FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2018

Fidelity Bank‘s Nine-month Profit Soars to N20 Billion Peter Uzoho Fidelity Bank Plc has posted an impressive financial performance for the third quarter (Q3) of 2018, just as the commercial bank is on course to finishing strong in the current financial year.

Details of the nine-month results for the period ended September 30, 2018, released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, showed a double-digit growth in its revenues and profitability.

Also, the bank's gross earnings

grew by 6.9 per cent to N139 billion, up from the N130.1 billion reported in the same period in 2017, while profitbefore-tax grew significantly by 23.6 per cent, from N16.2 billion in the comparable period of 2017, to N20.1 billion in Q3.

In other indices, the bank's total assets grew by 21.9 per cent to N1.681 trillion, from N1.379 trillion in the same period last year. Total deposits, which is a measure of customer confidence, increased by 27.3 per cent to close at N986.8 billion from

N775.3 billion in 2017.

Commenting on the Q3 performance, the bank’s CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said: “The continuing execution of our medium-term strategies has further yielded positive results and we are delighted

with our nine-month financial performance.

"The strong 10.8 per cent growth of N6.9 billion and the moderate growth in total expenses by 6.5 per cent or Continued on page 49

President Blames Past Govts for Airport Terminals’ Disrepair… Page 49 Friday 26 October, 2018 Vol 23. No 8591. Price: N250

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INEC Publishes Buhari, Atiku, others’ names for Claims and Objection … Page 50

Again, The Economist Says Buhari Will Lose in 2019, Predicts Victory for Atiku Fashola: President's win will ensure handover to S-West in 2023

Obinna Chima in Lagos, Omololu Ogunmade and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the research unit of The Economist Magazine, has predicted that the presidential

candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election.

This prediction is coming as

the Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday night in Abuja, told President Buhari and the APC that the PDP "will not be a push over" in the general elections.

The Economist’s forecast came less than two months after it

had earlier predicted that Buhari would lose the election.

The EIU made the latest prediction in its country report on Nigeria, dated October 17, which was obtained yesterday.

The London based magazine said, “The Economist Intelligence

Unit expects that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, will lose power at the February 2019 elections and that the next government will be led by Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, although his administration will be fragile.

“Mr. Buhari is the APC’s presidential candidate and his main challenger is Mr. Abubakar, who was recently nominated PDP’s candidate with overwhelming backing Continued on page 16

Bagudu Regrets Ambode’s Loss of Second Term

Praises his contribution to rice import reduction by 90% Gboyega Akinsanmi Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu yesterday regretted despite his good works, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, had been denied the opportunity to serve for another term.

Listing Ambode’s good works, Bagudu said, for instance, Nigeria could not have been able to reduce rice importation by 90 per cent without his strategic support to

the Nigerian Rice Initiative (NRI).

He gave insight into how the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States culminated in the massive production of Lake Rice at the 18th National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held in Lagos yesterday.

At the conference, Bagudu commended Ambode for the Continued on page 16

NERC to Unveil Meter Asset PROMOTING AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP… Republic of Ghana, Dr. Nana Akufo-Addo (left), and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, at 2018 TEF Providers in November...Page 16 President, Entrepreneurship Forum and launch of TEF Connect in Lagos…yesterday

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

COMMENT

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

RESTRUCTURING AND THE 2019 ELECTION Nigerians should elect people who will change Nigeria for the better, writes Emmanuel Okotete

F

ollowing the 1914 amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates of Nigeria into the Nigerian State, the British colonial masters and the Nigerian elite undertook several constitutional conferences to determine the constitution/form of government best suited to the peoples of Nigeria. From 1914, there was the Lugard Constitution, followed subsequently by the Sir Clifford Constitution of 1922, and the Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946 which effectively divided Nigeria into East, West and North. This was followed by the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 that indeed introduced Federalism as our system of government after consultative meetings with Nigerians at the community, divisional, provincial and regional levels.

However, to further deepen federalism the Lyttleton Constitution of 1951 was enacted. These constitutions were enacted by the British after consultative meetings (conferences) with Nigerians. Finally the British after massive struggle for independence by our nationalists enacted the 1960 Independence Constitution. By an act of parliament Nigerians now enacted the 1963 Republican Constitution which we ran until January 15, 1966 when the military struck. As a consequence of the successful coup of January 1966 the 1963 constitution was suspended and the military ruled Nigeria by decrees. The Military Government of General Aguiyi-Ironsi promulgated the Unification Decree 34 in May 1966 which centralised power with the national government whilst effectively scrapping the regions. The North perceived this decree as a domineering strategy by Southern Nigeria (specifically the East) over Northerners. This amongst other reasons (revenge inclusive) led to the counter coup of July 29, 1966 organised

by Northern soldiers who now seized power, but rather than return the country to regionalism/federalism created more states out of the previous four regions, continued with the almighty national government at the centre ‘incorrectly’ named the Federal Military Government of Nigeria. This continued with subsequent military governments until a return to civilian rule in 1979. The 1979 Constitution was a product of the military and was modelled after the unitary system of the military. The constitution making was by fiat of a military decree, we the people were not involved in its making. The 1979 constitution boldly proclaims a Federal Republic of Nigeria but with a high concentration of power and resources with the central government using an Exclusive list of items only the centre should handle, whilst creating a concurrent list of items the state governments can handle along with the central government.

Consequently Nigeria became a federation in name only but for all intent and purposes a unitary state. The 1999 constitution is basically similar with that of 1979. From 1999 to date, we have been operating a unitary system of government in reality whilst masquerading to be a federal republic. Fast forward to 2018. Most Nigerians now want a return to the Federal Constitution of 1963 or something very close to that.

It is christened restructuring. We as a people are now divided into those who want restructuring and those opposed to it.

Politicians are now using it as a campaign issue and they have made promises post-2019. This is thus a realistic assessment

WE THE PEOPLE MUST WORK AND STRIVE HARD TO ENTHRONE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA

of how we can achieve restructuring because according to Socrates “the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”. From the historical perspective, we were able to ‘restructure’ our constitution in pre -independence times vide consultation/ conferences of the people and eventually the enactment by the British monarchy/colonial government. Since independence we have enacted our constitutions only through military decrees.

Therefore to restructure the current 1999 constitution as amended can only be by an act of parliament in line with the provisions for constitutional amendments. Consequently, any government that wishes to pursue restructuring will need to consult with the people through consultative meetings (conferences) possibly at the communities, local government areas, and the states levels. The outcomes of these consultations/conferences can now be distilled into requests/bills for the amendment of the 1999 constitution and forwarded by the President to the National Assembly for consideration. Thus all Nigerians who believe in the restructuring of the country would lobby their representatives at the National Assembly to pass the bill so submitted by Mr. President for amendment of the constitution in line with the outcomes of the consultations/conferences. Once the bill is passed at the National Assembly, it will thereafter circulate to all the State Assemblies and once the required two thirds of the states of the federation approve the amendments, it is returned and presented to Mr. President for assent and the constitution at that moment stands amended and the country restructured accordingly.

The 2005 National Reform Conference of President Olusegun Obasanjo and the 2014 National Conference of President Goodluck Johnathan probably failed because the reports were not sent as executive bills to the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to reflect the outcomes of both conferences. This we must avoid as we move forward.

This in my considered opinion is the way forward. Any expectation that any government/president can simply proclaim restructuring is misplaced in a civilian constitutional government, as it will amount to suspending the constitution that such a president has sworn to uphold. The other alternative is a military decree restructuring the country, but this will mean the death of democracy which we now enjoy.

Therefore as the politicians’ campaign for offices across the country in the 2019 elections, it is our responsibility as a people to vote only for those who represent the values we want from the State Houses of Assembly, to the governors, to the members of the National Assembly as well as the Presidency. The emphasis here is that you need Mr. President along with members of the National and State assemblies to effectively restructure Nigeria in our democratic setting.

We the people must work and strive hard to enthrone the right people in the various levels of government to achieve the goals of restructuring Nigeria as no sitting president can simply proclaim a restructured Nigeria even after a national constitutional conference without getting the national and state assemblies concurrence.

Okotete wrote from Lagos

FROM FRYING PAN TO FIRE

urges Nigerians to vote wisely in 2019

A

re you prepared for 2019? If you are not, I and my supporters are already “Atikulated and obiligated” for 2019 just like majority of Nigerians across the divide.

Don’t ask me why and how, unless you are not a Nigerian living in Nigeria for the last three years plus of the APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Even if you are not, you must have heard, witnessed or read about unprecedented ugly events happening since President Buhari came into office in 2015. Everything that worked before Buhari came in which include economy, peace, unity, brotherhood, unity in diversity have collapsed.

Nigeria, a country abundantly endowed with human and material resources suddenly became the headquarters of poverty in the world. Economic recession, which was last witnessed three decades ago reared its ugly head. Senseless killings pervaded the land. Impunity reigned and has continued unabated. Constitutionalism, which is the hallmark of modern democracy, was debased.

Nepotism, tribalism and prebendalism were upheld. Nigerians became divided like never before. Basic infrastructure suffered neglect and government was directionless.

Nigerians languished in abject penury, lost jobs massively, died of frustration and hunger, committed suicide and engaged in criminal activities. But in the face of these obvious governance failures, the APC-led government has carried on as if nothing has happened or is happening. Relying on its well-oiled propaganda machineries and buck-passing game, which it used to hoodwink Nigerians in 2015, APC has continued to bamboozle unsuspecting Nigerians with flimsy excuses

over its non-performance. This is even when it is obvious that the APC-led government is bereft of sound economic and leadership policies to move the country forward.

With the protracted leadership crisis that dogged the PDP, the APC-led government cared less about the plight of Nigerians.

APC government thought that PDP would not bounce back before 2019, especially as some PDP members have defected to APC after 2015 polls. But to their surprise and that of many Nigerians who have lost hope in APC government, PDP bounced back stronger than ever before with the emergence of ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and running mate for 2019 presidential election. The circumstances surrounding their emergence appeared divine and timely.

It was this development which has been embraced by majority of Nigerians that brought about the slogan-‘I Am Atikulated and Obiligated for 2019.’

This has since become a movement. It is spreading like fire and no reasonable Nigerian irrespective of religion, tribe and status wants to be left behind. It is a new dawn, a pregnancy that its time has come and by God’s grace nothing will stop it. Nigerians are determined to see it through, having been tired of the failed government called APC. In fairness to President Buhari and his cohorts, Nigerians have seen their best, but their best is not good enough to move the country forward and unite the people. Giving APC another four will be another exercise in futility, because APC is a government of ‘trial and error.’

The APC-led government’s disposition

since majority of Nigerians became Atikulated and Obiligated for 2019 showed that President Buhari and his men are truly worried about the potency of Atiku/Obi. The political atmosphere has been calm, especially in APC that has been so noisy before now. Maybe it has dawned on the APC leadership and the presidency that the game is over and 2019 is the year Nigerians will rescue their beloved country from backwardness, failures, nepotism and division.

Not helping matters for APC is the self-inflicted crisis rocking the party over the fallout of its primaries in many states.

No wonder, the loudmouthed ex-governor of Edo State and APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole has been so quiet since Atiku’s emerged. Silence here is not golden for APC leaders, because there is already fire on the mountain and many people are on the run. Soon and very soon, those playing along with the APC leadership and President Buhari will abandon them at the point of need to avoid incurring the wrath of Nigerians in 2019. Nigerians are wiser and more than ready to defend their votes. The Osun and Ekiti elections debacle will not be allowed to repeat itself in 2019. This is because their experience in the last three and half years of Buhari’s administration is nothing to write home about. It is like moving from frying pan into the fire.

It is quite disappointing and heartbreaking that in 2015, Nigerians believed strongly in Buhari and the APC change mantra. They voted for him en masse and supported his government strongly, hoping that a Messiah has come. Alas, the same Buhari-led government has failed Nigerians woefully. One wonders the basis of which Buhari and APC

are asking Nigerians to vote for them again in 2019 when the people have a better alternative in Atiku/Obi ticket.

There is no doubt in my mind that Atiku/ Obi ticket holds key to the country’s liberation and progress. Their antecedents speak volume and their pedigree is impeccable. Nigerians should not look at cosmetic or rhetoric in 2019. Of utmost importance for Nigerians in deciding who to vote for in 2019 are the tangibles, realities and facts.

Simple questions an average Nigerian voter should ask himself before casting his or her vote in 2019 presidential election are: has the country fared better in the last three years? What are the sound economic policies of APC-led government? What is the living condition of an average Nigerians in 2015 and today? What are the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years? What is the rate of inflation and unemployment now? How did Nigeria become the world headquarters of poverty?

Getting sincere answers to these mindboggling questions will help Nigerians to make the right choice in 2019 presidential poll, bearing in mind that election is a defining moment in the country’s political history. This is because whatever decision the majority voters takes in the presidential poll will determine the future, survival, progress or otherwise of our great country. But for me and my followers, we are already Atikulated and Obiligated for 2019.

We cannot afford to be left behind as the train for the new Nigeria moves in the right direction.

Imansuangbon, a lawyer, wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Í´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDITORIAL

IS THE NHIS BOSS ABOVE THE LAW? Usman Yusuf should not be subjected to dierent standards

W

e state unequivocally that the attitude of the embattled Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof Usman Yusuf over the raging storm between him and the Governing Council is highly condemnable.

Yusuf has portrayed himself as somebody that is above the law while his brazen insistence that it is only his kinsman, President Muhammadu Buhari that has the power to suspend him from ofďŹ ce has further portrayed the current administration as very clannish and lawless.

The whole controversy started with a petition dated 21st April 2017, by a group named United Youth Alliance Against Corruption (UYAAC), which made damaging allegaTHE MANNER tions against Yusuf.

Aside accusing GOVERNMENT IS him of budgeting TREATING THE CASE OF N860 million for a YUSUF IS A FURTHER questionable training programme in CONFIRMATION THAT the 2016 appropriaTHE WAR AGAINST tion bill, the group CORRUPTION IS A went into details on how Yusuf allegedly CONVENIENT WEAPON violated laid-down TARGETED ONLY AT THE procedure by splitOPPOSITION ting contracts and raising multiple payment vouchers. With supporting documents, the group also alleged that the NHIS boss was fond of spending money without any approval from the supervising ministry. Following the petition, Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, suspended Yusuf so that a proper audit could be conducted. To the shock of Nigerians, Yusuf publicly declared that he would disregard the minister’s directive and he did.

Unfortunately, in a bid to outwit one another, the parties in the sordid drama introduced into the dispute polarising ethno-religious slants and for almost two weeks, the public was subjected to allegations and counter-allegations between the minister and the man who ordinarily should be his subordinate. While Yusuf eventually had to vacate ofďŹ ce to pave way for a proper investigation of the allegations of fraud, nepotism

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and abuse of ofďŹ ce levelled against him, the moment President Buhari, who was at that period in the United Kingdom on medical vacation returned to the country, the NHIS boss was reinstated.

Meanwhile, not only did the presidential intervention that saw Yusuf back to ofďŹ ce without answering to the allegations of corruption against him undermine the authority of the minister, it encouraged indiscipline and insubordination in the public service. That is what may have emboldened Yusuf to damn the NHIS Governing Council that has also ordered his suspension in the light of fresh allegations of impropriety. The issue now is whether President Buhari will indulge Yusuf a second time, or give the NHIS governing council the latitude to prove the petition in line with the anti-corruption mantra of the administration.

It is noteworthy that Yusuf has become such a polarising ďŹ gure at NHIS that he now relies on some rogue policemen to keep himself in ofďŹ ce.

The Chairman of the governing council, Dr Enyatu Ifenne, who announced the indeďŹ nite suspension had insisted that the petitions against Yusuf contained credible evidence, adding that the embattled executive secretary would be summarily dismissed should President Buhari be made aware of “one-tenth of the atrocitiesâ€?committed by him. But like he did with the minister, Yusuf who hails from Katsina State like the president, has ignored the NHIS council.

Against the background that the NHIS staff union is now ďŹ ercely in opposition to Yusuf in the latest standoff between him and the governing council over the affairs of the agency, what the crisis has done is to raise questions about the commitment of President Buhari to propriety, due process and accountability, especially when those close to him are involved. But the manner in which this government is treating the case of Yusuf is a further conďŹ rmation that the war against corruption is a convenient weapon targeted only at the opposition.

We therefore hope that President Buhari will intervene on the side of common sense and public decency by asking Yusuf to proceed on indeďŹ nite suspension as directed by the NHIS Governing Council so that a proper investigations can be conducted into the allegations against him.

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.

NIGERIA AND PROLIFERATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES

A

t the latest count, we now have 91 registered political parties in Nigeria. This is courtesy of the recent registration of 23 new political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Some 89 of the parties will, as reported, vie for the 2019 general election.

Instructively, the electoral umpire had set last August as the deadline for registration of fresh political parties, preparatory to the forthcoming general elections. Interesting, too, is the fact that sequel to that deadline, the commission had received and processed a whopping 136 applications which meant that if all the applications had scaled through, Nigeria would have had 204 political parties slated for the 2019 general election, up from the existing 68.

This, no doubt, should be a disturbing development to right thinking Nigerians for a number of reasons. For sure, the continuous

registration of political parties has not in any way contravened our constitution, especially as set out in section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Again, Nigerians insatiable appetite for political association and ceaseless agitation for political party registration has been bolstered by the Supreme Court judgment in a case filed by the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN to the effect that “INEC had no power to make guidelines on how an association can become a political party in so far as the Constitution has covered the field in section 222�, adding that “to restrict the formation of political parties weakens the democratic culture�. This judgment marked the beginning of the surge in political parties ever since, such that INEC had no choice but to register 27 additional parties, bringing the number to 30 for the 2003 general election. The rest, as they say, is history.

Matters, we must admit, are

not helped by the sad realities of our political and socio-economic situation in Nigeria, today, where opinions differ greatly on the performance or otherwise of the Buhari administration in its almost four years of tenure, the agonising economic situations that are prevalent in the country, the seeming lopsidedness in strategic appointments that does not reflect the federal character ethos enshrined in the constitution, the seeming insensitivity of the government to certain unsettling developments in the country, and the seeming non faithfulness of the current ruling party to its own manifesto. Added to all these being the pains of the wreckage inflicted on the nation’s economy over a 16-year period by the immediate past ruling party which still run very deep.

But, then, can increasing the number of registered political parties in a geometric measure be an answer to people-focused and development oriented socio-political and economic evolution of Nigeria?

My honest answer is an emphatic No! For one, since the First and Second Republics when there was a semblance of principled politics when political parties could somehow be differentiated by their ideological leanings and programmes, there has been nothing of that sort since this Fourth Republic started almost 20 long years ago.

And this is tragic, to say the least.

Again, with an annual subvention

by INEC of N60 million to each political party, the sincerity and altruism of most of the mushroom political associations masquerading as political parties is suspect. This view is lent a very strong credence by the fact that real electoral battles, since 1999, have been fought each time by two major political parties with one or two others standing on the fringes and the rest virtually missing in action.

It is worthy of note that the chief technical adviser to the INEC chairman, Prof. Bolade Eyinla, at a forum, recently decried the increas-

ing number of political parties, arguing that too many political parties could cause logistical problems, including the production of ballot papers.

Also recently, there was a frantic move by a coalition of 39 political parties, led by Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP to ratify unity presidential candidate for the 2019 polls. This explains why one feels very strongly that there is a dire need to stem the ugly tide of ridiculing our nation by allowing just any political association that satisfies the obviously very weak constitutional provisions to be registered as political parties.

Perhaps it is time for us to go back to the drawing board and take a proper and positive cue from the United States of America from where we copied the Presidential System in the first place to do something dignifying for our nation.

Amos Oladele, Chief Operating OfďŹ cer, Marketing Edge Publications

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PAGE SIXTEEN

NERC to Unveil Meter Asset Providers in November Gives conditions to increase tariffs Martins Ifijeh As part of the measures to bridge the metering gap and end the regime of outrageous estimated billing of customers, the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) will next month unveil over 100 Meter Asset Providers (MAP) that will supply meters to electricity consumers across the country.

NERC also said plans were underway to increase electricity tariffs in the country, but added that tariffs would only be increased when metering, capacity expansion and quality of service have improved significantly.

Speaking yesterday when he lead a team of officials of the regulatory agency to

pay a courtesy visit to the THISDAY Head Office in Lagos, the Chairman of NERC, Prof. James Momoh, said the meter asset providers (MAP) will be approved to sell meters to Nigerians, adding that this will break the monopoly enjoyed by the distribution companies (Discos).

He said with the unveiling, issues around estimated billings will be eliminated, as consumers will no longer receive outrageous bills since everyone will have access to purchase their own meter anywhere in the country from any of the approved providers.

Momoh said, “Estimated billing is not something we recommend at NERC; we met it prior to assuming office. In

eliminating it, we have created a technology called MAP, which will allow us to manufacture meters in Nigeria, as well as its installation and merchandising.

“What this means is that customers who need power can now walk up to stores, other than discos, and purchase their meter. This will allow everyone measure the power used and then pay for what has been used.

We have already received over 100 letters of ‘No Objection’ for people who want to be involved in that business. “By this approach, we are closing the metering gaps currently existing with our discos.”

Momoh said the Discos were looking forward to the initiative as it will take away the overwhelming burden of

providing meters, and that at the same time, make the consumers happy.

While also stating that plans were underway to increase tariff, the chairman said it will not be done by fiat or arbitrarily, or by just increasing it by 10 per cent or 20 per cent, adding that tariffs increase will be done after some basic things have been put in place.

He said, “We must first make sure the issue of meters has been closed, and then consumers are no longer charged erroneously, and then no one is being charged for not using power.

By the time all these happen, and power performance has improved, we can now review tariffs.

“These are what will give us

the benchmark to say since we have been able to provide quality of service, and Nigerians now have 24-hour power, consumers will be willing to pay.

“While we are putting all these in place, we are also making sure that the Discos are not also ripped off. We don’t want them to spend, for instance, N500 to purchase a product and then sell it for N200. So, the entire rate increase will be conditional because we cannot increase rate when efficiency is down. There is no where I can defend that,” he added.

He also cleared the air over arbitrary disconnection of power by electricity providers.

According to him, payingcustomers can only be disconnected after they must

have been served a 10-working day notice of disconnection.

The NERC boss added that users can also be disconnected if they illegally connect to power.

He, therefore, called on unsatisfied customers to lodge complains to the service providers, adding that when such complaints are not addressed, it should be directed to the commission through the commission’s Forum Offices.

Momoh charged Nigerians to be safety cautious when in contact with naked wires, saying “naked wires should not be touched or de-energised.

They should rather be done remotely. Electrocution was not only exclusive to Nigeria, but with western countries as well,” he added.

AGAIN, THE ECONOMIST SAYS BUHARI WILL LOSE IN 2019, PREDICTS VICTORY FOR ATIKU from the party.

“Abubakar’s pledge is to reinvigorate the economy with pro-market reforms.

Both candidates are from the northern Nigeria, where Buhari’s support base lies, presaging a fierce contest there.

“With the vote likely to be split in the North, Abubakar will find it easier to garner support from the country’s south, which has traditionally been a safe haven for the PDP. “This gives Abubakar an edge, as does popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buhari’s watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria.

“Nonetheless, strong incumbency advantages in Nigeria imply that it will be a tight race.

“If Abubakar loses – a distinct downside risk to our forecast – there may be a rejection of the result by the PDP, which is convinced that election will be rigged.

“In this scenario, a state of national paralysis could arise with severe national security implication.”

The EIU, which gave an array of reasons for its prediction, also noted that without a party system based on shared principles, it would be difficult to

overcome Nigeria’s multi-layered security threats.

It added that instability and legislative paralysis would affect many aspects of the economic forecast.

EIU anticipated that the policy reform of the predicted winner would be based on pro-market measures and diversification of the economy away from oil.

However, it stressed that progress in this area would be hampered by vested interests, ideological opposition and bureaucratic inefficiency.

In its five-year outlook on Nigeria, the EIU projected that Nigeria’s growth rate would average 2.7 per cent per annum between 2019 and 2023.

“We forecast that currency depreciation will keep annual inflation elevated at an average rate of 13.9 per cent in 2019 -2020.

“Following this will be a period of disinflation in 20212023 as the naira stabilises.

Export growth will be slower in 2019-2020, as oil prices dip in these years, than in 2021-2023, when world crude prices are expected to rise. Import demand will also be held back in 20192020, as the naira depreciates before picking up in 2021-2023 as the currency stabilises,” it added.

Furthermore, the EIU predicted “ongoing severe

outbreaks of instability, given slow progress on tracking numerous security and societal challenges at a time of economic difficulty.”

According to the report, with tight national elections expected in 2019, the ruling APC would be focused on intra-party politics and security concerns would be sidelines.

“The election period itself will be a time of high risk; as a recent election in Osun demonstrated, small scale violence at the polls is highly likely, as is disputation of the results.

“Parliamentary rift will remain the main problem and this applies no matter who is in charge, given competing priorities between representatives from different regions and the absence of common ideology within parties.

“Without a collective resolve, it would prove impossible to bring permanent peace to the large parts of Nigeria hit variously by an insurgency in the north, ethno-nationalism tensions and disputes over land access across the centre of the country.

“It will prove to be hard to build a more effective security apparatus while also creating economic opportunities for local population; poverty lies at the root of much of the instability.

“Our central forecast is,

however, that the 2019 elections will be completed without a widespread breakdown of stability – with Nigeria’s democracy proving once again to be robust enough to endure.

“Given the severe risks to stability, speculation over the threat of a military coup or a civil war is likely to surface periodically.”

Continuing, the EIU stated: “Nevertheless, as the country’s leadership struggles to shift Nigeria into a more sustainable path to economic development, the risks to stability will intensify as more Nigerians question what they have to lose from pushing for violent change.”

In terms of its medium term outlook for Nigeria’s fiscal policy, it projected that it would centre on attempt to diversify the country’s sources of revenue away from oil while directing more expenditure to pro-poor activities and infrastructure investments. Non-oil revenue will rise because of efforts to widen tax coverage and collect overdue taxes, but from a low base and over a longer time period than projected by the government, it added.

“Although higher oil prices will give some reprieve, longerterm public sustainability will remain in doubt. Monetary policy will also concentrate on

bolstering economic recovery while limiting inflation and maintaining currency stability.

“However, this will generate contradictory pressure in the early part of the forecast period.

The private sector is desperate for cheaper credit to spur growth, but inflation will be running higher than the targeted upper limit of nine per set by the Central Bank of Nigeria and monetary tightening in the US will threaten to put pressure on the naira if a looser stance is adopted.

“On balance, interest rates will not move much in 2019, but they will dip in 2020 as the wider global economy slows and monetary authorities attempt to stimulate, with Nigeria following suit.

“The economy will for the most part be mired in a lowgrowth cycle, although there will be improvements over time.

“In 2019, what are expected to be fiercely contested elections in February will hold back business and consumer confidence that year, and although markets are likely to approve of Mr. Abubakar’s economic reform agenda – meaning the disruption is likely to be short-lived- we forecast a growth rate of 1.9 per cent – the lowest rate of growth in our five-year outlook period,” it added.

importation by 90 per cent can humbly say that without Ambode we wouldn't have achieved that.

“Ambode supported the NRI. Without her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and COWLSO, who encouraged and supported the Lake Rice and the Nigerian Rice Project that would not have been possible. I thank you all for what you have done for Nigeria and what we have done to show that it is possible.” Bagudu, however, lamented Ambode’s botched second-term aspiration, which according to him, might have been due to the fact that the governor might have offended some political leaders and interests in the state.

Despite his botched aspiration to seek re-election, Bagudu commended Ambode for the high sense of maturity displayed in the wake of the political developments, saying he demonstrated grace, which had united the APC ahead of the 2019 elections.

Bagudu said while it was inevitable to offend people in life, Ambode had since moved

on and holds no grudges against anybody, noting that history would be kind to him for his great works in the state.

He said, “Ambode does not like to be praised; he is a very private person. I always see a reflection of him in me that how private people function in all our public works in politics. He has done a lot for Lagos. He has continued in the tradition. Understandably, he might have offended some people.

“I have done so, many others before us have done so. But Ambode has demonstrated grace and being the believers that we are.

We believe that history will judge him kindly. He holds no grudge against anybody. He has assured me and he loves the people of Lagos State and he is committed to their will.”

In his remarks, Ambode said the Lake Rice initiative had significantly impacted on the economic fortunes of not only Lagos and Kebbi States, but also the entire nation, saying Bagudu also deserved commendation for

In a related development, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has told President Buhari and the ruling APC that the opposition PDP "will not be a push over" in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

Bello, who gave this warning on Wednesday night when the president hosted his young political appointees to dinner in the Presidential Villa, added that only aggressive marketing could give the APC an edge over the opposition PDP. Bello, who said even though the president remained the best choice for the country till 2023, added that the issue of perception must not be overlooked.

The governor, however, insisted that PDP would not be a walk-over for APC in 2019 and listed security crises as some of the challenges that may be good instruments in the hands of the opposition to fight the party.

According to him, the APC has a lot to do to convince the masses about what the president had done for Nigerians and win their votes.

He said, “A good product Continued on page 49

BAGUDU REGRETS AMBODE’S LOSS OF SECOND TERM Lake Rice initiative, saying apart from rekindling hope in the ability of Nigerians to achieve a lot for Nigerians, the initiative led to 90 percent reduction in rice Importation.

He said, “Ambode spoke about one of the things I believe is a measure of his greatness, which is the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi. Ambode and I have worked in farms in Kebbi State.

Without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice. I repeat again, without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice.

“The significance of Lake Rice is that it encouraged a revival in the 'we can do spirit' and Mr. President captured it adequately when he said at least now when we tell the world we are going to do something they better take us seriously.

“Those Nigerians, Africans and well-wishers who saw Mr. President when he visited Prime Minister Theresa May and President Donald Trump and announced enthusiastically that Nigeria has reduced its rice

PDP Will Be Difficult to Defeat, Says Kogi Gov

the success of the partnership.

Ambode congratulated executives and members of COWLSO for another very successful conference, saying it was on record that Mrs. Ambode, along with other hardworking and committed members, had succeeded in taking the association and the annual conference to a higher level. He said from testimonies, the conference was yet another rewarding two days of networking, eye-opening, educative and inspiring experiences, adding that it now behoves participants to spread the knowledge gained.

He said the opportunity to be part of a conference such as this is a privilege which also comes with a corresponding responsibility, noting that women “have a responsibility to share this experience with other women and men around you.

"This is the only way that the impact of the knowledge gained at this conference can be widened and deepened. It is a burden each and everyone has to discharge to the best of your abilities.

The government, no doubt, also has its own responsibility in terms of giving due and deserving consideration to the recommendations contained in your communiqué.”

In a communiqué for the conference, COWLSO said it was time for women to rise against the menace of children becoming mothers, especially by putting machinery in place for continuous sensitisation and advocacy to address and eliminate the root-causes and consequences.

The communiqué, which was read by Prof. Ibiyemi OlatunjiBello, said government must put structures and policies in place to address the issues of children having children.

"The government at all levels, policy makers in health sector both at State and local levels, family, society, NGOs and so on, must all rise and resolve to eliminate the menace by enacting a policy for a reduction in the minimum age in rendering family planning services from 13 to 15 years,” it said.

TOP GAINERS ROYALEXCHANGE JAIZBANK TOTAL DIAMOND

NGN NGN 0.02 0.22 0.05 0.55 15.00 198.00 0.10 1.49 CONSOLHALLMARK 0.02 0.30 TOP LOSERS NGN AGLEVENTIS 0.04 0.36 BETAGLASS 6.90 62.10 CUTIX 0.22 2.03 MCNICHOLS 0.04 0.41 GUINEAINSURE 0.02 0.27 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,380.00 Volume: 349.455 million shares Value: N3.668 billion Deals: 3,128 As at yesterday 25/10/18 See details on Page 43

% 10 10 8.2 7.1 7.1 % 10 10 9.7 8.8 6.9

17

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

PERSPECTIVE

How ‘Guy Men’ from Awka Fleeced Our Imo Brothers Modesty Ezenwa

G

oing by what transpired at its recent primaries in Imo State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is beginning to look like its adopted name is, ‘Anambra Progressive Grand Alliance.’

Some fast-talking, swift-acting ‘guy men’ from Anambra State came into Owerri, the Imo State capital and ripped-off the purses of our own. Billions of Naira left Owerri for Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

Each male from Awka got a fair share.

Nineteen aspirants bought nomination forms for the office of governor at N22 million each. Do the calculation. You will get over N 400 million.

More than 120 aspirants contested for the 27 slots in the state House of Assembly. They coughed out N1 million each. Just add this up. You have N120 million. Sixty-six forms were sold for the available 10 seats for House of Representatives.

Each form was sold at N5 million.

Press your add button. It is N33 million.

Sixteen forms were sold at N10 million for the three senatorial seats. N160 million?

Each aspirant bought nomination forms for delegates at the cost of N10,000 each. I was reliably informed that a total of N58,590 forms were sold at N10,000 each. This translates to N58.5 million.

