FRIDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2018

W’Bank Report Shows Improved Business Climate in States Says property registration still difficult, expensive in Nigeria Obinna Chima States in Nigeria are making strides to improve the ease of doing business for domestic small and medium enterprises,

the latest edition of the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business in Nigeria,’ report released yesterday has shown.

The report, the fourth in the sub-national series on

Nigeria, covered 36 states and the federal capital city of Abuja.

It analysed business regulations in four areas namely, Starting a Business,

Dealing with Construction Permits, Registering Property, and Enforcing Contracts.

It said, “In the past four years since the last report was issued, 29 Nigerian states

have implemented 43 reforms.

The majority of those reforms are in the area of Starting a Business - 28 states enacted changes to improve business incorporation.

“While no state performs well across all areas benchmarked, Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra Continued on page 8

With Rising Inflation, Equities Investors Eye Fixed Income Market… Page 10 Friday 19 October, 2018 Vol 23. No 8584. Price: N250

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FG Plans Slimmer Budget for 2019 to Reduce Deficit Proposes N8.6tn spending, targets N3.6tn oil revenue, $60/b benchmark, 2.3mbpd production Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Yielding to increasing domestic and global realities, the federal government is targeting a tighter fiscal plan, with a projected budget of N8.65

trillion in 2019.

The move to cut the 2019 budget from N9.12 trillion in 2018 to N8.65 trillion, the government explained, is predicated on the need to ensure prudence, reduce

deficit and borrowing while laying greater emphasis on revenue drive.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, who gave these indications in Abuja yesterday

at a public consultation on the 2019 – 2021 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), said, "We want to reduce borrowing and deficit in terms of the budget size."

But he noted that in spite of a reduced budget in 2019, the administration was unwavering in providing for human capital development, education, health, and pension/ gratuities.

He specifically pointed out that there will be some provision for possible minimum wage increase, adding that the government Continued on page 8

Amosun, Sani, Others Lose Out as APC Submits Candidates’ List to INEC Presents candidates for Zamfara 84 parties beat deadline Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday made good its resolve not to extend the deadline for the submission of political parties’ lists of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for the first quarter of next year as it ended the exercise last night.

The International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja, which the electoral body used as the collection centre was full of activities as political parties’ officials made frantic efforts to beat the deadline.

THISDAY gathered at

press time that 84 parties had submitted their lists.

For the All Progressives Congress (APC) that was plagued by large scale disputes following its primaries, it was judgement day for the protesters as the party decided on whom to allot its tickets.

The party, said the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lanre Isa-Onilu, fielded candidates for all the states, including Zamfara, which INEC had said would not be allowed to present candidates because its primaries were not conducted within the stipulated time by the electoral body.

“We submitted applications Continued on page 8

We Can't Pay New Minimum Wage, Governors Insist... Page 8

TALKING SECURITY...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd.), during the Security Council meeting at the State House, Abuja…yesterday

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We Can't Pay New Minimum Wage, Governors Insist Meet NLC on payment of salary arrears Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Governors of the 36 states of the federation said yesterday that while they were not opposed to the ongoing plans to approve a new minimum wage for workers, they, however, lacked the capacity to pay.

But the governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) have commenced a move to ensure that all salary arrears owed by states are cleared.

At its meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja, the governors met with the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, to seek ways of getting debtor states to offset arrears of workers’ salaries, using the monies from the outstanding Paris Club refund.

The Chairman of the NGF and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, said the governors were in support of negotiating a new minimum

wage but that the issue was the ability or resources to take care of that agreed minimum wage.

"We made it very clear that we are not against any upward review of salaries.

We are in tandem with the NLC to get minimum wage review. But the problem of the states is the capacity to pay what is agreed. As we are talking today we are struggling with N18,000," he said.

Yari said as at today some

of the states were paying 35per cent, some others, 50per cent, and that some states had salary arrears.

According to him, "So if we are going to review it up, it is not about only reviewing it but how are we going to get the resources to cater for it?"

On the other hand, NLC has said that the organised labour remained resolute in its quest to actualize a new minimum wage.

Wabba who spoke to journalists regarding the

position of the governors said that the approval of new minimum wage had been long overdue, adding the challenges of harsh economy have affected the purchasing power of the Nigerian worker.

Wabba said, "Our position has remained consistent that with the challenge in the economy, especially the virtual erosion of the purchasing power of Nigeria workers, which was occasioned by many factors, wages have to go up.

"The 18,000 minimum wage by law was also supposed to be reviewed as far back as 2016.”

The tripartite committee negotiating a new minimum wage regime has almost concluded its assignment but for the non-agreement by the stakeholders over a definite figure for the wage rise.

Amounts ranging from N20,000, N24,000 and N30,000 have been proposed by states, federal government and labour respectively.

fate until the last day of submission.

However, the party’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Abubakar Kari, finally got out along with some officials of the party in a bus about 2p.m. to submit the list to INEC. THISDAY gathered from some aggrieved aspirants that there was a directive to secretariat staff not to acknowledge petitions from some of them, claiming that their cases were not attended to by the committee.

Another source told THISDAY that several of the petitions submitted to the appeals panel were either not entertained or dismissed for lacking in substance and that this had not gone down well with many of those whose petitions were not entertained.

Parties Beat Deadline

the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), others that breasted the tape yesterday were Zenith Labour Party (ZLT), Yes Solidarity Electorate (YES), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

THISDAY gathered that in all, 84 parties submitted the list of their candidates as at the time of filing in this report.

The INEC had on several occasions said there would not be any extension to the deadline for the submission of list of candidates for both the National Assembly and presidential elections.

“The last day for the submission of lists of their sponsored candidates (Form CFOO2) and personal particulars (Form CF001) remains 18th of October 2018 for Presidential and National

Apart from the APC and

Continued on page 10

He stated that macroeconomic stability has been largely achieved, noting that growth is expected to increase from 0.8 per cent in 2017 to 2.1 per cent in 2018 and 3.01 per cent in 2019 with the continuing implementation of the ERGP as well as an improved outlook for oil prices.

The minister explained, "Employment growth usually slows down during recession and takes some time to recover. Therefore, it is not surprising that the National Bureau of Statistics data shows that unemployment and underemployment remain high in Nigeria.

"We expect more diversified and inclusive growth over the

medium-term, and reduction in the rate of unemployment, as we continue to implement the policies and programmes of the ERGP.” Providing further explanation on his recent pronouncement that the government was dropping the January to December budget cycle, Udoma stated that the decision was done with the election year in mind.

He observed that the National Assembly and the executive would not be disposed to providing the needed synergy for such a cycle with electioneering in full swing.

The cycle, he stated, would be pursued from the 2020 budget.

AMOSUN, SANI, OTHERS LOSE OUT AS APC SUBMITS CANDIDATES’ LIST TO INEC for all the positions in all the states, including Zamfara,” he told THISDAY on phone last night, adding, that he could not give details of the list for the state.

Many heavyweights fell by the way side as their wishes were not met.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was met half way by the party as he got his senatorial ticket while his preferred governorship candidate, Mr. Adekunle Akinlade, lost out to Chief Dapo Abiodun. The party’s appeals committee threw out Akinlade’s petition against Abiodun’s nomination.

In Plateau State, former deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, who was also a former minister, lost her bid to pick up a senatorial ticket.

In Kaduna State, although the appeals committee upheld the nomination of Senator

Shehu Sani as saved by the National Working Committee (NWC), THISDAY sources said his name was eventually not on the list submitted to INEC by the party.

The appeal panel also dismissed the petition written against the emergence of Mr. Tonye Cole as the APC's gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State.

This meant that Senator Magnus Abe would have to wait a bit to realise his ambition to govern the state.

THISDAY also gathered from a source that was privy to the decisions reached by appeals panel, which submitted its report to the NWC on Monday, that it upheld the candidacy of Mr. Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law of Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

An intriguing verdict was the decision of the appeal panel to uphold the choice

of Senator Shehu Sani as the candidate of the party for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

In its report, the appeal panel said it held that the primary conducted by the electoral panel for Kaduna was done in contempt of a court order, adding that the only aspirant cleared by the party to contest the election was Sani.

Yet, THISDAY reliably learnt, Sani’s name did not make the party’s list.

A reliable information on the report of the APC's appeal panel showed that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Uguru Usani, was a loser in the highly intricate struggle for the governorship ticket of the APC in Cross River State, losing his appeal against Senator John Eno. The appeals committee, which considered petitions from the aspirants for the

various offices, rejected many of the petitions while upholding the results of the primaries in the various states.

Among other big losers who also lost out in the governorship race according to the committee's report include a brother to the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, Alhaji Mahmoud Halilu, popularly known as Modi, and President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Bala Bobboi Kaigama.

There was tension within the national headquarters of the party as aspirants for the Senate and House of Representatives besieged it to know the outcome of the screening and probably the list of candidates sent to INEC by the party.

The leadership of the APC had made the list of candidates a top secret and would not even let those who lost at appeals level know their

FG PLANS SLIMMER BUDGET FOR 2019 TO REDUCE DEFICIT was set to redress years of underfunding of pensions and gratuities.

According to him, there is also a significant provision for National Health, with one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) going to the Basic Health Care Fund as well as provision for counterpart funding for immunization (GAVI).

Udoma disclosed that the budget would be anchored on an oil production of 2.3 million barrel per day (mbpd), $60 per barrel benchmark as well as N305 per dollar exchange rate.

The GDP growth rate for 2019 is also reviewed downward from the earlier projected 3.5 per cent in the

Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to 3.01 per cent.

Udoma stated that with a projected 2.3mbpd oil production, N3.6trillion oil revenue was being targeted while independent revenue of N624 billion was being expected, down from about N847 billion in 2018.

He revealed that the 2019 budget would cut deficit by about N300 billion from N1.9 trillion in 2018 to N1.6 trillion.

According to him, the 2018 revenues, up to August 2018, was N2.48 trillion while the full year 2017 revenue was N2.6 trillion, adding that overall, 2018 revenues current run-rate is 30 per cent higher than last year’s (2017).

This, he explained, is the reason behind cutting the size of the budget from N9.12 trillion in 2018 to N8.65 trillion in 2019.

He said, “2018 revenues up to August 2018, was N2.48 trillion, while the full year 2017 revenue was N2.6 trillion.

Overall, 2018 revenues current run-rate is 30 per cent higher than last year’s. This is the reason we have cut the size of the budget from N9.12 trillion to N8.65 trillion.”

The minister explained that inflation is beginning to inch up, after 18 consecutive months of decline, standing at 11.23 per cent in August and 11.28 per cent in September as the base effect has begun to wear off.

He expressed concern that the forthcoming 2019 general elections may also create concerns for some economic actors, adding that this could have an impact on the rate of foreign portfolio investments.

He, however, dismissed fears that the economy might relapse into another recession, considering the last quarter growth rate.

Udoma argued that the economy is strong, although "we're not yet where we are supposed to be."

He noted that it was not enough to think that the economy could slip into recession because it posted a growth of 1.5 per cent in the last quarter as against 1.95 per cent in the preceding quarter.

W’BANK REPORT SHOWS IMPROVED BUSINESS CLIMATE IN STATES made the biggest strides in improving their business regulations.

“Several states lagging in 2010 are now narrowing the gap in regulatory efficiency with the better-performing states.

“Across all indicators, the gap in time difference between lagging states and better-performing ones has been cut by at least one-third.”

It, however, pointed out that location still matters for local entrepreneurs wanting to start and operate a business in Nigeria, as large differences exist in the regulatory environment throughout the country.

For example, incorporating a new business can take more than six weeks in Adamawa and just 10 days in Abuja, it stated.

According to the report,

“On average, it now takes 26 days to incorporate a new business, compared to 34 days in 2010. Abuja remains the easiest place to start a business.

“The improvements have been the result of introduction of an electronic platform by the federal Corporate Affairs Commission. The online platform enhances speed and transparency of the business registration process.

“As a result, it takes less time to start a business in states, which have adopted the online platform. Reform efforts to improve construction permitting slowed – only three states implemented reforms in the past four years.

“Nevertheless, Niger, Kano and Jigawa surpass even some of the advanced economies in the world in terms of streamlined and

expeditious processes for obtaining a building permit.”

But the report stressed that Nigeria remains one of the most difficult and expensive places to register property in the world.

According to the World Bank, on average, it takes 12 procedures, 74 days and costs 15.3 percent of the value of the property to transfer land.

It said, “Kaduna implemented some landmark reforms catapulting the state to the top spot in Nigeria for ease of registering property.

In the area of Enforcing Contracts, Kaduna, Bauchi and Jigawa are the best performing states.

“However, the quality of judicial processes and the efficiency of resolving a commercial dispute vary widely, with the greatest differences seen in the time

to complete the trial and judgment phase.”

Commenting on the report, the Country Director, World Bank, Nigeria, Rachid Benmessaoud said, “It is encouraging to note that the private sector acknowledges the business environment reform agenda initiated at the federal level is trickling down to several states.

“While these findings are encouraging, substantial variation remains across the country. Going forward it will be critical for the states to engage in peer learning and put in place the institutional mechanisms that will ensure continuous improvement and the sustainability of reforms.”

Also, the Senior Manager of the Global Indicators Group at the World Bank, Rita Ramalho said, “The acceleration in the pace of business reforms to

reduce the time, cost and complexity of bureaucratic processes is a welcome step in the right direction.

“However, federal-level initiatives will need to be matched by state and local efforts to spread the benefits more uniformly across the country and help bring much-needed prosperity. We hope this report will serve as a roadmap for reform at the sub national level.”

CORRIGENDUM In the story, ‘Lagos Births Social Health Insurance Scheme,’ of our Thursday, October 18, 2018 edition on Page 37, it was erroneously reported that the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) has been launched by the state government. We have since confirmed that the scheme is yet to kick off.

The mix up is regretted.

- Editor

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Again, NNPC Extends $6bn Oil Swap Contracts to June 2019 FG, oil workers pledge stable fuel supply Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja with agency report Barely four months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rolled over its crude-for- oil products contracts worth about $6 billion by six months until the end of the 2018, the state-run oil firm has extended the oil swap deals by another six months to June 2019.

This is coming as the federal government and oil workers have pledged not to do anything that would disrupt petroleum products supply during next year's general elections.

NNPC’s crude swap deals, which were previously referred to as offshore crude oil processing agreements (OPAs) and crude-for-products exchange arrangements, are now known as Direct Sale-Direct

Purchase Agreements (DSDP).

Under the deals, the NNPC supplies crude oil to selected local and international oil traders and refineries in exchange for petrol and diesel.

NNPC had in May 2017, signed the deals with local and international traders to exchange about 330,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil for imported petrol and diesel, as part of measures to sustain the supply of petroleum products across the country.

However, the deals, which expired by the end of July 2018, were extended until the end of this year.

But quoting sources familiar with the swap contracts, Reuters reported that the NNPC has extended contracts, the country’s main avenue to meet the bulk of its petrol needs, until June 2019.

Kachikwu Spokesman of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, did not respond immediately when contacted by THISDAY through calls and text messages.

Unlike the 2016 contracts, which included only companies with refineries so as to cut out middlemen, the beneficiaries of 2017 contracts include international trading houses, and not just refineries.

Under the current deals,

each of the selected 10 oil traders/refineries partnered local Nigerian companies to win 33,000 barrels per day allocations.

According to the list, Trafigura partnered AA Rano to clinch 33,000 barrels per day; Petrocam paired with Rainoil and Falcon Crest to win 33,000 bpd; Mocoh partnered Heyden Petroleum to get 33,000 bpd; Cepsa paired with Oando to win 33,000 bpd; while Sahara is partnering Societe Ivorienne de Raffinage (SIR) for 33,000 bpd.

Five other groups that also got 33,000 bpd each include: Mercuria and Matrix/Rahamanniya; Socar and Hyde; Litaso and MRS; Vitol and Varo; and Total, which is partnering its Nigerian downstream subsidiary, Total Nigeria Plc. Some of the companies that also benefitted in the current contracts include

Varo Energy, Societe Ivorienne de Raffinage (SIR), Total and Cepsa.

Meanwhile, the federal government and oil workers have pledged not to disrupt petroleum products supply during next year's general elections.

In his speech yesterday at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria's (PENGASSAN) 40th anniversary in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari said the federal government welcomed the assurances from oil workers to maintain peace in the oil sector as part of their sacrifice for the smooth conduct of next year's election.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who read the president's speech, said Buhari had mandated that everything possible be done to ensure stability and peace

in the downstream sector.

On its part, PENGASSAN has dismissed a report that it had issued a strike notice.

In a statement yesterday, the senior oil workers, stated that though it listed some of the challenges besetting the oil sector, at no time did it issue any strike notice to the government, instead, it said, it appealed to the federal, states, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and organised labour to put a machinery in place to resolve some of the outstanding issues.

"As a responsible trade union with the interest of the masses and the Nigerian nation at heart, we will always work towards the growth and development of the country. We will not embark on any action that will inflict suffering on the Nigerian people,” PENGASSAN said.

With Rising Inflation, Equities Investors Eye Fixed Income Market Goddy Egene Rising inflation rate in the country threatens to worsen the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as more equities investors are likely to switch to fixed income market.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday disclosed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation increased to 11.28 per cent (year-onyear) in September, up from the 11.23 per cent recorded in August.

According to the NBS, urban inflation rate increased by 11.70 per cent (year-onyear) in September from

11.67 per cent in August, while rural inflation rate also increased by 10.92 per cent within the review period from 10.84 per cent in the preceding month.

While the stock market provides higher returns to investors in the long-term, the risk is higher. On the other hand, fixed income market instruments carry less risk and relatively lower returns.

Although the bearish trend in the equities market since February of this year has been attributed to exit of foreign investors, significant numbers of domestic institutional investors and retail investors have also exited the market for fixed income market due

to stable returns they get on their investments.

Already, the NSE All-Share Index has recorded a year-todecline of over 15 per cent, while some other sectoral indicators have shed between 11 per cent and 27 per cent.

Some individual stocks have depreciated by as much as 60 per cent.

However, given the renewed inflation pressure and strong indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could raise interest rate, stockbrokers said exit of more equities investors is imminent.

Research analyst at Anchoria Asset Management Limited, Mr. Adedeji

Adewole, who spoke in a chat with THISDAY said, “The new trend in inflation will put pressure on the Monetary Policy Committee to increase interest rate and when there is increase in interest rate, the fixed income market will grow and the stock market will be affected negatively.

“For now, there will still be quietness in the stock market because of the political risk ahead. So, we don’t expect many activities in the capital market. Yes, the market will continue to experience an up and down movement, but there would not be many activities in the market until after election. But the fixed

income will be seen as a safe haven for this period until after the election.”

Analysts at WSTC Securities Limited said they expected the upward trend in the headline inflation to continue in the subsequent months of the year, on the back of election-related spending, bottlenecks around food supply, and rising liquidity in the system on account of the 2018 budget rollouts.

“Also, we believe that given the rising crude oil prices and stable oil production, the potential rise in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations poses a downside

risk to inflation,” they added.

The chief executive of one of the leading stock broking firms who pleaded to remain anonymous said, “With the high level of erosion in value of equities already experienced due to the bear run, a rising inflation is not good for the market because it will mean further reduction in return on investments.

This means some investors would prefer where there is a guaranteed fixed return on investments and that is the fixed income market.”

According to him, the anticipated hike in interest rate would pull more investors away from the equities market.

2019 Polls: Buhari Meets with Service Chiefs, to Deploy Personnel in States Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Four months ahead of the 2019 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday presided over a security council meeting with a resolve to deploy security forces to states.

According to a statement made available to journalists at the end of the closed-door meeting by the Minister of Defence, Col. Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd.), the meeting deliberated on the immediate need to deploy security personnel to states to douse tension

created by post political parties’ primaries.

The statement signed by the Public Relations Officer to the Ministry of Defence, Col. Tukur Gusau, added that the meeting reviewed the general situation of the country in relation to the forthcoming polls.

It also said the recommendation of immediate deployment to states was aimed at combating moves by unscrupulous individuals to sabotage the electoral process.

The statement also said the meeting viewed some recent demonstrations against

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ploys to put the commission under pressure.

Gusau also said the meeting expressed concern over stockpiling of arms by some desperate individuals ahead of the elections as well as plans by others to orchestrate post-election violence by whipping ethnoreligious sentiment.

Finally, Gusau added that the meeting ordered the security forces to ensure hitch-free 2019 polls, adding that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was also charged to educate voters

ahead of the elections.

“The National Security Council held at the State House Abuja on October 18, 2018.

“The meeting started by discussing the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

“It recommended deployment of security agencies to states to enable the elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and some

desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.

“The meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations, which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid been (sic) hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.

“Another area of security concern includes postelection violence, as desperate politicians may whip up ethno- religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.

“Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.

“The council called for the concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that 2019 elections are hitch-free and the need for continuous sensitisation of the public

by National Orientation Agency (NOA) and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/ local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”

that everything was properly done to avoid any mistake.

He, however, called for the extension of the submission by a month because of the number of registered political parties.

Amakiri said what was witnessed at the submission centre was a confirmation that INEC had expanded the scope.

On his part, the presidential candidate and National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, commended

INEC on the arrangement put in place for collection.

Tanko, who was still waiting to submit with tally number 37, said that before people needed to hang around INEC office for submission, but with the large space now provided, all they needed to do was to get a tally and sit in a hall till when the tally number would be called.

He also stressed the need to increase the number of days for submission since the number of political parties had increased to 91.

AMOSUN, SANI, OTHERS LOSE OUT AS APC SUBMITS CANDIDATES’ LIST TO INEC Assembly, and November 2 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly,” it had said.

Nevertheless, the delay in the submission of the list of candidates by political parties, it was learnt was because parties were waiting to reap from the fallout from the primaries conducted by major parties, hence, the delay.

According to an official of the YES party who preferred anonymity, “We can’t blame INEC for not extending the date. We were waiting for the

major parties to conduct their primaries and reap from the fall out. You can only make money from the sales of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to run the party.”

To ensure smooth process in the submission of forms like THISDAY observed on Wednesday and yesterday, INEC gave party representatives tally, and were attended to turn by turn.

The electoral body assured that the last political party to

obtain INEC tally before 12 midnight would be allowed to submit its forms.

While speaking to journalists, the presidential Candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, and former governor of Ondo State, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko, who was at the venue with the National Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said that the party got tally 73 as at 5.30p.m.

Mimiko said the party was still within the time, while urging INEC to be

transparent in the 2019 general elections, stressing that credible elections was the hallmark of democracy.

He revealed that he left the Labour Party where he first obtained his Presidential nomination form because of legal battle in the party.

Also, the National Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Bishop Amakiri, who was still waiting to be called for submission of his party's forms, said that the delay in submission was to make sure

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

PDP Kicks against Disbandment of Osun Election Tribunal Respect judiciary, APC tells opposition party

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State yesterday protested at the premises of the state High Court following the alleged disbandment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal hearing matters arising from the recently concluded governorship poll in the state.

The main opposition party has demanded the immediate reconstitution of the tribunal, saying that further delay would jeopardise the course of justice in the matter.

But in a swift response, the state chapter of the All progressives Congress (APC) has expressed total disgust at what the party described as the shenanigans of the PDP over the dissolution of the tribunal.

Scores of PDP members while staging a peaceful protest in the court premises, carried placards with the inscriptions such as ‘Why the sudden disbandment of the panel?’ Constitute a new panel immediately now?’ No more Salamigate in Osun’ Save our

democracy from rogues’” They said the alleged disbandment would have a negative effect on the case of the petitioner.

A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Mr. Niyi Owolade, who is one of the counsel for the governorship candidate of the PDP in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, said the disbandment of the panel ought to have been done simultaneously with the constitution of a new one.

Adeleke’s counsel who raised the alarm while addressing journalists in front of the courtroom where the panel usually sat, said the dissolution of the three-man panel headed by Justice T. A. Igoche, would adversely affect the prosecution of the case.

The counsel said they were worried because they filed an exparte application for substituted service on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gboyega Oyetola, and the APC who he claimed had been evading service.

He, however, said that members and chairman of the tribunal were

nowhere to be found when the application was supposed to be heard yesterday.

He said, “We were told by court officials that the panel has been disbanded. But what is more surprising is that a new panel has not been put in place.

It should be done simultaneously.

“Our 180 days have started counting since October 16 and final judgment is expected to be given in this petition before April 16, 2019.”

The venue of the tribunal was locked and the court officials told journalists that there would be no sitting but no reason was given.

The main opposition party has demanded the immediate reconstitution of the tribunal, saying that further delay would jeopardise the course of justice in the matter.

The opposition party’s submission was predicated on reports that the APC had allegedly been mounting pressure on the judiciary to deny the PDP justice in the determination of the Osun Governorship election dispute at the tribunal.

The party therefore frowned at the disbanding of the panel by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachwa, a development which it said if not quickly addressed will send a very bad signal on the integrity of the judiciary.

The PDP noted that the President of the Court of Appeal should note that her disbanding of the panel without setting up a new one, is a strong indication of deliberate attempt to prevent the PDP from serving the APC and its candidate, and to meet the

constitutional 180 days time-frame for the determination of the case at the Tribunal.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, he said that the party was aware that the original panel was disbanded after the APC and its candidate had failed to manipulate and compromise the members to frustrate the case.

He stated: “The PDP therefore urges the President of the Court of Appeal not to bend to the proclivities of the APC and its candidate to bring the vouched reputation of the judiciary into a shameful disrepute, in their desperation to hold onto to a stolen mandate.

He added that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was served, the APC and its candidate

evaded service, saying the PDP on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 applied for substituted service, which was slated for hearing for Thursday, October 18, 2018, only to be informed that the panel had been disbanded on Wednesday without any reason and without providing a new panel to hear our matter.

He added, “Election petition matters are sui generis, with specific timeframe allotted to various stages up to the final determination. The failure to set up a new panel to timeously hear our application for substituted service on APC and its candidate smacks of a shenanigan to deny our party full justice in the matter.”

The opposition party therefore invited Nigerians to note that

Continued on page 52

$12.7bn Worth of Crude Oil Stolen from Nigeria in Four Years, Falana Alleges Chineme Okafor in Abuja Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, yesterday claimed that about $12.7 billion worth of crude oil was stolen from Nigeria between 2011 and 2014.

Falana also alleged that records from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) showed that up to 60.2 million barrel of oil not recorded in Nigeria was taken from the country and discharged in one port in Philadelphia, United States of America.

The lawyer, who spoke at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Abuja, called on the oil union to prevail on anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria to institute a probe to trace the funds and determine the culprits.

Falana equally called for the immediate recovery from oil companies, royalties accrued to the Federation Account since 2014, stating that the Offshore and Inland Sharing Contract Act which provided that for 50 years, no royalty would be collected from oil and gas mined from below 1,000 meters depth had expired in 2014.

Describing the oil theft in the country as an alarming case, Falana, explained that data on the crude oil theft was released

by NIMASA. He subsequently promised to make the report available to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders in the industry.

“The study revealed that the value of the money from oil stolen from Nigeria is $12.7 billion. The oil was discharged in one port.

We have identified who the oil majors are and the shipping companies involved, but since 2014, we have been begging the

Nigeria Government to recover the money,” Falana alleged.

He urged PENGASSAN, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to institute a probe to track and investigate the volume of crude oil stolen from Nigeria and discharged at ports in the United States, India, China, France and Britain, noting that if the issue was taken seriously, Nigeria would see the return of over $100 billion.

He explained further: “This is the real money that should be recovered. That is why I am appealing to NUPENG, PENGASSAN and NLC to assist in going to the root of this criminality at the international level and recover the money and put it in the federation coffers so that our people can enjoy the benefits of the oil and gas industry.”

Falana also challenged the labour unions to look into the Halliburton case to ensure that justice prevails as well as see to it that recovered fund is used for the benefit of the country.

The right activists said Nigerians were yet to get the value from the oil and gas industry, calling on the unions to focus on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and determine how best it could be utilised for the interest of the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, called on PENGASSAN to collaborate with the NNPC and provide ideas that would guarantee the profitability, optimum performance and sustainability of its business and operations.

Baru said this was necessary to ensure the business of the corporation was sustained and staff welfare automatically addressed.

COURTESY VISIT...

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left), and Vice Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, Mr. Williams Alo, during the Committee’s courtesy call on the governor in Government House, Asaba...recently

Two Killed as Unknown Militias Attack Benue Community Gunmen kill APC treasurer in Ekiti George Okoh in Makurdi and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Unknown gunmen last Wednesday attacked residents of Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, killing a woman and a child.

This is coming as the Treasurer of the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Moses Adeoye, was also killed by unknown gunmen.

According to a statement by the Benue State Police Command, the militias suspected to be members of the dreaded wanted Gana gang who have been tormenting the area drove on motor bikes and opened fire on the residents.

The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Moses Iyamu said.”About 1100 hours of today (yesterday), information was received that some armed Shitile militia aka “Ghana Boys” dressed in Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Special Forces’ uniforms were

approaching Zaki Biam town through bush paths, riding on Bajaj motorcycles. It is important to note that, their movement was in a bid to escape the ongoing joint operation tagged “Whirl Stroke” targeted at their enclaves, which forced them out, to possibly seek refuge in the town.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ukum Division quickly alerted and mobilised the security forces around in order to repel the militias. “ An intense gun duel ensued in which regrettably, one policeman who was fatally injured and his rifle taken away by the militia was rushed to the hospital alongside two yet to be identified civilians (a woman and a small boy) were confirmed dead at the hospital.

While three other persons who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at Light of Grace Hospital, Zaki Biam” He said the Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon has assured the general public and people of Ukum and environs that effort

have been intensified to bring they criminal elements to justice.

In a related development, the treasurer of the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Moses Adeoye, has been killed by unknown gunmen.

Adeoye was murdered on Wednesday night when unknown gunmen reportedly invaded his house in Otun Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of the state The gunmen, according to the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Hon. Ade Ajayi trailed the 54-year old party leader to his home at about 9 p.m. and killed him while he was having his dinner .

Ajayi said the deceased was part of the party’s delegation that escorted Governor Kayode Fayemi on a thank-you tour to Ekiti North and South senatorial districts on Wednesday.

He had earlier served as the chairman of the APC in the LGA before his recent emergence as the state’s treasurer of the party.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ekiti State Police Command, Caleb Ikechukwu, said the police had launched investigation into the case.

He said, “The case has already been reported with the police and our men have swung into action.

“We have started our investigation to make sure the perpetrators are arrested.

“We commiserate with his family and assured the people of Ekiti state that the police are on top of this matter.”

The APC Chairman in the State, Mr. Paul Omotoso, described the killing as shocking, and called on the security agencies to set machinery in motion to ensure that the killers are apprehended.

Omotoso added that the party will soon send a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed and other security outfits on the murder of the APC chieftain.

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COMMENT

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

PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AND THE PUBLIC GOOD Toyin Falola argues that private universities are better placed in developing lasting relations with students

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his is directly related to academic freedom, and that is the importance of developing lasting relations with students. This is to celebrate a rite of passage for students who have gone through Caleb University and fulfilled certain conditions before being released into society. Whether consciously or not, they have imbibed the ethos of the university, and they will go out as ambassadors of this institution. They are taking more with them than just the paper certificates they receive — they will also take along values, ethics, and memories of their time in the institution. They have developed skills in different areas, ranging from the humanities to the sciences, with varying levels of expertise. As they go out in the world, they will navigate through challenging times, have great successes, and eventually become the famous alumnus and alumna of the institution.

Some will apply their certificates and training directly, and others will never look back at the subjects they studied.

Knowledge will differ, capabilities will vary, and opportunities will not be the same for everyone. But one thing connects all of them: their undergraduate years in the university.

Those years of experience will matter for future relations with the university; this is why private universities must manage student experiences professionally and compassionately. The university’s future as an institution, acquiring funds and building social capital, depends on its student population. Without the students, none of us would be here. The recognition that our activities revolve around the student population — and their future — will help us keep our administrative and scholarly roles in perspective.

Some universities micromanage student experiences, some infantilise them, and some treat students as if their relationship ends once they receive their certificates on graduation day.

These attitudes oppress the student population and treat them as inconsequential. When those students leave, they do not want any relationship with their schools. They move on forever.

And those universities cannot approach successful students for help. Through the poor attitudes of their overzealous and overbearing staff, those universities lose the potential for future collaboration and the growth of social, cultural, and political capital that a motivated student population can provide.

As I already mentioned, private universities have an advantage over their public counterparts managing student relationships. The classrooms are smaller, they can pay more attention to student welfare, and they are less likely to dismiss student concerns. This dynamic should be more than a temporary interaction while students collect their certificates. It should be maintained with a view towards the future, when students return to give back and nourish their alma mater. Private universities have many advantages when it comes to sourcing revenue and other social benefits from former students. They tend to admit students from upper-middle classes who already possess some form of intellectual or other form of capital. These factors enhance their social mobility at a faster rate than their peers in public schools. In Nigeria, this explains why some private universities are at the top of the employment chart, and this trend will continue.

Private universities also need to increase their social relevance. They should engage society directly, introducing courses and programmes that speak to ongoing national issues, and by participating in those issues directly. Today, Nigeria is

THROUGH THE POOR ATTITUDES OF THEIR OVERZEALOUS AND OVERBEARING STAFF, SOME UNIVERSITIES LOSE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION AND THE GROWTH OF SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND POLITICAL CAPITAL THAT A MOTIVATED STUDENT POPULATION CAN PROVIDE

confronted by issues with corruption, leadership, governance, economic growth, security, and overall development issues.

Beyond researching, teaching, and publishing, private universities can engage the public by connecting their research on these issues with society’s understanding of them. There is a great opportunity to improve society’s level of knowledge by sharing research on issues such as corruption, and by contributing to public discourses beyond publications or discussions with fellow academics within the university space. Public universities tend to be more constrained because their government proprietors do not always take kindly to criticism. Private universities should step in and engage society directly, taking up challenging issues in the areas of social and political development. They should use the different forms of media to amplify their voices, taking feedback from society to build an academic culture that is directly responsive to social issues.

Finally, given the flexibility of private universities for changing policies and structures, they should network aggressively with industry practitioners, giving them a role to play in building the town/gown interaction. These interactions facilitate relationships that grow the academic culture, and they expose students and faculty to the workings of the non-academic world. Let me give an example of the advantage that private universities have: Not too long ago, a media practitioner — who had been in print and electronic journalism for 30 years — applied to earn a master’s degree in one of the famous media studies programmes at Nigerian universities. He was denied because his first degree was not in mass communication, and he was told that he would have to acquire a postgraduate diploma first before being admitted for a master’s.

Elsewhere, that kind of candidate would be recognised as a prime opportunity and engaged to teach undergraduates at some level. This university rejected him based on their institution’s inflexible (counter-logical), parochial laws, failing to recognise that education and experience are obtainable outside of universities; the industries are just crucial. Why train students for employment in an industry when you prevent your programme from including the practical experience that industry practitioners have to offer? You could not but wonder what such thinking would perceive of a society, say, for example, the United States, where graduates of religious studies, history, language and other non-science based fields have equal opportunities to be admitted to medical schools, law schools, etc., and become excellent practitioners of professions they chose to pursue later in life! Public university employees may not enjoy these constraints either, but they are stuck with unyielding bureaucratic processes that may be too slow to adapt to the reality of a changing world.

Private universities have an advantage, and it is leverage that they should apply to the fullest. They may not be able to constantly evolve their processes to suit every situation. But they can avoid getting mired in processes that deny them from interacting with professionals in the marketplace, learning from experience to improve student and faculty engagement, and introducing fresh thinking to the marketplace through innovative scholarship.

Excerpts from Prof Falola’s convocation lecture at Caleb University, Lagos.

STRATEGIC PLANNING, WORK FORCE AND PRODUCTIVITY To have an effective strategy is half the battle, writes Akintola Benson-Oke

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n unknown author wisely observed that, “In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.” The famous genius, Albert Einstein said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” Also, William A. Foster noted that, “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” And, of course, popular wisdom says that only the unwise embarks on a journey without a map.

There is need to heed the wisdom in the quotes and epigrams above. At the end of any rigorous enquiry, one finds that to have an effective strategy is half the battle and to effectively manage a good strategy is everything.

This is evident from the writings of Aristotle to the compiled wisdom of Oriental philosophers such as Sun Tzu, and from the ancient history of Europe to regnant modern-day business philosophies.

Indeed, the importance and indispensability of strategy, strategic planning, and strategic management has been proved and validated over the years and, in fact, over the centuries.

