When they leave here, the onus is on them to manage their career effectively through constant self-education. They also need to have a good career development plan for themselves and they need to ensure that they have the attitude of ‘I have not arrived,” he stated.

One of Nigeria’s most outstanding media specialists, Odia grew through the ranks at Starcom Media Perspectives, where he developed strategies for top brands like MTN, Coca-Cola, Visa, Samsung etc, leading to market share and equity growth in Nigeria and other markets. In recent times, Odia has committed to mentoring the next generation of media agency leaders through knowledge sharing at seminars, workshops and training institutions like O2 Academy and Pan African University where he was recently invited as guest instructor.

He was recently selected to attend the

PFN Calls for Peaceful Coexistence, Christian Leadership Rebecca Ejifoma The members and executives of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) recently gathered in Lagos, with effective Christian leadership and peaceful coexistence in the country as the crux of their discussion. The occasion was the inauguration of the new Lagos State executive of PFN. Themed, “Pressing on”, the General Overseer and Presiding Bishop of Calvary Kingdom Church International and PFN National Chairman, Joseph Ojo, advised the body on providing effective Christian leadership.

While decrying the lack of exceptional leaders, who have the growth of their subordinates and others at heart, he called on church heads to give room for others to learn and succeed.

The national chairman further cited

the personality of the late Benson Idahosa, describing him as one who set ladder for others to climb.

He added, “To the new executives, provide leadership for others to come up. Provide opportunities for others to climb up, there is space upstairs; even upcoming generations can climb over the ladder. I challenge us to give those under us the ladder to climb.”

On his part, the re-elected Lagos State Chairman, Sola Ore, reminded all Christians nationwide never to be weary in praying for the release of Leah Sharibu, who is still in the den of Boko Haram sect on the account of her faith, even as he urged President Muhammadu Buhari be swift with her release.

He said, “The continued abduction of Leah Sharibu should continue to spur us to pray for her release. We request the president to secure her release before we go to the polls in few

months’ time. Our unity and togetherness at this point in our national life is very important.”

Ore noted that their mission thrust would be in the area of grassroots development, evangelism and empowerment.

Following swiftly on the heels of his disclosure, the state Vice Chairman of PFN, Enyinnaya Okwuonu, said the new executives are rebranding to meet up with the contemporary issues happening in the church both nationally and globally.

He said, “We are going to be emphasising more on fighting corruption, though we don’t use that term corruption, as we call it sin or unrighteousness. It is not about the money you bring to church but about living right, integrity, accountability and the lives that you touch.”

SOD, STAN Set for Independence Day Dance Show Ayodeji Ake

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o mark Nigeria’s 58th independence anniversary on October 1, the Spirit Of David (SOD) dance club, in collaboration with the Society for The Performing Arts in Nigeria (STAN), has announced an annual dance show to be held at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Themed, “What If”, the chairperson of SOD, Yinka Aworetan said: “It’s a story about choice, imagination and yet true look at where our decisions talks us.

“The aim of this event is to appreciate the daily power of choice and the quest to live a life in the centre of God’s will for us. It’s a movement that

will inspire Lagos, Nigeria and the world to think through the seemingly mundane choices that often have an impact on our lives.” Speaking on why the show has been designed for Independence Day, Aworetan said “SOD has upheld the mandate of spreading inspiring messages with timely themes of peace, freedom and new beginnings, every October 1, to commemorate the Independence Day.” The partners and networking Officer, SOD, Nwando Lawal, noted that the club was charged with the obligation of preaching the gospel through dance.

“We dance to reach the spirit of the gospel. So far, we have about 400

members and this show will be the 97th show we will be organising. It for the youths, we try to communicate through dancing, we challenge people to change positively through dance,” Lawal.

Founder, SPAN, Sarah Boulos, said the organisation was aimed at setting a world class standard for performing arts education in Nigeria, offering unprecedented opportunities in dance, music, theatre and visual arts to Nigeria’s talented citizens.

Boulos added that SPAN offers both formal and informal classes in professional theatre, music and dance in Nigeria and empowers artists and personnel with art management seminars and classes.

UK Organisation Appoints Nigerian into Council Rebecca Ejifoma The Managing Director of Kevron Consulting Limited, Mr. Kayode Valentine Fowode, has been appointed into the council of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), United Kingdom.

Fowode’s appointment was confirmed at the IOSH annual general meeting held on Tuesday, September 18, this year at the ICC Centre Birmingham, UK, where he was also presented with the ‘IOSH President’s Distinguished Service Award’ at the IOSH Annual Dinner on same day.

The council is IOSH’s representative body,

which provides advice and guidance on strategic, professional and policy issues for the Institution.

It represents the views of members to IOSH Board of Trustees and has the key responsibility for choosing who will represent the institution as president.

According to the institution, the award is given to those, who have made a significant contribution to IOSH and its networks, or to practitioners who have made a significant contribution to improving the profession.

Fowode is a Chartered Member of IOSH and Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers. He is, also, the Managing Director of Kevron Consulting Limited.

Sowode during his induction

2018 EMEA Emerging Market Executive Summit at Google Campus, Mountain View California, joining professionals from around the world to explore market trends, opportunities, and challenges from frontier markets. The O2 Academy Master Class was the first by the 10-year/old institution specifically focused on media, and it underpins the new thinking in the academy which is now broadening its curriculum to accommodate other aspects of marketing communications beyond advertising and digital marketing.

Speaking on the initiative, Ozone Mbanefo, founder and provost of the institution said the innovation was informed by current market trend, and the need to give students of the academy a more diverse understanding of the industry, and also help them to understand that obtaining a sound media strategy is as important as developing a great creative.

Brief Essentials Launches ‘BEYou’ Campaign Mary Nnah

Brief Essentials, the best place to buy lingerie and shapewear in Nigeria, recently launched a powerful and empowering campaign, ‘BEYou’ .

In this new campaign, Brief Essentials wants everyone to embrace all their differences because they are the things that make each of us unique.

“If all fingers were thumbs, we would never be able to hold things. So accept who you are and live the very best version of yourself you can be.

You don’t have to squeeze yourself into the space society wants you to fit in”, said the Chief Executive Officer of Brief Essentials, Seun Tayo-Balogun.

Explaining further on the essence of the ‘BEYou’ initiative, she said, “In this empowering campaign, we created an amazing photo series that shows that everybody is a beautiful body and feeling confident and sexy is a matter of self-love and embracing you as you are. It is important for us at be that all women are represented.

“You have to Love you. You have to Embrace You. It all starts with appreciating the body you are in. You have to #BEYOU”, she added.

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F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Tunji Sotimirin Gears for Monologue

Bruce Prins’ painting titled “Ankara”

Bruce Prins’ Best Kept Secret Yinka Olatunbosun reports on the recent discovery of a collection of paintings executed by top-class hospitality professional, Bruce Prins

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ruce Prins may be considered as a luminary in hospitality business in Nigeria, with a track record of managing some of the best resorts in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo State, but only a few knows about his gift of painting or his background in art studies before obtaining a Master of Business in Business Administration and Management.

During a recent visit to Epe Resorts and Spa, some captivating paintings were encountered in the reception area leading to a conversation with Prins over breakfast.

His penchant for bright colours in abstract realistic paintings was partly influenced by his experience upon relocating to Nigeria six years ago.

Prins finds it very flattering to see many Nigerians show interest in his pieces, even though he thought that the visual art circle in Nigeria was more receptive of works by Nigerian artists than their foreign counterparts, judging by the works on sale at most

galleries. From his huge collection of acrylic painting, he showed this reporter an oil painting of his daughter.

“If you do a portrait of someone you don’t know, it is more difficult to capture because you don’t have a personal connection. When you paint someone you love, you tend to be more forgiving and kinder, and if that person has a wrinkle around the eye you may not put it,’’ he began, watching the vapour rising from his tea cup.

Sometimes, Prins would opt for oil as medium because he believes that is what best illustrates his thought. His closeness to reality almost got him in trouble with a colleague he once captured in highly photographic details.

“I avoid painting strangers. I end up painting it too real. I have a natural tendency to capture true emotion. I remember when I painted a colleague of mine. She was so angry with me that she didn’t speak to me for six weeks. The reason was not because the painting was bad but that she

didn’t realise she looked like that. In her face, you could see some bitterness, determination and anger,’’ he said, reflectively.

Once, a gallery representative sought to have his works assembled for a solo exhibition. Prins was working towards 40 paintings but every time he shared a picture of his painting online, there was a buyer for it. That aborted the plans for his second solo show. By the way, his first solo in 2013 was dedicated to his daughter.

“Out of the 15 paintings I did, I have three left. This year has been a good year for me, art-wise. I had taken part in the affordable art fair in Ibadan in April, I took eight paintings there and I sold five. Terra Kulture has exhibited some of my paintings in the past,’’ said the South African artist.

He revealed that he had plans for another show before the year runs out, hopefully November and will not share any of the pieces meant for the exhibition online. Some of works include “Keke Marwa’’, “Ikoyi”, “Ankara”, “Acacia”, amongst others.

Ben Enwonwu Leads Bonhams Auction Yinka Olatunbosun Following the record-breaking sale of Tutu, a 1974 rediscovered portrait by Ben Enwonwu, the world anticipates another auction, “Bonhams Africa Now on Sale’’ in London on Thursday October 4 with leading works by Ben Enwonwu on display.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers with regional representatives in 22 countries.

It comes as no surprise that this auction house parades more pieces from Enwonwu on the heels of the epic commercial returns on “Tutu’’. One of the 25 lots by Enwonwu in the 121-lot sale is “Rhapsody in Blue” (1988) with an estimate of £60,000 – 90,000. The alluring piece shows a silhouette of a female nude, reclining suggestively against a vibrant blue and yellow background. The work represents Enwonwu’s artistic statement in the negritude discourse.

Another leading work by Enwonwu is the 1989 piece titled, “Ogolo’’. Described

Enwonwu

as a monumental dark painting of a male masquerade figure, the work is estimated at £200,000 – 300,000. Ogolo was reportedly executed by Enwonwu barely two years after the death of his elder brother, Ike Francis Enwonwu and it was spurned

by his encounter with the traditional masquerade during his brother’s funeral.

The auction is usually a global experience aided by online engine for bidders and witnessed by the art community in diaspora through live streaming.

Sotimirin

Yinka Olatunbosun The showstopping comedian, broadcaster, playwright and drama lecturer, Tunji Sotimirin, is set to dramatise a series of comic sketches in his dramatic monologue titled, “Molue’’.

Named after a popular mass transit in Nigeria, the drama depicts societal archetypes in their daily struggles in a chaotic city. The play, which had been performed at various theatres across the country and beyond, had recently been published into a book form which will be launched on the same date.

The monologue will be performed at the National Theatre, Cinema Hall I on October 21. For critical observers, this performance signals the rebirth of monologue culture in drama practice in Nigeria.

In history, monologues characterised the drama of the Greco-Roman period, seeping into renaissance theatre which was largely defined by extended speech.

In contemporary times, monologues have been used mainly as audition tools to test an actor’s ability in preparation for a performance.

But with “Molue’’, Sotimirin needs no authentication as an artist. The founder of Konkere beats is a multidisciplinary artist famed for his long cap style and movies such as Head Gone (2014), Ewe Koko (2006) and Hostages (1997).

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F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 0803 308 3580

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE AND INFERTILITY (Part1)

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Globally it has not been easy to determine the incidence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(PID), however the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 448 Million new cases of individuals suffer from Sexually Transmitted Infection(STI) yearly which may eventually predispose to PID. It was also reported that the incidence rate of PID was higher amongst teenagers and first time mothers.

Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases can be prevented and cured if diagnosed early. It is not out of place to describe the reproductive organ as a sacred place in the body owing to the fact that they are the part of the body that ensures a next generation is reproduced. Parenthood is undeniably one of the most universally desired goals in adulthood. Most people have life plans that include children and the part of the body that makes this happen both in male and female is referred to as the reproductive organ.

The female reproductive organ is located in the lower part of the body called the pelvic region which is below the abdomen and houses the organs of reproduction such as the uterus (womb), ovaries and fallopian tubes. What happens when this sacred and sensitive part of the body gets infected? Could it affect the functioning of the reproductive organs? Could it cause infertility? What should you do as soon as you feel changes to your reproductive organs? How would you know you have infection on your reproductive organs?

How can you prevent infections of the reproductive organ?

Dear readers, follow me on this tour as we take a detailed look at the topic: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and how it affectsfertility.

WHAT IS PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)?

infection if not done by a skilled physician and if not treated on time, or properly, leads to PID. APPENDIX: In some cases, infection from the appendix may spread to the pelvis causing PID. DOUCHING: Douching is a method of washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or mixture of fluid. Douching regularly upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina. This can increase the risk of developing infections and subsequently Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

SYMPTOMS OF PID Most often, no symptoms manifests in women with PID. If they do, they can vary from mild to severe. Possible symptoms of PID are: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an inflammation (infection) ofthe female reproductive organs- the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. It may affect one of the organs or a combination.

Mostly, PID is caused by bacterial infection that spreads from the vagina or cervix to the reproductive organs. Many different types of bacteria can cause PID. In about 1 in 4 cases, it is caused by sexually transmitted infections (STI). The cause of STI can also be fungal or parasitic organism, but it is more likely to involve one or more type of bacteria in some other cases, it may be caused by the bacteria that live in the vagina.

PID can lead to scar formations with fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs.

protection such as use of condoms.

PID is mainly caused by bacteria transmitted through sexually transmitted infections (STI) e.g.,gonorrhea and chlamydia.

STI-causing bacteria may enter the vagina with semen, and in an untreated condition, may pass through the cervix into the uterus (womb). From the uterus, the bacteria can go into the fallopian tubes and spread to other part of the body. If it spreads to the blood, it can become life threatening.

CHILD BIRTH/ABORTION/MISCARRIAGE: In cases of childbirth, abortion or miscarriage, the cervix might not fully be closed, allowing for infection to spread more rapidly if bacteria enters into the vagina.

CAUSES/ RISK FACTORS OF PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE? There are some factors that can increase the risk of developing PID. They include:

INTRAUTERINE DEVICE: This is a form of contraceptive placed in the womb. It can increase the risk of developing infection, which may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STI): STI may occur from engaging in sexual intercourse with multiple partners or without adequate

ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY: This is a medical procedure that involves taking of samples from the lining of the womb/ uterus for analysis. This can increase risk of

• Pain, especially in the pelvic area, sometimes in the lower back, rectum • Pain during sexual intercourse • Unusual vaginal discharge(may be foul smelling in some cases depending on cause) • Frequent urination • Fever, fatigue, vomiting • Bleeding/spotting between periods • Irregular menstruation PID can be acute, lasting up to 30 days, or chronic lasting longer than 30 days even up to years.

