THURSDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2018

Emefiele: Forex Restriction on 41 Items Saved Nigeria’s Economy Enelamah, Ezekwesili worried over rising debts James Emejo, Kasim Sumaina in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lokoja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin

Emefiele, yesterday reiterated that the bank’s restriction of foreign exchange access to 41 import items, three years ago, was in national interest, explaining that it helped

to save the economy from collapse. Emefiele in a keynote address he delivered at a seminar for journalists in Lokoja with the

theme: “Monetary Policy Implementation amidst Global Economic Protectionism,” said although the policy was restrictive of trade, he explained that it was necessary

to protect the economy from the importation of items that could dampen the local production and economic growth. The CBN had in July 2015,

restricted 41 items, including vegetable oil, poultry products, toothpicks, cosmetics, plastic and rubber products, among Continued on page 6

House Concurs with Senate, Passes Electoral Act Amendment Bill… Page 8 Thursday 25 October, 2018 Vol 23. No 8590. Price: N250

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US Secret Service Intercepts Explosive Packages Sent to Obama, Clinton, CNN... Page 52

Atiku Cries to EU, WEF, Says FG Intimidating Political Opponents PDP reiterates lack of confidence in INEC Insists on Amina’s resignation Foreign observers consult with stakeholders Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday expressed grave concerns over the disposition of the federal government to opposition politicians, saying

unfolding events showed a high level of intolerance that has left opposing parties’ candidates fearing for their lives. The leading opposition party’s presidential flag bearer’s view were expressed Continued on page 8

Oshiomhole Walks Tightrope, Seeks Reconciliation with Aggrieved Govs Weighs options in troubled states Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Concerned that the crises generated by the primaries for the selection of candidates for next year’s general election might jeopardise the chances of the party in some states, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, is making strenuous efforts to

reconcile aggrieved members, particularly governors, whose interest have been injured in the process. Some governors have been up in arms against the national chairman because their preferred candidates lost out, rallying their colleagues to move for his removal. Continued on page 6

NLC Mobilises Workers for Monday’s Strike... Page 6

STANDING UP FOR CHAMPIONS... L-R: President, Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick; Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; and Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, during the Federation Cup final in Asaba, Delta State… yesterday

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NLC Mobilises Workers for Monday’s Strike Advises Nigerians to stockpile foodstuff Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Barely five days to its deadline for commencement of a nationwide strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun mobilisation of all its affiliate unions to ensure effective implementation of the industrial action. The NLC and its partner, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are protesting the resistance of the federal, state and local governments to the adoption of N30,000 as the new minimum wage in the country and had warned that unless the figure was accepted by the government, they would order an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday. Consequently, the NLC at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja yesterday directed all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies and the informal sector to commence immediate mobilisation of their

members. A communiqué signed by the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, and General Secretary, Mr. Peter Essom, said there would be joint organ meetings of the Central Working Committees (CWCs) of all the labour centres on November 2, in final preparations for a full engagement with the federal government on the national minimum wage. The NEC meeting resolved to commence an indefinite national strike and industrial actions from November 6, except government accepts and commences the process of perfecting the payment of N30, 000 as the negotiated and compromise new national minimum wage before that date. According to the communique, "NEC-in-session directed all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies, the informal sector and other friends of workers and lovers of democracy to commence immediate

mobilization of their members; "The NEC advised Nigerians to start stocking food and other necessities of life as workers will ensure a total shutdown of the country". Similarly the NLC condemned the decision of the federal government to clamp down on labour via what it described as "selective and erroneous invocation of the 'no work, no pay" clause in the Trade Disputes Act," noting that the right to strike is both a human and trade union right and cannot be abridged. It urged workers to disregard government’s directive on “no work, no pay” because workers were already being impoverished and being owed arrears of salaries.

Threatens to Report FG to ILO Also as part of the resolutions in

a communiqué, the labour bodies threatened to report the federal government to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) over its White Paper on “No work, no pay’’ policy. They described the White Paper as an assault to Organised Labour. The communique stated that the NLC NEC had resolved not to be bound by the latest White Paper by federal government against labour, describing it as an illegality and a throwback to the dark days of fascism which organised labour successfully confronted. Wabba said that the NEC condemned the government for its design/plan to clamp down on labour via selective and erroneous invocation of the ‘no work, no pay” clause in the Trade Disputes Act. “The right to strike is both a human and trade union right and cannot be abridged as it is what distinguishes a worker

from a slave. “There is nothing new about this clause as it has been in our statutes for over 40 years. “The NEC also demanded that the government uphold the principles of the rule of law, fairness, equity and justice by invoking “no pay, no work. “The NEC, accordingly, resolved that the threat of “no work, no pay” will not deter it from embarking on strike, when necessary, as it has always complied with legal requirements precedent and will always comply with those requirements.” He said the NEC also resolved to advise the federal government to shelve its white paper or risk being reported to the ILO. According to him, the NEC urged Nigerian workers to disregard government’s directive on “no work, no pay” as they were already being impoverished and owed

arrears of salaries. He said the NEC also observed that government’s design to influence the tenure of union executives and membership of unions’ negotiating teams, constituted a direct interference in the internal affairs of the unions. He said the NEC noted that this was in direct contravention of the Articles 3, 4 and 8 of ILO Convention 87, which Nigeria signed since 1960. He said the NEC also “debunked, rejected and condemned”claims by the Minister of Labour and Employment in the media that negotiations were still ongoing on the issue of a New National Minimum Wage which implementation was already long overdue. The NLC president added that the NEC also resolved to organise a national day of mobilisation and sensitisation rallies for all workers.”

former Minister of Education and Senior Economic Advisor, African Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has described Nigeria’s rising debt as very scary and a source for concern. Ezekwesili, while speaking to the press, yesterday at the sidelines of the Morocco-Nigeria Relations event with the theme: Enhancing Opportunities for Growth and Development in Abuja, stated that the country does have a debt issue. According to her, "You can't deal with the revenue issue in isolation from the debt issue. The truth is that you have different indicators that you use in measuring your debt sustainability. The one that the government likes, is the one that says to it that you have plenty of headroom to borrow and that's the one that measures the percentage of the ratio to debt and the GDP. "It has become a blunt instrument, because if you're not with the capacity to service your debt, then you are already in crisis, you're in trouble. You won't even produce any additional GDP. “Today, our GDP, our debt service to revenue is 69 per cent hovering around 70 per cent. That's very scary, so it is something that needs to be worked on. We need to look at the kind of reforms that will enlarge the productivity of our GDP as it is and triple it as much as possible.” Ezekwesili added, “Our own GDP is about $375 billion today, our GDP per capital is about $1,968. That of Morocco 109 billion for the GDP and 3,109 GDP per capital. "Now, these are low levels, these are low numbers. We have the capacity to triple these GDP levels. The more that we can collaborate, the more that we can find regional integration basis, to do things with business to business, government to

government and people to people. The better for the two countries. “By so doing, it can then be the drivers of even more integration within not just our sub region but the continent, and then to look towards the rest of the world on the basis of higher productivity and competitiveness". The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), however said, "Until we are able to think in a very holistic and comprehensive way about this, we might be continuously substituting the necessary visionary reforms that we need in Key sectors of the economy for debt.” On his part, Managing Director, OCP Policy Center, Karim El Anynaoui, said over the past three, four years, Morocco and Nigeria had deepened their relations. He noted that there are things happening on the ground. Sighting the fertilizer sector as an example, he said that his country had been supporting the presidential fertilizer initiative in Nigeria. According to him, "We made sure to provide appropriate, tailor made and affordable price for the farmers. So, there are things going on, and there are other sectors where discussions and potential for cooperation is ongoing, particularly in the energy sector.”

EMEFIELE: FOREX RESTRICTION ON 41 ITEMS SAVED NIGERIA’S ECONOMY others, from accessing foreign exchange from the interbank foreign exchange market. Importers of the restricted items were asked to source their forex requirements from autonomous sources. Emefiele, who was represented by the CBN Director, Monetary Policy Department, Mr. Moses Tule, noted that in today’s world, countries have used trade protection repeatedly as a policy to resolve negative perceptions and shocks. He said, “In other words, should Nigeria with insatiable taste for foreign goods to the detriment of the domestic economic realities (unemployment and imported inflation) throw its borders open to indiscriminate importation of goods and services. “This was the prevailing condition in Nigeria before the introduction of restriction of official foreign exchange for the importation of 41 items. “It was an eclectic policy carefully crafted with a view to reversing the multiple challenges of dwindling foreign reserves, contracting Gross Domestic Production -recession and an embarrassing rise in the level of unemployment confronting the economy. “The implementation of the 41 items, in addition to the other complementary macroeconomic policies, no doubt, was effective in lifting the Nigerian economy out of recession. “For example, the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.40 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, up from 0.72 per cent, and contraction of 0.91 per cent in the second and first quarter of 2017, respectively. Also, there has been improved reserve accretion to the country’s reserve.” The CBN governor noted that given the salutary effects on the economy; it could be argued that the “stance of classical economists that trade protectionism notwithstanding,

to override the utility of selective protection in form of the 41 items to resolve the challenges facing the economy can hardly be overemphasised.” He added, “Pragmatic economic nationalism, therefore, would ordinarily vote in favour of protecting the domestic economy, as long as it does not infringe upon the tenets of “beggar-thyneighbour policies.” He also said protectionism does not refer to the restriction of trade between nations, utilising means such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other inhibitive government regulations, designed to discourage imports and prevent the foreign dominance of local markets. “Protectionism directly contrasts with the system of free trade in which the trading in goods and services between or within countries flows unobstructed by trade restrictions. “At the heart of protectionist policies is the desire to spur the domestic economy for enhanced local production and to discourage dumping in order to protect domestic industries from foreign take-over or competition,” he added.

Enelamah Decries High Interest on Nigeria’s Debt Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, has said the country's rising debt stock should not be the source of concern to Nigerians but the attendant high interest accrual on the loans. He said the debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio was still under 20 percent and within a comfortable threshold. Nigeria’s total domestic and foreign debt stock stood at N22.38 trillion and $73.21 billion respectively, as at June 30, 2018,

according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Speaking in an interview with THISDAY, against the backdrop of concerns over the country's rising debt profile, he said the country must be careful about the sources of the borrowings with regards to high interest charges on the loans. He said, "First in terms of actual numbers- debt as a percentage of GDP for instance, you find that Nigeria is probably still under 20 per cent, which broadly speaking will be considered acceptable compared to those of other countries. "However, the interest on the debt is an issue- which then tells you what the real problem is. Nigeria has a revenue problem not a debt problem because debt to GDP is just under 20 per cent. "It's like somebody who has a mortgage on his house, the mortgage may be reasonable but if he doesn't have a job- he had better go and get a job- he can decide to move out of the house but he has to live somewhere. "So my view that we need to ratchet up and step up the revenue profile of the government and I will tell you why; our revenue to GDP is six percent, which is abysmally low and the reason is that unfortunately we don't have a tax paying culture." He said, "A system that's based on oil revenues that's shared across the tiers of government is a recipe for abdication of responsibility because it looks as if the money is dropping from upstairs. "Whereas if it's like in other countries where the money is built up, the people actually feel that government owes them because they are now funding the government. "And I think Nigeria should get back there which is also part of the diversification of the economy. What is clear is that the revenue from oil is not enough, which is why it's just six percent.

"So, I do agree that we have work to do but I will say that work is to increase our revenue to GDP and certainly do it in a way that is sustainable and robust. What we have now is fragile which is basically dependent on oil revenue." The minister, however, disagreed with suggestions that President Muhammadu Buhari lacked a capable economic management team to turn around the fortunes of the country as his cabinet ministers appeared to be incompetent. He insisted that Buhari had put round pegs in round roles in his choice of political appointees. According to him, "You know what the president said is put round pegs in round holes. If you wanted to be fair to the president and the cabinet, you actually have to look at the ministers. I interact with them one by one and ask yourself honesty-these ministers, don't they fit? My own honest assessment is that in most of the portfolios, we have round pegs in round holes. "I can speak for myself but if you know their background, you'll know they fit. I mean, I don't want to start calling names but if you look at Chief Audu Ogbeh and agriculture, I mean, he is so passionate about it. "So you can go step by step. My sense is that we actually have round pegs in round holes. However, the point I'm trying to make is that we are very quick to criticise- I have to admit that we have a long way to go but my view is that collectively as a country, we need to keep reinforcing the social contract and you'll find that the leadership at the ministerial level will get stronger and stronger."

Nigeria's Rising Debt Very Scary, Says Ezekwesili Also speaking on the economy,

OSHIOMHOLE WALKS TIGHTROPE, SEEKS RECONCILIATION WITH AGGRIEVED GOVS Leading the charge against Oshiomhole are Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo). The governors, whose aspirations had been thwarted by Oshiomhole’s stubborn adherence to the party’s guidelines on the primaries process had raked dust, sponsoring public demonstrations and approaching

President Muhammadu Buhari to swing the tide in their favour. Although they failed to get Buhari, who bluntly told them that it was a party affair, which could only be resolved with the help of the chairman, Oshiomhole, party sources told THISDAY did not think he should take undue advantage of the favourable presidential disposition, but rather he should seek reconciliation. To this end, Oshiomhole, who

party sources said was in the United States and would return at the weekend, has decided to set up a reconciliation committee that would bring all the aggrieved party chieftains to the table. “His idea is that whilst he is aware that the governors opposed to him are not more than 4 out of 21, he thinks it is the party that would lose out if the crisis persists without a resolution,” a source said.

“He is looking at a situation in which consensus could be reached fast enough to beat INEC’s deadline for substitution of candidates,” he said. THISDAY further gathered that the APC national chairman had embarked on consultations, aimed at stemming the revolt by some of the aggrieved state governors, before he left for the US. The party source said the national chairman was not happy

with the attacks on him in the media being allegedly sponsored by some of the governors who failed to secure tickets for their anointed aspirants. The source who did not want his name mentioned due to the sensitive nature of the issues, identified three state governors, Amosun, Akeredolu and Okorocha as being the arrow heads in the campaign to rubbish Continued on page 8

TOP GAINERS DIAMOND LAWUNION NIGERINSURE WAPIC FIDELITY TOP LOSERS MCNICHOLS TRANSEXPRESS REDSTAR

NGN NGN 0.12 1.39 0.04 0.56 0.02 0.28 0.03 0.44 0.10 2.05 NGN 0.05 0.45 0.06 0.65 0.35 4.25 DANGCEMENT 14.50 200.00 LASACO 0.02 0.28 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,370.00 Volume: 380.966 million shares Value: N2.332 billion Deals: 3,278 As at yesterday 24/10/18 See details on Page 41

% 9.4 7.6 7.6 7.3 5.1 % 10 8.4 7.6 6.7 6.6

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House Concurs with Senate, Passes Electoral Act Amendment Bill APC, PDP commend passage

Adedayo Akinwale and Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 scaled the final hurdle at the National Assembly yesterday as the House of Representatives concurred with the Senate and passed draft legislation aimed at making the nation’s electoral process cleaner and more transparent. The Senate had passed the alteration bill on Tuesday and awaited the House’s concurrence, which was done yesterday. It would now be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had returned it thrice, for assent. The two leading parties in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were full of praises for the federal legislature for the passage of the bill, saying it was a commendable act. The PDP, however, urged the president to assent to the bill without further delay. The House considered and adopted the bill after adopting the report by the joint Senate and House Committee on the

bill presented by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral and Political Party Matters, Hon. Aishatu Dukku. Hon. Orker Jev moved the motion for the consideration and it was seconded by Dukku. The motion was voted on and passed. The House, however, deferred further consideration of the remaining clauses of the bill. Some of the sections of the original electoral act amended were; 31, 33, 34, 38, 44, 67, 76, 78, 82, 85, 87,91, 99, 112, 120,138, 143, 151, and the Schedule. Buhari had declined assent to the bill thrice, referring drafting issues as well as inclusion of clauses that might amount to infraction of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The joint committee had considered all the issues raised by the president on the returned bills and reflected the correction in the new bill. Dukku told the House that the bill made provision for the use of card readers and any other technological devices in conducting elections and that the timeline for the submission of lists of candidates was captured in

Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara Section 31(6) and 85(1) of the bill. The amended bill is meant to identify criteria for substitution of candidates, limits of campaign expenses as well as address problems related to the omission of names of candidates or logo of political parties. According to her, “Clause 4, amends Section 18 of the Principal Act, which deals with erroneous cross-references made in the bill that was sent earlier for assent. Clause 10, amends Section 36 (3) of the Principal Act that deals with qualifying language. “Clause 14, amends Section 49 (4) of the Principal Act that

deals with where a smart card reader deployed for accreditation of voters fails to function in any polling unit and a fresh card reader is not deployed three hours before the close of the election in that unit, then the election shall not hold but be rescheduled and conducted within 24 hours, thereafter, provided that where the total possible votes from all the affected card readers in the unit or units does not affect the overall result in the constituency or election concerned, the commission shall notwithstanding the fact that a fresh card reader is not deployed as stipulated, announce the final results and declare a winner. “Clause 24, amends Section 87 (13) of the principal act that deals with the issue of a deadline for primary election. The dates of the primaries shall not be earlier than 150 days and not later than 90 days before the date of the election to the elective offices.” Dukku said this is because the earlier Electoral Act Amendment Bill did not properly amend Sections 31, 33 and 85 of the principal act that stipulate times for submission of lists of

candidates, publication of lists of candidates, notice of conventions and congresses for nominating candidates for elections. Clause 32 amends Section 140 (4) of the principal act that deals with the omission of the name of a candidate or logo of a political party. The House also set campaign spending limits for presidential elections at N5bn, governorship at N1bn, senate 500m and House of Representatives N250m. Responding to the passage of the bill, the PDP described it as a welcome development. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, while speaking with THISDAY on phone yesterday, said the president should immediately sign the bill into law in view of its urgency, adding that the general election was around the corner. According to him, “It is a welcome development, we just hope that the president will sign it. We have election in February, so the president should sign it without further delay.” The APC was similarly persuaded, saying it would support any amendment to the

country's electoral law that could improve the conduct of elections. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lanre Isa-Onilu, who reacted to the passage of the bill yesterday said the party would be happy if the amendment could help to make elections more free and fair. Isa-Onilu who spoke to THISDAY on telephone said, "We welcome the passage of the bill and we will be happy if at the end of the day, it represents what is in the best interest of the country. "Any such bill that will enhance the capacity of INEC to hold a free and fair election, we will be happy about it. However, we will have to study the bill passed and then we will have a comprehensive reaction on it.” On whether APC would want the president to sign the bill into law as passed, the spokesman said, "The party cannot be separated from the president; it is the ruling party. The question of whether we will ask him to sign the bill or not does not arise. Whatever action taken by the president is in the best interest of the country and that is on behalf of the ruling party."

her resignation from the commission as she was capable of influencing others within the electoral body. Secondus stated that what happened at the governorship election in Osun State merely underscored the party's fears that INEC was not ready to be neutral. He said, "When we eschewed violence after the electoral theft in Osun State, and decided to excise our right to peaceful protest, the Inspector General of Police directed his personnel to tear gas us notwithstanding, the personalities involved in the protest, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, five state governors and National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other critical leaders. "Our fear is strong that the APC and the administration are not disposing themselves for a peaceful 2019 general elections and we base our position on the multiplicity of induced crisis across the country. "With all the unprecedented bloodletting in the country, the president is not engaging the people and a select group operating as cabals have hijacked the system.’’ In a related development, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola

Ologbondiyan, said Buhari’s comment that “Nigerians, who feel they have another country may choose to go,” has further confirmed that he was completely insensitive to the plight of the citizens and had no solution to the myriad of problems his ‘’incompetent and disorganised administration’’ had caused the nation. He stated, “Such comment is a putrid spit on the graves of thousands of compatriots killed by marauders in various parts of the country, while the Buhari Presidency and dysfunctional APC remained aloof without decisive actions to end the carnage and bring the perpetrators of the bloodlettings to book. “Mr. President's comment is also a mockery on millions of Nigerians who have lost their businesses and whose families have been wrecked by the anti-people policies of the Buhari-led APC administration. “Since Mr. President now knows that Nigerians across board are hurting over the failures of his administration, the least he, as an elected leader, should have done, was to accept responsibility, rise up to the occasion and find solutions, or at least, have some soothing words to suffering Nigerians instead of dismissing their pains and asking them to abandon their fatherland.”

election and pronounced their favoured candidate the winner. "Eventually the NWC panel that was constituted to conduct the primary went to Abeokuta and did the primary. The governor’s preferred candidate chose not to participate in that exercise. So the party stands by the result of that primary it conducted in Ogun State," he said. Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, said that the party has not circumvented its rules in any of the primary elections. On the state of affairs with the party's choice of candidate for the Imo State governorship race, Isa-Onilu said the party has resolved to wait for the court verdict.

"The issue of submission of governorship candidates to INEC falls due on November 2, so we haven't reached the deadline for that," he said. Also speaking on the controversy over submission of the Zamfara APC candidates list, the party spokesman insisted that the ruling party forwarded its list to INEC but that it is left for the commission to either receive them or not. He also said that APC was yet to take a position on the implication of the Supreme Court’s judgment on Rivers State, adding that “we have a legal department and they will look into it and do what is right on it. The party will come out clearly on its position after studying the judgment.”

ATIKU CRIES TO EU, WEF, SAYS FG INTIMIDATING POLITICAL OPPONENTS through his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, during separate meetings with delegations of the European Union (EU) and the World Economic Forum, who are engaging with stakeholders in the country’s electoral process. Atiku’s concerns were amplified by his party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who told the EU that recent experiences of the PDP, particularly during the Osun State governorship election, held last month, showed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could no longer be trusted to deliver free and fair elections unless it is purged of some of its senior officials that it believed were working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP and its presidential candidate, therefore, called on the EU, WEF and the United States to prevail on the federal government and INEC to rededicate themselves and commit to delivering free and fair elections in 2019. Specifically, Atiku asked the EU delegation to make efforts to stop the APC from intimidating candidates of opposition political parties who, he said, now live in fear. According to a statement by his campaign organisation, he said there was need for agencies like the EU to strengthen and support the INEC to resist the overbearing pressure from the

ruling party. Atiku said that judging from what happened during gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, INEC needed to show that it remained an unbiased umpire in future elections in the country. He said the EU should insist on a level playing field for all candidates and parties during elections in Nigeria, adding, “There is a need to get the country back to its feet and make it better for our children.’’ The former vice president stressed that campaigns should be based on issues so that the electorate and the international community can come to grasp with the problems of the country as well as the solutions being proffered by each of the political parties and their candidates. On vote buying, Atiku described the phenomenon as new and said it must be stopped. He said Nigeria deserved the replacement of the EU election observer group, which tenure expires shortly, giving the role EU would play in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2019. Earlier, the head of the EU delegation, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, said that the election observer group had been consulting stakeholders in Nigeria to ascertain whether or not it would be necessary for the union to send a new EU election

observer mission. He said the EU mission had been operating in Nigeria since 1999 and that the union had invested over 100 million Euros in Nigeria’s election process since then. Speaking at the meeting with officials of WEF, Atiku emphasised the need for closer working relationship with African countries, especially Nigeria, because most governments in the continent do not want to work with the forum for fear of being criticised. He stated, “A lot of work needs to be done in Africa because things are tough. But we have a clear picture of what the economic priorities are and what the international community feels about the country. Nigeria needs to do something immediately for its economy to be put back on track.” Leader of the WEF delegation, Nontle Kabanyane, said the forum was ready to strengthen relationships and to implement more activities in Nigeria through a collaboration that would lead to national transformation.

PDP Asks EU, US to Prevail on INEC to Conduct Free, Fair Election In its engagements, the PDP

called on the EU and the US to bring their influences to bear on INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2019. The PDP also described President Muhammadu Buhari's comment that those dissatisfied with Nigeria should opt out as not presidential and characteristic of a failed leadership, which had lost all sense of responsibility towards its citizens. Receiving the EU delegation led by Niclay Paus, the National Chairman, Secondus, said the international community should show more than passing interests in the activities of security agencies during elections. According to him, “The international partners of Nigeria, especially European Union and US should bring their influences to bear on the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections.” Secondus said that intelligence available to the party has shown that the ruling APC has concluded arrangement with INEC to manipulate the electoral process. He noted that even though the main agent of the APC in the commission and a relation of the president, Mrs. Amina Zakari, was recently deployed from operations department, the chairman stressed that the party was demanding

OSHIOMHOLE WALKS TIGHTROPE, SEEKS RECONCILIATION WITH AGGRIEVED GOVS Oshiomhole. He said that the chairman had reached out to some leaders of the party, including former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu and other friendly governors to help mediate with the affected governors. The party source told THISDAY that as a follow-up to the directive to the party leadership to try and resolve all primary election disputes, the party is planning to set up a reconciliation committee next week. Speaking on the reasons for the face-off, the source said the governor of Imo State had wanted the chairman to railroad the candidacy of his son-in-law in next governorship election. "Okorocha wants to install his son-in-law and he want to

dethrone a sitting senator. We have two senators there which the party is protecting for the next National Assembly session. “But he kept insisting on his personal interest. The president doesn't want the governor to impose his son-in-law on the party in Imo State to avoid losing the state. It is not just about Oshiomhole, all these decisions that he was being attacked are the directives of the president.” In the case of the Ogun State, the source said that the man who emerged victorious, Dapo Abiodun, is the candidate of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. He said that governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun who is pursuing his senatorial aspiration also wanted to dictate who succeeds him in office, a

situation that has brought him in conflict with other stakeholders. He said the same scenario replicated itself in Zamfara State where the governor, Abdulaziz Yari is vehement on nominating virtually all the candidates of the party including the governorship candidate. According to the source, it is only the three governors that have been attacking Oshiomhole and pushing the erroneous narratives that he is at loggerheads with APC governors. Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre IsaOnilu, has dismissed insinuation that the party may have short changed aspirants during the primaries, saying that APC did not circumvent any rule. Lanre said: "Every step the

party has taken was guided by the rules. You know that in politics just as in all human affairs when something favours somebody, it may have disfavoured another person." The Spokesman also explained the issues that led to the current face-off between the leadership of the party and some governors. On the primary election crisis in Ogun State, Isa-Onilu said the governor, Ibikunle Amosun did what was regarded as self-help by organising an illegal primary election, saying there is no provision for self-help in the party’s constitution. According to the spokesman, the governor and the state executive of the APC ignored a valid court order and went ahead to hold their primary

THISDAYt THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

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NEWS

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

Kaduna Killings: Senate Asks FG to Probe Mayhem El-Rufai relaxes 24-hour curfew Deji Elumoye in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna The Senate yesterday resolved to interface with relevant security

agencies over the recent killings in some parts of Kaduna State that has resulted in the death of over 70 people. It also asked the federal

Court Grants Fayose N50m Bail, Fixes Trial for Nov 19 Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted bail in the sum of N50 million to the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Fayose is standing trial on charges bordering on N6.9 billion electioneering campaign fraud. He was arraigned last Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside a company, Spotless Investment Limited, on 11- count charges. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the court had adjourned the case for hearing of his bail application. Meanwhile, the court had ordered his remand in custody pending the fulfillment of the bail terms. At the resumed hearing of Fayose’s bail application yesterday, his lawyer who is also a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that the application was dated October 22 and brought pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of the court. Agabi also told the court that there was a presumption of innocence of an accused until guilt is established, adding that the ex-governor is very eager to see the conclusion of the charges before the court and so, will not jump bail. He told the court that Fayose

willfully submitted himself to the EFCC, immediately after leaving office as governor, which shows his readiness to face the charge. He, therefore, urged the court to grant bail to the accused on self recognisance as a former governor. Responding, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court of a counter affidavit in opposition to bail. Though, he told the court that bail is a constitutional right but there were limitations. Jacobs also opposed the application for bail on self-recognisance, on the grounds that being a former governor was not a yardstick for granting bail, as it does not guarantee attendance of the accused in court. He expressed concerns that intelligence reports reveals that the accused will interfere with witnesses and proceedings, and may jump bail if granted. He urged the court to refuse bail on his laid down arguments In a short ruling, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, noted that the allegations proffered by prosecution in its counter affidavit were grave, but that the accused would be given a benefit of doubt. The court consequently held: “The defendant is admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.” The court ordered that the international passport of the accused should be deposited with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR). She adjourned the case till November 19 for trial.

government to ensure thorough probe of the killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the mayhem to book. The Senate’s position is coming as the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, yesteerday relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed last Sunday on Kaduna Metropilis following outbreak of violence. This is sequel to a motion moved by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna South) who came under issues of national importance to pointedly accuse the state governor of alleged complicity in the ongoing killings in Kasua Mageni in Chikun Local Government Area of the state and the need for the legislature to act fast to put an end to the massacre. The Senate therefore, resolved that the leadership of the National Assembly should urgently have an interface with relevant stakeholders within the executive arm of government to end the incessant wanton killings in Kaduna and other affected states . Contributing to Hunkuyi’s motion, which was seconded by Senator Ahmed Mohammed (APC Adamawa South), Senator Danjuma La’ah (PDP Kaduna

South), opined that it was wrong for el-Rufai to have travelled outside the country without informing the Deputy Governor, Bala Bantex, and the state House of Assembly. “The Governor of the state , el-Rufai to a large extent , contributed to the cause of the ongoing mayhem in the state. “First, he travelled outside the state and the country without informing or transferring responsibility of governance to his deputy or even the State Assembly and secondly, he rushed back home and started making pronouncements that are further fueling the killings by making reference to none compensation of victims of the 2011 mayhem as cause of the ongoing killings. “Singling out the 2011 post election mayhem as the cause of the ongoing killings out of countless numbers of unfortunate ones that had happened in the state over the years is unacceptable and not helping matters,” he said. Senator Philio Gyunka (APC Adamawa South), on his part, alleged that coincidence of Governor El-rufai’s journey outside the country and breakout of the

wanton killings in a situation where nobody was in charge of affairs of the state, indicated a calculated collaboration. He wondered why Kaduna State has remained a boiling point over the years despite having heavy presence of security establishments like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and many police formations. “Having all these high powered security establishments in the state without helping in stemming the tide of incessant mayhem, clearly shows that intelligence gathering and applications , are lacking on their part coupled with lack of findings on the part of government on illegal weapons being imported into the country “, he added . The Senate thereafter resolved that relevant security agencies should investigate the cause of the incident with the sole aim of bringing perpetrators to justice . It also urged the federal government to ensure urgent rescue of abducted traditional ruler in the state by alleged militias . The upper chamber of the National Assembly also yesterday

urged the federal government to immortalise the late former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, by naming a national monument in his honour. Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government yesterday relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Sunday on Kaduna Metropolis following the outbreak of violence. A statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, Media Aide to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, said residents can move about freely to pursue their legitimate businesses from 6.00 a.m. to 5.p.m. The statement however, said a dusk to dawn curfew will commence from 5 p.m to 6 a.m daily until further notice and will be duly enforced. The curfew had impacted negatively on residents and their businesses, having been restricted to their homes in the past three days. The statement explained that the curfew hours were reviewed at a meeting of a committee of the State Security Council, which held yesterday at the Government House, Kaduna.

