FRIDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2018

NNPC Shores up Fuel Supply with BP Oil Deal Petrobras to sell stake in Nigerian venture for $1.5bn Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency reports The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

(NNPC) yesterday said it had signed a six-month crude-for-product deal with BP Oil International Ltd, to supply Nigeria petrol ahead of the upcoming Yuletide and

2019 general elections.

This is coming as Brazil’s Petroleo Brasileiro SA will sell its 50 per cent stake in a Nigerian oil and gas exploration venture to a

consortium led by top oil trader, Vitol for $1.53 billion.

This divestment is the latest step in the Brazilian statecontrolled oil company’s debt reduction drive, according to a

securities filing on Wednesday.

NNPC said in a statement by its Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, that the BP deal was part of the

corporation’s Direct Sale-Direct Purchase (DSDP) petrol supply framework.

Ughamadu added that Continued on page 10

Capital Outflows Force Nigeria's External Reserves Down to $41.995bn… Page 12 Friday 2 November, 2018 Vol 23. No 8598. Price: N250

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Labour in Strategy Meeting Today, Mobilises for Tuesday’s Strike... Page 12

Despite Buhari’s Appeal for Peace, Amosun, Okorocha Attack Oshiomhole Accuse party chairman of injustice Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal to all aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sheathe their swords and embrace peace, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his Imo State counterpart, Chief Rochas Okorocha, yesterday returned to the battle field, accusing the National Chairman of the

party, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, of treating them unjustly during the recent primaries of the APC. Buhari had, at a dinner in Abuja for members who lost out during the party’s primaries, appealed to them to put the past behind them and move on, calling on them to remain loyal to the party and work for its success in Continued on page 10

Again, Boko Haram Kills 15 in Borno IDP Camp, Communities Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri At least 15 persons were killed in four villages in Borno State between Wednesday night and yesterday by gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The insurgents also killed an Islamic cleric and four members of his family in one of the four villages attacked.

They also drove the military and other security operatives away and entered an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp, razing part of it and killing two occupants.

A member of the youth vigilance group who spoke with THISDAY, said the Imam (Islamic cleric) with four members of his family Continued on page 12

Atiku Will Crash Petrol Price, PDP Assures Nigerians... Page 10

WELCOME TO NIGERIA...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Ambassador of Republic of Belarus to Nigeria, Mr. Vyacheslav Beskosty, during the presentation of letter of credence by the ambassador to the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday godwin omoigui

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Atiku Will Crash Petrol Price, PDP Assures Nigerians Cautions Tinubu over unguarded comments Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured Nigerians that its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has worked out a pricing template that would immediately crash the pump price of petrol in the country.

Atikuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move, the party said, was to ameliorate the sufferings of the common man, which it said had been imposed by three and a half years of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

The main opposition party, which also warned the national

leader of the ruling party, Senator Bola Tinubu, over what it called his unguarded comments about its candidate, said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said with the current price of crude oil in the international market, the Buhari administration had no justification to keep the pump price of petrol at N145 per litre and watch Nigerians groan under the weight of high prices.

The PDP alleged that for every N145 paid for a litre of fuel, a cabal at the presidency diverted a hidden N58, which Nigerians had continued

to pay since the fuel price was increased from N87 to presumably subsidised cost of N145.

The party said it had been in high level talks with top international players in the oil and gas industry, adding that its engagements had shown that the appropriate pump price of fuel in the Nigerian market, under the current subsidy regimes of the APC administration should be within the borders of N87 to N90 per litre.

The PDP said apart from failing to account for the over N1.4 trillion allegedly siphoned through sleazy oil subsidy deals,

the Buhari-led government was burdened to account for the over N3.49 trillion allegedly stolen under the hidden N58 per litre of fuel on over 50 million litres daily domestic consumption estimated in the last three years.

To this end, the party urged Nigerians not to despair as its presidential candidate had already worked out a blueprint that would end sleazes, ensure appropriate pricing template and free resources to guarantee availability of product on a national pricing regime.

Cautions Tinubu over Unguarded

Comments In a related development, the PDP cautioned Tinubu not to draw himself out by joining in the smear campaign and unsavoury comments against Atiku.

It said Tinubu, as an elder, should not reduce his pedigree by engaging in indecorous utterances, which had become the trademark of his dysfunctional party.

It said despite the ludicrous disposition of APC and its leaders towards the 2019 election campaign, the repositioned PDP and its presidential candidate remained committed to its

promise to focus on solutions to the myriad of problems facing the people and transform their lives for the better.

The party stressed that it was also instructive to state that a person of Tinubu's status could conduct his political activities without recourse to indecent language that was lacking in respect for a personality like Atiku.

The PDP, therefore, cautioned Tinubu to redirect the discourse of his party to productive issues instead of unbridled resort to lies, deception, beguilement, propaganda, smear campaign and uncouth language, which Nigerians now resent.

DESPITE BUHARIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S APPEAL FOR PEACE, AMOSUN, OKOROCHA ATTACK OSHIOMHOLE the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

But hostility broke out again yesterday as the two governors, whose preferred candidates lost out in the primaries, in responses to the national chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim that the disputed exercises were done in accordance with the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rules, accused him of acting outside the rules of the party.

Oshiomhole, who had received an endorsement of the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, had told State House correspondents that he acted in accordance with rules and constitution of the party and that the aggrieved governors were a minority, who were placing their personal interests above those of the party.

Amosun and Okorocha replied Oshiomhole yesterday, saying he abused his power as party chairman and acted illegally.

The Imo State governor, who emerged from a meeting with the president, told State House correspondent that the party acted in defiance of court order and enjoined him to submit himself to the rule of law.

Okorocha claimed that no fewer than five million members of the APC had dumped the party as a result of injustice meted to them by Oshiomhole.

According to Okorocha, Oshiomhole's penchant for

disobedience to court orders must stop, adding that but for the status of Buhari as the party leader, the entire party would have scattered.

He further described the president as the only rallying point for the party.

He, however, absolved the president of beliefs that he's backing the national chairman in his alleged misdeeds.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, we cannot give that credit to the chairman. He cannot disintegrate this party, the party is still intact, just that many people are hurt. Since his inception and after this primaries, we are losing almost five million voters because of anger, protest everywhere and he needs to be called to order, he has to respect the rule of law, respect court orders and do the right thing - obey court orders where applicable and not turn himself into INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission)."

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am here to clear the air that the presidency is behind what Oshiomhole is doing in some of the states, which has affected our party negatively.

"From my understanding from Mr. President, there is no such directive for Oshiomhole to do anything illegal or create any sign of injustice and as so, Oshiomhole is on his own in this whole thing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no presidential support for him to refuse a candidate who won election

and give to a wrong candidate who did not win election. This is the matter and I will simply say it is not with the consent of the presidency, he is on his own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I also requested that Oshiomhole must learn to respect the rule of law and obey court orders where they apply.

His issue of treating court orders as tissue papers must stop. It doesn't reflect the image of our party, he must act quickly to fix the integrity of this party because his coming in ought to have brought joy into the party and not sadness.â&#x20AC;?

Asked whether APC would not fall apart as a result of the festering crisis rocking the party, Okorocha disagreed, saying, "APC will not disintegrate for as long as the person, Muhammadu Buhari is still the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and remains the leader of this party."

He said Oshiomhole would not be allowed to run the party into the oblivion, insisting that he must learn to obey rules and court orders.

Okorocha also spoke on the substitution of Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law with Hope Uzodimma, accusing Oshiomhole of working for Uzodimma whom he said did not win election.

"He (Oshiomhole) cannot be standing for Uzodimma because that man (Uzodimma) did not win election. You cannot compare somebody

who won 265,000 votes with somebody who won 7,000 votes. He (Uzodimma) never won election and you cannot impose a candidate who is unacceptable to the people to the people, that is how serious the matter is now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So he (Oshiomhole) should do the right thing and I have advised him severally to do the right thing before he creates more disaffection in our party. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (Oshiomhole) can't do it. I don't think the National Working Committee will do that because in the first place, the National Working Committee sent a 13-man delegation who conducted election and 12 of them signed proving that Uche Nwosu won the election with 265,000 votes as against Uzodimma who got less than 7,000 votes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, they (NWC) can't do that. And there is a letter to that effect from the NWC saying Uche Nwosu won, there is a Certificate of Return given to Uche Nwosu, there is a Police report saying Uche Nwosu (won), there is INEC report saying Uche Nwosu (won).

So nobody can do that and if they do that, that must be the worst imposition in the history of Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

Okorocha also reacted to Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for Oshiomhole, saying he was misinformed about the latter.

Tinubu had while answering questions from journalists in the State House Wednesday,

thrown his weight behind Oshiomhole who is under the threat of removal by state governors over his handling of the party primaries, saying he did no wrong.

But Okorocha while answering questions from journalists after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, cautioned Tinubu against his utterances, admonishing him to learn how to both respect the rule of law and court orders.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe, he is being misinformed. If he is properly informed, he will not say what Oshiomhole is doing is the right thing.â&#x20AC;?

On his rumoured plan to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;SDP? How can I build a house and leave it for someone else? I am in APC. I founded the APC, I gave the name APC and so this is our party and we must continue with the party and build the party for victory. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Amosun spoke in the same vein in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Adedayo Adeneye, saying at no time did he ask Oshiomhole to favour his candidate.

He said, "We state without any fear of equivocation that no one, at least not on the side of Senator Amosun, has requested or expected Oshiomhole to sell his conscience. The least we expect of him is to abide by the rules and guidelines of

the APC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oshiomhole knows, as we know, that in the instance of the last primaries in Ogun State, he has fallen short of the minimum standards of justice, equity and fairness. The resort to hiding under the false claims about â&#x20AC;&#x153;conscience and integrityâ&#x20AC;? is cheap. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oshiomhole knows that there were no other gubernatorial primaries in Ogun State other than the one that produced Hon. Adekunle Akinlade as candidate. He knows that the primaries into national and legislative offices were won hundred per cent by those declared winner by the panel he sent to Ogun State to oversee the exercise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He knows that the shenanigan of unknown court injunctions, unknown appeal panels and all sorts unleashed on the process by him and his cohorts are premeditated schemes executed to deny the members of the APC their true choice of candidates in the elections. Our consolation lies in the fact that in the fullness of time, what remains unknown to the public will become bare and everyone will see Oshiomhole and his co-travellers for who they are. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In his conduct, Oshiomhole has exhibited disdain for the interest of the APC and that of the National Leader of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari.

DSDP model has saved NNPC millions of dollars that would have been paid through demurrage, and also proven to be a major component of its petroleum products supply portfolio which ensures stability in products supply nationwide.

likely hang on to its portion after previously mulling a sale.

Petrobras, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most indebted oil majors, had targeted $21 billion in asset sales for 2017 and 2018, but only succeeded in unloading $9.5 billion worth by the end of the first half.

The deal involves a stake in some of two deepwater exploration blocks that are among Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and lowest-cost fields.

Swiss-based Vitol is expected to shoulder the largest part of the investment, spending an estimated $1 billion, according to a Reuters report in June about the oil traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest..

Vancouver-based Africa Oil Corp and Delonex Energy, an Africa-focused oil company, are members of the consortium.

Petrobras earlier this year sold a 25 percent stake in Roncador, one of Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest oil fields, to Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Equinor ASA for about $2 billion.

It is also in talks to sell its TAG gas pipeline unit, probably to a group led by France´s Engie

SA, for more than $7 billion, although the process has been halted by a Brazilian Supreme Court injunction.

Continued on page 12

NNPC SHORES UP FUEL SUPPLY WITH BP OIL DEAL the deal would ensure robust supply of petroleum products across the country and especially going into the Yuletide period and elections which are due early in 2019.

According to the corporation, its deal with the BP will cover up to 20 per cent of the total petrol supply under the DSDP arrangement.

It added that the DSDP basically allows it to exchange crude oil with international oil traders for imported petroleum products over a period of time.

The statement quoted the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, as saying shortly after signing the agreement, that the corporation was committed to ensuring that petrol remained available in Nigeria, and would invite new and old players to participate in the industry.

Baru, explained that over the years, BP had demonstrated the capacity and robustness to augment the forecasted petrol shortfall by NNPC, especially as the winter period approaches

and as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elections get underway early into the New Year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a reliable supplier, we think BP is a brand that we can always partner with. We trust the company and we have a good relationship with it. We also believe in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment towards the development of local content,â&#x20AC;? said Baru in the statement.

He commended BP for choosing to partner with AYM Shafa, a local oil company, which he said had been expanding its downstream footprints across the nook and cranny of the country.

According to Baru: â&#x20AC;&#x153;BPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partnership with AYM Shafa towards delivering on its DSDP obligations makes it a perfect fit for our plans to ensure that there is adequate supply of products throughout the coming Yuletide and even beyond the election period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In AYM Shafa, you are talking of a local company with over 150 retail outlets, depots

as well as a good network of trucks nationwide.â&#x20AC;?

Responding, the Head of Marketing and Origination of BPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil trading business, Mr. John Goodridge, said in the statement that it was a great honour for his company to be trusted by the NNPC as one of its strategic suppliers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with the NNPC. Going forward, we hope to grow this mutual relationship to greater things,â&#x20AC;? Goodridge said.

He stated that his company has a global network of refineries capable of generating the products to meet NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demands, adding that the objectives is to ensure that over the next six months, Nigeria does not witness any products shortages.

The DSDP was introduced in 2016, as a model carried out through direct sales of crude oil to refiners or consultants, who in turn supply NNPC with equivalent worth of products.

Since its inception, the

Petrobras to Sell Stake to Vitol-led Group for $1.5 bn Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Petroleo Brasileiro SA will sell its 50 per cent stake in a Nigerian oil and gas exploration venture to a consortium led by top oil trader Vitol for $1.53 billion.

This development is the latest step in the state-controlled oil companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt reduction drive, according to a securities filing on Wednesday.

The other 50 per cent stake in Petrobras Oil and Gas BV, also known as Petrobras Africa, is owned by Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual, which in a Wednesday filing confirmed a Reuters report that it would

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % JAPAULOIL 0.02 0.22 10 NEIMETH 0.05 0.60 9.0 WAPIC 0.03 0.43 7.5 LEARNAFRICA 0.08 1.18 7.2 PRESCO 3.65 59.85 6.4 TOP LOSERS NGN % CADBURY 1.00 9.00 10 CAP PLC 2.85 25.75 9.9 ETERNA PLC 0.60 5.45 9.9 CCNN 2.45 22.50 9.8 AFRIPRUD 0.39 3.58 9.8 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â&#x201A;Ś1,360.00 Volume: 355.757 million shares Value: N4.858 billion Deals: 3,019 As at yesterday 01 /11/18 See details on Page 43

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NEWS

Capital Outflows Force Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s External Reserves Down to $41.995bn Obinna Chima Nigeria's external reserves fell to $41.995 billion at the end of October, representing a decline by $5.793 billion or 12.12 per cent, compared with the $47.788 billion it was as at the end of June, 2018, data compiled from the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) website has shown.

The development was largely attributed to interest rate normalisation in some advanced economies.

According to analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited, the decline suffered from the country's reserves, derived majorly from the proceeds of crude oil earning, was as

a result of reversal of capital flows, which has increased the demand for dollars in the forex market, therefore, forcing the central bank to step up its intervention in a bid to stabilise the currency.

"The combination of rising yields in advanced economies, particularly in the U.S coupled with growing concerns about the global economy due to the trade spat between the US and China have led to a reversal of capital flows in emerging markets.

"Furthermore, we think the elevated tensions in the political economy will further compound the concerns of foreign investors, leading them to migrate to safe haven

EmeďŹ ele high-quality assets in advanced economies.

The Lagos based firm said in a report, "That said, considering the depreciation in the currencies of most

emerging market counterparts such as South Africa, Turkey, and Argentina, we believe the CBN will continue to defend the naira and consequently depleting the reserves in order to avoid a depreciation of the naira in the near term.â&#x20AC;?

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, recently pointed out that due to the ongoing interest rate normalisation in the United States, which has been predicted to extend to some other advanced economies in Europe, the central bank would focus on maintaining a stable exchange rate so that businesses can plan and to avoid a problem in the banking system assets. Emefiele also said there was no cause for

alarm owing to the recent decline in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s external reserves.

"The choice for Nigeria is to maintain a stable exchange rate so that businesses can plan and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create problem in the banking system assets," he had explained.

According to him, practically, all emerging markets have suffered, not just by depreciation, but also loss of reserves since the interest rates normalisation commenced. â&#x20AC;&#x153;India, for example, has depreciated almost 14 per cent, Ghana by almost 12 per cent, New Zealand by about 12 per cent, Indonesia by another 12 per cent, Australia by eight per cent, South Korea

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eight per cent; Japan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; six per cent; Thailand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; six per cent; Philippines and Vietnam have also lost, but Nigeria has lost little or nothing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Nigeria, in my view and at the same time, we have managed to sustain stability in our foreign exchange market.

I think we have done a very good job, not only trying to maintain a stable exchange rate, but trying to avoid depreciating our currency so far in this early days of normalisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have lost reserve, yes, somewhat marginally in my view, and at the same time, we have managed to sustain stability in our foreign exchange market.â&#x20AC;?

Labour in Strategy Meeting Today, Mobilises for Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strike Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Critical organs of the labour movement will meet in Abuja today to fine tune strategies for the implementation of the nationwide strike scheduled for Tuesday to protest the failure of the federal government to accede to its demand for N30,000 as new minimum wage in the country.

Labour's mobilisation for strike came just as the media support group of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Buhari Media Organisation, pleaded with Nigerian Labour Congress and its allies to sheathe their sword and seek an amicable

solution with the government.

As part of the series of engagements mapped out by the joint organs meeting of the labour movement, there would be a joint meeting of the Central Working Committees (CWCs) of all the Labour Centres in the country.

The workers held what they regarded as one day of mourning and protest across the country last Tuesday to draw public attention to their plight.

A communiquĂŠ signed by the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, and General Secretary, Mr. Peter Essom, after its last meeting in Abuja had fixed todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting.

The NEC meeting had

resolved to commence an indefinite national strike and industrial actions from November 6, except government accepts and commences the process of perfecting the payment of N30,000 as the negotiated and compromise new national minimum wage before that date.

The communique reads: "In furtherance of this, NEC-insession directed all affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies, the informal sector and other friends of workers and lovers of democracy to commence immediate mobilization of their members; "The NEC advised Nigerians

to start stocking food and other necessities of life as workers will ensure a total shutdown of the country".

Similarly the NLC condemned the decision of the federal government to clamp down on labour via what it described as "selective and erroneous invocation of the 'no work, no pay" clause in the Trade Disputes Act", noting that the right to strike is both a human and trade union right and cannot be abridged.â&#x20AC;?

Also while responding to the offer by state governors to pay N22,500 as new minimum wage, the NLC said it would not accept anything short of N30,000 agreed during the

tripartite negotiations.

"We wish to reiterate our position adopted at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of 23rd October, 2018 that any figure below N30,000 will not be accepted by us. " We call on our members to continue to mobilize in preparation for the commencement of an indefinite strike on the 6th of November, 2018, if by then necessary steps have not been taken to adopt the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee," it said.

Meanwhile the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates have been asked to bend their position and reach

an amicable solution with the government on the minimum wage negotiations.

In a statement signed by Mr. Niyi Akinsiju and Mr. Cassidy Madueke, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group called on labour to reason with the position of government and return to the negotiation table.

The group said that labour should consider the interest of the Nigerian people who would ultimately suffer if the crisis persists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position is formed from an understanding of its revenue and expenditure, not because it is selfish, but because it would not propose a sum that it cannot pay," it said.

Banks Lose N12.06bn to Fraud in Six Months, Says CBN Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that commercial banks in the country lost a total of N12.06 billion to fraud and forgeries in the first six months of 2018.

This is just as the banking sector regulator revealed that as of June 2018, three commercial banks did not have the prescribed minimum liquidity ratio of 30 per cent.

The CBN disclosed this in its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Draft 2018 Half Year Economic Reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that was posted on its website yesterday.

According to the report, there were 20,768 reported cases of fraud and forgery (attempted and successful), valued at

N19.77 billion in the review period, compared with 16,762 cases, involving N5.52 billion and US$ 0.12 million in the corresponding period of 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The actual loss by banks to fraud and forgery, however, amounted to N12.06 billion, compared with the N0.78 billion and US$0.03 million, suffered in the first half of 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reported fraud and forgery incidences were perpetrated by both bank staff and non-bank culprits.

The cases involved armed robbery attacks, fraudulent ATM withdrawals, draft defalcation, illegal funds transfer, pilfering of cash, stealing, suppression and conversion of customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; deposits,â&#x20AC;? it added.

According to the apex bank, the health of banks improved in the review period, following the sustained recovery in macroeconomic conditions, including declining inflation, stable exchange rate and gradual upswing in the real economy.

It showed that at the end of June 2018, the industry average capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was 12.08 per cent, compared with 10.23 per cent and 11.51 per cent at the end of December 2017 and at the end of June 2017, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The development reflected the increase in banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; total qualifying capital. The industry threshold, however, remained at 15 per cent for banks with international authorisation and

10 per cent for banks with either national or regional authorisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asset quality of the banking industry, measured by the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans (NPL ratio) fell to 12.45 per cent at the end of June 2018, compared with 14.80 per cent and 15.02 per cent at end-December 2017 and end-June 2017, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At this level, the ratio, remained above the regulatory threshold of five per cent. The decrease in the NPL ratio reflected the effect of the favourable macroeconomic conditions and stricter prudential regulation,â&#x20AC;? it explained.

To further consolidate on

the improvement, the report disclosed that the CBN in the review period, directed banks to intensify efforts at debt recovery, realisation of collateral for lost facilities and strengthening their risk management processes.

Loan loss provision was 75.74 per cent at the end of June 2018, as against 80.4 per cent in the corresponding period of 2017.

The industry liquidity ratio increased to 46.09 per cent at the end of the first half of 2018, from 45.8 per cent at the end of June 2017, reflecting the rise in the stock of liquid assets held by banks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the exception of three commercial banks, all others met the minimum regulatory liquidity ratios of: 30 per cent

for commercial banks; 20 per cent for merchant banks; and 10 per cent for non-interest banks, at end-June 2018,â&#x20AC;? it revealed.

The apex bank received 1,439 complaints from consumers of financial services in the first half of 2018, compared with the 1,141 in the corresponding period of 2017.

The complaints were mainly in respect of excess charges, frauds, dishonoured guarantees and unauthorised deductions/ transfers, among others.

A total of 2,451 complaints, including those outstanding from 2017, were resolved in the review period, compared with 1,270 complaints resolved in the corresponding period of 2017.

Garga revealed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the terrorists gained access to the area through a bush path behind the villages and came in four vehicles and some motorcycles. They ransacked the market in front of the IDP camp.â&#x20AC;?

He said the villagers, who ran into the bush for safety, had returned back to their homes, while the Borno State

Fire Service had contained the inferno.

He also said the injured have been treated in the camp clinic, with serious cases evacuated to hospitals in Maiduguri.

The NEMA boss said an assessment team had gone to the site to provide relief assistance to those affected by the attack.

AGAIN, BOKO HARAM KILLS 15 IN BORNO IDP CAMP, COMMUNITIES were lynched by the insurgents who attacked their community, Kofa, in the outskirts of Maiduguri.

He said also killed in the attacks were 10 other persons in the four neighbouring communities and an IDP camp in Dalori.

The vigilance group member said 15 persons were on Wednesday night killed when the terrorists attacked several villages in Konduga Local Government Area of the state.

He said the Imam and family refused to flee their village, Kofa, when the insurgents ran berserk.

He added that they were captured and razed with all their belongings, with the insurgents watching to see that they did not escape.

The vigilance group member also lamented that

a yet-to-be-known number of persons might have drowned in the river as they dived into it out of fear of been killed.

He lamented that security operatives on the ground were overpowered and outnumbered as over 200 insurgents reportedly came down hard on them.

However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that the insurgents killed eight persons in a siege to an IDPs camp and four communities in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The villages lie on the outskirts of the heavily militarised stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital city, which serves as the seat of efforts to defeat Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).

The terrorist group, according to residents,

attacked the villages, Kofa, Mallumti, Ngomari and Gozari at 8p.m. on Wednesday.

The villages are on Bama Road and not far away from Sambisa forest, which was once occupied by the terrorist group.

Confirming the attack to journalists yesterday, the North-east Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Bashir Garga, in a statement said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Six people from Kofa village were killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists that attacked four villages in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.â&#x20AC;?

He listed other affected villages as Mallumti, Ngomari, Gozari, all in the vicinity of Dalori internally displaced persons camp.

Garga said the attack led to many villagers fleeing to the

Dalori IDP camp for safety.

He said the terrorists followed them up and killed two IDPs, which increased the number of people killed to eight.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many villagers fled to the Dalori IDPs camp, which led to an attack on the camp vicinity that claimed the lives of two IDPs making a total of eight people dead.â&#x20AC;?

DESPITE BUHARIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S APPEAL FOR PEACE, AMOSUN, OKOROCHA ATTACK OSHIOMHOLE Senator Amosun remains committed to his convictions about President Buhari and nothing in the shenanigan of the primaries will change that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finally, Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim that only three state governors are aggrieved about the conduct of the primaries flies in the face of the nation-wide outcry that remains loud, trailing the

exercise several weeks after.

We remind him that in any case, justice is not dependent on the number of whom it has been denied. Injustice to one is injustice to all. The overwhelming majority of members of the APC in Ogun State remain unshaken in their rejection of the gangsterism that has been visited on them in the

conduct of the primaries. They remain resolved that the attempt to hand over their state and their patrimony to a rapacious gang of expansionists in the South-west will be resisted, not only by members of the APC but by the entire people of Ogun State who are too enlightened to tolerate such abomination."

THISDAYt FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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COMMENT

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

2019 ELECTIONS AND THE IMPERATIVE OF PEACE Tayo Ogunbiyi urges all critical stakeholders to do the right thing

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or some time now, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscape has been characterised by massive political activities. This is quite understandable as the much awaited 2019 national elections are just around the corner. By next February, the die will be cast for major political parties and their gladiators. It is, therefore, important to address the need for a peaceful electoral process, as nothing much could be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos and crisis.

It is quite vital for political leaders and their followers to toe the line of peace, especially in view of few crises we have been witnessing in some parts of the country, of late. It has been stated, over and over again, that elections should not be a do or die affairs.

If the overriding interest of all aspiring public office holders, as it really ought to be, is to better the lives of Nigerians, it would be contradictory for them to turn the political scene into an orgy of violence. Doing this would only compound the woes of the people as violence could further complicate the economic and security troubles of the country.

Going down memory lane, our previous attempts at democracy were grossly hampered partly because of acts of violence that engulfed the electoral process. In the First Republic, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wild wild westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chaos and other such political violence that followed the 1965 general elections heralded the coming of the military. A series of events that followed eventually culminated into the civil war (1967-70). In the Second Republic (1979-1983), yet another attempt at entrenching democracy was bungled, partially as a result of the tension and crisis that followed the 1983 general election, which were alleged to be heavily rigged in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

It took us another 15 years, from 1984 to1999 to be precise, before we could have another go at democracy. Presently, we have had an unprecedented 19 years of un-interrupted civil rule. This should be enough motivation for principal actors in the political process and all stakeholders to play according to the rules. Doing anything to the contrary would only make a mess of whatever gains we have made in the past years, in our bid to build a virile democratic culture.

This is why it is vital that political parties and, indeed, all concerned Nigerians, must maintain decorum in all they do, with regard to the coming elections, so that the future of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy will not be jeopardised.

The coming elections, therefore, offer us another huge platform to get things right. We should no longer hide under the usual pretext of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nascent democracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to do things crudely. This is the time to get it right. The only interest that should be paramount in the ensuing political contest should be that of the country. It is not in anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest for the country to be engulfed in crisis because of election; something that is a mere routine in other climes. We have had enough of blood shedding in the country. We have lost enough innocent souls to the criminal activities of insurgents across the country.

It is, therefore, irrational to adjoin political turmoil to the growing lists of our national troubles. In the 21st century, killing or maiming people in the name of an election portends backwardness and barbarism. If relatively smaller and less endowed neighbouring

IT IS VERY CRUCIAL FOR INEC AND THE VARIOUS SECURITY AGENCIES TO BE FAIR TO ALL IN THE COMING ELECTIONS

countries could conduct peaceful and credible elections, it behooves on the most populous Black Country in the world to demonstrate the needed political leadership, worthy of emulation across the continent.

However, as it is often said, there can be no peace when justice is compromised. It is, thus, very crucial for INEC and the various security agencies to be fair to all in the coming elections. From past experiences, the inability of past electoral umpires to conduct fair and credible elections had been largely responsible for the resultant chaos that trails the outcome of previous elections. Hence, INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officials, at all levels, must not compromise the electoral process.

The vote of every Nigerian must be made to count. Same goes for the security agencies. It is unethical for security agencies to display partisan tendencies while overseeing the conduct of a national election. The police, in particular, should be civil and impartial in their conduct before, during and after the coming elections. Their allegiance should be solely to the country, and not any parochial political interest.

INEC, in particular, must review its logistics preparatory to the 2019 general election. If possible, it can engage a third party logistic company to assist in the area of accommodation, transportation, distribution of election materials and provision of polling booths and so on. The issue of time is also very important. INEC must ensure that its personnel and voting materials arrive at the voting centres ahead of scheduled time.

The late arrival of personnel and voting materials often leads to agitation, frustration and apathy among the electorate. There is also the need for INEC to identify and close the gaps in its overall voters education programme and develop one that is not reactive but pro-active in its approach, responsive in its deployment and effective and sustainable.

The electorate must also resolve to be of good conduct in discharging their civic responsibilities. They must shun violence and desist from acts that can compromise or mar the election because without the cooperation of all Nigerians, INEC will never be able to deliver a credible and acceptable election come February 2019. So, every Nigerian is a major stakeholder in the ability or inability of INEC to conduct a credible election this year. Hence, we must all desist from acts that can compromise, mar or discredit the process.

As we march towards 2019, everything must be done to ensure that the peace of the nation is not in any way jeopardised. Universally, peace is a vital precondition for development. According to Martin Luther King, â&#x20AC;&#x153;peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek but a means by which we arrive at that goal.â&#x20AC;?

It is, therefore, essential that the media, political parties, civil society organisations, the academia, faith-based organisations, electoral monitoring groups, NGOs and other related bodies come up with well-streamlined political education and enlightenment campaigns that would centre on the need to embrace peace in the political process.

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

A VOTE FOR PENSIONERS

Even though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no big deal, Akwa Ibom State is committed to putting smiles on faces of pensioners, writes Ekanem Anthony

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he Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Uwem Andrew-Essien, recently made known the fact that the state government had paid pension and gratuity arrears spanning 10 years for the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s civil servants. According to him, the arrears have been cleared till 2015, thus leaving outstanding payment to be that of civil servants that retired in 2016 alone. He further explained that the payment is being done in batches because of the huge sums of money involved.

Available records in the state show that this year alone, a total of 7,780 retirees have collected either outstanding gratuities or pension as the case may be.

The accountant general said such payment would continue to remain a priority of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration as a demonstration of its commitment to the well-being of the people of the state.

Right now, the state government has commenced the compilation of names of civil servants who retired in 2016 so that they could also get their retirement benefits.

Ordinarily, payment of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gratuities and pensions should not be celebrated as it is being done these days. After all, workers according to the Holy Books surely deserve their wages. But that has been far from the experience of workers in Nigeria these days. Only the fortunate ones get theirs probably six times in a year. For the most unfortunate ones among them, they could be owed for a whole year.

Some state governments owe workers as many as 36 monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salaries. Some local governments have not even paid their workers for more than three years.

One then begins to wonder the kind of productivity any employer could demand from workers that

are denied even the most basic incentive for going to work. Unfortunately, this aberration is fast becoming a norm in the country. The other day, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari shamelessly declared that governors were not elected only to pay salaries of civil servants. Justifying non-payment of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salaries by state governments, he contended that there was no way the governors could perform magic if there were no funds to pay workers.

Such is the level of arrogance often displayed by some of our leaders when it comes to discharging their basic responsibility to their workers, especially seeing to the welfare of civil servants. What is generally accepted as the norm in employer-worker relationship especially in a capitalist society like Nigeria is that employers provide work for their employees and pay them in return for the services they render. That is why an employer thinks it through before committing to the responsibility of hiring extra hands knowing that such action has implication in terms of financial input. Simply put, no sane employer hires just for the fun of it, but they do so to maximise their returns. But sadly, some Nigerian workers have been reduced to begging for what is legitimately theirs. Some even go into a frenzy of excitement when they are paid four months out of probably 36 monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salary arrears owed them by some of their governors.

In fact, salary payment has become such an issue in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nigeria that states that pay workers on regular basis now count it as a major achievement.

Despite the release of the London and Paris Club refunds to states to offset outstanding salaries, many states still owe their workers till today.

