WEDNESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2019

FG Bows to Pressure over Minimum Wage Sends implementation bill to N’Assembly by January 23 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday bowed to pressure by organised labour, promising

to send a bill on the N30,000 new national minimum wage to the National Assembly on or before January 23.

Addressing journalists in

Abuja on the outcome of a meeting with the leadership of the organised labour, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige,

said the government would religiously implement all the processes that will enable it transmit the bill within the stipulated time.

He said the report on the new minimum wage would be taken to all statutory meetings of the Federal Executive Council (FEC),

National Economic Council and the National Council of State before a final decision Continued on page 8

UN: Nigeria Lost $2.8bn to Oil-related Crimes in 2018... Page 10 Wednesday 9 January, 2019 Vol 23. No 8666. Price: N250

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Atiku Has No Direction, Says Tinubu PDP: Your fairy-tale about your candidate obsolete Chiemelie Ezeobi, Gboyega Akinsanmi, Segun James, Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Co-Chair of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Bola Tinubu, has stated that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has no direction,

therefore, distinct from the presidential candidate of the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari, who, he said, is “a straight and honest man.”

But the PDP responded swiftly, saying Buhari’s claim to integrity is a fair-tale that belonged to the past.

This is coming as the inaugural campaign of APC in Lagos State yesterday turned violent with many sustaining Continued on page 8

Report: Nigeria’s Presidential Election Too Close to Call APC, PDP dismiss comments as hatchet job

Obinna Chima With less than 40 days to Nigeria’s presidential election, a report has predicted a very close or inconclusive poll.

The 28-page report titled: “Top Risks 2019,” by the Eurasia Group, was obtained

by THISDAY yesterday.

The New York-based organisation pointed out that the country faces its most fiercely contested election since

the transition to democracy in 1999.

It described the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari as an elderly, infirm leader, “who lacks the energy, creativity, or political savvy to move the needle on Nigeria’s most intractable problems.”

It explained, “Buhari is the frontrunner. A second term for him would mean Continued on page 10

INEC Insists VPS Meant to Aid Abuja Voters ... Page 8

THE HEAT IS ON...

President of the Senate and National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Bukola Saraki, addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters during the inauguration of Kwara State PDP Campaign for the general election in Bode Sadu, headquarters of Moro LGA… yesterday

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INEC Insists VPS Meant to Aid Abuja Voters Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday revealed that the springing up of new settlements, as well as population growth in the nation's capital prompted the introduction of Voting Point Settlements (VPS).

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at a regular consultative meeting with media executives, revealing that the creation of VPS was to ensure that voters are given pleasant experience on Election Day without having

to trek for kilometres to a Polling Unit (PU).

According to him, “Each time I drive round Abuja and seeing new settlements emerging, the question that comes to my mind is how do we serve these people on Election Day, without having to travel long distance? “There are statistics that if I mention them you will all be shocked. Take Gwarinpa for example; Gwarinpa in Abuja is the biggest estate in Africa. Do you know that there are only four Polling Units in Gwarinpa? So, if all registered voters in Gwarinpa are going to vote

in four polling units, how many days will it take for proceedings to finish vote?�

Yakubu said that was one of the reasons why the last commission tried to create additional polling units, which became a big issue over distribution of these polling units.

He stated, “But we had to respond to the needs of Nigerians by giving them pleasant voting experience on Election Day. That is why the commission came up with the idea of voting points in close proximity to main polling units.

He explained, “So that

where you have over 500 registered voters in a particular polling unit, you create a voting point attached to the main polling unit. And so a number of these voting points were created because of new settlements as a pilot in Abuja. That didn’t change the number of polling units. “When we did the stakeholders' meeting for FCT alone, this was discussed and agreed.

The political parties even deployed party agents to these VPS but there is no way we can extend this nationwide at the moment.

So, Voting Point Settlements

are only in Abuja.�

Also, INEC National Commissioner, Prof.

Okechukwu Ibeano, said continuous accreditation and voting do not have anything to do with the unsigned Electoral Act Amendment Bill

by President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that the voting procedure has already been provided for in the existing Electoral Act. He noted, “There was an amendment to the Electoral Act in 2015, the Amended Section 52 of the Act by creating a new Sub-section 2. That Sub-section 2 is clear, that

the procedure for election shall be as determined by the commission, and the commission has determined.�

Ibeano insisted that the electoral body was willing to electronically transmit results, but added that the present law has already provided for how transmission should be done, which is manual. “We need a law to override the law. For you to change it to electronic, you have to deal with the existing one and that is why we are looking for a legal backing to be able to do that, otherwise we would be infringing the existing law,� he said.

not be allowed to return to power and "return to the days where they rule the nation like overlords,� adding that APC’s campaign council would not let Buhari down "because doing so would also let down the nation."

He rallied members of the campaign council with Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, as DirectorGeneral, for the task ahead.

the culture of the Yoruba, which holds that when a child is given the errand of a slave, he delivers it like a freeborn.�

Ologbondiyan said that at this critical time, when majority of Nigerians expect true democrats, which Tinubu had always claimed allegiance, to come together and rescue the nation from the absurdity of governance that the APC and the Buhari Presidency represent, it is unfortunate that the APC leader chose to be tied to the aprons of anti-democratic interests.

He said, “Tinubu ought to be found in the class of respected senior citizens who are decorous, speak statesmanlike and not resorting to the gutters whenever he speaks in public. “In politics, family ties and bonds as well as relationships are greater and stronger than political interests and it is the expectation of our campaign organisation that Tinubu should understand this. “It is, therefore, strange, if not ridiculous, that the Asiwaju of Lagos State can be dancing around an anti-people government at this time. “Our advice to Tinubu is that he should be watchful ahead of his 2023 wishful presidency interests because those he is dining with today, have demonstrated in time past, that they can always use and dump him.

“Tinubu should know that among the ranks of presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar stands out as that candidate Nigerians trust and believe in as their next President, come May 29, 2019.�

Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Tafa Sego, Musiliu Akinsanya and Azeez Lawal after they crowded the stage set for Fuji star, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1).

Subsequently, the supporters of MC Oluomo were said to have fired gunshots to announce their presence at the venue of the campaign, thereby culminating in the eruption of violence on the stage, which later spread to other parts of the venue.

Investigations showed that MC Oluomo was pushed from the stage and stabbed by some hoodlums who were said to be loyal to other factions of the NURTW in the state.

He was later taken away from the scene.

As a result of the violence, the Lagos State Police Command declared one Mustapha Adekunle aka Sego, wanted for attempting to disrupt the APC rally.

The police also said they were able to arrest two persons so far in connection with the fracas.

While debunking claims that two people died in the rally, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, told THISDAY that the casualties of the fracas actually survived and are recuperating in the hospital.

He said: "Nobody died in the crisis because the police immediately contained it. If people say there are dead bodies, they should provide them. We have two injured persons and not corpses."

ATIKU HAS NO DIRECTION, SAYS TINUBU injuries as two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed.

Tinubu also assured the president that the party’s campaign council has accepted the assignment given to it by him and would not let him down.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, entitled, "We Accept President Buhari's Assignment," Tinubu said the characters of Buhari and Atiku are distinct.

According to him, “Buhari is a straight and honest man.

Leave a naira on the table with Buhari in the room.

You will find the naira on the table when you return.�

Tinubu argued that when Buhari says ‘yes’ or ‘no’ everyone knows where he stands. “He means what he says, no more, no less. With Atiku things are more nuanced.

When Atiku speaks, he may mean ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘may be,’ I don’t know,’ ‘come back tomorrow,’ ‘all the above,’ or ‘none of the above.’ His compass has four needles pointing in different directions at the same time. He knows of no direction to take. President Buhari’s word is his bond.

When Atiku speaks, it is to give you the slip,� he explained.

The APC national leader said the country could not afford a president whose ways and mind is a maze of contradicting urges and

colliding desires, stressing that this shows he has no vision for the country and no guiding principles except the naked pursuit of power for the naked use of that power.

Tinubu added that Atiku had his chance to shine as vice president when he controlled the privatisation programme of the Obasanjo government.

He accused the former vice president of abusing this assignment and helping to squander billions of dollars on power generation that did nothing.

He said, "That government had so much money at its disposal and that is exactly what it did. It disposed of the money yet failed to treat the poor or build for the future. Atiku laid waste to the national treasury for eight long years. That is enough for one lifetime.

We should not reward him by giving him another eight years because the more he feeds, the stronger his hunger grows.

"His is a thirst that can’t be quenched and a hand that cannot be restrained from taking whatever is on the table. As the PDP candidate, he is now the leader of an avaricious horde that seeks to re-attach its mandible once again to the public wealth and forever lay siege to our nation’s future. Nigerians would do well not to pay them any attention.�

Tinubu said the PDP should

PDP: Your Fairy-tale About Your Candidate Obsolete But the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation cautioned Tinubu, over his derogatory remarks against its party's presidential candidate.

The main opposition party said the APC national leader ought to be found in the class of respected senior citizens who are decorous; speak statesmanlike and not resorting to the “gutters� whenever he speaks in public.

The Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday said that it was also imperative to know that the fairy-tales of integrity, which he weaved around Buhari in 2015, has waned and become obsolete.

According to him, “The PPCO wants, Tinubu, as the Asiwaju of Lagos State, to know that he has the responsibility of tutoring the younger generation on

FG BOWS TO PRESSURE OVER MINIMUM WAGE would be made.

"We have a target time of January 23, 2018 and we hope that all things being equal, government will be able to do so. We will take all statutory meetings of the Federal Executive Council, National Economic Council and the National Council of State meetings to enable us transmit the bill on the new national minimum wage," he said.

Ngige thanked the labour unions for their understanding and appealed to them to stand down their threats on protests and industrial action.

On his part, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said he would brief all the labour organs and give them all the details contained in the Memorandum of Understanding.

"We have finally been able to reach a clear understanding on the processes and timeline for this bill to be transmitted.

We are committed to the process and hope that the

timeline will be respected.

We will put this across to our organs and give them all the details contained in the Memorandum of understanding," he said.

Wabba further said that the leadership of the labour movement would insist on a firm commitment so that government will not renege on its promise.

He said, "We want the agreement to be documented and signed by government representatives. With that, we can follow up on the process.

This thing has been on the table for more than two years and having submitted the report, we expect that the bill should have been submitted.

"The National Assembly will be back on January 16 from their recess, so on or before January 23, the bill must have been transmitted. We know that the National Assembly is desirous of making sure that workers in Nigeria have decent wage, they will also be able to do the needful. We will shift our lobby to the

National Assembly because once the bill is enacted, the money will be in the pocket of the workers." he said.

The organised labour had earlier yesterday in Abuja, urged the president to immediately transmit the new National Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly.

Addressing the workers' rally yesterday at the entrance gate of the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, Wabba also stated that Nigerian workers could not afford three meals daily.

The National Executive Council of NLC had threatened to embark on a nationwide protest yesterday if the federal government failed to send the Tripartite Committee Report on N30,000 Minimum Wage to National Assembly.

The organised labour gave the ultimatum following the president’s statement that a “high powered technical committee,� would be set up to device ways to ensure that its implementation did

not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing.

Wabba said the protest rally served as a warning to the federal government before a nationwide strike if government continued to delay the transmission of the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly.

According to him, workers welfare and wellbeing must be paramount, saying that was why they insisted the rally must take place across the length and breadth of the country.

He said, “Today in every government house in Nigeria, the protest is taking place, and here we are in the office of the Minister of the FCT. “We want to say that workers are very central to economic development and very central to the prosperity of any country and therefore we cannot be described as the tiny minority. “Workers are very productive, we built the Nigerian economy, we fought for democracy, rule of law

Violence Mars APC Campaign in Lagos Meanwhile, the inaugural campaign of APC in Lagos State yesterday turned violent with many people sustaining injuries as two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed.

The violence broke out between the supporters of NURTW Chairman, Oshodi Branch, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo) and that of his Lagos Island counterpart, Alhaji Azeez Lawal (a.k.a Kunle Poly) at the campaign held at Sky Power Ground, Ikeja GRA. The crisis erupted shortly after the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, mounted the podium to deliver his speech in which he urged 6.5 million voters of the state to massively vote for Buhari and the APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. THISDAY findings revealed that disagreement first ensued in the rank of the executive members of the NURTW, including the state’s and good governance and there is no way we can be described as tiny minority, as we service the entire country. “So workers must be able to take care of their families, send their children to school, but today, workers are not able to feed three times a day or send their children to school. “Because minimum wage of N18,000 is no longer realistic to take care of workers’ needs.’’ Wabba said N30,000 was agreed on, adding that Nigerian economy is capable of sustaining the new minimum wage.

He said, “We are here to submit our letter of protest and demand like our states councils are doing in their various states right now, to the FCT Minister for onward transmission to Mr. President. “We want to call on Mr. President for the onward transmission of the bill to the National Assembly as the protest rally served as a warning before a nationwide strike.’’

Continued on page 10

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UN: Nigeria Lost $2.8bn to Oil-related Crimes in 2018 President has enormous powers in PIGB, analysts insist Ejiofor Alike and Chineme Okafor in Abuja with agency reports A new report released in New York by the United Nations Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has revealed that Nigeria lost an estimated $2.8 billion in revenues in 2018, mainly due to crude oil-related crimes.

This is coming as Analysts at Agusto & Co, a credit rating and research company, have said that despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which the National Assembly passed in 2018, the reform bill still gave a lot of powers or influence to the President of Nigeria.

The UN report, which covered from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, said “Maritime crime and piracy off the coast of West Africa continued to pose a threat to peace, security and development in the region. “Oil-related crimes resulted in the loss of nearly 2.8 billion dollars in revenues last year in Nigeria, according to government figures. “Between January 1 and November 23, there were 82 reported incidents of maritime

crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.’’ The report also noted that compared to the situation reflected in the previous report, there was an increase in drug trafficking throughout West Africa and the Sahel. “In Benin, the Gambia and Nigeria, more than 50 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized between July and October by joint airport interdiction task forces. “During the same period, joint airport interdiction task forces seized more than six kilogrammes of methamphetamines, eight kilogramme of heroin (double the amount in the first half of 2018) and 2.6 tonnes of cannabis. “Drug production across the region was also reportedly on the rise, with more than 100 kilogrammes of ephedrine and phenacetin seized by competent authorities,’’ the report said.

During the reporting period, it said that conflicts between farmers and herders resulted in loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and property, population displacements and human rights violations and abuses.

The report said outbreaks of violence were recorded in many states across Nigeria, although with more frequency

Meanwhile, analysts at Agusto & Co - a credit rating and research company, have said that despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which the National Assembly passed in 2018, the PIGB still gives a lot of powers or influence to the President of Nigeria.

In a report on the operations of Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry in 2018, the analysts said they were worried that the PIGB Buhari turned down on constitutional and legal grounds still allowed the Nigerian president unchallenged powers.

According to the analysts, the president has powers to suspend or remove any member of the board of the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which will replace the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) without the approval of the National Assembly.

They also argued that the omission of the tenure of office of Managing Directors and Executive Directors for both the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company (NPAMC) and the National Petroleum Company (NPC) - two new entities to be created under the PIGB, was

worrisome, and requested that these be rectified in a review of the bill.

The analysts stated they were confident the other parts of larger Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which border on fiscal, administrative and host community issues would be revisited after the general elections, adding that despite Buhari’s dissing of the PIGB, its eventual enactment was expected.

The report stated that: “After so many failed attempts at passing a comprehensive PIB, the National Assembly decided to split the original bill into several parts to aid easier passage. The National Assembly passed the first leg of the PIB, known as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) in the first quarter of 2018. The PIGB is intended to create, amongst other things, efficient and effective governing institutions with unambiguous and separate roles as well as provide the requisite framework for the establishment of commerciallyoriented and profit-driven entities for the Industry.

We believe the other parts of the bill which border on fiscal, administrative and host community issues will be passed after the conclusion of the 2019 general elections.�

hide their head in shame,�

Keyamo said.

In his response, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, was equally ruthless in his put down of the report, thrashing it as one of the antics of the APC to discredit Atiku.

He waved aside the claim that his presidential candidate would be selfserving, saying, “Atiku has come to work in the interest of all Nigerians, not a few.�

He added, “His focus is to make life better for the ordinary Nigerians through the creation of jobs and massive overhaul of the economy.�

Ologbondiyan said the PDP campaign would not be distracted by the campaign of calumny by the APC against Atiku. “Nigerians have seen that more than three years of Buhari did not fight corruption; did not secure Nigeria; and did not revive the economy. “Rather, if anything, it has made life worse for the average Nigerian, who has been ravaged by excruciating hunger,� the PDP presidential campaign mouthpiece told THISDAY last night. renewal. So, we are very conscious that we need to continue voting for the APC,�

Ambode said.

At the state level, Ambode said from 1999 till date, Lagos had continued to witness progressive growth, saying Lagosians should support the APC candidates to consolidate and take the state to higher levels.

Analysts Insist

Buhari in the Middle Belt region, as well as Adamawa and Taraba States.

It said the spike in conflict between farmers and herders was closely linked with demographic pressures, desertification and the attendant loss of grazing reserves and transhumance routes, which had been exacerbated by climate change.

Others were challenges in the implementation of effective land management and climate

change adaptation policies, and limited enforcement of existing pastoral laws.

Political and economic interests, the erosion of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, and weapons proliferation, were other factors attributed to the increased cases of herdersfarmers conflict.

PIGB Gives Enormous Powers to Buhari,

REPORT: NIGERIA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TOO CLOSE TO CALL the country at best muddles through the next four years, with little progress on critical policy priorities like tax reform or a restructuring of the energy sector.�

Furthermore, the advisory firm said of the political risk of reelecting the president, “Buhari would be a lame duck from day one, with powerbrokers in his own party quickly shifting their focus to the next electoral cycle in 2023. “And if Buhari’s health problems continue or worsen, the situation will get worse. The president’s continual medical leaves abroad impaired governance in his first term. “A repetition would again remove him from decisionmaking and the public eye for months at a time, leaving investors to wonder who is calling the shots and whether they’re qualified for the job.�

Continuing, the group in the report, held the view that a Buhari re-election also carries “tail risks,� stating that a politically weak president, for health or other reasons, would open the “floodgates for political infighting, increasing the chances that his ruling All Progressives Congress implodes.�

According to it, “That

would turn a policy slowdown into paralysis.

The risk of attacks on oil infrastructure would also rise, because the absence of strong leadership in Abuja would make it harder to negotiate with the Niger Delta’s various militant groups.�

In their assessment of Buhari’s closest rival, who is the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, they stated that a win for Atiku, would create a brief, superficial boost to the country’s image—largely “because of his better health and keener intellect.�

However, it held the view that “Atiku Abubakar would avoid the difficult and politically unpopular tasks necessary for reform.�

It stated, “But it would also pose the risk of a return to an even more rent-seeking governing style. “Atiku’s policy priorities are unclear and untested: He had previously promised to deregulate the oil and gas sector but recently pledged to reduce gasoline prices by 50 per cent from already below-market levels. “That would swell subsidy costs and endanger longterm debt sustainability. He’s also unlikely to champion a tax reform that’s critical to

Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability. “Atiku would face significant infighting within his People’s Democratic Party as well, as leaders try to hold him to his promise to serve only one term (a pledge he’s likely to retract).�

Furthermore, the report added, “There’s a dangerous wildcard outcome. The election will be close, and a challenged or inconclusive result is possible. “That, in turn, could trigger a political crisis in which neither candidate has a legitimate claim to power.

If the vote is close enough to trigger a run-off, Nigeria’s constitution requires the second round of voting to occur within seven days of the first, a tough timeline to meet given the complexity of organising national elections in the country. “This could be a recipe for severe uncertainty in Africa’s most important market.�

Some other economies and areas which the report also focused on included the USChina trade war, European populism, Mexico, Ukraine, and Brexit.

For the United States, it anticipated a chaotic year for US domestic politics.

According to the Eurasia Group, while the odds

of Donald Trump being impeached and removed from office remains low, political volatility would be exceptionally high in the country.

According to the report, with a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, the president faces adversarial congressional oversight for the first time.

It stated that Democrats would use their control of House committees and subpoena power to force the release of Trump’s tax returns, investigate his financial dealings and those of his family.

Interestingly, both APC and PDP dismissed the report as a hatchet job with their spokesmen accusing each other as its sponsor.

The Director of Communication of Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, said in as much as the report hinged its conclusion on perceived ill-health of Buhari; it would lack merit if it failed to attach a report of the president's state of health duly authenticated by an appropriate medical board.

“If they did not get a report from a doctor, it destroys the credibility of their report,� he told THISDAY last night.

He pointedly accused the PDP of being behind the report, “We are aware that the PDP, as an organisation, has paid all kinds of funny and phony groups in the US to be publishing all manners of discredited reports, trying to paint the president and the ruling party in bad light. “We have investigated and found this to be true and Nigerians would be shocked when we bring out the details about the relationship between the leadership of the PDP and these compromised groups in the US.�

According to the APC campaign spokesman, “The theory the PDP is working on is the old but abandoned mentality of Nigerians that once any report has a badge of the US or UK group, Nigerians would think that God Almighty has spoken. “But Nigerians are now wiser.�

He said the latest report was nothing but one of the failed Dubai strategy of the PDP. “If that group does not publish an authenticated medical report along with their report, they should

the gains so far recorded.

Ambode, who was at the rally with his wife, Bolanle, said the forthcoming elections would not be about religion or ethnicity, but about the need to return a government that had showed genuine care for the people, adding that it was clear that the President had walked the talk.

At the national level,

he said, “We have only one choice, the choice of continuity is what we want and we need continuity and consolidation. We need to vote for Buhari and Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo. “This election at the national level is not about religion neither is it about tribe. It is about those who have the poor at heart.

You know at the national level, we are already doing TraderMoni, we are doing N-Power and we are already doing Employment Trust Fund, among other things. “We know we would be glad to return Buhari. He had shown for all the abandoned infrastructure projects in the state. It is only Buhari that has been propagating the

APC, PDP Dismiss Report as Hatchet Job

ATIKU HAS NO DIRECTION, SAYS TINUBU The violence had abruptly ended Sanwo-Olu’s inaugural campaign on a bad note yesterday.

In his message of assurance, however, Ambode led other political leaders in the state to unveil Sanwo-Olu’s campaign, urging voters to support the APC candidates at all levels to ensure continuity of good governance.

Ambode said it was on record that only Buhari showed concern about the abandoned infrastructure in Lagos State and was working on their renewal in conjunction with the state government.

He argued that it was time for residents to support the candidates of the party across all levels to consolidate on

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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

FG Defends Amaechi over Leaked Audio Clips Insists Obasanjo, Yar’Adua set precedent on IG’s tenure extension

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has defended the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, over an audio clip shared by an opposition media stalwart, Reno Omokri, where he was purportedly heard deriding President Muhammadu Buhari as someone who neither takes advice nor reads to acquire information.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, rubbished the leaked audio clips, saying the clips were part of the design of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led opposition to ensure that the ongoing campaign for the 2019 elections is not based

on issues but on mudslinging.

He berated the PDP, saying the former ruling party was wasting time circulating an audio that is clearly designed to blackmail.

“What is the point in shopping around for audio clips or publications that are then maliciously edited out of context? Why do they think this will break our ranks in the ruling party? What advantage do they think they can get from this infantile act? Whoever wants to circulate any audio or video clip should do so in its entirety so that the people can understand the context, otherwise, let them continue wasting their time,” Mohammed explained.

He similarly berated the PDP for its stance on the tenure extension for the Inspector

Presidency Wants PDP Sanctioned over Alleged Breach of Peace Accord Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency yesterday accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of breaching the peace accord signed by presidential candidates in December 2018.

Consequently, it appealed to the National Peace Committee to act on the alleged violation by the PDP. Making the accusation in a statement, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, accused the Atiku Campaign Organisation of bad faith, character assassination and inflammatory utterances.

According to him, open and unsubstantiated allegations against the president’s family by the media team of PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, contravened the spirit of the peace accord initiated for presidential candidates by the peace panel led by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar; Bishop Mathew Kukah and other eminent public figures who constitute the committee.

“Dragging the president’s family into the campaign and accusing them of wrongdoing without producing unassailable

evidence, amounts to an act of bad faith and malice.

“Instead of concentrating their efforts on persuading Nigerians on why they should be trusted to rule again after 16 years of failure, the PDP presidential campaign organisation is seeking to divert public attention from the large scale corruption and havoc it wreaked on the country during its 16 years of misrule.”

According to him, more than one week after accusing the president’s family of corruption and wrongdoing, the PDP presidential campaign has been unable to provide proof of the allegations, despite being encouraged by the presidency and the public to do so.

He added: “Instead, they are ridiculously expecting the accused to prove their own allegations instead of it being the other way round.”

Shehu accused the PDP presidential campaign team of indolence and poor sense of research, pointing out that making allegations public without a proof was irresponsible.

“It is sheer desperation and a clear sign of disarray in the PDP campaign,” Shehu said.

Buhari Calls for Respect of Democracy in Gabon Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja called for respect for the constitutional government in Gabon, an oil-rich West-central African country.

Buhari, according to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, was reacting to reports of attempted military take-over in Gabon last Monday.

Buhari was quoted as saying that democracy is supreme, adding that peaceful change must be respected.

“The military officers in Gabon should understand that the era of military coups

and governments in Africa and indeed worldwide is long gone.

“Democracy is supreme and the constitutional stipulations on the peaceful change of administration must be respected. That is the only way we can ensure peace and stability not only within the country but also in the region, he said:” Shehu said Buhari, who is also the ECOWAS Chairman, urged military officers with political ambitions to resign or face their constitutional role.

The statement added that Buhari enjoined the people of Gabon to remain on the side of peace, security, stability and democracy in their country.

General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris.

The IG was technically due for retirement on January 3, 2019, after having attained the mandatory age of 35 years in active service, while his mandatory retirement age of 60 years is due on January 15, 2019.

Mohammed said PDP was making a fuse over the tenure of Ibrahim, when former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and late Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua had granted extension to both Sunday Ehindero and Mike Okiro as IGs, when their tenures lapsed, without objection by the opposition parties.

He pilloried the opposition party for heating up the polity and insisted that it is the prerogative of President Buhari to extend or not extend the tenure of the IG. “When you are drowning, you grab any floating object you can find. You even grab at straws. That’s what the PDP is doing with the issue of the IG’s tenure. In the first

instance, it is the prerogative of the president to extend or not extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police or any service chief.

That prerogative cannot be taken from Mr. President on the altar of paranoia by some people.

“President Obasanjo, in his time, extended the tenure of Mr. Sunday Ehindero as IG. Was there no opposition party then? Also, in his time, President Yar’Ardua extended the tenure of Mr. Mike Okiro as IG, heavens didn’t fall. I have read that some opposition parties are planning a series of nationwide protests on the issue of IG’s tenure. That’s purely within their right in a democracy.

And I wish them the best of luck,” Mohammed said.

He similarly chastised the opposition for latching on the recent siege at Daily Trust newspapers offices by the military, saying the issues will be resolved via dialogue.

The minister warned that the activities of a section of the media and

some opposition political parties were demoralising the military and strengthening the insurgents.

He said reporting outrageous casualty figures were peddled without seeking or waiting for official clarification, while military plans were recklessly revealed without consideration for national security, adding that this does not happen even in the United States, the bastion of democracy.

“Some opposition political parties have needlessly pilloried the military, under the guise of criticising the federal government over the war against terror. Their actions amount to dancing on the graves of the men and women in uniform who have made the supreme sacrifice so that you and I can be safe and secure.

The military is not a political institution and must not be politicised”.

He also revealed that in the next few days, the federal government would launch a massive campaign in support of the military across many

platforms in recognition of their gallantry in the fight against insurgency in the restive North- east.

He noted that many of the clips shared via the social media were altered and occurred elsewhere, saying the circulation of those clips were demoralising the troops.

“We have to be careful about what we say concerning the military which is making the supreme sacrifice against the insurgents to secure the country. If per adventure the insurgents overrun Abuja, everybody will run, including the opposition.

“Insurgency is an unconventional war like you have in Afghanistan. The insurgents are using women and children as cannon fodders.

When they kill, they think it is normal and when the military retaliates, it becomes an issue.

The ISIS’ loss of territory in Syria and Iraq is having an effect on Nigeria because having lost there, they think they can come to Nigeria and establish an Islamic Caliphate”.

GRAND ENDORSEMENT RALLY…

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Babatunde Balogun; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; APC governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and his deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, being presented to the party supporters, during the party flag-off campaign rally at Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday

IG Appoints Lakanu as New Force Secretary The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Frederick Taiwo Lakanu, as the new Force Secretary.

By this appointment, Lakanu has also become a member of the Nigeria Police Force Management Team.

A statement issued yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the appointment took immediate effect.

“The new Force Secretary has taken over from AIG Abdul Bube, who retired from the Force on December 31, 2018, after 35 years of meritorious service,” the statement said.

The action of Idris came few days after he clocked the 35 years in active service of the Nigeria Police Force on January 3 just as his mandatory retirement age of 60 years of age comes up on January 15.

Moshood’s statement gave biography of Lakanu as being born on October 12, 1959, in Lagos Island, Lagos State.

He holds B.A. (Hons) Philosophy and LL.B. (Hons) in from one of the foremost universities in Nigeria, the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, and Master in Law from the Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom.

The new Force Secretary is

a self-motivated, experienced and versatile law enforcement officer, offering hands-on proven expertise gathered from all geo-political zones of the country in Community Policing, Strategic Planning, Coordination, Supervision and Implementation, towards achieving higher levels of community service, public safety and security in Nigeria.

He attended several courses within and outside the country, including Crime Investigation Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, and Developmental Course at Kofi Annan Centre for Peace Keeping, Accra, Ghana.

He is also a fellow of

National Defence College, Abuja. He served in various capacities in the Force as AIG Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Commissioner of Police in Imo and Ekiti States; Commissioner of Police Airport Command, Lagos; Principal Staff Officer to the IG (Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos), among others.

Until his recent appointment, he was the AIG in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja comprising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Kaduna States.

He has since assumed duty as the Force Secretary, Nigeria Police Force, the statement said.

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COMMENT

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

THREAT TO PRESS FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY The invasion of Daily Trust newspapers is a throw back to the military era, writes Wole Elegbede

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n a well-coordinated operation that may dominate the political space of Nigeria for some time, soldiers of the Nigerian Army invaded the offices of the Daily Trust newspapers in Maiduguri, Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna on Sunday, 6th January 2019. The invasion was a lamentable reminder of military rule in Nigeria.

But Nigeria happens to be a democratic country today - a country often described as the largest democracy in Africa. Fortunately or unfortunately, Nigeria’s current President Muhammadu Buhari was an army commander and a former military Head of State before he was democratically elected into office as President in 2015. During his time as a military ruler, he was an unrepentant champion of press censorship.

Tendencies of such unbridled power have occurred in the current democratic dispensation, a situation leading some observers to question the president’s democratic credentials. Instances could be cited in the attempts to muscle the press under President Buhari. The illegal arrest and detention of the Elombah brothers on 1st January 2018 readily comes to mind. Daniel Olombah, the publisher of an online medium and his brother, Izuchukwu, were detained for two days by the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS). Their third brother, Timothy was detained for 25 days for allegedly criticising the Inspector-General of Police.

On February 18, 2019, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested and detained the Abuja Bureau Chief of Daily Independent newspaper, Tony Ezimakor, for writing and publishing a story that the federal government paid ransom for the release of a number of people abducted by Boko Haram insurgents. In a similar vein, on 14th August of the same year, the SARS, one of the most feared security agencies in Nigeria known for arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens, had arrested a journalist with Premium Times, Samuel Ogundipe, for writing and publishing a story on the unauthorised National Assembly invasion by some elements in the security services which led to the dismissal from office of the former Director-General of DSS, Lawal Daura.

Whether the actions of the security agencies in going after the press have the direct or indirect approval of Buhari’s presidency, the president should take full responsibility for the occurrence of whatever anomalies in his administration’s relationship with the press.

As it is usual, the perpetrators of dastardly acts against the press would find an explanation which often times point to national security.

In line with one of the ethics of journalism, which provides for balance in information dissemination, it is only fair to give some space to Nigerian Army’s explanation on the siege. Its spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman said in rationising the invasion that, “The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act.�

This explanation may look tenable given the fact that Nigeria is currently in the midst of a battle against terrorism in the North East of the country. According to the United States Council On Foreign Relations, in its report “Nigeria Security Tracker�, which monitors political violence in Nigeria, about 37,000 deaths have been linked to the battle. The report further categorised that about half of those killed were suspected Boko Haram militants, while roughly 45 per cent were civilians and five per

THE MILITARY SIEGE IS A GLARING THREAT TO THE PRESS AND A VIOLATION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AS ENSHRINED IN THE 1999 CONSTITUTION

cent were security personnel.

The invasion had disrupted the operations of the concerned newspaper and led to the temporary closure of the establishment. There were reports that the Northern Regional Editor, Uthman Abubakar and a reporter, Ibrahim Sawab, were arrested while computers and files were taken away from the offices.

Undoubtedly, the military siege is a glaring threat to the press and a violation of freedom of expression as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference�.

This provision is in tandem with Article XIX of the United Nations Universal declaration of Human Rights which says: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers�.

It is my candid opinion that under the law, every individual and institutions are expected to play their rightful parts in accordance to law, more especially the constitution of the country which is the foundation upon which its existence is rooted. Every other law in the land takes their root from the constitution. That’s the reason the constitution is regarded as the supreme law. Whenever any of the integral part of the nation, be it individual, groups, organisations, institutions or sections, breaches the constitution or abridges the right of others under the constitution, the result is anarchy.

Therefore, I submit that the invasion is not only a threat to the press, it endangers democracy and the corporate existence of Nigeria.

The people of Nigeria can not afford to experience a backlash on democracy at this time that the country appears to be experiencing economic growth without appreciable development. In 2014, Nigeria had one of the world’s highest economic rates, averaging 7.4 per cent but the poverty rate was significant at 33.1 per cent. In 2018, Nigeria was worse off in economic growth, falling miserably between 1.8 and 2.3 per cent compared to the 2014 figure. Today, some reports describe Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world, although these reports are yet to be corroborated by renowned global institutions like the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But my own take is that a descent to undemocratic rule will be disastrous and compound Nigeria’s economic woes.

Nigeria had returned to democracy after the military spell in power between 1979 and 1999. Given that Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 which heralded the beginning of the Fourth Republic, it means that Nigeria has been able to sustain its transition to democracy without any interruption for the past 20 years. Democracy has facilitated the expansion of the political space, with the up shoot of numerous human rights and civil society organisations which take up issues of rights violations in Nigeria. Evidently, Nigerians are more aware of their rights than before.

Elegbede is an Abeokuta-based journalist

LAGOS AND THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF 2018

Tayo Ogunbiyi writes that 2019 offers better prospects for Lagosians, especially in terms of infrastructure development

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or Lagos State, the past year was striking in diverse ways. For one, it was a year when the state government’s infrastructure renewal agenda continued on a better range across the state. Perhaps, the major highlight of this was the celebrated launching of 21 newly completed 21 roads and three bridges last Easter. The roads connecting the state with Ogun State were constructed with the intent of easing traffic movement and improving inter- connectivity between the two states.

The roads launched are Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/ Command to Ikola Road); Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River).Others include Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River). With the new roads, Lagos residents along the axis need not take the usual LASU-Iyana Iba course to Badagry. This has really helped in stabilizing traffic along the Lagos-Abeokuta Road as well as the Iyana-Ipaja/ LASU-Iyana Iba route.

Another equally defining event of 2018 in Lagos State was the feat accomplished by Bayode Treasures Olawunmi who broke existing record in world reading marathon. Before his record-breaking feat, world record for marathon reading was set

by Indian-born Deepak Sharma Bajaan with113 hours 15 minutes in 2008. In setting this record, Bayode who was educated at the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and Comprehensive High School, Ketu in Lagos, began reading at 1:30pm on Monday, February 26, 2018 and ended it 3:30pm on Saturday, March 3rd .

The record-breaking exploit was used to promote

African literature and reading culture in Nigeria.

Without a doubt, there is a sharp decline in reading culture in Nigeria while the publishing sector in the country is down. The reasons for the decline in reading culture in our land are not far- fetched. For one, reading is a tasking exercise that involves full concentration and present day youth are not really willing to embark on such obviously strenuous exercise which they believe won’t yield them much money at the end of the day.

One other significant event of 2018 in Lagos was the historic visit of French President, Emmanuel Macron, to the ‘iconic’ Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos on July 3, 2018. The French President, who trained in Nigeria as a Senior Civil Servant in 2004, was so captivated by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Afrobeat music that he included a visit to the Shrine as part of his itinerary in a state visit to Nigeria. The visit was momentous in many ways. First, Macron is the first president to officially visit the Afrika Shrine. This is a massive approval for the club-house founded by Fela’s eldest son, Femi. Macron’s visit has placed the Shrine on the global map, considering the number of international media and dignitaries who accompanied the French President to the place. That visit also boosted the tourism potential of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. It is a huge thrust to the efforts of the current administration in the promotion of sports, entertainment, culture, music, dance and art.

In the area of economic development and growth, one of the significant moves towards boosting Lagos State economy by the state government was taken in 2018 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state and Kano State. It was an economic partnership aimed at jointly exploring investment opportunities that are needed to create jobs and facilitate growth and development.