Rivers PDP Loses Senator to APC Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senator representing Rivers West, Osinakachukwu Ideozu, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is coming as the Senate yesterday adjourned plenary for two weeks to enable its standing committees to carry out oversight on ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) especially over the implementation of the 2018 Appropriation Act. The Majority Leader at the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, announced Osinakachukwu’s defection at plenary yesterday. Lawan, who was moving a motion for the adjournment of plenary till November 6, welcomed and congratulated him for joining the majority party. With Osinakachukwu’s defection, the three senators from River the state, are now members of the APC. The others are Senators Andrew Uchendu (Rivers East) and Magnus Abe (Rivers South East). Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday adjourned plenary for two weeks to enable its standing committees to carry out oversight on ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) especially over

the implementation of the 2018 Appropriation Act. Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who announced the adjournment during plenary, said Senators are expected to resume legislative duties on November 6. Saraki explained that the recess will give the lawmakers ample opportunity to carry out thorough oversight on the MDAs being supervised by them. Saraki also named Senator Danjuma La’ah (PDP Kaduna South) as the new chairman of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation. He replaced the former chairman, Senator Ali Wakili (APC Bauchi South), who died in April. The upper chamber of the National Assembly also confirmed the appointment of Dr. Bello Ingawa as Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). It also confirmed the appointment of 12 other nominees as commissioners of the agency. The confirmed FCSC Commissioners include Moses Ngbale (Adamawa); Waziri Ngurno (Borno); Bello Babura (Jigawa); Ahmed Sarna (Kebbi); Iyabode Odulate-Yusuf (Ogun) and Shehu Danyaya (Niger).

FOR EFFECTIVE TAXATION...

L-R: Botswana’s Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Ontefetese Kenneth Mantambo; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, and Secretary-General of African Tax Administrators’ Forum (ATAF), Mr. Logan Worth, at the opening of the 5th ATAF General Assembly in Gaborone, Botswana...recently

CJN Tasks Judges on Speedy Resolution of Financial Dispute Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday tasked judges on the need to be circumspect in their handling of disputes relating to depositors’ funds. Onnoghen, who noted that the judiciary plays an important role in ensuring financial system stability, added that when disputes concerning the financial sector are resolved on time, it increases public confidence and assurance that deposits and investments are safe and secure. He was speaking yesterday in Abuja while declaring open a one day sensitisation seminar for judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and States High Court, organised by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation

(NDIC). Onnoghen, who noted that the seminar is geared towards exposing judicial officials to the workings of the banking sector with particular regard to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice, stressed that the theme of the seminar, “Challenges to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria” is relevant to the ongoing reforms in the financial sector in Nigeria. “Distinguished participants, as we all know, the banking sector remains an ever present and enduring necessity to all Nigerians. As such, the need for legal and policy reform in this sector cannot be overemphasised and must continue to occupy our utmost participation and attention as Judges”, he said. He stated that the speedy

resolution of financial disputes is an economic development catalyst, as investors and other financial institutions will remain confident that their investments are safe,. The CJN assured that the judiciary, on its part, will assiduously ensure that disputes are resolved in line with sacrosanct constitutional and statutory provisions. In her welcome remarks, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosalyne Bozimo, said the seminar is relevant in the light of recent and burgeoning developments in Nigeria’s banking sector. Bozimo, who observed that the banking sector is a dynamic one, charged judges to be in tune with the current and emerging

practices in the sector. “This seminar is aimed at better positioning judges to deal with complex contemporary financial disputes; and develop core competences in banking matters”, she said. In a keynote, the Managing Director of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, disclosed that the NDIC decided to collaborate with the judiciary as part of efforts to reposition the corporation for operational excellence and its vision of becoming the leading deposit insurer in the world by the year 2020. “ It is pertinent to state that effective restoration of the legal issues involved in the operation of the deposit insurance system is critical to the achievement of the corporation’s statutory mandate”, he said.

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THISDAY Editor Emerges Best Masters Degree Graduating Student THISDay’s Assistant Editor, Omololu Philip Ogunmade, Monday emerged the University of Benin’s best graduating student in Masters in Legislative Studies for the 2015/2016 Academic Session. Consequently, Ogunmade won the endowed award for the best graduating student in the course donated by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at a colourful convocation ceremony conducted by the University of Benin in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). This postgraduate degree of the University of Benin is run in collaboration with NILDS, the research arm of the National Assembly. Whereas the first set of

graduating students in Masters in Legislative Studies, convoked with other graduating students of the University of Benin at its Ugbowo campus, Benin City in November, 2016, this second set of graduands had their convocation in Abuja following NILDS’ application to Uniben, pleading that the respected university allows the ceremony to be held in Nigeria’s National Assembly. The request was promptly granted. Ogunmade emerged the best masters degree graduating student in Legislative Studies, having made distinctions in various courses of the programme including his masters’ degree thesis where he scored unprecedented and uncommon 80 per cent to the admiration and praises of the

US Demands Documents from Glencore over Corruption Allegations in Nigeria

external examiner, Professor Nuhu Yakubu, a two-time vicechancellor, who advised him to develop the research work into a book in acknowledgement of its richness and brilliance. Ogunmade, who has practised journalism for about two decades, leveraged on the existence of media and journalism as part and parcel of the programme, to anchor his research work on “Appraisal of Media Ethics and Practice in the National Assembly, 1999-2016.” At the combined convocation ceremony which also involved graduating students in 2016/2017 academic sessions, various degrees including Masters degree in Legislative Studies, Masters degree in Legislative Drafting and Masters degree in Parliamentary Administration were awarded. A total of 79 students obtained different degrees at the convocation ceremony, which was conducted by the Pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, Hon. Isa Ashiru, who represented

Uniben’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. F.F. Orumwense and Director General of NILDS, Prof. Ladi Hamalai. The ceremony was graced by Saraki, House of Representatives’ Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who delivered the first convocation lecture. Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah who represented the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; Uniben’s Registrar, Mrs. Otasowie A. Oshodin, Prof. Peter Lewis of Hopkins University in the United States, Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, the Dean of Uniben’s School of Post-graduate Studies,Prof. Felix Okieimen, who was represented by an assigned professor, among others. Aside Ogunmade, other award winners at the convocation ceremony included: Hauwa Sadiq Pate, who emerged the best female graduating student in 2015/2016

session in Masters in Legislative Studies endowed by Mrs. Toyin Saraki, and Emmanuel Ukaego, who won the best graduating student award in Masters in Legislative Drafting in 2015/2016 session endowed by Dogara. Other award winners were Sunday Chibuzo Okereke who emerged the best graduating student in Masters Degree in Legislative Studies 2016/2017 session; Sarah Hope Tebira who emerged the best graduating student in Masters in Legislative Drafting, and Musbau Olalere Moshood who won the best graduating student award in Masters in Parliamentary Administration endowed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori. In his closing remarks at the event, Saraki who is the Chairman of NILDS, praised both Uniben and NILDS for their outstanding academic works, saying, “glowing reports - from both students who have gone through the programme, benefiting institutions,

including several departments of the National Assembly - show that these programmes have indeed impacted positively on the graduating students. “In addition, they have demonstrably improved the quality of outputs of beneficiaries including: lawmakers, directors, committee clerks, legislative officers, legislative aides, administrative staff and other staff of the bureaucracy of National Assembly.” In his own remarks, Dogara praised graduating students who distinguished themselves in their respective studies by winning various awards at the ceremony. He also praised both Uniben and NILDS for their outstanding academic outputs. Before leaving the stage, Dogara who challenged the graduating students to ensure the application of the knowledge they had acquired through their respective studies, was swift to add that “knowledge not applied is progress stalled.”

Two ex-Afren executives convicted over Nigerian deals Ejiofor Alike withagencyreports The US Department of Justice is seeking documents from Glencore about intermediary companies that the commodities firm has worked with in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Venezuela. This is coming as two former executives of collapsed oil firm, Afren Plc, were yesterday convicted of fraud and money laundering offences relating to a $300 million business deal in Nigeria, according to a statement by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The Swiss-based Glencore, a major exporter of Nigerian and Venezuelan crude oil, was among the 50 local and international oil traders that won NNPC’s crude oil lifting contracts that would run from July 1, 2018 to June 2020. Each of the 50 companies would lift 950,000 barrels of crude oil in the two-year contracts. Glencore said on July 3 it had been subpoenaed for documents relating to its business in Nigeria and the other two countries, sending its shares down 13 per cent and leaving investors to guess about the direction of the investigation. The Switzerland-based firm had said the subpoena related to compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money-laundering statutes but did not indicate the Department of Justice was focused on intermediaries or give further details. The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act makes it a crime for companies to bribe overseas officials to win business. Glencore, which said on July 11 that it would cooperate with the US authorities after receiving the subpoena, declined to offer additional comment for this article. The Department of Justice declined to comment. A source, who was familiar with the Nigerian element of the probe, told Reuters that the Department of Justice wanted Glencore to hand over documents related to associates of former Nigerian oil minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The US authorities are investigating alleged bribery of

the former minister and alleged money-laundering by her associates. An unnamed lawyer for AlisonMadueke requested Reuters to send questions by email, but did not respond when that email was sent. The Nigerian government also referred requests for comment to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice but he did not respond to requests for comment. In a related development, two former executives of collapsed oil firm Afren were yesterday convicted of fraud and money laundering offences relating to a $300 million business deal in Nigeria, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has said. According to UK’s SFO, former Afren Plc, Chief Executive, Osman Shahenshah and former Chief Operating Officer, Shahid Ullah received more than $17 million and laundered $45 million, some of which was used to buy luxury properties in Mustique and the British Virgin Islands, Shahenshah and Ullah created shell companies and agreed a side deal with one of Afren’s Nigerian oil partners from which they would benefit, without the knowledge of Afren’s board, the SFO added. “Instead of acting in their company’s best interests, they used Afren like a personal bank account to fund an illicit deal, with no regard for the consequences,” Director of the SFO, Lisa Osofsky, said in a statement. The men, who did not enter a plea, were found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court on a separate charge relating to a management buyout of another of Afren’s business partners. Shahenshah’s solicitor did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Ullah did not immediately respond to a request for comment via LinkedIn. The criminal investigation began in June 2015 following a self-report by Afren, while the defendants were charged with four offences in September last year. Afren sacked Shahenshah and Ullah after an independent review in 2014 found evidence of “gross misconduct.”.

POLITICAL SUMMIT...

Former Vice President, Republic of Kenya, Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka (left), discussing with the President, Association of Political ConsultantsAfrica, APCA, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, at the Third Africa Political Summit organised by the association in Nairobi, Kenya...recently.

Airtel Formally Unveils 4G LTE Network in Lagos Emma Okonji Airtel Nigeria, yesterday, officially launched its 4G LTE network in Lagos State, bringing the total number of areas of coverage to 16 states and 60 cities since February 13, when it first launched its 4G LTE network in Ibadan, Oyo State. Speaking at the Lagos launch, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said with the Lagos launch, Airtel now has the widest 4G network coverage in the country. Ogunsanya said Airtel has launched its 4G network in over 60 major cities and towns in Nigeria across many states. “Airtel’s 4G network is now in over 60 major cities and towns in Nigeria across different states, making Airtel the network with the widest and largest 4G coverage

in the country,” he said. The Airtel CEO also noted that the Airtel 4G launch in Lagos “serves as a glowing testimony of our commitment to partner and empower the good people of Lagos, a truly cosmopolitan state where dreams come true. “We know Lagos has its own spirit – ‘a can-do spirit’ and it also has its own peculiar energy, which is very fast-paced. “The good news is that Airtel 4G will help everyone in Lagos to do more and achieve more, regardless of status and location,” Ogunsanya said. According to him, “With fast mobile internet, a young professional will be able to use his map to understand the traffic network, plan and connect with the right people. The tailor will be able to take measurement through video calls; the fish seller will be able to share photos and short

videos of his current stock. Ditto every other person. “Indeed, 4G comes with tonnes of benefits and the possibilities are endless: it will accelerate economic and commercial activities; it will boost personal and professional productivity; it will help in creating more entrepreneurs; it will offer the youth a big leverage to express their creativity and talent; it will improve the overall quality of life and connect more people to their dreams.” Airtel’s Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, said the Airtel 4G LTE launch would give customers the opportunity to do more while browsing the internet at high speed. Early this year, Airtel began the journey of building the largest and most robust 4G – LTE, also known as Fourth Generation –

Long Term Evolution network in Nigeria. On February 13, 2018, the telco recorded a major milestone with the pioneer rollout of its 4G network in Ibadan to the delight of many Nigerians who live in the ancient city. Since the pioneer launch, Airtel, on May 4, 2018, unveiled its 4G service in Abuja, the nation’s capital while on September 19 and 25, it announced the launch of its 4G service in major towns and cities in Anambra and Delta states. Ogunsanya and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on September 27, formally unveiled the Airtel 4G service in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. He said Airtel would continue to rollout the service in other cities that have not been covered by the Airtel 4G LTE network.

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Eight Years After, Activities Resume at UN House in Abuja Alex EnumahinAbuja Eight years after Boko Haram insurgents bombed the United Nations’ House in Abuja, forcing the world body to abandon the place, activities have gradually resumed at the building, the UN Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon has disclosed. Boko Haram insurgents had on August 26, 2011, bombed the UN building in Abuja, through a car bomb explosion, killing at least 21 persons and wounding 60 others. Kallon, who made the disclosure yesterady in Abuja at an event to commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of the UN Day, described the movement back to the UN House as a demonstration of the shared resilience of the UN and Nigeria against increasing

violence and terrorism. “The 2018 UN Day is a very important day for the UN system in Nigeria as it underscores the excellent cooperation and partnership of the UN and Nigeria over the years. “Indeed this year’s UN Day also marks the UN family partial move back to the UN House. “To the UN in Nigeria the UN House is a symbol of the resilience of our extraordinary cooperation and partnership with the Government and people of Nigeria,” he said. He explained that the UN building built by the federal government was being occupied by the UN agencies since 2005 until the unfortunate bombing. While he commended the federal government and the people of Nigeria for their

commitment to rebuild the UN House, the envoy expressed the hope that the partial movement, which commences with UNDP, UNICEF among others, would inspire the staff to work better. The Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello, described the event as significant as it marked the first time of gathering again at the building after the 2011 bombing of the place “The UN building stands out as the symbol of our resilience and unbroken promises in addressing various challenges we are facing as a nation,” he said. The minister who was represented by Umar Jubril, an official of the Ministry, congratulated the UN family on the return to the edifice, and assured them of their safety.

Ambode Sets up Committee to Review Agreement withVisionscape Appoints Bello to evolve roadmap for waste mgt Gboyega Akinsanmi The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has constituted a high-level committee to review the environmental management policy that brought in Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited about three years ago. Apart from setting up the new committee, the governor has equally appointed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello to head the committee, whose mandate principally centres on ridding the state of wastes and developing mechanism for effective waste disposal across the state. Competent sources in the State Executive Council spoke with THISDAY yesterday on the establishment of an ad-hoc committee on environmental sanitation and waste management, which they said, had become imperative with the growing heaps of wastes across the state. With the enactment of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law on March 1, 2017, the state government signed an agreement with Visionscape to manage residential wastes across the state while the public support participation (PSP) operators were mandated to service the commercial

sector alone. After the agreement was sealed, the Managing Director of Visionscape, Mr. John Irvine pledged that the consortium would inject a whopping sum of $50 million into the state’s waste management programme and employ 27,500 different categories of workers under the CLI. However, with the rising public concern due to heaps of wastes on the streets, Ambode constituted the committee to review the waste management regime that brought in Visionscape. Alongside Bello, Ambode appointed the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye and General Manager of LAWMA, Mr Segun Adeniji, among others, as members of the committee. The committee, which started operations last week, was mandated “to review agreement with Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited and re-organise the state’s mechanism for effective waste disposal.” Also, the committee was also charged “to work out modalities and strategies of incorporating the PSP operators into the state’s waste management regime and realign the roles of the LAWMA and CLI

for effective waste collection, disposal, management and processing in the state.” In a telephone conversation with THISDAY, a member of the committee disclosed that the committee had started operation immediately after the governor constituted it about two weeks ago as part of strategies to realise its vision of cleaner and safer Lagos. The source noted that the committee had been consulting all critical stakeholders in the state’s waste sectors, acknowledging that it had already held consultative meetings with the PSP operators and the management of the Visionscape, among others. According to the source, Ambode set up the committee in the best interest of the state and work out a win-win template for all stakeholders in the waste sector. The source added that the governor did not set up the committee to edge out Visionscape, but bring together all stakeholders for effective waste management. Another source disclosed that Ambode appointed former Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya to help the state design new mode of operation for the Private Sector Partnership, PSP operators.

Lai Mohammed Denies Threatening Israel over Kanu Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday in Abuja denied the statement credited to him that he gave Israel an ultimatum to release Nnamdi Kanu or be prepared to receive missile from Nigeria. Mohammed who disclosed this while answering questions from journalists in the State House after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said he was in London when the video which showed that Kanu was in Israel was unveiled. According to him, whereas he was not in a position to issue any statement over the matter in far away London, fake news merchant quickly concocted a

statement and credited it to him. He said at the appropriate time, relevant authorities would make pronouncements on Kanu, adding that the re-appearance of the leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) had vindicated the Nigerian Army which he said was accused of threatening Kanu, a situation that led to his disappearance. He said, “I was in London when I heard the story about Nnamdi Kanu surfacing in Israel. I was not in a position to make any statement. But before I knew it, within a few hours, I saw my picture with a story saying that I had actually given Israel ultimatum to return Nnamdi Kanu otherwise, we will send them missiles.

“I just laughed. It speaks to what we are talking about - fake news - because it is probably the biggest threat in the run-up to the elections. Having said that, I have nothing more to add to the issue of Nnamdi Kanu. At the appropriate time, the various authorities will make a statement about the issue of Kanu. “But this has proven that all along when Kanu disappeared and the mob was asking the Nigerian Army to account for the whereabouts of Kanu, I kept saying that ‘Kanu knows where he is.’ He was not in the custody of the federal government. We have been vindicated today. Any other statement will be made in due course.”

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

REJUVENATING NIGERIA’S UNIVERSITIES Okello Oculi argues the need for the universities to be adequately supported

A

British businessman has a smug smile as he stood in my office at the Department of Political Science of Ahmadu Bello University and predicted that he would be the last book-seller to come calling. My haughty talk about giving preference to books on ‘’Political Economy’’ would, he predicted, turn to moans after Nigerian universities would soon be unable to afford books and journals published abroad. He obviously knew something hidden from us. I recalled a view expressed, in the last quarter of 1977, by a former Researcher-in-Residence at the American Consulate in Kaduna that Nigeria’s oil boom would soon collapse. The global powers opposed to economic diplomacy by African members of the Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) were obviously planning to strike in ways he would not reveal. An event which received little commentaries by the media and university trade unions was a vigorous alliance between the Nigerian Police and Britain’s main book publishers (Longmans, MacMillan, Oxford University Press and Heinemann), in hunting down and smashing a booming publishing piracy. It was these ‘’pirates’’ that supplied books into the informal market on university campuses. They distributed books by Professors Claude Ake, Okwodiba Nnoli, Walter Rodney, Franz Fanon, Eskor Toyo, Samir Amin, Aminata Fall, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and other writers who believed in promoting intellectual sovereignty in Nigeria and Africa. As political economists they shared with Karl Marx that special respect for capitalism as a promoter of human and material productivity. While feudalists and isolated peasant producers emphasise consumption for subsistence, capitalists invest for increased productivity. They desired African economies becoming increasingly productive; sharing new wealth, and promoting the development of human resources. The disappearance of these books at prices which students and academic staff could afford drastically impoverished reading materials for courses. It is clear that British publishers were forerunners for a new call by the World Bank that African governments should ignore university education and give priority to primary and secondary schools. The impact of ‘’Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)’’ adopted by the Babangida Administration in 1986 was not accompanied by measures to protect the quality of academic staff, teaching and research. Presumably their link to economic productivity – including invention of military weapons, including biological weapons – was not on the radar of military elites at the time. University administrators on their part failed to benefit from experiences of Japan and India in which vigorous efforts were put into translating into local languages classical and authoritative books and articles published in Euro-American countries. The Indians re-published these texts in the cheapest

THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMME ADOPTED BY THE BABANGIDA ADMINISTRATION IN 1986 WAS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY MEASURES TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF ACADEMIC STAFF, TEACHING AND RESEARCH

papers available. Because the text was sold at very low costs, it was easy to buy new copies if they fell apart during use by students and faculty. Internet has changed that situation. Germany revolted against the use of Latin as the language for university research and lecturing by using their vernacular – the German language. The United States followed this revolt by adopting the use of English language as their vernacular. Japan and India followed to affirm their sovereign nationhood. It was also easier to make their workers literate tools for industrial production. They also found that their people were more inventive in Mathematics and various scientific subjects if they learnt them in their mother tongues. In Nigeria an ‘’internationalist’’ attitude gives primacy to their graduates getting jobs in Euro-American economies, including washing plates in hotels and floors in hospitals to earn tuition fees for higher education and better jobs. Such tenacious individuals often left Nigeria because of hostile environmental factors such as university administrators stealing research funds they won from international agencies; being prevented to travel for international conferences even when their travel is provided by external sources. As an example, an academic conducting research on Aflotoxin – a fungus which grows on cereals and causes cancer of the liver if ingested by human beings - was withdrawn from conducting research in a Humboldt Foundation laboratory in Germany. Those attending the 2017 edition of an annual meeting of the Ahmadu Bello University alumni were treated to an exciting report on a group of students from the Faculty of Science who had invented tools for combating lead poisoning among children in Zamfara State. This is a worthy follow-up to cases of creativity by students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) who exported simulations of summit conferences of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the Universities of Jos and Bayero. It was known as ‘’Mock OAU Summits’’. The peak of its visibility was its telecast on the Network Service of NTA in 1988. The ‘’Amina Forum’’ by female students of ‘’African Strategic Studies’’ mounted annual exhibitions, including a children’s book exhibition with books they borrowed from publishers based in Zaria. It drew novel attention to an intellection and economic sector that remains invisible to the campus public. The ‘’African Oceanographic Society’’ drew attention to an invisible trillion-dollar trade sector dominated by multinational shipping companies; a ship-building industrial sector, and naval resources. The ‘’African Diaspora Society’’ domesticated the study of a significant part of the 1976 FESTAC. Scientific creativity and inventions by academic staff and students have been stunted by bureaucrats. Branches of multinational corporations support their own home research units and universities. The current trade rivalry between China and the United States affirms the value of this strategy. African Academia must shout out: ‘’Aluta Continua !!’’.

NASS, EEG AND GROWTH OF EXPORT SECTOR

There is urgent need to accede to the request on the payment of EEG promissory notes, writes Bassey Okon

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s a stakeholder, I am compelled to write urging the National Assembly to give its nod for the issuance of the federal government’s N350 billion promissory notes in continuation of the export expansion grant (EEG). As it stands now, non-oil exporters are full of great expectations. However, it appears that after the executive arm has done its bit, the legislature wants to sit on the policy, a situation which analysts and economic watchers say would lead to de-industrialisation, massive loss of jobs as well as lull in non-oil exports. We reliably gathered that the Presidency (Federal Executive Council) had sent three matters for the formal approval of the National Assembly earlier in the year. The three executive resolutions bother on EEG claims, payment of construction contractors and pensions. Whereas NASS has since rectified the latter two items, there have been no legislative actions yet on the EEG claims, making tongues to wag about the government’s seriousness concerning its economic diversification programme and export promotion drive. Indeed, one of the main policy initiatives of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is the re-focusing of the nation’s economy from oil-based to non-oil sectors. Towards this end, the federal government promised to beam searchlight on the export sector; how to expand and promote the sector for much-needed foreign exchange, industrial growth as well as job and employment creation. Before now, the previous administration commenced the issuance of export expansion grant to genuine exporters. However, the grants were suspended in 2007 due to duplicitous claims and counter-claims by stakeholders over who and who should indeed benefit from the package. The development, according to insiders, led to

the accumulated sum of N350billion owed to exporters between 2007 and 2016. The Federal Executive Council in one of its meeting made the EEG promissory notes approval for onward implementation. We learnt that the EEG claims by non-oil exporters have been processed and prepared by the federal government implementation committee which members are drawn from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, Federal Inland Revenue Service as well as Nigeria Export Promotion Council. Again, the N350billion approximate EEG claims now under the promissory notes programme were audited by the officials of Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) between March and July 2018. Due to the delay in the approval of EEG claims by the NASS, non-oil exporters have been facing acute financial distress and therefore under intense pressure from banks, financiers and other creditors. Therefore, the stakeholders are appealing to the federal lawmakers to expedite action on the executive request for the payment of the N350billion EEG promissory notes. Actually, investigations reveal that debts servicing with mounting interests have been one of the major challenges facing the exporters. ‘The exporters have acted in good faith in relying on the extant government policy of EEG in making their investment and pricing decisions in their businesses. They have taken up debts to service the receivables and these debts are incurring further interests with the continuing delay in the payment of EEG claims’, a source close to the exporters stated. Non-oil exporters need every encouragement and support from the federal government. Although the EEG policy suffered poor implementation during the Jonathan administration, it was initiated to boost

and grow non-oil exports. The EEG policy represented the federal government’s intervention to encourage non-oil exporters and uplift the nation’s economy through massive job creation as well as increased foreign reserves. Observers maintain that highly performing economies across the world are export- driven where finished products are pushed outside the shores as a matter of deliberate policy. In Nigeria, operators in agricultural and agro-allied sector form the bulk of non-oil exporters that contribute to over 80% of the nation’s non-oil earnings. According to experts, the federal government needs to carry along the private sector players in order to realise his economic diversification agenda. Therefore, they believe that faithful implementation of the EEG policy could help to track performance in the non-oil sectors and accelerate the rate of industrial growth. Analysts say the non-oil sector has great potential. For instance, agriculture has the capacity of sustaining the economy and ensuring inclusive growth. Although, the federal government is trying to promote the sector, more incentives and political will are required for improved productivity and encourage agro-exports. One commodity which Nigeria has the potential to produce and export is rice. The government’s food security agenda would only succeed through effective collaborations with stakeholders and operators involved in the production, demand, supply and consumption value chain of a commodity like rice. This is also as rice growers in Nigeria are trying to mechanise and modernise their production processes in line with international best practices. Nigeria, some experts believe, can produce 10 million tonnes of rice annually to drive self-sufficiency, food security and rice exportation. ‘Great efforts to grow rice capacity in order to displace imports and smuggling from rice

suppliers especially coming from some SouthEast Asian nations such as India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia and so on should be encouraged. Regrettably, they force Nigerians to buy their rice when the Nigerian government abandons well-laid plans and policies, investments and import substitution strategies such as the EEG, and NDCCs’’. Nigerians are out of jobs, enriching smugglers, pauperising our local farmers through policy delays. The government should implement policies that are good for economic growth and development. Exports grants and other intervention funds should be put in place. Continuity remains the hallmark of good governance and purposeful leadership. Politics should lead to development and not under-development’’, a stakeholder averred. Indeed, the EEG claims of the non-oil exporters are quite in tandem with the directive by the Federal Ministry of Finance as approved by FEC and consistent with the audited financial results of the participating companies as filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Again, the claims were duly vetted by CBN, Customs, FIRS, Federal Ministries of Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment and Budget & Planning. Checks showed that these MDAs which constituted the EEG Implementation Committee convened several meetings to check and clear every EEG claim which are in turn properly vetted by PICA (Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit). Sources close to the exporters disclosed that they are anxiously waiting for the appropriate Senate Committee to consider and accede to the FEC’s request on the payment of EEG Promissory Notes without further delay, adding that this would bring vibe and vitality towards growing the nation’s export sector. Okon, a local exporter, wrote from Lagos

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EDITORIAL

INEC AND THE NYSC DODGERS

The security agencies should do more to expose those who skipped the compulsory scheme

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n the wake of the resignation of former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun over falsiďŹ cation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certiďŹ cate, many Nigerians, particular those seeking public ofďŹ ces, are becoming more circumspect with the credentials they put in the public space. The sheer impact of that bust is broadened by the manner in which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prevented the Communication Minister, Mr Adebayo Shittu, from contesting the party’s gubernatorial primaries in Oyo State for dodging the mandatory service. A similar controversy now swirls around the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Kwara State, Mr Rasaq Atunwa, who reportedly forged an THE NYSC ACT MAKES IT NYSC exemption OBLIGATORY FOR EVERY service when he in fact did NIGERIAN GRADUATE not serve after WITH THE EXCEPTION obtaining his ďŹ rst degree at the age OF THOSE IN MILITARY/ of 23. SECURITY SERVICES, For years, while TO MAKE HIMSELF many Nigerians AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE from average homes go through FOR A CONTINUOUS the scheme, some PERIOD OF ONE YEAR others with connections in high places have found ways around the compulsory service meant for everyone who graduated under 30 years. Some compound the matter by going for fake NYSC discharge of exemption certiďŹ cates, knowing we run a system where accountability is in short supply and employers of labour hardly check the claims made by their employees. However, the increasing close scrutiny of documents of public ofďŹ cials by the media is making many to sit up. In that process, many politicians now believe they can hide behind technicalities to cover what is clearly a crime. Some of them who had paraded all manner of degrees in the past and had worked as top ofďŹ cials in or out of government are reportedly limiting themselves

Letters to the Editor

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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.