The foregoing are some of the reasons why the

decision of Governor Emmanuel to pay pension arrears of Akwa Ibom retirees is not only a big deal but an uncommon feat. To start with, the gratuities and pensions arrears cleared have been there for over 10 years. He got elected less than four years ago, meaning he inherited these debts. They were a liability on both the state and him at a time when everybody is complaining of dwindling financial resources. Granted that government is a continuum, a realisation that perhaps might have prompted the state government to offset the huge burden of salaries owed pensioners by previous administrations, it has not removed the fact that it takes a responsible government in touch with the plight of the common man to take such a bold step. No doubt, a lot of efforts must have gone into planning and generating the revenue required to meet this obligation. This is more so especially in an era when allocations from the federal government have continued to reduce. It must have taken a rare commitment to the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State for the governor to have taken this step. So, it is commendable.

It is out of place for civil servants that have worked for years to be denied their gratuities or pensions. There are even stories of pensioners dying due to lack of money to treat themselves when they were sick or others dying in the queue as they awaited the so-called benefit that is even too small to accomplish anything reasonable. The local governments appear to be the worst culprits when it comes to owing workers. Fortunately for them, the public rarely put them on the spot.

Although Nigeria runs a three- tier of government, many people only talk about the state and federal government, thus making it appear as if the local governments donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any responsibilities. Yet they

collect allocations from the Federation Account every month as the state.

It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come as a surprise if some of the workers being settled by the Akwa Ibom State government worked for the local government. To a lot of people, every worker is being owed by the state. So, when there are issues of workers being owed gratuities or pensions, the state government naturally bears the brunt.

But beyond the payment of pensions and arrears by the Akwa Ibom State government, it is high time state governments all over the country began to work on finding a permanent solution to the problem of non- payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants in the country. No doubt, a lot of state civil services are over-bloated. There are many people in the civil service that have no business being there. There is problem with efficiency as sometimes 10 people could be on ground to do the work meant for just three people. To many state governments, employment in the civil service is merely political- a sort of party patronage. That is why they over-employ and also find it difficult to pay salaries.

But while it may be difficult to advocate an outright reduction of staff strength in a country struggling in and out of recession, states should know that the onus is on them to make their workers productive.

There are too many under-utilised people in the civil service. This has to change. Civil servants can offer Nigeria a better deal than we are currently getting, but that can only happen in an environment where everyone is on their toes to add to the quality of lives of the citizenry.

Ekanem Anthony writes in from Lagos

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EDITORIAL THE PENALTY REGIME FOR GAS FLARING Government should ensure that the new penalty regime is enforced

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However, while there had been various legislative measures to curb gas flaring in Nigeria since 1969, and especially from 1984 when it became illegal to flare gas in the country without the written permission of the minister of petroleum resources, the practice has never really ended. It has rather been buoyed by a very cheap financial penalty of N10 per every 1000 standard cubic feet of gas flared.

Similarly, a report by a 2012 Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force set up by the federal government, indicated oil companies often do not comply in paying the fine and when they do, they pay an old penalty of N10 per 1000 standard cubic feet flared.

ince the 1950s when Nigeria started oil production, gas has been flared indiscriminately by the oil companies operating in the country, despite its many implications.

Yet legal efforts to reduce gas flaring and convert the resources into productive use such as generating electricity have never really come through. That may change with the recent increase in the gas flare penalty from N10 per thousand standard cubic feet of gas to N612.

According to an online gas tracking tool – the Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker – an initiative commissioned by the Nigerian Ministry of Environment and managed by the National Oil Spill Detection and response Agency (NOSDRA), gas flare happens when crude oil which are extracted from onshore and offshore oil wells come with raw natural gas to the surface, and which are burned off or flared as a waste product because there are no natural gas transportation, pipelines and infrastructure to take them up for productive uses. Flaring the gas thus becomes the cheapest option, particularly when gas prices are low and fines for flaring are either cheap or altogether not colA VARIETY OF lected by regulatory bodies saddled with ADVERSE HEALTH such tasks.

IMPACTS, INCLUDING The online tracker DEFORMITIES IN further explained CHILDREN, LUNG that hazardous air DAMAGE AND SKIN pollutants emitted PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN from gas flaring have been shown LINKED WITH GAS to impact human FLARING health, and these include oxides of nitrogen, carbon and sulphur, as well as particulate matter, hydrocarbons and ash, photochemical oxidants, and hydrogen sulphide.

These pollutants, it added, are associated with a variety of adverse health impacts, including cancer, neurological, reproductive and developmental effects. It noted that reported deformities in children, lung damage and skin problems have also been linked with gas flaring.

Letters to the Editor

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T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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can’t help it, yes, I tried, but I can’t because my heart bled, my body shivered and my tears loped down on my cheek when I heard and read about this recent Kaduna crisis after the state has witnessed the death of hundreds of people during the previous uprisings in and outside the state. Please why? I sympathise with Nigerians, may God Almighty continue to be in total control.

Sincerely, Kaduna mayhem is however everybody’s business.

The crises have led to loss of many lives and property worth billions, and made many stranded, confused, homeless, widows and orphans, and businesses paralysed. The federal government should initiate a forum and allow people of the state to have dialogue among themselves to sort out themselves as a possible means for a lasting peace to reign in the state.

Dialogue is a formal discussion or negotiation, especially between opposing sides. As a U.S. educator and author Edgar H. Schein stated, dialogue cannot create the need to change, but it certainly facilitates the process of change.

Some of the basic functions of a government are to

We understand that the NGFCP will by its design, as a market-driven mechanism, attract competent third party investors from across the world to commercialise the country’s flared gas. The flared gas would reportedly be available at a price the successful investors bid, for use as fuel and or feedstock in proven gas utilisation technologies. Also, we learnt the government has made it mandatory that going forward, renewal of oil leases in the country would be benchmarked on adherence to the objectives of the NGFCP. What that perhaps means is that there is no plan for gas processing, no renewal of oil lease.

We consider this a worthy step and encourage the government to remain resolute in its implementation of the new fines and law.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific 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.

LET THERE BE PEACE IN KADUNA “Draw back the rifles, draw back the machine guns, draw back the cannons trust in conciliation, in arbitration, in peace! A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle; it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests”.

-----Aristide Briand French Statesman (1862-1932)

ith the recent launch of a new framework, the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), the federal government seems poised to tackle the longstanding issue. According to the NGFCP Programme Manager, Justice Derefaka, the country loses approximately $1 billion of revenue to gas flaring because it does not have the capacity to capture and commercialise flared gas. He also indicated recently that the NGFCP would now go on to roll out its plans in the scheme to end gas flaring. According to Derefaka, the new regulations will underpin the implementation of the NGFCP, and provide transactional and commercial framework for interested investors to bid for and convert the flare gas to productive use.

provide security, freedom, safety, stability, equality, and social services for the citizens of the society. It has to also maintain law and order within the society. U.S Politician and peace negotiator George Mit Chell, once said; “Peace, political stability and reconciliation are not too much to ask for. They are the minimum that a decent society provides.”

I will appeal to the federal government to take the Kaduna and Jos crises very seriously. Let justice be done, those found guilty in these ugly and inhumane acts should at least be punished to serve as deterrent to others. They should be made to account for the lives and property that were lost.

To be candid, government’s approach to so many issues in this country especially religious crisis is appalling. I will appeal to all the people of the state to forgive one another.

The people of Kaduna were peace loving people, who were and tolerant of one another. But now, the case is different.

Please, let’s forgive and forget, for forgiveness is to stop being bitter or angry with one another. Forgiveness limits and paralyses those who meant evil against you. It is forgiveness that gives you an edge over and above your enemies; there is no revenge as sweet as forgiveness.

In short, he who cannot forgive breaks the bridge which he himself must pass. Lastly, you should know by now that nothing destroys today’s happiness than thinking over yesterday’s misfortune and nothing cancels today’s joy like tomorrow’s fears. So let us think of the betterment of our country Nigeria.

Adamu Muhd Usman, Kafin- Hausa, Jigawa State

KILLINGS IN THE MIDDLE BELT

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o covet, to kill, to claim and occupy, to populate. These are all religious things. These are all religious injunctions that, regrettably, gladden the hearts of hundreds of millions of believers today. Unfortunately for Middle Belt Christians, the land to covet is that stretch of Benue State, Plateau State (including the Christian Nasarawa State parts), and Southern Kaduna. This is the contiguous stretch where murderous jihadist, foreign Fulani army has been encouraged to encamp and this is the region where Islamists really hope to establish their “cattle colonies.”

Thus, now, a needless crisis situation has been precipitated.

Even though the Muslim contiguous stretch of landmass connecting Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger States plus northern Kaduna is one fertile chunk of seasonal verdant region, Islamists would not be convinced to do their “cattle colonies” there. This conquer-and-dominate mentality, in the mould of the Amalekites, was the reason behind the recent abduction and murder of the Christian monarch of Adara Chiefdom, Maiwada Raphael Galadima. What was his “crime” in the eyes of a governor who incites and an encamped foreign Fulani army?

This monarch simply decreed that all chiefs in his domain (including settled Muslim chieftains who migrated from climes too harsh to live in) occasionally don a cloth of leopard skin as a mark of honour for the local culture. Good point, everyone must agree, but he was labelled a “troublemaker” and the Fulanis took him out. This surely is not a recipe for peace; everyone should be bold to tell this to the governor. The belated visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to Kaduna was a cosmetic effect at best, and Buhari was once again out of his elements by not condemning the murder of a cultural icon and instead throwing veiled barbs at some perceived “native” enemies.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

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POLITICS

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

PERSPECTIVE

Upholding Fidelity in Bayelsa Perelayefa Ebiketon

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hough reputedly ebullient and patient, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe is nonetheless burdened. Make no mistake, Alaibe’s worry is far from being personal. He worries ceaselessly about his home state of Bayelsa. Like most other transformational leaders, Timi Alaibe is miffed by the fact that the state and its people continue to wallow in abject deprivation in spite of the rare privilege of occupying one of the most endowed spaces on the face of the earth.

Even when the current Governor of the State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson is acclaimed to have made enormous efforts in the last seven years to stem the ugly tide, Bayelsa continues to yearn for a carefully sculpted and implementable road map to sustainable development that must culminate in the full actualization of the humongous potentials of the state.

Bayelsa State has the longest coastline in Nigeria: about 203 km. Almost half of the state is made up of mangrove forest, which gives way to freshwater swamp forest and thence to lowland rain forest north of the coast.The area is noted for its sandy coastal ridge barriers, brackish or saline mangroves, fresh water, permanent and seasonal swamp forests, as well as, low land rain forest. The whole of Bayelsa State is traversed and criss-crossed by a large number of rivers, rivulets, streams, canals and creeks. The state’s forest resources encompass mangrove timber, iroko, mahogany, and abura while agricultural resources boast of such cash crops as oil palm and coco-nut and abundance of such food crops as cassava, rice, plantain, banana, sugarcane, vegetables and fruits.

Bayelsa State is equally endowed with marine and fresh water fisheries resources, extensive brackish water lagoons, creeks, rivers and lakes.

Of course, the state is naturally gifted with abundance of crude oil and gas. It is estimated that about 23.4 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil resources is extracted from Bayelsa State, representing 9.8 per cent of Nigeria’s economy and fourth largest state economy in the country.

In spite of its natural endowments, 93 per cent of the Gross State Product of Bayelsa State is from the oil and gas sector and a paltry seven per cent from non-oil sectors.

Alaibe

But why is Bayelsa State unable to harness its huge potentials and unleash the energies of its land and people? Alaibe in several of his documented views has identified a number of factors that have over the years weighed against Bayelsa State’s attainment of its full possibilities: Chief among these, he insists, is the skewed federal structure of governance in Nigeria.

Alaibe posits that Nigeria tilts much more to the unitary rather than the fierce federal structure as envisaged by the founding fathers of the country. Under the current arrangement, Bayelsa, like all the other oil-producing states in Nigeria, yields its natural endowments to the federation and gets pittance in return. Alaibe opines that the peculiar terrain of Bayelsa State makes it extremely difficult to sustain development without the requisite funding. Alaibe tenaciously holds on to the fact that Bayelsa State’s fortunes would be much more enhanced if the Federal Government could avail it of much more of the income that is being generated from the state.

The current administration in the state led

by Dickson is acknowledged to have done reasonably well given what he inherited when he assumed office about seven years ago. Alaibe, however, cautions that efforts must be intensified to ensure that the state does not fall into wrong hands again.

Bayelsa State, he says deserves a leadership that must carefully navigate it from sole reli-

ance on the little that comes from the federal coffers from oil sales. Over 92 per cent of Bayelsa State Government’s income comes from Federal Allocation and a paltry 7.5 per cent comes from Internally Generated Revenue. Bayelsa State, Alaibe insists is unable to reap from the fact that it supplies 23.4 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil exports because of the low linkage of the oil industry with other sectors of the state’s economy.

Being a chronic optimist, Alaibe has never waivered in his belief that with consistent right leadership, Bayelsa could become the most prosperous state in Nigeria, albeit the nation’s investments and tourism heaven. Little wonder intense pressure is being mounted on the former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta who also once served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to throw his hat into the ring and declare his candidacy in the next contest for the governorship of Bayelsa State To be candid, for most of his working life, Alaibe has done all that is within his powers and competences to bring development to Bayelsa State. As a top management staff in leading banks in the country in the 90s, Alaibe smoothened employment opportunities for several of Bayelsa youths in the sector and facilitated business financing for many others; while he served as the Executive Director (Finance and Administration) and later Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Alaibe doggedly pursued and achieved the opening up of previously inaccessible communities, villages and towns in Bayelsa State. The shore protection efforts he championed saved hundreds of communities from being swallowed by the ocean. On his watch, NDDC initiated and efficaciously completed hundreds of roads and other critical infrastructure in several communities in Bayelsa State.

Following the approval of the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the NDDC under Alaibe’s leadership painstakingly designed a Master Plan that was deliberately sculpted to bring massive development to the Niger Delta. Had it been implemented by successive governments as designed, the Niger Delta Master Plan, would have delivered new towns, bridges, coastal roads, coastal rail lines, several petrochemical industries, clean environment, millions

of jobs and sustainable development to the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa State.

Even after being unfairly ousted as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC in 2009, Alaibe never relented in his avowed resolve to continue to give Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta not just his best but his all. As the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Alaibe put his life at risk to lead the team that crisscrossed communities and creeks in the Niger Delta to extract peace commitment and eventually disarmed and demobilized thousands of agitators in the region who accepted the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty. Alaibe eventually superintended over the Presidential Amnesty Programme for about two years. It remains an incontrovertible fact that the Amnesty Programme under Alaibe speedily aided the stabilisation of security conditions in the entire Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea.

The programmealso facilitated the training of several youths in the region in either formal education or vocational skills.

Recently, Alaibe citing political neglect of Bayelsa State, left the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and returned to his original party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“More than three years down the line, I am convinced that the leaders of the APC have not endeared themselves to the people of Bayelsa State. I dare aver that it would be foolhardy for me or any other serious minded Bayelsan to seek to actualise the long-standing aspirations of our people in a political party where we are barely tolerated. I take my pact with Bayelsans rather too seriously and thus can not afford to remain in a political party that treats our people like visitors or at best, meddlesome interlopers,” Alaibe said in a media chat shortly after his decamping to the PDP. Persons who are very close to Alaibe will readily attest to the fact that he would never seek elective office in Bayelsa State for personal gains or aggrandizement. Rather they describe Alaibe as a man driven by his pact with Bayelsans - to continue to do all that is within his powers to drive processes that would raise their standard of living and place the state in global reckoning as one of the best places to live and do business in the world.

Ebiketon lives in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Understanding the Power of Gwamna as the Driving Force in Gombe Ibrahim Sani

T

his article is structured to draw the lines between objectivity and subjective truth, give the true picture behind the paint of lies with which the administration of Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State was portrayed and to also put in right perspective the unalloyed personality of Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna (JIG) whose popularity is both growing like wild fire and fueling the journey of unprecedented defeat for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. I wish to state emphatically that I am unnerved by the toxic and derogatory statements made to halt the exposure of the abysmally poor performance of the present administration. When a man fails to educate himself with the truth, the society should help him out. The issues I earlier raised in my article were objective and devoid of propaganda.

Those paid parrots of Dankwambo know that what they call incontrovertible facts of the governor’s achievements are nothing but subjective truth that lack verification.

The recent media score card of Dankwambo as having done for the state more than what Senator Dajuma Goje did in the sphere of governance is nothing but the opinion of praise singers of the governor. It is clear that the unfounded statistics reeled out by the rejoinder of the article ‘Expounding Danger

of Dankwambo, Nafada Script in Gombe’ was done to win the sympathy of the people by spreading falsehood about Senator Danjuma Goje who many see as a man who cares for the people of the state. The objective of Dankwambo’s new hatred for the likes of JIG and Senator Danjuma Goje has nothing in truth but everything in falsehood.

If Goje handed over a failed state to the present administration, why wait till seven years to cry out? Perhaps, the government is trying to buy reasons to justify its failure which must be revealed as soon as they are defeated in 2019. Whether Senator Goje means well for Gombe State is for the people to judge because the ultimate judge of good governance in modern democracy remains the people. Unfortunately for Dankwambo and his partners in political deceit the wide acceptance of Senator Danjuma Goje has refused to decline.

The needless media attacks on people who have chosen to toe the line of truth to expose the lies behind the paints of Dankwambo’s performance by his associates as witch-hunt and distraction is an evidence of the fact that the government of Dankwambo doesn’t want to take responsibility for the failures of his administration. What happened to the N30 billion bonds raised by this government for infrastructural development? Who will

pay the debt? Is the infrastructure claimed to have been built by this government commensurate with the massive borrowing? All the highlighted achievements are nothing but political projects of financial recklessness that lack a link between what the people want and the meagre offer the government claims to have given. The debt profile of the state is alarming yet nothing is mentioned in that regard.

As for the claim of turning the Kalare hoodlums into worthy ambassadors of the state, it is only a platform to achieve two things: siphon the money of the state as the government claimed that youth rehabilitation quaffed N170 million annually.

Secondly, they are being used as thugs for election which has been the unchanging objective of this clueless administration.

In addition, if the claim of constructing 50 more roads than all his predecessors is true then Nafada should be annexed to the neighbouring state as the roads in that part of the state and other bad roads in rural area which are supposed to link the farmers with the market to sell their perishable goods. But there is no evidence of road construction.

Taking a swipe at past leaderships of the state and portraying them as having done nothing, while at the same time the present

administration claims to have renovated and up-graded as well as completed past projects is nothing but double-speak that is self-contradictory. Can one renovate, up-grade or complete what doesn’t exist? I think the question that should be asked of the government of Dankwambo is, what legacy will the next governor build on?

I sympathise with the PDP in Gombe state which is yet to recover from the shock of JIG’s move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as evident in the constant reference to his defection by the PDP. The Sardauna of Gombe (JIG) is an embodiment of democratic victory in all ramifications of modern day politics of Gombe as well as symbol and champion of good governance.

This is as a result of the fact that JIG has spoken the mind of many in view of his daring insistence on justice. The ache of the PDP has only but started as JIG will, in 2019, be the political architect that will engineer the defeat of PDP in Gombe. Accusing JIG of political disloyalty is a mark of what the PDP does better: maligning the person who has refused to dance to the tune of their dissimulation; after all, you can beat a child but you cannot stop such a child from crying.

-Sani, a public analyst can be reached via shawai2000@yahoo.com

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 12.67 % 13.33 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

12.50% 13.50% 13.58%

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

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078, 08152447875

1 9 , 2 0 1 8

350.58 % 0.01% 0.94%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 0.94% YEAR TO DATE 6.41%

EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎ʹË&#x203A;ͳ͎˚ͯ ĚŠ ĚŠ

Quick Takes Nigerians Invited to Ethiopian Marathon

The new Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria who recently assumed oďŹ&#x192;ce in Abuja, Ambassador Solomon Abebe Tessema has invited NigerianstoparticipateintheEthiopianAirlines10kilometremarathon.

He said the Embassy was partnering with Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria to get more Nigerians to attend the Ethiopian Great Run put together

by Legendary Marathoner Haile Gebreselasie.

According to the General Manager of the Airline Mrs. Firiehewot Mekonnen, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Great Run package is so aďŹ&#x20AC;ordable that everyone can go. The big deal about this event is not just the opportunity to enjoy Addis Ababa and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful environment, but you can meet in Person the Great Gebreselasie and other Marathoners who will be joining him.â&#x20AC;?

The event has been scheduled for November 18, 2018.

The Great Ethiopian Run (GER), is celebrated as one of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greatest Run in theWorld,â&#x20AC;? started by Haile Gebrselassie in 2001 attracting over 40,000 globally including other World class Runners.

Oneofthepromotersoftheeventsaid,â&#x20AC;&#x153;GERisnotyourrun-of-the-mill 10 kilometer as Addis Ababa sits 8,000 feet above sea level, so the race is not without its challenges -- yet the heady fun of the carnivallike atmosphere as the race joyously snakes through this bustling, fascinating city is what makes the day so unforgettable.â&#x20AC;?

TOUR OF FACILITIES

L-R: Group Chief Operating OďŹ&#x192;cer, Nosak Group, Thomas Oloriegbe; Solicitor General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Edo State, Oluwole Iyamu; Secretary, Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka; Chairman, Nosak Group, Dr. Toni Ogunbor and, Managing Director, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Frank Evbuomwan, during a the tour of Nosak Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Touts Reign at Passport OfďŹ ces, Rake in Huge Cash Annually Chinedu Eze Touts who assist applicants at the passport offices in Lagos located at Alausa, Festac and Ikoyi, were estimated to rake in about N3.9 billion annually in connivance with some officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), THISDAY has learnt.

THISDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigations showed that the official cost of the passport, including the cost of lost case and change of name have since doubled, as applicants pay twice the cost of each service in order to obtain them.

For example, for those who lost their passport and want to get another one, the official cost is N18,500, but because of delays

AVIATION associated with the process, a lot of applicants prefer to pay N42, 000, which is 127 per cent increase in the cost of the service.

The Ikoyi passport office issues about 12,000 passports to applicants every month, while that of Alausa and Festac, together issue about 7000 passports monthly, making it a total of 19000 and annual issuance of 228, 000.

THISDAY also gathered that by doubling the cost of the service, touts in collaboration with Immigration officials earn at least N17, 500 from each passport issued.

THISDAY also learnt that some of the people who work as touts

in these passport offices include some of the Immigration officials transferred out of Lagos to local government areas in various parts of the country.

Many of them after reporting at their new place of primary assignment return to Lagos and engage themselves in illegal issuance of passports to applicants, a source alleged.

Some applicants who complained to THISDAY wondered why the Nigeria Immigration Service was yet to check the excesses of the officials, but rather â&#x20AC;&#x153;allowed the illegality to continue to thrive; yet everybody knows what is going onâ&#x20AC;?.

Inside source told THISDAY that Immigration officials who

were transferred â&#x20AC;&#x153;shunned the transfer because there is lack of international motivation.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those transferred usually abandon their new posting and go back to where they are known.

Immigration should stop posting officials to local government. This is one of the reasons why touting will not go away because it is a very easy way for them to make money,â&#x20AC;? the source further alleged.

THISDAY spoke to the Comptroller Passport Command in Lagos, Usman Auna who acknowledged that he was responsible for giving approval for the collection of money for Continued on page 20

Nigeria Imports 1.2m Vehicle in Six Years Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian economy received a total of 1,216,131 used and new vehicles that were imported into the country between 2012 to 2017, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed.

The National Bureau of Statistics in a report tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerian Ports Statistics, 2012 to 2017,â&#x20AC;? obtained yesterday, stated that the vehicles came through, Apapa, Tin Can, Onne, Calabar and Delta ports.

Although the National Bureau of Statistics did not put a value to the vehicles, estimates showed that Nigeria spends over $8 billion annually on vehicle importation.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo corroborated the facts last week when he declared at the 19th Abuja Motor Fair that Nigerians spend about $8 billion annually to import vehicles into the country.

MARITIME Meanwhile, the NBS report showed that vehicle importation into the country was on downward spiral from 2013 even though the federal government auto policy was introduced in 2014.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had in 2014 imposed 70 percent duty on importation of new vehicles and 35 percent on used vehicles with the aim of boosting local production.

The tariff reduced the number of vehicles brought into the country and failed to boost local production but instead fuelled smuggling from neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

In the same vein, President Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2016, placed ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders citing loss of revenue.

The ban was introduced to

influence massive importation of vehicles through the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seaports but has not also done enough to stop smuggling at porous land borders of Seme and Idiroko.

Analysis of the NBS data revealed that 269, 386 vehicles were imported in 2012 while 280,226 came into the country in 2013 and 247,932 in 2014.

Also, in 2015, 131,994 vehicles were reportedly received at various terminals, 105,189 in 2016 and 181,404 in 2017.

Tin Can Island port, which has designated vehicle terminals, PTML and Five Star, Terminals handled the highest number of vehicles imported into the country.

Another 1,164,600 vehicles were imported through the Tin-Can port in the year under review.

A breakdown of the NBS numbers showed that in 2012, 251,322 vehicles were imported while 265,209 in

2013 and 237,904 came into the port in 2014.

It showed further that in 2015, 124,841 vehicles were received at various terminals at Tin-Can port, 104,571 in 2016 and 180,753 in 2017.

The Tin-Can Port was followed by the Apapa port which received 48,937 vehicles in the year under review.

The Apapa port, received 17,121, highest number of vehicles into the country in 2012, followed by 14,397 in 2013 and 9,611 in 2014.

Even though, the Apapa port doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a designated vehicle terminal, the port recorded 6,955 in 2015 and paltry 346 and 507 in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

The eastern port which was known for receiving oil and gas cargoes also received a paltry 2,594 in six years.

Onne port received the highContinued on page 20

SAHCOLBuildsGroundSupportEquipment

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) team has built a Ground Support Equipment from scratch at the SAHCOL engineeringandmaintenanceworkshoptofuelaviationgroundsupport equipment in Lagos.

The fuel bowser is the ďŹ rst in the history of aviation of ground handling in Nigeria to be created from scratch, from locally sourced materials.

The idea to create the equipment was conceived by the engineering team of SAHCOL to align with the Nigerian maxim of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Use Nigeria, Buy Nigeria.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; TheproductionoftheequipmentwasaimedatleadingtohighereďŹ&#x192;ciency of safe and fast service delivery which is what SAHCOL stands for.

The3,000litrecapacityequipmentcanbeoperatedbothmanuallyand with battery.The equipment which is towable has all the features of an importedfuelbowserwithmodiďŹ cationstoďŹ ttheNigerianterrain.The bowserwasdesignedtobebothruggedandcomfortableforusebythe handlers to dispense rapid fuelling in a safe and spillage free manner.

Before now the fuel bowser among other ground support equipment has been purchased from aviation ground handling ground support equipment making companies in Europe and other western countries.

Thecompanysaidtheproductionhashelpedtoovercometheproblem ofwaitingincessantlyforGroundSupportEquipmenttobeshippedto theshoresofNigeriaandalsowaitingforclearancebytheauthoritiesat theportbeforebeingbroughttotheworkshopforuse.Anotherreason isthattheconstructionofthisbowserhassavedthecompanythecost of sourcing for foreign currency to purchase imported equipment.

Hubmart Stores Rewards Customers

As part of its bid to provide superior customer experience, Hubmart Stores is set to delight its loyal customers once again in the upcoming 1st raďŹ&#x201E;e draw.

The draw which was part of the ongoing Hubmart Awoof Promotion would see Hubmart Stores give out prizes worth up to N3.5 million free shopping in addition to other instant and consolation prizes to its loyal customers.

The CEO of Hubmart Stores Limited, Murat Bektaslar informed journalists that the promotion was one of the ways in which Hubmart was looking to give back to customers who had supported its growth over the years.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have come a long way from one outlet in Victoria Island to three outlets which will soon become four â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with Omole coming on stream this quarter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We take pride in our capabilities in fresh and our acceptance by our teeming customers is testament to the good work we have done.The Hubmart Awoof Promotion is a small way of telling our customers, thank you.â&#x20AC;?

Also, the Vice President, Marketing Cheng Fuller, stated that for customers to be part of the raďŹ&#x201E;e draw, they would need to make minimum purchases of N3, 500 or N5, 000 to qualify in diďŹ&#x20AC;erent categories.

He said Hubmart Stores was looking to give prizes in excess of a whopping sum of N10 million during the promotion.

Fuller further stated that there would be draws every month in which customers would win prizes worth up to N3.5million.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government is responding to a global trend in which aviation has become a catalyst for economic growthâ&#x20AC;?

President,

Muhammadu Buhari

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD TOUTS REIGN AT PASSPORT OFFICES, RAKE IN HUGE CASH ANNUALLY lost case, change of name and other approvals, but insisted that he never asked anyone to collect money above the official cost of the service.

He also said as far as he was concerned, he was not aware of anyone collecting money above the official cost as advertised in the NIS website and even in the passport offices and noted that applicants ought to make applications themselves and pay money online.

But inside sources told THISDAY that the illegal collection of money has persisted because there is â&#x20AC;&#x153;express approval of such illicit activities,â&#x20AC;? alleging that senior officials in charge of passport issuance in Lagos are aware of such obnoxious activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The illegality has persisted with their express approval. There is 100 per cent increase of government fees for the issuance of passports and provision of other services. These happen because professionalism has diminished and punitive action is no more taken against anybody. Those who give approval for this come to the open to deny it but we know them and they know that we know. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Immigration and Customs are top posts where they have filled with mediocre who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what their job is, but they bring them here in Lagos to come and make money. These are mediocre who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anything,â&#x20AC;? the source said.

NIGERIA IMPORTS 1.2M VEHICLE IN SIX YEARS est in the eastern port from 285 in 2012 to 260 in 2013 and 106 in 2014, 196 vehicles were received in 2015, 272 in 2016 and 3 in 2017.

Delta port received 2 vehicles in 2015 and additional 658 in 2012, 360 in 2013 and 311 in 2014.

The Rivers Port received only 141 vehicles in 2017 while Calabar port received no vehicle in the last six years.

Reacting to the development, customs agents in the country advised the federal government to reduce tariff on brand new vehicles and maintain tariff on used one to spark off massive importation through the seaports.

NEWS

Farmers Lose 70 Hectares of Rice Farm to Flood Oluchi Chibuzor with agency report

A group of five farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cooperative societies in Umuuzu, Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra, has lamented the loss of about 70 hectres of rice farms to flood disaster.

Mr Christopher Okwuosa, the Chairman of the cluster who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, listed them as Ikedi, Onyedikachi, Chioma, Chukwubuzo and Ofuobi cooperative societies. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier said that the 16 communities in Ogbaru completely submerged were the worst hit of the nine LGAs affected in by this year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flooding in Anambra.

Okwuosa who is also the Director of Children of the Farmers Club, lamented that the entire rice farm which would have been due for harvest in November were ravaged and washed away by flood. He said the expected yield from the rice farms of about 420 tonnes valued at about N18 million which would have gone to the Nigerian food supply and the farmers had been lost. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our cluster is made up of five cooperatives and has about 250 hectres to cultivate, but due to challenges which border on finance, we were only able to cultivate 70 hectres. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But these efforts have been washed away by the flood which hit Anambra in September, just two months to the time we are expected to harvest our rice produce. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lost all these rice farms when the flood

reached Umuuzu, a neighbouring community to Ihiala Local Government Area which was last to be submerged. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our expected yield is about six tonnes per hectre, which is about 420 tonnes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This represents a huge shortage in local rice supply and total loss to the farmers; about N18 million is involved,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Okwuosa said members of the cooperatives were

now in serious need of assistance in order to enable them to pay back the loans they took from their various lenders.

The chairman of the cluster called on the Federal and Anambra Governments to come to their aid. He said apart from rice which was the dominant crop, members also engaged in fisheries and other crops, including yam and cassava which were also destroyed by the flood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are supposed to

harvest in the first and second weeks of November but that is not possible again. The relevant authorities can also come and see for themselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some members also have fish ponds and other crops which were all equally washed away. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are now heavily indebted because we obtained loans with the farms as collateral in order to procure inputs and run the farms, but see where we found ourselves now,â&#x20AC;?

he said.

Okwosa expressed fears that if the affected farmers were not adequately taken care of to get over the flood-induced losses, Nigeria might suffer serious food scarcity in the coming years. He said all the achievements of the increased farming population and food output recorded in the recent years would be eroded because there would not be motivation for willing farmers to return to farms.

REWARD FOR DEDICATION

L-R: President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase; the awardee, National President of NACCIMA, Segun Philips; Director General, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson and Director General, NACCIMA, Ayoola Olukanni, at an Executive Meeting held in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ibom Plans Demolition of Illegal Structures Okon Bassey in Uyo Akwa Ibom State Government has concluded plan to demolish thousands of illegal structures erected within Uyo, the state capital.

The State Commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, Ime Ekpo disclosed this.

