WEDNESDAY 16TH JANUARY 2019

PEF: FG’s Planned Railway Concession Delays Rail Distribution of Petrol Chineme Okafor and Amaka Mozie in Abuja Nigeria’s plan to resume distribution of petroleum products through the railways has been put on hold by the federal government’s decision to concession the rail system,

the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Mr. Ahmed Bobboi, has said.

Bobboi said yesterday at a workshop in Abuja that plans by the PEF to introduce railway petrol equalisation in the country

to enable distribution of petrol through the rail lines, would not go on as planned until the government concludes its railway concession programme, which has now run into hitches.

He also explained that a new information technology

(IT) system called sensor monitoring has been set up by the PEF to monitor and determine the volume of petrol consumed in Nigeria daily, as well as check diversion of petrol often reportedly done by dubious petroleum products

marketers.

Additionally, Bobboi, noted that to incentivise the adoption and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is also known as cooking gas

by Nigerians, the agency has decided to introduce an equalisation scheme for LPG.

“We planned to introduce railway equalisation last year, but certain developments delayed it and one of them was the planned concession of the railways by the government and at a point Continued on page 9

Mounting Debt Signals Danger for Economy, NECA Warns

… Page 9

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Harvest of Retirements Looms in Police as AIG Adamu Becomes IG Seven DIGs, three AIGs to go Promises to ensure professionalism, credible elections PDP, CUPP task him, say former IG’s tenure shameful Omololu Ogunmade, Alex Enumah, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Chiemele Ezeobi in Lagos The newly appointed Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Abubakar Adamu, yesterday officially assumed duties at the Force

Headquarters, Abuja, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, promising to uphold high professional standards in the handling of forthcoming general election.

However, about 10 senior Continued on page 8

Buhari Can’t Secure Nigerians, Atiku Insists Secondus vows to retrieve Osun stolen mandate Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress

(APC) cannot secure the country.

This is coming as the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, vowed to retrieve what he called the party’s stolen mandate in Osun State.

Continued on page 9

FG: Buhari to Make Decision WELCOME ON BOARD… L-R: Former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris; the new Police boss, Mr. Abubakar Adamu; and President on AfCFTA this Month ... Page 8 Muhammadu Buhari, during the decoration of Adamu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

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PAGE EIGHT

FG: Buhari to Make Decision on AfCFTA this Month

Nosa Alekhuogie

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, yesterday said the committee set up by the federal government to review the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would conclude work this month, following which the report will be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for him to make a decision.

Enelamah, said this during an interview on Arise TV, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY. Nigeria in March last year declined to sign the agreement to create the AfCFTA, which was signed at an extraordinary summit in Kigali, Rwanda by representatives of 44 of the 55 African Union (AU) member states.

The deal was expected to improve the economic

prosperity of the African nations by removing barriers to trade, like tariffs and import quotas, and allowing the free flow of goods and services between its members.

But the minister said: “Remember that it is not a oneoff thing. Where you don’t sign by March or April 2018, you can’t sign the agreement.

So, it is going to last for a very long time. “This is a case where we decided to slow things down so that we would have more buy-in. So, it is not a matter of speed, it is a matter of travelling with others. “So, the work is being completed. I believe the committee will complete its work this month. They were given three months and that report will be completed this month and passed to the president and the president will advise us on how to make full benefit of the AfCFTA.�

Continuing, the minister said the government had developed policies to attract investments into the country.

He also said the federal government has also put in place measures to improve the business environment in the country. “We have done a lot working with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council for investors to come in. Let’s start with what we have done for existing investors. As you know, wisdom demands that you look out for what you have first before looking out for those to bring money. “So, what we are doing with existing investors is very important and for that, there are two areas that the government has really done a lot of work on. “One is the Pioneer Status Incentive Scheme and the other one is that as they invest, they want to receive tax holiday,

which was suspended before we came in. “We have now restored, revamped and streamlined it and it is working very well presently. The second one was the Export Expansion Grant for those that want to export and grow their businesses. “You then come to the point of new investors, which is made of foreign direct investors, foreign portfolio investors and domestic investors.

If you look at the commitments investors made in 2017, it was over $60 billion and in 2018 it jumped to over $70 billion.

Now, these investments may not come in as quickly as you want, but you need to keep monitoring before you get the actual flows,� he explained.

He also said the forthcoming election could have also slowed down potential investors.

Responding to a question

on the country’s performance on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business, the minister pointed out that efforts aimed at making it easier to do business in the country is one area that successive governments ought to have paid attention to a long time ago.

According to Enelamah, before the present administration was elected, the country kept dropping in the Ease of Doing Business ranking. “We were in the top 100 in 2006 or so but from 2006-2015, we had dropped to between 169thand 170th. But as a government, we made it a priority that that reversal has to stop and we have to move forward. “And to the credit of our president, he commissioned a council, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council to oversee all the

efforts of government working with the private and other stakeholders to make it easier to do business in our country. “One indicator of success is what the World Bank measures - the Ease so called World Bank ease of doing business index.

We are quite gratified and happy that the first year of our efforts resulted in a very significant job like you said, 24 places and as you know, when you have such rapid gains, you need to consolidate these gains and then move forward. “I’m fully persuaded that the forward movement would continue.

For some reason last year, a lot of the improvements we were making were not recognised by the World Bank. “I think the most important message is that this is a joint effort and everybody benefits if it’s easier to do business in Nigeria,� he added.

accountable for all the atrocities he committed while in office.

Ologbondiyan said that Idris would be remembered as the only IG in the nation’s political history, who surrendered the responsibilities of his exalted office to the whims and caprices of politicians who share courtesies with the Buhari Presidency.

He stated, “He defied the need to secure troubled areas and watched carelessly while an integral part of our nation was engulfed in bloody clashes. “Idris will also be remembered as that police officer, who had a penchant for framing innocent Nigerians with ridiculous allegations.

Throughout his inglorious tenure, he functioned as the commander of the militant wing of the APC, just to retain his office and remain in power.�

The PDP therefore urged the new police boss to learn a lesson from the shameful end of Idris as IG by immediately setting up the process of reorientating and insulating the Force from partisan politics, while subjecting it to the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.

On its part, CUPP urged the new acting IG to elevate the police force, which suffered image crises under the watch of his predecessor.

The National Spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday, described the news of Idris' retirement as a new dawn for the people in their quest to have a secured nation.

He said: "The CUPP today cut a symbolic 60th birthday cake to mark the retirement of Idris and the end of his inglorious years as the IG. When the opposition received the news from confirmed sources that the President had done the needful, and had directed the outgoing IG to proceed immediately on his constitutional retirement, we received the news with excitement and caution. ‘’The first action the opposition took yesterday was to call off the mobilisation for today's march action and declaration of the position of

the IG vacant."

Ugochinyere revealed that the leadership of the CUPP steering committee had declared a ceasefire lasting seven days to stop all hostility against the leadership of the Police Force and to also enable the new police boss ample days to set a new agenda and for peace to also reign.

Speaking further, he reeled out the demands, which the opposition will table before the acting IG upon assumption of office.

"We demand the release of all political detainees and activists arrested during the inglorious stay of Idris. Among them are Deji Adeyanju and Dino Melaye. ‘’We also demand that the new IG should make a commitment to the political parties by not engaging in massive arrests of opposition leaders few days or hours to the election, which was a troubling pattern during the tenure of the outgoing IG in Osun and Ekiti States."

The coalition assured the new acting IG of its support, urging him to be non-partisan in the dispatch of his duties and to restore the battered image and Integrity of the police force.

HARVEST OF RETIREMENTS LOOMS IN POLICE AS AIG ADAMU BECOMES IG officers, comprising seven Deputy Inspectors General (DIG) and three Assistant Inspectors General (AIG), will be forcibly retired with the appointment of Adamu as the 20th indigenous IG. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) greeted the acting IG with a charge to immediately commence the reorganisation of the Nigeria Police to restore professionalism and adherence to rules of engagement in the force, describing former IG’s tenure as shameful The seven DIGs that are on their way out include Mr. Maigari Dikko, who is in charge of the Department of Administration and Finance; Mr. Joshak Habila of the Department of Operations; Mr. Oshodi-Glover Agboola of the Department of Logistics and Supply; and Ms. Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah of the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department.

Others include Mr. Muhammad Katsina of the Department of Research and Planning, and Mr. Emmanuel Tom Inyang of the Department of Information and Communication Technology.

The three AIGs affected have been identified as Mr. Usman Abubakar, who is in charge of Maritime; AIG Usman Yakubu, who is in charge of Zone 10, Sokoto; and AIG Abdulmajid Ali, who is in charge of the Eastern Ports.

While Idris’ promotion as the IG on March 19, 2016, was contentious given that 21 senior officers were retired in one fell swoop, Adamu’s will claim only 10.

THISDAY gathered that coupled with huge backlash the IG's continued stay in office caused, the hard questions on Arise TV and THISDAY exclusive interview with President Muhammadu Buhari was the final nail on Idris' retirement.

During the viral interview, THISDAY's Editorial Board Chairman, Segun Adeniyi, had queried the IG's continued stay in office, alluding to the fact that Buhari might be scared of firing him.

This question it was

gathered had ruffled the president's predisposition to retaining the IG till after the forthcoming February general election.

To Adeniyi's question, Buhari had retorted thus, "I have accepted responsibility.

I do not think I am afraid of him. I will take action."

The most affected by the looming retirement is the recently promoted DIGs, who were elevated on October 31, 2018. Particularly worrisome is the fact that with the retirement in the works for Abdallah, who is presently the only female DIG, there will be no female in police top management position.

Meanwhile, a statement issued yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Jimoh Moshood, said Adamu assumed office as acting IG, shortly after he was decorated by the president The president had directed Idris to hand over the leadership at the Force Headquarters to Adamu in acting capacity.

Adamu, who hails from Lafia in Nasarawa State, according to Moshood, is a thorough breed and versatile police officer.

According to Moshood, "The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, hails from Lafia, Nasarawa State and a holder of B.Sc. Geography. He enlisted into the Force on 1st February, 1986 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

"Acting IG Mohammed Abubakar Adamu is a versatile and seasoned police officer, a professional per excellence. He attended several senior officer courses on law enforcement, crime prevention, control and management within and outside Nigeria."

Moshood said before his appointment, Adamu was a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State. He was also Commissioner of Police in Ekiti and Enugu States and also Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5 Police Command Headquarters, Benin, Edo State.

Earlier on, Adamu who was decorated with the new rank of IG by Buhari in the State House, was led to the president by the outgoing IG Idris, at 1.30p.m.

After a meeting, which lasted for about 30 minutes, behind closed-doors, Adamu fielded questions from journalists on his disposition towards the forthcoming elections and other matters.

One of the factors, which pitted the public against Idris, was alleged partisanship. But Adamu described himself as a professional, who would be guided by ethics of the profession in the discharge of his responsibility.

"Well, we are professionals.

We are going to stick by the rules. We are going to do the right thing. We will not go outside the ethics of our job to do things that are untoward.

Everybody will be given level playing ground to play his or her politics," he said.

He also said enough arrangements had been made to ensure that credible elections are conducted in February and March this year.

"On the elections, you have heard from the former IG. Adequate arrangement has been made to make sure that free and fair and credible elections take place in Nigeria. We are going to build up on the strategies put in place to make sure that we have hitch-free elections in the country," he said.

Adamu, who thanked Buhari for considering him for the office, said new strategies would be evolved to tackle security challenges confronting the country.

He said, "I want to thank Mr. President for considering me worthy to be the next IG. We know that there are security challenges that we need to tackle in the country - issues of kidnapping, abduction and other security challenges.

"From the strategies put in place by the former IG, we will re-strategise and make sure that we tackle these challenges squarely."

Also fielding questions, the controversial outgone IG said he was leaving service, having attained the mandatory

retirement age of 60, wishing his successor well.

He also advised his successor to carry on with the task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

Disclosing that more police officers would be recruited this year, Idris promised that police handling of their roles at these forthcoming polls would be the best.

"I want to inform Nigerians that today, I am 60 years and I think I have reached the pinnacle of my career. So, I am going to handover to my successor, the incoming IG. He is an officer I know very well.

We knew each other in the past, we have worked together and I wish him success.

"The advice I will give is that just like in our time, he should try to go round the country and adopt measures to ensure that the Nigerian Police Force give maximum protection to lives and property.

Restore Police Image, PDP, CUPP Tell New IG The Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Council, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday advised the new police boss to remove all templates of election rigging allegedly contained in the hand-over note that will be presented to him by his predecessor.

He stressed that the new IG must also urgently take steps to address the bastardisation of promotion in the police under the last IG, where officers due for promotion were denied and only those endorsed by a cabal or who have enough money to buy their way through were promoted.

Ologbondiyan said that this was in addition to immediately setting up a process that guarantee proper welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria police.

The main opposition party berated the outgone IG for a shameful and partisan tenure, which destroyed professionalism in the police and compromised the lives and security of Nigerians, adding that he must be held

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WEDNESDAY, ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Mounting Debt Signals Danger for Economy, NECA Warns Chris Uba The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) has raised the alarm over the country’s mounting debt burdens following the release of the third quarter report of the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the 2019 budget assumptions, saying the increasing debt burden could have negative implications on developmental capacity of the economy.

The Director General of NECA, Mr. Timothy Olawale, said at a forum in Lagos yesterday that the debt burden was worrisome and needed to be checked.

Olawale said the debt burden was worrisome because about 25 per cent of the 2019 budget size of N8.8trillion amounting to

N2.140trillion was going into servicing of debts.

He also said that the federal government’s continued borrowing within the domestic market was limiting the real sector from accessing funding for expansion and growth. “The real sector should be able to access funds which should ultimately lead to increased employment opportunities within the economy. “’Latest figures released by the DMO showed that government’s domestic debt profile rose to N15.814 trillion in September, 2018 from N15.629 trillion in June, 2018 (1.19 per cent increase),�

Olawale said.

He said that the amount proposed for debt servicing in the 2019 budget could have a negative effect on the developmental capacity in

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed spite of government’s financial managers’ argument that the rate of increase was within a manageable limit.

Olawale cautioned that while the effect of the increasing debt might not be immediate in totality, it could be catastrophic in the

long term with a chunk of revenue consumed by debt servicing to the detriment of infrastructure development.

He urged the federal and state governments to take steps aimed at cutting the cost of governance and recurrent expenditure.

He added that “This trend, which is very disturbing, could have a negative effect on the developmental capacity of Nigeria despite government’s financial managers’ argument that the rate of increase is within a manageable limit.�

He noted that “Financial experts at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have in fact, advised that the revenue-todebt ratio is unsustainable and it portends a serious danger for the future generation.�

Olawale expressed that:

“While the effect of the increasing debt may not be immediate in totality, it could be catastrophic in the long term with a chunk of revenue consumed by debt servicing to the detriment of infrastructural development.

This, sadly, is the current reality as N2.140 trillion naira from the N8.8 trillion Naira proposed 2019 budget, has been earmarked for debt servicing, representing about 25 per cent of the total budget allocation.

While discussing the implication of government’s huge borrowing in the domestic market, he stated that: “The size of government borrowing in the domestic financial market also continues to be a major source of concern as this has in no small measure, affected the chances of the real sector to

access funding at a reasonable cost. He advised that “the federal and state governments, as a matter of urgency, must take deliberate steps aimed at cutting the cost of governance and recurrent expenditure.

Government also needs to start paying serious attention to workable investment schemes, collaborating strongly with the private sector which is the engine room for economic growth.

The NECA DG concluded that “government has to recognise the important role of the private sector in building a robust economy, as oil revenue alone is not enough to place the country on the path of sustainable development.

Government must therefore, make commitment to facilitate a favourable environment with policies that will attract private investors.�

FG Defers Final Decision on Minimum Wage Buhari launches new international passport

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja A special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House yesterday failed to conclude decision on national minimum wage.

This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a new Nigerian international passport with enhanced security and 10-year validity.

Apparently due to the crucial importance of governors to the national minimum wage

issue, the council resolved that it would take final decision on it after the National Executive Council (NEC), a body of governors presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, would have deliberated over the matter.

Making this disclosure after the meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, admitted that the matter of minimum wage was deliberated upon at yesterday’s FEC meeting but declined answering questions on deliberations on the issue.

He said: “I cannot because

it is work in progress. It would also be discussed by the National Economic Council (NEC) before we can brief the media.�

On Monday, the organised labour staged nationwide protests to compel the federal government to send a bill which provides for N30,000 as the new minimum wage to the National Assembly.

Also yesterday, Buhari launched a new Nigerian international passport with enhanced security. The passport has 10 years validity.

Speaking on the passport,

the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammad Babandede, said the new passport contained enhanced features which he said would facilitate security management.

According to him, the new passport with a new parttern will bring discipline in the system, adding however, that both the new and the old passports will be used concurrently.

He said the new passport with 32 pages, would cost N25, 000 and $130 abroad; a 64-page passport for five years

will cost N35, 000 and $150 abroad while the 64-page copy with 10 years validity will cost N70, 000 in Nigeria and $230 abroad. “The new passport reform programme is weather friendly, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) compliant.

It has polycarbonate technology that eliminates damage, enhanced security features and will save Nigerians in the Diaspora time of frequent visit to Nigerian Embassy among others.�

Also speaking, Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman

Dambazau (rtd.), said Nigerians in Diaspora had insisted on the production of the10-year passport, which he said the government eventually acceded to.

According to him, the e -passport data base is the most reliable source of data for criminal investigation.

However, he said one of the attendant challenges is production of the passport outside the country, pointing out that for security reasons, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc will soon take over the production of the passport.

According to him, “You are also aware that the president denies everything that is going on. He does not know anything, he is not aware of anything. Now we need a president who will work for 24 hours in a day, to provide employment to the people, not the APC government that is sleeping. In the last four years they have been sleeping and yet there is increase in unemployment all over the land and hunger is everywhere. Are we better now than before?�

Secondus said the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku, is a tested democrat that would deliver the country. He then called on the new IG, Mr. Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, to secure the country from collapse and secure all Nigerians.

In his remarks the PDP Chairman in Osun State, Mr.

Soji Adagunodo, said he is sure that 80 per cent of votes will come from the state.

A former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, noted that there is no other party in Nigeria than PDP. He then urged the people of the state to support Atiku to become the president of the country.

Also the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said only Atiku can bring back Nigerian to her rightful position.

Oyinlola said that if Buhari cannot protect Katsina State from bandits, he can’t protect Nigeria. He stressed that Nigerians have to be conscious of the fact that they were deceived by Buhari in 2015.

The former governor of Osun State said, “When Buhari was coming to government, he promised and told us that one of his cardinal focus his

restructuring. When he came to power, he told us that he does not know or understand the meaning of restructuring that is a clean, clear deceit.� “He promised us good security. When he came in, we had problem with Boko Haram in Borno State, but today there is hardly any part of the country where security challenges are not present. It has come to a point where a governor is asking for emergency rule.

In fact the governor of Katsina state lamented that he is overwhelmed with security situation.� “If Buhari cannot provide security in his own state, do you think he would provide it in Osun state? That is why I’m telling you that we should think and vote the man who known restructuring from the beginning, that is Abubakar Atiku.�

Speaking further on the LPG equalisation plan, Bobboi said it would enable Nigerians use more of clean fuel to cook, and probably minimise the current violence between cattle herders and farmers on account of climate change. “Railway equalisation and LPG penetration, these are crucial to the existence of PEF because we feel by equalising gas in the country, we will

help the government in its policy of trying to reduce desert encroachment and it is not only the government of Nigeria that is doing this but also the United Nations which is promoting clean environment,� he said.

According to him, the equalisation and bridging schemes of PEF are paid from upfront payments made by marketers who import or refine petrol in the country.

BUHARI CAN'T SECURE NIGERIANS, ATIKU INSISTS Speaking at a presidential campaign rally at Freedom Square, Osogbo, in Osun State, Atiku said that Buhari has failed the country by not providing adequate security to Nigerians.

Atiku, who urged people of the state not to allow APC to steal the coming votes, enjoined them to vote for all PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.

He alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently giving out uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to the ruling party and promised to resist the devilish move.

Atiku, however, promised to give women 30 per cent of the positions in his government if given the mandate.

Also, the PDP National Chairman, Secondus, said the mandate stolen in the

Osun State election would be taken back from APC in the state.

He said INEC will not be allowed to rig the coming elections, saying the APC has been a sleeping party for the past four years Secondus also posited that the Buhari -led government has ruined the economy of the country while Nigerians are not safe.

Secondus also called on the acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Muhammed Adamu to clean up the mess of former IG, Ibrahim Idris, urging him to protect Nigerians and not a few cabal in the presidency.

He said, “We welcome on behalf of the party the new Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu. You are to serve Nigerians, please clean up the mess of the former IG Idris. He served APC.

“We encourage you to serve Nigerians. That is the institution to protect the people and not to secure a section of people, not to secure a section of the cabal, but to secure all Nigerians.

No be so? We warn INEC, you cannot rig Nigerians.�

The national chairman said that never again would the ruling APC steal the mandate of the people, and never again would they steal the mandate of Osun State, adding, “they stole it temporarily but by the grace of God that will be restored.�

Secondus equally called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to be neutral.

He stressed that under the present government, the economy has collapsed, the security has collapsed, and the government is broke.

PEF: FG’S PLANNED RAILWAY CONCESSION DELAYS RAIL DISTRIBUTION OF PETROL General Electric showed interest and obviously we want to wait and see who will manage the railway system either the government or private sector,� Bobboi said.

He added: “We are also talking to the PPMC (Petroleum Products Marketing Company) and NARTO (National Association of Road Transport Owners) to get them involved in the railway transportation, and

may be they will convert their tankers. This will reduce the pressure on our roads, as well as wear and tear on them.

We are hoping it will happen very soon.�

Speaking on the censor monitoring system for petrol, he explained: “We have introduced some few policies recently and these include the sensor monitoring project which is going on now. This is major in the sense that it

does not just stop at serving the PEF but also agencies like the National Bureau of Statistics which require information we provide on petroleum products landing in this country and the refineries. “This is key because up till today, it is difficult to determine how much we consume in this country in terms of PMS (petrol).

Different agencies give you different figures and I think it

is not neat, but by introducing this sensor monitoring project, we believe it will serve the purpose of answering all these questions.� “Censor monitoring was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2018 and it is supposed to run for three years. Work has already started and before the end of this year, we will begin to see some of the landmarks,� he added.

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Nigerian Military Clears Boko Haram from Borno Town Terrorists’ attack causes residents to flee, says NEMA Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Nigeria’s military recaptured the northeastern town of Rann yesterday after it was overrun

by Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) insurgents a day earlier, weeks ahead of an election in which security has become a key campaign issue.

This is coming as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Monday evening attack on Rann by Boko Haram caused many to flee the town.

Nigerian government forces and residents fled during the ISWA attack as the militants set buildings ablaze, but troops fought back and regained control of Rann yesterday, agency reports quoted military and

We Can’t Win War against Corruption by Undermining Law, Onaiyekan Cautions Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has admonished the federal government not to ignore basic human rights or bye-pass the rule of law in its fight against corruption and other social vices in the country.

He also stated that in their drive to maintain internal peace, the Armed Forces should put power behind justice and good governance, and never support any form of injustice or bad governance.

In the message issued yesterday by the cleric to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, Onayeikan said the search for peace and overall stability of the country would be futile in the absence of justice and good governance.

According to him, “We cannot successfully prosecute a war against indiscipline by locking up innocent people for months in dungeons without legal recourse. For the same reason, we cannot hope to win the war against corruption by ignoring or bye-p≠≠assing basic human rights to the rule of law.”

Onayeikan said leaders must learn lessons from January 15, 1966, historic event which marked the beginning of military rule in the country.

The clergyman said one of the key lessons to be learned from the events of January 15, 1966, is that “we should not misuse our

armed forces and our military resources.”

He said the armed forces in Nigeria are made up of men and women “who have volunteered to keep us safe even at the risks of their own lives, and often at high costs to their families.”

However, Onayeikan said the armed forces are placed under the Ministry of Defense and not Ministry of Aggression so that they can defend the country and its citizens.

Regarding the conflict in the Northeast, the cleric advised the federal government to ensure that the military is well equipped to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

He also called for proper investigation into complaints by the soldiers with a view to addressing any anomaly.

While recollecting the events that led to military takeover in 1966, Onaiyekan said the country must imbibe the lessons of instability and injustice, the futility of violence and the imperative of personal conversion and social moral revolution.

“We hope we have by now learned our lesson and that we will no longer allow such misuse of our armed forces and our military resources. I do not know why January 15 has been chosen as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. But to many people like me, it brings strong memories of that critical day-January 15, 1966,” he said.

N’Assembly Resumes Plenary Today Deji Elumoye in Abuja The National Assembly will resume plenary today after a 25- day adjournment.

The lawmakers had on December 20, 2018 adjourned plenary till January 16 a day after receiving the N8.8 Trillion 2019 budget from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sources close to the lawmakers told THISDAY that the highlight of today’s plenary will be the formal presentation of the 2019 Appropriation Bill to both chambers of the National Assembly by Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe) and Hon. Mustapha Bala (APC Kano), Chairmen of Senate and House Committee on Appropriations, respectively.

A ranking Senator who would not want to be named,

told our reporter that once the Appropriation Bill is presented before the lawmakers, it will be referred to the relevant committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives to work on.

That in essence means the Bill will pass the first reading today before being committed to second reading that will take the form of committee work during which time ministers and heads of parastatals will be expected to appear before the relevant committees to defend the budgetary allocations to their ministries and agencies.

With election about a month away, Senators and House members who got the re-election ticket of their respective parties may not be at plenary today because there are indications that some of them are still busy

police sources as saying.

“Boko Haram invaded Rann at about 4 p.m (on Monday).

The battle continued for about three hours. Our troops retreated and later returned to fight back,” said a soldier who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015 on promises to defeat the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency aimed at creating an Islamic state in the northeast.

ISWA, which split from Boko Haram in 2016, has launched a series of attacks in recent weeks, renewing debate about security

in the run-up to elections on Feb. 16.

In December, ISWA took the town of Baga - the Nigerian headquarters of a multi-national force formed by Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to fight the extremists - and more than 30,000 people fled.

The military launched a counter-offensive last week and retook the town, saying it had given ISWA a “bloody nose”.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said attack on Rann

by Boko Haram caused many to flee the town.

A signed statement by the

North East Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Saidu Minin said: “An attack in Rann, some 175 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, forced civilians to flee.”

He said Rann was hosting around 35,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), according to the International Organisation for Migration.

He recalled that Rann had been repeatedly hit by insurgents attacks, which exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions on the ground. Minin said report revealed that the military base

in the town was burnt by the terrorists, with locals and IDPs fleeing as the Islamist militants set fire on camps and shelters.

He said “aid workers in Maiduguri said colleagues in Rann blamed ISWAP for the raid and people fled towards Bulale, on the Cameroon side of the border.

“Four IDPs were allegedly killed. Several shelters were burned. They also looted food supplies in the town.

Humanitarian operations in Rann were scaled down in March last year after an attack which killed three aid workers,” Minin said.

IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU...

L-R:PresidentMuhammaduBuhari; SenatePresident,Dr.BukolaSaraki;andVicePresidentYemiOsinbajo,duringtheArmedForcesRemembrance Day celebration in Abuja...yesterday

Buhari, Saraki Condemn Sokoto Killings Omololu Ogunmade and Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday in Abuja condemned the latest bandit attacks in Gandi District of Rabah Local Government Council, Sokoto State, which claimed 30 lives.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, last night, said Buhari was shocked and saddened by the latest violence which he described as “utterly evil, callous, reckless, thoughtless and reprehensible.”

He said the president lamented that: “The persistent killing of innocent and defenceless villagers by murderous thugs is unacceptable, and my administration is leaving no stone unturned to track down these mass murderers and bring them to justice.”

Shehu said the president gave a firm instruction to the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to quickly bring on board joint operations that will rid the country of all forms of criminal activities.

He also said Buhari approved meetings between security and defence officials from Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic for joint operations that will sweep the forests.

According to him, the president assured the people of Sokoto State and other areas affected by banditry that his administration’s commitment to security ‘remains undiminished’ and that ‘efforts are being made to improve intelligence gathering and rapid emergency response strategies.’

He also quoted him as saying, “Let me reassure the people of Sokoto State and other parts of the country facing security challenges that no citizen will be abandoned to their fate.

Security occupies the centre stage of my administration’s policies, and this commitment is being pursued with more vigour as we make efforts to provide more equipment to our security personnel to enable them perform the task effectively.”

The statement added, “While consoling the families of the victims, President Buhari reassured the people that “criminals won’t be allowed to hold the citizens to ransom

and that poverty is no excuse for any group to take up arms against innocent people and kill them in cold blood.”

“The President said that he will ensure the murderers, who are already in police custody, are speedily prosecuted in order to send a clear message that nobody will get away with such heinous crimes.

“President Buhari called on state and local governments to stop their holier-than-thou attitude and ensure the mass mobilisation of all citizens to assist security agents, noting that security is everybody’s business.”

In a related development, Saraki has also condemned the gruesome killing of dozens of innocent Nigerians by suspected bandits in Sokoto State.

He has, therefore, called on the nation’s security agencies to immediately secure the area and apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Saraki, in a statement issued yesterday, described the killings as worrisome and disheartening, adding that the wanton loss of human lives that occurs in Zamfara State is now making its way into Sokoto State and other adjoining states in the

North West zone.

He called on the security forces to take urgent measures to rout the notorious bandits so as to halt their incessant attacks against innocent citizens in all states in the North-west zone in particular and across the country in general.

The Senate president insisted that necessary efforts must be intensified to secure all Nigerians irrespective of whether they are in North-west, North-east and all other geo-political zones of the country, especially as the elections draw close.

He commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto State, while also praying for the repose of the souls of the victims who lost their lives in the incident and prayed for quick recovery of those who suffered varied degrees of injuries.

Saraki called on the governors of the North-west states to come together and partner the security agencies in order to find lasting solution to the activities of “these monsters now making life unbearable for innocent citizens in the geo-political zone.”

According to him, the 8th National Assembly will continue to ensure that the security

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The PATRIARCH

of Democracy

In fondly addressing you as Baba , the nation s community of progressives see in you an uncommon embodiment of our shared values of high integrity, social conscience and fairplay.

All through our postcolonial history, you have, through the good and the bad times, proved a David of the popular movement against the Goliath of tyranny.

As those who rigged you out of Osun governorship polls in 2003 would soon find to their external torment, easy compromise for momentary comfort is never your portion; rather political adversity only energizes you.

That tenacity, that indomitability was again put at national service at the trying moments of APC s conception and eventual birth. Indeed, the then presiding forces of reaction pressed monstrous obstacles on the way.

But you, in concert with other titans, never quibbled. You never wavered.

Block after durable block, mortal after rugged mortal, you toiled as the Protem National Chairman to nurture the coalition of progressives to become a formidable movement that made history by unsitting a ruling party.

That APC has kept hope alive in Nigeria is because of the legacy of selfless service you bequeathed and the virtue of honesty you inculcated as the founding shepherd.

In moments of national dilemma, we remain guided by your voice which clarity always resonates for compassion and justice. Even while advocating restructuring, you never leave anyone in doubt about your fierce commitment to national unity - a nation whose strength lies in diversities.

On the joyous occasion of your 80th birthday, I, on behalf of the NWC and the leadership of our great party in 36 states, the FCT and 774 councils across the country, proudly salute you.

Here is wishing you many more years of service to our party and the nation at large.

80

@

Chief Bisi AKANDE

Signed:

Adams Aliu Oshiomhole mni, CON National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC).

12

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

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

BEYOND A NEW TRADE DEAL WITH BRITAIN For Nigeria to move forward, a change is required, writes ATIKU ABUBAKAR

I

n August last year, Prime Minister Theresa May visited Nigeria.

She spoke about increasing investment opportunities, a new trade deal and economic partnership, tackling human trafficking, and assistance to bolster the rule of law and the fight against organised crime.

All of this is extremely welcome, and indeed necessary.

Unfortunately for Mrs May, the government that she met with led

by President Muhammad Buhari cannot deliver any of this. For Nigeria to move forward, a change is required. In the four years of President Buhari’s Administration, Nigeria has regressed by almost every domestic and international metric. We have fallen in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report; we have fallen in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index; we have fallen in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index.

And Nigeria suffered the indignity of being named officially the poorest country in the world: We now have more people in extreme poverty than any other country in the world.

In the past four years, India and others have sprinted ahead in the race to reduce poverty. Nigerians are being left behind.

The forthcoming elections in February offer the opportunity for a change.