There were lots of other sundry payments. Fees for waivers? Alleged bribes for Governor Willie Obiano and his hitmen. Shaking hands of Obiano’s errand boys? Envelopes for the screening panel members? Fat envelopes for members of the National Working Committee? Donations made during the launching of the APGA brochure in Awka? Hotel bills of PAs and SAs? Virtually every politician in Anambra had a cut from the windfall. Our people were literally resident in Awka,

Oye

Obiano

Ararume

pressing buttons. The National Chairman of APGA, one barely cerebral dude turned himself into the ‘Long Juju’ of Arochukwu. His consultation fee was as low as N10,000,000! Expression of interest before him attracted a huge cough. A once struggling man, Chief Victor Oye allegedly got an oil well in Orji-Uratta-Mbaise using APGA as a conveyor belt, the resources of Imo State were criminally transferred into the established strong rooms of smart ruthless politicians from Anambra.

When billions of Naira had left, and when each aspirant was forced to pay his dues, and when the hawks from the neighbouring state succeeded in raking as much as they could, Oye and his group put the mother of all hurdle before the governorship aspirants. A stipulated sum, too high for any man of sound means, was demanded. “Drop this last cash, and pick up the ticket”

Oye and his men received the staggering sum and acted promptly.

Obiano deployed his cronies to Owerri, where the drama was acted. Nwankwo Kanu Sports Centre became the venue.

An aspirant with the biggest purse was given the ticket. Others were abandoned, littered and rubbished Oye and his merchants have rubbished the best of our state. Ikedi Ohakim. Frank Nneji. Okey Eze. Uche onyeagocha. Ike C. Ibe. They were all played off. Greed led to this. Nobody cared about the future of Imo State.

Good governance didn’t matter.

APGA, Awka was only interested in the Imo money.

I was told that the ticket was sold to the highest bidder. Imo State is currently pensive? These guys ‘aruola anyi’ local job. What transpired in the last three months in Owerri has all the telling signs of fraud.

We need to take these beneficiaries up. They collected millions and promised to hold primary elections. They did none. From the House of Assembly to the governorship, the excuses sing.

No primaries took place anywhere in the state. Names of aspirants with the highest pecuniary reach were rolled out. To get a ticket, you must know someone who knows Obiano.

Will APGA rise again? The aspirants are drawing their daggers against APGA. The State Working Committee has released its position, claiming that it wasn’t consulted before the ticket was handed over. If neither the aspirants nor the leadership of the party in the state don’t know what happened in the state, who knows?

Oye and his men must refund every kobo they allegedly swallowed. We must drag them to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ararume Will Only Campaign in Aguleri, Win in Amawbia, Govern Obiano and Oye, Not Imo Collins Opurozor

I

remember reading a book with the ‘The Gift of Death’ by a French philosopher, Jacques Derrida. That was in the library of the Philosophy Department on a rainy afternoon in my last days as an undergraduate at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

It may not serve our purpose here to excavate the arguments of Derrida on the question of responsibility and its relationship with sacrifice, and since the title alone has lucidly mirrored the Imo All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) experience, it is pressing therefore to begin this way: What APGA has given to Imo people as governorship candidate is both literally and figuratively ‘the gift of death.’

So much has been written about the atrocious imposition of Chief Ifeanyi Ararume on the Imo State chapter of APGA by some alien forces. It is said that money exchanged hands and the imposition was done. It is also said that the aliens insisted that of all the stellar citizens of Imo State paraded by APGA as aspirants it is only an Ararume that can win a governorship election.

Ararume, they say, can win the election for the party because he has capacity for more violence, more thugs and, in short, more cruelty than the rest. But this argument is puerile, if not trivial. Let there be no doubt, this is just a smokescreen to veil the real deal that threw up the roundly rejected Ararume.

To be sure, hooliganism is not a sign of civilisation. It is atavistic and depicts primitive inferiority. It is a sign neither of strength nor of power, and selecting a candidate based on such consideration to lead Imo which is a state that is in a hurry to escape from the backwardness wrought by Rochas Okorocha’s years of ruinous misrule eloquently speaks of the emptiness of those called APGA leaders.

Again, Okorocha’s Imo is a state that is already rich in cruelty and sorely deficient in compassion. The dying pensioners and unpaid civil servants need a compassionate leadership, not a cruel one. Okorocha’s Imo lacks peace; it is rife with violence. The traders who were violently thrown out of their businesses across the state yearn for a meek and peaceful order marked by due process and compensation.

Why then do Chief Victor Oye, APGA National Chairman and Governor Willie Obiano think that for their party to win the 2019 governorship election in Imo state they need a henchman of extraordinary cruelty?

Or have they reduced a purely democratic contest to warfare? Did Obiano defeat Tony Nwoye in his reelection bid last year because he had more violence than Nwoye?

It has now become clear that Obiano will be the very last APGA governor!

By foisting Chief Ifeanyi Ararume on Imo APGA, the so-called leaders of APGA have revealed how unabashedly greedy

and pitiably myopic they are. History will not be fair to them. Their lack of vision and commitment to the growth of the party cannot also be disguised anymore. They are not even fit to be addressed as leaders. For a mess of porridge, they have aborted the dreams held in the hearts of millions of Imo people for a prosperous state.

In all honesty, to our poor, rural and defenceless women in Imo state, APGA is not just a political party. It is an embodiment of their aspiration for affluence, their hope for urbanisation and their longing for defence. In short, APGA is their singular expression of the better life yearned for. And the expectation of that golden future time has always sustained their faith in the party, as they sing the party’s trite old song of hope with quavers and trills under shady tress in their various wards in this same season for a decade and a half. These people, the wretched of the earth in the words of Frantz Fanon, now watch their hopes dashed by the greed and appetitive calculus of a jaundiced few!

In so many ways, what the leadership of APGA did to Imo people is unpardonable. The hierarchy took advantage of the people’s desperation for a better state to defraud them in a manner that even Satan couldn’t have done. From increasing the cost of delegate forms to N10,000, the urge for more money pushed the APGA leadership to increase the number of ad hoc

delegates from each ward in the state from three persons to 12 persons. At last, no ward congress held to elect the delegates and no primaries held to nominate the governorship candidate. The party faithful in their thousands stood under the scorch of the cruel sun in Owerri for three days, waiting for an opportunity to participate in deciding the future of their state which they were never able to have.

Across Imo state, millions were collected from aspirants to disqualify their rivals.

People of integrity were booted out of the race, and mere hooligans took up the party’s tickets. In a particular constituency about three persons through bribery became candidates at the same time, with the same certificates of return, issued by the same party. I think the most-cruel thing in the history of mankind after Cain murdered Abel is what APGA did to Imo people.

Ararume will not govern Imo state. He will not fly the flag of APGA in Imo state. He will not even be a candidate in the forthcoming elections. This evil called APGA that has duped our people and that has broken their spirit and that has given them death even when they so earnestly sought for life must never be allowed to fester. Since APGA has defined itself as a dreaded enemy of Imo people, Ararume may now go to Aguleri to campaign and to Amawbia to win. Ndi Imo will never accept any gift from Omambala River.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018

18

PERSPECTIVE

Expounding the Dangers of Dankwambo, Nafada Conspiracy in Gombe Ibrahim Sani

N

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

As an American Magazine Editor, Wilson Tozer puts it, “Of all forms of deception, self-deception is the deadliest and of all deceived persons the self-deceived are the least likely to discover the fraud’’ or perhaps pretend not to have discovered the truth so as to drag other people into their deception.

The use of public office to tell lies or deny the obvious truth is nothing but a representation of the era of poor leadership as demonstrated by the naivety of those whose zeal to defend the undemocratic acts of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and his partner in political crime confirms the saying that, ‘‘It is he who pays the piper that dictates the tune.’’

The level of ignorance showcased by paid associates of Dankwambo and Senator Nafada who think the truth would never come out has made them a more worrisome threat to democratic norms in Gombe State in regard to the altruism shared by all well-meaning democrats that democracy thrives best on truth and justice in the pursuit of the voice of the majority.

In view of the publication by spokesman Dankwambo or should I say ‘please’ man, because I cannot remember when Dankwambo appointed Junaidu to be his spokesperson. I like to challenge Mr. Junaidu’s sheer ignorance of the personality of Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna (JIG).

For Mr Junaidu who has gone to the media to celebrate his ignorance online by giving an erroneous account of JIG’s personality with the piece: ‘Misconceiving Dankwambo, Nafada’s Importance in Gombe’, it is easier for a sincere man to change his feelings than to align himself with a congregation of ideablind, politically corrupt, justice and truth bankrupt beings that pride themselves on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State. According to him, JIG is a man whose feelings change with time for no just cause. Let me quickly ask, can a man’s feeling change without a cause? Why didn’t the same feelings change before the PDP hoax they called election? Notwithstanding, time may not change a sincere leader’s heart

Dankwambo

Nafada

but injustice and political deceits can change a million feelings in no time. Hence, as for JIG, his feelings only changed when the PDP tip-toed into a party where the emblem of justice and truth is de-emphasised.

If Dankwambo feelings justifies good governance, I vehemently disagree. That probably gives a clue to why Gombe State has remained the same within the last seven years without any revolution in infrastructure, a revamp of the agricultural sector and total collapse of the state structures that were bequeathed to him by our symbol of good governance Senator Danjuma Goje. The structures that made Gombe State a true Jewel in the Savannah have been in comatose for years, while meaningful developments eluded the state. I am not surprised because a man cannot give what he doesn’t have: Little wonder, the N4 billion Gombe Conference Centre remains without use or has it become a beautifying monument of no returns on investments. N4 billion in any account foreign or local would yield awesome and jaw-dropping interests in one year not to talk of the years that the misplaced priority has been sitting there. It was also reported sometime in June that over N4.4 billion hospital equipment and consumables were wasting at Gombe State Medical Store for over four years while many inherited general and cottage hospitals, primary health and other health centres were in need of these facilities. This government has proven to be

more efficient in wasting the resources of the good people of the state than providing need-of-the-people oriented projects. In an attempt to defend his boss, the aggrieved writer alluded that the governor has done well by paying salaries and I asked when has payment of salary become a manifesto or should the workers not get what they deserve or is the money not the resource of the state?

Why then has the governor refused to pay the pensioners for years or is that not worth mentioning too?

Let me take some time to respond to the questions the writer of ‘‘Misconceiving Dankwambo, Nafada’s Importance in Gombe’’ asked as I hope he would in good faith answer mine in his subsequent publications. Asking of the prominent politicians that decamped with JIG, I will say that that’s what makes JIG a unique personality. He stands for the truth and follows it even when it seems he will end up being the lone voice of the voiceless PDP members. Do you know the number of top PDP chieftains who called JIG to commend his courage to challenge the injustice done to some members of the party?

If you do your findings right, you will shockingly discover that most of the PDP members carry APC hearts and will vote for the APC. This should be the concern of those who hope to pass the baton of leadership. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to hide the truth that keeps re-surfacing with time. As for the number of followers that JIG decamped with,

I will crave your indulgence to wait till the campaigns when the waves of unified APC supporters will echo the statistics of JIG’s supporters who decamped with him.

As regards to JIG not consulting any stakeholder or PDP chieftain before he decamped to APC, I like to say it was part of the scripted plans of Dankwambo and Senator Nafada that JIG would come for consultation and he would be persuaded to stay so they could leverage on his supporters to win the elections. All these are what JIG is aware of because there are chieftains who leaked some of their plans and today JIG is being crucified in the media as the expression of the PDP political pains and loss of JIG’s unstoppable move to the APC. The question JIG’s grassroots political structure can be seen in the reality of modern political trends and the rhythm of the political beats that those in the rural areas are dancing too.

Accusing JIG of being an opportunist and a power-monger is like turning the pendulum of what resides in the PDP. I think the best person that fits that descriptive frame is no other than Senator Nafada who until recently saw that he couldn’t dare face the political heat of sincere APC primaries, and therefore struck a deal with Dankwambo for a political exchange of their positions. If he wasn’t an opportunist why didn’t he stay put with the party whose popularity secured him the seat that earned him the title of a Senator? If he wasn’t a power-monger how come he vehemently asked the governor out of the PDP primaries that was disrupted by violence for a meeting when the stakes were turning against him? Being a seasoned politician with no effect at the grassroots could make anyone want to cling to the wheels of power because Nafada and Dankwambo have seen politics as a good business, irrespective of the damages of their acts on the collective wealth of the people of Gombe. Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and Alhaji Jamil Isyaku Gwamna are businessmen of impeccable characters who have never used government money for political gains of any sort. If JIG was a powermonger, he would have gone to pick up the gubernatorial ticket of any political party available but he chose to align his vision to where he knows the people of Gombe would fare better: APC. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Changing the Political Dynamics of Lagos Gboyega Akosile

I

n a period of three weeks, the political space in Lagos was charged up. The sound of electoral beat reached a crescendo. It was not the usual cacophonic sound that often characterised political campaigns. It was a well arranged sound; the type you get in an orchestra!

Babajide Sanwo-Olu featured prominently on the lips of political discussants in few weeks to the primary that eventually produced him as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu dared to challenge the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; changed the existing narrative and moved on to rewrite the political script of the progressives with his audacious move. No one has ever challenged and defeated an incumbent Governor of Lagos. In fact, no Governor of Lagos State has ever lost a second term election!

Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s second term was truncated by the military junta. But Sanwo-Olu has gone into the history books with his political adventure.

In what many described as political frenzy, the media was awash with stories; political pundits got back to work, bookmakers got busy with various kinds of analyses, permutations and

postulations in those three weeks. In the end, Sanwo-Olu was elected after scoring 970,861 votes to Governor Ambode’s 72,901 votes representing over 92% to 8% of the total votes cast in a direct primary held across the State.

Before now, Sanwo-Olu played prominent roles as Special Adviser and Commissioner at various times in Lagos State, serving under former Governors Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). The cool, calm and highly cerebral administrator is well known and respected within the political and corporate circles in the State. He moves along with the party, its development programmes and has been part of every decision making process in the group either as a member of the party or as an administrator in government. They, in turn know him. They trust him too. He has been described as a very loyal party man.

Since 2002 when he left the corporate world to work as Special Adviser (Corporate Matters) to the State’s Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro and thereafter as Special Adviser to the Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu’s political career has remained on upward trajectory. He has left no one in doubt of a very bright future ahead of him. SanwoOlu, a Lagosian of the first order thinks Lagos. In fact, his love for Lagos State has

earned him an appellation among close friends and associates, who tease him with ‘Eko’jide, Sanwo-’Eko’.

You can hardly discuss for five minutes with Sanwo-Olu without him making reference to the development of a state he loves so dearly. His love for Lagos is known to all and sundry.

For Babajide Sanwo-Olu, every individual in a collective is very important.

His belief in team work, diligence to duties and loyalty may have contributed to his success as an effective administrator. Jide, as he is fondly called by friends and associates does not discountenance other people’s opinions, especially in matters of development. He believes that every view counts. He’s a good listener, a team player! Little wonder the entire political circle in the state erupted in wild jubilation when he expressed interest in the governorship race of Lagos ahead of the 2019 election.

The Political Class Lagos is a very complex state, given its many political tendencies, caucuses, movements and the highly enlightened electorate. The dominant movements in the Lagos political circle are the Mandate Group and the Justice Forum. There are some other groups and movements especially the new ‘Abuja boys’ whose influence in the politics of Lagos can-

not be under estimated. They have the people, the contact and above all, they have the war chest to fight any political battle in the state. For good reasons, the two main political blocs in the state as well as other tendencies, which used to work at cross purposes during primaries unanimously aligned with Sanwo-olu’s aspiration. The Mandate movement was unequivocal about its support and endorsement of Babajide Sanwo-Olu while the Justice Forum, which was not too loud, made a strong showing with its leaders and foot soldiers giving tremendous support towards Sanwo-Olu’s emergence as candidate of APC for Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu’s instant acceptance by various blocs within Lagos political circle remains historic as he is the first in our chequered political journey since the start of the current republic to have had such rare privilege. Others were always subjected to stiff opposition before they are eventually accepted by the different groups in the family.

As candidate of the APC, Sanwo-Olu has become the bridge, the unifier and the rallying point of all progressive elements in Lagos State.

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

19

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱʹ, 2018

BUSINESSWORLD

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

ͯ ͷ ˜ Ͱ ͮ ͯ Ͷ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 12.67 % 13.33 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

12.50% 13.50% 13.58%

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

350.58 % 0.01% ͮ˛ͷͲϱ

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE ͮ˛ͷͲϱ YEAR TO DATE 6.41%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.50/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes C24 Limited Marks Anniversary

STOCK TAKING

L-R: MD/CEO, Anchor Insurance, Mr. Augustine Ebose, Chairman, Dr. Elijah Akpan and Company Secretary, Ime Umoh, during the company’s 28th Annual General Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State…recently

Custom Agents: Cost of Transporting Cargo Fuelling Diversion Eromosele Abiodun The increase in transport cost in Nigerian ports that started two years ago before the difficulty of trucks and persons in accessing the ports is encourages the diversion of cargo to neighbouring West African Ports, custom agents in the country have said.

The situation has been worsened by delay being suffered due to gridlock on the access roads to the Lagos ports.

The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the umbrella body of custom agents in Nigeria, stated this in a petition to President Muhamadu Buhari on the need to move

MARITIME out the backlog of cargo from Apapa to Lily Pond, (Tincan 2) off dock facilities to ease the congestion in Apapa NCMDLCA in the petition signed by its National President, Mr Lucky Amiwero, said the cost of transporting a 20ft container from Tincan/Apapa ports to Alaba International Market in Lagos, has increased from N120,000 to N400,000 and 40ft container at the rate of N700,000, from N250,000 previously.

The agents added that the cost of transporting a 20ft container from Tincan/Apapa to Kaduna has increased from

N500,000 to N900,000, while it cost N1 million to transport a 40ft container from N600,000 previously.

They also stated that it costs between N1.4 million and N1.5 million to transport a 40ft container from Tincan/ Apapa to Kano also in the North West and Yola in the North East respectively.

Amiwero, also said transporting a 20ft container from Tincan/Apapa to Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the South-east of Nigeria, now cost N550,000 from N250,000, while importers and agents pay N750,000 to transport a 40ft container to Onitsha.

According to him, “After

clearance the returned container deposit gets consumed on the top of the trucks, due to inability of the truck owners/ drivers to off load the empty containers back to the empty container deport in the Ports.

The turn round time of trucks and containers movement is limited, as a result of weeks and months trucks spend to assess the ports in Lagos.”

He called on the federal government to urgently address the difficulty trucks and persons experience in accessing Tincan Island and Apapa ports, the lengthy and cumbersome procedures on the clearance Continued on page 20

IATA Projects 8.2bn Air Travellers By 2037 Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said present trend in air transport suggests that passenger numbers could double to 8.2 billion in 2037.

It noted that over the next two decades, the forecast anticipates a 3.5 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), leading to a doubling in passenger numbers from today’s levels.

The forecast also observed that the world passenger traffic was moving to the east, which now forms the gravity of the industry, adding that China would displace the US as the biggest aviation market.

The association warned, however, that growth prospects for air transport, and the economic benefits driven by aviation, could be curtailed if protectionist measures are implemented by governments.

“Aviation is growing, and that is generating huge benefits for the world. A doubling of

AVIATION air passengers in the next 20 years could support 100 million jobs globally.

“There are two important things that stand out about this year’s forecast. Firstly, we are seeing a geographical reshuffling of world air traffic to the East. And secondly, we foresee a significant negative impact on the growth and benefits of aviation if tough and restrictive protectionist measures are implemented,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, IATA said the Asia-Pacific region would drive the biggest growth with more than half the total number of new passengers over the next 20 years coming from these markets. Growth in this market is being driven by a combination of continued robust economic growth, improvements in household incomes and favorable population and demographic profiles.

The study noted that China would displace the United

States as the world’s largest aviation market (defined as traffic to, from and within the country) in the mid-2020s, noting that the rebalancing of China’s economy towards consumption would support strong passenger demand over the long term.

IATA also disclosed that India would take third place after the US, surpassing the UK around 2024.

Indonesia is projected to be a standout performer—climbing from the world’s 10th largest aviation market in 2017 to the 4th largest by 2030 and Thailand is expected to enter the top 10 markets in 2030, replacing Italy which drops out of the ranking.

It noted that policy shifts were likely over time, remarking that should protectionism continue to expand in a “reverse globalisation” scenario, aviation would continue to grow, but at a slower pace and deliver fewer economic and social benefits.

It also observed that under

a liberalised environment connectivity would generate significantly more jobs and GDP growth.

“Global prosperity depends on air connectivity. Aviation is sensitive to policies that either support or undermine growth. And these seem to be pointing in the wrong direction.

Dampening demand for air connectivity risks high quality jobs, and economic activity dependent on global mobility.

“This forecast is a cautionary warning to governments. First, the industry will grow but they must clear the infrastructure bottlenecks to bring that growth to their home markets. And secondly, governments must understand that globalisation has made our world more socially and economically prosperous. Inhibiting globalisation with protectionism will see opportunities lost,” said de Juniac.

IATA also said that no matter which growth scenario Continued on page 20

C24Limited,afinancialservicesproviderinretailloansolutionsismarking itsanniversarybycreatingavenueforpeopletoactualiseopportunities around them.

Throughitsloanwithoutcollateral,C24hascreatedasimplewaytohelp peoplegetbackupontheirfeetwithoutdelayandactualiseopportunities.

Accordingtoastatement,aspartoftheactivitiestocelebratethreeyears in business, C24 Limited recently orgaised a visit to the Royal Diamond Orphanageaswellasanenvironmentalsanitationexerciseon24th and 25th October, 2018 respectively.

The company said the activities were part of the ways of giving back to the society.

C24Limitedsaidinastatementthatinthree years,it hadsuccessfullymet theneedsofnumeroussalaryearnersthroughitspersonalloanproduct and expanded many businesses through its business loan product.

“Thecompany’sexcellencecomesfromitspeople’sdrivetoprovidefirstclassfinancialservicesinanatmosphereoftransparencywithcompetitive interest rates and a simplified repayment structure.

“C24Limited’sonlineandpaperlessapplicationprocesshasmadeaccess to loan seamless,” it said.

“We understand how it feels to be down and out of cash. So, we created a simple way to get back up on your feet without delay and actualize opportunities. For short, we give loan without collateral,” the company added, stressing that, “Our promise of excellence comes from our drive toprovidefirst-classfinancialservicesinanatmosphereoftransparency with competitive interest rates and a simplified repayment structure.”

The company explained that at C24, it goes beyond saying “that our customers come first, that’s why we get your loans processed with the speed of light (maybe not that fast, but we come pretty close) to ensure that you keep moving.”

ART Deplores Closure of Warri Airport

Aviation Round Table (ART) a think-tank body in the aviation industry has condemned the continued closure of Warri airport, also known as Osubi airport.

The ARTin a statement signed by its spokesman, Olu Ohunayo, said the airport started as a hub for non-scheduled and charter operations and has grown to providing scheduled services which has eased pains of passengers flying to Warri and other neighboring cities tremendously while adding to the growth of the nation’s economy.

“ART is of the opinion that the airport is certified by NCAA to operate scheduledflightsanditstariffsapprovedaccordinglyinlinewithNigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).

“Therefore, there should have been an agreement between NAMA and the operators of Warri airport on tariffs before the deployment of Air Traffic services.

“Weadviseallpartiesasanecessitytourgentlycometogetherandresolve all issues as stipulated in the regulations so we can ameliorate pains of thetravellingpublic,airoperators,staffandallconcernedstakeholders,” ARTsaid.

THISDAYlearntthatthecompanymanagingtheairporthadpaidsomeof thedebtstoNAMA,butitwasyettostatehowitwouldpaytheremaining debts to the agency.

WithdailylossofaboutN16,520,000,twoNigerianmajorcarriers,ArikAir andAeroContractorshadearliercondemnedtheclosureoftheairport.

TheairportwasclosedonSeptember3,2018whentheNigerian Airspace ManagementAgency(NAMA)withdrewitsnavigationalservicesduetodebts oweditbythemanagementoftheairport,ShorelineEnergyInternational.

Informed source from NAMA, however, told THISDAY that the agency withdrewitsAirTrafficManagementServices(ATMS)duetodebtsowed it by Shoreline, which is over N500 million.

Qatar Supports Squash Tournament

QatarAirwayshasannounceditistheOfficialAirlinePartneroftheQatar Classic 2018 SquashTournament,takingplacefrom27 Octoberto 2nd November.

TheeventwouldtakeplaceattheKhalifaInternationalTennisandSquash Complex in Doha, Qatar.

TheQatarClassic2018SquashTournamentwouldseetopplayersfrom aroundtheworldgatherinDohatocompeteforachampionshipprizeof $177,000 – the largest award in the tournament’s history.

Players battling it out in this year’s event include rising Qatari champion Abdulla Al Tamimi, rated 28th in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Ranking; Germany’s leading squash player, Simon Rösner, ratedfifthinthePSAworldranking;SouthAmerica’sfirsttoptenplayer, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, rated sixth in the PSA world ranking, as well as many more top-ranked global players.

“With NewGen ISS payment system, every travel agent will operate within their own limited capacity and they will do their business successfully” President, NANTA,

Bankole Bernard

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BUSINESSWORLD CUSTOM AGENTS: COST OF TRANSPORTING CARGO FUELLING DIVERSION of goods which results to the mounting of cargo back log in Lagos ports.

On the cause of the cargo backlog he said: “The gridlock has assumed an alarming proportion with serious delays running into weeks/ months for trucks to access and exit the ports, which results to, additional cost to transport owners on the number of days the truck stays on the high- way before accessing the ports.�

He added: “The contract of carriage by sea (United Nation Convention on Carriage of goods by sea (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 19 of 2005 assigned liability of the carrier from the time of Loading at the port of Loading during the carriage and at the port of discharge by handing over the goods to an authority (NPA) or third party (Terminal Operators) the goods must be handed over to the importer Article 4(1, 2(a-(i-ii b-i-ii-iii) of the Act.� “In line with the provision of the Act, carriage of goods, offloading and delivery is the sole responsibility of the shipping companies/ NPA-terminal operators who are conveyer of the goods (carrier/shipping company) and first receiver of the goods(NPA-terminal operators) and finally delivers the goods to the importer to conclude the contract entered into.�

IATA PROJECTS 8.2BN AIR TRAVELLERS BY 2037 that comes to pass, aviation would still face infrastructure crisis, advising that governments must work closely with the industry and should be more ambitious in developing efficient infrastructure, fit for purpose, and offering value for money. “The world stands to benefit greatly from better connectivity. However, at this rate, airports and air traffic control will not be able to handle demand. Governments and infrastructure operators must strategically plan for the future. Decisions made now will have an impact on the value created by aviation for their regions,� said de Juniac.

NEWS

AfDB Seals $500m Credit Insurance Deal with ATI Peter Uzoho The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) have announced the successful completion of a $500 million credit insurance deal structured to cover a portion of the Bank’s portfolio of non-sovereign operations in Africa.

This transaction is expected to have an important demonstration effect to encourage similar institutions to invest more on the continent in the future.

While ATI would be the direct insurer facing the African Development Bank, the transaction involves the participation of a number of Lloyd’s & Company private reinsurers who would share the risk on African financial institutions.

This vehicle would enable many insurance companies operating outside Africa to participate in the financing of development in Africa for the first time.

The deal is the second Balance Sheet Optimisation transaction under the “Room to Run� initiative following the successful signing of the Synthetic Securitisation transaction in September.

The insurance would cover approximately 22 per cent of the Bank’s $2.3 billion outstanding non-sovereign financial sector portfolio.

Specifically, it will protect the Bank against the non-payment of loans made to approximately 30 African financial institutions.

The portfolio spans the African continent, with exposure to financial institutions in all major regions of

the continent, and is expected to release sufficient capital to create almost $500 million of headroom for new lending. “This transaction leverages the Bank’s own capital to achieve

more development and lending as it creates new pathways for collaboration between private insurers and the Bank in the development of the African continent,� the President of the

African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina said. “This is a significant step towards enhancing Africa’s finance partnerships across the globe.�

Adesina added that, given Af-

ECONOMIC SUMMIT

L-R: Communications Manager, Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Mr Olu Tikolo at the Dana Air stand during the 24th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja‌recently

Commendation as ex-Nigeria Airways Workers Receive Entitlement Chinedu Eze It was indescribable excitement when some of the former staff of the defunct national airline, Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) began to receive payment alerts, barely few days after the completion of their verification and data processes.

This was confirmed by the President, Aviation Union Grand Alliance (AUGA), Lookman Animashaun who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that the staff of the former national airline were paid as promised.

Animashaun, also commended the Minister of

State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika for fulfilling the promise he made to the ex-workers of the former national airline.

Investigations revealed that the few ones that had received payment alerts were those verified and captured last Monday, by officials of the Ministry of Finance, President Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) Department, while the majority of the staffers who were cleared late last week, were yet to receive alerts.

Animashaun, in an interview at the centre located at the Lagos airport, explained that apart from the hiccups on the first day of the exercise, it had been

going on smoothly.

On the average, he said 800 retirees were attended to nationwide daily and believed that with the achievements so far recorded, the exercise would be rounded up by today.

The exercise was originally scheduled to end on Monday, October 22, 2018, but because of the rigours of the verification and data processes, the closing date was shifted.

Animashaun, maintained that 5,968 retirees were beneficiaries of the exercise and assured that anyone captured and cleared by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be paid the sums due

him. “After the first day hiccups, everything has progressed and the number of people that are trooping in will definitely have an effect on the whole exercise, but then, for the past two days, you can see that all the gates are opened and people are coming in. By tomorrow (today), we should be able to round up, but they will be here till Friday. “5,968 people were divided into six days nationwide; Lagos, Kano and Enugu.

The same list you have here; you have in any other centres. So, anywhere you find yourself that is closer to you or more convenience, you are expected to go there,

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Firm Foresees Bright Prospects in Insurance Sector

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Group Business Editor

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rica’s endowment as a resource-rich continent with a strong economic outlook, the Bank had adopted more efficient and effective initiatives to bridge the existing development financing gaps.

The Management of Anchor Insurance Company Limited (AICL), has said despite some of the hitches being experience in the insurance sector in the country, it will continue to break new grounds to meet the need of its customers.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of the Company, Dr Elijah Akpan, gave the assurance at the 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the insurance firm held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

recently.

In his report on the performance of the company presented at the meeting, Akpan stressed that the company made positive headways in some key indices in 2017, though the Nigerian insurance sector showed abysmal performance in 2016.

He said within the 2017 operational year, the company’s gross premium rose to N2.

22 billion or 87.43 per cent against the N2.05 recorded in the corresponding period, 2016.

“The company assets also grew to N6.24billion in 2017 from N5.78billion in 2016, representing a rise by 7.93 per cent over same period of the corresponding year,� he added.

According to him, the shareholders’ funds within the year under review also experienced 6.77 per cent growth, from N4.74 billion in 2016, to N5.02 billion in 2017.

Equally, he said, the company recorded the feat because of the doggedness

and commitment of the workforce and the support of the shareholders.

He hinted that the company in line with its commitment to prompt payment of claims to genuine policy holders had within the period under review settled claims amounting to N540.2 million as against N268.19 million in 2016.

Akpan said the positive performance and development recorded in the company compelled it to reward shareholders with

but the issue is that most people prefer to come to Lagos for the reason best known to them. “I have seen someone coming from Sokoto to Lagos, rather than Kano and some also come from the East and were expected to go to Enugu. All these people add to the crowd we have here. “I don’t have the exact number of people being attended to in Lagos, but on a daily basis till Sunday, we have been attending to an average of 800 retirees, but from Monday, it has reduced to about 300. Today (Wednesday), I don’t think it has been up to 50 people,� he said.

a dividend of 2 kobo per share in 2017. “We intend to develop agricultural products welltailored to address the various risks that are faced by our farmers. “We will continue to invest in both human capital and infrastructure, appreciate and motivate deserving staff members with exceptional rewards that will spur up positive spirit of competition for excellence among the company’s workforce.� he added.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Babalakin Denies Indebtedness to AMCON Chinedu Eze The Chairman, Resort Group, Dr Wale Babalakin has berated the Asset Management Corporation of Nigerian (AMCON) for publishing the names of his firms on its list of “delinquent debtors”.

Babalakin insisted that the federal government owes it and if AMCON removed the N49 billion, which his companies allegedly owed, from a judgment credit of N132 billion, which he got against the government, he would still have to be paid N83 billion by the federal government.

Apart from this, he said he got another judgment credit of N100 billion against the federal government in December 2015, which the government was yet to pay.

In a statement by his lawyer, Mr Wale Akoni, Babalakin described as “libellous and irresponsible,” the listing and publication of his firms’

names among AMCON’s delinquent debtors.

Akoni said, “On April 5, 2012, the Federal High Court, in FHC/ABJ/ CS/50/2009 – Bi-Courtney Limited vs AttorneyGeneral of the Federation – ordered that whatever debt was outstanding to any federal agency by BiCourtney and companies related to it should be deducted from the sum of over N132 billion which the federal government owes Bi-Courtney.

“If N49 billion, the sum allegedly owed by Bi-Courtney and companies associated with it, is subtracted from N132 billion, my clients still have a judgment credit of N83 billion, which the federal government is yet to pay.

“There was another court judgment on December 3, 2015, against the Federal Government in a case involving Resort International Limited, one of the companies associated with Bi-Courtney, in which the FG was ordered to pay the

firm N55bn at an interest rate of 17 per cent per annum, an interest rate of 17 per cent per annum, an amount that is now in excess of N100bn.

“It was irresponsible of AMCON to publish the names of my clients on its list of debtors and I urge the media to beware of this misguided behaviour and disdain for the rule of law.”

