FRIDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2018

FG: Why $2.7bn Railway Concession Talks with GE Stalled South African firm, Transnet, to take over Weather hampers completion of Lagos – Kano line Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has clarified that the federal government did not sign

any agreement with General Electric (GE) on the planned $2.7 billion deal to concession and rehabilitate Nigeria’s narrow gauge railway, stressing that the American

company was still negotiating with the federal government when it backed out of the deal.

Speaking yesterday during an interview on the ‘Morning Show’ of Arise News Network,

a broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspaper, Amaechi said GE did not abandon the railway deal on account of Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, GE was

no longer in the business of transportation and had to hand over its interest in the deal to another firm.

Amaechi said prior to GE backing out of the deal, it had

not signed any concession agreement with it or any of the firms involved but was still negotiating with them.

Continued on page 12

NERC Accuses Discos of Withholding Electricity Market’s Monthly Revenues … Page 12 Friday 16 November, 2018 Vol 23. No 8612. Price: N250

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L-R: Publicity Secretary, Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Mr. Onome Asagbra; Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ediri Ose-Ediale; First Vice President, Mr. Wasiu Abiola; Head, Shared Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Bola Adeeko, President, ADVAN; Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney; Member Board of Trustees, Mr. Lampe Omoyele; and Ex-Officio, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, during closing gong ceremony in commemoration of the association’s 25th anniversary celebration at the Exchange…yesterday

Amaechi: Atiku Not a Match for Buhari Says PDP not an option for Nigerians in 2019 Main opposition party asks president to name his achievements in North-west Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Shola Oyeyipo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Minister of Transportation and Director-General of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said the

Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is no match for President Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election.

Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, who was a Continued on page 10

Name My Accusers or Face Lawsuit, Oshiomhole Threatens Saraki ... Page 10

ROYAL VISIT...

L-R: Bagi of Shaki, Oba Rasheed Adegoke; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; and Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), during the visit of the Sultan to Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin in Gbongan, Osun State... yesterday

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Name My Accusers or Face Lawsuit, Oshiomhole Threatens Saraki We meet in court, says Senate president Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The quarrel between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, worsened yesterday as the ruling party’s helmsman threatened to sue over the Senate president’s comments on corruption allegations against him.

Saraki had on Wednesday in Ilorin said Oshiomhole was morally challenged to ask him to resign his Senate presidency on moral grounds, saying multiple allegations of corruption against the APC national chairman ought to have compelled him to stand down from politics.

A rankled Oshiomhole came out smoking yesterday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem, asking Saraki to name those alleging corruption against him or face a law suit.

But Saraki, through his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, said he could not be intimidated by threat of a law suit, telling Oshiomhole that he was ready to meet

him in court.

In fact, the Senate president showed no remorse, saying he was waiting to see how President Muhammadu Buhari would handle the allegations levelled against his party’s chairman.

The APC chairman in his statement said it was pathetic and irresponsible for the Senate president to resort to petty politics, describing Saraki as a usurper and pretender to the position of Senate president, adding that he had no moral ground to call for his resignation as the national chairman of the ruling party.

Oshiomhole said, "It is sad that Saraki, who just woke up from slumber occasioned by his crushing defeat at the Port Harcourt presidential primary election of his party, could degenerate to such a low level.

"It is equally sad, but not unexpected, that Saraki, who is politically drowning, would make such libelous comments against the national chairman of the APC. And I challenge Saraki to mention one name of an aspirant that gave money to the national chairman or we file a legal action against him."

Oshiomhole said whereas, the basis on which Saraki made those comments "was tenuous and unjustifiable, it is on record that Saraki has been in the eye of investigations by the EFCC and the ICPC for sundry cases of corruption. That is the same man that has taken it upon himself to question Oshiomhole's credibility.

"We challenge him to mention one person, who has claimed that he gave money to Oshiomhole to influence him and the decision of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) in the just-concluded primary elections.�

But in a swift reaction, Saraki said Nigerians were eagerly waiting to see how Buhari would handle the serious allegations of bribery levelled against Oshiomhole, over the conduct of the just concluded primary elections in the party.

He described the threat by the APC national chairman to sue him over his statement that Oshiomhole ought to quit politics on moral grounds over the allegations against him, as an empty boast because he (Saraki) will be ready to meet him (Oshiomhole) in court.

Saraki said, "Nigerians are waiting to see how the president will handle the serious allegations against his party chairman. We expect the president with his anti-corruption campaign to institute thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations against his party chairman.

"The failure of the president to get to the root of the matter will finally destroy his ability and that of the party to continue to talk of any anti-graft battle.

The president should let the investigation be thorough, open and transparent. This is no time for any cover-up."

Saraki maintained that until the outcome of a thorough investigation is known to Nigerians, and the APC chairman is cleared of the allegations against him, Oshiomhole is not on a firm ground to talk about morality or fight against corruption.

Oshiomhole Accuses PDP of Sponsoring Allegations In a related development, Oshiomhole has accused the top hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of

orchestrating allegations of bribery against him.

He noted that members of the opposition political party were working in tandem with certain APC members to see to his exit from office.

The APC national chairman, in a statement by his media aide, Ebegbulem, added that while it makes sense for PDP members to be uncomfortable with the headache he has become to them, they won’t get away with any action that is capable of tarnishing his integrity.

He said, “It is curious to note that some elements in the top hierarchy of the PDP appeared to be too eager to see the exit of the APC chairman from office and may be working in tandem with certain APC members. “While it makes sense for PDP to wish for cure for their headache that Oshiomhole has become, it should not be taken for granted that anyone can get away with any action that is capable of tarnishing the unassailable integrity of the APC chairman. “We are aware that part of the strategies discussed in Dubai, where the PDP leaders recently visited and

held their meeting, was to continue to dish out lies against top APC leaders with a view to distract the leadership of the APC ahead the 2019 general election. But they have failed because the national chairman and APC leaders are focused and will never be distracted. “However, it is time these irresponsible lies stopped; otherwise, anybody who continues to make unsubstantiated allegations against the person and character of the national chairman should be ready to provide proofs in a court of law. It cannot be just a political game to smear the character of Oshiomhole by people whose track record is unenviable. “We want the public to note that if the exercise of the APC primaries were to be about money-taking or money-making, the state governors, some of whom are embittered about the outcomes in their states, were in a better position to dish out mega bucks. “But the NWC of APC under the leadership of Oshiomhole was motivated by higher ideals and the pursuit of noble democratic principles.�

Vote Out Govs Opposing N30,000 Minimum Wage, NLC Tells Workers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday asked its members to vote out state governors opposing the proposed N30,000 minimum wage.

It added that would not be intimidated by threat from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to sack workers if the new national minimum wage is implemented.

NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said this in a statement issued yesterday

in Abuja.

The governors had said paying N30, 000 new minimum wage would lead to bankruptcy, adding that only Lagos and Rivers States could afford it.

The Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the NGF, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, also said it was impossible to implement the N30,000 minimum wage without downsizing the workforce all over the country.

Reacting to the governors’

stance, Wabba said Nigerian workers would vote out any governor, who refuses to implement as the new minimum wage.

He said threat to sack workers is not new to the union, “therefore, the current one by the governor of Zamfara cannot be used to intimidate labour.�

He accused some political leaders of wanting to enslave Nigerian workers with meager salary, asking them to compare “their humongous salaries� with the N30,

000 new minimum wage demanded by the union.

He said, “The consequences of workers retrenchment are too grievous for any political office holder truly elected by the people to contemplate. “Few political office holders are bent on enslaving Nigerian workers with peanuts mislabeled as salaries. “We urge such elected public officials to subject their humongous salaries and allowances, reputed to be among the highest in the world to public perusal pro

rata with the minimum wage they want to force down the throats of Nigerian workers. “To the oppressors, we have only one answer for you, we will never sleep on our rights. “We hereby reiterate our directive to Nigerian workers to vote out any politician or political party that refuses to pay the new national minimum wage of N30, 000. “We shall continue to consolidate our efforts to strengthen already existing platforms and structures to

give teeth to our resolve to vote out anti-labour. “It would interest Nigerians to know that the new national minimum wage of N30,000 was a product of intense and robust negotiations at the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Negotiation Committee that lasted for one year. “At the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Negotiation Committee, state governments were represented by six states, one state from each of the six geo-political zones.�

home; when we were buying about 500,000 eggs per day from South Africa; and now that we are producing the eggs. “The reason is that there are too many issues to debate about. For 16 years, Vice President Abubakar was in power for eight years, did they do anything on railways, the answer is no. I saw in my office, contracts awarded by the last government, to Nigerians who do not know anything about railways. To build a narrow gauge, how much was spent? That is why I said I would not pay and I won’t pay, when I leave the next person can pay them because these Nigerians did nothing and they are asking to be paid for having rehabilitated the narrow gauge.�

Buhari’s chief campaign manager said the PDP doesn’t offer any alternative, contending that he could not see any real opposition to his candidate.

Explaining why Nigerians have not witnessed much in terms of infrastructure, especially roads despite claims by the administration that it is spending huge amounts on the sector,

Amaechi said weather and other natural factors have delayed work at most of the sites.

He said there are ongoing construction works in most parts of the country, adding that the APC-led administration has been able to implement capital budget almost at a 100 per cent rating as against a dismal situation during the past administration.

The minister listed several ongoing road projects and railway facilities, which he said the Buhari-led administration has invested hugely in the last three and half years.

On the forthcoming campaigns, Amaechi said it will be issues-based.

He denied that the party ever promised to make naira equivalent to dollar during the 2015 elections.

Amaechi said, "We will be telling Nigerians the same thing - don't let thieves come to power again.

The president never said he will make naira equal to dollar. We are not that cheap economists, we don't practice voodoo economy. “The president was clear during his campaign. ‘I will

ensure that insecurity is tackled; I will ensure that we rebuild the economy and create employment; I will ensure that corruption is tackled because corruption is the basis in which we are finding ourselves into these entire problems.

"I give you this example, by the time we assumed office, we discover that PDP had taken $2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and we followed the money. It was in everybody's private pockets. The railway line from Lagos to Kano is $2.6 billion. So, we would have had two times that project with the money."

Responding to the allegations of bias against Buhari in his fight against corruption, and the fact that he and others in APC have been shielded from prosecution on corruption allegations, Amaechi said he was ready to submit himself to investigation any day, any time.

Amaechi said it was instructive that the first former governors to be sent to jail for corruption under this administration are APC members.

"The prominent persons

that went to jail under this administration are APC members. Does it take anything away from the fact that the president does not defend anybody? he asked.

When asked to comment

AMAECHI: ATIKU NOT A MATCH FOR BUHARI guest on the ‘Morning Show’ of ARISE News, a broadcast arm of THISDAY, yesterday, boasted that judging from the anti-corruption reputation of the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government, the PDP and its candidate will be a mismatch for his party in 2019.

He noted that evaluating the performances of the incumbent Nigerian leader in comparison with previous administrations under the opposition party, would further reduce the chances of the PDP, which he labelled as corrupt and unfit to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

Asked if, as the D-G of the president’s re- election bid, he feels the ruling party feels uneasy that the PDP has a very strong team in Atiku/Obi, Amaechi said, “I am telling you clearly, we have nothing to fear about; I am not joking.�

He said for his party and the people of Nigeria, the next general election in February 2019 would be another opportunity to critically look at the issue of who has the known antecedent to genuinely tackle corruption and that

by reputation, the PDP could not contend against the APC in terms of corruption perception. “As soon as PDP elected its presidential candidate, the first thing that went to the social media was corruption.

I am not saying whether he is corrupt or not, but the first battle you had in the social media was to battle the issue of corruption and those issues of corruption were the things said by ex-President Obasanjo,� he stated.

On the celebrated reconciliation between Obasanjo and Atiku, Amaechi said their vituperative attacks against each other will also be made public for Nigerians to decide, saying: “Their statements are in the public. We would get back all those statements to the table.�

According to him, “There are two issues that we will be focusing on, corruption; Nigerians will have to decide whether to go back to the stealing, where Nigerian government was borrowing money to pay salary. We are not borrowing money to pay salary now; where we were importing tomatoes, when we can plant tomatoes at

Continued on page 12

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NERC Accuses Discos of Withholding Electricity Market’s Monthly Revenues Buhari rejects commission’s car procurement request Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has accused the electricity distribution companies (Discos) of deliberately capping their monthly revenue remittances and keeping more money for themselves.

This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the request by NERC to buy brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for its chairman and seven commissioners.

In its first quarter 2018 assessment report on Nigeria’s power market, the regulatory agency stated that the Discos were issued a total invoice of N163.1 billion but they remitted only N51.2 billion of the invoice, leaving a total deficit of N112 billion within the period under review.

NERC explained that there was a noticeable difference between the level of money collected by the Discos for electricity supplied to them and what they paid back to the market every month.

It suggested that even though the remittance levels in the market were still poor, it was not certain

that the Discos paid back what was due to the market, threatening that it would initiate enforcement actions against such practices.

The report noted, “The commission has noted that tariff deficit is partly responsible for the poor remittance in the industry.

However, the commission also notes that Discos need to improve on their remittance as the observed remittance performance did not reflect the level of revenue collection, suggesting that some Discos might be deliberately reducing their market remittance. “To address the poor remittance by Discos, the commission continues to enforce actions that ensure an equitable distribution of market revenue under a structured regime. In addition, a framework, which ensures transparency in the utilisation of market funds to improve the liquidity in the Nigerian electricity supply industry, is currently being developed by the commission.�

According to NERC, the Discos were issued a total invoice of N163.1 billion for energy received from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity

Trading Plc (NBET) and for the services provided by the Market Operator (MO) department of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), but only N51.2 billion of the invoice was settled, leaving a total deficit of N112 billion within

the period under review.

Meanwhile, the president has rejected the request by

NERC to buy brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for its chairman and seven commissioners, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

The request, it was learnt, was rejected on the grounds that the cars were too expensive and not fit for the purpose for which the commission had made the request.

THISDAY’s investigation revealed that Buhari reportedly queried the procurement request brought to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by NERC for approval of the purchase of seven exotic SUVs for its commissioners.

But NERC’s General Manager, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Usman Arabi, told THISDAY that he had no information on the matter.

THISDAY, however, gathered that Buhari said the claim in the memo to FEC that the SUVs were for the operational use of the NERC’s commissioners was not tenable.

The president, it was learnt, also added that Hilux vans and not SUVs were used or mostly appropriate for operational purposes by

register their disappointment with the president and the APC and restate their support for the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku.

He also challenged the president to name any tangible economic policy direction articulated by his administration to end poverty, apart from attempts to butter them up with contemptible, pennypinching monetary handouts, while the presidency cabal fritters trillions of naira from the national treasury.

He noted, “Nigerians were deceived to vote in Buhari in 2015, thinking he was pro-poor and prudent only for them to be confronted with the most corrupt, deceitful and incompetent administration, which has

no commitment towards fulfilling any of its campaign promises. “Buhari cannot boast of any development project initiated and implemented by him as a president.

Instead, he has denied his promises and completely wrecked our once robust economy with his harsh, anti people and restrictive policies.�

Ologbondiyan stressed that at the time the PDP handed over power, the country’s economy was one of the fastest growing in the world; Nigerians had access to the basic economic empowerment, the private sector thrived; businesses were booming, foreign investors flooded our country, public servants were given a sense of belonging

and purchasing power of citizens was high.

He stated, “Today, under Buhari’s anti-people administration, all the gains achieved by the PDP have been reversed. There is persistent bloodletting, acute poverty, hunger and grinding starvation in the land. Over 30 million Nigerians have lost their jobs and there is serious stress on families. “While millions of Nigerians cannot afford the basic necessities of life, our dear President and his cabal swim in opulence and humongous corruption. “Nigerians have not forgotten how the Buhari administration’s corrupt currency round-tripping led to the collapse of our naira with attendant hardship on our citizens. Our nation is

now mocked as the world’s poverty headquarters. “The question you must ask President Buhari is, what value has his administration added to the life of Nigerians, who voted for him in 2015. Instead, he has continued to deride our citizens as lazy and lovers of freebies, while describing them as “a very difficult lot� in his December 31, 2015 Presidential media chat.�

Speaking, the leader of the group, Mallam Abubakar Shehu, said Nigerian youths are completely disenchanted with President Buhari and are looking up to the PDP and Atiku Abubakar for solution.

He assured the party of the support of youth groups in Katsina State in the 2019 presidential election.

months to get their ministers in South Africa to give them approval to set up an SPV and we can’t sign without that because there are four companies involved. “The four companies will form an SPV with which they will come to the table to sign.

Each company, especially the one in China, say they will need six months to be able to convince their government to go into the concession.

We are good to go, we are waiting for our partners,� he added.

The minister also talked about the status of work on the Lagos-to-Kano rail line, stating that bad weather and not lack of funds had contributed to the slow pace of work on the line.

According to him, “The weather is the problem, unlike the past government that could not pay counterpart fund, this time we paid 100 per cent counterpart funding. The president insisted that we must pay 100 per cent and get going. “The problem at this time wasn’t funding, it was the weather – the rain was heavy and the construction of railway is like construction of roads. We are already laying tracks; our target is to get to Ebute Metta by February.�

He noted that the line had not experienced any Right of Way (RoW) challenges in Oyo; Ogun; and Lagos States.

Amaechi added that

contractors were working out how to deal with RoW in Lagos, which he said was built up with gas and water pipelines to deal with.

He said about three bridges would have to be demolished and replaced with new ones in Lagos to accommodate the rail lines.

He said the government subsidises the Abuja-Kaduna rail system with N40 billion monthly.

According to him, the route generates only N16 million and requires N56 million for maintenance.

Amaechi further revealed that the government was talking with the Russians, Chinese, and Americans to fund construction of the Lagos - Calabar rail line.

Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola

Buhari Rejects Commission’s Car Procurement Request

ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government.

Sources privy to NERC’s request also told THISDAY that the president frowned at the cost of the vehicles.

NERC is by law financed by about 1.5 per cent of the monthly remittances made to the market by the Discos.

Also, at the time the procurement was prepared, the seventh commissioner of the NERC, who is the chairman, had not been screened or confirmed by the Senate, but his car was included in the procurement exercise.

When contacted for clarification on the issue, the Senior Special Adviser on Communication to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Hakeem Bello, explained that the procurement process was still ongoing, adding that it was inevitable the commissioners of NERC needed vehicles for their operations. “Yes, the NERC did procurement for operational vehicles. It is inevitable that they need operational vehicles, but the procurement process is still ongoing,� Bello explained.

AMAECHI: ATIKU NOT A MATCH FOR BUHARI on the crisis bedeviling the APC and the quizzing of the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, by the Department of State Services (DSS), Amaechi said it showed that Buhari would not like to protect the chairman of his party from being grilled by the DSS. On why President Buhari evaded presidential debate while seeking for election in 2015, Amaechi said his campaign organisation thought that at that time the debate wasn't necessary and that it was better he talked to Nigerians directly during campaigns.

Amaechi said the campaign organisation would decide on whether to advise Buhari to participate in the debate for 2019 election when the time comes, adding that it will

be based on its assessment of the situation.

Name Key Achievement in North-west, PDP Tells Buhari Meanwhile, the PDP has challenged the president and the ruling party to name any key development project initiated and completed in any part of the country, particularly, in Buhari’s North-west geo-political zone.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said this yesterday while receiving coalition of youth groups from Buhari’s home state of Katsina, who were at the PDP national secretariat to

FG: WHY $2.7BN RAILWAY CONCESSION TALKS WITH GE STALLED “General Electric did not pull out. One thing that thrives heavily in Nigeria is rumour, I don’t know where you got that information, no concession agreement has been signed, none. We have been negotiating, there is no way you will get a concession agreement in one year,� Amaechi said.

He explained, “What happened is that most of their business activities, they have dropped a lot of (them), I don’t know if it includes energy, transportation and all that. When they found out that they couldn’t continue in that line of business‌ because they were no longer in transportation business, the next company took over the lease, they didn’t pull

out, it has nothing to do with our economy, they were excited about this thing.�

Amaechi revealed that GE had told him that they had for 11 years approached successive administrations in Nigeria to do the railway concession but the company was not successful because previous administrations wanted to award contracts for the railway while that of Muhammadu Buhari, preferred the concession model.

He stated that South African firm, Transnet SOC Limited, which deals in pipeline, port, and rail construction would now take over from GE, adding that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be set up with

Transnet and other firms to do the job.

Amaechi explained further, “I said I wasn’t going to award any contract because railway is too expensive. The total investment is supposed to be $2.7 billion, which is N1 trillion. No government can pull out N1 trillion to rehabilitate the entire narrow gauge. “Now, the South African company has continued, they want to do the rehabilitation, we are at the point of setting up the SPV before we can sign the concession agreement. “Have we finished negotiations? The answer is yes; the problem we have is that they want another six

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COMMENT

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

PTheARTNERSHIP B ETWEEN THE U. S. AND NIGERIA United States is committed to strengthening relations with Nigeria for the better, writes Tibor Nagy

I

spent most of my 32-year career as an American Diplomat on this continent, and I was fortunate to serve twice in Nigeria.

As they say, old friends are the best friends. I am truly excited to be back in Nigeria and to speak about the enduring relationship between the United States and the countries of Africa, particularly Nigeria. The world, most especially Africa, has changed dramatically from when I became a diplomat in 1978.

When I first set foot on the continent in 1978, there were no cellphones, no internet, few television stations, and to call back to America required booking a call days ahead to reserve one of the few international lines.

Today, young Africans are as wired and plugged in as any of their global counterparts, and they aspire to the same goals - a quality education, a well-paying job, a good house, and something left over to help their parents.

Through modern technology, even people in the villages now know how much cassava or goats will sell for in the urban areas, so they can get better prices for their products.

And if they have the cell phone number of their relative now living in Kano, Abuja, or Lagos they know how to reach them and remind them to send money home. In fact, all those advertisements by GLO mobile remind Nigerians that you truly have no excuse not to call your mother.

The United States deeply values its long-standing partnerships with African countries. Across the continent, we face challenges together, from fighting corruption and combating terrorism to helping African nations create healthier, better educated populations with greater opportunities for their citizens.

Through our programmes like AGOA, PEPFAR, Power Africa, Feed the Future, and the Young African Leaders Initiative, we have walked side-by side with Africa for decades to open up the American market to African goods, to counter the scourge of HIV/AIDS, to bring electricity to rural areas, to help African nations become self-sufficient, and to empower the next generation of African leaders.

This trip has been a phenomenal opportunity to see the impressive impact of those partnerships. It has also been a chance for me to highlight four key U.S. policy priorities: First, the United States promotes stronger trade and business ties between Africa and America.

To achieve this, African governments need to increase transparency and fairness in their respective commercial environments to attract more business.

Investors need a level playing field, predictable policies, and a dispute resolution process that follows the rule of law -- not who pays the highest bribe. America remains the world leader in international brands and American technology and expertise is second to none. And, American companies are eager to invest in Africa and they will bring technology, know-how and, above all, the desire to hire, train, and advance Africans into positions of responsibility. Sadly, as we all know, some other countries have not been willing to do this.

Second, we must harness the potential of Africa’s tremendous youth population to drive Africa’s economic growth and create real prosperity.

Both during my first career as a diplomat and my second career in academia as Vice Provost for International Affairs at Texas Tech University, I had numerous interactions with young Nigerians. They were some of the brightest and most talented students I have met anywhere.

The question to you is, “How do we harness that talent and entrepreneurial spirit of young Africans as a force for prosperity and stability?�

Third, it is critical that we strengthen our partnership to advance peace and security across the continent. We do this through our security and development partnerships with African governments as well as supporting regional mechanisms like ECOWAS. We want to see Nigeria play a larger role in the region -- to use its decades of experience in regional peacekeeping and the recent trend of peaceful democratic transitions to influence the broader region toward a similar path.

Fourth, I am here today to reinforce that America has an unwavering commitment to Africa. Our relationship has evolved over decades to one of cooperation, mutual respect, and transparency.

Perhaps nowhere is the strength and breadth of the U.S.-African partnership more evident than here in Nigeria. Nigeria has Africa’s largest population and economy. It is a diverse and vibrant democracy on the world’s fastest growing continent. As Nigeria’s population becomes the third-largest in the world by 2050, our partnership will only deepen.

I believe that a strong Nigeria is the foundation for a strong continent. As I focus my attention on increasing trade with and U.S. investment on the continent, Nigeria will be at the centre of this effort. Nigeria is the United States’ second-largest trading partner in Africa, with over $9 billion in two-way goods trade in 2017. Hundreds of American companies already operate in Nigeria, and in 2017, U.S. investment stood at $5.8 billion.

Recently, Nigeria has taken steps to develop more predictable economic policies and a more transparent justice system. However, greater international investment will only come with continued reforms. Nigeria has a wealth of smart, talented, and successful people. Take the story of Amal Hassan from Kano State, who is a Nigerian techno-preneur and Chief Executive Officer of Outsource Global. Last year, the U.S. State Department and Fortune Magazine honoured her as one of 16 female global business leaders to join the Women’s Mentoring Partnership. And, here’s why. In just the past two years, she expanded her workforce from 50 positions to more than 700, with 70 per cent of the jobs held by women.

WE WANT TO SEE NIGERIA PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN THE REGION -- TO USE ITS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING AND THE RECENT TREND OF PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS TO INFLUENCE THE BROADER REGION TOWARD A SIMILAR PATH

Ms. Hassan’s vision is to establish world-class call centres that make Nigeria an outsourcing destination, in turn creating steady employment opportunities for Nigerian youth and women.

Her entrepreneurship and energy show why we believe that a more competitive Nigeria will lead to a growing middle class, increased educational opportunities, a better quality of life, and serve as an example for how to create a more peaceful and prosperous continent.

We have seen time and again, that investing in education is the best way to invest in the future.

It is a down payment for the community, the nation, and ultimately, the world. The United States invests a large portion of our roughly $500 million a year in bilateral foreign assistance to help Nigerians build human capital, fight poverty, and promote health.

Also, the Young African Leaders Initiative or YALI is one U.S. effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders.

The YALI programme helps young Africans enhance their leadership skills, bolster entrepreneurship, and forge meaningful ties with U.S. counterparts. One element of YALI - the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders - brings Africa’s most promising young leaders to the United States for six weeks at top U.S. universities.

Fellows take the skills learned in America and translate it into a direct investment in their home countries. As one Mandela Washington Fellow said, “I went to America, and found Africa.�

But, an educated population is only possible if children can attend school.

This brings me to my third policy priority: advancing peace and stability.

The destruction by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa has meant disaster for more than two million displaced people across Nigeria’s northeast. Violence has disrupted the education – and the futures – of an entire generation there.

I want to reiterate that the United States is your partner in the fight against terrorism. We are committed to helping the Nigerian people provide their own security, and you have made important progress.

We are also the largest humanitarian donor to those impacted by violence.

But, simply restoring the Northeast to what it was before Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa’s destruction will not address the challenges at hand.

The Nigerian government, with civic leaders, communities and businesses must work together to create a durable environment to support lasting peace and development. That work also includes transparent and credible investigations of human rights violations and mechanisms to hold accountable those found guilty of such crimes.

The greatest sign of success will be when the displaced are able to return home - safely, voluntarily, and with access to needed services. Through USAID, we are helping those affected by violence in the Northeast to rebuild their lives. And, we are encouraged by Nigeria’s efforts to establish a Northeast Development Commission. We also recognise the Nigerian Government’s commitment to prevent the stoking of religious conflict and applaud Nigeria’s religious communities for discussing their issues peacefully and openly. To help, the United States is working to improve law enforcement and judicial systems; support conflict prevention and mitigation programmes; working with your universities to modernise farming and herding practices; and supporting Nigerian civil society leaders to find long-term solutions to conflict.

Ultimately, no matter how much international support Nigeria receives, only the Nigerian people can determine lasting solutions and a path forward toward peace and stability.

We and other partners might provide the seeds, but the Nigerian people must plant them, water them, cultivate them and harvest them.

Finally, my fourth policy priority – our unwavering support of Africa.

America’s partnership with Africa is based on transparency, mutual respect, and collaboration. We go beyond simply investing in Africa, to investing in Africans. That is why we strongly support free and fair elections.

West Africa – an area historically known for coups and civil wars – is now trending toward increasingly democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power. Nigeria’s 2015 election was critical to that positive trend, and I hope that the 2019 elections build on this momentum.

In February, you will have an opportunity to shape the future of your country. I want to be clear that the United States does not support any single candidate. We support a democratic process that is free, fair, transparent, peaceful, and reflects the will of the Nigerian people. But that demonstration of will requires your participation, so please go vote!

The United States has provided technical assistance to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), supported civil society to monitor the governors’ elections, and worked to help prevent election violence. We will continue this support as Nigerians continue to strengthen their democracy.

As one Nigerian proverb explains: “He who does not look ahead, always remains behind.� Let us take that proverb to heart. As Nigerians drive toward the future, “Let’s look at Nigeria through the front windscreen, not through the rear-view mirror.�

Together we can create a Nigeria of opportunity and prosperity; of hope and commitment; and of peace and security.

Remarks by Ambassador Nagy, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during a public lecture at Baze University, Abuja

AS AREGBESOLA BOWS OUT

Abiodun Komolafe pays tribute to the out-going Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola

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ith few days to the end of Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure as governor of Osun, it is settled that most of his outstanding achievements for which history will remain grateful to this workaholic have been well-documented. From infrastructure, health and agriculture, to human capital development, even to some

other areas which may be considered as intangibles, the state has scored many firsts and I have no doubt in my mind that posterity will be kind to the governor.

Whatever may be its definition, depiction or affiliation, leadership is a product of the solution to historically-defined problems. The pragmatic cast with which Aregbesola entered Osun and the magnitude of his popularity will for a long time be with an enduring

appreciation. The closeness of his administration to the people and the reputation his tenure has created for the state, even in the face of the national economic mess, accompanied by pointless spleen-venting sentiments and muscle flexing emotions by ‘hypocritical praise singers’ who, to borrow the words of Matthew Kukah, “believe in nothing but their own voices�, will for years leave Nigerians with no better teacher than history.

As Aregbesola’s government takes its leave of ‘Bola Ige House’, how is this “seemingly ordinary man with the proven extraordinary abilities� likely to be remembered? Give it to the outgoing governor: he is by every standard a simple man: open, consummate and practical. He is neither extravagant nor flippant. Rather, he is as controversial as he is enigmatic.

Komolafe wrote from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018

EDITORIAL NIGERIA’S ENDANGERED INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES More attention should be paid to the learning, teaching and usage of indigenous languages

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ith our national preference for English as the official language of communication, the learning, teaching and use of many indigenous languages in Nigeria are almost extinct.

Yet this has nothing but dire consequences for the country because as our indigenous languages face extinction, so are other aspects of our culture, including history, traditions and values. One of the ominous signs of danger today is the incremental loss of our rich arts forms, particular in music, dance and fashion as our youths have taken to the Western genre, threatening our cultural identity as African people.

In the meantime, several studies have shown a relationship between level of development and language with the attendant result that those countries that use their indigenous languages, called Mother Tongue, as their lingual franca have a faster rate of development than those that use a second (foreign) language. The reason is that people learn and comprehend best in their indigenous language since it is ingrained in their blood.

SINCE EMBEDDED For instance, countries IN OUR INDIGENOUS like China, Japan, LANGUAGES ARE OUR Taiwan and South Africa RICH CULTURE, HISTORY, that use mother tongue TRADITIONS, AND to teach Science and VALUES, GOVERNMENT Technology are higher MUST TAKE DELIBERATE on the United Nations AND CONCRETE STEPS Human Development TO PROTECT THEM BY Index than Nigeria and ENFORCING THE NATIONAL others that use foreign POLICY ON EDUCATION languages.

WITH REGARD TO This was why the LEARNING AND TEACHING United Nations in 1999 OF MOTHER TONGUE through the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed February 21 as the International Mother Language Day. The day is set aside to celebrate all the languages spoken across the world with the aim of promoting the right of the people to use indigenous languages as means of encouraging integration in all aspects of public life, particularly in education. Long before the UNESCO’s intervention on the promotion of indigenous languages, the federal government had shown concerns for the plight of Nigerian languages

Letters to the Editor

when it sought to encourage their teaching and learning in our schools under the national policy on education. Section 1 (8) of the policy emphasises that “the Federal Government shall take official interest in, and make policy pronouncements on the teaching of the indigenous languages, instead of concerning itself solely with English Language’’.

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

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

ccordingly, the policy stipulates that every pupil must in the course of primary school education (which lasts six years), study two languages, namely, his/her mother-tongue, if available for study, or any other indigenous language of wider communication in his/her area of domicile alongside English Language.

The policy also requires that students in Junior Secondary School (JSS), (which is of three-year duration) must study three languages, namely, mother tongue, if available for study, or an indigenous language of wider communication in his/her area of domicile, alongside one of the three major indigenous languages in the country, namely, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, provided the language chosen is distinct from the child’s mother-tongue. In Senior Secondary School (SSS), which also lasts three years, a Nigerian child, according to the policy, must study two languages: an indigenous language and English Language. However, there have been challenges implementing this policy. Many schools are unable to offer these indigenous languages because of lack of teachers, a cumulative effect of several years of indifference. Obviously, the policymakers were aware of this acute shortfall when they used the phrase “if available for study” in the policy. This optional nature of the policy undermines its implementation.

Since embedded in our indigenous languages are our rich culture, history, traditions, and values, government must take deliberate and concrete steps to protect them by enforcing the national policy on education with regard to learning and teaching of mother tongue. That must be the starting point because education is the base of the future of every society.

We therefore urge the federal government to institute an intervention programme that will facilitate the learning and teaching of indigenous languages in our training and tertiary institutions with a view to producing teachers that would not only fill up the gap but would help in developing those languages to their fullest potential. It should also produce a definite format for all states to follow in the implementation of the national policy on education with regard to mother tongue.

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.

IN APPRECIATION OF OUR WIVES

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enjoy so much discussing with my wife on every matter of life. I sometimes discuss with reservations when her female emotions try to undo her reasoning. Sometimes, we recall the past and review our shortcomings to each other. But I must confess that she often accuses me of “keeping off” even when she wants my attention. That only happens when I need solitude or when composing any write-up, be it poetry or prosaic compositions.

When we talk about our past, we connect it with our present and project it to the future. In such times, I do think that doing so will guarantee against anything called separation. Doing that has made me conclude that nothing, God’s willing, will make me divorce my wife. To me, it should be a taboo for any man to divorce the wife on mere accounts of human shortcomings. In my hometown, it is a general belief that any home where no quarrel is heard between the husband and wife, then the forbearance from the wife is great. It can occasionally be otherwise.

Wives are precious entities and gifts from God to man. I must advice my male folks to be thankful to God for having a wife, especially a faithful one. There are women around every corner of every place. There are young girls scattered across. But it is hard to get a wife from this multitude. That is why most young men prefer to go to their villages to take a wife after cruising round the towns and observing the loose or sophisticated life of the young females and ladies.

That is why it is often said that husbands are difficult to get.

