THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2018

Crude Oil Price Rises as Producers Discuss Supply Cut Price fluctuations not good for world economy, US insists Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency reports Barely 24 hours after crude oil prices slumped to one-year

low, the prices rose yesterday, recouping some of the previous session’s slide, on the growing prospect of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied producers

cutting output at next month’s meeting to prop up the market. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has however, stated that given Nigeria’s challenges with crude

Nigeria comfortable with $70 per barrel, says NNPC

oil production from fields in the Niger Delta, the country would be most comfortable with oil price at $70 per barrel. This is coming as the United States’ Energy Secretary, Rick

Perry, has stated that his country’s message to other oil producing countries is that the world economy needs stable supplies of energy. Prices rallied towards $67

earlier in the session after it was reported that OPEC and its partners are discussing a proposal to cut output by up to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd), Continued on page 6

Manufacturers Smile as Stable FX Brings Down Financing Cost … Page 8 Thursday 15 November, 2018 Vol 23. No 8611. Price: N250

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Atiku Gets Igbo Leaders’Endorsement, Starts Campaign on Monday To collapse organisation into party structure, integrate former aspirants

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, got a hefty endorsement yesterday as South-east leaders and stakeholders gathered in Enugu and chose them as their

preferred candidates in the forthcoming general elections. Yesterday’s endorsement would be Atiku’s second substantial approval, coming after his former boss, erstwhile

president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, forgave him his past and declared him “the man who would be president.” Basking in the euphoria of the promise of a possible

block vote from the South-east of the country, Atiku said he would start his campaign on Monday with the launch of his policy document, which would elaborate on his vision

and how he intends to govern the country if he wins the election next year. The Independent National Continued on page 8

Govs Adamant, Say N30,000 Minimum Wage Will Make States Go Bankrupt Give options, retrenchment, revenue allocation formula review Workers threaten showdown Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja State governors yesterday rose from their meeting in Abuja and restated their inability to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage recommended by the National Minimum Wage Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to review the N18,000 figure, which organised labour said had become inadequate and legally outdated. They said the states would go bankrupt if forced to pay the new wage, warning that

it might lead to retrenchment of workers. In the alternative, they proposed that the federal government shed some of its revenue in favour of the states so they could be able to absorb the financial implication of the impending increased wage bill. But labour would have none of it as it said last night that any governor, who could not afford the new figure, should resign or risk an industrial action. Continued on page 6

You Are Morally Challenged, Saraki Tells Oshiomhole ... Page 6

SO EMOTIONAL… Renowned Constitutional Law expert, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN; and the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during the endorsement of Atiku by South-east leaders and stakeholders in Enugu… yesterday

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You Are Morally Challenged, Saraki Tells Oshiomhole Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday came down hard on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, asking him to quit politics. Saraki made the statement in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on the sidelines of a remembrance ceremony for his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki. This is coming as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) yesterday told protesters that it would investigate the APC national chairman if it receives a petition against him. Saraki said based on recent allegations levelled against Oshiomhole, the APC national chairman had no right to remain the chairman of the ruling party, let alone remain in politics. “Oshiomhole has no locus standi to talk about morality in today’s Nigeria’s politics. That must be a joke coming from Oshiomhole talking about moral ground,� he said. The Senate president referred to multiple allegations of corruption against the ruling party’s national chairman by

some APC aspirants and said Oshiomhole ought to stand down from politics. According to the Senate president, “I don’t think he has any moral ground, even to continue to be in politics not to talk about being a chairman of a party. “I remember in those days even John Oyegun, they never accused him of something like this. I have left that party. I’m sure the president, based on integrity, knows the right thing to do. So, on moral ground, he cannot speak on moral ground.� Speaking on Saturday’s by-election in Irepodun/ Ekiti/Oke Ero/Isin Federal Constituency, Saraki decried the huge deployment of policemen and sudden change of divisional heads of police in four local government areas for the by-election. He said, "You see, the mistake we sometimes make; we forget that Nigeria is a big nation in this global world, not only in the context of Africa. We provide leadership. An action that we take that tries to suggest that we are not civilised with rule of law and processes, doesn't augur well with the image. "Today, the president is the

president of ECOWAS likewise the Chairman of INEC as chairman of electoral bodies in ECOWAS, even show that we are a responsible country". "So, when the Inspector General of Police (IG) begins to do things like this without following due process, it is not good for our country. And that is what we always stand for. And all those who are supposed to caution him should ensure that due process is followed in things like this. "We have been doing byelection here, I have never seen where the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) are being transferred. We have been doing by-elections here; I have never seen where 200 or 300 security personnel are being deployed. It is not about Kwara State; it is about the country. It is about how the world sees us. "It is about how we provide leadership in the continent. And we keep on saying that people like these are not doing the president any good. The people at the end of the day will speak, and they should allow people to exercise their rights, vote in peace and vote their wishes and should not do anything that create fear or break law and order.

"In spite of all these, I see PDP winning the election because we are on the ground. There is no doubt about it. If you go round, you will know who is on ground. And you will see that in the results. They should allow people to exercise their rights.� Oshiomhole had severally prevailed on Saraki to resign from his exalted position following his defection from the ruling APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Apparently still leaking the wound inflicted on the ruling party's ego by the defection of Saraki to the opposition political party, Oshiomhole while appearing on Arise TV, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY, said there was no way the "minority leadership in National Assembly" could stand the test of time. "It is unacceptable that minority provide leadership over majority. However he mismanages the process of manipulating the tools of reward, using all ways to sustain himself in power at a huge cost to the country, I remain convinced that Saraki must show honour and character by vacating

voluntarily," he said.

Protesters Storm ICPC, Demand APC Chairman’s Probe Meanwhile, protesters yesterday stormed the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja, demanding an investigation into allegations of bribery levelled against Oshiomhole during the recently concluded nationwide primary elections of the party. The protesters, who were led by Stanley Onu under the auspices of Coalition for a New Nigeria (CNN), said the protest was in their “quest to arrest the dangers faced by our party, the ruling APC, occasioned by the integrity challenged National Chairman, Oshiomhole.� They carried placards with several inscriptions such as ‘Oshiomhole must go’, ‘Probe Oshiomhole now,’ among others. According to them, “The APC is in serious crisis following the most reprehensible, divisive and widely condemned primaries across the states.� Speaking further, the leader of the protesters said, “Today, the APC which was gaining grounds and welcoming new members is far from the all-embracing party it was when Oshiomhole took

over as national chairman. “Given the various allegations of corruption by respected chieftains and members of the APC, we are here calling on the various anti-corruption agencies to begin a comprehensive probe of not only these allegations, but his time as the governor of Edo State. “For the avoidance of doubt, we are well aware that Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence criminal proceedings against Oshiomhole for allegedly diverting state funds into personal use. “Therefore, it is expedient that a man that has corruption noose round his neck is not the fit and proper person to lead a party that has President Muhammadu Buhari, a man known globally for his anti-corruption stance, to remain in office.� Addressing the protesters, spokeswoman of the commission, Ms. Rasheedat Okoduwa, buttressed the impartiality of the ICPC, saying it would look into all petitions before it, giving precedence to the time of filing. She urged the protesters to remain peaceful and allow the petition go through the commission’s processes.

GOVS ADAMANT, SAY N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE WILL MAKE STATES GO BANKRUPT The governors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at their meeting last night in Abuja, frowned on the action of the tripartite committee, which it said failed to include their N22,500 submission in the final report sent to the president. As a way forward, the governors raised a committee made up of eight of their colleagues to meet the president to further discuss the issue. Members of the committee, nominated to see the president include, the governors of Lagos, Kebbi, Plateau, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kaduna States. Addressing journalists after their meeting last night in Abuja, Zamfara State Governor

and Chairman of NGF, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, said asking states to pay N30,000 was impracticable unless labour would agree to a downsizing of the work-force all over the country or the federal government itself accedes to the review of the national revenue allocation formula. Yari said the governors were not happy that their offer of N22,500 as new minimum wage was not factored into the final report the tripartite committee submitted to Buhari. He said, "With N18,000, when the president assumed office about 27 states were not able to pay, not that they choose not to pay. So now you say N30,000, how many of them can pay. We will be bankrupt.

So as Nigerians, we should look at the issues seriously." Yari said that a member of the committee and Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, had informed the governors that the committee did not take their submission of N22,500 because it came late. "I am surprised, how can you do this without the input of the states? The states are the key stakeholders in this business. So, a situation whereby our report is not taken or considered by the tripartite committee to present to the president then I don't know how the committee wants us to work," he said. The Zamfara State governor also countered the insinuation that some governors were

flying jets and living in affluence while complaining about poor revenue, saying that the governors' actions are driven by necessity rather than bogus lifestyle. Yari, who was flanked by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, their Benue State counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom, said as things stood, only Lagos State could afford to pay the N30,000 being requested. He said, "But we still say we want to pay but the issue is the ability to pay. If you say no, it is not about the ability to pay, just pay, I don't know how this formula will work and I don't know how we can get solution to the problem. "The issue of government

overhead cost put together with personnel cost cannot solve this problem. Like Lagos that is paying about N7billion as salaries, if you say it should pay N30,000 now, it will be N13 billion. From our calculation, it is only Lagos State that will be able to pay N30,000. “As Nigerians, this is our country, there is no other country we have and we should be fair to this country." As for the way forward, Yari said the governors would continue to talk with labour, to let them see reasons why the states have difficulties. He said the states have submitted their audited accounts to the tripartite committee to guide them in their negotiations with labour.

"Some of us have Internally Generated Revenue (IGR.). For instance, the money Lagos State is using to pay is not coming from Abuja. They have a way of getting their money from the IGR and that is why they can afford to pay. They get money through VAT. Apart from Lagos, even Rivers State cannot afford to pay. We have been crying out about this since 2011 but no one will listen. "One critical example is that some states ration their salaries while some others put everything they earn on the table and ask labour to come and see and ask them to suggest how much should go for capital and personnel cost. "Some say 70 per cent for

Dr. Maikanti Baru, to have said this while speaking at a global business leaders’ panel session on the side-lines of the 21st Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Baru added that the move by the Saudis would significantly stabilise the global energy market. “We need price stability and we want to acknowledge the good gesture by Saudi Arabia,� said Baru. According to him, the corporation was working towards utilising technology for early detection of pipeline vandalised spots and quick response systems which would significantly save cost, reduce potential fatalities and safeguard the environment. He stated: “In terms of refining, digital technology will help us get more out of our crude which will mean getting the highest yield from our plants. We also need to utilise digital technology from the contracting end which will lead to improved designs in

constructions thereby reducing cost and time.� Baru, said the oil and gas industry was mostly driven by technological improvements and environmental concerns, a development he said has resulted in the changing dynamics in the global energy mix. He observed that while crude oil is projected to grow at a declining rate by 2040 favouring growth in natural gas, renewable energy in the longer term would account for 40 per cent of increase in total energy demand by the same year. According to him, NNPC would in its efforts to survive in the long run, require strong investment and commitment to technological research and development. In a related development, US Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, yesterday said crude oil supply fluctuations are not good for world economy. According to Perry, the US message to other oil producing countries is that the world economy needs stable supplies

of energy. “What is most important for the world economy...is a stable supply of energy,� he told a televised news conference in Prague when asked about a potential supply cut by OPEC and allied producers.

Continued on page 8

CRUDE OIL PRICE RISES AS PRODUCERS DISCUSS SUPPLY CUT a larger figure than officials have mentioned previously. While the international benchmark Brent crude was up 74 cents a barrel to $66.21 after falling as low as $65.02, the US crude was up 58 cents at $56.27. Since mid-October, the price of Brent has fallen by 17.5 per cent on concern about excess supply and slowing demand, marking one of the biggest declines since a price collapse in 2014. The price slide had accelerated on Tuesday, with US futures suffering their steepest one-day loss in more than three years due to ongoing worries about weakening global demand and oversupply. US futures had closed down 7.1 per cent, for a record 12th straight decline and the lowest since November 2017. US crude has lost 28 per cent since its early October peak. The global benchmark, Brent had also ended down $4.65, or 6.6 per cent, to $65.47 per barrel, the largest one-day loss since July. Brent has lost 25 per cent

since peaking at a four-year high of $86 in early October. Traders said Tuesday’s price slump was an extension of Monday’s, which was triggered after US President Donald Trump posted a tweet meant to put pressure on OPEC not to cut supply to prop up prices. Trump’s tweet followed weekend reports that Saudi Arabia was considering a production cut at the December OPEC meeting, following an increased alarm that supply has started to outpace consumption. In its monthly report the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said the implied stock build for the first half of 2019 is 2 million bpd. The IEA left its forecast for global demand growth for 2018 and 2019 unchanged from last month at 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) and 1.4 million bpd, respectively. Oil markets are being pressured from two sides: a surge in supply from OPEC, Russia and other producers, and increasing concerns about a global economic slowdown. US crude oil output from

its seven major shale basins is expected to hit a record 7.94 million barrels per day (bpd) in December, the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday. That surge in onshore output has helped overall US crude production hit a record 11.6 million bpd, making her the world’s biggest oil producer ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Nigeria Comfortable With $70 Oil Meanwhile, the NNPC yesterday stated that given Nigeria’s challenges with crude oil production from fields in the Niger Delta, it is important that oil prices do not fall below $70 per barrel. The corporation also commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its recent announcement that it would cut its daily crude oil production by one million barrels per day (mbd) from December 2018. NNPC in a statement quoted its Group Managing Director,

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN UNITYBANK 0.07 0.85 HONEYWELL 0.06 1.06 LAWUNION 0.03 0.55 REGENCY 0.01 0.21 NEM 0.10 2.67 TOP LOSERS NGN DIAMONDBANK 0.10 0.95 ETERNA PLC 0.50 4.95 JAIZBANK 0.04 0.40 LINKAGEASSURE 0.06 0.62 NPFMFB 0.12 1.36 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,450.00 Volume: 229.264 million shares Value: N2.498 billion Deals: 2,726 As at yesterday 14 /11/18 See details on Page 41

% 8.9 6.0 5.7 5.0 3.8 % 9.5 9.1 9.0 8.8 8.1

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NEWS

Manufacturers Smile as Stable FX Brings Down Financing Cost

Goddy Egene

Major manufacturing companies are now witnessing a decline in their financing cost following stable exchange rate, their resort to cheaper sources of borrowing as well as the adoption of other cost reduction strategies, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. It was gathered that reliance on bank loans by many companies and the forex scarcity experienced in the country in 2016 had pushed up cost of finance of most companies to very high levels. This, it was learnt, had led to some of them recording decline in profitability between the 2016 and 2017 financial year. However, THISDAY checks showed that the situation has improved significantly as most manufacturing firms continue to witness decline in financing cost, a development analysts

attributed to the stable exchange rate and recourse to cheaper sources of funding such as equity capital injection and issuance of commercial papers (CPs). The Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, who confirmed this development, told THISDAY yesterday that the stability of exchange rate impacted positively on the activities of manufacturers. “From the point of view of the stability of the rate, from the point of view of the fact that we have regular intervention by the CBN, it has also supported stability of exchange rate. “Also, the fact that we have the investors’ and exporters’ window, which impact has been positive, has all supported manufacturers. Today, manufacturers don’t have to queue for a long time before they get forex anymore.� Investigation further

revealed that leading food product manufacturing firm, Nestle Nigeria Plc, for instance, saw its net financing cost for nine months which ended on September 30, 2018, fall by 85 per cent to N1.27 billion, from N8.6 billion in 2017. This boosted the company’s profit after tax by 44 per cent from N22.979 billion to N33.118 billion in 2018. Also, leading cement manufacturing company and most capitalised stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Dangote Cement Plc, recorded lower financing cost in 2018. Specifically, its financing cost fell from N39.917 billion to N30.115 billion. Consequently, profit before tax went up from N220.182 billion to N247.364 billion, just as PAT increased from N154.122 billion to N158.227 billion. Dangote Cement Plc established N150 billion CP progamme and raised

N50 billion Series 1 and 2. It has also announced the issuance of N50 billion Series 3 and 4. Expert explained that the stable exchange rate led to the reduced cost of borrowing for companies that usually go for foreign currency loans. They added that some companies have also reduced their appetite for bank borrowings and approached existing shareholders for equity capital through rights issue, while others issued CPs, which are believed to have lower interest rate compared to bank loans. Research analyst at Anchoria Asset Management Limited, Mr. Adedeji Adewole, who spoke in a chat with THISDAY, said, “A lot of firms are now going for debt financing such as CPs and bonds, to boost their operations. Also, the stable exchange rate we have been experiencing, is what has kept the economy

going, unlike the volatility we saw about two years ago.� The Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr. Joseph Makoju, recently explained: “The CP that will be issued under the programme will be deployed towards capital expenditure, working capital and general corporate purpose.� Also, brewing giant, Nigerian Breweries Plc, which has raised funds via CP in the past, witnessed a decline in its financing cost, reducing from N7.869 billion to N5.267 billion. Similarly, UAC of Nigeria Plc, which raised additional capital via a right issue, paid lower cost for finance as it fell from N3.143 billion to N1.66 billion. Unilever Nigeria Plc that equally injected equity capital through rights issue last year enjoyed lower cost of finance in the review period. It fell from N1.185 billion to N105 million.

The Managing Director/ CEO of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, had said through the rights issue, the company would be able to reinforce its financial flexibility to support its growth initiative, while giving shareholders an opportunity to consolidate their shareholding position. “The rights issue is part of Unilever Nigeria’s long term strategic intent to strengthen the company’s capital base by deleveraging its balance sheet, support its working capital needs, and position the company to exploit value accretive opportunities,� Nsarkoh said. He had explained that the net proceeds would help the company repay outstanding foreign currency denominated liabilities, purchase additional raw materials required for Unilever’s products and to meet other working capital requirements in order to build long term value for all stakeholders.

we will go will be unveiled.� Sowunmi said the PDP was ready to hit the campaign trail. He stated, “We have always been ready, Nigerians are ready, Nigerians are also ready, Atiku is ready, he has always been ready, members of the campaign team, members of the campaigns team are ready, the APCO is ready, they have always been ready, our support groups are ready, they have always been ready, our party faithful across the nation are also ready and I believe that the media and the international community are also ready.�

a terse statement, “The APC considers Atiku and his PDP co-travellers as people who have lost any sense of shame. The purported endorsement of Atiku and PDP by some leaders of the South-east for the 2019 general elections is an affront on the Igbo people who were frontline victims of the 16 years of the PDP misrule. “It will be interesting to know what the PDP will be telling the Igbo people during the campaign. The South-east people have three and a half years of visible progress in terms of massive infrastructure and the thousands of common people, who are benefiting from the social programme investments under APC, to compare to the PDP's 16 years of retrogression. “We in APC are confident that the Igbo won't be fooled by any group, by whatever name, to sell a thoroughly discredited party like the PDP to the very discerning Igbo people.�

ATIKU GETS IGBO LEADERS’ ENDORSEMENT, STARTS CAMPAIGN ON MONDAY Electoral Commission (INEC) would lift the ban on presidential and federal legislative campaigns on Sunday, November 18, paving the way for full blown political rallies and canvass for votes. Prominent Igbo leaders including elders, traditional and religious leaders as well as women groups had been gathered in Enugu, where renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, not only threw his weight behind the Atiku presidential project but also, urged Ndigbo to support it, contending that the actualisation of the ticket remains the visible means of political survival for the people of the region. He specifically said the Atiku Abubakar project was his last wish "before I join my ancestors.â€? In a five-point communiquĂŠ issued at the end of the summit with the theme, ‘Ndigbo 2019 and Beyond,’ held in Enugu, the leaders said their position was based on the restructuring agenda put on the table by Atiku and Obi, which four zones of the country had agreed on. Read by a legal luminary, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, it said, “The Igbo people of Nigeria held a one day non-partisan and inclusive summit convened by elders, traditional and religious leaders on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 to consider Ndigbo’s place in the polity especially in the light of the forthcoming 2019 elections. “The summit deliberated on the State of Ndigbo in Nigeria today especially after years of exclusion from the centre. This country has never been so divided, as it is today. We Igbos have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity and fairness. “The summit recognised the nomination of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP and fully endorses this nomination. It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back in the centre of governance. It is, therefore, important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/ Obi ticket. “We identify with the Atiku/ Peter Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as has been reiterated by four zones of the country namely, South-south, South-west, North-central

and South-east. We believe that as long as the federating units remain weak the centre will continue to be weak. We equally move to appreciate the position of the Atiku/Obi ticket in promoting national unity. “In conclusion, the summit reiterated that the time is now for Ndigbo to mobilise and organize effectively to realise the Atiku/Obi ticket. We are not campaigning against anybody; we are simply campaigning for our very survival. Igbo votes must count wherever Ndigbo live in Nigeria.� Earlier, before the meeting christened, ‘Ahamefula, Ndigbo and the Future’ held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu went into closed door, Nwabueze said that the Igbo should work hard to actualise the Atiku/Obi ticket as a special gift to him, stressing that the best position Igbos should take ahead of the forthcoming presidential election is to stand firmly in support of the candidate that can ensure their survival in Nigeria. He said, “It is unfortunate that those who pioneered the independence of the country have been totally alienated in their own country and that is why we are here. We have to support the ticket that will ensure our (Igbo) survival. That ticket is the joint ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. “We must not allow this opportunity to slip out of our hands. If we, the Igbo leaders gathered here cannot actualise this ticket then we should be ashamed of ourselves. We must work hard to achieve this because it is the best way for us to go at this time. “We are not campaigning for anybody but we are campaigning for our survival. We must achieve this joint ticket of Atiku/Obi because it is our desire to do so and we are determined to actualize it. Igbos should do this as their last gift for me.� Other personalities at the meeting were, Dr. George Obiozor, Chief Nnia Nwodo (Ohanaeze Ndigbo President), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ben Obi, Chief Achike Udenwa, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Theodore Orji, Chief Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Chief Garry Igariwey, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mr. Frank Ogbuewu, Professor Osita Ogbu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo,

Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, Prof. Walter Ofonagoro, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Commodore James Aneke (rtd), Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, Professor Uzodinma Nwala, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke (rtd), Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Anya O. Anya and Prof. Chudi Uwazurike, Major Gen. Obi Umahi (rtd), Uzodinma Okpara, son of the former Premier of Eastern Region, Esom Nwafor Orizu, daughter of the former acting President of Nigeria, and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Atiku Starts Campaign on Monday, to Launch Policy Document Meanwhile, Atiku is billed to start his campaign on Monday in Abuja with the launch of his policy document, which would entail how he intends to direct the country if he gets into the saddle of leadership next year. Multiple sources close to the campaign told THISDAY last night that the presidential candidate is rounding off his composition of the campaign machine, which would be a mix of the organisation that delivered him at the primary, the party and former aspirants’ structures. Atiku was said to have addressed members of his Campaign Organisation last Monday and briefed them on the shape of the emerging structure, telling them that they would be collapsed into a more inclusive electioneering machine that would be used to power him into the presidency. The party leadership, THISDAY gathered, would meet today to continue the harmonisation of the lists of people being proposed to man the directorates of the campaign. The PDP presidential candidate had last month announced his ally but also a challenger at the primary, Senate President Bukola Saraki, as the director-general of the presidential campaign. It also named the zonal directors. Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State) was put in charge of North-west; Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe State), North-east; Dr. Samuel Ortom (Benue State), North-central; Mr. Ayo Fayose, South-west; Chief Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State), South-east; and Chief Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), South-south.

However, THISDAY learnt the comprehensive campaign council might be announced on Saturday A reliable source told THISDAY yesterday that while the final decision has not been taken, the presidential campaign programmes and activities would be unveiled on Monday. The source said, “The presidential campaign will start in Abuja on Monday, and the comprehensive campaign council will be announced on Saturday.� The source said, "He will unveil his policy document in Abuja which entails how he will run the country if elected president." However, speaking with THISDAY yesterday, the spokesperson of Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO), Mr. Segun Sowunmi, said the PDP as a political party has demonstrated over the years that it is a big party, adding that since the coming on board of the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, the party has gone a step further to show how transparent the party has become. He added that processes of the party and the drivers of the processes are very clear, stressing that the campaign structure for the presidential campaign would not be any different. He said, “Like you are aware, his excellency has returned a couple of days ago and in a few days I believe, any moment from now, the comprehensive campaign council will be unveiled, which to the best of my knowledge, will be under the leadership of Senate President, Bukola Saraki. All the other members of those committees will be unveiled in due course. “As for when our campaign will start, I can assure you that we will be starting immediately the whistle is blown for our programmes and activities are well brochure and we will put into be unveiling them one after the other. “From the way I perceive it, which is not final or authorised or approved, I believe that the first thing that we deserve to do is to bring to the table a comprehensive policy unveiling. And before this unveiling, we would have easily commenced our activities, where we will go, when we will go and the areas

APC Reacts to Endorsement of Atiku In a reaction last night, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the endorsement of Atiku by South-east leaders and stakeholders was shameful. Its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Isa-Onilu, said in

GOVS ADAMANT, SAY N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE WILL MAKE STATES GO BANKRUPT personnel cost and 30 per cent for capital projects and yet the states cannot pay and they put the remaining as outstanding. If you are talking about oil, the price is not what it used to be today, from last year to date, it is 20 dollar less from $75 to $55. So where is the money to pay?�

If You Can't Pay Minimum Wage Resign, Labour Tells Governors Organised labour reacted swiftly last night, saying any governor that could not pay should resign. While reacting to governors' insistence that states cannot pay more than the N22,500 they offered, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress ((NLC), Mr. Peter Essom, said the workers will not accept a renegotiation of the amount agreed at tripartite talks. Essom, who spoke to THISDAY last night on telephone shortly after the governors made their positions known, said the only firm engagement labour will like to have with the state governors will be after the proclamation of the new minimum wage. According to Essom, what

workers are after is to have a minimum wage that takes care of basic needs. He said that as soon as government proclaims the N30,000 minimum wage, the organised labour will move in to engage various state governments on the implementation. The NLC scribe said, "What we are dealing with now is the issue of minimum wage and we stand by the N30,000, which is at the lowest fringe of what the workers need to meet the cost of providing service and still maintain some semblance of living. The tripartite negotiations are three legged structure, government, labour and private sector and state governors are part of the government team. “The question of renegotiation does not arise. We will, of course after the promulgation of the minimum wage law, engage each state governor as to implementation. Those governors that feel that they are incapable of paying the wage, there are options; one of the governors has said that he would rather resign. We call on those governors not willing to implement the new minimum wage to so do, and resign."

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

Senate Alleges Fresh Withdrawals of $1.151bn NLNG Dividends By NNPC Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate Committee on Gas yesterday said it has uncovered multiple illegal withdrawals totaling $1.151 billion by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from its dividends with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) from November 2016 to date, while $5 billion was also allegedly withdrawn by government from the same account in 2015 alone. The amount is different from the $1.05 billion the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mikanti Baru, claimed the corporation withdrew from its dividend in NLNG to fund fuel subsidy when he appeared before the Senate ad-hoc committee headed by Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, last month. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Bassey Akpan ( Akwa Ibom North East), who made this disclosure yesterday evening when the committee met with top officials of both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NNPC for clarifications over the alleged illegal withdrawals, therefore directed the GMD of NNPC and CBN governor to appear before it next week Thursday to clarify the

outrageous withdrawals. The Senate had two weeks ago mandated its Committee on Gas to investigate the $1.05 billion illegally sourced from NLNG dividends by NNPC and to also determine if there were other illegal withdrawals. In line with the committee’s mandate, Akpan declared at the meeting that “from the available documents before us, aside the $1.05 billion we are mandated by the Senate to investigate, several withdrawals have also been made from the NLNG dividends account without required supporting documents to back them. “This is unacceptable to us, this very reason along with the fact that the GMD of NNPC and CBN governor are not here in persons, we are not going to continue with the session today (yesterday).” He, therefore directed both the NNPC and CBN to furnish “this committee with other relevant documents on the withdrawals latest by next Tuesday while NNPC GMD, the corporation’s Group Executive Director ( Finance) , Isiaka Abdulrasak, and the CBN Governor , Godwin Emefiele, must appear before us next Thursday.” The committee chairman further disclosed that even

Global Investors Oversubscribe Nigeria’s $2.86bn Eurobond Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government last night announced that it had priced its offering of $2.86 billion Eurobond aggregate principal amount of triple series notes under its Global Medium Term Note Programme, with the offering attracting significant interest from leading global institutional investors, with a peak combined order book of over $9.5 billion This, it stated, reflects an oversubscription of over three times and demonstrates the ongoing confidence of international capital market investors in Nigeria’s investment story. A statement released from the Ministry of Finance and signed by the Special Adviser (Media and Communications), to the Minister of Finance , Paul Ella Abechi, noted that despite significant oil and wider macro market volatility, Nigeria has successfully raised its external debt requirements for the 2018 budget at a cost considerably lower than many of its peers across Sub-Sahara Africa. According to the statement, “the successful transaction follows closely behind Nigeria’s successful engagement with the Fitch rating agency, and their subsequent decision to change the outlook on Nigeria’s sovereign rating from B+ (negative) to B+ (stable), based on improving macro-economic

fundamentals. “The Notes comprise a $1.18 billion seven-year series, $1.00 billion 12-year series and a $750 million 30-year series. The 7-year series will bear interest at a rate of 7.625 per cent, while the 12-year series will bear interest at a rate of 8.75 per cent, and the 30-year series will bear interest at a rate of 9.25 per cent. “ In each case, they will be repayable with a bullet repayment of the principal on maturity. The offering is expected to close on or about November 21, 2018, subject to the satisfaction of various customary closing conditions. “The Republic intends to use the proceeds of the Notes towards funding of the fiscal deficit and other financing needs. The Notes represent the Republic’s sixth Eurobond issuance, following issuances in 2011, 2013, two in 2017 and one in early 2018 and its first triple-tranche offering,” it added. When issued, the Notes, the statement stressed, will be admitted to the official list of the United Kingdom Listing Authority and available to trade on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market. “The Republic may apply for the Notes to be eligible for trading and listed on the Nigerian FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

the approving memo tendered by NNPC for the withdrawal of the $1.05billion being investigated has no clear cut authorisation from required authorities. Akpan said: “The memo ‘NNPC GMD 49’ signed by Baru sent through the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, has no clear cut language of request for approval for withdrawal of the $1.05billion but just notification. “Even if it has, approval for withdrawal from such fund is supposed to be given by the

National Economic Council (NEC) being an account or dividends owned by the three tiers of government.” The senator gave an assurance that “we are surely going to carry out thorough investigation on the illegal withdrawals to put an end to the cycle because a whopping sum of $5billion was withdrawn from the same account in 2015 under this same government without any convincing explanations made so far on what the money was used for.”

The committee had earlier, while scrutinising the NLNG account documents presented to it particularly by the Chief Operating Officer of CBN Finance, Babatunde Adeniran, observed series of cash debited from the account from November 2016 to June this year totaling $2.201billion. The breakdown of the withdrawals not supported by required approving documents as observed by the committee are $86.546,526million withdrawn from the account on November 22, 2016, allegedly

being payment on Paris Club loans for the state governors, and $1.05 billion withdrawn on April 17, 2018, as National Fuel Support Fund. Others are $650million withdrawn from the account on June 7 this year to offset the Joint Venture Cash Call by NNPC which ordinarily supposed to be budget item payment and $415, 063million withdrawn from the account also in June without clear explanation on the purpose for which it was meant for, he explained further.

OVERSIGHT VISIT…

L-R: Clerk of the Senate Committee on Environment, Mr. Sani Lawan; member of the committee, Senator Magnus Abe; Chairman of the committee, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Director-General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Sir Peter Idabor; members of the committee; Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Senator Foster Ogola; and Senator Andrew Uchendu; during the committee’s oversight visit to NOSDRA... yesterday

Sokoto Deputy Governor Resigns Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, has resigned. THISDAY gathered that Ahmad submitted his resignation letter to the state House of Assembly on Tuesday but was not read on the floor by the assembly at the time of filing this report.

A source in the assembly who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the resignation. He denied that Ahmad resigned as a result of a removal plot against him, stressing that there was no plot to sack the deputy governor since he has not committed any offence. When contacted to confirm the resignation, the Director of Press to the former deputy

governor, Bawa Ibrahim, did not pick his phone. Last July when Governor Aminu Tambuwal defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 19 House of Assembly members, his deputy remained in the APC with 11 assembly members. Ahmad is currently the governorship candidate of

the APC in the state who will slug it out with his boss in the governorship election next year. A member of the APC who did not want his name to be mentioned, stated that as preparations for the 2019 general election gather momentum, the deputy governor took a good decision to avoid being removed so that he would not be distracted.