The statement said, “Notwithstanding this clear position of the law which is that Bi-Courtney and companies associated with it do not owe AMCON any money whatsoever, AMCON continues to publish or threaten to publish the name of Bi-Courtney and other companies related to it in the newspapers and electronic media.”

When contacted, spokesman of AMCON, June Nwauzor said the government agency would respond to Babalakin in due course.

“Our lawyers have been detailed to respond to his lawyer’s position,” Nwauzor said.

Workers Insist on Training for NCAA Staff The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) branch Chairman Shofolahan Ayodele has criticised the domesticating most of the training for agency personnel, which saves money and time.

Rather, Ayodele insisted that there was need for foreign training for workers of the organisation in order to be abreast with developments across the world.

Ayodele argued that foreign training can never be domesticated because besides the acquisition of skills and knowledge, the interaction the workers are exposed to overseas is also invaluable and forms part of the workers’ experience.

“We have told management on this issues that they are some trainings that cannot be domesticated because training

does not only mean just doing training, you are exposed to a lot of things you are not seeing in this country, you interact, when you interact with your foreign partners you get a lot of things, we are regulators.

“We are working with management on that and have told management that that cannot be possible; any training that is meant to be done abroad must be done there,” Ayodele said.

He noted that as regulators, workers of the agency must be above board adding that ATSSSAN has told NCAA management that it was not possible to carry out foreign trainings locally.

“The foreign trainings is with the Ministry receiving urgent attention, NCAA will soon start going on foreign trainings and then professional trainings.

“A lot of people were denied last year but this year now we

got the approval for everybody now professional bodies have come to stay and other areas of welfare like lack of working tools, we are working on that too, we are collaborating with management to get all those things,” he added.

He said before now NCAA did not have organogram.

“We took the matter up with management and management agreed that we can review the Organogram in conjunction with other unions but now presently with the Ministry, we are doing something about that so that other people will be able to be promoted to level 15.

“When I took over as ATSSSAN Chairman, there was problem with the condition of service but presently the matter is the Salaries and Wages Commission receiving quick attention and I have been going there to meet them, twice now and in the next two or three weeks, they will call us to,” he said.

Air Peace, Embraer Seal Aircraft Spare Parts Deal Nigeria’s major airline, Air Peace has signed a multi-year aircraft spare parts deal with plane maker, Embraer.

The deal, the airline confirmed in a statement, would cover more than 250 components for the six Embraer 145 jets it recently added to its fast-growing fleet in line with its drive to connect unserved and underserved domestic and regional routes under its subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

The deal was unveiled at the ongoing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Europe 2018 summit in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Air Peace currently has the

biggest fleet of Embraer 145 jets on the West Coast of Africa.

Air Peace Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, described the deal as a guarantee of “efficiency and competitive results.”

She said: “The Pool and EPEP+ Programs are natural fit and the best options as they offer sensible, cost effective and practical parts solution to our business, guaranteeing efficiency and competitive results. We recognise very good performance of Embraer’s services and support.”

The deal, she said, would make spares readily available for the airline’s maintenance

needs, heavily cut down the time spent on maintenance and increase the number of serviceable aircraft available to operate the airline’s flight schedules.

For his part, Embraer Vice President, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Commercial Aviation, Mr. John Linn said: “We are humbled to have Air Peace as our customer in Africa, further reinforcing Embraer’s commitment to customers in the region with TechCare portfolio of solutions. Embraer’s Pool Program leverages increased competitiveness providing repairable solutions through reduced lead times and costs.”

AIR WATCH IATA Strengthens Partnership with UBA on New Settlement Plan

President, NANTA, Mr Bankole Bernard; Area Manager, IATA, Dr Samson Fatokun and Head, Aviation, UBA Plc, Mr Bode Aregbesola at the workshop.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strengthened i t s re l a t i o n s w i t h U n i t e d B a n k o f Africa (UBA) as partner as it migrates to the new payment plan for airlines, agencies and travellers.

By the end of the year, the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), which was int roduced in 2 0 0 8 , w oul d be suspended while a more advanced system, known as New Generation of IATA Settlement System (NewGen I S S ) w o u l d b e i n t ro d u c e d .

UBA bided with other banks then and won the partnership with IATA and now the international organisation is migrating to the new system.

UBA was said to be the only bank in the country that has the manpower and the technology to seamlessly continue with the p ro c e s s .

S o re c e n t l y, t h e b a n k o rg a n i s e d a workshop for travel agents and a i r l i n e s i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h I ATA on the new system to educate them on how the New Generation ISS works.

IATA said NewGen ISS is a program launched by IATA to deliver faster, safer and more cost effective a n d re l e v a n t f i n a n c i a l s e t t l e m e n t services and solutions to airlines a n d t r a v e l a g e n t s t h a t re l y o n t h e I ATA S e t t l e m e n t S y s t e m s ( I S S ) . I t will do so by putting our customers at the heart of our operation.

“For airlines, NewGen ISS means faster settlement, safer funds and a lower cost of distribution. For travel agents, NewGen ISS will offer more personalized products and services, enhanced customer support and more cost-effective solutions. With t h e i n t ro d u c t i o n o f N e w G e n I S S , IATA will also provide an enhanced 24/7 customer support to better a d d re s s t h e n e e d s o f a i r l i n e s a n d a g e n t s , ” I ATA s a i d .

The migration to the new system is slated for December 1, 2018. The new system is an improvement on the current Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) system that UBA has operated f o r I ATA f o r 1 0 y e a r s .

Head of UBA Aviation Desk, Bode Aregbesola who spoke at the event said, “As you all know UBA is the BSP Bank, that is the settlement b a n k f o r I ATA a n d t h i s i s a v e r y great thing the bank has achieved.

“What has happened here is that because of the partnership with IATA, UBA has now sponsored this programme, which is the NewGen I S S p ro g r a m . I t i s a n e w p ro c e s s that is happening in the industry and will kick off December 1, 2018 and there is a need for the general

p u b l i c t o b e e n l i g h t e n e d , t h e re i s a need for the travel agents to be a w a re o f t h e p ro c e s s e s , t h e m o d e of payment because the landscape has changed.” “ B e f o re n o w, w h a t y o u h a v e i s a s i t u a t i o n w h e re t h e a g e n t s m a k e payments bi-monthly through IATA and this payment is always settled

by IATA. Now, with the NewGen ISS what it means is that the airlines c a n a c t u a l l y re c e i v e t h e i r m o n i e s on a daily basis and UBA can settle payments for the airlines on a daily basis.

“For the agents to be aware of this process, there is need for enlightenment and that is why the bank has now partnered with IATA to sponsor a workshop where the airlines, travel a g e n t s a re i n f o r m e d o f a l l t h e n e w processes so that going forward from December 1st they would be able to participate actively in the new p ro c e s s . “ He spoke on the benefit of the n e w s y s t e m , “ W h a t w e a re s a y i n g is that the new dispensation is of immense benefits because for the travel agents because they can sell ticket more than they currently can in the present dispensation and the sa me t h i n g f or t h e ba n ks, t h e ba n k w i l l b e a b l e t o s e t t l e m o re f o r t h e airlines. The bank has also created s o m e p ro d u c t s a n d i t i s a n o p p o rt u n i t y f o r t h e b a n k t o o ff e r t h e s e products to the agents so everybody i s h a p p y. ” T h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n Tr a v e l Agents (NANTA) President, Bankole B e r n a rd , w h o s p o k e a t t h e e v e n t commended UBA for its support and value it has added so far in making BSP a success in Nigeria a n d e x p re s s e d t h e c o n f i d e n c e t h a t the bank would ensure the success of the new system.

“The partnership with UBA has been one that has been waxing s t ro n g , t h e b a n k c a n i m p ro v e o n what it has done so far and take it to another level. So far they have been supportive and have been adding value to us. “ B S P w a s i n t ro d u c e d i n t o t h e market, this is 10years after and w e a re h a v i n g a re i n t ro d u c t i o n o f BSP on another level, that why it is called New Gen ISS New Generation o f I ATA S e t t l e m e n t S y s t e m s . T h i s w i l l a d d re s s a l o t o f i s s u e s a ff e c t ing us, the travel agents over the years. One of it is that we said, we don’t want it to be one side at all, categorise travel agents, they said it was not possible, but in this new system. it is possible.”

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Akinkuotu: Safety in Nigeria’s Airspace a Collaborative Effort The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, in this interview, says safety in the airspace has improved significantly, which according to him is why the country has not recorded any accident or major incident in the last five years. He attributes the achievement to the collaboration by aviation agencies. Chinedu Eze provides the excerpts: You have been a pilot, when would you say we had the safest airspace?

You have asked me an objective question. In the last five years we have not had any accident. Can we say that the airspace is not safe? In answering to your question, I would say the airspace is safe.

If you ask me what are the contributory factors, my answer will be: it is the collaborative effort of all the aviation agencies. I will start from the regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The regulator has been more robust, because all of us are just service providers. The regulator is the one that ensures that all service providers are doing the right thing. And they have the ability to sanction or call them to order.

Then the service providers, I am sure that the federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been responsive. Our meteorological department has improved, now we have Doppler weather radar, we are able to harness other information to predict low level wind shear. We are able to give weather information that are more reliable and therefore ensure better planning for the airlines. The training school (the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria is more robust, over the years it has been providing skilled manpower for the industry. These are things that have contributed to it.

Let’s look at in-house, ourselves, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). How about NAMA? Communications have improved, navigation has improved, surveillance has improved and in each of these aspects that NAMA is involved in, the improvement contributes not only in terms of what is obvious, like better equipment, better radio service. What I think people don’t often see is that, if I reduce your work load, I leave you space to meet emergencies or think better.

Look at the job of a journalist, if you had to be transcribing all that I am saying as I speak, it will not be as easy as when you record it and then you transcribe later. Maybe you can even have a tool where as I speak into a recorder it writes out the word; even with accent inhibitions, it makes your job easier. What I am trying to make here is that the service that we have provided has made the flying environment safe and easier.

So the pilot’s task is reduced by technology and therefore he has a little more leeway to be able to respond to situations that might be abnormal.

There is no doubt in my mind, and I am not saying this because I work for NAMA, that the airspace has significantly improved.

In the past when you were ying, what were the major safety challenges in the airspace which no more exists now?

Let’s start from communications, we had issues of communications in the past. If you were flying from Sokoto in those days you can only climb to 14,000 meters and then you start shouting to Kano to let you get ILS (instrument landing system). Now, from an efficiency point of flight operations; that is not good. It means I fly to 14,000 and cruise for some time until I can get to Kano. My company (the airline) is not going to be having fun because it is burning fuel at low level. I am not going to be having fun because I spend all my time trying to shout to Kano to give me a higher level. But because of the improvement in communication, it means I can have continuous climb to reach my cruise altitude, the airplane flies better, the company happier because of fuel efficiency. And because I don’t have to talk so much it gives me a little bit more time to do other things.

Let’s look at navigation, which is the process of planning, recording, and controlling the movement of aircraft from one place to another. One of the more crucial aspects of navigation is getting from one place to another, like getting over to Lagos or coming from Abuja or Kaduna, but I have to switch on approach. The question will be what kind of navigation aid will make it easier for you to land in Lagos? So what kind of navigation aid do we

With the new equipment including Performance Based Navigation (PBN) what percentage of fuel do you think you will be saving for the airlines?

I would think that as we expand the scope of air traffic control guidance, I think that we will cut fuel saving of one to five per cent. A flight is going from Lagos to Abuja and it shaves off five minutes by landing five minutes earlier than the scheduled flight time. That is big saving in fuel for the airline. Even a conservative one-minute time saving for an airline means a lot.

NIMET works with air trafďŹ c control and weather has been a very major issue in ight and safety, so what is the sequence of receiving on-time weather report from the agency by the Air TrafďŹ c Controllers?

We receive weather update half hourly and it varies from airport to airport. Like Enugu and others is an hour interval. But at the busy airports it is every 30 minutes. But we also have on-time weather forecast; that whenever the ATC presses his consul he gets the latest weather report.

Do you think the number of aircraft that y over Nigeria’s airspace has increased?

I cannot answer your question strictly by numbers; I would like to answer by what revenue impact it has made in our coffers. Our revenue from over fliers has increased. The revenue trail is like following where the money is and if there is a decrease in revenue that means there is decrease in traffic. I can tell you that there has been an increase in revenue. So that obviously means that there is better use of our airspace.

Akinkuotu have? Successful air navigation involves piloting an aircraft from place to place without getting lost, not breaking the laws applying to aircraft, or endangering the safety of those on board or on the ground. When we were in school at NCAT in Zaria, which is many, many years ago, Nigerians were going to learn how to use ILS in Cotonou in the 1970s but today everybody is crying for an ILS. When GPS (Global Positioning System) was introduced, we were trying to fly under GPS. This is because VOR (Voice Ominidirectional Radio Range), which is radio signal transmission, was the prevailing approach facility then but it is not a precision approach aid. But an ILS is.

We have one in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt. We have ILS in all the major airports and virtually everywhere. And even recently, when the Port Harcourt ILS was destroyed we replaced it. In Lagos, we have put in a brand new ILS; we have also put a brand new ILS in Kano, and Kaduna as well. Right now we want to make Christmas good for Benin passengers by putting an ILS there. Work is going on now at the Benin airport to install ILS. So I make bold to say that most pilots now, when they are taking their approach, they are not taking VOR approach plate, pilots go for an ILS approach.

Let’s talk about surveillance. I agree that last couple of years were most dramatic because we have effective surveillance of the airspace with radar that covers every part of Nigeria. Pilots know and the airline feels the pinch more when there is no surveillance. When there is no traffic it will be easy to fly without surveillance, but during the peak period or in the rainy season when everybody is flying the busy routes, how do you begin to see where you are and where I am without surveillance?

The job of making sure that we are kept separate in safety even when we deviate is possible with the kind of surveillance that we have. I can go into a lot of technicalities, if the air traffic controller wants to separate two people, he asks where is your distance or what radio are you in, so you give him your radio, your distance and your altitude and he tries to compare it mentally with where the other person has. However, with radar, he sees it right on the monitor. So he can say this may lead to a conflict and then he separates them.

Also, when everything is normal, you assign specific routes to flights. So, if somebody is coming from Kano, he is on a specific airway and if somebody is coming from Port Harcourt, he is on a specific airway. But what if because of weather, the man from Kano has turned to right or left, he has deviated from his planned route.

Then you will be asking what altitude, and what distance. But on the other hand if radar is there on the monitor, the man can see the airplanes in the airspace.

The other thing is that in Lagos, ordinarily you will be told to take off, turn right to join the airway but the air traffic controller has the picture and traffic permitting, he can say clear take off, left turn direct. Now, that saves you like five minutes. Five minutes of fuel is not pocket change for airlines. So, gradually what you can see here is that, number one: compared to the time when we didn’t have surveillance and now, there has been an improvement in safety and an improvement in efficiency. I grant that sometimes the time lines get blurry. I know when they started radar in Nigeria, we were all excited. Then we lost it and then we got it back.

In the evening, for example, we have a lot of traffic; pilots will always complain that his aircraft is put on the hold. Yes, the hold is meant for safety and it is done for safety reasons. Sometimes also we have to do it deliberately and we notify them because we have to train people for the abnormal. What if the radar goes out so what happens? The air traffic controller must still be able to be knowledgeable on how to guide the airplane using procedural. But if you put them in a stake and they are on the hold they are not happy.

Using radar has made landing and take-off very easy and also the monitoring of flights in the airspace by the Air Traffic Controllers. It also makes it easy for airlines because flights don’t stay long in the airspace before landing. Whenever we have to do procedural it is a bit more expensive for the airlines because the flights will stay longer in the airspace and burn more fuel. Even if you tell somebody to do a full ILS, he will say I want a straight in; because as a pilot that is what I always ask for.

How does NAMA put surveillance, navigation and communication together to improve safety?

NAMA is a CNS, Communication Navigation and Surveillance, that is our business. There is always improvement in anything that we do. So, if you close your eyes and say that you don’t want to take advantage of the improvement; then, you are killing yourself. Yes, the airspace I told you before is safe but can we improve on what we already have? Definitely. If we want to put Category 3 in Lagos and Abuja to start with, then we go to Kano and Port Harcourt in the next phase. How is this going to improve safety in the airspace? It is true, we already have ILS but Category 3 ILS will now give you greater latitude to be able to operate in the airport even when there is significant weather challenge. So, if you are able to do in a year the volume of one million aircraft movement, for example and with this aid, you can increase it to 1.5 million that will be significant improvement. So we should not be contented with what we already have.

We are going to move into ADSB (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast), that will give us better surveillance monitoring. Actually we have signed MoU with a company that is going to provide cloud based ADSBs. It doesn’t mean that we abandon the traditional system; we are now increasing layers, and layers of safety. The thing that has kept aviation safe and will keep us safe is redundancy. So the more levels of redundancy that we have; the more safety that we have. The more safety that aviation has the more patronage it will receive. For me, NAMA is doing everything to be safe, we will continue to embrace technology, we will continue to embrace and enhance the human person by training and we will continue to bring in newer equipment to enhance safety. We are never going to sit down at the point where we say we are contented.

Do you think that the improvement in safety in the airspace attracted more foreign airlines to operate in Nigeria?

Yes, because it gives the foreign airlines a higher level of confidence, the more you have enhanced your CNS, the better they will feel.

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Minister, NCAA, Police Complicity in MMA2 Shutdown Emeka Gbulie

Some weeks back, the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) was shut down by the aviation unions over their dispute with the operators of the terminal.

Airlines, Banks, shop owners and services providers at the terminal said they lost over N1.5 billion for what they described as ‘insensitive picketing’ of the terminal Unfortunately, our dear unions do not understand the difference between picketing and shutting down. While you have a right to picket, you do not have the right to shut down the operations of key player such as MMA2. This is a terminal that plays an important role in the economy of our nation and these unions still decided to shut it down irrespective of a subsisting court injunction.

How lawless can we be as a nation?

In a lawful country those union leaders should be in jail by now.

In other climes, you would expect the main regulator of the sector which is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA to have intervened before the matter got to the extent of picketing but not in Nigeria.

It still baffles me how the NCAA and FAAN looked the other way, while their staff who are known members of these unions shutdown a critical service industry?

The NCAA watches everything in limbo and acts like it doesn’t exist. When the chief regulator looks the other way when it should stamp its authority, then we are in for more shockers!

Now this is the main problem with concessions in Nigeria. If a major investor in the mold and pedigree of Dr Wale Babalakin can be subjected to such humiliation, how do we expect to get more local investors, let alone foreign investors?

We are yet to recover from a failed Nigeria Air project which we all know never got a single investor and the NCAA and FAAN are still adopting a ‘siddon look’ style?

From the look of the whole MMA2 and Union brouhaha, it is obvious the NCAA, FAAN and the Police were all in support of the impunity exhibited by the unions.

How else can one describe the inability of the police to disperse an unlawful gathering / trespass at MMA2 even with a court injunction?

And they were all happy seeing outlets at the terminal shut, passengers missing important business or professional engagements, banks shut and airlines losing millions and threatening to downsize?

Are we not tired of the level of job losses under the present administration?

It was such a dark day for Nigeria, concessions and the rule of law!

Recently, an aircraft belonging to overland caught fire while undergoing maintenance at its hanger at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT). The video of how the aircraft burnt beyond repair went viral and it exposed the inefficiency of FAAN and NCAA. It was a shameful sight to behold. I felt like crying for Nigeria and the aviation industry while watching the video and I asked: what if there were passengers on-board, we would have lost precious lives as a result of the ineptitude of these agencies.

Voices in the background of the video confirmed that, apart from the fact that the fire fighters got to the hanger late, they ran out of water. Shame!

And this is supposed to be a Category 1 Airport recently certified by NCAA! I am inclined to request what emergency management program the NCAA put in place to manage such emergency situations? When was the last audit inspect carried out on the hanger? Was this part of the audit carried out by

Sirika

NCAA? How did the hanger get an AMO certificate? FAAN is complicit in all of these as performance of the airport fire service fell short of a CAT 1 standard.

Our CAT 1 regulators NCAA and FAAN need to tell us when last they trained and bought equipment for their emergency services officers and staff?

Who knows, they may have embezzled the monies set aside for these programs and were caught unaware with the recent fire incident.

A supposed Category 1 airport as large as what we have should have a minimum of 4 fire service teams; 1 each at mma2, GAT, MMIA and Cargo to meet the ICAO 3 minutes recommended standards to put out a fire incident.

A member of the Aviation Round Table,

Unfortunately, our dear unions do not understand the difference between picketing and shutting down. While you have a right to picket, you do not have the right to shut down the operations of key player such as MMA2

John Ojukutu, while querying the last time the NCAA conducted an inspection or audit on the maintenance hangar also asked, “what is the category of the MMA fire service that could not put the fire out on a passenger aircraft of less than 40 seater? What would have happened if it were a B777 or even a B737? I heard people in the background of the video screaming no water! no water!

But where were the water hydrants in the NCAA certified airport? Does the hanger where the incident happened not have emergency management program for such incident? Is the emergency management program for the hanger not an NCAA’s audit or inspection checklist?

If the answers to these questions are negative, then it’s a big shame for a regulatory agency that prides itself with the FAA CAT 1.’’ He advised the NCAA to review its checklist for hanger inspection and audit Unfortunately, both the Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika and the NCAA DG, Muhtar Usman, have refused to issue a statement on both the MMA2 and overland aircraft fire incidents.

I gathered from reliable sources that both were outside the country lounging somewhere in Canada while the country or their sector rather was on fire.

These are the kind of people we have at the helm of affairs of a critical sector such as aviation and nobody seems to be auditing their affairs.

With the level of mismanagement, ineptitude and inefficiency that these agencies and even the Ministry have exhibited in recent past, also with the handling of the failed Nigeria project; I will strongly recommend a total review of their operation and activities. At the moment, I can tell you for free that nobody checks or audits these agencies and you cannot be the judge in your own case as there is tendency to compromise. We deserve better as a nation and it starts with total restructuring of not just our country but the aviation industry.

For us to have a robust industry, distant

from what we are presently experiencing; there is need to move agencies like the NCAA, AIB, NIMET, NAMA, and FAAN from the oversight of the ministry of Aviation to the presidency for direct monitoring and to avoid the overt interference of the ministry in these agencies. The case of the overbearing influence of the former Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, on these agencies is very fresh.

We all remember how she used her office to extort money from the agencies and this is one out of the many reasons for recommendation.

The Accident Investigation Bureau should be a unit under the NCAA and moved under the purview of the presidency. There must be standards and no compromise; and considering their job as auditors, they shouldn’t be answerable to the ministry to avoid the aforementioned and build a vibrant industry where safety and professionalism is guaranteed.

While many including my humble self, have condemned the handling of the failed Nigeria Air project by Sirika, I commend the minister for at least accepting that the agencies cannot effectively manage the airport infrastructure and reaffirming the commitment of the President Muhammed Buhari led administration to concession the airports.

Aviation experts have also said that MMA2 has shown that concession is the solution to improving our airport infrastructure, as the terminal provides the best passenger facilitation at the moment and can also be co-opted to manage the other airports around the country.

This unlawful, despicable and unfortunate incident will only strengthen Dr Wale Babalakin resolve to continue to make a case for concessions in Nigeria and provide the best of facilities for the travelling public as exemplified by the wide gulf in facilities and services between MMA2 and the other government run Airport.

Gbulie wrote in from Abuja

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Examining World Economic Forum’s Risk Index Report Eromosele Abiodun writes that the federal government should take steps to address issues such as economic, geo-political, environmental and cyber security risks as outlined in the World Economic Forum Global Risk Index Report After the heightened global uncertainty and increased popular discontent with the existing political and economic order in 2017, global economic recovery is under way, offering new opportunities for progress that should not be squandered.

The urgency of facing up to systemic challenges has, if anything intensified amid proliferating indications of uncertainty, instability and fragility.

Humanity, experts believe, has become remarkably adept at understanding how to mitigate conventional risks that can be relatively easily isolated and managed with standard risk-management approaches.

However, the experts stressed that we are much less competent when it comes to dealing with complex risks in the interconnected systems that underpin our world, such as organisations, economies, societies and the environment. “There are signs of strain in many of these systems: our accelerating pace of change is testing the absorptive capacities of institutions, communities and individuals. When risk cascades through a complex system, the danger is not of incremental damage but of “runaway collapse� or an abrupt transition to a new, suboptimal status quo,� experts noted.

The WFE in its Global Risk Index Report released earlier in the year also lays credence to this.

The report highlighted the growing strain the world is placing on many of the global systems we rely on.

According to the report, structural and interconnected nature of risks in 2018 threatens the very system on which societies, economies and international relations are based.

The report warned that the confluence of risks around water scarcity, climate change, extreme weather events and involuntary migration remains a potent cocktail and a “risk multiplier,� especially in the world economy’s more fragile environmental and political contexts.

According to the report, “With power and influence increasingly distributed, however, there is a growing recognition that the response to environmental risks cannot be delivered by international agencies and governments alone. It requires new approaches that take a wider “systems view� of the interconnected challenges, and that involve a larger and more diverse set of actors.�

It added: “Some promising recent examples come from the financial sector: the Financial Stability Board’s Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure is developing recommendations for managing the physical, liability, and transition risks of climate change; rating agencies S&P and Moody’s have announced plans to assess the climate risks facing both companies and countries; and investor groups have called for greater disclosure of companies’ exposure to climate risks. The Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 also offers the promise of advancing new multi-dimensional approaches to help reduce deforestation from global supply chains, such as the recent Africa Palm Oil Initiative.�

Global Perspective The report noted that advanced and emerging economies face different challenges and opportunities for developing social protections that support economic growth and social stability in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Advanced economies, it added, have had the resources to create layered social safety nets, with costs shared across individuals, employers and government, resulting in many more people than in the developing world enjoying some level of protection today. “For example, the United State Social Security programme, funded by employers and workers, was providing benefits to 60 million people at the end of 2015, while medicare and medicaid covered healthcare for 55 million. But such programmes were not designed for the extreme demographic shifts, chronic healthcare challenges, and the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution that are reshaping societies. Advanced economies face the challenge of reforming them without incurring a crippling debt burden,� it stated.

However, it noted that many emerging market economies arguably have an opportunity to avoid these pitfalls, potentially leapfrogging their wealthier neighbours by formulating sustainable social protection systems that are responsive to the risks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It added, “Brazil, for example, has implemented the largest cash transfer programme in the world, the Bolsa Familia, which today reaches 55 million of its poorest citizens, costs 30 per cent less per person than more traditional aid programmes, and has helped lift 36 million people out of extreme poverty.

Nonetheless, the varying demographic profiles of growth economies pose different challenges. Asia Pacific is the world’s fastest ageing region, with a 71 per cent increase in the number of people aged 65 years and above projected by 2030. “Singapore’s elderly population will rise from 11 per cent to 20 per cent in the next 15 years; in France, the same shift took 49 years. A rapidly contracting workforce and reallocation of resources towards elderly healthcare weakens these economies’ fiscal position and erodes the adequacy and sustainability of pension and social security systems. “Conversely, India has significant potential to reap a demographic dividend, but its limited capacity to create employment poses a serious challenge: between 1991 and 2013 the size of the working-age population increased by 300 million, yet the number of employed only increased by 140 million.3 By 2017, a staggering 93 per cent of Indians will hold jobs without social security benefits.�

Solutions, it pointed out, are being sought, as the government launches three mega social security schemes – accident coverage, life insurance and pensions. “Sub-Saharan Africa is growing faster than any other region, with an average birth rate of five to seven children per mother and little effective birth control.5 This scale of growth undermines efforts to reduce poverty or to create jobs, and youth unemployment is high – 50 per cent in South Africa. The ability of nations in Sub-Saharan Africa to create sustainable safety nets will require both political will and economic activity sufficient to create the necessary resources,� it stated.

Addressing Inequality The report concluded that persistent inequality, particularly in the context of comparative global economic weakness, risks undermining the legitimacy of market capitalism.

At the same time, it said deepening social and cultural polarisation risks impairing national decision-making processes and obstructing vital global collaboration. “Technology continues to offer us the hope of solutions to many of the problems we face. But the pace of technological change is also having unsettling effects: this range from disrupting labour markets through automation to exacerbating political divisions by encouraging the creation of rigid communities of like-minded citizens. We need to become better at managing technological change, and we need to do it quickly.

Above all, we must redouble our efforts to protect and strengthen our systems of global collaboration.

Nowhere is this more urgent than in relation to the environment, where important strides have

been made in the past year but where much more remains to be done. This is a febrile time for the world. We face important risks, but also opportunities to take stock and to work together to find new solutions to our shared problems. More than ever, this is a time for all stakeholders to recognise the role they can play by exercising responsible and responsive leadership on global risks.

Addressing Economic Risk Commenting on the report, analysts at Huntingfield Capital stressed that the four key risks outlined in the report should be tackled by governments putting adequate measures in place.

However, they stressed that Nigeria should focus on the risks that are peculiar to Nigeria such as: economic risk, geo-political risk, cybersecurity risk and environmental risk.

According to H. Pierson Associates, “We think the global risk index report for 2018 takes a view of risk from a global perspective. We think it is very reflective of the emerging risks that are seen across the continent. It is also interesting to know that these are risks that we can relate to within our environment. “If you look at the global risk index, it focuses on four major risk categories; the first is environmental, cyber Security, economic, and geo-political risks.

Looking at these four risks, when it comes to Nigeria, we ranked them differently. For us, economic risk is first, geo-political second, the environmental risk third and the cyber security risk fourth.�

Interest Rate Factor As part of the measures to tackle the economic risk, Huntingfield Capital urged the Nigerian authorities to consider reducing interest rates to enhance purchasing power “If you look at other developed climes, they have consistently maintained single digit interest rates. That is helped to boost purchasing power in developed climes. When we started working in this country, interest rates were single digits and that begins to make life a bit easier. Therefore, even if you have systemic pressure on the economy, the average young person can still try to maintain a decent lifestyle. But an individual cannot enjoy these things that provide for a good quality of life due to the type of interest rates that we have. “We think for the economy, in terms of the longer term solutions, Nigeria need to address the system where we try to run Nigeria from a central pot, there is need to decentralise that and push in a lot more money down to the state and local government and this comes back to the issue of devolution of power. Instead of having 52 per cent of federal revenue kept with the federal government, federal government begins to keep 25-27 per cent and the States have more to manage.

We have suffered tremendously in terms of the economy. The long term sustainable solution is to push the fiscal allocation more in favour of the States and Local governments. I also believe in

the fact that we are heavily endowed.�

Geo-Political, Environmental Risks On geo-political risk, analysts at H. Pierson Associates pointed out that there are issues of political tensions within Nigeria, which has implications on the overall system.

However, they observed that in the more recent part of Nigeria’s history, the country has become very strong adding that, “for this year, and early next year, the country will become stronger. “ “Also, there are pressures for constitutional reforms and these pressures have highly strong views held across different parts of the country and elections too. Therefore, geo-political risks are very strong and if you don’t manage them well, they could have ripple effects on the other categories of risks, that was why on the global risk index, it was put as number four. But we rated it as number two for the Nigerian environment, “they said.

Tackling Cyber Security Risk While noting that the digitalisation of the Nigerian economy emerging, the experts urged the federal government to take urgent steps to address the issue. “Cyber security risk which is number four on our list is number two on the global risk ranking because you have to correlate that with the digitalisation of developed economies. In our case, it is emerging but real. The more we move into the digital space, the more it becomes real. It is now happening in the corporate world, a lot of companies are now using cloud based solutions.

I think that in Nigeria, we are still climbing the risk management lending and adoption curve to understand what it is about and how to go about it. So we are still getting to the learning and adoption and we need to get it very quickly so we begin to take more strategic solutions, “the experts stated.

Risk management, they added, calls for Nigeria to be proactive warning that this is the time for the country to begin to do so. “We are impressed with the work being done by some major regulatory institutions that we work with who have put in immense efforts in creating wide awareness. Awareness is the very first thing; otherwise your adoption is bound to fail. What we have done here is to domesticate the global risk report. For Nigerian companies especially when you try to bring it to the micro-institutional level, we think in the last 10 years, they have done fairly well in terms moving from learning to adopting it emprise risk management with special commendation to the banking sector, which started the push. There is a lot more we need to do in other sectors and we think also that government has a lot to do in adopting in the enterprise risk management which is in vogue; they should not do it not because it is in vogue. But it should be done if it is key to succeeding,� they said.

THISDAYt FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Malgwi: We Can Help Nigerians Access the World Habila Malgwi is the regional head for East and West Africa of Arton Capital, a global financial firm that helps people gain second citizenship of countries of their choices through various investment packages. He told Chineme Okafor, in this interview that Nigerians could legally access the world almost infinitely without entry visas. He also talked about the poor rating of Nigeria’s passport and what it means to the country’s economy. Excerpts: passport hurt her generally?

I think we’re losing out on a lot of opportunities.

Today, our passport can take us to maybe about 47 or 48 countries. We’re missing out on a whole lot because if little countries in the Caribbean can have access to Schengen and Europe, they are gaining a lot because their citizens have better opportunities for business abroad while our citizens have less opportunity to run business abroad. I would say it’s hurting our economy because there is just no way to sell Nigeria as a country using its passport. Well, there are resources like oil and anyone coming to Nigeria is coming here because they want to either take the oil or whatever, but not because of the passport, and if the country can enhance the passport then I think it’s going to be a good thing.

It’ll be nice to know you and the entity you represent?