The commissioner who said this while fielding questions from newsmen in Uyo, said already demolition squad or committee had been set up by the ministry to pull down all identified illegal structures in the city.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are two types of illegal structures. The first one is structure erected where it supposed to be erected but has not obtained approval papers; the other structure in every aspect of it, it is illegal not cited properly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This ministry has just constituted a demolition squad headed by the Permanent Secretary. As soon as we get the funds, we are expecting the committee to go into action. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By right, the cost of the demolition is supposed to be borne by the illegal developer.

How to enforce that is going

to be a problem. So we will not wait for that. As soon as we receive the funds we are expecting, we are going into demolition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So if you have a neighbour or friends who erected illegal structures and have inscription on the buildings tell him to make alternative plan to start looking for another accommodation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have already identified the structures, we need to bring them down so that others will also know before you erect structure, and you must get approval that is why we have development control

agencies like the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) and Area Planning Committee (APC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Along Oron road, there are structures already built.

Some three story, some two story and bungalows structures on the 3 ring road between Nwaniba road and Oron roads especially where you have the timber market. Now that contract has been awarded for the construction of the ring road those building must come down.â&#x20AC;? Ekpo stressed.

The commissioner argued that before the planned

demolition exercise, the ministry had issued series of notice for those affected noting that indiscriminate erections of illegal structures were responsible for the flooding of the metropolis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Master plans are supposed to be guides to development control which people are supposed to adhere to. But people instead of submitting their drawings to appropriate quarters, they take laws into their hands and feel that they can erect structures the way they like. That is why we have all these problems,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Cap Mkt) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) James Emejo (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (Maritime)

Tenure of AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pioneer General Counsel Ends The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced that Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contractual term ends on 31 December, 2018 after 11 years of service to corporation as pioneer General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

The corporation disclosed this in a statement.

It noted that a decade after its establishment, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;AFC has earned an enviable reputation in the infrastructure space internationally. As a member

of AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Committee, Akin-Olugbade, played a key role in the Corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adoption of strong corporate governance principles, systems and structures; expansion of AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s country membership; contribution to the growth of the Balance Sheet from US$1.1 billion to US$4.3 billion with operations in 28 African countries and the attainment of AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment grade credit rating - all of which have contributed to the success

of the institution.â&#x20AC;?

It added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has served over 30 years in the legal profession and financial services sector, having worked at both the technical and management levels, in the public and private sector, for leading commercial law firms, development banks and international financial institutions.â&#x20AC;?

He was previously General Counsel and Director at the African Development Bank

(AfDB) and the first Chief Legal Officer and Head of the Legal Services Department of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

In his comment, AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Samaila D. Zubairu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thank Adesegun for the key role he played in the evolution and growth of AFC to a leading Multilateral financial institution on the continent and wish him every success in his future endeavoursâ&#x20AC;?.

On his part, the Chairman of AFC, Dr. Okwu Nnanna, on behalf of the board of directors, thanked Akin-Olugbade for his contributions to the development of the corporation.

Ms Nana Eshun, AFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current Director, Legal, a distinguished Project Finance lawyer with over 25 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience, will assume the role of General Counsel in an acting capacity, with immediate effect.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FAAN Expresses Readiness to Utilise New Terminals Stories by Chinedu Eze The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it has made every provision to utilise the new terminals, known as Chinese Terminals, as they are commissioned and put into operation.

The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, disclosed this to THISDAY in Lagos, adding that the new Port Harcourt International Airport terminal unveiled

by President Muhammadu Buhari recently would go into operation immediately.

Yakubu, said the two foreign airlines, Lufthansa and Air France, that operate to the airport would be designated at the departures and they would soon start using the new facility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new terminals will enhance and capacity and they will ease passenger facilitation so we are grateful to the federal government for completing the terminals

in the major airports of the country, which before the end of the first quarter of next year all of them will become operational. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Port Harcourt passengers were excited about the new terminal. Because of the location of the facility, many passengers did not know that construction of such edifice was going on until the day it was commissioned. They were amazed and I am sure that the terminal will make more people want to travel from Port Harcourt,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The General Manager said that FAAN has already mapped out ways to fuse the old terminal to the new for seamless passenger facilitation.

On the existing terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja FAAN has moved departures upstairs with escalators and lifts to take passengers to the floor and this has created more space on the ground floor. The agency

has also constructed new toilet facilities to meet the need of travellers and other airport users. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the existing terminal, Model D, initially we were processing passengers on the ground level and passengers were also departing from the same level, so the management of the airport started work on the next level. So now the passenger buys his ticket on the ground level, screened and then he goes through the escalators to the next level, departures for boarding. There is more space for the airlines and more space for passengers to be processed. Also, more seats are available for the departing passengers to relax and wait for their flights.

She said after the commissioning of the Abuja new airport terminal, all the foreign airlines would move to the new facility and the area that now serve as international section in the existing terminal would be converted for domestic use.

Nigeria Needs Additional 700 Controllers, Says NATCA The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has said additional 700 Air traffic controllers are needed to boost manpower in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airspace.

Currently, NATCA has about 400 members manning various control towers across airports in the country as new airports are being built and some of the existing controllers are going on retirement.

The National president of NATCA, Comrade Victor Eyaru, who disclosed this to journalist in Lagos on the preparation for the hosting of the 29th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA) Africa and Middle East Region

meeting /Workshop in Abuja holding between 5-9 November 2018, said the additional 700 Air traffic controllers will ease their work.

He called on the government to begin the employment of at least between 50 and 100 Air traffic controllers annually to ensure that there was no vacuum created as a result of aging workforce in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The NATCA President, while commending the NAMA engineers for keeping the radars working, urged the government to source for spare parts for the radars in the country to ensure that controllers did not go back to

procedural air traffic control in the country.

Eyaru disclosed that about 300 delegates are expected to join about 50 other members in the country to attend the conference of Africa/Middle East members in Abuja to chart the forward for a seamless friendly sky.

He explained that the conference would save various aviation parastatals a lot of foreign exchange as over 50 air traffic controllers would have the opportunity to be trained during the conference.

The last conference was held in Addis Ababa last year and this is the second time Nigeria is hosting after the first in 2001.

Oladapo Appointed Chairman of NAHCO The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahcoaviance) has announced the appointment of Mr. Sehinde Fadeni Oladapo as its Chairman, Board of Directors.

Oladapo takes over from Usman Arabi Bello, who resigned from the position on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

In a notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE), the company stated that the appointment of Oladapo, who is the founder and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of GMT Energy Resources Limited, took effect on October 25, 2018.

The new NAHCO Chairman had his higher education at the University of Lagos where he bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

He is also an Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (AMNIM), Nigerian Institute of Credit Management and the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A recipient of several merit awards, Oladapo is highly acclaimed by professional bodies in Nigeria in recognition of his many contributions to nation building.

Oladapo sits on the boards of a number of companies including MCI FZE Yard Development Limited, a joint venture between MCI FZE and Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria where Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and her partners integrated their EGINA FPSOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6 topside modules;the Badagry Ship-repair Maintenance Engineering Consortium (BSMEC) and Elect & Chosen Limited, a reputable interior design and furniture supply company.

He runs GMT, where he brings his great wealth of experience to bear on providing strategic direction and leadership in corporate reputation and sustainability and commercial negotiations.

The company also announced Mr. Salam Taofeeq Oluwatoyinas as Non-Executive Director. Oluwatoyin

took the sit vacated by Mr. Ahmed T. Uwais on the board.

A top-notch lawyer, Oluwatoyin obtained an LLB (Hons) from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, a Barrister at Law from the Nigerian Law School and LLM from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England (UK).

Oluwatoyin is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and Institute of Directors (IOD), and serves as the Managing Partner of Canary Legal, a corporate and commercial law firm. He leads the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate governance, company secretarial and legal advisory practice group, advises clients locally and internationally on Foreign Investment, Project Financing and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

He is also on the Board of Asokoro Island, Sycor Private Investment Limited and Central Cement and Logistics (CENCEM).

AIR WATCH Developing Aerospace Technology

Airbus White Paper Launch event

Airbus on Tuesday released â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Great Enabler: Aerospace in Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a White Paper on the role of aerospace technologies and their impact on socio-economic development in Africa.

The extensive report looked at how different segments of the industry can address a core set of challenges on the continent by increasing access to healthcare; enhancing food security by making African agriculture more competitive and sustainable; promoting education, training and innovation; empowering businesses with innovative products and solutions; and breaking down barriers to the movement of people and goods across Africa.

The report was officially launched at a special summit convening African government officials, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, intergovernmental bodies and multilateral development organisations in Toulouse, France. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The aerospace industry offers solutions to many of the socio-economic challenges Africa is facing on the path to sustainable development. A paradigm shift from thinking about aerospace as an isolated industry to a key enabler of socio-economic change is necessary to realise its benefits for a prosperous future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what this White Paper is aiming at, by highlighting different ways in which aerospace technology can support social and economic development in Africa,â&#x20AC;? said President Airbus Africa Middle East, Mikail Houari.

The white paper analysed the role of aerospace technologies in sectors with the greatest possible impact on social and economic development including manufacturing and industrialisation, civil aviation, agriculture, healthcare and humanitarian assistance: On manufacturing and industrialisation, many African countries are final consumers in the global aerospace value chain. Joining the ranks of producers in this value chain is challenging for many but not impossible.

The examples of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current leaders in aerospace â&#x20AC;&#x201C; South Africa, Tunisia and Morocco â&#x20AC;&#x201C; demonstrate the complexities but also the opportunities for African countries to develop aerospace manufacturing and industrialisation capacity.

Key among these opportunities was Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential demographic dividend, which will be achieved by investing in its youthful and increasingly techno-savvy population.

In the aviation sector, Airbus observed that the key question remains how to connect people to markets and goods in a faster, cheaper and more efficient way in order to maximise the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role as an economic engine and a vehicle for greater integration in Africa.

Airbus said agriculture is perhaps the most consequential pillar of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainable development. However, despite employing more than 60 percent of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population, the sector contributes only

about 15 percent of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP as underlying challenges persist.

Aerospace technology such as precision farming could potentially reverse this situation by enabling farmers to produce more with less.

In terms of access to healthcare, Airbus noted that this is still a challenge for many rural populations. While building on the existing technologies in the sector - such as air ambulances - new technology will further change the dynamics of access to medical care and emergency response in terms of quantity, distance and data collection.

The report also stresses the need for clear government policies to harness the power of aerospace technology, concluding with key recommendations on human capital development, partnerships and financing.

The research was based on a 30 in-depth interviews with a cross-section of stakeholders including: African Union Commission, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, African Development Bank, United Nations World Tourism Organisation, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Kenya Red Cross, International Air Transport Association African Airlines Association, South African National Space Agency, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Space Research and Development Agency, Airbus Bizlab, Farmerline, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Congo Airways, Fastjet, Overland Airways, Aerosud, Denel Aerostructures, Lazard, MARA Group, One2Five Advisory, Ag.Aviation Africa, ch-Aviation.

On how government policies impinge on development of aviation and the distribution of goods in Africa, the former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Richard Aisuebeogun observed that poor policy implementation among other factors are the major reasons why the continent is behind in aviation development.

Being the second largest continent in the world, aviation experts believe that interconnectivity would boost the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy through trade, encourage manufacturing, as it would be easier to move manufactured goods among the countries in the continent than to import from Asia, Europe and the Americas. It would also boost tourism.

Aisuebeogun, said the inability of states to implement policies that would encourage and enhance airline growth in many countries in Africa led to the failure of many airlines in the continent both state and privately carriers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A report of survey carried out in May, 2016 says over the past 12 years nearly 37 airlines were launched in Africa, and almost all of them had failed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25 of which are from Nigeria. Today only about 12 Africa Airlines have inter-continental operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more we realise that airlines are not a luxury but a necessity in our remote villages and hub cities, the more we can change our thinking and make sustained efforts to ensure that airlines are supported and developed for the accelerated development of our economies and improvement of our livelihoods,â&#x20AC;? Aisuebeogun said.

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A New Vista for Airport Infrastructure President Mohammadu Buhari last week unveiled the new Port Harcourt International Airport terminal, which is a harbinger to the opening of four other of such facilities built by the Chinese Construction Company. Chinedu Eze writes that the completion and usage of the five new terminals at the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major airports will provide succour to air travellers Last Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the international terminal of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Rivers, to usher in the opening of four more new airport terminals namely Kano, Abuja, Lagos and Enugu airports.

The five new terminals have brought hope to Nigerian travellers and have also changed the landscape in the affected airports. For several years, no new terminals were built at the 22 airports under the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

So the new terminals would boost the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image in the comity of nations.

Genesis During the unveiling of the terminal at the Port Harcourt airport, the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika in his address explained that work started on the new terminal along with three others in Lagos, Abuja and Kano on February 14, 2014, and were funded through the China-Exim Bank loan of $500 million with $100 million counterpart fund facility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project was expected to be delivered within a period of two years. At this time, this administration came on board, the level of work was below 30 per cent and bedevilled with various technical challenges which included foundation design change, inaccessibility to apron, inadequate apron space, master plan distortion, water and sewage provision, litigation, inadequate power supply to mention a few,â&#x20AC;? Sirika said.

He said President Buhari approved that the Ministry should go ahead and rectify all the discrepancies and subject it to due process.

The minister said this was carried out as government approved a total of $461 million be sourced from China Exim Bank to complete the four projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, this required $69.15 million counterpart funding. If we are able to source and pay the counterpart funding, we should be able to deliver the remaining projects shortly as they are all at advance state of completion,â&#x20AC;? Sikika explained.

He said the Port Harcourt airport being the third busiest in the country is very important to the Nigerian economy because it served about 1,080, 284 passengers in 2017.

Sirika said the old terminal which is undergoing rehabilitation, was unable to provide the requirements and space to handle such volume of passengers and that explained the current hardship faced by passengers, which he described as unacceptable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is therefore gladdening to state that a project conceived over five years ago is seeing the light of the day as the terminal in Port Harcourt is complete,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The minister said the new terminal being commissioned has the capacity to process about seven million passengers annually, covering a space of approximately 28, 000m2 with 24 checking counters, three baggage collection carousels, 12 immigration desks at arrival, 16 immigration desk at departure, four security screening points, four passenger boarding gates and other facilities.

Poor Airport Infrastructure Speaking before opening the terminal, President Buhari lamented that successive government abandoned the renewal of airport infrastructure since 1970s and 80s when there was burst of establishment of airport infrastructure. The facilities were allowed to decay and become outmoded. So over the years, passenger movement outstripped existing airport capacity, making expansion inevitable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following the large increase in the national population with consequent surge in air passenger traffic, the capacity of the airport terminals became woefully inadequate to cater for the increase in passenger traffic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although, palliative measures were periodically carried out, the facilities were fast giving-in to the effects of wear and tear. It therefore became necessary to take decisive action to ensure our terminals meet minimum international standards for the travelling public,â&#x20AC;? the President said.

He said that his administration had to respond to global trend in which aviation became a catalyst for economic growth as a result of high growth air travel in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government responded to a global trend in which aviation became a catalyst for economic

New Port Harcourt Airport Terminal growth as a result of massive and speedy movement of persons, goods and services in a safe and secure manner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of the infrastructure renewal program, the construction of four new international terminals at Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano airports was embarked upon by the federal government with a view to modernising the aging airport infrastructure to meet global aviation standards and improved service delivery in tandem with best international practices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the presentation of the 2017 Budget to the National Assembly, I promised to upgrade and develop Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transport, power and health infrastructure, and complete a number of stalled infrastructure projects.

These include construction of new terminals at the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five major airports; numerous major road projects; key power transmission projects; and the completion of the Kaduna â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abuja as well as Itakpe to Warri Railway lines,â&#x20AC;? Buhari said.

He said Nigeria has an advantageous central location within the sub-region and our desire to develop into a regional air transportation hub must upgrade its facilities to take advantage of its assets, noting that the recent decision by the federal government to remove Value Added Tax (VAT) from domestic air transportation is in line with global best practices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will make air travel more affordable and

As part of the infrastructure renewal program, the construction of four new international terminals at Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano airports was embarked upon by the federal government with a view to modernising the aging airport infrastructure to meet global aviation standards and improved service delivery in tandem with best international practices

subsequently lead to the creation of jobs by the air transport service value chain as well as increase revenues for government. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commissioning is an example of governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deliberate policy to sustain the development of infrastructure for economic growth in all geo-political zones of the country,â&#x20AC;? the President also said.

Negative Remarks The Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma in reaction to the establishment of the new terminals in Port Harcourt and other major airports in the country said that the federal government has reversed the negative comments about the Port Harcourt airport, which was once described as one of the works airport in the world, due to poor terminal facilities. So with the unveiling of state-of-the-art terminal, the image of the airport has been boosted.

Dunoma, also noted that soon, all the other terminal would be put on stream as the new terminal at the Abuja airport has been cleared start operation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What government did was to embark on this project and also embark on the remodelling of the domestic terminal. Passengers suffered and so we were on our toes to make sure these two projects were completed. Before there was an assessment by one group which we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know saying that Port Harcourt is the worst airport. Today we want to answer them, let them come and inspect what we have done with the terminal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank the government of this administration for the support because when they came in this project was at a very low-level of completion and today all the issues have been resolved and this project is ready for commission so we are seeing this morning that his Excellency President Mohammed Buhari will commission this building and we will start using it straight ahead and the international passengers are going to have a serious positive experience because you cannot compare the other facility with this new one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is of international standard and all facilities for international operations are provided. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a brand new terminal very efficient in design and it is of high-capacity, it is going to serve the people of this region for quite some time,â&#x20AC;? Dunoma said.

The FAAN boss also explained that work was going on at the old terminal (local terminal), however, it is a bit slow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course there are issues because it is not like this (new terminal) where you conceive and you start construction. We are combining operations with construction and sometimes the contractor is hindered because he cannot go full capacity because we have to accommodate our passengers. It is slow but we will get there, we are almost there.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also pushing but now that this is commissioned, by the time we move out the international operations here, then we will have a lot of space to work on at the other terminal,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Concession Arrangement The new Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal building was built by CCECC Nigeria Limited at the contract sum of $111, 168, 752.55 and according to CCECC, 85 per cent of the contract sum from came from the Export-Import Bank of China â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a concessional loanâ&#x20AC;?, while 15 per cent of the amount came as the counterpart funding from the government of Nigeria.

The contract was signed on December 3, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x153;but large scale construction commenced on March 1, 2014. The main structure includes the two-story terminal building, cargo terminal building, the apron, external works and other ancillary works,â&#x20AC;? CCECC explained.

Recently in Lagos, Sirika reinforced the desire of the federal government to concession major airports in the country and said that all the major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano will be given out in concession.

The minister, who was obviously piqued by the celebration of Accra airport new terminal opened recently by Nigerians, observed that many Nigerians have taken to the social media to celebrate the new terminal at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, but they did not know that the country has better airport terminal facilities in Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja and Lagos.

He, however, stressed that despite the building of the four facilities and additional one at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, government has realised that it cannot efficiently build and manage airport infrastructure, hence the decision to concession them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year before the end of this October, we would be opening the terminal in Port Harcourt which is ready even to the apron operations. We will also be opening the terminal in Abuja. They would be ready for operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are many other terminals we will open. I am sure my friends in the media have not forgotten that the intent and purpose of this government regarding aviation is to concession these airports.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that government can run these facilities and run them very well. We must hand them over to the private sector,â&#x20AC;? he said.

But industry experts are curious about how government would concession the airports while they already have concessionary agreement with the Chinese, who are expected to manage the new terminals and recoup their investment on the projects.

THISDAYt FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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Ending $2bn Loss to Illegal Fishing Eromosele Abiodun posits that African seas and oceans are facing increasing pressures from both within and outside the region and it is African governmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest to deal with these trend through collective efforts On 28 October 2016 in Hobart, Australia, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources agreed to establish the first Antarctic and largest Marine Park in the world encompassing 1.55 million km2 (600,000 sq m) in the Ross Sea. Other large Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) are in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans in certain exclusive economic zones of Australia and overseas territories of France, the United Kingdom and the United States, with major (990,000 square kilometres (380,000 sq mi) or larger) new or expanded MPAs by these nations since 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;such as Natural Park of the Coral Sea, Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area. When counted with MPAs of all sizes from many other countries, as of August 2016 there are more than 13,650 MPAs, encompassing 2.07 per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oceans, with half of that area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; encompassing 1.03 per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oceans â&#x20AC;&#x201C;receiving complete â&#x20AC;&#x153;no-takeâ&#x20AC;? designation.

MPAs are protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes. MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. Such marine resources are protected by local, state, territorial, native, regional, national, or international authorities and differ substantially among and between nations. This variation includes different limitations on development, fishing practices, fishing seasons and catch limits, moorings and bans on removing or disrupting marine life.

In some situations (such as with the Phoenix Islands Protected Area), MPAs also provide revenue for countries, potentially equal to the income that they would have if they were to grant companies permissions to fish. In Nigeria, the absence of MPAs and regular oil spill has almost destroyed the means of livelihood of many in the Niger Delta.

Experts believe that if governments in western Africa could end illegal fishing by foreign commercial vessels and build up national fleets and processing industries, they could generate billions of dollars in extra wealth and create around 300,000 jobs.

Industry watchers stressed that the devastating, social, economic and human consequences of overfishing in western Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal waters are well documented.

For instance, they noted that a report, Western Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Missing Fish, by the Overseas Development Institute and Spanish investigative journalistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; porCausa, lays bare the extent of lost opportunities across African countries.

Ending Illegal Fishing However, efforts are being made to put the matter on the front burner as African governments look for alter native sources of revenue to meet the growing need for investment in infrastructure and job creation in their countries.

The body leading the charge, the Gulf Of Guinea Commission, has acknowledged that the fact that Africa is losing much declaring, early this week, that West Africa is losing about $2 billion annually from illegal fishing.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Florentina Ukonga made this disclosure on Monday at the Gulf Of Guinea Conference on the maritime sector, held in Lagos.

The secretary, who announced that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second seminar of the Gulf Of Guinea Commission is entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Blue Economy in the interest of Food Security in the Gulf Of Guinea Region,â&#x20AC;? said that the largely underdeveloped and poorly governed state of the coastal region is a major drawback. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While other countries and regions are reaping the benefits and returns from the blue economy, West Africa, for example, is estimated to be losing about $2billion annually from illegal fishing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal sector remains largely underdeveloped and poorly governed, which has enabled other forces from outside the continent that benefits more from it, than its citizens. Approximately, 57 per cent of fish stocks are fully exploited and another 30 per cent is over-exploited, depleted or recovering,â&#x20AC;? she stated.

She, however, charged member states to collectively resolve increasing pressures faced by seas and oceans.

The secretary added that the maritime domain cannot be managed individually because of the inter-connectivity of maritime activities amongst various organisations.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our seas and oceans are facing increasing pressures from both within and outside the region and it is in our own interest to deal with these pressures through collective efforts. No individual State can effectively and prudently manage its maritime domain. We must collectively, continue to manage the human activities that are negatively affecting our seas and oceans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The collaboration and cooperation amongst the States of the region are very important because of the interconnectivity of maritime activities, as generally there is often lack or non-existent of coordination amongst various organizations that are responsible for the seas and oceans in the region,â&#x20AC;? she added.

The N288 billion Loss Meanwhile, following ongoing effort by the federal government to diversify the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, it has emerged that Nigeria can save over N288 billion ($800 million) being spent on the importation of fishes annually, if the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep ocean resources are optimally developed and harnessed.

Director/Head, Fisheries Resources Department, Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Dr. Parcy Ochuko Obatola, who stated this in a chat with newsmen said Nigeria is naturally endowed with a lot of marine resources adding that these resources have been left untapped over the decades thereby leading to huge economic loss.

Research, she stated, has it that Nigeria consumes about two million metric tons of fishes every year but can only produce less than 800,000 metric tons domestically thereby necessitating the importation of about 1.2 million metric tons.

She disclosed that over 70 per cent of the fishes domestically supplied are produced by small scale fishermen whose activities litter the coast line.

According to Obatola, â&#x20AC;&#x153;right now when we look at the demand and supply of fishes in Nigeria, there is still a huge deficit. The demand is almost three million metric tons per annum, the supply is about two million metric tons and there is still a deficit of over 1 million including those imported and those produced within this country. We are producing about 800,000 metric tons in Nigeria. So we can see the reason we actually need to carry out activities when it comes to blue economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the fisheries that are exploited in Nigeria are done at the inshore waters and have consequently put a lot of pressure on the resources and negatively impacted the ecosystem via indiscriminate pollution, water contamination and other forms of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing otherwise known as IEUs. This has translated into a situation where there are lesser catches and smaller sizes of fishes.â&#x20AC;?

She therefore, called on the government and other stakeholders to help ensure that the activities of the fishermen are regulated and managed while the deep ocean resources are tapped to help reduce pressure on the inshore waters.

Obatola further explained that various surveys conducted by the institute have shown that some rare species of fishes and other marine resources are in the Nigerian territorial waters especially at the deep oceans revealing that practicable recommendations on how they can be exploited for the economic benefits of the nation have been forwarded to the federal government.

She stressed that Nigeria could be losing about N50 billion yearly to illegal fishing and other unregulated activities of intruders at the deep oceans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have carried out surveys and found out that there are resources in the deeper waters that the fishing industry can exploit so that the inshore waters would have a respite, if the pressure on them is reduced. We have other resources out there that can be exploited. As I am talking to you right now, Nigeria as a nation is not exploiting our Tuna resources but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that people are not exploiting it. People come from other places to exploit them on our territorial waters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Apart from that, we also have what is called harima-bondi. It is the kind of fish that can replace the imported sardine; in fact it was canned in this institute just to let the industry know what can be done. Tuna was also canned in this institute years back so that the industry can go further to exploit other resources out there.â&#x20AC;? She said.

Mesopelagic Resource The expert explained that part of the resources present in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deeper waters is the mesopelagic resource, which is very useful for the production of fish meals, noting that the major problem that has hindered aquaculture from being what it should be in Nigeria is the input.

She disclosed that fish meals constitute about 70 per cent of the running cost of an aquacultural establishment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feed is very pertinent because a crucial component of that feed is fish meal and as we say right now, fish meal is mainly imported to Nigeria. So, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another way of getting our money out via capital flight if we are able to substantiate it now that we know we have it. Our duty is to look at the quantum because another value chain that the fishing industry can go into is getting the mesopelagic resource and turning it to the fish meal that will now be incorporated into the fish feed that the aquaculture sector uses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We actually have a lot of resources but it is not about just having the resources. We need to work on how we maximize or exploit them so that it will be useful for us in the country and also the artisanal sector. There is enough that can be done and we are playing our own role,â&#x20AC;? she said.

She also pointed out that part of the challenges confronting deep ocean fishery in Nigeria is the inability of Nigerians to outgrow the quick coin mentality where people expect expedient gains

immediately they make investments, an attitude she said would not be applicable in the fishing sector because it is a long term investment that is capital intensive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think that has always the major issue with the industry because it is not the kind of trawlers that you use in inshore waters that you use there.

You need bigger vessels there and when you talk about bigger vessels, of course you are talking about bigger money, â&#x20AC;?She said.

While acknowledging that some efforts have been put in place by the government, Obatola believes that more can still be done in terms of capacity building to ensure the sustainable usage of the deep ocean resource for economic growth as the blue economy concept connotes.

FG to Stop Illegal Fishing The nefarious activity may not continue in the long term as the federal government has expressed its readiness to combat illegal fishing and other related fisheries crimes in the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territorial waters.

The Minister of State, Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri stated this during a meeting with members of the Committee on the Implementation of the Harmonised Operating Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime environment led by the Chairman, Air Vice Marshall Ibrahim Shafiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i in his office .

The minister said the document, Harmonized Operating Procedures (HSOP), launched by President Muhammmed Buhari was part of the efforts in ensuring that the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime environment is rid of all illegality including illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

He described the HSOP as timely and important to the Ministry, adding that, it would help to combat illegal fishing in the country if properly implemented by relevant enforcement agencies.

Lokpobiri said the fisheries sub-sector is plagued with many challenges ranging from illegal exploitation of the marine fisheries resources, â&#x20AC;&#x153;particularly by foreign vessels; low catches as a result of depleted resources due to obnoxious fishing practice by fishermen and illegal sale of fish at sea by trawlers operators among other things. He said the committee through its mandates would reduce these problems and boost socio-economic development of the country.â&#x20AC;?

He informed the committee that as part of its efforts to curb the menace, the present administration had approved the purchase of two patrol vessels to enhance effectiveness of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Division of Fisheries Department in the ministry, â&#x20AC;&#x153;while an additional 6 patrol boats were constructed by the Nigeria Navy at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos for similar purpose.â&#x20AC;?

He commended and assured the committee that his ministry would continue to support its mandates.

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CILT Bemoans Poor Performance of Railway, Inland Waterways Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Nigeria has bemoaned the low contribution of the rail and inland waterways to movement of freight tonnage across the country.

The National President of CILT, Ibrahim Jibril expressed this at the 2018 annual general meeting (AGM) of the institute in Lagos, tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trucks in Freight Logistics: Issues in Nigeria Economic Development.â&#x20AC;?

He said Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope to drive down inflation should not only be through cost effectiveness in economic regulation of our ports but also with the pricing of the freight for truck services.

Jibril said that the railways and inland waterways transportation contributes less than four per cent and one per cent per cent respectively to freight movement in the country.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The railway which used to contribute

over 40 per cent of the freight tonnage movement in Nigeria in the 1960 and 1970 had over two decades ago declined to a low level of less than four per cent of tonnage haulage. The inland waterways usage for internal mobility and distribution was still at their informal level and aggregated to less than one per cent of the volume because Nigeria was yet to put many of the inland ports being developed into any meaningful use especially when one evaluates the state of readiness of such inland ports like the one at Onitsha or Lokoja, which had recently been commissioned.â&#x20AC;?

The CILT boss, who commended the development of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aviation industry, regretted that the nation relied mostly on truck to grow the economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our aviation sector is beginning to pick up. Our locally generated traffic in this sector composed of the heavy electoral materials lifted during the last

national election circle. The other sizeable component relates to the consignments from the Courier services and the online shopping shipments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be recognised that there are small pockets of aggregate tonnes of loads from very informal sector, carrying farm produce to the city centres. In the light of the scenario painted above, it is therefore clear that it is just the road trucks that we, as a nation, had relied upon to

grow our economy, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he said.

He also decried the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to fashion out an ideal way to effectively deploy trucks which the economy relied upon for over 85 per cent of its physical distribution system.

He said inability to deploy the trucks effectively constitutes a challenge to efficient productivity, prudence in the deployment of the mobile units, ease of doing business, cost saving, as well as good logistics planning.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, whatever dissatisfying adjective you chose to qualify your frustration of our waste of resources in the idling of these trucks, in the introduction of congestion charges by a shipping company, would simply fit in.â&#x20AC;?

He further pointed out that the situation where Nigeria found itself in the freight logistics equation can simply be described as unfortunate and unhealthy economically stating that there

is concern for a change in policy.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the investors, their expected returns are not being met. To the crews, they no longer work the expected hours a week or a trip as they are held up on the queue around Lagos for upwards of 168 hours in just going to deliver empty containers. The International Labour Organisation, said 40 working hours a week has been established whereas some of the crews of these trucks spend this

Peterside: Gulf of Guinea Strategic to Food Security The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the importance of the Gulf of Guinea to food security to the West and Central African sub-region, stating that the region must be properly secured to avert illegal activities that may hamper food supply in the African region.

The DG stated this at the seminar on the State of Food Security Assured by the Seas of West and Central Africa and The Perspectives on The Blue Economy in Member States of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) organised by NIMASA in conjunction with the GGC in Lagos.

Peterside, who was represented by the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, said that the Gulf of Guinea, which is a major shipping route, must be properly guarded if the countries of the region are to properly harness the blue economy for economic growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gulf of Guinea, aside being a major shipping route, is also home for many aquatic species and so the countries of the region must do everything to safeguard the region from illegal fishing, piracy and other activities that may affect the food chain,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Speaking further, the NIMASA boss said that agency knows the importance of the region to the African continent and that is the major reason it has continuously championed collaborations amongst member states in order to develop the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue economy through sustainable shipping.

He said that this seminar will also assist participating countries to better understand the blue economy and how to properly harness the inherent potentials of the African maritime sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Ambassador Florentina Adenike Ukonga commended the leadership of

NIMASA for the role the agency is playing in ensuring safety of lives and property in the region.

She said the commission decided to have a seminar on the blue economy to promote sustainable shipping in the region.

The Gulf of Guinea Commission was established by the treaty signed in Libreville, Gabon on July 3, 2001 by Nigeria, Angola, Gabon as well as Sao Tome and Principe. The seminar was the second in the series organised by the Commission to enlighten member states on the advantages of sustainable shipping.

Bala-Usman Advocates Enhanced Cargo in Africa The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has stressed the need for an African framework targeted at enhancing the conveyance of cargos and the quality of logistics in a more predictable manner.

Bala-Usman spoke at the African Women in Maritime (WIMAFRICA) second continental conference with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trade facilitation in Africa : challenges and prospects.â&#x20AC;?