This is why, in pursuit of the vision of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the Lagos State Civil Service, enormous value and investments have been given to the impartation of knowledge and skills.

Those who have carefully followed the programmes of the Governor Ambode’s administration for the Lagos State Civil

Service will rightly identify that training is critical to realising an essential piece in the jigsaw of organisational productivity. Since assumption of office in 2015, the Ambode’s administration has exposed Lagos State civil servants to a number of workshops designed to increase, and in some cases, deepen the soft skills essential for success in a 21st century public service. These include soft skills such as office etiquettes, communications skills, office relationship skills, emotional intelligence skills, and problem-solving skills, amongst others.

The Ambode’s administration also identified the ministries, departments and agencies where core new hard skills were needed, and initiated trainings and workshops required to augment skills and knowledge in these MDAs. Furthermore, the administration’s strategy for retooling the Lagos State Civil Service led to the exposure of a number of officers and officials to international trainings for the purpose of obtaining the comparative knowledge that will stand them in good stead to aspire to global best practices while pursuing the objectives of the Lagos State civil service.

After engaging in all of the above, why is it necessary to now emphasise and teach the values and benefits of strategic planning? It is precisely because strategic planning is the essential piece in the puzzle to institutionalise the framework for productivity in the Lagos State civil service. I propose to emphasise three concepts that have been suggested and, in fact, established as sine qua non components of any strategic planning framework. Thereafter, I will give an overview of the best practices for the development and implementation of a strategic plan for institutions such as the state

civil service.

The first of the components is the understanding of, and adherence to a thought-out code of corporate governance. It has been said that an effective organisation is often one that has initiated programmes and services within its structure that ensure open communication, good management and effective leadership.

Without these hallmarks of corporate governance, it is difficult to plan strategically because the basic framework of goal-setting and decision-making are missing. Setting up a control and reporting mechanism is also important to strategic management as part of a wider corporate governance push. This allows the organisation to make changes when they are needed to constantly monitor its own progress.

The second component is the identification of, and capitalisation on, an organisation’s or department’s core competencies. As Edward Russell-Walling notes in his book, “50 Management Ideas You Really Need to Know,” a core competency has three key factors: it is not easy for others to duplicate, your organisation, department, or unit can use it in a number of different products or services, and it provides a benefit to your customers.

Thus, each department and unit of the Lagos State Civil Service needs to identify and capitalise on its core competencies. These competencies then have to be developed and enhanced. After this, the public service must ensure that the competencies are not unnecessarily duplicated unless when compelled by exigencies.

The third component of strategic planning is a framework for creating and adhering to

clearly defined set of goals for the organisation. Knowing what your core competencies are is good from the standpoint of understanding your strengths in the global scheme of things, but this also helps you to identify areas for improvement and set goals and objectives based on those weaknesses.

If you know, for instance, that your department is lagging behind in utilising the power of the Internet to serve our esteemed citizens, one of your goals can be to revitalise or introduce an online platform to connect or communicate with the segment of the population that your department serves. Importantly, the goals set should be measurable, specific and have a time frame attached to them.

Setting goals in this way helps to strategically position the organisation for continuing and future successes.

Pierre Bertrand is an organisational efficiency consultant who has done extensive work with public institutions and not-for-profit entities. In a recently-published article, he argues that anyone who has experience in managing organisations understands the importance of excellence in strategic planning.

He further stated that “every few years, or at least upon the occurrence of a fundamental change in the organisation, it is essential to sit back with the right internal and external stakeholders and take stock of where the organisation has come from, where it currently stands, and where it is going in light of its opportunities and challenges.”

Dr. Benson Oke is Lagos Sate Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions

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EDITORIAL

MUCH ADO ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION Government could do more to diversify the economy

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ith so much talk about diversiďŹ cation, we thought that the federal government would pounce on every available opportunity to live this economic wisdom.

Yet, apart from the few people involved in the oil and gas sector, which is about the only industry that still thrives in Nigeria despite its own challenges, many other industries that provide sources of livelihood are in coma. That then accounts for why at the end of every month, governors congregate in Abuja for the distribution of oil revenues.

From Abuja, the shares of oil proceeds are taken to the states and local governments to be spent. This cheap money has tended to retard other productive activities such that the need for economic OVERDEPENDENCE diversiďŹ cation is ON OIL REVENUE IS only remembered RISKY, UNSUSTAINABLE in times like this, when revenue availAND UNWISE. THAT IS able for distribution WHY THE NATIONAL to the three tiers ECONOMY REMAINS SO of government is dwindling. UnfortuFRAGILE nately, even in these moments, there is still no real commitment to the much –talked about agriculture which nonetheless contributes the bulk of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country today.

We are particularly worried that Nigeria continues to neglect cash crops like cocoa, oil palm and groundnuts, which for years constituted the mainstay of the country’s economy. In the early 1960s, Nigeria’s palm oil production accounted for 43 per cent of the world production, but now accounts for less than seven per cent of global output, with most of the production coming from dispersed smallholders. Malaysia, which sourced its ďŹ rst oil-palm seed from Nigeria, is the world’s second largest producer.

The case of cocoa is lamentable because Nigeria used to rank among the ďŹ rst ďŹ ve largest

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producers before the neglect. Nigeria’s cocoa production which peaked at around 400,000 tonnes a year in the 1970s now accounts for far less. This is despite the best efforts of the National Cocoa Development Committee (NCDC) to rehabilitate old ďŹ rms, supply heavily-subsidised agro-chemicals, start new plantations or replant aged ones with high-yield trees, and promote the local consumption of cocoa-based products to boost prices.

Also, the famous groundnut pyramids, which hallmarked the groundnut boom in the 1970s started disappearing with the discovery of oil. Not even the establishment of the African Groundnut Council under the aegis of the African Union to promote the production, consumption and exportation of groundnut oil in six countries of Africa including Nigeria, has helped matters. Like the case of oil palm, groundnut production is done today mostly by small-holders. Worse, the largely subsistence agricultural sector has not kept up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now imports most of its food products. Even with all the arable lands, Nigeria is now a nation that cannot feed its people.

As a consequence of this neglect, the economy is sadly over-dependent on the oil sector, which provides less than 25 per cent of GDP, despite accounting for 95 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65 per cent of government revenues. Oil has also created a culture of fast money through government patronage and corruption. The farms are no longer attractive to the able-bodied youths of the country who stream daily to political capitals of the nation – federal, states, local councils – for this cheap oil money.

We believe that there are still very many opportunities for the country to diversify the economy. As we have said repeatedly on this page, overdependence on oil revenue is risky, unsustainable and even unwise. That of course is why the national economy remains so fragile.

We therefore urge government to demonstrate some seriousness in diversifying the economy.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

2019: APC’S UNPARDONABLE SINS

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ever use the right people for the wrong tasks and wrong people for the right tasks‌ Ena E. Orugbo Nigerians are generous and not bothered about the pardonable sins of the political class.

However, the All Progressives Congress is set to rig herself out in 2019. A rational stride is to reel out her unpardonable sins as a precursor to help steer the incoming government in the right direction. This is painful but consistent with the popular US maxim, “oppositions do not win elections; incumbents lose�. The anti-people’s cult is about to make Atiku Abubakar’s lifelong dream a reality. How? Firstly, they lied, lied and lied their way to power. Secondly, they redefined corruption. Incompetence is the highest form of corruption. Thirdly, the great book says pride comes before a fall; ask the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently wrote a harmless letter to the APC, declaring that the latter had no candidates for the 2019 Governorship elections in Zamfara State. In rebuffing INEC, Tsar Adams Oshiomhole said, “we wish to state emphatically that

nothing can be farther from the truth�. He went on to argue that a consensus primary was conducted and a candidate emerged.

It took Kabir Marafa, an APC senator and gubernatorial candidate in Zamfara State to reveal that no candidate emerged.

Bravo, INEC is finally independent and the truth has set Zamfara free.

When lies are repeated, they seem true but when truth is repeated, it becomes engrained. Incompetence is the highest form of corruption. In addition, managers optimise resources to attain strategic objectives while leaders are birthed, nurtured and commissioned to signpost, stir hope and transform resources and entities. The APC is adept at scoring own goals. PDP borrowed N6 trillion in 16 years and APC has borrowed N11 trillion in three years.

Owambe and share the money is to PDP what Wailing Wailers and corruption is to APC. What this implies is that APC’s greatest achievement is reducing the bar for the office of president. “Rancour between Ambode and I? That’s an insult�. These were the words on marble from the National leader of the APC. Nigeria needs a ruling party who has an international and not national

leader. A good example of an international leader is Emmanuel Macron of France.

PDP has since swallowed her over-bloated ego and apologised to her masters. We are sorry. Nigerians are magnanimous so PDP stays forgiven but PDP must be put on her toes hence this piece. James 4:6 is explicit, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. As Nigerians go to the polls to elect her president in less than 2928 hours, it is the best or noting.

Nigerians have been very kind to her political class and the time to return the gesture is now. The era of looting, relooting and screaming corruption are gone forever.

Tunde Bakare says if the kitchen is too hot, go to the other room. Atiku’s greatest achievement outside of political office is the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s most visible achievement outside of political office is his farm in Daura and the famous 150 cows. Therefore the 2019 presidential election is between the 18th/19th century agricultural revolution and the 21st century knowledge economy. The choice is yours.

Dr. Enameguolo Orugbo, jetageNG@ gmail.com

THE EXECUTION OF HAUWA LIMAN

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was absolutely shocked by the news of execution of a young lady, Hauwa Muhammad Liman who before her untimely demise was working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). However, the killing of innocent Hauwa Muhammad by the merciless and deadly terrorist group of Boko Haram is not only condemnable, it can also be described as ungodly, inhuman and barbaric. Her killers will not have peace of mind.

Let me use this medium to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Red Cross, friends and family of the deceased. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may the Almighty also grant Jannatil-firdausy to be her final abode.

Similarly, while commiserating with the family of Hauwa Liman, I am also calling the attention of the federal government that it shouldn’t just rely on making press releases/conferences or calls in the newspapers alone but rather to assiduously expedite efforts in rescuing the remaining abducted persons from Boko Haram alive.

May Almighty God protect and bring us this menace to an end. Ameen!

Comrade Kassim A. Gamawa, Gamawa LGA, Bauchi State

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2018

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

PERSPECTIVE

Protesting APC’s Sham Primary in the FCT Halilu Zakaria

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t has been some time since the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to host the primary election for House of Reps Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

I use the word attempted because it is no longer news that the election was a sham.

What was initially well conceived to improve the democratic process and minimise candidate imposition has now created greater room for election fraud.

AMAC had 14 aspirants on the APC platform running for the House of Representatives. From the onset, the state was preparing to run an indirect primary election. Barely 24 hours before October 6, the final date set for the House of Representatives primary election, the direct primary option was imposed on the APC FCT chapter by the national election panel during a midnight meeting. Party delegates and members protested the decision to hold direct primary. Even the APC FCT chairman Abdulmalik Usman stated publicly several times that he could not guarantee credible elections if direct primaries was imposed.

It would appear that they were set up for failure. Imagine Team Nigeria spending months to practice for a football game and then comes the major match and basketball is announced as the game of the day.

Before now, aspirants had spent their time and resources courting delegates with the hope that it would be an indirect primary election. The election committee, headed by Benjamin Imeogu, insisted that the directive was from the top and direct primaries was non-negotiable.

According to the guideline set out at Kapital Klub on October 5, accreditation was to take place from 9am-12noon and voting was to commence from 1pm. The APC membership register was last updated in 2014 so the number of registered APC

Oshiomhole

Yakubu

members in the FCT was inaccurate. To maneuver this major concern, the election committee and FCT EXCO decided members will use PVC or membership slip.

It was also decided that the ward EXCO members (chairman, secretary, woman leader, youth leader) would identify if the PVC holder was from the ward.

October 6, 2018, same day as the APC National Convention, was the new date set for the primary election. All the October 5 guidelines were set aside. Accreditation did not take place. Voters stood in line for hours under the sun in vain. The primaries did not take place in, at least, 80 per cent of the 22 wards in AMAC/Bwari. And where it held, it was characterised by widespread voter intimidation, banditry and confusion.

In some cases, the venue for the polling unit was arbitrarily changed up to four times to disrupt the process. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

staff or agents of candidates were nowhere to be found in most locations.

Election results were written in favour of the highest bidder, with INEC officials serving as accomplices in the worst case or at best overlooking the blatant vote trading. To cap it all, the number of voters in the results that were written was inconsistent with the number of registered voters in the wards. In Bwari for instance, 401,000 votes were recorded for an aspirant against 161,000 total registered voters.

So incredulous were the results that the committee refused to publicly announce it.

It is important to note that the result sheet being shopped only has the signature of the chairman of the electoral committee and does not bear the signature from the polling agents or the secretary of the election committee.

At a time when the APC ought to be demonstrating leadership and setting the

pace for internal party democracy, the party is losing ground on the basis of lack of transparency. APC has also demonstrated that it doesn’t care for political inclusion of youths. Recall that last May President Muhammadu Buhari signed the #NotTooYoungtoRun bill into law. The bill which sought to promote youth political participation and inclusion by increasing the number of credible young people in elective positions also had a clause for independent candidacy. The independent candidacy clause was included to ensure that young aspirants can run on the strength of their popularity without getting entangled in the undemocratic process of the major political parties.

Because the independent candidacy clause was removed, young aspirants chose to pitch their camp with other youthfriendly political parties that will give them a platform. Even though Buhari signed the #NottooYoungtoRun bill into law, and touts it as one of his “gifts” to young people, it remains to be seen that the President’s party supports youth inclusion beyond lip service. Following from the deadline given

by INEC to host party primaries, several young aspirants have emerged from political parties like the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other fringe parties such as the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN).

The FCT House of Representative primary election for the APC remains inconclusive because elections did not hold.

All eyes are watching and other political parties are making their calculations. At a time when the political climate has peaked, and people are keen to elect proactive credible leaders, the ruling party has to identify a consensus candidate whose track record is as stellar as its reputation to ensure that it stands a chance to win the election in 2019.

Acting the Dankwambo, Nafada Script in Gombe Ibrahim Sani

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eggae music legend, Bob Marley recorded the memorable line, “You can fool some people sometime, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.’’ In similar vein, Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.’’

Though these personalities are not Nigerians but their thoughts are strongly being practiced in Gombe State by selfish and visionless politicians like Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo and associates. Long before the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, lots of political pundits and astute observers of the political wave that shaped political intrigues in Gombe foretold that the PDP had an arrangement scripted in favor of the duo: Governor Dankwambo and Sen. Usman Bayero Nafada, which many saw as an exchange of political shoes ahead of the 2019 dance.

It is this same ‘you-take-my-positionand-I-take-yours’ arrangement that led to the denial of the most popular and massesfavored, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the PDP gubernatorial ticket. Few days after the primary, the culminating activities of the PDP have been acting out the hidden scripts that are open secrets to the people of Gombe who are now wiser than at any other time in history. The truth is that the PDP can fool some people sometime (especially those who feed from the injustice of the party) but they can’t fool the people of Gombe all the time, as the people are now very wise.

The failure of the PDP to do what is right that led to the defection of Gwamna to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has definitely weakened the chances of the PDP and

strengthened that of the APC ahead of 2019 general elections. It can be recalled that during the PDP primary that was disrupted by thugs, widely believed to be sponsored by the enemies of Gombe State, Gwamna was already cruising to victory when Nafada created a scene out of the proposed script by confronting Dankwambo and reminding him of their agreement before the duo went out of the hall for a clandestine meeting which resulted in denying JIG his mandate.

As part of the same script, Muhammad Ribadu relinquished his senatorial ticket to Dankwambo. The truth of the matter is that this food had been cooked a long time ago but it was only awaiting the right time to be served.

Only last week, Junaidu Usman Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant on Press Affairs to Dankwambo, in a publication titled: ‘Of Political Marauders in Gombe’ ironically exposed his principal’s in a piece that was supposedly intentioned to commend his boss. He said: “I want to start by commending my boss, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Talban Gombe, who has faced insistent criticism and condemnations from these envious humans for sticking and fielding one man; the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Gombe state, Senator Bayero Usman Nafada.’’

The beauty of democracy is the power of the choice of the majority in any political setting. When such power is taken from the people then what is left can be anything but democracy. Pitiably, the PDP whose middle name sounds democratic isn’t democratic enough in actual practice. Junaidu Usman Abubakar said he commended his boss for ‘sticking and fielding one man’. This means

that there was a plan which the governor stuck to. In addition, he acknowledged that there was a sharing formula. The BIG question is if there was a formula and an already written script, why would the PDP in Gombe sell nomination forms, knowing that the governor was going to field Senator Nafada? So the PDP gubernatorial primary was a hoax by all indications. I will like to nail this on the cluelessness of those that have taken to kowtowing publicly for the sake of defending injustice to justify their pay. It may not be out of place to defend their boss, but posterity won’t forgive them for using the position of Senior Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the office of a Governor to rape democracy on the pages of national dailies.

Furthermore, canvassing for a man who does almost everything on his chair and can barely walk 10 kilometres to be the next governor of a state that is home to over two million people is, to say the least, a figment of the imagination of self-deceptive minds and an evidence of a desire that is borne out of selfishness. I don’t think the people of Gombe want a chair-ridden person or one who walks surrounded by aides for fear of a possible slip. Similarly, the Senator is not just a physical misfit for the position of a governor, he is visionless and a poor administrator. How can a man who publicly said his manifesto is to continue with the legacy of Dankwambo be a governor of a state that is in dire need of good governance and purpose-driven leadership?

Every leader has a blueprint even though government is a continuum; so for the Senator to say he wants to continue the legacy of a governor who has failed is a testimonial of

the disaster that is being planned for Gombe State using the distinguished Senator.

Reiterating the Senator’s roots has nothing to do with politics. He cannot impact on his village with the basic necessities for better living. Nafada is ranked as one of the poorest regions in the state. Yet one man is proud to be from a poverty-threatened region with all the federal might at his disposal.

Show me a man who has power and cannot impact on his village positively and I will show you a man whose people are wishing such powers should been given to the likes of Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, the APC gubernatorial flagbearer in Gombe State.

It was the same Senator Nafada who accused the Dankwambo administration of favouring his friends and associates with contracts and patronage to the detriment of the good people of Gombe. Nafada made this revelation in 2015 in the period leading to the 2015 general elections. He said there was capital flight from Gombe, meaning money that was supposed to be spent in Gombe was taken to outside the state because most of the contractors working in Gombe were not of Gombe origin. Now he is saying he will continue with the works Dankwambo started. It is only the fools that can wait to be deceived with such baseless utterances. Gombe people cannot be fooled any longer. They are wiser now. Nafada has nothing to offer. The future of our state is on the verge of collapse. Let us wake up to the clarion call and vote for a visionary leader who can take the state to a greater height.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2018

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PERSPECTIVE

A View of Atiku Abubakar from the United States William Bertrand

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igeria is poised to be one of the most important nations in the world. It has the resources, the population, the creative and entrepreneurial power and the geo-political presence to lead Africa and the world through some of the great global challenges of this century.

Bill Gates, along with Warren Buffet, are investing heavily in Nigeria’s future. The Gates Foundation has programmed $1.6 billion towards helping solve major social and economic problems in the country.

Gates, an objective and reasoned observer of the potential of Nigeria, clearly identifies the problems that stand in the way of reaching the country’s potential. I share his view, which is why I strongly support giving Atiku Abubakar a chance to lead Nigeria into its rightful position of world leadership.

Gate’s said in a recent trip to Nigeria: “If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities — the “human capital” we are talking about today — then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

Education, particularly girls’ early education, and primary health care, with a strong emphasis on early childhood nutrition, are sadly lacking in Nigeria’s investment plan. These areas are where prior Nigerian politicians have failed. The results of this systematic neglect of the basics are that millions of poorly educated and poorly nourished Nigerians are left without the capacity or the tools to face the future.

In 2010, at the request of the then newly appointed President of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), I joined the governing board of that institution.

I continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board, dedicating my time and effort without compensation. During this time, I have had the opportunity to observe and interact with AUN’s founder and chief benefactor, Atiku Abubakar, on a personal and professional level.

I have worked and lived in Africa since 1968 and have been part of developing several institutions of higher education on the continent. In no other country have I encountered a person who has dedicated

Abubakar

so much of his personal fortune to supporting an American-styled university. I have dedicated my professional career to that approach and to the use of education as a fulcrum to improve the world we live in. The opportunity to assist in this pioneering effort to create a university in impoverished rural North-Eastern Nigeria, has been an honour and a privilege.

Why is an American style of education important to Nigeria and to Africa? First and foremost, the American approach is an applied one. America has a great tradition of land grant universities that are dedicated to applied research in service to the local areas where they are located. As part of the university system, they support outreach workers or extension workers to take the results of this research to the local producers as quickly as possible. In a rapidly changing technology-driven world, this element of constant community education is vital.

AUN has dedicated itself to being a development university “focused on resolving Nigerian problems of social and economic development and then applying these solutions to the rest of Africa.” Mr. Abubakar strongly supports this direction,

intellectually and financially. He clearly understands the need to have the most current technology applied to resolving local problems and has put his own resources to work, doing so on countless occasions.

Community outreach and community involvement are another element championed by the American style of higher education. AUN programmes, such as ‘Feed and Read’ for destitute local children, taking in and educating over a hundred Chibok girls, and the Adamawa Peace Initiative, in response to the Boko Haram uprising, are all successful outreach programmes that have demonstrated a different, more applied, and yes, more American style of higher education.

The American style has always focused on critical thinking and individual innovation in thoughts and actions. Classes are not just exercises in memorisation but are designed to challenge and stimulate analytical processes. The individual and cultural change required to embrace the characteristics of modern society and rapid change do not come easy. Atiku himself was motivated to found AUN by his conviction that his life and career had been changed by two American teachers – Peace

Corps Volunteers. He felt, as I do, that the European elitist model of education still ruling the Nigerian academe did not best serve the needs of Nigeria with its rich potential of human capital.

His effort to build a prototype at AUN has not been without its problems, including a US Congressional investigation into the relationship with American University in Washington. When I joined the Board, along with Eamon Kelly, the former President of Tulane University, we engaged the services of one of the best law firms in New York to look into the charges. Dr. Kelly had been president of the National Science Foundation and the American Association of Universities in the United States; he could not afford any hint of wrong doing. The response from the lawyers was that there was absolutely nothing in the Congressional report that involved Atiku Abubakar. With this assurance, we both joined the Board. We have never had cause to regret that decision.

During the years that we at Tulane actively supported the AUN effort, its footprint as a university dedicated to development was firmly established.

Even with the day-to-day problems of operating an American style institution in the far north of the country, surrounded

by Boko Haram, the university has grown and matured. AUN has developed new programmes in entrepreneurship and law and is planning other specialised degree programmes in applied development areas. The university has created innovative outreach programmes that fought to bring peace and sustainable development to Adamawa State and by extension to all of Nigeria.

I see no other person in Africa who has so consistently given of himself and his resources to support education — from primary to university — under the most difficult of circumstances. He understands the role and importance of technology, and perhaps more importantly has the personal integrity and courage to listen to others who sometimes disagree with him, and to change his mind accordingly. Nigeria is fortunate to have the opportunity to elect such a man to lead the country to its rightful role as an African and world leader. There may not be many more such chances.

-William Bertrand is Wisner Professor of Public Health at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Why Emerging Political Leaders Should Come Together Charles Area Fada Oputa

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here are just a few people in this country who do not know that I always pitch my tent with the underdogs. Where I stand on any matter of public interest is common knowledge. Who does not know about some of my fights for the downtrodden, lending my voice to the voiceless and the vulnerable amongst us.

It is no longer news that I undertake to fight battles for the less privileged in our midst; the weak, fighting relentlessly to see that there is a better life and living for the oppressed.

I have always reiterated, shouting it loud on the roof tops, that the future of our beloved country lies in the hands of her exceptional youths. I have been privileged to meet a few outstanding youths of this country. However, I know that, that is only possible if many of these youths rise to the occasion.

I am in a dilemma, right now. I am confused. Somebody needs to give me a response fast! How did we get here?

What’s playing out right now in our political landscape is like a replay of 2015, when it seemed that Nigerians were dead tired of the government of that day and wanted it out by all means.

Buhari, by the outrageous publicity heaped on him by all and sundry,

especially by the Jagaban was presented as the messiah to come and take all our problems away. All of us, including top, respectable, high and mighty in society queued behind Buhari, chanting “Sai Baba”, forgetting his antecedents; as if when people increase in age, they suddenly become someone or something else.

The only thing I see that all Nigerians are in agreement on today is that Buhari has failed. Failed woefully, criminally and fantastically.

However, the question of who in the new dispensation is going to take him out remains yet unanswered.

It seems to me that the people I support are only dogs, barking on social media but refusing to bite where it matters most; where their votes count. People who can’t even defend their votes, docile, arrogantly ignorant youths.

What I have always wanted and would always want is for the outstanding youths to be given a chance at governing Nigeria.

This was what led to the call for the Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) meeting held at my house, where we reached a consensus that all the new breed aspirants should unite in purpose to field a consensus candidate that we could present as a viable alter-

native to change the status quo.

After they left my house that day, I heaved a jumbo sigh of relief, excited much that we were finally heading in the direction of promised land. Little did I know that it was not yet “Uhuru” as events that followed raised questions of whether our youths are really ready to jump on this horse. They refused to come together and join forces to take out the enemy. What a shame. What frustration.

I’m saddened by the docility of these youths that I speak for. We call for sit-outs, throw up and on different campaigns/ interventions every now and again but rather than have our youths join in significantly, all they do is rant on social media and that is where it ends.

Or could it be a problem of landscape?

Some are even busy casting aspersion on a 67 year-old man like me who’s fighting their fight.

Isn’t it our youths who leave the country to become top rated professionals in their different countries of residence? Isn’t it this same youths that are making us proud in the diaspora? So who and what is holding them down in this country?

Why do we allow the worst of us to lead the best of us? Are all the good people in Nigeria dead? Where are the Civil Society Organisations? Why

is it looking like the only opposition in Nigeria is the Our Mumu Don Do movement? What’s going on?

As it is now, the only person looking like a capable candidate to tackle Buhari successfully is Atiku Abubakar, and just like in 2015, people have begun campaigning about being a lesser evil. Give me a break. Lesser evil?

As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing like lesser evil because ‘Evil is Evil’. It has no other name and there is nothing good in evil. It is same.

This is where I am confused, frustrated may be: when will these our new, emerging aspirants come together to match the old breed in structure, experience and terror? The most painful part of all of this is that, it’s our stolen money that these people are using to fight us.

See how they have weaponised hunger and poverty. Do we blame them, when we never wanted to hold them accountable, because most of us are corrupted by fear?

If I wait till end of November would I get a convincing, practicable response from the people I have eternally chosen to pitch my tent with?

-Charles ‘AreaFada’ Oputa, selfacclaimed President of Frustrated Nigerians and leader of the Our Mumu Don Do Movement writes from Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 24.14 % 26.50 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

22.50% 18.43% 18.55%

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

S E P T E M B E R S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

349.90 % 0.04% 0.75%

2 8 , 2 0 1 8

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 0.75% YEAR TO DATE 6.20%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.50/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes Dana Sponsors Cabin Crew Contest

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Managing Director, Chemical and Allied Products Plc, Mrs Kemi Ogunnubi; Financial Controller, Grand Cereals Limited, Mr. Bamidele Oyinloye; Acting Chief Financial Officer, UACN, Mrs Muhibat Abbas; Managing Director, Bank of Industry(BoI), Mr Olukayode Pitan and Group CEO, UACN, Mr Abdul Bello, during a courtesy visit by UACN to the BoI in Lagos…recently

FG Moves to Check Discrimination against Nigerian Passengers by Foreign Airlines Chinedu Eze The federal government has said that henceforth it would adopt a reciprocity policy to deal with foreign airlines and countries that discriminate against Nigerian passengers and airlines.

This was in reaction to numerous complaints from Nigerian passengers who were shortchanged or discriminated against by foreign airlines and Nigerian carriers who are denied landing rights or over charged by airport management in mostly West and Central African destinations.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sam Adurogboye told THISDAY that government has decided to

AVIATION adopt the principle of reciprocity, to treat foreign airlines the same way they treat Nigerian passengers and also to deny airlines that refused to give Nigerian carriers the approval to operate in their countries landing rights.

He also said that Nigeria would also respond to those countries that try to discourage Nigerian airlines into their countries with high charges by also charging their airlines outrageous fees too.

Adurogboye, noted that when government adopts this approach the airlines and those

hostile countries would review their actions against Nigerian travellers and Nigerian airlines.

But he urged Nigerian passengers that suffer such discrimination to report to the NCAA. He noted that Nigerian airlines represent the country as flag carriers, saying any injustice meted on them would be taken as injustice against the country.

He added: “It is expected that when any airline goes through such experience what it ought to do is to file statement to the regulatory authority.

“We expect that when a passenger is maltreated what you do is to file complaint either directly or through email and when we

get that we swing into action.

Also we read about how some countries are hostile to Nigerian airlines. Those airlines that complain to the media cannot get those problems solved if they do not come to petition NCAA. “When they do so we adopt the principle of reciprocity and treat the airlines coming from those countries the same way they treated ours. Nigerian airlines are representative of our country; they carry our flag so anything done to them is taken that it is Nigeria that is treated that way. So when they charge our airlines exorbitantly when their airlines come here we Continued on page 20

Bala-Usman Exonerates NPA from Lapses in Cargo Clearance Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has said the NPA should not be solely blamed for lapses in cargo clearance in the nation’s seaports, stressing that it takes more than the agency to see cargo out of the ports.

According to her, the greatest challenge is to have agencies that are directly involved in cargo clearance play their respective roles seamlessly.

She made these assertions while delivering a lecture entitled; “Driving the Change Agenda through Freight Forwarding,” as part of activities marking the 68th birthday celebration of former President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent (ANCLA), Olayiwola Shittu in Lagos.

She also called on freight forwarders in the nation’s

MARITIME maritime industry to embrace the change agenda of the federal government by raising their capacity so as to enable them practice their profession in line with international best practices.

Bala-Usman said freight forwarders must play an effective role in ports operations, pointing out that today’s customer desire services that are quick, reliable and flexible.

According to her, the change agenda of the federal government makes it imperative for all stakeholders in the maritime sector to be part of.

She disclosed that the NPA had taken steps aimed at improving the freight forwarding in Nigeria in tandem with the Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and meeting the expectations of the World Bank on trade

facilitation.

These steps, she said, included launching of the provisional, final billing and customer portal module of Revenue Invoice Management System aimed at improving service delivery, partner relationship, create efficient payment method, maximise revenue and eradicate loss and revenue leakage.

Other steps, she enumerated, included the establishment of a committee in collaboration with Nigerian Navy to address Apapa gridlock, the call up system for trucks with shipping companies and achieved collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), to introduce the much-awaited single window platform and the establishment of an interministerial committees chaired by her and co-chaired by the MD of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) The NPA boss stressed the

need for cooperation from all stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector, especially those involved in cargo clearance, to play their roles seamlessly, noting that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the single window system so that the country can occupy an esteem place of pride among the comity of nations in terms of global Port operations.

Speaking specifically on the role of the ports in the Landlord Model, Hadiza, explained that overtime there has been misconceptions about the role of the authority in port industry.

“In taking advantage of this auspicious occasion I wish to state that in the current concession regime, cargo operation has been ceded to terminal operators while the residual part of port operations still resides with the port authority.

“These include pilotage, Continued on page 20

OneofNigeria’sleadingairlines,DanaAir,hasannounceditssponsorship of the first ever Cabin Crew Contest.

ThecontestwhichisthefirstofitskindinAfricaisaninitiativeoftheCrew Training Institute (CTI), launched on the 18th of November, 2016, to train and impact prerequisite knowledge and soft skills needed for aspiring Cabin Crew.

Commentingontheinitiative,theChiefOperatingOfficerofDanaAir,MrObi Mbanuzuosaid,“DanaAirhasscoredanotherfirstintheaviationindustry forheadliningthesponsorshipofthefirstevercabincrewcontestinAfrica.

“We are boundless in our orientation as an airline and we will continue to impacttheindustry,aspiringaviatorsandofcourseourguestspositively as always.’

Speakingfurther,Obisaid:“Whenwedecidedtosponsorthecontest,we consideredthefactthatsomebodywillbeempowered,exposed,wealso considered the platform it will give aspiring aviators and we felt it was anotheropportunityfortheflyingpublictohaveabetterperceptionand understanding of the industry.’

Alsospeakingontheinitiative,theCEOofCrewTrainingInstitute,Katheryn Lademo, said: “We are a thorough institute with a passion for what we do. We appreciate Dana Air for taking the challenge of sponsoring this contest which is the first of its kind in sub Saharan Africa.’

Katheryn,explainedthattheinitiativeisacontestwherecabincrewaspirants areputthroughascreeningprocesstoselectthefinestcabincrewtalent whowillemergeas“THECABINCREW”.Thewinnerwinsacabincrewjob, a trip to South Africa to experience crew lifestyle and finishing school training at CrewTraining Institute.

Delta Rakes in $1.8bn in Sept.

Delta Airlines has reported its financial results for the third quarter of theyear.Theadjustedpre-taxincomeforthequarterwas$1.6billion,and adjusted earnings per share were $1.80, at the high end of guidance. Its adjusted earnings per share were up 16 per cent compared to the prior year quarter, driven by revenue momentum, tax reform benefits and a four percent lower share count.

Theresultsreflecta$30millionnegativeimpactfromHurricaneFlorence.

“Oursolideightpercentrevenuegrowth,combinedwithflatnon-fuelunit costperformance,helpedoffset85percentofthe$655millionfuelcost increase in the quarter.

“TheseachievementsareatestamenttothestrengthoftheDeltabusiness modelandthehardworkoftheDeltapeople,andIampleasedtorecognise their performance with an additional $395 million toward 2018 profit sharing,” said Delta’s Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian.

“Ourcommercialmomentumandimprovedcosttrajectorygiveusconfidence that we are on a path to deliver continued top-line growth and expand margins as we move into 2019.”

Delta’s adjusted operating revenue of $11.8 billion for the September quarter improved eight percent, or $912 million versus the prior year.

The quarterly revenue result marked a record for the company, driven byimprovementsacrossDelta’sbusiness,includinganearly20percent increaseinpremiumproductticketrevenuesanddouble-digitpercentage increasesincargo,loyaltyandMaintenance,RepairandOverhaulrevenue.

Theairline’stotalunitrevenuesexcludingrefinerysales(TRASM)increased 4.3 per cent during the period driven by strong demand and improving yields.Foreignexchangebenefitofapproximatelyhalfapointwasoffset by the impact of Hurricane Florence.

Turkish Records 83.4% Load Factor

Turkish Airlines has announced its passenger and cargo traffic results for September and a high load factor with 83.4 per cent performance.

On top of the strong base effect of September 2017, growth in the number of passengers, revenue per kilometre and load factor, was an importantindicatorofthecontinuedgrowinginterestinTurkeyandTurkish Airlines.AccordingtoSeptember2018TrafficResults;thetotalnumber of passengers carried went up by one per cent reaching about seven million passengers, and Load Factor went up to 83.4 per cent.

Also,TotalLoadFactorimprovedbytwopoints,whileinternationalLoad Factor increased by two points to 83 per cent, domestic Load Factor increased by two points to 87 per cent approximately.

International-to-internationaltransferpassengers(transitpassengers) also went up by three per cent approximately.

Also in September the airline recorded cargo/mail volume continued double digit growth trend and increased by 22 per cent, compared to thesameperiodof2017.Maincontributorstothegrowthincargo/mail volume are Domestic Lines with 48 per cent, North America with 32 per cent increase, Africa with 23 per cent increase and Far East with 20 per cent increase.

“We have a lot of union restiveness in aviation.

They often block passengers from entering to board their flights” Former CEOVirgin Nigeria Airways, currently, CEO RopewaysTransport Limited,

Dapo Olumide

20

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD FG MOVES TO CHECK DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NIGERIAN PASSENGERS BY FOREIGN AIRLINES charge theme the same way,�

Adurogboye said.

The NCAA spokesman noted that nations and airlines engage in aero politics and use it as competitive tool to outdo their rivals or chase some airlines out of lucrative markets, noting that sometimes aero politics comes in as government policy to protect own airlines, but the principle of reciprocity is the only viable tool to fight back.