My name is Habila Malgwi. I’m the regional business manager for East and West Africa, for Arton Capital, a global financial firm with a head office in Montreal and highly regulated by the Canadian government. We basically specialise in the citizen by investment programme.

What does that mean, what do you guys do really?

Arton capital, like I said, is a global financial firm which specialises in the citizenship by investment programme. We are a trusted advisors to seven governments where we have successfully created some of these programmes as a means of bringing in foreign direct investment to those countries. At the moment, we have about 14 programmes in 14 different countries where we actually facilitate and help individuals or families in obtaining citizenship through investment.

What is this concept all about?

I would actually say it has been there for a while now, however, we have been able to revamp this whole process. And we’re able to project it much better, especially in Africa.

The concept is such that we looked around the world and realised that governments are in need of foreign direct investments, economies are crashing, natural resources are also going away.

Now, we looked at the human part of it, not just the government part of it, and we found out that a lot of people are having issues with travelling - it could be for mobility reasons, it could be for safety, it could be for education or for standard of living and business opportunities.

And, we looked at the fact that there’s a gap between the government needing money and also individuals wanting those particular things that they need, and decided to implement this programme called the citizen by investment programme where the government can earn money through individuals’ investment and the individuals can gain passports, and this eases the individuals’ stress of travelling which reduces a whole lot of load for them. And also the government is making money to do more infrastructure and create jobs.

Does the passports from this concept allow you all the rights of a citizen?

Absolutely. So, if today, you get a passport from Cyprus, it gives you the same rights as a citizen of Cyprus. It means you become a Cypriot, you have all the benefits and every single facility that is being provided to citizens, and you are also entitled to that.

How many governments and countries are you advising?

We are currently advising several governments; we’re trusted advisor with seven governments.

But then we have the programme in 14 other countries. Now, what I’m saying is that we have been able to implement this programme with seven governments while the 14 countries are total of where this programmes have been laid in. And we’ve been able to tap into either where they’re probably promoters or the agents.

Do you want to tell me some of these countries?

Yes, there is Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Bulgaria, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, the EB five in the United States, and also the Quebec immigration programme. At the moment, we are also kicking off with Montenegro, which is getting a lot of traction right now. We also have the United Kingdom programme and also we’re looking at Moldova.

What about some A-list countries like in EU? Some of these countries do not provide this, and what we do is for us to look at the access. So, if these countries are open and need this programme, we’re happy to bring it in. So, we always have

What should be done about this?

We have been able to more or less be like consultants for a couple of countries where we stand like middleman in making bilateral agreements with foreign ministries and our doors are open, if they want us to come in as consultants to help them increase the ranking of the passport, we can do.

Malgwi to look at these things. We cannot just go in and do programmes in any country, we have to be able to access the country to be able to see that we have more traction of people who want to be in those jurisdiction, and also this countries are in need of these resources.

What is the typical process for this programme?

First of all, you need to have a minimum annual income of $100,000 or above 100,000 Euros, depending on the jurisdiction. But generally, this is what it entails. We just don’t on-board clients just like that. We try as much as we can to go through a very strict due diligence process.

If you as a client, comes to us today for a Malta passport, we take a data page of your passport and your CV and run a background check on you.

If you qualify or you pass our compliance checks and process, then we on-board you as a client. It doesn’t just stop there because by the time we put your file together, and lodge it to the government, it takes them at least three months to launch a due diligence on you as an individual. So, when that due diligence report is done, if you actually pass that, then you get an approval.

Now, the moment you get an approval that is

I would actually say it has been there for a while now, however, we have been able to revamp this whole process. And we’re able to project it much better, especially in Africa.

The concept is such that we looked around the world and realised that governments are in need of foreign direct investments, economies are crashing, natural resources are also going away

when the investment amount is due for you to pay to the government, so, these are the processes.

Are you challenged by the fact that a lot of countries are closing their borders to foreigners?

We believe that the world is becoming a global village and we believe that the few wealthy ones can open more doors to the mass poor people.

This is one of our beliefs and even in the United Nations, it is written boldly that everyone has a right to second citizenship. You have a right to a second nationality.

Although yes, we understand that for security reasons, borders are closing up, but you should also remember that you’re not going in through the back door, you’re going in through a legitimate way, through investing with your resources. If today you go to the United States to buy a property, it doesn’t mean that you are a resident of the United States but then you have a property there.

America will not close their borders to investors.

Every nation is looking for foreign investors to come in and put their money, so if you can invest in that country then there is no issue at all.

Do you for example encourage non-Nigerians to take Nigerian citizenship in this context just as you encourage Nigerians to take that of others?

You see it’s not about if we encourage other people to take citizenship in Nigeria because we don’t have a programme in Nigeria to start with. Secondly, we look at the strength of those passports – can the Nigerian passport take you to Schengen and other European countries? The answer is no! So tell me how many people would actually want to take a Nigerian passport?

However, Nigerians are well-travelled, probably the highest travelled people in the world. Now they want to go to Europe, Canada and other places, so, it is easier for Nigerians to say we want to take citizenship in any country in Europe or in a Caribbean country than for an European to want to take citizenship in Nigeria because there are no more benefits if you look at it.

So, even if he takes the Nigerian passport, there is no much benefit because his passport already is taking him to places America and Europe that a Nigerian passport cannot take him. So, if he is taking a Nigerian passport that is probably because he has some other interests in the country. But we don’t have a programe in Nigeria, so we don’t sell the country as a product.

Again, how does the low value on Nigeria’s

How wide are Arton’s operations?

We’re the largest in the industry worldwide, and I’ve spoken with a lot of people who say we are professionals and credible. We actually have a little work that we’re doing in Nigeria, we are getting people almost every single day sending us inquiries on these programmes. We’re working hard because we believe Nigeria is one of the biggest markets in Africa, and so we’re working a whole lot to see that we cover everyone, and we’re able to assist them.

The whole thing is for Nigerians, it is not about relocation but access to the world. So for example, you have someone who has $200 million with his private jet but still gets rejected with visa once in a while. That wastes his time from flying out to get a business transaction done somewhere and for him, it is easier for him to invest at 2 million euros in Cyprus, or he invest half a million in the United States and he gets a passport that can take him to Europe or anywhere for visa free.

Now, what I need also for people to understand is that this is not about how many visa-free countries you go to but about your interests and where they lay. We have a tool called the passport index tool where you can check the countries that you need and how many have visa-free passports.

With that, you will be shocked that a country like Grenada has about maybe 120 countries or more and can take you to China. So, these are some of the concepts we try to educate people on.

How many people have you been successful with so far?

In this region, we’ve been able to assist over 20 families to accomplish this. And I tell you 20 because the process is actually not just an easy process. You know it takes a whole lot. We’ve had a couple of rejections and our success rate I will say is 100 per cent because the only reasons people are rejected is if they are not sincere. If clients are not sincere, and something is found out by the government, by the due diligence team, you get rejected.

For us as a company, being that we have different stages of compliance check, we try to mitigate those risks of you getting rejected.

So, we find out everything from day one. And we’re always happy to reject clients as long as your records are not clean, we’re not helping people to launder funds, and we try to make this clear, and that is why we do what you call a full blown source of wealth check.

I always have this question about politicians, and I tell people too that we don’t have problems with politically-exposed people as long as they can prove their source of wealth.

It is not a crime to be a politician, there are lots of politicians that have legal sources of income.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Muma Gee: ‘Doubling Her Hustle’

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

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COVER

MUMA GEE: ‘DOUBLING HER HUSTLE’ With over 25 years on stage, Muma Gee is no stranger to the craft of making music. In this interview with Mary Nnah, the popular Nigerian contemporary African music singer, songwriter, actress and fashion designer, High Chief Eke Muma Gift, who talked about doubling her hustle revealed the inspiration behind her soon-to-be released song, “Double Your Hustle”, her aspirations and putting the past behind her. She also delved into her life as a female in the entertainment industry, as well as measures to push her brand forward. Excerpts: Are you really a chief?

Of course I am. In 2006, I was made a chief and January 7 of that year, it was my coronation. And 10 years later, precisely in 2016, I was made a High Chief. My chieftaincy title is the Onyo 1 of Ekpeye Kingdom in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State.

You were given a chieftaincy title at a very young age, you must have been in your late 20s then, how did you feel then?

I was too young when I was given my first chieftaincy title and then I said to them, I am a very crazy person, I wear crazy stuff and then being an artist, it would be difficult for me to take up such role traditionally. But they said to me, ‘it is honorary. You would not be expected to move to the village to function as chief but nonetheless, we are recognising you for your good deeds and your contributions to the growth of Ekpeye people.’ That was in 2006 and 16 years later it was upgraded to a High Chief. I don’t know why but God knows best.

What has been happening to you lately?

Well, the latest is that I am telling people to please double their hustle with my current song titled, “Double Your Hustle”. “Double Your Hustle” is born out of the inspiration that one needs to upgrade oneself and push oneself. If we don’t do it for ourselves, who will? We need to also see the need to do more than just one job. We need think about the various areas of income flow available to us and then take advantage. Doubling your hustle goes beyond just doing two jobs, it goes as far as trying to upgrade your life so that you can contribute your own quota to building a better society for us all.

How many songs/albums have you produced so far?

I will say honestly that I can’t lay count on it but I have done quite a lot of work. I have been over 25 years on stage and the stage craftsmanship has not reduced in any way but you know we are here today talking about innovation, this brand has gone through some kind of innovation, we are pulling what the brand Muma Gee stands for and blending it with the new wave of the moment in the entertainment industry. That is to say, the way you heard the song that I did today, is quite different from the usual Muma Gee that you used to hear - it’s kind of inspiring and makes you strong willed. So that is what it is and I’m so happy about that because it took a lot of hard work, a lot of recording, condemning the song, and seeing the need to keep upgrading before we arrived at that.

What inspired the song?

Well, I have this very special person in my life that keeps telling me all the time, ‘Double Your Hustle’, forget about the odds and circumstances around you.

And then I’m like, maybe it shouldn’t just be me gaining from this personally.

I should also sell it to people out there, especially to youths, because due to lack of encouragement, a lot of them are giving up on life these days, they have gone into drugs and cultism and all the wrong things because no one is really encouraging their hustles. That was what inspired the song “Double Your Hustle”.

So any time I do that song, it makes me feel good and when I got into the studio, everything that was ringing in my head was: You just have to Double Your Hustle.

Muma Gee

Is the song out yet?

No, it hasn’t. Funny enough I performed it for the first time on stage

Well, I have this very special person in my life that keeps telling me all the time, ‘Double Your Hustle’ and then I was like, maybe it shouldn’t just be me gaining from this personality. I should also sell it to people out there, especially youths, because due to lack of encouragement, a lot of them are giving up on life these days, and have gone into drugs and cultism

today – it is fresh from the studio. We are working on the video and it is going to be dropping on or before my birthday, which comes up on November 18.

believe that I was way older than my age because my high moment as an artist came like too high at a very young age. I was performing with the likes of Miriam Makeba and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, because of the brand of music that I delved into. I was able to craft a niche for myself and created my brand to be way more matured than it was supposed to be. So my high moments were so remarkable. I would say I was one of those few Nigerian female artists that started earning so high at a time because I was able to build a brand that was maybe unique or maybe it’s just God. Low moments of my carrier, I would say are those moments that it becomes so hectic and boring to be a popular artist because you want to go into the market sometimes and feel like a real women but at times you can’t do that because you are Muma Gee. And sometimes you want to walk on the street and may be get yourself a boli (roasted plantain) from the roadside seller because you just feel the urge to do so like every other person does, but you can’t do it. Sometimes, you want to walk around freely on the streets like every other common man does but you can’t. So my low moments I would say are those times I can’t do certain things I wish to do just because I am subjected to be in closed doors.

These have a devastating feeling on you and sometimes might drive you into depression because you are not mixing up and relating with people as you desire. I am by nature an indoor person but sometimes I want to wangle my way out and do something crazy like going to the market and choosing my kind of fabric myself. I am a fashion freak and also a fashion designer. I design most of what I wear, so sometimes people can’t really get across to me with the sort of fabrics I would want to use for my designs and all of that. Another thing is that part where the opposite sex feels that you are a sex object because you are an artist; they think you are loose, when you are really not. So you are misinterpreted as a female artist most times.

How is it like surviving in the entertainment industry as a female?

Well, not easy at all but you need to stand firm for yourself. First and foremost, consider the fact that you are a woman, self-esteem is extremely vital and holding unto yourself as a woman in respect to womanhood, otherwise, you may end up messing about with your body which I think is highly unnecessary.

For you to grow in the industry there would be a lot of temptations here and there, people who would ordinarily do stuff for you would not because you are female and they feel you have to submit your body first. For me it’s cliché to think and reason that way with the level of civilisation now. And I mean, if you are coming to me as a female artist, I think you should foremost have a business mind. It is something we can’t shy away from, it happens in the industry and that is why a lot of the good and talented artists out there are not given opportunities like they should, instead you the mediocres, who are ready to lay down themselves for cheap aggrandisement.

You sometimes appear wild, especially in your kind of dressing.

What informs your kind of dressing?

Well as a theatre art person – I studied Theatre Arts at the university and so costuming was part of my trainings.

Apart from the fact that I have wild imaginations, I also have the technical know-how of stage management. And so I know that as an artist to move around on stages, you need to feel free. Like the gown I am wearing right now is very elegant. I am supposed to be moving like a princess in it but without the tearing on the both sides, as it is now, I won’t be able to move my legs and so people may think I deliberately did the slits to look sexy or wild, Sometimes, it goes beyond just looking sexy to the fact that I need to push around my legs while on stage.

But outside the stage I love to very free so I wear a lot of shorts, maybe because I have bow legs and I am confident of being unique with the bow legs.

For my wild afro hairstyles – you know that in the olden days, we didn’t have chemicals to soften our hairs, they were usually very stiff, so my hair style is the enactment of what we truly are as Africans but people just think oh, she just likes to wear crazy bushy hairs do.

What are the high and low moments of your life as an artist?

My case is very peculiar because when I started music, people were forced to

There is this assumption that girls from River States, Port Harcourt especially, are wild. Does this has anything to do with your personality?

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COVER MUMA GEE: ‘DOUBLING HER HUSTLE’ into the category of celebrities that were once married and no longer married, I am not regretting because I got three lovely children from a marriage failed like two years back after just six years of the union.

And in anyway, I will never regret having been married to the person I got married to, because that was God’s plan for me at that time and when it didn’t work out the way I expected, I didn’t give up on life.

It is only painful that I don’t believe in divorce or separation but separation met me.

So my take on marriage is think very well, be sure of yourself and make sure you are ready to settle down in the marriage before you go into it. If you noticed, for the six years I was married, I stayed off my career. I played down on my career not because I couldn’t be married and also be a star, but because I wanted to be sure I gave all to my marriage and truly between God and man, I gave it all. I hung up my career and made sure I built a family and I actually built a good family but if it turned out the way it did, who am I to question God? Now, I don’t want to cast my mind back because I have moved on and life goes on.

Another thing is that part where the opposite sex feels that you are a sex object because you are an artist; they think you are loose, when you are really not. So you are misinterpreted as a female artist most times

I am from Rivers State but grew up in so many places including the North, so I can speak Hausa very well. I grew up a bit in Port Harcourt but in a very strict family background. It may shock you that in spite of how wild I look, I don’t smoke and I have never tried smoking and up until now, I have never taste alcohol.

So what’s wild about Rivers State girls?

People keep saying that, not just you!

Well, we don’t regret it because we look kind of more civilised maybe because of our early contact with civilisation - because of the riverine area we are from. Most of the Whiteman who came to colonise Nigeria came through these rivers and we came in contact with them, so a lot of our culture is exposed to the Western civilisation and so we are taught how to live civilised lives. And if people term that civilised way of living wild, then fine!

Were you ready for the marriage like you advised earlier?

I was fully prepared for it. If you read my previous interviews before I got married, I have always been asked when I was going to get married and I told them in due time I was going to get married and when I get married, I will give it all. And sincerely, when I eventually got married, I gave it all. But you know marriage has to do with two people and not just one person, so if the other person says I am done with it, no matter how much you manage it, it won’t work. That was the situation I found myself.

With your past experience in marriage, do you hope to remarry soon?

(Laughs) That’s funny! I am not even sure of an answer to that question. I am one that likes to leave my life in God’s.

And like God to take control. Even when I was to separate from my husband, I said to God I have tried a couple of times to hold this turbulent water but the water keeps dripping off my hands, then God let your will be done. If He says I’m going to be remarried, I will, and if He says no, I will be highly fulfilled with three beautiful kids. Honestly, I am letting God take over my life. Now, if I should decide to remarry, how am I sure this person will be better than the previous one? So let God’s will be done in my life. What is important to me now is telling everybody out there, especially the Nigerian youths to double their hustle.

You seem to be saying your own wildness is a kind of camouflage?

It is not a camouflage, I am doing me!

You need to see me drink water or just eat Fufu with you and then go on stage; you would just see a totally different person and that is because I allow my whole body to be controlled by the passion that I have in my prowess as regards expressing my art as Muma Gee. Who influenced you while growing up - your mom or your dad?

My mom did. My dad died while I was quite young. My mom is not even as crazy as I am. I took the singing from my mom.

She has always been a choir member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church up till date. She is about 73 year but she still sings in the choir because she derives joy from singing and praising God. I also took after her in fashion design because she was a seamstress and she used to double her hustle then. She was and still is a good teacher because she still teaches my children even now. In spite of the fact that she was making cloths, she was still buying and selling, and she used to do contract as well. Now that she is aged, I won’t let my mom do anything.

I never saw my mom drink alcohol. I grew up seeing my mom take malt or any other soft drink and that is what I do too.

I grew up being very well caged. By mere eye contact, my mom has passed a message.

And each step I make all the way from when I was a child, she tells me go with Jesus. She even told me that this morning because she lives with me now. And so that gives me the confidence that God is always with me. My mom will tell you the dos and don’ts of life and leave you to the options. And because she has given you a great foundation of growing up as a young person, you have no right to deviate.

My mom has never told me ‘you are beautiful’ but rather she will tell me ‘character is beauty.’ And being of good behaviour shapes your future. So if you let men deceive you or sweet talk you into anything, you are doomed. So that alone is scaring and you have no choice but sit tight and live a decent life. So not doing boys then as a child nor doing men now as an adult is in the blood for me. I might shock you a bit that I was circumcised, so

Is there room for possible reconciliation with your husband since you are only separated?

For now all I am doing is give total attention to my new song, “Double Your Hustle”, my mind hardly travels that lane, while I let God take total control of my life on what to be or not.

Muma Gee

sex to me is nothing but just a role I have to play to my husband. So I have never been promiscuous and never intend to be.

Are you saying circumcision curtails sexual urge in a woman?

Honestly it does. And even though I support the fact that government and some international organisations are going against circumcision but trust me, it will not deprive me from telling the truth that circumcision curbs prostitution and promiscuity in women. That is the truth as an African; I will not play down on it. I

won’t lie to you.

What is your take on marriage and being a superstar?

To be sincere with you, I have always believed that before you go into marriage, you have to be ready and if you are not ready, don’t get in. So I never believed in separation or divorce but unfortunately the things you believe in sometimes do not work out for you the way you believe them. The reality of life sometimes hit you and forces you into what is different from your ideology. So now that I have fallen

What is the future plan for the brand Muma Gee? You know world music has vacancies.

The class of music that the likes of Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and some other renowned females artists out there did are all gone. I might turn out to be that person to fill those vacancies and that is the plan I have for my brand and not just me, my team Muma Gee has same plan and so hopefully, we are going to get there soon.

My genre of music is quite unique and I used to call it many other names - it is Samba African music. It is sound from Africa. It is African music, and so I will call it contemporary African music because we have gone a little more urban, it is not as traditional as it used to be, so it is African sound with a difference.

We are hoping to hit the world stage musically, promoting African music through the brand Muma Gee. We intend to sell our cultural value and heritage to the world, through that brand; Muma Gee.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Teni Makanaki’s Strides to Stardom

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Different shades of Teni

Yinka Olatunbosun

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f her name doesn’t ring a bell by now, certainly you’re behind the trends in Nigerian music scene.

One of the fast-rising entertainers in Nigeria, Teni Makanaki is a drummer, singer-songwriter and rapper, who is inadvertently introduced as the sister to the popular afro-house musician and Project Fame music reality show finalist, Niniola.

Teni struck a chord in everyone when the founder of Art X Lagos, Tokini Peterside announced that she is one of the headliners for this year’s Art X Live experience, scheduled for the first weekend in November. Peterside didn’t stop at the introduction but even hinted the journalists at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi that morning that Teni is a very talented entertainer who had to defy her

mother’s wish in order to pursue music as a career.

Born Teniola Apata, she is a daughter to Late Brigadier-General S.O. Apata, the founder of the elite private school, Apata Memorial School. She showed interest in music at an early age with the establishment of a music band in her school. As a member of the band, she performed for several distinguished Nigerians including the former Military Administrator (Governor) in Lagos State, Muhammed Buba Marwa; Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

After her secondary school education, she proceeded to the US to study Pharmacy. Subsequently, she pulled out of Pharmacy school. Teni hated every bit of the moment as music kept creeping into her soul. Eventually, she graduated from the American Intercontinental University, Atlanta with a degree in Business administration with a minor in Information Technology and began recording her songs upon her return to

Adewale Ayuba, Desmond Elliot Bag Afroglobal Award in Canada Sunday Ehigiator Legendary Musician, Adewale Ayuba, and Nollywood actor-cumlawmaker, Desmond Elliot, recently bagged the 2018 Afroglobal Award in Ontario, Canada.

While Ayuba won the Afroglobal Television Excellence award in entertainment, Elliot bagged the Renaissance award at the event which held at the Royalton Banquet Center.

Ayuba who expressed excitement said the award would give room for more recognition of Fuji music globally.

“I thank God for all His support, I am very honoured receiving the award of excellence, I see it as a door opener for Fuji music. I dedicate the award to all Fuji artists all over the world. “ Now we will see more acceptance of Fuji music

Adewale Ayuba

among the international community and am planning to have some musical collaborations with some African musicians, this award will make it easier now,” he said. Other recipients include, Portia SimpsonMiller, first female Prime Minister of Jamaica who received the Justice Irving Andre-Marcus Garvey lifetime achievement

award; Dr Tosin Aluko, who received Science and Technology award; Dr Lenox Walker, who received the Leadership award; Mr Robert Katende carted the Global Impact award and Charmaine Tial won for Professional Achievement award.

Others are: Allen Remley for Nelson Mandela Humanitarian award; Hugh Graham for the Martin Luther King Jn Legacy award; Tammie Sutterland for the Media Award; Ikechukwu Nnamani for the Enterprise award; Aaliyah Cinello for the Rising star award; Peter Toh for the Heritage award; Leo Johnson for the Visionary award; Esther Enyolu for the community award; Paulette Senior for the Leadership award and Hon. Tony Ince for the Legacy award.

Also, Ghanian actress, Jackie Appiah won the 2017 Afroglobal Television award of excellence in entertainment.

Nigeria.

Signed to Dr. Dolor Entertainment, Teni’s music interests are beyond her contemporaries’. Though in her early twenties, she draws influences from folk, juju, fuji and apala music.

As a result, she broke into mainstream with singles like “Fargin’’ which preaches abstinence from sex; “Case’’ which is a story of a young woman who is obsessed with a man, whom she had to risk everything to protect but got away with another woman.

She said: “Music allows me to tell stories that resonate with a lot of young people,’’ she began. “I do good music. I don’t box myself because I can do almost all kinds of music. I feel like God has given me the talent so it will be unfair for me and to the world to box myself when I can do more.’’

While lamenting over the challenges of securing digital sale of music in Nigeria, she admitted that her legal advisers are taking care of the business side of music so that she can concentrate on the conceptual and creative ends.

Currently enjoying radio airplays is her latest single, “Askamaya’’ which is a remix of one of the tracks in Sir Shina Peters’ Shinamaniaalbum, “Omoge Loke Loke.’’ Unlike many contemporary female artists in popular music, Teni is usually garbed in unisex and conservative clothes, with the gait of a tomboy. Her music persona is a hybrid of Missy Elliot and Notorious B.I.G. It goes without saying that her quest for commercial success will not hinge on her anatomy, even though she’s well endowed. Inspite of her modesty in appearance, music is a forbidden fruit to bite in her home.

“Music is the easiest thing for me to do. I don’t want to live a sad life because I want to please my parents. I don’t depend on my parents financially anymore’’.

Contrary to Teni’s subdued appearance, her elder sister, Niniola is regarded as a sex symbol in the music scene. Still, Teni embodies promise, focus, artistry, depth and sheer naturalness.

How Malaria Drug Overdose Killed Legendary Nollywood Producer, Chris Ekejime Sunday Ehigiator The Nigerian movie industry was thrown into mourning last Sunday following the death of a veteran producer, Chris Ekejimbe.

Ekejimbe who passed on at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), was said to have been battling acute malaria and typhoid fever for more than two months.

Founding President of the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), and APC candidate for the Warri Federal Constituency seat in the forthcoming House of Representatives election, Comrade Alex Eyengho, who confirmed the news of Ekejimbe’s death, said the film maker passed on about 9 am on Sunday at LUTH. According to Eyengho, the deceased was rushed to LUTH on Tuesday, when his condition became critical after he was allegedly given an overdose of malaria drug at another hospital.

Chris

The drug was said to have damaged his red blood cell, causing the deceased to emaciate following which he patronised a pharmacist whom Eyengho said was coming to his house to treat him.

The ANCOP leader said, “Chris became ill while he was on location shooting his soap opera. He went to a hospital and was diagnosed with acute malaria and typhoid fever. He went in and out of hospital, yet his condition did not improve.

“I was one of the few

persons who saw him before he died. What he told me was that the doctor mistakenly gave him an overdose of malaria drug and the drug damaged his red blood cell.

“He started emaciating.

After he did all kinds of tests, it was discovered that his red blood cell was at a zero level.

Maybe, because of the mistake of the doctor, he no longer had confidence in going to the hospital again. As a result, he was now receiving treatment at home.

“A pharmacist was coming to his house to treat him. This was going on for three to four weeks, until last Tuesday, when I visited him. I didn’t like his condition so I called his wife and manager, one Martins and insisted that he must be taken to LUTH, for proper medication. “ I was able to convince Chris to go to the hospital again. But he didn’t, until last Tuesday. I guess by the time, he got to LUTH, it was probably late.

THISDAYt FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018

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NEWS

Three Crowned Mum of the Year Mary Nnah The Three Crown Mum of the Year Competition had three mothers emerge winners at this year’s grand finale held recently in Lagos.

Unlike previous years where only one winner emerged annually, this year’s edition of the completion had three lucky mothers carting away mouthwatering prizes.

Three lucky mothers out of 10, who participated got an allexpenses-paid trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and a year’s supply of Three Crowns milk.

This year, the company, which is staging the competition for the fourth time, chose to reward three mothers for the first time to celebrate the company’s 30 years of existence in Nigeria.

Mrs. Jennifer Otu, Mrs. Pauline Pambolo Daniel and Adaobi Okonkwo,having scored overall highest marks combined across the three stages of the competition – Fitness, Smartness, Fun Tests as well as popular votes, were announced winners by a panel of judges, made up of Nollywood stars, Fathia Balogun, Belinda Effah, and popular Fitness Coach, Bunmi George of Shreddergang.

Other contestants also smiled home with consolation prizes; the fourth and fifth place winners were each rewarded with N1m worth of kitchen makeover; the sixth and seventh place winners got N500, 000 worth of kitchen

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Three Crowns Milk, Mrs Omolara Banjoko; the three star winners, Mrs Jennifer Michael, Mrs Pauline Pambolo, and Mrs. Adaobi Okonkwo: Marketing Director, Friesland Campina WAMCO, Mr Chris Wul Caesar at the event

makeover each, while each of the eighth, ninth and 10th winners received N300, 000 worth of kitchen makeover to be redeemed at any store of their choice.

Senior Brand Manager of Three Crowns Milk, Omolara Banjoko, said the completion aims to award and celebrate mothers for the effort and sacrifices they make while taking care of their families and loved ones every day.

She said: “We understand the important role our mothers play in shaping the society at large.

Their choice to eat right and keep fit is very important in reducing the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases for the family and society. “We also recognise the importance and unique role food plays especially breakfast to provide essential nourishment to the

body. This has helped shape various initiatives across our brand portfolio to make milk accessible to Nigerian homes. “Three Crowns supports families by providing high quality nutrition for mothers and by extension, their families. One of the key things that we have identified is that the foundation of any family is the mother and with them being the foundation, they need to stay fit and healthy which is what Three Crowns truly believes in. “ We strongly believe that if the pillar of the house being the mother is taken care of, the whole family is strong. So when the mother of the home is happy and healthy, the family, community and the nation will also be happy and healthy.�

She stressed further that the Mum of the Year initiative is

hinged on the brand’s repositioning ideology with the tagline Healthy Mums, Happy Family’ and also the belief that mothers are the pillars of the house therefore there is a need for the brand to continuously engage and enlighten them of the need to maintain a healthy family always. “Today, I am pleased to announce that as Three Crowns marks her 30th anniversary of delivering complete nourishment to Nigerians, we also commit in a grand style our promise to take care of mothers so as to jointly promote, encourage and empower them to live a healthy life�, she said.

Congratulating the top 10 nominees, Banjoko said, “You are all winners irrespective of the outcome of today’s event.

I’m confident that, the love Three Crownshasshowntoyou,youwill exhibit the same as mums love to yourfamilies�.Sheurgedeveryone to always keep fit, stay healthy have a nice time and continue to enjoy Three Crowns milk.

Three Crowns Milk, which is one of Nigeria’s iconic brands, has since 2015 celebrated the unique role a mother plays in the family especially by ensuring a healthy nutrition for the family.

This is very much in line with the pay-off line, “Healthy Mums, Happy Families� which it has adopted since its re-launch in 2015 and which defines its role to enable mums take extra care of themselves by eating right and keeping fit.

Second Nigeria Beer Festival to Boost Tourism in Lagos Mary Nnah Stakeholders are of the opinion that the ongoing second edition of the Nigeria Beer Festival which took off on Thursday October 25 will boost tourism and economy of Lagos State and the nation at large.

Scheduled to hold till Wednesday, October 31, at the Eko Atlantic City, Bar Beach Water front Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, organisers have promised to crown the week-long event with maximum entertainment to fun loving Lagosians.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the event in Lagos last week, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, explained that the festival is in line with government’s agenda to grow the tourism and economy of the state.

He stated that Lagos state is collaborating with beer brewers in the country and their counterparts across the globe to stimulate the economic and tourism potentials in the state.

He enjoined Lagosians to come out in their large numbers to enjoy the ambience of the festival, assuring that the city is safe for fun lovers because of the various infrastructure developments by the state such as Light-up Lagos among others. “Lagos is a city state and in league with great cities all over the world. We are actually moving the state to a 24 hour economy and this festival will be part of the beneficiaries.

Lagos is safe for fun and business. We are joining the global tourism world to create impact on the economy of Lagos and Nigeria,� he said.

The event, which commences 4p.m daily, is a big opportunity for major breweries to exhibit

and deliver various offerings of beer brands to the teeming consumers to strengthen brand relationship with them while the timing promises an after work relaxation environment to bond with friends and associates.

General Manager of On and One Events Limited, Akinola Oluwaleimu, who is spearheading the beer festival, said that the event will promote a carnival atmosphere, adding that it will promote responsible drinking among drinking-age (18 +) consumers at all its touch points.

According to him, the event, since it debuted last year, has seen Nigeria enrolled into the league of Beer Festivals around the world, and boost the country’s tourism opportunities. He said therefore that this edition will be a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond, add-

ing, “this year’s edition will be bigger and better.�

Oluwaleimu revealed that the 2017 edition attracted over ten thousand beer enthusiasts and consequently the festival has proven to become a major international tourist event in Nigeria with a potential to compete with other international beer festivals around the world. “Nigeria Beer Festival will be a carnival week of entertainment, sales and marketing and a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country to bond and ‘beer’,� Oluwaleimu assured.

He added that the Nigeria Beer Festival will provide a fitting ambience to showcase culture and lifestyle in a carnival atmosphere with various beer brands and other alcoholic drinks in Nigeria connecting with their existing and potential consumers.

Nigerian Designers Award Fashion Show to Encourage Young Talents Mary Nnah Founder, Nigerian Designers Award Fashion Show, Olasunkanmi Dasilva has said that the event, which is one of a kind, is designed to embrace creativity in Nigeria as well as encourage young talents in the creativity and fashion design industry.

Speaking at a press briefing recently to announce the upcoming event scheduled to hold on December 2 at the Podium, Lekki Lagos, Dasliva said: “There are lots of young people out there who have passion for creativity and who are very good in sketching, stitching and tailoring but lack the platforms to display these talents, so that is why we have put this show together in

Dasilva

order to create a platform for them.�

Speaking further on the rationale behind the forthcoming fashion show and award, he noted, “We noticed that a lot of renowned fashion designers in Nigeria who have been

so celebrated lack platforms to celebrate upcoming and talented fashion designers, so we are trying to fill this obvious gap. “Apparently, one of the basic needs of man apart from food and shelter, is clothing, so people that cloth us should be credited. So we are trying to give accolades to Nigerian designers, especially the young talents as we promote their brands.�

He explained that the award and fashion show would be focusing on the upcoming designers, adding, “we are looking at how we can bring them together to mentor them on fashion business and also teach them how they can also promote their brands to the world.�

He said the event would also afford the opportunity to encour-

age designers and Nigerians at large to embrace our local outfit. “It is time we project to the world what is positive about us, we have a whole lot to project to the world. Our heritage is very rich and that is why we are proud to be part of this scheme. We want to project Nigeria and Africa at large to the world, we want to let them know that Nigeria is not just about negativity but that we have a lot positive and industrious people here.�

He said organisers of the event are also seeking for sponsorships and support from likeminded persons and organisations. The aim of this event is to project young talented Nigerian fashion designers to the world and we need to start from somewhere.