President Buhari has promised the international community that the elections would be free and fair, but there is little confidence amongst Nigerians that he will stick to this promise.

What is needed is pressure from the international community to ensure that Nigerians have the right to determine their own future, and to do so free from harassment, vote-suppression or outright fraud.

As a major funder of democracy initiatives around the world, the U.K. has a real stake in this process.

Backsliding on democracy and freedoms has been a sad theme globally in recent years, this cannot be allowed to happen in Africa’s largest democracy.

The federal government, the Nigerian Election Commission (INEC), and local and state officials must understand that the international community is watching and will not accept anything less than a fully free and fair election.

This must include an end to the government1s ongoing use of state apparatus to hassle and harass opposition candidates and supporters.

President Buhari’s track record proves that he cannot be trusted to safeguard democracy, if left to his own devices: he must be pushed by the international community to do the right thing.

President Buhari’s regime is tired, and a truly democratic change is needed.

That means re-establishing the rule of law, the respect for the courts, and a crackdown on corruption.

NIGERIA HAS REGRESSED BY ALMOST EVERY DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL METRIC. WE HAVE FALLEN IN THE WORLD BANK’S EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT; WE HAVE FALLEN IN TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL’S CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX; WE HAVE FALLEN IN THE WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT’S RULE OF LAW INDEX.

A real anti-corruption process is required so that Nigerians, and foreign investors, can have confidence in our domestic laws, not show trials perpetrated as ‘crackdowns’ on corruption, where corrupt cronies were allowed to flourish.

Equally, as our roads and railways crumble, a new infrastructure programme is needed to revitalise them: such a programme would create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and provide long-term benefits to people across the 36 Nigerian states.

Food security is also a major concern. President Buhari has done little to inspire Nigeria’s enormous agricultural potential. We can, and should, be the bread basket of Africa.

Only with re-imposition of the rule of law, and a focus on attracting investment and innovation, will Nigeria’s agricultural potential be realised.

And, of course, the question of oil looms large. Nigeria’s oil resources are not in themselves a curse but neither are they a panacea. If oil alone could save a nation, then it surely would have saved Venezuela.

Everyone can see for themselves the stark reality of that hypothesis.

President Buhari has failed to diversify the economy; it will be the responsibility of the next government to succeed where he has failed.

What does this all mean for Britain, and the future relations between our nations?

Taken together, my new agenda aims to increase the purchasing power of Nigerians across our country: providing economic security, improving quality of life, reducing poverty.

This, in turn, provides a platform of security and certainty for investors to take advantage of new opportunities for collaboration not just oil and a chance to work with a government that is serious about building a prosperous Nigeria.

I foresee a new trade partnership between Nigeria and Britain, enhanced cooperation on security and counter-terrorism, and deepening our historic links of culture, family and language.

This agenda will benefit ordinary Nigerians and Britons alike, as well as increasing mutual investment in our respective economies.

President Buhari had his chance: but the international rankings do not lie.

He has proven himself neither a leader who can elevate the domestic situation of the Nigerian people, nor one who can inspire foreign investors and international partners.

The future relationship between Britain and Nigeria can be bright and prosperous but it requires a change of leadership in Abuja.

This piece was first published in the UK Sunday Express of 13 January 2019

IS INEC AN UNBIASED UMPIRE? (1) Sonnie Ekwowusi challenges the electoral umpire to conduct a credible election

P

rof. Mahmood Yakubu led-INEC must be impartial in the conduct of the 2019 elections. It must not allow the massive rigging that occurred in the last Osun State gubernatorial election to reoccur in the 2019 elections especially in the Presidential election holding, all things being equal, on 16th February 2019. If INEC is biased in favour of any political candidate or political party in the conduct of the 2019 elections it would plunge the whole country into post-election turmoil. Peace should reign in Nigeria. But injustice threatens peace because justice grows in the crannies of peace. No justice no peace. Therefore INEC should do justice in order to save Nigerians from the agony and tragedy of a post-election violence.

And the only way INEC can do justice is to organize a free, fair and credible 2019 elections devoid of the scientific rigging we witnessed in the last Osun State gubernatorial election.

Most Nigerians have been pauperized and imperilled in the last four years. As a result they are seeking liberation from their pauperization and anguish. In short, they want to live again as human beings. Consequently the outcome of the 2019 elections is crucial to them. The truth of the matter is that the people are clamouring for a real change. They are not ready to tolerate any election rigging this time. So, they are watching INEC. Ditto for members of the international community.

They also are watching INEC. They have told Nigeria to organize a free, fair and credible 2019 elections or incur the wrath of the international community. So, I repeat: INEC must be impartial in the conduct of the 2019 elections.

Let me quickly state from the outset that those who have grievances against INEC or

any other person or institution in relation to the 2019 elections should have no inhibitions at all. They should quickly approach the law courts to seek remedies. Waiting until the 2019 elections are over before doing so may be too late. Nigeria is our common patrimony not exclusively the patrimony of President Buhari let alone INEC. More importantly, section 6(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution encompasses the full extent of the judicial powers vested in the courts by the constitution. Under it, the courts have power to adjudicate on any justiciable issue affecting the civil rights and obligations of any injured persons or persons whose civil rights and obligations are in danger of being injured.

It is sad that the Nigerian people are being treated with utter contempt and opprobrium as if they are slaves to their political leaders.

Now that the 2019 elections are approaching the same wicked leaders have met and agreed that the persons to “emerge� as President, Governors, Senators, Federal and State legislators in 2019 are the same illiterates who have ruined Nigeria with their incompetence and ignorance in the last four years. In other words, the 2019 elections, in their view, had been won and lost even when the votings at the pooling booths are yet to take place. The impression being given is that the people do not matter.

This is completely unacceptable. In our representative democracy, power belongs to the people not President Buhari let alone INEC. Put differently, sovereignty, in our presidential democracy, resides with the people. The American founding fathers aptly put it when they stated that “Governments are instituted among men deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed�. Therefore government simply means government with

consent derived from the people. This consent flows from the radical equal rights of all men. If we are all equal and if sovereignty resides with the people no illiterate politician or incompetent politician has a right to rule without the consent of the people.

Therefore INEC has no option but to organize a free, fair and credible 2019 elections.

INEC must live up its name as an “independent� electoral body. It should allow the will of the people to prevail in the conduct of the 2019 elections. INEC Chairman Prof Yakubu has been going about and saying that INEC is out to organize a free and fair 2019 elections.

But the political parties and most members of the public are afraid that the 2019 elections would be rigged in favour of President Buhari and the APC. First, the INEC chairman hails from the same ethnic enclave as President Buhari. This is the first time the chair of our electoral body is coming from the same ethnic group as the President of Nigeria. You will remember that in 1979 Chief Michael Ani was the then FEDECO chairman, not from the same ethnic group as the late Shehu Shagari.

Other successive electoral body bosses such as Prof. Eme Awa, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Abel Guobadia, Maurice Iwu, Attahiru Jega did not come from the same ethnic group as the heads of government who appointed them. But today we have the chairman of an electoral body who does not only come from the same ethnic enclave as President Buhari but who was singularly handpicked and appointed the INEC Chairman by President Buhari. This is why the people are entertaining fear that the INEC Chairman would manipulate the results of the elections in favour of Buhari and the APC. Mind you, the INEC Chairman is not the only key political appointee of Buhari from his ethic group. Other Buharis’ key political

appointees including the Service Chiefs hail from President Buhari’s ethnic enclave. In a recent interview President Buhari defended this kind of parochial appointment on grounds that he wants his appointees to be 100% loyal to him, and, by extension under his control.

Which means that if the INEC Chairman Prof.

Yakubu is under the control of President Buhari it is unlikely that the latter would allow the former to announce an election result that would be unfavourable to him (the latter). It is obvious that Buhari has surrounded himself with pliable appointees who can easily dance to his tunes. You can see how a few weeks to the Presidential election he is assaulting the independence of our judiciary by trying to remove Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen from Cross Rivers State in order to replace him with Justice Tanko Muhammed from Bauchi State. Shame of a country!

Apart from the fact that Buhari is trying to remove Chief Justice Onnoghen in order to appoint a pliable Justice, the overt and covert actions or omissions, or, if you like, the body language of INEC creates some doubts whether it is an unbiased empire in the conduct of the 2019 elections. For example, members of the public have been calling for the removal of Mrs. Amina Zakari, the chairperson of the Committee on National Collation Centre, who happens to be the niece of President Buhari. In fact the registered political parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council have drawn the attention of INEC to this abnormally, and, in fact have demanded for the removal of Amina Zakari. But till date Mrs. Zakari still holds forte as the INEC chief collation officer. Instead of removing her the President Buhari wants to remove Chief Justice Onnoghen .Certainly this does not augur well for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

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EDITORIAL The Rising Cases Of Suicide There is need to set up trauma centres for counselling purposes

W

ith an average of one every 40 seconds according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is topping the chart as the number one killer.

Even if that is a global index painting a general picture, a recent survey shows that many Nigerians have committed suicide in the last few years than in previous times, although many of the deaths are kept away from the public arena. Taboos and the stigma attached to the issue conspire to hush up incidence of suicides. Yet, it should worry us all that far too many of our citizens are taking their own lives.

Last week, a popular Lagos-based disc jockey killed himself after leaving a note on his Instagram before carrying out the act. Few days before that, a 300 level student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, committed suicide in her hostel after also leaving behind a suicide note which seemed to suggest she led a troubled life. Again, a senior lecturer with the Biological Sciences NIGERIA IS AMONG Department of the THE COUNTRIES WITH UniverNO NATIONAL SUICIDE Federal sity of Agriculture, PREVENTION STRATEGY Makurdi, committed AND IT IS SOMETHING suicide, after it WE MUST KEY INTO BY seemed like he had issues with his REDUCING ACCESS TO THE MEANS OF SUICIDE marriage. Within the same period, a soldier in the Nigerian Army, a staff sergeant attached to 192 Battalion in Gwoza, committed suicide in Borno State.

There is a huge body of theories as to why our citizens are taking their own lives: psychological, spiritual and societal. While pundits are discussing these various causes, what looks like a common denominator is depression, a prevalent ailment that we seem to pay scant attention to in Nigeria. Besides, Nigeria is among the countries with no national

Letters to the Editor

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

suicide prevention strategy and it is something we must key into by reducing access to the means of suicide. The strategy, according to WHO, includes “responsible reporting of suicides by the media” to avoid the risk of inspiring copycat attempts as well as care for people suffering from mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and emotional distress.

Many of those who have been interviewed in recent times said they attempted taking their lives after bouts with depression. And these, more than ever before, are depressing times when, as the Holy Writ aptly puts it “men’s hearts are failing them”.

With insecurity at its worst levels and hard times biting even harder, it is not too difficult to understand why many are taking the suicidal route, especially in our country. And there are studies to show that majority of Nigerians are more worried about their economic conditions than at any period in history.

And confronted with this type of trepidation, some people believe they are better off dead.

Indeed, the harsh economic condition has led to all sort of mental health challenges among the populace that could result in suicidal instincts. Yet Nigerians must be encouraged to become more open as they grapple with their frustrations. Many suicide notes are filled with confessions that the victims had no one to talk to. Loneliness and the absence of support are the bedrock of suicide incidents.

We recommend that trauma centres manned by seasoned psychologists and psychiatrists be set up for counselling purposes.

This is where the role of community and faith-based organisations becomes handy. Where government fails to set up trauma centres, faithbased bodies should be active in providing care and counselling to single parents, out-of-job youths, drug addicts and rape victims, as this set forms the bulk of those with suicidal tendencies. Above all, nothing can replace individual admonition to self. In times like these, citizens must fall back on internal philosophy that emphasises hope above despair and purpose above emptiness. For, in the long run, the will to live or die is sometimes a personal decision.

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.

ISIS HAS MOVED ITS HEADQUARTERS TO W/AFRICA

I

am worried that jihadists that were dislodged in Syria and Iraq have moved their headquarters from Syria and settled down in West Africa. Out of 15 countries that formed ECOWAS, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Cameroun are under serious attack from the jihadists. West Africa is today the headquarters of ISIS. This is a major threat to peaceful coexistence in West Africa. Latest attack on Burkina Faso is a threat to Ghana, Benin, Togo and Ivory Coast. While states will continue to dominate the international political system, the rise of non-state actors will continue. Proliferation of communications technology and sophisticated weapons platforms has significantly increased the potential of non-state actors like ISIS to apply and direct violence.

National and trans-national terrorist groups and militias, most notably al-Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram have shown an impressive potential for strategic and operational innovations. In addition, nonstate actors and companies play a central role in the field of energy supply, operating at the fringes of state and non-state spheres.

I am worried that West Africa is today the epic centre of jihadist and terrorism in Africa. Not too long ago few suspected that Nigeria would become a land of jihad, and only several years ago Burkina Faso was off the jihadism radar. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin are currently considered to be relatively immune from jihadism, but it appears, on the contrary, that they are on the cusp of being on the receiving end of attacks because Burkina Faso shares borders with Ghana, Benin, Togo, Mali, Niger and Ivory Coast.

The explosion of militant groups that has plagued West Africa since 2015 is still unlikely in the rest of the region. Rather than

networks controlled by the jihadist groups fighting elsewhere, there is a web of members and ex-members, sympathizers that jihadist groups can call on. But there are worries that West Africans are underestimating the threat, while politicians are nervous talking about radical Islamists and conflicts in West Africa.

Now the threat is increasingly spilling over into nearby countries.

Terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Niger Republic, Mali, Chad, Cameroun, Ivory Coast in 2016 and have occurred in Burkina Faso repeatedly since then. Multiple suspected terrorists have been arrested recently in the West African nations of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal.

Since the terror attacks in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, it has been clear that no country is completely immune. Anywhere there are embassies, international organizations, multinationals — and especially Westerners — there are targets,” said Vincent Foucher, a research fellow at France’s National Center for Scientific Research who focuses on the Sahel.

Would-be terrorists also enjoy easy movement between West African countries. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), allows citizens of those countries to travel around the region without visas, and border areas are often poorly controlled. Governments, meanwhile, are often unable to track suspicious people as they move.

Founded in northern Nigeria in 2002, Boko Haram (full name: Jam ’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jih d - Group of the People of Sunnah for Preaching and Jihad) developed into a violent insurgency in 2009. Boko Haram also operates in northern Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. The insurgency has claimed at least 25,000

lives and forced more than 2.5 million people from their homes.

In 2015, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau pledged allegiance to the head of so-called Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

But a year later, IS named Abu Musab al-Barnawi - son of Boko Haram founder Mohamed Yusuf - as the leader of its “West Africa province”. Al-Barnawi has been critical of Shekau’s position, that only Boko Haram followers are true Muslims, thereby legitimising attacks on civilians. The split led to fighting between the two factions.

Burkina Faso-based umbrella group of jihadist fighters came to prominence in December 2016, when it claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base in northeastern Soum Province that killed 12 members of a counter-terrorism unit. Since then the group has been implicated in - or itself asserted responsibility for - dozens of attacks on civilians or state and military personnel. Ansarul Islam leader Ibrahim Dicko is said to have previously fought in the ranks of a jihadist group in neighbouring Mali, the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa. Despite its name, the group “is as much a social uprising as it is a religious movement,” according to a recent International Crisis Group report on Burkina Faso JNIM bills itself as the official branch of al-Qaeda in Mali. As such, it consolidates that group’s presence in the Sahel and puts Sahel players firmly on the global jihadist map. The spillover and expansion of jihadist activity from Mali into Burkina Faso and now from there toward the borders of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin is a trend worth monitoring.

Inwalomhe Donald wrote from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

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2008 – 2018

ABUJA

81%

A*–B

95%

A*–C

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

NEWSMAKER Understanding Emmanuel’s Roadmap to Industrialization Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that beyond scoring a resounding political point, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State’s courageous moves to encourage entrepreneurs and ensure prosperity through massive construction of economically viable roads has received warm applause

W

hile the basis for measuring the performance of one governor may be fluid and based on the peculiarities of his environment, as one governor may consider certain sectors to be more important, while another considers another set of priorities guided by his manifesto. However, it is pertinent to put on a scale the performance of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.

When Udom set out with his ‘Divine Mandate Five- Point Agenda’, the words ‘industrialization and job creation’ made concurrent appearance whenever or wherever he spoke. He has since kept faith with this promise.

Even in the area of infrastructure and road construction, building of roads with economic value are given priority.

It has been an aggressive drive to ensure the infrastructural development of the state from where the last administration stopped, especially sites for industries to further complement the governor ’s industrialization agenda.

The Udom administration has provided 17 roads in the capital city of Uyo, with others ongoing. The Governor has ensured that the dividends of democracy are evenly spread across the state. In Esit Eket, Eket, Urue Offong Oruko and Okobo local governments that never had good road projects, Udom Emmanuel has kept faith with his profound promise of political inclusion, ensuring that the dividends of democracy are delivered to people at all strata. Others in the same league of not experiencing government presence in decades include Ika, Ini, Ikono, Uruan, Obot Akara and Oruk Anam,. In all these areas, the Emmanuel has changed the narrative.

Bound by an irrevocable obligation to peoples in seemingly forgotten communities, Emmanuel has been loudly applauded, particularly for providing road infrastructure and also making critical interventions in other areas. The 4.6km School of Arts and Science Road in Nung Ukim Ikono has been completed with side drains and commissioned. The 14.1km Ikpe Ikot Nkon - Obot Mme - Arochukwu road in Ini local government area is almost completed. The gully erosion that threatened to completely destroy the major access road linking Ikono and Ini has been arrested by the Udom Emmanuel administration. The 19.3km Anua-Mbak Ishiet road in Uruan traversing seven villages including, Anua, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Mbak, Ikot Otoinye, Ekim Enen, Adadia, and Ishiet is progressing.

The 4.0km Mbiatok - Ekritam - Mbiaya Uruan road, criss crossing Ita Uruan, Ikpa and Mbiakong villages is steadily advancing. The 8.5km Nduetong - Oku Ibiaku Uruan - Ekritam road with spur to Ini Uruan, that passes through the Uyo City Polytechnic to Planet FM 101. 1 is

sterling examples of the silent revolution that the Emmanuel administration has introduced to the state. The company has employed One Thousand Two Hundred (1,200) direct workers and has the capacity to employ more than 5000 indirect workers when fully operational. Its subsidiary, St. Gabriel’s Coconut Plantation which spans through three council; namely Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo, where the nuts will be harvested for the refinery has a direct employee strength of 300, with room for more. Coconut has the potential of being processed into over 50 products majorly beverages and confectionery.

With the St. Gabriel’s Coconut Virgin Oil Refinery on stream, Akwa Ibom people are open to numerous opportunities.

In industrialization, Governor Emmanuel has capitalized on his international exposure to attract foreign investment to the State. The industries established so far are Jubilee Syringe, Meter Solution Manufacturing Company, Lion Plywood Limited, Kings flour Mill, St. Gabriel Coconut Refinery, Fertilizer Blending Plant , Tooth Pick and Pencil industries, Plastic factory, Rice Mill, Construction of 33 Cassava Micro-processing mills are all ongoing projects in the economic diversification agenda of the Governor.

Also of note is the resuscitation of Peacock Paint Industry and refurbishing of Cassava Processing factories located at Ikot Okudom, Eket Local Government Area; Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Area and Ikot Ekang in Abak LGA which was leased to private operators for the production of high quality ‘garri’, odourless ‘foofoo’ and cassava flour are examples of revived factories which were once in a comatose state.

One may wonder if roads and industries are all the governor builds, other areas of human interest have received adequate attention and intervention. In Akwa Ibom today, there is a hatchery that produces over 200,000 birds every month. There are green houses for cultivation of cash crops, amongst other feats in agriculture, health care and education.

Considering the importance of power to industries and the businesses, the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel has ensured that most places in Akwa Ibom state now enjoy over 20 hours of power, a power sub-station has also been installed at the Victor Attah Airport, at Four Lane in Uyo and Ekim in Mkpat Enin . The Emmanuel administration has also ensured the connection of over 400 communities to the national grid, improved the generation of Ibom Power Plant to 167 megawatts, while receiving license for additional 450 megawatts.

With these sterling basket of projects on showcase, the state is preparing for a future beyond her crude oil deposit, by ensuring that Akwa Ibom State is on the road to industrialization.

Emmanuel

ongoing.

The dual carriage 20km Ekom Iman Etinan road traversing Ikot Oku Ikono - Asuna, Ishiet Erong, Etinan Urban to the roundabout by Etinan Institute is taking shape by the day. The next stretch of 29.0km Etinan - Ndon Eyo road, also dualized, extending through Ekpene Ukpa, Efa, Mbioto, Ikot Oku Ekanem, Awa, Mkpok to Ndon Eyo is nearing completion, while the dualization of the 14.5km Uyo - Oron Road (Airport Road - Okopedi Oron - Oron Road by East West Road) cutting across Ekpene Ukim, Ikot Asua, Ikot Etieidung, Nung Atai Eta, and Okopedi Okobo in Nsit Atai and Okobo local government areas is in the offing.

The dualization of the 19.5km Eket-Ibeno road which opened up access from Marina Junction in Eket to Edebok, Esit Urua, Mkpanak and Ukpenekang villages has been commissioned by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The 6.4km Nto Edino - Ekwere Azu Road linking Mbiaso and Nto Edino villages to Ekwere Azu, a border community of Abia State has been commissioned. Two bridges to replace the collapsed bridge on the road are complete. Trade, commerce and social interactions between the two states is now in full steam. It is a fact that many indigenes of the neighbouring states, particularly Abia state prefer to approach their homes from Akwa Ibom due to the excellent roads on the Akwa Ibom side of their border.

The once forgotten Obot Akara local government area also boasts of another ongoing construction of 4.2km Abak IffiaIkpe Mbak Eyop - Ikot Abia Ossom-Nko and spur road linking to Ikot Ekpene. It is exciting to the people of Oruk Anam who are having her first ‘taste’ of road projects. Opening up these far flung local government areas, is the first step to attracting any form of social, economic or industrial developmen. The construction of 42. 195km Ikot Ekaide - Ikot Okoro Ikot Ibiritam - Ekeffe - Ikot Akpan Afaha Road sections 1&2, linking Oruk Anam to Ukanafun and the East West Road is on course. Another 28km Abak Nsekhe - Ikot Akpa Nkuk - Ikot Etim - Ikot Ikara joining up to Ikot Ibirita in Oruk Anam.

Contract for construction of the road has been awarded and work has begun, giving Oruk Anam a sense of inclusion and belonging in the Akwa Ibom project.

Road network is vital to development and industrialization, just as job opportunities is very vital to the economic well being of the people. Emmanuel considers this paramount in his five-point agenda, as evident in one of the viable industries established in Akwa Ibom State, the St. Gabriel’s Virgin Coconut Oil Refinery located in Mkpat Enin local government area. The refinery has the capacity to refine one million nuts in one day through three shifts. The good news is that coconut oil is, arguably, more viable than crude oil!

The St. Gabriel project is one of the

OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TRIBUNAL UPDATE

Video Evidence Confirm Violence

By Our Reporter The petitioners at the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja were given the opportunity to present a video evidence Tuesday which showed some of the activities it claimed proved how police men supported All Progressives Congress (APC) party agents in harassing and brutalising Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) followers, while effectively preventing them from voting in the September 27, 2018 Osun state governorship rerun.

Also, an assistant director of the National Human Rights Commission, Iheme Richmond in his testimony stated how he witnessed mayhem unleashed by policemen and APC agents on the voters and PDP members. In the documentary evidence which was admitted by the

tendered which the tribunal, he affirmed that he personally witnessed the atrocities perpetrated at Orolu council which he covered. Richmond stated that the reports of other colleagues from the remaining four polling units were not different as stated in their official report.

Equally, a staff member of the Situation Room, an umbrella organisation of civil society election observer groups

also testified that he witnessed violence and brazen malpractices that marred the Osun governorship rerun.

A cameraman with Channels Television was led in evidence. He also painted similar scenario of violence.

The tribunal adjourned sitting till tomorrow (today) when the petitioners’ prime witness, Dele Adeleke and other witnesses will take the stand.

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T H I S D AY ˾WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019

POLITICS

Political Parties Reveal Plans to Curb Corruption

Ogun APM Guber Candidate Promises 25,000 Jobs to Unemployed Youths in Two Years

Udora Orizu

Femi Ogbonnikan

With 2019 general election barely one month away, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) and African Action Congress (AAC) have revealed their plans to curb corruption in the country if they win at the polls.

Representatives of these parties explained their strategies at a debate organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), tagged the “Big Debate” with the theme, ‘Corruption and Accountability’.

Spokesperson for the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Kassim Afegbua while explaining ways the party will successfully wipe out corruption, said PDP will promote the culture of whistle-blowing and protecting witnesses.

According to him, “The global definition of corruption is monopoly plus discretion minus accountability. It’s the monopoly power of an individual that makes him abuse his discretionary power. What we will do as a government is to ensure that we deny the institutions and agencies fighting corruption of that monopoly, rather than have a Chairman taken from the Nigerian police as EFCC or ICPC chairman, we will have a board made up of distinguished Nigerians who have proven record of integrity and accountability, because the history and perception of the Nigerian police, is not one where you can find angels.”

He lamented that that the individuals making commentaries on corrupt persons are were also enmeshed in endemic corruption.

“As a government once you are able to deal with the issue of abuse of monopoly of power, you will now to ensure that there are special courts established to deal with corruption cases, and conclusively deal with incidences of prosecution and adjudication of corruption cases,” Afegbua said The representative of YPP, Olawale Martins, stated that the YPP strategy was centered around the use of ICT. In his words, “We intend to apply a systematic approach. It’s centered around the use of ICT to tackle the problem of corruption.

On the issue of budget padding and contract inflation, after an analysis we discovered that over 90 percent of the current corruption problem that we are having is as a result of this two sources and we will tackle this using external forensic auditing.

Explaining further, he said before budget goes to National Assembly, the party will make sure that its being watched and audited, to ensure that there’s no duplication.

“On the issue of contract inflation we are going to automate the system. The attitude of fighting corruption in this part of the world is like that of bow and arrow.

Automate the system, make sure that procurement is done electronically. This will reduce drastically the issue of corruption in this country. Official corruption is the main reason why we are where we are today and the only way to put an end to it is to be able to reduce the human effects and this we will able achieve within four years because we have stipulated our procedures on how things will be done.”

YPP Promises to Restore Dignity of Traditional Institutions Emmanuel Ugwu The Yong Progressives Party (YPP) has vowed to restore the lost glory of traditional institutions in Abia state, saying that custom and tradition should be preserved and respected.

The governorship candidate of the party, Joseph Ngozi Nkoro made the pledge when he visited the palace of Eze Israel Kanu to condole with the family over destruction done by troops during operation Python Dance.

Eze Kanu, who is the father of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and his wife Sally have been missing since the military invasion of the palace of Egwukwu II at Isiama Afaraukwu on September 14, 2017.

The YPP governorship hopeful said that the assault on the traditional institution was reprehensible and sacrilegious.

He said that it was regrettable that prominent political leaders in Abia state and the Southeast failed to speak against the desecration of traditional institutions with coercive instruments of federal authorities.

“When they (political elders) fail to speak against evil, we, the youths will not keep quiet,” he said, adding, “we’ve chosen to speak and act for the good of Abia people.”

Nkoro, whose entourage

Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon Adekunle Akinlade, has promised to create 25,000 jobs for unemployed youths and women in both rural and urban areas within two years in office.

Addressing party supporters during his ward-to-ward campaign tour of Ijebu North Local Government, the Ogun APM governorship candidate stated that he plans to alleviate poverty, by providing jobs for all, regardless of class

the potentials in home-based Ogun indigenes and residents, while forming his cabinet by appointing, especially, those in his campaign team into offices and assured that he would run a people-oriented government.

“We are going to create 25,000 jobs in our first two years in office. There may be the need to bring people from outside for a particular assignment. But that would be done if there is nobody in Ogun State who can do it.

This will be your government.

It will be a people-oriented government. Please vote for

me. I will not let you down,” he said.

However, traditional rulers in Ijebu North seized the occasion to throw their weight behind Akinlade’s quest to become the next governor of the state.

No fewer than eight monarchs in the local government, including the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adesina; the Alaporu of Ilaporu, Oba Jimoh Quadri; the 94-year-old Bejeroku of Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo; Oba Olaoye Abass; the Oba of Sopen, Oba Mufutau Yusuf and others were in attendance.

ANNOUNCING ABIA’S YEAR OF RESTORATION

The Alex Otti campaign train recently visited Ukwa East and Ukwa West, where the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate in Abia state declared 2019 as Abia’s ‘Year of Restoration’

ADC Set to Surprise Bigger Parties Nseobong Okon-Ekong

included his deputy, Prince Okpere Udo and the state chairman of the party, Uzo Nwoko, faulted the federal government’s sledge hammer response to the agitation of IPOB. According to him, there was no need to unleash the nation’s military on an unarmed group of youths who were only exercising their freedom of speech and association as guaranteed in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

The traditional Prime Minister if Isiama Afaraukwu, Chief Chimechefulam Odoemelam with other members of the Eze’s cabinet received the YPP delegation at the palace, He said that, “We lost many innocent souls” during the invasion of the palace by troops, adding that since then “we’ve not seen our Eze for almost two years and the authorities are not doing anything about it.”

Chief Odoemelam stated that freedom of speech, association and even self determination constitutes inalienable human rights and wondered why his community should be punished because a group of youths were exercising such right.

The YPP entourage was later conducted round the palace by Emmanuel Kanu, who showed them the level of destruction wrecked on the palace by troops, saying that dozens of people were killed.

or status.

According to him, there are plans under way to create Information Communication Technology (ICT) hubs, while providing direct employment through call centres and other employment opportunities he opted not to reveal.

The Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency lawmaker said his administration would empower chairmen of all the 20 local governments and the 37 local council development areas in the state; adding that, “Development would get to all and sundry.”

He promised to maximise

The National Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralphs Nwosu has expressed optimism that his party stands a good chance of springing a surprise in the forthcoming national elections.

He insisted that the ADC was the most credible alternative in contest.

He said, “We have 118 elected persons, including five Senators, 18 House of Representatives members, and over 95 state sssembly members across the country. We have strong presence across all the states of the federation. In Oyo State, we have 16 house of assembly members, out of a total of 32 legislators, more than

any other party, including the All Progressives Congress (APC). We have two of the Senators, and half of the House of Representatives members. We have more elected members in Oyo State at the moment. In the South West, we have elected members from Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Lagos states.

Across the different regions, we have elected members. Despite the fact that I am from the Southeast, that is the area we have our main challenge. We have only two elected members.”

Nwosu was also very happy with the performance of the party in the North-east and singled out Adamawa State for commendation. He said the ADC has posed a big threat to the Presidential candidate of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who is from Adamawa. He explained, “Senator Abdulazziz Nyako, a serving Senator from Adamawa State, is ADC’s gubernatorial candidate. He has done tremendously well. In recognition of this, he received the ADC Global Handshake Award recently. He has succeeded in building ADC Adamawa into one of the most organised and effective party platforms in the country. ADC in Adamawa has 375,000 registered members. These members pay their membership dues monthly. That qualified the state to recommend one of their leaders and mentor as Board of Trustees Chairman. The party leaders across the country accepted

their nominee, and the National Working Committee wasted no time in approving and ratifying His Excellency, Admiral Murtala Nyako as the party’s BOT Chair.”

Expressing confidence that his party will produce governors in many states, Nwosu noted that, “INEC records have shown that ADC fielded candidates for election across the different constituencies in Nigeria. For state elections, we have 100 per cent coverage, and for the federal elections, we have over 95 per cent. So are we doing well. I will allow Nigerians to be the judge. After the 2019 general elections are over, ADC will have many governors, and our position as a leading party will be consolidated.”

Endorsement from Groups Boost PT’s Presidential Candidate’s Ambition Nseobong Okon-Ekong Presidential candidate of the People’s Trust (PT), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has said that the series of institutional and regional endorsement from interest groups, political parties and civil society groups was big boost to his aspiration to win the presidential election.

He said, “I have a lot of goodwill in the civil society.

That is what a lot of the other contestants don’t have, except

Sowore (Presidential cnaidiate of the African Action CongressAAC), who was one of our juniors in those days, many years after I left the university as a student union leader. Not many of them have the type of reach and network that we have in the civil society in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. This is very critical. You are not looking at a candidate who is strictly depending on his party.”

Olawepo-Hashim described his quest to lead Nigeria as an

enduring struggle that will be sustained beyond the national elections. “It is a struggle to build a modern economy, expand the GDP of the country, have a new mindset about the possibility and opportunity that Nigeria presents to the world and to our own people, to unite Nigeria.

There is no candidate that can inspire comfort across ethnic lines like my candidature, right now.