There have been instances where Nigerian passengers were discriminated against and the most recent was the abandonment of Nigerian passengers at Charles de Gaul International Airport, Paris by Air France on July 18, 2018, which had a last minute cancellation of its flight to Lagos, leaving many of the passengers stranded and was unable to airlift them back to Nigeria three days after the day they were billed to return to the country.

Also, in April last year, Turkish Airlines abandoned no fewer than 22 Nigerian students of Glisten International College, Abuja between the ages of 11 and 15 at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.

The students that departed Nigeria through Abuja Airport went to the United States for a competition, but were made to sleep for at least three nights on the floor of the Ataturk Airport on their return to the country.

BALA-USMAN EXONERATES NPA FROM LAPSES IN CARGO CLEARANCE security, fire service and maintenance of common user areas. Since cargo handling has been ceded to the terminal operators, Freight Forwarders will find themselves interfacing with each other to clear goods. “In the interim we have through our concession agreement been playing a regulatory role to check their excesses and the government is in the process of perfecting the regulatory structure institutionally to make it more effective so that things like tariff that could possibly create exploitation by the terminal operators will be checked, “she added.

NEWS

PENGASSAN Seeks Quick Resolution of Minimum Wage Stalemate Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal and state governments have been urged by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to work with the organised labour to quickly resolve the stalemate in the ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

Speaking recently in Abuja, to announce plans for its upcoming 40th anniversary celebration, the National President of PENGASSAN, Mr. Olabode Johnson, said it was pertinent for parties involved in the negotiations to come to a common ground on the issue.

Johnson, said the attitudes of some state governors on the new minimum wage was ungodly.

He also described their respective positions on payment of workers’ salaries as unfair. “We need to give priority to the issue of minimum wage now before the political campaigns starts in full by next month, all parties need to agree on a particular amount on this issue,� said Johnson.

He said the PENGASSAN believes that the federal and state governments have the capacity to resolve the minimum wage issue before political campaigns begin, adding that the new wage structure could become a law before the politics of 2019 elections kicks into full speed.

According to him: “PENGASSAN, as an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), we are also bound to look at the dictates of the agreement.

“When you look at the issue of the new minimum wage, you will agree that it is long overdue. You must be able to give Nigerians a minimum wage. Look at the current hardship; look at depreciation; look at what everybody is facing.� “I also want to appeal to the federal and state governments, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly and other stakeholders, that a stitch in time saves nine. “Whatever

everybody is supposed to do, because, by the end of November, politics will start; now is the time to do everything we have to do in that regard,� Johnson, added.

He equally said: “For every state that has political appointees, I have never seen that they are been owed salaries. On the issue of minimum wage, we want to appeal to government to give it priority. “Let this bickering of N24, 000, N25, 000 and N30, 000 be sorted

out, so that you don’t create an impression with Nigerians that you are insensitive to their plights.

Let us pay everybody his or her due.�

Johnson, said on arrangements for the association’s anniversary, that President Muhammadu Buhari, would be expected to grace the occasion as a special guest of honour.

He said other dignitaries expected at the occasion include, chair of Dangote Group, Mr.

Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; state governors; chief executive officers of international oil companies and security experts.

He explained that past labour leaders who fought during Nigeria’s democratic struggles as epitomised by June 12, 1994 would be recognised with awards at the anniversary, while the association will unveil a world class event

PROMOTING CASHLESS

L-R: Chairman, Integrated Cash Management Services Limited (ICMS), Mr. Charles Nwodo (Jnr); Assistant Director, Currency Operations Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. D.T Adara; Director, Currency Operations Department (CBN), Mrs. Priscilla Eleje and Managing Director, ICMS, Oluwaseun Bamisile, during the visit of the CBN team to the new ultra-modern facility of ICMS in Lagos‌ recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

IST Pledges to Support Nigeria’s Growth Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Chairman of Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST), Siaka Isaiah Idoko-Akoh, has said the tribunal was established to encourage local and foreign investments in the country.

He also said the tribunal would improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Idoko-Akoh spoke in Port Harcourt during a two-day sensitisation workshop for capital market stakeholders, judicial

officers, legal practitioners and investors in Rivers and Bayelsa States tagged: “The Nigerian Capital Market; Dispute Resolution Mechanism and the Role of IST,� organised by the IST. He stressed that the tribunal was established to reduce hurdles that lawyers face in handling cases that border on business and investment, nothing that the IST would have jurisdiction to handle conflicts that emanate from investment.

The IST boss said: “The importance of the tribunal

cannot be over emphasised.

In the business environment, time is of essence.

Cases have to be resolved on time. “The tribunal will offer quick resolution of dispute and it is that quick resolution of disputes that arise from business and investment that will make investors come to that country. “What we are launching today is the first of its kind in Africa and it will make investors come to the nation because there is a quickly conflict resolution

mechanism in place in the country. This will go a long way to boost the nation’s economy.�

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Adama IyayiLamikanra, has stated that judges in the state were adhering strictly to the order of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, for speedy adjudication of matters.

She further stated that the establishment of Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST, was aimed at improving the legal

sector and speeding up the judicial process.

The President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Paul Usoro, also said the tribunal was to enable fast handling of matters.

Usoro, who was represented by the Chairman of NBA Rivers State Branch, Sylvester Adaka, said: “The tribunal opens a new market for lawyers. A lot of us take matter of this nature to the high court and they decline jurisdiction. But with this court within three to four months cases are adjudicated upon.�

CNL/NNPC JV Moves to Tackle Flood in Delta Community Sylvester Idowu in Warri Group Business Editor

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Edjeba community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, was recently thrown into ecstasy during the inauguration of a drainage system constructed to avert perennial flooding in the community.

The 500-meter-long drainage project, funded

by Chevron Nigeria Ltd/ Nigeria National Petroleum Company Joint Venture (CNL/NNPC JV), was to address persistent flooding of the Edjeba road and homes during rainy seasons.

The project was executed under CNL’s Project Spe-

cific Ageement (PSA) and awarded by the Edjeba community to one of its own, Pyrammidt Company Nigeria Ltd in December 2017.

Beneficiaries of the drainage project included not only members of the community, but over 15, 000 users of the Edjeba road linking the NPA Express way.

CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, during his address, said the project was meant to show CNL/NNPC JV’s efforts to improve the welfare of the people in its area

of operations and beyond.

He commended the Edjeba community and the Delta State government for the approval, managing and creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful execution of the project.

Brikinn, who was represented by CNL PGPA Superintendent, Mr Tony Emegere, stated that “through partnership with the government of Delta State as well as community stakeholders, we have been adding significant values to people’s lives through our corporate responsibility and community engagement initiatives.�

He urged members of the community to maintain the facility, adding That, “the effectiveness of a drainage system is dependent on the maintenance of the system. “It is our hope that the drains would be kept clear of silt and dirt at all times so as to ensure that the excess water is always carried away.�

Representative of the Delta State government at the occasion, Mr S. O. Okujere, who’s the Director, Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, described as heart-warming the eventual completion of the project.

He appreciated CNL/ NNPC JV’s commitment

to its social responsibility to host communities by giving back through projects which are targeted at improving the social condition of members.

Okujere noted that the drainage system was the choice of the community ahead of solar-powered borehole, which he said, would have amounted to project duplication since the community already has effective potable water scheme.

He urged other citizens and corporate organisations to emulate the sponsors in improving infrastructure development in host communities.

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Asaba Airport to Be Operational Hub of Air Peace, Says Okowa Chinedu Eze Air Peace Airline is to make the Asaba Airport its operational hub, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said.

The governor made the disclosure in Asaba while reeling out some of the achievements of his administration within the last three and half years at the presentation of the budgetary proposal for the 2019 fiscal year.

According to the governor who addressed legislators at the special session presided by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, “the management of Air Peace Airline has indicated

interest to make Asaba Airport its operational hub, where it can quickly build its maintenance hangers.”

He added: “We have made considerable progress in our quest to make Asaba Airport an international gateway; following the successful completion of the runway rehabilitation work, the airport has been approved and upgraded to a Category 6 Airport to receive and dispatch large aircraft, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,” adding, “Nigeria’s premier carrier, Air Peace Airline resumed daily scheduled flight operations in and out of Asaba Airport on Monday, 8th October, 2018.”

Continuing, he said:

“Work on our concession plan for the airport has also reached an advanced stage as we are confident that the concession will ensure that we realise our objective of turning the airport into a mega commercial and travel hub in this part of the country in record time in order to boost our economy and create more jobs for our people.

“We have received strong interests from both local and international investors in the concession exercise and we expect the airport to be fully concessioned in 2019; in this regard, we published a formal “Request for Proposal” in national newspapers on Tuesday, 9th October, 2018,” Governor Okowa stated.

AIR WATCH Fire at Lagos Airport

…Airline Delivers Fifth Embraer Aircraft Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace has taken the delivery of its fifth Embraer 145 aircraft.

The major Nigerian airliner also announced that the new aircraft has deepened its capacity to relaunch its flights to Sokoto and start its Katsina service.

The carrier, which had earlier received four of the six 50-seater Embraer 145 aircraft it recently acquired, said its goal of unifying Nigeria through air transport and extending its flight operations to unserved and underserved cities was fast being realised under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

A statement signed by Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the latest delivery touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 6.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The new aircraft, marked 5NBUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), the statement added, would be deployed on the Sokoto and Katsina routes in about two weeks’ time.

“We are pleased to announce the arrival of our fifth Embraer 145 aircraft in Lagos. The aircraft, which is marked 5N-BUX and named Udoka Ozor (Nee Onyema), landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

“We have now received a total of five of the six Embaer 145 aircraft we recently acquired as part of our fleet expansion project.

We are delighted that with the arrival of the aircraft, we will relaunch our Sokoto operations and start our Katsina service in the next two weeks.

“Air Peace is committed to our no-city-left-behind project under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper. We are honoured that our involvement in the aviation industry is fulfilling our goal of uniting Nigeria through air transport, creating thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities and lifting Nigeria’s economy.

“We assure the flying public and Nigeria that we will continue to deliver exceptional flight services and create massive employment opportunities for the people with our domestic, regional and international operations. We our indeed grateful to our valued guests and solicit their continued support as we take greater steps to make our dear nation proud in the global aviation community,” Air Peace said.

NAMA Cooperative Rakes in N35m The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (CMSL) recorded a total of N35 million net profit in 2017.

Speaking at its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Lagos, the president of the CMSL, Mr Edino Ilemona Amos, disclosed that the cooperative has continued to soar in its activities with steady growth.

According to Edino, in 2014, it generated a net profit of N17.

8 million, N21.9 million in 2015 and N28.9 million in 2016 with a better future performance.

He said members’ savings increased by 30 per cent from N314 million to N327 million

during the year under review, while loan disbursement also improved tremendously against the previous years.

Edino disclosed that the cooperatives has introduced various products to enhance the status of members, such as special savings welfare scheme, zero savings car purchase scheme, land /house purchase scheme, ordinary loan distribution among others.

He noted that at the beginning of this year, the cooperatives projected about 40 members to be proceeding for retirement with a projection of N100 million required for the settlement of their claims.

While apologising to those

members that had delays in loan disbursement, Edino assured them of stronger Cooperative Multipurpose Society the influx of new members adding that as the last count they were over 500 members with a relative increase in monthly revenue.

He attributed the success recorded to the diligent activities of the executive and the members support.

He appealed to the management of NAMA to provide land for them to build their headquarters Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished members of the cooperative Multipurpose Society

AIB Wins ‘Best Govt Agency’ Award The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has been awarded the Best Government Exhibition Agency at the just concluded 2018 Abuja International Trade fair as a result its vast awareness created.

The bureau said the feat was the latest in the series of awards it had been garnering in the last one year.

While congratulating the team that coordinated the participation of the Bureau at the yearly event,

the Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru enjoined all staff of the agency to keep the Bureau’s flag flying, adding that AIB was poised to take its right place as a leading accident investigation body in the world.

While receiving the award, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi said AIB was pleased to be recognised, adding that Abuja International Trade Fair is a viable platform to promote

and strengthen businesses, trade investment opportunities in the country, with over 3,000 exhibitors and millions of visitors on yearly basis.

He reiterated the AIB’s commitment to ensuring swift response and safety in the investigation into aircraft accident and incident in the country.

The theme of the fair was “Enhancing SMEs in Agribusiness through Innovative Technology.”

Last week an aircraft owned by Overland Airways caught fire and burnt beyond redemption at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The aircraft was undergoing maintenance at the airline’s hangar when the incident occurred.

Eye witness account indicated that the Overland Airways ATR aircraft burnt down because fire service did not come in time to put off the fire.

Various accounts said the aircraft was on fire for about 10 minutes before the arrival of fire service personnel.

Insiders also argued that considering the short distance from the fire station at the domestic runway of the airport to where the hanger is located, which should be about half a kilometre, the fire service personnel could have noticed the billowing smoke that spiralled into the air.

Overland Airways attributed the cause of the fire to possible foreign object.

“In a lone incident this morning our aircraft asset undergoing routine maintenance inspection was impacted by a foreign object, which led to a fire that damaged the aircraft parked at our hangar facility at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos,” the airline had said.

Eye witness account confirmed that it was after about 10 minutes the fire started that the fire service came to put it out.

“Fire service did not come until after about 10 minutes the fire started burning. When they came they did not have the right product to put off the fire but later they brought foam. This successfully put it off.

So the response was below standard bearing in mind that where the fire station is located is less than half a mile to where the hangar is located,” the eyewitness who is also industry expert said.

He also noted that the hangar ought to have a switch that could have alerted the fire station as THISDAY also learnt that the staff of Overland Airways working on the aircraft did not have the number to call the fire service immediately the fire started and that it was the control tower that alerted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) about the fire.

Insiders also said that the hangar ought to have its own fire equipment, which the maintenance team could have used first before alerting the fire station, which is under the management of FAAN. However, some industry stakeholders had frowned at the way the matter

was handled; how the aircraft was burnt beyond repair and questioned the recent certification of the airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to them, the way the aircraft incident was handled calls for re-examination of the safety status of the airport by international agencies like the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

But reacting to such comments, the President of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), Illitrus Ahmadu said before conclusions could be drawn from the incident people should wait for a report after its investigation.

“We all know the seat of the fire service at the airport and the incident occurred inside Overland hangar. When was FAAN fire and rescue service notified? What was the response time after the notification? Did Overland management blame FAAN for not coming to the rescue?

“Are you part of the NCAA to conclude that surveillance is not being conducted on AMOs (Aircraft Management Organisation)? These and many more will assist us in making informed criticism of the handling of the incident,” Ahmadu said.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman told THISDAY that whatever was being said about the incident was mere speculation because the report of the investigation of the fire was yet to be published.

“Investigation is still going on. We told the airline to do its own investigation while we do ours. We will look at the reaction time; whether the personnel were trained for such emergency because it is one thing to have safety procedures and another to apply them in reality. So whatever statement made at this time before the report of the investigation is out is mere speculation,” Captain Usman said.

Head of Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, told THISDAY that FAAN would not want to speak on the incident until Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) makes public its investigation because such report would expose what really happened, whether the airline contacted the fire service immediately the incident happened or not and other critical facts, “so there is no need indicting anybody yet.”

Many industry stakeholders insisted that investigation must be carried out to know the cause of the fire, insisting that the incident should “not be swept under the carpet.”

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Assessing MMA2, Aviation Unions’ Tussle Chinedu Eze writes about the recent picketing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal in Lagos by aviation unions and the huge loss incurred by airlines and other businesses Operators have continued to count their losses estimated to be over N500 million, after a recent siege laid on the first privately-funded terminal in Nigeria, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), a member of the Resort Group by trade unions in the aviation sector.

The unions namely the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), had paralysed activities at the terminal for more than 48 hours from the wee hours of Tuesday to midnight of last Wednesday.

The grouse of the unions was the disengagement of 27 employees by the company, who the unions said were workers who showed interest to join them, while BASL said they were disengaged because of either old age or lack of diligence in their duties.

The unions therefore barricaded the main entrance and exit of the terminal building with different vehicles as early as 5a.m. on Tuesday, last week, to prevent access to the facility. Thousands of intending passengers were stranded while the face-off lasted. Traffic on the ever-busy Mobalaji Bank-Anthony Way and other adjoining areas was heavy all through the period the action lasted.

Court order THISDAY gathered that despite the order of a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos and presided over by Mr. Justice I. N. Buba, restraining them from disrupting the operations of MMA2, operated by BASL, the unions shut down the terminal, claiming they had not received the court order. But inside sources said even when they were served copies of the order, they refused to collect it.

The unions barricaded the main entrance and exit of the facilities with different vehicles in flagrant disobedience of the court order in suit number FHC/L/CS/1641/2018. With this action, many intending travellers, workers and business owners in the terminal could not access the building, while traffic on the Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way was chaotic.

BASL’s spokesman Steve Omolale, had condemned the action of the unions and expressed surprise that it occurred despite the court order, which restrained them from disrupting the operations of the first privately-funded terminal in the country.

Defiance of BASL But the unions excoriated BASL and alleged that all the efforts made to amicably resolve the crisis was rebuffed by the organisation and insisted that the company sacked the 27 workers because they joined the labour unions.

General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye alleged that BASL repudiated the efforts to resolve the imbroglio when the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stepped into the matter, adding that the company engaged in brickbats with the unions.

no other option than to downsize, if the action stretches for too long.”

However, despite the strike, electricity and water supply, as well as other facilities at MMA2 were running throughout the duration of the strike, as all efforts by the unions to gain access to the terminal, its power house with four giant generators and other facilities were vehemently resisted by the management of BASL.

Counter-Protest When it occurred to people whose businesses are in MMA2 that the strike could disrupt their businesses further, they had to embark on a counter-protest on the day two of the strike. To show their disapproval of the action, the concessionaires, customers, businesses and employees, numbering over 2,000 embarked on a peaceful counter-protest.

They had accused the unions of deliberately planning to sabotage their businesses. They equally carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Over 2,000 staff, families suffering”, “FG, save our souls”, NUATE/ATSSAN, respect court orders”, “NUATE/ATSSAN, let Bi-Courtney be” and “BASL is a responsible employer of labour”, among others.

Chaos at General Aviation Terminal While the strike was on, most airlines at MMA2 relocated their operations to the General Aviation

Losses Besides BASL, also hit by the effects of the strike were the airlines, the banks, concessionaires and other businesses operating at MMA2, which could not access the terminal.

Specifically, the airlines, including Dana, Arik, Aero, Med-View, Azman and Max Air estimated their losses to be in millions of naira. Banks operating cash centres at the terminal are: GTB, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, while other major service providers include Spar, the eateries, bookstalls, protocol services, car hire operators, cargo freighters and fuel suppliers, among others, were all affected. There were also the concessionaires, such as Spakleen Professionals, Precise Cleaning Services and Tow-To-Go, among others.

In fact, the spokesman for Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, said it lost over N100 million on the first day of the lock down of the terminal and added that if it had continued, the airline would have been forced to downsize.

An official of another airline, who craved anonymity, re-echoed this, saying: “For now, we have lost over N63 million to the ongoing industrial action and losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have

MMA2 is a good example that Nigerians can effectively manage these airports. BiCourtney built the best terminal in Nigeria. If you concession the airports to foreigners it will increase capital flight and at the end of the day Nigerians gain nothing from it

Terminal (GAT), while Aero Contractors moved its operations to its terminal. This amounted to a huge loss of revenue to BASL and other businesses at MMA2 and a gain for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which is managing the GAT. However, this understandably increased the chaos at GAT as the facilities could not accommodate the sudden upsurge in passenger traffic.

THISDAY gathered that the Aviation Security (AVSEC) of FAAN was overwhelmed by the upsurge in the number of passengers. Concerned stakeholders, who expressed worries that this was the greatest threat to the aviation industry, were alarmed that this could be happening at a government facility, noting that the labour unions’ strike exposed the inadequate facilities at GAT to cope with any further increase in the number of the airlines there.

Killing Aviation Sector Industry stakeholder and CEO of Centurion Securities, Group Captain John Ojikutu advised labour to deal with BASL instead of disrupting the flights of airlines, thus leaving passengers stranded and killing the industry.

“Go to the corporate office of Bi-Courtney on the first floor of MMA2 to disrupt their work not the passengers, airlines and businesses in the terminal.

“I once talked to and advised the union officials that I am not against whatever they plan to do with the management of Bi-Courtney, but let the rights of other persons not directly related to the issues be infringed upon,” Ojikutu said.

Also the former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria Airways, Captain Dapo Olumide during a recent meeting of the Aviation Round Table (ART) noted that there is too much labour interruption of activities in the aviation sector, which impairs airline operations and creates air of uncertainty.

“We have a lot of union restiveness. The unions often block passengers from entering to board their flights in Lagos and other places. What does that achieve? The airlines depend on daily flight movements to pay their bank loans; so if you stop them for even one day they are not going to meet their bank obligations. We don’t understand that,” he said.

Resolution After laying siege to MMA2 for two days, the unions and BASL eventually agreed to call off the strike action. This was after both parties had signed an agreement brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. While Bi-Courtney agreed to recall the disengaged workers and allow unionisation in the terminal, the unions agreed to call off the strike.

This brought a lot of relief to all the stakeholders in the sector.

A letter signed by BASL’s Group Executive Director, Mr. Roger Whittle and Group Head,

Human Resources, Mr. Ola Azeez, entitled: “Re: 15-Day Ultimatum to Recall and Reinstate Workers” reads in part: “Staff of BASL are free (as they have always been) to exercise their right of association by indicating their willingness to join any of the aviation unions. The management shall deduct and remit check off dues as required below.

“The 27 members of the union who were laid off shall be recalled without loss of pay or service and deployed to where their services are required within the Resort Group. Thereafter the company intends to declare them redundant and is willing to discuss their redundancy benefits with the unions in accordance with Section 20 of the Labour Act.”

Unions and Concessions At several fora aviation unions have never hidden their disdain for airport concessions. The unions have opposed government’s plan to concession the airports because they feel the staff of FAAN would be left in the lurch, s it happened with Nigeria Airway workers.

But the MMA2 concession has been the most enduring since 2007, surviving all sorts of assaults from the unions.

Travel expert, Ikechi Uko said that MMA2 has shown that concession could be a solution to airport infrastructure challenges; that the terminal remains the most functional and most modern facility in Nigeria.

He said that before Senegal and Ghana built their airports which came on stream this year, MMA2 had remained the best airport in West Africa, which showed the benefits of concession and also showed that BASL could effectively manage other airport facilities in the country.

Also in a recent interview, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, expressed support for government’s plan to concession the airports, noting that it would be the solution to obsolete and inadequate airport infrastructure.

But Onyema emphasised that the airports should be given out in concession to Nigerians, citing example with MMA2, noting, “MMA2 is a good example that Nigerians can effectively manage these airports. Bi-Courtney built the best terminal in Nigeria. If you concession the airports to foreigners it will increase capital flight and at the end of the day Nigerians gain nothing from it.”

Stakeholders believe that since BASL has given in to the unions’ demands, it is now high time for them to reciprocate by supporting the MMA2 concession to reach its full potential. Many industry insiders are also of the view that if the unions support the growth of the industry they would be circumspect in the way they carry out their picketing activities because if the aviation industry is identified as sector charactrised with incessant industry unrest, it would discourage investors from committing funds in the sector.

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As NIMASA Moves to End Cabotage Waivers Eromosele Abiodun posits that the move by the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to end cabotage waivers is a welcome development On May 9, 2003, former president Olusegun Obasanjo signed the cabotage bill into law. To stakeholders in the maritime industry, that was one of the best decisions taken by the Obasanjo government. In their view, the development opened a window of limitless opportunities for not only those in the shipping business, but the entire nation and the economy as a whole.

Cabotage came into being in Nigeria with the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act 2003. The provisions of the Act made it clear that only indigenous ship owners have the mandate to carry out coastal trade and inland shipping.

The Act set out the limitations on foreign operations of cabotage shipping and the tight conditions under which exceptions can be allowed.

These provisions are set out in sections 3 to 6 of the Act, which prohibit coastal carriage of cargoes and passengers, except by wholly Nigerian-owned, manned, built, and registered vessels.

It also restricts towage by tugs or vessels to those wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, just as it limits carriage of petroleum products and related oil and gas shipping services to vessels of Nigerian ownership. Furthermore, the Act prohibits domestic trading in the inland waters of Nigeria, except by vessels wholly owned by Nigerians.

However, the purpose for which the act was enacted may have been defeated as most indigenous players in the industry are still been crowded out by foreigners. According to numbers released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Nigerian owned vessels accounts for only 12 per cent of annual oil trade market. The major point of the matter is that rather than allow the letters and spirit of the cabotage act to work, a particular clause in the act flawed everything.

This is the waiver clause. This clause has over the years been exploited by multinational companies with the excuse that Nigerian players do not have the facility, capacity and competency to play in critical areas.

NIMASA to Outlaw Waivers However, this is about to change as the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is putting plans in place to end cabotage waivers.

Last week, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside announced that the agency would no longer encourage the application of any form of waivers under the Cabotage Act, particularly from multinational oil companies (IOCs) such as Total, Exxon Mobil, Shell amongst others.

Speaking during a meeting with the Oil Producers Trade Sector (OPTS) in Lagos, Dakuku said NIMASA was on the verge of ending the policy, adding that it does not help the growth of the Nigerian maritime sector and economy at large.

He urged industry players to draw up a five-year strategic plan for the cessation of application for Cabotage waiver and also pursue the utilisation of Nigerian-owned vessels for marine contracts.

Specifically, he said, “Our laws forbid foreign vessels operating in our territorial waters save for compliance with the Cabotage Act. We also want to increase the number of Nigerians who participate in the marine aspect of your business and we are working closely with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to have a joint categorisation of vessels operating under the Cabotage Act in order to ensure the full implementation of the Act.�

Dakuku urged the IOCs to support NIMASA’s bid to ensure full implementation of the Act, adding that it would equally be of more benefit to the investors in the sector as it will be cost effective for them to engage Nigerians.

Commenting on the previous resolutions with the OPTS, Dakuku stated that there was need for the trade section of the oil producers to fulfil their own part of the agreement.

He said NIMASA will not compromise the growth of the maritime sector, especially when it comes to the issue of enforcing statutory regulations enshrined in the Agency’s empowering instruments.

Dakuku further stated that in NIMASA’s bid to grow the industry, it would not hesitate to

Vessel wield its powers where necessary, adding that the agency’s mandate is strictly regulatory.

But he also noted that NIMASA preferred the method of engaging key players in the industry for symbiotic benefits.

He added, “We don’t want to change our rules of engagement to a confrontational one because the mandate we have is that of the Nigerian people, to grow shipping for our economic benefits. In this wise, we urge you to cooperate and collaborate with us where necessary so that we can have an all-inclusive maritime sector.�

Dakuku said the agency was taking necessary steps to ensure that there were no gaps in the sector, especially as it concerns needed human capacity. He said the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), which is an interventionist programme of the Agency, was making serious headway in creating sea time for the over 2,000 graduates of the programme.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of

We don’t want to change our rules of engagement to a confrontational one because the mandate we have is that of the Nigerian people, to grow shipping for our economic beneďŹ ts.

In this wise, we urge you to cooperate and collaborate with us where necessary so that we can have an all-inclusive maritime sector

OPTS, which comprises major oil companies, Bunmi Toyobo, said the trade section was ready to comply with all directives of NIMASA. He said the information required by the Agency to build and harmonise its data for better regulation of the sector will be provided by OPTS. The meeting, which was well attended by OPTS, had managing directors and representatives of major oil firms, including Total, Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Agip amongst others.

Clamp Down on Vessels The bid to put an end to non-compliant to the Cabotage Act did not start just last week. A few years ago, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency had announced that it has started seizing vessels for violating provisions of the Cabotage Law which states that Nigerians should be employed onboard vessels.

Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at NIMASA, Ibrahim Jubril, who disclosed this at the time, said the agency has also acquired fast intervention vessels for the purpose intercepting erring vessels.

Jubril, also said that in order to have an accurate data of available maritime labour in the sector, NIMASA has recently come up with an electronic register of all maritime labour in order to ensure jobs are provided for them in line with the Cabotage law.

According to him, “On the part of NIMASA as a regulator, we have put in measures to ensure full implementation of the Cabotage Act in Nigeria, particularly on the fourth pillar which has to do with building of ships, carriage of cargoes and the manning aspect of it. “We have come up with an electronic register of all maritime labour that would enable us plan better for the industry, such that whenever there are identified jobs for seafarers, it would be carried out by Nigerians and Nigerians would be placed on the job. “In line with the Presidential executive order, we have come out in full force, in terms of our enforcement, to ensure that only Nigerians are engaged onboard. Before the release of the Presidential order, NIMASA came up with a marine notice which stated that we would have zero tolerance for any waiver at all.�

Operational Guidelines The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency had at the time issued new set of operational guidelines to International Oil Companies (IOCs) as it concerns engagement

of seafarers and dockworkers as provided for in the Cabotage Act. The guidelines which were disclosed to the IOCs and other stakeholders at a sensitisation seminar on the implementation of the agency’s statutory mandate on offshore operations in respect of maritime labour and cabotage, the then Director, Maritime Labour Service of NIMASA, Juliana Gunwa, noted that same are to be fully complied with.

Gunwa gave the guidelines which would attract penalties for defaulters as follows: All IOCs/ facility operators are to engage only maritime labour employers registered with NIMASA as agencies for outsourcing of seafarers/ dockworkers. All IOCs/facility operators are to engage only maritime labour that is registered with NIMASA as seafarers/dockworkers; All IOCs/ facility operators are to ensure that only maritime labour employer that have conditions of service validated by NIMASA are engaged on their facilities.

Others are that all IOCs/facility operators are to ensure that employers of maritime labour implement the agreed conditions of services for the maritime labour industry; “All IOCs/ facility operators are to engage the cabotage services department of NIMASA for advice and periodic assessment on status of compliance with the Cabotage Act 2003 and manning of cabotage vessels. All IOCs/facility operators are to ensure that only registered operators of ports, terminals, jetties, offshore platforms and vessels are qualified for service contracts on/in connection with their offshore facilities. “This will be implemented as a “fatal flaw� during the tendering process. “Facility owner will be held liable for contracting with unregistered operators of ports, terminals, jetties, offshore platforms and vessels.� She told the stakeholders that the agency will soon commence enforcement of the provisions of the Cabotage Act as it concerns engagement of seafarers and dockworkers in the oil and gas sector.�

Instructively, an official of the agency had at the time admitted that NIMASA have some challenges in the enforcement of the Cabotage Act because they do not have a database on numbers of vessels providing marine services to offshore operations of the IOCs. The official also blamed the IOCs for not cooperating and not being open in the declaration of number of offshore marine vessels in their employment, as well as need to seek NIMASA‘s approval in all pre-tender for offshore and related contracting processes.

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APM Terminals Apapa Raises Awareness on Pollution Stories by Eromosele Abidun The Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa, Martin Jacob has made a case for the proper disposal and recycling of plastic wastes to reduce its harmful effect on the ocean, wildlife and humans.

Jacob stated this during a clean-up exercise organised

by APM Terminals Apapa in partnership with Wecyclers, at the Ogogoro Island, a riverine community in Apapa, Lagos.

The exercise was part of the company’s 2018 “Go Green� campaign.

No fewer than 120 employees of the company, Wecyclers volunteers and residents of the community took part in the cleaning exercise; collecting trash and other litters from the shoreline of the island. The total waste collected weighed 228kg. “Go Green� is a worldwide campaign set up by a number of leading container terminal operators and port authorities, with the aim of raising awareness of the global natural and social environment and improving conditions in these areas. The campaign is carried out annually through volunteer activities such as creating and upgrading local green spaces, launching educational programmes, adopting waste recycling measures and community engagement,� he added.

Jacob said the exercise was

aimed at raising the awareness of APM Terminals’ staff and the general community on the importance of environmental care through proper management of plastic waste.

The APM Terminals Apapa Managing Director, who noted that it may be difficult to abolish the use of plastic bottles, said there was however, an urgent need to take action against plastic pollution in Nigeria to protect the marine environment.

He said, “In Nigeria, very often you see the whole place flooded. This is all because of the plastic bottles we throw in the drains. So we just want to spread the message among our communities and also our employees to inculcate the culture of disposing plastic waste in a proper manner, in other words, recycle it. “We can’t stop using plastics.

Plastic nowadays has become part of our lives. Even if you buy chocolate in the supermarket, they give nylon and you accept it and that is the reason we find it everywhere. This in turn causes more damage to our environment. Plastic gives us a lot of benefits but careless usage is what is giving us the problem we face today. “There are islands of plastic bottles floating around the ocean. Depending on how we handle plastics, we can avoid the dangers in our environment. So this is not just going to be a one-day thing

Akinola: Customs Shortchanging Terminal Operators in Container Auction Seaport terminal operators have accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of denying them the 25 per cent statutory charge of the value of auctioned containers.

The operators, who condemned the impunity and alleged lack of transparency by customs in the auction exercise, lamented that for several years, NCS has failed to keep to the agreement, which mandated it to pay a 25 per cent charge from the value of all auctioned containers in the country.

Spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Bolaji Akinola said container terminals incur huge costs associated with the handling of overtime containers especially with the positioning of containers selected by Customs for auctioning without any commensurate benefit even after such containers are auctioned.

He said, “Usually, it is after they (Customs) sell auctioned containers that they are supposed to pay the statutory 25 per cent.

But for years that they have been moving containers to Ikorodu, they have not paid us the statutory 25 per cent of the auction value. “It costs about $10 to lift a container once. For example, we may have to move seven or more containers to get to the one requested by Customs

for auction and this comes at a huge cost. So it is causing big operational cost for us.�

He also said that containers are selected haphazardly for auction. “When overtime cargoes are to leave the port, they (Customs) should not pick a container that is 500 days and leave a container that is 1, 000 days old. Customs should abide by the contract and regulation guiding auction,� he said.

Akinola also urged the NCS to immediately commence the auction of overtime cargoes, which he said was threatening available space at the terminal.

According to him, “The problem of abandoned overtime cargo is not just affecting us; it is affecting the shipping industry. When you have a port that is congested with overtime containers, it is a recipe for disaster. For example, a terminal that has a capacity of say 500,000 TEUs but has been made to restrict its capacity because of the congestion is really a cause for worry. “We also have several export containers which have been abandoned in the port as well and they are taking up available spaces. If we can get rid of these containers, we can take more boxes in, free up the Lagos road and congestion will not be at the port.�

for us, it is what we should take home, at work and in our families. We have spread the culture, so this should become a movement to prevent abuse of plastic.�

One of the leaders of the Ogogoro Island community, Alade Isaiah, expressed appreciation to APM Terminals for taking up the clean-up exercise, even as he urged other port operators to emulate the good gesture of the leading port

operator. “We love what APM Terminals has done by cleaning our environment. Our women and children have also supported them in this cleaning exercise. We will emulate this fine example by keeping our environment clean so that the dirt around do not go inside the water,� he said.

Environmental pollution caused by plastics are capable of causing harm to land,

waterways and oceans. Living organisms, particularly marine animals, can be harmed either by mechanical effects, such as entanglement in plastic objects or problems related to ingestion of plastic waste, or through exposure to chemicals within plastics that interfere with their physiology. Humans are also affected by plastic pollution, such as through disruption of various hormonal mechanisms.

About 380 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide each year. From the 1950s up to 2018, an estimated 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced worldwide, of which less than 10 per cent has been recycled and another twelve percent incinerated.

Experts believe that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight if concerted efforts are not made to address the issue.

WORLD MARITIME DAY

L-R: Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Senator Olorunibe Mamora; Director General NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shauri and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sabiu Zakari at the 2018 World Maritime Day Celebration in Lagos...recently

Dakuku Reassures International Community of Security on Nigerian Waters The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has assured seafarers and other members of the international community of efforts to ensure that the country’s waters are safer for navigation.

Dakuku, said this in Lagos when the Consular-General of the Korean Embassy in Nigeria, Kim In-Taek, paid him a courtesy visit at the NIMASA headquarters.

Responding to concerns

raised by the Consular-General about the recent hijack of MV. Glarus, he said, “Nigeria is totally committed to the safety of all vessels that come on its coastal waters.

Efforts have been doubled to ensure that vessels calling at Nigerian ports are safe and secure by investing even more in surveillance to guaranty safety of vessels. NIMASA is working closely with the Nigerian Navy and the National Intelligence Agency.�

He noted that Nigeria was expected to witness a

drastic drop in maritime crimes with the additional security measures being put in place by the agency, saying the country ultimately aims to completely rid its coastal waters of pirates and other criminals.

On strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and Korea, Dakuku said Nigeria was taking steps to establish new synergies with other countries and further existing ones, such as its relations with Korea.

He said Nigeria cherished

its relationship with Korea and encouraged a mutually beneficial working relationship between both countries in ship building, shipping development as well as human capacity development and other aspects of the maritime industry.

Dakuku has always advocated local and foreign collaborations in growing the Nigerian maritime sector. This move is seen as a milestone in partnering with the Koreans who are known for Shipbuilding and repairs.

NCS Seme Command Generates N1.050bn in Two Months The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command has announced that it generated the sum of N1.050 billion for August and September, 2018.

The command, in a statement, said it anti- Smuggling unit also made a total of 120 seizures with a duty paid value N95.070 million during the months under review.

According to the command, its enforcement unit recorded the seizures of 14 exotic vehicles, amongst which are: BMW 5 series, Toyota Venza, Mercedes Benz ML 350, Lexus RX 300 etc. with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N70 million.

“Others were: A total of 4, 504 bags of Parboiled rice were also seized with DPV of N81, 162,080 (equivalent to 7 trailer trucks); other items like frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, and sugar worth over N13 million were also seized. Three suspects arrested in connection to some of the seizures are currently under investigation and possible prosecution.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, in the statement disclosed that the command was re-strategising by deploying a proactive anti-smuggling approach to enforce the federal

government policies which will boost revenue generation in the command.

He further charged officers to complement the Comptroller General of Customs effort by adhering strictly to procedures in order to achieve the core mandate of raising revenue, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

With the visit of Headquarters team led by Deputy Controller General of Customs in Charge of Enforcement, inspection and investigation to sensitise officers on the abuse of social media;

Controller Mohammed expressed dismay over the flagrant abuse and unprofessional conduct by officers in disseminating official information through the social media, pledging adherence, commitment by the command to stamp out the menace.

The Customs Area Controller who is the chairman of the Joint Border Security Meeting (JBSM), informed all the relevant border security agencies on the need to comply with the Presidential directives on ease of doing business and strict adherence to the ECOWAS protocols of eliminating trade barriers along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Peace AnyiamOsigwe: AMAA is Work in Progress

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

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PEACE ANYIAM-OSIGWE: AMAA IS WORK IN PROGRESS Founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe in 2005, the Africa Movie Academy Awards, an annual award that recognises excellence among professionals who have contributed to the African film industry has certainly come to stay. Over the years, it has united the African continent through arts and culture and has remained the biggest and most credible jury-based reward system for filmmakers and professionals in the motion picture industry from Africa and Africans in Diaspora. As this year’s edition holds on October 20 in Kigali, Rwanda, AnyiamOsigwe talks about the journey so far, as well as her many other passions in this interview with Mary Nnah. Excerpts: things were different; there were only two black kids in my school. So, I felt odd, learning and unlearning make-up because what they were using on their face was not what I could use on my face. I wrote poetry and I have two or three poetry books. I also wrote a lot of articles.

It has been 14 years since AMAA commenced. How has the experience been for you?

It has been a long hard road keeping the brand going. I feel a lot of things changed within the industry when AMAA came along especially in quality control. 14 years after, I wouldn’t say we have achieved our goals. I think AMAA is work in progress, but I think we are getting there. I am hoping that it is setting itself up to run itself. It is not so much about me. I want people to deal with AMAA as a brand. It is very difficult in Nigeria, when you want your brand not to be associated with you.

Did living with seven brothers affect your outlook on life?

Yes, it did. I’m a total tomboy. That was why my mom sent me to an all-girls boarding school but that didn’t really change anything because at the end of the day, I still went home to my brothers. They affected my life more and then I was very close to my father too. My mom was the one that wanted me to be girly but I don’t think that I can be the girly, girly type.

What would you describe as unforgettable moments with AMAA? The first year, the hall was still being built a few days to the event; the fact that we couldn’t get enough hotels in Bayelsa; people staying in rooms without air conditioners and a few other things in terms of the different things that you experience when you are preparing for an event, being on the East\West road, travelling, and the journey on that road.

Anyway, you never had any accident and so you are grateful. It is not easy keeping a brand going for 15 years especially in Nigeria.

Why have you chosen to go to Kigali for the next AMAA awards?

People keep asking why Kigali? This is because it allows more people to attend because there aren’t the bottlenecks of visas.

You must have your paper works to enter the country but it is visa on arrival with documentations. This makes it easy for film makers to be able to gather to also discuss a way forward for the industry as it is necessary to do. We cannot just be film makers and nobody is watching the film.

As much as we want to have the glamorous side of AMAA and everyone dresses up and comes to celebrate the African cinema, I think what people also have to understand is that at the end, which is the important thing for me, is that the next generation of film makers and the fact that our films must travel beyond our shores and start to make the real income flow for us. So by going to Kigali for AMAA this year, we are opening up. We want these films to be seen and be talked about. And the whole idea is for us to bring the synergy between our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora to work with us here at home. So, the platform, AMAA, which celebrates African films and cinemas, is a huge platform for everybody to look at in terms of the celebration of African cinema.

What other benefits does AMAA offer, apart from the awards?

The Africa Film Academy in the last 14 years has actually trained 10,000 young film makers across the continent, from Nigeria, Liberia, Malawi and even one of the young ladies that I trained was among those nominated this year at the AMVCA. We are the only people that have trained in proper production design, we bring in good hands from the USA to train people on how they can actually design a production, just being a costumier or just being a makeup artiste but the whole idea of a production designer for a film. We bring in Cinematographers from across the world to train our film makers. We train on lightening and sound.

A lot of times when we do this workshop we know that capacity building is a major issue in the African continent, so you get a lot of people who come into Africa and want to get funds to make films and they are also taking 95 per cent of the money that is the inflow back out because they are bringing the cinematographer, the sound engineer, and

Anyiam-Osigwe

others.

We also help push good films as much as we can because there is no country that doesn’t lobby for good films to get into film festivals. Film industry is like politics. There is a way to lobby. You make sure that the film is good enough and you start to speak the language of film to each other to try and push that film to go into the film festivals. Festivals are where the buyers are.

Also, we will at AMAA this year in Kigali be discussing distribution at the African cinema business roundtable. When you watch some of the films nominated this year, you will understand where my jury is coming from.

If you go to the film festival website, you will find some of the films nominated and this tells you these films are of a particular quality and they will keep travelling. For us to increase the

Also, we will at AMAA this year in Kigali be discussing distribution at the African cinema business roundtable.

When you watch some of the films nominated this year, you will understand where my jury is coming from... For us to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country, we must ensure that we continue to make quality productions that can travel

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country, we must ensure that we continue to make quality productions that can travel.

What keeps you going?

I think that goes back to the title of my book I am writing at the movement, “Driven by Passion”, especially by my creative industry. I think I am a creative being from birth because I do a lot of different creative things. Apart from writing and creating films, I do a number of things with my brother. He does a lot of artworks. My mom used to trade in fabrics and I took over from her. So, I always do things that relate to that.

In the entertainment scene, I worked with PSquare at the beginning. I think they are the most amazing talents and I think that at this stage they just have to come back as brothers first and foremost. I will always be there for them. They know that and we are family. Paul is playing for us in Kigali. I always mentor young people in the creative industry. I used to make beads, sets and cushion covers, soft furnishing. All these keep me going.

What is the message in the book, “Driven by Passion”, which you are writing at the moment?

The book is about me and my journey in the creative industry. The working title at the moment is “Driven by Passion”.

What motivated you to write this book?

I think people have to kind of hear the fact that I started writing when I was nine years old. I want people to know my story and all the things that I do. I realise that sometimes it is important to tell your own story, in your own words. So, that you can also have young people realise that you don’t give up. You just have to keep dreaming and realising those dreams.

What were you writing about as a kid?

My mom said that I was always writing about the things that I didn’t like. I was brought up as an only girl. I had seven brothers and I found writing as a way of expressing myself, my thoughts and the different things around me. Even in school,

What do you cherish about your mother and what are some of the things that you share in common with her?

The only thing that I think I share in common with my mom, Dorothy AnyiamOsigwe is the fact that she is a lady. She is a perfect lady; she likes make-up, doing her hair, those things that I don’t really care about.

However, the things that I learnt from her were her value system. She also likes cooking; making sure that your surroundings was clean and working hard. I think I learnt all that from her. She won’t agree that she is a workaholic, but she is.

She is still alive. She is 85 and she is still working. My mom is the most forgiving human being I have ever met in my life. She can forgive anything. She would tell you that love conquers all. If you get angry with anybody, she would tell you to forgive that person. She has a large heart and she can give her last to anybody. She is not attached to anything. I learnt that from her. In addition, she is extremely prayerful. She comes from a very big family; they are eleven. She is a teacher and a philanthropist. Also, we used to live with my grandma; she died when she was 105. But then, my mom and I were like cat and dog till I lost my dad. I was closer to my father. When I lost my father, she was like ‘now, you are my friend.’ She actually made me study law, just to please her. I was actually doing film and she came to London and asked me do Law. Can we say that you were daddy’s girl?

Yes, in all things - in my faith, my ability to just not be afraid, to take up challenges and letting me to be very independent. My dad made me extremely independent. I don’t know if that works in the Nigerian system for a woman. He also changed a lot of things.

For instance, in the village, he built a place for me and people were surprised. But he said he wanted me to go to the village whenever I want to. So, those are the things that make me a daddy’s girl.

What lessons have life taught you?

Life has taught me gratitude. A few years ago, I got sick; my skin changed colour. I just woke up and my skin started changing colour and just about finding out what it was, I lost my brother, Michael, who was running the foundation. He went for something and then, they shot him. So, my perspectives in life changed totally in terms of living our life just as it is and in turn I realised that everyday could be your last. I don’t think anything can change you, more than something that is significant. He had just been with me in the hospital.

When you go through such experiences like that then live your life for the best; don’t live it for anybody else. Don’t try to prove any point to anybody but just be as good as you can to the next person.

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Traditional rulers at the national council meeting of South-south and South-east chapter in Abuja, recently

South-south / South-east Monarchs Brainstorm on National Unity Stories by Mary Nnah The traditional institution’s role in maintaining peace and security, as well as governance, were issues that dominated discussions at the consultative meeting of the National Council of the Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), South-south and South-east Chapter held at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, recently.

Top on the agenda was peace and security of the nation, but the custodians of the traditional norms and values chose to discuss behind closed doors.

Three hours later, the doors were opened and their collective decision was a resolve to

work more as dependable allies in the promotion of peaceful coexistence.

Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eberechi Dick, said, “Sometime ago, we seem to be weak but today we have revived ourselves.

We have consulted the people that matter from South-south and South-east. “At this meeting, we have strengthened ourselves. Any moment from now, there would be a larger meeting of traditional rulers from the South-south and South-east to deliberate more on the need for Nigerians, irrespective of their tribes, to see one another as one.�

Chairman, South-south Council of Traditional Rulers,

King Edmund Daukoru said the meeting was an attempt to resuscitate the council as one that is in a position to deal with issues affecting the zonal bodies of the National Council.

The event convener, the King of Okori-Eleme Community in Rivers State, HRH Appolus Chu, said networking among traditional leaders is paramount to peaceful and harmonious nation.

The Egbere-Emere Okori Eleme, said, “Crimes are committed in communities which are being headed by traditional rulers. So if we don’t come together and try to look at how we can be of help to government, we would continue to have situations that are nearly out

of control. “So, in order not for things to get out of control, we as traditional rulers can police what is going wrong in the communities, and then handle it quickly before they get out of hand. That is the essence of today’s meeting.�

He noted further that the meeting has rekindled the traditional institution’s hope of building bridges to link every part of the country and promote national cohesion Known for being on the forefront of a peace crusade, his message remains the same - networking among traditional rulers, peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and national cohesion.

Miss Alice Duke has emerged winner of the Most Beautiful Girl at Beauty of Africa International Pageant (BAIP) 2018.

She beat 36 delegates to emerge winner after a keen contest which held at Muson Centre, Lagos, on Friday, October 12.

Commenting on her victory, the newly crowned queen said: “Words cannot express my joy. I want to thanks all those who supported me especially my mum for all the love and encouragement. And I also want to thank God for this victory!�

Indeed it was a night of fun and excitement as the obviously overwhelmed judges faced a challenge in picking the eventual winners at the vent, which was anchored by popular OAP, Nancy Isime.

Speaking on the success of the event, organiser of BAIP, Mr. Daniel Opuene said that once more, his platform has delivered yet again on a world class show.

He said: “The Beauty of Africa International Pageant is an International beauty pageant that holds yearly in Nigeria. The pageant main advocacy is allowing participants to use their charm and elegance to unite Nigeria.�

Meanwhile, the new queen went home with a car gift, cash prize and an annual salary including wardrobe allowance along with a corporate endorsement deal.

She will represent Nigeria at The Miss Tourism International World Finals 2019. Miss Bayelsa, Orunmwense Daniella who emerged first runner-up went home with an annual salary, wardrobe allowance, corporate endorsement and will represent Nigeria at Miss the Miss Supranatural World Finals in 2019 in Poland.

For the second runner-up, Gbadamosi Abayomi, it was an annual salary, wardrobe allowance, cooporate endorsement and a trip to represent Nigeria at the Miss Globe World finals 2019 in Albania, while the third runner-up, Tassie Winifred, also won an annual salary, wardrobe allowance, cooporate endorsement and a trip to represent Nigeria at the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International finals 2019 in China.

The fourth runner-up, Ogwuche Mary, won an annual salary, wardrobe allowance, cooporate endorsement and will be involved in humanitarian projects in Nigeria.

Glenfiddich’s Experiential Night to Thrill Lagosians Last year, the world’s most awarded single malt whisky, Glenfiddich hosted grand activations in Lagos and Abuja by partnering with Felabration.

The events were truly magical as for the first time in history, Lagosians were able to experience Felabration on the Island, and residents of FCT were also able to experience Felabration in Abuja for the first time.

This was Glenfiddich’s way of celebrating Fela’s embodiment of the Maverick Spirit as a leader, political activist, ambassador of culture and heritage, all in all, a true icon.

On October 19, 2018, Glenfiddich has an even greater event planned for Nigerians with its

Experiential Series. The Glenfiddich Mavericks Experimental Night is true to its theme; it will be a night of experimental music and Whisky, with a truly immersive experience into the Maverick world.

The event will hold at the Balmoral, Federal Palace, Victoria Island and will kick off at 8pm.

Intending attendees can buy their tickets online or pay on arrival at the event.

Attendees can expect nothing but the best as Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Simi, Adekunle Gold and The Composers are all billed to perform at the event, these artistes are all pushing boundaries and challenging traditions which is a theme that resonates

with the experiential series.

According to the organisers, to create outstanding, consistently awarding-winning Single Malts requires patience, knowledge, experience, and of course those little family secrets that only the inner-circles are privy to.

The said: “In perfecting the brands core ranges, a constant drive for discovery has meant a wide range of unique, rare and remarkable Single Malts proudly bear the Glenfiddich name. “The Malt Masters have independently invented new distilling and maturing methods such as the celebrated Solera Vat.

“They have tirelessly worked to perfect the art of blending for flavour and consistency With such an experiential whisky, consumers need unique ways to enjoy it, which has driven the brands decision to put together a disruptive and spectacular show for consumers to experience the brand out of their homes or regular settings. “As the name suggests, it’s all about the experimentation in pursuit of new ways to enjoy Glenfiddich. The Experimental Series builds on Glenfiddich’s long tradition of innovation and and will take consumers to new levels of experimentation in a way no distillery has ever done before.�

Amuga Storms Abuja with Hope Awareness The United States Consulate General in Lagos in collaboration with U-Live Africa, last week Friday night co-hosted the Major Lazer SoundSystem Concert at the Hard Rock Beach on Victoria Island.

Major Lazer, the American electronic dance music group, comprising Diplo, Jillionaire, and Walshy Fire, were in Nigeria as part of a broader Africa tour which has taken them to South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Uganda.

Following performances by leading Nigerian disc-jockeys, United States Consul General F. John Bray delivered brief remarks to hundreds of excited music lovers.

Bray who was accompanied on stage by leading Nigerian artistes ––Sound Sultan and Korede Bello –– remarked just before Major Lazer began their performance.

He said: “Tonight we are all here for Major Lazer. Music is the weapon, peace is the mission. As the 2019 general election draws close, I encourage you all to make a commitment to a non-violent and peaceful democratic process.�

Amuga awareness walk in Abuja

It was a night to remember for the hundreds of fans who thronged the Hard Rock Beach as the electronic dance music trio thrilled the audience with a blend of local and international tunes.

Major Lazer’s visit to

Nigeria underscores the strong U.S.-Nigeria cultural and people-to-people ties.

The electronic dance music group has recently dropped three singles featuring three popular Nigerian acts –– Tied Up featuring Mr. Eazi; Loyal

featuring Kizz Daniel and All My Life featuring Burna Boy. The Cultural Affairs Office at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos organised a broad range of activities promoting cultural relations between the people of Nigeria and the United States.

Duke

The Elevation Church Celebrates 8th Anniversary in Style

Frontline non-denominational Christian ministry, The Elevation Church (TEC), recently rolled out the drums to mark its 8th anniversary in grand style.

The event which was marked with series of activities including special thanksgiving services at its island and mainland centres on Wednesday, 10 October and Thursday 11 October 2018, respectively, featured popular gospel artiste, Big Bolaji amongst other acts.

Part of the celebration was also a social media celebration to cater to its teeming youthful congregation from Monday, 8 October to Sunday, 14 October 2018.

According to the lead pastor of TEC, Godman Akinlabi, “in the past eight years, The Elevation Church has upheld its mandate to make greatness common, and it hopes to raise even greater people who will be positive leaders steering the reins of Nigeria and restoring the country to its glory. “Within the past eight years, the church has developed a series of impactful events, one of which is the Made for More Women’s Conference; an annual two-day conference aimed at empowering women. “The 2018 Made for More Conference themed ‘Girl on Fire’ is set to take place on Friday, 19 October, and Saturday, 20 October 2018. “The conference will feature Jumoke Adenowo, Founder, Ad Consulting, and Pastor Mrs Bolarinwa Akinlabi, Co-lead pastor of The Elevation Church.�

Additionally, the church has commenced plans to launch its official outreach arm, PISTIS Empowerment Foundation in January. The foundation is targeted at improving access to education, health and shelter in underserved communities.

Since inception, TEC has engaged in several outreaches, community services and interventions in and around its community.

Some of these programs include Elev8 200, a ministry to the less privileged; an active Prison Ministry; Back to School Initiatives; and community sanitations in areas like Aboki Village and Jakande.

TEC also holds several medical outreaches across Lagos state.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

SONIFES Promises A Cocktail of Art Forms Vanessa Obioha

W

ith few weeks to the 10th edition of the Songs of Nigeria Festival (SONIFES), the Executive Secretary of the festival, Chuks Akamadu, has promised that the event will be one to remember.

He said the latest edition will feature performances from notable cultural troupes such as Katsina State History and Culture Bureau Troupe, Benue State Cultural Troupe, FCT Cultural Troupe, National Youth Service Corps Cultural Troupe as well as National Troupe of Nigeria.

There will also be performances from poets, spoken word artists as well as other performers who will deliver the theme of the event ‘Harnessing the Beauty of Diversity’.

At a press briefing, Akamadu revealed that the major drive of the festival is to change the perspective that music is for only singing and dancing.

He said: “We have to preserve our songs and show that Nigerian music can cut across different generations. We don’t want a situation where the Nigerian music will be lost in the history of time.

We are very insistent on preserving our sounds because music is a very key component of a people’s culture which implies that one has to guard it very jealously because it defines you as a person. “ SONIFES is simply our way of celebrating our musicians on an annual basis; go back to the roots and celebrate that which originated from us so that we won’t feel inferior to the Western world. Generally, the main aim is to have cultural groups from different parts of the nation coming together to celebrate Nigerian songs.”

Launched in 2009, the festival has

Show Promoter, Lil Kesh, Exchange Hot Words Sunday Ehigiator A new beef seems to be brewing up in the music industry between popular show promoter.

Kogbagidi who called out Lil Kesh on his instagram post.

The show promoter had claimed that Lil Kesh won’t blow again (a word used to depict someone’s dead career).

The popular music promoter passed a verdict on Lil Kesh’s career on a musical analysid program of a popular media platform.

In a swift response, who Lil Kesh replied him on his instagram handle and said: “Stay true to yourself, stay happy always, you owe yourself that much.

The internet is a town square, those who cannot take care of their baby mama will come and take out their anger on you. The Lord will heal you.”

National Troupe of Nigeria perfomance

also been a social vehicle to address the different topical issues in the country.

This year’s theme according to the organisers is an opportunity for Nigerians to be truthful about their identities.

“We often allow those things that should strengthen us as a nation to weaken us. Diversity is not supposed to be a limitation, we should be able to see the beauty in our diversity just like India and United States. If you look at the colour of the rainbow, the beauty lies in the different shades of colour.

“How come in Nigeria that diversity is our greatest limitation? It should be our strength and this is what SONiFES

hope to address. We are going to use Nigerian songs, dramas, poems, spoken words to say that there is beauty in our diversity and this is the time for us to harness our diversity for optimal growth and prosperity of the Nigerian people,” Akamadu added.

Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha, will deliver the keynote speech while Victoria AguiyiIronsi, wife of the First Military Head of State, will chair the festival.

Also present at the briefing was the Senior Brand Manager of Seven-Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye, who stated that the objectives of the festival

Mr. Eazi Clinches First Multinational Endorsement

AFRIMA to Focus on Opportunities for African Music Vanessa Obioha The various opportunities available to African musicians in a digital era will be the core discussion at the upcoming All Africa Music Awards, (AFRIMA) Business Summit.

Music stakeholders, professionals, executives, government officials and other stakeholders in the music, media and financial sectors of Africa will be present at the annual summit to discuss the potentials present in the continent’s music industry and ways to harness its socio-economic gains. This year’s summit will hold in Accra, Ghana, the host city of the fifth edition of AFRIMA, on November 22. The annual AFRIMA Business Summit is a panel discussion platform to interrogate and strategise on the business of music in Africa while charting a synergistic way forward for development and economic empowerment for the music talents. It is a platform for business networking and interaction among key players in the industry. The business summit is also part of the line-up activities for AFRIMA, which kicks off on November 21. It will be preceded by a reception in honour of arriving AFRIMA nominees and delegates, African Union officials, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, media and other invited guests.

AFRIMA Music Village will host thousands of African music lovers and fans to a high octane performances by upcoming and A-list artistes from across the continent in a festivalstyle music concert on the evening of November 22 at the Independence Square, Accra. The event will be broadcast live on dedicated satellite event channels.

In a bid to showcase the cultural and historical dynamism of the beautiful host city, invited guests will be treated to a tour of landmarks and sights of Accra on Friday, November 23. This will be followed by the Nominee’s Party later ast night. The live broadcast of the main awards on Saturday, November 24 will have in attendance high profile guests from across the continent and the Diaspora. Scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre, AICC, Ghana, the star-studded awards show will begin with the live-broadcast red carpet where all the glam, glitz and highfashion will be on display. The awards ceremony to be broadcast to 84 countries on 105 partner media channels will also feature a potpourri of performances from some 2018 AFRIMA nominees, past award winners, and special guest artistes. Expressing her excitement at the coming events, the Minister of

Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana, Catherine Afeku said: “On behalf of His Excellency, the President of Ghana and the people of the Republic of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana welcomes African artistes, African media and event delegates to the 5th All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA-Ghana 2018. “We take pride in ourselves in hosting this continental awards between November 21 and 24 which is consistent with our national development agenda to the growth of culture and the creative arts. We project a boost to the tourism economy of Ghana and the creation of opportunities for artists and investors in the culture and creative arts industry of Ghana.

We expect more of such opportunities to be created in the national economy as we host AFRIMA events in the coming years.

“This will become one of the vehicles to deepen the collaborati on between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Africa Union to drive the government’s transformation agenda. We look forward to welcoming you with the warm Ghanaian hospitality, Akwaaba!”

In partnershi p with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA seeks to reward Africa’s music talents living on the continent or in the diaspora.

clearly align with the company’s vision.

He said: “The most impactful element of culture and entertainment heritage is the use of songs and rhythms. This explains why we are partnering with SONiFES because we are able to tap into a huge tremendous cultural identity that Nigeria is noted to have. This is seen across the country in the way we manifest our culture. We believe this festival is a good vehicle to harness our diversity.”

Initially scheduled for May, the event will now hold on November 15 at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Eazi

Vanessa Obioha and Sunday Ehigiator Nigerian Music sensation, Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, popularly known by this stage name-Mr. Eazi, who is currently working on his Lagos to London project, was recently unveiled as the brand ambassador for the gaming brand betPawa.

At an event to reward the first jackpot winner of the sports betting platform Utibe Amos with a cheque of N1.8m, the Leg Over’ crooner said that this is his first Multinational amabassador deal which he believes will be a long lasting relationship “This is the first time I’m doing a longer term endorsement with a multinational company.

What I have done in the past is on shorter terms but this is for a longer period.”

Launched in Nigeria last year, betPawa is a licensed

sports betting company in Africa that is owned by an international group of widely experienced investors with boasting decades of participation in global online betting. The parent company operates in Kenya with offices in Uganda and Zambia.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the platform Segun Somefun, the main goal of betPawa is to become the best and largest online sports betting business in Nigeria while satisfying sports bettors with excellent products and customer service.

He said: “We want to replicate the success we have recorded in other countries in Nigeria by using technology to drive betting. Which is why we partnered with telecommunication companies to allow betting fans to use airtime to play.

This makes it easier for players.”

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E-TRENDS

Davido’s ‘FALL’ is Currently Shazam App’s Most Played Song in New York Sunday Ehigiator Davido’s hit single ‘FALL’, which he released back in 2017 is still making waves, as its now at the top position in New York city among the list of songs people using the Shazam app listen to.

Shazam is an app that helps you identify any song you’re

listening to but can’t tell the artiste. It processes the data your song provides and gives you the appropriate details about the song like the name of artiste and song title.

This news also makes Davido the first Nigerian artiste whose song has been officially announced to be among the top

Genevieve Signs Film Deal with US Agency

Shazamed songs since the inception of the app.

Davido’s ‘Fall’ is followed

by Travis Scott`s ‘Sicko Mode’ and ‘Uproar’ by Lil Wayne on the app..

In reacting to this news, the singer said:“We got the most Shazam song in New York!!!

It’s lit!! My old records just breaking. Imagine what the new ones will do!”

Genevieve

Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, has signed a new film deal with United Talent Agency (UTA).

The deal, it is expected, will see the ‘Lion heart’ actress collaborating with top Hollywood filmmakers to produce movies from African including Nigerian stories.

UTA, also represents Hollywood’s Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Gwyneth

Davido

Burna Boy Sells out O2 in London Concert Sunday Ehigiator Nigerian Afro-fusion star, Burna Boy has fast tracked himself amongst the elite Nigerian artistes such as Wizkid and P Square, who have gone global.

His concert, Burna Boy ‘Live In London’ sold out hours before it commenced.

According to videos trending online, there was massive turnout of fans at the O2 Brixton Academy as they were captured enjoying the

show.

They sang along to Burna Boy’s popular songs with little or no interference from the artist, who was visibly overwhelmed at the outpouring of love by his fans.

Paltrow, Channing Tatum, Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor, Kim Soo Hyun and Liv Tyler, according to Deadline report.

Meanwhile, Netflix announced its acquisition of the rights of Nnaji’s comedy ‘Lion Heart’ just before its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festivals in September, making Lionheart the first original feature

Alex Unusual Bags Endorsement Deal with Jenesis Colony The 2018 edition of Big Brother Nigeria might be over but the housemates are definitely cashing out. One of such stars of the reality show is Alexandra Asogwa, popularly known as Alex Unusual.

Since her exit as one of the last housemates standing, things have certainly turned out well for one whom majority of Nigerians tagged ‘village girl’.

From hosting top notch red carpet shows to endorsing brands and being the face of some, her stock in the entertainment industry skyrocketed with her new management; Nomad Agency owned by Noami Adenuga.

Recently she became the face of Jenesis Colony, a real estate company.

According to the company, the Jenesis Colony team chose Alex because of her love for positively motivating Youths

Burna Boy

Female Photographers Lead Lagos Photo Festival Vanessa Obioha As the push for gender inclusion continues to ripple across the globe, the Artist Arts Foundation will be showcasing works from. emerging photographers in the ninth edition of Lagos Photo Festival.

The artists who come from France, Italy, Ghana, South Africa, Myanmar and Nigeria, will be displaying images that resonate with the festival’s theme: ‘Time Has Gone’.

The theme according to the organisers seeks to

visually explore how the past, present and future interact with one another.

Also curating the festival this year is a team of four illustrious women, established in their various career fields: Eva Barois De Caevel, Wunika Mukan, Charlotte Langhorst and Valentine Umansky. Their curatorial discourse unearths the non-linearity of time and the complexity of our experience to memory.

Now in its ninth year, the festival will have a grand opening at Federal Printing Press, Broad Street, Lagos

Island, and will run from October 27 to November 15. The visual arts will also displayed at galleries am public spaces across the city of Lagos.

Some of the photographers that will be exhibiting at the festival include Malala Andrialavidrazana (Madagascar/France), Sandra Brewster (Canada/ Guyana), Kwena Chokoe (South-Africa/Myanmar), CrazinisT (Ghana/ Togo), AdjiDieye (Italy/ Senegal),and Ndidi Dike (Nigeria).

from Nigeria to debut on the streaming service.

The self-acclaimed feminist, who is also one of the highest paid actresses in Nollywood, has starred in a number of Nigerian movies; including Ijé, The Journey, Tango With Me, Doctor Bello, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Road to Yesterday, a film that marked her first outing as a producer.

Alex Unsual signing her endorsement deal

and promoting the need for a better life and standard of living.

The statement read: “ Jenesis Colony’s aim is making house ownership available to those who never thought of owning one at affordable prices and to be one of the best Real Estate Solution providers in the world.

“They aim to provide homes for all classes of people with quality infrastructure of acceptable international standards with innovative and cost effective solutions. Just like Alex, Jenesis Colony is unique and unusual.”

The new brand ambassador who was ecstatic about her deal with the real estate company said: “I never thought in my life I will be a land owner at 22 years of age. Not just a land owner, but owner of multiple lands. I thank God for his unusual blessings.”

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XTRA

Experts Task Entertainment Female Gospel Saxophonist Entrepreneurs on Legal Education Returns with Three Singles Oluchi Chibuzor

Rebecca Ejifoma

P

opular saxophonist, gospel artiste and founder of Alabaster Box concert, Omotola Ekerin, has returned stronger to the stage to launch her three-track singles as a way of ministering to people’s needs and thirst for worship.

Omotola disclosed this at a media parley held in Lagos to unveil her singles, which are set to be officially out soon.

The track include: ‘Jomiloju’, ‘Bilobanjo’ and ‘Come What May, I Stand for Jesus’.

She said: “I want to reach souls with these songs. Although I voluntarily stayed away from the stage for so long, I’m fully back with permission from God.” The mother of two enthused that her joy is the testimonies she gets from the audience, that, “this has kept me going.

Indeed, fame is what rules the world, but my goal is to reach the world with God’s message”.

While some of her fans showed up at the parley to welcome her back to the world of music, they described her as an artiste with a unique spirit of God’s grace whenever she performs.

Reminiscing over her time at thousands of churches home and abroad she said: “I have ministered in countless churches home and abroad. I have played in Alabaster Box in Lagos.

“My calling is to minister to people’s

Female Gospel Saxophonist, Ekerin

needs however the condition. These release of my singles are for everyone from all the continents of the world, colour and race and tongue.”

In its bid to regularise the creative industry, experts at the Legal Business Network, said legal education is paramount to grow and harness the potential of the emerging entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, who are not leveraging on copyright notification and trademark of their intellectual property to avoid tussles from chains of ownerships.

Also government has been urged to empower regulating agencies to be stringent on digital contents as more of the works on social media platforms are not child friendly and with so many financial irregularities perpetuated by online users, without any body holding them accountable.

Speaking at a legal business meet-up 3.0 event, over the weekend, with a theme; ‘Media and entertainment business: legal issues’, the founder, LBN, Ifeoma Ben, said that small and medium enterprises need to gain clarity about legal aspects of their business and build legally protected business, advising that every budding talent in the creative industry needs an established structure to succeed in the industry.

“I see businesses crash and it pains my heart that entrepreneurs are trying and toiling every day to do businesses, but because they do not know about legal issues, their businesses that do not grow as a result of that.

Gospel Artists Drum Support for BOG It was a night of praise and encomiums recently at the 2018 Harvest Festival of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ire Akari Estate Parish, Isolo.

The praise night afforded the gospel artistes in attendance to opportunity to advice the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Hon. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, popularly known as BOG, who was the chairman of the event. Top Gospel artistes including Femi Opalemo and Tope Olajengbesi, were at their best at the event, as they entertained Lagosians.

In his response to the advice and encomiumpoured on him by artists and men of God present at the event, Gbadamosi said he was humbled by the reception he received. He called on Lagosians to see 2019 as a year of truth when residents of the state will open a new a chapter for their future and that of their children.

Gbadamosi, who chaired the event, with the theme; ‘Harvest of Progress’ described the event as a well organised one and charged the leadership of the church to continue praying for the progress of Lagos State. He said: “When I was informed that I would chair this event, I didn’t think twice before accepting because this is the most honourable gathering of men of God. I didn’t see my coming here as something out of ordinary because our God is for all.

“Like others present, I have come to praise God and appreciate Him for what He has done in my life. I am also using this opportunity to call on our people to see 2019 as the time to speak the truth.

“2019 should be a year when Lagosians

The recently celebrated International Day of the Girlchild, afforded a non government organisation (NGO), Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, the opportunity to raise awareness for the cause.

Addressing participants at

NGO Tasks FG on Skill Programmes Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

BOG presenting his plans for Lagos

will think deeply about their future and that of their children. “With commitment and prayer, Lagos shall be free again and I am also committed to be a partner in giving our people a better lease of life.”

Speaking on the artistes who performed at the event, especially, the upcoming ones like Ayansike and her Gloria band and Small Mummy Comedy, BOG said their outstanding performances have further pointed out that there are many talents, waiting to be explored in Lagos.

Opalemo upon taking the podium had tasked the politician to believe in God as the only giver of title and position. He also commended BOG for his philanthropic lifestyle. He said: “To the leader of the BOG

Political Group, Mr. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, I congratulate you for your humility and penchant to helping the needy. I have taken time to follow your political life and I see consistency and commitment to change Lagos for better. “ I want you to put your hope in God, knowing well that only God enthrone kings. Continue with your good work and at the appointed time, you will achieve your aim to liberate Lagosians.”

This was reiterated by the co-chairman of the Harvest Committee, Envangeslist Omowumi Oki, who described Gbadamosi as a rare gem and humble personality, who despite his position in the society always finds time for God.

NGO Raises Awareness for the Girl-child Omolabake Fasogbon

“So this session is to create a knowledge sharing solution to educate them about all these problems they encounter in contractual dealings especially in the entertainment industry”, she said.

In a similar vein, on the rising uncensored contents on our media spaces and the effects on our society, experts believe that government agencies should do more by applying necessary laws in the country to erring media outfits and develop proper synergy to control various crimes and contents on social media as the world is becoming a digitalised, which exposes children to unhealthy things.

The National Second Assistant General Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chinyere Odasi, noted ‘’that a censor regulation body need to come in play and enforce the laws with stringent measures as these days children are corrupt from what they see and hear from different media platforms.

“Entertainers should understand the dynamics of their business and see the art as a business that required documentation of paper works stating terms and conditions clearly without oral agreement as seen among the elite stars in the country”.

On her part, the Vice-chairman, NBA, Lagos branch, Bolatumi Amimashaun, advised content creators to see legal matters as insurance to secure their future whenever they are thinking big.

a sensitisation programme in Lagos to mark the day, founder of the organisation, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, appealed to the Federal Government to mandate the adoption of Child Right Act by the 36 states of the federation. The NGO stated that since 1989 when the United Nations adopted the Conven-

tion on the Rights of the Child (CRC), only few states, specifically 24 out of 36, have assented to the law.

Onyerinma noted that the girl-child mostly suffer the implications of failure by some states to enact a legislation that ought to protect children under the age of 14.