I do not totally accept this notion. Rather, I believe that it is also the case that wives are scarce. I should be understood that my reference to wives is the good ones who make homes, not those who come into a man’s home and destroy.

Not all wives are mothers and vice versa. But both are precious, indeed.

It is an accepted assertion that behind every successful man, there is a woman. The woman here preferably refers to a wife. Proof on this is that hardly can a woman feel satisfied to push a man to success, a man who is not or ready to be her husband. What is it that gives marriageable women pride and joy than belonging to a powerful and successful man – to be identified and called Mrs. This or That? If any case otherwise is recorded – that is for a woman to push a man to success without expecting any favour – it must be quite exceptional. But generally, it is wives that push their husbands to success. In most cases, it is a wife that makes a man. On the other hand, it is women that mar a man; many men had experienced the cruelest lives because of women. In the simplest term, the downfall of great men is, most times, linked to women.

From the divine angle, the position of the woman is high.

God, who created man first, has a purpose for creating the female counterpart. How would have life been with all men without women or vice versa! There would have surely been chaos, as such habits are recently being introduced

into some societies. In divine texts, God created woman to be a wife in whom the husband should dwell. This is a marvelous expression and ordination. “That he may dwell in or by her”. The successful man, thus, finds tranquility, love, support, confidence and even divinity in his wife. That is why in some orthodox beliefs, the position of a wife-mother is three times higher than that of the husband-father. In the Islamic belief, for instance, it is said that the admittance of any person into Paradise is subject to the approval of the mother. And everyman is born of a mother. If men do find these to be true, what then can make them divorce their wives? They should rather take them full life-partners, for good and for worse.

However, every man has a special characteristic upon which the choice of a girl or lady for a wife is based. It is also applicable to the female in accepting the man as a husband. It can be religion; that is to say that the girl looks sacred or proves religiosity. It can be beauty. It can be wealth.

It can even be parental background which may include good character, intelligence and other life fulfilments. That should be the mirror or the flashpoint for the two knitted lovers whenever the human weaknesses arise. It should never be divorce.

A wife is a great homemaker. She is a mother to the husband even before the child. She is the warmth of a home.

She is the nation.

Muhammad Ajah, Abuja

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Buhari Optimistic Nigeria will Remain United Holds closed-door meeting with Guinea Bissau counterpart Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has given the assurance that irrespective of the challenges confronting the country, Nigeria will emerge stronger.

The president and his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Jose Mario Vaz, also had a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Speaking during the unveiling of the Buhari Unity Band (BUB), a brainchild of President Buhari support group, Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria (GOGAN), the Nigerian leader said the citizenry had resolved to work for a united country.

Addressing the audience, after his campaign wrist band was launched, President Buhari expressed concerns about threats to Nigeria as elections draw closer, but remained optimistic that relying on the will of Nigerians, the country would continue to be united.

According to him, the incumbent administration has been promoting togetherness and cordial relationship among the citizens, stressing that the composition of the group, which drew membership among people of different ethnic backgrounds, is a pointer to the resolve of the people to see that Nigeria succeeds.

He stated that no country can make progress without unity, adding that “By the grace of God, we shall remain strong and united.”

GOGAN National Coordinator, Felix Idiga, said the purpose of BUB was to shut down the malicious plans of the opposition.

Alleging that “senseless looting” of the national treasury was the main factor uniting “desperate politicians” Idiga said: “When they are picked to face the wrath of the law, they cry marginalisation and begin to fan the flames of disunity and unrest in the country.”

He said with the BUB wrist band, Nigerians who support President Buhari and Nigeria’s unity, can flaunt their solidarity by wearing it.

“Our ultimate goal is to make all Nigerians peace ambassadors of our country by uniting them with the national outlook for excellence in visual identification symbol.

“It is a symbol with a loud declaration by Nigerians; a slogan which says: no to united looters, yes to a united Nigeria.”

The chairman of the occasion, former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, was represented by Senator Kabiru Gaya.

Business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze; President Buhari’s nephew, Alhaji Mamman Daura, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, members of the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, Civil Society Organisations, members of the diplomatic corps as well as presidential aides graced the occasion.

In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Jose Mario Vaz had a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Buhari received Vaz who arrived the State House at 11.a.m and took him straight to his office where the meeting held.

Addressing journalists with the aid of an interpreter after their interaction, President Vaz said the purpose of his visit to Nigeria was to brief Buhari and seek his advice on the postponement of election previously scheduled for November 18 in his country.

According to President Vaz, he discussed with the Nigerians leader about the ongoing voters’ registration exercise in Guinea Bissau and he expressed satisfaction that the engagement with the Nigeria’s President was

Boko Haram Abducts 10 Women in Borno Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Suspected Boko Haram members have reportedly abducted 10 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from farms in the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The insurgents in a rampage on two communities in the state last Wednesday night and yesterday morning abducted 10 women and killed a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from two separate attacks Speaking to journalists yesterday on the attack on his village, the Village Head (Bulama) of Mammanti, a suburb of Maiduguri, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the rampaging insurgents set ablaze about 100 houses and carted away their livestock while setting livestock ablaze.

The village head said: “They packed their bicycles

near trenches and started shooting sporadically. We all fled our homes exactly 11p.m. last Wednesday night; they looted and carted away more than 120 cows and goats before setting ablaze not fewer than 100 houses.

“They also killed one of our active members of Civilian JTF, Alhassan Kwali.”

Ibrahim added that: “We are appealing to the government to come to our aid, even as at now, we do not have a mat to sleep on, no food to eat, and all our sources of livelihood have been destroyed by these evil people.”

He also appealled to Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to deploy troops in the village because the people cannot continue to stay unprotected.

In another attack in Borno, it was gat h e r e d that 10 women were abducted.

fruitful.

“I came to see President Muhammadu Buhari in his capacity as the President of Nigeria and also in his capacity as the current Chair of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). I came to see him as my elder brother, to seek his advice and experience because as you know, we in Africa respect the elders.

“I had the opportunity to brief him about the situation in Guinea Bissau, the voter registration process going on in Guinea Bissau. As you are aware the international community will be aware Guinea Bissau was to hold election on November 18, but we have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible, that is the reason why I came to see my elder brother

so that I can seek his advice and brief him about the situation.

“I am going back home very much encouraged because I was given very important advise. Nigeria has been a great supporter of the process in Guinea Bissau in the voter registration process going on.

I can tell you that I took the engagement before the President and all the advice I got from

him will be applied fully.

“That is why I am very happy about our discussions for his warn welcome and this comes as no surprise because this is a reception from an elder brother to his younger brother,” he said.

President Buhari did not however comment on his closed-door meetingwithPresident Vaz of Guinea Bissau.

YOU ARE WELCOME...

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), with the visiting President of Guinea Bissau , Mr. Jose Mario Vaz, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja … yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

ASUU, FG Meeting Ends in Deadlock N220bn annual subvention to varsities unsustainable, says Babalakin Uchechukwu Nnaike, Funmi Ogundare in Lagos and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The five-hour meeting held yesterday between the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), and the federal government with a view to ending the 12-day old strike embarked upon by public university lecturers ended in a deadlock.

This is coming as the Chairman of the FGN/ASUU Renegotiation Team, Dr. Wale Babalakin, has disclosed that the purported agreement by the federal government to release N220 billion annually into the university system was an unsustainable arrangement that did not emerge from the current renegotiation team or from that of the immediate past administration.

The federal government and ASUU teams , however, agreed that the negotiation will resume next week.

National President of ASUU, Prof. Abiodun Ogunyemi, who spoke briefly to journalists immediately after the meeting ended last night, said the strike was still ongoing and would not be called off as ASUU’s demands were yet to be met.

According to him, “We have just started the discussions; we have not really gone far. So, what we have done today is just to open up the issues. So,

the strike still continues. “We have not fixed a date for the next meeting but by tomorrow, we should know,” he added.

Ogunyemi while reacting to claims of the federal government over the ongoing strike before the commencement of the meeting, said universities in Nigeria had been subjected to 20 years of continued recolonisation under alleged democracy.

According to him, this has further retrogressed the economy in all spheres.

He buttressed the necessity of the strike and questioned the offer of N20 billion revitalisation fund despite the fact that the same government released N1.3 trillion to a distressed bank recently.

ASUU boss further reiterated that the strike is total, comprehensive and indefinite as members have withdrawn their services until government fully implements all outstanding issues as contained in the MoU of 2017, and concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.

“This strike is total, comprehensive and indefinite.

Our members shall withdraw their services until government fully implement all outstanding issues as contained in the MOA of 2017, and concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.

“We have been subjected

to 20 years of continued recolonisation under alleged democracy in which all that the ruling circle have been regrouping among themselves in their various faction they called political parties.”

Ogunyemi also argued that the government was not interested in public universities as the children of the top politicians and rich men in the society patronise private universities to the detriment of public institutions.

The meeting had in attendance Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; past President of ASUU, Dr. Isa Fagge; Permanent Secretaries of Education and Labour Ministries - Sonny Echonu and Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, respectively and other members of the federal government and ASUU delegation.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the FGN/ASUU Renegotiation Team, Dr. Wale Babalakin, has disclosed that the purported agreement by the federal government to release N220 billion annually into the university system was an unsustainable arrangement that did not emerge from the current renegotiation team or from that of the immediate past administration.

According to him, there was a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between

ASUU and President Goodluck Jonathan’s government where the former president offered to release N220 billion per annum and did release the first tranche.

“If you listened to the minister at the onset, the first statement he made on the ASUU strike is that as the minister of education he will not put his hand on any agreement that is unsustainable; he will not promise ASUU what he cannot achieve. What has been happening all along is that ASUU manages to hold the government down; get the government to sign an agreement that it knows will not be able to be implemented and then continues to strike based on it.

“When President Jonathan paid this money, I just gathered that the money came from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) so it was not an additional money into the system; it was using what was available to the system to pay. That tells you how tight it was for government to find the money.”

Babalakin, who doubles as the Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos, in an interview on Arise Television, refuted the union’s claims that he is not willing to negotiate and that his ideas are not in sync with the union’s ideas.

“Whatever views I have

Continued on page 51

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Chinese Investment in Africa Predatory Capitalism, Says Trump’s Ex-chief Strategist Eromosele Abiodun Former Chief Strategist to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, Mr. Steve Bannon, has called on African governments to be circumspect of China’s investment in Africa, warning

that the goal of the Chinese is to colonise the region.

In an exclusive interview with Arise News, THISDAY Newspaper’s sister broadcast company, at the News Xchange Conference holding in Edinburg Scotland, he described Chinese

Anambra Assembly Member Collapses as Police Clash with Thugs David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka There was tension yesterday at the Anambra State House of Assembly following attempts by factions of the assembly to reconvene for legislative duties.

A faction of the assembly had last Tuesday removed the Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu, while Hon. Ikem Uzoezie was nominated as the new speaker.

Maduagwu, who surfaced later and briefed journalists, denied being removed. She later held a separate plenary, and adjourned to same date as the first group.

But attempt by both groups to reconvene yesterday was faced with stiff opposition as security agents deployed to the complex restricted their movement.

Shooting however erupted when some thugs, who were mobilised by unknown politicians,

attempted to gain entrance into the complex, resulting in heavy shooting of canisters of teargas.

A member of the assembly, Hon. Beverly Ikpeazu representing Onitsha south 11 state constituency, was caught in the shooting, resulting in her collapsing.

Ikpeazu was first stopped by security agents who denied her entry into the assembly, but shortly before she could introduce herself, a hail of teargas meant for the suspected thugs affected her.

She was helped into the complex by security agents.

As at the time of filing this report, journalists were still barred from entering the complex, while most offices in the assembly complex had been locked by police officers, as the hallowed chambers remained shut.

Speakers of both factions of the assembly have arrived at the complex with their supporters.

involvement in Africa as predatory capitalism, stressing that the goal of the Chinese is to make foreclosure on most of the projects been financed so as to have greater control of African governments.

According to him, “I think it is 100 per cent colonialism. I think when you look at China, particularly the Chinese league, the CCP, it is a highly centred, hyper nationalistic society and at certain level it is quite racist.

I think what they are doing in sub-Saharan Africa is predatory capitalism. They understand that many of the loans, the projects they are funding are never going to be able to pay back on the cash flow that comes out of it. They intend to foreclose on it and gain much more active control on some of these countries. That is why I think you see many leaders in Africa today are saying, ‘Hey we see what the Chinese are doing here we are uncomfortable with the Chinese bringing their engineers and all the people that actually

run these projects. We have to get Europe and the United States down here.’

“I think the United States with Europe has to have much more engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa just like the United States has to have much more engagement with Central America to help these people solve these problems out for themselves.

When you interview any of these migrants who go through this brutal journey up through North Africa and then to Europe, none of them is saying I want to leave my homeland because I want to.

“They all say it is because there is economic opportunity in Africa, the working class and the social welfare system in Europe certainly cannot take the amount of people that want to come. Therefore, this has to be sorted out in Africa and I think some sort of combination with Arab nations, Europe and United States need to much more engage because the predatory capitalism

of the Chinese Community Party is only going to course terrible problems in Africa in the years to come.”

Bannon who described President Trump’s bid to stop illegal migration as humanitarian said his effort will push the cartels involved in human trafficking out of business and end the misery that the migrants go through during the tortuous journey from sub-Saharan Africa through North Africa to Europe.

“His zero tolerance policy is trying to be humanitarian because he realises that once we move away from that it is a magnet for all these folks to thinking that they are going to be able to get in and get economic asylum, which you can’t. It is not political asylum and there are very tight rules even though we often let in a lot of people. The migrants from Central America know this and if you read a lot of the interviews in Washington Post and the New York Times as they are coming

up, they said, ‘hey we understand we cannot get political asylum, what we are going to try to do is made a mad dash across some of the undefended part of Southern border, hope Border Patrol pisses us up, game the system and be hope to be released into the United States and stay for a couple of years.’

“What we are doing is enticing the cartels; remember some of the cartels have just got out of the drug business into the human trafficking business. The same this is happening is sub-Saharan Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is the cartels that are coming from there to North Africa that are making billions of dollars on this human misery. Forget the rapes and the other conditions that are imposed upon these people, these are massive money making operations and I think what President Trump is saying is hey economic migration is not a concept to come to the United States,” he said.

INEC Lacks Capacity to Conduct Credible Polls, Says Wike Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks the capacity to conduct credible polls in 2019.

The governor said Nigerians should not be deceived by the statements usually released by INEC because the commission’s works negate her mandate.

He spoke at the Government House Port Harcourt yesterday when he granted audience to the Senate Committee on INEC. He said: “Let’s not deceive ourselves, INEC is not prepared for credible elections. If there is an agency that is not prepared for 2019, it is INEC. I have no confidence in INEC. There is no amount of INEC’s preparation that will convince me.

“INEC chooses how it interprets laws to suit those they support.

They choose the court orders to obey and the ones to disregard.

In one state where it favours a particular, they obey. In another state , INEC will claim they are yet to see judgments that are not in favour of the party they support “.

He said in 2019, any attempt by INEC to negatively manipulate the will of the people will be resisted.

“In 2019, whoever wants to manipulate the process to destroy the outcome, the people will come after that person and the family.

“We will not agree that for

anybody to rig elections here in Rivers State. Nobody will do anything contrary to the will of the people “, he said.

He said the results are declared at the polling units, but INEC goes ahead to manipulate results at the collation centre as was done in Osun State.

The governor said the National Assembly has budgeted money for INEC for them to squander, but not for the conduct of credible elections.

Wike added that the refusal to sign the amended Electoral Act is a ploy by the APC-led federal government to rig the 2019 elections in connivance with INEC. He said despite the fact that the National Assembly continues to amend the Electoral Act in favour of the Presidency, the APC-led federal government has continued to generate excuses why they will not sign the amended Electoral Act .

He said INEC and Police are two institutions that impede the conduct of credible elections in the country.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif, said the committee was in the state to carry out assessments on the preparedness of the commission for the conduct of credible elections in 2019.

He said the committee carried out oversight functions on the available card reader machines, voter registers and other facilities needed for the 2019 polls.

MOBILISING AGAINST ILLITERACY...

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc. Mr. Michel Puchercos; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah; Special Guest, Prof. Wole Soyinka; and Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc. Mr. Bolaji Balogun, at the Lafarge Africa National Literacy and Summary Writing Competition, held in Lagos, yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Sultan Urges Nigerians to Live in Peace Davidson Iriekpen The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Nigerians to continue to live in harmony and maintain peaceful coexistence among themselves.

He said Nigerians are one irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.

Sultan made the plea when he visited a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, who was also the pioneer President of Muslim Ummah South-west Nigeria (MUSWEN), Justice Sheu Tijani Bolarinwa Babalakin, in Gbongan, Osun State.

He said: “There is need for people of this country to live in peace. As Nigerians, we are all one, and we should all continue to live as one.

“We need to stay together and work for the sake of humanity.”

He said Justice Babalakin has contributed his own quota to the development of Islam and jurisprudence in Nigeria.

“We give thanks to Almighty Allah for making today a reality.

This visit has been in the pipeline for so long but man proposes, God disposes!

“Justice Babalakin has paid his dues and contributed his own quota to the development of Islam, justice and Nigeria at large.

“Babalakin is a true religious leader and the pioneer president of MUSWEN. We are in the Southwestern part of the country to celebrate 10 years anniversary of MUSWEN, and deemed it necessary to pay Justice Babalakin a visit as the pioneer president,” he said.

He prayed to God to give Justice Babalakin sound and everlasting health.

Welcoming the Sultan, Justice Babalakin appreciated the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for the support he gave him when he was the president of MUSWEN. He said: “It is my great pleasure to welcome you to my home in Gbongan Osun State. I regard it as a great privilege that you considered me worthy of a private visit. I pray fervently that the Almighty Allah will continue to guide you in the discharge of your onerous responsibilities.

“I want to specifically thank you for the great efforts you have made in uniting the Muslim community in Nigeria.

Your leadership in this area has been remarkable and must be appreciated.

“I am particularly happy that you managed to resolve an issue that had divided the Ummah for

a long time which was irregular celebration of Eid-el-Fitr. From the time immemorial, we have been celebrating this festival on different dates.

“Since you came to the throne, we have been celebrating this event on the same day. This has enhanced the unity among the Muslim community.

“I also want to thank you specifically for the support you gave me throughout my tenure as the President of MUSWEN. Your support added to the impetus of the society and was a great encouragement to us all. I am also informed that you have continued to provide this support to my successor.”

On his part, the Chairman of The Resort Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), said the visit of Sultan was a great honour to the family.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

PERSPECTIVE Random Thoughts as Buhari Gives Zik a Befitting Burial Nwachukwu Ngige

A

fter driving through the road to hell that is Enugu- Onitsha Express Way, ( I better forget the inferno that tortures the soul between Obollo – 9th Mile) cursing myself for ever putting my personal car to the road from Abuja, my mood swung to delight, biting my lips, as I entered Onitsha and discovered that the long abandoned Zik’s Mausoleum has taken the shine off the nearby towering pinnacle of the All Hallows Seminary Church. I saw a glowering edifice, glittering to the evening sun, already setting on the Niger, just five minutes’ drive away !

Unconsciously, I lipped back all the curses I have heaped and somehow muttered, “ Buhari has tried o! I had gone to Onitsha that first day of November to join fellow Old Boys, students and the parents to mark the feast of the All Hallows in Heaven! Immediately, I recalled a seminal speech from Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, then Governor of Anambra State, at the Zik’s third memorial anniversary on November 16, 1999.

Nigerians of all walks of life had gathered at the Inosi Onira Retreat of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, legend, foremost Pan-Africanist and Nigeria’s first President who died in 1996. A dilapidating, expansive compound, adjoined to the left by the All Hallows Seminary and to the rear and right by Onitsha Military Barrack, Zik’s home was bedecked by an abandoned foundation-level mausoleum, overtaken by the wild. There were speeches but Dr. Mbadinuju, a man of gaffe and glitch-free oratory, in his usual theatrics, mildly drew attention to the sorry sight that was Zik’s resting place. Odera as he was fondly called, spoke at length, ending his speech with a posing rhetor - is Zik actually resting in peace? Mbadinuju’s enquiry stemmed from the mockery, concomitant of the derelict compound of the Nigeria’s

Buhari

number one independence leader. I covered the beat for The Eastern Pilot, a local newspaper which I founded in 1995.

The same day, the opinion page of the Thisday Newspaper had a scintillating piece, written in the most sublime and flamboyant language by the inimitable Dr. Chuba William Wilberforce Okadigbo. Entitled “ If Zik were Here,” the illuminating opinion, laid along-side a silhouetted picture of Zik’s Inosi Onira Retreat, shadowed by over-grown weeds and grasses, was a catalogue of woes and teething national challenges. Okadigbo further discussed the ebbing fabric of the civil society destroyed by decades of military rule, its overhang , the contradicting ethos of democracy and development as well as ethnicity, nibbling the soul of the nation. He then sought for answers the Great Zik would have provided were he alive . He also summarized the abandoned Zik’s mausoleum as the ugliest trajectory in national reward system, taking

the Obasanjo Federal Executive to task.

I occasionally look back to days when as a young reporter in Onitsha in 1996, we formed a group, christened The Zik’s Renaissance Movement led by a foremost young school teacher and civil activist, Emeka Eleke, with myself as the spokesman . Our mission was to promote the vision and legacy of Dr. Azikiwe by establishing a voluntary awareness group to propagate his ideals in the young, starting with all secondary schools in Anambra State.

In our first meeting with Zik’s half-brother and intimate , Chief Onuorah Azikiwe at his office located inside the famous Achike House, Oguta Road Onitsha, he took us on a journey into the personal life of one of the Africa’s greatest sons. Achike House strikes a vital cord in my childhood memory. An imposing complex, story we had as secondary school students was that it was to serve as one of the campuses of the Anambra State University but Governor Jim Nwobodo changed his mind, citing the boisterous nature of Onitsha as unconducive for learning.

Onuorah buoyed our bustling spirits at the peak of his narrative when he declared to us that “ Nnamdi bu mmuo,”- Zik is a spirit ! He afterwards gave us books which included Zik’s collection of poems, My Ode to Onitsha Ado n’Idu, The Renascent Africa, Azikiwe and the African Revolution by Ikejiani and Ikejiani and one other pamphlet whose title I have forgotten, to read and broaden our resource base for the work we voluntarily chose. When we further asked about the abandoned mausoleum which the then PTF promised would be completed in record time, he almost suppressed our vigour by telling us that “sprits don’t live in a grave. Zik is a spirit.” But immediately, he revived our waning spirits by assuring us that “ generations will come and behold the resting place

of this son of Africa, who showed the light to liberate those groping in darkness.” Though our mission did not last beyond 1999 as most of us later relocated outside the state in search of better life, I feel fulfilled often that I did my little in propagating Zikism.

But the Zik’s mausoleum remained an eyesore for twenty-two years as successive administrations played wicked politics, some say, draining pipe. I also recall a visit to late Chuma Azikiwe on November 20, 2013 at Inosi Onira and his lamentations on the abandonment of his father. He later gave me an autographed copy of the Zik’s first memorial lecture, delivered by the erudite Prof. Allegoa. Since 2008, I have been writing opinion articles in national dailies as well as news commentary on the FRCN every November 16 in remembrance of Zik. I stopped the news commentary when the FRCN management in a new rule, said all such must be paid for , even for the father of Nigeria! In November 16, 2011 for instance, my piece, “ Zik, the Footprint of a Legend,” published in national dailies, lampooned the PDP Federal Government for abandoning Zik’s mausoleum and turning the major highway traversing it from the Onitsha Bridge Head into a valley of death. I recall then as the PDP Head of Publicity, an officer who read my piece and asked if I wanted to lose my job.

In fairness , the administration of Goodluck Jonathan liaising with the Anambra State Government of Peter Obi between 2012 and 2013 did a masterpiece of a road construction from the Bridge Head to the Ogbunike Toll Gate, expanding the road, adding a flyover at a spur around Nkpor Spare Parts market, clearly marking out and beautifying the Zik’s roundabout, thus, retrieving the major Eastern artery from the gateway to hell it was.

But apart from sparse efforts, the Mausoleum remained abandoned.

The Narcissism of Rochas Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu

S

ometime in 2016, the Executive Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, hosted senior journalists and editors of Imo state origin at a meeting held at Government House Owerri. During the meeting, which was his first since he became governor, he took time to explain his vision for the state.

He also took his guests on a tour of projects in Owerri. A high point of the meeting was a video show. He had all the journalists seated at the executive chambers of the state government and had a documentary of his projects relayed to them. I was there.

After the video show, the governor asked for two questions or remarks before the group would proceed on a project tour. He was surprised to see all hands up. Everyone indicated interest to ask some questions.

He adjusted his seat. Got a pen and paper and started recording the questions. To his disappointment, he got more than what he bargained for. Some of the journalists upbraided him for destroying Imo state. Others put him on the spot with critical questions about his management of the state and its resources. But trust Rochas. He did well to parry all questions and defend himself. However, his aides were to tell some of us that no group had spoken to Rochas they way we did. Away from Rochas, his aides commended us for being courageous to question and upbraid, the governor the way we did.

Later at a diner same day, Rochas told the journalists that “no group has spoken to me the way you did today”.

As I later found out, no group was allowed to speak truth to Rochas because he cleverly surrounded himself with persons who lacked self-respect and honour. He chose persons who saw him as their economic messiah on account of appointment to a public office which they did not merit and as such, won’t allow anyone to question or advise him. To be close to Rochas, and liked by him, means being able to play the ostrich. Rochas, as a leader, prefers being told how wonderful he is even when it is public knowledge that he has been a disaster unto himself and the state. Rochas loves being attended to like

an emperor. He listens only to himself and believes his own lies.

In all his public discourse, Rochas never fails to refer to himself. He sees himself as the messiah and liberator of Imo state. That suggests why he constantly, and without restraint, insults the sensibilities of the people with his boast as having performed better than all previous governors of the state put together. He may have done so, but why does he shy away from telling the people the differences in revenues accruing to the state from federation account and internal revenue generation, between those previous administrations and his? There is no doubting the fact that Imo state has earned more from IGR and federal allocation under Rochas than under all previous administrations. This is a fact the Rochas’ government will not like anyone to x-ray. Yet, roads constructed by Sam Mbakwe are of superior quality and have lasted longer. He has however had to destroy many of them to pave way for his “China roads”. Rochas successfully turned Owerri into a flood-prone city by the systematic destruction of drainage systems constructed

by Sam Mbakwe. No tap in Owerri has had water dropping from it since Rochas became governor. That’s a legacy he is leaving.

A critical examination of Rochas’ mindset shows exactly why he enjoys substandard jobs. In his first major interview with Tell Magazine, Rochas argued against due process. He explicitly said he abhors due process. His reason: according to him, the due process allows for corruption. He made an analogy, in the interview, with the purchase of Prado SUVs. He argued that the street value of a Prado SUV could be N10m. But since due process demands that he takes the best price quoted, if the best price is N30m, he is forced, by due process, to pay N30m for a unit of Prado SUV knowing fully well that the market value is N10m. He argued that so doing, due process encourages corruption.

The alternative he proposed, and adopted, is what he called ‘direct labour’ where ‘contractors’ use shovels to mix cement, sand and stones for road construction. For this reason, he has delivered more substandard public infrastructure, some of which had forced the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in

Nigeria (COREN) to warn that bridges being built by Rochas in Imo state are death traps and disasters waiting to happen. Some of the bridges, built with bricks, collapsed before him.

For these reasons, Rochas boasted publicly that he will not fail, like his predecessors, in installing a successor. He said he will break the jinx. His ‘do or die’ disposition in seeking to foist his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, on the state stems from the public perception of his mis-governance of the state. He needs a cover. Imo people believe he has ruined their state. They also believe he grabbed too much to sleep peacefully outside the office. His mission to impose Nwosu is believed to be his best cover for the impunity with which he allegedly annexed community land for Eastern Palms University, a state project he allegedly diverted to private ownership.

Nwosu was his Commissioner for Lands when land belonging to four autonomous communities were annexed for the university. Owners want their land back.

In his quest to seek cover for his misgovernance and systematic destruction of Imo state, weaponization of poverty and glorification of his egotistic self, Rochas has engaged in fights against elders of the state.

He dishes out, through his Press Secretary, something he calls ‘Press Release’ through which he insults, abuses and pours invectives on anyone who disagrees with his decision to impose Nwosu as successor to his vanishing empire, irrespective of their social status and age.

His most recent diatribe was against ex-governor Achike Udenwa, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu and Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers who he deposed but was restored by the court. He called them names. He abused them. He insulted them. All for one reason: they do not support his plans to foist Uche Nwosu on the state. By constantly insulting leaders of the stage through his press secretary, Rochas fails to understand that those leaders represent the conscience of the state and also speak for the people. Rochas only needs to read into the history of the Church to understand the place of Liberation Theology in the liberation

of the people from the hands of despots and maniac depressives who masquerade as leaders. Archbishop Obinna may well be Imo state’s version of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvadore who was recently canonized by Rome. Archbishop Obinna is pubic conscience of Imo state.

Rochas ought to understand that to speak up, and work, against a narcissistic despot, is both a civic and religious duty. So, those who are working against the plot by Rochas to domesticate Imo, are discharging a responsibility that is eternally rewarding. The interesting fact is that Udenwa, Ilomuanya, Izuogu are all from same Orlu zone as Rochas. It is significant that it sinks home. It goes to tell that even his home zone is not comfortable with his plot to destroy the peace of Imo state. There have also been publications to the effect that Ideato-South people, his home local government area, are unhappy with the level of infrastructure development in the area. As a matter of fact, Rochas has been unable to develop any infrastructures in Ideato-South. His development of Eastern Palm university is obviously because of his personal interest. Even the General Hospital, one of the 27 he started building in all the local government areas of Imo state, is abandoned and handed over to the Police. I learnt it is now being used as a police station.

Three others have been donated to the Army, Navy and Air Force. Not one of the hospitals is completed, equipped and functional. And he thinks it makes sense for him to constantly insult people who speak up against his regime of waste and planlessness in Imo state, by insinuating that they do not support President Buhari’s re-election. Rochas has failed to realize that even the All Progressives Congress (APC), is working hard to distance itself from him. The party has even said Rochas was implementing his personal agenda in Imo, not APCs. That is the precarious situation he has put the party in, making it practically impossible for his son-in-law to be electable.

Rochas will go down in history as one man who populism swept into power but was destroyed by narcissism. r"DIJMMFVT JT BO *NPJUF

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2018

19

PERSPECTIVE

Achebe Lives: 60 Years Since Things Fall Apart Chido Nwangwu

C

hinua Achebe, prophet and great writer, who was born on November 16, 1930, will be remembered forever for what he did in 1958.

In 1958, Achebe’s first novel, Things Fall Apart, was released and he told the conflicted story of Okonkwo, communal life, clash of faiths, dynamics of the clash of cultures and more, set in pre-colonial and colonial Umuofia, of the Igbo nation.

In the assessment of US former President Barack Obama, it is “A true classic of world literature… a masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.”

Since 1958, with the masterpiece work, Things Fall Apart, five important historical benchmarks became evident: First, Achebe laid the foundation for the modern African literature. Whereby the stories and narratives about Africa and Africans hold our perspectives and values amidst the realities of a global market.

Princeton University’s professor of philosophy, Kwame Anthony Appiah, hit the proverbial nail on its head when he said that “In every English and non-English speaking country on the planet, if you ask a student to name just one African novel, it is most likely to be Things Fall Apart by Achebe. It is the beginning of the African canon. it is difficult to think of anything else without it.” Like him, I believe Achebe’s works are rich fountains of knowledge for credible and engaging understanding of African pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial history and realities.

On February 18, 2002, a distinguished jury of scholars and critics (from 13 countries of African life and literature) selected Achebe as the writer of the Best book, ‘Things Fall Apart.’

Second, he firmed up the prologue for taking on the litany of Euro-Caucasian racist “scholars” who “objectified” Africa and African lives.

In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and other works, the centrality of Chi (God) attains an additional clarity in the Igbo cosmology. I’ve studied, lived and tried to better

understand, essentially, the towering moral certainties which Achebe have employed in most of his works.

Also, it is a world which prefers a quasicapitalistic business attitude to life while taking due cognizance of the usefulness of the whole, the community. .

Bottomline: in the Achebe accurate and contextual depiction of pre-colonial Igbo life, the rewards for hardwork/farming are wealth and family!

Third, in an era of grammatical overload, obscurantism and verbosity, he entered the arena with what I commend as the yet unmatched, uniquely Achebesque style and structure of simplicity, clarity, accessibility and organic lucidity. Achebe is good!

Prof. Achebe, Africa’s most acclaimed and fluent writer of the English Language, our pathfinder, the intellectual godfather of millions of Africans and lovers of the fine art of good writing, was only 28 years when he wrote the classic, Things Fall Apart, in 1958, long before I was born.

Fourth, between 1958 and 2013, amidst a

body of first rate works, he will be remembered as one of history’s great witnesses and chroniclers. Other than ‘Things Fall Apart’ (1958), some of Achebe’s other major books are ‘No Longer at Ease’ (1960), ‘Arrow of God’ (1964; rev. 1974); In 1983, Achebe wrote the often quoted pamphlet, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria.’ In the latter, he cited the litany of failures of the leaders and pointed the way forward; ‘Anthills of the Savannah’ (1987) and his notes and memoir on Biafra titled ‘There Was a Country’ (2012). Those works and his civic, moral conscience placed him on a pedestal which I characterize as the power and permanence of Chinua Achebe! Consequently, he lives in our hearts and minds as an immortal writer!

Fifth, on the critical questions regarding why Achebe become a writer; and why he wrote Things Fall Apart? He revealed: “In the end, I began to understand there is such a thing as absolute power over narrative. Those who secure this privilege for themselves can arrange stories about others

pretty much where, and as, they like.”

For him, there’s an organic relationship between writing as education and the building of a better society. Recall that the prolific Achebe wrote in 1975 in his work ‘Morning Yet on Creation Day’ that “The writer cannot be excused from the task of re-education and regeneration that must be done.”

I recall flying back to the U.S. (from South Africa to New York) to attend Prof.

Achebe’s 70th birthday at the historic Bard College (November 3-4, 2000) and its related conference titled, ‘Home and Exile: Achebe at 70. Achebe was in the midst of his friends and some of the best writers in the world. He mentioned “how everyone has spoken so nicely of me, this evening….” Then, came his one sentence punchline commentary on the gross grandiosity of African leaders: “If I were a military dictator, these two days of November would have been declared national holidays!” He burst into laughter. That’s vintage Achebean sarcasm.

By the year 2020, USAfrica projects Achebe’s magnum opus, Things Fall Apart, would have been translated into 75 languages, and sold almost 25 million copies and listed among the world’s best 50 novels.

In the full, honest context of the litany of calamities, catastrophes and crimes across Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and many communities, may I conclude with the poem written in 1919 titled The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) — from where Achebe gave the title for his 1958 novel: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity” Long live Chinua Achebe, the Eagle on the Iroko!

Why This Change Must Start from the Top Ignatius Muotoh

T

he APC Change Mantra is akin to a child brutally smacked by his father, and at the same time asked not to cry. As the consequences for crying is a fresh and more severe beating.

