MONDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2018

Atiku Asks Buhari to Resign over State of Economy Says president’s assessment self-indicting

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday called on President

Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office, saying the president’s recent assessment of the nation’s economy, in which he stated that it had gone out of control, was enough evidence

that he had failed. The president had told state governors last Friday in Abuja that the economy had become so bad that new strategies had to be found to revamp

it, admonishing Nigerians to brace up for rough times ahead. Atiku in a statement in Abuja yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank

Shaibu, described the president’s assessment indicating Nigeria’s economy had collapsed under his watch as not only a selfindicting ploy to attract the sympathy of Nigerians, but also

a disguise to get a soft landing from the people, who the main opposition flag bearer said he had put under terrible suffering and hardship in the last three Continued on page 10

12 Soldiers Killed, Dozens Missing in Battle with Insurgents… Page 61 Monday 17 December, 2018 Vol 23. No 8643. Price: N250

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L-R: Chairman, The Wells Carton Hotel and Apartments, Capt. Hosa Okunbo; his wife, Nosa; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker Yakubu Dogara; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, at the inauguration of the hotel and apartments in Abuja... Saturday

Tight liquidity condition in the system has forced commercial and merchant banks in the country to visit the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Standing Lending Facility (SLF) window more frequently last Continued on page 10

Access, Diamond Banks Sign Agreement to Merge To notify NSE and CBN today Merger makes Access a top bank in Nigeria CBN Official: Access is a safe anchor for Diamond Bank depositors and shareholders Ebere Nwoji Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc yesterday ended months of speculations over their future when they finally agreed to merge, signing a Memorandum of Agreement, which if approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), would move Access Bank, the principal partner, from number four to number two or number one in the nation's banking hierarchy, if the current growth trajectory of Access Bank is Continued on page 61

Reconciliation Challenges Delay APC’s Campaign Launch … Page 10

BLISSFUL GATHERING… L-R: Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwan Adamu; and former Bauchi State governor, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, during the wedding of Mu'azu's daughter in Bauchi… weekend

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Reconciliation Challenges Delay APC’s Campaign Launch PDP: Buhari not preparing for election, only interested in rigging Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja About two months to 2019 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to formally kick-off its presidential campaigns nationwide, as it battles to resolve the grievances that trailed its highly contentious primary elections across the country. While the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not only launched its presidential campaigns with its flag-bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, already campaigning and reaching out to various segments of the society, the ruling APC is still bugged down by internal crisis. Informed sources told THISDAY that the ruling party is at the moment battling to fix some of the damages caused by its contentious primary elections. The party is said to be waiting for the peace committee it established to create the right atmosphere for its national campaigns to be commenced. "We are still having unresolved issues among some leaders of the party, especially with the aggrieved governors and their loyalists who have not withdrawn their court cases

against the national leadership of the APC. The reconciliation committee is making efforts to mend fences and hopefully they will soon conclude their assignment," a source said. So far, out of the six reconciliation committees set up by APC to go and resolve intra-party disputes arising from party primaries, only the North-east panel has submitted its report, while the other five committees are still engaging aggrieved stakeholders in the North-west, South-west, Southeast and South-south zones. The source, who spoke to THISDAY at the weekend, also confirmed that the presidency and the party leadership have been meeting to iron out issues relating to the composition of the national campaign council. Apart from the delay occasioned by the primary elections crisis, the APC, it was gathered, is also adopting a strategy of buying time by allowing the PDP to exhaust their energy and resources before embarking on massive campaign in the last two months to the elections. But the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, denied that internal disagreement was responsible for the non-commencement of

campaigns. Nabena, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists over the weekend, insisted that the ruling party was keeping to its campaign strategy. He said, "Everybody comes with a different strategy. You are a boxer and you go into the ring, waiting for your opponent; you started fighting even when your opponent is not there. The PDP has started fighting even when they have not seen anybody to fight. They have gone to three places to campaign and suddenly stopped when they realized that they have not seen their opponent. So, they don’t know from where the APC is coming. Don’t worry about the campaign because we have our own plans." Nabena, who had earlier alleged that the PDP was recruiting the services of Russian internet hackers to help in their rigging plans, said APC intended to come up with surprises. "You have to put them in suspense so that they will be thinking for you and that is what they are doing," he said. When asked to comment on the not too successful move to reconcile aggrieved

stakeholders, Nabena said the peace committees might be finding things difficult because of the mind-set of some of the party men. He said while there were those with genuine grievances, some others were merely acting on selfish interest. He said, "There is no doubt that people are aggrieved, but the good thing about APC is that there are people who loved the party and the president genuinely. But there are people who act purely for their own selfish interest. For those who are acting on selfish interest, what do you want to give to them in the process of this reconciliation? "You must have something to give to the next person for him to fall in line. But you have nothing to offer him, what do you expect? So, when you set up peace and reconciliation committee, you must be sure that you achieve results. If I wanted to be a senatorial candidate and I did not get that, I will be looking out for whatever you want to offer me in return." Nabena said the reconciliation committees must have a package that can help stop some genuinely aggrieved party men from leaving the APC.

PDP: Buhari Not Preparing for Election, Only Interested in Rigging Meanwhile, the PDP has said that the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to constitute his campaign council or developed a clear-cut campaign blueprint, with 61 days to the February 2019 presidential election, is an indication that he is not preparing to stand for elections. The National Publicit Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday said, “Mr. President has nothing to offer on security; he has no message on education, agriculture, health, energy, power, employment, manufacturing and other key sectors, which he wrecked in the last three and half years.� The main opposition party noted that the president and his party, the APC, had failed to set up a campaign structure because they were banking on their plots with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to manipulate the electoral process and rig for them. Ologbondiyan said, “It is clear that President Buhari

has been overwhelmed by his rejection by a vast majority of Nigerians, who are bearing the brunt of his incompetent and corrupt administration; that is why he cannot articulate any campaign message after the failed launch of his copied and widely spurned “Next Level� mantra. “All over the world, patriotic and obligated leaders, who are seeking (re-) elections, go to the electorate to canvass for votes with their messages and solutions. “But our president and the APC have been busy procuring phony endorsements, harassing and intimidating opposition leaders, compromising the electoral body to create illegal voting centre, delaying election budgets and holding the process to ransom by refusing to sign amendments to the Electoral Act that eliminate avenues for rigging.� The PDP alleged that Buhari, who has wrecked the nation’s “once robust economy, crippled critical sectors, entrenched corruption at the high places, and whose administration has dangerously divided the country with escalated violence and daily bloodletting, is seeking re-election with no solution to offer on any critical sector of our economy.�

Recapitalisation Cancellation Spurs Demand for Insurance Stocks Goddy Egene Recent decision by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to cancel its controversial recapitalisation exercise in the insurance sector is impacting positively on insurance stocks, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. The recapitalisation exercise tagged, 'Tier Based Solvency Capital Increase,' was announced in July by NAICOM and the regulator then gave operators January

1, 2019 deadline to comply with the exercise. However, the insurance industry regulator later shifted the compliance date to October 1, 2018. This development attracted opposition from operators and shareholders with some going to court to stop NAICOM from implementing the policy. However, the commission in a circular dated November 23, 2018, bowed to pressure and announced the cancellation of the exercise. THISDAY’s investigation showed that with this

development, insurance stocks, which had suffered value erosion due to the uncertainties over the inability of some firms to recapitalise, are witnessing renewed patronage since the cancellation of the exercise. For instance, the market capitalisation of the insurance sector, which measures the aggregate worth of the all listed insurance companies, has improved from N111.216 billion to N112.009 billion since the exercise was halted. Also, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Insurance Index has improved from

negative 13.4 per cent to negative 12.10 per cent within the period the cancellation was announced and yesterday. Market analysts said more investors are now going back to the insurance stocks since the uncertainties that surrounded the recapitalisation exercise no longer exist. “Before the cancellation of the policy, investors in insurance stocks were very jittery because they never knew the fate that would befall their investments if the exercise had continued. But now those worries

have gone and some of the investors are increasing their stakes in insurance companies that have strong fundamentals. This is what is leading to the improvement we have seen since the cancellation of the recapitalisation exercise, “a stockbroker, Mr. Ayo Oguntayo, told THISDAY. NAICOM had announced an increase in the minimum capital base for life, non-life and composite insurance companies seeking to get licences to underwrite all risks in the country from N2billion, N3billion and N5billion, to

N6 billion, N9billion and N15billion, respectively under its tier-based minimum solvency capital structure. While January 1, 2019 was initially fixed for compliance, the commission later announced an October 1, 2018 deadline, which was not accepted by stakeholders, pushing them to take a legal action against the commission. Already, some shareholders of insurance companies have sued the commission at the Federal High Court in Lagos for insisting on implementing the recapitalisation.

the president in 2019 could plunge Nigeria into deeper economic hardship. “Unless those in charge of the APC and the party’s supporters are, as usual, suffering from some form of self-delusion, it just does not make any sense for them to say that the APC-led federal government had brought succour to the ordinary Nigerian when President Buhari himself has admitted to governors of the 36 States of the federation that the economy has gone beyond his control,� he said, adding, “Or do we need a prophet to tell us that the president’s admission of the state of the nation’s economy is a vindication of our long held position and indeed the forecast by HSBC recently cited by the Nigerian media, where

the bank had said a second term for Buhari would greatly stunt the economy of the country?� He called on the APC to apologise to all Nigerians for bringing them nothing but suffering of unquantifiable proportion since 2015, and to make a solemn pledge not to have anything to do with governance again, especially with the 2019 elections fast approaching. According to him, the hopes for better governance and improved standard of living that many had nursed with the assumption of office by the president in May 2015 has since given way to despair and hopelessness. He stated, “The exchange rate of the Naira to the US dollar

when the APC assumed office in 2015 was about 170 (official rate) to the dollar. Today it is 360 to the dollar. Today, millions of Nigerians, most of them youths, are unemployed, forcing them to become professional beggars, who wait with bated breath for the federal government’s monthly N5,000 handout and N10,000 Tradermoni aimed at bribing them to re-elect the party in the forthcoming elections.� He continued, “Power generation has actually dipped from 4,949 megawatts PDP left it in 2015 to less than 3,500 megawatts even though Buhari’s handlers consistently claim that 7,000 megawatts is what is currently being generated. What more evidence do we need to know that the APC

has been a curse rather than a blessing to our country?�

the window at 16 per cent. Commenting on the development, financial market analyst at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ezun, attributed it to the aggressive liquidity mop up by the central bank.

He said, “It is a reflection of the central bank’s aggressive open market operations (OMO). In the last one week, they (CBN) conducted OMO almost every day. As OMO is going, they are also selling foreign exchange to

the banks. So, they (the banks) have to access CBN window for funding. “So, instead of going to the interbank market to borrow at 18 per cent, 20 per cent or

ATIKU ASKS BUHARI TO RESIGN OVER STATE OF ECONOMY and half years. "The result of course is this late hour confession of failure on the eve of our general elections, in the hope that millions of Nigerians, whom he has condemned to poverty and hardship will give him a clap for failing abysmally. I dare say that President Buhari has miscalculated badly on this matter because Nigerians are simply fed up with him,� he said. Atiku added, “The economy has collapsed under his watch and he has by this frank remarks admitted that he has no idea on how to fix it; and that is why he summoned the governors to help him. This is really very sad because President Buhari has run out of time

and what Nigerians need now is a leadership, which has the political will, administrative experience and sound economic acumen to get Nigeria working again.� He said the most nauseating aspect of the president 's negative assessment of the economy was that he had continued “to exhibit his cluelessness, incapacity and ineptitude in handling the economy by once again invoking the tired mantra of blaming the past administration and 16 years of PDP rule for his own failure.� Atiku said Buhari’s comment was a confirmation of the forecast by the British multinational bank, HSBC, which predicted that re-electing

TIGHT LIQUIDITY INCREASES week, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed. According to central bank data compiled by THISDAY, the net amount borrowed by the banks from the SLF last week surged to N862.641 billion,

compared with the N239.529 billion recorded the preceding week. The SLF is a central bank window for banks to cover their short-term financial obligation. Banks can access funds from

Continued on page 61

TOP GAINERS JOHNHOLT AXAMANSARD FORTEOIL NEWREST ASL UNIONBANK TOP LOSERS UNITEDCAP SEPLAT CUTIX

NGN NGN 0.04 0.44 0.18 1.98 2.15 24.10 0.60 6.90 0.45 2.56 NGN 0.28 2.84 58.90 540.00 0.19 1.78 DAARCOMM 0.04 0.40 CHAMPBREW 0.15 1.59 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,480.00 Volume: 193.253 million shares Value: N3.696 billion Deals: 2,950 As at yesterday 13 /12/18 See details on Page 39

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COMMENT

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

POLICE SALARY INCREMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY Carl Umegboro argues that government could still do more for the Police for effectiveness

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long-awaited succour came to the officers of the Nigerian Police as the Federal Executive Council led by President Muhammadu Buhari recently approved a salary upgrade to motivate them for improved service delivery. Unarguably, the new package will comfort the officers and make the job attractive for young job-seeking graduates. Sensibly, Police remunerations ought to be attractive and inspiring on account of countless hazards related to the job. The workforce would appreciatively give thumbs up to federal government on the upgrade irrespective of scope. If the government would from time to time repeat such actions, the bribery and corruption that thrive in the agency for many decades making it notorious and unappealing to young graduates will believably, come to abrupt end. Thus, the federal government deserved commendation for its sensitivity and understanding; that it is insufficient to noisily charge Police to shun corruption without first and foremost, address their plight and welfare. Amazingly, Buhari came up with the salary upgrade without oil boom but internally generated revenues that used to be squandered, shared among corrupt public officeholders in top echelon. And rationally, starting with the security agency is most ideal as the safe-guarders of the society. Conversely, it is often said that to whom much is given, from him much is expected. Thus, the salient issue is the anticipated new image of the agency alongside target conducts of the officers on account of the new motivating attention. To fire the cartridges straight, would the illegal roadblocks, ridiculous inducements and harassments of citizens that have become trademark of the agency now become a history following the salary increment? Would suspects be treated with dignity and released on bail in line with engraved messages at every Police station that bail is free, without illicit financial bargains? Would the Police follow complainants dutifully and ethically as obtainable in other countries to locus situs for inspections, or arrest of suspects without demanding notes either for transport fares, airtimes, etc., from victims of crime, that are in most cases already counting huge losses? And one more, would the slogan ‘Police is your friend’ remain a myth or translate to a reality in the society? By the way, the agency in an ideal world should bear Nigeria Police Service instead of the word ‘force’. A government agency with a mandate on maintenance of law and order, preservation of the peace, prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of offenders and enforcement of all laws with which it is charged, has no business with application of force. Its cardinal duty is to protect lives and property. In other societies for example, the Police on duty are obligated to extensively direct, guide the public to avoid commission of crimes unlike in Nigeria that some may even hide from view in strategic locations for unaware citizens to commit crimes for their arrest and illicit deals. In other words, the Police statutorily should assist the people to be law-abiding instead of circuitously, looking forward to see them break laws and become preys. By the salary increment which is a step in the right direction, reasonably, there should be some dignity or self-esteem in the personnel

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPEDIENTLY WORK TOWARDS COMPLEMENTING IT BY TAKING UP RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RUNNING-COSTS OF POLICE STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

to shun some corrupt practices especially roadside peanut-tolls in broad light. Regrettably, the good gesture by federal government may not sufficiently address the anomalies or irregularities. The reasons are simple but critical. From investigations, administrative or running costs of Police stations are largely borne by Police divisions possibly through proceeds from illegitimate demands from helpless victims. For example, maintenance of patrol vans for operations as well as putting a station to a standard look including providing alternative power to light up stations at night and other miscellaneous bills are taken care of by Divisional Police Officers through ‘harvests’ from subordinates on duty posts. By implication, notwithstanding the commendable pay raise, the nuisances may still be existent until the running costs of divisions are legitimately taken care of by government or organizations, perhaps as social responsibilities. Disappointedly, such oversight exists in a society where each lawmaker at the National Assembly ferries home a sum of N13.5million as monthly running-costs without clearly defined duties to perform. Meanwhile, Police with sensitive assignments that determine the state of any society with essential needs particularly functional vehicles for operations, call-airtimes to ease operations, security gadgets, office equipment, and basic facilities like constant electricity, water and periodic fumigation for health of suspects that end up going home with infectious diseases are overlooked. Unequivocally, a senator or member of House of Representatives, a position that requires as low as O’ level school certificate, shouldn’t for any reason earn more than Permanent Secretaries in federal ministries. Presently, no lawmaker is willing to go back to trained professions including medical doctors, lawyers, chartered-accountants, pharmacists, engineers, among other professionals once they have smelled the seat. Hence, sit-tight syndrome leading to self-seeking defections and do-or-die politics. Obviously, putting an end to unjustifiable bogus allowances in the legislative arm that pitilessly drains the economy is one salient omission in all the contestants’ policy papers. The sham has given a giant blow to the economy especially aggravated no-politicalideologies that characterized the polity. Most importantly, by the salary upgrade, section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended was synchronized with action; that is, making welfare and security of the people a priority of the government by motivating law enforcement officers for optimum service delivery. Hence, the federal government should expediently work towards complementing it by taking up responsibility of the running-costs of Police stations across the country, possibly, by converting the deceptive running-costs of lawmakers for that purpose. Without a doubt, such intervention mechanism will help to adequately reposition the Nigerian Police for optimum outputs and service delivery. I end by reechoing a quote by William Shakespeare, “Security is the chief enemy of mortals�. Umegboro is an Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

HIDING BEHIND THE ELECTORAL BILL President Buhari declined assent to the new electoral bill in his enlightened self-interest, writes Shuaib I. Shuaib

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t should not have come as a surprise to anyone that the push to determine the law governing the 2019 general elections has itself turned into a mini-political contest. All the signs were there. The National Assembly is in the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party while the ruling All Progressives Congress is struggling to play catch up in setting a legislative agenda even for members of its own party. In the end though, President Muhammadu Buhari has withheld assent to the 2018 Electoral Amendment Bill in what can only be described as a political move to protect his party in the upcoming electoral contest. Four years ago, the tables were turned. It was the PDP that was in fear of introducing a new technology into the electoral process and the then opposition APC was putting all its weight behind it. The use of card readers wasn’t backed by law but it had a significant impact on the outcome of the elections. Practically speaking, the late passage of the bill should be an issue of concern for the APC. Early passage offers the opportunity to assess the political and legal implications to every amended aspect of the bill. In the same way, it is in the interest of the opposition to create as much uncertainty and chaos in the lead up to the elections. That is why it matters for the bill to have been passed a year or two before the election. Today it may be much easier to assess its impact on the fortunes of any one political party and the political atmosphere is already tense or competitive. In that regard, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, who are both in the PDP played

their cards right. They played politics with the amendment bill, pushed APC to the wall by waiting till the last minute, to a point where the President appeared to have no choice but assent to their version of the electoral bill. Saraki has never been one to hide ambitions or his willingness to use the legislative chambers to further these aspirations. It was always going to be a challenge to start the electoral process with one law and half way in, introduce another law. The most the APC government has said is that it creates too much uncertainty in the entire electoral process. Added to that is how the courts of law would interpret the new law and also which act to focus on, the 2010 Act under which party primaries were held or the 2018 amendment bill which was guide the voting process, announcement of results and most importantly legal tussles over the different stages of the elections. A similar scenario played out in the 2015 general elections. Nobody thought the Rivers State governor would survive an election tribunal, only for him to be saved by the absence of a law allowing the use of card readers. And how the Supreme Court ruled in election outcomes that took everyone by surprise, is today a reminder of that uncertainty that comes with changes in the electoral law. You will never know the full import of even a clause in every law until it passes through the Supreme Court. Ahead of the February elections, both the PDP and APC have their different sets of fears. For the PDP, it is that the use of incident forms where the card readers fail give room for the APC rig the elections by allowing individuals not on the voters register to vote. But INEC has been preparing for every eventuality and believes 2010

Electoral Act works for them just fine. With or without a new law, INEC has made it clear there will be no “incident forms� used if a card reader fails. Instead, the prospective voter who has been acknowledged to own the card by the electoral officer in charge of the voting unit will be recaptured right there on the spot. That in a way addresses the concerns of the PDP and sticking with the 2015 Act. From all indications, the APC’s concerns have both political and security implications for the sanctity of the voting process and how results are transmitted. And in the aftermath of the elections, legal consequences also kick in. The National Assembly had initially attempted to use the electoral amendment bill to politically weaken the President by holding other elections first. This would have given governors, who are closer to the grassroots, no obligation to fight for or work for the president’s victory. It was in part settled in court. The move by the National Assembly, spearheaded by the House of Representatives, set the tone of mistrust between the Presidency and lawmakers. Since then, the Presidency has had to scrutinize every single one of the bills related to elections presented to him by an opposition-led National Assembly looking for a reason or two not to sign. Within the government, there are diehards who are convinced the 2018 amendment bill was drafted to aid the PDP. This circle of government officials is suspicious, maybe even certain that a prominent politician in the National Assembly has engaged Russian hackers to compromise the electronic transmission of results and is now hiding the plan behind the amendment bill. Where they are getting their information from is hard to say.

It is ironic however that it is former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, along with the PDP that are demanding for one today. The PDP presidential candidate even recently boasted about single-handedly determining who was ejected and who was allowed to retain his governorship seat in the southwest during the 2003 elections. The introduction of card readers into the electoral process was in fact a response to persistent allegations of rigging by the then ruling party. And back in 2015, the PDP was just as suspicious of the use of card readers and made sure no bill was passed allowing for electronic voting. Virtually all political parties remain reluctant to embrace electronic voting. In the last election, the PDP government even went as far as arresting and interrogating the contractor who supplied the card reading machines to INEC in the hopes of exposing what it believed was a clandestine plot to manipulate the machines in favour of the APC. Their fears turned out to have been unfounded. Though it wasn’t enough to save them, but the elections were conducted under a law the PDP was most comfortable with. How they will today impose a bill they have carefully crafted to meet their political aspirations is hard to envision in view of the 2/3 majority needed to override the president’s refusal to assent to the bill. And whether or not it was right for the President to join in playing politics with the bill, what he has effectively done is protect himself, the APC governors and party ticket holders for the election from the uncertainty of a law whose impact is yet to be assessed. Shuaibu, a former editor of LEADERSHIP, wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL Tackling The Yellow Fever Outbreak The renewed outbreak is a wake-up call to be more proactive

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igeria has been experiencing sporadic outbreaks of Yellow fever since September 2017 when the first case was confirmed in a seven-year old child in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State. But the latest reports, which indicate that there are suspected cases of the disease in no fewer than seven states of the country, is more disturbing. The affected states include Kogi, Anambra, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Edo, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The renewed spike is a wake-up call for the federal government to be more proactive in dealing with the disease. Following the fatalities recorded in the course of last year’s outbreak which were in dozens, more than three million people were vaccinated in an initial emergency campaign, with the aim of quickly containing it. However, the virus continues to spread in parts of the country where people remain largely unprotected. That is why all the relevant stakeholders must join hands with the government this time around. Yellow fever is an acute viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include yellowness of the SINCE YELLOW eyes, sudden fever, FEVER IS A VACCINEchills, loss of appetite, PREVENTABLE DISEASE nausea, muscle pains particularly in the AND A SINGLE SHOT back, and headache. PROVIDES IMMUNITY In about 15 per cent FOR A LIFETIME, IT of victims, within a IS IMPORTANT THAT day of improving, ALL NIGERIANS GET the fever relapses, abdominal pain VACCINATED occurs, and liver damage begins, causing yellow skin. If this occurs, the risk of bleeding and kidney problems also increases. But fortunately, the disease is a completely vaccinepreventable one. We must commend the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for flagging off a large yellow fever vaccination campaign, targeting 26 million children and adults aged between nine months and 44 years) in Niger, Plateau, Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi

Letters to the Editor

and the FCT. We also commend the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which has deployed a rapid response team to support some states with contact tracing, risk communications and management of yellow fever cases, leading to the setting up of a multi-agency yellow fever emergency operations centre, to coordinate the response. Also, in its efforts to contribute to the capacitybuilding of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-states in the area of preparedness and response to yellow fever epidemic, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), in collaboration with NCDC is conducting a yellow fever simulation exercise in Lagos,

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

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

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BOOK HARAM AND MULTICULTURALISM IN THE NORTHEAST

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here is an important lesson to be learnt, rather regrettably, from the scorched-earth terrorism that Boko Haram and other suchlike terror groups have been promoting all over the world and the fallout from this lesson has made people like Marie Le Pen, Donald Trump, Viktor Urban, myself, and a lot of other well-meaning observers quite suspicious of the idea of multiculturalism. The situation that approximated a perfect multicultural co-existence was that of the Northeast of Nigeria just before Boko Haram struck and decimated this region. Over in that Northeast then, Christianity was practiced without molestation and there was a strong connect between the Christian communities of southern Niger Republic, southern Chad, northern Cameroon, and the Nigerian states of Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, and Plateau. In fact, Plateau was the centre of missionary training and preparation that sent out workers to these contiguous entities; on the other hand, Islam was happily practiced by its adherents, and this was so until the terror turd hit the fan, if you will excuse that expression. Who hurled the turd? Apparently, hardcore Islamists

ince yellow fever is a completely vaccine-preventable disease and a single shot provides immunity for a lifetime, it is important that all Nigerians get vaccinated and encourage their families, and neighbours to do the same. An added advantage is that the vaccine is freely available in all primary health care centres in Nigeria. Available information indicates that there is a global stockpile of vaccine meant for yellow fever outbreaks. Since we live in the tropics, and cannot completely eliminate mosquitoes, prevention remains the most potent weapon against the disease. It is therefore trite that the common aphorism that prevention is better than cure should be embraced by all. By accident of geography, Nigeria is one of the disease’s high risk countries in Africa, and is transmitted from an infected person to another through female mosquito bite. The federal government should show readiness in ensuring local production of vaccines, as well as commit to establishing a reference laboratory in the country soonest to reduce the logistic challenges with sample transportation and laboratory turnaround time in the current outbreak across the country. These steps, we believe, will ultimately reduce the response time and consequently the morbidity and mortality rates in the present situation. The current outbreak across the country is another sad commentary on the nation’s tepid health sector, and must be stopped from becoming another epidemic.

hated the concept of multiculturalism because it was not recorded as one of the “true paths.” These hardcore elements started off, with support from several terrorminded Islamic charities and countries, by massive hate sermons and exclusion practices that menaced the Christian community in no small measure. Because Nigeria had a token of a security system that protected everyone and the vestige of a semblance of law and order, it was then necessary by these hardcore Islamists to create an Islamic enforcer in the shape of Boko Haram. Thus, Boko Haram was duly “chartered” and the Christian community went up in smoke; the painful reminder of this fact to this day is the continued detention of the remnants of the abducted Chibok Christian girls and the continued detention of Leah Sharibu and Alice Ngaddah in abject servitude. The fact that other world leaders like the pro-multiculturalism Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron should know is that people like Ms. Le Pen, Trump, and Orban are not “bigoted” in the least but they sure each do have a duty to ensure the preservation of the society they call home. Now, is it any wonder that Christianity is still illegal in the heartland of Islam known as Saudi Arabia? Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

NIGERIA AND THE WASTEDYEARS

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here was a time when I too believed in President Muhammadu Buhari. Fed up with the system and the way things were going, I was desperate for a change at the top of our country. Yet by now it is clear as day that we didn’t receive change, we received more of the same. Buhari promised to be the father of all Nigerians, put an end to tribalism, and fight corruption like a saint. I was sure that our courts would be flooded with cases of corrupt officials just days after Buhari’s taking office. Instead, he tragically fooled me, and the consequences are felt by all of Nigeria. He has not fenced in corruption, and this disease is still rampant in all sectors of society. We all know that this is the primary reason that prevents sustainable development, job creation and investment in our economy. We also know that all Nigerians desperately need these to build a better future for their children. And it dawns on me

that Buhari is just not the man who can deliver progress on these issues. It may be his age, it may be the promises he made to his friends; frankly I do not care much anymore at this point. What matters now is the way forward. We don’t have the luxury of staying indifferent to our country’s fate and future, as it is our and our children’s fate and future. And, in fact, we do have a choice: the choice of someone new, fresh, healthy, successful – all attributes hardly applicable to Buhari’s presidency. The choice, then, is clear: we need to vote for the person that is most likely to beat Buhari at the polls. At the moment, this seems to be Atiku Abubakar. And he also is a candidate who has presented a clear vision and an audacious plan for the future. I am looking forward to the Presidential debate to see if any of the other candidates can offer something better. In any case, unfortunately Buhari has missed his chance and wasted four precious years. Victoria Abuto, Abuja

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˾ MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018

˾ MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018

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Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

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

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

The Road to a Peaceful Election Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Ojo Maduekwe write that the 2019 Peace Accord signed by the contesting candidates in the 2019 presidential election does not guarantee a free, fair and credible election

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ritics have often accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the process leading to the 2019 general election in its favour, fearing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies may have been compromised. Situating the reason for their concern is President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to reshuffle his cabinet and change his security chiefs whom critics of his government have accused of underperforming in securing Nigeria from attacks by the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen terrorists. They allege that as presidential candidate of the APC, Buhari by refusing to dismiss them, was using the retention of their appointment to curry their favour ahead of next year ’s general election. But, to ensure the elections - particularly the presidential - are free and fair, and Nigerians do not witness one of the most flawed national election ever organised since the return to democracy in 1999, presidential candidates of the contesting political parties signed a peace pact last week. The peace signing event was convened by the National Peace Committee and held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. All the presidential candidates that signed the accord, pledged among other things to run “issue-based campaigns� at all levels, and to refrain from making statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that were capable of inciting violence before, during and after the election. Absent at the initial signing were the presidential candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku

Buhari

Abubakar

Abubakar; Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili; Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke; African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore; and the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Kingsley Moghalu. Following the backlash that greeted their absence, which was misconstrued as them being uninterested in a peaceful election, the PDP’s Abubakar, ACPN’s Ezekwesili and SDP’s Duke in separate visits to the Bishop Kukah Centre in Abuja, venue of the signing ceremony, appended their signatures to the accord. This was before an FCT High Court last Friday sacked Duke as the SDP flagbearer, replacing him with Prof. Jerry Gana. Stakeholders like the United State

Government and the European Union (EU), whose representatives were present at the main Tuesday signing, have applauded the peace initiative and the presidential candidates for their cooperation in working towards a free and fair election. In a statement by its Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria “warmly� congratulating the candidates and their political parties, the U.S. said the accord was “a great step towards the goal shared by all Nigerians for national elections that are free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful.� While the U.S. anticipates the candidates and their parties would honour the peace pact, observers consider the signing a mere ceremony since

it’s nonbinding and owing to previous unwillingness shown by Buhari to support policies that guarantee a credible election. Buhari has shown a suspicious eagerness to sign an accord he knows too well cannot hold him, his appointees and supporters to account, but has on four occasions refused to sign into law the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018, because, according to his critics, the president and the APC are aware that the clause in the bill which allows for the use of smart card readers, could be a great impediment to them rigging the 2019 elections. It is being insinuated that Abubakar and Ezekwesili’s initial absence until the public backlash was because they do not believe Buhari and the APC were interested in conducting free and fair elections next year. Both candidates alluded to the above when after their separate signings they called for Buhari to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018 if he was serious on conducting a credible election; though they know the possibility of that happening had been foreclosed by the president. There are concerns that the challenge to the peace accord is not as much with the candidates not abiding by its wordings as it is with their supporters, especially those of Buhari that have a notorious penchant for unbridled violence spanning three national election cycles. In 2011, following his defeat in that year ’s election to then President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari’s supporters took to the streets of 12 northern states killing christians and destroying churches, an action that resulted in the death of more than 800 people including 10 National

‘Signing Peace Accords are Political Showbiz’ The Social Democratic Party, Edo Central Senatorial nominee, Mr. Idumonza Isidahomhen, argues that the gatekeepers of Nigerian security organisations have been compromised and exude trappings of partisanship What can be done to diffuse the prevailing tension as a result of activities of politicians towards the 2019 elections? Rising tension are rampant occurrence in the runoff to any political contest. And it’s certainly prevalent in every clime. However, it could often time get pretty much pensive if there are no operational measures installed to checkmate such possibility. And in a volatile nation like Nigeria where ethno religious and politically inspired crises have soared unrestrained in the last few years, and even now quite evident by the latest third place ranking on the global terrorised nations chart, the Nigerian people now have a reasonable reason to be worried as the tides of 2019 approaches. By standard, the security agencies would have been expected to design a protocol to ensure politicians don’t explore incitements and instigations. Unfortunately, the gatekeep-

QUICK FACTS: r 5IF /BUJPOBM 1FBDF $PNNJUUFF recently convened a peace signing event among presidential presidential candidates of different political parties at the International Conference Centre, Abuja r "MM UIF QSFTJEFOUJBM DBOEJEBUFT that signed the accord, pledged among other things to run “issue-based campaigns� at all levels, and to refrain from making statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that

ers of Nigerian security organisations have been compromised and exude trappings of partisanship. And perhaps, until we can have a balanced security institution that handles both politicians within and outside the ruling party with same measure of steel, diffusing political tension may be herculean.

political showbiz. Only an independently strong security institution with sufficient operational and personnel resources can guarantee political peace that supersede the prevailing standard in today’s Nigeria.