She stated that the female children are seen to be inferior in this clime, which had caused their rights to be infringed upon.According to her, 60 per cent of school dropouts in Nigeria are female, adding that this is fuelled by the fact that the society considers them to be lower in status to men.

A non-governmental organisation based in Abuja has called on government at all levels to evolve deliberate policies on skills acquisition programmes that will equip the girl-child, which is aimed at bridging the gender disparity in the society.

The call was made by the Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, during a skill acquisition training programme organised for over 200 girl-children, as part of activities to commemorate the 2018 International Day for the Girl-child held in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.

President and founder of the foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, frowned at the high rate of girls who cannot access education or any form of skill acquisition that will prepare them for future challenges.

Ahmadu observed that across the world, especially in Nigeria, girls face adversities that hinder their education, training and entry into the workforce.

Calling on the government to come up with measures that will change the narratives she added, “it is disturbing to see our girls hawking on the streets across the country while their male counterparts are in classes.

“Statistics have shown that girls constitute a higher number of dropout school children in Nigeria. We are using this occasion to call on government to reverse this ugly trend by initiating policies that will equip the girl child to face future challenges.

“They have less access to information, communication technology and resources, such as the internet where the global gender gap is growing.

“A quarter of young people, most of them girls, are neither employed nor getting an education or training”.

While commenting on this year ’s theme: “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force”, she described the theme as apt, adding that the 1.1 billion girls of today’s world are challenging the status quo.

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ART WEEKEND

‌For pure art enthusiasts

Sculpting on Cedar Trees Yinka Olatunbosun reports on a visit to Forest of the Cedars, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lebanon, which is the home of the world’s largest wooden sculpture

Yinka Olatunbosun

T

he increasing altitude was scary as the tour bus roared at every bend on Mount Lebanon, 6,000 feet above sea level, on the way to the Cedars’ Institute.

In the bus was President of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Rahme, in company of his nephew Rachid and a Lebanese-Nigerian hostess, Nisreen Kaj. Our destination was the Biblical Cedar Grove- a natural habitat of the most sought-after timber by the Phoenicians, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans and Turks. Interestingly too, King Solomon rebuilt the temple with the resilient timbers. The cedar tree has survived several wars and invasions such as documented in the Epic in Gilgamesh and is a national symbol.

Rahme, perhaps the best guide anyone could wish for, knows the cedars like the back of his hand. With his family being one of the first occupants of Cedars, the walking lecture was a surge of history.

Annually, he enjoys taking the participants of the Study Abroad in Lebanon (SAIL) programme on tour for three days and nights, hiking and painting.

Initiated by Wole Soyinka Foundation, in partnership with the Cedars’ Institute, the visit to Cedars of God is a part of the programme of Notre Dame University’s Benedict XIV Endowed Chair of Religious, Cultural and Philosophical Studies.

First, a huge tree named after Prof.

Wole Soyinka caught our eyes. Soyinka was said to have visited the Cedar grove-extremely slippery during winter and couldn’t go beyond that tree which he held unto. Thus, the tree-one of the patriarchs- earned his prestigious name.

The reforestation effort by the institute was evident in the springing new cedars trees. A cedar tree usually takes several decades to mature. The felled trees also served as samples to learn how to tell the years of a tree while the oldest cedar tree is known as the Pope.

The surprise discovery in the heart of the forest was “Lamartine Cedar’’ (Christ on the Cross) a monumental body of work by Sculptor Rudy Rahmewhose work was mentioned in the 2007 Guinness World Records. Arguably the

Rudy Rahme’s monumental wooden sculpture at the Cedar of God, Lebanon world’s largest wooden sculpture, it took no fewer than six years for Rahme to sculpt using three dead cedar trees and direct-sculpture method, writing history on wood as he visually narrates the birth, life and death of Jesus.

The epic barbecue dinner and freshly plucked apples by Rahme were not

the only factors that made the stay at Cedars pleasurable. That Nigerians could sleep without locking doors in Cedars where no one expects a thief was another. Honour came with leaving Lebanon with a miniature wooden sculpture made of cedar wood with our first names engraved on each piece.

At Thought Pyramid, SNA Honours Grillo, Barber with Exhibition Yinka Olatunbosun

The Society of Nigerian artists (SNA), Lagos Chapter is set for a groundbreaking show titled, “October Rain’’ which features over 100 works from hundreds of artists from the legends to the emerging.

That was the highlight of the press briefing held at the Thought Pyramid, Ikoyi last weekend as part of the annual tradition of the visual arts community in Lagos.

In his statement, the Chairman, SNA, Idowu Sonaya revealed that two icons, Prof. Yusuf Grillo and Prof.

Abayomi Barber had been selected for honour at this edition of October Rain. “It is noteworthy to mention that Prof Grillo was the first and founding President of SNA National in 1963.

Prof Barber is being honoured as he clocks 90 years on October 23. “He is highly regarded for his pioneering role in starting a visual art training school at the University of

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One of the exhibits at SNA’s October Rain exhibition Lagos in 1973 with Muri Adejimi as his first student,’’ Sonaya remarked.

Some of the legendary artists that will be featured in this show which kicks-off on tomorrow, October 20 are Kolade Oshinowo, Banjo Fasuyi, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Nike Okundaye, David Dale and Abayomi Barber.

Also, contemporary masters such as Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Sam Ovraiti, Olu Ajayi, Kunle Adeyemi, Mufu Onifade, Oladapo Afolayan, DotunAlabi, Damola Adepoju, Idowu Sonaya, Ajayi Porter, Bolaji Ogunwo, Udenta Omoligho, Stella Mofunanya, Michael Fashakin, Anthony Nwalupue, George Taylor, Peju Layiwola and a host of others.

Michael Fasakin, the Chairman, October Rain organising Committee revealed that no fewer than 110 artists had been drawn from Lagos and a few other states.

Some of these artists may have also lived and practiced in Lagos at some time in their lives. “October Rain’’ exhibition is valued on its promotion of high level of professionalism, creativity and craftmanship.

Fusing ideas in different forms is the nucleus of this show, DIVERSIFORM which opens tomorrow at Moorhouse, Ikoyi.

Featuring nine young artists, each is showing four pieces of work that capture individual’s creative thrust using varying techniques of painting.

Titilope Salami, a graduate of the University of Lagos explores the oil as her medium.

Having refined her skills at the Universal Studio of Art, Iganmu at a six-month industrial training to understudy artists such as Abiodun Olaku and Salako Olajide, she arrived at her impasto.

Her works include “Contemplation�, “Eight to Five’’ with female forms piercing through her imagination which is rendered in oil painting to communicate volumes of emotions in every day women and their existentiality.

Another artist Abiodun Pererin, a Lagosian with Portuguese roots, focuses on national issues having taken part in Life in My City Art Competition.

His piece, “National Rebirth’’ draws a parallel between an expectant mother in labour and a nation with huge potentials like Nigeria.

With his internship at Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery, his gaze has shifted from being just a studio artist towards using his art as a source of mental health rehabilitation.

Nurudeen Popoola’s profound statement on female empowerment runs through the brush strokes in his naturalistic paintings such as “The Girl Beside’’ and “Red’’. The latter work underscores the value of genuine love. Highly influenced by Mike Omoighe, Popoola’s subjects in this show are predominantly women. Tiamiyu Azeez, a graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic, is a painter which skills traversing abstract, realism and sometimes distorted images. His “Market Mode� reflects his preference for light and shade as well as vibrant colours.

Adeyemi Oluwaseun Dare’s “Afterwork’’ is a refreshing contribution to the show as it highlights the importance of leisure in one’s total well-being using embellishments. The female form with kora in the work provokes argument about the nature of pleasure to seek afterwork. Ikechukwu God’s power shows his interest in contemporary issues with his painting titled, “Beard’’. He discusses the trends in male fashion using his multi-media techniques and geometrics. For this stylized piece, he appropriates saw dust fabric, amongst others.

Ă“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™ ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ËŞ ĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă?

Yinka Olatunbosun The five finalists aiming for the prestigious Quramo Writers’ Prize 2018 have been announced by Quramo Publishing.

Naturally, the winner of the 2018 edition of the prize will be announced at the award ceremony scheduled for Sunday October 21. The annual prize which is awarded to an unpublished fiction manuscript was bestowed on Samuel Monye last year when he emerged as the winner for his manuscript, Give Us Each Day. The top five finalists are Achalugo Ezekobe with the book, Boys on Jumping Trousers; Ani Obiamaka Splendour for her work titled, The Girl Who Saw Tomorrow; Chioma MildredOkonkwo for the book, All That Glitters, Emmanuel Michaelwith the book titled, Running Waters and Oriasotie Emmanuel Ehimare for his entry, When Yesterday Saved Tomorrow.

The Executive Publisher of Quramo Publishing, Mrs. GbemiShasore in a press statement expressed her gratitude for the judges’ painstaking effort as making this prize a very competitive deal. “We are very thankful to our judges, led by the amazing AdukeGomez, for their painstaking work in picking our top five entries.

We look forward to crowning a winner on Sunday October 21 and to publicly present Give Us Each Day, the debut novel from Samuel Monye.’’

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FERTILITY

I

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Ă?ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë? lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

Stress and Infertility(Part 2)

n today’s modern, fast paced society it is easy for people to become overburdened with the pressure of work, bills, targets and deadlines cumulatively resulting in stressful conditions. We experience stress in varying forms and degree every day. In fact, one would almost think that being stressed is the norm and if you are not it must mean there is something wrong with you, or you are laid back. Realistically in small doses stress can actually be beneficial to us. However when stress becomes too much, it begins to impact negatively on our physical and mental healthand has also been found to affect reproductive functions.

What is Stress?

Last week we were discussing on how to reduce stress to enhance fertility and here we go on this life changing ride‌‌‌‌‌ Change how you react to stressful situation: When faced with ongoing stressful situations, the only thing you have control over is on the way you react. Payattention to how you react to stressful people at work, or to your stressful situations. Do you turn over in your head all what could happen?

Getting control of how you react will have a big impact on what happens inside of your body when a stressful situation presents itself. This takes some attention and practice. It is an indirect way of refusing to allow situations and events control your feelings because it bounces back on your overall health.

Have a practice or habit that helps you to reduce stress on your health such as: r 4MFFQ &OTVSJOH ZPV BSF HFUUJOH FOPVHI sleep: sleep is a necessary human function and a powerful stress reducer. Regular sleep routine calms and restores the body, improves concentration, regulates mood and sharpens judgement and decision , making it easier to cope with stress r &YFSDJTF (FU BO BEFRVBUF BNPVOU PG healthy exercise daily help to promotes blood circulation thereby releasing energy

necessary to manage stress r .FEJUBUJPO .FEJUBUF PO HPPE UIJOHT and always keep a positive mindset r &BUJOH 3JHIU $POTVNF OBUVSBM QPUFOU herbs and supplement that are rich in vitamins and high antioxidant property r %BODJOH "OPUIFS UFDIOJRVF UP SFEVDF stress and increase life satisfaction, so crank up your favorite jam and dance like nobody’s watching. r 1SBZFS JU IBT CFFO SFQPSUFE UIBU QFPQMF who pray often, are less anxious, feel more hopeful and better able to cope with stress. r 3FBEJOH B CPPL #PPLT UIBU DBO IFMQ transform the way we perceive life issues will certainly help relieve stress, they affords us the opportunity to learn from others too how to live in peace despites outside circumstances. One of the places to learn how to manage the stress is through books. ,OPXMFEHF UIFZ TBZ JT QPXFS BOE FRVJQT BO individual with inner strength to manage stressful situations with ease r 4VSSFOEFS BOE MFU HP 5BLF JU FBTZ POF

day at a time, life will not always go as planned, accept life as it comes and move on. Life is not fair and may never be ideal. r 4NJMF -BVHIUFS .PTU PGUFO TNJMJOH leads to laughter. Choosing to smile even when situations around us does not warrant it, is essential and can only happenwhen we learn to meditate on all the positive sides of life and refuse to focus on the present stress, learn to count your blessings and name them one by one. Laughter has been said to be the best medicine. It has been reported to be a powerful antidote for stress, pain and conflict.

BeneďŹ ts Of A Hearty Laughter: r 3FMBYFT NVTDMFT FWFO VQ UP NJOVUFT after the laughter exercise thereby relieving physical tension and stress r %FDSFBTFT TUSFTT IPSNPOFT BOE CPPTU the immune system r 5SJHHFST UIF SFMFBTF PG &OEPSQIJOT UIJT is the hormone that promotes an overall sense of wellbeing and can temporarily

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

10-year Validity: Renewed Value for the Nigerian Passport?

Solidarity Forever! Schoolmates Save Nigerian Student from Deportation

B

#SJUJTI (IBOBJBO UBJMPS 0[XBME #PBUFOH IBT CFFO UBTLFE XJUI SFEFTJHOJOH UIF VOJGPSNT GPS #SJUJTI "JSXBZT 5IF OFX VOJGPSN XJMM GPSN part of the airline’s celebrations for its centenary next year and is part of its five-year investment plan, which will see the airline JOWFTU CJMMJPO QPVOET UP PWFSIBVM UIF JOUFSJPS of its long-haul aircrafts as well as install WiFi PO FWFSZ TFBU #PBUFOH LOPXO GPS CSJOHJOH B NPEFSO DPOUFNQPSBSZ UXJTU UP #SJUJTI JOTUJUVUJPO launched his first women’s wear collection earlier this year. He will be designing a collection for the airline’s 32,000 employees who wear a uniform in QMBZJOH UIFJS SPMFT *O B TUBUFNFOU #SJUJTI "JS In a remarkable gesture that has received commendations from far and near, the classmates of a ZFBS PME /JHFSJBO CPZ JEFOUJà FE BT /POTP .VPKFLF have saved the teenager and his family from being deported from Ireland. It was revealed that Nonso alongside his mother and older brother have lived in Ireland since he was two after his father died in 2007.

Nonso-Muojeke with family

T

here are many sorry accounts out there of how Nigerians are treated at different foreign airports and borders CFDBVTF PG UIF QBTTQPSU UIFZ DBSSZ &WFO BU IPNF OPU a few have complained about the conduct of some foreign embassy officials during their interaction with visa-seeking Nigerians.

Perhaps one should ignore the lack of conducive sitting or waiting areas for visa applicants, which usually compels Nigerians UP RVFVF VOEFS SBJO BOE TDPSDIJOH TVO GPS WJTB QSPDVSFNFOU In all, it’s a tale of disrespect, ignominy and vacuity of value to give just a few meanings to what Nigerians face in most of the BGPSFNFOUJPOFE RVBSUFST *U T DPNNPO LOPXMFEHF UIBU CFZPOE the pleasure of seeing new places through travelling, moving out of one’s location helps to expand one’s world view and positively shapes their thinking. Therefore, a travel experience that rubs one of dignity and self-esteem, which unfortunely is the lot of many Nigerians, is absolutely antithetical and inimical to the

relieve pain r *ODSFBTF CMPPE ĂĄPX UP UIF IFBSU BOE vital organs thus relaxing the entire body r %JGGVTFT BOHFS BOE DPOĂĄJDU QSPNPUJOH interpersonal relationship hence it is able tackle stress due to anger. r *NQSPWF NPPET NBLJOH POF GFFM happier and reduced tension. Laughter they say is contagious, so spend at least 30 minutes every day laughing. Create humor and bring humor into conversations. Go ahead and give it a try. Turn the corners of your mouth up into a smile and then give a laugh, even if it feels a little forced. Once you have had a chuckle, take stock of how you are feeling.

In an effort to reduce and remove stress in your life to achieve healthy fertility, it is important that you try to avoid harsh chemical medications that are prescribed to help individuals become less stressed .These medications merely mask the stressful feelings you are experiencing, and nothing can help the situation, additionally some of these medications can cause infertility themselves, or have negative effect on your fetus if you happen to become pregnant.

You have just gone through a long list of how you can combat stress in an effort to increase your chance of fertility, stress is a powerful component in a person’s life and DBO RVJDLMZ SVO UIF CPEZ EPXO 8IJMF some stress is completely natural andexpected, too much stress will cause the body to go into survival mode. Pregnancy is a naturally stressful event for the entire body organ and best achieved when the body is not under any form of stress and functioning optimally.

4USVHHMJOH XJUI JOGFSUJMJUZ DBO NBLF ZPV feel like you have lost control, why not try out this options. It starts with an open mind and willingness to explore new lifestyle. This may just be all you need to make the long awaited babies come even naturally.

essence of travel.

The Nigerian government, through the comptroller-general of the Nigeria ImmigraUJPO 4FSWJDF .S .PIBNNFE #BCBOEFEF IBT just announced that the issuance of Nigerian passport with 10-year validity will commence in December 2018.

Frankly speaking, this step will save a lot of Nigerians time and the stress and agony of dealing with many extortionists who pride themselves as passport officials every five years. These officials are notorious for making it nearly impossible for one to carry out any business in the passport office without paying exorbitant un-official fees – fees for which no receipt would be issued.

Hence, the latest announcement will be

warmly welcomed amongst many Nigerians. .VDI NPSF UIBO B WBMJEJUZ QFSJPE FYUFOTJPO however, the Nigerian government needs to promote such values as may elevate the value of the country’s in the committee of nations.

These values revolve around the way we treat one another, manage our own affairs and the prevailing behaviours amongst our citizens. These are the elements our “friends� in different countries of the world observe and the bases on which they relate with us.

4P FTTFOUJBMMZ XF IBWF UIF EVUZ UP DMFBO VQ PVS BDUT BOE JNQSPWF PVS XBZT "OE IBWJOH done this, we will definitely find more courage and latitude to challenge anyone that chooses to single us out for ridicule based on prejudice and stereotypes.

Buhari

His mother relocated to Ireland to escape ill-treatment but her application for asylum was declined and the family served a deportation order.

"O BQQMJDBUJPO GPS IVNBOJUBSJBO MFBWF XBT SFGVTFE in 2017 with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration 4FSWJDF */*4 UFMMJOH UIFN UIBU JU XBT UJNF UP SFUVSO to Nigeria. Classmates of Nonso, however, shared a petition that was signed by over 21,000 people, asking that the deportation order be revoked. “It would be unfair for Nonso to return to a country he didn’t know,� they said.

The Department of Justice listened and revoked UIF PSEFS /PX UIF .VPKFLF GBNJMZ BSF GSFF GSPN any fear of immigration trouble and deportation. i* XPVME MJLF UP UIBOL UIF .JOJTUFS <GPS +VTUJDF> for the humane way in which he handled my case.

I am very grateful to my friends, my school, the Tullamore community and everyone else who has supported me. I am really looking forward to my future here in Ireland. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really expect it to come so soon, I would have expected another year or two,â&#x20AC;? an evidently elated Nonso said.

F R I DAY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

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COLLAGE EVENTS NCAC, Rivers State Govt Set for NAFEST 2018 Jonathan Eze

L-R: Nollywood Actress, Juliana Olayode; Chief Executive Officer, Princess Naturals Spa Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Akinrinola and Principal, Beauty Therapy Institute, Dr. Ifeoma Abajue, during the launch of Princess Naturals Spa , n Lagos......recently

Arrangements are in top gear to ensure a historic hosting of the 2018 edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Rivers State, Nigeria.

According to a statement from the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Segun Runsewe, the council is fully prepared to showcase the glamour of Nigeria’s diverse cultures to the world during the festival which is slated to hold from October 21 to 27.

Runsewe was upbeat that 2018 NAFEST will be the best ever following the massive mobilisation of equipment and facilities, including the mass exodus of stakeholders from all parts of Nigeria to Rivers for the one-week fanfare.

“A lot of visitors both from within and outside Nigeria are on their way to Rivers and I can confirm to you that reports reaching us from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) indicate that hotels are in for good business.

“This is a major boost and it is good for the economy of Rivers State and by extension, Nigeria, because the massive participation and influx of people from all works of life will ensure very high commercial activities in the state.”

Runsewe particularly expressed his excitement about the level of involvement by Rivers youths who are set to take full advantage of NAFEST 2018 in not only showcasing Rivers culture, but by also benefiting from the numerous youth empowerment components of NAFEST initiated by the NCAC..

Pa Williams Akiyele Ige for Burial October 19

L-R: Egbere Emere Okori, Eleme, Rivers State, HRH, Appolus Chu; King of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Elegushi; and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, during the eight days firdaus prayer and reception in honour of Oba Elegushi’s late mother-in-law, Alhaja Ramota Oshodi in Lagos...recently

The burial arrangements for late Pa Williams Akinyele Akanni Basanya Ige has been announced. Ige slept in the Lord on Saturday, September 8, at age 79. On Thursday, October 18, a Christain wake keep was held at St Phillips Catholic Church Ajibode town, Ota Ogun State.

This will be followed by a lying- in -state is at his residence in Ajibode town, Ota Ogun State on Friday 19 from 7-9pm, while the funeral service will take place at St Phillip’s Catholic Church, Ajibode town, Ogun State at 10 am , and internment follows immediately at his residence.

Ige was born on July 12, 1939 to the family of Late Pa Yesufu Basanya and Late Mama Sariyu Basanya of Oruba Ota Ogun State.

After his education at CMS African School, he accepted Christ as a muslim at an early age and stayed with Rev. Francis. He worked with Neon Light and Trebor Company, Apapa for a while before he joined the Nigerian Army in 1963 as an auto Electrician. He later furthered his training in electronics at Nigerian Army Mechanical and Electrical School Ordinance Depot Yaba. In the course of his career in the army, he worked in Port Harcourt, Aba, Kaduna, and retired in 1998 at Ilorin.

He speaks Hausa and Ibo fluently. In his Festac town residence, he was appointed chairman of close 721G close. On environmental sanitation days, he ensured that members of his close participated in the clean-up exercise. He did not spare the rod with his children hence the nick name ‘Baba Koboko’. He loved pets. He reared chickens, goats, pigs at his Festac Town residence and after retiring to Ajibode, he continued with cows and pigs.To some, he was a shrewd farmer, and electrician but Ige was equally a good sportsman. He played hockey on behalf of Nigeria Army, where he participated in the 10th FIFA world youth championship in 1999 and won an award. In 1974, he got married to his loving wife Mrs Victoria Ibilola Ige (jP) nee Noble, at St. Dominic Catholic Church Yaba and is blessed with four children.

L-R: Chief Okomayin James and his wife Bose Akpeji, with the Chairman, Avinebe Azebani Age Group of Igarra (Lagos Branch), Chief Okomayin Asishana Ayiamotu, during Akpeji birthday celebration in Lagos...recently DAN UKANA Late Pa Williams Ige

IVH SME Fair 2018 to Hold December

L-R: Brand Manager, Knorr Seasonings, Foluke Femi-Sanda; Knorr Brand Ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde; Principal, Oregun Senior High School, Toyin Kuti and Commissioner, Girl Guides Association, Lagos State Chapter, Iyabode Okunyeri at the Knorr 2018 World Food Day Celebration, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO

The IVH SME Fair 2018, a showcase of emerging and existing entrepreneurs in all sectors of entrepreneurial ventures in the Lagos SME industry: fashion, arts/craft, creativity, homes, real estates, financial services, lifestyle, wellness/ fitness, technology, household gadgets, food, drinks and entertainment open market, is set to hold.

The expo, which will be holding on Saturday and Sunday December, 1 to 2, 2018, at the Muri Okunola Park Victoria Island, will be the mother of all SME-designed exhibitions, incorporating over 300 emerging and existing small and medium business entrepreneurs from the Island and mainland regions of Lagos.

According to the CEO and convener, IVH SME Fair and publisher, IVH Yellow Pages, Dr. (Mrs.) Lawretta Ogrih, the idea is to promote established and emerging SME brands, making them visible to Africa’s largest markets. “As you already know, the SME industry is a highly innovative, extremely impactful and high revenue generating sector as far as economic development is concerned in Lagos, Africa’s fifth largest economy”, she noted. Ogrih noted that over a four-year period, IVH Services Limited has pioneered the official Business Yellow Pages resource (IVH Yellow Pages) for enterprises and ever growing residents in Island, Lekki and Ajah commercial landscape.

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POTPOURRI

Cake Artists Showcase Craft in Lagos Expo Peter Uzoho and Ayodeji Ake The International Cake Exploration Society (ICES) Nigeria, recently brought cake bakers, sugar artists, manufacturers and dealers of cake products, buyers, cake lovers, and enthusiasts, from Nigeria and other parts of Africa to the 10th Anniversary of the Nigerian Cake Expo.

Held between October 3 and 4, 2018 in Lagos, the occasion offered the attendees ample opportunity to meet people from different locations and savour lovely cakes. The cake galleries were replete with various kinds and sizes of cake made by the known and upcoming cake professionals.

There were masterclasses and seminars, where new entrants in the industry were taught and inspired to enable them grow in the business. There were equally discussions and knowledge sharing sessions about new trends in the industry, the challenges, and ideas for the

way forward.

Speaking at the event, the Country Representative ICES Nigeria, Mrs. Susan Ogunbayode, explained that the programme was not only for celebration, but also an avenue to assemble sugar professionals across the country and beyond to share professional ideas.

Ogunbayode said the programme’s activities also included training and contribution of funds to help indigent women as part of ICES’ corporate social responsibility.

She said: “We are celebrating sugar. It’s a national thing and here we have delegates. Aside the celebration, we also have a competition among the states.

These help us to reach out to other people. We also have a corporate social responsibility we carry out called the ‘Purple Ball’ where we raise funds for indigent women.

“We organise a dinner where members contribute money through auctioning cakes.

The monies we gain from it are always used in training women and setting them up in business.

All these things are from our pockets; we are an NGO, nobody gives us money.”

Commenting on the event, the pioneer Country Representative, ICES Nigeria, Mrs. Nnenna Nkwocha, said the dream conceived ten years ago was to see sugar professionals come together to teach and share ideas, noting that that dream has come through.

Also, Communication Director, ICES Nigeria, Mrs. Amanda Sam-Wobo, called on the government to partner the organisation in order to empower Nigerian women and liberate them from poverty through cake business.

According to Sam-Wobo, ICES has over the years shouldered the responsibility of training women and empowering them financially, stressing that it would be a great advantage if the gov-

×ÚÙáÏÜÝ Ï×ËÖÏ ÙßÜØËÖÓÝÞÝ ÙØ ÏËÎÏÜÝÒÓÚ ÕÓÖÖÝ Funmi Ogundare ernment partnered with the industry.

“We want the government to partner and support us to empower women because we can’t do it alone. Although we have been partnering with the media to help us create more awareness to get more women informed of this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, commended the organisers for putting up such a beautiful expo.

Akande, who was represented at the occasion by Mrs. Funmi Obajimi, pledged the ministry’s support for the cake body and the industry at large.

She said: “I appreciate the organisers of this programme. It’s an important event to be done annually. Cake has become a symbol of celebration and happiness. I want to encourage you to put more effort to your work.

If your work is good you will get patronage.”

Songwriter, Kay Jay Ogbonna, Signs Multi Million Naira Deal Raheem Akingbolu Nigerian songwriter-singer, Kay Jay Ogbonna has signed a multimillion naira management deal with The Boost Entertainment which will be handling all his bookings and management affairs.

According to the multimillion naira deal, the company will handle all the bookings and management affairs of the artiste who was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2018 ‘Fresh Vibes of The Year’ category.

Born Victor Ogbonna, Kay Jay, who hails from Abia State, started music professionally in 2012 as a songwriter, composing songs for A-list artists like TundeEdnut (‘Catching Cold’), Iyanya (‘IyanuMashele’), KCEE (‘Burn’&‘Psycho’), Naeto C, Kach (‘Olo’), Chuddy K (‘Go Down’), Stunna (‘Balance’ featuring Iyanya), Samklef, Tillaman, BimbiPhiliphs (Duro Dada). His hit songs include ‘Sell Over’ featuring Skales & Omo Akin (Produced by Kenny

Songwriter,Ogbonna

Wonder) and ‘Work & Pray’ featuring Shaydee (Produced

by BlaqJerzee).

Kay Jay said he signed with The Boost Entertainment because he shared the ‘same vision’ with the company, adding that he sees himself as a ‘big brand’ in ‘five years’ time.

He said: “I see them making me one of the biggest artists in Nigeria and beyond. Despite being newly established, this is

one of the first and few music management companies in Nigeria that fund the artist, and I feel that is how it should be – it gave me even more assurance to work with them.

“They are not just bringing funds, strategy and ideas; they are bringing full hands on involvement and direction, with a unique attention to visual content creation.”

According to the Managing

Director of The Boost Entertainment, Miss Kiki Agbakoba, the company was formed to support artistes’ growth. “Fate had its way when we crossed paths with Kay Jay while in search for music talents. With this official signing of Kay Jay, our first artist, we plan to activate and create a new SI unit for music content management and creative business positioning”, she said.

Digify Pro Nigeria Celebrates New Graduands Ayodeji Ake A non-profit organsation, DigifyPro Nigeria, subsidiary of DigifyPro Africa, recently celebrated it first set of graduands after an eight weeks intensive digital marketing training programme for 20 lucky participants across Nigeria.

At the graduation ceremony recently held in Lagos, the Programme Director in Nigeria, Florence Olumodimu noted that the programme was designed to raise young professionals in digital skills and to reduce unemployment rate in Nigeria.

She said: “Technology has become a vital driving force to our daily lives. To remain competitive today means constantly keeping up with trends and strengthening digital skills.

“Sadly though, despite technology’s increasing use in our personal and work lives, the supply of highly-skilled tech workers has not kept pace with industry’s growth.

“The implication of the digital skills gap in Nigeria may likely results in thousands of

For four days, women journalists drawn from the print, broadcast and online medium across Nigeria and Africa, converged on the conference room of Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, for the 2018 Report Women Female Reporters’ Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellowship, a project of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).

This was designed to increase the reportage of the issues of access and abuse as they affect girls and women in the country.

The FRLP, supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPL) to empower female journalists with skills that will embolden them to emerge as leaders in their various media organisations was themed, ‘Positioning Female Reporters for Leadership in the Newsroom’.

At the programme, the resource persons took participants in topics on, ‘Fundamentals of Gender Issues’, ‘Newsroom leadership , media framing , agenda setting and why female participation matters’, ‘ The challenge on what female journalists can do differently in their newsroom’, ‘Principles of value-driven leadership’, Security and safety: Nuggets for female reporters’, ‘Leading the stereotypes and managing conflicts’.

Other topics include, ‘Developing an Entrepreneurial spirit’, ‘Delegation and work-life balance’, ‘Building diverse and gender sensitive sources and effective networking with others’, Ethics; the white, the lack and the grey areas.

Between telling the story and profit making’, among others.

The Centre Coordinator, WSCIJ, Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, who emphasised on the gap that exists in the ratio of females to their male counterpart in leadership in the newsroom, noted that the centre had conducted a survey of the leadership status of female reporters in the country in 2017, which revealed a ratio of 2:1 representation inboard and management levels in favor of men.

She said: “There has been little deliberate effort to ensure female reporters get to the highest echelons of leadership in their newsrooms. Thus, the programme is the centre’s decision to change the anomaly.”

She advised participants to have a good grasp of their profession and how it ties up with the larger society, adding that they need to diversify their skills and government involve in things that would add value to their overall portfolio.

The Executive Director of Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre ((WARDC), Dr. Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, stressed the need for participants to audit their beats, find new sources and do more of advocacy to best serve the public as watchdogs and truth tellers.

She said: “As a journalist, you need to ask yourself how your report is reflecting the needs of men and women, who has been consulted? How was the consultation done to facilitate input from men and women from social classes?”

She also emphasised on how they could write a gendersensitive report that must reflect a wholistic and realistic view of women, adding that this must appear in the full spectrum of activities in which they engage.

Emphasising on the principles of value-driven leadership, the Deputy Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan -Atlantic University, Mrs. Nneka Okekearu, affirmed that the best way a leader can influence is to set an example and define yoursel She said: “Leading means making an impact. If you want to be an authentic leader, you should have your unique contribution to the welfare of the society. Practice what you preach, and the results will astonish you.”

The former Online Editor of the Nation Newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, also stressed the need for the participants to be willing to take up manor assignments, read widely and network locally and globally.

“Do not take unnecessary excuses during major editorial operations. As a journalist, you should be able to come up with innovative ideas on how to improve editorial process and prove that women are better managers on the editorial assignments you are given,” he said.

A frontline Broadcast Journalist and Multimedia Strategist, Mrs. Eugenia Abu, who highlighted the the importance of public speaking skill, said it should not be taken for granted, as this gives the speaker more confidence and respect from the listeners. She said: “If you have good public speaking skill, you can deliver what you want to say and people listen. It also open the space to lead on an international platform,” she said, adding that speakers must have a command of what is going on in the project they are handling. “You must know your onions and understand current affairs, practice and learn from others and also invest in learning.”

The graduants

unfilled jobs. This opens up opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates we have in the nation.”

Olumodimu added that DigifyPro Nigeria offers participants practical hands-on experience and covers topics such as: digital marketing; agency processes; customer care; client services; analytics and measurement; social media management; brand reputation

management; content creation; email marketing; user Interface & experience; paid advertising; Facebook marketing; Instagram marketing; search engine optimisation; personal branding; and various other technical skills.One of the graduands, Aadam Bodunrin when asked about the programme, said it was an intensive exposure to digital skills and a platform of meeting digital skills experts. .

Faith Jonathan, also one of the graduands, expressed joy for being part of the first batch of students to be trained by DigifyPro Nigeria.

She said: I am better than I was before this programme.

Now, I have broad idea of selling what I have to people. The most interesting for me is getting to know how to develop contents.

It’s all about creativity and I have learnt a lot on that”.

A cross section of Fellows and resource persons at the 2018 Report Women Female Reporters’ Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellowship, organised by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), in partnership with Free Press Unlimited (FPL) in Lagos

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F R I DAY Ëž ͯ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

ENTREPRENEUR

Olalekan Ilori: Helping Nigerians Own Cars with Ease Mary Nnah ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D;ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;

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or the Chief Executive Officer of Throne Group Worldwide, parent company to Throne Autos, an automobile firm, Olalekan Michael Ilori, his passion is helping Nigerians own cars and other forms of vehicles with so much ease.

The US-based Nigerian business tycoon thrives in helping Nigerians who desire to own cars, to purchase any car of their choice from any part of the world and at affordable prices. Explaining how it works, Ilori said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throne Group is a conglomerate comprising Throne Autos, Throne Shipping, Throne Charity Foundation and Throne Agriculture. Throne Autos is the arm of the company which aims at helping people to get any vehicles of their choice from anywhere in world, especially from the United States at affordable prices. We would help buy the vehicles and Throne Shipping Incorporation which is registered in the United States will handle the shipping of the vehicles to Nigeria and also we have a custom licence clearing agency in Nigeria, which deals with the clearing of the car. So we went this far to help people so that we can own their cars with ease.â&#x20AC;?

Ilori who revealed that his venture into auto sales industry stemmed from the continued short changing of the Nigerians by local and foreign dealers, noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The hidden charges, delayed delivery and other untidy acts employed by unlicenced auto dealers, make buying car from the USA and Canada difficult for those seeking for western automobilesâ&#x20AC;?.

He explained further that due to the unpleasant experiences and difficulties in buying car by the majority of Nigerian citizens, the company decided to use its dealership agreement with car manufacturing companies in the United States of America and Canada to ensure that Nigerians benefit irrespective of their economic status in the society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All these dealings are carried out under one umbrella so that we can help you save a lot of money and we have been doing this for a couple of years now. But now we are coming out into the public formally. On

here and there on the major roads preventing free passage to and out of the port. All these also add to the delay we experience in getting our good to our customers.â&#x20AC;?

Ilori

the offshore now, you have to be a dealer before you can accept all these options but with Throne Autos, we can deal directly with you - buy, ship and clear your vehicles for you without much stressâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

Ilori who has been doing this for about seven years now, said there are a lot of challenges he has to face in the course of carrying out this line of business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have been a lot of challenges in this business from the issue of customs giving us hard time to congestion at the Port amongst others,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Stressing on the difficulties encountered with the Nigerian custom, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes we experience custom seizure of containers, which they sometimes randomly pick on consignment. They just want to check what and what you have in these containers, which in the process they delay the goods and our customers on the other hand usually donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much patience. It is usually a very big challenge for us trying to calm down our clients.â&#x20AC;?