THE STATE OF BENUE

will put this in simple terms: Benue State as it is cannot afford to have another Goerge Akume - influenced government. We are all living witnesses to the horrid effect of such an influence. The idea of Cleisthenes and Pericles’ democracy is to have a government based on freedom and equality of citizens. Democracy, a word derived from the Greek words ‘Demos’ which means people and ‘Kratos’ which means rule (people rule) was designed to give the people power to choose their leaders and determine their collective destinies. So, you can imagine my shock in the last three years of this Muhammadu Buhari- led government and of course the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power as Fulani herdsmen ravaged villages across the country, especially Benue, while the APC leadership either looked away in some cases or egged them on in some others. As the killings increased, Governor Sam Ortom rose in defence of his people and in the process became an enemy of state. It is forbidden to speak against the emperor, the czar, the all-knowing one. I ask: Where is the freedom? Where is the equality? Is this a democracy? As things heated up what did Akume do? He began to plot for the removal and replacement of Ortom. He crossed the red line, and spoke for his people.

to presenting only their West African School CertiďŹ cate (WASC) or the equivalent in the forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The reason is clear: to cover their tracks. But the authorities should not allow this brazen attempt to circumvent the law. Introduced in 1973 by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon as a vehicle for national integration following the bitter civil war, the NYSC scheme has over the past four and a half decades made signiďŹ cant contributions to national cohesion and harmony. Section 2, subsection 1 of the NYSC Act makes it obligatory for every Nigerian graduate with the exception of those in military/security services, “to make himself available for service for a continuous period of one year from the date speciďŹ ed in the call-up instrument served upon himâ€?. And without a discharge certiďŹ cate or exemption certiďŹ cate issued by the NYSC, no Nigerian graduate is qualiďŹ ed to work in the country, either in the private or public sector. In justifying his deliberate decision to skip the service, the Communications Minister, who graduated at 25, for instance, resorted to a curious interpretation of the law. Shittu said he served the nation in his capacity as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly immediately after his graduation. Even going by his own twisted interpretation of the law, Shittu did not serve the nation but Oyo State through his membership of the legislative house when the law does not allow graduates to serve in their state of origin except on medical grounds. That is aside the fact that the law speciďŹ es what national service means and graduates are not empowered to deploy themselves. While Nigerians therefore await what the presidency will do with Shittu now that his own party has declared him ineligible for public ofďŹ ce and the PDP has a decision to make on its gubernatorial candidate in Kwara State, it is important for the security agencies to collaborate with INEC to ďŹ sh out other NYSC dodgers who think they can break the law to secure public ofďŹ ces in Nigeria.

How dare he speak for those peasants? It did not matter that the people (whom the power belong to) were being killed every other week in their poor villages. The leadership of APC took sides with their Fulani master, and just like the Trotsky and Lenin led Bolshevik’s Russian revolution of 1917, they schemed for the removal of the governor. You know the rest of the story. Elections are a few months away. The APC has presented their candidate, we must resist them. We must say no to god-fathers, we must say no to Fulani occupation and or conquest. What we need in the next four years is a governor free of the influence of a godfather, a governor ready to stand and fight for his people. As the entire nation comes together to rectify the grave mistakes of 2015, Benue State must not be left out. This is a battle to save the soul of our country, we must all be involved. We must as a matter of urgency be involved in this process. Let us come out and vote the only truly national party, the PDP. It was Marcus Tullius Cicero, the respectable Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher who said in one of his popular writings that “the safety of the people shall be the highest law�. Tony Agbo, Abuja

WATER FACILITY FOR ZHIDU COMMUNITY

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ecently, there has been heated debate about the relevance of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and indeed some agitation for the programme to be scrapped or reformed. In the face of this, a few young Nigerians still consider the scheme as an opportunity to travel outside their regions and learn extensively about other regions of the country. Among the crowd, an uncommon set of corps members appreciate the one-year programme as a platform to go beyond the norm by looking out for location-specific challenges and bringing solutions to those they consider important. Mr. Johnson Eseoghene, a 2017 corps member in FCT, Abuja belongs to this uncommon few. It is puzzling to figure how Mr. Johnson mapped out Zhidu community, a settlement in Lugbe axis of Nigeria’s Federal Capacity Territory, Abuja. The peculiarities of this highly ignored community reflect in the absence of social amenities such as schools, water, roads, health centers,

etc., There is so much that could be done in a community like Zhidu. For corps member Johnson Eseoghene, his contribution as a personal community development service (CDS) was to drill a public borehole, funded by Hope Spring Water, to provide the people of Zhidu community clean water. In his words, “The project motivation that has pushed me to carry out this borehole project for Zhidu Community is the lack of safe water around the world. Many women and children, especially young girls, trek long distances to get water for their family. A lot of children also die daily from water-related diseases. I believe that providing this borehole will go a long way to save many lives and bring more development to Zhidu community.� Johnson Eseoghene who is also the president of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) community development service (CDS) group, was well commended by officials of the National Youth Service Corps and the community leaders in Zhidu for his initiative. Seyifunmi Adebote, Abuja

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THISDAYt THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

‘Atiku Abukakar is a Man of Yesterday’ Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim recently survived a plot to oust him as presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria, he emerged stronger rallying more parties to support his ambition on the platform of the People’s Trust. He told Nseobong Okon-Ekong how he hopes to upstage the front liners in the 2019 presidential race As a founding member and officer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), what chance does Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stand as presidential candidate of the party? By all standards, the Waziri of Adamawa is qualified to be the President of Nigeria, having been Vice President before. But the 2019 election is a different election. I think Vice President Atiku missed his chance of being president in 2007 and talking about it in 2019 is like talking about the future of Nigeria and at the same time facing and reasoning backwards. I think the choice before Nigerians is between a better Nigeria and the Nigeria that people like Atiku created. Eighty per cent of Nigerians want to see a new direction. They don’t want to go backward. Former Vice President Atiku Abukakar is a man of yesterday. What competitive edge do you have over him going into this election? I will be able to unite the country. I will be able to build a strong economy, given my experience. I’m that candidate that majority of voters, particularly, first time voters and they are very significant, almost about 15 million of them who are not supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or PDP and then, there are my friends in PDP and APC who have made up their mind that when it comes to the presidential election, ‘we will vote Gbenga.’ That’s an edge I have going for me. I believe no other candidate in this election has that. I think the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) as a party is not all that my political structure is about. The Gbenga Hashim organisation which is our political platform is presently in 36 states of the federation and it is bigger than the ANN. ANN comprises of the founders of the ANN and some of my supporters who agreed to migrate to that party. But the GHO is made up of my supporters and friends who are in APC, PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), People’s Trust (PT) and the ANN. We are going to galvanise all these forces for the next election. We have always known that we will come to this point when we started this campaign. The 2019 elections is going to be a different election. You will find some states that when it comes to the presidency, they will vote candidate A and party A. When it comes to governorship they will vote for party B so the results of the presidential election is not going to be measured by the strength of the parties as they are established right now. It’s not automatic that because someone’s in APC, he will vote Buhari. We did an opinion poll six months ago, a survey of people who actually have PVCs. In Lagos for instance, Buhari scored 5%, Atiku scored 3%, majority of the people who are both APC and PDP said they are waiting for a new candidate. The 2019 elections is a unique election. It’s not going to be that simple and this is not just a Nigerian trend. It’s a worldwide trend. In the last elections in the United States, we saw that a lot of democratic supporters, the men, for instance, migrated and voted for Trump even though they were in the Democratic Party. The level at which information travels now is so fast that there’s still a lot of time for people to make up their mind. They have just finished the primary nomination. The choices will be very clear so we still have up to five months to actual balloting. One of the things that has happened in this particular case is that we are having the primary nomination earlier than we have always had. Previously, it happened around November/ December. This time around and for whatever reason, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) moved it up and I think it’s good that it’s happening soon enough and there would be adequate time for campaign. In this electronic age, information travels so fast. Four to five months is a long time, the electorate will have adequate time to get familiar with who’s running and on what platform and what issues are being canvassed. I believe we have a lot of

Olawepo-Hashim advantage on our side and we are very optimistic about the 2019 elections. I understand that in ANN you have an alliance with People’s Trust. What are the basic issues? What are you presenting? The PT is a party promoted by National Intervention Movement. The discussion to have an alliance with ANN started as far back as May. It’s not a new thing. We are just consummating that and our national convention which was held in Abuja proves that, it’s not just PT. We have a number of organisations and parties that have also signed up in the alliance. The whole idea is to key in into the strategy of National Intervention Movement that was promoted for almost one year. This is not just any initiative. It’s just being consolidated and taken up with some further steps.

I have a lot of friends in PDP, I left PDP in 2006. I have a lot of friends in APC too. I funded the election of some of them into the National Assembly. I funded some people who are big people today in the APC in the past so the point is that when I’m in the ballot it’s a different matter. I’m a young man, but I’m bringing to the table something more than being a young man. I’m not against old people because they are old. Mandela was very old and advanced in age and he was a good president because he had the legacy and history that recommended him to the whole world as a leader. Trump is 70 and the economy is doing well under President Trump

I think the issue is to build a stronger political platform that’s also committed to the idea of national unity, economic development, security in the land and to have a Nigeria where the life of every citizen will count and no discrimination against anyone regardless of your ethnic descent and religious beliefs and a true federal system. These are some of the issues that the platform is committed to. One would have thought that you will identify more with the civil society organisations, which has been your constituency since your days as a student union leader I think the alliance with the NIM shows you that this is the natural platform that I belong. The leader, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba was the President of the Civil Liberty Organization while I was the National Administrative Secretary of the Committee of Defence for Human Rights. In 1990, along with other patriotic Nigerians (some are late today), we traveled the whole of northern Nigeria consistently for about three weeks in a bus to get the consensus of our people on how to end military rule. We are already working together. I quite understand that there are many civil society structures now outside these traditional structures that we have and there’s a whole historical gap between the civil society activists of the 80’s and the 90’s and some of them today. I believe that we will have a lot of buy-in as the campaign progresses. You start somewhere in order for people to get the right information that they need and then they join in the process, so it’s a developing story. Your party did not take part in the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun, how strong are other candidates in the different states? We have very good candidates, particularly we are in the People’s Trust. One thing I can assure you is that we are fielding candidates in virtually all the constituencies and the alliance has given us the opportunity to migrate candidates from different parties in the alliance to the same single platform. Particularly, the presidential and National Assembly elections and that’s what we are going to do. Once INEC finishes with the process of nomination, their names should be published. Given our history, we are coming with a lot of experience that will offer a proper difference. We are going to be presenting people who are tested. It’s only when you are tested that you can talk

about your integrity. So the kind of candidates that we are going to be parading are people who are tested, they are not just speaking empty rhetoric and this is how leaders are selected anywhere in the world. We want to ask about their history. It’s unfortunate that History has been taken out of our syllabus of our schools by people who want to hold Nigeria down. Unfortunately, when the military decided to amend the curriculum, it produced a generation of people who don’t have historical consciousness. We have to fill in the void and I think that’s going to be one of the first job we are going to do once we are elected as president. We need to restore content in the Nigerian educational system because the education curriculum that we have doesn’t support patriotism. If you don’t have historical consciousness, you can’t be patriotic. A lot of young people think that Nigeria has always been a mess like this. They don’t know that there were people who stood for integrity. Aminu Kano died without having a house, some of the young people don’t even know. They just think looting and stealing is what Nigeria has always been. It has not always been like that. A lot of people don’t know it’s not Buhari that started anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria. In the 1966 coup, people were killed because over accusation of corruption, yet corruption still didn’t stop in Nigeria. Buhari isn’t the first person that started anti-corruption campaign, a lot of people don’t know that, they don’t know that there are people who have more integrity than people that they are looking at. There’s a sense of void that helps charlatans to get public attention. We need to put a proper education in place that will restore the historical consciousness of young Nigerians. The problem of education is not just about not having enough money or infrastructure, our parents went to school where they trekked many kilometers before they got to school. Some of the school structures were mud houses but what’s important was the content, more than infrastructure. I once listened to a National Universities Commission (NUC) official and he gave some statistics stating that based on the capital and current budgetary allocation to tertiary institutions, that they spend more than N1 million on each student in the university. I know private universities that pay as average as N500,000. If in public schools, the federal government spends up to N1 million on these children, it means that they are spending probably more than the average private school. The issue is more than just allocating more money. You have to look at the content and how the funds are administered to understand the management of the system. It’s this comprehensive programme of reforming the educational system that we are going to be looking at. What kind of working relationship do you have with the PT? I think the people’s Trust and ANN alliance is with an intention for a merger and that is on the cards, but because election is here, we have to participate in the election first. With mergers you have to talk about new constitutions and so on. We have already notified INEC as to what we intend to do. After the election, we will see the merger of a number of the existing parties with the initiatives that we are having and that’s where we are going. As I said to you, our organisation which is the campaign platform, the Gbenga Hashim Organization has members of PDP, APC, SDP and various parties so these people are going to vote for us in the presidential election. In what area of the polity would you make an urgent intervention if elected president? My priority is to expand the GDP of Nigeria because this is the most important issue. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

POLITICS

‘APC Has Eroded Past Gains of Women Participation in Politics’ The National Chairman of Action People’s Party and National Publicity Secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Committee, Mr Ikenga Ugochinyere bares his mind to Udora Orizu on salient issues affecting the nation and what to expect as the Colation of United Political Parties begins a search for a consensus candidate As the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) National Publicity Secretary do you think IPAC has lived up to its objectives? They have not done much to make their presence felt in the course of deepening our electoral process and ensuring a violence free intra party political process. But the Peter Ameh led leadership has one thing in mind, to build a consensus because it seems that before now, there were pockets of divisions here. Not all political party chairmen are on board, some feel that the IPAC is not protecting their interest. He’s trying to do the most important thing which is to unify all the different interests to have one particular platform and expand our reach with our development partners in the EU and all the election agencies nationally and otherwise and also have more seat for us at the table in terms of negotiations with INEC. The critical thing is to play our key role in ensuring that we participate in deepening the course of elections, have free and fair elections, having an electoral system whereby people who are popular will emerge whether they have money or not. Presently he’s on a campaign against vote buying which they are working with INEC and they are designing the format of the ballot stand and all those things that will help to ensure vote buying is reduced and issues that has to do with setting up electoral offenses court and so on. We are working with the parliament, INEC and our development partners to ensure that the 2019 elections which is our major task is hitch free. With Atiku’s emergence as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, what is next for the coalition in its bid to get a consensus candidate? When people ask about Atiku’s emergence, they try to make it look like Atiku is already a faith accomplished project in terms of being

Ugochinyere

of that election will likely be that each of the political parties that have presidential candidates including the ones that don’t have presidential candidates will go into the political conclave and vote for the candidates they want and the candidate who has the highest number will be the candidate of the coalition. So, Atiku’s emergence is the same as the emergence of the other presidential candidates in the CUPP. All are equal. Anybody who scores majority support of members of the coalition, will be the coalition candidate and everyone including the PDP have agreed that the consensus candidate that gets the majority support will be the flag bearer. I don’t know why people keep talking about Atiku Abubakar, we must accept facts that are real, one the PDP still has the highest number of governance in the coalition, highest number of senators, representatives, state assembly, so give and take I can tell you that PDP is the leading candidate when it has to do with the CUPP in terms of structure.

the consensus candidate of the coalition. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) is made up 40 political parties out of which 20 has fielded presidential candidates. We do not only have Atiku Abubakar. The SDP has fielded Donald Duke, the PPA has fielded Peter Ameh, the NIP has fielded Mrs Atuejie, C4C has fielded Geff Ojinika and so on. It’s a coalition of equal partners, with that said when we go into issues of capacity, competence, national reach, structures of different political parties and the presidential candidate will be put on the table and at the end of the day, the best candidate will emerge as the candidate of the coalition. Before we even went into that, everyone knows from the day one that it’s only one person that will fly the flag of the coalition and everyone has signed on that we are willing to relinquish our individual party aspiration. The method

What do you have to say on the recent issue of some South east PDP chieftains disputing against Atiku’s choice of Peter Obi as his running mate? I think the bickering over the announcement of Peter Obi is a mere display of political interest. I want people to see beyond an internal struggle for relevance by some chieftains of the PDP. You need to understand that the presidential candidate has the right to choose who to work with. That he’s supposed to do so in consultation with the political party and other key stakeholders is another thing. When I talk about key political stakeholders, maybe the national political stakeholders, the NWC of their party, the chieftains of their party and other key individuals. But if there was one or two people that was not consulted, it’s not something that should call for people to be

celebrating that there’s already a problem. They are reaching out. All those issues will be sorted out and they are going to have a united front. What we are selling mainly is the candidate, the Vice President is there to assist the candidate when they win to achieve his programmes. The person that Nigerians should be holding responsible that will be the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and leader of the federation is the president. I can bet you that we are going to have a united presidential team before the elections. Most women are not happy with the outcome of the primaries, what do you think political party leaders should have done to carry women along? The gains we recorded on women participation in politics were destroyed by the APC. Before the APC came into office, the PDP had women about 10% participation of women. PDP had Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Deziani, Oby Ezekwesili, Stella Oduah and so on. More women were encouraged, some of them were deputy governors, a lot were in senate, House of Representatives and State Assemblies, but with the coming of Buhari, it’s like we had a 360 degree turn-around. The funny thing is that he promised women that he was going to give them 30%. At the end of the day, his body language of saying that women’s role is in the kitchen helped to demoralise women. The APC became so intolerant of women they had to charge women exorbitant fees at their primaries. As far as APC is concerned women are not in the front burner. And that’s why the hope the opposition is offering in the agreement that we signed the opposition is already saying that key appointments is going to go to young people between the ages of 18 and 34 whether male or female, and then our mothers will 25 per cent to 30 per cent.

‘We Have Created More Industries than Any Administration’ Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh fields questions from Okon Bassey on the chances of Governor Udom Emmanuel staying in office beyond 2019, insists Akwa Ibom will remain a PDP-controlled state and dismisses issues of mass resignation of the governor’s aides, while listing the signature projects of the current state administration Opposition is mounting pressure to push People’s Democratic Party out of power in Akwa Ibom State, as a top government official why do you think Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves a second term? Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re-election is one thing that any group who wants the progress of this state should take seriously. His re-election should also transend personal and ethnic interest and even go beyond party line. His re-election will determine how Akwa Ibom will be seen in the national arena. I have looked at the score card of other states, I am not sure there is one state that has a score card that is more impressive than Governor Udom Emmanuel. This is just in three years and it is a success story in every sector from health to infrastructure, industrialisation, agriculture and education you can see land mark development. This is being driven by the five point agenda of the governor. On each of this five point agenda you could see government actively trying to demonstrate its commitment. One day before the last anniversary of the state, the governor granted the opposition the use of the sports stadium, the same facility that the state was going to use for its anniversary. That is in line with his political and economic inclusion programme. Just a few weeks back, a presidential aspirant had paid for a facility, but was denied its use in Abuja. We need political tolerance to develop the state. We must have a conducive investment climate for these investors to strive and for new ones to come. In the last three years, we pride ourselves as having a peaceful environment. It did not come by dramatization. It is through the efforts of government. A lot of young men and women have been taken off the streets into gainful employment and that naturally translates into the peaceful and serene nature we have in the state. When we talk about industrialization today, we

mark thing that the Akwa Ibom State government has been able to connect with these people and get them to hear the voice of reason and allow development to thrive.

Udoh can see a mix of industries springing up. Just a few weeks ago we commissioned a mini industrial estate where you have four cottage industries. The syringe and metering factories are thriving, the flour mill is about to be commissioned, the coconut refinery is also nearing completion. This is a pointer to the fact the state is secure and safe. The antics of the opposition in the last few weeks to draw up imaginary insecurity is laughable. In the last three years people have been sleeping with their eyes closed compared to the years of the past administration when assassinations and all kinds of vices walked on two legs. A few days ago over 200 young people who before now had constituted themselves into a terror group terrorising part of this state voluntary came out and surrendered their arms. So government has taken a step to see how to rehabilitate them those who want to go to school or learn a trade. Interestingly, we also have women in this group. If you compare that to other part of this country where you have insurgency, it is a land

Before the defection of Senator Godswill Akpabio and others, Akwa Ibom State was largely seen as a PDP State. Now it appears the tide has tilted, can PDP still win the state convincingly? I like working with data and statistics. All the local government chairmen are still PDP members. All the councillors are PDP members, in the House of Assembly only three out of 26 are not PDP members. That clearly indicates that it is not one man moving and making a lot of noise. It is about the will of the people. You will recall that the so called defection was trumpeted as a tsunami, which never came to past. Until the ballots are drawn, until fresh statistics are shown, Akwa Ibom State is still 100 per cent PDP. It is not about noise. In politics everybody has the hope to win. There is no cause for alarm, the agenda of the opposition is to perpetuate violence and take control of the security of the state. Nigerians and security agencies know better. The truth is that they are doing these things for pure selfish interest. If for anything the investors are going to move out from the state, the factories we brought will leave. Your children and relatives will suffer because there will be job loss. I want Akwa Ibom people to understand, that it is not about a political party now, it is about seeing aspiring leaders who are selfish and want to destroy the state because they want to get to power at all cost. So called leaders in opposition go to the factories established by the state government to apply to as contractors and distributors, but when they get to radio stations they will say the factories are not working, nothing is there. Comparing Governor

Udom Emmanuel and those characters and actors on the other platform, who really wishes Akwa Ibom well? We see somebody who wants to be a governor of Akwa Ibom State in control of a budget of nine states. He has direct access to two per cent of profits of all IOCs in Nigeria and you want to leave that to control the budget of one state. What is your goal? What have you done with budget of nine states? How have you impacted on your state? Do you have a road to your village? And you want to be a governor. That is clearly selfish interest and ambition. Which of Governor Emmanuel’s projects would you say is his signature project? When you talk about signature project, some people can turn a monument to a signature project. Some people can build a flyover that is useless and call it a signature project. To my mind, what becomes signature project of this administration is how the governor has been able to transform the economy in a sustainable manner. We can talk about job creation. We have almost 11 industries in the state. You can aggregate that and say industrialization efforts of the government is the signature project of this government. Today that we have more industries than any administration. That is the signature of this administration. Today, Akwa Ibom is rated as the second highest destination of foreign direct investment in Nigeria. That is the signature of this government. The fact remains that some states of the federation cannot pay salaries, but today we pay salaries as at when due, pensioners get their pension. Anybody who says he has not got his pension, it must have been documentation issue. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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

Global Leadership Stage for Nigerian Women Rebecca Ejifoma writes that four Nigerian women were among the top 20, who were selected globally for the highly rated leadership fellowship in the United States of America

The participants of the global leadership program

W

ith four slots, Nigeria got the highest at the 2018 Women Leaders of the World (WLW) Programme in the United States of America (USA), after a highly competitive selection process. It is a 12-month programme organised by How Women Lead and the Global Women’s Leadership Network, which has trained and supported several women leaders from around the world. Maximising Leadership Opportunities The WLW targets 20 women leaders from around the world to provide them with specialised skills through workshops, executive coaching and professional advising to support participants to maximise their leadership opportunities and grow their impact significantly. The programme is divided into different parts with the first being the residential training held in San Francisco, USA , within the last week of September 2018, followed by six months peer coaching and 12 months attachment with Global Advisors. Nigerian Representatives Among the top picks are the four Nigerians: Ms. Hauwa Abbas, an Abuja based Public Health Advocate, a Certified Coach and Humanitarian who holds numerous professional qualifications and awards; Ms. Carolyn Seaman, the Founder and Creative Director of Girls Voices Initiatives; Ms. Amara Agbim, CEO of The Nanny Academy; and Ms. Charity Chenge, the Founding Director of the Centre for Health Systems Support and Initiatives for Development (CHESIDS).

These are women whose works from diverse backgrounds have one thing in common - the quest for humanitarian services, sustainable development and touching lives positively in a minutest way possible. A cursory look at their background shows that the WLW programme recipients from Nigeria, started local but with a global focus on the issues that affects all humanity. Having arrived and been recognised at the global stage, they gave us a snippet of their experiences, selection processes and advise for other Nigerians, especially

We have access to this network to explore support in the area of advising, funding or connect to funding, training and mentoring/coaching or whatever support we need to grow our leadership impact

women and girls who want to thread on their part to success. The Humanitarian's Initiative For Abbas, she looked at development through a holistic lens, using her strategic vision to build and implement plans with a proven track record of supporting organisational needs. She is also the Founder of Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative, a non-profit established in 2009 focusing on maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health in Nigeria. Abbas and her team have designed and delivered programs which have demonstrated unprecedented success in community mobilisation, service delivery and advocacy at the local and national levels. Her programs have reached 14 Nigerian states as she is recognised as a Northern Nigerian woman who is raising the bar. The emerging global woman leader efforts have also influenced national policy; in 2013, she was a member of the team that drafted Nigeria’s United Nations Commission Plan on 13 Life-Saving Commodities. Abbas said she plans to continue improving the quality of life for the rural poor and disadvantaged populations in a holistic manner (physically, socially and economically). She said her goal is to increase the culture of volunteerism in Nigeria and to ensure sustainability of her work by promoting community ownership. As a Rotarian, she has been a club president, assistant governor and currently District Chair for Community Service covering 23 states in Nigeria. Speaking on the tough selection process and why she was chosen out of many, Abbas said: "The selection process was competitive,

it was judged through our applications and possibly nominations. My application demonstrated a track record of leadership activities, I explained my strengths and also identified my weaknesses. I believe I was selected because I had a clear view of my current challenges and also my future goals". Abbas also spoke on the benefits and opportunities presented, noting that while she founded her organisation in 2009, prior to the WLW Fellowship she was burnt out and "needed to renew my plans and was at the point of losing energy and drive. I can say with confidence that this program changed all that. WLW has been an unexpected outlet for advice, support and peer relationship building. An entirely new network of colleagues and partners has been opened up to me". The humanitarian also confessed that the programme has shifted the way she reflect and see the non-profit world. She said that they were given great tools to explore their vision, adding that doors were opened to possibilities that will profoundly affect her leadership qualities in the future. "I am definitely thinking about my work, my role within my organisation and role in the world in a different way-- ways I am excited to explore," she said. For Nigerian women who might be interested in the award, Abbas advised them to take out time to reflect before writing and submitting any application, understand where they are currently are and would want to be. She ended by admonishing them not to let challenges limit their to opportunities but to have faith in their journey and celebrate themselves regardless.

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Girls Voices Initiative Seaman, another recipient, has her organisation, Girls Voices Initiative, providing safe and engaging platforms for adolescent girls to tell their stories and inspire others to amplify their voices. The Girls Voices’ “domino effect” model expands their reach by requiring each girl trainee to mentor a girl from outside the Girls’ Voices’ network. She said her inspiration for Girls Voices Initiative came out of a strong desire to close the gap of women's leadership in Nigeria. Her strategy is to target adolescent girls and empower them early with the skills to be tomorrow’s leaders. She noted that the Initiative is big on innovation and hopes to increase her leadership skills and grow her organisation’s impact with the skills she will develop at WLW. According to Seaman, a number of benefits and opportunities come with participating in the WLW Programme. She emphasised that as Alumni of the WLW, they have access to a rich network of over 8,000 professional women with varying wealth of experience and networks by virtue of their backgrounds in technology, business, real estate, digital marketing, oil and gas, non-profit and many other varying disciplines. "We have access to this network to explore support in the area of advising, funding or connect to funding, training and mentoring/ coaching or whatever support we need to grow our leadership impact. We also benefit from an intense executive coaching and advising support to help us become phenomenal learners doing extraordinary work and manifesting significant impact in our countries and around the world. We already recently completed a residency program where we were facilitated to develop inspiring goals to guide us to fulfil our vision as leaders, thrive as women leaders, and excel in public speaking," she said. She noted that the WLW programme is a very valuable opportunity for any Nigerian woman who is looking to grow their leadership skills to significantly improve their leadership impact in Nigeria and around the world. "I encourage Nigerian women to put in their applications to participate in the programme. Nigeria had the highest slots in the 2018 cohort and this shows the commitment of the organisers, How Women Lead, to consider our population when choosing participants for the program," she said. Empowering Women Also expressing her satisfaction with the WLW, Agbim said her organisation (The Nanny Academy) was established to empower domestic workers to advocate for proper employment conditions. Her organisation provides women with credentials, trains them in financial literacy, and empowers them to be their own advocates. She said the academy is working to push the adoption of a national bill of rights for domestic workers to afford them with basic protections and increase their access to justice. Agbim also wishes to scale her organisation and its impact with more opportunities to improve her own leadership skills through the WLW program to achieve that. According to her, the selection process was evidence based. "What difference are you making? I was selected particularly because of the passion I showed in my application as well as corresponding evidence of my work in the past which was available as news in mainstream media," she noted. Agbim said there are numerous benefits and opportunities bordering on leadership capacity building, networking, sustainability and ability to thrive, and urged more Nigerian women to "apply for the opportunity as it is transformational and worth it. "How Women Lead 2018 program has blown my mind with the provocative conversations raised in class amongst the electrifying leading women cohort of 2018 from 10 countries. My enthusiasm and commitment to my vision of empowering women has been fuelled", she confessed. Linking Socio-economic Well-being and Health On her part, Chenge, a public-health expert with 20 years of experience working

Ms. Hauwa Abbas

Ms. Carolyn Seaman

at the international, national, sub-national and community levels has deepened her appreciation of the interactive links between socio-economic well-being and health. Recognising that in many sub-Saharan Af-

We also benefit from an intense executive coaching and advising support to help us become phenomenal learners doing extraordinary work and manifesting significant impact in our countries and around the world

Ms. Amara Agbim

Ms. Charity Chenge

rican countries, access to health is influenced by social determinants that disproportionately place women, young girls and children at a higher risk of preventable sickness/death, Chenge's work at the CHESIDS, benefits these populations. She seeks to amplify the scope of her work through the supportive, motivational and enabling networks which the WLW offers. She is looking to connect with a global community of women who are aligned with her tenet to support other women to live healthy and productive lives, to be empowered, to aspire, disrupt, achieve and lead. On how she was selected, Chenge said she found the information about the WLW fellowship online and simply followed the instructions to apply. "The instructions are very clear. My understanding is that the WLW is about retooling women leaders towards amplifying their leadership roles and strengthening their social impact within the communities they serve," she stressed. Chenge also noted that most of the work she lead at CHESIDS, prioritises Nigerian women and children, and improves their

access to health commodities and services. "I also lead an initiative that equips young people to engage more proactively in improving access to health for communities they serve. I want to believe that these attributes enabled my selection for the fellowship," she quipped. She was also positive that through the fellowship, the recipients will have access to a global network of resources with the potential to increase the number of people benefiting from their work, "expand our footprints geographically in Nigeria and ultimately amplify the social impact of our work especially for vulnerable and hard to reach populations". In a nutshell, these women have shown that efforts focused on human development and overall wellbeing is the future for humanity. While they have pledged to continue prioritising on women and children, Chenge's parting advice is a food for thought: "My advice would be to focus on elevating what you are currently doing to serve others, use your experience to serve you in your application".