Pelvic inflammatory Disease if not properly treated can lead to repeated episodes of PID a condition known as RECURRENT PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE. It could also be as a result of sexual partner not being tested and treated. Also, if an episode of PID damages the womb or fallopian tubes, it can become easier for bacteria to infect these areas in the future, making it more likely that PID develops again. Repeated episodes of PID are associated with an increased risk in infertility. ……………………………………………… ……………………………………………To be continued next week

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

The Towering Twins

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There’s something good out of London. It is a piece of news that reinforces hope in an atmosphere that is filled with frightening reports about black kids and in a society that is terribly short of role models.

Fascinatingly, young twin British brothers of Nigerian descent, Steve and Sam Williams, are those occupying the limelight in a very positive way and handing down inspiration for many others.

From the beginning of this year, the British government, especially the office of the Mayor of London, has expressed shock over the rising statistics of violent crimes amongst young black people in the country.

Recently, it was reported by a notable British daily, The Sun, that there has been over 89 suspected murders in London since January 2018 involving black youngsters.

And sadly British-Nigerians or young British of Nigerian heritage have dominated the number of the victims of many of these violent crimes in the UK. The death of Abraham Badru, a 26-year old son of a Nigerian member of House of Representives, Mr. Dolapo Badru, was one of the cruel murder cases that gripped the whole of the UK, and touched many souls across Nigeria.

It was such an unfortunate incident that compelled many powerful voices to speak frankly to the people in power to double up efforts in curbing the crime rate. And also to strengthen programmes that are geared towards development and mentorship for young people.

The Twins: Steve and Sam Williams

Specifically, it was suggested that the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should do more to showcase the best amongst the youths to consistently offer inspiration and hope for a better life.

The news about the identical twins, Steve and Sam, is indeed one of such enthralling stories of grass to grace and grit and determination that will motivate and inspire a lot of young people anywhere.

Both 39, the Williams brothers, whose parents are Nigerians, grew up in a tough south London neighbourhood but became multi-millionaires by designing one of the world’s leading cryptocurrencies in their mother’s kitchen.

Their invention, the cryptocurrency named Populous PPT currency, which they spent four years on the software that enabled it to function, helps small and medium-sized businesses with cash flow.

It was reported that within the first five days of launching in June last year, demand was so strong that the initial batch of tokens was worth more than £8 million.

Populous, according to reports, is now rated as the 51st most valuable cryptocurrency in the world out of about 2,000, with a market value of about £100 million.

Unsurprisingly, the amazing success of their invention has transformed their lives tremendously and has made them a positive response point.

However, like most of young black people living in tough communities in the UK, one of the twins, Steve, once had a bad time with the law early in life which hindered his freedom for some months.

But such, according to the accomplished entrepreneur, was a critical experience that changed him positively to make the best out of life and which he promised to share to impact the lives of other black kids in the UK.

NigerianTraders in Ghana Cry for Help Many Nigerians are familiar with the notorious statement, “Ghana must go”. But it seems the reverse is the case now given the consistent cry by some Nigerians living in Ghana over the treatment being meted out on them by some citizens of the host country.

The ugly development has sparked reactions from some concerned Nigerians and also prompted public protest.

During a protest at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, the President of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT) , Mr. Ken Ukaoha, said the association was protesting the alleged victimisation of Nigerian Businessmen in Ghana.

He said that the development had gotten so bad that a law seeking to make the business environment hostile to foreign investors was recently passed by the Ghanaian parliament.

He then called on the Federal Government to caution its Ghanaian counterpart, by ensuring free movement of goods and services between both countries.

It is expected that the two governments involved would create a practicable solution for healthy trade relations. Otherwise all the noise about the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is even yet to be signed by some countries including Nigeria, will amount to nought.

F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

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COLLAGE EVENTS All Set for Legends of BlackMusic Awards Stories by Mary Nnah

L-R: Rev Sr. Pauline Umole; Parish Priest, St Leo Catholic Church, Very Rev. Monsignor John Aniagwu; Mrs. Nkiru Morgan and Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Beauty in Black Foundation (BIBF), Dr. Gab-Okafor Chidinma, during the opening ceremony of a week basic training on cosmetic making with organic materials themed: tackling job and financial challenges by utilising available resources and applicable skills to support community growth as well promote positive behavioral changes in the public organised by St Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja and the Foundation in Lagos..recently KOLAWOLEALLI

Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba (Dr.) Olasubomi Balogun (4th from left) and his wife, Olori Abimbola (3rd from left) flanked by the Directors of Credit Direct Limited during the commissioning ceremony of the new corporate head office of Credit Direct, a subsidiary of the bank, in Lagos....recently

Come December 1, BlackMusic Initiative, a movement which was started 15 years ago to create a cultural and social change in Africa as a whole, will be rewarding key players and major achievers in the Nigerian music space.

According to its convener, Ms Fehintoluwa Odejide, the BlackMusic Initiative (BMI) became necessary to meet the need of the foreign market, especially the European music market, which expects so much more than we are presently offering.

Odejide, who boasts of 27 years’ experience in the Nigerian music space, said that the country’s representation on the global stage is small because our focus is misguided.

According to her, the youths whose major escape is music don’t have enviable role models, and also do not have adequate knowledge of history and culture where there is no repertoire.

“Unofficially, I Odejide started my journey 27 years ago as a mere choir girl before forging to tertiary institutions where I studied Music Tech at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and Music Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

My passion goes beyond the classroom. The media then were all about trivialities in music rather than quality sounds and that era swept futuristic music away. I am optimistic that we can take our rightful position in global music market than we are doing,” she said.

Also speaking, BMI’s Project Consultant, Omobolanle Adebayo stated that as part of the initiative’s contribution to youth development, it has an ongoing project, the Youth Against Drug Initiative (YADI), which holds in conjunction with established institutions for proper monitoring and effectiveness.

According to her, the project focuses not only on drug users and addicts, but also on young adults who wish to make a difference.

“In today’s world, the youths are faced with challenges ranging from hardships to the feeling of not belonging in the society. These youths constitute a large chunk of the population yet remain the most subjugated and marginalised.

“As a result, we seek to bring them together under one umbrella and provide some sort of mentorship for them,” she added.

Warri Fashion and Style Week Kicks Off Sept. 28 Cross section of judges during the special court session to mark the commencement of the court legal year 2018/2019 in Abuja...recently

Former Executive Chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe (right), presenting the CEO of the year award to the Managing Director, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr Godfrey Efeurhobo, during the Titan of Tech award held in Lekki, Lagos... recently

Warri Fashion and Style Week (WFSW), organised by Arhecal Synergy Limited, a fashion company run by Carol Arhere-Obih in collaboration with Fashion and Designers Association of Niger (FADAN) will kick off on Friday, September 28.

WFSW, a platform to discover new and existing talents, is a new initiative to promote the African culture and showcase emerging designers while empowering them to maximise their potentials. The show will start with the Street Catwalk at the Delta Mall on Friday September 28 at 2pm, while the main event is on Saturday September 29 by 10am to 6pm at Wellington Hotel Effurun Ughelli Road.

This first edition of WFSW will witness great collections of lovely outfits and arts from top designers in Warri: Regal by Fuoma, Ero Wendy Fashion Home, Ighogele Arts, K. Legend Fashion and great designers from Lagos, Asaba from Edo State and many more.

Participants are to look out for great models on the runway s well as amazing performance from traditional dancers and comedians. The fashion week will also recognise some Deltans who have done well in their chosen career to serve as positive influence on the the youths in the state. The two-day show is sponsored by Da Viva, a leading fabric and garment company with factories situated in Manchester, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria and CANOE, a leading fabrics care brands within the PZ Cussons homecare portfolio with a strong heritage of gentle care for fabrics. The show is also endorsed by the Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

37

F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

ENTREPRENEURS

Tessy Jibodu: Seven Years of Tutoring Fashion Entrepreneurs Her world revolves around fashion. She took it a step further by establishing a fashion institute, which she has made a haven for young budding designers. In less than seven years, Tessy Jibodu, who is Chief Operation Officer of Zaris Fashion and Style Academy, has graduated 700 designers, who have in turn established their own fashion houses.

Mary Nnah writes

O

ver the years, Chief Operation Officer of Zaris Fashion and Style Academy, Tessy Jibodu, has helped people, especially young talents, find their footing in the fashion world. Having studied fashion education and design at the Department of Industrial Design, Yaba College of Technology, and later had a stint in business entrepreneurship training at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Jibodu was equipped to take up the responsibility of training people in fashion design.

This was when she realised that there was lack of innovation in the fashion industry.

So from being a fashion practitioner, she veered into being a fashion tutor, an aspect of her that gave rise to Zaris Fashion and Style Academy. She said, “I sewed clothes for seven years, then closed shop for one year before setting up Zaris Fashion and Style Academy. So I am both a fashion designer and a tutor. I still do fashion designing. I got involved in training because I found out that we needed to be innovative in what we were doing.”

For her, being a fashion designer and owning a fashion academy are both interesting, even though the training aspect is even more tasking. “You have to do more research and reading to be able to teach”, she maintained.

And having tried her hands on all aspects of fashion, she feels teaching is on a higher level. “If you studied fashion, you have the ability to impart what you have learnt to the younger generation via teaching while you also try to know what exactly we need to change in the industry to make it better as well as improve fashion education in Nigeria.”

For Jibodu, today’s fashion designing is totally different from the traditional idea of fashion designing some 10 years ago. According to her, years back, the trade was devoid of a lot of intricacies. There were absence of pattern drawing and drafting, illustration, cloth ornamentation and many other details that are the basis of what fashion education is about today.

Her training, the fashion tutor said, helps

Jibodu

to improve the output of garments that are produced in Nigeria. “And we felt that was the best position to make a difference in what tailors produce at the end of the day”, she noted. Today, with so much innovations brought into the fashion profession in Nigeria in the space of seven years, Jibodu said it has been an uphill task getting to this point.

She added, “To sustain a business in Nigeria, any business at all, is a lot of work, dedication, and sacrifices. We pay a lot of taxes and we face other regular challenges encountered by business owners in this environment. So existing for seven years, wherein we have graduated 700 designers who have established 100 businesses and are doing great, is a great achievement. It is a milestone and we pray to still be in the business in years to come.

“As a fashion school, we have won several awards like the Best Fashion School in West

Africa, amongst others. The best Designer for Africa Fashion Week 2017 was a Zaris alumnus. We have also been Da Viva ambassador consecutively in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

We are graduating 80 students in 2018. It is a fulfilment for me to see those that we have trained making a difference in the industry.”

Crafting a livelihood as a fashion designer, Jibodu said is easy only if one is creative, adding that to be in the business of fashion, “you have to keep evolving, doing new things.

Another thing is for you to understand how fashion business works in Nigeria in relation to elsewhere in the world.”

On highlights for the milestone anniversary, the fashion entrepreneur said they would be academy’s parade of the crème de la crème of its alumni, the very best and their businesses, alongside other established designers in the industry in an anniversary exhibition tagged,

“Zaris-Power 2018” scheduled to take place on October 7 at Radisson Blue Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, starting with a red carpet event at 2.00pm.

She said, “We want to showcase what we have groomed over the years. Our alumni keeps track of all the business established by students that graduate from this institute and we are able to track the ones that are doing exceptionally well. That is what gave birth to Zaris Power 2018.

“We are also working in partnership with interested corporate organisations whose CSRs are oriented towards empowering young entrepreneurs to empower 20 young designers with passion for fashion education.

And we are going to graduate 80 students for 2018 session.”

The major challenge for Zaris so far has been what Jibodu described as the “Nigerian Factor”, which she has found quite tough to contend with. “You want to take a loan, for instance, you have worked to meet the set criteria, at least 90 per cent, and yet, you still cannot scale the hurdle. It will be helpful to the industry and the general business ecosystem if the procedure can be lowered a bit so people can access much-needed loans.

That is one way the government can help young businesses and young entrepreneurs in Nigeria”, she pointed out.

Her highpoint is being able to be consistent all through the seven years of the Zaris existence. This she stressed has been based on the institute’s mission and vision. “It is overwhelming for me to see that we have trained over 700 students who are interested in fashion education and out of the numbers we have over 100 who have established fashion businesses in Nigeria.”

For budding designers, she said passion was the ultimate. “If you don’t have the passion, the stress inherent in the business can easily defeat and drive you to leave it.

The second is persistence. Be consistent in the business. Always be there in the face of people, do a lot of adverts; use the social media to sustain your business”, was her heartfelt advice.

Uche Ahubelem: Serving Humanity through Empowerment With penchant for success and achievement through hard work and integrity, General Managing Director, Brickwall Group, Uche Ahubelem, whose investment group cut across a broad spectrum of real estate and other businesses, has empowered thousands of Nigerian youths through his non-profit organisation. Ayodeji Ake reports With penchant for success and achievement through hard work and integrity, General Managing Director, Brickwall Group, Uche Ahubelem, whose investment group cut across a broad spectrum of real estate and other businesses, has empowered thousands of Nigerian youths through his non-profit organisation. Ayodeji Ake reports Committed to building an empire of successful Nigerian youths with business ideas, the General Managing Director of Brickwall Group, Uche Ahubelem, is every bit an entrepreneur, who is passionate about the development of the nation, especially the youth. This passion gave birth to the Uche Ahubelem Centre for Human Development (UACHD), a not for profit organisation, three years ago.

According to Ahubelem, the foundation is aimed at spotting, nurturing and

equipping the Nigerian youth with the right resources needed for them to excel in their chosen fields empowering them with grants. It also empowers the youths mentally, by organising seminars and symposiums for personal development.

Already, over a thousand Nigerian youths have benefitted from the foundation.Since its inception in 2015, UACHD has successfully launched many remarkable projects such as #4change, Greatness 101, a monthly motivational business digest and Ican.

Its flagship and nationally recognised project, Uche Ahubelem Empowerment Seminar Series has made the dreams of many young entrepreneurs come through.

According to him, UACHD, with the belief that national infrastructure without human infrastructure is a waste of resources, has been commit-

Ahubelem

ted to human development as the surest approach to nation building, enlarging human capacity and raising quintessential leaders, ensuring a better society through various projects for different peer group and socio economic class.

Despite his many suc-

cesses and countless awards, Ahubelem, in an interactive session revealed he was not born with a silver spoon despite coming from a good background with strict parents, who were about giving the best to their children.