Another challenge he mentioned has to do with the Nigeria seaport in Apapa, Lagos . He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The roads to the Apapa seaport is so terrible with trailers parked

Despite all the challenges, Ilori said Throne Autos has always found a way to stand tall and remain indomitable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Presently we have more than 30 cars on ground that you can check up and if you find any of your choice, you can by that same day and take it away at a very affordable price. And if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find your choice on what we have on ground, we can always help you to find your choice anywhere in the world, ship it to your base and clear it for you. So you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Throne Autos. We have come and we have come to stay as our name implies, Throne, is a place for the king, the king might be changed but the throne will always remainâ&#x20AC;?, he noted.

In the seven years that Throne Wide world has been in existence, Ilori boasted of its impacts on the Nigeria economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like I said early, before we came up with all these initiatives, we saw the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggles and how many people fall victims to scammers, by buying cars they did not bargain for. But with Throne Autos you are able to see what you are paying for and we save you the stressing of shipping and clearing your vehicle on time.â&#x20AC;?

On the good carried out by the CSR arm of the company, he said through the foundation, the company is stretching out its hand to the less privileged in the society, especially the underprivileged children. The Throne Charity which came into existence just last year, but was formally launched September this year during which Ilori donated the sum of N5,000,000.00 in the foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purse as initial take off funding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that children who are not well fed cannot be attentive to what the teachers say when in class. So we plan to feed them in thousands. And our farm will help companies that process foods. So in all angles we are being of assistance to the nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in feeding the nation, empowering people and helping the less privileged.

Talking about empowerment, right now Throne Group, both home and abroad, has on its list of employed about 50 staff and we are still counting. We have also created a reward system for referral so that you get 50 percent 100 dollars we charges from any purchase made by those you refer to us. So if you are able to refer five buyers to us in a month, you make like 250 dollars, which is a lot of money.â&#x20AC;?

Having been in the United States for almost 10 years he decided to go into the vehicle purchase business about seven years ago. Ilori, whose Lagos is located in Ajao Estate, Lagos, lamented that government policy in Nigeria has affected his business in a way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look at the clearing fees for example: I am talking about the Custom Duty Fee, which sometimes is so much on the high side that it affect transactions with customers. Most of the goods coming from China and United States for example are duty free. So I think Nigeria government should make these goods accessible to Nigerians because if a lot of people can have access to these vehicles, they would become self-employed and also help their families. But if government makes it difficult to access these vehicles through stringent importation polices, they would be affecting the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy negatively because by depriving people access to these vehicles, they render a lot of Nigerians jobless. If a family can access one car and use it for taxi, it is a huge benefit even to the economy of the nation. In the United States for example, a lot of people are into taxi business and these keeps them out of the streets and also improves their economy.â&#x20AC;?

For his potential customers, Ilori said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of customers and almost every week, we have a couple of containers to offload. So I will thank our numerous customers for being supportive all the while and we also want to encourage them to also encourage other people to patronise Throne Autos for all their automobile needs. We have come to stay and as our name imply, Throne, is a place for the king, the king might be changed but the throne will always remain.â&#x20AC;?

Usman Musa: Reinforcing Ability in Disability

Sunday Ehigiator ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ä&#x20AC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ

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Usman Musa might look unassuming to a first timer at the ever bustling Oshodi Market in Lagos, but his grasp of English language and positive outlook at life soon endears him to you. Born crippled coupled with a huge hunch on his back, he decided to make the best of the situation as against begging, which is one of the favourite past times of such disabled persons.

Armed with N5,000 given to him as a gift, he decided to turn his crippled legs to a table to display his wares, which ranges from identity card holders to belts, pens, handkerchiefs, complimentary card holders and others stationeries.

The 30-year-old man from Daura Local Government Area in Katsina was living with his parents in the village until he made up his mind to leave.

According to him, his old parents were so poor they could barely take care of themselves talk more of an extra mouth with the little they make from subsistence farming.

Five years ago, after attaining the age of 30, he decided to take the bull by the horns and strike out. He left Katsina with his brother as a step of faith without knowing what the future held in store for them. After the initial troubles as strangers in another land, they were able to find a place to lay their heads in Agege.

Usman

Reminiscing he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We decided to leave Katsina for Lagos State to seek greener pastures so we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t die of hunger and sufferings. When I got to Lagos, I had issues getting work because of my condition. Although I can do most of the works physically abled men can do, but nobody gave me a chance because of my condition. People wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even consider me to work for them in some cases even though in some cases, I know I can give it a try.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of such times was when I went to a construction site and offered to break some stones for a pay. They chased me away. However, my brothers who work on such sites usually give me stipends from what they were paid. I appreciate their gestures but I hate being a burden to them.â&#x20AC;?

With no immediate alternative in sight, Adamu said he was forced to resort to begging with his disabled brothers.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At a point, I took to begging for alms like my other deformed brothers, since I hate to be a burden on them. I even tried to apply for a security job but landlords wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider me at all for it.â&#x20AC;?

On how he took to his present job he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I met a man in a hotel that I went to beg for alms three years ago, and I asked him to help me. He asked me what I really wanted him to do for me. I told him that I want to start a business, that he should provide me with capital. He asked me that how much I would need to start up, and I told him N5000. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He asked me again to make sure I had my facts. When I replied in the affirmative. So, he gave me N5000, and told me to go and buy the goods I want to be selling and come and show him. I went to buy it and came to show them to him, afterwards. That was how I started this business. So I have been doing this business for three years now.â&#x20AC;?

On how much he makes from the petty trade on a monthly basis he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It depends, but sometimes, I make between N10,000 profit and N20,000 profit on a monthly basis. Sometimes, I could

make less because of low patronage, but at least, I am no longer begging and I even send money to my parents and help friends in need once in a while, when I have the capacity.â&#x20AC;?

On his big dream about his business he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wish to have a stocked up provision shop for my business. Selling around in streets, under the sun and rain is very stressful and limiting. I can only sell goods that water and sun cannot affect and that is why I am selling biros, pencil, pen, ink, and the likes. If I have a shop, I can add more stocks and sell other things and even help other people out of begging. But, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have money and I cannot afford more than this level I am now, except someone else comes to my aid.â&#x20AC;?

Usman called on others of his ilk to shun street begging, especially if they can do better. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of them are not sincere and are lazy. Some of them would see help from people that even give them huge money that they could start a business with, but they will squander the money and go back to begging. And that is why, most people find it difficult to help us, because of the insincerity of some of my brothers. â&#x20AC;&#x153; I see that as laziness. I want to advise them to be sincere and dream to have a better life off begging from the street. Let them learn not to eat with all fingers and save some for business. If people volunteer to help them and empower them, they should not be lazy. They should be very hard working so that the helpers would be encouraged and further help them.â&#x20AC;?

38

F R I DAY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

METRO

…Your city life in print

Clamouring for Protection of Migrant Children Rebecca Ejifoma writes that Terre Des Hommes Foundation in collaboration with Child Protection Network, alongside the media and civil society organisations, recently converged to clamour for policies to protect migrant children

Participants at the two-day workshop on the role of journalists in child mobility, protection and protective accompaniment of migrant children held in Lagos, recently

D

etermined to reach better strategies to protect child migration, Terre Des Hommes Foundation, an international organisation protecting migrant children and every child in Nigeria and ECOWAS nations, in collaboration with Child Protection Network, the media and civil society groups recently called for policies and laws for ensure the safety and protection of children across Africa.

This was the thrust of a two-day workshop for journalists in Lagos. Tagged, ‘Child mobility and trafficking’, the training was aimed to improve the protection of migrant children along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor to reduce their vulnerability and enhance their access to development opportunities.

One of such cases was that of Togwe (surname withheld), a Beninoise, who was trafficked into Nigeria at age 17. Given the efforts of IOM, and Terre Des Hommes, who facilitated her rescue, she will soon be reunited with her family in Benin Republic.

Togwe, who was renamed Titilayo on her arrival in Nigeria, was used as a househelp in Ojuore area of Sango-Ota Ogun State in 2013.

Togwe is one among the many trafficked and migrant children rescued by the agencies involved. While some remembered their last names and home addresses, some were not lucky.

On this development, the Child Protection Network Coordinator for Lagos, Mrs. Ngozi Okoro, said they have seen such cases whereby the rescued persons have forgotten their identities. She said:

“There was once a migrant child from Benin Republic, who was rescued. But the mistake the rescuers made was not getting his real name. He came in as a little boy.

But now he doesn’t know where he is from. And he is already in the university in Nigeria. We have taken him to Benin.

He stayed for a month then returned after his efforts to reunite with his family was futile.”

Pointing out that not every child on the move is trafficked, Head of Country Office, Terre Des Hommes, Mrs. Olapeju Osoba, emphasised on the need for protective measures to be put in place for

Hence, Nigeria has to evolve in her laws, policies and documents to ensure that those who move in and out are protected wherever they are found.

Migration itself is not the problem, the problems are the risks linked to it

children who are on the move but are not necessarily trafficked.

She said: “So the idea of child mobility within West Africa is to say that not all children that are on the move are trafficked. But we must provide support and protection even for the children who move without being trafficked.”

She, however, maintained that while they fight trafficking, they should also provide protection for children on the move. According to her, migration is a global issue, thus, we cannot isolate the ones that happened within West Africa from what is going on in the whole world, adding that research has shown that more than 60 per cent of movement happens within the West African region.

The child protection expert further noted that more than 60 per cent of people who migrate, do so within the West African region. She said: “If that is true, then it means we cannot continue to pretend that migration is not an issue within West Africa.”

Considering the economic status of Nigeria in west Africa, its population and other factors, Osoba noted that Nigeria is more of a destination point for those people generally who are coming from other West Africa countries, children inclusive.

She said: “Nigeria has to accept that the people who migrate to this area must also be protected because migrants have rights. When they arrive here, they should be protected. Their right as migrants should also be protected.

“Hence, Nigeria has to evolve in her laws, policies and documents to ensure that those who move in and out are

protected wherever they are found.

Migration itself is not the problem, the problems are the risks linked to it. Because people have always moved from time immemorial, and till tomorrow, people will continue to move. We cannot stop them from moving, but we can ensure that people move the right way. We discourage irregular migration and that is when people move but not within the laws of the land.l Speaking, the interpreter and translator, Advocacy and Communication Officer, Migration Project in Nigeria (CORAL), Mr. Olakunle Peter told journalists that there were several factors prompting many under aged persons to move.

He added that migrant children are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, coercion, trafficking, violence, delinquency and violent extremism. He said: “They are exposed to hard labour, deprivation, segregation and lack of access to basic social services in their host environment.”

Noting that many of the migrant children could neither read nor write, Peter decried that many of them have no access to education, thus, their fundamental rights are being violated on a daily basis.

According to the communications officer, the general objective of CORAL Project is to improve the protection of migrant children along the corridor Abidjan-Lagos, adding that this is to reduce their vulnerability and to improve their access to development opportunities.

He further explained that the concept of child mobility goes beyond the movement of a child from point A to B, but also considers the changes, the transformation, experience, risks and the opportunities such a child can come across, be it in his or her transit or destination point.

39

F R I DAY Ëž ͯ͡Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CRIME&SECURITY

Beninoise Girl to Reunite with Family Five Years after Being TraďŹ&#x192;cked

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 17) r,OPX ZPVS OFJHICPVST :PV NVTU TUSJWF UP LOPX OPU POMZ UIF QFSTPO living in same compound but in your surrounding environment. Find out their means of livelihood, as every strange face must be probed. r -BOEMPSET TIPVME DPOEVDU CBDLHSPVOE DIFDLT PO BMM UIFJS QSPTQFDUJWF tenants. They should equally create avenues for meeting with their tenants from time to time. r $PNNVOJUZ MFBEFST XPSLJOH JO DPOKVODUJPO XJUI UIF MPDBM QPMJDF are encouraged to form neighbourhood associations and periodically meet to appraise security situation in their areas. r %P OPU LFFQ BOZ PCKFDU UIBU XJMM BJE DSJNJOBMT UP IBWF FBTZ BDDFTT to your premises, e g. Ladder beside the wall. r 0XOFST PG VODPNQMFUFE CVJMEJOHT NVTU DMFBS UIFN PG VOEFTJSBCMF persons or request the assistance of security agencies to do so where necessary.

Stories by Rebecca Ejifoma

Plans have been set in motion to reunite Togwe (surname withheld), a Beninoise, who was trafficked into Nigeria at age 17 in search of greener pastures.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Terre Des Hommes, an international organisation protecting migrant children and every child in Nigeria and ECOWAS nations, who facilitated her rescue, will ensure she is reunited with her family in Benin Republic come December next year.

Togwe, who was renamed Titilayo on her arrival in Nigeria, was used as a househelp in Ojuore area of Sango-Ota Ogun State in 2013.

The 22-year-old said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was trafficked into Nigeria alone at 17. I was a house help in Ojuore.

I left there because something happened. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wish to talk about it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am from Bono in Cotonou town of Benin. Today, I speak

both pidgin and English language now because I met the Matron of Echoes of Mercy, Mrs. Funmi Adedokun, whom I call mother. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She registered me in secondary school and I went for two years. My mother suggested I stopped school to go learn hair making because my age was not appropriate for my class then I could return after learning. I agreed.â&#x20AC;?

Today, the Beninese born said she makes all kinds of hair styles perfectly, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;now that I have a good handwork, I will like to go back home to my family.

I want to see my parents and siblings. But that will be next December in 2019. I will return to Nigeria to continue my hair making business.â&#x20AC;?

Togwe is one among the many trafficked and migrant children rescued by the agencies involved.

While some remembered their last names and home addresses, some were not lucky.

On this development, the Child Protection Network Coordinator for Lagos, Mrs. Ngozi Okoro,

said they have seen such cases whereby the rescued persons have forgotten their identities.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was once a migrant child from Benin Republic, who was rescued. But the mistake the rescuers made was not getting his real name. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He came in as a little boy. But now he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where he is from. And he is already in the university in Nigeria. We have taken him to Benin. He stayed for a month then returned after his efforts to reunite with his family was futile.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, the Non-indigenous High Chief of Ojokoro Land, ECOWAS, Mr. Dunu Afebli, and his counterpart, Mr. Samuel Boni â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both from Ghana â&#x20AC;&#x201C; suggested that in order to help reunite migrant children with their family, rescuers should take the first language of the child at the moment of rescue.

Afebli said the language the migrant child speaks should be noted down or taped so that it will be useful in tracing the family.

Security: Nigeria to Produce Nautical Charts of Maritime Domain

r )PUFMT BOE )PTQJUBMJUZ JOEVTUSJFT TIPVME BMXBZT TDSFFO UIFJS HVFTUT and lodgers properly and ensure that they obtain accurate details of all guests.

Source: Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Department Source: Source: Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Department

CONTACTS OF LAGOS CP, OFFICERS 1. CP Imohimi Edgal, Commissioner of Police Lagos State 08033040870 2. DCP Ayuba Elkanah Nabuni Deputy Commissiner of Police Administration 08033422152, 3. DCP Muhammed Ali Ari, Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations 08073666669 4.ACP Mohammed Danladi, Area Commander A, Lagos Island 08034668470 5. ACP Sani Sabo, Area Commander B Apapa 08038452224 6. ACP Godwin Eze, Area Commander C Surulere 08023407772.

7. ACP Akinbayo Olasoji, Area Commander D Mushin 08037140083 "$1 :VTVG "KBQF "SFB $PNNBOEFS & 'FTUBD 9. ACP Ibrahim Zungura, Area Commander F, Ikeja 08052058001 10. ACP Arumse J.D, Area Commander G Ogba 08033464144 11. ACP Miller Dantawaye, Area Commander H, Ogudu 08036695572 12. ACP Felix Oben, Area Commander J Elemoro 08033320682 "$1 )PQF 0LBGPS "SFB $PNNBOEFS , .PSPHCP 14. ACP Ishola Olarenwaju, Area Commander L Ilashe, 0810321160 15 ACP Agbaminoja Toyin, Area Commander M Idimu 08081776484 16. ACP Mohammed Ahmadu, Area Commander N Ijede 08055554664

In a bid to ensure adequate knowledge and security of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime domain, plans are underway to commence inhouse nautical charting of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterway.

According to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, hydrographers are already receiving needed trainings and data are being compiled for that purpose. Ibas spoke at the opening of a five-day biennial conference and exhibition themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;regional awareness on maritime geospatial knowledge,â&#x20AC;? organised by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EIHC) held in Lagos. According to him, the country had already completed the development of national charting scheme and built the right capacity for acquisition of hydrographic data both within the inshore and offshore waters of Nigeria.

Appreciating the IHO for provid-

ing guidelines and standards for worldwide practice of hydrography, Ibas said its efforts have helped the nation take the rights steps. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am proud to state here that through your guidance, Nigeria was able to establish Maritime Safety Information facilities, which of course led to the accomplishment of phase one of the IHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capacity Building Strategy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the platform provided by the IHO, Nigeria has built the right capacity for acquisition of hydrographic data both within the inshore and offshore waters, in fulfillment of phase two of capacity building stategy of the IHO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the third phase of the capacity building strategy, which deals with the ability to produce nautical charts, Nigeria has developed limited capacity. At the moment, Nigeria has completed the development of National Charting Scheme and has commenced requisite training and compilation of data

for production of nautical charts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Currently, Nigeria produces training charts at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office which are used in many maritime institutions across the country for training purposes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can only ask that you do more by way of providing billets in Cartography and accreditation of our Hydrographic School in Port Harcourt so as to consolidate on the gains achieved so far, and subsequently give mariners better hydrographic service delivery within this sub-region.â&#x20AC;?

The CNS expressed hope that the conference would provide an opportunity to renew contacts, discuss problems and prospects of mutual interest as well as cover a wide range of important issues relating to the collection, processing and dissemination of Maritime Safety Information (MSI), Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) and data management among others.

17. ACP Abdulsalam Gazali Alade, Area Commander P Alagbado 08033539984 18. CSP Chike Oti, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), 07065246927 Source: Lagos State Police Command

RANKS IN THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE OfďŹ cers r*OTQFDUPS (FOFSBM r%FQVUZ *OTQFDUPS (FOFSBM PG 1PMJDF r"TTJTUBOU *OTQFDUPS (FOFSBM PG 1PMJDF r $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF r%FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF r"TTJTUBOU $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF r$IJFG 4VQFSJOUFOEFOU PG 1PMJDF r 4VQFSJOUFOEFOU PG 1PMJDF r %FQVUZ 4VQFSJOUFOEFOU PG 1PMJDF t 4PVSDF -BHPT 4UBUF 1PMJDF $PNNBOE

RANK AND FILE r *OTQFDUPS r 4FSHFBOU r $PSQPSBM r $POTUBCMF

40

F R I DAY ˾ ͯͰ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

LIFE

Laurel for the Humanitarian Amazon Sunday Ehigiator writes that for her selfless and positive contributions towards humanitarian services in Nigeria, South African journalist turned business woman, Ayanda Ngwane, recently bagged a humanitarian award

Ayanda (middle) clutching her award

Ayanda receiving her award from Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh

O

ne of Africa’s journalist turned business woman and humanitarian, Ms. Ayanda Ngwane, has bagged the Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador ’s Award 2018, for her selfless and positive contributions towards humanitarian services as well as building and fostering goodwill in Nigeria.

Ngwane, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Ayanda Media Networks spanning across Angola, Nigeria and South Africa, was recognised for helping to create awareness on issues of grave concerns affecting the less privileged people including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in crisis plagued part of Nigeria through the Ayanda Ngwane Foundation.

The awards platform, was instituted by the Goodwill Ambassador Events Agency to honour and celebrate both old and young individuals, including organisations that are selflessly and positively giving hope and care to the needy around them, by imparting positively to their environment.

According to the organisers, Ngwane is among the award recipients who have

distinguished themselves in the areas of peace building, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, community development/job creation and the general well-being of humanity.

The President of Nigeria Goodwill Ambas-

I have been doing this humanitarian work since. I even partnered the South African High Commission in Abuja to get mobile clinics and library for the IDPs. I still get my hands ‘dirty’ for the sake of the disadvantaged and the poor in Africa through the Ayanda Ngwane Foundation

sadors Awards, Amb. Chris Odey, noted that such acts have hitherto gone without being applauded, adding that the award was also created too correct the ‘abnormally’ .

He said: “The awards have not been created to massage egos, rather to bring to fore the fact that such great deeds are being carried out albeit quietly. We believe that with the presentation of awards and accolades, others will follow suit and in so doing, create opportunities for fellow Nigerians across the world. We believe in the goodness of mankind and that our humble effort will assist in the general development of our world, one step at a time.”

Ngwane who is a former Editor with Leadership Newspapers, expressed gratitude for receiving the awards especially for the fact she was doing her works as services to humanity without expecting any accolades.

She said: “I have been doing this humanitarian work since. I even partnered the South African High Commission in Abuja to get mobile clinics and library for the IDPs. I still get my hands ‘dirty’ for the sake of disadvantaged and poor in Africa through the Ayanda Ngwane Foundation.”

Also speaking about the award recipient,

Mr. Ibrahim Aminu Ndakpoto of the Office of the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Upstream National Assembly Abuja, said: “Ayanda Ngwane is a definition of true journalism. My first contact with her was when she flew her crew into Ilorin for event coverage and I said to her how much is your charges?

“She said we don’t do reporting for money but to inform the populace. Ayanda media PR spans across Africa, Europe and United States of America. One thing you can’t take away from her is the truth, which is not driven by price but service. I stand to say without contradiction that Ayanda simply is the best PR company I know in Nigeria with very good new media coverage.”

Ngwane is a journalist by profession, host and producer of ‘Sharing with Ayanda TV Show’, Editor in Chief of Diplomatic Envoy Newsletter and media consultant with working experience that spans across the African continent.

She is a renowned PR/Media Consultant in Nigeria, Angola and South Africa, as well as the publicist for 2015 Davos World Economic Forum(African Chapter) and African Women in Leadership Conference.

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria: Bonding with Debts Victor Ariole

“The yield on government bonds is the cornerstone of equity valuation models… For 30-odd years yields around the world have been falling … with high inflation… they aren’t any more…” Merrny Somerset in FT Those regulating financial activities in this world, not local Central Banks, know the equity value or contribution of each nation in the global economy and as they give it a value of about $62 trillion.

They know how to price Nigeria’s bond to, further, push the country to debt. It is even worst now that Nigeria’s Stock Exchange does not rank among the Africa’s top five. Like Somerset mentioned above, when the leading economies of the world were experiencing almost zero inflation rate, floating bonds by developing or emerging economies was attractive as the yield could be less damaging for such economies but, now, it is no more. So, one wonders why Nigeria’s debt managers see this moment as time to float further bonds with already about $72 billion debt to contend with.

The current Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, who replaced Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, does not seem to understand the import of claiming that the debt stock is below 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), hence the need to borrow more.

While Adeosun was aiming to borrow to change the cutlass and hoe agriculture process to more mechanised and more conservation process, the current situation is that the silos are even discarded to allow more decay of farm products towards more loss of harvest. So, how would Nigeria pay its mature yields when there are no assets, current or fixed, to guarantee such payment? Even the oil Nigeria depends on has been valued as greatly depleted and, what is more, the youths that ought to be developed to take up wealth creating process have been declared by the highest authorities as lazy and not capable of productive

Dozie

activities.

With such attitude, valuation of Nigeria’s equity to the global economy is not viewed as capable of adding more to the current capitalist driven world.

Somerset also mentioned that the investors are not patient for the great risk they see in those emerging or Nigeria – type economies, hence they prefer to operate “cash and carry” investment portfolio like the hedge fund manages do. Adeosun knew them very well as she once claimed that they move with smart funds and they shy away from delayed yield paying process. Note that she had once been in their employ.

French people have a better name for hedge fund managers that populate, currently, the Nigeria’s space. They are

Orjiakor, Shebah and Creditor Banks: Getting the Facts Right Facts emerging in the on-going case between Shebah Exploration and its creditor banks which has been reported by few media channels since a THISDAY newspaper publication of Sunday, October 14 2018, provided actual insights.

Further investigations into recent reports revealed that actual facts are at variance with contents of the publication.

In the said publication, the writer made references to an ongoing legal matter involving Shebah Petroleum, its owner Orjiakor and some of their creditor banks.

Sources knowledgeable about the matter indicated that the story contained some misrepresentations leaving the facts of the matter at variance with the contents of the publication.

Contrary to the publication, it was the banks: Afreximbank, Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) and Diamond Bank, who filed the action at the Lagos high court, where they registered the judgement of the English Court. So, any suggestion that the judgement was registered in Nigeria with the knowledge of the defendants was false.

The fact of the matter is that Shebah Exploration, Allenne Limited and Dr Orjiakor merely filed defensive action against the registration of the summary of the English court’s judgement.

Now to the issue of payment, contrary to the insinuation that Shebah had only paid back about $6.1million, the fact is that Shebah has been working to negotiate and settle with the creditor banks and

meet its obligations in respect of the facility. Going by evidence filed at the Federal High Court Lagos, Shebah has paid back over $68 million in principal and interest to the creditor banks and is committed to full resolution of the issues of the loan.

Another fact that was glossed over in the report was that creditor banks suffered a huge setback when they made an attempt to obtain a Mareva injunction (freezing order) and failed as the presiding judge ruled against the creditor’s application on 25th September, 2018 according to the records of the court.

SEPCOL is a foremost indigenous player in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, which became the first indigenous company to operate an offshore shallow water block with an FPSO, following the acquisition of 40 per cent working interest in OML 108 from ConocoPhillips in 2004.

SEPCOL was producing and meeting its obligations until 2014 when it suffered inconclusive workover program due to inadequate funding and collapse of oil prices.

Consequently, the creditor banks called the facility on the company after two and half years’ tenure. The default in the facility was further triggered when the lenders declined a $50 million repayment offer from a reputable Nigerian bank that offered to join the syndication with an additional facility in the sum of $200 million

called “vulture funds” managers. It is not that they are vultures but that they are experts in managing financial funeral ceremonies because ceremonies meant for the living financial items are not their interest. That type of mindset finds reversal when emerging economies or are developing nations claim they have a sovereign wealth to be managed by such hedge fund managers.

Nigeria’s dichotomy is that it has claims to sovereign wealth as well as claims to great level of trust to float sovereign bond. Ghadaffi tried it and he is neither alive to witness the gains or Libya so buoyant to talk of both political and economic sovereignty. And like the column of Ijeoma once stated about sexedup figures, when you claim a $500

billion or $400 billion GDP so as to earn trust to borrow more money, it could only be a temporary deceit process that would further land you in poverty when your known assets are valued and made valueless, or priced at discount rate, in the current knowledge driven dispensation that sees Nigeria having 13 million children out of school.

The 13 million that are expected to pay your debts that are to mature in the odd 30 years coming. When traditional banking process asks you to make projections so as to know where you are headed for their own sustenance, it has human capital connotation; and if 13 million Nigerians are out of school now and they must at best come out alive in 30 years, either in full or partially decimated by hunger, they could still remain a remnant of Boko Haram that could threaten the credit value of Nigeria like it has been for Congo Democratic Republic or to some countries in South America.

Civil Societies should rise up and say enough of further endangering Nigeria by its leaders bonding mindset with bond floating as it has never helped the nation for the known odd 30years the military leaders had initiated it.

People like Olu Falae, Idika Kalu, Chu-Okongwo, Kuforiji-Olubi, all of them experts in “No Alternative to Structural Adjustment programme” known as “TINA” which only one voice, that of Prof. Samuel Aluko, fought against without success, like fighting the current ominubus TSA, should call a conference and start making their mea-culpa on where and how the rain started beating Nigeria.

Nigeria’s equity value or contribution to the world economy, as currently constituted, makes it an elephant project economy, big, agreed; but it is still chewing shrubs, the base feed of the food chain. NO premium value!!!

-Ariole, is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Lagos

Ambode, Kachikwu to Discuss Challenges of Africa’s Energy Products Market Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, will join a couple of other top local and international players in Africa’s oil and gas sector to discuss and proffer solutions to the challenges confronting the continent’s market for oil and gas products.

A s t a t e m e n t f ro m o rg a n i s e r s o f f o ru m , t h e I n s t i t u t e o f O i l a n d G a s R e s e a rc h a n d H y d ro c a r b o n Studies, which THISDAY obtained on Wednesday in Abuja, disclosed that arrangement had been concluded for the 2018 edition of i t s O i l a n d G a s P ro d u c t F o ru m to hold in Lagos.

The organisers equally disclosed that heads of International Oil Companies (IOCs) and National Oil Companies (NOCs) operating in Africa, as well as lawmakers and other key stakeholders would be present at the Lagos event to deliberate on the prospects, challenges and progress of the sector.

The organisation said there was a need for deliberate effort to create a platform and sponsor seminars and public enlightenments to provide additional knowledge in the area of oil and gas products conception,

development and manufacturing amongst African countries.

It explained the 2018 theme for the forum was ‘oil and gas product manufacturing: prospects, challenges and progress.’

According to the organisation, the forum would bring together individuals with hands-on experience to discuss, share information, on new and innovative strategies to handle the many challenges in the manufacturing of oil and gas products in Africa.

The forum, it noted is expected to discuss issues bothering on oil and gas upstream, midstream and downstream regulation, as well as oil and gas infrastructure development and challenges in financing of oil and gas projects particularly manufacturing which it said is normally a long term venture.

Further, it stated that participants would be exposed to issues relating to quality standardisation, certification and policy direction of governments, and other challenges, adding that countries expected to participate in the event include Nigeria; India; United Arab Emirates (UAE); South Africa; Kenya; Ghana; Tunisia; Egypt; Pakistan; United States of America (USA); Canada; and the United Kingdom (UK) amongst others.

42

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 19, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Industrialists Lament Influx of Substandard Products into Nigeria David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Chief Executive officer of Cutix Plc, Mr Ifeanyi Uzodike has decried the importation of substandard products into the Nigerian market, saying it is bane of local manufacturers.

Uzodike, revealed this to journalists during a press conference to precede the annual general meeting of the company.

The industrialist who bows out as the CEO of the company next week after running the indigenous electrical cable manufacturing company for 10 years, told journalists that government policy on importation was contributing to the hardship faced by local manufacturers in Nigeria.

He lamented that substandard cables imported from other countries flood the market, and are sold at very low prices,

whereas indigenous companies that manufacture durable cables suffer low patronage, just because some regulatory agencies look away while importers get past the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s borders.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the capacity to produce better cables here in Nigeria, but substandard cables are imported into the market and sold at a cheap rate, thereby hampering the operation of indigenous companies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should ask ourselves how these cables get into the market. There are people who should guard against the influx of these substandard products in the market, but what are they doing?â&#x20AC;?The incoming CEO of the company, Mrs Ijeoma Oduonye, who also spoke at the event, told journalists that government must encourage local producers by protecting them from the activities

of importers who go to Asian countries to import substandard products at a very cheap price.

She said the consequences of the activities of such businessmen on the society were enormous, ranging from fire outbreak to lack of employment among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our company has a 100 per cent local employment. Our 250 members of staff are all Nigerians.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have expatriate workers here. This is the more reason we ensure training and retraining for our staff, because those people you want to bring from overseas, our people are rather sent there to go and learn from them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We urge government to put their money where their mouth is, because they expect us to employ, pay taxes and others, so they should patronize use and even give us protection,â&#x20AC;?

Oduonye said.

ANAN Seeks Improved Tax Collection, Integrated Reporting The President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Alhaji Shehu Ladan, has urged newly-inducted fellows of the association to lead the campaign against corruption and uphold the highest level of ideals, values and integrity of the profession.

Ladan, made the plea during the conferment of Fellowship Awards on deserving members of the association, as part of activities lined up for the 23rd Annual Conference of Certified National Accountants held in Abuja.

According to a statement by ANAN on Thursday, the awards signalled another phase â&#x20AC;&#x153;in your callings as professionals and bring to bear your expertise and practical experience in the accounting profession.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As fellows, you are now saddled with a lot of responsibilities. You are mirrors with which others see the association. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should eschew unethical behaviour and live above board,

watch your public utterances, especially on matters affecting the association and the profession. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should serve as role models for the younger members of the association and the profession,â&#x20AC;? the ANAN president added. He said the conferment of fellowship was a privilege earned out of hard work, dedication and commitment to the association in particular and the Accountancy profession in general. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is for these reasons that you have been found worthy, fit and as proper professionals to merit this prestigious award.

Selection is done from Branches nominations. Nominees must have spent not less than 10 years in the profession since qualifying as a Certified National Accountant (CNA). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Council reserves the right to nominate any member who has made outstanding contributions to the progress and development of the association,â&#x20AC;?

Ladan said.

In a paper entitled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enhancing Taxation as Alternative to Oil,â&#x20AC;?

the Immediate Past President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Prof. Teju Somorin, said a number of tax authorities had been developing strategies and approaches to improve the non-oil tax revenue collection and even recovery processes to have a robust revenue yield.

In another paper titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Integrated Reporting for Economic Recovery,â&#x20AC;? Partner & Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria and the Lead Discussant, Dr Andrew Nevin, said the aggregate benefits accrued in Integrated Reporting (IR) compliant organisations had the potential to boost Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic recovery. Nevin, noted that a holistic approach to strategy and reporting could lead to higher confidence and satisfaction in investors and stakeholders.

He said in addition, investors gained a more comprehensive understanding of an organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial and non-financial position, strategic priorities and risks and are able to make more informed investment decisions.

L-R: Group Managing Director, CMC Connect Limited, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Head, Corporate Communications, Oando Plc, Alero Balogun and Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Olusegun McMedal, at the opening of the third Lagos Digital PR Summit in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

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&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Itel Mobile Raises Market Share Ugo Aliogo Itel Mobile, one of Transsion Holdingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; biggest mobile phone makers said it has surpassed its competitors such as Samsung, Nokia and Huawei, to occupy the second position in retail volume with a market share of 25.8 per cent.

Speaking recently in Lagos at the Itel media â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;meet and greetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, its Marketing Manager, Marvin Umebiye, said it was a commendable feat to crown the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in becoming a top market leader in 2018.

Umebiye, noted that despite the influx of Chinese manufacturers and domestic players in the business landscape with strong price competition and demand for high quality products, Itel occupies the top position with the highest brand market share in the Nigerian mobile phone industry at the end of August.

Umebiye, further stated that with brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key interest in focusing on long-lasting battery technology and camera capabilities, this surge in brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

shipment and market share can be traced back to the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consistent smartphone launch in Q2 and Q3.

He added that there is a strong distribution network, availability and variety of affordable feature phones and smartphones, pitted directly against Nokia and Gioneeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio.

The report stated that the increasing use of social media and upgrade to smartphones by target market segments especially young consumers due to the economic growth and dependency on internetenabled services, forecasts that there is a strong volume growth in smartphone penetration in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More recently, the increasing use of social media and upgrade to smartphones by target market segments especially young consumers due to the economic growth and dependency on internetenabled services, the report forecast a strong volume growth in smartphone penetration in Nigeria. Furthermore, following

the early and successful passage of the telecommunication critical infrastructure bill by the legislature, competitive pricing among internet service providers is expected to boost internet usage to more affordable internet provision in the country, which is at 47 percent of the population in 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Chinese conglomerate, Transsion Holdings has remained a dominant force within the Nigerian mobile phone industry with a retail market share of 75.2 percent taking an increase from 73 percent in 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The global brand continues to combine its technological prowess with design and innovation to gain industry attention with products created groundbreaking interactive and immersive consumer experiences. Their continuous success is as a fact of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carving a niche for itself by creating a variety of smartphones to meet the needs of the diverse income segments of the growing population.â&#x20AC;?

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&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $79.50 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $79.02 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY ˾ OCTOBER 19, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Zenith Bank Records N475bn Gross Earnings, N167bn Profit in Nine Months Goddy Egene Zenith Bank Plc yesterday released its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, showing a decline in top-line but a growth in bottom-line.

Zenith Bank recorded gross earnings of N474.697 billion in 2018, down by 11 per cent, compared with the N531.2 billion posted by the bank in the corresponding period of 2017.

Its net interest income rose by 13 per cent, from N201.492 billion to N228.517 billion, while fee and commission income stood at N69.967 billion, as against the N71.021 billion posted in 2017.

Impairment charges fell 70 per cent from N47.053 billion to N14.338 billion.

As a result, Zenith Bank Plc ended the nine months with profit before tax of N167.307 billion, which is 10 per cent above the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

N152.552 billion posted in 2017.

Profit after tax improved by 12 per cent to N144.179 billion, up from N129.28 billion in 2017.