It is what I have worked for throughout my younger years; building bridges as a student

union leader, as a business leader, playing in many organisations.

I have tentacles all over the country. There is virtually no state or local government, where I cannot call somebody and say, ‘help me’ because of what I have done in the past. It is not just because I am running for presidency. I have been an activist. I have also done a lot of philanthropy all over the country.

I have been a national officer of a ruling party. I have visited many states as a result of that.”

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES

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

Unveiling a New Security Architecture in Edo Edo State Government recently unveiled a new security architecture to tackle insecurity.

Adibe Emenyonu who was at the ceremony in Benin City, reports that the government also inaugurated the security trust fund and committed N2 billion as seed fund

T

he Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in Benin City, the state capital, recently unveiled the Edo State Security Architecture. The governor also launched the Edo State Security Trust Fund, with the state government committing N2 billion as seed fund. The new move according to THISDAY findings, is a new framework that will boost security in the state.

Components In the words of the governor, components of the state security architecture include: 50 special security cars fitted with modern communication and security gadgets, 30 Toyota Hilux patrol vans, 30 patrol motor bikes and three Tropicalised Armoured Personnel Carriers APC, three ambulances, Integrated Command and Control Centre and five special security check points, to be manned at all the entry and exit points in the state.

Others are Special Patrol Units (land and waterways); Integrated Electronic City Surveillance Unit, Establishment of a Special Force unit/anti-kidnapping squad, establishment of K-9 unit, establishment of paramedics unit, establishment of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme with 3000 trained and kitted workforce and a community police radio network.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the Obaseki explained that security is central to his administration's reform agenda. While thanking Chairman of the state Security Trust Fund, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for kick-starting the donation with N200 million, he called on all citizens of the state, as well as good spirited individuals to contribute to the trust fund.

While stressing that the new security architecture is a comprehensive programme, he said: "I thank the Edo State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for kick-starting and donating N200 million to the fund. I call on all Edo State citizens to contribute to the Security Trust Fund".

L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; representative of the Inspector General of Police, DIG Emmanuel Inyang; and Chairman, Edo State Security Trust Fund, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the launch of the Edo State Security Trust Fund and new security architecture in Benin City, Edo State

Recruitment It was also gathered that the new security programme will include young men and women drafted from each of the 192 wards in the state to be recruited and trained by the Nigeria Police to help in intelligence gathering and monitoring of government assets across the state with the believe that involving the community, enough information would be gathered on what is going on in the state.

According to the governor, "apart from the police, military, Department of State Security and other security agencies, we are recruiting 100 young men and women from each ward

Components of the state security architecture include: 50 special security cars ďŹ tted with modern communication and security gadgets, 30 Toyota Hilux patrol vans, 30 patrol motor bikes and three Tropicalised Armoured Personnel Carriers APC, three ambulances, Integrated Command and Control Centre and ďŹ ve special security check points, to be manned at all the entry and exit points in the state

Some of the operational vehicles unveiled at the launch of the Edo State Security Architecture and Security Trust Fund across Edo State. The first 1,000 of them have been recruited and trained by the Nigeria Police, as they will help in intelligence gathering, and monitoring of government assets across the state.

"We believe by involving the community, we would be able to obtain enough information as to what is going on in the state. The effectiveness of our new strategy is based on community participation".

Seal of Approval by Police Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Inyang, applauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government for embarking on the ambitious project and urged the private sector to support the fund to bolster policing across the state.

He said, "We are very happy to witness this wonderful gesture. I want to call on all other private and public enterprises to support this initiative so that what succeeded in Lagos will also succeed in Edo State. Gone are the days that people left policing for the police alone. I also want to thank the chairman of the trust fund for deeming it fit to come and assist the state.

"With the launch of this security architecture,

Edo people and residents will now sleep with their eyes closed. I am also aware that gunboats have been procured in addition to the vehicles and other equipment we are launching today.

"This means we will be able to cover activities on land and sea which will be augmented with aerial surveillance using the Police helicopter.

With all these efforts, Edo will become very safe for everyone. The security architecture will ginger security agencies to collaborate more, and where there is collaboration there will be coordination among us."

The then Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo commended the governor for the support he has extended to the police command, which he said has made the state safer for residents.

Replicating Success of Lagos Trust Fund Chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended governor Obaseki for his foresight and his commitment to building a strong and peaceful state with initiatives such as the Edo State Security Trust Fund and Edo State Security Architect.

He assured that he would join efforts with other Edo sons and daughters at home and in

the diaspora to replicate the success story of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, in Edo State.

The former Managing Director of Access Bank, donated N200 million naira to the Security Trust Fund, and explained that he was instrumental to the establishment and success of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

"I and the companies I represent donate the sum of N200 million to the fund. I call on citizens of Edo State to join hands with the Edo State government and all the security agencies to make the state safe and peaceful for all.

"This process is not for the government alone but also for the private sector, companies and individuals to join hands with the state government in pushing the agenda for a peaceful Edo State."

Highpoint of the ceremony was the the unveiling of the Security Architecture, codenamed by the representative of the Inspector General of Police, DIG Emmanuel Inyang; and announcement of the security codename: "WABAIZIGAN", meaning, 'Stop Criminality', by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Mr. Osarodion Ogie.

It is hoped that with the unveiling of this new security architecture and launch of security trust fund, residents of the state will begin to sleep with their eyes closed.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES

A Constituency Promise FulďŹ lled David-Chyddy Eleke writes that just 10 months in the senate, Senator Victor Umeh has lived up to expectations given his drive to empower the youths in his constituency in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone

D

uring his campaign in 2015, Senator Victor Umeh had promised among other things to use his position as a member of the National Assembly to empower youths of his constituency. In several places where he took his campaigns to, Umeh stated that as a legislator, he may not exactly have the resources to embark on project execution, but with quality representation, he would be able to attract from the federal government, its agencies and parastatals empowerment kits, which would engage the youths and keep them away from vices.

His hopes were dashed when after the elections, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife was announced as the winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone election. But in January 2018, Umeh got his chance when he won the rerun election overwhelmingly and was sworn in.

Within 10 months of settling down at the National Assembly, Umeh has provided serial empowerment for youths of the zone, ranging from trainings, scholarships and disbursement of tricycles and others.

Recently, the senator who is popularly called Ohamadike, unleashed his empowerment programmes on youths of his zone, which he insists are not campaign strategys, rather, his late arrival at the national assembly cost him the opportunity of receiving the empowerment materials at the same time with other lawmakers.

Senator Umeh (second left), fulďŹ lling his empowerment drive

Rendering Accounts During the empowerment and distribution of starter kits to 151 trainees at Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area headquarters in the state , which he attracted from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Umeh said his colleagues at the senate were amazed at the speed with which he blended with them.

"Some people have even forgotten that I am just 10 months old in the senate, but because of my experience and knowledge of legislative duties, I did not find it hard picking up. Some people may have argued that my representation was mostly for Ndigbo and not Anambra Central, my immediate constituency, but again that is not true.

"For example when I got to the senate, I found that there was opening for creation of a federal institution of learning in one senatorial zone each, and in my zone, we already had Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and in Anambra South too, there is Federal Polytechnic, Oko. I found out there was none in Anambra North. You see, when you go representing a people, anywhere you see they are not represented, you bring it to national consciousness.

"That was why I met Senator Stella Oduah because she represents that zone, and we cosponsored that bill, but I had to drive it from the first reading, through second reading and public hearing and all. Same thing happened when I found out that Igbos were not represented in the nation's security council, and that the South- east was not accommodated in the rail line. That is what we call representation."

CBN Partnership On the empowerment scheme he said 151 persons were trained by him and empowered with N4million, adding that, "Beyond these, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will empower them with N1million to N10million loan, which they can accessed as far as you are one of these ones that have been trained by NDE. The CBN will provide them with the equipment for the business. Assuming they were trained in block making, the CBN will provide the block making machine ,which can cost between N1million to N10million, and they keep back the receipt, and once you complete payment, you can now pick up the receipt and it becomes yours. This is what we have attracted for our people."

Some of the 35 tricycles for beneďŹ ciaries

Scholarships for Indigents Umeh also at a different events awarded scholarships to 70 indigent undergraduates in his constituency- 10 each from the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial zone.

He said, "I made the promise within a

I promised to offer honest, representation, and that is what we are doing today. We will train these people from their ďŹ rst year to their graduation... I don't believe in propaganda and we want to give honest, bold, courageous and ďŹ rm representation to our people. I have 40 project inserted in the budget of 2019, and by the time the projects would be executed, the impact would be felt everywhere

week of my swearing in, during a radio programme. I did not make the promise so they will vote for me, but after I had won and was sworn in. We choose 10 persons from each of the local government areas that make up my senatorial zone and our target is to give scholarships to people who cannot afford it and not to people whose parents can afford to give their children the education they need.

"I promised to offer honest, representation, and that is what we are doing today.

We will train these people from their first year to their graduation. Beyond that we have been doing this since 11 years now. I don't believe in propaganda and we want to give honest, bold, courageous and firm representation to our people. I have 40 project inserted in the budget of 2019, and by the time the projects would be executed, the impact would be felt everywhere."

Transportation Drive One of the many empowerment schemes carried out by Umeh was by empowering his people with transport business. During the disbursement of 34 tricycles attracted by him to youths of the area, Umeh said he had to move immediately he learnt of the empowerment which has already been received by other lawmakers, but was surprised that officials wanted to bribe him with money to forfeit the empowerment materials, insisting that it was usually the

custom among lawmakers.

"I simply told him that; I am Victor Umeh, and that I was here to offer quality, courageous and transparent representation to my people, and that I would take the 35 tricycles. He tried to discourage me by saying that I still needed to move them to Anambra and other inconveniences involved, but I insisted on taking them. These are the tricycles we are distributing here today," Umeh said.

Commendations Speaking on the kind of representation Umeh was giving to the people of the zone, the Transition Committee Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Area, Ikeobi Ejiofor said, "Umeh has simply surprised the people of this zone, but we are not surprised because we know his antecedents. Besides these 70 people you see here that he has given scholarship, he also has 249 persons he is training in various institutions of learning.

His works are speaking for him, and am sure what he has given in just 10months, Anambra Central people will like to taste it for full four years."

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Agulu community, Igwe Innocent Obodoakor said, "We have been having senators in this zone, but this one is different. Umeh has simply shown that he is different and has the good of the people at heart. His representation is simply different, and I know that Anambra Central people are taking note of all these."

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ 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×

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson and General Manager, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abiodun Dabiri during the Governor’s inspection of the Oyingbo Bus Terminal,Lagos...recently

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence and a Senior Reporter with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State and one of the recipients of ‘Most eďŹƒcient civil servants’ award, Miss Dupe Fehintola during the interfaith service organised by the state government to usher in the New Year, at the Governor’s OďŹƒce, Ibadan...recently

R-L: Winner, Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA), Reporter of the Year Award, Television Category, and sta of Lagos Television, Seyifunmi Olaide; presenting his award to Lagos State Commissioner for Information and strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan and the General Manager, Lagos Television, Mrs. Siju Alabi in Lagos‌recently

L–R: Acting Head, Listing Business Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tony Ibeziako; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, NSE, Oscar N. Onyema, OON, and Executive Director, Regulation, NSE, Tinuade Awe, during the NSE 2018 Market Recap and Outlook for 2019 in Lagos..recently

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, South-East South-South Professionals, Mr Emeka Ugwu-Oju; HRH Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje of Umunya and Miss Obianuju Ugwu-Oju, during 21st Ofala Festival held in Umunya, Anambra State ...recently

L-R;Chairman APC Lagos State ,Hon Tunde Balogun, ;Representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,Lagos State Governor,Mr Akinwunmi Ambode,APC Lagos State Governorship Candidate,Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu and his Deputy Governor,Dr Obafemi Hamzat,during OďŹƒcal Flag o of the APC Lagos State Gubernatorial Election Campaign,at Sky Power Grounds Ikeja...recently

Buses kept in Awoyaya, Lekki for the Lagos Bus Reform Project, by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode being inspected in Lagos...recently

Former Governor of Ondo State and Zenith Labour Party candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial district, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right),addressing supporters during a meeting, in Idanre, Ondo State...recently

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BUSINESSWORLD

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

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Quick Takes SON Gets International Accreditation

COURTESYVISIT

L-R: Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council, Mr. Debo Fagbami; Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria(PETAN), Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor and Council Member, Mrs. Patricia Simon-Hart, during the visit of the council members to PETAN in Port Harcourt, Rivers State... recently

Corporate Bond Issuance Declines as FG Dominates Market Goddy Egene The continued dominance of the bond market by the federal government is crowding out corporates as only N31.47 billion was raised by companies in 2018, compared with N1.16 trillion by the government.

Since the 2008 and 2009 market crash that impacted negatively on domestic investors, the primary equities market has remained dormant. Most companies have been raising fresh capital through bond issuance, with few of them opting for rights issues.

However, the bonds raised by corporate have reduced following FG’s funds raising activities.

The Chief Executive Officer

INVESTMENT of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema on Monday disclosed that in fixed income market in 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) dominated by raising N1.16 trillion in a bid to finance fiscal and infrastructure deficits. “State governments raised N125.59 billion in new debt capital, while corporates raised a total of N31.47 billion,� he said.

Market operators and analysts had in the past complained that the federal government was crowding out corporates by accessing the market for funds offering relatively higher coupon.

But the Debt Management Office(DMO) had defended government’s borrowing activities, saying rather than crowding out corporates, government was creating a market that will become accessible to corporates for capital raising.

But some market operators said the dominance of bonds market by the federal government may have led to increased in issuance of commercial papers (CPs) by corporates.

Dangote Cement Plc joined the companies that accessed the CPs market last year raising N100 billion under its N150 billion CP programme.

Speaking on the CP programme, the Managing Director

of DCP, Mr. Joseph Makoju said the CP issued under the programme was deployed towards capital expenditure, working capital and general corporate purpose. “The corporates’ preference for CPs is partly due to the dominance of the bond market by the government that raised funds at higher interest rate.

Investors consider FGN bonds first before looking at those issued by companies. Hence, many of the companies resorted to CPs issuance, which is relatively cheaper to raise,� an operator said.

Also,

the

unprecedented

Continued on page 24

Analysts Foresee Intensified Excess Liquidity Mop Up Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to be more aggressive in mopping up excess liquidity in the money market in order to manage exchange rate pressure in 2019, analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited have predicted.

The firm stated this in a report on its 2019 macroeconomic outlook obtained by THISDAY. It also anticipated that the federal government would borrow at the long end of the fixed income securities curve to finance its budget deficit.

This is expected to result in an upward shift of the entire yield curve.

Owing to this, the firm recommended that domestic investors be active in the short-end of the market and their keep their

ECONOMY exposure in treasury bills, while looking to add foreign currency exposure or add assets that have a natural hedge. “Nigeria is no longer included in key global local currency bond market indices, thus there are no forced buyers of naira denominated government debt.

To the opportunistic fixed income International investor, we believe that 2019 will offer similar rewards as 2018. “Although the risk adjusted returns (taking into account FX volatility) may be difficult to match since the naira remained relatively stable in 2018, the fundamentals of the carry trade are unlikely to disappear, in our view. “The simplest option for

benchmarked investors is to have a market-weight allocation.

A decision to go overweight will depend on relative value considerations with other emerging market countries. “At the moment with the impending election, global economic uncertainty and political ‘noise’ (in Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sudan) coming out of Africa, we would recommend a market- weight allocation in foreign currency,� it stated.

However, for investors in Nigerian Eurobonds, it recommended that they look to move “overweight if Nigerian Eurobonds witness a sell-off as Nigeria’s track record of honouring its external debt obligations is good.�

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN maintained a tight stance through 2018.

This was in tandem with further tightening of financial conditions in the United States by the US Federal Reserve Bank.

Committee members felt the need to maintain the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors in a bid to sustain the inflow of foreign exchange.

Hence, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) was left unchanged at 14 per cent. Inflationary pressures also eased more aggressively in the first half of the year on lower food price pressures.

Inflation however remained sticky at 11 per cent in the second half of 2018 as food price pressures intensified. “Slowing inflation had a beneficial impact on Nigeria’s real interest rate as it turned positive with the slowing in inflation. As Continued on page 24

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has attained international accreditation for its Management Systems CertiďŹ cation (MSC) services to ISO/IEC 17021. It is a requirement for bodies providing audit and certiďŹ cation of management systems.

This brings the organisation at par with its counterparts in Europe, America, Asia and some African countries. A statement from the oďŹƒce of the Director General, Osita Aboloma , disclosed that the accreditationconferredbytheNationalAccreditationBoard(NABCB) of India is a conformity assessment program that validates the SON-MSC, conďŹ rms its competence, integrity and impartiality as a service provider, as well as confer global recognition on its services.

The NABCB according to the statement has been oering accreditation services for conformity assessment bodies (CABs) for over a decade, based on the principles of impartiality, conďŹ dentiality, independence, transparency and credibility as well as objectivity. The scope of the accreditation, which is renewable periodically, covers ISO Quality Management System (QMS); Environmental Management System (EMS); Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) Standards certiďŹ cation services.

The SON-MSC, the statement continues, undertakes third party certiďŹ cation services to organisations in the public and private sectors that have established, implemented and maintained a management system that conforms to the requirements of the applicable international standard. It ensures that the personnel performing work related to the certiďŹ cation including auditors and teams, for making certiďŹ cation decisions are competent and experienced.

Algeria Eyes Exxon Deal

Algeria will conclude its deal with Exxon Mobil Corp and set up a trade joint venture with an international company before the ďŹ rst half of 2019, Sonatrach’s CEO said on Monday. “We are very optimistic and things are moving in the right direction so we will conclude with Exxon and have our trade JV,â€? Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, was quoted by Reuters to have told reporters. He gave no further details. Sonatrach has previously said it wanted a shale gas cooperation with the U.S. major. The state energy ďŹ rm had also said before it was in talks with 14 international companies over a joint venture to trade oil and gas products after agreeing to buy its ďŹ rst overseas reďŹ nery.

Facebook to invest $300m

Facebook Incorporated will invest $300 million over three years in local news globally as it faces blistering criticism over its role in the erosion of the news business worldwide. The investment in time and money is a signiďŹ cant expansion of a plan to help newsrooms in the U.S. and abroad create and sustain viable business models to survive, the company said on Tuesday. Unlike earlier investments in the news business, this latest round is distinguished by how it is not tied to Facebook-related products, recipients of the investments say.

According to Reuters, earlier rounds of investments in the news businessweredesignedtoencouragepublisherstorelyondelivering its products over Facebook, which eventually hurt many news organizations when Facebook’s strategies shifted. “We’re going to continue ďŹ ghting fake news, misinformation, and low quality news on Facebook,â€? Campbell Brown, Facebook’s vice president of Global News Partnerships said in a statement. “But we also have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to help local news organisations grow and thrive.â€? Critics have slammed Facebook for its role in providing a platform for hate speech, misinformation and political meddling. The ďŹ rst round of investments in the U.S. will help bolster resources for local reporting, help research how to use technology to improve news gathering and create new products, recruit “trainee community journalistsâ€? and place them in local newsrooms and also help fund a program modeled after the Peace Corp, which will place 1,000 journalists in local newsrooms over ďŹ ve years.

“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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CORPORATE BOND ISSUANCE DECLINES AS FG DOMINATES MARKET transparency, governance and integrity brought by FMDA OTC Securities Exchange to the CP market have encouraged corporates to patronise the market.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Mr. Bola Onadele.Koko had said the benefits of transparency and governance offered by FMDQ around its CP quotation process and post issuance of the CPs cannot be over-emphasised as they directly impact, not just the issuers, but investors and the market regulators,� he said.

Some of the firms that have patronised the CPs market are: Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Dangote Cement Plc. ANALYSTS FORESEE INTENSIFIED EXCESS LIQUIDITY MOP UP at November 2018, Nigeria’s real interest rate stood at 2.44 per cent, from -1.19 per cent recorded at the end of 2017 and was higher than a real interest rate of 0.05 per cent recorded in the US. “In the year ahead, we are of the opinion that the risks to monetary policy and inflation are skewed to the upside. With the US Fed poised to raise their benchmark interest rate at least twice in 2019, we anticipate foreign capital outflows could intensify. “In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the 2019 elections could deter further foreign investment as foreign investors take cover in higheryielding, less risky investment securities in the US. “On the back of this, the MPC might be compelled to raise the MPR in a bid to stem the outflow of foreign capital,� the report added.

The firm envisaged a steep increase in inflation to a range of between 15-20 per cent at year-end 2019, even though it expected inflation to remain at current levels till after elections.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Syntaxis Africa, Afrinvest Launch N12bn Private Equity Fund for SMEs James Emejo in Abuja Syntaxis Capital Africa has partnered with Afrinvest Asset Management Limited to launch a N12 billion private equity fund, designed to meet the funding needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country including selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The growth fund would cover a variety of sectors including manufacturing, agri-processing, healthcare, education and non-banking financial services.

The launch in Abuja recently, was witnessed by key capital market stakeholders including the acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mary Uduk.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Group Managing Director of Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, stressed that the focus of the fund was on deepening and widening financing alternatives for SMEs by providing patient capital.

He said the fund provides a viable option for SMEs looking for sustainable growth capital.

Also, Partner and Managing Director, Syntaxis Capital Africa, Adesuwa Okunbo while delivering the keynote address said: “We see the fund as a vehicle for rapid economic growth and development in the countries we invest in.

By providing not only access to patient growth capital to SMEs, but also combining

that with capacity building and operational expertise, we are giving businesses the ability to scale their activities, which will in turn will increase productivity, create new jobs and generate taxes for the government.�

She added: “In addition, being one of the few private equity funds led by a Nigerian woman, the fund has a unique focus on investing with a gender lens strategy, using our capital to influence and enhance gender equality throughout our portfolio companies, improving the ratio of women in the workforce, board and value

chain, which we believe will enhance financial returns for our companies and thus investors, whilst improving the society and economy simultaneously.�

Furthermore, the Managing Director, Afrinvest Asset Management, Ola Belgore, explained that the fund had been constructed as a portfolio of cash-generative African private equity investments diversified by sector and geography.

He said qualified investors can expect high level of contractual income combined with significant minority equity

stakes, superior risk adjusted returns, strong equity upside, and capital preservation.

Syntaxis Capital Africa, which is the sponsor of the fund, has team members with a 30-year track record of successfully managing private equity funds with experienced local teams, having raised up to US$300 million from global institutional investors and deploying successful private equity funds in other emerging markets.

Similarly, frinvest, which is the fund manager, is licenced by SEC as a portfolio manager with several listed funds including

the Nigeria International Debt Fund as well as the Afrinvest Equity Fund.

According to the World Bank, SMEs contribute up to 60 per cent of employment opportunities and up to 40 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet access to funding remained a critical drag on the performance of many of these businesses.

According to Afrivest, “without access to patient funding, many of these businesses will struggle to stay afloat�, thus the need to bridge financing gap for SMEs in the country.

WOOING INVESTORS

L-R: Executive Director, Cargo & Operations, Skyway Aviation Handling Limited , Mrs Boma Ukwunna; Acting Managing Director, Adigun Olaniyi and Company Secretary, Omolara Bello; during a roadshow on Skyway initial public offering closing date extension held in Lagos‌ recently kunle ogunfuyi

Group to Revive Sokoto Leather Industry Chineme Okafor in Abuja Sokoto Investment Company Limited (SICL) - a publiclyowned investment facilitator in Sokoto State, has partnered with Pan African Leather to revitalise the traditional leather industry in the north-west region with the creation of a leather tannery and a shoe-making factory in Sokoto over the coming two years.

The project, according to a statement by the promoters, would be coordinated by Pan African Enterprises (PAE) – a London-based a social partnership platform that seeks to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s economy and industry, as well as building capacities of states and societies.

According to the statement, the plan of the international start-up was to build a worldclass leather value chain in

the north-west, starting from tannery to marketing high-class artisanal products.

It explained that the chairman of SICL, Tukur Umar, and its Managing Director, Muhammadu Dasuki, would officially open the Pan African Leather project in London this week, to which their organisation had contributed an initial round of seed funding. “Nothing is more important in Nigeria than creating jobs and addressing youth unemployment,� Umar, was quoted to have said ahead of the launch.

He added: “Our commitment to enhancing livelihoods and creating sustainable, skilled employment is crystal clear from the state’s financial input to this endeavour.�

Similarly, Dasuki, explained that the project would leverage Sokoto’s reported tradition of leather processing.

“We’ve built the right partnerships to help deliver this vision, which is based on Sokoto’s long tradition of leather processing and leather goods manufacturing,� said Dasuki.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of PAE, Dawn Spetale, was said to have assembled an international team of experts, including retired diplomats, investment advisers and business figures, to help direct the project towards its goal of creating an integrated leather cluster in Sokoto, which can compete internationally in terms of quality, cost and environmental protection.

It added that in line with its commitment to social responsibility, PAE would is also working with partners including the British-Nigeria Educational Trust, which provides financial support for education throughout Nigeria.

“Sokoto is taking the lead in building this cluster for the future of its economy, and PAE is providing support by plugging Sokoto into global networks of financial support, knowledge and marketing. “Sokoto has the most precious resource of all to drive this project forward - the people living there, who need viable, long-term employment opportunities in the export sector,� said Spetale.

She further stated: “We want the long-term impact of this project to be profound, by helping to address the unemployment, underemployment and insufficient opportunities for young people. “PAE will be boosting Sokoto’s efforts on the ground by feeding expertise into all stages of the project, and in particular by ensuring a stream of financial support.�

The statement noted that one of the experts on the advisory team of the project is former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney, who highlighted the role of the international development community in supporting Pan African Leather.

Gozney, said in this regards: “Nigeria’s economic scope is enormous, and with the right inputs the country can address the challenges it faces.�

According to him: “Building sustainable businesses in places like Sokoto will contribute to job creation, poverty reduction and greater security. The support of the international community in helping to finance such projects and enable them with expertise and insight is essential, and Pan African Leather should serve as an example of what can be achieved.�

develop innovative solutions to enable our customers thrive in the marketplace. NOVA’s ’s strategies rely heavily on the unique talents each staff brings to the table. We do not take this for granted.�

The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Phillips Oduoza while congratulating the newly promoted staff expressed the board’s satisfaction and complete confidence in the staff and

management and pledged to continue to support them as they strive to achieve their corporate goals and objectives while realising their personal aspirations.

NOVA is a newly licenced merchant bank focused on providing wholesale and investment banking services.

It commenced business in 2017 and has continued to boldly execute its roll out strategies.

Capital Market Editor

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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) 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

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

NOVA Merchant Bank Promotes Staff NOVA Merchant Bank has promoted about a third of its staff. The bank said those who were affected, had demonstrated exceptional performance in their responsibilities.

It explained that the move was in fulfilment of its commitment to be the best place to work and its policy of rewarding deserving staff members, The promotions came amidst the growth in the bank’s busi-

ness as it continues to scale up its operations. In 2018, despite the tough economic and operating climate, NOVA in its first full financial year of operations, was able to deploy a state of the art and fully digital core banking application and recorded impressive strides in customer acquisition as well as the roll out of some bespoke and innovative products. Speaking on the recent promotions, the

Managing Director/CEO of the Bank, Mr Anya Duroha, while commending the staff for their hard work, was quoted in a statement to have said: “The Board and Management remain committed to developing and rewarding the talent of its youthful workforce. “The bank will continue to leverage the innovativeness and dynamism of its young personnel to

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FG Lauds Chinese Govt, Startimes as 1,000 Rural Communities Access SatelliteTV James Emejo in Abuja The federal government has commended both the Chinese government as well as Startimes for ensuring that more Nigerian villages have access to digital television services.

The Chinese government had initiated the 10,000 African Villages Project to provide digital TV access to rural communities across Africa.

The scheme will ensure that no fewer than 1,000 villages in Nigeria benefit from the project, an initiative which could help the country meet the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)’s demand for African countries to achieve digital migration of TV industry before 2020.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Kpaduma village, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the project would undoubtedly strengthen the cordial China-Nigeria relations and complement ongoing efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to democratise access to information and entertainment in the country.

According to him: “The project would be an eye-opener to the villagers, many of whom prior to now have not had access to satellite TV or an opportunity to see the world beyond.�

He said the 1,000 villages project could not have come at a better time as “In just a little over one month, Nigerians will

be voting in the 2019 general elections.

They need access to information now, more than at any other time, to know about the over 70 political parties that will be participating in the elections as well as about their various candidates.�

The minister, therefore, urged the implementing agency of the project-StarTimes- to expedite the installation of the satellite TV systems in the selected villages ahead of the elections. “This will no doubt go a long way in making it easier for Nigerians to make the right choice of candidates to vote for during the elections. In addition, access to information will no doubt have a positive effect on the lives of people in our rural communities. After all, it is said that information is power,� he noted. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, also expressed China’s willingness to continue to bring projects that will better the lot of Nigerians and Africans at large, assuring that the friendship between China and Nigeria will be preserved through infrastructural projects that will uplift the people of the local communities who need it the most. Also speaking at the occasion, Chief Executive, StarTimes Nigeria, Justin Zhang noted explained that the comp was contracted by the Chinese government to deliver on the project across the continent, adding that no fewer than 1,000 villages in Nigeria will benefit

from the project.

He said:“We have entered an advanced stage in the installation of satellite TV access to 1,000 Villages in Nigeria. The villages identified for this project will receive two solar power projector TVs for the community, digital TV sets, 20 Satellite dish and decoders where they can watch more than 100 international and local channels all free of charge, just as we have done in Kpaduma village. “Some of the work we have done in the villages include installation of two solar power projector TVs for the community, one 32’ digital TV set with solar system, 20 Satellite dish and decoders where they can watch more than 100 international and local channels.

The two solar powered projector TVs and 32’ digital TV are for public use and free of charge.�

He also said jobs have been created in the course of the project implementation while many Nigerians from various villages have been trained on how to recharge, operate and provide the required maintenance support for all the products installed-and planned to make some of them dealers going forward.

Zhang said:�Today, with more than four million subscribers nationwide and more than 10 million users of our StarTimes on mobile App, StarTimes can be watched in every Nigerian city including the North East.

We believe everyone has the right to access information at very affordable rates.�

Firms Seal Deal on $3m Smelting Plant Jonathan Eze Two firms - D Four Metals and Plastona Limited, have entered into a joint venture agreement to establish an ultra-modern $3 million smelting plant and a refinery in Jos, Plateau State for producing exportable products.

According to the firms, the move by both organisations came on the heels of the present administration’s policy of adding value to products and services before they are being exported to the world.

The Chief Executive Officer, Plastona Limited, Mr. E. Collins, in a statement, disclosed that the plant expected to commence operations in the 3rd quarter of 2019, would have the capacity to produce 11,000 tonnes of lead ingots annually, a metal material required for further processing in steel production.

He added that setting up the

facility would create job opportunities, while also generating foreign exchange via exports of its finished products.

He said Plastona with offices in London, would deploy the latest use of blast furnace technology, saying that most of the equipment will be brought in from China where the company’s technical partners are based. He pointed out that when completed and fully operational, the facility would help Nigeria save hard-earned foreign exchange she spends on importing raw materials the country has competitive and comparative advantage of producing. The Chief Executive Officer, D four Metals Mr Olusegun Oyalana, noted that the total investment over the 12 months will be around $3m, stressing that the plant is expected to break even within 18months after construction.

“The project is in line with the federal government’s policy of adding value to minerals before export thereby reducing capital flight. The output of the plant will be sold to international companies registered on the London metal exchange.�

He also stated that the raw materials will be sourced from various local mines in Plateau, Gombe and Bauchi States.

He stated the need for Nigeria to develop her natural resources, stressing that this was the surest way to drive economic growth while also diversifying the nation’s economy from hydrocarbon resources to other sectors.

He noted that Nigeria has no business being poor considering her huge natural endowments, calling on the managers of the economy to develop friendly policies to attract both local and foreign investments into the nation’s solid minerals sector.

Students Win Financial Mute Court Competition Oluchi Chibuzor Students of University of Ibadan have emerged winners in a competition organised to improve technical competence of participants in legal studies.

The competition was a corporate social responsibility initiative.

The Global Chairman, Tokunbo Orimobi LP, the organiser of the competition, Michael Orimobi, disclosed this at the maiden edition of the competition in Lagos recently. According to him, as an international legal firm the organisation is committed to mentoring students in transactional

laws.

Orimobi said due to the nonfinancial nature of the activities a lot of student find it difficult to participate, as it demand more research and energy sapping to engage in, while coping with other academic requirements.

The winners were rewarded with N100,000 each. He added that people who engage such exercise should be rewarded, rather than giving the faculty the money, which discourages students to participate in the mute court competitions.