The change mantra is nothing short of an arrogant and inconsiderate shortchanging of the poor electorates by the politicians.

A change amongst other meanings, is the transformation, conversion or substitution from one state to another. If so, one is yet to see that wind of change from our current political leaders. More often than not, we’ve lately been overwhelmed with requests from politicians and political pundits to change our acts and mindsets in other that, we all can have a Nigeria we all truly deserve.

We often hear these politicians stating that this change must come from all of us.

What an insult to our collective intelligence and frustration.

Within the last six months or so, I’ve had the misfortune of being invited by Presidential, Senatorial and the House of Representatives aspirants to an ‘Open Questions and Answers session’, the sole purpose of which in my opinion is the solicitation for financial or moral support from us in the Diaspora.

And I have been asking myself, who is supposed to change?

In all of these ‘mind boggling’ political meetings, these people (politicians) have a thing in common: the believe and conviction that they are the Messiah that every Nigerian needs. Each and every

Saraki

Dogara

one of the aspirants believe, and above all, assert that they are the one that can change the country with a little help from us.

However, to the educated and well informed mind, their political manifesto and programmes are exactly the same as those of the past politicians since Independence.

These are some of their thoughts : ‘If you vote for me, I’ll do this and that’.

‘I’ll transform your life’. ’I’ll reinvent the wheel’. and so on and so forth.

‘If voted, I will transform the face of our capital’. My party will create 1, 000,000 jobs within the first six months of

our administration’.

Strangely enough, they and possibly the gullible majority, believe in doing the same thing year in and year out while expecting a different and new result.

Of course, Nigerians have been hearing such promises from the early days of politics.

‘The Change Must Begin With You’ is the new song of the APC government, and this song in my mind, is as obnoxious as the jockey asking his horse to change his temperament.

It is as illogical as the ‘Whale preaching to Jonah who’s trapped in it’s stomach to change his attitude.

Now to appreciate, and fully understand the inconsiderate nature of such

requests by these politicians to the poor shortchanged electorates, we need to look at the disparity of earnings by them in relation to those they’re representing.

The overwhelmingly poor masses of Nigerians.

According to a one time Nigerian Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala in her latest book ‘Fighting Corruption is Dangerous ‘, a Nigerian Senator earns a total of $1,684,961 (N611,640,843) annually (2015), excluding allocation in the capital budget for constituency projects.

When converted to the local currency, this amounts to a whopping N50,970,070 monthly using the exchange rate of N363 per United States $1. The same goes for an elected member of the House of Representatives who pockets a mouth-watering $1,666,739 (N605,026,257) annually. This works out at N50,418,854.80 monthly.

Now, for the same period we are on about, the monthly minimum wage of the overwhelming numbers of these ‘shortchanged’ electorates who voted for these politicians, is a paltry N18,000. In many instances, this miserable amount, remain unpaid by the majority of states for mind boggling reasons. It is not uncommon to hear these arrears go back for upward of six months or more.

The question therefore is, ‘Who Should Make That Change’ to usher in a New Nigeria we all deserve folks?

Is it the politician who earns a mind blowing N51 million monthly salary?

Or the poor wretched and shortchanged worker who in most cases is lucky to receive his miserable N18,000 monthly salary.

That’s the question folks.

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Quick Takes Air TraďŹƒc Engineers Seek More Training

Members of the National Association of AirTraďŹƒc Engineers (NAAE) in the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have called for the training of its personnel to support their licencing.

ThePresidentoftheNAAE,IshayaDung,madethisknownattheopening of the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and noted that a large number of engineers in the agency were yet to be licenced as a result of lack of training associated with paucity of funds.

Dung, explained that as professionals, ATSEP’s licencing, rating of personnel and training remained their greatest challenge, saying that they have not had enough training.

According to Dung, AirTraďŹƒc Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) is an ICAO term for the technical sta involved with the creation and supportoftheground-basedelectronichardwareandsoftwaresystems used to support air navigation and Air TraďŹƒc Management.

HenotedthataftertrainingattheNigerianCollegeofAviationTechnology Zaria, the engineers are required to be licenced by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Zimbabwe to Sell National Airline

STRENGTHENING TRADE RELATIONS

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Wole Adeniyi; Head, Operations Shared Services, Mrs. Omolara Osunsoko; 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, 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 Lagos‌recently

Agents Battle Customs over Multiple Checks in Cargo Clearance Eromosele Abiodun There is a growing agitation among freight forwarders plying their trade at the Lagos ports over what they described as the proliferation of Customs units which they alleged are being used for extortions and to encumber the clearance procedures at the ports.

The concerned agents, who warned that their patience was running out over what they claimed was the mindless extortions they are being subjected to, alleged that the multiple Customs units not only complicate and elongate the clearing process, but have also added to the cost of doing

MARITIME business at the ports.

Speaking on behalf of agents, Vice-President, Western Zone of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Tanko Ibrahim, lamented that apart from the resident Customs officers and Federal Operations Unit (FOU), the Customs authority has created what it called Strike Force team and Customs Police.

According to him, “We have never witnessed what is happening now in customs clearing process. Apart from the traditional resident Customs

officers and the FOU, which are involved in cargo clearing process, there are other units newly created by Customs hierarchy to muddle up cargo clearance procedures. “They are CG strike force and Customs Police. All these units are doing the same thing. They all want to be part of cargo clearing process.

When your goods have been cleared by the resident Customs officers at the ports, these other units, which are alien to the cargo clearance procedures, will delay your goods through issuance of indiscriminate alerts and inordinate engagement in arrest of containers. This frustrates quick clearance of

goods, make nonsense of ease of doing business initiative of the Federal Government and add to the cost of transactions.�

However, the Customs authority said any freight forwarder who does not have anything to hide should not be agitated over the new structure.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Joseph Attah, said it was not within the jurisdiction of any freight forwarder to question the structure in the Customs or how Customs should do its duty.

He explained that the strike Continued on page 22

Airlines Allege Utterances By Govt OfďŹ cials Threat to their Businesses Chinedu Eze Airline operators have urged top government officials in the aviation sector to be mindful of their utterances, saying it is capable of hurting their business relationship with their international partners.

The airlines alleged that utterances of some government officials was a reflection that government does not have confidence in domestic operators, adding that such was affecting the image of the airlines in the international market.

According to them, owing to such criticism, which they also described as de-marketing, insurance companies have upped their premium on aircraft operated in Nigeria; while lessors are unwilling to lease aircraft to Nigerian airlines and even when they do it comes at high prices compared to what obtains

AVIATION in other parts of the world.

The airlines also alleged that as a result of the situation, suppliers are now reluctant to offer them spare parts.

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, had informed THISDAY that in February when a top government official in aviation attacked local carriers and said they were heavily indebted and insolvent, the following day, his airline had received a mail from its lessors to terminate a deal to lease aircraft to his company. “I have mails to show that I was about getting some Boeing B777 but on February 17 the official made a comment that made the lessor to withdraw the deal. The company said their risk department picked the statement from the government official and

withdraw the business deal. They terminated the lease agreement,� he said.

The operators also called on the federal government to make it clear that they have suspended the planned national carrier, saying that anytime issues concerning the project is raised it hurts their business.

They said that lessors and other international partners believe that a national carrier in Nigeria would kill existing airline.

The CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, had said investors that were previously interested in investing in Aero Contractors, which was put up for sell by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) withdrew their interest when government announced that it would float a national carrier.

Investment and aviation lawyer, Emeka Nwigwe also said the national carrier question was cited at some of aircraft leasing and investment negotiation he had in the past two years. “They always cited the national carrier project, saying that other airlines would play second fiddle when the airline becomes operational. It is because of this fear that some investors withdraw their interest in investing in one Nigerian airline,� Nwigwe said.

When the issue was raised recently in Abuja by the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the airlines said that they started getting similar calls from the partners who wanted government to categorically make their plan on the national carrier clear. “If they want it as private investment let the private invesContinued on page 22

The administrators of national airline Air Zimbabwe have invited bids for the loss-making carrier which is reported to have debts of over $300 million.

The state-owned airline went into administration in October as a precursor to being sold o by the government.

AdministratorsGrantThorntonadvertisedtheinvitationtotenderinlocal newspapers, with registration of interest closing on November 23rd.

Theairlinewasfoundedin1967andiswhollyownedbythegovernment ofZimbabwe.Theairlinehasatotalof232employeesbasedatitsHarare Airport hub.The airline’s website is currently taking bookings for just four routes, two domestic and one each to South Africa andTanzania.

IWA Holds Maiden Lecture

Publishers of the Inside Watch Africa (IWA), a pan African magazine has concluded arrangements to hold the maiden edition of the IWA lecture series Entitled, “TheTrajectory ofTrans-West AfricanTravel andTrade -1975 Till Date and theWay Forward,� the event is scheduled to hold in Lagos, on Monday, 19th of November 2018.

Publisherofthemagazine,OluwaseyiAdegoke-Adeyemo,inastatement said as expected, in the past 10 years, the company encountered lots of obstacles on its way adding that it has also experienced great times and gathered a lot of knowledge along the way. “We are fully aware that as a media house, we are to inform, educate, criticise objectively and stimulate discussions and we are resolved to do that to the best of our abilities. It is obvious that we are not where we want to be 10 years into publishing IWA but we are conďŹ dent that leveraging our pedigree we are going to do a lot better in the years ahead in attaining out objectives. “The keynote address will be given by Dr. Sola Afolabi, a renowned scholar,internationalconferencespeaker,aretireddirectoratECOWAS Commissionandconsultantofnote,whileProf.AyodejiOlukoju,aformer Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, and currently of the University of Lagos, is the Special Guest of Honour. “Otheractivitiestocommemoratethe10thanniversaryofIWAinclude a church service and visit to an Orphanage. “On the board of the magazine which has as its focus and mission, ``Reconnecting Africans to their roots and publishing contents with Africanness’’, are a former Managing Director of DailyTimes, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Alhaji Idirisu. “ThequarterlymagazinehastraversedthelengthandbreadthofAfrica asreectedinthe12ofitscoverstoriesdevotedtogreatAfricanlegends across the ďŹ elds of human endeavour – politics, sports, monarchies, women activism, culture etc, “he said.

FAA Issues Emergency Order

The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued an emergency airworthiness directive to airlines operating Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 9s.The directive addresses a potential problem where incorrect angle of attack sensor input can cause the ight control system to send commands to the horizontal stabiliser to push the nose down.

The FAA said if the condition is not addressed, it could cause the ight crew to have diďŹƒculty controlling the plane, possibly with signiďŹ cant loss of altitude.

A requirement of the airworthiness directive is for operators of the two 737 models concerned to revise the aircraft’s ight manual to provide the crew with horizontal stabiliser trim procedures to follow under certain conditions.

“The federal government is determined to concession the airports to ensure that they are modernised�

Minister of State, Aviation,

Hadi Sirika

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BUSINESSWORLD AGENTS BATTLE CUSTOMS OVER MULTIPLE CHECKS IN CARGO CLEARANCE force team is not involved in cargo clearing process but to act on information to impound containers that are enmeshed in infractions in clearance procedures.

Attah, further disclosed that the Customs Police is a new creation meant to instil discipline in the service. “The Customs Police is just like military police. It was created to restore discipline within the service. They can invite, arrest and detain Customs officers based on any disciplinary breach. “They do not interfere in clearance procedures but unless there is a reported case and need for their intervention in a case that involves agents and customs officers. Their primary duty is to restore discipline in the service,� he insisted.

He said the strike force is known to Customs operations and whoever states otherwise is being mischievous. “The authority created three layers of security to check abuses of clearing process and plug revenue leakages.

The first layer is the resident Customs, the second layer is the FOU while the strike force is the third layer. “If you beat one, you can’t beat the others. There is no way you can beat all the three layers,� Attah declared.

AIRLINES ALLEGE UTTERANCES BY GOVT OFFICIALS THREAT TO THEIR BUSINESSES tors come and float the airline.

We are not against new airlines coming in. “We are not against that, but we are against using the privileges of the country and giving it to one man and calling it a national carrier. If you said it is private sector driven, so let the private sector person come and incorporate and apply and start running. “You don’t need to put government’s money into the hand of an individual.

The Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, had argued that a national carrier would not succeed in Nigeria.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

NEWS

Food Crisis Imminent in Nigeria, Group Warns Martins IďŹ jeh Fresh indications have shown that food crisis is imminent in Nigeria if the country fails to deploy innovation and technology into its food industry to boost productivity and sufficiency.

Some food safety experts who raised the alarm listed the country’s rising population amid huge technology gaps, lack of enabling environment for researchers, inadequate funding for research, high processing losses and lack of sustainable policy confronting the food industry as factors that could negatively impact on the lives of the people, if nothing was done to ensure food security.

According to the experts, continuous increase in Nigeria’s population without innovation and technology in the food industry, as well as in agriculture to meet the population’s demand for food, would certainly lead to food crisis.

The scientists, under the auspices of Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), made this known during the just concluded 42nd Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the institute, which held recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Speaking on the theme: “Innovations in Food Science and Technology for Sustainable Economic Growth,� the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Michael Ngadi, Director, Department of Bioresources Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, said Nigeria must be adequately prepared against any possible outbreak of food crisis through innovative and

creative ideas.

Ngadi, who was represented

by Professor Akindele Alonge of the Department of Agriculture and Food Engineering, University of Uyo, said innovation and creativity were needed to achieve zero hunger in the country and also address the severe food insecurity looming in Africa.

Calling for robust investment in research by the government and the private sector, the keynote speaker revealed that many children would die of starvation if not addressed, adding that it would be extremely difficult to feed children in 2050 because of the many mouths to feed. “It has been projected that

by 2050, the world’s population will be 9.6 billion people and Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world after India and China. And there are three basic issues that will affect the world if care is not taken and solutions not proffered. “These issues are food, energy and water. Now, food

comes first among the three issues especially in Nigeria and some other African countries.

So, there is need for us to be active in terms of innovative ideas and technologies that can help boost food production and sufficiency in the country. Otherwise, we would have serious problem on our hands,� he said.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman presenting a plaque to the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Nigeria, Fahad Al Tafaq, who paid her a courtesy visit at the NPA corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos‌recently

Business Leaders, UN Support Victims of Terrorism, Insecurity Ugo Aliogo Business Leaders will partner the United Nations to support the millions of people in the north-eastern part of the country whose lives have been hampered by violence and insecurity.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the Humanitarian Coordinator of United Nations Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, a handful of companies would be the first to write a new chapter in the history of the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund by joining the Private Sector Initiative.

Kallon, in the statement said the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund-Private Sector Initiative (NHF PSI) is a simple funding mechanism to pool donations and resources to create a more effective response to

humanitarian crises.

He also stated that until now, governments were the only donors to the fund, adding that the initiative is timely and much needed. “A handful of companies will be the first to write a new chapter in the history of the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund by joining the Private Sector Initiative.

The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund-Private Sector Initiative is a simple, powerful funding mechanism to pool donations and resources to create a more effective response to humanitarian crises. Up until now, governments were the only donors to the Fund. The initiative is timely and much needed,� he noted.

Kallon, explained that since the beginning of 2018, about 200,000 people have arrived in nearly 270 camps in the north-eastern States.

He added the crisis had left more than seven million people in need of emergency assistance to survive and stay safe.

The UN Coordinator further stated that the needs were great and the situation was dire, but much can and is being done, by the government, the UN and other international and Nigeria humanitarian organisations, “over 3,000 aid workers, the vast majority of whom are Nigerians, are working daily to support those most in need.�

According to Kallon: “Private sector companies and investors have a pivotal role to play in responding to the humanitarian crisis – and many are already actively helping and supporting their fellow Nigerians. “While Nigeria is hit by

one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, it is Africa’s biggest economy and home to one of Africa’s most vibrant private sectors. “The initiative that the UN and Nigeria’s business leaders will launch on November 15 is a new way for commercial entities and entrepreneurs to become directly involved in the humanitarian response to the crisis. By tapping into this strong and vibrant private sector we can collectively provide more aid to more people. “The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund-Private Sector Initiative (NHF PSI) presents a unique opportunity to create a blueprint for future private sector engagement in humanitarian action across the globe, and to use a United Nations fund that is measurable, account-

able and effective. Since its inception in May 2017, the Fund has allocated close to US $70 million in humanitarian assistance, supporting the response to the cholera outbreak this year and providing aid to hundreds of children with malnutrition. “The NHF PSI opens a pathway to participate in the process of not only meeting the immediate needs of hundreds and thousands of families affected, but also in their recovery process.

Companies that take part can help invest in not only saving but also rebuilding the lives of Halima and the millions of others whose lives have been torn asunder by violence.

This investment provides a beacon of hope for a brighter future. This is business for good.�

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

Osibanjo Launches ‘TraderMoni’ in Three More Lagos Markets Sunday Okobi The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has launched the TraderMoni in three more markets in Lagos.

Osinbajo, who led other federal and state government officials to Ikotun, Igando and Ile Epo markets recently, also urged the traders to make

judicious use of the loans to secure more from federal government.

While interacting with the traders, Osinbajo said the objective of the scheme would be defeated if traders do not repay the loan to secure more from the government.

According to him, “This is one initiative that this

administration has put in place to address the plights of those at the grassroots.

To help you grow your businesses and make lives more meaningful to you and your families. “That’s why we ensure there is no collateral, and when you repay the loans, you can secure more from

the government because it shows you are serious with what you are doing.�

Some of the traders who spoke to journalists at the event applauded the gesture by the governments, but pleaded for more loans, saying they would be willing to boost their trades and businesses with as much funds as pos-

sible made available to them.

Yemisi Babalola, a salt trader at the Ikotun market expressed readiness to invest the money in her trade.

She said although she would really want the money to be increased, she was nonetheless going to make judicious use of the initial fund to qualify for more loans.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

SAHCOL Upgrades Facilities for Improved Service Stories by Chinedu Eze Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCOL) said it has upgraded most of its equipment in order to provide premium service for its clients.

The company also said that it would not hesitate to construct more warehouses in most airports of the country and expand its businesses once the environment required such.

The Managing Director, SAHCOL, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, made this known during the renewal of ground handling service agreement with Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos recently.

Agboarumi, disclosed that some new ground handling equipment of the company would in the next few weeks arrive the country, saying that this would further improve the quality of its service to its clients, including Arik Air. According to him, since the company was acquired by Sifax Group of Companies about nine years ago, the board had strived to improve quality of services to its clients, stressing it would continue to grow its services

especially as the company is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

On the renewed agreement with Arik Air, Agboarumi emphasised that it was an endorsement and showed credibility on the services of the ground handling company. The agreement was renewed for another three years.

He said, “Today is unique for SAHCOL. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) for SAHCOL begins today (last Monday) and we are signing this contract with Arik Air. Arik Air has been with for several years and we have witnessed the growth of the company over the years. “We are happy that the new management has established the airline on the right path. Arik Air is a good company to do business with. “We are very proud to associate with the airline. Wherever Arik Air is mentioned, we will stand up for you. We have new equipment coming in. Some of them are on the high seas, while others are with us here already in the country. “We have warehouses in Port Harcourt, Kano, Lagos and Abuja and we are ready

to build warehouses wherever they are needed. You have to understand that we are business people. If there is need for business expansion to any airport in the country, we will not hesitate to do that. Not just in Enugu, but across Nigeria. As long as business is expanding to those sides, you will see SAHCOL there. “You will understand that we are the only ground handling company that operates in all commercially airports in Nigeria.

So, when it comes to warehouses and we are sure that it will be utilised to the fullest capacity, we will be there.�

Also, Mr. Murat Ozcan, Vice President, Ground Operations, Arik Air expressed excitement with the renewed agreement with the ground handling company.

Ozcan also said that the airline had for the past five years developed a mutual relationship with SAHCOL. He explained that the renewed agreement would run for three years, adding that the management would be willing to constantly renew its contracts with the ground handling company.

Dana Air Celebrates 10th Anniversary Dana Air has celebrated its 10th anniversary in Nigeria’s aviation industry with a strong commitment to continue to offer its guests the best of service hinged on safety and customer satisfaction.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, while addressing newsmen in Lagos said, “despite all the challenges that airlines in Nigeria have to grapple with, Dana Air is proud to be celebrating 10 years of providing massive job opportunities, capacity development, training, broad corporate social responsibility and most of all, amazing flight service to Nigeria and Nigerians. “When we commenced operations 10 years ago, precisely on the 10th of November, 2008, our desire was change the convention and exceed the flying aspiration of our guests with our worldclass services and today, with the support and loyalty of

our esteemed guests, we have been able to achieve 10 years of service to Nigerians. “As you may be aware, we are about the second private domestic airline in Nigeria’s history to achieve this feat, and it’s on record that over 60 airlines have gone under without being able to even survive even 5 years in the industry. “It hasn’t been easy as we have had to grapple with a lot of challenges in the last 10 years ranging from infrastructure, multiple taxes, and high cost of aviation fuel, but we are delighted to have been able to brave the storm and I must say our commitment, proficient management style, high standards, and passion for excellence brought us this far.’’ On the airline’s CSR since inception, Obi said, “We have done quite a lot. Through our charitable trust, the Dana Foundation, we have been fulfilling our Corporate social responsibility with an in-flight

envelop donation program and this has helped to raise millions of naira for the sickle cell foundation in Lagos, as well as autism patients. “We have also supported a couple of other similar organizations like Rotary Club on blood donation and cancer fighting organisations like project PinkBlue, Children Living with Cancer Foundation just to mention a few.�

Commenting on the airline’s sponsorship of two Nigerian clubs, the Dana Air Accountable Manager said, “As part of our commitment to help our teeming youths achieve their dreams and also grow their craft, we have supported a couple of entertainment and comedy shows in Nigeria. “Dana Air cannot employ every Nigerian youth even if it is our desire, but how else can we help them grow? It is by supporting and encouraging them in whatever positive their hand finds doing and we are committed to this as a youth-friendly brand.�

ART Commends FG over Arming of AVSEC The Aviation Roundtable Safety Initiative (ART) has commended the federal government’s approval to arm officials of Aviation Security (AVSEC) at the nation’s airports.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, the body said this was expected to enhance the national civil aviation security program (NCASP). “We however advise that selected men to bear arms be properly trained and tested in rudiment areas of arms handling, standard armoury and trained armourer for safe keeping of ammunitions, while necessary

procedure for issuance, retrieval and accountability of expended rounds if necessary be put in place�.

The ART noted that “consequent to this approval, there should be a review of the airport security architecture to cover elements of the various security agencies which will now form the new organogram.�

According to them, this would eliminate inter agency rivalry, foster cooperation, provide common platform to asses measure of effectiveness, process operational effectiveness and after action plans. “Please note that they adminis-

tratively remain under their parent agencies but under the operational command and control of the new Airport Security Architecture�. “In the 90s we delegated and rotated the heads of security agencies serving in the airports to supervise and control night operations which is akin to the United States TSA model.

ART said security threats have evolved over time and “we as a nation are challenged to find the nexus and best fit security architecture as our security challenges cannot be the same with other nations, therefore we cannot lift models hook line and sinker.�

AIR WATCH Between Nigeria and Aged Aircraft

Usman

There have been reports about aged aircraft operated by Nigerian airlines.

Some of such reports had indicated that Nigeria operates the oldest aircraft in Africa.

However, UK’s based The Telegraph, recently reported 10 world’s oldest aircraft in the world and none came from Nigeria; one came from South Africa, Interair with registration number ZS-IJJ. That is why Nigerian airline operators are alleging that the publication was meant to demonise Nigerian airlines by those who are clamouring for national carrier. They noted that when the defunct Nigerian Airways existed it never sustained itself, saying government subsidised its existence.

But now that the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika is talking about private sector-driven airline, indications showed that not many foreign investors would be willing to invest in the airline because of the inability of the government to keep to agreements.

THISDAY learnt from some of the operators that since Richard Branson complained about how the Nigerian government frustrated agreement reached when it floated Virgin Nigeria Airways and forced him to withdraw his investment in the airline, “no foreign investor takes Nigeria seriously as far as investing in aviation is concerned.�

Former Director of Engineering, Medview Airline, Lookman Animaseun told THISDAY that the question was not about how old an aircraft is, but its airworthiness. He said an aircraft is as good as its last maintenance.

After 2017 was recently marked as the safest year in aviation in recent times, in 2018 there have been three aircraft with three fatalities and these accidents involved very new aircraft.

For instance, the Lion Air crash involving Boeing 737 MAX that was barely three months old killed 188 passengers last October. The aircraft which was delivered to the airline in July started operation on August 15 and crashed on October 31, 2018.

It is the view of many industry experts that what is important about an aircraft is its maintenance status, the efficient regulation and the determination of the airline to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy; not its age.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Civil

Aviation Authority (NCAA), Sam Adurogboye said the age of an aircraft does not really matter, adding that what matters is the maintenance of the aircraft and the efficiency of the regulatory authority.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, was of the view that there is a calculated attempt to run Nigerian airlines down. She said that this was deliberate and alleged that the report was intended to discredit the domestic carriers. “The other day a major government official was mocking airlines with many aircraft and referring to airlines in the past that had such number of aircraft yet they eventually collapsed. Also the Minister of State, Aviation recently said, “All this sudden growth to over 20 planes, we have seen it before. We had seen it in Chanchangi, we had seen it in Kabo and of recent in Arik Air and yet they are inefficient. We have given them international routes but they don’t have capacity to operate them. “This is coming from a minister that is supposed to protect the airlines.

One expected that the minister should meet the airlines and find out the challenges that we have. “If they are really interested in the growth of Nigerian airlines, we expect them to want to know what they will do to help us so that we don’t go the way of the other airlines. I feel so bad to suspect that these officials may be praying for our downfall,� she observed.

Olajide, also observed that there was calculated attempt to diminish and demoralise Nigerian airlines and alleged that it was a planned effort by those who wish to convey the feeling that the only way to get viable airlines in Nigeria is to float a national carrier. “It is the responsibility of the government to protect local investors who have put their money in risky ventures like the airline business. The other day Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings said if local investors are burnt in business, foreign investors would not come in to invest and noted that no amount of roadshows will make foreign investors come if local ones are failing. “But it is unfortunate that it is government media channel that is supposed to be for every Nigerian and ought to be neutral that is used to diminish Nigerian airlines because they are owned by private concerns,� she noted.

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Uko: Modern Airports, Maintenance Facility More Important than National Carrier Travel expert and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, in this interview emphasises that modern airports with navigational aids will drive more economic activities make airlines more profitable. This to him should be of greater priority than establishing a nation carrier.

Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts: should go further after giving us the rights, help us go further all the way down so that we are able to operate. Not just operate, but operate in a profitable manner for Nigeria because we are flying on behalf of Nigeria.

So they are right in expecting more from the government. The government is also right saying we have given you this what else are you waiting for? So there needs to be a closer collaboration between these airlines and the government of Nigeria.

At the 5th Aviation Stakeholders Forum held recently in Abuja the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika talked about bringing back the national carrier, saying it was temporarily suspended, what is your take on it?

From the beginning when they announced it in the middle of the year, I said it was not feasible during election time knowing how vicious Nigerian election environment is. It will be difficult for the government of Nigeria to give birth to that desired airline of ours without consequences. And I will not say I was surprised when it had such a stillbirth.

For me it should not be a rushed project, we have already made ourselves not look nice in the eyes of the public. So I think it is something that we should take our time, after the election, and involve all the stakeholders not calling stakeholders after the project has failed.

We should be able to involve everybody all through. It is now after the project failed that we are hearing that some stakeholders were involved, and were consulted. If everybody was consulted who were protesting when the logo was launched? It was like the whole industry was up in arms, so I would prefer that this discussion can be re-established after the elections.

The minister said some investors were willing to offer Nigeria about 30 aircraft at $300 million, but they demanded for sovereign fund to guarantee it. Even if we are going to continue with the project, do you think Nigeria can provide such sovereign fund guarantee in such short time?

I know those sovereign things are wealth owned by the whole country not just the federal government. So there has to be an involvement of the states. I think we paid for petroleum subsidy and other things from such fund. I think we shouldn’t be having these discussions now, these discussions can be held in a better atmosphere and where it is an all-inclusive situation that involves every stakeholder, the National Assembly, state governments, federal government, the labour unions, and the airline operators. The national carrier is something that is owned by everybody and meant to represent everybody, so we shouldn’t be having such a discussion in a small group. So I don’t know how it is going to work or how they are planning to pull off but I would suggest that these discussions be held after the elections, in a much more calmer and peaceful environment.

The minister also spoke about bringing everybody in and also the existing airlines to buy into the planned national carrier, but how do you see the idea of getting everybody involved?

I recently read an argument by Captain Isaac Balami, who said domestic airlines fail for two reasons, cost of aviation fuel and maintenance cost, the absence of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and that a national carrier can fund an MRO and will also get involved in the fuel argument to help reduce the cost.

That when he was in Aero, Aero spent N800 million a year for fuel, meanwhile, the fuel cost was supposed to be N300 million; so N500 million would have been saved.

So for the domestic airlines, if the national carrier is the vehicle that will deliver profit if they are part of it, I think they are business people, they will want to be part of something that works. But they already have challenges and the national carrier was viewed by both outside investors and investor within the domestic airline environment as something that will be a problem or eliminate the domestic carriers.

This is because it is going to have rights that will not be extended to private carriers. So if

Uko

the government decides to change the game now and ask them to be part of it, these are very astute businessmen, I don’t see anybody who has survived in the airline operation in Nigeria who has not learnt business in a difficult environment, so they will know how to adapt to it. But they will need sincerity on the part of the promoters of the national carrier. Did they mean what they say? Would

So our market is not well served, we cannot now deny the foreign carriers the service they provide for Nigerian travellers.

We are a 180 million people, there are less than 40 aircraft owned and own by Nigerians. So these 40 aircraft cannot serve the needs of the Nigerian travellers

their fears and challenges be accommodated?

Will they be given opportunities to play as major investors? Will they be given a Hobson’s choice; that it is either you accept it my way or the high way. So I think they will be open to that kind of argument. But as at now the domestic airlines are not getting good cover from the government of Nigeria. And the national airline has the chances of getting the sympathy and the attention of the federal government.

So it will be in the interest of the domestic airlines to have a stake in any airline that will represent Nigeria.

The minister also said he has given designation to domestic carriers to operate international destinations and then he criticised them over their low capacity and inability to take advantage of those designations. But the domestic airlines disagreed, saying they met a lot of obstacles on the way which they urged the Nigerian government to do address.

What is your take on this?

I have already indicated the fact that yes the federal government of Nigeria has done well in granting them these rights, but it shouldn’t end at the point of granting them those rights. We all remember what happened to Medview in their London flight, if it was a national carrier that had such an experience the reaction of the federal government would have been different.

We have heard about the complaints of Air Peace on Cote d’lvoire, if it was a national carrier the reaction of the federal government of Nigeria would have been different. And we have also heard Air Peace threatening to go to court over Togo, if it was a national carrier, the reaction of the federal government would have been different. So I think the expectations of the domestic carriers is that the government

Why so much capital ights from Nigeria by international airlines and why is it that our fares are very high?

First of all, the supply is limited and pure economic sense means that if the supply is limited, you either increase supply or you increase prices. So you cannot ask private businessmen or private organisations to begin to depress prices when they can earn more.

Once they charge within acceptable boundaries on fares you can’t accuse them of any crime.

They are not over charging, they are just taking advantage of the fact that there is scarcity of these business class and first class seats.

When you don’t have options, if you don’t fly these foreign airlines to those destinations who would you fly? We talk about capacity but you also need to look at the fact that most of our passengers are not well served.

There are some many connections that people cannot make. A lot of people you see flying to France or to London are connecting to places that are maybe two hours away from Lagos.

But there is no local carrier that flies to those destinations. So if you are going to Libreville, or Kinshasa, Burkina Faso, Mali or Niamey that you can walk across from Sokoto or Kano, you will have to use a foreign carrier, fly to another destination before connecting these places. So our market is not well served, we cannot now deny the foreign carriers the service they provide for Nigerian travellers.

We are a 180 million people, there are less than 40 aircraft owned and flown by Nigerians.

So these 40 aircraft cannot serve the needs of the Nigerian travellers. And we cannot impose this burden all on domestic carriers, I don’t know any country where domestic carriers fly all their passengers, there is none.

So when people say we are giving foreign airlines right to fly, can you tell me one country that foreign airlines don’t carry passengers?

All the Africans who go to China don’t fly Chinese airlines. China can start complaining tomorrow; that only non-Chinese carriers are flying but China is not complaining. They run some of the biggest airlines in the world.

And those airlines carry Chinese and carry other people. I think every African that goes to China don’t fly Chinese airline, so when some people start complaining that foreign airlines come here, I think that is the problem of every country. South Africa has higher volume passengers than Nigeria, but South African Airways doesn’t have up to 70 aircraft. So South African Airways doesn’t have up to a 100 aircraft like Ethiopian airlines and they cannot carry all their passengers, they fly less than 50 destinations in Africa, they are even shrinking their operations. So there are more flights by none South African airlines to South Africa than by South African airlines. And that is the most industrialised country in Africa. So some of the things we complain about are not correct, they are emotional, understandably.

But at the same time, you cannot stop people who are providing these services. But if we start the Fly Nigerian Act which involves code share with Nigerian carriers then Nigerian airlines can start making benefits from those volumes.

This is because most of those carriers will now need a partnership with a Nigeria carrier to carry Nigerian government officials.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Ridding Nigerian Waters of Pirates Eromosele Abiodun calls on the federal government to step up efforts to rid Nigerian waters of pirates as the recent International Maritime Bureau report showing Nigeria as hotbed for pirates in the Gulf of Guinea do not speak well of the country Last week, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) released a report naming Nigeria as one of the hotspots for sea piracy. This is despite efforts by the federal government to reduce the cases of piracy and banditry in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The IMB revealed that Nigeria leads in the cases of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea in the first 9 months of 2018.

IMB in its latest quarterly report said a total of 156 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported to its Piracy Reporting Centre in the first nine months of 2018 compared to 121 for the same period in 2017.

According to the IMB, “A total of 156 incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships were reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in the first nine months of 2018 compared to 121 for the same period in 2017.The 2018 figure is broken down as 107 vessels boarded, 32 attempted attacks, 13 vessels fired upon and four vessels hijacked –although no vessels were reported as hijacked in Q3 2018.This is first time since 1994when no vessel hijackings have been reported in two consecutive quarters. “The number of crew held hostage (112) for the duration of the incident has increased in comparison to the same period in 2016 (110) and 2017 (80).