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-r: Member, Public Interest Lawyering Initiative of West Africa (PILIWA) from Liberia, Tiawan Gongloe; Hon President, ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Hon Justice Edward Asante; Member PILIWA, Barr Chima Williams from Nigeria and another member from Ghana, Kumi Larbi during a courtesy visit by PILIWA to the newly seated President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja.. recently. Julius Atoi.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (middle), MD/CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora (left) and , Chairman, House Committee on Ports,Harbours & Waterways, Hon. Patrick Asadu (right) during a courtesy visit to the Speaker by NIWA delegation at the National Assembly, Abuja...recently L-R; Chief Technical Officer, DiagoniseMe. Africa, Francis Osifo, Head of Partnerships and Business Development, Gatumi Aliyu; and CEO, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, at the DiagoniseMe. Africa health stakeholders meeting in Lagos,..recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed; Representative of Emir of Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Ida (CON); Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Abdullahi Jibrin Oyekan and Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulkareem Age during the 34th Convocation of the University of Ilorin....recently

L-R:Chairman, Business and Career Fair Committee, Ikoyi Baptist Church, Mr. Uwemedimo Esiet; Pastor, Ikoyi Baptist Church, Rev (Dr) Olusegun Adeleke; Committee Member, Felicia Ema and Secretary of the Committee, Omamefe Agbajor, during the church’s press conference on the forthcoming 2018 Business and Career Fair in Lagos...recently . KOLAWOLE ALLI

Award-winning musician and leader of the popular Shuga band, Akin Tofowomo and his band thrilling audience during shuga coated concert to celebrate 20 years of Shuga band on stage, held at Eko Hotel in Lagos....recenty kunle ogunfuyi

L-R ; The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), Dr Mariam Masha; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Yemi Dipeolu; Nigeria’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Tijjani Mohammad-Bande; and the Managing Director & CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya at the Nigeria’s side event of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2018) in New York, with the theme...recently

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L-R: Former non-executive Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, Yahaya Zekeri; his wife, Clara Zekeri; former non-executive Director, Jaafaru Paki; Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu; former non-executive Director, Rose Okwechime; GMD/CEO, Kennedy Uzoka; former nonexecutive Director, Adekunle Olumide; wife, Mercy Olumide and Deputy Managing Director, Victor Osadolor during a send forth and dinner organised by the bank for the former non-executive directors in Abuja‌recently

Experts Harp Adherence to Ethics in Businesses Obinna Chima Some executives have stressed the need for individuals and organisations to imbibe ethical practices in their activities. The experts spoke in separate interviews, on the sidelines of a recent forum that was organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in Lagos, to mark the Global Ethics Day. The Partner, PwC, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, pointed out that ethics is all about doing the right thing always. Oyedele explained: “So, something cannot be right in the United Kingdom, the United States and then be wrong in Nigeria. “We have to ensure that we

ECONOMY do the right thing always. We do acknowledge that it is more difficult in Nigeria to be ethical, but we must insist that the right things are done in our personal capacity as business leaders, in the way we conduct our businesses and also in government. “More importantly, including issues around transparency, accountability. So, at the end of the day, the only way you can have a sustainable business is to be ethical. “Whatever progress and successes you achieve won’t last if you are not ethical. The way to build trust with customers, employees, investors, government and regulators, is to be ethical.

“So, we do acknowledge that it is difficult, but we have to do it. The commitment in the room today was that everybody agreed that in their own little way, they would be ethical and help others to be ethical as well.� According to him, leadership is also very important in setting the tone at the top in terms of adhering to ethics. “In whatever capacity you are a leader, you must set the tone about ethics and reward ethical behaviour and there must be consequences for people who behave unethically. “That way, we would begin to change the culture of the society in doing the right thing,� Oyedele added. On her part, a General Manager at Zenith Bank Plc,

Adaobi Nwapa, noted that ethics is crucial to professionalism. She added: “It is one of the moral compasses of the society. It is for sustainability and corporate governance in any society. So, it is key for every organisation to understand and implement ethical principles. “It is something that starts from us as leaders. We have to make sure in our respective organisations, there are mechanisms and processes to make sure these thing works. We must do the right things all the time.� To the Lead Consultant, Human Resource Warehouse, Gina Oleghe, Nigeria is a country that is part of the global community and so ethics should be seen Continued on page 24

Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă– Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ÙÖĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÕÙãÓ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ÍŻÍˇÍąÍśËœ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ͎͜ÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă—Ă“ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹Ă”Ă™Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă—Ă“ Ă—ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ÞÙÚ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĚ‹ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă™ĂœĚ‹ ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă‹Ă”Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă’ Ă&#x;ĂšĂžĂ‹Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ ÕÙãÓ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒÍŻÍˇÍąÍś Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ˜Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÒÙ×Ă?Ëœ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞĂ?ĂŽ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă– ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă”Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă’Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ åÓÞÒ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ÒÙ×Ă? Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ÞÙÙÎ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ËŤ Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ÙʰĂ?Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™ĂžËœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă¤Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ě‹ Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓäĂ? Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁËŹË›

Ericsson, Intel Oer Data Call

Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ͹˛ͳ ä ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ

Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă? ĚŽ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Íą Ě‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓà Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ăœ Íł Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? ÎËÞË Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă˜ ͹͡ ä˛ Ă’Ă? ͹͡ ä ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ Íł Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ĚŽ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ͱ͎ͯ͡ ĚŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă— ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ù×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă’Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂŁ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăœ Íą Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ͹˛ͳ ä ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?ÞË Ă‹ĂŒ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ËŞĂ? Íł Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÙÖÎ ÙËĂ?Þ˛ âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă• Ă?Ă”ĂŽĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ÎËÞË Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă˜ ͹͡ ä åÓÞÒ Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă– Ă?ÒÙåĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Íł Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă— ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ͹˛ͳ ä Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜ ͹͡ Ă¤Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?×ÙÙÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚËÞÒ ÞÙ Íł Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Íł ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓà Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ÒÙåĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Íł Ă‹ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞã˛ˏ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?âÞ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ Ă?ĂŽĂŽĂŁËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? Íł ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ͹͡ ä ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ę¨Ă?Ă? ÒÙå Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? Íł Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞã Ă“Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?˲ˏ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă– Íł Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ ͹͡ ä Ă?Ă’Ă“ĂšËšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Íą Ě‹Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă•ĂŁĂšĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Íł Ă‘Ě‹ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË›

9mobile Empowers Farmers

Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ ĂĄĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ë› ÓÞÒ Ă?Ă•Ă‹ Ă?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ĂšĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ åÓÞÒ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ͎͜ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂŁ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĚ‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ë›

How Broadband Will Boost Economies Emma Okonji with agency report A new study published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has highlighted the economic impact of broadband and digitisation on national economies. The study stated that an increase in both fixed and mobile broadband penetration has a positive impact on the economy. In terms of digital transformation, the study showed that the economic impact of a digital ecosystem and found that effective policy and regulatory frameworks could drive growth in the digital ecosystem. Analysing the report, ITU

TELECOM Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao, said: “With this landmark study, we can now quantify the impact of broadband and digital transformation on economic growth.� Investment in ICT infrastructure is an absolute priority to expand access to broadband services, and to help accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Zhao further said. The study also included models and formula, which included a blueprint for assessing the economic impact of broadband, and enabling a full-blown data analysis of digital transformation

and evidence-based policymaking. The Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Brahima Sanou said: “The study builds on years of robust and reliable data resources. The findings will make the case for broader adoption of digital technologies and digital policies across the globe and be instrumental in evidence-based decision-making across ITU members.� Giving insights to economic impact of fixed and mobile broadband, the study noted that fixed broadband has had a significant impact on the world economy in the past seven years. The economic impact of fixed broadband was found to

be higher in more developed countries than in less developed, while the economic impact of mobile broadband was found to be higher in less developed countries than in more developed countries. Overall, it noted that an increase of one per cent in fixed broadband penetration yields a 0.08 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while an increase of one per cent in mobile broadband penetration yields a 0.15 per cent increase in GDP, which translates into an increase of 10 per cent in fixed or mobile broadband penetration yielding an average increase of Continued on page 24

“Nigeria has a target of achieving 30 per cent broadband penetration by the end of the year, but the responsibility of achieving it lies in the collective efforts of all MDAs and not only on the industry regulator� Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone,

Mr. Yusuf Kazaure

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EXPERTS HARP ADHERENCE TO ETHICS IN BUSINESSES as a vital tool for corporate government. “Ethics is all about responsibility, accountability, integrity and commitment. I think as Nigerians we should imbibe the culture of all round work ethics. “So, we need to do things properly and taking responsibility for our action. We should always downplay the Nigerian factor in anything we do. As Nigerians, we should do things properly. “We should let the young ones, even young school leavers know that when they do something wrong, there would always be consequences for their actions. They have to know that should always do what is right,� Oleghe added. ACCA Director for Africa, Jamil Ampomah, however, stressed that ethics shouldn’t be restricted to organisations. “We should really look at ethics as something that should start from the grassroots and for students. If we are able to do that, we are going to have a crop of employees and business people who grow up knowing that doing the right thing pays. “With that in mind, I believe we would be able to succeed in Nigeria and across Africa,� he added. Similarly, the Country Head, ACCA Nigeria, Tom Isibor, pointed out that ethics is critical part in personal, career and business life. HOW BROADBAND WILL BOOST ECONOMIES 0.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively in GDP. The study further revealed that the economic impact of digitisation was higher than that of fixed broadband and similar to that of mobile broadband. According to the study, achieving broadband penetration was only one aspect of required policies, as maximisation of the economic impact of digitisation can only be achieved through the adoption of a holistic set of policies ranging from internet access and computing, to electronic commerce. It also recognised that the digital ecosystem has an economic impact on productivity.

‘Adoption of Connected Factory Technology Still Low in Nigeria’ Emma Okonji

the combination of software and hardware that controls physical processes in the factory. “But today, the world of manufacturing is changing and the new development is about the alliance between the IT and OT to form a connected factory, which is all about new approach to driving manufacturing organisations into profitability at reduced operational cost.� According to Adefila, BCX, in collaboration with Cisco, one of its partners, had adopted the

Cisco Meraki product to deploy the Cisco Connected Factory in the manufacturing industry in Nigeria and beyond. She said BCX would use some of the solutions of connected factory such as connected network, connected wireless, connected security, and kinetics, to drive proficiency and profitability in the manufacturing industry, while adopting the Cisco Meraki products for the deployment. Adefila described Cisco Meraki as a product suite

that contains routers, switches, wireless, and IP camera, with which the manufacturing industry can manage all its network infrastructure on a single platform from the cloud. “It gives more visibility into the entire infrastructure and reduces time management and trouble shooting, and this is the flexibility it brings to manufacturing businesses,� Adefila said. Speaking on the value of Cisco Meraki on connected factory, Sys-

tems Engineer at Cisco, Funmi Koka, said the Cusco Meraki brings simplicity, intelligence and management together in a unified way to drive the processes of connected factory. According to her, Cisco Meraki would enable the easy of management of factory operations from a single platform, as against the management of factories from different managerial points, thereby reducing operational cost, improving efficiency, and meeting the business goals.

One of the evolving technologies that will drive manufacturing organisations into profitability at reduced operational cost, is the Connected Factory, which is the factory for the future, but the adoption rate in Nigeria is still low. This was the view of technology experts from Cisco and BCX during a one-day workshop organised by BCX for the manufacturing industry in Lagos recently. BCX, a technology solution company, said the new trend in manufacturing industry was about connected factory, where information technology (IT) team and operational technology (OT) team in a manufacturing industry do no longer work in silos, but are connected to a single digital space, from where manufacturing processes are controlled and managed from a single platform. BCX, which expressed worries over the weak adoption rate of connected factory, especially in Nigeria, stressed the need for manufacturing industry in the country to move into that digital space because of the value it brings by helping companies see new opportunities that make them more competitive and effective. Head, Networks and Infrastructure, BCX, Abiola Adefila, said: “In the past, IT and OT, operate in silos. While IT is the L-R: Managing Director, BCX, Ayo Adegboye; Head, Network and Infrastructure, Abiola Adefela; Systems Engineer, International data centric computing, OT is Sales, Cisco Systems, Funmi Coker and Sales Director, Olatayo Ajai, at a strategic business forum in Lagos...recently

BUSINESS FORUM

Africa Gets Private Sector Trade, Investment Committee Emma Okonji Africa’s leading private sector institutions and corporates have established a Pan-African Private Sector Trade and Investment Committee (PAFTRAC) to serve as an advocacy platform to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and enhance African private sector participation in trade and investment policy formulation, including trade negotiations. A communique issued in Addis Ababa last week at the end of a meeting co-hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afrex-

imbank) and the African Union Commission, said PAFTRAC would enhance African private sector participation and galvanise the views of the African private sector, mainstreaming them into trade and investment policy making. “By providing a framework for effective publicprivate partnership in the promotion of African trade, PAFTRAC will enhance the integration of Africa into the global economy and contribute to the transformation of African economies in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,� the communique stated.

Speaking during the meeting, which was cochaired by African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Amb. Albert Muchanga, and President/ Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, the Commissioner said PAFTRAC was an important stepping-stone towards the establishment of the African Business Council provided for under the AfCFTA Framework. Oramah said it was imperative for the African private sector to play a more active role in shaping the parameters of trade and investment policy at the

national, regional and continental levels for its own benefit and to achieve the transformation of African economies. PAFTRAC will be driven by a group of leaders comprising chief executives of leading African businesses and financial institutions, representatives of regional African business councils and chambers of commerce. It will also include representatives of African policy and research institutions. The meeting elected the founder of the Centre for Value in Leadership, Nigeria, Prof. Patrick Utomi, as the first Chairperson of PAFTRAC for a two-year

term. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Utomi is a professor of political economy and a management expert. He will be supported by vice-chairpersons drawn from different regions of the continent. PAFTRAC members are said to be committed to mobilising wider private sector support for the PAFTRAC initiative and adopted a work programme for the period 2019 to 2021, which will, among others, focus on Trade Finance; Trade Facilitation; Non-Tariff Measures; and Africa’s external trade and investment relations.

Nigeria Records 140,000 Domain Name Registration Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹

Nosa Alekhuogie

Capital Market Editor

Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for the registration of the country’s .ng domain name has said it has registered over 140,000 domain names in Nigeria so far. NiRA President, Mr. Sunday Folayan, who made the disclosure at the maiden edition of the 2018 Bloggers’ Summit held at the NiRA in Lagos recently, said NIRA also has 65 accredited registrars which were allowed to appoint re-sellers to increase

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă? AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ? Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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

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

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

the reach of their businesses and operations. The summit was aimed at bringing the blogging community and stakeholders in Nigeria together to learn, network, and collaborate on the further growth of the online community. The president said the bloggers’ summit was conceived as a vehicle for increasing the avenue for networking among bloggers, creating an environment to promote responsible blogging in this era of ‘fake news’ and ‘hate speech’, encouraging and rewarding stellar performances within

the blogging community, stimulating the industry by ensuring that Bloggers develop and publish content relevant to the society. “The summit will also enhance job creation and opportunities for Nigerians because of the associated businesses like content hosting and website design and maintenance and the development of other capacities and skill sets required to keep blogs on-line, and the need to ensure that blogging commands respect from the larger society, because of its disruptive nature in com-

munication and information dissemination,� Afolayan said According to him, NiRA is a self-regulating privatesector led public-privatepartnership between the government and the people of Nigeria, for the management of Nigeria’s country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) on the internet. “NIRA’s membership and by extension, how it is governed, is open to everyone, irrespective of affiliation and affluence. Because we are all stakeholders and citizens of the country, and therefore

entitled to the resources of the nation,� he added “NiRA’s mandate derives from a memorandum of understanding between it and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), delegating the management of the ccTLD to NIRA. It is therefore the responsibility of NIRA to run the registry, setting policies for its operations and maintaining the database of names registered under the .ng country code Top Level Domain. We do not take this responsibility lightly,� he further said.

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Boost for Start-ups The Lagos Innovates, an initiative of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, will further empower start-ups in the state, writes Emma Okonji Lagos Innovates, an initiative of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was designed by the Lagos State government to support the growth of Africa’s most exciting startup ecosystem. Through LSETF, the Lagos State government is deploying a set of programs aimed at making it easier to build a successful tech startup in Lagos. Lagos Innovates was designed to help the very best founders and start-ups by facilitating access in four major areas such as facilitating high quality workspaces and infrastructure, learning, early stage investment capital and investor and peer networks. Its programmes, which are open to all innovation-driven enterprises that are less than three years old and based in Lagos, have been able to support several tech start-ups who are in need of government support to address the issues of funding that has retarded the growth of start-ups in Africa, Nigeria inclusive. Through the initiative, workspace vouchers and loans are given to beneficiaries, including event sponsorship for beneficiaries. Although several start-ups have benefited from the initiative, the most recent were Liferithms and TechGen Africa who shared their experiences. Liferithms is one of Nigeria’s start-ups that developed Kairos Krunch app, a human capital development app that is built around business intelligence, used for the tracking of employee’s useful time during office hours. Developed by Olu Ogunlela and his team, the app is used for data generation and analysis to help organisations have idea of the number of hours each employee puts at work on a daily basis, designed to help employers make informed decision about the productive hours of their staff members. The app provides data on what each employee is doing with his or her time during office hours. Though still in the prototype stage, over 150 users are already on the app and 30 of them are paying to use the app while others are still using it for free. TechGen Africa, another beneficiary of the Lagos Innovate programme, is a tech startup founded by Sodiq Ade Balogun. TechGen Africa is a platform to groom tech innovators in the area of coding and software application development, targeted at developing African skills in technology development, through creativity and innovation. According to Balogun, the platform is used to teach students in primary and secondary schools, how to code and how to apply coding skills is addressing specific challenges. “We organise computer coding training for Africans and we have trained several thousands of students since TechGen Africa was launched last year. We have had Blockchain training for students in Nigeria and Kenya. The essence is to take computer studies to schools and we do organise computer coding competition for students from time to time,� Balogun said.

The BeneďŹ ts Liferithms and TechGen Africa got enlisted into the Lagos Innovate programme organised by Lagos State Employment Trust Fund as beneficiaries of the programme. Each beneficiary gets a monthly voucher of N20,000 for a period of six months. The money is meant to assist them on further training and development on their existing apps. It will help them to embark on further research on their apps in order to upscale their apps and commercialise them. Within the six-month period, the beneficiaries are expected to enrol with any technology hub where they would have workspace to further develop their apps and ideas, and also have the opportunity to meet with other tech start-ups they could share ideas with. They will also have the opportunity of meeting mentors and seed investors who may be interested in their app and volunteer to either mentor them further or sponsor their apps to attain commercial status in the open tech market.

Experience According to Ogunlela of Liferithms, he enrolled with Workstation in Lakki, Lagos, one of the tech startup space in Lagos, immediately he got his N20,000 monthly workspace voucher for a period of six months. He said the experience of his team at the Workstation technology start-up space, had been awesome in the last four months since he enrolled. He said his team has been exposed to

the lasted technology facilities at workstation technology hub, which has 24 hours electricity and internet connectivity as well as conducive work environment to brainstorm on their project and app. “Aside work facilities, there are facilities for extra-curricular activities like sports equipment and rest rooms where one could relax, take his or her bathe and get refreshed to continue work. The experience has been good because it has exposed me to other start-ups whom I share ideas with and I have been opportune to meet mentors at the tech space who have helped me to reshape my thinking and ideology,� Ogunlela said. He added that the Lagos Innovate programme has helped him to reduce cost in acquiring additional skills and in getting to work in technology hub with standard facilities, which would have cost himself and his team a whole lot of money. For Balogun of TechGen Africa, he said he got to know about Lagos Innovates when he attended the Oracle entrepreneurial programme in Ikoyi, Lagos, where a staff of LSETF was on ground to talk about the opportunities that Lagos Innovates offer. He became interested and applied online and he was invited, interviewed and enlisted as one of the beneficiaries. According to Balogun, he had to enrol with Venia Hub in Lekki, Lagos, since he lives in that axis “and in the past few weeks I have been opportune to work with the facilities at Venia Hub and I can say with confidence that the experience has been very good and encouraging. I have meet with other start-ups in the Venia Hub technology workspace and I

have equally met with mentors who are ready to guide me in further developing my skills in computing,� Balogun said. He added: “infrastructure at the Venia Hub technology workspace is of quality standard and I believe it will help me to further network with several startups in the work space. “People are excited about getting computer knowledge in coding and the skills I will acquire from the hub, will help be become more innovative in teaching students through the TechGen Africa initiative.� Speaking about the value of the leaning experience at the Huns, Balogun said: “At Venia Hub, there are facilities and there is the opportunity to network with other start-ups who are in that workspace to share ideas on what we are doing and learn more from each other. It will expose me to lots of skills which I did not have before.

Future of tech startups According to Ogunlela: “The start-up ecosystem is growing in Nigeria and we have several startups that are developing apps that address specific issues. “The major challenge of tech start-ups is funding and what Lagos State is doing with Lagos Innovate, is taking away the cost of training and networking from us and helping us to do more in the development of apps, which is currently driving global development.� Balogun, said at the end of the six months intensive training at Venia Hub, he would upscale his tech start-ups business, make it commercially viable and get closer to the world, based on the additional knowledge that he would acquire.

SystemSpecs Launches Remita SME Suite for Businesses Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria can now easily manage the most essential aspects of their business, ranging from funds collection to payments and payroll in a more convenient, data-driven and organised manner by accessing the Remita SME Suite. Remita SME Suite helps enterprises to reach immediate and larger markets, get paid easily for goods and

services through multiple channels, including bank branches nationwide, electronic banking, debit/credit cards and mobile wallets; boost profit margins; seamlessly manage employee affairs; keep organisational and transactional records; and ultimately access SME loans. Speaking on the purpose of the service, Managing Director of SystemSpecs, John Obaro, said: “The

Remita SME Suite would assist SMEs to grow and innovate in a sustainable and profitable way, which would not only drastically turn around the user SME for good but also position them to add greater value to the Nigerian economy. “With this service, more businesses would be able to scale to the next level and extend their frontiers of operation while also making profit. By so doing, they

would be able to contribute even more to the advancement of our collective lot.� Available for signup on the Remita website, SMEs in any part of Nigeria would be able to receive funds from customers everywhere at any time of day, make payments from any bank account to vendors and suppliers without stress, and manage payroll end-to-end – all on the same platform, at an

affordable cost. Owing to their adoption of this service, forward-thinking small and medium-scale enterprises will position to attract opportunities for business expansion. Speaking on the technology that drives the service, SystemSpecs’ Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Eze said: “Based on several years of excellence, Remita continues to facilitate the

transformation of the finances of thousands of businesses across Africa, managing their payment, collection and payroll processes in an integrated manner.� According to him, “Remita is intuitive, userfriendly and deliberately built to suit the expectations of small and medium-sized businesses. It is targeted at meeting their needs just the way they want it.�

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Brown: Why We are Introducing Free-to-Air Channels The Vice President, Sales and Market Development for SES Video, Africa, Mr. Clint Brown, in this interview with Nosa Alekhuogie, speaks on the latest free-to-air local channel bouquet launched in Nigeria recently. Excerpts: its international content, it would appeal to African audiences. It is a very different preposition to just taking cheap channels from any other market and rebroadcasting in this market. These channels are made by Africans for Africans.

What are you introducing to the Nigerian market? SES is working with Africa XP to deliver 13 new free-to-air (FTA) channels as a bouquet called ‘PREMIUM.FREE’ to Nigeria as well as to other parts of West Africa. The bouquet’s launch channels will be supplied by AfricaXP and delivered via SES’ satellite at 28.2 degrees East, a prime orbital location from where SES delivers Direct-to-Home (DTH) services to over 9 million households in West Africa. The SES is a world’s leading satellite operator with over 70 satellites. Its satellites deliver television services to more than 351 million households worldwide and network connectivity to over 130 countries. Today it carries over 7,900 channels and is the single operator carrying the most HD (2,700) and UHD (50) channels globally. SES has a media services subsidiary, MX1, which offers end-to-end solutions to enable broadcasters and media companies to easily deliver their content to multiple platforms. In Africa, SES has been supporting the growth of digital TV in Africa for many years. It broadcasts over 900 channels in Africa, and hosts eight DTH platforms that serve over thirty million TV homes across the continent. With our 10 GEO satellites serving Africa, we are accelerating the digital switch-over in the region, and complementing Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). Satellites deliver signals to terrestrial TV towers in densely populated areas and directly to individual homes in sparsely populated regions. Why are you partnering with PREMIUM. FREE to deliver this bouquet to Nigerian and West African markets? The Nigerian FTA market is particularly vibrant and offers great opportunities for growth. The current market can be variable and with this offering of 13 channels, we hope to bring a new experience to viewers. The bouquet of PREMIUM.FREE is extremely attractive and we are confident it will foster consumer choice in the local market. There are not often opportunities where there is a very large audience watching a particular satellite beam, and in this case, the SES 28.2 degrees East orbital location has been over West Africa which has about nine million households already looking at channels on that beam using FTA decoders. So if you place your channels on that beam, you immediately have an audience, you don’t have to advertise, you don’t have to sell boxes, you don’t have to distribute those boxes and nobody has to install anything new. All of these people already looking at that beam immediately sees

What is unique about the PREMIUM. FREE bouquet offering? The bouquet really stands out because it combines both local and international content that is attractive for end-consumers, and is offered in high picture quality. AfricaXP is the leading independent content distributor and producer, and the PREMIUM.FREE bouquet sourced from their library really showcases that. The bouquet is made up of African programming with top-flight international content across a diverse range of themes from sports to movies, Telenovelas, kids, factual, reality and lifestyle programming, all of which will be familiar to local audiences. Do you need a set top box (STB) to receive the PREMIUM.FREE service if you have other service provider? Anyone with a STB and satellite dish in West Africa can access the PREMIUM.FREE bouquet without charge from Astra 2G located at 28.2 degrees East. If a household’s dish already points towards the 28.2 orbital location all they need to do is use the stand search process on their STB and they should get the channel very easily. Others will need to hire a professional to repoint their dishes before using the search feature and they will get the new channels plus the rest of channel channels available from the platform at that orbital location. While the channels can be viewed using a 78 cm dish, the quality of the viewing experience, and resilience to disruption that is sometimes caused by rain, can better achieved using 90CM dish.

Brown

those channels, this is a very exciting beam that covers the whole region and therefore reaches a lot of people. If the figure for Nigeria is 3.18 million and that amount of households are watching on satellite for that particular beam, it has increased dramatically. That figure from the SES research which was completed at the end of 2017 compared to the 2015 figure was about one million, it has grown very rapidly. We believe that’s a fantastic start by putting a bouquet of different thematic, nicely packaged kind of like a pay TV bouquet but for free. By putting it on there, we believe it would boost the number of people who are

watching and have boxes and dishes tuned in that satellite. Why did you decide to also partner with AfricaXP on this project? AfricaXP is a digital content distributor that sells content to multiple broadcast platform throughout the region. In regards to this project, they are the supplier of channels to Premium free which is the bouquet on SES platform. We chose them to supply us the channels because we wanted premium channels and they focus particularly on customising Channels for African viewers, even if

What is the ASTRA 2G satellite about? We launched the ASTRA 2G satellite in 2014 to the prime orbital location of 28.2 degrees East. Since then SES has built the largest free-to-air reach in sub-Saharan Africa from the orbital location, now reaching over nine million Direct-to-Home households across West Africa from this orbital position. ASTRA 2G and a second satellite, ASTRA 2F, share the orbital location to complement each other and provide expanded coverage of the West African region. From these two, satellites audiences in the region can receive the largest proportion of local content of any satellite.

Firm to Address Skills Gap in Blockchain Tech, Cybersecurity

Software to Prevent Cyber Attack Launched

VaultBridge Global Limited, a software security company with speciality in Blockchain technology and cybersecurity has said it will bridge the skills gap that exist in these sectors of the Nigerian economy, through an intensive training programme planned to hold in Nigeria next month. The company said in collaboration with its foreign partners like KIPYA Connect and Bit2Big, the company is geared towards organising workshops, conferences, seminars and trainings in cyber security, FinTech and Blockchain Technology. Considering the exponential growth of the Internet, the worshop will highlight the negative impact of emerging technologies and

Dell EMC has announced Dell EMC Cyber Recovery software, along with Dell EMC Cyber Recovery Services designed to help provide a last line of data protection defence against ransomware and destructive cyber attacks. The new software includes innovative automation, workflow and security analytics tools to ensure gold copies of critical data are isolated yet available so business processes can be resumed as quickly as possible in the event of a destructive cyber attack. Cyber attacks have become a common occurrence, the worst of which often result in extended downtime that can bring business operations to a standstill for days and even weeks – costing millions of dollars. While many large organisations have strong cyber security and anti-malware detection capabilities in place,

how organisations could address them. Executive Director, VaultBridge Global, Mr. Harrison Ozinegbe, said VaultBridge shall be conducting regular training classes for the Certified Blockchain Professionals (CBP) to bring practitioners up to speed with the Institute of iBusiness (IIB Council) requirements. “We hope to play very active advocacy role to engage with relevant stakeholders and authorities to develop core solution architecture in the real sectors as Power, Health, Energy, Agriculture, and Transportation, and to carry out indepth research and analysis in order to create a better understanding of the Blockchain Technology to enhance

and benefit all sectors of the Nigerian economy,� he said. Chief Executive Officer, VaultBridge Global, Mr. Michael Kiberu, said: “There are high incidences of illegal hackers, internet scammers and cybercrimes across the world and Nigeria is no exception. These crimes are often associated with cyberspace technology, which is in line with Blockchain Technology. This necessitates our resolve in VaultBridge to partner with KIPYA Connect and Bit2Big to constantly organise Cybersecurity Executive Master Classes in Ethical Hackers and other related EC-Council certified examinations to keep organisations abreast of latest technology in combating cybercrime.�

the impact of not being able to recover business processes and data in the event of a successful ransomware or destructive cyber attack can be devastating. President, Data Protection, Dell EMC, Beth Phalen, said. “Malicious insiders and sophisticated cyber attackers, especially those that employ ransomware, are known to deliberately target data protection and backup infrastructure. “We take a layered approach to data protection within the portfolio and with our Dell EMC Cyber Recovery software and Services, helping ensure true data isolation and a last line of data protection defence for business-critical data from a variety cyber threats.� Dell EMC Cyber Recovery is new software that integrates with Dell EMC Data Domain protection storage hardware. It provides a solution that

combines the benefits of data isolation and business continuity to help minimise the impact of a cyber attack, while providing a faster and higher likelihood of success in the recovery of critical data and systems. “The most effective plans for cyber threat resilience must include provisions to protect and isolate the data protection infrastructure. By design data protection systems are architected on the same networks as production systems and are therefore part of the potential attack surface. Dell EMC offers a smart solution that employs an air-gapped Cyber Recovery Vault, along with automated software that helps isolate, analyse and recover an organisation’s critical data so business can resume in the event of a cyber intrusion or ransomware attack,� he said.