According to the MoU, the two states agreed to expand the level of economic cooperation between them especially in key areas of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Agricultural Value Chain, Security, Skills Development, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Commerce, with a specific focus on ease of doing business, Urban Waste Management, Transportation and Power. Undoubtedly, this collaboration, cooperation and partnership between Lagos and Kano State is capable of bringing about economic sufficiency in both states and of course the entire nation.

Despite its modest achievements in opening up the Lagos economy for growth and development, the state government is not looking back in the onerous task of ensuring an economically secure Lagos where investors get adequate returns on their investments. There has been momentum for economic growth in the state courtesy high demand for related services and products including at weekends.

Also, sustenance of law and order was given a significant impetus in the past year with the signing of seven important bills into law. The Laws are Lagos State Electric Power Reform Law, Amended Land Use Charge Law, School of Nursing Law, Cooperative College Law, Cancer Research Institute Law, Amended Customary Court Law and the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law Without a doubt, the signing of these laws signifies commencement of the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to Lagos residents. It is also an indication that Lagos is not resting on its oars, in spite of recent giant strides recorded across all sectors in the state.

The implication of this is that Lagosians are in for a better deal in terms of socio-economic growth and development in the state. For instance, the Lagos State Electric Power Reform Law allows

the state government to intervene in major areas of the power value chain to the overall benefit of the people. The main objective of the law is to put Lagos in the league of societies that experience 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. The new law has many dimensions. The first is that it puts government in a position to be able to extend her guarantee to private sector participants to generate power. Thus, the state, through the law is assuring investors that getting involved in power generation is a profitable venture.

The second is that it helps power distribution companies to upgrade their infrastructure, thereby ensuring they possess the capacity for incremental power. The third is that it empowers government to open up the gas market in Lagos State so that the product can be consistently available. It is this availability that would eventually enhance the attainment of 24-hour power supply which is ultimate goal of the law. The law would also enable the state government to collaborate with the distribution companies to collect tariff from customers efficiently and also avert power theft.

Indeed, this is the first time that any government in Nigeria will institutionalise the power theft law as it criminalizes power infraction. Before now, those who get involved in all kinds of power theft related ventures are often let off the hook, but the new law provides for clear-cut punitive measures against power theft.

From the look things, 2019 offers better prospects for Lagosians, especially in terms of infrastructure development, job creation and economic development. Completion of Pen-Cinema Bridge, Oshodi Transport Interchange and Lagos Airport Road are some of the initiatives that would no doubt transform the state’s landscape in 2019.

Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

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EDITORIAL Much Ado About Refineries’ Upgrade The refineries have continued to be a drain to the economy

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he federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which contains the road map for Nigeria’s economic development, has already failed in its target of revamping the refineries to reduce petroleum product imports by 60 per cent in the year 2018 which just ended. By that medium term economic blueprint, the country is also expected to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products by 2020, which is another mirage.

Nigeria is the 12th largest oil-producing nation in the world, with an estimated 37.2 billion barrels of crude oil deposits and seventh in the world in terms of gas reserves of about 187 trillion cubic feet. But she is not among the top three countries in Africa in terms of refining capacity. It also has the unsavoury distinction of being the only member country of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that depends on imported refined petroleum products. Yet, the country has four refineries, two in Port Harcourt (PHRC), and one each in Kaduna (KRPC) and Warri (WRPC), with a combined installed THE FAILURE OF THE capacity of 445,000 REFINERIES HAS NOT barrels per day (bpd).

ONLY RIDICULED THE But in spite of such NATION GLOBALLY, a staggering potenBUT HAS THROWN UP tial, the country has HUGE SOCIO-ECONOMIC for about two decades lived with the IMPLICATIONS infamy of importing refined petroleum products to service local consumption at huge economic and social cost. Senegal runs one refinery with a 27,000bpd capacity; Cameroon has one with 42,600bpd; Congo, 21,000bpd; Niger Republic, 20,000bpd; Chad, 20,000bpd; Zambia, 34,000bpd; Gabon, 25,000bpd; Algeria, 499,000bpd; Libya, 380,000bpd; South Africa, 626,500bpd and Egypt 1,102,550bpd. None of these African countries imports fuel. Over the years, about $20 billion is reported to have been spent on Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), but none of them worked up to their capacity at any time.

Letters to the Editor

Sadly, the rehabilitation of the refineries has remained the unrelenting mantra of every administration since 1999, including the incumbent administration. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had vowed on assumption of office that the refineries would start work by December 2015, directing the management of the refineries to be efficient in operating the plants or get fired. He also declared that any of the refineries that failed to come up by the end of 2015 would be sold. He was however overruled by President Muhammadu Buhari, the substantive petroleum minister, who foreclosed outright sale of the refineries as an option. A joint venture model was later adopted to attract private funding in the rehabilitation and operations of the refineries, designed to concede the management to a consortium of private players that would emerge in a competitive bid process.

T 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

he failure of the refineries has not only ridiculed the nation globally, but has thrown up huge socio-economic implications. For the country and millions of its innocent citizens, fuel importation is a euphemism for misery. We cannot forget in a hurry the emergency billionaires thrown up by fuel import racketeers, who went into a frenzy, in obvious connivance with some unscrupulous officials, swindling a hapless nation of hundreds of billions of naira for non-existent imports.

Currently, the management of NNPC has come up with a nebulous “cost under recovery” to spend unbudgeted funds to subsidise fuel imports, and has been struggling to explain its position in the alleged N1.4 trillion annual import bills, another $3.5 billion escrow account for Petroleum Support Fund as well as allegations of illegal deductions from Nigeria’s dividends from profits posted by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. The state oil company has cashed in on the seeming helpless situation caused by the continuing importation of fuel to overreach itself by spending unappropriated funds, including NLNG dividends accruing to the federal government. We cannot continue to subsidise failure which the refineries clearly represent, at great national cost.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

MBAKA AND PROPHESY OF GHANA MUST GO “God does not like stingy men”…Reverend Father Mbaka

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t is surprising to hear these words from a presumably man of God, the Revered Father Ejike Mbaka. There is no doubt that the words herald a new era which I will call “Mbakaism”. This new era is an era where money talks in the spiritual realm and in politics. In this spiritual realm, the gods are not to blame. In this spiritual realm, your donation to the Adoration Ministry of Revered Father Ejike Mbaka determines your ability to succeed in politics. The more cash you bring in a Ghana Must Go bag to the revered father, the more you are blessed with a prosperous forecast of your life and your political future. In this concept of “Mbakaism”, speaking truth to power is jettisoned and you are blessed by the angels when you donate handsomely to the Adoration Ministry.

I remember an interview the revered father had with Sahara Reporters’ Omoyele Sowere when the revered father visited the United States some time ago. (See this video https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=NepcSuAXK0I

I watched the video with a lot of interest. I felt a kind of joy seeing this (presumably) like-minded progressives discussing ways to positively move Nigeria forward. In the video, Sowere extols the virtues that actually brought Father Mbaka to the limelight. The virtues were courage, truth, bringing the suffering of the ordinary Nigerian to the open and speaking truth to power.

Today Father Mbaka seems like he has jettisoned these virtues. I rarely hear him speak the truth to power. I rarely hear him critique power. One seldomly hears him bringing the suffering of the ordinary Nigerian (which is currently going on in President Buhari’s government) to the limelight.

Today father Ejike Mbaka sounds so much like a man that has been compromised. He has jettisoned what endears him to the heart of many. His flowering speeches that were good to watch on whatsapp clips have evaporated right from our very eyes. He seems to be busy counting the amount of cash that can come his way. His recent utterances against former governor Peter Obi who did not make a substantial contribution to his Adoration Ministry have revealed the influence of money to this once respected spiritual father.

Father Mbaka, have you forgotten us? Have you compromised? I used to think you were closer to God and that he talks directly to you. What happened? You know the world is watching you. Posterity will always remember. You played the role of a great critic of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

You were the darling of the downtrodden when you did this.

You owe us (the ordinary Nigerians) the obligation to show us the right way. You cannot fail to critic and tell the truth when truth seem to have been hidden. As it is noted in Matthew 15 verse 18, “if your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” (sic).You have not pointed out the fault with president Buhari’s administration for the world to see. We have not heard you point out the extermination of Christians and even fellow revered fathers in the middle beltern part of the country. Are Nigerians better off today than they were three years ago? When I mean better off, I mean better off economically, security wise and in all indexes of development when compared to three years ago.

Kennedy Kelechi Halams is a professor of International Business with the American Public University

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

NEWSMAKER

Peace is His Bragging Right Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is using unusual ingredient to oil the machinery of development

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overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State hardly makes a statement without making a reference to peace. To Emmanuel, peace is the be-all-and-end-all. It is the most important ingredient needed to oil the engine of development. A product of a rancorous primary in the Peoples Democratic Republic (PDP), Emmanuel was allegedly foisted on other aspirants for the office of governor of the state in the process leading to the 2015 governorship election in the state. As one who emerged through an acrimonious process, the earnestness with which he seeks peace can be appreciated. He needed to calm as many frayed nerves as possible before settling down to serious business of governance. To his credit, he has been able to reconcile a good percentage of the over 20 aspirants who jostled to for the post with him.

Last week, Emmanuel was able to drive his peace crusade to another sphere by engaging the state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former deputy governor, Obong Nsima Ekere and committing him to keep the peace as both men continue their quest to lead the state. Perhaps, Ekere represents the extreme opinions against the governor. Before the governorship contest proper started heating up, Emmanuel and the APC governorship candidate, working as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were already on a collision course over claims and counter-claims on who was building what infrastructure in the state. The state government believed the NDDC was trying to score cheap points that it would later present to shore-up Ekere’s performance and projecting him as one fitting to become governor of the state.

By appealing to Ekere alone, and ignoring the likes of Mr. Iboro Otu of the Abundance Nigeria Renewal Party and Architect Ezekiel Nya-Etok of the Young Democratic Party, the governor has unwittingly underrated a good number of his co-contestants and their teeming followers. This may prove to be a costly oversight. For instance, Otu, a fresh face on the political turf of the state has been able to command the respect and confidence of 16 other political parties who adopted him as

OFF THE CUFF: r:PV XJMM BHSFF XJUI NF UIBU UIF Akwa Ibom story requires bold new chapters and those chapters are what, together, with your support we have written glowingly in the past three and half years Emmanuel encouraging the people of Akwa Ibom State to think differently r1PMJUJDT XJMM DPNF BOE HP CVU Akwa Ibom will remain nonnegotiable and sacrosanct. May we have a peaceful and violence free electioneering and elections come 2019. We must keep the peace, we must not stoke the fire of violence in our state. I stand here to declare that our people reject war and embrace

Emmanuel

their governorship candidate. This is not to say that Otu and Nya-Etok have the capacity for violence. But there

Emmanuel was elected on the premise that he was going to take the state to the comity of states with thriving industries.

To attract investors, he needed to convince them that the malaise of militancy and violence had been totally wiped out in Akwa Ibom State. Many have attested to the fact that under Emmanuel, the state is experiencing a peaceful era peace. If Warsaw saw war, Akwa Ibom will see and enjoy peace. If Warsaw saw destruction, Akwa Ibom shall continue to see development. If Warsaw saw war which led to its destruction and decayed infrastructure, Akwa Ibom people will enjoy good roads, more industries, employment opportunities, free and compulsory education, and fantastic health care delivery Emmanuel tasking politicians to keep the peace r* EP OPU HP PO B DPNNJTTJPOJOH spree. How can you commission a classroom or borehole, I can’t do that. It is shameful. People who would have listened to you at different investors forum, seeing you commission electricity and borehole,

is no doubt that these candidates are very hopeful and have resolved with their followers to defend their vote.

Observers of the political process in Akwa Ibom are hopeful that Emmanuel will widen the pool of peace-loving governorship aspirants by committing them to support a violence-free election.

Emmanuel was elected on the premise that he was going to take the state to the comity of states with thriving industries. To attract investors, he needed to convince them that the malaise of militancy and violence had been totally wiped out in Akwa Ibom State. Many have attested to the fact that under Emmanuel, the state is experiencing a peaceful era. The peace currently enjoyed in the state did not come by accident, but by zero-tolerance adopted by his administration against all forms of criminality. The governor said because his people are not wired to war tendencies, the state will not experience a war and crises situation during the general elections. Today, 12 industries are either fully operational or nearing completion. Akwa Ibom has been acknowledged as placing will say, ‘so, this guy who was lecturing us in New York didn’t even have water to drink’, and you never can tell when you will speak again after leaving this office Emmanuel explaining why he takes development of infrastructure seriously r6OGPSUVOBUFMZ QPMJUJDT JO /JHFSJB is a little bit tough. In your first year as governor, you are at the Tribunal, Appeal Court and the Supreme Court. And as you try to settle down to work, the first tenure of four years is over. You are already campaigning for another term. You are so distracted. You can’t just focus as a governor.

If you are not careful, you can’t put anything in place. But people don’t know where we are going

second on the rating of Direct Foreign Investment, largely because foreign investors believe that the atmosphere in the state is conducive.

Emmanuel is confident that God has so far used him to accomplish so much for the state in the last four years.

The efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel in partnering with security agencies towards a peaceful Akwa Ibom has yielded positive results as over 200 leaders and members of respective cult groups in the Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun axis of the state, dropped their weapons in exchange of peace. Without peace, it is difficult to bring development to areas of the state where insecurity is prevalent.

At one of the ceremonies that repentant former cultists were presented to him, Emmanuel said, “I wanted to bring a World Bank-assisted project to Ukanafun, but those people preferred to go elsewhere. At the moment, because of you people, no contractor accepted our offer to come and execute a project in Ukanafun. I promised you people that the day you come out, nothing will happen to you. Have I not kept my promise?�

Emmanuel advocating a new attitude to politics in Nigeria r8F BSF JO IBTUF 8F BSF USZJOH UP touch every aspect from infrastructure, agriculture to industry. We are talking about electricity but we didn’t think of metres. That’s why we developed a metrering factory to bridge the gap. You see the quality of roads here, I’m not mincing words, check the kilometre of roads we have done compared to what federal government has done r1PMJUJDBM GBUIFST DBO EJTBQQPJOU but spiritual fathers cannot because the presence of God goes with them at all times Emmanuel stating his belief in God and in a godfather

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T H I S D AY ˾WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 2019

POLITICS

Abia APGA Governorship Candidate Commends INEC Chairman Nseobong Okon-Ekong The Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for confirming the alarm it raised that politicians have perfected plans to rig the 2019 elections.

Alex Otti Campaign Organisation recently 6 issued a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Kazie Uko, drawing the attention of Abia indigenes to a clandestine plot by the government of Abia State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collect details of people’s PVCs and in some cases outrightly purchasing the PVCs, from unsuspecting members of the public.

Though Yakubu’s statement was not directed at any particular political party, the Alex Otti Campaign Organisation believes the INEC Chairman assertion gave credence to information at its disposal.

“We commend the chairman of INEC for this act of courage and boldness hardly seen in public service. We believe that with this kind of attitude, Nigerians will have confidence in INEC and the electoral process.

We urge INEC to go a step further by collaborating with relevant security agencies to fish out politicians involved in this fraud and deal with

them, accordingly. We urge Ndi Abia to be vigilant, we must not allow the event of 2015 repeat itself. The Alex Otti Campaign is resolute and will defend the mandate so given by Ndi Abia,” Uko stated.

Prof. Yakubu confirmed the Otti campaign revelation in Abuja, during the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.

He accused some politicians of buying up Permanent Voter Cards or inducing voters financially to collect their Voter Identification Numbers. According to the INEC chairman, by collecting PVCs the politicians may be trying to deprive the voters of voting.

Yakubu said, “A new method of vote-buying is being devised. We have received credible information that some partisan actors are now going around buying up PVCs from voters or financially inducing them to collect the VINs (Voter Identification Number) on their PVCs. “In some instances, telephone numbers and details of bank accounts of voters have been collected. By collecting the PVCs, their intention may be to deprive the voters of voting since no one can vote without the PVC. By collecting their phone numbers and bank details, the intention is to induce voters by electronic transfer of funds to their accounts, since it will be difficult to buy votes at polling units.”

SERAP Challenges Fashola to Name Contractors that Disappeared with Money for Power Projects Udora Orizu The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent a Freedom of Information request to Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing urging him to use his good offices to urgently provide information on specific names and details of contractors and companies that allegedly collected money for electricity projects but failed to execute any projects, starting from the return of democracy in 1999 to 2018.

According to SERAP, “Former Nigeria’s Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reportedly blew the whistle on Channels TV when he said, contractors were given some contracts for power projects and were paid 100 percent upfront. The money went down the drain. Up till now, we are not holding the contractors responsible. People have collected money upfront and have disappeared; and have not even done any work.”

SERAP said, “The revelation

by Alhaji Atiku is entirely consistent with SERAP’s recent report titled: ‘From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are Paying the Price for Corruption

in the Electricity Sector’, which also revealed how over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply was allegedly squandered by politicians and contractors under successive governments.”

In the FOI request signed by SERAP Senior Legal Adviser, Bamisope Adeyanju, the organization said: “By publishing the names of the contractors and their registration details, if any, Nigerians will be better able to hold them to account for allegedly absconding with public funds meant for electricity projects, thereby throwing the country into perpetual darkness and socio-economic stagnation as well as denying people their human rights.”

The FOI request read in part: “It is important to show that your office and indeed this administration would not shield or allow ingrained wrongdoing by contractors and companies in the power sector to go unpunished. Unless the names of the contractors and companies are disclosed and widely published, alleged corrupt contractors and companies executing electricity projects will not be deterred and the victims of corruption that they committed will continue to be denied justice and effective remedies.”

APGA Not an Option for Nasarawa, says PDP Emmanuel Ukumba The Nasarawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Emmanuel Ombugadu, has cautioned the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)gubernatorial candidate, Labaran Maku, against fronting the All Progressives Grand Alliance platform as an option for wrestling power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The PDP flag-bearer stated this Monday at an interaction with journalists in Akwanga, the headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, adding that even an Igbo man from Anambra State will tell Maku that politics is local.

He continued that the Eggon

as one of the major ethnic nationalities in the state has not won elections with the support of the other ethnic groups, stressing that his victory at the PDP governorship primary marked the first triumph of its kind by an Eggon man.

“When the Eggons left the PDP to the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), it was a protest and they lost out. When they again left to the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), it was another protest and it did not consolidate on the investment in the PDP and they lost on that platform.

When they left to APGA, it was a geometric lose to the people of Eggon nation,” he revealed.

He said: “This is a man (Maku) that rose up on the PDP

platform as a commissioner, a deputy governor, a minister and a supervising minister. If he respects the opinion of the people that influenced his rise, then he should be grateful to know that APGA is not an option. And that is why he keeps working alone in the streets. You can’t run a state alone.”

“If APGA is an option, Maku has not produced even a single councillor in the state. Governance is not about talking, it is about impact. This is an opportunity for him to redeem himself and come back home and sacrifice for the sake of his people and end this disunity he has caused for the people of Nasarawa State.”

Ombugadu, who is currently representing Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba federal constitu-

ency in the National Assembly, pointed out that Nasarawa State was not a battle ground, hence Maku should be a leader that will assure everybody of comfort.

“You must be sending signals of unity, peace and not the phrase of ‘Enough-is-Enough’.

Who are you fighting with? You must come to the round table to dialogue with every ethnic nationality in the state.

“My elder brother (Maku) should come back to the negotiating table and talk to his son (Ombugadu) and sacrifice for his people and then thank the PDP for the platform they have given him over the years.”

Ombugadu insisted that Nasarawa State was in dire need of a leader that will redirect and guide the citizens to prosperity.

BONDING WITH YOUTHS

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel waving at a crowd of youths during a get-together for youths in the three senatorial districts of the state

People’s Trust Presidential Aspirant Promises Government of National Unity Nseobong Okon-Ekong The Presidential candidate of the People’s Trust (PT) in the 2019 Presidential election, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has assured Nigerians that he will form a government of National Unity that will include all political forces across the country, within 48 hours of been sworn-in. This, he said, is to confront the challenges facing the country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the PT candidate said the urgent task of rescuing Nigeria requires every available good hand, not just in his party, PT, but also some who are good

but have been sidelined in the two big parties due to pettiness.

He said, “our government will include, by the grace of God, forward-looking political leaders in the two major parties and the newly registered parties, the Intelligentsia, professional groups, youth, women and other social interest groups and technocrats that we need from within Nigeria and the energetic and patriotic Nigerian Diaspora community.

“I have related across the social movements, political spectrum in the past 30 years and the business contingent of the Nigeria Diaspora for almost 10 years, I know first hand the

talents at the disposal of Nigeria, to save the country from the current state of hopelessness.”

“I am able to form a broadbased government within 48 hours of being sworn in as president by the grace of God, to confront the urgent task of securing Nigeria ,uniting her people and bringing economic prosperity and rapid all round infrastructural and social development .”

“We have the talented people to solve the problems confronting Nigeria both within and outside the country, only the narrow mindedness and ineptitude of some leaders have prevented the deployment of

these enormously great human resource available to this nation.”

‘We have no stomach for egocentrism and revenge and nemesis in the urgent task of rescuing Nigeria. We will reach out to bring Nigerians quickly to defeat insecurity and poverty “With 11 states out of the 19 Northern states almost consumed by internal insecurity, cross-border banditry and some southern states under the grip of kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violence the Nigerian state faces an imminent existential threat that requires all good hands on deck for the urgent mission of national survival and development.’

Activist Faults Lawmakers Over Plight of Al-Majiri in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu Kano state representatives at the national and state legislatures have been faulted over the failure to enact laws that would address the menace of Al-Majiri in the state.

Barrister Aisha Ibrahim Dankani, an activist and House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) from Dala Federal Constituency in

Kano, alleged that, in the past 10 years, Kano State Government has been submerge in the efforts to overcome the challenges associated with Al Majiri system.

According to her, “the lawmakers have kept quiet on the issue in Kano”.

She told journalists at her residence in Kano on Tuesday, Dankani questioned the continued stay of the legislators in the legislature. “Where are the

laws to help address the issue of Al-Majiri in Kano, where are the laws, if any that were pursued by our lawmakers to proffer solution to this problem.

“The lawmakers from Sokoto is different from the lawmaker from Kano, same with the law maker from Akwa Ibom, because the problems in their constituencies are differ,” Dankani stated.

According to her, poor execution of constituency

projects has aided the continuous existence of poverty in majority of the constituencies that are represented by the lawmakers.

She lamented that the level of participation of women in active politics is not encouraging.

Dankani also urged women to flood into the participation in active politics with the motive to ensure their voices are heard.

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FEATURES

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

Lighting up Africa, Deepening Energy Access Across Nigeria Sunday Ehigiator writes on effort by Lighting Africa Program to increase access to cleaner, more efficient and safer off-grid lighting and energy products for rural and semi-urban populations, as well as creating opportunities for gainful employment

I

n an increasingly interconnected world, the importance of energy cannot be over emphasised. Access to energy plays a significant role in the day-to-day lives of individuals and acts as a critical driver of economic growth. It is in view of this that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number Seven(SDG7) was initiated. The SDG7 has the single purpose of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. This goal is of particular importance, as no genuine global development can occur without energy -especially in rural areas where more than 80 per cent of the world’s poor populace reside.

With an estimated 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa’s people living without reliable access to electricity, a report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) reveals that, the growing energy shortage has effectively stunted Africa’s development. Further, the International Energy Agency (IEA), reports that sub-Saharan Africa will require more than $30 billion in investment to achieve universal electricity by 2030. Rural sub-Saharan Africa will require a huge proportion of these funds, as more than 85 per cent of those living in such areas lack access to reliable electricity.

Nigeria’s widespread energy shortfall is drastically affecting businesses, the healthcare system, education and most other sectors of the economy. This has encouraged the adoption ofalternative sources of power, which emit harmful fumes into the atmosphere.

There are ongoing intervention programs from international development organisations which seek to improve energy access, boost quality of life and promote economic activities, with a special focus on low-income households and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Lighting Africa team at work

Lighting Africa One of such program is Lighting Africa.

Launched in Nigeria in March 2015, the Lighting Africa Program aims to increase access to cleaner, more efficient and safer off-grid lighting and energy products for rural and semi-urban populations.

An initiative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, the program seeks to help an additional six million people gain access to clean, modern, and affordable lighting products, while catalysing a sustainable solar off-grid energy market similar to those already developed in India, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, among several other countries.

The program also aims to avoid 120,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually which would have been created through the use of kerosene lanterns, candles and other fossil fuel-based alternatives.

Key Components Key components of the Lighting Africa program are quality assurance, consumer education and awareness, business support services such as retail channel development and corporate outreaches, access to finance and market intelligence.

The program works with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, microfinance institutions (MFIs), and other stakeholders to catalyze the market for commercial off-grid energy products that are clean, safe, affordable and durable.

The associate manufacturers/distributors working with the program are d.light, Greenlight Planet, Omnivoltaic Power, Villageboom, Smarter Grid International and A4&T Integrated Solutions.

The program also supports distributors of solar energy systems such as Total, Sosai Renewable, Emel Solar Solutions, Electric Download, Roncho Energy, Solar Sister and New Trends.

To help build credibility for the sector and reassure consumers, Lighting Africa supports the marketing of quality-verified products that meet the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for off-grid solar lighting.

Today, there are over 36 quality- verified products in Nigeria, serving the needs of different segments of the market. These products range from simple single-light units to plug-and-play

solar home systems powering multiple light points and energy-efficient appliances such as radios, fans and television sets.

Most important for consumers is the ability of a great number of these products to charge mobile phones and enable communication even in the remotest villages.

With the combination of consumer education, channel development and consumer access to finance, the Lighting Africa program in Nigeria ensures that solar products get into the right hands, while facilitating the ease of purchase andpayments.

Building Capacity Engagements

Solution to Nigeria's Energy Challenge According to Allwell Nwankwo, Lighting Africa’s program lead for Nigeria, “Off-grid energy partly holds the solution to Nigeria’s energy challenge. Everywhere I go, I see a growing recognition of this fact. As a result of the work we and other stakeholders in the sector have done, consumers are also becoming aware of the options available to them. It behooves players to ensure that they offer consumers quality products that deliver on their promise.

That’s why we do what we do.�

Speaking on the impact of the Lighting Africa program, Nwankwo goes on to say, “It’s amazing the difference even a pico-solar product can make in the life of a family, in how long a business can stay open, in how exciting studying becomes to a little girl. If you are used to electricity, you can’t imagine what it means to be sentenced to perpetually using a kerosene lantern or a candle and inhaling the smoke.

"Now when you consider the cost of kerosene and candles, you’ll realise they are not even alternatives to consider as solar products are, overall, more affordable.�

and the attendant opportunities, solar products help customers save money. As a result of the flexible repayment plans and the durability of the products, the cost is negligible compared to other light sources such as kerosene lamps.�

Lighting Africa/Nigeria has engaged 15 microfinance institutions (MFIs) to provide loans to enable consumers purchase quality-verified solar products. The program’s work with MFIs has yielded over 80,000 micro-loans valued at over US$3 million. Significantly, 86 per cent of the loans went to women.

The microfinance institutions providing consumer loans are LAPO, Grooming Centre, Olive MFB, Susu MFB, Forward MFB and Ilishan MFB. Others are Agosasa, Awe, Riverside, Alekun, UNAAB, Polybadan, Custodian, Multivest and Onibu-Ore. Speaking on the role MFIs play in providing solar energy solutions to Nigerians, Ngozi Stanley-Obi the Managing Director of Olive Microfinance Bank said, “Societies grow when essential services are made available to all. In order to facilitate growth, the MFIs collaborating with the Lighting Africa program provide loans for the purchase of solar products to their customers who are usually unbanked or financially disadvantaged.

"In doing this, we enable them to keep their businesses open for longer. Beyond the economic impact of extended business hours

Lighting Africa/Nigeria also works with cooperative societies, farmers, traders and other self-help groups to help their members adopt clean energy products. Further, in order to ensure that products continue to serve consumers after the warranty period,the program trains technicians to provide after-sales maintenance and repairs.

So far, the program has trained over 230 technicians in different parts of the country. By so doing, it not only develops human capital but also creates opportunities for gainful employment.

The program has trained over 2,000 retailers and recruited over 5,000 to bring products closer to consumers. In the process of recruiting retailers, the program has reached over 40,000 retailers in different parts of the country.

Using a mix of radio, press and digital campaigns alongside roadshows, exhibitions and product demonstration forums, the Lighting Africa consumer education work has reached over 45 million people across Nigeria, making it one of the market development programs with the most extensive reach in in the energy sector.

Most importantly, the nation’s energy landscape appears set to change as more people embrace solar.

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FEATURES

A Maiden Reunion after Three Decades Sunday Ehigiator who covered the maiden reunion of the University of Lagos Law class of 1986, writes that it was an opportunity for the old students to reflect on the legal system and the need for a paradigm shift in access to justice and judicial reforms

T

he banter was loud as laughter flowed.

Palpable excitement rent the air mixed with the sweet melody from the professional saxophonist, whose job it was to get everyone entertained and relaxed.

Coupled with the good music, assorted dishes were being feasted on and washed down with champagne. This was the overall ambience at the maiden reunion of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Law class of 1986.

Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel tucked inside Ikeja GRA, Lagos, the class of 86 tagged the soirÊe 'Lagos 2018 Reunion’, to celebrate the first time of coming together 32 years after leaving the prestigious citadel of learning. It was a plus that despite the reunion being the first time all their paths crossed after graduation, their togetherness was sacrosanct.

The occasion had Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the keynote speaker. He was ably represented by Dr. Aina Salami, while the Founder and Chairman of Juli Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; also a member of the set, chaired the reunion.

Suffice to say that it was a gathering of men and women of timber and caliber, who has risen through the ranks and are at the apex of their respective careers after giving their all to the progress of the nation.

The uniqueness of this set not only lies in the fact that they had gone through the tutelage of renowned academia in their time as undergraduates such as the vice president, the first Female Dean of the Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof. Chioma Agomo; Prof. Ayo Atsegbua, Prof. Peter Fagam, and the first and only Distinguished Professor in UNILAG Faculty of Law, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (S.A.N), amongst others, who were all present at the occasion, but the fact that they have had the privilege to produce personalities such as state governors, deputy governors, justices, royal and traditional leaders, judges (both home and abroad), heads and former heads of parastatals, ministers, clergy, major generals, commissioners, federal and state permanent secretaries, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (S.A.N), and entrepreneurs, who have all contributed immensely to the growth and development of this nation.

In her welcome address, the Reunion Committee Chairperson, Chief Lizzy Nwagbara, who started her remarks with a minute silence in honour of the departed among them, said the auspicious occasion was a long awaited step towards involving almuni's of the faculty to join in solidarity for the growth of the faculty.

She said: "This reunion is a celebratory occasion for kind and affectionate words full of appreciation, gratitude and love towards each other and to the almighty God for granting us life and grace to gather together once more in our life time, after 32 years of graduating from UNILAG class ’86.

"The idea and plan to have a reunion of this nature have been discussed severally over the years, until recently when the six senior advocates in our class took pro-active steps to provide basic funds, which eventually lifted the spirit of a possible event; and here we are today. The contributions and responses by our class members both home and abroad have been unparalleled and overwhelming.

You have all proven that we can work together, even after 32 years of being apart.

"It is a thing of joy to note that 32 years after, we are fortunate to be gathered here tonight to celebrate and remember our time together as classmates, and friends at the faculty of Law UNILAG. On behalf of the planning committee, I thank you all for being here. Your presence will enrich the entire reunion experience for all of us�.

Celebrating Excellence Speaking on the core objectives of the reunion, the president of the class Mr. Shola Abidakun said: “Standing here, I have not seen some people since the past 32 years, and that is one of the core objectives; for us to be able to come together and meet ourselves, the way we have seen ourselves.

It has been a fantastic feeling seeing you all. After meeting together, we feel we need to give back to our faculty and our school. For the past 32 years, we have not been able to have not been able to have this kind of opportunity.

"Incidentally, our Distinguished Professor, Osipitan, sent a letter to us that they were in need of some infrastructural development at the Law annex of the school; we will take that up. But most importantly, we were thinking that it is possible for us to institute

L-R: Publicity Secretary, Unilag Law Class ’86 Reunion, Mr. Bayo Alabidun; Mr. Sodeonye Pepple; Representative of Vice-President, Dr. Aina Salami; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Mr. Gbola Akintola at the event

L-R: Mrs. Bose Akande, Prof. Chioma Agomo; Representative of Vice-President, Dr. Aina Salami; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa an endowment fund for the best graduating students in our faculty. We are fortified by this objective because, in all the newspaper that we have been seeing, we read that, out of the students presented by the faculty, at the law school, 22 of them had a first class.

"It’s a feat that is worthy of celebration. I can assure you that while we were there, most of the things we were taught, we still find it very relevant as of today. And these are the core objectives of today’s gathering. Thank you very much distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate your coming�.

Call to Reform the Judiciary In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Founder and Chairman of Juli Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, identified himself as the oldest of the class of ’86, before going further to challenge his old classmates to use their position as lawyers, judges, SAN’s and honourable justices to reform the judiciary system, most especially, the delay in the process of adjudication of law in Nigeria.

After narrating the case of a boy who was arrested alongside some hoodlums by the police at Ikorodu axis of Lagos State, while he was age 12, and didn’t regain freedom till 23 years after because of poverty, he said: “there are many of such cases in the country we are today. And this is what we as lawyers need to stand up against.

A nation that has strong lawyers is a fortunate one, while that which has weak lawyers, is an unfortunate one�.

He therefore admonished the class to be in good and constant communication with the faculty and

university which birthed them, adding that, “the faculty and university would work better if the whole alumni of the school are in good communication with them�.

Charge to Lawyers In his speech, the vice president, who was represented by Salami expressed deep regrets from his principal who couldn’t make it to the occasion due to urgent national matters. He however congratulated the class for the bold step taken in achieving the reunion. In his piece tagged ‘The need for lawyers to get more involved in war against poverty’ he said: “Poverty is a very prevalent thing with us now in Nigeria. Poverty has been said to be the ultimate abuse of human rights, and denial of access to justice has been said to be an affront to the rule of law.

"A society cannot therefore enjoy the fullest aspiration for the rule of law, where poverty thrives.

As lawyers, we have a major role to play and do something about poverty, through the law and socio justice. Even beyond CSR. The responsibility is very strong on us because lawyers are noted to create framework and environment for things to thrive. There is a need for us to have a paradigm shift in doing this.

"Because, generally, lawyers are trained in the hardcore in the principles of hard law, but we are talking about soft law issues and principles that would ameliorate the sufferings of the poor�.

Promoting Mentorship In an Interview with THISDAY afterwards, a

former lecturer of the class and the first Female Dean of students of the faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Chioma Agomo said, “When they came in, I was still very young in the system. Now they are all grandparents. We have always had a very open and cordial relationship. And the unique thing about them now is that they are very successful, creative and diverse in their ways.

"They are people that you can reckon with in the society. I can’t describe the euphoria of seeing them tonight. Some of them, I haven’t set my eyes on them in a long while and I find it difficult to recognise them. What we are trying to promote tonight is mentorship. They should be a source of mentorship and inspiration to the current students in that faculty. If they can make it, then the current students too should know they also can�.

Just as special awards were being giving to the vice president and some other invited guest at the program, the class president, Mr. Shola Abidakun, in his interview with THISDAY, said “We graduated from the faculty of Law University of Lagos since 1986, and we have not had the opportunity of meeting like this, till we decided to have a reunion.

"As you can see the banters, the friendship, and joy in the air, it shows how much we have missed each other. Most of us are in the diaspora, some of us are judges, and we have been able to meet ourselves and chart a new way to move ahead. As it is evident, we have always been very supportive of each other’s dreams and aspirations, which is why a lot of us are highly placed in the society today. And I am so glad that we are going to be giving back to our Alma Mater this moment on�.