The number of crew kidnappings has reduced from 49 in 2017 to 39 in 2018. It is noticeable that 37 of the 39-crew kidnapped for ransom globally, have occurred in the Gulf of Guinea region in seven separate incidents. Twenty-nine crew were kidnapped in four separate incidents off Nigeria –including 12 crew kidnapped from a bulk carrier underway 51nm SW of Bonny Island, Nigeria in September 2018.�

It added: “Statistically, the Gulf of Guinea accounts for 57 of the 156 reported incidents. While most of these incidents have been reported in and around Nigeria (41), the Nigerian Navy has actively responded and dispatched patrol boats when incidents have been reported promptly. There has also been a noticeable increase in the number of vessels boarded at Takoradi anchorage, Ghana. No new incidents have been reported off the coast of Somalia in the third quarter. With the retreating of the SW monsoons this lull may change, and vessels are encouraged to continue to comply with all BMP5 recommendations.�

The 2018 figures can be further broken down to 107 vessels boarded, 32 attempted attacks, 13 vessels fired upon and four vessels hijacked, although no vessels were reported as hijacked in the second or third quarter of 2018. This marks the first time since 1994 when no vessel hijackings have been reported in two consecutive quarters.

Despite this statistic, the number of crew members held hostage increased compared to the same period in 2017, from 80 incidents to 112 by the third quarter of 2018.

Commenting on the report, Director of IMB, Pottengal Mukundan said: “While the record low number of hijackings in the second and third quarters of 2018 is of course to be celebrated, incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery remain common. ICC urged governments to leverage the timely data available from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre to concentrate resources in these hotspots.�

The IMB noted that 37 of the 39 crew kidnappings for ransom taking place around the world have occurred in the Gulf of Guinea region, in seven separate incidents.

The reports revealed that a total of 29 crew members were kidnapped in four separate incidents off Nigeria – including a 12-crew kidnapping from a bulk carrier off Bonny Island, Nigeria in September 2018. “In other world regions, incidents of piracy and armed robbery are comparatively low. No new incidents were reported off the coast of Somalia in the third quarter of 2018, while two fishermen were reported kidnapped off Semporna, Malaysia in September 2018. “Incidents other regions, including some Latin America countries, border on low-level opportunistic theft. Nevertheless, the IMB continues to encourage all masters and crew members to be aware of these risks and report all incidents

to the 24-hour manned PRC, “it stated.

Stakeholders’ Worry It is not just the IMB that is not happy with the insecurity in Nigeria’s territorial waters, at a quarterly stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos recently, an official of one of the terminal operators raised the alarm that they have witnessed seven attacks since the beginning of the year .

The official, who pleaded with the government to tackle the menace head-on, said his company had to employ the service of private security to guard its ships.

The situation is even worst in the Niger Delta axis. In March this year, a terminal operator had complained to official of the NPA at a similar forum that his company was going out of business following increased attacks on vessels calling at his terminal.

The official gave an example of how one of its ships was attacked, and the captain and the crew locked themselves in the engine room.

According to him, after the attackers had left the scene, the ship drifted and collided with an oil tanker vessel, causing irreparable damage to the ship.

While the record low number of hijackings in the second and third quarters of 2018 is of course to be celebrated, incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery remain common. ICC urged governments to leverage the timely data available from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre to concentrate resources in these hotspots

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had earlier this year called on stakeholders in the maritime sector to develop a strategy to deal with the challenges within the permissible scope of security agencies to improve on maritime security.

The minister made the call in a presentation tagged: “Armed Guards Aboard Merchant Vessels in Nigeria -Legal or Illegal,� at the 3th Edition of Lagos International Maritime Week in Lagos.

Malami, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Financial Crimes, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo said maritime security had become an important requirement for merchants’ vessels over the last decade due to the increasing threats from pirates across the world.

He stressed that the issue of maritime security in the Nigerian territorial waters should be taken seriously. “Human beings have the responsible for self-preservation of their life and limbs and by extension, private properties and investments. As to the legality and illegality of armed guards on merchant vessels in Nigeria, the debate should no longer be focused on whether armed guards should be employed. “Rather, how they can effectively, legally and safely be engaged with emphasis on accreditation and accountability. In this regard, the United Kingdom and Norway have provided regulations on the use of private guards on-board.�

He added: “The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has also announced its change of stance on armed guards. Even though Nigerianflagged vessels cannot make use of armed private guards as the law stands today. The reality is that there must be a dynamic strategy of dealing with security challenges facing merchant vessels in Nigerian waters.�

He said that it could be necessary to amend the relevant laws in long term, adding that there was need for stakeholders to develop a strategy within the scope of power of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with other sister agencies.

Whose Responsibility?

Put simply, Section 22 (P) of the NIMASA Act provides opportunity for the agency to provide maritime security. The obvious question then will be why the agency is not doing what is necessary to put an end to piracy in Nigerian waters. For those who don’t know, the NIMASA only last year awarded a surveillance contract worth billions of naira, a move that was intended to check rising cases of piracy and other vices

in Nigerian waters. This has not happened and no one seems to care. Late last year, the United States of America, through its Maritime Administration, warned ships to be wary when approaching Nigerian waters. “Two incidents have been reported in the Gulf of Guinea in the past six days. The first reportedly occurred south of Port Harcourt, Nigeria at 0600 GMT on October 21, 2017. The second reportedly occurred in the vicinity of 03-35.50N 006-49.20E at 1905 GMT on October 25, 2017; both incidents have been confirmed, “it said in a report. “The nature of the first incident was piracy and kidnapping; the nature of the second incident was piracy,� it noted.

Quoting the report from the IMB, the US Maritime Administration stated that “the latest quarterly report from the International Maritime Bureau notes that a total of 20 reports of attacks against all vessel types were received from Nigeria, 16 of which occurred off the coast of Brass, Bonny and Bayelsa. In general, all waters in and off Nigeria remain risky, despite intervention in some cases by the Nigerian Navy. We advise vessels to be vigilant.�

The US advisory report to ship masters and owners further warned that ship transiting Nigerian waters to be cautious and seek further information, even as it stated that the alert subsists until November 2, 2017.

NPA Takes Action Worried by the attacks on vessels berthed at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) announced that it has outlined strategies to counter such attacks.

However, the Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadeza Bala-Usman, admitted that there are challenges in the operations of the ports stressing however, that they are being looked into.

Bala-Usman who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Mr. Sekonte Davis, at a recent forum by the NPA, said by the time some of the strategies are put in place, the NPA would be able to point fingers at stakeholders perceived to be responsible for such attacks.

This is just as stakeholders accused foreign shipping companies operating in Nigeria of contravening federal government directive on holding bays for their empty containers.

They accused the foreign shipping lines of deliberately not having holding bays for their empty containers in order to defraud the nation’s economy.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Ade Bakare: Fashion is Business, not Hobby

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ADE BAKARE: FASHION IS BUSINESS, NOT HOBBY With a loan from the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, Nigerian-British fashion designer, Ade Bakare, in 1991 established the label, Ade Bakare Couture, a line of modern beautifully made stylish clothes that have international look with unique African inuence. Having started off by selling his collection to boutiques and stores in England, the collection is however designed and sold by the couturier only twice a year, summer and winter ranges. However, today, Bakare has not only become a household name in the Nigeria fashion industry but also globally. He has made great waves with his bridal collection, the ďŹ rst of which he designed in 1995, and was selected by Bride magazine as one of London’s most inuential designers. Due to his unique designs, which have been described as classic with a touch of modernity, the award winning fashion designer has showcased his collections in Morocco, Capetown, Mozambique, London, New York and Paris where he was given an award. In this interview with MARY NNAH, Bakare who is rounding off a weeklong fashion exhibition today talk about his journey so far and what motivates him. Excerpts: What informed your ongoing fashion exhibition at the Terra Culture, Victoria Island, Lagos?

The exhibition which started on Sunday November 11 and would be rounding off on Friday, November 16, is a retrospective of my work over 25 years. It’s not the first time am staging the exhibition, it was done when I celebrated 15years and 20 years consecutively. I feel it is very important to inspire others especially the younger generation, and for them to see how your creativity can lead to a successful profession and life. In Africa we tend to focus more on careers such as lawyers, doctors, engineers amongst others. But the modern world has shown how people in the creative industry such as music, food, interior design etc have established companies worldwide.

The idea of the exhibition is to identify, stimulate and encourage creativity in people regardless of fashion We are bringing in students from local schools to attend, I feel usually these are the children who do not get the opportunity to travel far and see lots of exhibitions. Two schools a day with 50 students per school are targeted both from the island and mainland axis in Lagos state.

Tell us a bit about your journey into the fashion world began, particularly why you had to go into a ďŹ eld that is probably dominated by females?

Fashion is a business not hobby; it is also a profession, which can be studied to university level abroad. Fashion design was awarded degree status in the 1960s in England. I don’t think fashion is the exclusive preserve of any gender, indeed, most fashion designers are male. Creativity is innate, from an early childhood I was convinced I wanted to be a designer and was fortunate I had parents who encouraged me along the way.

Ade Bakare Couture started in 1991, so the business is over 25 years. We started with a ready to wear line in the UK that sold to shops and department stores across the UK. We then set up a couture line, and bridal line, a perfume called Breeze was introduced in 1998, with a new one launched last year called Ade Bakare Signature. We opened the fashion design academy also last year. Currently we are putting together a proposal to now get investors to expand in Africa and Europe. It’s been a tough journey but also very rewarding Who are your target audience?

My target audience are those who love great design and appreciate quality.

We are a design brand for women and men, high end luxury which the couture brand caters too, with branches in Lagos and Abuja, we still maintain our base in London in the West end. We recently launched a ready to wear line at our Nigerian boutiques. Clients can pop into the shops and pick up an outfit in most sizes from United Kingdom size eight to size 24. For men also there is a line of small, medium mad large sizes.

Who are the prominent personalities that you have worked for and how have you sustained

There was a time I was going to fashion houses in Paris and I was told that I still had to go back and develop my own label. With all that advice, I went back and continued. A lot of fashion houses worldwide do have financial backups but I never had. I always re-invest my gains into the business (laughs). This is because it is priority to my unique designs which have been described as classic with a touch of modernity. This demands being self-disciplined and principled to caution unnecessary spending.

You mentioned that you also run a fashion school, so how many people have you trained so far?

The Ade Bakare Design Academy started last year and we have trained about 20 upcoming designers. The next session starts first week in January. I feel it’s very important people who want to venture into the fashion design business have a firm understanding of the industry. We concentrate on fashion designing, creating new ideas, pattern cutting which is key and sewing. We have designers who are in the business who still come for courses to update their knowledge.

Bakare

them?

We are often asked in Nigeria who our clients are but I say all our clients are important to us and some prefer to remain anonymous, which we respect but we have been fortunate to have first ladies, senators, ministers, professionals and business people. It is important as a designer to give your clients good customer service and show them new designs constantly. This we achieve by making personal calls and holding shows

I believe over the years we have been able to create our signature look, which people recognise, classical beautifully made clothes with a touch of modernity.

Now we embrace our African heritage, with the development of our designs in silk Adire which we started years ago. It has a luxury look and ďŹ nish

for our private customers in Nigeria, through our annual show in December at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

What are the unique selling points that set you apart from other designers?

I believe over the years we have been able to create our signature look, which people recognise, classical beautifully made clothes with a touch of modernity.

Now we embrace our African heritage, with the development of our designs in silk Adire which we started years ago. It has a luxury look and finish.

Tell us your success story?

My story is unique. I was a successful student in school. I won a lot of awards while in school in Manchester, London.

I won a lot of awards for the school I attended and then coming out, I started my business a year after. Because I was also a designer of colour and there were not too many black designers in England, there was a lot of attention on what I was doing. I was fortunate to be located in the central part of London. It is like the Ikoyi of Lagos. So, I had access to a lot of well-paid clients. So the start was sort of quite easy, but it was how to sustain it that became an issue. I wanted to expand more. So, at some point, I sort of scaled the business down and travelled to make more enquiries in America, trying to see what I could do there. But the feedback was to go back and do what I was doing before. No business started easy.

What does it take to be a great fashion designer?

It takes creativity combined with a good business acumen, which can only be gained through years of hard work, so the key word is tenacity. And the government can best aid fashion students through more fashion design schools all over the country that are well equipped. In the UK, there are over 500 fashion design government schools. The federal universities should also by now be offering fashion design as a four year degree as is obtainable abroad. Grants and loans such as those offered by the bank of industry (BOI) are positive aspects but the qualifying terms have to be reduced to enable more people benefit from the programme What are the greatest challenges of fashion designers in Nigeria?

Some of the greatest challenges I feel is having a sound business module. Fashion designers are very creative by nature and less inclined to understand or appreciate the business aspects of running a business. They must simply partner with a friend who has good business acumen or employ an accountant. Calvin Klein, the American fashion designer said that for a designer to be successful in the 21st century, they must be able to design and understand business.

What is your advice to aspiring fashion designers?

My advice is that they should first study or practice with another fashion house, then they will be able to learn more before you set out. There are a lot of fashion design weeks springing up in Nigeria and the designers who show have little understanding of the industry, rather focus should be given to make sure they are able to harness the publicity they gain from the awareness of these shows. Fashion is a business and it’s all about profit and loss, not just showing glamorous clothes.

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NEWS

BIC Rewards Consumers in ‘Shave & Win’ Promo Stories by Mary Nnah BIC, a family-owned company listed on the Paris Stock Exchange and a world leader in stationery, lighters, shavers and promotional products, is rewarding consumers in its ongoing Shave and Win promo.

For more than 70 years, BIC has honoured the tradition of providing high-quality, simple, inventive and reliable choices for everyone, everywhere, every time.

The BIC Shaver “Shave and Win� promo, which started on September 24, will be on for three months, and will end precisely on December 31, 2018 while raffle draws will be held every month at selected locations as will be communicated to the public, during which loads of prizes, which include cash, home appliances and more as well as a star prize of N1million would be won each month.

Speaking during one of its raffle draws held recently in Lagos, the Managing Director, CFAO, NIPEN, Mr. Regis Tromeur, said the promo is an annual consumer promo and this year the promo has held for a couple of weeks from which lucky winners emerged and were rewarded with cash prizes and lots of home appliances among other rewards during a draw held at the company’s premises in Lagos. “The purpose is to reward our consumers. Bic has been leading the shavers category in the Nigeria market for the past four decades, so every year we make sure that we not only supply the best quality shavers in the market but that we also reward our faithful consumers in a Shave & Win Promo that spans all though the nation�, he noted.

BIC products have been present in Nigeria since the mid1960s. BICÂŽ Shavers are available within different segments and variants; men and women wet shaving, in single, double and triple blades with products such as BICÂŽ 1, BICÂŽ Comfort 2, BICÂŽ Twin Lady or BICÂŽ Flex 3.

Through its unwavering dedication and thanks to everyday efforts and investments, BIC has become one of the most recognised brands and is a trademark registered worldwide for iden-

L-R: Finance Director, Mr. Amitabh Sinha; MD CFAO - NIPEN, Mr Regis Tromeur; BIC Nigeria, Development Manager, Mr Adeyemi Ojo; Deputy General Manager, Commercial, NIPEN, Mr Adedamola Adelabu and National Sales Manager, Retail, Mr Jide Alade at the event

tifying BIC products, which are sold in more than 160 countries around the world.

Taking a cursory look at the Nigeria economy, Tromeur said the company still has confidence in the nation’s economy despite the fact that it has been on the downturn in recent times. “CFAO has been in existence for more than a hundred years and we have been in partnership with Bic since the early 70s. We started operations here in 1973, so we would always be optimistic about Nigeria as the population keeps growing, every year there a million consumers that are getting to the stage of shaving. “So, we are still confidence in the Nigeria economy even though the economy has experienced some difficulties in the last couple of years�, Tromeur said further.

He said however that the economic downturn was not peculiar to Nigeria alone as a lot of oil-driven economy around the world have faced same difficulties. “We have adjusted to it, we have made our market presence stronger and we have ultimately overcome the situation and now we are obviously configured for the next few years�, he added.

Speaking on the impact of the Shave & Win promo generally on the company, he said, “During the period of the promotion, the sales obviously goes up because the promotion rewards consumers and so it attracts more purchases from consumers. “Last October, we experienced significant increase in our sales and we expect that beyond the time of promotion, we would

manage to keep those consumers intact.� The Business Development Manager, BIC Nigeria, Mr. Adeyemi Ojo explained further that this particular edition of the promo, is the second one, having held the first edition last year during which two brand new cars were given out to the lucky winners.

He said: “For the success of 2017, we are trying again to reward our consumers in 2018 and this year, BIC is making it bigger by reaching out to more people. “The essence of this promo is to give back to the consumers who have been supporting our business since the inception of BIC and we want to tell them thank you. We want to give to them what we feel is due to them.�

He noted that with just a token purchase of N70 worth of BIC shaving stick, one stands the chance of winning a million naira and any of the other prizes. “So it just takes you to invest N70 to win as much as N1million.

Just buy a shaving stick, scratch the card inside the park and send a text to the code given on the card at no cost to you and you would get a reply immediately indicating that your name is already on the platform which qualifies you for the raffle draws, like what we are doing today.

Above that, you have instant winning of recharge cards because we are giving 30,000 recharges cards to Nigeria during this promo�, he noted.

Deputy General Manager Commercial, NIPEN, partners with BIC, Mr Adedamola Adelabu, said the promo has been quite impactful, adding that, “it’s

one of BIC’s ways of saying thank you to the consumers who have stayed with us. “This is a brand that is really credible; it is actually number one brand in Nigeria. We have had significant impact on our sales and the consumers have also come back to say that they really appreciate this laudable project. “Overall, there is going to be some handsome rewards which include cash and electronics items to consumers from now to December�, Adelabu said.

Reaffirming the company’s confidence in investing more in Nigeria, Adelabu said, “Our consumers have been pretty much consistent and that consistency and the ability for us to really understand the landscape and to know where there is to meet our consumers’ needs, is what has sustained the business this far. “This is a relationship that has ran for decades and we hope retain the momentum.

Consumers’ confidence is reassured from year in, year out by the quality of our products and we do quality checks on our products in view of the fact that we have very laudable reward scheme and loyalty scheme in place and consumers are always willing to stick by us and with BIC, our partner, it has been a very commendable relationship back to back. “The support has been very rich, trade response has been phenomenal, and consumers are ever loyal to the brand because we have always assured them consistently of quality offering in our products.�

RCCG Holds First Faith-based Hackathon in Nigeria The Redeemed Christian Church of God, a trailblazer and a frontrunner in driving innovation that is positioning the Church and Africa as a global stakeholder in solving one of the greatest global epidemics – poverty, through its Young Adults and Youth Affairs has successfully held the first ever faith-based hackathon in Nigeria and second of the few in Africa.

The event which held from November 1 to 3, 2018 was tagged ‘Kingdom Hack’. The objective of Kingdom Hack was to drive social change through technology.

This year, the focus was on addressing the challenge of poverty through redistribution of wealth. Hackers from different parts of the country came together and were tasked with the responsibility of developing tech products and innovations that will enable redistribution of wealth and greater generosity.

Nine teams mentored by experts competed for the ultimate prize and at the end of the three-

One of the winning teams at RCCG Hackathon day event, Team Credital won the Hackathon ahead of team LinkUp and team Wagro. The three top teams were trailed by the six other teams.

Team Credital developed a peer-peer lending platform aimed at exploring the lending market place in Nigeria with a bid to help accelerate the growth of small and medium scale enterprises and in turn, create a chain reaction of wealth redistribution and fight poverty in the process.

Speaking earlier at the beginning of the event, Bayo Adekanmbi, Chief Transformation Officer of MTN Nigeria, spoke about the dangers posed by

poverty and its effect on national productivity as he challenged participants to position themselves as the game changers in driving the change of narrative.

He also took the participants through an inspiring session which focused on how to develop innovative products that can address the subject matter with many eye opening case studies.

The National Young Adults and Youth Pastor of RCCG, Pastor Precious Akingbade, spoke about the strength of the youths and young adults as a major tool that can create wealth and reduce poverty if properly harnessed, as the Redeemed Christian Church

of God is currently doing.

In his remarks, the International Director of Programs, RCCG Young Adults and Youth Affairs, Pastor Oluwadamilare Adeboye congratulated the participants whom he described as the pioneers of a landmark initiative focused on solving a problem that has held the world in ransom for too long.

He further stressed that Kingdom Hack is one of the major initiatives through which the church is living up to her responsibility as a key stakeholder in driving social change.

The event also featured judges who are experts in various subjects’ matter in the tech community within and outside Nigeria.

Busola Oyefeso, CEO Tailorbricks; Kayode Adeyinka, Co-MD Jumia Ghana; Babajide Asegbeloyin, Techspace Ecosystem Business, FCMB all added colours to the event as they employed their expertise and experience to determine the winners of the event.

Renowned Photographer “Seun O�

Launches Music Career with “Move�

Ever been on a beach of an exquisite African resort with a mojito in hand and the beautiful waves sweeping your feet?

The undiluted afro vibe sounds of Seun O’s new single “Move� produced by Ultra, will take you there every time you press play.

With deep euphonious vocals laid gently on the smooth but catchy combination of drums and chords to create not just a song, but a state of mind.

Seun O’s baritone mixed with a falsetto brings a unique and smooth vibe that can be likened to no other.

Inspired by a sensual relationship that came to an abrupt end, “Move� is a mid-tempo wavy track that expresses one’s desire to retrieve a lost love in a brash and cocky fashion.

His message is not just embedded in the lyrics but also in the feeling his sound offers. The song also conveys the rhythm of his soul to his African lover.

Speaking about his musical journey, Seun O said “I stared making music six years ago and always had the intention of putting my music out so people can hear. “I also wanted conditions to be perfect concerning releasing my songs. However, after a sabbatical of roughly two years, I went back to the studio in January and started working on my album.�

Move is the first single from this project. Seun O’s debut album and is set to drop April 2019.

âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ The International Drinks Festival is here again for its second year after a successful debut in 2017, where over 18,000 attendees and professionals graced the festival.

This year, a series of events have been lined up differently from the first edition to make the festival even better.

Speaking on this year’s edition of the world class festival, CEO of the Balmoral Group, Ezekiel Adamu, said the first two days of the festival have been scheduled to host the drink industry stakeholders to series of seminars, master classes and break-out sessions to discuss the dynamics of the drinks industry and how various opportunities in the sector can be tapped into, while the last two days will be consumer-based as it is open to all drinks lovers and enthusiasts to come have a great time trying out our exquisite variety of drinks. “The Business to Business activities include a Drinks Summit where professionals from all sectors of the drinks industry will speak on the theme, “Where Drinks Mean Business�. “Topics of discussion among others will include expansion, growth, sales, technology and other factors affecting the drinks industry. “Included in the first two days will be a B2B exhibition. It is all dedicated to bringing together all industry players in every sector of drinks in Nigeria and West Africa. “Major distributors from all parts of Nigeria as well as major stakeholders will be present, to meet with brands representing every sector of the industry�, he noted.

Adamu said also that this interface will provide stakeholders with ample opportunities to meet top executives, brand managers and government officials from the regulatory agencies.

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is expected to give the keynote address at the festival while ministers, governors and other top government functionaries will also be present. Renowned and distinguished speakers and drinks experts are also expected to facilitate at the festival to embody the attendees with exceptional knowledge, current trends and information that will influence the drinks industry positively.

The festival will also be a platform for factual data gathering and analysis for all stakeholders in the drinks business.

Eminent chefs will also be present at the festival to provide the attendees with great menu infused with drinks of the attendees’ choices giving them a chance to treat their taste buds to exquisite meals. On the other hand, the consumer-focused activities include discounted sales and other drink-related events to engage consumers plus lots of entertainment at the Beer village.

The festival will also afford consumers the opportunity to stock up for the Yuletide festive season at great discounts.

Consumers will get to discover latest trends in the industry and gain valuable insights into profitable business opportunities that are widely available in the drinks industry in Nigeria and beyond.

To kickstart this year’s Yuletide, the International Drinks Festival 2018 is the place to be from November 29, to December 2, 2018.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

‌Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

OnyekaOnwenu,SirShinaPeters,OtherstoPerformat ‘TheMonarchExperience’ Vanessa Obioha

A

fter staging the successful ‘Sunny On Sunday’ concert in 2016 which celebrated Juju icon, King Sunny Ade’s 70th birthday and spurned the record-breaking auction sale of his Fender Telecaster Guitar, leading creative agency, Temple Management Company (TMC) is set to present another timeless live concert.

Tagged ‘The Monarch Experience’, the concert will bring on stage some of Nigeria’s most celebrated music icons like Kwam 1, Onyeka Onwenu, Sir Shina Peters, Queen Salawa Abeni, Bright Chimezie and Gloria Ibru.

The iconic acts will present a cocktail of

Onyeka Onwenu

eclectic genres such as Fuji, Juju, Highlife and contemporary Afro music through stellar live performances.

Emerge ALĂ RA Awards Crowns Winner

Faith Oluwajimi (R) with Reni Folawiyo

Vanessa Obioha Faith Oluwajimi, Creative Director of BLOKE was announced the winner of the first edition of The Emerge ALĂ RA Awards 2018 held recently.

The young fashion designer beat five other creatives who emerged finalists in the Pan-African competition to clinch the coveted grant to produce a collection and an opportunity to be stocked at ALĂ RA. He will also receive mentorship from industry leaders.

Runners-up Kayinsola Onalaja of Onalaja and Ekwurike Chukwuma of Wuman will also receive business mentorship and the opportunity to retail at ALà RA. In July, the luxury fashion store announced the launch of its Emerge ALà RA Awards — a series of talent hunt to reward young creatives in fashion, art, cuisine and design.

For this year, it kicked off the fashion edition which sought out the most promising young designer and fashion media creative to offer them the opportunity to present a retail collection and exhibition respectively at ALĂ RA, as well as receive mentorship from a carefully selected team of advisors.

Hundreds of applications were received from Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, France, Switzerland and the USA in the fields of Fashion Apparel Design, Accessory Design,

Sir Shina Peters

Photography and Filmmaking.

The selected participants were subjected to a series of tasks which was thoroughly vetted by the panel of judges consisting Bola Adesola, CEO Standard Chartered Bank; Duro Olowu, International Award Winning Designer; Uzoma Dozie, CEO Diamond Bank; Folake Coker, Creative Director Tiffany Amber; Helen Jennings, Cofounder Nataal; Ronke Bamisedun, Founder, BWL PR Agency; and Reni Folawiyo, Founder, ALĂ RA. Although no finalists emerged at Fashion Media category, the six finalists were chosen based on the merit of their submissions, unique artistic direction, originality, and brand stories that resonate with the African narrative. “The talents of the six finalists were so arresting, it was impossible not to recognise the runners up.

We were impressed by the abstract resourcefulness that instills WUMAN’s designs, coupled with the designer’s use of African touches finished in clean lines. “ONALAJA’s designs were also seductive; the designer ’s exquisite intricacy and detailing really brought each piece to life,� said Folawiyo.

She further expressed optimism that the next edition will discover more talents, particularly in the fashion media category.

According to Mark Redguard, Head of Entertainment of TMC, ‘The Monarch Experience’ offers more than just

entertainment. “With Sunny On Sunday, we delivered a live music concert experience of world class scale that can be taken anywhere in the world. We have put in more work because we have set a higher standard for ourselves from what we achieved previously. The end goal is to raise the bar with The Monarch Experience and indeed deliver a memorable event that everyone will be proud of. “It will provide the right ambience for socialising and HNI networking.

We envision that it has been a busy year for everyone and concert presents the perfect atmosphere for people to reward themselves with an unforgettable experience.�

The concert is scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 8, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Rose May Alaba Teases With Afro-Fusion Sounds Vanessa Obioha Ever since she declared her intention to experiment with African sounds and work with local stars in February, the 23-year-old Austria-based singer, Rose May Alaba, has never rested on her oars.

Few months ago, she released a groovy song ‘My Love (sabi oh)’ which so far has received positive reviews. That first experimentation inspired her to produce another hit, this time, in collaboration with popular music sensation, Mayorkun. The song titled ‘50 50 Loving’ was inspired and produced

by Kiddominant, according to the singer.

She said: “The song was inspired by Kiddominant; it was actually his idea. He sent the idea to me and I said it would appeal to the Nigerian audience. The song basically talks about the need for a relationship

Rose May Alaba

to be balanced and not onesided.�

The pop singer who is also the younger sister of Bayern Munich player, David Alaba, may be a newcomer in the Nigerian music scene, but she has scored quite a few milestones in Austria.

Having started out her career professionally in 2015, Alaba got the opportunity to prove her mettle at the Austria Music Awards after releasing her first two singles, ‘All of This is You’

Oni Diri Celebrates African Artistry Vanessa Obioha Having an eye for spotting talents, Olubukola Bolarinde has helped visual artists like Patrick Isiekwene and Nelson Okoh extend the reach of their artwork to a larger audience.

With time, she realised the good she could serve by providing a strategic platform to showcase the often neglected upcoming talents to Africa and the rest of the world.

After many years of working as project manager in firms like Zenon and Standard Chartered Bank, the Ekiti native assumed the role of chief executive officer for the newly incorporated content creation and talent management company Yellow Dot, where she strives to promote arty expressions of all forms that relay the African tale through visual arts and cinematography. The outfit also leans towards promoting sports talents and contents.

For the official launch of Yellow Dot, the screening of ‘Oni Diri’ served as a centrepiece for the evening.

The event which hosted guests to an evening of merriment at the Filmhouse Cinema Signature Lounge saw an impressive turnout from industry players.

Whilst set to give off a relaxed ambience, the atmosphere later became charged with electric to the metal clangs and drumbeats from the royal entourage of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi who graced the event in an all white, immaculate regalia; thus, adding a touch of African essence that amplified the goals of Yellow Dot – to properly promote African artistry.

Its debut film production solely written by Bolarinde and produced by her 17man team is a timely story of true African essence. The short film elaborately details the childhood of a lady recollecting her peculiar one-to-one interaction with a local hairdresser mama Jeneba. The story is not just about hair, it transcends in its plot to reflect the life of the hairstylist and her clan on a larger scale; highlighting certain sociocultural nuances only an insider could perceive.

and ‘Love me Right’ in 2016.

More opportunities beckoned at her the following year when she was selected to work with Coca Cola on a Unified Song for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter games, ‘Can You Feel It’.

Composed by Markus Weiss and Bern Wagner, the track was written and performed by Alaba alongside musicians with intellectual disabilities from the organisation Jugend am Werk (Youth at Work) playing the Veeh harp, a plucked string instrument that does not require the ability to read music. They performed ‘Can You Feel It’ live at the opening and closing ceremony, while Coca-Cola also featured the anthem in its marketing campaign for the games.

Coming back home is a different ball game for the singer. She admitted to being under pressure to produce sounds that are genuinely African.

However, she refuses to box her style of music into the afro-pop genre. “No doubt, the pressure is there. I feel like the particular sound that I do‌ like mixing harp with Afro beats, like doing this Afro fusion thing really makes my sound different from the rest. “I feel like I have a good chance here to show the people that I’m here now and that I have a different sound and I am here to stay.

I don’t really have a name for it but I just want to call it Afro fusion. I don’t want to call it Afro pop; I don’t think there’s something as Afro-pop.�

Back home, the singer said her fans are already embracing her new sounds. “They love it; they play me on radio, they really like it. I feel like they are really accepting me infusing Afro sound into my music, much more than me singing pop. I think I’m on the right path,� she declared.

An Actor’s Quest in Real Estate Vanessa Obioha With the steady rise in the number of homeless persons in Lagos state due to a 2.5 million housing unit deficit, Nollywood actor Kelechi Udegbe, embarked on a quest to investigate and collate data on some of the challenges the Lagos dwellers face in accessing affordable housing.

The six-part documentary series ‘Kelechi’s Quest’ directed by Deji Akinpelu was screened recently at the Westwood Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Drawing the attention of various stakeholders in the public and private

Kelechi Udegbe

housing sectors, the docuseries elaborated on the misconceptions of low-cost housing schemes in the state, the role of cooperative societies in land acquisition, and the role of government in bridging the gap between low-income and the highincome earners through mixed and integrated housing schemes.

Eliciting questions from the audience, a panel made up of Lateef A. O. Sholebo, Rebecca Roberts, Dr. Bashirat Oyalowo, Ayo Ibaro, Kelechi Udegbe and Dr. Taibat Lawanson was set up with the aim of objectively tackling some of the issues raised by applying economic and financial policies, social and environmental policies, and mixed income policies in making feasible projection for affordable housing.

Sharing the experiences he garnered during the investigative work, one which afforded him a fresh view on housing schemes and the social dichotomy it has created, Udegbe said: “When you sleep in a cosy environment, you don’t understand what that is until I was on this quest.

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Tiwa Savage Beats Davido To Win Best African Act At 2018 MTV Ema’s Sunday Ehigiator Nigeria’s queen of music, Tiwa Savage has won the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) in the Best African Act category.

The annual MTV EMA held at the expansive Bilbao Exhibition Center, Bilbao, Spain, amidst glitz and glamour, awarded music artistes around the globe in different categories.

The African act category was infused into the MTV EMA to enhance musical alliances across borders, and promote cultural integrations.

Tiwa was nominated alongside fellow Nigerian act, David Adeleke, aka Davido; South Africa’s Distruction Boyz and Shekinah; Kenya’s Nyashinski and Fally Ipupa from the DRC. The songstress, in June of this year, lost to Davido, in the Best International Act category of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

Speaking with another media house (The Nation) on the red carpet, prior to the

award show, Tiwa was full of accolades for Davido whom she proudly called by his alias; O.B.O. She said it was humbling being nominated in the same category of the award with Davido. She also gave a shout out to fellow contestant from DRC, Fally Ipupa.

It may be the second time that Tiwa was rocking the MTV red carpet, having won the Best Female Act at the African version of the reward scheme called MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA) in 2014.

Delighted by her firsttime experience in Bilbao, Tiwa simple said she loves the Spanish food, while also describing the award organisation as ‘incredible’.

Alao, a 26-year-old Nigerian lady, Hauwa Ojeifo won in the first edition of MTV EMA Generation Change Award category.

Ojeifo who was selected among four others was missed on the red carpet, as she could not secure a Schengen Visa from the Spanish embassy in Nigeria to embark on the trip.

Tony

Thin Tall Tony Raises Alarm After Photo was Found on Gay Dating Site Sunday Ehigiator

Tiwa-Savage

Her award category was presented during the MTV EMA red carpet pre-show.

The award aims to elevate and empower the fearless, original young people who are changing the world.

Ojeifo was selected alongside a 21-year old

Afghanistan, Sonita Alizadeh; 17 year old Lebanese, Mohamad Aljounde; 20 year old Briton, Ellen Jones and an 18 year old Xiuhtezcatl “X�

Martinez. The MTV EMA was broadcast live in 81 countries around the world.

Uber Driver, Victor Ogbogu Calls Out Duncan Mighty On Twitter Over Unpaid Bill Sunday Ehigiator

Victor Ogbogu, an Uber driver, has taken to twitter to call out singer Duncan Mighty who he took to the airport two weeks ago. According to Ogbogu, Duncan on

getting to the airport, promised to transfer his bill to him as he claimed he did not have cash on him. He said he has since sent his account details to Duncan with texts and calls, appealing for his money, but the singer

was yet to pay him.

Duncan Mighty is yet to respond to his call out. “I am an Uber Driver and two weeks ago I picked up the big star Duncan Mighty at the Harvest on Admirality way Lekki.

“I dropped him at the airport, he was in a hurry and he asked me to send my account details to him. I did and he never credited me.