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NCC to Intensify Broadband Deployment EIbrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Telecommunications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Dambatta, has disclosed the commission’s resolve to ensure that the country is fully captured in the broadband deployment programme geared towards enhancement of socio-economic development through telecommunication technology. According to him, the tremendous capacity of broadband services in Lagos was not being felt in the hinterlands, pointing out that there was urgent need to

cover areas where the broadband services have not reached for the benefit of people who are resident outside major cities. Dambatta, who stated this in Kano, during the first-leg of Broadband Engagement Forum for stakeholders in the north, said already the country have been divided into seven zones, namely, north-west, north-east, northcentral, south-south, south-east, south-west and Lagos zones, to ensure effective and equitable broadband service deployment. He explained that already, NCC had set up an Implementation Monitoring Committee, not only

to monitor the establishment of the broadband infrastructure project, but to also ensure adequate sensitisation of all stakeholders, and as well, proffer solutions to challenges of broadband deployment such as payment of taxes and right-of-way. Dambatta, who highlighted the benefits of broadband services, noted that there would be gradual transformation in the area of health, education, transportation, socioeconomic development, as well as transparency and openness in governance. He further noted that the implementations of the broadband project would certainly impact

positively on the lives of Nigerians, adding that with broadband services, Nigeria can join the league of the 20 most powerful countries by the year 2020. He said all the dedicated zones were expected to achieve the broadband implementations not below 1.5 megabytes requirements, because the national broadband office has defined the speed achievable and that should be maintained if the transformation is to be made possible. According to him, “We have registered all the Broadband Infrastructure Licences, we have seven of them. The Licences have been given to seven companies;

and I believe all of them have paid for the licence. “The licence very cheap; it is as cheap as N2.5 million. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari did not introduce the concept of Broadband Infrastructure Licence in order to make money. “So, whatever we are going to do here today, whatever conclusions we are going to draw, these conclusions must revolve around what we are going to do in our own right as a people interested in pervasive telecommunication services, as well as how we can make those services available everywhere, and at the same time.

“That is the meaning of ubiquity, when we talk about ubiquitous services; we are talking about services that are available everywhere and at the same time. “We are not saying they must be equal. The word here is equitable broadband services. Every part of the country going at its own speed, but definitely, not below the minimum speed of 1.5 megabytes. “So, I believe these are the engagements that we intend to, among other things, sensitize our critical stakeholders, like the NCC, state governments and service providers, and those who provide infrastructure services, as well as subscribers.�

TechCrunch Returns to Africa with Startup BattleďŹ eld Stories by Emma Okonji TechCrunch Start-up Battlefield in partnership with Facebook, returns to Africa in featuring panels and keynotes with high-powered industry leaders such as the former Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, who is currently a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital, and Lexi Novitske of Singularity Investments. Following the breakout success of last year’s Startup Battlefield Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, the 2018 competition will unfold in Lagos, Nigeria. The hottest startups from across the sub-Saharan Africa region will be competing to be crowned the continent’s best startup on December 11, following in the footsteps of 2017 overall winner, Lori Systems from Kenya, who have built a logistics platform that is revolutionising the cargotransport value chain in Africa. TechCrunch Startup Battlefield is looking to identify sub-Saharan Africa’s best innovators, makers and technical

entrepreneurs. Last year the competition highlighted how technology is optimising supply chains, increasing access to education, strengthening farmers’ revenues and so much more. TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa will be witnessed by live audience and top judges, and the show will be covered on the TechCrunch platforms. The judges will have to select a winner to be dubbed: “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Most Promising Startup.� The winning startup’s founders will be awarded $25,000 in cash plus a trip for two to compete in Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch’s flagship event, Disrupt in 2019. Battlefield Africa will also feature panel discussions that explore the best tech in Africa and how the technology investment landscapes is changing. TechCrunch is a leading technology media property, dedicated to obsessively profiling startups, reviewing new internet products, and breaking tech news.

Mobile Money Agents Confab Harps on Financial Inclusion The third annual conference of the Association of Mobile Money Agents in Nigeria (AMMAN) 2018 will be focusing on how to drive Central Bank of Nigeria Financial inclusion initiative. The conference is scheduled to hold next month in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Driving Inclusion: Exploring Agency Banking with Shared Network’. National President, AMMAN, Victor Olojo, said the event would help to set a positive agenda for stakeholders and the country in the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) designed to extend financial services to 60 million financially excluded Nigerians by year 2020. “Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities an initiative of CBN and Bankers Committee entails an aggressive roll out of 500,000 agent network to offer basic financial services, such as Cash-in, Cash-out, funds transfer, bill payments, airtime purchase, government disbursements as well as remote enrolment on

BVN to an estimated 60 million Nigerians that are currently under-banked. We are the key actors in this initiative,� he said. Olojo added:�We expect agents from all the state chapters and more important for us is the need to have a round table discussion with the regulators, operators, agents and other stakeholders. We are also trying to see how we can attract Insurance firms. As agents we can issue out third party insurance policies and more.We are also trying to play our role in CBN’s vision of achieving 80 per cent financial inclusions.� The essence of the conference is to create an avenue where operators, agents, regulator and stakeholders can come together to discuss common goals; to review past calendar year; to discuss challenges and proffer solutions. It will also serve as a forum to create enabling platform to showcase latest solutions and cutting edge technologies in the industry.

INNOVATION AWARD

L-R: Public Aairs Director, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nnamdi Nwobike; Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Lanre Kolade; President, Association of Telecommunications Companies (ATCON), Olusola Teniola; Commercial Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Solomon Ogufere, at the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecoms Awards 2018 held in Lagos...recently

‘Entrepreneurial Skills Institute to Train 2000 School Will Enhance Job Creation, Teachers on ICT Skills Inclusive Growth’ Buoyed by the success re- there is funding coming from corded with the Advanced the NCC via the ADAPTI Experts in the technology sector have highlighted the potential of entrepreneurial skills in facilitating job creation and inclusive growth in Nigeria, if properly harnessed. The experts, who spoke at a recent technology event held in Lagos, described entrepreneurship as a process of taking the risk of running business, with the intention to expand the business, sustain it over time and make profit from it. They, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the case of young Nigerians who have to brave quite a myriad of challenges before they can actually float their businesses. This, they said, has discouraged aspiring Nigerians to shelf their entrepreneurship dreams. Head, PR and Communications at Jumia, Mr. Olukayode Kolawole, said: “Unknown to upcoming entrepreneurs, being an entrepreneur does not mean you must have a brick and mortar store. You can run your entire business online - thanks to internet penetration. “Jumia has proven that direct and indirect jobs can be created via ecommerce. It has empowered thousands of Nigerians to run their businesses through various initiatives like the Jumia J Force Sales Consultancy, Jumia Vendor

Hub, Jumia University and many others.� He however called on government to take advantage of the skills inherent in Nigerian entrepreneurs, by creating the enabling environment that would enable them to further develop that skills in them into meaningful knowledge through capacity building. “So when it comes to job creation, you do not need to wait for the government. The government only needs to create an enabling environment while the private sector and entrepreneurs will provide the much-required employment. And being an entrepreneur is a reliable tool for closing the unemployment gap,� Kolawole said. Addressing the potential of entrepreneurs as engines of Job creation and inclusive growth, others experts called on government to support young people that can change the technology landscape of the country for the better through innovative solutions that are developed locally. “As developing countries continue to struggle with the limited capacity to create jobs and absorb new entrants into the labour market, the attractiveness to include entrepreneurship in job creation toolkits has grown.

Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI), the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) is focusing on training over 2000 primary and secondary school teachers and administrators before year end. The Administrator of the Institute, Dr. Ike Adinde, disclosed this in a chat with journalists, stressing that the training programmeis being extended to secondary schools under the initiative tagged: ‘Digital Awareness Programme (DAP)’ with funding provided by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). DBI is the capacity-building arm of the NCC, which has the mandate to train Nigerians on emerging trends and rudiments of Information Communication Technology (ICT). Adinde said the schools will cut across all the six geographical zones of the federation. He described ADAPTI as an example of what intervention from government can do. “The NCC has supported ADAPTI from its inception and so today the universities are enjoying our capacity building opportunities because

programme to the universities. As we speak ADAPTI has accounted for the training of over 50,000 Nigerian lecturers and non- lecturers across all tertiary institutions. “This year we have extended the programme with the approval of the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, to secondary schools, so we now have a second component of another version of ADAPTI which we call DAP (Digital Awareness Programme) which is an appreciation programme for secondary schools and this year we’re targeting over 2000 primary and secondary school teachers,� Adinde said. The administrator, who is a strong advocate for increased funding for ICT training among African governments, said capacity building should not be an option. According to him, “It is a choice that government and organisations just have to make because the more knowledgeable and more skilled your employees are, the better their performance and productivity at work, the better they’re able to contribute to organisational objectives and goals.�

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CSR as a Launchpad for Development Raheem Akingbolu writes on the need for business owners to commit more resources to corporate social responsibility Despite its global acceptability, some individuals and organisations still hold the view that local business organisations are immune when it comes to contributing to the societies where they operate. However, the recognition and acceptance of the phenomena of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developed as well as developing countries has continued to impact positively on societies. In Nigeria, some companies are waking up fast to the importance of CSR while some are still living in the past. Lead Consultant/CEO at Thistle Praxis Consulting, a management consulting firm that assists organisations and enterprises to create, define and manage their CSR and sustainability needs as well as other management concerns, Ini Onuk-Abimbola, told THISDAY recently that CSR is not restricted to big organizations alone. According to her, the investment can only vary, depending on size and annual turnover of companies. “Giving to society where one operates, otherwise known as Corporate Social Responsibility is a global standard business philosophy that all organisations should buy into. Regardless of size and annual earnings, a responsible company should aspire to contribute societal growth. Having stated this, CSR investment can now depend on what a company can afford,� Speaking further, Onuk-Abimbola stated that with surge in global population, especially in Nigeria, government alone cannot provide all the social needs but by provision of enabling environment for businesses to flourish, owners of such business will appear to be responsible when it set aside a small proportion of its income for society development. “All over the world, government alone doesn’t attend to all social needs, business owners are expected to be partners in progress by intervening in strategic areas like health, education and provision of social amenities. By doing this, the company is lifting the society as well as building its brand equity,� she added. This was also the position of the CEO, X3M Ideas, Mr. Steve Babaeko, who admitted during the flagging off of his company’s 2018 CSR project, that there is nowhere in the world where government is able to solve all the problems.

X3M Ideas as example While Multinationals like Coca Cola, Guinness, Unilever and others are playing in the big league when it comes to CSR, one Nigerian company, X3M Ideas, a full service digital agency, has consistently maintained its relevance in the area of giving to society. The agency’s commitment to giving back to the under privileged has been exceptional. The agency did not wait till profits started rolling in as it took-off laudable CSR initiatives from the very first year of operations, against the conventional belief that an organisation must have spent a couple of years before taking up CSR initiative(s) to make impact in the society. This year, the company handed over a wellfurnished SS3 classes and administrative block to the management of the State High School, Ikeja GRA. The principal of the senior high school, Mrs. Olajumoke Ilori thanked the management of X3M Ideas for counting the school worthy

Babaeko of the gesture and appreciated the company for supporting the state government in improving education in the state. Also the Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Onadipe appreciated the effort of the agency for turning the school to a beautiful edifice. She lamented the state of the building before the intervention as an eyesore “the building was the oldest in this compound; it was nothing to write home about. It was always giving us challenge but today you have delighted us with the renovation. The school has the most improved result in the whole state and with this your contribution our result will continue to go up� She advised the student to make good use of the facilities so others coming behind will use them too “Make use of the furniture, building, and gadgets. Don’t spoil them so that others coming behind can use them and when you set up your organisation like X3M Ideas, you will not forget your Alma Mater. In his speech, Babaeko said, “there is nowhere in the world where government is able to solve all the problems but, as a corporate citizen I think we all have the responsibility to find what areas we can intervene, that is what we always do.�

The business, the philosophy For over six years, the company has been persistent in its yearly corporate social responsibility programmes geared toward impacting lives of students by renovating school blocks and providing IT equipment for learning. In a country where ease of doing business

is high with unfavourable government policies, it takes a good-heart for a company like X3M ideas that recently clocked six years to refrain from the pump and pageantry associated with celebrating anniversaries to selfless service in putting its energy to renovating schools and engaging in community services. Right from the moment it started operations in 2012, the company has established itself as an avant-garde in the Integrated Marketing Communications industry by setting a path other big wigs could not trail for a long time. Babaeko said CSR is in DNA of the company because government cannot solve the problems but need support of corporate institutions and individuals. “One thing about responsibility is that nobody can force an individual or corporate institution to be responsible, but you choose to be a responsible citizen. As a business, you are a corporate citizen, anybody that is expecting that government will solve all the societal problems, then that person’s head is buried somewhere in the cloud. “There is nowhere in the world where government is able to solve all the problems but, as a corporate citizen I think we all have the responsibility to find what areas we can intervene , that is what we always do�. He said.

How it all started In August 2011, X3M Ideas clocked one, and in marking the first year anniversary, the company renovated and handed over block of five classrooms (equipped with chairs, desks and chalk boards) to Opebi Junior High School, Opebi, Ikeja Lagos.

The company took up another project in 2013 to marks its second year anniversary as it donated educational materials/ICT tools to enhance teaching of ICT in selected schools in Ikeja. One of the schools that benefitted from the anniversary’s CSR project was Oregun Senior High School, Oregun, Lagos where ICT tools were donated and handed over to the school principal, Mrs. Toyin Kuti and the vice principal, Mrs. Idowu Deniga. Some of the tools include: two units of laptops (pre-loaded with the required software/computer applications), one unit of multimedia projector, one unit of tripod projection screen and 10 units of UPS. Also, Community High School Wasimi, Maryland, Lagos got two units of laptops (pre-loaded with the required software/computer applications), one unit of 2HP air-conditioners and 10 Units of UPS for its ICT classroom. In a shift from the norm, X3M Ideas took its CSR project to new level in 2015 when it clocked 3 years. This time around, the company was at the Lagos State Special Correctional Centre for Boys, popularly known as ‘welfare’ in Oregun. This is a place where children and teenagers who have the propensity to become criminals are kept for intervention. With CSR, the corporates mainly demonstrate the extra responsibility to earn the goodwill of the market, and CSR helps in building loyalty and trust amongst shareholders, employees and customers. In this sense CSR denotes a voluntary endeavour by businesses to look into the varied issues and concerns of the public at large, apart from the profit-maximising objectives.

NBC, Others Move to Check Menace of Waste Bottles Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) has said in its bid to ensure that its products do not constitute threat to the environment, it is collaborating with seven other companies in the industry to check the menace of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. PET bottles, commonly known as plastic bottles, have increasingly become a source of concern as they block drains and also pollute waterways, causing hazards to aquatic life.

Addressing journalists during a media parley in Port Harcourt, the Director, Legal/Public Affairs and Communications, Sade Morgan, said the companies were working with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in an industry alliance to collect about 5,000 metric tonnes of waste PET bottles from the environment. “We have incorporated an alliance with NESREA, and other companies in the industry to establish a framework for collection and recovery of waste bottles. We

are starting next year. These waste bottles are going to be recycled and ready for use again,� she said. Also speaking on measures put in place by the company to protect the environment in its operations, the Country Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager of NBC, Mr. Ekuma Eze, said the company considers protection of the environment as part of its responsibility to the nation. He said in that direction, the company had phased out trucks that were not friendly to the ozone layer.

The NBC stated that the decision to phase out such trucks that could pollute the atmosphere through the emission of fumes was in line with the company’s continued implementation of its corporate social responsibility content. Eze, maintained that apart from youth empowerment through skills acquisition programmes, NBC had ensured that it did not contribute to the pollution of the communities it was operating and the society at large. “Now, our trucks do not break

down again. We have phased out trucks that are not friendly to the ozone layer. Our refrigerators do not add to ozone layer depletion. “We invest a lot in communities where we do our business and even beyond those communities. The NBC has reduced carbon emission into the atmosphere and also invested in effluent water treatment plant,� Eze said. On the quality of its main product, Coca-Cola, Eze maintained that contrary to the belief in some quarters, the quality of the product remained the same

across the world. According to him, the concentrate syrup is exactly the same used all over the world. In Nigeria, we ate using natural sugar. The difference is that the range of Coke we have in Nigeria is not as much as we have in America. “But the truth is that Coke is the same everywhere in the world and our products in Nigeria are of the highest quality. On counterfeiting, it is not a huge problem to us. We have a robust tracking and monitoring system to ensure our products are not counterfeited.

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Uduk: Despite Downturn, Stock Market Fundamentals Still Strong The acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Mary Uduk, who was a participant at the just concluded annual meetings of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund, in Bali, Indonesia, in this interview expressed optimism that the downturn in the capital market is temporary, adding that once the political activities are sorted out the market will rebound. Obinna Chima presents the excerpts: In the past few months, the Nigerian stock market have recorded significant decline. As the regulator, what do you think is responsible for this trend? I would want to say if you look at the global market report that was released here in Bali, Indonesia and what we already know like increase in interest rates in advanced countries especially the United States, many of the times foreign investors find such increase in interest rate very attractive particularly in advanced countries where their economies are stable. It is normal for a lot of them to want to move their investments in both emerging and frontier markets, which Nigeria is, part of out, to take advantage of increase in rates in those advanced countries. We want to believe that it is one of the things causing the downward trend in the market this period. Another probable reason could be the upcoming general elections. As an investor, a lot of them would want to reduce their exposure or totally move it out. Some may also adopt a wait and see attitude on what will be the outcome of the elections to keep their investments safe. They are waiting to see what will happen and after the election, they can then decide to return full throttle. Such things happen at times like this so i do not really see any problem in that direction. Our stock market is very strong and the fundamentals are very strong. So, it’s just a temporary thing and we believe that after the elections the market will pick up. Market development is one of the initiatives in the master plan. What efforts has SEC made so far to attract retail investors? We do not take for granted the presence of foreign investors in our market because they bring with them transparency and liquidity that comes with it. We are also very particular about our domestic investors as they are the foundation of the market. When these foreign investors leave, they are the ones that are here and still make us have a market. There are certain initiatives that we have come up with to build confidence and encourage their participation. One of them is zero tolerance on market infraction. We have also put in place Complaint Management Framework, we have in place other initiatives like risk-based supervision as well as the ongoing e-dividend mandate and the direct cash settlement. E-dividend is one of the game changers in this market and a lot of people are embracing it. As we already know, the forms are on the SEC website for prospective investors to download and get registered. We have carried out many enlightenment programmes in different locations in Nigeria to sensitise investors in respect of this initiatives. We are also planning to deepen the market by coming out with new products like derivatives, non-interest capital market products as well as trying to build the commodities ecosystem. Our rules on derivatives are ready and have been exposed to the market. We are also building in-house capacity to ensure that we are able to implement these initiatives. We are working to automate processes in the commission so that we will work well with the market. Most of the operators are already automated and for those that are not yet automated, we encourage them to do so and put

Uduk

in place processes that will help the market. We have a standing committee on the commodities ecosystem to speed up the pace of work in that area. We also have a standing committee on financial technology (fintech), which is an important theme of this conference in Bali and to that extent we have a dedicated Division on fintech at the SEC and we have also come up with a Standing Committee by the Capital Market Committee (CMC) to chart a roadmap for fintech for the capital

As an investor, a lot of them would want to reduce their exposure or totally move it out. Some may also adopt a wait and see attitude on what will be the outcome of the elections to keep their investments safe. They are waiting to see what will happen and after the election, they can then decide to return

market. We also encourage the Fintech Association of Nigeria, those of them working on capital market related issues and projects to collaborate with SEC so that we can work together to build a capital market that is technology savvy. What is the update on the e-dividend enrolment? As at the last CMC meeting in August, a total of 2.55 million investors had registered. We will get an update on that figure during the next CMC in November. Any reason for the slow pace of enrolment? None for now that we know of. We have not received any complaint from investors on why the process is not as fast as it should. What I want to believe is that those that have not yet come may probably not have heard about it and that is why we are pushing on with the enlightenment programmes in respect of that. We are working to improve the awareness and i am expecting that more people will be enrolled on the platform. What is the update on the planned listing by MTN Nigeria? We are still expecting that MTN will come to the market, what we cannot say is when they will come. We also have a New Listing Committee of the CMC whose responsibility includes fashioning out ways for these multi-nationals and other companies already not listed to list. The committee is meeting with some of these companies and we hope that very soon they will have breakthrough. What is the take away for the SEC from this annual meetings of the

World Bank and the International Monetary Fund? We have gained a lot of knowledge from this meeting, but a major take away has been technology related discussions. The world is moving towards digital technology and as regulator, we have to be ready to step up our regulations. A lot of those are what the Fintech Association of Nigeria is already working on in Nigeria. We are willing to collaborate with them so that the SEC is not left behind. Last month or two months ago, we invited them to the Commission’s headquarters for a presentation to staff on what it is all about particularly the areas that affect the Commission like RegTech, Block chain, Initial Coin Offerings which are things we are already working on. This goes to re-emphasise that technology is the future and we have to move with the trend as regulators. It will also help our work and make the market better Two other issues were discussed here and they include global risk and subsaharan Africa’s debt In terms of global risk, there are quite a number of risks. The major ones are the increase in interest rate in advanced countries especially in the United States, the rise in global oil price and equity valuation in the United States. The trade war between US and China as well as Brexit were also discussed. In terms of interest rate, we understand that if interest rate is increased in a developed country like US, it’s a signal to foreign investors to exit from emerging and frontier markets or at least reduce their exposures to such markets. Secondly, for such economies with foreign debts, it also indicates increase in the cost of their debt service. At the same time, the monetary authorities in such markets will find it difficult to unilaterally adjust downward their interest rate. So it’s like their hands are tied. Equally the high equity valuation in the US also makes participants to prefer such markets although one hopes that it does not suffer a major correction which in turn will likely affect the global financial stability. Trade war between US and China May likely have some unintended consequences on emerging and frontier markets. A big question will be how all this affects us as a country especially given that we are a commodity dependent economy with developments in the global oil prices dictating the performance of our economy in terms of output growth, foreign exchange and government revenue. Currently also, we can see the impact of increase in interest rates of advanced economy leading to capital outflows and reduced performance of our stock market. It is also one of the factors that is making it relatively difficult for our central bank to lower interest rate which has implications for private sector borrowing and growth. Increase in borrowing by sub-Saharan African countries was another issue. Debt generally is not a bad thing if it is properly used especially on a well costed projects. However, it can get to a point where debt is very high especially when the cost of servicing it becomes burdensome. You don’t want to find yourself in a debt trap. If interest rate is getting higher in advanced countries, it means that the rate of repayment is higher. Especially in economy that is commodity dependent, it can bring instability and export prices can change anytime.

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Improving Nigeria’s Low Human Capital Index Ranking Ugo Aliogo in this report examines Nigeria’s ranking on the recently released Human Capital Index by the World Bank

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t the just concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings that took place in Bali, Indonesia, the World Bank Group released edition of its Human Capital Index (HCI), where it ranked Nigeria 152 out of a total of 157 countries surveyed. The HCI measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, given the risks of poor health and education that prevail in the country where he or she lives. The Index measures each country’s distance to the frontier of complete education and full health for a child born today. The President of the Bank, Mr. Jim Yong Kim, said it was unfortunate that Nigeria was ranked low. He explained: “Nigeria unfortunately ranks 152 out of 157 countries. We provide quite a bit of support to Nigeria in terms of the health budget. But we feel that the overall spending on health in just far too low at 0.76 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Also, the educational outcomes in Nigeria are very poor.” He described human capital as a key driver of sustainable, inclusive economic growth, saying investing in health and education has not got the attention it deserves. “This index creates a direct line between improving outcomes in health and education, productivity, and economic growth. I hope that it drives countries to take urgent action and invest more – and more effectively – in their people. “The bar is rising for everyone,” Kim added. “Building human capital is critical for all countries, at all income levels, to compete in the economy of the future.”

Improving Health and Education However, various experts have reacted to the implication of the ranking to the economy and stressed that the education and health sectors which are the core of the HCI should be given the priority attention it deserves. The Director, Research and Training, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Study, Prof. Yemi Fajingbesi, said the HCI is a means of measuring government policy on human development, adding that before now, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was what was being used to calculate it. He said the GDP only shows the productivity of a nation and does not talk about human development, especially the wellbeing of the people. He also noted that the HDI is a composite statistics of life expectancy, education and income per capital indicator of a country. Fajingbesi, explained that a country would therefore score high when the life expectancy at birth is longer, the education period is also longer, and the income per capital is higher. According to him, “What I will make out of the report is that when you examine the HDI over the years, from 2010 when the HDI was 0.480 to 2012, when it was 0.512 and our ranking in those years was worst. “The score lies between zero and one. The closer you are to one, the better the human development index. For instance, if you score from 0.8 and above, it is considered to have a very high human development. If you score between 0.7 and 0.799, it is considered to be high human development. If you score between 0.55 and 0.699, it is considered to have a medium human development. But the moment your score, scores below 0.559. For instance, any score between 0.00 and 0.549, it is considered to be low human development. “So as long as Nigeria scores below 0.550, no matter the position, it is a low human development. What we should try to do is to struggle and move above 0.550. The latest score of Nigeria is just 0.532 and the previous one was 0.530 which meant that we were moving little by little up. The slow pace movement talks simply about the priority of government. “The government policy priority is not taking human development. In the case of education, it looks at the expected year of schooling, and the mean (Average) year of schooling. So when you

Buhari

combine these two, it gives us the education index. “So what government needs to do is to improve on our healthcare, in order to improve the life expectancy at birth. Government has used the School feeding programme to attract children to school. One of the major challenges we are facing in this country is hunger. The School feeding programme is aimed at the reducing the number of children out of school. “The reason why many of these children are out of school is the search for what to eat. The moment these children understand that there is what to eat, they will come. But my fear with this is that people go to school, not the intention to study but because there is food. “Under this administration, I don’t think much has been done in the area of HDI. The problems are in our educational and reward system. A lot needs to be done in revamping our educational system and make it more relevant. The educational system should be a response to the national needs where you graduate people who would contribute

This index creates a direct line between improving outcomes in health and education, productivity, and economic growth. I hope that it drives countries to take urgent action and invest more – and more effectively – in their people

the development of the economy. “It is not just this government; it is a long term problem. The situation is getting worse everyday because government is not responding adequately to the problem. Government is aware, but nobody is making conscious effort.” The Team Leader, Department For International Development (DFID), Growth and Employment in States Programme, Mr. Henry Adigun, explained that the HDI is a problem because Nigerians don’t even understand it. He also stated that the big problem facing the country presently is that the source of revenue is low. Adigun said the economy is still oil dependent and oil itself cannot affect much in the revenue. “We have a situation whereby 65 percent of our revenue is driven by oil. Even if it was 80 percent index, we will not still afford it because the point is that the oil is insufficient,” he noted. The Team Leader said the other factor is that there is a very small middle class who is less than five percent of the population, stating that middle class is the consumption pattern which allows earning money, creating jobs and servicing the country. According to Adigun: “The third issue is that the government is facing challenges; therefore things such as education and health which are the core of HDI are not being addressed systemically. So we have a situation whereby only the federal government has a transfer scheme and States don’t have it. Poverty is an aggregated phenomenon. It is not federal alone. “So in a revenue formula where someone earns 65.3 and others earn 35.7, if each of them is contributing 30 per cent of that revenue into that poverty alleviation, then you might have some sparing results. We have to find out what is the national aggregation spending on education, it is abysmal? What is the national aggregation spending on health, it is abysmal? “Health and education are the core component of HDI. If your expenditure pattern does not reflect understanding on the needs of the society and you are not spending them on the areas where they can transform society, nothing can happen. It is this way because we don’t have the money and the thinking needed to address the challenges we are facing.

“The oil revenue is a pittance. The federal nation budget is smaller the budget of the south of New York. There is income disparity. In Africa, our Gini co-efficient is 5.1, Gabon 2.53, and Uganda has 2.58. There is income inequality but it is not as high as many parts of the world. “Building an economy requires building the education sector, and the quality of your workforce. When you build the quality of your workforce, then build good infrastructure. With good infrastructure, you can attract investments. The non-oil earnings are 7.8 per cent of the national earning. We need to continuously have conversation around the issue, cut our expenditure on recurrent. Presently, every dollar Nigeria earns we spend 75.3 on paying salaries, less than two percent of the population. Even States that are not indebted spend 75 percent of it on paying salaries which is corruption.” In his argument, a member of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, Prof. Kuta Yahaya, said government has responded well especially with the last National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, where the Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo stated the council has declared a state of emergency on education. He stated that the measure was aimed at recognising that there is problem in the sector especially with the World Bank report on HDI and something urgent needs to be done to address the challenges facing the sector. Yahaya explained that from the meeting the federal government requested that all States of the federation must allocate 15 percent of their budget to education. Yahaya added: “For a very long time, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been canvassing for a 26 percent allocation to education. But we have not done more than five percent. The maximum we have done is seven percent over the years. Therefore, this is a quantum leap and the effort is coming at the right time, when the federal government is proposing the 2019 budget. “The state governments are proposing the budget along that line. Those that have submitted their own to the state assemblies can make amends by going further to do some adjustments to make sure they accommodate 19 percent. There is a consensus that the quality of your education determines your human capital development attainment. I know the country is not short of enormous human capital potentials.” In his reaction to Nigeria’s position in the HDI ranking, the former Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Dr. John Isemede, said the lack of political will on the part of government to have a defined direction for country’s educational system. He argued that as part of measures to improve the sector, there is need for the revival of technical education in the country. Isewede explained that in Japan and South Korean, where Nigeria imports some of its steel and Cars, there is huge investment in technical education. He added that the failure of the educational system has led the country to fully embrace the import substitution strategy. According to him, “The issue is that we have taken education, health and agriculture to the background. We need to pull these sectors to the forefront, and government should move a step further and revisit the Oronsaye report and give these institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government target, then there will be an improvement. We should focus on the technical education such as the Chinese and the South Koreans. “Economic development is different from economic growth. The organised private sector must be alive to their responsibility and suggest measures to move the country forward. The Universities should work with the private sector, the MDAs should be given targets and those in the Ministry of Works should go to the field and maintain roads. Government should invest more in research and development; if there is no research and development we will still remain where we are.”

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Nigeria and Its Homeless Citizens The problem of homelessness in Nigeria remains unsolved, despite government’s claims of housing provision, writes Kayode Fasua For 34-year-old Usman Hassan, the day broke before time. At about 3am under the popular Alaba-Suru bridge in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, he had woken up to set about his ‘shores’. His first itinerary for the day was to dance a genre of music known as ‘shakushaku’; yet there was no music. The previous night, this young man who had been displaced by the Borno Boko Haram insurgency and is now in Lagos, living under the bridge, had been tricked into smoking Indian Hemp, popularly known as Igbo, given to him by a fellow: Adio. That was typical life under a Lagos bridge as related to THISDAY, by Hassan. Under such a situation, normalcy is in abeyance, as thousands of residents in their shanties operate under the control of their different lords of the manor. “Under a Lagos bridge, you are seen as homeless, but you are, indeed, at home. We have a leader called ‘Alaaye’, whose wife is usually the most beautiful in the commune, and who is the caretaker for yet a big man called ‘omo onile,� an excited Hassan explained. He is one of millions of Nigerians without habitat, a home to live. But rather than sulk under the pain of that depravity, he has accepted his faith with equanimity, rejoicing in the lack. Elsewhere in Moniya area of Ibadan, Oyo State, a few years ago, mother and child were reportedly gang-raped by a band of armed vagrants in an uncompleted building, where they improvised as home. Putting the plight of homeless citizens in perspective, Patrick Edewor, a don at the Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, in a published treatise, noted thus: “A survey of 447 homeless children and youths in three purposively selected parts of Lagos metropolis was done. The results show that majority of the respondents were males. They had low level of education and were from poor and large families most of which were polygynous. “Parental neglect, discontent at home, marital instability in family of orientation, poverty and peer influence were the major causes of being on the street. They slept under bridges, at the beach, in motor parks and vehicles, in market places, and in uncompleted buildings. “Their survival strategies include engaging in some income-yielding activities such as carrying load, being bus conductors, packing refuse, buying and selling, engaging in commercial sex and begging. Substance abuse and engaging in risky sexual behaviour were common. “They faced the problem of insecurity, police harassment and all forms of exploitation and maltreatment from social miscreants (area boys). They were also predisposed to a number of hazards including sexual abuse, molestation and health hazards. Across the country, the media is awash with different tales of homelessness situations which are largely encapsulated in criminal tendencies and misfortunes.