He said, “I am from a strict family, and my father believes

so much in his integrity. I studied maritime management technology but I didn’t choose real estate, it chose me.

I just discovered I started I having passion for it, maybe it’s because I have the calling to serve people. We have faced a lot of challenges but now they are experiences.

“Sincerely, I had challenges financially, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but integrity and hardwork played so many roles. I am highly optimistic and I pursue my goals with all my strength. Truly, at the beginning it wasn’t rosy.

We had obstacles coming up like customers not believing in what we can offer. But what has been keeping us is that we believe so much in our business. I say it often, if people don’t believe in you, try and believe in yourself and be the first believer in you. I don’t only want to say its hardwork but I will say

it’s God. Because at some point we had challenges that were stronger than us, but with God’s intervention we prevailed.”

Speaking on UACHD assisting programs for Nigerian youths, he said: “The foundation’s interest is that we love to give grants to young entrepreneurs. I noticed people have one business idea or the other but the vision is not there because they lack support.

There is nothing wrong with having a business idea, but there is something we call foundation and that’s the vision. It simply means you have a road map to where you are going and you have a driving force propelling you there. We are fond of giving grants to young visionaries.

The likes of Tony Elumelu are doing that, but we still feel we can also support the system by giving grants too.

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F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

METRO

…Your city life in print

L-R: Sis. Bose Osinowo; Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi; Convener of SERAPH Youths Arise, Dr. Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye; Mrs Akinsola and ace broadcaster, Prophet Taiwo Akinsola at the event

Some of the youths that participated in the conference

Capacity Building for Seraph Youths Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye Foundation recently organised a capacity-building conference in Lagos, with over 7,000 participating youths. Rebecca Ejifoma reports

T

he youth, they say, is the future of any nation. And empowerment and capacitybuilding are needed to harness their potentials. Keying into this, Dr. Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye Foundation recently held a capacity-building conference for over 7,000 youths of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Nigeria.

Tagged, Seraph Youths Arise, it was an unforgettable day for the beneficiaries so much so that the heavy downpour did not deter them from trooping to the 10 Degree Events Centre in Oregun, Lagos.

Although the hall was a 5000-capacity centre, additional 2,000 youths were accommodated. The youths, in the range of 16-40 years old, participated in the maiden edition of the conference and capacitybuilding seminar tailored to meet their needs on how to reshape their destinies and the society at large.

At the grounds of the event, there was no class distinction as all adorned the customised T-shirts emblazoned with Seraph Youths Arise at the back. THISDAY findings revealed that the youths had trooped to the area from all parts of the country including Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Kaduna and Kwara, as well as all states of the South-west region.

The huge attendance was easily explainable. According to them, it was the first of such gathering of youths of the church and it afforded them the opportunity to interact among themselves, network and share common values.

Capacity Building As a capacity building conference, veterans were drawn from the entertainment industry and other sectors to address the youths. Present at the occasion were legendary Yinka Quadri and Idowu Philips (Mama Rainbow). Others include Teju BabyFace, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Alhaji Wasiu Balogun and gospel artiste, Shola Allyson, who in between worship lectured the youths on how to achieve their dreams.

During her ministration, Gospel Artiste Shola Allyson who had the crowd singing along heartily said she learnt everything

about God from the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Imploring the youths to give God their best she said: “The Spirit of God is potent in the C&S Church. Don’t be discouraged, where you are now is where you ought to be.”

Talking about her life, she said she went through series of abuses and was exposed to several vices but what kept her was her commitment to the church as she was already a member of the choir at age 14.

Also at the event were the Onigbobi of Igbobi, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi; former Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Tobi Lawal; Balogun Oluwo; Senior Apostolic Mother, Esther Ajayi (United Kingdom District) and Chairman Cherubim and Seraphim Lagos State Baba Aladura Abikoye.

Some of the performing artistes who entertained the youths at the occasion were Laolu Gbenjo, , Seun Aransiola, Big Bolaji, Mike Abdul and so forth. However, it was not all dancing and funfare for the youths as some major leaders in the public and private sectors, as well as men of the pulpit were also invited to give motivational talks to the youths. Foremost among these were ace comedian Teju BabyFace, likewise Lawal, Quadri, Oluwo, Philips, OshodiOke and a host of others.

His Royal Majesty Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, the Alayeluwa of Igbobi Sabe, joined to add pep to the occasion where they all charged the youths not to be daunted by the challenges of life, but should remain focused and look unto God. Also, Rev. Mother Ajayi encouraged the youths to remain undaunted by the challenges they face today, even as she urged them to always believe in themselves and be focused on their dreams to be able to achieve greatness in life.

In their pep talks, Mama Rainbow entreated the youths to be conscious of the things they are involved in now that they are still young, while Oshodi-Oke encouraged the youths before praying for them. In his brief talk,Teju BabyFace said “ the time has never been better for you to succeed in Nigeria than now, forget what they say about recession.”

Going down memory lane he narrated

how his life changed for good after an encounter with God in London.

Challenging them to be youths who will be role models, he said: “We are living in a world where Instagram is the church people go to. There’s hardly any young person you can find who has a good marriage, good success and a good business you can trace. The three areas of your life where you will be judged are: God, family and business or work.”

Many other notable church leaders who gave words of encouragements to the youths included ace broadcasters, Taiwo Akinsola, Bose Osinowo, and a host of others.

Founder’s Charge In her speech, the founder, Dr. Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye, who is also the Managing Director of International Alpha Limited, said, “Many of our youths today lag behind their peers in the scheme of things in the society of which we are a part. In view of this, efforts are being made for Seraph youths to get training in various vocational skills which we belief would intimately enhance the purchasing power of our future generation in the church.

“The foundation is poised to partner corporate organisations, financial institutions to train our youths and also make financial grants available for successful members to establish their small businesses and eke out a living.

“We have also realised that most of our members are not so financially endowed and this is telling on the youths of the church greatly. The organisers of this programme did appreciate the biblical injunction that man shall not live by bread alone, but they also understand that man cannot live without bread.”

On how the capacity training was borne she said, “This gathering is indisputably the largest gathering of youths of Cherubim and Seraphim organisation in any part of the world.

We give glory to God that it is a reality.

There was an event on July 20 at the Seraphim Land (Night of Restoration) and it revolutionalised the entire fabric of the church. Immediately after the Night

of Restoration vigil we began to receive series of telephone calls, text messages from members asking for a sustained vigil.

“That gave rise to the dinner and the official launch of our pet project, The New Seraph on August 22. You should be aware that the journey to where we are today in the New Seraph started when God commanded me to spearhead the revitalisation of C&S churches. The commission that I was given, among others, was to focus on youths in the C&S church since they are the leaders of the church tomorrow. But there can be no proper starting point from rejuvenating the church without understanding where we are coming from as a church.

“We all have to recall that for a long time, our church has been ridiculed in christendom.

Members of the church were disparaged and seen as second class christians, albeit rather erroneously. During this period the church was often castigated as being occult, where members are perceived as never-do wells, illiterates and the church seen as belonging to the downtrodden.

“Erroneous as the blanket categorisation of all members of the church into this sphere, there are, however, a few bad eggs out there that are dragging the name of the church in the mud.

So, it is imperative that we all have a role to play in changing this wrong perception about the church.”

Yomi-Sholoye said the reformed C&S should be grounded in the word of God and that there should be less emphasis, total dependence on prophesy. She said, “Not that prophesy is bad, what should be uppermost in our hearts is the efficacy of prayers and good teaching of the Word of God. The message each and every one of you should take home is that the C&S Church is at an age of rebirth. There should be new ways of doing things in the church; our mode of dressing, worship, our carriage among co-christians, require total upgrade.

“We need to bring in dynamism into the church without necessarily eroding the laiddown behavioural tenets handed down to us by the founders.”

39

F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

CRIME&SECURITY

Woman Stabbed for Reporting Husband’s Defilement of Children Rebecca Ejifoma Exactly a week after reporting her husband, Suleman Usman Hanosi, 37, to police for serially abusing their three children, including a boy (names withheld), Mrs. Mary Usman, was stabbed at the Onikan area of Lagos, on her way home from the court.

Usman was said to have been stabbed after the rescuer and Ben Bruce Foundation Coordinator, Olu-Adebiyi Ore, dropped her off at Onikan to go home.

According to Usman, she was fortunate enough that the object she was stabbed with did not leave much damage on her body.

This incident was not in isolation as her husband’s family and relatives were said to have threatened her repeatedly for reporting their son to the police.

The alleged serial paedophile, who resided at 1 North Avenue, Apapa, Lagos, is from Niger Republican but married to the Imo State indigene.

He was arrested on Tuesday September 18 after Mirabel Centre Ikeja confirmed the survivors were penetrated both through their vaginas and anuses at midnight.

The two girls and a boy, are aged eight, five and six years old respectively.

The entire incident had started on September 14, when the woman

The suspect

called the Ben Bruce Foundation after her six-year-old son told her how his daddy always put his sexual organ into his sisters’ body and then also put it in his (son’s) mouth.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY afterwards, Mrs. Usman said the abuse had been going on since 2016.

She disclosed that initially, her daughters had complained of pain in their sexual organ and she didn’t believe them until her son confirmed it.

She said: “They told me how he constantly tied their mouths and had carnal knowledge of them- my

daughters, his own children, every midnight in our house.

“Despite his arrest, he has been harassing us. Even his family went on to drag me to their Baale in Apapa.”

Olu-Adebiyi further revealed that following threats from the husband’s family and relatives for her to drop the case, she grieving mother was attacked and stabbed.

“She added: “I spoke to the Apapa Baale, he advised we relocate Mary as the family harbouring her are quite scared as well. However, he promised to give her the little protection they can from their neighbourhood.

“This is one of the few women that chose to get justice for her children over her marriage. We all know most women will rather plead we leave their husbands than get justice. I feel she doesn’t need to see how difficult it is sometimes to get justice.”

The rescuer further queried on why it was taking forever to arraign the serial abuser, even though she gave credit to the police at Adeniji Adele for their efforts in the arraignment process.

She added, “we can’t keep stressing the survivors. It is not fair. Even the mother broke down emotionally today. I had to hand her over to our counsellor. To aggravate it, her boss warned that if she did not resume tomorrow, she would be sacked.”

Maritime Security: Navy Warns Criminals off Lagos Waterways

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 11) * If you notice anyone or anything that seems suspicious when using or considering the use of an ATM, don’t make the transaction; use another ATM or return at a later time. * Report all crimes to the operator of the ATM or to local law enforcement officials. * Protect your ATM or Debit card as you would cash or a credit card and never let anyone else use it. Do not share the PIN number associated with your card. * Memorise your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not write it on your card or leave it in your wallet or even where people can access it. * Try not to use your birthday date as your PIN code as that is easily decipherable.

Source: Operations and Facility Management

Takeaways from the Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018 Wison Ighodalo The Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018, which was organised by the West Africa Drug Policy Network in Nigeria in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), recently held in Abuja.

It was Kofi Annan, at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2013, who said: “I believe that drugs have destroyed many people, but wrong government policies have destroyed many more.”

Thus, at the policy summit, the thrust was on how Nigeria an effectively control drugs, push for law reforms, as well as support and not punish drug users.

Here are some of the takeaways from the summit: Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018: Making Nigeria Drug Control Responses sustainable and effective.

Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018: Advocating for drug law reform for sustainable and effective drug control system in Nigeria.

Ighodalo

Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018: Making public health, human rights and rule of law the center point of Nigeria Drug Control Responses.

Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018: People with who use drugs need help not punishment in Nigeria.

Nigeria Drug Policy Summit 2018: Advocating end to Illicit drug trafficking and organised crimes in Nigeria through effective and improved drug law enforcement and criminal justice system.

Our stand therefore at the Drug Salvation Foundation is that we support the implementation of policies based on public health, human

rights and rules. We call for an end to these repressive policies that only serve to marginalise and stigmatise drug users and reduce their access to the services they need.

Note that drug abuse addiction stigma can affect people in the workplace, it can affect their social relations and mental and physical health. Stigma can result in people delaying their decision to enter treatment, and can hinder access to regular or specific healthcare.

Stigma can trigger dangerous behaviours and it can further compound social disadvantages associated with substance abuse and it can trigger further use of drugs and other dangerous substance. .... Ighodalo is the president, The Drug Salvation Foundation and Focal Person, South West Zone, Community Intervention Network on Drugs (CIND) Nigeria, a network of CSOs working on drugs in Nigeria.

POLICE STATIONS IN LAGOS WITH FAMILY SUPPORT UNIT The Lagos State Police has released an update on police stations in the state that have Family Support Units (FSUs)/ Gender Unit/Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) and phone numbers to reach them on.

L-R: Rear Admiral Ngalabak and Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Okon Eyo, after an inspection of the slipway

The Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Nigerian Navy in reteirating its commitment to secure the maritime domain, has warned criminals of Lagos waterways or face the wrath of the law.

The Flag Officer Commanding, WNC, Rear Admiral Habila Ngalabak, gave the warning while speaking with journalists after he toured and inspected the facilities and ships under the command.

The FOC, while warning off criminals, assured Nigerians, most especially maritime stakeholders, that there were naval presence at sea everyday to ensure safety and legal flow of maritime businesses.

He said: “There is a great improvement on the waterways because we make sure we have a ship at the high sea every single day and also along the channel, we have two to three boats patrolling.

“We are sure that anybody out there that wants to perform any form of criminality will not find it easy because we are there.

“We therefore warn all criminals to desist from the waterways or face the wrath of the law.”

On the assesment of the facilities, Ngalabak said that there had been a great improvement, adding that these would enable the ships to continue to be effectively utilised

at sea.

“The construction at the jetty is almost at the concluding part which will make our ships have better facilities for anchorage,” he said.

The FOC also thanked the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas and President Muhammadu Buhari for their unflinching support to the navy and the military as a whole.

Facilities that were inspected include the naval jetty, detention quarters, armory, slipway, the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability(RMAC) and the ships at the Naval Dockyard Limited.