He further added, that as part of the process to encourage students,

they had offered the overall best oral student job placement in the company, whenever he finishes his law studies. According to him, “Despite the Academic staff Union of University (ASUU) strike, which affected the turnout for the participation, with the students giving their best and we believe the next event will attract more universities. “We are using this to give back to the students because I do participate in mute courts in my days in school, but I realised there is no financial benefit and it ends up affecting your Grade Points Aggregates (GPA)..

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

We Are Being Robbed!

I recently visited Israel a country of about 8.7 million people and was amazed at the level of development in the country. Many of us know the story of Israel, that it was formed after the Second World War, how the desert was turned into an oasis and so much more.

The level of development is incredible in view of the fact that the country is devoid of natural resources. I wept for Nigeria my country when I toured Israel.

Leadership and vision is at the forefront of these remarkable achievements. I then remembered Vision 2020, which comes up next year, which was to place Nigeria amongst the 20 largest economies in the world, to be able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena. The objective was to review the economic and market oriented business reforms in order to diversify the revenue sources of the economy towards achieving the nation’s vision 2020.

Ifueko Omoigui, Richard Kramer and the Vision 2020 team spent so much time and passion developing the policies, which should have kicked off and been implemented. Next year will be Vision 2020’s anniversary and not much to show for such passion, workshops, policy documentations, etc.

In addition to the policies from Vision 2020, every year the Nigeria Economic Summit Group meets and delivers a well-articulated and attended conference, with the President and in the least, the Vice President attending. Great policies, vigorously debated and documented are agreed to by industry captains, politicians, activists, NGOs, and notable people in business and the society at large. Every year for several years now, this takes place in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory, but, very little to show for it, still.

After each great conference, the agreements are not well decimated and many of the policies do not get implemented.

Why does this happen to us, year in year out? Nothing gets done! What can we do as a nation? Below are some of the achievements of Israel from AIPAC that we should learn from.

Technology Advances Key Agricultural Techniques Israel is 60 percent desert, its farmers and agricultural scientists have long focused on expanding both the yield and quality of crops, as well as making agriculture more efficient overall.

Drip irrigation has become popular with fruit and vegetable growers in dry weather areas, from Southern California to the Middle East.

The world’s first surface drip irrigation system was developed in the 1960s at Kibbutz Hatzerim near Beersheba. Similarly, Israeli scientists have developed genetically modified, disease-resistant bananas, peppers and other crops that are expanding the world’s food supply and helping to keep prices down at grocery stores around the globe.

In Nigeria, we focus on seasonal supply, do not take many of our agricultural produce seriously, despite the fertility and yield potential of our land and the fact that many economies globally, in developed and developing economies are sustained by agriculture. Though our government has started to enact policies to drive agriculture, it is just not enough. More needs to be done.

Israel exports bananas, palm nuts, etc that they do not have the natural terrain nor ability to produce, but they have been able to do these, with strong leadership and focus.

Doctors Have Developed Life-Saving Treatments and Drugs Throughout Israel’s history, Israeli doctors, scientists and researchers have produced countless medical advances. Whether achieved through independent research or joint projects with the United States, the medical discoveries made by the Jewish state are improving the lives of millions around the globe. Why can we not do this as a nation, in Nigeria? Our doctors are highly skilled and are performing feats in other countries. Droves are leaving the country

because of poor service conditions. Many parents no longer want to have their children becoming doctors because of the poor pay and conditions in Nigeria. Why can this not be us, again poor leadership and focus?

High-Tech Developments Are Used Around the World Israel’s high-tech civil innovations have left an important mark on homes, offices and businesses around the world.

Many offices now have computerized phones that plug into the Internet, taking advantage of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. VocalTec Communications of Herzliya, Israel, developed the first practical Internet phone software. Similarly, those who enjoy chatting with friends over the Internet might be interested to know that this online phenomenon originated in Israel. Although the technology now belongs to AOL, Israel’s Mirabilis developed the first popular Internet chat program, ICQ. Every day, millions of people watch online streaming video for entertainment or educational purposes. Metacafe, the world’s third-most-popular video sharing website, was founded in Israel.

Likewise, tech-savvy Americans over age 30 remember the original IBM Personal Computer of the early 1980s. What they may not know is that its brain, the Intel 8088 processor, was developed by Intel’s Israel division. More recently, the Pentium M series of processors for laptop computers using the Intel Centrino platform, as well as some of Intel’s latest processors (Yonah, Merom, Woodcrest), were also designed by Intel Israel. In addition, Amazon.com’s Kindle e-reader owes much of its success to technology developed in Israel.

Solar Power to a Cleaner World In an era of booming populations, shrinking resources and environmental degradation, Israel leads the world in such critical fields as solar power generation and seawater desalination. As nations struggle to make the best use of their resources, Israel’s cutting edge technologies promise to improve the health and living standards of hundreds of millions across the globe, while making industry more efficient and minimizing the environmental impact of human activities.

Through investments in basic science and industrial R&D, and the launching of pilot programs and full scale-ups for promising technology, Israel is taking the lead in confronting one of the most pressing security issues of our time. A country of under 8 million people, Israel alone cannot end gasoline’s global monopoly nor end the West’s dependence on hostile petro-regimes. But together with international partners, Israel can serve as a generator of intellectual property and a test-bed for innovative solutions, challenging the economic and security vulnerability that the United States and Israel both face through gasoline dependence.

Israel has also set a national goal consistent with the Copenhagen Accord to increase its share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 10 percent by 2020. In the same period of time, Israel plans to reduce its electricity consumption by 20 percent.

Though some people will say that Israel has huge support from the US and the aid they get is akin to what they give to the whole of Africa, I still believe the revenue we have earned from crude oil, the richness of our land, the seas, the diversity of our forests, the intelligence, strength and capacity of our people far outweighs the benefits received by Israel when compared to their physical environment. What has made them successful, is leadership and the will to succeed which we lack.

We are being robbed!

Marie-Therese Phido is Sales & Market Strategist and Business Coach Email: mphido@elevato.com.ng tweeter handle @osat2012 TeL: 08090158156 (text only)

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Oyetunji: There is Need for Mergers to Create Bigger Insurance Firms The Group Managing Director/CEO, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Dr. Femi Oyetunji, spoke to journalists on the company’s capital restructuring exercise, the insurance industry and other issues. Goddy Egene presents the excerpts: Can you tell us about the recapitalisation process of Continental Reinsurance Plc? We started some 30 years ago as a local Nigerian company. In 2006, we were able to recapitalise by injecting capital from a private equity called Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) from Washington, USA. Thankfully, 2006/2007 saw the transformation of Continental Re in terms of governance and process thanks to the ECP. I joined the company in 2011 and what I saw then was that we were a multinational company although we were seeing ourselves as a Nigerian local company. However, we took a decision that there was need to close the gap in capital market across the continent and we felt strongly that Continental Re should fill that gap to create a strategy because we have a vision to be a premier insurance company.

At the time I joined in 2011, we had a branch office in Duala, Cameroun, which we started in 2003, and a branch of in Nairobi, Kenya, which was started in 2008. However, new things evolved in terms of regulations, practices, etc, while you also need to have good capital. For us, looking at the way regulations were going, we needed to be local in different regions.

In Kenya, we moved from being a branch to create a subsidiary in 2013. In 2014, we created a subsidiary in Botswana. We intended to be local in those regions and be subjected to the local regulations and that entitled us to some benefits in terms of access to do business.

Though, certainly, we are limited by capital and worth. Therefore, it is most important that for us to achieve a rating, which will give us the opportunity to transact the right kind of business and give us some exposure to better our quality risk, we should embark on capital raising and restructuring.

If you follow the rating agencies, the rating is directly or indirectly limited by your domicile head office. I used the word domicile because there a lot of misconception in what we are trying to do. Because of some of the things we have put in place, in 2012, we were upgraded to B+. In Africa, we have one company that is ‘A’, we have two that are B++ and we are B+. In terms of what we could do internally, in terms enterprise risk management and the quality of underwriting process, we have gone two notches above the re-sovereign rating of Nigeria and we cannot go higher. We cannot achieve what we want to do with the capital in Nigeria, even if we increase our capital to $500 million, it will not get us to where we are going. What have done, as it also works for international ratings agencies and consultants, is to look for an environment with higher ratings that will assist us to get to where we are going. After a careful selection and in terms of simplicity, we choose to set up a holding company in Mauritius.

We have been on this process for over a year.

We have to go to NAICOM and the NSE to explain our intentions. However, before we can the transfer the shares from here to there, we have to do our valuations of the company. As a company, we did our internal valuation, our auditors, PWC did their valuation; we brought in Ernst and Young as the Accountants after which we engaged in an independent company, Coronation Merchant Bank to also do their own valuation. It was not that we decided on a number, we went through the process and at every stage, we consulted the board to get the necessary approval. The valuation we came up with from the various consultants range between N1.80 and N2.00 but Coronation Bank came up with N2.04K. We took it to the board and we got the approval, so it was not what we fixed by ourselves. On daily basis, we were reporting to the stock exchange because of the sensitivity of what we were doing. Everyone involved in the process signed a non-disclosure agreement not to discuss the matter until we

Oyetunji

got the necessary approval.

After we got the approval, we called a meeting

Insurance sector in Nigeria is faced with the same issues like most other countries.

We need well and highly capitalised companies.

Personally, this is the same sentiment I expressed in 2005 and 2006. We must merge and build big institutions else, the insurance companies outside Nigeria will be picking up our businesses. Generally, it is a tough environment for us in Nigeria in the insurance and reinsurance business

of selected shareholders who are opinion leaders to explain to them, about 30-50 of them to explain what we are doing because one may read a document without understanding the spirit behind it. It was not an easy conversation but we tried to explain our intentions. We made them understand that we are as passionate as they are. Invariably, it gets to agitation about the reduced cost as against the cost at which they bought the shares. We explained that the drop in share prices, which affected everyone, affected us all. At the same time, the economy is no longer the same, the market no longer the same and the exchange rates are no longer the same. However, we promised to review the price offered in the scheme and get back to the shareholders. It took a lot to push it to N2.10. We had a meeting with the shareholders’ leaders and we expect they would have communicated with their members. At the court ordered meeting, everything was done by poll, 92.66 per cent of those eligible to vote, representing, 1, 158, 582, 972 shares voted for and the 7.84 per cent representing 91,801,465 shares voted against. Everything has been signed and delivered to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

What is next step and is it true that the company would delisted from the NSE? Let me emphasise that from the ongoing Scheme of Arrangement, we have no inter-

est about delisting or not delisting. With the consequence of what we have done and because we could not take everybody or individuals to Mauritius, we now have only two or three shareholders and one of the shareholders being the nominee vehicle. Generally, the number of our shareholders should not be different if they elect to stay in the nominee vehicle. However, in terms of individual entities, the advisers would follow up with the NSE on that. The next step is for us to submit the document and the result of the Court Ordered meeting to Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and once we get SEC’s final approval, we will go back to court to register it.

Why the choice of Mauritius and capital mobilisation?

The name of the company is CRe African Mauritius Investment, which is a holding company.

It is a company incorporated in the Republic of Mauritius as a private company limited by shares and duly registered and licensed by the Financial Services Commission, which holds 65.20 per cent of the issues. If you look at the prospectus, you will see the final structure we intend to operate. The subsidiary companies will each have a licence and be registered locally.

CRe Nigeria, which is the licence we have now we will continue to operate in Nigeria, pays CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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Rockwell: Political Will Needed to Enhance Intra-African Trade The Director of Information at the World Trade Organisation, Mr. Keith Rockwell, in this interview calls for initiatives that will help increase intra-African trade which presently is about 18 per cent, in order to drive growth and stimulate economic activities in the continents. He also says there is need to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering trade in the continent. Obinna Chima presents the excerpts: What do think can be done to ensure that informal trade is formalised in a lot of economies in Africa?

Well, that is a very important question, particularly in Africa. I think the statistics is close to half of trade in Africa is informal trade.

And I know that in the discussions about the formation of the continental Africa Free Trade (AfCFTA), this was a key factor and I know in fact that a lot of informal traders have actually being setting up post near the boarders so that they can express their view and be more out in the open. It is very difficult to capture and it makes it complicated in terms of government ability to access their trade policy. If you don’t have accurate data, it becomes very difficult in terms of doing a full range of things including facilitating trade of these young entrepreneurs.

And many of these informal traders are women.

So it is very important that their interests are taking into account. Now this is something that I know that on continental basis it is being discussed. It is for the government to bring that issue here at the WTO. And I think because of the nature of informal trade, it is mostly done with neighbouring countries. This can change because of trading by the internet.

E-commerce maybe a way of changing this now. Capturing e-commerce trading activity is also complicated and a number of countries including South Africa have raised the issue of do you continue to have a moratorium on e-commerce transmission when you are not sure exactly what’s included in that transmission.

Now, how exactly how this will be done is not easy to say because we don’t have rules on this. More than 71 countries signed up to a declaration that would lead to a discussion that has been underway now for a year and could then turn into negotiations as many proponents would like. Others say it’s too complicated now because we don’t know exactly the extent of this trade. So, it is an open question and as usual here, you are seeing perspective that may vary but which are meritorious. It is very complicated and until we have a better grip on that, it is going to be difficult to get everybody on board. Right now, as I said, there is perhaps even more than 80 countries participating in the discussions on e-commerce, many others have some reservations. I haven’t answered your question precisely but I think the reason for that is that it is not something that has been brought into the global contest yet. And I think one thing that might change that is when you see informal traders beginning to engage in more transcontinental traffic and trading. The way that can be facilitated is by e-commerce.

But why the difďŹ culty in agreeing on e-commerce?

Well, there is a digital divide and there are developing countries, many African countries, but Nigeria is different. Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana have a slightly different view on this. There are a lot of brilliant entrepreneurs in those countries who engage in e-commerce activity.

When you talk to entrepreneurs in Nigerian or in Ghana, Kenya they press you and say why don’t we have rules on this? And if you look at the continental African Free Trade negotiations you will see that it is an issue people want to take up. But I think there is concern that the gaps between some developing countries and the advanced countries are such that they worry about being encumbered by rules that they would have difficulty themselves in influencing or shaping because they don’t have the capacity, the infrastructure, they may not have the technical abilities at this stage to participate in a very active fashion. And that does not apply to Nigeria which has got a tremendously active entrepreneurial sector. So the other issue has to do with this being taking

Rockwell

up in a less than fully multilateral way. There were efforts to advance this in one channel, in a multilateral fashion but those who have advocated a more rapid approach have gone away from this and said it is taking too long, we were in this process since 1998, and we have not yet identified areas where ruling can take place. So, you can see again, there are merits on both sides even within individual African countries there are very different perspective on this.

Capturing e-commerce trading activity is also complicated and a number of countries including South Africa have raised the issue of do you continue to have a moratorium on e-commerce transmission when you are not sure exactly what’s included in that transmission

For the AfCFTA, how do you think it will be beneďŹ cial to African countries?

It is incredibly important because the intraAfrican share of total African trade is really very small. It is between 15 and 18 per cent and that is better than it was five or six years ago, when it was only 12 per cent. But it still lags far behind Europe, Asia, and North America. In Eastern Africa, they are doing a good job and trade facilitation have been very helpful component.

The WTO trade facilitation agreement has taken down a lot of the bureaucratic obstacles to moving goods. If you make it difficult for particularly smaller entrepreneurs to trade, they are not going to do it. If it is difficult and expensive they are going to find local outlets. But if you are talking about neighbouring countries very often what you are talking about are similar taste in terms of product, whether it is food or clothing, electronic or whatever the product maybe, you have got a chance to make your market bigger.

You got a chance to utilise economies of scale to greater extent that is now the case. And you widen the possibility of establishing global value chain in Africa. Now, Africa does not have the same concentration of global value chains as other parts of the world. And part of that is that global value chains tend to be local in nature. Africa as a continent is the same population as India which is roughly 1.3 billion, but it is 55 different markets. And that creates a lot of fragmentation that makes it difficult to do business. In Western Africa you got some language barriers to overcome. But there are

lots of very smart energetic people who can get around this and find ways to overcome this.

But first what you need is that you need the political commitment to go forward. If you can do that, you can generate a dynamic market that I think would be a way to help many of these entrepreneurs to increase the scope of possible markets to reach a wider number of people.

And that can mean jobs, it means growth and development.

So, why do you think countries like Nigeria are not keen on signing the agreement?

Well, it is for every government to decide what they want to do. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, it is many ways at cutting edge in terms of technology, entrepreneurial activities and in terms of e-commerce, compared with a lot of other African countries. So what you have is a very large and very sophisticated market.

What the Nigerian government decides to do is up to them. I think there 10 countries that have still not fully signed it yet and I think it is really for them to decide on their own. I do know that you have seen governments going forward with integration efforts. It has been a catalyst to increase trade and I know it well that there are so many different regional trade agreements in Africa right now that overlaps and intersects. There are entrepreneurs who become confused about rules of origin, about CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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OYETUNJI: THERE IS NEED FOR MERGERS TO CREATE BIGGER INSURANCE FIRMS taxes in Nigeria, employs staff in Nigeria and does business in Nigeria. It is not about tax incentives. The capital we require is not a fixed amount. What is done globally now is that the regulators use risk-based capital supervision and that means if I am writing just motor insurance, I do not need the same capital with somebody writing aviation. Therefore, what we are supposed to do is to look at the volatility of your portfolio and what capital you need to ensure that say a one in two-hundred event happens, in consideration for your ability to meet your liability in terms of an occurrence. Reinsurance companies do not wait for regulators to determine the amount of capital they need. You need to be continuously building up your capital. The more the companies write, the more successful they are, and the more capital they need. Our capital requirement can be from $50million to $100million based on the kind of business you want to do. That is one of the problems that we have here in Nigeria. Most of our premiums from oil and gas are exported because we do not have enough capacity to retain them within the continent. At Continental Re, our mantra is that you must retain African premiums within Africa because those are the things we use to develop our roads, hospitals and build schools.

For us, that is the reason for which we need to build capital to have competitive advantage. Our choice of Mauritius is not because the country is a tax haven. No. When you are looking at our (insurance) industry, there are two main places where multinational insurance and reinsurance companies park their capital: it is in either Mauritius or Bermuda. We thoroughly considered both options. However, we are not yet at the level where we could take on the requirement in Bermuda. Hence, our choice of Mauritius is because that is an environment that the rating agencies understand, with a sovereign rating that is higher than Nigeria. It will assist us in getting to our aim, so it has nothing to

when there’s economic downturn insurance is the first to suffer. Therefore, it is tough for our environment.

Oyetunji

do with tax advantage or capital flight.

I must also say that in terms of business, we are already writing businesses in Mauritius.

We have businesses in 50 countries in Africa, including Mauritius so we are not going there as a new company. The only thing that is new is that the registered holding company would be in Mauritius and it is because it is a sophisticated financial centre. So far, we have not seen any negative signal from Mauritius. Maybe I should just reemphasize that this decision is not about the people. We will continue to work from here.

We are building our head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, so we are not physically moving to Mauritius. Hence, there will not be any loss

of staff or loss of capital.

What are the prospects and challenges for the insurance sector in Nigeria?

Insurance sector in Nigeria is faced with the same issues like most other countries. We need well and highly capitalised companies. Personally, this is the same sentiment I expressed in 2005 and 2006. We must merge and build big institutions else, the insurance companies outside Nigeria will be picking up our businesses. Generally, it is a tough environment for us in Nigeria in the insurance and reinsurance business. As you know, the economic environment has been a bit down for the last couple of years and

So what is your ďŹ nal words on stay in Nigeria?

Let me repeat again, we have a strategy plan until 2020 which remains unchanged. What this arrangement gives us is ability to attract more capital into this company. We cannot carve out the assets of the company because we need to build more assets and capacity for us to be relevant going forward. Things are changing rapidly. I have heard some people say that we do not need the rating. I always implore people to check what happened to Kenya Re. Kenya Re has been downgraded and we know what businesses they are doing now. Tunis Re was downgraded but now the rating has been removed entirely. For Tunis Re, the future is left to be imagined. Rating is the cornerstone of our business. Without having the relevant rating, we would not be relevant in the future.

For the management team and the board, it is important for us to do things that would get us that rating. Such effort means bringing and retaining more capital, writing profitable business to be able to retain more capital.

So there is no way capital or asset is going out of this company. For the stock market, it depends on what the rules of the SEC dictates in terms of number of shares. Nigeria is 40 pe cent of our business across Africa, it is the most significant, it is the second largest insurance market in Africa, and our focus is strictly Africa.

Our interest in Africa is a permanent interest and not a long interest. Nigeria continues and will always be the largest element. Our focus and amount of capital to be dedicated to Nigeria will only continue to increase. We are not exiting, because we want to write more businesses in Nigeria.

ROCKWELL: POLITICAL WILL NEEDED TO ENHANCE INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE what really are the rules.

Well, it is for every government to decide what they want to do. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, it is many ways at cutting edge in terms of technology, entrepreneurial activities and in terms of e-commerce, compared with a lot of other African countries

If you are to advise China and the United States in terms of the trade tension between both countries, what will you be telling them?

I think for an international civil servant to give advice to the two most powerful countries in the world would be a grave error. All I can say is that in our view, what we hope is that any mode whether it is bilateral or multilateral here in the WTO that can lead a reduction of tensions, that can lead to a resumption of trade flow, that is very positive. And anything that my boss, the Director General can do or we in the WTO can do to facilitate a calming of these tensions, we think that would be very, very helpful to the global economy.

What are the beneďŹ ts of multilateral trade?

Multilateral trade is beneficial because it basically sets the paradigm for everything else.

Go and look at the AfCFTA documentation, the agreed template for the negotiations, the starting point for all of these things is the WTO. When they talk about services using the GATS, the General Agreement on Trade and Services, as the basis for discussion on how to liberalise services beyond where they may be here, in terms of depth or in terms of breath. The same for goods, the same for person, intellectual property , the starting point is here. And we view discussions like this in a very positive way because what that means is that these governments can advance the ball here. In the course of these African negotiations there is going to be some new ideas, new approaches that are going to come bubbling to the surface. And these approaches can be brought to the WTO. What you do is you begin to get people into a certain mentality of opening markets and removing barriers. We are not just talking territories here, a lot of these barriers are bureaucratic entanglements, which trade facilitation as helped. And in Africa now, if you look at trade markets in East Africa, some of the groups over there are doing some great work in terms of advancing these trade facilitation process, reducing delays, etc, all of these things can be extremely helpful. And we think that we can provide tactical systems, we think that it is a partnership that is extremely important to the multilateral trading system.

Rockwell

Some have said the WTO as presently constituted is in a bad shape, do you agree with that?

The system is clearly under strain for a number of reasons and I think the fact that so many leaders today are calling for reforms, is a very positive thing. Because with a broad number of delegation saying we need to address these concerns. That is the only way you can bring about the process of strengthening the WTO and making it more affective in addressing the concerns of all of our members in today’s economy.

In your own opinion what type of reform would you want to see?

Well it is for the members to decide. What they have talked about are things dealing with transparency, dispute settlement, and things dealing with rule making. We are seeing a number of countries going forward as I mentioned earlier with joint initiative which are not fully multilateral. They are open to any

country to join but for the moment the number of countries in there are about half of WTO members. And these are countries that share certain perspective. And counties that may not agree with this don’t have to go along, which is important. On the other hand, creating a set of circumstances where you prevent countries from taking up issues that are important to them, well that is a difficult thing too because then people will certainly g elsewhere. We have seen that happening before, people take issues to other organisations form negotiations outside of the WTO where you will have far less transparency and far less accountability to the wider membership.

Recently, we had complaints by a group in Nigeria saying the export of hibiscus ower was banned from the country to Mexico, how do you think some of these issues can be resolved?

What I can tell you is what the regular work of the WTO is all about. We have a committee

and in that committee Nigeria can say to Mexico, we have concerns about this issue you raise.

Although I don’t know the circumstance, I will give you an example where this has worked out well. In the European Union, they had a new regulation that talked about maximum allowable pesticide revenue. Because people purchase flowers there, there is a possibility that they could get sick from exposure to the pesticide. These new regulations came in and in Eastern Africa, Kenya and Tanzania export a lot of flowers to the EU. So what happened was this issue came up here, we discussed it. The concerns raised by the Tanzanians and Kenyans were that they didn’t have the capacity to be able to make changes to their production methods to take into account this new regulation. They worked together with the Europeans and the Europeans provided technical assistance to help them to meet the standards. And the export resumed and increased and flourished quite a lot. So I can’t comment on this particular case you raised, but I can say that this is one of the things the WTO does and it doesn’t get a lot of attention. We have a committee for this. There is very often as a perfect legitimate reason for doing this, and if you are talking about the health and safety of your population there is nothing more important than that. So that will be a way this could be settled? I don’t know the specifics of this case like I said but that is a very good example of what the WTO can do.

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Raising Awareness on Tax The media has been identified as a key player in the tax justice in Nigeria especially increasing public awareness. Ugo Aliogo reports

The media doesn’t exist in isolation. It must interact with the society and organised interest groups. The media is set out to educate, inform and enlighten the public through its reportage. It is worthy to note that the media must increase its capacity for budget scrutiny and tracking, so that it can analyse the line budgets to see if the allocations are making provision for services that are relevant and essential for the tax payers.

It has been argued that tax justice is often misrepresented, hence the need to understand what it entails as against parochial definition already attached to it by the populace. Tax evasion, multiple taxation, absence of clear cut tax policy at state levels and other tax mal-administration are often used as hides that only the media can help uncover and give clarity.

At a two-day capacity building workshop organised by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), under the Oxfam Financing for Development Project (F4D), the role of the media in tax justice system advocacy was highlighted.

The workshop was also set out to integrate the media into the tax justice and governance platform in their respective States.

The workshop brought together journalists in the South-west states.

Speaking at the workshop, the Programme Officer, CISLAC, Chinedu Bassey, noted that they have been working on issues on tax justice system in Nigeria, aside been the secretariat for the tax justice and governance platform in the country.

He noted that in the tax justice system steering committee, there is Oxfam, Action Christian Group, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDC), CISLAC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) sitting at the committee level.

Bassey, noted that they have identified issues around; Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) or what is known as domestic resource mobilisation, and all the issues that has come around from the time that oil prices started dwindling, and people went into scouting for fund for development through every means, “and that has brought issues around discretions; we have issues with policies and the practices, as it has to do with tax administrative processes in Nigeria.�

He further noted that a lot had been done by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) such as the e-platforms; adding that several e-platforms have been rolled out to make sure people do not pay with so much pains.

Bassey, added that the joint tax board recommendations which have been made things simpler, even though all those recommendations are not been fully implemented as it stands now.

He remarked that the challenge presently is at the state levels where these things are still subject to discretion, stating that there are some states that do not have clear cut framework on how

people should be taxed; even the practices, and who should collect what, at what frequency, “that is something that has been attracting some many inhumane treatments against the informal economy even the small medium entrepreneurs who are just starting.�

According to him: “We have a platform set up to help cascade this information down to the grassroots level to give people a voice, first of all, to make them know what their obligations are, what they should know and what they should stand for or against. “Also, we have some information to link them up to the duty bearers to give them a first-hand information on how things are happening down at the grassroots level, because to be fair sometimes the duty bearers do not know how exactly how bad things gets down there. “The platform has been up and doing to create the awareness and ensure that people and government also gets to work together to create a balance in the system to reduce injustices and reduce inequalities. “We are making progress. We have leveraged on so many platforms such as the OGP and the issues around the review on national tax policy we participated too much into it. We have a policy document that we could say is good enough now, so that is coming from the simple. To the complex; there are issues around interference of extant laws and what their practice involves. “The interpretation of the law is something you can say is too complex and most times where we have these issues it is at states level, where the states also claim to have power to adjudicate on these issues contrary to what is provided in the federal laws. “That is just one aspect of it, because if we want to go into it, which involves you questioning their power to some of the laws

We are also in the process of getting the laws to be reviewed and amended. This has not been fully achieved, though it is a step in the right direction, and it must be given much attention so that it come into fruition, that will help take care of most issues as been identiďŹ ed in the injustice system

that they made and some of the practices which they put in place and that goes beyond taxation administration, it goes into power. “We have done so much in getting the people to be aware, because you cannot talk about what you do not know. People know more now when you talked about it, we have worked in areas of providing policy alternatives, I will speak about the tax to services agreement, which help the government and citizens especially the low income earners to come into agreement to set aside some percentage from whatever they have earned from a particular jurisdiction to give back to a kind of infrastructure to them, so they can have a feel of government presence. “We are also in the process of getting the laws to be reviewed and amended. This has not been fully achieved, though it is a step in the right direction, and it must be given much attention so that it come into fruition, that will help take care of most issues as been identified in the injustice system. “Government could be seen as doing something, but for us is not good enough. We need these things to get down there, especially the issues around high net worth individuals who are politically exposed and they use such leverages to get away from offences as related to taxes, but the ordinary man is always punished severely. “But we believe that with the new drive to make money, to fund more developments, they (government) should also address the issue of sentiments, they will go after those that are defaulters, whether connected, exposed or not. “We will not say there are no government efforts, but it is not far reaching enough. There will be efforts but how much of it is translating to reducing that inequality that we are talking about. How much of the high net worth individuals are been brought to book? If you have one million people and you just convict ten it does not look good. “What we are hoping to achieved is TAX reach, because the message need to go out there, when people do not even understand they will be able to tackle it. The relationship should create a double edge kind of attack to let the people know what their rights are and give the government a push to do the right thing and an avenue to educate the people to demand for their right.�

Oxfam International has been playing a key role in economic justice who focuses on issues around physical governance and tax is a strong component of it.

A representative of the Oxfam International noted that they ensure that government has more revenue to actually implement development work within their jurisdiction.

The representative noted that Oxfam ensures that citizens also get service for the taxes that

they pay within their own jurisdiction.

The representative explained that for the governance platform, their role has been supporting the platforms to do research, to lobby to mobilise the community at a state and federal levels respectively to ensure “that there is compliance in tax payment and remittance and how the government uses those funds in their state.�

The representative further noted that Oxfam supports the platforms through organisations such as CISLAC in monetary, technical areas, capacity building and provision of resources to carry out their campaigns, organize their small and community meetings to ensure that the citizens and duty bearers are brought together to reason.

According to the representative: “So far we have been engaging on this platform since 2012.

The committee comprises of action Aid Oxfarm Christian Aid CISLAC Aid. And there is also a tax justice platform at the regional level, college West African Forum in Riyadh and we also have the Nigerian one which is the tax association and governors’ platform in Nigeria which has a committee and then with the 16 tax justice platforms across the 16 Southern States in the country. So that is the structure that we have. “We have recorded some milestones. We were engaged in the building to the new national policy that was passed in 2017. Now it has become a policy for the country, but what we want to do now is see how we domesticate it at State level and also carry out campaigns to ensure that the laws are also in line with the new policies because they have been approved, but not completely in line with the tax law we have, so we want to see how sub national government can domesticate the policies and also see how the National and State House of Assemblies can also stream line the laws with the new policies. “At sub national levels, we are also trying to educate the grassroots on what tax is, why they should pay their taxes, and how to use it as a medium to hold government accountable for their own responsibility. “Apart from our campaign in the informal sector, we also try to campaign in the formal sector as well. We mobilise the private sector to see that they are compliant to terms of taxes.

So what we sell to them is that if you are tax compliant you could make more money because people now see you as a legitimate business and patronize you more. “If we see that you are not paying your taxes we publish the names of these businesses so people rather patronize those that are paying their taxes. But overall what we try to do is that how the government translates these taxes into essential services to the people, so to get a quick win. We introduced what we call tax to service agreement at community level, where we work with the government especially at the local level.�

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PenCom Clears 135 Firms to Participate in FG Deals.

Ebere Nwoji The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has cleared 135 companies to bid and participate in federal government businesses. The firms have been issued with certificate of compliance to enable them participate in government deals.

PenCom disclosed this in a recent statement published on its website.

The companies were certified fit for business by the commission as at January 9, 2019.

The Pension Act mandates employers with three and more employees to financially contribute and remit 18 per cent towards employees’ pension.

This is in order of 10 per cent from the employer and eight per cent from the employee, which is monthly injected into a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) domiciled with Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) and managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

As part of the enforcement of the Act, PenCom in collaboration with the federal government, made it mandatory for all companies biding government’s business to yearly secure the certificate of compliance.

Some companies amongst the 135 are Straco Nigeria Limited which has 3950 employees and contributed and remitted N521.09 million; AIICO Insurance Plc, with 259 employees contributed and remitted, N145.06 million; Leadway Assurance Limited, remitted N135.10 million for 287 employees.