Nigeria Moves to Manufacture Helicopters Locally Chinedu Eze The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has concluded plans to begin the manufacture of helicopter in the country. To actualise this objective, NASENI has decided to partner the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to provide relevant guides on the plan to produce made-in-Nigeria choppers. In addition to this effort, NASENI has also placed an order for a Dynali H3 easy flyer

sport ultra-light helicopter for the purpose of reverse engineering. Executive Vice- Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Prof. Muhammed Sanni Haruna, spoke in Lagos yesterday during a courtesy visit to the NCAA headquarters where he was received by the Director General of the agency, Capt. Mukhtar Usman. Haruna disclosed that in line with the agency’s mandate on aviation and aeronautics technology, the agency reached out to potential partners and manufacturers of helicopters. He said the agency is

considering working with the helicopter manufacturing company, Dynali Helicopters, which is willing to partner NASENI. Haruna explained that Dynali Helicopter was selected because its technology is easier to copy, learn, domesticate and modify. “They are willing to build the capacity of our staff for maintenance, repair, assembly and manufacturing of helicopters in Nigeria”, he said. He assured that before the end of 2019, staff of the agency would have mastered the art of building the helicopters, adding that the

agency had in the past produced unmanned aerial vehicle (drones). He said, “Research and Development is not one or two - day affair but we have facilities for reverse engineering. “In fact we have a centre which we call rapid prototyping centre. Any machine that you want to reproduce, we have facilities, advance manufacturing equipment for that matter on how to give us something fast but then aviation is a high safety and security industry that certain things, we must wait for certification from here (NCAA) before we proceed further.”

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Kanu’s Escape: Court Orders Abaribe, Others to Pay N300m Alex Enumah in Abuja A Federal Hgh Court in Abuja yesterday ordered Senator Eyinnanya Abaribe and two other sureties to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra

(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to deposit the total sum of N300 million with the registrar of the court in lieu of the bail bond they entered for Kanu. The amount was ordered to be deposited within two

EFCC Intercepts Gold Worth N211m at Lagos Airport Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have intercepted gold worth about N211 million being illegally transported through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. EFCC’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja. Orilade said the consignment was en route Dubai. He said “following intelligence reports, the operatives on November 9, 2018 uncovered the gold weighing about 35

kilogrammes (kg) just at the point of departure of a suspect currently in the EFCC’s custody.” He said investigations were currently ongoing to unravel the accomplice behind the illegal movement of the item. “Meanwhile, the suspect is cooperating with operatives. “It will be recalled that the EFCC also in March 2017, intercepted bags containing a total of N49 million cash being illegally transported out of the country through the Kaduna International Airport,” Orilade added.

months by the sureties who in six months would be expected to show cause while the order should not be made absolute. Abaribe, Tochukwu Uchendu and Emmanuel Shalom Ben, a Jewish priest had stood surety for Nnamdi Kanu as part of conditions for his bail granted by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on April 28, 2017. Trouble however, arose for Abaribe and others when Kanu’s whereabouts remained a mystery to them. The whereabouts of Kanu and his parents became speculative since September 14, 2017 when soldiers of the Nigerian Army

invaded their native home in Umuahia, Abia State. Both counsel to the sureties and the federal government have continued to trade blames regarding the disappearance of Kanu, with government saying he escaped from the country while sureties claimed he was either killed or being held by the military. Consequently , trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the sureties to produce Nnamdi Kanu or forfeit their bail bond. When the matter came up yesterday, the judge who was told by the sureties that the whereabouts of the IPOB leader still remains unknown to them, ordered the sureties to each in the

interim deposit the sum ofN100 million with the court in lieu of the bail condition they entered for the IPOB leader. Justice Nyako also ordered that the N100 million bail bond should be converted into cash and deposited with the registrar of the court. The order of the court followed the absence in court of the 1st and 3rd sureties, Senator Abaribe and Tochukwu Uchendu, respectively. While Abaribe’s Counsel, Chukwuema Machukwu Umeh (SAN) told the court that the 1st surety was not in court because he had gone on oversight function, counsel to the third surety, Franklin Chude, said the

absence of the 3rd surety was occasioned by illness. However, this did not go down well with Justice Nyako. While she noted that the sureties were taking the court for granted, the judge threatened to issue bench warrant against the sureties, adding that, “they are taking the court for a ride” She observed that Abaribe’s absence will not have affected the oversight function of the Senate, if he chooses to honour the order of the court. The judge however held that the applications of the sureties to opt out will not succeed, until they produce the IPOB leader in court.

FEC Approves Arms Procurement for Prison Guards Shola Oyeyipo The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday granted approval for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the armed guards of the Nigerian Prisons Service. The meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also approved the procurement, installation and inauguration of Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) to guide pilots and planes to the central line of the runway in Abuja, Kaduna, Benin, Ibadan and Enugu airports Briefings journalists after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), said the approval for the procurement of arms for prison guards was necessitated by the need to secure the prisons, particularly where inmates require maximum security. Drawing inference from the Minna, Niger State prison attack where some dangerous prisoners were set free, Dambazzau said: “We realised after investigation of

that attack that one of the major shortcomings within that prison was lack of adequate arms and ammunition. “We are procuring 400 pieces of Beretta assault rifles with 20, 000 rounds. These rounds are peculiar to those weapons at the cost of N272, 489, 280 with period of delivery of 120 days.” The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, noted that the contract for the procurement and installation and commissioning of ILS and DME had been awarded long before now but that due to exchange rate, it had to be brought back to council, as it suffered lack of budgetary allocations. “So, we came back to council to have it re-dominated. It was totally awarded in December 2011 but nothing happened because there was no budgetary allocation; therefore it suffered fluctuations of forex change,” Sirika said. According to him, the contract was awarded at a time the Naira was N154 to a dollar but now it is N305 to a dollar.

Mimiko Pulls out of Presidential Race for Senate Strong indications emerged last night that former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has dumped his presidential ambition. The two-term governor had emerged presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). But a source according to TheCable, said Mimiko has pulled out of the presidential race and will now contest the Ondo central senatorial election on the platform of ZLP. A former commissioner in his administration, Gboye Adegbenro, had clinched the senatorial ticket and was listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ZLP’s candidate in the

election. But a source in Mimiko’s camp told disclosed that Adegbenro has agreed to cede the ticket to the former governor. “Oga (Mimiko) is now the senatorial candidate of ZLP. He is not contesting for president again,” the source said. “Adegbenro is his boy; he has already stepped down for him.” The source added that ZLP has reached an agreement with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the presidential election. “ZLP is having an agreement with PDP in the presidential election; so, we are no more fielding any candidate,” the source said.

EDO SUMMIT…

L-R: Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, and Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, at the 2018 Edo Summit sponsored by the bank in Benin City…yesterday

Five Offa Armed Robbery Suspects Arraigned in Ilorin Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Five persons suspected to be involved in the April 15, 2018, bank robbery and killings in Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State were yesterday arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate Court. At the sitting yesterday, the court said the Offa robbery suspects have case to answer. During the incident, no fewer than 30 people, including two policemen, were killed. Earlier, the state police command Officer-in-Charge (OC) Legal, Kunle Iwalaiye, said the case was for mention and consideration of the state

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s letter. Iwalaiye added that the suspects had cases to answer in the DPP’s advice AUST/ LED14/V140/1457/738 and dated November 11, 2018. OC legal, who was represented by ASP Jimoh Abdulkadir, said that “in this circumstance, the accused persons have cases to answer. “We are asking for another date for further mention in which they must have been properly arraigned before a court.” He said the DPP also directed the police to carry out more investigation with a view to

arresting more of the suspects that are on the run. Counsel to the accused, Abulrasheed Lawal, however, announced his withdrawal from the case based on legal misconception. He said: “On our part, we have a letter before the court dated October, 12, 2018. The letter is as a result of a misconception of the legal representation of all the accused persons by Abdulwahab Bamidele. “The letter is seeking the leave of the court to withdraw the appearance of Bamidele as counsel representing all the accused in this case, and also me who is holding the brief

of Bamidele from the record of the court. The same letter has been copied to OC legal, the state police command and Bamidele. In the circumstance, we want the court to discountenance with the names of both Bamidele and Lawal from appearing for all the accused persons in this case.” In his short ruling, Magistrate Bio Salihu granted the prayers of the accused persons’ counsel and, ordered the discountenance of their appearance in the case. He equally directed the police to take necessary action for the proper arraignment of the accused persons in court.

ASUU Holds Crucial Meeting with FG Today The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will today hold the crucial meeting with the officials of the federal government. The meeting is coming one week after public university lecturers commenced strike. Today’s meeting is at the invitation of the federal government. Confirming this development, the President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said the lecturers are not optimistic about the outcome

of the meeting which he said ”will determine the seriousness of the Nigerian government towards ending the strike.” “The government has invited us for a meeting tomorrow, we are not sure of their seriousness because we have been discussing with them for 16 months without any result,” he said. On the readiness of the lecturers to call off the strike if tomorrow’s meeting swings in their favour, he said, “After the meeting, we will

tell members the outcome. They are the only ones who can decide to call off the strike.” The official also said he is not concerned about the formation of a parallel union by some aggrieved lecturers, “who have kept on teaching regardless of the strike order.” Some lecturers at the Obafemi Awolowo University under a rival union, Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics have been

teaching despite the strike. “ASUU is the only recognised lecturers’ body, some persons are free to show they are annoyed but truthfully, the strike is on and all lecturers have respected it,” the official said. He also denied rumours that the lecturers have accepted government’s proposal to set up an education bank, which was one of the reasons they went on strike in the first place.

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Don’t Use Other People’s Children as Thugs, Obasanjo Cautions Politicians Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has charged political leaders to desist from using other people’s children as political thugs during elections, while they keep theirs

in ‘safe havens’. The former president also acknowledged that young Africans are not too young to run for political offices, but noted that insurmountable barriers, which include the hurdle of outrageously exorbitant cost

Again, House Adjourns over Faulty Public Address System Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja For the third time in less than two weeks, the House of Representatives yesterday adjourned plenary due to its faulty public address system. Speaking on the adjournment, the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said it would provide an opportunity to fix the faulty public address system and also enable the committees conclude their oversight functions. “I have been told that the rolls on my right - the microphones from the first rolls to the sixth roll are not working, while roll seven to 11 are functioning and if we want to sit there, all the rolls here will be empty and the entire people at the front will have to vacate their seniority on the floor and move backwards. “We should not be afraid to be criticised and we should not be afraid to hide the fact. The truth is that this system was fixed in 1999 and anything that happens to the public address

system we would have to go back to the manufacturer – we can’t find the match to buy them and that is the state of the public address system. “So, we are putting these facts out there to the public; we are not ashamed, we are not afraid to be criticised; we are the House of the people. We would take the two matters of urgent public importance and then we would have to adjourn the House so that the technicians can make improvisation to make the public address system work. “That therefore means the oversights that some committees have not been able to conclude will be concluded by the time we reconvene hopefully Tuesday next week. So, all the reports from the heads of the committees should be ready for presentation and oversight reports, then we can go towards the perfecting of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2019 budget in due course. So, that is the truth and we are not hiding the truth from anybody,” he stated.

Buhari Returns to Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country yesterday evening, six days after he left Nigeria for Paris, France, to participate in 100 years of Armistice, a commemoration of the centenary anniversary of the end of the First World War. The armistice, an agreement to stop fighting, was signed on November 11, 1918 by allied forces and their opponents to stop fighting.

Buhari arrived Nigeria at about 6 p.m and was received by government officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. While he was away, Buhari met with the Nigerian community in Paris, during which he spoke on a wide range of issues including huge money stashed away in foreign countries, investment in education, restructuring, among others.

GE Pulls Out of Nigerian Rail Concession General Electric has said it has withdrawn from the Nigerian railway concession and will hand over to Transnet SOC Limited in line with its strategy to exit the transportation business. According to Bloomberg, the agreements GE reached with the Nigerian government “are now being negotiated by Transnet and its consortium partners” including SinoHydro of China and APM Terminals. Bloomberg reported that the Boston, Massachusetts, United States-based company as disclosing these in an emailed response to questions. “Transnet has been a trusted partner of GE for several decades,” GE said. “We have confidence in their ability and that of the other consortium members to execute on the rail concession project successfully.” GE will focus on infrastructure development in Nigeria in areas

such as health care and power, it said. GE won a contract last year to manage Nigeria’s narrow-gauge rail network in partnership with three other companies. It signed an agreement with the Nigerian authorities in April to proceed with the interim phase of the narrow-gauge concession that is expected to grow freight haulage capacity in the country ten-fold to 500,000 metric tonnes annually. The Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi signed the agreement with the consortium led by GE for the commencement of interim phase of Concession of Nigeria’s 3,500km Narrow-Gauge Rail network. Additionally, a joint operation was expected to be established between the Consortium and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) with an initial supply of 10 locomotives and 200 wagons to augment the existing rolling stock in Nigeria.

of party nomination forms and campaign costs, were put against them to make them stay away. Speaking yesterday while presenting a paper: ‘Demystifying Leadership Capacity Deficit of African Youths: Our Future is in their Hands’, at the inauguration edition of King’s College London Global Leaders Engagement Series held in London, United Kingdom, Obasanjo identified lack of economic opportunity; inclusion and adoption of policies on education; skill acquisition; empowe rment and employment as some of the obstacles hindering African youths from playing active roles

in leadership, development and peace building. He, however, revealed that despite these hindrances, he saw hope of a continent where the creative energies, intellectual prowess and ingenuity of the continent’s youths is capable of leading Africa to a promise land. According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, the former president lamented that many young people are systematically marginalised because of their young age, limited opportunities, and projected lack of experience. According to him, “Let’s stop using other people’s children

as experimental subjects, while we keep ours in safe havens. Enough of using other people’s children as political thugs and ballot box snuffers, while we send ours to Ivy League schools. Enough of thinking we know what is right for young people without their input or the courtesy of asking for their opinions.” He also identified insurmountable barriers against youth seeking elective posts, and stressed that Africa must learn to train its youths to succeed their leaders. “Succession planning is a culture that Africa needs to imbibe. It increases the number

of people who are capable and available to assume leadership roles when the incumbent is no longer available to do so. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a deliberate process. “We cannot continue to assume that by mere observation from afar, young people understand why we do what we do. We must introduce them to our networks and partners; set them up to represent us in important meetings while we can still guide and nurture them. An organisation should not be ruined because one person is no longer available to lead,” Obasanjo stated.

REWARDING FASHION...

R-L: Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank, Mr. Adewale Adeeyo; Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola; Osun State Governor-elect, Gboyega Oyetola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola (fifth right) and some of the beneficiaries of the state fashion social enterprises in Lagos...yesterday

Ganduje Presents N219bn Budget for 2019 Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday presented N219, 655, 217, 756 proposed 2019 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly, with infrastructure taking the highest share of N38.31 billion. The 2019 proposed budget is lower than 2018 which stood at N246, 608, 850, 598. Ganduje said: “The 2019 budget is designed to attain the agenda of this administration to the overall objective of developing the state and improving the wellbeing of the people.

“The objectives of the budget are efficient and effective public spending through public financial management process; to continue the synergy and cooperation with the various stakeholders in the state. “The target of the budget is to ensure transparency and accountability, and to continue with process of participatory budgeting.” According to the governor, “With due consultations with relevant stakeholders within and outside the public service, we are proposing an aggregate budget of N219, 655, 217, 756 for the year 2019. “Out of this amount, the sum of N134, 0 65, 152, 619 is dedicated to capital expenditure,

while the sum of N85, 590, 65, 167 is for recurrent expenditure.” Highlighting on the policies and detailed budget allocations, Ganduje said: “The total projected recurrent revenue for the year 2019 is estimated at the sum of N156, 761, 637, 947 which consists of N45 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N101, 761, 637, 947 as revenue from federation account. “The total recurrent revenue is higher than that of 2018 by N11, 801, 941.73 representing 12 per cent. “The proposed capital expenditure for the 2019 fiscal year is N134, 065, 152, 619 which is lower than that of 2018 by

N29, 117,285, 476 as it is to be financed by N71, 171, 572, 780 expected recurrent revenue surplus and total capital receipts of N62, 893, 579, 839. “The capital receipt is made up of N28, 017, 500, 000 as expected internal and external loans. N32, 422, 885, 355 is estimated grants. N1. 925 billion miscellaneous receipts and treasury opening balance of N530, 194, 484.” Ganduje further stated that “the focus of the 2019 budget will be on completing on-going projects in health, education, rural roads, power, water and agriculture and other critical infrastructure.”

Eight Nigerians Make Forbes Under 30 List Eight Nigerians have been listed, among other global influencers, in the 2019 Forbes 30 under 30 list. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Forbes 30 under 30 is a set of lists issued annually by Forbes magazine and some of its regional editions to recognise business and industry figures. This year, the list featured 300 trailblazers from 20 industries with average age of 26.8. Over 55 per cent of them are founders or co-founders. Also, 19 per cent of them include immigrants from 57 countries, and 38 of them identify as first generation

Americans. Nigerians who made the list include Taofeek Abijako, Kayode Ojo, Obi Omile, Adegoke Olubusi, Tito Ovia, Dimeji Sofowora, Olaoluwa Osuntokun and Emmanuel Acho. Taofeek Abijako is a 20-year-old designer who started his men’s street wear brand when he was a high school teenager. Kayode Ojo is a 28-year-old photographer who has had solo shows in Paris, Berlin, New York and Dallas. Communication expert, Obi Omile (Jnr). is the co-founder of the Cut, a technology platform that allows users

and barbers to schedule and manage appointments. Meanwhile, Adegoke Olubusi, 25, Tito Ovia, 25, and Dimeji Sofowora, 26 are founders of Helium Health a platform used by 5,000 doctors, with data from 500,000 patients across West Africa. Olaoluwa Osuntokun, 25, is the co-founder of Lighting Labs which has raised $2.5 million to turn bitcoin into a more viable form of payment by making smaller transactions more cost-effective. Also, Emmanuel Acho, 28, serves as the youngest national football analyst for ESPN and runs a charity that has built

a hospital in Nigeria. The list also features Ghanaian, Shadrack Frimpong, who founded Cocoa360, a ‘farm-for-impact’ model that uses revenues from community cocoa farms to fund educational and healthcare services. International musicians Post Malone, 23, 21; Savage, 26; photographer Tyler Mitchell, 23 who photographed Beyonce for her Vogue September 2018 cover, and actor Storm Reid, 15 made the list. NAN also reports that the 2019 class have raised over $1 billion in funding and work an average of 67 hours per week.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Secondus Accuses INEC of Designing Special Card Reader for APC You are spreading fake news, APC, INEC tell PDP Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale and Mercy Apollos in Abuja The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of designing special card reader and result sheets for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The chairman also warned the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, that history would be unkind to him if he fails to conduct free and fair election in 2019. But in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said there was no iota of truth in what Secondus said, adding that the commission will not be joining issues with any political party. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also accused the main opposition party of engaging in propaganda and dissemination of fake information as a means of scoring cheap political points. Secondus stated this while hosting election team of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) led by Mohammad Conteh at the party’s national campaign headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The PDP chairman alleged that the electoral commission is working in conjunction with the ruling APC to rig the elections in 2019. He therefore cautioned that manipulation of election in 2019 would be a recipe for

crisis in the country, stressing that INEC chairman would be held accountable. The PDP chairman in a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, alleged that the commission used the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States as rehearsal to practice their rigging strategy for 2019. He stated: “They have finished their rigging arrangements with preloaded cards and special election result sheets all doctored to favour the ruling APC. “The INEC chairman has no strong will to follow our electoral laws and constitution as well as the laid down international standards in his processes towards 2019, and we want to let the world know this before it happens. “They have finished plots to isolate states of Kano, Benue, Rivers, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Imo and Kwara and Lagos for disruption during the general election so that they can plan well to mobilise the rigging.” Secondus alleged that the commission’s rigging agenda is being propelled by the security agencies especially with the current Inspector General of Police (IG) who he said has proved to be the most violent bias police boss in the country. He noted that his party was using the INEC template they saw in Ektiti and Osun States to reiterate their lack of confidence in the commission as nothing has happened to show that there is going to do anything different from what they did in those two states. However, the Chief Press

Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said there was no iota of truth in what Secondus said, adding that the commission will not be joining issues with any political party. According to Oyekanmi, “There is no iota of truth in the allegations being made by the PDP. The commission is focusing on preparations for the 2019 general elections at the moment and will not join issues with any political party, especially the one that has perfected the art of raising false alarms.” Also, the APC has accused the PDP of engaging in propaganda and dissemination of fake information as a means of scoring cheap political points. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the ruling party said rather than focus on development issues, the PDP and its agents have chosen to populate the mainstream and social media space with ludicrous fake news and infantile conspiracy theories, moving from one absurdity to another. “Disturbingly, the country’s main opposition, PDP, and its discredited agents have continued to deploy the loathsome strategy of fake news, misinformation and distortion of facts as focal campaign strategies for the 2019 elections,” it said. APC said it is not surprised at the PDP’s typical theatrics in an attempt to evade scrutiny for its 16 years of bad governance, adding that it is instructive to the electorate that no lessons have been learnt by the prodigal party.

Osun Inaugurates SMEs Trainees Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has said his administration has disbursed N4.5billion to 27,352 beneficiaries to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). He said it was done under the combined scheme sponsored by the state government of Osun and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), tagged: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (CBN-MSME Development Fund) to boost the economy of the state. He spoke in Lagos during the graduation ceremony of 15 trainees of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) Programme under the Ijinle Project. The governor said government established Osun Micro-credit Agency to effectively and efficiently render micro credit delivery services to all small scale business operators. The sectors covered in the disbursement of the micro-credit include, commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, education, health, hotel and hospitality and other businesses operated by the artisans; and the beneficiaries of the soft loans are spread across the local government areas of the state.

On Ijinle, Aregbesola said it was a social enterprise project geared towards preserving vintage Yoruba tailoring. At the ceremony were the Governor-elect Adegboyega Oyetola, industrialist and Chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank, Mr. Adewale Adeeyo, top government functionaries from Osun State, a one-time Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Commandant ,OYES, Col. Eniibukun Oyewole (rtd) and the Coordinator of Ijinle project, Miss Muinat Atunise. Aregbesola said the beneficiaries of the programme were carefully tutored to master the craft by Mr. Kabir Durojaiye, a veteran who has mastered the craft of bespoke vintage wears for over 30 years and whose clients are the crème-de-la-crème of Yoruba elite all over Nigeria. He said all the successful trainees would be settled in a production cluster in Osun with a business development presence in Lagos . To tackle growing youth population challenges, the governor said the state undertook agricultural initiatives to boost employment and the economy. One of these is the revolving

volunteers scheme, OYES does which deployed holistic entrepreneurial and life skills into a swathe of unemployed youths, all with the strategic intention of achieving lasting empowerment for its beneficiaries. For the past eight years, Aregbesola said OYES created a healthy flow into the state empowering succeeding batches of 20,000 unemployed youths to acquire different means of livelihoods. The efforts, he noted, were repaid with an outpouring of energy and initiative sufficient to raise incomes and improve food security. He said Osun has one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the country, adding that efforts are made to encourage graduates to continue learning and tap on resources to upgrade their skills . According to him, because of the government focus on youth development, Osun now has one of the lowest rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Besides, this, he said the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has risen to the seventh position nationally.

THISDAYt THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018

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COMMENT

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

2018 ELECTIONS AMERICANA

Okello Oculi argues that much could be done to refine America’s democracy

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esearcher Polly Hill reported a British colonial officer (who was serving in Western Nigeria), rudely rebuking his colleague serving in Kano Province as follows: “The trouble with the North is that you not only put the women in Purdah but the Residents go into it with them’’. He was angry that British colonial officials working in Kano had been sitting in their offices and not travelling out collecting data that could guide colonial policies.

That same criticism applies to hundreds of thousands of Africans who since the 1930s studied in American, European and Soviet Union’s universities but did not research and publish books about these countries. The late Palestinian scholar and Professor at Columbia University, Eduard Said, rebuked African students who invariably wrote doctoral dissertations on their villages back home. They became “native informants’’ for their foreign teachers: not hunters for intellectual food from foreign lands for feeding their famished but curious policy arenas in Africa. The triumph of Russian communists in 1917 fed American propaganda of telling the Grand Lie that the country is a model of democracy from Florida in the Caribbean tropics to North Dakota in ice country during winter months; from a territorially vast state of Texas on the Mexican border to tiny Maine on the Atlantic. As Professor Ira Sharkansky put it in 1972, there was a “conspiracy’’ to describe America as a “post-industrial society’’ when in southern states, like Alabama and Mississippi, governance was based on OneParty dictatorships, and police used dogs to prevent African-Americans from registering to vote, etc. Southern legislators as chairmen of important committees of Congress see their mandate as ensuring that legislation to benefit local communities all over the country did not reach African-Americans in Southern states. Funds were denied to schools in slum areas of cities like Atlanta (in Georgia), Houston (in Texas) and Little Rock (in Arkansas). The bitterness provoked by racist policies fed the “civil rights’’ struggles of the 1960/1970s. On 9th and 11th November, 2018, President Trump claimed that Democrats were rigging vote-counting in Florida. The female AfricanAmerican candidate for Governor of Georgia accused her opponent of blocking 28,000 voters from voting. Republican legislators in several states in 2014 passed laws which were meant to deny voting to members of African-American communities. The election of Democrats as governors in some states in the November 2018 elections would allow them to reverse these rigging tricks for the 2020 elections. It is possible that Presidents Robert Mugabe and Joseph Kabila have followers in these lands. The American elite resolutely avoided labelling their country with demeaning tags like “a Post-Colonial country’’, a “Developing country’’, or a “Post-Slavery’’ country. They prefer the vision of seeking an empire

TRUMP’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN RHETORIC WAS FUELLED BY FAT LIES REPEATEDLY SCREAMED OUT WITH TWEETS AND UTTERANCES. HE RELENTLESSLY ATTACKED JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA ORGANISATIONS AS ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE; AS EVIL PEOPLE AND PEDDLERS OF FAKE NEWS

while vigorously protecting their sovereignty and independence against Britain, France, Spain and even the Dutch. In this spirit of preferring the Big Lie about their electoral politics they insist on regarding their country as a “Democracy’’: albeit a work-in-progress. That gives them the right of hypocrisy to preach political holiness to Africa. President Donald Trump has shattered diplomatic gains of this Big Lie by becoming the Big Liar himself. His election campaign rhetoric was fuelled by Fat Lies repeatedly screamed out with tweets and utterances. He relentlessly attacked journalists and media organisations as enemies of the people as “Evil’’ people; peddlers of “Fake News’’; a “Lot of Crooked Stuff’’, etc. He is a good student of Field Marshal Idi Amin who insisted that people of Scotland had crowned him as “King of Scotland’’, and thanked God for the instruction to expel “Indians’’ from Uganda. Lesser politicians have claimed to be graduates of Harvard University. Trump used enormous physical and verbal energies in his campaign speeches: turning “whistle stops’’ into mass versions of his television “You Are Fired!’’. They became more toxic than mind-bending television “jingles’’ designed in the 1970s onwards by clever psychologists. Trump’s Live shows “Fired’’ those tools. With the Democrats likely to win 230 seats in the House of Representatives by winning votes among more educated “suburban’s’’; among educated white women; and among youths, the Live shows have “Fired Trump’’. President Julius Nyerere used radio broadcasts to tell mind-heating folk tales to discuss nation-building. Mobutu Sese healed a violence-tortured Congolese people with six-hours long dramatic speeches delivered around the country. Dull speeches cripple growths of popular democracy. Trump and the Obamas showed the enormous physical stamina which their cast country and advanced airline technology demands. Algeria, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and South Africa are vast territorial arenas whose politicians should take keen interest in this American record. Trump celebrated “nationalism’’ with his call for “America First’’. He protested vigorously when China applied that medicine on American exports from agricultural states where he had support. With Thabo Mbeki’s team reporting that over 50 billion dollars are illegally deported from Africa, Trump’s call has validity for African politicians and citizens. And those burdened by colonial inferiority complexes need it most. President Trump has mocked several democrats who defeated his candidates despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the opposition. The Russians are alleged to have by-passed the use of money and went for direct mind-farming to ensure that Donald Trump got elected. There had been a growing disquiet about mindbending toxic election jingles. They sabotaged rational discourses and choices over policy issues.

UNVEILING THE ATIKU PERSONA Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the PDP, is imbued with leadership qualities, writes Chris Nonyelum

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t this point in the political evolution of our country, Nigerians are searching for a broad-minded leader who can restructure the system and redress the perennial feelings of injustice and marginalisation pervading the polity. The resultant effect of this pervasive feeling on the psyche of the average Nigerian has been constant recourse to and identification with the caprices of one’s ethnic agenda rather than a sense of patriotism in which a common national interest is advanced and cherished above anything else. The burning social, political and economic issues of the day hinge on agitations for structural reengineering of the polity. And yet certain centrifugal forces are working at cross purposes with the interests of Nigerians, intent on scuttling the process of enthroning true federalism in the system. This subsisting injustice has now been brought to tragic proportions with the current president being motivated and dominated by a terrible sense of bigotry. The Nigerian federal system requires a major restructuring in order to avert continued incidences of violence, mutual mistrust, economic instability and mounting ethnic tensions. Atiku Abubakar has promised to create ‘an inspiring vision of the future’ by his willingness to restructure the Nigerian state. Considering the hypocrisies that have characterised governance in Nigeria, it will only take a very courageous and insightful leader, with a clear vision and the ability to create sustainable value to talk about restructuring the country. Atiku seems to possess all the qualities needed in a transformational leader. He is self-actualised, firm, decisive, focused and not easily disoriented. He radiates an aura of universal acceptability from

all strata of the Nigerian society in all its hues and coloration. The Atiku persona remains consistent, without a shade of capriciousness. Nigerians are familiar with his antecedents and not worried about character transformation and metamorphosis as was the case when the issue of Buhari’s ‘personality change’ was a source of great concerns to most Nigerians. However, a thorough inspection of Atiku’s persona would easily reveal a man of principled integrity, detribalised, broad-minded, entrepreneurially shrewd, a human capacity builder, politically sagacious, distinguished achiever, focused, proactive in his endeavours and passionate about reengineering the Nigerian state where equity, fairness and justice would be extended to all irrespective of ethnic and religious cleavages or inclinations. Atiku’s sense of propriety and rational judgment remains intact nearly 30 years after, when as a senior Customs officer, he insisted on the moral promptings of his duty to search and question the ownership of the ‘sacred’ untouchable 53 Suitcases belonging to one of the most powerful personalities in Nigeria. He displayed remarkable courage and firmness of purpose by refusing to be cowed by ‘instructions from above’. It is this firmness, resolve and practical approach to duty that has seen him excelling in virtually everything he sets his mind to accomplish. He displayed this character trait soon after he won the PDP Presidential ticket. Without waiting for political jobbers to heat up the polity with internal wrangling and controversies about who would be chosen as his running mate, he decisively made his choice with clinical incisiveness and promptness that took everyone unawares. Of course, his action

was a clear indication of the stuff he is made of. As a true patriot, sincere and honest in his intentions, Atiku has been insisting that, ‘political decentralisation will help to deepen and strengthen our democracy as it will encourage accountability‌. True federalism will encourage states to compete to attract investments and skilled workers rather than merely waiting for monthly revenue allocation from Abuja’. Atiku is imbued with a remarkable capacity for level-headedness in the midst of precariously challenging trials and even tribulations. Perhaps more than any other prominent contemporary Nigerian politician he has borne more the ‘ignominy’ of electoral defeat. And yet, at each point, he had accepted defeat with uncommon equanimity of heart and resignation to the will of the people. Unlike those who vowed to ‘spill the blood of dogs and baboons’, he has never threatened to rock the boat in the event of failure or sought to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress of those who defeated him. He is not given to fiery criticisms, inciting remarks and threats. He treads the political terrain with measured steps, strategising and re-strategising his political options with consummate skills and panache. He has never been caught grandstanding, double-speaking, equivocating or uttering ambiguities and playing to the gallery on burning, socio-economic and political issues of the day. We are confident that after Atiku’s electoral victory, he would not waste six good months before appointing his lieutenants and ministers to different portfolios of government. He will not be held captive by those who may claim to have sponsored and promoted his Presidency because there would be no such unscrupulous personalities around him, except his key

supporters and admirers. We know that his government would not be run by a cabal who are only interested in advancing their selfenlightened interest, usually at cross-purposes with the overall interest of Nigerian citizens. We know that, as a detribalised Nigerian, Atiku would not fold his hands while Fulani herdsmen maul and wreak havoc on farmers all over the country, massacring them in their thousands. Ethnic tension would be reduced to the barest minimum and might even become entirely non-existent unlike what is currently obtainable. We know that Atiku would respect the federal character principles and shall not appoint only men and women from his ethnic group into key positions of influence and authority, while treating other tribes with disdain and ignominy. We know that under Atiku’s government, the Nigerian state would be restructured to pave way for equity, fairness and justice. We are fully persuaded that under Atiku’s government, there will no longer be any selective justice in which the ruling government keeps mauling the opposition while shielding corrupt men and women of their political party extraction. We are convinced without any shred of doubts that under Atiku’s leadership, true democracy will flourish once again and the era of impunity and flagrant disregard for the rule of law will be a thing of the past while true federalism will be enthroned in our political structure and arrangement. With the practice of true federalism, the change mantra which remains amorphous under Buhari’s Presidency will begin to find its true definition, in practical terms. This indeed would be one great, noble and lofty legacy the Atiku Abubakar government is certain to bequeath to the Nigerian state. chrisnonyelumng@yahoo.com

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EDITORIAL THE ECONOMY AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Government could do more to raise the level of trust in the economy

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rrespective of how narrow the slide is, that Nigeria dropped a spot in the Ease of Doing Business scale for 2018 speaks volumes. Having moved up 24 places a year earlier, the natural expectation would be to improve. The drop is underpinned by recent developments that have raised concerns on what the federal and state governments are doing to strengthen the economy and attract the much-needed investment inflows. Unveiling the report, the President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim had said, “governments have the enormous task of fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises can thrive,” adding: “Sound and efficient business regulations are critical for entrepreneurship and a thriving private sector. Without them, we have no chance to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity around the world.” The challenge of the moment is that at a period when the economy is in dire need of private capital, many investors are closing and moving out of the country with the most recent being HSBC and UBS. Before their exit, the global banking giant, HSBC had made a forecast that riled the authorities in Abuja. TO THE EXTENT In its report titled, THAT THE COUNTRY ‘Nigeria: Papering IS IN DIRE NEED OF Over The Cracks’, the INVESTMENT TO CREATE global bank painted a JOBS, DIVERSIFY THE rather gloomy picture ECONOMY, RAISE of a sluggish economy GOVERNMENT REVENUE amid record-high unemployment rate, AND IMPROVE THE putting the number of WELFARE OF THE poor people in Africa’s PEOPLE, CARE MUST BE most populous nation TAKEN NOT TO SCARE at 87 million. But AWAY BUSINESSES the federal government dismissed the FROM OUR SHORES report and tagged the bank as one of the killers of Nigeria’s economy, which supported the unbridled looting of state resources by leaders. The presidency also asked the bank to return stolen assets allegedly hidden in its coffers. While we have not established whether the recent

Letters to the Editor

exit of HSBC from Nigeria is linked to the rather brash response of the government to the bank’s position on President Muhammadu Buhari’s possible re-election, we hasten to say that this kind of posture does not inspire investor confidence. On the heels of this, we recall that the United States (U.S.) High Commission Consul-General, John Bray recently raised the alarm that $1.3billion American businesses in Nigeria were threatened. The threat, according to him, emanates from instability in the exchange rate, policy inconsistency, poor electricity, dearth of infrastructure, regulatory and security issues. Bray said American investors have issues with how policies are made and changed, pointing out that such inconsistencies have the capacity to discourage investments into the country. He alluded to regulatory issues such as the sanction on MTN to return cash allegedly ferried out of the country without recourse to laid down procedures.