1.Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island 09062887864 2. Isokoko 09062887856 3. Ilupeju 09062887848 4. Festac 09062887841 5. Alakuko 09062887861

6. Badagry 09062887852 7. Ajah 09062887849 8.

Ikorodu (Igbogbo) 09062887858 9. Ketu 09062887866 10. Ikotun 09062887870 11. Gender Desk, Police Command, GRA 09062887853 12. Ikeja Divisional Police Station 09062887863 13. JWC Alakara 09062887859 Source: Lagos State Police Command

HOTLINES FOR COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE IN LAGOS 1) 08067945297 2) 08063025274 3) 08063164759 4) 08113615350 5) 08113683077 6) 08081426895

7) 08126404930 8) 08089781657 9) 08096283148 10) 08096283173 Source: Lagos State Police Command

40

F R I DAY • SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

LIFE

Community Engagement for Oba Akinloye’s Silver Jubilee Coronation Sunday Ehigiator writes that the silver jubilee anniversary to commemorate the 25th coronation ceremony of HRM, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, the Sateru 11, Ojomu of Ajiraland, provided an opportunity to engage the youths of the Ajira community

T

One of the most well-known and celebrated anniversaries is the 25th year, also known as the silver anniversary. Many have been known to engage in pomp and pageantry to mark that milestone.

But for HRM, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, the Sateru 11, Ojomu of Ajiraland, the occasion of his 25th coronation anniversary, was an opportunity to give back to the community for being his backbone these long years.

Therefore, the throne has collaborated Victoria Crest Homes Limited, to empower youths in 16 different communities. The brain child of Victoria Crest Homes, the empowerment will come in the form of a football tournament.

Victoria Crest Homes Limited; a retail real estate company, which provides affordable luxury housing solutions to Nigerians, has thrown its weight behind the 2018 Oba’s Cup Tournament scheduled to hold from September 22, to October 22, 2018, at the newly built Ajiran Sport Complex. This tournament is one of the events lined out to celebrate Akinloye’s ascension to the throne.

The company announced the sponsorship of the event through its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, at a press briefing held at Marco Polo Hotel, Chevron Drive, Lagos, immediately after concluding the draws for the tournament.

According to Kennedy, the Oba’s Cup is a football tournament which draws players from the different villages in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and its environs to come together to compete in a friendly manner to celebrate the Oba’s 25th anniversary.

He said: “We know that the youths are the future of tomorrow and the strength of every nation, that is why, as part of our cooperate social responsibility, we have identified the need to continue to empower youths in every area as sacrosanct to them as much as possible; especially in sports. “ As a company, we have just completed the renovation of the Ajiran Sport Complex, which is where this tournament would be held. All over the world, football tournaments encourages the spirit of sportsmanship among the youths in any area. It brings about unity, promotes oneness, preaches love, instills good morals, promotes peace and of course stands as a means of livelihood. This would be the second time we are sponsoring a competition of this magnitude. The first was about three years ago.

“This year, we are playing to celebrate our royal father by competing as brothers in the

Okonkwo with Ajira coummunity members

Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye

I want to say that we are very grateful to Kennedy for honoring the crown in this way.

The best thing that can ever happen to a community is if the youths are positively engaged in activities that will not only benefit them, but likewise benefit the whole community and the country in general

tournament through our display of sportsmanship and at no cost at all to all the communities participating. The competition is playing host to a total of 16 teams involving communities within and around Ajiran, namely; Ojumo, Oniru, Ikate, Ajiran, Agungi, Igbo-Efon, IdadoBalogu, Okun-Alfa, Lafiaji, Olugborogan, Ikota, Baruwa, Igbokusu, Tobalase, Moba, and Mobo.

“We have provided them with two sets of complete Jerseys respectively, and a sum of N50, 000 each for transiting and taking care of other logistics of the team. The competition would play host to several football scouts and hopefully, some of the boys would be discovered. The duration is for 30 days, and the final match would be played on the anniversary day itself, before the Oba and all dignitaries present.

“The prices to be won are as follows; first-placed team would go home with N500, 000; second-placed team would go home with N300, 000 and the third-placed team would go home with N200, 000. Also, the highest goal scorer of the tournament would be rewarded with a sum of N100, 000, and the best goal keeper of the competition; which would be decided by the least number of goals conceded would also go home with N100, 000.

“I want to finally advise the participants to embrace the spirit of fair play, love, oneness, and sportsmanship. Go out there and show your talent without being aggressive. Always

Okonkwo

remember that, the next man you kick out there is your brother, so, be your brother’s keeper.”

Speaking to THISDAY, Oba Akinloye’s representative, Chief Mumiru Akanbi Opeifa, the Arobadade of Ajiran said: “On behalf of Kabiyesi, I want to say that we are very grateful to Kennedy for honoring the crown in this way.

The best thing that can ever happen to a community is if the youths are positively engaged in activities that will not only benefit them, but likewise benefit the whole community and the country in general. “ Kennedy has truly shown to the world that even with our different cultural background, we are can always be our brother’s keeper, even in the least ways. He is not even a Yoruba person, and he could think about this great innovation to the direct benefit of those that aren’t even from his tribe. This is really touching and I pray that he would reap all he has invested into this in multiple folds. His company shall continue to wax stronger on this soil. Once again, I say a big thank you to him on behalf of myself, the Oba and the whole community here represented.”

Also speaking to THISDAY, one of the officials of the tournament, Mr. Kazeem Sani, said, “This is a welcome development. Kennedy is not just a sportsman, but a philanthropist.

We have known him from way back for his humanitarian acts, and this definitely won’t be the last. We are really grateful that he deemed it fit to use the upcoming celebration of the Oba,

as an opportunity to empower and engage the youths.”

Afterwards, in an interview with THISDAY, Kennedy said: “This competition is about celebrating our father, upon his silver jubilee celebration anniversary. 25 years of being on the throne is a remarkable one, and we thank God for giving him life and giving him grace. What we tried to do here was to upgrade the facilities that we have there at Ajiran.

We have upgraded the facility to 200-seater capacity covered pavilion. It’s a donation from us at Victoria Crest Homes LTD to the community, and it would be commissioned by his royal Majesty as part of the celebration.

And the tournament is a 16- team football tournament with a total of 32 matches.

Starting from September 22 to October 22, when the final would be played as part of the big event. “And like I earlier stated, the prices goes from N500, 000 to N200, 000 for first place to third place and N100, 000 each for both the best goalie and highest goal scorer. There would also be several invited football scouts during the tournaments and hopefully, the boys would take advantage of this. My advice to all the team is to play with love. This is a celebration. They should devoid themselves off attitudes that could jeopardise another person’s health or sanity, as it would not be tolerated.”

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

41

T H I S D AY Ëž SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeria’s Non-oil Export Earnings Falls By 13% Obinna Chima Nigeria’s total non-oil export earnings, at $480.56 million, fell by 13.1 per cent in August, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed yesterday.

This, however, was below the level in the preceding month, but showed an increase of 112.8 per cent above the level in the corresponding period of 2017.

The CBN disclosed this in its monthly “Economic Report for August 2018,� that was posted on its website yesterday.

The development reflected, the respective decline of 31.9 per cent, 0.8 per cent and 30.3 per cent in the proceeds from manufacturing, food and minerals products sub-sectors, respectively, to US$261.66 million, US$41.19 million and US$9.28 million in August 2018. According to the report, export proceeds from industrial and agricultural sub-sectors, however, rose by 21.4 and 67.5 per cent, respectively,

above the levels in the preceding month. “The shares of the various sectors in non-oil export proceeds were: minerals, 35.7 per cent; agricultural products, 24.9 per cent; manufactured products, 20.4 per cent; industrial sector, 16.5 per cent; and food products, 2.5 per cent,� it stated.

According to the report, aggregate foreign exchange outflow from the economy, at US$5.60 billion, fell by 10.4 per cent compared with the level in July 2018, but represented an increase of 47.6 per cent above the level at the end of the corresponding month of 2017. This was attributed to the 12.1 per cent decline in outflow through the Bank.

Also, inflow through autonomous sources, indicated marginal decline of 1.9 per cent to US$6.31 billion in August 2018, below the level in the preceding month.

Outflow through autonomous sources, on month-on-month basis, however rose by 31.9 per cent to

US$0.30 billion above the level in the preceding month and reflected the rise in invisible import. Thus, foreign exchange flow through the economy, resulted in a net inflow of US$5.53 billion in the review period, compared with US$4.92 billion and US$5.02 billion for July, 2018 and August, 2017, respectively. Provisional data indicated that aggregate foreign exchange inflow into the CBN was US$4.82 billion, showing an increase of 1.7 per cent and 22.2 per cent, compared with the respective levels in the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2017. The development, relative to the preceding month was attributed, largely, to the improved performance of the non-oil sector of the economy.

Aggregate outflow of foreign exchange from the Bank fell by 11.1 per cent to US$5.29 billion in August 2018, compared with the level at the end of the preceding month.

R-L: Group Head, Consumer Liability Products, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Shamsideen Fashola receiving an award of ‘Excellence in Retail Banking’ on behalf of the bank from the Director, Financial System Strategy, Mr. Mohammed Suleiman, during the 2018 edition of the New Age Banking Summit & Awards held in Lagos‌recently

CBN Revokes Operating Licences of 182 Financial Institutions The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plan to withdraw the operating licences of 182 other financial institutions (OFIs).

These includes 154 microfinance banks; six primary mortgage banks and 22 finance companies would be affected.

The central bank stated this in a notice on its website.

Providing reasons for the revocation of the licences of the institutions, the CBN explained that while for the microfinance banks, 62 had already closed shop, another 74 were insolvent, while 12 were terminally distressed� and the remaining six “voluntarily liquidated�.

From the 22 finance companies, it said eight voluntarily liquidated, 13 could not recapitalise and one became insolvent.

Umar-sadiq announced 2018 Eisenhower Fellow A Nigerian, Muntaqa Umar-sadiq, CEO of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, has been announced a 2018 Eisenhower Innovation Fellow. He is the only Nigerian selected as part of 23 ascendant global leaders from around the world who will embark on a leadership journey across the United States to engage in transformative exchanges of ideas with leading innovators in their fields; and bring action-oriented solutions

back to their countries.

The 23 Eisenhower Innovation Fellows are acknowledged by their outstanding and unique achievements in their various fields and are creative visionaries and disruptors who are working to make the world a better place.

Recognising his pioneering work in developing the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace (NHIM) and fostering public private partnerships to shape health markets; alongside business and public sector leaders in Nigeria, including Mr. Aliko Dangote, President/CEO, Dangote group; Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate; Mr. Jim Ovia, chairman, Zenith Bank; Mr. Aig Imoukhuede, President, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO, Access bank, Muntaqa’s Eisenhower fellowship will focus on models to scale up gains from the NHIM and integrate an impact investment fund aimed at accelerating early stage health innovations; and investing in exemplary financially viable health innovation ecosystems that serve the health poor and underserved in Nigeria.

Eisenhower Fellowships Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, in a statement said that the Eisenhower Fellows would apply what they learn from their peers and in their engagements with experts in their respective

fields to maximise their potential and produce sustained impact long after their fellowships are completed. “We welcome these exceptional global leaders into the dynamic global network of Eisenhower Fellows around the world who are working to enhance international understanding and generate a positive impact in their countries,� Gates said. “This remarkable group of change agents is committed to solving some of the most pressing global issues of our day,� the President of Eisenhower Fellowships, George de Lama said.

Muntaqa is currently the CEO of the Private Sector Health Alliance, and was the Senior Technical Advisor to the former Minister of State for Health in Nigeria. He commenced his career as a healthcare M & A investment banker at Morgan Stanley in the UK where he focused on the Healthcare & Pharmaceutical sector. He is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, England and Imperial College School of Medicine in London, and also a holder of Chartered Alternatives Investment Analyst (CAIAI) charter. Muntaqa was also honored as a 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leader (YGL).

CHI EXOTIC Unveils Product Chi Exotic Nectar has unveiled a new 150ml pack size for its hugely popular Pineapple Coconut product variant.

The new pack size which promises to offer the same superior taste the brand is renowned, according to a statement, was a strategic move to provide distinctive refreshment to a wider spectrum of Nigerian consumers. “Retailing at N50, the product line innovation comes at a pocket friendly price. The new 150ml Chi Exotic Pineapple Coconut pack is the result of deploying consumer insights and marketing intelligence to drive brand growth in a dynamic market environment.

“The Chi Exotic Pineapple Coconut 150ml pack size’s rich unique fruity blend offers an irresistible taste and distinctive refreshment that makes it ideal for indulgence and relaxation.

Its superior taste and handy pack size is poised to connect with the preferences and healthy choices of a youthful consumer segment,� it added.

According to a brand analyst, Linus Nwokoji, the fruit juice segment market is becoming driven by competition, retail power and local consumer choices that increasingly determine brand and product line extension trajectory.

Speaking on the introduction of the new pack size, Chi

Limited’s Marketing Director, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, said the Chi Exotic Pineapple Coconut 150ml pack size demonstrates the brand’s resolve to deepen its market reach by offering consumers an affordable option without compromising their quest for distinctive refreshment and indulgent taste. “We are confident about the prospects of the new Chi Exotic Pineapple Coconut 150ml pack size. The 150ml pack size was introduced to align with the demand and choices of consumers by availing them the same healthy great tasting juice, but just for N 50 – which is both pocket friendly and value driven,� he added.

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 26, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $81.58 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $80.44 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

43

T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

MARKET NEWS

United Capital Facilitates Stock Trading with Improved Online Platform Goddy Egene United Capital Plc yesterday launched its new, improved online investment platform, InvestNow. The company rolled out this platform as part of its retail strategy and unwavering commitment to excellent service experience.

The platform was first released in 2014 as a securities trading platform but has gone through series of upgrades

and improvements. Some of the new, unique products and features include: the direct debit functionality which helps make saving and investment easy for the customer by allowing for direct transfer from the customer’s bank account to their investment account; the online wills, which allows users to create a will online; and zero account balance which allows customers to open an account without funding their

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

account. In addition to these unique features, the group also launched a mobile app which will make investing even much easier and more accessible for the user.

Speaking on the improved platform, the Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Mr. Peter Ashade said:“We are extremely excited about this new upgrade. We are always thinking about how to make the customer experience better

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

and InvestNow.ng really speaks to that. Our customers can now invest in our different products on the platform either through the website or with the App. You can buy mutual funds online, trade on the equities market, set up a trust and even write a will.”

Ashade said United Capital is committed to consistently creating value for its stakeholders, expressing hopes that the new, improved platform will

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

help drive financial inclusion by ensuring that more people have finance and investment solutions at their fingertips.

Speaking further about the portal, the Group Chief Information Officer, Mr. Joseph Onyema stressed that the various investment products are consolidated on the portal for ease.

He said: “A big selling point for us is that everything can be done with a single app.

O F

You don’t have to download several apps just to trade on the Stock Exchange, to buy mutual funds or to create a will. With InvestNow.Ng, you can have all your investments at a single point.”