She stressed that such a framework should be targeted at enhancing the clearance of cargos through efficient logistics in a more profitable manner, stressing that it has become imperative to eliminate encumbrances affecting trade liberalization and facilitation in the sub region.

While commending the members of WIMAFRIAC for organising the conference, she urged the women to proffer an integrative approach that will eliminate the increasing complexity and cost associated with transaction processes of trade in the continent.

She further enjoined members of WIMAFRICA to key into the concept of trade facilitation, which she noted, is a major driver of economic development and growth of Nations, adding that this will enable Africa to effectively maximize the tremendous benefits of trade facilitation.

WELCOME TO NPA

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman presents a plaque to the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral, Obed Habila Ngalabak, who paid her a courtesy visit at the NPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

STOAN: Closure of Ijora Bridge Worsens Apapa Gridlock The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), the umbrella body of terminal operators in the country, has stated that the closure of a section of the Ijora Bridge, outbound Apapa, is worsening the already chaotic traffic situation in the Lagos port community.

STOAN Chairman, Vicky Haastrup, who stated this in Lagos, said the closure of the bridge, which links Apapa to other parts of the Lagos metropolis through the Wharf Road, was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing several months ago without carrying out any visible activity on it.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;While one understands that the Ijora Bridge

needs attention and repair, it is wrong to shut a section of it down without any visible work being carried out. What has happened is the avoidable reinforcement of the Apapa chaos. The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway at the Tin Can Island Port end is no longer motorable while the Ijora-Wharf end, which is where every truck and other motorists squeeze themselves through, has been under repair for more than a year.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ijora Bridge is the only way out of Apapa now and to close it down is nothing but a recipe for chaos, â&#x20AC;?Haastrup said.

The STOAN chairman called on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to ensure quick repair of the bridge so that it can be

reopened to motorists â&#x20AC;&#x153;within the shortest possible time.â&#x20AC;?

She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When there is no free flow of traffic, cargoes are held up in the port and when this happens, it impacts negatively on economic activities in the country. Cargo backlog at the port inevitably lead to port congestion and vessel queue. This is why you see some shipping lines imposing congestion surcharge to make up for lost time. Port congestion will also mean that importers and agents will have to pay more to clear their cargoes from the port, the cost of which will eventually be borne by the masses.â&#x20AC;?

The STOAN Chairman said the poor condition of the roads has also led to astronomical hike

in the cost of haulage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Less than a year ago, it cost about N80,000 to transport a container from Apapa to other parts of the Lagos metropolis but today it is more than N800,000 because of the dilapidated roads in Apapa. Again, it is the Nigerian people that bear the brunt of this astronomical charges by truckers.

It is therefore not advisable to compound this problem with the prolonged closure of the Ijora Bridge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government should hasten work on the Wharf Road repair and also repair work on the closed section of the Ijora Bridge. Government should also fix alternative roads in Apapa to allow free flow of traffic,â&#x20AC;? the STOAN Chairman added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;she stated.

British American Tobacco Certified Top Employer in Africa The British American Tobacco (BAT) has been certified as one of the best companies to work for in Africa by the globallyrecognised Top Employers Institute (TEI) at a certification dinner held in South Africa.

The tobacco company got the recognition as a top employer in Nigeria and six other African countries, namely South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Kenya. BAT Nigeria has accomplished this feat for the second year in a

row since making its debut entry for the award in 2018.

The TEI conducts independent and internationally verified research into organisations people management practices, and certification is only awarded to companies which meet the highest standards in employee working conditions, including nurturing talent development at all levels of the organisation and opportunities for growth.

Acknowledging the recogni-

tion, Human Resources Director, West Africa Area, British American Tobacco, Temitope Akinsanya, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very honoured to be recognised as a Top Employer for the second year running. We pride ourselves in our best-in-class talent management practices and unique organisational culture which attest to the fact that our people are as important as our brands.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking further, she noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us, the certification demon-

strates that BAT Nigeria holds itself to the highest standards of workplace conditions which empowers employees to be their productive best.â&#x20AC;?

In his reaction, the Managing Director, BAT, West Africa, Chris McAllister, described the certification as a recognition of the standards that BAT Nigeria and Africa continuously strive for and â&#x20AC;&#x153;a confirmation of our status as a leading company for outstanding talent that ambitious people wish to join.â&#x20AC;?

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BUSINESSWORLD

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTION

Investing in Cornchips, CornďŹ&#x201A;akes Production Plants Godwin Uba

The importance of establishing manufacturing industries in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. Through the establishment of manufacturing industries, jobs will be created, there will be increase in GDP, generate products for local consumption as well as export market to generate foreign exchange.

Cornflake is a fast food eaten almost all households in Nigeria by old and young. It can be easily prepared with milk with hot or cold water. The major raw material for production of cornflake is maize (corn). Maize is grown in all the parts of the country.

Therefore, the raw material for the project is readily available. Other raw materials include sugar solution, malt and salt. These are also in abundant supply in Nigeria. Maize, the major raw material is cultivated in all parts of the country and the cultivation is very easy, cheap and gestation period very short.

Also the raw material, maize thrives well in all the states of the federation.

The prevailing climatic and soil conditions in Nigeria are good for mass production of maize. From records available, there is so much wastages of maize during the growing season due to lack of inadequate storage facilities.

The waste could be prevented by the provision of cheap silos for maize storage and preservation. This project is seen as one of the ways to prevent wastages. From our study, there is virtually no small scale commercial manufacturer of high quality corn flakes in Nigeria today.

There are only two major companies producing cornflakes in Nigeria and their production output is very small to meet up with the increasing demand for cornflakes.

Cornflakes are a consumable demanded on daily basis. To meet up with the increasing consumption rate, more small scale investors are highly needed to boost the supply.

Small scale prospective investors who carried out a comprehensive studies backed up with effective marketing strategies should be able to economize costs to reap huge benefits resulting from the existing supply-demand gap in this area. To set up this project, the required machinery and equipment include boilers, separators, sifter, mixer, granulators, rotary oven tanks, silos, screening and cooling equipment.

These machines and equipment are locally available and details information will be given to prospective investors.

The plant will be able to process up to 5metric tons of corn/maize in a shift of 8 hours, producing about 3 tons of cornflakes in a shift. It can be operated in a double shift of 8 hours each in a day. The production process is simpler.

Group Seeks to Enhance Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agric Exports Mary Nnah A management Consulting firm, Crenov8 DMCC with headquarters in Dubai, recently brought together stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss how to take advantage of opportunities in the sector.

The meeting also afforded opportunity for conversation regarding what needs to be done to highlight Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural presence in the Middle East Region since agricultural products are central to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export industry.

Tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meet the Farmers Conference (MTFC),â&#x20AC;? the gathering which originated from a mission that commenced in 2017 aimed to create a platform linking the African agricultural producers with the off-takers in the Middle East and beyond to effectively translate business deals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed, it is discouraging to visit supermarkets in the UAE and have little or no representation of the nutrient-packed produce that come from the rich soils of Nigeria in particular and Africa in generalâ&#x20AC;?, the Crenov8 Consulting Business Lead , Bola Oyedele, had said during the meeting.

Consequently, Oyedele said Nigeria being an acknowledged agricultural country as evidenced by the facts that it contributes to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), naturally fits into the MTFC model, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is our reason for being here in order to have a useful conversation regarding what we need to do together to highlight Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agricultural presence in the Middle East Region as Agricultural products are central to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agriculture contributes significantly to national food self â&#x20AC;&#x201C;sufficiency by accounting for over 90 per cent of total food consumption requirements, its helps to maintain a healthy and peaceful population and also a source of food and nutrition for households. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore the ultimate objective of interest of economists in productivity should be to find ways of increasing output per unit of input and attaining desirable inter-firm, intra-firm and inter sector transfers of population resources thereby providing the means of raising the standard of living.â&#x20AC;?

Briefly put, it involves storing maize in the silos, cleaning and grinding process; mixing up with other ingredients such as sugar, malt and salt and drying the products with a rotary drying oven. After drying, the cooling process is carried out, followed by packaging process. Details will be given to prospective investors.

The project can be set up in any part of the country, since maize (corn) is grown in all the parts of the country.

From preliminary feasibility carried out, the project can be started with a total minimum sum of N78 million, depending on many factors which includes the capacity of the proposed plant Based on investment analysis carried out a turnover of N550 million is achievable in the first year working for average of 250 working days in a year.

The payback period is within two years, and return on investment is over 56 per cent.

Details including production technology, process flow, size and structure of the local markets and ECOWAS sub-region, market share and effective marketing strategies to be adopted will be incorporated in a comprehensive feasibility studies report for prospective investors. Prospective investors will be assisted in the procurement and installation of the machinery and equipment as well as sourcing of the required funds where it is not possible to embark on complete funding of the project. For details please contact the writer: -Uba can be reached on 08023664368 or ubagodwin@yahoo.com

LG Unveils Google Assistant TVs MaxAir Expands Operation to Kasie Abone LG Electronics has concluded plans to launch smarter electronic devices with Google Assistant facilities.

The electronic giant said in a statement that the Google Assistant electronic gadgets which would be launched in seven more markets including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom, would be available on all of LGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s webOS-based ArtificiaI Intellience (AI) TVs in the new markets.

In addition to offering a wide range of features Google Assistant built in, LGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 AI ThinQ-enabled TVs would also offer accessibility in up to five multiple languages, a streamlined experience that allows users to manage daily tasks, find answers or control compatible smart home devices.

By simply pressing and holding a mic button and asking for information such as the weather forecast, a nearby restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hours, the latest sports scores or to dim the lights without interrupting the viewing experience, LG stated

that users can also relive their favorite moments by displaying pictures from Google Photos.

Other features of the latest addition to LG family include serving as the center of the smart home, offering access to numerous devices such as robot vacuum cleaners, thermostats, air purifiers and smart lighting.

Besides LG devices, the Google Assistant is also compatible with more than 5,000 smart devices across hundreds of popular brands, making it easier to control speakers and other smart home devices connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

LG added that customers in English-speaking markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada can readily connect Google Home devices to LG AI-enabled TVs to send voice commands directly from their smart speakers.

This feature would become available to customers in France, Germany, Japan and South Korea by the end of 2018. Compatibility with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, currently available in the U.K. and the U.S., will be expanded to Australia and Canada as well.

Port Harcourt,Yola MaxAir Limited, the latest airline to join Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic air market, has announced its decision to expand operations to Port Harcourt and Yola routes as part of its expansion drive.

Its Executive Director, Mr Harish Manwani, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the airline had shown resilience in four months of operations by adding more routes. Manwani said the airline would commence Abuja-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Yola flights on November 5 in addition to the existing routes. He said the airline added Maiduguri route to its operations in September, adding that Lagos-Port Harcourt route would soon be added when the arrangements were perfected.

He explained that the expansion drive would also involve acquiring more and efficient aircraft, saying that MaxAir currently operate three B737 for domestic operations and three B747 for Hajj and Umrah.

He stressed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;we are starting Yola and Port Harcourt routes on Monday, Nov. 5, to be followed by Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja,

Abuja-Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt-Abuja but we have not finalised Lagos-Port Harcourt and Lagos-Yola routes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like Lagos-Kano, it is one flight everyday but Abuja-Kano is two flights daily in the morning and evening, while Abuja- Lagos is three flights every day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We currently operate with three B737 aircraft and three B747 in our fleet of which the 737 are deployed to domestic routes, while the 747 are used for Umrah and Hajj operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are planning to add more but since we are just starting the expansion programme, we will do that in phases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far, business has been going on well because we started with three destinations, namely: Kano, Lagos and Abuja, and we added Maiduguri in September and on Nov. 5: we are adding two more routes: we plan to expand to more routes early next years.â&#x20AC;?

Manwani said that MaxAir airline was committed to changing the flight experience of air travellers in Nigeria by offering on-time departures and quality in-flight services.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08152252325

Latifat Tiamiyu: I Almost Dropped Out of School .....Amazing Story of Crescent University Overall Best Graduating Student

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COVER

LATIFAT TIAMIYU: I ALMOST DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL Her hope of completing her university degree was almost truncated save for the timely intervention of the Founder of Crescent University in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Judge Bola Ajibola, SAN. At the recently held 10th convocation ceremony of the school, Funke Olaode, writes that Latifat Ayokunnumi Tiamiyu, who emerged the best overall student and valedictorian of the university, recounted her academic grass to grace story

L-R- Mrs. Folake Akanbi, best graduating student, Ayokunnumi Tiamiyu, Judge Bola Ajibola, SAN, Mrs. Ajibola and Mrs. Alaba Tiamiyu celebrating Tiamiyuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s academic laurels at the event

That historic Saturday morning of October 20, 2018 was like other days, but it was different in the lives of 424 newly graduating students of Crescent University, Abeokuta in Ogun State as parents and well-wishers had thronged the expansive auditorium of the institution.

Among the graduands, a young lady, Latifat Ayokunnumi Tiamiyu, stood out. From a seemingly hopeless situation, to suddenly become a source of inspiration to strong-willed people everywhere who keep their dream in view, Tiamiyu sprang out of obscurity to register a string of firsts.

Laurels She went home with laurels like the Vice-Chancellorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prize for the best graduating student of the year, College Prize for the best graduating student in each college, Prize for the Overall best graduating student and 2018 Valedictorian with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.91 from the department of Microbiology, College of Natural and Applied Sciences.

With her CGPA of 4.91, she emerged the best of the best of all first-class products of Crescent University, Abeokuta among 10 sets ever graduated from citadel of academic and moral excellence.

Triumph Hers is a rare case of triumph beyond expectation, beating every hurdle of suppression and poverty. Given the circumstance of her poor parentage, Tiamiyu could have been subsumed by the overwhelming surge of penury. However, she was determined, not only to swim against the tide, but to float comfortably.

With no role model or anyone to emulate, she trusted her guts and envisioned herself as an accomplished scholar.

Her road to academic excellence began in 2014 when she gained admission to Crescent University to study Microbiology.

Snag Tiamiyuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s academic prowess manifested early as she was maintaining a

Cummulative Grade Point Average of 4.95.

But her joy of attaining higher education was almost truncated if not for the timely intervention of eminent jurist and founder of the institution, Judge Bola Ajibola, SAN who waded into her situation.

Scholarship On the managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to encourage indigent but brilliant students whose education may be truncated due to lack of finance, the institution has instituted a scholarship scheme that comes to their aid after establishing the merit of such cases. Tiamiyu was a beneficiary.

According to the scholar, she had already lost hope of continuing her studies at Crescent University and was almost requesting for transcript to be able to seek admission into a public university when her attention was drawn to Bola Ajibola Scholarship for Academic and Moral Excellence. That was in her 200 level in 2016, when she was on a grade point of 4.95, the highest any student could have had.

She recalled that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;few months later, she got a call from the deputy registrar , Alhaji. M.A. Lawal to come and apply for scholarship that he had spoken to the ViceChancellor about it. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, who was highly impressed with her first class grade assured her later that she would get the scholarship with a caveat that she must maintain her class of grade throughout her studies.

Few weeks later, Tiamiyuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream which was gradually going into comatose was revived when she got another call from the university that her scholarship had been granted and that she should come for acknowledgement of same.

Accolades for Benefactor The elated scholar who acknowledged that although she had not met Ajibola in person, described the former judge of the International Court of Justice as a generous man whose generosity continues to amaze her. She commended Ajibolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

selfless investment as part of which she had benefitted. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The proprietorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholarship did it for meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as she showered accolades on her benefactor for reviving her university education through scholarship when she was on the verge of dropping out, owing to her parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in ability to continue to pay her school fees.

Maternal Inspiration Tiamiyu said in the face of poverty and hardship one thing kept her going â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mum has been an inspiration and my staying power. I said I must not let her down seeing what she and my siblings were going through put me on my toes to be the best and vow that I must achieve this particular goal. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Priority to Academics The Crescent University she said has impacted so much in her because of its sound, moral and academic values and religious aspect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always learnt that the school is like a family. I got a lot of support from my friends, lecturers, academic and non-academic staff, who were all good to me.â&#x20AC;?

Does she have any magic wand that helped to attain the best academic excellence? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was my commitment to studies and being diligent. I believe there is no time one canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t catch up with oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social life. I had a few outings with a few friends but I have always placed priority on my studies. Although I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the impression of becoming the valedictorian of my set or overall student. The grace of God and the benevolent act of Judge Bola Ajibola has brought me here.â&#x20AC;?

Asked under which condition she preferred to study, Tiamiyu said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find it convenient to study in the morning immediately I wake up and my reading can last for like seven hours. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read if my brain is not relaxedâ&#x20AC;ŚIf I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slept, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stress myself.â&#x20AC;?

She revealed that she preferred secluding herself in empty classrooms and after each dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lectures, â&#x20AC;&#x153;have a little

fun in the hostel, sleep, wake up and start reading again.â&#x20AC;?

Asked why she pitched her tent with Microbiology she said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love courses that have to do with Biology or Microbiology but along the line, I had issues with Chemistry courses, she recounted adding that she particularly fell in love with aspects of food Microbiology and Virology because of her interest, as well as the interesting approaches employed by lecturers in charge.â&#x20AC;? She admitted that she was able to have good grades in her courses because she devoted more time to reading courses she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like more than her favourite ones.

The vision of academic and moral excellence of Crescent University, according to her, has made her to avoid distractions and has taught her to dress modestly. She also praised the university for its religious tolerance, adding that although she is a Christian, she had freedom to practice her religion without hindrance.

Appeal for Funds for Further Studies Appealing to governments both at the state and federal levels to offer opportunities to the youth who she emphasised are the leaders tomorrow, she said she plans of going for her Master â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree immediately after graduation , but her mother whom she described as her â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;world couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford it. She called on well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists and the government to invest in her higher degree.

Automatic Employment With this academic attainment, the founder publicly offered her an automatic employment. Brilliant, intelligent with a desire to conquer the world, the young scholar has her eyes fixed on the future of working in multinationals or academic environment where she will continue to keep the flag of the institution flying.

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NEWS

Simba Group Reinstates Commitment to Women Empowerment

Mwanga Africa collections

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Mary Nnah

Simba Group Business Head, Mr. Manish Rohtagi, middle, ďŹ&#x201A;anked by participants at the event

Mary Nnah The Simba Group has reinstated its commitment to the general empowerment of women.

The group made this disclosure during its recent participation in the celebration of the Day of the Girl Child event held in Abuja, between October 17 and 18.

The programme, organised by the National Centre for Women Development in collaboration with The Office of the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, included a number of activities ranging from cultural events and debates on the proposed action plans for the benefit of women in Nigeria.

Business Head of Simba Group, Mr Manish Rohtagi, who spoke about the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to the empowerment of Nigerian women, said the company has in the past been involved in various initiatives in this area, including enhancing access to education, creating employment opportunities and training.

He said further that the group has been commended for their Queen Riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an initiative aimed at enhancing access to Mini Entrepreneurship for women, though the ownership and/or operation of Keke (tricycles), under their flagship brand TVS King.

He said the group is also involved in enhancing access to education through their â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

Greatest Giftâ&#x20AC;? programme, which provides bicycles to girls so that they can move easily to and from school.

Whilst making a donation of 24 bicycles on behalf of the Simba Group, Rohtagi added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the key path to empowerment of women is access to education for girls. And when it comes to access, actually being able to reach the school is obviously fundamental. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our programme is based on the very strong belief that a bicycle can help alleviate the challenges girls face to go to and from school based on examples in Kenya, India and other places.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking further, Rohtagi stressed the importance of both the public and private sectors playing their part in such initia-

tives with the ultimate aim being to provide bicycles to every girl child, particularly in areas where the distance between home and school is great.

He cited data that showed that the ease a bicycle provides in the commute to school and back, greatly increases the education levels in a country and this translates to an overall societal and economic impact on that nation. Among their other products, Simba also displayed their Farmtrac tractors, motorcycles and the XL100 - a rugged motorcycle designed uniquely for rough roads and rural customers.

Over 1,5000 girls from Abuja participated with great enthusiasm in the event, among other women.

Odukoya, Owolabi Charge Women to Activate Inner Beauty Shola Oyeyipo South African born wife of the senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, has encouraged women to keep shining, be consistent and to rely on the strength of God. Odukoya gave this charge during the events marking Inner Beauty Outward Radiance (IBOR), held on Saturday, 20th of October, 2018 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Addressing guests at the 2018 edition with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Chandelier - Go Forth and Shine,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Odukoya noted that while it is important to look beautiful outwardly, it is more important to have a beautiful heart.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is good to look good but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let that be where you spend your energy on.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier, the IBOR convener, Pastor Nike Owolabi, had noted that the body is a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) established with a divine mandate to empower women to release their authentic inward and outward beauty, stating that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the aim is to create wholesome women who reflect more of the beauty of the heart by mentoring

Ahead of its grand launch this November, Glitter Girl Innovations has announced its endearing range of scented Candles and Diffusers, under its flagship store, Mwanga Africa.

More than just candles that bear the light we all need, Mwanga Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candles and diffusers offer messages of happiness, hope, peace, kindness, among other virtues; in a bid to inspire, motivate, invigorate and uplift oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit, said CEO/Founder, Glitter Girl Innovations Omoyeni Disu.

Mwanga Africa range of scented candles and diffusers, she stressed, are designed not just to light up the atmosphere but also to soothe the senses of those who experience it.

The scented candles and diffusers borne out of deep feelings from the founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soul, bear messages of virtues and positivity embedded in the sweet smells of the candles and diffusers. The collection pleasantly engulfs users, instantly kindling in them a serene and warm sensation upon inhalation of each satisfying whiff.

Beyond this collection, Mwanga Africa provides bespoke professional advice on most suited blend of fragrances to satisfy each mood and boasts of a responsive and user-friendly website for online purchases.

Sharing the inspiration behind her brand, Disu, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life throws you different curve balls, you just need to realize that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always Mwanga at the end of the tunnel. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m launching â&#x20AC;&#x153;HAPPINESSâ&#x20AC;?, this is something that not only makes me happy but will make the world happy, one scent at a time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Mwangais, â&#x20AC;&#x153;making you happy one scent at a time.â&#x20AC;?

A fragrance connoisseur who tried out the candles and diffusers attested to the enchanting and plush nature of the products.

Awed by the vestige of the new collection, Oscar Okeke said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Mwanga scent is so therapeutic. It soothes in a way that urges you to let go of your worriesâ&#x20AC;Ś it is like happiness that you turn onâ&#x20AC;Świth a matchstick.â&#x20AC;?

Operating from Lekki, Nigeria, Mwanga Africa will be made available via the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, www.mwangaafrica.com Glitter Girl Innovation Limited is an international company that houses Mwanga Candles and Diffusers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; producers of bespoke scented candles and diffusers. Mwanga provides a wide range of scented candles, diffusers, fragrance oils and car fresheners designed to meet the needs of teeming consumers, without compromising on quality.

Mwanga focuses on providing a serene and endearing ambience for customers, uplifting their mood psychologically and keeping the energy healthy and inviting.

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Mary Nnah

Owolabi and Lepacious Bose on stage during the Fountain of Life Church event in Lagos

them to become better daughters, wives and mothersâ&#x20AC;?.

She said IBOR was created to uplift and inspire women to become the best version of themselves and urged them to go back to the place of prayer and be led by the spirit. She also encouraged women to let their light shine in every area of their lives.

There was an interactive session with forex trader and wealth coach, Bukky Oshinowo; founder of Hustlersquare, Odior Oluchi Lily; certified Personal Nutritionist and a Weight loss expert, Founder/CEO of ASKDAMZ, Adedamola Ladejobi; expert in emotional intelligence, Anuoluwapo Shagare; spouse of the convener, Pastor James

Owolabi and Bose Ogunboye a.k.a Lepacious Bose who was the moderator.

The event kicked off with soul lifting worship by gospel artiste, Efe Nathan. There were rib-cracking jokes by Lepacious Bose) who was the MC. There was also a fashion runway by Araewa showcasing beautiful and colourful African fabrics fit

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Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;ĘľĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă? 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ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă? ʨĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x203A;

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MUSIC SHOWBIZ

â&#x20AC;ŚYour weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

AFRIFF to Focus on Women

Vanessa Obioha

T

The 2018 edition of the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) will be celebrating women in the industry. Themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Many Faces of Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the week long festival will showcase films about women as well as films done by women. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The focus is really on female producers, movies that are focused on women, especially lifting them, empowering them,â&#x20AC;? said AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude at the programme launch held recently at Film House Cinema Twin Waters, Oniru. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a passionate thing for me, but for the rest of the world everybody knows there is a strong focus on women, whether the men like it or not, women are really the stronger of the two and so we are taking the front seat. We have been relegated to the back for too long, I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for us to start coming out and do what we do best. With the #metoo movement going on, we have to take very gentle steps. So for me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about trying to achieve our focus on empowering women, showing that we could be as good,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Over 138 films were selected for the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition and include films from Afghanistan, Nigeria, France and United States of America. The festival will open with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sew the Winter to My Skinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; a Western tale that follows the myth of a South African bandit in pre-apartheid South Africa; and will close with the highly anticipated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigerian Princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a Nigerian venture helmed by the capable Faraday Okoro. Most of the screenings will be held at Genesis cinemas, Film House as well as Terra Kulture.

The well-attended event was also graced by JĂŠrĂ´me Pasquier, the

L-R-Chioma Ude, Uche Jumbo and Ini Edo

Ambassador of France to Nigeria, who highlighted the immense contribution the French Embassy has given to the film festival, with hopes to continue with the very enriching partnership.

Similarly, Laurent Polonceaux, the Consul General, commented on his

MTN Foundation to Sponsor Simply Poetry, Others Vanessa Obioha As part of its goal to expand the reach of Nigerian arts and culture to the rest of the world through promotion, MTN Foundation at a recent event held at Terra Kulture, Lagos, unveiled plans to sponsor six artistic productions set to hold in the last quarter of 2018.

Since its inception in 2005, the foundation has been at the forefront of promoting local productions like Saro and Wakaa the Musical through funding.

To extend the course of supporting producers who strive to relay the African story in a positive light, the tech giant unveiled the faces behind some of the sponsored musicals and visual art festival.

Producers who secured sponsorship include Dike Chukwumerije (Simply Poetry); Joseph Edgar (Oba Esugbayi); Bolanle AustenPeters (Fela and the Kalakuta Queens); Gbenga Yusuf and Ayo Ajayi (Legends); Bikiya Graham-Douglas (Our Son, The Minister); And Kevin Ejiofor, the visual arts director for Life In My City festival.

Perceived as an awakening in the arts sphere, and a youth empowerment tool, the Foundation, for the first time funds a visual arts

project (Life In My City festival) that accommodates entries from visual artists in major cities of the federation.

Executive secretary of the Foundation Nonny Ugboma in a statement highlighted on its far-reaching effect; encouraging young talented persons to pursue a career in the arts.

Ugboma said: â&#x20AC;?The space for visual arts is quite wide; this is the first time MTN Foundation is promoting visual arts. It is from that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;empowermentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; point of view, the point of view where you are supporting young talents. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what unique about this partnership, and why we are involved with Life In My City Festival. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many other people who are involved, there are so many galleries out there. From the point of young people between the ages of 18 to 35 are being given an opportunity to express themselves and get noticed.â&#x20AC;?

The first of six productions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fela and the Kalakuta Queens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; took place on Sunday, October 14, at The New Afrika Shrine to mark the Felabration celebrations.

The remaining shows are slated for other dates in October, November and December 2018.

enthusiasm with working with the festival.

Also lending his voice, Amaechi Okobi, Access Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group Head, Corporate Communications and External Affairs Manager, Access Bank harped on the devotion of the foremost African financial

institution to the arts.

AFRIFF also had the honour of screening the recently released â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Hate U Giveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, starring Amandla Stenberg as the first film to show in the new Cineplex.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festival will kick off on November 11 to November 17, 2018.

AFRIMA Unveils Hosts For Fifth Edition Vanessa Obioha The African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana, have announced Michael Blackson, Pearl Thusi and Anita Erskine as the host and hostesses of the fifth edition of AFRIMA in Ghana, scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Accra International Conference Centre, AICC, Ghana.

The dynamic trio will add their unique hosting abilities and on stage chemistry to the spectacular offerings for the fifth edition of AFRIMA that is geared to be a glittery, star-studded, world-class event with exhilarating performances from A-list artistes, including some of the fifth AFRIMA nominees and past AFRIMA nominees and winners.

Renowned Ghanaianborn American actor and comedian, Blackson, popularly referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The African King of Comedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, started his career in stand-up comedy and acting where he moved up the ladder despite challenges faced as a young black man in America.

The talented comic entertainer has featured in several on-screen performances, TV series, comedy shows, and tours.

Some notable ones include; The Moâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nique Show, Martin

Pearl Thusi will co-host AFRIMA

Lawrenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st Amendment Stand-up, Meet the Blacks, One Night in Vegas, and Hip Hop Squares. Blackson hosted the first ever BET Social Awards in Atlanta in February 2018.

South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fierce and talented TV personality, Thusi will also co-anchor the awards event. The actress, model, radio and television personality has earned accolades for her top-notch acting, television and radio hosting skills.

She is a former host of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Momentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on EbonyLife TV, and currently the new host of the third season of MTV Baseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Behind the Storyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Her international acting career includes her role in Universalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Scorpion King: The Book of Soulsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; alongside Zach McGowan, and her recurring role in ABCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drama Series â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Quanticoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Thusi has appeared on magazine covers like Elle,

Cosmopolitan, True Love, Grazia, Glamour and Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health in both South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Also bringing her admirable skills to the AFRIMA stage is Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media personality, Erskine.

A Radio/TV presenter, producer, writer and oral narrator applauded for her hosting skills. She has anchored several live events as well as radio and television programmes including popular shows on the DSTV platform such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Making of a Mogulâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cooking with Anitaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pamper Your Mumâ&#x20AC;?.

Erskine is also known for her vibrant role in the advancement of women empowerment and girl-child rights using her various TV and radio programmes. The award-winning multilingual media entrepreneur will bring her charm and feistiness to play at the 5th AFRIMA main awards.

Sharing her excitement, Director, Brand Communications, AFRIMA; Matlou Tsotetsi said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been an exciting journey for AFRIMA. AFRIMAGHANA 2018 gets more exciting as we are in Ghana for the first time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the lead up to preparations, we have felt the Akwaaba warmth and welcome of the Ghana people, I am certain that the rest of the world will feel this â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even through our live broadcast. May the best of Africa winâ&#x20AC;?.

Olamide, Wizkidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 Concerts Falls On Same Date Sunday Ehigiator If the current news going on social media is anything to go by, there will be enough drama on December 23 this year, as the two top artistes in Nigeria Olamide and Wizkid, have both billed their shows on that same day, and in venues not so far from each other.

Olamide had earlier tweeted it to his fans that his regular annual Olamide Live In Concert (OLIC) show will hold on December 23, 2018 at Eko hotel convention center.

The tweet reads â&#x20AC;&#x153;#OLIC5 23rd of December 2018 @ Eko hotel convention centerâ&#x20AC;?.

Coincidentally, Wizkid also posted something related saying, his Made in Lagos concert is holding in Eko Atlantic same day. His tweet reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;December 23rd!! Eko Atlantic! #madeinLagos Shutdown!â&#x20AC;?

This has however caused hot argument among fans as many of these fans canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to miss any of the two shows. We are hopeful one of these artistes may postpone his show for another day as they are known to be good friends.

But as at press time, the dates still remain the same.

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Everybody Said Yeah! Yeah! Except Buhari

City Villa Wants You to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Life Vanessa Obioha

Femi Kuti and Yemi Osinbajo at Felabration 2018

Vanessa Obioha The remarkable events that unfolded at the 2018 Felabration was a good pointer that the New Afrika Shrine is not just a hub for arts, entertainment and tourism but also for politics.

In its usual fashion, the annual week-long festival to celebrate the life and times of the Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a melange of music concerts, symposium, school debate, arts and dance competition.

It kicked off on Monday, October 15 and came to a political climax on Sunday, October 21.

First, it was the visit of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to the New Afrika Shrine. It was not his first time at the iconic hub of the legend. In days leading to the 2015 elections, he made an unlikely visit to the shrine regardless of his religious belief.

That first visit endeared him to the denizens of the shrine whom in the eyes of the leaders are the dissidents of the society.

Shelving foibles aside, Osinbajo delivered a lecture at the shrine where he canvassed for votes for President Muhammadu Buhari and received a magnanimous cheer from his audience. He even learnt the shrine lingo to aid his campaign.

It was assumed in some quarters that Buhari will leap on the opening created

by Osinbajo to heal the wounds of the Kutis over his imprisonment of Fela during his reign as the Head of State.

That was not to be the case. In July when the French President, Emmanuel Macron visited the shrine, the president failed to make an appearance and left the business of hosting his August visitor to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who also last year made an impression on the shrine by visiting it after unveiling the headless sculpture of the legend at Allen Avenue Roundabout.