O 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

ur intervention here is not about the MTN saga, but on the need to stimulate economic growth and attract the much-desired investment inflow. This paper had earlier taken a position on the MTN case, calling for justice and fairness, while not creating room for any sacred cows in the event of proven cases of infringement on extant Nigerian laws. But to the extent that the country is in dire need of investment to create jobs, diversify the economy, raise government revenue and improve the welfare of the people, care must be taken not to scare away businesses from our shores. Today, unemployment is at an all-time high, inflation rate had for two consecutive months risen from 11.14 per cent in July to 11.23 per cent in August and 11.28 per cent in September. The nation’s economy also posted a contraction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1.95 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 to 1.5 per cent in the second quarter. In the first half of 2018, foreign direct investment (FDI) fell to N379.84 billion compared to N532.63 billion recorded in 2017. These are not heart-warming economic indicators. The government and the economic managers must therefore rise to the occasion, roll up their sleeves and swiftly reverse the trend.

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.

AVIATION: IMPENDING INCREASE IN PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE

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lose observers of the happenings in the Nigerian aviation industry will be familiar with the drive and actions of the current administration to step out of the box in doing the needful as regards growth, safety, quality of service and ease of doing business in and around Nigerian airports. Not too long ago, the government took the bull by the horn by upgrading the quality of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a feat achieved against all odds and in record time. It’s now being followed up by plans to reconstruct the second runway and upgrade of facilities according to the original master plan. In addition, a new world class terminal, which had been constructed at the Port Harcourt Airport, was recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nigeria now enjoys a new era of efficient travel experience ushered in by the centralised screening, powered by automated digital machines to ease commuting for all travellers as well as curb the activities of drug barons and smugglers. On the other side and in order to consolidate the gains made, just as in every commercial venture, there is need to take care of the bottom line, which explains why many of us believe that the upward review of the Passenger Service

Charge (PSC) as being proposed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is a welcome development, especially as it’s geared towards contributing to the sustainable execution of government’s lofty objectives in the aviation sector. Among the tenable reasons for such review are: the last review exercise was carried out over seven years ago and obviously requires re-alignment with current realities. Two, the devaluation of the naira which has taken place in the intervening period has effectively reduced the value of the existing service charge comparatively. Three, the passenger service charge in Nigeria is far below par, compared to the regional and international averages, yet Nigerians will always clamour for above par experience. Four, such review is well in line with the general guide and standards obtainable under IATA. There is also the need to increase revenue to service current public- private partnership commitments as well as encourage more of such arrangements for rapid and sustainable developments. Besides, the increasing cost of compliance with emerging stringent passenger security and processing standards calls for urgent review. There is need to bring more airports in the country up to international standards from the current four to at least 10. There is also need to continuously acquire, maintain and improve technologies for seamless

passenger processing and comfort. Nigeria needs to position itself among African countries with top-notch airport facilities such as South Africa’s Thambo Mbeki International Airport, King Shaka International Airport also in South Africa, Cairo International Airport in Egypt, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, among others. This will make Nigeria take her rightful place in the aviation community. Government on its part has shown the political will required to improve and transform the aviation section. Government is also determined to participate directly through its on-going quest for the re-establishment of a National Carrier and the settlement of all outstanding commitments to retirees of the defunct Nigeria Airways to pave way for the successful take off of this lofty project. Aviation practitioners and other well-meaning Nigerians would readily understand the need for sacrifices such as this to bring about the necessary change required to standardise our facilities and operations, so that Nigerian aviation can serve as a reference point for acceptable global standards. Such individuals must champion the campaign for cooperation within their social circuits and different spheres of influence. Dan Aibangbe, a media and Public Relations Consultant, wrote from Lagos

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

‘We Will Apply Taxes Prudently to Solve Lagos Problems’ Mary Nnah interacts with Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party, who explains among other things why he wants to be the next governor of Lagos State Why have you decided to take huge task of running for the office of Governor of Lagos State? I noticed over the last 20 years that certain set of people have seized the reins of power in Lagos State and have turned the state into their personal toy. I am interested in running for the position because I believe I can bring value that the state has never seen before. I can fix the roads, bring in high speed trains, bring 24-hours power supply, I can put children in schools. I can provide free education and high quality health care. I can redevelop the economy of Lagos and put in a number of things such as industry, tourism, science and technology and agriculture. With my experience as a real estate developer of note, I can do anything that Lagos requires to be a first world state.

that it receives. We have nothing to show for it.

What machinery does the ADP have in place to unseat the government in power? What we have in my party is a group of experienced politicians and a whole lot of ordinary Lagosians that are interested in seeing progress in their lives. People want real change. They don’t want a situation where they will continually be dictated to by a group of selfish individuals. They want better schools for their children, better and more affordable health care. People need homes. They need jobs. The government has not created an enabling environment for employers of labour. These are some of the things that I want to address when I become the next governor of Lagos because I am an employer of labour of no small means. I am a successful business man and I have the interest of Lagosians at heart. I am passionate about Lagos. I believe Lagos State can be as good if not better than a lot of other commercial capitals in the world. For example, Singapore, Dubai does have not have what Lagos, but they are properly managed. We can do better with the resources that we have. As the second largest economy in West Africa, we ought to be better than Accra, Abidjan, Banjul, Dakar, but we are not. These are issues that I plan to tackle very quickly. Fortunately, it is all about the built environment. Construction technology has grown in leaps and bounds just as Lateef Jakande (first civilian governor of Lagos State) provided 20,000 affordable housing units 35 years ago, alongside all the things that he did. Can’t we do better today? The rate of advancement in construction technology says that we can do it at a far more cost effective rate.

How can corruption and god

fatherism be curbed? The government has clearly shown how not to deal with corruption. If you are going to deal with corruption, you don’t do it on the pages of the newspapers or television by making all sorts of allegations that cannot be substantiated. They government has not been able to start and finish the prosecution of any individual that has been accused of corruption. All we see is people being clamped into detention illegally. The courts of the land have pronounced that these people should be freed and the president that is supposed to uphold the constitution that will engender confidence in the country and economic growth is not obeying these court orders. Then it stands to reason that if anybody who has capital is looking for a place to invest, he will certainly not go to a place where court orders are not obeyed. The truth is godfatherism and corruption have been totally deleterious to the economy. Lagos State has been degraded despite the huge amount of Internally Generated Revenue and the federal allocations

Are you going to run a government without taxes? Taxation is an essential ingredient of government but where this administration has got it wrong is that they have never not really applied taxes honestly to solve the problems confronting Lagos. Why are there no coastal roads in Lagos after 20 years? It took Jakande three years to build the Lekki-Epe Expressway. And the government in power has not been able to expand that road all these years. They have not been able to do it. The only answer is corruption and I want to put an end to all these anomalies. We will apply the taxes prudently to the problems confronting the state. One of the things that I intend to do is build the coastal road, a 10-way lane from Ligali Ayorinde Road to Ode Omi to the border of Ogun State. So that we can build a tourist corridor in Lagos where we can begin to compete with Accra, Dakar and Banjul then hope to compete with Dubai for the money they realise from tourism. We have an advantage over these countries because of the population of Nigerians in the Diaspora. When they go on holiday, they visit all the notable tourist attractions in the world. What do these places have over Lagos that have attracted a lot of people to these countries? It is convenient that they have good roads, airports and that is what we intend to bring to Lagos. We also plan to revolutionise Lagos with agriculture through large scale farming that has never been seen in Nigeria and perhaps anywhere in world. We want to provide food security that will make Lagos the net exporter of food to the rest of Nigeria and West Africa. If Israel has a world plan to supply food to the Middle East in the middle of a desert, then Lagos has no excuse.

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uncle had a factory r*O &OHMBOE IF XPSLFE JO B TVQFS NBSLFU cleaning offices and driving taxi-cab. From driving cab, he opened his cab office and employed many drivers r.BSSJFE IJT XJGF BOE UIFZ TUBSUFE XPSLJOH together. First, they ran an IT training consultancy, which expanded from a one-room business to one whole building. They used to gain experience

in renovation. They bought a rundown building and renovated it r5IFZ XFSF BCMF UP CVZ VOJU PG QSPQFSUZ which boosted the profit of the company. They also benefitted from the massive rate of appreciation of property between 1998 and 2004 r%FUBJOFE JO 'FCSVBSZ CZ UIF %44 GPS allegedly exposing organised foreign currency fraud by officials of the CBN

IN THE MIRROR:

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How do you intend to source for funds for your campaign considering that you don’t have a godfather? In America, for example, President Donald Trump decided that he could not take what was going on anymore and decided that he was going to end it. In Lagos state, I have had enough of the situation. I am not alone. There are many Lagosians of well-known means, who have trooped out in their numbers with a mission to rescue Lagos from the clutches of some greedy individuals and that is why they are supporting me. We want a change and if one of us happens to be the avatar for that change, then everybody is going to support him.

Gbadamosi

Are you not worried that Nigerians on a daily basis are being impoverished? Poverty is a big issue in Nigeria, but you have to consider that the poverty the country is experiencing now is artificial. It was deliberately induced by the people who came into leadership since we had democracy and there are things we can do about it. Food is expensive because farmers are being killed by herdsmen and they are chasing people from becoming farmers. If there are no farmers to grow the various crops, then food would become scarce. People would have to go to farms to grow these crops. Another fact is the total mismanagement of the economy. It is difficult for the people to understand but my own opinion is that this administration at the federal level has been doing all it can to degrade the economy and drown the people in a sea of poverty. It is the only reason why Nigeria will turn from the fastest growing economy in the world at a time to become the poverty capital of the world.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018

POLITICS

‘SDP Has Always Been the Issue in Nigerian Politics’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the Social Democratic Party, Edo Central Senatorial nominee, Mr. Idumonza Isidahomhen, a businessman and publisher, OpenLife, a pan-African business and political news magazine may be one of the candidates geared up for an upset in the 2019 National Assembly electionst You have been consistent with your membership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and for the second time you have the party’s senatorial ticket for Edo Central. What are your chances and that of the party in the 2019 elections in the state and the nation, as a whole? It’s imperative to understand that I believe so much in SDP, the party with the intelligence and agility of a horse to transform Nigeria into global best. My consistent resolve to present myself for service at the upper legislative chamber is borne out of an innate desire to enable a more efficient representation to uplift Esan peoples’ socio-economic and cultural interests. By extension however, the focus is geared towards utilising legislative apparatus to channel evidential developments in health, agriculture, education, tourism and infrastructural renewal to Edo Central. The God-given opportunity, through the instrumentality of party leaders and members, to bear the party’s emblem in the 2019 senatorial contest, is not one of those opportunities that will be frittered away on the altar of personal aggrandisement. SDP is prepared to do better than any party that has represented Esan in the Senate. The vision behind the mission technically defines my bright chances. The mission mirrors the yearnings of the people for a change from the 20 sad years PDP has represented Esanland in the Senate. It’s also in consonance with the demands of modern democracy, using legislative tools to empower diversified growth that reaches the base of the society. Besides, a combination of PDP’s lack of focus, resulting into inability to attract federal projects to Esan and APC’s abysmal failure to impact people’s life, properly energises the collective resolve of the people to vote SDP in 2019. At some point when I was editor of a newspaper with concurrent oversight

Isidahomhen of Edo-Delta states, my analytical commentaries were the reference point for people in government. The records are there. That would reflect in my activities in the Senate in a manner that would catapult Esanland into global embrace as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. By standard evaluation, SDP stands head above other political parties in ideology and roadmap. It couldn’t have been otherwise given that the party nurtured Edo State at infancy when it was created on August 27, 1991 and as such, knows the solutions to all the challenges. Indeed, the error to have allowed other political parties to mismanage Edo affairs and upturn the excellent foundation laid by SDP will be corrected in 2019. To the people who are in desperate need of fresh innovative thoughts and leadership patterns, SDP is just the answer. You are one of those who think that since the assumed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola has been honoured by the federal government, SDP ought to have been invited to form the

next government in order to bring a final foreclosure to the injustice on the Abiola mandate, how can this be achieved? That is correct. What is however worrisome is that presidential candidates of other political parties have not clearly read the body language of President Buhari who, by his recognition, has sent out a strong signal of his preparedness to handover to SDP in 2019. While Buhari’s recognition of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen presidential mandate is quite commendable, what is expected is to cede power to SDP to fulfill the mandate. That’s evidently doing adequate justice to the issue of June 12, 1993 by actively supporting Donald Duke to win in 2019. Your party is embroiled in a crisis following the presidential primary which produced Mr. Donald Duke as the flag bearer of the party, certain people are saying that Duke should not have contested the primary since the constitution of the party forbids the National Chairman and the party’s presidential candidate from coming from the same part of the country, how does the SDP hope to manage this challenge? It’s essential, I think, to realise that firstly, the Nigerian constitution which has no geopolitical patterning on presidential aspirants supersedes that of the party. If Donald Duke has fulfilled all relevant requirements as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution to run for president, then I guess the focus should rather be on the evaluations and practicability of his campaign promises. There is a generation of Nigerians who do not know the influence and power that the SDP used to wield in Nigeria, can the party regain its lost glory? First, no glory was lost let alone regaining it. SDP martyred for Nigerian democracy to stabilise. SDP has always

been the issue in Nigerian politics. Anybody who is somebody in the political system today is a product of SDP directly or indirectly. The focus at the moment is to take over presidency and win majority in the Senate and other positions for a cohesive administration that will put Nigeria on the path of growth. SDP candidates have a uniform ideology that motivates and attracts people’s support. We’ll double down on our successes and continue to build directly from the base and ensure the story of our antecedence and the promises of the future are distributed across the berth. Many pundits think the 2019 general elections will be a two-horse race between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is it possible for a party like the SDP to cause an upset in Edo? We’ve never been more prepared than we are now. The APC and PDP know this. Aside other exco positions, SDP has a 30-man ward executives in the 51 wards in Esan. That explains our grassroots strength. We’ve a longstanding devotion towards idea-driven campaign that spells out solutions to problems of the people. I am enthusiastically at home in all the five council areas of Edo Central. We speak to the needs of the people. I’ve the personal attributes to give the Esan people an optimised representation in the Senate. Going forward, how do you plan to engage yourself in the Edo project? Good enough, I am not new to the politics of Edo and Esan. I am not new to my people of Esanland. I am not a stranger to the organic make up and sectorial bearings of Esanland. I am not new to the issues and prospects of Esanland and of course I am at the centre of the actualization of the Esan of our dream.

‘I Will Push for Restructuring of Nigeria’ Oyebisi Ilaka, a technocrat, is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central district. He expresses his passion for national reforms, especially on the need for restructuring to Kayode Fasua both the executive arm and the national assembly can actually create a lot of schools, hospitals and the stuff. I won’t say I have a solution to the restructuring. But I will propose we go back to the regional system whereby we will have regional parliament and a national parliament. Those regions would have their own independent strategies for development, and grow at their own pace. A region can emerge as the food basket of the nation while another is the nation’s technological giant; it’s nobler than this idea of going cap-in-hand to the centre to collect monthly handouts.

How did you emerge unopposed as PDP senatorial flag bearer for Oyo Central District? Our leaders called us and said why not come together and decide on a candidate. At that point in time, I had gone round the 11 local governments that make up the senatorial district. Some people left in the process to other parties but those of us that resolved to remain in the PDP promised to unite. We talked to each other. In order to avoid all forms of acrimony, we had to observe the principle of true internal democracy. The other aspirants reached an understanding with me and that was it. What are your programmes for Oyo Central District, if elected senator? We want to give people more money for their sweat, in the rural and urban areas. Creating wealth for these people would be something that I will pursue with all passion. We will also promote technological knowhow to the advantage of our teeming young population. People will vote on the basis of which party is presenting the best candidate. They know me very well, and have confidence in me. I will go the senate to legislate on things that will attract development to our teeming

Ilaka youth population, especially as we have in Oyo Central District. I will also push for the restructuring of the Nigerian state, in concert with people of like minds. How do you intend to push for the restructuring of the country? This presidential system in my own view is too expensive. The money we spend on

What gives you the confidence that you can defeat Senator Teslim Folarin of the APC, who is a tested politician? You need to bear in mind that, the last two elections, I scored double the votes the PDP candidate had scored on each outing. When Teslim Folarin contested for governor on the platform of PDP in 2015, and I contested on the platform of Accord Party, I scored more votes than him. So these are facts that are available generally. The records of these two-the serving senator in the Oyo Central district and his predecessor are abysmal. And that will be put to scrutiny by the people of

Oyo Central Senatorial district. I come to the poll with precisions and projections. I am connected to our people over a long period of time. My brand is stronger because I am with the people and it is what they want that they get. So how about the general perception that people are unwilling to vote PDP again over accusations that the party largely performed woefully during its 16 years in power? Post-2015, a lot of people felt the PDP which had challenges had been retooled. The problem had to do with internal democracy. But from the various primary elections we have had across the country, with little or no acrimony, you’ll be convinced that the party is back and stronger. The challenge we had was the issue of internal democracy, and that has been resolved. What do they mean by saying that for 15 years PDP didn’t do anything? Everybody knows that it is patent falsehood. One of the achievements of the PDP is that we brought up strong institutions. EFCC, ICPC came through PDP, and it goes on like that. The PDP brought to the fore, different mechanisms of running our economy. It is unlike APC that does not believe in the rule of law.

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08152252325

Commitment to Resolve Incessant ASUU Strike Actions As the recent strike action embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities lingers, the negotiating team, set up by the federal government to resolve the thorny issue, has reaffirmed its committment to finding lasting solutions to incessant strike actions by the union. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

A

s the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) stretches into its second week with an impasse between the union and the federal government, students, who are the ultimate victims, continue to sit at home at the detriment of their academic pursuits. The National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, had said the strike is total and indefinite following the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement and memorandum of understanding (MoU) of 2017. Negotiating Team's Stance However, the negotiating team inaugurated by the federal government, while positing a way forward from the incessant strike actions, also prevailed on the union to return to the negotiating table for a permanent resolution of the underlying issues based on verifiable data and not postulations. According to the chairman of the team, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, the negotiation team remains committed to finding permanent resolution of the recurrent industrial disputes that have militated against the progress of the Nigerian University System since decades. At a recent briefing in Lagos, he tackled some of the burning issues raised by ASUU, as well as gave insight into the solutions proferred by the negotiating team which consists Babalakin as chairman; former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, now Pro Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro; former Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, now Pro Chancellor, Federal University of Lokoja, Prof. Nimi Briggs; former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, now Pro Chancellor, Federal University Lafia, Prof. Munzali Jubril; Pro Chancellor, Federal University of Birnin Kebbi, Lawrence Ngbale, an architect. The briefing also dovetailed into addressing the misinformation by ASUU Zonal Coordinator for Bauchi, Prof. Lawan Abubakar, who alleged that the committee has proposed N500, 000 tuition fee, as well as that of ASUU Zonal Coordinator in Ibadan, Dr. Ade Adejumo, who pegged it at N350, 000. Babalakin, who also doubles as the Chairman, Implementation Committee of Federal Govemment/ ASUU, SSANU and NASU Implementation Committee and the Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos, said aside from the fact that their committee has no power to impose fees on students, they are at a loss regarding the source of the said figures. In a statement signed by the six-member committee, they said: "Our attention has been drawn to the several statements made by Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, President of the ASUU and echoed by various zonal heads and other members of the same union. As we had stated in our previous communication on this matter, we believe that negotiations are best done on the table rather than on the pages of the newspapers, hence we have been very reluctant to respond to the campaign of our co-negotiators. Our position is that dialogue on the same table is the most effective way of resolving issues. "Unfortunately, we are compelled to respond to the allegations by ASUU which have been made severally in the print and electronic media because some Nigerians may begin to believe the inaccurate narratives that have been consistently provided by ASUU. Our position as a team is that, Nigerians deserve and should have quality education. This must not be compromised as a result of inadequate funding which has been the situation in the last 30 years. "We also believe that no Nigerian should be deprived of university education because of his/her financial circumstance. This position is consistent with that of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Going by the figures provided by ASUU, Nigeria requires

an environment that will attract young men and women into academia, capable of supporting the commercial, industrial and other developmental needs of the nation, where Where its products can add genuine value in a modern international labor market and be self-regulating like its peers in developed world. Institutional Self-regulations One of the solutions touted by the implementation committee was the creation of institutions that will be self-regulated. According to them, these institutions would be driven by Key Performance Indicators (KIP’s) to be supervised by the NUC, adding that these indicators will harness the potential within the various universities and make them compete with each other in the academic sphere. In furtherance of this goal, they posted that universities must be largely autonomous of government given that since 1975, it has shown clearly that the promotion or creation of exceptional universities is no longer priority. Thus, they noted that if this goal is going to be achieved, it must be driven from within the university system itself.

Babalakin

over two trillion per annum to fund university education. "This figure exceeds in value the total amount of money available for all capital projects in Nigeria including health, infrastructure, security and others. No doubt that if the money were available for university education as ASUU has insisted it is, the government will have no difficulty in spending it on university education. However as it is, government cannot ignore all other areas of expenditure that require funding. "The National Council of Education appreciates this position and has directed that student loan schemes be set up by the various state governments. It has also supported the idea of an Education Bank which would provide soft loans for students seeking to obtain university education. "We do not know from where ASUU got the figures that it has been peddling around the whole country. However, the inconsistency in the figures glaring. Aside from the fact that our committee has no power to impose fees on students, we are at a loss regarding the source of the said figures. However, the contradiction demonstrates clearly that the figures are incorrect and should not be countenanced by anyone." Pertinent Questions Some of the pertinent questions asked by Babalakin, were- "do we want a university m

Do we believe that at least ďŹ ve Nigerian universities should be among the top 100 universities in the world or are we content with being listed at over number 800 in global ranking?

system that can compete with other university systems in the world or do we want a peculiar Nigerian University system? Do we want to create an environment where scholarship can thrive or are we seeking to create certificate issuing institutions? "Do we believe that at least five Nigerian Universities should be among the top 100 universities in the world or are we content with being listed at over number 800 in global ranking? Do we want to have academic staff who earn enough money that allows them to concentrate solely on their academic pursuits with a guaranteed career and a contented retirement or do we want to continue the present system where owning the basic things of life is considered a major achievement for the average academic? "Do we want to recreate the environment where the average outstanding student will consider an academic career as an attractive option when he graduates or do we want an academic environment made up of those who apply because they were not absorbed at their first choices? Do we want the spark to return to the Nigerian university system that was once considered a place of choice for international students and scholars around the world?" In his response, if the answers to these posers are positive, then there is the utmost need to reinvigorate the system. Previous Negotiations An enduring solution has eluded the Nigerian University System. The University System still remains largely underfunded thus incapable of providing the nation with the level of support expected from it. Various reasons have been given for this situation including, according to ASUU, lack of political will by the various governments. FG's Objectives According to the committee, the federal government seeks to provide a well-funded and outstandingly motivated university system that will amongst other things- be able to compete internationally, promote genuine scholarship, be among the top 100 universities in the world, create genuine academics with prosperous careers, provide

Funding On the issue of funding Babalakin said: "Based on ASUU’s own studies, the NUC has estimated that the cost of training Nigerian undergraduates to full accreditation status is the sum of $3,364 dollars. This was as at 2010. Thus, applying a very conservative rate of N300 to $1, this comes to approximately N1million, per annum, per student. "As at 2013, there were 761,000 students in Nigerian Universities. The figures for 2018 are not yet available to my committee from appropriate authorities. We have however assumed a 10 per cent growth per annum in Nigerian student’s population. We reckon that the Nigerian student population today is approximately one million. Based on this calculation, the Nigerian university system requires N1 trillion a year to fund undergraduate education alone at N1million x 1million students = N1 trillion. "Postgraduate education is however a different matter. Unfortunately, the cost of providing this critical part of education is yet to be determined. However it is noteworthy that TETFund supports each postgraduate student in Nigeria with approximately N1.5million per annum. Nigeria cannot continue to claim to produce postgraduate students without providing the facilities for this very important level of education." Present Allocation to Various Universities On present allocation to various universities he said: "Information available is that government manages to pay the salaries and sometimes the basic overheads of Federal Universities. For example, the University of Lagos budget allocation for personnel cost for 2017 was N12.9billion. The actual amount received till date is N10billion. The university also received less than N150million for its capital projects and overheads. With a student population of 50,000 students and applying the cost provided by NUC, University of Lagos requires at least N50billion to achieve full accreditation of its courses. In effect, University of Lagos received 20 per cent of the funds required to run the university properly. "Information available to us is that every federal university receives on the average the sum of N1billion per annum from TETFund. In effect University of Lagos received two per cent of 50billon per annum from TETFund." It was further gathered that asides what was released by TETFund, there are other forms of federal government interventions and they include the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), etc, who make very generous contributions.

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PERSPECTIVE

The Importance of Delta Ports to Nigeria’s Development Babatunde Omoju

T

he Delta Ports are a quadruplet of seaports sited along the Niger delta coastline in the port towns of Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutu, all in Delta State and in theirnamed order of sizes. The ports belong to second generation Nigerian ports, coming after the Lagos Port Complex and the Port Harcourt Port. They were created as national emergencies to handle the excessivepost-war reconstruction cargo that the Lagos Port could not absorb in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War which spanned 1967 to 1970. Prior to the war, the OldWarri Port was owned and operated by Holts Transport, a British colonial shipping firm while Burutu Port was owned and operated by the United African Company of Nigeria (UACN). All four ports were subsequently rehabilitated to the standard of national ports under the management and control of Nigerian Ports Authority in the 1970s. From that modest beginning of serving national exigency purposes of the post-war era, the Delta Portsaccomplished tremendous economic feat for Nigeria during the oil-boom years, which saw the ports handling captive cargo destined for the southeast and the south-south regions. Equipment for oil exploration, oil production and oil servicing used by international oil companies (IOCs) dominated the ports’ traffic forthe most parts of the 1970s up to the 1990s before the rival Onne Port in Rivers State competed away the traffic. This period also saw to the ports’ improvements and upgrading in different measures. Delta Ports remain unique with enormous capacity yearning for development. First, because of their strategic location in the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gasmineral deposits and their proximity to the Atlantic,they are adjudged as the port of the future, which would fit snugly in the country’s agenda of oil and gas industry deregulation as they would serve as the hub of modular oil refineries and marine transportation of petroleum products to neighbouring countries and beyond. Besides this, the ports are strategically located to serve as logistics bases for the export of gas by the Escravos Gas-ToLiquid (EGTL) facilities that areabout to commence production with a capacity next to non in sub-Saharan Africa – converting more than 325 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to GTL (gas-to-liquid) diesel

and GTL-naphtha. By the time theETGL project is actualized, Delta Ports and their host towns and surroundings are certain to become neweconomic growth poles that will attract investors, professionals and artisans seeking opportunities to harness. Trade and commerce are certain to follow such huge enterprise in the region as a natural consequence. In terms of hinterland accessibility, Delta Ports provideabout the shortest routes for cargo haulage tocatchment states of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, and Benue, when compared with other operational ports. The ports proximity to these states is an aid to freight logistics and distribution planning.The east-west road’s arterial connection throughprimary and secondary lateral roads to the named statesengenders quick turn-around time for trucks to and fro the ports. However, going by indices of port productivity andperformance, particularly ship traffic and tonnage of cargo handled per given period, on aggregate, the Delta Ports have performed sub-optimally due to low vesselpatronage for more than a decade, ostensibly out offear by ship owners of damage to keel and hull of shipscalling the ports due to the ports’ low water depths

and unsafe harbours. Reports have it that the Escravosbreakwater is submerged and the channel silted, having been last dredged in 1997. Over the past five years, clarion calls have been made to the federal governmentrepeatedly by pilots and other stakeholders that make use of the Escravos channel for it to be rehabilitated. Paradoxically, the Western Ports of Lagos continue to be congested, mainly because nearly all of the traffic that should be handled by the Delta Ports get stemmedat Lagos, only to be transported by road to their various destinations in the Niger Delta and environs. The costsof this circumvention of the Delta Ports to the economyare only too obvious – higher landing costs to importers, higher risks of loss and damage to cargo with higher insurance premium (that is where goods are insured at all), heavy damage to interstate highwayswith resulting short life span due to pressure fromarticulated vehicles, and loss of productive man-hours amongst other costs that are not quantifiable. Hence it is considered revolutionary news for industry watchers to hear that life is being breathed back to the Delta Ports via dredging of the Escravos channel and rehabilitation of its breakwater. The

company that has been saddled with the responsibility of accomplishing the dredging works is no less than Dredging International Services Nigeria Ltd (DISN), a firm known globally for its technical expertise and experience in providing marine and waterway solutions. Having been carrying out similar and much more complex port and harbour projects all over the world . Since 1991, DISN has continually and successfully delivered turn-key port and marine construction projects for various clients in Nigeria, key amongst whom are the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria LNG Ltd, Rivers State Government, Oil and Gas Companies, NIWA, and the Dangote group. The company is already on site working in the Escravoswith its dredger “MELLINA�, “MARIEKE� and is also replacing Aids to Navigation. With such expertisedeployed to handle dredging works, DISN will soon make the Escravos Channel accessible to all sizes of ships to navigate to all the Delta Ports. As ports are globally acknowledged as development agents and growth drivers, it goes without saying thatfixing the Delta Ports will not only reverse theirfortunes as sea-land interface structures but will once again revive the once active but now dying market outposts which the port towns of Warri, Sapele, Koko and Burutu before, during and after colonial times were noted for. For instance, historically Warri town was popular as a commercial port and market centre for local produce. It assumed added economic importance with the discovery of natural gas and petroleum in the area, and the establishment of a Petroleum Training Institute in 1972, plus a petroleum refinery in 1978. Today Warri with its environs is synonymous with oil and gas from the upstream, mid-stream to the downstream markets, and is a modestly thriving market in consumer goods. Piecing together the commercial historical antecedents of the Delta ports and their host towns would reveal that they are as important today as they were over fifty years ago. If these port towns could make that much impact when Nigeria’s population was a fraction of what it is today, they certainly would do much morewith more youthful and energetic populace if life were breathed into them. That breather is finally coming in the form of the dredging of the Escravos channel, and the repair of its breakwater. t0NPKV XSPUF JO GSPN -BHPT

COMMITMENT TO RESOLVE INCESSANT ASUU STRIKE ACTIONS According to Babalakin, thesd institutions contribute less than N500million to each federal university. Also, some Minsitries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also intervene directly in the funding of federal universities. Citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Science and Technology, Babalakin said they contribute to the Federal Universities of Agriculture and Federal Universities of Science and Technology directly. He added, "let us generously allocate N1billiob a year as the contribution from these various sources to the relevant universities. Thus, where we are today is that the federal government through all its funding sources contributes approximately 22.5 per cent of the total requirement of running a proper federal university system." This he said raised the question of where the shortfall will come from. He noted that ASUU and other stakeholders actually believe that the funds are available in the system but are simply not properly harnessed, accounted for or expended. Admitting that one is not in a position to provide answers to this, he however revealed that the current budget of the federal government stands at N8trillion for total budget, 41 per cent for recurrent expenditure, 28 per cent for capital expenditure. 23 per cent for debt servicing, five percent for statutory transfer and three per cent for sinking fund. Accordingly, he said the total revenue available to government is 41 per cent

recurrent plus 28 per cent capital, and when total in amount of money available to government comes out at 69 per cent of N8 Trillion equals to N5.5 trillion. Of this amount of money, he said 41 per cent is for paying salaries, which stands at N3.28 trillion. He futher stated, "this regime has made it clear that staff welfare is paramount to it. This item is not available for any other thing than the payment of salaries. Please note that this 41 per cent will be higher in light of the likely increase in minimum wage. The 28 per cent available for capital projects amounts to N2.24 trillion. Assuming full funding of the budget, N2.24 trillion is not a lot of money for a country with poor infrastructure, serious health issues, security challenges including an unending internal insurrection." For Babalakin, the challenge is how to convince government to make the N1 trillion identified above available from these resources for the university education system. Proposed Way Forward The committee went on to state that their proposed way forward encapsulates the fact that the federal government should provide enough fund for the education system, but in a sustainable manner. However, they noted that the provision should be balanced given the other gaping needs from other sectors. According to the committee, their position remains that should the federal government

make available the sum of N1trillion every year to fund university education which is equal to 70 per cent of the total capital releases for 2017, which was N1.3b? In their opinion, this is not realistic in a country that has other competing needs such as infrastructure, defence, security, health and other needs that require government's urgent attention, adding that we cannot continue to subject the funding of the university system to the vagaries of the availability of government resources and swinging political dispositions of political office holders. Other Challenges According to the committee, funding is not the only problem of the university system. They stayed that most of the previous negotiations have proceeded on the basis that the critical problem of university education is funding. Babalakin said: "While we admit that funding is a very serious problem, we are unable to concede to the proposition that increase in funding will necessarily increase the productivity of the universities. In our view if we increase funding without adjusting the structural defects in the system, we will not have an enduring solution to the problems of university education in Nigeria. The list of issues to be addressed are quite extensive, however we will seek to identify the most salient ones. "Another problem is that universities cannot function properly as large bureaucracies, rather

they must be run as institutions designed to promote scholarship in an intellectually competitive environment and not a bureaucracy. Outstanding performance must be rewarded appropriately by various University Councils. "University Councils must be constituted in a manner that councils can provide the leadership it requires. In present day Nigeria, universities must be led by persons who have a serious commitment to the university system and not those who are mainly representatives of the ruling party. "In addition, the leadership of the federal universities should reflect the geographical diversity of Nigeria. Our position is that out of the five principal officers of the university who occupy the positions of vice chancellor, deputy vice chancellor, registrar, bursar and librarian, not more than three of these positions should be held by persons from the same geographic zone. "There must also be cohesive supervision of federal universities. The university educational system must be supervised in a harmonious manner without compromising its self regulation. The idea of certain universities being supervised by other ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health is not appropriate. Whatever contributions those ministries want to make should be routed through the Ministry of Education in order to achieve a centrally coordinated supervision of the university education system."