United Capital is an integrated financial services group operating in four core business areas: Investment Banking; Asset Management; Trustee Services; and Securities Brokerage Services.

2 6 / 0 9 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

44

5.)&; *47*1'*5 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Depreciates by 0.73%

! % " ! $

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 index dipped 0.73% to 1356.70 points while YTD performance worsened to –

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4.2%), GUARANTY ( 2.1%) and ACCESS ( 3.8%) which ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϰϰ͘ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

CSCS Plc Promises Continued Excellent Services Delivery Goddy Egene

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS Plc), Mr. Haruna Jalo â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Waziri, has said the company will continue to deliver excellent services to customers in all the markets it serves.

Jalo-Waziri stated this while responding to an award: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outstanding contribution to the capital markets in Nigeria

2018 organised by the Capital Finance International (CFI.co).

CFI.co, headquartered in London, is a print journal and online resource reporting on business, economics and finance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CSCS, having fulfilled all the CFI.coâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award selection requirements and based on the initial nomination and voting

by CFI.co readers, contributors, subscribers, visitors all over the world to their website, CSCS was shortlisted and having gone through the rigorous exercise,

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 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

the Judging Panel reviewed and declared CSCS as the winner of the prestigious award of outstanding contribution to the capital markets in Nigeria 2018,â&#x20AC;? the journal said.

Commenting, Jalo-Waziri said:â&#x20AC;&#x153;The award is a call to service, to continue to deliver excellent services to all the markets we serve.

This achievement is shaped by the strength of the foundations we have set. It is as a result of consistent hard work, investment in technology and being customer

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 2609-2018, unless otherwise stated.

focused. The foundation of any great organization such as ours is deeply rooted in technology and sterling services. For us at CSCS, customer service is not a department or unit, it is an attitudeâ&#x20AC;?.

He added that the company began the year by setting a three-year strategic plan (2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2020) focusing on five strategic pillars: enhanced technology, process optimisation, customer satisfaction, partnership through strategic alliances, and revenue

growth. Staying focused on these strategic pillars have started yielding enviable results and more to come.â&#x20AC;?

According to the CFI Judging Panel, â&#x20AC;&#x153;CSCS continues to respond efficiently and faithfully to the needs of the securities and commodities market and has a proud record of providing sterling services to the capital markets in Nigeria. CSCS looked to the best international models when planning its business but insists on incorporating in its

plan, features that respond to the specific needs of the Nigerian market.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;CSCS takes its corporate governance responsibilities very seriously and constantly seeks out ways to improve. CSCS, a most innovative company, is very keen to harness technological developments in support of the services it offers. This is a very well-financed and managed firm that is moving from strength-to-strength,â&#x20AC;? the panel added.

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 164.53 165.30 -7.39% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 269.64 270.50 16.54% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.83 0.29% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 5.45% 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 16.94 17.45 -7.28% ARM Discovery Fund 362.13 373.05 -6.92% ARM Ethical Fund 28.10 28.94 2.83% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.32% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 134.50 135.44 -11.34% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.59% 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 11.66 11.96 5.16% Women's Investment Fund 102.14 104.75 1.50% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.09% 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 11.87% 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 11.81% 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 1,191.96 1,192.72 10.12% FBN Heritage Fund 140.37 141.31 0.67% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.06% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.40 114.70 3.77% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.20 114.49 3.70% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.89 153.02 -5.21% 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 3.16 3.16 9.26% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.01 1.01 1.25% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,001.44 3,031.20 0.53% Coral Income Fund 2,712.91 2,712.91 10.83% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.73% 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 11.42% 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 10.37% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.86 11.91 7.39% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.10% 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 1.65 1.65 11.17% 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 2,258.66 2,273.30 2.83% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 184.85 184.85 6.18% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 -5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 242.04 242.08 12.17% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 162.77 164.56 -9.13% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.63% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,583.43 8,687.36 -9.76% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 5.65% 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 11.31 11.48 -6.80% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.23 12.34 -5.18% Zenith Income Fund 20.31 20.31 10.11% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.79%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 138.20 51.55

1.01% 4.33% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.80 121.82 93.91

10.90 124.40 95.67

0.00% -14.71% -14.04%

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

4.14 7.77 15.39 15.17 142.10

4.18 7.85 15.49 15.37 144.10

-12.68% -18.78% -11.88% -22.74% 5.70%

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 managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Ebola: WHO Asks DR Congo Neighbours to Be on Alert

T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries surrounding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to scale up efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola through their borders.

The call followed a sudden setback in containing the disease and accessing some Ebola patients in the DRC. In a statement on its website, WHO said the response to the outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the DRC was at a critical juncture of being lost, due to factors ranging from

insecurity and mistrust.

In order to curtail the spread of the deadly disease across borders, WHO said neighbouring countries need to ensure a level of readiness, should they face cases of Ebola themselves.

Seven countries border the DRC. These are Angola, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The international agency has been working in DRC since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak earlier this year. But it said the grounds gained in containing the

In Brief

China Demands U.S. ‘Dispel Obstacles’ to Military Ties, Stop Slander

China demanded the United States “dispel obstacles” to improving military ties and stop slandering it, amid growing tensions over trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of China meddling in the upcoming U.S. election, Reuters reported. Trump on Wednesday accused China of seeking to interfere in the November 6 U.S. congressional elections, saying Beijing did not want him or his Republican Party to do well because of his pugnacious stance on trade. The two countries are already embroiled in an acrimonious trade war and have continued to butt heads over a list of sensitive issues including the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, armed by Washington but claimed by Beijing. On Saturday, China summoned the U.S. ambassador in Beijing and postponed joint military talks to protest Washington’s decision to sanction a Chinese military agency and its director for buying Russian fighter jets and a surface-to-air missile system.

Brett Kavanaugh Nomination: US Senators to Hear Crucial Sex Assault Testimony

The story that had dominated US politics for weeks reached fever pitch in a Senate committee room on Thursday.

Brett Kavanaugh, the man nominated for a vacant post on the Supreme Court, and a woman accusing him of sexual assault testified. Kavanaugh had denied allegations by Christine Blasey Ford, along with those of a number of other women.

President Donald Trump called it an “important day in the history of our country”. The nine-member Supreme Court plays a vital role in US political life. It has the final say on US law, including highly contentious social issues and challenges to government policy. The hearing got under way in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

No-one had seen or heard the 51-year-old Prof Ford publicly, apart from a few grainy pictures, since the allegations arose.

India’s Supreme Court Rules Adultery No Longer A Crime

India’s top court ruled on Thursday that adultery was no longer a crime, declaring the colonial-era law that punished the offence unconstitutional and discriminatory. The court ruled unanimously that Section 497, a 158-year-old law, “perpetuates the subordinate status of women, denies dignity and sexual autonomy, and is based on gender stereotypes”.

The law criminalised consensual sexual relations between a man and a married woman without the consent of her husband. Under the law, a man convicted could have faced up to five years in prison and women could neither file a complaint nor be held liable for adultery. Section 497 has been criticised by rights groups for depriving women of dignity and individual choice, and treating them as the property of men. “Adultery can be grounds for civil issues including dissolution of marriage but it cannot be a criminal offence ... adultery might not be the cause of an unhappy marriage, it could be the result of an unhappy marriage,” said Chief Justice Misra while reading out the verdict.

‘With Opinion Split, Tariffs Are a Tough Sell in America’s Rust Belt’

Politicians in America’s Rust Belt will likely struggle to capitalise on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war in November’s congressional elections, with a September poll showing voters in the region are cool on the effect of tariffs, Reuters reported. A Reuters/Ipsos/UVA Center for Politics Poll found that a plurality of voters in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin - states in America’s industrial heartland that backed Trump in the 2016 presidential election - thought tariffs were not good for themselves or their families. Support for tariffs among likely voters - people who have been identified as most likely to take part in the upcoming election - varied from 33 percent in Pennsylvania to 38 percent in Michigan. In all states, more were negative on tariffs, varying from 44 percent in Indiana to 50 percent in Wisconsin.

disease was being threatened by “worsening insecurity, mistrust from affected communities and extension into previously unaffected areas.”

As of 25 September, the disease had affected 151 people and killed 101.

WHO said though the government of DRC in collaboration with WHO and other international development partners had been working to reduce cases, recent developments were raising concerns.

“In recent weeks, a strong government-led response, supported by the World

Health Organisation (WHO), other UN partners, NGOs, and civil society, had resulted in a steady week-by-week reduction in cases. “But there is a risk now that hard-won gains may be lost,” WHO said.

The agency reported an increase in frequency and severity of attacks by armed opposition groups. It said the attacks by armed opposition groups on the town of Beni in North Kivu, where the Ministry of Health and partners base their response, have occurred with alarming frequency.

“Most recently a deadly attack on 22 September left

21 dead, including 17 civilians.

As a result, WHO and its UN partners were asked to halt operations in Beni, while the city mourns its dead.

WHO said some operations have begun to resume, but even a gap of two days has resulted in health workers not being able to reach contacts of Ebola patients to monitor their health; or investigate alerts of potential cases, it said.

It said some families had chosen to care for sick relatives at home, often because they were misinformed, and because a natural fear of the disease is now being exploited by local

politicians. The agency said others sick with Ebola travel widely to seek alternative care, putting themselves, their families and health workers at risk.

“This has brought infection to new locations, where teams cannot provide them with access to treatment, or provide protective vaccines to their contacts. These include security red zones which are difficult to access, and to areas bordering Uganda.”

WHO calls on all relevant parties, and governments or groups that have influence over these parties, to help protect responders and civilians.

Why Namibians Want Fresh Impetus Behind Land Reform

T

wenty-eight years after independence, wealth in Namibia is still skewed along racial lines laid down in the colonial period. The level of inequality is one of the highest in the world, according to the World Bank.

Land distribution plays a big part in keeping this pattern of inequality in place, and the country is holding its Second National Land Conference in October to discuss reform. But many Namibians are unhappy with this approach – and new forms of inequality are emerging too. This calls for a more radical approach to distribute not only land, but wealth more evenly.

The October conference will focus on the fact that 48% of the land is privately owned (freehold), 35% is communal land vested in the state and administered by customary authorities, and the rest (17%) is state land link to (Namibia Statistical Agency, 2018), including national parks and restricted areas.

Over 70% of the Namibian population make their living from communal land, but fewer than 5000 individuals - out of a population of just over 2.5 million- own freehold farmland. The pattern of land

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as LAWRENTA ONOSETALE USINA, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWRENTA USINA IRUMUDOMON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

I, formerly known as OGBUAGU CHIOMA NWAKAEGO now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. DAVID, CHIOMA NWAKAEGO. All former documents remains valid.

Royal Ingredients Nigeria Ltd, the general public should please take note.

I formerly known as MISS OLUFUNKE MALOMO SODE wish to be known as MRS OLUYIMIKA MALOMO OLUFUNKE henceforth.

All former documents remain valid. ƵƚŚŽƌŝƟĞƐ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶ ĂŶĚ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS KEMISOLA OYETAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYETAYO OLUWAKEMISOLA TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

distribution and ownership reflects class inequality and perpetuates racial inequalities.

This inequality is a direct consequence of land dispossession during the colonial and later apartheid eras and its division into the three categories.

Since independence in 1990, the land reform programme has focused on two ways of correcting historical wrongs.

The National Resettlement Programme allows the

government to buy freehold land to resettle landless Namibians. It has followed the “willing seller, willing buyer” principle. The Affirmative Action Loan Scheme allows formerly disadvantaged people to get subsidised loans from the Agricultural Bank of Namibia to buy land.

There is general discontent with the success of the programme and calls are growing for the land reform programme to be reviewed

and for a new direction.

Policy failure Since 1990, only 3 million hectares of land have been acquired through the National Resettlement Programme and 6.4 million hectares through the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme and private commercial banks. About 70% of the freehold agricultural land is still owned by white people.

The previously disadvantaged (black and coloured people) own only 16%.

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NEWSEXTRA

ASUU Demands over N1tn Funding from FG for Varsity Revitalisation Mobilises for nationwide industrial action Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has demanded for N1.1trillion as outstanding funding requirements for revitalisation of Nigerian universities.

It has also denied the report that the federal government has released N20 billion to it, describing it as untrue.

This is even as the union has disclosed that it is mobilising for a nation-wide strike, citing federal government’s inability to fulfil its side of agreement the union reached with it.

The Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Lawan Abubakar disclosed this at a press briefing at the University of Jos, Plateau State.

According to him, the decision

Court Summons EFCC over Freezing of Benue Govt Accounts George Okoh In Makurdi

The Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State capital, has summoned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two commercial banks to appear before it over the recent freezing of the Benue State Government accounts.

The banks are United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Fidelity Bank.

In the writ of summons issued to the defendants, the court has demanded EFCC and the two banks to, within 30 days, state why they carried out their action of freezing Benue State Government accounts.

The Government of Benue State, through the office of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, is praying the court to declare that EFCC acted against the law when it directed the banks to freeze its accounts.

The State Government is also demanding a declaration of the court that by freezing the said accounts, EFCC

denied the government the right to operate and transact on the affected accounts.

The suit also seeks the verdict of the court to the effect that a state government’s account maintained with any bank or financial institution in Nigeria does not fall within the class of bank accounts liable to be frozen by EFCC. Another relief sought by the Benue State Government is an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC or its agents from freezing accounts held in UBA and Fidelity Bank or any other bank.

The State Government is also demanding N30,000,000,000 from the defendants as damages suffered during the periods the accounts were frozen. The case comes up on October 8 this year, for hearing.

It will be recalled that the EFCC, on August 7, 2018, ordered the freezing of Benue State Government’s accounts in UBA and Fidelity banks, a decision that adversely affected government business for some days.

Abe Threatens to Boycott APC Primaries over Indirect Election Frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has threatened to boycott the primaries of the party scheduled this Saturday if the party fails to adopt direct primaries as earlier advocated by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

Abe, issued the threat while speaking at a mega rally organised by the APC in Rivers South-East senatorial district in Wiiyakara community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The APC governorship hopeful also threatened that he would not accept the result of the primaries if a candidate emerges through indirect process.

Abe, who is the senator representing Rivers SouthEast district in the National Assembly, urged the party’s national leadership to reverse itself and conduct direct primaries in the state.

He said: “It is bad that we continue to worship individuals when we want change. It is clear that they are doing what they are doing because somebody has been appointed a DG (Director-General).

“If they are doing this to please one person, then the party will not move forward.

If the primaries in Rivers is not through direct primaries I will not take part and I will not accept the result.