How can we sustain the spirit of the recent peace accord by presidential candidates of the political parties, without making it a ritual every four years? For the Nigeria political scene to breath the air of peace and even one that is projected for a long term, it all still rest in the oars of the security institutions. No other agency of government is entrusted with such responsibility other than the security institutions under the command of the President as Commander-in-Chief. The act of signing peace accords are simply

How do we get the electorate to trust in institutions like the police and the judiciary? The antecedence of the Nigerian police in the most recent elections in Ekiti and Osun unveil an institution undeserving of the slightest iota of trust. It’s hard, maybe even impossible to work the minds of the electorate to trust the police that have unequivocally displayed frontal disregard for the same law they are paid to enforce and same people they’ve been deployed to protect. The judiciary has shown better deliverables compared to the police and to a large extent there’s still hope to hold on to and build upon.

were capable of inciting violence before, during and after the election r "CTFOU BU UIF JOJUJBM TJHOJOH XFSF the presidential candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili; Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke; African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore; and the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Kingsley Moghalu r 'PMMPXJOH UIF CBDLMBTI UIBU greeted their absence, which was misconstrued as them being uninter-

ested in a peaceful election, the PDP’s Abubakar, ACPN’s Ezekwesili and SDP’s Duke in separate visits to the Bishop Kukah Centre in Abuja, venue of the signing ceremony, appended their signatures to the accord. This was before an FCT High Court last Friday sacked Duke as the SDP flagbearer, replacing him with Prof. Jerry Gana r #VIBSJ IBT TIPXO B TVTQJDJPVT FBgerness to sign an accord he knows too well cannot hold him, his appointees and supporters to account, but has on four occasions refused to sign into law the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018

Isidahomhen

r -BTU XFFL T QFBDF BDDPSE XJMM OPU be the first in Nigeria. During the 2015 general election, Buhari and former President Jonathan had signed one a few days to the presidential election and just like this one, international and local stakeholders had praised the idea r 8IBU UIF QFBDF BDDPSE EJE and which that of 2019 seeks to also do, is to extract from the candidates and their parties a pledge to accept the outcome of the election without inciting their supporters to violence. The accord was what informed Jonathan’s acceptance of the 2015 elections

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MONDAY DISCOURSE Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members working as INEC’s adhoc staff; an incidence that Buhari described to the BBC Hausa service as “unfortunate�. Beyond condemnations, critics of Buhari accuse him of never doing much to curtail the actions of those who take to violence to express displeasure on treatment meted against them that they consider to be unfair. These critics worry that 2019 will be no different, and point to the several comments made by Buhari’s spokespersons disparaging anyone that as much as disagrees with the president’s policies and actions. For example, when it’s not the special adviser to Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina referring to Nigerians as “wailing wailers� or the president’s aide on social media, Lauretta Onochie calling the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) - an umbrella body for christians - “CAN of worms�, then it is Tolu Ogunlesi calling Nigerians “animals� for criticising Buhari’s photo with supermodel, Naomi Campbell. In these few instances - there are more involving other of his appointees - Buhari has maintained silence and refused to reprimand nor sack his appointees, fuelling the claim that these disparaging comments have his approval and are an expression of the mind of the presidency. Last week’s peace accord will not be the first in Nigeria. During the 2015 general election, Buhari and former President Jonathan had signed one a few days to the presidential election and just like this one, international and local stakeholders had praised the idea. Nonetheless the 2015 peace pact did not stop the alleged manipulation of the elections, especially in the north where children were allowed to vote for Buhari. Or in the South-south states where security agents allegedly openly favoured supporters of Jonathan to do whatever they wanted. Part of the statement by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria that is very instructive, said, for the 2019 elections to be free and fair, “the campaign period already underway must itself go forward on a level playing field and be a fair and transparent process.� Those who criticise Buhari for taking the ‘silent position’ on issues consider it a strategy he’s adopted since 2015, and which makes it possible for him to always feign ignorance whenever he’s forced to respond. Nigerians are conversant with the many instances he’s admitted to not being “unaware� of incidents perpetuated by appointees under his watch.

Yakubu

Idris

Interestingly, when made aware, the president has never reprimanded or sacked any appointee caught disobeying his instructions, suggesting that he’s not only been aware, but approves of their ‘disobedience’. According to them, unlike the late President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua who admitted that the election that brought him into office was flawed, Buhari would rather act like he was unaware, same as he did in 2015. An example they claim is the double invasion of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly by thugs said to belong to the youth wing of the APC in the state. After the initial invasion on November 19, the APC thugs again invaded the state assembly on November 27. Political observers in the state alleged that they were in both invasions, backed by the Nigerian police. The thugs were led by five former assembly members, belonging to the opposition APC in the state, namely, Nse Ntuen, Idongesit Ituen, Gabriel Toby, Victor Udofia, and Otobong Ndem. Their actions were endorsed by the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole; and the former police commissioner in the state, Bassey Abang, for refusing to aid the thugs had his redeployment allegedly instigated by the APC. But the PDP had since replied that insinuating use of ‘federal might’ve in Akwa Ibom was a worn song. The party argued that the APC created the atmosphere for chaos because the Speaker of the state house of assembly acted unilaterally over a matter that still subject of litigation. They also drew attention to the fact that

in an earlier precedent when the only legislator elected into the assembly on the platform of the APC defected to the APC, his seat was not declared vacant. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) had in July released an electoral violence risk assessment on Nigeria, alleging that the APC may use “intimidating tactics� to shore up the votes, as well as to “deter large turn-out of electorate in the opposition strongholds.� Nigerians witnessed this during the 2018 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and the 2018 bye elections held in Kwara and Bauchi states, where the security agencies were alleged to have connived with the APC in rigging the elections to favour candidates of the ruling party. In Osun, during the controversial rerun election, the media made a detailed report of how security agencies in cohort with thugs belonging to the ruling APC in the state, providing them cover, had intimidated voters and denied them from voting. This was alleged to have taken place in areas of the state said to be PDP strongholds. In the Bauchi South senatorial election in August, state chairman of PDP, Hamza Akuyam accused the Bauchi State Government, law enforcement agencies and officials of the INEC of perfecting “a script on the art and science of election rigging� in conducting the bye election. The Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a statement addressing his decision to forego his PDP senatorial ticket for Kwara South Senatorial District, described the by-election as a “farcical exercise marked by voter

intimidation, widespread disenfranchisement and the use of security agencies against PDP supporters and members�. Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accused of conniving with the APC in paving the way for the party’s victory in next year ’s elections. The commission’s plan to monitor election financing during the 2019 elections have been greeted with skepticism. Acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, had informed journalists in September that the commission was “seriously pursuing this issue�, and was working in partnership with the INEC to address the rising cases of vote-buying. He said his office will monitor banks for suspicious transactions in the build up to the 2019 general election. As laudable as this idea sounds, critics worry that the EFCC under Magu may be biased in executing this policy, citing the corruption cases so far waged by the anti-corruption agency. Human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba told journalists that it was “very possible� the EFCC was trying to muscle opposition political parties because the commission had failed in demonstrating its neutrality. According to him, the anti-graft agency was good at arresting PDP members only. “They have not arrested APC people�, he said. Citing the case of the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, videoed taking bribe, Agbakoba said, “When Mr Ayo Fayose was the governor of Ekiti, the EFCC was harassing him. Why haven’t they gone to harass Ganduje... Since there is an allegation, why haven’t they gone to ask him questions? The EFCC’s move becomes a bit suspicious. Given its lack of neutrality, EFCC has shown itself as an agent of the ruling party.� These are some of the reasons why observers think there is limit to the peace accord, notwithstanding that it is a good idea. What the 2015 peace accord did, and which that of 2019 seeks to also do, is to extract from the candidates and their parties a pledge to accept the outcome of the election without inciting their supporters to violence. The accord was what informed Jonathan’s acceptance of the 2015 elections . Since it cannot compel Buhari and the APC to conduct a credible election, critics fear that in the end, the accord would not only disarm objecting candidates from expressing their disapproval of the election, but serve as cover for Buhari to emerge winner of another flawed election.

‘Unless There are Consequences for Violating the Peace, It will Always be Violated’ Mr.TonyePrincewill,formergovernorshipaspirantinRiversStatethinkstherecentpeaceaccordmaybeanencouragement to the peace process, even if it does not go far enough Do you agree with the prevailing notion that the recent peace accord signed by presidential candidates of the various political parties does not necessarily guarantee they would keep the peace? I take a slightly different view. I think a peace accord is a minimum prerequisite considering the way we play our politics. In that regard, I am all for it. I don’t believe that the purpose of the accord is to guarantee peace, more to encourage it. Having said that, I don’t think this goes far enough. I am a firm believer in being, not just tough on the problem, but also tough on the causes of the problem. Being tough on the problem means unless there are consequences for violating the peace, the peace will always continue to be violated. I didn’t see tough consequences in the recent peace accord. In 2015, three candidates (of which I was one) signed a peace accord in Rivers state, yet it was the most violent election ever. Where there any consequences? No. The US government, the U.K. government and the EU championed that process in company of a few statesmen. It had no teeth. I can think of several ways to put teeth in the accord, but those who

a lack of basic education, promoting internal party democracy, small arms proliferation and youth unemployment. That responsibility rests with governments at federal and at state level. No foreign government can fix that problem for us. However Nigerians are some of the most adaptable humans on earth. Show them a deterrent and give them options and you will need no signing of peace accords.

Princewill

should are not willing. We will continue to see these ceremonies once every four years. Being tough on the causes, means dealing with issues which have forever plagued this country. Namely corruption,

Opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari insist that his commitment to signing the Electoral Act offers a better assurance for peace at the 2019 polls, what do you think? Exactly the opposite. Thanks to the selfish interest of the National Assembly leaders who wanted to alter the order of elections and hold the executive to ransom, this bill has gone through multiple attempts that need not have been. Four years wasted. This final version not only falls short, it comes too late for any positive impact to come out of it. A new change now, to the electoral act, this close to an election, is not only irresponsible but incompetent. It is also ill-advised. That is not me talking, those are the conclusions reached by multiple international bodies

who all state that election rules should not be changed within six months of an election. Common sense would have dictated that they work out the way forward in partnership with the executive. The current electoral act is a PDP inspired legislation, signed into law by a PDP President and it was used to remove them. So it works. What can be done to curtail the excesses of supporters of these candidates who appear to be the ones that forment trouble? There should be consequences. That is what is currently missing. I can go through the gaps that currently exist but it would take too much of our time. Besides, they are well known. Would you say the parties to the peace accord have demonstrated sufďŹ cient interest in the peace process? At the Presidential level, I’d like to think so, I have no evidence to prove otherwise. It’s more or less ceremonial, like the debates. Nice to have, lots of untapped potential, but not enough present value. The place where we have a problem, is in the states.

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FEATURES

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

Insurgency: Deepening Global Collaboration with Allies The recently held International Air Power seminar that was organised by the Nigerian Air Force, was an opportunity to deepen collaboration with allies, as over 20 forces from all over the world converged in Nigeria to discuss and find practical ways to reinvigorate the fight against insurgency given the changing dynamics of warfare. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

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ithout a doubt, the war against insurgency has gone beyond conventional warfare. Inevitably, the military keeps

brainstorming on and test-running various dynamics to counter such acts of insurgency. One of such measures was the recently held International Air Power seminar organised by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which was an opportunity to engage allies from other nations, who have conquered or are also battling insurgency. Although the maiden event might have come and gone, the gains still lingers in the minds of the participants, who were drawn from 20 countries of the world including Pakistan, Jordan, the United States of America, Great Britain, Morocco, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroun, amongst several others. It would be stating the obvious to note that the NAF is constantly striving to maintain it's strategic advantage through the evolution of new strategies for the employment of air power to more effectively prosecute the ongoing war against insurgency/terrorism in the North-east of Nigeria, as well as curb acts of criminality in other parts of the country. With this imperative firmly in view, the NAF on November 19, 2018, organised a three-day International Air Power Seminar at the NAF Officers’ Mess and Suites, Kado, Abuja. The theme of the Seminar was “Air Power in Irregular Warfare: a Framework for Understanding and Responding�. The first of its kind in the country, the seminar attracted air power experts from around the globe who brainstormed with Nigeria's foremost air power practitioners to develop innovative approaches for dealing with the challenges of irregular warfare and how air power could be employed to address these challenges. According to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodire Ibikunle Daramola, immediately after the event was declared open, the president, in company of other dignitaries, toured the historical photo gallery, which displayed pictures showcasing the activities and achievements of the NAF over the years. Two papers were presented after the Opening Ceremony. The first paper

The seminar is quite timely, in that, since the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis in the North-east of Nigeria, the NAF and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been engaged in conducting counter insurgency operations that have challenged the services’ doctrine, tactics, training, Order of Battle and Force Protection architecture

A cross section of the participants at the International Air Power Seminar

PHOTO: GOOGLE

The CAS (far left) at the historical stand chronicling NAF history titled “The Role of National Power in Irregular Warfare� was delivered by Professor Usman Tar, from the Nigerian Defence Academy. The second paper, which was presented by Major General Yousef Al-Hnaity, the Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, was on topic “Understanding Irregular Warfare and its Challenges to Air Power Application�. The event, which had representatives from about 20 allied air forces, also featured a cultural night at the end of day one that showcased Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, while days two and three featured the presentation of papers from other air power professionals

and security experts from Nigeria and other parts of the world.

Fighting Insurgency While declaring the seminar open, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was also the Special Guest of Honour, commended the leadership of the NAF for bringing together air power practitioners from all over the world to Nigeria to discuss and find practical ways to reinvigorate the fight against insurgency. He noted that the seminar is quite timely, in that, since the outbreak of the Boko Haram crisis in the North-east

of Nigeria, the NAF and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been engaged in conducting counter insurgency operations that have challenged the services’ doctrine, tactics, training, Order of Battle and Force Protection architecture. According to him “seminars like this are necessary for Armed Services like the NAF to draw from the experiences of other armed forces that have either previously or are currently engaged in counter insurgency operations�. The president, who used the opportunity to canvass for the “whole of the nation approach� for a successful counterinsurgency operation, noted that

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FEATURES there must be unity of efforts across multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Optimum Utilisation of Resources Earlier in his opening address, the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Mansur Dan-Ali, extolled the contributions of the NAF in the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, while noting that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was not unaware of both the kinetic and non-kinetic efforts the NAF has been expending in support of the counterinsurgency operations, which he stressed have been instrumental in curtailing the insurgents and making life more meaningful for the victims. The HMOD also seized the opportunity to reaffirm the readiness of the ministry to continue to ensure the optimum utilisation of resources in the procurement of equipment and other requirements for the services in prosecuting the counterinsurgency operations. He also used the opportunity to thank all officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF for the consistent and professional manner in which they have been handling all the operations in which they are involved. He added that the International Air Power Seminar perfectly fits into the MOD’s vision of ensuring synergy and cooperation, not just within the services but across MDAs, in support of the nation’s political objectives.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Alli

Chief of Air Sta, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar

Some Air Force oďŹƒcers from allied nations

Changing Dynamics of Warfare The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who welcomed dignitaries to the event, stated that the hosting of the maiden edition of the NAF International Air Power Seminar was necessitated by the security situation in Nigeria, the rapidly changing dynamics in the international arena and the evolving approach to warfare, which requires careful understanding of the threats and response options available for the projection of air power in addressing national security imperatives. According to him, the changing character of warfare has emphasised the need for a change in the way armed forces approach warfare engagements. “While the engagement in conventional or regular warfare remains a possibility, the global predominant threat to nations has become more irregular in nature�, he added. Air Marshal Abubakar took the opportunity to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for creating the enabling environment for the enthronement of professionalism in the service, which has led to enhanced operational effectiveness as well as the optimisation of local technology through research and development.

Deepening Collaboration At the end of the three-day seminar, which attracted air power practitioners and security experts from about 20 allied countries, lived up to its billing as it provided an avenue for fruitful interactions, exchange of ideas and analysis of the major issues built around three broad strands of Public Policy Making; Air Power Application as well as Training for and Ethical Application of Air Power, resulting in comprehensive resolutions on how to more effectively employ air power in irregular warfare. In his remarks at the closing ceremony, the CAS expressed delight that the objectives of the seminar had largely been achieved. He conveyed his profound gratitude to all participants, especially the heads of the air forces of the invited countries and presenters of papers, as well as former Nigerian Chiefs of Defence and Air Staff and other retired senior officers who attended the event. He especially thanked the delegations from partner countries like Pakistan, Jordan, the United States of America, Great Britain, Morocco, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroun, among others, for their continued support which had contributed in no small measure to the

successes recorded in the fight against insurgency. Abubakar also pointed out that, as firmly established, the war on terror was not local but global. Hence, the consequences of not adequately dealing with the irregular threat posed by Boko

The changing character of warfare has emphasised the need for a change in the way armed forces approach warfare engagements. While the engagement in conventional or regular warfare remains a possibility, the global predominant threat to nations has become more irregular in nature

Haram would not only have negative effects on Nigeria and the West African Sub-Region but would also affect other parts of Africa and the rest of the world. He said this underscored the need for international collaboration and cooperation between Armed Services and nations across the globe to adequately and decisively deal with the threat. He therefore solicited for increased support from developed nations, including the removal of bureaucratic bottle-necks that often hinder speedy acquisition of much needed military equipment and spares which are critical to enhancing capabilities to more effectively prosecute the war against insurgency. The CAS also seized the opportunity to thank the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the National Assembly for providing the necessary resources that had enabled the NAF improve its operational effectiveness and efficiency within the past 3 years.

Chairman's Remark The Chairman, Organising Committee of the Seminar, Air Vice Marshal Charles Otegbade, expressed sincere gratitude to all delegates from the invited countries for their immense contributions towards ensuring that the NAF enhances its Air Power application in combating the

irregular threats facing the nation. He also appreciated the CAS for continually providing leadership and resources for the enhancement of professionalism and efficiency in the service. The epoch making seminar featured 10 presentations in five sessions delivered by presenters from countries with similar threat situations as Nigeria as well as two specialist presenters. Each session was followed by an open and candid discussions, which led to the articulation of practicable solutions to identified problems. Some of these include, the need for greater exploitation of defence diplomacy, improvement in intelligence gathering capability as well as the need for adoption of measures to deny adversaries the use of the cyber space to generate and disseminate fake news. Others were on the need for investment in more precision strike capabilities and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, sustainment of Research and Development (R&D) efforts towards developing indigenous solutions to meet equipment needs for irregular warfare, enhancement of guidelines on the ethical implications of employing air power in irregular warfare and emphasis on integration of training involving personnel of all arms of the Armed Services to engender Air-Ground Integration.

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

L-R: Director General of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Appreciation 2019 Campaign group, Hon wahabu Alawuye King; Hon Rashidat Omolola Essien; Alhaji Olayiwola SoďŹ a,and APC Woman leader Lagos Central Senatorial District, Mrs Fadekemi Otitonaiye during the Appreciation 2019 Campaign to Houses and markets in Lagos Central Senatorial District .lagos...recently

L-R: Registrar, National Institute for Sport (NIS), Musibau Adeneye; Director/CEO,NIS, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi; Bursar, Ruben Ichado and Head of Department, Coaching and Training, Dr. Jimmy Adeniyi at the press brieďŹ ng on the forthcoming 25th anniversary and convocation ceremony of the Institute in Lagos‌recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Head of lnnovation, Bamigbaiye Elatuyi Omotola; Senior Brand Manager, Adult Premium Non Alcoholic Drinks[APNADS], lfeoma Agu; Executiv Assistantt to MD, Cynthia Ufele and Assistant Brand Manager[APNADS], lfeoluwapo Odedere at the Malta Guinness Multivator Challenge Season 2 grand ďŹ nale in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: The shortlisted candidate for free dental Smile make-Over treatment, Henry Ijeoma; Dentist, Smile 360 Dental Specialists, Dr Latre Bakoshi; Project Smile Initiator, Dr Amy Shambusho; other candidates; Oriyomi Ayotunde and Amara Iheanacho, during Project Smile 2018 Clinical Screening for the candidates in Lagos... recently

R-L: Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Kunle Ajanaku; New Coordinator of Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, Mr. Owolabi Arole; Vice Chairman Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers/ Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro; An oďŹƒcial of Directorate of State Security (DSS), Mr. Alfred Olufunwa and CSP. Fakeye Olubode from Lagos State Police Command, Zone 2 at a Stakeholders meeting of the Task Force at the Secretariat, Alausa,lkeja...recently

Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon A.K.A Yayi in[ Middle] with the traditional rulers in Igando Ikotun LCDA Secretariat where he decleared his intention to re-run for second term in Lagos....recently

Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo (middle),anked from left, Executive Director Dennis Olisa; DMD, Ebenezer Onyeagwu; Mrs Chinyelu Amangbo and Executive Director, Tope Fasoranti during the Zenith Bank Christmas Youth Parade in Lagos...recently

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A T

REPO 9.96 % ͜˛͎;Ϲ

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

D E C E M B E R S & P INDEX

26.00% ͯ;˛ͳ͎ Ϲ ͯ;˛ʹ͹Ϲ

INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078, 08152447875

1 4 , 2 0 1 8 S & P INDEX

350.84% 0.06% 0.40%

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 1.02% 6.49%

N306.90/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes WiSolar Inverters Oer Power Solutions

Homes and business in Nigeria can now take advantage of new cutting edge power solutions being provided by WiSolar, a Nigerian renewable energy company with South African roots. According to a statement by the company, its new range of smart inverters and Solar electricity remote monitoring devices are designed for B2C, B2B, and B2G applications. The inverters, with built-in charge regulators, allow Lease-to-Own arrangements for end-users is a way that de-risks the solar electricity ecosystem and mitigates entry costs, according to Managing Director, WiSolar,TonyeIrims.Headded:“OurmonitoringdevicesareWiFiandGPRS enabled with remote shut-o and will monitor the system at least for the payment term. “Once the agreed payment term is complete, the end-user may optionally decide to subscribe to the remote monitoring service for maintenance only.â€? He noted that the smart inverter software dashboard can monitor power generation, usage consumption, energy analysis and a facilitate remote shutdown via GPRS and GSM networks

NEOC to Hold 2019 Conference

PROMOTING FINTECH

L-R: Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Uche Olowu; President, Fintech Association of Nigeria/Convener Africa Fintech Network, Dr. Segun Aina and Senior Personal Assistant to the Vice President of Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Osibona, at the African Fintech Festival, held in Lagos‌recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

Operators Lament Poor Performance by Insurance Sector Ebere Nwoji With total gross premium of N315 billion as at third quarter of 2018, which is below the targeted N1 trillion premium, the insurance industry is said to have underperformed in the outgoing year. The abysmal performance was accompanied by increased claims which rose by 30 per cent, from N110 billion in 2017, to N143 billion. Owing to this backdrop, key industry operators have challenged the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to raise its regulatory powers against errant operators and fish out those whose activities have continued to erode trust and confidence in the sector. NAICOM was also advised to employ the “name and shame,� strategy against operators who often shirk payment of genuine

INSURANCE claims to build public confidence in the sector and promote financial inclusion. The experts said this at the maiden insurance workshop organised by the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO), held in Lagos. Chairman Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Tope Smart, who is also Managing Director NEM Insurance Plc, noted that in buying insurance, people are buying promise, saying promise must be kept always. Smart said this was why the NIA, which is the umbrella body of insurance underwriters is currently putting structures in place to build confidence among Nigerians. Also, the President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and Managing Director

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Mr Eddie Efekoha, noted that industry operators, have traded to their limit as far as corporate business was concerned insisting that what they needed was to develop the retail segment of insurance business, “As an industry, we have traded to the limit, as far as corporate insurance is concerned, all corporate bodies are buying insurance but there is hard nut at the ray base which is retail. “Nobody will dispute that progress has not been made in this direction and insurers’ presence has not been felt at the micro or retail level. “People have been licenced to trade in all areas but have not done a lot . The missing link is build up to the publicity,� he noted. He urged insurers to sit up to the task of building confidence in their operations through robust

The Time Economics has announced the third edition of the Nigeria Economic Outlook Conference (NEOC). The 2019 edition, according to the organisers, comes at another pivotal moment for Nigeria. Nigerians would march to the polls in February 2019, to elect the president that would lead the country into the next decade, while the country confronts perhaps the biggest economic and social challenges in a generation – unemployment, poverty, and division. The conference, scheduled to hold 15th to 16th January 2019, at the Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos.Itisexpectedtobringtogetherthoughtleadersonbusiness,economy andpolitics.Ithasasitstheme“Reforms,Investments,andJobsâ€?,reecting both the ongoing debate and the challenges confronting Nigeria. The conference would thus seek to elevate the discussion and provide required depth on the necessary reforms Nigeria need to adopt in order to drive investment and expand jobs. “The agenda is thus designed with the purpose of demystifying the prevalent aversion for wholesale changes to the way and the environment in which businesses operate and invest in Nigeria. Key discussions include: Nigeria’s economy reset – policies, reforms, and growth; Nigeria’s growing debt burden – implications for growth, investment, and government ďŹ scal constraints; Nigeria’s today business environment – nexus between public policies, business growth and proďŹ tability, access to capital issues, poor human capital, collapse in demand; Nigeria and Africa’s Population growth, demographics, migration and the rise of populism in the West; amongst others. SomeoftheconďŹ rmedspeakersinclude:CharlesRobertson,theGlobal Chief Economist for Renaissance Capital, and Head of the ďŹ rm’s macro strategyunit,andtheauthoroftheFastestBillion:theStorybehindAfrica’s Economic Revolution; Professor Salvatore Capasso of the University of Napoli,andDirectoroftheInstituteofStudiesonMediterraneanEconomies, bothinItaly;ProfessorKingsleyMoghalu,PresidentialcandidateforYoung Progressive Party, and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Mustapha Chike – Obi, Vice Chairman of Alpha African Advisory and former CEO of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON); Dapo Okubadejo, Partner and Head of Deal Advisory Services KPMG Nigeria.

capital. According to him, in the insurance market today, the consumers are detecting capital for operators adding that some of them have said that N9 billion is the minimum capital adequate for the industry. He urged operators to ensure that they shore up their capital, noting that insurance buyers especially multinationals and large corporates have some categories of businesses that select underwriters through capital base. Earlier in his keynote address, the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, represented by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance LCCI Engages Dubai Investors Technical, Sunday Thomas, The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is set to hold an noted that it had become a investment session with exporters and investors from Dubai. common saying that insurance According to LCCI, the meeting is aimed at facilitating interactions with is underperforming in Nigeria, Dubai-based company executives and delegates looking for potential business partners in the Nigerian market.â€? The B2B session is scheduled to take place today in Lagos. The event would also provide a platform Continued on page 24 for members of the Nigerian Business community to meet and discuss with key decision makers and be well-positioned to receive critical advice while asking important questions regarding doing business in Dubai.The Director General, LCCI, Muda Yusuf said: “Other important features of this meeting shall include ďŹ nding Nigerian distributors for Dubai- owned monitor and review each other’s brands, sourcing for Nigerian partners, buyers and importers of goods trade policies. And it provides and services made in Dubai, oering business opportunities to Nigerian the means to settle disputes when entrepreneurs, generating leads for referrals and increasing business they arise,â€? he added. opportunities in the United Arab Emirate market.â€? Yusuf also hinted that He, however, pointed out the session would be mutually beneďŹ cial to Nigerian and UAE investors. that the tensions in the global trading environment poses a big risk – both systemic and economic. “We need to find ways to ensure that the system remains “ The AfCFTA is an opportunity to resilient, but also to ensure that make the market in the region bigger, it is fully responsive to members’ utilise economies of scale to a greater needs and priorities. extent and widen the possibility of “In recent years the WTO establishing value chains in Africaâ€? delivered major deals which promise significant economic gains, including: the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the expanded Information Technology Agreement and the deal to abolish export subsidies in

WTO Calls for Increased Trade Cooperation Obinna Chima The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has called for increased trade cooperation across the globe so as to enhance growth of the global economy. Addressing a WTO economic conference entitled ‘Updating Trade Cooperation: An Economic View,’ recently, the DirectorGeneral, WTO, Roberto AzevĂŞdo argued that current trade tensions provide an opportunity for the rules-based multilateral trading system to prove its value and for reforms to be deliberated in response to the evolving global economy. Sound analysis and strong evidence are vital in this effort, AzevĂŞdo noted. According to the global economy is presently in a

ECONOMY momentous period in global trade. “We face a wide range of challenges. But also I believe that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to renew cooperation in global trade. “Trade has proven to be an engine of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development. The multilateral trading system makes a huge contribution to that end. “We have to ensure that the system continues to play this positive role, and that it helps members deal with the challenges of the modern world. Events like this can make a huge contribution to this debate,� he pointed out.