Customers’ deposits increased from N3.062 trillion to N3.276 trillion, while loans and advances reduced from N2.156 trillion to N1.824 trillion. Total assets improved to N5.618 trillion, up from N5.132 trillion in 2017.

In their review of the third quarter performance, analysts at Cordros Capital Limited said the one per

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

cent uptick in gross earnings was largely on the back of 11 per cent growth in interest income to N110.39 billion. According to them, interest earned on customer loans (+8.35 per cent) and government securities (+44 per cent) were major drivers of the increase in interest income.

“On the other hand, decline in fees & commission income (-30 per cent, -10 per cent quarter on quarter q/q) led to a disappointing net interest revenue (NIR) (-18 per

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

cent, -37% q/q) performance in the quarter. Over the nine-month period, NIR dropped 20 per cent, with trading income, other income, and fees and commission income all recording respective negative growth of 35 per cent , 24 per cent , and one per cent,” they said.

According to them, it is worth stating that the bank recorded a tax credit of N2.5 billion in Q3-18, owing to a deferred tax asset recognition in tax expenses during the period.

O F

“Further clarification on the item will be obtained upon our meeting with management. Nonetheless, the tax credit gave the boost to the bank’s earnings, as pre-tax profit was down 0.7 per cent y/y in the quarter. The Zenith Bank’s Q3-18 result is impressive.

Annualised, the N192.24 billion net profit reported as at 9M-18 is above Bloomberg consensus’ estimate for the full year by six per cent , but lags our 2018E by two per cent,” they said.

1 6 / 1 0 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

44

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Friday, October 19, 2018 Thisday Afrinvest Index Gains 2bps

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest Index rose 2bps to

Ticker

1,358.13 due to buy interest in ZENITH (+0.4%),

Buy Interest in DANGCEM Drives Benchmark Index

Higher͙ ASI up 70bps dŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞůLJ yesterday following buy interest in DANGCEM (+3.0%) as ex-DANGECM ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ŚĂǀĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ͘

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,358.13

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

-12.0%

35.8%

19.8%

6.8%

5.8x

0.7x

6.4%

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

36.80

-0.5%

22.0%

-9.7%

-9.2%

34.1%

5.6%

5.5x

2.1x

7.3%

18.2%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

22.55

0.4%

13.0%

-12.1%

-13.0%

3.9x

1.0x

12.2%

25.8%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

5

Dangote Cement PLC

6

FBN Holdings Plc

0.02%

ROE

1

NIGERIAN BREWERIES (+0.5%) and DANGCEM (+3.0%) ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ Ϯϱ͘ϴй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Current Price

12.8%

88.60

0.5%

6.7%

-34.3%

-34.4%

15.9%

7.3%

25.5x

4.1x

4.6%

3.9%

1,400.00

0.0%

8.2%

-10.0%

-10.0%

92.0%

23.0%

28.7x

24.9x

3.0%

3.5%

206.00

3.0%

6.3%

-10.4%

-10.4%

21.7%

9.9%

21.0x

4.9x

5.1%

4.8%

9.25

1.6%

6.6%

5.1%

5.2%

7.4%

0.9%

6.1x

0.5x

2.7%

16.5%

7

Access Bank PLC

7.80

-2.5%

3.8%

-25.4%

-26.4%

13.3%

1.6%

3.6x

0.5x

8.3%

27.9%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

8.05

-0.6%

3.9%

-21.8%

-22.7%

15.4%

1.8%

3.6x

0.6x

10.5%

27.4%

17.00

-2.6%

3.7%

0.0%

4.5%

12.2%

1.0%

5.5x

0.7x

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

11

18.2%

615.00

0.0%

3.4%

-1.8%

-1.8%

25.0%

14.6%

2.8x

0.7x

2.9%

35.4%

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

45.00

0.0%

3.6%

8.4%

10.0%

35.4%

4.9%

7.0x

2.2x

2.2%

14.3%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

43.50

Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϳϬďƉƐ ƚŽ

0.0%

3.1%

6.1%

8.2%

20.4%

8.7%

24.0x

3.2x

1.2%

4.2%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

79.00

0.0%

2.2%

-16.0%

-16.0%

10.3%

4.5%

23.5x

2.0x

2.3%

4.3%

ϯϮ͕ϲϲϰ͘ϲϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

21.00

0.0%

0.9%

-53.2%

-53.2%

-53.7%

-7.9%

1.4x

7.6%

-30.9%

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.87

N83.0bn to N11.9tn while YTD return improved to -14.6%.

15

3.3%

1.1%

-24.0%

-27.5%

11.5%

1.5%

1.4x

0.3x

5.9%

16

Oando PLC

5.10

0.0%

1.3%

-14.9%

-14.9%

10.3%

1.5%

4.5x

0.3x

ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŚŽǁĞǀĞƌ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

14.70

-2.0%

1.0%

-26.5%

-27.8%

41.5%

18.1%

5.0x

1.8x

8.5%

20.1%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

79.80

0.0%

1.5%

17.9%

17.9%

35.8%

26.6%

8.6x

2.8x

4.0%

11.6%

19

International Brew eries PLC

32.00

0.0%

0.5%

-41.3%

-41.8%

24.6%

7.4%

33.5x

7.6x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

20.55

-0.2%

0.5%

-29.1%

-29.1%

9.8%

2.9%

5.1x

0.6x

4.9%

19.8% 15.4%

ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ Ϯϳ͘ϵй ƚŽ ϭϳϯ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ 2.8% higher to N3.8bn. Yesterday͛Ɛ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ volume were GUARANTY (54.8m units), ZENITH ;ϯϳ͘Ϯŵ units) and FBNH (11.0m units) while GUARANTY (N2.0bn), ZENITH (N0.8bn) and ETI (N0.2bn) were the top

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Bearish Sector Performance Performance across sectors was largely bearish as 4 of 5 indices under our coverage trended southwards. The ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ͕ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϲй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ ETI (-2.6%), GUARANTY (-0.5%) and ACCESS (-2.5%). The Insurance and Consumer Goods ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ losses

in

CONTINSURE

(-Ϯ͘ϳйͿ͕ WAPIC

(-ϳ͘ϬйͿ͕

DANGSUGAR (-2.0%) and FLOURMILL (-0.2%). In the same vein, the Oil & Gas index declined, down 0.1% due

72.6% 22.3%

3.0%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.26

-0.8%

0.6%

-13.7%

-14.9%

12.9%

2.8%

6.5x

0.8x

1.6%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

10.00

0.0%

0.4%

-40.8%

-40.8%

1.4%

0.6%

17.9x

0.4x

6.5%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

1.20

0.0%

0.5%

-20.0%

-23.6%

-7.2%

-0.9%

183.00

-20.4%

-20.4%

33.1%

6.9%

1.3%

6.7%

1.0%

2.6x

0.2x

6.3%

38.0%

-10.1%

-10.1%

40.2%

16.0%

6.0x

2.1x

4.6%

16.6%

29.7%

3.0%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

0.0%

0.5%

1.60

0.0%

0.6%

175.00

0.0%

0.5%

25

FCMB Group Plc

26

11 PLC

27

Forte Oil PLC

22.20

0.0%

0.3%

-48.9%

-47.1%

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

12.60

0.0%

0.3%

-38.8%

-40.4%

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

30

9.80

0.0%

0.3%

-37.5%

-37.2%

Presco PLC

53.00

0.0%

0.3%

-22.6%

-22.6%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

18.50

-7.0%

0.4%

0.0%

-3.7%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

9.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.0%

-10.0%

0.1x 6.8x

5.9%

2.2%

29.1x

1.6x

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

5.00

0.0%

0.2%

-35.9%

-33.4%

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

21.55

0.0%

0.3%

-23.0%

-23.0%

17.3%

20.6%

8.8x

3.4% 45.0%

5.0x

8.1%

11.4%

0.8x

7.8%

8.0x

0.5x

6.0x

0.9x

3.9x

Sterling Bank PLC

1.50

0.0%

0.4%

38.9%

32.7%

11.0%

1.1%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.00

0.6%

0.2%

-34.2%

-34.2%

0.0%

0.0%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

13.50

0.0%

0.2%

-37.5%

-37.5%

6.5%

3.6%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

31.00

0.2%

0.2%

-8.8%

-13.2%

66.2%

30.2%

39

Beta Glass PLC

70.20

0.0%

0.2%

36.8%

36.8%

17.7%

11.5%

8.5x

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.10

0.0%

0.1%

-15.4%

-15.4%

6.0%

3.3%

14.0x

-11.8% 1.2% 1.6%

1.8%

35

14.6%

3.8%

2.2x 62.4%

9.5%

1.7x 1.2x

33

12.6% 4.7%

16.8% 25.6%

0.4x

1.3%

1.0x

2.5%

19.4x

1.9x

55.6%

5.2%

14.5x

9.7x

6.6%

6.9%

1.4x

1.5%

11.7%

0.8x

2.0%

7.2%

T o p 10 T ra de s by V o lum e

T o p 10 G a ine rs T ic k er

2.1x

5.6% -72.1%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

LA WUN ION

0.50

6.4%

P R EST IGE

0.52

6.1%

H M A R KIN S

0.29

3.6%

LA SA C O

0.31

F ID ELIT YB K

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

54.8

-0.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

37.2

0.4%

FB NH

11.0

1.6%

3.3%

UB A

10.8

-0.6%

1.87

3.3%

ET I

10.6

-2.6%

206.00

3.0%

H ON YF LOUR

7.5

1.6%

FB NH

9.25

1.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

6.3

3.3%

H ON YF LOUR

1.26

1.6%

T R A N SC OR P

3.2

-0.8%

N EM

3.00

1.4%

J A P A ULOIL

3.0

0.0%

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ

D A N GF LOUR

8.00

0.6%

F LOUR M ILL

2.4

-0.2%

ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž͕ ĂůďĞŝƚ ƐƟůů ƐŽŌ ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϱdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ

T o p 10 Lo s e rs

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

2018.0

-0.5%

843.0

0.4%

ET I

181.1

-2.6%

NB

154.4

0.5%

D A N GC EM

126.9

3.0%

to sell pressures in ETERNA (-ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕

buying interest in DANGCEM (+3.0%) drove the Industrial 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ϭ͘ϳй ŚŝŐŚĞƌ͘

D A N GC EM

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚĂLJƐ ^ŽŌ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ

LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ĐŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ϭϯ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐŝŶŐ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ 22 that declined. Yesterday͛s top performers were LAWUNION (+6.4%), PRESTIGE (+6.1%) and HMARKINS (+3.6%) while VITAFOAM (-10.0%), CILEASIN (-ϵ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ NASCON (-9.4%) led laggards. We expect bargain ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ĚƌŝǀĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽŵŽƌƌŽǁ͘ EĞǀĞƌƚŚĞůĞƐƐ͕ ǁĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵƚůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

T ic k er

T ic k er

T o p 10 T ra de s by V a lue

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

VIT A F OA M

3.15

-10.0%

C ILEA SIN G

2.71

-9.7%

UA C -P R OP

1.63

-9.4%

N A SC ON

18.50

-7.0%

WA P IC

0.40

-7.0%

UN ION D A C

0.28

-6.7%

FB NH

100.0

1.6%

NP FM CRFB K

1.55

-5.5%

UB A

87.8

-0.6%

Z EN IT H B A N K

LIVEST OC K

0.57

-5.0%

F LOUR M ILL

48.5

-0.2%

UN IVIN SUR E

0.20

-4.8%

N EST LE

41.0

0.0%

ET ER N A

6.00

-3.2%

CA P

27.5

0.2%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

45

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͹΁˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

MARKET NEWS

PZ Cussons Shareholders Approve N595m Dividend, Decry Cost of Borrowing James Emejo in Abuja Shareholders of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc yesterday approved a total sum of N595 million as dividend for the 2018 financial year. This translated to 15 kobo per share which was welcomed by its investors particularly at a period when other companies had suspended payment of dividend because of the hostile business environment.

Speaking at its 70th annual general meeting (AGM) in

Abuja, Chairman of the PZ Cussons , Chief Kola Jamodu said its consolidated revenue grew by three per cent to N80.6 billion from N78.2 billion in 2017, despite recording a drop in operating profit and profit after tax by 37.7 percent and 47.7 per cent respectively relative to the preceding financial year.

According to Jamodu, the performance largely reflected the performance of the economy at large which grew at tow percent in the review period.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

He noted that improvement in foreign exchange earnings, stability and access, however, boosted the importation of critical raw materials for its operation.

Jamodu said the weaker revenue growth, increased operating expenses due to inflation resulted in a reduction in the group’s bottom-line.

He decried the cost of borrowing at about 20 per cent, which he said impacted on its performance, therefore,

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 1710-2018, unless otherwise stated.

increasing cost of goods.

He said:”The depressed disposable income conditions in the economy necessitated that demand for durable goods continue to be weak as consumers prioritise food and other basics.”

However, he said a number of measure were being taken to further guarantee better performance in the next financial year.

“We look into the future with great excitement and

confidence,” the chairman said.

According to him, there have been no structural changes in the landscape of the segments in which the company operate and the market share of its brands remain strong.

However, he said to buttress and sustain the position of the company in the market, improve efficiency and improve performance of the business into the future, a number of initiatives are being implemented.

“They include: a further streamlining and optimisation of product portfolio to bring more focus on key brands and categories and restore margins; optimisation of the operating model to reduce overheads as well as improve the speed at which new products are brought to the market and a review of product costs across all categories with a focus on areas such as packaging reduction and a drive to reduce plastic consumption,” Jamodu said.

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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 0.86% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 5.88% 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 12.17% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.18 2.19 -5.26% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 10.72% Paramount Equity Fund 11.59 11.89 4.54% Women's Investment Fund 102.20 104.82 1.56% 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 11.96% 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 11.40% Coronation Balanced Fund 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 11.12% 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 1,165.13 1,165.89 11.09% FBN Heritage Fund 140.69 141.62 0.66% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.92% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.77 $115.10 4.10% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.54 $114.87 4.00% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 151.52 153.66 -4.84% 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 3.18 3.18 9.94% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.01 1.01 2.02% 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 3,002.50 3,032.41 0.57% Coral Income Fund 2,727.73 2,727.73 11.43% 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 11.67% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.52 105.61 5.18% 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 100.00 100.00 11.87% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.14 2.16 1.30%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.25% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.37 122.62 6.34% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 3.65% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,070.93 1,070.93 11.06% 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 11.47 11.57 -11.56% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.59% 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 1.33 1.35 11.31% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.94 11.98 8.07% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.07% 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 128.01 128.55 -1.26% 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 1.66 1.66 11.79% 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 2,263.68 2,278.23 3.05% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.07 187.07 7.44% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 -6.44% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 243.30 243.34 12.74% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.30 163.09 -9.94% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.48% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,518.20 8,621.87 -10.43% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 6.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.17 -1.59% United Capital Bond Fund 1.56 1.56 9.50% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -8.23% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.80% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.20 105.20 5.15% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.07 1.08 3.16% 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 11.21 11.38 -5.89% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.20 12.31 -5.20% Zenith Income Fund 20.44 20.64 10.77% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.78%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 138.53 51.55

-20.11% 4.58% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.55 121.48 92.38

10.65 124.05 94.11

-10.94% -14.95% -15.44%

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 Griffin 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

4.13 7.49 15.17 14.69 144.01

4.17 7.57 15.27 14.89 146.01

-12.88% -21.68% -13.14% -25.21% 6.98%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

105.44

17.63%

FOR HNI & PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Brexit: EU Ready to Extend Transition Period The EU has said it is ready to extend the proposed length of the post-Brexit transition period if the UK wants.

The current plan is for a transition period of 21 months to smooth the path from Brexit to the UK and EU’s future permanent relationship.

But with the two sides failing to reach a deal yet, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said this arrangement could be extended “for a few months”, if needed.

Some Brexit campaigners have reacted angrily to the suggestion.

Mrs May said she was not proposing extending the transition, but that having the option to do so could help solve the current impasse over the Irish border.

An EU source told the BBC there would have to be “financial implications” if the UK did extend the transition period.

EU Council president Donald Tusk spoke to journalists at the end of a Brussels summit where there was no major breakthrough on the key issue of how to avoid new visible border checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.

He said that if “the UK decided an extension of the transition period would be helpful to reach a deal, I am sure the leaders would be ready to consider this positively”.

Mr Tusk declared himself

in a “much better mood” than after the last summit, in Salzburg.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said extension of the transition period “will probably happen” saying it was a good idea because it would allow more time to draw up a long-term relationship between the UK and the EU. In her post-summit press conference, Mrs May said the idea of having the option to extend the transition period could be “a further solution” to the search for a “backstop” to ensure no hard border.

“What we are not doing, we are not standing here proposing an extension to the implementation period,” she said.

“What we are doing is working to ensure that we have a solution to the backstop issue in Northern Ireland.”

Both sides are committed to resolving the outstanding issues as soon as possible, she said, adding there was a “very real sense that people want that deal to be done”.

Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said: “A lot of things have been agreed but there are still big gaps both in terms of the shape of the future relationship and also the protocol on Northern Ireland and Ireland and the backstop.”

The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, and the transition period, which

US, UK Ministers Boycott Saudi Summit US Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin and UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox have pulled out of an investment conference in Saudi Arabia.

Their move comes amid allegations the country was behind the killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, where Turkish officials allege he was murdered.

Saudi Arabia, which denies the killing, allowed investigators inside overnight.

The Dutch and French finance ministers, as well as several other politicians and business leaders, have also said they are pulling out of the summit.

However, a number of major businesses including Pepsi and EDF - are still intending to go despite growing pressure for a boycott.

Mnuchin announced he would pull out of the summit following a discussion with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Pompeo went to Riyadh earlier this week to discuss the disappearance with Saudi King Salman.

He said he had been assured that Saudi Arabia would investigate the matter,

and that he had told Mr Trump to give the country “a few more days” before deciding whether to take action.

Meanwhile, several highprofile human rights groups have demanded that Turkey ask the UN to investigate the possible killing of Khashoggi.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, said that a “one-sided” investigation

by Saudi Arabia was not good enough.

What is the summit about?

The Future Investment Initiative summit will take place from 23 to 25 October in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

It is being hosted by the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to promote his reform agenda.

His plan for economic and social modernisation, called Vision 2030, aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and provide new jobs.

As a result, Mr Mnuchin’s decision to boycott the summit is seen as a substantial blow to the prince’s agenda, correspondents say.

It is not clear. Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, to pick up paperwork that would allow him to marry his fiancée Hatice Cengiz.

Mrs May prefers to call the implementation period, is designed to smooth the path to a future permanent relationship.

During this transition period, which is due to finish on 31 December 2020, the UK’s relationship with the EU will stay largely the same.

The UK has signed up to

the principle of agreeing an Irish border “backstop” - an insurance policy designed to prevent the need for customs checks - in case there is a gap between the transition period and the future permanent relationship coming into force.

The problem is that the two sides have yet to agree what form the backstop will take, and how long it could last.

Nigel Dodds, of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party - whose support the government needs in key votes - said extending the transition phase would cost the UK billions of pounds and not change the “fundamental problem” with the EU’s backstop plan.

This is because it involves Northern Ireland staying

aligned to EU rules, which the DUP - and the UK government - says is unacceptable because it creates a new border in the Irish sea.

Brexiteers are not impressed, with Conservative backbench MP Jacob ReesMogg telling Sky News it was “a rather poor attempt at kicking the can down the road.”

High Commissioner of Bangladesh H.E. E.M.D. Shameem Ahsan inspecting guard of honour

Opposition Politician in Benin Jailed for 20Years on Drugs Charges A court in Benin yesterday sentenced opposition politician, Sebastien Ajavon, to 20 years in prison on drugs charges and issued an international warrant for his arrest.

The former presidential candidate was not at the hearing in the West African country’s administrative capital, Porto-Novo, which lasted less than an hour.

His legal team has previously denounced what they said were “serious irregularities” in proceedings and called the allegations “absurd and false”.

Ajavon came third in Benin’s presidential election in 2016 behind the then-prime minister Lionel Zinsou and the eventual winner, millionaire businessman Patrice Talon.

He has made no secret of his desire to contest the next presidential election due in 2021 and has set up his own political party.

But he has complained of being targeted by arrests and prosecutions.

One of Ajavon’s Paris-based lawyers, Julien Bensimhon, criticised the sentence after it was passed. “We can now say there’s no rule of law in Benin,” he told AFP.

Another of his legal team, Marc Bensimhon, added: “We were expecting it (the sentence).

Mr Ajavon is now in exile (in France).

“If he comes back, he will be incarcerated immediately.”

Ajavon was charged with “high-risk international drug trafficking” of cocaine worth an estimated $16 million (14 million euros), despite having previously been cleared of any involvement.

State prosecutors pushed judges to impose the maximum sentence at Thursday’s hearing, which was held under tight security with police blocking access to protesters.

Judge Edouard Ignace Gangny equally upheld a request to fine Ajavon five million CFA francs ($9,000, 7,700 euros).

Ajavon, known as the “Chicken King” because he made his money in livestock, and his Paris-based lawyers say they have not been able to examine the case against their client in detail.

They were only notified he had been charged at the first hearing on October 4. The judge also said no defence would be allowed without Ajavon being physically present in court.

NOTICE OF ADDITION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR PETER WHITE now wish to be known and addressed as MR OGBONNAYA IKECHUKWU AGWUNSII. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

This is to notify the public that NENGI JULIA JOHNSON are my true and correct names and that JULIET JOHNSON and JULIE JOHNSON were erroneously written on my travel Visa and other documents. All former documents remain valid, the general public should note the correction.

CHANGE OF NAMES

CHANGE OF NAMES

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ODOZI ISIOMA JESSICA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ISIOMA JESSICA EGORP.All documents remain valid. Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro, Nigachem Nigeria Limited and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FAMODIMU TAIWO RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBUDJE TAIWO RUTH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note I, formerly known and addressed USMAN MUHAMMED as MOHAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed USMAN as SULEIMAN All former MUHAMMED. documents remain valid.The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MR PETER WHITE now wish to be known and addressed as MR OGBONNAYA IKECHUKWU AGWUNSII. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BEATRICE NWANYANWU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BEATRICE SCOTT. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUPITAN ADENIKE OLASUNKANMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ALETAN ADENIKE OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as JACOBS OLUFEMISKILA, now wish to be known and addressed as AIYELA OLUFEMI JACOBS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OFFOH OGHENEKEVWE ROSE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BASSEY ROSE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MISS ASIGHA KELECHI LOVETH now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ASIGHA KELECHI THELMA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note I, formerly known and addressed as ZAINAB ABIOLA ONIGBANJO, now wish to be known and addressed as ZAINAB ABIOLA ONIGBANJOSALAMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as BAYO MARCULY, now wish to be known and addressed as ALFRED OMOTAYO NELSON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note I, formerly known and addressed as BONAT SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as BONAT SUNDAY AUGUSTINE. All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note

T H I S D AY t '3*%": 0$50#&3 ĊĒ ċĉĊđ

47

48

T H I S D AY t '3*%": 0$50#&3 ĊĒ ċĉĊđ

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

49

NEWSEXTRA

Eight Months after Reinstatement, NHIS Boss Suspended Again Martins Ifijeh in Lagos and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Barely eight months after the reinstatement of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof.

Usman Yusuf, by President Muhammadu Buhari, the governing council of the scheme has again suspended

him indefinitely.

The Chairperson of the council, Ifenne Enyanatu, who announced the suspension at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said the decision was reached after a twoday meeting of the council members.

She said the council resolved to suspend Yusuf because it has

House Defers Consideration of $2.8bn Eurobond, Electoral Act

been inundated with petitions of fraud and infractions, adding that the council has set up an administrative panel to examine allegations leveled against him.

THISDAY gathered that he was also suspended because he has on several occasions refused to carry out some of the board’s decisions.

The chairperson said: “The panel has three months to complete its assignment and report back to us.

“The suspension is to allow the panel have adequate space

to do a thorough investigation.

“We consulted and got the approval of the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, before this suspension.”

Enyanatu also announced that Mallam Sadiq Abubakar will act as Executive Secretary in Yusuf’s stead in the time being.

Yusuf was in June 2017 suspended by Adewole over allegations of corruption but was recalled in February 2018

by President Buhari who was away on a medical leave in the United Kingdom when he was suspended.

He was at the time accused of corrupt expenditure to the tune of N292 million which he allegedly spent on health care training without recourse to any appropriate approving authority.

Following his reinstatement last February, stakeholders in the health sector, led by the Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), condemned his backing by President Buhari They accused Buhari of preferring ethnicity to competence and ignoring the

report of a panel that indicted and suspended Yusuf of fraud.

THISDAY had in April this year broke the news of the ES’s interest in investing at least N25 billion of the scheme’s funds in government securities through Cowry Asset Management Limited against advice from the Ministry of Health and its finance counterpart.

Yusuf, 54, took over the government-run health insurance provider on July 29, 2016. But his reign at the agency has been fraught with graft controversies.

NBC amendment bill passes second reading Directs NYSC to reverse decision on Benue varsity Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja Hope for quick approval of the $2.8 billion Eurobond loan request of President Muhammadu Buhari to finance the 2018 budget and amendment to the Electoral Act No. 6 of 2010 yesterday suffered another setback following the decision of House of Representatives.

Though Senate last Wednesday approved government’s request to issue the $2.786 billion Eurobond on international debt markets, members of the House of Representatives yesterday stepped down consideration of reports of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management.

While no explanation was given for deferring consideration of the committee report on the new external capital raising of the $2.8 billion Eurobond from the international capital market to fund the 2018 budget, the lawmakers also stepped down the bill for an amendment of the Electoral Act No. 6, which was also meant for consideration, and adjourned till next Tuesday.

The report of the $2.8 billion Eurobond was supposed to lay before the House by the Chairman, House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi, on the floor of the House during yesterday plenary session.

He told members that the $2.876 billion was part of the $82.54 billion to refinance the balance of the $500 million matured Eurobond in the international capital market.

Meanwhile, the House has passed a bill seeking an amendment to National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act, which scaled through second reading.

The bill jointly sponsored

by Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun (APC, Oyo) and Hon. Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos) which seeks to amend the third schedule of NBC Act by providing that every television/radio, cable or station should have educational programme that will teach students various subjects or courses in line with school syllabuses or curriculum, will also make educational programmes compulsory in all television channels in Nigeria when passed into law.

Faleke had argued that the bill is part of “efforts to tackle and salvage the falling standard of education which is currently a national concern and

embarrassment,” stressing that “the bill is also aimed at making a lot of differences to the lives of students and is expected that qualified teachers will be engaged by the service provided to teach our pupils online/visuals.

When put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, the bill was endorsed by majority of the lawmakers after Hon. Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno), Hon. China Adamu (APC, Niger), Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbinayinma (APC, Edo) and Hon. Chris Azubuogu (PDP, Anambra) all agreed that the bill came at the most auspicious time.

In a related development, the House directed the authority of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to rescind its decision to suspend the Benue State University from participating in the compulsory NYSC exercise.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Msugh Kembe, last Wednesday told journalists in Makurdi, Benue State capital, that the NYSC reportedly banned prospective graduates from the institution from being enlisted for the NYSC programme.

Therefore, moving a motion on the development under matter of urgent public importance during the plenary by Hon. Orker-Jev (PDP Benue State), lawmakers were urged to mandate the NYSC authorities to reverse the suspension of Benue State University graduates from further participation in NYSC scheme.

Orker-Jeff told the House that NYSC refused to provide any reason for their action even upon persistent inquires until October 17, 2018, when they released a letter attempting to justify their action, which was that some graduates of the institution falsified their age in the bid to participate in the scheme Most of the members who spoke on the matter were disturbed that the action of a few students is bringing hardship on many innocent graduates who have not been included in the allegations but are eager to serve the country.

While NYSC was urged to reverse the decision, which was tagged ‘illegal’ and immediately mobilise prospective corps members to participate in the impending Batch ‘C’ scheme coming up next month, the issue was referred to the House Committee on Youth Development and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

BROADBAND ENGAGEMENT…

L-R: Secretary universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Ayuba Shuaiba; Commissioner for Environment Plateau State, Abdullahi Garba Abbas; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Head, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, NCC, Bako Wakil; Chief of staff to the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Mr. Usman Malah; Head, Zonal Operations, NCC, Helen Obi, during the Broadband Engagement Forum held in Kano… yesterday

Nigeria, Norway’s TradeVolume Hits N10.80tn EromoseleAbiodun The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens-Peter Kjemrud, has stated that although the value of the volume of trade between Nigeria and Norway is difficult to calculate due to the way it is estimated, the embassy estimated that it has reached $30 billion (N10.80 trillion).

Kjemprud stated this yesterday while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting to present and promote the investment opportunities and incentives in Norway for prospective Nigerian investors.

He added that Nigeria is Norway’s biggest trading partner on the African continent, adding that there is a huge potential to do more.

While calling on the Nigerian Government to do more in the area of insecurity, he said the government can attract investors by giving investors tax incentives.

He said the proposal by the Nigerian Senate to impose heavy tax on solar power equipment would not help the situation.

According to him, “You need to have renewable energy take root in this country, you need to have the incentive not disincentives. The sector needs to be well regulated, organised and you have to attract investors. There is still a huge hydro power potential in Nigeria; we seem to have forgotten about that. We also have solar and wind power but the wind power cannot thrive because

of insecurity. You cannot have wind powerintheGulfofGuineaifpiratesare threateningships.Soitisaboutincentives and providing security.

“This is why we brought some of themostimportantbusinessactors-team Norway, innovation Norway, Nigerian Norwegian Chambers of Commerce, our new Consul General and the embassy-to get together as strong as possible to show what can be done in trade between both countries.

On what aspect of the Nigerian economyNorwegianinvestorsarelooking at,hesaidtheywerecurrently looking at the oil and gas industry and also renewable energy.

He added: “As you have heard here today, we have focused a lot on the energy sector. If Nigeria is going

to improve in the manufacturing sector, the country needs to have stable and cheap power supply. If not, the manufacturing sector will not be competitive in the current market.

We are one of the biggest players in global maritime activity and we have told our Nigerian partners that technology is the future and Nigeria has to be prepared for it. There is technology here which is being utilised but there is a need to take it to the entire sector and for government to support it.”

Chairman, Nigerian Norwegian Chambers of Commerce (NNCC), Chijieke Igwe, called on Nigeria to learn from Norway which has been able to grow businesses despite their very tough environment.

Hajj Operations: Senate Committee Uncovers Fraud at NAHCON Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on Accommodation, Logistics , Feeding , Onshore and Offshore of the Nigeria Pilgrims , has unravelled monumental fraud in the yearly holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia operations of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON).

The Committee, which was set up by the Senate on July 20, 2017, has recommended the sanctioning of the Hajj

body by relevant agencies for alleged violation of relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria ( as amended) and even some provisions of NAHCON Establishment Act .

It specifically called on the anti graft agency , the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) to beam its searchlight on the commission .

The six-member committee in a 34-page report presented at plenary yesterday by

its Chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero ( APC Kebbi central), alleged that annually NAHCON and the State Pilgrims Welfare Board ( SPWB) sponsor outrageous number of officials to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from revenue generated from pilgrims and funds from State Governments.

According to the report, the N1.4 million charged as hajj fare this year was inflated by about N400,000.00 as each pilgrim ought not to have paid

more than one million naira.

The committee, which investigated NAHCON operations from 2015 to 2018, noted that the national and state officials ‘ roles of Medicals , Media, Ulamas and Guides often overlap with one another and that in many cases , relatives and cronies of NAHCON and SPWBs ‘ Executives were sponsored in the name of officials just to enable them perform the Hajj with fees paid by ordinary Nigerians.

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Nobody Can Do Magic to Solve Electricity Problems, Says Fashola Ugo Aliogo The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has declared that nobody can solve the country’s challenges by magic and assured that power supply in the country is improving slowly.

Speaking yesterday at the

inauguration of the 2x100MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Ejigbo Transmission Substation, Lagos, the minister commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for the ongoing projects across the country.

“We have come to hand over this expanded transmission

We Will Continue to Fulfill Terms of Our Contract, Visionscape Assures Lagos Deborah Orji Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, the waste management utility company contracted by the Lagos State Government to provide residential solid waste management collection services across the State, has assured the state that it would continue to fulfil the terms of its service contract.

Responds to the statement credited to the Lagos State House of Assembly concerning the purported cancellation of the company’s contract with the state government, the company added that it remains open to dialogue.

The Chief Executive Officer of Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, John Irvine, said “We have been made aware of statements being attributed to the Lagos State House of Assembly concerning cancellation of our service contract with the Lagos State Government.

“We would like to believe that there is some misinterpretation of the statements being circulated, despite our continued efforts in meeting the performance matrices of our valid and subsisting contract.

“We will nonetheless continue to fulfil the terms of our service

contract in the face of a sustained negative sponsored media campaign, as well as persistent and systematic sabotage of our efforts and our assets.

“We remain open to dialogue, levelling the competitive playing field and participating in a more inclusive process with all stakeholders in the environment.”

Visionscape Sanitation Solutions is a subsidiary of the Visionscape Group, a multifaceted environmental utility conglomerate providing innovative solutions across the waste management and resource recovery value chain for diverse industries across the world.

The Visionscape Group bridge environmental infrastructure gaps across emerging markets, and is committed to doing business responsibly, within a circular economy. Each of the Visionscape Group subsidiaries specialise in providing products and services in key sectors; ranging from the provision of turnkey environmental solutions in the areas of waste management, sanitation, wastewater treatment for governments and municipalities, to recycling, resourcing and manufacturing.

Obi Dismisses Allegation of Ethnic Bias in Onitsha Bridge Clean-up Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has dismissed the allegation of ethnic bias in the Onitsha Bridge Head clean-up currently trending on internet chat rooms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The clean-up exercise, which hitherto received much commendation, was undertaken during Obi’s days as Governor of Anambra State but has suddenly become twisted by APC cyberattack dogs, according to a statement by Obi’s media aide.

“Since Obi emerged as the running mate of PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the panic in APC circles has been palpable and unable to get anything tangible to hold on to, the attack dogs have been desperately clutching at straws in their doomed search for non-existent evidence with which to nail Obi. “The latest of such revisionism is the failed attempt to twist the facts regarding the Onitsha Bridge Head clean-up. Those peddling the falsehood that it was targeted at traders from other parts of the country have conveniently chosen to forget that many of the affected traders were from Anambra State and some other parts of Igbo land,” Obi’s Special Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, said

in a statement issued yesterday.

He insisted that Governor Obi carried along every stakeholder, including briefing and inviting the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, in connection with the project, which has left Onitsha cleaner and safer.

“We vehemently reject any suggestion that Obi is an ethnic or religious bigot. He is a detribalisied and liberal Nigerian with friends all over the country and whose charity works are spread across the country,” Obienyem said.

He equally denied rumours making the round that Obi has promised that a PDP federal government next year would abolish first class travels by and foreign medical treatment by public officials. “At no time did Mr. Obi make any of these statements being ascribed to him. Nigerians should ignore these rumours and wait patiently for the manifesto of the Alhaji Abubakar and PDP,” Obienyem said, while reiterating that Obi is yet to join any social media platform from which they churn out these lies.

He urged the public to disregard the desperate attempts by detractors to hang non-existing sins on Obi’s neck, assuring that the PDP vice presidential candidate would not be distracted by the antics of the opposition.

substation, the Ejigbo Transmission Substation, to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company. This substation was built in 1970; the capacity was 60MVA then; except for the addition of another 60MVA, this community has grown exponentially; so they have exceeded the installed capacity here,” Fashola said.

He added that, “Between that time and when President Buhari came three years ago, some people were there. But they will come back to you; so, when they come back, ask them if they didn’t know where to buy transformers.

“The problem of electricity is slowly being solved, one by

one. Anybody will tell you he will do magic; tell him, ‘How?’ He should explain to you. We inherited 800 containers for power equipment left in the port for 10 years. President Buhari gave us approval, and we have recovered 690.”

According to Fashola, there are 90 transmission projects ongoing across the country, and some of the recovered of pieces equipment are being used for them.

“If you look at it, between 2015 and now, you ask yourself honestly: Are you spending more on diesel now or before? Are you running your generators for longer today or yesterday? So, are you

seeing the power slowly staying longer? If you are truthful to yourself, you will know that it is better than yesterday. And we haven’t finished,” he said.

In his speech, the Managing Director of TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed, said the installation of the two units of 100MVA transformers at the Ejigbo Transmission Substation was funded by the World Bank through the firm’s project management unit.