“If we continue to be a nation where individual are better than our institutions then something is wrong.

“When we were fighting former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Amaechi called me that I should lead the party in the state. I did but when I want to pursue my ambition he turned me down. I am the leader of APC in my senatorial district but I do not have a ward Chairman,” Abe lamented.

Abe told the committee that will organise the party’s primaries to remove his name from the list of aspirants if they are bent on indirect primaries.

“Today, I stand here to assure you that nobody is bigger than all of us. It is the responsibility of the party to bring a better ground for all the aspirants “I hereby serve them a notice that they should remove my name from the list of the contestants. I will not participate in a process that has already been determined.

was reached after the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Calabar between August 5 and 6, 2018, where a retinue of issues bordering on the implementation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement, specifically, re-negotiation, universities funding and non-release of over N1 trillion arrears funding for revitalisation, payment of arrears of shortfall in salaries and its stoppage,

issuance of operating licenses to NUPEMCO among other issues.

He said, “ASUU is shocked at the lack of commitment displayed by government of the day towards the implementation of the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA) aimed at persuading the union to suspend the 2017 industrial action.”

He added that the meeting broke since May 2018 because of the deliberate tactics adopted

by the leader of government team, Wale Babalakin, to frustrate the meeting as he was rooting for funding of education via diverse sources with the proposal for the establishment of Education Bank and students loan scheme. This, according to him, is a deliberate effort to commercialise public universities to thrive and untimely deny the children of poor Nigerians, access to university education.

Abubakar called on the public

to join ASUU in putting pressure on the government to live up to its national responsibility by honouring the agreement, the MoUs, the roadmap and the MoA it willingly and freely entered with ASUU, adding, “we have a moral responsibility to ensure that tertiary education is not killed in Nigeria by unpatriotic power drunk government functionaries whose interest is anywhere but Nigeria”

CONGRATULATIONS...

L-R: The newly-ordained Pastor of the Royal Chapel, Christ Healing Evangelical Church International (CHEC), London Branch, Pastor Moses Kayode Adenowo, being presented with the Ordination Certificate by the Church’s Supreme Council member, Pastor (Mrs.) Akinireti Faboyede, during his ordination in London, United Kingdom...recently

Kalu’s N7.6bn Fraud Trial Adjourned Indefinitely Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday adjourned indefinitely the trial of a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, over his alleged involvement in a N7.6 billion fraud.

Kalu is standing trial alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited, on an amended 39-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N7.6bn.

The matter had been adjourned to today for the defence to open

its case.

However, at the resumed hearing, Justice Idris informed the court that the fiat issued to him by the President of the Court of Appeal would expire tomorrow, September 28.

The judge, who was elevated to the appellate court sometime in June 2018, was issued a fiat to conclude some of the criminal cases that are before him by the end of this month.

The judge also said that in line with the ongoing nationwide strike, it might be impossible for

the defence team to conclude its defence.

He, however, sought the opinion of counsel on the way forward.

Counsel to the first defendant, Awa Kalu, urged the court to adjourn the matter on the grounds it might be impossible to conclude the trial in view of the underlying issues. “My Lord, we are ready to open our case.

“However, it may be an exercise in futility to start now only to stop tomorrow.

“We have two witnesses

before the court, who will need to defend before this matter is brought to conclusion and that may seem impossible because of the expiration of the fiat.

“It may, therefore, be prudent to determine the faith of the fiat before we continue.”

The counsel to the second and third defendants, Solo Akuma and K.C. Nwofo, aligned with the submissions of Kalu.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, however, opposed the applications of the defence team.

Policeman Feared Dead, PDP Office Attacked as Brass Boils Again Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The violence in Twon-Brass, Brass Local Government Area (LGA), Bayelsa State, continued yesterday with the alleged killing of a policeman and attack on the office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the coastal community.

The leaders of the PDP in

the area, led by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Victor Isaiah, the Caretaker Chairman and Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ngobere said they believed the attack was sponsored by the opposition party because a leader of the party in the state planned to clear all PDP members in

the area before his visit next weekend.

In a joint press conference in Yenagoa, Ben-Bruce, Isaiah and Ngobere, called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to quickly intervene to prevent further loss of lives in the oil-rich area.

Isaiah alleged that one Abiye Bushboy, a suspect from Rivers State, had been deployed in

Brass to cause mayhem and make life unbearable for the people of Twon-Brass, where at least three persons were shot dead during a similar crossfire last month.

After the attack, business and commercial activities were paralysed in the area, while residents in the area were forced to flee their homes.

Farmers Urged to Embrace Technology Nigerian farmers have been urged to embrace the use of technology in farming system in order to boost agricultural produce for local consumption and export.

This call was made yesterday during the 6th Lagos

International food and beverage trade fair tagged ’Food Security through Technology’.

Speaking at the event, an entrepreneur and international scholar, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, said the time has come for Nigerian farmers to move

away from traditional farming system to the modern trend where technological application is widely put into use.

Speaking further, Ekekwe advised that the use of technology in farming sector will guide farmers through the

process of efficient farming that will reduce their loss during harvest.

He however, noted that lack of formal education may pose challenges to most of the farmers to key into the process.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Lack of Will Power by Leaders Nigeria’s Undoing, Says Sultan Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has stated that lack of will power to tackle headon, Nigeria’s problems by the government was the country’s

undoing.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to speak out on the problems confronting them.

The Sultan stated this yesterday at a one-day retreat for traditional rulers from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria with the theme: ”Role of Traditional Rulers in

Emmanuel’s Kinsman Moves Supporters to Ekere Hamid Adedeji The electoral fortunes of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State in his clan, Awa, in Onna Local Government Area, further dwindled as his kinsman and governorship aspirant, Archbishop Samuel Akpan, joined forces with the governor’s main opponent in the 2019 governorship election and Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obong Nsima Ekere.

Last year, the governor suffered the defection of his maternal cousins, Messer Kingsley Uffang and Valentine Uffang, who led many others from his village, Awa Iman, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At a rally in his village, Abak Ishiet, attended by members of his political organization and drawn from the 31 local government areas and 329 wards in the state, Akpan announced

his withdrawal from the APC governorship race and expressed support for Ekere.

The grassroots mobiliser said he was stepping down to team up with Ekere and other APC leaders to “correct the mistakes Akpabio made in 2015.”

Akpan, a former State Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs to former Governor Godswill Akpabio, advised Governor Emmanuel, not to seek re-election because he stood no chance of winning.

“There is nothing left again in PDP. I have come to send a message to my junior brother and my friend, Emmanuel, that he should not contest that election because he will not win. I am talking today, as the leader of this community where we (he and Emmanuel) come from, that Udom can’t win this lection.

Community Policing in Nigeria’ held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State”.

He stressed that people must speak out on the problems they are facing because “when you know you have problems, the problems are half solved.”

Sultan added, “When problems come, traditional rulers do not run away but political leaders do.

Let us stop running away; let’s sit down and face the problems squarely. “The problems of this country started when traditional institutions were sidelined and kept aside. We speak for the progress of the country We don’t criticise the government but we tell government what it has done right and what it has done wrong, we are part of the government.”

In his address, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu stated that with the geographical size and population of Nigeria, the need for local policing is very essential for the development of the country and to complements the work of the security agencies like the armed forces and the police. The monarch said the formation of community policing was very important, adding that certain factors must be put into consideration for maximum benefit, for the formation of community police for common socio-economic and political development.

According to him, “the people of the locality concerned are

the one to be enlisted for the formation of community police.

They must be people who have the knowledge of the area and all the nooks and crannies of their areas of responsibility like we presently have the formation of Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps.”

He further posited that those that would be enlisted should be catered for in a way to ensure effective performance.

He added that they should be given adequate training, appropriate and commensurate renumeration to boost their morale and educational facilities for third children among others.

Oba Akinolu added that community police should have cooperative link chain with the traditional institutions of the area, who knows and wield some measure of authority and enjoyed some degree of obeisance from their subject for effective operation, training work of community policing.

Also speaking, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe disclosed that community policing in Anambra State is working although not perfectly well.

He stressed that the community policing involves collaboration with the police, adding that it is not a new phenomenal but synonymous with the neighborhood watch which existed in the old good days.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Shutdown of Egina FPSO’s Fabrication Yard Threatens First Oil in 200,000bpd Field Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN) Limited, the parent company of SHI MCI FZE, Mr. Yong-ho Jo has stated that the denial of SHIN workers access to the company’s $300 million fabrication and integration yard in LADOL Free Zone by the management of the free zone might delay the December 2018 first oil for the 200,000 barrels per day per day Egina deepwater field.

Jo who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday to journalists, said if not for the speed with

which his company fabricated some modules weeks ahead of schedule, the Egina deepwater project would have been stalled.

He however, assured that Samsung would do everything humanly possible to ensure that Total achieves its December target for first crude oil from the field.

According to him, “The delay did not allow us move some materials offshore because it had an impact on our schedule. We had a time frame within which we were to install mooring chains.

What saved us was that we were ahead of our schedule by six days without that we would not be sitting here talking about the

project. This shutdown of our yard has impacted our effort of moving some needed materials to the vessel earlier than we should. Definitely, it will have an impact on the December date,” he explained.

He added that the delay will also increase cost as his company would have to employ more hands and equipment to enable it get back some of the time the two weeks shutdown has set it back.

He also stated that even if it is able to drill the first crude oil from the vessel, a lot of work still needed to be done hence the need for the yard manager

Eight Students Win FrieslandCampina WAMCO Awards at 48th Nutrition Science Confab FrieslandCampina WAMCO, makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk, awarded cash prizes to eight young Nigerian nutritionists for their excellent scientific research presentations at the just concluded 48th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.

The awardees are all M.Sc and PhD students below age 35. They are Oyewole Mary Oyeronke, Chukwu Chianaka Chinecherem, Obayi Chinonso Victoria and Duru Chinenye Ogechi. Others are Eguavoen Valentina Imara, Agbaje Gloria, Oputteh Peace

Ochuwa and Udechukwu Stephanie Chinazar The five-day conference themed “Nutrition Challenges: What Actions for Sustainable Development?” was held at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO also championed fitness routines for the delegates. The company organised 15-minute twice-daily Three Crowns milk-sponsored aerobic sessions, thus drawing attention to the need for everyone to stay fit and healthy with the right nutrition and daily exercises.

Participants enjoyed a 30-minute cardio session on the last day

of the conference.

President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, observed that nutrition awareness is still very low in Nigeria and it is a serious drawback on economic productivity and national development.

Keynote speaker at the conference, Mrs. Ada Ezeogu, a nutrition specialist at UNICEF suggested ways of tackling Nigeria’s nutrition challenges such as improving infant and young child feeding practices, teaching mothers on healthy diets and lifestyle.

to exercise restraint in its actions.

He called on the relevant authorities to ensure that his company’s dispute with LADOL is resolved in the best interest of Nigeria as investors all over the world are aware of the matter and are watching.

LADOL had also claimed that the fabrication yard does not belong to SHI because Total brought the money used in building the yard.

LADOL made the claim relying on a letter dated February 14, 2018, by the Managing Director of Total, but the Samsung MD faulted LADOL’s position, saying “It is totally untrue that Total effective project management.

Further to the above, this amount shall not be construed as an investment by the company in the development of SHI-MCI worksite, given that this development was to be undertaken by a joint venture and “the entire investment in new fabrication yard will be financed in the ratio of equity of equity and loan from local or international bank to 50 percent and 50 per cent respectively as contained in the contract’s Nigerian content Plan,” Jo explained.

“It is indicative of the bad faith of Ladol to cite the letter of February 14, 2018 and deliberately refrain from citing the letter of February 21, 2018, wherein Total provided clarity on the payment.

As earlier mentioned, there was

paid Samsung any amount for the upgrade of any facilities.

LADOL keeps misleading the public based on its own allegations about engineering procurement contract (EPC) terms and conditions of Egina FPSO project, where LADOL has no authority to access the details. Total did not make any investment in the yard.

Total’s MD did indeed make the referenced statement in the said letter of February 14, 2018.

“SHIN, conscious of the fact that LADOL may deliberately misapply/misinterpret this statement, consequently issued a letter to Total on the same date of no monetary contribution from Total for the development of the facility. Consequently, there was no fraud or misrepresentation

by SHI. This matter has been clarified by Total in writing and resolved before the Senate.

It is also noteworthy that at conclusion of the hearings, the Senate, in writing, also commended SHIN’s adherence to its content’s commitments,” Jo added.

It was all over the news that LADOL terminated its partnership with SHIN and denied workers of SHI MCI FZE access to the $300 million yard in the free zone, saying that the annual operating licence expired and terminated by effluxion of time on July 29, 2018.

But Samsung disputed this claim stressing that it made

February N14, 2018, requesting Total to clarify the purpose of the payment towards providing clarity to the Senate and other relevant parties.

“During second Senate hearing, Total issued a letter clarifying that Total did not make any investment in the development of fabrication yard, by a letter dated February 21, 2018, wherein it stated as follows: “In this regards, company hereby confirms that the amount assigned for the above work unit in the contract, has been apportioned from the contract lump sum for the sole purpose of progress measurement for advance payment of $45 million to GRML for five years sublease in 2014, which would expire in 2019.

The Chief Operating Officer of SHI MCI, Mr. Frank Ejizu denied this stressing that SHI MCI operating licence was effective from July 2017.

“We approached GRMFZC to renew our license but it insisted that except we pay free on board (FOB) charge of $33 million, it will not renew our license. Even though the FOB charge was acknowledged not to be SHI MCI’s obligation at stakeholders’ meeting of July 2018, GRMFZC still refused to renew SHI MCI licence, “he said.

Ejizu however, said LADOL had granted the company access to the yard based on the intervention of Total.

54

LABOUR STRIKE...

FRIDAY, ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

LABOUR STRIKE...

LABOUR STRIKE...

Nationwide Strike: Labour Records Partial Success

Our Correspondents

Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the nationwide industrial action embarked upon by members of the organised labour.

The strike, which commenced midnight Wednesday, failed to get the expected bite as some critical services sectors like the banks and petrol stations were still in operation across the states of the federation and Abuja.

The industrial action was declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protest the failure of government to agree to a new minimum wage for workers. However, strike saw many federal civil servants, teachers in public schools staying away from work across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Katsina Stands Still over Strike

Academic and office activities were yesterday grounded in Katsina State as the nationwide warning strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commenced.

The strike followed the inability of federal government to meet the demands of the union despite numerous meetings.

THISDAY who visited the state and federal secretariats observed that offices were under lock and key as few staff were seen in groups outside the gate discussing.