AzevĂŞdo, said one way to strengthen the system was by making case for trade, with strong evidence and data. “Economic research is vital here. And so I hope that this will be on your minds today as well. The benefits of cooperation on trade issues are many. “The multilateral trading system provides a platform for a myriad of economic gains to be realised. And underpinning everything, it provides stability and predictability. “The system effectively provides the constitution for global trade, establishing shared principles which underpin trading practices around the world. “It provides the only global forum for discussion and debate on trade issues. It provides the mechanisms for countries to

Director of Information, WTO Continued on page 24

Keith Rockwell

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BUSINESSWORLD OPERATORS LAMENT POOR PERFORMANCE BY INSURANCE SECTOR

with dismal percentages and unflattering comparisons trotted out to reinforce this position. He said while one may not disagree that the industry was performing less than optimal potential, the insurance industry has not been static. “All our indices have grown steadily though at a slow pace over the past few years. “The gross premium as at the third quarter was N315 billion, a 22 per cent increase over the N258 billion for 2017 in the same period. The Gross claim figure for third quarter 2018 was N143 billion, a 30 per cent increase over the N110 billion reported for the same period in 2017. “We anticipate the final figures for 2018 to be significant indeed�, he stated. According to Kari, the outlook may not be as rosy “as we all would have liked, but NAICOM sees the silver lining and is fully committed to making the most of it.� “We have set for ourselves a clear, unambiguous task: to improve the aggregate numbers by enabling individual operators to optimally serve a much larger customer pool with a more varied basket of products. WTO CALLS FOR INCREASED TRADE COOPERATION

agriculture. “I think it’s clear that we have many challenges before us today. But we should keep a proper perspective on the problems that we face. The trading system has been under pressure before, and each time it has emerged stronger. In 2008, faced with the worst economic crisis for many decades, the system proved its value, preventing an outbreak of protectionist measures. In 2013, after years of deadlock, we proved that we could deliver negotiated results. Today, we must rise to the challenge again, and turn this crisis into an opportunity to renew and strengthen the system for the future. “ Developing sound economic analysis on the key issues before us is vital in this effort. So I wish you a very productive discussion today. And I look forward to hearing the results of your deliberations.

Group Business Editor

NEWS

Nigerians Assured of Improved Broadband Connectivity Emma Okonji Few days after Nigeria surpassed the 30 per cent broadband penetration target to hit 30.9 per cent, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have assured of last-mile broadband connectivity that will open up more access to the internet at higher speed of connectivity. Both the NCC and ALTON gave the promise in Lagos, at the fourth quarter forum organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporter’s Association (NITRA), with the theme: Achieving Last-Mile Connectivity Through Affordable Broadband. The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was represented by the Deputy Director and Head, Special Intervention Project at NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, said the theme provided the NCC the opportunity to outline its efforts as a regulator, at ensuring the provision of broadband infrastructure across the country to achieve last-mile connectivity. “The NCC’s activities impact on efficient improvements in service delivery that enable national development, and the NCC’s role ensures the development of basic voice and data communications for Nigeria, providing ubiquitous, affordable access to communications services for all citizenry, to ensure the transformation and regeneration of the national

space and economy in all its facets, using the medium of telecommunications,� Danbatta said The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, who was represented by the Chairman, Technical Committee at ALTON, Aremu Olajide, commended the efforts of NCC and the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for the feat in surpassing the 30 per cent broadband penetration target before the December 31 deadline. He, however called for the continuous support of government and the private sector, to enable MNOs achieve more

and serve Nigerian subscribers better. Olajide, expressed dissatisfaction over the situation, where state governments impose multiple taxes on telecoms operators, a situation he said, was inimical telecoms growth across the country. Danbatta, said the Nigerian telecommunications industry had experienced significant growth in telephony penetration, and broadband internet penetration. He also stressed the need to support and encourage MNOs to achieve more. According to Danbatta, from a modest number of about

400,000 fixed and 25,000 mobile telephone lines in 2001, the figure grew by the year end 2007, as the industry recorded nearly 42 million active subscriber line connections and by October 2018, the industry recorded 165,239,443 million active mobile subscriber line connections. Teledensity has risen from 0.04 per cent in 2000 to over 118.03 per cent in October 2018. Number of active mobile Internet subscribers was 107,106,975 as at October 2018 and by November 2018, it has risen to 169 million subscribers. Active internet subscribers also

rose to 109 million. “Our commitment to achieve broadband internet availability, accessibility and affordability, is hinged on broadband deployment across the country. “Facilitation of broadband penetration is the number one item and flagship of our 8-Point Agenda. The potentials in broadband penetration is enormous which explains why the entire global community is investing huge resources to exploit and assimilate broadband that is expected to guide global economic index of development in the future,� Danbatta said.

L-R: Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ogun State, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo; Vice Chairman, Kian Smith Trade & Co, Mrs NereTeriba and Operations Director, Northern Region, Mr. Haroon Abdool-Kadeer, at the Kian Smith Gold Refinery ground-breaking ceremony held in Ogun State‌recently

Brooks:Young Entrepreneurs, Future of Nigeria Oluchi Chibuzor The Public Affairs Officer of the United States of America Consulate in Lagos, Russell Brooks, has said the current wave of emerging young entrepreneurs represent the future of Nigeria. These emerging entrepreneurs, according to Brooks, would utilise the nation’s resources to create jobs and drive sustainable growth in the economy. He disclosed this at an Emerging Entrepreneurs Conference rday, organised his office in partnership with Field of Skills and Dreams Academy in Lagos. He said entrepreneurship

should been seen as a lifestyle for anybody considering making impact in the society. He added, the United State of America was interested in Nigeria because it believes that that the young people are capable of changing any society, especially the Nigerian youths who represent over 60 per cent of the entire population of the country. He said the initiative was to inspire the young emerging entrepreneurs. According to him, “We are supporting the Field of Skills and Dream Academy, because is a very impressive local organisation that is promoting one of our major mission in promotion of

entrepreneurship, as part of our effort to offer support to trade and investment and economic development here in Nigeria. “In all, 105 young emerging entrepreneurs, sitting here today for the conference, represent the future of the country. “Emerging business people that will produce the jobs, income, growth that will enable Nigeria to fulfil economically and move the region forward, in terms of providing development to achieved its destiny.� As the implementing partner of the program, aimed at producing and enhancing the skill gap of participants interested in Agriculture, food processing, fashion and design,

technical/electrical technology, the organisation which boast of having international certification in courses offered at the academy, appreciated the support from the US consulate office in Lagos. The Executive Director/ Coordinator, Field of skill and Dream Academy, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde said, “the academy offers quality training with the best standards with curriculum designed to be innovative, such that our students are working with international organisations and some have established their own companies employing youths like them.� However, renowned entrepreneurs in the agro and

power sectors at the conference advised the youths to remain focused and resilient, saying entrepreneur requires passion and commitment to succeed. They pointed out that challenges abound, in respective businesses of their choice. Meanwhile, Managing Director, Mojec International, Chantelle Abdul, said there was need to bridge the metering gap to create enormous opportunities for investor to thrive in various supply chain within the power sector. On his part, Mr. Adeniji Kolawole, said “with the abundant land mass in Nigeria, Agriculture still remains the way forward.�

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Eromosele Abiodun (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritime)

Niger,Viable Destination for Investors, Says Bello Laleye Dipo in Minna Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has described his state as a viable destination for local and foreign investors because of its prevailing peace. Bello, also said the state should be attractive to investors as a result of the abundance of human and material resources. The governor who made the remarks at a meeting with officials of the Africa Finance

Corporation (AFC) recently, also promised to collaborate with the organisation in the areas of rehabilitation of roads, provision of electricity especially to the rural communities and water supply. A statement by the Commissioner for Information Alhaji Danjuma Salau quoted Bello to have told the leadership of the AFC that getting the necessary funds to finance projects had been the major problems facing

states and federal government hence the need to partner with the continental finance outfit. The governor who said he was committed to meeting infrastructural deficit in Niger state, noted that despite huge potential available in various areas in the state, raising finance to fund projects had been a major challenge. “As a state, we have huge potentials and we believe on the merit of the projects,� he

was quoted as saying. He regretted that enough investment had not been put into the studies of the mineral resources sector as done in the oil and gas sector which was why the government set up a “Special Purpose Vehicle, Zuma Mineral Development Corporation� to drive research in the oil and gas sector of the state. Bello told the officials that the Minna-Bida dualisation

and Minna-Tegina roads were priority projects the government would require intervention by international finance organisation. In his remarks, the President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, Mr Samaila Zubairu, said the corporation was ready to work with the state particularly in the concession contract, adding the team from the corporation would engage with state officials on the matter.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARKET REPORT

All-Share Index Year-to-date Decline Hits 19.8% Goddy Egene

tracked were positive except for Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul that fell 0.8 per cent. Thailand’s SET Index recorded the strongest performance with a 2.4 per cent gain. Turkey’s BIST 100, Qatar’s DSM and UAE’s ADX appreciated by 1.6 per cent, 1.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent in that order. Similarly, in African markets, four of six indices ended in negative territory. But Egypt’s EGX 30 had the best performance of the pack posting a gain of 4.9 per cent, trailed by Morocco’s Casablanca that shed 0.3 per cent. Conversely, Kenya’s NSE (-2.0 per cent) was the steepest fall, while Ghana and Mauritius went down by 0.7 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively.

It was another week of negative performance at the stock market as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index went down further by 0.63 per cent to close at 30,672.79, while market capitalisation depreciated by 0.58 per cent to close at N11.204 trillion. Year-to-date the index has declined by 19.8 per cent. The negative performance extended due to sell-offs in bellwethers as investors go for cash to take care of end of year festivities. A look at the market performance showed that fluctuation of the previous week continued last week. For instance, the market opened with a decline. However, it rebounded on Tuesday with 0.34 per cent growth. By Wednesday, the market returned to the control of the bears which was extended to Thursday. Although Friday’s trading session was positive, the losses of the previous days overwhelmed that growth. Consequently, the market shed 0.63 per cent for the week. A further breakdown of the performance indicated that three of the five tracked ended higher. The NSE Industrial Goods Index led gainers, following price appreciation in Dangote Cement Plc. The NSE Banking Index and NSE Insurance Index chalked up 0.2 per cent apiece. Conversely, the NSE Consumer Goods Index declined the most, shedding 2.8 per cent followed by the NSE Oil & Gas Index that shed 0.8 per cent. Other Markets Looking at other markets across the globe, analyst at Afrinvest stated they ended the week gloomy as growth outlook for major economies were anything but exciting. The markets opened the week optimistic on advancement in trade talks between the United States and China, however the trade-fuelled market rally was quelled by global growth concerns. Chinese data for November released this week indicates that economic activity is slowing down as retail sales grew by 8.1 per cent (the lowest in 15 years ) and Industrial production growth was 5.4 per cent – the lowest since early 2016 ) both significantly missing estimates. In ripple effect, Asian markets temporarily reversed trend after days of broad consecutive gains. In Europe, the European Central Bank officially ended its Quantitative Easing programme, thus reducing its monetary support for the European economy. The forward guidance on outlook by ECB President, Mario Draghi, suggested a downside risk to economic growth in the EU. However, performance in major markets by the end of the week was mostly in the green. In the United States markets, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed up 0.7 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively; while the United Kingdom FTSE edged higher by 0.3 per cent. In Europe, France’s CAC 40 (0.8 per cent) and Germany’s XETRA DAX (0.1 per cent) were up for the week. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng inched up 0.1 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei 225 was lower by 1.4 per cent. Afrinvest in a report also noted that markets in the BRICS regions were mixed but with a bearish tilt as three out of five indices were negative. Brazil’s Ibovespa was 0.3 per cent down alongside

China’s Shanghai Composite that went down by 0.5 per cent. Russia recorded the highest

decline of 3.4 per cent. On the positive end, India’s BSE Sens and South Africa’s JSE All Share were

Market Turnover Meanwhile, investors traded 1.169 billion shares worth N14.762 billion in 14,554 deals, up from 1.107 billion shares valued at N11.192 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 14,430 deals. But the Financial Services Industry remained the most active with 983.374 million shares valued at N9.358 billion traded in 8,484 deals thus contributing 84.15 per cent and 63.39 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Healthcare Industry followed with 44.802 million shares worth N183.753 million in 253 deals, while the third place was Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 42.758 million shares worth N3.553 billion in 2,227 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely: Zenith Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc and accounted for 438.938 million shares worth N 5.691 billion in 2,962 deals, contributing 37.56 per cent and 38.55 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. Also traded during the week were a total of 316 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N849,000 executed in five deals compared with a total of 84,714 units valued at N1.219 million that was transacted last week in 10 deals. A total of 10,934 units of Fedup 0.8 per cent and 0.5 per cent eral Government Bonds valued respectively. at N10.746 million were traded In Asian, four of the five indices last week in 31 deals compared with a total of 2,908 units valued at N2.516 million transacted the previous week in 11 deals. Price Gainers and Losers A total of 34 stocks appreciated in value higher than the 30 the previous week, while 37 equities depreciated in price, lower than 38 of the previous week. Forte Oil Plc led the price gainers with 33.8 per cent, trailed by John Holt Plc, Veritas Kapital Assurance with 20 per cent, 19 per cent respectively. CAP Plc garnered 18.2 per cent, just as Union Bank of Nigeria Plc chalked up 14 per cent. Other to price gainers included: First Aluminium Nigeria Plc, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Japaul Oil & Maritime Plc that appreciated by 10 per cent apiece. Conversely, Double 11 Plc and Conoil Plc shed 10 per cent each to lead the price losers’ table. Cutix Plc and Livestock Feeds Plc went downy by 9.6 per cent each. Chams Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Daar Communications Plc shed 9.0 per cent apiece). Other top price losers were: Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc (8.7 per cent); C & I Leasing Plc (8.2 per cent) and ABC Transport Plc (7.4 per cent).

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INSIDE BROAD STREET NairaGains MarginallyAcross Market Segments

The naira appreciated slightly against the United States dollars across various segments of the foreign exchange (forex) market yesterday on sustained supply of the greenback by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Specifically, on the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment, the local currency strengthened by 0.82 per cent to close at N361 to a dollar, amid sustained series of special interventions by CBN. Also, the naira appreciated at the parallel market segments by 1.09 per cent to close N364 to a dollar on Friday. In addition, on the Investors and Exporters’ forex window (I&E), the naira chalked up 0.03 per cent to close at N365.23, amid increased dollar supply. Analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, disclosed this in a report. However, the nation’s currency depreciated slightly on the interbank foreign exchange market by 0.02 per cent, to close at N359.24 to a dollar, despite the injections of a total of $509.82 million by CBN into the foreign exchange market. A breakdown of the intervention showed that the regulator sold a total of $210 million via the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of which: $100 million was allocated to wholesale SMIS, $55 million was allocated to SMEs and $55 million was sold for invisibles. In addition, as of Friday it sold another $299.82 million via SMIS and CNY143.60 million. Furthermore, the Cowry Assets report showed that the naira/USD exchange rate fell (that is the naira appreciated) for most of the foreign exchange forward contracts as the 2-month, 3-month and 6-month fell by 0.01 per cent, 0.06 per cent and 0.03 per cent respectively, to close at N372.80/$, N376.30/$ and N387.07/$ respectively. However, spot and 1-year forex rate rose by 0.02 per cent and 0.18 per cent to close at N306.90/$ and 415.27/$respectively. “In the new week, we expect stability in the naira/USD rate in most market segments, especially at the BDC Segment, as CBN sustains its special interventions,� the report stated. Bond Market The value of FGN bonds traded at the over-the-counter (OTC) segment moved in mixed directions across maturities tracked. That is, the 20-year, 10% FGN JULY 2030 note and 7-year, 16.00% FGN JUN 2019 paper increased by N0.25 and N0.09 respectively. Their corresponding yields moderated to 15.73% (from 15.79%) and 14.66% (from 14.87%) respectively. However, the 10-year, 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 debt and 5-year, 14.50% FGN JUL 2021 bond prices decreased by N0.13 and N0.02 respectively; their corresponding yields rose to 15.06% (from 15.01%) and 15.78% (from 15.76%) respectively. Elsewhere, the value of the FGN Eurobonds traded at the international capital market rose for all maturities tracked amid renewed bullish activity. For instance, the 10-year, 6.75% JAN 28, 2021 bond, the 10-year, 6.38% JUL 12, 2023 note and the 15-year, 6.50% NOV 28, 2027 paper increased by $1.12, $2.19 and $2.40 respectively. Their corresponding yields fell to 7.24% (from 7.54%), 8.57% (from 8.91%) and 8.88% (from 9.14%) respectively.

Interbank Naira Market The CBN sold treasury bills worth N128.18 billion through open market operations (OMO) last week. The outflows partly offset the inflows from the matured treasury bills worth N551.36 billion. The net inflow majorly contributed to the fall in the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) for overnight funds and 3-month tenor buckets amid financial liquidity ease to 25.19%, (from 26.17%) and 15.21% (from 15.32%) respectively. But NIBOR for 1-month and 6-months rose to 15.38% (from 14.95%) and 15.24% (from 15.23%) respectively, amid a standing Lending Facility worth N862.65 billion, which outweighed the Standing Deposit Facility (SLF) worth N80.83 billion. Meanwhile, increase in NITTY for most maturities tracked was sustained as investors continued to demand for higher yields amid increased risk environment. The report showed that yields on 1-month, 6-month and 12 months rose to 14.90 per cent (from 14.78%), 14.42% (from 14.33%) and 17.55% (from 17.33%) respectively. However, yield on 3-months fell to 14.34% (from 14.80%). This week, treasury bills worth N497.82 billion are expected to mature both in the primary and secondary markets. This is expected to boost financial system liquidity and result in a corresponding downward trend in NIBOR as the expected N60 billion bond auction would not be sufficient to dry up the liquidity from the maturing treasury bills. Meanwhile, provisional estimates for Nigeria’s Balance of Payments (BOP) in the third quarter (Q3) 2018, showed the overall BOP swinging into a deficit of US$4.542 billion, compared to surpluses of $503.97 million and $2.787 billion recorded in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2017, respectively. This meant that the country’s imports of goods and services in the period under review outweighed its exports. The central bank of Nigeria disclosed this in its ‘Third Quarter Brief on Balance of Payments Statistics report. According to the report, the current account balance (CAB) also worsened from a surplus of $4.453 billion in Q2 2018, to a deficit of $3.105 billion in the review period. The financial account balance indicated an increased net incurrence of financial liabilities of $10.724 billion in the review period as against $2.576 billion recorded in the preceding period. In a related development, the consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation increased to 11.28 percent (year-on-year) in November compared to 11.26 percent in the preceding month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The 0.02 per cent points increase resulted from price increases in all the divisions that constitute the Headline index. Food inflation stood at 13.30 per cent compared to 13.28 per cent in October while Core Inflation was recorded at 9.80 per cent from 9.90 per cent in the preceding month. According to the CPI report for November, urban inflation rate increased by 11.61 percent (year-on-year) in November from 11.64 percent recorded in October while the rural inflation rate increased by 10.99 percent in November 2018 from 10.93 percent in October 2018.

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Expert Harps on Improved Access to Credit Nume Ekeghe

Nigeria (CBAN), the Conference of Western Attorney General (CWAG) and AAP, in collaboration with the Lagos Business School in Lagos, recently. Comparing Nigeria to other developed countries, he said it was important to have a good credit reporting and scoring system, which he said would support consumer lending in the country.

The founder of CreditRegistry, Mr. Taiwo Ayedun, has stressed the importance of increased access to credit for businesses in the country in order to boost economic activities. Ayedun, said this at a workshop organised by the, Credit Bureau Association of

Ayedun said: “The United States GDP, which is about $19 trillion, I found that mortgage and consumer spending make up 67 per cent of it and a lot of that consumer and mortgage spending is based on the credit been given by American banks. “So if Nigeria is going to increase its GDP, it would need to be able to help

banks to give more credit to Nigerians. “Global Credit coverage around the world shows that North America – Canada and the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland are 100 per cent covered, while Nigeria has only about 7.8 per cent coverage according to this survey which was done in 2017.�

On challenges hindering credit in Nigeria, he said high interest rates was a major obstacle. Also speaking to a representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria present at the workshop, he called for a decrease in interest rate which he believes would lead to increase in access to credit. He said: “One of the things I think would help individu-

als and small businesses to take loans is an affordable interest rate because if you take loans at a very high interest rate it makes it difficult to pay back. “This a major challenge that needs to be addressed and banks need to build capacity internally to be able to do consumer credit on a very large scale.�

Online Platform for Cars Opened

Sterling Bank Supports Food Festival

Raheem Akingbolu

Sterling Bank Plc has promised to light up Lagos this festive season as it brings together the best of African and international cuisine and mixology at the critically acclaimed #EatDrinkFestival. A statement explained that the two-day event has been scheduled for December 26th and 27th in Lagos, in partnership with Eat.Drink.Lagos. The festival features live demonstrations from top chefs and mixologists as well as pop up shops from a selection of the city’s finest food vendors, the statement explained. The event which started out in 2014 to showcases local culinary enthusiasts has become the favourite curation of food and drinks in West Africa. nThe chief marketing officer of Sterling Bank, Mr.

confirmed that people have become busier and crave for convenience when they want to buy, verify or sell cars. “While we wanted to serve that fundamental human need, we also wanted to build a platform that is super easy to navigate and use, to truly enable people to live without stress. We must adopt a revolution where buying or selling a car should be as easy as ordering a taxi from your comfort zone,� he added. “This is an exciting journey for us and marks a strategic pivot in our future direction as a brand,� said Ogbonna Ukwuaba, Head of Operations. “While we’re young, and our commitment to the community we serve will not change, there is incredible

Cartalogs, an online marketplace for cars in Nigeria has been launched in Lagos. The brand is keen on making exploring, verification, buying, and selling of cars seamless and stress free. In today’s fast developing world, Cartalogs puts her customers first through a rewarding journey by enhancing their car experiences. The platform provides car services that allow people live their lives without stress. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve been looking for a way to make lives easier for people, especially when buying cars,� Kelechi Idoko, Cartalogs’ founder said. “Our market research and interaction with people

potential to grow. Our new brand proposition positions us for those opportunities.� In all, Cartalogs exist to serve a fundamental human need of convenience in a whole new way. “Cartalogs is a reliable marketplace for cars that strives to provide car services that allow people to live without stress. It’s a platform where Nigerians can explore, buy, sell, and verify cars at ease. “Cartalogs incorporates unique business model and service experiences that combines social networking, commerce and bespoke car experiences that promotes stress-free living, in a world where convenience, mobile and ease matters,� Ukwuaba added.

Ibidapo Martins, said the goal of the festival was to create an unmatched culinary experience of Lagos’ best foods and drink brands.nAccording to him, the bank’s decision to deliver the event was to ensure that residents in Lagos and its environs enjoyed the best flavours the city had to offer during the festive seaso. Folayemi Agusto, cofounder, Eat.Drink.Lagos, said the festival was created as a platform for local food vendors to connect with their customers without the limitation of their physical locations. “There were a number of food vendors from which I ordered lunch to my office daily, but many people didn’t know about them. The idea we had was to give these vendors a platform to meet

their customers in person without having to own a storefront – because the cost of one is prohibitive for many of these small businesses. “We expanded this year’s edition to a two-day format to accommodate a wider selection of exhibitors and have also put plans in place to make the experience hassle free for all our guests,�Folayemi enthused.nThe organisers also disclosed that a careful vendor selection process was put in place to ensure that the experience was unique for each attendee regardless of dietary restrictions, allergies or cravings.nBeyond the vendors, the fifth edition will showcase over a dozen unique events for guests looking for an experience that is more intimate and immersive.

The maritime sector has three major component industries. They are the port industry, the shipping industry and the maritime business services industry. And all three components have direct and indirect economic impact on the nation. Nigeria has a growing shipping sector but one that is plagued by many challenges.

NIGERIA’S MARITIME SECTOR AT A GLANCE

$8bn

JOIN US

96.6MTs

We have a vast inland waterways resource of about 3,000kms that can support a vibrant intra-regional trade

The maritime sector of Nigeria is estimated to be worth $8billion.

3,000km

As at early 2018, the total cargo stood at 96,626,737 MTs.

$5bn & $6bn at between $5 billion and $6 billion annually.

Nigeria‘s total annual freight cost is estimated

REGULATORY CONVERSATION 2.0

The forum seeks to examine the regulatory framework, iconic potential/integration of the ports, infrastructure and transport linkages to stimulate their optimal contribution to national growth and development. THEME

THE NIGERIAN REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IN THE TRANSPORT/MARITIME SECTOR VIS-A-VIS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. January 15,2019

10:00 Prompt

Bon Hotels, Wuse II, Abuja

)RU FRQÇŚUPDWLRQV SOHDVH FRQWDFW The Integrity Organization. Yinka Johnson - +234 701 371 5571 Cynthia Akpomudiare - cynthia.akpomudiare@integritynigeria.org, +234 802 3012 704

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Ikpeazu: Abia Economic City Will Boost Manufacturing in Nigeria Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in this interview speaks about the Abia Economic city, a hub expected to create over 200,000 jobs at take-off. The initiative is also expected to be a rallying economic point of global reference due to its proposed planning. Charles Ajunwa and Ahamefula Ogbu bring the excerpts: What do you think is the place of education in leadership and has your education impeded or aided your job as a governor? No. Education is a tool; it is a device. Whatever happens, the aim of leadership is to solve problems. Whatever problems you must identify it and there is a process which entails that you don’t have all the resources and time to deal with the issues. You deal with issues with limited resources and time frame. So, that leaves you with developing a process and procedure that would enable you to achieve those results. A leader must be courageous enough to be visionary. If you ask me today in Abia what I have to say is my greatest achievement, I am not going to say things a politician would like to say; like I was the first to build a flyover or roads or any other thing. But I have been able to reverse the drift from private to public schools by making sure that though I inherited 141,000 pupils in 2015, today, I have 611,000 in public schools. How did we do it in three years? That is where the power of deep thinking and analysis is. I have a certain road called Faulks Road which had not been in use for these past years, but today this particular road has been opened. Not only did I use a good contractor, I insisted that the site engineer must come from The Netherlands who did a six and a half kilometres tunnel to take water to the waterside. So, this is the thoroughness of thinking and tenacity irrespective of what people will say. Most of our people don’t bequeath legacies that are futuristic. Today, I am from the south-east and i am pushing for the Enyimba Economic Zone. In the entire south-east, we don’t have such. It is not a coincidence that it is coming to Abia, but it is a product of deep thinking and planning. This project will blossom and create 200,000 jobs because of the sheer enormity of the positive effects on my people. I see the concomitant impact on the life of my people and area. I know my people who want to create things; all you need to do is to make them neighbours to people who are actively manufacturing, don’t make them neighbours of those counting money. If an Abia man is to succeed, make him a neighbour of someone who is actively manufacturing and you will see him fabricate that machine somewhere and start producing. So in doing this, I needed to be futuristic, I didn’t need to be an election politician but I want to be politician for development. Did you form a requisite team that drew up the plans, research and survey for the Enyimba Economic City and where would you want it to be after incubation stage? First of all, we studied models of development. We studied Singapore, Dubai and other models of development and we said what is it that we are not doing right here. The first thing is that a leader that wants to create something unique and remarkable and profound must divest himself of any interest that is pecuniary and we said this thing must be private sector-driven and I must not be seen on the driving seat. It must have profit motive and be competitive in nature and it must bear the signature of being excellent. So, we said let us go and see those who had a hand in the concept design of the development model of Dubai and Singapore and we got Subarajuran to come and look at the Enyimba Economic City, this is the land area, what do we make out of it. For over two years they were going back and forth, that is why today if you put Enyimba Economic City side by side with economic cities around Africa, people will go for Enyimba City because the foundation is strong and they will see the consultants that did the work. I am saying, if you are serious about creating something of world-class standards, you do not care the cost. I think those private sector persons that are involved in the scheme must have spent over $200 million trying to set it up. I have been very actively involved in the

and we are still struggling with it. I have tried to use consultants, one of them the one that did that magic in Kwara and all other states have moved on. We have a problem that was rooted in a very poor and weak fraudulent foundation. A certain leader came and called 10 people and appointed them as consultants and they got 25 touts each so we had 250 people with nails and cudgels and they were returning those taxes to those relatives so they enriched themselves and became so powerful. Those people are not easily dislodged and for us there is a wrong time to do that which is good in politics because most politicians in Abia are not patriotic people, they are not patriotic because if they see you sanction a private school that is not properly equipped and you say the school is not good enough to teach our children and therefore close it down, they will politicise. That is why in Abia we are saying today that nothing evil will stand, but the time to decide when to strike resides with me, so there is a bad time to do that which is right, so we are going to do the right thing at the right time. That means you have a solution to that but waiting for the right time to implement? Yes. Ikpeazu

marketing of Enyimba Economic City, some of the anchor investors that are coming are already in Abia. I am sure the President will do the ground-breaking before the elections. So, they find it irresistible because they see that we have established a city that if you do 140 kilometres you are already in Cameroon. It is at the centre of everywhere. If you do 60 kilometres in any direction, you are in all parts of the south-east and most part of the south-south. So, it is going to be a major hub and it is 30 minutes away from the seaports and it has a River Port that we are dredging seriously. What of facilities such access roads, rails, airports that would ensure easy access and link up adjoining states? The aim is to close the gap between the economy of Rivers and Abia. There will be a super eight-lane road with street lights between Aba and Port Harcourt so that people can leave Aba for Port Harcourt at 3am and come back any time. There is a road there in the economic city that is called a spine which is an eight- laner that will virtually connect the state capitals from Port Harcourt to Abia, through Imo to Enugu and all that. They are doing it in such a way that the current A4 road will abort on that road at certain points from time to time so that even if you are coming from Abakaliki on the A4 lane, you can at a point, join it. There is a rail line from Port Harcourt through the economic city to Kano. So, for me, in Abia, my interest is in the standard gauge because I have more railway stations than any other state in Nigeria except Kaduna on this standard gauge. Then, the federal government is committing N10 billion into the project. It is a far cry from what we need but, the beauty of Enyimba Economic City is that Geometric Power is already on ground to supply power, so that area is going to be the first place to enjoy 24 hours’ power supply in the country. Did you plan Enyimba Economic City in a way that it will outlast your administration so that it does not die with the end of your tenure? I will just say two things in response to that question. It is not even supposed to be a direct benefit of this administration. The target we set for ourselves is to lay a solid and unassailable foundation, world class that can compete anywhere in the world and we started with a law through

the State Assembly taking it beyond government. It is a private sector-driven thing and it is an opportunity for Ndigbo that are investing in all parts of the world to come back to their fatherland and invest and hold a piece of that beautiful cake. It is beyond my administration no doubt about it. When do we expect the first products from Enyimba Economic City to hit the markets? The way it is going, I think before the end of the next four years. As I speak, some of the investors are already on the ground and the President would be coming to do the ground-breaking, maybe January. Our core investors are already there and we have more than 20 clusters, so in the next few years, it will happen. What has happened to made-in-Aba products which your administration has promoted so much? To start with I am wearing one now and again we came back from the Gambia last week where I had a chat with the President. Part of the reasons we went was to supply boots to Gambian police for a conference they have next year. We are contemplating commissioning the first automated shoe factory, the equipment is ready. We have built capacity. The 30 people we sent to India are back, three containers are on ground, we have offloaded them and we are concluding with the warehouse so that we can roll out and the Chinese will come and flag off and everybody will see the first different automated made-in-Aba shoes. We won’t stop there, if orders come the way we expect or more, I will send more, I will send them to go and open another factory in the Gambia that has the capacity to attend to over 50 million people within the smiling coast of West Africa. So, we have a development plan for the next four years, but in the interim, where we are now is to automate and flag off in the next few weeks and that will be the next big thing you will hear about made-in-Aba next month or so. Do you believe that Abia State can run on IGR if everything is well harnessed and any plans towards that? Yes. That particular subject is my poorest of all the subjects that I have sat for as a governor in the past three years. I have not been able to see the kind of result that I need. Incidentally, my deputy is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and I put him on the revenue desk