Others are, Datum Construction Nigeria Limited, remitted N6.50 million for 75 employees; Rockbridge Construction Limited, N10.72 million for 99 employees; Risk Analyst Insurance Brokers Limited, N3.08 million for 15 employees; Pacific Silverline Limited, N2.29 million for five employees; Jully & Partners Insurance Brokers Limited, N1.15 million for five

PFAs Stake N6.05tn on FGN Securities Ebere Nwoji Despite the transition from double fund structure to a multi-fund structure, investment pattern for pension fund assets showed that federal government securities still take lion share of pension assets.

As at October 2018, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) investments in federal government securities was N6.05 trillion, out of a total N8.45 trillion pension assets.

Latest data from PenCom also showed that 71.68 per cent of the pension funds had been invested in the federal government securities.

The investments include: N4.33 trillion amounting to 51.32 per cent in Bonds; N1.65 trillion in Treasury Bills (19.59 per cent); N10.21 billion in Agency Bonds (NMRC & FMBN), (0.12 per cent); N48.00 billion in Sukku (0.57 per cent) and N6.39 billion in Green

bonds, (0.08 per cent) PenCom in the report, noted that in line with the multi-fund structure, Retirement Saving Account (RSA) Fund 1, investment was N6.55 billion; RSA Fund 11 got N3.75 trillion; RSA Fund 111 - N2.00 trillion and RSA Fund IV, N654.29 billion.

It stated that N602.04 billion, which is 7.2 per cent of the funds, was invested in domestic ordinary shares; while N59.57 billion, amounting to 0.70 per cent in foreign ordinary shares.

PenCom maintained that pension operators invested N154 billion (1.82 per cent) in state government securities; corporate bonds got N518.54 billion (6.13 per cent); corporate infrastructure bonds received N7.68 billion (0.09 per cent); supra-national bonds got N6.13 billion (0.07 per cent); commercial paper - N78.50 billion (0.93 per cent); banks - N640.25 billion (7.57 per cent).

Others were REITs - N5.97 billion (0.07 per cent); foreign

money market securities - N3.27 billion (0.04 per cent); private equity fund N32.83 billion (0.39 per cent); real estate properties - N228.88 billion, (2.71 per cent); infrastructure funds - N15.56 billion, (0.18 per cent) and cash & other assets - N30.83 billion (0.36 per cent).

Though pension fund investment guideline favours investment of substantial part of the funds in government securities, investment analysts noted that though such investments guarantees safety of the contributor’s’ funds, on the other side, it does not guarantee the growth of other sectors of the economy that needed such funds for growth.

THISDAY recalls that in recent time, there have been too much pressure from both government and private sector side for investment of substantial part of the funds in Infrastructural development but this could not be granted due to security issues.

To protect the funds further, PenCom had in its investment outline stated that not more than 10 per cent of the total value of the RSA Funds shall be invested in securities issued by a corporate entity (equity, money market and debt) and not more than 4.5 per cent of any one Fund shall be invested in the ordinary shares of a quoted company.

It further said in addition, not more than 10 per cent of the total value of the RSA Funds shall be invested in the issued share capital of a quoted company and not more than 45 per cent of pension assets managed by a PFA shall be invested in a sector of the Nigerian economy. Data released by the commission had stated that as at December 2017 about N6.86 billion from the workers’ monthly contributions, was invested in bonds for Infrastructural development, which was a total N7.51 trillion accumulated then.

Linkage Assurance Assures Customers of Improved Services Linkage Assurance Plc has assured its stakeholders of efficient and quality service delivery as well as increased value creation in all its operations in the new business year.

The underwriting firm said it believes that with increased investment in technological infrastructure and quality manpower, which it has attracted in the outgoing year the future is bright for it.

Managing Director/CEO, Linkage Assurance Plc, Daniel Braie, made the remark at the company’s 2018 end of year dinner and awards held in Lagos.

Braie, who commended the company’s staff for their contributions in 2018, said the insurer was able to overcome the challenges in the business environment because of the

commitment of the staff. “The business environment was very challenging in 2018 to the extent that companies were having difficulties but with God on our side we did not perform badly. “We have been able to attract quality staff, better infrastructures to enable us deliver quality service in the coming year, and I am hopeful that we will do better in 2019,� he said.

Braie, however charged the staff to redouble their efforts to sustain the growth achieved so far and the targets it has set for itself as a company.

The event was an opportunity for the company to reward its staff who showed outstanding performance in their different departments during the outgoing year.

BRANCH UPGRADE

L-R: Group Head, Property Development & Management Services, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Oluseyi Achioya; Regional Head, South-west, Mr. Adelaja Adeleye; Manager, Ijebu-Ode 1 Branch, Mrs. Favour Olu-Asorona; Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun; Aladeken of Oke-Ako town, Oba Joshua Osunsami; Divisional Head, Corporate Services, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa and Zonal Head, South-west 2, Mr. Babatunde Onadeko, during the inauguration of the newly renovated Ijebu-Ode 1 Branch of the bank in Ogun State‌ recently

UK Car Insurance Premiums Fall 6% in 2018 Wapic Insurance Sets Up Ombudsman for The cost of a comprehensive Confused.com, compiled by motor insurance policy fell six per cent in Britain in 2018, according to a survey, which indicated potential trade barriers brought on by the country’s looming exit from the European Union would hurt prices in 2019.

According to Reuters, prices in 2018 were pushed down by changes in the Ogden rate, used to calculate compensation for personal injuries, and the Civil Liability Bill, which includes reforms likely to reduce claims for whiplash injuries. Whiplash is a form of neck injury caused by a sudden jolt that snaps the head backwards but insurers argue that many claims in such cases are fraudulent.

The average premium for a comprehensive policy is now 774 pounds ($995.60), according to the latest index from price comparison site

insurance advisory company Willis Towers Watson Plc. The index, based on enquiries submitted to insurer Admiral Group’s Confused. com, found that the final quarter of 2018 saw prices rise by an average of two per cent, following an increase of 1 percent the previous quarter. “Recent price rises reflect the intense pressure on margins being experienced by insurers due to repair cost and claims inflation, which are likely to be further impacted by Brexit developments,� said Stephen Jones, UK head of P&C pricing, claims, product and underwriting at Willis Towers Watson.

Companies such as Admiral, RSA Insurance Group Plc, Direct Line Insurance Group Plc, esure and Hastings Group Holdings Plc provide motor insurance for Britain’s highly competitive insurance sector.

Dispute Settlement

WAPIC Insurance Plc, one of the insurance underwriting firms in the country has launched an ombudsman desk that will investigate and mediate fair settlement of commercial disputes between the company and its customers.

With this, Wapic Insurance stands as the first insurance firm to establish a mediation desk aimed at ensuring that members of the insuring public receive fair treatment especially in claims settlement from their risk underwriters.

Before now, similar mediation bodies were established by both the industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission(NAICOM) and the umbrella body of underwriters, the Nigeria Insurers Association(NIA), but no insurance underwriting firm

has set up such desk before the current one set up by WAPIc Insurance.

The company said the move was part of efforts to sustain the robust relationship it had built with customers over the years.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Wapic, Mrs. Yinka Adekoya, at the launch in Lagos, said the ombudsman desk would be responsible for informally investigating and mediating fair settlement of commercial disputes between the company and its customers.

According to her, the desk, which will operate independently would usually engage the parties informally with a view to resolving the dispute timely, encourage business continuity and improve customer experience.

“We at Wapic Insurance are very excited to launch this initiative. Whilst the notion of having an ombudsman desk is not new in the Western-developed societies and some parts of Africa including Nigeria, this is first time an insurance company will launch its very own ombudsman desk. “It is a feat for us as an organisation and this also buttresses our vision which is to transform and illuminate the insurance industry for the benefit of our customers and stakeholders as well as our mission which is leading in all that is worthy,� she added She maintained that the desk was launched to inform the company’s customers of the best medium to channel their disputes and also to build confidence in current and

prospective customers about the firm’s services and ability to handle their expectations. “Our customers should know that we are continuously transparent in our business operations. Our goal is to continue to strengthen business relationships,� she added.

According to her, the desk is independent, hence, its resolutions cannot be manipulated.

She also noted that the desk reports to the management and board and that it has been empowered to handle all claims related cases, irrespective of the amount involved.

Presenting the activities of the ombudsman, Wapic Insurance Executive Director, Mr. Bode Ojeniyi, said the pilot scheme of the initiative started in 2018 and since then, over 57 cases have been resolved amicably.

5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

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EDUCATION Going Beyond TETFund Intervention to Reposition Tertiary Institutions Funmi Ogundare reports that with the recent approval of N161 billion intervention funds through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to public institutions in Nigeria, stakeholders think that government should go beyond TETFund intervention funds to reposition the country’s tertiary institutions

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu

The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Dr. Bichi Baa

P

collection is a clear confirmation that Nigeria’s economy has recovered from the avoidable recession it was plunged into by the previous administration. “The increased collection, will obviously translate to a bigger allocation for public tertiary institutions and therefore more projects, scholarships and more research funds.�

Baffa said disbursement of funds between January to December 2018 to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the various intervention lines falls to N133.84 billion, adding that the fund reaped the benefit of the 2017 project proposal defence and access clinic for institutions in 2018 with about 97 percent increase in access of intervention fund by beneficiary institutions.

However, some institutions are confronted by the challenges in either assessing or utilising the funds. One of such challenges is the absence of capacities in the institution to initiate projects.

The President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Biodun Ogunyemi confirmed to THISDAY in a telephone interview that the problems confronting the institutions are multifaceted, one of which is deficit of supply.

He said over the years the federal and state governments have abandoned their primary responsibility of capital development for institutions, adding that the old and new projects on campuses particularly in the last 10 years are mainly those provided by TETFund grants and needs assessment intervention funds. “Most of the time, what TETFund does is to assist in the area of capacity building and infrastructural development, staff training for higher degrees and provision of lecture rooms, staff offices and laboratories. All over the country, we actually have deficit of supply and TETFund has been making its own impact, but if we actually want to reposition our university, we need to go beyond TETFund.

enultimate week, the federal government approved a N161 billion intervention fund, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to 219 universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to enable them build critical infrastructure for teaching and learning, as well as staff development.

The approved sum was allocated to the eligible institutions for 2019 intervention activities in accordance with the provisions of the TETFund Act of 2011, consequently, each public university, polytechnic and college of education is expected to get an allocation of N785,832,700, N536,703,502 and N510,084,900 respectively.

Sixteen new institutions that would receive part of the funds were also enlisted. They are: the First Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State; College of Education, Lanlate, Oyo State; College of Education, Kangere, Bauchi State; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State; Onto State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; College of Education, Biliri, Gombe State; Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State; and Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa.

Others are Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, Ogun State, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna State; Enugu State Polytechnic; Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State; Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State; and Binyamin Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia.

The TETFund Executive Secretary, Dr. Bichi Baffa while addressing journalists in Abuja, reviewed the 2018 intervention activities, stressing that the beneficiaries for the New Year must adhere to the operational guidelines of the funds and ensure transparency in their implementation of various projects.

Some of the guidelines for accessing TETFund intervention funds by institutions include: been enlisted by approval of the Board of Trustees (Bot) of the fund to qualify as a beneficiary of its intervention funds. The institution must

be recognised by the relevant regulatory body; NUC, NBTE or NCCE, which evidence should be available both with the institution and the regulatory body for citing.

The institution must also have been established by law via an Act of Parliament or Edict of the State House of Assembly and signed into law by the president or state governor as the case may be; academic activities such as students’ admission, teaching and learning must have commenced at the institution.

The prospective institution shall formally apply to the fund to be enlisted as a beneficiary. TETFund shall also visit to verify that academic activities have commenced and thereafter recommend to the Board of Trustees (Bot) for enlistment as a beneficiary; following approval, the institution shall be enlisted and formally notified.

On the focus and TETFund intervention categories, beneficiaries are expected to submit project proposals upon which the funds would be applied. TETFund requires that such projects must be in line with the beneficiary institution’s core mandate and should be relevant to teaching, learning and research, including improving the learning and teaching environment.

Baffa said the fund fully implemented the 2017 revised guidelines for accessing intervention funds by beneficiary institutions in 2018, to ease the processes of submission and approval of project proposal for the various intervention lines of the fund, adding that this contributed significantly to beneficiary institutions delivering their 2017 intervention projects within the specified cycle.

Giving a breakdown of the education tax collection for 2018, he said, “As at November, 2018, the education tax collection stands at N200,793,193,208.54. This shows an increase of 25.47 percent over the previous years’ collection of N154.9 billion. The growth in the education tax

He affirmed that the country’s institutions need a rapid response to the demands for infrastructure, equipping laboratories and stocking the libraries so as to ensure an enabling environment for scholars to deliver on their mandate.

Ogunyemi, who is a lecturer at the Department of Curriculum Studies and Instructional Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, disclosed that TETFund has always being there as an intervention agency, a brain child of ASUU, which it proposed in 1992 when the union negotiated with government. “TETFund has from 2005 been making it easy for universities and other levels of tertiary education but the funds intervention has not significantly addressed all the problems confronting them. We recognised the existence of TETFund when we asked government to conduct needs assessment to public universities in 2012, so government acceded to our demands because they said they couldn’t believe our report on rot and decay that we needed to go out and verify before we could talk about revitalisation.�

Ogunyemi said the exercise in 2012 had culminated to the agreement between the union and government in 2013 to massively inject funds into the university system outside of TETFund in order to address the problem of rot and decay.

A rector of a polytechnic, who prefers anonymity, said his institution is trying its best to overcome the challenges in as much as the state government is not living up to its responsibilities.

According to the rector, “We believe that whatever comes from the TETFund intervention is our right, but when they call for a stakeholders meeting, it’s always time consuming, which most times delays congress, the risk from traveling from Lagos to Abuja is also there. Recently things are changing, it took them time before the Bot was constituted, we hope that with a new board on ground, things will move as expected.�

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EDUCATION

Ezekwesili, Nexford Varsity Launch Scholarship for Nigerian Women Udora Orizu in Abuja A former Minister of Education and ACPN presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has launched a scholarship scheme for Nigerian women, in partnership with Nexford University.

The former World Bank official has also become the newest member of the next-generation university’s Global Advisory Board, which includes leading academics and practitioners like Dr. Curtis Bonk, Professor of Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University.

Ezekwesili, who stressed that education is the “new oil�, will award five full scholarships to Nigerian women aged 16-25 to study Nexford’s Bachelor

of Business Administration (BBA) degree programme. The Oby Ezekwesili Scholarship Programme is the American university’s first women-only scholarship. “More work must go into widening access and opportunities for women to level the gender playing field.� “I believe Nexford scholarships will empower more women to study degrees and equip future leaders with the skills they need to shape our society. I hope recipients of the scholarship have a multiplier effect and encourage learners from any socio-economic background to earn degrees,�

Ezekwesili said.

Nexford’s CEO, Fald Al Tarzi said Africa’s most populous country is one of the university’s

key markets. “A college degree will boost earnings by more than 20 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Economist’s analysis of World Bank data.

By bringing globally affordable, high-quality education to Nigeria, we hope to play our part in spurring economic mobility.�

According to the Chief Academic Officer at Nexford, Dr. Sheila Fournier-Bonilla,�at Nexford, we are proud to offer

young talents a workplacerelevant curriculum. Africa is the only region in the world where the youth population is increasing, so there is a real demand for higher education aligned to the changing global needs of society.�

BBA and MBA learners can choose to earn a degree with a specialisation relevant to their local market as well as their future career. Specialisations include Sustainability, where the planet’s dwindling resources

top the agenda, and Managing Hyper-connectivity, where learners cover cybersecurity hacks and IoT ecosystems.

In response to Ezekwesili’s board position, Fournier-Bonilla added: “We have made the strategic decision to align with mission-driven partners and supporters: Dr. Oby will bring unique and relevant insights to the board.�

Nexford’s Nigeria Country Manager, Olamidun Majekodunmi described Ezekwesili as

the “number one candidate� for the university’s advisory board seat in Nigeria due to her “passion for education, economic opportunities and African development.�

Interested candidates can apply to Nexford’s Oby Ezekwesili Scholarship Programme by sending an email to scholarships@ nexford.org. Applications will close when Nexford receives its maximum number of applications or on February 1, 2019, whichever comes first.

Lagos Announces Screening Test into Model Colleges The Lagos State Government has released timeline for admission into the 16 model colleges and upgraded junior secondary schools. The sale of forms for the screening of primary six pupils into the schools has also commenced on January 14 to end on April 26, 2019. The Director, Lagos State Examination Board, Mr. Olufemi Hassan explained that the screening test for this year’s academic session will be in two parts; the Computer Based Test (CBT) and Paper Pencil Test (PPT).

He warned parents to be wary of fraudsters, saying that the process is not cumbersome to warrant any middleman to facilitate the registration. “Interested parents and schools are to obtain payment invoice from the Accounts Department of the Lagos State Examinations Board, pay in any of the designated

banks and obtain the PIN/ CD, which will be issued to candidates.�

He stressed that only primary six pupils who have attained the age of 10 and 11 years as at June 2019 in all public and private primary schools are eligible to participate in the screening test.

Hassan advised candidates for the CBT to indicate their residential location in any of the divisions to facilitate allocation of examination date within five days.

The registration form is N10,000, while late registration, which will commence from April 29 to May 24, is N15,000 per candidate.

The CBT will hold at the ICT Centre, Lagos State Examination Board from June 3 to June 7, while the paper pencil version is slated for June 8 at 45 designated centres across the state.

FG Begins Reform of YABATECH to Varsity Status Funmi Ogundare The Federal Executive Council (FEC) is set to implement the white paper on the transition of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to a university according to the decision recently reached during its meeting in Abuja, which approved a comprehensive reform of the country’s tertiary education system.

The decision came at a time when the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu declared an end to the discrepancy between the holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees; as well as conversion of the country’s two most prominent polytechnics, Yaba College of Technology and Kaduna Polytechnic to universities of technology.

The Federal House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education and Services led by its Chairman, Honorable Aminu

Suleiman, who confirmed this during an oversight visit to the college for the 2018 finance of the institution, said the visit was also in line with the transition of YABATECH to City University.

While paperwork on the conversion is ongoing at the federal level, the Rector of the college, Mr. Obafemi Omokungbe decried the shortage of personnel in the institution, saying that “recruitment has been crippled due to budget constraints and approval by the federal government.�

He said there is need for physical development of the premier institution to meet global standards. “The college has introduced new accredited programmes, which has called for physical expansion; Epe Campus being our focus. Epe Campus is an extension of Yaba College of Technology with low physical development�, he stressed.

The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Femi Omokungbe (middle) and other members of the college management board, with members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education, during the committee’s oversight visit to the college‌ recently

Lawmaker Faults FG’s School Feeding Programme

WorldRemit: Diaspora Remittances Helped to Send 200,000 Children to School

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A new research from the digital money transfer service WorldRemit shows that tens of thousands of Nigerian children are in school, have access to books and educational supplies, and are more likely to study and less likely to work due to international remittances.

Nigeria is the largest remittance-receiving country in Africa, with annual figures now at a record $25 billion.

The new research reveals the wide-ranging benefits of remittances to children’s education.

The findings were calculated using data from UNESCO, the World Bank and Nigeria’s latest national household survey.

Approximately 220 million children are not in school in low and middle income countries. Of these, over 12 million live in Nigeria, one of the highest numbers of out-of-school of children in the world.

The research showed that: approximately 200,000 children in Nigeria are in school as a result of receiving international remittances; children in Nigeria are 40 per cent less likely to be out of school if their household receives remittances; remittancereceiving households spend more on education - equivalent to a child’s set of school-books for 1.5 years; and children in remittance-receiving households

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, has criticised the school feeding programme of the federal government, saying that it is a fraud.

Mohammed disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of Moro Local Government Council Area of Kwara State recently during the commencement of the 2019 campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker, representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, said the ministry of education should be in charge of the programme as against the presidency. “As far as I am concerned, it is a fraud. It is a fraud because it is not domiciled in the right place because the ministry of education should be in charge; instead it has been taken to the presidency. “I have said it times without number that the budgetary provision for the school feeding programme should be

domiciled in the ministry of education. “The Federal Ministry of Education has the resources, the manpower to be able to monitor it.

But where it is located now is a fraud. Many people are angry that Kwara is not benefitting.

For me, whether Kwara benefits or not from it, it is a programme I never believed in.�

On his expectations of the forthcoming general elections, Mohammed, who is the Kwara North Senatorial candidate of the PDP, said he is hopeful because he is in a usual terrain. “What I have going for me is that I have been elected twice to the House of Representatives.

My scope has expanded now to five local governments. I have been going round the entire local government areas of Kwara North. Of course, the voters will have to choose between a person that has requisite experience and a greenhorn and a rookie. He has never been tested. Because my opponent has never been a councillor and I am sure they will vote for me.�

spend less time working on non-school activities, freeing up more time for school studies.

WorldRemit also calculated that globally, if traditional, cash-based money transfers were replaced by lower-cost digital alternatives, an additional $825 million would be unlocked for families to spend on children’s education.

Savings from “going digital� could pay for the equivalent of 20 million school uniforms, 30 million school books and 16 million sets of school supplies for children in low and middle income countries.

The Country Director, Nigeria at WorldRemit, Pardon Mujakachi said: “As millions of children in Nigeria start a new school year, our research is a timely reminder that the contributions of the diaspora are vital to the education of 200,000 children across the country. Switching to digital remittances would help maximise that even further. With global remittances predicted to rise in 2019, even more children are set to benefit.�

WorldRemit is one of the leading digital money transfer companies for the Nigerian diaspora. Customer surveys reveal that education is one of the top priorities for Nigerians living abroad, with many saying they support the schooling of children back home.

34

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

PromasidorVows to Promote Girl-child, STEM Education as Cowbellpedia Maths Contest Begins Uchechukwu Nnaike As the 2019 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show formally begins with a call for entries, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the makers of Cowbell Milk, has reiterated its commitment to the improvement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria.

Briefing journalists in Lagos recently, the Managing Director, Mr. Anders Einarsson, said in the last 21 years, Cowbell has been involved in improving the standard of Mathematics education in Nigeria, while the Cowbellpedia initiative has provided a platform to identify, showcase and reward excellence in the subject.

He explained that the initiative has ignited the interest of students in Mathematics at the secondary school level and reinforced its importance in the growth of modern economies.

Like in previous editions, Eirnarson announced that the competition is free and open to students in junior secondary three and senior secondary two from ages 10 to 18 attending full time secondary education in both public and private schools in the country.

The competition is divided into two phases: stage one is qualifying written examination,

while stage two is TV quiz show.

As part of its efforts in encouraging girl-child interest in STEM courses, Einarsson reiterated the company’s appeal to mixed secondary schools to nominate a minimum of two female students for each category. “As research has shown that there is a positive relationship exists between girl child education and the GDP of a nation.�

He said the star prize for this year’s edition is N2 million and an all-expense paid educational excursion abroad. The first and second runners-up will receive N1.5 million and N1 million respectively. The teacher of the top prize winner will be awarded N500,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will get N400,000 and N300,000 respectively.

Einarsson also acknowledged the support of the project’s partners such as the National Examinations Council (NECO), state ministries of education, school principals and teachers, parents and the media for their invaluable contributions, which have culminated in the success of this initiative in over two decades. “I am also assuring you that Promasidor Nigeria will continue to encourage young Nigerians to pursue their dreams. Besides Cowbellpedia,

Harness Your Dream, a career awareness workshop for public secondary schools is another platform through which we shape the lives of our future leaders,� he said.

The Marketing Manager of Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji explained that registration for this year is strictly online and the registration portal, which opened on October 1, 2018, will close on February 3, 2019, while the qualifying examination would hold nationwide on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at designated centres. “The guidelines require the candidates or schools to visit www.cowbellpedia.ng, click on link to register your school; fill all required fields in the form and submit. An email will be sent to the school and primary contact email addresses provided when filling the form.

The link in the email received would be used to verify the email addresses “On successful login, you click on the ‘add candidates’ under candidate management; fill in the candidates’ information on the form, upload the candidates’ picture and click the save draft button; save draft information for five candidates before you submit their registration. “If your school is a mixed school, at least two of the candidates must be female. After

creating the draft registration for five candidates in a category (junior/senior), a button will be shown on the page to ‘register junior/senior candidates’; click the button to complete the registration of the candidates for that category. “A confirmation slip will be generated for download and will also be mailed to the school, candidate and parent/ guardian email address. Print the confirmation slips and have them stamped and signed by the school principal as the confirmation slip will be required for admitting candidates at the examination venue.�

Ayodeji said each school is required to present its best 10 students in mathematics (five junior and five senior), irrespective of sex, religion, tribe or state of origin, to enhance its chance of qualifying for the next stage of the competition.

Also at the event, the 2018 senior category winner, Master Chinedu Mgbemena of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State commended the company for the educational excursion to Dubai, saying that the trip gave him a wider exposure to life.

His counterpart in the junior category, Master Akinfoluhan Akinleye of the Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State also described the trip as a wonderful experience.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

CALLED TO SERVE ÙÎËã˪Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂŁËž Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ʨâ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ×Ùà Ă? Ă&#x;Ú˛ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ě™ ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁĚš Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă?Ă’Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ”Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËʼ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœËž ÞÒĂ? ÞãÚĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ÞËʼ ÞÒËÞ˪Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã˪Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÒÙå ĂŽĂ?Ă?ÚÓÞĂ? Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ×Ùà Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ë› ËÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ʨâËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;Þ˛ ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ÞËʼ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ÚÖËĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă Ă? Ă’Ă?ĂœËœ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;Þ˛ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ËŠĂ?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžËŞËœ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞãÚĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ËŠĂ?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœËŞ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂœË› ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ ÙÎ ĂŽĂ‹Ă“Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă?ËŞĂŽ ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ËŠĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽËŞË› Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ’ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă? ËŠĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ËŞ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÓÞÖĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ë› ËŠ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ËŞ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ËʾÓÞĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞãÖĂ?Ë› ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ËŁ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÓÚ Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã˛ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?ÒÙÙĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ™ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ’Ă™Ă™ĂŽ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă˜ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ à ÙÖĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ÓÚËÞĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœËœ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœËž Ă˜Ă™ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÞÙÙ Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ë› Ă’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÚËÚĂ?ĂœĚ‹ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă—ĂšĂžĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ě‹ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ë›

Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžË› Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽË› ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ“ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒã ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÑÙÙÎ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă™Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă– ÑÙÙβ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÒÙÙĂ?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁË› Ù×Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ËŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă• ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă&#x;Ú˪ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŽĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ËŁ Ă–Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă“Ă˜ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÞãÚĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞãÖĂ?Ë› Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒã Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Old Students Bemoan Poor State of Alma Mater Kayode Fasua

L-R: The Head of Commercial, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mario Russo; the senior category winner of the 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show, Master Chinedu Mgbemena; Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson; the junior category winner, Master Akinfoluhan Akinleye; and the Marketing Manager of Promasidor, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, at the commencement of the 2019 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show in Lagos‌ recently

CIAPS to Train PAs, Executive Assistants on Responsibilities A Lagos-based international graduate school, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) is set to host senior personal assistants (PAs) and executive assistants from across Nigeria and other African countries, as experts gather in Lagos for one week from January 29 to February 9, 2019 to deliberate on their roles and responsibilities.

The programme is an initiative of CIAPS with input from ECAPS, Cambridge, Global PA Association London and Executive Assistant Network, Sydney.

The CIAPS Centre Director, Professor Anthony Kila

said the programme is designed for experienced and new senior PAs and executives, management assistants and executive assistants who want to improve their performance and those that are new to the roles, but want to reach high levels.

He added that the programme has been designed bearing in mind the need of and with a lot of inputs from company chairmen and directors, ministers and commissioners, legislators, advisers and top consultants.

According to Kila, one of the important roles that a lot of people dangerously

underestimate is that of personal assistants and executive assistants. “It is a shame that too many people don’t realise that a huge fraction of successes and failures of senior managers and companies can be attributed to their personal assistants and executive assistants, as a matter of fact, I am convinced that to predict the performance of an executive in an office, part of what you need do is just to observe the assistants.�

As part of the programme, participants will have a special session with a CEO to discuss the practical side of assisting projects, offices

and events.

In his remarks, CIAPS Administrator and Events Coordinator, Sadie Davies said technology is a major factor in the way PAs and executive assistants of the future will perform their roles and responsibilities, adding that the event will be an opportunity to share direct and inside tips about the ever-moving sector of administrators and project assistants.

CIAPS is the first paperless academic institution in Africa, and the career development and training programme is part of its effort to being the factory of professionals in Africa.

The National President, School of Science, Ile Ife, Alumni Association (SOSAA), Dr. Muyiwa Ojo, has called on the Osun State Government to rescue the school from its current poor state.

He said this at the official presentation of laboratory equipment worth millions of naira to the students of the school recently.

Ojo, a medical doctor said: “We are here to hand over the laboratory equipment to the students so that they can also have the same standard of education we had back then and hope they can have a better future.�

Speaking on the state of infrastructure in the school, he expressed concern over the poor condition of many buildings and the academic environment generally. “Looking at the structures alone can make you cry. These were beautiful structures when we were here. We had different kinds of equipment, we had the best teachers during our time.

Our library was well stocked and laboratories well equipped. “We had more than enough then, but the situation is different now. What used to be in excess has now become scarce in the school right now and that is why the association is coming up with solutions to some of the problems.

What we are doing is to support government and motivate them.

If old students can do this, then the government can do more. “The school needs more teachers. There are about five subjects that alumni and PTA had hired teachers for. We are hoping that

the government will come to the aid of the school,� Ojo said.

In his remarks, the pioneer National President of the association, Mr. Kamil Aransi, a US-based businessman, said the members are committed to giving back to the students and the school that made them. “SOSAA is the only registered umbrella body of old students that have graduated from School of Science, Ile Ife. “This is a project we started three years ago and the vision is to unite all graduating sets of the school. We want to speak with one voice and bring back the lost glory of the school. We want a situation whereby the school will be greater than it was years back. “We started with the recruitment of three science teachers, when we saw that students were failing in those subjects, to complement the efforts of the government and PTA. “We have been paying those teachers since September 2015. We equipped the school laboratory, refurbished two blocks of classrooms completely, rehabilitated the school borehole, modernised the toilets to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene of students and staff.�

In his response, the Principal, Mr. Olagoke Obi, commended the donors and promised to ensure judicious use of the donated items. “I feel highly elated to see the alumni coming to give back to the school what they have received while they were here. We are really impressed with the donations. I am sure this gesture will go a long way in assisting the teachers to impart knowledge in the students.

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

35

‘TECH-U Will Address Knowledge, Skills Gap Affecting Nigerian Students’ Barely a year after its establishment, the First Technical University, Ibadan is accelerating plans to register its presence on global map within the shortest possible time. The pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami told Kemi Olaitan that in 10 or 15 years, the institution will be a model that many government and private sectors will begin to replicate in several places. Excerpts: What is the difference between the Technical University and other conventional universities?

I have been asked to answer this question several times and we have to keep explaining until the public understands the main difference between us and other universities or polytechnics.

Polytechnics are supposed to be centres where people who have skills are trained and where there are technicians and technologists. Universities are supposed to be centres where managers are trained. Polytechnic graduates are expected to have the skills but no much theoretical and managerial ability. They are supposed to work under managers while the university graduates are supposed to have less skills but theoretical and managerial abilities. But the technical university is the place where you combine the two.

Here we have the people who have both skills and managerial abilities.

Even we can interrogate that further, there are a lot of issues raised on products’ deficiency from polytechnics and even products from conventional universities as there are questions raised on whether they can live up to expectations of the society based on certificates they possess. I used to say that the problem of the country’s education is not about knowledge gap but skills gap. But in this technical university, we address the issues of knowledge and skills gap.

Why was the university renamed the First Technical University?

The law establishing the university was amended by the Oyo State House of Assembly based on proposal that was sent to the assembly. We used to be called the Technical University, but we are now First Technical University.

Let me explain reason behind that. By the grace of God come 10 or 15 years, the university is going to be a model that many governments and private sectors will begin to replicate in several places. And therefore, from the word go, we need to reassert our position in history.

Let me say historically that, many technical universities are in many parts of Africa like Ghana, East Africa, South Africa, but you can go and crosscheck it, none of these started as technical university. They started as polytechnics that virtually metamorphosed into technical universities, just like colleges of education that were upgraded to degree awarding institutions.

But in the whole of West Africa, we are the first university that was conceived, established and operated from the word go as a technical university. Just like First Bank, you don’t need to argue that it is the first established bank in Nigeria.