108m Nigerians Homeless Meanwhile, at a global scale, as many as 1.6 billion people are believed to lack proper housing. But in the real sense of the word, the United Nations, as at 2005, estimated that no fewer than 100 million people were bare, without roofs above their heads. That figure alone may have been paled into insignificance by the Nigerian situation, many years after. Only recently, and in fact early this year, the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), cautioned that urgent attention should be given to the housing shortage in the country which has made over 108 million Nigerians technically homeless. The bureau reportedly described the 100,000 houses built yearly in the country as insufficient, adding that it was time

In the Nigerian context however, the problem of homelessness is well known in high places, yet, what has remained to be done is probably the will power of the political class to attempt a lasting solution. Last year, wife of the Vice President, Mrs. ‘Dolapo Osinbajo recounted how she spent about 10 years under several notorious Lagos bridges with street urchins in the bid to reshape them and reverse their life trajectories. Osinbajo had explained: “When I became a worker in the church, the first place I worked was the Teenage Church and for 10 years, I was in the children’s church. “For 10 years, I was under the bridge; under the bridge in Lagos with ‘Area Boys’. So, every kind of drug that there is, I know about it. I have seen it before and I have seen the effects as well and I will like you to know that the ones that use it are not different from you. “Some of them too have parents in the church. Some of them have parents with very big names. There are some streets in Lagos that the names of the streets are names of people, some of which have their children under the bridge. There were people whose parents lived in America and yet their children were under the bridge. So, do not even imagine that it cannot happen to you, but you must be an example in your conduct�. But popular Nigerian artiste, Ransome Noah, also recalled in a published interview that he spent most of his early years under a Lagos bridge; a clear indication of homelessness.

FG’s Pledge Fashola

for stakeholders to join government’s efforts in providing affordable houses for the people by taking advantage of the ongoing Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme. Also, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also recently put the nation’s housing shortage at 18 million, a situation that had been described as not only unhealthy for a developing country but also nauseating. A former Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Joe Abah, had observed that providing housing for the people had become a great concern with the 189 million population in the country.

At the ministry, we see issues of habitat as crucial in driving the housing sector in the country. This is the reason we participated in the habitat conference, where we expressed our commitments and are working towards the domestication of the agreements we have reached on housing matters

He had also urged stakeholders to confront the challenge in the housing sector, such as insufficient funds, high cost of land and building materials, so that Nigerians would have the opportunity to become house owners. The Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, Dr. Hanatu Fika recently said the government was seeking about N13 billion to give out as housing loans to civil servants. Fika, also recently said that over N1 billion had been disbursed as renovation loan to civil servants and that more than 2000 civil servants benefitted from the gesture. But sneering at this claim, a building contractor, Mr. James Ogunrogba said “government agencies sound clownish when they underestimate the large population of Nigeria, composed mainly by private workers. “All the time, they keep using houses provided for civil servants as benchmark for affordable housing in Nigeria, which is sheer debauchery.� Ogunrogba, also noted that a statement credited to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, on tour of Nigeria, that the world’s poorest could be found here was influenced by statistics of many homeless citizens of Nigeria. Meanwhile, getting the exact picture of global homelessness is deemed as extremely challenging. Definitions of homelessness, experts contend, vary from country to country. “Census data is typically collected based on household and, while most census data take into account those living in shelters and receiving government aid, census takers struggle to count the “hidden homeless� – those who may be residing in inadequate settlements such as slums, squatting in structures not intended for housing, couch surfing with friends and family, and those who relocate frequently,� a recent report by the United Nations stated.

However, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had at a forum assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was committed to ensuring the provision of affordable houses for low income earners. He gave the assurance in Abuja, while addressing the Obinna Chidoka-led House Committee on Habitat, which requested for details of the budget implementation on Habitat. The minister disclosed that there were plans to roll out habitat agenda that would accommodate public and private sector workers, especially persons with low incomes, adding that consideration would be given to workers within Grade Levels 08 to 15. He also explained that the new policy would be standardised and made flexible to take into consideration, building needs of Nigerians across ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. Fashola, foreshadowed the government’s grand plan, saying it included provisions of power, water, access roads and security for the proposed low-cost houses. His words: “At the ministry, we see issues of habitat as crucial in driving the housing sector in the country. This is the reason we participated in the habitat conference, where we expressed our commitments and are working towards the domestication of the agreements we have reached on housing matters. “For the 2016 budget relating to habitat, the records of expenditures are not with me right now. There are with the DFA (director of finance) and will be made available later. But I must say that we’re starting a new housing policy, in which we’ll create economic outlets for artisans. “We are aiming at completing old housing schemes and beginning new ones, where we’re targeting those in levels 08 to 15 in public sector and those in the private sector, bearing in mind the different cultural, religious and other needs of the people in the construction of the buildings.� But as the four-year tenure of the Buhari administration inches to a close, an explanation is also due from the Fashola housing ministry on feats so far achieved in ameliorating the homelessness malaise, plaguing millions of Nigerians.

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Taking Advantage of Artificial Intelligence Ugo Aliogo writes on the need for companies and organisations to tap into modern technology to boost their operations Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence embedded in computer systems, and applications which are really driven by the level of information or data embedded in that application. In AI, there is predictive analysis which ensures the computer system is able to make forecasts for future occurrence based on what has happened in the past. Investopedia noted that AI is a term for simulated intelligence in machines. It further explained that these machines are programmed to ‘think’ like a human and mimic the way a person acts. The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalise and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal, although the term can be applied to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind, such as learning and solving problems. It further stated that machines with AI include computers that play chess, and self-driving cars. Each of these machines must weigh the consequences of any action they take, as each action will impact the end result. In chess, this end result is winning the game. For self-driving cars, the computer system must take into account all external data and compute it to act in a way that prevents collision. Globally, the trend of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is shifting to the direction of artificial intelligence. AI adoption in the business ecosystem has been adjudged as a key driver for growth because of its predictive analysis and understanding consumer’ behaviour. To put the issue in proper perspective, THISDAY spoke to the Chief Executive Officer, NetPlusDotCom, Oluwole Faroun. The company is a financial technology that specialises in payment solutions services. Faroun said there is a great deal of learning that goes into AI, especially if it forecasts that a particular occurrence would happen in the future and it didn’t happen, it would learn from that process and make the prediction even better. He also pointed out that with AI, there is a combination of events that has happened in the past, and learning from such events can help predict the future.

Value to the Business Community He explained that AI has tremendous value for the business community because of its focus on providing data, putting learning on computer systems and making accurate predictions of some of the events that would take place in the future. “For financial technology companies (fintech) that has a lot of transaction data. They can sieve through that data in an intelligent way without human intervention and begin to make the right level of predictions about their customers,” he noted. According to him, AI can provide a lot of intelligence to businesses, but it is dependent on the amount of data that businesses have, how easy it is to sieve through, analysing that data and the ability of the AI programme to learn more, “so that the predictions that comes out of those systems can be accurate and beneficial to businesses.” According to Faroun: “The ability of a fintech to actually use AI depends on what part of AI they are focused on. Fintech companies that focused on giving our loans to consumers’ might find AI incredibly useful. They can use that data to determine whether you are credit worthy or not so that borrow you money and also predict whether you return that money or not. I think for fintech like ours we are already seeing such applications. “Some other fintechs will probably benefit less from that at this point, until there is more data available to them and to their businesses. Generally speaking, Fintechs are looking at it and we as an organisation are definitely looking at it. If there is one of our products that provide logistics solutions for delivery companies. “I think there is a lot of transaction data embedded in that particular application data that I think layering an AI application on top of it would help us predict how customers will perceive pricing, versus route and same day

increased consumer demand resulting from the availability of personalised and/or higher-quality AI-enhanced products and service. The report said that in the financial service sector AI would help in personalised financial planning, fraud detection and anti-money laundering, process automation not just back office functions, but customer facing operations as well.

How Businesses Can Scale Using AI

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or next day delivery and other factors. This will help us work with our solution providers which are courier companies to improve service and tailor the service to what the customers are saying. AI without the underlining data is not useful to anybody. “The underlining data depends on the business. We need to have information about the behaviours of customers on our products and service. We also need to predict their reactions towards our goods and services. Different companies have different data types. I think for us in Nigeria, the technology institutions will leverage it first because they are focused on data. Though there is a lot of financial data available, but we have to understand how well

AI can provide a lot of intelligence to businesses, but it is dependent on the amount of data that businesses have, how easy it is to sieve through, analysing that data and the ability of the AI programme to learn more, “so that the predictions that comes out of those systems can be accurate and beneficial to businesses

we can use it in a way that does not violates privacy rights of people. I think organisations are thinking about AI in relation to customer and product data and how to use AI to mind that data. Then have more predictions about their customers. It is going to be useful in customers’ sales, returns, and trends. Those are things that businesses will be able to look into and lip forward by just applying AI.” Another sector which AI will be drive growth is the financial service sector especially banking which handles large amount of transaction data. To get the right answers from those involved in the system, THISDAY spoke to the Director, Banking and Payment System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dipo Fatokun, who noted that AI which may aid improvement in banking services holds a lot of opportunities for the sector. He also noted that some banks are already deploying AI to understand the behavioral/ transactional patterns of their customers and improve offerings to them. He remarked that the sector can also leverage AI to aid to fight against cyber-crime. He also noted that it can improve analysis and peculiarities of fraud dimensions and aid in preemption and forestalling cyber-attacks. Fatokun explained that to the economy AI can help in proper planning especially the consumption and savings patterns could be monitored and used in effective planning and projections for the economy. According to a report by PricewaterCoopers (PwC), global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be up to 14 percent higher in 2030, as a result of the accelerating development and take-up of AI – the equivalent of an additional $15.7 trillion. PwC in the report argued that the economic impact of AI would be driven by productivity gains from businesses automating processes (including use of robots and autonomous vehicles). It also noted that there would be productivity gains from businesses augmenting their existing labour force with AI technologies (assisted and augmented intelligence). The report added that there would be

For businesses to scale and increase performance, experts are the view that there is need to leverage on opportunities in new technologies. The 21st century presents businesses with new evolving technologies they can leverage on to drive growth. However, AI remains one of the strongest technological breakthroughs for helping businesses scale performance in most advanced economies. Fatokun noted that AI has to be deployed to solve needs and scaling requires meeting needs that has effective demand within the environment. He asserted that businesses must continue to think global and understand that their market is the global economy albeit within the ambits of the law and regulations. According to Fatokun, “Data is the new oil and I think that AI is the refinery in the world of big data and analytics. Businesses need to always understand emerging trends and leverage the efficiency afforded by AI to take advantage of it. “I am also of the view that user interface and experience will be key factors to scaling. Especially considering that the Millennial and generation Z have their lifestyle on the go. Lastly, I believe collaboration is also essential.” On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Delivery Science, Lanre Oyedotun, said small businesses can scale up their operations with this technology because it can help cut down on costs and boost productivity in vast ways: cash-strapped establishments would not need to rely heavily on manpower. He also stated that with the extrapolation of data and algorithms, artificial intelligence can now predict market trends and generate comprehensive reports which can keep decision makers informed on all their operational activities. Oyedotun added that companies spend millions hiring consultants and building large teams just to find out how to cut down on operational cycle time, but with this “new technology”, with the tap of an application, it can predict and help solve problems.

Challenges in Adopting AI Fatokun argued that the key challenge in adopting AI is the lack of human resource for appropriate deployment of AI not only in technology terms, but also in choosing right business models and decisions. He further stated that appropriate regulation that would provide room for flexibility and innovation and on the same breadth ensure that key regulatory outcomes are achieved are important considerations. According to him: “The CBN is concerned with the implications for the financial services industry and continues to collaborate with stakeholders to appreciate the ramifications of the technology and its implications. “Our regulations are not designed to stifle innovation, but we seek appreciation of any product being deployed in the financial services sector to aid providers in ensuring that key risk issues are managed. We are considering the implementation of a structured regulatory sandbox to enable us engage properly with innovators. “In view of the fact that a lot of these initiatives are targeted at payments systems, we are leading the industry to implement security operations center for the banking industry to forestall fraud and to leverage AI in doing so where necessary.” Oyedotun, said there are a lot of challenges such as slow adoption rates due to the lack of organied data out there, worries about being prone to attack to their security management infrastructures- by extension the lack of proper knowledge to handle the contra of this technology, cost of hardware devices associated with gleaning certain types of data needed to create key business insights and R and D funding.

THISDAYt THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ ,OCTOBER 25, 2018

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Scaling Up Nutrition in Nasarawa State While Nasarawa State Government has increased its nutrition allocation in the 2018 health budget, the non release of the fund, and the overwhelming malnutrition burden in the state has made it impossible to reverse the public health challenge. Emmanuel Ukumba writes

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alnutrition, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), refers to “deficiencies, excesses or imbalances of a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.” Therefore, it is a direct result of insufficient food and nutrient intake or repeated infectious disease or inadequate care practices or a combination of all three. Perhaps, it was against this backdrop that a nongovernmental organisation, Civil SocietyScaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (SC-SUNN) recently organised a one-day meeting with media outfits in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, towards addressing the malnutrition menace bedeviling the state. Leading Cause of Child Mortality Addressing participants at the meeting, the CS-SUNN Nasarawa State Coordinator, Mrs. Mercy Asso, said the term malnutrition can be classified into over-nutrition and under-nutrition, adding that under-nutrition includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), under-weight (low weight for age) and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals). She consequently blamed malnutrition as one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide, adding that it is characterised by deficiency of macronutrients or micronutrients, or both. She continued: “more than 5.9 million children under the ages of five die around the world; 45 per cent of these deaths are attributed to malnutrition. Malnutrition is the cause of about half of all under five deaths in Nigeria.” Asso therefore noted that the first 1000 days of life which begins at conception, through pregnancy, to age two is very important to nutritional issues. Consequently, she said: “A healthy mother is more likely to give birth to a healthy baby and have the ability to care for the child during this most crucial period of development. “Adequate nutrition, correct and consistent practice of exclusive breast feeding (EBF), eating right proportion of variety of foods such as staple foods, legumes, animal source foods, fruits, vegetables, fats/oils are all essential throughout lifespan but especially within the first 1000 days of life.” Call to Prioritise Nutrition When welcoming the participants at the media engagement, the ExecutiveSecretary, CS-SUNN, Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka, said the aim of the meeting was to highlight the nutrition situation in Nasarawa State and government efforts in addressing the menace. She said the engagement was also to call on the Nasarawa State government to prioritise nutrition and ensure timely releases of funds allocated to nutrition in order to scale up nutrition interventions in the state. According to her, “CS-SUNN commends the state government’s commitment to addressing malnutrition in the state. One of such efforts is evident in the budgetary allocations made to nutrition. The state government also recorded some progress on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan of Nutrition as is evident in CS-SUNN’s performance scorecard in 2016 which scored the Nasarawa State government 56.8 per cent in the implementation of the plan.” Worsening Situation However, despite the gains made in the state, she said the non-release of funding allocated to nutrition has also worsened the malnutrition situation in the state. She said: “We want to draw attention to the fact that the burden of malnutrition in the state is much bigger than the nutrition allocation in Nasarawa state. The attendant non-release of funding allocated to nutrition also worsens the situation thus making it impossible to reverse the disturbing statistics

Malnutrition is a major killer of children below five years

on malnutrition in Nasarawa State. Statistics She further stated that “available data from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2013) and the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2017), indicate a rise in the state’s malnutrition burden.” Eluaka continued that malnutrition, which continues to be a key contributor to infant and maternal mortality and morbidity also leads to poor cognitive development and increased severity of diseases, adversely affecting under-five year children in the state. She therefore revealed that the 2013 NDHS reported a stunting rate in Nasarawa state of

We charge the state government to ensure release of the funds allocated to nutrition this year. The state government needs to provide clarity in budgeting for nutrition to include preventive interventions such as promoting nutrition education to ensure optimal infant and young child feeding practices, staple food fortification and maternal nutrition programmes

34.5 per cent, while underweight and wasting rates were put at 20.9 per cent and 9.8 per cent respectively, even as she continued that the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2017) shows a higher rate of stunting at 37.2 per cent, and lower rates of underweight and wasting at 20.7 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively. She further explained that: “stunting in children under five years is a condition of physical and intellectual impairment that has lasting negative effects, and it is defined by low height for age. Stunting is a condition in which the child is too short for his or her age with accompanying poor brain development and is a result of long-term under nutrition. “Globally, stunting is currently an indicator for measuring a country’s development and it is a fact that malnutrition impedes economic development, hence the need for urgent action to address the problem.” Emergency Action Wasting or acute malnutrition, according to her, “is a condition whereby a child is too thin for his or her height as a result of long-term or current under nutrition or illness. The current wasting rate in Nasarawa State is above the WHO acceptable level and calls for emergency action.” Consequent upon that, the ES called on the state government to ensure timely release of funds allocated to nutrition as well as effective and efficient utilisation of nutrition funds. “We charge the state government to ensure release of the funds allocated to nutrition this year. The state government needs to provide clarity in budgeting for nutrition to include preventive interventions such as promoting nutrition education to ensure optimal infant and young child feeding practices, staple food fortification and maternal nutrition programmes. “These measures will prevent more children from becoming malnourished and ensure that cured children do not relapse upon discharge

from the treatment centres, as is currently the case in many communities,” Eluaka maintained. She also urged the media to step up reportage of nutrition issues to draw the attention of policy makers and concerned stakeholders on the urgent need to take the right steps towards curbing malnutrition in Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State. Overall Goal of PINNS In her remarks at the engagement meeting, the communications officer of CS-SUNN, Lilian Ajah-mong, said the Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition System (PINNS), was designed to strengthen Nigeria nutrition systems to be more result driven, effective, serviceable, efficient and transparent. According to her, “the overall goal is to contribute to the reduction of malnutrition among women and under five children by strengthening the Nigeria nutrition systems.” She said specific goals of PINNS are to improve implementation of National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NMSPAN) with focus on high impact nutrition interventions in the health and agriculture sector strategic plans designed to contribute to reduction in maternal and child malnutrition at national and focal states, and momentum for scaling up nutrition in Nigeria, through concerted Civil Society Action. Nevertheless, Ajah-mong’s advocacy and appeal to the media during the engagement meeting was the call on media to increase reportage of nutrition issues in Nasarawa State, setting nutrition as an agenda for discourse on public opinion making tables, increasing their watchdog function via investigative reports around nutrition issues. She concluded that the watchdog function will contribute to holding government accountable to their commitments on nutrition, continuing that the media should become champions and advocates for nutrition via their reportage.

T H I S D AY ˾ ,OCTOBER 25, 2018

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NEWS

Include Diabetes Care in Health Insurance Coverage, Experts Tell FG r"T 4BOPà IPMET EJBCFUFT TVNNJU Martins Ifijeh Diabetes experts have called on the Nigerian government to include screening, treatment and management of complications of the disease into services offered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). In a communique issued at the end of a one-day Sanofi Diabetes Summit held in Lagos recently, the experts recommended for an adequate provision of essential drugs for Nigerians living with the disease, as more persons are

coming down with the disease. Speaking at the summit themed: ‘Personalising Diabetes Care’, a Professor of Endocrinology, University of Tennesse Health Science Centre, United States, Sam Dagogo-Jack said urbanisation, sleeplessness, stress, depression and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, are part of risk factors associated with the rising cases of diabetes in Nigeria and the world at large. He said HIV, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, antibioties use, environmental influences,

among others also contribute to incidence of the global health issue, adding that the rising profile of diabetes could be attributed to obesity, overweight and environmental factors. He said: “Diabetes care in many countries in Africa has not measured up to internationally acceptable and recommended standard which makes a holistic review of patients care was necessary. “A lot more people are physically inactive as they age while many are developing impaired glucose Tolerance (IGT)

or impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG).” The Consultant Endocrinologist further advocated for a holistic approach to management of patients with diabetes to include lifestyle changes, physical activity, use of genuine drugs, avoiding use of unproven remedy, among others. On her part, the General Manager, RX and Country Chair, Sanofi Nigeria, Ghana, Ms Folake Odediran, observed that diabetes remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. She pointed out that

though various stakeholders are making tremendous contributions in their respective spheres of influence to improve treatment outcomes but there still exists gaps in terms of policy direction, public awareness, advocacy, patient education, diagnosis, infrastructure and overall capacity of the healthcare system to effectively manage this disease. She said, “Sanofi Diabetes Summit is a child of necessity, borne out of the need to support existing efforts at addressing these gaps. As leaders in dia-

betes care, Sanofi will continue to prioritise public-private partnerships and initiatives that support speedy attainment of universal health coverage for diabetes patients. “This underscores our conviction that effective diabetes care must be patient-centered and must take input from all players,” added Odediran. The experts jointly called for the provision of care on the healthcare plan for the indigent, disadvantaged and vulnerable people living with diabetes in Nigeria.

Medical Director Calls for Sensitisation Against Mental Problems Onuminya Innocent ÓØ ÙÕÙÞÙ The Medical Director of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kware in Sokoto State, Dr. Shehu Sale, has called for community sensitisation to create awareness about mental health problems and their effective management in our society. Sale, a Consultant Psychiatrist, made this call in an interview in Kware Local government area of Sokoto State, where he stressed the need for more outreaches, interactive sessions and public enlightenment. According to him, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the inclusion of mental health within general health care as well as into primary care, as the pragmatic means towards achieving successful health coverage. He said: “This is the only way we can ensure that everyone who needs mental health services can have access to the required services. Indeed, mental health has been the ninth pillar of primary health care (PHC) in Nigeria, since 1991.” He further advised stakeholders and health care professionals of all cadres to promote best

practices. Sale identified substance abuse as a major risk factor for mental illness, especially among the youth. He added, “many diagnosable mental illnesses were prevalent in our communities, but are often not diagnosed or not given appropriate interventions. “Thus many affected individuals and their families are suffering in silence; when they can benefit from effective treatment and recover from such conditions.” Sale explained that mental disorders may be loosely categorised into mild, moderate and severe conditions, noting that the majority of the cases were mild to moderate conditions that can be easily treated, with only a small proportion suffering from severe conditions. He said everyone was vulnerable to mental illness as research indicated that one out of every four persons would have one form of mental disorder in their lifetime. He added that depression, anxiety, excessive worry, persistent physically unexplained pains, sleep problems, some sexual problems, significant forgetfulness and related disorders are all mental problems.

FCT Pupils Commemorate Handwashing Day Kuni Tyessi ÓØ ÌßÔË Pupils within the federal capital territory (FCT) joined their peers worldwide to commemorate the 2018 Global Hand Washing Day with the theme “Clean hands, healthy future”. Minister of Women Affairs, Ms. Aisha Abubakar, who addressed the pupils at Model Primary School, Maitama, Abuja, said handwashing should be seen as a ritual which must be performed daily without inhibition, hence the need to catch them young. The minister who was represented by a staff of the ministry, Ms. Jummai Muhammad, told the pupils that the most effective means of disease prevention is through the washing of hands at almost all intervals, and reiterated that government alone

cannot shoulder the onerous task. She said:” All of you must inculcate the washing of hands in your life. It should be one of you daily major activity. Wash your hands with soap and clean water, particularly running water as it is one of the most effective means of preventing diseases.” In the same vein, maker of anti- bacterial Dettol soap, Reckitt Benckiser targetted 3,000 children and organised a record relay by building a wash point to promote hand washing with anti- bacterial soap. The General Manager, Mr. Dayanand Sriram, in his speech, said hand washing with anti- bacterial soap gets rid of bacteria children pick in the course of the day, adding that the children will need to wash up to five times a day.

FOR BETTER EYE SIGHT

Crosssectionofbeneficiaries,theirfamilies,andhealthcarevolunteersattheSamsungHeavyIndustriescataractsurgerycampaign,heldattheLagos StateTeaching University Hospital in Lagos recently

Health Insurance: Lagos Adopts Technology to Aid Easy Access for Residents

Expert: Reddington will Address Gap in Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Martins Ifijeh

Martins Ifijeh

Ahead of the soon to be launched mandatory Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), the state government recently said it would adopt a technology based application that would go a long way to ensure easy access of the scheme by residents, especially for underprivileged households. The LSHS is a state-wide health insurance initiative targeted to ensure that all residents of the state have access to quality, affordable healthcare services. The scheme covers treatment of common adult and childhood ailments, maternal and child services, preventive healthcare services, selected non-communicable diseases and surgeries. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, in a statement, said the technology, ‘CarePay’ ICT platform was a mobile solution for scheme administration, which serves as a digital health exchange that would connect the three important stakeholders in healthcare: payers, healthcare providers and the users or beneficiaries. He expressed optimism that the CarePay platform “will guarantee ownership of all data generated and ensure

that these data can be used to make informed decisions”. He said one of the objectives was to demonstrate how digital mobile solutions can be utilised to improve decision-making and transparency, reduce transaction costs, and increase access especially for poor households. Idris said in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, a nongovernmental organisation dedicated to improving access to healthcare in Africa through technology and mobile innovations, implemented the proof of concept mirroring the LSHS benefit package, provider payment mechanisms and the interaction between patients and providers. He said the proof of concept has 153 families (659 enrollees) in two facilities (one private provider and one public provider) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. Idris said: “Having run for a period of 12 months, the pilot witnessed the 659 beneficiaries, whose premium was paid for by PharmAccess Nigeria, received access to free healthcare for the duration of the pilot.

Dr. Tunde Lalude, a fellow of the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburg and the Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital, has revealed that the hospital is set to address the missing gap in Nigeria’s colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment and management. He said the hospital thought it necessary and has put all measures in place for this because of the growing prevalence of the cancer type, growing lack of professional awareness, and the dearth of specialists and facilities in the country needed for reduction of the scourge. Speaking in an exclusive interview with THISDAY recently, the consultant laparoscopic surgeon who specialises in colorectal diseases including, stomach and colon endoscopy, said as a colorectal surgeon who has worked for more than 20 years in the specialty, he, along with his team are ready to bring their wealth of expertise into addressing the condition in Nigeria. He said: “So we have set up a colorectal care unit to provide this care. Every single case of colorectal cancer will come to treatment, and with

the increase in incidence level, we had no option considering our position in Nigeria’s healthcare space, other than to set up facilities to help. “People die from the cancer type because they are unable to get care from the healthcare system practised in the country. “We feel we can bring in a lot of expertise both in preventive strategies in terms of screenings, and also curative care since we have all it takes to do the complex operations that needs to be done. “We also have the sophisticated diagnosis here at Reddington. We have a state of the art endoscopy suit for diagnosis; we have a city scan; and a host of others. “We are also collaborating with hospitals with patients but without equipments, such that they can come use our machines at reduced rates. “This collaboration does two things; reduce medical tourism, and help in training personnel. We expose these personnel to machines they don’t have, while at the same time treating or managing colorectal cancer patients just the way such care are given in the best hospitals in the world.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ,OCTOBER 25, 2018

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HEALTH

Adekunle: Early Diagnosis Can Prevent Breast Cancer Dr. Megbuwawon Adekunle is a Public Health and Family Medicine Specialist. In this interview with Sunday Ehigiator, the Me Cure Head of Strategy and Commercial, talked about the need for early diagnosis, free mammogram screening by Me Cure, and the need for self examination, among others. Excerpts: Why are you emphasising on early diagnosis? In this part of the world, we hardly do preventive medication. People do not find out what is going on in their body. So most times, by the time we know there is a growing cancer cell in the body, it becomes too late. For breast cancer, most women present when they are on stages three or four, and at that point the only thing that can be done is surgical removal of the breast, then chemotherapy, drugs and radiotherapy. But with late presentation comes a high mortality rate. So at the end of the day, the best mode of care is early diagnosis. Our body is like the iceberg phenomenon. If you remember the titanic story, when the ship was going, they saw a very tiny iceberg and felt oh!, we can just walk through it. But unknown to them, on the inside was a massive ice. So, our body behaves that way. When changes are going on at the celebral level it doesn’t show, but by the time it will now show on the surface, it becomes difficult to address. So, one of the core missions of Me Cure Health Care Limited is to improve early diagnosis. We are not just here in Nigeria to do business, we are also here to affect the health care of the populace. There are two types of care, we have the health care, and we have the disease care. Most people are aware of disease care. That is when the person gets sick and treated. But health care is holistic; that is looking at the person that is not sick; we are looking at the entire body and how do you care for that body. This is preventive care. Why is your focus on the use of mam-

mogram? That is why in this month of October that is declared the month of cancer awareness. As an organisation, we are collaborating with other bodies that try to talk about cancer care. A lot of them, based on the resources they have, are engaged in so many ways. There is a lot of awareness going on; people are talking about self-breast examination. People should be able to examine their breast by themselves. They should see the doctor to examine if they have lumps or not. But the aspect of the mammogram, which will determine whether a lump is actually cancerous or not, has not been patronised as expected. That is why we decided to take things a step higher by picking this particular aspect, instead of doing what everybody is doing, since we have the equipment and experts on that; not minding the financial burden. And there is nothing like competition when it comes to cancer awareness, instead we engage in collaboration, and also use this as part of our corporate social responsibility to Nigerians. In essence, when you find out that there is a lump in your breast at the end of the day, we are saying that there is a treatment. And that is where the mammogram comes in. You can come to us and we would run it for you free of charge in this month of October. So we are picking free mammogram for this year’s cancer awareness as part of our CSR. We believe that if we can prevent a lot of women from the early stage of cancer, if we can detect cancer at the early stage, we can prolong life. Does this also entail treatment?