Elections are around the corner, how prepared are you? Well, first preparation is to work hard. I am still in the field working and I am going to drag the candidates to a time they will be held accountable for their past because the leopard cannot change its spots. For me, I will give an account of my stewardship and insist that our people will consider me based on my projects and what I have done. Last week, I picked up my manifesto in 2015 and I started looking at my campaign promises, the first 10 minutes I was speechless looking at what I have done. From our promise of promoting made-in-Aba which we made the first day, if I take that for instance, we have been able to bring power in a sustainable way through the rural electrification agency for the shoe cluster in Ariaria and they have had uninterrupted power for eight months now. We have been able to build capacity by sending those shoe manufacturers to China to get capacity. We now have those machines which means that automation has come and never again will Ndi Abia say they no longer know how long it will take to make a thousand pair of shoes because if you are running on a machine you will know, give me all the inputs and in one hour I will give you 1,000 pairs of shoes. Then market share, my people are no longer seen as lazy. In Nigeria, we have come first three times back to back in West African School Certificate, back to back since 2015. And that is no mean achievement. So, it is now a thing of pride. I said I was going to do something on the Ease of Doing business, we were number 34, but today, the first five states in the ranking include Abia. In fact, the improvement in the ranking of Ease of Doing business of Nigeria, Abia contributed to it. I also alluded to job creation and we have done so much including the bringing about 120,000 to 200,000 jobs through the Enyimba Economic City. I don’t even want to talk about roads. We are on over 160 roads with over 80 of them completed. As I speak today, there are about six roads completed waiting for commissioning including a new channel entirely different from Ikot Ekpene Road, leading people from Ikot Ekpene into Aba irrespective of the fact that federal government is yet to do its beat on it. But we have to create an alternative route through the bush, ready for commissioning. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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Dangote UnveilsThree New Seasoning for Northern Market Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano NASCON Allied Plc, a subsidiary of the Dangote Industries Limited, has introduced a new classic seasoning cube which consumers have described as tasty. It has a unique taste and aroma. The Executive Director, Commercial, NASCON Allied Plc, Hajiya Fatima Aliko Dangote, described the product as a new innovation birthed after years of consumer led research and development, and urged distributors, marketers, eateries and consumers to immediately key into it. Addressing the large crowd at the product launch in Kano, recently, she said the seasoning cubes and stew mix were created with a special blend of herbs and spices to give meals that unique taste and great aroma. She described the seasoning as Karshen Magana-Real Ideal, saying it is second to none in the country. She urged women at home to try the new seasoning cubes, stew mix and curry powder, as they would ensure meal moments are great moments. Fatima also assured that the products would be launched in other parts of the country, adding that despite the high innovative quality, it was affordable and available with various promotional items to be enjoined by distributors and consumers. Also speaking at the event,

the Group Managing Director of NASCON Allied Plc, Mr. Paul Farrer assured that the new products are high margin product and that they would help ensure customers remain profitable, describing the new product as premium but affordable. NASCON also introduced the Brand Ambassador of the company to the customers - Kannywood multi-talented actress Hadiza Gabon- who described the Dangote Seasoning cubes as great and recommended it to all women in Nigeria. Speaking to journalist at the event, Alhaji Hamisu Rabiu of Hamis Investment in Kano described NASCON products as fast moving and good quality and urged other distributors and retailers across the country to immediately key into the new classic cube, Dangote stew mix and Dangote curry. At the launch of the products, about 300 distributors, wholesalers and retailers were excited and most express optimism that it will up the market of NASCON. Head of Marketing, Mr. Olusegun Ajala, expressed optimism that the “innovative brand will up the company’s market share exponentially because of its unique taste and aroma. In the same vein, Head of Sales, Olushola Shosanya, said there are various promotional benefits that come with each pack of the Dangote Classic Cubes.

Dakuku: Maritime Logistics Driving Force Behind Globalisation Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMADA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said the maritime sector and logistics are the driving force behind globalisation. He stressed that everything about trade and development is centred on maritime transport and logistics. Dakuku stated this at the inauguration of Council Members of the Chattered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and investiture of Fellowship awards held in Lagos. He noted that NIMASA was working hard to ensure that Nigeria continued to position itself for optimal benefits from international transport and logistics. He said NIMASA was willing and ready to partner with CILT, as they are very crucial to

the growth of the maritime sector. Dakuku said: “The maritime sector is all about movement of goods from one point to another and this cannot be done without logistics. This is a confirmation of the fact that everything about trade and development depends solely on logistics.� Dakuku, who spoke on behalf of other awardees shortly after the investiture of the fellowship awards, assured that they would all work together to ensure the quick passage of the Act establishing the CILT. He expressed optimism that the bill would be passed before the end of next year and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari. The NIMASA boss commended the leadership of CILT for their commitment to the development of the transportation sector, pledging that the new inductees will ensure that CILT

is established on a sound footing in Nigeria and that capacity building of members will be made a priority. Also speaking, the National President of CILT, Mr. Jibril Ibrahim, pledged the commitment of CILT to the growth of the maritime sector in Nigeria. Ibrahim also emphasised the critical role of logistics in the actualisation of a robust maritime sector and promised that the body will continue to partner relevant agencies and stakeholders to make Nigeria’s maritime sector viable and competitive. The CILT President, who is also the Director, Maritime Labour Services at NIMASA, called for more inter-agency collaboration to solve the problem of traffic congestion at the port area. On his part, the Director General of the African Centre for Supply Chains, Dr. Obiora

Madu, who was Chairman of the occasion, suggested a stronger partnership with the various agencies in the area of capacity building. Madu noted that the intellectual capacity of the institute was needed in the agencies of government. He charged the inductees to bring in their wealth of experience and expertise to assist CILT achieve its aim of realising a viable transportation sector. The highpoint of the event was the award of Fellowship to deserving industry stakeholders, who have contributed to the growth of the maritime sector. Among the inductees were Dr. Dakuku; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Miss Hadiza Bala Usman; and Managing Director of Creseda International Limited, Mr. Jonas Nilsson.

SystemSpecs to Deploy e-Payment Solution in South Sudan Emma Okonji SystemSpecs, a Nigerian fintech company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trinity Technologies of South Sudan. The deal was sealed at the ongoing Intra African Trade Fair (IATF 2018) in Cairo, Egypt, which is expected to create $93.7 million value with the deployment of e-payment system in South Sudan. Afreximbank as part of its focus on deepening intraAfrican Trade, facilitated the signing of the MoU. According to the Executive Director of SystemSpecs who signed the MoU on behalf of the company, Mr. Deremi Atanda, the pact would provide an opportunity for the collaboration to create value of about $93.7 million through the deployment of SystemSpecs’ Remita financial technology solution and services in partnership with Trinity Technologies for the processing of payroll for organisation, payments and revenues collection. The MoU also covers the provision of national switching and settlement infrastructure and a multi-channel payment gateway for the entire financial industry in South Sudan. “The collaboration will be extended to cover the provision of biometric-driven payroll technology for public and private sector salary processing and the development of data

verification and referencing system�, he said. Managing Director of Afreximbank Intra African Trade, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, who facilitated the signing of the MoU, said: “We are glad to be the facilitator of this landmark deal between two financial technology organisations in Africa.� Trinity Technologies Limited (TTL) is a South-Sudan fintech firm specialising in the design and development of innovative financial services, online transactions, mobile payment systems and innovative solutions for commercial banks in the country. SystemSpecs is showcasing its solutions at the first ever Inter-African Trade Fair, as John Obaro, the company’s Managing Director addressed the global audience on the “Blockchain solutions for Africa� at the seven-day event. Afreximbank noted that one of the main reasons why intra-African trade was low at around about 15 per cent, compared to Europe (59 per cent), Asia (51 per cent), and North America (37 per cent), was because of lack of access to trade and market information. To address this challenge, Afreximbank decided to, among other initiatives, convene the trade fair every two years to provide trade and market information and connect buyers and sellers from across the continent.

REWARDING EXCELLENCE

R-L: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, receiving a plaque as Fellow of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transports (FCILT), from the National President of the institute, Ibrahim Jibril, during the 2018 CILTLeadership Impact Programme in Lagos‌recently

‘Formation of ASCON Will Boost Digital Transformation’ Emma Okonji The Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke has said the newly formed Association of Submarine Cable Operators of Nigeria (ASCON) will enhance digital transformation of businesses in Nigeria, especially companies that depend on broadband internet connectivity. Opeke, who spoke during the launch of ASCON in Lagos, which saw the coming together of five submarine cable operators under a single platform to drive common goals, said the association was formed “not because we were having undersea cable cuts, but because we cannot afford to have cable cut because of the huge amount of money that will be spent in tracing and fixing the cut, should there be any.� The five submarine cable operators that formed ASCON include SAT3 cable, MainOne cable, Glol cable, ACE cable, and WACS cable, landed by Natcom, MainOne, Glo 1, Dolphin Telecom and MTN respectively.

“There is need to protect our submarine cable to avoid disruption in internet connectivity. For eight years running as MainOne, we have not had any disruption from our cable in the Nigerian territorial waters and we hope to continue to maintain that standard, to serve Nigerians better with broadband connectivity from the submarine cables,� Opeke said. Giving instance of a landslide that affected submarine cable in the faraway shores in Senegal in 2017, in the international waters with a depth of 3,400 metres below the surface of the water, Opeke said it affected the submarine cable in that location, which in turn affected communication. According to her, investigation was carried out, life signal and power signal were sent out to localise the challenge caused be the affected submarine cable, and a vessel with the right tools and personnel was sent from France to detect the damaged cable from the bottom of the water. The damaged cable was brought out, fixed, tested

and laid back into the waters to restore operation. She said it cost a lot to repair damaged cable, hence the need to protect submarine cables from getting damaged by moving and anchored vessels, though the association. “Imagine a scenario where there is submarine cable cut and banks, churches, businesses are disconnected. In the event of such situation, the people and the economy will have to suffer a great deal, because there will be no internet access and communication will be seriously affected,� Opeke said, adding that with the growing number of submarine cables in Nigeria, and with the increasing dependence of people on submarine cables for broadband capacity and internet usage and connectivity, it was important that the association was formed to enable members share best practices among ourselves as an industry. “The formation of the association is therefore a good thing both in terms of collaboration with operators and regulatory

agencies in different counties,� Opeke said. The Chairman of ASCON, who doubles as the Head, Regulatory Services at MainOne, Mr. Ifeloju Alakija, said the need for collaboration to protect submarine cables from damage, necessitated the formation of ASCON, coupled with the fact that submarine cable is a critical national infrastructure that needed to be protected. Speaking on the objective of ASCON, Alakija said: “The principal objective of the ASCON is to create a national advocacy forum for Nigerian companies and administrations that own and/or operate submarine telecommunications cables landing in the country.� According to him the association shall support and manage governmental and public/ private sector collaboration, to ensure that the operations and maintenance of critical subsea communications assets are adequately protected and recognised in the development of rules and policies in Nigeria.

30

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38

M O N DAY Ëž DECEMBER 17, 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Reads Riot Act to Banks on Fraud Reporting Nume Ekeghe The Director, Payment System Management Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Sam Okojere, has urged banks to enhance their reporting on fraud related cases in accordance to the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directive. According to him, failure to do so would no longer be condoned. Okojere, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), said this at the annual dinner of the group in Lagos at the weekend. Okojere, who recently emerged the new chairman of the forum said he plans to sustain and enhance the progresses achieved over the past years. He also said the forum was consulted by the African Union in the establishment of an African Electronic Fraud Forum (AeFF) to further fight electronic fraud across the continent. He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consequently, banks must generate fraud data by reporting incidents, analyse

these data and handle it in such a way that the information generated will help in understanding and addressing customer needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A system where participants fail to report fraud as captured by the relevant CBN directive will no longer be condoned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must also pay attention to risk management and embark on aggressive fraud awareness campaigns in the days ahead in order to boost customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence.â&#x20AC;? He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a nation, we are under siege from cybercriminals who are leveraging the power of the internet to commit fraud and crime on an unprecedented scale, costing our economy millions if not billions each year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has thus become necessary to review and strengthen the existing rules, and enact new regulations to stem these problems. In addition, banks must begin to evolve with the speed of Financial Technology (FINTECH) players, who are quick at developing financial solutions that are driving the financial sector.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taming fraud will continue to be a focus for the forum, as we know the impact fraud has in diminishing trust which is an essential ingredient in building an internationally recognised and nationally utilised payments system.â&#x20AC;? Speaking further on the African collaboration and the establishment of a continental body to fight electronic fraud, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The steering committee of your forum met in October and one of the important discussions was the Establishment of an Africa new liaison. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The forum was invited to make presentation to the Africa Union (AU) on prospects of establishing an AeFF and this proposal was well received. I will also agree that this idea is coming at a good time, as it was recently revealed that a new fraud scheme termed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ATM Cash outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had emerged where fraudsters insert a malware to corrupt ATM systems and illegally authorises withdrawals that often run into losses of millions of dollars.â&#x20AC;?

FG Urged to Collaborate with Global Bodies to Enhance Tax Collection Omolabake Fasogbon The federal government has been advised to seek global intervention to improve Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) level status. Experts gave the advice at the recently held Nigerian anti-fraud conference, organised by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), Lagos Chapter. The experts noted that combined efforts of tax authorities, anti- graft agencies and other relevant institutions at the international level would help limit the incidences of tax fraud which, according to them, was the major cause of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor tax rating. Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax to GDP ratio has continued to hover around six per cent, making it one of the

poorest in the world. In his address, Partner and West Africa Tax Leader at Delloite, Yomi Olugbenro, noted that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax to GDP ratio has remained so unattractive as a result of improper handling of fraudulent tax practices. He listed such malpractices to include false deductions; claiming personal expenses as business expenses; using a false social security number as well as not reporting income. He suggested the enactment laws that would be in tandem with emerging realities as well as periodic review of tax policies and regulations. Speaking further, the Vice President II, ACFE, Lagos, Dr Titilayo Fowokan, emphasised that the menace of financial and digital fraud had denied Nigeria huge benefits both socially and

financially. She stated in particular, tax fraud had been an issue of concern lately, considering the shifted focus on tax revenue as a major option for economic diversification. Fowokan, expressed confidence that Nigeria can meet and even surpass the projected 20 per cent tax-GDP ratio if various tax policies and enforcement are executed in fairness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There should be sound corporate governance system, increased tax education, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, non-discriminatory enforcement of laws, naming and shaming of defaulters and more importantly, government at all levels should put in place a structured reward system composed of incentives and punishment,â&#x20AC;? she added.

L-R: Head, Consumer Liability Product, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Osita Ede; past winner, Diamond Extra Promo, Mr. Alphonsus Eleogu; Directorate, Head, Lagos Business, Diamond Bank, Mr. Chris Ofikulu; and Asset Manager, Technical Advisory, KPMG, Stella Adibe, at the third DiamondXtra quarterly promo draw, held in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Ś recently SUNDAYADIGUN

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&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

FCAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Legacy Fund Wins Award FCAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legacy USD Bond Fund, a dollar mutual fund managed by First City Asset Management Limited (FCAM) recently won the 2018 NSE CEO Award for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fund Manager with the Largest Listed Fund Size.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The fund was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in April this year. The result of the IPO which was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had indicated high level of investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in the Legacy USD Bond Fund and FCAM, which is a member of FCMB Group Plc. A statement at the weekend, explained that the fund is an open-ended investment vehicle registered with the SEC and managed by FCAM. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives investors the opportunity to invest in US Dollar denominated fixed income securities on a continuous basis. It also provides flexibility with respect to the timing of investments in, and redemptions from the fund.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The objective of the Legacy USD Bond Fund aims at generating stable income over the long-term. The fund is being managed as a unit trust scheme designed for investors who seek an efficient way to earn stable income in US Dollar, from investing in a portfolio comprising of high quality, registered, and tradeable US Dollar fixed income securities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, the fund provides an efficient means of currency diversification, particularly in an environment where investors seek to hedge against future Nigerian Naira depreciation,â&#x20AC;? the statement added. Commenting on the feat, Chief Executive Officer of FCAM, Mr. James Ilori said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to receive this award from the NSE, and dedicate it to investors in Legacy USD Bond Fund, for trusting us to assist them in meeting their investment goals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourage investors seeking exposure to credit-rated, US Dollar fixed income instruments to achieve this through

Legacy USD Bond Fund. Also, the Fund provides an excellent means for investors to regularly save relatively small amounts in US Dollar. We remain committed to creating additional value for individual and institutional investors.â&#x20AC;? FCAM which manages two of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading mutual funds - Legacy Debt Fund and Legacy Equity Fund, has also opened the offer for its Legacy Money Market Fund and provides services that cut-across collective investment schemes such as mutual funds, that are predominantly for retail investors and specialised discretionary portfolio management for ultra-high as well as high networth individuals and institutional investors. The company has consistently focused on delivering international standard wealth and investment management services, aimed at meeting investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desire for safety of investments, diversification and good returns.

Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2018

The price of OPEC basket of ďŹ fteen crudes stood at $58.67 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $59.20 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

39

M O N DAY ˾ DECEMBER 17, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Vetiva Research Projects 2.9% GDP Growth for Nigeria in 2019 Goddy Egene Vetiva Research has said SubSaharan African countries must navigate their economies in 2019 against the backdrop of weaker commodity prices, prolonged capital reversals, tepid investor sentiment, and geopolitical uncertainties. Vetiva stated this in its Year 2019 Outlook report on the Nigerian economy, key sectors, and capital market.

Highlighting the challenging global environment in 2019, they projected oil price to be $60/barrel. According to the firm, despite the above, they expect the Nigerian economy to accelerate in 2019 and project a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2.7 per cent in their base scenario. An analyst at Vetiva, Ifedayo Olowoporoku, said: “This forecast is driven by continued recovery in the manufacturing and ser-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

vices sectors, as well as higher expected aggregate demand in 2019 on the back of likely election spending and a potential minimum wage hike. We note that a GDP growth of 2.7 per cent in 2019 would just about equal estimated population growth, and we look beyond 2019 for true structural adjustment that can transform Nigeria’s economic growth trajectory.” In his comments, Vetiva’s Chief Economist, Michael Fam-

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

oroti, said: “The key economic headwinds in 2019 are currency volatility, policy instability, and severe fiscal strain as a result of excessive spending.” Speaking on the 2019 elections, Famoroti suggested that economic activities in the first quarter of 2019 would be overshadowed by the polls but was more upbeat about the effect of politics on the economy for the rest of the year. He said: “In 2019, the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Nigerian economy would not be affected as much by who wins, but by the build-up to and fallout from the elections.” Notably, Vetiva projects a mild depreciation of the naira to N390/$1. “Currency depreciation is a matter of when, rather than if, once the demand-supply equation of the currency and inflation differential between the United States and Nigeria are considered. As it is apparent that the naira is trading above

O F

its market value and has been supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria via its external reserves. In addition to this, we believe there is a fair chance that the apex bank would increase its monetary policy rate to keep real interest rates positive and project a year-end base interest rate of 14.5 per cent,” he said. Based on the foregoing a result, Vetiva said they would be an elevated yield environment in 2019.

1 4 / 1 2 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

Ëž MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018

40

21(%: )')0&)4

$ ! #

ThisDay Afrinvest Index Rose 69bps On Friday, the ThisDay Afrinvest 40 Index rose 69bps to close at

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

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1288.21 points. The index performance was bolstered by , NIGERIAN 744)16 4-')

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BREWERIES (4.6%), FBNH (3.5%) and UBA ͞ώÍ&#x2DC;ĎŹĐšÍżÇ Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä?Ĺ&#x161; Ä?ƾžƾůÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÇ&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä?ŽƾŜĆ&#x161; ĨŽĆ&#x152; ĎŽĎąÍ&#x2DC;ϳК ŽĨ Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020; Ĺ?Ĺś Ç Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?Ĺ?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x;ĹśĹ?Í&#x2DC;

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Local Bourse Extends 4 Week Bearish PerformanceÍ&#x2122; ASI Down 63bps W o W

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dĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; Ć?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĹ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; Ç&#x20AC;ŽůƾžÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĆľÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; increased by 5.6% and 31.9% W o W to 233.7m units and N3.0bn

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last week as the ASI opened the week bearish before inching 34bps

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higher in the next trading session. However, by midweek, the

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declined. The Industrial Goods index led gainers, following price Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ĺ?Ĺś DANGCEM (+0.5%). The Banking and Insurance

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most, shedding 2.8% as NESTLE ( 6.7%) and NIGERIAN BREWERIES ( 0.6%) weakened. In the same vein, the Oil & Gas index slid 0.8%, due to losses in SEPLAT ( 0.8%) and MOBIL ( 10.4%).

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sound stocks for short term gains. Nonetheless, we maintain a

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declined. The top performers for the week were FORTE (+33.9%),

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previous week, following 32 stocks that advanced against 36 that

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

41

MARKET NEWS

Flour Mills Boosts Operations, Gives Delivery Trucks to Distributors Judith Obaze Flour Mills Nigeria Plc (FMN) has given out delivery trucks to various distributors in order to facilitate the movement of products to various parts of the country. The Group Managing Director, Paul Gbededo, who handed the trucks to the various recipients in Lagos, disclosed that that was in line with companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideology that customers are key stakeholders

in their business models. According to him, it was in line with a promise to appreciate and celebrate their partners in the various categories with van that will improve logistics and make FMN available at every part of the country. Gbededo said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We promised them that we are going to donate to them distribution Vans in different categories, five tonnage, six tonnage, eight tonnage, so that it

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

is not just taking goods from our factory to their own warehousesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but from warehouses into the retail; that helps to be spread the products, so that consumers can get the products very close to their houses. We are fulfilling that promise today, and it is very important to us that we are celebrating our customers by helping their businesses, so that when the businesses grow, we will grow. And this partnership has held

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 1212-2018, unless otherwise stated.

us more than fifty years. We hope to continue to grow from strength to strength in ensuring that we do the best for our customers supporting their businesses, thereby creating value not only upstream but also downstream. We are given out 16 distribution vans to our customers, this is just the start, because years to come we are going to be doing it in tranches , so that we can really be seen as feeding the nation every day.â&#x20AC;?

The Managing Director, Devlin Hainsworth, said it was a good gesture to acknowledge the performance of the biggest trading partners that have performed excellently well in the course of transacting business with FMN in â&#x20AC;&#x153;various categories that have achieved the most in terms of performance and really driving the overall food business of the FMN, we believed so much in our endeavors of feeding the nation every day, we need to

that with our trade partners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are looking to double our efforts to scale up opportunities out there, looking out at the distributing network to take our product to various parts of the country,â&#x20AC;? he said. Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, Ejide Nigeria Limited, Ejide Ayinde, expressed gratitude to FMN by giving them a life Line to scale up their business, while also bringing their products closer to the consumers.

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 158.00 159.41 -10.87% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 276.09 277.77 19.46% 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 0.85% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 6.99% 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 12.70% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.21 2.23 -3.78% 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 16.11 16.59 -11.84% ARM Discovery Fund 349.49 360.02 -10.17% ARM Ethical Fund 27.96 28.80 2.34% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.72% 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 130.25 131.16 -14.14% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.15% 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 13.17% Paramount Equity Fund 11.47 11.77 3.47% Women's Investment Fund 100.83 103.41 0.20% 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 12.24% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 94.68 94.87 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.30 98.72 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.44% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.84 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 10.63% 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 12.10% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.45% 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 1,173.95 1,174.71 11.74% FBN Heritage Fund 140.31 141.49 0.60% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.86% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 112.84 113.45 3.64% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 112.56 113.18 3.49% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 143.63 145.65 -9.46% 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 1.20 1.22 -6.99% Legacy Debt Fund 3.23 3.23 11.63% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 2.72% 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 2,941.63 2,970.14 -1.48% Coral Income Fund 2,745.78 2,745.78 12.16% 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 7.98% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.07 106.46 5.98% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.89%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.14 2.16 1.45% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.44% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 123.92 124.10 7.65% 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 1.20 1.22 4.41% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,092.11 1,092.11 13.05% 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 11.05 11.14 -14.58% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.30% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.35 11.47% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.15 12.22 10.09% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.00% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.66 128.08 -1.58% 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 1.69 1.69 14.13% 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 2,286.97 2,301.44 4.08% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 188.71 188.71 8.36% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.95 -6.93% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 245.96 246.00 13.95% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 158.26 160.07 -11.62% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.03% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,287.57 8,387.76 -12.82% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.10 1.10 6.98% 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 1.17 1.18 -1.34% United Capital Bond Fund 1.58 1.58 10.39% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -7.90% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.65% United Capital Eurobond Fund 106.76 106.76 6.67% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 3.73% 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 11.08 11.23 -8.43% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.09 12.20 -5.89% Zenith Income Fund 20.66 20.66 11.93% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.37%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

9.00 139.56 51.67

-20.11% 5.36% 1.65%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.25 114.04 86.76

10.35 116.46 88.39

-13.43% -20.16% -20.58%

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.99 7.15 14.36 12.22 141.34

4.03 7.23 14.46 12.42 143.34

-15.66% -25.15% -17.67% -37.67% 5.20%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

SPECIALIST FUNDS Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

42

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

CITYSTRINGS

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ë&#x153; Í&#x2018;Í&#x2122;Í&#x2019;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201D;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;

Garlands for Equestrian Enthusiasts The Saddle Club Ikeja, Lagos, recently celebrated its 51St anniversary with equestrian games for beginners and seasoned riders. Ayodeji Ake who attended the event reports that the winners of the tournament went home with gold, silver and bronze medals

F

or the uninitiated, the Saddle Club Ikeja, Oregun, Lagos, is the go-to place for horse lovers. They have been known to engage in many extracurricular activities often associated with horses. As they are often known to do, the club recently threw its doors open for equestrian enthusiasts. At the scheduled date, it was an eventful one for the Saddle Club members, family and friends as they assembled at the club premises to watch and celebrate equestrian gamers, as they showcased their talents on horseback.

History Saddle Club Ikeja, which organises gymkhana for it members, was established in 1968 at Oregun, Ikeja, as a horse riding club. In 1968, the then Lagos State Governor, Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson, allocated the club its current premises. It was his way of supporting equestrian sports and resting a preserved area of flora and fauna within the state. Ever since, the Lagos State Governor has been the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patron, while His Majesty, Ooni of Ife has been the grand patron of the club. Ikeja Saddle Club is the place for Horseback Riding in Lagos and Nigeria. Lessons in dressage, jumping and polo are available on weekends by competent instructors for all ages and riding levels. The club is a home to everyone who has passion and love for the noblest of all animals and enjoys having a good time together with others. The club has been operating from its home in Lagos, Nigeria for over 50 years; situated within lusciously green grounds, near the Ogun -Lagos State border, along the Lagos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ibadan expressway.

L-R: Ex-oďŹ&#x192;cio, Ikeja Saddle Club, Mary Jimoh; Horse Member, Riad Boulous; Treasurer, Bukky Badejo- Okusanga; President, Vassila Barberopoulos and others at the event

Generational Heritage Speaking on the event, the President of the club, Vassily Oye Barberopoulos, said the club has been committed to a legacy of a well-run club that can survive age and time and offer to generations to come, a heritage of what to be enjoyed as a family club. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The club continues to promote equestrian sport and recreational activities not only to its members but to the Nigerian community and youth at large. We also want to use this medium to invite members of the public to to come join the club. We have a lot of activities going on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our club is the heritage for all children to enjoy and bond with one of nature's kindest animals-the horse. This event featured children games, equestrian games, food and a raffle draw, where participants won fantastic

The club continues to promote equestrian sport and recreational activities not only to its members, but to the Nigerian community and youths at large

L-R: Third position, Malter Viotto; ďŹ rst position, Lapitito Dankaro and second position, Aaudali Mubarak (all category B winners)

prizes. While the children were busy with games, the parents took the opportunity to de-stress from everyday life to ride, take a nature walk, jogging or hit a Polo ball," he said. On Equestrian Games, according to the Club Horse Member, Riad Boulous, is the 3rd since inception, and will include jumping, agility exercises on horseback, horseback archery competition, and mini polo tournament, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our focus is to create family-oriented fun that involves all member of the family. As such, we always have events that will allow all, from the youngest to the eldest, to join in the fun. We want to showcase horsemanship in all its forms, and to share that with all who attend. The equestrian games are club projects with all members of the club actively involved. Whether they are training as participants in the games or involved in the planning and preparation," he said.

The Contest The Equestrian games were categories into three categories; A- for the kids and beginners, B- for the middle classes, and the C â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for the senior classes. Participants who emerged winners for category A were; Michalis Losifidis (first position), Romeo Barberopoulous (second position), and Wash Washu

Membership Secretary, Ikeja Saddle Club, Wole Osinupebi ridng on the horse

(third position); category B, Watita Dankaro (first position), Faridah Mubarak (second position), and Opubor Omala (third position); category C, Wakundo (first position), Sarah Biotto (second

position), and Luda(third position). The celebration was concluded with a Polo match by Saddle Club which lasted about an hour with jubilation and group photographs.