That is one aspect of the amendment to really assert our place in history. But apart from that, the amendment allows the university to fully operate on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, that is, we can now be the hybrid of the public and private sectors. This allows us to enter into robust collaboration with private sector in furtherance of our mission to ensure the long aimed goal of this university. It is only when people want to play politics that they don’t say the truth. We all understand that education is a social responsibility, but the reality on ground is that government has not been able to fully fund the university or tertiary education to the expected level. And there is no

Salami free lunch in Freetown, the last time I visited Freetown, I paid for my lunch (general laughter). And that was very much of recent. If government is not ready to really pay the full bill and we don’t want the parents to pay it, then there is going to be deficiency on the part of the products. This is the reason we need to leverage on the opportunities available with the private sector so that we will have capacity to do what is expected of us.

From your explanation, the institution is run on private orientation, who really owns the university?

Let me say now and clearly that the university is owned by the Oyo State government. But what the government is doing is to allow the private sector to complement its effort so that the burden will not rest squarely on it due to limited resources. Due to the reality on ground and the Nigerian milieu to realistically be able to generate and access resources needed for the full implementation and execution of these missions, the government is now giving a window to the private sector to complement its effort but it is not a profit making means for them, though we have partners that can assist in areas like building hostels and this is one of the areas business partners can operate. But beyond that, we are looking forward to angel investors and these are people who give philanthropic gesture without profit and even don’t want their names to be mentioned.

We also have legacy donors; they don’t also look for profit but want to immortalise their names to show the world that they are part of the success of the university. Example is Dr. Tunde Afolabi who wants to have his institute

in the university and that will cost over N1billion and the institute will be named after his company but is not expecting any profit.

What are the courses you run and their relevance?

Let me first say that before we commenced full academic activities, the National Universities Commission (NUC) decided to conduct resource verification to this university in July 14 to 17, 2017. And the aim was to assess our facilities, human and material resources and know if we can actually deliver on what we promised. And by August 1, 2017, we were allowed to run 15 programmes. Let me put on record, when we applied to NUC, we actually applied for 14 programmes.

When NUC came here and saw what we have both the human and other resources, they said we were supposed to have 15 programmes.

The programmes are: Biomedical Engineering; Food Science and Technology; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechatronics Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Microbiology; Industrial Chemistry; Physics with Electronics; Computer Science; Cyber Security; Software Engineering and Mathematics and Statistics.

The relevance of the programmes is as follows starting with the ones that are not common in other conventional universities.

Number one is Biomedical Engineering.

In Nigeria today, University of Lagos perhaps is only the university with us that run the programme and we started the same time. Sophisticated medical equipment are used in our health industry today. The equipment are not manufactured in Nigeria but

are imported. And when the equipment breakdown, we don’t have people that can maintain or repair them. So, when they breakdown, we need to fly in experts from outside the country to either help to maintain or repair them or look for money to buy another equipment. But this programme in our university will fill the skills gap in the country.

Also Cyber Security, I don’t know of any university in Nigeria today that is running the programme though I stand to be corrected. We keep on saying that this is a digital age where we are moving to e-governance, e-security, e-banking and so on. And one of the issues that go with these is the issue of cyber-crime. By global ranking, Nigeria is number three in the world with cybercrime.

But we don’t have people who are trained and skilled in fighting cybercrime. So, this university is filling the skills gap to train set of people that can make sure that they mitigate this issue of cybercrime in Nigeria.

Also, Software Engineering, if you are a software engineer, you don’t need to look for job or big building to operate. All you need is your laptop and internet connectivity. You can write programmes and make huge money from it. A good software engineer looks at problems people are having, writes a programme on it and makes money.

And the only universities running this course are FUTA and this university.

And the common programmes, the way we train our students here is different from ways conventional universities train them. The graduates from this university are products of both the university and the industry which combine the skills and theoretical knowledge.

On this note, we have signed MoU with the National Society of Engineers and private sectors to reserve spaces for our students for industrial exposure where facilities for their trainings are available. I have worked in the conventional university for 30 years before coming here as a pioneer vicechancellor. There is what is called SIWES in conventional universities. It is more or less now to fulfil all righteousness because the students don’t have appropriate place to do their industrial training. We are not doing ours that way. We secure places for them where facilities are available for their training.

Also, all students must be able to submit a final year project before graduation and the project must be able to practically solve a societal problem because their projects are their products.

And that is why we collaborate with industries. The industries will tell us their challenges and it is these challenges that the students will write projects on. The students that graduate from this university are not just certificatewielding graduates. From here, they go to school of entrepreneurship and vocational studies. In that school, you enrol for at least two major vocations of your choice related to your training.

You will go through that training for three years and will be certified in those two vocations and in the third year, you will be asked to write business proposals on those vocations and the Bank of Industry is partnering with us to sponsor some of those projects so that when the students are in the university, they can begin to have these projects executed and we monitor them.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ 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 ͙͖͓͓͖͓͔͓͖͑͒

Ray of Hope for 12,000 Osun Widows This New Year, the Founder, Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo in line with his annual tradition in the past 13 years, empowered 12,000 widows drawn from three communities in Osun State. Mary Nnah reports

S

urely, it was a glimmer of hope for over 12,000 widows at the just concluded annually empowerment programme held every year by Founder, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC).

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and his wife Yemisi. The widows, who were all beneficiaries of the yearly event, had their gifts jealously clasped in their arms - brand new Ankara fabrics, some thousands of naira notes and packs of food, given out to each of them at the premises of the Kings University, Ode Omu Osun State.

These and many other benefits have been the lot of widows from Ire, Ipetodomu, Modakeke and Ode Omu towns in Osun in the last 13 years as the Ashimolowo’s widows programme holds annually.

Testimonies This particular edition was the 13th and was carried out in a more tasteful manner and beneficiaries had a lot of testimonies to tell.

Deborah Falore, a widow from Modakeke was extremely happy about her new cloth. “I have been coming for this programme for four years now. I am a widow with four children. I can’t express enough the joy I feel. I pray for pastor always. God will make him succeed. He will be blessed, protected and continue to put a smile on our faces. He is a good man for remembering widows like us today�, she noted with so much joy.

Yet another widow, Mrs. Folake Oyebanji, could not stop singing and dancing with a broad smile on her face. She explained that it was her third time of being at the programme and she had never been disappointed. “I come here every year and I don’t regret it. Ashimolowo has been generous and kind to us. We don’t stress ourselves at all. And we get cloth to go sew, money and food. God will bless him,� she exclaimed.

According to the host and convener, Matthew Ashimolowo, 18,000 widows were attended to in 2018. This year, however, while over 4000 of them came from Ode Omu, about 8000 were from Modakeke town. He explained further why the programme, which catered for 18,000 widows from different towns last year, was, however, reduced to 12,000 this year. “We told some towns not to come not because there is no desire to bless them, but it's quite a challenge managing 18,000 women who want to cause a stampede.�

Indeed, for the clergyman, it is a great honour to serve those women. “Some of them have been coming for the past13 years. In fact, one woman said 'Now, I have 13 clothes that I wear to different occasions�.

Charge to Government Reacting to the endless queue of widows and the need for government to intervene, Ashimolowo said sadly that he felt hurt. “There is probably 70 to 80million unemployed people in Nigeria.�

Continuing he said, “In my very own opinion with all due respect to our government, a lot of

A cross section of the widows

Pastor Ashimolowo doling out gifts to the beneďŹ ciaries our state governors are not in touch with the people, not sensitive to the people. The reason some of them are widows was that their husbands died of malaria - a health challenge that can be cured with N500. So, you see the N1000 given to each of these women is like the first them they held N1000 in their life time. So, it hurts when you see this. However, I am proud to be a Nigeria.â€?

Reminiscing on his voyage to eight African countries last year, the convener explained, “I was in eight African countries last year, Botswana, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria of course. When you go round these nations you will appreciate Nigeria�.

Vision for the Future Having seen the plight of the people, Ashimolowo has a big vision that he hope will metamorphose. “2018 was our last widow's event. We wanted to start something that was all embracing. I am one who likes to do things excellently. You can see everything is in place and order".

He revealed his future plans for the indigents. “We want to hold a meeting called Christ Compassion with the rural people. We will go to rural areas with food for 50,000; clothes for 50,000 and medicine for 50,000. We hope that it will happen this year�.

Support Systems Ashimolowo and his wife, Yemisi, have got more people bearing this cross with them.

“Nowadays, we have friends who lovingly do things. Seven cows were slaughtered. Bishop Adejunwo from Akure sent one. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo from Coza sent some money among many others. An Alhaji, Awa Ibrahim - a golfer - like me supported with a thousand of the Ankara,� he said.

He was however quick to point out the diversity of the recipients. According to him, "about 70 per cent of the women we are serving here are Muslims.

Although we run it as a Christian event, we don't see religion. We see humanity not divinity".

Even the traditional rulers and their chiefs were not left out as they sat and witnessed the widows happily going back home to enjoy the New Year.

Ajah Community Laments Abandoned BRT Terminal, Bad Roads Omolabake Fasogbon Residents, including investors and commuters of Ajah community in Lagos State have expressed displeasure over the abandoned BRT terminal and Ambode Flyover bridge in the area.

The community members lamented that the present status of the construction has paralysed businesses and other activities in the area and therefore called on the state government to expedite project completion.

According to them, the situation has so degenerated that it scares off prospective customers from patronising businesses, where there were no roads to reach traders and other businesses.

Narrating his ordeal, one of the drivers plying the route, Mr. Isiah Thompson explained that deplorable state of roads has caused him to spend more than he earns to fix his bus due to incessant damage.

He added that incessant hold up on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway was due to the fact that the vehicles can no longer maneuver to

the inner roads under construction.

Thompson further identified the major roads and streets affected in the area as: Thomas Estate link road, Badore road, Langbasa road, Ajah bridge link road, Terminal bus stop by Ajah bridge side, amongst others.

According to him, some of the roads can no longer be used because of their worse state.

A business woman in the vicinity, Mrs Nkechi Nwachukwu, revealed that they had taken several steps to get the attention of government to no avail.

"While we are not ungrateful to present administration for his intervention, most especially in the area of infrastructure, we want to equally appeal to him to intensify efforts on the projects which were already 80 per cent completed.

"We have written several letters to Lagos State Government and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), but we are still awaiting their response.

"We are pleading with the Gov. Ambode-led administration to use the remaining months in office to complete ongoing projects across the state.

The abandoned BRT Terminal and Ambode Flyover Bridge in Ajah "The state government should complete the terminal at Ajah by the bridge side in order to ease the suffering of motorists and boost business activities in the axis,� she said.

She also implored the incumbent authority to make the trend of abandoned project a thing of the past in the state, while ensuring that all projects were completed before he vacates office.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

Chicason Group Reveals what Transpired with Amina Villa in Fraud Case Mary Nnah

effort for Chief Okafor to meet the first lady the previous day.

On hearing that the first lady was not around, Chief Okafor left the villa immediately. “Amina, on two other different occasions that the first lady travelled out of the country, made calls to Chief Okafor that reported on Truecaller that she was calling from the country where the first lady travelled to.

With the benefit of hindsight, she was doing all that to build confidence by demonstrating that she was in the company of the first lady. “On the landed property, Amina said each of the plots of the property was officially up for sale at 150 million naira. She asked that since Chief Okafor was always travelling, that he should give her the money, so that she could pay promptly from the account she controls and be in charge of the transaction, to make it seamless. “Chief Okafor said he would pay for one plot first, and would pay for the second after the first had been approved and documents released to him. He asked for the account details and went on to make the payment totalling 150 million naira. “At no stage of the conversation was the issue of bribery mentioned. We have with us all the telephone and WhatsApp messages of the exchanges.

Our chairman insisted that an account number be provided, before making any payment. No reasonable person would pay a bribe into a bank account using his corporate or personal bank account. The only thing mentioned by Amina was that she would be paid a commission at the successful completion of the transaction, which is normal in property transactions. “Few months after the payment, the traditional ruler

The Chicason Group has finally opened up on what transpired between the organisation and the lady known as Amina Mohammed, who was paraded recently by the Department of State Services for using the name of the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, to allegedly defraud the organisation.

In a statement signed by Chicason Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isa Haruna Gamson, the Chicason Group gave a blowby-blow account of the transaction between it and Amina Mohammed, also known as “Amina Villa�.

The statement read thus: “Sometime in July 2017, a traditional ruler approached the Chairman/CEO of Chicason Group of Companies, Chief Alexander Chika Okafor, KSC, OON, and informed him that the property beside Chief Okafor ’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, made up of two plots belonging to the Court of Appeal, was up for sale by the Federal Government Implementation Committee on disposal of FG Landed Property.

"The Royal Father said that he would have applied for it but was short of funds, but asked Chief Okafor to apply for it. He gave Chief Okafor the forms to fill for the property.

"Although the Chairman of Chicason Group had never bought any property from the Federal Government, he decided to give this a try because of the seemingly trusted source. He got the forms filled for the two plots through two companies under the Chicason Group: Cason Travels Ltd and Uslasiya Nigeria Ltd. "Two weeks after, he received a call from a lady, who was identified by Truecaller as “Amina Villa.� She introduced herself as the sister of the first lady. The lady said that some people brought the application forms by our companies to her sister to assist in the procurement of the property. Amina Villa said her sister asked her to confirm that the identity of the owners of the companies used in the forms was genuine. “Subsequently, Amina Villa visited the Abuja office of the Chicason Group for confirmation and promised to fix a meeting with her sister upon her availability. “On a later date she called Chief Okafor and said she had arranged a meeting for him at the villa with the first lady. By the time he arrived the villa in the evening for the meeting, his details were already in the system as an expected visitor.

His biometrics was taken and he was cleared. Amina received him and took him to the first lady's lounge where someone offered him water. But he wondered why the lounge was so quiet and bereft of the expected human activity.

"Amina apologised that the first lady had to travel for the lesser hajj that morning and that was why she made frantic Amina Villa

confirmed to our chairman that the documents were out. Amina also confirmed that there was an approval for the allocation of the plot to our company and that she had the document. She then asked for a commission of twenty million naira but Chief Okafor insisted on documentary evidence of the approval to be made available to him before releasing the commission. It was from that point that the hide-and-seek started, with excuses made each day why the document could not be presented. “After months of hide-andseek from Amina, our chairman decided to contact officials at the Presidential Villa to report the matter. He was asked to write a formal petition. The petition led to the scrutiny of all the ladies working for the first lady to identify her, but none was Amina. The matter was referred to the DSS, who tracked her and invited her.

She initially denied having any property transaction with Chicason Group but later confessed and acknowledged collecting the money for the property purchase when some evidence was presented to her. “The matter is being handled by the DSS, and we are waiting for the result from their investigation. That was why we kept quiet all this while.�

Noting that this press statement was necessitated by the need to keep the record straight and ensure that the image and integrity of the Chicason Group and its chairman were not tarnished through the presentation of inaccurate account of the event, Gamson stated that the Chicason Group is an organisation that believes in ethics and transparency and would not be involved in any untoward act.

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 44) ... Safety tips for journalists covering elections (ii) 1) Press card and attire: r6TF MPDBM MBXT PS ZPVS PXO KVEHNFOU XIFO EFDJEJOH XIFUIFS UP LFFQ your press card visible. r*G ZPVS DBSE JT OPU WJTJCMF LFFQ JU XIFSF JU JT FBTJMZ BDDFTTJCMF TVDI BT ZPVS shirt pocket. r%P OPU QVU ZPVS QSFTT DBSE JO ZPVS XBMMFU r8FBS DPNGPSUBCMF OFVUSBM DMPUIJOH BOE GPPUXFBS UIBU JT OPU BTTPDJBUFE with a political party. r*G ZPV EP OPU IBWF BDDFTT UP B HBT NBTL CSJOH TXJNNJOH HPHHMFT BOE handkerchiefs to cover your face and eyes in case of tear gas.

2) Equipment and data: r"HF ZPVS DBNFSBT BOE PUIFS FMFDUSPOJD FRVJQNFOU XJUI CSPXO SFQBJS UBQF to make them look older, broken, or repaired. This will help prevent thefts during civil unrest situations. r#BDL VQ BOE DMFBO VQ BMM EBUB TUPSBHF IBSEXBSF CFGPSF UIF FMFDUJPOT r*EFOUJGZ EJGGFSFOU JOUFSOFU BDDFTT QPJOUT BOE CSJOH FYUSB CBUUFSJFT BOE TUPSBHF as well as a low-cost emergency phone with emergency numbers.

3) Stress management: r&MFDUJPO DPWFSBHF JT PGUFO BO JOUFOTF BOE TUSFTTGVM KPC 1SBDUJDF EBJMZ TUSFTT management and anxiety techniques, such as meditation, to assist in reducing these effects. r.BLF TVSF ZPV BSF TMFFQJOH BOE FBUJOH XFMM r'PSN OFUXPSLT XJUI PUIFS KPVSOBMJTUT XIP ZPV DBO UBML UP BOE XIP DBO relate to the work you are doing.

4) Interactions: r%P OPU CF TFFO CFJOH UPP GSJFOEMZ XJUI TFDVSJUZ GPSDFT r3FNBJO OFVUSBM BOE BWPJE DPOGSPOUBUJPOT PS BSHVNFOUT XJUI CPUI QSPUFTUPST and police. r5SZ UP XBUDI DPOĂĄJDUT GSPN BTJEF %P OPU NPWF QIZTJDBMMZ GSPN POF TJEF PG UIF DPOĂĄJDU EJSFDUMZ UP BOPUIFS TJEF PS DSPTT B QPMJDF MJOF r*G ZPV Ă OE ZPVSTFMG JO UIF NJEEMF PG B EJTUVSCBODF NPWF BXBZ XJUIPVU running, as people who are running are often seen as targets.

Source: IREX’s Securing Access to Free Expression (SAFE) Initiative.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND (a) Police Control Room Nos: 08034773600 or 08098880197 (b) Commissioner of Police: 07065679050 (c) Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin): 08034895142 (d) Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCIID: 07032537681 (e) Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ops): 08036139111 (f) Area Commander Owerri: 08034501453 (g) Area Commander Orlu: 08033280491 (h) Area Commander Okigwe: 07037527225 J 1PMJDF 1VCMJD 3FMBUJPOT 0GĂ DFS *NP 4UBUF SOURCE: Imo State Police Command

KNOW YOUR POLICE OFFICERS (PART 9) The new Acting Lagos State Commissioner of Police is DCP Kayode Egbetokun %$1 ,BZPEF &HCFUPLVO XIP XBT B POF UJNF DIJFG TFDVSJUZ PGĂ DFS (CSO) of the then Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in 1999, IBT CFFO EFTDSJCFE BT B DPOTVNNBUF PGĂ DFS B NBUIFNBUJDJBO BOE BO BMM SPVOE BDBEFNJB XJUI UIF BEFRVBUF RVBMJĂ DBUJPOT UP IFBE UIF hDFOUSF of excellence'. )F UPPL PWFS UIF SFJHOT PG PGĂ DF GSPN $1 *NPIJNJ &EHBM &HCFUPLVO was the Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, in 2017 before he became the commandant of the same college.

Born on September 4, 1964 in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, the acting CP was enlisted into the Nigeria Police on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

He had his initial cadet training in the Nigeria Police Academy, and has worked in several police commands and formations across the country.

He has held command positions at various times in his 29 years career and one of such was in 1999 when he was appointed the Chief Security 0GĂ DFS UP UIF (PWFSOPS PG -BHPT 4UBUF BT B EFQVUZ TVQFSJOUFOEFOU PG police.

He has also served as the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), -BHPT 4RVBESPO $PNNBOEFS .PQPM #FOJO #FOJO $JUZ 0GĂ DFS JO Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, FCT Command, Abuja; Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, Lagos State Command Head Quarters, Ikeja; Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Command, and Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Command.

Academic-wide, he graduated from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in June, 1987 and MFDUVSFE UIF DPVSTF CSJFĂĄZ BU :BCB College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, before his enlistment into the police. )JT PUIFS BDBEFNJD RVBMJĂ DBUJPOT include MSC Engineering Analysis, also from UNILAG in 1996; PGD in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University in 2000, and an MBA from Lagos State University, Kayode Egbetokun Ojo in 2004.

38

W E D N E S DAY Ëž JANUARY 16, 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Akinwuntan: Ecobank Deploying Digital Assets to Support MSMEs Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the use its wide and versatile digital capacity to transform the entire value chain for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

This according to him would engender more activities in the sub sector leading to the overall growth of the economy.

Akinwuntan disclosed that it was part of the overall strategy of the Ecobank Group to deploy its products with digital appeal to support business development.

He listed some of these products to include Omnilite, EcobankPay. It should be recalled that Ecobank is also providing Xpresspoints – which is agency banking in your neighbourhood. “Omnilite is an Ecobank internet banking platform that allows entrepreneurs perform transactions, payments over the Internet through the Bank’s secure website. “With Omni Lite, customers have easy access to their account(s) from anywhere in the world; online real-time account monitoring facility; convenience of conducting banking transactions from comfort of home/ office; secured online transactions; easy access to bank information

and products; effective, cheaper and easier way for our customers to communicate with the bank on a 24/7 basis�, he stated.

Speaking on the EcobankPay, Akinwuntan said “EcobankPay, is a digital QR code that enables payments using the mobile phone, without the need for a plastic card. It is really very convenient as it is a one stop platform of Ecobank across 33 countries in Africa. “The uniqueness of our EcobankPay is that it has MasterPass, MVisa and Mcash options with a single merchant identity for each customer to transact across the three platforms. “Our merchants on EcobankPay have a QR code that accepts all the three. Therefore, if the person that wishes to buy goods from you is coming from a bank that has MVisa, or Mastercard or Mcash, the same QRcode would accept your funds and vice versa. “That creates interoperability and convenience for the merchants and as you know, the QRcode is much cheaper than having a point of sale (PoS).

It also provides immediate credit to your bank account and not a day after as is on other acceptance platforms. “Our products assist entrepreneurs achieve their goals whether it be payments or

collections with more ease. We have the payment platform; we have e-portals that would transform the SMEs in Nigeria.�

Akinwuntan, who also spoke on the need to support and grow the intellectual economy, pointed out that Nigeria was gradually becoming a major hub in Africa on intellectual economy with the influx of Fin-tech companies and social media channels. He noted that Ecobank is already partnering with them to offer banking services. “As you know if you look at the intellectual economy, Nigeria is becoming a major hub in Africa. We had Facebook come here to see what was going on, and a number of fintech companies becoming major players globally, attracting investments for the big IT companies and start-ups. “Ecobank is seeking to become the partner that provides the banking services for the intellectuals and the economic growth that they are fostering. “We partner with fintechs, we do not compete with them, we understand that they have their value and we now have a digital platform that makes us the platform of choice and we have physical locations that guarantee distribution to the last mile. “

Akinwuntan

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

UBA Customers Win N30m in Promo

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

Oluchi Chibuzor

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has rewarded 20 loyal customers with N1,500,000 each, in the first edition of its quarterly draw for the ongoing UBA Wise Savers Promo, which was held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos yesterday.

At the event, a total of N30,000,000 was won by 20 lucky customers who were selected following a draw that was witnessed by key regulatory officials including representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC); Lagos State Lottery, Board, (LSLB) Consumer Protection Council (CPC) as well as members of the media.

To qualify for the draws, new and existing customers of the bank were expected to save at least N10,000 each month for three consecutive months, or N30,000

for 90 days in the promo, which would run for the rest of the year. Apart from the N30 million won by 20 customers, another N90 million is still expected to be won by 60 more loyal customers in the remaining three quarters of the year.

The winners, who cut across all regions of the country were: Nnadumije, Ebube Dawn; Onwochei Christiana Okwukwe; Eze Mathias Nnaji; Christian N Orie; Uka, Okwudiri; Okata Stephen Uche; Okafor Onyinye Esther; Nwanekezi Chimezie Jude; Ayomide V Yahaya and Olanegan, Oyetunde Keji.

Others were Emmanuel Onu Chidozie; Mohammed Fatima; Aminu, Mustapha; James Nanre; Pahinti Albert; Emmanuel O Adeniji; Jaki Movihinze Mercy; Saminu Muritala Mohammed; Ezeh Raphael Uballa; Uchenna Iheji.

When contacted on the phone,

one of the 20 lucky winners; Nnadumije, Ebube Dawn, excitedly expressed gratitude to the bank and said he was happy to be a customer of the bank. He thanked the bank, and said the move was thoughtful and will help to enrich customers especially during these trying economic times.

The Group Executive, Digital and Consumer Banking, Mr. Anant Rao, who addressed participants at the event, said the promo was launched as part of the bank’s initiatives towards prioritising customers. He added that customers who save consistently would be rewarded in order to promote the financial inclusion initiatives of the bank. “We believe it is time we rewarded our customers who have been very loyal over the years. Without them, we would not have made the giant strides attained thus far,� he added.

Fidelity Bank Gives out N16m in Promo Nume Ekeghe A total of 13 loyal customers of Fidelity Bank Plc yesterday emerged winners in the third draws of the Fidelity Bank ‘Get Alert in Millions Savings Promo (GAIM), Season 3’, held in Lagos.

The winners were Steven Oriase, Kareem Amodu, Evangelina Moughalu, Raphael Omoijate, Ogechukwu Mike, Musa Abubakar, Onwuharaonge Kingsley, Blessing Uwadiegwu, Ukamaka Joy, and Nwankwo Onyeka, who all won N1 million respectively. In addition, Umaru Gagi, Abdulrahman Olanrewaju, and Chioma Patience, all won N2 million apiece. The winners who were selected through a computerised and transparent simple random system, were picked from the bank’s branches

across the six geo-political zones, with members of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, and other Lottery regulatory bodies in Nigeria in attendance to witness the draw.

Speaking on behalf of the MD/CEO Fidelity Bank Plc. Mr. Nnamdi Okoro, the Executive Director, Shared Services and Product of the bank Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu explained: “We started this Journey together in October 2018. At today’s draw, we will be giving out a total of N16 million to 13 customers. It is worthy of note, that at the end of this draw today, we would have given out a total of N50 million in cash and 54 consolation prices to over 93 winners, counting from the other previously held draws to this third one in this season 3.

“We also have so far given out airtime to the tone of N2.671 million; with the amount on the rise every week, as we give N1000 worth recharge cards weekly to first 100 customers to sign up a savings account with us; and so far, credited 1,964 new customers with N1000 airtime each. “We still have N60 million to give out in subsequent draws up till the end of the Promo, later as the year goes by, and we also have several consolation prices to as well give out.�

The bank’s General Manager in Charge of Operations/ Vice-Chairman of the Promo committee, Matins Izuogbe, in an interview with THISDAY, expressed satisfaction with the promo.

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, 14 JANUARY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $58.39 a barrel on Monday, compared with $60.00 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

W E D N E S DAY ˾ JANUARY 16, 2019

MARKET NEWS

Equities Market Gains Further on Continuing Bargain Hunting Goddy Egene The stock market appreciated further yesterday on continued bargain hunting by investors. As a result the NSE All-Share Index 0.58 per cent to close higher at 30,137.53, while market capitalisation added N64.4 billion to end at N11.2 trillion.

Buying interest in Zenith Bank Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc propelled the positive

performance. However, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc led the price gainers with 10 per cent, trailed by Ikeja Hotel Plc with 9.3 per cent. Royal Exchange Plc and C & I Leasing Plc garnered 9.0 per cent apiece. NEM Insurance Plc, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc and United Capital Plc chalked up 8.6 per cent, 8.3 per cent and 8.0 per cent respectively.

Conversely, Newrest ASL Services Plc led the price losers

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

with 9.4 per cent followed by Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc with 9.0 per cent. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc shed 8.5 per cent, just as First Aluminum Nigeria Plc went down by 8.3 per cent. Activity level also strengthened as volume and value traded surged 126.7 per cent to 300.1 million shares and 199.2 per cent to N3.2 billion.

Diamond Bank (100.7 million shares), GTBank (39.4 million shares ) and UBA (26.2 million

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

shares ) were the top traded stocks by volume, while GTBank(N1.3 billion), Zenith Bank (N463.0 million) and Diamond Bank (N209.4 million) were the top traded by value.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema on Monday expressed optimism that the market will bounce back in the second half (H2) of this year.

“Domestically, we believe market sentiments in the first half (H1) of the year will be driven by

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

uncertainty in the oil prices as well as the 2019 general elections. Accordingly, we anticipate volatility in equities market in H1 in 2019 with enhanced stability post-elections. We believe swift approval and implementation of the 2019 budget may have a positive impact on the companies’ earnings as well as consumer spending. Therefore, we anticipate a return of listings during the year with an uptick in market activity during the H2 of 2019,”

O F

he said.

Speaking on the protection of domestic investors, Onyema assured that the exchange would ensure that listed companies stick to listing requirements for the benefits of shareholders.

He said the stock exchange was also working closely with listed companies to assist them to be able to comply with the listing requirements, saying that delisting by some companies should not be a cause of worry.

1 5 / 0 1 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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41

MARKET NEWS

C & I Leasing Set to Conclude Shares Reconstruction Exercise Goddy Egene C &I Leasing Plc will soon conclude its shares reconstruction exercise, the company disclosed in a notification to the NSE yesterday. C & I Leasing had last December applied to reduce its issued and paid-up share capital from N808.505 million, which is 1,617,010,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to N202,126, 250 share being 404,252,500 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The company assured stakeholders that the exercise would be concluded soon, saying the exercise took longer time due to delay in the reconciliation of the shareholding.

C & I Leasing Plc had explained that the reduction in number shares would be achieved through the consolidation of every four ordinary shares currently held into one new share in the company. The share capital so

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

reduced, it said, would be added to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share premium account. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of the reconstruction is to allow the company to have enough unissued shares to accommodate future plans to raise capital through the equity capital market. The additional capital will be used to finance the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion plan, extinguish some liabilities and enhance the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital mix,â&#x20AC;? the company said.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 14Jan-2019, unless otherwise stated.

ABRAAJ, managers of the Aureos Africa Fund recently said they would convert the $10 million loan stock in C & I Leasing Plc to equity. The $10 million was an unsecured, redeemable, convertible loan stock that matured at the end of 2018.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/CEO of C & I Leasing, Mr. Andrew Otike-Odibi said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This development is positive for our business as it improves

the capital structure of the company and helps position it favorably for additional capital raise from the market in first quarter of 2019.â&#x20AC;?

The shares of C & I Leasing Plc were among the few that delivered positive capital appreciation in the stock market last year. While the market suffered a decline of 17.8 per cent in 2018, C & I Leasing shares gained 37.9 per cent.

The company commenced its marine business with four patrol

boats which have increased over the years to a fleet size of 22 vessels consisting of crew boats, patrol boats, pilot boats, platform support vessels and tug boats tied in mid to long term contracts for diverse offshore services.

It recently signed a 10-year contract for the provision of two harbour tugs with NLNG in addition to its existing contracts will see growth in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s earning over the next 3-5 years.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 154.10 154.18 -2.68% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.85 279.00 0.26% 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 -0.24% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 10.63% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.98% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.23 2.25 0.10% 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 N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 14.14% Paramount Equity Fund 11.37 11.67 -2.87% Women's Investment Fund 100.01 102.58 -2.49% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.24% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.76 96.03 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 12.28% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.82 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 0.56% 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 1,190.50 1,191.26 0.42% FBN Heritage Fund 139.60 140.76 -2.67% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.23% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.55 $114.90 0.05 FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.31 $114.72.

0.04 FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.00 146.72 -3.33% 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 1.18 1.20 -3.61% Legacy Debt Fund 3.26 3.26 0.43% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.18% 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 2,923.09 2,951.15 -2.06% Coral Income Fund 2,773.26 2,773.26 1.27% 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 12.42% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.62 106.95 6.20% 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 12.82%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.14 -1.15% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 119.77 119.95 -4.13% 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 -0.26% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,104.72 1,104.72 0.47% 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 N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 4.98% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.28 12.33 0.56% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.63% 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 119.65 120.14 -0.92% 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 1.72 1.72 0.45% 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 2,296.65 2,310.41 1.41% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 191.29 191.29 1.92% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.92 0.93 -2.63% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 248.06 248.10 2.39% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.30 163.10 -1.13% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.72% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,266.35 8,365.83 -0.86% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.95% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.84 10.98 2.71% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.22 12.34 2.23% Zenith Income Fund 20.85 20.85 8.26% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.45%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

6.60 140.01 51.76

-32.85% 0.01% 0.03%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.17 111.50 85.03

10.27 113.84 86.63

-3.59% -4.96% -4.09%

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 7.00 14.08 11.97 144.08

3.85 7.08 14.18 12.17 146.08

-4.68% -8.06% -5.77% -3.11% 0.37%

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 managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT January 16th, 2019

OPEN LETTER TO MR BABATUNDE FASHOLA (SAN) , UHDG WKH RQOLQH 3UHVV UHOHDVH E\ WKH )023:+ DQG FODULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV in respect of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;attempt to divert about $600 million from the Mambilla hydropower projectâ&#x20AC;?; made on your behalf by your media aide in the Punch newspaper of 14th January 2019.