Similarly, activities at the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Hassan Usman Polytechnic and Federal College of Education, were equally paralysed, as most students were spotted stranded at the institutions' gate.

However, when THISDAY visited Al-Qalam University, a privately-owned institution, students were busy writing their second semester examinations, despite NLC directive that all private institutions should join the strike.

At the General Hospital, Katsina, doctors and nurses were seen rendering skeletal services to patients, as the administrative block of the hospital was shut down, while normal activities were ongoing at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina as at press time. Officials of organised labour in the state were sighted as early as 7a.m going round all institutions, ministries and parastatals to enforce the directives from the national headquarters.

The state Chairman of NLC, Comrade Tanimu Saulawa, in a telephone interview, expressed satisfaction with compliance with the unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directive, adding that the strike was over 90 per cent successful in the state.

Kwara NLC Joins National Strike

The directive of the national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)over the non-implementation of minimum wage by the federal government was fully complied with yesterday in Kwara State, yesterday as workers in the state, local government and banks stayed away from work.

Students in various public schools were seen returning to their respective homes, when their teachers were not available in schools to teach them.

Also, the headquarters of the Ilorin West Local Government was under lock and key as no worker was seen around except the security officials. The banks too did not open offices to their various customers, even their officials were inside doing skeletal services.

Benin Airport Gates Shut against Passengers, Workers

In compliance with the industrial action embarked upon by the labour union over minimum wage, the Benin Airport gates were on yesterday shut against passengers.

Prospective travellers who had early morning flight to catch were left stranded at the gates of the airport as a result of the strike. While hundreds of the passengers who gathered around the gates were seen discussing the effect of the strike action in low tone, security personnel had a hectic time trying to explain reason for the closure to some passengers.

Vehicles trying to gain entry into the airport, resulted in gridlock up around airport road. The state Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Emmanuel Ademokun, who spoke with journalists, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance saying he and his team were going about to ensure total compliance with the directive.

Public OfďŹ ces, Banks, Schools Shut in Ondo

Banks, public offices, hospitals, public schools and government media organisations were shut down yesterday in Ondo State in compliance with the nationwide warning strike declared by the organised labour unions over the issue of minimum wage.

When THISDAY went round some public offices in Akure, Ondo town, Ikare-Akoko and Owo gates of these offices were shut as workers refused to report for duties.

At Alagbaka, Akure areas where many banks were located, gates of the financial institutions were shut against customers though there were signs that workers were inside the banks buildings. The entire judicial services were paralysed as gates of the state High Court, National Industrial Court, Appeal Court and Federal High Court and Magistrate Court located at Oke-Eda, Alagbaka and Igbatoro road in Akure were under lock and key when THISDAY visited the courts.

However, customers made use of banks' ATMs freely while security agency's particularly policemen were seen patrolling major streets and roads without much noise.

The Ondo State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Soladoye Ekundayo, Tayo Ogunleye of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) represented by the state Secretary, Alhaji Adewale Sanusi

L-R: Chief of StaďŹ&#x20AC; to the President, Abba Kyari; President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba; and First Deputy President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Olusola Salako, shortly after the meeting with the Chief of StaďŹ&#x20AC; at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday Godwin Omoigui and the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Abel Oloniyo, led other labour leaders to move round public offices to enforce the strike in the state.

Commercial Activities Halted in Jos

Following the call by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a national strike to protest against the federal government failure to meet their demand for an increase in the national minimum wage, commercial activities in Jos , Plateau State capital were brought to a halt, as work places, school, banks were closed.

The gates leading to the state secretariat were locked Similarly, the Jos campus of the Plateau State Polytechnic located in Hwolse was also closed down.

Some banks which initially opened to customers later locked them out. Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) was also locked. Speaking to THISDAY at the gate of JEDC John Sule, the Assistant State Secretary of the United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC), said â&#x20AC;&#x153;coming out from an emergency meeting of SEC of ULC, Plateau State, the council resolved to comply with the directive of the ULC, NLC and TUC to go on strike.â&#x20AC;?

Strike Cripples Activities in Lagos Schools, Secretariat High Court

Following the nationwide strike declared by the leadership of labour unions over new minimum wage, public schools secretariat and Lagos State Judiciary were shut yesterday.

Workers in compliance with the directive stayed away to observe the nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to press home their demand.

All the doors of the Lagos High Court rooms were chained and padlocked by workers to prevent proceedings from taking place. As a result, lawyers and litigants who came to the courts were turned back at the gate by security guards keeping watch over the court premises.

Even the Chief Registrar, Mrs. Taiwo Olatokun, who arrived the Ikeja High Court in the morning, could not gain access to her office as the main door of the administrative building was also put in chain and padlock. Olatokun stood by the main gate and was seen discussing with some heads of departments of the judiciary.

Strike Records Mixed Reactions in Kaduna

There was partial compliance with the warning strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a new national minimum wage for civil servants in the country in Kaduna State.

At the state secretariat, along Independence Way, Kaduna, workers were seen at their duty posts going about their normal duties. Also at the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, nurses and doctors were seen attending to their patients. Many public schools, some banks and courts in the state capital were also opened.

But some commercial banks like First Bank, Union Bank and Ecobanks did not officially open for business even though they were seen attending to customers discreetly from the back door.

But the gates of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Kaduna and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in the city were said to have been locked up by an enforcement task force of the NLC. Some of the workers who were seen on their duty posts said apart from the announcements on the television, there was no any formal directive from the leadership of the state chapter of the NLC. Officials of the state chapter of the union were said to be holding a meeting when our correspondent visited their secretariat along Independence Way, Kaduna.

Sokoto Records Partial Compliance

The strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) witnessed a partial compliance in Sokoto State.

THISDAY checks in Sokoto metropolis yesterday revealed that some commercial banks were currently attending to customers.

However, banks like Access Bank and GT Bank that attended to customers earlier in the day, decided to close their gate in the

afternoon, thereby preventing customers from entering the premises.

A staff of one of the commercial banks who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that an official of the NLC had approached them to stop work but was ignored.

However, both federal and state government-owned hospitals especially Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital and Sokoto Specialist Hospital were working, as well as higher institutions, while courts were shut when THISDAY visited the area. THISDAY gathered that some primary and secondary schools in the metropolis were also shut.

Some offices were opened at the federal secretariat but few officials were seen, as majority of them were paramilitary personnel.

Commenting on the strike, the Chairman of the Sokoto State chapter of the NLC, Alhaji Aminu Umar, said 100 per cent compliance would be expected in the next few days.

Govt Offices Shut down in Anambra

A team of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday went from one government office to the other to enforce compliance of the recently declared nationwide strike.

The team which was led by leaders of the unions were dispatched to various establishments, including; the state secretariat, judiciary complex, federal High Court and others, where they locked up the offices, chasing workers out of their offices.

Though the state chairman of NLC, Mr Jerry Nnubia, declined interview with journalists, a leader of the union in the state who preferred anonyanity said their action was just to comply with the directive from the national body, as workers in the state do not have any issue with the state government.

The Head of Service in the state, Harry Uduh who spoke with journalists, said he understands the plight of the union and the need for them to carry out the enforcement, but said the state government has been very friendly with workers, and have always paid them promptly.

He said the enforcement of the strike has nothing to do with the state government/workers relationship, while urging them to put a human face to their enforcement to ensure that they do not bring the activities of the government to a close.

NLC Calls for the Resignation of Kogi HOS

The organised labour in Kogi State has called for the immediate resignation of the State Head of Service, Mrs. Deborah Ogunmola, for her anti-labour posture on the issue of welfare of civil servants.

However, all business activities in the state have been paralysed following the seven day strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress. Banks, ministries, institutions and other federal government agencies honoured the strike as they all closed for business transactions in the state.

All public schools, federal and state hospitals were all shut down as a result of the strike.

However, a statement signed by the secretaries of Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Alhaji Isah Abubakar, NLC's Faniyi Olakunle and Trade Union Congress, Kolawole James, accused the HOS of threatening to apply 'no work, no pay' rule should the workers of Kogi State heed the directive of the national body of the labour centres to embark on nationwide strike, to press home their demand for a new national minimum wage.

Bauchi Workers Comply with Strike

As the nationwide total strike action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commenced yesterday, Bauchi State civil servants complied with the call even as NLC leaders in the State went round all establishments particularly government offices to ensure compliance with the directive, forcing workers who had turned up for work to go back home and lock up the offices.

THISDAY who monitored the compliance level of the strike in the state capital, reported that at the Abubakar Umar State Secretariat and the Federal Secretariat, officials of NLC were seen at the gates turning back all civil servants who came for work while only political appointees and security personnel were allowed in briefly.

55

ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

FIBA WORLD CUP

AFA Celebrates Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress as They Battle USA Nigerians have eagerly waited for this day to come as Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress take on Team USA with the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup now a lot tougher.

And it is surely another day to bank on making history for the Nigerian ladies.

In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quarter final clash with reigning champions and favourites USA, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress are clearly the underdogs just as they were before they faced Turkey and swept past them; they faced the South American champions Argentina and made them pay dearly for what happened at an entirely different event in Russia last June.

Nigerians desired vengeance for what the Super Eagles suffered in the hands of Lionel Messi and his colleagues and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress rose to the occasion fulfilling their promise. The Greeks are known for world-class basketball but that did not stop Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress from believing in themselves.

It can be rightly said that having gone this far more Nigerians have come to believe in them. But there were not many individuals and corporate bodies that believed in these young ladies way back in 2017 as they prepared to face the entire Africa in Mali AfroBasket but the ladies believed in themselves and so did AFA. About two years ago some young Nigerians with a dream to maximize the potential of the game of basketball in the country assembled in Lagos. This gathering gave birth to Africa for Africa sports but commonly known worldwide now as AFA Sports. The company became the first ever African sports apparel manufacturer to feature in a major international tournament as they became the proud kit sponsors of Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress at a time no other big name companies were ready identify with them.

But AFA Sports and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress kept the faith and made history

together in Bamako. That success reverberated around the world and those who had forgotten Nigeria began to put calls through to the Nigeria Basketball Federation to schedule negotiations.

The Chief Executive Officer of AFA Sports, Ugo Udezue says he can beat his chest now because he believed in them early enough.

He says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We saw a world-class team even when some others saw otherwise and decided our money on them. They hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played a game but we believed in the organisational structuring from which the team was emerging.

Perhaps a monumental part of this journey to the world is how much their performance is powered by the support from AFA Sports. The CTG technology in the AFA shoes provides extra grip, speed and precision so that you are always one step ahead of the competition. The soft micro mesh material allows athletes to stay hydrated in the most humid of climates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth is that no one can understand the needs of an African athlete more than a fellow African, and these products were tailor made to fit the needs of the African athlete like a glove.

Now we can all gladly say go Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress and the joy is for every fan of the team.â&#x20AC;?

Even after they conquered Africa there was still just a modest sense of expectation that the Nigerians could do something positive in Spain. They had stopped over in Ankara to camp and play the Turkey national team who incidentally were in the same group at the World Cup. The Nigerians were beaten from the tip off to the buzzer that that those who had no investment in them gave them no chance in Spain.

Australia beat Nigeria 86-68 to help those in doubt and their investors were satisfied that they

Abia Governor, Ikpeazu, Celebrates Amajuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Re-election The Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has again identified with the aspirations of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Governor, like the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and many others, has sent a congratulatory message to the NFF President Amaju Pinnick on his recent re-election.

The message was delivered through a letter from The Government House, Umuahia and signed by Governor Ikpeazu. In the letter titled Hearty Felicitations, the Abia CEO who fondly calls Pinnick his brother-in-law wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I write to celebrate with you on your recent re-election to the office of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For those of us who know you and are associated with you, your steady rise through the ranks of global footballing administration is not coming as a surprise to us. This has always been your passion and it is gratifying seeing someone with the passion and competence to drive change succeeding at their endeavours.â&#x20AC;?

The man who is backing Enyimba FC and the Super Eagles to the fullest also noted professionally the task ahead

of the NFF boss and his reinvigorated board.

The Governor added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am aware that the task ahead is enormous both in terms of unifying the football family in Nigeria and ensuring qualification and good outings of our national teams at various continental and global competitions. I am also aware that you have what it takes to take football in Nigeria to never-attained heights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Abia State, I offer my congratulations and pray God to guide and guard you going forward.â&#x20AC;?

The Abia Governor will be remembered for standing firm with Pinnick and the NFF in the trying times of court injunctions.

On July 9, 2018 he wrote a letter congratulating Pinnick for his elevation to the office of the First Vice President of CAF and vowing to stand firm with him.

Ikpeazu wrote then, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not unmindful of the attempts to distract you at home. I am happy that you have chosen to approach it with stoic equanimity. I am also happy that rise almost coincided with your persecution. God is indeed faithful.â&#x20AC;?

played well against the Opals. They responded remarkably drilling the same Turkey 74-68 in a quick turnaround. They have moved on to an unprecedented three straight wins and a resounding quarter final battle against the classy USA. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fairytale for everyone involved as team captain Adaora Elonu, who is a EuroLeague Women regular and has WNBA minutes to her name told FIBA.

Basketball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect from the World Cup as none of us had been here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a ride that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taking,â&#x20AC;? she confessed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy for us, because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been through a lot and our motto was to stay together and we stayed together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;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. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But here, the girls, what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been through and what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to fight through just to get here, preparations, treatment - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been really hard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the way that we stick together and have fun off the court, on the court, this is just a great moment.â&#x20AC;?

And what should Nigerians expect from the game against

Team USA? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Playing USA does sound really nice,â&#x20AC;? Elonu said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to keep pushing. We go with the same mentality. As a player, as a competitor, you have to go with the same mentality. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not here, you know, just being happy to still be here.

This is a new experience, but we want to put on the best show and performances that we can.â&#x20AC;?

National Female Basketball team, Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tigress bracing up for the match against USA today in Tenerife, Spain

KwesĂŠ Free Sports to Air Petrolex Kanu Cup 2018 The Kanu Heart Foundation in partnership with Masters Football, will this week stage the Petrolex Kanu Cup 2018 in an effort to raise funds for the foundation.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trusted source for the best in sports and entertainment programming KwesĂŠ, has secured exclusive broadcast rights to provide live coverage of the game.

The charity football match which takes place on Sunday 30 September at the Hive Stadium, London pits Premier League Masters against African football legends.

KwesĂŠ will broadcast full coverage of the events from 2.45pm on itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free-to-air channel, KwesĂŠ Free Sports. Football fans in Lagos can tune to UHF channel 32 to watch the match through KwesĂŠ Free Sports terrestrial transmission.