I called and text but he never responded, #whyisthishappening�

Reality show star, Thin Tall Tony, has raised an alarm after he was called a closet gay, because his photo was found on a gay dating site.

Thin Tall Tony who disclosed that he was woken from sleep by a gay friend who was upset that he was hiding his sexuality, stated that he wasn’t the one behind the account and he has posted a disclaimer via Instagram.

According to the father of three, his friend further asked him to come clean on his sexuality so they could have a relationship.

He wrote on Instagram,

I Used To Be A Chronic Stammerer – Ik Ogbonna Sunday Ehigiator Popular film actor, IK Ogbonna, has revealed that he used to be a chronic stammerer whenever he speaks to the extent of hitting his head on the floor before completing a single sentence.

In the recent interview when he was asked about the challenges he faced while starting up, He said: “I was a very chronic stammerer; I had to hit my foot on the floor before I could complete a sentence. “I worked on it so much that you can hardly tell

Ducan Mighty and the driver

Mr. Eazi Generates $1million 2Baba inTears as Wife, Baby Mama End Long-time Quarrel through Music Streaming Sunday Ehigiator UK-based Nigerian musician, Mr. Eazi said he has generated over one million dollars in music streaming alone. He shared his joy via his twitter handle Monday.

The tweet reads “If someone had told me in 2015 that it was possible for an African Artist making African music to generate over one million dollars in streaming only revenue I would not have believed!!

Woke up to a very nice alert hitting the account!!! Praise Master Jesus!!!�

Mr Eazi is set to hold a listening party for his yet

to be released sophomore studio album titled “Life Is Easy Volume 2, Lagos to London� on November 8.

Mr Eazi

Sunday Ehigiator

2Baba could not hold back the tears as he saw his baby mama Pero Adeniyi and his wife Annie Idibia, reconcile right in front of him.

The singer apparently has been having issues as one of his three babymamas Pero and his wife were not on talking terms.

The rift obviously affected the relationship 2baba had with his wife, children and his baby mamas.

This was probably the reason why the singer could not control his “emotion� and burst into tears. The issue started after

2Baba

the two women fought on social media because Annie allegedly did not want her husband to have anything to do with pero.

“So! my sleep was cut by half by a friend who’s gay‌he was disappointed I didn’t tell him I was into men and found my profile on a gay site. “His exact words ‘Tony so you use family cover up and you didn’t tell me? “I had to tell my friend you are a nice guy and very direct‌but! e pain me o!

You and I would have had something special. I had to stop the conversation sharp, sharp. “So! someone is out there with a name (JAY24) using my photo to attract people. That is how I could have been out with my family and men would be admiring my bombom!!!‌ God I beg o!â€?

Ogbonna

now when I talk and I thank my father for that.

It affected my confidence level and how I related with people. Back then, when I saw people around, I kept quiet because I didn’t want to embarrass myself. “At the time I started presenting on TV, I had worked on myself so well that people couldn’t tell if I was a stammerer or not.

However, there are still days it comes and I find it difficult to control myself.

But some directors that know me well just give me a few minutes to calm down.�

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XTRA

‘Nollywood is not Profitable for Filmmakers’ Nigerian filmmaker and realtor, Goodness Usman, has revealed that the industry is not as viable as envisioned, especially for filmmakers who invest so much in making a movie.

She affirmed that the success of a movie producer is in the production of more movies, adding, “we don’t make movies to make money; we make money to make more movies. “Despite fame and fortune being misconstrued or perceived to be the same, it is important to know that Nollywood has clearly and helplessly juxtaposition both. “Ranked as the second largest film industry in the world, one would expect that Nollywood is as rich as its status. Just like every normal business out there, Nollywood is one risky venture where the cost of a loss is greater than the gains.

“For this reason, investors are meticulous as they always want to check the pros and cons; thus, drafting or trying to predict a scenario for the business�.

The filmmaker and real estate consultant for Naijarealty24 described the movie industry as an experiment which is still undergoing transition. “Nollywood is a totally different kind of business.

No one fully understands it. No one is an authority on it yet. We know it is growing but it seems we can’t measure it. “Nollywood is still largely a big experiment and we are terrible at collecting data. This means whatever anyone tells you about profitability in Nollywood is only half the truth no matter where it is coming from, that is why you see most of our Nigerian celebrities delving into other businesses,� she said.

Adeboye

Pastor Adeboye, Ebenezer Obey, Others Storm PGWT Ayodeji Ake

Usman

Disney Honours 90 Years of Mickey Mouse on DStv and GOtv Disney Africa announced the African launch of the Mickey the True Original campaign, joining the global festivities honouring nine decades of Mickey Mouse, his heritage, personality and status as a pop-culture icon.

As November 18, 2018 marks 90 years since his first appearance in Steamboat Willie in November 1928, a series of world-wide celebrations will be taking place this year and Africa is no different.

The campaign will come to life with engaging content and events that embrace Mickey’s impact on the past, present and future. The local festivities kick off in earnest this month, leading up to Mickey’s 90th anniversary on November 18, 2018 and beyond.

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular, a two-hour prime-time special, will be screened on M-Net 101 later this year.

The elegant affair will feature star-studded musical performances, moving tributes and neverbefore-seen short films.

Superstars from music, film and television will join the birthday fun for the internationally beloved

character.

In addition, there will be special programming on Mickey’s birthday across Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303), Disney XD (DStv, Channel 304) and Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309, GOtv, 60). “Binding generations together more than any other animated character, Mickey Mouse is the ‘True Original’, who reminds people of all ages of the benefits of laughter,

optimism and hope. With his universal appeal and ability to emotionally connect with generations all over the world, no other character quite occupies a similar space in the hearts and minds of a global fan base and we are thrilled to be sharing these festivities,� said Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

Mickey’s birthday is

celebrated in honour of the release of his first theatrical film, Steamboat Willie, on November 18, 1928, at the Colony Theatre in New York City.

Since then, he has starred in more than 100 cartoons and can currently be seen on Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) in the Mickey Mouse cartoon series and on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309 and GOtv, 60) in Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

LARSSMUN Conference Addresses Hate Crimes Among Youths Ayodeji Ake To curtail the menace of hate crimes among the youths, the Lagos Regional Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LARSSMUN) fourth conference recently held in Lagos, was an avenue to charge students to disallow intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes, regardless of their background and culture.

The Chairman Governing Council, LARSSMUN, Mr. Chika Nwaozuzu, in his remarks noted the event has been put together to hold a very vibrant, highly engaging and mentally

stimulation of the United Nations to move ahead to tackle the growing menace of Intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes. “Education for human rights, peace and tolerance is the central focus of our 2018 and 2019 programmes, and under this, we have chosen the theme for LARSSMUN 2018 as ‘Engaging the youths in the fight against intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes. “Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world,

our mode of worship, our forms of expression and our ways of being human,� he said.

Mr. Lanre Ijaola, who also attended the event gave kudos to the organisers of the event for a job well done. “This program is an annual event, it’s a very educative program that trains upcoming world leaders to imbibe the spirit of leadership in them. It’s a program that we should support at every given time� he said.

The Head of Secretariat, LARSSMUN, Miss Damilola Solola, said the conference provides equal opportunity

to all participants to express and rediscover themselves. “Our generation is the future that lies ahead and we must do our best to make that future a bright one. The youths are not just victims of these acts, but they are also the perpetrators of these evil vices tearing the world apar “If they are taught to rise above intolerance, discrimination and hatred, our diversity will be more colourful and our resolve for more just, equitable and peaceful world will be more blossom,� she said.

The success recorded at the just concluded third edition of the annual music and prayer programme, Praise God with the Twins (PGWT), has certainly indicated that the unique one-day event has come to stay.

The programme which is the largest gathering of singing twins in Nigeria was conceived to fulfil two purposes; pray for Nigeria and those hoping to have their own children.

Like the previous edition, which was starstudded, some of the stars on parade have become a part of the vision by their dedication to always attend, while others were part of the unique event for the first time.

According to the conveners, Taiwo and Kenny Jones Olayiwola, the vision is to intercede for Nigeria in another way and because twin are special gifts from God, it was decided that a gathering of twins interceding with songs

together with few friends and mentors in the music industry will do good for Nigeria.

This year’s edition had in attendance dignitaries like; Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, who has become a regular feature at the event, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye (Mummy GO), who was ably represented by Pastor Mrs. Adeola Mensah one of her special assistants; Pastor Mrs. Kalejaiye, who came to represent her husband Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye; Hafeez Oyetoro (Simply Saka); Hon. Olabimjo Lagos State Special Adviser on Civic Engagement and many others.

PGWT 2018 was tagged “Heal Our Land� and it was to intercede for Nigeria this time around through music and praise, since the conveners of the event are of the strong believe that where prayers tarries, praise intercedes.

This is the reason the annual programme of more songs and less prayer for the country was established.

OnlineVotingOpenfor9mobilePhotographyCompetition In a bid to select the best of entries for its photography competition while creating excitement amongst photography enthusiasts, award-winning telecommunication company, 9mobile, has opened its portal to enable interested Nigerians cast their votes online for the winner of the ‘Voters’ Choice’ category, of the 2018 edition. The online public voting kicked off on Monday, November 5, and will run until Monday, November 19, 2018. Prior to this public voting, photographs submitted during the call for entries which held from September 17 to October 31, were evaluated by an internal evaluation committee in line with the competition’s entry criteria. The qualifying entries made the “Top 100�.

The Top 100 images are now being displayed on the portal http:// photo.9mobile.com.ng/ for a period of two weeks, for the public to vote their favourite images. The

image with the highest votes will emerge as winner of a prize category of the photography competition, referred to as the ‘Voters’ Choice’ category.

Similarly, out of the Top 100, a three-member judging panel will also select the “Top Three� images, and they will be categorised as the first, second and third prize winners. The judges comprise creative photographer, Kola Oshalusi; documentary photographer, Bernard Kalu; and award-winning photo-journalist, Aisha Augie-Kuta. Speaking on the milestone achieved by the competition so far, Director of Brands and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, expressed excitement at the impressive higher number of images that were received, noting that the positive enthusiasm elicited by the competition was a testament that many Nigerians appreciate photography as a rewarding activity.

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ART WEEKEND

‌For pure art enthusiasts

QueenMoremitheMusicalasDecemberTreat Against the lure of enjoying family bonding outside the city noise and traffic, Bolanle AustenPeters Production prepares another box-office hit for the city’s theatre nuts with the classic story of heroism set to music, Queen Moremi the Musical. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

Bolanle Austen-Peters at the press briefing for Queen Moremi the musical

B

olanle Austen-Peters Production (BAP) and House of Oduduwa are collaborating to tell an authentic African story of the heroine of the Yoruba race, Queen Moremi in a musical set for December.

As familiar as the title may sound, not a lot of people know the story of Moremi, the courageous woman who shaped our history and ethnic diplomacy.

From December 21, 2018 to January 2, 2019, Terra Arena will resonate with music and dance as stage lights intersect in sheer display of artistry.

The plot is hemmed on the fabric of the legend of Moremi, the daughter to one of Ife’s hunter-warriors, Lukugba and Princess Olunbe of Offa. She stood up for the oppressed and made a huge personal

sacrifice for the sake of humanity.

While fielding questions from the press at a recent briefing to announce the musical, Bolanle Austen-Peters said the performances may be stretched depending on popular demand.

Last year, BAP took on a daunting task in researching about the women behind the music of the Afrobeat musician and pan-Africanist to produce “Fela and the Kalakuta Queens.�

This year, BAP seems to be towing the feminist line with yet another story that explores the role of women in changing history with Queen Moremi the Musical. “l am a woman. I believe in equal rights,� said the lawyer and cultural entrepreneur, Austen-Peters. “We have more than enough folklores to generate enough content from�.

Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, the face of

the House of Oduduwa at the briefing remarked that the story shows the strength of a woman. “We should remember her for the good deeds that she did. We should tell our African story,� she said.

Starring Kehinde Bankole, Femi Branch, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bimbo Manuel, Lala Akindoju, Bambam of Big Brother Nigeria, this musical is arguably set to be the longest-running theatre production of the year.

Interestingly too, this is the first time that BAP productions will be staging a non-contemporary show which will predictably elicit rave reviews from the critical audience.

The opening night has as special guest, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Nollywood Topguns Return to Stage with Esugbayi Drama Yinka Olatunbosun

One of the best things to happen to Nigerian theatre this December is the star-studded drama, “Oba Esugbayi�.

Sequel to the box-office hit, “Isale-Eko�, this production stars Nollywood’s greats such as Femi Branch, Yemi Sodimu and the singer-songwriter, Yinka Davies. Produced

by Joseph Edgar, the show will have two productions per day from December 23 till 25 at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan. The 1hr 30mins show is directed

by William Benson and sponsored by MTN Foundation with support from Maryland Mall. Esugbayi drama straddles reality and fiction as the producer explained during a recent media briefing at the Maryland Mall.

As an investment banker, Edgar’s idea for developing new theatre audience is founded on the need to use the theatre as a means of educating young people about their history in a very entertaining and sustainable way. “We’re building a community of theatre investors. We’re trying to change the narrative for funding the theatre,� he remarked.

He also observed that the new generation is obsessed with food, fashion, football, music and sex.

Hence, developing theatrical production that can compete with these elements of popular culture requires creativity in developing rich content.

For Esugbayi, the audience will be thrilled by the Calabar cultural embellishments in giving the play an artistic interpretation.

Femi Branch In his remarks, Yemi Sodimu commended the producer’s effort at revalidating history and culture through the production. “I like anything that can add value to our traditional culture. It’s a whole attempt to take the theatre from the level that it was to a greater one.

“The total budget for this production may not be up to what some actors in Nollywood get. But in theatre, it’s a huge one. It’s a lot of sacrifice, almost suicidal.

The industry can only be grateful to people like these who have decided to put their heart into theatre,� Sodimu said.

Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂĄĂ™ËŞĂ? ÙÖÙ Ă˘Ă’Ă“ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă•Ă? ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂœĂŁ Yinka Olatunbosun

On the trail of Nigeria’s 58th Independence celebration comes this fourth solo exhibition by Bolaji Ogunwo.

The show which will run from November 17 till 24 has the title, “Motions and Emotions�. Asides showcasing this collection of 58 paintings for Nigeria at 58, the prolific painter is also marking his 40th birthday.

Through his body of works, Ogunwo interrogates Nigeria’s socio-economic and political realities which had been his preoccupation as a conscious artist. For instance, his 2017 solo exhibition at Chuck Gallery, Manchester, UK titled, “Spillage� examines the socio-economic reality of Nigeria’s oil rich nature.

Incidentally, this artist who teaches at the Department of Creative Art, University of Lagos, Akoka, works predominantly with oil for most of the works in this show for obvious reasons. “Nigeria is an oil-producing state hence I have produced 95 per cent of the impasto paintings in oil. The repertoire is what I have been able to produce not with crude oil but with the oil colour at my disposal. “The aim of the show is to stimulate a contagious optimism that Nigeria will be great again against all odds,� he said.

Some of his works at this exhibition include, “How did we get here?�, “Where do we go from here?�, “Wind of Change “, “Arise o Compatriots�, “All will be well� and “A place called there�.

As suggested by the titles of his paintings, his message of hope is quite resounding. “As enshrined in our national anthem, there lies a great and lofty height to attain where justice and peace shall reign.

Through the lens of my palette, I lucidly perceive a ray of hope shining through,�

Ogunwo said.

Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÔÙ Ă?ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ùà ÓĂ? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Yinka Olatunbosun

With ‘Don’t get bad, get even’ movie, Nigerian-British actor Wale Ojo has joined the league of movie producers in Nigeria.

Shot in Cotonou, Benin Republic, the movie stars Femi Jacobs, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Kenneth Okolie, Toyin Abrahams, Patience Ozonkwor, Jide Kosoko, Nancy Isieme, Ayo Adesanya, Saheed Balogun, Jumoke George and a host of others. “Don´t get mad, get even� is an intriguing romantic comedy that is extremely hilarious and entertaining and will surely cheer you up even in difficult or stressful situations,� says the Executive Producer, Raphael Dedenuola.

The film tells the story of Jaiye and Juwon Kuti, two brothers whose relationship becomes estranged when the younger brother Juwon drops out of school to pursue a music career. Eventually, Jaiye, owing to economic downturn, moves into his younger brother’s house, who is a successful music producer. The comedy revolves around their conflicting lifestyles as the brothers are complete opposites with little or nothing in common. It is a production of RGD Media Productions, based in Germany, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Ojo, who started acting as a child, took to the stage as a very young Othello in the east-end of London in his late teens. He is well known for his role as Bayo in the comedy television soap Meet the Adebanjos (2012-2014), which won a Nigeria Lite Entertainment Award in 2006 and an AMVCA nomination in 2015.

His feature film debut was in the movie Rage (1999) in which he played a schizophrenic gangster and a cameo in Guy Ritchie’s first short film The Hard Case (1995). Since then he has appeared in feature films Johnny English Reborn (2011) and The Guard (2011). He has appeared in the popular television BBC series Grange Hill and the Heartburn Hotel.

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FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Ă?ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë? lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND THEIR EFFECT ON FERTILITY (2)

L

ast week we talked about the ability of toxins to negatively affect normal reproductive functioning referred to as the Reproductive toxicity and Environmental toxins capable of causing disrupting normal reproductivefunctions referred to as “Reprotoxics.

Reprotoxic substances may cause adverse effects on sexual functioning and fertility in adult male and female, as well as can cause damage to the offspring.

Men have a lot to worry on this issue of toxins because sperm seem to be more sensitive to damage by heavy metals and industrial pollutant. Studies have linked many abnormalities with sperm to toxins.

These chemicals are abundant in the atmosphere, on the ground in cities and the waterways. They have negative impact on sperm development and maturation.

Recent studies suggest a decline in male sperm count and these has been linked to environmental factors such as pesticides.

In the last few years overwhelming evidence points to the fact that environmental contamination can adversely affect reproductive Health. It is necessary that we are aware that environmental exposures can be harmful and potentially long lasting. Worse still these agents can be passed on to the future generations as some of these chemicals havethe ability to cross the placenta barrier in pregnant women causing harm to the fetus or leading to health challenges later in life.

SYMPTOMS Every toxic injury or exposure to a toxin has different effects and symptoms. Some toxins do not necessarily cause permanent damage and can be reversible. However some can cause irreversible permanent damage. Depending on the intensity of the poison of the substance it can affect just one particular organ system or they may produce generalized toxicity by affecting a

number of systems. A variety of symptoms occur depending on how and where the toxic injury affects the body. Generally, if the toxin affects the respiratory system the symptoms are coughing, tight chest, difficulty in breathing, nose and throat irritation.

It can also present as r $POTJTUFOU GBUJHVF .VTDMF BDIFT BOE pains, sleeplessness r 4LJO SFBDUJPOT r &YDFTTJWF XFJHIU HBJO CBE CSFBUI constipation.

Miscarriages and infertility are the common symptoms experienced when toxin affect reproductive organs such as the testis and ovaries.

In summary environmental toxins have very negative effect on our fertility and these include: r $IBOHJOH B XPNBO T IPSNPOF CBMance and affect the menstrual cycle r "DDFMFSBUF BHJOH PG FHHT XJUI SFTVMUBOU reduction in egg quality r 5IFZ BGGFDU TQFSN DPVOU RVBMJUZ BOE

sperm DNA damage r %VSJOH FBSMZ QSFHOBODZ UIFZ DBO increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defect r -BUFS JO QSFHOBODZ UIFZ DBO BGGFDU UIF growth of the foetus. r)PX $BO 8F .JOJNJ[F &YQPTVSF 5P Toxin?

While we cannot eliminate our exposure to toxins, we can take measures to minimize our overall exposure. r $IPPTF IFBMUIZ GPPET XJUI MFTT pesticides, organic grown foods are best r .JOJNJ[F QSPDFTTFE BOE GBTU GPPET r .JOJNJ[F DIFNJDBMT BOE PUIFS UPYJO exposures in the home or workplace r .JOJNJ[F FBUJOH EFFQ TFB Ă TI TVDI as sword-fish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish all of which have a more concentrated level of mercury r "WPJE MFBE CBTFE QBJOU JO ZPVS IPNF r 6TF HMPWFT HMBTTFT BOE QSPUFDUJWF

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

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equipment when handling toxins or chemicals r 3FBE MBCFMT PO QSPEVDU BOE JEFOUJGZ toxic substance you may need to avoid r "WPJE UPCBDDP .BSJKVBOB TNPLJOH as well as alcohol consumption as they constitute toxins that negatively impact our fertility o Increase nutrient essential for fertility usually referred to as prenatal vitamins three to six months before attempting QSFHOBODZ UIFZ JODMVEF 7JUBNJO $ # # # 'PMJD BDJET BSF FTQFDJBMMZ JNQPStant especially for women who have been on oral contraceptives which usually depletes these vitamins. o Antioxidant rich diet and supplements intake: Toxins eventually manifest as free radicals in the body, which are damaging to cells. Antioxidants can help fight and reduce free radicals and the damage they cause. Examples include Vitamin $ 7JUBNJO " 7JUBNJO & #FUB $BSPUFOF -VUFJO 4FMFOJVN -ZDPQFOF $02 / # &BDI BOUJPYJEBOU IBT B EJGGFSFOU chemical make-up and provides different health benefits. Too much ofparticular type of antioxidants may be harmful. Talk to your specialist before changing your diet or taking supplementsif trying to conceive.

Detoxification is another way of getting rid of unspecified toxins. Detoxification is necessary if you have been exposed to lots of toxins. This is usually done under the supervision of your doctor who develops a medical protocol for you.

While the recorded advancement in science and technology visible as improvement in information technology, Medicine, Education, Agriculture and manufacturing, there is also a staggering record on the increase in amount of environmental toxins humans are exposed to daily, you need to follow the steps above to minimize your exposure, achieve healthy fertility and overall wellbeing.

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

As our Very Important British Family Visits

VS WFSZ JNQPSUBOU #SJUJTI GBNJMZ UIF IFJS BQQBSFOU UP UIF #SJUJTI UISPOF 1SJODF $IBSMFT BOE IJT XJGF $BNJMMB - came to Nigeria and unsurprisingly got many seriously talking.

It is no longer news that the Nigerian government and its citizens recently QMBZFE IPTU UP 1SJODF $IBSMFT BOE $BNJMMB at a pleasant reception in the country. #VU XIBU NBZ MJOHFS GPS TPNF UJNF JT UIF real import of the visit and the discussions the august visitors threw up amongst Nigerians. /JHFSJB BOE #SJUBJO TIBSF B TUSPOH CPOE due to the colonial history they both share UIF #SJUJTI HPWFSONFOU DPNNBOEFE BOE controlled power of the state in preindependence Nigeria.

Though Nigeria has since gained JOEFQFOEFODF GSPN #SJUJBO m ZFBST BHP UP CF QSFDJTF m UIF DPVOUSZ SFNBJOT EFQFOEFOU PO NBOZ GSPOUT PO #SJUBJO BOE PUIFS similarly powerful nations.

-JLF POF PG /JHFSJB T QPQVMBS IVNPVS merchants once joked, if there was a circumstance of colonisation again, many Nigerians will willingly submit to colonial rule against the leadership provided by UIFJS DPVOUSZ T DVSSFOU DSPQ PG MFBEFST 5IF comedian also went further to say that if a ship was anchored on our water by either UIF #SJUJTI PS "NFSJDBO BTLJOH /JHFSJBOT to come in for another slavery expedition, not a few Nigerians would jump aboard.

0G DPVSTF NBOZ XPVME FBTJMZ XBWF UIJT UIPVHIU PGG BT B NFSF KPLF #VU GPS TPNF visible harsh realities, I have no doubt that many Nigerians will not think twice before conceding to the two sad assumptions given by the comedian.

Prince Charles of Wales and Nigeria’s foremost traditional rulers

In fact, a few shocking facts would give life to the crude wisecrack from the DPNJD QFSGPSNFS 1SFTFOUMZ PWFS NJMMJPO Nigerians are reported, by the Nigerian HPWFSONFOU BOE CZ UIF 6OJUFE /BUJPOT to be living in extreme poverty, a terrible situation that continuously robs victims of good reasoning and sound judgment.

Similarly, Nigerians still top the list of Africans who continually dare the treacherous Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in futile efforts to cross to Europe in search of the proverbial greener pastures.

The foregoing clearly suggests some of the reasons behind the comic act. It is therefore for want of words or the sake of moderation that would make observers describe the scenarios presented as second-slavery.

No living soul would be confined to many of the harsh circumstances in their home country with no hope in sight and will not contemplate any offerings from the Western countries that are better organised and whose citizens are seen as better off and even superior.

The purpose of the visit of Prince $IBSMFT BOE IJT XJGF BT QSFWJPVTMZ provided to the public, and some of the highlights from occasion are valid pointers to how our foreign friends and family, if you like, are regarded by us. “Some of the issues like the farmers/ herders crisis are deep-rooted and are about the economy, land resource, climate change and cultural issues. “The Prince of Wales will be looking at the causes, talking to people who are working in this area and together, seeing

if we can find solutions and move on,�

UIF FSTUXIJMF #SJUJTI )JHI $PNNJTTJPOFS to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright said in a statement.

That means, in simple terms, that the QSPNJOFOU NFNCFS PG UIF #SJUJTI NPOBSchy was in Nigeria to help find practical solutions to the protracted internal conflicts in the country as it appeared to have advanced beyond the capacity of the Nigerian government.

And there was a fascinating side, or the NPTU UBMLFE BCPVU QPJOU PG UIF WJTJUPST outing, which was the viral picture of 1SJODF $IBSMFT XJUI TPNF QSPNJOFOU traditional kings across Nigeria.

5IF QJDUVSF XIJDI IBE 1SJODF $IBSMFT seated in front while the traditional rulers sat behind him is still generating so much debate with many expressing PVUSBHF PO XIZ 1SJODF $IBSMFT XIP XBT described as a visitor by all interpretations, confidently took a position of the host in the picture while the real hosts comfortably sat as the guests or the SPZBMUZ T TVCKFDUT I am as such, constrained to take another look at the views of those who said the picture is a reflection of the thinking of a government that continually seeks solutions from outside, the traditional rulers who still act as though the Western monarchies and cultures are superior to theirs and stimulation for the despondent citizens who are exploring all routes to leave Nigeria given the notion that foreign countries hold better promise. #VU TPNFUIJOH NVTU TVSFMZ DIBOHF and it must be soon.

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37

COLLAGE EVENTS IBC Youths Set For WHITE Experience

Ayodeji Ake

L-R: Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Oyo State Governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji; Zonal Director, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan Network Centre, Engineer Omolola Olorode; and Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the state governor, Mr Akin Oyedele, when the NTA management team visited the governor’s oďŹƒce, Ibadan..recently

The youth fellowship of the Ijero Baptist Church (IBC), has announced the third edition of Worship Him In The Evening (WHITE) to hold on December 21, 2018 themed ‘Unfailing Glory’.

According to the group, the event will feature over 30 gospel artistes and over two million audience across the country.

Addressing journalists recently at IBC Lagos, WHITE President, Mrs. Bukola Akinlabi, noted the event has been designed to reflect on the year activities so far, giving God a worship offering. “The programme, WHITE is an avenue to create true worship experience where millions of audience both in person and live streaming, will be able to worship His Majesty in spirit and live in truth. “It has always been a medium to reflect on the year, appreciate God in true holiness and call back the lost to the kingdom of God. It also gives all our worshippers and guests the opportunity to dress in all white apparel, either traditional or corporate wear as a reflection of the programme itself,� she said. She noted the the seven hours mega worship experience will host some top worship anointed leaders in the country which includes; Rev. Getrude Sosu and Rev. Dr. Kayode Babarinde, Pastor Tolu Adeniji, Rev. Israel Olu Kristilere; the percussionist Ayan Jesu, the acrobatic Gospel-Force; the saxophonist SamDeejay; the energetic Kaakaki Jesu; the wordsmith Grace D eulogist; Ife Afolayan, the beautiful Youth Ensemble as the host choir, amongst others.

Also speaking on the significance of the event, WHITE Secretary, Mr. Bode Afolayan, said the event is also an avenue to give special thanks to God in grand style for his protection throughout the year and prayers into the new year. “Collectively and individually, the WHITE worship has become an avenue to thank God for the just concluded year, prayer into the new year, rededication of our commitment to God, a salvation call to the lost and the likes. “In fact, the fellowship in particular and the church at large have recorded some tremendous testimonies among her members and non members through this special event,� he said.

Church to Host Just Worship The Shepherdhill Evangelical will host the sevent edition of the 2018 Just Worship event with the theme: ‘Wonderful’ featuring gospel music artistes such as Nathaniel Bassey, Glowreeyah, Onos, Shepherd’s International Voices, and others.

According to an invitation made available to THISDAY by the Visionary and Lead Worshipper, Dr. Israel Kristilere, it was noted that “the event would take place on November 23, at 10p.m to 5a.m, at the Shepherdhill Evangelical ground, Obanikoro Bus Stop, Lagos State.�

R-L: Chairman,Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya ; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Deputy Governor, Titi-Laoye Tomori; Chief of Sta to governor,Mr Rasaq Salinsile and Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Kazeem Salami, during a courtesy call by members of Senate Committee on Works on the governor in his oďŹƒce at Abere Osogbo...recently

L-R: Head of Communication, AUC, Ms Wynne Musabayana; President, African Public Relations Association (APRA), Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Deputy Chairperson, AUC, H.E Kwesi Quartey, and Director of Legal, AUC Amb Negm at the AU Headquarters, during a visit by the APRA President to agree on a working relationship with the African Union Commission, Addis Ababa...recently

L-R: Chairman, Estagon Malaysia,Mr Olawale Suleiman;Member, Engineering Technology Accreditation Council Board of Engineers, Malaysia, Mr Rocky Wong; President, Nigeria-Malaysia Business Council,(NMBC),Dr Micheal Aderohunmu; Managing Partner, Delta Consulting Services, Malaysia,Dr AbdulRashid Maiden;Chairman, Engineering Technology Accreditation Council Board of Engineers, Malaysia Datuk W. Ahmad, and Coordinator Nigeria-Malaysia Trade Corridor, Agboola Ojomo, during the NMBC consultative meeting in Malaysia,...recently

Abuja Fashion House to Hold Maiden Fashion Runway Chineme Okafor A foremost fashion house in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Mima Midas Designs, has concluded plans to host its maiden fashion runway and exhibition, which it says will unravel the extraordinary designs and creative imprint of its designers.

Addressing newsmen at a recent press briefing in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of Mima Midas Design, Mrs. Maryam Abdul, said the fashion house, initiated to runway to equally close the obvious dichotomy between the fashion industry in Abuja and that of Lagos, which she described as the hub of the fashion industry in Nigeria.

Abdul, explained that her fashion house which she said was a one-stop shop for male and female clothing, would also release its 2019 collections tagged “limitless�. She noted that the theme ‘limitless’ was chosen to reflect the significance of fashion in the daily lives of people. “We all know that fashion is in existence every day of our lives and fashion does not have any restriction, because you must be dressed every day of your life. “So, we are going to do something extraordinary on December 2. Our blue carpet kicks off by 1pm on that day. It is different from the usual red carpet, because the colour theme for the day is blue,� said Abdul, who noted that the fashion house equally operates an institute where designers and crafters are trained with state-of-the-art facilities. She further stated: “we are trying to trend with nature, we are looking at the sea, the sky, because the main colour of our logo is blue like I am wearing right now. I am in love with blue, so most of the collections you are going to be seeing that day will practically have a touch of blue. “We are going to show you how you can express yourself beyond limits with clothing, we are going to show you our ready to wear, office wears, clothes you can wear to any party and occasion and stand out.�

Speaking more on the operations of the fashion house, she said: “Mima Midas designs was incorporated in May 7, 2013, we had some little constraint but started business fully in May 2016 and since then it’s been going non-stop, we were incorporated to do creative designs in clothing and training, we make clothes for both male and female, children are not left out too, our clients are both in Nigeria and abroad, we do both ready to wear, contour and bespoke.

CEO of Mima Midas, Abdul and a brand ambassador at the recent press brieďŹ ng

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POTPOURRI

Primate Identifies Eight Indicators of Unhealthy Church Mary Nnah The Primate of African Church of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Udofia, has urged Christians to always appraise themselves towards moving the church forward.

The man of God gave the charge on the occasion of the 117th founders celebration of The African Church in Lagos.

In the charge was contained in his sermon titled, ‘Let us consider our ways,’ he identified eight indicators that showed that all is not well with the church.

The indicators he said include: “When the labours of members are yielding less or no results spiritually and physically; when much is expected but little is realised; when expectations seem unrealisable; and when members find no joy in worshipping or coming to church; and when youths do not find it joyful to worship with their parents. “When deep concern and interest to render service to God is disappearing; when members have the great pleasure in coming to church late; and when members make the church a second choice.�

For the church to move forward, he urged Christians to urgently correct the anomalies listed above.

The Primate of African Church of Nigeria also seized the opportunity of

Primate of African Church of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel UdoďŹ a

the celebration to ask the Federal Government to provide an environment where businesses could thrive and local products and services could compete favourably with foreign goods.

According to a statement issued by the church, Udofia also called on leaders,

especially those who would soon be elected into political offices to make steady power supply a priority.

He lamented that 58 years after independence, the country was still grappling with electricity supply. “The African Church admonishes all those seeking

political offices in 2019 to be ready to come to the election with clean hands and note that the votes of the people must count, to enable us to have a peaceful polity,� the statement read in part.

The Primate, according to the statement, also demanded that Miss Leah Sharibu, the only remaining girl among the

abducted Dapchi schoolgirls be rescued from the Boko Haram abductors without delay.

He said, “The African Church specifically demands that Miss Leah Sharibu, the only remaining girl among the Dapchi schoolgirls be rescued from the Boko Haram abductors without delay. Being a Christian must not become

a crime.�

On the Founders’ Day, he said, “With our heart full of praise, we appreciate the Lord for his mercy and benevolence upon The African Church, having preserved and sustained her to celebrate the 117th Founders’ Day anniversary. May God’s name be glorified.�

WIMBIZ Set to Reinvigorate, Empower Women Church Dedicates One Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a non-profit organisation that has over the last 17 years, is set to reinvigorate and empower women across board.

Over the years, the board has implemented programs that inspire, empower and advocate for greater representation in leadership positions in the public and private sector for women.

WIMBIZ vision is to be the catalyst that elevates the status and influence of women and their contribution to nation building.

Thus, the annual conference flagship event which holds in November of every year is attended by over 1,500 women across the world.

The year, the event had outstanding dignitaries in attendance, including the US Consul General, F. John Bray; Managing Director, Bovas and Company Limited, Mrs. Victoria Sampson; Vice President and Area Business Head, West Africa, Master Card, Mrs Omokehinde Adebanjo; Founder Zaron Cosmetics, Mrs Oke Maduewusi; Founder, The Dorcas Foundation, Dr. Dayo Joseph and host of others.