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Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

, L – R, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Project Coordinator, Dickson Otitoju, Project Manager, Arc. Zingak Gomwalk, Hon. Mohammed Bago and Site Manager, H. Deckarm during the Speaker’s inspection tour of permanent site of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja...recently

L-R; Managing Director, GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, Mr. Amos Aledare; President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick; and Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Limited, Mr. Abubakar Lawal during the Visit of Management of NFF to GTI Capital Limited in Lagos...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Chairman, Rydal Mews Limited, Mr. Adetola Atekoja; , Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Mrs. Modupe Anjous; Deputy Country Head, Deutsche Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, and Director, Rydal Mews Limited, Mr. Bankole Animashaun, during Rydal Mews 7th Anniversary celebration in Lekki, Lagos...recently

L-R: Director, Admin and Human Resources, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Tajudeen Ishola, Director General, ITF. Joseph Ari, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Head, Public Aairs, ITF. Chagu Suleyol and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Saka Babatunde during courtesy visit to the Governor by DG. at Government House, Ilorin..recently

L-R (Back): Indomie Fan Club (IFC) National Coordinator, Mrs Faith Joshua; Project Coordinator, IFC Story Writing Competition, Mrs Winifred Adasagba; Indomie Digital Marketing Manager, Mrs Omotola Edien; and IFC Story Writing Competition Chief Judge, Mr Jide Olusanya; with the winners of the IFC 2018 Story Writing Competition, at the cheque presentation to the winners of the competition in Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Wole Adeniyi; Group Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni; Commercial Consul, Chinese Embassy in Lagos, Mr. Liu Jun Sheng; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Africa, Mr. Lubin Wang; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle; and Regional Head, Personal and Business Banking, Standard Bank West Africa, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay, at the launch of Stanbic IBTC Bank Africa-China Banking Centre in Ilupeju, Lagos...recently

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Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ ĂœË› Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă—Ă“ Ă—ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Í°Íľ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÓÑÓÙĂ&#x;Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă˜Ă?âÞ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ ĂœË› ÙÎÎÓĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÒÙå ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂ&#x;ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ÓÚÓĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ęś ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă? ĂœË› Ă“Ă—Ă“ ĂĄĂ™Ă?Ă“Ă•Ă‹Ë› Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“Ëž Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă?Óâ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë›

Caritas Hosts Leadership Roundtable

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

L-R: Chairman, Rydal Mews Limited, Mr. Adetola Atekoja; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Modupe Anjous; Director, Mr. Bankole Animashaun and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, during Rydal Mews seventh anniversary celebration in Lagos ‌ recently

Group Decries Cut in Health, Education Budget Obinna Chima BudgIT, a civic organisation, has decried the cut in Nigeria’s health and education sector budgetary allocation to fund the 2019 elections. According to the organisation, the consensus was that Nigeria is underfunding the health sector - and the immediate goal of government was to raise budgetary allocation to 15 percent of total budget size. “Rather, the virement hopes to take away N8.05 billion from the health sector. It is disheartening that political actors will ignore the growing numbers of people losing lives due to the poor state of Nigeria’s health sector,� BudgIT noted. The organisation pointed out

ECONOMY that the cut in the education sector allocation was also a case in point. It stated that policies, strategies and effective budgeting practices were needed to meet the needs of students, attract qualified teachers, and develop industry-centric curriculums especially in the public education system are critical at this time. Nigeria’s population growth is a serious pressure point. With children under 15 years of age accounting for 45 per cent of the 186 million population, the burden of education could become overwhelming and quality which is abysmal could drop even lower, the report added.

According to BudgIT’s Principal Lead, Gabriel Okeowo, “the continuous apathetic attitude of government towards key sectors that impact most on human development and especially the rights of children is gradually ravaging the future of the nation.� “Almost everyone in government and out of government agrees that Nigeria’s education sector is poorly funded. It is thus shocking that despite the meagre allocation seen in the 2018 budget, attempts are now been made to even slash budgetary allocation to the education sector even further by N10.2 billion to fund the 2019 elections.� Okeowo further noted that governments across all levels,

executive and legislature in particular have consistently demonstrated a lack of commitment to improve the life of the average Nigerian. “Priority has always been given to key areas of the budget that affect the legislature. Nigeria’s legislative arm is one of the highest funded in the world and their budget is given a statutory priority which implies that key budgetary allocations that are pro-poor takes a backseat. “This for us at BudgIT is unacceptable and in fact a demonstration of insensitivity on the part of the legislature especially at such a time when the country is reported to be the poverty capital of the world. Continued on page 24

NIMC Lists Conditions to Unlock Opportunities in Digital Market Emma Okonji The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has identified seven key conditions necessary to unlock opportunities and potential in Nigeria’s digital market. The Director-General of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, who listed the conditions in a paper he presented at the just concluded e-Nigeria conference, said Nigeria must establish, “the right regulatory and industry policies to encourage infrastructure investment in digital infrastructure, such as communications networks, which include broadband, mobile telecoms, internet, online e-government

TELECOM services, and smart cities.� According to him, the federal government must, “create a stable, predictable and sustainable policy/ commercial environment that allows businesses to flourish,� a step that would help in unlocking the country’s digital market thereby allowing the economy to grow.� Although Nigeria’s population, which is currently at almost 200 million, presents a huge potential, the NIMC boss argued that government needs to put in place focused programmes to “stimulate demand for digital solutions through the promotion

of digital skills, digital local content and support for local digital applications� for the opportunities to be fully harnessed. Speaking further, he said, “Government needs to encourage and implement digital services across all sectors of the economy, and establish economy platforms such as e-commerce, online markets, and entrepreneurship ecosystem, thereby encouraging tech-enabled businesses to turn creativity into value-creating online businesses.� According to him, “We must introduce digital literacy in our school curriculum in primary and secondary schools, as this will bring about digital skill critical

for digital interaction.� Aziz, said the provision of digital identity remained critical to everyone in the country, in accessing services physically or electronically. Stressing that identification, which is the main responsibility and mandate of NIMC, Aziz reminded the audience that one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the United Nations set out as blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, demands that nations provide legal identity for all including birth Continued on page 24

Ă‹ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă’Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ͱ͎ͯ͜˛ Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ëœ ËŠ ÞÒÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ęś Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁËœËŞËŞ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹ĘľĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž ÞÙÚ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă•Ă?ĂŁĂ˜Ă™ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ęś Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă•Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ‹Ă’Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?ÙÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹ ĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĘŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă™Ă’Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ù×Ó Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ÔÙ̋ Ă•Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ̚˞ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă”Ă“ ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëž Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĚ‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă“ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?ĂœĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë›

MainOne Partners MEST on Incubator

Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÎËÞË Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÖÞåËÞĂ?Ăœ Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă™ĂŁĂ“Ëœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĚ‹Ă?Ă™ĂœĚ‹ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ăž Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ę°ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?ËŞĂ? Ę¨ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂžËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ě‹Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă Ă“ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĚ‹Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽË› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă•Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ù××ÓʾĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂŽËœ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă?ÓÙ̋Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› ËŤ Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ę¨ĂŒĂœĂ?̋ÙÚÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ËŹËœ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ëœ Ă?Ă•Ă&#x; ÞËåÙÎÓ̋ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË?

“While the public sector is playing catch-up, in digital archiving, the growth in the private sector is encouraging as businesses realise the tremendous benefits of digital transformation as an enabler to better decision-making� Chief Executive Officer, Secured Records Management Solutions Limited (SRMS),

Dr. Sam Nwosu

24

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍłËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

GROUP DECRIES CUT IN HEALTH, EDUCATION BUDGET “Sectoral allocation to education, health and social interventions should not be sacrificed for the elections. “We observed that areas within the 2018 budget need trimming like the over bloated budget of the National Assembly was not touched, opine that even if the Executive made the proposal to cut critical funding to vire election expenses, the National Assembly should search within and apply cuts to their budget, fulfilling their powers within the appropriation framework. “It is thus incumbent that the virement made to the 2018 budget on certain sectors be rejected by all. With currently terrible health and education indicators and a recent report by OXFAM puts Nigeria at last position out of 157 countries on the “Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index�. “We believe actions such as this to severely cut funding in social investments are expanding the inequality gap in Nigeria and needs to be addressed. NIMC LISTS CONDITIONS TO UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN DIGITAL MARKET registration by the year 2030. “From the goal, it is very clear that identification plays an important role in enabling the achievement of other SDG targets, such as social protection, rights to economic resources, land and property as well as universal health coverage,� he stated. As a strategy to fast-track the enrolment of citizens and provide them legal identification, NIMC has stepped up its operations, which has seen the enrolment figure with the unique National Identification Number (NIN) now at over 33 million, up from just seven million three years ago, Aziz said. The digital identity ecosystem is a framework that leverages on the existing capabilities and infrastructure of distinct government agencies and private sector organisations to carry out enrolment of Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database (NIDB) as well as issuance of the Digital identity, known as the NIN, to give Nigeria a credible and robust identity management system.

Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹

‘Mobile Money Agent Network Will Drive Financial Inclusion’ Stories by Emma Okonji Participants at the third annual conference of the Association of Mobile Money Agents in Nigeria (AMMAN), which held recently in Lagos have said that mobile money agent network remains one of the key platforms to help reduce financial inclusion gap in the country, if properly managed. According to them, there was need for data harmonisation of all mobile money agents generated by the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the telecoms operators, in order to have a good knowledge of the exact number of mobile money agents in the country and what exactly each one is doing. They were of the view that unless the challenges of mobile money agents are addressed across the country, Nigeria may not achieve the target of attaining 500,000 mobile money agents by 2020 that will further reduce the gap of financially excluded people in the country, as projected by the CBN. Addressing the participants, President of AMMAN, Mr. Victor Olojo, said the with the theme of the conference: “Driving Inclusion-Exploring Agency Banking with Shared Network,� the association seeks to review contracts, and discuss challenges of mutual interests among agents, operators, regulators and the stakeholders across the country. Discussing the many challenges of mobile money agents in Nigeria, Ondo State Chairman of AMMAN, Mr.

Ali Akinsegun, spoke on police incessant harassment and arrest of mobile money agents in the state for alleged cases of financial fraud, using Point of Sales (PoS) terminals, and called on government to come to the rescue of mobile money agents in Nigeria. According to him, a customer visited an agent in Ondo State to carryout mobile money transaction. He said the transaction was successful and the customer deposited the cash with the agent, but that after several weeks the customer used the Police from Akure to arrest the

agent for alleged unsuccessful transaction. “The truth was that the customer had already compromised her debit card PIN before visiting the agent and her ATM card was swapped without her knowing. She was debited in series, weeks after the successful transaction with the agent. “The Police who later discovered the source of the series of debit on the customer debit card, could not trace the actual perpetrator, but rather preferred the arrest of the agent from where the customer also had transactions, weeks after

her card was swapped and used to defraud the customer,� Akinsegun said. Head, Lagos State Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Mr. Gbenga Adeoye, who represented the Lagos State Police Commissioner, said in order to avoid police harassment, agents must identify with the Police and ensure they register with the Police Command in their area of operations, to enable the security agent have full knowledge of their line of business. He said the police has to do its work and make some arrest to begin investigation,

when a case of financial fraud is reported to the Police. Managing Director, Intermarc Consulting, Jacqueline Jumah, stressed the need to mitigate financial fraud. According to her, about 53 per cent of agent network has been hit by fraudsters in Uganda. “In Kenya, where M-Pesa is very successful with mobile money transaction, majority of the mobile money agents have been hit by fraudsters. “So online financial fraud is on the increase globally, just as technology solution is evolving at a very fast rate,� Jumah said.

GENDER DIVERSITY AWARD

L–R: President, CFA Society Nigeria, Mr. Banji Fehintola; Head, Corporate Banking, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Ms. Stella-Marie Omogbai; Executive Director, Treasury/ International Banking, Ufunsho Olusanya and President/Chairman in Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Dr Uche Olowu, at the CFA Society Nigeria awards ceremony where FSDH Merchant Bank was presented with the ‘Gender Diversity’ award in Lagos‌recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

NIPOST Moves to Revive Postal Culture In order to revamp the mailing culture, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has decided to take the awareness about its operations to schools. The General Manager, Philately at NIPOST, Mrs. Funmi Ogulana, disclosed this recently. According to her, the culture of postage stamps collection was gradually going into extinction and NIPOST needed to revamp that culture, beginning with the schools. According to her, “Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps, which is an act of collecting stamps for various

purposes. “But what we see these days is that people tend to forget the culture of stamps in our society and the culture of commemorative stamp collection is going down fast. “Collection of stamps is a habit and stamp collectors do so for various reasons. While some collect for the purpose of sales, others collect stamps for the purpose of leaning. “We have discovered that the culture of stamp collection is fading out, and we have decided to take postage stamps to schools in order to revamp the culture

of postage stamps.� She added: “We have commenced the process of revamping postage stamps culture in Nigeria by visiting schools and educating them on the importance of postage stamps and the culture associated with postal stamps. “In the schools, we are reintroducing postage stamp club where students will be encouraged to understand the beauty and importance of postage stamps, and cultivate the habit of stamp collection. “Through commemorative stamps, students can study the history, culture, fashion

and geographical location of our country Nigeria. So we are reintroducing the stamp culture across schools nationwide, Ogunlana said. NIPOST, she added, still produces stamps and in the first quarter of 2019, the agency would be introducing three sets of postal stamps to the public, depicting the socio-cultural and economic position of Rivers State and Ogun State. “We have had the opportunity of producing stamps for foreign companies and we are currently in the process of producing stamps for the Indian High

Commission to commemorate the 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian activist who led India to Independence, Ogunlana said. Speaking on the usefulness of stamps, Ogunlana, said although the rate of posting letters has drastically reduced, and people no longer have need for stamps to affix on envelopes conveying their letters. But, she explained that NIPOST still produces stamps for the purpose of stamp duties that are now being affixed on every payment receipt, insisting that stamps are still very relevant in Nigeria.

Mining: FG Installs Earthquake Detecting Equipment

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

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Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In a move to end the incessant earth tremor panic attacks experienced amongst the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and its environs, the federal government has installed an earth tremor detecting machine. Government noted that the decision to acquire the seismometer detecting equipment was part of the recommendations of the Earth Tremor Committee. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar

Bwari, disclosed this while launching the equipment in Abuja. He stated that recent experience by residents evoked a lot of anxiety, especially among those living around Mpape and Maitama, but it also accelerated the robust plan by government to establish the necessary geoscientific infrastructure to monitor and mitigate all aspects of both natural and anthropogenic hazards. According to him, “Indeed, the federal government has since set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a common front

in tackling the challenge of earth tremors in Nigeria, which has become uncomfortably more frequent than expected. “Therefore it is my pleasure to commission the NGSA Earthquake monitoring command and control centre at the Agency’s HQ, Abuja while expecting the completion of the other three stations within a very short time.� The minister further said: “It is now very clear that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has great interest in the safety of the citizens of this great

nation considering the immediate steps taken, following the recent Earth tremors around Abuja which occurred in September and November, 2018. “The various stakeholders here present; the Ministry of Science and Technology, NEMA, the FCT and University of Ife Seismic team and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency among others have all had meaningful contributions towards understanding the mechanism of what we are faced with in recent times.� Bwari added: “The im-

provement on the network of seismographic stations across the country. Originally, NGSA designed a six station seismic monitors to be deployed across the country. “However, following repeated tremors around Abuja, the initial programme of national deployment was adjusted to accommodate seismographic densification of Abuja. “A 4-station Abuja network has therefore been put in place to have a closer and more effective over sight of the FCT.�

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All Eyes on Teleology Having gained the full ownership of 9mobile, stakeholders are eagerly watching to see how Teleology will turn around 9mobile, writes Emma Okonji Teleology Holdings, on Monday this week, received the nod of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator, to take full ownership of 9mobile. NCC transmitted a letter of ‘No Objection’ to Teleology Holdings, which is an express approval for the company to take full ownership of 9mobile. The approval, however, came after a long wait of 10 months for Teleology to take full control. Barclays Africa, the financial adviser handling the sale of 9mobile, had announced Teleology Holdings as the preferred bidder and Smile Telecoms Holdings as the reserve bidder. Despite the announcement by Barclays Africa and the subsequent transmission of letters of notification to both the preferred bidder and the reserve bidder since February 21, 2018, Teleology could not take over 9mobile because it was yet to get the letter of ‘No Objection’ from the NCC. The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta had said NCC needed to conduct due diligence on Teleology Holdings to ascertain its technical competence in managing 9mobile. He, however, said the due diligence has been conducted and the report submitted to the NCC board, and that the board would come up with a position statement, based on the findings of the report. Having received the approval, Teleology quickly appointed its new Board of Directors, who had earlier been chosen, but could not be announced, because the approval was yet to be given at that time. The new Board is expected to swing into action and resuscitate the telecoms company from its years of financial crisis. 9mobile was plunged into deep financial crisis five years ago, precisely 2013, when the former Etisalat Nigeria, which later rebranded and changed its nomenclature to 9mobile, had need to expand its telecoms business, but did not have the financial muscle to do so. The zeal to expand its operations and become more competitive, drove it into approaching a consortium of 13 local banks for a loan of $1.2 billion, which it eventually got, but could not complete the loan repayment plans, a situation that plunged the telecoms company into deep financial crisis, which led the sale of 9mobile to Teleology in February 2018. Although Teleology is excited that it has finally taken control and ownership of 9mobile, but industry stakeholders are watching to see how it will revive 9mobile amidst market competition.

Newly appointed board members Teleology said the new Board of Directors for 9mobile was appointed following the successful completion of the tenure of the former Board appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and in fulfillment of the consequential transfer of final ownership to the new investors. The seven-man board include Nasiru Ado Bayero as Chairman; Asega Aliga as non-executive director; Adrian Wood as nonexecutive director; Mohammed Edewor as non-executive director; Winston Ndubueze Udeh as non-executive director; Abdulrahman Ado as executive director and Stephane Beuvelet, as Acting managing director. “We thank all out-going members of the board for helping to shepherd 9mobile through the critical transition phase it has passed through since July 2017 and wish them the very best in their future assignments. “For us, the composition of the new Board of Directors is another significant milestone, and this follows the issuance of final approval of ‘no objection’ by the board of the NCC to the effect that the technical and financial bids Teleology submitted for 9mobile met and satisfied all the regulatory requirements. This is indeed the dawn of a new era in the evolution of the 9mobile brand in the Nigerian market,� the company said in a statement. The new Chairman of the board Ado Bayero welcomed the appointment stating, “As we begin this new epochal phase, we wish to thank all the employees who built this viable business. Our debt of gratitude also goes

Dambatta

Wood

Beuvelet

to our subscribers even as we assure them to get ready for real best-in-class additional value for their relationship with the 9mobile brand. Without you, there could not have been a 9mobile business for us to invest in today. We will justify your confidence in our brand by making significant investments that will improve the value you get for using 9mobile.�

Teleology, in a statement detailed an ambitious plan of action that would guide its rapid overhaul not only of the network but all aspects of the operations. According to Wood, “9mobile is transiting into a new phase that will be defined by optimal value delivery: value to our employees, value to our customers, value to local communities and indeed to all stakeholders.� He added that Teleology would be “engineering led and brand driven.� “ In delivering service, “we will strive to ensure that 9mobile operations deliver fulfillment to our customers, empowerment to local communities, protection to the vulnerable, and excellent rewards not only to our shareholders but to all stakeholders,� Wood said. Part of the plan is to double the 9mobile network with new 3G/4G specific cell sites as well as a several thousands of kilometers of fiber optic cable across the country. It will drive a special program of rural internet coverage, focusing on 4G with broadband access planned for all of Nigeria’s 774 Local government areas, Wood said in the statement.

in Nigeria, when it rolled out its commercial services on October 23, 2008. But for want of network expansion, the telecoms company in 2013, approached a consortium of 13 local banks for a loan of $1.2 billion for network upgrade and expansion. However, citing economic downturn of 2015-2016 and naira devaluation, which negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated component of the loan, the former Etisalat Nigeria, fell short of repaying the loan, a situation that compelled the banks to plan possible takeover of the telecoms company. After all negotiations between the telecoms company and its lending banks failed, Emirates Telecoms Group Company (Etisalat Group), pulled out of the shareholding structure and announced on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the transfer of 45 per cent of its stake and 25 per cent of its preference shares in Etisalat Nigeria, to United Capital Trustees Limited, the legal representative of the lending banks. The other two core investors, Mubadala Development Company which has 40 per cent stake and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), representing the Nigerian shareholders, which has 15 per cent stake, remained committed to Etisalat Nigeria, despite its debt crisis. Few days after it pulled out of the shareholding structure, six Mubadala and Etisalat Group-appointed non-executive directors, all nationals of the UAE resigned their appointments, an action that was shortly followed by the resignation of the former board chairman, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who is a Nigerian. This was again followed by the resignation of the then CEO, Mr. Mathew Willsher and several management staff of the telecoms company.

The emergence of Teleology When the opportunity to invest in 9mobile came in 2017, following the financial crisis that rocked the telecoms company and the eventual decision to sell 9mobile to core investor who will be willing to release funds to settle the financial indebtedness of 9mobile and still invest fresh funds to drive the telecoms business, Barclays Africa was appointed to handle the sale through a transparent auction process. At that time the former CEO of MTN Nigeria, Adrian Wood an Australian born technocrat, who became the face of Teleology Holdings in Nigeria led Teleology Holdings to bid for 9mobile. After due considerations, based on the technical competences and financial capabilities to manage 9mobile, Barclays Africa announced Teleology Holdings as the preferred bidder and Smile Telecoms Holdings as the reserve bidder, among 16 contenders who initially submitted bid for 9mobile. Letters were transmitted to both final contenders on February 21, 2018, informing them of their positions in the sale of 9mobile. The letter also directed Teleology Holdings to make a non-refundable cash deposit of $50 million within 21 days of from the date of the letter, dated February 21, 2018, or stand the chance of losing the bid to the reserve bidder, which is Smile Telecoms Holdings. After the payment of the initial $50 million deposit, Teleology was expected to pay the remaining balance of $251 million, to complete the $301 million it proposed during the bid process to acquire 9mobile. Teleology was mandated to pay the balance of $251 million within 90 days, beginning from March 21, 2018, which was the deadline given it to pay the $50 million non-refundable cash deposit. Determined to take over 9mobile, Teleology Holdings met both payment deadlines, but had to patiently wait for months before approval was eventually given for the total ownership of 9mobile.

Teleology’s strategic plans In less than 24 hours after meeting the March 22 deadline for the payment of the $50 million non-refundable cash deposit for 9mobile, Wood announced his 10-point agenda on which the telecoms company would be managed.

Stakeholders’ Position Industry stakeholders have commended the recent development that led the transmission of letter of ‘No Objection’ by NCC to Teleology, which they said, would enable Teleology move in to resuscitate 9mobile and reposition it on the part of growth and competition. The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said it would have been a big setback not only to 9mobile, but also to the entire telecoms industry, if Teleology was denied the full ownership of 9mobile, after he was declared the winner of the keenly contested bid process. “We were all expecting Teleology to take ownership of 9mobile, having been announced as the preferred bidder, but now that it has received the nod to take full ownership control, I urge Teleology to do its best in turning around the telecoms company into profitability,� Adebayo said. President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo said: “I am happy and the entire telecoms industry is happy that Teleology has been given the right to take over 9mobile. This is what we have been expecting, and we believe that the approval would put an end to possible job loss, drop in telecommunications contribution to GDP, and setback on the telecoms sector, which the delay would have created.�

Genesis of 9mobile Crisis 9mobile, formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria, became the fourth entrant into the GSM space

The Interventions The intervention of NCC and the CBN, eventually led to the planned sale of 9mobile in order to recover enough money to pay its debt. In order to save the situation, several meetings were called at the instance of NCC, and the meetings were held between NCC, CBN, 9mobile and the management of the 13 banks, and it was agreed that 9mobile be sold to interested investor that is financially capable and willing to invest in the telecoms company and to release the much needed funds to settle its loan debt. It was based on the intervention that Barclays Africa was appointed to handle the sale of 9mobile. Now that Teleology has received NCC’s approval to take full ownership of 9mobile, industry stakeholders are interested in seeing how Teleology will bring 9mobile to limelight, after five years of financial crisis.

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MTN Creates New Drive for Business Partnership in Nigeria Nosa Alekhuogie In a bid to empower small businesses, impact on the economy through digital inclusion, MTN Nigeria has launched a partner programme initiative. The launch came up at the maiden Partner Summit with the theme: “MTN Fusion,� which held in Lagos recently. According to MTN, the program which would be held annually seeks to change the way the telco serves the Nigerian enterprise market. It enables local and global partners to become

part of the MTN Business solutions offering and also adding exponential value to its enterprise business customers, as well as the broader business landscape in Nigeria. The Senior Manager, Partnership and Alliance Management Enterprise Business, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Akinbulejo Onabolu, while speaking on the sidelines of the event said: “We are trying to build an ecosystem of partners who create solutions for themselves by themselves and with us. “MTN enterprise business is opening up its doors to partnering with

small businesses, technology start-ups, large global players and also, organisations interested in selling our solutions.� He added: “We cover small businesses, large enterprises and the Public sector. Now we are putting a structure around partnerships which is the fusion. “This is us saying, partners come work with us to create solutions, let’s bring the ideas you have to life. “ Speaking further, Onabolu

explained that, “We offer access to our assets, resources and capabilities. We have this portfolio of competencies assets and resources which we bring into the mix for partnerships. “Fusion for us is bringing together these different set of partners who work with us to create value across board. These includes SMEs, large organisations and the public sector. “The ecosystem of partners includes technology, capability and channel

partners, but we have existing partners we have been working with. “What we are doing now is creating an interesting incentive structure to drive alignment and the right behavior and putting in proper governance.� On her part, the Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria, Lynda SaintNwafor, explained that the summit provided an opportunity to bring trusted and new partners together to share the partner operating

model and structure which is targeted at making it easier for partners to work with MTN to create the future together. Speaking further she said: “We have been engaging partners on case-by-case basis. These partners either bring in the needed technology and platforms to co-create new solutions or share their unique expertise and competencies to help us develop solutions that drive growth and increase market reach.�

NCC Foresees Bright Prospects for Channel VAS Operation Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said great future awaits Channel VAS operations in Nigeria. This followed recent announcement by another major global investor, South Africa-based Ethos, to choose Channel VAS to invest $50 million in the leading mobile financial and data analytics firm. Chairman of NCC, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, who made the disclosure during a meeting at the AfricaCom convention in Cape Town, South Africa, where he delivered a keynote speech at the event. Channel VAS is a provider of mobile financial services, big data analytics and airtime credit services to mobile subscribers in Africa, the Middle East, Asia,

Latin America and Europe, through internationally patented proprietary technology. “NCC and myself personally will continue our unwavering support to companies like Channel VAS to grow even more and honor their origins,�Durojaiye said. Also, the founder and CEO, Channel VAS, Bassim Haidar said: “Channel VAS has been at the forefront of the FinTech revolution through mobile finance from its very beginning, so working together with visionary investors such as Ethos will help us continue to expand our already massive geographical footprint at an even faster pace, bringing financial inclusion to more unbanked and underserved people globally through our innovative services.�

‘Post-millennials Have Capacity to Transform Workplace’ Emma Okonji Generation Z (Gen Z), which is the acronym for postmillennials that were born after 1996, as named by Dell Technologies, are entering the workforce, bringing with them a tech-first mentality that will propel businesses further into the digital era while potentially deepening the divide among five generations in the workplace, a report has stated. According to global research commissioned by Dell Technologies, post-millennials, also known as Gen Z, have a deep, universal understanding of technology and its potential to transform how we work and live. Corporate Fellow and Vice President of Technology Strategy, Dell Technologies, Danny Cobb, said: “It’s almost a given that these digital natives have advanced technology and data science skills, but what is surprising is the level of digital maturity they are bringing to the workplace. “Yet we haven’t raised a generation of robots. Gen Z

sees technology not only as a tool for enabling human progress, but also as a means for leveling the information empowerment playing field. Their combination of vision and optimism is remarkable.� The Dell Technologies survey of more than 12,000 high school and college students in 17 countries, reveals the younger generation’s outlook on technology and future jobs. According to the report, 98 per cent have used technology as part of their formal education; 91 per cent say the technology offered by an employer would be a factor in choosing among similar job offers; 80 per cent want to work with cutting-edge technology, but of those, 38 per cent are interested in Information Technology (IT) careers, 39 per cent want to work in cybersecurity and 46 per cent aspire to do technology research and development, while 80 per cent believe technology and automation will create a more equitable work environment by preventing bias and discrimination.

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Executive Director, SIMS Nigeria Ltd (SIMS), Mr. Ike Eyisi; Executive Director, Technologies Distributions Ltd (TD), Ms. Sarah Agha; Event Compere, Ms. Bisola Aiyeola and Logistics Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Eunso Shin, during the launch of Samsung QLED TV, 2018 model in Lagos‌recently

Firm Deploys Enterprise Budgeting Software Emma Okonji FinTrak, a Lagos-based Financial Technology firm has deployed the latest version of Enterprise Budgeting software. The firm also stressed the importance budgeting in any company’s strategic planning. It described budget as a comprehensive financial plan for achieving the financial and operational goals of an organisation. When deployed correctly, it can be the mapping of the company’s strategic plan. Having this in view, an indigenous financial technology firm made the challenges associated with budgeting easier with its upgraded FinTrak Budgeting Software. According to the technology firm, budget has gone past the era of spreadsheet and formulas, “and with FinTrak budget software, budgeting has been taken to a new level by introducing a high level of automation. The software, embedded with features such as IFRS compliant calculations, Formula-free technology, budget versioning and scenarios, budget simulation, automated consolidation of multiple units and extensive built-in financial and business intelligence, would make the work of Chief Financial Officers easier and error free,� the firm said.

Speaking on the software, the Group Managing Director of FinTrak, Bimbo Abioye, said: “It’s time to move beyond manual intensive budgeting through spreadsheets and formulas. “This product enables you concentrate on the structure and performance of your business, and not on troubleshooting spreadsheets one cell at a time. “FinTrak Budgeting software is developed for confidence, productivity and insight into your financial operations and enables organisations to achieve proper budgeting and controls.� Unlike other budget software in the market, FinTrak budget software offers organisations added advantages such as greater ownership of financial performance by all strategic business units and managers. It also avails users an easy adaptation to any structure and reporting requirements or standards, and most importantly, integrated income statement, balance sheet and cash flow reporting are among many things that organisations stands to gain when the software is deployed, the firm said. About six commercial banks and two mortgage banks in Nigeria are already on the platform presently, the technology firm added.