Again, Osinbajo visited the shrine to gain the votes of the populace in the upcoming elections. But things took a dramatic turn when Femi, the eldest son of Fela and renovator of the shrine openly declined to support the second term presidential bid.

Speaking in Pidgin English, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vicepresident come my house say make I support am. Na him dey stand for my front now. I tell am say I no fit support am because of my papa. He say he understands, he respects my view. But he is my friend. He say he wan come shrine and I am very happy say he see say we no dey crase for here.

Arararara!â&#x20AC;?

This outburst seemed to put the vice president in an awkward situation as he shifted from one foot to another, unsure of what facial expression to wear.

By now, Osinbajo should have been familiar with the ways of Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s children.

Like their father, they are quite vocal when it comes to political issues. Before welcoming the vice president on stage, Femi openly declared that he was not in support of any political party.

Though the discussion with Osinbajo was held behind closed doors, Femiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open rejection is bound to have a ripple effect on the crowd gathered there. Most of them breathe in every word he says. By saying no to Osinbajo, Femi has indirectly swoon his followers from supporting Buhari.

Those followers in a way will have a huge impact on the numbers of votes the president will clinch in Lagos. Nevertheless, Osinbajo was able to take control of the situation as he greeted the crowd and expressed enthusiasm that the legacy of Fela still lives.

He ended his speech with the popular greeting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody say yeah! yeah!â&#x20AC;?

But Osinbajo and Femiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s act was not the only political drama in the shrine. In the middle of his bravura performance, singer Davido boldly declared his uncle,

Ademola Adeleke as the governor of Osun state.

He declared, â&#x20AC;&#x153;shout out to His Excellency, Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, Osun State Governor.â&#x20AC;?

Adeleke who is still embroiled in allegations of forged certificate was initially ahead by vote count in the Osun gubernatorial election held last month, until the re-run put an end to that victory.

It is interesting how the shrine which was once labelled a den of thieves and all manner of delinquents, is now a place where the government of the day seeks the votes of the populace.

Credence must be given to Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children who have not only sustained the legacy of the Abami Eda, but also made efforts to woo outsiders and insiders to this iconic cultural space.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event also supported by Legend Extra Stout had fans dripping with excitement from the different locations where Felabration themed event held. From the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Double Wahalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concert at Freedom Park, Glenfiddich Maverick concert at the Balmoral Convention Centre to the New Afrika Shrine, the music concerts were enthralling. The last day had a very rich line-up of artistes: Tubaba, Sound Sultan, Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, Mayorkun and of course Davido, who literally brought the house down.

As the festive season draws near, City Global Hotels Limited Group â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a hospitality chain owned

by Lawrence Obiajunwa â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is set to transform the nightlife in the city of Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

It will be launching its new music club Klub Octopus in December.

Klub Octopus has been described as a phantasmagoric glass nightclub that will offer the best music entertainment and concerts in the state.

The club is one of the features of the entertainment arena called City Villa which will officially launch next month. The new entertainment centre is expected to change the nightlife of the city which according to one of the directors Chidiebere Obiajunwa has dwindled in recent times.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Owerri is losing its nightlife gradually. The environment is no longer conducive for that kind for life. The problem lies in the offerings available.

Most lounges have turned to bars.

There are no other side attractions to them. Also, some businesses are placed at a distance. The present government is also not encouraging entertainers. Before, Owerri was a bubbling city for nightlife.

Owerri currently donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have platforms for emerging artistes.

We want to have our own Industry Nite in Owerri.â&#x20AC;?

Obiajunwa believes that the new outfit will

Tonto Dikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sister Survives Suicide Attempt Sunday Ehigiator Tatiana Dike; sister to popular Nollywood Actress Tonto Dike, has taken to her Instagram account to share with the public how she attempted to give up on life some weeks back due to depression, but failed. She said this was after she got help from some kind members of the public.

She wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been wanting to do this but I was worried about what the world would say about me... Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my own testimony!!! three weeks ago, I thought of my life and then the devil spoke to my spirit and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tatiana, you

are a failed parent. Your daughter is ashamed of you and your efforts are all wrong and boom, I gave in. That night, I realised God had a purpose for my life because I drank hypo and to me, I said to myself I was going to die and have peace. The next day, I woke up to the sound of my alarm and I pinched myself and realised I didnt die as expected, no tummy aches, nothing. That morning, I sought to find help and I talked to my angel in human form @gorsky2211 and he said, I needed to seek help and my journey for help began. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I put up a post on @

womeninportharcourt page and then, another angel asked I sent her a DM @noise1405 which I did and she made sure I started going to a rehab.

I didnt only find help, I found a big sister in her. Before my help, I was a monster to my child, always sad, very aggressive and that was when I was told I had clinical depression. On this journey of healing, it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been easy but God has been faithful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though the mood swings come often, I am a lot better than I was now all because I got people who showed me love and God who kept me alive. Thank you to all those who knew my

journey and have been patient with me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;@gorsky2211 thank you for taking absolute care of me and my daughter, @noise1405 thank you for letting me be your baby sister and for helping me through this journey despite your own challenges, @ lianna95 thank you for understanding and to my bestie @fab_.prince, you made sure you told me how much you loved me every morning and that helped me heal faster too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you feel depressed, speak up, seek help, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop till you find it! Suicide isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the best way out of your challenges.â&#x20AC;?

City Villa

add social and economic value to the state. The sprawling entertainment edifice is situated at the heart of the city, Port Harcourt Road, covering a large expanse of land.

It houses a state of the art performance stage that can accommodate over 2000 people, specifically designed for music concerts and other entertainment-related shows. There are also an indoor sports arena, a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool.

To cater to the diverse gastronomic needs of customers, City Villa created a variety of food outlets to suit any taste bud. The restaurant and cafe which is run on a 24-hour basis serve the best of Nigerian cuisine, while the La Liga Grills offers an assortment of grilled and barbecued delicacies. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;NgwoNgwoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is the place to be for those who crave for homemade local dishes and drinks such as Abacha, palm wine, Ugba, Isi-Ewu, Pepper soups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;City Villa is like a one-stop shop where everything on needs for nightlife and entertainment can be found. I want people to be able to feel everything in one place without leaving the premises.

There is everything you need to entertain yourself in one place. We are able to bring people of different class in one place,â&#x20AC;? said Obiajunwa.

Already, three shows have been held at the entertainment arena and the response according to Obiajunwa was fantastic.

The fun-theatre which goes by the mantra â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chop Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is also on the same ground with the City Global Hotel.

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XTRA

Nelson Enwerem Clinches Mr. Nigeria 2018 Title Mary Nnah Nelson Enwerem, a 23year- old graduate of Pure Physics from the University of Calabar and also winner of the Face of University Nigeria unisex pageant in 2016, was announced winner of the foremost male competition in Africa, the Silverbird Mr Nigeria 2018 contest. He defeated 19 other formidable contestants to clinch the coveted prize at the event. Enwerem, the fifth winner of the contest, who also won the award for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most Talented contestant, will represent Nigeria at the Mr World contest, which holds in January in Manila, Philippines. He expressed excitement at winning the contest, while promising to use the experience to clinch the top prize of the Mr. World contest.

The promoter of the contest, Ben Murray-Bruce, said the contest was out to Mr. Nelson Enwerem, winner discover one ideal man. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We man who is physically hold the Mr. Nigeria contest fit, right age and most every two years. We mirror importantly, like I have what we do in Mr. World and always stressed, we basically at the end of the need natural born males. day we are looking out for We stressed on that the most desirable men who because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even would compete favourably know what will pop up with the most desirable at the end of the day. man in the wold. What we Besides that, we need an are looking for is a gentle intelligent person and

Ayodeji Ake

a gentle man; someone that can be a great ambassador of Nigeria to the rest of the worldâ&#x20AC;?, he noted further. The live show at the prestigious Silverbird Galleria, Lagos attracted a huge turnout of fans and celebrity guests, who were treated to several activities

ranging from fashion exhibition, dance, musical performances and comedy led by Bash, Kofi, Olu Maintain, Twizzy and mpore.

Past Mr Nigeria winners include Brayan Okwara, Kenneth Okolie, Deji Bakare and Emmanuel Ikubese.

BASF Opens New Regional Headquarters in Lagos

BASF stakeholders at the event

Mary Nnah To accommodate its growing operations and number of employees, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading chemical company, BASF, has recently opened a new regional headquarters for West Africa, situated in Lagos.

BASF began doing business on the African continent about 90 years ago focusing on the key industries of construction, textiles, automotive, agriculture, plastics, and healthcare sectors.

The expansion of the existing office and the construction chemical plant in Nigeria will now increase BASFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footprint on the continent and will nurture partnerships and innovation geared towards sustainable growth.

Speaking at the office opening ceremony, BASF Vice-President and Head of Market Area Africa, Dr Michael Gotsche, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;In line with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth strategy in Africa to invest in local presence and local production, our expansion in Nigeria will allow us to respond to challenges arising from the competitive conditions in the market, while also extending our reach to more customers.â&#x20AC;?

BASF has, in recent years, opened offices in Nigeria, Zambia, the Ivory Coast and Kenya.

The Special Guest of Honor,

Scotch Bonnet Expands Scope of Hospitality

Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who formally commissioned the new regional headquarters, expressed delight at the growth of BASF West Africa, commended the management of the organisation, and reiterated the commitment to making Lagos State a businessfriendly environment.

The governor encouraged other multinational organisations to follow in the steps of BASF by establishing new factories and expanding existing operations within the state.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is heartwarming that BASF is making progress in Nigeria and expanding its operations here in Lagos State, the commercial capital of Nigeria. We will continue to make Lagos State an investment haven, and we call on all organisations to make the best use of all we have on offer in as we continue to strive to make doing business a lot easier within the state.â&#x20AC;?

Managing Director for BASF West Africa, Dr Jean Marc Ricca, said he was particularly glad this new regional headquarters was being launched as part of the activities during the week of the Africa Leadership Team meetings taking place in Nigeria.

Scotch Bonnet, one of the trending restaurants in Lagos, has expanded its scope of hospitality to carter for its teeming costumers.

According to the director of the company, Moti-Cakes Awokoya, the expansion was due to the fact that innovation and creativity remain key factors for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.

He also said at barely a year in operation, the restaurant based in Victoria Island is the rave due to its habit of innovating, even as it plans branches on the Mainland and Lekki soon.

Stressing that with our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peculiar infrastructural and energy deficiencies, businesses have to constantly think outside the box, Awokaya in a chat in Lagos with newsmen, stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doing business in Nigeria is

Clergy Tasks Churches to Empower Members, Harps on Nation Building Oluchi Chibuzor

The South- west Overseer of Rhema Deliverance Mission, Dr. Anene Nwachukwu, has tasked churches to empower their members financially, just as he urged politicians to focus on nation building as against self aggrandisement.

As Nigeria yearns for dividend of economic emancipation from the democratic leaders across all sphere of governance, he called on politicians to stop thinking about what they will get at the detriment of the general wellbeing of the populace in the forthcoming general election.

Nwachukwu, who gave â&#x20AC;&#x153;This clearly demonstrates the the admonition, weekend, confidence that BASF has in Nigeria at the annual convention and speaks to the continuing 2018 and the dedication of investments of the company in the multi-million Rhema Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? he said.

International Prophetic Ricca also took the opportunity Centre, with a theme: to announce that an application laboratory for personal care is going faithful God, said his visit to be opened at the beginning of 2019 to Solomonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temple in 2010, gave him the vision to in Lagos. build a replica of the temple With the establishment of local and hence the magnificent competence in application and formulation technology, BASF edifice God has helped intends to broaden its technical them to build in Nigeria. service for Ethnic African hair and Nwachukwu further skin care applications. agreed that churches should Located in one of the fastest empower their members growing beauty markets in the economically and spiritually region, the laboratory will serve to withstand the current the needs of the personal care realities in the country, industry across all countries in adding that Christianity Sub-Saharan Africa. should be about bearing The personal care laboratory is the first of several laboratories one anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burden as one member of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body. that are in the pipeline from He said the church different Business Units. supports over 200 widows â&#x20AC;&#x153;These laboratories are being among other roles the built to allow customers to take church have embarked on. full advantage of the available He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We support expertise and solutions offered over 200 widows in the across BASFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s broad portfolio society. We pay schools fees, that ranges from performance products, plastics, chemicals, hospital bills, and share rice cosmetics, oil and gas as well as almost on monthly basis crop protection products. BASF for the less privilege in our aims to ensure that new and existing church. customers get the service and support â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is because they need,â&#x20AC;? Ricca added.

challenging but one thing every business owner needs to realise is that you have to be innovative in everything you do, which is what we have been doing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are just 12months old but since we started we have come up with so many new developments.

We started as just a restaurant and have constantly been adding more value.â&#x20AC;?

He pointed out that despite â&#x20AC;&#x153;specially crafted and unique meals, great entertainment, captivating ambience that caters to any kind of persons,â&#x20AC;? the organisation has had to expand its scope of hospitality â&#x20AC;&#x153;as we now partner a lot of local businesses.â&#x20AC;?

Further stating that running the business was no childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play, the director said the results particularly the joy and impact made on customers more than make up for it.

Christianity is all about bearing one another burden and we always try to alleviate the sufferings of our members through charity.â&#x20AC;?

To the politicians he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always tell politicians in my church that great leaders think about next generation, but politicians think about the next election. I always tell them that whatever you are doing, you must do it right. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take for example if we spiritual leaders are telling the politicians the truth, our roads will not be the way it is, our economy will not be as it is- if you look at the economy you will see that things has really fallen below standards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians are suffering, there is high level of poverty in the land and citizens are yearning for change and because the change we expected we are not seeing, we are believing God that Nigeria will have a change of government in 2019.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier the presiding Bishop, Pinnacle Redeemed Mission, Nnewi, Dr. Louis Morah, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;The situation in the country demands divine invention from God, as expectation of attaining new age is not been realised because of ethnicity and tribalism since independence from colonial days.â&#x20AC;?

Also, the Governor of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who was represented by Anambra Liaison Officer, Lagos, Mrs. Uloma Wise, gave kudos to the quality of works at the church centre, acknowledging that the new sanctuary will give room for propagation of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kingdom.

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ART WEEKEND

â&#x20AC;ŚFor pure art enthusiasts

Quramo Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Night of Honour Yinka Olatunbosun reports on the glamorous grand finale of the Quramo Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Prize 2018, where Michael Emmanuel emerged winner

Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Yinka Olatunbosun

From November 5 to 7, the literati will swarm around Freedom Park Lagos for the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF). The festival is a seven-day feast of ideas with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Renewal: A World That Works for All.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), the festival will open with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young Theatre Feastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which features troupes from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Germany and Sweden.

Other festival offerings include a documentary film on LABAF at 20; an art seminar in honours of Kolade Oshinowo at 70; nights of poetry performances; conversations with authors and publishers; screening of Tunde Kelaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic movie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;SaworoIdeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; as well as an interesting session with business leaders tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why I Read What I Read.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Moderated by the consummate journalist and former Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati, this session features Founder, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; MD, Pillar Oil, Spencer Onosode; MD, NigeriaLNG Tony Atta and MD, Marine Platform, Taofeek Adegbite.

Executive Publisher, Quramo Publishing, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore in handshake with Emmanuel Michael, the winner, 2018 Quramo Prize

T

ruth be told, the moment Michael Emmanuel started reading aloud some excerpts from his manuscript, Running Waters, it dawned on us that he was a likely winner. He was an effortless and conversational writer, not trying to impress us with too much information. But with wit, he sowed the seed of suspense into a carefully woven plot. He had four other contestants to beat and they were just meeting for the first time that night at the award ceremony organised by Quramo Publishing at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Publisher, QuramoPublishing, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore gave an insight into why the prize was instituted. For one, the prize gives voices tounpublished writers. Secondly, it promotes quality content in indigenous literature. In addition, it â&#x20AC;&#x153;disruptsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the unhealthy pattern of literature market in Nigeria which is saturated with books from foreign writers.

For the Head of Judges, Mrs. Aduke Gomez, it was an arduous task to decide on the winner, with the quality of writ-

ing received. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, there were over 400 entries.

None of us had really slept well for weeks. We argued. We fought. We have abused and lobbied one another. Until we got here today, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the winner. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wonderful experience,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she remarked.

Beyond the prize, Quramo Publishing had developed and executed a series of literary projects such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Project Readâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which involves providing reading materials for the less privileged in IDP camps. The publishing firm is also in the business of cross-fertilising literary ideas for other artistic expressions such as films.

Afterwards, the seasoned author and public relations professional, Toni Kan, reviewed the published winning work from the previous edition of Quramo Prize, Samuel Monyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sGive Us Each Day. Crown Troupe of Africa thrilled the audience to a dramatic interpretation of Give Us Each Day after the creative entrepreneur, Ugoma Adegoke presented the second runner-up certificate

to Achalugo Ezekobe for Boys on Jumping Trousers. Also, the awardwinning writer, Sefi Atta presented a certificateto the first runner up, Ani Obiamaka Splendour for The Girl who saw Tomorrow.

After the rapturous moment of declaring the winner, Emmanuel was spotted on the red carpet outside the venue where he recounted his journey into winning the coveted prize of N1m and the offer of a publishing contract with QuramoPublishing.

He was writing tests and also preparing for his exams when the deadline for submitting manuscript was approaching. He had to write 10,000 words. He spoke on the plot briefly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The story is about a girl who suffered a memory loss and it was only a sentence-something about someone killing her mother that triggered her curiosity. The plot is about unraveling her life story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this N1 million, I will definitely invest in writing. I will attend writing seminars and workshops,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said the 300-level undergraduate of Chemistry.

Î Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; The telecommunications company, 9Mobile, has announced the threemember judging panel for its 2018 Photography Competition with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;9ja: My Grind, My Hustle.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The creative photographer, Kola Oshalusi; documentary photographer, Bernard Kalu and award-winning photo-journalist, Aisha Augie-Kuta, are this editionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judges. While making the announcement, 9Mobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Director, Brand and Experience, Elvis Ogiewanye revealed that the judges had been selected through a rigorous process to ensure professionalism in the evaluation process.

He added that from the pool of entries received, internal reviewers will pre-approve images based on the entry criteria which will be shared to the voting public to select 100 images. From these, the judging panel will select top three images which will be announced on November

All Eyes on EDOFEST 2018 Yinka Olatunbosun

Culture buffs will arrive in droves at Benin City in December when the six-day Edo State Festival of arts, culture and tourism, EDOFEST begins. From December 17 to 22, the state, with its rich cultural heritage, will host youths at home and in the diaspora with activities revolving around this editionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harnessing Arts and Culture.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; As a global cultural brand, the Benin Kingdom boasts of the most coveted artifacts in history, representing the earliest civilisations in Africa. Against this backdrop, a special photo exhibition and carnival parade of all the stolen original arts from Benin, currently held in different locations in the Europe will be showcased on the opening day.

The photographs were taken by a foreign journalist in Germany. This was revealed during a media briefing in Lagos with the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to show the world that we know where these arts and artefacts are,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the commissioner said.

The commissioner who chairs the 19-man committee for EDOFEST said it was inaugurated by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to ensure a hitch-free festival.

According to him, fun seekers will savour the taste of good music alongside cultural dances drawn from various tribal groups.

Expectedly, DJs will spin the wheels of steel in addition to the live performances.

The second day of the festival will feature dramatic performances while the third day of the festival will be set aside for the festival lecture and masterclasses on the history of Edo State. On the fourth day, foodies will

have their fill during the food exhibition taking place simultaneously with the fashion show that involves 18 local governments.

The food festival is expected to amplify the rich diversity in the Edo cuisine and culinary skills. Awards ceremony and gala night mark the fifth day while the next day dubbed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Diaspora Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; will feature a Mega Concert which brings the festival to a close. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am happy with the attention that it

is getting. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have this last year. It shows that it is going to be greater and bigger. We already have a sponsorship brochure for the event,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the commissioner remarked as he cited the value-chain inherent in this annual festival that draws hundreds of thousands to the multi-venue event.

It is expected that every commercial vehicle enroute Benin City will be branded EDOFEST, in the spirit of a rousing festival.

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FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Ă?Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë? lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

INFERTILITY AS A CAUSE OF BROKEN HOMES (Part 2) SHOULD INFERTILITY BE A CAUSE OF BROKEN HOME? he answer is NO! It is however unfortunate to note that infertility has been ranked as one of the major causes of broken homes.

The main challenge that a couple struggling with infertility face is external stressfrom family and friends as well as the society. Most couple gets worked up and worried about what people would say or think about them. The anxiety created by this feeling on its own hinders pregnancy.

Most couple trying for baby in a bid to ensure timed intercourse during ovulation may end up limiting sex to mean a baby seeking exercise and thus lose the fun of sex.

You may forget that sex is much more than for making babies. This can seriously impact your sex life and may result in decreased sexual desire, performance anxiety or erectile dysfunction Some couple goes through denial, refusing to accept their doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnosis and treatment options proffered. This outright refusal to comply with the doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendation may be backed by religious belief or faith. Some couple also has the wrong perception that infertility was meant for certain group of people whom they perceive as having poor moral, unfortunately there are so many factor that may affect fertility and one of them is genetics. Some individual are more fertile than others due to their own body make-up, lots of innocent young ladies have got polycystic ovaries which makes them seldom ovulate, it is genetic and not their fault , same goes to women with endometriosis. Some individual may require just mild medical intervention to assist them conceive naturally. This may just be fertility education like ovulation calculation and not necessarily advanced technologies like IVF. Applying the right perspective to infertility is very important as it provides the compass to its resolution.

Infertility is one among many challenges

T

of life. Every challenge can be resolved by following due proven process. There are various ways of resolving infertility, hence couple attempting pregnancy should learn towork with their Fertility Expert through each step of the way. Infertility should not be a female affairbecause we require both the sperm and egg to form the embryo. Just like the adage that says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;it takes two to tangleâ&#x20AC;? couples trying for babies should be seen together as this facilitates their management.

Early evaluation of couple to identify underlining reasons why pregnancy is not achieved is essential,knowing fertility declines with age. Most of the couple who delay medical intervention towards their fertility earlier in life often ends up attempting more advanced expensive fertility treatment at later age when their fertility has drastically reduced. The success rate of virtually all fertility treatment decreases with increasing age, hence patient may experience repeated implantation failure and this

involves huge financial burden thus creating more frustration.

Studies have shown that women undergoing infertility treatment are more emotionally stable when they have the support of their spouse than when they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. It has been reported that hormonal levels in overly anxious/depressed/sad/frustrated people fluctuate greatly. In Depression/anxiety there is elevation of Hormones like Cortisol and Adrenaline which have negative impact on the reproductive system.

While infertility may often lead to broken home or polygamy, this approach is often not the best route to infertility resolution as it often in some cases tend to create more harm than good.

Recommendations for couples battling fertility Challenges: r 0ODF B XPNBO JT ZFBST BOE BCPWF TIF should seek the help of a FertilitySpecialist/Gynaecologist immediately shestarts attempting pregnancy

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

C

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

When Government Calls for Trouble

Countless of unfulfilled promises have made successive governments in Nigeria seriously unbelievable and undependable in the eyes of the public.

But contrary to conventional wisdom, the unfavourable perception seems not compelling enough to dissuade government and its officials from making sweeping statements and offering bewildering pledges.

1FSIBQT UIF GSBOUJD QVCMJD PVUSBHF UIBU greeted the recent call to Nigerians in Diaspora to return home by Ms Abike Dabiri, the TFOJPS TQFDJBM BEWJTFS UP 1SFTJEFOU #VIBSJ on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, could be the beginning of practical wisdom and its application.

Certainly, Abike couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have imagined that her statement which, no doubt, is a patriotic call, would attract such backlash from Nigerians.

The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adviser had at the Nigeria Health Watch conference called on Nigerians healthcare professionals in diaspora to come back to help strengthen Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are relying on Nigerian healthcare givers that have gained landmark in other countries to come back home and strengthen our healthcare system,â&#x20AC;? she said.

But this, quite understandably, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go down well with many Nigerians especially those on social media platforms who, in reaction, rose to angrily ventilate and lambast the Nigerian government and its representative. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Insensitive lot. Now they are calling on Nigerian doctors and health givers who reside in different countries to return to help them fix the problems that were evidently

Dabiri

caused by bad leadership and greedy government officials. They make careless calls and promises without any consideration for sensibilities and reasoning. The bitter truth is no reasonable Nigerian health giver abroad will return home without ensuring thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adequate provision for their welfare, working environment and supporting personnelâ&#x20AC;?, Fola Adigun, a Nigerian living in Australia posted on Facebook.

Also reacting to the call, Florence Okoro, a Nigerian nurse in the UK said the Nigerian government needs to empower and support many talented health practitioners at home before calling for those abroad.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead of the government to increase efforts to provide necessary incen-

r $PVQMFT XIP UIPVHI ZPVOHFS CVU IBWF been having regular, unprotected sex for up to a year without conception should seek medical help r $PVQMF USZJOH UP DPODFJWF TIPVME FOTVSF they enjoy regular, unprotected sex, several timesevery week especially around ovulation r .FO BOE XPNFO XIP BMSFBEZ IBWF been diagnosis of reproductive abnormalities, must learn to work with time as increasing age does not favor fertility. r 8PNFO XIP BSF PWFSXFJHIU BOE IBWF irregular ovulations will increase their chance of conception by losing some weight.

Weight loss should be achieved by healthy diet and exercises. r &BU SJHIU GPS GFSUJMJUZ BOE BMTP BEE VTF PG prenatal multivitamins and minerals at least NPOUIT CFGPSF BUUFNQUJOH DPODFQUJPO r -JGFTUZMF NPEJĂ DBUJPO UIBU FYDMVEFT smoking and alcohol consumption will better enhance fertility r .FO BOE XPNFO XIP KPJO GFSUJMJUZ support group are better able to cope than those who do not. r 1SFHOBODZ SBUF JT IJHIFS JO ZPVOHFS women as compared to older women even for advanced expensive medical interventions as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) using own eggs r "TTJTUFE 3FQSPEVDUJWF 5FDIOPMPHZ provides the opportunity for couple to become parents irrespective of age and cause of infertility -JGF JT B SIZUIN POMZ UIF XJTF XJMM DIPPTF to dance to the melody, do not let infertility overwhelm you, learn to enjoy this special gift called today. *U IBT CFFO FTUJNBUFE UIBU NJMMJPO couples experience fertility problem globally. While some researchers have observed that Infertility constitutes a major burden on Clinical service delivery in Nigeria, being more than 50% of gynecological caseloads and constituting over 80% of laparoscopic investigations.

tives and get the doctors, nurses and other health workers in Nigeria seriously motivated, they are bothering on those abroad as if the government was sleeping when many of these competent hands were leaving the country out of frustration and hardship.

The government needs to wake up to the fact that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new wave of exodus of professional Nigerians with a lot of health givers in the mix. And this unfortunate development will not only further damage Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health system, but also terribly impact badly on other critical sectors of the economyâ&#x20AC;?.

Frankly, this is the wake-up call the Nigerian government needs to yield to.

One can however only hope it responds positively this time.

The Travails of Omotoso

A

famous South Africa-based Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, has been in the news across the world for some very wrong reasons.

5IF ZFBS PME DMFSHZNBO JT TUBOEing trial on allegations ranging from human trafficking to sexual assault and rape.

5IF SBQF DBTF XIJDI JOWPMWFT year -old Cheryl Zondi, has gripped the attention of South Africans, and human rights activists beyond the country, far more than the other charges levelled against the clergyman.

Meanwhile, a new dimension has popped up in the midst of the well publicised trial in a country, where Nigerians have complained of unprovoked attacks from South African citizens.

Following the shocking revelations at Omotosoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trial, some concerned Africans have written a petition to their government calling for the ban of foreigner-run prophetic churches in their country.

They said they were worried about Zondis ordeal and demanded that the South African government take a stand and protect its citizens from being exploited by foreign prophets.

They also claimed these prophets often found easy targets in South Africa.

As it stands, one can only wait with bated breath to see how the turn of events in this trial rubs off on Nigeria, arguably the biggest exporter of religion on the African continent.

F R I DAY Ëž Í°Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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COLLAGE EVENTS Flytime Music Festival Holds December

The newly wedded couple, Mr. and Mrs. Tolu Obamoyegun ďŹ&#x201A;anked by the parents of the groom, Mr. and Mrs. Obamoyegun during their traditional marriage held at T.K.O. Multipurpose Hall, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos... recently

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost concert organiser m, Flytime Promotions has announced a three-day line-up of electrifying shows- Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged, RBRM featuring Bobby Brown, Bel Biv Devoe and Olamide live, under the grand Flytime Music Festival.

These events will host the largest number of music lovers on the continent from December 21 to 23. Sponsored by Pepsi and Baba Ijebu, Pepsi Rhythm Unplugged will kick off day one of the festival.

Flytime Promotions is set to announce performances from A-List Nigerian artists, who will be bringing the best of energy and good vibes to give the concertgoers the time of their lives, as they wrap up an exciting year.

The second day of the festival will feature international artists; legendary Grammy Award winner, Bobby Brown and Bel Biv Devoe, who will perform their biggest hits, taking guests down memory lane with award winning tracks like â&#x20AC;&#x153;If It Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t loveâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Candy Girlâ&#x20AC;? and many more. Following their recently concluding tour, they are set to hit the stage at the Eko Convention Center this December for an exclusive and explosive show.

Speaking on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s triple treat delight, Flytime Talent Management Head, Sasha Alabi, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flytime has built a formidable brand that has been consistent in catering to the entertainment needs of Nigerian concertgoers for over a decade. This year, we plan to bring a heightened feeling of what our fans are used to; leaving them with an unforgettable triple, treat experience.â&#x20AC;?

Day three of the festival will close out with a bang, showcasing the one and only OLAMIDE LIVE! The YBNL boss and â&#x20AC;&#x153;King of the Streetsâ&#x20AC;? will be hitting the stage alongside some of the music industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorites and his renowned YBNL army.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Woâ&#x20AC;? crooner promises to deliver a top notch show that guarantees to keep the crowd lit all night long!

The annual culture of Rhythm Unplugged never fails to surprise fans and last year, fans received the ultimate surprise, witnessing the union of two of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prominent music stars, Davido and Wizkid live on stage.

International LISTTour Africa Conference Begins November

L-R: Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo; Brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, Mrs. Edna Obaze; newly wedded couple, Mr. and Mrs Goriola Iyesogie Oladapo; Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother/Director of Press and Publication, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Toro Oladapo and the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, Mr. Sam Obaze, during the holy matrimony reception ceremony, in Lagos.......recently

The global Lessons in Success Training (LIST) Tour team has announced its line-up of keynote speakers for the 2018 International LIST Tour which will be holding on November 16 and 17 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The conference will be taking place at the Raddison Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. All entrepreneurs and business managers are encouraged to apply for this event; early bird ends October 20, 2018.

The conference will bring together leading international experienced and skilled instructors who will provide professional insights and hands-on trainings in the areas of Business Strategy, Sales and Marketing. The conference will host seven distinguished instructors who possess finesse in their craft as business leaders and policymakers.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speakers include LaTonya Washington CEO of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Customer Cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and founder of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The International List Tour for Entrepreneurs; Dr. Calvin Bonds, Co-founder Burgeon Consulting where he serves as a global leadership training coach; Constance Moonzwe, CEO ITH Staffing Inc, a $10 million Staffing Company; Dr. Monica Wilson, Professor at NU and Behavioral Health Commissioner, T.J Walker, Creative Director & Chief Creative officer of Notable clothing Companies, Ms Queenie Johnson, Founder MamaBeBrilliant and Celebrity Education Consultant, and Dr Akindotun Akinyemi Merino, CEO Jars Education & Psychological Firm.

Rev. Gabriel Okugo for Burial November 9

L-R; Acting Divisional Head, Trading Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Femi Onifade; Managing Director Meristem Stockbrokers Limited, Saheed Bashir and Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, during the presentation of Digital Broker of the Year Award to Meristem Stockbrokers Limited at the NSE Market Data Workshop 2018 in Lagos...recently

L-R: Quantity Surveyor, Akin Odutola; Director, V-logic Forward and Clearing Ltd, Jack Iosso; Celebrant/President, Female Future Initiative, Modupe Adepitan; Mrs Bolanle Oloko, Idowu Omopariola and Mrs Oredunni Omopariola, during the 40th birthday ETOP UKUTT celebration of Modupe Adepitan fundraising gala for Female Future Initiative Foundation, in Lagos.... recently

The funeral service of late Rev. Gabriel Okugo(JP) would take place Friday, November 9, 2018 at St. Phillipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anglican Cathedral Ahaba, Oloko, Ikwuano Diocese, Abia State.

Canon Okugo was ordained a deacon/ priest in 1985/86 respectively and he was also a disciplined teacher. Having learnt and acquired the necessary expertise, the Anglican Communion jump-started his teaching career in the late 1940s and Okugo never looked back.