3: In 2013, the National Assembly approved funding for the 3050MW project, and the National Economic Council (NEC) approved billions of dollars for the 3050MW project; from proceeds of sales of NIPP power plants.

While I stand by everything stated in my advertorial published by several newspapers and online press, it is quite annoying and pathetic to see a well respected former Governor of Lagos, and now â&#x20AC;&#x153;superâ&#x20AC;? Minister of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria perpetually abstaining from stating the facts; when you could easily apologise to President Buhari, FEC members, and Nigerian for your negative role in delaying funding for the project.

7KH 0: SURMHFW LV RQH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;YH SURMHFWV PRYHG WR NSIA for funding in 2018, and your ministry requested the Chinese JV Partners to submit an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) for $270 million, rather than request for an APG for about $870 million (15%) as stated in the $5.79 billion EPC contract signed on the 10th of November 2017; but we all know why you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to pay all the $870 million to China Eximbank Mr Fashola, so please, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold Nigeria hostage because of your agenda.

I probably would not have bothered writing His Excellency about WKLV FULVLV EXW ZH DOO QHHG WR KHOS LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;JKW DJDLQVW FRUUXSWLRQ 3OHDVH LVVXH D SXEOLF DSRORJ\ WR 1LJHULDQV LQ DW OHDVW Ă&#x20AC;YH 1LJHULDQ It is very depressing and unnecessarily expensive for the FGN to dailies, and NTA for : continue searching and chasing stolen funds, when we can prevent WKHVH IXQGV IURP EHLQJ VWROHQ LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SODFH A: Not disclosing your covert plan to reduce the 3050MW Mambilla hydropower project to 1800MW, and your intention to Furthermore, His Excellency asked me to report any fraudulent utilise funds for the 3050MW for some (1500MW) solar power attempts which could derail the 3050MW Mambilla hydropower projects, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS, is fraudulent, and criminal project, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the reasons I wrote a letter to His Excel- in nature. lency in April 2017, and in November 2018.

Once again, the 3050MW power project, when completed, would In my letter recent to His Excellency, I requested for a meeting power thousands of industries in the northern part of Nigeria, and to be chaired by His Excellency, and wanted the Vice President, create at least 5 million direct and indirect jobs. Despite the comEFCC, ICPC, HAGF, COS, and the Chinese company(s) that paid pelling nature of the project for Nigeria however, your actions can millions of dollars in bribes in early 2007 to enable them sign a be deemed to have undermined President Buhari and the North by $1.46 billion Civil Works Contract; who are part of the new Chi- consistently doing everything possible to stop the actualization of nese JV for the execution of the Mambilla project. this project.

But knowing that we have â&#x20AC;&#x153;allâ&#x20AC;? the evidence to validate our position on these issues, you ran to the press to malign me and called me a criminal; when I have never been tried, left-alone convicted by any law courts.

Obviously you do recall the embarrassment you suffered In China in early 2016 because you refused to promote the Mambilla project. Three years on, you continue to frustrate the Chinese Funding with your attempts to redesign a project you never believed in.

Well, I shall continue to seek the support of Governors NASIRU El Rufai, Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Governor Darius Ishaku, and the Agriculture Minister, Chief Audu Ogbe to plead with you to make payment for the 3050MW your priority; as they did in Beijing in 2016.

While I refuse to discuss the ongoing Paris arbitration, I am committed to immediate execution of the 3050MW Mambilla project, and that is why I want the FGN to pay the entire 15% Counter-Part funds directly to China Eximbank; because keeping $600 million with the CBN will make it easier for the funds to end up in private pockets.

2.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, instructed me personally on the 30th of June 2015 to report any act of It is therefore important to refocus your efforts on complying with corruption that may stall the execution of the Mambilla project, and all the request of the Chinese lenders (as documented in the letter this is what I addressed in my recent letter â&#x20AC;&#x153;WITHOUT FEAR OR from the Chinese JV Partners in October 2018), and stop all at- FAVOR OF ANYONEâ&#x20AC;?. In my letter, I informed His Excellency of tempts to re-scope the project, or kill the the project because some your attempt on the 16th of August 2017, to get the Federal Execuhigh powered individuals want to steal about $600 million. tive Council (FEC) to approve a multi billion Solar Power project WITHOUT any feasibility studies, EIA report, budget approval by FACTS: 1$66 1R 'XH 3URFHVV &HUWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWH )RUWXQDWHO\ IRU RXU FRXQWU\ this attempt was detected by FEC members, and the attempt was 1.

To demonstrate my full commitment to the actualisation of TXDVKHG 6XIĂ&#x20AC;FH WR VD\ WKDW WKLV LV ZKDW KDV QRZ SURYRNHG \RX WR the 3050MW Mambilla hydropower project under His Excellency, label me a fraud.

President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, I refused to seek a Court Injunction to stop the signing of the EPC in November 2017; be- Mr. Fashola, as stated in my advertorial, unless you can publish the cause Nigeria needs the 3050MW to create at least 5 million jobs, case where I was convicted of a crime, please demonstrate to the especially in northern Nigeria. world that you are worthy of being a Senior Advocate Of Nigeria 6$1 E\ PDNLQJ D SXEOLF DSRORJ\ RQ 17$ DQG Ă&#x20AC;YH QDWLRQDO GDL 6WRS \RXU HJR WULS EHFDXVH \RX DUH QRW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW 0LQLVWHU WR lies for calling me a criminal. seek and obtain FEC approval for the Mambilla hydropower projHFW WDNH WKH WLPH WR VWXG\ WKH 0DPELOOD Ă&#x20AC;OHV DW \RXU PLQLVWU\ Respectfully,

LENO ADESANYA

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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INTERNA TIONAL

Theresa May Faces Defeat in Parliament over Brexit Plan Prime Minister Theresa May faced the prospect of a historic defeat in a vote on her Brexit deal in parliament on Tuesday potentially leaving Britain in limbo about the biggest political and economic change for the country in decades.

Barely two-and-a-half months before Britain is due to leave the EU, May’s expected defeat leaves open a range of outcomes, from

resurrecting her deal, leaving the EU with no deal at all or holding another referendum that could halt Brexit altogether.

The prime minister’s hopes of keeping her widely unpopular plan alive will hinge on the scale of her expected loss. A comparatively narrow defeat could allow her to try again, but a loss by 100 votes or more would most likely be seen as

Five Bodies Recovered in Nairobi Hotel Attack Five people were killed in an attack on an upmarket hotel and office complex in Nairobi yesterday, an AFP photographer saw, while a police source said he had seen up to 14 dead.

The photographer saw five bodies slumped over tables on a restaurant terrace in the complex, which was hit in an attack claimed by Al-Shabaab Islamists.

Not far from the terrace he saw the body of what appeared to be a suicide bomber.

An unnamed eyewitness told Citizen TV he had also seen five bodies, however, it was unclear if these were the

same victims.

A senior police officer who was among the first at the scene but who asked not to be named said he had seen as many as 14 dead.

“There could be more upstairs. There are 14 scattered at the ground floor offices and restaurant lobbies. Some are lying on the ground while others are leaning on the table which is scattered with food.”

The overall situation at the DusitD2 complex remained unclear as elite police forces combed the area to evacuate people and try to flush out potential gunmen.

Joy, Anger as ICC Acquits Ex -Ivorian Leader, Gbagbo of War Crimes The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday acquitted former Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo of war crimes and ordered his immediate release from custody.

The verdict was to the joy of dancing supporters and frustration of victims of atrocities.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of Gbagbo supporters, many who traveled to The Hague by bus from Paris, broke into cheers and dancing at the verdict.

“Ooh-la-la!,” said Gbagbo supporter Olivier Kipre in Abidjan, where people gathered in Gbagbo shirts to watch the proceedings on big screens.

“I’m so joyful. I will become crazy today because I didn’t believe he would be released.”

Some threw themselves to the ground or burst into tears, while taxis passing through a pro-Gbagbo enclave tooted horns.

Gbagbo was the first former head of state tried at the ICC. His freedom and possible return home may shake up the 2020 presidential poll in francophone West Africa’s largest economy and the world’s biggest cocoa producer.

President Alassane Ouattara’s camp has said he may reconsider a decision not to run if long-time rivals Gbagbo and former president Henri Konan Bedie were to stand.

In the latest high-profile defeat for ICC prosecutors at the Hague, presiding Judge Cuno Tarfusser said they failed to prove accusations against Gbagbo and co-defendant Charles Blé Goudé, a former political youth leader.

Gbagbo, 73, and Goudé, 46, hugged when the decision was announced.

In custody for seven years after French troops flushed him out of a presidential bunker, Gbagbo could be freed as soon as Wednesday.

“It is too soon right now to comment on the future and

where he will go, but you can imagine he is very attached to Ivory Coast,” said defense lawyer Emmanuel Altit.

Rights groups said the verdict denied justice to victims of Ivory Coast’s December 2010-April 2011 post-election conflict, when Gbagbo refused to accept defeat by rival Alassane Ouattara. About 3,000 people died in violence.

“How can you free someone who has killed our children and our husbands?” 33-year-old shopkeeper Salimata Cisse said.

He was surrounded by a crowd of women in the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan who were all unhappy at the verdict.

“Forces loyal to both Gbagbo and Ouattara were responsible for shocking violence,” said Jim Wormington, of Human Rights Watch.

It was another defeat for prosecutors, who also lost cases against Jean-Pierre Bemba, the Congolese ex-vice president released last year after his war crimes conviction was overturned, and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had charges dropped in 2015.

Prosecutors have only won three war crimes convictions over the past 15 years.

This time, they failed to show Gbagbo’s speeches directly incited crime, judge Tarfusser said.

Gambian prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has held the top job since 2012 but is due to be replaced next year.

“The acquittal underscores how important it is that the process to select the next prosecutor yields a person of integrity and sound judgment who is highly skilled at criminal investigation,” said James A. Goldston, of the Open Society Justice Initiative rights group.

Gbagbo had faced four counts including murder, rape, persecution and other inhumane acts.

dooming the plan for good.

As Britain’s deepest political crisis for at least half a century built to a head, a spokesman for May said she would respond quickly to the result of the vote.

He also said there had been no discussion at a meeting between the prime minister and her cabinet on Tuesday morning of delaying Brexit beyond the March 29 deadline.

May says accepting her deal is the only way parliament can

fulfil its promise to deliver on the 2016 vote to quit the EU, and failing to do so would be “catastrophic” for democracy.

Her ministers pressed that message on the morning of the vote.

“The British people have placed a responsibility on us,” Environment Secretary Michael Gove told BBC radio.

“Are we going to live up to that responsibility and vote to leave the European Union or

are we going to disappoint them and damage our democracy by not voting to leave the EU?” THROWING OUR HANDS UP Many Brexit-supporting lawmakers from May’s Conservative Party reject the deal, particularly a “backstop” requirement that Northern Ireland stays closely aligned to EU rules to avoid the return of a hard border with EU member Ireland.

Dominic Raab, who resigned as May’s Brexit minister in November in protest at her plans, said the government should not lose its nerve over the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, something many employers fear would mean chaos for business.

“It’s time for us, through this vote, to make clear not just that the current terms are unacceptable, but that we are not just throwing our hands up in the air,” he said.

Brazilian President Eases Gun Laws with Decree Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday decreed the easing of national gun laws as part of a law-and-order agenda, despite fears it could aggravate already staggering violent crime.

The executive order, signed in a live television broadcast, allows “good citizens” to more easily own firearms, said Bolsonaro.

“To guarantee the legitimate right of defense, as president I am using this weapon,” he said, indicating the pen he then used to sign the decree.

Brazil recorded nearly 64,000 homicides in 2017, making it one

of the most dangerous countries in the world outside of a war zone.

According to a survey published last month by the Datafolha firm, 61 per cent of Brazilians are opposed to generalised gun ownership.

Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old former army captain and longtime lawmaker, took office two weeks ago after being elected in October on promises to crack down on crime and corruption. On the campaign trail, he often mimicked a pistol by extending the thumb and

forefinger with his hand.

One of Bolsonaro’s key pledges was to roll back guncontrol laws, on the premise that armed citizens would deter criminals.

His decree makes it much easier for adults with no criminal record to buy guns and keep them at home.

It does not extend to carrying weapons — concealed or otherwise — in public, which remains restricted to police, public or private security personnel, and the military.

Bolsonaro said his decree was

supported by a 2005 referendum in which 64 per cent of Brazilians voted against a total ban on gun sales.

“The people decided to buy guns and ammunition and we cannot deprive those who wanted that at that time,” he said, criticizing firearmownership restrictions brought in under former leftwing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is now in prison for corruption.

A ministerial source told AFP that the new decree took effect immediately, without needing congressional approval.

Southern African Bloc Calls for Emergency Meeting on DR Congo Election The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for an emergency meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa to discuss Democratic Republic of Congo’s disputed presidential election, an adviser to President Joseph Kabila said on Tuesday.

Runner-up Martin Fayulu, who led pre-election polls, filed a fraud complaint on Saturday, asking for a recount after results gave victory to another opposition leader, Felix Tshisekedi.

Hearings into Fayulu’s complaint opened at the Constitutional Court which has until Friday to render a judgment.

The December 30 election was

meant to lead to Congo’s first democratic transfer of power, but allegations of fraud cast doubt on the outcome and threatened to reawaken large-scale unrest in the vast Central African country.

Kabila’s diplomatic adviser, Barnabe Kikaya Bin Karubi, told Reuters he would attend Thursday’s SADC meeting.

It was not immediately clear who else from Congo would be present or what action, if any, the bloc might decide to take.

SADC, which includes Congo allies such as South Africa and Angola, on Sunday called for a recount.

South Africa and Zambia backtracked on Monday, although Zambia reiterated its call for a government of

national unity.

“Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) also plans to file a challenge on Tuesday to the results of the legislative election, which took place the same day as the presidential vote,’’ UDPS spokesman Vidiye Tshimanga said.

Although the presidential candidate of Kabila’s ruling coalition, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, won only 24 per cent

of the vote, the coalition took over 350 of 500 seats in the National Assembly, compared with about 30 for the UDPS. That could undermine Tshisekedi’s ability to live up to campaign promises to break with Kabila’s long tenure, which began in 2001 when his father was assassinated.

“There are a certain number of inconsistencies between the numbers we have and those presented by the (electoral commission.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

49

NEWS XTRA

Govs, Others Stockpiling Arms for Election, NATFORCE Alleges Deji Elumoye in Abuja Serving governors and other political stakeholders have been accused of stockpiling arms and ammunition ahead of the general election in the country.

The Director General of

National Taskforce on Small Arms, Light and Chemical Weapons ( NATFORCE), Dr. Emmanuel Okereke, who raised the alarm yesterday, said the stockpiling of arms and ammunition by desperate political players ahead of the

Rigging Will Fuel Violence, Religious Leaders Tell INEC Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Religious leaders in Plateau State have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to rig the forthcoming elections in favour of any candidate to avoid violence in Nigeria.

The clerics gave the warning yesterday during an interaction session organised for them by INEC in Jos, the state capital.

The leaders drawn from the two main religions - Christianity and Islam, specifically expressed concern at the attitude of some INEC officials who announce election results different from the ones from various voting centres where they are collated.

Justice Hussaini Organ, who represented the Jamatu Nasir Islam (JNI) said, “INEC is the major cause of electoral violence in Nigeria; they will send their officials in the field.

After elections, they will not bother to check the pattern of voting and the figures that should be in place and will go ahead to announce the winners just to favour a particular candidate. That is injustice on the people who have the right to choose their leaders and if there is injustice in the 2019 election, we only pray for God Almighty to help us because the people are not

willing to take it and there will be violence. So, INEC should ensure that there is no injustice in the coming elections,” he explained.

Reverend David Tyos, who represented the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Soja Bewarang, urged the commission to be sincere in its dealings with the people because that is the only way it will succeed in its assignments.

“We don’t want crisis in Plateau State or elsewhere in the country. And the only way to guarantee this is for INEC to be sincere in what it is doing.”

INEC National Commissioner in charge of Plateau, Kaduna, Niger and Abuja, Professor Anthonia Simbine, assured the people that the commission was doing all within its powers to ensure that the election was free and fair.

She said, “We cannot say that we don’t have problems with some of our staff during elections. But the commission is doing all it could to ensure that such problems are addressed through training and retraining of elections officials. But where such things happen, it can be reported so that appropriate action can be taken to address them.”

Dogara, Ekweremadu Canvass Better Welfare for Military Personnel

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have canvassed for a better welfare package for officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In a statement signed on the speaker’s behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, to mark the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, yesterday, Dogara assured Nigerians that the House of Representatives will remain committed to improving the welfare of officers and men of the armed forces.

According to the speaker, “The National Assembly is ever ready to expeditiously pass any legislative measures proposed by the executive towards improving the welfare and conditions of service of men of the armed forces so as to boost their morale.”

While thanking the fallen heroes for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as her peace and stability, he prayed for the repose of their souls and encouraged those who are in the trenches to hold on as they are in the thoughts and

prayers of Nigerians.

Stressing that violence is threatening the unity and foundation of Nigeria and its democracy, Dogara added that everything possible to win the war against terrorism and all sundry violence must be done.

He stated, “Today we remember our fallen heroes, brave men and women of our armed forces who paid the supreme price by laying down their lives in defence of the unity, territorial integrity of our nation and promotion of global peace.

They died for the love, honour and service to God and country.

We remember and honour with prayers for the repose of the souls of these courageous and patriotic unknown soldiers that their sacrifices will never be in vain.

“To everyone who is out there in the trenches, fighting for peace and territorial integrity of this country, we are with them and will continue to say that they should stand strong.

“We remember them this day on behalf of a very grateful nation for the sacrifice these very important brothers and sisters, very extraordinary sacrifices that they are making for the peace and stability of this nation. We can’t thank them enough.

election was facilitated by the porous nature of Nigeria’s border and non-existence of a specific body in form of a commission, to tackle the menace .

“Due to lack of a legally established specific body or commission as obtainable in 14 out of the 16 countries in the West African Sub-region, all manner of ammunition have been illegally brought into the country ahead of the coming elections by high class political players including some state governors,” he said.

According to him, for

Nigeria to effectively tackle the menace of proliferation of ammunition in the country with its attendant crimes, a National Commission for the Prohibition of Illegal importation of Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapons and other related matters , must be established as already done by other West African countries, except Nigeria and Gambia.

The commission, he added, was recommended for all West African Countries through a resolution passed to that effect by the Economic Community of

West Africa States ( ECOWAS) in December, 2017.

“Unfortunately , while 14 out of the 16 member sub- regional body have complied , Nigeria and Gambia are yet to do the needful in that direction,” he said.

Okereke explained further that even before the ECOWAS resolution, a bill for the establishment of such commission has long been sponsored by his outfit called national taskforce .

According to him, the bill, which is currently before the 8th Senate, has passed

second reading in the House of Representatives but not yet in the senate, having failed to scale through the required legislative processes in the 6th and 7th National Assembly .

The commission when established, he added, would not be a burden on the finances of the country but a revenue generating agency .

He therefore called on the Senate as it resumes plenary today, to fast track legislative business on the bill for the commission to be in place as soon as possible.

TRY MY JOB…

L-R: Lagos State Chairman, Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), Alhaji Moroof Arowolo; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and his running mate, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, during a learn assistant workshop with Lagos motor mechanics, tagged: “Try My Job,” at Oba Ogunji Mechanics Village, Agege, Lagos…

KOLA OLASUPO yesterday

Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Condemn Arraignment of CJN Fault appointment of junior officer as IG Deji Elumoye in Abuja Southern and Middle Belt leaders have condemned in strong terms, the reported government’s harassment and arraignment of Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

They have also expressed reservation at the appointment of a junior officer as Acting Inspector General of Police.

The leaders at the end of an emergency meeting held yesterday evening at the Asokoro, Abuja residence of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed concern and dismay that the pattern of appointment of a new Inspector General of Police resulting in the appointment of a relatively junior officer as Acting Inspector General of Police.

According to them, this “has further caused cleansing in the top hierarchy of the Police Force,

especially with officers from the southern parts of the country”.

The meeting,which was attended by President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; leader of Middle Belt Forum, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman(rtd); and Air Commodore Ndogesit Nkanga (rtd), among others, also frowned at the reported harassment and arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoggen, by the federal government.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and read by the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group, Yinka Odumakin, the leaders described the current assault on the person and office of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as unprecedented, unacceptable and condemnable act which has already done severe

damage to the judicial arm of government.

According to them, “it is clearly evident that the rule of law and due process have been totally ignored as Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) makes full provisions for the appointment, career progression and discipline of judicial officers which have been totally jettisoned in this case.

The leaders, therefore, implored the federal government to take immediate steps to bring this growing pattern of assault on the judiciary and other arms of government “to an immediate halt to prevent this country from further degenerating into chaos and anarchy and subjecting Nigeria to continued International ridicule and disrepute”.

On the forthcoming general election, the leaders demanded the immediate removal from office

of a INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. Amina Zakari, adding that non-removal of Mrs. Zakari, whose tenure was renewed by President Buhari in 2015 casts doubts on the commitment of INEC and the federal government to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The communique further stated that INEC’s rules must clearly distinguish and make provisions for accreditation and registration of voters on the one hand and actual conduct of voting on the other.

“INEC must take immediate steps to rectify the current state of affairs whereby PVC collection in most of the states of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt are encumbered with great difficulties while the federal government must cease from further acts that will impede or impugn on the credibility of the forth coming elections,” the leaders further said.

Ilorin Mayhem: Kwara Gov Bans Political Street Rallies Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Following the recent political violence that erupted in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday banned political street rallies and processions in the state with immediate effect.

Besides, he said henceforth, only political rallies in designated areas with prior notification to the state police command would be allowed while a joint military

task force comprising army, air force, police and civil defence has been set up to monitor various political campaigns and maintain peace across the state.

Ahmed stated this in Ilorin yesterday during a special state-wide radio and television broadcast to the people of the state.

Political thugs of the two main leading political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) in Ilorin last Sunday clashed during a road show rally of the APC. The development, however, led to the invasion of the homestead of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at Agbaji quarters in Ilorin which led to the vandalisation of over 50 vehicles while 30 people were injured.

On the APC side, one person was reportedly killed, 50 injured and 30 vehicles vandalised.

However, the state governor

said: “Those who aspire to political leadership must conduct themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner while prioritising the safety of those they seek to lead.

“As your governor, I assure you that no effort will be spared by my government to protect the lives and property of all law-abiding residents of the state.

“I address you today on account of recent developments that threatened the peace and harmony of our state.”

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EFCC, Onnoghen Deny Alleged Raid on CJN’s House Anti-graft agency threatens Fani-Kayode, Odumakin with libel suits Alex Enumah in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, have described as false the alleged raid on the CJN’s residence by the anti-graft agency.

Reacting to the report, the Senior Special Adviser to the CJN on media, Mr. Awassam Bassey, described it as false news.

“I really don’t know where they got the information from. So many media men were here earlier with cameras over the same report. But what I can tell

I am Still in Charge of Lagos, Says CP Imohimi Chiemele Ezeobi The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, yesterday said he was still in charge of the state police command, adding that there would be no change of guard for now.

Imohimi who had invited the media to witness the handing- and taking over ceremony between him and the incoming commissioner, Kayode Egbetokun, said they were about concluding the process when they received a directive from Abuja to suspend the action.

Imohimi had been redeployed to Abuja, to resume as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Explosive Ordinance Unit at the Force Headquarters, while Egbetokun had replaced him in acting

capacity.

The CP, while addressing the press, in the presence of Egbetokun, at the Lagos State Police Command’s headquarters, said, “I am sure that you know Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, he is an old timer in the command.

“You all know that our first job is about order and direction; we were about concluding the handing and taking over procedure when we were instructed by our bosses from Abuja to suspend action for now. So, there will be no change of guard for now. Of course, we would keep the press briefed about any development.

“But I am happy, humbled that you find it serious enough for you all to come to witness what we are doing here. I consider it an honour.”

Gana Accuses Buhari’s Administration of Political Gangsterism Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Jerry Gana, yesterday came hard on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, describing its actions against other arms of government as show of political gangsterism.

Gana who stated this at a press conference in Abuja, said the actions of Buhari-led executive arm of government are threat to democracy and the coming general election.

He said there were various reasons why he had tagged some of the actions of the current government as acts of gangsterism, given, “inexplicable invasion of the homes and privacy of serving Justices of the High Courts as well as the apex courts, the selective trial of the Senate president and head of the second arm of government, and the current action against the Chief Justice of the Federation and head of the judicial arm of government.

He added, “All of the above happening at this critical time, within few weeks to the allimportant 2019 general elections, tend to mark a clear indication of an agenda by the federal government to muzzle both the bench and the bar, under circumstances that suggest anything but due process. This worries us so much because democracy and rule of law work together.”

He also accused President Buhari of not paying the needed attention to the economy and security, urging all lovers of democracy to rise up and defend the country’s nascent democracy.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria is facing serious challenges that are threatening our emerging democracy and good governance within the rule of law. The country is currently facing external threats, internal insecurity and serious economic challenges. ‘’The insecurity and economic situation have worsened while the fight against corruption of, which the federal government boasts her success is being prosecuted in a manner that tends towards the disruption of the constitutional order. That is what we are worried about’’, the presidential hopeful said.

He argued that beyond politics, all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and well-meaning people all over the world, must close ranks at this time to confront this emerging trend towards the institutionalisation of cultic principles and gangsterism in the political and governance processes.

Gana re-emphasised the importance of the rule of law in democracy and society, adding that “the rule of law and social justice remain the bastion of democracy anywhere in the world. ‘’When the rule of law and social justice are violated, democracy lacks credibility and legitimacy. Sadly, such forces, if not promptly arrested and seriously contained can easily lead to the truncation of our hard earned democracy’’, he explained.

“Some of us worked so hard for the restoration of democracy in 1999; some even paid the supreme sacrifice; hence we have a very serious responsibility to stand up for democracy whenever it is under threat”.

you for now is that there was no such thing. It is false news”, Bassey reportedly said.

The anti-graft agency, which said it neither arrested nor extended any invitation to the CJN, also described the report as fake news sponsored by those he referred to as agents of destabilisation.

“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been drawn to the falsehood which has been spreading on the social media that the EFCC has arrested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. This is not only

a figment of the imagination of the purveyor of the fake news, but an evil machination by the creator and carriers of the news aimed at creating anarchy in the country.

“For the record, the EFCC never went to the house of the CJN for arrest neither was invitation extended to him”, the commission said in a statement.

Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Tony Orilade, who issued the statement said “several calls and short messages received all point to the fact that the brains behind the fake news had one thing in mind:

to act as agent of destabilisation.

We would not give in to their plots”.

He quoted a former minister whom he alleged is the architect of the fake news, as saying “Why have the EFCC surrounded the home of CJN Onnoghen and why are they seeking to arrest him?

These people want Nigeria to burn! Buhari call off your dogs before it is too late! This is a democracy and not a gestapo state! In the name of God let this madness stop”.

While claiming that another arrowhead of the fake news, shared a non-existent video which

he said has gone viral, Orilade assured Nigerians that while the agency would fight corruption in line with the mandate setting up the Commission, “agents of darkness, in the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and his cohorts, would never be able to manipulate the people against the Commission.

“We also want to assure Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and other purveyors of the evil news to be ready to defend their actions in the court of law as the EFCC will file libel suit against them without further delay”, he said.

CONGRATULATIONS…

L-R: Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin; Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe; and Editor of UNILAG’s Radio Station, Mrs. Lydia Eke, at the commissioning of UNILAG TV Station 184 in Lagos… yesterday

Lagos PDP Accuses Police of Denying Agbaje Protection Segun James The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has accused the Nigerian Police of denying its governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, of the level of security protection accorded the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying this lopsided

action shows the preferential treatment in the handling of both candidates.

According to Mr. Wale Tokunboh-Martins, both the party and the Agbaje Campaign Organisation had applied for police protection for Agbaje and his campaign office, adding that the police only provided the candidate with only one policeman, leaving

the campaign office vulnerable to attacks.

Tokunboh-Martins lamented that “we are afraid that our candidate’s life is at risk.”

He said this is contrary to the kind of protection given to the APC candidate whom he said has a contingent of policemen in two pick-up vans and several Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.

He stressed that such apparent bias has given the party a cause for concern.

On her part, the Director of Media of the Agbaje Campaign Organisation, Ms. Modupe Ogunbayo, said she hopes that security issues relating to her principal would be taken care of by the i state commissioner of police.

Patience Jonathan Tenders Five Videos in Court to Counter N8.4bn Forfeiture Suit Davidson Iriekpen

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday watched in open court, video clips presented as exhibits in an $8.4 million and N7.4 billion forfeiture case, linked to a former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 20, 2018, via an ex parte application, obtained an interim order for forfeiture of the sum on April 20, 2018.

It joined as respondents: Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd, Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba, as first to seventh respondents.

While granting the interim forfeiture order, the court had directed that the order be published in the national

dailies, for any interested party to appear and show cause why a final order should not be made.

On October 29, 2018, EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, moved his motion seeking final forfeiture of the sums, but Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), counsel to the respondents opposed the said applications for final forfeiture and urged the court to hear his counter affidavits.

Specifically, Ozekhome, who appeared for the third to sixth respondents, had informed the court that exhibits F5 of his processes, confirmed that the third respondent (Finchley Homes) was a company, and showed video evidences of various outfits legitimately run by it.

Ozekhome then applied and requested to allow him present videos as exhibits in court which application was granted by the judge.

At the resumption of

hearing yesterday, five videos were displayed during the proceedings in close succession, in a projector in the courtroom.

The first video which spanned a period of 25 minutes, showed business outlets and products of Finchley Homes Ltd, (third respondent), including interior and exterior home decorations, household utensils, textiles, drinks, noodles, furniture, its warehouse, as well as various pick-up vans belonging to the company.

The second video clip, which ran for four minutes, showed the business outfit of the sixth respondent (Magel Resort Ltd), located in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, showed the luxurious Hotel and Suites with well equipped IT centres.

Similarly, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), counsel to the first respondent, also exhibited three more videos, showing activities of the Women for

Change Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation, linked to Jonathan.

The third video, which ran for 10 minutes, showed the flag off of the initiative’s campaign; the fourth video also displayed for 10 minutes, showed aspects of the initiative’s empowerment of women through the distribution of bags of rice and other food items.

The fifth video which lasted for seven minutes, displayed a visit of the then first Lady, Patience, to Katsina State, also for the flag off of the initiative.

But EFCC’s counsel, Oyedepo, after final display of the video clips, informed the court that he had not been served with affidavit of the first respondent showing some of the exhibits displayed in court.

Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case until January 16 for continuation of trial.

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Court Orders Nigerian Army to Reinstate Retired Officer, Hassan Davidson Iriekpen The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Army to reinstate Colonel

Danladi Hassan who was compulsorily retired in 2016.

Delivering judgment in the suit filed by Hassan, the judge, Justice Sanusi Kado, declared

FG Reduces Miners’ Royalties Rate to 3.5% Set to implement mineral export guidelines Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government has hinted that royalty rates for miners have been reduced from between three per cent and five per cent to between two and 3.5 per cent, noting that royalties will henceforth be paid directly to the Federation Account, after repatriation of proceeds by the exporter’s bank - in the currency of trade - before the exporter’s domiciliary account is credited.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, said that the advalorem value (market value) on which all royalties for exports are calculated, will henceforth be charged against the international quoted price of the commodity.

Bwari, while giving account of his three years’ stewardship in the mining sector, in Abuja, revealed that all mineral exports shall henceforth be inspected by the federal governmentappointed independent preshipment inspection agents, who shall also render quantity and quality control services and monitor pricing.

He noted that the move, which is in accordance with the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act, was a measures been put in place to ensure correct valuation of royalties.

According to him, “to promote and encourage more mineral exporters to go into mining and to make provision for

the environmental degradation resulting from the activities of the informal artisan producers, royalties for mineral trading exporters is set at a reduced rate to between 2.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent.

“Under the-soon-to-bereleased Mineral Export Guidelines, the lingering issue of evading payment of royalties or false declarations has been dealt with. This simply means that a person exporting, for example, Tin concentrate of 50 per cent tin metal content, will pay less royalties than a person exporting a concentrate of 70 per cent tin content.