Google Launchpad Accelerator to Offer $3m to African Start-ups Emma Okonji Over the next three years, the Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa programme has revealed it will provide African start-ups with over $3 million in equity-free support, working space, and access to expert advisers from Google, Silicon Valley, and Africa. Participants received travel and PR support during each three-month program. Launchpad is a global mentoring programme that helps start-ups build and scale great products by matching them with the best of Google - its people, network, and advanced technologies. Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa is a regional Launchpad - an acceleration programme for top early-stage African startups - that was announced on 27 July 2017 at Google for Nigeria by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, It operates out of Lagos, Nigeria. Google announced the first Launchpad Accelerator Africa class on 9 November and applications closed on 10 December 2017. On 18 March 2018, Google announced the start-ups who would participate in the first Google Accelerator Africa Launchpad, including com-

panies from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania. To qualify, start-ups had to be in the technology sector, based in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting the African market that had already raised seed funding. Google additionally considered the problem the start-up is trying to solve, how it creates value for users, and how they addressed a real challenge for their home city, country or Africa broadly. Launchpad Class 1 graduated on 8 June 2018, by which time the three month programme had connected the 12 participating start-ups with more than 20 teams from Google as well as 40 mentors from nine countries including India, the UK, USA and Jamaica. Each has received $10, 000 in an equity-free cash grant, and between them they have raised over $7 million. The start-ups have directly created 132 jobs and impacted 4.5 million users. Launchpad Accelerator Africa Class 2 applications were announced on 8 June 2018 and Google also announced it is extending the program to include startups from a further 11 African countries.

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NB, FRSC Hold ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign Following the successful mega rally of the 11th edition of the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Nigerian Breweries and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recently held another mega rally on road safety in Lagos. The initiative was part of efforts aimed at ensuring reduction in road accidents. The Lagos event, the second of the three rallies scheduled for this year’s campaign was held at the Ojota New Garage. The Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel said the campaign was an important part of the company’s long-term sustainability agenda, tagged “Brewing a Better World� and falls under advocating responsible consumption. Bel, stated that since inception of the campaign in 2008, enlightenment rallies have been held in popular motor parks and other locations in 42 cities and towns across the country. It has also engaged over 20,000 drivers and other road users. He emphasised that the campaign, which was aimed at discouraging drink driving and improving safety on Nigerian roads, commenced its first mega rally in 2018 in Uyo in October, with the

last for the 2018 edition scheduled for Minna, Niger State. “For the first time since the initiative started, we also launched the campaign at a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) camp in Umuahia, where we involved the youths as change agents to imbibe and drive the message of the campaign,� he explained. Bel, added that as the year comes to an end, road users, most especially commercial road users, should imbibe the culture of responsible drinking. On his part, the FRSC Sector Commander for RS2.1, Lagos Sector Command, Corps Commander Hyginus Omeje, explained that during this period of the year, the corps doubles its efforts in actualising one of its core mandates of educating the public on proper use of the highways to curtail accidents. He said drink driving has been a major factor responsible for increasing accidents on the country’s roads. According to him, analysis of crashes recorded in Lagos State over the past two years showed that in 2016, a total of 441 reported cases were recorded with 971 injured and 165 deaths; while in 2017, 425 cases recorded shows 1,005 victims injured

with 113 deaths. However, from January to September of this year, 304 cases were recorded with 691 injured and 95 deaths. Omeje, disclosed that a baseline study on 2,600 persons from December 2015 to September 2018, with the digital evidential alcohol testing machine showed 247 positive results of drink- driving, while 2,353 tested negative. He said the study further showed that 180 cases involved commercial vehicles, representing 72.8 percent; 65 were private vehicles indicating 26.3 per cent, while two were government vehicles marking 0.8 per cent. He explained that the set legal limit for alcohol consumption was 0.05g/100ml breath alcohol concentration, saying any driver above that would be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, which is punishable with a fine of N5,000, or one-year jail term, or both. The Corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem, who represented the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said the agency was embarking on a road safety initiative on vision test for drivers, known as “Operation Cobra�, as a measure to curb road accidents, which some people attribute to demonic forces.

FirstBank, Vision Spring Provide Free Eye Screening for Pupils, Elderly In continuation of its efforts to reduce the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in the country, FirstBank Nigeria Limited has conducted free eye screenings for residents of the Old People’s Home, Yaba and students and staff of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Secondary School, Lagos. Not less than 1,000 beneficiaries from both institutions enjoyed the free eye screening provided by the bank in partnership with the international organisation, Vision Spring, during the one-week exercise. The initiative was part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Sight Day. A statement explained that free eyeglasses were also given to beneficiaries who needed them during the screening. It was described as one of the numerous corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S) initiatives through which FirstBank empowers individuals and society. Speaking on the exercise, Head, Corporate Responsibility, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Ismail Omamegbe, disclosed that it was in continuation of the partnership the bank struck with Vision Spring earlier this year to reduce incidences of blindness and visual impairment among all classes of Nigerians.

He explained that, “as a responsible corporate citizen focusing on promoting quality education; good health and welfare for its stakeholders, we needed to reach out to the elderly and pupils after our earlier intervention in June during the second edition of our CR&S Week.� Omamegbe, added that students are also critical stakeholders of the bank and since good vision is essential for learning and acquiring knowledge, FirstBank decided to use YABATECH Secondary School as its pilot intervention for pupils. “Education, health and welfare are the core areas of our CR&S, and everyone knows that good vision will enable the pupils to acquire knowledge and stay safe at home and in school. “The health talk component where they were sensitised on good eye care practices will also make them good change agents. This is just the beginning as we are set to do much more in partnership with Vision Spring,� he stated. Commending the initiative, the Vice-Principal (Administration), YABATECH Secondary School, Mr. Peter Taiwo Arowolo, said it would save the school administrators from pressure of parents who always demand that their children be sat close in front to the whiteboard because of sight

issues. He said, “This is going to go a long way to enhance teaching and learning in the school. Those who need a pair of glasses are assured of getting one for free after the test. “Consequently, there won’t be any cause for parents to be troubling our class teachers again. You can sit anywhere in the class, and you ‘ll learn. “Fittingly, teachers and other categories of staff are also beneficiaries. All of us - students and teachers are happy with the eye screening.� The Country Representative of Vision Spring in Nigeria, Mrs. Tinuke Adeyinka, commended FirstBank for partnering the organisation on the exercise. She said: “You would be surprised that pupils have cataracts and glaucoma in school these days and it is during exercises like this that you screen them and prevent avoidable blindness in the future. “I do commend FirstBank for this initiative. Some organisations give books and renovate buildings, but these children are the ones who will emerge from the building. “I’m so happy that they are investing in their health; their eye health, knowing full well that if these pupils can see well, they will excel.�

FROM THE FARM

Dimieari Von Kemedi

The Road that will Reduce Our Cost of Food I have spoken with a few friends who say they don’t understand why I am involved in farming. They say its too risky and unprofitable, and too difficult – and they are partly right. But other parts of the value chain have their challenges as well. Processing the crops we produce might appear easier, yet sourcing raw materials for processing is not easy. Not to mention problems with power, negotiating labor costs and ensuring productivity. The cost of raw ingredients can fluctuate wildly, and consistency of quality is not easy to maintain side by side with access to adequate quantities of feedstock at a reasonable price and time. Next comes the challenge of product marketing and the struggle to promote your product against local competitors and imported or smuggled brands, and finding the right balance in margins between processing and marketing which may determine how quickly you sell. But the biggest challenge lies at the heart of the intersection between farming and processing, and indeed between other critical stages of primary production and processing: logistics. In farming, logistics determines whether your tractors, seeds, agrochemicals and fertilizers arrive on time. This in turn determines whether your season starts on time, whether inputs are applied at the optimal moment, and ultimately your yield and profit. In processing, logistics determine how quickly you buy feedstock before prices begin to rise. It also determines how quickly you meet demand from your buyers. So for everyone, logistics determine how well you sleep. As with all things planning is very important – planning way ahead of time. All arrangements with third parties must be completed several weeks ahead of when products or services are required. All farm inputs should be in store at least two months before the

planting season. Adequate arrangements should be made to secure them against rodents, pests and thieves. Arrangements with delivery vehicles should be made well in advance as they disappoint consistently and may be slow due to factors such as bad roads and multiple checkpoints. Where possible pre-register trucks and with time you will know those who provide best service. Pre-registering trucks will also increase your options and insolate your operations from wild price fluctuations. When transporting produce to processing factories, particularly early in the season as production is just about to be ramped up, it’s important to make transport arrangements well in advance – preferably with companies that have multiple trucks in their fleet. Trucks break down with near suspicious consistency. You must have your team ready to inspect all trucks before payment. And of course once loaded you should have a team member on board. Ensure that the truck has all necessary papers, and make sure they travel with a waybill. Sometimes suppliers are under pressure to deliver produce according to schedule but maintaining all quality checks and making sure truck drivers rest at intervals is more important. High cost of logistics and uncertainty caused by bad roads and poor vehicle maintenance amongst other factors drives up our food prices. There is an opportunity for trucking companies to set themselves apart by providing reliable service delivery with predictable costing and delivery schedules. All producers, processors and consumers are waiting for this service. Dimieari Von Kemedi works with smallholder farmers in the Alluvial Agriculture network. kemedi@alluvialtrade.com www.alluvialtrade.com

NECA Condemns Closure of Nigerian Breweries’ OfďŹ ces The decision of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to shut down the offices and business premises of Nigeria Brewery Plc across the nation was unconstitutional, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has stated. In a statement issued in Lagos, copy of which was received by THISDAY, NECA said it was shock and surprised that the NLRC, under the new Director General, Lanre Gbajabiamila, could apply gruff action and jungle behaviour in shutting down the brewery giant. It was stated in the statement that organised businesses under the auspices of NECA had approached the Courts in the case CA/A/207/2016, NECA & 1 or vs. AG Federation & 3 ors. The case was said to be currently at the Federal Court of Appeal and parties in the case had maintained status quo ante since 2016.

“This was in obedience to the Court order which had restrained the National Lottery Commission and /or its Agents from imposing/further imposing its own interpretation of “promos� on NECA’s members and/or from further harassing, intimidating and/or sealing-up the offices of NECA’s members,� the statement added. The Director General, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, was quoted to have expressed shock that the new helmsman at the NLRC would go all out to act in breach of the rule of law and utter contempt of court by shutting down the offices and business premises of Nigeria Brewery Plc in a case that is still before the Court of Appeal. Oshinowo noted that, “since 2016 when the case was filed in court, the past leadership of the Commission had exercised restraint and due respect for the law of the land�. He decried the resort to

jungle behaviour by the power drunk “public servant� in a civilised society where all hands are on deck to boost the ailing economy of the nation. According to him, “It is unthinkable that a Public Servant will rashly shut down business premises of a multi-billion-dollar investment without considering the dire implications on the economy.� The Director General, NECA called on the Presidency and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to call Gbajabiamila to order, saying his actions were not only illegal, unlawful and ultra vires the powers conferred on him, “but he is working at cross purpose against the laudable efforts of the Federal Government in improving the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in Nigeria. “He should be called to order to avoid further damage to business and the fragile economy at large.�

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Engaging Children in the Noodles Market As a result of their power to influence purchasing habits in the family, children have remained a major segment of the market, with brands falling over one another to attract their attention. Raheem Akingbolu reports For close to two decades, competition in the noodles market has consistently been on the rise. Like in every war, the struggle has recorded casualties as well as giving birth to market icons. To get a big share of the market, noodles companies have adopted various strategies to make their brands more appealing to consumers, especially children. Aside positioning with attributes like quality nourishment, tasty nutrition and affordability, smart ones among them have leveraged on promotion and reward system. They have also deployed different commercials on radio and television. In the last 10 years, consumers have experienced various products. Among them are; Indomie made by Dufil Prima Foods, Golden Penny noodles by Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Honeywell noodles by Honeywell Superfine Foods Limited, a subsidiary of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc and Dangote noodles by Dangote Group. Others are O Noodles, Chiki noodles, Sum Yun and Mimi Noodles by May & Baker. However, most of the brands have since dead. Indomie was the pioneer noodle in Nigeria and swallowed the bitter pills associated with the teething problems of market acceptance. Soon, it gained consumer approval. For several years, it enjoyed the monopoly as the only noodles brand and gradually became the generic name for noodles in Nigeria. Its monopoly recently faced fierce competition from other noodles, but, no doubt, its dominance is still pronounced, as many have conservatively stuck to it.

IIDA as a CSR Strategy for Indomie Although Nigerian children are performing heroic feats, there are gaps in rewarding them. Dufil Prima Foods noticed such gaps in 2008 and decided to set up an award, Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA), for heroic children. The award is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative organised annually by the maker of Indomie instant noodle to identify, recognise and celebrate children below the age of 15 for their intellectual, social and physical bravery. Established 10 years ago, the award, which is worth multi-million naira scholarships for the winners, has benefited over 39 children. This year, the award event was held Lagos with

a roll call of attendees that included industrialists, bankers, school administrators, musical artistes, students, the winners and their parents. Delivery her speech, the guest speaker at the occasion and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rise Networks, Mrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji thanked Dufil Prima Foods for sustaining the award for these past 10 years, adding that what the company is doing through IIDA is capable of empowering the Nigerian child. “I want to thank Dufil Prima Foods for the remarkable work she is doing in Nigeria. IIDA is the biggest and most inspiring programme for children in Nigeria. It is commendable for an organisation like Dufil Prima Foods to have stayed consistent to doing social responsibility programme the way she has been doing it, by making sustainable substantial contribution to the growth and development of Nigerian children, without necessarily getting something in return,� Akerele-Ogunsiji said. The guest speaker said it was commendable to see Nigerian children breaking barriers to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria.Akerele-

Ogunsiji said: “I sat down with my fellow judges few weeks ago to watch videos of the entries for IIDA. It moved me to tears to see ordinary children from hinterlands of Nigeria performing heroic acts. Many of those children come from what one can describe as low income families; they do not have the privilege of acquiring proper education. However, those children have brazed all odds, and they are doing magic in their remote communities.�

Physical bravery category During the roll call of winners, 15-year-old Victor Olayiwola was announced as the winner of the physical bravery category. The story of the young Olayiwola is both interesting and pathetic. Olawiwola was only nine when he saved the life of his mother from a car accident. The incident happened on December 12, 2012 when his family was returning from a church service. The family was crossing a popular road at Fagba, Lagos, when a car, on a high speed, voraciously aimed for the life of Olayiwola’s mother. But Olayiwola was behind the family to notice the oncoming vehicle. Without thinking twice, he dived and pushed away

his mother and other family members. However, his legs were crushed by the car. He was rushed to eight hospitals, but was rejected by all the hospitals. The ninth hospital that accepted to treat him could only save his life, but not his legs. His left leg was so badly affected by the accident that it had to be amputated. Today, Olayiwola bears the brunt of the accident, for he walks around with prosthetics. But Dufil Prima Foods is changing the story of the teenager for the better, through IIDA. Making the announcement, IIDA panel of judges described Olayiwola as a brave child, whose bravery should not go unrewarded.

Judges and criteria The panel of judges that independently examined, critic and nominated the winning stories included Managing Director of Rave TV and Trend FM, Agatha Amata; Managing Partner of CC-Hub, Mr Adetunji Eleso and Akerele-Ogunsiji. Others included the Managing Partner of Sanni and Co.,Prof. Abiola Sanni; social critic, Mr Adekunle Adeniyi and Television Continental (TVC) Director of Programmes,MrsMorayo Afolabi-Brown.

Leveraging Sport Sponsorship for Brand Positioning Raheem Akingbolu writes on brand positioning and how the sponsorship of the just concluded Higher Institutions Football League by Stanbic IBTC will deepen the brand’s influence in the youth segment of the market In modern marketing, companies and their brands are competing heavily to hold existing and to gain new marketing share. For this reason, smart brand promoters look for credible platforms to connect their target audience. In recent time, sports and music sponsorship have become important tools used in this regard and they are also important sources of income for sports entities and entertainment companies. Both are fast becoming the most potent platforms for marketing because of the affinity between fans and the teams or music stars, as the case may be. In advanced nations, handlers of top brands always find the two areas tempting because they are the easiest routes to the heart of the teeming youth population. Though the use of sports and music sponsorship as brand equity building tools is not new in Nigeria but not many financial brands invest in such marketing platform. Besides, the Nigeria’s entertainment industry provides music personalities and other celebrities to connect with, that cannot be said of sports because there are no viable local football leagues. As a result of this, most companies have been restricted to music as the major platform to connect consumers.

HiFL Sponsorship

It was good news few months ago, when the Stanbic IBTC Group announced its sponsorship of the Higher Institutions Football League (HIFL), which kicked off in various centres across the country in August. Tom-tom from the stable of Cadbury Nigeria also leveraged on the competition as official candy with huge branding support during the final. Though, the bank had stated that the sponsorship was in tandem with the company’s determination to help grow and develop a vibrant and productive youth population, observers were quick to point out that the decision to support the tournament might be

the HiFL Elite Player of the year, special recognition was also given to three players in the league; Olumofe Seyi James of OAU Giants, Charles Ufot of UNICAL Malabites and Ogunronbi Hawal of UNILORIN Warriors. It was also a moment of accomplishment for the nation’s only female coach, Priscilla Mlumun Vande of University of Agriculture, whose team; UAM Tillers, carted home the trophy.

Stadium Branding

Sanni the platform needed by the Stanbic IBTC to conquer the youths market. According to Stanbic IBTC, their involvement was equally informed by the need to foster unity among the youths, the future leaders, and development of sports as well as the economy using the HIFL platform. Last week in Lagos, the investment paid off as university students and other football enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the winning team –the University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the winning brand - Stanbic IBTC Holdings. At the Agege Stadium, Lagos, the UAM Tillers defeated UNICAL Malabites in a penalty shoot out to go home with the trophy. Earlier in the morning of same day, OAU giants had defeated UNILORIN Warriors to emerged 3rd in the winners’ roll call. While Ebuka David Odenigbo of the University of Agriculture, Markurdi, UAM Tillers, was named

For the promoters of the Stanbic IBTC brand, the competition was an opportunity to warm the brand into the hearts of various university students as every tool was explored to reposition the brand. Aside stadium branding, Stanbic IBTC created huge presence through kit endorsement, branding of the display panels around the football pitch; branding of fans bid and products display. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, expressed his delight to be part of the competition. He said: “We are enthusiastic about our sponsorship of the university league. The sponsorship is in line with our objective to engage the youth in talent-moulding and character-building initiatives and our determination to contribute to the development of sports and by extension the economy.� Meanwhile, the organisers of the league commended Stanbic IBTC for its boldness in sponsoring the HIFL. According to them, the sponsorship was invaluable to the success of the varsity league, even as they promised to sustain the tempo in the years ahead and “convince our sponsors and indeed Nigerians that collegiate sport is ripe in Nigeria.� Organised by Green White Green (GWG) Sports, the maiden edition of the league featured the top 16 universities from across the country. The teams played a total of 30 games over a 14-week period to determine the winner. Explaining the rationale for HIFL at the draws

ceremony in Lagos, CEO of the Green White Green, Alhaji Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, said the HIFL is conceived as a platform for students “to exhibit their talents to the world.� According to the Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Sola Fijabi, whose agency recently inaugurated the league, there is a connection between brand building and sports that has not been fully explored in Nigeria because of lack of strong sporting platforms. He stated that for discerning brands, HiFL is another platform for connecting with consumers. According to Fijabi, the spread of the tournament and potential opportunities abound. “HiFL has been designed to address the needs of every brand. Here, we are referring to over 60 per cent of the population in Nigeria as prospective customers of any discerning brand. That is huge. “Opportunities such as kit endorsement/branding; branding of the display panels around the football pitch; branding of fans bid; products display amongst other sponsorship opportunities are available. “The beauty of these profound opportunities is that brands may simply tap in for their corporate social responsibility programmes,� Fijabi said. This was also the position of a Marketing expert, Babatunde Oguntuase, who argued during an interview with THISDAY that there has been serious vacuum in the nation’s marketing space, adding that the recent development will boost sports and brands marketing in Nigeria. “Unlike what we have in the entertainment industry, sports in Nigeria are event driven and that is why it has failed to command necessary followership. “Sport is key to marketing, especially when it comes to reaching out to the youth segment of the market but unfortunately there is no strong local football league to serve as positioning vehicle for sponsorship and advertising. “That is why we must all rally support for PACE in its new endeavor to open up that segment and create opportunity for our brands,� Oguntuase said.

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Providing Recipe for Economic Growth The recently concluded 23rd edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja provided experts and public officers another opportunity to discuss ways to stimulate the economy, reports Chineme Okafor Conversations at the annual Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) are usually very enriching and thought-provoking. As an unwritten rule that has lasted for ages, it is at such summits that interactions between government functionaries and business people are open-minded, especially from the side of private sector operators who use the opportunity to tell the government what they feel about the performance of the economy. Hence, the 2018 edition of the annual NES which had as its theme, ‘Poverty to Prosperity: Making Governance and Institutions Work’, provided stakeholders such good occasion to review and proffer solution on how to move Nigeria’s economy away from its distress spot to a position it can afford citizens some measure of economic prosperity.

Plenaries and exchanges Primed to last for two days, practical conversations at the NES indeed started out with a presidential dialogue on corruption and rule of law, a dilemma President Muhammadu Buhari, who incidentally the plenary was centred around, described as the greatest form of human rights violation. Because businesses thrive where laws are well defined and clearly applied, Nigeria has reportedly been unable to create a system that prevents the diversion of public funds, enforce public sector accountability, improve on access to justice, ensure expeditious conclusion of litigations and undertake comprehensive reform of police services, to ensure businesses that find a home in her shores are safeguarded from such irregularities. Thus, the plenary which had the founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance, University of Oxford, Prof. Ngaire Woods, as its moderator, explored effective methods of overcoming these challenges. How best to accelerate infrastructure investments; unlock the potential for sub-national economic cooperation; restore the financial viability of the Nigerian electricity supply industry; including mining the innate potential of Nigeria’s 23 million youth to turn the country’s economy around, were some of the other conversations that held at various breakout sessions and plenaries at the NES. Also, there were conversations in plenaries where stakeholders talked about the need to turn existential risks into opportunities by exploiting the potential of regional and global markets; how the federal government could raise the $245 billion it requires to fund its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) out of which about $196 billion private sector investments are needed; the business potential in optimising Nigeria’s talent economy; as well as how necessary it is for the government to conclude what stakeholders consider unfinished public sector reforms to push the economy forward towards prosperity. Specifically, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Asue Igholdalo, said despite government’s efforts towards economic recovery and growth, the Nigerian economy had remained vulnerable and needed to be revived. Igholdalo, who spoke at the same time Buhari, who was represented by Vice President, Prof. yemi Osinbajo, urged Nigerians to find solution to the challenges of corruption in the country, noted that the implementation of several aspects of the ERGP needed to be continued irrespective of the upcoming 2019 general elections.

Marina

He added: “There has been positive output growth noticed in five successive quarters since March 2015 as shown by the improvements in key economic indicators, cost of living as measured by headline inflation, which declined steadily for 18 months until the slight upward blip in the last two months. “Foreign reserves rose to a five year high to about $48 billion. “Government must be commended for the efforts to provide for the poorest of the poor and some improvements in the country’s business environment and administrative processes resulting in the rise in the World Bank ease of doing business ranking 169 in 2016 to 145 in 2017. “Despite these efforts, the country remains vulnerable on multiple fronts, namely economic, social and political underscored by negative trends in several socio-economic indicators,� he added.

Because businesses thrive where laws are well deďŹ ned and clearly applied, Nigeria has reportedly been unable to create a system that prevents the diversion of public funds, enforce public sector accountability, improve on access to justice, ensure expeditious conclusion of litigations and undertake comprehensive reform of police services

Igholdalo, equally asked that the government should develop a transparent approach to monitoring and evaluating the ERGP. He noted that the latest jobs report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) informed that unemployment and under-employment rates rose from 35.2 per cent in Q4 2016 to 40 per cent in Q3 2017. According to him, this suggested that over four million Nigerians either lost their jobs or entered the labour market and remained unemployed, or were employed in jobs that were inadequate to support them during the period.

Digital Transformation Having kept up its about 20-year pact with the NES, the First Bank of Nigeria organised sessions on emerging trends in Nigeria’s banking sector, chief of which was how the synergy between data analytics; artificial intelligence (AI) and big data have contributed to the level of digital revolution Nigeria’s banking industry has recorded so far, especially with regards to the growing demands from customers for improved digital banking services. At the fintech summit, the focus was on the future of banking and the roles of AI and big data with considerations to how extremely large data sets are computationally analysed to reveal patterns, trends, and associations that relate to human behaviour and interactions. The session which highlighted the fact that AI has created intelligent machines that work and react like humans, also indicated that banks now leverage the technological options of AI to reinvent their banking processes and gain unprecedented advantages. Indeed, experts who converged at the event admitted that banks have continued to use AI reinvent their processes in a bid to create a sustainable future. Such experts which included the Chairman of FBN, Mrs. Ibunkun Awosika, opined that the level of connectivity across the world which enables trades and transactions without stringent barriers, have equally made it necessary for banks in Nigeria to prioritise data acquisition and management. They further explained that AI would continue to impact on data science

application in banking. “There is need to create a bridge that links what you know and what we know together to create a new door for the future that we are building. It is about creating the right room where all these things are done by the right generation of people,� said Awosika. She stressed the need to bridge gaps on data management. She further stated: “Our digital lab is setup to be the bridge between the people and the knowledge that is emanating daily. “The digital lab is the place we explore the things we know; with the things you are making up. Statistics globally show that the youthful population is the population right now. “We should be concerned about how they live, what they do and how they think. We should foresee the future, before they see it.� Similarly, the FBN’s Managing Director, Dr. Adeshola Adeduntan, in his remarks at the session, stated that banks must be willing and prepared to take advantage of the disruptive changes that the digital demands come with to remain competitive. Adeduntan, who maintained that technologies like AI and big data would need to become part and parcel of bank’s business models, equally informed that his firm has taken up the challenge and recently invested about N5.2 million in a coding Hackathon competition. He thus, advised players in the sector against investing in outdated systems at a time their primary stakeholders actively rely on technology to get by. According to him, in line with its corporate strategy to drive transformation through its products, processes and services, the bank would increase its technological support and collaboration with the tech communities to deepen its framework for technological inclusion. Furthermore, FirstBank noted that the annual NES has positioned it as a front-liner in driving strategic policy influencing initiatives for national economic development, and that the platform has served as a Launchpad for it to pursue business development opportunities through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

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Nigeria’s Rice Revolution Journey Kayode Fasua assesses the performance of the federal government in its quest to boost local rice production Like other spheres of national life, the agricultural sector was not spared from the ongoing political contentions between the two major gladiators of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a recent statement, PDP’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, took up President Muhammadu Buhari, as he faulted a claim by the President that Nigeria had succeeded in reducing the importation of rice by as much as 90 per cent. Atiku alleged that the country was actually importing more metric tonnes of rice this year than it did last year: a possible innuendo that rice importation suddenly spiked this year for the purpose of inducing voters with the staple food item. Carpeting the Agriculture Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, for “making phony claims about the nation’s steady march to food security,� Atiku, who spoke through his campaign organisation, had averred said the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, during her recent visit to Nigeria, was conned into the belief that Nigeria is now self-sufficient in rice production. Justifying his claim, Atiku said, “Recently released data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) World Markets and Trade Report, proved these claims by President Buhari and his government to be false. “According to the World Markets and Trade Report of the USDA, which is a public document, Nigeria imported three million metric tonnes of rice in 2018, which is 400,000 metric tonnes; more than the quantity of the product imported in 2017.� But the CBN clarified that the volume of rice importation into Nigeria (in metric tonnes) has declined drastically in 2018, judging by figures obtained from various official sources. Indeed, figures obtained from India and Thailand, which are dominant rice exporters to Nigeria indicated that as at September, the latter had so far exported about 5,161 metric tonnes of rice to Nigeria, while the former sold only a paltry sum of 426 as at July 2018. Attributing the reduction to concerted effort by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, stressed that the Bank had not allocated any foreign exchange for the importation of rice this year. Okorafor, argued that the figures being bandied in certain quarters were based on unrealistic assumptions such as satellite mapping of farms, expected demand by politicians for election campaigns as well as expected losses from flooding, all of which led to unauthentic conclusions that the country had imported or could import 400,000 more metric tonnes. The spokesperson for the CBN further noted that the combined figure of 5, 587 tonnes of rice imports from India and Thailand may have been rice imported on not-valid-for-forex basis. Meanwhile, trade figures for the second quarter of 2018 received from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that total imports value was N2,106.7 billion; -16.3% lower than the first quarter (Q1), 2018 (N2518.26 billion) and – 19.9 per cent lower than Q1, 2017 (N2,631.65 billion). In addition, a report by the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), showed that the federal government had saved about $800 million by encouraging local production of rice in the country. The Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management of the BoA, Mr. Niyi Akenzua, who spoke at a recent forum, commended efforts by the government to diversify the economy with special focus on agriculture, urging Nigerians to key into the programmes, “because of their all-round benefits�. Akenzua, particularly noted that rice production had increased to a level that

people could ever imagine and that the government was targeting early 2019 to fully stop the importation of rice. He said emphasis was being placed on standardising and packaging of agricultural products from Nigeria to make them acceptable to the export market. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bola Oyedele, a representative of Crenov8 Consulting, an agricultural concern, who spoke at the forum, observed that the United Arab Emirate (UAE) imported over $100 billion worth of food in 2017 from Africa, and that it is expected to rise to about 400 billion dollars in the next eight years. She enjoined Nigeria and other African countries to tap into the huge opportunities that exist, to export various agricultural products such as cocoa, rice, gum Arabic, palm oil, wheat, maize and others, to Dubai, the UAE buzzing capital, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). From the days of yore, however, rice has been one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, with consumption per capita said to be at 32kg.

‘Nigeria Producing 15m Metric Tonnes’ Aside from the mechanised farming circles, rice production in Nigeria is variously found at even mass production level among presumably subsistent local small-scale farmers. A report indicated that, predominantly among the northern states, rice is a major cash crop. “In Nigeria, rice production sits at 15 million metric tonnes, counting from the last three years,� according to a top official of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture who would not want to be mentioned. Also, the federal government, in a recent release, stated, “In the past decade, consumption (of rice) has increased by 4.7 per cent, almost four times the global consumption growth, and reached 6.4 million tonnes in 2017-accounting for c.20 per cent of Africa’s consumption. “As at 2011, rice accounted for 10 per cent of household food spending, and 6.6 per cent of total household spending.� It added that given the importance of rice as a staple food in Nigeria, boosting its production had been accorded high priority by the government in the past seven years, adding, “Significant progress has been recorded in rice production which peaked at 3.7 million tonnes in 2017 alone.�

The government’s stance appeared to have been complemented by the President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Aminu Goronyo, who said recently, that the annual rice production in Nigeria increased from 5.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017. Goronyo said that in 2015, Nigerians spent not less than N1 billion on rice consumption, adding that while spending had drastically reduced, consumption had increased, “because of increased local production of the commodity.� “The consumption rate now is seven million tonnes and the production rate has increased to 5.8 tonnes per annum,� he stressed. The RIFAN president, however, traced the haul to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower’s Programme, under which 12 million rice producers were attracted and four million hectares of FADAMA rice land ceded. (Fadama is an Hausa word that means a valley-bottom, flood plain, or a lowland around a river that floods or becomes wet when the river is high.)

How the Journey Began When the Buhari administration came on board in 2015, one of its cardinal programmes was to diversify the economy, away from reliance on oil income, which at the period, shocked the new administration as it dropped sharply at the international market. The administration particularly harped on boosting agriculture as a way of earning appreciable foreign income, to shore up its dipping purse. To that extent, it made moves to boost local production of rice. Apart from introducing the Borrower’s Anchor Programme in which a window of credit facilities was open to poor farmers, the government banned the importation of rice and also gave a marching order to the Nigeria Customs Service to descend on defaulters. Following this, some private rice producers and millers sprang up in some states across the country.

The 18 Rice-producing States As at this year, 18 states are reputed as reliable rice producers in the country. They include Kebbi, Benue, Ebonyi, Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina. Others are: Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Zamfara, Ogun, Niger, Kwara and Sokoto.

About three years ago, Lagos State, which is Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, went into a trade partnership with Kebbi State on rice production, at a time the unit price of bags of rice soared, partly as a result of the blanket ban on imported rice. Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence the rice partnership at a forum in Lagos then, Kebbi governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, had said the goal of the two states was to produce 60 per cent of Nigeria’s rice needs, and replicate same in other food items. Complementing him, his Lagos counterpart, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode had noted, “The future of Lagos State is partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security. Likewise, food production and self-sufficiency require our immediate attention at policy and strategic levels, to sustain ourselves.� Ambode added, “Lagos is the largest consumer of food commodities in the country, by the virtue of its large population. The state has the market, with the required purchasing power. The state has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tonnes of milled rice per year, which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50 kilogramme bags with a value of N135 billion per annum. “We have the economic prowess to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local food and commodities. In addition to rice, the state is presently consuming 6,000 herds of cattle daily, which may increase to 8,000 in the next five years.�

Advice Advising the Buhari administration on ways to boost rice production nationwide and similarly enhance other farm produce, an agricultural investor, Dr. Dipo Okeyomi, said, “Government should make agriculture a compulsory subject in all public schools and also set aside inviolable lands, devoted to farming.� “Beyond this, foreign investors should be attracted to devote their money and technology to our local agriculture and especially spiral the increase in rice production, to boost our export value,� he counselled. Okeyomi, who has large hectares of rice plantation in communities in Ekiti and Osun states, also urged that beneficiaries of the Borrower’s Anchor Programme should be closely monitored, to ensure that the money given to them is judiciously spent.