His teaching experiences in primary/secondary schools traversed Nsukka, Ibagwa,Eha-Alumuna and Agbani in Enugu State, Onicha Ugbo,Onicha Ulona,Igboakri, Akpanya, Gboji-Gbojiin Delta, Benue and Kogi States;Ohuhu-Nsulu, Ntigha, Oloko, Umudike and AzuiyiOloko Secondary School in Abia State before his meritorious retirement in 1983. His ecclesiastical voyages took him to Umuodechi, St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Akoli, Aba, Christ Church Akwaete, Ukwa, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Umuagbai and St.Thomas Ekeakpara, where he meritoriously retired in 2002. (All in old Aba Diocese).

On July 31, 2018 at about 10:30 am, Okugo embarked on a journey to meet his creator with a beautiful smile on his face. He lived a fulfilled life to the ripe old age of 93.

Okugo.

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POTPOURRI

UNICEF Partners YBR as Advocates of Positive Change

Ooni of Ife

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Mary Nnah

Mary Nnah The United Nations Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Lagos-based marketing communications agency Yellow Brick Road (YBR), is launching a campaign to mobilise Nigerian millennials as a force for positive change in the country.

The Every Child in School campaign, which coincides with the run up to the 2019 elections, encourages millennials to become advocates for poor children by calling on the government to commit more money to primary education in the 2019 budget.

Research reveals that more than 10 million primary school age children in Nigeria do not attend school. That number makes Nigeria number one in sub-Saharan Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the world - for the number of outof-school children.

The vast majority of these

children are out of school because their families cannot afford to send them to school. Although the Nigerian government passed the Universal Basic Education Act in 2004, under-investment and uneven implementation have left millions of children without access to adequate primary education.

Director of Strategy for YBR, Nnenna Onyewuchi, said this was an issue of vital importance as children who do not receive basic primary education have limited opportunities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For children with innate talents, a lack of education can close the door to fulfilling their potential. How can you become an award-winning writer if you never learn your ABCs? â&#x20AC;&#x153;How can you build the next great technological innovation if you never learn basic mathematics? When millions of children miss out on a basic education, an almost unimaginable amount of

potential is wasted,â&#x20AC;? she noted further.

UNICEF believes that, if properly empowered, millennials can be a powerful voice to induce the government to invest more in primary education - giving all Nigerian children the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Hence, YBR and UNICEF have developed a campaign that will not only educate and inform, it will also provide millennials with tools and resources to become effective advocates for children living in poverty.

The campaign development began in May 2017, with an extensive research project covering Lagos and Abuja.

The research included a large quantitative study, focus groups and in-depth interviews.

Respondents included millennials, policymakers, civil society organisations and the media.

The research provided the agency with rich insights into

millennialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perceptions and attitudes to the government, issues of child equity and their own role in society.

It also yielded important information about the most effective ways to reach and positively influence the government.

The solid grounding enabled YBR to develop a multi-pronged, multi-channel campaign that includes both traditional and non-traditional elements.

Eva Hinds, Communication Specialist with UNICEF in Nigeria said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to be working with YBR, who have proven to be a very worthy communications partner on a project that has spanned many disciplines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from research to strategy to campaign development and then deployment.

We are confident that the campaign will serve as an opportunity for millennials and Nigerians of other generations who care to effect change in their

Gani Adams Charges Govt., Private Sector on Support for Cultural Events

Ayodeji Ake

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged government and the private sector to support cultural events and festival, noting that it will develop indigenous involvement of Nigerians.

Adams noted that it was sad that government has been reluctant in sponsoring cultural events and festivals, adding that all the cultural activities, including festivals are being funded by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). He said his new status has helped the various organisations under his leadership Speaking recently in Lagos during the Yoruba Quiz Competition organised as part of activities for the ongoing Olokun Festival, he said the event was designed to educate the pupils and the guests for them to be proficient in Yoruba language. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anybody that loses his or her language and tradition is in bondage and it is dangerous for the future. We have done a lot of injustice to the Yoruba Language, and that has affected us seriously, particularly, in the way we relate with the rest of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am always worried by the way we handle the language,

Gani Adams

however, we need to encourage the use of Yoruba Language in our homes and the schools, especially, from the primary, secondary and to the tertiary institutions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can easily catch them young. I am a living witness to the struggle involving cultural evangelism. The glory we are celebrating today is the gain of what we did more than 15 years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Apart from Osun Osogbo festival and Eyo, Olokun Festival remains the most celebrated festival in the country.

The just concluded Twins Festival in Igbo Ora, Oyo state, where

about 2000 twins were celebrated was a good development which must be encouraged,â&#x20AC;? he said.

About 21 secondary schools participated in this year Yoruba Quiz competition that saw Ilupeju Junior secondary school emerge the winner. Other participants include, Isolo Junior Secondary School, Ojota, Mushin, Atunrase,Army Children school, AUD Junior secondary School, Ikeja Junior College, Unity Junior High School, Gbagada Girls High School, and several others.

In her remarks, Chairman of the Akomolede Yoruba in

Lagos State, Mrs. Zainab Olaitan, expressed appreciation to Olokun Festival Foundation for efforts made to change the wrong perception people have about the Yoruba Language.

Deputy Director, education District six ,Lagos Ministry of Education, Mr. Legbeti Paul, said the state government is doing everything to promote indigenous languages, adding that platforms like these will complement government efforts in making Yoruba Language a globally acceptable language in the world.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has commended leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, for its sponsorship of Olojo Festival.

Speaking when the Airtel team paid him a courtesy visit, Ogunwusi said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On behalf of the entire Omoluwabi race, we appreciate Airtel and we know that they will do better next year. We are enjoying their telecommunications service and we will continue to partner with them. We appreciate the company and their entire staff for their support.â&#x20AC;?

In his response, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, who was represented by the Regional Operations Director for South Region, Femi Oshinlaja, said the company is passionate about culture as well as connecting and empowering Nigerians.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Airtel, we are committed to connecting and empowering people. We are also passionate about our cultural heritage. It is for these reasons that we embraced the opportunity to join you in hosting the Olojo Festival. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that culture can play a significant role if we must be successful as a nation. We admire your influential role as custodian of the Yoruba culture and we encourage you to continue to blaze the trail as far as cultural renaissance is concerned.â&#x20AC;?

The Olojo Festival is a culture festival in the calendar of the Ile-Ife, Osun State. It is the celebration of the remembrance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ogunâ&#x20AC;?, god of Iron, who is believed to be the first son of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba people.

The festival is held annually and this year, it held from Tuesday, September 18 to Monday, October 1, 2018.

Ë&#x203A; Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă? ͚͝ Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Vanessa Obioha The United States Mission in Nigeria has renewed its support for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burgeoning community of creative writers and artists with its participation at the 2018 Ake Arts and Book Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an annual event which showcases the best of contemporary African literature, poetry, music, art, film, and theatre.

In its sixth year, the Festival with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fantastical Futuresâ&#x20AC;? was held October 25-28 and witnessed 13 writers from the United States.The American authors included Elizabeth Bird, Professor of Anthropology at the University of South Florida; Mona Eltahawy, New York-based columnist and international public speaker; Nnedi Okorafor, award-winning novelist and professor at the University of Buffalo; and Tochi Onyebuchi, author of the widely-acclaimed fantasy â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Beasts Made of Night.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; There was also a riveting performance by visiting U.S. Arts Envoy Wanjiru Kamuyu who performed a dance, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Portrait in Redâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, for the Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests.

Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the Festival, the Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Mr. Russell Brooks, expressed admiration for the creative abilities of Nigerians across various forms of human endeavor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One key ingredient that assures a fantastic future in Nigeria is the depth of creativity found here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in all fields, whether Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m meeting an entrepreneur or an artist, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m always impressed by how Nigerians work tirelessly to solve problems, to develop solutions, and to generate prosperity. Nigerians definitely make things happen and they do so with ingenuity and resourcefulness. That creative quality is sure to generate a fantastic future.â&#x20AC;?

Also in attendance was the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo along with several diplomats and a broad range of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative community. The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, in Abuja and Lagos, supports programs that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with

37

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ENTREPRENEUR

Tayo Orekoya: Pearl Awards was Birthed to Celebrate Excellence Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;ĂŁĂ&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2022; âĂ?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;ĘľĂ?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17D; ËŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2018;Ă?ËŞË&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;ĂŁĂ&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?âĂ&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D; Mary Nnah ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?

Tayo Orekoya

A

s winners on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are once again set to be celebrated, come November 25 at the Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island Lagos, what the President of Pearl Awards, Tayo Orekoya is looking forward to is a celebration of excellence rewarding quoted companies that have been able to hold their own in spite of the challenges in the economy.

Riding on the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sustaining the winning edgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for this year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awards, which is to underscore the fact that the market has gone through challenging times, Orekoya noted however that regardless of this, there were companies that have performed outstandingly and therefore should be recognised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to rewarding excellence in the capital market and hosting of Captains of industry once again on November 25. It will be a time for networking, as they unwind and savour the joy of excellent performanceâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

Recalling that last year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event was particularly outstanding, he said this year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pearl Awards was going to be unique. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been 23 years since Pearl Awards started in 1995 and every year has always had its uniqueness. The interesting thing about the awards is usually its element of surprise. The awards itself is based on verifiable indices, facts and figures, so apart from the entertainment aspect of it, which as usual will remain outstanding, there indeed will be an element of surprise. But for now, I will keep it under wraps.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event was particularly outstanding. We had a revered statesman and former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) as the chairman of that event and we also had the then President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede who was the special guest of honour, and of course the Chief Executive of the stock exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyeama, who was also physically present. The major feature of last year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award was historic sweeping of five awards by one company and that is United Capital Plc including the CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award which was won by its then managing director

It has been 23 years since Pearl Awards started in 1995 and every year has always had its uniqueness.

The interesting thing about the awards is usually its element of surprise. The awards itself is based on veriďŹ able indices, facts and ďŹ gures

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni and the first time in history that it was won by a female CEOâ&#x20AC;?, Orekoya recalled.

Expectations For this year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award, which will hold in November, recognitions, honours and awards will be in three main categories main competitive category, honorary awards category and special recognition awards category.

According to Orekoya, the main category is determined using nine performance indices turnover growth, return on equity, earnings yield, share price appreciation, dividend cover, dividend yield, net asset ratio, dividend growth and profit margin ratio, while the sectoral leadership awards reward companies for outperforming other companies within the same sector based on aggregate points garnered from all the nine indices utilised for ranking.

Orekoya added that the nominees for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Issuing House of the Year â&#x20AC;&#x2122; award would be announced to the public in due course, adding that as usual, the awards will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the regulatory authorities towards returning the market to the desired path of sustainable growth and market development.

Injecting Freshness Recently in September this year, the award group reconstituted its board.

According to Orekoya, the reconstitution of the board was necessary to inject freshness and newness of ideas into the awards project in line with global best practices.

President, Association for Advancement of Right of Nigerian Sharehold-

ers, Dr Faruk Umar, emerged the new chairman of its Board of Governors, while Ambassador Shehu Malami, a respected statesman and corporate titan, was appointed as its patron.

The other members of the reconstituted board, which comprises professionals, corporate and capital market experts, include past Director-General and past Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr Suleyman Ndanusa; a former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; the immediate past President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Nike Akande; the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Proshare Nigeria Limited, Mr Olufemi Awoyemi; the Founder/CEO, Lead Advisory Group, Prince Abimbola Olashore, and the CEO, Emerging Africa Capital Group, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni.

Other members are former DG, SEC, Mr Wole Adetunji; the Chief Consultant, Biodun Adedipe & Associates, Dr Biodun Adedipe; a former President, Institute of Directors, Chief Eniola Fadayomi; a former President, Institute of Capital Market Registrars, Mrs Lola Oyebadejo; the President/ CEO, PEARL Awards Nigeria, Mr Tayo Orekoya, and the Board Secretary, Mr Lekan Adekoya.

Therefore, as the awards date draws near, Orekoya said the organisation is indeed poised and ready to recognise and reward companies who, in spite of the challenges in their operating environment, had continued on the winning edge, outperforming others and emerging leaders. These, he said, were deserving of honour in the capital market.

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METRO

â&#x20AC;ŚYour city life in print

A Life-long Passion for Philanthropy Rebecca Ejifoma writes that for Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, her passion for philanthropy continues to shine through as was evidenced by her recent two-week tour of 17 orphanages, less privileged and special need homes

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or Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, philanthropy has been a life-long passion. Therefore, in a bid to channel her philanthropic gestures the right way, her foundation- The Dr. Yomi O-Sholoye Foundation was borne. At a time when so many wealthy Nigerians are splashing their wealths on what many would term as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mundaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trivialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Sholoye stands out by daring to be different in making the well-being of the downtrodden in the society her priority. When it comes to philanthropy, her goal is to change the narrative with her determination to put a smile on the faces of the less-privileged in the society through her foundation.

For more than two weeks now, the renowned philanthropist through her foundation, went round to several lessprivileged homes, orphanages and special need homes and schools bearing gifts and making donations running into several millions of Naira.

Motivation Given the financial expenditure made towards making the visits a success, one might wonder if the donations were to mark her birthday as she was asked in one of the homes she visited. Her answer was in the negative.

According to the soft-spoken business mogul, she is driven by the passion to leave this world a far better place than she met it and also fulfil a pact she made with God to give back to the society if she is so blessed.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The main motivation, first of all, is passion. I have a passion for the youth, for the well-being of the less privileged, the children and the young ones who are said to be the future of this country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, we do not have a choice but to take care of them. Moreover, I have almost been in a similar situation, sometime in my life when I was a young girl, I almost became helpless, my immediate family had some issues and I knew how it felt.

We suddenly went from a family that had all we needed to one who does not have anything.

It was just with the help of some people that we managed to scrape through the difficult situation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that point in time, I made a vow that if we become wealthy again in the future, I will always look for ways to help the less privileged because I know that they need that help, they need that love. I have been in that position and I know how it felt. So, I just wanted to reach out to them, to let them know that we really love them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To assure them that I am interested in their well-being, upbringing and advancement and that we will always come around to visit them to show them that some of us still love them and care for them.â&#x20AC;?

Largesse It was this passion that prompted her to organise visits to about 17 Motherless Babiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Homes, orphanages, less privileged homes and special need homes, where she doled out gift items in and around Lagos i the last two weeks.

She donated food items, instructional materials, personal effects and cash as she went by. One of such visits took her to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children at Surulere.

During the visit she doled out with different gift items like bags of rice, cartons of noodles, groundnut oil, beverages, toiletries, deodorants and so forth. Not only did she bring gifts to the children, she met the children and interacted with them, where she sang and danced with them, all with the aim of lifting their spirits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are like any one of us, so they need that love and we need to show them that we love them, we need to lift up their spirit and emotions by coming around and playing with them, providing their needs and generally playing with them. When it is also the end of the year, we will party with them, so that they may know that they are not lonely and alone in the society,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Gratitude Expressing the gratitude of the school, the Principal, Sister Jane Onyeneri, said it was a great thing that Dr. Yomi-Sholoye and the

going to work together. So, thank you so much for your kindnessâ&#x20AC;?, she enthused.

Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, with some of the students of the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children

L-R: Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye; the principal of the school, Sister Jane Onyeneri and 19- year-old Lucky Njoku, the beneďŹ ciary of the scholarship to University of Lagos

Some of the largesse given to Heritage Homes in Lagos

foundation came to visit the children with the gifts and food items. She also used the opportunity to solicit the assistance of the foundation in solving the water problem that has bedeviled the school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are so happy to receive Dr. O-Sholoye here today and to see all the great gifts that she brought for the children, I sincerely thank her. I showed her our tank that needed a replacement and she has promised to replace it right away. I am speechless and so grateful and excited that God has brought her today to our midst. We are also praying that God will continue to bless the good work that she is doing,â&#x20AC;? she prayed.

Scholarship Through Yomi-Sholoye, fortune also smiled on a 19- year-old Lucky Njoku, who helps around the school.

The Mbaise, Imo State-born Njoku who was reportedly picked up from the streets by Sis. Onyeneri and brought to the school had finished his secondary school education but could not go further due to lack of funds. While bringing up his issue before Yomi- Sholoye, the principal sought assistance for the young man, a request that was granted on the spot. She granted the young man who wants to study Bio-Chemistry at the University of Lagos, Akoka, full scholarship. The fortunate young man was beside himself with joy.

Sis Onyeneri also acknowledged the passion of Yomi-Sholoye as she promised to do whatever she could to partner the foundation, while praying for Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protection on her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to be partners because both of us are doing the same job and we are passionate about what we are doing, so, we are

Testimonial On her part, Yomi-Sholoye expressed her gratitude to the management of the school for taking good care of the children and providing the children with a very conducive living environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to be a partner with the school. The managers of the school have shown love, genuine love and care for the children, the way the school has taken care of the children is heart-warming, the knowledge base of the children, their learning enhancement models are so interesting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The children are so happy and lively, I am so excited, the environment here is very clean. The children had read, sang and prayed and it gladdens my heart as they seem to be grounded in the word of God. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our foundation is based on the word of God as well, so to see thechildren this grounded in the word of God, reading, citing bible verses is fantastic. We cannot but see how to partner thisschool and increase the knowledge base of the children in our own little way and support the school. We are excited, we love what we see, we love the children, so we will be coming intermittently to ensure that we address the needs of the children.â&#x20AC;?

Heritage Homes On her final lap in the series of the visits, Yomi-Sholoye was also at the Heritage Homes located at Anthony area of the Lagos metropolis, where she also donated similar gift items to the home.She also reiterated that it was not going to be a one-off donation, buta continuous exercise which she promised would go beyond just donating things, but taking care of big projects that any of the homes might have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to assure you that this visit is not going to be a one-offthing, it is going to be periodic.â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a matter of fact, we are going beyond just donations and visit, we just issued a scholarship to a young man at the Pacelli School of theBlind and Partially Sighted Children, we are also interested in the facilities at the homes we have visited, we understand that they need a new water tank at Pacelli and we have made a promise to do that for them,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Empowerment Speaking on her foundation and what it aims to achieve,Yomi-Sholoye said it is is geared towards youth empowerment.About five weeks ago, the foundation had hosted about 7, 000 youths at 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos where she urged them to re-dedicate their lives to serving God and humanity. About 250 of those youths are currently undergoing apprenticeship vocational training skills in the metropolis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our foundation is solely dedicated to youth empowerment, povertyalleviation, and eradication. One of the major projects we are currently executing is the empowerment of 5000 youths, which was unveiled at the 10 Degrees Event Center, Oregun on September 22, 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The beneficiaries of the first batch of this youth empowerment programme, numbering about 240 young men and women, just commenced their three months of training where they will be taught vocations, life-skills, and sales/business skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When they complete their training in three monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time, there areoptions where we can help them get placements in the various vocationsthey have studied, and for those who are interested in setting upbusinesses, we will assist them with funds to start up. We also have other leadership training like the employability training which will come up between October 30-31, 2018. We will train young graduates on how to be employableâ&#x20AC;? she concluded.

Although the visits to Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children and Heritage Homes wrapped up a two-week visit and donation campaign to several orphanages and Homes in Lagos state by the foundation, she however admonished other well-to-do Nigerians to inculcate the habit of giving back to the society.

THISDAYt FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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LIFE

Excitement as Amorka Community Celebrates New Yam Festival 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

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xcitement reigned supreme inAmorka town, a border community betwern Anambra and Imo States, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons and daughters gathered to celebrate their annual New Yam Festival.

The traditional ruler of the community Igwe K.O Obiriolemgbe, who was accompanied by prominent traditional rulers from Anambra State to his palace to kickstart the event, wore a long sparkling gold attire, while his cabinet members wore bright red clothes.

Top government functionaries, political gladiators, indigenes of the community, friends and well wishers attended the event. Some of the traditional rulers at the event were Igwe of Nnewi, HRH Igwe Keneth Orizu; Chairman Anambra South Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Dr Dan Udoji of Oraifite; Igwe of Isekke, HRH Emmanuel Nnabuife and Igwe Benneth Emeka of Umueri.

Others at new yam festival of Igwe Obiriolemgbe, who is also the Deputy Chairman Anambra South Traditional Rulers Council and the Chairman Ihiala Traditional Rulers Council were member,

Traditional rulers at the New Yam Festival

Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Udemadu; Chairman Ihiala Local Government Area, Chief Ifeanyi Odimegwu; All Progressives GrandAlliance House of Representatives candidate in 2015, Chudy Ifeanyi Momah and CEO Krisdozzy Nig Limited, Christian Ogbue, among others. The

New Yam Festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated by the Amorka people at the end of the rainy season. The celebration is popularly known as Iwa ji festival and is also celebrated in other West Africa countries and beyond.

At the beginning of the festival, the yams are

offered to the gods and ancestors first, before distributing the yams to the people. The ritual is performed either by the king of the community or by the oldest man in the community.

This celebration is an important event in the calendar of Igbopeople all over the world, as the festival is an epitome of the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s religious belief.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Yam festival was no different as it was a highly captivating event. Prior to the event, the monarch in a statement made available to journalists had disclosed that the people ofAnambra South would witness another exciting moment as Amorka Town celebrates its New Yam Festival.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iri-ji is an annual event that we observe to promote the culture and tradition of the igbos. It brings us together as a community to celebrate and also brainstorm on way forward of our community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the Deputy Chairman Anambra South Traditional Rulers Council and the Chairman Ihiala Traditional Rulers Council, I extended the New Yam Festival invitation to sons and daughters of Amorka, indigenes of Ihiala LGA and Anambra South, friends and well wishers in Anambra and beyond and it was honoured.â&#x20AC;?

TRIBUTE

Remembering an Uncommonly Good Father: Jacob Adeniyi Olusunle Tunde Olusunle

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e would have been 80 on Friday November 2, 2018. We his children were already planning a simple, albeit symbolic commemoration to coincide with that date. He lived a strikingly simple, peculiarly modest and exemplary Christian life and the envisioned event was to reflect these attributes which he worked hard to impact in his offsprings, wards and mentees.

The plan was to work in conjunction with his church, organise a thanksgiving service in his house in his honour that November 2, 2018 and have as many of his children, grandchildren, relatives and family friends who could make it from their respective abodes at home and abroad, to be in attendance, energizing and electrifying the environment with that kind of noise and buzz, which gratifies the aged.

Man had his mortal programme, the Almighty Creator had His divine designs.

Saturday August 25, 2018, less than three months to that milestone, however, Jacob Adeniyi Olusunle, an ordained Pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, and my beloved father, breathed his last. That ended the life, career and times of an uncommonly good, distinctly inimitable and exemplary personality. Happily, he did so in the presence of his loved ones who had been with him and by him in the months and weeks preceding his eventual demise.

Entrepreneur, farmer, clergyman and community leader, Olusunle was the last in the family of five children, born November 2, 1938, by Daniel Arowosegbe and Maria Igunnu Olusunle.

Before him were two brothers and two sisters: Moses, Elizabeth, Michael and Janet, in that order.

His father who was also a Pastor of the CAC and one of the progenitors of Christian evangelism in modern day Okunland in Kogi State, hailed from Isanlu, Yagba East local government area of Kogi State.

He began his elementary education at the Anglican Primary School, Ijowa, Isanlu in 1945, continued at the Anglican Primary School, Mopo, Isanlu and completed that phase of his education at the Baptist Primary School, Zaria, in present day Kaduna State in 1952. The itinerant character of his early education was understandable since his parents were practicing clergy who moved frequently from one community to another, in the course of missionary work.

In January 1955, Pastor Olusunle obtained a scholarship into the Government Trade Centre, GTC, Bukuru (an institution that has since been rechristened Government Technical College), in present day Plateau State for his secondary school education, completing his studies in December 1959.

He led his class convincingly and had a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;First Classâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; endorsement on his certificate. His teachers and instructors regarded him highly as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a well

Olusunle

rounded studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, given his active pursuit of spirituality as leader of the Christian Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association at GTC, Bukuru; his abiding interest in sports as Vice Captain of the table tennis club and his dogged commitment to his academic pursuit.

Between 1959 and 1963, he worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Works of the erstwhile Northern Region in Kaduna, as a Technical Assistant (Hydrological). He was soon head-hunted by the former Northern Nigeria Spinning Company, abbreviated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Norspinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as Trainee Supervisor, from 1963 to 1966.

With the establishment of its presence in Northern Nigeria to boost agro-care, the primordial Pfizer (now Neimeth) Livestock Feeds Ltd, appointed Olusunle its Mill Supervisor in 1966. By dint of hard work, exemplary carriage, sterling discipline and commitment to duty, he was promoted substantive Mill Manager in 1970, after the Nigerian civil war which he witnessed substantially from his vantage domicile in Kaduna.

Side by side with his secular engagements, Olusunle took his spiritual development very seriously. His deep involvement in church work was recognised with his ordination as an Elder of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Kaduna, in 1968, when he was just 30 years of age.

His elevation as Mill Manager of Livestock Feeds Ltd, Kaduna was followed by his redeployment to Aba, in contemporary Abia State, at the heartland of the former East Central State, in the second quarter of 1972, Livestock Feeds Ltd made a foray into the heart of the primordial Midwestern State, establishing an ultra-modern feed mill in Benin City, in present day Edo State.

From its crop of young and dynamic managers, the Board of Directors of the company deployed Olusunle to pioneer the setting up and entrench-

ment of the new concern. He was appointed the substantive Manager, (later redesignated Area Manager), with concurrent responsibility for production, administration, marketing and sales.

He built the new business branch, located on Sapele Road, Benin City, into a flourishing venture, second only to the Lagos plant, in terms of profitability.

Having aggregated nearly 15 years of active and eventful service with Pfizer Livestock Feeds Ltd, Olusunle retired voluntarily in 1979, to set up his own privately-owned, small scale feed-milling outfit in Ilorin, Kwara State, as a franchisee of his former employers.

He christened his agro-based business concern â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gladsome Enterprises Nig. Ltd,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; when the company was incorporated, a name which was an agglomeration of the initials of all the names in his nuclear family: his wife, children and himself.

He always had an entrepreneurial desire and had first established a printing press in Kaduna in 1970 was simply called Emmanuel Printing Press after his first child. The new initiative was to be much more encompassing to reflect his expanding family and accommodate everyone.

While the business flourished on one hand, the name Gladsome rapidly developed a life of its own, true to its dictionary meaning, a haven of joy and mirth.

Olusunleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house located within the physical premises of his business will rapidly become a melting pot where his relatives: nephews, nieces, in-laws, distant acquaintances, children of his friends, friends of his children and more, found happiness and fulfillment under his accommodating, selfless, God-fearing, strict and inspirational guidance, as they variously pursued their education, professional careers and vocations.

He was a stickler for justice, equity and fairness even in the family. As we his biological grew up with uncles, aunts, cousins, even those unrelated by consanguity, he taught us to subjugate ourselves to age and seniority as ordained by God and practiced in the African context. Even when he was the breadwinner, his own children had to take their place behind older members of the household, like the disciplinarian he was.

In the course of his service in the private sector, Olusunle attended several courses, conferences and seminars at home and abroad.

These include: Supervisorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Training Course at the Technical Institute, Kaduna, October/ November 1965; Supervision and Supervisory Techniques Course at the Continuing Education Centre, University of Lagos, July 1971, and an Effective Marketing Skills Course at the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, Lagos, February 1973.

Determined to pursue a post-retirement life in the full service of God, Olusunle in 1989 attended pastorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; training at the CAC Seminary, Ile-Ife, Osun State and was ordained a substantive Pastor the same year, 39 years after his father

was ordained a Pastor of the same Ministry.

Pastor Olusunle was wedded to his wife, my mother, former Miss Elizabeth Ajayi Ibilola, Saturday April 26, 1964, at CAC, Kaduna. The union was blessed with seven biological children, several grand children and many more spiritual and adopted children.

His wife, my mother trained as a nurse and midwife under the School of Nursing and Midwifery, under the former Northern Regional Government.

She began her career in the civil service of present day Kaduna State and obtained transfers to Midwestern and Kwara States respectively, as her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duty posts changed. She retired from the service of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, in 2000, where she rose to become acting Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.

With his beloved wife, Deaconess Olusunle, Pastor Olusunle visited several countries including Togo, Kenya, Israel and the United Kingdom.

My father encapsulated decency, simplicity, modesty, and humaness among several other attributes. Perhaps because of his broad-based career which took him across the country, he was very cosmopolitan, drawing admirers and acquaintances from different parts of Nigeria.

In addition to his indigenous Yagba, Yoruba and English all of which he spoke fluently, his Hausa was impeccable.

He taught us the fear of God and the virtues of diligence, industry, integrity and honesty. He had an unusually large heart and a patient ear.

He lived a thoroughly sacrificial life ever bending over backwards to put a smile on peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces.

All his life, I recall he was only admitted into the hospital just once. That was over 10 years ago when he had a surgical procedure to remove a cataract from his eyes. I recall travelling from Abuja to Ilorin to see him and I insisted a photograph of him with my mother and one of my sisters who and where all with him be taken, just for the records. I recall him smiling as the photograph was being taken why he had his meal, because the journalist in me admonished there must be life in the photoshot.

His funeral rites begin on Wednesday December 12, 2018, with a Service of Songs and Night of Tributes in his residence in Ilorin, at 5pm. On Friday December 14, 2018, there will be a Christian Wake in the family residence in Isanlu, beginning from 6pm. His internment will take place on Saturday December 15, 2018, followed by a thanksgiving service at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Adeye, Mopo, Isanlu.

We will thoroughly miss him, even as we thank God for the privilege to have been sired by him, for the exemplary father and a solidly inspirational life he lived and for the grace of having him for so long. t5VOEF 0MVTVOMF B EPDUPSBM TUVEFOU JO NFEJB BSUT BOE .FNCFS PG UIF /JHFSJBO (VJME PG &EJUPST /(& XBT B QSFTJEFOUJBM BJEF JO UIF 0CBTBOKP "UJLV BENJOJTUSBUJPO GSPN UP

THISDAYt FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Restates Commitment to Improving Ease of Doing Business The federal government has reiterated its commitment towards improving the Ease of Doing Business in the country.

The Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, was quoted in a statement to have said this while reacting to the 2019 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI) released on Wednesday.

The latest DBI had placed Nigeria on 146th position, slightly lower than the 145th position the country was ranked last year. The World Bank said it tracked 314 reforms by 128 governments across the world.

The country overall gained 1.37 points in its Distance-ToFrontier (DTF) scores, which assess the absolute level of regulatory performance over a one-year period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This essentially meant that over the past year Nigeria has improved its business regulations as captured by the Doing Business Indicators and in absolute terms, the country is narrowing the gap with global regulatory best practice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the back of the sustained efforts of the PEBEC, the report

also acknowledged that Nigeria implemented four reforms, her second highest number of reforms since the beginning of the Doing Business Index. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Despite this feat, nine reforms were not considered for the cycle under review as they were either classified as too recent to have an impact on the business climate, or the private sector did not validate them which impacted the ranking,â&#x20AC;? the statement explained.

Continuing, Oduwole said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The feedback from the World Bank has reaffirmed the commitment of the PEBEC to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by businesses in Nigeria as we work towards improving the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitiveness.â&#x20AC;?

According to her, the DBI reported an improvement in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ease of doing business score from 51.52 to 52.89.

The Doing Business Index is an annual ranking that objectively assesses prevailing business climate conditions across 190 countries based on 10 ease of doing business indicators.

The index captures ease of doing business reforms that have been validated by the organised private sector, and offers comparative insights based on private sector validation in

the two largest commercial cities in countries with a population higher than 100 million. The report consequently features Lagos and Kano for Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The response from the private sector has also underscored the need for increased engagement between reform-implementing organs of government and the private sector players to ensure we are able to record sustainable progress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We strongly believe that while Nigeria did not increase in the rankings, the country has indeed witnessed an improvement in the enabling business environment in the past year. This will be reflected as more reforms are accepted for Nigeria by the World Bank Index in subsequent years,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Earlier this month, the World Bank had separately released its 2018 report on the ease of doing business reforms across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory based on four indicators.

A major highlights of the report was that 31 out of 36 states recorded improvements in their ease of doing business scores, recognizing that states are increasingly working towards removing the constraints faced by businesses.

ARM Divests from Four Points by Sheraton Eromosele Abiodun One of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading asset management and investment firms, ARM Limited has announced that it has successful exited from Oceanwinds Hospitality Limited (OHL), owners of Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Lagos The Four Points by Sheraton Lagos - OHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s single asset - is an internationally branded 234-key hotel, with 8 meeting and conference rooms, 4 Food & Beverage outlets and a full service Spa and Fitness center.

ARM in a statement said it initiated and managed the development of the hotel which

began operations in 2010, following which it provided asset management services which has seen the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revenue Generation Index (RGI) consistently rank among the top 2 in its competitive set.

Managing Director of ARM Hospitality & Retail, Mrs. Sade Hughes said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to have been a part of this laudable investment in the first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our exit culminates the full cycle of our investment process, and further reinforces our belief in the potentials of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitality segment.â&#x20AC;?