43

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵Ë&#x153; ͰͮͯͶ

CRIME&SECURITY CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 36) For the ember month (ii) r 1MFBTF CF BXBSF UIBU DIBODFT PG USBGà D DPOHFTUJPO JT WFSZ IJHI XIJDI USBOTMBUFT UP TPNF PDDVSSFODF PG DSJNFT PG PQQPSUVOJUJFT CZ IPPEMVNT CBOEJUT r1MFBTF FOTVSF ZPV TUPSF BMM WBMVBCMFT QSPQFSMZ XIJMF JO USBOTJU -BQUPQT UP CF TUPSFE JO UIF USVOL PG ZPVS DBS r "WPJE DBSSZJOH WBMVBCMFT JO QMBJO TJHIU .PTUMZ KFXFMMFSZ BOE NPCJMF EFWJDFT r#F WJHJMBOU PO UIF SPBET BT OPU FWFSZPOF PO UIF SPBET IBWF UIF CFTU PG JOUFOUJPOT r*G BOE XIFO VUJMJTJOH QVCMJD USBOTQPSU DBSSZ BT MJUUMF BT ZPV DPNGPSUBCMZ DBO "T SFUVSOJOH CBDL IPNF XPVME IBWF BMM TPSUT PG USBGà D r&OTVSF XIJMF USBWFMMJOH JO ZPVS DBS LFFQ BMM EPPST MPDLFE BOE HMBTTFT SPMMFE VQ r 1MFBTF MJTUFO UP BMM MBX FOGPSDFNFOU BHFOUT PO UIF SPBET #F QBUJFOU XJUI UIFN BT UIFZ BMTP BSF VOEFS QSFTTVSF UP EFMJWFS TNPPUI USBGà D áPX BSPVOE UIF TUBUF SOURCE: Unknown L-R: The Yeye of Otta; Olota of Otta, Oba Abdul-Kabir Adeyemi and Commodore Emmanuel Nwoyem at the outreach

Navy Civil Military Relations Extends to Otta Town 5IF /BWBM 5SBJOJOH $PNNBOE /"753"$ SFDFOUMZ FYUFOEFE B IBOE PG GFMMPXTIJQ UP UIF QFPQMF PG 0UUB 5PXO JO 0HVO 4UBUF BT QBSU PG JUT DJWJM NJMJUBSZ SFMBUJPOT 5IF TVQQPSU DBNF JO UIF GPSN PG B NFEJDBM SIBQTPEZ UIBU TBX PWFS DPNNVOJUZ QFPQMF JODMVEJOH DIJMESFO XIP BSF UIF IPTUT PG UIF /JHFSJBO /BWZ // 4DIPPM PG .VTJD CFOFGJU GSPN UIF DPNNBOEhT FOE PG ZFBS PVUSFBDI "TJEFT UIF IFBMUI UBML HJWFO UP UIFN JO UIFJS *OEJHFOJPVT MBOHVBHF UIF OBWZ BMTP EJE HFOFSBM DPOTVMUBUJPOT SBO CMPPE TVHBS BOE CMPPE QSFTTVSF UFTUT EJTUSJCVUFE JOTFDUJDJEF USFBUFE OFUT BOE EFXPSNFE UIF DIJMESFO 1SJPS UP UIF PVUSFBDI UIF OBWZ GJSTU QBJE B DPVSUFTZ DBMM UP UIF USBEJUJPOBM SVMFS PG UIF UPXO UIF 0MPUB PG 0UUB 0CB "CEVM ,BCJS "EFZFNJ XIP MBVEFE UIF OBWZ GPS UIF HFTUVSF )F TBJE * UIBOL ZPV GPS ZPVS

TFSWJDFT UP 0UUB 5PXO 5IBOL ZPV GPS NBLJOH 0UUB TBGF *U JT OPU TVSQSJTJOH UIPVHI TFFJOH BT UIF /JHFSJBO /BWZ JT UIF NPTU EJTDJQMJOFE NJMJUBSZ GPSDF JO /JHFSJB 8F IBWF TFFO IPX UIFZ DPNQPSU UIFNTFMWFT JO QVCMJD * IBWF JOUFSGBDFE XJUI UIF BSNZ BOE BJS GPSDF UPP TP * BN OPU TBZJOH UIJT CFDBVTF ZPV BSF IFSF 8F IBWF FOKPZFE DPSEJBMJUZ XJUI UIF OBWZ IFSF BOE XF XBOU UIBU UP DPOUJOVF 8F IBWF CFFO XPSLJOH UPHFUIFS UP FOTVSF UIF TBGFUZ PG DJUJ[FOT BOE XF XJMM DPOUJOVF UIF QBSUOFSTIJQ 5IF NFEJDBM SBQITPEZ JT B MBVEBCMF JOJUJBUJWF * DPNNFOE UIF OBWZ GPS WFOUVSJOH JOUP DIBSJUZ GPS UIF HPPE PG NZ QFPQMF 5IJT FYFSDJTF XJMM OP EPVCU UBLF DBSF PG UIF MFTT QSJWJMFHFE QFSTPOT XIP IBWF OPU CFFO BCMF UP BDDFTT NFEJDBM DBSF "DDPSEJOH UP UIF 'MBH 0GGJDFS $PNNBOEJOH '0$ /"753"$ 3FBS "ENJSBM

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

Insurgency: NAF Seeks Research, Development Partnership "T QBSU PG NFBTVSFT UP CPPTU 3FTFBSDI BOE %FWFMPQNFOU 3 % BJNFE BU CFUUFS PQFSBUJPOBM FGGJDJFODZ FTQFDJBMMZ JO UIF GJHIU BHBJOTU JOTVSHFODZ UIF /JHFSJBO "JS'PSDF /"' SFDFOUMZ TPVHIU QBSUOFSTIJQ XJUI UIF 6OJWFSTJUZ PG -BHPT BOE $PWFOBOU 6OJWFSTJUZ 5IF QVSQPTF PG UIF UPVS XBT UP SFTUBUF /"' T DPNNJUNFOU UP UIF FYJTUJOH .P6T FWBMVBUF DVSSFOU KPJOU QSPKFDUT BOE FYQMPSF OFX BSFBT UIBU DPVME JNNFEJBUFMZ BEE WBMVF UP UIF /"' JO UIF GJHIU BHBJOTU JOTVSHFODZ 5IF $IJFG 4UBOEBSET BOE &WBMVBUJPO "JS 7JDF .BSTIBM "7. +PIO #BCB NBEF UIJT LOPXO EVSJOH IJT WJTJU UP UIF WJDF DIBODFMMPS PG UIF TDIPPM JO 0HVO 4UBUF )F TBJE UIF BJN PG UIF WJTJU XBT UP TFFL GPS UIF TDIPPMhT TVQQPSU UP UIF TFSWJDF UP FGGFDUJWFMZ DBSSZ PVU JUT TUBUVUPSZ SPMF PG EFGFOEJOH UIF OBUJPO

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

CBTF PG JUT QFSTPOOFM UISPVHI TVTUBJOFE 3 % BDUJWJUJFT XFSF JOEFFE DPNNFOEBCMF &BSMJFS #BCB BMTP WJTJUFE UIF 6OJWFSTJUZ PG -BHPT XIFSF IF UPPL B UPVS PG UIFJS GBDJMJUJFT BMTP BJNFE BU FOIBODJOH UIF TFSWJDFh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

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND B 1PMJDF $POUSPM 3PPN /PT PS C $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF D %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF "ENJO E %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF 4$**% F %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF 0QT G "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0XFSSJ H "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0SMV I "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0LJHXF J 1PMJDF 1VCMJD 3FMBUJPOT 0GÃ DFS *NP 4UBUF SOURCE: Imo State Police Command

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Ã DFS 1130 Source: The Lagos State Police Command

KNOW YOUR POLICE OFFICERS (6) - The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, Joshak Habila (ii) 5IF EFQBSUNFOU IBT UIF GPMMPXJOH TFDUJPOT UP BDUVBMJTF JUT NBOEBUFT 5IFZ JODMVEF r %FQBSUNFOU PG 0QFSBUJPOT "ENJOJTUSBUJPO *U JODMVEFT EJSFDUJOH TVQFSWJTJOH BOE DPPSEJOBUJOH PG UIF TFDUJPOT JO UIF EFQBSUNFOU BOE BSF NBEF VQ PG B 4FDSFU 3FHJTUSZ C $POÃ EFOUJBM 3FHJTUSZ D 0QFO 3FHJTUSZ 5IFTF BSNT PG UIF TFDUJPO FOTVSF UIBU BMM UIF GPSDF PSEFST EJSFDUJWFT BOE SFHVMBUJPOT BSF GVMMZ BEIFSF UP r%FQBSUNFOU PG 'FEFSBM 0QFSBUJPOT r'PSDF 7FUFSJOBSZ 4FDUJPO r#PSEFS 1BUSPM 4FDUJPO r1PMJDF .PCJMF 'PSDF r&YQMPTJWF 0SEJOBDF %JTQPTBM 6OJU r'PSDF 1PMJDF "JSXJOH r'PSDF %PH 4FDUJPO r'PSDF .PVOUFE 5SPPQ r'PSDF "SNBNFOUT 4FDUJPO r$PVOUFS 5FSSPSJTN 6OJU $56

r'PSDF 5SBOTQPSU 4FDUJPO r%JSFDUPSBUF PG 1FBDFLFFQJOH 0QFSBUJPOT r/BUJPOBM *OMBOE 8BUFSXBZT r$FOUSBM .PUPS 3FHJTUSZ $.3

r'PSDF .BSJOF 4FDUJPO r4QFDJBM 1SPUFDUJPO 6OJU 416

r*/&$ -JBTPO 6OJU SOURCE: Police Force Headquarters, ABUJA Habila

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A ppreciation O

n behalf of the Nanaye Dickson family of Toru-Orua community, the government and the good people of Bayelsa State, I express profound gratitude to all our leaders and distinguised personalities that encouraged and strengthened us through condolence visits, letters and messages, prayers, solidarity and physical presence before and during the funeral of our beloved mother and matriarch, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, who passed on August 8, 2018 at the age of 72.

I am deeply grateful to former Vice President and presidential candidate of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abukakar, and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, who both visited my community to condole me and my family and were also present at the funeral. I am thankful to them for their generous contributions to the overall success of the funeral.

Justice Kate Abiri, members of the state judiciary, and former Ministers, namely Prof. Jerry Gana (Information), Dr. Abiye Sekibo (Transport), Mrs. Laraba Mallam (Environment), Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe (Water Resources), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (Special Duties), Hajia Zainab Maina (Women Affairs and Social Development), Olorogun Steve Oru (Niger Delta Affairs) and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja (Sports and Special Duties)

The National Assembly greatly encouraged us by the condolence visit of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his predecessor, Senator David Alechenu Mark. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, also visited us and were present at the burial as well as a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Senator Stella Omu, Senator Ben Obi and past and serving distinguished Senators and Honourable members of the federal legislature.

Also, well represented at the funeral were Niger Delta/ Ijaw elder statesmen, leaders and groups. They include Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (represented by Mrs. Rebecca Okorodudu), Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, wife of the first civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, Chief T.K.O Okorotie, Chief Francis Doukpola, Chief Joshua Fumudoh (Pioneer President, Ijaw National Congress), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe (former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission), Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali (former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government), Prof. Steve Azaiki (former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government), Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Michael Zuokumor (Rtd), Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari (former President, Ijaw Youth Council), Barr. Oweilaemi Pereotubo (President, Ijaw Youth Council) and members of his Exco, leadership of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the Delta Ijaw Political Assembly.

The four-day funeral rites of my mother, fondly called Mama GoGo, commenced on Thursday, December 6, 2018 with a Service of Songs held at the Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa, the state capital, followed by a traditional wake in my community, Toru-Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State the next day and the interment in my mother’s home town of Toru-Angiama in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday, December 8. The funeral activities were rounded off with a special thanksgiving service at the Palace of Melchizedek in Toru-Orua on I owe a debt of gratitude to the National Chairman of Sunday, December 9. our great party, my elder brother, Prince Uche Secondus and members of the National Working Committee as These activities attracted a large turnout of dignitaries well as the chairman, Walid Jibril and members of the and guests from within and outside the country, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, who all visited me serving and former Nigerian leaders, elder statesmen after my mom’s passing and were all present during the and women, political leaders from across the divides, funeral. prominent traditional rulers from Bayelsa State and other parts of Nigeria, religious leaders, captains of I am equally indebted to all my colleagues and brotherindustry as well as fellow countrymen and women. governors and their deputies for their support before and during the funeral rites. Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa I acknowledge the soothing effect of all the condolence of Delta State and his wife, Dame Edith, thank you for messages and letters, the time and effort sacrificed your immeasurable support and understanding and for to pay us condolences, the support extended to my being an excellent chief host. Others are Chief Nyesom family and I before and during the funeral as well as Wike (Rivers), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Prof. Ben the physical presence of everyone that endeavoured to Ayade (Cross River), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dr. attend all or any of the activities. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Dr. Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), who all I am humbled that the President and Commander- attended the funeral, and Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Muhammadu who was represented by his deputy, Moses Adeyemo, Buhari, delivered a special condolence message through Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara, chairman of the Nigeria the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Governors Forum (NGF), represented by Speaker of the Boss Mustapha, during the commendation service/ state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji interment in my mother’s community, Toru-Angiama. and the Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro. I express my sincere gratitude to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, who were physically I warmly appreciate the governor of my other state of present at the commendation service. Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who paid a condolence visit to my country home accompanied by Senators I also appreciate my leader and elder brother, Dr. Lekan Mustapha, Tolu Adebiyi and Hon. Abdulkadir Goodluck Jonathan, former President of the Federal Akinlade. Republic of Nigeria, who was present at both the Service of Songs in Yenagoa and the interment in Toru-Angiama I acknowledge the encouragement and contribution community. of my colleague and brother-governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku. I am most grateful for your support. I specially salute former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his wife, who both sent separate condolence Let me thank the following leaders and elder statesmen letters, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida who attended the funeral: former Governor of old and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gongola State, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, former Sokoto for their condolences, encouragement and support as State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, my elder brother, well as former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, first sent a condolence letter when my mother passed former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Col. Paul on and later graciously asked his wife to represent Edor Obi (rtd), and former Sokoto State Deputy Governor, him with another letter when he had an international my friend and brother, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari. engagement that prevented his attending the funeral. I thank Chief Obasanjo most sincerely for his fatherly Others are Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, counsel, prayers and support during our difficult Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Friday Konbowei Benson, members of the moments. House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State,

My family deeply appreciates our father, the Pere of Tarakiri Clan, King R.O. Koroye and his council of chiefs, the paramount ruler of our community, Toru-Orua, Chief Friday Tounaregha and his council of chiefs, the people of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation as a whole for their cooperation, understanding and prayers. Our highly respected traditional rulers from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states equally showed great support with their regal presence. My sincere gratitude to the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass and chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Alfred DieteSpiff, his Rivers State counterpart and Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja (Jeki V), the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, HRM Shedrack Erebulu, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), the Agadagba of Arogbo Kingdom in Ondo State, King Zaccheus Egbunu, the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs from Ogu Kingdom in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State led by Chief (Hon.) Lawrence Abiebiari Egbelekpekpe as well as other chiefs from different clans and kingdoms in these states. The presence and support of the traditional institutions from across the country was also strongly felt during the funeral events. With a heart full of gratitude, I appreciate my Yoruba kith and kin, whose revered traditional institutions had emissaries from my fathers and their royal majesties at the funeral events. They include but are not limited to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and the Oba of Lagos, Alaiyeluwa Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I. My respect goes to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai el-Kanemi, who sent representatives with gifts and a condolence letter from his highly esteemed palace. I specially thank the leadership of foremost Yoruba

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MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

A ppreciation socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, ably represented by the presence of my father, elder statesman and leader, nonagenarian Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Mr. Yinka Odumakin. Let me appreciate the support and presence of members of my own Fidipote Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode and the strong participation of my age grade, Egbe Jagunmolu. The contribution of the clergy, religious leaders and choral groups was invaluable through their prayers, visits and selfless service. I thankfully acknowledge Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai, Rev. (Dr.) John Kennedy Opara, Chaplain of Aso Rock Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo and his wife, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Bishop Goddowell Avwomakpa, Pastor Valentine Isaac Ilori, Bishop David Kings, chairman, Bayelsa State chapter of CAN, Archbishop Jacob Akpiri, South-South chairman, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Archbishop Israel Ege, Bishop James Aye Oruwori, the Bayelsa State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), King of Glory Chapel Choir, Restoration Choir, Garden City Choir, Bayelsa Women Mass Choir, the Palace of Melchizedek Choir among other such groups. My gratitude to the Igbo community cultural group in Bayelsa, the Benue State Arts and Culture troupe, the troupe from Niger State, the cultural groups from Okrika as well as my Ekine Sekiapu dance group from Kalabari, the Andoni dance group and all the Ijaw musicians and entertainers who freely offered their services. In no particular order, I sincerely appreciate the following individuals and organisations, some of whom paid condolence visit, attended or were represented at the funeral or sent gifts and material contributions of every description: immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, the Inspector General of Police, represented by DIG Emmanuel Inyang, former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete, Dr. Ephraim Faloughi, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun, Managing Director, FBN Mortgage Bank, Mr. Korede Adebayo, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Simbi Wabote, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, Mr. Rotimi Oyetibo SAN, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, Sterling Bank, members of the diplomatic corps, delegation from the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Goldcoast Development Foundation (donors and volunteers), representatives of various oil companies, representatives of financial institutions, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, representatives of the Trade Union Congress, representatives of media organisations, representatives of Bayelsa State market men and women, Linkage Assurance, CCECC, B & Q Dredging Limited and Jesco Construction Limited. From the depth of my heart, I appreciate several other political, religious and traditional leaders, too numerous to mention, from across the country that visited to condole with me and my family. They include former Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo and his wife, former Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, former Jigawa State Governor, Amb. Sule Lamido, former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, elder statesman and chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdulahi, former InspectorGeneral of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. (Dr.) Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Engr. Buba Galadima, Dr. Umar Ardo, Willard Eugene Smith from the United States of America and all the PDP presidential aspirants among others. I am deeply appreciative of the patriotic assignment of members of the state security council and their officers and men who ensured that order was maintained before and during the funeral. Lastly, my family acknowledges and appreciates the roles and contributions of the following: my able and dependable deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), members of the state executive council, special advisers, all my appointees, chairman of the state PDP and his Exco members as well as our friends, associates and other well-wishers too numerous to mention for their prayers and for taking out time to personally attend the funeral ceremonies. Indeed, your presence, support, solidarity and prayers helped my family and I, in no small measure, to weather the emotional storm during our most difficult moments. May the Good Lord bless and reward you all.

HONOURABLE HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE For the Family

INTERNATIONAL

UN Chief Calls for Credible Probe of Khashoggi’s Murder United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, yesterday called for a “credible” probe into journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul. “It is absolutely essential to have a credible investigation and to have the punishment of those that were guilty,” Guterres said at a conference in Doha. The UN chief said he had no information on the case except what had been reported in the media. Khashoggi, a Saudi contributor to the Washington Post, was killed on October 2 shortly after entering the kingdom’s consulate in what Riyadh called a “rogue” operation. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly rejected Turkish demands to extradite suspects connected

to the murder of the journalist, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Turkey’s foreign minister said yesterday that Saudi Arabia has not yet shared information on a “local collaborator” in his country. Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the conference that Riyadh has neither disclosed the name nor the facial composite of a suspect in Turkey. “Why don’t you share it with Turkey?” he asked. “We know that (Khashoggi’s) body was cut in pieces and his body was taken out of the consulate building, but we don’t know where the body is. “This is the main question, we need to find out.” On Saturday, Cavusoglu said that his country would “not give up” on establishing

the truth about the murder. Earlier this month, the minister said Turkey was in talks over a possible United Nations investigation into the killing which has provoked global outrage. According to Turkey, a 15-member Saudi team was sent to Istanbul to kill Khashoggi, a palace insider turned critic of the regime. Riyadh has since detained 21 people over the murder. Despite speculation that the powerful crown prince ordered the hit, the kingdom has strongly denied he was involved. The murder has damaged Riyadh’s international reputation, and Western countries including the United States, France and Canada have placed sanctions on nearly 20 Saudi nationals.

Four Killed in Kelicopter-ambulance Crash in Portugal Four people were killed when a helicopter-ambulance crashed in northern Portugal, the emergency services agency INEM reported Sunday. The aircraft came down in the Valongo district, killing all on board: a Spanish doctor, a nurse and the two pilots. Local officials said the cause of the crash was not yet known.

The helicopter vanished from radar screens on Saturday at around 6:30 pm (1830 GMT), said civil protection officials. The wreckage of the Agusta A109S, run by British company Babcock, was found in the small hours of Sunday morning. The helicopter had just

dropped off a seriously ill patient at Porto, in the north, and was flying back to its base in Macedo de Cavaleiros in the northeast when it came down, said INEM. This is the first serious accident since Portugal’s emergency services started using helicopters in 1977, the agency said.

Georgia’s First Female President Sworn in Georgia on Sunday swore in its first female president, Salome Zurabishvili as opposition parties continue to denounce her election as fraudulent and demand snap parliamentary polls. The inauguration paved the way for a new constitution to come into force, transforming the country into a parliamentary republic with a largely ceremonial president. The event was held in the mediaeval town of Telavi in Georgia’s eastern winemaking region of Kakheti. French-born Zurabishvili, 66, took the oath of office in the courtyard of an 18th-century manor that belonged to Georgia’s penultimate king Heraclius II. “The goal of my presidency is to make Georgia’s democratic development and its path towards Europe irreversible,” she said in an inaugural speech. “I will facilitate this process with the support of our strategic partner, the United States of America, and our European friends,” she said. Opposition parties have refused to recognise Zurabishvili’s election and tried to hold a protest rally outside the royal residence. But the plan was thwarted by police, who on Sunday morning blocked a kilometres-long opposition motorcade on

a road leading from the capital Tbilisi to Telavi. Pro-opposition Rustavi-2 TV channel reported that clashes briefly erupted between police officers and protesters as they tried to break through police ranks. Zurabishvili was elected as the ex-Soviet nation’s president last month. She defeated Grigol Vashadze, the candidate of an 11-party opposition alliance led by exiled former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement. She was backed in the election by the ruling Georgian Dream party of Georgia’s ex-premier and billionaire tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili, Georgia’s richest man, stepped down as prime minister in 2013 after just a year in office but is still widely believed to be Georgia’s de facto ruler. His critics accuse him of “state capture.” Former French diplomat, Zurabishvili has said her election was a step forward for women and a move closer to Europe. But opposition parties have refused to accept the result, pointing to instances of alleged vote-buying, multiple voting, voter intimidation, and ballotstuffing in the November 28 election. On December 2, thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets in Tbilisi against the

election result, demanding snap parliamentary polls. Georgia’s leading rights groups denounced the electoral irregularities, which the US State Department said were “not consistent with the country’s commitment to fully fair and transparent elections.” Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said that while the election was “competitive” and candidates campaigned freely, it was concerned over “the misuse of state resources” by the ruling party. In what critics derided as “vote-buying” ahead of the election, Ivanishvili promised the government would drastically increase social spending and pledged to spend his own money to write off the bank loans of more than 600,000 people. Zurabishvili was born in France to a Georgian family who fled the Bolshevik regime to Paris in 1921. She studied international relations at the prestigious Paris Institute of Political Sciences before a 30year career as a French diplomat, with postings to the United Nations, Washington and Chad. Her career in French diplomacy culminated in a posting to Tbilisi, where then-president Saakashvili appointed her as foreign minister.

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INTERNATIONAL

Theresa May Clashes with Blair over Brexit An extraordinary public row broke out Sunday between British Prime Minister Theresa May and former Labour party leader Tony Blair over her Brexit deal. May accused Blair of insulting voters and trying to undermine her government with calls for a second referendum to break the political deadlock over the divorce deal she struck with the EU. “For Tony Blair to go to Brussels and seek to undermine our negotiations by advocating for a second referendum is an insult to the office he once held and the people he once served,” May said in a statement issued late Saturday. “We cannot, as he would, abdicate responsibility for this decision. Parliament has a democratic duty to deliver what the British people voted for.” Blair, who was Labour prime minister between 1997 and 2007, on Sunday accused the Conservative leader of being “irresponsible”.

“The sensible thing is now to allow parliament to vote on each of the forms of Brexit canvassed, including the prime minister’s deal,” he said in a statement. “If they can’t reach agreement then the logical thing is to go back to the people.” He added: “What is irresponsible however is to try to steamroller MPs into accepting a deal they genuinely think is a bad one with the threat that if they do not fall into line, the government will have the country crash out (of the EU) without a deal.” Blair opposes Brexit and, as May’s deal faces opposition on all sides of the House of Commons, he has stepped up calls for the public to vote again.His latest speech on the issue came on Friday, as May was meeting EU leaders in Brussels to discuss how to save the agreement. May has repeatedly ruled out holding a new referendum, saying the result in 2016 was clear. But growing numbers

of MPs believe a “people’s vote” is the only way to break an impasse that risks Britain leaving the EU on March 29 without any agreement at all. May’s chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, was on Sunday forced to deny reports that he was planning for such an outcome. The same reports also said May’s effective deputy, David Lidington, was in talks with opposition Labour MPs about a new vote. Lidington replied that he always listened to MPs’ views but pointed to recent remarks in parliament where he said a second referendum may not be decisive and could damage confidence in democracy. Separately, Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt suggested Britain could thrive if it left the EU with no deal, and admitted he would like to “have a crack” at May’s job. “But I think the first thing is to get us through this challenging next few months and I passionately believe Theresa May is the person to do that,” he told the Sunday Telegraph.

Macron’s Ratings Fall Further after Month of Protests A month of “yellow vest” protests have taken a further toll on the popularity of French President Emmanuel Macron, a new poll showed Sunday, with analysts saying he will be forced to change his style of governing. Around 66,000 protesters turned out again on Saturday on the fifth round of antigovernment demonstrations, which sprung up over diesel taxes last month. The figure was about half the number of the previous weekend, suggesting momentum was waning and the most acute political crisis of Macron’s 19-month presidency was coming to an end. “It is calming down, but what remains of it all is a strong feeling of hatred towards Macron,” said veteran sociologist Herve Le Bras from the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS). A major poll by the Ifop group published in Journal du Dimanche newspaper showed Macron’s approval had slipped another two points in the last month, to 23 percent. The proportion of people who declared themselves “very dissatisfied” by his leadership jumped by six points to 45 percent. Many of the protesters have targeted Macron personally, calling on him to resign or targeting his background as an investment banker and alleged elitism. A different poll by Ipsos on Wednesday last week showed that a mere 20 per cent of respondents were happy with his presidency, a fall of six points to its lowest ever level. Le Bras said the protests had underlined the depth of dislike for Macron’s personality and style of governing, which critics see as arrogant and too distant.

“Even by being more humble, it’s going to be complicated,” he added. Until last week, a clear majority of French people had backed the protests, which sprung up initially over high taxes before snowballing into a wider opposition front against Macron. In a bid to end the standoff, he announced a package of measures for low-income workers on Monday in a televised address, estimated by economists to cost up to 15 billion euros ($17 billion). The 40-year-old also acknowledged widespread animosity towards him and came close to apologising for a series of verbal gaffes seen as dismissive of the poor or jobless. Two polls published last Tuesday — in the wake of Macron’s concessions — suggested the country was now broadly 50-50 on whether the protests should continue. “It’s a movement that has succeeded in forcing back what looked like a strong government,” Jerome SainteMarie, a public opinion expert at the Pollingvox group, told AFP. “People have confidence in themselves now, so things won’t return to how they were on November 15” before the protests started, he said. “The context in which Emmanuel Macron holds power has changed,” he added. The former investment banker had until now styled himself as a determined probusiness reformer who would not yield to pressure from protests like his predecessors. “Macron has given an indication that he is more open to dialogue,” Jean-Daniel Levy from the Harris Interactiv polling group told AFP.

The government has announced a six-month consultation with civil society groups, mayors, businesses and the “yellow vests” to discuss tax and other economic reforms. Hikes in petrol and diesel taxes, as well as tougher emissions controls on old vehicles — justified on the grounds of environmental protection — were what sparked the “yellow vest” movement. Macron “won’t necessarily change the overall course of his reforms, rather the way he carries them out,” Levy added. In Paris on Saturday, the more than 8,000 police on duty easily outnumbered the 2,200 protesters counted by local authorities. There were 168 arrests by early evening, far fewer than the 1,000 or so of last Saturday. Tear gas was occasionally fired, but only a fraction compared with the weekends of December 8 or December 1 when graffiti was daubed on the Arc de Triomphe in scenes that shocked France. Richard Ferrand, the head of the National Assembly, welcomed the “necessary” weakening of “yellow vest” rallies on Saturday, adding that “there had been a massive response to their demands”. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner also called on protesters to halt their blockades across the country which have seen traffic and businesses disrupted. “Everyone’s safety has to become the rule again,” he said in a tweet. “Dialogue now needs to unite all those who want to transform France.” He said eight people had died since the start of the movement.