Viewers all around the country can also enjoy the action live on KwesĂŠ TV channel 285, while those on the-go can do so through the KwesĂŠ TV or KwesĂŠ iflix mobile apps.

A star-studded line up has been announced with the Premier League Masters to include; Jens Lehmann, Nigel Winterburn, Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Pascal Chimbonda, Steve McManaman, Robert Pires, Jonathan Greening,

David Thompson, Teddy Sheringham, Louis Saha and Emile Heskey. Representing Team Africa will be; Rami Shaaban, Lauren, Emmanuel Eboue, Danny Shittu, Christopher Kanu, Quinton fortune, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Jay Jay Okocha, Yakubu, Lomana Lua Lua and Kanu Nwankwo.

Through the charity match, the Kanu Heart Foundation is aiming to raise $35M to build a new cardiac centre in Abuja, Nigeria where they can successfully treat those in need and avoid costly travel and accommodation fees for sick children and their families. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new cardiac centre in Abuja will help hundreds of people get access to vital heart treatment without having to travel abroad. I am proud that so many amazing ex-pros will be joining me in the Petrolex Mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup in association with Masters Football â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it will be an amazing day and great help for the charityâ&#x20AC;?, says Arsenal and Nigerian football legend, Kanu Nwankwo.

Football fans can visit their nearest KwesĂŠ branded store(s) to purchase a decoder and dish for N10,960, inclusive of one-month free subscription, or renew their subscription for N5,000.

2018 Standard Chartered Cup â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Experience AnďŹ eldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to Hold in Lagos Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited will be hosting its clients to the 2018 edition of the Standard Chartered Cup on October 1, 2018.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Standard Chartered Cupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an international five-a-side football tournament organized by the bank in partnership with Liverpool FC. It offers football fans including clients of the bank from around the world a once in a life time â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Money Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Buyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opportunity of being hosted by Liverpool FC in Liverpool, UK. Highlights of the trip for the participating teams will include an exclusive tour of the LFC stadium and museum, training sessions with LFC coaches, watching a live match in Anfield stadium and interacting with legends of Liverpool Football Club.

Speaking on the event the Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Dayo Aderugbo stated that the tournament was open for participation to invited corporate clients, commercial and retail clients of the bank.

She said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians are very passionate about football and

the English Premier League in particular. Hundreds of thousands of fans tune in to follow the English Premier League every week with Liverpool FC being one of the leading teams to watch. As a bank that is deeply committed to our clients and to the communities where we operate, we are proud to be able to leverage our relationship with Liverpool FC as the official sponsor to reward and motivate fans, clients and employees of the bank through football; a sport we all appreciate.

We are excited to give our clients this grand once in a lifetime the opportunity to go to Anfield where they will get to meet with Liverpool FC legends like John Barnes and Michael Owen. Nigeria is one of the few countries within Standard Chartered globally that has had the privilege to be invited every year to participate in various Standard Chartered LFC sponsored events including the SC Road to Anfield Tournament.

This is a testament to the fact that the Nigeria remains a priority for the bank and that we are truly Here for good.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

All Set for Coal City Marathon in November Representatives of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Monday completed the inspection and marking of routes as the Government of Enugu State finalized plans to host the first ever Coal City Marathon in the sublime hilly capital of the old Eastern Nigeria.

The AFN team, which arrived the state over the weekend, went

through the routes marked for the 21 kilometre half marathon and expressed satisfaction with their findings, saying the new addition to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s athletics calendar will go a long way to help athletics development in the country.

This is happening even as the Enugu State Government also announced a total prize

money of $20,000 (N7.2 million) and other consolation prizes for winners at the coming event.

AFNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technical Director, Sunday Omotayo Adeyeye, who led the AFN inspection team, described the route marked for the marathon as one of the most crafty he had ever seen, adding that such will go a long way to reinforce the credibility of

the new sporting event.

Adeyeye, who highlighted the importance of marathons in sports development and healthy livingurged the Enugu State Government to work harder towards ensuring that the new sporting property rises in prominence for eventual listing in the global athletics calendar.

Friday, September 28, 2018

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MISSILE Buhari to Saraki

“The Senate president has declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election. The question Nigerians should ask him is what has he done with the office of the Senate President he has occupied for three and a half years? Bukola, should be told he’s being pushed by self-greed and inordinate ambition. He knows he could not realise his ambition in a formidable party like the APC, so, good riddance he jetted out in time to seek his luck under the decrepit umbrella.”

– The Buhari Campaign Organisation faulting Senate President Bukola Saraki’s attacks on the president.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Lagos Shall Be Free!

W

hen will Lagos State be free of one man’s messianic mentality? Who will liberate the state from Bola Tinubu’s suffocating grip? Who will free Lagos, our dear Lagos, and its people from this modern-day slavery by one individual who is playing God? Is there no man courageous enough to fight the fight of his life to free Lagos from this imprisonment? Is every Lagosian a frightened coward, or just an impotent enabler of Tinubu’s overreach? Is there no one man enough to tell Tinubu that enough is enough?

Why are Lagosians sheepishly following this man whose moral standing and character have been called to question several times? Why must he continually be the one to decide who governs Lagos, or who holds any political office in the state?

Who will free Lagosians and indeed Nigerians from Tinubu’s pomposity, insufferable arrogance, and self-enthralled breathtaking hypocrisy? These questions are a clarion call to virtuous people of good conscience in Lagos to come together to save the state from Tinubu.

I have stated it repeatedly for all who have ears and a discerning mind that those parading the political landscape as progressives are actually tyrants, merchants of vices, moneychangers, buccaneers, primitive wealth accumulators, pretenders to transparency, pretender-democrats, heretics of good governance and smooth propagandists, extraordinary liars, agents of mischief and political malpractice.

Their antecedents are riddled with character flaws, pervasive vices and amorality. What they call a progressive ideology is actually a predatory ideology and what they call good governance is in fact kleptocracy. What is their purpose in politics? I have asked myself repeatedly what cause they believe in strongly enough that they are willing to lose for it. Is it about improving the welfare of the people or building empires of personal wealth? The evidence is there before our very eyes that these so-called progressives are mostly corrupt and are in fact worse than those they accuse of corruption.

They deride selfless service in the mode of Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela and live ostentatious lifestyles while the poor masses live in penury and want. They have no core values, and their vision is limited to only the stretch of their arms. These guys have tried many times to present themselves as philosophers but have failed repeatedly because they cannot be what they are not. They can never be heroes because they lack the discipline, the character and the broad vision of a new society of fairness, equity and justice associated with heroes and statesmen. At best, they represent the symbol of Nigeria’s immoral slide and degenerate social values. This is what they are and this is what they will remain in the minds of the few who still retain the values of our fathers.

Anytime I watch TV with my children, and they intrude our family time when they appear on air, I always tell my children never to see them as the nation’s heroes. I mention their names loudly and tell them stories of how they are looting public resources to advance their personal interests. I tell my children they are liars and propagandists and should not go near them.

Right now, no sound is louder than that of the battle between good and evil in our country. It may appear cynical but no moment is more telling than now, and nowhere are the contradictions and hypocrisies of the progressives more evident than what is currently happening in Lagos: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the star performer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being blackmailed

Tinubu

by the so-called Mandate Movement made up of people who are strangers to the sensibilities of a highly cosmopolitan Lagos. He is being threatened with denial of a second term ticket

by Tinubu’s Lagos APC. As the saying goes, “In politics it is never enough to know that something has changed.”

The “why” always matters more than the “what”.

The curious thing is that the “why” is stranger than fiction. Tinubu did two terms without a challenge; his wife is going for a third term in the Senate without a challenge. Forget that talk that the race is open to any challenger. It’s all a fraud. Those comical members of the Governor’s Advisory Council have nothing against her third term bid even though there is not much on the ground to show she has performed. You see, the selfish Mandate Movement is a group doing Tinubu’s bidding; nothing more, nothing less.

The reason being given for the impending denial of a ticket to Ambode is not based on poor performance but on extraneous political infractions that underline the greed and vaunting desire of Tinubu for each succeeding administration to be his political appendage so that he can control who gets what and how without dissent. Ask his followers what Ambode’s crimes are, they quickly detour into long winding monologues and pathetic incoherent platitudes of “oh he neglected party elders”, “he is not oiling the machinery that brought him to power enough”. Some have even said it loud and clear that “it is not performance that wins elections” and all sorts of bizarre excuses that could make someone sick to their stomach just recalling them. In other words, Ambode’s original sin is that he has not opened the treasury enough to those who believe that public money should be shared among party leaders.

The tragedy here is that even though the governor is working to improve the state’s infrastructure, it does not matter to the corruptminded individuals masquerading as party leaders.

Let no one make any mistake here, at the centre of the intrigues to deny Ambode the ticket is the state’s monthly internally generated revenue of about N35 billion. These party leaders want to get their hands on the money. He has to go because the godfather and his political minions are not getting enough. So it is not about the people anymore? What has happened to those virtues that the APC cardinals had consistently laid claim to?

Why is everybody silent in the face of this assault on our sensibilities? Is Tinubu now God?

In other climes, advocates of good governance would pour into the streets in protests against these hypocrites. There is something inordinately peculiar about denying Ambode the ticket and it is beyond baffling to me. Now, can anybody explain to me why Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, a certified and self-evident failure, a colossal disaster by every measure deserved to do two terms with the active support of Tinubu while Ambode the only silver lining in the APC doesn’t? Reports out there have it that Aregbesola, the head of Tinubu’s Mandate Movement, is staunchly opposed to Ambode’s re-election.

Imagine a failed governor who owes workers in Osun 32 months’ salaries and pensions leading the charge to deny a performing governor the ticket for re-election? Can anyone beat that?

It is puzzling that this macabre dance of the APC cardinals which had started in hushed whispers, then transformed to improbable rumours, and were dismissed outright by many then as coming from the unhinged imagination of some comic actors is gradually becoming a reality. The show is playing out before our very eyes in a cold-blooded manner. The orchestra is in overdrive and the list reads like a who’s who of Tinubu’s loyalists; they are keen to demonstrate their loyalty to the godfather. You know the old saying in the land of my fathers that if you “find a turtle on top of a fence post, you know it didn’t get there by itself”. There is no shortage of those willing to be used to flex muscles. It was the plot of the imperial godfather all along fuelled by his burning desire to appropriate Lagos.

Ironically, many are willing to obey him whether or not he uses the name of the people or party faithful in vain in pursuit of his agenda. Whether or not he uses the state and its resources to advance his private interests, some would just follow him like zombies. It is a strange way to live. Some would even deploy violence on anyone who disagrees with the master to coerce them into line. I hardly know whether to laugh or cry for our country.

It is a crying shame that despite the sophistication Lagosians often lay claim to, Tinubu whose political trajectory cannot pass the smell test has for two decades now, entrenched himself, controlling everything and determining the destiny of every politician in Lagos: from the ward level, to the local government, to who governs the state, the members of the State Executive Council, to all legislators and to all who represent it at the federal level. He must endorse all candidates for elections and appointments and influence nearly every contract.

While he had awarded a gold medal to former President Goodluck Jonathan in corruption (Jonathan does not have a private jet), he has not been able to explain his vast wealth. He owns at least two private jets and a vast real estate. How he acquired those jets has never been disclosed to the public. Tinubu recently boasted that Osun State does not have his kind of money. Yet, apart from serving as a governor for eight years, no one can associate him with entrepreneurship that could have earned him his vast wealth. He once boasted of giving former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko millions of pounds in pursuit of his quest to reclaim his mandate then. Where did the millions of pounds come from? Needless to remind Nigerians that the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu had once told the National Assembly that Tinubu’s corruption case had an “international dimension”.

Tinubu had been variously linked to Alpha Beta, whether this is true or not, we can’t say for

sure. But despite being linked to the company, Tinubu has never issued a public denial of any sort. Just recently, Dapo Apara, a former Managing Director of the company which has held the exclusive rights to collect revenue for the Lagos State government for about 16 years, blew the whistle on the company, making earth shattering allegations of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering against it in a petition to the EFCC. The anti-graft agency, instead of moving swiftly to unravel the truth, has been slow-walking on the petition. All the anti-graft agency has said since June 2, 2018 when the petition was submitted to it, was that it was “evaluating it”.

Is it not strange that the EFCC that can’t wait for Governor Ayo Fayose who currently enjoys immunity to finish his term in office to interrogate him about his alleged crimes, is still evaluating a petition against Alpha Beta months after it had received it?

If actually Tinubu had shares in the company, it means he awarded the contract to collect the state’s revenue to a firm he had interest in while he was a sitting governor of the state. This will be serious. The corollary to this is that we have in our hands the greatest abuse of office and corruption in Nigeria’s history. It means he used his position as the governor then to corner lucrative government contracts for himself. Let us even explore further: first was there a tender for the contract? Did he declare his interest in the company? What does the law say about such conduct by a public officer?

Without a doubt Tinubu is the biggest “beneficiary” of our democracy having held Lagos hostage, politically raking in immense material rewards. Lagosians deserve to know the truth about Alpha Beta because what we are talking about runs into billions of naira of taxpayers’ money.

Well, I know for sure that at some point, real progress cannot begin and slavery cannot end until someone has the courage to drown the damned lion. It is either we continue to pay ransom, or we go to war with those who have held us hostage. The storm is coming for Tinubu and his Mandate Movement. The day of reckoning is near and Lagos shall be free! No one should beg Tinubu anymore, he is not God. He is what he is now because we have all played a part in enabling him. He is nothing without Lagosians.

In what should serve as food for thought and a warning shot to Tinubu and his lackey Mandate Movement, voters in Osun delivered a message to them despite the rigging carried out by the APC in cahoots with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The result of the election held last Saturday was an emphatic rejection of Tinubu and his failed APC. It once again confirmed what I have always said - that the Jagaban is at best overrated, and at the very minimum, waning in influence. He does not have the political reach attributed to him by his minions and admirers.

Is it not curious that those Tinubu’s camp perceive as disloyal and who they call Buhari’s boys, namely Kayode Fayemi and co., owing to their disagreement with Jagaban’s manner of politics are the ones who rallied to save Osun from falling into PDP’s hands and by extension Tinubu from personal and political humiliation?

Osun is a forerunner of the groundswell building and coalescing against him and his Mandate Movement in Lagos. But like all men deluded by power, he can still convince himself of his invincibility; he can choose to be deaf and willfully blinded to the people’s message and pay a stiff price during next the elections.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

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