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

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, Chairman, Council Institute of Oil & Gas Research & Hydrocarbon Studies, Prof. Akin Akindoyeni; Chairman, Quality & Standardisation Directorate, Prof. John Ndanusa Akanya; and Director General, Ambassador Moses Essien, at the Commonwealth Oil & Gas induction ceremony held in Port Harcourt... recently

L-R: Chairman of occasion,Mazi Sam Onwuabuwa; Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan;Founder/CEO, SLOT, Nnamdi Ezeigbo and his wife; Nkechi at the presentation of a book to mark the 20th anniversary SLOT in Lagos...recently

L-R: Technical Engineer, Inlaks Energy, Ayodele Orekunrin; Student of Vivian Fowler School, Doyinsola Ogunshola; and Team Lead, Power System Engineering, Inlaks Technical Resource Centre, Abayomi Subair, during a training session on solar electricity generation for the students, organised by Inlaks in Lagos... recently

L-R: Scretary of Conference, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Prelate, His Eminence Samuel C.K. Uche and Bishop of Trinity Church Council, Rt. Rev. Omotayo O. Babalola, during the 2019 New Year Church Service at Methodist Church, Tinubu, Lagos...recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Fuji icon, Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma presenting a cheque of N1 million to the winner of Trophy Lager Consumer Promo, Oluwatoyin Obisesan, during a musical concert organized by the brand in Ibadan... recently

L-R: Head of Resource, United Capital, Bolanle Ibitoye; Head, Business Development Division, West, Sigma Pensions, Mabel George; Managing Director, Gr8jobsng/U-Connect, Omomene Odike; Managing Consultant, HRMadam, Funmi Bucknor;and West Africa Advisory Leader, Advisory Services, Ernst and Young, Ben Afudego, at the Gr8jobsng panel session of project employ in Lagos recently

L-R: Former DGM, Access Bank/Guest Speaker, Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene; Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Rivers State Branch, Mr. Clement Osuji; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Dr. Uche Olowu; Deputy Director, Port Harcourt Zonal OďŹƒce, NDIC, Mr. Idongesit Essien; and Prinipal Manager, CBN, Rivers State, during the 2018 CIBN Rivers State annual bankers dinners and awards night held in Portharcourt, Rivers State recently

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Ͳ Ëœ Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ ͡ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 23.75% 20%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

21.50% 15.13 % 15.25%

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

355.69% 0.39% 1.78%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

2.41% 7.96%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.96/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Iran Mulls Currency Redenomination

STAKEHOLDERS’ RETREAT

L-R: Secretary, Joint Tax Board, Mr. Olsen Elemah; Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Babangida Ibrahim; Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler and Senator Kurfi, at a retreat in Lagos‌recently

Investors Trade N175 Trillion on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Goddy Egene The FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange enjoyed improved patronage in 2018, as it facilitated transactions worth N175 trillion.

This was 23.24 per cent higher than the N142.02 trillion recorded in 2017.

An analysis of the data obtained by THISDAY showed that treasury bills continued to account for the most activity during the year, contributing 39.70 per cent of the total turnover.

Foreign exchange (FX) market transactions accounted for 36.6 per cent, while Repurchase Agreements (Repos)/Buy-Backs, accounted for 16.44 per cent.

Bonds, Unsecured Placements

INVESTMENT & Takings and Money Market Derivatives contributed 6.80 per cent, 0.44 per cent and 0.02 per cent respectively, to the overall market turnover in the review year.

A total of 46 securities were registered and quoted on the exchange. The securities comprise 13 bonds and 33 commercial papers (CPs). Since it commenced operations about five years ago, the FMDQ OTC has helped to deepened the financial markets general and debt capital markets in particular.

Following its long-time agenda to foster market integra-

tion, improve network effects and promote liquidity in the Nigerian financial markets, FMDQ last launch of its Dealing Member Specialists (DMS) Market, which went live on December 19.

According to the exchange, that unprecedented market development initiative came on the back of the fragmentation identified in the fixed income market and will provide seamless integration of the fixed income inter-bank market -FMDQ Dealing Member Banks DMBs and the securities dealers, who are Members of the newly-created membership category.

The DMS category is a subset of the FMDQ Dealing Member category, which also warehouses

the DMBs and is made up of securities dealers, including investment banking firms, securities trading/stockbroking firms and OTC fixed income dealers licenced to make market in all fixed income products admitted for trading on the FMDQ platform.

FMDQ said in the last three years, it has worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and market participants to create the DMS market, and this new market affords both the SEC- registered Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as FMDQ dealers the opportunity to trade together in a liquid fixed Continued on page 24

How Nigeria Can Curb Oil Revenue Losses Obinna Chima The federal government has been advised to deepen the nation’s oil reserves, which according to a report, been flat in the past 10 years.

The report also highlighted measures the government can adopt to curb further revenue losses post 2019 elections.

PwC Nigeria, a professional services firm stated this in a report titled: “Avoidable Oil & Gas Revenue Losses: Breaking the Election Cycle,� obtained on Monday. “The dire fiscal projections point back to the deafening call for reforms in the oil and gas sector if the federal government seeks to forestall further oil revenue losses in the current cycle. “To avoid these oil revenue

ECONOMY losses, we propose focusing on three key areas as the nation goes through the next election cycle,� it stated.

Firstly, it recommended that the Executive arm of the government should work extensively and purposefully with the National Assembly to pass and sign the PIB (Petroleum Industry Bill) into law. This, it stated, would go a long way to provide clarity and direction for all players in the industry and serve as an enabler to unlock pending FIDs (Final Investment Decisions) estimated in excess of $40 billion.

Second, it stated the need for continuous stakeholders’ management of the various interest groups in oil produc-

ing communities. “We advocate that more emphasis is placed on infrastructural and human development in these regions to enhance the life outcomes of inhabitants of host communities. “This move should partly address security concerns that frequently disrupt production activities in the oil & gas upstream space. “Finally, it is important for any new administration to promptly provide policy direction once elected into office to address the expectations/ concerns of the different stakeholders in the oil & gas industry and reduce the time lag and uncertainties relating to investment decisions. “If carried out objectively, we believe the headline steps set out will go a long way to prevent factors responsible for

oil revenue losses on Nigeria’s equity barrels as well as offer support to other non-oil revenue initiatives by the government. “By taking care of these predictable problems, the nation can focus on developing strategies to advance the upstream sector.�

The report noted that like most developing democracies, election periods in Nigeria are typically associated with uncertainties, which generally impede business decisions and slow down economic productivity. It also stated that in Nigeria, the last three election cycles have been followed by inflationary pressures occasioned by increase in money supply, which in turn forces the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to tighten monetary policies via the MPR Continued on page 24

Iran’s central bank has proposed slashing four zeros from the rial, following the plunging of the currency’s value in the wake of an economic crisis fuelled by U.S. sanctions. “Abilltoremovefourzerosfromthenationalcurrencywaspresented to the government by the central bank yesterday and I hope this matter can be concluded as soon as possible,� Iranian News Agency (IRNA)quotedcentralbankgovernorAbdolnaserHemmatiassaying.

Proposalstoremovefourzerosfromthecurrencyhavebeenoated since2008,buttheideahasgainedstrengthastheriallostmorethan 60 percent of its value in 2018 despite a recent recovery engineered by the central bank in deďŹ ance of U.S. sanctions. The currency was trading at about 110,000 rials per U.S. dollar on the unoďŹƒcial market on Sunday, according to foreign exchange websites.

The currency was trading at about 110,000 rials per U.S. dollar on the unoďŹƒcialmarketonSunday,accordingtoforeignexchangewebsites.

President DonaldTrump re-imposed U.S. sanctions on Iran last year after pulling out of world powers’ 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

Washington has vowed “maximum pressure� on Iran’s economy to force it to accept tougher limits on its nuclear and missile programs.

Iran has ruled this out. Rial weakness disrupted Iran’s foreign trade last year and helped boost annual ination fourfold to nearly 40 percent in November. The weak currency and galloping ination have been a complaint of sporadic street protests since late 2017.

Afterapprovalbythegovernment,theproposedcurrencyplanwould have to be passed by parliament and approved by the clerical body that vets legislation before it takes eect.

Tunisia Tourism Revenues Rises

Tunisia’stourismrevenuesjumpedin2018to$1.36billionasthecountry saw the arrival of a record 8.3 million visitors, a strong recovery for a vital sector from two militant attacks on holidaymakers in 2015, oďŹƒcial ďŹ gures showed on Monday.

The tourism industry accounts for eight per cent ofTunisia’s Gross DomesticProduct.AreturnofEuropeansvisitorswouldgiveastrong boosttothestrugglingeconomyandraisethecountry’sweakforeign currency reserves, Reuters reported.

Major European tour operators started to return toTunisia last year, after three years of shunning the country following the attack on a beach in Sousse that killed 39 tourists and a separate attack at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis that killed 21.

Tourismrevenuesrosein2018byabout45percentcomparedto2017 to reach 4.09 billion dinars ($1.36 billion), the central bank ďŹ gures showed. The number of tourists jumped to 8.3 million from 7 million in 2017, as hotels were ďŹ lled with visitors from Algeria, Russia and oter parts of Europe.

Tunisia expects tourist arrivals to reach 9 million for the ďŹ rst time in 2019.

Mozambique Indicts Chang, Others

Mozambique has indicted 18 citizens for their involvement in fraud involving $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies, the attorney general’soďŹƒce(AGO)saidonMonday.FormerMozambiqueďŹ nance ministerManuelChang,63,isoneofthe18indictees.Hewasarrested in neighbouring South Africa last week as part of the same case, and has denied wrongdoing.

Two major international banks are involved in the monumental loan scam.ApartfromCreditSuisse,theRussianlenderVTBalsoarranged ďŹ nancing for Mozambique’s state-owned companies. “Mozambique AGO is indicting 18 defendants, (ranging) from public workers and other citizens, on charges of abuse of power, abuse of trust,swindlingandmoneylaundering,â€?NANquotedthegovernment to have said in a statement.

Theindictmentcamedaysafterthreeex-CreditSuissebankerswere chargedintheUnitedStateswithfraudovertheirroleinMozambique’s deal in 2013 in borrowing money from international investors to fund projects that included a state tuna ďŹ shery.

The attorney general’s oďŹƒce also said it would seek to have those charged in the United States and elsewhere to face charges in Mozambique, one of the most indebted countries in the world.

“So, certainly, our non-oil tax revenue is growing in absolute figures, from 2016 to 2018. In 2016 it was N2.149 trillion, in 2017 it was N2.5 trillion and in 2018 N2.85 trillion. That does not mean we have left behind the oil tax revenue; it has improved from N1.5 trillion in 2016 to N1.52 trillion to N2. 467 trillion in 2018�

Executive Chairman, FIRS,

Mr. Babatunde Fowler

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INVESTORS TRADE N175 TRILLION ON FMDQ OTC SECURITIES EXCHANGE income market operated by banks, who are the foundation members of FMDQ. The participation of DMSs in the Nigerian fixed income market will not only enhance liquidity, but also serve as an efficient channel for FMDQ to integrate retail participants into the Nigerian fixed income market. Furthermore, in a firsttime move, the banks have committed to support the DMS market with trading liquidity by accepting to provide two-way quotes to the DMSs, whereas FMDQ Clear Limited, will act as the clearing house for the market and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc as the settlement bank,� it said.

The FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange was license by SECS in 2013 as an over-the-counter (OTC) securities exchange and self-regulatory organisation to run the fixed income trading platform.

And it has continued to innovate to ensure its markets maintain high levels of transparency, governance and integrity, advocating investor protection and supporting its long-term ability to continue to create value for all its stakeholders.

HOW NIGERIA CAN CURB OIL REVENUE LOSSES (Monetary Policy Rate) and reserve requirements.

It, however, stressed that prudent business leaders stall investment decisions, while they await the outcomes of the electioneering process and policy direction from the new administration.

The impact of these delayed decisions on the economy varies depending on the significance of the sector, the firm noted.

Owing to this, the report urged the federal government to focus on the oil and gas sector, as it constitutes over 90 per cent of the nation’s foreign earnings and about a tenth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

It also stressed the need for the government to develop plans to exploit the expected increase in demand for sweet crude from 2020, that was prompted by the implementation of the MARPOL treaty by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Poll: Nigerians Demand Improvement in Education, Security, Electricity The New Year poll report by NOIPolls has revealed that most Nigerians want the government to mainly focus its attention on education (49 per cent), security (44 per cent), electricity supply (36 per cent) and economy (32 per cent), amongst other sector/ areas in 2019.

The report stated that it was not surprising that education topped the list this year given the series of challenges facing the sector. For instance, it noted that poor funding was one of the major reasons for the deterioration and challenges in the education sector, especially tertiary education, which has led to frequent strikes by academic and non-academic staff since the early 1990s.

The federal government’s allocation to education in the last 10 years has been inadequate as only a total of N3.90 trillion or an average of 7.07 per cent has so far been allocated to the sector out of a total budget of N55.19 trillion.

Also, a Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian government, had revealed that the number of out-of-school children rose from 10.5 million in 2010 to 13.2 million in 2015 in Nigeria.

On security, the survey showed that 44 per cent of Nigerians reported that they expected the government to improve on the issue of security in Nigeria as they believed it has not fared well in 2018.

The nation witnessed a drastic breakdown of internal security challenges in 2018, ranging from terror strikes in the north-east to herdsmen and farmers conflicts in the northcentral to militants operating in the south-south. “This crisis comes in several forms such as communal, religious, political and socio-

economic with varying degree of casualties mostly civilians. “For instance, the tension between herdsmen and farming communities saw a dramatic escalation in the first quarter of 2018 especially the attacks that occurred in some local government areas in Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Nasarawa and Taraba states which involved the loss of lives and properties leaving many people displaced from their homes,� the report added. The survey opinion on power revealed that 36 per cent of the respondents expected the government to significantly focus its attention on the sector, considering that this sector has faced huge challenges over the years.

According to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the country’s power generation was at its peak of 7,000 megawatts (MW) in August 2018.

Despite reaching a peak of 7,000 megawatts (MW), it

was still inadequate considering the country’s population hence, adequate electricity means that Nigerians would be empowered to work from the domestic level and the cottage industries, through the small-scale and medium industries to employment in the large-scale manufacturing complexes. “Therefore, the federal government and concerned stakeholders needs to place high priority on ensuring that challenges surrounding these sectors are drastically improved to improve the economy and foster national development,� the poll stated.

On the economy, it showed that 32 per cent disclosed that they expected the government to focus its attention on all aspect of the country’s economy.

This, according to the report, was not surprising considering that Nigerians economy did not fare well in 2018.

For instance, the National

Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.81 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the third quarter of 2018.

However, the average Nigerian is yet to feel the impact of this increase in the country’s GDP because it is marginal and negligible, it stated.

According to the African Development data on Nigeria’s Economic Outlook in 2018, it reported that about 152 million Nigerians live on less than two dollars per day and this figure represents about 80 per cent of the country’s estimated 190 million population. Also, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Article IV consultation report on Nigerian economy for 2018 revealed that the Nigerian economy was slowly exiting recession although remains vulnerable to external shocks such as huge fiscal deficit, low economy diversification, increasing domestic risks and

rising banking sector risks. “Finally, the government should do its best to tackle and improve on these areas Nigerians believe did not fare well in 2018. For instance, more funds should be allocated to the education sector and the internal security policy and strategy should be reviewed to accommodate new dimensions of security challenges in the country. “Also, the government should revamp the power stations to perform at optimal capacity and diversify power sources so as not to overburden current sources. “There is also a need for the government and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for SMEs to thrive as well as ensure that industrial manufacturing companies in the country are operating at full capacity. These are the key highlights from the New Year poll conducted in the week commencing December, 17th 2018,� it added.

ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION

L-R:Head,Research&StrategyManagement,PensionCommission,UmarFarouk;ChiefExecutiveOfficer,EnhancingFinancialInnovationandAccess (EFInA), Esaie Diei; Deputy Director, Household Statistics, National Bureau of Statistics, Adeyemi Adeniran; Former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Sarah Alade; Private Sector Development Adviser, Department for International Development, Richard Sandall and EFInA Board Chairman, Segun Aderele, during EFInA’s biannual flagship financial inclusion data 2018 unveiling in Lagos‌recently

Railway Staff Association Faults Eviction Order Oluchi Chibuzor The National Association of Nigerian Railway Senior Citizens (NANRSC) has decried an alleged move by the Ministry of Transport decision to use the Nigerian Railway Corporation property at Ebute Metta as collateral for loan from the China Export Promotion Bank.

This, they disclosed was being done in collaboration with the management of the corporation.

The development, they also alleged, prompted the officials of the ministry and NRC management to issue them eviction letter, amidst court injunction

granting them first option to buy the property.

The president of the association, Leshi Emmanuel, disclosed this at a media briefing with Journalist recently in Lagos.

Leshi, said the invasive nature of China Civil Engineering Corporation (CCEC), in the Nigerian railway compound to acquire the premises under the disguise of construction of railway line Lagos, should not be allowed.

He also noted that because of the strategic location of the property, Chinese investors were increasingly targeting the Ebute Mata Staff Quarters Railway

compound, which the Ministry of Transportation allegedly used as collateral to enable the federal government access undisclosed sum from China Export Bank. “The Ministry, without recourse to the judgment of National Industrial Court of Nigeria which was delivered regarding the Railway quarters in favour of the Railway staff on January 6, 2016, and the on-going trial at the court of Appeal, has allegedly used the Nigerian Railway staff quarters in the compound as a collateral to enable the federal government to access the Chinese Government’s loan of undisclosed sum from

the china Exim bank. “Rather than concentrate on building the railway standard gauge rail line as contracted to do, China has delved into acquisition of lands in railway compound to further their expansionist policies, which has attendant untold consequences in the future. “We contend that the houses no longer belong to railway management as we had won the case against them over the staff quarters, which they have appealed.�

The secretary of the Association, Mrs. Monica Nnodi, alleged that the deal between the Chinese

Government, the Ministry of transportation in collaboration with the management of Nigerian Railway, was a ploy to further strip the workers of their legitimate rights on the staff quarters which was still a subject of litigation before the courts. “We demand that the NRC management desist from harassing the occupants of railway quarters under the guise of census enumeration, intruding into appurtenances, comply with the judgment of the court and begin the process of monetisation policy of July 2005.�

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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

N’DeltaYouths Protests Alleged Relocation of NGPTC Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Correspondents

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

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Palpable tension enveloped some parts of Warri as Niger Delta Youths on Monday protested over an alleged plan to relocate the Head Office of the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company Limited (NGPTC), formerly Nigerian Gas Company and a

subsidiary of the NNPC, from Warri, Delta State, to Lagos.

The protesting youths, drawn from different ethnic groups in Delta, Edo and other Niger Delta States walked on the major roads and ended up at the gate of NGPTC chanting solidarity songs to registered their anger over the alleged relocation plan

by NNPC.

Leaders of the youths from various ethnic groups led the peaceful protest and matched through the NPA expressway, to the head office of the company carrying placards.

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Eric Omare, told newsmen that the decision to relocate the company was,�demonic and

totally unacceptable to us.�

Omare alleged that the federal government was planning to relocate the head office of the company from Warri to Lagos warning that, “they should also take their pipelines from all parts of Delta State.�

He noted that Delta State and other parts of the region is safe for oil companies to operate

maintaining that they were totally against any Subsidiary of NNPC living Delta State. “NNPC has no business having its tower in Abuja. NNPC should be in Delta States, Rivers State and Bayelsa State. We are saying that Chevron should relocate their headquarters back to Warri or Escravos. They have no business in Lekki,� he said.

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Stock Market: Optimism after Bear Run Notwithstanding a 17.8 per cent decline recorded by the stock market in 2018, the Nigerian bourse is expected to perform better this year, writes Goddy Egene The stock market recorded a performance that sent mixed feelings among stakeholders in 2018.

To some, it was a disappointment that the market could not sustain the gain recorded in 2017.

But to others, given the various headwinds witnessed in 2018, the decline of 17.8 per cent was a not a very bad performance after all.

Contrary to high expectations that the Nigerian equities market will sustain the 2017 positive performance in 2018, the market closed the year with a decline of N1.898 trillion while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 17.8 per cent.

While 2018 started on a positive note with the NSE ASI rallying 15.95 per cent in the first month, the bearish trend set in the following months, which persisted to the end of the year.

Early optimism Following the recovery in 2017 and sustained rally in the first weeks of January, 2018, operators were highly optimistic that the market would remain bullish in early part of 2018.

According to them, many investors would take position ahead of positive results and dividends expected from companies for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, said: “Given that we expect the Nigerian economy to maintain its steady growth, we do not expect the market to deviate from its current trend, hence, we opine that this positive momentum will be sustained in 2018, albeit at a slower pace on the back of the high base effect in 2017.�

Also speaking, analysts at FSDH Research had said the performance of market in 2017, was driven by: the increase in the price of crude oil; introduction of the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I &E) foreign exchange window leading to stability in the foreign exchange market; improved corporate earnings and the drop in the yields on the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs). �

They therefore said they expected the factors to support the market rally in 2018.

Similarly, analysts at Cordros Capital Limited (CCL), said the 2018 economic outlook favour the equities market.

Although the firm made a strong case for equities upside potential, it also considered the number of possible risks that could trigger a bear market. “We have considered five possible triggers of the rally. The probability of the triggers is low to moderate. The possible triggers, in order of importance to Nigerian equities are: significantly favourable macroeconomic and political backdrop; strong corporate earnings growth; strong portfolio inflows; mergers and acquisition (M&A) activities; and strong moderation of fixed income and treasury yields,� he said.

Bears take over Although the strong rally recorded in January made the market to close first quarter (Q1) with a growth, sustained bear run in the subsequent months led the market to close the second quarter (Q2) with a decline.

However, the negative sentiments that prevailed in Q2 did not come as a surprise to many operators and analysts. According to them, they had expected profit taking by investors in most stocks that had been overbought in the beginning of year. Also, analysts said the exit of foreign from emerging and frontier markets and political uncertainties in the country fuelled the negative performance.

The foreign investors were said to be moving their funds into Western countries, especially United States, following rate hike. The bear run continued until of the year.

Stakeholders’ assessment Looking at the performance of the market in 2018, analysts at analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited, said the downtrend in the stock market, which was initially triggered by rising yields in the United States(US) due to hike in interest rates by the Fed, was exacerbated by escalating trade war between the US and China, investor fears surrounding a “contagion effect� on the back of the turmoil in emerging markets (Turkey and Argentina in particular). “In addition, the political uncertainties in the domestic economy in the build up to the

NSE trading oor

2019 elections amidst a sluggish growth in gross domestic product (GDP) (which slowed from 2.1 per cent in Q4 2017 to 1.95 per cent in Q1 2018 and then to 1.5 per cent in Q2 2018) from the economic recession led foreign investors to flee the equities market in search of high-quality lower-risk assets in developed economies notably the US,� they said.

A stockbroker, Mr. David Adonri of Highcap Securities Limited said the fixed income market predominated in the 2018 due to high interest rate.

Another broker, Mr. Kasimu Garba Kurfi of APT Securities & Funds Limited, said the performance of the stock market in 2018 was poor with a negative of about 18 per cent compared with 42 per cent gained the previous year.

According to him, globally the capital market closed in red, including Dow Jones, NASDAQ, FTSE, Nikkei, JSE among others. “But our performance was worst. This could be due to election year coming which brings uncertainty in the mind of foreign investors that mostly exit to wait after elections. The issue that related to non-compliance with MTN remittance of dividend and the approach by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not only affected MTN listing but also discouraged foreign investors coming into the country. The results declared by some of the companies such as Lafarge Africa Plc, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, and UAC of Nigeria Plc among others, did not help matters,� he said.

Kurfi explained that the introduction of Federal Government of Nigeria Sukuk with high yield encourage investors to diversify from equity into bond.

However, he said the outlook for 2019 look bright in view of low prices of most blue chip stocks. “Peaceful conduct of the election will boost the performance of the market. The possible listing of MTN will increase the depth of the market.

The introduction of Funds 1 which allow Pension Funds Administrators to invest as much as 70 per cent of the funds into the capital market will also impact the market positively,� he said.

Looking ahead, analysts said: “Although, we acknowledge that the broad sell off in the market has led to a significant moderation in the share prices of stocks providing opportunities for bargain hunting, we think that the argument for “Buying the dip� frequently advanced by money managers and traders is still too early to call for. “With growing concerns about a weakening global economy, the U.S Fed providing guidance for two rate hikes in 2019 and more importantly, the elevated political risk in the domestic economy, we expect foreign investors to remain on the sidelines. Hence, we still expect a choppy theme to characterize the nation’s bourse over the short term.�

Some positive developments Despite the decline recorded in 2018, the market recorded some positive developments.

Apart from the fact some investors still went home with gains of between 101 per cent and

20 per cent, regulators equally introduced some policies that would enhance investors’ stakes in the market going forward.

For instance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), extended the forbearance period for investors with multiple applications to December 31, 2019. The commission therefore urged investors to regularise their positions, saying no punishment for investors who used multi applications to acquire shares in the past.

According to the Acting Director General of SEC, during the banking and insurance sector consolidation between 2004-2007, there were a lot of issues in the primary market because the banks or insurance companies came to the market to raise funds and because a lot of people were coming to the capital market for the first time, they saw the market as a place where they can make a lot of money so a lot of them bought shares in different names. “Today those shares are not in the system because if you are unable to identify yourself properly those shares cannot be properly captured in the system. We are saying come and regularize that situation and get back your shares which are being warehoused somewhere. There is absolutely no punishment attached to it, the SEC is not punishing anybody. We just want such individuals to come and regularise that transaction between now and 31st December 2019,� she said.

Also, the NSE introduced some innovations in 2018. For instance, it launched the X-Bot, which is the first African securities exchange Chatbot designed to provide market participants, especially retail investors, convenient, faster and real-time access to data and information from the Exchange.

Commenting on X-Bot, the Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, noted that the introduction of X-Bot is in line with the exchange’s drive to improve market participation through greater access to market information. “We aim for an exchange that is easily accessible and actively matches investors’ increased thirst for information and detailed disclosure information to make sound investment decisions. With X-Bot, investors in our market can access on-demand market information, news and events on the activities of the Exchange and the various products and instruments that are listed and traded on it.�

The NSE, in collaboration with London Stock Exchange (LSE) hosted the 5th edition of the NSE-LSE Dual Listing Conference.

Themed: “Attracting Global Capital to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Reforms and Sustainable Growth Development,� the conference brought together companies keen to explore a London/ Lagos dual listing, corporate finance experts, lawyers, capital market operators, regulators, government officials, media and thought leaders to discuss investment opportunities in Nigeria. “This event came at a time when Nigeria has turned a corner from its worst recession in over two decades to have the best performing stock exchange in Africa and third best performing

globally. I have no doubt that the insightful deliberations at this conference would drive the level of engagement and idea generation that will solidify and strengthen our capital markets partnership and reinforce the drive of Federal, States and Corporates in accessing the deep pool of capital inherent in the Nigerian capital market and on the London Bourse. I encourage us to utilise the opportunities that exist between our exchanges to enhance capacity in our markets and promote diversity of investment products to meet the needs of a wide range of investors and issuers,� Onyema said.

Similarly, last year, the NSE migrated Access Bank Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc to its Premium Board.

The Premium Board is the listing segment for the elite group of issuers that meet the exchange’s most stringent corporate governance and listing standards. The board is a platform for showcasing companies who are industry leaders in their sectors. Premium Board features companies that adhere to international best practices on corporate governance and meet the exchange’s highest standards of capitalization and liquidity.

The board gives a company access to a global pool of investors who are focused on companies managed in conformity to the highest standards in their target markets.

The NSE said the Access Bank Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc have all passed the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS). “This migration affirms the strides our listed companies are making towards meeting the highest standards of corporate governance and underpins the robustness of our market. The new companies have consistently demonstrated their inherent values to be globally competitive brands and we congratulate them on the attainment of this migration,� Onyema said.

Bright outlook Although the market remained bearish in the first week of 2019, analysts are optimistic that a positive performance should be expected at the end of the year. Analysts at WSTC Securities Limited said: “The equities market closed in red in 2018, declining by 17.81 per cent. We expect the bearish trend to extend to 2019, on the back of heightened risk in the Nigerian political environment. However, we posit a reverse direction of the market in the second quarter, as we expect political stability to support sentiment.�

In their own outlook, analysts at FSDH Research said although a number of factors may limit the growth of the equity market in 2019, they believe it will record a modest recovery. “The election activities that will dominate the first quarter of the year may deter investors throughout Q1 2019. However, informed investors usually make money from the equity market when other investors are cautious. Therefore, we expect some strategic positioning in the equity market in Q1 2019 ahead of a recovery in Q2 2019,� they said.

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Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion Journey Having access to financial services is a critical step towards reducing poverty and inequality, writes Obinna Chima

Financial inclusion is on the rise globally and has been accelerated by mobile phones, the internet and other alternative banking channels.

This is because having access to financial services has been identified as a critical step towards reducing both poverty and inequality.

That is why in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria and other stakeholders have continued to develop initiatives that will raise the level of financial inclusion in the country.

Since the launch of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy in 2012, stakeholders had innovated various interventions in its implementation process.

The Financial Inclusion Steering and Technical Committees were established across the states in January, 2015 along with the Channels, Products, Financial Literacy and Special Intervention Working Groups.

Owing to these measures, the hope for Nigeria to achieve its 80 per cent financial inclusion rate by 2020 received a major boost recently, when the Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), released the result of its 2018 survey figures.

The survey showed that 63.6 per cent of Nigeria’s adult population now has access to financial services and only 36.6 per cent are presently financially excluded.

EFInA is a non-governmental organization and a financial sector development organisation funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation towards promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The latest report covered 750 respondents in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 27,470 interviews, which represented 97 per cent of the target sample of 28,380.

The survey was anchored on several indicators including banked population; remittances; savings with a bank; payments; received income; loan with a bank; and banking agents, among others.

Beside these, card payments on Point of sale (PoS) terminals in Nigeria have also grown from a paltry 5,000 monthly volume in 2011 to 30 million in November 2018, all thanks to the success of the cashless Nigeria initiative.

According to Acting Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc, Niyi Ajao, 45.3 per cent of the PoS transactions occurred at supermarkets and similar retail outlets, 14.1 per cent at fuel stations and 10.1 per cent at fast foods and restaurant locations.

A further breakdown of the PoS transactions showed that 3.4 per cent were consummated at hotels, motels and resorts and two per cent at telecommunication service centers. Another two per cent took place at drug stores, pharmacies and sundry locations.

In all, the number of installed PoS terminals has also grown from 10,000 in 2011 to 200,000 in November 2018. All this proves the indisputable success of the Cashless Nigeria campaign over this eight years period.

The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) payment cards and terminals publication reported 380,000 POS terminals in use in South Africa, up to 1.6Million terminals in the UK and 620,000 terminals in Argentina.

Survey Findings The EFInA report showed an increase of 1.4 per cent in the banked population from the 2016 to 2018 was found, which was a decrease of 2.2 per cent in remittances in two years, and another decrease of 6.7 per cent in Saving with a Bank within the period.

The survey showed that 63.6 per cent of Nigeria’s adult population now has access to ďŹ nancial services and only 36.6 per cent are presently ďŹ nancially excluded

The report however showed a decrease of 1.6 per cent (from 30.1% in 2016 to 28.5% to 2018) in the non-bank indicators of pension; savings through other formal institutions; mobile money; mobile money agents; insurance; remittances and loans with other formal institutions.

The EFInA survey report concluded that three factors of affordability, institutional exclusion and lack of awareness were the biggest obstacles to financial inclusion.

According to EFInA, while 60.1 million Nigerians do not have/use a bank account, 96.3 million do not have/use mobile money and 97.9 million do not have insurance.

On the digital usage in the country, the EFInA report revealed that mobile money, which was thought to be useful in the financial inclusion drive, was found to only deepen rather than expand financial inclusion.

In addition, the report revealed that while 35.5 million Nigerians (36.6% of the adult population) use bank accounts only three million adults have both mobile money and bank accounts, whereas 59.4 million (60.0%) neither have mobile money nor bank account.

Similarly, the study showed that while 82 per cent of Nigerian adults, comprising of subsistence farmers and small business owners, receive their income in cash, 10 per cent of those adults receive their own income via mobile money or bank account, while another eight per cent did not receive any income at all.

Savings in the country, according to the report, dropped by 13.3 per cent, while savings in assets, property, and livestock had risen from 47.4 million to 54.7 million since 2016.

Other decrease in respect of this indicator was that of borrowing, which went down by two per cent and remittances to one per cent.

On financial access by gender, the report indicated that out of 99.6 million adults in the country, 33.5 million male adult Nigerians were financially included compared with 29.4 million female adults. This represented a decrease in the exclusion rate of 4.3 per cent and 5.7 per cent in the male and female gender respectively, and a decrease of 4.8 per cent for both gender compared with the 2016 figures.

On financial access by age groups, the report revealed that Nigerians in the age bracket of 36 to 45 (19.5 million and 30.6% exclusion) have more access to finance than all others. This group was followed by those in the age bracket of 26 to 35 (30.3 million and 31.5% exclusion) and 46 to 55 (10.9 million and 32.4% exclusion).

The exclusion rate between the urban and rural areas showed that only 21.6 per cent Nigerians in the urban areas were excluded compared with 45.6 per cent Nigerians in the rural areas.

The gains recorded on this indicator revealed a decrease of 2.8 per cent and 6.6 per cent exclusion rate in the urban and rural areas respectively, as well as 4.8 per cent exclusion rate recorded in total since the year 2016.

Regional Assessment Regionally, the South-west and South-east, the two zones with the least financial exclusion rate in the past, had underperformed in the last two years.

The zones recorded exclusion rate of 18 per cent and 28 per cent respectively in 2016, compared with 19 per cent and 29 per cent exclusion rate, respectively in 2018.

All the other zones however recorded significant decrease in exclusion rate in the last two years with the south-south zone improving from 31 per cent in 2016, to 23 per cent in 2018, and the north-central achieving 31 per cent in 2018, from 39 per cent in 2016.

The north-east and north-west scored 55 per cent in 2018, from 62 per cent in 2016 and 62 per cent in 2018, from 70 per cent in 216, respectively.

The regional breakdown showed that Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States in the North-west zone failed to achieve the region’s average of 62.4 per cent, with Kano having the highest exclusion rate of 75.2 per cent.

Gombe, Bauchi and Yobe States fell below the average in the north-east region (54.5%).

Gombe for example, had the highest exclusion rate of 76.1 per cent, Bauchi 60.8 per cent and Yobe 60 per cent.

Taraba had the least exclusion rate of 30.9 per CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

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NIGERIA’S FINANCIAL INCLUSION JOURNEY cent in the region. Four states in the north-central region failed to score an exclusion rate below the regional average of 30.6 per cent.

Nasarawa led the pack with 39.5 per cent. It was closely followed by Niger, Plateau and the FCT with 38.1 per cent, 37.8 per cent and 31.9 per cent respectively.

Similarly, in the south-east zone, Ebonyi emerged the only state that failed to achieve an exclusion rate below the average of 29.3 per cent.

The state recorded a financial exclusion rate of 43.6 per cent. In the south-south zone, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Edo State were the states that had an exclusion rate more than the average in that zone (22.7%) as the states had 35.3 per cent, 29.1 per cent and 25.4 per cent respectively.

Also, in the south-west where the current exclusion average was 19.1 per cent, three states of Ondo, Oyo and Ogun recorded the highest rate of 28.8 per cent, 22.8 per cent and 21.8 per cent respectively.

Osun emerged the state with the least financial exclusion rate of 14.6 per cent not only in that zone, but also in the country, according to the latest EFInA report.

Furthermore, the report indicated N15,000 as the median income of the 99.6 million adult Nigerians, whereas 71.3 per cent of that number did not have access to mobile money accounts, and a mere 17.5 per cent as the borrowing rate among Nigerians.

Some of the observations the report made were that the labor market in the country was not absorbing enough graduates while reduction in the formal employment often led to reduced disposable income and reduced savings.

It also noted that adult Nigerians now resort to small businesses for survival even as it observed that day-to-day expenses was the most important financial need of Nigerians while planning for unexpected shocks as well as planning for the future goals become second and third priorities respectively.

EFInA also observed increase in the number of adults relying on informal mechanisms for employment even as payments in the country were mostly cash-based and driven by the size of the informal sector.

The SANEF Initiative Also, in line with their drive to enhance financial inclusion, the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), commercial banks and other operators in the payment system, last year developed an initiative to aggressively roll-out 500,000 agent networks to offer basic financial services across the country.

To achieve this target, the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) was created.

SANEF aims to accelerate financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The initiative involves on-boarding 40 million low income and unserved Nigerians into the financial system, increasing financial access points from the current 50,000 to 500,000 by 2020 and deepening access to mobile and digital financial products and services such as savings accounts, micro loans, insurance, pensions by Nigerians.

The project seeks to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria through an integrated ecosystem with strong regulatory oversight, consumer protection and interoperable payment systems with limited concentration risk.

It intends to create a platform for Nigerian owned financial services companies to grow, whilst empowering and creating jobs for Nigerians.

A member of Technical Committee of SANEF, Bolaji Lawal, explained that the project seeks to deepen financial inclusion through an integrated ecosystem with strong regulatory oversight, consumer protection and interoperable payment systems with limited concentration risk. “It will create a platform for Nigerian owned financial services companies to grow, whilst empowering and creating jobs for Nigerians,� he said.

He said the project was expected to reduce transaction costs, bring about convenience, create job opportunities, and increased adoption of financial services.

The platform is also expected to handle government’s social disbursements initiatives.

It will also lead to reduced cash dependency, better tax collections and reduction in crime rates.

In line with this initiative, the promoters are currently working on modalities to take the Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolment to the head offices of the 774 Local Government

Areas (LGAs) in the country. This is expected to capture the large number of the unbanked population and encourage bring them into the financial system. Also, over 70,000 new financial access points have been created in the country since SANEF was created in March this year.

Lawal, pointed out that the group plan to achieve 70 million registration by 2020.

Furthermore, he said 10,000 remote BVN devices ordered by NIBSS are currently being deployed to banks, mobile money operators and the super agents.

SANEF aims to accelerate ďŹ nancial inclusion in Nigeria.

The initiative involves on-boarding 40 million low income and unserved Nigerians into the ďŹ nancial system, increasing ďŹ nancial access points from the current 50,000 to 500,000 by 2020

“We are committed to enrol 40 million new unique BVNs between now and year 2020: 10 million in 2018, 15 million in 2019 and 15 million in 2020. NIBSS will pay agents N100 for every unique BVN enrolled,� he said.