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Anambra Yam Export and Food Security Chris Egbuna Agriculture in Nigeria has recorded continued decline in almost four consecutive quarters, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This trend signals impending food challenge. The food crisis that may engulf Nigeria from this phenomenon can however be averted if the states take concrete steps to boost agriculture and expand the frontiers of agro-allied value chain. This is what Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra state has done by signing a N1.4 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with a private investor – NKO Farms Limited – for improved production and processing of yam tubers and flour in the state. The details, as revealed by Obiano, showed that the deal is for an all-year-round cultivation of yam and processing of yam flour for export. The project will be located on a 100-hectare farm acquired at Achalla in Awka North local government area, where a purpose-fit processing plant will also be established. Being a private sector-driven venture, the investor would bear the greater financial commitment by contributing 75 per cent equity stake in the deal put at about N1.07 billion, while the state government would provide the remaining 25 per cent equity. To show the seriousness attached to the MoU, the investor is required to mobilise to site within 90 days of execution of the MoU or risk having the land title revoked and automatically revert to the state government in case of default. This eliminates the usual encumbrances that frustrate land-related development projects because of the unresolved retrogressive legislations surrounding land acquisition, ownership and disposure. The friendly attitude of the host community and the support of the local government combined, will add a fillip in motivating all the stakeholders in pursuit of the objective. It will also convince any Doubting Thomas that Obiano’s determination to develop Anambra into a world-class economy is not a figment of anyone’s imagination. Thankfully, the investing company appears prepared for the project. The chairman/chief executive officer, Cordelia Udo, who spoke through the managing director, Chekwube Okwuonu, during the MoU signing ceremony at Governor’s Lodge, Awka, expressed the company’s determination to key into the tempo of the state government’s economic development agenda. Obiano has made remarkable efforts in unlocking the vast rural and agricultural development opportunities in the state – spanning across the local government areas and involving virtually every sector. The effort by the state government to create a conducive environment for active private sector participation should spur indigenous entre-

Obiano

preneurs into looking homewards amid changes in the nation’s socio-economic landscape. Policy framework, security, land acquisition, funding, skill acquisition and co-operatives are some of the areas that have been addressed. Earlier in the year, the state government unveiled a plan to invest N20 million in a livestock business piloted by the Federal Government Livestock Agricultural Production Project in partnership with the World Bank. Obiano said the state government keyed into the initiative to overcome the challenge of nonavailability of animal feeds which had hampered the growth of the sub-sector. According to the spokesperson for the initiative, Winnie Ifeaoma Lai-Solarin, the suiting business environment earned Anambra the consideration for the N200 million World Bank credit “to enhance productivity and resilience policy value in the industry�. Furthermore, the state government announced plans to boost spices production for local consumption and for export. Obiano disclosed during an inspection tour of Tiger Food Production Company, Obosi in Idemili North local government area that the venture would be executed under a joint partnership with agro-based investors already working in the state. His deputy, Nkem Okeke,

who represented the governor at the visit, revealed that the state government would explore workable means of engaging farmers in the state in growing the raw materials needed for spices production. Following the success recorded in rice production under the FADAMA initiative, cassava and sorghum production were added to the venture – being areas the state has vast comparative advantage in agriculture. The scheme was aided by a special irrigation known as Center Pivot Irrigation System (CPIS) - a technology capable of providing irrigation water to farmlands of about 100 hectares radius within minutes. Boreholes were sunk in Ogbaru, Ihiala and Ifite Ogwari to service the system, while the one at Ogboji would be serviced by surface flooding – to create all-year-round farming and food production. These will flow into Obiano’s agric export programme to create jobs, boost internally generated revenue (IGR) and put Anambra in the league of top economies in Nigeria and beyond the African continent. The state government had launched an agricultural products export project meant for the European market in 2016 in partnership with ABX World – a Nigerian-based courier/ cargo company. In co-operation with Arik Air and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL). The venture, entails airfreighting agro-allied exports

Real Estate Firm Unveils Initiative to Tackle Housing DeďŹ cit

AU Advocates Measure to Tackle Africa’s Image Challenges

Stories byRaheem Akingbolu

The African Union Commission (AUC) has once again reiterated its resolve to work with the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in tackling the reputation challenges of Africa. In a statement issued by APRA in Lagos, the declaration was recently made when the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, received the President of APRA, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya in his office in Addis Ababa. Quartey was quoted to have stated that the vital role APRA can play in the second phase of AU’s mandate as contained in its Agenda 2063, cannot be overemphasised. According to him, the initial mandate of the continental body centered around the liberation struggle, while the second phase is focused on integration. He further solicited the support of APRA in propa-

As part of its contribution to development, Rydal Mews Limited, a real estate management company has introduced “Promise-To-Own�. At the event, which was held recently in Lagos in commemoration of the company’s seventh anniversary, it was stated that the initiative would provide customers an opportunity to own quality and affordable houses in Lekki with pre-payment plans spread across five years. According to company’s Chief Executive Officer, Modupe Anjous, the initiative was introduced to make home ownership accessible to Nigerians, while preserving the ultra-modern standard of living. “Rydal Mews intends to dissolve all the worries associated with buying a new house, especially with the rising cost of rents in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos. This offers customers maximum satisfac-

tion via structured payments to achieve long-term return on investments,� She further stated that the new initiative would eradicate the challenges of owning a house in highbrow locations in Lagos and spread real estate opportunities to property investors conveniently’. Anjous, added that the company was focused on providing top marketing and sales, facility management, advisory services and property management while developing more properties that fit into future smart-cities. Rydal Mews will help transform the landscapes of urban communities and place Nigeria at the forefront of development in Africa, she said. The Promise-To-Own initiative was said to have started in Lekki Phase 1 with the Prime Water View Gardens 2, which has a fully serviced environment with proximity to commercial offices and other communal social amenities.

gating the values of the AU to Africans. In this vein, it is expedient for APRA to become an affiliate body of the AUC, a process which had already begun but will be speeded up. It was then agreed that a Memorandum Of Understanding between both organisations be developed to accommodate the various proposed initiatives. In his opening remarks, the APRA President affirmed his association’s willingness and capacity to drive the much needed change in Africa’s perception. He said: “The best persons to tell Africa’s story are Africans and the best Africans to tell the story are public relations practitioners on the continent and in diaspora.� He assured the commission that APRA has all it takes to drive and advocate all AU programmes including the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

from Anambra to Europe on a daily basis, has since been rejigged following default on the part of a party to the deal. The yam production and processing project is the 43rd development investment initiatives signed by the Obiano administration totaling about $5.6 billion dollars, out of which eight are already while 14 are at different stages of development. The rest will take off in due course. The Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) which anchors government investment development projects will increase its tempo of activities towards achieving Gov. Obiano’s vision for Anambra. While Nigeria incubates the gloomy prospect of massive food shortage arising from the dwindling agricultural production as shown by the nation’s statistics Bureau, Governor Obiano is changing the narrative of little or no foreign exchange earnings from export of agricultural and agro-based produce in Nigeria. He is also expanding the frontiers of diversification which position Anambra as a major agricultural producing and exporting state through which massive jobs are created and enhanced standard of living achieved. r&HCVOB B EFWFMPQNFOU BOBMZTU XSPUF GSPN Nnewi

Firm Launches Inverter Air Conditioning System One of the leading manufacturers of heating, cooling and refrigerant products, Daikin, has announced the launch of R-32 Inverter Split Wall Mounted unit, specially designed for the African market. According to the promoters of the brand, the new offering was a testament to Daikin’s commitment to develop environmentally friendly products by using an alternative refrigerant to R-22 with zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential than R-410A. It further stated that African countries, as they ratified the MontrĂŠal Protocol, must phase down ozone depletion materials to nearly zero by 2030, including the R-22 refrigerant used for A/C equipment. DX Product Manager, Daikin MEA, Sam Hamdani, stated that, “Although a limited amount (2.5%) of ozone depleting refrigerants will remain available between 2030 and 2040 for servicing already installed A/C and refrigeration equipment, it will not be sufficient to replenish the needs of old equipment, unless conversion to alternative

refrigerants in new equipment is implemented soon. “The Montreal Protocol also includes drastic reduction steps between 2015 and 2030 for all HCFCs. Considering the lifetime of equipment, Daikin believes it is crucial to start using nonozone depleting refrigerant on new A/C as soon as possible,� the company added. He further stated that Daikin split ranges would be using low GWP and zero ODP refrigerant R-32, in combination with the unique Daikin Swing compressor, to offer the highest real-life energy efficiency and to minimise the impact to the environment. “Casing design and other specifications have been improved, such as the voltage range and sound level, etc., to enhance the customer experience and offer the most powerful, efficient and reliable cooling� Also speaking, the Department Manager- Africa Sales for the company, Robert Kagabo, pointed out that the new range GTKL-TV1 series offers efficient cooling performances with the best built-in voltage protection.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Commitment to Improving Technology As part of efforts to drive growth in the education sector, a group of young entrepreneurs developed Acada plus, an advanced school management software, writes Ugo Aliogo In the 21st century, technology has remained a vital component of human activities. As a catalyst for change, it has transformed the way things are done, bringing convenience and creating a seamless process. In Nigeria, individuals with strong knack for the tech ecosystem have cashed in on technology to transform the way things are done in various sectors. Stephen Ovadje and Deji Mabogunle are two individuals, not just with a passion to use technology to improve the way things are done, but with a commitment to driving the growth of the education sector, through technology. Their foray into the technology space was spurred through the experiences they had trying to get transcripts from their schools. The time it took them to get that physical record was an ordeal they never bargained for. Also, they considered current trends taking place in Africa and Nigeria; specifically, the place of big data and the willingness of companies to leverage on the big data to solve problems for themselves or consumers. They also examined the advent of cloud computing in their desire to leverage on advantages offered by the technological age. They argued that as a company or small business, “you don’t actually have to make huge investments to leverage on technology, to make things better for yourself.� “So all those things put together and looking at the education sector, we decided to establish Acada plus, with a goal of seeing how we can take all the data that are generated within the education sector, either in classrooms or administrative level or national level, to actually put together analytics which we can use to serve the stakeholders in the system, to actually make better decisions. “Therefore, at the policy-making level, there is the need to consider how to allocate scare resources in terms of investments in naira, to the right places? “We have to examine first of all, where were the failures? Did we bring in the right people on board? Even when we brought in the right people, how were we ensuring that they were getting trained? How did we ensure that we were tracking that training to make sure that they continue to develop? All of these things just are achievable, leveraging on the data that already exist in the system; you can actually put that in front of policy makers. “As a decision maker, let’s look at all the teachers we have in all our public schools, what are their qualification levels, and where are the gaps? “Let’s invest in teacher training programme for those people that we need to bring up to the right level; that is really the premise of what we are doing. “We are saying take the data, arm teachers and policy makers with them, in order to make better decisions to drive improvement in the quality of education in Nigeria,� Ovadje noted. Ovadje further explained that the concept came to them two years ago, but that they decided on coming to the Nigeria market to study and understand the mechanism of the market. During their interaction with teachers and school owners, a lot of challenges were revealed. The first thing they found out was that the premise that the education data existed was absolutely not good enough because most individuals were using physical papers to track admissions, students’ enrolment, and attendance, thereby making the process highly manual. “There are a few start-ups that started to do things, but it wasn’t at the skills we could partner with them and use the data to drive their solutions we are trying

Classroom

to get to. “So we had to take a step back and actually build a platform that meets and digitalise all those processes.� The duo has succeeded in creating a modular solution that basically provides application to different stakeholders. In the application, there is an application for attendance which teachers can use to track attendance, because from teachers’ perspective tracking attendance takes them time. According to Ovadje, “There are also other apps around taking grades, and graduating report cards that takes away the administrative burden away from the teachers. “Those apps help automate and digitalise things. Ultimately, what we are trying to do is gather all those data and send it back as analytics to the School. We have been in the market for a year. “The first year was really around learning, where we could actually develop things and develop the solutions that will meet the needs of the market. “The product was actually framed in the past year and we piloted it with couple of schools in Lagos. So now is the time for us to scale. “It has been good. But it has not been without its challenges. We are really live fully into schools and piloting which is the third one has been in five locations in

Let’s invest in teacher training programme for those people that we need to bring up to the right level; that is really the premise of what we are doing. We are saying take the data, arm teachers and policy makers with them, in order to make better decisions to drive improvement in the quality of education in Nigeria

Lagos. People have realised the power of technology to simplify things for them. “Teachers do spend a lot time generating report cards, but having a solution where it is just about keying information and the system is doing the calculations and carrying out the report generation is a God sent. “But on the flip side, there is a challenge on basic computer literacy, depending on the school you are talking to or working with; that is where we have to be creative in marketing with those schools. In some cases, we actually provide training services to ensure that if it is something they want to, there is need to access the level of competence of your staff because this is not something that will be used by the IT department. “The idea is to empower the teachers themselves to do most of the things that the system does. The teachers are the administrators. Technology should not be kept with the IT department. “Therefore, spending time in that initial training and spending time to make sure that the schools’ management are key stakeholders is crucial. They are either the administrators or the school owners, but should have that buy-in, because without their support, it becomes a challenge and we have seen that,� On his part, Mabogunle noted that for businesses in Nigeria, there are many roadmap plans and blue prints, adding that the key remains to be agile and respond to the market place. He explained that one of the challenges they faced was around staff capacity, technology and sophistication of IT staff and teachers. He added that they also realised that it does not end in providing a product, but providing a service which includes the software to the training, the advisory, and strategy and helping schools solve problems; not just selling a product. “The key to planning is to be agile and responsible in the marketplace. We have built a very big application that will help fill a need,� Mabogunle said. He espoused that user experience design has come to the point where technology is simplified, adding that when they looked at the market, there were a couple of players, which he noted provided for validation. Also,Ovadje said there are top 10 lists of School Management Systems providers (SMS) in the market, which he noted provided for the validation that, “there is a market for this particular service because

there are people providing this solution.� According to him, “In terms of the architecture of the system, we have built it in such a way that everything is modular. “This allows the user to plug and play as needed so we don’t query to buy the entire platform, when we go to a school. “So we find out what are their challenges and understand them and see how our current product can solve those problems. We are learning as we go because we are really focused on the agile methodology. “We went around Lagos and Abuja and spoke to Schools to find out if they have the technology that they use today and if they don’t, what do they rely on. “We find out they the more sophisticated schools were using more a lot of the British and Australian products, which they try to modify to fit the environment and which does not work well sometimes such as language. Trying to use a system built for another country doesn’t work. So the idea of building a local solution was very appealing. “There were some macro trends, but at the micro-level having that validation that there are some players in the market. There is no one player that dominates the space today, but there are players in the market that have seen that problem and they are trying to address it. “What we had to do was to say that there was a niche here that we had to focus on, in order to differentiate ourselves while contributing to the growth of the ecosystem as well. “In terms of coverage, we spent the first year learning, and the second year was for building and piloting. Now, we are the point of taking off. Our numbers are very small. “We have two schools that are using the platform fully. These two Schools are in Lagos. There is also a third that is in Lagos, but has six campuses across the state. Our goal is to be nationwide. But our strategy is to start with the large metropolitan areas such as Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt. “We have a relationship in Enugu and that is actually helping the start-ups in the east. In Abuja, we are in early conversation with a body that has 40 schools under its umbrella, to provide services for them. “Our goal is to use those relationships to expand. Our approach was to start with private schools before going into the public ones. “We started conversation with the Federal Ministry of Education; our goal is start with the Federal Government Colleges (FGCs).�

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Borno,Yobe IDPs Get Support Kayode Fasua with agency report The Victims Support Fund (VSF) in collaboration with the Yobe state government has donated dry season farming implements to over 1, 000 households in Yunusari local government area, as part of their support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who just returned home. The event, which took place at Mazagum community, marked the launch of this year ’s dry season farming intervention in the north-east for the returned victims of the insurgency. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Mustapha Gajerima, speaking on the occasion, remarked, “The project was launched at the right time and will complement the efforts of the state government in restoring the means of livelihood of the people affected by the insurgency.� In a keynote address, the chairman of the VSF, Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (rtd.), represented by the foundation’s spokesman, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said the project was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people affected by the insurgency. “The foundation is targeting 3,000 households for this project in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa that were worst hit by the insurgency, to be self-reliant,� he said. In his remarks, the VSF Programme Director, Nana Tanko, said 200 households from five communities of Mazagum, Bultuwa, Dekwa, Degeltura and Mairari, each benefitted from the gesture, noting that items donated included mini-tractors, sprayers, water pump and watering horse, liquid fertilisers, and pesticides. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and American University of Nigeria (AUN) have also distributed resettlement packs to 190 graduates of its skill acquisition programme in Bama and Ngala Local Government areas of Borno State. Presenting the packs to the beneficiaries in Bama, the Project Manager, Abubakar Mu’azu, said 110 persons were trained in Bama and 80 others at Ngala. According to him, the beneficiaries were provided with starter packs at the end of the eight-week exercise to enable them set up businesses. He said the beneficiaries were exposed to various founder vocations under the Livelihood Support Scheme initiated by the UN agency. Mu’azu listed the vocations to include tailoring, carpentry, welding, irons bending, electrician, ICT appreciation, cosmetology and soap processing, as

well as beads, cap, shoe and bag making. The manager explained that the beneficiaries were also trained on Financial Literacy and Business Development to enable them to manage their businesses and ensure sustainability of the programme. “AUN is the implementing partner of the programme,� he said. “We are providing skill acquisition training to Persons of Concern (PoCs) in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. “We also link the beneficiaries with micro finance institutions to enable them to access soft loans in order to enhance their businesses,� he said. Also, Francis Garriba, UNCHR’s Senior External Relations Assistant, said the programme was designed to build resilience and provide means of livelihoods to persons displaced by the insurgency in the northeast. Mr Garriba called on the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the items given to them and engage in productive activities. In the same vein, the Presidential Committee on the North-east Initiative (PCNI) and the Borno State Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) team have distributed non-food items to nearly two thousand households across ten village units in Tungushe town of Konduga local government. Launching the distribution, the Technical Coordinator and Project Manager Baba Zanna Abdulkarim, said the programme was flagged off in Ngwom two months ago and called for synergy and coordination among national and international partners to bridge the gaps in distribution of food and non-food items to persons affected by the insurgency. He said each of the 1,743 households across ten communities would receive one family size mattress, plastic water container, bowl, mat, blanket, hygiene package, wrapper, mosquito net, women and men clothing materials. He said that all the beneficiaries were carefully selected by the community oversight committee and a local non-governmental organisation with the active participation of their community leaders. The MCRP Project Manager said he was catering to nearly 2, 000 returnees out of the over 10,000 of the worst hit returnees in different communities and appealed to other non-governmental organisations to scale up their activities where necessary to reduce the burden. The proper coordination of project activities among partners, he said, was crucial to avert duplication in giving support materials to beneficiaries at the

expense of others. He also commended Governor Kashim Shettima for his determination to ensure that all returnees are adequately catered for and appealed to the

beneficiaries to use the items for the purpose intended. He explained that a grievance redressing mechanism had been put in place to look into all issues that

may arise as a result of their return for peaceful coexistence stressing that telephone lines are available to channel any complaints and assured of a swift response to any

such complaint. Abdulkarim thanked the community leaders for their support and enjoined them to remain with their subjects in peace and unity.

DISCUSSING DIGITAL TRANSMISSION

L-R: IBM Product Manager, Interdist Alliance, Jude Ogbuja; Sales Manager, IBM Cloud, Omotayo Ogunyemi; IBM Global Business Partner, Solomon Omorodion; Sales Leader, Oil and Gas/CMUT, IBM Global Markets, Adenike Lucas; Strategic Sales Manager, Inlaks, Nnamdi Otuonye; Regional Product Manager, Interdist Alliance (West English Africa), Tunde Fasanmi and Sales Manager, Experience Business Unit, Inlaks, Kayode Ogunrinde, at the Digital Transformation Seminar held with Inlaks partners in Lagos...recently

UN Keeps Taps on Rights Records in Nigeria, 12 Others

PTDF Boss Tasks Committee on Commercialization of Zeolite

Kayode Fasua with agency report

The Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau, has charged a Working Group on the commercialisation of zeolite to ensure Nigeria becomes an exporter of the product in the next few years. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Zeolites are any of a large group of minerals consisting of hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium. They are widely used as ion-exchange beds in domestic and commercial water purification, softening and other applications. Gusau, who gave the charge on Tuesday at the PTDF headquarters in Abuja, while inaugurating the Zeolite Working Group said the initiative would save the country so much money. “This is yet another meeting dedicated to a particular purpose, aimed at ensuring production of homegrown Zeolite catalyst for the Nigerian refining industry. “If you recall, we met last time here on September 10, and we agreed as a way forward to set up a working group that will among other things pursue the effort to see this initiative to fusion. “The idea of this particular initiative is that the amount of money this country spends to export subsequent catalyst, if we are able to make serious headway in this, it will be a thing of the past. “So, that is why we are bringing all the necessary stakeholders to chat a way forward including the NNPC, DPR, Nigerian Content Management and Development Board, the refineries including Dangote refinery.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on human rights is to be carried out by United Nation’s Human Rights Council (HRC) to track records of 13 countries, including Nigeria. The process, according to the UN, was designed for improving human rights situation for people around the globe. The UPR review sessions take place for two weeks, three times a year, and 14 countries are reviewed in each session – a total of 42 per year, it said. “This time, the countries will be reviewed in this order: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Mauritius, Jordan, Malaysia, the Central African Republic, Monaco, Belize, Chad, Congo and Malta. “Every four and a half years, the 193 UN Member States undergo interactive review of human rights situation in their countries on rotational basis. “The idea is to give equal treatment to all the countries and allow them to exchange best practices.� The Human Rights Council was created in 2006 as part of a general wave of reforms of the UN system, composed of 47 member states, elected by the UN’s 193 member states. However, any country can take part in the discussions held during a review; each state’s review is led by group of three countries (known as “troikas�), and would have been randomly chosen. Information and evidence are presented, and questions are asked by special independent experts (called ‘Special Rapporteurs’), and the UN’s Member States. Civil-society organisations

can also submit questions and evidence through country representatives. The country under review is given a chance to explain the actions they have taken, or plan to take, to address the issues presented. Recommendations were officially made, and technical assistance provided where needed, with each country’s review lasting about three and a half hours. The UPR assesses the human rights obligations set out in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the human rights treaties ratified by the reviewed Member State, and International Humanitarian Law. A report is prepared by the troika with the involvement of the reviewed Member State and technical assistance from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This report provides a summary of the actual discussion, with the questions, comments and recommendations made, as well as the responses by the reviewed member state. The report was discussed a few days after the review and adopted at a plenary session of the Human Rights Council. The reviewed state has the primary responsibility to implement the recommendations contained in the final report. Countries were expected to provide information on what they have been doing to make changes during their review, as well as on any developments on human rights when they undergo their UPR. The international community and OHCHR are to assist and provide technical assistance, in consultation with the country concerned.

“The Nigerian fuel industry is increasingly shifting towards the downstream and by the time we start refining just 50 per cent of what we produce, the demand for such catalyst will be huge; so, we think it is time we do something about it before we get to that point,� Gusau said. The General Manager, Strategic Planning, PTDF, Mr. Olajide Adebulehin, said the ultimate objective of the working group would be to localise the production of zeolite for refineries and petro chemical industries in Nigeria. He explained that the committee’s term of reference would include ensuring standardisation of existing zeolite laboratories and pilot plant. “The committee would also access existing zeolite standardization measures and facilities in the country and liaise with relevant agencies. “Secure and market Intellectual Property (IP) and patents where necessary; carry out local and international bench-marking on zeolite products. “Develop public awareness and enlightenment strategy on usage of locally produced zeolite in the country,� Adebulehin said. Prof. Baba El-Yakubu, PTDF – Chair Professor, Ahmed Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said the country has the capacity to convert raw material to zeolite. El-Yakubu who is a professor in the Chemical Engineering Department, ABU, explained that they had been able to use locally available clay material “choline� to convert clay to zeolite. He said plans were in the pipeline to establish a zeolite plant in the country.

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THISDAYt THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08152252325

The Albatross of Poor Implementation of Health Commitments The Nigerian government has at many global forums made commitments on behalf of the country but end up not implementing them. Martins Ifijeh looks at some of such commitments that never saw the light of day

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momentum for a major pledging moment Nigeria recognised the initiative, hence in 2012, the then Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan launched the Saving One Million Lives (SOML) Initiative, with nutrition as a key pillars. He said at the time the nation would take advantage of the agricultural transformation and improve national policy on food and nutrition – ensuring that there is a comprehensive, multi-pronged and multi-sectoral response. Nigeria committed to sustaining the current average annual Federal Spend of $10million on nutrition specific interventions; establish a distinct budget line for nutrition within the budget in the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency; Sustain the level of funding under the SURE P and MSS programs; leverage the use of mobile technology to reach mothers and children, empower the health workers and strengthen the system; and then strengthen regulation and enforcement to ensure compliance e.g. with fortification standards, working across agencies. It also said it will expand monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs over time, through the expansion of SMART surveys and other programs. But since 2012 till date, the level of malnutrition in the country has continued to increase. With already over 11 million Nigerian children are said to be malnourished, there has not been clear cut implementations in this regard. Just recently, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso told THISDAY that in 2016 Nigeria allocated N2million to tackle malnutrition in the entire country.

f world powers and developed nations are chosen based on how much promises and commitments their leaders make on global or regional gatherings, then be rest assured Nigeria should be the greatest country in the world following it’s antecedents in this area. In fact United States, Germany and China would have been queuing behind the country economically and in many other areas. But words without actions do not make powerful nations, reason Nigeria is still a third world country despite being blessed with admirable natural resources and huge population. It’s declaration of commitments on global or regional stages do not translate into actions back home. For instance, while many countries implement health commitments made during programmes, the list of un-implemented or poorly implemented global or regional commitments on health for Nigeria are endless, an attitude that has in no small measure contributed to poor improvement of health indices in the country. Every Woman Every Child Initiative The Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) is a unique initiative launched by the former United Nation’s Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, during the UN’s Millennium Development Goals Summit in September 2010 aimed at saving lives of at least 16 million women and children by 2015. The effort puts into action the Global Strategy for Women and Children’s Health, which presents a roadmap on how to enhance financing, strengthen policy and improve service on the ground for the most vulnerable women and children. As usual, in 2012 during the London Family Planning Summit, Nigeria jumped into the otherwise laudable initiative, declaring several commitments to the admiration of the crowd who clapped endlessly believing with such decisions, Nigeria will help reduce mother and child deaths in its own way, since it has one of the highest burden among this vulnerable group in the world. First, Nigeria made commitments to achieve the goal of a contraceptive prevalence rate of 36 per cent by 2018, thereby enhancing maternal and child survival, which in turn will contribute to the government’s initiative to save one million lives by 2015. Nigeria said in addition to its current annual commitment to US $3million for the procurement of reproductive health commodities, it will provide US $8.35 million annually over the next four years. This increases Nigeria’s total commitment for the next four years from the day of declaration from US $12 million to US $45.4 million, an increase of almost 300 per cent. It also declared at the summit that the federal government will work with the state and local governments to secure complementary budgets for family planning and reproductive health service delivery. The leadership of the Nigerian delegation at the declaration said it will include training frontline health workers to deliver a range of contraceptives and action to improve equity and access to family planning for the poorest, adding that it will partner with the private sector, civil society, traditional and religious institutions and development partners on the initiative. “If these commitments were fully implemented by the likes of Nigeria and other countries, by 2015, about 16 million women and children would have been saved, 33 million unwanted pregnancies would have been prevented, 88 million children stunted globally would have been avoided, about 120 million children suffering from pneumonia would have been protected,” said the Project Manager, Save the Children, Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Udoh, who gave his thoughts on this during a sensitisation meeting on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, organised by the Save the Children in Lagos last year. Abuja Declaration In April 2001, Nigeria played host to African

Adewole

leaders where they pledged to ensure that 15 per cent of government’s annual budget is used to improve the health sector. That pledge was tagged the Abuja Declaration. But despite Nigeria spareheading the regional meeting and even playing host to it, 16 years after, the country has refused to implement a commitment it willingly signed onto, an approach that has continued to put Nigeria’s healthcare drive in doubt in the eyes of the world. Currently, the health budget in Nigeria is at 3.9 per cent of the annual budget. Only Bauchi State is currently implementing the Abuja Declaration even though money release may pose a threat.

On healthcare alone, the United States this year will spend at least $7,000 per citizen, which is about N3 million per person. Switzerland will this year spend $6000, which is about N2.5 million. This, when compared to Nigeria’s about N1, 600 per head for a whole year, suggests why the country still grapples with poor health indices and the poor mortality rates

Lagos, which prides itself as the economic hub of the nation is following the federal government’s lack of prioritising healthcare through budgetary allocation. Lagos health budget for 2016 was 9.76 per cent. That of 2017 was 7.05 per cent. This year, the state government is spending N92.676 billion out of N1.04 trillion on healthcare. As of 2011, six African countries had already surpassed the 15 per cent target: Rwanda (23.8 per cent), Liberia (18.9 percent), Malawi (18.5 per cent), Zambia (16 per cent), Togo (15.4 per cent) and Madagascar (15.3 per cent). But up till today, Nigeria has yet to make any significant increase on its healthcare allocation in the national budget. On healthcare alone, the United States this year will spend at least $7,000 per citizen, which is about N3 million per person. Switzerland will this year spend $6000, which is about N2.5 million. This, when compared to Nigeria’s about N1, 600 per head for a whole year, suggests why the country still grapples with poor health indices and the poor mortality rates. Nutrition for Growth Nutrition for Growth is an initiative led by a partnership between the United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan governments and championed by leading philanthropic foundations and civil society organisations. The first Nutrition for Growth summit was held in London in 2013 and new commitments in the order of over $4 billion for nutrition-specific projects, and $19 billion in nutrition-sensitive projects, was pledged. A Global Nutrition for Growth Compact was endorsed by 100 stakeholders (from science, business, civil society, private foundations and governments), committing by 2020 to reduce child stunting by 20 million. The communique from the London-led 2013, Brazil-led 2016 N4G event highlighted the need for a global movement to increase global attention to the nutrition challenge, and to build global

Family Planning Summit In July 2012, Nigeria was one of the governments in attendance at a summit convened by the United Kingdom government and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with UNFPA and other partners. The summit proposed to mobilise global policy, financing, commodity and service delivery commitment to support the rights of an additional 120 million women and girls in the world’s poorest countries. The aim of the summit was to revitalise global commitment to family planning and access to contraceptives as a cost-effective and transformational development priority; improve the access and distribution of contraceptive supplies, and remove the barriers to family planning. At the summit, Nigeria, again as usual, made several commitments including achieving contraceptive prevalence rate of 36 per cent by 2018; to increase total commitment from 12 million USD to 45 million, an increase of almost 300 per cent. It also committed to working with states and local governments to secure complementary budgets for family planning and reproductive health service delivery. Also, it said it would train frontline health workers to deliver a range of contraceptives and action to improve equity and access to family planning for the poorest. But despite Nigerian government’s pledge that with the sequence of commitments outlined, the country will achieve 36 per cent contraceptive prevalence rate by 2018, available statistics still show that Nigeria is yet to reach 20 per cent mark even though the end of 2018 is just a month away. One PHC Per Ward The present Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the ‘Policy maker summit Evidence and Prospects for a Healthy Nigeria’ in 2016 committed to either building or renovating one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each ward across the country. These centres, according to him would create access to healthcare for the Nigerian citizens, adding that one PHC per ward in Nigeria will culminate in about 10,000 facilities that will be functional, service-ready and able to provide quality services at affordable cost. But few months to the end of this dispensation, not much has been heard about the initiative. How long will Nigerians continue to wait for the initiative to become reality or even kick off?