This is the first time we are actually going all out with this. For now like I said, there so many other organisations that are doing so many things. We are only doing free mammogram for now, and when we detect any abnormality; we have over 3,000 doctors in our network that we would refer anyone to. We also have so many cancer centers in our network. People can be referred to any of those centers and they would be appropriately treated. So we are basically concerned with the most important part of it which is diagnosing, while we refer to the appropriate centers if need be. So if you go through the mammogram and it shows you are free, at least, you would live with the relief of being free for at least a few years before engaging in the test again; because we do advice mammogram at least annually. Where are your centers located for this exercise? Our goal is to do 600 screenings in this month of October. We screen 25 people on a daily basis. We started October 1 and will end October 30. Part of what we are trying to achieve is to ensure that the place is not congested. The machine can take a certain number per day. So we book the people who signify interest; which is open to the whole public without any politics or favouritism. Since anybody can have cancer, so also, anybody should be diagnosed and treated without segregation; that is our principle of fairness. And our enlightenment now is majorly on the social media, and the social media is a very big tool for mobilisation and information dissemination. And every day we are receiving calls, and then

we investigate and book those that are qualified for the test, and give them appointment to come in a particular week within this month. On our centers in Lagos State, we are in Oshodi and Lekki areas, and we are also doing it in Ibadan. We are in starting with those three centers. Going forward by next year, we would extend to Kano; we would extend to Umuahia, and likewise try to cover the whole six geo-political zones. How would you rate response of beneficiary of this screening so far? The response has been quite enormous. I can tell you right now, in Ibadan alone we have over 500 people that we have registered. In Lagos we have over 700 that have registered at Oshodi. But we can’t bring everybody at the same time. So we have to ensure that this is regularised. When they call us, they give us their details which includes their name, their date of birth, phone numbers, email and preferred location. Once they do that, we collate the list, sort it out, and those that are picked for that week are called, and appointment is secured with them based on their own convenience. We communicate to them through emails, calls and text messages. And likewise remind them when their appointment is close. What are your social media handles for people that would love to participate in the exercise? You can follow us on @mecurewecare on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or follow me on @kunlemegbus on the above listed platform.

AfricaMed Partners 50 Firms to Reduce Health Burden in Nigeria Martins Ifijeh As part of plans to reduce health burden in Nigeria, AfriMed has partnered at least 50 international medical equipment manufacturing companies to reduce cost of healthcare in the country. Stating this at the opening ceremony and launch of the maiden edition of Africamed exhibition of top brands of medical equipments, held in Lagos recently, the Administrative and Human Resources Manager, AfricaMed, Juliet Chukwuma-Ijei, said the task of addressing healthcare challenges in the country are enoumous, hence the resolve to partner 500 more medical equipment firms. She said: “AfriMed wants to find a solution to the numerous problems that is plaguing African healthcare system. We have decided to take on Nigeria because of our size and the perennial problems of our healthcare. “We want to form a bridge between Nigeria and China to help bring the best of medical services through equipment, training, academic communications and after sale service to Nigeria at a very affordable price. “This is why are cooperating with over 50 top brand Chinese companies in the health care industry to help bring their products here.” The plan, she said, is to help the Chinese companies easily access the market in Africa and Nigeria and also help the Nigerian population access top brand medical equipment at very affordable cost.

“This is our maiden edition for Nigerian and Chinese company in the medical requirement field. AfricaMed is now and full of ideas. “We have a lot to do finding solutions to the healthcare problems not only in Nigeria but in Africa generally. We decided to take on Nigeria because of the size and problem of our healthcare system. “What AfricaMed is trying to do is to form a bridge between Nigeria and China especially, to help bring the best of medical services through equipments, training, academic communication and after sale services to Nigeria and Africa in general at a very affordable price” she said. Deputy Manager, International Sales Department, Ningbo David Medical Device, Rachel Shen, who expressed joy over the partnership, said the organisation has been in the market for more than 20 years and has been working with different partners and hospitals for better healthcare. “We find out our products are perfect for Nigerian hospitals. That’s why we are here and working to improve technology in Nigerian hospitals on discount, we offer the best we can to Nigerian hospitals and we have the wide range of the products with cheaper prices from high and low prices to ensure we work with the hospitals budget,” she said. The Regional Manager, MEDCAPTAIN Medical technology, Abel Huang also commended AfricaMed for their giant stride towards reshaping the healthcare service in Nigeria.

L-R: President, Nigeria British Chambers of Commerce, Akin Olawore; General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Esimaje Brikinn; Executive General Manager, Operations Support Services,Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Alex Aghedo; Chief Executive Officer, Richardson Oil & Gas Limited, Akin Osuntoki; and Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Limited,Tony Attah, during the 10th PSRG- RICHARDSON Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Forum, held in Lagos recently

SHIN Supports Eye Surgery for 102 Nigerians Samsung Heavy Industries (SHIN) recently raised the bar in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by partnering Vision Care, an agency of the United Nations to support eye surgery for 102 Nigerians. Under the programme, 102 patients with cataracts and at risk of blindness have successfully recovered their eyesights. THISDAY gathered that apart from its intervention in Nigeria’s health sector, SHIN has also raised the bar in the development of local capacity and capability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as young Nigerians get world class training and certification at the Welding Qualification Centre in Lagos as part of the global giant’s contribution to CSR in countries where it operates. SHIN participated in a medical camp for cataract patients from October 8 to 12 at the Lagos State

University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Lagos, Nigeria. THISDAY gathered that since 2015, Samsung has worked with Vision Care in the annual Eye Camp to give free cataract surgeries to individuals who cannot afford the treatment. With the assistance of the global giant, 250 patients have received their eyesight from the previous camps. Investigation revealed that the Korean and Nigerian employees from SHIN, who have actively participated in the eye camp, have acquired the basic knowledge about ophthalmology through pre-orientation. Our correspondent who monitored this year’s exercise gathered that they actively assisted the medical staff in the overall medical treatment process such as patient reception, disinfection, injection of eye

drops, vision test, and helping the patients to wear a protective cap to ensure the operations went well even with difficulties in the hospital, and the existing medical environment. Ifeyinwa, an employee from SHIN, who assisted the medical staff in the operating room, told journalists that, “I did not know that there were so many cataract patients in Nigeria, and it was a wonderful feeling to assist in restoring eyesight to them. I am immensely proud of Samsung for doing such noble activities.” Onyinye, who brought her sick brother with her mother, also told journalists that, “My brother, Paul, has been impaired in his eyes and ears since he was born.Thank you for letting him see the world after 15 years.” When asked what he wanted to do the most right now, Paul

who indicated willingness to get educated, expressed this through sign language as if he was writing with a pencil. SHIN has been supporting the cataract surgery of Vision Care for the fourth year running despite the difficult management environment. Apart of this programme, as part of Samsung’s social contribution to the Nigerian community, SHIN has established a world-class Welding Qualification Centre in Lagos. This centre has trained 530 young Nigerians and they have received international certifications which they can use for many job opportunities. Due to the success of the programme, structures have been put in place to ensure the center is lively and will keep providing high-end technological transfer to Nigerian youths.

THISDAYt THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

39

40

T H I S D AY ˞ ͰͲ, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Experts Call for Regulation to Curb Political Smear Campaigns Raheem Akingbolu In anticipation of the commencement of the 2019 general elections, stakeholders in the communications industry gathered to discuss critical issues around management of electioneering campaign communications and highlighted the rules of engagement applicable to the development and deployment of such communications. At the forum on Political Communication, organised by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, they called for campaign communications to be fair and truthful enough to aid democratic choice by the electorate and devoid of any traits that could precipitate violent conflicts. In his paper titled, “Trends and Consequences of Smear Political Campaigns� the Group Managing Director of SO&U Group, Mr. Udeme Ufot, said “smear

campaigns utilise unverifiable rumours and distortions, halftruths and even outright lies. Even when the facts are seen to lack substance, the targets reputation, in most cases, is often already tarnished before the truth is known. Often such targets are typically forced to focus on correcting the false or erroneous impression rather than the real issue.� In his presentation, he cited that when political campaigns are not issue based, there is a strong tendency to dwell on theatrics, verbal assaults and character assassination. Contrasting this with more sophisticated environments, where political campaigns often combine the three prong approach of advocacy, contrast and attack, he stressed that “their campaigns are more professionally packaged to associate the candidate with salient issues and subject the electorate holds dear�

To succeed, Ufot charged communicators to engage deeply with the people, conduct research and analysis to arrive at communication that would most resonate with the people. Reiterating that such exercise requires some rigor of process, sound strategising, discipline on the part of the candidate to subject himself to the professional management of his communications consultants, as well as effective programme funding In the same vein, he challenged media organisations to maintain a professional stance by discouraging airing or publishing of political advertisements without due vetting and approved by the regulatory authorities. Whilst charging, industry regulators to live up to their statutory responsibilities by ensuring that all contraventions of the regulatory process are appropriately sanctioned.

L-R: Vice President, Corporate & Government Relations, OLAM, Ade Adefeko; Founder/Managing Partner AT3 Resources Limited, Tosin Adefeko, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Asue Ighodalo and High Commissioner, Republic of Botswana, Pule Mphothwe, at the NESG Summit held in Abuja‌ recently

Union Bank’s ‘Edu360’ Fosters Educational Development Nume Ekeghe The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, has reiterated the bank’s commitment to education as a key driver of national development. He made this known at the first edition of the bank’s annual education fair titled ‘Edu360,’ that took place in Lagos. The event brought together stakeholders from across the education ecosystem, including teachers, parents, school owners, investors, students and other key participants. Tagged “Investing in the Future,� the event served as

a platform for collaboration among the education sector stakeholders, with the goal of accelerating development and much needed investment in the sector. In his address, Emuwa said: “Edu360 is positioned to be the leading education platform in Nigeria, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders within the sector. “We firmly believe that the private sector, working closely with the government and other stakeholders, can play a critical role in fast tracking solutions to move the educational sector forward. “At Union Bank, we are committed to identifying sectors

that are vital to shaping a better, sustainable future for Nigerians.� The Bank’s Head of Commercial Banking, Adekunle Sonola and other members of the Board of Directors were also in attendance along with Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande; the Minister of Education, represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the Governor of Lagos state represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh. While delivering the keynote address, Dr. Modupe OlatejuAdefeso, Managing Director of The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre spoke extensively

Sollatek Harps on Consumer Safety In line with its ‘Buy Original Campaign’, Sollatek Limited, a UK-based company and one of the leading manufacturers of power protection devices, has embarked on a massive consumer sensitisation and anticounterfeiting programme across various markets in Nigeria. The nationwide mop-up, executed through a court order, led to the confiscation of several substandard and counterfeit power protection products. Speaking on the reason behind the exercise, the IP & Trademarks Rights Manager, Sollatek (UK) Limited, Mr. Thierry Polet, stated that the exercise was in line with the company’s buy original global campaign which would help

customers identify genuine Sollatek products. According to him, the company owes it a duty to help protect the safety of lives and properties of its customers hence the reason for carrying out the massive raid. “Our primary focus is the safety of life and of property. We achieve this through the protection of electrical and electronic equipment from unreliable power, which can lead – and has led to – fires and even death. Original Sollatek devices protect your appliances, and your homes from over-voltage, under-voltage, surge protection and spikes in electricity. “The fake products, often available at much cheaper

prices – do nothing. By the time the customer finds out – it’s too late. We always encourage customers to protect their investments, their homes and their lives with original Sollatek products only�, he said. Polet further explained that Sollatek had been established for over 30 years in the United Kingdom, with a world-class pedigree for manufacturing innovative products in the power control, energy saving, temperature control and solar energy sectors, with products distributed to 190 countries around the world. He said genuine and patented Sollatek UK power surge protectors were available at authorised retailers and dealers stores nationwide.

Coca-Cola, Others Advocate for Collaboration on Research Raheem Akingbolu Stakeholders from across[EM1] the foods and beverage sector in both public and private sectors, including Coca-Cola Nigeria have agreed on the need for increased level of collaborations on Research and Development for sustainable economic development of the Nation. Speaking during the panel discussion session sponsored by

Coca-Cola Nigeria at the 42nd annual conference organised by Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (NIFST) held in Abeokuta recently, stakeholders agreed that there was the need for relevant agencies of government, the academia as well as industries in the food and beverage sector to work together by investing heavily on research to pave way for economic growth in Nigeria. The guest speaker, Professor

Babatunde Oguntona, a food and nutrition consultant who spoke on the topic titled ‘Research Collaboration and Industry Linkages: A Sustained Partnership’ averred that there was little or no chance for innovation except industry stakeholders collaborate noting that doing so was capable of enhancing Nigeria’s global market competitiveness providing we harness the benefit of collaborations.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

5,433,209.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $77.11 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $78.68 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 ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

MARKET NEWS

Sterling Bank’s N8.2bn Profit After Tax Excites Shareholders Goddy Egene Some shareholders of Sterling Bank Plc have expressed excitement over the 39 per cent profit growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, recorded by the financial institution, saying it will translates to higher dividends at the end of the year. Sterling Bank sustained its steady growth in profitability with profit before tax growing by 29.5 per cent to N8.5 billion as against N6.5

billion in corresponding period of 2017, just as profit after tax rose by 39 per cent from N5.9 billion to N8.2 billion. Consequently, earnings per share improved from 21 kobo to 28 kobo. Reacting to the results, Mr. Moses Igbrude of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said it was highly commendable that the bank recorded significant growth in the period where growth is marginal.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

“Sterling Bank Plc must be commended on this performance. It is sign of good things to come for us shareholders of the bank. The management and board deserve our support,” Igbrude said. The commercial bank posted 21 per cent growth in gross earnings from N94.6 billion to N114.6 billion in 2018. Customer deposits increased to N723.2 billion by September 2018 from N685.0 billion in December 2017. The bank’s net loans and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

advances increased by 10.7 per cent to N662.0 billion from N598.0 billion in December 2017. Total assets improved to N1.08 trillion as against N1.07 trillion recorded at the beginning of the year while shareholders’ funds increased from N102.9 billion in December 2017 to N106.2 billion in September 2018. The Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman had said

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the bank was been able to sustain its steady growth due to focused implementation of its strategic intent of exceeding customers’ expectations. According to him, the robust growth of 31.2 per cent in noninterest income was driven by a growth in trading and transaction banking revenues, as the bank continues to prioritize efficiency of its digital banking platforms to support its retail drive. “Our strategic

O F

intent to be more customerfocused has continued to yield results; one of such recorded in the last quarter is the increase in the volume of transactions processed through our various electronic platforms since the start of the year. We achieved over one million monthly NIBBS Instant Payment transactions as at July 2018, a 73 per cent increase from the start of the year and expect to see continuing traction in this regard,” Suleiman said.

2 3 / 1 0 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

42

Thursday, October 25, 2018 ThisDay Afrinvest Index Sheds 84bps

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the ThisDay Afrinvest Index shed 84bps to settle at 1,364.44 due profit taking

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

in DANGCEM (-6.8%), UNILEVER (-5.8%) and

FBNH

(-4.7%)

which

cumulatively

account for 20.7% of the index.

Profit

Taking

in

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

DANGCEM

Drags

Local Bourse« ASI Down 2.4% The All Share Index shed 2.4% yesterday to settle at 32,449.22 points following profit taking in market bellwethers - DANGCEM (6.8%), NESTLE (-2.1%) and FBNH (-4.7%). In

the

same

vein,

market

capitalisation

declined by 287.6bn to N11.8tn while YTD loss

Current Price

Ticker

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

Price Price Change Change YTD Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,364.44

-0.84%

-11.6%

36.4%

5.6x

0.8x

6.6%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

36.50

0.3%

21.7%

-10.4%

-10.0%

34.1%

5.6%

5.4x

2.1x

7.4%

18.4%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

24.20

0.8%

13.9%

-5.6%

-6.7%

23.7%

3.4%

4.2x

1.0x

11.4%

24.1%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

5

Dangote Cement PLC

13.2%

88.10

0.5%

6.7%

-34.7%

-34.8%

15.9%

7.3%

25.3x

4.1x

4.7%

3.9%

1,370.00

-2.1%

8.0%

-12.0%

-12.0%

92.0%

23.0%

28.1x

24.4x

3.1%

3.6%

200.00

-6.8%

6.1%

-13.0%

-13.0%

4.4x

5.3%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

9.20

-4.7%

6.5%

4.5%

4.7%

7.4%

0.9%

6.0x

0.5x

2.7%

16.6%

7

Access Bank PLC

8.00

0.6%

3.9%

-23.4%

-24.5%

13.3%

1.6%

3.3x

0.5x

8.2%

30.1%

10.6%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

8.00

0.0%

3.9%

-22.3%

-23.2%

15.4%

1.8%

3.6x

0.6x

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

16.00

0.0%

3.5%

-5.9%

-1.7%

12.1%

1.0%

5.0x

0.6x

27.6% 20.0%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

644.90

0.0%

3.6%

3.0%

3.0%

25.0%

14.6%

3.0x

0.7x

2.8%

33.8%

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

46.00

0.0%

3.6%

10.8%

12.5%

35.4%

4.9%

7.1x

2.2x

2.2%

14.0%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

43.00

-5.8%

3.0%

4.9%

6.9%

20.4%

8.7%

23.8x

3.1x

1.2%

4.2%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

80.50

1.3%

2.2%

-14.4%

-14.4%

10.3%

4.5%

23.9x

2.0x

2.3%

4.2%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

18.70

worsened to – However, activity level

0.0%

0.8%

-58.3%

-58.3%

-53.7%

-7.9%

1.2x

8.0%

-34.7%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.05

5.1%

1.2%

-16.7%

-20.5%

11.5%

1.5%

1.5x

0.3x

5.4%

66.3%

was

16

Oando PLC

5.25

-2.8%

1.3%

-12.4%

-12.4%

10.3%

1.5%

4.6x

0.4x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

14.55

0.3%

0.9%

-27.3%

-28.5%

41.5%

18.1%

4.9x

1.7x

8.6%

20.3%

3.8%

13.1%

5.1%

20.7% 16.0%

mixed

as

volume

traded

advanced

105.7% to 380.7m units while value traded fell 0.8% to N3.2bn. FCMB (142.7m units), ACCESS (90.8m units) and TRANSCORP (16.4m units) were the top traded stocks by volume while the top traded stocks by value were

ACCESS

BREWERIES

(N726.3m),

(N330.2m)

NIGERIAN

and

FCMB

(N221.1m).

Bearish Sector Performance Performance across sectors largely bearish as 3 of 5 indices under our coverage closed in the red. The Banking index advanced the

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

79.80

0.0%

1.5%

17.9%

17.9%

39.3%

29.7%

7.6x

2.6x

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

19.65

-4.1%

0.5%

-32.2%

-32.2%

9.8%

2.9%

4.8x

0.5x

21.6%

3.0%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.31

-4.4%

0.6%

-10.3%

-11.5%

13.6%

3.0%

6.2x

0.8x

1.5%

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

1.39

9.4%

0.5%

-7.3%

-11.5%

-7.2%

-0.9%

-20.4%

-20.4%

33.1%

6.9%

6.8x

2.1x

9.3%

14.6%

-1.9%

6.7%

1.0%

2.5x

0.2x

6.4%

39.2%

6.0x

2.1x

4.6%

24

Total Nigeria PLC

25

FCMB Group Plc

183.00

0.0%

0.5%

1.55

-2.5%

0.6%

26

11 PLC

175.00

0.0%

0.5%

-10.1%

-10.1%

40.2%

16.0%

27

Forte Oil PLC

21.00

2.4%

0.3%

-51.7%

-50.0%

29.7%

3.0%

11.45

0.0%

0.2%

-44.4%

-45.9%

9.50

3.8%

0.3%

-39.4%

-39.1%

5.9%

2.2%

0.0%

0.3%

-22.6%

-22.6%

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

29

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

30

Presco PLC

53.00

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

18.50

0.0%

0.4%

0.0%

-3.7%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

9.00

0.0%

0.3%

-10.0%

-10.0%

0.1x

1.6x

33.1x

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

5.10

0.0%

0.3%

-34.6%

-32.1%

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

21.55

0.0%

0.3%

-23.0%

-23.0%

17.3%

20.6%

8.8x

1.1x

1.3%

1.6x

1.7%

3.0%

3.8%

45.0%

5.0x

8.1%

11.4%

0.8x

7.8%

8.1x

0.5x

1.8%

6.0x

0.9x

3.9x

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.50

0.0%

0.4%

38.9%

32.7%

11.0%

1.1%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

7.75

0.6%

0.2%

-36.2%

-36.2%

0.0%

0.0%

16.6% -12.5%

2.2x 62.4%

5.6% -62.2%

12.3% 4.8%

16.8% 25.3%

0.4x

1.3%

1.0x

2.6%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

12.30

0.0%

0.2%

-43.1%

-43.1%

6.5%

3.6%

17.7x

1.7x

61.0%

ZENITH (+0.8%), GUARANTY (+0.5%) and

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

30.05

0.0%

0.2%

-11.6%

-15.8%

66.2%

30.2%

14.0x

9.4x

6.8%

7.1%

39

Beta Glass PLC

69.00

0.0%

0.2%

34.5%

34.5%

17.7%

11.5%

8.4x

1.4x

1.6%

11.9%

FIDELITY (+0.3%) while the Insurance index

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.10

0.0%

0.1%

-15.4%

-15.4%

6.0%

3.3%

10.3x

0.8x

2.0%

9.7%

most, up 0.5% as a result of buy interests in

5.7%

rose 0.4% on account of gains in NEM T o p 10 G a i n e r s

(+2.8%) and WAPIC (+7.3%). On the flip side, the Industrial and Consumer Goods

T ic k er

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

indices shed 4.1% and 1.2% respectively

D IA M ON D B N K

1.39

9.4%

FCM B

142.7

-2.5%

following

N IGER IN S

0.28

7.7%

A C C ESS

90.8

0.6%

LA WUN ION

0.56

7.7%

T R A N SC OR P

16.4

-4.4% 0.0%

sell-offs

in

DANGCEM

(-6.8%),

NESTLE (-2.1%) and UNILEVER

(-5.8%)

WA P IC

0.44

7.3%

while the Oil & Gas index fell by 0.2% on the

R EGA LIN S

16.3

F ID ELIT YB K

2.05

5.1%

ST ER LN B A N K

14.1

0.0%

back of profit taking in OANDO (-2.8%).

A IIC O

0.77

4.1%

UA C N

13.1

0.0%

C A D B UR Y

9.50

3.8%

D IA M ON D B N K

11.7

9.4%

N EM

2.96

2.8%

UB A

11.2

0.0%

FO

21.00

2.4%

F ID ELIT YB K

7.5

5.1%

2.1%

WA P IC

6.1

7.3%

Investor Sentiment Strengthens Investor sentiment as measured by market

UC A P

breadth (advance/decline ratio) strengthened

T o p 10 L o s e r s

to 1.1x from 0.8x recorded yesterday as 17

T ic k er

stocks appreciated against 16 decliners. The best

performing

(+9.4%),

stocks

LAWUNION

NIGERINS (+7.7%)

were

DIAMOND

(+7.7%)

and

while TRANSEXP (-

8.5%), REDSTAREX (-7.6%) and DANGCEM

2.98

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

M C N IC H OLS

0.45

-10.0%

T R A N SEXP R

0.65

-8.5%

R ED ST A R EX

4.25

-7.6%

200.00

-6.8%

0.28

D A N GC EM LA SA C O UN ILEVER

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

A C C ESS

726.3

0.6%

NB

330.2

0.5%

FCM B

222.1

-2.5%

ST A N B IC

139.2

0.0%

-6.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

131.9

0.8%

43.00

-5.8%

0.0%

(-6.8%) led laggards. We expect a rebound

UA C N

131.3

NP FM CRFB K

1.47

-5.2%

N EST LE

96.3

-2.1%

tomorrow, although we opine that bearish

FB NH

9.20

-4.7%

UB A

89.9

0.0%

sentiments remain elevated over the near

T R A N SC OR P

1.31

-4.4%

GUA R A N T Y

65.7

0.3%

term.

F LOUR M ILL

19.65

-4.1%

D A N GC EM

62.7

-6.8%

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

43

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

MARKET NEWS

Vitafoam’s MD Outlines Strategy for Economic Recovery Goddy Egene The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi has proposed effective deployment of science as a major technological tool to accelerate Nigeria’s economic recovery. Adeniyi also advocated a stronger relationship between the media, academia and industry in order to stimulate creativity and innovation in the process of wealth creation. According to him, Vitafoam

Nigeria Plc decided to sponsor the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) award for the media as part of the company’s belief that science would always remain the bedrock of industrialisation in any country. He explained that technological breakthrough would continue to re-shape the world and every country should embrace science to cash up with wind of change. Speaking at the 2018 award ceremony in Lagos , Adeniyi identified some critical areas of development through science as

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

strategy to move Nigeria along the path of global technological changes. He said: “If Nigeria intends to compete and succeed in the global market, we must embrace the culture of continuous ideas generation, new product development, process improvement and innovation. As we strive to diversify the economy, I suggest we pay special attention to the following: greater commitment to media-academia-industry collaboration which will stimulate creativity and innovation in our

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 2310-2018, unless otherwise stated.

wealth-creation activities, exploiting opportunities that exist to promote interest in the study of agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing, without reinventing the wheel, but by adapting available technologies to our advantage.” According to him, industrial dynamism which is the process of creation and growth of new, more efficient industries and reallocation of resources from old, inefficient industries to new ones with better technology are often considered to be the engine of capitalism and the dynamo in the

economy that ensures growth and prosperity. “ One of the ways Vitafoam keeps abreast of competition is by introducing cutting edge innovative products into the market and paying special attention to research and development. There is cause for concern that the interest in science and science related courses is on the downward trend due to paucity of investment required and skillsets, inadequate and inefficient infrastructure, bureaucracy and inefficient administration of

incentives designed to promote the study of science and dearth of attractive offers that are available in other fields of endeavours. He said a number of measures can be adopted to ameliorate or outrightly eliminate some of these problems among which are: massive public enlightenment aimed at educating all stakeholders on the benefits of studying science, initiating a linkage with conglomerates’ programme to create opportunities for science students and those offering science related courses among others.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 163.56 164.54 -7.87% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.51 273.65 17.82% 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 1.29% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.10% 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 12.05% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.21 2.22 -4.08% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 134.65 135.59 -11.24% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.01% 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 10.83% Paramount Equity Fund 11.64 11.94 4.99% Women's Investment Fund 102.19 104.81 1.55% 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 11.95% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,166.49 1,167.22 11.20% FBN Heritage Fund 141.57 142.52 0.68% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.01% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.50 $114.85 3.86% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.26 $114.62 3.75% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 151.28 153.42 -4.75% 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 1.23 1.25 -4.90% Legacy Debt Fund 3.18 3.18 10.12% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.51% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.65% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.92 106.04 5.34% 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 12.22% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.77%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.22% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.50 122.75 6.45% 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 4.02% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,073.20 1,073.20 11.27% 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 11.60 11.70 -10.66% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.45% 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 1.36 12.00% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.96 12.01 8.28% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.13% 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 128.50 128.94 -0.92% 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 12.07% 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 2,276.91 2,291.76 3.64% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.29 187.29 7.56% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.97 -4.95% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 243.71 243.75 12.93% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.88 163.69 -9.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.41% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,743.76 8,637.89 -9.19% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 6.10% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.16 1.17 -1.77% United Capital Bond Fund 1.56 1.56 9.44% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -8.29% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.80% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.33 105.33 5.28% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 3.65% 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 11.26 11.42 -6.92% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.16 12.26 -5.85% Zenith Income Fund 20.47 20.47 10.96% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.84%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 138.63 51.55

-20.11% 4.66% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.75 121.91 94.06

10.85 124.49 95.83

-9.30% -14.65% -13.90%

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

4.14 7.47 15.45 14.83 144.14

4.18 7.55 15.55 15.03 146.14

-12.68% -21.89% -11.55% -24.47% 7.07%

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.

44

THISDAYtTHURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

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47

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THISDAYtTHURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

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52

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL US Secret Service Intercepts Explosive Packages Sent to Obama, Clinton, CNN The United States Secret Service yesterday said it had intercepted suspect packages, identified as potential explosive devices, sent to CNN, the homes of former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The uncovering of the devices came two days after a pipe bomb was found at the home of liberal philanthropist and financier, George Soros, in the suburbs of New York City. CNN’s New York office was evacuated yesterday morning

after a suspected bomb was sent to their mailroom. President Donald Trump said the threats “have no place in America.” Speaking at the White House, Trump said that he has been briefed by the FBI and “a major federal investigation is now underway. “The safety of the American people is my highest and absolute priority,” he said. “In these times we just have to unify. We need to come together and send one very clear

Ethiopian President Tenders Resignation Ethiopia’s President Mulatu Teshome on Wednesday filed resignation request to the Ethiopian Parliament, State news agency ENA reported. Teshome, who has been the east African country’s head of state since October 2013, on Wednesday submitted his letter of resignation as the Ethiopian parliament’s two houses are scheduled to consider his resignation. The houses would eventually name his successor in a joint extraordinary session on Thursday, the report said. Canadians rush to buy Marijuana, stores run out The joint extraordinary session of the Ethiopian parliament on Thursday “will deliberate on the president’s application for resignation and will elect a new president,’’ according to ENA. The incumbent president, who conducted his doctoral studies in international law at Peking University in China, was unanimously appointed as Ethiopia’s president on Oct. 7,

2013 while he was serving as Ethiopia’s ambassador to Turkey. Teshome is a member of Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), one of the four member parties of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). MUAALAG celebrates ten years anniversary Teshome’s imminent resignation also came shortly after Ethiopian government’s cabinet reshuffle. The Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives, the Ethiopian parliament’s lower house, earlier approved the appointment of 16 new cabinet members upon the endorsement of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in which only four of the previous cabinet’s members remained in their positions. Teshome, 63, had served in various high-level Ethiopian government offices and ministries as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Cooperation, Minister of Agriculture, and Spokesperson of the House of Federation.

European Union lawmakers yesterday moved to ban widelyused, throw-away plastics such as straws, bags and cotton buds, putting the burden on manufacturers to recycle more in an effort to clear up ocean pollution. Under the proposal, overwhelmingly backed by the European Parliament, some single-used plastic products with readily available alternatives would be banned by 2021. EU states would be obliged to recycle 90 per cent of plastic

bottles by 2025, while producers would help to cover costs of waste management. EU lawmakers added very light-weight plastic bags, polystyrene fast-food containers. The soldiers added products made of oxo-degradable plastics, which critics say do not fully break down, to the list proposed by the EU executive earlier this year. The EU’s final rules still need to be approved in talks with member states.

unmistakable message that threats or acts of political violence of any kind have no place in America.” When asked about the pattern of these attempted attacks, during a news conference, New York Police Commissioner O’Neill said law enforcement is proactively contacting people to ensure other mail rooms “follow proper protocol”. The FBI in New York said they were aware of the suspected packages, and that their Joint Terrorism Task force is aiding in the investigation. New York Mayor, Bill de Blasio, decried the attempted attacks as “an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country”. “To all public officials, to all partisan affiliations - don’t encourage violence, don’t

encourage hatred, don’t encourage attacks on media you can disagree but you have to show respect.” The packages were addressed to former President Obama, exSecretary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan. Additional suspicious packages addressed to Democratic Representative Maxine Waters and former Attorney General Eric Holder are currently being investigated by law enforcement. The packages to Obama and Mrs Clinton were intended to arrive at their residences. FBI Special Agent, Bryan Paarman, told reporters the device for Brennan, which appeared to be live, had been sent to CNN’s mailroom. One of the packages sent had listed Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former

chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, as the sender. The package intended for Holder was sent to an incorrect address and returned to the congresswoman’s office in Sunrise, Florida, US media said. Brennan was scheduled to appear on CNN, US media report. Brennan is a frequent contributor to the network and has become a vocal critic of Trump since leaving office. According to a statement from the US Secret Service, the package addressed to Mrs Clinton was recovered late on 23 October. “Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of former President Obama was intercepted by Secret Service

personnel in Washington, DC,” the statement adds. “Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.” These attempted attacks come two days after a confirmed pipe bomb was discovered in a mailbox at the home of Soros, who has been criticised by right-wing groups for supporting liberal causes. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had said a suspicious package had been sent to his office, but New York police told the BBC “it was a thumb drive and is not related to other events”. The devices are suspected to be pipe bombs.