Lawal also said nine operators currently party to project have been empowered with N4.5 billion.

He said a savings account product with an array of features (insurance, pension, micro credit) would be created to be a pull factor to attract the financially excluded into the system.

Other Initiatives The tiered Know-Your-Customer (KYC) framework was also introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2013 to simplify the requirements for opening and operating bank and mobile money accounts for the low income people.

Also, in order to achieve financial inclusion, the Agent Banking Guidelines were released to bring the services near the people by allowing third parties such as pharmacies, filling stations, supermarkets, cooperative societies etc. to offer banking and mobile money services on behalf of banks and mobile money operators.

Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had vigorously pursued a comprehensive identity management system for Nigeria while the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) pursued a micro pension framework for MSMEs, informal sectors and those whose income do not come in regular streams.

Furthermore, in collaboration with its stakehold-

ers, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) kick-started the process of increasing distribution channels to increase access to capital market products by promoting collective investment schemes, Capital Market Financial Literacy and a Capital Market Financial Inclusion Strategy.

On its part, the National Insurance Commission (NAIC) had been implementing non-interest based products to reach out to more people even as it released the micro insurance guidelines to provide explicit licensing of micro insurance companies and penetration of micro insurance to micro clients.

The Bancassurance Framework was another effort towards boosting inclusion. It was released by the CBN and NAICOM in order to be used as a platform for extending insurance courage to existing customers of banks.

More recently, collaborations and concessions were made to allow more roles to be played by mobile network operators in the delivery of financial services through subsidiaries. Partnerships were forged with the relevant government ministries in order to make use of their structures and instruments to advance financial literacy across the federation.

In the same vein, the CBN recently released the guidelines for the regulation of Payment Service Banks (PSB) in Nigeria. When this comes in effect early next year, it will provide a level playing field for the provision of payment services to the bottom of the pyramid.

These interventions contributed in large parts to some of the positive results in the EFInA report.

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Insurance Operators Rue Cancellation of Recapitalisation Exercise Stories by Ebere Nwoji Some insurance operators are regretting last year’s cancellation of the recapitalisation exercise for the industry.

According to the operators, the development may lead to the channelling of big ticket businesses to foreign insurers.

They said the policy, which had increased operating capital of the industry by 300 per cent, if implemented would have strengthened indigenous insurers to retain most huge insurance businesses often flown abroad and would have also increased the contribution of the sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The insurers said in the light of the cancellation, most insurance companies would still lose businesses they used to underwrite as policyholders seemed poised to transfer their risks to underwriting firms with strong capital base.

Commenting on the cancellation, the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN) and Managing

Director Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Eddie Efekoha stated: “Currently, insurance buyers especially big corporate buyers determine companies that will underwrite their business using capital as parameter of measurement of fitness of firms that will handle their business. “Recently, a broker said his client had informed him not to place risks with any underwriting firm with less than N9 billion capital as proposed in the cancelled policy. “With such developments, it is now immaterial whether the industry regulator withdraws the policy because it has opened the eyes of insurance consumers. “What I heard from our office recently was that there is a broker that said that my client has already seen that N9 billion is what is required, so please go and shore up. “It is immaterial whether the commission has withdrawn from the TBMSC or not. Of course, we are all here in this market, there is a particular transaction in Exxon Mobil for several years that never respected the N3 bil-

lion capitalisation and to that extent, some of us whose capital were not up to that minimum were excluded,� he stated.

With the cancellation of the recapitalisation exercise the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) last year, the capital base for the industry remains the same, meaning that non-life insurance firms are to continue to operate with a minimum of N3 billion capitalisation ; life insurance operators to maintain N2 billion and composite insurers are to maintain N5 billion minimum capital base.

This is what they would use to conduct their respective businesses in 2019.

Efekoha, who spoke at a recent workshop organised by the National Association of Insurance and Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO), called on insurance underwriters, to shore up their capital base in the new year, irrespective of the cancellation of the recapitalisation exercise.

Commenting on behaviour of some insurance underwriters, especially towards insurance

rating, Efekoha, said rate-cutting was expected to continue in the industry in 2019, as insurers scramble for businesses, especially, in the formal sector base, a development which he and other underwriters said was hurting insurance industry in terms of premium income.

He said rate -cutting was a regrettable act that must be addressed to increase insurance contribution to the nation’s GDP. On his part, the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance Technical, Mr. Sunday Thomas, said: “There was a point in this market when 10 per cent for comprehensive insurance was sacrosanct, but later, it came down to five per cent and that became the standard. “But you and I also know that there was a point that some operators were charging as low as one per cent “Also, there was a point that third party was N5, 000.

You and I know that it came to a point where people were charging N1,000 and the market was producing N200 million premium income from this

business. If they decide to charge N5000, what is the market likely to produce?�

This challenge, he said, must be addressed by insurers to increase the ability of the industry to pay genuine claims as and when due, noting that, when a risk is under-priced, it affects the ability to promptly pay claims.

The Managing Director, NSIA Insurance Limited, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, said, insurance in 2018, grew significantly in terms of the quality of products insurers rolled out, the quality of channels of distribution, the quality of people they engaged and the commitment of insurers to grow the people, thereby, increasing insurance penetration in the country.

According to her, “If we can push all of these over and over in 2019, I have no doubt at all that penetration will increase and premium will rise also. “Today, the industry is paying better salary and so people are better; operators study more than any other industry I have

engaged with, they are dedicated to writing examinations, attending seminars, conferences and workshops, they want to be heard and an insurance person wants to be heard intelligently.�

The Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association(NIA), Mr. Tope Smart, said, the nation’s economy had been projected to expand by about 2.5 per cent in 2019, promising that insurance industry will take advantage of this expected growth. “We have figures of the growth of about 20 per cent when you compare the figure for 2017 and 2018 and I hope 2019 will be better. By the time we have the end of the year result, we will be having what I call a very positive result. “The industry will continue to prioritise claims settlement and both regulator and operators are working together to put insurance companies on their toes to pay genuine claims through NIA and NAICOM complaint bureaus.

Smart, is also the Managing Director/CEO, NEM Insurance PLC.

Allianz Partners International Olympic Committee Global Insurance giant, Allianz has signed a partnership agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to join the Worldwide Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme between 2021 and 2028.

Through this sponsorship agreement, Allianz would work with the IOC to provide innovative and integrated insurance solutions to support the Olympic Movement, including the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games, with the ambition of providing those insurance solutions to the National Olympic Committees around the world and their Olympic teams and athletes.

According to a statement from Allianz, the support, would not only include existing products, such as fleet and property & casualty insurance, but also insurance solutions for future products and services, driven by technological changes. The partnership would run from 2021 through to 2028.

According to the statement, the ambition of both partners is to use the power of sport to connect with new audiences via digital channels, including the Olympic Channel.

It further said engaging the next generation in their preferred way gives Allianz the opportunity to cover their insurance needs.

According to the OIC President, Thomas Bach, having supported the International Paralympic Committee since 2006, most recently as an international partner, Allianz would also become a “Worldwide Paralympic Partner� from 2021 as part of this agreement.

He said the new partnership demonstrates the global appeal and strength of the Olympic Movement, that the committee

was delighted to be working together in the long term with Allianz to support sport around the world. “Allianz has built a global business founded on trust.

With this partnership, together we are building a foundation based on mutual trust. “Allianz also has a strong sporting heritage and, in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020, we share a digital ambition of connecting with young people around the world to promote the Olympic values and the power of sport.�

Commenting on the partnership, Allianz CEO, Oliver Bäte said: “I am thrilled that we are joining a global community of athletes and people enthusiastic about sport and team work – in addition to our existing strong partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). “Through the IOC’s digital and social channels, we can connect with more people than ever before and offer them our expertise in insurance. “We believe the world is a better place when people have the courage to leave differences behind and stand together to achieve better outcomes for themselves and for the societies they live in.â€?

He said the Allianz group - headquartered in Munich, Germany - is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 88 million retail and corporate customers. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from Property, Life and Health insurance to Assistance services to Credit insurance and Global business insurance.

Smart

Kari

How Insurance, Pension Can Mitigate Election Risks Insurance and pension have been identified as reliable instruments to mitigate risks that from political campaigns and elections.

Insurance and pension analysts who gathered at the Peninscope Public Lecture, Awards 2018, in Lagos recently, stated this.

According to them, the election year is often characterised with risks such, as job losses, damage of properties, deaths, low investments and more. They, therefore, urged the public to leverage on insurance and pension to secure their lives; businesses and properties.

The Managing Director, Sterling Assurance Limited, Fatai Lawal, who spoke at the event, implored the public to secure their lives and properties with the various arrays of products being paraded by insurance companies. According to him, insurance remains the best tool to mitigates risks associated with

elections.

Also speaking, the Director Inspectorate, National Insurance Commission, Barineka Thompson, said insurance has remained relevant in mitigating risks suffered by individuals who have policies, stressing that in this year, insurance companies have paid over N138 billion as claims to policyholders who suffered losses.

He urged the public to embrace insurance, adding that the industry regulator – NAICOM – will continue to ensure policyholders are adequately protected.

Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom) Mrs Aisha Dahir Umar, urged the public to embrace the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) which within a short period of existence has accumulated assets worth N8.3 trillion.

She said the CPS has impacted the economy in many ways,

stressing that it serves as a form of social security; helped deepened the nation’s financial market; provided jobs and employments; stimulates real estate development amongst other things.

She also used the avenue to drum the need for people in the informal sector to subscribe to the micro pension scheme which will commence this year.

According to her, micro pension would help expand coverage of pension contributors to 20 million in 2019 and 30 million by 2024.

Umar noted that PenCom is presently working on the information technology infrastructure that will support the launch of micro pension scheme.

She added that with the implementation of the scheme, people under the informal sector could save in an account and receive the benefits when the money is invested and protected under a legislation instead

of putting money under the mattresses.

Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, called on NAICOM and PenCom to embark on aggressive awareness campaign this time, to educate the public on risks associated with elections.

According to her, the aftermaths of the elections may impact people negatively, stressing that there may be job loss, death, damage of properties due to the election.

He added that members of the public need to be educated on how they can handle these risks with insurance and pension.

She urged employers to at this time ensure their employees are covered under the contributory pension scheme, which provides a secured future for workers, adding that employees who may lose their jobs due to the election can fall back on pension to continue their lives.

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Dana Air Renews Sponsorship Deal with Heartland FC

Deforestation: Gombe Moves against Firewood Business

Chinedu Eze

The Gombe State Government is waging war against indiscriminate tree felling and booming sales of firewood which is threatening the environment and depleting forest in the state.

An investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that more than 20 truckload of firewood are unloaded daily at Tashan Dukku Junction in Gombe between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. The investigation also showed other countless roadside dealers of firewood across major streets of Gombe metropolis and suburbs of Tumfure and Yelenguruza quarters. A cross section of the dealers told NAN that the cost of kerosene and cooking gas was responsible for the high demand for firewood in the state. A major dealer who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, said that firewood business was a good business with huge patronage, saying that he had been in the business for more than six years. “I built my house in the village and I am now building another one here in Tumfure. I am taking up my responsibilities as a man. “The business is offering

Dana Air has announced that it has extended its multi-millionnaira sponsorship deal for Heartland FC of Owerri, Imo state.

The sponsorship which was first unveiled in 2018, was extended for the duration of the 2018/ 19 Nigerian Professional League (NPFL) Season at a recent ceremony in Imo State.

Speaking at the event, the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air the airline was happy to extend the deal. “We are proud of the innovations that the club is introducing to our league and the transformation that the team is undergoing at the moment. “At Dana Air we are not just concerned about flying our guests to and fro Owerri and Abuja, but we are concerned mostly about what we can positively contribute to the development of the state, in furtherance of other CSR activities we have carried out in Imo state. “We believe sports; particularly football is another way we can impact the state and the good people of Imo state by doing everything to ensure that their beloved team gets all the support to play the

continental games this season.

Also, considering the futuristic airline partnership that we have with the forward-looking Imo state government, Heartland fc becomes central in our sponsorship considerations. ‘’ The Chairman and President of Heartland FC, Chief Goodfaith Etuemena, also commended the management of the airline for considering the club in its sponsorship initiatives in the state describing it as the “first ever in the country by any airline in the country and the most innovative for the second year running.’’ “We are thankful to Dana Air for considering an extension of this sponsorship deal for our great club – Heartland fc of Owerri. We have also done a lot on our part to improve so that we can continue to attract amazing sponsorship like this. At the moment, we have a foreign partnership for the production of our kits and they are of top quality. “We also have a new home ground, a foreign coach and with Dana Air embossed boldly on our home and away jerseys we hope to make them proud for their investment and believe in the team since we came from the lower league,� he said.

me more than what some civil servants in the state get.

So I am comfortable as long as I am doing my business without hitches,’’ he said.

He noted that the state government task force had made supplies of firewood from various villages difficult as they often arrest some trucks but said he was never deterred by their activities since he had evolved ways of evading arrest.

Another firewood seller, Hajiya Zainab Abubakar, said: “The business is booming because many of us are farmers and there is no money to get gas and even kerosene. “If money is available, we will be using gas like every other person too. It is with the proceeds I get from here that I use in feeding and supporting my family.’’ Malam Yahaya Usman of Tumfure, said he was aware of the negative impact of tree felling to the forest in Gombe but noted he had no means of feeding his household than selling firewood and charcoal. “ Many residents in the area prefer firewood to kerosene

because it is cheaper. With N200 one can cook for the day and still have woods to cook by the next day. “For a man that has a large household, how many litres of kerosene do you think will be enough to cook in a day? This is the major reason most of us go for firewood. “It’s a matter of what is available based on the situation on ground and not what they really want,’’ Usman said.

He said the act of tree felling could affect the environment negatively, saying that if massive tree-planting exercises were carried out, the dangers would be averted.

Reacting to the development, Alhaji Sa’ad Hashidu, Director of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Gombe State Ministry of Environment, said deforestation was a serious challenge in the state. Hashidu explained that the government was aware of the activities of firewood merchants and had taken steps to curb the menace to avoid desertification.

He said the governor of the state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, inaugurated a task force to

handle cases of deforestation within the state. “We are aware of the activities of wood dealers that can lead to deforestation in the state. The government has taken series of measures to arrest the menace in the state. “The task force has impounded over 40 trucks of firewood and charcoal so far. In addition, the government also distributed over 50,000 tree seedlings, free of charge to the public. “We are also building our capacities to reverse the trend of deforestation in the state by re-stocking our tree nurseries,’’ the commissioner said.

He, however, attributed the increasing acts of deforestation to the inadequacies of the existing forest laws, saying that the law was being reviewed and when signed, would assist in addressing the menace.

NAN reported that Mr BalaDozen Nayaya, the State Project Coordinator of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), had on June 6, 2018, decried the increasing wave of indiscriminate tree felling in the state.

How Star Reignited Cultural Relevance in Lagos Raheem Akingbolu Days after Lagos residents crossed over into the New Year, the euphoria of a week-long monumental ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ powered by premium beer brand, Star Lager, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries has remained.

With the event, Star and its Experiential Agency –Oracle Experience Limited, provided great atmosphere for fun seekers, especially with the building of 60ft “Aro Meta� statue, which some people also refer to as ‘three wise men’ made out of over 10,000 crates of the lager and reminds Lagosians of their roots.

Speaking on how the promoters of the brand came about the creative structure of the ‘three wise men’, the Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Experience Limited, Mr. Felix King, said what Oracle Experience Limited has done was to bring life into the age long belief of three wise men that stand for Welcome to Lagos as seeing in some towns and cities. “The structure of the three wise men, aaro meta or any name one chooses to call it is as old as the memory of current generation of Lagosians. It stands for many positive things and it’s synonymous with the commercial city of Lagos. With this activation, we are actually welcoming Lagosians into the festive period and into the New Year. Last year, it was Eyo, another cultural figure that can be easily identified with Lagos but this year it is a 60feet high statue of ‘aaro meta’ to attract equal traffics and celebrate the people and their heritage,�

Speaking on how long the structure would remain at the Lagos Atlantic where it was erected, King disclosed that as happened last year with Eyo when Lagos State Government implored his company to leave it for a while, the three wise men will also remain at the location for at least one month, in line with the recent discussion Oracle had with the state government. “This year again, we wish to leave it for at least a month before pulling it down. It is the belief of all stakeholders that it will go a long way in connecting with Lagos as well as connecting Lagosians with the Star brand,� King added.

Also speaking on the concept, the Senior Brand Manager of Nigerian Breweries, Abayomi Abidakun, expressed satisfaction about the joy and excitement the event gave Lagos residents. “You can see that Nigerians are excited about it. Our mission was to use the activation to reignite the Lagos culture. The structure erected gulped over 10,000 crates of Star and what you are seeing is synonymous with Lagos. It means many things to Lagosians; some call it ‘the three wise men’, and some call it ‘aaro meta’.

To us, whichever way one refers to it, the major thing is that it resonates with the Lagos status of excellence and reminds Lagosians of their roots. Star keys into this because like the figurative three wise men, the brand has been around in Lagos before independent and after independent and it will continue to share good time with the city as the commercial hub of the nation,� he stated.

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo

PZ Cussons Explains Morning Fresh Relaunch Raheem Akingbolu PZ Cussons brand, Morning Fresh, has unveiled its new bottles in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

It said it introduced the bottles to increase demand at wholesale, retail, and distributor level.

Following its recent relaunch, promoters of the dishwashing liquid brand has been engaging in numerous activities targeted at engaging all stakeholders.

Among these was the ‘market storm’ which held in Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets in Port Harcourt.

Brand Manager, Morning Fresh, Ahusimere Ejiroghene, expressed delight at the turnout of the events. “We are delighted to reintroduce Morning Fresh in these markets. We have totally

revamped the Morning Fresh brand, emphasising on its premium look and feel, which is in line with our commitment to constantly innovate and evolve to exceed the expectations of the stakeholders in the country,� he was quoted to have said in a statement.

Now appears in a new transparent bottle and a double-faced, one-sided label which is aimed at increasing the standout appeal and authenticity of the brand across all consumer touch points in an increasingly competitive market, Morning Fresh is said to be ‘super-powered’ to provide more value for money through its superior grease-cutting performance. The new packaging also comes in its usual three usual options – Original, Zesty Lemon, and Antibacterial.

Nigeria Ships Fewer Oil Cargoes to US Oil cargoes departing from Nigeria to the United States fell to 103,000 bpd in December, down by 48,000 bpd, new data show.

Generally exports by OPEC nations to the US fell to 1.63 million barrels per day (bpd), down from 1.80 million bpd in November and 1.78 million bpd in October.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and several others curbed supplies in the face of rising U.S. production and inventories, analysts said. “Some of it was a decline in OPEC production,� the News Agency of Nigeria, quoted the president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, Andy Lipow, to have said. “But they’re facing competition

from U.S. shale and Canadian production.�

OPEC and allies including Russia agreed last month to cut crude production beginning this month by 1.2 million bpd, following a strategy to support prices when supplies overwhelm demand.

OPEC pumped 32.68 million bpd last month, according to a Reuters survey, down 460,000 bpd from November, suggesting some members moved to reduce supplies ahead of the recent accord. “Historically, Saudi Arabia has utilised crude export flows to the United States as a method of signalling the Kingdom’s intentions, given the transparency of the U.S. market,� said Reid I’Anson, an energy economist at Kpler.

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Investing in Plastic Manufacturing Plant Godwin Uba

discussed with prospective investors on inquiry.

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

Plastics products such as household plastic items, gift items, plastic cups, toys, seats, tables, bags etc are daily consumables. The demand is very high that the available producers in the country cannot satisfy the market.

Apart from local buyers, the entire ECOWAS sub-regions rely wholly on Nigerians for their plastic wares.

This is not surprising because all the raw materials for production of quality plastic products are locally available and at affordable prices.

In this investment profile prospective investors are educated on how to invest successfully into this lucrative venture putting all the necessary inputs into consideration such as technical, marketing, operational and financial requirements into consideration. The writer will guide prospective investors in setting up this project from feasibility studies, site planning, procurement and installation of machines, development of marketing strategies and recruitment of experienced manpower to manage the project for profit.

Technical Feasibility The production technology of plastic products is simple, though mechanical. The materials suitable for injection moulding are thermo-plastics of high fluidity.

The granules are introduced through a hopper, into the cylinder in which they are heated, above their softening pint, by means of a heating jacket.

Moving piston plasticisers forces the material through a nozzle into the mould.

Different kinds of moulds are used to produce different plastic products. The extruded material is cooled and is taken off by means of suitable devices designed as to prevent any subsequent deformation.

The theoretical analysis of production technology of plastic products remains the same, but they differ only in terms of time consumption per output, weight and structure morphology.

The plant in mind has production capacity of 4000-4, 500 plastics cup per two shifts per day of 5,000-6,000 plastic plates per day.

This may be packed in dozens for sales.

Appointed distributors would be needed for products distributions and sales.

Plant & Machinery One of the economic efficiencies of measuring the mechanical productivity of plant and machinery of a firm, or a proposed venture, is not only a function of its life expectancy, rate of depreciation, energy consumption per unit of output, but also adoption of a simple plant to produce different quality products.

The plant in mind is capable of producing four varieties of plastic products of desired sizes. What is needed involves fixing different molds into the injection moulding plant.

Competition Survey findings have revealed that, most Nigerian industrialists and project promoters are not fully aware of these economic efficiencies of injection moulding plant.

The few numbers of firms and industries utilising injection-moulding plant that can only produce single plastic product can justify this belief. It implies that the plant in mind would produce different products to meet seasonal demand. This means if there is any project to be considered for

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah implementation in terms of production multiplicity of plant at all, plastic plates, cups, bowls and spoons production should be the one.

Raw Material The major raw materials required are thermo-plastics of high fluidity such as high-density polyethylene and others.

The beauty of this project is that both the injection moulding plant and raw materials are available locally, which signals the easiness of sourcing both the fixed and variable inputs.

Interswitch Unveils Platforms for JAMB, UTME Registration Following its accreditation by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to provide ePINs and forms for candidates looking to register for the JAMB/UTME examinations, Interswitch, a foremost Pan-African digital payment and commerce company has announced the opening of its platforms for the 2019 JAMB/ UTME registrations.

Prospective candidates seeking to register for the 2019 examinations, can easily obtain their ePINs and forms from enabled Interswitch platforms such as Quickteller Mobile App/Web, Quickteller Paypoint (Agents), via payment with Interswitch WebPAY on JAMB’s website and through payment using Interswitch Paydirect at any bank branch nationwide.

The Group Head, Corporate Solutions at Interswitch, Olawale Akanbi, explained in a statement that the Interswitch platforms have been enhanced to make the registration process easier for the candidates.

He said: “We have provided a variety of payment platforms

that are reliable, user-friendly and very secure. Candidates have varied options across the Interswitch platforms. “This includes a payment collection solution that allows them to make payment at any bank branch and other channels, including ATMs and mobile.�

According to the statement, to avoid the conceivable difficulties associated with the registration process, prospective candidates can send their “First Name Middle Name Last Name� to short code “55019�.

In addition, students are expected to send the candidate acknowledging receipt of the request.

After that, “A process code is sent to the candidate via SMS. Candidate takes code to Quickteller App/Web, Bank Branch, or Quickteller Paypoint Agent Location, then provides unique ID to proceed with the payment. “Candidate can now proceed with the payment via Quickteller App/Web,

Bank Branch, or Quickteller Paypoint Agent Location. “Since its accreditation by JAMB in 2017, Interswitch has successfully enabled a seamless registration process for UTME candidates, providing up to 30,000 ePINs daily. Interswitch services are available online, across more than 18,000 ATMs, all Bank branches nationwide and over 18,000 Quickteller Paypoint Agents across Nigeria,� the statement added. “Interswitch has for 15 years successfully delivered digital payments solutions in Nigeria with footprints across East Africa and Gambia. The JAMB UTME registration across the Interswitch platforms is not only easy and stress-free, it is also very reliable and secure,�

Akanbi said.

The Interswitch Group is an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money as well as the exchange of value between individuals and organisations on a timely and consistent basis.

Location Theoretically, this project may be sited in any state in the federation without location constraint of raw material procurement. Project implementation involves acquisition of factory house, purchase and installation of plant and machinery, recruitment of appropriate personnel and other accessories.

Projected cost of Establishment The initial cost of the project depends on the capacity and level of investment. It can be small, medium and large scale. The project can be scaled down depending on many factors that will be

Market and Investment Analysis There are two markets for plastic products; the domestic and foreign markets. Households in general, canteens, industries, hospitals, clinics and hotels form the domestic market, while the neighbouring West African countries constitute the foreign markets.

The market viability shows that plastic plates, cups, bowls and keg are cheaper and durable when compared with sister glass products with high price disadvantage, and their fragility. More so, the cross elasticity of demand for plastic products shows a perfect elasticity of substitution for glass products in all ramifications of their uses.

For profitability is very good. Return on investment is over 130 per cent.

Implementation Prospective investors will contact the writer for detailed and bankable feasibility works, procurement and installation of quality & durable machines, Training of manpower and setting up of very good accounting and marketing structure for the proposed project.

Uba can be reached on 08023664368 or ubagodwin@yahoo.com

Residents Lament Losses over Gridlock Hamid Ayodeji Residents, commuters and Business owners of Ajah Community, Lagos state, have called on the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) to intervene by timely completing the abandoned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Terminal bus stop in the area.

They expressed this concerns that the state government had neglected the projects.

This, they insisted had made the roads leading to their business outlets almost inaccessible as it has generated gridlocks, causing businesses, as well as commuters a lot of damages and loss in their business patronage.

They stated this while interacting with journalists, recently in Lagos, lamenting the undue pressure it has exerted on means of livelihood for several people.

While stating the reason for the losses in their respective

businesses, they recounted that the abandonment of the Ajah BRT was contributing to the hardship currently faced by those living within the vicinity.

A shop owner, Mrs. Fatia Lawal, also lamented the deplorable nature of roads in the community, adding that bad roads had been affecting her sales. “These roads have become worse than they were initially,� she said A driver, Mr. Isiah Thompson, lamented the number of hours spent on traffic as result of on-going or abandoned, saying “incessant hold up on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway was due to the fact that the vehicles can no longer manoeuvre to the inner roads under construction, as some of the roads not in good condition.�

He identified the major roads and streets, where construction has stopped, as Thomas Estate link road, Badore road, Langbasa road, Ajah bridge link road, Terminal

bus stop by Ajah bridge side, among others.

Also, Mrs Nkechi Nwachukwu, a business woman, urged the state government to intensify efforts in completing the roads, noting that the projects are 80 percent complete. “The Gov. Ambode-led administration has really done well in the area of infrastructure development across Lagos State but needs to do more. “The present administration should use the remaining months in office to complete ongoing projects across the state.�

Nwachukwu said residents had written several letters to government and LAMATA in charge of road projects to complete the projects, awaiting response. “The state government should complete the terminal bus stop at Ajah by the bridge side in order to ease the suffering of motorists and boost business patronage in that axis,� she said.

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OPEC’s Role in Oil Market Stabilisation Sanusi Barkindo It is both a pleasure and privilege to be in the great nation of Angola this morning. Angolan hospitality is world-renowned, and my team and I have really been reminded why this is the case during our time here. I would like to sincerely thank our gracious hosts and, in particular, my good friend His Excellency, Dr. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum. Also thank you Excellency, for your kind words of introduction.

Since assuming his position, the Minister has been a tremendous asset to the OPEC family, diligently applying his broad experience and knowledge to our ongoing efforts at OPEC. I thank and commend him most heartily for this. Thank you to Mr. Carlos Saturnino, CEO of the Sonangol Group and all other colleagues in the Ministry who have made this visit possible.

I also extend a warm welcome to esteemed members of Parliament, all Ministers, dignitaries, officials, and other government ministries, captains of industry, colleagues in the private sector and other interested parties in attendance for this lecture. I am very glad to see you all.

I must confess to having a very personal affinity to this country which extends beyond the bonds of African fraternity. Angola’s membership of OPEC began on 1 January 2007, but of course, the negotiations that led to this milestone event took place throughout 2006, at a time when Nigeria held the Presidency of the OPEC Conference. During that year, I had the tremendous honour of serving as Acting Secretary General of the Organization.

Indeed, Angola was formally admitted to the OPEC family in Abuja at the 143rd (Extraordinary) Meeting of the OPEC Conference!

Needless to say, Angola becoming a Member Country was a tremendous boon for OPEC. A new source of positive energy and dynamism was injected into the Organization, as we benefitted from the experience of an extremely important regional player from central and southern Africa.

Angola’s accession in 2006 was the first new addition to OPEC since my own country, Nigeria joined in 1971. This had enormous repercussions, the ramifications of which are still being felt today. Regional neighbours saw Angola make a success of its membership and in due course, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, would enter the OPEC fold.

Furthermore, Angola’s membership after a 36 year hiatus on expanding the Organization, proved that reaching out and embracing new partners yields results. This spirit of collegiality among nations, willingness to try things differently, innovation and honoring one’s commitments has also been at the core of OPEC’s recent cooperation with its non-OPEC partners under the umbrella of the “Declaration of Cooperation.�

Therefore, history will conclude that Angola joining the OPEC family was a precursor to membership of our Organization increasing, a strengthening of the African voice in our decision-making structures and this new era of cooperation among oil producing countries through the ‘Declaration of Cooperation.’ So, given this context you can understand my absolute joy at our being with you today.

The timing of this Mission is also extremely exciting. At OPEC, we follow with great interest and admiration the very commendable reform agenda of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, particularly as he seeks to modernise the oil industry, improve transparency and good governance.

Undoubtedly, President Lourenço has achieved a series of notable successes, which have improved the industry’s efficiency and effectiveness. We commend the President’s decision to create a new Agency and separation of conflicting roles of policy, regulation, and commercial operation, in line with the best international practices.

OPEC also welcomes Angola’s efforts to upgrade, and expand its refinery sector and we stand ready to provide whatever technical advice and expertise that we can, in this regard.

Another area of intense activism on the part of the President which strongly resonates

Barkindo with the ethos and philosophy of OPEC is his commitment to international cooperation and the multilateral process.

It gladdened my heart when President Lourenço told the UN General Assembly in September of this year that Angola supports: “All efforts to promote cooperation among the nations of the whole world, consolidate peace and defense for cooperation, trade and investment relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels.â€?

This fits ‘hand-in-glove’ with OPEC’s raison d’être. As an intergovernmental organization, we strongly share the view that cooperation among nations remains the most effective problem-solving mechanism at our disposal.

When you listen to any OPEC official speak; if you read any of our publications, statements, or press releases; if you examine our statute; you will see our core objective repeated over and over again: oil market stability on a sustainable basis. This goal drives all of our activities, all our actions and almost all our research.

It is very important that we step back and ask the deceptively simple question: why?

Why does oil market stability matter? Why does it motivate OPEC in everything it does?

Why does it generate the attention of decision makers and world leaders across the political spectrum?

Having invested a lot of time reflecting on this, I think the most concise formulation of why oil stability matters hails from the great historian of our industry, Professor Dan Yergin, when he said in his book “The Quest�: The industrial civilisation that has evolved over the last two and a half centuries rests on a hydrocarbon foundation.

Such is the importance of oil that it plays an indispensable role in lubricating economic growth, sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of billions of people around the globe. Oil market stability begets prosperity; it is an essential component in fighting poverty. The multiplier effects of oil market stability are immense for other industries and the global economy.

For example, consider the hard-earned savings of millions of retirees whose fortunes are tied to pension funds that invest in our industry. Think of the sheer number of families dependent on bread-winners employed in our

OPEC does not seek stability for stability’s sake: rather we are acutely conscious of the broader social and economic beneďŹ ts for all which come as a result of sustainable oil market stability

sector and the job opportunities which result from oil market stability.

OPEC does not seek stability for stability’s sake: rather we are acutely conscious of the broader social and economic benefits for all which come as a result of sustainable oil market stability.

And when we cast our minds back to the depths of the last downturn in 2015-16, one can only shutter at how close the world came to a catastrophe of epoch defining proportions.

If you don’t take my word for it, I’d like to quote David Kreisman, Senior Vice President at the credit rating agency Moody’s from September 2016: “When all the data is in, including 2016 bankruptcies, it may very well turn out that this oil and gas industry crisis has created a segment-wide bust of historic proportions.�

This situation came about as a result of the fact that from 2014 to 2016, world oil supply growth outpaced that of oil demand, with world oil supply growing by 5.8 mb/d, while world oil demand increased by 4.3 mb/d.

By July 2016, OECD commercial stock overhang reached a record high of about 403 mb over the five-year industry average.

The OPEC Reference Basket price fell by an extraordinary 80% between June 2014 and January 2016.

Nearly one trillion dollars in investments were either frozen or discontinued, and a record number of companies in our industry filed for bankruptcy. According to the consulting firm Graves & Co., almost half a million jobs were lost in the global oil and gas industry.

Several emerging economies were in the midst of a recession, being battered by the collapse in commodity prices. As the economic historian Adam Tooze said, “In 2015-16 the world dodged a third instalment of the global crisis.�

OPEC knew it had to act in the face of this potential calamity. Throughout 2016, extensive consultations were undertaken with our non-OPEC partners, aimed at building consensus about the strategic urgency of rebalancing the global oil market in a collective manner.

Twenty-four (now twenty–five) oil producing nations agreed at the first OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held on the 10th of December 2016 in Vienna, on a concerted effort to accelerate the stabilization of the global oil market through voluntary adjustments in total production of around 1.8 million barrels per day.

What would become clearer in time is that one of the greatest inherent strengths of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ was its flexibility, grounded on the core principles of equity, fairness and transparency. Over the last two years, the partners have been able to modify course depending on conditions in the market. When the market appeared skewed to oversupply, we have reacted accordingly, and equally, when consumers

expressed concerns regarding demand outpacing supply, the partners in the DoC have taken appropriate action.

This was best exemplified by the decisions of the 174th OPEC Conference, 22 June 2018, and the 4th OPEC and Non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, 23 June, where participating countries decided to strive to adhere to the overall conformity level, voluntarily adjusted to 100%.

Therefore the DoC should be viewed as an adaptable toolkit to address imbalances in the market.

The most recent iteration of this ongoing undertaking occurred on 6th and 7th December at the 175th Meeting of the OPEC conference and the 5th Ministerial Meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC. Following extensive analysis and deliberations on the immediate oil market prospects and, in view of a growing imbalance between global oil supply and demand in 2019, the partners decided to adjust the overall production by a combined 1.2 mb/d, effective as of January 2019 for an initial period of six months.

If I was to use a single word to describe the impact of this cooperation on the oil market, it would be: transformative. A long-absent element of stability has been reintroduced. There have been significant changes in industry-wide and public perceptions of OPEC. The Organization has ably demonstrated its credentials as a body committed to international cooperation, working with other producers, honouring its commitments and promoting mutual respect among all nations.

Bringing together 25 sovereign producing nations is unparalleled in the history of the oil industry. The enhanced relations between participating countries now constitute a fundamental and essential feature of the ‘new world of energy.’ However, most importantly of all, the multiplier benefits of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ have been immensely significant. This was apparent in the conclusions of the IMF in a publication entitled “The Global Economic Recovery 10 years after the Financial Meltdown�: “After faltering at time over the past 10 years, the global economic recovery experienced a long awaited synchronized growth upswing 2017-18.�

This global economic upsurge has occurred at exactly the same time as the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ has been operational. Oil market balance begets prosperity.

Consider the fact that over the last two years, the global economy has had the assurance from the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ strategic partners that they will take the necessary measures to contribute to a balance between supply and demand. Can one quantify how important this guarantee of responsible leadership, this proactive dependability, has been?

Throughout this entire process, the partners have solicited and responded to the views and concerns of producers and consumers. We have championed consumer and producer dialogue, benefiting from the tremendous partnership with the IEF. OPEC’s energy dialogues with the EU, Russia, China, India and independent suppliers have further harnessed information exchange and fed into our joint strategies. The partners have been responsible and responsive; proactive and professional; adroit and adaptive. The OPEC family wants to transmit a very important message to Angola: we deeply respect and value Angola’s regional leadership, defense of multilateralism, and support for the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ process.

Working together, there can be no doubt that we can navigate any stormy waters to calmer seas. Committed to the principles of equity, transparency, fairness and respect among nations, we can close a long, dark chapter for the oil industry and write a new one, fulfilling the words of the poet Lord Tennyson when he wrote, “The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep moans round with many voices.

Come my friends, Tis not too late to seek a newer world.� t #BSLJOEP XIP JT UIF 01&$ 4FDSFUBSZ (FOFSBM EFMJWFSFE UIF MFDUVSF JO "OHPMB

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EDUCATION Supporting Physically Challenged Children for Better Future Funmi Ogundare reports that considering the abuse, exploitation, discrimation and stigmatization faced by physically challenged children, a non-governmental organisation; Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation has decided to offer this group of people an opportunity to live In Nigeria, the condition of physically challenged children and even those from less privileged backgrounds attracts little or no attention. As a result, the rights of the disabled are often violated, excluded and relegated in planning and national development.

However, a non-governmental organisation, Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF) has decided to take it upon itself to assist children who are physically challenged and are under aged to overcome physical, emotional and mental difficulties and develop into responsible adults.