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‘Despite 9M Pregnant Nigerian Women, Only 2.4M Gets HIV Testing’ r NJMMJPO BDDFTT BOUFOBUBM r )*7 QPTJUJWF Martins IďŹ jeh With over nine million Nigerian women said to be pregnant every year, only about 3.6 million have access to antenatal care and about 2.4 million of them tested for HIV. This was disclosed by Head, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ijaodola Olugbenga. He said of the 2.4 million pregnant women that get testing for HIV/AIDS in the country annually, at least 64,000 of them are positive to the virus

every year. Stating this during a two-day media dialogue on PMTCT in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, recently organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (FMIC), he said the gap between pregnant women and those who are eventually tested for HIV is big because only 3.6 million access antenatal care. “The remaining five million plus do not access antenatal, both in private or public healthcare facilities, hence it is difficult getting them to

undergo HIV tests, in other to ascertain those with the virus, so as to prevent mother to child transmission and also put the women on anti retro viral drugs. “Of the 64,000 pregnant women living with the virus, only 74 per cent of them are put on ante retroviral drugs immediately, with a high expectation that they deliver without transferring the virus to the babies. “However, about 8.4 per cent of these babies end up been born with the virus. These children are then put on HIV

treatment for life,� he said. He explained that in general, 221,772 children are living with the disease in Nigeria, while only about 54,167 are on treatment in the country, adding that for those on treatment, their viral loads suppresses overtime, such that they no longer transmit the virus to other people. He advised pregnant women across the country to access ante natal, as this was a major step in knowing whether they are positive to HIV or not, noting that those confirmed to be

positive and on antiretroviral drugs have a very high chance of not transmitting the virus to their babies. “That only 40 percent (3.6 million) of the over nine million pregnant women attend ante natal care yearly is unacceptable. We must increase ante natal care uptake, increase testing coverage, and put those positive to the virus on treatment, if we must reduce the burden of PMTCT in the country.� On why the HIV prevalence is increasing in Nigeria, he said reduced funding and low media

publicity are some of the factors responsible. “It is becoming more prominent with adolescents in the country. So if we are able to prevent mother to child transmission, and target the adolescent group, we would have ended up reducing the statistics. The assistant director in the federal ministry said PMTCT was one of the indices used in measuring success rates for countries, adding that if Nigeria does not meet the global target, the world in turn would not be able to meet it.

Provide Strong Legislation on Occupational Health, SOEHPON Tells FG Martins IďŹ jeh The Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEPHON), has called on the federal government to strengthen legislation on occupational health and safety of Nigerian workers. It said the present legislation on occupational health was scanty, and that this has enabled organisations in the country to undermine it at the expense of the health of their workers. Stating this at the 40th anniversary and the 2018 annual scientific conference of the society held recently in Lagos, National President, SOEPHON, Dr. Okon Akiba, said in addition to a stronger legislation, the federal government also needs to put in some political will to implement laws put on ground on occupational health and safety in the country. He said: “Occupational health standard and awareness are quite low in Nigeria. So this requires the authorities to be on top of their game, because not many employers will willingly provide it for their staff, as many

believe their primary objective is to make money and not to address healthcare needs of their employees. “I also believe the Ministry of Labour shouldn’t be overseeing issues around occupational health. This should be under the Ministry of Health because it is an aspect of medicine.� The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during his presentation, said in Nigeria, workers form above 49 per cent of the population, but that of this population; only five to 10 per cent of them have access to occupational health services in spite of an evident need for it at the workplace. The minister, who was represented by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte Metta, Dr. Ademola Dada said: “Almost all workers in the informal sector of our economy do not have access to any form of occupational health and safety services. “There is therefore the need for the improvement of work environment by making it conducive to health and safety.

Polaris Bank Celebrates Breast Cancer Patients, Survivors As part of efforts to address the high incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria, Polaris Bank has embarked on creating awareness through celebration of patients and survivors of the ailment. Polaris Bank has demonstrated its support for breast cancer survivors in Nigeria by hosting 50 of them to an end-of-year get together. Speaking during the hosting of 50 survivors in Lagos recently, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Polaris Bank, Tokunbo Abiru, said the love and care demonstrated to breast cancer patients and survivors have enormous positive influence on their physical and mental wellbeing. Abiru who was represented by the Directorate Head, Lagos Business, Polaris Bank, Segun Opeke, stated that safety and healthcare is one of the pillars of

Polaris Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility. He affirmed that the bank in partnership with its CSR partner, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE), would continue to ensure reduction of breast cancer scourge in the country through increased awareness, advocacy and support for both patients and survivors. “For us at Polaris Bank, our commitment to the fight against breast cancer is unwavering. We have consistently demonstrated this by drawing public awareness to the menace in addition to sponsoring free screening for women in conjunction with COPE Foundation,� he said. He revealed that over the last 10 years, the bank in partnership with COPE has covered four key milestones namely prevention, detection, treatment and advocacy.

L-R: Former President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science andTechnology (NIFST),Mr. Gbolahan Solabi; New President, Mr. OluwoleToye; First female President of the institute, Mrs. Dolapo Coker; and former female President, Mrs. Adesokan Abosede, during the 42nd Conference & Annual General Meeting of the institute in Abeokuta, Ogun State‌ recently

WARIF Goes Digital to Combat Sexual Violence, Rape Martins Ifijeh The Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has gone live with the SAP People Connect 365 Mobile Service, as part of efforts to digitally combat sexual violence, rape and human trafficking of girls and women across Nigeria. The cloud-based mobile technology allows victims of the sexual violence, rape and human trafficking to communicate with WARIF. In a statement made available to THISDAY recently, the Founder, WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilva, said the mobile technology is being used to communicate with affected women in rural areas who do not have ready access to the services offered

by the organisation. She said: “WARIF Gatekeepers Project, sponsored by the ACT Foundation, is using the application to manage communication with midwives and other key staff working with the foundation’s clinics to connect with abuse victims. “We are interested in raising awareness of the growing prevalence of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, rape and human trafficking and the stigma of reporting it. “We are also addressing the problem through the development and implementation of a series of initiatives geared towards improving the treatment of the affected women. “Our primary social responsibility is to ensure that

all young girls and women live in a society free of rape and sexual violence across all communities in Nigeria.� DaSilva explained that with over 50 per cent of the Nigerian population still living in rural and sometimes hard-to-reach areas with limited access, the implementation of SAP People Connect 365 has finally given the foundation the ability to send and receive information in a timely fashion. She said: “The cloud-based interactive dashboard is an ideal platform that has enabled us monitor and measure events relating to cases of gender-based violence. It allows us obtain the necessary data to help in the early detection and

prevention of these cases in affected communities. “Since adopting the service, WARIF has reached approximately 500 midwives, who help identify and treat sufferers of abuse. SAP People Connect 365 will enable streamlined communication and create a more scalable solution for WARIF to realize its vision of building a society free of rape and sexual violence.� A member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, Michael Kleinemeier, said the initiative shows that technology improves not just economy but the society, adding that with the help of SAP People Connect 365, WARIF now has a simple-to-use tool to reach victims in rural and urban areas.

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8 -Year-Old Urgently Needs N560,000 for Treatment of Brain Disorder Mary Nnah Eight-year-old Kehinde Abdul-Raheem Yusuf, urgently needs the sum of N560, 000 to continue his treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The ailing child, who has been on treatment at the hospital since June 2011 for hydrocephalus (water of the brain), has now been sent back home due to his parents’ inability to pay the hospital bill despite the fact that his condition is getting worse. Kehinde’s father, Yusuf, is a recharge card seller, while his mother is an auxiliary nurse. Kehinde and his twin brother, Taiwo, were born normal on September 19, 2009, but six months after, Kehinde developed repeated high temperature prompting his parents to take him to Ado-Awaye General Hospital, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to his father, two weeks later the child’s head started growing more than his entire body and he could not sit, walk nor control his head since then. Kehinde had undergone two surgeries (one at the University College Hospital and the other at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital) and currently undergoing physiotherapy at UCH. Appealing to the general public to come to his aid, the boy’s father whose means of income can hardly fetch the

family’s daily meal said: “His doctor says he has to undergo a minor surgery on his legs and some other treatment including physiotherapy and supporting kits estimated to cost N560,000 or more. “We are yet to see any change in Kehinde after spending fortunes on him since March 2010 as a result of which I have sold virtually all my properties to see him through.” Before going to UCH in 2011, the father said the child was taken to about 10 different private and trado-medical hospitals where he had spent all he had and now left with virtually nothing and means to pay the hospital bill required for his treatment. “I am now tired and seek the assistance of members of the public to help raise this fund to treat him. Please help for God’s grace and I pray God showers His Mercy, Favour and Grace on you abundantly as you help. May you never lack, Amen”, he cried out. His UCH Ibadan Hospital’s number is 1209980 for verification. Yusuf can be reached at 25/30 AlhajiAdebayo Street, Ijegun Lagos or on 08022300344. His bank details are Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account Number 0151945965, Account Name Kehinde Abdur-Raheem Yusuf or Skye Bank Plc Account No.: 1031284723. Account Name: Kehinde Abdur-Raheem Yusuf.

Financial Contributions in Homes Boost Health for Women, Says AWEP Boss Kuni Tyessi, Abuja President of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), Mrs. Angela Ajala, has revealed that economic stability as well as financial contributions by women in the homefront improves and boosts their mental and psychological wellbeing. She said research has proven that the paying of bills which is not the responsibility of the men alone, adds mental value to the women, whom she said will not see themselves as a liability or spare tyre. Ajala who revealed this during the 2018 Annual Conference of AWEP with the theme “Sustainability in a knowledge economy”, added that there’s a lot of information which women can use to turn their businesses around in order to scale up on personal development. She said: “When a woman is in business and contributing to the homefront, it helps her psychological and mental wellbeing due to the value she’s adding. She doesn’t see herself as a liability, neither does she see herself as a spare tyre. “When a woman is busy and the business is moving well, her whole being goes in there because she is able to be a

very strong partner in the home. “The work is not on one person and because she knows how to do it, it will help her and the husband as well. A lot of organisations these days focus more on women and so we encourage the men to encourage their women because organisations are training women for women to get it right and survive.” In terms of facing a highly competitive market and still do better and earn more profit, Ajala said “you are addressed the way you are dressed and the major issue as well as what we emphasise on is packaging. “The content is excellent but whoever wants to know the content no matter how rich, will first of all look at the packaging. Get the right label, get the packaging right and then learn some e- skills because you can put your product on the net”. She revealed that the organisation which has over 300 registered members but over 500 in all, is committed with working with rural women and teaching them how to get their own processes right for the delivery of their products.

Nigerians Yet to Tap into €400M Pest Control Industry, Says Expert Martins Ifijeh Despite a huge market of over 400 million Euros in Nigeria’s Pest Control and Fumigation Industry, only about 20 million Euros has been tapped, the Managing Director, Rotimax Integrated Services LTD, Tolu Caled, has said. Speaking during a two-day training and certification programme for intending managing directors of pest control and fumigation companies in

Lagos recently, organised by Rotimax, he said pest control and fumigation industry was very lucrative especially in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos but added that professionals in other parts of the country can also do very well. According to him, “ignorance has made it look like the business is not lucrative. I have gone for jobs where a client was shocked that I could speak good English. I am a graduate who studied economics; we have MSc and

PhD holders in this business and we have been doing well. “The Vice President of the Pest Control Association of Nigeria, Kunle Williams, has been the one fumigating the Muritala Muhammed Airport for 18 years, do you know how much that costs?” Explaining further he said participants have come from Port-Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna and Plateau states to acquire more knowledge as far as pest control and fumigation is

concerned because they know what is involved. Caled who said that they encourage professionals to delve into corporate sector because there is a law that mandates every public facility to conduct pest control on quarterly basis, added that there are bodies that are meant to shut down your facilities if you don’t do that. “We are just trying to make sure that the laws are enforced; so it is very lucrative but not well tapped into.”

L-R: Representative of the Minister of Health /Chief Medical Director of National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Jaf Momoh; Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Prof. Okechukwu Obiora Mbonu; and Consultant Urologist, Kelina Hospital, Dr. Celsus Indie, during the Kelina Hospital launch of Laser Surgical Equipment in Abuja recently

Nigerian Physiotherapist Offers FreeVirtual On-call Service Martins Ifijeh A South Africa-based Nigerian physiotherapist, Prof. Efe Useh, has announced plans to provide virtual on-call services to the public for a wide range of ailment requiring physiotherapy. In a statement made available to THISDAY recently, Useh who practised in Nigeria as a physiotherapist attached to the National Team, the Super Eagles and also had a stint with the military hospital before relocating abroad, said he is introducing free virtual physiotherapy service through his “Comphysio” platform described as “therapy beyond boundaries.” With Comphysio, people with

conditions such as arthritis, stroke rehabilitation, back and neck pains and injuries resulting from sports will receive free physiotherapy service online. “Physiotherapy services shall be provided through excellent virtual evaluation and treatment, based on clinical decision making by our consultants who are experienced physiotherapists with international training and exposure. “Through comphysio, we wish to provide physiotherapy to all through our electronic services by calls on our whatsApp number +27739898869. The on-call services and advice is free”, Useh further announced. “As we begin to age and become relatively less active,

we experience different ailments that require different physiotherapy interventions. The joints of our knees, hips, back and necks begin to ache, with occasional stiffness, tingling sensation and numbness. We are easily fatigued following minor tasks. “Comphysio provides three on-call services for a wide range of ailment including arthritis, stroke rehabilitation, back and neck pains and injuries resulting from sports. Injuries resulting from leisure, birth and work are also managed by comphysio, “ the release stated. Useh disclosed that the decision to provide the free service was borne out of the realisation that access to physiotherapy, globally, has become quite a

challenge. “The preventive, rehabilitative and management services offered by comphysio are therefore aimed at bridging these challenges and availing physiotherapy services beyond boundaries. “Access to quality and evidence based physiotherapy is a challenge to the estimated 7.6 billion people in the world; with a ratio of about one physiotherapist to 170,000 persons in Nigeria. “Those requiring physiotherapy are increasing. It is note worthy that there is limited access to physiotherapy because the number of physiotherapists all over the world are quite few to meet these demands,” he said.

Adewole Calls for Paradigm Shift in Management of Health Sector Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ City The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, recently, called for a paradigm shift in the management of the nation’s health sector, through injection of preventive care (Primary healthcare) than curative care (secondary and tertiary). Speaking on the topic: “Revamping the Primary Healthcare in Edo” to mark the second anniversary of

Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, Adewole stated that most of the country’s heath problems are in the preventive sub-sector, whereas the nation spends more in the curative sub-sector. According to the minister, many countries in the world that have recorded economic breakthroughs are those that invested in health. Lamenting the collapse of many of the country’s Primary Health Centres, which he said

cater for the health needs of 80 per cent of the nation’s population, the minister said any country that wants to have good health coverage must go through the route of Primary Health Care. He, therefore, announced that the Federal Government would this year, launch the country’s Strategic Health Development Plan, adding that the government is to provide a functional healthcare for each ward in the country.

The minister, while commending Obaseki for the effort the state was making in its Primary Healthcare coverage, however urged the government to make its first class hospital work. He warned the government against importing expatriates to come and run the hospital, urging the governor to learn from Akwa Ibom state experience; even as he said personnel to run the hospital abound in the country.

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Kale: FG Has Not Released Money for NBS to Complete Unemployment Report Nume Ekeghe åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, has disclosed that the federal government has not released money for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to complete the unemployment report. Its been a year since the bureau released Nigeria’s unemployment figures, which are usually released quarterly, TheCable reported. The statistician-general and the NBS have been accused of hoarding the figures, in order not to damage the reputation of President Muhammadu Buhari administration going into an election year. NBS has postponed the release

of the data, time and again, with the latest being from late November to December 7, 2018. Based on previous reports, it is expected that unemployment in the country will soar to record highs, with 18.8 per cent of the country’s population or 15.9 million people, unemployed. Explaining the situation via Twitter, the NBS boss asked that Nigerians stop politicising the non-release of unemployment numbers, saying “You guys need to stop this�. “I know it’s election time but I’ve said this repeatedly. Nobody is calling me to manipulate any data or not to release any data,� Kale said. “The work can’t be completed due to budgetary releases. It’s

not hard to confirm when last we got data funding and how much.� “The number of unemployed people within the labour force who are unemployed or underemployed increased from 13.6 million and 17.7 million respectively in Q2 2017 to 15.9 million and 18.0 million in Q3 2017,� the last NBS report, released in 2017 had stated. Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, has exploited the unemployment in the country to drive his campaign, with the tagline: “Atiku means jobs�. Ahead of the jobs creation report, Atiku had said his way of fighting crime and poverty is by creating jobs.

Ogbeh Laments High Interest Rate for Farmer, Eyes BOA Reform James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday expressed disappointment over what he described as high interest rate on loan facilities for farmers in the country. Speaking during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanisation and Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) , Tractor Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) as well as the Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), under the Private Sector Driven Mechanisation Programme (PSDMP), he noted the high rates had proven to be unfriendly to agricultiral production and a major discouragement to farmers. But, he assured that the

ongoing reforms in the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) would soon be completed to allow Nigerian farmers enjoy low interest rate on loans and become shareholders in the bank. The Minister described the project as a good innovation which should not be allowed to die. He added that one of the policy thrusts of President Buhari’s administration was to leverage agriculture to bring life into the rural areas. He said:“The Memorandum of Understanding that we are signing today is one of the greatest innovation in Agricultural Sector because government cannot manage tractors, with the experience of so many years the tractors never last, they were supposed to last for 15 years but due to poor handling they only last for two or three years.� Ogbeh said government had no capacity to manage tractors,

bur commended NAME and other stakeholders for their support and expressed the Federal government’s commitment to give the service providers necessary support to grow and provide quality services for farmers. However, Chief Executive NAMEL, Dr. Ahmed Adekunle noted that the partnership between it and the Mechanisation Service Providers (MSP) would not only provide equipment to farmers but also build local capacity to operate, maintain and maximize their uses ; he promised that the partners would remain committed and change the narrative of mechanization in the country. He said NAMEL in collaboration with Heavy duty Equipment Giant Mantrac would soon launch a nationwide Integrated Agricultural Land Development Scheme (INALDs) to open more lands on a flexible payment term.

Stanbic IBTC Inaugurates Africa-China Banking Centre In a move aimed at offering Nigerian and Chinese clients a business-to-business networking and personal advisory service and also help them to access and unlock opportunities in Nigeria-China trade, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc has commissioned an Africa-China Banking Centre (ACBC) in Lagos. The launch of the Africa - China Banking Centre was performed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Africa CEO, Mr. Lubin Wang; Commercial Consul, Chinese Embassy in Lagos, Liu Jun Sheng and top man-

agement executives of Stanbic IBTC. The opening of the centre was another significant step towards improving ease of doing business between Nigeria and China, coming after the signing of the bilateral currency swap agreement between the two countries earlier in the year. According to Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle, the launch of the centre represented a critical opportunity to leverage the full potential of Africa and China’s rapidly evolving trade partnership. He further explained that, “as an African bank with global reach,

Stanbic IBTC is uniquely placed to unlock African opportunities by accessing Chinese capabilities�. “Nigeria is a market with great potential for now and the future; ICBC has built a bridge between the two markets to create possibilities. This is the beginning for us to produce more specialized financial products and services for our Chinese clients and it is our aim to be the go-to Bank for Chinese businesses in Nigeria and Nigerian businesses trading with China,� said Sogunle.

MTN Targets Mobile Banking Licence in Nigeria MTN Group will apply for a mobile banking licence in Nigeria and plans to launch the service there next year. Nigeria announced last month that it would allow telecom companies to provide banking services, aiming to give millions of Nigerians without bank accounts access to so-called mobile money services, a policy that has been very successful in Kenya. MTN runs Nigeria’s biggest mobile phone network serving 56 million people, but it is also involved in a dispute with the authorities after the central bank said it illegally transferred

$8.1 billion overseas. Separately, it has been slapped with a $2 billion Nigerian tax bill and whether those issues could influence how quickly MTN secures a licence remains to be seen. “We will be applying for a payment service banking licence in Nigeria in the next month or so, and if all goes according to plan, we will also be launching Mobile Money in Nigeria probably around Q2 of 2019,� MTN CEO, Rob Shuter, told a telecoms conference in Cape Town. Rivals Airtel, a unit of India’s Bharti Airtel, as well as privately

owned Globacom and 9mobile, are also expected to apply for licences. The success in east Africa of M-Pesa, the mobile money unit of Kenya’s Safaricom, has convinced investors and the industry that financial services is the next growth area for the telecoms sector which is grappling with falling prices for basic services. If granted a licence, MTN would launch the service in a country where 115 million Nigerians, or 60 per cent of the population, does not have a bank account, according to the World Bank.

Kale

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $68.89 a barrel on Friday, compared with $70.68 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H U R S DAY Ëž NOVEMBER 15, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Market Pares Gains Following Sell Pressure on Banking Stocks Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index declined by 0.14 per cent to close at 32,108.92 yesterday, as the bears banking stocks led the return of the bears to the stock market. The market had recorded a margin growth on Tuesday with the NSE ASI rising by 0.03 per cent. However, the gains of the previous day were pared

yesterday, making the index to close lower at 32,108.92. Similarly, market capitalisation shed N16.1 billion to close at N11.7 trillion. The negative performance has pushed the month-to-date and year-to-date decline to 1.10 per cent and 16.04 per cent, respectively. Sell pressure in Zenith Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Transcorp Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

Plc caused the decline. However, the 15 price losers for the day was led by Diamond Bank Plc with 9.5 per cent. The bank has been in the news lately with speculation of possible acquisition by a rival bank. But both financial institutions denied the speculations. Eterna Plc closed as the highest price loser with 9.1 per cent, trailed by Jaiz Bank Plc with 9.0 per cent. Linkage Assurance Plc shed 8.8 per cent,

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

just as NPF Microfinance Bank Plc and Veritas Kapital shed 8.1 per cent and 8.0 per cent in that order. Other top price losers included: Japual Oil & Maritime Services Plc (4.7 per cent); University Press Plc (2.5 per cent); Transcorp Plc (2.4 per cent); NAHCO Plc (2.2 per cent); Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (2.0 per cent); Dangote Flour Mills Plc (1.6 per cent); Zenith Bank Plc and Dangote

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Sugar Refinery Plc (0.8 per cent apiece). On the positive side, Unity Bank Plc led the price gainers with 8.9 per cent, trailed by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc which chalked up 6.0 per cent. Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc garnered 5.7 per cent, while Regency Alliance Insurance Plc and N.E.M Insurance Plc appreciated by 5.0 per cent, 3.8 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, activity level was mixed as volume traded

O F

declined by 42.7 per cent to 229.3 million shares just as value traded advanced by 11.4 per cent to N2.5 billion. The top traded stocks by volume were FBN Holdings Plc (72.1 million shares), Diamond Bank Plc (29.6 million shares) and Access Bank Plc (22.4 million shares) while FBN Holdings Plc (N541.2 million), Zenith Bank (N497.8 million) and GTBank (N456.5 million) were the top traded stocks by value.

1 2 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

42

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ThisDay Afrinvest Index Sheds 18bps Yesterday, the ThisDay Afrinvest index lost 18bps to

71(%0)16%/ )4*240%1') )64-'5 *24 $ ! 1()9

close at 1,333.20 as sell ŽīƐ ŝŶ ZENITH ( 0.8%), UBA ( -'.)4

0.6%) and DANGSUGAR ( 0.8%) dragged the index.

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;ϮϮ͘ϰŵͿ ǁŚŝůĞ FBNH ;Eϱϰϭ͘ϮŵͿ͕ ZENITH ;Eϰϵϳ͘ϴŵͿ ĂŶĚ GUARANTY ;Eϰϱϲ͘ϱŵͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

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75:6 2*

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579, 02

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/ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͕ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐŝŶŐ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ NEM (+3.9%) and LAWUNION (+5.8%). ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ ϱďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ EIG Z/ E BREWERIES (+0.6%) and EE ;нϬ͘ϲйͿ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͕ falling 0.3% following sell ŽīƐ ŝŶ ZENITH ( 0.8%),

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/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϭdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϲdž recorded yesterday as 16 stocks advanced against 15

DIAMOND ( 9.5%), ETERNA ( 9.2%) and JAIZBANK (

performance today, market breadth strengthened. ,ĞŶĐĞ͕ ǁĞ ĞŶǀŝƐĂŐĞ Ă ƉŽƚĞŶƟĂů ƌĞďŽƵŶĚ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ƚŚĞ ĞŶĚ of the week.

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43

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͚ͽË&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

Sterling Bank Launches Digital Commodity Market Place Goddy Egene Sterling Bank Plc on Tuesday, launched a fully digital, end-to-end blockchain based commodity trading and financing platform. The platform, which was developed in partnership with Binkabi and AFEX Commodities Exchange, is expected to decentralise Agric commodity trading in Nigeria and all emerging economies, help to reduce intermediation in trade and distribute profit more widely across the value

chain. Speaking on the platform, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, said Nigeria loses about half of its agricultural products yearly to post harvest processes. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By introducing and establishing a viable and efficient agricultural commodities exchange platform, we are able tackle this sort of challenge. Cereal grains such as rice, maize and soya beans which are among the basic staple foods across Nigeria suffer the most

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

loss among all agricultural commodities. By applying some of the latest scientific storage technologies and providing liquidity, we can help reduce this problem and increase margins for the farmers.â&#x20AC;? He added that this is a medium to long-term value investment for them at Sterling Bank. Country Manager, Nigeria at AFEX Commodities, Ayo Balogun, said the commodity exchange was designed with farmers in mind, to help them

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 1311-2018, unless otherwise stated.

mitigate risks and ensure payments are made through reliable financial service providers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A typical scenario at the exchange involves the use of warehouses across the country with modern facilities where farmers and traders can take their produce to minimise wastages. Farmers can deposit their agro commodities in certified warehouses and are issued receipts, which are recognised by the bank. We are excited that a reputable commercial bank like Sterling Bank has come on

board to enable farmers reduce exploitation by middlemen. As a result of this partnership, farmers can use their receipt as collateral to procure loans or other financial services. They can also sell the receipt on the commodity exchange market without transferring their agro commodities from the warehouse,â&#x20AC;? Balogun said. Founder/CEO of Binkabi, Quan Le, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our vision is to ensure that the commodity network becomes fairer and more profitable through collaborative

efforts which leverages blockchain technology. We understand that if financial markets can fail ordinary people in the developed world then the agricultural markets are failing ordinary farmers in the developing world. The only difference is that these farmers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a voice - it is a silent crisis. This has motivated us to work with like-minds to develop a marketplace of end-buyers and end-sellers of commodities to help reduce intermediation in trade, distributing profit more widely in the value chain.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 162.60 163.76 -8.36% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.90 274.26 18.03% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.83 0.84 0.76% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.45% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.45% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.20 2.22 -4.34% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.52 17.02 -9.57% ARM Discovery Fund 355.53 366.25 -8.62% ARM Ethical Fund 28.18 29.02 3.12% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.98% 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 133.36 134.30 -12.08% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.06% 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 11.22% Paramount Equity Fund 11.62 11.90 4.72% Women's Investment Fund 101.74 104.35 1.10% 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 12.18% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 99.19 99.28 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 97.57 97.90 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 12.16% Coronation Balanced Fund Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.12 5.46% 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 11.64% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.61% 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 1,162.08 1,162.82 10.99% FBN Heritage Fund 142.42 143.64 2.12% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.47% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 112.58 113.00 3.41% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 112.34 112.76 3.30% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.75 147.80 -8.22% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.23 1.25 -4.90% Legacy Debt Fund 3.20 3.20 10.69% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.79% 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 2,964.58 2,993.11 -0.71% Coral Income Fund 2,747.91 2,747.91 12.24% 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 11.80% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 105.60 105.84 5.23% 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 11.89%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 2.06% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.90% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.66 122.87 6.57% 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 4.13% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,080.49 1,080.49 11.96% 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 11.23 11.32 -13.31% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.44% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.36 11.88% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.03 12.09 8.96% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.13% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 126.71 127.11 -2.32% 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 1.68 1.68 12.89% 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 2,326.59 2,341.81 5.85% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.20 187.20 7.51% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.98 -3.47% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 244.26 244.30 13.18% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.41 163.24 -9.87% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.51% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,730.41 8,838.07 -8.23% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.48% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.16 1.17 -1.84% United Capital Bond Fund 1.57 1.57 9.85% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -7.41% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.52% United Capital Eurobond Fund 106.18 106.18 6.10% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 4.01% 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 11.17 11.33 -7.76% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.99 12.09 -7.19% Zenith Income Fund 20.49 20.49 11.07% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.94%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 139.12 51.55

-20.11% 5.03% 1.42%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.47 117.58 91.26

10.57 120.08 92.98

-11.64% -17.68% -16.46%

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

4.12 7.21 15.02 13.61 142.96

4.16 7.29 15.12 13.81 144.96

-13.04% -24.53% -13.98% -30.65% 6.28%

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.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

British Cabinet Meeting to Decide on Draft Brexit Deal British government ministers met on Wednesday for a crucial cabinet meeting to decide the fate of a draft Brexit deal struck by negotiators in Brussels. The preliminary deal has been

greeted by heavy criticism from hardline pro-Brexit lawmakers in Prime Minister Theresa May’s own Conservative Party. Prime Minister Theresa May had sought her cabinet’s

UN Lifts Sanctions on Eritrea The UN Security Council on Wednesday lifted sanctions on Eritrea following a landmark peace deal with Ethiopia and a thaw with Djibouti that have buoyed hopes for positive change in the Horn of Africa. The council unanimously adopted a British-drafted resolution lifting the arms embargo, all travel bans, asset freezes and targeted sanctions against Eritrea. Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace deal in July that ended two decades of hostility and led to friendlier relations with Djibouti, shoring up prospects for stability in the Horn of Africa. The resolution calls on Eritrea and Djibouti to continue efforts to settle a 2008 border dispute and asks Asmara to release information concerning Djiboutian soldiers missing in clashes a decade ago.

At France’s request, the council will hear a report every six months on Eritrea’s efforts to normalize relations with Djibouti, where France, the United States and China all have military bases. The council slapped sanctions on Eritrea in 2009 for its alleged support of Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia, a claim Asmara has long denied. The resolution acknowledged that UN monitors have “not found conclusive evidence that Eritrea supports Al-Shabaab” and declared that the sanctions and arms embargo ended with the adoption of the measure. Ethiopian Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie said the end of sanctions will “definitely open up a lot of possibilities for Eritrea,” drawing foreign investors and bringing Asmara back into the international fold.

approval for a long-awaited divorce deal with the EU, but hardline Brexiteer MPs warned they will seek to block it in parliament. After months of talks, May had announced late Tuesday that negotiators had finally struck a draft agreement on the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union next March. The pound surged on currency markets following the news, which came as Brussels stepped up preparations for a potentially catastrophic “no deal” exit. But diplomats and officials warned the technical agreement, which runs to hundreds of pages, still needs political approval. Ambassadors from the other 27 EU member states will meet later in Brussels, while May’s cabinet convenes at 1400 GMT. If they approve the text, London is hoping for a special summit of EU leaders later this month to seal the deal. But May has faced constant criticism from her Conservative MPs over her approach, and the

deal had barely been announced, when they took to the airwaves to denounce it. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who quit the cabinet over Brexit in July, said the deal would leave Britain a “vassal state” and urged his former colleagues to “chuck it out”. Former Brexit Minister David Davis, who quit at the same time, said: “Cabinet and all Conservative MPs should stand up, be counted and say no to this capitulation.” Most ominously for May, the Northern Irish party which props up her government threatened to break their alliance over reports of a special arrangement for the British province. “If this is the shape of the deal, we are probably ending up with no agreement,” Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) told Sky News television. All eyes were on whether eurosceptic ministers including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab may join the chorus of disapproval and resign.

“We are clearly not out of the woods yet,” the London-based Capital Economics research group said in a note to clients. British and EU negotiators had stepped up their talks ahead of a deadline on Wednesday to get a deal in time to call the special summit for later this month. Failure would delay the final settlement until a formal Brussels summit in midDecember, leaving little time for May to get the deal and associated legislation through parliament. The talks were stuck for months on how to avoid border checks between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, if and until London strikes a new trade deal with Brussels. Ireland’s RTE broadcaster reported that the final deal includes a so-called “backstop” arrangement in which the whole United Kingdom remained in a customs arrangement with the EU. It provides for additional “deeper” provisions for Northern Ireland on customs and regulations, risking anger

from the DUP. But it also reportedly allows for a review mechanism that Britain could use to try to leave the backstop arrangement — a key demand of Conservative eurosceptics. Pro-Brexit MPs like Johnson fear Britain could end up being tied to the EU indefinitely. May’s deputy David Lidington had earlier promised the government would publish legal analysis on the deal following pressure from Tories and the main opposition Labour Party. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would wait for details, but suggested the agreement was “unlikely to be a good deal for the country”. Other elements of the divorce already agreed to include Britain’s exit bill of around £39 billion (45 billion euros, $50 billion) as well as a guarantee on EU citizens’ rights. It also provides for a 21-month transition after Brexit during which London would follow EU rules, for both sides to negotiate a new trade relationship.

You Lack Common Decency, President Macron’s Aide Tells Trump A French government spokesman on Wednesday accused US President Donald Trump of a lack of “common decency” for attacking his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Twitter on the third anniversary of a jihadist massacre in Paris. Asked to react to Trump’s tweets mocking Macron’s low poll numbers and lashing his defence proposals, spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told reporters: “Yesterday was November 13 when we commemorate the murder of 130 citizens three years ago in Paris and Saint-Denis. So I will reply in English: ‘common decency’ would have been the appropriate thing.” His reaction was the strongest yet by the French government to Trump’s astonishing attack on Macron, which came two days after he was the French leader’s guest at World War I centenary commemorations in Paris.