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61

NEWS

12 Soldiers Killed, Dozens Missing in Battle with Insurgents Concerns mount over fate of $1bn arms purchase fund

Kingsley Nwezeh with agency reports At least 12 Nigerian soldiers were killed and dozens of others are missing after fighting with Islamists in Borno State, three military sources said yesterday. This is coming as the $1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition to aid the military in the fight against terrorism in the North-east region is now mired in confusion. But the army said it repelled the attack in which it said one soldier was killed and another injured. The fighting followed an attack on Friday by insurgents in Gudumbali Local Government Area - a part of Borno where Boko Haram breakaway group Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is influential. Reuters quoted sources as saying the poor communication network in the remote area delayed details of the attack being relayed. The attack, the sources said, was carried out on a military base and a nearby community in the

Gudumbali Local Government Area of the state. The three military sources, all of whom are soldiers who did not want to be named, said at least 12 soldiers were killed and dozens missing after the fighting. But the army, in an emailed statement, said the insurgents opened fire on troops while aid materials were being distributed in Gudumbali. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The troops, however, fought gallantly and outmanoeuvred the attackers inflicting heavy casualties on them. Unfortunately, a soldier paid the supreme price during the encounter, while another was wounded in action,â&#x20AC;? said the army in the statement. The biggest loss of military life in the last few months occurred in late November when around 100 soldiers were killed by ISWA militants who attacked an army base in Metele, Borno State. However, sources said 28 militants were killed, while the army reported that it lost less than 40 soldiers. The North-east is home

to two Islamist insurgencies: Boko Haram and ISWA which broke away in 2016 and is now considered by security experts to be the stronger of the two. The federal government in June ordered thousands of people who fled the conflict with Boko Haram to return to Gudumbali, one of the most dangerous areas of northeast Nigeria. Officials cut off food and other aid to those who refused. Meanwhile, the $1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition to aid the military in the fight against terrorism in the North-east region is now mired in confusion. This is coming as a group, Society for Good Governance (SGG), accused the federal government and state governors of playing politics with such an important national intervention, the absence of which has led to death of many soldiers in the North-east region. It said if government could not account for the $1 billion security fund for Boko Haram, "then our position is that it has

been diverted for the purposes of 2019 elections, and we will be left with no other option than to seek legal redress." The mystery is located in the fact that several government agencies and institutions have all denied accessing the fund. The denial is coming as hundreds of soldiers have died owing to lack of equipment and inadequate salaries and allowances for those fighting in the war front as claimed by some soldiers who survived the Metele attack. In the heat of the Metele attack by insurgents in Borno State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, informed a bewildered country that the Nigerian Army was yet to receive any fund or equipment purchased from the fund. He took the position when he spoke to journalists in Maiduguri recently saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know the process of funding is another major issue. The bureaucracy and so on is another issue. Approvals are given but before you really get the money out is another

challenge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, the people are talking or the media has been talking of $1 billion that has been approved but I tell you up till today, the fund that is supposed to come from that amount to the army in particular, is still in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ministry of Defence is yet to access the fund. When the ministry gets the fund, they will get the right equipment for us as proposed," he said. THISDAY checks at the Ministry of Defence revealed that the money was domiciled with the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF). A competent source at the ministry said the governors had made a pledge to make a contribution to the security fund through the Paris Club refund. "The ministry is yet to access any such fund. The money is with the governors. They pledged to help raise it in support of the war against insurgency. But at a point they wanted their state houses of assembly to legislate on it," he said. But at the NGF, a reliable source who spoke anonymously

to THISDAY noted that the claim by the Ministry of Defence "made no sense." According to him, "This claim is a mere conjecture. It does not make sense at all. Let's look at it. The Paris Club refund is about N522billion. The $1 billion they are talking about is N350 billion. "Does it really make sense that the governors would pledge such amount and be left with N277billion? Would that be enough to pay workers' salaries and solve other pressing needs of states? "I am not aware that the Governors' Forum made such a pledge. But I know that they have made significant contributions in terms of equipping security agencies." However, further checks showed that security fund came from the excess crude account which was actually approved by the NGF. The approval was given after a meeting of the National Economic Council meeting in April 2018. Continued on page 69

INEC: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Studying Appeal Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Judgment on Rivers APC We expect obedience to judicial authority, says PDP Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it is studying the judgment of the Court of Appeal, affirming the nullification of the congresses that produced the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the general election next year. The electoral body also stated that it would soon decide on other cases filed or arising from the said judgment and other interrelated cases with similar facts. The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, had last Wednesday affirmed that the APC in Rivers State will not field any candidate during the

2019 elections when it dismissed the appeal filed by the factional Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Tonye Cole. The Appeal Court also affirmed the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu that Rivers State has no ward executives, local government executives and state executives as it dismissed the appeal filed by the sacked Rivers State APC State Chairman, Mr. Ojukaye Flag Amachree. Justice Abubakar Yahaya had ruled that the appeal against the Justice Chinwendu Nwogu High Court judgment on the party congress crisis lacked merit, adding that the application for joinder failed to observe the 14 days rules of appeal.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, told THISDAY yesterday that INEC has a standard procedure on how to approach court decisions and has consistently maintained that it would continue to respect the institution of the judiciary by giving effect to the judgments and orders emanating from properly-constituted courts of law. He stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;INEC is studying the judgments of the High Court of Rivers State, the Court of Appeal decisions on same, other cases filed or arising from the said decisions, judgments and other interrelated cases with similar facts and ingredients, and will soon take a decision on

them and inform the Nigerian people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the cases, judgments and orders arising from the conduct of party primary elections have important bearing on the final publication of the list of candidates, the ballot papers to be printed and INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s processes, and the commission is conscious of their implications on the electoral process and will take a decision that accords with its mandate, the rule of law and due process.â&#x20AC;? Okoye added that the commission would obey the judgments and orders of courts the moment it satisfies itself that the judgments or orders it has been served with are duly certified and are the product of

the processes and procedures of a properly constituted court of law. The INEC national commissioner further explained that the commission also uses its own processes and procedures in coming to a satisfaction that it has been served with such judgments or orders or has been briefed by in-house or external solicitors and that the judgments or orders relate to duly-registered political parties. The commission, however, assured Nigerians that it will, at all times, lean on the part of constitutionalism and the rule of law and would not take any action that has the capacity of undermining the institution of the judiciary. Reacting to the Appeal Court

judgment, however, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that it expects INEC to obey the judgment. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that if the APC is not appealing the decision, the main opposition party expects the electoral umpire to act accordingly. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;INEC had always claimed to be a respecter of court decisions and court orders. We expect them not to have exception to that ruling. If the court has said that a particular party cannot participate in elections, we expect INEC, if they are not appealing the decision, to obey the court order in the ruling.â&#x20AC;?

Oyebode, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi and Ms. Juliet Anammah. Diamond's Group Managing Director, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, bank sources told THISDAY, then, was to steer the transition period preparatory to his own resignation now expected once the merger is concluded. Diamond Bank, one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail banking champions, had recently faced headwinds with non-performing loans and profitability as it faced challenges with its lending to indigenous oil sector,

following the collapse of oil prices. Access Bank, looking to expand its own frontiers, sources said, cashed in on the opportunity and made its move, which culminated in yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signing of the MoA. Commenting on the merger agreement last night, Access Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, told THISDAY, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Access Bank has a strong track record of acquisition and integration which has a clear growth strategy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Access and Diamond

Banks have complimentary operations and similar values. A merger with Diamond Bank with its leadership in digital and mobile-led retail banking could accelerate our banking strategy as a significant corporate and retail bank in Nigeria and a pan-African financial services champion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Access Bank has a strong financial profile with a robust capital of over 20 per cent CAR (capital adequacy ratio) as at 30 September, 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that this platform, together with the two banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focus and innovative financial inclusion

and sustainability will bring benefits to the shareholders of Access and Diamond Banks. A CBN official in the Financial Services Department, who did not want to be quoted because he was not authorised to speak, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If approved, Access Bank would be the right anchor and shock absorber for Diamond Bank depositors and shareholders. At CBN, our mandate is to protect depositorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; funds. This merger does that.â&#x20AC;? The merged entity is expected to trade as Access Bank Plc with Diamond Bank logo subject to approvals.

instrument this month, but to fully repay. Meanwhile, the naira appreciated slightly against the United States dollars across various segments of the foreign exchange (forex) market last week on sustained supply of the greenback by the CBN. Specifically, on the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment, the local currency strengthened by 0.82 per cent to close at N361 to

a dollar, amid sustained series of special interventions by CBN. According to analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, the naira appreciated at the parallel market segments by 1.09 per cent to close N364 to a dollar on Friday. In addition, on the Investors and Exportersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forex window (I&E), the naira chalked up 0.03 per cent to close at N365.23,

amid increased dollar supply. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, recently predicted that monetary policy stance would remain judicious, research-driven, adequate and supportive of the real economy subject to underlying fundamentals. He had pointed out that the current tight stance was expected to continue in the

near-term, especially in view of rising inflation expectations and exchange market pressures. He explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though we will act to appropriately adjust the policy rate in line with unfolding conditions and outlooks, the CBN will continue to ensure that the policy interest rate is delicately set to balance the objectives of price stability with output stabilisation.â&#x20AC;?

ACCESS, DIAMOND BANKS SIGN AGREEMENT TO MERGE maintained. THISDAY confirmed last night that the boards of the two banks met at about 7PM, yesterday and passed the resolutions agreeing to merge subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. A reliable source close to the merger talks told THISDAY emphatically, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The deal is done, what is left is for the Central Bank of Nigeria to stamp its seal of approval.â&#x20AC;? THISDAY had reported exclusively last October, about moves by Diamond Bank to seek fresh funds to help it shore up its capital

base and shepherd it out of the headwinds it was experiencing. The newspaper reported the decision of some of its directors, including the chairman, Mr. Seyi Bickersteth, to stand down, paving the way for new investors. THISDAY obtained copies of letters of resignation of the directors, in which Bickersteth said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been an honour to serve on the board of the bank as chairman, and I will continue to support the bank in every way possible.â&#x20AC;? Other directors who resigned were, Ms. Aisha

TIGHT LIQUIDITY INCREASES even more than that, the banks would rather go to the CBN window to borrow at 16 per cent. No bank wants to be in deficit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The central bank wants to make sure it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose all it has gained in the past few years to pressure as a result of the elections coming up in the next few months.â&#x20AC;? THISDAY gathered that following the closure of

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Treasury Bills (NTBs) issue calendar for 2018, the CBN has intensified its mop up of excess liquidity in the system through OMO. According to the NTB calendar for the fourth quarter 2018, there would not be any treasury bills auction this month. The idea, it was learnt, was not to roll over any maturing

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NEWS

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

Presidency, N’Assembly Move to Avert Fuel Crisis, to Meet Oil Marketers Marafa alleges desperate move to sabotage govt effort Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government has proposed a meeting with the independent oil marketers as one of the measures aimed at averting fuel crisis this Yuletide season. The oil marketers have threatened to shut down their depots over continued non-payment of oil subsidies by the federal government. But the presidency and the National Assembly in a swift reaction, have appealed to the marketers to give them a little more time to sort out issues bordering on non-payment of oil subsidies within the next few days. Making the disclosure after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Kabiru Marafa, said both the president and himself had critically examined the matter and a strong commitment would be made to promptly resolve the matter. According to Marafa, delay in payment of the subsidies, which he said was inherited by the current government, was caused by technicalities bordering on forex differentials and attendant interest. Marafa also said bureaucracy surrounding computation of figures had further compounded

the matter adding that the oil marketers are not happy with the Ministry of Finance over its handling of the matter. “That is what I said, so we are now talking of technicalities, there is fuel in the country, in our seas, in our depots all across the country. But there are some technicalities now regarding payment of subsidies, forex differentials and interest, which this government inherited. “They are not a creation of this government. However, government is a continuum and when the president came in, he was confronted with it and he agreed and said, ‘fine, I have stopped subsidy but since there are claims, we will look into it and pay.’ “But now, the bureaucratic nature of the computations is what dragged up to this time and depot owners are not too happy with what the Ministry of Finance has done and maybe some other agencies. “So, we have been on it in the Senate and the House of Representatives for almost two weeks now. Finally, today, I have had quality time with the president and we have looked into the whole thing. “By next week, we will invite all the stakeholders. I believe we should be able to get to the root of the matter. “As for the depot owners, we are going to plead with them again to give more time, especially now

that we have discussed with the head of the executive arm of government. “So, I’m sure everything will be resolved in the next few days,” he added. Marafa also said the need for diligent handling of the matter had become imminent if

sabotage by some unscrupulous individuals who want to orchestrate fuel crisis, despite availability of fuel which can last for six months must be averted. He added, “There has been some disquiet in the industry regarding marketers’ payment

with Ministry of Finance, (Debt Management Office) DMO and the Central Bank, which we feel if not carefully handled, some enemies of the administration might bring about technical issues that could lead to queues on the line, especially as government has

provided enormous quantities of petroleum products across the country that can last the country up to six months through NNPC. “So, some people are not too happy about it and they want to sabotage the efforts of the government.”

END-OF-YEAR PARTY… Buhari Should Participate in L-R: Chairman, NOVA Merchant Bank Limited, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; and Managing Presidential Debate, CD Tells APC Director, NOVA Merchant Bank , Mr. Anya Duroha; during NOVA end-of-year party held at Ikoyi in Lagos...recentlyPhoto: Kunle Ogunfuyi Sowore, Ize-Iyamu kick over exclusion Kayode Fasua The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has lent its voice to the raging debate on whether President Muhammadu Buhari should participate in the presidential debate slated for January 19, 2019, or not. A pressure group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Internal Democracy Advocates (IDA), had at the weekend canvassed that the president should not be distracted by the rigours of a presidential debate, “when there are pressing state affairs to attend to.” In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Segun Olukoju, the IDA stated that “Nigeria’s political debate programmes have these days been reduced to undue battle grounds, and the president should be saved of such troubles.” But in its reaction, the CD said it was politically expedient and wise for Buhari to take part in the presidential debate, as a way of showcasing his programmes for another term. Speaking in an interview with THISDAY yesterday, the General Secretary of CD, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, said: “Those who are urging the president not to be physically present in the upcoming presidential debate are only trying to be holier than thou. “It is politically expedient and wise for him to come out and showcase his programmes for the people he wants to govern, as the people really want to hear from him. Since he is the one who is there to deliver his mandate

if he wins, it is only advisable that he should attend the event. However, Odili noted that Buhari is not constitutionally bound to attend the debate but that the event is an opportunity for him to sell his programme. “Beyond our advice that the president should attend the debate, if he likes, he should go, if not, he should stay back. Whether he goes to the presidential debate or not, the onus is on Nigerians to decide if the president deserves their votes,” Odili said. Meanwhile, outrage has greeted the exclusion of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Omoyele Sowore, and his counterpart in the Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Rev. David Esosa Ize-Iyamu, from the 2019 presidential debate being jointly organised by Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). Ize-Iyamu is the current National Leader of the 17-million member youth wing of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and founder of the Youth Revolution Movement (YRM), while Sowore is the publisher of online news service, Sahara Reporters. Calling for the inclusion of the two presidential contestants, the Youths Forum for David Ize-Iyamu, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, stated that “the two candidates, whose bold and courageous stand on some burning national issues have endeared them to many Nigerians, and who have been deliberately sidelined.”

Pay Attention to Only Issue-based Campaign, Editors Guild Charges Nigerians Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Guild of Editors has enjoined the media to pay more attention to politicians who campaign on issues and shun those who smear their opponents or embark on negative campaign. In a communique issued at the Standing Committee meeting of the group held in Bauchi yesterday, he Standing Committee discussed among

other issues, the forthcoming 2018 general election, decrying “the emerging trend of dwelling on inanities and calumny.” Recognising their pivotal role in the election process, the Guild advised journalists to abide by the Media Code on Election Coverage and ensure balanced reportage, fairness to all and display a high sense of professionalism especially during electioneering. In the same vein, the group

urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure it conducts free, fair and credible elections and remember that its loyalty is to Nigeria only and not to any political party. The Editor further decried the growing phenomenon of vote-buying and reminded electorate that it would not be in their interest to mortgage their future for immediate pecuniary gains. It also reminded politicians

that election is not a do-ordie affair as the survival of the country is of paramount importance to all. The Guild, however, appreciated the government and people of Bauchi State for hosting the last quarterly meeting of the Standing Committee for 2018 while commending it for the sustained infrastructural development it has embarked upon in the last three years.

Federal Lawmakers Move to Avert Workers’ Strike Legislative staff insist on planned action Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The National Assembly leadership has said it is making frantic efforts to avert the proposed industrial action by workers under the umbrella of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), which is likely to affect the 2019 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday. In a telephone chat with THISDAY on what the National Assembly is doing to avert the proposed strike, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Abdulrazak Namdas, said efforts are already ongoing to

prevent the planned strike scheduled today. “We will appeal to them. We have started reaching out to them. At least every one of them knows that we are following up their matter. We laid their report in the House. It was considered; we invited the Minister of Finance to see why money was not released to pay them their increment and the report is to be presented at the plenary on Tuesday. “So, if you block us from entering on Tuesday, how do we solve the problem? So, we will consult with them?” He queried. Namdas added that the lawmakers have been intervening in the matter and

are still committed to following through, regretting that should the strike go as planned; it will only complicate the matter. “What we are appealing for now is for the workers to continue to be very understanding. The budget is to be presented by Wednesday; we all know the possible implication on the entirety of Nigerians, if the document is not presented on that day. “Our appeal is that since we are still very much on the issue and engaging the critical stakeholders. The workers should reconsider their stand and let the engagement continue for a quick resolution,” he appealed. However, PASAN chairman,

Bature told THISDAY that the strike action will go on as proposed, saying no member of the National Assembly leadership had called to prevail on them not to proceed on the strike. “I have not been contacted by anybody as far as the leadership is concerned, so the strike will still continue tomorrow (today) as planned.” But he assured that unlike the December 4 picketing where they prevented lawmakers from accessing the legislative chambers, the lawmakers will have access to the chambers. He added that workers have already been mobilised to stay off duty between December 17 and 20.

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Senator Carpets Tinubu over Saraki Deji Elumoye in Abuja A member of the National Assembly, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, has chastised the leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over his recent utterances about members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Tinubu had at a public function attended by Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in Ibadan , the Oyo state capital, accused some Senators of political

prostitution in the build-up to the election of the 8th Senate President on June 7, 2015. The former governor of Lagos state had said “Senator Lawan would have led the most important arm of our government more effectively but the political prostitutes, robbers and their collaborators denied him of the Senate Presidency because of selfishness and self aggrandisement”. Reacting to the allegation, Senator Ibrahim (Kwara South) told THISDAY yesterday that such allegation

was unbecoming of an elder statesman like Tinubu. “With a little apology to Tinubu, it is unfortunate that such utterances were coming from an elder statesman like him.” According to him, Tinubu should seek caution in his public utterances “ because good leaders don’t talk down on people the way he does and should note that his being a leader today does not mean he will be leader forever”.

He added that there are leaders at various political levels “ and I can say with emphasis that our own leaders don’t talk to us the way Tinubu is talking”. Ibrahim who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Banks and other Financial Institutions, said he was neither a political prostitute nor a robber in the events that culminated in Senator Lawan losing the Senate Presidency to Dr. Bukola Saraki on June

7, 2015. He went further” I reject being called a political prostitute in totality and can also say this about my other APC Senators then because I knew no money exchanged hands but we voted based on our conviction”. Ibrahim said Tinubu was to blame for planning to impose a leadership on the Senate without carrying along APC Senators. He wondered why the former Lagos governor is still pained by what

transpired over three and half years ago. “You haunted and persecuted Dr Saraki since his emergence as Senate President and it took the ruling of the Supreme Court for him to be vindicated “So, when there was no sincere reconciliation, we left the APC for them. Now, Tinubu is now referring to an old issue forgetting that he and others caused the problem then,” the Senator added.

CUPP Urges Lawmakers to Boycott Buhari’s Budget Presentation Udora Orizu in Abuja The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has called on the opposition lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives to display the highest level of patriotism by staging a mass walkout on President Buhari during his scheduled budget presentation. This call to completely boycott the exercise as a show of resentment and condemnation of the the over three- year reign of Buhari was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the national spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere. He said the coalition holds the view that sitting down and listening to a man who has led several assaults on the institutions of Nigeria’s constitutional governance is tacit support for his many sins against the country. “A man who has refused to implement previous budgets passed since 2015 till date; a man who has committed gross misconduct and obstruction of justice by refusing to obey judgments of courts, including ECOWAS court; a man who disrespects and treats like tissue papers resolutions of parliament; a man whose IG of Police frames political opponents of the president; a man who promised to fix the economy and turned Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world; a man who commands security forces that have no respect for the lives of the citizens; a man who has failed to fight corruption squarely and fairly but rather protects the biggest looters of our nation’s

treasury under his watch; a man who has lost control of his government as alleged by his wife with two unidentified and unelected men running presidential powers under him,” Ugochinyere alleged. He said the call on the lawmakers to boycott the budget presentation was hinged on economic and political reasons, refusal by the president to substantially implement previous budgets from 2015 to 2018, which led to rise in poverty, waste and sufferings of Nigerians and brazen refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that will guarantee free and fair election, reduce rigging and avert bloody electoral contest. He listed other reasons to include infliction of poverty on Nigerians as a result of incompetent leadership, the sudden rise in insecurity and Boko Haram insurgency, refusal to sign Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which would have raised revenue for Nigerians and protected the Niger Delta people and their environment and refusal to attend the burial of the gallant Nigerian soldiers, killed in Metele, Borno State on the same day Service Chiefs left their duty post and were attending his campaign flag-off in Aso Rock. CUPP urged the lawmakers to ensure that they match the walkout staged by their colleagues in 2013 in St Kitts and Nevis budget boycott, the Pakistani budget presentation boycott of 2017 and the walkout on President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda by the lawmakers in 2018 over his growing acts of impunity.

Serving, Ex-Army Chiefs Bid Salisu Ibrahim Farewell Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, former service chiefs as well as serving ministers and other prominent Nigerians witnessed the burial of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Salisu Ibrahim, in Kaduna yesterday. The late army chief, who died December 10, 2018, after a brief illness, was buried with full military honours. The burial ceremony started with a special prayer held at Yahaya Road Central Mosque Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna, at about 1.00p.m. Thereafter, he was buried at the Commonwealth Military

Cemetery, Sir Kashim Ibrahim road, Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna. Others present at the burial ceremony were Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; former Chiefs of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. AJ Kazir (rtd) and Major General MC Ali (rtd); former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Gen. A.O Ogomudia (rtd) and General M L Agwai (rtd); the Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General A B Dambazau (rtd); senior military officers both serving and retired, as well as other eminent Nigerians. The late Ibrahim was Chief of Army Staff from August 1990 to September 1993.

HANDING OVER CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE…

L-R: Former governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John Udoedehe; governorship candidate of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in the state, Nsima Ekere; and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, when Udoedehe formally handed over his campaign structure to Ekere in Uyo...recently

Shehu Sani Condemns Govt Officials over Hate Speech The senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has condemned government officials involved in hate speeches. Sani said some people in government are raising concerns about hate speech while they pay some media users to attack and defame

others. In a Twitter post at the weekend, the senator, who did not mention names, said those people in government preach against hate speech and incitement yet keep an army of social media influencers on their payrolls to malign and defame other people.

“Some people in government are so disturbed and concerned about hate speeches and incitement on social media, while at the same time maintaining and paying an army of social media spins who are daily attacking, maligning and defaming others,” he tweeted.

The senator posted the tweet 24 hours after Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, threatened to sue Paul Enenche, senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), over alleged incitement. Sani and el-Rufai have been having a running attle.

TMG: Buhari’s Refusal to Sign Electoral Bill Bad Signal for Electoral Process Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has expressed concern over the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, describing it as a bad signal for the electoral process. The group in a statement issued by its Chairperson, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, stated that the ECOWAS protocol on which the Presidency hinges part of the decisions that forbids amendments to laws six months to an election must be properly situated and the context within which that provision was made properly articulated. It stressed that the amendment as it is, gives no candidate any advantage but rather it provides a levelplaying field to all the players

in the elections, adding that the argument of the ECOWAS protocol was therefore not tenable. The group said it had in the past raised concerns over the timeframe for the amendment of the Electoral Act and its likely implication to the 2019 elections According to her, “While TMG recognises this fundamental challenge, the reasons upon which the presidency is hinging its withholding of assent on is unattainable, as the journey to the version passed into law by the legislature is a product of extensive deliberation between the executive and legislature.” “This is capable of undermining the marginal gains towards achieving credibility in our electoral system,” she added. The TMG said it completely agrees that the country’s

elections must respect international standards and protocols for the conduct of elections. Akiyode-Afolabi stated, “The provision was made to deter sit-tight leaders in the region from making fundamental changes to their laws to hold onto power and gain unfair advantage in the electoral process, in this case there seems to be a general consensus and agreement of all stakeholders on the urgent necessity of the amendments to the Electoral Act.” “The Presidency rather is taking undue advantage of its political power to rescind ascent on an issue of utmost importance to the people without being mindful of the implication on the 2019 elections and the credibility of elections in Nigeria, “The amendments would have addressed some gaps in the present electoral act

that had negatively affected the credibility of Nigeria’s elections in the past and incorporated some of the recent innovations and developments in the system. “The current impasse further serves to cast doubts on the commitment of the government to credible free and fair elections in the country. Issues such as this have been the primary drivers of voter apathy in the country. Electoral democracy in the country must serve the democratic aspirations of Nigerians if we want to achieve a participatory and responsive democratic system in the country.” TMG therefore called on the president to reconsider his position, and assent to the bill and save the country the uncertainty that his actions might cast on the integrity and credibility of the 2019 general elections.

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FG Optimistic ASUU Strike Will End Soon Medical workers vow to resist privatisation of public hospitals Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has stated that talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have so far been fruitful, expressing optimism that the ongoing strike by the university teachers, which has paralysed academic activities in the universities nationwide will soon be called off. The government’s optimism, according to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, is predicated on the federal government’s consideration of some of ASUU’s demands, including the submission of the union’s list of outstanding payments, and the identification of some areas in the universities in need

of revitalisation as contained in the signed 2009 agreement. The minister said talks with the union have so far been productive and fruitful, adding that the federal government was optimistic that the strike would soon be called off to pave way for students to resume academic activities. He said: “There are areas that are still outstanding which we are going to address on the 17th. We have the issue of shortfall of salaries, that of some federal university workers. ASUU has given a list to the office of the Accountant General. “We agreed that by Wednesday that the list will be checked to find out really whether those universities were actually paid and they have to be visited and

paid the outstanding lecturers there. So, the Accountant General’s office is to come back to us. We have also the issue of Earned Academic Allowance and the issue of revitalisation. These are issues of 2009 agreement. We will look into the consideration and we have identified one area of the fund for revitalisation. “The federal government organs will be contacted and we do expect that we will have some words for ASUU. Same goes for the earned allowances. We will make sure that the issue of the outstanding amounts is handled in a way that all parties will be properly accommodated,” he said. Ngige revealed that during the talks, the quality of graduates from state-owned universities was brought to focus with a view to upgrading the standard

of education in order to meet with global standards. He said state owned universities are not producing graduates that can be employed as several are lacking in competitive skills. He said the federal government through the ministry of education will engage with the Nigeria Governors Forum and will chart a way forward. “We also discussed the issue of state universities and since education is on concurrent list, the universities should be properly funded and staffed, so that we do not produce half baked graduates from those universities. And towards realising that, the ministry of education will engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The minister of education is taking steps towards that direction and will organise that interaction.

“Engaging them directly and giving professional advice is what the ministry will do. These are some of the issues we discussed and to me; the discussions were fruitful. We want the children to go back to school,” he added. Meanwhile, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), has vowed to vehemently resist any attempt by the federal government to privatise public hospitals in the country. The union warned that privatisation of public hospitals is a threat to the survival of Nigerians in terms of health. The MHWUN President, Biobelemoye Josiah, handed down the warning while donating items worth about N2 million to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Durumi, a community in Abuja Municipal

Area Council. Insisting that it was the responsibility of the government to provide affordable healthcare services to the people, the MHWUN president said: “What we are saying is that public health institutions are institutions of public good. These are institutions that are meant to provide healthcare for the downtrodden, the poor and the vulnerable. “But there is a conspiracy by capitalists to ensure that they take these health facilities from the reach of the common man in the guise of privatisation. We are not against a private man using his own money to build a health facility, equip it and keep it for the affluent, especially those who have looted our country and have made it big.

VON DG Explains Why 2019 Polls Won’t Trigger Crisis Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has stated that the 2019 presidential election will be peaceful and less crisis-prone, contrary to the apprehension in some quarters. Speaking to a students’ group who came to express support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari, the VON DG said the two leading presidential candidates share a lot in common to discourage anybody from precipitating ethnic or religious crisis. For instance, Okechukwu, said that both President Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are both Muslims and of the same Fulani ethnic stock, adding that their campaigns cannot possibly throw up ethnic-based sentiment or tussle. Okechukwu who spoke against background of fears and predictions of a possible conflict during next year’s elections, noted that most of the negative indices that usually trigger crisis during elections in the country are absent. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to discountenance the predictions

that next year’s general elections might be violent, saying that a lot of indices point to the contrary. He said: “The two leading contenders, President Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are both Muslims and Fulanis. So, the issue of ethnic card is cancelled; the issue of religion is also cancelled. “In a society like ours, we feel that the possibility of crisis is now minimised. So, when you take the religious and ethnic issues out of the way, and the other issue is about their age and both of them are septunagenarians. Nobody can even talk about the young and old; so, three cards have been cancelled,” he said. While justifying his support for the re-election of President Buhari, Okechukwu said he has achieved a lot within a short period of time. “The battle is between President Muhammadu Buhari who frowns seriously against looting of public funds and those who cherish the local slogan, ‘Share the Money. Our common denominator is that Buhari is a man of uncommon integrity quotient. As a result, none of his challengers doubted his integrity quotient throughout his over five decades of public service career,” he said.

Again, Akwa Ibom Govt Raises the Alarm over APC’s Plot to Cause Confusion The Akwa Ibom State Government has raised the alarm that the recent invasion of the state House of Assembly was the beginning of an agenda by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to cause confusion and ultimately, postpone the gubernatorial election. The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was invaded in the early hours of November 27, 2018 by alleged thugs of APC dressed in military uniforms and under the protection of the Nigeria Police. The State commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, said in a statement that the action of the five former members of the House of Assembly who led the invasion was a poorly scripted comedy movie.

According to the commission, their action was also a sad reflection of their intellectual capacity as they decided to take laws into their hands with the help of the police instead of approaching a high court of law to seek redress. Udoh added that the 13 APC thugs dressed in military uniforms and armed with AK47 rifles were apprehended by law abiding citizens and handed over to the police. “But it is mind boggling that these hoodlums were set free without due process of investigations by the police. A few days before this, a section of the perimeter fence of the Assembly complex was pulled down in the dead of the night by people suspected to be APC thugs as a prelude to facilitating the invasion,” the statement said.

GRAND ENDORSEMENT...

L-R: Deputy Director General, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Independent Group (BOSICG), Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku; Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Eze H.N Ohazulike; APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat; Financial Secretary of Council of Ndieze Lagos, Eze Nwajei Ofurile Ikechukwu; and Eze Christian Nwachu, after the conferment of Ugo Chiunyere Eze Ndigbo title on Mr. Sanwo-Olu and his formal endorsement by Ndigbo in Lagos…yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

THISDAY Reporter, Eleke Wins 2018 Anambra Correspondents Award David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State correspondent of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. David-Chyddy Eleke, has been announced the winner of the 2018 Anambra Correspondents Award. The reporter was announced winner of the award by the Chairman of the panel of judges, Mr. Victor Agusiobo, a veteran journalist and former

editor of National Light Newspapers, owned by the Anambra State Government. While announcing the winner of the award, Agusiobo said: “We had very beautiful entries, all of which were well written and deeply investigated. “But the panel, after a cursory look at all the entries, considered a piece by DavidChyddy Eleke titled: ‘The

menace of erosion in Anambra’, which was published in THISDAY Newspaper, as the best entry because it has depth, and the subject matter was roundly exhausted, just as the piece was very well investigated.” The award was instituted by Chief Obini Onuchukwu, a former journalist and Deputy Registrar of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, for

correspondents of various media outfit in the country, practicing in the state, with a prize of a brand new high definition Hewlett Packard (HP) laptop and three months internet subscription. Onuchukwu said the gesture was to encourage journalists and create a culture of competitiveness and hard work among journalists in the state.