The foundation, which has foremost Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade (KSA) as its grand patron, has in the last six years, been focusing on the holistic care and development of motherless and less privileged or abandoned children; helping with children’s welfare; donating funds to sustain motherless children’s homes and disadvantaged children.

At a programme tagged ‘2018 Smile of Hope: A Day with a Living Legend King Sunny Ade’, the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Matilda Olajumoke Otitoloju told THISDAY that the foundation takes interest in the education, security, development of physically challenged children from when they are a day old until they are 12 years old, adding that it had to extend that till they attain the age of 17 because some of them tend to look younger than their ages.

She said her perception about children who are physically challenged is different because she believes that they are able in their own way. “Every one of them has their ability and that is why I have all the children inclusive. I don’t differentiate them because each child has his own peculiar ability and personality.�

Highlighting the challenges encountered apart from taking care of the children, she said, “the only challenge I have which is outside my immediate advocacy is child abuse.

We have many people abusing the children and taking advantage of them.

I have lots of cases in court. I can tell you that between July and September last year, I have about seven rape cases in court of my children being abused. Unfortunately, the court keeps on adjourning the cases and at the end, the parents get tired, they don’t want to come again despite my efforts in encouraging them. “Sometimes I provide transportation for them and sometimes they tell me that there is no money for food.

Sometimes I have to give something substantial to parents for their children, now to think of them going to court every now and then. That is the only challenge I have, people abusing my children, but personally with them, I am coping very well with them. “They are undergoing their therapy and most of them are in schools. We thank the Lagos State government for believing in inclusion, so there are so many inclusive schools now that they attend.�

Asked about the project the foundation embarks on to impact the lives of physically challenged children, Otitoloju said: “We usually have five major projects every year. The first is children’s day which is more of our educational project. Last year, we did skills acquisition and creativity, when we had to bring out the innate ability in them. They were all inclusive. We

The Project Coordinator, Mrs. Matilda Otitoloju (middle) with the representative of Oni of Ife, Asoya of Ile-Ife Kingdom, the founder of Benola Cerebral Palsy initiative, Air Vice Marshal Femi Gbadebo and the children at the programme held in Lagos... recently also hold programmes to celebrate their childhood and we learn from them their innate curiosity and sometimes we teach them what to do. “Last year, we had parents instilling moral values in their children because the children mirrors them, irrespective of who they are. When a child sees something been done everyday, he or she will like to emulate it. In August, we had school support programme to assist children in various communities in their schools. “We support the schools through donation of building projects or the children in their personal care. We were able to cater for 500 children in Ikorodu by providing school uniforms for them and we chose five communities, Majidun, Owoelepe, Igbogbo, Imota

Every one of them has their ability and that is why I have all the children inclusive. I don’t differentiate them because each child has his own peculiar ability and personality

and Agbede all in Ikorodu, Lagos.

We want to build our capital base in Lagos first, then we can start looking outwards later, though we have people calling us from Ogun State but we still want to satisfy the ones in Lagos.�

The project coordinator described the experience so far as tremendous, saying, “I give glory to God, He has given me the strength and support. I have able staff, I have more volunteers that are coming in everyday. I have people calling me wanting to be part of our programmes to support us. We also have parents’ association also, we sensitise them on parenting and how to protect their children from abuses and cater for them on the types of nutritional meals to give them. “Sometimes we organise game activities for the children, they do their therapy and medical checkup for them and their parents. That holds every October because we believe that the health of the mother is also the health of the child. We did cervical and breast cancer screening for the parents. To God be the glory, out of 100 people that we did, none had any issue. “In November, we had a child abuse awareness walk. This is done by the children, they go out to campaign based on their local government. November is also our parents sensitisation, while December is our smile of hope programmes respectively.�

On how she was able to get King Sunny Ade to buy into the initiative, she said: “It is just the direction when God is with you. I just asked one or two people that I needed to meet him that I have something in mind that he would be interested in. “It took me six months before I could get him and when I finally got him, he keyed into it and since then he has been there for us, he is our grand patron. He has been very supportive all the way. If you go to our Facebook

page, you will see how he has been doing with the children.�

Otitoloju, who aspires to have an inclusive centre that will accommodate children with autism and down syndrome from low income families in the next four years, when the foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary said: “That centre will also accommodate some children from low income families, not for the rich and we are not going to charge them. “The centre will be like a school, but not for the conventional academics. It will accommodate children with autism and down syndrome; we will teach them personal care and how to take care of themselves, how to cook and some other activities such as computer, sewing, baking and things that will help them in their personal lives to forge ahead in life rather than depend on anybody.�

The Chairman of the foundation, Mr. Bankole Animashaun said the issue of disability is something that people don’t like to talk about, adding that it is not something that is hidden or chosen, but it just happens to people.

He stressed the need for the country to make efforts in addressing the issue and be committed to the course of helping those with physical disabilities.

At the 2018 ‘Smile of Hope’ programme, awards were presented to people that have been supporting the foundation over the years.

One of the awardees, a former Rector of Lagos State Polytechnic and pioneer Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Chief Olawumi Gasper thanked the foundation for the award, saying that it will spur him to continue to support the initiative of bringing happiness to the physically challenged. “The next edition will surely be more delightful with the involvement of more personalities,� he said.

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EDUCATION

Obaseki Promises New Workshop Equipment for GSTC Benin The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has promised that the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC), Benin, formerly known as Benin Technical College, being remodelled by his administration will be equipped with new set of workshop equipment in the first quarter of this year.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation work at the college, the governor said

the equipment ordered for the laboratories and workshops would be available in 90 days.

The governor expressed hope that a greater section of the college would be ready within the next six months.

He noted that though the pace of rehabilitation has been rather slow, “the timeconsuming aspect of the work has been concluded.

So within the next 90 days,

the new building should be completed. It should be roofed in the next one month and the internal finishing completed. “The new building will sit between 400 and 500 students. The idea is to have a school that can accommodate about 1,500 students at the same time.�

He said the minister of power has approved a dedicated 133 KVA power

line which will supply electricity to the college and the University of Benin directly from the Ihovbor Power Plant to take care of the electricity need of the college. “We have a team coming from the Transmission Company of Nigeria next week. We are getting a 133 KVA power line directly from the Ihovbor power plant to the college.�

According to him, the state government is already in talks with the World Bank and other relevant bodies on how to gradually develop the manpower required to get the college running.

The team lead on the project, Mr Giles Omezi said the team is on track and will deliver the first aspect of the project before the end of the third quarter of the year.

Omezi said by September 2019, the school would have been rehabilitated with full accreditation secured, as about 45 per cent of work has been done in some respect. “Based on our last review, we have done about 45 per cent of work. What we have left are the service, internal and external fittings and refurbishment of the existing college building,� he said.

Academics Commend UNICALVC for Pragmatic Leadership Bassey Inyang in Calabar Academics from the Northern Senatorial Zone of Cross River State have commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu for what they termed his pragmatic leadership style since assuming office three years ago.

In a statement jointly signed by Professor Chris Iklaki and Dr. Oshega Abang, the Chairman and Publicity Director respectively, the university teachers said the vice-chancellor has, within the time span of his administration, initiated and implemented all the projects contained in the institution’s blue print.

The group highlighted some of Akpagu’s achievements to include “the establishment of new faculties and departments, completion of some abandoned projects and the execution of new projects such as the new medical centre, the solar power projects, and the

synergy evolved between the university community with nation states such as Russia, Korea and China.�

The lecturers congratulated the vice-chancellor for facilitating and encouraging human capacity development and described as unprecedented the harvest of academics in terms of promotion to higher ranks, as well as sponsorship to learned conferences. “The height so far attained by the university under his watch, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, visibility among his peers in the global academic community and the recognition of his administrative prowess in global ranking.�

While expressing satisfaction with Akpagu’s pragmatic leadership, they called on members of the university community to collaborate with the university administration to enable the vice-chancellor translate his dreams and vision for the institution into reality.

Offa Professors’ Forum Decries Kwara’s Nonequitable Appointments Offa Professors’ Forum, a body of professors of Offa extraction, has expressed concern over the Kwara State government‘s lopsided appointment to principal officers position in the state-owned tertiary institutions, and other government establishments especially as it relates to Offa.

It said steps should be taken to redress the situation.

In a communiquĂŠ issued at the end of the inaugural meeting of the forum, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Summit University, Offa, Professor Hussein Oloyede and chaired

by Professor Bayo Lawal, the group said Offa is blessed, as about 100 of its sons and daughters are professors in virtually all areas of knowledge and are spread in institutions in the country and abroad. “Offa placed a lot of premium on education from the turn of the 20th century, which was stimulated by the establishment of St. Mark’s (Anglican) Primary School in 1909 by the Church Mis-

sionary Society (CMS) and the Offa Grammar School in 1943 by the Offa Descendants Union. These resulted in the production of a vast number of western educated indigenes and non-indigenes alike.�

The forum also observed with dismay the decline in the quest for education among its youths especially the girl-child,stating that experts are to be constituted to address such emerging issue.

Already, an interim executive committee comprising Professors Hussein Oloyede, Musbau Adewunmi Akanji, Bashir Raji, Rauf Dunmoye and Moji Bakare-Odunola has been appointed to steer the affairs of the association pending the formation of an executive committee.

The committee has been mandated to provide informed advice to relevant authorities on emerging issues as might require from time to time. The meeting commended the conveners of the forum for its foresight.

Some pupils of Oakdale Infant School, Lagos during the donation of reflective jacket and Stop and Go Sign to the school by Cornerstone Insurance Plc Foundation as part of its 2018 Safe Route to School project‌ recently

Gubernatorial Candidate Pledges to Revive Education in Kwara

Kwara’s IVTEC Graduates 300 Pioneer Students

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The management of the International Vocational, Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), owned by the Kwara State government recently graduated 300 pioneer students.

The college located in Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government Area, was established to train unemployed youths in the state in vocational skills in various programmes to make them self-reliant and job providers rather than job seekers in the state.

Some of courses taken by the students include are automotive mechatronics, masonry, furniture and cabinet making, CCTV, web application system, security and networking, computer hardware, electrical installation and maintenance and catering and culinary services, among others.

The students were drawn from the 16 local government councils of the state and were admitted into the college through the support of the state government by subsidising their tuition fees.

Speaking at the maiden graduation ceremony in Ajase-Ipo, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said “our government recognised the dearth of critical vocational skills and established IVTEC to provide business-relevant training as a reliable pathway out of unemployment and a means of economic empowerment. “We also offer IVTEC as a way of getting more youths employed

The governorship candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) in Kwara State, Dr. Abdulmumin Ajia has pledged to revive the education sector of the state if voted into office next year.

He promised that his administration would earmark 35 per cent of the state’s budget to education so as to encourage academic excellence among pupils.

Ajia made the promise in Ilorin while unveiling his fivepoint cardinal manifestoes and his running mate, Mr. Samuel Adeleke before journalists ahead of the March 2, 2019 governorship election in the country.

He decried the poor attitude of successive governments in the state towards the development of primary education, adding that basic education remain a pivotal platform upon which all other levels of education rest. “It is disheartening that the past governments failed to develop basic education and this has affected the quality of education of the state. “In view of this, our government would develop basic education so as to assist the youths to be more committed to their academic pursuits. “Our government would also ensure infrastructural develop-

ment of primary schools with instructional materials that will assist the pupils to learn fast so as to boost their academic excellence.�

He added: “Teachers will be motivated through the payment of their salaries as and when due. The teachers would also be trained on modern day educational management to equip them for the overall educational advancement of the pupils.�

He said the pupils would be provided with nutritious free launch every day to ginger them to be more alive to their studies.

Ajia, who berated the current administration in the state over the dilapidated infrastructures and non-payment of teachers’ salaries, said the development has affected the results of the students in various external examinations like NECO, WAEC, NABTEB, among others.

He disclosed that most schools in the state lack windows, doors, roof, among others stressing that the bad academic environment had affected students’ performance.

Ajia therefore assured residents of the state that the party would rise to the challenge to move education forward and advised them to shun all forms of antics that may affect the growth of education in the state.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

and minimising the risk of their involvement in criminal activities, insurgency and other social vices. It was also established as a means of stimulating the economy through informal sector development. We offer IVTEC and its accomplishments as models that other governments can emulate.�

The governor added: “Today, tertiary and other training institutions produce graduates at an exponentially higher rate than the public and private sectors can employ. When you add those youths who do not make it past either primary or secondary schools, a vast army of the unemployed confronts us. “Being a proactive administration, we recognised the dearth of critical vocational skills and established IVTEC to provided business-relevant training as a reliable pathway out of unemployment and a means of economic empowerment. “We have also leveraged partnerships with globally renowned institutions to benchmark IVTEC against global standards in vocational and technical skills training as well as lay the foundation for making Kwara State the hub of vocational skills. “These institutions include as the World Bank, City and Guilds of London, Alfred University, New York, and the University of Wolverhampton, National Directorate of Employment, as well as private sector companies.�

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Micbeth Foundation Moves to Revamp Education in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Education is indisputably the most thriving industry in Ekiti State. But of recent, the declining quality of education has become worrisome to stakeholders and efforts were being stepped up by public and private bodies to revive the sector and restore the glorious days when Ekiti was respected as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’.

Thus a non-governmental organisation, Micbeth Empowerment Foundation (MEF) recently held a summit in Ayede Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area, where it was stated that only public-private partnership can revive education in the state.

The summit ended with a debate competition between two schools in the community.

The Chairman of MEF, Mrs. Yetunde Daramola, while speaking during the competition organised for the students of Ayede Grammar School and Government Science College, regretted the belief in Ekiti that only the government can make huge impact in the funding of education.

Government Science College won the competition and the two representatives received a cash price of N25,000 each besides the N500,000 project that will be executed in their school by the foundation. The debate was a follow up to the summit, where it was discovered that poor grammatical construction in English Language is an issue among students The other participating students received N10,000 each from MEF with scores of students still enjoying scholarship at the secondary and university levels.

The topic of the debate was ‘Should Corporal Punishment be allowed in Schools?’ Speaking in favour of the topic was Ayede Grammar School, while Government Science School opposed the motion.

The chief speaker for Ayede Grammar School was Omolere Deborah while the supporter was Awoyemi Blessing. The chief speaker for Government Science School was Ogundele

Juwon while the supporter was Ashaolu Grace.

The panel of judges was led by former President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Osun State chapter, Mrs. Modupe Olagunju, who anchored the debate and reeled out the guidelines of the competition and the criteria for the award of marks.

After the winner had emerged, Daramola urged well-meaning Ekiti indigenes, particularly those from Ayede to continue to fund scholarship and awards, as well as provide facilities for the two secondary schools in the town. “The summit was very resourceful in understanding the various issues affecting education in our rural communities. The importance of education as a vital tool for the development of both human and material resource in any nation was extensively discussed. “We noted with dismay the downward trend in the educational attainment of students in the present day Ayede Ekiti. Some of the factors responsible for the unimpressive performance at all levels of education were identified. Stakeholders were able to proffer solutions to stem the negative trend in education standards�, Daramola said.

She added that the NGO was established based on the need to develop future community leaders that will likely move the economies of these villages with passion, built on the history of their formative years. “The maiden edition of this debate competition was held in 2015. This was conceived because of our findings during MEF 2014 assessment in Ayede Ekiti, where students were found to be deficient in English Language. We are also into mentorship programme for about six months preceding scholarship to our students for their senior secondary education. “MEF was concerned that effective, adequate use and understanding of English

Language is a requirement to achieving educational excellence, as textbooks and classroom delivery are all in the language. “We have restored willingness to drive the campaign for the repair of the hall in Ayede Grammar School, which we did with the agreement of the stakeholders that once the hall is put in order with immediate repairs of structure and roof, management of the hall will be handled jointly by PTA, old students and MEF. “The hall will be available for rent as in the past with proceeds going into an account and used as determined by the management. We are yet to get a response from both. We therefore concluded the structural works only for N391,000 leaving a credit balance of N59,000 to be applied with any prize from the third edition.�

Daramola said she also pioneered a mentorship programme for about six months preceding scholarship to students for their senior secondary education. “Last session, MEF decided to review the procedure to conduct assessment prior to the scholarship award. The following were observed: very poor math ability; students don’t understand the basics: fractions, probability, ratio, LCM, angles all of which are common entrance questions. “It is my advice that class quizzes be based on fill in the answers as opposed to objectives to establish adequate subject knowledge. I believe in most cases students guess answers to objective questions. “At the end of the assessment, the two students that passed pulled their marks from the Civic and English Language questions only. I need to state here that from next year a pass in math will be required. “I am therefore using this medium to appeal to parents, teachers and students to put in the required efforts to ensure a pass in mathematics. As at today, MEF has two alumni students who graduated this year and four students on full

scholarship.�

Speaking further on the debate, Daramola said: “The maiden debate took place between SS2 students of both schools in 2016 with Ayede Grammar School emerging as winner. The first edition had no consolation prize, the winner was awarded N100,000 project. “The second edition also was won by same school.

The consolation prize was a project worth N150,000 (GSS settled on steel bookshelves).

The winner was entitled to a project worth N450,000. In executing the award for the best school AGS, we stumbled on the picture of the current hall where students sit for all national examinations. “The structural condition of the hall was a cause for concern for all MEF members of trustees. The minimum amount required to make the hall safe for students was close to N2 million, but the award value was only N450,000. “We immediately started consultation with all stakeholders on how we can ensure that a safer and structurally sound hall is made available to the students. In the course of our several consultations, the historical value of the hall also came to our knowledge. “MEF communicated its willingness to drive the campaign for the repair of the hall to PTA, old students but will want the agreement of these stakeholders that once the hall is put in order with immediate repairs of structure and roof, management of the hall will be handled jointly by PTA, old students and MEF. “In view of our having to solicit for church hall every year, MEF decided that subsequent allocated project awards will be put towards the renovation of halls in both schools.�

The summit, according to her was resourceful in understanding the issues affecting education in rural communities bringing to the fore the importance of education as a vital tool for the development of both human and material resources in any nation.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

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Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒËÞ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÞËʼ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ˊÖËäã˪ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ËšĂ™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂžĂŁËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹ ÖÓʾÖĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽËŁ ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁËŁ Ùå Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ËŁ Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÞËÖÕ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁËŁ Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?ËŁ Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă– ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂžËœ ĂšĂ?ĂŽĂ‹Ă– ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ÚÖËĂ?Ă?ËŁ Ùå Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? åÓÞÒ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă&#x;ĘľĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă Ă?ĂœĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ͱ͎ͯ͜ˣ ÓÞÒ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă—ĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂŁ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ÒËÚÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹ĂšĂ–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă“ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÒÙÞĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽĚ‹ĂĄĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ë› ÙÙÎ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂŽ Ă?ÚÓÖÖËÑĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÑÙÞ Ă—Ă‹ĘľĂ?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă—ĂŁ Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă•Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă?ËŞĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ÒÙÎÎã Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂŁ Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă– ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ÒÙÞĂ?Ă–ËŞĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă’ĂŁĂ‘Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ?ĂœĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÒÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ÒËÚÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?ÖËâĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?ÞÒÙÎÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ă“ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÒÙÞĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă™ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă“ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă’Ă?ËŞĂŽ ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÚÓĂ?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÙÎ ĂŽĂœĂ™ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă“Ę°Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĂšĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ‹ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ™ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÒÙÞĂ?Ă–ËŞĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?Þ˪Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÚÓĂ?Ă&#x;Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă?Þ˪Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ“Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ăš Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?˛˛ Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Bauchi Governor’s Wife Sponsors 100 Girls to School Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Ashaolu Grace and Ogundele Juwon of Government Science School, Ayede posing with their medals and trophy after defeating Ayede Grammar School at the debate competition sponsored by Micbeth Empowerment Foundation in Ekiti‌ recently

The wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Mrs. Aisha Mohammed Abubakar has disclosed that her pet project ‘Brilliant Girl Child Initiative’ (BGCI) has recently sponsored more than 100 girls selected randomly from parts of the state to various schools to acquire formal education within the state.

Mrs. Abubakar, who disclosed this recently at Government Girls’ College, Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, explained that the gesture was aimed at expanding learning opportunities for girls, especially the less privileged ones.

She regretted that there are over 13.5 million out of school children in the country presently, while calling on corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to sponsor out of school girls to schools in their societies with a view to

reducing poverty and number of uneducated children in Nigeria. “As the founder of the Brilliant Girl Child Initiative, I am calling on the good women, mothers and even fathers to look at what really count for a girl to progress and achieve her full potential in life. Basically, we need to put our hands together to provide quality education for girls and retain them in school.�

Mrs. Abubakar, who appealed to stakeholders to support girls to have good information on health, hygiene, sanitation and reproductive health, also advocated penalty for sexual, physical violence against girls, child labour and trafficking.

She donated sanitary pads, bathing soaps, detergents, toilet papers and plasma television sets to the GGC Azare, GGSS Sakwa and GGCS Yana at the end of the programme.

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The Relevance of Education in a Mixed-up World Roland Aiwone

The greatest icon ever produced by the black continent, Nelson Mandela, once said that education is the greatest tool by which we can change the world. As a matter of fact, this statement was re-emphasised in my alma mater ’s (University of Ibadan) anthem that a mind that knows is a mind that is free.

It is however very disturbing that in this part of the world, education seems to have been relegated to the background with such insignificant allocations to the sector by governments in the sub-Saharan region. I sometimes ask God why he watches Africa going backward at the speed of light. No economic cooperation, no security harmonisation, moral uprightness is dumped at the Golgotha, no voice among committee of nations, growth and development seem like a taboo to those in positions of authority.

When I became a full-grown man and had the opportunity to travel the world, I came to terms with the fact that I had been asking God a wrong question. He created every man and nation equal with greatness and growth opportunities, he hid these treasures of the earth behind knowledge in pages of the book and gave men the liberty to seek and find them for their terrestrial consumption. No wonder the holy book says that the glory of God is to conceal a secret, but the glory of man is to find it out (Proverbs 25:2).

What God simply meant here is the relevance of education in the advancement of humanity.

But leaders and policy makers in the black world have remained adamantly oblivious of this fact which informs their glorification of mediocracy and placing of emphasis on paper certifications even when it is obvious that such are forged.

When would the desolate villages of Africa torn apart wake up to the dawn of a new day?

When shall Ricardian equivalence which emphasizes generational equity take pre-eminence in the heart of African gladiators? When will Africa’s ability be relevant to the realities of the contemporary

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu

world? The questions are endless and the answers not far-fetched from the fact that we need to go back to where we failed to succeed. This calls for lifting the role of education high at the centre stage of every endeavour of life.

My grandma before she died, once told me that the greatest wrong you can do to your offspring and generation is marrying a wrong wife, but educational maturity and my romance with the civil society has changed my notion of that school of thought and I have come to realise that illiteracy and reading apathy are sorts of deadly and grave sins humanity can ever commit. It naturally sets men and nations backward among their equals; it retards national growth and development and reduces a state to a failed status. Where did we get it wrong as a continent? The British and other colonial masters left their respective African colonies with a structure built on an educational pedestal which in the case of Nigeria, past leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkruma of Ghana, Julius

Nyeyere of Tanzania tried to maintain in their days. These set of nationalists declared free education, donated educational materials and made education a public good in their dreams to make Africa stand tall among her equals in the international community. Then things began to fall apart when individual interests began to override common and national interests. At that point, a crop of leaders who first of all saw what was in it for them before seeing what was in it for their nations began to spring up, brothers began to spill each other ’s blood to ascend positions of authority, in order to milk and drill the national honey pot into their family reserves. This led to wide income gap and the enthronement of inequality which in turn gave rise to the dichotomization of societies into the rich and the poor cadres with conspicuous absence of even a middle class. The bourgeoises who were now the gladiators at every helm of national affairs with their Napoleonic style of leadership ensured that educa-

tion became a private good with its characteristic excludability and rivalry, placing it above the affordability of the poor and downtrodden of our society. This was a calculated attempt to make quality education available for only their children and those of their oligarchic cabals such that national affairs became an inheritance of their offspring when they were no more. Their deeds have notoriously fed our national lives with mediocracy and the resultant effects are telling on our generation and the ones unborn.

The solution now lies in us.

This is our time and the dawn of a new era where youths need to take the bull by the horn and possess the land. As products of the digital age, let’s launch a digital revolution that would eliminate the analog generation out of our system. Let us think sustainability that is rooted in education. The way forward is to support Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

I recommend and call on governments of Africa nations, stakeholders and policy makers in the educational sector across Africa to change educational system in this part of the world by incorporating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into schools’ curriculum.

This will place us on the same pedestal with the advanced world and shine a light of hope on our outdated and archaic system.

Young people should also take little steps to change the narrative and achieve goals. Waiting for our leaders to take action may only bring disappointment. The youths should form reading clubs in their localities, organise educational debates for young people, pick a child in their streets and mentor him/her academically (build a man, build the community), carry out a campaign on EDS which ensures brighter future for our generation and the ones after us. Read, become a leader and let us change our world. Education is the key. Remember, a mind that knows is a mind that is free.

-Aiwone is a UNESCO Youth Leader on Education for Sustainable Development

Bishop Lasbrey Old Girls Hold Maiden Reunion

NGO Expands Programme to Boost Education in the North

Amby Uneze in Owerri

As part of efforts to put an end to education inequity, a non-profit organisation, Teach-for-Nigeria (TFN) has expanded its programme to the northern part of the country to boost education in such marginalised areas.

The transformational programme, which kickedoff in 2017 in Lagos and Ogun States, has now been extended to Kaduna, following the organisation’s partnership agreement with the state government to place teachers in high-need primary schools across the state.

Through the collaboration, Teach-for-Nigeria mobilised 88 fellows, who currently serve as full-time teachers across 22 public primary schools in Kaduna State.

Commenting on the expansion, the Chief Executive Officer of TFN, Folawe Omikunle said “the

The Old Girls’ Association of Bishop Lasbrey Girls Secondary School, Irete, Owerri held its maiden re-union recently. The event, which took place at the school premises, was attended by old girls of the school, based in the country and abroad.

The old girls, who were excited at visiting their alma mater after a long while, said their homecoming was to express their love for the school that made them what they are today and find ways of giving back to the school.

In her welcome address, the Principal, Lady Victoria Echeruo said it was a privilege to witness such an occasion. While informing them that the school was handed over to the Owerri Diocese of the Anglican Communion by the state government under Bishop Cyril Okorocha (retd) in 2010, she commended them for renovating the science laboratory.

She urged them to do more

in the areas of provision of security, school bus, renovation of dilapidated buildings, donation of computers, grass cutting machine, and sports facilities which could be sponsored individually or collectively.

In his remarks, the representative of the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rev. Chiagozie Chukwuba, who is also the Bishop’s Chaplain, commended the old girls for making the day a reality.

Supporting the old girls’ gesture, he cited a verse from the Holy Bible, Colossians Chapter 3 vs 12, where it is written that “they should clothe themselves with love, compassion and kindness�, adding that they have to do it so that God will accomplish His plans for the school. He advised them to always seek the cooperation of the bishop in order to achieve their set goals.

The school’s Chaplain, Rev. Ben Agwa, who also stressed the need to work with the bishop, expressed hope that

with the events of the day, the school would go places because according to him, the old girls succeeded where others failed.

On his part, a former PTA Chairman and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chika Anyasodo, whose two daughters also passed through the school, urged the old girls to fly higher and not to relent. He advised them to cooperate with the principal to move the school forward.

Also speaking, Mrs. Ogbuagu, who taught them some traditional music steps and adopted some disciplinary measures, which helped to shape their character while in school, said she was honoured to be invited by the students she “dealt with� during their secondary school days.

While commending them for coming together to form the association, she said the current students should count themselves lucky because the old girls are interested in their wellbeing.

Kaduna State Government’s bold education reforms and its unflinching commitment to improving learning outcomes for children in public schools were the bases upon which we selected the state to be our first partner state in the northern region. This is why we also set up our northern office in Kaduna to underpin our commitment to the region.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir ElRufai regretted the current state of education in the nation as a whole. “Most of us are products of the public school system and we feel we must bequeath to our children the type of quality education that was bequeathed to us. We have considered education the most important sector from the onset of our administration. This is why we have been consistent in

allocating over 20 per cent of our budget to the sector throughout the last few years of this administration.�

He expressed hope that TFN will become the guiding light for future interventions, saying, “we have over 4,000 primary schools in Kaduna State that need innovation and mentoring.�

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mallam Ja’afaru Sani also commended the TFN team for its commitment to social development through the fellowship programme, and for choosing Kaduna to pioneer in the northern region.

He said the Department for International Development (DFID) would be a part of the process with baseline evaluation conducted in the schools to allow for proper impact assessment.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CITYSTRINGS

ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă? äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ë›Ă?äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͙͖͓͓͖͓͔͓͖͑͒

A Mother’s Enduring Love Olawale Ajimotokan and Udora Orizu chronicle the heart wrenching experience of a mother who wrote a book titled “More Than A Miracle� after her heroic act in donating her liver for her dying son to live

C

hinwe Ezeanya is a poet and a writer. Her story touches the heart, forcing those who have read her book, “More than a Miracle�, to shed tears.

It is almost unlikely to come across a person that will give her organ to another soul.

But Ezeanya's sense of humanity made her donate her liver so that her only son, who required an organ transplant could live.

More Than a Miracle is a true life story. It is an account of a mother's enduring trial, faith and love for her child. It is not the archetypal fiction, adapted into a Nollywood flick for undiscerning viewers.

To the contrary, however, it is an incredible story worth telling because of its uniqueness. It tells of Ezeanya's openness about her excruciating journey to save Dike Ezeanya, her only son, who was diagnosed with medical challenges after his birth.

The book revealed that Ezeanya donated her liver to an Indian family, who in turn swapped their own liver to save Dike. She also set up a Dike Ezeanya Foundation for Liver Diseases (DEFFLID) to provide direction and support for people with liver diseases and similar health challenges.

The book, which is available on Amazon, Terra Kulture, Jazzhole and Konga Link, and other book outlets nationwide, runs into five chapters. It was published in 2018 and reviewed by a renowned journalist, Constance Ikokwu, during its launch at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.

The 250 pages account is truly a masterpiece.

Ezeanya's agony began when she was pregnant with Dike and to the point when she realised that there was something egregiously wrong with the newborn baby boy.

Unveiling of the book, More Than A Miracle

The Chairman's Remark The book narrated in engrossing details, the medical journey she went through plus the pains and frustration she experienced, visiting doctors in search of explanation. She also had many sleepless nights, weeping and agonising. “This is a unique story worth telling because it brings out a personal belief- the strength of believing that there is nothing that God wants you to achieve that you will not be able to achieve. It is also a story about an incredible boy bringing joy to the family. Every child ought to be a subject of love, somebody that you cuddle, bring up and you give the person the best that you can. When I look around in Nigeria, I am afraid that my conclusion, seeing children who are begging in street corners, that something is missing in our DNA on how to love children. If there has been any serious love they are not going to allow begging on the streets, those children would have been in schools.

"They would have been the foundation of human capital. Let us bear in mind that those of you, who for whatever reason, come across a child who needs help, who ought to be helped, to insensitive government who allows the future of the nation to go unprotected on health, then we have to raise our voices in very serious protest,� remarked the chairman of the book launch, Ambassador Dele Cole.

Review Ikokwu while reviewing the book said: “I find the author's strength during this time astonishing.

For someone who kept going through hell, she found time to keep a journal. Clearly she kept her creativity alive. It was also obvious that she tackled her son's toils with determination which is partly why we have this book today. And she said in her own words while seeking for medical solutions and I quote, ‘I was overwhelmed by the update of the doctors, the only consolation I had was my Bible, the open channel devotionals and my writings. I had faith that whatever God knows is worse, even doctors had all the resources, man power and expertise to treat, I affirmed that God was the ultimate healer'."

She also acknowledged that given her plight, the author had to learn to deal with the tough time by coming to the conclusion that it was better to hitch her wagon with God and to embrace advancements in medicine.

The book lays bare the poor medical conditions

Chinwe Ezeanya stresses a point at the book launch of Nigeria and many people are likely to react to it in a variety of ways.

The Author's Faith The author said her motive for writing More Than A Miracle was stirred by feeling that she needed to talk about Dike and her personal life as it would be impossible for her without talking about the things that she felt especially concerning this issue. “I had to talk about myself because when Dike's case came up, we didn't have a solution but now it is no longer about me, it is about us, about the children in the country; every child who has a liver disease even those that have gone and those that are not yet born. I had to talk about my personal experiences because it was a tough journey. And perhaps through this journey people will begin to understand that they need to be determined to be able to save their loved ones.

I need the country to understand that we need help for those without hope, that is why we had to set Dike Ezeanya Foundation because with it, you will never walk alone,� she said.

She described as the most difficult part of the struggle the hopelessness of the situation, which made it seem as if Dike had a death sentence. The author also disclosed since they did not have the right match for Dike, they decided to put their faith in God, until against all odds, a solution was found.

Days of Travails Dike’s conditions put a strain on Ezeanya's marriage, incurred huge medical costs and called for moments of decisions. But she refused to be weighed down by her sorrow, instead choosing

President of DEFFLID, Emeka Ihumezie

to fight tenaciously. She also fervently asked God to intervene by saving her son.

Dike was diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis, three days after birth and was hospitalised for two weeks after he developed jaundice. He also suffered a deteriorating liver condition as a result of biliary atresia thereafter.

The infant struggled with these defects and after further medical tests in Port Harcourt, India and the United States, it was found that Dike suffered from a congenital problem and therefore required a liver transplant.

The first one and half year after Dike’s diagnosis was tough. He had to undergo blood transfusion, he was perpetually hungry because of mandated fasting to enable the doctors carry out a barrage of tests, making the poor chap to cry a bucket load at the beginning of his life.

The Transplant The swap liver transplant, 22 months after Dike’s birth, was successfully done in India during a 36-hour surgeries involving 36 medical personnel led by Dr Arvinder Singh Soin and Dr Neelam Mohan.

From a medical perspective, it was also the first swap liver transplant undertaken in India and a landmark surgery that inspired new way of organ transplantation.

Foundation “I want a Nigeria where every child, every adult who comes up with a liver disease finds a solution. We want to be that intermediary, to be able to seek the solution to their ailments. The proceeds from the book will go into the foundation to help both Dike and other children who face

similar challenges. As a result of what we do in the foundation we have had a number of children that had successful liver transplant after Dike and we hope that more people through us will able to succeed in saving their loved ones,� she said while offering reasons on the motive for setting up the DEFFLID. President of DEFFLID, Emeka Ihumezie declared that Ezeanya's inspiration in writing the book was to spread the message and enlighten Nigerians about what liver diseases actually are.

Ihumezie remarked that in Nigeria, anyone who has a liver disease is like someone who has been subjected to a death sentence, saying right from the outset, the process of diagnosis through treatment can be very terrible. “To get a proper diagnosis you will actually have to do it outside Nigeria. You might just get a physical preliminary diagnosis. To actually get the proper diagnosis that will confirm that what you have is the real liver disease is not something that can be treated here in Nigeria. “The process of even getting the right organ is terrible in Nigeria, you can't even get a proper organ matching. And to do that is something most of us don't even know because we have not even experienced the issue of having liver problem and we should be grateful to God. If you have a liver disease in Nigeria, you will walk that walk alone, just like Ezeanya and her family walked the walk alone,� Ihumezie declared.

He added that the foundation is creating awareness on liver disease as an ailment that can be cured. In like manner, the foundation appeals to both government and non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of those who suffer from liver diseases.

37

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍˇËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

‘Nigerian Navy Support to Merchant Shipping Will Boost International Trade’ Stakeholders in the maritime official comment on. as seeking naval patrol or naval Owolabi who has several guards for protection of ships." industry have stated that the successes recorded by the Ni- years of experience and exOdiadi who has notable gerian Navy (NN) in the fight posure in maritime security experience in military law against piracy, sea robbery and averred that it may be ques- and practice argued that the other illegalities in Nigerian tioned whether some of the circulations also suggest that waters in recent times would more recent incidents may have if this practice is banned, unauhelp in no small way to boost in- been avoided had the shipping thorised or illegal, the Nigerian ternational trade in the country. companies been more aware of Navy Commanders are either They maintained that the the security options available. directly contravening orders or “The sole use of escort vessels are unaware that the Nigerian support for merchant shipping would also further international restricts security options due to Navy guards and the Nigerian trade as it affects the shipping limited escort vessel availabil- Navy weapons are being resector of the economy in the ity and the higher cost, which leased to perform these tasks. sometimes can be up to 10 times months ahead. “Both of these situations are While lauding the strides the the cost of an embarked team. extremely unlikely due to the "This situation can lead to professionalism consistently NN has made in recent times, the stakeholders who stated this companies deciding against displayed by the Nigerian at the sideline of the freight additional security measures, Navy over the years and despite forwarders day in Lagos noted with potentially catastrophic the warning that vessels with that in the past 12 months, the consequences�, he said. embarked Navy teams would On his part, a maritime be detained�, he said. professional action of the navy has thwarted not less than 15 lawyer, Mr. Tony Odiadi said: He observed that since the “despite these statements be- release there has been no redetermined attacks.