Orange Global Awards organiser, Ogedegbe

ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?

For Loveth Ogedegbe, the organiser of Orange Global Awards, this year’s edition holding on Saturday, November 10 at Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has been designed to reward hardworking Nigerians.

Ogedegbe, who doubles as the publisher of Orange magazine, said: “The Orange Global Achievement Awards was created specifically to honour those that have contributed positively to society viz-a-viz creating employment and empowering Nigerian youths. “ The objective is to make them double their efforts such that they continue to impact society positively.�

Ogedegbe further stated that the award would spark healthy competition among individuals and corporate bodies and also set platforms for the creation of stronger bonds between government and the private sector, with a view to combating youth restiveness and building a buoyant economy.

Themed: ‘Redirecting the Course of our Youths’, nominees for this year include captains of industries, innovators, policy drivers, entrepreneurs and philanthropists among others. Created in 2007, the theme for this year’s award is: Redirecting the Course of the Youths.

HWMGInitiativeCommemoratesRewardProgram Ake Ayodeji In a bid to reduce the alarming rate of hunger and malnutrition in Africa to zero level, Happy World Meal Gate (HWMG), a multi-level marketing company in Africa has said it won’t desist from it’s food deal initiative.

Recently at the corporate lunch held in Lagos, in commemoration of its annually rewarding program, the Managing Director, HWMG, Mr. Suleiman Lento, buttressed the effort of the initiative to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring hunger and malnutrition in not only in Nigeria but in other Africa countries are sacked.

His said: “Happy World Meal Gate is passionate and dynamic company of African extraction on a mission to bring smiles to people’s faces. We strongly believe hunger and malnutrition are global threats and monstrous emergencies which must be tackled decisively and without delay. “This can only be fully achieved via the provision of food which is obviously a basic human right as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) human rights charter. “We are proffering a sustainable food reward system which embraces civil servants, traders, artisans, pensioners, farmers, students and a wide array of low income earners and ensures that as soon as anyone registers on our portal and meet the requirements, they are awarded, also generate much needed income and in the process drive their feeding expenses to the barest minimum.�

Welcoming members in Nigeria and fro other African countries, the Chairman of the event, Barrister, Chris Omolabi, appreciated partner and alliance for the support. “It’s a very light event we are having today for stakeholders, partners and international alliances. It’s a feast platform to share ideas and to give testimonies and all we will be doing today is about feasting. “I want appreciate your presence and support of our partners who has seen reasons to support our initiative of eradicating hunger in Africa. Our compensation plan product is time tested, trusted and capable of eliminating hunger and malnutrition from our dictionary� he said

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F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

A New Literature on Fela Yinka Olatunbosun writes that at FELABRATION 2018, a high note was struck with the launch of Lanre Arogundade’s booklet, which peers into Fela’s music message and chronicles the days of student activism and its role in Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s freedom from prison under military rule in Nigeria

I

n the spirit of Felabration 2018, with the slogan, “Overtake Don Overtake Overtake’’, admirers of Fela gathered at the Kalakuta Museum, the final residence of the legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, to reminisce on the life and times of the great revolutionary. But it was not just a talk-shop, a booklet which reminded the comrades of the years of pamphleteering, was launched.

Titled ‘Fela: Yesterday’s Message as Today’s Reality’, its author, Lanre Arogundade, is a front-line journalist, who was actively involved in the struggle for a socially transformed Nigeria along social lines.

Arogundade, a friend to Fela’s brother, Beko Ransome-Kuti, recalled how he secured an opportunity to interview Fela, usually in the early hours of the day, about 1 am and his role in mobilising Nigerian students to campaign for the release of Fela who spent two years in detention (1884-1986) during the military rule by the then Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari.

With foreword written by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, the booklet as described by Publisher, Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, is a “snap-read’’ capturing the defining decades of Fela’s radical years.

Fela During the panelists’ session, the culture advocate, Jahman Anikulapo, that ideological books such as “Zambia a culture activist and former Editor, Shall Be Free’’ and others were part of Sunday Guardian, described Fela as the syllabus that groomed the author. a global cultural essence and a very Fela’s first manager and biographer, humble person who never stared into Benson Idonije, also remarked that he anyone’s eyes.

“Fela committed class suicide by fight- had predicted that his book, ‘Dis Fela Sef’ would inspire other writers to write ing for the masses. Fela shaped a lot in my life and I believed he did the same for on Fela.

Odia Ofeimun, a poet and former seca lot of young people. Many of today’s retary to Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, youths accept Fela’s music even though made some resounding comments about they never met him,’’ he remarked.

Fela and his engagement with politics.

He added that for anyone to challenge “Fela was not always right, but he was the system the way Fela did, one needs able to make himself relevant to national to be educated. discourse by widening the theatre of Kunle Ajibade, one of the heroes of expression,’’ he argued. democracy in journalism, described The Deputy Managing Director, Fela as “an intoxicant”. Referencing the THISDAY and a pro-democratic activist, educational system that produced the Kayode Komolafe observed that no one likes of Arogundade, Ajibade mentioned

could call Fela a Yoruba musician in spite of his Yoruba roots.

“He is a pan-Africanist with political groundings,’’ he said, adding that the philosophical leap that people like Fela proposed was progressive, not regressive.

Dr. Abiola Afolabi Akiode, the only female comrade at the launch said that she was initiated into activism by her first visit to Fela’s Shrine at 19.

A.J. Daggar Tolar performed a revolutionary poem titled, “Fela Anikulapo Kuti’’ from his anthology, “Search for the Self’’, tapping copiously from popular Fela song titles.

The booklet is dedicated to Comrade Segun Sango who was meant to be a co-author of the literary piece but for his ill health.

Women Dominate Lagos Photo Festival 2018 Yinka Olatunbosun

Setting new norms for Nigeria’s first international arts festival of photography, the organisers of the LagosPhoto Festival, have declared that this ninth edition will be female-dominated.

The lead curator, Wunika Mukan, said LagosPhoto will have four female curators, a first since its inception. Call it the Girl Power! edition.

Titled, “Time has Gone,’’ the 22 participating artists drawn from 18 countries will explore the concept of time through the month-long exhibition, spread across multiple venues in Lagos.

At a recent press briefing held at the African Artists’ Foundation, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Assistant Director, LagosPhoto, Charlotte Langhorst said the choice of venue for the grand opening reception, which takes place tomorrow, October 27, is The Federal Printing Press Building, which is a few blocks away from Freedom Park.

The satellite venues for this edition include OmenkaGallery, African Artists’ Foundation, Alliance Francaise, Gallery 16/16, Hfactor and Railway (Yaba), while outdoor exhibitions will be experienced at public spaces such as

Ikorodu Park, Falomo Roundabout and Freedom Park.

LagosPhoto had been the purveyor of the development and education of contemporary photography in Africa through its mentorships and cross-cultural collaborations with indigenous and international artists.

Breeding a refreshing air of healthy competition, LagosPhoto festival allows each participating artist to investigate the practices of archiving, preservation whilst imagining the possibility of an Afro-based future.

These photographers are Malala Andrialavidrazana(Madagascar/ France), Emmanuelle Andiranjafy(Madagascar), Ismail Bahri (Tunisia/France) Sandra Brewster (Canada/Guyana), Kwena Chokoe (South-Africa/ Myanmar), Crazinis T (Ghana/Togo), AdjiDieye (Italy/Senegal), Ndidi Dike (Nigeria), Michele Pearson Clarke (Canada/ Trinidad), Mary Evans (UK/Nigeria), Abosede George (Nigeria/ US), Mathilde ter Heijne (Holland/ Germany), Amanda Iheme (Nigeria), Alfredo Jaar (Chile), Cassandra Klos(USA), Kitso Lynn Leliott (Botswanan), Amina Menia(Algeria), Emode Medeiros (Benin), Karl Ohiri (UK/ Nigeria), Olu Olatunde (Nigeria), Chibuike Uzoma (Nigeria) and Charlotte Yonga

(France/ Cameroun).

A participating artist, Amanda Iheme, an architectural photographer and therapist said her energy is channeled towards capturing old buildings, some remodeled or unused for the purpose of documentation of time. The designer for the exhibition, Nifemi Marcus Bello assured the public that local artisans were sourced in executing the LagosPhoto project.

The Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Russel Brooks announced that the top three entries in a recent exhibition curated by the US Consulate will also be showcased at the festival.

The Director, Alliance Francaise, Charles Courdent, while reflecting on the theme, observed that since his arrival in Nigeria last year, he had noticed the sense of urgency in the Lagos temperament and even in the common greeting, “How far?’’

The LagosPhoto which ends on November 15 is sponsored by Mike Adenuga Centre, National Geographic, The US Consulate in Lagos, British Council with support from Ford Foundation. Other special projects at this edition of the festival are workshops such as Women in Photography, Canon Photography Workshop and National Geographic Portfolio Review.

BOOK REVIEW

ÏÑËÖ ÏÜÓÝÍÙÚÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÒÏËÞÜÏ ÙÐ Ï×ÙÍÜËÍã Tobi Soniyi evaluates the literary effort

by Chidi Odinkalu and Ayisha Osori, who took a dispassionate look at the events that shaped the nation shortly after the return to civilian rule in 1999 One of the sentences I picked from my friend and mentor, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu is “there is plenty of information but little knowledge. Nigerian politicians continue to play the same old tricks and unfortunately, we continue to fall for them because we are not able to process information available at our disposal into knowledge.”

Clearly, this is the gap filled by co-authors, Chidi Odinkalu and Ayisha Osori in their new book, ‘Too Good to Die- Third Term and the Myth of the Indispensable Man in Africa’.

Odinkalu is a fundamental rights lawyer and senior team manager for the Africa Program of the Open Society Justice Initiative and former Chairman, the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, while Osori is also a lawyer, management consultant and the author of the widely acclaimed book, ‘Love Does Not Win Elections’.

She was recently appointed as the Executive Director, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

The protagonist in this political theatre captured in this book, former President Olusegun Obasanjo denied that he was instrumental to the botched constitutional amendment that aimed to give a third term for presidency. Hence, the book unearths facts that were hitherto hidden from the public and lends credence to the inevitable conclusion that the ‘big man’ was behind the show.

In doing this, the book leaves no one in doubt as to whether Obasanjo wanted a third term or not.

The co-authors spoke to those who took part in the scheme, directly and indirectly to dig deeper and exhume hidden facts that illuminate the grey areas around the second term bid.

They also provided fresh insights into documents that were already in public domain. It was noted that apart from the financial waste that characterised the move to amend the constitution just to allow Obasanjo’s third term ambition, the damage to the nation’s democracy would have been catastrophic had the amendment succeeded.

If we have learnt from that experience, maybe Lawal Yahaya Gamau, a Senator representing Torro Federal Constituency in Bauchi, would not have made it his mission in Senate to make Muhammadu Buhari a president for life.

The authors identified those who worked behind the scenes to foist the amendment on us. Many of them have denied playing such roles. But after reading the book, the reader will have no difficulty in arriving at same conclusion.

Anyone who desires to understand the politics of Obasanjo’s administration as a civilian president cannot find a better book.

Despite being a great scholarship thrust, the conclusions reached by the authors in the book have been largely influenced by their opinions, not necessarily facts.

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F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

FERTILITY

P

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; ÏÌÝÓÞÏ˝ lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

INFERTILITY AS A CAUSE OF BROKEN HOMES (Part 1)

arenthood is undeniably one of the most universally desired goals in adulthood, with most people having life plans that include children. However not all couple who desire a pregnancy will achieve one spontaneously and a proportion of couple will need medical help to resolve underlining fertility challenges while some may never be able to have their own genetic children and will result to use of donor gametes (sperm/egg) or even adoption.

Infertility is a global health problem and a socialdestabilizing condition for couples, associated with stigmas and a major cause of marital frictions. Many homes go through the pains of childlessness with the issue of infertility fast becoming a common occurrence in the country. According to the World Health Organization infertility prevalence rates are difficult to determine, due to the presence of both male and female factors which complicate any estimate which may only address the woman and an outcome of a pregnancy diagnosis or live birth.

The African society places a high premium on the size of the family, be it nuclear or extended. The woman’s place in marriage remains precarious till confirmed through child bearing. In most cases, a woman has to prove her womanhood through motherhood, and the man also having to confirm his manhood in same fashion. Children are held as a source of pride, strength and economic fortune for the family, a man’s wealth and strength being equated to his progeny. Infertility therefore involves a feeling of loss even though previously inexistent, it is thought to be tangible and therefore impacts negatively on a couple’s mental and social wellbeing. Infertility may constitute a crisis in the affected family.

The attendant emotional, psychological, cultural and social burden drains the couple of self-worth and esteem. In most

African society, a woman’s childlessness may be viewed as a punishment for a social misdemeanor or attributed to other factors including witchcraft and the disaffection of one’s ancestors. The unsolicited and often inpatient societal demands and expectations place on such couples an unimaginable pressure and tension. They may become isolated and neglected consequent upon the attendant social stigmatization. Childlessness is a dreaded outcome of any marriage in the society and often leads to polygamy and broken marriages but rarely child adoption in the traditional African setting.

Female infertility is stigmatized in western as well as non-western cultures. The notion of child-bearing being a hallmark of womanhood, the high premium placed on children by extended families as well as difficulties in the procedure for legal or permanent adoption make stigmatizing

attitudes experienced by infertile women particularly severe in non-western cultures.

Although the socio-cultural setting has before now focused on the female, fertility issues are shared by both male and female sexes.

Demographic studies have shown that more women are delaying childbearing at the present time than previously. This trend is expected to cause a corresponding rise in the mean age at which women first present themselves at fertility clinics. It is unclear as to whether women who present to fertility clinics at an older age have a different diagnostic profile from that in younger women. However, research has proven that older women may be more likely to be diagnosed with unexplained infertility and that this is due to the negative effect of age on ovarian reserve. Clinicians have also observed that most infertile couple present

THE IMPACT OF INFERTILITY ON THE COUPLE When a woman cannot bear children, it tremendously affects her identity, but the pain can extend far beyond her to affect her relationship. Conflict often arisesamongst couple over which treatment option to use, when to stop treatment or when to adopt. Most treatment options available for management of infertility may be very expensive and emotionallydraining.

Infertility also affects a woman’s relationship with other members of the family like the mother and father in-laws. Misunderstanding may be arising from their perception of what infertility is and what its management should entail……

To be continued next week.

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

W

at the infertility clinic at least after 5 years of trying to conceive usually after the age of 37 years when their natural fertility is already declining. Fertility declines with age in both male and female. Infertility in older women may be due to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs as they age as well as diminished ovarian reserve.

Older women are also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also is much higher with advancing maternal age.

An overwhelming amount of evidence has accumulated in the last five to seven years that point to the fact that there has been rise in male infertility and some researches have shown it at an incidence rate of 40-50%. Despite the high prevalence of infertility in Nigeria, not much effort has been made at tackling the problem. This high prevalence of infertility in men hasbeen associated with sexually transmitted infection, and in women pelvic inflammatory disease, post-abortal or post-partum genital tract infection and even environmental toxin.

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

Between Nigeria and Norway: Exploring Possibilities

ith an enviable bilateral relationship that predates Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and trade transactions currently valued at $30bn, it is absolutely a matter of necessity for Nigeria and Norway to strengthen their strategic partnership and take it to greater heights.

Like many Nigerians, I have observed that, and wondered why, in most cases of Nigeria’s bilateral relations and engagements with other countries, Nigeria is almost always the less active. While the other party strives to deepen value and gains from the joint agreements, Nigeria sits idly by, perhaps, waiting for someone to hold her hands for a walk.

Despite Nigeria’s characteristic lethargy however, some of its forthright international allies would stop at nothing to arouse the country from its slumber.

Evidently, Norway is one of such countries. The country has been demonstrating tremendous concern and support for a better future for Nigeria and galvanising enormous potential opportunities that both countries can benefit from as trade partners.

Beyond that, the European country has seen the amazing capacity of Nigerians in diverse sectors. So it is working to broaden and solidify its relationship with Nigerian private sector players as catalysts for shared prosperity and progress.

The recent appointment of accomplished Nigerian entrepreneur, Mr. Taofik Adegbite, as Norway’s Consul General to Nigeria is one of the highly commendable efforts of a nation serious about business and appreciative of talents. Adegbite, the CEO of a leading oil services company in Nigeria, Marine Platforms, is one of Nigeria’s excellent economic players breaking barriers of foreign opportunities and partnerships and charting a new course for aspiring

Exploring possibilities between Nigeria and Norway

entrepreneurs.

He’s an outstanding non-state actor that is helping to reposition Nigeria’s diplomatic and international relations on accounts of his noble deeds. Adegbite is arguably the most recognisable Nigerian businessman

by Norway particularly on the back of the remarkable volume of transactions he has facilitated with the country and his company’s exemplary corporate governance culture.

As we know, the countries of the West have always proven to be masters of human resources recognition and management.

That’s the reason many nations of Europe and America remain reference points for human advancement and exploits. As such Norway’s honour done to one of our own is a deft public diplomatic endeavour by a nation that never ceases to improve its international profile. It is also a worthy recognition of excellence capable of engendering better performance.

It now behoves Nigeria to begin to look up to examples as this so as to level up in its relationship with the outside world in terms of capacity and profits. But is she willing to?

The Nigerian-Norwegian Chambers of Commerce (NNCC) headed by the pragmatic and brilliant Nigerian businessman,

Mr. Chijioke Igwe, is described as a “bilateral Chamber of Commerce established to promote the best of partnerships between commercial, social and cultural interests, primarily but not exclusively, across both Nigeria and Norway.”

Curious to know the level of interests driven by both countries on the level playing field provided by the NNCC? The answer lies in the volume of trade from Norway to Nigeria as against what Nigeria brings to the table.

However, it is out of the need to unlock greater opportunities between both nations and to essentially encourage Nigeria to expand its trade with Norway that the Norwegian embassy, NNCC and Innovation Norway recently organised a business roundtable.

Expectedly, the strategic event, which is a stakeholders’ meeting to present and promote the investment opportunities and incentives in Norway to Nigerian investors in Lagos, presented another important avenue for critical decision makers and stakeholders to deliberate on ideas and solutions to move the partnership between the two countries forward.

Like most Nigerians, a major concern for the Norwegian ambassador to Nigeria, JensPetter Kjemprud, is the issue of insecurity that is killing several economic activities in our country. Though he affirmed that Norway is considering increasing investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas and expressed his country’s interest in the Nigeria’s power sector, more effort should be put into stemming the tide of insecurity by the Nigerian government.

“You need to have renewable energy take

root in this country, you need to have the incentive not disincentives. The sector needs to be well regulated, organised and you have to attract investors. There is still a huge hydro power potential in Nigeria; we seem to have forgotten about that. We also have solar and wind power but the wind power cannot thrive because of insecurity.

“You cannot have wind power in the Gulf of Guinea if pirates are threatening ships. So it is about incentives and providing security.

“This is why we brought some of the most important business actors from Norway – Innovation Norway, Nigerian Norwegian Chambers of Commerce, our new Consul General and the embassy – to get together as strong as possible to show what can be done in trade between both countries”, he said.

Any Nigerian who goes through the daily grit and overwhelming demands of operating businesses in Nigeria will easily connect with the view of the Norwegian Ambassador.

And more reasonably, they can easily see through the interventions of the new Norwegian Consul General to Nigeria, Adegbite, who said the Federal Government needs to provide all the necessary support for private sector players to unlock greater opportunities in the maritime sector; and strengthen the environment for businesses and bilateral relationships to get stronger.

“Many Nigerians have proven themselves and demonstrated excellent capacity through the instrumentality of the local content law in the oil and gas industry.

That is a valid example that with the necessary support and proper frameworks the country can gain more from other sectors like the marine and its allied areas.

F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

35

COLLAGE EVENTS Crime Reporters Launch Book on Private Security

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (middle); his former English Teacher, Mrs. Moni Adamolekun (left) and a former school mate/ Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Dr. Eniola Ajayi; during Christ’s School Alumni General Congress in Ado-Ekiti….recently

A book “Essentials of Public Relations for Private Security Officers” jointly authored by two Lagos based journalists Messrs Odita Sunday; a Senior Crime Correspondent with the Guardian newspaper and Frank Oshanugor; Editor-in-Chief of Security Express Magazine, would be presented to the public in a ceremony scheduled for today in Lagos.

In a press statement, the authors said the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris is expected as the Special Guest of Honour at the book launch which holds at the event hall of BEST WESTERN hotel, located in G.R.A. Ikeja Lagos.

The Managing Director of Halogen Security; Mr. Wale Olaoye is to chair the event while the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Remax Realtors; Mrs. Funke Adesoji would lead others in unveiling and launching the book. According to the authors, the essence of publicly presenting the book is to announce to Nigerians that time has come for the private security industry to be taken more seriously by government and all other stakeholders in terms of making it a noble profession like law, accounting, banking and so on. They added that their own contribution is by way of providing knowledge-based information as they have done in the book which they described as a valuable material for personnel of the various private security companies in the country.

The private security sector in their words; has become a large employer of labour as more companies are being licensed by the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC to render services that relate to personnel and industrial security across the federation. It is estimated that no fewer than two million Nigerians are direct and indirect employees of the over one thousand licensed private security companies in the country. One of the high profile guests expected at the occasion is the National President of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Dr. Davidson Isibor Akhimien who is currently running as the presidential candidate of the Grassroot Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN) in the 2019 elections.

International Drinks Festival Set to Hold Mary Nnah

L-R: Award-winning photographer and judge for the photo competition: TY Bello, Corporate Social Responsibility Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Chioma Okolie; Special Guest Speaker, Mrs.Dolapo Osinbajo; Media & Sponsorships Senior Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal and Nigeria’s foremost photographer, Mr. Sunmi Smart Cole, who also served as a judge at the Open Day for Gardeners, a conference and exhibition event, which featured a photography competition, an exciting array of plants, flowers, tools, garden equipment and furniture, amongst other materials. in Lagos...recently

L-R; Discussant, Professor of Mathematics, Prof. Leonard Shilgba; Representative of Chairman of occasion, Mr. Lanre Idowu; President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers[GOCOP], Mr. Dotun Oladipo;co-Chairman, Otunba Tola Adeniyi; Guest speaker, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Vice President, GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo at the 2nd Annual Conference of the guild of corporate online publishers in Lagos..recently ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere (Right) and the daughter of president of Nigeria, Halima Buhari, during the second year anniversary celebration of the Benin monarch’s coronation in Benin City...recently DAN UKANA

Riding on the success of the 2017 edition which had over 18,000 attendees from across different components of the drinks value-chain ranging from major drink brands, consumers, distributors and government regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, Customs, FIRS etc, the second edition of the annual and highly anticipated International Drinks Festival is set to hold in Lagos.

Scheduled to hold from Thursday, November 29 to December 2, 2018 at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel nestled in the heart of Victoria Island, this event will expect over 200 brands expected and double the foot-fall from last year’s maiden edition.

This year’s event comes with an exciting line up of both business focused activities and consumer focused activities designed to make it a truly memorable festival.

Organised by Balmoral Group, a 360 events solutions company, the 2018 edition of the International Drinks Festival will serve as a platform to bring together major stakeholders in the drinks industry in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Speaking on this year’s edition of the world class festival, CEO of the Balmoral Group, Ezekiel Adamu, said, “After a successful event last year, we look forward to carrying on the conversation, engaging more brands and connecting brands and their consumers.”

The four-day extravaganza will be an interesting platform for mixologists, professionals in the hospitality industry, nightlife and entertainment connoisseurs, hotel owners and managers, brand managers and ambassadors, buyers, bartenders, restaurant and bar managers, bottling companies, service providers and other drinks stakeholders.

Major distributors from all parts of Nigeria as well as major stakeholders will be present, to meet with brands representing every sector of the industry. The festival will also feature masterclasses, networking, exhibitions, purchases, food and drink tasting and a series of events.

Other highlights of the 2018 International Drinks Festival include World Flair Bartending Champions Show, Masterclasses, Wine Tasting session and much more.

The International Drinks Festival promises to be a different experience.

For more information on vendor registrations, calendars, drinks festival village map, interested person are advised to visit www.internationaldrinksfestival.com

Abaya Lagos to Showcase Luxury Collection at Runway Dubai The city of Dubai is about to open its doors to fashion buyers, influencers, designers, retailers and the media as its highly anticipated fashion show, Runway Dubai kicks off with another edition from November 8 to 10 at the luxurious Marriott Al Jaddaf.

The annual fashion event created in 2013 as an initiative to enhance the fashion industry in the Middle East has quickly developed into the leading international fashion show platform in the region. It has also continued to earn international recognition following the inclusion of diversity and social awareness campaigns over the years.

Marking its sixth season, Runway Dubai 2018 will feature the ‘Autism Wins Campaign with Natalie Oden’. The model with autism whose story has inspired many will be opening the show this year.

Established designers across the globe will showcase various collections on the runway including creative director of Abaya Lagos, Salihat Rahaman.

Abaya Lagos will be unveiling its SEPIA GLAM collection for the first time in the Middle East at the upcoming event on 9th November 2018. The SEPIA GLAM collection is inspired by the vibrant confluence of modernity, accentuated with glitter and sequins in sepia tones. The RTW luxury collection depicts a “structured flow” of lines and shapes, a bold but seamless mix of “cosmopolitan and classic”.

The modest wear fashion brand was conceived out of the need for unique pieces that could be worn in virtually any kind of social environment. AbayaLagos is described as the foremost choice boutique for aspiring young ladies and women of class. Follow @abaya_lagos for updates on the showcase.

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NEA Partners Global Network to Celebrate Entrepreneurs The Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award (NEA) has partnered the Global Entrepreneurship Network, for the 2018 edition of the award, which has the theme, “Driving Economic Growth and Diversification Through MSMEs.�

Successful and hardworking Nigerian entrepreneurs in the country will be honoured for their immense contributions for the economic growth and development in the country at the award, which is billed to take place on November 16, 2018, at Oriental Hotel Lagos.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director of NEA, Mr Uwabor Joshua, disclosed that despite the enormous challenges confronting Nigerian entrepreneurs, their contribution to the economic growth and development; especially in the MSMEs space is undeniable.

He noted that NEA is passionate about celebrating and honouring operators of the economy, adding that this partnership with the Global Entrepreneurs Network Nigeria will go a long way in promoting entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria.

According to Joshua, this year’s edition of the award promises to be a world class event that will leave all those who attend with a lasting impression and business relationships that will change their businesses for the best.

Joshua posited that NEA, which is an initiative of Emagez Solutions, in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network-Nigeria and endorsed

by SMEDAN, noting that opportunities would also be made available for registered participants at the event to position their products and services for people to see.

Some of the personalities to be honoured at this year’s edition are Kiki Osinbajo, Chantella Abdul, Bowen MFB, Richway MFB, Slok Energy Ltd, Keystone Bank, Zenith Bank, Dantata Town Developers, Krystal Digital

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Executive Director, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award, Mr. Uwabor Joshua, presenting an award of Investor Friendly State to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, during the past award ceremony of the organisation

Solutions Ltd, CEO Capital Oil, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Chief Dr Emmanuel Frank Okafor, Blak Beach Entertainment, Engr Mike Chukwuma, Mnse, Jp. CEO, Sylva-Rsyc Global Investors (Nig) Ltd and among others.

Since its inception, NEA has celebrated some best-known personalities in Nigeria who have exemplify their very best in private sector.

Some of those who have received this prestigious award include: Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi (Founder & CRO, Ruffand Tumble); Halogen Security Ltd, INTELS Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo (Founder Slot Ltd); MTN Communications

Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Propertymart Real Estate Investment Ltd. Others include Prof. Charles K. Ayo (Former VC Covenant University); Prince Abimbola Olasore(Chairman, Lead Capital Plc); Chief Cosmos Maduka (Chairman, Cosharis Group); Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dana Air, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, Stannic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, NPF Pensions Ltd, Nedcomoaks, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Hall7 Real Estate, Fidelity Bank Plc, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Pirotti Projects Ltd and Gesi Asamaowei, among others.

Global Entrepreneurs Network Nigeria, however affirmed that the partnership with NEA will celebrate the contribution and passion of entrepreneurs that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and contribute significantly to expand welfare.

NEA is at the forefront of celebrating and honouring entrepreneurship in Nigeria. According to them, they are aware that entrepreneurs drive the economy especially at the MSME level.

Thus, what they are doing with Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is not just only to celebrate them, but also to galvanise them to do more and accelerate economic recovery and stability.

Sea Horse Lubricant Boss Bags Quality Award For his sterling accomplishments in the lubricants and allied industries, the Institute of Oil and Gas Research and Hydrocarbon Studies (IOGRHS), has conferred the prestigious Institute’s award on the Chairman of Sea Horse Industries Limited Ebuka Onunkwo.

According to the organisers, Onunkwo was awarded for spearheading the production of car lubricants with high quality locally.

He was commended for serving as a role model to young people in business in Africa, taking an effective and vigorous leadership role in the community, making significant contributions in their specific fields of endeavor and displaying exceptional character in the Oil and Gas sector.

This is one among dozens of professional accolade coming to the industrial magnate, Onunkwo.

While commending the organisers, Onunkwo said it was a fulfilling experience for him and his company with the honour, which he noted cements his over two decades in the lubricants and allied business.

He said: “Sea Lubricant Industries Ltd., manufacturers of lubricating oil for internal combustion engines and mechanical systems, is situated in Ozubulu, Anambra State. With the approval of the Department of Petroleum Resources, we started

Ă“Ă•Ă“Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ùà Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă?

Chairman, Institute of Oil and Gas Research and Hydrocarbon Studies, Prof. Akin Akindoyeni presenting the institute’s award to the Chairman of Sea Horse Industries Limited, Ebuka Onunkwo

operation in 2017. “Our top management has enormous wealth of experience in lubricant business, having successfully managed many Lubricant Marketing Companies spanning over 20 years in West African countries and strong international business relationships with some of the world’s noted names in the petroleum industry. “With this wealth of experience, this ultra-modern Lube Industry was set up in South-East, Nigeria to produce products/ services that will consistently satisfy customer/applicable legal requirements and to create the needed job opportunities.

“Our product brands include Sea Horse, Megarich and Megacrown Energy lubricants. Our lubricant Industries Ltd is certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as part of the national mandatory assessment scheme (MANCAP). “We have a state-of-the-art laboratory for quality control. The lubricant business is facilitated by a sister Plastic Industry under the same management that supplies our packaging requirements.�

Dedicating the award to members of his staff, Onunkwo said their target was to be the best in Africa, adding that they currently produce 24 million litres per year.

He said: “We have our mega

plant in Nigeria and it is not just that we produce the best quality.

We have also provided jobs for youths and have ensured that our quality surpasses those that are being imported. “That was why the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) publicly endorsed our product and commended us. “This award for us is inspiration to do more. We have the mega plant in Nigeria; we have experts working for us.

If everyone can respect the standard set by SON, Nigeria will be free of recycled old oil.

SON is doing a marvelous job in sanitising the industry.�

The Igbo Wikimedians User Group has taken several initiatives towards the protection of the Igbo language and culture.

The Igbo Wikimedians are a group of people committed to working on various wiki projects related to Igbo language and culture, which is spoken by the Igbo people that are native to the present day South-Nigeria, with an estimated population of 34 million people, including those in Diaspora.

The Igbo Wikimedians user group aspires to leverage on this large number of people that speak the Igbo language to ensure that content production and consumption in the various Igbo language platforms of Wikimedia is given front row focus.

The Wikimedians affiliation committee officially granted the group recognition on May 5, 2018 as a user group to work towards the growth of other Igbo Wikipedia projects and encourage Igbo people that are literate in the language at any level to become contributors.

Since the affiliation, the group had been producing several contents, including Igbo Wiktionary and the Wikipedia Igbo Women Edit-a-thon project, to improve the presence of notable Igbo women on Wikipedia Igbo language platform by translations and creating new pages all in Igbo language.

One of the founding members, Blossom Ozurumba disclosed that the Igbo Wikimedians group is seeking collaboration with critical partners to ensure that the Igbo language does not go into extinction.

She revealed that the partnership targets Anambra State government and different universities in the South- east, where Igbo language is either offered as a course or a degree programme.

The design is to get the students of higher institutions to use Wikipedia for their project and material source for articles.

Ozurumba stressed that the collaboration will project Igbo language and culture, adding the Wikipedia foundation is a worthy partner supporting their passion for the Igbo language and culture. “Igbo is one of the most spoken ethnic languages in Nigeria. We made a decision to expand the scope of work and embark on massive recruitment of Igbo editors that live in Nigeria and significantly improve the contents on Igbo language Wikipedia platform by translations and creating new pages in Igbo language, through the entire Wikimedia value chain,� Ozurumba said.

The prospect of Igbo Wikipedia going forward, according to another founding member, Ozurumba Uzoma, is bright.

Uzoma said the group is seeking more people to join Igbo Wikimedia and have Nigerians especially those of Igbo stock become Wikimedia residents – bringing articles about Igbo language and culture.

ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž ÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Mary Nnah Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has warned that as the general elections approach, it will mobilise its thousands of members across Nigeria and the millions of music fans who support COSON members to campaign against politicians who have no well thought out plans for the creative talents in Nigeria.

COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, made this disclosure while speaking to musicians, investors in the music industry, intellectual property lawyers and the media at COSON House, Ikeja, Lagos, on the topic, ‘State of the Music Industry’ during the ‘No Music Day’ event.

He said: “It is our firm belief that creative people in Nigeria cannot afford to keep quiet any longer as Nigeria goes through another electioneering campaign season in which politicians hop from one end of the country to the other but no one offers any direction for the development and optimal deployment of the millions of Nigeria’s creative talents for national development. “Today, we wish to tell Nigerian politicians that we will not be taken for granted anymore and we will not help people canvass for votes who after getting into office will abandon the creative industry to suffer in an environment that completely discourages creativity. “We are making it abundantly clear that it is only politicians who have developed a well thought out long-term plan for the progress of our industry and have shown clear interest in the development of the nation’s creative environment that can count on our significant support, the mobilisation of our fans and their votes as elections approach. “In the same manner, we will mobilise massively against those who have no plans to properly deploy the creative energy of young Nigerian people�

In his ‘No Music Day’ address, Okoroji who spearheaded the 2009 hunger strike action said, “We wish to remind the different politicians and political parties canvasing for votes across the country that the disease which necessitated the hunger strike of 2009 has not quite been cured.

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Gemona West Interior Designs Gets Prestigious International Award

Obijackson Foundation Holds Cultural Pageantry Ayodeji Ake

Mary Nnah

Saturday, October 11, 2018 would remain evergreen in the annals of Gemona West Interior Designs, a full service interior design company located in Lagos, Nigeria.

On that date, the prestigious African Property Awards for the Office Interior Category, Africa was conferred on the highly rated company.

On the one hand, as the company’s representatives stood on the dais at The Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirate to receive award, they were representing not just Nigeria but the whole of Africa in the award category!

On the other hand, the company was making its debut at the international award and, yet, won the prize through its E Tranzact office project!

As the organisers of the 25-year-old award disclosed, Gemona West Interior Designs had distinguished itself by its cutting edge and innovative service offerings.

They further attested to the fact that the company provides the highest quality Interior Design Consultation for discerning, quality-conscious clients that seek assistance in their design choices for their primary residences, and businesses.

It is on record that the award event celebrates the highest levels of

L-R: Area Manager, Gulf and South East Asia, Salice, Dr Giovanni Marzo; Project Manager, Gemona West Interior Designs, Mrs Folake Ojelabi; Creative Director, Gemona West Interior Designs; Mrs Deise Smith and President / Founder, International Property Awards, Mr Stuart Shield at the event

achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry across the various regions of the world, including Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, UK and USA. Commenting on the epochal event, the company exultantly declared that the Gemona West Interior Designs’ success at the African Property Awards is a testimony to how much progress the start-up has made since it won the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015.

They added that the premium which the company placed on the training (both local and international) and development of its human resources has

enhanced its stability and growth. It expressed its determination to not rest on its oars.

In its words, “This award will definitely be a tonic and another impetus for us to serve our valued clientele more and to also gun for higher heights, not only in Nigeria but across Africa in the years ahead”.

It is worth noting that the African Property Awards is judged by an independent panel of 80 industry experts, with judging focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

The judging panel was chaired by Lord Caithness, Lord Best, The Earl of Liverpool, and Lord Thurso, members of the House of Lords in the UK

Parliament.

The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participating companies are required to send in their entries at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines.

The highest-scoring winners from each region are automatically entered into the overall International Awards which holds at the Savoy Hotel, London, on December 3, 2018. That is yet another date in view for Gemona West Interior Designs in the category, for which it won in the Africa region.

20 Lads to Contest Mr. Nigeria Title

While other nongovernmental organisations battle flaming societal issues, Obijackson Foundation has chosen the path to wage war against poverty through it cultural pageantry.

The foundation, which is determined to give more youths the opportunity to share and imbibe the laudable values, has announced plans to expand its annual Face of Okija Cultural Pageant and Talent Hunt to include contestants from the entire Anambra state.

Speaking to newsmen recently in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Prof. Rich Umeh, said the foundation was established to support Nigerians in overcoming life’s obstacles occasioned by poverty or physical disability.

Since inception, the foundation has consistently intervened in critical areas such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The 2018 Project Director, Konnie Agu said the year’s event tagged “Re-engineering our Moral Standard” aligns with its ground-breaking initiative that will inspire Nigerian youths to imbibe positive African values.

She explained that rather than the usual emphasis on physical beauty in regular pageants, the ’Face of Okija Cultural Pageant and Okija Rising Talent Hunt’ seek to empower the youths and promote true African values and morals in youths, as participants are expected to display unique African beauty, intelligence and diverse talents.

Agu called on Anambra youths under the age 30 to give themselves a chance at emerging as King or Queen of the Face of Okija Cultural Pageant by taking part in the competition.

She said: “For participation, you must be a graduate under the age of 30 you, must be a Nigerian citizen and indigene of Anambra state.

“You shouldn’t be married, a mother or pregnant. You must speak fluent Igbo and must not have tattoos or piercings and you must be available to serve the foundation within Nigeria for a continuous period of one year.”

The foundation noted that the grand finale of the event is scheduled to hold on the December 29, 2018 in Okija, Anambra State.

The winners of the competition would be offered automatic employment as brand ambassadors for the foundation with a regular monthly salary for the duration of their reign.

In addition, they will also be provided a chauffeur driven official car for the duration of their reign. There will be mouth-watering prices for the winner and the two runner-ups of the Okija Rising Talent Hunt.

Mantrac Births Three Next Excavators in Nigeria Martins Ifijeh

Contestants for the forthcoming 2018 Mr. Nigeria title at the ongoing camp in Lagos

Mary Nnah

Twenty contestants shortlisted for the 2018 Mr. Nigeria contest tagged, “The Ideal Man” began their journey to grapping the high-status prize last Tuesday, as they began camping ahead of the main event billed to hold on Sunday, October 28 at the Atrium of the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at a press briefing to intimate journalists about the Sunday event, which kicks starts at 5pm with live broadcast beginning from 7pm, promoter of the

contest, Senator Ben MurrayBruce said the contest will feature only the ideal men, adding that over the years, the contest has developed into a unique global brand touching lives and making positive impacts on the lives of young Nigerians and African youths.

The contestants, who were drafted into the competition after a nationwide screening, will receive grooming in business, physical exercise, basic home management, catwalk, elocution, among other etiquettes.

The competition will have Senator Ita Giwa as the head

of the panel of judges which include top fashion designer, Mudi; security expert, Kunle Komolafe; foremost PR practitioner, Kufre Ekanem; top rated blogger, Ono Bello and Temi Osin, among others.

Top artist expected to thrill the audience at the event include, Olu Maintain, Koffi, Twizzy, Five Blazers and many more.

Top bespoke designers, Chris & Steeze Clothing and David Wej will cloth he contestants for the fashion segment of the event.

Aside walking away with exciting prizes, the winner of the 2018 Mr. Nigeria

contest will represent the country at the Mr. World contest in Manila, Philippines.

Past Mr Nigeria winners include Bryan Okwara 2007, Kenneth Okolie 2010, Deji Bakare 2012 and Emmanuel Ikubese current title holder who emerged first runnerup at the 2014 Mister World contest; together they have made remarkable impact in Nollywood and other career endeavours. This year’s competition is supported by Occasions and Events, David Wej, Chris and Steeze Clothings, D-Blend Gastronomy, Silverbird News 24, Silver-

As part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s construction industry, Mantrac Nigeria Limited has birthed a new series of excavators christened Next Generation Excavators.

Revealing this in Lagos recently, the Managing Director, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Ahmed Eagan said the excavator, with 320GC, 320 and 323 capacity, has an enhanced operating efficiency, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and improved operator comfort compared to previous models.

He said the novel excavators present unique combinations of purpose built to match customers’ productivity and cost targets.

“The new series boast of the highest level of technology to boost productivity. All models come with the famed integrated CAT connect technology for operating efficiency by up to 45 per cent over traditional grading operations.

“It offers guidance for depth, slope and horizontal distance to grade. It also helps operators reach desired grade quickly and accurately.

“With the system’s E-fence feature the machine is empowered to work safely under structures or near traffic by preventing any part of the excavator from moving outside operator defined set points,” he said.

The General Manager Machine Sales, Mantrac, Mohamed Ibrahim said the new operating challenge is designed to give machine operators the opportunity to experience the innovative and breakthrough technology in the excavators.

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The Clergyman’s Tripartite Celebration Rebecca Ejifoma writes that for Pastor Paul Kolawole, it was tripartite celebration as he marked his 50th birthday, the launch of his new book and his 30 years in Christendom after his conversion as a one-time Muslim cleric

Pastor Kolawole, his wife, Pastor Felicia and their two sons during his tripartite celebration in Lagos

T

o his flock, Pastor Paul Kolawole is a seasoned preacher and teacher of the word of God with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pillar of the Truth Badore-Ajah Zone, Lagos. But beyond that, the clergyman is also an author, who recently launched his ninth book tagged ‘Prayer for Personal Deliverance.

The launch was tied to the auspicious occasion of his 50th birthday, and his 30 years conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Although he has been on his mission to spread the gospel since 1988, he began to minister 21 years ago. As a result of the many lives he had impacted, hundreds trooped the event held in Ajah to celebrate with him. While accolades flooded in from members who were physically present, others who were unavoidably absent did not allow the distance to stop them from calling in via video calls to wish him well.

Meanwhile, the guest speaker and preacher of the day, Abiola Olusola, a pastor, assured the congregation that God’s steadfast love never ends. He admonished them to “never lose sight of God’s faithful love. It never perishes”.

Citing the book of Lamentations chapter three verses 24 and 25, as well as Genesis 21 and 22. he said: “In life, we always need someone to depend on. I am glad to tell you that whatever you keep in God’s hand, He will keep it to the end because He is the faithful one we can depend on”.

Speaking at the occasion, the wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Felicia Kolawole, also a pastor, expressed profound joy over God’s grace towards her husband. She said: “I am so happy and count the Lord faithful for this day. Today, it is not a memorial service in honour of Pastor Paul Kolawole.

It is a celebration service.”

At the tripartite event, it was jubilation galore for the pastor as several departments from his church displayed talents to spice up the occasion. There were choir ministrations, hot worship and praise, drama display mixed with appreciation to a man that has led with great zeal for

the gospel.

The Conversion But Kolawole was not always in the Christian faith. Born into a Muslim home, his path was already mapped out for him.

It was not surprising he ended up as a Muslim cleric. On the events that led to his conversion, Kolawole revealed that exactly 30 years ago, he found himself in a burden of doubts. Then he decided to find out. According to him, this was after an encounter with Christianity on July 8, 1988 in Kwara State, where he was a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

He said: “I had an encounter with Jesus.

He appeared to me in my dreams. My lecturer in the polytechnic was always disturbing me to give my life to Christ.

One day, he gave me a tract with the big question boldly written on it, ‘If You Die Now, Are You Sure You Will Go to Heaven?’

I wasn’t sure. I fasted in the month of Ramadan, I crucified Christians, I tore and threw Bible into latrine. I was a persecutor of Christians.”

The Kogi state indigene enthused that because his grandfather was the chief Imam of Egbeda-Egga in Kogi, he did Womlimat in 1977, studied and recited the whole Quran in 1976. It was all in preparation to become the next Imam. “So, I was a

I am so happy and count the Lord faithful for this day. Today, it is not a memorial service in honour of Pastor Paul Kolawole. It is a celebration service

devoted moslem”, he reminisced.

However, after his lecturer gave him a church tract, he lost his peace. He added,“I lost my peace. I had to pray in the Muslim way, ‘guide us in the right path’. It’s one of the verses in the Alfatia. And it occurred to me that Moslems pray five times a day, say the fatiat like almost 10 times in the prayer. But one of the verses say, show us the right path. Does that mean we don’t know the right part?”

Curiously, the father of four sort for answers. “I just slept one day in my hostel slept and Jesus appeared to me in my dreams. At 1am in the night, a man in a white garment walked into my hostel and he said, ‘You are looking for the way, I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except by Me’. I was scared and he smiled.

“The man said to me, ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and I will give you rest’. He turned back and left. I woke up quickly, turned round in my room, my roommates were asleep. I jumped and ran outside.

There was no one.”

Consequently, Kolawole had a sleepless night. He became anxious for the truth.

“In the morning, I took my bath and went to mosque. I did my normal prayer then w e nt to s c ho o l. I w a s walking wh en I saw brother John, a Deeper Life member.

I ap p ro ac he d and as ked h im if I could b o rro w his Bib le . He was shocked. He even dashed me the Bible. I asked him to he lp me s e arc h John 14 as th e man s aid in my dre ams . A n d I f oun d the ans w e r.”

Sw iftly o n the he els of readin g the Bib le p as s age , the Muslim cler ic an d scholar threw in the towel on Islam. “I gav e my life to C hrist immediately. I was convinced. Although it was hell for me as my fathe r tried to kill me both physically and spiritually, my elder sister, who was already a Christian, backed me up in prayers. Today, I am better”, he added.

According to him, now his divine mandate is to raise disciples of all nations and liberate men into their destines after he converted from being a staunch alfa to a pastor.

The Book Launch Today at 50, the preacher and ordained pastor, boldly declared that since he became a Christian he has never had any course to regret. Hence, he said the launch of his book is in recognition of God’s grace and mercy on his life and putting him on the right path, adding that the book was also to commemorate this event and add value to the body of Christ.

As his ninth book in his years of ministration, ‘, Kolawole said the launch was to create an unforgettable memory with his encounter with Jesus and his deliverance from death, adding that it was packaged to help people combat the enemy.

He said: “I consider 50 years as a mile stone. The launching of the book was therefore to create a memory that will be unforgettable following a major incident I had on May 17, 2016. I was on pilgrimage in Israel. I took ill and passed on. I had appendicitis and it ruptured. I was in coma for three days. But God brought Pastor E. A. Adebayo to Jerusalem for pilgrimage, who came to the hospital to pray for me and I woke up.”

Reacting to the title of his book, Prayer for Personal Deliverance, the graduate of Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello University noted that although there were situations one need extra help, the book explains to readers that there are some circumstances that they can handle themselves.

Accordingly, he pointed out that the book encourages the concept of Do it Yourself (DIY), adding that handbook of Prayer for Personal Deliverance is for everybody with relevant prayers for all afflictions.

“Prayer remains the biblical key to respond to adversities of life as written in James 5:14.

Praying with the word and promises of God offers great confidence and assurance in receiving our timely answers,” he enthused.

In the 123 paged book, the pastor listed the several prayer points for different afflictions: sin, sickness and diseases, poverty, childlessness, marital delay and complications, demonic oppression and bad dreams and war against witchcraft among several others.

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F R I DAY Ëž OCTOBER 26, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG, Huawei Seal Deal on ICT Programme Olawale Ajimotokan and Udora Orizu Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The federal government and Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the second phase of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) for Change Programme.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, who spoke during the MoU signing in Abuja yesterday, noted that the programme exemplified government’s partnership with private sector organisations to drive the implementation of its policies and programmes.

According to the SGF: “The signing of the MoU signifies the commencement of the second phase of the programme to train and empower 1000 federal civil servants across MDAs in capacity building.

“It’s a further demonstration of the strengthening of the existing partnership between government and the private sector, represented by Huawei technologies. “This phase of the programme shall be jointly anchored by Huawei technologies company Nigeria limited and galaxy backbone “This laudable project has directly impacted the Nigerian youth in some key areas such as, human capacity building and cultivating ICT talent, provision of further advanced training in China to 10 high performing students and their subsequent engagement by Huawei subcontractors in the telecoms sector, issuance of globally recognised Huawei certificate to 1,345 Nigerian trainees based on performance, equipping the students with necessary skillet to begin their own ICT start-ups and partner with Huawei in the telecoms and ICT industry.�

He added that the ICT for Change Programme was also in alignment with the Federal Civil Strategy and Implementation Plan (2017-2020) to enhance the capacities and capabilities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) performance and delivery systems.

Also, Huawei’s Vice President of Middle East and African Region, Xue Man, in his address, said the programme, which is a training initiative aimed at empowering civil servants with fundamental ICT knowledge and skills, was part of efforts to be more localised and fulfil its social responsibility, not by simple material donation but by mind enlightenment and talent cultivation. “With our rich experience in ICT, we will design and deliver the programme with our best subject matter experts. Our target is to provide free ICT knowledge training to 1000 civil servants.

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

FCMB Expands Branch Network in Nasarawa State Customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and others who reside or run businesses in Mararaba-Karu, a satellite settlement town in Nasarawa State, neighbouring Abuja environs, including Nyanya, now have an opportunity to enjoy services offered by the bank. This was because the bank has opened an ultra-modern and full-service branch strategically located in the area.

The new branch was inaugurated recently.

This took to three, the number of the bank’s branches in the Nasarawa environs and 205 across the country.

The development was in line with the bank’s strategic expansion approach and commitment towards bringing banking services directly to the door steps of its existing and potential customers.

The location of the branch takes into consideration convenience for

residents and businesses in Karu and neighbouring communities in Nasarawa and it is expected to promote financial inclusion in the country. Commenting on the new branch in Karu, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru said: “This is due to the importance of this area, not just as a residential hub, but as a major gateway to other strategic places in Nasarawa state. “Though, most of our customers prefer to carry out transactions from wherever they are, using our alternate channels such as FCMBMobile, FCMBOnline, USSD code and ATMs spread widely across Nigeria, some customers still prefer human interaction when banking. “This additional customer touch point will further boost our commitment in providing customers with simple, helpful and reliable banking services, in a conducive and convenient

environment’’.

Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Service Management & Technology of FCMB, Mr. Oluwakayode Adigun, reiterated the bank’s commitment to strategically grow its network to meet the individual and business aspirations of its growing customer base across segments.

He disclosed that the new branch, just like other branches of FCMB across Nigeria, brings with it something special in terms of structure, aesthetics and excellent customer experience. “While we strategically pursue our digital agenda as a forward looking financial services operator, we will continue to support the financial inclusion vision of the Central Bank of Nigeria where every customer is adequately served on any channel in which such services are provided to meet their respective lifestyles and needs,� he added.

Finance Company Promises Incentivises Borrowers Judith Obaze Nichole Finance Company said it has been positioned to bridge the huge financing deficit in the country.

Speaking at the official launch of the company in Lagos recently, the chief executive, Nichole Finance Company, Mr. Austen Obigwe, who pointed out that micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) had suffered neglect over the years, assured operators in the sector of intervention by his firm.

Obigwe, noted that in the 80s, there used to be about 89 banks, which was an advantage to the economy in the sense that smaller banks with lower capital base were servicing smaller companies.

The banker argued that merchant banks are critical in the revitalising the Nigerian economy, citing the case of Malaysia and Indonesia, where according to him, small cottage firms are given access to funds to produce certain amount of product to compete with bigger

industries.

According to him: “Government is not focusing a lot on merchant banks who are critical to the economy by sustaining the small start-ups, because you cannot grow the economy by giving money to big companies only, you need to give money to the very small companies, maybe a trader who has about four to five workers, you are also creating employment. “I urge you to have your risk well defined by encouraging potential client to belong to cooperatives, so that you will not give funds to anybody who is not member of the cooperatives. “The essence of giving loan is not for you to go and sell somebody collateral. You want the person to pay back the loan,� he added.

On his part the chairman, Nichole Finance Company, Mr. Peter Omakaro, said the company was founded to impact the larger society by giving loans that are very attractive and cheaper in terms of interest rate to various sectors ranging to the MSMEs,

agriculture, industrial, commercial and individual consumers.

He added: “We lend based on moveable items, but emphasises lending against cashflow and we have come in to bridge the gap by making sure that the maximum we lend is about three per cent per month. “So, our day-to day activities are regulated

by CBN. Comparatively we are of the same level of lending rate when compare with commercial banks.�

On the future of the organisation, he noted that: “The strong board and the management staff are professional bankers who cumulatively have about 200 years banking experiences and we are 100 per cent financed by Nichole Investment Company.�

On attracting shareholders, the chairman, said funds from its investment arm would support and stabilise the firm till when its management would showcase the business in the next three years, before opening the doors to investors and approach the Nigerian Stock Exchange to be listed.

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 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $75.04 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $77.11 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

F R I DAY Ëž OCTOBER 26, 2018

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Gains 0.44% as Bellwether Stocks Lift Market Goddy Egene The equities market rebounded yesterday following gains recorded by large cap stocks.

As result, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.44 per cent to close at 32,545.06 compared with a depreciation of 2.37 per cent the previous day. Similarly, the market capitalisation added N51.6 billion to close at to close at N11.88 trillion.

Although the number of price gainers and losers stood at 19 apiece, the presence of Dangote Cement Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc on the gainers’ chart made the bulls to have the upper hand.

However, activity level was mixed as volume traded shed 8.2 per cent to 349.3 million shares while value traded rose 57.3 per cent to N3.7 billion. The top traded stocks

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

by volume were FCMB Holdings Plc (180.3 million shares), Zenith Bank Plc (24.5 million shares) and GTBank Plc (23.8 million shares) while Dangote Cement Plc (N939.6 million), GTBank Plc (N869.9 billion) and Zenith Bank Plc (N589.0 billion) were the top traded stocks by value.

Performance across sectors was largely bullish as three of five indices trended northwards. The NSE Consumer Goods Index advanced the most, rising 1.6

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

per cent. The NSE Oil & Gas Index went up by 0.7 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively. On the contrary, the NSE Industrial Goods Index fell by 0.7 per cent, followed by the NSE Banking Index that shed 0.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, a look at price gainers chart showed that Royal Exchange Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc led with 10 per cent apiece. Total Nigeria Plc appreciated by 8.2 per cent, while Diamond Bank Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Plc and LASACO Assurance Plc chalked up 7.1 per cent.

Nigerian Breweries Plc garnered 4.9 per cent, while Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc and Dangote Flour Mills Plc gained 4.7 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent in that order.

Dangote Cement Plc closed 0.25 per cent higher and contributed about 8.3 per cent to the overall gain posted yesterday.

Dangote Cement Plc had on

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Monday reported profit after tax (PAT) of N158.227 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The company recorded revenue of N685.290 billion in 2018, showing an increase of 14 per cent compared with N603.575 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. Cost of sales went up from N259 billion to N287 billion, bringing gross profit to N397.608 billion, up from N343.721 billion in 2017.

2 3 / 1 0 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018

44

4-(%: '62&)4 ThisDay Afrinvest Index Gains 43bps

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45

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͺ;˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Breweries Records N15bn Profit, To Pay 60k Interim Dividend Goddy Egene Leading brewery firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc yesterday announced an interim dividend of 60 kobo for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The dividend announcement followed the release of the company’s nine months results, which showed a decline in top and bottom-lines.

The interim dividend is 40 per cent lower than the 100 kobo interim dividend paid

in the corresponding period of 2017. Details of the nine months results showed revenue of N254.998 billion in 2018, down from N270.206 billion in 2017.

Excise duty expenses went up from N15.539 billion to N16.932 billion, while cost of sales fell from N147.805 billion to N143.350 billion in 2017. Gross profit stood at N94.715 billion compared with N106.862 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

Other income declined from

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

N2.047 billion to N658 million in 2018, while marketing and distribution expenses fell marginally from N51.862 billion to N51.448 billion. Administrative expenses rose from N14.750 billion to N16.183 billion.

However, net finance cost fell from N7.869 billion to N5.267 billion.

Despite a reduction in finance cost, profit before tax fell 34 per cent to N22.474 billion in 2018 from N34.427 billion in 2017.

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.

Profit after declined by 38 per cent from N24.011 billion to N14.789 billion in 2018.

However, the directors have recommended an interim dividend of 60 kobo per share to be paid to shareholders on October 10, 2018.

When the Nigerian Breweries Plc posted a decline in PAT for the half to June 30, 2018, it had attributed the decline to the new excise duty introduced by the federal government. According

to the company, the new excise duty regime and higher rate of beer introduced in June 2018 further impacted on affordability in the period under review.

The government had approved an amendment to the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco with effect from June 4. And the then Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said that the new excise duty rates were spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in

order to moderate the impact on prices of the products. According to her, the new excise duty regimes followed all-inclusive stakeholder engagements by the Tariff Technical Committee of the Federal Ministry of Finance with key industry stakeholders.

According to her, the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco is to achieve a dual benefit of raising the federal government’s fiscal revenues.

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 162.63 163.62 -8.39% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.58 273.73 17.85% 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 12.00% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.20 2.22 -4.31% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.94 17.45 -7.28% ARM Discovery Fund 362.13 373.05 -6.92% ARM Ethical Fund 28.10 28.94 2.83% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.32% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 134.21 135.15 -11.53% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.00% 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 10.84% Paramount Equity Fund 11.62 11.92 4.81% Women's Investment Fund 102.15 104.77 1.51% 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 1.00 1.00 11.24% Coronation Balanced Fund Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.11 4.13% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 11.82% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.23% 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 1,166.46 1,167.19 11.20% FBN Heritage Fund 141.55 142.51 0.68% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.01% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.72 115.11 5.31% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.48 114.87 5.20% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 150.23 152.36 -5.59% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.22 1.25 -5.24% Legacy Debt Fund 3.18 3.18 10.15% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.53% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,006.56 3,036.51 0.70% Coral Income Fund 2,733.09 2,733.09 11.64% 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 11.72% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.77 105.90 5.51% 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 12.10% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.76%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.22% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.62 122.86 6.55% 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 1.18 1.20 3.21% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,073.19 1,073.19 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 11.46 11.57 -11.60% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.46% 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 1.34 1.36 12.05% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.96 12.01 8.32% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.22% 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 2,269.30 2,284.01 3.30% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.31 187.31 7.57% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 -5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 243.80 243.84 12.93% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 160.37 162.15 -9.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.41% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,576.20 8,681.02 -9.83% 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 11.85%

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

10.42 121.16 92.24

10.52 123.73 93.97

-11.98% -14.65% -15.57%

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

4.16 7.38 15.16 14.21 144.16

4.20 7.46 15.26 14.41 146.16

-12.21% -22.83% -13.20% -27.60% 7.08%

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.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

FOREIGN/DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS

Khashoggi’s Son Flees Saudi Arabia The eldest son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Salah, and his family have left the Gulf kingdom after the government lifted a travel ban, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

“Salah and his family are on a plane to (Washington) DC now,” Sarah Leah Whitson, the rights watchdog’s executive director for the Middle East and North Africa, told AFP, citing a family friend.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi officials, but Whitson said that they were apparently allowed to leave after a travel ban on Salah was liftedSalah, a dual US-Saudi citizen, will be joined in the United States by his other siblings who are based there, friends of the family told AFP. “Jamal’s family needs a place to be together where they feel safe to mourn their beloved one,” said Randa Slim, director of conflict resolution at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, who knew the slain journalist personally.

“It is tragic that it took his death to get the Saudi

authorities to grant them the freedom to travel,” Slim told AFP. Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was killed on October 2 after a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork before marrying his Turkish fiancee.

After first insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, Saudi authorities said he was killed in an argument that degenerated into a brawl.

Riyadh finally accepted on Thursday what Turkey had said virtually from the start — that he was killed in a premeditated hit.

“The lifting of this travel ban on Salah and his family is a huge sigh of relief,” Whitson said.

“We should keep in mind there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people in Saudi Arabia who face travel bans and are held in detention without any justice.”

An official in Washington said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had “raised the safety and security of the Khashoggi

family members with the Saudi leadership”, but declined to discuss the specifics of Salah’s travel.

His departure comes after Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Salah and Khashoggi’s brother Sahel at the royal palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi state media said they offered their condolences to the family, but pictures of the prince shaking hands with Salah went viral on social media, where rights activists demanded the immediate lifting of the travel ban.

Saudi Arabia has sought to draw a line under the crisis over Khashoggi’s murder, but has come under mounting pressure from sceptical world powers demanding answers and the whereabouts of his body.

US President Donald Trump has derided the killing as “one of the worst cover-ups” in history. There was no immediate comment from Saudi officials, but Whitson said that they were apparently allowed to leave after a travel ban on Salah was lifted.

Salah, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, will be joined in the U.S. by his other siblings, who are based there, friends of the family said.

“Jamal’s family needs a place to be together where they feel safe to mourn their beloved one,” said Randa Slim, Director of Conflict Resolution at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, who knew the slain journalist personally.

“It is tragic that it took his death to get the Saudi authorities to grant them the freedom to travel,” Slim said.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was killed on October 2 after a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork before marrying his Turkish fiancee.

After first insisting that Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, Saudi authorities said he was killed in an argument that degenerated into a brawl. Riyadh finally accepted on Thursday what Turkey had said virtually from the start — that he was killed in a premeditated hit.

“The lifting of this travel ban

on Salah and his family is a huge sigh of relief,” Whitson said. We should keep in mind that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people in Saudi Arabia who face travel bans and are held in detention without any justice.”

An official in Washington said U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, had “raised the safety and security of the Khashoggi family members with the Saudi leadership,” but declined to discuss the specifics of Salah’s travel.

His departure comes after Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Salah and Khashoggi’s brother, Sahel, at the royal palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi state media said they offered their condolences to the family, but pictures of the prince shaking hands with Salah went viral on social media, where rights activists demanded the immediate lifting of the travel ban.

Saudi Arabia has sought to draw a line under the crisis over Khashoggi’s murder, but has come under mounting pressure from skeptical world

Ethiopia’s Parliament Approves First Female President Ethiopia’s parliament has approved senior diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde as the country’s first female president, proceedings on state television showed, cementing another shift in the country’s political system from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Zewde is at present UN under-Secretary-General and special representative of its Secretary General to the African Union.

She replaces Mulatu Wirtu, who tendered his resignation to parliament earlier on Wednesday.

Zewde, who is in her late 60s, has been Ethiopia’s ambassador to France, Djibouti, Senegal and the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental

Authority on Development (IGAD).

Just prior to her appointment as president she was the UN’s top official at the African Union. She is fluent in English and French as well as Amharic.

As president she is expected to serve two six-year terms.

Political power in Ethiopia is wielded by the prime minister with the president’s role restricted to attending ceremonies and functions.

Ethiopia’s reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week appointed a slimline 20-person cabinet in which half the posts are held by women.

They include defence minister Aisha Mohammed and Muferiat Kamil who leads

Philippines President Sacks All Top Customs Officials Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday fired the head of the Bureau of Customs and ordered all top bureau officials replaced after the agency failed to intercept more than a ton of drugs.

Report says it is the second such case in two years.

Duterte has made a bloody fight against drugs the centerpiece of his administration since he won a presidential election in 2016.

Thousands of people have been killed in the crackdown.

Duterte said Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena was being removed from his post and all his deputies and top officials would be transferred.

“The commissioners are out, the department heads are out,” Duterte said during a speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding of the coastguard.

He said he was appointing retired army general to take over the bureau and soldiers and members of the

coastguard would help him.

Duterte said Lapena would be reassigned to a government training agency.

Lapena, who was at the ceremony, expressed surprise by his transfer and commented briefly to reporters to express his thanks to Duterte for his new posting.

He was not available for comment later.

Lapena, a retired police general, has been under pressure since customs authorities failed to detect a shipment estimated at more than a ton of meth amphetamines being smuggled into the country in July.

Drug enforcement agents later found traces of the drugs in the containers in which they were smuggled, but the drugs were gone. Duterte did not however refer to the case.

The previous head of the customs bureau was removed after a huge amount of drugs were smuggled into the country in May 2017.

Zewde the newly-created Ministry of Peace, responsible for police and domestic intelligence agencies.

Zewde is at present UN under-Secretary-General and special representative of its Secretary General to the African Union.

She replaces Mulatu Wirtu, who tendered his resignation to parliament earlier on Wednesday.

The president’s post is a ceremonial one in Ethiopia.

The prime minister, who is the head of state, holds executive power.

“In a historic move, the

two Houses has elected Amb. Shalework Zewde as the next President of Ethiopia.

“She is the first female head of state in modern Ethiopia,” Fitsum Arega, Abiy’s chief of staff, said on Twitter.

“In a patriarchal society such as ours, the appointment of a female head of state not only sets the standard for the future but also normalises women as decision-makers in public life.”

Recently, when the prime minister reshuffled his cabinet, he appointed 10 female ministers, making Ethiopia the third country in Africa,

after Rwanda and Seychelles, to achieve gender parity in their cabinets.

“When there is no peace in the country, mothers will be frustrated. Therefore, we need to work on peace for the sake of our mothers,” Zewde told parliament after her approval.

Wirtu, who had held the office for five years, departed one year ahead of his term ending, saying he wanted to be part of change and reforms.

Zewde became the fourth president since the ruling EPRDF coalition came to power.

Since his appointment in April, Abiy has presided over a raft of reforms that have turned the region’s politics on its head, including the pardoning of dissidents long outlawed by the government.

Earlier, the Ethiopian parliament’s two houses in a joint extraordinary session on Thursday approved the resignation request by Ethiopia’s President Mulatu Teshome.

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.

Pentagon to Send Troops to US-Mexico Border The Pentagon is expected to deploy about 800 troops to the US-Mexico border, two US officials told AFP on Thursday, after President Donald Trump said the military would be used there to tackle a “national emergency.”