She added that ARMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sale of OHL to Westmont International

Development Inc., a Canadian based investment firm, was in furtherance of the strategy for its hospitality and retail business, which invests in opportunities within the high growth hospitality and retail sectors in Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ARMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track record in this sector includes its prior investment in the Moorhouse Sofitel Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos (now Hotel Moorhouse M Gallery

by Sofitel) which it exited in 2004; and the Oluwole Urban Mall, Lagos, exited in 2012.

ARM is currently developing a number of pipeline projects in key cities across West-Africa, â&#x20AC;&#x153;she stated.

L-R: Service Operation Manager, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Mohamed Hassan; Finance Director, Sudhir Khan; General Manager, Mohamed Ibrahim; Managing Director, Ahmed Ragab; Parts Sales Manager, Damon Forsberg, and Power System Manager, Jason Lambe, at the oďŹ&#x192;cial unveiling of Mantrac Next Generation Excavators in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS 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)

dialogues irrespective of their social class and education.

A person without access to information cannot effectively grow a business, live well and contribute to the economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited about the strong partnerships forged to deliver Pay Small Small to improve the lives of our people while delivering social impact.â&#x20AC;?

Atilola, further noted that the bank would continue to be at the forefront of seeking valuable partnerships that will enrich the lives of Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Sterling Bank, growing the economy remains our priority, and that is why we always design solutions that will translate into value for Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This alliance with MTN NIgeria, TD and Payjoy is a testament to the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian is availed the opportunity to own a smart phone with all its attendant benefits which include Insurance cover and free data,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Technology Distribu-

tions Limited, Gozy Ijogun, expressed delight that her organisation was part of the partnership that would increase smartphone penetration with its attendant benefits to Nigerians who ordinarily cannot afford to pay the lump sum that is required to acquire these devices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Things required for optimum living are paid upfront which makes life difficult for many Nigerians. What we are unveiling today is a revolutionary partnership which makes it possible and affordable for anyone to visit the MTN Nigeria experience centre close to them and walk out with the latest smartphone device with as low as N7,000 (Seven thousand Naira) monthly payment in less than 10 minutes.â&#x20AC;?

On his part, the Senior Manager, Data & Devices, MTN Nigeria, Abiodun Ajayi, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe everyday Nigerians deserve the benefit of a modern well-connected life. Nothing brings this to the fore more than a smartphone which eliminates the hassles associated with visiting cybercafes.â&#x20AC;?

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

Sterling, MTN Unfold Initiative for Smartphone Users More than 141 million mobile subscribers in the country using feature phones can now upgrade to smartphones courtesy of the Sterling Bank and MTN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pay Small Smallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; device financing scheme launched in Lagos recently.

Introduced by Sterling Bank Plc, MTN Nigeria and Technology Distributions Limited (TD), the new scheme, according to a statement, democratises the acquisition of smartphones as well as access to the digital ecosystem through smartphones pre-bundled with data.

Speaking at the media launch of initiative, the Group Head of Strategy and New Business, Sterling Bank Plc, Shina Atilola said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Knowledge and information transforms economies.

Our collaboration with MTN Nigeria, Technology Distributions Limited and Payjoy to democratise access to smartphones will make knowledge and information accessible to millions of Nigerians which will improve their lives and well-being. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important that a lot more Nigerians have the opportunity to engage in societal

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $75.51 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $76.07 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 ˾ NOVEMBER 2, 2018

MARKET NEWS

NSE Suspends Six Firms for Non-Rendition of Financial Accounts Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has suspended trading on six companies for not fialing their accounts in accordance with the post-listing requirements of the exchange.

The NSE, in a notification to the dealing members yesterday said the firms are: Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc, Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc, Multi-Trex Intergrated Foods Plc, Golden

Guinea Breweries Plc, Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc and Unity Bank Plc. According to the NSE, “ pursuant to Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, Rulebook of The Exchange , which provides that If an issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the cure period, the exchange will: send to the issuer a second filing deficiency notification within two business days after the end of the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

cure period; suspend trading in the issuer’s securities and notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the market within 24 hours of the suspension, trading in the shares of the companies six companies have been suspended effective November 1, 2018.”

The exchange said the in accordance with the rules set forth above, the suspension of the above listed companies will only be lifted upon the submis-

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

sion of the relevant accounts and provided the exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of the exchange.

Meanwhile, the sell pressure persisted at the stock market yesterday to extend the negative performance to the third day running. Consequently, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index went down by 1.4 per cent to close at 32,006.65,

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

while market capitalisation shed N167.8 billion to close at N11.7 trillion.

A total of 24 stocks depreciated compared to only 11 that appreciated. Cadbury Nigeria Plc led with 10 per cent, followed

by CAP Plc with 9.9 per cent.

Eterna Plc and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc went down by 9.9 and 9.8 per cent in that order.

Other top price losers included: African Prudential Plc(9. 8 per

O F

cent); Dangote Flour Mills Plc (8.3 per cent); Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (7.9 per cent); Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc (7.4 per cent).

On the positive side, Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc led the price gainers with 10 per cent, followed by Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc with 9.0 per cent.

WAPIC Insurance Plc and Learn Africa Plc garnered 7.5 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively.

0 1 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018

44

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45

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍşË&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

Cadbury Recovers from Loss to Profit of N172m in Nine Months Goddy Egene Cadbury Nigeria Plc has reported a profit of N172 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with a loss of N64 million in the corresponding period of 2017.

Details of the unaudited results showed revenue of N26.959 billion, which is an increase from N24.365 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2017. Cost of sales went up to N21.654 billion, up from N18.938 billion in line with rising cost of doing business in the country.

However, the company adopted some cost saving strategies that reduced sales and distribution expenses to N3.380 billion, compared with 3.852 billion.

Administrative expenses also declined from N1.589 billion to N1.286 billion in 2018. But net finance cost rose from N102.728 million to N426 million in 2018.

Despite the higher finance cost, Cadbury ended the nine months with a profit of N172 million as against a loss of N64 million in the corresponding period of 2017.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

The company had rewarded shareholders with a dividend of 16 kobo per share for the 2017 financial year, a development that was commended at the annual general meeting of the firm held last June.

For instance, a shareholders of the Cadbury, Mr. Emmanuel Popoola , had said it was very encouraging for the company to post profit and declare dividend despite the challenging operating environment.

He had urged the company to

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 3110-2018, unless otherwise stated.

work harder in order to ensure enhanced dividends in the years ahead.

Another shareholder, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo, tasked the company to introduce new products in order to increase its market share and bottom line. He said the company should target products that would address health issues like diabetes.

Taiwo also called on the company to look for cheaper means of financing its activities to reduce finance cost, advising the company

to consider floating rights issue in the future for fresh capital instead of working for banks.

Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, Mr. Atedo Peterside, had disclosed that the company was working on some new products, which would be launched at the appropriate time.

Peterside said the company built its business on four key pillars, such as price competitiveness, aggressive route to market initiatives and sustained consumer-driven activations.

He said the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top

priorities in the current year is to sustain focus on quality, drive improvements in productivity and reinforce operational efficiency to maximise its competitive advantage.

The chairman added that the company would drive growth ahead of competition to increase market share within its product categories.

According to him, the company will continue to develop an organisation of high potential talent and sustain aggressive route-to-market initiatives.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 1.31% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.32% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 134.02 134.96 -11.65% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.99% 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 10.93% Paramount Equity Fund 11.59 11.89 4.54% Women's Investment Fund 101.69 104.30 1.05% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.03% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 99.53 99.53 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.56 99.56 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 11.60% 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 11.79% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.09% 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 1,158.61 1,159.35 10.52% FBN Heritage Fund 142.82 144.02 2.39% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.15% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $113.44 $113.77 4.17% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.20 $113.53 4.06% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 148.87 150.98 -6.39% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.22 1.24 -5.59% Legacy Debt Fund 3.19 3.19 10.38% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.60% 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 3,006.65 3,036.69 0.71% Coral Income Fund 2,738.48 2,738.48 11.86% 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 11.86% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.43 105.60 5.10% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.91%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 2.06% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.21% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.40 122.62 6.36% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.19 1.21 3.89% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,077.28 1,077.28 11.65% 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 11.22 11.32 -13.33% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.58% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 11.68% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.98 12.04 8.53% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.35% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.98 128.39 -1.34% 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 1.67 1.67 12.35% 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 2,294.79 2,309.59 4.43% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 186.63 186.63 7.19% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 -5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 244.24 244.28 13.17% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.18 161.98 -10.28% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.54% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,479.16 8,582.79 -10.83% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.25% 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 N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 11.29 11.45 -7.80% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.15 12.25 -6.53% Zenith Income Fund 19.75 19.75 7.21% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.53%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 138.69 51.55

-20.11% 4.70% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.59 118.80 91.89

10.69 121.32 93.61

-10.61% -16.83% -15.89%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

SPECIALIST FUNDS*

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.16 7.20 15.11 14.25 143.74

4.20 7.28 15.21 14.45 145.74

-12.14% -24.71% -13.47% -27.41% 6.80%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

FOR HNI & PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS ONLY

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

THISDAYtFRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018 Ëž T H I S D AY

47

INTERNATIONAL Drunk Japanese Pilot Arrested Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com at Heathrow Airport The Concept of Justice in Islam - 2

WORLD OF ISLAM

A Japanese pilot who was arrested at Heathrow Airport for being drunk has admitted being more than nine times the legal alcohol limit.

Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, 42, who works for Japan Airlines, was arrested on 28 October after failing a breath test.

He was found to have 189mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system - the legal limit for a pilot is 20mg.

The first officer pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol limit at Uxbridge Magistratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Court on Thursday.

Japanese broadcaster NHK

reported that police were alerted by the driver of a crew bus who smelled alcohol on the pilot.

He had been due to be part of a crew flying a Japan Airlines (JAL) flight JL44 to Tokyo but failed a breath test 50 minutes before the departure time.

The Boeing 777 aircraft took off after a 69-minute delay.

JAL issued an apology and pledged to â&#x20AC;&#x153;implement immediate actions to prevent any future occurrenceâ&#x20AC;?, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;safety remains our utmost priorityâ&#x20AC;?.

The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg, compared to 20mg for pilots.

Jitsukawa was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 29 November.

In June, British Airways pilot Julian Monaghan was jailed for eight months for being caught on duty with 86mg of alcohol in his system.

He had turned up for work at Gatwick Airport after drinking three double vodkas.

Pittsburgh Suspect Pleads Not Guilty Robert Bowers, the alleged gunman accused of killing 11 Jewish worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Bowers, 46, has requested a jury trial.

He faces 44 counts of murder, hate crimes, obstructing religious practices and other crimes.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

In addition to those killed, six people were injured, including four police officers, before Mr Bowers surrendered to law enforcement.

Authorities called the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue the worst anti-Semitic incident in US history.

US media reported Mr Bowers

entered the courtroom without a wheelchair, bandaged on the arm from the injuries suffered during a shootout with police on Saturday.

With a loud â&#x20AC;&#x153;yes!â&#x20AC;? Mr Bowers confirmed he had read the indictment and understood the charges against him. He reportedly had no reaction when told he faced the death penalty.

The federal indictment alleges Mr Bowers walked into the synagogue with multiple firearms, ranted about wanting to â&#x20AC;&#x153;kill Jewsâ&#x20AC;? and then began gunning down worshippers, as well as firing on police when they arrived.

During his first court appearance, Mr Bowers was in a wheelchair and spoke little.

On Wednesday, US prosecutors

added a further 15 charges to the 29 Mr Bowers already faces, making a total of 44.

The additional counts against Mr Bowers were for assaulting police officers and also included special findings to support the case for pursuing the death penalty, US media reported.

According to an affidavit, Mr Bowers told police immediately after his arrest that â&#x20AC;&#x153;he wanted all Jews to dieâ&#x20AC;?.

Social media accounts purported to be Mr Bowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; also featured anti-Semitic slurs and anti-immigrant sentiments, including a post saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit by and watchâ&#x20AC;ŚScrew your optics, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going in,â&#x20AC;? that was uploaded just before the shooting.

Black Box of Crashed Plane Retrieved A â&#x20AC;&#x153;black boxâ&#x20AC;? from the Lion Air jet that plummeted into the Java Sea after taking off from Indonesia earlier this week has been recovered.

Diversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; discovery of the flight data recorder could answer questions about why the twomonth-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane, carrying 189 people,

tragically crashed.

No survivors have been found.

On Monday, the aircraft came down just minutes after taking off from Jakarta in what was described as the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1977, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan.

The crash renewed concerns about safety in Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastgrowing aviation industry.

The location of the black box find was about 500 metres northwest of the coordinates where the plane lost contact and at a depth of 30 metres, said the search and rescue agency.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OJELADE SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OJELADE ABIOLA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ISIUWA IZEDUWA OSAGHAE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ISIUWA IZEDUWA ONAYIGA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as WAHAB SAUDAT OLAYIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOTI CHRISTIANAH OLAYIDE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ETIENO GIFT SUNDAY JONAH, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS ETIENO JONAH ONYEJIAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NUHU ABU, now wish to be known and addressed as PAUL N. AMADE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGIDI HENRY AWUBARE, now wish to be known and addressed as HEGBA HENRY AWUBARE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as UZOWULU UGOCHI LIZZY, now wish to be known and addressed as UZOWULU UGOCHI ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ENEH NWAEZE DELIGHT, now wish to be known and addressed as ENEH DELIGHT CHIKAODIRI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINWADE TAIYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEOGUN PATIENCE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS DOUBARA DISEMI MIRABEL now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIAJULU DISEMI MIRABEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKINMOLA ENIOLA, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as AKINMOLA ENIOLA SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOYE CHIOMA JESSICA, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONUORAH CHIOMA JESSICA. All former documents remain valid. The general public to take note.

LOSS OF LAND DOCUMENTon the 24\10/2018 at about 1238Hrs One HRH IGWE ELDER JOHN ONWUKA NWODO, JP â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Plot 787/ EĹ˝Í&#x2DC;Ď­ 'Ä&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; /ŜŜĹ?Ĺ&#x161; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ä?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ĺ?Ĺ?Ć?ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; YĆľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć? ŽŜÄ&#x17E; Í&#x2022; Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝ 'ĆľÄ&#x161;ĆľÍ&#x2022; & d Ä?ƾŊÄ&#x201A;Í&#x2022; Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹľÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ć?ŽžÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x;ĹľÄ&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; žŽŜĆ&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; ŽĨ ĆľĹ?ĆľĆ?Ć&#x161; ĎŽĎŹĎ­Ď­ Ç Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ŽŜ Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśĆ?Ĺ?Ć&#x161; ĨĆ&#x152;Žž ĆľĆ&#x152;ƾžĹ? Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝ ĹŠĆľĆ&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä?Ć&#x;ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĹľĹ?Ć?Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; HIS LAND DOCUMENT OF PLOT 4 BLOCK 19 NEW HEAVEN EAST LAYOUT ENUGU STATE. He further stated Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻ Ä&#x17E;ÄŤĹ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä?Ç&#x2021; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ĺľ Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x161; ĹľĹ?Ć?Ć?Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x161;Ĺ˝Ä?ƾžÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć? Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;Ĺ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC; ACTION:The complainant issued with police extract and was Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ĺ?Ĺ˝ Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä&#x201A;ĹśÇ&#x2021; Ä?ŽƾĆ&#x152;Ć&#x161; ŽĨ ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ç Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ć?Ç Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ä&#x201A;ĸÄ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ć?Ć?ĆľĹ?ĹśĹ? ĆľĆ&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŹÄ&#x17E; ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x;ŽŜ and also to back up his claims for record purposes.

Hebba Choudhry, Mubashir Hussain/ IslamiCity/Muslim Matters (continued from last week) The Wisdom Behind this Command

I

n Surah Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;idah, verse 8, Allah explains the wisdom behind the command to establish justice in society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as just witnesses, and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety: and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is well-acquainted with what you do.â&#x20AC;? (Al-Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;idah: 8) We understand from the above verse that Allah (swt) has commanded us to be just, because that is closer to piety. Although the ayah here points out that justice is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nearerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to Taqwa, there is not any other course of action to take. According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nearerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in this verse, means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;isâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. So why is Allah equating justice to Taqwa?

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s put things into perspective.

Taqwa, in its general meaning, is Godconsciousness, or a state of submission. A person who has full taqwa can never stray away from being just. We know that Allah is watching us at all times. We know that Allah is well acquainted with what we do. This fear of Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s displeasure and anger would prevent a person from being unjust in situations where serving justice becomes necessary. We know that Allah wants us to stay within the walls of justice, even when dealing with ourselves, with our family, with the rich or poor, even with an enemy. Only a person with full taqwa could practice complete justice like that.

Justice in Action When Allah commanded us to be just, He (swt) did not just leave us there to sit and wonder about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we can practice justice. Throughout the Quran, Allah has given us numerous guidelines on how to act justly in various situations. Here are a few examples.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Al-Hujraat, verse 9: â&#x20AC;&#x153;And if two parties among the Believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the Command of Allah. Then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them with justice, and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).â&#x20AC;? (Al-Hujraat: 9) This ayah gives us the answers to four important points: What to do when two believers are fighting? r'JSTU USZ UP NBLF QFBDF CFUXFFO UIFN What if that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work? r5IFO Ă HIU BHBJOTU UIF POF XIP JT USBOTHSFTTJOH What to do if the transgressor straightens out? r5IFO JG UIF POF XIP XBT USBOTHSFTTJOH complies with the Command of Allah, once again, try to make reconciliation between them with justice.

Why? r#FDBVTF "MMBI MPWFT UIPTF XIP BSF GBJS BOE just.

Allah says in Surah Al-Anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;am, verse 152: â&#x20AC;&#x153;And come not near to the orphanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence), say the truth, even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah. This He commands you, that you may remember.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Al-Anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;am: 152) This ayah gives us the answers to three main points.

What to do with an orphanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth? r/PUIJOH 4UBZ BXBZ GSPN JU %PO U DPNF near it. r*G ZPV NVTU EP TPNFUIJOH EP TP POMZ UP improve it in a way that it will benefit the orphan. r8IFO UIF PSQIBOT BUUBJO UIF BHF PG GVMM strength, give them their wealth in full measure and in full weight with justice.

How should you give your word? r8IFO ZPV KVEHF CFUXFFO NFO PS HJWF evidence, say the truth! Say the truth even when a relative is concerned.

Why? r8F NVTU GVMĂ MM UIF $PWFOBOU PG "MMBI TXU

This is His Command.

Allah says in Surah Al-Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;idah, verse 45: â&#x20AC;&#x153;And We ordained therein for them: Life for a life, eye for an eye, nose for a nose, ear for an ear, tooth for a tooth, and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity,

it shall be for him, an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the wrong-doers.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Al-Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;idah: 45) We find the answers to several questions regarding the implication of justice, in this ayah.

What should be done in the case of intentional murder? r%FBUI QFOBMUZ "MMBI TBZT i" MJGF GPS B MJGFwu What should be done if someone hurts you? r)VSU UIFN KVTU BT UIFZ IVSU ZPV /P NPSF than that.

Is it a MUST to retaliate? r/P ZPV EP OPU IBWF UP SFUBMJBUF BMUIPVHI you have the full right to do so. Allah says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him, an expiation.â&#x20AC;? If someone commits an injustice towards you, and you forgive them for the sake of Allah, and remit retaliation, Allah will forgive your sins in return for that noble deed.

What if someone wishes to retaliate in a way other than that which Allah revealed? r8F DBOOPU CBTF PVS KVEHNFOU PO BOZUIJOH other than what Allah has revealed. We cannot go beyond our limits when retaliating. Allah says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the wrong-doers.â&#x20AC;? We must judge and retaliate in the way Allah has revealed. Any person who goes against Allahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guidelines falls into the category of wrongdoers.

These were just some examples of ayaat where Allah (swt) tells us â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to implement justice in different scenarios of life. The Quran goes into extensive detail in explaining the implementation of justice in many other issues, such as divorce, JOIFSJUBODF UIFGU BOE TP PO 'PS UIF TBLF PG brevity of the paper, we hope that these three examples will be sufficient.

How to Judge Between People?

In Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad, verses 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26, Allah (swt) tells us the story of Daawud (as), and when Allah tested him to see how he would judge between two people. We can take good lesson from this story.

Allah (swt) says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made his (Daawudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) kingdom strong, and gave him wisdom, and sound judgment in speech and decision.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 20) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Has the story of the disputants reached you?

When they climbed over the wall of the private chamber.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 21) â&#x20AC;&#x153;When they entered in upon Daawud, he was terrified of them. They said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fear not. (We are) two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other.

Therefore, judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 22) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Verily, this my brother has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech.â&#x20AC;?

(Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 23) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daawud said, (immediately without listening to the opponent): â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few.â&#x20AC;? And Daawud realized that We have tried him, and he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and he fell down in prostration, and turned (to Allah) in repentance.â&#x20AC;?

(Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 24) â&#x20AC;&#x153;So We forgave him for that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise).â&#x20AC;? (Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 25) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh Daawud! Verily, We have placed you a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice), and follow not your desire â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for it will mislead you from the path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.â&#x20AC;? (Surah Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad: 26) We learn from these ayaat the importance of hearing both sides of the story before passing any judgment between two people. Sometimes, the truth is not spoken by one party, and the one who is judging can get misled without hearing the voice of other side. Allah (swt) tested Daawud (as) by sending him two disputants.

When Daawud (as) heard the story from one side, he passed his judgment, without realizing that he should have heard what the other person had to say first. He then realized his mistake and turned to Allah in repentance. In order to pass a fair judgment, one must listen to both parties, evaluate the situation, and then, come to a conclusion. This is a fundamental crux for judging between two or more people or groups. If we just turn our head around and see, we will find numerous examples at an individual and societal level and also at national and inter-national level where this fundamental principle is violated.

To Be Continued

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IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA

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NEWS

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

Lake Chad Crude Oil Deposits, Arms Sales Denial, Prolonging Insurgency, Says Military Source Nigerian, Cameroon collaborate on insurgency

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Huge interests in crude oil deposits in the Lake Chad Basin; the refusal of some weapons manufacturers to sell arms to Nigeria and other entrenched schemes of some foreign nations are responsible for prolonging the war against terrorist group, Boko Haram, in North-east region, a top military source has told THISDAY. This is coming as the Nigerian Army and their Cameroonian counterparts agreed to strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating the insurgents within their borders.

Also, a group known as Concerned Professionals’ Congress (CPC) has endorsed “the fresh innovative military initiative of the recently launched ‘Operation 777’ being undertaken by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, to restructure ongoing military operations and decisively tackle insecurity in the country.

The army source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said beyond the foreign interests, some

non-government organisations (NGOs) made upfront payment for hotel accommodation for 10 to 15 years, indicating that backers of such organisations might have the knowledge that the war would not end in the next 15 years.

According to him, “If Nigeria starts her own oil exploration at the Lake Chad Basin, it would be against the French interest.

“The topography of the area where you have the crude oil deposits is towards Nigerian territory, and when Nigeria starts exploring it, the country will lose out.

“Some lecturers were taken to that area to conduct a survey on exploration, and on their way back, Boko Haram terrorists ambushed and killed all of them.”

On difficulties encountered in accessing weapons to prosecute the war in the North-east region, the source lamented the inability of the government to access weapons.

He said: “Western nations have practically refused to sell us weapons.

Amnesty International has been

filing monthly reports urging weapons manufacturers not to sell arms to us based on our poor human rights records.

“Have you wondered why United States had to sell us the 12 Tucano aircraft and decided to deliver it in 2020? Nobody has raised that issue, not even the National Assembly or journalists.

“We are used to the offers of training and promise to provide intelligence, which we are familiar with that, but what we need is the weapon to fight this war.

“Now look at this scenario. If you go to Maiduguri, foreign NGOs have booked all the hotels there, but here is the most interesting part, they paid to stay in these hotels in Maiduguri for 10 to15 years.

“How do you explain that? So they and their backers are working to ensure that the war never ends.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian and Cameroonian armies have agreed to collaborate in order to sustain

joint military operations to end insurgency within the fringes of their common borders in the North-eastern part of Nigeria.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja.

He said the acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, expressed willingness to end the war when he paid an operational visit to a border location in Wulgo, Borno State, where Cameroon Defence Forces (CDF) battalion are deployed.

He enjoined the CDF troops to continue to collaborate and work assiduously with their Nigerian counterparts towards engaging and neutralising Boko Haram terrorists as well as other criminals in order to enhance the security of lives and property as well as restore lasting peace within their common borders.

The GOC explained that he was on a routine operational visit to the division’s units sharing common flank with the CDF Battalion, charging the troops to be more decisive and not to relent in denying Boko Haram terrorists freedom of action as the dry season approaches.

He conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Yusufu Buratai, to the CDF, and commended the excellent cordial relationship existing between the two forces particularly those stationed at Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Earlier, the CDF Battalion Commander Robert Bokwe, thanked the GOC for the visit, and conveyed the appreciation of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Bouba, whom he said referred to the acting GOC as a strong friend and brother.

He expressed delight at the cordial relationship existing

between the two armies, and reeled out several joint military offensive clearance operations particularly Operation Deep Punch 2 and Almini Facat undertaken by both armies to rout Boko Haram terrorists from Sambisa and the Lake Chad region that were highly successful.

On ‘Operation 777’ being undertaken by the CDS, Olonisakin, to restructure ongoing military operations and decisively tackle insecurity in the country, the group, CPC, through its National Coordinator, Tukur Musa Tilde, and Chief Media Strategist, Emeka Nwakpa, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.

Gen. John Agim, who briefed journalists last week at the Defence Headquarters, said the new military operation which began on October 10, 2018, would run concurrently with existing operations.

Police Arraign 130 Shiites for Alleged Breach of Public Peace Court grants them bail Alex Enumah in Abuja The Nigerian Police Force yesterday arraigned about 130 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), before a Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over an alleged five-count charge bordering on disturbance of public peace, rioting and others.

The Shiite members were however, admitted to bail in various sums ranging from N50, 000 to N500,000.

In the First Information Report (FIR), the defendants are being charged with Joint Act, joining or continuing in unlawful assembly knowing it has been ordered to disperse; disturbance of public peace, rioting and causing harm an offence the police said is contrary to section 79, 104, 113, 106 and 242 of the Penal Code.

According to the charge, the defendants were said to have been involved in riotous act, disturbing public peace and blocking vehicular movement in different parts of the FCT and its environs on October 30, 2018.

The police further alleged that the defendants who were gathered in large groups were ordered by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operation FCT Police Command, ACP Valentine Olumesi, to disperse peacefully but that they refused and started throwing stones on the police officers and other members of the public thereby causing them bodily harm.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges

read to them.

Counsel to 20 of the defendants arraigned before Justice Lateef Abolaji of Court 17 of the FCT Magistrate Court, Musa Yusuf, subsequently moved their bail application.

Though counsel to the Police, Edwin Ochei, opposed the application, the trail judge, however admitted the defendants to bail, stating that the offences allegedly committed were bailable.

He consequently admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50,000 each with a surety in like sum.

Other conditions he attached to their bail include deposing to an affidavit to keep peace and be of good behavior.

Their sureties must also be residents of Abuja with verifiable offices and residential addresses.

In addition, they are to deposit either their national identity cards, drivers’ licence or international passport with the court.

Justice Abolaji subsequently following agreement of counsel, adjourned till December 5, 2018 for trial to commence.

Similarly, a batch of 35 others arraigned before Justice Njideka Duru of Court 11 were admitted to bail in the same sum of N50, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.

However, while those arraigned before Justice Musa Jibo of Court 15 were admitted to bail in the sum of N200,000 each and two sureties in like sum, those arraigned before Justice Elizabeth Jones-Woni were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each.

YOU ARE WELCOME...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Mr.Olujonwon Obasanjo (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari during a visit of Obasanjo’s son to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

APC Crisis: Court Issues Contempt Notice on Oshiomhole, INEC Chairman Martins Ifijeh The Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has issued a contempt notice on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over what it termed disobedience to court orders.

The court said Oshiomhole disobeyed its order not to submit the list of Delta APC candidates to INEC, while Yakubu disobeyed its order not to receive and publish such candidates’ names from Delta State for the 2019 general elections until the resolution of the case.

The court noted that despite its order dated October 17, 2018, Oshiomhole still went ahead to submit names of purported National Assembly candidates from Delta APC to INEC and that INEC also went ahead to receive and publish such names even when the order directed both parties in the case not to do so but to maintain “status quo.”

Recall that Chief Cyril Ogodoled executive of the APC in Delta State, had dragged the APC, Oshiomhole, INEC and one other to court in a suit, with No: FA/ASB/CS/76/2018, over the issue of the authentic list of candidates that emerged from the parallel primaries conducted in the state through the two contending State Executives in the state.

The primary election conducted by Chief Cyril Ogodo-led Exco produced Prof. Pat Utomi and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as governorship and senatorial candidates, respectively, while that of the Prophet Jones Erue-led Exco produced Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as governorship and senatorial candidates, respectively. The fourth defendant in the suit is Prophet Jones Erue and his parallel executives.

The court in its sitting yesterday, issued against Oshiomhole and INEC Chairman Form 48, notice of Consequence of Disobedience to court order, and warned that: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order, you will be guilty of contempt

and you will be liable to prison.”

Earlier at the court, the defendants failed to file their responses claiming they were not given the statutory time and that the Judge should first rule on their motion on notice challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Maintaining her previous order on all parties to maintain the status quo, the judge affirmed she will not rule separately on jurisdiction but shall take all motions together with the main issues. She subsequently adjourned the matter to November 13 to give extended time to the defendants to file their responses. She also pre-warned that she would proceed either way with the case on the adjourned date if the defendants still failed to file their responses.

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Army Discovers Illegal Military Training Camp in Taraba The 20 Model Battalion of the Nigeria Army in Serti, Taraba State, said it has discovered an illegal security training camp in Serti.

The Commanding Officer of the battalion, Lt. Col. Sani Adamu, stated this yesterday in Serti.

Sani told the News Agency of Nigeria that the Special Adviser

on Security to Taraba State Governor, Col. Agyo Wapan (retd.), had been invited as part of investigation into the discovery.

He said the discovery followed calls by concerned citizens who disclosed that no fewer than 300 youths were being trained in a public primary school in the area.

Eni Did No Due Diligence in Malabu Oil Deal, Says Ex-Board Member Eni made no thorough background checks on a middleman it hired to broker a $1.3 billion Nigerian acquisition, a former board member of the Italian oil group told a Milan court.

Milan prosecutors alleged that bribes totalling around $1.1 billion were paid, including to middleman Emeka Obi, in the 2011 purchase by Eni and AngloDutch peer Royal Dutch Shell of Nigeria’s Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 offshore oilfield.

The prosecutors allege the bribes were paid to win the licence to explore the field which, because of disputes, has never entered into production. Shell expects the landmark corruption trial to last many months.

All those charged have denied any wrongdoing, while Eni declined to comment on Wednesday.

Luigi Zingales, an Eni board member from May 2014 to July 2015, told judges he had flagged to the company a lack of due diligence into a broker firm used in the deal, and headed by Obi, calling it “a significant hole in governance”.

Zingales, who at the time was also a member of Eni’s risk committee, said using a middleman was not its normal practice.

Asked if he had spoken of his doubts with current Eni CEO, Claudio Descalzi, who is one of those being tried, Zingales said they had spoken during a board meeting.

“He was very kind, very open.

Then around April (2015) he told me my interest, my asking questions was paralysing the company,” he said.

It was not immediately possible to contact Descalzi.

In a separate trial, a Milan court found Obi guilty in September of international corruption after prosecutors alleged he had received a mandate from former Nigerian oil minister, Dan Etete, who has denied any wrongdoing, to find a buyer for OPL 245, collecting $114 million for his services.

The oilfield is one of the biggest sources of untapped oil reserves in Africa, with an estimated 9 billion barrels.

Ambode: Lagos Invaded by Indigenes of Failed States Segun James The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that the state will continue to face the influx of people from other states of the federation because their states failed economically.

The governor who said this at the 75th Anniversary Business Lecture of the Island Club in Lagos yesterday, disclosed that at least 87 people enters the state per hour daily with no plan of leaving.

He lamented that these has put pressure on the physical and infrastructural system of the state which cannot meet the demand.

In his lecture: “Nation Building: Communities, Inclusion and Prosperity,” the governor said that if the country must get out of the woods, it must begin to take concrete steps towards empowering every group in the society and end extreme poverty.

Ambode said that the population of the state is currently 24 million people, adding that at the rate it is growing, it may hit the 34 million mark in the next 10 years, a situation which will make it one of the five largest cities in the world.

“We believe that every Lagosian must have the opportunity to grow, develop their own skills and contribute to their families and communities in a meaningful way.

“If they are healthy, well educated and trained to enter the workforce and are able to make

a decent wage, they are better equipped to meet their basic needs and be successful. Their families will also do well and the whole society will benefit. The aggregate sum of family well-being is the meat for nation building,” he said.

Ambode insisted that Nigeria must aggressively pursue strong social inclusion policies in order to build a virile nation where every member of the society, regardless of their status or creed is catered for.

“A sustainable path towards ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity also involves creating an inclusive society, not only in terms of economic welfare but also in terms of the voice and empowerment of all groups.