They maintained that the ing released internationally, cord of any merchant vessel thwarting of these attacks no one has been able to state being detained for embarking was actualised by what they the law that is being broken Nigerian Navy guards. The called “the swift and decisive if this practice is conducted. Nigerian Navy, in their role as actions� embarked by the NN The reason being that no law the maritime security authority team who rose to the occasion is being broken, the navy are in the country, would certainly merely delivering on their de- be aware of incidents where the when duty calls.

According to them, contrary fence mandate, successfully and navy has successfully repelled to reports in the international with approval from the Chief an attack, and the role that Nishipping community, the NN of Naval Staff (CNS). gerian Navy guards played in "This practice is not differ- each event, yet no detentions has consistently continued to deliver on its mandate to secure ent than seeing the Nigerian have been seen. the maritime environment of Police Force protecting a bank The maritime lawyer noted Nigeria by providing additional or the Nigerian Army providing that since the beginning of this security options as requested support to the Nigerian Police year, the navy has increased through their framework for within the states as task forces their capacity and platforms, the private sector, the navy to maintain security. continued to support offshore "You have to always look operations, achieved constant and the Nigerian government to protect critical infrastructure at the 1999 Constitution, the successes against illegal refinand strategic national assets, Armed Forces Act 2004 as well ers, detained numerous vessels whilst ensuring all is done as the particulars of the man- for illegal activity on the nato promote and support the dates of the Nigerian Navy to tion’s waters, and has delivered secure and protect the Nigerian on military commitments whilst economic growth of Nigeria.

Recently, Nigeria has been in maritime corridor 200 nauti- supporting all maritime trade to the spotlight over the number cal miles from any violations. enhance the Nigerian economy. of attacks occurring within her None of the enabling laws or He maintained that with waters or otherwise originating regulations are violated. scores of attacks thwarted either "The point is that any security by naval platforms, Nigerian from Nigeria. Specifically, the number of seafarers being kid- breaches upon a vessel having Navy on private escort vessels napped, sea piracy activities and legitimate presence within Ni- or those embarked directly on others by protesting militants gerian territorial waters falls ships, the officers and men has alarmed the international upon the Navy to take control, should be commended for their likewise any prevention or pre- efforts in doing their duty in shipping community.

This has gotten to the extent emptive measure necessary such support of the nation. that some shipping companies are now considering whether to send their vessels to Nigeria or not.

The stakeholders argued that this situation has a negative effect on the Nigerian economy in which the maritime trade contributes significantly through ship movements in and out of Nigeria’s territorial waters.

One of the stakeholders, Chief Adelusi Owolabi noted that information in international media and guidance released to shipping would suggest that there are few options available to secure shipping in Nigeria but the simple fact is that for many years, ships have made use of Nigerian security agencies and particularly the navy as escorts and embarked guards to fend off any attacks.

According to Owolabi, these practices have continued consistently, with notable successes by the navy to date, all despite a statement from Intertanko, and supported by BIMCO and several major Flag States, claiming the illegality of the practice following an unofficial conversation with a retiring rear admiral in late 2017, something which the navy provided no Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, Chief of the Naval Sta

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 42) How safe are you with your personal staff? (iii) The burning questions one needs to ask this new year are; that nanny, maid, steward, cook, security guards, driver, lesson teacher, etc, whether at home or in the office, how safe are we with them? Well, here are some useful tips when dealing with them: r "SF ZPV BXBSF UIBU ZPVS EPNFTUJD TUBGG NPOJUPST ZPVS NPWFNFOU Do you also do same? It is good to monitor them. Go home or office when they least expect you. r $SJNJOBMT BSF EFBEMZ 5IFZ XBJU GPS B UJNF UP TUSJLF XIFO ZPV MFBTU expect and they are hardly ever thought to be the suspect. r %POhU CF B WJDUJN %P BMM UIF OFDFTTBSZ DIFDLT JNNFEJBUFMZ r /FWFS FWFS HFU EPNFTUJD TUBGG BOE ESJWFST GSPN TBNF TPVSDF r (FU B $$57 JOTUBMMFE JOUP ZPVS IPVTF BOE NPOJUPS GSPN ZPVS phones. Save your life and that of your loved ones. r $SJNF SBUF JT PO UIF JODSFBTF EBJMZ 4FDVSJUZ BOE TBGFUZ JT FWFSZPOFhT CVTJOFTT JODMVEJOH ZPV BOE * r3FNFNCFS ZPV BSF ZPVS OVNCFS POF QFSTPOBM TFDVSJUZ 4P EP UIF needful.

Source: Unknown

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND B 1PMJDF $POUSPM 3PPN /PT PS C $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF D %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF "ENJO

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CITIZENS' COMPLAINT LINES FOR SARS r%*( %FQBSUNFOU PG 0QFSBUJPOT r*(1 9 426"% m$"--4 4.4 8IBUT"QQ Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com. r*(1 .POJUPSJOH 6OJU JHQNPOPUPSJOHBCK!ZBIPP DPN r$1 '4"34 r'PSDF 1VCMJD $PNQMBJOU #VSFBV $BMMT 4.4 8IBUT"QQ $BMMT 4.4 8IBUT"QQ Email: bailisfree@gmail.com,pressforabuja@gmail.com, 5XJUUFS !1PMJDF/( XXX GBDFCPPL DPN OHQPMJDF r1VCMJD $PNQMBJOU 3BQJE 3FTQPOTF 6OJU 1$336

m $BMMT POMZ m 4.4 BOE 8IBUT"QQ POMZ 5XJUUFS !1PMJDF/(@1$336 XXX 'BDFCPPL DPN 1PMJDF1$336 r/(04 $404 TFHB!BMJFOTNFEJBMUE DPN koredebello@caspertainment.agency, casperentertainNFOU!HNBJM DPN PMVPHVOTBLJO!IPUNBJM DPN BOE H XSJUFS !HNBJM DPN

38

W E D N E S DAY Ëž JANUARY 9, 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN to Auction N908bnTreasury Bills in Q1 ČŠ —“ŽŒÂ?ÂœČąÂ?Â›ÂŽÂœÂ‘ČąÇžĹ˜Ĺ—Ĺ–Â–ČąÂ’Â—Â?Â˜Čą ȹ–Š›”ŽÂ?Čą Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday released its Treasury Bills Issuance Programme for the first quarter of 2019. In all, the central bank will sell treasury bills worth N907.880 billion this quarter.

A breakdown of the debt instrument showed that while a total of 91-day bills valued at N50.977 billion would be auctioned; N178.843 billion of 182-day bills, a total of N678.059 billion of 364-day instrument would be auction in the said period. On the other hand, maturing treasury bills worth N823.46 billion are expected to be rolled over in the review

period. The issuance calendar indicates that a total of N225.449 billion would be maturing next week Thursday.

The bills maturing next week will however be rolled over.

Meanwhile, in its continued intervention in the interbank segment of the foreign exchange market, the CBN yesterday injected another sum of $210 million. A breakdown of this showed that the sum of $100 million was injected into the wholesale segment of the market, $55 million apiece were sold to (SMEs) and invisibles sectors. The Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, reiterated that the Bank was unrelenting in

its resolve to sustain liquidity in the forex market as well as maintain stability there.

Okorafor stressed that the CBN’s continued intervention was aimed at ensuring that the Bank meets the requests of genuine customers in the various windows of the market.

On the Bank’s restriction of access to forex for some 42 items, he said the policy would continue, particularly as it was greatly boosting local production of items on the list.

He disclosed that the Economic Intelligence Unit of the CBN was working closely with relevant government agencies to checkmate any attempt to flout the policy.

W’Bank Predicts Slower Growth in 2019 on Increasing Trade Tensions Nume Ekeghe The World Bank yesterday revised its global economic growth for 2019 downward due to ongoing trade tensions between some economies as well as its resultant effect on both advanced and emerging economies.

The Bank in a statement said international trade and manufacturing activity have softened and trade tensions remained elevated, contributing to downside risks to the three per cent outlook it projected in 2018.

It noted that some large emerging markets have experienced substantial financial market pressures as growth among advanced economies was forecast to drop to two per cent this year.

The World Bank January 2019 Global Economic Prospects noted that slowing external

demand, rising borrowing costs, and persistent policy uncertainties were expected to weigh on the outlook for emerging market and developing economies.

According to World Bank Chief Executive Officer, Kristalina Georgieva, growth was anticipated to hold steady at a weaker-than-expected 4.2 percent this year. “At the beginning of 2018 the global economy was firing on all cylinders, but it lost speed during the year and the ride could get even bumpier in the year ahead. “As economic and financial headwinds intensify for emerging and developing countries, the world’s progress in reducing extreme poverty could be jeopardised. To keep the momentum, countries need to invest in people, foster inclusive growth, and build resilient societies,� it added.

“The upswing in commodity exporters has stagnated, while activity in commodity importers is decelerating. “Per capita growth will be insufficient to narrow the income gap with advanced economies in about 35 percent of emerging market and developing economies in 2019, with the share increasing to 60 per cent in countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence. “A number of developments could act as a further brake on activity. A sharper tightening in borrowing costs could depress capital inflows and lead to slower growth in many emerging market and developing economies. “Past increases in public and private debt could heighten vulnerability to swings in financing conditions and market sentiment. Intensifying trade tensions could result in weaker global growth and disrupt globally interconnected value chains,� it added.

Keystone Bank Launches Zero Data Mobile App Customers of Keystone Bank Limited can now transact banking services at their convenience on the new ‘Keystone Bank Mobile App’ without data.

The initiative enables customers enjoy banking services on their mobile phones without data.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, was quoted in a statement to have said the development was in demonstration of the bank’s commitment to deliver superior and innovative banking solutions to its customers. “In our fast-paced and evolving digital world, service literally has to be at the speed of thought; the rules of engage-

ment are changing so fast that customer expectations are as diverse as our lifestyles and choices. “It is no longer a question of stepping out to the bank but about the convergence of innovative services, digital technology and Omni-channel platforms coming to us at breakneck speed. “Mobile banking for one isn’t entirely new in the industry, but there is no end to innovation in delivering customer convenience. “At Keystone Bank, that’s what sets us apart and that shall continue to be our strength. “We are determined to be your preferred bank; dependable, responsive and always within reach,� he said.

Other notable features of the mobile App are, easy account opening, convenient self- booking and liquidation of fixed deposits, an expanded list of bill-payment options and easy activation of standing instructions & recurrent future payments.

It also include, a “Switch Card ON/OFF option� which allows users to disable their cards temporarily if missing & re-enable at the click of a button, the “Hide Balance Feature� which is an additional safeguard against third-party viewing and the “Meet Your Relationship Manager Option� which allows users to call or email their account officers right within the app.

MultiChoice Launches Promo for DStv,GOtv Subscribers Peter Uzoho MultiChoice Nigeria has announced plan to commence the new year with the launch of a promo tagged: ‘Step-Up,’ to delight millions of its loyal customers on the DStv and GOtv platforms.

The campaign which will run for three months, starting from January 15 to April 15 2019, would give all active and

disconnected DStv Compact, Family and Access customers the opportunity to pay for an upgrade package and get a boost to view programmes on higher package within 48 hours.

The offer allows DStv customers on the Access package to pay N4, 000 for Family package and get a boost to view programmes on the Compact package, while customers on the Family package can pay

N6, 800 for Compact package and view Compact Plus package programmes. Likewise, Compact customers can also pay N10, 650 for Compact Plus package and in turn get Premium package programmes.

Also, customers on GOtvPlus, Value and Lite will get upgraded to GOtv Max when they pay a reduced fee of N2, 500 while GOtv ‘tops up’ with N700.

Kim

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 7 JANUARY 2019

Vienna, Austria, 8 January 2019--The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $56.43 a barrel on Monday, compared with $55.14 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. (View Archives).

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), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

W E D N E S DAY ˾ JANUARY 9, 2019

MARKET NEWS

United Capital Unveils Economic Report, Projects Market Recovery Goddy Egene After a negative performance in 2018 and a bearish start in 2019, analysts at United Capital Plc have projected a positive close for the Nigerian equities market at the end of the year.

The projection is contained in the investment banking firm’s Economic outlook for the 2019, themed: ‘Sailing Through the Storm’ It takes a critical look at

the developments in the global economy as well as the dominant themes that would shape events in the domestic economy, and a host of other economic discourse. Specifically, the report illustrates how rising downside risks and waning upside surprises will define the outlook for global economy in 2019. Also, critical concerns on the mind of investors such as; whether Sub-Sahara African (SSA) assets will rally in 2019;

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

if the election-risk in Nigeria is overpriced; and the investment case for Nigeria in 2019, are addressed.

Commenting on the report, Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Peter Ashade, said: “The uncertainties around the election and transition period, and the need to implement bold policy changes are the biggest issues identified for investors in 2019. Asides the need to address the badly

S E C U R I T I E S

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needed policies changes as well as take bold decision and implement them, our 2019 Economic Outlook provide insights into how local and foreign investors could wade through these uncertainties and make decisions that would take them to the next level.”

According to the report, for equities, performance in 2019 will be anchored on the outcome of the general election on one hand and the change of guard

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the other.

“Overall, we imagine a flattish performance in first half(H1 of 2019 and a quick rebound in second half, especially if the outcome of the election is seen to result into a smooth and peaceful transmission from May 29 onward. Against the backdrop of a better balance of risks going into 2019 and considering the extreme valuation differences

between Nigeria (9.0x) and the rest of the world (emerging markets: 11.6x, frontier markets: 10.9x, and the world: 15.6x), we anticipate net-capital inflow into Nigeria in 2019, especially after elections. Accordingly, our base case return for the market is projected at +9.4 per cent,” the report said.

The reported noted that three key factors would shape the performance of the Nigerian economy in 2019.

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˾ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019

40

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index sheds 2.5% Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 index shed 2.5% to close

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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ZENITH (-4.7%), and FBNH (-4.7%) weighed most the index. dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϱ͘ϵй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Local Bourse Extends Losses͙ ASI down 1.2% Trading on the local equity market wrapped up yesterday on Ă ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ŶŽƚĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ĨĞůů ϭ͘Ϯй ƚŽ 30,036.15 points while YTD return worsened to -4.4% and ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ Eϭϯϱ͘ϴďŶ ƚŽ Eϭϭ͘ϮƚŶ͘ Yesterday͛Ɛ

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Current Price

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,224.38

-2.49%

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

-20.6%

22.4%

20.2%

7.2%

5.8x

0.7x

7.2%

13.8%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

32.00

-5.5%

21.2%

-7.1%

-21.1%

34.1%

5.6%

4.8x

1.8x

8.4%

21.0%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

20.30

-4.7%

13.0%

-11.9%

-21.7%

23.7%

3.4%

3.5x

0.8x

13.1%

28.7%

3

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

78.90

0.5%

6.7%

-7.7%

-41.6%

13.8%

6.4%

26.4x

3.8x

4.7%

3.8%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,450.00

0.0%

9.5%

-2.4%

-6.8%

85.8%

26.3%

26.2x

20.4x

3.3%

3.8%

5

Dangote Cement PLC

186.00

0.0%

6.3%

-2.0%

-19.1%

20.1%

9.8%

19.4x

4.1x

5.9%

5.2%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

7.15

-4.7%

5.7%

-10.1%

-18.7%

6.6%

0.8%

5.1x

0.4x

3.4%

19.5% 41.1%

7

Access Bank PLC

5.85

0.9%

3.2%

-14.0%

-44.8%

14.1%

1.7%

2.4x

0.4x

11.1%

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

7.30

-5.2%

3.9%

-5.2%

-29.9%

15.4%

1.8%

3.3x

0.5x

11.6%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

13.50

0.0%

3.3%

-3.6%

-17.0%

12.1%

1.0%

4.2x

0.5x

30.2% 23.8%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

640.00

0.0%

4.0%

0.0%

2.2%

25.9%

15.3%

2.8x

0.7x

3.0%

36.0%

11

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

46.15

-1.8%

4.1%

-3.8%

12.8%

35.7%

4.6%

6.8x

2.2x

2.2%

14.6%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

33.75

0.0%

2.6%

-8.8%

-16.1%

24.7%

11.5%

15.7x

2.3x

1.5%

6.4%

13

Guinness Nigeria PLC

70.00

0.0%

2.2%

-2.8%

-25.5%

8.8%

5.0%

18.8x

1.7x

2.9%

5.3%

14

Lafarge Africa PLC

11.70

3.1%

0.6%

-6.0%

-73.2%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.8x

12.5%

-53.8%

15

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.80

-5.3%

1.2%

-11.3%

-30.2%

11.3%

1.5%

2.3x

0.3x

6.1%

16

Oando PLC

4.20

-7.7%

1.2%

-16.0%

-29.9%

10.9%

1.7%

3.5x

0.3x

17

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.65

-2.5%

1.0%

-10.5%

-33.0%

32.6%

16.4%

5.4x

1.6x

12.8%

18.4%

18

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

83.75

7.9%

1.7%

9.9%

23.7%

39.3%

29.7%

8.0x

2.8x

3.6%

12.5%

19

International Brew eries PLC

31.00

-1.6%

0.6%

1.6%

-43.6%

1.7%

0.3%

53.0x

6.6x

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

18.00

-8.6%

0.5%

-22.1%

-37.9%

7.6%

2.3%

6.2x

0.5x

5.6%

16.2%

21

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.19

-0.8%

0.6%

-9.8%

-19.6%

13.6%

3.0%

5.7x

0.7x

1.7%

17.7%

22

UAC of Nigeria PLC

8.70

0.6%

0.4%

-10.8%

-48.5%

0.4%

0.2%

68.4x

0.4x

7.5%

23

Diamond Bank PLC

1.90

-4.0%

0.8%

-12.8%

21.0%

-5.8%

-0.7%

Industrial Goods Index Emerges Lone Gainer

24

Total Nigeria PLC

200.20

0.0%

0.6%

-1.4%

-12.9%

34.6%

7.5%

7.0x

2.3x

8.5%

14.3%

25

FCMB Group Plc

1.60

0.0%

0.6%

1.3%

8.4%

1.2%

2.1x

0.2x

6.5%

47.8%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ĂƐ ϰ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ

26

11 PLC

183.60

0.0%

0.6%

-1.0%

-5.7%

38.0%

16.8%

6.1x

2.0x

4.4%

16.3%

27

Forte Oil PLC

26.55

-8.0%

0.4%

-7.5%

-36.8%

84.6%

8.3%

10.9x

2.0x

28

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

12.00

0.0%

0.3%

-0.8%

-43.3%

ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ďĂŶŬŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ - GUARANTY (-5.5%), UBA (5.2%) and ZENITH (-ϰ͘ϳйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ as volume traded slid 20.1% to 216.2m units and value ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ƚŽ Ϯ͘ϳďŶ͕ ůŽǁĞƌ ďLJ Ϯ͘ϴй͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ volume were ZENITH (32.4m units), TRANSCORP (26.4m units)

and

GUARANTY

;EϴϰϬ͘ϵŵͿ͕

GUARANTY

(18.7m

units)

;EϲϬϴ͘ϬŵͿ

while

ĂŶĚ

ZENITH

DANGCEM

;Eϱϵϲ͘ϱďŶͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž͕ ƌĞƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŝƚƐ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ͕ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϱй following gains in WAPCO (+3.1%) and CCNN (+0.5%). On the ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƐŚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϯ͘ϲй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-5.5%) and UBA (-5.2%). dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ͕ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϯ͘ϯй͕ ϭ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϱй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ǁĞŝŐŚĞĚ ďLJ losses in NEM (-ϵ͘ϰйͿ͕ WAPIC (-ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕ OANDO (-7.7%), FORTE (-8.0%), FLOURMILL (-8.6%) and INTBREW (-1.6%).

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ƵƉ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϱdž͕ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ Ϭ͘ϰdž

ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ Ϯϳ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ

;нϳ͘ϵйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ NEM (-ϵ͘ϰйͿ͕ NNFM (-ϵ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ WAPIC (ϵ͘ϭйͿ ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͘

ƉƌĞƉĂƌĂƟŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ EŝŐĞƌŝĂΖƐ ƉƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů ĞůĞĐƟŽŶƐ͘ tĞ ŚŽǁĞǀĞƌ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŵŝůĚ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ƚŽ ƵƉůŝŌ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŽŵŽƌƌŽǁΖƐ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘

0.0%

0.3%

-3.5%

-38.1%

4.7%

1.9%

33.7x

1.6x

1.7%

3.0%

30

-3.1%

0.4%

-3.1%

-9.5%

37.0%

24.8%

2.4x

0.8x

3.2%

40.8%

31

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

18.00

0.0%

0.4%

0.0%

-6.3%

47.0%

17.5%

9.4x

4.2x

8.3%

10.7%

32

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

6.60

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

-34.0%

0.6x

8.4%

3.4%

0.3%

7.1%

-20.1%

33

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.00

34

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

23.50

0.9%

0.3%

16.9%

-16.1%

17.3%

1.8%

6.5x

1.0x

4.2%

15.4%

35

Sterling Bank PLC

1.97

0.0%

0.6%

3.7%

74.3%

10.6%

1.1%

5.2x

0.5x

1.0%

19.3%

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

5.3%

1.0%

10.9x

0.6x

9.2%

36

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

5.65

-4.2%

0.1%

-17.5%

-53.5%

0.0%

0.0%

0.7x

3.5%

37

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

12.20

0.0%

0.2%

-15.9%

-43.5%

12.1%

7.2%

9.8x

1.7x

61.5%

38

Chemical and Allied Products P

31.50

0.0%

0.2%

-9.6%

-11.8%

66.2%

30.2%

14.7x

9.8x

6.5%

6.8%

39

Beta Glass PLC

67.00

0.0%

0.2%

-1.9%

30.6%

17.7%

11.5%

8.1x

1.3x

1.6%

12.3%

40

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.10

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

-15.4%

6.9%

3.8%

11.9x

0.8x

2.1%

8.4%

P ric e

J OH N H OLT SEP LA T

FB NH D A N GC EM

P ric e C hg %

LIVEST OC K

9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

36.4

0.2%

T R A N SC OR P

26.4

-0.8%

83.75

7.9%

GUA R A N T Y

18.7

-5.5%

7.95

5.3%

D IA M ON D B N K

14.9

-4.0%

189.70

3.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

12.1

-5.3%

3.4%

FB NH

10.5

5.3%

2.7%

A C C ESS

9.1

0.0%

1.9%

FCM B

7.3

0.0%

0.9%

WA P IC

7.3

-9.1%

0.6%

UC A P

6.3

-8.1%

1.14

8.70

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

8.0%

23.50

UA C N

Vo lum e

0.48

0.53

J B ER GER

T ic k er

640.00

6.00

H ON YF LOUR

10.2%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

N EM

2.12

-9.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

841.0

0.2%

NNFM

4.35

-9.4%

GUA R A N T Y

608.0

-5.5%

WA P IC

0.40

-9.1%

D A N GC EM

596.5

3.7%

UN IT YB N K

0.91

-9.0%

N EST LE

550.2

0.0%

A IIC O

0.62

-8.8%

OKOM UOIL

87.9

7.9%

LEA R N A F R C A

1.24

-8.8%

FB NH

79.3

5.3%

F LOUR M ILL

18.00

-8.6%

FO

62.3

-8.0%

N IGER IN S

0.22

-8.3%

A C C ESS

62.0

0.0%

UC A P

2.62

-8.1%

SEP LA T

38.7

8.0%

26.55

-8.0%

T R A N SC OR P

31.2

-0.8%

FO

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315)

1.3%

9.65

tĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ǁŝůů ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ũŝƩĞƌƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ

9.2%

1.1x

62.00

UB N

were JOHNHOLT ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ͕ SEPLAT (+8.0%) and OKOMUOIL

1.5% -36.9%

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

OKOM UOIL

recorded in the previous session, on 14 stock advancing

0.2x

Presco PLC

T ic k er

ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

1.9%

29

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ /ŶĐŚĞƐ ,ŝŐŚĞƌ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ

42.6% 28.6%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚͡

41

MARKET NEWS

SAHCO’s N1.89 Billion Initial Public Offering Closes Today Goddy Egene

core investor to partially divest that the share price of SAHCO the shares of the company to the has significant upside potential Application list for the N1.89 general Nigerian investing public. and could deliver double-digit A total of 10 per cent of the gain in the months ahead. billion initial public offering (IPO) of Skyway Aviation Handling shares being offered for sale will be Analysts at leading investment Company (SAHCO) Plc closes reserved for staff of SAHCO under firms including Vetiva Capital an Employee Stock Ownership Management Limited and Cordros today.

SAHCO is offering 406.074 Plan to be set up and administered Capital Limited said the post-IPO performance would create values million ordinary shares of 50 kobo by a Trustee.

The shares of SAHCO are for shareholders. each through an IPO at N4.65 per Analysts said SAHCO has share. SAHCO was privatised by expected to be listed on the the federal government in 2009. Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) this strong potential to sustain growth Sifax Group acquired the entire quarter, providing investors with in the years ahead given its share capital of the company but dual opportunities of dividend exposure to long-term expansion of air traffic, improvement in the Share Sale Purchase Agreement and capital gain.

Many analysts have projected macro environment, relatively (SSPA) mandated the majority A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 07shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the 01-2019, unless otherwise stated.

under-geared balance sheet and shareholders. its competitiveness enhanced by Chairman of SAHCO, Taiwo IATA Safety Audit for Ground Afolabi, said the company’s future Operations (ISAGO) registration. strategy is to create long term Already, the board of SAHCO shareholder value through the has also outlined a growth plan profitable operation and expansion aimed at consolidating the of its business into other West company’s leading position in African markets with a vision the Nigerian aviation handling to become the leading provider industry with expansion into other of passenger, ramp and cargo West African countries as part of handling services in the West efforts to ensure long-term values African region. for shareholders. “In order to achieve this The board of the company has objective, SAHCO seeks to pursue also assured that the company growth and opportunities consistent would provide good returns to with its business operations by Offer price: T he 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.

focusing on operational excellence and efficiency, enhanced service delivery, strategic partnerships and alliances that would enhance its capability both in the domestic market and globally as well as strategic investments among others,� Afolabi said.

According to him, the privatisation of SAHCO, it has grown consistently over the years from a turnover of N2.31 billion and total assets of N3.33 billion in 2009 to an annual turnover of N4.86 billion and total assets of N14.54 billion in 2017.

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 153.90 153.93 -13.56% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.48 278.45 18.19% 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 0.84 0.85 -0.18% ACAP Income Funds 0.61 0.61 7.79% 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 13.13% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.21 2.24 -0.37% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 99.63 100.33 -1.54% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.39% 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 13.91% Paramount Equity Fund 11.42 11.71 -2.49% Women's Investment Fund 100.19 102.76 -2.32% 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 12.98% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.27 95.54 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.40 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 12.15% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 0.43% 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 N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A 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 1,187.66 1,188.42 0.18% FBN Heritage Fund 141.41 142.60 -1.40% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.21% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.18 $114.65 4.57% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $113.88 $114.35 4.43% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.56 147.93 -2.29% 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 1.19 1.21 -2.57% Legacy Debt Fund 3.25 3.25 0.21% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.09% 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 2,942.86 2,971.71 -1.43% Coral Income Fund 2,767.01 2,767.01 13.02% 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 12.63% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.76 107.06 6.48% 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 13.56%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.14 -1.12% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.31% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 119.44 119.62 -4.39% 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 1.21 1.23 -0.41% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,102.21 1,102.21 0.36% 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 10.99 11.07 4.20% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.48% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.33 1.36 4.26% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.24 12.29 0.26% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.14% 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 119.60 120.13 -0.95% 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 1.71 1.71 0.16% 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 2,307.78 2,321.74 1.89% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 190.93 190.93 1.73% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.95 -1.05% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 247.52 247.56 2.17% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.09 162.90 -1.25% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.50% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,397.31 8,499.00 0.68% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.83% 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 1.19 1.20 -0.59% United Capital Bond Fund 1.60 1.60 0.22% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.71 -2.10% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.20% United Capital Eurobond Fund 107.34 107.34 0.08% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.08 -1.45% 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 10.98 11.13 4.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.33 12.45 3.47% Zenith Income Fund 20.83 20.83 8.23% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.42%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

6.60 140.00 51.76

-32.85% 0.00% 0.03%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.25 112.94 86.22

10.35 115.15 87.82

-2.83% -3.80% -2.76%

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

3.81 7.10 14.27 11.73 143.82

3.85 7.18 14.37 11.93 145.82

-19.45% -25.68% -18.21% -40.16% 6.85%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Gunmen Kill 10 Civilians, Children in DR Congo Ten civilians including children and relatives of soldiers were killed overnight in a raid by armed men in restive eastern DR Congo, officials said Tuesday.

“There was an incursion

yesterday (Monday) around 23:00… in the village of Mavivi” north of Beni, local administrator Donat Kasereka Kibwana told AFP. “They killed eight people and injured three others, of

Rwanda Bans Skin Lightening Creams, Soaps The Rwandan government has announced a ban on cosmetic products used for lightening the skin.

“Love the skin you’re in”, is the message from Rwanda’s government in the fight against skin lightening products, reported eNCA. Francois Uwinkindi of Rwanda’s Ministry of Health Cancer Unit said, “We are now putting more effort into educating people, going around and seizing those illegal products. We are joining those countries who are also in this fight against the use of those illegal skin-lightening cosmetics”.

Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, had earlier raised

whom two later died,” he said.

The victims were felled by gunfire and machetes wielded by the attackers who also looted chickens and goats just 300 metres (yards) from a UN base.

Five children under 10 were among the victims, a civilian representative said.

For its part, the MONUSCO peacekeeping force said it had intervened to halt the attack,

“rescued three wounded and… a baby.”

Police also put the death toll at 10, while a civil society representative and an observer said 11 civilians were killed.

The Beni region has been the target of attacks since October 2014 by the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a shadowy Islamist-rooted group that arose in western Uganda in

1995 under the leadership of Jamil Mukulu, a Christian turned Muslim.

Forced out of Uganda, it operates in the border area in the DRC’s North Kivu province, an area where other armed groups are also active.

It has been blamed for recruiting and using child soldiers, killing hundreds of civilians since 2014, as well as 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers

who died in an attack in December 2017.

Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 30 were cancelled in Beni, officially because of insecurity and an ongoing Ebola epidemic in the region.

The election results have yet to be announced amid fear of tallying fraud in the unstable central African giant.

concerns about the growing use of skin-lightening products on social media.

On his verified Twitter handle last year, Rwanda had reacted to a call for the banning of the skin lightening products by tweeting, “Quite unhealthy among other things. Includes use of prohibited chemicals. MoH and RNP need to reign this in very quickly!”

It was reported that police in the country have already started confiscating thousands of products since the closing weeks of 2018.

But many users are not happy with this move. They say they have every right to choose the way they wish to look.

Hacker Confesses to Stealing, Leaking Private Data of Merkel, Others German authorities on Tuesday said a 20-year-old hacker had confessed to stealing and leaking private data from hundreds of politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, because he was “annoyed” by some of their public statements.

The young German, who lives with his parents, was taken into custody after police searched the family home in the western state of Hesse on Sunday.

The suspect was not remanded in custody however because he was fully cooperating with the enquiry and not deemed a flight risk, said Georg Ungefuk, a spokesman for the Frankfurt prosecution service’s internet crime office ZIT. “The accused said he published the data because he had been annoyed by certain statements made by those affected,” Ungefuk told a press

conference in Wiesbaden.

The suspect, who because of his young age falls under juvenile law in Germany, told police he acted alone.

Ungefuk added that the young man had shown “clear remorse” about the stunning cyber security breach which affected around 1,000 German politicians, journalists and celebrities and piled political pressure on the government.

The information leaked online comprised home addresses, mobile phone numbers, letters, invoices and copies of identity documents.

The data was first released via Twitter in December but its spread gathered pace last week.

Among those hit were members of the Bundestag lower house of parliament and the European Parliament as well as regional and local assemblies.

A relative escorting a child from an elementary school where 20 children were wounded in Beijing…yesterday

AFP

British MPs to Hold Key BrexitVote on January 15 EU budget to face huge hole in no-deal British MPs are set to hold a critical vote on January 15 on the Brexit agreement negotiated

by Prime Minister Theresa May with the European Union, her spokesman said Tuesday.

The House of Commons will on Wednesday resume debate on the deal that was halted in December when May postponed the vote in the face of widespread opposition.

May told her weekly cabinet meeting that, subject to approval by MPs, “she would close the debate next Tuesday, January 15, when the vote will take place”, her spokesman said.

He confirmed that the prime minister was still seeking assurances from the EU on controversial elements of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland, in a bid to convince critics to back the agreement.

These assurances are set to be delivered to lawmakers before they vote, although not before they start their debate on Wednesday.

“The work to secure those assurances is ongoing. I think what’s important is that if we are to secure assurances, MPs are aware of what they are before the vote takes place,” the spokesman said.

Elsewhere, he denied reports that British officials were talking to European officials about possibly delaying Brexit to avoid leaving the bloc on March 29 without a deal.

“There are people in the European Union who are discussing this issue, but that is not the position of the UK government,” he said.

Meanwhile, a top European Union official warned yesterday that the bloc will

have to take urgent action to fill a multi billion-euro black hole in the event of no-deal Brexit with Britain.

In the event of a “disorderly” departure by Britain on March 29, “we would be short a figure in the billions of euros for the rest of the year and a higher figure for 2020”, EU budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger said after talks with EU ministers.

According to the Brexit deal struck in November between Britain and the Europeans, London is expected to pay into the EU budget through to the end of 2020 during an agreed transition period.

But the ratification of this agreement by UK parliament, in a vote set for January 15, is far from assured given the bitter opposition by MPs both for and against Brexit.

A collapse of the deal would jeopardise the British payments to the European budget, of which the United Kingdom is a major net contributor.

With a sudden stop to the UK’s EU payments, spending commitments “would no longer be guaranteed, giving us less available amounts for the coming years”, Oettinger said.

“We would have to react immediately if something were to change,” he warned.

The shortfall will raise tensions within the remaining member states, with countries including Austria and the Netherlands already firmly opposed to increased national contributions.

In 2017, the UK’s net contribution was 5.3 billion euros, according to EU data.

France to Toughen Sanctions on Undeclared Protests, PM Says France plans to introduce legislation to toughen sanctions on undeclared protests in response to violent “yellowvest” demonstrations, Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, said on Monday in a hardening of the government’s stance on the unrest.

He spoke after rioters torched motorbikes and set barricades ablaze on Paris’s up market Boulevard Saint-Germain on Saturday, underscoring how protests against high living costs and President Emmanuel Macron have turned violent on the fringes.

“We need to preserve the right to demonstrate in France and we must sanction those, who break the law,” Philippe said.

“That’s why the government favours updating the law in order to sanction those, who do not respect this obligation to declare protests, those who take part in undeclared protests, those who arrive at protests with balaclavas,” Philippe said.

He said the government could model the new law on existing legislation against football hooligans whereby individuals can be banned

from stadiums.

It could be introduced as soon as February, he said.

Philippe also said the “casseurs,” or thugs, who have brought disruption and destruction to Paris and other major cities where shops have been looted and banks vandalised would be forced to pay for the damage they cause.

The latest “yellow vest’’ marches began peacefully but degenerated on Saturday afternoon as protesters threw missiles at riot police blocking bridges over the Seine.

Officers fired tear gas to prevent protesters crossing the river and reaching the National Assembly.

One riverboat restaurant was set ablaze and a policeman was wounded when he was hit by a bicycle hurled from a street above the river bank.

Two months after they started blocking roads, occupying highway tollbooths and staging sometimes-violent street protests in Paris, the yellow vests aim to inject new momentum into a movement that weakened over the holidays.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

NEWSEXTRA

No Way for Tinubu in Kwara Politics, Saraki Tells APC Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Senate President and National Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday said the purported move by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, and his cohorts in the party in the state to annex Kwara State as their next political abode in the 2019 elections would be an exercise in futility.

According to Saraki, “Kwara is a state in the northern region of the country and not in the South-west where Tinubu has been allegedly tormenting the people of the zone.”

The Senate president disclosed this at Bode-Saadu in Moro Local Government Area of the state during the flag-off of the PDP governorship campaign rally in the state.

He however said: “The members of the PDP in state and the people of the state have resolved to frustrate the Tinubu’s threat to wrest power in Kwara State for APC by all

means.

“Those who are against us are not from Kwara State but they are from outside North where we belong, and by the grace of God they will not have their way in the state in the 2019 elections.”

Saraki further stated that “these opposition groups are not known in Kwara State. They are just impostors, deceptive people and propagandists. I want you to reject them during the polls I order to move the state forward.

“I want to tell you that the forthcoming general election in the state is not about me or about our governorship candidate, Hon. Razak Atunwa, and other candidates in the election, but it is about Kwara State and our tradition.

We must all come out with our permanent voters cards enmass during the polls to vote for all the PDP candidates and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi as presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate respectively.

He said the election is between the tenants and landlord, “and

we must all resist the move by the tenants to cause any disharmony in the state.”

The party leader said PDP is everywhere in the state, “and with this unprecedented crowd that you see today, it shows that we are on ground and we will demonstrate this with our votes for PDP during the polls.”

Saraki, who decried the level of poverty, sufferings, kidnappings, general insecurity in the country, enjoined Nigerians to rally support for the PDP during the polls so as to bring new lease of life to the people of the country.

He therefore urged PDP

members to move to various households in the state and mobilised for the party as well as assist the party to win the forthcoming general election in the state.