“With the increase in the Ejigbo substation’s capacity, the TCN has substantially increased bulk electricity available in the substation for the Ikeja Electricity

Distribution Company to take to its customers. Consequently, electricity consumers in Ejigbo, Egbe, Oke-Afa, Shasha, Ikotun, Ijegun, and Idimu town will now have improved power supply from Ikeja Electric.”

“Other benefits include relieve of some overloaded feeders in Egbe, Shasha and Oke-Afa. Also, the Lagos airport will now have more load allocated to it. Improved power supply in these areas will positively impact the socio-economic development of the areas in particular and the economy at large,” Mohammed explained.

STOCK TAKING...

L-R: Group Managing Director, Nestoil, Mr. Ernest Obiejesi; Company Secretary, Mr. Val Uche-Obi, and a Non-executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Mbonu, during the Board meeting of the company held in Lagos...recently

Kaduna Govt Imposes 24-hour Curfew over BloodyViolence John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Kasuwan Magani community in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of the state following a bloody clash between Muslims and Christians in the community.

The incident was said to have occurred yesterday evening.

A resident of the area told THISDAY in a telephone interview that many people were killed while houses were set ablaze.

According to him, a young man was caught stealing in the market and was being beaten when some youths belonging to the same religious group with the suspected thief, rose in his defence and started attacking those who were beating him for stealing.

He said “What happened was that somebody was caught stealing in the market and he was being beaten, then suddenly some youths (belonging to his faith) started attacking those who

were beating the thief”.

“The whole thing turned to a religious fight between Muslims and Christians. They started using dangerous weapons to attack each other and setting houses ablaze.

“A number of people were also killed. Security personnel have been deployed and the situation is under control” he said.

The Kaduna State Government in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, said the 24-hour curfew

“is to curtail break down of law and order and it is with immediate effect”.

A similar incident had occurred in February 2018, when Christian and Muslim youths in the community engaged each other in a bloody fight following the alleged abduction and conversion of some christian girls by Muslim boys.

About 15 people were killed during that incident while property worth millions of naira was destroyed.

Flooding: FG Has Abandoned Bayelsa, Dickson Alleges Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday said that the state government had not received any financial assistance from the federal government to alleviate the plight of persons affected by the ravaging flood in the state.

The governor said in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei that at least 70 per cent of people living in the state were affected by the menace.

He acknowledged that he had

only received between 300 to 400 bags of rice as intervention from the federal government.

Stating that assets worth billions worth billions of naira had be destroyed, he recalled that the state, which was the most affected by the incident of flooding did not get any help from the federal government even during the serious flooding in 2012.

He said that the Bayelsa State Government had spend about N500 million on the upkeep of those displaced by the flood, stressing that the state government was currently struggling with the

responsibility of maintaining those internally displaced persons by the flood and ensuring their return to their homes.

“Other than receiving about 400 bags of rice for thousands of displaced people, I cannot point at any concrete help the Federal Government has rendered.

“No cash support, not even in 2012 did the state government receive any monies from the Federal Government. I know that we raised some money on our own and some agencies and philanthropic individuals and companies came to our

rescue,” he said.

The governor said the Bayelsa State Government had already spent over N500 million to manage the large number of persons displaced by the flood.

“And I want to use this opportunity also to call on public-spirited individuals and organisations, partners and donor agencies to please come to the aid of the people of my state.

People in the state are terribly displaced and are living in very terrible conditions. How many IDP camps can we build?

Ezekwesili’s Presidential Bid a Game Changer, Says Sonaiya Former KOWA Party (KP) presidential candidate, Oluremi Sonaiya has thrown her support behind the #Hope2019 Campaign of Obiageli Ezekwesili.

According to Sonaiya, Ezekwesili’s foray into politics is one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria owing to her

pedigree.

“When a person like Oby throws in her hat into this whole contest, for me, that is a game changer.

I am in support her candidature, Sonaiya said on an online interview programme, State Affairs.

The author of the book, One Woman’s Race, said that she is

willing to exit the race and support Ezekwesili, who is running on the Allied Congress Party of Nigerian (ACPN) platform, to lead the vanguard.

“I had earlier said that if I emerged as the candidate for my party and Ezekwesili comes up, I will step down,” Sonaiya reiterated.

Ezekwesili, who is a former Minister of Education and Solid Minerals, is the leading female candidate in the 2019 presidential race. Her #Hope2019 campaign is focused on lifting over 80 million Nigerians out of poverty and making prosperity possible for every Nigerian citizen.

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Crisis in Ekiti NLC over ‘Dissolution’ of Exco by Aggrieved Members Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The pronouncement by some members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State that the Ade Adesanmi –led State Executive of the union has been dissolved has sparked serious crisis in the state chapter of the trade union.

The present efforts by these aggrieved members, led by Adesanmi’s predecessor, Ayodeji Ajayi to get the executive dissolved abruptly were not be unconnected with the change of leadership in the state.

The incumbent Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi took over from former Governor Ayodele Fayose

CPJ Condemns Killing of Leman Hauwa, Berates FG for Poor Response Deborah Orji A group, Catalyst for Global Peace and Social Justice (CPJ) has condemned the killing of Miss Hauwa Leman, one of the health workers under the programme of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who was abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, affiliated to the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA).

CPJ said in a statement issued by its convener, Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon, and Chas Nwam, that it received the news of the killing of Leman with shock and blamed the federal government for the poor handling of the abductions of Leman and other health workers.

The group added that it was troubled due to the lack of strategy on the part of the federal government, adding that the poor handling of the abductions was an ample evidence that this present administration is indifferent to issues of life and death, just like the past administration.

The peace and justice group noted that it took the federal government a very long time to engage the abductors of the lecturers of the University of Maiduguri, as well as the Police officer’s wives over their release.

“When the door of engagement finally opened between the government and the ISWA group, the health workers were already

in captivity. Rather than take all the matters together, it seemed to serve the officials better to separate and play with the captors over the lives of the captives. Confronted with similar challenges, neighbouring Cameroon appears to have a clear set strategy that works for it. The result is that every high profile Cameroonian captives are regularly released without much ado from the hands of the same terror group,” CPJ explained.

CPJ noted that the federal government had also lost the initiative even in the negotiations it belatedly opened for the release of Leah Sharibu and the remaining health workers.

“We are embarrassed that this government is acting helplessly and declaring that it did everything possible to save Leman. That is never the language of a government. For instance, what were the contents of the ultimatum earlier handed out by the insurgents? Were the conditions outside of the scope of what the government had worked with before?” the group queried.

The group urged the government to redefine its strategy and framework of engagement with the insurgents in the area of release of non-combatant captives.

CPJ also seeks more reasonable step of designing a roadmap for peace, as well as urgent step to reopen every necessary door for the release of Sharibu and other remaining captives.

Atiku Disowns Online Grant Scheme Adedayo AkinwaleinAbuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has denied the purported disbursement of grants to unsuspecting Nigerians by his campaign organisation.

He therefore urged the public to discountenance communication and refrain from participating in any online scheme that is aimed at defrauding innocent Nigerians, with the ulterior motive to embarrass the presidential campaign.

Atiku made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja

through his campaign organisation.

He said: “The attention of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation has been drawn to an on-going scheme that purports to disburse grants to unsuspecting Nigerians.

“Information available to us reveal that the scheme code-named ‘Atiku Grant Disbursement Programme’ (see linkbit. ly/2NP4vup) is asking unsuspecting members of the public to contribute a certain amount of money which will be multiplied for them after they have downloaded a particular social media application.”

Experts Call on Educational Institutions to Embrace Online Learning Charles Ajunwa inToronto, Canada Experts have implored educational institutions to embrace online learning, noting that emerging technology is having a major impact on education worldwide.

According to the experts, attention has been paid to integrated learning platforms in the past decade, which

they claimed the concepts are more economical and efficient than human instructors and mentors.

They disclosed this yesterday during the official opening of this year’s Online Learning themed ‘Performance and Learning in the Digital Age’ organised by the Media Edge Communications at the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Canada.

on Tuesday and the aggrieved NLC leaders had the impression that the present Exco were incurably loyal to the immediate past government.

To this end, the anti-Adesanmi forces had on Wednesday announced that the state executive had been dissolved and that a caretaker would soon be set up to pilot the affairs of the union.

But a counter statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday and signed

by Adesanmi, urged the public to discountenance the earlier announcement, saying only the national secretariat of the union has the overriding powers to dissolve

the body.

Adesanmi added that the national body of the union had in a letter dated September 10, 2018, signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson and addressed to the union in Ekiti , affirmed the legality of the current State executive and its powers to operate till 2019 before a change of guard.

The NLC boss described the purported dissolution by these aggrieved members as a negation of the Trade Union Act, saying their actions remain illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Adesanmi stated that the NLC had in its Congress of August 27, 2018 slammed a 10-year ban on Ayodeji Aluko and his counterpart in Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolawole Olaiya, and was accepted by national secretariat , adding that this restrain from union participation had impeded them from taking any action on behalf of the unions.

He said: “NLC is a noble profession that is governed by constitution and therefore won’t tolerate continuous illegal activities of these aforementioned individuals.

“We are sitting executive

whose tenure run till 2019 and this position has been validated by our national secretariat.

“The national headquarters had in a letter dated September 10, 2018 with reference number NLC/NS/B. 32/225 stated inter alia : ‘That the NLC is governed by constitution and anything done at variance with the provisions of the constitution can’t stand. I therefore, wish to confirm that the only leadership of the NLC known to and recognised by the National Secretariat remains the one led by Ade Adesanmi,” the letter added.

DESERVING AWARDS...

L-R: Managing Director, VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi; President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, at NTITA Award 2018 held in Lagos...recently

Okowa Calls for Abolition of Death Penalties Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for the abolition of death sentence in Nigeria.

He made the call yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, when he received members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy led by Mr. William Alo. Okowa noted that Nigeria is a major player in the international community, adding that “we need to ask ourselves if death sentence

is still relevant in our society? In many states, many governors are not ready to sign the death warrant, why are they not signing the death warrant? The world is moving away from death sentence.”

While decrying the overpopulation of Nigerian prisons, Okowa urged the federal government to upgrade the facilities in the prisons.

“We need to evolve measures that will make Nigerian Prisons

to be truly reformatory centres, so that ex-convicts can be better citizensm,” he said “There is no doubt that most of our prisons are crowded, even in Delta State. There is the need to have reforms that will change the mind of the prisoners for them to be useful to the society; I pray that the committee keeps this advocacy on what to do to carry out reforms to make prisoners come out as better persons,” he said.

Okowa continued, “We need to

make them see life differently and acquire skills to live better life after imprisonment, we need to have a total rethink to carry out a total reformation of prisoners because if we reform their lives and does not provide skills, many of them will return to their old ways.”

Earlier, Alo had said they were on advocacy visit to prisons in the state, adding that it was important for suggestions to be made on how to improve on the services in the Nigerian Prisons.

Akwa Ibom’s Coconut Factory to Create 1,500 Jobs, Says Emmanuel Governor Udom Emmanuel has stated that the coconut factory built by his administration in Onna, will generate 1,500 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs.

According to a statement by the state government, in just three years in office as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel has improved the economy of the state by encouraging the development of small-scale industries.

This stems from the governor’s belief that small firms are relevant and vital to the development of the state economy and not just the big firms alone.

The governor has seen to the creation of various small firms that have in turn boosted the

economy of the state.

Akwa Ibom now hosts companies that manufacture tooth-picks, pencils, plastics, bamboo pulp, hydro form blocks moulding, electric metering, syringe and coconut oil factories, in addition to a flour mill and a fertiliser blending plant. Other small concerns include the Akwa Prime Hatchery and tomato farms.

The statement quoted a former commissioner and an indigene of the State, Emmanuel Enoidem, explained that, “the coconut factory would be supported by an 11,000 hectares of coconut plantation which could become the largest such planned cultivation in Africa on completion.”

The former commissioner

further revealed that the plantation, on its own, would employ between 2000 and 3000 persons directly, while the factory is designed to process one million coconuts daily, for full capacity production.

The governor also revealed that the “small” coconut industry is projected to yield $200 million to the coffers of the State monthly, which will be an immense boost to the internally generated revenue of the State.

The ex-commissioner explained that the small had been impactful, environmentally friendly and would have a transformational impact on the economy, enhance the productivity of the people and improve the work culture,

besides engendering a positive psychology among the people.

The “small is beautiful” economic model adopted by the governor of Akwa Ibom State is based on sheer simplicity – “an amazingly small means leading to extra-ordinary satisfactory results,” he noted.

“It is a common saying that great strides often begin with small steps. These small industries created by Udom’s government to produce goods and services needed for the existence and wellbeing of the people can stimulate the economy of the State, transform the people and change, in a positive way, the economic profile of the State,” the statement added.

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Senate Approves Science and Tech Varsity for FCT Steps down debate on electoral amendment bill Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday approved the establishment of a Science and Technology University in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It equally stood down the consideration of the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the INEC Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

Senate approval of the Science and Technology University for the FCT is coming 17 months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had at one of its weekly meetings in May 2017 approved the establishment of the special university in Abaji.

Presenting the report of the committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND at plenary for the establishment of the university, its Chairman, Senator Jibrin Barau(APC Kano North), urged the Senate to receive and consider the report of the committee for the establishment of FCT University of Science and Technology (Est, etc) Bill, 2018.

He urged his colleagues to approve the establishment of the university because the location is central and will generate employment opportunities for the residents of Abaji and environ.

Senator Philip Aduda (PDP

FCT), who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university, told journalists after plenary that all was set for the takeoff of the university by next academic session.

He disclosed that collaborative efforts were being made to get similar passage in the House of Representatives for required presidential assent.

According to him, 500 hectares of land had already been provided for the university in Abaji Area Council of the FCT aside blocks of classrooms and equipment also put in place by FCT Administration.

PDP KICKS AGAINST DISBANDMENT OF OSUN ELECTION TRIBUNAL in is lawful effort to reclaim its stolen mandate, PDP duly filed its petition on Tuesday October 15, 2018 in accordance with section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which prescribed that judgment must be delivered on or before 180 days.

Meanwhile, the APC in the state has expressed total disgust at what the party described as the shenanigans of the PDP over the dissolution of the tribunal.

In a statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party described PDP’s statement and the orchestrated demonstration as “irresponsible and desperate.”

According to the party, “nothing could be more absurd than the PDP’s accusation of the APC as the brain behind the dissolution of the Electoral Tribunal. We will want the people of Osun State to remember that this same phenomenon occurred in 2014 when the same PDP went to tribunal, attempting to annul the re-election of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola at the time”.

Oyatomi said “By our records, which is public knowledge, the tribunal was dissolved three times. “Because we did not know what was responsible for the dissolution, the APC did not issue stupid statements nor was any

irresponsible protests, organised against those dissolutions.”.

“This was because we were neither privy to, nor was it our responsibility to question the action of the judiciary.

We had faith in the process and we allow it to run its course - this, at a time the PDP itself was in charge of government in Abuja”. “’The PDP should be called to order because it is about time it gets responsible. What we are witnessing is an escalation of both distrust in the political process and a lack of faith in the judiciary which does no good to our democracy.”

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Live and Die with Dignity – 2 Spahic Omer/IslamiCity (continued from last week)

H

owever, the same was not the case with those authentic sciences and themes of the Qur’an, Sunnah and Shari’ah, which embrace plentiful implications for living and applying Islam as a total code of human existence.

While the former, when dealt with in accordance with a prescribed set of methods and objectives, renders Muslim thought and action impractical, desolate and insipid, the latter does exactly the opposite, due to which it is often regarded as inappropriate, yet risky.

The former contributes to subjugating and controlling Muslims and their thought, while the latter contributes to withstanding and defying the same.

Thus, for instance, dwelling on such legitimate and, at the same time, pivotal subjects as the creation of Islamic state, application of Shari’ah including its Penal Law, jihad, da’wah, islamisation, Muslim Ummah and universal brotherhood, is habitually deemed anomalous and aberrant.

As a result, the curricula in the Muslim world have been designed and re-designed accordingly for centuries. Their goal was the serial production of generations of “compliant”, “submissive”, “one-dimensional” and “myopic” Muslims as the obedient servants of the imposed visions and regimes.

However, the situation is not all doom and gloom. There is still much that can be done by everyone.

Optimism, yet excitement and contentment, coupled with creative thinking and constructive action, should be the raison d’etre. Being overly pessimistic and despondent is certainly not the way. It only plays into the hands of the perpetrators and sustainers of the status quo.

The following issues need to be considered.

First

All that is happening is only because Almighty Allah so wills. It is all part of His divine plan for His creation in general, and Muslims in particular.

No earthly, or otherworldly, power, or scheme, can thwart in the slightest His plans. He is the Creator, Lord and Owner of creation. He does what He wants.

He is also just and does things only for just purposes and ends.

Nobody does anything, nor does any event take place on earth, without His infinite knowledge and permission. It is all part of divine providence.

Second

In the end, the truth and the true servants of Allah will be victorious. That is an ontological law and principle as powerful and constant as everyday physical laws.

When it comes to dealing with others, there should be no room whatsoever within Muslims for the inferiority complex.

Third

The proponents and followers of the truth need to be patient and do only that which is in their capacity, for Allah does not burden anyone beyond what he can bear.

They do not have to change anything. It is Allah who changes things, events and people’s overall conditions. Their job is only to convey the truth and live it honorably as much and as effectively as possible.

Why the things are the way they are, and why they are prolonged as such, Allah knows best.

There must be in whatever befalls Muslims a profound wisdom and hidden blessings. Things are not to be judged superficially and in haste.

Allah loves His servants and does only that which is eventually best for them in both worlds.

Muslims ought to hold their heads high, and practice, as well as promote, their belief and value systems peacefully, confidently and wisely.

Everyone also needs to enjoy an appropriate level of activism and involvement. Neither of passiveness, escapism, indifference and deadening formalism is the answer. In their own ways, they are all suicidal.

The intentions, processes and strategies, rather than results, should be the worry. The results are within the purview of Allah’s sovereignty alone.

Fourth

The best way to convey the truth and invite people to it is to be its living example. That is so because the best antidote for falsehood and sin is the personification of the truth and goodness.

The two cannot coexist. The former is always

bound to be extirpated by the latter.

The mere existence of the latter spells adversity for the former. And the stronger and more conspicuous the truth and goodness, the weaker and more indistinguishable falsehood and sin become.

Nonetheless, keeping the truth in the realms of words and abstract ideas is insufficient.

Fifth

A person in the Hereafter will be held accountable only for what he did and tried to do, rather than for the general conditions of the world and people.

Even the holy prophets will not be held answerable for that. Everyone is responsible for his own choices and spiritual destiny.

It is a heavenly injunction that a person should worry most and take care of his very self and his family members first. As for the rest, the matter is proportional to a person’s abilities and the scope of his relationships and interactions.

But one thing is certain.

Everyone must be conscious and knowledgeable enough so that evil and falsehood and their agents are identifiable, loathed and worked against as much as feasible.

The world consists of individuals. It is affected and reformed to the same extent as individuals, the basic and most fundamental constituents of the world, are influenced and reformed.

Almighty Allah reveals: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves” (al-Ra’d, 11).

“That is because Allah would not change a favour which He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing” (al-Anfal, 53).

Sixth

This world is all about trials, challenges and obstacles. It was never meant to be an end in itself and to be enjoyed for its own sake.

Perceiving the world in such a manner is a serious mistake and runs against the core of the Islamic monotheistic worldview.

This world is a place where Jannah (Paradise) in the Hereafter is to be procured. Expecting the world to become a jannah is a grave misguidance.

The world is only the first part of the journey.

The more difficult the trials and challenges, the more blessings and rewards await the faithful.

All types of problems are blessings in disguise.

Victory is a test, and so is defeat. A person should pass both of them. What matters most is what they do to a person and how he reacts to them. Neither is intrinsically good or bad, nor preferred or abhorred.

Both possess unique sets of potentials that should be optimized, and challenges that should be overcome.

Islam propagates pragmatism, realism and commitment, and shuns utopianism, naivety and fatalism. It propagates quality and substance, rather than quantity and pharisaism.

Seventh

As Allah’s vicegerent on earth, man has been created as an honorable being. His existence is an embodiment of purpose, meaning and beauty.

Thus, the gist of his vicegerency mission is to live and die with dignity, regardless of the terrestrial consequences and conditions. With dignity, he will then be resurrected on the Day of Judgment and will face his Creator.

Losing, or compromising, dignity at any point of his life journey is the biggest existential crime a person can commit.

Dying with dignity is better than living without it. A life without dignity is a truly meaningless, wretched and inhuman experience.

To Muslims, therefore, life is not to be perceived exclusively in terms of winning or losing, but in terms of espousing the spiritual purpose and identity, and maintaining the human honor and dignity notwithstanding the circumstances. In each situation, however, different systems and modi operandi are to be evolved and applied.

And lastly, we must distinguish between Islam and Muslims. It is Muslims who will always be tested and will go through the ups and downs of life, influencing them and being influenced by them. Islam is and will perennially be fine.

Its purity, holiness and flawlessness are beyond the reach of human deficiencies and collusions.

Almighty Allah declares: “They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it” (al-Saff, 8-9).

Concluded

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͹΁˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Three NFF Officials Granted Bail in $10.8m Fraud Duro Ikhazuagbe A FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja has adjourned hearing in the case of three Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials dragged before the court on allegation of fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to November 27.

The court presided by Justice Peter Affen upheld the administrative bail granted to the three NFF officials, Christopher Andekin (Director of Administration and Finance), Reagan Zaka (Cashier) and Fadanari Mamza (Head, Finance and Account Department) who are accused of mishandling $9.5 million and $1.3 million by the EFCC. Before adjourning the case, the judge ordered that the defendants’ sureties should sign bond with registrar of the court, and also deposit their international passports with the court.

The officials have been charged by EFCC on a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds.

Jamaica ‘s Reggae Girlz celebrating after defeating Panama in Texas to secure World Cup qualification on Wednesday night

The prosecutor, Steve Odiase told the court that the three defendants conspired between January 8 and 26, 2015 to commit the offences, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.

Odiase also alleged that Andekin was entrusted with a grant from the world body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), which he said was money meant

for development of football in Nigeria.

He alleged that Andekin diverted $1.3 million from NFF’s domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, contrary to section 311

of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor further alleged that Zaka diverted a $7.2 million grant from FIFA that was also meant for development of football in Nigeria, while also

stating that Mamza did same to $2.3 million The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their counsel, Arinze Egbo applied for their bail.

Pillars Boosted with Bonus Payment ahead of Clash with Rangers Determined to end Cup jinx for the Sai Masu Gida, the Kano State government has boosted the morale of Kano Pillars players and officials by paying outstanding 11-match bonuses to them ahead of their AITEO Cup final against Enugu Rangers on Wednesday.

The final game is to be staged

AITEO CUP FINAL at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Spokesman of Kano Pillars, Idris Malikawa confirmed the payment yesterday and stressed that the camp of the Kano State owned team is full of life again as the players have resolved

UNICAL, UAM Set for HiFL 2018 Final University of Calabar (UNICAL Malabites) and University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM Tillers) are set to slug it out at the final of the 2018 Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) scheduled to hold at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on November 3, 2018.

In an exciting encounter at the University of Agriculture Makurdi Stadium, the UAM Tillers turned over a two-goal deficit to defeat the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU Giants) by 3-0 wining on a 6-5 aggregate score line.

The UNICAL Malabites also canceled the 1-0 deficit from their first leg match played in Ilorin with a 2-0 home win against the UNILORIN Warriors in Calabar.

The Stanbic IBTC Man of the match in the UAM Tillers versus OAU Giants game, Ebuka David, showed why he is presently the highest scorer in the tournament, with eight goals under his belt, as he scored again in the 42nd minute.

Two more goals from Abata Terkuma in the 3rd minute and Anthony Elaigwu in the 48th minute completed the rout on the OAU Giants.

Similarly, goals from Prince Umoh in the 9th minute and Osas Paul in the 18th minute were enough to give the UNICAL Malabites a comfortable

2-0 win over the UNILORIN Warriors despite a spirited effort from the Ilorin boys.

Commenting on the matches, the Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing Limited, Mr. Sola Fijabi said “we now have our four finalists who will play the finals to determine the first, second and third place winners. We appreciate all the schools that participated in the 2018 HIFL because they are all winners.

“They have all demonstrated good sportsmanship as they displayed fantastic football artistry. We also thank our sponsors for their support, looking forward to the next season”.

The 2018 HiFL commenced on August 1 with teams from the Sahel and Atlantic conferences. The top 16 universities from 79 NUGA-member institutions played in 30 games over a period of 14 weeks in a return leg elimination format.

Selected players from the 2018 HiFL will represent Nigeria at the upcoming International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games, the world’s largest collegiate sports competition.

The HiFL is organised by Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

to pay back the gesture with victory against the Flying Antelopes.

“It’s a big boost for the team as we prepare for the AITEO Cup final against Enugu Rangers on Wednesday. All the allowances and bonuses

owed the team amounting to N7 million have been cleared and no one is owed in the club now,” Malikawa revealed.

Kano Pillars is yet to win the FA Cup despite having won the league on several occasions.

The final may also turn out an avenue for any of the

players of both teams to play themselves into the national team as Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr who returned to the country after the reverse fixture defeat of Libya in Sfax, Tunisia on Tuesday night is going to watch the epic final.

The Eagles chief handler has been widely criticised for

overlooking players from the domestic league, preferring to work with players based overseas.

However, he has maintained that the country’s best players do not play locally.

The cup winners will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

NCC: Sport Remains Best Weapon against Unemployment, Crime Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), has described sports as the best weapon that can be deployed by the governments to reduce the menace of youth unemployment and crime in the Nigeria’s society.

To this end, NCC is to expend N25 million on talent hunt and promotion across the country.

Specifically, the telecommunication regulatory agency, is to spend the money on the promotion of tennis league, as the Federal Government’s body is presently sponsoring 12 teams across the six geopolitical zones of the country to encourage the youths in developing their skills in the area of sports.

Speaking at the second

round of the annual NCC Tennis League held at the Trade Fair Tennis Court in Ado Ekiti on Sunday where Team Yetade from Ado Ekiti had played Team Luik from Lekki in Lagos, NCC’s Principal Manager, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Oritseserundede Ajagbona, described the step taken by the commission as parts of its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the Nigerian society.

She said winner of the league event will be rewarded with a sum of N7 million, while runner up, third and fourth place would get N5 million, N4 million and N3 million respectively as rewards from the commission .

The NCC official added that each of the 12 teams in contention have been given a take-off grant of N500,000

for participating in the annual tennis event.

She said: “Sport is a very important instrument in the life of a nation to develop the potentials of our productive youths, many of which have taken into drugs and other crimes, this Tennis league will build their potentials and take their minds away from these social vices.

“It is part of our social responsibilities targeted at generating activities for the youths and improve the qualities of Tennis players in our country.”

The Chairman of the Ekiti State Sports Council, Chief Deji Samo and Vice President, National Tennis Federation (NTF), Chief Yemi Owoseni, applauded the Commission for its intervention, saying the League was conceived to boost

the morale of the youths and propel young tennis players across the nation.

Owoseeni, owner and sponsor of the Team Yetade added that the initiative came at the time when Nigerian governments is harping on the need for youths to discover their talents and make best use of them, rather than looking for free money through white collar jobs that are not readily available.

“This is an initiative that will make us showcase our talents to the outside world.

It will also help the government to improve on the existing facilities once a tennis league is established. The utmost aim of this is for each participating team to discover its strength and weaknesses for sports development,” he concluded.

Bob Marley’s Daughter Inspires Reggae Girlz toWorld Cup History Bob Marley is one of Jamaica’s favourite sons, but it is the late musician’s daughter who is revelling in the nation’s latest sporting success.

Jamaica has become the first Caribbean team to qualify for a women’s football World Cup and it’s Cedella Marley - the first-born daughter of Bob who the Reggae Girlz have to thank.In 2010, their team ceased to exist, only for Marley to come on board four years

later as an ambassador and sponsor with the Bob Marley Foundation and help turn their fortunes around.

That turnaround was completed in Texas on Wednesday evening, when Jamaica defeated Panama on penalties in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship third-place play-off - a feat that has been described in the Jamaican press as “almost super-human”.

Twice Jamaica took the lead over Panama and twice the Central Americans equalised, before Dominique Bond-Flasza scored the winning spot-kick to send the ‘Reggae Girlz’ to next year’s World Cup in France.

“Big up to Cedella Marley for putting her neck on the line for us,” head coach Hue Menzie said after the game.

However, it was far from easy watching the drama

unfold Marley told BBC World Service: “There were a couple of moments when I had to leave the room (watching the match) because I was going light-headed.

“I went outside and started to meditate. By the time the last penalty went in we were all on the floor. Daddy would probably not be surprised, when I put my foot into something stuff happens.

He’d be like, ‘that’s my girl’.”

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MISSILE INEC to APC “We have seen the court order and it doesn’t change anything. The court said we should maintain the status quo and what is the status quo? The status quo is that as far as INEC is concerned, the deadline for the conduct of primaries elapsed and Zamfara has no list. That is the status quo” – Independent National Electoral Commission insisting the All Progressives Congress does not have candidates for elections in Zamfara State.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Enters Game Changer Atiku Abubakar

O

ne year ago, the refrain by cynics and genuinely concerned Nigerians waswherewithal the viable candidates to potentially challenge President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Then after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inexplicably shot itself in the foot with the expropriation of the party chairmanship from the South-west zone, thereby undermining its national spread, the refrain grew more cynical and disappointed and became where is the party that is sufficiently viable to give Buhari and APC a run for its money. And subsequently the refrain became-the opposition is disunited and incapable of working together and was thereby deemed, to this extent, a nonstarter in a match up with the incumbent president. Further down the road, to the refrain of the projected obstacle race was added the prediction that the PDP cannot hold a successful presidential primary and that the fallout from the attendant crisis will cripple the party. All these were realistic doubts and valid indications of the uphill task inherent in challenging an entrenched and desperate incumbent.

Looking back now, the current viable and stable status of the opposition was nigh unthinkable one year ago. As 2019 drew near, the role fell on me to reassure those overcome with the spirit of doubting Thomas, that in politics one month could amount to eternity; that necessity is the mother of invention, that the pervasively shared public passion to sending Buhari packing is strong enough to impose its own logic, beat the divided opposition into shape and ensure all necessary course corrections along the way. I adverted attention to the instrumentality of down-to-the-wire brinkmanship, that there is a negative utility in a formless opposition not taking shape until the last minute-thereby limiting the latitude of the incumbent party to subvert and sabotage the opposition.

In the event, the hesitant and sporadic motion and movement culminating in the emergence of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was so fluid and unpredictable that even people supposedly in the know were unable to make the right call until the final hours of the fateful primaries. The most conspicuous false lead was generated by the signal picked from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, and the imposition of Port Harcourt as the venue of the convention.

This was in furtherance and assertion of his Godfather complex over the affairs of the PDP including, especially, the determination of the presidential candidate.

Port Harcourt was supposed to work to the answer of crowning Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as the presidential candidate of the party. And it does not detract from his rising political profile to express doubt in the ability of

Atiku

the Sokoto State Governor to grapple with the anticipated last ditch barrage from a wounded and cornered opponent. If he had successfully sailed to victory on the wings of Wike as against the widely applauded outcome that produced Atiku Abubakar, the fighting fit capacity of the party would have been poorer for the choice. We can only speculate on the vision of Wike for the PDP but his influence has fostered in the party a penchant for erratic and sometimes self-destructive behaviour.

It was at the initiative of the Rivers State Governor and his soul mate, Governor Ayodele Fayose that the PDP blundered into the disastrous enthronement of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the interim Chairman of the party. All who knew him very well predicted that, in the choice of Sheriff, the PDP had just procured a cure worse than whatever disease ails the party; and would rue the day the rabid sleeping dog was roused from its manic stupor. Unfortunately, the fulfillment of this prescience had no sobering effect on the harbingers of the sheriff tragedy. At the next critical stage, Wike continued in the tradition of making questionable choices that were at variance with the imperative of growing and stabilising the party. For a party aiming for national political equilibrium and acceptance, the subversion of the prospect of the Southwest zone to produce the party chairman, is meaningful only as a contradiction and obstruction of this objective. The full measure of this strategic blunder has, inadvertently, been further clarified by the decision of Abubakar to pick his running mate from the South-west-thus aggravating the PDP vacuum in the South-west.

Going forward, the emergence of the former vice president as the winner of the PDP primaries was the best case scenario but it came against the run of play and caught both foes and friends flatfooted.

Among fellow aspirants, he was the one to whom the other aspirants may readily defer and concede primacy. His status as former vice president for eight years

and the oldest amongst the lot renders him the senior contender to whom the others should have no problem yielding the right of way. Beyond Abubakar and been largely of the same generation and of relative equality of political status, any other outcome would have provoked the negative emotion of losing out in the context of peer rivalry among the other aspirants. Regardless of the transparency of the process, how would Bukola Saraki and Rabiu Kwankwaso have felt if Tambuwal had emerged the winner?

Abubakar’s fabled wealth is a double edged sword but the perception of same readily inspires confidence in his ability to muster adequate resources to run the high stakes gamble of presidential campaign in Nigeria. And as his former principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo, accurately noted in his character witness on the viability of Abubakar’s candidacy‘For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through. From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs. You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways. As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.”

The challenge of responding to the South-west vacuum is going to prove the first major political test to confront Abubakar in his latest career as presidential candidate. More than many Nigerians, I have confidence in his capacity to successfully grapple with this challenge. It is a syndrome that is rooted in the decades old animus and suspicion between the South-west and the South-east fostered by a Nigerian historical context that predisposes both groups to be at daggers drawn. And there are enough grievances to go round to prove the bad faith of one another and why the gain of one is the loss of the other. With a Yoruba, Professor Yemi Osinbajo as the running mate to President Buhari, it is a vulnerability begging to be exploited by a presidential ticket that is otherwise bereft of a good record to run its campaign. But it also provides an opportunity to advance Nigerian politics beyond the negative Igbo/Yoruba rivalry stereotype and the attendant ill impulse to cut the nose in order to spite the face.

Given that Osinbajo is the incumbent vice president, the burden is on the Yoruba to make the hard choice. By my reckoning, that choice is made less problematic by three factors. One is the unmitigated failure of the Buhari presidency and its

repudiation of the commitment to embark on a wholesome restoration of Nigerian federalism-which was the selling point of the ticket in the 2015 elections. Second, Osinbajo has made it his mission in rostrum after rostrum to trivialise and ridicule the Yoruba led advocacy for restructuring. Third is that, contrariwise, the whole Abubakar campaign pitch for the Nigerian Presidency is predicated on the advocacy of the constitutional restructuring agenda-which remains the main priority of the South-west.

But what is the guarantee that the PDP candidate will not similarly renege on this pledge? The most critical guarantee of his good faith is the political character of Abubakar. Unlike Buhari, he is a liberal Nigerian nationalist, cosmopolitan, selfassured and bridge builder. It is difficult to see how any Nigerian political leader invested with these qualities will not be persuaded of the imperative of the constitutional restructuring of Nigeria.

Coming from a geo political constituency, namely the Muslim North, that largely remains unyielding to the advocacy for restructuring, he is the indispensable bridge builder to this crucial geo political bloc. Let me conclude with this prophecy from a Nigerian Patriarch. He said that sometime in January this year, a child was sent to fetch water with a calabash from a nearby stream. On the way back home, the calabash fell and got broken in pieces and with the pieces went the water in the container. He said the fate of this errand is the futility that awaits Buhari at the 2019 polls.

...AND KEYAMO LIED “Caught the last few minutes of the altercation between the spokesmen of Atiku Abubakar and Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign organisations, Segun Sowumi and Festus Keyamo on ChannelsTV. In dismissing the debt cancellation feat of the Obasanjo government, Keyamo said there was “no wizardry” about it as it was a mere decision of G8 countries to grant debt forgiveness to some African countries in 2005 and Nigeria simply benefit ted. He went on to challenge Nigerians watching to Google the info and find out…Taking the cue, I googled for the information and found that the G8 debt cancellation for the 18 countries was a VERY different matter from the Nigeria debt write-off negotiation by the Obasanjo government with the London and Paris Clubs creditor nations. An article from 2005 from Stanford Graduate School of Business said, “Under the G8 proposal 18 nations (Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) as a group will be spared $1 billion to $2 billion per year in debt service for loans from lenders like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.”

I didn’t see Nigeria there.”

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