The active-duty troops would augment the 2,000 National Guardsmen already deployed to support operations on the border and could come from multiple military bases around the US. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis was expected to sign orders at some point on Thursday

for the new deployment, one official said.

The troops would include doctors and engineers and would be used mainly to provide logistical support including tents, vehicles and equipment.

The official said the troops would satisfy elements of a “wish list” for military assistance sent to the Pentagon by the Department of Homeland Security, the huge US agency with responsibility for the border.

Trump earlier on Thursday tweeted that “Democrat

inspired” laws make it difficult to stop people at the border.

“I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency.

They will be stopped!” he said.

In April, Trump said he would send thousands of National Guard troops to the southern border.

That initial authorisation allowed for about 4,000 Guardsmen to be sent to the frontier, but only about half that number have been deployed.

Those troops are mainly serving in a support role to help free up border patrol officers.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS FUNMILAYO ADESEWE FLORENCE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AREELU ADESEWE FLORENCE . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ETSEMOBOR THOMAS UDUIMOH, now wish to be known and addressed as ETSEMOBOR THOMAS GENTLE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĮƌŵ ƚŚĂƚ JOSEPH ADESIYAH is one and the same person as JOSEPH EBENEZER ADESIYAH. He henceforth which to be known and addressed as JOSEPH EBENEZER ADESIYAH. Also his correct date of birth is 27th of Sept 1979 as against 27th of Sept 1977.

General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS UWAEZUOKE EDITH O, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKORO EDITH . O. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MAKUOCHI JOSEPH IKE now wish to be known and addressed as MAKUOCHI MICHAEL FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS JOY ANWULI PEACE ODOGBILI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JOY Eth>/ K K' />/ͳK< &KZ͘ All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MARIA OBEHIOYE IGENE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS.MARIA OLUWAFUMILAYO GANTIN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADESINA TITILOPE GRACE now wish to be known and addressed as OLORUNTOBA TITILOPE ADENRELE GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

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I formerly known and addressed as EFOSA ADEBOLA UGBODAGA now wish to be known and addressed as EFOSA ADEBOLA ADELANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ZAINAB EBUNOLUWA SALAMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ZAINAB hEK>ht ^K> ͳ E/> ͘ All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as HASSAN CHIROMA ESTHER now wish to be known and addressed as NANLE ESTHER HASSAN CHIROMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONYINYECHI NELLY OSUJI now wish to be known and addressed as ONYINYECHI NELLY IBEH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as GODWIN SARGAUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as SARDAUNA LYAMBEE GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

47

Ëž FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Concept of Justice in Islam - 1 By: Hebba Choudhry, Mubashir Hussain/ IslamiCity/Muslim Matters

I

magine waking up one morning to the sound of gunshots. A man has just been killed. You pass by a home where you hear some children crying, orphaned, and left alone to suffer because of the crimes of other people. On the other side of town, you witness a home that has just been robbed, its residents thrown out mercilessly.

You walk past a quiet street and see a car that has been vandalized, its windows broken to shattered glass. Now, just for a moment, stop imagining, switch on the TV, and go watch the news. Chances are you will see all this happening right in front of your eyes, and even more, in our very real world!

Injustice is very widespread on this earth.

There can be no peace without the firm establishment of justice. The more you see injustice, the more you realize the importance of establishing justice in the land. When mankind lacks guidance on how to live their lives, the entire structure of society is damaged. Allah (swt) has sent down the Quran as guidance for all of mankind, with all the rules and regulations we need to stay on the right track. Islam is a very complete way of life. Every rule that is good for humanity has been ordained in the Shariah of Allah (swt). Everything we need, in order to live successfully, can be found in the Quran. Amongst these very important divinely instructed laws is the law of establishing justice.

Allah says in the Quran: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition.â&#x20AC;?

(Surah An-Nahl: 90) In this study, we will Inshaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Allah, explore the different ayaat of the Quran relating to the topic of justice, and how we can apply them in our daily lives.

What is Justice?

Before we begin, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look into the definition of justice. What is justice, and what do we understand from this term?

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;Justiceâ&#x20AC;? can be defined in the following ways: 1.

The quality of being just; fairness.

2.

The principle of moral rightness; equity. r$POGPSNJUZ UP NPSBM SJHIUOFTT JO BDUJPO or attitude; righteousness. r5IF VQIPMEJOH PG XIBU JT KVTU FTQFDJBMMZ fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law. r-BX UIF BENJOJTUSBUJPO BOE QSPDFEVSF of law. r " +VEHF 3.

Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason.

The Islamic definition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;justiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comes under the same categories. Justice, as defined in the Quran, commands mankind to behave in a fair and just manner. Allah (swt) has commanded us to protect the rights of others, to be fair and just with people, to side with the one who is under oppression, to help and be fair with the needy and orphans, and to be just and not go beyond the boundaries set by Allah, even with our enemies. We are required to be fair and just in all circumstances, and in all situations. We must establish justice in society. This is the law of our Creator.

Allah (swt) says in the Quran: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All Seer.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Nisa: 58) Justice: The Law of Allah Establishing justice is the law of Allah (swt). It is part of the balance which Allah has created. In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah (swt) describes how He has created a balance of justice, and why: â&#x20AC;? And the Heavens He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of justice). In order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice, and fall not short in the balance.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Ar-Rahman: 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9) Upon examination of these ayaat, we can understand three different points.

1. Allah (swt) has created the balance of KVTUJDF JO UIJT XPSME 5IJT JT )JT %JWJOF -BX 2. We are not permitted to transgress against the system of balance that Allah has created.

3. Allah (swt) has commanded us to

establish weight with justice, and ordered us to refrain from falling short in keeping this balance.

Allah is Just Amongst the Great Names and Attributes of Allah (swt) is Al-Hakam, which means, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Judgeâ&#x20AC;?. Allah (swt) is the Most Just, and He judges the affairs of His beings with full justice. There are several ayaat in the Quran which describe the justice of Allah (swt). Among them are the following: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but men are unjust to themselves.â&#x20AC;?

(Surah Yunus: 44) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surely Allah does not do injustice to the weight of an atom, and if it is a good deed He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Nisa: 40) â&#x20AC;&#x153;And He gives you of all that you ask for.

But if you count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Ibrahim: 34) We understand from the above ayaat that Allah is just, and He does not do injustice to mankind. It is men who do injustice to themselves. Not only is Allah just and fair, but He (swt) is so just, that He will not even do the injustice to the weight of an atom.

On top of that, Allah will only multiply our good deeds, and will reward us for that.

SubhanAllah, how Merciful Allah is! He (swt) HJWFT VT "-- UIBU XF BTL GPS BOE UIFSF JT no way we could possibly count all of our blessings. It is mankind, who is unjust, and ungrateful to the bounties of Allah.

Allah Has Commanded us to be Just and Fair â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a better protector to both (than you). So follow not your lusts, lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witnesses or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is ever well acquainted with what you do.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Nisa: 135) In the above ayah, Allah has commanded in explicit words the importance of standing up for justice. Before Islam, the Arabs were living in a state of ignorance. Their loyalty was to themselves, their families, their own tribes, even when their own were committing great injustices. Allah then sent down this verse, commanding the Muslims to be just, even if it goes against themselves, their parents, their kith and kin, and whether they be rich or poor.

Naturally, it is very easy for human beings to wish for justice against others who have done injustice upon them, or to a third party.

The heart is prone to inclining towards that which is just. This natural inclination, however, DIBOHFT XIFO XF BSF UIF POFT BU GBVMU -FU T take a look at the following scenario.

Suppose your neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house has been robbed. Their doors have been broken, windows shattered, and belongings taken away. Their lives are left in ruins. Naturally, your heart will incline towards bringing the burglar to justice. The victims would definitely want the thief to be punished. Now, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say that thief is you. Would you still want justice to be served? As the criminal, you would do your utmost to get away with the crime.

Now that your own self is at stake, you no longer incline towards justice. So what if the thief is your father? What if the thief is your brother? Most likely, you would still incline towards saving your family by concealing their crime, and helping them get away with it. Yet, if the culprit is NOT yourself or your family, you would want justice to be served, for the exact same crime! Why the double standards? These double standards are the result of our lusts and desires, which often lead to injustice.

To perfect the concept of justice, Allah (swt) orders us to stand firmly for that which is true, even in situations where our hearts will incline towards that which is unjust.

Regardless of who is at fault, we MUST stand for that which is right. Even if we ourselves are the ones at fault, we do not have the right to escape punishment. We cannot conceal the wrongdoings of our family.

Allah knows our natural inclinations, and thus firmly commanded us to refrain from following our heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desires, lest we avoid justice. to be continued

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NEWS

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

Amosun: Only Eight States Can Afford New Minimum Wage Insists Akinlade will emerge his successor

Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday said with the dwindling allocation state governments received from the federal government, only eight governors would be able to implement the proposed new national minimum wage.

Amosun has also insisted that his preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, would emerge as his successor in office, so that he can build on his legacy.

The governor who spoke at a town hall meeting held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, argued that state governors are not magicians and miracle workers that would turn things around overnight, adding that many states are still struggling with the current minimum wage.

“The situation now is like an

old woman with load walking gently; if she now adds more loads, she won’t walk at all.

“With N18,000 minimum wage, as we speak in this country, only seven or eight governors are able to pay full salaries.

“We are not magicians or miracle workers that will turn things around; we are only making to do with what we have; nobody has the money”.

According to him, the government will remain unwavering in the development of the people, adding that the success recorded by the current administration was as a result of support received from all stakeholders.

He said that poverty had reduced to the barest minimum in the state and assured that the state would remain enviable among its peers.

Also, the governor enjoined stakeholders in Ogun State to continue to complement government’s efforts towards ensuring proper annexing of

the socio economic potentials available in the state for further developments.

Amosun seized the occasion to insist that his acclaimed governorship candidate for APC, Akinlade, would emerge as his successor in office, come May 29 , 2019 elections, so that he can build on his legacy.

He averred that nobody could stop his preferred candidate from assuming the number one office in the State.

He said, “we are going to win every local government in the state, including the

local governments where our enemies are; we are ready for them. We shall meet them there” Speaking on the development in the state, Amosun said he had done what the past administrations failed to do, saying that the best candidate who will continue from where he stopped is Akinlade.

He further stated his commitment towards ensuring that his candidate succeed him in office and called on the people of the state to

ignore side attractions and give their support to the man of the people.

In his own address, the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs. Aderenle Adesina, said the current administration considered the abundant human and natural resources in the state and had since inception, maximised the opportunities for economic gains, and called on the people to contribute to the drive.

According to her, the state has enjoyed improved infrastructural facilities and

business-friendly environment to attract investors, which has added positive values to the economic growth of the state.

A representative of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mrs. Elegberun, decried the deplorable state of roads in the industrial part of Ogun State, citing Agbara, Lusada and Atan as case study.

She, however, pleaded with the governor to help halt the excess tax levied on the companies operating within the State.

Ortom Mourns as Boat Mishap Claims 24 Lives in Benue, Nasarawa George Okoh in Makurdi and Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia The Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has sympathised with families of victims of the boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point of River KatsinaAla. A boat mishap at the Buruku end of River Katsina Ala claimed 20 lives yesterday while 17 motor bikes also capsized in the accident.

Four persons have also died and others missing following a separate boat mishap that occurred in a river at Ashangwa, Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State.

Ortom who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor, visited the scene of the incident, accompanied by Chairmen of Buruku and Logo local Government Areas, some commissioners and special advisers.

He described the boat mishap as unfortunate and painful, stressing that a similar incident which claimed 17 lives, occurred at the same point five years ago.

He called on the federal government to construct a bridge across the Buruku axis of River Katsina-Ala in order to prevent the loss of more lives.

“His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom and his Deputy, Benson Abounu are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, and the Government of Benue State will ensure that the victims are given the necessary support. Our appeal is that the federal government should construct a bridge here at the Buruku crossing point of River Katsina-Ala to put an end to the frequent loss of lives”, Ijohor stated.

He directed that the bodies which had so far been recovered be deposited at the morgue of General Hospital Buruku while

government would assist in the burial.

According to a source, the victims were crossing the river to attend a burial when the boat sank as a result of overloading.

However, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the state Police Command, Moses Yamu, confirmed that 13 bodies have been recovered while the search for others was still ongoing.

“A rescue effort is ongoing and we hope to ascertain the cause of the accident”.

In another incident, four persons died, while several others were missing following a boat mishap that occurred in a river at Ashangwa, Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State.

Narrating her ordeal to journalists in an interview, one of the survivors, Mrs. Felina Agwale, attributed the incident to the age of the boat paddler whom she said was too young to handle it.

Also speaking, the District Head of Ashige, Joseph Mamman-Amagbo, expressed worry over the unfortunate incident, and blamed it on negligence on the part of some individuals who allow underage children to paddle them on the canoes in the area.

The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Zakari Alumaga, confirmed the incident, but added that he was yet to receive details. sHe, however, affirmed that adequate measures had already been taken to rescue the missing persons.

“I was informed of the unfortunate incident that happened at Ashangwa on Tuesday, but I am yet to receive details of what happened.

However, adequate measures have been taken already to ensure that those missing persons are rescued.”

BURIAL RITES FOR GREAT MAN...

R-L: Widow, Mrs. Cynthia Dafinone;Terry Dafinone; Stella Dafinone; Eyamba Dafinone; Enita Dafinone; during the service of songs for Senator David Omueya Dafinone at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos ....yesterday

INEC Publishes Buhari, Atiku, Others’ Names for Claims and Objection Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday published the forms and details of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and other political parties’ candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for February 14, 2019.

While the president and his main challenger’s names were published in Abuja, other candidates’ names were published at the INEC headquarters in the 36 states

of the federation.

The publication of the list, said INEC, was to enable the electorate make claims and objections as required by the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

While the list of candidates of various political parties are not yet available at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, but when THISDAY visited INEC office in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at 6:45p.m., the list were still been pasted outside the office.

However, the number of the presidential candidates could not be ascertained as the commission was still photocopying and pasting the forms and particulars in batches as at 8.30 p.m.

The particulars of the

presidential candidates pasted include, President Muhammadu Buhari, and his Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of the All Progressives Congress (APC); the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of his running mate, Peter Obi. Also published, Dr. Obadiah Malafia, presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Prof. Tanimowo Nasiru, as his running mate.

INEC has also published the details of the Presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Donald Duke, and Dr. Junaid Mohammad, as running mate.

The details of 22 candidates for

one FCT Senatorial District seat and 24 candidates jostling for two FCT House of Representatives seats were also published.

Those vying for the Senate were Senator Zephaniah Jisalo (APC); Senator Philip Aduda (PDP); Mrs. Esther Audu (ADC); and Mr. Eric lb, (SDP).

Those contesting for the House of Representatives (AMAC/Bwari federal constituency) include Mr. Lamorde Halilu (APC); Mr. Micah Jiba (PDP); and Mr. Ene Idoko-Abel (ADC).

Other parties whose candidates’ names were published were include, Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Kowa Party.

Army Deploys Troops to N’Assembly over Shiite’s Threat Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, said yesterday it deployed soldiers around the 3-Arms Zone on Wednesday and yesterday following intelligence reports of an impending invasion of the National Assembly by members of the Shiite Islamic Sect.

The brigade, tasked with

the security of the president and the location of the three arms of government, said intelligence reports showed that the sect planned to take over legislative chambers of the National Assembly.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Haruna Tagwai, in a statement said though the deployment was

routine, troops were deployed to forestall any breach of peace and security.

“The attention of Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army has been drawn to unfounded and unsubstantiated news trending on some online platforms about the presence of military personnel at the National Assembly.

“The report that soldiers were trying to take over the National Assembly is false and misleading. “The Brigade wishes to state that troops of Guards Brigade Nigerian Army are routinely deployed within Abuja and environs on receipt of any intelligence report of mischievous elements that may want to cause mayhem.

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FG, States, LGs Share N698.7bn September Allocation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal, states and local governments shared a total of N698.710 billion for the month of September 2018 at the Federation Account Allocation Committee(FAAC} meeting held yesterday in Abuja.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said the gross statutory revenue for the month was N569.281 billion, which was lower than the N627.139 billion shared in August by N57.858 billion.

A communique issued by the Technical Sub-Committee of FAAC, after its meeting held and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, put the distributable statutory

revenue for the month at N569.281 billion and the total revenue distributable for the month at N698.710 billion.

According to the communiqué, “crude oil export sales increased by 0.17 million barrels, resulting in increased revenue to the Federation of $8.48 million.

However the average unit price dropped from $77.10 to $75.69. There was shutdown of pipelines which resulted in shut in of production at various pipelines. Revenue from Royalties increased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) decreased significantly.”

The breakdown for the month of September shows that the gross revenue

available from the VAT was N79.154 billion as against N114.542 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in a decrease of N35.388 billion. The report also indicated that while the federal government got N277.197 billion, the state and local governments

got N172.810 billion and 130.534 billion respectively.

Derivation (13 per cent of mineral revenue) amounts to N52.596 billion and cost of collection/transfer and FIRS Refund was put at N15.572 billion.

“The distributable Statutory Revenue for the month was

N569.281 billion. The total revenue distributable for the month (including VAT and Exchange Gain Difference) is N648.710 billion.

“The next FAAC meeting will hold during National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED), proposed

for Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in Kaduna,” the communiqué nsaid.

Meanwhile, the report of the committee on the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was stepped down and withdrawn to enable the committee to rework and re-present it at the next meeting.

Police Declare District Head, Seven Others Wanted over Missing General Seriki Adinoyi inJos The village head of Dura-Du, in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Mr. Yakubu Rap, and seven other persons have been declared wanted by the state Police Command over the mysterious disappearance of a former Army Chief of Administration, Maj. General Mohammed Idris Alkali (rtd).

The other persons on the wanted list are Da Chuwang Samuel (aka Morinho), Nyam Samuel (aka Soft Touch), Pam Gyang Dung (aka Boss), Timothy Chuan, Mathew Wrang (aka Amesco), and Chuwang Istifanus Pwajok Stephen (aka Tifa).

A statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state Police Command, Terna Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police,

said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects masterminded and executed the disappearance of the General.

Tyopev urged anyone with useful information on their whereabouts to report to the nearest police facility or call the following telephone numbers; 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844, and 09053872296.

General Alkali was said to have retired a few weeks before he was declared missing on September 3, 2018, a day after gunmen swooped on Dura-Du and killed about 13 persons.

Three cars were said to have been recovered from a mining pond in Dura – Du District during a cordon and search operation conducted by a team of soldiers led by the Garrison Commander of 3 Armour Division, Brig. Gen. Umar Mohammed.

Akwa Ibom Will Remain Peaceful, Says Emmanuel In response to the recent developments in Akwa Ibom State, which were fuelled by his political opponents who are allegedly planning to cause unrest and disrupt the elections come 2019, Governor Udom Emmanuel has said that the state would not yield to the antics of his opponents but would remain a peaceful state.

The governor’s position came on the heels of the recent uproar on the floor of the Senate, where Senator Albert Akpan from the state had raised the alarm alleging that some political elements from the opposition party were planning to sponsor crisis in the forthcoming elections in the state in order to compromise the exercise.

Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Emmanuel was quoted in a statement issued by the state government that while only God ultimately gives power, he was not afraid of losing re-election next year.

According to him, “There is something you people must know. When it comes to power it is only God who determines and we are conscious of that.

We play politics of development and our people are seeing that.

So, whatever would have tried in any way to distract us we don’t want to be distracted so, don’t be bothered about that.

It is only God who determines what happens the next minute, not man. And no man is God.” Emmanuel added that anyone planning violence and war in Akwa Ibom State was wasting time as the people have resolved to be peaceful and would remain so.

He, however, pointed out that such threats from any quarters were being noted even at the presidential level and he believes there is no cause for alarm.

He said, “At the moment, Akwa Ibom State is very peaceful. We only hear of these plots but we the indigenes are saying no, we are peaceful and we want to maintain peace.

Whoever wants war, will see war on his own not within the state” “Our own democracy is about development and I think we’re conscious of that. As of today in terms of internal security I think we are still doing very well and we’ll continue to carry everybody along.”

ECONOMY IN THEIR MINDS...

L-R: General Manager, Policy and Government Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria; Mr. Paul Arinze; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige; Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Banwo; Vice President of Nigeria, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, and Manager, Media and Communications, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mr. Ogechukwu Odeagha, during the Nigeria Economic Summit 2018 held in Abuja…recently

FG Bans Unauthorised Use of Drones, Broadcast Equipment As part of the broad measures to stem the tide of insecurity in the country, the federal government has banned the unauthorised acquisition of firearms, drones and broadcast equipment.

This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), during the General Security Appraisal Committee Meeting at the Office of NSA (ONSA) in Abuja.

Monguno stressed that the abuse of social media platforms in addition to the illicit acquisition of controlled items by non-state actors have become the major source of insecurity in the country.

To this end, he cautioned those already in possession of these unauthorised items to surrender them to the

appropriate authorities in order to avoid the full wrath of the law.

“Members of the public are sternly warned against illicit acquisition of controlled items such as firearms, remotely-piloted aircraft (drones) and broadcast equipment amongst others.

Accordingly, those with such illegally acquired controlled items are hereby advised to voluntarily surrender them to the appropriate security agencies,” he said.

The NSA was flanked by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Buratai, Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (CDI), Mohammed Usman and other representatives of

security agencies.

He cited the recent violence in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara and Kaduna States as worrying cases of insecurity across the country fuelled by abuse of social media platforms through fake news, hate speech and incitement, as well as illegal possession of controlled items.

Against this backdrop, Monguno said the federal government is taking all necessary measures to address the underlying unresolved conflicts and bring all perpetrators to justice.

He said: “The federal government is concerned that social media and other communication platforms are now used to exacerbate tension through rumour, hate speech and incitement. Nigerians are reminded that all laws and regulations against hate speech

and incitement will be fully enforced to ensure peace, security and freedom for all Nigerians wherever they chose to live.

“In a bid to address these spates of civil disturbances, heads of security agencies have reviewed the internal security situation and resolved to take all necessary measures within the law to curb this violence.”

The NSA stressed that while the government acknowledged the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and association, “It is imperative to note that deliberate acts which directly or indirectly lead to wanton loss of lives and destruction of property constitute heinous crimes, which will not be tolerated and will be appropriately dealt with in accordance to the law”.

IG Summons A’Ibom PDP Coordinators over Attack on APC’s Candidate Segun James Following a petition written to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the gunmen who fired bullets into the Uyo home of the APC’s governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere, were sponsored by the state government, among other allegations, the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has elected to lead his team of campaign coordinators to Abuja to honour the IG’s invitation.

According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles

Udoh, “Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has elected to lead his team of Campaign Coordinators to the Inspector General of Police who summoned them and accused them of various misdemeanours based on a petition by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman in the State, Ini Okopido sent to President Muhammadu Buhari that he quickly minuted to his Chief of Staff who, in line with orders, minuted to IG for immediate investigation.

The statement has it that “the issue here borders on destruction of Buhari’s Presidential campaign billboards in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, a charge PDP and the

Environment Commissioner have denied and clarified.

The general plank for the invitation, according to the police, openly revolved around instigation to cause violence.”

Udoh noted that “all the persons invited by the Inspector General of Police curiously are the key officers of Udom Emmanuel Divine Mandate Organisation, the vehicle for Udom’s re-election.

“Those invited to appear are the Chairperson of Divine Mandate, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, a retired Nigerian Air Force personnel and former head of the Presidential Air Fleet and former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom

State. Also invited by the IG for questioning is the PDP Chairman in the State, Paul Ekpo; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke; the Commissioner for Environment, Iniobong Essien; the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Fubara Duke; the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council and the Chairman of the Uyo Market Association.

“A security agency established by law has invited us so we have to honour. We obey laws here. It started with the billboard issue and the IG sent a team from Abuja that investigated and even detained the Commissioner for Environment for no just cause.

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Primary Election Crisis: APC May Convene NEC Meeting Early November Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) may be compelled to hold an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting early next month to address the issues arising from the primary elections, THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAY also gathered some powerful elements in the party are plotting to take advantage of the meeting to determine the fate of the embattled National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

However, a reliable source said that Oshiomhole’s loyalists are working hard to stop the meeting.

But the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, has

denied knowledge of any plan to convene NEC meeting.

He told journalists that he was not in the know of such plot.

Onilu said: “There is nothing as such, if it will happen we will actually make a formal announcement.”

A top party leader who confirmed the move to summon the NEC, said some elements are already lobbying for the replacement of Oshiomhole with “former governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebiri or any other moderate fellow”.

It was learnt that those pushing for NEC meeting have been sending messages to party stakeholders and trying to

convince them of the need to use the opportunity to review the outcome of the recently conducted primaries across the country.

The primary elections have generated much crisis with some governors and other party leaders openly calling for the removal of Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.

One of the governors who have openly expressed displeasure is Ondo State

Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who in a statement on Wednesday, described the National Chairman as “incompetent.”

A NEC member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “unless the current National Chairman is removed, the party might be heading for a defeat in 2019.

When asked how feasible it is to force NWC to convene a NEC meeting, the source said “Yes but that Oshiomhole is trying to prevent it”.

He said: Majority of the NEC members can call for a NEC meeting; that is what our constitution says. We can force him to call for a NEC meeting.

The meeting is due because after the primaries NWC has to brief us (NEC members) on the reports of the primaries across the country. The reports have to be reviewed and we have demanded for it through the National Secretary’s office.

“Normally, after the primary

they are suppose to call for a NEC meeting so that they will present the reports of the primaries to the NEC, because some of these decisions they have taken and said NWC has decided, there is nothing like that because NWC is not the highest organ of the party, it is the National Executive Committee (NEC) which the president and the Vice President are members.

NWC is just a policy-making body of the party.

Court Restrains EFCC from Arresting, Rivers Govt’s Contractors, Lawyers Ernest Chinwo inPortHarcourt A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or detaining contractors, lawyers, professionals and service providers who have rendered services to the Rivers State Government.

The court also restrained the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from inviting and detaining officials of the Rivers State Government for investigations.

Ruling yesterday in Suit Number: FHC/PH/ CS/101/2018 filed by the Rivers State Attorney-General against the EFCC and AGF, the presiding judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah, also restrained the EFCC and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from interfering with the accounts of the Rivers State Government, pending the determination of the substantive

suit.

Oshomah also issued: “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining 1st and 2nd Defendants/Respondents (EFCC/AGF) from inviting or further inviting, arresting and or detaining contractors (engaged by the Rivers State Government to carry out projects), professionals (including lawyers) or service providers to the Rivers State Government who have been paid by the State Government, for the purpose of investigating, probing and or interfering in any manner whatsoever with the management of the Rivers State consolidated fund.”

The court further issued: “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining 1st and 2nd Defendants from giving any effect or further effect to the letter dated August 7, 2018 wherein EFCC invited some officials of the Rivers State Government on August 20, or any date for that matter”.

Oil Industry Operators Task FG, Others on Human Capital Development Oluchi Chibuzor Operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have tasked the federal government and other stakeholders to give priority to the development of human capital to drive operations in the industry, and cope with the emerging trend of technology in the sector.

Speaking at the opening of 3th Africa Oil and Gas Talent Summit (AOGS), in Lagos yesterday, the Chairman of AOGS Advisory Council, Felix Amieyeofori, said this has become necessary, especially as “people are the real assets” in any economy.

Amieyeofori said the country’s oil and gas industry currently needs very skillful human capital to drive operations while delivering value to stakeholders.

He noted that Nigeria has been ranked as one of the least nations in human capital index.

“Nigeria ranked 152 out of 157 countries on the World Bank 2018 Human Capital Index list.

Nigeria shared the bottom of the index with countries like Chad,

South Sudan, Niger, Mali, and Liberia.

“Of the 85.08 million labour force by 3rd quarter 2017, only 7.14 percent work in any form of industry, including the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Similarly, the Vice Chairman and In-Country Human Resources Manager, ExxonMobil, Mr. Udom Inoyo, tasked stakeholders to embrace automation of workforce in order to boost output while adding value to bottom-line.

Udom further said For HR practioners to remain in business of managing people, they must think creatively and have a clear vision of the company business, engage at various board levels.

According to him: The era of analogue way of doing things is gone, digital minds will fuel the future and so every HR must retool themselves in other not to be disrupted by various emerging technology. Artificial intelligence will change the dynamics of work environment as automation will certainly cause disruption”. He explained

GOING TOUGH AGAINST THUGGERY, CULTISM...

L-R: Wing Commander O. G Alabi; Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group, Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon; during a courtesy visit by the air force officers to the governor at Government House, Benin City, yesterday

Ghana, Kenyan Presidents Call for Collaboration to Support African Entrepreneurs Peter Uzoho The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyata, have called on African political and business leaders to join hands and contribute towards supporting young African entrepreneurs for the development of the continent.

The two leaders made the call yesterday in Lagos at the 2018 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum (TEEP).

A total of 1,060 trainees of

the foundation from 54 African countries were graduated at the forum that attracted over 5,000 people including business and political leaders.

Kenyata who spoke from Kenya through a live stream platform, said African leaders need to work together for the transformation and development of the continent, stressing that they need to support the Foundation in his vision and effort to help young African entrepreneurs grow.

He stated that it was time leaders made proper and careful

policymaking towards investing on young men and women trying to change the narrative of the continent.

He said: “I’m especially happy to be part of this gathering because of its commitment to the development of our continent. I want to commend Elumelu for the good works he is doing towards helping our entrepreneurs to succeed and develop Africa.

“It’s therefore time for proper, careful policymaking for investment in our young people. These young

people are the new class of entrepreneurs our African countries need to prosper.

Across our countries, young, innovative African leaders are fighting for positive change and they are using technology to enhance education and to solve problems.

“So both the public and private sector need to come together and join hands. We need to do everything we can to build the skills and train the entrepreneurs to start their own businesses,” Kenyata noted.

Kachikwu, Ekere, Wabote Seek More FDIs for Nigeria Deborah Orji The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; the Chief Executive Officer, Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited, Dr. Louis Ekere; and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr Simbi Wabote, have urged investors to increase Foreign Direct Investments (FIDs) in Nigeria.

Speaking separately at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Core Strategic Investors’ meeting, which held in the United States

on Wednesday, the minister and others said more FDIs would complement the efforts of the current administration in the different sectors of the economy.

On his part, Kachikwu highlighted the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the oil and gas sector.

According to him, the reforms in the sector had created more space and potential for foreign investors in the sector.

In his speech, Ekere pointed out that no country could grow sustainably and provide employment without FIDs.

He urged foreign investors to invest in Nigeria, assuring that their investment would be safe and earn good returns.

Ekere said unlike the previous administration, Buhari’s administration was instituting a “hospitable regulatory framework” for foreign direct investment by relaxing rules regarding market entry and foreign ownership.

He added that the government was improving the standards of treatment accorded foreign firms and improving the functioning of markets.

“Without equivocation, with the policies being implemented

in revamping the economy, especially the national action plan put together by the Presidential Enabling Environment Council, which was mandated to lead its reform projects and provide conducive atmosphere for transaction of businesses in the country, the Nigerian economy is on its way to utopian heights,” he said.

In his remarks, Wabote said the President had been able to provide a safe and enabling environment for operators and investors and that foreign investors should feel safe to invest in the country.

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13.2m Nigerian Children Roaming the Streets, Says Falana Ugo Aliogo Human Rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana has stated that the13.2 million children roaming around the streets across the country are potential recruits for terrorism, kidnapping and other social menace.

Falana made this remarks on Wednesday while speaking as the chairman at the public presentation of a book, ‘Tolu’s October 1st Birthday’ and symposium titled ‘Indigenous Culture and the Nigerian Child’ in Lagos.

Falana attributed the worrisome social menace and terrorism ravaging Nigeria to the fading cultural and educational values.

He said the dearth of culture and low quality of education in Nigeria was due to the lack of

funding and neglect of public schools, which have led to total collapse of these schools. “ Today, we are battling with 13.2 million children roaming around the streets and 60 million of them are illiterates. This is as a result of lack of culture and the low quality education in Nigeria. It is very easy for the Boko Haram, armed robbers, terrorist and kidnappers to recruit them. “These children won’t make it impossible for all us to sleep well. The population of these children is the largest in the world. The population is higher than the population of Cuba and many other countries in Africa, whereas children in China and European countries are already in schools using computer to learn and develop their knowledge,” Falana explained.

He said that in the next 20 years, Nigerian children will

be competing with what the children in China and European countries are learning at the moment.

“It is a shame we are encountering such challenges. We must ensure we intervene and be determined to preserve our culture and fund our education.

“The elites and government officials have abandoned public schools and have allowed them to collapse. We took our children

out from public schools where culture can be learned and put them in private schools. This is a dilemma we are facing as a country. Frontline countries like America, Israel, China Japan and other developed countries don’t rely on oil.

They rely on knowledge.

Knowledge builds economy.

It’s through administration of good culture and knowledge our country can develop and

thereby make advancement”.

The Special Guest of Honour was Chair, Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, while book reviewer was acting Editor, Saturday Independent, Mr. Yemi Adebisi.

In his speech, Olukotun lamented the decay of reading culture, lack of encouragement for creativity and fulfilling careers for the youths.

He noted that there is a need to encourage indigenous culture and to catch them young, through training before they mature. The book was written by a journalist, Grace Edema.

Other dignitaries at the events are, Prince Wale Oyekoya of Barma Farms, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, Mr. Peter Edema, Mr. Lekan Otufodurin, and Mr. Bolaji Adepegba.