In his remarks, the Director General of Mandate 2019 of PDP and former Minister of National Planning, Professor Suleiman Abubakar, said: “The election in Kwara State is going to be development between tenants and landlord.”

“The PDP will not allow these tenants to change the developmental gestures that the government had put on

ground in the last 16 years in the state.”

He said members of the party must be determined not to allow the tenants in the state so as to ensure the continuity of good governance in the state.

Abubakar, who described the leaders of APC as deceitful personalities, urged Kwarans to reject them during the polls.

Also speaking, the outgoing state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the past administrations have brought a new lease of life to the people of the state in the last 16 years.

According to him, “It is on

this premise that the people of the state should continue to support the Saraki’s leadership in order to move the state forward.”

In his remark, the PDP governorship candidate, Atunwa, said his administration would address values to the socioeconomic growth of the state if voted into office on March 2.

He also promised to continue with the good work of the previous administrations in the state so as to continue to advance the needs of the rural populace.

Sultan Tasks Political Leaders on Accountability Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mahammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged political leaders to shun immoral practices, imbibe honesty and accountability in the management of human and material resources.

Abubakar made the call at the 22nd Auchi Day Annual celebration of the “Most High’’ held in Auchi, Edo State.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa, said leaders must know that accountability “is inescapable.’’

“Let me use the opportunity to admonish Nigerian bureaucrats and political elected officials not to turn deaf ears to the practice of moral principles, honesty, accountability, trustworthiness and transparency in the management of human and material resources.

“Leaders are enjoined to uphold the trust vested on them as they shall definitely account for all their deeds before the most high on the day of resurrection,” he said.

Abubakar called on Nigerians to shun electoral malpractice and barbaric acts during the general election and ensure they voted for the candidates of their choices.

“On democratic festival and violence free election, I call on Nigerians to shun electoral malpractices and ensure that your voting power is wisely used by voting the right person of your choice and the right party that is determined to upgrade your wellbeing,” he said.

The Sultan urged the people to support the current government in the fight against insecurity and corruption.

He urged Muslim faithful to respect the beliefs of one another as no one should be forced against his will to accept Islam or any other religion.

He stressed that there was no compulsion in religion, adding

that it was the duty of a Muslims to convey the message in a clear manner as stated in Surah Nahl.

“Let me express my lamentation on the aspect of Da’awah or evangelism that is carried out by half-baked religious persons in Nigeria that has caused a lot of disaffection.

“It is on record that they preach provocation, which is totally unacceptable in Islam.

“I urge Muslims to seek knowledge as prophetically prescribed to understand the reality of situation and know how to tackle ugly phenomenon,” he said.

In his speech, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, said Auchi Day celebration reminded the people of the need to be committed to God in their dealings with others.

“For us as a government, we are totally committed to the will of God. And when you are committed to the will of God, you are committed to the will of the people,” he said.

The deputy governor admonished the youths to shun politics of ethnicity and imbibe politics of national unity.

Earlier, the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, said the Auchi day celebration was aimed at re-uniting the sons and daughters of the community.

He said the celebration was also to uphold the teachings of Islam to inculcate it in their children.

“Auchi day celebration is to see how to bring up the children in the Islamic way by teaching them Islamic principles and morality.

“The Islamic knowledge will enable them to exhibit the trait of a good Muslim in their lives, places of work and any other areas they control,” he said.

The highpoints of the event were the recitation of Quranic verses and commissioning of the Auchi royal court to settle disputes in the community.

CONDOLENCE VISIT...

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, commiserating with the wife and children of his Special Assistant on Education, the late Mr. Azuikpe Ogbonna, at the deceased’s residence in Abuja, yesterday.

Onnoghen Swears in Abba Aji as Justice of Supreme Court Warns lawyers, judges to be diligent with cases Alex Enumah in Abuja Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday swore in Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji as a Justice of the Supreme Court, with a charge to her to bring the wealth of her experience to bear on the bench of the apex court.

Onnoghen also used the occasion to warn lawyers as well as judges to be diligent in their handling of cases in order for the apex court to deal expeditiously with the huge workload and files before it.

He said: “Sometime in September 2018, I issued a

statement to the effect that the Supreme Court diary is full with appeals set down for hearing up to the year 2021.

“Accordingly, I explained the import of the warning to mean that any matter that is assigned a date must be heard and determined one way or the other on that date.

“For appeals that may be discovered to have defects, I advised counsel to take necessary steps to amend such defects before the due hearing date. This means that everyone must come to the court fully prepared for the business of the day,

including the Justices, more than anyone else.”

Onnoghen observed that with pre-election and post-election matters that will arise from the 2019 general election, the apex court definitely has a lot of job to do this year.

While he noted that the retirement of Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi in February last year brought the number of Justices of the Court to 16, inclusive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the CJN stressed that the retirement of another Justice later in the year would further put pressure

on the bench considering the workload before the court.

He therefore urged the new Justice to see her elevation to the apex court as timely and positive. “Your work ethic and integrity are what got you here and I urge you to do even more to leave your footprints on the sands of time in this court,” he said.

Before her elevation, Justice Abba Aji was the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division.

Her swearing-in yesterday has however increased the number of female Justices at the apex court to 4

NEXIM Bank to Revamp Ailing Industries to Boost Non-oil Export Sector Francis Sardauna in Katsina In keeping with its mandate as Nigeria’s Export Credit Agency, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) in synergy with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions has stated that it will implement two intervention schemes to revamp ailing industries and enhance their contributions to non-oil exports in the country.

The intervention schemes, according to the bank, are in two

categories predicated on its broad philosophy of Produce, Add Value and Export (PAVE) policy in line with the diversification strategy of federal government as enunciated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Speaking in Katsina during its two-day exporters’ enlightenment Forum yesterday, the Managing Director of the bank, Abba Bello, said the bank’s objective is to support export-oriented projects in all parts of the country.

He reaffirmed that besides revenue

volatility, the oil sector is incapable of supporting inclusive economic growth that would provide jobs and economic opportunities for the country’s teeming population, hence the initiative.

According to him, “Our plan is to assist indigenous producers to optimise their capacity and also move up the value chain to produce finished products. We have observed that North West is quite rich in agricultural and mineral resources, and therefore has the capacity to benefit significantly from the programme.

“A portion of the Export Development Fund has also been set aside to support industries that are majoremployersofwomenandyouths underaspecialeconomicempowerment scheme for the vulnerable groups.

Also speaking, the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, represented by the state Commissioner forCommerceandIndustries,Abubakar Yusuf,saidthegovernmenthasestablished an investment promotion agency to collaborate with NEXIM to enhance exportation of commodities from the state.

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

FG, W’Bank, BMGF Commit $180m on Universal Health Coverage Martins Ifijeh As a collective effort to address Nigeria’s poor healthcare indices and improve human capital development, the federal government, the World Bank Group, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have jointly committed $180 million to fund Universal Health Coverage through the Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund (BHCPF).

This is even as the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and the Department for International Development (DFID) pledged to support the fund with $75 million and £60 million, respectively, over the next five years.

Giving this breakdown at the Presidential Launch of BHCPF and Second National Strategic Health Development Plan in

Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale, said with $180 million already set aside, the implementation of the programme has kicked off with six benefiting states.

The BHCPF is a fund outside the health budget set aside to address basic healthcare needs of Nigerians, and to ensure improvement of primary health facilities across the country.

Adewale said the federal government has started the release of its allocated N57.15 billion for the fund, while the World Bank has released N$20 million, and the BMGF releasing $2 million to address basic healthcare needs of Nigerians.

“This fund means Nigerians will be entitled to free ante natal care, free delivery, and free caesarian sessions. It also covers for diabetes and

hypertension screening, as well as free treatment for malaria and tuberculosis tests.

“We are particularly happy for this launch because this will benefit poor Nigerians who are quite disadvantaged. The health indicator for the rich in Nigeria is not different from what is seen in developed countries. So this will go a long way in improving healthcare of poor Nigerians, and by extension improve human capital development.”

He said the ministry and it’s partners have worked on the

national health policy, developed the national health strategic plan and the BHCPF, adding that the federal government has starting a brand new journey to ensure expanded access to every nook and cranny of the country.

He assured Nigerians that the funds will not be mismanaged, as it has already been sent directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where they will be disbursed to states where they are needed.

“To ensure accountability,

we have also agreed with our contributors that they can audit the account anytime they want,” he added.

Launching the fund, President Muhammadu Buhari said one of his cardinal promises was to make the health of Nigerians top priority, adding that it was time to focus more on the people living in rural areas who cannot pay for healthcare or have little or no access to healthcare.

President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Budget and Planning,

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the launch of both BHCPF and the Second National Strategic Health Development Plan (2018-2022) was part of the health sector’s plan to achieve universal health coverage.

He said: “I had in January 2017 flagged off a programme to have 10,000 functional primary healthcare facility, with each ward across the country having at least one functional facility.

With this launch, we are moving towards ensuring every Nigerian has access to basic healthcare.”

PDP Suspends Deputy National Chairman The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Deputy National Chairman (North), Gamawa Babayo, over allegation of dereliction of duty and anti-party activity.

The National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Babayo was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC).

The committee held an extraordinary session on January 5, where it reviewed the petition against the deputy national chairman.

“The NWC found merit in the petition on allegation of dereliction of duty and antiparty activity as contained in Section 58 (1) e, f, g, h of the PDP Constitution.

“Therefore, in exercise of section 29 (2) a, b and c, the NWC hereby invokes Section 59 (1) d of the constitution of the PDP on the Deputy National Chairman (North) and accordingly suspends him from the party immediately,” the committee said.

The PDP has faced a fresh round of defections in the last few days.

Last Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari received various members of the PDP Support Groups from the Northeast, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Kano, a former governorship candidate, Bello Sani-Gwarzo, dumped the party and also joined the APC.

UN Chief Advocates Peaceful, Credible Elections in Nigeria The United Nations SecretaryGeneral, Antonio Guterres, has called for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in Nigeria.

Guterres made the call in a report to the Security Council on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

The UN chief also appealed for peace in other countries in the West African sub-region holding elections in 2019.

He noted there has been incremental improvement in the conduct of elections in the region.

“However, the pre-and postelectoral periods have often been characterised by antagonistic contestations and disputes.

“I call upon authorities and national stakeholders to work together to ensure a levelplaying field and to create an environment conducive to the holding of peaceful, inclusive and credible elections in 2019 in Benin, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal.

“In Nigeria, tensions have been rising ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections of February 16, 2019, and of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections of March

2, 2019,” Guterres said.

According to him, concerns were raised by the alleged instrumentalisation of security forces in recent gubernatorial elections.

The UN scribe said there were also concerns in the surge in alleged vote buying.

He added that the challenges related to the ability of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to participate in the polls amid ongoing terrorism and violence between farmers and herders is also a concern.

The UN chief also noted what he termed “a series of high-profile defections” from one political party to the other in the country.

“In his capacity as my High-level Representative for Nigeria, my Special Representative continued consultations with key national stakeholders to promote an environment conducive for peaceful general election in 2019.

“My Special Representative initiated and participated in a joint pre-electoral mission to Nigeria with ECOWAS and the African Union from October 29 to 31.

PROMOTING POLITICAL DEBATES…

L-R: Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ven. Goke Agara: Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Bishop James Olusola Odedeji; and Chairman, Election Committee, Diocese of Lagos West, Ven. Gbenga Oniye, during a media briefing on the diocese forthcoming election debates for Lagos State governorship candidates, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO

Fayemi Summons Emergency Security Meeting over Kidnapping Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has solicited the support of the traditional rulers and chiefs in order to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, made the call yesterday on behalf of the governor while having audience with the members of the Association of Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy Title Holders in his office in Ado-Ekiti.

Egbeyemi, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, said the state government was taking some steps to ensure security of lives

and property in the state.

The traditional chiefs, who were led by their spokesman, the Odofinyin of Iyin-Ekiti, High Chief Ayodeji Esan, had listed a ten-point demand which included official recognition by government and their involvement in the maintenance of peace and security in each community.

They also advised the government to involve local hunters and vigilance groups as part of measures to ward off armed herdsmen and kidnappers.

The deputy governor disclosed that a special security council meeting had been scheduled for today where far reaching decisions would be taken on the security situation of the state.

Egbeyemi, who added that the Fayemi administration was collaborating with Obas and chiefs to tighten security, stressed that the state government would not tolerate a situation in which their domains serve as operational bases for kidnappers and other criminals.

According to him, “We would not take it lightly with any Oba or chief in whose domains people are kidnapped, we would also condemn any palace where people are kidnapped or used by kidnappers to operate.

“Henceforth, Obas and chiefs must now be on the alert as well as must know the people in your vicinity. Be on the alert especially strange persons

in your neighbourhood and farms who may want to use those places as hideouts.

“Those coming in and going out of your domains must be known. Government is ready to assist you to ensure that there is security of lives and property.

“The traditional leaders in communities between Igede and Efon, Ikere and Emure, Ado and Ikere; Iworoko and Ifaki as well as Ifaki and Omuo should be up and doing.”

“You will recall that during the first tenure of Fayemi, he committed a lot of resources to security by equipping the police and purchasing over 35 vehicles for them.

Military Halts Boko Haram Advancement to Maiduguri Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri An attempted surge into Maiduguri, Borno State, by Boko Haram terrorists was repelled by massive air and land bombardment of the terrorist group by the military.

The terrorist group was engaged in battle by the military at Auno town, a distance of about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram.

The terrorists had stormed the town at about 7:15p.m. last week Wednesday, with the intention to destroy the military facilities and subsequently surge towards

Maiduguri, according to the residents of the town.

They however met their match in the military who engaged them, stopped the surge and made them to retreat after suffering major casualties in lives and ammunition.

The attack on the town on Maiduguri/Damaturu highways made hundreds of residents to scamper for safety as heavy gunshots and explosions rented the air.

Confirming the attack in a statement yesterday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said: “The Air

Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has destroyed some terrorists’ gun trucks in air strikes conducted at Auno in Borno State.

“The attacks were executed on January 7, 2019 while providing close air support for ground troops which were responding to an attack on their location.

“The ATF scrambled a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet and an Mi-35M helicopter gunship supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to locate and engage the group of terrorists’ gun trucks.”

Daramola added: “Above the targeted area, the ground troops

were seen engaging the terrorists, who were in a convoy of gun trucks, in a fierce gun battle. After the operation, the Alpha Jet and Mi-35M took turns in engaging the terrorists causing them to beat immediate retreat.

“In the process, three gun trucks were hit and destroyed while several of their fighters were neutralised. The hail of fire from exploding ammunition in one of gun trucks was visibly seen. Some of the survivors, who were seen attempting to flee the location were taken out in a follow-on attacks.”

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Don’t Be Used against Rivers People, Wike Urges New CP Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Nigerians are beginning to lose faith in public institutions because of the unprofessional conduct of their personnel, and urged the new Police Commissioner in the State, Mr. Usman Belel, not to allow himself to be used negatively against the state and law enforcement processes.

Wike spoke yesterday when Belel paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor expressed regret that the army, police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have failed to carry out their responsibilities in line with approved professional ethics.

He said: “People are beginning to lose confidence in public institutions in the country.

I believe that as the new police commissioner, you will work

for the confidence in the Police to return”.

The governor said the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Zaki Ahmed, allowed himself to be used negatively against the state and law enforcement processes.

“Your predecessor allowed himself to be used by thugs to invade the courts in Rivers State. The Chief Justice of Nigeria called for the investigation and prosecution of those that invaded the courts, but Zaki Ahmed refused.

“Rivers State will not forget that it was Zaki Ahmed’s time that thugs invaded the Rivers State High Court, which is located near the Police Headquarters. He didn’t bring anybody to book”.

He assured the new police commissioner that his administration would support the command to fight crime across the state.

He urged the Police Commissioner to focus on ending

APC Guber Candidate’s Brothers, Paramount Ruler, Kinsmen Endorse Ayade The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator John Owan Enoh’s ambition suffered a major set back yesterday, as his elder brother, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, as well as his kinsmen unanimously endorsed Governor Ben Ayade for the 2019 governorship election.

Also throwing their weight behind Ayade’s second term bid were top political leaders including former military Governor of Kwara State and leader of the delegation Col. Palm Ogar (rtd), traditional rulers, youths and elders from the eight political wards of Etung Local Government Area, where Owan Enoh hails from.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, at the Executive Council Chamber, venue of the endorsement, Col. Ogar said by the sheer number of Etung leaders present in the meeting was a clear indication that the people held the governor in high regards.

Ogar lauded Ayade for he noted were his giant strides in industrial, economic and agricultural revolution, as well as the attraction of projects in each council area of the state of the which Etung has a Reference Hospital, and a Cocoa Processing Plant in Ikom which local government will hugely benefit due to proximity.

“Thank you, Your Excellency, for the opportunity to interface with the government, rub mind and share ideas on how to move the state forward. The large number present here, not minding the short notice and communication challenge represents how much you mean to the people of Etung.

“Your industrial, economic, agricultural drive and revolution in the state is legendary as you ensure that every LGA has a major project with Etung having a reference hospital and also stand to benefit from the cocoa processing factory in ikom as result of proximity. To this end, we the people of Etung have every reason and justification to collectively support your re-

election this year,” the former military administrator lauded.

Also in his remarks, elder brother of the APC candidate and Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, praised Governor Ayade for the transformation which Cross River State is currently experiencing.

Prof. Enoh lamented that for too long, Etung was neglected, ignored and the people had been suffering, adding that “today if going with the person I know in order for my people to be liberated I will do so,” noting that Ayade by conducts and actions has proven that he was a real leader with the heart of a gold, a humane heart that feels for all.

The CRUTECH VC, therefore thanked the governor for awarding contract for the rehabilitation of Ikom-Agbokim to Agbokim water falls road, just as he assured him of the total support of Etung people to ensure that he was reelected to continue with his transformational work.

“Today Etung has a name because of Ayade and this is the beginning of Etung’s glory.

“Thanks for the rehabilitation of the Ikom Agbokim to Agbokim water falls road which has been a thorn in the flesh of the people for so long.

“The entire Etung people are behind you and will massively vote for you to ensure you continue in the Government House, Diamond Hill, Calabar, beyond May 29, this year.”

Also voicing his unflinching support for Ayade and to his reelection, the first grandson of the Owan Enoh’s family, Obi Steven said the entire people of Etung were so happy with the governor for giving them a voice in terms of appointments, and location of projects such as the reference hospital and the Ikom Cocoa Processing Plant which is very near to Etung and for which the people will be huge beneficiaries.”

kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes. He added that under no circumstances should crime be politicised.

“Government will give you all necessary support to fight crime.

I believe that you will fulfil your

pledge to be professional in the discharge of your duties”, he said.

Earlier, Belel, said he was at the Government House Port Harcourt to formally introduce himself and seek the support of

the administration to fight crime.

He assured the governor that the police under his command would work professionally to fight crime and make the state safe for residents to carry out their lawful businesses.

The seventh Police Commissioner since Wike assumed duty as governor was posted to the state from Zamfara State where he served last. He is officially the 39th Police Commissioner since the creation of Rivers State.

SET FOR ELECTIONS…

R-L: INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; National INEC Commissioners, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu and Mohammed Haruna, at the Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the media held in Abuja. ..yesterday Julius Atoi/THISDAY IMAGES

Army Releases Daily Trust Maiduguri Editor NHRC condemns military invasion of newspaer The detained Maiduguri Bureau Chief of Daily Trust, Uthman Abubakar, has been released by the military authorities who detained him since Sunday afternoon.

This is coming as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called on the Nigerian Army to strike a balance between security and human rights in its operations.

The Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust, Mannir Dan-Ali, announced the release shortly after speaking to the editor who was brought back to the Maiduguri office by an unnamed Major who handed him over to

a security officer at the office.

Uthman who maintains that he was courteously treated, however, said his mobile phones and laptop are still with the military.

They told him that they need time to finish the forensic checks they are carrying out on the equipment.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called on the Nigerian Army to strike a balance between security and human rights in its operations.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, made the appeal yesterday in

Abuja.

A statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkage, Mr. Lambert Opara, said Ojukwu was reacting to the invasion of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily and Sunday Trust by the army.

Ojukwu said that although terrorism must never be allowed to continue to destroy the country, the military must at all times respect international best practices when addressing security challenges bedeviling the country.

This, according to him, will go a long way to ensure the

protection of the human rights of every citizen.

He commended the federal government’s quick intervention in asking the invading soldiers to retrace their steps.

The human rights boss added that the role of the media could not be undermined in any democracy as the media remained the gatekeepers of the society.

He also advised journalists to observe caution as they exercised their right to freedom of expression, adding that freedom of expression was not absolute at all times

Aisha Buhari Rallies Support for Husband’s Re-election in North Central Zone Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia The wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, yesterday staged a rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, for the North-central geopolitical Zone to canvass for votes for her husband’s re-election.

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo, at the women and youth campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-central zonal rally, told the crowd at the event that a vote for the re-election of President Buhari will take Nigerians to the next level so that more people will come out of poverty, more children will have food and more people will sleep in their homes without fear.

According to her, “The president doesn’t want to leave anybody behind. Both the women and children have something in Buhari’s government. When they ask you why you are fronting for the re-election of the president, tell them we are going to the next level. There are some children when they go to school, they don’t have food to eat, but today, the government of President Buhari feeds 9.3 million children in schools everyday.”

The president’s wife therefore said because of the government of Buhari, the children are not hungry anymore and they are going to the next level.

“When they ask you again, tell them that there are many women who don’t have jobs but now some of them are

cooking for the children in schools. It is not possible for a woman to cook for other children and her children will not eat. Because of Buhari’s government, women not have jobs; women have food for their children, women have money to trade in the markets.

They now have Tradermoni and Marketmoni,” she stated.

The first lady continued by asking the women to tell the people that Nigeria is going to the next level as the Buhari government is working for everybody, including the rich and the poor.

According to the president’s wife, “What the youths and women are supposed to do is for them to go from one house to another and spread the message of ‘Next Level’.

You should not sleep at home during the elections. Nobody

should allow their children to fight on election day but to vote. After you have finished voting, you must wait to see them count your votes.

Nobody should go home.”

The Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, re-echoed that the state is a home to President Buhari as it has been supporting the president since 2011.

Al-Makura, who spoke through the state Deputy Governor, Silas Agara, therefore called on other states of the federation to mobilise the electorate to support the re-election of Buhari in the forthcoming general election to enable the continuation of the president’s good innovations to better the welfare of the citizens.

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NLC NATIONWIDE PROTESTS...

NLC NATIONWIDE PROTESTS...

NLC: Don’t Vote for Governors Who Refuse to Pay New Minimum Wage Ganduje agrees to pay N30,600 Our Correspondents The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers not to vote for any governor who refuses to pay the proposed N30,000 minimum wage in the forthcoming elections.

It would be recalled that the national leadership of the NLC had directed the protest to register their dismay on the handling of the national minimum wage by the federal government.

The Kano State branch Chairman of the union, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, while addressing a mammoth crowd when he led a protest march to Government House, wondered why state governors could not pay the N30,000 minimum wage, in view of their lavish expenses and extravagant government expenditures.

He added that the N30,000 proposed minimum wage is realistic should the state governors cut their expenses and block leakages.

Minjibir, however, commended the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for expressing readiness to even pay N30,600, calling on other governors to emulate him.

In Abia State, the NLC said Nigerian workers would not vote for candidates who were not committed to the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage in the 2019 general elections.

The state NLC Chairman, Mr Uchenna Obigwe, said this in Umuahia during a meeting with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu.

According to Obigwe, “Organised labour requests from the state government a commitment to the speedy implementation of national minimum wage of N30,000 when enacted into law.

Responding, Ikpeazu said that the present administration was committed to the welfare of Abia workers.

He said that the state government believed that Abia workers deserved the new wage and was ready to pay whatever was agreed.

Union Takes Minimum Wage Protest to Anambra Govt House The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday took the demand for a new minimum wage to Anambra State government house, where it tasked Willie Obiano on compliance.

Chairman of NLC in Anambra State e Jerry Nnubia, who led the protesting workers to the state governor, said workers are unhappy that it is a new year, and the new minimum wage was till not in sight.

He said, “Your excellency, workers had thought that they would have celebrated the new year with the new minimum wage, and that did not happen, and up till now, we are still struggling for it. We urge the government to do the right thing be cause workers are suffering.”

The coordinator of the protest and representative of the NLC President Uche Ekwe who had earlier briefed workers at the freedom square before the commencement of the protest march accused government of insincerity.

Ekwe also read the address of the National president, Ayuba Waba titled: ‘Pay us new minimum wage now or never, and later handed the copy to the Secretary to State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, for transmission to the governor.

Labour Solicits Support of Nigerians The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has solicited the support and cooperation of all Nigerians in the agitation for the upward review of the National Minimum Wage.

The National President of the Union, Ayuba Wabba, gave the advice while presenting the demands of the union to the Bauchi State Governor as part of their nationwide sensitisation rally yesterday.

Wabba who represented by the National President of RATTAWU, Kabiru Garba Tsami, said the sensitisation rally was to demand for the transmission of of the bill to the National Assembly for passage.

He expressed confidence that the payment ofN30,000 as new National Minimum Wage would be beneficial to workers and indeed Nigerians especially improving their living condition.

Protest Shut down Government Offices in Enugu The Enugu State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday joined their counterparts across the congress to observe the labour ‘National Day of Protest’.

The workers trooped out en masse to participate in the rally that took place at the state secretariat.

The state Chairman of the NLC, Mr, Viginus Nwobodo, described the exercise in the state as a `huge success’ as workers turned out in their numbers.

Nwobodo said that the success of the protest was a pointer to what would happen if labour eventually went on strike.

The chairman who addressed the workers after a peaceful road protest said that the workers were miffed that the federal government had failed to transmit the report of the tripartite committee to the National Assembly.

“This protest is as a result of the lingering issue of the national minimum

ALUTA CONTINUA...

President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba (middle), leading workers in a protest for National Minimum Wage in Abuja, yesterday wage. We are not happy that legislative work has not started on the matter,” he said.

Delta Govt Reassures Workers on Approved Minimum Wage Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State yesterday reassured state workers of his administration’s commitment to pay the federal government’s approved national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The governor gave the assurance while addressing protesting workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the United Labour Congress (ULC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at Government House in Asaba.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Tam Brisibe, the governor said that his administration had always maintained a cordial relationship with the labour unions.

He added that his administration would continue to ensure that workers welfare was sustained and prioritised.

“You know that we have never had any issues with labour in Delta, and my government as you all know is a labour-friendly government.

“We acknowledge the letter that you sent in respect of the new national minimum wage; I am sure with the previous discussion your executives had with the government, you already have my commitment,” he said.

If I Have Capacity, I will Pay Workers above N30,000, Says Ortom Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said if he has the capacity, he would pay the state workers above N30,000 as minimum wage.

Ortom stated this yesterday in Makurdi while addressing members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The governor, who sympathised with the workers, stated that the present N18,000 minimum wage was no longer enough due to the economic situation.

“If I have the capacity, I will not hesitate to implement the new minimum wage even above N30,000,” he said.

He disclosed that governors had appealed to the federal government to review the revenue sharing formula to enable them pay the proposed national minimum wage.

Buhari Urged to Guard against Distractions The Organised Labour in Kogi yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly implement the N30,000 minimum wage.

Mr Onu Edoka, Chairman of the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), made the call during a protest march to Government House, Lokoja for implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage.

Edoka said some state governors hiding under the guise of Nigeria Governors’ Forum wanted to distract the president from implementing the new minimum wage.

Prepare to Implement N30,000 Minimum Wage, NLC Tells Governors The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State yesterday told the 36 governors to be prepared to implement the N30,000 minimum wage.

The NLC Chairman in the state, Waheed Olojede, spoke in Ibadan during

a peaceful rally to canvass the transmission of the Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly.

The protest, which witnessed a low turnout of workers, moved from the NLC Secretariat at Agodi-Gate to the Government Secretariat where labour delivered a letter to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.

Olojede said that since governors and other employers of labour had representatives on the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage, they should be prepared to pay the N30,000 agreed upon.

“What the NLC is demanding for is nothing short of N30,000.

“Even at the N30,000 minimum wage we are demanding for, it means an average worker takes home less than N1,000 per day because tax will still have to be deducted.

The protest letter was received by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, who gave an assurance that the state government would do the needful.

Osun Labour Unions Join Counterparts Labour Unions and workers across Osun State yesterday joined their counterparts nationwide to protest and demand for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage by the federal government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the protest was led by the Osun leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Jacob Adekomi and Mr Adekola Adebowale, respectively.

The protesting workers matched from the Osogbo Freedom Park to the popular Olaiya Junction through Okefia Area, chanting solidarity songs, to draw the attention of the public to their demand.

Adekomi told journalists that the protest was to draw the attention of Nigerians to government’s attempt to compromise the agreement reached with workers on the payment of the minimum wage.

He said that the government had no justification to deny workers the new wage jointly agreed upon with the labour unions.

He maintained that it was not fair for government to always push workers to the wall on matters of salary increment, which is a constitutional issue, subject to review every five years.

Labour Protest Creates Gridlock, Renders Commuters Stranded in Lagos The protest by the Organised Labour yesterday caused heavy traffic on Lagos roads, while many commuters were stranded at the various bus stops.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the sensitisation protest by the Organised Labour started from Maryland as early as 7a.m., to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. The labour protest also resulted into heavy traffic on Ikorodu road, down to Alausa, Ikeja.

The organised labour is protesting over government’s delay in submitting the N30,000 minimum wage report agreed by the tripartite committee.

Mr. Solomon Adelegan, Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) told the workers that the current demand for a new minimum wage had gone beyond negotiation stage.

According to him, labour will not renege until the report of the new minimum wage is passed to the National Assembly for implementation.

Adelegan said that the essence of the protest was not political but to hand over a letter to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to further communicate with the Governors’ Forum on the agreed minimum wage.

Mr Abiodun Aremu, General Secretary, Joint Action Front (JAF), said that the N30,000 minimum wage was not negotiable, saying that the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), would support the organised labour till the new minimum wage is implemented.

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NERC: Only Four Power Discos Comply with BPE’s Metering Pact FG guarantees Kano, Qua Iboe power purchase agreement Ndubuisi Francis and Chineme Okafor in Abuja A quarterly report on the operations of Nigeria’s electricity market for the second quarter of 2018 (Q2) by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that only four out of the 11 existing electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria complied with their existing metering agreements with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) within the period under consideration.

This is coming as the Federal Ministry of Finance has provided counter guarantees for a power purchase agreement (PPA) to Kano State for the purchase of electricity to be generated by the 540 megawatt (MW) Qua Iboe Power Plant (QIPP) in Akwa Ibom State The NERC report, which was obtained from the webpage of the regulatory commission yesterday in Abuja

by THISDAY, showed that the only Discos that adhere to their metering plans as agreed with the BPE in 2013 during the power privatisation exercise include: Abuja, Benin, Eko, and Port Harcourt.

These Discos have reduced their metering gaps to 45.6 per cent; 36 per cent; 50 per cent;

and 31.6 per cent.

The report, which also indicated that as at June 2018, the total number of registered electricity users in Nigeria increased by 9.32 per cent, noted that the four Discos now have 526,120 of 967,667; 548,261 of 856,292; 235,038 of 470,766; and 310,616 of 453,818 of their respective customers now metered.

It explained that the seven other Discos have continued to perform badly with their metering plans, adding that Kano; Kaduna; and Yola Discos have been the worst with 80 per cent; 71.9 per cent and 78.8 per cent existing metering gaps, respectively.

“The metering of end-use customers has continued to be a priority of the Commission and the status of metering as at the end of June 2018 is, of the total of 7,973,867, registered active electricity customers, only 3,547,129 (44.5 per cent) have been metered thus, 55.5 per cent of end-use customers are still on estimated billing,” said the report.

It added: “In comparison to the preceding quarter, the number of registered customers increased by 9.32 per cent, while the percentage of metered customers increased by 3.29 per cent, indicating a greater increase in the registered

Zik’s Mausoleum: Buhari Has Fulfilled Promise to Igbo, Says Obiano David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has fulfilled his promise to Igbo people by completing the Zik’s Mausoleum in the state.

The governor made the claim when he visited the Mausoleum to inspect works at the site yesterday afternoon.

“President Buhari is determined to keep to his vows. The Zik’s Mausoleum is important to us. It is an honour to Zik of Africa, who played major roles in re-shaping the country.

“The project started 23 years ago.

We thank President Buhari for keeping to his words,’’ Obiano said.

The Zik’s Mausoleum is situated in Onitsha, Anambra State, the home of the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and popularly referred to as the resting place of the sage.

While inspecting the site, Obiano stated that previous administrations had abandoned the project, but the present administration led by President Buhari vowed to deliver every project that would benefit the Southeast.

He urged the contractor handling the project to speed up the procurement of necessary facilities for the library section.

Obiano noted that President Buhari would be in Anambra in a few weeks’ time to inaugurate the project.

Akwa Ibom Completes 28 Internal Roads in Uyo Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Akwa Ibom Government has constructed and inaugurated over 28 internal roads connecting communities within Uyo State Constituency.

Governor Udom Emmanuel gave the hint during the constituency briefing and 2018 Christmas Gettogether arranged by the member representing Uyo State Constituency, Mr. Monday Eyowhich took place at Shelter Afrique, Uyo, the state capital.

Emmanuel stated that the constructed roads and others that are ongoing at different phases were

meant to support the movement of vehicles, goods and services by individuals and corporate institutions, adding that there are other physical structures ongoing to ensure the beautification of the communities.

The governor said it was impressive that the 21-storey building was at an advanced stage and would definitely attract international investors to the state, adding that the efforts of his administration would boost the social and economic development of Uyo State Constituency and the state capital.

customer population relative to the meter roll-out.”

According to it, the increase in the number of registered customers was attributed to the ongoing enumeration exercise

by Discos, during which illegal consumers of electricity are now captured on the billing platform of the Discos.

“Notwithstanding the growth in the number of the metered customers, the total meters deployed by Discos during the second quarter of 2018 are significantly lower than the expected quarterly

metering deployment under the performance agreement for the privatisation transaction.

“Whereas the performance agreement with Bureau of Public Enterprises envisaged deployments of 1,640,411 per annum (i.e., quarterly average of 410,103), only 113,126 meters were installed by Discos during the quarter under review,” it said.

The report explained that: “It is evident that only four Discos (namely Abuja, Benin, Eko and Port-Harcourt) had metered not less than 50 per cent of

their registered customers as at the end of the second quarter of 2018”.

The report added that metering of end user remains a top priority to the Commission.

“To this end, the Commission continues to monitor the Discos to ensure total compliance with the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulations that was recently launched.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance has provided counter guarantees for a power purchase agreement (PPA) to Kano State for the

purchase of electricity to be generated by the 540 megawatt (MW) Qua Iboe Power Plant (QIPP) in Akwa Ibom State The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who conveyed government’s approval, said “We are looking at this as a pilot project as this will help mitigate federal government’s plan.”

According to a statement by her media aide, Paul Ella Abechi, the ability to provide a counter guarantee would go a long way to reduce the burden on the federal government.

THE NATION ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: National Secretary, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Ekechuwu Ubaji; General Overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye; and Convention Chairman, Pastor Paul Olagunju, at a media conference on the state of the nation in Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Benin Disco Reconnects 42 Communities The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Electricity Plc (BEDC) has stated that it has successfully reconnected 42 communities within its franchise states of Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti States which were without power supply to the national grid, as at end of November 2018.

The distribution company (Disco) which made this known in statement, declared that the notion that BEDC has not been responsive to community related issues was incorrect, stressing that it will continue to partner communities without electricity supply in addressing their challenges provided they follow the necessary

steps for engagement.

Out of the figure, Delta State has 25 communities reconnected which included; Onicha Uku under Asaba Business unit, Ovwodokpoko in Isoko, Ephiephphor in Otor Udu, Idama estate, Phase11 in Asaba and Ogbe-Ohu in Agbor.

Others are; Ukpiovmu, Ughevnughe Oghior, Okirika and Otujeremi also under Otor Udu Business Unit.

In Asaba, Federal Housing Estate was reconnected, while Ewohimi was reconnected in Agbor also in Delta State. Also reconnected were; Ugomson and Igbogiri both in Agbor area of Delta State.

In Edo State, 12 communities

in Ikpoba Hill Business Unit, including Ikhueniro 1 and 2, Idunowina, Idokpai also in Ikpoba hill, Ikomi in Uromi Business Unit, Ugbogui in Okada, Miracle Centre 2 under GRA, Benin, and Evboligun in Sokponba area of Benin, were also reconnected during the review period.

Ekiti State had two communities - Hausa Community in Shasha market area of Ado-Ekiti and Surulere Staff School Community also in Ado-Ekiti.

All the reconnected communities had a customer population of about 20,000 with the highest coming from Ubulu-Uku in Asaba, Delta State, which had a customer

population of 4,907, followed by Ibusa 2 phase in Koka Business Unit, with a population of 4,704, while Issele-Uku also in Delta, came third with a customer figure of 3,248. Famoyegun community in Owo, Ondo state had the least customer population of 9 customers hooked to a transformer.

The company has disclosed that contrary to the insinuations in some quarters that it has not given out a single transformer to communities but collect money or leave customers to provide transformers on their own, it has installed transformers in communities ranging from 50KVA to 2.5MVA since inception across the franchise states.