Time Warner building in New York City being evacuated after explosives devices were unconvered....yesterday

US and UK to Revoke Visas for Saudis Pollution: EU Lawmakers to Implicated in Khashoggi’s Killing British prime minister Theresa Saudi individuals suspected was horrible,” he told news operation as the “worst Ban Throw-away Plastics May followed US Secretary of involvement in the killing media on Tuesday night at cover-up ever” and a “very bad of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday saying that her country would revoke visas for anyone suspected of being involved in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. May said she would speak to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman later on Wednesday regarding the matter. “There does remain an urgent need to establish exactly what has happened in relation to this … I myself expect to speak to King Salman later today,” May told the British parliament. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration will be revoking visas for

of prominent writer Jamal Khashoggi. The government insider turned self-exiled critic disappeared on October 2 when he entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul. Officials in Riyadh later admitted he had been killed and blame an unsanctioned operation without the knowledge of the kingdom’s leaders. Pompeo’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump said he was convinced that King Salman had no advance knowledge of the incident, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “The cover-up was horrible. The execution

the White House. “But there should have never been an execution or a cover-up because it should have never happened.” He said he wanted to believe Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s assurances that lower-level officials were to blame, but suggested responsibility may lay higher up. “Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage. He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be, it would be him,” Trump told the newspaper. Trump described the

original concept” before saying those responsible had handled the matter badly. Trump said he had asked the prince multiple times about the matter. “My first question to him was, ‘Did you know anything about it in terms of the initial planning?’” Trump said, adding that the prince told him that he did not. The president said he asked the prince “‘Where did it start?’ And he said it started at lower levels.” Asked if he believed the denials, Trump told the newspaper: “I want to believe them. I really want to believe them.”

Putin Warns Europe against Hosting US Missiles Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has warned that his country will respond “in kind” if new US nuclear missiles are placed in Europe. Putin said any European countries hosting US missiles would be at risk of Russian strikes. NATO has said it is unlikely to deploy more nuclear weapons to Europe should an arms control treaty between

Washington and Moscow collapse. The US says Russia has violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and plans to withdraw. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg agreed that Russia had probably violated the deal. He said Nato did not seek confrontation but stood ready to defend all

allies against any threat. Thursday sees NATO begin its largest military exercise since the Cold War. The operation is to repel a mock invasion of Norway and will involve all 29 members, as well as Finland and Sweden. He said it was “very dangerous” to dismantle a global arms control system and added: “There would be nothing left except an

arms race.” Russia’s response would be “very quick and effective”, he said. “If the US do end up pulling out of the INF treaty, then the most important question is what will they do with the missiles that will reappear again,” he said, speaking at a news conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

53

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

FG Okays 2019-2021 MTEF, N8.7tn 2019 Budget Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday in Abuja, approved the 2019 - 2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) comprising N8.7 trillion budget proposal for the 2019 fiscal year. MTEF and FSP is a single document which spells out government projections for three fiscal years in medium term. The document consists of oil benchmark, oil production volume, revenue target, exchange rate and inflation rate for the next three fiscal years, among other projections. Briefing journalists at the end of yesterday’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting

in the State House, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, said the N8.73trillion projection for 2019 fiscal year was about N400 billion lower than the N9.12 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly in 2018. Disclosing some of the components of the document, Udoma said it would be submitted to the National Assembly for approval, adding that the MTEF and FSP is designed to translate the strategic development objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plans (ERGP) into a realistic and implementable budget framework for the medium term. Udoma who added that the MTEF and FSP were prepared to consult with relevant stakeholders

in the country, listed components of the document to include $60 oil price benchmark, oil production volume of 2.3million barrels per day, exchange rate of N305 to $1 and gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 3.01 per cent. He said, “Today, Federal Executive Council approved the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and it will be submitted to the National Assembly for their consideration.

“The MTEF and FSP that was approved today is designed to translate the strategic development objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) into a realistic and implementable budget framework for the medium term. “As you know, relevant inputs from engagements with stakeholders, the last of such engagements, was done last week, the inputs from stakeholders were part of the document that was submitted.

“The key highlights are the following assumptions which are being proposed for the 2019 budget - oil price benchmark of $60 oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day, exchange rate of N305 per US dollars and the GDP growth rate of 3.01 per cent. In addition, the MTEF projects a budget size in 2019 of N8.73 trillion which is about N400 billion less than the N9.12 trillion for 2018.” Also briefing, the Minister

of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, said the council approved $1.5 million loan from the African Development Fund to finance multinational Lagos - Abidjan corridor highway development project. According to Ahmed, the multinational project would be a six-lane dual carriage highway project linking five countries including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cote D’Ivore, Ghana and Togo.

Erudite Professor, Alakija, Joins Octogenarians’ League Peter Uzoho A distinguished professor of medicine and pioneer Head, Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health, Babcock University, Prof. Wole Alakija, yesterday marked a landmark event in his life as members of his family, friends as well as his colleagues from the academic community joined him to celebrate his 80th birthday. The grand ceremony kicked off with a thanksgiving service at the Catholic Church of Presentation, Ikeja GRA and proceeded with a grand reception at the Sheraton Hotel and Suits, Ikeja. The occasion was spiced up with a heartwarming music rendition from one of Nigeria’s great artistes, Yinka Ayefele, who staged a perfect orchestra with his band crew to keep the atmosphere lively while the guests relaxed and savoured the thrilling tunes. In recognition of Alakija’s good brotherliness to both his immediate and extended families, a group known as the Descendants of Alakija Union, presented their family anthem at the occasion to honour their beloved celebrant. In their separate tributes to the singer, organist and music composer, a good number of the guests took turns to tell their pleasant experiences dealing with Alakija as a brother, friend, colleague and teacher. In his tribute to the celebrant, THISDAY guest columnist, Bola Akinterinwa, who recounted how Alakija facilitated his obtaining a medical report from a hospital for his visa processing, said: “Now, I am trying to tell everyone that goodness is not acquired; goodness exists in the blood itself. He was good to me. In fact, a Wole Alakija at 80 remains a Wole Alakija in blessing forever.” Meanwhile, in an interview with THISDAY on the sidelines

of the occasion, the octogenarian who was born on October 24, 1938, expressed his profound joy for being able to reach the age of 80, surpassing his parents. Alakija said: “I am so excited for reaching the landmark age of 80 years. My father died at 71; my mother died at 73 and my grandfather died at 56. So, I have gone past them. So, I feel very happy. I thank God for allowing me to go pass where my parents left this world.” Recounting his university experience, he said: “When I got into the university, I made up my mind that it is university life for me and I worked towards it. Ten years of being in the university, I worked very hard and I became a professor. That is the least number of years for one to become a professor. So I am happy I was able to make it.” However, Alakija is not only happy because of his new age or his many academic accolades and accomplishments, but he feels more fulfilled seeing some of his old students rising to the position of professors. “Most important, I feel happy because so many of my students have become professors in Ibadan, Lagos and other top universities in the country. So, I feel happy because if you can see your products doing well you feel more fulfilled,” he said. Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion included THISDAY guest columnist, Bola Akinterinwa; Chairman, Faculty of Public Health, National Postgraduate Medical College, Prof. Adebanjo Onajole; former Commissioner for Youth Development, Osun State, Mr. Stephen Kola Balogun; former Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Akin Osibogun; and Managing Director, Lisabi Foods, Mr. Shev Ladipo, amongst others.

Ciroma’s Book Presentation Postponed The book presentation of the autobiography of Malam Adamu Liman Ciroma entitled “Testing the Grit of the Public Service” scheduled for Saturday 27th October, 2018 at Arewa House, Kaduna, has been postponement until further notice. A statement from the organising committee urged guests and

media houses to await the official announcement of a new date in due course. “The postponement is necessitated by circumstances beyond the control of the organisers. All inconveniences caused the esteemed invited guests are regretted, please,” the organising committee stated.

CONGRATULATIONS...

Miss Blessing Ijeruh (middle), who bagged a First Class Hons Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti , flanked by her happy parents, Dr. Olukunmi Ijeruh (left), and Mr. Ok-Ijeruh Austein, in Ado Ekiti... recently

Fashola: Power Supply Better in Last ThreeYears Than in PDP’s 16Years Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said Nigerians enjoyed improved electricity supply in the last three years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government than they did in the 16 years that the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed the country. Fashola’s said this in a speech he delivered on Tuesday at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) October 2018

breakfast forum. Fashola’s claim is in line with disclosures by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) that the implementation of its Energising Economies Initiative (EEI) in Lagos’ Sura Shopping Complex has resulted to the decommissioning of 700 petrol power generating sets previously used by traders in the multipurpose shopping centre. According to Fashola, Nigeria’s power generation in 2015 when Buhari took office averaged 4,000 megawatts, while transmission and distribution averaged 5,000MW and 3,000MW respectively.

However, power supply was already hovering around 4,000MW as at 2102 and the minister’s claim had also been previously debunked by electricity distribution companies (Discos) through their association – the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED). ANED, in a July response to Fashola’s claims of improvement in the power sector, said a Daily Energy Watch of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for January 28, 2015, indicated Nigeria had a generation availability of 6,421MW. But in his NSACC speech, Fashola

said: “As to what we promised, I stated in my very first public briefing in November 2015 that contrary to previous practice, we were committing to a journey; first of getting incremental power, with the plan to proceed to steady power, and ultimately get uninterrupted power. “I made it clear that our intention was to improve your power supply experience gradually rather than discuss the megawatts as quantum of power, and that any reference to the megawatts would be measuring milestones of our progress in the journey of incremental power.”

PIND to Encourage Journalists in Niger Delta with N3.4m Grant The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has budgeted N3,400,000 under its 2018 PIND Media Solution Journalism Innovative Grant for Peace Building and Economic Development to encourage media personnel and organisations to develop innovative ideas that could help change the Niger Delta narrative. The grant, which is a follow up to a training of journalists drawn from the print, broadcast and the new media is to help practitioners shape the Niger Delta narrative through development reporting, investigations, and application of solution journalism as against the traditional spotlighting of only the negative reports from the region. A statement signed by PIND’s Knowledge and Communications

Manager, Chichi NnohamOnyejekwe listed the three grant project types as Special Investigative reports; Development Media Campaigns for a specified period of time and Media Outreach/Stakeholders Events and Orientations for a specified time. Giving a breakdown of the grant project types and number of proposed grants, NnohamOnyejekwe said three grants are available for Special Investigative Reports with a budget cap of N250, 000.00 per grant. She said two grants are available in the Development Media Campaigns category with a budget cap of N725, 000.00 per grant; while two grants are also available in the Media Outreach/Stakeholders Events and Orientations category, with a budget cap of N600, 000.00 per grant.

PIND Knowledge and Communications Manager explained that the gesture was in fulfillment of her organization’s objective to achieve a legacy of sustainable peace and development among communities in the Niger Delta. According to her, the grant is one of PIND’s dynamic approaches aimed at reinforcing the competencies of communicators in solution, investigative, and data journalism. “Journalists can now go beyond routine coverage of the region to identify, pursue, investigate, analyze, explore, empower and engage with different stakeholders including policymakers to inform and transform the lives of poor people living in the Niger Delta, especially women,” she said. She said the grants will only apply to concepts around

the Niger Delta and the relevant thematic areas which include gender and economic development; agricultural sectors (palm oil, cassava, aquaculture, cocoa, and poultry); SMEs development; peace-building and conflict resolution; and capacity building. The statement said professional communicators across print, broadcast and new media who are passionate about peacebuilding and economic development in the Niger Delta can apply for the grants. “Applicants can apply from any part of the world but preference will be given to applicants with a deep understanding of PIND’s mission and how their work can support this and also those with good knowledge of and presence in the Niger Delta development context,” the statement added.

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ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Rangers Are Champions Again After 35Years

Wike, Obuah Hail Rivers Angels for Winning Women’s AITEO Cup

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Enugu Rangers pulled the most remarkable feat in Nigeria’s club football history last night, coming back from 3-0 down to beat Kano Pillars 4-2 in penalty shootout to win the 2018 Aiteo Cup. It is Rangers sixth FA Cup triumph. Playing the first official game at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba yesterday, the Flying Antelopes proved that a football game was not really over until the final whistle. The victory is Rangers first Cup glory since 1983. In the last 15 minutes of the epic final, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote and his wards did a turnaround that even the former Nigerian captain who the stadium is named after will be smiling in his grave. When almost everyone at the stadium was waiting for the Sai Masu Gida to be crowned champions of the 2018 edition of Nigeria’s cup final, KelvIn Itoya’s screamer in the 77th that beat Pillars goalkeeper, David Obiozo appears more of a consolation goal. But five minutes later, Chidera Ezeh made it 3-2. That goal brought hope of miracle was on the way. And it did happen when substitute Ajani Ibrahim’s diving header restored parity for Rangers at 3-3.

AITEO CUP In the ensuing shootout, effervescent Kano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who scored the opening goal in regulation time, missed his opening penalty. And former Pillars player, Isaac Loute, handed the trophy to Rangers with his last penalty kick for the arena to erupt in the Holy, Holy, Holy anthem of the Enugu team. Kano Pillars had taken the lead after five minutes after they had survived an early scare by Rangers. Big striker Nwagua Nyima used his body to get into the box before he laid the ball for skipper Rabiu Ali to rifle home. Pillars doubled their lead in the 20th minute, when Flying Eagles midfielder Alassan Ibrahim scored directly from the corner kick. A third goal by Kano Pillars was cancelled in first half stoppage as television replays later showed the goal should have stood as Isaac Loute was the one who put the ball into his own net. In between these goals, Pillars star striker Junior Lokosa missed two open chances, while Rangers had at least three chances to score from free kicks in dangerous positions, but they wasted them.

Masebinu Appeals to Gov Fayemi to Assist Boxers in Ekiti State Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

boxer in 2005 and turned a professional in 2015 said: “I The newly crowned national am the current national light boxing light heavyweight title heavyweight champion in Nigeria. I am the first medal holder, Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu has called winner in boxing and profeson the government at all levels sional boxer in Ekiti State. “ My focus is to win the WBA, in Nigeria to do more in the promotion of sports, particularly WBO and IBF and bring honour to Ekiti and the game of boxing. Nigeria. Boxing is not meant The Ikere Ekiti-born boxer also appealed to well-to-do Nigerians for tout, I want government to to give financial support to both encourage upcoming boxers and upcoming professional and develop the sport in the country. “We want government to amateur boxers in the state in their quest to create names for be supporting them by giving themselves and bring honour to them allowances and render the state and Nigeria at large. assistance where necessary. We Masebinu noted that there are have talents in the state that can so many talented youth, who are make the state proud locally and internationally.” willing to Speaking on state of sports take up the game of boxing as a profession in the state but in the Ekiti State, he advised are getting discouraged because Governor Kayode Fayemi to give of lack of basic training facilities attention to sports development in the state. “I am here to present and financial support. He made the call in Ado Ekiti the belt to Governor Fayemi, yesterday while showcasing his that an Ekiti born boxer has belt and medal to the journalists won a national title. I want our upon his return from Lagos after Governor to please encourage sportsmen and women in the the contest. The History and International state in this dispensation”. He also solicited the assistance Studies graduate of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Ado Ekiti, beat of the state government in Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi securing for him a promoter and a manager saying he has to clinch the title. He Knocked out Towolawi in been without a promoter and the sixth round of their scheduled manager since he turned profestwelve roundbout at the GOTV sional three years ago. Masebinu also admonished Night 16 held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the TeslimBalogun the Ministry of Youths and Sport Stadium i n Lagos on October 14, as well as the Boxing association 2018. The title bout was one of in the country to come up will local and international contests policies and programmes that which also feature nine bouts will impact positively on boxers across different weight divisions. and the administration of the Masebinu who started as a game in the country.

Ugonna Uzochukwu in aerial action for Rangers against Pillars yesterday kabiru abubakar

With this victory, Rangers earned the N25million star prize at stake and the bragging

right to represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

MultiChoice Thrills Fans with El Clasico For the first time since 2007, Lionel Messi will not appear in ‘El Clasico’ - the eagerly anticipated clash is between hated Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. The teams will meet in a round 10 La Liga match at the Camp Nou on Sunday, 28 October 2018, kick-off at 17:15 CAT. Messi’s absence is a body blow for Barca. The Argentine master helped the Catalans to a 4-2 home win over Sevilla on Saturday night – which took them back to the top of the log – but he played less than half an hour of the game, after colliding heavily with Franco Vazquez and suffering a broken right arm. “Obviously it’s a considerable loss,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. “We know what he gives us and what we miss when he is not around. We have to deal with it and we will be prepared. It’s clear that we will notice his absence, but we will cope and we have resources, even though we will be facing some very difficult teams.” Without Messi, Barcelona’s hopes of winning ‘El Clasico’ are certainly reduced, but they still have the talent in their ranks to get one over their arch rivals. Valverde will look to the likes of Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, Arthur, Philippe Coutinho and even youngster Munir El Haddadi to raise their game and – temporarily at least – step out of the shadow cast by Messi. Even with their talisman

missing, Barca are still favourites due to Real’s dire recent form. ‘Los Blancos’ brought up a fifth successive match without a win across all competitions when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Levante on Saturday afternoon. There is speculation that Real manager Julen Lopetegui may not survive the week, but the former Spain boss has played down suggestions that he will be axed before his team head to Barcelona on Sunday. “I feel more encouraged than ever to continue because the team gave their heart and soul on the pitch,” said Lopetegui after their most recent defeat. He may be putting on a brave face, but a defeat to Barca – which would open a seven-point gap between the teams – would surely signal the end of Lopetegui’s tenure. In addition, Real will be without one of their rising stars – Vinicius Jr – after he was sent off in a reserve match this past weekend. In head-to-head terms, the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid dates back over a century. In La Liga, they have clashed 176 times, with ‘Los Blancos’ claiming 72 wins compared to 70 for the ‘Blaugrana’ (plus 34 draws). Barca took four points off Real in the teams’ La Liga meetings last season: a 3-0 win at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in December 2017 and a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in May 2018.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Rivers Angels FC for winning the AITEO Federation Cup. The AITEO Federation Cup victory by Rivers Angels, is the third time the club is winning the trophy in a row. The governor expressed happiness that Rivers Angels have continued to be worthy ambassadors of the state with their superlative displays on the field of play. Wike assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to support the ladies in their quest to win laurels for the good people of Rivers State. Similarly, the President and sponsor of Go-Round FC of Omoku, Felix Obuah, has congratulated the team for successfully defending the title they won last year. Obuah, in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, described the Rivers ladies as proud ambassadors of the State, adding that with the successful defence of the title, the Angels have stamped their dominance on female football in the country. The Go-Round FC owner also commended the girls for winning the title for a record eight times, saying the feat is a result of hard work and determination. Obuah, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State,

added that the victory of Rivers Angels represents another milestone of Governor Nyesom Wike administration whose passion for sports development is unrivalled. He described Wike administration as a story of sporting glories, recalling the moral and financial support being given to Rivers United FC and Rivers Hoopers in the Nigerian Professional Football League and National Basketball League respectively. He also commended the coaching crew of Rivers Angels FC, led by Edwin Okon for a job well done, adding that their technical and tactical inputs provided the tonic in the decisive final match against Ibom Angels which they won 1-0 at the Sampson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The Go-Round FC boss however, charged the girls not to see their victory as the end of the contest but rather a wake-up call for tougher challenges in the new football season, even as he called on the Angels to see themselves as role models for upcoming players in the State and country at large. “By the feat you just recorded, you have established yourselves as the all-conquering team in the country. You are now the team to beat and this singular achievement has imposed a duty on you to work harder to enable you defend both the Federations Cup and the AITEO shield,” Obuah said.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Salah Double Help Liverpool Beat Red Star Mohamed Salah yesterday scored twice to reach a halfcentury of Liverpool goals in a comfortable victory over Red Star Belgrade, as the Reds went top of Champions League Group C. It was a dominant display from the hosts, Roberto Firmino firing in Andy Robertson’s cut-back on 20 minutes. Salah got his first just before the break then added a second to reach an impressive landmark by converting a penalty won by Sadio Mane. Mane then slotted a fourth goal with 10 minutes to go, having missed another penalty just moments before. Goalscorers aside, Xherdan Shaqiri proved influential for the hosts - an excellent through ball to Robertson helped set up Firmino’s opener and it was the Swiss player’s flick that then assisted Salah’s first goal. Firmino, one of five players back in the starting line-up after a depleted Reds side narrowly

Enyimba Crash out Nigeria’s last team in continental football, Enyimba FC of Aba lost 2-1 to Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi final last night to exit the competition. Enyimba had lost the first leg 1-0 at home in Aba to crash out on 3-1 aggregate. Rangers is to represent Nigeria in the competition next year following it’s victory over Kano Pillars yesterday

beat Huddersfield in the league on Saturday, marked his return with his 13th goal in 18 Champions League appearances for the club and his 10th in eight games at Anfield. Mane was also bright - he linked up well with Salah on numerous occasions and earned his side’s first penalty when he got an arm in the face from Red Star captain Filip Stojkovic. He made up for missing the second penalty - won when El Fardou Ben handled in the area - by sliding in to poke into the bottom corner to make it 4-0, before substitute Adam Lallana was denied a fifth from close range. For the visitors, Srdan Babic wasted an opportunity from a set-piece when he fired over the bar but Liverpool were dominant throughout and never looked like conceding. Red Star, bottom of the group with one point from three games, were banned from selling tickets to supporters for the game at Anfield after incidents during and after their team’s play-off round tie away to RB Salzburg on 29 August.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Results Barcelona PSV Liverpool PSG Galatasaray Lokomotiv Dortmund Brugge

2-0 2-2 4-0 2-2 0-0 1-3 4-0 1-1

Inter Tottenham Zvezda Napoli Schalke 04 Porto Atletico Monaco

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MISSILE William Symington to Nigerians “What many consider as great corruption is stealing of money but what to me is the greater corruption is when people are deprived of justice, when you do things without regard to the rule of law” – United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr William Stuart Symington on the imperative of rule of law to criminal justice administration in Nigeria.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Mass Murder on a Market Day T

here are many versions of what actually triggered the melee that slipped into the Kasuwan Magani weekly market in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State last Thursday. But one fact is constant in all the narratives: By the time the mayhem that looked like a scene from a horror movie ended, no fewer than 55 persons were brutally hacked down. And by the next day, the violence had spread to other communities, including Kaduna metropolis, forcing Governor Nasir el-Rufai to declare a 24-hour curfew that practically put the state capital and environs on total lockdown. From what I have learnt in the past week, the inhabitants of Kasuwan Magani are not only the indigenous Adara and Hausa Fulani. Residents also include Yoruba and Igbo business men and women as well as professionals like nurses, police, teachers and artisans drawn from diverse places in the country. But majority of the people killed in the latest madness were traders who shuttle across the state in weekly markets from Sunday to Saturday. Aside the cultural and religious undertones to the crisis, the level of hate speech and incendiary messages, especially in the build-up to the 2019 general election, is also very high and may partly explain the violence. In his statement on Tuesday, the Resident Coordinator for the United Nations in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, underscored the gravity of the situation when he urged the authorities in the state “to seriously look into circumstances leading to these clashes, which have become too common”, even as he appealed “to all stakeholders to commence processes to amicably address their underlying causes and bring the perpetrators to account.” That unfortunately may be a forlorn hope because the crisis in Kaduna is not new neither are the actors. But the authorities, both in the state and at federal level, have been unable to bring perpetrators to justice and put an end to the incessant carnage due to a feeling that they are not neutral. This is not something peculiar to the current administration. Invariably, there has been a trust deficit which then fuels animosity on all sides and the spiral of revenge killings for which our country has now become notorious. We must be clear about it, there is a connecting thread between the tragedy in Kaduna and the variants of violence we witness in other parts of country with majority of our people, especially in rural communities, left at the mercy of non-state actors aided by compelling socio-economic forces and the divisive politics of the day. If anything, what flows from the Kaduna tragedy is the paltry value we place on human lives in Nigeria where killings by sundry criminal cartels are now almost routine. In the case of Kaduna, there is a story I once shared on this page which was recounted for me by former Governor Ahmed Makarfi. It is worth rehashing because it sums up the madness. It also depicts what I once described as a class

el-Rufai

dimension to the problem because it would take a certain mindset to engage in this kind of bestiality for manufactured differences. In the course of one of the religious riots in Kaduna in 2001, according to Makarfi, (who is easily one of the best governors of the state in terms of managing ethnoreligious diversity), Muslim and Christian youths had barricaded different areas of Kaduna where they targeted “enemies” for brutal extermination. How do they identify their victims? Makarfi said they would set “examination” for passers-by. Anybody who strayed into the area dominated by Muslims would be compelled to recite Surat Al-Fatihah and if you miss your line, then you are instantly hacked down as a ‘Kafir’. A similar test was set by Christians in their own area of operation to identify ‘unbelievers’. In the course of that tit-for-tat bloody episode, a Muslim was cornered in “enemy” territory and with the daggers of his would-be-assailants drawn ready to strike, he was asked by his captors: “Complete this sentence, ‘in the name of the father, the son and...” The hapless guy, according to Makarfi, shouted, “and the mother”. That ignorance of the Christian Trinity saved his life because those who had drawn their daggers were so amused that they simply burst into laughter and allowed him to go. But others were not so lucky. Without committing any offence, practicing a different faith was enough to send many Kaduna residents to their untimely graves. And the cycle of killings without any reasonable justification beyond a mere manipulation of some differences has continued till today in Kaduna and across the country. What saddens me is that behind all this sectarian violence, there are leaders who give tacit support and provide the weapons being deployed. Until our security agencies are able to identify and deal with them, our society will neither be free nor safe. What we have now is a reign of impunity

with people doing whatever they like because they know, or at least believe, that the Nigerian state has lost both the monopoly of violence and the respect of a huge segment of the citizenry. Meanwhile, it would be naïve of anyone to think that once the current curfew is lifted in Kaduna the problem will be resolved. That is where the federal and state governments have a serious challenge to broker an enduring peace that will require tact and commitment on the part of critical stakeholders. That is why it is also incumbent on all the political, traditional and religious leaders in Kaduna and those who have substantial influence outside the state, to join the efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis. The conflicts in Kaduna, like in several other theatres across the country, have become pervasive principally as a result of the politicisation of accumulated grievances. To put the brakes on the violence there is the need to checkmate all appeals to hate and guilt by association. At the end of the day, all contending parties must come to the sober realization that they have nothing to gain and so much to lose under a state of perpetual hostility and enmity. In many of the communities where you have the kind of violence being witnessed in Kaduna, the local economy has crashed while the poverty and deprivation that such state of affairs breeds are in themselves a serious threat to national security. Indeed, if there is anything that the Kaduna tragedy teaches it is that the government, at all levels, must begin to invest heavily in education and other initiatives that will create economic and employment opportunities for our teeming youths. Kaduna is populated mostly by young people and it is from this group that the entrepreneurs of violence mobilise their army of killers. If there is going to be a lasting solution, it is also important for el-Rufai to begin to build the trust of all stakeholders in Kaduna. That includes members of the political and religious establishments with whom he may have disagreements. The biggest challenge in this crisis, of course, lies with the federal government and the security apparatus of state. As I stated recently, by retaining a team that is interested more in regime protection for him than national security, President Buhari is helping the cause of those who accuse his administration of being complicit in the killings that now define our country. It is particularly worrisome that no arrests are made after these killings, implying that there is likely no grip on the situation. And even in instances when arrests were made in the past, they were usually not to serve the end of justice but to exact a form of vengeance which then becomes a ready excuse for future reprisals. There is also another issue of the growing pool of young men from where these killers are recruited. It is within that context that I have always argued that there is a class

dimension to the violence in Nigeria. The victims as well as those who kill them belong to the same class of the poor and vulnerable of our society. Whether in the North, East or West, and regardless of the language they speak or the God they worship, the reality of Nigeria is that the poor and the uneducated—those who live at the margin of the society are easily manipulated by those whose family reside far away from the fires they ignite with their hate campaigns. Nothing perhaps demonstrates that reality better than the statement made on Sunday by Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the misguided leader of the so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Following his re-emergence after 13 months of silence during which many of us were indeed very worried about his whereabouts, he made one of his usual broadcasts. After claiming that he had “returned full-time and I am coming home and I will bring hell with me,” in his latest rant, Kanu then said: “The Army of the zoo killed my dog Jack and a few other people in my compound.” Kanu, who holds a British passport and whose family is safe and secure in the United Kingdom, could remember the name of his dog that was killed in that unfortunate saga but the people he claimed died within his father’s compound were nameless. It’s either he considered those people unimportant or nobody died. Whichever is the case, what Kanu demonstrated is the contempt those who incite others to violence in Nigeria have for their gullible victims. We see the evidence of that in the growing numbers of such nameless people who have been caught in the orgy of violent blood-letting in several theatres across Nigeria, including Kaduna. Incidentally, I have at different times spoken with stakeholders on both sides of the Kaduna divide and one thing I have discovered is that it’s hard to create trust in an environment where people have been conditioned to believe the only way to deal with differences is to fight until they ‘win’ forgetting that such ephemeral ‘victories’ are certain to plant the seed for future battles. But the greater issue is that the Kaduna problem, like most others in the North-central, is tempered by below-theradar issues that the combatants would not openly talk about. After all, as one writer surmised, “the most dangerous part of an iceberg is not the part you can see, it’s the part you can’t.” However, whatever may be the contending issues, it is the responsibility of leaders, formal and informal, to recognize how those presumably buried contentions, and the emotions around them, have for decades undermined peace and progress in Kaduna and other such locations in Nigeria. And until we come to terms with the fact that the diversity of Nigeria in terms of culture, ethnicity and religion is a source of strength, these violent eruptions will continue and our society will neither develop nor thrive.

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