“We must begin to realise that every strata of the society counts, we must listen and accommodate all views, whether they are poor, whether they are Igbos, Hausas, whether they are Muslims or Christians. An inclusive society must have the institutions, structures and processes that empower local communities, professional associations, artisans, CDAs so they can hold government accountable.

“It also requires the participation of all groups in society, including traditionally marginalised groups such as ethnic minorities and indigenous populations in decision making processes,” he said.

He said on receipt of the calls, he promptly responded by visiting the site and found over 300 young men undergoing military training.

The commander said the training was being conducted by GS Security Services, a security outfit in the state.

He said he had filed a report to his superior on the development, while he awaited directive from the army headquarters.

The security outfit is allegedly hired by the Taraba Government to train selected youths as

‘Marshals’.

Sani explained that his men had profiled the young men and dismantled the camp, while awaiting directive from the army headquarters.

The alarm on the illegal training camp was sequel to an unusual influx young men, in their hundreds, from some local government areas into Serti, which is the headquarters of Gashaka Local Government Area.

A resident of the area, Abubakar Mohammed, told

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they raised the alarm because of the frequent clashes of youths who were commonly used by desperate politicians to hunt their enemies.

“We suspect that the state government is training them, under whatever guise, to use them to disrupt the election process in 2019,” he said.

When contacted, the Chairman of Gashaka Local Government Area, Umar Mohammed, explained that the training was at the instance of the state government.

He said 10 youths were selected from each ward to be trained as marshals who would subsequently be deployed to provide security in their areas.

Mohammed said before the exercise, the military, police and the Department of State Services were invited to a security meeting where the issues of uniform and other kitting for the marshals were agreed on.

He said those being trained in Serti were recruited from Sardauna and Gashaka areas “with the full knowledge of stakeholders in each ward.”

TAXPAYER IS KING…

Chairperson of African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Service (FIRS, Mr Tunde Fowler (right, presenting a book on President Muhammadu Buhari, Taxpayer is King, to the Nigerian Ambassador to Botswana, Ambassador Umar Z. Salisu, on the sidelines of the recent ATAF General Assembly meeting held in Gabrone, Botswana…recently

Kano Assembly Summons Ganduje over BriberyVideo Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor , Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has been invited to appear today (Friday), before the ad-hoc committee constituted by the state House of Assembly over alleged bribe-taking videos .

The state House of Assembly, under the leadership of Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum,

constituted a committee on October 15 to establish the authenticity of the videos.

An online newspaper, DAILY NIGERIAN had on October 14 and 15 exclusively published two videos allegedly showing Ganduje, receiving bribe in dollars.

Consequently, the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief of DAILY NIGERIAN, Jaafar Jaafar,

testified before the committee on October 15, where he insisted that the videos were genuine, and expressed readiness to swore by the Quran to convinced doubting Thomases.

The three paragraphs letter sent to the governor titled “Invitation to respond to an allegation of bribery against Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, requested the governor to appear

today.

The invitation letter that was signed by the Chairman of the Ad Hoc committee, and Majority Leader of the 40-member Assembly, Alhaji Baffa Baba Dan’Agundi, further requested the governor to make available to it “a written, signed and dated statement by your excellency as part of the proceedings on or before Friday “

Senate to Pass Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill next Month The Senate Committee on Gas has assured Nigerians that the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill would be passed into law before the end of the year.

The chairman, of the Committee, Senator Bassey Albert, hinted this in Lagos when he led his members on oversight functions to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

He said the bill is currently on third reading and would be giving accelerated attention to enable it

come to fruition.

He explained that the bill when passed would eliminate gas flaring and put punitive measure against perpetrating the act by increasing the penalty paid from N10 per 1,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of gas to three dollars 50 cent per 1,000 SCF of gas.

Albert expressed the National Assembly’s support for the 2020 final elimination of gas flare out date but expressed the need for Nigeria to be pragmatic on the

new date.

He also expressed discontent over the manner gas resources are being treated like by-product, saying there was need for paradigm shift on the part of the country to see gas as economic enabler.

The legislator said the Senate is not resting on its oars to ensure that all the grey areas spotted by the President in the botched Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill are addressed and resent to him for final assent.

He promised that the Senate will look at the other legs of the Petroleum Industry Bill as part of its contribution to ensure a robust oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

To him, the Department of Petroleum Resources has not fared bad in playing its watchdog roles in the industry and assured that through its oversight functions, the Senate would collaborate with the agencies to nip in the bud challenges militating the delivery of its mandate.

Former Bauchi Gov,Yuguda, Dumps GPN, Joins APC Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda, has formally joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) having dumped the Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), which he was the major financier in the country.

Announcing the decision of the former governor to join

the APC at a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Bauchi, yesterday, former Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Community Relations during the Isa Yuguda-led administration, Salisu Ahmed Barau, explained that the former governor joined the APC in order to continue to contribute to the development of the state.

The former Commissioner also said that the former governor moved to the APC along with all his supporters across the country under the aegis of Yuguda Alheri, a political pressure group, pointing out that as at yesterday when the official announcement of the defection was made, over 500,000 people have registered their support for the development,

assuring that the target is to have over one million voters on the register.

He however explained that Yuguda did not leave the GPN due to any differences but out of his volition and after due consultation with all his supporters across the country, adding that some of his supporters and former aides remain in other political parties.

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Buhari Flags off ‘Who-ownsWhat’ Campaign in Dakar Kasim Sumaina in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Darka, Senegal, flagged-off ‘who-owns-what’ campaign, which according to him, is one of a range of tools being utilised in the fight against corruption.

The President, while delivering his speech at the event, disclosed that the objective of the conference, which is to bring together government representatives working on beneficial ownership reform to showcase best practices from the African region, discuss challenges, and provide peer learning and exchange of experiences, is very critical at this period when transparency is paramount in natural resource governance.

He informed that, the need for greater transparency in the ownership of corporate entities, the campaign to know ‘who-ownswhat’, was essential to the growth

and development of the country.

He added that, “Although anonymous companies are not illegal in many jurisdictions and could exist for harmless reasons. But, has also been established that they could be vehicles for corruption, tax evasion, illicit financial flows and even terrorism financing.”

The President, represented by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari, noted that, “As a country that depends on oil for up to 90 per cent of its foreign exchange earning and about 85 per cent of its total revenue, Nigeria recognises the dangers that secret ownership of extractive industry assets pose to its economy.

The minister, in a statement in Abuja, by his Media Aide, Ishaku Kigbu, said, “We realise that subjecting the identities of the people who own and control these assets to public scrutiny is an important step towards transparent and accountable governance of this

very important sector.”

According to him, “It is a great honour and privilege to be present here and to address you at this very important conference on beneficial ownership transparency on the theme, “Opening up Ownership: Africa “My profound appreciation goes to His Excellency, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and the government and the people of Senegal for hosting this conference, and for their notable hospitality since our arrival.

“The government and people of Nigeria extend their profound support for this conference and for our collective resolve to establish beneficial ownership transparency in Africa.”

Bwari, said, “Nigeria joined other countries at the anti-corruption summit in London in 2016 to support the establishment of a public register of beneficial owners of companies within the Open Government Partnership.

Agbaje Picks Female Lawyer, Haleemat Busari, as Running Mate Segun James Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has picked a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Haleemat Oluwayemisi Busari, as his running mate for the 2019 gubernatorial election.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organisation (JACO), Felix Oboagwina, in a statement said the PDP candidate picked

Busari following comprehensive consultations with leaders and stakeholders within and outside the party.

“Mrs.OluwayemisiHaleematBusari camehighlyrecommendedandwidely endorsed,” the statement said.

“Stakeholders all agree that without any iota of doubt, the Jimi-Haleemat combination is a winning ticket on every count.”

AccordingtoOboagwina,thedeputy governorshipcandidatewillbebringing to the joint ticket her versatility and

connectionsasaprofessionalincorporate governance, as a Muslim activist and as a bonafide daughter of native Lagos.

Married to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Teslim Olatunde Busari, Haleemat was born, 1964, to the family of the Late Ahmed Tijani Shehu Giwa, a businessman and Vice President of Jamatul Islamiyya of Nigeria from Epe, and the late Mrs. Mujibat Abeni Mopelola Giwa (nee Shonibare), a princess of the Kosoko royal family from Isale Eko.

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Handing Bailout Money to Govs Not an Achievement, Says Ezekwesili The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has described as ‘shameful’ the impression being created by the federal government that handing bailout funds to state governors to pay salaries is a focus and an achievement of the

President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Ezekwesili said that a country that hopes to compete and win in the global economy has to think bigger than handing bailouts to sub-national governments to carry out the basic responsibility of paying salaries.

“Four out of every 10 adults today are either unemployed or underemployed, and Nigeria is now the Poverty Capital of the world, with the World Bank confirming that we now have more extremely poor people than India which has a population six times our size,” Ezekwesili said in a speech delivered on Monday

in Lagos.

“And in the midst of this, the Vice President was celebrating last week at the Nigeria Economic Summit that handing bailouts to state governors to pay salaries is an achievement. What a big shame!” she added.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had highlighted in his speech that

giving money to states to pay salaries was a major focus of the federal government.

Ezekwesili however, said such bailouts amount to “using a plaster to treat cancer”.

“It is short-term escapism that cannot work. With such lazy thinking, it is no wonder that we keep going around in

aimless circles under the Buhari/ Osinbajo government,” the Oby Ezekwesili Campaign said in a statement.

In her Monday speech, Ezekwesili described the Buhari/ Osinbajo administration’s legacy as one which has presided “over the worst economic recession Nigeria has seen in decades.”

Special Trade Fair Offer: MultiChoice Slashes GOtv Decoder Price MultiChoice Nigeria is set to slash the price of GOtv decoder in a special offer to new customers at the 38th Lagos International Trade Fair holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, Lagos, from November 2 - 11.

The special offer includes GOtv decoder, GOtenna and one month of GOtv Max subscription for N6, 300 instead of N6, 900.

Speaking on the offering, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said GOtv is delighted to kick-off the festive season by ensuring quality entertainment is made available to customers at an affordable price.

“We provide the best of entertainment and we will encourage customers to engage with us at the 38th Lagos International Trade Fair. We promise great entertainment for everyone in the family with over 65 channels available on GOtv Max,” he said.

New customers who takes up this offer will enjoy the very best of entertainment on the GOtv MAX package with access to unlimited world class channels such as FOX, ROK2, Star Life, BET, CBS Reality, SuperSport Select 4 including the newly added BET and SuperSport Select 5.

Varsity Don: Africa’s Ties with China Stronger over theYears A Professor with Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University Canada, Kenneth Kalu, has stated that ties between Africa and China has become stronger over the years, stressing that the Asian giant has come to stay in the continent.

In a chat with Steve Paikin on TVO’s documentary series recently, tagged: ‘China: Here and Now’ he said China has come to stay because their ‘patient’ money can clearly be differentiated from ‘hot’ money.

Kalu, who is the author of the groundbreaking book ‘Foreign Aid and the Future of Africa’, noted that hot money means, bringing money from New York sometimes London and putting it in Africa’s stock market such that when there are little crises, the monies are withdrawn.

“But China is investing in the long term (patient money), by building industries and other infrastructure. China has made

Africa one of the top priorities of its foreign policy. China has invested across several sectors. If you look at Africa’s economy the biggest constraints to its economic progress has been infrastructure, lack of roads, railways and poor electricity supply.

“But recently in Africa of today, China’s presence can be felt across these sectors. China is also developing special economic zones which are geographical areas set aside for infrastructure to support companies which are willing to invest in African countries.”

On why economic zones are special, he said they have duty waivers and that they have already developed structures, so they don’t get bugged by the poor public utility.

“Despite the contributions of China to economic developments in the continent, some countries are still suspicious of China and view its growing interest in the continent as negative,” he added.

Madam Orogun for Burial The families of Orogun and Iriene, both of Enhwe Town in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have announced the funeral arrangements for Mrs. Myriam Ogbosuruwe Orogun, who recently passed on at the age of 96.

In a statement signed by one of the children, Mr. Julius Orogun, a staff of the United Nations, the final parting rites of Madam Orogun shall commence with Service of Songs on November 8, 2018 at Orogun’s compound, Enhwe, while the funeral service for the repose of her soul shall be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Enhwe, on November 9, 2018, after which she shall be interred, just as guests shall

be held to a reception at the community’s primary school.

PAY SMALL SMALL SERVICE…

L-R: General Manager, Africa, PAYJOY, Dominique Friedl; Group Head, Strategy and New Business, Sterling Bank Plc, Shina Atilola; Managing Director, Technology Distributions Limited, Gozy Ijogun; and Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria, Adekunle Adebiyi, during the formal unveiling of Sterling-MTN Pay Small Small service in Lagos.. yesterday

Cole Remains Our Rivers Governorship Candidate, Says APC Submits Uzodinma’s name as governorship candidate Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has restated that Mr. Tonye Cole, is still its governorship candidate for Rivers State, despite Supreme Court’s ruling in a case involving factional executives in the state.

In a statement issued yesterday

by APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-

Onilu, the party said that it had processed the list of candidates for the governorship, National Assembly, and House of Assembly, according to the INEC guidelines.

“In view of conflicting interpretations that have greeted the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on the contentions among our members in Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it has become

necessary to clarify that the Supreme Court’s verdict has nothing to do with the primaries conducted for the governorship and legislative positions in the state.

“Therefore, the candidature of Tonye Cole along with his running mate, Hon. Victor Giadom, remains inviolate.

The list of our candidates for the governorship, National

Assembly, and House of Assembly has been processed by the National Working Committee (NWC) according to the INEC guidelines”.

Meanwhile, a reliable source at the party national secretariat revealed that the party has finally approved Senator Hope Uzodinma as the governorship candidate for Imo State.

You Can’t Decide Winner of 2019 Presidential Election, Okupe Tells Tinubu Jonathan Eze Former presidential aide to exPresident Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu, would not have any influence on who eventually becomes the President in 2019, adding that his popularity and that of his party is receding faster than the waters of Lake Chad.

He added that Nigerians have come to a realisation that a victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 is an existential threat not only to the peaceful coexistence of the country, but also to individual wellbeing and survival of families, breadwinners and jobs across the country.

Okupe’s reaction was as a result of Tinubu’s comment on Atiku’s chances ahead the presidential election slated for February 16,

2019. According to him, the APC leader’s comment on Atiku’s prospect are essentially not meant for the serious minded, and quite unexpected from the leader of a party in power whose popularity and national acceptability are receding faster than the waters of lake Chad.

The statement reads in part: “Tinubu’s statement is extremely presumptuous. It assumes that he as a person or whatever

political platform he stands on will have anything to do with who emerges as president in 2019.

“I assure Tinubu that he does not, and will not have any serious influence on who will emerge as president after the 2019 elections. He had such opportunity in 2015 but it was wasted on a moribund, unproductive and lackluster presidency.

Aspirant Sues PDP, INEC, Ayade over Guber Primary Elections Akinwale Akintunde

Madam Orogun

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in the last primary election in Cross River State, Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi, has dragged the party to court over allegation of his exclusion from participating at the governorship primaries in the state.

Aggrieved by the actions of the party and others which deprived him of the opportunity to contest

governorship of the state, he filed the suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to nullify the governorship primary elections which produced the incumbent governor, Ben Ayade, as the winner.

Those joined as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit, apart from PDP, are Ayade and the Independent NationalElectoralCommission (INEC).

In the fundamental human rights suit, the plaintiff is seeking a

court declaration that his purported disqualification from contesting the party primary election conducted on September 29, 2018, was in breach of his constitutional right to fair hearing and void.

Ibeshi is praying the court to declare that his disqualification from the governorship primary elections was in breach of the electoral guidelines, party constitution, and contravened electoral laws of Nigeria, therefore

wrongful and void.

The plaintiff is also asking the court to declare that the 1st defendant (PDP), having collected huge amount of money from him as price for the sale of governorship nomination forms and ancillary expenses, was bound in contract to give him a fair chance to contest for the stated office, and that his exclusion from the contest without just cause was in breach of his contractual obligations.

ÍşË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

55

FRIDAYSPORTS

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

Victor Mosesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Exit from Stamford Bridge Imminent Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigerian international Victor Moses may return to his familiar loan spell away from Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window due in barely two months from now.

Already, Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian Manager, Mauricio Sarri, has admitted that the Nigerian star has no place in his squad. Sarri insists he does not know where the 27-year-old winger will fit in his current Blues squad.

The Italian gaffer who has only started Moses just once this season and has only six cumulating games so far again left out the former England junior player in Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English League Cup clash with lower division Derby County on Wednesday night The Bluesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; squad was populated by the likes of Chelsea youth team graduates like Calum Hudson Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheeks and others.

But while fielding questions from English reporters yesterday, Sarri gave a hint that Moses could be closer to another loan spell

Victor Moses another loan spell looms

than becoming a regular in his squad.

He said he did not know where Moses will fit into in his team despite the fact that the Nigerian international effectively played the wing-back role under former

manager Antonio Conte.

Moses had on return from the World Cup in Russia with the Super Eagles call time on his national team appearances. The excuse he gave then was that he needed to concentrate on his club

career so that he would be able to command starting shirt in the squad under new manager Sarri.

All that appear ineffective now as he remains a candidate for the reserve bench with Sarri not considering him for any role in

the present Blues set up.

UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daily Star however reported yesterday that Moses may end up on loan at Old Trafford with Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The newspaper hinted that

Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Ahly in Supremacy Battle with Esperance Femi Solaja Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most decorated club side, Al Ahly of Egypt, looks set to stake its pride in the continental club competition when they play host to North African rivals, Esperance of Tunisia in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final.

It is a battle of two of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest club-sides. Al Ahly was founded in 1907 while Esperance had its seeds sowed in 1919.

This is the first time since 2012 that both sides will meet in the final match.. The confrontations of both teams litter the record books of African football. Across all African clubsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; competitions in the past 28 years, both teams have met 18 times with victories tilting more to Al Ahly.

Even this year, they met twice in the group stage.

Esperance held Al Ahly to a scoreless draw in Alexandria only to succumb to a lone goal defeat at home in Rades off 32th minute strike from Al Al Ahlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walid Azaro.

The ninth time African champion in the elite club competition, Al Ahly comes up against three times winners,

Esperance at the 60,000 capacity stadium at the Alexandriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Borg El Arab.

The host, although favoured to get the result in tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duel but will have to bank on decent form of their veteran winger, Walid Soliman, if they hope to get a convincing win and make the return leg in Tunis less consequential.

Since joining Al Ahly from domestic side ENPPI in 2011, Soliman enjoyed Champions League glory with the club in 2012 and 2013.

He scored the decisive goal in the aggregate 3-2 victory over Esperance when both sides clashed in the 2012 final.

Soliman also won three more CAF titles with the club, namely 2 CAF Super Cups (2013 and 2014) and the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this year that saw Soliman rising to the elite rank within the Red Devils squad. After seeing legend Mohamed Abu Treika retiring in 2013, Soliman did his job well, but being overshadowed by the likes of Emad Moteab, Abdullah Elsaid and others.

On the road to the final match today, Soliman scored in the second round knock out

CA F C HA MP ION S LE AG UE F IN A L

Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al Ahly and Esperance of Tunisia will go to war in the ďŹ rst leg of the CAF Champions League ďŹ nal this afternoon in Cairo

phase against CF Mounana of Gabon, then missed a penalty in the 2-0 defeat at Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s KCCA that saw Ahly doomed to bottom of their mini league stage group. But since French coach Patrica Carteron arrived, the 33 years old winger proved to be the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superstar.

A goal against Horoya of Guinea in the quarterfinals, and two more in both legs against Algeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ES Setif in the semis, in addition to two more assists proved Soliman to be the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Top Gunâ&#x20AC;? within Ahly ranks this term.

And he remains the fans

Customs,Rocks,Angels Confirm Final Slots inAbuja r'JSTU #BOL %PMQIJOT .'. SVMF &OVHV form against all opposing teams in Abuja centre of the championship.

It was also not a surprise that Kaduna Angels women basketball team won the third ticket at the Savannah Conference.

The Kaduna Babes on Tuesday whipped Nasarawa Amazons 84-36 and had earlier in the tournament pipped Benue Princess 58-34.

They were yet to play their last match at the time of this report but have recorded wins

MATCH FACTS An Al Ahly-Esperance meeting is something of a classic in African football. The pair have met 14 times in this tournament, perhaps most memorably is the final in 2012. Esperance returned from Cairo with a 1-1 draw and what seemed like the upper hand, but Al Ahly turned the tables at the Stade Rades to win 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate. r %VSJOH UIFJS QSFWJPVT meetings, draws have been the most common result (six times). Al Ahly have won on five occasions (including three times in Tunis), as have Esperance, with the last of their wins coming in the second leg of the 2011 semi-final. r "M "IMZ XJMM CF UBLJOH QBSU in their 12th continental final, eight of which they have won.

Both of those stats are tournament records. For Esperance, this will be their seventh final. On their previous six attempts, they have triumphed twice and lost four times, the last to none other than Al Ahly. r "OJDF #BESJ &TQFSBODF

and Walid Azaro (Al Ahly) will be also be competing to be this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top scorer in the CAF Champions League. Badri leads the way on seven goals, along with two other players no longer in contention.

10,000 Runners for Bet9ja Lagos Women Run 2018

ZENITH WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BALL LEAGU E

Nigeria Customs, Plateau Rocks and Kaduna Angels yesterday picked the three final slots of the 14th Zenith Bank Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball League taking place in Abuja.

The three teams have been impressive at the Savannah Conference of the competition which is also taking place in Enugu due to its abridged format this season.

Nigeria Customs and Plateau Rocks have been in devastating

favourite as his side prepares to their second successive appearance in the final, hoping to better their runner-ups finish last year.

While the final match comes up from tonight, Nigerians focus will be on Oluwafemi Ajayi, better known as Junior Ajayi who was injured but has now been certified medically fit for the potentially explosive Al Ahly â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Esperance clashes.

The Nigerian player had been sidelined for the greater part of the season owing to a rupture in his medial collateral ligament during a fourth round of the Champions

League group stage.

But according to Egyptian publication, Kingfut last Sunday, Al Ahly medical team confirmed that Ajayi will return to training sessions after three weeks, assuring that the playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recovery progress is going well. He may not be in action in the first leg, but could feature in the return leg in Tunisia.

In another development, the Video assistant referees (VAR) will be used for the first this evening. The system allows off-field referees to assist match officials regarding goals, penalty and straight red card decisions, and mistaken identity when awarding red and yellow cards.

VAR has been used once before in Africa, for the 2018 CAF Super Cup match between Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Apart from a $2.5 million prize, the African champions will qualify for the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, which guarantees at least another $1million for the winners.

Moses, Eintracht Frankfurtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Croatia star Ante Rebic and AS Romaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cengiz Under were on the radar of Jose Mourinho as possible players to lift Manchester Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game from its poor state.

Mourinho who was Mosesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coach at Chelsea is believed to be in the hunt for a new striker, as both Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford have not been convincing this season with only five goals between the pair in 24 competitive games. Moses is believed could fit into Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game with his pacy play.

After joining Chelsea in August 2012, Moses was loaned out to Wigan, Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United before the arrival of The Bluesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; former manager, Antonio Conte.

Moses who has a contract with Chelsea until June 30, 2021, found his range under Conte and helped contributed to the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success in the 2016/17 season under the Italian manager.

With his continued bench-role now, it is just a matter of time before Moses is released on another loan spell.

in other games just like the two other qualifiers for the Final Six slated for Lagos.

In Enugu, First Bank and Dolphins have qualified for the final Six along with newcomers Mountain of Fire and Miracles basketball team that defeated First Deepwater 57-56 to qualify last night The Zenith Bank Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Final Six is to take place between November 3 and 7 at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

With just one week to the main event, a total of 10,000 runners from across Lagos State and its environs have registered for the 2018 edition of the Lagos Women Run 10 kilometre Marathon Race for all classes of women, with major sponsorship coming from Bet9ja. This figure according to the the Coordinator of the Run, Tayo Popoola, the majority of the registered runners are from the Lagos Island, Lekki and the Aja axis of Lagos State, which was an improvement over last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition where majority of the runners were from Ikorodu.

She noted that, the largest

registrations were done online through the Lagos Women Run official website, while the number of registration received physically at the secretariat of the LWR inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium, though not up to that received online were also quite substantial, which represents a vast improvement on what obtained in the 2017 edition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The good thing about this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s registration is that we have one week to go and more women are indicating interest to compete in both the Open and Veteran categories. To avoid an upsurge since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a 10

kilometres marathon race, we have decided to close registration tomorrow October 31, to enable us effectively manage the number we have.â&#x20AC;?

She noted that, there will be a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pep talkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to the runners on the essence of marathon race, healthy living and the importance of the run for young and middle aged women. The Expo will be unveiled on Thursday October 7.

The distribution of runnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kits for those who registered physically will be done at the Expo on October 8, while those who registered online will get their kits from October 8 to 9, 2018.

Friday, November 2, 2018

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MISSILE PDP to Buhari

“The Buhari presidency should know that their threats and confrontation cannot take away the fact that their principal’s certificate issue requires a personal responsibility and the President cannot wish away this responsibility as he had always done on official matters. If Mr. President has nothing to hide, he should end the confrontations and show integrity by writing the military authorities to make the certificate public” – The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) urging President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his responsibility by coming clean on his secondary school certificate.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

What is Geographical Restructuring?

“I

rejected the notion that geographical restructuring was a solution to our national problems.

Geographical restructuring is either taking us back to regional governments or increasing the number of states that make up the Nigerian federation. As we all may recall, the 2014 National Conference actually recommended the creation of 18 more states. I then argued that what we required now was not geographical restructuring but good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal federalism, and a clear vision for development.”-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo By now Nigerians should be wise to the antics of those who make a habit of looking for what is not lost. It is a strategy of kangaroo debate deception otherwise known as sowing false trails or laying red herrings. Foremost in this category in Nigeria today are those who venture in vain to dress the proposal for constitutional review (towards reclaiming the federalism heritage of Nigeria) aka restructuring, in all manners of ill-fitting garbs and apparels.

They strain so hard to say nothing, to obfuscate, confuse, distort and play around with words. The most dangerous of this lot are those who are actually intellectually equipped to know the truth but have deliberately chosen to put this attribute to the service of self-abnegation. We are speaking of the absurdity of experts cultivating and propagating confusion and ignorance in the bid to perpetuate ephemeral political advantage. Of course it gets worse when such informed and knowledgeable individuals are constitutional scholars to boot.

Beyond the penchant for deliberate obtuseness, constitutional restructuring has no need of ponderous circumlocution.

It simply means the restructuring of power relations among the two tiers of government namely the federal and the state governments-decentralisation and devolution of powers in this instance.

Once this principle is accepted, further details are self-prescriptive and amenable to negotiation in the spirit of give and take. Now, in order not to fall prey to the antics of mischief makers who pay lip service to federalism, it is necessary to predicate the advocacy on the irreducible minimum of commonality of agreement in principle. Once it is agreed in principle, the details can be worked out within the framework of mutual interest-believing that there is nothing good I want for myself that I do not wish for my neighbor.

What a government that is not lacking in good faith should then do, especially one that made a prior commitment in its manifesto, is to encourage and facilitate engagement among Nigerians to arrive at a working consensus. Rather than do this, the government has appointed itself the defense advocate of a plea that has not been entered.

By the way what is wrong with taking Nigeria back to ‘regional governments’?

Osinbajo

Was that not the norm under which this unfortunate country once flourished?

Are we implying here that the chain of events set in motion by the January 1966 military coup that terminated the first republic has served the country well?

Was the independence constitution (as predicated on regionalism and federalism) not the best articulated formula (yet) for the development of Nigeria? Was the termination of the first republic not a tragic accident that has sentenced Nigeria to the living hell it has become? What has been the history of Nigeria since 1966 if not a standing admonition against increasingly veering away from the path of rectitude and nationhood? Despite the mounting exorbitant cost in human carnage and socio-economic regression, is it not criminal that we still continue to bury our heads in the sands?

The tragic irony of contemporary Nigeria is that there is no better illustration of the structurally inherent incapacity of the operative pseudo federalist framework than the failure of the Buhari government-made worse by the individual incompetence and primordial insularity of top government functionaries. Haven served notice early in the life of this administration that his notion of national unity precludes and forecloses the reinvention of Nigerian federalism, Buhari has ceded further public engagement on this issue to his deputy, who, providentially is trained in the ability to argue from both sides of his mouth, to reprobate and approbate, to make a virtue of countervailing logic and ambiguities, to persistently argue with himself on what restructuring entails-from economic restructuring to geographic restructuring and all imaginative larceny that lie in between. In his career as end time Nigerian nationalist, Osinbajo started on the false and tragic note of pointing accusing fingers right back at home and argued with a propensity for showmanship: “This is what some people have said, that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression and for that reason it is not likely to succeed

as a united whole. But those who say so do not know that even the expression, mere geographical expression used in relation to a country was not first used in relation to Nigeria. As a matter of the fact, it was the German statesman Klemens von Metternich who used this same expression for Italy.

He simply summed up Italy as a mere geographical expression exactly a century before Nigeria was born. Italy is still a mere geographical expression but still a nation. So we must not be misled by those in some pseudo-intellectual way suggest to us that the mere fact that we did not deliberately one day hold a conference to come together means that we should not or cannot stay together.”

As a student of Nigerian politics with particular affinity for Nigerian federalism, I felt personally assaulted by this crude demagoguery and stigmatisation. I felt affronted by the inherent disservice to the memory of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo-who stood head and shoulders amongst his peers as the foremost proponent of federalism. After repeated indulgence in this unwarranted rebuke by no less a personality than one married to his granddaughter I lost whatever illusions I initially entertained on the character of Osinbajo. How do you condemn a man for making the valid observation that Nigeria was little more than a geographical expression in 1948-on the basis of which he proceeded to propose and articulate the constitutional panacea of federalism, let alone by a person who, if nothing else, owe him a filial obligation for fairness?

Lately, under duress from the specter of electoral defeat he ventured “Let me explain my position clearly…. there is no other government in Nigeria that has actively pursued restructuring such as we did when I was Attorney General in Lagos State… all this time, this was 2000, some of those people, including the presidential candidate of PDP, who is talking about restructuring, was the vice president then. They opposed every step we took. Of course, we were taking the federal government to court then…

The next thing we did was that the states should be able to create their own local governments, which is autonomy of states.

So, we created 37 new local governments in Lagos. The president then, Chief Obasanjo, seized our local government funds and said we could not create new local governments… So, I am not a latter day convert to restructuring…I am an active practitioner of restructuring, and I have gone to the Supreme Court 12 times to test restructuring,” What a pathetic effort! The first illogical implication here is that all restructuring entails is lying dormant and inherent in the present constitution and all it requires is for brave and enlightened states like Lagos state to charge forth and extract it from the judiciary; that the restructuring we are questing for lies in the applicability of the 1999 Constitution! What a wonderful discovery this is. Why seek what you

already have? But how successful was Lagos state in this solo effort to rewrite the constitution of Nigeria? Is the number of local governments in Nigeria not specified as 774 in the Nigerian constitution? Can Lagos state acting judicially and on its own alter that number? Would the aspiration not require a constitutional amendment?

And is this not one of the distortions of federalism that we seek to rectify through a holistic review of the constitution? Does fighting for the right of Lagos state under the present constitution amount to making anyone a practitioner of restructuring?

Can you practice what is non-existent?

Haven falsely arrogated to himself the status of a restructuring conquistador, he then proceeded as he always does, to set up a false contrast with whichever figure captures his antagonism, mostly former President Goodluck Jonathan, but this time it is the presidential candidate of the PDP and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. And this tendency is something worrisome about the public interventions of Osinbajo-this persistent proclivity for puerile altercations. Does it lie within the power and authority of Atiku as Vice President to embark on policy initiatives or constitutional pursuits autonomous of his principal? Could the deputy governor of Lagos State have instructed Osinbajo to go to court as he was directed to do as attorney general?

There is even the exculpatory observation that nowhere in the PDP manifesto was any commitment made to seeking return to true federalism as it was deceitfully and plainly stated in the APC manifesto. Did Obasanjo and Atiku campaign on seeking constitutional review towards the devolution and decentralization of power? It is this kind of mentality that partly explains the dysfunction of the Buhari government.

You never know when functionaries and officials of the government are speaking or acting in personal or official capacity.

Accordingly and in reality, we may not know in what capacity Osinbajo speaks on restructuring. Is it as Vice President, former Attorney General of Lagos state or Professor of law?

STOP PRESS I hope Osinbajo and others with elastic capacity to bend the truth have read the Mo Ibrahim governance ratings index. Other than the bribery induced inanity of so called Forbes Africa, the international community is near unanimous in returning a verdict of the most degenerate governance culpability, especially in the aspect of corruption, in the experience of this country, on the Buhari government. Only God knows the extent of the stench that lies buried in the innards of a government that has been consistently indicted for grand corruption by acclaimed non-partisan International organizations.

Unfortunately, having too much to hide will prove a desperate disincentive for this government to give way regardless of the outcome of the 2019 elections.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

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