The conference featured keynote addresses, plenaries and deep dive sessions topics such as Entrepreneurship, Business Branding, Professional Development, Continuous Learning, Work-Life Balance, happiness, Emotional Intelligence, Mental Health, Personal Finance, Nutrition, Leadership; and the Technology Take Over.

Other features such as Speed Networking Breakfast Session, where participants were taught how to construct their elevator pitch and then given the opportunity to meet 15-20 people in a predefined time frame.

Month to Help Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Participants at the WIMBIZ annual conference

This years’ theme Unstoppable You: Reinvent and Reinvigorate, according to a welcome speech issued by the Chairperson, Executive Council WIMBIZ, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, and also Publisher, Clever Clogs, was thoughtfully crafted with a deliberate goal in mind: to inspire, encourage and empower women as they build up their resilience and press ahead with reaching their goal.

According to her, each of the plenary sessions was designed to explore the attitude, the aptitude or the anatomy required to be unstoppable and why we need to deliberate about setting aside time to refresh and reinvigorate. “Human physiology and psychology are pliant, given the right circumstances, inducement and with the requisite, proclivity, we can train ourselves to be unstoppable in our chosen endeavour.

During the plenary section, Founder Healthy Living Services, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi,

shed light on nutrition and integrated medicine as it enhances ones emotional, physical and emotional well being.

Mental and emotional balance is important to enhance happiness, a lot of women need tender, loving care and don’t deserve to be sex starved. “Take water rich foods such as vegetables and fruits; urge your husbands to do so, as your health is your priority and God-given gift,� she said.

Speaking on the significance of exercise to healthy living, CEO, Tri-State Cardiovascular Institute, Prof. Kamar Adeleke, urged women to endeavor to do early morning exercise rigorously and with ease to avoid sudden death.

He explained that, “cigarette smoking needs to be reduced because it damages the lungs. Take plenty of water and cut down the intake of carbohydrate and sleep well.

Following concerns on the topic: Leadership; not just a title, the Founding Partner Ajumogobia and Okeke, Mr.

Odein Ajumogobia explained in a statement that a leader is an influencer and organiser of the institution he or she operates. “You have to show humility and not compromising standards. The passion you have will ignite the fire in you. As a good leader you must not underrate your followers hence; make sure everything reports to the bottom line.

Odein said.

WIMBIZ has a contributory associate pool of over 670 accomplished women and more than 8,100 women on its data base. The organisation collaborates with credible local and multinational organisations to deliver programs, which have on aggregate, directly influenced over 105,555 women since inception. Emphasising on redefining and reinventing in leadership, Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi SAN, said most women think about leadership in relation to what men do and not what women do.

The Elevation Church (TEC), a non-denominational Christian assembly in Lagos, has set aside the month of November to address Africa’s challenge of building and sustaining businesses that last for generations.

With the theme ‘Building Enduring Enterprises’, the church will hold services across its three centres—the Island Centre; the Mainland Centre; and The LifePointe Church, which is the young adult expression of the church— to equip members and guests with principles that guide growth, expansion and sustainability in career and business.

Seasoned Human Resource professionals, successful businessmen and women will be speaking on various topics including Building Solid Foundations; Making Progress; Building Legacies and Why Some Enterprises Fail.

There will also be grass to grace stories from people who have built great enterprises from nothing, while TEC pastoral team will teach on Accessing the Covenant for Divine Establishment. All topics will be taught at mid-week and weekend services throughout the month of November.

To accommodate more people and encourage those who work on Sundays, to find some time to worship, the Island Centre of the church has commenced Saturday services, which will hold at 6pm at the Pistis Conference Centre, 1 Resurrection Drive, Jakande, Lekki, Lagos.

Similarly, from Sunday November 4, the Mainland Centre will commence three services at 7.30am, 9.30am and 11.30am respectively at the Pistis Hub, 1A Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos.

Also, in the month of November, Men of Honour, the men’s ministry of TEC has put together a conference tagged “Becoming a Man of Strength�.

It is scheduled to hold on Saturday , November 24, 2018 at the Pistis Conference Centre, Lekki, at 9am.

The conference is for men of all ages and life stages and is focused on challenging men up to take up their responsibilities in enterprise, family and their spiritual lives.

The event will feature Mr. Seyi Wright, a renowned business consultant and founder of Wright & Co., Pastor Yemi Davids of Global Impact Church with Pastor Godman Akinlabi serving as the convener.

As a bonus, as the Christmas season approaches, on Friday, November 9, 2018, the LifePointe Band, the music expression of The LifePointe Church is set to release an EP, titled “Unrestrained� at their Music in the Park event, which will hold at the Lifepointe Church location.

The Elevation Church was founded by Pastor Godman Akinlabi in October 2010. Recently, the church celebrated its eight year anniversary.

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F R I DAY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

ENTREPRENEUR

Rotimi Olawale: Making a Fortune out of Blending Rwandan Coffee Olawale Ajimotokan ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă•ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœËœ ÙÞÓ×Ó Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?

R

otimi Olawale ploughs where others are not so bold to explore. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of JFarms Africa, that is driving opportunities for business and growth.

His company takes the lead in the coffee production value chain in Rwanda, shaping the agriculture sector in Africa through sustainable food production, increased incomes for farmers, value addition and job creation.

The Nigerian and the government backed Rwanda Farmers Coffee Company signed a strategic agreement in Kigali in on February 27, this year to produce and export roasted coffee to the global market.

Rwanda produces one of the best coffee beans in the world, which is highly demanded from various parts of the world. It is estimated that about 2.25 billion cups of coffee is consumed by 1.6 billion people on a daily basis.

Coffee is a darkly coloured drink prepared from roast coffee beans. There are many species of the product, including the famous Arabica and Robusta that create different tastes and fragrance.

It is one of the most important and valuable commodities in the world of agriculture and a major foreign exchange earner for many developing countries.

Brazil is the world’s leading coffee producing nation. The South American nation produces about 2,249,010 metric tonnes of coffee per year on plantation that covers about 27,000 square km. Other top exporters are Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, Honduras and Guatemala.

Ethiopia is Africa’s leading coffee producer, with cultivation estimated at 264,000 metric tonnes per year on land area covering 4,000 square km.

The World Coffee Review rated the landlocked Rwanda as among the 30 leading coffee producing nations in the world. It is ranked among the leading exporters of Arabica coffee.

The commodity which was introduced in Rwanda by German missionaries in 1904, accounted for about four per cent of the Rwanda’s exports in 2016.

The production of coffee has increased through the years and reached its peak in the mid 1980s.

Since 2000, the Rwandan government has focused more attention on the strategic development of the industry. Since the implementation of the national land use consolidation policy in 2007, total coffee plantation area has increased from 30,000 hectares to 55,030 hectares.

The country now produces between 16,000 and 20,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually, with the growth prompting increasing interest and recognition from international companies.

Olawale, who produces coffee under the name JR Coffee, exports to Nigeria, Canada, United States of America, Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt. He started by producing four metric tonnes of coffee per day in Rwanda. His factory has the capacity to produce 15 tonnes of coffee beans per day and is presently expanding the market in order to increase the market production and maximise the capacity of the facility. “We don’t have any coffee farm. The coffee value chain is very long, nobody can play at all levels and be successful.

It starts from the farm to the washing stations, then to bean removal from the husk and then to roasting. We are roasters, we get coffee from farmers, roast, package and sell to the market,� he clarified.

Providing insight into his coffee production arrangement with Rwanda Farmers Coffee Company and the level of government of Rwanda assistance towards the scheme, Olawale stressed the partnership with Rwandan government is to source, produce and export coffee to the global market.

He lauded the government of Rwanda as supportive, saying its various busi-

Olawale

ness friendly policies have made it easy to do business in the tiny East and Central African country.

The Nigerian entrepreneur, who is in partnership with the Nigeria Prisons Service to train and empower inmates in vegetable farming, declared that he explored the business side of Rwanda

We don’t have any coffee farm. The coffee value chain is very long, nobody can play at all levels and be successful. It starts from the farm to the washing stations, then to bean removal from the husk and then to roasting.

We are roasters, we get coffee from farmers, roast, package and sell to the market

because of its visionary leadership under President Paul Kagame.

He highlighted that political stability has helped his business to thrive in addition to leadership which is essential for the economic transformation of any nation. “We chose Rwanda because of the stable and visionary leadership the country enjoys. As you are aware, political stability is key for economic growth of any nation, and since Rwanda enjoys noticeable level of stability and appetite for growth, we decided to do business in Rwanda. So far we have had great time doing business there. Also the climate is favourable for coffee to grow. Coffee originated from east Africa and Rwanda is part of that region�.

Beyond the challenges of logistics, JFarms Africa, according to Olawale, is not inhibited by competition since it does not sell locally.

He disclosed that given that the country is landlocked, its exports majorly are routed several kilometres away through the ports in Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

This arrangement, he admitted is expensive. The logistics challenges add up to the price of the commodity as it costs more to export by air.

Incidentally, while there is growing demand for his product in Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, the climate in West Africa, which is adaptable for cocoa cultivation,

does not allow coffee to be grown in commercial quantities.

Apart from logistics, he noted that the global coffee market is handicapped by other challenges, notably of which are import policies of various nations, fluctuating prices, quality control and consumer preference for tea. He also offered insights into how to respond to those challenges.

He said: “The global coffee market is very vast with lot of fast changing trends because it is advanced. Coffee market is largely outside Africa, so challenges centre on logistics, import policies of various nations, fluctuating prices, maintaining quality among others. “We have very strong team and partnership with stakeholders that give us an edge over these challenges. For logistics, we have a partner company that we work with on common ground.

For import policies of various nations, we have partner commodity brokers who keep us updated about changing local policies in different countries where we export to.�

He highlighted that JFarms is investing in educating people about the benefits of coffee through the social media and other marketing streams, to address the concern on low consumption of coffee by Nigerians, irrespective of their age group.

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LIFE

Celebrating Four Decades of Ministry Ayodeji Ake writes that after four decades of ministerial work in God’s vineyard, Rev. Peter Abong and Rev. Mrs. Dinah Chidi Agianpuye, bowed out after their voluntary retirement

A

fter four decades, the duo of Rev. Peter Abong and Rev. (Mrs) Dinah Chidi Agianpuye, recently bowed out of their ministerial journey after a voluntary retirement service. To celebrate the duo, all roads recently led to Ikeja, Lagos.

The glamorous event summed up four decades of relentless and exemplary leadership in Christendom, for the Agianpuyes’ at the Assemblies of God Church. It was therefore a fun-filled event for family members of the celebrant, church elders, ministers, members of the church, colleagues, as well as friends and well wishers, who trooped out to celebrate the couple who had dedicated 42 years of their life to the service of God and humanity.

The celebration of a meritorious and fruitful ministerial service in Lord’s vineyard, was held alongside a book launch at the auditorium of the Assemblies of God Church, Ikeja branch, Lagos.

Resplendently dressed, the celebrants who were obviously in an elated mood, were ushered in by a band, accompanied by their children and spouses.

Welcoming guests, the chairman of the occasion, Amb. Ben Ukadike, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible to celebrate the outgoing ministers alive as he believed that they had served judiciously in their call of duty.

He said: “This is a wonderful occasion. I am not doing a funeral oration but celebrating two living legends who have dedicated 42 years of service to the Master. It is even greater to know that this couple are still young in age and are ready to go onto the next stage.�

He praised the couple for their commitment and roles played to several families, while commending the couple for 42 years devotion and being scandal-free throughout their time as ministers. “Rev. Againpuye’s home was one worth emulating as it was filled with so much discipline and fear of God,� he said.

Ukadike called for sober reflection and urged the congregation to go back to God and dedicate to a life of loyal service to Him. He said: “This is a time for us to reflect on what we have done for Christ throughout our years so far. It’s a time for us to right our wrongs and start living a life worth emulating and pleasing to God Almighty.�

In his sermon, Rev. Paul Oyekynle, former superintendent of Ikorodu district, urged everyone to renew their covenant with God, adding that the only way one could enjoy the best benefits from God is when he or she is in a mutual relationship with Him. “Covenant means a powerful binding agreement between God and man and a man and his wife. All of us are created for a purpose. We were created to be in union with God and it sorrows God whenever we deviate from his plan. A man with covenant will go places. Rev. Againpuye is a man of covenant and you can see how God has honoured him today. Let us go back to God and be in an indestructible relationship with him,� he said.

Speaking on the book launched in commemoration of the retirement ceremony of the couple titled ‘Epitome of Grace’, the first son of the celebrants, Rev. Victor Againpuye, who also happens to be the author, noted the book was written as a reflection of the ministerial life of his father and his biography.

The son, who is a graduate of English Language and Literature further said the book was written to tell the story of tough childhood of his father, his early days in sin and his call to pastorship. “This book is a complete overview of whom my father is, his journey from childhood to adulthood, how he lived a sinful life, his redemption and call to service as well as his strong resistance to deny his faith in the face of temptations and trials. “It is a nine-chapter book and it is arranged chronologically so that the reader can have a holistic understanding of the man whom we have gathered to celebrate today,� he said.

On the impact the book would have on readers, he said, “I believe everyone who reads this book

This is a wonderful occasion. I am not doing a funeral oration but celebrating two living legends who have dedicated 42 years of service to the Master. It is even greater to know that this couple are still young in age and are ready to go onto the next stage

Rev. Peter Abong and Rev. Mrs. Dinah Chidi Agianpuye with friend

The celebrants with family members in the church

The celebrants cutting their cake

will have a feeling of hope that after all, he can still be saved and used as a great instrument by God. “It is also one that teaches us as Christians on ways to overcome challenges and temptations when it comes to matters related to Christ. It is also one that gives confidence to people who might be

passing through one difficulty or the other that all is not yet lost and that they can still be celebrated in a way they could never have imagined.�

The celebrants were bombarded with lots of gift from different units of the church, as well as other branches. The gifts also came in the form

of special renditions of praises, which they were serenaded with.

Dignitaries who graced the event include Lagos District Superintendent, Rev. J.N.G Okafor; District Secretary, Rev. U.G. Ukasoanya, Barr. M.O Ubani, among others.

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NPA Seek Operators Participation in Trade Fairs, Exhibitions Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stated that terminal operators in the nation’s seaports across the country would be encouraged to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in order to promote their activities as concessionaires in the nation seaports.

The Managing Director NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman gave this indication while declaring open the “NPA Special Day� at the recently concluded Lagos International Trade Fair.

According to her, the presence of the terminal operators in trade fair arena would enable them to showcase their activities to the numerous visitors to the fair and

educate them on their services.

Under the current concession regime, there are 26 terminal operators in the six seaports in the country. The terminal operators are responsible for the loading and off-loading of cargo in the ports Represented by the Port Manager, Rivers Port, Abubakar Umar, the NPA boss informed invited guests that the authority has started efforts aim at attaining the ISO 9001 complaints and certification in the nation’s seaports.

She expressed optimism that the attainment of the ISO 9001 certification would improve the financial performance of the authority; ensure quick turnaround time, improved traffic and business process in the ports.

She disclosed that already the management has directed all the relevant divisions and departments in the identified critical requirements needed to ensure the successful attainment of the project.

Speaking earlier, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Nike Akande, represented by the

Deputy President, Toki Mabogunje, informed the gathering that the chamber, which was founded in 1888, is the “premier as well as the oldest chamber of commerce in Nigeria�

According to her, the primary objective was to promote support legislature or other policies affecting trade industry, commerce and agriculture as well as represent

the opinion of the business community on these matter and the economy as a whole.

She further stressed that the 2018 fair with the theme: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value� could go a long way in promoting synergy by players in the public and private sectors for a mutual benefit adding that the present day business

would desires connectivity in businesses, link industries and integrate processes to accelerate economic growth and development.

The LCCI boss lauded the NPA management for the several accomplishments aimed at repositioning the sector for improved quality service delivery through an efficient port system.

Schneider Electric Gets NCDMB CertiďŹ cation on Local Content The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has awarded Schneider Electric in Nigeria the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) in recognition of its commitment to the local content policy.

Schneider Electric in a statement said the NCEC attested to the fact that it owns the assembly facility which it uses for integrating electrical and instrumentation equipment in-country.

With the certificate, Schneider Electric said it would be able to participate in tender submissions relating to process automation, instrumentation and electrical distribution equipment in the oil and gas industry.

Receiving the certificate, the General Manager, Schneider Electric Systems, Nabil Djouhri, said the company promotes local content by continually transferring knowledge and expertise to its local partners, electrical engineers, technicians and system integrators through continuous engagements, support systems and trainings.

Schneider Electric is known to invest heavily in research & development on an annual basis.

Other efforts by the company, he said, include sponsoring the training of girls in STEM education; the donation of electrical training equipment to tertiary institutions, citing the University of Ibadan as the most

recent, where it also engages in the continuous ‘‘training of the trainer programme’’ to ensure the equipment is put to good use. “Consistent with its drive for human capital development, Schneider Electric also runs the Schneider Electric Energy University, where it offers over 200 courses in energy management, leading to internationallyrecognised certification for free.

It develops microgrids for rural communities and for businesses across Nigeria,� he stated.

Djouhri added that the company leverages EcoStruxure technology in creating a pathway for the digital transformation of industries in the country. “EcoStruxure has a strong role to play in assisting organisations to address energy management challenges as it leverages connected products, edge control and analytics in optimizing asset performance to drive profitability,� he said.

He expressed the appreciation of the company to the board for the certification which, he noted, would further boost its efforts in providing local content in all its projects and services. “Schneider Electric is known to be a leader in energy management and stands out for delivering products and services on building automation and control, low voltage equipment, grid automation, electrical protection switches and gears, among others,� he said.

DISCUSSING OIL SECTOR

L-R: Chairman, Amazon Energy Group, Mr. Trevor Akindele; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Vice President, New Ventures, Amazon Energy Group, Mrs. Olayide Williams and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olayinka Oluwatimehin, at the 25th edition of the Africa Oil Week in Cape Town, South Africa...recently

Senate Committee Berates FG over Delay in Apapa Trailer Park Project The Senate Committee on Works has expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work on the ongoing shoreline protection of the Apapa trailer park project in Lagos.

The committee, led by its chairman, Kabiru Gaya, stated this during an inspection tour of projects in Lagos as part of its oversight functions.

Gaya directed the contractor to construct more toilets, restaurants, clinic, and other facilities needed in the park.

He said: “The contractor promised us that by December that trailer park should be completed and we are not taking it lightly, we are not happy with the progress, the project has been there for many years. We have told the contractor that the trailer park is very important, that the facilities at the trailer park are not enough, we need to add more and there is

space where other facilities can be constructed. And the Ministry of Works should take note of those facilities whether they come under contingencies; they should make sure it is done before the end of the year. And we intend to come back around the 16th or 17th of December to make sure that project is completed.�

While fielding questions from journalists, he said that funding had been provided for the project and the funds had been released by the Federal Ministry of Finance. “Now that funds have been released, the contractor should have no excuse in delaying the project,� he said.

Earlier, the contractor on the project and ministry officials had explained to the committee that the original project before addition of the shoreline protection aspect was 97 per cent completed.

Managing Director of Borini Prono, the contractor handling the project, Gainrranco Albertazzi assured the committee that the trailer park, without the shoreline aspect, would be completed in December. “We have reached about 97 per cent, what remains is asphalt.

For the shoreline, we are going to import some materials. This is the shoreline to be protected, we would import a machine, there would be geotextile materials, �Albertazzi said.

He promised to increase the number of workers on the project site to meet the December deadline.

Speaking on the Apapa-Wharf Road Reconstruction project, the committee chairman commended the efforts of AG Dangote Construction Company Limited and the other stakeholders who funded the project to completion.

On the Apapa/Ijora bridge rehabilitation, the representative of Julius Berger said that the portion of the bridge deck and beam badly damaged by fire would be completed in three months.

He said that some of the materials for the bridge deck were being sourced from abroad.

While inspecting repair of expansion joints and abutment of the Third Mainland Bridge, Gaya expressed satisfaction with efforts by Borini Promo towards saving the bridge from collapse.

Speaking on the delay of the various repair works on the bridge since 2013, the chairman said that the issues of funding have been resolved. “There were some delays but now that the project has been funded, in 26 months it will be completed,� Gaya said.

Ridding Nigerian Waters of Pirates Davis disclosed that more patrol boats will be purchased to enhance port waterfront patrols.

The NPA boss, however, advised the management of ENL terminal, one of the operators that has been attacked seven time I the last one month, to look into their internal system adding that there could be sabotage from within.

According to him, “ENL should look within and see if there is sabotage because the mode of these attacks suggests that there is an insider that gives out information to these criminals. ENL should also increase its operational vehicle patrols as this could help to detect and forestall attacks at the berths. Presently we are not pointing fingers, we are discussing together, we are looking at the operations, and we are suspecting that there could be sabotage inside some of these terminals.�

Bala-Usman explained that NPA has also commenced discussions with the port Police Command with a view to strengthening waterfront security

at the ports.

Work in Progress Responding to quarries about the security situation in Nigerian waters recently, the Director General of the NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that security in the Nigerian maritime domain is a work in progress that requires the commitment of all stakeholders to ensure optimum safety of all investments in the sector.

Peterside, stated that the agency was taking the lead on the issue of maritime safety in the entire West and Central African sub-region noting that safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea has a direct impact on the Nigerian economy.

The NIMASA boss noted that there are a lot of factors that contributes to the cost of products coming into the country through the seas, which makes it very important to tackle insecurity in the waterways.

According to him, “We must ensure the security of the Gulf of Guinea because Nigeria is not isolated from whatever happens in the region which may lead to negative economic impact, or increase in the cost of insurance or war premium insurance and ultimately lead to high cost of goods and services which will be borne by the consumer of the goods and services.�

While noting that 65 per cent of cargo heading to the region ends up in Nigeria Peterside who is also the current chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), said that securing the nation’s territorial waters is a work in progress that requires the commitment of all stakeholders and neighbouring countries, noting that the management of NIMASA has recognised this fact and is implementing international regulatory instruments in collaboration with various countries in the region to checkmate criminal activities.

In his words: “No maritime crime occurs within a jurisdiction alone. Very often the trend is that maritime crime starts from one jurisdiction and ends in another. The only way we can tackle maritime crime is all of us working together and there have been several regional initiatives in that respect to tackle maritime crime. “Apart from the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy, you have the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy, you have the Gulf of Guinea Commission dealing with the same thing there are several sub-regional and regional initiatives to tackle maritime insecurity so I see a lot of potentials in regional collaboration and integration.�

He said on the home front the Agencies of the government especially in the Transport sector has seen collaboration as the way to go and that this has occasioned the renewal of the MoU between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy as well as partnership with other sister parastals.

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F R I DAY Ëž NOVEMBER 16, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Dipeolu Defends FG’s Debt Level UgoAliogo The Economic Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Yemi Dipeolu, has said that the economy is not doing badly in terms of its Debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio.

Dipeolu, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos, at the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Breakfast Seminar with the theme: “Planning with Purpose: 2019 Economic Outlook,� organised by KPMG Nigeria. “Debt to GDP ratio refers to the carrying capacity of the economy. It shows what the economy is capable of carrying.

In terms of the absolute stock of debt, Nigeria is not doing badly. “It is understandable the last experience was external indebtedness which caused

a lot of apprehension and burden,� he noted.

Dipeolu further noted the country’s debts were reconciled between 2001 and 2002, alleging that what the present government discovered when it took over was that sometimes, they were no projects to show for what the money was taken for, “what they also found out in some cases is that tenure was not balanced out.�

KPMG in its latest CFOs’ Outlook noted that the survey indicated a 10 per cent increase in overall confidence sentiments among finance officers on the prospects for growth in the economy. The report said: “The federal government ambitious expenditure budget of N8.6 trillion as well as state governments’ significant increase in expenditure budget

will result in higher overall government spending in 2018. “However, ability to source funding for the budget, delayed passage of the budget and other implementation challenges may limit its impact in 2018. “Oil prices are forecasted to hover around $60 per barrel in 2018. The government is also expected to target achievement of 2018 production targets of 2.3 million barrel per day. The key downside risk is election-related disruption of oil production. “The monetary policy is expected to address the challenge of political pressure to ease the interest rate environment. This is against the background of potential liquidity glut arising from expected fiscal expansion and pre-election activities expected in the run-up to the 2019 elections.�

OwerriTech Hub Promotes Artificial Intelligence The Owerri Tech Hub hosted a free data science and artificial intelligence boot camp for youths in Imo State and its environs.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY

by Opeyemi Olugbemiro, the group organised the training in partnership with US-based talent recruitment company 115Garage and Coven Labs to train participants on beginner modules in Python and R for data science and Artificial intelligence.

Olugbemiro, in the statement said this would form part of its efforts to boost tech participation and provide viable digital opportunities for the talent pool in and around Owerri.

In the statement, the Chief of Operations at the

Hub, Desmond John-Bosco, said training was one of the planned efforts by the group to build a skilled community of innovators and start-ups.

John-Bosco added that his team would continue to engage development partners to support young entrepreneurs in the state.

According to the statement: “The participants most of whom were experiencing data science and artificial intelligence for the first time expressed excitement about the project and the different groups showcased practical applications of their gained knowledge in solving different socio-economic problems including achieving the sustainable development goals during their presentations.

“The solutions explored by the various groups (R and Python) included a data analytics of Maternal Mortality ratio in West Africa with data-based suggested panaceas to the problems, a study on the connection between GDP growth and education of the population and several other projects. “The operators of the hub have expressed commitment to keep up the good work of organising relevant training and events for the start-ups community, running talent acceleration and incubation programmes for start-ups and having hackathons were entrepreneurs and founders can access needed funds to scale their businesses.�

FG Commends Ayade over SDGs’Implementation The federal Government has lauded Cross River State Government for demonstrating a strong commitment to the implementation of the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Commending the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, during a courtesy call along with her team, a statement quoted the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, to have praised the governor for the implementation of the 17 goals, 169 indicators and 232 targets of the SDGs in the state. “I am happy to note that Cross River State has already been demonstrating leadership and strong commitment to the implementation of SDGs. SDGs is about people. “It is a universal call for action to end poverty, safeguard our planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030 and I’m happy that Cross River is already toeing this path,� the statement quoted her to have said.

Continuing she said: “I want to commend His Excellency for his vision in all that you are doing especially in the empowerment of your people and investment in agriculture. “You also talked about construction of Teachers’ Continuous Training College

which you noted will not only train Nigerian teachers but teachers in sub-Saharan Africa and I must say that this indeed is a welcome development and it is very apt given the level of decay in the educational sub sector.�

Adefulire also noted that: “This will not only empower the teachers but will be translated into better learning which will have direct impact on our children and bring them at par with current realities. “I like your interest in education which properly aligns with our activities as well as what you have done so far to achieve qualitative education because without education, they won’t be an end to poverty, disease and other things hampering our growth as a nation.�

Stressing the importance of the training facility in the overall development of children as most graduates are not employable, the SDG boss explained: “Some children are in school but they are not in school and some are out of school but they are in school. “So, if they are not well taught, I’m sure they are not in school which is why we emphasise that we engage the right people to teach our children particularly at the kindergarten level.�

She further commended the state government for initiating

a healthcare insurance scheme, “Ayade Care�, as well as the construction of three ultramodern referral hospitals in the three senatorial districts which she said will contribute significantly to improve the living conditions of the people.

Adefulire called for closer ties with the state to deliver on the goals for the overall benefits of the citizenry.

In his response, Ayade lauded the political will of President Muhhamadu Buhari at ensuring that every part of the country gets the desired democratic dividends, even as he pledged the readiness of the state to fulfil its parts.

Ayade, who enumerated some of the machineries put in place to achieve the SDGs in the state added: “We have a connectivity between our Ministry driving SDGs by improving on the livelihood of the people. “The applicability of SDG in our governance structure allows us the flexibility of developing while carrying our people along and I think that is the hallmark of the programme which must be supported at all levels.�

Continuing, he said: “SDG is the way to go. It’s the one catalytic balance between society pressure and self-limit and I think I am now an apostle, I support it, I represent it and I speak strongly for SDGs.�

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 Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $64.51 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $67.01 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

F R I DAY ˾ NOVEMBER 16, 2018

MARKET NEWS

SEC Extends Multiple Subscription Regularisation Deadline to Dec 2019 Goddy Egene The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once more extended the forbearance deadline for investors to regularise their multiple accounts to December 31, 2019, as part of efforts to reduce volume of unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market.

This was one of the decisions reached at the end of the third Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting held in Lagos, Thursday.

SEC had announced December 31 2018, as deadline for regularisation of multiple accounts.

However, briefing newsmen yesterday on the outcome of the CMC meeting, Acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk said the committee considered the issue and decided it is best to give investors more time to regularise their multiple accounts in order to derive the benefits from their investments.

“I am delighted to report that

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

on the lingering issue of multiple subscriptions and forbearance for shareholders with multiple accounts, the CMC agreed that the forbearance window should be extended by another year from the December 31, 2018 deadline previously communicated. We expect investors to take advantage of this opportunity to claim their unclaimed dividends and bonuses,” she said.

Uduk also announced a two-pronged approach to ad-

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

dressing the intractable challenges associated with transmission of shares related to the estate of deceased investors.

“The first step would involve engagement with and enlightenment of the Probate Registry with a view to providing solutions to the cumbersome process of transmitting shares. Secondly, Rules would be developed around the time frame for transmission shares and the fee structure,” she said.

Also worried by issues of

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

identity theft in the capital market, the SEC boss said the commission would work with other major stakeholders in setting up a committee that will look into and proffer solutions to problems around identity management in the Nigerian capital market.

Similarly, Uduk said as part of efforts to eliminate underhand dealings, the commission is set to take enforcement actions against any persons engaged in

O F

trading in the shares of public unlisted companies outside a recognised securities exchange as provided by the rules. On the need to grow the market for trading in securities on unlisted public companies, she said the Commission is making concerted efforts in collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other stakeholders to assist public companies that are yet to register their securities to do so without much difficulty.

1 2 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

44

THISDAYt '3*%": /07&.#&3 Ċď ċĉĊđ

45

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

MARKET NEWS

Firm to Publish Dividends Payment Records to Boost Market Patronage Goddy Egene The management of Third Observers Nigeria Limited (TONL) is to publish a compilation of its compilation of dividend payment profiles of listed companies in Nigeria to complement its annual Dividend Payment Awards for Nigeria’s listed companies, which second edition is slated for March 2019 in Lagos.

The maiden edition of the dividend payment awards was

held on February 10, 2018 with 10 listed companies conferred with various honours for their respective years of dividend payments starting from a minimum of 10 years and above, as listed entities.

But TONL explained in a statement that it decided to publish the dividend payment information of listed companies in Nigeria since each company was quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to intimate the Nigerian public

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

with the strategic financial support of listed companies in the country to the Nigerian economy from their annual payments of hundreds of billions of naira as dividends to their shareholders over the periods of their operations as quoted entities to date outside corporate taxes.

According to the company, the dividends have helped many shareholders to enjoy a life-long comfort, created new businesses, nurtured many aspirations to

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 1411-2018, unless otherwise stated.

fruition, and inspired many shareholders to become who they want to be.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director of TONL, Mr. Abiodun Ayodele, said the publication of the dividend payment policies of the listed entities will help reduce the continuously rising volume of unclaimed dividends in the capital market by motivating more shareholders that come across the book to enroll for

the electronic collection of their dividends as mandated by the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC).

Ayodele said: “The book will also promote the Nigerian capital market as a place of regular dividend income for Nigerians that develop the interest to become shareholders of quoted companies in the country.�

It is estimated that only about five million Nigerians currently hold any form of shareholding

in listed companies in Nigeria.

According to him, the book will be available across Nigeria and overseas latest 30 December 2018 and shall be updated every two years to keep the investing public abreast of prompt information on dividend incomes declared by listed companies in Nigeria. “The publication will ultimately increase the number of Nigerian shareholders with equities in the listed companies,� he said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 162.47 163.47 -8.48% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.97 274.34 18.07% 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 0.74% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 6.49% 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 -4.31% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.56 17.06 -9.38% ARM Discovery Fund 356.27 367.01 -8.43% ARM Ethical Fund 28.20 29.05 3.22% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.23% 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 132.70 133.63 -12.52% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.14% 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 11.21% Paramount Equity Fund 11.62 11.92 4.81% Women's Investment Fund 101.78 104.39 1.14% 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 12.14% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 99.21 99.31 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 97.59 97.92 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 11.66% 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 1,162.44 1,163.18 10.85% FBN Heritage Fund 142.30 143.52 2.04% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.38% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $112.81 $113.05 3.62% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $112.58 $112.81 3.51% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.50 147.55 -8.36% 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 10.72% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.02 1.02 1.81% 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 2,941.93 2,970.49 -1.47% Coral Income Fund 2,721.48 2,721.48 11.17% 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 105.63 105.87 5.25% 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 11.90%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 1.99% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.90% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 122.62 122.83 6.54% 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 11.22 11.31 -13.35% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.43% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 12.59% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.03 12.09 8.98% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.16% 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 2,324.48 2,339.65 5.76% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 187.18 187.18 7.50% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.98 -3.47% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 244.30 244.34 13.20% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.01 162.83 -10.09% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.51% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,705.98 8,813.21 -8.48% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.50% 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 -2.13% United Capital Bond Fund 1.57 1.57 9.70% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -7.58% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.50% United Capital Eurobond Fund 106.04 106.04 5.97% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 4.14% 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 11.16 11.31 -7.75% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.98 12.08 -7.11% Zenith Income Fund 20.50 20.50 11.10% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.93%

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

10.47 117.22 91.10

10.57 119.72 92.81

-11.64% -17.93% -16.61%

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

4.11 7.22 15.01 13.61 143.07

4.15 7.30 15.11 13.81 145.07

-13.30% -24.50% -14.05% -30.64% 6.35%

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 manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Brexit: Ministers Desert Theresa May Prime Minister Theresa May battled yesterday to save a draft divorce deal with the European Union after her Brexit Secretary and other ministers quit in protest

at an agreement they said would trap Britain in the bloc’s orbit for years.

Just over 12 hours after May announced that her team of top ministers had

Five Saudi Officials Face Death Penalty for Khashoggi Murder Five Saudi officials face the death penalty for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was dismembered inside the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was not involved, the prosecutor said yesterday.

The announcement follows growing international outcry over the killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Postcolumnist and critic of the Saudi rulers who was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain paperwork for his marriage.

Khashoggi died after being drugged and then dismembered, a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office said in the first Saudi confirmation of how he was killed.

The journalist’s body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds, the spokesman said.

He denied Prince Mohammed had any knowledge of the murder.

The deputy chief of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, gave the order to repatriate Khashoggi — and “the head of the negotiating team” that flew to the Istanbul consulate had ordered his murder, the spokesman said.

After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted in midOctober that Khashoggi had been murdered at the compound, but blamed it on a “rogue” operation.

The prosecutor has requested the death penalty for the five who “are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals,” an official statement published by state news agency SPA said.

It said a total of 21 individuals were in custody in connection with the killing, 11 of whom have been indicted with investigations to continue into the others.

Turkey on Wednesday called for an international investigation into the murder.

Ankara has already shared voice recordings linked to the murder with a number of countries including Saudi Arabia, the United States and its Western allies.