New Igbo Group Endorses Atiku Nseobong Okon-Ekong The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the weekend received a boost as a new front-line Igbo political organisation, Igbo Political Stakeholders Assembly, has thrown its weight behind it. Coming two months to the elections, the alliance comprises eminent personalities, including former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Senator Ben Obi, Dr. ABC Nwosu, S.N Okeke, wife of the PDP presidential candidate, Mrs. Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, and the wife of PDP vice presidential,

Mrs. Margaret Obi. The group’s Chairman, Chief S N Okeke, a one-time Chairman of the Police Service Commission in the Obasanjo presidency, stated that the group expressed confidence in the capacity of Atiku/Obi ticket to end mass poverty, grow well-paying jobs, diversify the Nigerian economy, and most importantly, restructure the country. The group further averred that “we find the Atiku policy document progressive in conception, compelling in vision and actionable given its specific details, timelines and implementation schedule.

“Apart from the wellarticulated policy document that has the capacity to radically transform the country’s economic and social landscape for the better. “We are impressed by the track record of Atiku and Obi as ‘broad-minded’ Nigerian patriots who will be fair and just to all irrespective of ethnic, regional, gender or class orientation.” While charging the PDP presidential candidates to regard its policy and programme on restructuring not as a mere campaign mantra but an article of faith and binding social contract with the Nigerian people which should be delivered in

a timely, well-structured and consensual fashion, the group declared that “it will deploy its considerable human and material resources, leverage on its extensive network of support across Igboland and the country, and partner like-minded patriotic women and community-based organisations to ensure the victory of the Atiku and Obi ticket in the 2019 presidential election.” Other leading members of the group are AVM C E Umenwaliri, Chief Sam Nkire, Chief Rex Onyeabor, General C R U Ihekire, Chief Coleman Uba, Prof Uka Ezenwe and other prominent figures.

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Jonathan, Mustapha Felicitate with Buhari NANS urges him to reshuffle cabinet Sunday Okobi Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, have poured encomium on President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 76th birthday. As the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also joined other Nigerians and the rest of the world to felicitate with President Buhari as he celebrates his 76th birthday, the association has urged the president to use the occasion to reshuffle his cabinet. In a goodwill message he personally signed, President Jonathan thanked God for blessing

President Buhari with the grace of a long life. Jonathan further noted that President Buhari has contributed so much to the development of Nigeria, having served the country in different capacities, and always giving his best whenever he is called upon to serve. According to him “Yours has been a life of great service to our dear country having served as a brave soldier, governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State and now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Jonathan, who further highlighted Buhari’s patriotism and deep commitment to Nigeria’s development, also prayed to God

to grant Buhari good health and more productive years. He said: “I join you, your family, well-wishers and fellow Nigerians to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of a long life. I wish you good health and more productive years as you continue to lend your skills and energy to the task of building a Nigeria of our dreams.” As President Buhari turns 76 years today, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has also poured encomium on him, saying he has matched his consistency with good vision. In a birthday message to the president, which was made

Dangote’s Mansur Ahmed Leads African Manufacturers The African Union Trade CommIssion has appointed the Executive Director of Dangote Group and Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Mansur Mohammed Ahmed, as the interim Chairman of the African Manufacturers Association. .This appointment was announced on the sidelines of the on-going Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo by Mr Muchanga, an AU Commissioner. The association becomes very necessary as the goals and aspirations of the African countries towards intra-African trade actualization must be fully and effectively implemented,

using the cooperation of individual country associations to horn its rules and regulations and to accomplish the demands of the continental trade agreements which is the forerunner of the entire African trade initiative. Ahmed and other appointees who are acting on an interim capacity have drawn terms for the effective take off of the association and believe that by November 2019 the association will be on stream to become the first trade association with full African Union backing by all African countries whose roles in the entire trade regulations and guidelines in Africa will

be very instructive. According to Ahmed, “within the next three months, we will engage all the trade associations across the continent to be able to put the framework necessary for the documentation and putting the structure in place .By November next year the platform will be in operation” The formation of an active and a credible association like this is believed to have been one of the rules of engagement of the ACFTA as a good percent of the goods to be traded must be manufactured in Africa and it is the duty of a credible association to verify and indicate when such rules are being flouted.

available to THISDAY yesterday, Mustapha said Buhari was as straight as ever, a gesture he described as the hallmark of a great leader. “You say what you will do. And you do exactly as you have said. You have matched your consistency with good vision. You have said that Nigeria, under your watch, will be great. Like the great leader you have always been, you are leading the charge from the front in spite of grave distractions and gang-ups. We, your followers, are proud to join you to build a united and prosperous Nigeria. “As you attain the 76th year landmark, we pray that your strength be renewed. When the job is done, posterity will know that you did your best for Nigeria the way only a true patriot could

have,” he explained. Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the president to use the occasion to reshuffle his cabinet. NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bestman Okereafor, stated this in a message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday. Okereafor said Buhari, who is also the Chairman of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), had displayed great commitment in repositioning Africa for growth and economic sustainability. According to him, “The national secretariat of NANS joins the World, ECOWAS and progressive minded Nigerians in wishing our beloved President

and ECOWAS Chairman, Buhari, a happy 76th birthday. “President Buhari, no doubt, has consistently displayed an unrivalled commitment to a better Africa and Nigeria. “Nigerian students both home and in Diaspora are sincerely praying that God upholds, strengthens and preserves our president. “We also pray that God helps you lead this country in the right direction of progress, peace and prosperity for all.” Okereafor, however, said NANS was also calling on Buhari to consider a cabinet reshuffle. “There is a need to bring on board young, fresh and capable hands into your cabinet to man critical and growing areas especially in some sectors of the country’s economy,’’ he added.

‘Frajend Motorcycle Not Indebted to Diamond Bank’ Frajend Motorcycle has faulted a publication posted online that the company is owing Diamond Bank the sum of N3 billion. According to the statement made available by the company, “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication alleging that FRAJEND MOTORCYCLE is indebted to Diamond Bank Plc to the tune of N3billion. “We need to state unequivocally that we are not owing Diamond Bank or any bank a dime. Diamond Bank has attested to this via its letter

dated December 1, 2015.” Frajend also stated that Diamond Bank had in a letter dated December 1, 2015 with caption “Re: Letter of NonIndebtedness-Frajend Investment Nig LTD (A/C NOs: 0001185354, 0001150736, 0001149983)” stated: “We refer to your letter on the subject dated November 27, 2015 and wish to confirm that the company is currently not indebted to Diamond Bank Plc as November 30, 2015.” The letter by Diamond Bank also added that, “please, note that

the information herein is given in the strictest confidence and is not intended to serve as a guarantee or undertaking from Diamond Bank Plc nor is it intended in any way to commit the bank or any of its officials”. But in the quest of some persons to tarnish the image of a reputable company like Frajend Motorcycle, went ahead to list Frajend Motorcycle among the companies owing Diamond Bank N3billion in the publication. “We are already taking steps against the online publication.”

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Police Beef up Security in Yuletides IG warns personnel to remain apolitical

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the implementation of robust and elaborate security

arrangement that would ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration as well as provide adequate security for all political parties in the on-going political rallies and

Ndigbo in Lagos Endorses Sanwo-Olu APC candidate honoured with ‘Ugo Chinyere Eze’ traditional title Mary Nnah The aspiration of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to govern the state got a major boost yesterday, with Igbo residents picking him as their sole candidate for the top seat. At an event held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Igbo residents gathered in their large numbers to pledge their endorsement of Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. The Eze Ndigbo of Lagos, Eze H.N. Ohazurike, also conferred Ugo Chinyere Eze title on Sanwo-Olu, which means the “greatest gift from God”. The event was attended by all Eze Ndigbo from all Local Government Areas in Lagos, each pledging to mobilise Igbo residents in their communities to work for the success of the APC candidate. Responding to the gesture, Sanwo-Olu described Igbo people as “critical stakeholders” in the Lagos project, promising to give Ndigbo a good representation in his government if elected. The APC candidate said the story of the commercial nerve-centre status, which Lagos attained many decades

ago would not be complete without the resilience of Igbo traders in the state, adding that the endorsement would be the beginning of a new mutually benefiting relationship between the government and Igbo community. Sanwo-Olu said: “I am expressing my profound appreciation to the Ndigbo community in Lagos for the traditional title bestowed on me, the Ugo Chinyere Eze. I thank you all from the depth of my heart for this honour and the endorsement you have just given me and my running mate. “We are starting another journey together in our effort to build a greater Lagos that will be prosperous for all residents. We will not discriminate against any ethnic groups in this journey. Every ethnic group represented in Lagos is a critical stakeholder and we will carry everyone along, as we have resolved to run an all-inclusive government. Just as you pronounced me to be gift from God, I promise to be a precious gift you will be proud of if elected as your governor.” Eze Ohazurike prayed for the APC candidate and his running mate, reassuring them that Igbo votes in Lagos would go for APC.

Fulani Group Backs Buhari for 2019 Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Fulani in Ekiti State under the aegis of Gan Allah Fulani Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has declared support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 presidential poll. The group said they are ready, and have put measures in place to end all forms of hostilities in the state. The Gan Fulani association said in a statement yesterday that “all necessary logistics have been put in place to make sure there’s peace between famers and herdsmen in the state,” saying the Fulani in the state believed “in the safety of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large.” GAFDAN, a Fulani sociocultural group, in the statement signed by its state Chairman, Alhaji Issa Adamu, said its members were for peaceful co-existence and overall socioeconomic development of the state and Nigeria. It added that the Fulani in Ekiti State are peaceful and go about their businesses without any form of hindrance to their hosts and the environment. They expressed the belief in the administration of

Governor Kayode Fayemi, and pledged their support for the administration “as it brings about overall development of the state.” They congratulated Fayemi and his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, saying: “We surely believe that the new government will better the lives of the Ekiti people. “The yearnings and aspirations of Ekiti people will come true under the leadership of Fayemi as his wealth of education and experience will make him perform credibly well. “His return is for the betterment of Ekiti people and the workers in the state. We are persuaded that he has what it takes to make Ekiti truly developed and transformed.” In the statement, GAFDAN also passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his administration has “performed credibly well.” The group called on Nigerians to vote for continuity of “the achievements of the Buhari administration between 2015 and 2018. Buhari is an experienced politician and retired army general who understands the aspiration of the average Nigerian.”

campaigns across the country. The arrangement which involves comprehensive crime prevention and detection strategies and other operational measures, includes the commencement of intensive raids of identified criminal hideouts, black spots and flash points across the country. The IG, according to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Jimoh Moshood, further directed state Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG) to be on ground to ensure adequate safety of lives and property of all Nigerians

during and after the period. “The IG has re-emphasised same directives to all Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) to ensure deployments of their personnel under the supervision of the state commissioners of police and the FCT to flash points and crisis spots in the various commands across the country,” part of the statement said. Moshood, while stating that personnel of the Force will be on a 24 hours surveillance and robust vehicular patrols throughout the festive periods,

assured Nigerians of adequate police protection of “places of worship and venues of celebration, including strategic public places, recreation centres, shopping malls, business plazas, motor parks, government installations and other important locations so as to forestall any criminal activity and guarantee the safety of the citizenry.” The statement, however, noted that personnel of the Force have been warned against mounting roadblock of any kind anywhere in the country, including those by revenue agencies who are prohibited by law not to obstruct any road or highway under the guise of

collecting revenue. Meanwhile, the IG has harped on the need for officers and men of the Force to remain neutral as politicians carry out nationwide campaigns for the 2019 general election. He also appealed to politicians to be law abiding, stressing that “the Force will not tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts and over dramatisation of political fans that can precipitate political clashes and jeopardise prevailing peace in any state from any political party or politician(s).”

SEARCHING FOR PEACE...

Presidential candidate of Independent Democrats, Hon. Edozie Madu (left), and Minister of Interior, Rtd Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, at the signing of the peace accord by all presidential candidates at the International Conference Centre Abuja ...recently

LG Vice Chairmen Call on State Assemblies to Approve Autonomy Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole inAbuja The need to ratify total autonomy for local government areas and ensure the welfare of vice chairmen would dominate discussions at the first conference of the Association of Local Government Chairmen scheduled to begin in Abuja tomorrow. According to the National Chairman of the association, Mr. Lawrence Onuchukwu, there is a need to lobby members of the state assemblies who are yet to approve the autonomy following the approval by the National

Assembly. Onuchukwu, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the association was set up principally to address the welfare of its members rather than compete with chairmen of local councils. He said the conference aims at finding solutions to some germane national issues with contributions from resource persons who are well known experts in different fields. Noting that only 12 out of the 36 state assemblies have

approved the bill on local government autonomy, he said the association would soon embark on intense lobbying with the state assemblies to see need in approving the recommendation as it will benefit the grassroots. According to him, “Since the National Assembly approved the autonomy for us, only 12 state assemblies have gone ahead to approve the bill as we speak. We are also appealing to the states that have not done so to expedite action on the passage of the constitutional amendment. Let me note that this is not about

the position of the governors but about the development of the country. When the LGAs are independent, the grassroots will be developed. We have to do this to deepen our democracy.” Debunking insinuations that the body could be at loggerheads with chairmen who should be their direct bosses, Onuchukwu said the constitution guarantees freedom of association to all members of the society and the local government vice chairmen should not be an exception, noting that the welfare of its members is paramount.

UAE Promises Boost for Osun Economy as Oyetola Meets Envoy The United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the weekend offered to partner Osun State to boost the state’s economy According to a statement by the state government, a deal is being worked out following a meeting in Abuja between Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Ambassador Fahad Al Taffaq. The envoy, who hosted the governor, promised to support the state’s dry sea port, its agriculture development plans and to explore “further ways to support the state in the short, medium and long term.” Al Taffaq promised to visit the state next month to assess its economic advantages, adding that “we want to see how we can add value to our peoples.” He invited Osun State to next

year’s Dubai Investment Forum, “which is biggest investment event in Dubai and attended by major investors worldwide.” The envoy said 30 businessmen from UAE would be visiting Nigeria and explained that the biggest business between Nigeria and UAE is in gold trade. He said the majority of gold in his country comes from Nigeria Governor Oyetola told the envoy that Osun has gold in abundance and looking to partner with investors to see that the gold deposit translates to the economic advantage of the state and its people. He also called for support in the area of agriculture because Osun State is an agrarian state. He told the envoy that the state “is a centre of commerce

with a lot of infrastructure where access to land by investors is unrestrained because of the Land Bank policy in place” Oyetola explained that no community would disturb an investor because the government warehouses portions of land for investment with the Land Bank policy. The governor said power is stable in the state especially in the capital city which has an average 16-hour daily supply, stressing also that the access to the rail can ensure easy transportation of goods from the state to Iddo Terminus in Lagos for export through the ports in Lagos. Oyetola also promised to work out special incentives for investors in the state. During his meeting with

Bangladeshi High Commissioner Mr. Md Shameen Ahsan, at the Osun State House (Awolowo House), Oyetola reiterated his readiness to receive investors into the state with full support and incentives awaiting them. The governor said: “We need countries that can facilitate our agriculture plan part of which is the establishment of farming settlements in each of the nine federal constituencies.” He added: “I see the great importance of technology in agriculture. We need support in this area.” Bangladesh is an agrarian country which exports food to many of its neighbouring countries. The envoy promised to follow up on the discussions.

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SERAP, EiE, BudgiT Challenge Buratai to Account for Security Spending Udora Orizu in Abuja Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Enough is Enough (EiE) and BudgIT have sent a joint Freedom of Information (FoI) request to Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.

General Tukur Buratai, requesting him to use his good offices and leadership position to urgently provide information on the 2015, 2016 and 2017 budget implementation reports of the Nigerian Army, including the amounts released (financial

US Govt Tasks Nigeria on Economic Diversification United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has said there is need to diversify Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy toward pursuing deeper growth and development. Symington made the remarks at the weekend at the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) annual dinner and inauguration of Oluwatoyin Akomolafe as NACCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th President in Lagos. Symington, in a statement by the Communication Manager, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Ebuka Ugochukwu, said Nigeria should reduce its dependence on crude oil. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us make the Nigerian brand what God has made it which is the green and white. There is need to diversify the economy in order to pursue development and a better future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The world is getting old while Africa and Nigeria is getting younger, because they are growing six times faster in the next three years, even faster than India or China. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The question about this growth being a blessing or a curse is dependent on us as a country,â&#x20AC;? he said. According to him, Nigeria has the opportunity to leverage the very best of U.S-Nigeria relationship, joined together by ties of blood, education, investment and other factors to unite it. The statement said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all have a secret opportunity to do well alone and to do good together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is a land of the free and the home of the brave. Changing the world, and making it a better place is a task left for us all to do.â&#x20AC;? Also, a former Chairman of Nestle Foods Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said Nigeria has to unearth the golden opportunities for economic growth and development with agriculture and ICT which he said are viable alternatives to crude oil export. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most African countries are boosting their agriculture sector in order to increase their benefits from African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and Nigeria should not be an exception. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lack of a supportive environment for agriculture in Africa in terms of infrastructure and high quality tools account for the reason why the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural products are not competitive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;African governments should invest more to support their local and agricultural industries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;US also has a role to play in eliminating or reducing subsidies for American farmers and also making efforts to diversify its investments in Africa in ways that supports the continent agriculture sector rather than strictly focusing on the oil sector,â&#x20AC;? he said. In his remark, the Chairman

of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, said the bilateral trade between Nigeria and the US which stands at $9.2 billion in 2017 was achieved through concerted efforts from critical stakeholders who were promoting trade and investment between both countries.

implications) and expended in fiscal years aforementioned for the various operations the army carried out. The groups, in a joint statement, also urged Buratai to furnish them with the amounts released and expended in fiscal years mentioned above for Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Safe Haven, Operation Python Dance, Operation Ruwan Wuta, Operation Delta Safe, Operation Mesa, Operation Harbin Kunama, Operation Awatse, Operation Tsera Teku and Operation Crocodile Smile. In the FoI request sent last week and signed by Bamisope Adeyanju of SERAP, Seun Akinyemi of EiE and Atiku Samuel of BudgIT, the groups said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transparency of the budget process and its implementation is

an essential condition to achieve good governance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reports, if provided and published, will shed light on military spending and put to rest once and for all the perceived lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of military budgets, which has been a subject of intense public debate and concern. The information being requested does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, would serve the national interest, public welfare, public interest and peace, human rights, good governance, transparency and accountability.â&#x20AC;?

The groups stated that if the requested information was not provided within 14 days of the receipt and publication of the letter, the organisations shall take all appropriate legal action under the FoI Act to compel Buratai to comply with their request. According to them, several billions of naira allocated to the military to defend the country and protect its people have neither contributed to improving the ability of Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram and other armed groups nor provided the much-needed security especially for Nigerians in the Northeast of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By virtue of Section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, we are entitled as of right to request for or gain

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access to information, including information on 2015, 2016 and 2017 budget implementation reports of the Nigerian Army, and the amounts released (financial implications) and expended in fiscal years aforementioned for the various operations listed, which have yielded no tangible result. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, by virtue of Section 4(a) of the FOI Act, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or agency to whom the application is directed is under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within seven days after the application is received,â&#x20AC;? the groups demanded.

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Dogara: Atiku Has Capacity to Grow Our Economy Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has called on Nigerians to liberate themselves from the shackles of the present leadership which he said is characterised by failure to make things work by voting massively for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who has a proven record of success in whatever endeavour he ventures into. Speaking at the wedding reception of his nephew, Hassan Ishaya Hassan, and Mafeng in Abuja with the PDP presidential candidate in attendance, Dogara said facts and figures have revealed that the man is the right candidate that can uplift Nigeria from the present state of decay that it has been plunged into because of bad leadership, having consistently broken limits in his enterprises.

The Speaker said: “If you look at Wazirin Adamawa (Atiku) as a leader in this country, and if you were to make summation of the people he has grown across Nigeria, you will labour for days, for months without getting the right number the people. “The secret is that whatever you put in his hands doesn’t die. If you put education in his hands, it graduates to a university. One of the best universities in this country was founded by him. “If you put money in his hands, it doesn’t die. Those who are envious because of the fact that anything they hold in their hands die will always insinuate many things about him but hardly does anything you put in his hands die. “So if we are smart in this country, we have so many things that are dying, and as smart as we are as Nigerians, we will look for the person in whose hands nothing dies to bring all those things into life. I

can tell you that if you put the economy in his hands, forget about it, you will see what will happen. If you give him the meagre resources we are getting from oil, he will multiply them. Although this is not a venue for political campaign, I am telling us that we’ve got to be smart this time around.

“If you have a tooth problem, you do not go to a shoemaker, you go to a dentist. Nigeria has a lot of problems, and we have to go to that person who by training and wisdom has the required dexterity to fix it, and you will not find anyone better in the field than the Wazirin Adamawa.

“So if you take Nigeria, her economy and lack of jobs among others and put them in the hands of people who will kill it, then you have yourself to blame. God has shown us a man who has done exceptionally well, a man who has grown so many people, a man who will grow Nigeria, grow our

economy and take us out of poverty.” While admonishing the couple, Atiku who drew from his over 40 years of experience in marriage, prayed that the Mr. and Mrs. Hassan Ishaya Hassan would have an enduring marriage, bear fruits and live to see their great children.

2019: VP Debate Shows Atiku, Obi Not Prepared for Presidency, Says Bamidele Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Ekiti State, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared that the inability of the Peoples Democratic Party vice presidential candidate, Dr. Peter Obi, to espouse the policy thrust of the PDP-led government packaged differently to offer credible solutions to crises bedeviling the country at the recently help debate signaled that the opposition is not prepared for presidency in 2019. Bamidele said it sounded unfathomable and disappointing that the PDP that had come with the mantra to banish poverty allegedly brought by the President Muhammadu Buhariled government could not use the debate to convince Nigerians that it has special solutions to the problems confronting the country. He said the submission and projection on how to strengthen the country by the former Anambra State Governor, Obi, in pivotal areas of education, security, economy, agriculture and infrastructure sectors didn’t show that Nigerians would get a better deal than they are getting now if his principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar wins the poll. The debate held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and moderated by a renowned broadcaster, Imoni Amarere, last Friday was organised for selected vice presidential candidates of political parties by Channels Television. The former House of Representatives member lauded Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for being forthright by telling Nigerians areas where the present administration has not been able to make tremendous impact on Nigerians, describing this as a rare trait by any African leader. In a statement issued from Atlanta, United States of America and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Bamidele urged Nigerians to avoid the mistake of electing leaders who would come to experiment with the collective destiny of the citizens, saying allowing Buhari and Osinbajo to consolidate on the democratic dividends being dished out would be a better

option. He said PDP as a political party with quests to wrest power from an incumbent would have been practical to tell Nigerians what it has to do differently to resolve whatever mistake the Buhari’s government has made. Bamidele said all the policy thrust reeled out by the PDP vice presidential candidate that would be the hallmark of Atiku/Obi presidency were almost similar to what Nigerians are enjoying under the present government. “The VP debate was an eye opener to Nigerians that Atiku/Obi joint ticket would be a trial-by-error government, which Nigerians can’t afford to entertain this time. “Obi’s submission that the PDP government will provide jobs for the youth population through commercial agriculture was not different from what Buhari has been doing. Within the last three and half years, Buhari’s presidency has raised over 10,000 youth commercial farmers across the country. “In the area of security, Obi promised that they would reinvigorate the Nigeria army to be able to combat the problem of insurgency in the Northeast when it was obvious that Buhari/ Osinbajo–led government has invested in the security sector more than any government ever. “For the 2018 alone, the sum of $1billion was earmarked to buy equipment for the army and this accounted for the tremendous successes being achieved in the fight against Boko Haram. “The PDP also promised to give social security to poor Nigerians, when it was clear that over five million Nigerians are presently enjoying social security under the APC-led government in the fashion of N-power, Youth in commercial agriculture and Tradermoni scheme; these are aside from the free meal programme initiative of Buhari that had shored up enrolment in schools. “In the transport system, Obi said all the major commercial hubs of Nigeria like Lagos, Onitsha, Aba, Kano, Kaduna and Maiduguri will be connected, when the present government had inaugurated the Kaduna-Abuja rail line and had done creditably well in connecting

THANKSGIVING SERVICE...

L-R: Church’s Public Relations Officer, Aramide Tola Noibi; Synod Secretary, Diocese of Lagos, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Very Rev. John Olanrewaju Solubi; newly installed Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi; his wife, Olufunmilayo; Conference Education Board Secretary, Very Rev. David Oyebade; and Senior Society Steward, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo Lagos, Mr. Yemi Adegbayibi, at the Church’s 2018 family re-union Harvest Thanksgiving Service at the Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos…recently

2019: INEC Tasks Celebrities on Voter Education, Non-violent Polls The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called on Nigerian celebrities to utilise their platforms to promote voter education, youth inclusion and non-violent participation in the 2019 elections. Yakubu made the call at an INEC Interactive Session/Dinner with INEC Youth Ambassadors/ Celebrities held in Lagos at the weekend. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the interaction was put together by INEC in collaboration with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES). The chairman, who was represented by the National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that youths are central in the electoral process. “INEC, in line with its electoral policies, prioritises the participation of disadvantaged groups, including the youth in electoral process. “The commission has overtime developed electoral cycle-based interventions and

creative innovations on electoral issues affecting the youths. “In 2014, the commission in collaboration with youth organisations conceptualised the idea of identifying from the entertainment industry, the media and outstanding youths influencers, while commissioning them as voter education youth ambassadors. “We want you to utilise your platforms for disseminating voter education and non-violent messages to citizens. “He recalled that some young celebrities were unveiled in 2015 as INEC Youth Ambassadors at an INEC Youth Summit held in Abuja with specific responsibility to engage citizens on peaceful participation,” he said. Preparatory to the 2019 elections, INEC with support of European Union and ECES and Youth Initiative Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) embarked on a Campus Outreach. According to the INEC boss, the ambassadors were prominent individuals who had distinguished themselves in the field of entertainment, arts, sports, democratic development and literature. He added that the

ambassadors were selected based on profile and fellowship, reputation, credibility nonpartisanship and commitment to volunteerism. Yakubu said the commission wanted increased participation of youth, women and persons with disability in order to boost citizens’ trust and confidence in electoral process. Earlier, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, said the interaction was aimed at sharing ideas on how to promote youths participation, calling for voter education and publicity Okoosi-Simbine said the interaction was organised in a bid to upscale citizens’ mobilisation and outreach in order to deepen democracy. She disclosed that the ambassadors are role models in mobilising youths for positive participation and campaign for violence free elections. Also Speaking, a musician, and newly-inaugurated new ambassador, Korede Bello, commended the commission for its strides to bridge voters education, urging the youths to come out to vote. A presenter and new ambassador, Gimba Umar,

decried the possession of PVCs by foreigners, vote buying and other illegal electoral activities. In his goodwill message, Mr Rudolf Elbing, ECES Project Coordinator, said the country needed free and fair elections in 2019. Elbing, who was represented by Mr. Dominic Weerts, said the youths are the future of Africa and democracy, hence the need to collaborate with INEC to deliver credible and peaceful elections. The ambassadors, who included singers, comedians, actors, actresses, journalists were: Innocent Idibia (2Baba), Ime Okon (Bishop), Michael Ifeanyichukwu, Ijeoma Okoye, Ibrahim Adra, Alex Ibe, Ali Muhammed and Gideon Okeke. Others are: Helen Paul, Adam Zango, Seun Okinbaloye, Frank Edwards and Akintayo Faniran. Some of the new ambassadors/celebrities included: Bright Okpacha, Ayo Makun, Uti Nwachukwu, Korede Bello, Ebuka ObiUchendu, Chidinma Emile, Jude Abaga, Yakubu Mohammed, Cabhams Asuquo, Gimba Umar, Aituaje Wake among others.

Al-Makura: Nasarawa Expended N2bn on Gratuity, Pension Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa State has said his administration has expended over N2 billion on servicing of pensions and gratuities of retired civil servants in the state since his assumption of office in 2011. The governor stated this yesterday in Lafia when he spoke to journalists, explaining that the N2 billion was used to clear the backlog of monies

owed retirees from the Paris Club refund. He continued that local government pensioners have also been paid their entitlements despite the meagre resources accruing to the state from the federation account. However, the governor revealed that the difficulty of the state government in meeting its obligations as regards to state government workers was due to the enormity of the funds needed to service the salary

wage bill in the state. But he assured workers of his administration’s commitment towards the plight of retirees in the state, even as he added that retirees’ welfare remained his utmost priority as senior citizens who have contributed their quota to the development of the state. Al-Makura said: “We have paid over N2 billion in servicing gratuities and pensions, and as regards the state government workers’ emoluments, we are

alive to our responsibilities but constrained by the minimum wage structure the state has adopted and the meagre resources accruing to the state from the federation account. “As regards the unfortunate incident involving the manhandling on two journalists by some security agents in the state recently, I have directed full investigation, and the matter will not be taken lightly with whoever is found culpable.”

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APC Member Urges Court to Disqualify Dapo Abiodun over Certificate Scandal A lawyer, Abdulrrafiu Baruwa, has filed a suit seeking the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, from the 2019 general election. In a suit filed at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, Baruwa, also a member of APC, asked the court to disqualify Abiodun from the race over “false information” contained in the academic qualification he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The lawyer also urged the court to declare that Abiodun’s refusal to disclose all his educational qualifications as demanded by INEC in FORM CF 001 amounts to false information. He also wants to court to declare that APC is not at liberty to apply double standards in clearing or disqualifying persons aspiring for elective offices. He also seeks a proper construction of the Forms CF 001 filled and Abiodun submitted to INEC for the 2015 senatorial election and 2019 governorship election. The plaintiff also urged the

court to disqualify Abiodun as candidate of the APC having regard to the false information contained in his Form CF 001 submitted to INEC. He wants the court to declare Jimi Lawal, the aspirant with the second highest votes in the APC primary as the candidate of the APC in the governorship poll. Abiodun, according to TheCable, was alleged to have declared only his West African School Certificate (1978) in the Form CF001 submitted to INEC on October 23, 2018. However, when he ran as the APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East in 2015, he claimed to have attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (graduating in 1986) and Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, US (1989) in his INEC form CF001, backed by an affidavit he swore to at the high court, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Abiodun’s decision not to include the two degrees in the form CF001 submitted for the 2019 election fuelled suspicion that he did not undergo the compulsory National Youth Service – which is punishable under the law – even though he finished his first degree in 1986.