Apparently irked at Macron’s criticism of nationalists in his Armistice Day address, Trump tweeted that Macron had a “very low approval rating” and said the French leader was “just trying to get onto another subject.” He also again attacked Macron over the latter’s calls for a European army, slammed as protectionist French tariffs on US wine and declared there was “no country more Nationalist than France”. Macron told CNN in an interview after talks with Trump on Saturday that the defence row had been cleared up. He has not reacted publicly to Trump’s latest broadside. One of his advisors on Tuesday dismissed the tweets as “written for Americans” and said that relations between Trump and Macron were “not always easy but are enduring.”

94 Migrants Refuse to Leave Libyan Ship, Says Coastguard Ninety-four migrants, desperate to go to Italy, are refusing to leave a container ship in Libya, a week after they were rescuedfromdrowningatsea,aLibyan coastguard official said on Wednesday. Col.TawfikAmohammed,aRegional CoastguardChief,saidthattheshiphad rescued the 94 people from a sinking boat off Libya’s western city of Misrata on Thursday. The vessel, coming from Italy, was boundforMisratatounloadashipment of cars when the Libyan coastguard requested it pick up the migrants because the area was too distant for the coastguard to reach quickly.

“When we asked the migrants to get off the ship, they refused and demanded it take them to Italy,” the official said. He added that later some of them were willing to disembark, but were prevented by others. “Negotiations are under way with themigrantsthatmayresultinallowing those, who want to leave to do so,” the official said. Rights and medical groups areprovidingassistancetothemigrants on board the ship, now docking at the Misrata port. The migrants, mostly Africans,includeachildandawoman, the official added.

A volunteer search and rescue team combing a home destroyed by the California wildfire in Paradise.

REUTERS

Israel Defence Minister Resigns After Ceasefire, Government in Turmoil Israeli Defence Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, announced his resignation on Wednesday and called for early elections after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal, throwing the government into turmoil. Lieberman also said his party was quitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, leaving the premier with only a one-seat majority in parliament. Elections are not due until November 2019, but Lieberman’s resignation increases the likelihood of an earlier vote. “What happened yesterday — the truce combined with the process with Hamas — is capitulating to terror,” Lieberman told journalists in explaining his reasons for resigning. “What we’re doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being

severe long-term damage to national security.” He added later: “We should agree on a date for elections as early as possible.” Netanyahu has defended Tuesday’s ceasefire deal that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war. An official from Netanyahu’s Likud party hit back at speculation that early elections would be called and said the prime minister would take charge of Lieberman’s portfolio at least temporarily. “There’s no obligation to go to an election in this time of security sensitivity,” the official said on condition of anonymity. A Likud spokesman said later in the day that Netanyahu had begun consultations with heads of parties in his coalition to stabilise it. The party of far-right

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a Netanyahu rival, was threatening to withdraw from the coalition if he was not given the defence portfolio. Lieberman, a security hardliner, heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, which holds five seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. Before taking over as defence minister, he said he would give Hamas leader Ismail Haniya 48 hours to hand over two detained Israeli civilians and the bodies of soldiers killed in the 2014 war “or you’re dead”. He later backed off and said he was committed to “responsible, reasonable policy”. The ceasefire held on Wednesday, but Netanyahu was seeking to combat criticism of the decision. Beyond Lieberman’s resignation, several hundred

Israelis living near the border with Gaza protested on Tuesday night to call for further action against its Islamist rulers Hamas. Netanyahu defended his strategy and said: “Our enemies begged for a ceasefire. “In times of emergency, when making decisions crucial to security, the public can’t always be privy to the considerations that must be hidden from the enemy,” he said at a ceremony on Wednesday. Hamas portrayed the ceasefire as a victory and thousands of residents of the blockaded enclave took to the streets late Tuesday to celebrate. On Wednesday, Gazan demonstrators burned pictures of Lieberman and sweets were handed out in the streets, while Hamas called his resignation a “victory.”

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

INEC: Why Politicians Resort to Vote Buying Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has alleged that politicians now resort to vote buying during elections because they have suddenly realised that they can no longer manipulate the system, and that votes now count in elections. This is as the commission said Rivers State has registered 2.8 million voters in March this year while about 400,000 voters in the state were yet to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs). The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Rivers State, Mr. Obo Effanga, while briefing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt on the activities of the commission in the state, said with the improvement in the country’s electoral process, votes now count during elections, forcing politicians to look for other ways to convince the electorate in order to get majority votes. Asked what the commission was doing to check vote buying by politicians during elections, Effanga said: “I think before we talk about what we should do or what we intend to do, let’s find out why we have this situation. The truth is that we are having this situation where people go to buy votes from the voters because now more than ever

before, every vote counts. “So, we should first start by acknowledging that there is an improvement in the electoral process, and in the elections conducted by INEC so that every vote counts. If you cast your mind back many years ago, politicians didn’t bother about how people were going to vote-whether they will come out or not. They were just interested in manipulating the system. “But with the improvement in the electoral process, politicians now know that the only way they can win election is to have majority votes and the only way to have majority votes is to convince the electorate to vote for them. But they now found a smart way of convincing the people, which is by buying them off. That is what has happened.” He however said with more enlightenment, people would realise that it would not pay them to sell their votes. The REC advised politicians to dignify the electoral process by shunningviolenceandothermalpractices thatquestiontheintegrityoftheprocess sothattheywouldbeproudtosaythey havewonelectionsthroughafairprocess. On the 2019 election, Effanga said: “Rivers State has 2.8 million PVCs so far in terms of voters’ strength up to the end of March this year. Those have also been collected. We have a difference of about

400,000 cards that have not been collected, and these are cards ranged from 2011 up to march of this year.

“Between April and August, people still registered. We have a figure of about 400, 000 who registered within that time, and

these are also being processed. By the time we add the ones from April to August when we suspended the registration

process, we will then know how many registered voters we have in Rivers State going into the elections.

We’ll TeachYour Spokesman Issue-based Campaign, Atiku Group Tells APC AdedayoAkinwaleinAbuja The Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO) has offered to tutor the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Isa-Onilu, for two weeks on how to run an issue-based campaign that is guided by civility and refined language. The group said it was not surprised that the APC is throwing wild allegations at the presidential candidate of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, given the sordid state of things in the APC and its imminent implosion over money politics. APCO in a statement yesterday said APC had in a statement last week falsely accused Atiku of attempting to smuggle in large sums of money into the country for the purpose of funding his campaign. The ruling party had called on security agents to be on the

watch to prevent the imaginary ‘illicit cash’ from entering Nigeria. According to the campaign group, “Thus, we are surprised that the same APC which made that false allegation has made a 180-degree turn by releasing a new statement contradicting their earlier statement and alleging that the former vice president is broke.” APCO added that in the APC statement, the ruling party contended that ‘Atiku

is at a crossroads on how to source funds for the 2019 electioneering.’ It stated: “Our advice to the APC is that they should send their spokesman to the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation for a two weeks crash course on how to run an issue-based campaign that is guided by civility and refined language. It is obvious that the APC is badly in need of such tutoring.

Emmanuel Restates Commitment toYouth Empowerment The Governor ofAkwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has restated the commitment of his administration to empower the youths of the state. According to a statement by the state government, the relentless efforts by Emmanuel’s administration in empowering the youth of Akwa Ibom cannot be overemphasised. The statement added that in addition to working tirelessly in the educational sector to

ensure free and compulsory quality education, establishing agricultural infrastructures that employ youths and creating various entrepreneurship and capacity-building programs to inspire youths, Emmanuel has taken keen interest in garnering skilled youths in the sports sector. “The Akwa Ibom State Youth Sports Festival was initiated by the Emmanuel administration to meaningfully engage the youth in

sport related activities. The project has gradually turned the state into the football capital of Nigeria after hosting the Super Eagles during the Russian 2018 qualifying stage,” the statement said. The statement quoted Emmanuel as saying that “This is the only state in the country that runs youths sports festival every year, where we are discovering talents” “In addition, the Emmanuel administration is also currently

working on establishing ten modern sports centers, one in each of the ten federal constituencies. The sport centres are to be built within the secondary school premises,” the statement added. The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, who lauded the initiative, said the goal is to boost sports development. “Indeed, Akwa Ibom is becoming a state of sports and sports laurels,” Udoh said.

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͚ͽË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

Ticket on Rohrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mind as Eagles Depart for Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;burg Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja As Super Eagles players and officials depart Nigeria today for Johannesburg, South Africa, Technical Adviser of the team, Gernot Rohr, is thinking of no other thing but the ticket that will enable the three-time champions return to the big stage of African football after missing two editions back-toback. The senior national team has been in camp in Asaba since Monday and is scheduled to depart Benin City airport by chartered flight to South Africa

AFCON 2 0 1 9 QUA LIF IE R this evening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission in Johannesburg is simple: Qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. We are not thinking of anything else. We want the ticket in our pocket before the final match-day,â&#x20AC;? Rohr said in Asaba on Tuesday evening shortly after the team was promised $25,000 for every goal scored against the South Africa by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. If Rohr succeeds, it will be the second time he is achieving the feat of ticket to a major tournament with a match to

spare. He did it in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s qualification for the World Cup in Russia last summer. The former Germany defender equaled a 20-year old record when he led the three-time African champions to earn a slot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals after a 1-0 defeat of Zambia in Uyo on 10th October 2017 scripted Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name on the roster for Russia ahead of final match-day against Algeria. Frenchman Philippe Troussier led Nigeria to qualify for the

1998 World Cup following defeat of Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harambee Stars in Lagos, with the away match to Guinea at hand. But qualification for the 2002, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup competitions were achieved on the final day of the respective series. Rohr savoured accolades from far and near for his accomplishment, and the Franco-German appears to love it and wants more, with the Super Eagles looking good to earn a ticket to the 2019 Africa Cup finals ahead of the final day of the series. Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title but then failed to qualify

for the last two championships. Victory over South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday will earn Rohr worthwhile space in Nigerian Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, alongside a young, ambitious squad that has grown in confidence after featuring at the World Cup and winning all three competitive games after that, scoring 10 goals and conceding only two. The Eagles are indignant following South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audacity in flying to Uyo to earn a 2-0 win on Match-day 1, and apart from the unspoken crave for revenge, the quiet but fierce contention between Nigeria and South Africa in other spheres has lifted Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match to higher stakes.

Ahmed Musa and teammates, as well as Nigerian ball fans, have not forgotten how the Bafana stopped the Eagles from qualifying for the 2015 AFCON, after a 2-2 draw in Uyo on 19th November 2014 on a day the Eagles needed the slimmest of wins. The Bafana Bafana have much to worry about. Victories over Seychelles away and Libya home-and-away has catapulted Nigeria to top place in a pool the Bafana led comfortably, and should Nigeria win in Soweto on Saturday, the heat would be on the 1996 champions as they could be torpedoed for second ticket by the ferocious Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

NIGERIA & SOUTH AFRICA AT SENIOR LEVEL 10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4-0 South Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lagos (World Cup Qualifier) 16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0-0 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;burg (World Cup Qualifier 10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lagos (AFCON semi final) 31 Jan 2004: South Africa 0-4 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Monastir (AFCON group stage) 17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2-1 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;burg (Mandela Challenge) 1 June 2008: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abuja (World Cup Qualifier) 6 Sept 2008: South Africa 0-1 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Port Elizabeth (World Cup Qual.) 11 Aug 2013: South Africa 0-2 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Durban (Mandela Challenge) 19 Aug 2014: South Africa 1-3 Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cape Town (CHAN group stage) 10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0-0 Nigeria - Cape Town (AFCON Qualifier) Super Eagles at training in Asaba yesterday. The team is scheduled to leave for Johannesburg this evening for the AFCON 2019 qualiďŹ er against South Africa on Saturday

19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2-2 South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Uyo (AFCON Qualifier)

SAFA Engages Hip-hop Star to Woo Fans for Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Africa, Nigeria Clash Femi Solaja with agency reports The South African Football Association (SAFA) has contracted hugely-popular hip-hop star, AKA, to help attract fans to fill up the 94,000-capacity FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday as Bafana Bafana clash with Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Eagles in an AFCON 2019 qualifying game. The calabash-shaped FNB Stadium in South West Township (Soweto) area of Johannesburg was shunned by Bafana fans a fortnight ago when only 7,300 tickets were sold when

Seychelles took on the home team at the arena. It is an apparent move to prevent a repeat of this that SAFA has contracted the hip-hop star to spice up entertainment on Saturday when Bafana and Super Eagles go to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in what has been aptly tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grudge Battle.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; According to South African daily newspaper, Sowetan, the hip-hop star will provide pre-match entertainment inside the arena to whet fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appetite. SAFA is also believed to be worried that grudge match may even have more Nigerian in attendance because of high presence of Nigerian

population in Johannesburg and neighbouring cities. The paper also reported that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this crunchy match against the old enemy and the possibility of being dominated in the stands by Nigerians in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own home game if the ticket sales do not pick up in the coming days is what is making SAFA to be planning this entertainment option to woo fans to the FNB Stadium. SAFA wants South Africans to show the same zeal they usually display in matches between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Stadium Management South

Africa (SMSA) Chief Executive, Jacques Grobbelaar, confirmed the low turnout in the Seychelles game to SowetanLIVE on Tuesday while at the same time urging South Africans to buy tickets and support their team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course we are worried by the low numbersâ&#x20AC;&#x161;â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are playing against one of the best teams on the continent and our biggest rivals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no greater game to go out there with friends and family and enjoyâ&#x20AC;&#x161; but at the moment the numbers are not looking good. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are selling about 2,000 a day which is not bad and our

Rotary, Steady Run to Use Garden City Marathon to Fight Polio As Nigeria prepares to exit the uninspiring club of nations with cases of polio, the Rotary Club International District 9141 and Steady Run Club have come together to use marathon as a way of raising further awareness to end the scourge. This came to fore at a media chat where the President of Rotary Club (Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan), Mrs Ibim Semenitari and President of Steady Run, Steady Idisi unveiled the Port Harcourt Mini Marathon scheduled for November 24, 2018, with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Final Push Against Polio.â&#x20AC;?

The President of Rotary Club (Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan), Mrs Ibim Semenitari stated that sport represents one of the platforms through which mass number of people can be reached for enlightenment and collaboration towards eradicating polio. Disclosing that Nigeria has gone two years without any reported case of polio, Semenitari commended the media and sports journalists in particular for their enthusiasm and helping to use the sports platform as a means of fighting the scourge. The former Acting Managing

Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) stated that only a poli0-free country could look forward to producing great sportsmen and women that can bring honour and laurels to the country. She commended Steady Run Club for consistently using its platform to help fight the eradication of polio through mass mobilisation, while at the same time helping to keep people fit. According to Idisi, who himself is an ambassador for the eradication of polio, the need to create massive

awareness and to finally put an end to polio gave birth to the partnership that will also help to engender mental and physical fitness. He disclosed that there would be senior and junior categories for male and female as well as the physically challenged that will battle for the various prizes at stake. With a distance of 21km spanning through Aggrey Road to Artillery Junction and back to the starting point, other side attractions include martial arts, para-soccer, aerobics, dance for fitness, kickboxing, among others.

projections are that we will reach about 20, 000 by Friday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have capped the tickets at 41, 000 and we hope that there is a sudden surge later in the week because we want South Africans to be there and cheer the boys. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is an important game for the country.â&#x20AC;? Bafanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low ticket sales are in contrast to the Soweto derby Telkom Knockout semi-final between Chiefs and Pirates that was sold out in about two hours last week. Bafana coach Baxter said he was hoping for a good crowd to intimidate Eagles after defying the odds to beat the resurgent Nigeria 2-0 away from home

in the corresponding fixture in Uyo last June. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we went to Nigeria it was packed for that matchâ&#x20AC;&#x161;â&#x20AC;? Baxter said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As you know they are very partisan and hostile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to think that they will get the same treatment when they come to South Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it matters if the public at large think that we played well in our last game or we were great when we played Nigeria away or Paraguay (Bafanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nelson Mandela Challenge opponents at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday next week) is an interesting team one coming up.

Falcons Land in Ghana for AWCON 2018 Champions Nigeria flew into Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital city, Accra yesterday on their way to Cape Coast for Group B attrition of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons flew aboard an Emirates Airline flight from Abidjan, where they had camped in the past eight days at the Sol Beni Sports Centre, into the Ghanaian capital before the trip to Cape Coast, where they play South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Banyana Banyana in the opening match of Group B on Sunday. A team of 21 players and 12 officials arrived in Cape Coast. Chairman of the Nigeria

Women Football League and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Ms Aisha Falode will join the team on Friday. Winners of the competition in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2016, the Falcons are looking for a ninth title, alongside a ticket to the 2019 FIFA Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup finals in France. The top three finishers in Ghana will fly Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag in France next year summer. Coach Thomas Dennerby is confident the Cup holders will be in the final match scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on 1st December.

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͚ͽË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U-23 Team Begins Olympic QualiďŹ er with Libya Current Olympic bronze medallist, Nigeria, will begin their qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Games with a game against Libya in March next year. Libya, expected to be on duties this week gained a walkover in their scheduled encounters with Gambia. Nigeria on the other hand are seeded to begin campaign from the second round. The Nigerian team set a record in Rio when the John Mikel Obi-inspired team won the bronze medal, thus making Nigeria the first team to win the three available medals at the Olympic. Nigeria won gold at Atlanta â&#x20AC;&#x2122;96, silver at Beijing 2008 before the bronze medal achievement two years ago. Moments later, Brazil moments later won the gold to equal Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feat having won the bronze medal at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.

While Nigeria will wait till next year before starting off their qualifying campaign from the second round, Cameroon find themselves among minnows this week when the African qualifying series for Tokyo 2020 kicks off. They will host Chad in Yaounde tomorrow with the second leg of the first round holding in Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Djamena next Tuesday. Chad are among the weakest football nations in the continent, never making an international impact at national team or club levels. A Cameroon team including Samuel Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o won the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games gold medal match against Spain on penalties after a 2-2 draw. However, poor results in the past two African qualifying competitions have prevented the central Africans being among 13 countries given byes to the second round. In a 2012 London Olympics

qualifier, Cameroon lost on penalties to Tanzania, and were ousted by Sierra Leone on away goals in a 2016 Rio de Janeiro eliminator. With the Chad fixtures taking place during an international window, Cameroon can pick young foreign-based professionals as th e qualifiers are an under-23 competition. Ghana, bronze medalists at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, are another country who must compete in the first round, facing fellow west Africans Togo in Kumasi and Lome. Like Cameroon, the fall from grace of Ghana can be traced to early exits from the last two qualifying competitions. They were shocked by Sudan in a 2012 eliminator and eliminated by Congo Brazzaville after a penalty shootout in the last edition. Guinea were among the African contenders at the 1968 Mexico

City Olympics, but have not qualified since. They set off on a journey they hope will lead to Japan by travelling to Nouakchott for a match against Mauritania, a rapidly improving football nation. It was also a long time ago that Sudan made their sole appearance, at the 1972 Munich Games, and their 2020 campaign begins away to the Seychelles. Mauritius, the other Indian Ocean island state competing, visit Kenya, and there are also a number of match-ups between neighbouring countries. Violence-torn Somalia make a rare international appearance, but the security situation in capital Mogadishu means the home fixture against Ethiopia has been moved to Djibouti. First legs are scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with the return matches on Sunday and Tuesday.

Ranieri Replaces Sacked Jokanovic at Fulham Fulham has sacked manager Slavisa Jokanovic and replaced him with Claudio Ranieri, who guided Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016. Jokanovic makes way with the Cottagers sitting bottom of the Premier League table with five points from 12 matches.

Italian Ranieri, 67, has been given a â&#x20AC;&#x153;multi-yearâ&#x20AC;? contract by the Londoners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making a change without having the right answer or succession plan was not an option,â&#x20AC;? said Fulham chairman Shahid Khan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So having someone of

Claudioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calibre ready to accept our challenge was comforting but, most of all, essential. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Claudio is risk-free and ready-made for the Premier League, and particularly so for what we need at this moment at Fulham. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His recent body

of work with Leicester City is literally legendary, and then you look at Claudioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience with Chelsea and big clubs throughout Europe, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty evident we are welcoming an extraordinary football man to Fulham Football Club.â&#x20AC;?

RainoilTennis: Atseye, Madueke Reach Doubles Quarter-final

Serena Teluwo in ďŹ rst round action against Ebere Fortune at the ongoing 2nd Rainoil Open Tennis Championship at the Ikoyi Club in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Ś yesterday

Defending menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles champions, Henry Atseye and Nonso Madueke, have booked quarterfinals berth at the ongoing 2nd Rainoil Open Tennis Championship taking place at Ikoyi Club in Lagos. The duo defeated the pair of Uche Oparaoji and Chima Michael 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 to land in the quarter final stage of the N5.1million prize money tournament. Atseye and Madueke are to play the pair of Michael Michael and Ambrose Michael who defeated Taiwo Owolabi and Emmanuel Sunday 6-3, 6-3 yesterday. Top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel

and Lawal Shehu, are also through to the last-eight of the tournament after a 7-6 7-6 (5) win over Shola Alalade and Richard Ogbu and next for them is a meeting with Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul who edged Odeyemi Ayobami and Philip Abayomi 7-6(5), 6-4. Oche Adehi and Emmanuel Idoko would battle Ikechukwu Iloputa and Charles Nwandu who got the better of the pair of Emmanuel Ikakah and Henry John while Kareem Badmus and Joseph Iyorovbe , 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 winners over John Dickson and Linus Paul will face Abdulmumin

Babalola and Albert Bikom who defeated Oyelami Ojo and Ganiyu Salami 6-2, 6-1. In the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles, Christy Agugbom and Blessing Samuel will face Sarah Adegoke and Omolayo Bamidele while Rachel Adunoye and Khadijat Salami defeated Olamide Aluko and Serena Teluwo 7-5, 6-4 to set up a duel with Ronke Akingbade and Mary Tenu Michael who triumphed over Raleema Bello and Blessing Danjuma 6-0, 6-2. Afolarin Akosile and Ngozi Dirisu will battle Ebere Fortune and Stella Udokwelu just as Temitope Fashanu and Ramota Odeyemi will square up against

Rose Abu and Bukola Olowu for the last quarterfinal place. The tournament will end on Saturday with finals of the men and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles.

Falode to Speak at SWAG, AIPS Seminar in Ghana Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board Member and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, will on November 26, 2018 speak at a one-day seminar jointly organised by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and the Association of International Press Sports (AIPS) Africa. The seminar is part of activities to mark the hosting of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) by Ghana. With the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raising the Bar for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Journalists,â&#x20AC;? the seminar will hold at the Swiss Spirits Hotel and Suits Alisa, Accra at 11:00am. A statement from the secretariat of the Association said, Falode was found to be the best

resource person for the seminar, as she is a tested Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) media personality, broadcast journalist and presently the Chairperson of the highly-rated Nigeria Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Football League. The organisers said the seminar is expected to bring together sports journalists from participating countries in the AWCON and sports journalists in Ghana. The seminar is to be attended by the Mr. Mitchell Obi, President of AIPS Africa and an AIPS Executive Committee member. According to SWAG, Mr. Obi would also use the opportunity to address sports journalists on contemporary challenges facing the African journalists and the future.

AFCON 2019 Qualifiers Live on DStv, GOtv The penultimate round of matches in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be played over the weekend of 16-18 November, with several heavyweight battles set to take centre stage. Two of the most eagerlyanticipated matches will be played on Friday night in North Africa: First up, Egypt welcome Tunisia to Alexandria for a Group J clash. Both sides have already secured their AFCON finals berths, but the rivalry runs deep between the Pharaohs and Carthage Eagles,

with the former looking to avenge a 1-0 loss in Rades in June last year. The other major battle on Friday comes from the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, as Morocco welcome Cameroon in Group B. The Indomitable Lions are guaranteed a place in the tournament as hosts, but they need a strong performance to build faith in coach Clarence Seedorf, while the Atlas Lions cannot allow Malawi (just three points behind) the chance to close the gap.

NSA 2018 Records 7.5m Votes The Nigerian Sports Award has announced a record entry of over 7.5 million votes from the general public for all the sports categories in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition which ceremony comes up Friday 16th November 2018 at Eko Hotel Victoria Island Lagos. A statement from the organisers of the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious and longest running sports award said that this was the highest vote ever received by the panel in the seven- year history of the award. According to the Chairman of award Panel, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, there was remarkable improvement in all categories and this was a fitting confirmation that Nigerians are beginning to show an inspiring interest in honouring our sporting heroes and heroines by voting for the sport men/ women of their choice via the platforms provided by the Sports Award. The panel met in Lagos for two days and the list of award categories evaluated includes: Footballer of the Year, Team Sports Person of the Year, Track & Field Star of the Year, Sports Governor of the Year, Sports Administrator of the Year. Other award categories include Racket Sports Person

of the Year, Basketball Player of the Year, Para Sports Person of the Year, Team of the Year, Discovery of the Year, Wrestler of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year Executive Director of the Awards, Mr. Kayode Idowu noted that all is set for the landmark 7thedition ceremony which will feature a heavy dose of star musical performances and a glittering spread of celebrated sports men and women as well as distinguished captains of industries and other stakeholders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to say that the stage is set to host the seventh edition of the Nigerian Sports Award. We are highly elated and inspired by the quality of dignitaries who have not only confirmed to be part of it but are already in Lagos for the award to witness this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of the coveted awardâ&#x20AC;?. The Nigerian Sports Award is the only Nigerian awards dedicated to recognising the achievements of our sports men and women, both present and past that have shone brilliantly in the sporting world and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, terrestrial TV and online streaming from 6.00pm.

THISDAYt THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2018

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Samuel Ortom to EFCC “Despite intimidation from the EFCC that has become a department in APC, we are not going to be intimidated. In the past few months, civil servants working with me are being troubled for no just cause. Once you decamp from APC, EFCC comes after you. Fighting corruption should not be selective---Benue State Governor, Mr Samuel – Ortom accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of targeting only members of the opposition

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Your Most (Dis)obedient Servants THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

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itting at meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo is almost akin to attending an advanced class in government and politics and if you pay attention, you are going to learn a lot. That has been my experience in the past three years on the Advisory Board of the African Initiative for Governance (AIG) being promoted by Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Last Friday, at the meeting which preceded the Saturday and Sunday sessions for the selection of the next cohort of Oxford University scholarship candidates, we spent time reviewing the initiative and the prospects for meeting set objectives. At the session, Obasanjo shared several anecdotes but the most striking is the one involving a prominent retired federal permanent secretary. According to the story, following his appointment as a minister during the Second Republic in 1979, a particular politician called his permanent secretary to read the riot acts, as they say. “I have heard stories of how you civil servants were manipulating the military so in this ministry, I want to see everything before decisions are taken. Let me make myself very clear: Before I take any decision, I want all information pertaining to those issues.” By the time the said minister arrived at work the next morning, he met dozens of files that took his entire table and the adjoining conference table with cross references that he needed to check. Not only did he not have time to attend to anybody or anything else that day, the minister had to close very late to be able to clear his table. But by the time he returned to office the next morning, the minister met a bigger number of files and higher volumes of cross references. According to Obasanjo, by the second week, the exasperated minister had to call in his permanent secretary to ask, “Why are you doing this to me?” to which the response came sharply: “Sir, you said you want to see everything…” To this, the minister responded, “What I mean is that I want to see the essentials.” Apparently prepared for this response, the permanent secretary then said: “In that case, Honourable Minister, you have to put it in writing that henceforth you want to see only the essentials.” With the memo that followed from the minister, power had effectively changed hands in the ministry because, as the permanent secretary reportedly told Obasanjo, only one man could determine what was ‘essential’ in the ministry. And that man happened to be the permanent secretary! That Nigeria is not working is a fact that only those who deceive themselves would dispute. Yet, there is nothing that one can accuse the political class of for which the civil service can be exonerated. As the main organ through which the policies and programmes of government are implemented, it stands to reason that the civil service is also culpable in the rot that now defines our society. Indeed, according to a research paper published by the United Nations University titled ‘Civil Service Reform: A Review’ credited to Sarah

Obasanjo

Repucci, “The civil service is the backbone of the state, and can either support or undermine a country’s entire system of governance.” What that suggests is that there is no way this system can work effectively and deliver on public good until we have a professional civil service with the requisite character to look beyond its own interests. In his piece on Tuesday, Dr Reuben Abati dealt with some of those issues by explaining the rationale behind the establishment of AIG by Aig-Imoukhuede, aside raising salient questions about the nature of our civil service. Meanwhile, the young men and women each of us engaged separately were not people looking for something to do, majority of them are mid-career professionals who already have good jobs, mostly in the private sector. While that gave me encouragement about Nigeria, we must also deal with the character of our civil service. On Tuesday, ‘Daily Trust’ reported how civil servants in Abuja are now playing full-time politics. According to the newspaper, Mr Idris Mamman Durkwa, a director at the federal ministry of agriculture, who lost out during the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries in Borno State, has returned to his office “The constitution of the country is very clear about this. Only if you are contesting in a general election that you are mandated to resign from service 30 days to the general elections, that is all; and I can serve you with judgements upon judgements of the supreme court about this. Even the APC guidelines allow you to contest primaries and go back to your work,” Durkwa reportedly told the newspaper. Similarly, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, the permanent secretary at the federal ministry of Science and Technology, had in 2015 returned to his position after losing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries in Plateau State while Ms Amanda

Pam, recently resumed back to work at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) after losing her bid for a senatorial ticket. What these civil servants are relying on to justify their self-serving action is a judgement of the supreme court which does not offer the comfort they claim. The story started in 2002 when the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, went to court on behalf of the then unregistered political parties, arguing that certain sections of the Electoral Act 2001 which barred civil servants from belonging to political parties were unconstitutional. He also asked the court to declare that INEC had no power to make guidelines on how an association could become a political party since section 222 of the 1999 Constitution had already made provisions for that. In the concurrent judgment delivered by Justice Niki Tobi, the supreme court nullified INEC’s guideline No 5(b) which stated that “a person shall not be eligible to be registered as a member of political association seeking to be registered as a political party if he/she is in the civil service of the federation or a state because it offends the provisions of sections 40 and 222(b) of the 1999 Constitution” as argued by the late Fawehinmi. However, in clarifying what the supreme court ruled as against what the media reported at the time, the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Kanu Agabi, emphatically stated that civil servants cannot be members of political parties and that the apex court was quoted out of context. According to Agabi, “the Supreme Court did not declare that civil servants are at liberty to join political parties. It declared as unconstitutional guideline No.5 (b) issued by the INEC, which disqualified civil servants from being members of political associations, which seek to be registered as political parties. It also declared as unconstitutional section 79(2)(c) of the Electoral Act 2001 which provided that a person shall not be eligible to be registered as a member of a political party if he is a member of the public

service or civil service of the federation, a state or local government, as defined by the constitution.” After stating that the judgment of the apex court was “without doubt, correct and binding on all”, but that “its effects have been misconstrued by those who reported it”, Agabi went further to quote what the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, said in his concurrent judgement. These were the words of Uwais: “No officer shall, without express permission of the government, whether on duty or leave of absence: (a) hold any office, paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, in any political organisation; (b) offer himself or nominate anyone else as a candidate for any elective office including membership of a Local Government Council, State or National Assembly; (c) engage in canvassing in support of political candidates. Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prevent an officer from voting in an election...It is important to mention that the provisions of the Civil (Public) Service Rules have not been challenged in this case and therefore their validity is not in issue for determination by this court. Reference to the restriction had been made merely in passing by Defendant/ Appellant in order to canvass the validity of section 79 subsection (2)(c) of the Electoral Act, 2001.” What the foregoing means is that the civil (public) service rules do not make allowances for partisan gamblers who would leave their jobs, seek the nominations of political parties and return after they fail. Civil servants who enjoy security of tenure, because of the rules governing their appointments and termination, cannot eat their cakes and still have them. Besides, the moment we institutionalise such a practice, given our environment, we have unwittingly set in motion the process for the total destruction of the civil service in Nigeria. What the current situation therefore signposts is that we must begin a conversation about the kind of civil service we want for our country. And, as I said last week, there can be no better time for that than now!

Book on ‘Irregular Migration’ While many African leaders attended the recent Paris Peace Forum, I wonder how many of them paid attention to what the United Nations Secretary General, Mr António Guterres, said about the challenge of demography and migration on our continent. “It took from the Big Bang until the year 1820 for the number of people on Earth to reach one billion. Today that number is approaching eight billion, and half of the growth in the global population will be in Africa…We must come to our senses. Without international cooperation, and if we retreat behind our national borders, we will sacrifice our collective values, and we will perpetuate the tragedy of migrants being exploited by the worst traffickers”, said Guterres. Unfortunately, the time for action may be more of yesterday than tomorrow given the urgency of the matter. An Associated Press (AP) wire report which I quoted in my statement in Lagos last week has already revealed how thousands of migrants are getting lost without

trace. “Barely counted in life, these migrants rarely register in death - almost as if they never lived at all. A growing number of migrants have drowned, died in deserts or fallen prey to traffickers, leaving their families to wonder what on earth happened to them” wrote AP. My coming book, ‘FROM FRYING PAN TO FIRE: How African migrants risk everything in their futile search for a better life in Europe’, scheduled for presentation in Abuja next Thursday, 22 November 2018 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre addresses some of these salient issues. Chair of the occasion, the Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, will also speak to the challenge of ‘irregular migration’ while Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has been battling the ‘Edo connection’ to the ugly drama that is well captured in the narrative, will present the book after a review by spoken word and performance poetry artist, Mr Dike Chukwumerije.

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