Khashoggi’s killing has plunged the world’s top oil exporter into its worst diplomatic crisis since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, in which most of the hijackers were identified as Saudi nationals.

After first insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, Saudi authorities said he was killed in an argument that degenerated into a brawl before finally accepting what Turkey had said virtually from the start — that he was killed in a premeditated hit.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from “the highest levels” of the Saudi government.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as CHINYERE VIRGINIA OKOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINYERE BECKY ORONSAYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BEATRICE UGELLA IGWANIGIE, now wish to be known and addressed as BEATRICE UGELLA AHANEKU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ESTHER DOGO, now wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER STEPHEN DOGO. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATOYIN ABIODUN AYODELE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWATOYIN ABIODUN EKPETI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as DOMINIC OBIJIAKU, now wish to be known and addressed as DOMINIC CHIGOZIE OBIJIAKU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONUIJIOGU DAVID NICODEMUS , now wish to be known and addressed as NWAHIRI NICODEMUS NNAMDI DAVID . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ARINZE KELVIN O, now wish to be known and addressed as OBELLE ARINZE KELVIN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ASUQUO THERESA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HOSEA THERESA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MARY IMEZO PAUL ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY IMEZO ILOGHO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

agreed to the terms of the draft agreement, Brexit minister, Dominic Raab and work and pensions minister, Esther McVey quit, saying they could not support it.

Their departure, and the resignations of two junior ministers, shakes May’s divided government and her Brexit strategy, raising the prospect of Britain leaving the EU without a deal.

Some lawmakers in London openly questioned whether May’s government will survive.

Raab is the second Brexit secretary to quit over May’s plans to leave the EU, the biggest shift in British policy in more than 40 years. By leaving now, some suggested that Raab could be positioning himself as a possible successor to May. But the prime minister showed little sign of backing down in parliament, where she warned lawmakers they

now faced a stark decision.

“The choice is clear. We can choose to leave with no deal, we can risk no Brexit at all, or we can choose to unite and support the best deal that can be negotiated,” she said.

She acknowledged that hammering out an agreement with her cabinet was not “a comfortable process” but said those lawmakers who believed she could get a deal that did not include a backstop arrangement to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland were wrong.

Sterling plunged, set for its second biggest drop this year on the opposition to the draft agreement.

British financial regulators held a call with major banks asking for feedback on market conditions after the pound and financial stocks sank, sources said.

One source said the call was

a direct request from Bank of England Governor Mark Carney. The Bank of England declined to comment.

In parliament, lawmakers from her Conservative Party and the opposition parties took turns to rubbish the draft deal, a sign May faces an all but impossible task to get the agreement through the House of Commons.

Many criticized the draft deal, agreed with the EU on Tuesday, for making Britain a “vassal” state, beholden to the bloc’s rules even after leaving in March next year.

Others said an agreement on the so-called backstop would tear Britain apart, leaving Northern Ireland all but in the EU’s single market.

It took an hour of parliamentary questions before she was asked a friendly, rather than hostile, one, with a Conservative lawmaker saying May had

done the best she could.

It was the backstop arrangement, which would see Britain and the EU establishing a single customs territory, that spurred most of the criticism and the resignations of her senior ministers.

“I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election,” Raab said.

Less than five months until Britain leaves the EU on March 29, the resignations put May’s Brexit strategy in doubt.

EU leaders are ready to meet on Nov. 25 to sign off on the divorce deal, or Withdrawal Agreement, but French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe summed up the uncertainty when he said events in London raised concerns about whether it would be ratified.

Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak (middle), being escorted by police personnel during her arrival at court in Kuala Lumpur…yesterday AFP

GabonVP Takes over as President Bongo Remains Admitted in Saudi Hospital Gabon’s top court has ruled that the vice president will chair the cabinet in the absence of President Ali Bongo, who remains in hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Bongo had been in the Saudi hospital after suffering a stroke last month.

The decision, announced by the constitutional court

on Wednesday, was the first move to fill the vacuum left after Bongo was admitted to hospital during a conference on October 24.

Bongo had not been seen in public since and his state of health was unknown.

The government said he suffered a bout of fatigue and was recovering, but sources

told Reuters that he had a stroke.

“Only the president has the power to chair the Council of Ministers.

‘Unfortunately he is temporarily unavailable for health reasons, and temporary unavailability is not addressed by the constitution,” said Gabon’s Prime Minister

Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, who leads the cabinet.

The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country for nearly half a century.

Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009.

His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.

Macron Admits Being Arrogant as Protests Loom in France President Emmanuel Macron has promised to attune himself more to grassroots France as he tries to dispel a reputation for arrogance and rekindle his flagging popularity.

The 40-year-old centrist is on a drive to rescue his plummeting poll ratings and revive some of the optimism generated in 2016 when he set up his new party dominated by political newcomers.

In a prime-time TV interview on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier late on Wednesday after hosting dozens of world

leaders, including US President Donald Trump, at World War I commemorations, an unusually self-critical Macron admitted he has struggled to unite his people.

“I have not succeeded in reconciling the French with their leaders,” he told the TF1 network as France braced for nationwide protests on Saturday over spiralling fuel costs that have especially angered rural voters.

“Citizens today want three things: to be given due consideration, to be protected, and to offered solutions,” he said, admitting that “we have

probably not given them enough consideration”.

In future, he said, he would “maybe take decisions in a different manner. Not all in Paris”.

Government ministers, their advisers and senior civil servants would instead be required to “spend much It was a stark admission from a leader who is still learning how to wield power, having never held elected office before becoming France’s youngest ever president in May 2017.

The former investment banker

is particularly labouring under a reputation for arrogance and has struggled to shake off the label of “president of the rich” coined by critics early on over his tax cuts for business and wealthy investors.

He famously told an unemployed gardener in September he only had to “cross the road” to find work.

And last month he told a retiree complaining about tax hikes on pensions that the French “did not realise the luck they have” and they should stop complaining.

47

˾ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Medina Charter of Prophet Muhammad and Pluralism – 1

Sean William White/IslamiCity/The Fountain Magazine

T

he clash of civilizations, cultures, tribes, and religions seems to be prevalent throughout all of history.

At the same time, history reveals simultaneous conflict and efforts to resolve tensions and division feeding animosity through mediation, diplomacy, and dialogue.

Many conflicts seem too complicated for an agreement to be established on just one point, whether or not the conflict revolves around territory, religion, or ethnic discrimination. So what approach is best to mediate issues in a contemporary world that seems to be driven by economics, natural resources, and ethnic or religious ideologies? The Medina Charter serves as an example of finding resolve in a dispute where peace and pluralism were achieved not through military successes or ulterior motives but rather through respect, acceptance, and denunciation of war - aspects that reflect some of the basic tenets of the religion Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was guiding and promoting. Through an examination of the Medina Charter, I will show how pluralism was advanced and instated in Medina and the reasons reflecting on such a document could help avoid the divide and misunderstanding plaguing much thought, rhetoric, and media today between Muslims, Christians, and Jews all over the world.

When the Prophet was forced to immigrate to Medina, the population was “a mixture” (akhlat) of many different tribes (predominantly Arabic and Jewish), who had been fighting for nearly a century, causing “civil strife,” and it was for this reason that the Prophet was summoned there. Tribal fighting and a lack of governance in Medina (known as Yathrib) meant disputes were dealt with “by the blade” on many occasions, which deepened the divides and fueled conflicts.

Karen Armstrong explains aptly the mentality and workings of the tribal system dispersed through war-torn Arabia, where the Prophet was striving for peace. “The tribe, not a deity, was of supreme value, and each member had to subordinate his or her personal needs and desires to the well-being of the group and to fight to the death, if necessary, to ensure its survival”. Such a system was, in a political sense, representative of the little cooperation between the tribes in the Yathrib. In this region reigned power hungry strategies, an emphasis on arms and strength in military, and a belief that clearly mediation was unachievable except by a trustworthy outsider who had no connections to the issues or the tribes. Not only did the Prophet fit these prerequisites, but his personal ambition as given to him by God was also one of spreading peace and unity, creating a community, or ummah, made up of diverse groups, through the teachings of the Quran and in the name of Islam.

The Quran states that the Lord “teaches by the pen” (96:1-5). This is indicative of the Medina Charter in that it is a reflection of these verses, which show that God is educating people and changing thought patterns through discussion. In this case, the discussion resulted in peace achieved through contemplation and through seeking agreements in which tribes felt they had benefited from the charter and had not been robbed of status or unresolved antagonism from the past. In the words of Amstrong, “Many Islamic rituals, philosophies, doctrines, [different interpretations of] sacred texts, and shrines are the result of frequently anguished and self-critical contemplation of the political events in Islamic society”. Islam places great emphasis on reason - the reasoning of the universe, of life, and indeed, of religion too.

Al-Ghazzali (1058-1111) said, “Doubt is to find truth. Those who do not have doubt cannot think. Those who cannot think, cannot find truth.” Although this quote is more in reference to the philosophical side of Islam, it reverberates from the heart of reason - something that is central to Islam.

Yetkin Yildirim writes about the use of one’s own knowledge and the absolute approach of

reason. If the answer is neither in the Quran, Sunnah, or Hadith, then one’s own reasoning or ijtihad is required. So the Prophet, through the Medina Charter, was practicing Islam through action. For with reason, discussion, and contemplation, a peace treaty was created.

The mere formation of the Charter and peace were tremendous feats, and the content of the Charter itself reflects this magnitude.

Armstrong states that the formation of an ummah through respect and acceptance resulting in pluralism shows us one of the ways in which the Prophet combated jahiliyyah, or ignorance - the state of mind causing violence and terror. Examining some of the clauses in the Charter also shows how the Prophet managed to take leadership and create a lasting peace. According to Sajoo, the first clause, “They are a single community (ummah),” depicts the ultimate message and goal of the rest of the charter. It marked the creation of a community, and the Charter served as a unifying document in a city of diverse groups, cultures, religions, and languages. The Prophet came to Medina with tolerance - an aspect of Islam which is fundamental to the manner in which the religion operates in foreign lands. In the words of Can 2005, “It is for this tolerance in the Islamic view that Muslims have looked at the religion of the people in the lands they conquered with respect; they did not intervene with their beliefs nor touch their churches”. Clause 25 epitomizes the level of tolerance in the charter and also serves as an example of Islam in practice. For Sajoo 2009, “The Jews ... are a community (ummah) along with the believers. To the Jews their religion (din) and to the Muslims their religion” This statement ties in with the verse from the Quran (2:256) which says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” For in the eyes of God, as it says in the Quran “... those who believe ... Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans ... and does right - surely their reward is with their Lord” (2:62).

The Medina Charter reflects pluralism both in the content and in the history of the document. F. E. Peters explains that “the contracting parties, although they did not embrace Islam, did recognize the Prophet’s authority, accepting him as the community leader and abiding by his political judgments”.

As there is no account of an uprising in history books and because the Prophet was there at the suggestion of the tribes, we know that he was never rejected. Because of the laws he introduced, the existing groups clearly did not feel threatened by his new presence or his new governance. The society was pluralistic, and it was not repressive. The Prophet - as clause 25 shows - never imposed Islam upon the people of Medina, which meant that they could still practice without disruption their religions and customs, aspects of life that were important to them. He did not create an ummah through denouncing all ways of life except for Islam or by recognizing Islam as the singular religion; instead he united all inhabitants of the city under one banner of ethical living and moral principles - commonalities between all humans and all religions.

The Prophet drew upon the essence of unity, respect, tolerance, and love to combine and create a pluralistic community. According to Sajoo. Clause 40 exemplifies this: “The ‘protected neighbor’ (jar) is as the man himself so long as he does no harm and does not act treacherously”. People were safe and respected and free to exert their beliefs and would be protected in doing so.

This protection, however, could not shield them from treachery or wrong doing.

The Medina Charter is arguably the first constitution ever written incorporating religion and politics. And even though the politics of the region have changed since it was written - in recent times for the worst - Islam’s values have continued to spread and are lived throughout the whole Muslim world. Despite the hold of power that some governments still have over their people, the true face of Islam shines through in how people live, communicate, and approach life.

To Be Continued

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Ganduje Slams N3bn Suit against Daily Nigerian Publisher Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday instituted a N3 billion suit in a Kano High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Mr. Ja’afar Ja’afar, for alleged defamation of character, slander, and libel over publications and releases of video clips alleging that the plaintiff was involved in bribery.

According to a Writ of Summons dated November

13, 2018, the defendants are expected to appear before the High Court 13 in Kano within 14 days.

Ganduje, through his counsel, Nuradeen Ajagi, prayed the court to declare that “the act of publishing and circulating libelous statements and false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amounts to defamation of the character plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful.

“Outright and unqualified

imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty which are all criminal offences by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws is slanderous, libelous, injurious and wrongful.

“In order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities to whom they shared

their libelous documents/records from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

“That the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

“There should be order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory

story and sharing the said doctored video clips howsoever to whichever type of audience.

There should also be “an order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3, 000,000,000 (Three billion naira) as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff character and standing.

The governor is also seeking “an order compelling the

defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.”

Daily Nigerian, an online news platform, last month published a story accompanied with video clips, alleging that Ganduje collected $5 million kick-back.

NIPOST Revokes 30 Courier Operational Licences,Vows to Sanitise Industry Emma Okonji The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), through its Courier Regulatory Department (CRD), yesterday in Lagos, revoked the operational licences of 30 Courier operators across the country for various offences ranging from sharp practices to refusal to renew their operational licences for a period of two years and above.

The General Manager of CRD, Dr. Ishaya Musa Diwa, who announced the revocation in Lagos, said it became necessary in order to sanitise the courier industry and eliminate those operators who have decided to swindle the government by not paying their annual renewal licence fees He promised to sanitise the courier industry and make it a friendly business ecosystem for Nigerians and non-Nigerians to do business.

Diwa strongly advised Nigerians to stop transacting any form of courier business with the affected courier operators.

He listed the affected courier operators to include Abex Express, Benop Courier, Best Courier Limited, Betkey International Ventures, B-Flex Express Service, Blue Star Courier and Logistics, Business Messenger, Dealdey Swift, Fair Plus and Fleet Courier.

Others include Gbuzzorr Delivery Service, Greater Washington Capital, Green White

Express Logistics, Imo Transport, Kaoline Ventures, Macdon Express, Okoli Express, One-On-One Parcels Limited, Pel Express, Quo Courier Logistics, Skyhigh Express, Speed Express Courier, Speed Mails Express, SpeedMark Courier, Thanet Deliveries, Total Quality Express, Universe Courier and Vee Express Delivery Services.

According to Diwa, “This is the highest number of revoked courier licences since the creation of CRD for the regulation of courier industry in the country.

Currently, we have 108 licensed courier operators who are financially stable. Two years ago, we had up to 300 licenced courier operators, but that number has been reduced to 108 who are diligent in observing and obeying the courier rules and regulations.”

He assured Nigerians that NIPOST, through its Courier Regulatory Department, would continue to sanitise the courier industry and make it safe for everyone.

Asked if the cost of annual renewal of licence fees could be responsible for the refusal to pay such fees by the 30 courier operators whose licences were revoked, CRB boss said: “The cost of annual renewal of licence fee is just N350 000, and I can assure you that the renewal cost is not the issue, because Nigeria has one of the cheapest renewal rate globally.”

FG Directs Julius Berger to Hasten Work on Ijora Bridge Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has directed the contractor handling the repair of Ijora Bridge in Apapa area of Lagos State, Julius Berger, to hasten work on the bridge and reopen it to traffic as soon as possible.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this whilespeaking on a Lagos-based television station, Wazobia TV. The Vice President explained that the reopening of the bridge is vital to the free flow of traffic in Apapa and its environs.

The Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Vicky Haastrup had recently alerted the country that the closure of a section of the Ijora Bridge, outbound Apapa, was worsening the already chaotic traffic situation in the Lagos port community.

According to Osinbajo, “While we are fixing the roads, if you stand in front of the port, the bridge Julius Berger is building, they opened one half of the bridge and closed the other half, so it is not being used. That bridge must be completed and opened. “So one of the things we have done is telling Julius Berger about two weeks ago that they must complete and open up the bridge. Even when the construction of Wharf Road has been completed and the bridge has not been opened, we will still experience the same problem.”

He blamed congestion on the Lagos port access roads on bad roads and increased cargo volume.

He accused past administrations in the country of abandoning the roads to deteriorate to their present state.

WOMEN AFFAIR…

L-R: Ex-officio Board member, CFA Society Nigeria, Folasade Odunaiya; Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria, Aishah Ahmad; CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria and West Africa, Bola Adesola; Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; and Vice Chairman/ Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Carla Harris, at the CFA Society Nigeria’s Workshop for Women in Investment Management in Lagos… yesterday YOMI AKINYELE

Dickson, APC Clash over ‘Fraudulent’Airport Facility Segun JamesinLagosand Emmanuel AddehinYenagoa The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as a “cesspit of fraud” the state N80 billion airport project scheduled for inauguration soon.

APC, a statement issued by, the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said the project was a fraudulent scheme to facilitate the siphoning of state funds, warning the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, “to be prepared to stand trial for this and other crimes against the people of the state.”

The statement said the N80 billion plus Bayelsa airport project was built with “vastly inflated costs, making it clearly the most expensive airport project in Nigeria, as none of the 26 airports owned by the federal government or the eight owned by states is near that figure.”

But in its response, the Bayelsa State Government described the APC as a group of confused and mischievous persons.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Daniel Iworiso Markson, said in a statement that the APC was now desperate to cling to lies and imagined stories as a lifeline after losing most of its members to the PDP. The government maintained that the state under former Governor Timipre Sylva, received N708,896,925 billion allocation from the Federation Account apart from N22,02 billion internally generated revenue (IGR) without any notable execution of projects in the state.

According to the commissioner, “Sylva and the APC once told Bayelsans that the Nembe road had no economic value but he uses that road to his community anytime the diaspora politician

visits the state.”

Besides, APC said the airport was economically unviable as it lacked vital intermodal network for easy accessibility. It described the project as “symptomatic of a vision that is not only deficient but also diseased,” adding that “we know it as a matter of fact that state governments that built airports in the past are unable to sustain them and want the federal government to take over them. No self-respecting, patriotic and honest Nigerian should be associated with this kind of fraudulent project.”

The APC said it considered the project as a fraud because “Dickson collected a N40 billion credit facility from a commercial bank to commence work on the project. As against the initial estimated cost of N40 billion, the governor disclosed in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government

Council, on May 26, 2018, that N80 billion had already been spent by the state government.

“Add to the new figure-the loan interest of N32 billion-,and the cost comes to N112 billion. It is clearly the most expensive airport project in Nigeria, as none of the 26 owned by the federal government or the eight owned by states is near that figure.

“We strongly contest this picture painted by the governor.

The Bayelsa International Airport project does not make any economic sense. A total interest of N32 billion (to be serviced within eight years) is a crippling repayment burden to the state. What is more is its faulty conceptualisation that leaves the airport without a critical axial component-a standard road network or connecting rail systemfor ground accessibility.”

Group Warns Opposition against Labelling Atiku as Corrupt National Coordinator of Atiku For Better Nigeria (AFBN), Benita Dike-Israel, has lashed out at some opposition groups who are in the habit of labelling former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as a corrupt politician, warning them to desist from such misconception.

Dike-Israel who leads a group of legal advocates and other professionals, made the assertion in a statement in Abuja.

She reiterated that no one has the right to brazenly accuse another of guilt over a crime he or she hasn’t been convicted of.

She therefore called on opposition groups whose sole campaign

mantra is “Atiku is Corrupt” to desist from such unsubstantiated gibberish, targeted at maligning the hard earned reputation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate and focus on pertinent issues of national importance that will enhance the quality of the discourse towards the forthcoming elections geared at producing leadership that will assuage the hardship in the land.

She stressed further that Atiku has repeatedly at different public fora, debunked any involvement in corrupt practices as a public officer, and that the records are clearly there for all to see.

She made particular reference to Atiku’s consultations with stakeholders in Rivers and Bayelsa States in the run-off to the PDP presidential primary elections, at which the PDP candidate unequivocally declared in response to the misinformation making the rounds that he never at any time stole public funds while serving as a public officer, that on the contrary his outstanding success in business was rooted in his private sector initiatives.

Continuing, Dike-Israel stated that Atiku was already successful in business before going into partisan politics and subsequently

becoming the Vice President of Nigeria by the grace of God, stressing that his motivation for coming into government was not to make money but to contribute his humble quota to the overall development of his fatherland.

Dike-Israel equally added her voice to the PDP presidential candidate’s open challenge to anyone that has evidence linking the use of public funds for the establishment or running of any of his businesses which has been providing jobs for thousands of Nigerians, including the famous American University of Nigeria (AUN) to come forward with such proof or evidence.

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Osinbajo Advocates Simplification of Adoption Process in Nigeria Says many world leaders were adopted Segun James The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the process of adoption in the country must be simplified to cater for many children in need of a happy home all over the country.

The vice president revealed that many world leaders, including a former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and former presidents of the United States of America Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton - were also adopted.

Osinbajo noted that the sheer number of little children all over the country is disheartening.

The vice president spoke yesterday in Lagos at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Heritage Adoption Support and Advocacy Group (HASAAG).

He said having been to virtually every state in the country, he found that many abandoned children were everywhere.

According to him, these children could have been given a better life but for the process of adoption which is very cumbersome.

He urged more Nigerians to embrace the idea of adopting children, stressing that many of the greatest leaders in the world were actually adopted.

According to him, former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, former presidents of the United States of America - Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton - were also adopted.

He therefore, called for the simplification of the process so that more children should be given a home.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Trustee and Project Coordinator of HASAAG, Mrs. Eme Akenzua, had decried the stigma of not having a child and the difficulty of accepting the adopted into a family.

She disclosed that UNICEF

has estimated that there are about 17.5 million orphaned and vulnerable children in Nigeria while over 25 per cent of married couples are

childless.

“Adoption can to a very large extent reduce the numbers of both sides,” she said.

She pointed out that adoption is “not happening enough as adoption is still viewed with a negative mindset and women struggling

from infertility are stigmatised, abused and even ostracised by family, friends and the society at large, mainly because of ignorance.”

Restructuring Solution to Minimum Wage Stalemate, Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Insist EMPOWERMENT...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, being cheered by traders during the inauguration of TraderMoni in Bodija and Oje Markets in Ibadan, Oyo Segun James

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has said the stalemate that followed the issue of minimum wage in the country could have been avoided in a restructured Nigeria.

The regional leaders a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin (South- west); Prof Chigoze Ogbu (South -east); Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo, (Middle Belt), said it has “observed with keen interest the yoyo dance that both the Federal and State Governments have danced over the issue of a living wage for the Nigerian workers.”

The Forum noted that even though the federal government capitulated to the demand of the organised labour following threat of industrial action, The group added that immediately after the suspension of the action, the government has been singing a new tune with state governments insisting that they have to lay off workers if they have to pay a new minimum wage of N30,000 (about $90) monthly.

“Some states are in arrears of several months even with the current N18,000 misery wage.

The reality in Nigeria of today is that N30, 000 is a starvation wage that cannot give quality life to any average family. It is even more scandalous compared to the wages of those who serve in government and the many extravagant wastes they indulge in.

“However, it must be honestly admitted that the only thing the shrinking economy of Nigeria can sustain under the unitary fiscal arrangement is graft given the absence of productivity and reliance on sharing of oil proceeds.

“The federal government recently shamelessly announced

that it would have to sell the county ‘s assets to fund the less than N9 trillion 2019 budget when studies have shown that Nigeria has the capacity to have a N50 trillion annual economy if it goes back to the practice of Federalism.

“All that is needed is to prune the 68 items on the exclusive list of the 1999 Constitution and devolve more powers to the states including the right to mine the resources under their soil and turn every corner of Nigeria to productivity centers as there is no state North and South that is not blessed with one resource or the other.

“This is the core issue in restructuring which President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo his vice have consistently shown they don’t understand or are pretending not to do. Project Nigeria as it is has become a stalemate and Nigerians are advised not to support any party or candidate that is not ready to go to this taproot of the problem with Nigeria in the 2019 elections.

“It would be another huge disappointment and dashed expectation to do what has been done repeatedly with failure as outcome and expect a new turn. Organized Labour should key into retooling Nigeria for the benefit of all instead of engaging in maximum struggles for pittance minimum wage that cannot give them decent living and which those who run the country are not even ready to concede.

“Those who oppose the restructuring of Nigeria know the good federalism will do for all but their desire for command and control for as long as the existing order can guarantee their own comfort is the reason they don’t want us to move in that direction.”

State...yesterday

Atiku Expresses Dismay over FG’s Refusal to Fund NBS Adedayo Akinwale and Victoria Yesin in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed dismay over the refusal of the federal government to release fund to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Atiku, who reacted to the lamentation of Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Yemi Kale, who said lack of fund has made it difficult for the agency to release the annual unemployment report that it is mandated to do by law.

The former vice president in a statement by his campaign

organisation said President Muhammadu Buhari administration is in a state of panic because of the unprecedented unemployment numbers in Nigeria and is desperate to hide that information from the public.

According to him, “If the Buhari administration can afford 1.1 billion to fumigate the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and if they can afford 3.5 million every month to feed Ibrahim El Zakzaky, then they can afford to release funds for the NBS to perform its statutory duty of releasing the country’s job report.”

Atiku said since Buhari

administration came into existence, 11 million Nigerians have lost their jobs, and in December of 2017, the NBS under Yemi Kale, announced that 7.9 million Nigerians lost their jobs in the 21 months period under review.

He added: “It is safe to draw the conclusion that if the NBS had been funded and able to release the now due 2018 job reports, the total figure of jobs lost under the present administration may climb higher than the present 11 million jobs.

“Thus, we can understand why this failed administration is desperate to cover up that information. However, the

Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation insists that Nigerians deserve to know the truth no matter how unpalatable it may be.”

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of Atiku Abubakar Support Groups, Dr. Nath Iduma, has challenged members of the support groups to ensure that Atiku wins convincingly in all polling units in order to prevent the ruling party from rigging.

He made the call yesterday in Abuja during an interactive session by a coalition of support groups with the theme: ‘Turning the popularity of Atiku/Obi into Electoral Success’.

House Alleges Multi-million Dollar Leakages in NIMASA Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Marine Safety, Education and Administration has expressed dissatisfaction over huge financial leakages in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The committee Chairman, Umaru Mohammed, said the task before the panel was to investigate the allegations made against NIMASA and some firms in a petition alleging revenue leakages, round tripping and contract splitting.

The committee also called for questioning of some officials of some shipping companies, who allegedly did not remitting about $286, 636, 511 to the federal government between 2004 and 2018.

Recalled that earlier in the week, House Committee on Public Petitions had summoned

the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, to give details of their involvement in allegedly awarding over N30.32billion contracts to a Dubai-based company in breach of the local content act.

The summon was sequel to a petition by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) dated August 15, 2018, alleging gross abuse of the local content act on the parts of Topaz Dubai and Team Offshore Nigeria Limited.

According to the House of Representatives Committee on Marine Safety, of the 12 companies accused of indebtedness that appeared before it, only six agreed to owing, and they insisted they are owing less than the amounts they were accused to have in their possessions.

Affected companies include

GAC Shipping Nigeria Limited ($172million); Inchcape Shipping Services Nigeria Limited ($6million); Hull Blyth ($3.6million); Daddo Maritime Services ($34million); Maersk Nigeria Limited ($5.7million) and Blue Sea Marine Services ($31million).

However, Divine Marine Shipping Nigeria Limited ($10.8million); Transocean Support Services Limited ($9.7million); Al Raine Nigeria Limited ($5million); CMA CGM-DELMAS Nigeria Limited ($3.5million), Joe-Eboje ($3million) and Peak Shipping ($2.5million) were also named as debtors but they refused to turn up before the committee.

According to Mohammed, the petition and documents tendered

by NIMASA revealed that some of the affected firms had closed down and currently operating with new names to evade remittance of government revenues with them.

“In the cause of the investigation, we found a very long list of debtors and these debtors have been holding federal government’s money in their private accounts and doing businesses with it since 2004.

“You are a receiver company on behalf of other shipping companies, I see no reasons why a foreign company pays its dues into your account and it now takes you so much pain to pay Nigeria what is due to it,” Mohammed said.

Assuring Nigerians that the investigation will follow the case to a logical conclusion, he said: “Honestly speaking, we are going to take it to the last point.

“Let me make this very clear that we learnt that some companies that we have invited closed companies and open new ones to continue with the same business.”

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Whole World is Disappointed in Nigeria, Says OPC Leader Peter Uzoho and Deborah Orji The grand leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), a Yoruba nationalist organisation, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has decried the current state of the country, saying the whole world is disappointed in Nigeria.

Fasehun stated this yesterday in Lagos in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the youth conference organised by the Frederick Isiotan Fasehun Foundation (FIFF) which was held to sensitise the youths on the 2019 elections.

The elder statesman, who painted a gloomy picture of the steady fall in all indices

of the country’s development, pointed out that the situation had led to Nigerians fleeing the country in search of better life.

Fasehun also added his voice in the call for restructuring of the country, warning that failure to do so, the country would not get out of its current socio-economic quagmire.

According to him, “So far, the whole world is disappointed in Nigeria. They are embarrassed by the situation of this country.

Nigeria which used to be a great country has now failed in all ramifications.

“There is no electricity; there is no water, and the roads are not good. There is nothing we can be proud of in this country.

When you invite them to come here, they will say they will not come to this world-damned country.”

The OPC leader, who earlier addressed the youths numbering over 1,000, charged them to try and get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and be ready to take power from the present “incompetent government” in the 2019 general election.

He said Nigerians residing in the country are suffering and dying because of poor leadership, adding that those who could not withstand the

harsh situation are migrating to America, Canada and Israel. He argued that this was because those countries had gone through changes effected by their leaders.

Fasehun said: “Now, who can you call a leader in this country? Where is the leader in this country? You get into a situation where you ask who is in charge? People are dying, and there is insecurity galore.

Our children go through our difficult educational system and they pass out without jobs for them.”

However, the retired medical

doctor joined Nigerians in the call for restructuring of the country. This, he explained, holds the key to the progress and development of the country.

The Yoruba leader explained: “That’s one of our problems.

If Nigeria does not restructure, we will not get out of this mess. Why can’t I see what is available in my backyard; explore what is available, sell, export and pay tax to the government. But the constitution must give me an opportunity to explore what I have in my backyard.

“And why should I sell what is in my backyard and share the profit with you? That’s why restructuring is necessary. If there is no restructuring, forget the progress of Nigeria.

“We had a restructured Nigeria before. That was when Nigeria was progressive. The moment we destroyed the structure, we started having problems in this country. Didn’t we have restructuring when we had the Eastern region, the Western region, the Northern region, and the Middle Belt, and they did very well in then.”

FG to End Open Defecation by 2025 Olawale Ajimotokan and Udora Orizu in Abuja The federal government has disclosed its intention to purge the habit of open defecation that is rampant in many parts of the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who made this disclosure at the Nigeria Media Water Week in Abuja, noted that Nigeria is second in the world behind India with the highest number of people defecating in the open.

And in order to purge this public habit, the government has launched an Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign plan to fulfill its Ngor Declaration commitment and to operationalise the ODF roadmap.

The minister warned that unless concerted effort is taken to curb open defecation, Nigeria may soon overtake India as the leading country in this unhealthy practice.

According to him, “I tell you, three years ago, only 40 percent of Indians were using toilets.

In three years now, 95 percent of Indians are practicing full sanitation practices. They have not only stopped to defecate in the open, they are also recycling their waste products. In the last three years, they have built 80million toilets. We need this kind of quantum leap in this country. By next year, wherever

you go in the world, you will hear that Nigeria is number one in open defecation. And that is a national shame we must not allow that to happen.

“Kindly recalled that in 2016, I launched the document called ‘Making Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025’, with a national roadmap during the 6th national round-table conference on community-led total sanitation held in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

The roadmap stipulates the key steps the federal government aims to achieve ODF in Nigeria 2025.”

He said the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has agreed to champion the campaign against open defecation in Nigeria.

Adamu said it behooves on all, including the media, as a civil responsibility and natural process, to key into this campaign.

Also, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Administration, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa, while welcoming the delegates, noted that the huge role access to potable water plays in nation development cannot be overemphasised.

Ohaa said it was important for all the tiers of government to accelerate water supply, sanitation and hygiene, as it is a requirement to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

He said: “There’s need for an increased investment in the water supply; all hands must be on deck, as the time has come for us to work and not to talk.”

THISDAY Business Correspondent Loses Mother THISDAY business correspondent, Nation’s Capital, Mr. James Emejo has lost his biological mother, Princess Ogbu Egah Comfort (Nee Ukoro) who died on October 29, 2018, after a protracted illness at the age of 70.

She is survived by children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers. .

According to the burial arrangement, the body leaves Last Home Mortuary, Avarichi for a Wake Keep at her residence, Ogbu’s Compound Ndogagba- Oloche 1, Utonkon, Benue State, on Friday, November 23, 2018

On Saturday, November 24, 2018, her body departs her residence to Udebo Cemetery, Utonkon for interment.

Comfort

CITN INDUCTION...

L-R: Vice President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mrs. Gladys Olajumoke Simplice; 1st President of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Chief David Olorunleke; Special Guest of Honour, Professor Muhammed Akaro Mainoma; and 13th President/ Chairman of Council, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Nwobodo Ede, during the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria 39th Induction Ceremony held in Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

VON DG Faults Igbo’s Endorsement of Atiku, Obi Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu has faulted the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and his deputy, Peter Obi, by some Igbo leaders.

Although Okechukwu acknowledged that in democracy endorsement was normal, he said the action was not well-premised.

In a statement issued yesterday, and made available to THISDAY, Okechukwu warned that the South-east must thread with

caution in accepting promises made by the PDP’s presidential candidate, especially on restructuring the federation.

He said no one should be under the illusion that restructuring can be ordered with a fiat.

He also said he believed that the issue of Igbo presidency in 2023 can best realised with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“My only concern is that they are posting the statement as if their position is the most viable option when the collective interest of Ndigbo is properly assessed?

Without being immodest Professor Ben Nwabueze and Co’s option

is 2nd rate to Igbo presidency in 2023, if actually they want to finally address the age long marginalisation of Ndigbo and create sense of belonging.”

Okechukwu said.

He said whereas the Atiku restructuring mantra was appetising, the truism is that it cannot be done by fiat-executive order, but by the amendment of the rigid 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria “May I once more caution that Ndigbo should reflect deeply, be pragmatic and rational instead of entering a “one chance bus. APC and by extension President Buhari, is not against restructuring, per se,

but wants an orderly restructuring; otherwise, they could not have set up the Malam El-Rufia Committee on Restructuring with its report receiving attention.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no four regions, as either mistakenly or mischievously quoted by Prof.

Nwabueze & Co agreed on issues like region.

“Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Bayels, Cross River and majority of states in the North rejected region in the 1995 Abacha and 2014 Jonathan Constitutional Conferences and may likely reject it in any future Conference.”Okechukwu said.