Ekiti Assembly Confirms Two Commissioners for Fayemi Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Former Commissioners for Finance, Dapo Kolawole and Attorney General of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda, were yesterday screened and confirmed by the state Assembly as commissioners-designate.

The two were screened and confirmed to serve as commissioners in Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

Fapohunda and Kolawole are expected to be handed the portfolios of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Finance and Economic Development respectively.

The duo served in the same capacities in the first term of Fayemi’s government.

The Assembly at its plenary yesterday also endorsed Fayemi’s approval for the appointment of 10 Special Advisers.

The Speaker, Hon. Adeniran Alagbada, who read a letter from the governor to his

colleagues at plenary, urged them to adequately look into the request for smooth running of government. The two commissioner nominees were differently grilled by members of the House and were deemed qualified for membership of the State Executive Council.

The lawmakers unanimously observed that both men had served the state in the past and performed creditably well. The duo are expected to be sworn by the Governor any moment from now.

The Deputy Speaker, Segun Adewumi, charged the two “commissioner nominees to think outside the box by attracting businesses into the state to improve the economy instead of overtaxing the people”, he advised.

Alagbada commended Fayemi “for choosing people of integrity as commissioners and praised his colleagues for their prompt action.”

Gregory University Confers Doctorate Degrees on Ugochukwu, Ohuabunwa, Others The award of doctorate degrees to the first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has been scheduled as one of the major highlights of the third convocation ceremony of the Gregory University Uturu, Abia State.

Others to be honoured with doctorate degrees by the university include veteran highlife musician and leader of the Oriental Brothers International Band, Chief Dansatch Opara, Olympic Gold Medalist Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, President-General of Peoples Club of Nigeria International, Prof. Inno Eke and Managing Director of Urban FM, Mr. Chike Madueke.

According to a press statement by the Acting Registrar of the university, Mr. Emmanuel Nebo, events lined up for the three-day ceremony commenced yesterday with a non-denominational thanksgiving church service and traditional Iri Ji (New

Yam) festival.

The statement further added that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who is also Visitor to the university, is expected to deliver the third convocation lecture today (Friday), on the topic “The Pathways to the Development of Africa.”

Other activities for the ceremony include plans for the presentation of Prof. Ola Rotimi’s“Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again” as well as the formal inauguration of the university’s West Africa Green Economic Development Institute (WAGEDI).

According to Nebo, the ceremony will climax with the award of degrees and prizes to a total of One Hundred Graduands on Saturday 27 October 2018.

The university management therefore solicits the attendance of the public, especially relations, friends and associates of the graduands to all the events, which have been scheduled to take place in the university auditorium.

SET FOR BLACK FRIDAY SEASON...

L-R: Head, Engagement Marketing, Olamide Amosu; Country Manager; Tolu George Yanwah; Chief Commercial Officer, Shobhit Pander; and CEO, Juliet Anammah, all of Jumia Nigeria, during the press conference on the forthcoming Black Friday season in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUNAJALA

Dogara: Saboteurs Impeding River Niger Dredging Shola Oyeyipo The continued inability of Nigeria to dredge its inland water ways has been blamed on some powerful interests opposed to the project.

Making the allegation yesterday, when he received the new Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora, in his office, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said a cartel with vested interest has been sabotaging River Niger dredging.

Maintaining that failure of successive administrations to implement the national transport master plan that would have seen to the dredging was deliberate,

Dogara hinted that in the last three years, he had taken up the issue of implementation of the master plan at different times and at the highest levels with different people but his efforts hit a brick wall.

He said he was told at a point that the Chinese had handed down a negative verdict on the project saying it was not feasible and useless.

Referring to how the national transport master plan was conceived by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Dogara said: “I was part of the development of the national transportation master plan; I don’t know what has happened to that. How I wish we implemented that plan, by now we would have gone very far because the master plan vision is a seamless integration

of a multi modal transportation into one hub, and I think at that time Baro in Niger State had been identified as the center for the hub, it is serviced by a railway that is connected to Minna and all you need to do is to construct a road and airport that will ensure connectivity and you will have access to the Atlantic Ocean through the River Niger, so everything was supposed to be put together in one place.

“I am aware that some people in the sector are of the opinion that we do not need the inland waterways transportation in this country.

I have had discussions with some of them. Like I said, I have been advocate of this for long, and they said that the Chinese said it is useless, even if we develop it. But that’s

the irony, if you look at other countries that do not even have this potential for inland waterways transportation, they have even done man-made inland waterways and even lakes, they have created artificial ones. While in this country, having been blessed with these wonderful resources by God, we tend to look the other way and believe they will not serve any useful purpose.

“There are some people within the sector who do not want some of these initiatives to see the light of day. But because I’ve converted myself so if they are fighting against you, they are fighting against me, and it would be very difficult for them to succeed because of the good will that propels us,” the Speaker further assured the NIWA delegation.”

Publisher Appears Before Kano House of Assembly over Bribe Video Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Publisher and Editor-in-chief of Daily Nigerian, Mr. Jaafar Jaafar, yesterday appeared before the Kano State House of Assembly, which has commenced hearing on the video clips allegedly showing the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, receiving bribe, amounting to about $5 million from contractors in the state.

The video was published

by Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper.

When he appeared before

the panel, Jaafar was asked by the Chairman of the Committee, Baffa Babba Dan-Agundi, to narrate how he got the clip and the investigative processes he followed to authenticate the video before publishing them.

Speaking, Jaafar said he got the video from one of the state government’s contractors, who complained that the governor allegedly received 15 to 25 per cent kickbacks from them.

He added that he had to consult Amnesty International and other certified graphic experts before he arrived at

the conclusion that the video clips are genuine.

“To uphold the ethic of journalism, I had to take a long time to scrutinise the video clips. I consulted Amnesty International’s officials and other graphic experts to ascertain the authenticity of the video.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no political undertone in this issue. I turned down several offers to trade the video but I refused,” he said Jaafar also restated his stance that the video was genuine, and not doctored or cloned,

and urged the committee to be fair in the investigation for the interest of the public and development of the state.

In his response, Dan-agundi asked Jaafar to submit the copies of the video clips for further investigation.

He disclosed that the committee would invite the lawyers of both Ganduje and Jaafar, adding that the duo would also be asked to provide their certified graphic video experts to study the videos in the next session which would be announced in due course.

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Dangote Teams Embark on Social Investment Programmes Deborah Orji Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) sustainability teams from Obajana, Ibese and Gboko cement plants have embarked on social investment programmes directed towards health care, education, and environmental sanitation in their host communities during the company’s sustainability week, 2018.

The Sustainability Week spanned five days, simultaneously held across Africa.

In Lagos, where the Dangote Group is headquartered, Sustainability Champions – which now number 500 persons across the business embarked on the clean-up of Oniru block-makers village in Victoria Island; environmental sanitation of Anjorin Market, Apapa by Apapa Greenville; and the Isolo community clean-up by the Isolo Depot Team of the Dangote Cement.

Offshore business units of the company initiated various activities: a beach clean-up and

tree planting in Tema by DCP Ghana; hospital sanitation and clean-up in Bounsa by DCP Congo; educational outreach programmes in Douala by DCP Cameroon; and Dangote Cement Ethiopia Plc constructed additional block for Ula Gora School, Ethiopia. The Dangote Sustainability Vision is built on seven Sustainability Pillars called “The Dangote Way”.

The Dangote Sustainability Week, according to the DCP Group Managing Director, Mr. Joe Makoju; “is built on the premise that sustainability must be owned and practiced by employees at every level of the organisation, and powered by the highest levels of institutional governance.”

Chief Sustainability and Governance Officer of Dangote Group, Dr. Ndidi Nnoli, said: “For us at Dangote, Sustainability means living in harmony with our communities and natural environment. We believe our people and our businesses have a lot to give but also much to

learn from the rich heritage of cultures in Africa. As a company, we are committed to building sustainable local economies in the communities and markets where we operate.”

The Chief Operating Officer of DCP, Mr. Arvind Pathak, remarked that “the positive and life-transforming impact of Dangote Sustainability Champions across the African

Continent during the recently held Sustainability Week surpassed all of our expectations and we are committed to doing more.”

Across Nigeria, employees and Sustainability Champions of the Dangote Cement Plant came out dressed for work alongside community members to improve the quality of life for ordinary citizens.

In Gboko, Benue State staff

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has partnered the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) to checkmate the menace of substandard products at the point of entry.

The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, explained that ANLCA is one of its strongest allies to reduce the influx of substandard goods to the barest minimum, saying the agency would intensify its engagements with operators in the maritime industry through sensitisation programmes.

This was disclosed at a stakeholders meeting with members from ANLCA in Lagos, with a promise that the agency

would also be creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive while also protecting the lives of the unsuspecting consumers.

According to him, the agency is working relentlessly to fully automate its process to reduce the level of human interface, stressing that this would help to eradicate the use of touts to get access to its services while also ensuring seamless port operations for stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Aboloma said: “We are appealing to the operators in this industry to be forth coming in their declaration of goods so that they do not take advantage of the lacuna involved in the clearing processes. They have agreed to work with us in all sincerity while

Deji Elumoye in Abuja A member of the National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, (APC Zamfara Central), has faulted the protest in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, calling for the sack of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

A number of sponsored protesters stormed Gusau, the Zamfara State capital , yesterday

also keying into our processes to create an enabling environment for operators.

“We are trying to fully automate our processes to make it seamless, this would help to tackle some of the corrupt practices operators experience at the ports. When you automate, you have less human interface, there will be no more need to patronise touts for accessing our services.”

He stated further that, “The fight against substandard goods starts from beyond the shores of Nigeria and that is why we have put SONCAP in place to verify the quality of products coming in. We still have to follow products that we suspect are substandard and even in the markets. Importers must insist on doing the right thing and imbibe the culture

Mo Abudu, Meghan Markle, Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Joshua Make UK Powerlist Deborah Orji Nigerian media mogul, Mo Abudu, has emerged amongst the top 100 most influential of African and Caribbean heritage.

Abudu who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Of EbonyLife Media, has been named on The Powerlist 2018, an annual list of the UK’s top 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage.

Although she is based in Nigeria, Abudu was born and raised in London. Fellow firsttimer on the list, Meghan Markle,

Mo Abudu

was born in the USA but married Prince Harry earlier this year.

The 12-year-old Powerlist is chosen from a list of nominees by a distinguished panel, chaired by a former high court judge.

The panel also includes a Queen’s Counsel and leading professionals in business and the arts. Each year, the panel is reminded that ‘influence’ of the nominees is defined as “the ability to positively alter events and change lives as over a protracted period of time”.

Based on this, they give each nominee marks out of 10 on two indices: 1) how influential they are among their immediate sphere of expertise and 2) how far that influence reaches into the wider world.

This new accolade for Mo Abudu coincides with heightened interest from international film and television studios in the stories that EbonyLife is trying to bring to the screen. A series about the Dahomey Warriors, the legendary, west African, female fighting-force, is now in development with Sony Pictures Television. Dating Game Nigeria, based on a Sony-owned format,

Plant.

Employees and Management also embarked on a tree planting programme in Obajana Community near the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Secondary school; and a clinic rehabilitation programme, which involved an extensive internal and external clean-up, including the repair of leaking roofs and non-functional toilets.

Marafa Berates Yari over Anti-Oshiomhole Protest calling for the removal of Oshiomhole over his respect for the rule of law.

Marafa who is Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum(Downstream)in a statement issued in Abuja Thursday, said the protesters were mobilised by the State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari following his inability to bend rules to impose candidates who are his cronies on the party in the state.

The ranking Senator who is an

SON Partners Licensed Customs’ Agents to Combat Substandard Goods at Point of Entry Jonathan Eze

initiated a road rehabilitation which had long been in disrepair.

At Obajana, Kogi State, the company rehabilitated and donated clinical equipment to the Obajana Community Clinic; while the sustainability term at Ibese engaged in the donation of cash and equipment to enterprising women in the agrarian host community of Ajibawo, 3km away from the Ibese Cement

is now in production and will air on EbonyLife TV in December 2018.

On hearing the news, Mo had this to say: “The Powerlist is the most authoritative recognition of Black influence in the UK, therefore I am honoured and humbled to be included. It’s nice to know that those of us who return home to make our contribution are not being overlooked. This publication is sent to schools and universities all over the UK, so I hope that my story can influence even one child to follow their dreams.”

Topping the Powerlist is Ric Lewis, chief executive and chairman of Tristan Capital Partners, the largest black majority-owned private company in Britain, with total assets under management in excess of €10 billion (N4.7 trillion). His charity, the Black Heart Foundation, provides educational scholarships to young people in need in the UK and abroad. The Powerlist was revealed at a gala dinner in the City of London on Tuesday 23rd October, held to celebrate the honourees and raise funds for related charities.

of standardisation and quality assurance so that people will have confidence in their products or services.

APC governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, said Yari should be the one to be sacked and not Oshiomhole whom he described as a law-abiding leader.

“Yari and his co- travelers are wrong and Oshiomhole is right as far as the issues in the party are concerned,” he said.

He insisted that APC primaries were not held in Zamfara State and that there was no consensus.

“There was a court order that says all parties should not take any step that will render useless the litigation before it. The party under the able leadership of Adams Oshiomhole respected the order and said all parties in the crisis should hands off. The party and it leadership should be commended for respecting the law, a foundation upon which APC was built. “ Two, when the committee

of the NWC came to conduct the primary in Zamfara, violent orchestrated by Yari’s people erupted; the committee was forced to cancel the election. This is also a valid thing. The position taken by the governor that primaries should be conducted by the executives in his camp was irresponsible, contemptuous and height of lawlessness. “ The crux of the matter is that there was no election and there was no consensus in Zamfara. So, we are commending Oshiomhole and INEC for respecting the court order” he said.

Marafa said the millions of naira spent by Yari to organise the protest should have been channelled towards securing the release of 17 persons, including two young girls kidnapped in Dauran, Jangebe, Magami and other locations in the state.

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FRIDAYSPORTS

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

AFCON 2019 Victories Shoot Eagles to Third Spot in Africa, 44th Globally Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles climb to the summit of African football was acknowledged in the current FIFA Ranking released yesterday as the three-time African champions shot to the third spot in the continent.

They also move four places to the 44th place of the global standing. Only Tunisia and Senegal are now ahead of Nigeria in Africa.

The home and away defeat of Libya in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers as well as the away whitewash of Seychelles earlier all contributed to the good rating of the glory-seeking Eagles.

Eagles with solid maximum nine points from three games are now top of Group E of AFCON 2019 after they won six points off Libya – 4-0 in Uyo and 3-2 in Sfax, Tunisia as well as earned three points against Seychelles South Africa’s Bafana Bafana who the Eagles will take on in the reverse fixture next month in continuation of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers are 73rd in the world and 15th in Africa.

Group E bottom team Sey-

F I FA R A N K I N G chelles are 188th in the world and 51st in Africa.

Globally, Belgium’s Red Devils are in sole possession of top spot, albeit by the narrowest possible margin – 1733 ranking points to France’s Les Bleus’ 1732.

Last month, Belgium joined France in becoming the FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Ranking’s first-ever joint leaders.

Other countries in the Top Ten of world football in descending order include; Brazil, Croatia, England, Uruguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and Denmark.

The top two remain out in front after a month in which each of them enjoyed a win and a draw, with Belgium and France beating Switzerland (8th, unchanged) and Germany (14th, down two) respectively in the UEFA Nations League and emerging with honours even from matches against the Netherlands (15th, up 2) and Iceland (36th, unchanged) respectively.

The Dutch, meanwhile, have

Super Eagles has climbed up to the third place in Africa, 44th in the world

risen on the back of a fine 3-0 Nations League win over their struggling German rivals, and other sides have also profited from success in the same com-

petition.

England (5th, up 1), for example, have swapped places with Uruguay (6th, down 1) after winning 3-2 away to Spain (9th,

unchanged), while Norway (48th, up 4) have moved into the top 50 after back-to-back victories, and Russia (41st, up 5) have also maintained their recent

momentum by staying top of Group 2.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 29 November 2018.

Ighalo’s Resurgence with Super Eagles Excites Kanu Femi Solaja Former Nigerian Captain, Nwankwo Kanu, was full of praises for Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo, as the Changchun Yatai star in the Chinese Super League has rediscover his scoring tricks.

The former Watford FC player, whose exploit in the Chinese league was complete opposite of his performance for Nigeria at the last World Cup in Russia has suddenly warmed himself back into the hearts of soccer loving

Nigerian as the leading scorer with six goals in the AFCON 2019 qualification series.

Kanu commended the striker for his ability to come out of his goals-drought to rediscover himself again for the national team.

According to Kanu, “it is not possible for Ighalo to deliberately miss those scoring chances most fans are crucified him for, rather it was unfortunate that he did not make best use of the balls that could have buried mighty Argentina in that crucial match

Edo Sports Commission to Revive Ogbe Hard Court, Afuze Camp Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Godwin DuduOrumen, has indicated the intention of the commission to revive iconic sports competition and facilities which the region was known for in the past.

In an interactive meeting with a group of leading Edo business men and professionals under the aegis of Edo Development Organisation, the commission plans to revive facilities like the Ogbe Hard Court and the Afuze Sports Centre which will return as a High-Performance Centre and an Olympic Training Camp.

Orumen, who remarked that he was not expecting things to turn around overnight also listed other plans of the commission under his leadership.

He listed the main tasks before him to include empowerment of youths and young adults through the platform of sports as well as development of grassroots sports for schools.

In so doing he hopes the plans will lead to the introduction of collegiate sports as the benchmark for representing Edo State in local and international

competitions.

The commission also intends to complement the efforts of the state’s deputy governor to return Bendel Insurance FC to the Nigerian Premier League.

The meeting the chairman of the sports commission had with the Edo Development Organisation also explored areas of cooperation.

Ekhator Osaretin Moses, who spoke on behalf of E.D.O said the group was ready to offer all its professional advice and support to ensure that DuduOrumen and his team at the commission meet the expectations of Governor Godwin Obaseki who has shown strong commitment to transform sports in the state by having capable individuals drive the process.

“We have had fruitful discussion with the chairman of the Commission and his team. We have let them know that as a group of individuals committed to excellence and development of Edo State, we are willing to partner with the commission to bring about significant improvement of sports in Edo State.

at the World Cup in Russia.

“Fans need to appreciate the state of mind of a footballer.

While in other clime they are encouraged, it is sad here we crucify them as if it is a deliberate act not to write ones name in gold with goals,” observed the former Arsenal legend.

The Atlanta Olympic gold medalist expressed his happiness that all that is now history for Ighalo.

“For Ighalo to have banished the ghost of Russia 2018 and return to winning ways in the

national team shows that he has conquered the psychological problem within a short period.

This is good for him and the country too,” remarked Kanu in an interview during the investiture ceremony of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi’s Palace last Tuesday He also advised football fans not to be too emotional at crucifying players saying that aside the fact that players have to go through a lot of rigorous training to reach that height, they

are family men too.

“When you throw stone at your hero just because he did not play to your expectation, you are not in anyway encouraging him to hit his prime again rather it’s the other way round. There is the need for us to cultivate the habit of encouraging and not the other way round,” he advised.

Since his superlative opening goal in last year’s 4-0 rout of Cameroon in Uyo, Ighalo fired blank. His most culpable gaffe was the miss against Argentina

at the World Cup. However, even when he resumed goal scoring by netting in Nigeria’s third goal in the 3-0 defeat of Seychelles away, many football fans still did not reckon with him, possibly on account of the relative strength of the opposition and possibly because the goal was from the penalty spot.

All that changed after a five-star performance against Libya which saw him score five goals in two matches this month.

Salam Plots Gonorenda’s Fall in WBF Europa: Welbeck Grabs Late Winner Title Rematch at Chaos in Lagos for Arsenal in Lisbon Revenge is the big thing on the mind of Tony “Sugar” Salam as he faces Zimbabwe’s Chomunorwa“Sting” Gonorenda in his second shot at the WBF African Cruiserweight title at the Kwesé and Kalakoda Boxing Promotions “Chaos in Lagos” tonight.

“Chaos in Lagos” will feature six bouts in different weight divisions and the title bout is one of the three international contests scheduled to take place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island. Salam was denied victory when both fighters met in Harare in August. Fans of the 35-year-old Nigerian suggest that Salam won seven of 10 rounds but was left disappointed at the decision of the judges who awarded victory to Gonorenda.

During a raucous moment of public meltdown by Salam, the Zimbabwean promised his opponent a rematch “anytime, anyplace”. The fight promoters, Kalakoda Boxing Promotions, chose Lagos. The day that Salam has been waiting for has finally come.

The boxer has been undergo-

ing tough training for the fight at his base, the Oshodi Youth Centre, under the close watch of his coach, Shamsudeen “Van Damme” Balogun.

At the weigh-in ceremony yesterday, Salam declared that he is in top shape to stop the African title holder, Gonorenda, at home in front of his fans in Lagos.

Gonorenda responded that he would make Salam cry again as he did in Zimbabwe back in August.

Kalakoda Boxing Promotion’s Marketing Director, Jeremy Bean said that “Chaos in Lagos” is the culmination of months of planning where they plan to offer the best of boxing on the continent to Nigerian fans and to the wider audience watching via Kwese.

General Manager for Kwesé TV Nigeria, Elizabeth Amkpa, said that as the broadcasting company celebrates it first anniversary in Nigeria, it is proud to continue to support African boxing through the Kwesé Friday Fight Nights that take place every last Friday of the month in different cities across the continent.

Danny Welbeck’s late winner gave Arsenal victory over Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, as they retained their place at the top of Europa League Group E. Elsewhere on the night, Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored a hat trick in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat of BATE Borisov at Stamford Bridge.

Back to Lisbon, Welbeck pounced on a Sebastian Coates error and slotted a shot through the keeper’s legs after 77 minutes.

Earlier in the second half, the former Manchester United player had a headed goal ruled out after he was judged to have fouled the defender in the build-up.

Arsenal has now extended its winning run to 11 games in all competitions.

After Monday evening’s impressive Premier League win over Leicester, there was plenty of Arsenal optimism, even though they had never beaten a Portuguese side away from home, losing on their past three visits.

The first half seemed to point towards a dreary goalless draw despite the Gunners controlling the possession - with the visitors

managing just two tame shots on target before the break.

Nani had Sporting’s best chance with a high curling effort after half-an-hour before Arsenal winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s free-kick was punched away by keeper Renan Ribeiro.

But Arsenal picked up their performance slightly in the second half as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was denied twice.

His chip was well saved after he had used his pace to get in behind centre-back Coates and he had a shot saved from a wide angle.

Those chances seemed to spark a bit of life into Arsenal and shortly afterwards Matteo Guendouzi’s cutback found Welbeck, only for his closerange shot to be deflected out for a corner.

But Arsenal’s determination to turn their 67% possession into a goal eventually paid off.

Welbeck’s form under Emery continues to improve and he has now bagged five goals in 10 appearances this season - including two in the Europa League.

Friday, October 26, 2018

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MISSILE Buhari to Clerics “Religious leaders should not be seen to involve themselves in partisan politics or political controversies. Otherwise, they risk losing their status and public respect.”

– President Muhammadu Buhari advising religious leaders in the country to eschew partisan politics ahead of the 2019 general elections.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

How APC, INEC Would Rig 2019 Elections

B

y now, the more discerning Nigerian should have realised that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government is not interested in creating the enabling environment for conducting even a semblance of free and fair elections. Instead, it is just interested in getting its way by hook or by crook. It is not interested in deepening the democratic space it inherited, rather it craves to constrict it. It has no respect for the rule of law and civil liberties, instead it prioritises national interest (subject to its own interpretation) over and above the rule of law. It is going about all these in a relentlessly ruthless and desperate manner. Its behaviour poses a growing risk and danger to the practice and sustenance of democracy in this country.

The party’s recently held primaries and convention revealed beyond a shadow of a doubt its fraudulent intention to rig the 2019 elections. Every right-thinking and discerning Nigerian should have seen through the elaborate and brazen rigging scheme concocted by the APC during the primaries. We must resist it now before it’s too late. If we stay complacent, then we’ll suffer the perils later. This is why we must interrogate the actions of the party and its leaders to make sure they conform to democratic standards, otherwise we will all have ourselves to blame for what is to come if they succeed in rigging the vote with those outlandish membership figures they had peddled to a vulnerable segment of the society just to cling to power. We must expose and scatter the foundations of what would amount to the biggest electoral fraud in Nigeria’s history. We must take back our country from these clueless, lying propagandists and anti-democratic forces hell-bent on plunging Nigeria into the abyss.

You see, Buhari has repeatedly marvelled and expressed surprise that Jonathan gave up power easily after his defeat. Could his surprise be a hint that he will not accept defeat if he loses in 2019? Buhari is not a fit and proper person to lead Nigeria, but no one should be under any illusion that he and his party will concede defeat like former President Goodluck Jonathan did in 2015. And going by the seeming desperation of his party - the brazen stealing of Osun and Ekiti votes, I get the jitters that the people we are dealing with are far more ruthless, dangerous and don’t give a hoot about anything other than staying in power and enjoying the perks without working for the good of country. They are increasingly jittery about the fate that would befall them because they know they cannot win a free and fair presidential election. All their actions thus far are geared towards protecting their interests at the expense of the country.

While the momentum building against Buhari’s reelection is good, media reports that states in his core orbit had recorded 100 per cent PVC collection do not give anything to cheer about.

How can that be possible? The truth is, it betrayed an elaborate plan to cling on to power. For all who wish Nigeria well, their plan to rig must not be allowed to bear fruits because another four years of Buhari will kill Nigeria.

In September, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole in an interview published by the Vanguard newspaper, claimed the party had 15.6 million members. How could this be?

The then APC acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, had also claimed the spike was as a result of the aggressive sensitisation and mobilisation of the people, especially party members. Can anyone recall when this took place?

How did the APC carry out this mobilisation?

Oshiomhole Who were the agents, what were the selling points used to woo new members?

Of that figure, the party claimed 14.8 million members affirmed President Buhari’s sole candidacy for the 2019 presidential election.

This means over 90 per cent of the figure they peddled as the registered membership figure of the party voted for President Buhari during the direct primaries. That was simply alarming and appeared to create an alibi to rig the 2019 presidential election. It is most improbable that a party whose poor performance is daily diminishing its support base would claim such a steep rise in membership registration in three and a half years. This is political malpractice taken too far. As important as citizens’ involvement is, cultivating citizens’ membership has never been a priority of our party system. For the record, many enthusiastic party supporters in Nigeria are NOT card-carrying members of the parties they support, because the foundation of the parties and the way they are run are fundamentally defective. Since the advent of democracy, cultivating citizens into parties’ membership has never been an important consideration of the party structure.

So on the basis of what did the APC suddenly have such staggering membership figures? The party must know that it cannot white-wash failure with propaganda.

I state here without equivocation that the membership figures were rigged. It appeared to be a prelude to a much larger rigging in the works in next year’s election.

Closely connected with that was Oshiomhole’s revealing boast sometime ago when he reportedly said: “The instruments of electoral manipulation had shifted base and are now in the hands of the APC.” And they have made good that boast in Ekiti and Osun States.

It’s noteworthy that the 15.6 million membership claim came on the heels of repeated boast by some APC governors led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano (who was caught on video receiving dollar bribe from contractors) and senior party leaders to deliver astonishing number of votes to ensure Buhari’s victory in 2019. In the last presidential primary in Kano, Ganduje purportedly delivered 2.9 million votes to Buhari as the sole candidate of the APC. In next year’s presidential election, he had earlier promised to deliver five million votes. Akin Osuntokun drew attention to this dangerous fraud in the making recently in his piece, ‘The Poisoned Chalice’. But few people appeared to have taken notice. Even the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has

not taken up the gauntlet to drag the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court to show how these outlandish figures could have been obtained. It should call for a forensic audit of the numbers. This was how Osuntokun put it: “It is the same fait accompli strategy at work in the recent declaration of upwards of three million votes as the number of votes cast for Buhari at the APC presidential primary in Kano and another one million votes in Katsina State.

The Kano State model of bumper harvest of votes for Buhari was first deployed in the 2015 presidential election wherein the number of votes returned for candidate Buhari tallied exactly with the accredited voter figure of two million votes beating the record of the advanced democracies which never recorded 100% voter compliance at any stage of the voting process. The Kano State ploy continued this year, first with the ballooning of registered voters by upwards of 100% followed by the feat of almost another 100% Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection rate. To get an idea of how improbable is this feat - there is hardly any other state (other than the predominantly far North Muslim states) with 60% PVC reclamation rate. If three million votes were attributed to Buhari at the party primaries, why then would we not be conditioned to expect and accept as credible a return of four million votes to the same ostensible crowd puller in the 2019 election?”

This is precisely what is going on - to impose on Nigerians a fait accompli of votes to Buhari’s advantage and an alibi to back it up. Ganduje wants to deliver 5 million votes, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina has promised 2.5 million votes, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has promised to double the 2015 Kogi’s vote for Buhari in 2019.

The scores released by the APC indicated that votes were cast and counted in all the states and the FCT as published by Daily Trust are as follows: Abia, 43,308; Adamawa, 263,945; Akwa Ibom, 140,822; Anambra, 248,268; Bauchi, 316,199; Bayelsa, 210,201; Benue, 259,130; Borno, 466,601; Cross River, 145,615; Ebonyi, 157,455; Edo, 505,827; Ekiti, 199,724; Enugu, 17,291; Gombe, 112,857; Imo, 115,830; Jigawa, 202,597; Kaduna, 597,209; Kano, 2,931,335; Katsina, 802,819; Kebbi, 210,687; Kogi, 387,003; Kwara, 159, 822; Lagos, 2,272,722; Nasarawa, 110,879; Niger, 387,097; Ogun, 586,453; Ondo, 436,968; Osun, 512,013; Oyo, 421,200; Plateau, 123,073; Rivers, 388,653; Sokoto, 313,091; Taraba, 139,102; Yobe, 199,414; Zamfara, 247,847; and FCT, 54,128. There was a significant difference between the number of votes the president got in states in the 2015 presidential election and what he got during the recent primaries. The most striking for instance were Kano, Borno and Lagos, etc.

Buhari got 1,903,999 votes in Kano during the 2015 presidential election when both party and non-party members voted but surprisingly, he got 2,931,235 votes in the last party primary.

He got 473,543 votes in Borno State during the 2015 election but received a whopping 1,226,181 during the just concluded primaries in a state still battling insecurity and hunger with hundreds of thousands of its people marooned in IDP camps. How did it manage to pull off such staggering numbers?

Going by the figures released by the party, Buhari, in the primary in which only APC members purportedly voted scored 14.8 million votes, almost equalling the 15,426,921 votes obtained by the president in the last election where both members of the APC and none members voted

in a national election. With these numbers, Buhari purportedly received in the APC presidential affirmation, these vote thieves had just sent us a latent message that they have won the 2019 vote even before the election. I can bet an arm and a leg, the APC would add the 14.8 million affirmation figure by its members alone to the votes of none members across the country as evidence of a Buhari win.

Nigerians and particularly, the opposition PDP should pay particular attention to Kano, the epicentre of election rigging in 2015. We must interrogate the numbers coming from Kano. We know for a fact that the 2015 Kano election register was massively rigged. Now, that rigged number has doubled in four years?

Wait a minute – and all the registered voters have collected their PVCs when we still have close to four months to the election? No one died in Kano, nobody relocated or travelled, etc. in the intervening period? This must be the miracle of the century. But as alarming as these numbers were, there was no whimper of protest from our so-called pro-democracy and human rights activists. Many of these APC supporters condone corruption, impunity and election rigging when these vices are committed by the APC but react with consternation and condemnation when the same vices are committed by other parties. Listen to some of these people defend the indefensible, and you wonder whether they have lost their minds. For example, there is no outrage from these activists in media about the Ganduje bribery scandal. Some sick people are even trying to defend it with some lame excuses.

I am just baffled beyond belief.

The truth is that the staggering numbers coming from Kano are a product of underage registration and direct allocation of votes by the INEC in cahoots with the APC. Don’t forget this state is notorious for allowing child-voters in elections. Anyone who does not see that Governor Ganduje is already on the trajectory to delivering on his promise of 5 million votes must be the fool of the century. ]Now let’s come to Lagos, which delivered 2,272,722 votes to affirm Buhari’s candidacy in the recent coronation convention. How could Lagos have delivered such numbers other than a fraudulent allocation of figures? In the 2015 presidential election, Buhari scored 792,460 votes in Lagos to beat then-President Jonathan of the PDP who scored 632,327. In other words, the combined votes of Buhari and Jonathan in the 2015 election, which stood at 1,424787 million was far less than 2,272,722 million scored by Buhari in the recent primary in Lagos. This was remarkable! Again, let’s look at it this way: In three years of poor performance in office with all the clannishness and nepotism on display, with herdsmen’s murderous reign, and the tacit support given to them by Buhari’s government, the bandied number of APC supporters who affirmed support for Buhari in the primary in Lagos nearly tripled the entire votes he got in the state in 2015.

How could this be? A bird’s eye view of election demographics, Buhari’s scores in the 2015 election vis-à-vis the figures that were allocated to him in the APC primaries revealed that the primary was massively rigged for Mr “Integrity” as a prelude to rigging 2019. And the man many claim is a man of integrity accepted the fraudulent figures. Something must be wrong with their meaning of integrity. God knows, in the fullness of time, we shall hold the defenders of the current impunity accountable.

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