He stated that the extra one per cent charged for non-mining exporters shall be deployed for environmental remediation by the government, saying whilst royalties were paid for only 56 within the period, export documentation was cumbersome and the process of mineral exports took 46 days to complete.

“This, we discovered was occasioned by the lack of a distinct procedure for conducting mineral exports. The whole export circles from inspection at source to shipment will now take16 days, instead of the current 46 days’’, the minister further stated.

“I am pleased to announce to you that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, the Ministry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) has developed a handbook for Mineral Exports.

the letter written by the army on the retirement of Hassan as null and void.

He ordered that the colonel be given all his rights and privileges accordingly.

The Nigerian Army had compulsorily retired Hassan and 37 others in controversial circumstances on June 9, 2016.

He had served as an instructor, staff officer, and commander in the field before his disengagement.

The officers were dismissed without facing a panel and have all been challenging their fate in court, citing injustice, neglect of due process, and negation of fair hearing.

Hassan in his suit asked the court to void his compulsory retirement and to order the army to reinstate and pay him compensatory and exemplary damages to the tune of N1 billion.

The suit with No: NICN/ ABJ/316/2017 has Hassan as the claimant.

The defendants were the Nigerian Army Council, Chief of Army Staff, Armed Forces Council, Chief of Defence

Staff, Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Defence, and Mohammed Hong Garba, a major general.

Hassan sought, among others, a declaratory order that his compulsory retirement “constitutes/constituted an unfair and or wrongful dismissal and therefore wrongful, unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, invalid and contrary to the Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers 2012.”

He asked the court to set aside the purported letter of compulsory retirement “for being unlawful, invalid, unconstitutional, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

Hassan also asked for an order of the court directing his “immediate reinstatement to his statutory protected employment or service in the Nigerian Army and which reinstatement is to be made effective from June 9, 2016, with all of his rights and entitlements.”

The defendants had told the court that the Armed Forces Oaths of Allegiance stipulate

that the claimant will serve for 18 years and if a need arises, will apply for an extension.

They said the claimant not following this rule was a serious offence.

According to the defendants, the Armed Forces Act “provides for the administration and that is not limited to the description which is not true that an officer of the rank of colonel cannot be retired without going through the disciplinary procedure.”

The defendants urged the court to determine whether the claimant established by the preponderance of the evidence that his employment with the Nigerian Army is for 35 years, or whether he established evidence that his employment with the army was for 18 years in the first instance.

Also, the defendants wanted the court to determine whether the claimant has overstayed his tenure or whether he is entitled to the reliefs sought.

According to the defendants, the period of employment for Hassan was validly determined, hence his retirement was not

illegal.

After an analysis of all the processes filed, and the submissions of the counsel from both sides, the presiding Judge, Sanusi Kado, in his judgment declared the letter of the army null and void and thereby nullified the compulsory retirement of Hassan.

“The defendants have not referred the court to any of the provisions of the Armed Forces Act or the harmonised Terms and Condition of Service for Officers 2012, (Revised), where overstaying or serving beyond 18 years in the military was made to be a disciplinary, that is, serious, offence.

“The defendants seem to be under the impression that the claimant having served for 26 years, the contract of service has elapsed as at the time the claimant served for 18 years and they are acting under the assumption that the claimant is no longer entitled to be in service. The defendants may have taken the position they have taken based on their own interpretation of section 30 of the Armed Forces Act.

Stop Attacks against BEDC, 46 CSOs Caution Obaseki Against the backdrop of incessant hostility mounted on its operation, electricity consumers in Edo State, especially those hiding under the cover of civil rights advocacy and the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, have been urged to desist from doing so forthwith or face legal actions.

A group with 46 allied Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), Abuja, made this declaration at a world press conference addressed by its National Convener, Solomon Adodo at Abia House, Abuja last Friday.

“We call on the Governor of Edo State to forthwith refrain from antagonising BEDC Electricity Plc and instead follow relevant rules and guidelines governed by clearly cut contract terms. The issue of power distribution in Edo State should not be unnecessarily politicised,” TADI stated.

“It should be made clear that all DISCOs are firmly

protected by the contract terms and conditions under, which they were issued licences and it is on record that BEDC has not in any way breached such conditions” TADI said further.

According to the group, “We shall resist this evil at all costs in the best interest of sustainable business practice in order not to ward off future investors and or frustrate the gains made thus far in the power sector”.

“On this note, we call on the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) and every concerned regulator to immediately come out and clear the air on the needless controversies being stirred to cripple the BEDC under its current management.

“If we do not get appropriate feedback within seven days of this notice, we shall be left with no other option but to embark on peaceful procession to these offices for the sake of sanity in our power sector”, the group stressed.

HONOUR TO FALLEN HEROES...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle), during the parade to commemorate the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu... yesterday.

Buhari, Fayemi Greet Bisi Akande at 80 Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday joined all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in greeting the first Interim Chairman of the party and former Governor of Osun State, Chief Abdukareem Adebisi Akande on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

The president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari congratulated Akande, his family and friends for the laudable achievements over the years, which he said threw him into the limelight

at an early age, particularly highlighting his sacrifices in public service at both state and national levels.

“As the first Interim Chairman of the APC, President Buhari affirms that the former governor’s pivotal and visionary leadership prepared the party for history in 2015, which saw it unseating an incumbent president for the first time in an election in Nigeria.

“President Buhari extols Chief Akande’s loyalty and faithfulness to the party and the cause of building a strong and unified nation, as he consistently challenges governments and leaders to

higher ideals, and reminds them to think out of the box in meeting the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

“The president believes that the octogenarian’s good-nature, large heart and broad outlook on issues have impacted positively on party politics and democracy in Nigeria, praying that God will grant him longer life, strength and wisdom to serve more,” the president said.

Meanwhile, Fayemi has also felicitated with Akande, describing him as a living legend and perfect example of talent and hard work.

Fayemi in a personally signed congratulatory letter

to Akande, said he considered it a great privilege for him to work and walk with the former APC interim national chairman, whom he described as a man of integrity.

He describedAkande as a pride and a leading light of the progressive school of thought “a true, committed, passionate and loyal Awoist, deserving of all admiration”.

The governor said: “I celebrate you today as always because you have been a great boss and a wonderful mentor. I will forever cherish the chance of working and walking with you to make life more meaningful for our people”.

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Saraki Snubs Idris at Armed Forces Remembrance Day Event The cold relationship between the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the former Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, was openly displayed yesterday

in Abuja during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, with Saraki refusing to accept handshake extended to him by the police boss.

Both were at the event held at the National Archade, Abuja, to mark the climax of the activities of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

The police chief, who was

standing near the mounted podium at the event, had saluted the Senate President, preparatory to a handshake as has been the practice, but instead of walking towards Idris to accept the handshake

from him, the Senate President steadily looked at him and walked away to shake the service chiefs who were standing together with the IG. But the case was different with the Speaker of the House

of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who had arrived at the occasion not only in company of the Senate President, but also walked to the podium to take salutes at the same time.

Babalakin Tasks UNILAG TV on Intellectual Discourse Hamid Adedeji The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has urged UNILAG TV to be the source of outstanding intellectual discourse.

Speaking yesterday at UNILAG’s Media Centre during the inauguration of the university’s Television Station, Channels 184 on Startimes, Babalakin urged the station to be a source of accurate news and a centre that would provide solutions to societal problems.

His words: “I hope this station will be the centre of very interesting discussions. I am hoping that this would be a centre of correct and accurate news and will begin the end of fake news in Nigeria. We are hoping that this place will bring back the vibrancy of intellectual discourse and become a great center.

“I really look forward to you providing what is missing today.

A lot of TV stations have done very well but I believe there is serious room for a TV station that will acquire the reputation of being a source of the most outstanding intellectual discourse.

“There is a vacuum. I look forward to a situation where UNILAG TV would always bring together the leaders of opinion, the most resourceful people, the most intellectual people in every area to discuss issues.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who said UNILAG was full of brilliant people who were capable of achieving any feat, urged all departments in the institution to support the TV station in its quest to become the resource centre for “serious intellectual discussions”.

Remembering his younger years with nostalgia, Babalakin said: “When I was younger, when we had issues about verifying facts, all you had to say to win the argument was that you read it in Daily Times. I look forward to being told that once it is coming from UNILAG TV Channel 184, it is accurate.”

The pro-chancellor, who said he was proud of the fact that UNILAG had advanced from owning a Radio Room to owning a TV Station, urged the Faculty of Theatre Arts to showcase its talents on Channel 184.

“I really look forward to tuning to Channel 184 in and outside Nigeria”, he added.

Annang People Pledge Support, Loyalty to Emmanuel The people of Annang across the world have pledged support and loyalty to the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, scoring him high on his industrialisation efforts in the state.

The people of Annang have also expressed their admiration of Emmanuel’s administration.

This decision was reached at the 2019 Ati Annang Foundation Annual General Meeting held at the association’s international Secretariat at Ikot Ekpene.

In a statement signed by the International President of Ati Annang Foundation, Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, and the Secretary General, Dr. Gloria W. Inyang, the association commended

the statesman attributes of the governor in handling state’s affairs.

“The Foundation notes and commends the statesmanship, vision and avant-garde simplicity that our Governor, Udom Emmanuel has brought to the governance process in Akwa Ibom State. Therefore, the Annang people are totally in support and loyal to the present Government headed by Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Further, the Foundation expresses her deep gratitude for the continuous support of the governor to the Foundation especially towards the completion of the Foundation secretariat. This gesture is not taken for granted.

Mrs Osadolor Passes on With gratitude to God for a life well lived, the Osadolor family in Edo State has announced the glorious exit of their grandmother, mother, aunty, and devout Christian, the late Mrs. Olemekwu Osadolor, nee Alonge Odin, who was called to glory, on December 26, 2018, at the age of 88 years.

She is survived by her brothers, sisters, sons, daughter and many grandchildren among whom are Messrs.

Wilson Osadolor (Edo Line), Bernard Osadolor, John Osadolor (Deputy Editor, BusinessDay), Charles Osadolor (MTN, Nigeria), Joseph Osadolor and Mrs.

Amenawon Lakpama.

Burial arrangements will be announced later.

GRASSROOT MOBILISATION…

House of Assembly candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for KOLGA Constituency Two in Bayelsa State, Hon. Wisdom Fafi (left), and a former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe, during a campaign in the constituency… recently

Court Orders Substituted Service of Charge on Oil Marketer Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered substituted service on an oil marketer, Chima Anyaso, and his company, Ceecon Energy Oil and Gas Limited who are standing trial on a N2.1 billion criminal charge.

The defendant is standing trial over alleged forgery and fraud.

The prosecution in the charge marked FHC/L/332c/18, alleged that accused committed the offence on February 21, 2011.

The oil marketer was alleged

to have forged a letter- headed paper of Total Nigeria Ltd. captioned “offer to sale” dated February 21, 2011, with reference number AAC/CSO/OPS/.

He falsely presented the letter to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), to obtain a credit facility in the said sum for delivery of 15 metric tonnes of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK).

In the charge, the accused was also alleged to have on February 22, 2011, forged another letterheaded paper of Total Nigeria Ltd. which he presented to GTB

for the payment of N2.1billion, for the supply of 15 metric tonnes of ATK. The prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaiye, a senior officer with the Department of State Security Services (DSS), told the court that the accused had been evading service of the charge when the case was called.

He, therefore, urged the court for an order of substituted service of the charge by way of pasting same at the last known address of the accused.

The prosecution alleged that

the defendant fraudulently obtained the said sum as credit facility.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 1(1) (a) and 2(1) (c) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related offences, Cap. A 6 Laws of the Federation of 2004.

Justice Ayokunle Faji, while adjourning the matter until January 30, for report of service, ordered that the charge be pasted at the last known address of the oil marketer and his company.

Enugu PDP Condemns Act of Arson on Campaign Facilities Ugo Aliogo The Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it described as an act of arson on campaign facilities with the burning of five campaign vehicles branded with the pictures of the party’s gubernatorial candidate Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and his running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo.

The party in a statement made available to THISDAY, by the Director of Communications, PDP Campaign Organisation, Enugu State, Nana Ogbodo, noted that the party is yet to

identify the hoodlums who carried out the dastardly act.

“This evening, five campaign vehicles branded with pictures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and that of his running mate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, were set ablaze by yet to be identified hoodlums at the Tickles Centre, along Osadebe Street opposite WTC, Ogui, New Layout, Enugu,”Ogbodo noted.

Ogbodo also noted that this was not the first time such attack was carried out on the campaign facilities of the party

in the state by those who are obviously uncomfortable with the existing peace and good governance in the state.

The statement added that the party is not unaware of the apparent confusion in some opposition camps given that there is practically no attempt on its part at campaigning to the Enugu electorate.

According to the statement: “It must be noted that this is not the first time such attack is visited on the campaign facilities of the PDP in Enugu State by those who are obviously uncomfortable with the existing

peace and good governance in the state since the inception of the present administration.

“We are not unaware of the apparent confusion in some opposition camps given that there is practically no attempt on their parts at campaigning to the Enugu electorate. This despicable resort to arson runs contrary to the prevailing mood in the state which is arguably the most peaceful in the country.

We therefore deprecate this dastardly act and view it as the climax of their crass desperation and inordinate pursuit fo power.

MultiChoice Talent Factory Masterclasses Begin Friday

Mrs Osadolor

The highly anticipated MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Masterclasses, the flagship Corporate Shared Value project of MultiChoice Nigeria, will begin on Friday.

This was announced in a statement by the video entertainment company.

According to the statement, the Masterclasses will present

the industry with “Best in Class” workshops to increase MTF’s up-skilling outreach to established film and television industry professionals and are aimed at developing technical skills in cinematography, audio and story-telling to improve the quality of local productions.

The Masterclasses will be powered by various industry

partners as part of the shared value initiative’s three touch points alongside the MTF Academy and the soon-to-be launched industry networking portal.

The workshop is open to invited members of the film and television industry, who aspire to take their craft to the next level.

Participants will be drawn from across the spectrum of the industry, with delegates from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Lagos Television, independent television production companies and leading Nollywood professionals.

These will be led by wellrespected experts.

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͚͞Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY SPORTS

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

NPFL: Plateau Utd Banished to Ilorin, Fined N5m HOOLIGANISM Duro Ikhazuagbe The League Management Company (LMC) has come down hard on Plateau United FC for the crowd violence that rocked the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first game of the new 2019 season against FC IfeanyiUbah in Jos last Sunday.

Plateau United was ordered to play its next three home fixtures at the Ilorin Township Stadium and also fined a total of N5million for breaches of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Jos-based club also risks immediate three points deduction should a similar disturbance occur again during the current season.

Rowdy crowd incidence at the end of the match saw the match officials assaulted by unruly fans led by one Attahiru Babayo who was identified by the match officials as the leader of the assault gang.

In a Summary Jurisdiction notice sent to the club yesterday letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar, Plateau United has been ordered to assist

security agencies apprehend the said Babayo and others for prosecution failing which Plateau United will be liable to pay a fine of N25,000 per day until the culprit is arrested. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plateau United was found in breach of four rules of the NPFL ranging from failure to provide adequate security, assault on match officials, throwing objects on to the field of play, encroachment on the field of play and conduct capable of bringing the league to disrepute. The rules include B8.21, B13.1 and, C1.1 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plateau United supporters were also found to have thrown objects and projectiles at the match officials as they left the field of play in violation of Rule B13.18 of the Framework and Rules. The Club was also charged under Rule B13.18 for encroachment on the field of play by their supporters.

The last charge read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;you are in breach of Rule C1.1 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional League Football League, in that on Sunday, 13thth January, 2019, immediately after your Match Day 1 Fixture: Plateau United FC vs. FC Ifeanyi Ubah, some of your designated officials assaulted

NFF Empathises with Kanu,Calls on Police toTrack Down Burglars The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday expressed concern over the burgling of the property of former Nigeria Captain Nwankwo Kanu, with valuables such as medals, plaques and trophies carted away in the heart-breaking infraction.

Amongst the items missing is Kanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gold medal from the men football event of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as well as the medal from the 1993 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Japan won by Nigeria.

These valuables items were carted away from Kanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hardley Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, less than a week after the Nigeria legend attended the African Football Awards ceremony in Dakar, Senegal. The property has been a subject of litigation and has been under temporary possession of AMCON since 2015 over alleged indebtedness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our superstar and former captain is in intense pain at this period, and we empathise with him. This is tragedy. Losing precious possessions like medals, trophies and plaques can be heart-breaking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We respectfully call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to work hard at unravelling the perpetrators of these nefarious act. Kanu worked very hard from a humble beginning to accumulate whatever he has today and to earn those precious valuables,â&#x20AC;? NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said in Lagos. Pinnick insisted the thieves should at least have considered the charitable works of the former Nigeria captain, in helping young Nigerians with heart defects to overcome their medical conditions, before

carrying out their dastardly act. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kanu brought immense joy and celebration to many homes across Nigeria, Africa and the world, while playing for the Nigeria U17 team that won the FIFA World Cup, the U23 team that he captained to Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996 and the Super Eagles for which he featured at three FIFA World Cup finals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He also served several top clubs in world football, giving them and their fans nothing but immeasurable joy. He has also been spending heavily, through his Kanu Heart Foundation, in getting medical attention for young Africans with heart defects to be cured and live normal lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He does not deserve this cruel fate. Our confidence in the Nigeria Police and indeed other security agencies to hunt down these criminals is unshaken.

We stand with Kanu at this low moment and we believe he will overcome and put the sad incident behind him soonest,â&#x20AC;? stressed Pinnick.

Nwankwo Kanu won the FIFA U17 World Cup with Nigeria in 1993, narrowly missed the Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cut for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA but then featured at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups for Nigeria.

He also played for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations between 2000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2010, winning one silver and four bronze medals.

He captained Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U23 team to win Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first â&#x20AC;&#x201C;ever Olympic football gold, in USA in 1996, after which he survived heart surgery. He then played for Inter Milan FC of Italy, Arsenal FC, Portsmouth FC and West Bromwich Albion FC (all in England), winning trophies with the teams.

the Referees, thereby failing to comply with the principles of fair play, sportsmanship and behaving in a manner capable of bringing the League into disrepute.â&#x20AC;?

The sanctions imposed by the LMC on the club in exercise of its summary jurisdiction include a fine of N1million

for failure to provide adequate security, another N1million pursuant to Rule C12 being compensation to each of the assaulted Match Officials and in addition to any certified cost of treatment.

Other sanctions include a fine of N1million for throwing of objects on to the field of

play, N1million for encroachment on the field of play and restricted area immediately after the match and N1million for conduct capable of bringing the League to disrepute.

The former NPFL Champions have 48 hours within which to accept the decisions or elect to appeal. However,

any of the two decisions the club may choose must be communicated in writing to the LMC and should the appeal fail, additional sanctions may be imposed.

W E D N E S D AY FIXTURES Tornadoes v Rivers Utd MFM v Kwara Utd Abia Warriors v Go Round El Kanemi v Kano Pillars IfeanyiUbah v Nasarawa Heartland v Plateau Utd POSTPONED Rangers v Katsina Utd Sunshine v Lobi Insurance v Enyimba Remo v Wikki

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung (2nd left), being conducted round the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City by Chairman of Edo Sports Commission, Godwin-Dudu Orumen (4th right), during the ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unscheduled visit to facilities earmarked to host the 2020 National Sports Festival in the state capital

Kada City v Yobe Stars Gombe v Akwa Utd

Runsewe Immortalises Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golf Legend, Oyebajo Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Director General National Council for Arts and Craft (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has exalted Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf legend, the late Jamiu Oyebajo by organising a memorial kitty and promising to keep his name alive.

Oyebajo, was one of the four caddies that were sponsored by Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) in 1968 for a professional training in England.

That effort later crystalized into the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN),

the following year, when alongside their English tutor, John Nosworthy, Oyebajo co-founded PGAN with three other playersEmmanuel Lawrence, Patrick Okpomu and Festus Makelemi.

The late Mathew Jacob was the administrator.

Oyebajo, who for many years, was the former Resident Professional at Ikeja Golf Club, died on November 7 last year, few weeks to his 71st birthday. He was also the former Director of PGAN. Runsewe, who is also a member of the Board of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), declared yesterday that he offered

to organise the Memorial Kitty in recognition of Oyebajoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s selfless and sterling contributions to the development of golf in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk of golf in Nigeria without mentioning the impact of Oyebajo. He was a pioneer of the professional game in our country. He was also an exceptionally good teaching professional. His footprints can be seen all over the country,â&#x20AC;?

Runsewe said.

Runsewe vowed that the 18-hole Oyebajo Memorial Kitty held at Ikeja Golf Club and which had a turn-out of 90 golfers in the professional,

gentlemen amateur and ladies categories, will be dedicated as an annual event.

Alex Goman won the men best nett prize while Funmi Ogunsa emerged winner in ladies category. Chidi Tobias returned 3 over par 72 to win the professional contest.

Several raffle prizes were also given to many of the people that were in attendance.

Tobias, one of the professional golfers at Ikeja, thanked Runsewe for sustaining the legacy of Oyebajo and for promising to make the tournament a yearly event.

Okon Excited with Choice of Lagos as Host of NWPLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super 4 Rivers Angels FC Head Coach, Edwin Okon, has described Lagos as a fertile ground for his side ahead of the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super 4 Tournament.

The football fiesta that crowns the new NWPL champions has been scheduled to hold in Lagos between January 23 and 26 at the Agege Stadium.

The combatants are title holders, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens and 2018 Aiteo Cup winners, Rivers Angels.

Okon commended the leadership of the NWFL for their thoughtfulness in choosing a neutral ground like Lagos as the venue for its prime tournament which will give the contestants an even hand to properly express

their football artistry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m 100 per cent satisfied with the choice of Lagos as the venue for the upcoming Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super 4 Tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unarguable, Lagos is neutral to the whole participants and certain to provide an even ground for us to freely express our football talents.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;None of the quartet, Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens and Rivers Angels will claim any undue advantage in Lagos where the fans are ever ready to switch their loyalty to any side that meets their football expectations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Besides, Lagos, too have proven to be a fertile ground for us in terms of harvesting trophies.

CAF Suspends Lobi Stars Player from Champions League The axe of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fallen on Lobi Stars following incidents that occurred in their last December encounter with Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gor Mahia.

At a meeting of the Disciplinary Council of CAF on Sunday, Lobiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player, John Lawrence, was given a two-match suspension from the competition.

Lobi is also fined $15,000 for the playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action and also for

the pitch invasion at the match and the crowd incitement by the master of ceremony at the stadium.

According to a release by CAF, which detailed all other disciplinary decisions, John Lawrence was found guilty of fighting two Gor Mahia players, Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango.

The Gor Mahia players are also fined and suspended. In

the hearing chaired by South African Raymond Hack, his vice Osman Yassin from Djibouti and three other members, the five-bench board established unsporting behaviours from the three players.

The Jury also concluded that the master of ceremony, incited the local teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fans to push the Gor Mahia players and also got the supporters

to invade the pitch.

Joash Achieng Onyango of Gor Mahia was found guilty of using abusive language towards the referees and while another Kenyan player; Haron Shakava kicked the goalkeeper of Lobi Stars.

Lawrence was suspended from last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s encounter with Sundowns and will also miss the away match with Asec Mimosas of Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire.

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5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

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Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited With gratitude to the Almighty for the gift of his life, the Board, Management and Staff of Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited, commiserate with our Executive Chairman, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke(rtd) GCON, mni, on the loss of his brother,

High Chief

Honourable

Sir Obi MADUEKE 1951 - 2018

who slept in the Lord on Friday, 14th December 2018.

BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS AS ANNOUNCED BY THE FAMILY

C O N N E C T I N G N E T W O R K S . . . C R E AT I N G VA L U E

Wednesday January 16, 2019

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Ortom to Presidency

“In my campaigns I have never insulted President Buhari, I have never made any hate speech against him at any given time. If I talk of Miyetti Allah claiming responsibility for the killings in Benue State, it came from them and it was before the media and everybody knew about it. If I talk about Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), which did a press conference in Kano and proclaimed that the killings in Benue State were a continuation of 1804 jihad, it didn’t come from me, it came from them.”

–Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, raising alarm that cabal within the presidency is pitting him against President Buhari

KAYODEKOMOLAFE Will Anyone Vote for Health Policy?

THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

T

here is one huge deficit in the campaigns towards next month’s elections; political parties and their candidates are not definite enough about their plans to improve the condition of the Nigerian

people.

There are on display several manifestoes stating what politicians promise to do if given the mandate. However, there isn’t much of how the missions would be accomplished.

This trend is surprising given the large number of technocrats turned politicians who are energetically seeking votes. It may, of course, be idealistic to expect candidates to go into policy details in the brief opportunities they have while on the hustings. But it is, at least, expected that some specifics about how to execute a policy should be stated in policy documents. The websites of political parties should be replete with details of how policy objectives would be achieved. This is more so in respect of issues that directly affect the condition of the poor people.

It is certainly not asking for too much to ask candidates with backgrounds as technocrats to enrich and elevate policy debates. Technocrats should go beyond the slogans of “end of hunger,” “education for all” or “ “universal healthcare.”

One difference that technocrats could make in politics is to help build the culture debating policy details beyond a few minutes of appearance on television.

The health sector is one of the policy areas that specifics are sorely needed for an informed choice by the electorate. Healthcare delivery is a crucial component of the social sector. And there is a seeming unanimity of opinions among experts across ideological divides that poverty is a central question of development. In fact, poverty defines the Nigerian society.

The primacy of the social sector in the development is no more disputed in an age in which even the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are now the “champions” of anti-poverty programmes. Those enforcers of the ground rules of global capitalism are not just focussing on growth rates anymore.

So to tackle poverty the specifics of health policy especially funding should be stated.

In a commissioned report late last year, the Economist Intelligence Unit made a survey of 50 countries to find out what “building inclusive societies” means to citizens. Healthcare was rated top among the priorities of citizens in different parts of the world in the report entitled “Priorities of Progress: Understanding Citizens’ Voices.”

This is followed by other priorities namely education, social protection, and public safety, research and development (R&D), environment and transport infrastructure. Perhaps the most instructive observation in the report is that despite the differences created by the factors of economy, culture, technology and geography, peoples hold common views across the boundaries about “change and progress” in the society.

Nigeria is squarely within the global currents of people’s expectations from their governments.

In a comment on the important report on this page on November 14, 2018, this reporter observed as follows: “A theme that could be extrapolated from the foregoing (that is Economist Intelligence Unit report) is that it is not enough for a political party to blandly declare that it would provide free health services. It is equally socially insensitive for free market fundamentalists to glibly dismiss the idea of universal healthcare coverage and treat the health of the people as just another commodity.

Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewole “What this report by a unit of a consistently liberal newspaper has confirmed again is that health is a basic human need. In the Nigerian specific context, you cannot be talking seriously about poverty eradication without the access to primary healthcare by the poorest in the society.

Implicit in the report is also the fact that the people’s perception about the funding of heath services could sometimes be at variance with the calculations of politicians and their experts of various ideological hues. That is really the issue. A mother clasping her baby dying of a preventable disease is not the right person to lecture on the economics of health. The fact of limited resources should compel those who think for governments to ponder how to make the social sector a priority in policy conception and articulation.”

To play anti-poverty politics, a greater attention should be given to the social sector than what is currently the case among politicians and political parties in the current campaigns.

Last year, this newspaper in partnership with the federal ministry of health held a series of policy dialogues on healthcare. In one of the lively sessions, a passionate advocate of the synergy of purpose among stakeholders in shaping and driving health policies, Dr. Olumide Okunola, drew the attention of the audience to a development that should interest politicians, political parties and the electorate alike in this

“To make health policy a determinant of people’s votes, candidates and their parties should go beyond the slogan of “free health service” and state the specifics of how to fund universal healthcare”

0805 500 1974

season. As the director of programme, Okunola, a gynaecologist, reminded Nigerians that in Ghana the articulation of health policy is a determinant in winning presidential elections.

The example of Ghana should particularly be sobering to politicians here who merely sloganeer about health policies during elections. This is because cynics in some quarters might dismiss the examples of American and British elections as far to seek. In the last presidential election in the United States, what to do with the signature health policy of President Barack Obama called Obamacare was a major issue of the election.

It is already projected by some pundits that health would be among the 10 defining issues of the 2020 American elections. The fate of the British National Health Service (NHS), as a cherished institution, is always an electoral issue in which political parties are definite on their policy options.

Yet, most politicians and political parties taking part in next month’s elections are hardly spelling out the specifics of funding their health policies.

This should ordinarily not be the case because implementation of health policies is gradually becoming a continuum in Nigeria. Like the British and American examples cited above, there is already a substratum of policy for those shaping party policies to work upon in the health sector. The National Health Act was signed into law in 2014 by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government of President Goodluck Jonathan, just a year before the expiration of his tenure. In fact, as a PDP senator, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was the chairman of the senate committee on health when the law was passed. At the second THISDAY Health Policy Dialogue, the PDP governor called on all his fellow-governors to “obey the law” by implementing the provisions of the law.

Again, the continuum demonstrated in the health policy is another reason why strategies of development should be owned by political parties and should be embraced by candidates contesting elections at all levels on their respective platforms.

Although healthcare was hardly a prominent issue in the 2015 elections, yet it is a good thing that President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has given life to the 2014 Act by taking concrete steps to implement its provisions.

Only last Tuesday, Buhari rolled out the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) already appropriated in six states and Abuja. Funds to implement the provisions of the National Health Act were appropriated for the first time in 2018. The current provision is the N55 billion from Consolidated Revenue Fund to the basket fund of BHCPF. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also contributed $1.5 million of the pledged $2 million into the basket.

It is clear that the specifics needed are mostly in terms of funding.

In an apparently institutionalised manner, the National Health Act makes it mandatory that 1% of the Consolidated Revenues Fund in the annual budget should be allocated to fund basic healthcare.

In April last year, a new logo for BHCPF was unveiled under the name, Huwe, an Ebira word meaning life. The occasion was the second THISDAY Policy Dialogue on Universal Health Coverage. This electoral season, in which the limitation of resources comes into the fore as politicians set priorities, is therefore appropriate to state the specifics of health policy. Reflecting

on the discussions at that forum this reporter wrote on this page on April 25, 2018 inter alia: “In fact, it was pointed out that some countries began to increase their budgetary allocations to the health sector during recessions. Thailand was cited as an example. So the perennial excuse of economic downturn for the poor funding of the health sector by successive governments in Nigeria is no longer tenable. It is simply a policy choice not to care about the people’s healthcare in so far as the elite can seek quality care any where on the globe. That is precisely why the nitty gritty of funding healthcare should be an issue in the next year’s election.

“With a target of reaching 100 million poor people and about N60 billion budgeted in 2018, the take-off of Huwe looks promising. What is required now is for political parties and their candidates to state their positions on this policy step and others in the health sector. Are their candidates who see Huwe the way Donald Trump sees Obamacare? If any party or candidate plans to repeal the law backing it, it would be good for such political party and its candidates to spell out the alternative clearly. Those who are persuaded by the logic of Huwe and other initiatives should also concretely state how to improve on the implementation.”

Despite the credible steps taken by the Buhari administration in giving effect to the National Health Act, it is not yet universal health coverage in Nigeria. In fact, the nation is still very far from that destination of healthcare as a socioeconomic right in the light of the slow journey in that direction.

There is nothing in the Buhari’s “next level” manifesto to that a significantly different approach would be adopted in the health sector if the president is re-elected.

The other parties should, therefore, come up with specifics of changing the health policy if they have what they consider superior or improving on the implementation of the existing policy, which is certainly not satisfactory.

For instance, it is remarkable that unlike most of the other presidential candidates, Atiku acknowledges the reality of the National Health Act. In fact, in his plan “to make Nigeria work again,” Atiku plans to establish a commission to ensure “quality” and “standards” in the implementation of the provisions of the law.

Atiku also plans to reduce by 40% in 2024 the percentage of those “impoverished” by health expenses. Expectedly, the liberal tone and tenor of the details of the Atiku plan in the health sector is manifest. In a review of the unsatisfactory condition in the sector, Atiku refers to the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recommendation of allocating 17% of annual budget to healthcare.

However, it is not stated specifically in the Atiku plan what percentage of the budget would be allocated to health in Nigeria. Instead, the specifics of the role that the private sector would be expected to play are spelt out in the plan.

Now, the private sector is evidently playing a significant role in healthcare delivery. Yet, quality healthcare is beyond the reach of the poor. What the electorate should be told is the definition of the role of state in the organisation of the sector and how much of public resources would be devoted to healthcare in the interest of the poor majority.

To make health policy a determinant of people’s votes, candidates and their parties should go beyond the slogan of “free health service” and state the specifics of how to fund universal healthcare.

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