A’Ibom Speaker Hails Implementation of State’s Budgets Okon Bassey in Uyo The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke has lauded the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for exceeding expectations in the implementation of the state budget since coming on board 2015.

He said having monitored the budget programme for over three years and considered the pros and cons in his capacity as speaker, he believes since 2015,

the state’s commonwealth has been safe, and has been seen and felt in the massive growth and development of critical sectors of the economy.

The speaker, while reacting to the 2019 budget announcement by the governor, said: “Our state has become a safe haven for citizens, visitors, tourists, and investors. For a typical budget to fully derive or meet the goals and expectations of a fiscal year, it must be driven by integrity, accountability, fiscal responsibility, vision and

pragmatism.

“That is so because it is one thing to have a budget but an entirely different thing to have it implemented to the letter within the context of available resources and set aims.

“I must state here categorically clear that the administration of our performing Governor has met the above stated criteria in budgeting,” he said.

Luke noted that the governor came to power at a time of great need by the people of the state.

He pointed out that the state

administration leveraged the therapy of professionalism and sound financial management to keep the state above troubled waters at a time of nationwide economic downturn.

“With the support of the 6th assembly, this administration did not only ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries, gratuities and pensions as at when due, but embarked on, and sustained its massive infrastructural development and industrialisation agenda.”

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FG Renews Licences for Seplat’s Three Oil Blocks Peter Uzoho President Muhammadu Buhari has given consent for the renewal

of three Oil Mining Licences (OMLs) belonging to oil and gas firm, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc.

Atiku: It is Premature for Niger Delta to Take 100% of Oil Revenues The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said he is willing to let Nigeria’s oil producing states have absolute control of crude oil revenues from their domains, but added he is reluctant to immediately implement such policies at this stage of the country’s development.

The PDP candidate told The Africa Report that the federating units once had considerable control of their resources, unlike the current federal laws that only allow 13 per cent derivation for states in the Niger Delta.

Atiku acknowledged that the appropriate sharing formula might be difficult to say at this point, adding that it would depend on ‘negotiations’.

He recommended a limited

role for the federal government in appropriating crude revenues.

Nigerian states “can get more because in the First Republic the regions had 50/50. I don’t mind giving even 100 per cent, but I would tax those states to maintain the federal government,” Atiku said.

The former vice president however, recognised that this is model “not advisable at this stage of our development.”

“Even during the First Republic there was this derivation sharing between revenues and resources, or between the regions and the federal government. So, I think we could have a middle course. It would be unfair to ask me for specifics; that will depend on negotiations,” he added.

Educationist Tasks Nigerians on Country’s Challenges An educationist and author of a book “Accountable Nigeria”, Dr. Tunde Ali, has advised Nigerians to be ready to solve the problems confronting the country from within.

Ali made this known while addressing journalists during a press conference to herald the launching of the book at Ibadan Civic centre, Ibadan today.

The book, a product of Future Minds Development Initiative (FMDI) is expected to be launched

by Dr. Olusola Ayandele, Hon. Akin Alabi and a host of other important dignitaries.

Ali stated that “the book is focused on improving access to information and citizens’ management.

“The fact remains that these career officers and those specific members of the public live amongst us, as mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbours, club members, association members, acquaintances and colleagues. We

are our own problems. Therefore, we need to be our own solutions.

Solutions that remains steadfastly unrepentantly respectful of laws of the land, peaceful, forgiving our various past deeds and progressive.”

Ali added, “As we all know, we always talk about the problems; we are actually experts at identifying the problems and criticising everything and everyone. Then, we want a messiah from heaven to fix the problems and we can just wake up one day straight in the Nigeria heaven and live happily forever after. Every nation has problems; it is always the Citizens who provide the solutions even when there is a dictator, he still needs the Citizens to carry out the tasks of the nation and society building.”

Accountable Nigeria, Ali hinted presents an opportunity for every Nigerian and non-Nigerians in all places worldwide and at any stage in life how they can be part of this change and join in the project.

Former IG, Okiro, Appointed Chairman Pro-Buhari Group Sunday Okobi The #iStandWithBuhari group has appointed former Inspector General of Police (IG) and Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC), Mike Okiro, its board chairman.

According to a statement issued by the management of the group, the appointment takes immediate effect, adding that “it’s in furtherance of its mandate towards a better Nigeria championed by the laudable visions of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Continuing, the statement read: “We believe his wealth of experience and outreach will be of immense value in helping the organisation

consolidate on its vision for 2019 as we strategise in preparation to ensure that President Buhari is reelected into office at the next election.”

As chairman, he will oversee the activities of the board of the group where critical decisions will be taken as regards our activities.

The #iStandWithBuhari is a voluntary pro-Buhari group that claims to be active in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria with over 23 million members, and also runs a weekly free publication that seeks to bridge the gap between the leadership and the people through the promotion of the government’s achievements.

A disclosure sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, said the president gave consent for the renewal of the three licences - OMLs 4, 38 and 41 -to a new expiry date of October 21, 2038.

Buhari, who is also the Minister of Petroleum, granted the approval after the company paid a renewal bonus of $25.9 million, the disclosure said.

Seplat Petroleum Development Company is a Nigerian indigenous oil and

gas company listed on both the Nigeria Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange.

According to the disclosure signed by Seplat’s Chief Financial Officer, Roger Brown, the company holds a 45 per cent working interest in OMLs 4, 38 and 41. Brown added that in the first nine months of 2018, production from the licenses accounted for 92 per cent of Seplat’s total oil production and 100 per cent of Seplat’s gas production.

“In connection with the licence renewal Seplat has paid in full a Renewal Bonus of $25.9 million, thus ensuring all conditions for license renewal have been met,” the disclosure said.

“The company is now working with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to obtain the updated title deeds in connection with the renewal.”

On his part, Seplat’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Austin Avuru, promised that after the renewal, the company

would invest in the Nigerian oil and gas industry with confidence.

“We are delighted to have concluded the early renewal of our core producing licenses, OMLs 4, 38 and 41,” he was quoted to have said.

“With the extension of the license to 2038 secured, we can now invest with confidence long into the future as we seek to further realise the full oil and gas potential of the licenses and continue to deliver value to all of our stakeholders.”

ENHANCING INFORMATION SECURITY…

R-L: Regional Sales Manager, OneSpan, Mr. Nicolas Poire; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uche Olowu; President, Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria (ISSAN), Dr. David Isiavwe; and Business Development Executive, Shelt, Mr. Bassam Touma, during the industry round table for Information Security Stakeholders of Banks in Nigeria organised

by ISSAN in Lagos yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Shell Donates Relief Materials to FloodVictims in Niger Delta The management and staff of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) have distributed relief materials worth over N300 million to communities affected by devastating floods in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states.

The donations, which include food, non food items, medical supplies and financial contributions from staff, reached over 4,000 displaced families in some communities as well as those in internally displaced people (IDPs) camps in the three states.

Speaking at one of the presentations in Patani IDP camps in Rivers State, the General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, said: “Staff made personal donations to complement the company’s $1 million donation because we

care and want to help affected people overcome the effect of the flood disaster.

“SPDC will also donate $125, 000 to the National Red Cross Society to support the provision of relief materials to nominated Local Government Areas and communities affected in Kogi State as well as provide relief materials to affected families in Anambra State,” he stated.

According to him, the relief materials were to support the people to have some normalcy until the flood completely recedes.

Delta State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, and Chairman, Delta State Relief Committee, Dr. Ernest Ogwezzy, described SPDC as “a good neighbour” and thanked the oil giant for identifying with the people at a time of need.

Accompanied by the Director General, Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Karo Ovemeso, and the Patani Local Government Chairman, Barrister Perekebena Perez Omoun, Ogwezzy said, “While government has provided some relief materials, it is heart-warming that SPDC still sees the need to augment government’s effort in alleviating the suffering of the people.”

Earlier in Akinima community, Rivers State, SPDC Regional Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola, supervised the provision of health services and referral of severe cases to nearby government hospitals, while in Ogbia Main Town, Bayelsa State, SPDC Manager for Social Investment and Performance, Mrs Gloria Udoh, noted that the donations and

medical outreaches to affected communities were to identify with SPDC’s neighbours in their period of crisis.

External Relations Manager, Swamp West, Mr. Evans Krurkubo, and his team were received with fanfare at the Uwheru IDP camp in Ughelli North local government in Delta State.

The traditional head of Uwheru, Agbaovwe Afugbeyah Oyise II, led dignitaries to appreciate the team for the donations.

Though the focus of the donations is on communities near its areas of operations, SPDC disaster relief support has also been extended to other communities most devastated by the flood and selected IDP camps in the three states.

to a percentage of a budget especially in the face of the challenges of the economy, which fluctuates very spectacularly. Last year, the government’s budget was N9 trillion, this year, it is going to be N8.5 trillion; if you had tied your funding to a percentage, this year, you will be spending less. University education cannot be reacting to such inconsistencies. As a means of funding education, tying it to a percentage is inaccurate and not a scholarly proposition.”

“We want a properly funded university education system;

we want funds that are created which are sustainable; we want a ring-fenced funding, not funding exposed to the vagaries of the Nigerian economy.

Babalakin added: “Where we disagree with ASUU is that ASUU says federal government must provide all the money for funding education. Our stand is that the federal government should provide as much money as it can afford, but education can only be funded from all sources. We have to allow the private sector, government sector and individuals to contribute to education funding.”

ASUU, FG MEETING ENDS IN DEADLOCK expressed are the collective views of the committee.”

He said the team is currently working with ASUU’s proposal on funding, which stated that it would cost $3,365 to train each student in the Nigerian university system.

“We as a team spoke to ASUU ‘what do you think is required to fund education in Nigeria’? ASUU made a proposal that on the average it will cost $3,365 to train each student in the Nigerian university system and that view was communicated to the National Universities

Commission (NUC) and communicated to us directly.

When you add this together, what you will achieve is something close to N2 trillion.”

While faulting the alleged UNESCO’s recommendation that 26 per cent of each country’s budget be allocated to education, Babalakin said, the teams position about funding is that: “We must recreate Nigerian universities. We have come up with a needs-based budgeting, so if a university requires more than 26 per cent, we must find it.

“You cannot tie yourself

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

FG Summons National Conference on Sports Education Olawale Ajimotokan and Joshua Onyebara in Abuja The Federal Ministries of Sports, Education and National Orientation Agency (NOA) will convoke the first National Conference on Sports Education in Nigeria between November 19 and 23.

The summit to hold at the National Stadium in Abuja is to find lasting solutions to the challenges of schools sports and general grassroots sports development.

Chairman of the Nigerian Sports Summit, Philip Femi Aziegbe, announced at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja that the aims and objectives of the conference are to complement existing efforts on legislative and policy formulations toward improving and stimulating geometric upgrade of sports in schools.

He said that the conference is focused at mobilising resources for the Public Private Partnership collaboration to motivate and drive investments to effectively support sports and education and increase participation in secular sports from the grassroots to the national and international levels.

Vice President, Yemi

Osinbajo is expected to be the special guest of honour at the conference to be hosted

by Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung while Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, is the co-convener of the summit.

Aziegbe disclosed that the national and state legislature, state governors, all 774 LGAs,

MDAs, research institutes, tertiary institutions, sports associations, military and paramilitary agencies, operators of public and private schools, corporate organisations and All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) are among those to participate at the summit.

“We will tell ourselves the naked truth and create a roadmap for sports. The conference is to diagonise the challenges and focus on the pathways of advancing sports. It will address the new investment platforms and relationship to support school sports and other sports institutions. It will create wider

windows for increasing talents discovery, youth participation and sustaining active capacity building in sports as well as using sports to build our quest for peace, unity and progress of our society,� Aziegbe said.

He added that they will forward the reports to the sports and education ministries and NOA to ensure

that the recommendations are implemented.

The project National Consultant, A.K. Peters, stressed that they have projected a 10-year rolling plan for the project after which assessment will be made every two years to enable them determine the amount of ground they have covered.

Super Eagles players and oďŹƒcials boarding the ďŹ rst international ight out of the Asaba Airport ‌yesterday evening

Eagles Make History as First Passengers on International Flight from Asaba Super Eagles players and officials made history yesterday as the first passengers to fly out of the Asaba Airport on an international flight to South Africa.

The three-time African champions were earlier scheduled to travel by road to Benin City to catch the chartered flight to Johannesburg for this weekend’s AFCON 2019 qualifier against South Africa.

But aviation authorities who had declared that

the chartered Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Max Air may not be able to take off from the run way of the Asaba Airport due to technical issues, later gave the airline all-clear signal to land there to pick the Nigerian contingent.

The news of the first international flight from the airport threw officials of the Delta State government and indigenes of the state capital into frenzy celebrations.

Ex-internationals to Storm Asaba for Eagles vs Uganda Friendly r*LQFCB :PCP 'VMVEV PUIFST UP GFBUVSF JO OPWFMUZ NBUDI Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Some former Nigerian internationals are billed to feature in a curtain raising match to herald the Super Eagles friendly against the national team of Uganda on Tuesday at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Some of the ex-internationals expected to be in action include, Victor Ikpeba, Bright Omokaro, Victor Agali, Edema Fuludu and Joseph Yobo.

Other former national team players like Mutiu Adepoju, Yisa Shofoluwe, Ike Shorunmu, Ifeanyi Udeze, Kenneth Nwaomucha, Kingsley Obiekwu, Friday Ejedgba and Ezeji Victor are also in the line up with former

Captain, Henry Nwosu, as Team Manager.

They are expected to feature against former league players like Christian Eze Nduka, Tosan Blackson, Sunny Osunde, Francis Okolo, Henry Dittimiya, Humphrey Jebba and Joe Cole.

The rest are; Patrick Walstar, Joesophat Okon, Victor Okafor, Chidi Wester, Akintunde and Peter Anyebe.

Frank Idijie is the side’s Team Manager. A statement by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the international encounter said on Thursday that the curtain raiser would begin by 2pm, while the International Friendly is billed to kick-off by 4pm.

Tickets for the match have been fixed at N2, 000 for VIP and N 1, 000 for popular side.

The Boeing 737 aircraft belonging to Max Air, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines touched down at exactly 5:22pm at the Asaba Airport to palpable excitement with members of the state Executive Council, a delegation from the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba and Deltans on ground to witness the historic event.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Captain Yahaya Pam, Pilot of the Max Air, described the facilities at the airport among the best in the country and of international standard.

Speaking with journalists at the airport, Captain Ya-

haya Pam said the Asaba Airport runway was among the top three in the country. “It is very smooth, good and long in line with international standards,� adding that the ramp was topnotch.

He commended the state government for the facilities at the airport.

Okowa represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Festus Ovie Agas, described the event as a dream come true and a major feat in the fulfillment of the SMART agenda of the state government.

He explained that the recent upgrade of the airport

especially the improvement on the runway made the feat possible, stressing that a provisional approval was given to the airport to airlift the team to South Africa for their match against Bafana Bafana. Obi Ngozi Kowea, leader of the delegation from the Asagba of Asaba Palace, said that with the successful landing and subsequent take-off of the first international flight, critics of Governor Okowa have been proved wrong, and gave the assurance that the Asaba people were fully behind him in next year ’s election and throughout his tenure in office.

In their remarks, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, and the Director of the Asaba Airport Project, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, said that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has upgraded the Asaba airport to category six. Members of the Super Eagles boarded the airplane with code number 5N-MHM at 6.55 pm in high spirit en-route the Republic of South Africa ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Bafana Bafana in an AFCON 2019 qualifying game. The contingent arrived Johannesburg at midnight Nigerian time.

RA IN OIL TE N N IS :

Fireworks Expected as Imeh Battles Atseye for a Place in Final r"HVHCPN FOET 0J[B :BLVCV T GBJSZ UBMF SVO JO XPNFO T TJOHMFT The semifinal matches of the ongoing 2nd Rainoil Open Tennis Championship in Lagos are scheduled to hold this morning with defending champion Henry Atseye facing Joseph Imeh while Sylvester Emmanuel and Uche Oparaoji will face off in the men’s singles other semi final.

In the women’s singles semi final, defending champion Sarah Adegoke will battle Christy Agugbom while Blessing Samuel confronts Aanu Aiyegbusi for a place in Saturday’s final.

To reach the final, Atseye yesterday was stretched by Abdulmumin Babalola in a

6-7 (1), 7-6 (6), 6-3 game that lasted over three hours on Court 5 of the Tennis Section of Ikoyi Club.

The vastly experienced Babalola took the opening set on a tie break but Atseye, who also dumped Babalola out of the tournament last year canceled out the advantage by also winning the second set in an identical fashion to set up a tense deciding third set. But Atseye who is determined to retain his crown won 6-3 to move into the semis.

Both Imeh and Emmanuel who are top two seeds got the better of

their duels with Emmanuel Idoko 7-6 (7, 4-6, 6-3 and Ikechukwu Iloputa 6-1, 6-2 respectively.

Oparaoji completed the final four as he triumphed 6-3, 6-1 over Albert Bikom.

In the women’s singles, youngster Oiza Yakubu’s fairy-tale run came to an end as she was defeated

by Agugbom 6-1, 6-2.

The 13-year-old lefthanded player justified her wild-card by defeating veteran Omotayo Ibrahim Osewa in the first round before adding eighth seed Oluchi Ozurumba to her casualty list.

Top seed and defend-

ing champion, Adegoke advanced with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Bunmi Are. The last four semifinal stage for the women’s singles was completed by second seed and 2017 finalist, Blessing Samuel who bested Ronke Akingbade in a fierce match with a 7-5, 7-5 score.

Aanu Aiyegbusi came out tops of her duel with Patience Onebamhoin 6-4, 6-1.

In the men’s doubles, Babalola and Bikom put behind their singles defeat to seal a semifinal place at the expense of defending champions Atseye and Nonso Madueke.

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English Premier League Clubs ApproveVAR for 2019- 20 Season Video Assistant Referees (VAR) are set to be used in the English Premier League next season, after clubs agreed in principle to the move.

The Premier League will now make a formal request to the International Football Association Board and FIFA VAR was used at the 2018 World Cup, is in operation in Italy and Germany’s top divisions, and has been utilised in some FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.

The Premier League has been carrying out “non-live� trials this season.

VAR will also be used in the Champions League from next season.

There have been growing calls for it to be introduced into the English top flight for several years.

But in April Premier League clubs voted against it being used for the 2018-19 season.

On Saturday, Southampton forward Charlie Austin called for a change after he was denied a goal for offside against Watford, a decision he called a “joke�.

Saints Manager, Mark Hughes added: “All the major sports have video reviews and for some reason the Premier League, which is watched all around the world, is still in the dark ages.�

VAR has been trialled regularly in a “non-live environment� in the Premier League this season,

Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in use during the last World Cup in Russia

although match officials have not been contacted by those conducting the trials.

Clubs were given an update at a meeting yesterday.

A statement from the Premier League said its testing programme would continue for the rest of the season “with a continued emphasis on those Saturday afternoons which have several

matches being played concurrently�.

How VAR decisions are communicated to fans in the stadium will also be addressed.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live’s Afternoon Edition: “I think it is a good thing. I know a lot of people are against it but we’ve got to embrace it now and

move forward. “We’ve seen this season a number of incidences that have been called wrong, especially this weekend when there were a number of goals ruled out when they shouldn’t have been. “I think as long as we get the training and education right, and we get the right personnel, that’s the most important thing for me.

LeBron James Now Fifth NBA All-time Highest Scorer LeBron James has become the fifth highest points scorer in NBA history, passing Wilt Chamberlain, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trailblazers 126-117.

The 33-year-old beat Chamberlain’s record of 31,419 points with a free throw late in the fourth quarter.

James, who now has 31,425 career points, scored a seasonhigh 44 points.

It was the highest score by a Lakers player since Kobe Bryant’s 60 in his final game in April 2016.

Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers legend Chamberlain, a four-time most valuable player, won two NBA championships, in 1967 and 1972, in his 14-year career.

LeBron James (centre) is a three- time NBA champion

He is also the only player to have scored 100 points in an NBA game. “Anytime my name is mentioned with some of the greats to play the game, I always think back to my hometown where I have come from and

how far I’ve come,� said James, who joined the Lakers as a free agent in July on a four-year deal worth $154m (£116m).

In a 15-year career, the fourtime MVP has won three NBA titles, two at Miami Heat and one at Cleveland Cavaliers.

James added: “He (Chamberlain) is one of the most dominant forces we have ever had in our game along with Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal). He is one of the greatest Lakers to ever play the game, one of greatest scorers and rebounders ever. “People had never seen someone like that in that era.

He was dominant in all walks of life, not just basketball.�

Lakers coach Luke Walton added: “It is important to recognise milestones in the game, to do what he did and get in the top five of that list and play way he plays, how unselfish he is, is something that should be praised and talked about.�

Tokyo 2020: Nigeria Cyclists Hit Eritrea for African Cup An 11-member Nigerian cycling team last night departed Abuja for Eritrea for the first ever African Cup competition slated for between November 21 and 25 November.

The team comprising five females, three males and three technical officials is participating in the competition which also serves as qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games and the World Championship.

Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) President, Giandomenico Massari, who disclosed this in

Abuja, said the federation has to bend over backwards to finance the trip because of its importance to the aspirations of Team Nigeria ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and 2019/20 World Championship. “The competition is first of its kind in the continent. It is important we participate and qualify at this championship because it is a point scoring event for qualification to participate in 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the world championship. For us it is a must go event. It is for

this reason that we have made sure that the team participate,� he said.

He added that everything the team requires for success at the African Cup had been provided by the federation, including visa and travel arrangements, lodging and accommodation, equipment and all other support the team need to excel.

Among the elite women cyclists listed include Tombrapa Grikpa, Ese Ukpeseraye, Rosemary Marcus, Glory Odiase and Iroh Obiageri. The male

cyclists are Korutimi Pabor, Shamsudeen Alhassan, Fatiu Abolaji. While the technical officials include; Joy Wachukwu (Team Coach), Auwalu Yakubu (team Mechanic).

The team is led by Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) member and Technical Director of the CFN, Mohammed Bashir.

To adequately prepare Team Nigeria for the competition Massari said the cyclists had a month intensive training camp in the hills of Gombe chosen because of its difficult terrain.

“The referees will still want to go out and get the key match decisions right, it’s very important that referees are not hiding behind the VAR - they’ve still going to be making these big calls correctly.�

The theory behind VAR is simple: more accurate decisions, more often, and at the most important points in matches.

The on-pitch referee makes

all the same calls, at the same speed and unaided, as he would without the system in place.

However, the VAR - a current or former top-level referee - is in place to check decisions on four sorts of incidents: r(PBMT JODMVEJOH ANJTTFE attacking offences in the build-up r 1FOBMUJFT BXBSEFE BOE OPU BXBSEFE JODMVEJOH ANJTTFE attacking offences in the build-up r%JSFDU SFE DBSET r $BTFT PG NJTUBLFO JEFOUJUZ where the wrong player is shown a red or yellow card The referee can accept the information relayed through his earpiece by the VAR team, an option usually reserved for objective calls of fact such as if a player is offside.

Or, for more subjective decisions such as red cards and penalty-box fouls, he can review the footage on a pitch-side television monitor before deciding whether to change his initial call.

The VAR team will also proactively contact the referee if they spot “a clear and obvious error� around these four types of incident or a “serious missed incident� - usually off-the-ball violence.

The referee can then decide whether or not to have a review this is where the replay is officially consulted and is indicated by the referee showing the TV signal.

Chelsea FacesTwo-year Transfer Ban Chelsea allegedly face the threat of a two-year transfer ban following a FIFA investigation into their signing of foreign under-18 players, including former striker Bertrand Traore.

Based on documents from Football Leaks, French website Mediapart claims 19 Chelsea signings have been looked at in a three year-long investigation.

Mediapart alleges that 14 of those signings were under the age of 18. In a statement, Chelsea said it had “fully co-operated with FIFA�.

The club also said it had “provided comprehensive evidence demonstrating its compliance with the applicable FIFA regulations�.

According to Mediapart, FIFA’s integrity and compliance unit has recommended Chelsea are handed a transfer ban covering four transfer windows, as well as a fine of £45,000.

It was first reported in September 2017 that Chelsea were being investigated. “The proceedings are ongoing and, to date, no decision has been passed by the FIFA judicial bodies,� football’s world governing body FIFA said in a statement.

Burkino Faso international Traore - who now plays for Ligue 1 club Lyon - signed his first professional contract at

Chelsea in 2013 at the age of 18 but was not registered until January 2014.

Mediapart claims FIFA found evidence that Chelsea had misled them over the dates, while Traore was found to have made 25 appearances for the Blues (under-16, under-18 and first team) despite not being registered by the Football Association.

Chelsea have also admitted they paid his mother ÂŁ155,000, as well as a further ÂŁ13,000 to the club she chaired - AJE Bobo-Dioulasso - in April 2011 to allow them first refusal over his signature.

That deal, it is alleged, was for four-and-a-half years, despite the limit for under-18s being only three years. In addition, it is also claimed Chelsea paid for Traore to attend the ÂŁ20,000-a-year Whitgift School in Surrey.

Should they be handed a transfer ban, Chelsea will be the latest club to receive such punishment after similar incidences in La Liga.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have both previously received bans for breaching rules over the signing of minors in early 2016, while Barcelona were given a 14-month ban after breaking rules for signing international under-18s in 2014.

most colorful since the 45th edition and will attract we hope a lot of dignitaries who will come and honour our late father with their presence,� he said.

He commended Lagos State Government for their unflinching support. “The Lagos State Government has always supported this competi-

tion in one way or the other. I must use this opportunity to thank past governors who have shown immense support and graced the competition with their presence. We will also like to thank the present Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for continuing with this tradition of support for the competition,�

Okoya-Thomas added.

Lagos, Family Plan Colourful 50th Asoju Oba Cup The Lagos State Government and the family of the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas are planning a big celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Cup scheduled to hold late this month.

According to the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Tandoh,

there are plans to make the golden jubilee of Nigeria’s longest running sporting event a memorable one. “We are really planning to make the 50th anniversary of the yearly Asoju Oba Cup memorable particularly considering the immense contribution of the late business mogul to Lagos and specifically sports.

“Even after his demise in 2015, his family still continues his legacy and this for us deserves accolades and we are hoping that this year will be colourful. Late Chief Okoya-Thomas contributed immensely to Lagos as a philanthropist who used his resources to affect lives of so many youths in Lagos positively,� Tandoh said.

For Deji Okoya-Thomas, this year’s tournament promises to be colourful as plans are on to make it unique being the 50th anniversary. “The family intends to mark the 50th anniversary in a big way. A mouth- watering star prize for the winners in the men and women singles final.

The grand finale will be the

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MISSILE Secondus to INEC “The INEC chairman has no strong will to follow our electoral laws and constitution as well as the laid down international standards in the processes towards 2019 and we want to let the world know this before it happens” – National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, warning the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to know that history would be unkind to him if he failed to conduct free and fair elections in 2019.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Restructuring: Keeping Up With Osinbajo

W

hen the advocacy for the constitutional review of Nigeria towards achieving the objective of devolution and decentralisation of power (aka restructuring) is cast as ‘meaning different things to different advocates’ the clear insinuation is that the debate is mired in confusion. Often, those who take recourse to this admonition are ideologically hostile to any progressive review of the political status quo of Nigeria in the first place. But there are others who raise this reservation in good faith. This is an indication of a communication gap between the advocates and the Nigerian audience. The practical way to bridge this gap is simplification and clarity of definition and terms; and the identification of an irreducible minimum principle to which all Nigerians can potentially subscribe.

We also have to bear in mind that we are not reinventing the wheel. The argument for Nigerian federalism has well been made and settled before the majority of Nigerians were born and encapsulated in the independence constitution of Niger. In its failure, the history of Nigeria since the 1966 violation is not only a persistent vindication of the independence constitution but the farther we move away from it, in spirit and letter, the worse the political failure has become. What distinguishes federalism from other organising principles (or the present bastardisation of federalism) is the emphasis on the distribution of powers between the two tiers of government namely the federal and regional\state governments in a way that the two tiers are coordinate and autonomous, that they are complementary but not dependent on one another.

In order to attain to a similarly meaningful federalism in Nigeria today, it is required that constitutional powers are redistributed in a manner that results in substantial decentralisation and devolution of such powers. Now, the redistribution of these powers may or may not be prescriptive of amendments to the political (not geographical) structure of Nigeria-which is subject to negotiations among Nigerians in the spirit of mutual interest and cooperationso this is what restructuring means-primarily the redistribution\restructuring of powers between the federal and regional\state governments. In sum it is the restoration of the federalist framework that served Nigeria optimally under the independence constitution. It is essential to be mindful that, in all this, the end that we seek is not federalism itself but federalism as a means to attaining optimal results in the delivery of good governance, social harmony, economic and political stability. Fortunately for Nigeria, we have both empirical (practical) and theoretical experience to validate the potential of federalism as best suited to serve this end.

Constitutional debate and politics are inherently conflictual and rancorous hence the onus is on the advocates to be responsive to this burden. In responding to this task, there is the negative potential for internal

Osinbajo

subversion and sabotage-by those promoting themselves as ostensible sympathisers while adopting a language and rhetoric that confuses rather than clarifies and demonizes the cause they purportedly promote, as contradictory to the good governance and the political stability of Nigeria. I identified Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as belonging in the latter category on the basis of the confounding instability and inconstancy of his positions and pronouncements; tendentious flip flops, conflating the logic of today with the trivialisation of tomorrow and the propagation of outright distortions and jargons-the latest is what he calls ‘geographical restructuring’ My very good brother and comrade (a noble fellow) Kayode Komolafe has decided to stand proxy for the Vice President and threw the following challenge at me-“Osuntokun’s question cannot be rhetorical. There is, of course, geographical restructuring. An example is contained in the communiqué released the other day after the Yoruba summit in Ibadan. Among other things, the summit of a segment of the Yoruba elite suggested the creation of a regional parliament in addition to the national and state assemblies. Such a parliament in the South-west to be based in Ibadan would legislate for the people of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states. Doubtless, geography underpins such a proposition. Otherwise you would propose a regional arrangement that would group Ekiti with Rivers or Lagos with Kebbi”.

Not surprisingly and following on the footsteps of Osinbajo, Komolafe has fallen into the same error of misrepresentation, distortion and reductionism that is responsible for most of the confusion on the much maligned subject of restructuring.

How can anyone, in good faith, seize on one single item from a communiqué comprising more consequential proposals, delink it from the prescribing ideology and principle, dress it up in loose and ill-fitting garb and mischaracterise it as representative of the Yoruba notion of restructuring? Has the dysfunctional restructuring of Nigeria from four regions to 36 states ever answer to

geographical restructuring as an adequate and correct qualification?

Yet assuming we even accept this reductionism, what the reference to regional parliament implies is regionalism not geographical restructuring. And there is a specific historical basis for this nostalgia for regionalism-being the golden era of the development of the Western region.

To use this as a validation of the usage of geographical restructuring exposes a deep lack of understanding of constitutional development and terminologies and no professor of law should want to take credit for this lapse. At best, it is a very poor choice of language for the description of constitutional reconfiguration. A less awkward but passable descriptive jargon is geopolitical-but note that this is a post facto description of an aspect and not the meaning of restructuring. And there is the inherent demonisation in the attribution of so called geographical restructuring to the Ibadan summit-it is a familiar ploy of setting up your straw man in order to demolish it. The geographical restructuring label carries with it the unseemly implication of placing emphasis on division and physical separation as the leitmotif for the advocacy.

Komolafe continues “Contrary to Osuntokun’s misappropriation of Awolowo, Osinbajo appears more consistent with the Awolowo’s school of politics. By focusing on development issues Osinbajo in treading the same path of progress as Awolowo. In other words, the agitation to restructure the federation should be matched with the struggle to end mass poverty plaguing the land”.

I am at a loss over what Komolafe cited as my misappropriation of Obafemi Awolowo with regards to federalism. If I may recall myself I wrote that Awolowo made the valid observation that Nigeria was little more than a geographical expression in 1947 and thereafter prescribed federalism as the most responsive constitutional principle to the Nigerian situation. According to Awolowo in ‘Thoughts on Nigerian constitution’, pp. 48-49. ‘‘From our study of the constitutional evolution of all the countries of the world, two things stand out clearly and prominently. First in any country where there are divergences of language and of nationality- particularly of language- a unitary constitution is always a source of bitterness and hostility on the part of linguistic or national minority groups.

On the other hand, as soon as a federal constitution is introduced in which each linguistic or national group is recognised and accorded regional autonomy, any bitterness and hostility against the constitutional arrangement must disappear. Secondly, a federal constitution is usually a more or less dead letter in any country which lacks any of the factors conducive to federalism.’’

I have quoted Awolowo to give readers the latitude to decide for themselves who is and who is not misappropriating Awolowo.

Second is his implicit subordination of the good governance and political durability of Nigeria to federalism. Taking a lead from the political titan, I suggest that those

who gripe about “good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal federalism, and a clear vision for development” are doing so in vain without the enabling constitutional framework and policy environment of federalism.

And this is a logic I have iterated over and over again on this page. It all comes down to the point that without a made to measure groundnorm of structuralInstitutional incentives and constraints, the predication of good governance and political stability on good leadership is a non-starter. Democracy and other forms of popular choices do not guarantee good leadership-all it does is give you the freewill to elect a buffoon or someone better. Since democracy is thereby inherently flawed you then seek mitigation and equilibrium in structural-institutional checks and balances; incentives and disincentives. Within the context of Nigeria, federalism is the most consequential of such structural norms.

The maladministration of Nigeria, especially in the past three and half years, illustrates the logic of Awolowo’s position. To begin with, on what pedestal does Osinbajo stand to pontificate on good governance and honest management of resources? The Mo Ibrahim governance ratings agency is the latest among almost all credible international rating agencies including the US annual reports, transparency international, World Bank, Carnegie foundation, to return the same verdict on the sorry record and reputation of the APC government. According to Mo Ibrahim, ‘Nigeria scored 48.1 in overall governance, ranking 35th out of 54 in Africa.. though Nigeria ranked 35th, its score was lower than the African average of 50.8 and lower than the regional average for West Africa which was put at 53.8’.

I have admitted that not all that is wrong with Nigeria lies in Buhari’s star. The government is no less a victim of the inherent structural incapacity and dysfunction of the operative pseudo Nigerian federalism.

What is peculiar is the exacerbation of this extant dysfunctional policy environment by the unspeakable incompetence and subversive intensification of corruption in public life. Those who keep harping on good leadership (heedless of the prior imperative of federalism\restructuring) as the solution (to our seemingly intractable problem) should learn to temper their expectation with the realization of the limited capacity of the electorate to influence the quality of Nigeria leadership recruitment.

How, for instance, does a society in dire need of good governance countenance the possibility of the reelection of Buhari? How can Nigeria, on the basis of the governance record of this President, contemplate his reelection and expect to be seen as desirous or capable of ensuring that the regime of good leadership prevails in Nigeria? At the general level, can anyone look at the constellation and prevalence of the other unworthy candidates down the ballot and across the parties and conclude that Nigeria has the capacity to produce the elusive good leadership anytime soon?

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