Three Million Out-ofSchool Children in Kano Worrisome, Says Group Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A group under the aegis of Kano Youth Organisation in Abuja (KAYOAB), has expressed worry over the three million out-of-school children in Kano State alone, and called on the state government to set up a committee to investigate the real causes of the problem and bring recommendations on ways of tackling the challenge. The group in a statement issued yesterday by its Public Relations Officer, Alhassan Bala,

also stressed the need for the state government to urgently provide more teachers and end the shortfall of infrastructure in over 8,280 government schools. According to the group, “It is easy for the government to bring the statistics out, but it is also very important to know the cause, and also ways to solve it. This can only happen when government sets up an independent committee that will undertake a forensic investigation on the matter, with a view to nipping the menace in the bud.”

Ajagu: Nigeria’s Leadership Question Sacrosanct Emmanuel Otaru The President, Governing Council, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES), Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, has said that, “the leadership question in our nation today is most sacrosanct and this should be of immense concern to us all as we go into the 2019 election”. Ajagu gave this admonition recently at the AES Excellence Club’s 9th annual CEO’s Dinner/Awards Nite 2018, themed, “Good Corporate Governance: Pathway to Building a Virile Nation”. According to AJagu, “as we approach the 2019 general elections and given the near frenzy attitude of the citizenry to this forthcoming election, we appeal for a re-direction of everyone - the electorate, civil society and in particular the electoral office seekers, on the need for a rancour free, fair and transparent election”. “We give glory to God for enabling us to witness the last quarter of this year in spite of the very many challenges confronting us as a nation. I am however optimistic that 2019 and the years ahead will

be brighter for us all in the mighty name of God”. He equally appreciated the guests who came, “to identify with us in our undying quest for a prosperous, just and egalitarian society, where everyone can fully express their potentials maximally”. On her part, the chairman AES Excellence Club, Dr. Nike Akande, said the club within its short span of existence has performed creditably. “I am delighted to report that the AES and AES Excellence Club are irrevocably committed to the growth of entrepreneurship and economic development of our nation and will stop at nothing to partner with government, the private sector and public spirited individuals towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges that confront us as a nation. Never forget that Nigeria is all we have and we must do all within our powers to salvage it”, she said. Also at the occasion, chairman of the dinner/ awards nite, Prof. Godwin Onu, said the theme chosen for this year’s event was apt and timely.

Baruwa said he knows that the APC candidate graduated from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) before 30 but neither participated in the

mandatory national youth service nor obtained any exemption certificate. Abiodun was born on May 29, 1960 and was 26 in 1986 when he claimed to have

finished his first degree. The age limit for national service is 30. The lawyer said Abiodun, who had earlier swore an oath on his university qualification, cannot

be permitted in law to willfully conceal his qualifications for the sole purpose of evading the consequences of such educational qualifications.

TESTING NEW PRODUCT…

Honorary Consul of Finland in Lagos, Dr. Kinsley A. Akinroye; Honorary Consul of Finland in Lagos, Nigeria, Mr. Paavo Salminen; Senior Vice President of Valio Limited, Finland, Ms. Suvi Laakso; Second Secretary, Embassy of Finland, Abuja, Dr. Isaac Amos; Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Thompson & Grace Pharmaceuticals Limited, Exclusive Representatives of Valio Limited in Nigeria, Mrs. Uduak Amos, and Trade Commissioner of Finland to West Africa, Mr. Olu Raheem, ready to test the lactose-free Valio powdered milk produced in Finland and unveiled in Lagos... recently

Police, Others Set for Launch of Edo Security Trust Fund All is set for the launch of the Edo State Security Architecture and Security Trust Fund scheduled for today in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, who spoke to journalists at the venue of the launch, said the committee set up by the governor to organise the event, has assured of a hitch-free launch, with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and representatives of other security agencies confirming

their attendance. “You can see some of the vehicles that will be unveiled tomorrow, Monday, at the launch. Edo people have been waiting for this creative response to crime fighting and the initiative is ready for unveiling,” he said. The governor’s aide explained that the initiative is a mix of measures that will deploy proactive strategy such as intelligence gathering and processing as well as reactive operations that will be activated when distress calls

are received from victims of crimes, amongst others. Recall that Civil society, the clergy, traditional leaders threw their weight behind the security architecture/ Security Trust Fund during Governor Obaseki’s stakeholders’ mobilisation and engagement. A statement by Nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Concerned Citizens of Edo, signed by its convener, Mr. Ogbeiwi Aghedo, said that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State has shown to

be people-oriented and the new security architecture is the latest of the governor’s innovative style of governance. According to him, “The state government has shown to be very creative and it is worth commending. We know that the state enjoys the status as one of the most peaceful in the Niger Delta region, even though there have been a few disturbances. We are confident that with the new security architecture, the state will be one of the best policed and most secure in Nigeria.

Open Our Villages Before You Go, Tiv People Task Al-Makura Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia The Tiv people of Nasarawa State have tasked Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to open all their existing villages before he hands over to his successor by 2019. The president of the state chapter of Mdzough U Tiv, a socio-cultural organisation of the Tiv nation, Mr. Benard Kyeghna, gave Al-Makura the task on the occasion of the inauguration of pioneer

officials of the group in the state yesterday in Lafia, the state capital. He said: “I pray that the state governor will also create chiefdoms for the Tiv people and reactivate the already existing village areas which have been closed down for just no reason before he hands over to his successor.” He continued that with the advent of Mzough U Tiv in Nasarawa State, it has finally buried the existence

of Kparev, Ihyarev, Nongov and Masev which gave birth to Tiv as a nation. According to him, “I wish to draw the attention of the public to the bare fact that Mzough U Tiv is a sociocultural group which is devoid of political affiliation. We intend to strengthen a symbiotic relationship between the Tiv people and other ethnic groups in the state.” Kyeghna concluded that

the group would serve as a strong agent that could help the government of the state in preaching peace among the Tiv people. Pioneer officials of the Tiv nation’s socio-cultural group in Nasarawa State inaugurated by the President General of the group worldwide, Mr. Edward Ujege, included Bernard Kyeghna; president, Peter Akosu; Secretary, Peter Ahemba; youth leader, among others.

12 SOLDIERS KILLED, DOZENS MISSING IN BATTLE WITH INSURGENTS “We are pleased with the federal government’s achievements in the insurgency war and in that vein, state governors have approved that the sum of $1 billion be taken from the excess crude account by the federal government to fight insurgency to its conclusion. “The money will cover the whole array of needs which include purchase of equipment, training for military personnel and logistics,” Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, told reporters after a meeting of national economic council. Meanwhile, a group, Society

for Good Governance (SGG), at the weekend accused the federal and state governments of playing politics with such important matter which has led to the death of soldiers and innocent civilians. A statement issued in Abuja and signed by the National Coordinator and Secretary of the group, Mohammed Bunu and Chuks Ebube respectively, said the mystery surrounding the $1billion fund for the military had become an embarrassment to the country. “The non-release of the $1billion approved by the

NGF through the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is a serious national embarrassment. “Have we lost all conscience in this country? Those keeping this money, can’t they see the carnage in the Northeast, the killing of our soldiers and innocent civilians? “We are asking the federal government or any tier of government still holding onto the fund to as a matter of urgent national importance release this fund and stop this deception and disdain for human lives.

“Our position is that if this fund is not released immediately to our military to tackle this this insurgency challenge, we will assume that the money has been diverted for the purposes of prosecuting the 2019 elections. “We will, therefore, be left with no other option than to seek legal redress to compel government to release it,” the group said. Earlier findings by THISDAY at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance on the location of the fund did not elicit any positive response.

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

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Kenya’s Gor Mahia Dims Lobi Stars in Nairobi Nigeria’s quest for a place in the money spinning CAF Champions League group stage suffered a momentary setback yesterday at the Kasarani International Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya following Lobi Stars’ 3-1 loss to Gor Mahia in the first round first leg qualifying stage. The Nigerian representatives conceded early in the match and final score now puts Nigeria on the brink of another elimination for the second consecutive season after Plateau United exited at same stage last season. Lobi started on a front foot and looks determined to score first but the tide changed as early as the 7th minute when Rwandan international, Jacques Tuyisenge, fired a volley that beats the Nigerian goalie to the wrong side of the sticks. In the 24th minute, Sammy Onyango doubled the lead for the Kenyan champions after a defensive blunder. Credit however goes

to Lobi Stars goalkeeper who made some brilliant saves later to give Lobi a respectable result going into the second leg at home. However, Samad Kadiri pulled one back in the 30th minute but David Tyavkase restored the host’s two-goal lead with the third goal shortly before the half time. Efforts by the Nigerian team to reduce the tally failed as the host defence line kept the ambitious Lobi stars front at bay till the final whistle. The Nigerian team will now need at least an outright 2-0 win in the return leg next weekend to progress in this competition. Lobi Coach, Solomon Ogbeide, admitted his team was as “wasteful” as in the previous round against UMS de Loum of Cameroon. Earlier Saturday, Enugu Rangers played out an impressive goalless outing against USM Bel Abbes of Algeria in the first leg, first round of the CAF

Confederation Cup. The match provided very few chances for Rangers as their Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu was the hero preventing USM Bel Abbes from scoring

on several occasions. According to reports from Algeria, Rangers had some scoring opportunities to score but lacked cutting edge in the final kick. Rangers led by

Gbenga Ogunbote will welcome USM Bel Abbes for the second leg on Sunday, December 23 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. The Flying Antelopes have already stated that

they aim to win the CAF Confederation Cup and surpass the achievements of Enyimba FC who lost in the semifinal to eventual winner, Raja Casablanca of Morocco last season.

Team Delta successfully defended their National Sports Festival title at the 19th edition that ended yesterday in Abuja

Edo to Host 2020 National Sports Festival as Delta Wins Our Dakkada Philosophy is Working, Says A’Ibom Govt 19th Edition Okon Bassey in Uyo on Marketing and Brand DAKKADA spirit empowered celebrated by Nigeria today Duro Ikhazuagbe

Defending champions of the National Sports Festival, Delta State made good its promise to win the 19th edition which ended yesterday in Abuja with a total haul of 352 medals. It is Delta’s sixth NSF title. A breakdown of the silverware won by the ‘Big Heart’ state showed the runaway champions harvest 163 gold, 88 silver and 101 bronze medals to retain the title it won in the last edition in Lagos in 2012. The closest state to Delta on the medals table was Rivers State who hosted and won the 2011 edition in Port Harcourt. Rivers won 69 gold, 58 silver and 67 bronze medals while the next host of the festival in Benin in 2020, Edo State picked 47 gold, 41 silver and 53 bronze medal

to place third in the standing. Delta repeated its winning streak at Bauch 2000, Abuja 2004, Gateway 2006, Kada 2009 and Eko 2012 to remain the leading sports inclined state in the country. The state is reaping its heavy investment is sports infrastructure and human capacity development. Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, FCT, Kano, Oyo and Ondo occupied the top 10 spot of the 19th edition of the festival hosted by the FCT after six years of wait. Cross River State was awarded the right to host the 19th edition but failed to put its facilities in order to meet the expectations of the National Council on Sports. FCT stepped in as last minute hosts with a budget of over N1.5billion approved by the Presidency for the festival.

STATES Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 Delta 163 88 101 352 2 Rivers 69 58 67 194 3 Edo 47 41 53 141 4 Lagos 36 37 73 146 5 Bayelsa 32 56 48 136 6 A/Ibom 32 26 34 92 7 FCT 21 9 24 54 8 Kano 18 27 24 69 9 Oyo 16 35 44 95 10 Ondo 15 9 23 47 11 Abia 9 6 29 44 12 Ogun 7 15 41 63 13 Osun 7 8 20 35 14 Plateau 6 18 28 52 15 Bauchi 6 12 9 27 16 Anambra 5 11 13 29 17 C/River 5 9 7 21 18 Imo 5 3 13 21 19 Kebbi 5 3 4 12

STATES Gold Silver Bronze Total 20 Kaduna 4 7 8 19 21 Niger 4 6 6 16 22 Kogi 2 2 8 12 23 Kwara 1 6 5 12 24 Nasarawa 1 5 8 14 25 Jigawa 1 3 1 5 26 Benue 1 2 7 10 27 Yobe 1 2 6 9 28 Enugu 1 2 2 5 29 Gombe 0 4 7 11 30 Borno 0 2 5 7 31 Ekiti 0 2 4 6 32 Zamfara 0 1 1 2 33 Adamawa 0 1 0 1 34 Sokoto 0 0 5 5 35 Taraba 0 0 4 4 36 Ebonyi 0 0 0 0 37 Katsina 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 520 516 732 1768

Akwa Ibom State Government has said that its Dakkada (Rise) philosophy launched in the state about two years ago has started manifesting as a 14- year old daughter of the state, Miss Imaobong Nse won a gold medal in the women’s 400 meters race at the National Sports Festival which ended in Abuja yesterday. Miss Nse who finished the women’s quarter mile race in 52:35 seconds to win the gold is a senior secondary school (SS2) student in the state. She defeated some more experienced national athletes, some twice her age. Nse was showered with gifts and cash, making her an instant sports celebrity in the country. Speaking in Uyo yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel

Management, Sam Edoho, said “more gratifying is also the news that Nse is not just an Akwa Ibom daughter, but one of those ‘not too privileged’ girls. He said Miss Nse who takes advantage of government free, compulsory but quality education and the accompanying programmes for her personal acceleration, saying as a teenager she was discovered at the second edition of the Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival. “Nse is an example of that girl and boy that Governor Emmanuel came to inspire, to rise above his or her gender, economic and religious biases and environmental barriers to the fate of greatness. “Her success cannot be attributed to any other factor than the expression of a

through the School Sports Festival initiated by Governor Emmanuel,” he noted. Edoho noted that at the launch of the Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival, an annual Inter school sports competition initiated by present state administration for all secondary school in the state, the Governor had said that the programme will provide a platform for discovery of talents who would become emerging stars in international sports arena. “Less than three years, the vision has become reality. It is even safe to say that without the introduction of the DAKKADA philosophy, the sports festival and building of ultra modern sports facilities across the state for trainings, the likes of Imaobong Nse,

would have been wasting in one rural community with no inspiration nor platform to express her talent. “The DAKKADA inspired exploits are not limited to sports, in the last two years so many Akwa Ibom sons and daughters have been in the news for the right reasons. Recently, a 19-year old Akwa Ibom son from Awa, in Onna Local Government Area, Master David Umoette made history flying the American Air force plane. “Nse and her colleagues who won 21 gold medals for the state at the sports festival in Abuja have automatically been listed in the hall of fame as DAKKADA Ambassadors and products of Governor Emmanuel’s wise investments in sports development.” Edoho concluded.

O’Trafford Set to Host PSA Satellite Squash Tourney All is now set for the maiden edition of the globally sanctioned O’Trafford PSA National Satellite Squash Tournament billed for between December 19 and 22 at the O’Trafford Squash Club, inside the 81 Division Army Officers Mess in Marina, Lagos. At a press briefing to herald the tournament on Friday in Lagos, Chairman of O’Trafford Squash Club, Remi Adeseun said the tournament will provide a platform for players to reach out for international exposure and upgrade their career status.

“This is the first ever PSA Closed Satellite squash tournament to be organized by this club. There have been other squash competitions in the country, but it has been mainly for the prize money but in O Trafford we decided to use this tournament as a means for Nigerian squash players to gather enough points to get PSA rankings and compete outside the country,” Adeseun said. He also noted that the club is putting up plans to develop the game of squash from the

grassroots level with a focus on secondary schools, starting from Lagos Island. Speaking also at the press conference, President of the Nigeria Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde commended O’Trafford Squash Club for putting up the PSA satellite tournament, which is in line with the vision of the NSF to revive the game and make it more vibrant in Nigeria. “Part of the problem we have in revitalizing our squash was lack of tournaments for the senior category, that is why we can’t say thank you

enough to O’Trafford Squash Club. This will be the third tournament we will be having this year after the rankings for the senior category in October 2017,” Oyerinde said. According to O’Trafford Squash Club captain, Biyi Mabadeje, a total of 48 male players and 27 female players have registered for the tournament including two gold medallists from the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja. The tournament’s male champion will pocket $1,000 US dollars while the women’s title will get $500 US dollars.

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Qatar Unveils Spectacular Designs for World Cup 2022

Southampton’s Jan Bednarek (left) dashing away from Alex Iwobi of Arsenal during their English Premiership clash yesterday

PREMIERSHIP

Saints Grab Late Winner to End Arsenal’s Unbeaten Run Charlie Austin’s 85th-minute header clinched 3-2 victory for Southampton Manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl, on his home debut and ended Arsenal’s 22-match unbeaten run. In a see-sawing encounter, the hosts took the lead after 20 minutes as Danny Ings muscled home a header from Matt Targett’s cross. Henrikh Mkhitaryan nodded in shortly after for Arsenal, following good work by Alex Iwobi and Nacho Monreal - but Ings struck again just before the break.

Nathan Redmond’s floated cross was precise and Ings cushioned a looping effort into the far corner. Arsenal turned the screw in the second half and restored parity as Mkhitaryan’s shot deflected in off Jannik Vestergaard. The Gunners had their chances with Alex McCarthy impressing in the home goal, but Southampton were dangerous on the break and Shane Long had a goal rightly ruled offside before providing a teasing cross for Austin’s winner. The victory takes Southampton

out of the relegation zone and up to 17th. At the final whistle, Austrian Hasenhuttl - nicknamed the ‘Klopp of the Alps’ during his spell at previous club RB Leipzig - celebrated on the pitch with his players before whipping up more decibels from the home support. With rivals Chelsea winning away at Brighton, Arsenal are now three points adrift of the top four. Earlier in the week, Hasenhuttl had sent free drinks vouchers

to Southampton’s season ticketholders to mark his first game at St Mary’s. His accompanying letter promised an “intensive and very hard-working” environment and his players responded by trumping Arsenal’s quality with industry and tenacity. Ings, whose last headed Premier League goal was for Liverpool in Brendan Rodgers’ final match in charge back in October 2015, looked a potent aerial threat, finding space in between Arsenal’s three-man defence to score his two goals.

Chelsea Holds on to Beat Brighton Chelsea Manager, Maurizio Sarri, has promised there is more to come from Eden Hazard, after the Belgium forward masterminded Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Brighton at the Amex Stadium yesterday. Hazard scored one goal and assisted another as Chelsea, who started without a striker, held on to beat the Seagulls. The 27-year-old set up the Blues’ opener with a wonderful pass across the face of goal for the arriving Pedro to tap in on 17 minutes. Willian then pounced on a loose pass from Leon Balogun

and played in Hazard, who ran from just over the halfway line, outpacing the Brighton defence before slotting past Mat Ryan. It was his eighth league goal of the season, breaking an eightgame scoring drought, and he has nine assists - the most in Europe’s top five leagues. “I think that Hazard could have played better because his level is a very high level,” said Sarri. “He can do more for him and for us. “But I think after the two injuries, he lost the physical condition. Now he’s improving.

In one or two matches he’ll be back at the top.” Brighton, who welcomed back Glenn Murray to the starting XI after a shoulder injury, barely threatened in the first hour. But they improved following Murray’s substitution for Romanian striker Florin Andone and pulled a goal back in the 66th minute. Bernardo headed a cross back across goal and Solly March was unopposed as he hooked his shot past Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Seagulls fans felt Marcos

Alonso should have been sent off as last man after fouling March late on, but the Spaniard was only shown a yellow card. Chelsea withstood the hosts’ late attacks to record their first win in three away matches and stay in fourth in the Premier League, two points behind Tottenham. Brighton remains in 13th place. Chelsea only have one fit striker in Olivier Giroud after Alvaro Morata suffered a knee injury in midweek, but they chose to keep the Frenchman on the bench.

R-L: Vice Chairman, O’TRAFFORD Squash Club, Taye Ige; Chairman, Remi Adeseun; President, Nigeria Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde; and Club Captain; Biyi Mabadeje at a press conference in Lagos for the maiden edition of the PSA National Closed Satellite Squash Tournament billed for between December 19 and 22, 2018

Qatar has unveiled the design of the stadium that will host the opening game as well as the final match of the 2022 World Cup. According to FIFA, the Lusail Stadium will be the biggest of the eight arenas designated for the World Cup 2022. It is proposed to host 80,000 people. Its design is also perhaps the most spectacular. The stadium is to be located 15 km north of Doha. With its golden bowl structure and apertures shaped like ‘fanar ’ lanterns, the stadium celebrates the Middle East’s ancient tradition of craftsmanship. “It has now been eight years since we won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we told the world to expect amazing. With this stunning design of our showpiece stadium, I am proud today to once again be delivering on that promise,” said HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Al Thawadi, in making the remarks, was underlining that the stadium is situated at the heart of a whole new city. “Lusail is a city for the future, and once the World

Cup is over it will – like each of our other seven stadiums – form a crucial part of the legacy of the tournament as it transforms to become the heart of a brand new community.” “I am delighted to see Qatar ’s continued commitment to excellence in the spectacular Lusail Stadium,” added FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. “Qatar ’s stadiums are among the most eye-catching ever seen and the venue planned for the final is absolutely gorgeous. I particularly enjoy the fact that Middle East culture is reflected in Lusail’s and several other designs and look forward to seeing football fans from all over world discover the culture and history of this region.” According to the SC, infrastructure works at Lusail Stadium are progressing in all areas, with internal works having commenced in the west stand. The construction of the stadium is scheduled to be completed in 2020. In 2017, Khalifa International Stadium became the first proposed venue to be ready, while two more stadiums are scheduled to be completed early next year – Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium – in Al Khor.

Winners Emerge in Maiden Lagos All Sail Boat Race The maiden Lagos All Sail Boat Race has produced its first set of winners. In what will go down as one of the country’s most keenly contested water racing championships in recent times, contestants coloured Lagos Lagoon with exciting and neverto- beforgotten performances in three categories of rowing, jeskying and boat racing. The event kicked off at the BICS Jetty venue of the Championship in Lekki, Lagos on Friday with a horde of skilled rowers from the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, Abuja taking to the waters to compete. In the end, the duo of Benjamin Kunumen and John Fasim from Bauchi State emerged the winners, posting a time of 9.56seconds to clinch the Harbour award for contestants in the traditional rowing on canoe category. But by far the most prestigious prize of the daythe King of the Sea award would go to the Lagos State Waterways Agency (LASWA) crew which beat all other contestants to clinch top place in the speed boat racing category. The boat named Quantum of Solace of the James Bond fame, breasted the tape to finish as the Queen of the Sea.

Youthful Sunday Adeboye who thrilled the crowd with his skill and dexterity on the jesky (wave runner) carted home the Prince of the Sea prize after beating three other contestants in a keenly contested race. Speaking at the end of the event, initiator of the championship, Maleek Shehu, praised the contestants for their courage and athleticism, saying they symbolised the essence of the race itself. “We salute the courage, skill, competitiveness and athleticism of the participants because they symbolize the essence of this event,” he said “We are glad that we have, in our own small way added value to water sports in the country, as well awakening a new consciousness to the many untapped potentials of the huge body of water Lagos is blessed with. “We are therefore committed to sustaining this noble objective as we look forward to a bigger and more exciting event for next year,” he added. Sailing Federation, Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd) was on hand to present trophies and medals to winners while popular TV presenter and talk show host, Frank Edoho, was the event’s compere.

Monday, December 17, 2018

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MISSILE Atiku to Buhari

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to learn from French President Emmanuel Macron, who, on March 28, 2018, took a whole day off to attend the funeral of Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame, who was killed by a terrorist after a March 24, 2018 terror attack on the South of France.” –The presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. scolding President Muhammadu Buhari for his absence at the burial of 19 soldiers, who were killed by Boko Haram recently

FEMIADESINA GUEST COLUMNIST

Buhari at 76: Why We Love This President

“T

hat’s him, that’s him,” the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age, exclaimed. You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And as if on cue, they both began to cry. It was in Bauchi earlier this year. President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him, perhaps for the first time in their lives. And so great was their satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry. That is the kind of emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when they behold their president, the honest man (mai gaskiya), the man of integrity, man of accountability, one who’s word you can take to the bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return. Don’t misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this sentiment. Not possible. There are those who are passionately opposed to the president. They are a very vocal minority, who abhor his integrity, hate his sense of accountability, and even want him dead. But we are not talking about those who Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called “opposite people.” On this day of his 76th birthday, we are talking of the teeming masses who love Buhari, and who can go to the ends of the earth for him. Why do they love Buhari? Or better still, why do we love Buhari? The old, the young, men, women, boy, girl, the strong, the infirm. Why do we love the tall man from Daura? For many reasons. I have said it before, and say it again. It will take awhile before Nigeria will see another political leader with such ability to pull an unsolicited and uninduced crowd like Muhammadu Buhari. Anywhere he goes, he doesn’t have to procure the crowd. They turn out in their numbers to see and hear him. They will trek from Africa to China, walk from Cape Town to Cairo, all to see, hear and cheer the man they love. Why? Many reasons. He is an honest man. My father, that stern educationist, who ran the home and the schools he administered with an iron hand, used to tell us: “Honesty is the best policy.” That was true over 50 years ago when he drummed it into our ears, and it is still true today. And will remain true tomorrow, and forever. That is why we love Buhari. He is an honest man, who will tell the truth to his own hurt. At a recent meeting with governors, while discussing the seemingly knotty issue of minimum wage, the president told them to level with him. He said he knew that general elections were by the corner, “but I don’t like to lie to anybody. I will still like to tell Nigerians the truth, and nothing but the truth, as to what we can truly afford to pay.” Consultations are still ongoing. Some people will give you fibs, just because they want to hoodwink you, and get your votes. They will announce that they’ve increased the salaries of fictitious workers, even when truly they are owing

Buhari

many of their employees. But not President Buhari. Nothing for him is a matter of life and death. Truth is the best thing in a man’s keeping. Make yourself an honest man, and there is one rascal less in the world. That is why we love the man. Accountability. I will never forget a promise Buhari made to the crowd at a campaign rally in Lagos in 2011, when he ran with Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly. Two honest men. “Every kobo that comes into the treasury will be used for the good of Nigerians.” That’s the accountable man, who would not dip his hands into the treasury for private gains, who will not line his pocket at the expense of the people. That is why we love him. Just over a week ago, I met a man who was an accountant at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), when the then Gen. Buhari was chairman. Executive Chairman, who could do anything he wanted, since the place was awash with billions of petrol

See all the positions he has held in this country. Governor of Northeast, then made up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him

money. “I told him his salary would be N200,000 monthly,” the man recounted. “He said it was too much, since he still drew pension from public coffers as a retired General and former head of state. I don’t know how he calculated it, but he said he would rather be paid N84,000 monthly. And that was what he earned.” Yet some people say don’t follow this honest man. Till he has one tooth left in his mouth, and is bent double over his walking stick, we will, no matter what they say. Honesty is still the best policy. Today, tomorrow, and forever. See all the positions he has held in this country. Governor of North-east, then made up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him. In the early days of this administration, when oil prices had crashed to as low as 39 dollars per barrel (from as high as 115 in preceding years, stabilising at over $100 for a long time, yet we had no savings, no reserves), it was usually a spectacle to see the president and the then Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, seated and apportioning funds for the week. Depending on what was in the coffers, they prioritised spending, just like traders with low capital base. Nigeria had been run into a hole. No reserve for the rainy day, and we were being badly beaten by the rain. Yet salaries must be paid as at when due. At least 27 states could not meet their obligations, till President Buhari gave them a lifeline. And then, one day, a counsel was given at a meeting: “This is the time to ideally cut the strength of the federal civil service by at least half, as we may not be able to carry the load for long.” It made a lot of fiscal sense. But to the president, it was nonsense. “If it lies within my powers, I will ensure that no single person loses his or her job. Yes, it may be the right thing to do, looking at the state of our finances, but I won’t do it,” President Buhari said. And you say we shouldn’t love this president? We will love him till Africa and China meet. A confederacy has arrayed itself against the honest man. A crooked confederacy. Anybody that is anybody in the pantheon of questionable character is there. Are Nigerians fools? After their eyes have been opened, will they willfully afflict themselves with blindness again? Not on their lives! The country will never go back to the slave market. Not after we have known prudence, experienced accountability, and we are inching out of the morass in which we were soused and marooned. For more than five decades, mere lip service was paid to diversification of the economy. But we remained a mono-product country. Oil. So, whenever the price of oil crashed in the international market, we simply crashed with it. Now gradually, and inexorably, we are on the road to a diversified economy. Wonders are being done in agriculture. Mining is flexing muscles. Manufacturing is showing prospects. All

in less than four years. What of infrastructure? The sum of N2.7 trillion spent in two years. The roads are roaring to life. The rail is snaking in. Power is powering back. Wonders are being unfolded in different parts of the country. And we shouldn’t love this president? We will, no matter what the naysayers say. Hear pensioners rejoice: This is the best administration we’ve had since the advent of Contributory Pension Scheme 14 years ago. Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State spoke at a meeting of governors with the president last Friday. He said since the creation of the state, this was the first time pensioners were being paid, adding that pension liabilities have been cleared by about 40%. Just because there is a president that cares. Former Nigeria Airways workers. Railway workers. Former Biafran policemen. And many others, have had their pensions paid. And we shouldn’t love the ‘birthday man?’ They should tell it to the marines. When you have a heart for men, it is God himself that keeps you alive. We have seen a practical demonstration in President Buhari. From the brink of death early 2017, there is now an unmistakable glow in him, evidence of good health from the inside. It is God at work. No wonder wicked people came with the idiocy of Jubril of Sudan. Otiose. Hollow. Products of addled minds. That was why we ignored them, till the President himself responded to a question from Nigerians in Poland two weeks ago. And you know what? Our love for this President is at no cost. No charge. Whether we work for him, and for him, or we don’t, the real cost of our love is no charge. Do you know that classic song, No Charge, made popular by Shirley Caesar and Sonia Spence? It told the story of a small boy who decided to charge his mum for all that he considered favours he had done her. “For mowing the yard, five dollars And for making my own room this week, one dollar For going to the store, 50 cents And playing with little brother while you went shopping, 25 cents Taking out the trash, one dollar And for getting a good report card, five dollars For raking the yard, two dollars Total owed, fourteen seventy-five The woman looked at her son, standing there expectantly. Then she collected the paper from him, and wrote on it: “For the nine months I carried you, Growing inside me, no charge For the nights I sat up with you Doctored you, prayed for you, no charge For the time and tears, and the cost through the years, no charge When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is no charge.” For millions upon millions of Nigerians who love this President, it is an unconditional love. The full cost of our love is no charge. Happy birthday, Mr President. r "EFTJOB JT 4QFDJBM "EWJTFS UP 1SFTJEFOU #VIBSJ PO .FEJB BOE 1VCMJDJUZ

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