Veteran Journalist Wants Alleged Looters Banned from 2019 Elections Sunday Okobi A veteran journalist and rights activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has called on Nigerians, particularly women and youths, to mount pressure on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and ancillary agencies to prevent corrupt Nigerians standing trials over graft charges from contesting this year’s general election.

This is as she lauded the

appointment of First Lady Aisha Buhari as the Coordinator of women and youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, describing Aisha as the only moral voice in the APC camp.

The Delta State-born woman leader made the clarion call yesterday when she addressed a news conference on the state of the nation in Lagos, decrying what she described as the growing turbulences in the polity ahead of the coming polls.

Lori-Ogbebor lamented that the

alleged looters of the country’s commonwealth are still being allowed to play active roles in the country’s democratic process as some are contesting for public offices in the coming elections.

According to her, “These looters are the ones funding both main political parties and fueling crises in our polity, and if they are allowed to continue, it means the country is going to get worse, as others would continue with the looting because they were not punished.”

The Itsekiri leader lamented further that the country was in

a great dilemma owing largely to the absence of ideological principles among the major political parties, regretting that the entire electioneering processes have been polluted by hate speeches, moneybags and all forms of undemocratic tendencies.

Irked by the development, LoriUgbebor consequently concluded that Nigerian political leaders lacked credibility, vision and integrity, adding that he is particularly worried over the alleged impunity and widespread cases of graft in Nigeria.

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MultiChoice Launches ‘Step-Up’ Promo for DStv, GOtv Subscribers Peter Uzoho MultiChoice Nigeria, a leading pay television service provider in Africa is kick-starting the new year with the launch of a promo tagged: ‘Step-Up’ to delight millions of its loyal customers on the DStv and GOtv platforms.

The Step-Up campaign, which will run for three months starting from January 15 to April 15 2019 will give all active and disconnected DStv Compact, Family and Access customers the opportunity to pay for an upgrade package and get a boost to view programmes on higher package within 48 hours.

The offer allows DStv customers on the Access package to pay N4, 000 for Family package and get a boost to view programmes on the Compact package, while customers on the Family package can pay N6,800 for Compact

package and view Compact Plus package programmes. Also, Compact customers can also pay N10,650 for Compact Plus package and in turn get Premium package programmes.

Also, customers on GOtvPlus, Value and Lite will get upgraded to GOtv Max when they pay a reduced fee of N2, 500, while GOtv ‘tops up’ with N700.

Active and disconnected GOtv Max customers can also take advantage of this limited time offer to renew their subscription for N2, 500.

The promois also positioned to give GOtv customers on Plus, Value and Lite an opportunity to experience the exciting premium content available on GOtv Max including La Liga, Serie A, FA Cup, BET, Fox Entertainment, StarLife, ROK 2 and CBS Reality and more.

Giving the highlights of the campaign at a press briefing held

yesterday in Lagos, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, said the offer reiterates the company’s commitment to give more value for money to the company’s loyal customers.

Mabutho stressed that they (customers) will enjoy content on a higher package than what they paid for and encouraged them to remain active to enjoy quality entertainment lined up for the year.

He said: “We are pleased to launch this first-of-its-kind offer that will give our customers the opportunity to experience the exciting programming available across higher packages at the price of a lower package. With this offer, we are giving a boost and topping up on what our customers pay for, to enjoy more on our DStv and GOtv platforms. It is our desire to make great content more accessible and we encourage our customers to take advantage of this special offer.”

Nwodo Endorses Ugwuanyi for Second Term A former governor of old Enugu State and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has reiteratedhissupportand that of the people of Igbo Etiti Local Government Area for the re-election bid of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the forthcoming general election.

Nwodo who is also the former National Chairman of the PDP, maintained that “Governor Ugwuanyi deserves unbroken two terms in office

just like his predecessors from Enugu East andEnuguWestSenatorialDistricts”.

Speaking during the inauguration of “Gburugburu Campaign Council, Igbo-EtitiLGAChapter”heldatOgbede, the council’s headquarters, Nwodo, who serves as the Chairman, stated that the massive infrastructural development across the three senatorial districts of Enugu State, the prevailing atmosphere of peace and security of lives and property in the State, and above all, the governor’s

praise-worthy disposition in putting the welfare of the state workers in the front burner,areeloquent testimonies to his outstanding performance.

He added thatUgwuanyihasgiven a credible account of his stewardship and called on the people of Enugu State to vote massively for him in the forthcoming governorship election in March this year, for the state to continue to thrive on the path of peace and good governance.

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

Oshoala Dethroned as Salah Retains African Player of theYear Title A I T E O / C A F AWA R D S Duro Ikhazuagbe Egypt and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, last night won his second African Player of the Year award, beating off competition from teammate Sadio Mane of Senegal and Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He is the fourth African after El Hadji Diouf, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure to win the award back to back.

The Egyptian was unarguably the expected winner of the 2018 African Player of the Year award due to his stunning season for both country and club.

Salah, 26, secured 13 goals in the English Premier League to help the Reds lead the log this season. The 26-year-old was named the Premier League Player of the Year and ranked high in Goal 50, FIFA Best Awards and Ballon d’Or. He was voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time last December.

Last season, he finished with 44 goals across all competitions and helped Jurgen Klopp’s men end as runners-up in the Champions

League.

Salah shrugged off a shoulder injury to feature in the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he scored two goals in two games for Pharaohs.

Speaking shortly after he was presented his award, Salah said: “I have dreamt of winning this award since I was a child and now I have done so twice in a row,� Salah said.

After dominating the podium in the last three editions, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was beaten to the African Woman Player of the Year award by South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana. The South African was voted the Most Valuable Player of the last African Woman’s Nations Cup in Ghana last month, when the Super Falcons won the title a record ninth time.

The Super Falcons were named the women’s National Team of the Year while men’s National Team of the Year surprisingly went to Mauritania.

Morocco’s national team’s coach, Herve Renard was selected as the National Team Coach of the Year. Banyana Banyana’s Desiree Ellis was the winner of the women’s version.

Mohamed Salah (left) receiving his 2018 CAF Player of the Year award from former FIFA World Player of the Year and Liberian President George Opong Weah at the AITEO/CAF Award ceremony in Dakar, Senegal‌yesterday

How Egypt Upstaged S’Africa toAFCON 2019 Hosting Right

N N L S U P E R 8 P L AY O F F

Femi Solaja

Two of Nigeria’s football teams with strong fan bases, Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan will rekindle their rivalry today in the last game of the ongoing NNL Super 8 Playoff in Aba. The Edo Arsenal with maximum six points from the two wins against Delta Force and Remo Stars needs just a draw or slim defeat to return to the topflight NPFL. However, Shooting Stars who crashed 0-3 against

The inability of South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, to have qualified for the continental football showpiece with a game in hand was a major factor that robbed the rainbow nation the chance to stage the tournament for the third time ahead of the Egypt that got the nod yesterday for a record fifth time.

THISDAY checks revealed that Egypt won the right to host with 16-1 votes, the first time any country will be grabbing the slot with such wide margin.

The only vote South Africa won may have even come from its FA boss, Danny Jordaan while one CAF Executive Committee member abstained from the process.

Before the announcement of Egypt as the host of the AFCON 2019, there were concerns that giving the rights to South Africa might raise a technical problem if Libya qualifies in March. That is likely going to increase the field to 25 as Cameroon, the original host country has already secured a ticket to the final.

In the last qualifying matches slated for March, South Africa must avoid defeat to host Libya to win the Group B runner up slot behind Nigeria who topped the pack with a game to spare.

Last December, Cameroon was stripped of the right to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations due to both serious delays in its preparations for the finals and the persistence of a violent separatist uprising close to two of the planned venues.

The AFCON 2019 is scheduled to take place from 15 June to 13 July, having been

moved from January/February to avoid club-versus-country clashes.

Egypt staged the event in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006 they won 7-6 on penalties in the final match against Côte D’ Ivoire with Didier Drogba the only player to miss his kick on the night at the 75,000 capacity Cairo International Stadium.

Speaking after his country Egypt was announced as host of this year’s edition, President of Egypt Football Association (EFA), Hany Aby Rida said: “I want to thank the CAF Executive Committee for the trust, and I thank the government for this support. “We organised the tournament last in 2006 and that has now challenged us to make the 2019 edition better. We are ready for this honour,� he remarked.

Vice-president of Egypt’s FA, Ahmed Shobair, revealed that the guarantee from the Egyptian government largely gave them the edge in the bid to host. “The guarantee from government helped us to win against South Africa and that will help us to make a good tournament,� he added.

Despite the crowd problems that led to games played behind closed gates, Shobair also promised that the fans will be back to the stands again. “The fans will be back again in the stadiums, which will be full in the tournament I promise.�

Egypt will use eight stadiums during the tournament, hosting in five different cities: Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez and the capital Cairo.

No Mercy for Shooting Stars as Insurance Goes for Maximum Points Remo Stars on match-day one and secured their 2-1 victory against Delta Force, have now found themselves at the mercy of Insurance in their bid to pick the second ticket of the southern conference to the NPFL. But instead of gifting the Oluyole Warriors a smooth sail, Insurance FC and their legions of followers have promised it is pay back time for Shooting.

The Chairman of the Edo Sports Commission, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, yesterday

declared ‘total war’ on Shooting Stars on Tuesday and has vowed that his boys will do everything possible to pick the maximum three points against 3SC in today’s game. “We won’t joke with that game, it is a match we want to win, to prove a point. The rivalry between the two teams started far back as 1971. It used to be between Vipers Fc and WNDC, before it metamorphosed into that between Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance.

“Our special player, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon Phillip Shaibu, will play in this match. We are going to take every minute of that match very serious. We have advantage over Shooting Stars as we played a draw in their home and defeated them in Benin in the second stanza of the regular season. For those who expect an accord match, they will be disappointed as there won’t be anything like that,� Dudu Orumen stressed yesterday.

LSFA Inaugurates Electoral, D’Banj,Teni to Perform at 2019 Appeal Committees Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon r4FUT +BOVBSZ TU GPS FMFDUJPO The Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has inaugurated electoral and appeal committees for the conduct of election into the board of the association holding on Jan. 31.

Members of the electoral committee include; Segun Babatunde (Chairman), Debo Oshundun, Adams Salaudeen and Hakeem Rabiu-Okikioposu (Secretary).

In the Appeal Committee, Barr. Kehinde Iroche will serve as chairman, while Adeleye Egungbohun, Olaniyan Oyewole are members with Abayomi Ogunfuwa serving as the secretary of the committee.

Inaugurating the committees, Chairman of LSFA, Seyi Akinwumi, charged members to conduct free and fair elections.

Akinwumi said that the members of the committees were selected based on their pedigree and integrity. ``I don’t know most of you in person, but you are all highly recommended before

your selection to serve in the committees. ``I want to task you all to ensure that you write your names in gold by conducting free, fair and credible elections into the board of LSFA,’’ he said.

Babatunde, chairman of the electoral committee, on behalf of other members, promised to deliver an election that will be acceptable to all contestants. ``On behalf of other members of the committee, I want to assure you that we will do our best to conduct an election that will be acceptable to all. ``The guideline and code of election would be strictly adhere to, we will discharge our responsibilities without fear and favour to any candidate,’’ he said. Meanwhile, the electoral committee have release the time table and guidelines for the election.

The sale of form is slated for between January 10 and 15 while the submission is between January 16 and 21.

One of Nigeria’s biggest music stars, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, has been signed to entertain runners and fans at Eko Atlantic City, the finish point of the 2019 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on February 2.

In a statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, Head of Communication and Media, D’banj will perform alongside rave of the moment, Teni and a host of other big stars.

Thomas however will not confirm or deny insinuations that other top artistes like Olamide, Burna Boy, Davido and Tiwa Savage are being contacted to also perform. “All I can tell the media for now is that we have signed D’banj and Teni to entertain runners and marathon fans at the finish. I can also assure them that we are talking to many other artistes, but I cannot speak on artistes that we are yet to sign because it is unethical,� he noted.

Lagos State is getting ready in style for another epic show as

history is expected to be made again with the 4th edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Thomas also said over 5,000 marathoners from about 45 countries have registered for the 2019 race. “Our target of about 150,000 runners participating in the 2019 race will be met. Before the Christmas and New Year break, we already have close to 100,000 runners that registered. Since work started, potential runners throng our office daily to request for forms. We are also happy that thousands of foreign runners from different parts of the world have shown interest in this edition. “Their coming will help the local business especially in the areas of hospitality, transportation and others.�

Thomas appealed to Lagosians to be nice and polite to foreign tourists as their pleasant experience will make them want to visit Lagos again.

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Kane’sVAR Penalty Gives Spurs Edge over Chelsea Harry Kane’s first-half penalty gave Tottenham a slender advantage after the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Wembley last night.

Referee Michael Oliver awarded the 26th minute spot-kick after consulting VAR for offside and Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s foul on Kane.

Spurs and Chelsea both had chances in a fiercely-fought contest and Blues’ manager Maurizio Sarri will feel this tie is still very much alive ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, 24 January.

Chelsea hit the woodwork twice in the first half through N’Golo Kante’s near-post flick, and when Spurs keeper Paulo Gazzaniga athletically turned Callum Hudson-Odoi’s deflected cross onto the post.

Andreas Christensen missed a glaring opportunity from six yards after the break while Arrizabalaga also produced a fine save from Kane as this semi-final remains in the balance.

This was not Spurs at their fluent, intense best but they showed character and resilience to dig out what

CARABAO CUP may prove to be a decisive advantage as they seek to reach the final for the first time since they were beaten

by Chelsea in 2015.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has made no secret of the fact he does not place this competition high on his list of priorities and would not even regard success in it as a compelling measure of his team’s progress - he reserves that status for the Premier League and Champions League.

There is still currency in winning a trophy, however, and success here would go some way towards bolstering Pochettino’s reputation as he remains without silverware, for all his good work, and also answer questions about a team that has recently stumbled at the crucial moment.

Kane was the match-winner again as Spurs’ chances were limited but they held out at the back as Chelsea increased the tempo after the break, although Sarri’s side were also left cursing the woodwork on two occasions.

FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA‌

R-L (Front row): CAF President Ahmad, President George Weah of Liberia, President Macky Sall of Senegal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura. (2nd left, second row) is Nigeria’s CAF 1st Vice President, Amaju Pinnick and others before the AITEO-CAF African Football Awards in Goree Island, Dakar, Senegal‌yesterday

Emeruwa Assumes Duty as CAF Head of Safety and Security A member of staff of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, has resumed office in Cairo, Egypt as Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continental –ruling body for the game of football.

Emeruwa, who has served as special assistant to three successive NFF General Secretaries, is on a two-year leave of absence at the CAF Headquarters in 6th October City, near Cairo.

Holder of a doctorate degree in health education and human kinetics from the University of Ibadan, Emeruwa took up appointment with the Nigeria Football Federation in 2007 and has, over the years, brilliantly coordinated safety and security matters at venues of major international and domestic games round the country.

He is also a FIFA Security Officer. Before taking up appointment at CAF, Emeruwa had coordinated safety and security issues at a number of matches

and competitions for CAF and world footballing-governing body, FIFA on invitation.

He becomes the second Nigerian to take up a highprofile appointment at CAF headquarters since the election of NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick into the CAF Executive Committee less than 22 months ago. The first was Mr. Samson Adamu, who is CAF’s Director of Competitions.

Apart from the duo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, A. U Mustapha, is the President of CAF Appeal Board, with so many other Nigerians on several committees of the continental body as well as FIFA. While Pinnick has been elevated to the 1st Vice President of CAF and is also President of the AFCON Organizing Committee, NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, 2ndVice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Executive Committee members Ibrahim Gusau and Yusuf Ahmed, as well as Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah,

Mrs Chisom Ezeoke, Dr. Peter Singabele and Senator Obinna Ogba are on various panels.

At the level of FIFA, where Pinnick is a respected Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, he has been able to get the former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips and NFF 2nd Vice President Dikko into committees. While Justice Philips is the only African on the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber), Dikko is a Member of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee. “I am delighted with the number of Nigerians we have been able to get into key positions and committees in FIFA and CAF, but we are just starting.

I have always been saying that Nigeria is a big country globally and we can no longer remain a silent voice in international football politics. The work is ongoing to ensure more Nigerians come to the fore at global and continental levels,�

Pinnick said on Tuesday.

NIGERIANS IN FIFA . Mr. Amaju Pinnick – Member, Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions . Justice Ayotunde Philips – Member, FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Chamber) . Mallam Shehu Dikko – Member, FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee NIGERIANS WORKING IN CAF . Mr. Samson Adamu – Director of Competitions . Dr. Christian Emeruwa – Head of Safety and Security NIGERIANS IN CAF COMMITTEES . Mr. Amaju Pinnick – 1st Vice President/Member, Emergency Committee/President, AFCON . Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi – Member, Youth Competitions Committee . Mallam Shehu Dikko – Member, Inter-Clubs and Club Licensing System Committee . Alh. Ibrahim Gusau – Member, Organizing Committee for CHAN . Alh. Yusuf Ahmed – Member, Technical and Development Committee . Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah – Member, Organizing Committee for AFCON . Mrs Chisom Ezeoke – Member, Women Football Committee . Dr. Peter Singabele – Member, Committee on Sports Medicine . Senator Obinna Ogba – Member, Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee

Peak to Donate World-class Bus for Para- powerlifting Tourney The stage is now set for the widely publicized Lagos 2019 International Para-powerlifting Competition billed to commence in the next few weeks, as one of the major sponsors, Friesland Campina, makers of the Peak milk brand, has finalised plans to donate a world-class bus for the competition. According to Marketing Manager Peak, Maureen Ifada, the donation of a wheel chair accessible van, the first of its kind in Africa, with automated lifts and other features to ensure safety of the Para-powerlifting athletes, is part of a wide range of sponsorship

packages provided by the Peak brand to boost the productivity of Para-powerlifting athletes, who in recent years, have brought glory to the country and the continent in major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games. “We remain committed to assisting the Para-powerlifting athletes in whatever way we can as a brand. We have inspired Nigerians with their Unstoppable story, especially at the Paralympics, and recently we provided an ultra modern wheel chair accessible gym at the National Stadium, Lagos, which

was completely renovated for the first time since 1972,� Ifada said.

One of the major highpoints leading to the International Parapowerlifting Competition, which will be staged for first time in Nigeria, will be a media event holding today at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

According to the President of the Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation, Queen Obuh, the event, organized by the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), is to officially announce the opening ceremony of the competition, which will attract Para-powerlifting athletes from all over the world.

Siasia, Yobo, Others Set for Tap initiative PVC-football Awareness Match Super Eagles 1994 and 2013 AFCON winners will be playing a PVC novelty match at the Legacy Pitch, inside National Stadium Surulere, Lagos on the 9th of February, 2019.

This novelty match tagged ‘#PVCFootball’ is organised

by TAP initiative, a nongovernmental and non-partisan organization that advocates for young people’s role in the national reawakening of socio political and economic systems for sustainable development.

The goal of the #PVCFootball novelty match is to use soccer games as a tool to organise and galvanize voices of young people to participate in the upcoming elections. According to the Executive Director of Tap initiative, Mr Mbasekei Martin Obono, “Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 years constitute one-third of Africa’s population. However, youth’s influence on national politics remains limited. There is

a general sense that traditional politics and representative democracy—whereby voters determine the outcome of power struggles at the ballot box—fail to attract the attention of younger cohorts who feel alienated from political processes.�

Football activities have been lined up by TAP initiative to promote democratic participation of young people at the general elections from voters registration to collection of voters card, voting and ensuring that their votes counts.On the 19th of January 2019, TAP initiative will kick off its football viewing centre campaign in Lagos, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River and Abuja ahead of the #PVCFootball awareness match scheduled for the 9th of February 2019 to dialogue, encourage and educate young people on the need to vote.

The #PVCFootball match is free but spectators will be required to show their PVCs to gain entrance into the stadium.

TAP initiative have also partnered football betting companies in Nigeria to place a wager for punters to predict the outcome of the upcoming general elections.

Mr. Obono said, “the initiative seeks to explore the participation and publicity that betting houses generates among young people to predict and win the number of voters’ turnout through accredited voters in a state.� He went further to say, “the idea of betting is putting your thumb where your money is�

Through the PVC Novelty match, Tap initiative aims to use select AFCON football stars from the 1994 and 2013 teams including Bennedict Iroha, Samson Siasia, Mutiu Adepoju, Uche Okechukwu, Alloy Agu, Joseph Yobo among others to discourage young people from the enticement of selling their votes and political apathy by not coming out to cast their votes based on cheap sentiments .

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Ronaldinho Leaves Footprints in Maracana Hall of Fame Brazil’s former football star Ronaldinho yesterday left his footprints in the Hall of Fame in Rio’s legendary Maracana Stadium, one year after retiring from the sport. “This is one of the biggest trophies of my career,� the 38-year-old – full name Ronaldinho de Assis Moreira – told reporters as he was hailed by dozens of tourists visiting the stadium built to host the 1950 World Cup final match.

His footprints will now be displayed alongside those of other Brazilian greats such as Pele and Zico.

Ronaldinho first received an invitation to leave his prints in 2011, but put it off because of his busy agenda, he said.

The former Barcelona forward won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo, scoring a memorable long-range free-kick against England.

He was awarded the Ballon d’Or as Europe’s best player in 2005 and finally hung up his boots in January 2018, seven years after returning to Brazil.

Since then, he said he has had

Ronaldinho

“a very active life�, though he still misses his sporting days.

Discovered in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, where he was born, Ronaldinho

also spent time with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and at Brazilian teams Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense, as well as a year with

Mexico’s Queretaro.

He did not respond to reporters’ questions about the confiscation of his passport late last year over an unpaid $2.3

million fine for damaging the environment while having a property built on a lake in a conservation area.

Nor did he reply to questions

about how he viewed the first days of Brazil’s new President Jair Bolsonaro, whom he supported during his campaigning via his Instagram feed.

Ferguson Counsels Man Utd Players to be Great Again Sir Alex Ferguson inspired the Manchester United players with a stirring speech to the dressing room over the Christmas period, according to The Sun. Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles as United manager, was invited to speak to the players by current interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer, who played under Ferguson at Old Trafford, is said to have brought the legendary coach in to rouse the players and tell them they can make United great again.

A source quoted in The Sun

said: ‘He told the lads that this group will make United dominant and successful again. ‘He said that he believes in them and he wants them to enjoy themselves and to fight hard for each other and leave everything on the pitch. ‘He also told them that the club is in good hands and he promised them that it will become bigger and better in the years to come and they will be part of this success. The players believe that there are some good times ahead.’ Solskjaer has a close relationship with Ferguson

after scoring the winner in the 1999 Champions League final, arguably the veteran manager’s crowning triumph at United.

The address forms part of the Norwegian coach’s attempt to improve the dressing-room atmosphere, which was at rock bottom by the end of Jose Mourinho’s spell in charge.

He has already improved results on the pitch, with Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Reading ensuring Solskjaer has won his first five games as manager.

It also shows Ferguson, 77, is taking an active interest in

MadridTargets Allegri for Rescue Mission

Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri’s future appears to be uncertain after conflicting reports have emerged from both Italian and Spanish media outlets.

The Italian was appointed as Juventus boss back in 2014 and he has since gone on to guide I Bianconeri to unprecedented success in Italy; helping them to four consecutive Serie A titles, four consecutive Coppa Italia titles and two Champions League finals. The dominant form has continued this season, as Juventus appear to be on course for even more silverware.

Unsurprisingly, his previous achievements have made him

one of the most sought after managers in world football and, according to the Spanish television programme El Chiringuito, as per Football Italia, Real Madrid are looking to prize him away from Turin.

Madrid have been struggling for form all season and are said to be regretting the decision to offer Santiago Solari a long term contract at the Bernabeu when he took over from Julen Lopategui back in November.

Club president Florentino Perez has also come to the realisation that he will not be able to convince Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

to join the club, which explains his desire to appoint Allegri.

However, in contrast to these reports, Tuttosport are suggesting that Allegri is set to remain at Juventus for the foreseeable future.

Allegri and Juventus are in talks over extending his current contract, which is set to expire in 2020.

Should he decide to remain with the Serie A champions, he could become one of the longest serving managers in the club’s history. Tuttosport go on to claim that Allegri will be making a final decision on his future by March.

United’s fortunes again following his recovery from a brain haemorrhage last May. Meanwhile Paul Pogba’s return to form since the departure of Jose Mourinho has been highlighted by the midfielder being named Manchester United’s Player of the Month for December. The Frenchman was widely criticised for a series of underwhelming displays in the final throes of Mourinho’s troubled tenure, which ended 48 hours after a 3-1 defeat by bitter rivals Liverpool on December 16.

Pogba was an unused sub-

stitute at Anfield but he was immediately reinstated to the starting XI by by caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And Pogba has been a revelation as the Red Devils have claimed five successive wins in league and cup. Pogba was handed the club’s player of the month on Tuesday after delaying his arrival in Dubai for a fourday warm weather training camp so he could receive treatment at the club’s Carrington traing base. Pogba missed Saturday’s 2-0 over Reading in the Fa Cup after sustaining a knock in a

challenge by Jonjo Shelvey in the win at Newcastle United.

Solskjaer told the club’s official website: ‘Paul has had his knock and has had a few days of treatment back home.’ ‘Hopefully, we can get Paul on his feet during this week.’ Solskjaer also provided an update on Fred and Marcos Rojo ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tottenham at Wembley. ‘Marcos Rojo has gone back home because his injury is taking a bit longer than we thought,’ he said. ‘Fred’s partner is expecting a baby’

Europe Names Harrington as 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington will captain Europe when they defend the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in the US in 2020.

The Irishman, 47, was a vicecaptain when Europe won the trophy back under the leadership of Thomas Bjorn in France in September.

Harrington played in six successive Ryder Cups from 1999 and was on the winning team on four occasions. “I’ve won three majors in my career but taking the Ryder Cup captaincy is a different level,� he said. “I want to find an edge to get the players to perform to best of their abilities and hopefully get a win. “I’m really conscious that I have to find the edge and add to it. It’s going to take a great deal of my time over the next two years to do it.�

Players including Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose backed Harrington to lead Europe at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.

Harrington, who won the Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the US PGA Championship in 2008, has experience of the course, although he missed the cut when the PGA Championship was played there in 2010 and 2015.

The likes of former world

number ones Luke Donald and Lee Westwood were mooted as potential captains, though Westwood - who was also a vice-captain under Bjorn - has indicated a preference for taking the role on at the 2022 event in Rome. “It seems to be a natural progression and it feels like the right time in my career,� added Harrington. “But just because it seems like the right time I didn’t think I should just come in and do it. I thought long and hard about it. “It’s possibly easier to be Ryder Cup captain at home, but I realise it was good timing in my career and probably the best chance for the team in an international setting, going to the US having me as captain at this time. “I have the support of the players, then it really came down to whether I wanted to be in the hat. “I’m putting it on the line - we know when you’re a successful Ryder Cup captain it’s great and a losing captain - it’s his fault.�

Harrington, who is currently recovering from a broken wrist, becomes the second man from the Republic of Ireland to take on the captaincy, following Paul McGinley in 2014.

After winning the trophy

under McGinley, Europe were well beaten 17-11 under the captaincy of Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke the last time it was contested in the US in 2016.

But a resounding 17½-10½ success under Bjorn secured a seventh success for Europe in the last nine Ryder Cup events.

The US are yet to name their next captain, with 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples and Steve Stricker - who was born in Wisconsin - among the leading candidates.

Masterminding an away win in the Ryder Cup is one of golf’s toughest assignments.

As Europe proved at Le Golf National and the US at Hazeltine, home advantage can make a huge difference. It makes sense, therefore, for the continent to turn to such a resourceful, committed and intelligent figure as Harrington. There was no one better qualified for leading Europe in their 2020 trophy defence. The three times major winner commands immense respect among his peers. He is a popular figure with US golf fans, has played all three PGA Championships at Whistling Straits and having served as vice-captain in the last three Ryder Cups is the ideal choice to succeed Thomas Bjorn.

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Wednesday January 9, 2019

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MISSILE

UK to Nigerian Army “A free press is the hallmark of a civilised and democratic nation, and eorts to subvert or silence such organisations are the colours of tyranny and authoritarianism. Rather than resorting to rash tactics of raids and arrests, a strong foundation of dialogue and trust will resolve issues before they create frictionâ€? – The United Kingdom condemning military invasion of the Daily Trust newspaper oďŹƒces in Borno and Abuja.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

Funding Education as Electoral Issue I n a sense, it may appear unfair to the politicians currently on the hustings, mobilising the people, to say that the campaigns are entirely not issue-based.

Some of the political parties and their candidates have published clear platforms on the basis of which they seek votes. They are labelled as visions, plans, manifestoes, programmes and policy documents.

To be sure, some of them are fairly comprehensive and imbued with evidence of deep thinking about the problems while some others are merely skeletal in content. Apart from the better-advertised Buhari’s agenda for the “next level� and the Atiku plan to “make Nigeria work again,� there are certainly other well-reasoned programmes that should legitimately attract the attention of at least the pundits if not the generality of the electorate.

However, it is the shortcoming in the articulation of concrete policies to improve the condition of the people that is partly responsible for the general impression that campaigns are not focussed on issues affecting the people. And this is far from being the view of a policy wonk.

For instance, in this electoral season there are concrete issues in the education system requiring concrete solutions from those seeking power. It is strange that that the political parties are hardly offering concrete solutions beyond ritualistic proclamations about these problems. These include the national embarrassment that university education is paralysed because academics (who should otherwise be busy with teaching and research) are protesting poor funding of university education and the national shame that over 13 million children of school age are out of school.

The electorate should by now be comparing concrete solutions offered by the various parties and candidates so as to choose which one they are convinced would be efficacious in curing the malaise in the education sector.

Unfortunately, that is not the situation on the field. In particular, it is not clear in most of the platforms the definition of concrete commitment of the state to reverse the decay in the education.

This is a policy choice. It’s even ideological, if you like.

By the way, it is hugely ironic that some of the free market experts writing the education policies that are vague on the role of the state in the education sector actually benefitted in real terms from state - funded education as students.

Take a sample. In his carefully crafted “Build, Innovate and Grow: My Vision for Our Country,â€? the presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Kingsley Moghalu, correctly locates a “fundamentalâ€? issue in education as “the role of the stateâ€? in the sector as he makes a thorough review of the problem. Yet, all that this candidate of a party of the “youngâ€? and “progressiveâ€? could offer in his “Vision 19,â€? in concrete terms, is to push the responsibility to the “private sector, faith-based‌and non profit organisations.â€? This is because the “involvementâ€? of the government is “over-extendedâ€? and that to expect the state to solve all the problems is “illusionary.â€? Meanwhile, Moghalu identifies the “low priorityâ€? accorded education as the “first fundamental problemâ€? of the extremely bedevilled sector. While proposing a partnership between the state and some non-state institutions in funding education, Moghalu fails to specify in concrete terms the degree of the responsibility the state should bear especially for basic education. Now, this “solutionâ€? is certainly not good enough in a scandalously unequal socio-economic environment that exists in Nigeria today. A vague solution as Moghalu has offered will not be helpful to

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu the majority of the children who are from poor homes as attested to by the various statistics of human development.

Not a few have called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector.

And that call is eminently justified on many grounds. In a country with over 13 million children out of school largely because of the poverty in their homes, no responsible state would depend illusorily on some phantom private organisations to fund education. The proposition of partnering with the private sector doesn’t answer the question of the percentage of the government’s budget or even the GDP to be allocated to education. This is the focus of the universal campaign for social justice in education.

To propose otherwise is to underestimate the developmental deficit this trend would cause in the near future.

Yes, many new elements are seeking political power. This, however, is not matched by the sufficiency of new ideas to confront the problems.

What is said of Moghalu’s “vision� specifically on funding education is also applicable to most of the platforms so far presented by political parties and their candidates.

The Atiku plan is, perhaps, the most elaborate platform on display in terms of systematic presentation. The plan is rich in details especially in stating priorities and offering liberal solutions to problems. The plan notably seeks to improve “access and equity� in education. The plan also sets targets to improve school enrolments in primary and secondary schools. It also envisages a synergy of purpose between the federal, state and local governments. Yet, the plan lacks concrete solutions for funding education. Although there is the provision for scholarships in some special cases, the nearest to a concrete solution to the gross social injustice in the sector is the vague “guarantee of access� to basic education. This sort of declaration is not the same thing as that of the American “no child left behind� policy backed by law. The Atiku plan lacks a concrete commitment of what percentage of government’s expenditure should compulsorily go to funding education.

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, has rightly bemoaned “too much illiteracy� in the land. She has promised to make education a “priority� if she is elected president. She quotes the American billionaire, Bill Gates, like this: “‘Education is like a master switch that opens up all sorts of opportunities for individuals and societies.� Ezekwesili, therefore, promises to

“turn on� that switch. However, she has not stated the specific commitment of government’s expenditure required to switch on the possibilities for development in the education sector.

Even the political parties that appear social democratic in their approach to education are not definite enough on how to fund education so that the children of the poor would have access to quality education. For instance, the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s manifesto includes the promise of “free and compulsory public primary and secondary education, scholarships will be provided to indigent and deserving students in tertiary institutions.�

Again, it is not clear how the SDP will fund this plan.

Similarly, in the Buhari’s “next level� agenda, there is a promise of “free and qualitative primary and secondary education to all but to tertiary level for women.�

The Buhari agenda also includes the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Act. Instructively, in the same manifesto, there is a promise of “10% of annual budget� to be allocated to “this critical sector.� As progressive as it sounds, the Buhari’s agenda for funding education still falls short of the international standard of 15-20% allocation of national budget to education. In fact, in our emergency situation some have even suggested a higher percentage than 20%.

The point at issue is that the approach of politicians to the decay in the education sector should go beyond lamentations and brilliant definitions of the problem. There should be concrete commitment of the percentage of budgets to be allocated to education. By so doing, the progress made in reducing illiteracy and improving the quality of education could also be simultaneously measured as the budget performance is being assessed.

The budgetary allocation to education is a

concrete way of measuring the responsibility of the state in the education sector. With competent economic management, the allocation of at least 20% of the annual budget to education would help in reversing the negative trend in the sector.

It is also remarkable that no party has summoned the courage to take up a challenge: setting a target to make the provision for equal opportunity in education embodied in Chapter II, Section 18, of the constitution a “practicable� thing to do.

It is also important that the plan for quality and equity in the education sector (like other areas of development) should not only be that of the presidential candidate. For instance, education plans should not just be those of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Atiku Abubakar, but also those of their respective political parties namely the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Congress (PDP).

The good thing about this is that even if a party does not win the presidency, the programme of the party could still be implemented at the tier of government where the party is in power.

After all, in the Second Republic, Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not become president, but his party; the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) implemented its cardinal programmes including free education and free health services in the states in which the party was in power. The party clearly articulated the plans to fund its education programme during the campaigns.

In the contemporary times, you hardly hear a governor claiming proudly that he is implementing his party programmes (including the one on education). This is the era of the governor’s projects and not that of party programmes. It is part of the political underdevelopment plaguing the land.

If the political party owns the manifesto including education plan, for instance, it would be possible to assess the progress made in the funding of education by all tiers of government.

There are AlternativeVisions

Tope Fasua

I read Kayode Komolafe’s piece entitled “So, Why Should the People Vote?� on this page on January 3, 2019.

I believe the topic is very central to our political economy and the raison d’etre behind our four -yearly voting rituals. The core aspects of the article, which must be amplified, include the abandonment and reputed non-justiciability of Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The reason why we are at once the nation with the highest incidence of extreme poverty, inequality, unemployment, maternal and child death, some of the worst environmental degradation in the world, terrorism, tribal and religious clashes, as well as other ignominious global laurels is because everyone took their eyes off the most important function assigned to our political leaders in the constitution - the security and welfare of the people.

This assigned role may be extended to include the fact that all societies are rightly judged by how well their most-vulnerable people are provided for. In fact, the paradigm that emphasises a winner-takes-all approach to life, also romances eugenics – the idea that those who are weak, challenged or unfortunate in society should be weeded out and precluded from procreation. That is Hitlerism. Such tendencies also pander to chauvinism and

R I G H T O F R E P LY

exclude women and youths from everything.

I commend the emphasis Komolafe laid on the recent riots in France, a First World country, where a large number of our political leaders and the nouveau riche take delight in holidaying, shopping and engaging in health and educational tourism with the little that should be used to reboot and re-prime our economy.

You would expect a moment of contrition – and a pause for reflection - on the part of our purveyors of “scorched earth�, winner-takes-all market economics but they are apparently quite indoctrinated. Worse than the scourge of corruption in our country, are the ill effects of the ‘bad economics’ that we have solidly subscribed to over time. I am an economist, but I usually say that Economists are terrible people; I’ve seen them lay to waste generations unborn, and cause whole races and species of human beings, to be enslaved forever. This is what has happened in Nigeria and it will be a sheer miracle for us to upturn the status quo and change our fate in the years to come. t.S 'BTVB JT UIF 1SFTJEFOUJBM $BOEJEBUF "CVOEBOU /JHFSJB 3FOFXBM 1BSUZ "/31

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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